I held the letter up, my smile making my cheeks ache. “This is so great, baby. Congratulations,” I said, pulling her to me. She melted against my body and buried her face into my shirt. “I knew you’d get in, but why do you seem so unhappy about it?”
Stepping away from me, she went and sat on her bed. I followed.
“Columbia’s in New York,” she stated.
I knew that, but still, I didn’t understand why that would make her unhappy.
“Yeah. And?” I asked, honestly confused by her reaction.
Again, her eyes watered. “Columbia’s in New York, and you’re not.”
And then her words settled into my core, burning me from within. Chelsey’s walls were covered in all things Columbia University. It was her future—her number one goal in life. She’d been planning for Columbia for as long as she could remember, and I knew it was the one thing she wanted in the world more than anything. And yet, she was sad to receive her acceptance letter because she didn’t want to leave me.
Me. I was a piece of shit. I was no one and I’d never be anyone or anything special. Chelsey was going to go into the world and make a difference. She was going to take Columbia by storm, and when she was done, she’d spend her life saving people—making other’s lives better. That’s what my girl was all about. She was selfless and beautiful, and she was mine.
Without a second thought, I moved into her, my lips clashing with hers as I breathed her in and tasted everything she was—everything she’d ever be. And when I pulled away, and the words I’d been dying to say to her pushed against the back of my teeth, I opened my mouth and let them out.
“I love you, Chelsey. More than anything in this world. If you go to New York, I go to New York. Because wherever you are, that’s where I want to be. Always.”
And I meant it.
Her face went pale briefly, sending me into a panic that maybe I’d said the wrong thing, but then her eyes watered again, and a tear finally escaped and rushed down her cheek.
When she fell into my arms, her momentum pushed me onto my back. She climbed over me, catching my cheeks in her palms and kissing me harder than ever before.
“I love you, too,” she whispered against my lips.
Her words solidified everything that felt good in my soul when I was with her. We were in love. It was a first for me, and I knew no matter what, Chelsey would also be my last.
**********
“I HAVE A SURPRISE FOR YOU,” I said, lifting her hand and kissing her knuckles.
Her face turned pink as she smiled down at me.
“I love your surprises.”
When I came up, I kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and then her lips. “Good because I love you.”
It was Chelsey’s eighteenth birthday, and I’d spent the entire week before planning for our night together. It took a good bit of lying on her part and some help from her friend Lynn, but Chelsey was able to get out for the night. She had to be home by ten, but that gave me plenty of time to take her out and then sneak back into her room later.
She sat on the passenger’s side of my car in her jeans, a camouflage T-shirt I’d bought for her, and a pair of thick boots I’d made her promise to wear. Her hair was in a ponytail and her face was partially covered by the bill of the hat she wore. She looked good enough to eat. So normal. So not like the rich girl she was.
She looked out at the world we passed, her hand warming mine as I held it in between us. I’d never been so happy in all my life. Everything was coming together, and for once, I was able to see a bright future.
We were driving a county over, which meant it took us thirty minutes to get to where I was taking her. The minute we pulled up, and she was able to hear the loud engines of the trucks and four-wheelers, I saw happiness move over her face.
It was unconventional to take a girl to a mud run, but my Chelsey wasn’t like most girls. I could remember how carefree and happy she’d looked that night on the field before she lost control of the four-wheeler. She was loving it, and I wanted her to feel that way again, but while being safe with me.
“I hope you’re ready to get muddy,” I said, smiling over at her.
She unbuckled and threw herself across the car and into my arms.
“I love this. Thank you so much for bringing me here.”
I chuckled and kissed her softly. “Don’t thank me yet. First let’s go get dirty.” I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively at her, earning myself another beautiful smile.
“Let’s,” she said, grabbing my cheeks and kissing me once more before climbing from my car and sinking her boots into the Georgia mud I knew she loved.
20
CHELSEY
THE MUD RUN BLAINE TOOK ME to for my birthday was nothing like the tiny, muddy area on the field at the party. It was so much better. And even though I still had a hint of fear of the four-wheeler, excitement filled me at the thought of playing in the mud with Blaine.
Still, it was a whole different world. There were huge mud pits, and while there were a few four-wheelers playing in the mud, there were mostly huge trucks with massive tires racing each other in the pits to see which truck was big enough and strong enough to make it the furthest.
While most girls would’ve hated it, I loved it. The mud, the trucks, the engines, and the wild groups of people who cheered for their favorite truck—it was all so titillating. It was the carefree craziness I needed in my life, except this time I’d be safe. I knew Blaine would never let me get hurt. He loved me. He said it all the time, and I knew when I looked in his eyes, he meant it.
Everything was falling into place. I’d been accepted into Columbia, and Blaine agreed to go with me. We even went as far as applying to the technical college close by Columbia for him. I’d never been more proud of him for that. He was getting serious about his future. Or should I say our future.
We spent the afternoon drinking Mountain Dew, and essentially playing in the mud like a bunch of kids. Blaine taught me how to properly drive a four-wheeler and held me close to his chest as I took us for a spin through one of the pits. It was amazing. No. It was beyond amazing. I’d never had so much fun in my life.
“Are you sure you want to get in your car like this?” I asked, referring to the fact that we were both covered in mud from head to toe.
“I got it covered,” he said, as he stuck his key in the trunk and popped it open.
Inside there were big, black garbage bags. I stood to the side and watched as Blaine smoothed out bags over his seat and floorboard.
“Your carriage, my lady,” he joked with the swoop of his hand.
He held the passenger’s side door open for me and had the biggest, happiest smile on his face.
Instead of climbing into this car, I went into his arms. Muddy clothes against muddy clothes. His arms came around me as he held me close.
“I love you so much, Blaine. Thank you for this,” I said into his chest.
Lifting my chin, he placed a soft kiss on my lips. “I love you, too, Chelsey. I only want to make you happy, baby.”
As it did when he spoke to me that way, my heart did a flip in my chest.
It was still early when we left and I was surprised when we pulled up at a restaurant instead of going straight home considering we were both dirty and muddy.
“We can’t go in there, Blaine. Look at us,” I said.
He reached behind the seat and pulled up a bag, tossing it into my lap.
“Lynn sent some clothes for you. Let’s go in there, clean up, and change,” he said as he reached behind his seat for another bag with his clothes inside.
“You’re joking, right?”
It wasn’t an expensive restaurant, but still, it was going to be embarrassing as hell to go inside looking the way I did.
“I’m serious. I’ve never taken you to dinner, Chelsey. I’m your boyfriend. Let me take you on a date.”
And just like that, I didn’t care about who was inside the restaurant or what we look
ed like. We held hands when we stepped inside, all eyes on us, and then we parted ways at the door to go to the bathroom and clean up.
I peeled my muddy clothes from my body and used the empty bag to store them. Then I cleaned myself up the best I could with wet paper towels and dressed in the fresh clothes. There was still mud in my hair, and I’m sure a few other places, but it would have to do.
We ate dinner together for the first time and laughed like the young couple we were. The waiter brought a cupcake to the table for my birthday and when we got back in the car, Blaine gave me my present.
“You’ve already given me so much today. I don’t need anything else, Blaine,” I said when he pulled out the tiny, pink box with my name on it.
“I want you to have this, Chelsey. Happy birthday, baby.”
Slowly, I peeled the paper from the box revealing a small ring box. I swallowed hard and popped the lid open. Nestled inside was a simple silver ring with tiny crushed diamonds all the way around it. It was beautiful.
“It’s perfect,” I said, pulling it from the box and slipping it on my finger.
“One day, when I’m everything you deserve, I’ll buy you another one and make you mine forever. Until then, there’s this.” His took my hand and ran his finger over the ring. “It’s a promise to you that no matter what, I’ll always love you.”
Tears sprang to my eyes and the words I wanted to say got caught in my throat. I nodded my understanding and leaned in to kiss him.
**********
WE HELD HANDS ALL THE WAY back to my house. It was only nine by the time we got to my neighborhood, which meant I technically had an hour to burn. But the quicker I got ready for bed and settled in, the quicker I could snuggle for the rest of the night with Blaine.
He parked a few doors down from my house as usual when it was time to take me home. I unbuckled and moved over the seat to his side to give him a kiss.
“Thanks again for today. It was the best birthday I’ve ever had.”
His rough fingers moved over my cheek and his eyes consumed mine. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you had fun.”
And then he pushed his fingers into my hair and pulled my face to his for a kiss. I kissed him back, my tongue swirling with his. His other hand moved around my hips and then he grasped my ass before moving away from me.
Strain moved across his expression and his lips tightened. Instead of letting him push me away and drive off, I moved back in and kissed him some more. I slid my hand down his chest and under his shirt to feel his abdominal muscles.
He pulled back a bit before moving back in and kissing me even harder than before. His hands dug into my hair before he moved them down grabbing my hips and pulling me closer to him.
And then just that fast, he pulled back and took a deep breath.
I was sick to death with stopping. My body was strung so tight I feared I was ready to pop at any point. I moved closer to him again, but when I tried to kiss him, he gave me a pop kiss and cleared his throat.
I pinched his chin between two fingers and forced him to look me in the eye.
“I don’t want you to stop,” I bravely said.
His throat worked up and down as he swallowed. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
I chuckled. “I’m not completely ignorant to this stuff, Blaine. I know what I’m saying.” I cupped his cheek. “I’m saying don’t stop.”
“Not here. Not like this, baby,” he said. The strain in his voice was thick—his cheeks flushed.
Insecurity settled in. We’d been sleeping in the same bed for a while, and every time things got hot and heavy Blaine would always pull away. It was beginning to take its toll on me.
“You don’t want me?”
His eyes went wide and his mouth dropped open. “You didn’t seriously just ask me that.”
“I did. I mean, if you don’t want to—” I started.
He settled a finger over my lips stopping me. His eyes moved over my face and a tiny smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth.
“Chelsey, you have no idea how bad I want you. Trust me. It’s been hell. But when it happens it should be in a warm bed, not on the seat of my car. I don’t want to rush it or have to keep you quiet because your parents are down the hallway. When I’m finally inside you, I want you to break apart loudly. I want you to do it without restraint.”
I swallowed hard, his words heating the space between my thighs.
“I disagree,” I said, moving my leg over his and straddling him. “I know how much you love this car, Blaine. I can’t think of a better place to give myself to you than right here.”
He went hard beneath me, pressing into my center and liquefying me.
“Chelsey?” he rasped.
“Yes, Blaine?” I thrust my hips, riding along his length and biting into my lip at the pleasure that bloomed inside my panties.
He hissed. His breathing getting harder and the window beside us becoming foggy. His fingers dug into my hips and he pulled me down onto him while lifting his hips and pressing himself into me.
Lying my head back, I sighed at the way he felt between my legs.
“This is wrong,” he said, thrusting his hips once more.
“It’s not. It’s so right. Oh my God, so right.” I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of him rubbing against me through our clothes. But I’d had enough of that. I wanted more. I wanted all of him. I wanted him to take away the ache that had only intensified over the last few weeks. “I want you, Blaine. Right here. Right now.’
Lifting me by my hips, he set me off of him and slowly pressed my back onto the bench seat. I’d never been happier with old cars and the fact they didn’t have bucket seats like newer cars. His body moved over mine as he pressed his lips against mine and kissed me hard as if he couldn’t get enough. Things moved fast and I loved every second of it.
His hand moved under my shirt and palmed my breast through my bra. My nipples tingled and begged for skin to skin action. Leaning up, I ripped my shirt from my body and tossed it to the floorboard.
Blaine pulled away and looked down at my body before he bit into his lip, growled softly, and started kissing me again.
I pulled his shirt up and lost my hands underneath, running my nails up and down the length of his back. His skin was hot and smooth, and when he moved his muscles rippled beneath my touch.
Moving from my lips, he buried his face in my neck and softly sucked the skin there. I tilted my head, giving him more room, and dug my fingers into his hips pulling him into me.
A whimper slipped from me, earning another tiny growl from Blaine.
“I want you so bad, Chelsey,” he said against my skin.
“I’m yours. I’m all yours.”
He pushed my bra to the side, my breast popping out, and then he covered my nipple with his mouth and sucked. My back lifted from the leather seat as I arched into his mouth.
Tugging at the bottom of his shirt, he lifted and let me pull it from his body. The car was dark and I wished I could see his body. I dug my nails into his back as he moved back down and continued sweetly torturing my nipples with this tongue.
He reached down between us and began unzipping my jeans. Soon I felt cool hair touch the skin right above my panties. I dug the back of my head into the seat when he began to move his hands down into my panties.
His finger swept across my clit and I let the noises spill from my lips without worry about my parents hearing me.
“I love those fucking noises you’re making. They make me so hard.”
And then he was pulling my jeans down my legs, taking my panties with them.
Deep down I knew I should’ve been nervous. I was about to have sex for the first time, but all I could feel was the things he was doing to my body and the sweet ache that was making me crazy with want.
I pulled my legs from my jeans when he rolled them down my ankles and then he was on top of me again, his body and jeans rubbing against my naked skin like never before.
Then his lips were on mine and the car heated around us to an almost suffocating degree. I lifted my hips from the seat, rubbing against him like an animal and he chuckled against my lips.
Reaching between us, I pulled at the button on his jeans.
“Now, Blaine. Please,” I whispered as he went to work kissing and nibbling on the side of my neck.
He reached between us, unzipping and unbuttoning his jeans, before he pushed them down his hips. The heat of his hardness pressed against the inside of my thigh making me feel ever hotter.
I reached between us, and ran my fingers down his hot length. He felt huge—hard and swollen—and briefly I thought about how much it would hurt when he put it inside me.
He hissed. “Fuck, baby.”
Then his body pressed against mine and he adjusted himself at my entrance and stopped, the pressure almost driving me crazy.
“Chelsey?”
I knew what he was asking me. He still wasn’t sure I was positive I knew what I was doing. Instead of answering, I lifted my hips and pulled down on him, begging him with my body to enter me.
And then he did.
It was swift and hard, and it sucked all the oxygen and noise from my body. He cut through me like a hot knife and I gasped from the shock of the pain. He went still, seated deep inside of me, and I’d never felt so full in my life.
“Chelsey?” He voice was strained. “Baby, are you okay?”
I couldn’t speak, so I nodded my answer even though I knew he couldn’t really see me.
“Do you want to stop?”
I could tell by the tenseness of his body and the stress in his voice that it was taking everything he had not to move—not to feel the pleasure I knew my body could give him.
I reached up and ran my fingers over his cheeks, wishing I could see his eyes better. “No. Please don’t stop.”
Jack Hammer Page 13
