My Way to You: A Second Chance Romance (Love in Everton Book 7)

by Fabiola Francisco

  “That’s perfect.”

  “You should be getting ready for the stencil portion,” the teacher says.

  “Eep, okay!” Faith takes a drink of her beer and grabs a piece of sandpaper, passing it over the edge of her sign and over the top to blend the white paint with the wood. I sand mine down as well.

  When instructed, we both grab the stencils we want. Using the white paint, I dab the sponge like the teacher shows us. Faith is dabbing hers in a dark mustard color. Once we’re done, we use the blowdryers hanging from hooks on the wall to dry our art.

  Watching Faith work, having her tease me and joke, has been exactly what I needed. When we were younger, she always made me feel at ease. Her personality would make me smile. She was always carefree and confident. It’s good to see that hasn’t changed.

  To this day, I remember how nervous I was to ask her out. I had noticed her before then, had a crush on her. I’d look forward to seeing her at school when we were kids, but you don’t think about having a girlfriend when you’re ten or eleven. High school seemed like a good time to ask her out. I had also grown up a bit from such a scrawny kid over that summer going into high school.

  It was the best decision I ever made next to moving back here and pursuing her now as an adult. We spent all of the Labor Day Festival together. Sure, we knew each other, had grown up together, but that day was different than a friend from school.

  Ever since that day, I made it a point to pursue her, have lunch with her at school, make sure she’d say yes when I asked her to be my girlfriend. I never noticed any other girls when I was with her. I didn’t need anyone else when I already had everything I needed.

  “Your sign is going to look amazing at home,” she compliments with a smile.

  “Thanks, baby.” I kiss the top of her head. Her sweet perfume hits my senses, and I want to drink her in.

  I’m going to miss her when I visit my mom, but this time I’m certain I’ll be coming back to her.

  Faith

  I stir awake, yawning as I stretch my arms beside my head, streams of light entering through the window. I turn to look at Easton, who is sleeping next to me. I smile as I watch him, wanting nothing more in the world than being with him like this for the rest of my life.

  Scratching at the door catches my attention. I smirk and quietly get out of bed, grabbing Easton’s button-down from last night off the floor and putting it on.

  “Shhh… Come on, girl,” I whisper as I slip out of the bedroom and see an excited Cali waiting for me, her tail wagging furiously.

  “Need to go to the bathroom?” I pet her head when she lifts her front paws on my bare legs. “Let’s go, then.”

  I walk through the house, toward the patio doors, and open them for Cali. I shiver as a chill hits me. Cali runs out onto the damp grass, and I look around Easton’s yard while I wait for her to finish. The barn is a few feet away from the house, with a perfect view from the patio. I lean against the door frame and picture Easton working out there while I cook lunch for us. Bringing him something to drink, helping him with the animals. I could picture a farm life here with him, making this our home.

  I don’t know if he wants that, and we still have a way to go to get there, but it’s what I’ve always imagined my life would turn out to be. That was until I lost hope of ever seeing him again.

  Cali comes bouncing back, and I close the door, seeking the warmth of the house. I check her cage and the rest of the house as I walk through, impressed she held her need to pee until now.

  “Good girl.” I scratch her neck. “Stay.” She looks up at me with puppy eyes, and I almost let her into the bedroom and cuddle with her, but I’ve got someone else to cuddle with.

  I step back into the room, and Easton murmurs, “Where were you?”

  I smile at the sleep in his voice. “I let Cali out.”

  “Come back to bed.” He stretches an arm out for me to lie next to him.

  He opens one eye. “Lose the shirt.”

  I giggle and run a hand down the front of the shirt. “This one? Do you want me naked?” I tease.

  He groans and nods, “Yes.” His response is hoarse from sleep and sexy as hell. I undo the buttons and let the shirt fall before I slip under the covers with him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

  “You’re freezing,” he says, pulling me to him and tangling our legs.

  “I know. It’s chilly outside.” I dig my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling his unique scent—woodsy and masculine even after sleeping.

  I close my eyes and breathe softly. Easton’s fingers brush lightly across my lower back, relaxing my entire body. I scoot closer, allowing his touch to lull me to sleep.

  “Babe…” His gruff voice rings in my ear.

  “Hmm?” I don’t move or open my eyes.

  “I feel your heat on me. You’re wet.” His dick grows against my leg that’s tangled between his.

  “Does it make you hard?” I tease him, rubbing my lower body against his hip. Easton growls and drops his hand to my ass, squeezing hard.

  “It makes me a whole lotta things, and yes, hard is one of them.”

  I run my palm up and down his chest and stomach, feeling the valleys of his abs and smattering of chest hair. My lips move lazily over his neck, sucking and nipping his skin. Easton’s breathing increases, but he lets me do what I want.

  I tilt my head back a bit, kissing below his ear. Then, I take his earlobe between my lips and graze my teeth across it. My hand moves down his body where his dick jerks. Smiling against his neck, I wrap my fingers around his length, feeling it grow harder as I move my hand up and down, base to tip, squeezing gently.

  My mouth continues to kiss trails as my hand pleases him, both slow and lazy, taking my time with him.

  “Babe,” Easton moans, his arm trying to pull me onto him. I stroke his cock, my hips moving of their own accord, needing some friction, and his hip is the best I can do at the moment.

  “You’re soaked,” he mumbles, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

  “You make me this way,” I respond, kissing down his jaw. “So needy for you,” I add. When I kiss his lips, I don’t hold back. My tongue pushes through, dancing with his in a passionate kiss. My nipples pebble as they rub against his bare chest.

  Easton pulls me over his body, but I never stop stroking him. I love the way he reacts to me, the way I can turn him on like this. Holding the tip of his dick, I rub my pussy against his length, moaning at the sensitivity in my body. Easton hisses, tightening his hold on my hips and holding me down to him. One hand tangles in my hair, and he takes control of the kiss. Our lips fuse together as our bodies burn with desire.

  My plan to take him in my mouth gets lost in our passion-filled moment as my body shudders when my clit continues to rub against his hard length. Easton takes my lower lip between his teeth, and I whimper.

  “I need inside you now,” he says through ragged breaths. I lift my hips to position him, but he stops me. I stare at him with wide, confused eyes.

  “Condom,” he says. My heart pounds. I was so caught up in the moment, I didn’t even think about that. He blindly reaches for his nightstand, but I stop him. I take his hand in mine and sit up, straddling his lap.

  “I’m on birth control,” I whisper, hoping I don’t ruin the moment. Easton lets out a guttural groan and squeezes his eyes shut as if trying to regain some control of his body.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive. It’s you, Easton. No one else has ever…” I shake my head. “It’s you,” I repeat, hoping he understands how much I trust him.

  “Me either,” he whispers, cupping my face with an easy smile. I take in his handsome features—perfect full lips, mussed hair, stubble that makes me feel all kinds of things when he kisses me all over, and gentle eyes that have always seen me.

  I turn my head to kiss his palm. Lifting my hips again, I position myself over him and lower my body, inch by amazing inch. My core pulses as he fill
s me.

  “You feel amazing like this.” He helps guide me. “So fucking good.”

  I settle over him, giving us a second to feel this new sensation. It’s inexplicable. I feel him everywhere.

  Needing to create friction, my hips begin to move over his, pleasing us both in slow thrusts. Easton’s hands move to my breasts, cupping and twisting my nipples, shooting pleasure through my body and down to my core. I clench around his dick, increasing speed when I feel his mouth wrap around a nipple, and his teeth bite down gently.

  I call out his name, throwing my head back as I steady myself with my hands on his chest. Easton lifts his hips, both of us moving together in the same rhythm, creating our own beat as we give each other everything we have. When his hand tangles in my hair and he pulls me down for a kiss, swallowing my moans, I know he’s also taking my heart, not just my body and time.

  I’m overwhelmed with pleasure, my body spiking with heat as tingles travel down my spine. It’s too much and not enough. I need all of him. As if reading my mind, Easton flips us over with skilled practice and holds his body up with his arm, gazing into my eyes.

  “I’ll never get enough of you.” He pounds into me, hitting all the spots inside of me that I need him to. His other hand moves between us, reaching for my clit and rubbing circles over it. I cry out, arching my back and gripping the sheets.

  “More,” he demands. Adding more pressure to my clit. “Give it all to me.”

  “Fuck,” I draw out. My hands move to his back, and I pull him on me, wanting to feel more of his weight on my body. I kiss him fiercely, our lips melding in a desperate kiss—crashing teeth and thrusting tongues. It’s messy and real and perfect.

  I lose myself in Easton. I let him take everything he wants from me as my body wracks with pleasure. I spiral out of control, my orgasm crashing onto me like ferocious waves. My body prickles with chills as he prolongs my climax, hitting every nerve-ending.

  Easton mumbles something I can’t understand as he stills inside of me, giving me in return everything he has. A deep growl moves through his chest as he climaxes. I’ve never felt such a passionate experience as this one. It’s as if we’re handing over our hearts and souls, not just our bodies.

  My chest rapidly rises and falls as I stare into Easton’s eyes. Lifting my hand to run my fingers over his cheek, he closes his eyes and leans into my touch. In this moment, I know I am irrevocably in love with Easton Locke, a love deeper than I ever thought I felt for him. And I hope that his trip tomorrow goes well, so he won’t feel guilty returning to me in four days.

  …

  “Are you sure you’re okay with me going with Gavin to pick up the horse? I totally spaced it until he called.” Easton holds me close after we’ve showered, both of us in our underwear.

  “I’m positive.” I lift on my toes to peck his lips. “I’ll stay with Cali.”

  “I’ll be back quickly,” he promises, deep lines on his forehead.

  “Easton, relax.” I open my eyes wide and smile. “I am more than okay. I’ll drink coffee, watch TV, and play with Cali.”

  “We’ll go out for lunch when I get back and get the horse settled.”

  “You’re worried about nothing,” I laugh at his serious expression. I smooth out the lines on his face.

  “I know, but I wanted to spend the day with you before I leave tomorrow.”

  “And you will,” I assure him. “Now, get dressed before we go for round three.”

  A devilish smirk crosses his lips. “Round one and two were pretty fantastic. I finally got my shower sex,” he waggles his eyebrows.

  My shoulders bounce as I laugh, and I shake my head. “They were amazing,” I agree, leaning in for a final kiss before getting dressed in a pair of his sweatpants and an oversized sweater.

  “You in my clothes… It does things to me.” Easton adjusts himself in his boxer briefs, and heat prickles my neck as I watch him.

  “Gavin will be here any minute,” I warn, focusing on our current situation.

  Easton throws on a pair of worn jeans and a t-shirt. He adds a hoody over his shirt and slips on his boots.

  “Wait for me,” he murmurs against my lips as a knock echoes from the front door.

  “Not going anywhere,” I promise. Cali begins barking, and we make our way to the front door. I pick her up and hold her as Easton opens the door.

  “Hey,” Gavin says, then smirks as he looks between us. “Ready to go?”

  “Yup, be back soon,” Easton kisses me on the cheek.

  “Have fun,” I wave them off and close the door, looking down at Cali. “It’s you and me, girl.” She barks in response. Laughing, I place her on the floor and prepare a cup of coffee.

  With a warm mug in my hand, I take a seat on the couch and turn on the television. I take a sip of the coffee, bringing my knees up on the couch and resting my head on the backrest.

  Tomorrow, Easton will leave for Virginia for a few days, and a part of me is worried that he’ll find his mom in a worse state than she made it seem. I’m worried that he’ll want to stay longer until she’s definitely okay. It’s not normal to be disconnected from the world and not call your children.

  It feels like deja vu, seeing him leave again, but I know he has to do this for his peace of mind and for his family. He’s the man of the house now, so to speak, and he feels responsible for his mother and sister. That’s Easton, always caring about those he loves, putting himself last.

  A sad smile marks my lips as I stare at the television, unaware of what’s playing. I have to believe that this time is different, that this time we have a chance at making it. I can’t lose my heart to him twice and come out of it unscathed.

  I finish my coffee and surf the channels, hoping to find something worth watching on a Saturday morning. Unsuccessful, I head outside with Cali and one of her toys. She bounces around, scratching my leg for attention, and barking when I don’t throw the ball fast enough. I laugh at her eagerness to play when she holds the ball hostage and won’t let me grab it. She runs around the vast yard, hoping I’ll chase her.

  She freezes and turns when we both hear the crunching of gravel. “Cali,” I bend down and call for her. Ignoring me, she runs off toward the truck, dropping the ball and barking.

  “Crap,” I mumble and run after her, hoping to God they see her before they crush her to death.

  “Hey, girl.” I stop and sigh in relief when I see Easton holding her.

  “She ran off before I could grab her,” I explain, taking her from his arms.

  “She’s a quick one.” He smiles. “We’re going to get the horse settled in the stable, and then I’m all yours.

  I smile widely, keeping Cali in my arms when she squirms. “Sounds good. I’m going to take her inside.” Easton nods and turns his attention to Gavin as he lowers the window and asks him to guide him as he backs up the truck toward the barn.

  I head inside with Cali, whispering that she needs to be careful when running around. Her response is to lick my hand and rub her wet nose up and down my arm. She’s a charmer like her daddy.

  Leaving her in the living room, I head into Easton’s bedroom and get ready for lunch, putting on a pair of jeans and a chunky-knit sweater I packed before he picked me up for our date last night.

  Faith

  “Do you want to come meet the horse?” Easton asks as he drives up the dirt path that leads to the ranch after lunch.

  “Yes!” I smile.

  I hop off the truck once he parks, and I hear him chuckle as he meets me by the front of the pickup.

  “I love that you’re excited,” he says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.

  Easton opens the door to the barn, letting me walk in before him. The stallion is peeking his head out of the stable door, curiously looking at us.

  “He’s beautiful,” I whisper as I watch the steel gray horse with a small white marking on his forehead.

  “He is,” Easton nods. “Hey, boy.” His soft voice catches the
horse’s attention. His coat shines under the barn lighting and the natural light that comes in from the opened door.

  “What are you going to name him?” I ask, staring at the animal in awe. There’s something about horses that makes me fall in love with them. “Is he gentle?” I ask Easton.

  “Yeah. He’s wary because he’s in a new place with unfamiliar people, but he’s a good horse.”

  I nod, reaching my hand out so the horse can smell my hand. After a few moments, I pet down the center of his face.

  “I’m not sure what to name him yet. Any ideas?” Easton leans against the beam that divides this stable from the next one, his hands in his pockets as he watches me with undivided attention.

  “Hmmm… That’s a lot of pressure.” I raise an eyebrow and then look at the horse. “How about Smoke? Or Storm? Since he’s gray,” I add, feeling kind of ridiculous with my name choices.

  “Smoke…” Easton muses. “I like that.” He turns to look at his horse with a smile. “Smoke,” he calls out firmly, and the horse neighs.

  Easton turns to me with a bright smile, all pearly whites. “I think he likes it.”

  I beam and jump up and down, causing the horse to flinch. “Sorry,” I cringe, biting down my lip.

  “It’s okay,” Easton chuckles. “I’m going to take him to the pen, so he can roam around.” Easton opens the door, talking softly to Smoke as he grabs the lead rope and guides him out to the round pen. I watch him walk with confidence, smiling as I look at his cowboy boots.

  “Now, you’re a real cowboy,” I tease from the other side of the pen.

  “I always have been, babe,” he winks. I climb the few rails on the wooden pen and lean over the top railing, watching Easton with Smoke. He talks to him, guides him around, picking up where he left off all those years ago. I guess it’s true what they say—once you’re a cowboy, you’re always a cowboy. It’s in his blood, in his family name.