Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)

by Autumn Grey

  Finally, the black bowtie comes undone. Cole takes it from my hands and bunches it up in his, then places his hands on my shoulders and slowly spins me around. He plucks out the pins holding my hair up and tosses them on the night stand then sweeps my hair over my shoulder to one side. I feel his breath feathering my neck just before his lips land there, placing soft kisses and tracing a path to the sensitive place behind my ear with his tongue. He nips my earlobe then slips it into his mouth.

  Oh my God.

  Heat pools between my legs. In just a few minutes Cole and I will be joined like I’ve desired for such a long time. He moves that wicked mouth from my ear, leaving a trail of kisses that stop at the top of my back. I feel his fingers fumble with the zipper and slide it down and the soft whoosh is increased ten-fold by my sensitive hearing. Every sound, every touch is increased in magnitude.

  I look over my shoulder to find his eyes focused on my backside. His breathing is no longer ragged. It’s mega fast. He lifts his face and when he finds me looking at him, he winks at me and signs, “Great ass.”

  I laugh, my cheeks heating up. I reach down and stroke him through his pants. His eyes squeeze shut as if in pain but when he opens them, they are dark and hungry.

  I move away and head for the dresser. After removing the condoms, I walk back to the bed. My knees shake and my stomach is a hundred definitions of fluttering. Cole is standing in his boxers, palming his erection through the material with no sign of reservations on his face.

  Wow, talk about being ready. Is this the same guy who was reluctant just minutes ago?

  I grin and toss two condoms on the night stand and walk toward him with the third one, then stand back and watch with fascination as his boxers drop to the floor and he rolls it on his rigid erection.

  He closes the gap between us and grips my waist, pulling me to him unexpectedly and rather forcefully. I gasp and he grins before crushing his mouth on mine. He grinds himself on me, his erection pressed on my stomach. I’m not sure my feet will be able to hold me up much longer. This kiss is the mother of all kisses. He’s kissing me as if he’s marking me, feeding me life.

  With his arm still around me, he walks us backwards until I feel the back of my knees hit the bed. I fall back and his body covers mine. Cole is not as gentle as he always is, and I don’t want gentle. We’ve survived on gentle since we met. I want the wild Cole. The one I suspect hides behind that sculpted body and those gray eyes. I want everything he’s willing to give me.

  He places his hands on my knees and opens them a little wider. He moves between my legs and groans when his erection settles at my entrance.

  Excitement pours through me.

  He pulls back, lifts himself off me for a second and returns with the bowtie.

  I raise my brow. “Are on planning on tying me up?”

  He laughs and shakes his head. He motions for my right hand. Puzzled, I stretch it toward him and wait. He takes my ring finger and starts to wrap the material around it. When he’s done, he leans back and meets my gaze.

  “Always and forever. This is my promise to you.”

  Tears spring in my eyes and I’m at a loss of words. This is some sort of binding ring, or engagement ring or whatever. How thoughtful of my Cole

  “Always and forever, this is my promise to you.”

  His face breaks into a huge smile. “You are officially mine.”

  I laugh out loud as his body covers mine once again. He nudges my legs wider with his thigh and I let them fall open to accommodate his hips. His fingers slide between us and he positions himself at my entrance.

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “It will only hurt for a few moments.” At least I hope it won’t hurt for long.

  He looks hesitant. I slide my hand down and wrap it around his fingers, pushing deeper. His eyes widen as the tip of his erection enters me. He pulls his hand away and wraps his arm around my shoulders, keeping his eyes on me as he thrusts slowly, pulls out and in again. He stops, his breathing coming out in pants.

  I nod to let him know I’m okay. He starts to push again and this time I feel the beginning of pain and every muscle in my body locks, fighting the invasion. I breathe in and out through my mouth.

  “Shit,” he curses, lifting his body and starting to pull back but I tighten my hands on him and shake my head.

  “I’m okay, I promise.”

  He glares at me. “You are not okay.”

  “Okay, I’m not. But I don’t want you to stop. Please.”

  His expression softens. “You don’t have to beg me, Nor. I’ll always do what you ask me.”

  Melt.

  God, I want this.

  He takes a deep breath, clenches his jaw and this time he thrusts hard and I cry out. He drops his head to the crook of my neck, his breathing heavy and hot on my skin. I shut my eyes tightly, breathing in and out as my body learns the shape of his. I lift my hips slightly off the bed to create more friction.

  “Don’t move.” His voice is muffled on my neck. His lips kiss my neck softly, my jaw, my cheek. He pulls back, his gaze roaming all over my face. “God. Nor. I’m inside you. You feel amazing.”

  Oh. My. God. WOW.

  I take deep breaths and let my body adjust to him. He lifts his head a few moments later, and brushes my hair away from my forehead.

  He leans back and stares at me softly, but I can see the storm brewing behind those eyes.

  “I am about to make love to you, Snowflake. I don’t want to hurt you. You feel so damn good wrapped around my dick like that. I might not be able to control myself once I start moving. I really want to make this special for you too.”

  “You are making it special,” I tell him, brushing a finger on his brow to smooth the worry lines forming there.

  He starts to move his hips and it takes a few seconds for my body to find the rhythm of his. Then my back is bowing, my body wanting more, eagerly. I close my eyes and feel my body tighten as it reaches a point of no return, seeking sweet release.

  I open my eyes and nearly orgasm when I meet Cole’s dark, intense gaze fixed on me. He grabs my legs and hikes them around his hips. I wrap them on his waist, holding him tight to me and I feel him sink deeper inside me. He lowers his body flush to mine and slides his arms around my shoulder. He increases the pace and his thrusts. Every time he plunges inside me, I suck a breath and release when he pulls out. His movements become more uncoordinated and desperate. My hands move up his back and circle his neck. I shut my eyes and smile, holding on for dear life.

  Stars burst behind my eyes and I shatter, the world around me exploding into different colors behind my eyes. I scream Cole’s name just as he calls mine, which comes out in a primal shout. We continue holding each other, our skin wet from the sweat, our ragged breathing and soft groans filling the room.

  I open my eyes to look up at him and what I see before me steals whatever air is left in my lungs: Cole’s head is thrown back, his body arched and veins popping on his neck. His body shakes with his release.

  “Are you okay?” he asks.

  I grin, using my hand to smooth the frown on his forehead. “I’m a million times better.”

  His shoulders droop in relief just before he nods, and kisses me softly. So softly I might have imagined it if I wasn’t paying attention, then he pulls back to look at me. “Thank you for this gift. Everything about today is perfect. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” I smile, my bones feel tired in a good way. My body is warm. Other than the slight ache between my legs, I feel wonderful.

  He rolls over, removes the condom and heads for the bathroom. He returns with a cloth in his hands and crawls between my legs. My body tenses as soon as he starts to clean me but relaxes when his gaze meets mine with a troubled look on his face. “You must be sore.”

  I nod. “I am. It was worth it.”

  He heads back to the bathroom and returns minutes later with the same wash cloth. He cleans my tender skin and I just
lie there enjoying the warmth and the way he is taking care of me. My eyes start closing. I feel him leave the bed. The sound of a toilet flushing in the distance. The bed sinking beneath me and then hands gently turning me to my side. His body drapes on my back, then he pulls me flush to his chest and wraps his arms around me.

  I wake up to the feel of heat on my breast. I peel my eyes open to find Cole sucking my nipple while languidly rolling the other between his fingers. I sigh, move my hands down and sink them into his hair. His head comes up and his mouth drops from my breast in favor of my lips.

  “I wish we could stay here forever,” I say when we come up for air.

  He flashes me a sexy smile. “Me too.” He glances at the clock on the bedside table. “It’s almost midnight. I promised your mom I would get you home by eleven. Come on, lazy bones.”

  COLE PULLS UP IN FRONT of my house at almost one in the morning. He turns off the engine, climbs out of the car and opens the door for me. The porch light comes on as soon as we hit the first step. He walks me to the door the proceeds to kiss me until my lips feel raw, loved, used by him.

  “See you tomorrow?”

  I nod, grinning blissfully. “Tomorrow.”

  He starts to walk down the porch steps, but abruptly turns back. He grabs me around the waist and kisses me, dipping me backwards until I feel drunk with everything good in this world.

  He swings me back up, steps back and tucks his hands inside his pocket.

  “I couldn’t have asked for a better Formal. Thank you for giving me that.”

  My chest hurts just thinking he’d never gotten a chance to enjoy his own prom because he couldn’t find a girl who would go with him. At the same time I’m glad I was the one who gave it to him. His first. My first.

  “Thank you for giving me my everything,” I tell him.

  As soon as I step inside the house, I’m so high on my perfect night that I fail to notice the hunched form on the couch. I jump and shriek when the lamp is suddenly turned on, momentarily blinding me. I blink several times to adjust my eyes to the lighting.

  I clutch a hand over my chest and stumble back. “Dad!” Of all the nights for him to come home, today had to be one of them?

  He unfolds himself from the chair then staggers upright. Or sideways. He’s still wearing his uniform, which makes me wonder when he came home and how long he has been lying in wait for me to come home.

  “Did you have fun?” he asks, taking a step forward his hands on his hips.

  I swallow hard and lick my lips. “It was okay.”

  “Hmm. What time did you tell your mother you’d be home.”

  My heart is beating so hard I can hear the thumping in my ears. Gosh, what time did Cole say he’d bring me home?

  “E—eleven,” I stammer.

  He exhales through his mouth. “WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?!” He shouts so suddenly, I shriek and back away from him so quickly that I drop my purse in the process. “ANSWER ME!”

  I dart a look at the clock although I already know the time. “One in the morning.”

  I hear a whimper coming from the stairs and glance over quickly. Elon and Elise are peeking through the bars on the stairs.

  Crap. They shouldn’t be seeing this.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here on time,” I whisper, eager to appease him so he can let this go.

  “You promised your mother you’d be here on time. She was worried.”

  As if he cares about my mother. This is all about him, throwing his weight around.

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper again, keeping my head low so that he doesn’t think I’m confronting him.

  “Were you with him?” He slurs the words, moving closer. “ANSWER THE FUCKING QUESTION!”

  I nod, tears instantly forming. Elon or Elise, I don’t know which one of the two, wails.

  “Daddy please. You’re scaring us.”

  He whirls around, his drunk gaze searching the source of that voice. He lifts a hand and points up. “Upstairs. NOW!”

  “What’s going on here? Stephen?” My mom appears from the top of the stairs. When my father doesn’t answer, she climbs down the stairs. She sees me huddled on the wall, then glances at her husband. “What is the meaning of this, Stephen?”

  My dad narrows his eyes on her and jabs his index finger at her. “Your whore of a daughter came in a few minutes ago. Did you know she has been sleeping with that. . .abomination?”

  My heart ceases to beat. Everything in me locks in place. I take a step forward. “He is not an abomination, Father.” I grit my teeth. “You are so judgmental you can’t see anything beyond your prejudices. You hate everything that reminds you of your brother. You make me sick. Sick to my stomach.” My body is on fire, my hands curled into fists at my side.

  My words seem to enrage him even further. His face is turning an alarming shade of red.

  “My brother. So you think you know me, huh? MY BROTHER WAS A DISGRACE. MY FATHER SHOULD HAVE KILLED HIM THE DAY HE WAS BORN!”

  I gasp, falling back two steps.

  Someone bangs three times on the door so loudly that I jump almost ten feet high. “Eleanor? Is everything okay in there?”

  Maggie.

  My dad swivels around so fast, his wide eyes on the door. I scoot to the side and twist the door handle. Cole barrels in with Maggie in tow.

  He’s at my side in a matter of seconds. “Are you okay? Mom told me she heard some noises coming from here.”

  I nod at the same time Dad lumbers toward me, grabs Cole by the neck of his shirt and swings a punch. Cole doesn’t have enough time to block the blow. It connects with Cole’s jaw, causing him to stagger. One minute Cole is stunned by the punch and the next he’s on his feet, his arm raised and fists raining down on my father. I’m so shocked that at first I just stare at the scene unfolding in front of me. My dad delivers a punch, but misses, which gives Cole an opening. He lands punch after punch, fury written all over his face. I catch a glimpse of my father, eyes wide and terrified as he looks around, cornered by my boyfriend’s big body.

  Maggie hurries forward to stop her son and I leap in action hot on her trail. Then everything happens at once. Josh sprints through the open door, launches himself on his brother and tries to get him off my dad. Police sirens fill the air and then they are there, holding off Cole and my father. Cole struggles against their hands, fighting to break free, his furious eyes centered on my dad. Another police officer joins the first one and grip Cole’s arm, pulling him back. One of them slaps handcuffs around Cole’s wrists, while reading him his rights. The words ‘anything you say may be used against you’ slam into me, jolting me and reminding me that this is not a dream. They drag him out of the house and inside one of their cars with flickering blue lights on top. I run after the police officers, wanting to explain what happened. But one of them shakes me off as if I’m a fly.

  Dad is leaning against the wall on the porch, staring down at Maggie coldly.

  “I warned you, Maggie,” he says in a low voice that doesn’t carry too far. “He stood between you and me. He is the reason you refused to come back to me. He had to go.”

  “God, Stephen. He’s my baby. You started it. You hit him first. You can’t do this to me.” Tears are running down her face as she pleads with my father.

  He sneers and speaks loudly, for the benefit of the police, I think. “He came to my house and he hit me first. Hell, I couldn’t defend myself. I told you that son of yours would get in trouble one day. He has a temper. You should have dealt with him before it came to this.”

  What feels like a hundred pairs of eyes cast glances between my father and the car. But Cole is staring ahead, his jaw set in a defiant line.

  “Hey Steve. We need you to come down to the station to record your statement about what happened here,” a policeman with a protruding belly says to my dad.

  My father nods and winces when he lifts his arm. “I will as soon as they check on me.” He sounds friendly, easy going and I realize I don’t k
now who this man is. Does anyone even know him?

  “Are you okay, Sir?” A deep voice says. I follow the voice and see a paramedic jogging toward us, carrying a first aid kit.

  Everything is happening so fast and I’m dizzy. My sight is blurry. I want to look away, but I can’t. I’m nauseous and sweating and shaking.

  Two more paramedics join the first one at my father’s side with a stretcher as if he’s dying. What the hell did he tell them? That is my passing thought. They load him on it and strap him down and then hurry toward the ambulance. The stretcher disappears inside the vehicle, but not before I catch a glimpse of my dad’s face. The triumphant look on his bloody face as he cranes his neck to look out.

  He did it. He has probably been waiting for an opportunity to seek revenge. Cole and I played right into his vengeful hands. He might not have orchestrated everything, but he won.

  The cars start to pull off, the sirens piercing the dark night. I chase after them, trying to catch Cole’s eyes. His jaw already has a huge red spot forming.

  He doesn’t lift his head to look at me.

  He just continues to stare ahead, his chest heaving, his wrists shackled behind his back.

  I finally give up, stop and stare as the lights of the car flicker, disappearing around the bend at the end of the street.

  I turn and stumble back, tears streaming down my face. Maggie is weeping quietly, as she shifts her gaze to me, her face filled with so much regret and hate.

  “I told you, Eleanor. You should have let him go.” She stumbles a little as she turns and walks down the path. I watch her as she opens the door to her house, and disappears from sight.

  Josh looks at me for a long time. His face filled with so much sadness, I’m not sure I’ll ever recover from that look or the words his mother tossed at me. He follows his mother without looking back.

  Glancing around, I realize most lights in the neighborhood are on, everyone surely awoken by the disturbance from our house.

  I shuffle up the stairs, ignoring the sympathetic look on my mother’s face, the twin expressions of pure horror on my sisters’ faces.

  I leave it all behind and enter my room. I don’t cry. I don’t cry until my head hits the pillow, and then it’s just me and my sorrow.