It ends too quickly, and I giggle when I see his lips marked with the red of my lipstick. I wipe the curve of his lips with my thumb and wink.
“Leave it, so everyone knows you’re mine,” his husky voice washes over me. My core clenches upon hearing his words, knowing I am completely his for the taking. There’s no turning back this time.
“God, I’ve been wanting to see these boots on you since you sent me the picture.” His finger runs along the end of them, brushing against my thigh. I shiver at the contact.
“I knew you’d appreciate them,” I wink. His hands land on my hips as he nods, looking over my body appreciatively.
“I like your hair like this, too.” He wraps a strand of my hair around his finger.
“I tried something new and hoped like hell it would turn out okay, or I’d be standing here with a topknot on my head.” I attempted a Pinterest hairstyle, curling my hair in loose waves, and then doing a messy half-bun to complete the look.
Easton chuckles and shakes his head. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”
“And you look handsome,” I state, leaning in for one more kiss. I grab my coat and purse from the hook by the door and lock up as he leads me to his truck.
“Aren’t you cold?” I ask him as the chill in the air moves around us.
“I’ve got my jacket in the car, but I was excited to see you and ran up without it.” His comment makes my heart sing. Easton says this as if it were the most normal thing to say, and although it is, he may not realize how it wraps me up even more in him, makes me fall a little harder.
I swing our arms between us and smile. “I missed you, too. I can’t wait for spring break, so I can relax a bit. This time of year, right before the break, is hectic. The kids are bringing in money daily for their spring celebration, and I have to keep track of it all.”
“Only a week and a half left,” he says, squeezing my hand.
“Yeah,” I sigh. I’m hoping during my spring break that I’ll get to spend more uninterrupted time with Easton. He’ll be working, but the evenings can be ours.
Once we’re driving toward the restaurant, I ask Easton about his meeting with the horse vendor.
“It was great. Gavin met me there. I took another look at the horse and paid for him. We’re picking him up on Saturday morning, so I’ll have a few more days to finish prepping the barn. I’m excited,” his smile beams as he drives.
“I bet. Another step toward the direction you want your life to take.”
“Yeah.” His hand reaches for my knee, and his fingers roam a little higher, where the boot meets my skin. His hands are calloused from the works he’s been putting into the barn, and the rough skin sears my skin.
I hold his hand, linking our fingers together. “Where are we going?”
“A restaurant in Wellington. It’s called Madison. Have you ever been?”
I shake my head. “No, but Sutton talks about it all the time. She loves it.” She and Gavin go whenever they have a date night, and she’s always raving about their cocktails.
“Gavin recommended it to me,” Easton glances my way quickly. “I wasn’t sure what all was in the area.”
“I’m excited.” I lift his hand and kiss the top of it, smiling when I notice the slight mark of my lipstick. Hearing the song on the radio, I raise the volume and close my eyes. Easton squeezes my fingers just as the beat grows faster, and we both belt out the lyrics to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks.
I look over at his profile in the dim cab, smiling and giggling as we sing off-key, my laughter making it even harder to sing out the words. When the song comes to an end, I lean my head back in contentment.
“I love that song,” I sigh.
“I remember. You made me love it,” Easton comments.
I turn my head to look at him. “You remember a lot about me.” Every time he brings up a detail about my life back then, it always surprises me.
“Yeah,” he nods, focusing on the road.
I wait, expecting him to say more. When he remains quiet, I whisper, “I do, too, you know…” I pause. “It’s like I had the opposite of memory loss… Permanent memory recollection,” I make it up.
I exhale when Easton chuckles, his jaw relaxing. “I don’t think that exists, but I get what you mean.” His voice is laced with humor.
Although Easton and I have been seeing each other for a few weeks now, I’m still amazed that he’s back in my life. That we’re together. That I’ve felt his kisses again, his touch, his body over mine.
Easton pulls into a parking spot near the restaurant in Wellington’s Main Street and makes his way around to open my door. I bite my lower lip, smiling when he offers his hand to help me down from his truck. Taking it, I step down and keep his hand in mine as he leads us to Madison.
As Easton gives the hostess his name for our reservation, I look around the space. Stone walls cover the restaurant, giving it a homey feel. Thick wood beams cross the white ceiling, giving it a modern and rustic vibe all at the same time. It’s the definition of cozy and romantic with the warm lighting.
Easton turns to me after speaking with the hostess. “Our table will be ready soon. The hostess said we could sit outside on the patio and have a drink. They have a fire pit, and apparently, the view is amazing.”
“That sounds perfect.” I smile over at him as I link my arm with his.
Stepping out onto the patio, my mouth drops when I see the view. “Amazing is an understatement,” I tell him.
“No shit,” he murmurs.
I never thought a place in the center of Wellington would have this view. The sun has dropped behind the mountains, casting a glow around them as the evening begins to set in. It feels like the mountains are within reach.
Easton and I sit on the bench in front of the rectangular fire pit. He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him as we stare out at the view.
“This is even better than I imagined.” I shiver as his breath tickles my neck.
“It’s perfect.” I smile and look over at him. “Everything is perfect,” I say, staring into his eyes.
“I agree.” His lips touch mine.
A waitress appears by our side, asking if we’re ready to order our drinks. Easton asks for scotch, and I try their house cocktail, a sparkling wine drink with vodka and fresh berries.
“Cheers,” Easton says once our drinks have been served.
“Cheers.” I tap my glass to his and take a sip.
“I can’t tell you enough how happy I am that you were willing to give me a chance,” Easton begins to speak, grabbing my free hand. “You and me, there was never a better option for me. A better woman. A better human. God, Faith, I’ve always wanted you even when I couldn’t have you, even when miles separated us. I’m serious about this.” He motions between the two of us as I listen intently.
“This isn’t a trial run to test the waters, test if I still have feelings for you. That was confirmed the first night I saw you at Clarke’s. I felt it in my gut.”
“Easton,” I whisper, my eyes watering. “This is serious for me, too.” I nod. If he only knew that I never forgot him, never fully moved on. Every man was compared to him, and none ever threatened to take his place in my heart. And here I am now, finally having another chance with him.
“Good,” he nods once.
I scoot closer to him, and his hand falls on my crossed leg. “I want this,” I tell him.
His fingers skim over my bare thigh, causing my core to clench and my body to heat.
“Me too,” his voice is deep.
“Your table is ready,” the waitress interrupts the moment. Easton hesitates before breaking eye contact and stands, holding my hand as we walk inside with our drinks.
Everything about tonight is perfect. I feel like I’m finally on a date I want to be on, not searching for something in all the wrong places. Easton is my right place, and we’re finally here at the right time. That thought eases my mind and the ling
ering worry that he’ll leave again someday.
After dinner, Easton drives us back to my apartment as I tell him about the students in school. Although I don’t teach, I have my share of interactions with them, and it’s always a riot. Mostly because I don’t have to discipline them the way a teacher does, and I only see them for a short period of time.
“It’s great that you love your job,” Easton says with an easy smile.
“Yeah,” I nod as I look out at the dark, winding road. I love my job more than I thought I would when I started a few years ago, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
When Easton pulls into a parking spot in front of my building, he turns off the engine and smiles before walking around to open my door.
“Thank you for tonight,” he says as he walks me to my apartment.
“Thank you for making it special.” Easton took the time to plan something nice, different than eating at a restaurant here or staying in. He made me feel special.
“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he says, cupping my cheek when we stand in front of my door.
“Good, because I don’t want you to leave,” I confess, staring into his eyes.
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he whispers, his lips brushing mine as he speaks.
A slow smile covers my face, and I lean in to kiss him. Unlocking the front door, I open it and lift my eyebrows expectantly. A crooked smile lifts one side of his lips as his eyes roam up and down my body. I bite down on my lower lip, waiting for his next move once we’re behind closed doors.
“Have I told you how much I love those boots?” His husky voice makes me shiver as we stand in my living room. I’ve been dreaming of his touch, needing to feel it burn trails on my skin as I fall apart.
“You may have mentioned it, and I may have worn them to please you,” I wink.
Easton groans, pulling me to him by my waist. “More like to tease me.”
I giggle, placing a hand on his chest. “Yeah, that too.”
“You’re beautiful.” The back of his fingers stroke my cheek. I smile shyly, leaning into his touch.
Easton is different than when we were younger. Bolder and more attentive, if that’s possible, since he always made sure I was okay. This feels new, though. His touch is more confident, and I desperately want to feel it.
“I don’t want to keep running in circles with us. I want to tell people you’re my girlfriend.”
I lean back, surprised by his comment. My eyebrows lift on my forehead as I search his eyes. Easton chuckles nervously, scratching his stubbled jaw.
I smile slowly, bringing my arm on his chest around to his back. “I already thought I was,” I whisper truthfully.
He sighs, his shoulders relaxing, and he gives me a full smile, showing off his pearly whites. “I was worried there for a second. Maybe you thought we were just getting reacquainted. Since you were actively dating, I wasn’t sure…”
“Easton,” I pause until I’m sure he’s paying attention. “I told you I was serious about this. Yes, I was dating because I needed to see what was out there, give myself a chance to meet someone if I wanted to create a life with someone someday. No one was you, and that was my problem. I rejected them all because I kept comparing them to you, now, in college, always. Since you left, I never found anyone to fill the hole you left in my heart because it always belonged to you. I think you took that piece with you when you moved,” I whisper this last part, breaking eye contact.
His hands frame my face, demanding I look at him. “I know the feeling.” Before I can say anything else, his lips crush mine, stealing my breath away in a heady kiss. Stroking tongues and desperate lips move together, trying to grow closer.
Easton’s hands skim down the sides of my body, tantalizing the skin on my thighs as he brushes my legs with his fingertips. I moan into the kiss, gripping the back of his shirt as his hands move up my thighs, lifting my skirt. I whimper when he brushes a finger over my underwear, rubbing my clit.
Easton stops kissing me and smirks, looking at me with raised eyebrows. “No taco underwear today?” His voice is full of humor.
I feel my cheeks heat, and I shake my head. “Not tonight.”
Easton huffs and presses his lips together. “Huh, I don’t know about this then. I was looking forward to more taco time,” he winks.
I roll my eyes, relaxing. I hadn’t realized the tightness in my shoulders. “You can still have taco time,” I chuckle, remembering his terrible joke and timing.
Dropping his forehead against mine, his breath tickles my face as he laughs. “I’m a dork.”
I nod against him and run my hands up his arms, squeezing and feeling the muscles on his biceps. “But you’re my dork.” I peck his lips and take a step back.
His heated eyes flicker to mine when he hears me. Teasing him, I slowly tug my turtle neck from my skirt. Easton’s eyes follow my movements, the cheerful green turning into a deep-sea color. Wanting to see how far I can push him, I shimmy my hips as I bring the top up my stomach and stop right under my breasts.
“Do you think my bra matches my underwear?” I wink.
A deep growl sounds in the back of his throat, but he stays in place, waiting for me to reveal the answer to that question. I bring the top over my head, letting it fall to the floor, and stand before Easton in my bra, skirt, and boots.
“Fucking gorgeous,” he groans.
Moving a finger inside the waistband of my skirt, I trail it back and forth against my lower belly as I say, “So, what do you think? Matching or not?” I arch a brow.
“Show me,” he demands.
“Curious, are we?” A slow smile curls my lips upward.
“Hungry,” he throws back, and an involuntary shiver rocks me. Seeing my reaction, Easton smiles, pleased with himself.
I lean forward a bit. “And I’m dying to satisfy your hunger.” We were never like this, pushing back and forth playfully, adding to our intimacy. At seventeen, you don’t realize how much more can go into sex than just the physical act.
“No one else could,” he says without hesitation.
I sigh, smiling at his response. I hook my fingers into my skirt and begin to lower it down my legs. Easton’s eyes widen when he sees my matching lace underwear.
“Fuck,” he murmurs, running a hand down his face. Looking at him, I see the bulge in his pants and something inside of me snaps. I step out of my skirt and circle around him like a starving shark watching her prey. Easton reaches for me, his hands brushing my skin as I move.
My nipples harden, and my core contracts, wetness spreading through my underwear. I want this man more than anything—right now in my apartment, and forever in my life. When I stop in front of him, his hands move up and down my body, taking me in.
“You’re a wet dream,” he says as his touch tickles my ribs. “All mine.” He skims up my ribs. “Never letting you go again.”
I throw my head back on a moan when his fingers tweak my nipples through my bra. His touch turns me to putty.
“How wet are you for me?”
“Drenched,” I reply, my voice husky to my own ears.
“I can’t wait to taste you.” I whimper as I feel his tongue flatten over the rough lace of my bra, the combination of the fabric and his mouth lethal. I hold his head to my body, tangling my fingers in his hair as he sucks a nipple into my mouth. When his teeth gently tug, I close my eyes and groan. My heart beats rapidly as he kisses down my stomach and kneels before me.
“I’ve been dreaming about these boots. Having you stand before me in nothing but them and your underwear makes me so fucking hard.” His hand lands over his crotch, squeezing his dick.
Before I can respond, he runs the tip of his nose over my underwear. “You’re soaked.” His tongue swipes up my pussy, and the lace does little to hold back my desire.
My chin falls to my heaving chest as I try to gain some kind of control. I went from stripping for him to being at his mercy.
“I need you.�
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I look down to meet his eyes, pupils dilated as he waits for me to give him the okay. I simply nod.
Easton leans up and reaches around my back, unclasping my bra and letting it drop from my body. His hands cup my breasts, tweaking and teasing until my nipples are peaked, and I’m moaning. When he hooks his fingers into my underwear, I know I’m a goner. Leaving my boots on, he brings one leg over his shoulder and moves his lips to my pussy. His tongue laps up to my clit, and his mouth closes around it, sucking me into his mouth before repeating the same movement.
“Fucking delicious,” he groans against my body. I hold on to Easton’s shoulders, praying I don’t fall, and cry out his name when he fucks me with his tongue. Sensation overload as his teeth gently scrape my sensitive body, and his tongue drives me over the edge.
No longer able to hold myself together, I scream out his name as my nails scrape his scalp, and I fall apart as wave after wave crash over me. My pounding heart echoing in my ears is the only reminder that I’m alive and not living in some kind of permanent paradise with Easton.
This right here is perfection personified, and I’ll be damned if I lose it again.
Easton stands, licking his lips as his green eyes twinkle with mischief. “Delicious,” he states before taking my lips in his and giving me a taste of myself. “Wouldn’t you agree?” A Cheshire grin covers his lips.
“Fuck,” I moan and pull him to me, kissing him wildly.
His hands hook under my ass, lifting me. I wrap my legs around him as he takes us to my bedroom. When he places me on the bed, his soft touch moves down the side of my face. I grab his palm and kiss it, keeping my eyes trained on his. Then, I move my hands to his shirt and begin unbuttoning it. Easton shrugs it off and peels my boots down my legs.
“You’ll have to wear those another day,” he comments as his hands go to his belt and then the button on his pants. Undressing, he stands before me with his cock in his hand, stroking it lazily.
My Way to You: A Second Chance Romance (Love in Everton Book 7) Page 12
