Everly (Striking Back #1)

by S. M. Shade

  “Again with the orders.”

  “Fine. Please drink the water and take a nap.”

  “Was that so hard?”

  “It’s always hard when I’m near you. Feel better, Panda. I really want to fuck you in a tent.” He kisses me on the forehead and leaves the room before I can think of a reply. Really, what do you say to that?

  A call from Ian wakes me a few hours later. “Hung over?” he asks, and I know he’s grinning.

  “Not so bad now. How about you?”

  “I’m never hung over. So, did you work things out with Mason, or do I need to kick his ass?”

  “Apparently, I have a boyfriend.”

  “Whoa. That’s great, Ev. It’s about damn time.”

  “Shut up. I don’t know how I feel about it yet.” I drop my voice, unsure if Mason is nearby.

  “You’re scared. Get over it and give the guy a chance.”

  “I am.”

  “A real chance. Quit looking for any little reason to tell yourself it won’t work.”

  “I don’t do that!”

  “You left the last guy after the second date because he cracked his knuckles.”

  “Well, yeah, it was annoying.”

  “Ev,” he sighs.

  “I’ll give him a chance. He’s…different.”

  “And you’re crazy about him.”

  “Yes,” I admit. “We’re going away for a couple of days. Camping, so you probably won’t hear from me.”

  “Have fun and call me when you get back.”

  “I will. Love ya.”

  “Love ya.”

  Mason walks in as I end the call, a brilliant smile on his handsome face. “I picked up movies and pizza. You going to get your ass out of bed?” We spend the day snuggled on the couch, watching movies. When we move to the bedroom, he only cuddles me close and kisses me goodnight. “Get some sleep, baby. We have an early day.”

  That’s an understatement. We’re up before the sun, packing and getting ready. Strong arms envelop me from behind and I shiver at the warmth of his breath in my ear. “You have to stop flaunting that plump little ass in front of me, or we won’t make it to the woods.” He slaps my ass, making me jump.

  “I can’t believe you’ve never been to Turkey Run. Trail three is amazing,” I exclaim, turning my head to kiss him. “I’ll try not to wear you out, old man.”

  “Wear me out? I’m going to fuck you until every animal in the forest knows my name.”

  “What the hell are we waiting for?” I grab my backpack, and he laughs, following me to his car.

  “We have one stop to make first,” he announces with a sheepish smile. “I promised to meet my brothers for breakfast today. Do you mind?”

  He wants to introduce me to his family? “Breakfast with three hot men? I’ll suffer through it.”

  “One hot man and two unfortunate looking younger brothers,” he corrects, pulling into a parking space at a small restaurant. His brothers are seated at a table on the patio.

  “Everly, this is Alex and Parker.” He glares at his siblings. “Be nice, assholes.”

  Alex smiles, showing perfectly straight white teeth. He’s the polar opposite of Mason with curly blond hair and light brown eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Everly. Mason never shuts up about you.”

  “It’s interminable,” Parker adds. “Evie this and Evie that. I can see why, though. You’re gorgeous. Come, sit next to me.”

  “Don’t make me kick your ass,” Mason growls, pulling out my chair.

  “You could try, but I’d hate to embarrass you in front of your girl.” Parker winks at me. He has Mason’s dark hair, cut much shorter, and his pale blue eyes twinkle as he baits his brother.

  “Ignore them, Everly,” Alex advises, handing me a menu. “Everything’s a competition with them.”

  “Thanks. Do you want to order, Mason? I mean, if your biggest pecker contest is over.”

  “No contest there, baby,” he replies, kissing my cheek.

  “Dude, I’ll whip it out right now,” Parker threatens.

  “Behave,” Alex says with a long suffering sigh. The way they insult each other, play off one another, is hilarious. Under all the name calling is a clear bond of love and affection. Family. They’re eager to answer any questions about Mason, especially if they can embarrass him with the answer.

  “So, are you both single?” I ask, after watching Parker flirt with the waitress.

  “Why, baby? You interested?” Parker replies, earning a smack in the back of the head from Mason.

  “I’m seeing a guy,” Alex replies. “It’s too early to introduce him to these idiots though. Don’t want to send him running.”

  That explains Alex’s lack of interest in the cute waitress. “I completely understand.” I laugh. Mason and Parker fake identical wounded expressions.

  “Your girl just insulted us,” Parker says.

  “Yeah, I like her,” Alex tells Mason with a grin.

  Mason puts his arm around me. “She’s one of a kind.”

  Chapter Six

  We’re happy and upbeat during the hour and a half drive to Turkey Run State Park. “Your brothers are funny.”

  He smiles at me. “They’re okay.”

  “You’re obviously close.”

  “We are. They’re my pain in the ass kid brothers, but we’d do anything for each other.” He cocks his eyebrow and gazes at me. “They sure liked you.”

  “Well, of course.”

  He laughs. “I’m glad you decided to come. Did I pull you away from anything important?”

  “I called a friend to take my hours at Building Tomorrow’s Child, and the owner of Striking Back assured me they have everything covered.”

  “How many days a week do you volunteer?”

  “Four or five, depends on when I’m needed. There’s a literacy program starting in the fall I plan to participate in.”

  “So, you don’t have a job?”

  “No.”

  “How do you…shit, this is probably none of my business, but how do you make your money?”

  I was wondering when that would come up and his nervous expression makes me laugh. “I sell a little Meth here and there.”

  “Very funny, baby.”

  “I inherited it.”

  He frowns, confused. “I thought you didn’t have any family.”

  “I don’t, but apparently my parents were loaded when they died. I was lucky. When I aged out of the system at eighteen, I had enough money for ten lifetimes. A lot of foster kids end up on the street or in prison. I don’t have to work. The least I can do is help.”

  “You’re amazing, do you know that?” he asks, taking my hand as we turn into the park.

  “I’m not the one who built a domestic violence shelter.”

  He smiles at me before turning to pay the park attendant. “Let’s find a campsite.”

  We follow the narrow paved road as it winds through the woods, dotted on either side by worn dirt campsites. It’s not quite summer yet so most of them are empty, and we choose a spot right across from the showers.

  Mason puts up the tent while I make a neat pile of firewood. We want to get everything ready for the night before we get into any activities. Leaning against a tree, I watch him pound in the stakes holding the guy wires.

  He’s shirtless and a light sheen of sweat coats his chest. His eyes seem to glow in the afternoon sunlight. The flex and pull of muscles in his back mesmerizes me, and he’s gazing at me with a grin when I realize he’s calling my name. Probably has a couple of times.

  “I’m feeling a little exposed. You’re totally objectifying me. It’s just wrong, Evie.” Ugh, the smirk on his face.

  My cheeks heat and there’s no playing it off this time. This calls for alternate measures. I approach him and slide my hand up his chest. “You don’t like me looking at you?” His lips part and I feel his heartbeat increase under my palm. I love that I can affect him this way.

  “When you look at me
like that, I have to fight the urge to strip you naked right here.”

  “That’s not exactly a deterrent,” I reply, and he chuckles.

  “Tonight, baby. I’m going to lick every inch of this delicious body.” He runs his hands down my back, resting them on my ass. Hot lips land on my neck, raising goose bumps on my skin.

  “Promise?” I whisper.

  “Oh, yes, love.” He takes my lips with his in a slow kiss. “I promise. Now, what should we do first?”

  I step back, putting a little space between us. “We could go hiking, or there’s a two hour canoe trip that starts at three.”

  “Have you ever been in a canoe?”

  “Nope, you?”

  “No, let’s do it.” He locks the cooler in the car and grabs his bag. “I have plenty of supplies in here if things go all Deliverance on us.”

  “I’m not worried. You’re the one with the pretty mouth.” I laugh, and he takes my hand as we start toward the river.

  The guy in charge of the canoes looks about fourteen years old. He hands us both a life jacket, and Mason asks, “This isn’t a guided trip?”

  “No, sir. Just follow the river. There’s a wide bank with a sign that’ll tell you where the trip ends. A van will bring you back here. The water is only about four feet deep except for a few areas, mainly under the bridges and rock outcroppings. Keep your life jackets on.”

  We thank him and head down to pull our canoe into the water. It’s very still and calm, and it’s a good thing. We need some practice. “We’re going sideways!” I squeal, and Mason laughs.

  “Put your oar on the left side.”

  I do and we straighten out. “I’m no good at this,” I announce, laughing.

  “You’re doing great, baby. Having fun?”

  “This is awesome.” We float along peacefully, and I take the opportunity to drink in my surroundings. The scent of trees, wet leaves and honeysuckle fills my nostrils and I close my eyes, breathing it in.

  I’m immersed in the tranquility of the forest. The wind rattling the leaves, the buzz of the dragonflies hovering a few feet above our heads, the water lapping against the boat. It’s such a reprieve from the usual sounds of traffic, airplanes and chattering people. When I open my eyes, Mason is staring at me. “What?”

  “You look beautiful out here. So happy.”

  “I am. This is how people were meant to live. Free, natural, not packed together in concrete rows.”

  “Why don’t you move to the country?” he asks softly.

  “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t want to leave Ian and Amy. Although, Amy will be leaving for New York soon. Still, BTC needs me, and I really enjoy working at Striking Back.”

  “You’re very popular with the residents and staff, you know,” he informs me.

  “The women are so brave, and the resilience of the kids is inspiring.”

  He gestures to a sign informing us we’re at the halfway point. “Want to stop for a few and stretch our legs?”

  “Sure.” We drag the canoe onto the bank and sit at the edge with our feet in the water. Mason digs into his backpack and produces a tube of sunscreen. “Mr. Prepared,” I murmur, and he smiles at me.

  “You’re getting red.” He rubs the cool lotion on my shoulders and the back of my neck. “Close your eyes, love.” I feel the pads of his fingers as he gently massages the lotion into my cheeks, nose, and forehead. “Can I ask you something, Everly?” His voice is soft. I’m pretty sure I won’t like the question.

  “Mmm Hmm.”

  Strong hands massage my shoulders. “How did you end up in foster care? What happened to your parents?”

  I suppose it was bound to come up. “There was a car accident when I was five. I was the only survivor.”

  “I’m sorry.” He pulls me back against his chest and kisses my neck.

  “Don’t be. It was a long time ago. Are your parents still alive?”

  His chest rises on a deep sigh. “My mom died when I was ten. I was raised by my aunt and uncle.”

  “Your brothers too?”

  “Yeah, we were lucky to have Aunt Linda and Uncle Logan.”

  “What about your dad?”

  Relief floods his features when we’re interrupted by shrieks and laughter as a group of four canoes filled with teenagers come into view, saving him from answering. They paddle to the shore with the same idea as us, a break at the halfway point. “Thank God!” One of the girls cries, darting into the woods. “I really gotta pee!” The others laugh at her and plop down on the bank. So much for our peace and quiet.

  “Let’s go, love,” Mason says, pulling me to my feet. The last hour of our canoe ride is peaceful and soothing. I can’t help but think how close Mason came to growing up like I did. He lost his parents as a child too. What a thing to have in common. I’m sorry for him, but I also feel closer to him. I wonder how his mother died, and what happened to his father, but I don’t want to push.

  As we float around the last bend in the river, we enter some rapids and our speed increases quickly. “Woo!” I yell, loving the thrill of it, the wind through my hair.

  Mason laughs. “Hold it steady, Evie.” We’re fine until the right side of the canoe catches on a large underwater boulder. The next thing I know I’m submerged in the freezing water. A split second later, I’m floating in the calm pool at the foot of the rapids, and Mason’s swimming toward me.

  “You okay?”

  “That was amazing!” I cry, and he snorts. When he puts his hands on my shoulders, panic grips me. “Don’t push me under!”

  He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind. “I wasn’t going to.”

  “Shit. Sorry, I…can’t stand being dunked. I didn’t mean to freak out.”

  “It’s okay. I’m sorry I scared you.” He points to our canoe, now upside down and beached on a shallow area. “I can see the return area. Let’s get going so we can get dried off.”

  “Sounds good.”

  The boy collecting the canoes laughs as we drag it ashore. “I saw you go over. You’d be surprised how many people make it all the way, then flip right there. Come on, I’ll drive you back before you freeze to death.” He drops us at our campsite, and we gather our clothes and race for the showers, giggling like kids.

  “Hang on,” Mason says, and enters the men’s side. Finding it empty, he grabs my hand and tugs me inside, locking the door. Two grimy stone shower stalls stand side by side.

  “I’m so not fucking in here.”

  “I just don’t want you in the women’s side alone. Some creep could come in.” Mason adjusts the water and gestures for me to go first. “I’ll use the next one.”

  The hot water feels amazing. Mason is washed and dressed by the time I finish rinsing my hair. “Sorry.” I hurry to dress when we hear a knock at the door.

  “One second,” Mason calls. I yank my sweatshirt over my head and nod at him to unlock the door. We’re met by two smirking men, obviously amused to find us there. “All yours, guys,” Mason says as I stare at the ground and make a quick exit. Mason catches up with me. “Aw, you’re embarrassed.”

  “You know what they think.” I slap him.

  “Good. Everyone should know you’re mine.”

  “Neanderthal.”

  “You better believe it, baby. You hungry?”

  “Starving.” My stomach chooses that moment to growl, and Mason chuckles.

  “I’ll make dinner.” Mason removes the cooler from the car while I build a fire. He pulls out a few wrapped packages and proceeds to slide chunks of beef, peppers, and red potatoes onto metal skewers before laying them on a rack over the fire.

  “Anything I can do?”

  “There’s a bottle of wine in the cooler.”

  “You thought of everything,” I tease. After the kabobs have cooled, we sit by the fire to eat. “This is delicious,” I exclaim.

  “Thank you.” A shy smile graces his lips. God, he can go from sexy to adorable in less than a second.

 
“I’ve had a great time with you today.”

  “Me too, Panda. Although, you scared the shit out of me when we tipped that canoe. I couldn’t find you for a second.”

  “Don’t worry, I can swim.”

  He reaches to slide a chunk of green pepper between my lips. “Do you want to tell me why you thought I was going to push you under?”

  “It’s not that I thought you would. I just…panicked.” His eyes are a deep blue in the firelight as they stare into mine, and I suddenly find my feet interesting. “I don’t really remember much of the car accident that killed my parents, but I remember the water. We drove off a bridge into a lake, and I was trapped underwater. I remember the cold and the dark, the water pressing in. Then I woke in a hospital.”

  A rough hand grips mine, pulling me down into his arms, onto a double sleeping bag he’s laid by the fire. “I understand, love.” And I think he does. Most people think they get it, that they know how you feel, but that’s bullshit. But Mason has known grief, and I suspect there’s more to his story that I’ve yet to find out. He seems to be a happy man, but there’s an undercurrent of melancholy that shines in his eyes when he’s quiet. As if he’s reaching for something he can’t quite grasp.

  He pulls a blanket over us, bringing his lips to mine, and I decide now isn’t the time to question him. “Do you want to go to the tent?”

  “Later,” he murmurs. “I want to love on you under the stars.” I gaze up through the treetops at the sky bursting with glittering beauty. “I’m going to drive you crazy.” Soft hair tickles my belly as he drops kisses from my navel to my breasts, his forehead forcing my sweatshirt up beneath my arms.

  My nipples tighten in the cool night air. “Someone could see us,” I whisper as he slides my shirt the rest of the way off.

  “This place is nearly deserted. It’s just us, baby.” The sensation of his mouth on my nipple steals any further argument. After my other breast is blessed with the same treatment, he brings his hot mouth to mine, kissing me like I hold the only oxygen in the world.

  I unfasten his jeans and shove them down where he can kick them off, along with his boxer briefs. He returns the favor, then pulls off his shirt, leaving us both naked by the fire, only a thin blanket hiding us from any prying eyes. I love how he groans when I lick across his nipple. “Evie.” Sliding down my body, he licks and kisses until his tongue slips between my legs. Oh shit. I throw my head back, staring at the stars as he devours me. So intense. So beautiful. I have to have him. Here. Now.