Because You're Mine (13 page)

The rumble of a loud engine and gravel crunching pulled me from my thoughts. The curtain drawn back, I looked down from my bedroom window to see a sleek, charcoal grey muscle car with two black stripes racing straight down the center. It purred slowly down the drive while a swarm of bumble bees frantically buzzed inside my belly. Snatching my bag from the floor, I stuffed my new bikini inside along with a change of clothes.

Dressed in khaki cargo shorts, plain white T, and his ever present ball cap, Holden met me on the porch. “Who’s car?” I asked, locking the front door behind me. A proud grin tugged at the corners of his wet lips.

“She’s mine.” Reaching for my empty hand, he pulled me into his arms. His soft, eager lips ravaged mine before he grabbed my oversized bag from my other hand, leading me to the car. “C’mon…I wanna introduce you to Elly.” he stated with a proud grin.

I dug in my heels. “Uh, who’s Elly?”

              “Elly’s short for Eleanor. As in, 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, Eleanor. It was my grandfather’s car. He left it to me when he passed. I restored ‘er myself.”              

Relieved, I slid into the soft, black leather seat. Holden set my bag between my legs then leaned in. Our faces only inches apart, I watched as he buckled the belt across my chest. His smell was comforting and alluring all at once.

Like leather and sunshine…sex and candy.

              “Up until a few days ago, she was the most precious possession in my life.” His words sent my heart racing. Holden’s eyes sparkled as his trademark grin inched across his perfect mouth. I desperately wanted to kiss him.

Instead, I asked him what my mind was screaming to know. “Who’s Alexis?” I tossed out as he stood up to shut the door.

              Holden’s grin slipped into an annoyed clenched jaw. “Why?”

              “Oh, I don’t know. I just had the pleasure of meeting the fruit cake today while Katy and I were out shopping. She warned me to stay away from you.” I had to swallow back the bile rising in my throat. I pushed the words out, although every instinct in my body was fighting to keep them in. “She said you were…
hers
.”

I heard Holden mumble something under his breath before he shut my door, leaving me to fight the big green monster slaying my gut all on my own. Dropping into the seat beside me, he slammed his door shut. His face was red and tense as he turned the key to start the car.

              “So are you?” I asked, hesitantly.

              Jerking his head back, he locked his questioning eyes with mine. “Am I what?”

              “Hers?”

              I promised myself I wouldn’t ask. I knew I had no right to. Holden wasn’t mine. He didn’t have to explain anything to me. I tried to keep telling myself I didn’t care if they’d had sex or not. Katy had already told me they weren’t together. I believed her. But I needed to hear it from him too.

              “Fuck no! I…” He took a calming breath. “We just hooked up a few times. That’s it. Now she’s gone all fatal attraction on my ass.” His jaw ticked as he put the car in reverse.

              The mere thought of Holden touching another woman had my head spinning with rage. In an effort to reign in my emotions, I took a few deep breaths as he eased down the driveway.

It didn’t work. My emotions were all over the damn place and impossible to decipher.

              Instead I went for a subject change. “So where are we going?”

              “My house.”

              His deep scowl was replaced with a spectacular smile that spread across his handsome face, stoking the smoldering fire that was now a constant in my belly.

I tried to suppress the burn between my legs, but my efforts were for shit. “Sounds good.”

He relaxed, driving us to what I now considered a sweet escape. A place where the rest of the world ceased to exist and I didn’t have to worry about what tomorrow would bring.

Pulling to a park in his gravel driveway, Holden killed the engine. He watched as I smeared on my strawberry flavored lip shimmer and checked myself in the mirror.

“C’mere,” His firm hand wrapped around the back of neck, pulling my mouth to his. I loved the way he kissed me. His soft tongue tangled with mine before he licked and sucked at my bottom lip. “Damn, you always taste so good.” He licked his lips and pulled me in for another breathtaking kiss. This one was hot and hungry and delightfully greedy. “Let’s go, babe.”

              Holden kissed my forehead then hopped out. Excitement skittered through my veins as I watched him walk around the front of the car, carrying a huge smile on his face.

He then led me through the house and out onto the back deck. The sun had just started to set. Multiple tints of pink, purple, red, and orange painted the lustrous southern sky. A large blanket was spread across the enormous dock by the lake along with the pillows from the swing.

              “It’s beautiful.” I breathed.

It was perfect, just like everything else about him.

              “I thought we’d have some dinner. Watch the sunset. Then maybe go for a swim…make out a little. Well, make out a lot.” He kissed the inside of my wrist.              

              “And what makes you think I’d make out with you.” Oh, I was so going to make out with him…
a lot
.

              He tugged my wrist, snaking his arm around my waist and pressing his chest tight with mine. “After you eat some of my pecan pie, you won’t be able to keep your mouth off me.” He growled into my ear, causing me to shiver.

              “I need to change into my swimsuit.” I said, pulling from his arms. I needed a breather. I needed to calm down. I felt like I was stumbling over my feet.

             
Falling
.

He gave me a light slap on my ass when I turned to walk back inside. “Hurry up.”

The large bathroom held little retreat. My conflicted emotions were all over the place. I quickly changed, then took a few minutes to catch my breath. This was crazy. I was not falling in love with him. That would be impossible. But if this wasn’t love, what the hell was it? I was so confused. I was scared.

              I found Holden waiting for me in the very same spot I’d left him. He was holding a picnic basket, a jug of sun tea, and wearing one of the brightest smiles I’d ever seen. He led us down to the dock, and then settled me in place on the blanket.

We talked about everything and nothing, avoiding any mention of the future while we watched the sun dip further behind the pines. Holden had made fried chicken and potato salad, and for dessert…pecan pie. Pecan pie was my absolute favorite, but his was to die for. Pulling the fork from my mouth, I moaned in appreciation around my last bite.

              “You were right…this pie is definitely worth a kiss or two.”

              Holden sat his empty plate down, and then snatched my fork from my hand and my plate from my lap. Setting them aside, he laid me down across the blanket. One leg shifted between mine and I raised my pelvis to shamelessly rub myself against him. The delicious friction had heat bubbling like lava between my thighs.

              His lips covered mine, flooding my mouth with hints of sweet tea, pecan pie, and Holden. He licked my tongue with his, gifting me with his delicious taste. He ended the kiss way too soon. 

“C’mon.” he ordered, helping me up.

              “Where?”

              “Skinny dippin’,” Holden pulled his t-shirt over his head then kicked his flip flops to the side. His impeccable body didn’t hold one tan line or flaw. His rough, rugged face paired with that sculpted body created the picture-perfect man.

              “It’s almost dark. The mosquitos will be out soon. I don’t want a bunch of skeeter bites on my lady bits, Holden.” Crossing my arms, I popped one hip.

              “As long as you’re in the water, they can’t get to your
lady bits
. Only I can. Now move your ass.” He dropped his shorts then his boxer briefs followed.

             
Sweet mother of God.

              He looked down with a cocky grin. “I think I need to cool down a bit.” With a devilish grin, he turned, sashaying his remarkably tight ass to the end of the dock. I held a breath tight in my chest as he took a sharp dive piercing the calm water like a human arrow. When Holden surfaced and began to swim back toward the dock, I released my captured breath.

Kicking my flip flops to the side, I peeled off my sundress and walked to the foot of the dock.

              “You can’t get in ‘til your naked, babe. Rules of the lake.” he grinned.

Holden hoisted himself up on folded arms on the edge of the dock. Rivulets of water dripped from his handsome face and a smile that promised so much more than getting me out of my swimsuit was embedded firmly on his face. Shaking my head, I dove in behind him.

When I broke for air, he was right there. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my hands found his neck. Strong arms held me tight to his chest. He did all of the work to keep us above water, swimming towards the bank until he was able to stand us up. His strength was impressive.

Kissing my neck, he jerked the string loose from my back. “I love this bikini on you, babe. But it’s gotta go.” He pitched my top onto the bank then his fingers dug into my hips.

              “I don’t wanna have sex in this dirty water.”

              “Me neither, babe.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Later for that.”

He untied each side of my bottoms, tossing them onto the bank near my top. He clutched me tighter. Our slippery bodies glided up and down one another, fueling the simmering fire down below and inside my chest, a fire that seemed to burn only for him. I couldn’t help but wonder…how the hell was I going to leave here in a few days?

              Without him.

CHAPTER fifteen

Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.

-Kenny Rogers

Holden

              Maddie was like a bright ray of sunshine, comforting and warm. The glowing light in her eyes drew me in, laid me down, and pleaded for me to stay.

I bathed in it.

              After our swim, we’d showered together. I took her slow and easy against the shower wall while her soft body was wrapped tight around mine. I swear, it was as if she were wrapping herself around my heart. Our eyes never wavered as I got lost in her under the steamy spray. With nothing but the sound of our merging hearts to guide me, I walked right into her arresting light without hesitation, without consequence. Passion and desire swirled all around us and I knew she could feel it too. It was scary as fuck, considering how long we’d known each other, but there was no way either one of us could walk away now.

I was down on my knees, head over heels in love with Maddie. I knew right then that I would do anything
to be with her.

             
Anyfuckingthing
.

I was still trying to figure out the right moment to tell her how I felt as we rode side by side in my truck. She’d wanted to take Elly. But Elly had a console, and I wanted her no further than right here next to me. I was taking my girl for a milk shake in town. I was just so damn happy, it was the only way I could think to celebrate. What I had really wanted to do was throw Maddie on my bed, bury myself balls deep, and profess my undying love for her.

              Yeah, I’d settled for a shake. 

              My left hand dangled from the steering wheel, while my other rested on the Maddie’s upper thigh. She had this tiny little sun dress on. It was soft and pink like cotton candy and her legs looked fucking incredible in it. I couldn’t stop touching them.

             
Or her
.                

              The Dip could be considered a local institution around here. They had lists upon lists, even some with colorful animated drawings, of every crazy kind of creamery concoction you could ever think of. It could take you literally half an hour just to read through all of the names they had for milk shakes alone. They had all kinds of good shit to eat too. Their burgers and fries were the best. I pulled into the drive thru from the side road.

“I freakin’ love the dip.” Maddie straightened in her seat, eyeing the tiny hole in the wall like a kid in a candy store. “Katy and I used to come here almost every day after school. I always ordered the same thing. Cheese sticks and a strawberry shake.” Excitement flashed in her eyes and her beautiful smile lined those luscious lips.

With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I threw the truck in park, taking quick note that we were next in line. “C’mere.”

Reaching for the side of her neck, I pulled her lips to mine. I kissed and sucked at her pink shimmering lips until every bit of that strawberry flavored lip gloss was completely gone. I withdrew, smacked and licked my lips in true appreciation, then dove back in for more. Maddie’s addicting taste flooded my mouth with its potent flavor. Still mixed with a hint of strawberry but laced with her intoxicating breath, she seeped right into my bloodstream…heavy and sweet.

I was in love with this woman.

              “I could spend a lifetime kissing you.” I declared against her lips, moving my hand up her thigh.             

“Holden,” she giggled, pulling away from my lips. While she pointed to the car in front of us moving, I stole a few more kisses before I put it in drive and eased up to place our order.

Maddie ended up with a strawberry cheesecake shake that was way too thick to suck through a straw.

And let’s all thank the good Lord above for that. Because all I could think about while she tried to suck the cream from that damn straw were those pretty little lips wrapped around my cock. Now she was eating it with a spoon, an improvement, but not much better.  She kept slowly licking the back and front of it, her tongue swiping both sides in long focused strokes.