Keep Me Wanting

by Angela Addams

  “Love is a complicated thing, dear. You must know that. It comes unexpectedly and suddenly and can shift on a dime. Your grandfather was a dependable and caring man. He was easy to love. Bernard, he was an adventurer, so exciting, so spontaneous. I knew that he would bring me great pleasure but also great turmoil.” She pauses to eat another olive. “I often have wondered over the years what kind of adventures we would have gotten into together had I made another choice.”

  “But you said you wouldn’t wait for him.”

  “No, but I never considered any other possibility. Like going to England myself, adventuring in my own way. I made myself stuck just because I couldn’t imagine any other way, and I was certain it just wouldn’t work because we were so different.”

  I’m looking at my grandma and seeing a different person. She could have had another life, one that she thinks about, one that she maybe regrets letting slip by.

  “I’m telling you this, darling, because I can see how much you and Liam like each other. It reminds me of the way Bernard and I were.”

  I make a face, and she laughs.

  “Just because there weren’t sexy magazines back then doesn’t mean I didn’t know about certain things. We were young, and everything was exciting. You and Liam might think you’re acting this all out for a show, just to fool your mother, but there’s something more to it.” She points a finger at me. “And you know it, even if you’d never admit it. Sometimes we connect with another person like glue to paper. There’s no rhyme or reason to how it all comes about or how farfetched it might seem, but when two people connect, they connect. And it’s clear to me that you and Liam are connected. So what I’m saying is, when the choice comes, and it will come, you need to shove your doubts aside and let your heart do the thinking for a while. You never know, it might take you places you’d never dream of going.”

  “Grandma, this isn’t serious. We’re just, I don’t know—”

  “Sexy friends?”

  My face is going to spontaneously combust.

  She’s laughing so hard she’s snorting. “Oh, don’t be so scandalized or I’ll start calling you Amelia.” She shakes her head. “I’ve never seen you so happy, darling. You’re positively glowing because of it. All that sex is doing you good.” She leans back, still grinning. “Promise me you’ll listen to your heart when the time comes.”

  I open my mouth, but no words come out. They’re stopped up somewhere in my throat or maybe in my heart.

  “Promise me, dear.” She uses her all business voice, the one that always snaps me into action.

  “Okay, sure, I will,” I say, even though I’m not totally sure what I’m agreeing to.

  She cocks one eyebrow and makes a face. “Not convincing but there’s no time for that now. Liam is looking like a fox trapped at a shooting range. Go save him.”

  I look over to see Liam standing from his chair, making excuses to get away, pointing to the door. Aunt Geri is trying to coax him back down, but he’s motioning to his phone and shaking his head.

  I hug Grandma. “You don’t mind if we skip lunch?”

  “No darling, go, have fun. I’ll keep your mother busy.”

  I kiss her cheek then quickly move to the other end of the table where Liam is looking more and more like a trapped prisoner.

  I slip my arm around his waist. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  He looks down at me with a bewildered expression. “I need to clear my head.”

  “I know just the place.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Liam

  “The forest again?”

  I’m following her because I want to and because I know that no matter how many times I look down at my phone it won’t make Ronan call me back any quicker. I’ve left five messages and have called repeatedly, but now the phone doesn’t even ring through. It’s like he’s blocked my number or something.

  “I always find that walking in the forest is a great way to settle my mind when it’s whirling around.” She slides her fingers down my arm and tugs my hand. “Come on, just for a bit.”

  I feel torn in two. Ronan is making a mistake, and I need to talk sense in him, but there’s nothing I can do right now when I can’t even get him on the phone. Not unless I’m ready to leave here and find him.

  Maggie bites her lip, a wisp of a smile there. I don’t want to leave, not even for Ronan.

  I entwine my fingers with hers, and it feels like a lifeline.

  She picks a trail to the left, and we start walking. The path is wide enough for us to walk side by side, not as big as the one we were on earlier but well worn and easy to navigate.

  She doesn’t speak, and neither do I. There’s too much too look at, and yes, I know that sounds strange, but it’s true. The trees are packed in with tall canopies of glossy green leaves. The sun is just starting to move toward the horizon so there’s light penetrating, but it’s not bright, more of a glow that keeps things visible. There are flowers and bushes lining the dirt edges of the path. The birds are chirping and animals are scurrying. A branch breaks here and there.

  It is calming—she’s right about that. Walking like this, holding her hand… The knot that’s been squeezing my shoulders eases. The churning in my gut does, too.

  “Aren’t you hungry?”

  She looks up at me and smiles. “Not really, no.” Then her face crumbles a bit. “Why, are you?”

  “No, not at all.” I smile. “Thanks for rescuing me.”

  “Aunt Geri can be a little much.” She’s working her bottom lip again. “And my dad, I mean, he can be protective.” She shakes her head. “Sorry, I got so caught up in the game that I didn’t think you might need a rescue.”

  I stop walking and pull her toward me. “Your dad is protective. Nothing wrong with that. But don’t worry, it’s nothing I can’t handle.” I lean down to kiss her, and her soft lips part for me. I can’t help but moan when she leans into me, her body pressing against mine, her arms coming up over my shoulders. I move my hands to her ass and hoist her higher.

  I started this weekend out thinking that I’d be doing Maggie a favor and protecting her at the same time, nothing more. Every time I look at her, I want to touch her, and every time I touch her, I want to hear her moan, and every time I hear her moan, I want her forever.

  That’s a fantasy you don’t deserve.

  I pull back, setting her on her feet again as I shift away. “Let’s keep walking.” I can’t forget what my life entails, the shit show that is my family.

  An ex-con is not what Maggie signed up for. Or what she deserves.

  She frowns but nods. “Okay, sure, let’s keep walking. I have a destination in mind that I think you’ll like.”

  We walk side by side again, not holding hands but not too far apart, either.

  “Can you tell me what’s bothering you?” Her voice is quiet, tentative sounding.

  “You don’t want to know.” I sound like an asshole. I’m not trying to be one. It’s just, all of this shit, I don’t want it near her, and it’s not like I’ve been totally upfront about my brothers and their career choices, either.

  She turns toward me, still walking, but her eyes are wide and she’s frowning. “I do want to know.” She reaches for my hand. “Even if it means this weekend changes for us. I want to know what’s bothering you, and I want to help if I can.”

  My heart thuds wildly once again.

  “You are helping, Maggie.” I squeeze her hand. “Trust me, you are, more than you can know.” Even just being with her now, my cycling thoughts have shifted back in my mind, not nudging me for action over things that I can’t control. She’s a distraction, a welcome one.

  “But you won’t tell me?”

  “It’s just a family thing.” I sigh, wincing. How much can I tell her without telling her much? “My brothers, they’re into some
thing that might be dangerous. I’m just worried about them.”

  “Should we call the police?” Her eyes widen again. “Or tell my dad? He’s a fair man, and he could maybe help.”

  I chuckle. Yeah, no. “It’s okay. There’s nothing the police or your dad can do. I appreciate the offer, but they’re grown-ups, and I just gotta let them sort things out on their own. Even if I want to fix things for them, they don’t want my help.”

  “Oh.” Maggie smiles up at me. “That’s your thing, huh? Helping people. Not just with big things like being my date at the world’s corniest family reunion—I’ve seen you do little things all weekend. I don’t even think you realize you’re doing it. Holding doors open, helping people with their luggage, going along with embarrassing games, talking to complete strangers, and indulging ridiculous questions. You help everyone out.”

  I shrug. I like to help people with things. And I want to help Ronan and Cormac from landing in jail or, worse, ending up dead.

  “There’s that frown again.” Maggie tugs my arm. “How about you let me help you?”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  She grins wickedly. “A friendly game.” She lets my hand go and takes off running up the trail before disappearing into the forest. “Come on, Liam, catch me if you can!”

  Her voice echoes through the trees.

  It takes me a second to realize what she’s doing. Oh hell yes!

  She’s fast and small and can weave and jump, breaking through the foliage and ducking under branches. I can see her just ahead of me, just out of reach, but I’m moving slowly, trudging like a clumsy bear after her. My heart is pounding, excitement racing up and down my spine, sparks jolting my nerve endings. My only thoughts are about her, catching her like I’m some kind of predator after my prey. I feel alive, I feel like I can run forever, but I won’t have to because she’s just…right…there…

  She darts to the side, disappearing into a tangle of bushes, and it takes me a few paces to shift gears and follow her. I can hear her laughing, and as I round the next tree, I see why. She’s left her shirt hanging on a branch. I hear a crack to the left, grab her shirt, and keep going.

  I’m laughing as I’m running.

  We’re deeper into the forest, and I can’t actually see Maggie, but I’ve found her shorts and her bra. I’m guessing there are no panties. I’m praying there are no panties.

  I suddenly break through the trees to find a clearing—and a tiny cabin thing—and Maggie’s face, peering at me from between two wispy panels of fabric at the doorway that do nothing to cover her up.

  “You found me,” Maggie purrs.

  I hold up her stuff. “You seemed to have lost your clothes.”

  She pulls her face back then snakes a bare leg out. “You should come in here, Liam.”

  My cock pulses. I look around. We’re completely alone out here, the only cabin in the clearing.

  She pulls her leg back, then I see the curtains in the small window flutter before they open. Her heavy breasts sway as she holds the curtains open. “What are you waiting for?”

  “Someone might hear us.” And I totally can’t believe I just said that.

  She laughs, shrugs. “This is a rentable massage cabin. I saw the manifest yesterday when we were in the spa, and it has no bookings to speak of. I guess no one wants to trek all the way out here for a rub down. We’re on our own.”

  I drop my hand to my pants, my cock hard and straining against my zipper. The times we’ve been together before this, I’ve been fucking Maggie. Straight up pussy-pounding fucks. This time is going to be different.

  I can’t explain why things have changed for me. Maybe because I realize that she gives a fuck about me. Maybe it’s because I really like her. Either way, I’m going to take it slow this time, and I’m going to worship her body. This isn’t going to last forever, and I want to savor her.

  The cabin is pretty small with enough room for a mattress and that’s about it. With no actual door or glass in the window, the cabin is pretty open. There’s a nice breeze coming through and some light from the sun that penetrates the trees’ canopy.

  She’s lying on her back on the bed, her legs parted, her pussy glistening.

  If someone comes out here to get a massage, they’re in for quite a show.

  Someone has put sheets down, and the bed we’re on cushions my knees comfortably. I adjust my position and run my hands up her calves, coming to her knees so I can part them wider. “You’re so beautiful, Maggie.” I’m looking at her face, and I can tell my intensity is making her uncomfortable. Her face blooms pink, and she shakes her head.

  “You’re the beautiful one,” she breathes. “I can’t really believe, I mean, when I look at you, I can’t believe how lucky I am that you’re here with me, even if it’s just for a weekend.” She bites her lip, and I can tell she didn’t mean to say that.

  “A man would have to be a fool not to want to be with you.” I run my hands down her thighs and cup her pussy briefly before parting her lips with my thumbs. “And I’m no fool.” Her lips are glistening with moisture, soaked with it. I rub my thumbs inside of her and press a finger to her clit.

  She moans in response, her head falling back, her hands moving to play with her nipples. She’s so wanton and uninhibited, her body moves through each sensation she feels, and I can practically see her vibrating.

  I pull my hands back and nestle between her legs, kissing my way down her thigh, the smell of her arousal making my cock weep.

  “Everything about you makes me want,” I murmur against her skin.

  It’s not a lie. Everything about Maggie makes me want things I have no right wanting. Like seeing her again after this weekend and not just at the Coffee Hut. Taking her away and having her all to myself in a wood cabin nestled in a wintery wonderland where we can make love in front of a roaring fire and bundle ourselves against the chill in the air. Or to some exotic island resort that I could rent all to ourselves so we could lounge in the sun all day and fool around in the pool. Anywhere that I can be alone with Maggie would do, whatever location she most desires.

  I can be a romantic. And she’s the kind of girl you take places like that. Even though I don’t think she’s the type of girl to demand expensive things, I’d love to buy her pretty things and take her out for expensive meals and then bring her back home not to fuck but to make love to endlessly.

  I want to take care of her student debt and move her out of her loft to live with me. I want to shower her with whatever she wants and take away all the stress she feels. I know she’d never put up with that kind of shit. I know she wants to make her own way, and I’d never force my money on her, but I want to take care of all of her needs and wants and desires.

  And she’s the kind of girl who knows exactly what she wants.

  The kind of girl that I can never have.

  A thug like me doesn’t get a girl like Maggie.

  That’s the reality of my situation. So, better to be in the moment, push away those fantasy ideas, and focus on what’s right in front of me, because I won’t have her forever.

  Maggie’s skin is the color of light butterscotch, tanned darker in the places where the sun hits and lighter where it doesn’t. I kiss my way down to her pussy and part her lips once again. She’s pink here, her lips flush with color. So deliciously sexy. I lick up slowly, pressing my tongue as deep as I can, taking her essence into my mouth and savoring it. She bucks upward when I press my finger into her clit once again, rolling it roughly while I lick and suck at her lips. I feel her move and look up to see that she’s propped herself on her elbows, her tits on display, her eyes hooded with lust, and she’s watching me eat her out, and it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

  With our eyes still locked, I move my lips to her clit and plunge my fingers deep inside her, hooking up so I can rub her g-spot. She moans, her h
ead drops back, and her tits jut up. I lift my other hand and flick her nipple, rolling the hardened nub between my fingers.

  Her orgasm rises quickly; her muscles spasm around my fingers, and her nipples flush red. I don’t let up, though, not until she’s making that sexy noise at the back of her throat, half moan, half scream, and her hips are bucking and rolling.

  As the pulses of her climax subside, I unlatch my lips from her clit and slowly kiss my way up her stomach to the underside of her tits. I can’t fit her tit in my mouth—no way, too big—but that doesn’t mean I don’t try. I open my mouth wide and swirl my tongue around her nipple, flicking away with my fingers on her other breast, watching her come back to her senses just in time for me to ramp her up again.

  She moves her legs around and scissors me between her thighs. My dick rubs against her skin, and I have to stop myself from bucking into her, from seeking out that wet heat and plunging deep.

  “Condom,” I murmur as I dislodge from her tit. “Don’t move.”

  If there’s a record for fastest dick wrapping, I’ve got it. I’m sheathed in latex and then sheathed inside Maggie within seconds. But I’m not rushing it. I’m moving slowly, rolling into her so that I’m grinding her clit in every possible way. I’ve got my arms around her, one hand on her ass, her tits pressed into me, my other hand on the back of her neck, pulling her closer. I’m kissing her with everything I’ve got, stroking her mouth like I’m stroking her pussy. So when her orgasm hits, it isn’t a flash; it’s a slow burn. Her body coils, I can feel it, every part of her quivers, and she’s moaning into my mouth when the ripples begin. I don’t let up, keep the slow grind going until her muscles are milking me so hard I think I’m going to pass out. My balls are so tight, my dick so hard, and when I finally let go, my own orgasm crashes into me with blinding intensity.

  I pull back just a bit, still moving my hips slowly, greedily taking every last spasm she has to give. I brush the hair from her face. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, Maggie, here.” I touch her chest, just where her heart is. “And here.” I touch her face. “The whole package. Any man would be lucky to have you to himself.”