by Brie Paisley
Caden and I step out of the ring, and we make our way over to them. Cason sees us and says, “That’s enough for today. You did great for a first day, Shelby.”
“Thanks,” she says as she wipes the sweat off her forehead.
I run my hand down her arm and say, “You did do great today. I couldn’t take my eyes off you, and now Caden’s never going to let me live down him kicking my ass today.”
“Damn straight,” Caden adds.
Shelby shakes her head, and I nod to Cason and Caden. They take my hint and grab their gym bags, and I turn back to Shelby when they leave. “Are you okay?” She has yet to meet my eyes, and I know something’s going on.
“Yeah. I just want to make sure I’m getting everything down perfectly.”
“Hey,” I say softly as I pull her to me. I run my hands up and down her back as she relaxes in my arms. Her head rests on my chest and I say, “You can’t expect to get everything down in one lesson. It’s going to take time and patience.”
She huffs out a breath as she says, “I know. I just feel like I’m not strong enough and even if I needed to defend myself, I wouldn’t be able to take them down. I’m too weak.”
I pull her back by her shoulders and firmly tell her, “You are far away from being weak.” Gazing into her eyes, and seeing how her insecurities are starting to arise again, I quickly add, “If you want to add in weight lifting, Cason will make a regime for you. Don’t get down about not knowing how to do everything at once. You know you can come here anytime during the week and practice with Cason.”
“I know, and you’re right,” she says with a heavy sigh.
The uncertainty in her eyes lets me know the demons of her past are still plaguing her, but I knew it wouldn’t be an easy or quick fix. She needs to have faith in herself, and I know she can overcome everything she’s been through. I tell myself I have to start reminding her that she’s not in this alone. I will be her rock, shoulder, and everything she needs to feel safe again and to be able to let the past go. I caress her cheek and say, “Don’t let the past take over, Shel.”
She nods and embraces me. I hold her tightly, knowing she’s still dealing with her demons. “I know I’ll get there and be more confident after I learn more, but it’s just bringing up a lot of insecurities. Not to mention the things Easton would say.”
“One day those memories won’t affect you as much, but you’re doing the best you can to overcome it. I hope you know I’m here for you, and here to listen anytime you want to talk about it.”
“I know you are, and you have no idea how much that makes it easier to get past it. I honestly don’t know what I would do without you, Carter.” She glances up at me, and I can’t help but lean down and take her mouth, and place my hand on her neck. I want her to know her past doesn’t define her. It doesn’t control her anymore, and I intend to show her how true that is.
She moans as I deepen our kiss and run my other hand down her back. I grip her ass as I push my hips into her letting her feel how much I want her. How much I need her. She pulls back breaking our kiss and says in a husky voice, “I’m all sweaty, and Cason will be pissed if we mess up his mats.”
I smirk, saying, “I don’t care. I want you, Shel. I have to have you right here, right now. Fuck Cason and his mats. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
“You’re so bad.”
I nip at her lips and whisper, “You love it.” I use my tongue and lick her neck making her head tilt back. Her hands grip my arms as I kiss, and softly bite her neck, as I move down. I can tell she loves it. Her skin prickles in goosebumps, and I hear the intake of her breath. I want to hear her moan out my name, watch her as she let’s go, and cries out in ecstasy. I want to taste every single inch of her body with my tongue.
I’m going to give her everything she desires, then do it all over again.
I stop only long enough to quickly pull her exercise top off, and find her succulent lips again. My kiss isn’t as sweet as before. I take her mouth as though I need her taste to live. To breathe. She willingly gives me everything I’m taking without a care in the world. I know she trusts me to give her everything she wants, craves, and lusts for. Her back arches as I slide my hands slowly up her back caressing her while still devouring her mouth. Once I reach her sports bra, I pull away from her and quickly take it off, letting it drop on the floor. She’s never been more beautiful than she is now. Her nipples perk at my gaze, and I give them my full attention. I want to reach out, grab her and take her right this second, but I will myself to slow down. To savor her. To relish in the sensations she brings me. My gaze meets hers, and she looks up at me with hooded eyes. Her lips are red from my assault, and I feel my cock twitch as I see how much she wants me in her eyes. Green sparks seem to flare back at me, and I remind myself that this is real. She’s here with me, at this very moment, and nothing will tear us apart again. I also see it in the way her chest rises and falls as if she can’t catch her breath. My eyes only leave hers long enough for me to take off my shirt and toss it aside. Her eyes travel down raking over my body, and an unquenched hunger flows through me. I’m being consumed by her gaze. Slowly being pulled into her seductive trance, and I groan loudly when she licks her lips. She has absolutely no idea what she’s doing to me, and she’s not even trying.
My breath hitches in my throat as she drops to her knees, and reaches for my gym shorts. She grins up at me, and I brush her hair back from her face. My body jerks as she pulls down my shorts, and my head falls back when she grips my cock with her hand. She slowly works me, making my stomach clench, and my entire body burn with need. I can’t stop my hips from moving into her hand. I need more of her touch. More of what she can give me. I suck in a harsh breath through my teeth as I feel her hot mouth suck the tip of my cock. “Fuck, Shel.” She moans on my sensitive cock, and I take a hold of her ponytail as she sucks my cock deeper into her mouth. I look down needing to see her take me, and my balls clench wanting to come. I fight the urge to spill in her hot and wet mouth not wanting it to end so soon. I let her suck, lick, and caress my balls for a few more moments, but I can’t take any more of her delectable mouth.
I pull her away from me, and when she gazes up at me, I confess, “I can’t handle your mouth anymore.” I let go of her hair, kick off my shoes, and bend at my knees. She watches me as I crawl over her, and she’s forced to lie back on the mats. I place a knee in between her legs and raise her hands above her head. I lean down slowly taking my tongue over her taunt nipple, and she hisses out a breath when I use my teeth, then suck the pain away. She arches her breasts to me, and I know she wants more.
I rub my knee over her hot pussy as I take her other nipple into my mouth. She grinds on me, moaning as I cup her other breast in my hand. “Carter, please,” she begs, and I give her one last nip before I take her mouth again. I let her hands go and move away from her mouth. Trailing down her exposed torso with both hands, her nails start to dig into my back. The pain is dull, not even registering to my brain, and I know she’s going to leave marks behind. The thought makes my cock twitch again, and I quickly move away. Her shoes quickly disappear and take her shorts and panties off as I move. I take in her naked body, enjoying every inch of her. She watches me as I look her over, appreciating the stunning woman laid out bare for me. Only for me. My mouth opens to suck in a breath as she uses her fingertips to touch her breasts, and I almost lose control when she spreads her legs wider for me. I swallow hard, seeing her ready and wet pussy. “Take me, Carter,” she pleads, and I can’t wait anymore.
I all but growl as I move over her and hover at her entrance. I suck in another breath as I steady myself. I can feel her warmth. Her very essence, and it’s going to be a challenge not to spill into her as soon as I thrust in. Her legs wrap around my waist waiting for me to enter her. An animalistic need to fuck her into oblivion flows through me, but I clench my jaw stopping the urge from taking over. Instead, I move my hand down to my throbbing cock and guide myself p
ainfully slow inside of her. Her head bows back, her eyes close, and her cries of pleasure let me know how much she craves me. Her pussy greedily takes me and grips me like a fucking vice, as I push into her more. I halt my movements, only for a few moments, letting her adjust to my size. I begin to move as her hips arch on me and pull out, only to thrust into her deeply. I do it again loving the loud cries she begins to make. I continue my slow almost agonizing pace, before moving my leg to the side. I take a hold of her thigh gripping it tightly, opening her more, and giving me a better angle to sink into her deeper than before. Our moans and heavy pants fill the room, and I gaze down at her. I watch as her eyes open then close, and her mouth opens making that perfect ‘O’ shape. I can feel our souls merging as we become one touching skin to skin as close as possible. I didn’t think I’d ever feel the intense and almost overwhelming surge of love, desire, and absolute passion roll through me. It sends a tingling sensation down my spine and moves all throughout my body. I relish in the sensations she brings me. The feel of her pussy wrapped around my cock, the swell of her breasts teasing me to suck them, and the sound of her cries of pleasure, makes me want to love her with everything I have. Everything I am. It’s our connection. The unconditional love that we have for one another. It’s a rare feeling to have, and I never want our love to stop flowing through us.
My pace begins to quicken as her walls clamp down on me. I know she’s close and when I reach down to rub her clit, my pace slows as she lets out a loud scream. I groan as I watch her as she comes undone, something that I’ll never get tired of seeing, and let her ride out her orgasm. Her eyes slowly open, and she lets out a relaxed breath. Pride and satisfaction flow through me knowing I’m the one to put that satisfied look on her face. I thrust into her again and again, before I pull out for a moment to flip us. She lets out a surprised cry, and she lays on my chest kissing me sweetly. I shudder as I take her mouth. She dips her tongue in mine, and I reach down to grab her ass with each hand. She pulls away when I take her hands. Slowly pushing her up so she’s sitting straight, and I love the view of her on top of me.
I take her waist and groan out, “Take me, Shel.” She complies willingly slowly easing herself down on my raging hard cock. I’ll never tire of feeling her tight walls suck me in deep. Never tire of seeing her body flush with desire for me as she takes me. She begins to rock back and forth, and I gaze up at her in amazement. Her eyes are full of lust, love, and her head falls back as I thrust into her. My hands roam up her body, and I caress her breasts as she takes her pleasure from me. She’s beautiful, stunning, and breath taking as she brands me.
She sears my soul. Forever claiming my heart for her own and taking me for everything I am.
I watch as her head falls back savoring her cries of pleasure, as I run my hands down her body. The soft feel of her skin against mine makes me rise up, and pull her breasts to my chest. Her eyes meet mine as she grabs my neck moving me to her lips as we take each other. She rocks slowly on me, and I grab her waist, helping her reach the spot I know she loves. Gazing deep into her stunning blue eyes I declare, “I love you, Shel. I’ll never stop loving you.”
I know she can feel our connection. Her breath hitches before saying, “I know, Carter. I love you so much.” I’ve always known she loved me, but every single time she says those precious words, it’s like hearing them for the first time again.
I can feel myself ready to explode in her as her walls clench down on me again. I want this feeling to last, but I can’t hold out any longer. I reach up and take her ponytail again pulling her mouth off mine as I demand, “Come with me, Shel. Let me feel you as I let go.”
Her fingers dig into my neck as she speeds up her movements, and when her head falls back as she calls out my name, it’s my undoing. My head drops to her neck as I release inside of her, and let out a loud grunt. She milks me taking everything I give her, and then some. I thrust into her a few more times feeling her walls clamping down on me still. I let her ride out her orgasm and when she’s ready to come down, I lift my head and watch her as she smiles. She rests her head on my forehead as she tries to catch her breath. I close my eyes, not wanting to let this moment go. I’d die a happy man if I never had to leave her warmth.
I feel her move, and I open my eyes as she says, “That was …”
“Incredible,” I finish for her.
Her hands run through my hair, caressing and thanking me for pleasing her. “Incredible, sensational, amazing, and exactly what I needed. How do you know what I need, Carter?”
I lift my hand to her face and rub my thumb on her cheek as I answer with, “It’s because we’re connected. You’re my soulmate, Shelby. It’s like your soul calls to mine when you need to be reminded of how beautiful you are. How strong you are, and what you mean to me.” Her eyes shine back at me loving my sweet words, and I add, “And it’s because I know you. There’s nothing about you that you can keep from me. I’ve known you forever, and it’s not hard to read you anymore.”
“I’m glad you know me so well. It does make our relationship so much easier.”
I chuckle as I say, “It does. I wouldn’t change anything about it either.” And I wouldn’t. Shelby is one of a kind. She’s special. Someone I’m more than happy to be with for the rest of my life. She’s the one person I can truly say holds my heart and she’ll protect it with everything she has.
I’ve always known our love was one of a kind, and I’d be fucking insane if I didn’t savor every second with her. Every touch, caress, and kiss. All of it is burned into my mind. It’s still surreal most days that she’s mine again. I don’t know what I did to deserve a second chance, but to hell with questioning it. I’ll keep her close and enjoy all we have until the day I die.
Maybe even after that too.
The weeks seem to fly by and before I realize it, Christmas is only a few days away. Carter and I spend every minute we can together, showing each other multiple times a day how much we love each other. A part of me thinks he’s trying to make up for our years apart, and the other is telling me he’s filling me with new memories to replace the dark ones. Either way, I’m relishing in his affections. His unconditional love. He showers me with it, and I wouldn’t change anything about how our relationship is growing stronger each day. Carter challenges me, helps me forget my past, and I tell him all the time how grateful I am to have him back in my life. He’s even been coming with me to Cason’s gym for my self-defense class. Carter cheers me on, giving me the confidence I need to be better. To excel at it, knowing it’s giving me peace of mind. I still struggle with feeling weak and ashamed for what I let happen to me, but every time I take a step back, Carter is there helping me take two forward.
Things would be absolutely perfect if not for the times he brings up Bethany. I know I shouldn’t be jealous, but it’s hard not to be. I know he only cares for me, but a part of me hates he spent so much time with her while I was gone. Their friendship was true, and I know Carter wants to reach out to her. He’s told me a few things about Bethany. How her family treats her and how she couldn’t depend on anyone until they formed a friendship. It doesn’t really change my feelings toward her, or the way she acted and treated me. Needless to say, it’s still a touchy subject, and Carter doesn’t bring it up much. Only time will tell if I can deal with her coming back around and them becoming friends again.
There’s also a piece of me that feels like it’s missing. It’s like a hole, slowly growing, and even when I’m with Carter all the time, I know it’s there. I should’ve figured it out sooner since it happens every year around Christmas, but it didn’t fully surface until this morning. I’d gotten up early like every morning going about my daily routine, when I thought about my Dad. It hit me out of nowhere. This time every year, it was our month together. It was a rare time he wouldn’t drink as much. He was more himself, more like a father should be. I cherished December because of it. It’s as if my Dad being there for me caring for me and showering me with love I so
desperately wanted was my Christmas gift. I missed him terribly, and guilt started to make it’s way in. I haven’t been to his grave since Caden took me months ago, and I tell myself I’ll go soon. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, I owe it to myself and my father’s memory to pay my respects.
With my mind made up and my heart feeling a bit lighter than before, I walk down the stairs to find Annie in the kitchen making coffee. William has just finished eating, and I chuckle seeing him rub his pot belly. Annie and I sit at the kitchen table and have our morning coffee, and we catch up on what’s been going on with everything. I’ve been trying not to work as much, and I’m still undecided on whether or not to take Carter up on his offer to work for him. Annie and William think it’s a wonderful idea, but I’m worried about working with Carter too much. He can be stubborn at times. Partly because we challenge each other. I don’t want our time spent together worrying about jobs or unnecessary things causing us to argue, but I also miss doing what I love.
I take a sip of my coffee as Annie begins to tell me again of all the reasons I should take his offer. “I don’t understand why you want to think about it so much. It’ll be a perfect job for you, and you can work at home. You work way too much as it is, and I hate I can’t see you how as often I’d like.”
I place my coffee down on the table feeling a twinge of guilt. She’s right. Between working all the time then spending time with Carter, I hardly have rare moments with them like this. William nods then picks up his morning paper. I shake my head at him, because I know he’ll be listening to everything we say. “I know, and I promise to make more time for us. You really think I should say yes? What if it’s a disaster?”
