Page 81 of Always You

He feels like the sun on a cloudy day, his touch magical and capable of pulling me out of whatever numb state I was in before this. He never stops, steady, gentle, as if he wants to relish this moment for as long as possible. Each move, each tilt of his head, each time our tongues find each other again, it all gets tattooed on my membrane, wondering if he’s setting a standard no one can ever surpass.

After a while, he moves his head back, leaving me disappointed, because I sure as fuck am still craving more.

His thumb moves up and down my cheek as he bites his lip. “Let’s go toourplace.”

I nod in agreement, making a big smirk appear on his face. He grabs my hand, walking me back to the passenger side as he opens the door, and I place my foot on the step to climb inside. I drop my ass on the seat like I’ve done numerous times, then I look back at him. It feels different. Everything feels different.

He puts his feet on the steps, pulling his body up in one move, hovering his face in front of mine. “Remind me to get you drunk more often.”

A wink is volleyed my way and, simultaneously, my mouth curls into a smile, relieved that even though the boundaries have blurred, we can also still be us.

“Stop flirting with me.”

“Fine.” He chuckles, then presses another kiss on my lips. He moves back down, slamming the door shut before he rounds the truck, and gets behind the wheel, then takes off as if nothing happened. As if we’re driving around like we didn’t just share the best kiss of my life.

But after feeling his body so close to mine, I hate the space that is now between us, like an awkward, invisible sibling that is forced to tag along. It has my fear and insecurity growing with each mile that passes, giving me way too much space to think of all the reasons why this isn’t a good idea. He reaches out his hand, grabbing my neck, softly pulling it to make me scooch closer to him. I slide right next to him and settle into the side of his chest, instantly feeling better from the warmth of his body. He wraps his arm around my shoulder, keeping me in a tight grip against him while he plants an affectionate kiss on my hair. It’s weird how in the last five minutes we crossed a line we were never meant to cross, but somehow it feels as comfortable as ever.

We drive to our spot in silence, and for a minute, I nestle my head closer against him, closing my eyes. A contentedness settles in my veins, and even though my thoughts are still laced with a hint of fear, I’m fully aware that there’s no turning back now. There’s no turning back from this. I know he’ll leave his mark on me, like a wound that will never quite heal, forever embedded in my life.

Five minutes later, he parks his truck next to our tree and shuts off the engine. I glance up at him, looking into his hazel eyes that are staring me down. He cups my cheek, narrowing his eyes, placing a soft kiss on my lips.

I sigh, knowing he ruined me with a single kiss.

“What’s on your mind, babe?”

“What if we ruin it?” I know the question is useless because the outcome will stay the same. We’re on this bridge and we’re getting to the other side, no matter what. But I need him to tell me we’ll be okay. We won’t lose what we have. I want him in every way possible, but Ineedhim to stay my best friend.

I can’t risk that.

I’m notwillingto risk that.

He smiles, brushing my lips with his thumb.

“It’s us. We won’t.

27

“What if we ruin it?”

A gradient of desire and insecurity peers back at me. The question is loaded, I know that. I can’t make any promises, because there’s a good chance I’ll fuck it up. But looking into the eyes that are the fuel of my existence, I know I will do anything to keep what we have right now.

I press another kiss on her lips, sealing my reply with a sliver of hope while silently praying I’m right. That we won’t screw this up.

“Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

Leaving the door open, I head to the tailgate, spreading out the blanket I have in the back of the truck, while throwing a second one in reach, then head back to Charlotte. Another smile splits my face when I look at her, grabbing her legs to wrap them around my waist as I pull her closer and press my lips to hers. Fuck, I’ve been waiting to wrap her around my body for so long.To kiss her like this.A shiver runs through my body when her hands land on my neck, parting my lips to deepen the kiss. It feels like I’ve been waiting for years instead of months, and even though I can’t wait to rip her clothes off, I also want to enjoy this moment. Take it nice and slow, and drink her in until she’s screaming my name, like she’s done in my dreams.

I lift her out of the car, cupping her peachy ass, slowly walking us to the tailgate to drop her onto it, our lips never parting.

“Fuck, babe.” My jeans are growing tighter, while my hands are migrating up the soft skin underneath her shirt as I trail kisses up and down her neck. She lets out a soft moan as her breath caresses my ear, feeding into my hunger. Scraping my teeth over her cheek, I move back to the corner of her mouth, pushing up the hem of her shirt so I can cup her breast. The swell fits perfectly in my palm, and I push her bra down to rub a thumb over her puckered nipple.

“Tell me to stop, Charls. Tell me you don’t want this, and we’ll go back to what we are.” For a split second, fear threatens to drag me under, wondering if she’ll tell me exactly what I don’t want to hear. But it’s all gone when she grabs my chin, her darkening eyes narrowing in on me.

“I want you.” Her tone is husky, begging me for more, and I lose all doubt when she roughly presses her mouth against mine.

I pull her shirt over her head, unclasping her black lace bra and taking her nipple into my mouth while massaging the other. She cries out, throwing her head back as her hands run through my hair, her nails scratching my scalp in a scorching way. Breaking our connection, I step back, moving my shirt over my head, taking in every inch of her. She’s looking at me with a hungry gaze that makes me lick my lips while I stare at the perfect curves of her breasts.

“I’ve been waiting for this since the first day we met.” I huff, closing the distance again until I crash my mouth against hers. Our kisses become more frantic, and her fingers undo my jeans, pushing them down while I do the same with hers. I roughly push her back to the floor of the tailgate, dragging the fabric down her legs, and throwing the jeans to the ground. As I bite my lip, my thumb brushes over her dampened thong, making me gasp for air when I push the fabric aside and her wetness becomes fully exposed.

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