Page 144 of Overcast

It’s out in the open, and I want this woman again.

I crave her underneath me.

I thirst to taste her and have my name off her lips again.

Flinging open the front door, the cool night welcomes us out, and Stormi pauses at the end of the porch with her hands extended in the air. “Yay, we made it out here.”

“Yeah.” I stalk in her direction. “What was that about being old again?”

Her face contorts. “Is your hearing bad?” She gestures with her hand to the front lawn. “Your stage awaits.”

I inwardly groan, not believing that I’m actually about to go do a cheerleader move for this chick right now over a stupid hand of cards.

Snatching my beer from her little claws, I down one more swig before possibly busting my ass on this dumb bet.

“Analyzing your move?” Stormi teases behind me, amusement dripping off her tone.

I extend my arm. “Hold my beer, smartass.”

She takes it, and I don’t think I just start to run. Hands extended, I push off my feet and cartwheel my ass, surprised when I land on my feet.

A round of clapping promptly lands on my ears.

“Yay,” Stormi laughs, keeping up with her cheering.

Her laughter hits my chest as I turn back towards the house. The moonlight cascades over her body makes her more beautiful than the moment before, and I move, marching in her direction.

Stormi takes another sip of my beer, watching me over the rim as I stop in front of her. Once she removes it from her mouth, it’s in my hands, and I carelessly fling it to the side.

“Who knew that you could be a little asshole, sweetheart,” I grumble over her.

She shrugs, unaffected by my words that used to have her cowering and begging for me to let her go. “I guess it needed some coaxing.”

Coaxing. Woman, you have no idea how much I want to pull from you.

Before I can even come back with anything to say, she starts to head for the woods, and I follow her like a fly to shit, letting her do what she wants and go where she desires.

I’m aware and can fully relate to a lost puppy dog following its owner around by some invisible tether. I also don’t mind watching her ass swaying back and forth and how she looks almost unreal as she disappears down the trail towards Reagan’s house.

She finally stops on the deck above the lake, overlooking the water that glitters and shines from overhead.

I don’t know what made her want to come here of all places. Where my conviction of her started way before I even got my hands on her and learned the truth. It was the beginning of so many emotions, and this—whatever it was.

All I know is that I’m content with it. We haven’t spoken about last night, and it doesn’t bother me. I just hope she knows that if she wants to continue or not, I’ll accept it.

Fuck, at this point, I’d do a lot of shit to make her happy right now. Like a pussy-whipped bitch, and I didn’t even get to taste her yet.

“This is probably one of the most serene places I’ve ever been to,” she finally says in front of me. “And the most emotional for you, I’m sure. It must be hard always having it in your face.” My jaw ticks as my own events start to produce through my brain.

She isn’t wrong, I just don’t want to think about them. But without the occurrences that have taken place, within the darkness and rage that kept pumping through my veins, I never would’ve met Stormi.

And that alone, I couldn’t imagine not happening at this point.

She’s like a piece that I never knew was missing. It feels good when she’s around, warm even.

“It doesn’t always have to be,” I reply, stepping in line with her. “Things change.”

“They do.”

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