Inspire (29 page)

“Thanks Trace!” I said, reaching out to give her a hug. “Thanks for being there for me over these last couple of days. I don’t know what I would have done without you. And thank you for approving of my boyfriend.” I truly did appreciate having such a great friend and I wanted her to know it. It meant so much to me to have her by my side when I was hurting so badly, and I knew that no matter what the future held for me, I would always have her.

“Yeah, well what’s not to approve? Now, I totally get why you fell so hard. His ass is mighty fine,” she said, “especially in the bare!” Her sly little giggle gave away the fact that she must have walked into the room this morning finding us naked in bed together.

“So, did everyone get a good look or just you?” I asked, shaking my head at her.

“Just me. The boys stayed downstairs. My opening the door is what woke Travis up, and then he came down to talk to us. But not before I got a good peek at him first,” she added and the pitch of her voice went up a few octaves.

“Well, let’s go downstairs, so that you all can take off and I can have another peek at him.” I waggled my eyebrows and she caught my drift.

“All right, let me go round up the troops so you all can have your fun. But wait, are you going to stay in town, or are you going back to Willow Falls?”

I hadn’t thought about it yet, but knowing that I was going to be rooming with Tracey next year I figured it was only fair for my parents to get me for the next month. “I’m going to have Travis take me back. Besides, I need to teach Ashley and Britney the dance so they can perform with us.” Tracey looked a little bummed out by my response, but then her eyes lit up as an idea came to mind.

“Well, maybe I can get Tom to take me on another road trip and come visit you again in a couple of weeks. I bet Jared might even want to join us to see Britney again,” she added and the smile returned to her face.

“Sounds great! I would love for us all to spend time together.”

We walked back into the kitchen, but this time I was wearing a bra and shorts and felt a little less exposed. The guys were all sitting around the table eating sandwiches and talking cars. It was really nice to see my friends getting along with Travis and to see how well he fit in with them. They all looked over when they heard our return, and Travis winked at me as I came to his side. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed the side of my neck.

“I really liked what you had on before,” he whispered low in my ear and his words sent a shiver right between my legs. I noticed Jared scruff his hair up with his fingers and look away.

“Okay guys, I think it’s time to take off. Paige is going back to Vermont with Travis, but I told her that you all might be up for another road trip.”

Travis and I hadn’t talked about it yet, but I could see the excitement in his eyes when he learned that I was going to be returning with him.

“Definitely, there is nothing going on around here. Plus, I didn’t get to say bye to Britney.” As Jared spoke, I could tell that his crush for Britney was still there and I felt relieved that Tracey’s prediction had been wrong.

“I’ll go wherever this gorgeous gal wants me to take her,” Tom said, wrapping his arms around Tracey’s waist and squeezing her tight.

“Well then, we shall see you soon,” Tracey said.

“So, you’re going to come back with me,” Travis asked as I closed the front door behind me having seen my friends off.

“Yes,” I said, leaning up against it. “Does that mean you will stay with me in my tent?” he asked as he came to stand right in front of me so our bodies were nearly touching. As the heat pooled between my legs, and a breath escaped me, I found myself shaking my head.

“No, you won’t stay with me?” he asked, looking slightly wounded by my response. I reached out and pulled him closer by his pants and then moved my lips to where they were hovering above his.

“I want to stay in the make-out room with you,” I whispered and the hot breath of our mouths mixed together before he closed the distance and claimed me with his tongue.

Travis lifted me off the ground and wrapped my legs around his waist. The next thing I knew, he was carrying me into the kitchen and placing me on the counter. “What are you doing?” I asked, wondering why he hadn’t taken me up to my bed.

“I’m having dessert,” he growled and before I knew it my shorts and panties were on the floor and Travis was devouring me with his mouth.

“Yes…Oh Travis…right there, don’t stop,” I cried out as he found the perfect spot making me build to eruption. I cried out as I came and he gently slowed his tongue to a stop, placing a few light kisses on me before standing back up.

“Damn, you taste good.”

His voice was carnal and the look in his eyes left me wanting more. I unzipped his pants and then wrapped my arms around his neck pulling myself around him so that he could slide right in. The pleasure that I felt as he entered me was too much for me to take. I couldn’t hold my head up, so I let it fall back as he pounded me into ecstasy. The fireworks exploded again, and we both clung to each other as we succumbed to the most powerful orgasm either of us had ever had. We spent the rest of the day in the bed, on the couch, in the bath, and on the floor in each other’s arms laughing, talking and making love. It was perfect!

Epilogue

Six Months Later…

Christmas Eve

“Happy Birthday baby! I’ve been sent up here to give you your wake-up call,” Travis said as he climbed into bed with me. He was dressed and ready for the day. Although we had actually spent the night together, Travis had snuck out earlier for appearance’s sake in front of our parents. He was trying to show my dad some respect, even though I’m sure my dad already assumed Travis slept over at my place in the city, which he did almost every night. But while our families were together in his parents’ house for the holidays, we had agreed to be publicly decent. Luckily, Travis’s house had a lot of places we could sneak to in the night where we could be completely indecent.

“So, do I get to give you one of your birthday presents now?” he asked, snuggling up against me, kissing my neck.

“There’s more than one?” I asked, nuzzling myself closer into his embrace.

“Well, there is one I want to give you now, which you can open,” he said, lightly kissing around my shoulder. “Then, there is one that requires me to take you somewhere later.” He continued kissing across my back and up my neck. “And then, there is one I want to give you that will have to wait until our parents go out for their nightly walk, because I’m pretty sure that one will have you screaming,” he whispered the end into my ear as he nibbled my lobe softly. “At least I hope.” He smiled against my skin causing the goosebumps to appear.

Travis always knew just what to do to get my body going, and I tended to have absolutely no control over my sexual cries. The anticipation of what he planned to do to me later had my insides begging already. “I don’t want to wait,” I said, turning to face him. “I want you now baby,” I purred, reaching down to touch him through his jeans.

“Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his head and pausing my hand. “Good things come to those who wait. And I mean come HARD to those who wait.” Tingles vibrated with his words, and I had to calm my heated state.

“Fine!” I huffed.

Travis smiled at my response, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue jewelry box which he placed in the palm of my hand. My heart fluttered for a minute, but he knew that I wanted to spare my dad the agony of knowing his daughter was engaged at nineteen, so I was pretty sure I was safe to open it. When I looked inside and saw the beautiful little charm, tears filled my eyes. It was a soup bowl with a little spoon inside.

I held it up to admire it, and then turned toward Travis. “Thank you babe! I absolutely love it,” I said, feeling the tears spilling down my cheeks.

“The day we made the bowls together was the day I admitted to myself that I was in love with you. From now on, my birthday will always mean so much more. I had that date engraved on the bottom, see,” he said, turning it over to show me the back.

I admired it and then leaned up to kiss him. “It’s perfect. Thank you Travis. I love you so much!”

“And I love you!” he said, kissing me again thoroughly. “Now, you need to get ready, birthday girl, for your big day. Our moms have prepared a special breakfast for you and then I get to take you out for present number two,” he said, giving me a sexy grin.

“Okay, let me go get showered and I will join you all downstairs,” I said, making my way off the bed.

The look in Travis’s eyes was one that I recognized. Lust. “Damn, do you know how badly I wanted to shower with you that day we were first here,” he said, shaking his head at the memory.

“Maybe later baby! Right now, you need to go downstairs and entertain our mammas,” I teased. Then I slipped off my clothes right in front of him and turned to make my way into the bathroom. His wanting expression reflected in the mirror and I smiled as I hopped into the shower. Unfortunately, Travis really did need to get downstairs before our parents started questioning what was going on, so I was thankful that he had behaved himself and left the room.

I threw on some black leggings, with my knee high black leather boots, and a white tank top, which I layered with a long gray off the shoulder sweater. Once my make-up and accessories were all set, I made my way downstairs. Travis popped off the couch in the media room as soon as he saw me and came to my side. “How am I supposed to get through the day when those pants are hugging your perfectly round ass so tight,” he said, squeezing my butt cheeks in his hands.

“Just remember your famous words ‘good things come to those who wait’.” I couldn’t help but giggle because I had purposely chosen this outfit to torture him all day.

“You don’t play fair!” he growled, picking me off the ground and throwing me over his shoulder.

“Travis!” I playfully shrieked. “Put me down!”

“Not until I give you nineteen spanks,” he teased, smacking my butt as he carried me down the hall toward the kitchen.

I giggled all the way as he playfully smacked each side. Then right before we entered the kitchen, Travis put me down and pinned me against the wall. Before I had a chance to react or say anything, he kissed me long and hard. I was left breathless and my cheeks, along with the rest of me, were flushed with heat. “Happy Birthday Sexy Girl! The real spanks will come later,” he whispered in my ear and then turned to enter the kitchen. I quickly pulled myself together and followed right behind him.

My mom and Lucille were sitting around the kitchen table giggling and snickering, while Travis wore an amused expression as he fixed himself a cup of coffee.

“Happy Birthday sweetie!” my mom cheered immediately, standing to give me a hug.

“Happy Birthday Paige!” Lucille rose to do the same.

“Thank you both!” I responded and then looked over to see the delicious spread laid out on the counter. “Wow, did you both make all of this?”

“Lucille was the chef, and let’s just say I was more of an assistant,” my mom admitted. “But I’m learning!”

“Well, thank you both! It looks delicious,” I praised. “Where are Barney and Dad? Are they going to join us?” I asked, wondering if we should wait.

“No. They already ate. Barney got called in for an emergency, so your father joined him,” Lucille exclaimed.

“Sorry, sweetie. Your dad didn’t want you to be upset, but he wanted to make sure Barney was able to get home and spend the rest of the day with us so he offered his assistance,” my mom said.

“No worries. Travis wants to take me somewhere after breakfast anyway,” I replied.

“Oh, reeeeaaaally!” Lucille said and both of our moms looked at each other and giggled.

“Don’t get any ideas mom. You have a couple of years before you need to start planning our wedding,” Travis said, trying to diffuse his mother’s engagement speculation.

“Don’t worry sweetie, Maxine and I already have it all planned out,” she teased.

“No doubt!” he said grinning and shaking his head. I couldn’t help but smile. It was such an incredible feeling knowing how comfortable Travis was talking about our future and his feelings for me. He definitely didn’t hide it from anyone now.

After breakfast, I rose to clear my plate but Travis beat me to the punch. He then proceeded to clear the table and help put the food away. I loved the fact that he was such a gentleman.

“So where are you two headed?” Lucille asked.

“Nope! You’re not getting it out of me, mom. It’s a surprise,” Travis said with a sly little grin on his face. I thought he might be taking me back to the pottery place to recreate the day we’d fallen in love. I smiled at the possibility, and reminded myself that no matter what, I needed to act surprised.

We drove into Burlington and Travis parked on one of the side streets. I recognized the area, and knew that the old factory building was close by.
I think I was right,
I thought to myself as Travis helped me out of the car. “You ready for present number two?” he asked, pinning me to the car and devouring my lips.

“If you keep that up, then I’m going to demand present number three first!” I teased.

“Sorry, you are too irresistible, but since it’s Christmas Eve the place is going to close early so we have to stick with the plan,” he said.

“Okay.” I gave my fake pout and then let him take my hand and lead the way.

When we got to the front of the tattoo shop, I questioned if we had taken a detour so that Travis could stop in and wish Tye a merry Christmas. Then Travis said, “We’re here!”

A ball of nerves hit my stomach because there was no way I was going to get another tattoo, if that was supposed to be my second present. So, I quickly tried to figure out how to gently break it to Travis without hurting his feelings.

“Um… babe! You don’t expect me to get your name tattooed on my ass, do you?” I joked, trying hard to play off my nervousness.

“No! Although…” He paused making my face flush instantly in fear. “Relax babe! I’m just kidding. We are here because I know what I want my new art to be,” he said, pulling the door open for us to enter.