Nothing Without You

by Monica Murphy

  With Maisey.

  I decide to go with the honest approach.

  “Fine, you’re right,” I admit. “I do want to get you in my bed.”

  She remains quiet for a while, and I continue driving, though a little slower than usual. We’re still at the point where she can give me her answer and I can turn right and head back to my hotel.

  Or I could turn left and go back to her place.

  “Let’s go to the hotel,” she finally says and I’m tempted to pump my fist in victory.

  But I don’t.

  With a lead foot I get us to the hotel in record time, dropping the keys and a twenty dollar bill in the valet’s hand so he can park my car. I grab hold of Maisey’s straw basket full of our mostly uneaten snacks and our towels, and I sling it over my shoulder, then take her hand and lead her inside.

  We are windblown and sunburnt and I’ve never felt more alive. This has been the best day since I don’t know when. And it’s all thanks to Maisey.

  She’s quiet as we ride in the elevator to the top floor, and I wonder if she’s tired. When we enter the room, I offer her the shower first, and she gladly takes it. I sit on the edge of the bed and suffer in silence as I listen to the water run, imagining her standing under the warm spray, naked and glistening.

  Fuck.

  Within fifteen minutes she’s exiting the bathroom, wrapped up in that white terrycloth robe. It’s a little big so the collar puffs up around her face and I stand, going to her so I can push aside the front of the robe and check out her skin.

  “You got a little too much sun,” I say, sounding like my mama when I tsk under my breath. Her chest is tinged red. More like pink, and it looks painful to the touch.

  “It’s not so bad. I think it looks worse than it feels. I brought some aloe and I already smoothed some on.” She knocks my hand away and steps back, her expression exhausted. “I think I’ll lay down while you take your shower.”

  Grabbing her hand, I reel her back in and drop a kiss to her forehead. “I won’t be long.”

  I keep the water cool because I’m a little burnt too, and I wash myself quick, getting the lake water off me. I’m eager to get back to Maisey, to undo the belt on her robe and see if she’s naked underneath.

  I have a feeling she is.

  After wrapping the towel around my waist and running my fingers through my hair, I swing the bathroom door open to see her lying on the bed, fast asleep. I’ve totally missed my chance.

  There will be no naked exploration with Maisey tonight.

  The girl is completely sacked out.

  * * * *

  I’m having the best dream.

  Long, soft hair tickles across my chest. Warm, damp lips on my skin, a wet tongue flicking my nipple and I press my lips together, containing the moan desperate to escape.

  My body goes tight, anticipation flowing through my veins as I wait for her next tentative touch. Gentle fingers caress my skin, skimming across my stomach, hesitating before they shift lower.

  I’m naked. I shucked that towel before I crawled into bed, and now I’m thanking the good lord above because those fingers are on my dick, and they’re stroking.

  Squeezing.

  I pop my eyes open and stare at the ceiling for a moment, reveling in the touch. A thumb swirls around the top of my cock, again and again and then her mouth…

  Fuck.

  “Fuck,” I bite out, glancing down to find Maisey sprawled between my legs, her thick hair everywhere, lush pink lips wrapped tight around my dick. She looks up, her eyes flashing when they catch mine, and she releases her hold on me with a loud pop.

  “You’re awake.”

  “So are you,” I say through clenched teeth.

  “I couldn’t resist.” She has my erection in her grip, and she slides her fingers up, then down, nice and firm. “I hope you don’t think I was trying to take advantage of you. I could tell you were waking up.”

  “This beats my alarm, that’s for damn sure,” I say, making her laugh.

  I could wake up like this every day for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t protest.

  Her laughter dies the longer we maintain eye contact and then she slips my cock back into her mouth, her eyes sliding shut, a low moan sounding in her throat. I watch in fascination as she works me into a near frenzy, her fingers curled tight around the base of my dick, her lips sucking, her tongue licking.

  Jesus.

  I am done for.

  “Not like this,” I finally say minutes later, reaching for her, pulling her up with ease, flipping her around so she’s lying flat on her back, and I’m right above her. “Let me look at you first.”

  She removed the robe sometime during the night. And I know it’s definitely night. The room is dark, even with the curtains cracked open, and I can barely make out her features.

  I need to remedy that problem quick.

  Reaching over, I flick on the bedside lamp and she closes her eyes against the harsh light that bathes the room.

  “You should turn it off,” she protests as she slings her arm over her eyes.

  Putting her breasts on perfect display.

  “And miss seeing you naked and in my bed?” I actually snort. “Hell to the no.”

  Maisey laughs again, making her breasts jiggle, and I watch, my mouth going dry. Her laughter slowly dies and then she’s reaching for me.

  And I’m going to her.

  Kissing her like I might die at any moment and this is my last chance to taste her.

  Racing my lips down the elegant length of her neck.

  Breathing her in.

  Cupping her breasts, circling her pink nipples.

  With my tongue.

  Drawing them into my mouth.

  I feast on her chest, slip my hand along her curving belly until I’m touching her between her legs. She spreads them, the sheets shift, and her sigh escapes when I make contact with her hot, wet flesh.

  God, she tastes good. Feels even better. I press the spot I know she likes best—funny how we don’t forget that—and she lifts her hips, moaning my name.

  My cock is throbbing. My entire body is throbbing. I remember I have a condom in my wallet—one lone condom in my wallet, that’s fucking it—and I press my face into the mattress with a groan.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks, pushing at my shoulder.

  I lift my head to study her. She’s so fucking beautiful. And I only get one chance to actually be inside her tonight, so I better make it good. “I only brought one condom.”

  She smiles. Shakes her head. “Then we better put it to good use.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Maisey

  I thought he was going to tell me something terrible, the way he moaned in agony like the world was coming to end.

  Only one condom? No big deal.

  There are so many other things we can do tonight.

  He resumes his position, hovering above me, all of his attention focused on my body, which feels like it’s been set on fire. Such intense concentration zeroed in on me, it’s almost too much.

  Almost.

  With his mouth on my belly, those big, capable hands are on the inside of my thighs as they push me wide open. Everything inside of me is drawn tight in anticipation of what he’s going to do next. My body remembers how good he was at it.

  And the moment his lips touch me there, in my most sensitive, secretive space, I know he’s still just as good.

  Perhaps even better.

  He licks and sucks and searches and breathes. Yes, just his breath on my flesh sends a shudder through me, makes me clench my eyes shut tight, my fingers buried in his hair, holding him to me like he plans on escaping.

  No way. Uh uh. He’s not going anywhere.

  His fingers push inside me. One. Two. Three. His lips lock around my clit, sucking, licking, sucking again. I’m losing all control, thrashing beneath him, reaching, reaching, reaching for that spot. That bright, white spot that’s going to wash over me, pull
me under, make me see stars…

  Oh. Right there. Yes, right there. I say it out loud, trying to keep him in place, and he doesn’t move. Just keeps doing the same thing, again and again, because he knows I’m close. I’m so close. Chanting his name over and over again until I’m coming. I fall right over that delicious edge, let his lips and his tongue and his fingers pull me under, seeing nothing but blinding white stars.

  I’m a melted heap of flesh and bone after he’s finished with me, and when he slides up to lie by my side, I crack open my eyes to find a very satisfied smile curling his perfect lips.

  “You liked that,” he says, and it’s not a question.

  “I’m not going to answer you,” I say primly, closing my eyes and breathing deep. I’m trying to calm my still racing heart but it’s difficult. Especially with him next to me, his fully erect cock brushing against my thigh.

  “You fucking loved it,” he whispers close to my ear, just before he nibbles it. His hand is on my waist as he rolls me toward him and I press my body against his, trapping his cock between us.

  I am desperate to have him inside me.

  “You’re right.” I grab hold of him and pull, so that we roll until he’s on top of me. He’s heavy, his weight pressing me into the mattress, and it feels so good. He’s such a big, muscular man, and I love it.

  I absolutely love it.

  “Maybe we should wait a—” he starts but I cut him off with a kiss, my tongue seeking his. Minutes later he comes up for air and mutters, “Okay, we definitely shouldn’t wait.”

  And then he’s gone, crawling out of bed, going in search of his wallet, which I know he finds in less than a minute, if his triumphant “Ah-ha” is any indication.

  He crawls back into bed, his weight making the mattress dip, and then he’s there, condom in hand, gathering me into his arms and holding me close.

  “I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was fifteen years old,” he admits, his voice, his gaze so very, very serious.

  “Really?” I reach up, brushing his hair away from his forehead. “Fifteen?”

  “That’s when we got together. My sophomore year and your freshman year,” he reminds me.

  I’m still brushing his hair, sifting the soft strands through my fingers. ”We were so young.”

  “I thought you were the hottest thing alive.”

  I tilt my head, contemplating him. “Seriously?”

  Nodding, he reaches out, tapping the tip of my nose with his index finger. “Really.”

  “I didn’t understand why an older boy was interested in me,” I confess.

  “You were so cute and funny.”

  “I was a big nerd,” I remind him.

  “Not true.” He replaces his finger with his lips, kissing my nose. “You were beautiful. You still are. And you were so damn smart. You made me laugh. You made me do things I never would’ve done.”

  “Like go to a craft fair.” That was one of our first dates. My mom dropping us off at the local craft fair so we could walk around and look at the booths and eat food, holding hands the entire time.

  It was the dreamiest first date ever.

  “I only did it to be with you.” He kisses me, his lips extra soft. “I can’t believe we’re here. Right now. All these years later.”

  What do you mean?

  I want to ask him that question, but I’m scared to know the answer. Maybe what we’re doing means nothing to him. In his eyes, this could be all fun. Nothing serious. A chance to consummate the relationship we started all those years ago.

  He could leave, and I’d never see him again.

  The lump that forms in my throat at the thought is hard to swallow past.

  We start kissing again. Long, tongue-filled kisses, our hands wandering, searching. My body is languid, my senses on overload as he caresses me everywhere and by the time his fingers land between my legs, I am a panting, desperate ball of need.

  He tears at the condom wrapper with ease and I watch as he rolls it on, sheathing himself completely. I swallow hard, wondering what it will feel like to have that much length inside of me, and then the thought leaves my brain the moment he positions himself above me, his erection probing at the juncture between my legs, his hands braced on either side of my head.

  His mouth finds mine. Again. His hands find mine, linking our fingers together and bringing my arms up so they’re above my head. His gaze finds mine, holds it as he oh so slowly enters me, one delicious inch at a time.

  I close my eyes. Arch against him as he sinks deep. Deeper. He groans and the sound ripples through me as I wait for him to begin to move.

  “Maisey,” he whispers. “Open your eyes.”

  I do as he says to find him watching me, his gaze full of so much tender emotion my heart feels like it just cracked wide open, spilling its contents everywhere. I press my lips together, struggling to keep my composure and I can tell he knows.

  He knows.

  Without hesitation he kisses me, a chaste, sweet kiss as he starts to move. I remove my hands from his so I can run them up and down his back as he slides deep inside, pulls almost all the way out, only to plunge deep once again. This feels so good. He feels so good. I don’t ever want it—or him—to stop.

  We move, slow and languid at first, learning each other’s pace. I’m in no hurry, I’ve already had my release, but I can feel the tension in the line of Tucker’s shoulders, see the tightness of his jaw, how his lips have gone thin.

  “Let go,” I whisper, placing my hand on his cheek, caressing his stubble-covered skin. His gaze meets mine, hungry and frantic, and I smile up at him. “Please. Don’t hold back on my account, Tucker.”

  It’s like my words grant him permission. He grabs hold of my hip, repositioning me just so, and then he’s pounding deep inside me, going hard, our skin slapping, his grunts growing louder. He’s unleashing everything he has on me, until I’m helpless. Swept up into the storm that is Tucker McCloud.

  Never before has a man been so—primal toward me. He doesn’t handle me like I’m made of porcelain. More like he’s extra rough, and the best thing about this?

  He knows I can take it.

  And I can. Oh God, I can totally take it, and having him like this is…incredible. This moment is incredible. So perfect. So right. And just like that my orgasm is looming. Hovering just beyond where I can reach it, and Tucker’s every thrust draws it closer. Closer…

  “Oh fuck, Maise,” he whispers, his voice harsh, his panting breath stirring the hair at my temple. I run my hands down his smooth back, settle my palms against his ass, and push him closer.

  As close as I can get him.

  He comes with a shout, his big body shuddering as he presses his sweaty forehead to mine while taking big, gulping breaths. I cup the back of his head, keeping him close, my own orgasm sweeping over me, sweet and quick and stinging sharp. So sharp it brings tears to my eyes.

  Something snaps deep inside me, breaking apart, flooding my senses. I close my eyes, fighting against it, praying I don’t fall apart in front of Tucker.

  I know this feeling I’m experiencing. I’m familiar with it, though it’s been a while.

  It’s good old fashioned love.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tucker

  So far, I’ve lead an interesting life. I’ve done a lot of things. I’ve accomplished goals that most people only dream of. I’ve traveled the world, I’ve met lots of people, and I’ve worked in a variety of cities.

  But this past week? Hands down, it’s been one of the best of my life.

  Like, no joke. The weirdest thing that’s bringing me joy? All the planning—working out the details for my parents’ anniversary party with my sisters. If we’re not texting, we’re talking on the phone, and if we’re not talking on the phone, we’re actually together, and I’ve actually had…

  A great time.

  The party has brought Stella, Georgia, and me closer, and if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve never been very clos
e with my sisters. Until this week. We’ve gone to a party supply store together, we showed each other our costumes, we ordered flowers from Maisey’s sister Brooke, and we helped Maisey come up with the final design for the cake.

  When I was a teenager, I remember feeling like I had to get out of here as soon as possible. The small-town vibe stifled me. I felt like I was going nowhere, and I knew, I just freaking knew, that I could be someone…

  Somewhere else. Anywhere else.

  Being back home after being gone for so long has made me appreciate Cunningham Falls. Made me appreciate the townspeople who remember me. I’ve missed out on a lot with my family, with my old friends.

  This week has been a lot of fun. If I’m being completely honest with myself, I don’t want it to end.

  And then of course, there’s Maisey. She’s the main reason I’ve had such a great week. Spending so much time with her just doing…regular things. Hanging out, going to dinner, enjoying her actually making me dinner, watching movies on Netflix or going to the movies, having her over to my sister’s house so we can go over the final details for the anniversary party…

  We’ve spent so much time together, it’s like we’re a real couple.

  Last weekend, I helped Maisey deliver a wedding cake to a bridal client. Talk about an experience. It was a trip, watching her work her chaotic magic, hustling those cakes into the reception hall at one wedding, and the very hotel I’m staying at for another. Once she’d delivered the cake and we were on our way back to her place, I couldn’t help but lean over and give her a smacking kiss on the cheek while she drove.

  “What was that for?” she’d asked, smiling at me as I settled back into my seat.

  “You’re amazing,” I told her, because she was.

  Is.

  By the way, I’m in love with her.

  This isn’t a new realization. I’ve known this from the moment I ran into her my first weekend back home. Seeing her rattled me, but in the best possible way. From that night on, I wanted her. I’ve always wanted her.

  But not just sexually. I crave her company. Her sweetness. Her silly jokes. Her laugh.