“Baby, you wanted me to chase after you. You want to be caught.”
“You were a dick, not even hearing my side. You instantly took up for her and attacked me. It confirmed what I suspected in the beginning; you’re not over her.” I jerk my body more, trying to break free, but he’s hugging me snugly.
“That’s not true. It hurt too much to hear that someone I made that kind of promise to betrayed me that badly, so I reacted. She should’ve had to feel that anger from me, not you. I’m so sorry.”
His mouth warms my neck. His soft voice, weaved with heartache and regret, breaks through my bitterness, ending my physical fight.
It evokes the tears that are stealing my defenses as they escape and run away. Ev squeezes me tight, breathing hushing sounds into my ear as my body trembles above him.
“I love you, Reese. God, I fucking love you. Please give me back the privilege of showing you.”
Sliding me off of him, he’s soon covering my body. His intense eyes chain me as his hands cradle my head. Thumbs wipe away the tears that are flowing into my hair, his tenderness reeling me back in.
“Please talk to me.”
“You pushed me until I said hateful things to you and had to run away, just like with Preston. I was only trying to help.”
His head falls over, and I close my eyes as thick, wavy hair rests on my face. It’s radiating heat from the sun, tickling my nose, and I can’t resist running my hands through the back of it.
When Everett’s head lifts, his eyes are watery.
“The pain I feel knowing I hurt you … it’s unbearable, Reese, but unlike Preston, I have the ability to make it right.
“I’m going to be an idiot at times. You’ll likely retreat, and I’ll keep chasing you, but I promise I’ll never bring you this kind of pain again.”
Eager lips land on mine, the spark turning back on the lights, and I pray the darkness finds a place for its eternal rest.
I let in the flavor I crave, my mouth parting for him as my fingers glide through his waves of silk. His groans fill my mouth, and the spark turns into the fiery flame of passion only Everett and I can give to each other. His mouth grazes across my jaw and blows into my ear before it’s traveling down my neck.
“I’m sorry, Reese. Tell me you forgive me.” His words hum against my skin, and it’s desperate to feel his feverish mouth exploring, giving tingling pleasure.
“I forgive you. I’m sorry for the things I said, too.” Everett gets to his feet and leans over to pick me up. “Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you inside to make love to you.” His lips press to my hair and linger there while he carries me into the house. We reach his room, and he begins to undress me slowly.
“I’m savoring every second of this. We’re not rushing, and you’re not going to misbehave since that will only lead me a different direction. Got it?” He smiles at me sweetly, but his regret is still evident.
Hands run over my bare ass before his fingers catch the sides of my thong. He squats down, pulling the panties with him, and a shiver shoots through my spine as his palms glide up my thighs.
His nose grazes upward next until he’s breathing me in. As he continues to rise, fingers slip inside of me.
“My cock is going to slide right into your wet pussy. Feel it,” he says as he takes my fingers and pushes them into me. His greedy mouth is sucking on my nipple before his tongue is flicking it quickly.
He’s guiding my fingers in and out, and all the sensations are creating a mounting pleasure. I moan, and he groans with urgency before he abruptly picks me up and spreads me on the bed.
“I have to be inside you–now.” His patience is faltering as he sheds his clothes and blankets me with his searing body. Shoulders cut to perfection are in my line of sight, along with the veins of his neck that strain as he pushes into me.
“Shit, you feel insanely good,” he says with eyelids clenched shut as he resists the impulse to slam into me. Rocking forward and back in a rhythmic motion, his blue eyes, smoky with desire come back to mine.
Everett is cherishing me through love-making, displaying his kindness and ability to control his actions. His attentive gaze, soft words and touch are illustrating his plea for forgiveness.
“Baby, I missed every part of you,” he says before his mouth claims mine, sweeping and exploring all of it as if it’s the very first time.
“I missed you, too.” My words ride the wave of oxygen rushing from my lungs. Our fingers are deep in each other’s hair, massaging in sync with his caressing motion that is bringing me to climax in a steady, hypnotic manner.
The anticipation is as thrilling as the release, which floods me all at once, the pleasure undulating and relentless.
“Open those stunning, green eyes, Reese. It’s erotic, watching you unravel.” I do as he asks and hold his gaze. “Fuck, you’re gripping my cock tight.” He struggles, too, not to close his eyes.
“Come inside me,” I say through a moan, nails digging into his shoulders. My words trip his switch as he thrusts one last time.
Wadding my hair up in his fists, he releases a loud, lengthy growl, owning the moment, pointing out that he’s still my commanding Everett.
Falling onto me, his face buries against my neck, his breath as heavy as his weight. I don’t want him to move. I feel safe and loved beneath him.
“Thank you for not letting me walk away,” I say, my hands skimming down his back. Lifting up, Everett gazes at me intently, his love shining through the blue sky.
“You pleaded for me to never stop catching you. I wasn’t letting you down again.” Tender kisses brush my face before I feel him smiling against my cheek.
“Besides, tag’s a game, and we both know I have to win. You’re the best prize of them all, fancy face.”
Epilogue
4th of July
Reese
“Off,” I say, grabbing hold of Everett’s hand and removing it from my boob. He’s behind me, reaching around and copping a feel, as I stand at the kitchen island. “I swear if your mother walks in and witnesses this, uh, you’re not getting sex for a week.”
“Ha, that’s a good one. I might have to call her in here. This could make for an interesting game. Someone is in the mood to be chased.”
His hand moves my hair over one shoulder before he’s trailing kisses along my neck. His erection pushes into me, and I battle the strong urge to lean into him.
I only said that to hear his response, and it was exactly what I expected. The next week should be exciting, of course, they all are with Everett. We’re having to get pretty creative after everything we’ve done.
“Will you help me carry out these relish trays?”
He moves away, but not without a groan.
“Sure, but I get you served up on a platter after everyone leaves. I don’t care if the platter’s a picnic table, this island or the bed. Somewhere.” Coming around next to me, he winks and gives his charming grin before biting into a baby carrot.
“Hi,” Becca says, practically running into me at the door.
“Grab something off the counter and follow us out,” I say, nodding back toward the island.
“You’re spoiling us, Reese,” Travis says when we reach the picnic tables. “I guess it gives Mom a little break.”
“Pfft, little is about right,” Joyce says, glancing up from the food she’s laying out, long enough to give her son a look. Walking over to her, Travis wraps his arms around her shoulders, giving her a side hug.
“Trav, you’re squeezing me to death.”
“Admit that you love cooking me food, and I’ll let you go.”
Joyce reaches her hand up and holds his forearm as she turns to kiss his cheek. All four of the Casteel brothers got their stunning blue eyes from their mom.
“I do love that you still need me.” She gives him a grin before glancing to Becca, who is setting gallons of tea on the table.
“I guess that will be changing soon. I hope B
ecca realizes how much food you can put away. She’s tiny, so you better share.”
Releasing his mom, Travis runs over and scoops Becca up, throwing her over his shoulder. She begins to squeal. “Trav, what are you doing?”
“Checking to see if you’ve lost any weight, and I must say that I think you’re lighter.” He frowns as he slides the front of her body down his.
“You’re silly,” she says.
He cups her face and gives her a soft kiss. Their love is the sweetest.
“Becs, I steal your food all the time when we’re eating. Are you not getting enough?”
“You goofball, your mom didn’t mean it like that. She’s saying you’re a pig.” She and Joyce chuckle. “You’re the one who will be losing weight after we move in together since I’m not an experienced cook like my sister.”
Travis pulls her into his arms and kisses her again.
“We’ll learn together.”
I’m not sure why, but I feel this need to take a look at Everett, and sure enough, he’s reacting to his brother’s open affection with Becs, rolling his eyes at them.
“Hey, hey, hey, everybody,” Sarge says, coming around the house. His wife, Sheryl, is with him, along with Franklin, and their teenage daughter, Samantha (named after Sarge’s real name, Sam).
All of us say our hellos, and I take some containers of food from Sheryl, to lighten her load. Within minutes, the rest of the Casteel family arrives, along with almost all of the employees from work. Kyle is dating Holly, and they’re both here, too.
Everyone was told to bring their families, and when I think of how generous Everett, Roman and Sarge are to their employees, I have to smile.
My parents show, too, and the backyard is filled with blissful chatter as all of us eat. Everett gives the employees their summer bonuses before guests split off to do other things.
The kids play in an enormous, inflatable bouncy house Casteel rented. Some of the guys hop on dirt bikes, and a cornhole tournament is going strong. I stand off to the side and soak it all in.
The last couple of months have not been easy on Everett. The authorities had to open an investigation, so he could show the IRS that he had nothing to do with the missing money. He’s had to deal with it head on, but I’ve been by his side the entire time.
The investigation proved that Everett’s sister-in-law knew about the embezzlement, so now the IRS and authorities are in the process of recovering what they can of the funds.
I tried to leave Casteel, but after a major blow-up, Ev got his way and convinced me to stay. Even though he insisted he trusted me, I implemented changes in their policies to protect their funds and business. The first thing to go was his damn signature stamp.
“What are you thinking about over here?” he asks, coming up from behind and wrapping his arms around me. His chin rests on my shoulder, and I breathe in his woodsy scent. We’re under one of the many shady trees near the house.
“How wonderful my life is due to the fact that I’m surrounded by amazing people every day.”
“Everyone is lucky to be surrounded by you, Reese.”
“Weese, Weese, come jump in the bouncy with me,” Peyton says, pulling on my hand. Everett chuckles as Roman’s five year old daughter gives me a pouty look.
“OK, but I think uncle Ev should have to get in there, too.”
Looking to him, I watch his eyes widen. His light brown hair is mussed up and sweaty, the way I like it.
“No, I’m good.”
I grab his hand, and as she yanks on mine, I pull on his, dragging him along behind us. Oh, this should be hilarious.
Everett
I take the half full garbage bag out of Reese’s hands and set it on the bench of the picnic table.
“Enough. I’ll get it tomorrow. You worked your ass off making this party happen.” Grabbing her hand, I begin walking us away from the house.
The moon is only giving off a soft glow, so I’m carrying a flashlight. The smell of flowers hits my nose, and it sounds as if the toads and crickets are having a party around us.
“Where are we going?”
I don’t answer as we get closer to our destination.
“You are not getting me inside that bouncy. It’s midnight, Ev, and it’s for kids.”
“You made me get into that thing with all those sweaty kids and smelly feet, so I’m trapping you in it with me.”
“You’re impossible.”
“And you love it.”
She squeezes my hand tight. “You’re right, I do. You know, it will likely still smell like sweaty kids and stinky feet.”
While shining the flashlight inside, I hold open the flaps of clear plastic for her to enter. “Aww, a blanket is spread out for me. You’re such a romantic.” She giggles as she turns back and smiles. Is she mocking me?
“What is that face for? It’s the same pout your niece was displaying earlier,” Reese says as she kicks off her tennis shoes and crawls to the center.
I join her and stretch out on the blanket before my fingers are searching for hers between us. I take hold of them and stroke one with my thumb.
It’s near impossible not to touch Reese when she’s near. The contact either calms or excites me, but regardless of which one, her presence gives me purpose.
“I’m sorry I’m such an animal with you all the time. I should do more romantic stuff for you.”
She sits right up and places her hand to my chest. I have the flashlight laying to the side, so I can barely see her, but I already have the image of her gorgeous face branded in my mind.
“Where did that come from?”
Releasing a hefty sigh, I reach up and run a hand into her hair. “I watch how Trav is with Becca, and I see the way you watch them, your eyes softening every time he says mushy shit to her.
“Sarge and Roman have never been the romantic types, either, but since Becca’s your sister, I worry you wish you were getting the same treatment Travis shows her.”
Reese pushes down hard on my chest, so I grab her wrist. “What’s that for?” I ask, trying to regain my breath.
“I can’t believe you’ve created this delusion in your head. Yes, I think he is extremely sweet to her, and I watch them, praying that it lasts since they couldn’t be more right for each other.
“Ev, you are sweet to me every day, and I don’t know how you could doubt that. Yes, you’re an animal, too, and it turns me on and gets my panties wet in a split-second. I’ll take that over mushy any day.”
The words “panties” and “wet” coming from her mouth in the same sentence is turning me on.
“God, I can’t wait until next weekend. I’m ready for this to be your home. No more back and forth shit.”
Her lips press to mine once.
“I can’t wait to live here with you, but I’m not looking forward to moving my crap out of the apartment, only to turn around the next day and move Travis and Becca’s stuff into it.
“It’s better than paying the remainder of the lease though.” She giggles. “It will be interesting to see if they’re that sweet to each other every second once they’re under the same roof.”
I’m up and lowering Reese onto her back swiftly, catching her off guard. My body is on her, and this closely, I can see into her green eyes that glimmer.
“Are you saying it’s difficult to live with a Casteel?”
“What will you do if I say yes?” she asks softly.
“Fuck you in this bouncy.”
Her mouth twitches. “What will you do if I say no?” Every two seconds, another warm breath hits my face, and I can feel her chest thumping beneath me.
I stroke her hair and make an effort not to be a total barbarian. “I’m going to make love to you in our bed.”
“Then yes, I think you’re a real pain in the ass to live with, and I’m wondering how I’m going to deal with it full-time. I have a feeling I’ll be wanting to move out in a month.”
Grabbing her arms, I pin them above her h
ead.
“I will fucking chase you down and drag your ass back home, by the hair if necessary.” I pop the button and unzip her jeans before I’m yanking them and her panties down with my free hand.
“You’re mine, fancy face,” I say as I do the same with my jeans and boxers. My fingers brush up her inner thigh until they’re right there where I want them. They slide right in, and damn, she’s soaked and tight.
“What the hell was I thinking earlier? You don’t want sweet. You want me to hold you down and fuck you anywhere I can, as often as I want. I know this since your pussy is dripping wet.”
She heaves for air as I thrust into her hard, burying myself deep. Clamping down on her wrists, I shove up her shirt and pull down her bra until her tit pops free. I drag her stiff nipple through my teeth as I pound into her.
“Oh, god, please make me come,” she begs through a moan. Picking up speed, I drive into her unrelentingly. “Faster … rougher,” she says between billowing breaths.
“Your naughty side never ceases to surprise me.” Growling, I slam into her harder, burying my cock to the hilt until I feel her muscles clenching. The pleasure stuns me to stillness as our orgasms collide, and we ride out the earth-shattering sensations.
After letting her hands go, they immediately slide into the back of my hair. I take her mouth with mine, tasting her addicting flavor as I cup her cheeks.
“This is us, Reese. It’s either hard or easy. Rough or sweet. It’s also scary as shit and fucking euphoric, but it’s real. Baby, we’re real.”
End Notes
Thank you for reading Trust Game. Other books written by Scarlet Wolfe are the Soul Mates 101 series books 1-4: A Week for Love to Bloom, Brett and Hannah, Dylan and Taylor, and Matt and Morgan.
Also available are The Mermaid and her King, A Voice for my Soul to Sing, I’m Holding On, My Lucky Charm, Hearts Attached, and the One Urge, One Plea, Keep Me Trilogy, sold separately or as a set.
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