Miss ~ Harloe Rae

by Rae, Harloe

  BEAR

  Zeke

  THE METAL STAIRCASE is nearly impossible to navigate in the pitch dark. I glance up and make a mental note to replace the busted bulbs. Maybe this is a sign that I should wait until morning. It’s late, and Delilah is probably out having fun. Why did I spend so long fucking around and second-guessing this decision again?

  I shove the excuses away. If she’s here, Delilah will be happy to see me. She practically invited me over with that most recent text, right? If I wasn’t already on my way, those words would have made me haul ass here. I climb the final step and pause on her stoop, taking a deep breath for courage.

  I’m over this fucking day, but the night is only getting started. My palms are sweaty as I knock on Delilah’s door. I’m jumpy and edgy as hell, but there’s no doubt left in my mind. This is the right decision. I press on my thumping chest, trying to slow the erratic rhythm that wants to break out.

  The door swings open, and my mind wipes clean. Any reason to not be standing right here in this exact moment vanishes. Delilah is a fucking vision.

  Her blonde hair is damp and loosely braided. I want to free those twisted pieces and run my fingers through the soft waves. There’s no makeup on her face so every freckle is on full display. Evidence of the bruise lingers on her cheek, and I wince. Delilah blinks rapidly, drawing attention to her red-rimmed gaze. Her imploring greens search my blues for answers, and the impact of everything at once staggers me. My exhale sputters as I lean against the wall for support. What does this beauty possibly see in me?

  Delilah appears to be holding back for my benefit. Or give me the chance to react first? Her hands are twitching, and she’s practically bouncing in place. I move to tug her toward me but stop short. I feel my eyes widening when I see what she’s wearing.

  “Holy shit, you still have my shirt?”

  She glances down at the faded bear and traces the words. “How could I get rid of this punny gem? You’ve always been a BEARY good listener, Zee.” Delilah pauses and glances up through wet lashes. “I needed to feel close to you.”

  I take a step forward. She’s not done, though. Delilah reaches under the neckline and pulls out a familiar silver chain. My breathing stalls on a gasp. “My mother’s r-ring?”

  She nods, fiddling with the shiny metal. “I always keep it close to me.”

  I rub at my heating face, cracking at the seams. This girl has the power to bring me to my knees. Delilah lifts her arms out to me, offering comfort. I collapse into her embrace with a long groan, letting go of every last insecurity. I wrap around her like ivy, pulling and tightening until my body surrounds hers completely. There’s no space between us, and never will be if I have any control over it.

  I nuzzle Delilah’s hair, inhaling deeply with a sigh. “I missed you, Trip. So damn much, baby girl.”

  She shivers and I grip her harder on instinct. Her voice is a warble when she murmurs, “I missed you so much. I c-can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Nowhere else I’d be, ever again. Promise.” I whisper the conviction against her skin, needing to brand the words there permanently.

  “Love isn’t supposed to hurt so much,” she sniffles.

  “That’s the proof we’re real, Trip. A little low makes the high even stronger.”

  Her fingers dig into my shoulders. “Let’s only go up from now on.”

  “That’s the plan.”

  “Good, because I’ve missed your arms around me.”

  I flex and manage to bring us closer. “We fit perfectly.”

  Delilah trembles again. She shuffles backward, and I follow seamlessly, keeping us locked as one. I leave my pain and suffering outside under the inky dark sky. Only love and compassion join us inside. Without looking, she leads us to the couch, and I settle her on my lap. Exactly where she belongs. I’m going to tell her anything and everything, whatever she needs to hear so we can move forward. The past can’t be haunting our future for another moment.

  But first . . .

  “I can’t live without you either,” I confess.

  Delilah lifts her face from the crook of my neck. She smiles wide, and any trace of sadness is gone. “I’m glad—”

  I rush to continue, wanting to explain. “From your last message. I wanted to tell you in person and was on my way already. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting, Trip.”

  She cradles my bearded jaw and brushes our lips together. “You’re here now.”

  “Maybe I don’t deserve you. Hell, I know that’s the truth. But I can’t stay away. If you need space, I’ll be a silent warrior, hiding in the shadows. I can try to keep my distance—”

  “Please don’t,” Delilah begs. “I never wanted you to leave in the first place.”

  Ten tons of bricks fall off my conscience. “Thank you for that,” I say in a long breath.

  She giggles and kisses me. “I’d track you down, Zee. Don’t tempt me.”

  My thumb traces her bottom lip. “I’ve been an idiot and couldn’t see what’s been clear in front of me. You’ve always been the answer, my solution for everything. I never should have doubted that.” I hold up my less damaged palm, and she aligns hers with mine. “We belong together, baby. Our paths merged the day I moved to town. We’re never meant to be apart.”

  “And we won’t be,” she continues for me.

  “Ever again,” I finish.

  “So, tell me what happened to change your tune. I’m glad you read my texts, but those aren’t the reason. You were already on the way.”

  I nod, squeezing my eyes shut for a quick moment. “Ah, well . . . my dad came around.”

  “What?” Delilah sits up so fast she almost tumbles off my legs.

  I tighten my grip around her, just in case. “Yeah, it was quite a fucking shock.”

  “Oh my gosh. When?”

  “This afternoon. Devon sent me home early because I was wrecking shit, myself included.” I raise my busted-up hand, and Delilah sucks in sharply. “Sweet old pops must have been lurking nearby. He was ready and waiting to descend on me.”

  Her eyes are wide while she listens intently. “Wow, I can’t even imagine. Are you okay?”

  I shrug. “It was terrifying at first, seeing the man responsible for so much abuse. But he isn’t intimidating anymore. All of a sudden, a lever flipped, and the fear was gone, you know? Suddenly, I couldn’t understand why I was ever scared of him to begin with. My father is a monster who preys on weakness. I didn’t show any. Well, until . . . uh,” I trail off, not wanting to admit the extent of his visit.

  “What? Tell me,” Delilah urges.

  My gut clenches and roils. I lay her head on my chest, nervous she’ll leap away. I need to feel her against me in this moment. “He wanted money and was willing to get it by any means necessary. When I refused, he threatened you.” I gulp down the residual anger toward him, focusing on the warmth in my arms. “I gave him a check without thinking twice. You’re all I need. He can have my money.”

  Delilah shifts slightly and looks up at me. Tears glisten in her eyes before she wipes them away. When she swipes at my cheeks, I realize I’m crying with her. This woman slays me with a single touch. She’ll always be the better end of any deal.

  I blink slowly, and more drops make a path down my face. “I should have fought for you all along. For myself. I’m not him, I’m very aware of that now. But damn, his hate was powerful. It’s not anymore because I’m stronger now. I chose love, and you, over all else.”

  Delilah’s throat bobs with a heavy swallow. “I love you like crazy. You’re a good man, Zee. The very best person I know.” When I try to interrupt, she silences me with a finger to my lips. “Thank you for always protecting me.”

  I wheeze out a stifled sob, releasing all that overflowing emotion in earnest. I rest my forehead along hers and whisper, “I love you.”

  Our mouths meet and part, fusing us together. I groan into the kiss and press deeper. Delilah’s tongue slides against mine, and my dick twitch
es in hunger. But we aren’t finished yet. I break away and blow lightly against her exaggerated pout.

  “You’ll never be in danger, Trip. I’ll always keep you safe,” I say.

  She nods, our noses brushing with the movement. “My own personal bodyguard.”

  I groan. “I like the sound of that.”

  Delilah clears her throat and pulls back to stare at me. “So, where is he now?”

  “He’s gone for good. If he dares to show his face again, I won’t hesitate to destroy him.”

  “He’d deserve it, but don’t you dare,” she says.

  “Nah, just kidding. I’d call the cops. He was dumb enough to share there’s trouble following him.”

  Delilah relaxes into me. “Are you relieved?”

  I take a moment to think about that. “Sure, of course. But mostly I’m glad to just . . . move on. This feels like the beginning of my real life. Does that make sense?”

  “Uh-huh,” she says and bites her lip.

  I lean in and lick along the place she’s biting. “It all revolves around you.”

  “I accept the center position of your world,” she murmurs.

  Signature dimples dent Delilah’s cheeks, and damn, those tiny divots do something wild to me. I suck on the left, then right, and back again. My palm drifts up her leg and under the tattered hem of her shirt. My exploration comes to an abrupt halt.

  “Christ, Trip. You’re naked under here?” I roam her bare thighs and hips, all the way up her back. “That’s so fucking sexy,” I moan. My cock agrees, pulsing behind the zipper of my jeans.

  “Yes,” Delilah purrs. “Hmm, it’s hot in here. Maybe I should take this bad-boy off?”

  I glance at the vintage tee. “You wearing that has always been a turn-on. But in this instance, I’d have to agree.”

  She wiggles on my lap, and I hiss. With a giggle, Delilah darts out of my hold and scampers across the room. I willingly follow, possibly leaving a trail of drool in my wake. She’s waiting near the bed, completely naked. The silver ring rests between her tits, rising and falling with rapid breaths. My mind whirls with possibilities, and I stash those away.

  I reach back and rip the shirt over my head. With a few jerky tugs, I shed my pants and briefs. The need grows and expands inside of me while I stalk closer, erasing the space between us. It’s like this every time I’m around Delilah. Each moment with her is a gift, and I cherish every breath.

  We crash together in a burst of need. In a single beat, I hoist Delilah up, spin around, and sit on the mattress. She straddles me and shifts until her slit rubs all over my dick. My hands roam up her bare back, and I draw her tighter against me. I make good on my earlier desire and undo the tie of her braid. My fingers comb out her satin locks before bunching the strands in a fist, tugging and beckoning.

  I cup her jaw and tilt until my lips lightly graze along hers. Our breath mingles and blends, a preview for what’s to come. Delilah shivers and inches closer, peeking her tongue out. The wet heat of her mouth makes me moan, and I don’t hold back another moment. The time for teasing is over.

  I thrust up, entering her in a long stroke. Delilah’s mouth opens on a soundless moan, and I match her expression. Each time is like diving straight into the purest form of bliss. Sunny warmth blankets me, and we stretch further into the heat. My skin tingles while my blood pumps hotter. Her palms skate along my arms, finding purchase on my shoulders for leverage. Delilah matches my slow rhythm, grinding down when I push up. Our bodies mesh and press, bonding two halves into one whole.

  A gorgeous flush races up Delilah’s neck, and my eyes track the color. One of my hands remains buried in her hair, the other clutches her ass. I roll her hips along mine, punching up for adding impact. She expels a garbled whine that feeds my need, and I work faster at making her split apart. My fingers untangle from her silky waves, making a slow trail down. I thumb her rosy nipple, and it peaks under my attention.

  “Yes, more,” Delilah whispers.

  I move to the other side, giving the same affection. “Your body was made for mine,” I rumble.

  “D-don’t stop,” she pleads.

  “I never will,” I promise.

  Delilah is the only one who reaches me, and I’ve never been more grateful. I’m a grumpy bastard with calloused hands and a tortured soul, but she soothes me. When she places a single kiss on my chest, over my heart, a vibration buzzes inside—I’m the one she wants. Her delicate touch across my neck and jaw tell me I’m worthy. She loops me into an intimate hug that shows me how she’s never letting go. The shimmer in her mossy eyes and those dimples in her cheeks say I’m making my girl happy. Me. No one else, not ever. I’m the only one who gets this from her.

  I’m a lucky son of a bitch who almost missed out on all of this.

  “You feel that?” I murmur against her cheek.

  Delilah’s movements pause with mine. “Us,” she answers.

  I hum in agreement, sucking down the column of her throat. “The booming in my veins is for you.”

  “The pounding in my soul belongs to you,” she whispers against me.

  “The words curling off my tongue are yours.”

  Delilah finds room to scoot in tighter. “The fibers and molecules buried under my skin thrive because of you.”

  I cover her lips with mine, sealing eternity between us. “And the rest of these days are ours.”

  TOGETHER

  Delilah

  I SNUGGLE DEEPER into Zeke’s embrace, feeling more comfortable and protected than ever. Post-coital cuddling is mandatory. Mostly because Zeke is so damn good at it. My ass is nestled against his groin, and the rest of our bodies are entangled in a human web. Nothing could separate us right now.

  Well, almost nothing.

  He begins kissing along my shoulder blade, murmuring sweet words between each touch. I hum in contentment and get swept away in the moment. I bend my neck forward, granting him more access. Zeke obliges with a sultry moan and adds a few nips for good measure. This man is trying to stake some serious claim, and I’m his field.

  “Let’s get married.”

  My lazy eyes pop wide open when his words slam into me. I take an extra moment to process, almost positive it was a figment of my imagination.

  “Would you like that?” Zeke continues. “You’d be the most beautiful bride in the world.”

  If I’d been standing in this moment, my knees would give out. In my current horizontal position, all synapses fire at once, and an impending system overload is gaining momentum.

  “Uhhh,” I manage to shutter. He can’t see the shock exploding across my features and I’m thankful for that. I need another moment to collect myself and determine if this is actually happening. I could be dreaming, right?

  Zeke presses on my arm, encouraging me to roll over. I do and settle on my hip, getting an up-close and personal look at the genuine honesty streaming from his expression. Guess that rules out the potential of me still sleeping. But this is all walking the line of fantasy territory.

  A stupid-huge smile stretches my lips, and I’m not trying to hide it. “You’re serious?”

  He wears a matching grin. “Can you blame me? I’ve wanted to marry you from the moment we met. When you tripped into me, this was a done deal. Just took a bit longer to get here.”

  Tears spring to my eyes, and I cup his cheek. “Really?” The awe in my voice echoes around the room.

  “Do you doubt my love for you?” Zeke asks and dusts his nose along mine.

  “Never.”

  “So, why all the questions? That’s my job in this scenario,” he laughs.

  My pulse races out of control, and I’m suddenly a bit dizzy. “Have you been planning this? Do you have a . . .”

  My words fade when he picks up the ring dangling around my neck. “Have I told you the entire story behind this?” Zeke toys with the silver circle, tugging lightly on the chain.

  “Wasn’t this your mother’s wedding band?”

  He s
hakes his head. “No. It belonged to her mother, and her grandma before that.”

  “Oh,” I say simply and stare at the significance glinting in his palm.

  “You know what else?” Zeke murmurs into my ear.

  I shiver slightly and lean closer. “What?”

  “She would want you to have it.”

  I furrow my brow. “Okay . . . ?”

  He chuckles at my expression. “I’m getting there, Trip.”

  “I didn’t tell you to hurry.”

  His finger brushes my temple. “Your wheels are spinning fast.”

  “Well, duh. This is kind of a huge moment.”

  “Right, okay. When my mom was dying, she gave me her ring. With her final breaths, she told me to save it for the woman I wanted to spend forever with. When I placed it around your neck all those years ago, it wasn’t just to keep you safe. I was claiming you, Trip. You’ve just been wearing it wrong,” Zeke explains softly.

  My exhale is choppy as I try holding the tears back. A few slide down my face, but he catches the drops with his thumb. He lifts my hair and unfastens the lock, sliding the band off the silver string. Zeke kisses me sweetly, and my toes curl against his. I glance up through hooded lids, elation bursting across my skin like happily dancing feet.

  He reaches for my left hand, clutching it in a trembling grasp. “You’ve always been mine, Trip. I’ll never be a rich man, but so long as you’re by my side, I’ll be wealthy in love. I’ll always be yours.”

  “And I’ll always be yours,” I say.

  He cuts me a scolding look, but it’s all fluff.

  “Sorry,” I whisper, and feel my lips curve with a grin.

  “As I was saying, we’ve always been destined for this. Let’s make it forever, okay? Delilah Marie Sage, will you be my wife?”

  My vision is cloudy, and I’m nodding like a bobblehead. “Yes! Yes, yes, yes!”

  Zeke’s chest vibrates with laughter. “What was that?”

  I nudge him playfully. “Yes, yes, yes, yes!” I punctuate each agreement with a wet peck on his face. He leans into my touch each time, and I love his constant need for more.