In Your Heart

by Micalea Smeltzer

  “Really? Because getting you in my arms was my end game.” He winked.

  I glared down at him as his hands tightened around my waist. I reached out, smearing my hand in a glob of paint. Before he realized what I was up to I pressed my hand to his cheek, the red paint getting all over his face and into the scruff on his cheeks.

  His eyes narrowed on me. “Oh, you’re in trouble now.”

  I squealed when he grabbed my wrists and twisted to pin me beneath him. Paint squished beneath me, coating my hair and clothes.

  “Ezra!” I screamed.

  I smeared my hand in paint again and wiped it in his hair.

  He laughed and grabbed my breasts, leaving behind handprints on my boobs.

  We continued to roll around in the paint, smiling and laughing, as we tried to get the other person dirtier than we were.

  I fell onto my stomach and he landed on top of me, carefully holding his weight slightly above me so that he didn’t squish me.

  I tapped my hand against the mat. “I’m out, I’m out.”

  He laughed and rolled off of me, lying flat on his back. I raised my head slightly to look at him and laughed when I saw he was entirely covered in paint. I’m sure I looked much the same.

  “We’re a mess.” I giggled, sitting up.

  He grabbed my waist and towed me towards him. I slid easily on the slick surface. “Come here,” he growled lowly, and I swung my legs so that I was straddling him. He sat up, wrapping his arms around me. Slowly, one hand slid up the bare skin of my arm and then he grasped my chin. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he breathed, his dark eyes flicking down to my lips.

  Not one to wait, my fingers delved into his hair and I pulled him closer, angling my mouth over his. He exhaled a deep moan and I swallowed it with a kiss.

  I rolled my hips against his and his fingers tightened around my waist.

  “Fuck,” he growled, “I need you.” His fingers skimmed underneath my top and he pulled it over my head, tossing it so that it landed on the sheet. He lay down, and my lips never parted from his. He sucked my bottom lip between his and I let out a mewling sound.

  “You kill me,” he breathed in-between kisses, “you absolutely shatter me.”

  I clasped his face in my hands and stared down into his warm eyes. There were so many things I wanted to say—to confess—but I refused to give life to the words. I’d been hurt enough, and I had to protect my heart at all costs, especially from someone who didn’t want it.

  Instead of saying anything I kissed him again.

  His tongue swept past my lips and I breathed him in.

  He was everywhere—his taste, his scent, his touch, it was all too much.

  It didn’t matter how many times he touched me, it always lit me on fire from the inside out. It was like my body was programed to come to life when he touched me.

  He turned, pining me onto my back and his lips left mine to kiss a trail down my neck, between my breasts, and over my stomach.

  My back arched above the mat and I fisted my fingers in his hair, tugging slightly and he growled in response.

  Before I could take my next breath he ripped my shorts off—seriously, ripped them because he tugged them off so harshly. I couldn’t complain about him ruining them since he’d bought them and they were already covered in paint. Plus, seeing him do that was pretty hot. My underwear and bra went next and both were removed with just as much vigor.

  I palmed my breasts as he removed his clothes. His eyes darkened with lust as he watched me. I didn’t have much going on in the boob area, but the way he looked at me made me feel good.

  He undid the button on his paint covered white pants and started to tug them down, but cursed.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked, my voice sounding breathless.

  “I don’t have a condom,” he hung his head, smiling sheepishly he added, “this wasn’t about sex.” He gestured to the twister mat and paint. “I really did want us to do something fun.”

  “Well, now it is about sex.” My voice was full of want and desire. “Just forget the condom. I’m on birth control and I’m clean. I got tested after…well, after.” He knew what I was talking about.

  His whole body shook when he inhaled a breath. “Are you sure? I’m clean too.”

  “I trust you.”

  I trusted him completely—with my life, but not my heart.

  He nodded once and removed his pants and boxer briefs.

  My eyes immediately dropped to his erection. I couldn’t help myself. I reached out, wrapping my hand around him and rubbing up and down. Air hissed between his teeth and he let out a curse.

  “I need to be inside you,” he murmured, grabbing my hands and pinning them above my head. He captured my lips with his and thrust inside.

  I gasped at the intrusion and then my body began to relax. Pleasure zinged through my veins. I’d never known how potent and special sex could be until Ezra. I had thought I’d known, but I’d been oh-so wrong. Everything from my past paled in comparison, and I feared that anything after would never live up to this. But from the first time I let him touch me it had been a risk I was willing to take.

  His hips rolled deliciously slow against mine and a breathy sigh escaped me.

  He stared into my eyes, the feelings and moment far too intimate for two people that were only supposed to be friends with benefits.

  I stared right back, unflinchingly.

  I don’t know what he saw in my eyes, but his darkened with heightened passion and he pulled his bottom lip between his teeth.

  Letting go of my hands he skimmed his down my sides and then back up to palm my breasts.

  My naked body was covered in paint, as was his, but I didn’t care.

  He lowered his head, sucking my bottom lip into his mouth. I moaned and his tongue swirled against mine.

  My body began to shake as I soared to that place high among the sky.

  When I fell his lips silenced my small cry.

  I wrapped my fingers around his neck, holding him to me. I kissed him back with every ounce of desire that my small body possessed.

  His thrusts quickened and he rested his forehead against mine, still looking into my eyes.

  I knew I should look away, that watching him like this would only make me fall harder for him, but I couldn’t let this moment leave. I wanted—no, needed—to see if any part of him cared for me the way I did him. Even if it was only a fleeting look, I would treasure it forever, because for that single suspended moment in time we would be one.

  He groaned, his body shaking as he found his release.

  I held his face in my hands, refusing to let him look away.

  And then I saw it—that look, so full of love and longing.

  I held onto it, tucking the moment into my heart where I could treasure it forever.

  I knew I had to let him go, but I raised my head and kissed him again.

  His lips were a brand against mine. His fingers fisted in my hair and he kissed me with fervor, like he needed me to survive.

  He broke the kiss first and pressed a single, tender kiss to my forehead before pulling out and rolling onto his back.

  We both lay there, covered in paint, unmoving except for the heavy rise and fall of our chests as we struggled to get enough air into our lungs.

  So much hung unsaid in the air between us.

  And it would remain that way.

  “WOOO! WE’RE IN MIAMI BITCHES!” Maddox yelled, grabbing up Emma and tossing her over his shoulder. He ran straight for the blue-green colored ocean water. She beat at his back, laughing wildly at his antics.

  “We’re not even in Miami!” Hayes hollered after him, shaking his head. “Fucking psycho.”

  “Do you think we could, um maybe keep the cussing to a minimum?” Arden asked, covering her daughter’s ears.

  I’d ended up closing down my shop for the week and after talking to the guys, Emma, and Remy to see if it was okay, I invited Arden and her daughter Mia to go on vaca
tion with us. I knew it had been forever since she’d had a break—being a single mom was hard—and I felt bad that I’d blown her off a few times when she asked to get lunch or something.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.” Hayes smiled sheepishly at her. “That might be difficult between the two of us.” He tossed a thumb in Mathias’ direction.

  Mathias rolled his eyes and finished unloading the suitcases from the trunk of one of the SUVs we’d rented for our stay.

  I glanced up at the gigantic mansion we were staying in.

  It had four stories—the bottom story was a massive garage, but the other three still remained a mystery. The siding was a pale blue and it had windows everywhere. It was just starting to get dark, but the house glowed from within making it obvious someone had been there earlier to get it ready for our stay.

  On the outside palm trees and an endless amount of sand surrounded it.

  I breathed in the crisp, salty air.

  This was exactly what I had needed.

  Glancing over at Ezra as he finished unloading the car we’d rode in I couldn’t help thinking about how difficult this week would be for us.

  While Maddox and Emma played in the water—meaning he dropped her in the ocean on purpose and she retaliated by dunking him—the rest of us carried our bags into the house.

  “Oh my God,” Arden gasped.

  My gasp echoed hers.

  The house was stunning.

  Actually, that was an understatement.

  Magnificent was a more accurate description.

  The walls and furniture were all white with pops of turquoise and hot pink in the form of pillows and vases. It was so simple, but beautiful.

  But the view? That was to die for.

  I dropped my purse by the set of stairs and walked straight ahead to gaze out the windows. The ocean glimmered in the last of the setting sun and below on the beach Emma ran away from Maddox. He caught her around the waist and spun her around. It was a picture perfect moment.

  Ezra stepped up beside me, his arm brushing mine. Body heat radiated off of him and I found myself leaning closer to him. I itched to be wrapped in his arms, but I fought off that urge.

  On my other side Arden stood with three-year-old Mia on her hip. “Wow,” she gasped, “it’s so beautiful it doesn’t seem real.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “Thanks for inviting me.” She glanced at me with a smile. “All of you.” She glanced at the guys and Remy.

  “Of course,” Hayes huffed, setting down a heavy bag by the stairs. His face was red and he looked like he was starting to sweat. “What was in that bag?” He addressed me. “Fess up fashion Queen. It’s yours right?”

  “Not mine.” I shook my head.

  Beside me Arden’s cheeks flamed red, making her freckles appear even more vividly. “Uh…it’s mine,” she admitted. Hayes began to laugh. “In my defense,” she held up a hand, halting whatever he was about to say, “that’s my only bag and it has all of mine and Mia’s stuff.”

  Hayes’ eyes sparkled with barely contained laughter. “I guess I can forgive you for that.”

  She smiled at him, tucking a piece of bright red hair behind her ear.

  I eyed the two carefully, trying to hide my smile. I turned away and back out at the beautiful view.

  “I’m starving,” Mathias declared, heading over to the kitchen. He swung open the stainless steel refrigerator doors and cursed. “Motherfucker.”

  “Language!” Arden admonished, covering Mia’s ears once more.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.”

  Holy shit, Mathias Wade apologized. Somebody, put that down in the record books.

  “The fu—idiot only has the refrigerator stocked with Diet Pepsi.”

  Ezra snorted. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “I’m going to run to the store to get some food and I’ll just pick up pizza for tonight or something.” Mathias swiped the car keys off a side table.

  “I’ll go with you.” Remy piped up.

  He shook his head and kissed her tenderly. “No, stay here and rest for a bit.”

  She didn’t put up a fight, which led me to believe she did need to rest. Remy wasn’t one to listen to what she was told.

  Mathias left just as Hayes returned with the last bag.

  And by bag I meant cage.

  Maddox and Emma brought their pet hedgehogs.

  I wished I was joking.

  Maddox and Emma ran up the beach and onto the deck steps.

  Ezra unlocked the door to let them inside.

  “You guys are soaking wet,” I said unnecessarily.

  “It’s his fault.” Emma poked Maddox in the side.

  “Mathias went to get food since someone only stocked us with Diet Pepsi.” Hayes muttered, strolling over with his arms crossed over his chest.

  Maddox grinned crookedly and tossed an arm over Emma’s shoulder. “What else does a man need in life, besides the love of a good woman and Diet Pepsi?”

  “A hedgehog,” Ezra chuckled.

  “How could I forget?” Maddox mock winced.

  Hayes sighed, but I knew he was secretly amused. “Why don’t we figure out the sleeping arrangement?” He suggested. “That way we can put all this shi—crap—away.” He pointed to the mountain of suitcases by the stairs and flashed Arden an apologetic smile.

  “Sounds good.” Emma clapped her hands together.

  We each grabbed a bag and started up the stairs. The same color scheme was carried throughout the large home.

  On the second level—or I guess technically it was the third—there were five bedrooms, all with their own bathrooms. There was even a little nook with a chaise lounge and a bookshelf.

  Everyone picked a room and that left me. “I guess I’ll take a room upstairs,” I mumbled, heading for the second set of steps.

  “Uh,” Ezra interjected, “I will too. I don’t want you to be alone.”

  Emma stopped outside a bedroom door with a hand on her hip and a calculating look in her eyes. “Or Sadie could take the extra room down here and you could go upstairs.”

  “But then I’m alone,” he countered, “what if I get scared at night? Are you going to come hold my hand, Emma?”

  Her lips pressed together as she held in laughter. “Does that mean Sadie is going to hold your hand?” She folded her arms over her chest. She was so on to us. She had been from the start.

  “Of course.” He grinned, trying to play everything off as a joke.

  Emma finally shrugged. “Whatever.”

  The two of us headed up to the second level. There were only three bedrooms up here—and two bathrooms, one room had it’s own and the other was Jack and Jill style. The nook up here was larger and had a baby grand piano and art easel. This place was so incredibly peaceful that I knew I wouldn’t have any trouble unwinding.

  The three bedrooms were similar in size, so I picked one based on the view of the beach and the fact that it had a balcony. Ezra chose the room across from me and set his bags inside before joining me in my bedroom.

  I opened the French doors and stepped out onto the balcony. I leaned against the railing and he stepped up beside me with his hands shoved into the pockets of his khaki shorts.

  “You realize I’ll be sleeping in here, right?” He winked.

  I cracked a smile. After the night where he asked me to sleep with him without sex we’d continued the tradition.

  “I expected so.”

  “I’ve grown so used to the privacy we have at my house that being here with everyone is going to test the limits of my sanity.” He grabbed onto the railing, the last of the blazing sun haloing his body. I itched to lean forward and kiss him, but he wasn’t mine and I couldn’t risk someone catching us.

  “I know what you mean,” I agreed.

  Ever so slightly he brushed his pinky against mine, and then rested it overtop.

  I closed my eyes, treasuring the brief touch.

  “Hey, what are you guys doing?”

&
nbsp; Maddox.

  Ezra’s finger fell away from mine and he whipped around with a smile on his face. “Admiring the view,” he replied.

  Maddox stepped outside with us and I noticed he’d changed his clothes to something dry, but his hair was still wet.

  “Isn’t this place great?” He grinned. “I couldn’t believe I found it on such short notice.”

  I had to admit I was surprised too. Plus, it was nice that the houses on either side were off in the distance. I doubted we’d have to worry about any crazy fans in this neighborhood, homes this big could only be owned by celebrities and CEOs.

  “Anyway,” Maddox clapped his hand on Ezra’s shoulder, “I just came to tell you guys that Mathias is back already and I thought you might be hungry.”

  “Sure,” Ezra nodded, “we’ll be right down.”

  “Cool.” Maddox began to back away, watching us carefully. He was just as suspicious as Emma.

  When he disappeared Ezra reached up and gently stroked my cheek.

  I sighed happily and leaned into his touch. He placed a feather light kiss on my forehead and held his lips there when he murmured, “How can I do this for a week? How can I pretend I’m not spending every second thinking about the way your body hums when I touch you and you sigh when I kiss you?”

  A week? How was I going to pretend to not be thinking about those things for the rest of my life? Our agreement was going to come to an end in a matter of months, maybe even less, and then…and then I didn’t know.

  I grasped his shirt in my hands and leaned forward, inhaling the scent that was uniquely Ezra.

  I answered truthfully. “I don’t know either.”

  “UP! UP! UP! GET UP!” Maddox drummed his fist against the door to my room.

  “Go away!” I yelled back, tossing a pillow over my head. If I had to deal with Maddox’s chipper personality at the crack of dawn every morning I might murder him, which would suck for Emma since she loved him and all. But, seriously.

  The door to my room swung open and I sent up a silent prayer that Ezra had snuck over to his room early in the morning.

  I tossed the pillow off of my head and rose up on my elbows to look at Maddox. I was sure my hair was a wild untamable mess, but for once in my life I didn’t care.