More to This

by Tess Keeler

  Through slight pain and pressure, Everly felt her lips part, uncontrollably releasing small moans as Henley moved against her.

  She clung to his back as their bodies slid on the bed, moving closer to the headboard as he pushed into her, deeper, meticulously.

  “Oh my god,” She felt her body shake as she groaned. The words were staggered, incomplete, and flawed. Her mind was hazy, her heart full, and her body pleased. She touched his face, causing their heavy eyes to meet.

  “I love you, Ev,” he breathed, the words warming her moist skin. She smiled as she bit back her bottom lip, her grip on his back getting tighter.

  “I love you, H.” She whispered, choppy and cracking from the excursion. A tear slipped from her eye, over her cheek and into the mess of her long hair beneath them. She lifted herself enough to connect their lips, as he pushed her leg further up to move deeper inside of her.

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  More to This

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Henley

  If Henley thought the view through the floor to ceiling windows was beautiful, he had never seen Everly the morning after making love to him. Her legs were tangled with his, her bare body draped over his. The sun was peeking through the untouched curtains, and it was bringing out the gold undertones of his girlfriend’s chestnut brown hair. She looked so peaceful as she laid against his shoulder and chest, her soft breaths warming the skin there. His heart throbbed slowly as he thought about confessing his feelings to her in the moment, and he hoped it wasn’t too much. Love was something he had obviously never experienced before Everly; Victoria was nothing compared to this.

  Carefully, he lifted his left hand to her long, tousled locks. He smoothed them down until reaching the cool skin of her back. While running his fingers between her hips, over and over, he lifted up to kiss the top of her head. He loved how sweet she looked as she slept, but he wanted to wake her so badly.

  “Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered.

  The deep breath she took signaled she was stirring, her eyelashes fluttering. His free hand pulled the hand on his chest to his lips, kissing each finger tenderly. Her muscles shook as she stretched. He sighed as her smooth skin slid against him.

  “Morning,” she breathed, her voice thick with sleep.

  She looked up at him as he smiled before their lips met gently, his heart doing some crazy dance in his chest. His feelings seemed to have grown more intense overnight.

  “How are you feeling?” he asked, holding the hand he was kissing in his hand tightly while the other continued to rub her backside.

  The breath she released was one of relief almost, “Wonderful.” The smile that spread across her lips was one of pure bliss. “How about you?”

  “Incredible,” Henley said, mirroring the size of her grin.

  “Good.” They sat up together, their bodies still intertwined in a way. Everly’s large eyes sparkled, the grogginess fading from her expression. “We’ve got a busy day. Ready to start an adventure?”

  “Always.”

  ———————————————————

  The day had flown by for Henley. Experiencing the hustle of New York was almost numbing compared to the laid-back nature of his home state. Colorado was much more chill, but he enjoyed all that he saw with Everly. After having breakfast with her parents, she had surprised him a trip to MOMA and Central Park. Both were beautiful and inspiring to him, and it wouldn’t have been the same without her. As sappy as he was starting to feel, they still found time to tease and poke each other, like they had the entire duration of their relationship. Henley was nearly floating as the sun began its descent into darkness, Everly was sitting in the limo beside him, her burgundy maxi dress cut down to her waist, exposing enough skin to make it dangerous for him. There were no sleeves and a slit up the left leg. She wore a pair of strappy black heels that made it impossible for him to ignore her.

  She was laughing at something her father, Noah, had said. Henley really enjoyed her parents’ company, especially her fathers. It was difficult being around them and not thinking about how much he didn’t deserve their daughter, but every minute got a little easier. Especially with Everly’s hand helping him stay planted in the black leather seat. He wore what Mason had chosen for him: a sky blue button-down shirt, black slacks, suspenders, and he sported his black oxfords. Hoping it looked good enough, he studied her parents' outfits. Both of them were wearing mostly black. Thankfully, he wasn’t the only one wearing color. That would have been embarrassing. Noah was wearing a black suit with a white button up under the jacket, and his wife was wearing a black, long-sleeved dress with a deep neckline, much like her daughter’s.

  Noah’s natural curls bounced as they hit a pothole, “Ah, looks like we’re here.”

  Henley turned to face the commotion, forcing the lump in his throat down. The limo slowed to a stop, directly up to a carpet lined with photographers. There were already faces he recognized from a world much more proper than his. He didn’t belong at the event, and he broke out into a nervous sweat at the sudden realization. What if he messed this up?

  “Don’t worry. They’re waiting for my father. Not us.” Everly whispered near his ear before kissing his cheek. He met her gaze, and he offered him a reassuring smile. “I hate this part.”

  Her parents were first to get out, and Henley stood as gracefully as he could before helping Everly out of the vehicle. They walked together, the couples only a few feet apart. He heard Everly’s name a few times, and they would stop to pose, but only for a second. It was pretty overwhelming. Then there was this extravagant staircase leading to an all-white room with white tables and chairs. Twinkling lights hung between trees carefully placed along the inside perimeter. Large, sparkly chandeliers decorated between the walls. Henley was holding his breath when he noticed Noah had stopped to speak to someone, his eyes moving too quickly between the crowds of people grabbing free alcohol and swaying to classical music on the dance floor. He hated people.

  Everly’s breath warmed the skin beneath his ear. “How am I lucky enough to have snagged the sexiest man in the room as my date?” she asked, the deep tone of her voice stoking him between his legs.

  He squeezed her hand, his eyes obviously studying her entirety, “You could have anyone you want dressed like that.”

  The slow smile on her lips was accompanied by the batting of her eyelashes. She parted her lips to speak, but Noah was moving to put his arm around her, already laughing, “This is my daughter, Everly.” Their hands fell apart, and Henley stood there, just watching. Everly’s smile was smaller as she looked at their company, and her father offered an explanation for the interruption, “I was just explaining to Jeff that playing music doesn’t always ruin relationships. If it wasn’t for my endless traveling, you would have never met Mason.”

  Everly spoke up, smiling, “That’s true. Our fathers were globe trotting while we were protecting each other from vultures at school.” Henley was directing his attention to each person speaking or reacting, the acquaintances thought Noah and Everly were entertaining to say the least.

  Noah stepped back a little more, including Henley in the conversation, “One of the biggest downsides to being any level of celebrity. You can’t trust a soul.”

  Their eyes met, and Henley smiled softly, admiring how much passion Noah carried for not only his career but his family. They were all perfect together, and a little bit of him hurt thinking about how little time Everly got to spend with them. Henley reached for Everly’s waist and stepped into the conversation, not really listening, but observing some more. They moved on to a couple other groups of people, and Everly stood next to him just as quietly, unless she was addressed. He did end up introducing himself a few times, but other than that, he relished the way it felt to be next to Everly. He felt proud to be by her side: the most beautiful girl there.

  At some point, her parents left them to grab alcohol, and Henley and Everly found their table. Henley looked longingly
at the open bar with a desire to lose the nerves he had in a pint. Turning back, he put his hand on his girlfriend’s knee, finding the smooth, bare skin peeking out from the slit in her dress. He smoothed his fingertips a little closer to her inner thigh and gave her his best smile.

  “You’re better at this than you think you are. You’re so beautiful and elegant.”

  She didn’t respond to his comment with words. Her hand found his, riding along as he painted over her skin.

  “Earlier when you said I could have anyone I want..” She paused, her eyes batting at him a few times before she continued. “I only want you.”

  His heart did that stupid thing again, and he exhaled shakily. The hand caressing her skin stopped to squeeze her thigh gently. “And I want you.”

  The loud chatter and expectations were tuned out as he focused on the electricity between their connection and the way she was staring directly into his soul. It was just the two of them, enjoying an event neither of them cared to be at.

  “What do you want to do after this?” she asked, like it hadn’t just begun. They were both ready to be alone.

  “Worship you,” he said seriously, not caring if anyone could hear him.

  She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes traveling all over his face. She lifted an eyebrow and released her lip to respond, “How exactly do you plan to do that?” The twinkle in her eyes was different than the sparkle, but it was just as curious.

  “Everly, do you remember River?” Her father's tone was always one of excitement. Henley didn’t understand how he could be so damn happy.

  He turned to see Noah displaying two men three to five years older than he was. The one closest to him (River maybe?) had brown hair similar to Everly’s color. It was long, and it brushed his cheeks as he offered them a smile. The second guy had short, almost black hair, with full lips and a jawline Henley would kill for.

  “Yes! How are you?” Everly asked, standing politely.

  Henley followed her, towering over the two men in front of them. They had to be 5’7” or shorter.

  River’s thick-framed glasses rested over his olive green eyes as they caught up. He wondered how long Everly had known him. “I’m wonderful, Everly. It’s good to see you.” He turned, using his left hand to present the man standing next to him. “You remember my husband, Aiden, right?”

  “I do. Hi, Aiden. Wait? Husband?” Everly asked, her lips curling into a smile as she looked up at the dark-haired man standing next to River. The excitement on her face was genuine—like the one she wore when a new Marvel movie was announced. “You guys got married? That’s wonderful! Congratulations!”

  She turned to Henley, offering him the smile lingering on her lips. “This is Henley, my boyfriend. Henley, this is River and Aiden. River owns a recording studio in Seattle, and my father swears by his work.”

  River blushed a little, waving his hand. “You guys flatter me.”

  “You deserve it,” Aiden’s breathy, low tone traveled in his husband’s direction, and River’s eyelashes fluttered at his husband.

  “Thanks, baby,” River said softly.

  Henley’s stomach flipped, feeling the intensity between them radiate in his direction. He thought he should look away as they stared at each other in a way that could turn him on—bedroom eyes. He raised his eyebrows toward Everly after noticing Noah had snuck away at some point.

  “What?” she mouthed.

  “How did you two meet?” Aiden asked finally.

  The color tinting the man’s cheeks was contagious as Henley smiled at the ground, clearing his throat. “College party,” he laughed. He snaked his arm around Everly’s waist before meeting their guests’ gaze once again. “You could say she tamed me.”

  “Something like that,” she agreed.

  River and Aiden’s smiles were completely opposite. River’s was like a curtain: large and displayed. Aiden’s was reserved: his lips pursed and only one side lifted— a smirk more than a smile.

  “Ah, if Aiden would have never met me, he probably would have been wild,” River chuckled, caressing Aiden’s cheek with his hand.

  “Out of the two of us, I was the wild one,” Aiden said, his smirk transforming into a smile that showed off all of his teeth.

  “How long have you two known each other?” Henley asked, admiring their connection with a heavy heart. It was almost too much.

  “Thirteen years,” Aiden answered.

  “We were childhood best friends turned lovers,” River added.

  “I’m still so happy for you two!” Everly said, tightening her free hand around Henley’s bicep as she moved a little closer to him.

  “Thank you, Everly,” River said, almost with a nod.

  Henley saw waiters and waitresses walk by elegant topped plates. “Is that dinner?” Henley asked, his stomach growling at the sight.

  River reached for Aiden’s hand. “Yes. It is that time,” the deepness of his voice was a little more noticeable now that he was saying farewell. “It was nice to meet you, Henley. As always, it was good to see you, Everly.”

  Aiden offered a wave as he gave them the same sort of farewell. Henley said goodbye before sitting back down, his eyes on the plate being set down in front of him. It didn’t take long for it to disappear, all tasting dangerously good. The plates were taken away a little while longer, and all of the attention was directed at the dance floor and stage at the very front of the building. Some people spoke about the music industry, what they were there to raise money for and celebrate, and then the signal to dance was given as everyone stood. It was slow at first, and Henley could feel the nerves bubbling in his stomach. His first dance… He wasn’t even sure he could.

  Facing her, he took a moment to revisit all the details of her face. The gentle curve of her nose and the full pout of her lips. Her eyes were like large almonds, turning up toward the sky. Her hair, even though tied in a strategic updo, still seeming so big and full with personality. He adored everything about her; he was sick with it.

  “Would you like to dance, Everly?” His smile felt cheeky on his face, but he was genuinely happy to share the experience with her, no matter how different it was from what he was used to.

  “Yes. Thank you,” she said, her voice a little softer as she took his hand as he held it out to her.

  They slowly walked toward the bodies that had beat them to the dance floor, Everly’s parents included. Henley pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist. He smiled down at her, very few inches between them. Her brown irises said everything needed to as they swayed together, enjoying an equally classic love song.

  “I meant what I said last night,” Henley whispered, leaning his forehead against hers. “I love you.”

  She looked into his eyes a moment before he let them rest, his lips curling into a smile.

  “I love you, too, H,” she whispered, her voice as thick as the tension between them.

  Kissing her was effortless. Even as he sweetly pressed his lips into hers, he tried to not to let it escalate like it normally would. Not in a room full of people who knew her father. Oh, but he wanted her, just as much as he did the night before, and the months leading up to that night. The desire he felt for her had only strengthened over time, proving everything he once knew wrong.

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  More to This

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Everly

  Everly loved the way Henley’s breath felt on her neck once his focus drifted from her lips to her olive skin. The groan building in her throat fell confidently from her lips as his hands explored her clothed body. Their makeout sessions had always been intense, but ever since New York, it multiplied by a thousand. Never did she dream that being tangled in someone could be so beautiful--until Henley came along. Now, all she wanted was to taste him, have his hands all over her skin, and to feel him complete her in a way she wasn’t sure she would ever allow or want.

  His skilled hands were pulling at the thin material of her
tank top, and she sighed in relief once it was discarded onto the floor.

  “God..” She groaned, chewing her bottom lip as he didn’t miss a beat, connecting his lips to her bare abdomen.

  “Hen!” Pierson’s voice caused them both to jump, Henley letting out a frustrated groan as a small knock shook his wood door.

  Henley cut his eyes at the door before nearly growling, “Busy!” His lips reconnected to her stomach, causing her jaw to flex.

  A knocking was louder this time. “Come on, Henley. I need my shirt back. I’m trying to impress someone tonight.”

  Henley lifted his head up, closing his eyes in annoyance. He sighed. “It can’t be that urgent. The sun’s still out. Can you give us an hour?” With a thoughtful pause and a playful smile to Everly, he added, “Maybe two.”

  “How much can you two possibly make out in that amount of time? I’m going to come in.”

  The door pushed open, and Everly pulled the sheet mostly underneath her over her exposed skin. Thank goodness Henley hadn’t gotten to her bralette yet.

  “Hey! What if we were fucking? You don’t know.” Henley’s expression was definitely annoyed, a little pissed off even.

  “If you were, then why wouldn’t you lock the damn door?” Pierson huffed in Henley’s direction, his hand staying on the brass doorknob.

  Henley sat up, ensuring every piece of Everly was adequately covered before his retort fired back at his twin. “Usually you don’t bust through the door demanding things.”

  Pierson rolled his eyes, “Usually you don’t have company here.”

  “Things change,” Henley stated, glaring at his uncooperative brother.

  “Clearly.” Pierson’s voice was void of all emotion in his response. “Now, where is my shirt?”