Trust Me Page 9

  We head out the front door of what could very well be my new favorite restaurant, Maddox’s hand once again resting on my lower back so close to touching my rear. We head towards the pier to check out all the little souvenir shops, coffee nooks, and little stands selling homemade goods like jewelry and purses. We wander in and out of shops and browse through all their different offerings. As we wander down the pier, I start to feel the cooler air through my sweater giving me a slight chill. Maddox must notice my small shivers and gently places his arm protectively around my shoulder, pulling me into his broad, warm embrace.

  We reach the end of the pier in no time. Both of us stop and stare out at the majestic Missouri River, filled with fishing boats and shipping vessels. I’ve always thought that there was something calming about the Missouri River. Here, it’s wide and full of traffic. Thirty minutes East, there’s a wide fork in the river that swings to the South while a narrower path veers to the North. That’s where you find Rivers Edge. There’s no large vessel traffic on that part of the river, and generally only local fishing boats can be found in the water. But it’s just as majestic there as it is right here.

  “You’re getting cold. Let’s head back up and stop by a coffee shop.” We head back up the pier hand in hand and pick the first little coffee shop we find. Inside, I order a vanilla latte while Maddox orders black coffee. We snag a little table by the window and sit down to sip our drinks and warm up.

  “I think I want to stop by that little jewelry place across the way.”

  “Okay, let’s warm up for a few minutes, and then we’ll head over,” he agrees.

  After the feeling returns to our finger tips, we set out towards the little jewelry shop across the pier. I was drawn immediately to the beautiful crystals hanging in the decorative front windows. As we step inside, I see a breathtaking sun catcher made with little blue and silver Swarovski crystals. The center is a big crystal sun with sparkling rays that extend around the colored crystals. I gently remove it from the hanging display and fall in love with the striking little piece of art.

  “It’s beautiful,” I say out loud, though not really speaking to anyone in particular.

  “The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Maddox confirms, though when I look up at him, I realize he’s not looking at the sun catcher at all. He’s looking at me with a look I’ve never seen on Maddox’s face. Longing. Attraction. Desire.

  I smile again, not really knowing what to say. I’ve never had someone pay me so many compliments before in my life. Well, besides my mother, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count.

  “I want to get this for Brooklyn’s window,” I say as I start to walk towards the front counter to ring up my purchase. As we approach the counter, my attention is caught by another glass case filled with more crystals; this time necklaces. I spot a beautiful piece that has the same blue and silver crystals in it. The necklace has silver charms on it, and upon closer inspection, I see a sun, boat, and crescent moon.

  I take in the simple beauty of the necklace and smile. Maddox clears his throat over my shoulder and says, “I’d like to see that one, please,” as he points to the necklace I was just looking at. I straighten up and turn to face him. He’s smiling at me as he holds out his hand for the necklace. Once it’s placed in his big hand, he turns me away from him and pushes my hair over my shoulder. He places the necklace around my neck and clasps it closed behind my neck. I turn slowly to look at him, my hand touching the beautiful necklace that was just placed around my neck.

  “Something beautiful to remember how stunning you looked on this perfect night.”

  He leans in and places a feather light kiss on the edge of my nose and then on the corner of my mouth. We smile at each other like teenagers as we turn to pay for our purchases. He whips out some cash to pay for my new necklace and makes a grab for the sun catcher in my hand. I quickly pull back and won’t let him grab it. I insist on paying for Brooklyn’s gift, and after a few moments of arguing, he finally agrees to let me pay.

  We leave the quaint little jewelry shop and start making our way back towards the parking lot. Tonight has been one of the best nights and probably the greatest date I’ve ever been on. Maddox seemed focused solely on me, which I’ll admit, is a very welcomed change over the few past relationships I’ve been in.

  We reach the truck, and he unlocks and opens my door like a true gentleman. Before I can step up into the truck, though, he spins me around and crashes his mouth into mine. There’s no hesitation, no tenderness. The kiss is hungry and urgent and filled with need. He rocks into me, and I feel just how much I affect him as he rubs his erection against my lower stomach. I want to climb up his body, throwing my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I grind my pelvis against him, wishing the barrier of our clothes would magically disappear.

  A car driving through the otherwise quiet parking lot breaks the bubble we are in. Maddox rests his forehead against mine, our heavy breathing mixed together. “God, you make me crazy. We should probably head home before I rip off your clothes right here in a public parking lot.”

  “As nice as it sounds to have my clothes ripped off, it’s probably not the best place for it,” I agree with an ornery smile.

  He leans in and gives me another quick kiss on my sensitive lips and helps me up into the truck so we can start our thirty minute drive home.

  I drive home in comfortable silence. I don’t think I’ve ever been content with comfortable silence with a woman before which is just another reminder of how Avery is different from everyone else. She doesn’t feel the need to talk all the time for the sake of talking.

  As we start to approach the city limits of Rivers Edge, I start to wonder what I should do next. If this was any other girl, I’d drive back to her house with no hesitation whatsoever and take her inside. But this is Avery, and like I said, she’s different.

  “So, I thought maybe we’d stop by my house for a bit if that’s okay with you. This way, someone like Jake doesn’t see my truck parked in your drive and make trouble.” Even to my own ears, I sounded a little nervous as I said it. What the hell? It’s not like it’s my first time taking a girl home. Then it hits me. It is the first time I’m taking a girl home; to my house. I always go to their place. But the thought of Avery in my house, my bed, just feels right.

  “That sounds good,” she says with another shy smile. I love that smile; it’s filled with happiness and innocence. I turn off Main Street and head down Lincoln towards my house. When I reach my house, I pull into the drive and kill the engine. I hop out and walk around to her door. When I open it, she seems slightly hesitant, maybe even nervous.

  “I can take you home if you want.”

  “No,” she quickly throws out there. “I want to be here…with you.” There’s that damn smile again. I extend my hand to her and help her down from the truck and head inside.

  When we step inside the dark recesses of my living room, I start to walk towards the lamp but she catches me by the arm, stopping me. I turn to look at her. The only light in the room is what moonlight is filtering through the window. Standing there in my darkened living room, light glowing off her blond hair, she looks stunning. She extends her hand up to cradle my cheek, her other hand runs up my abdomen from my stomach to rest on my chest. I step closer to her, looking deep into her eyes. She must have realized she was holding her breath because she lets out a big breath which comes out a little shaky. I look deep into her crystal blue eyes, and that’s when I see it. Lust. Desire. Trust.

  My resolve shatters like a glass vase with that one look as I push her back against my front door. Our lips are urging each other on as our desire for each other completely takes over. She runs her tongue down my neck, and I almost come completely undone in my pants like a teenage boy by that one simple move. I cradle her ass in my hands and lift her up. She threads her legs around my waist, her hands diving into my hair. I lean against her, pushing her back into the door, and she moans. It’s the sexiest
fucking sound I’ve ever heard and all I can think about is being deep inside her, making her moan over and over and over again.

  I press hot kisses along her chin, down her delectable neck and lick the spot where her pulse is rapidly beating. “Tell me to stop, Avery. Tell me to stop right now and I will. But if you say nothing, I’m taking you back to my room and burying myself deep inside you. I’m going to make you come and scream my name. All. Night. Long. Tell me you want this as much as I do.”

  “I want this,” she whispers without hesitation and that’s all I need to hear. I turn towards my bedroom with Avery still in my arms, legs and arms wrapped around my fully charged body.

  When we get inside my room, I slam the door closed and press her up against it. “I love the feel of you wrapped around me, pressed against the wall. I’ve thought about you just like this so many damn times it’s hard for me to believe this is actually real,” I say as I pepper her face with more urgent kisses. I brace her against the door and reach for the hem of that sexy pink sweater. I slowly slide it and the cami up her torso, exposing her delicious stomach, inch by inch. When I get to her bra, I let out a strangled noise. She’s wearing a black lace bra. My little vixen is wearing a fucking sexy as hell black lace bra. My cock thickens to the point where it’s painful, my need for her too great.

  I slip the sweater over her head and dive in to her ample cleavage with my hands and mouth. Avery has perfect breasts like they were made solely for my hands. I pull down the lace to expose one little rose bud nipple. It’s already peaked and begging for my mouth. I lean down, licking it slowly, and drawing it into my mouth with just a little bit of suction. Avery lets out another moan, and rests her head against the door. I take the opportunity to release her other breast and shower it with the same attention I gave the first one.

  “Please,” she says through parted lips and heavy breathing.

  “Please what?” I growl.

  “I need you.”

  “What do you need, babe?”

  “I need you. Just you. Inside me.”

  And just like that, I’m setting her back down on the floor. She sways a little on her feet so I grab a hold of her hips to help hold her up. I squat down in front of her to remove her boots. I slowly slide the zipper down her calf, inching closer and closer to the ankle. After I remove that boot and set her foot back on the ground, I pick up her other foot, giving that boot the same attention. With both boots off, I make quick work of removing her socks. She’s staring down at me with a look that conveys just how bad she wants this. Wants me. I’m still kneeling in front of her, eyes locked on hers, as I reach up and unbutton her pants. I slowly pull down the zipper and glance at the black lace peaking out of the opening of her jeans. Fuck me! She’s wearing matching black lace underwear. I slide my shaking hands down her hips, removing her pants as I go. When I get them down to her ankles, she steps out of them. Avery is standing there, breathing heavily and leaning against my bedroom door in a damn black lace bra and underwear set. I could die right now and be happy. Well, almost.

  I stare straight ahead at her bare stomach. Avery looks down and notices my eyes burning into her flesh, and she instinctively covers her belly up with her hands. “My stomach isn’t as pretty as it use to be,” she says in a whisper laced with her insecurities.

  “Move your hands,” I tell her. It takes her a moment, but she eventually drops her hands to expose her belly. Even in the dark of my room, I can see the faint lines of stretch marks. I lean forward and lay tender kisses along her stomach, running my tongue along the marks. “Your belly is sexy as hell. These marks are beautiful and represent your daughter. I’d rather you have these and that beautiful little girl of yours than have a completely perfect stomach without her.”

  I look up and can tell that my words have put her at ease. But, they were the truth. These stretch marks are beautiful on her body.

  As if they have a mind of their own, my hands snake around her calves and slowly slide up her legs. They seem to go on forever; miles and miles of gorgeous bare, smooth legs. My hands continue to explore her legs, creeping up her thighs, heading towards the junction of her legs. I graze my thumb lightly over the wet material of her lace panties. She moans and slightly spreads her legs, encouraging me to continue my exploration. I draw her panties to the side so I can get a look at her beautiful body. She’s so damn wet. I slide one finger inside of her and she bucks hard against my door. I can’t believe how tight she feels. I slip the second finger in and continue the assault on her clit with my other thumb. She’s panting and moaning with each thrust of my fingers. I feel her insides tighten around my fingers as she starts to convulse. Her orgasm rips through her, the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard, and I don’t let up with my fingers until I know she’s starting to come back down from the intense orgasm.

  As she starts to relax, her legs practically give out from under her. I stand up quickly and grab a hold of her, bracing her between my body and the door.

  “We’re not done yet, sweetheart.” She opens her eyes and gives me a little smile that is full of satisfaction. A look that I put there on her beautiful face and damn if that doesn’t do something to me. Pride fills me like nothing ever has. I grab the hem of my shirt and rip it up and over my head. Her eyes drop to the tattoos on my chest and arms. She reaches her hand and traces the tribal ink on my upper arm, the one I got right before I went into the military after high school graduation. Then I see her eyes roam over the one on my chest, right over my right peck. She traces the dark black ink of my Marines tattoo, causing my peck to jump with her touch. The words and numbers of the tattoo represent our bond and brotherhood. I got the tattoo with all my squad brothers after we got back home to the United States from our first tour of duty. Her brother has the same one right beside his heart, too. It hurt like hell but was well worth the pain.

  As her fingers continue to explore the ink, she leans forward and gently kisses the words on my chest. I close my eyes as her lips glide along my body, over this part of my body that represents my past, my loyalty, my faith. Her gentle touch burns as her long fingers drift along my skin as I stand paralyzed by her touch. I feel every movement of her lips, every trace of her fingers. That simple touch is almost my undoing.

  I use my toes to kick off my shoes without even untying them. I use my one free hand to unbutton my pants. When I struggle a little to do accomplish the task one handed, Avery reaches down and releases the button. Her eyes are fixed on mine again as she slowly draws the zipper downward. She places both hands on the waist of my jeans and slowly pushes them down. I quickly remove my jeans and jerk as I feel her hands grab my hard erection through my boxer briefs. Her touch is amazing but I know that if she keeps that up, this’ll be over way before I’m ready for it to be.

  I still her hands with one of mine and bring them up to my mouth. I gently kiss her palms, her finger tips, her wrists. Then I shuck my boxers and reach down for my pants, pulling a condom out of my wallet. I use my teeth to tear open the package, pulling out our protection and using my free hand to cover myself.

  Then I remove her bra and thong - yeah, I didn’t realize it was a thong until I was removing them - and grab a hold of her ass again, lifting her up in my arms.

  “Wrap your legs back around me,” I tell her. She does as she’s told and it lines us up perfectly. I slowly bring her down on top of me, my whole cock surrounded by her wet heat. We stay like that for a moment as she adjusts to my size.

  “You’re so fucking tight.”

  “It’s been a while for me,” she replies and sounds a little embarrassed by her admission.

  “How long?”

  She hesitates a moment before finally saying, “Almost two years.”

  I practically go out of my damn mind. I let out a possessive growl and realize I have to move. Now. I slowly start pumping into her, trying to take it slow; not wanting to hurt her. But, the need to drive deep inside her harder, to possess her, is too great. I start hammering i
nto her, her moans become louder and louder. Just when I think I can’t last any longer, I feel her insides tighten around me and it sends me straight into another world. Bright lights burst behind my closed eyelids as Avery yells out my name while I pump into her a few more times, finally releasing myself deep inside her.

  We stand like this for a few minutes, each trying hard to catch our breath and waiting for our heart rates to return to a somewhat normal pace.

  I turn and walk her over to my bed without breaking our precious contact, tugging my comforter back. I slowly withdrawal myself from her body as I lower her down onto the cool sheets. “I’ll be right back,” I said as I head towards the bathroom to dispose of the used condom.

  When I return to my room, she’s lying on her side in the middle of my bed. The sight of her there is overwhelming and practically brings me to my knees. My legs are rooted in their place as I watch her. I’ve never felt the need to get back into a bed with a woman after I step out of it - even though we have technically not made it in bed together. I’ve never snuggled up to a sleeping woman and listened to her even breathing while she slept. But suddenly, in the moonlight of my bedroom, I have the overwhelming desire to crawl into bed with Avery. So I don’t question it now. I can question it and dissect it tomorrow. Tonight, I’m going to get into bed and hold her. As I climb into bed, she rolls over and lays her head in the crook of my arm, throwing her arm over my chest and her leg over my leg. I listen as her breathing starts to slow, until she’s falling asleep in my arms. Tomorrow, we’ll deal with whatever this means. Tonight, I’m going to go to sleep with the only woman that I’ve cared enough about to let into my damn bed.

  I feel the warm sunlight dance across my face, but I’m not ready to wake up yet. I stretch out a little bit and realize my muscles are achy and sore. I’m not sure if it’s from the first time against the door or from when he woke me up around two this morning for a repeat performance in bed. I snuggle up against Maddox again and feel him stir next to me. He grabs a hold of my waist and rolls me onto my side, his front to my back. This position, with him snuggled up against me, is the most comfortable place in the world.