Whatever It Takes

by Elizabeth Perry

  “No, baby, you see, that is not the only problem here. The problem is that even though I know that I need to stay away from you...” His eyes rise to mine before locking.

  And good lord...

  The heat in his eyes is palpable. In fact, there is so much heat radiating off him that I swear to God, the temperature this room just rose about ten degrees...

  “I can’t fucking do it.” He finishes, before shaking his head. “I can’t keep my mind off you. And it’s driving me crazy.”

  “You’re insane.” I finally mutter, before scooting myself off the bed and backing myself further away from him.

  “I am pretty crazy.” He nods. “Fucking crazy about you.”

  “You’re so full of it. You had the chance to have me, Eric. And you shot me down. Hard. What is this, anyway? You couldn’t find anyone worthy of you to fill up your time tonight, so you decided to slum it with me? Get out.”

  I point towards the door, as he grunts before shaking his head.

  “Are you serious?” His eyes fly to mine, causing my heart to kick up another notch, as he takes a step towards me. “You think that’s why I didn’t have sex with you? Because you aren’t worthy of me?”

  “Well, obviously...I mean, I’ve heard about you...”

  “I stopped because I’m no good for you, Avery. I’m never going to be good enough for you. But even though I know that? Fuck. Trying to stay away from you is damn near killing me.”

  “Wait, what?”

  I lose the rest of my words, as he crosses the room to me until we are standing just a few inches apart. My chest heaves as my breathing turns rapid, and the second that our eyes lock?

  My knees become so weak that I almost can’t stand up straight.

  “I’m not good enough for you.” He repeats. “And you shouldn’t want me. Tell me that you don’t want me.” He pleads.

  My mouth opens slightly, but no words come out. I have no words, actually. He has stolen every last one of them.

  “I...” My voice trails off.

  I back myself up, one last step until I’m flush against the wall. His eyes turn wild as they rake over me, and he shakes his head.

  “Fuck.” He groans. “Fuck, fuck. Fuck.”

  “I thought that you didn’t want me.” I finally get out, and he snorts, before running his hands through his hair.

  “I’ve wanted you since the very first moment that I laid eyes on you. And the other night? When we...” he shakes his head. “Avery. I’ve jerked off to that vision every night since. In my mind, I’ve already had you. So, damn many different ways.”

  “Really?”

  His eyes flick up to mine, before holding my gaze.

  “Really.”

  This knowledge makes me feel suddenly powerful.

  “So?” I ask, taking just a step towards him.

  “So, what?” he croaks, watching me warily.

  “So what way was your favorite?”

  He blinks hard, as his eyes harden. “You mean...”

  “Yes. I mean, if you’ve imagined having me so many different ways, which one was your favorite?”

  “Don’t ask that.” He pleads. “I’m barely holding on by a thread here. I shouldn’t even be here. I promised your dad...”

  “My dad’s not here.” I finish, before reaching out, and gently placing my hand on his arm. “But I really want to know the answer to the question, Eric.”

  “I’m no good for you, Ave’s.” He warns, and honestly?

  Maybe I already know this. But I’m too far gone to stop. I’ve been crushed already at his rejection...but knowing that he has been wanting me all this time, feeling the same way that I have?

  Lord.

  I can’t even stop myself from acting on it. And even though this isn’t me at all?

  I can’t help myself.

  “Take a step back.” He finally groans, and I do as he says until I am flush with the wall. He takes a cautious step towards me, until he is standing so close to me, that we are sharing the same air.

  His hands reach out, gently trailing up my arms, as he leans his forehead against mine, and takes a ragged breath.

  “Please tell me to stop.” He pleads again.

  I swallow hard, before shaking my head.

  “I can’t.” I finally whisper, before reaching out and letting my fingers feel the smooth ripples of his skin.

  “Fuck.”

  “Tell me what your favorite fantasy was,” I whisper as he shakes his head once before sighing.

  “Tell me.” I urge, as my hands trail upwards, gently stroking his skin, listening to the way that he sighs, before finally his eyes land on mine.

  But this time, when our eyes lock? No longer does he look like he’s trying to fight it. Instead? His eyes are hot, and hard on mine, as a slow sexy smile spreads across his lips.

  “You really want to know?”

  I just nod, as my heart races even faster in my chest. And then, in an instant, everything changes.

  He reaches forward, grabbing both sides of my top before pulling hard, ripping it wide open as buttons fly all over the room. Suddenly, I’m in his arms as his mouth mashes onto mine, pushing me back against the wall and rocking his hips into me.

  He braces me against the wall before reaching down and lifting me high, all while continuing to grind into me. And the feeling of it?

  Well, hell.

  Every nerve ending in my body is firing, as his hands move furiously over me, gripping and squeezing me, all while stroking his rock-hard erection against my core.

  “Oh my god.” I murmur, as he reaches down, tugging my shirt off me before steadily unclasping my bra. Everything falls to the ground before he reaches down, tugging my leggings off and tossing them off to the side.

  He sets me back down onto my feet, before grinning devilishly and sinking down to his knees.

  “What...” I whisper, but it soon turns into a moan, as he nudges his head between my legs, before slinging one leg over his shoulder.

  “So sweet.” He murmurs, as his nose trails the inside of my thigh. “So god damn sweet.” He nearly growls, before pulling my panties to the side and licking me, long and slow, causing me to cry out.

  “Eric.” I pant, as he continues to lick and suck me with rhythmic process that has me damn near ready to explode.

  “Right here, baby.” He whispers against my flesh, causing my hips to buck as my nails dig into his shoulders.

  “Fuck,” I mutter, as I shamelessly grind my hips into his face.

  “Yes. Baby. Fuck yes.” He growls, as his fingers dig into my hips. “You like this?”

  “Oh my god. Yes. Yes.” I hiss, as my head falls back against the wall, and my limbs become so weak that I can barely stay upright.

  “Come for me, baby. Come for me.” He whispers, sucking me hard before thrusting a finger inside of me.

  “Oh, god. Oh god.” I rock my hips with abandon as he adds another finger to the assault. I feel everything tighten, and then, pleasure overtakes me, and suddenly, I’m spinning, screaming out his name, and holding onto his shoulders which are the only thing keeping me upright at this point.

  I’m still so far gone, that I barely feel him rise or drop his pants. I’m simply limp in his arms as he cups me underneath my behind, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist.

  When I finally open my eyes, I feel his thick head pushing at my opening, and see his blue eyes wide and locked with mine.

  “Eric.”

  “Tell me to stop.” He begs again, as I grip his arms.

  “I can’t.” I cry, reaching down, and grabbing his ass, pulling him towards me.

  “Fuck, Avery. Fuck.” He grits his teeth, before pushing a little further, ever so slightly beginning to spread me.

  “Have you ever done this before?” he whispers, stopping all movement.

  I nod, as an angry look flashes across his face. But as fast as it comes, it’s gone.

  “Yes.” I murmur. “Once before.�
��

  “Ok.” He breathes, before pressing his lips back to mine. “Spread your legs wide for me, baby.” He murmurs against my lips, and I do as he asks.

  Good lord.

  The very first time that I did this, it was over so fast that I barely realized what was happening. But not with Eric.

  He takes his time, pushing each delicious inch of him inside of me, letting my body adjust to his girth, before finally, sinking all the way inside of me.

  “Oh, fuck.” He murmurs, before pulling back and then easing himself inside of me again, as my head falls back and all I can do is moan his name.

  “You like that?” He murmurs, pressing his lips along my neck.

  “Yes.” I groan, digging my nails into his skin.

  “Good.” He bites my neck before gently kissing the pain away. He moves gently one last time before stopping his movements, pulling back slightly and forcing my eyes on his.

  “Tell me if I’m hurting you.” He growls, before entering me harder. It doesn’t hurt at all. Actually, the way that he moves his hips is pretty fucking amazing in my book.

  It’s like he knows exactly where to cause the most pleasure.

  And I’m pretty sure my toes are totally curling behind his back right now.

  “It doesn’t hurt. It feels...” I moan again as he slams back into me.

  I lose all my words, as he continues his pace, grabbing my hands and plastering them against the wall as he continues to rock into me.

  I’m lost, spinning in space until I hear a pained sound leave his mouth.

  “Fuck. Ave’s. Baby. Come now. Please...now.” He slams into me again, and, right on command, I lose myself, with him following me right down.

  “YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL.” He whispers, and I sigh, before snuggling back into his embrace.

  “Thank you,” I whisper back, closing my eyes as my head leans against his chest.

  He pulls me close, pressing another kiss to my forehead before his hand gently strokes my back.

  “I have no idea how this is going to work, baby. I’ve never been a relationship kind of guy. But with you? Fuck.” He blows out his breath before tightening his embrace.

  “For you, I want to be different. Because I can’t imagine not having you be mine.”

  “We’re going to have to keep it quiet,” I tell him and feel him nod against me.

  “I know. Your dad will kill me if...”

  “He won’t find out. It will just be between us. Our thing.”

  “I don’t know how I’m going to be able to keep it quiet, Ave’s. I literally want to climb up onto the rooftop and scream out to everyone that you’re mine.”

  “You’re crazy.” I giggle, but I stop as soon as he pulls back, and his eyes meet mine. The serious look in his eyes causes my laughter to die in my throat, as he reaches out, cupping my chin in his palm and his thumb reaches up, stroking my lip.

  “I am crazy.” He whispers, dipping his head down towards me. “Crazy in love with you, Avery Cooper. And I know that I don’t deserve you, but I promise you this. I am going to try so damn hard to be exactly what you need. No matter what I have to do, I’m going to prove to you that no one could ever love you better than I can.”

  “Eric...”

  “Shhh.” He strokes my lip again before reaching over and gently pressing his lips to mine.

  “You don’t have to say it back right now. I just needed you to know. Needed you to try to understand the way that I feel about you. I’ve never felt this way before, about anyone. I think that I fell in love with you the very first time that I laid eyes on you. I need you to know that.”

  “I love you too,” I whisper back, as his eyes widen.

  The words leave my mouth before I can even realize that I’m saying it. But never in my life have I meant anything more than those four words.

  And I know in this moment, that I will never feel this way about anyone else ever again.

  Eric Wayne is it for me.

  “Don’t say that unless...”

  “I mean it.” I lean in closer to him, pressing my lips to his. “I mean it with every inch of my heart.”

  “Good.” He grins down at me before wrapping his arms around me and rolling us, so that I’m underneath him again. “Because I plan on making you mine forever. And someday? I’m gonna make you my wife. I may not deserve you, but I’m going to spend the rest of my life doing nothing but making you happy.”

  Chapter 9

  Six years ago

  Eric

  “I can’t believe you’re going to be so far away. It’s going to be so weird not having you right down the hall.”

  Avery tucks herself underneath my arm, and I squeeze her tight.

  “Let’s be honest. When was the last time that I was actually down the hall?” I smirk, as she blushes, in true Avery fashion.

  But in all honesty, the only time that I stay in my room or she stays in hers is the hours that her dad is awake.

  Over the last six months, we have hidden our relationship from everyone. But that doesn’t mean that our relationship hasn’t grown.

  I’ve pretty much fallen more and more in love with Avery every day if that’s even possible.

  She is like the sun because I swear to God? My entire being orbits around her.

  The thought of having to be away from her is damn near killing me, but I know that it’s necessary.

  This has been the plan all along anyhow...I mean, a full-ride college scholarship had always been in the plans.

  Hell, it had been my only plan.

  The only problem with my plans? Is that I hadn’t planned on Avery.

  When all of the offers came in, I had strongly considered a lower division school, so that I could stay close to her.

  But she had been insistent, that I needed to make the best move for my future.

  Because unlike anyone else I’ve ever had in my life?

  Avery actually wants whats best for me...and not just what would benefit her the best.

  Kentucky was the only Division 1 school that I received an offer from. And in order to achieve my goals, it was really the best decision that I could have made, accepting it.

  Except it means that I’m going to be really fucking far away from the only person in my life who matters to me.

  “It’s only eight hours.” She says, almost to herself, before flashing me a smile.

  “Just think. When you come and pick me up for all of my breaks? We can have a massive karaoke fest in the car.”

  “True.” She nods again, before sinking against me. “I’m going to have to make sure to download extra R Kelly songs.”

  “Be prepared to pull over often then,” I smirk at her. “Because if you start singing fucking music? I’m gonna have to immediately fuck you.”

  “So dirty.”

  She reaches up to smack my chest, but I catch her hand and pull her tightly against me.

  “I love you, Ave’s.”

  She sighs, before sinking into me, resting her face against my chest as I stroke her hair.

  We’ve been dancing around her leaving now for at least two hours. She’s gotten up to go, and we’ve said our goodbyes. But then just as fast, one of us is pulling the other back, and, well.

  Here we are.

  “I really should get going. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.”

  “Yeah. Definitely.”

  Neither of us move an inch.

  “You know this is only temporary, right?”

  “Four years isn’t very temporary...”

  “If I get offered something? I’m leaving school and taking it. I’m going to bust ass so that I can make that happen for us. I’m going to go pro, and then I’m taking you with me. Wherever I go, you’re coming with.”

  “Well, don’t make any moves this year. I’m not really planning on adding high school drop out to my resume.”

  “Deal.”

  After another fifteen minutes, she finally pulls back.

 
“I really need to leave this time.”

  “Right.”

  I help her with her jacket, before taking her hand and walking with her out to the parking lot.

  One of the bonuses to being on a sports scholarship is the housing.

  No dorm room living for me.

  I will be living in a big ass old house with the rest of the baseball team. Which means that we have our own parking lot, and we all have our own bedrooms.

  “You can come and stay every weekend with me.”

  “You already know I can’t come every weekend. No way can I think up places to be away to that often. And my dad would never let me come if he really knew where I was going.”

  “Right.”

  “Yeah.”

  Her face falls once we get to her car. I reach down, putting one finger under her chin and forcing her to look up into my eyes.

  “Talk to me, baby.”

  She sighs, before pulling back slightly. “What do you think our chances are, Eric? IN all honesty...what do you think our percentage chance is of working out? Ten? Fifteen?”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? What in the hell kind of question is that? And really, baby? Your percentages suck.”

  “Do you even know that statistics for long distance relationships? I mean, like the percentages of couples that last? It’s pretty low.”

  I stop in my tracks, before spinning her around to face me.

  “What are you trying to say Ave’s?

  “Nothing, it’s just...I don’t know.” She shrugs, before sighing hard and leaning into my chest. “It just feels like for the last six months, we’ve been living in our own little bubble. And now, the real world is calling. I just don’t want to lose you, that’s all.”

  “We’re one hundred percent, Avery. And quit it with this kind of talk. Sure, maybe other peoples relationships haven’t worked out, but us? Baby...our love is different. And I’m not going to let you go. Ever.”

  “But...”

  “You know that this has always been the plan, baby. Always. This is the whole reason that your dad took me in, to begin with. To get my life on track, and grades on point so that I could get a baseball scholarship. The whole end game here is for me to go pro. And if that doesn’t work out, at least I’ll have a college education to fall back on. For a guy like me, Avery, I don’t have a lot of options. I don’t have a plan B. This is it for me.”