Deciding Love (Bloomfield #3)

by Janelle Stalder

  I didn’t have to look to know it was Jax. “It’s was fine,” I assured him.

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  “You two lovebirds done?” Cat called out as she approached.

  “For now,” Kyle replied evenly. I swear I blushed more than I didn’t around him.

  “Ew,” Cat said. She opened the passenger door, pulling the seat forward for me.

  I climbed in chuckling at the look on her face.

  “What are you doing?” Kyle asked over the back of his seat.

  “Sitting?”

  “Why are you not up front?”

  Cat dropped into the seat. “Because this is where I sit.”

  “My girlfriend should be sitting there,” he said as the two of them faced off.

  A rushing sound filled my ears as I watched them, no longer hearing what they were saying anymore. He called me his girlfriend.

  Girlfriend.

  Suddenly I felt lighter, a sense of happiness and glee coursing through me.

  “How can I touch her if she’s back there?” I heard Kyle say.

  Chuckling, I interrupted them, not wanting to start a fight that would likely happen every time the three of us were in the car together.

  “Kyle stop,” I said. “I don’t mind sitting back here.”

  “I mind,” he said, glaring at Cat.

  “I can still touch you when I’m back here,” I pointed out, scooting across the seat so I was directly behind him. Running my fingers through his hair, I bit back my laughter as he let out a low, drawn out groan.

  “See?” I said. “It works.”

  “Fine,” Kyle said begrudgingly.

  “You sound like a sullen child who can’t get his way,” Cat said with a roll of her eyes at me.

  I smiled at her. She was right, but I thought it was adorable. Who would have thought dark and serious Kyle Briggs could be adorable? And all because he just wanted me to be next to him. Me, his girlfriend.

  Suddenly Monday’s didn’t seem so bad after all.

  The rest of the week went by without any contact from Jax. And Kyle? Kyle was amazing. For someone who told me he wasn’t boyfriend material, he sure made the best one.

  We were both busy with school, but we still made an effort to see each other, even if it was just to work or grab a quick bite to eat.

  On Wednesday he’d asked me to go to the library with him, which I jumped at right away. We’d worked side by side at a table in the back. Kyle was taking business courses in college, stuff I had no idea about. Economics and things like that. He wanted to be an entrepreneur after school, something I’d never known about him.

  As much as I’d tried to focus on my own work, I couldn’t help but watch him from the corner of my eye, my body in tune with everything he did. When he’d chew on the end of his pencil, or when he’d run his hands through his hair, the concentrated look on his face as he read - all of it had my thighs clenching and my body heating.

  I’d been completely entranced by the simplest of gestures, thinking I was observing unbeknownst to him. That was, until he’d slowly grinned, glancing up at me through his lashes.

  “I can’t concentrate if you keep eye fucking me,” he had said darkly.

  My cheeks had, of course, burst into flames.

  “That telltale blush just confirms all the thoughts I see running through that mind of yours.”

  “I-I’m not e-eye fucking you,” I’d said softly, looking around quickly to make sure no one was around to hear us.

  Kyle had only chuckled. “Come here,” he’d said, motioning with his head as he’d pushed his chair back.

  I’d risen hesitantly, moving to stand in front of him, unsure of what he wanted me to do. Sensing my confusion, Kyle had pulled me down onto his lap, his nose burying into my neck. He’d let out a slow groan.

  “I love the way you smell,” he’d said into my ear.

  My breathing had increased as his hand slid up my inner thigh.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Relieving some stress,” he’d said simply.

  I’d gripped his hand with mine as his thumb grazed the apex of my thighs. God, I’d needed him badly. He drove me nuts, and he’d insisted we take things slow. Which was both a blessing and a curse.

  “Someone could walk by,” I’d said, warring with myself. I’d wanted him to touch me there, and yet I knew it was inappropriate.

  He’d hummed under his breath, and then stood, taking me with him. Silently, he’d gripped my hand and led me through the stacks until we were in a back corner where no one would see us. I’d looked at the area, noticing the layer of dust on the shelves, and figured no one came back here.

  Kyle had backed me into the wall, taking my mouth in a searing kiss that left me breathless. His hand had continued down to where he’d been heading before, this time slipping into my skirt and underwear, sliding his fingers through bare flesh. I’d moaned against his kiss as his thumb had circled me until my hips had begun to move of their own accord, searching for that sweet release he always managed to bring.

  “I want to taste you,” he’d said, breaking our kiss.

  I’d watched him lower down my body, hiking one of my legs over his shoulder, his head disappearing beneath my skirt. After that I’d been lost in a haze of pure bliss.

  Once I’d come back to my senses, I’d returned the favor, something I actually enjoyed doing. Having Kyle’s eyes on me, knowing I drove him just as wild as he did me, was empowering. I wanted to see him looking at me the same way as he thrust inside me, but Kyle hadn’t moved things to that stage.

  Granted, we hadn’t had the opportunity all week, but it was definitely something I felt ready for now. So when Friday came around, and Mom had said she would be out late to go pick Dad up from the airport, I’d instantly wanted Kyle to come over so we could have alone time.

  I put on a short, summer dress and did my hair in soft waves, before heading out to pick him up from work. He’d let me keep his car since I’d had to run out and get some food for us for dinner, something I knew was a huge deal. Even Cat had seemed shocked when Kyle suggested I drop him off at the shop and take his car.

  Driving over, my nerves started to increase as anticipation shot through me. Pulling into the parking lot, my eyes instantly found him even though he was bent over a car, his upper body hidden by the hood. I’d know Kyle anywhere, every part of me connected to him in some strange way.

  Parking, I turned the car off and got out, walking over to him so he knew I was there. A couple of the other workers looked over, their eyes running up and down me in a way that had my cheeks flushing. The one nearest must have said something to him, because he straightened, his gaze coming to me instantly. That heat I was getting used to filled his face as he watched me, unsmiling, his eyes roaming over my legs. Wiping his hands on a rag tucked into the front pocket of his jeans, he said something to the other guy and headed my way.

  24

  Kyle

  “I’ll be right back,” I murmured to Joe as I kept my eyes on the prettiest thing I’d seen all day.

  “Mm hmm,” I heard him murmur behind me.

  Chloe looked like every man’s fantasy driving up here in my car, and wearing a short dress that showed off mile long legs. I’d been trying my best to take things slow for her, even though it was torturing me, because I needed her to know she was different to me.

  I’d never met a kinder soul than Chloe Morgan, and I wanted to be good enough to stand beside her and call her mine. Even as I got to know her better, I realized just how sweet natured she really was. I was used to girls always bitching and tearing each other down, but she wasn’t like that. It was refreshing.

  My patience might have worn out, I thought, as I walked toward her. She looked a bit scared, as if she were a rabbit caught in a snare. How true that was. Without speaking, I grabbed her hand and brought her toward the front office.

  No one was in there anymore, so I figured might as well make use of the s
pace. With a private smirk, I led her into the small space, shutting the door behind us. She started to ask what we were doing, but stopped as soon as I had her pinned against the wall.

  Reaching down, I laced my fingers with hers, bringing both hands up so that her arms were pinned above her. Keeping the rest of our bodies from touching, I leaned in and took her mouth in a hard kiss, sweeping in to absorb some of that sweetness that was all Chloe.

  It was a long kiss. Once I got started, I couldn’t bring myself to end it. Having Chloe in front of me, unable to move, her breasts shoved toward me because of the position of our hands - all of it was too much of a temptation to resist.

  Her tongue tangled with mine, the needy sounds that she always made escaping into my mouth. I swallowed them down, loving each and every one of them. When I finally managed to pull my lips from her, we were both breathing heavily.

  “What was that for?” She asked, all big eyes and swollen lips. There wasn’t a part of this girl that wasn’t perfect for me. Those multi colored eyes were only one of the many things that made her special.

  I cocked an eyebrow at her. “You show up to my work with all that skin on display, and you expect me not to be all over you within seconds? Sweetheart, you obviously don’t know me well enough.”

  “I’m not complaining,” she said, breathless.

  I groaned, sucking on her bottom lip. “I think I’m corrupting you,” I teased.

  She let out a throaty laugh before I took her mouth again, releasing her hands so they could wrap around me.

  “I need to finish some things before we can go,” I said when I managed to summon the willpower to step away from her. “You can hang out at my station for a bit.” I opened the door waiting for her to go out first.

  “Okay,” she said, smoothing her hair before taking my outstretched hand.

  “You don’t need to worry,” I said, fixing a piece of hair she missed. “You’ll always look beautiful no matter how mussed up you are.”

  She gave me an unconvinced look as we walked out and headed to where I’d been working on Mr. Finlay’s Honda Civic. He was due to pick it up in the morning. Leading her to my tool box, I wrapped my hands around her tiny waist and lifted her onto the top of it.

  “Sit there and look pretty,” I said with a wink.

  “I don’t know if I should be offended or not,” she said.

  I chuckled and picked up my tools again. As I worked I could hear Joe and the other guys talking to Chloe. Her tinkling laughter rang out through the shop, making me smile as I lay beneath tons of metal. It was such a contrast to the usual deep barks of laughter and crude jokes.

  “Miss. Chloe, you’re as sweet as pie,” I heard Joe saying. I shook my head as I tightened a bolt. The girl was making everyone fall in love with her.

  “What’s a nice thing like you doing with a crabby boy like Briggs?”

  “I’m not crabby,” I shouted. Geez. Just because I wasn’t always smiling and joking around like Rannon, didn’t mean I was miserable.

  “That’s exactly why I’m with him,” Chloe said. “He needs a little sweetness with all his sour attitude. It’s what makes us a good fit.”

  I rolled out to look at her. She gave me a rueful smile, adding an adorable shrug that made me want to get up and kiss her for hours. As much as I’m sure Joe would have enjoyed that, I tamped down the urge.

  “Well if he ever gives you problems, you come and tell Uncle Joe.”

  Uncle Joe? “Jesus,” I muttered, cleaning up my shit.

  As soon as I was done, I grabbed her and waved goodbye to the guys, not that they even noticed. They were too preoccupied with saying bye to Chloe.

  She was laughing at something as we reached my car.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing,” she said, shrugging. “Your coworkers are nice.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “You want me to drive home?” She asked.

  “And listen to you grind my gears again? I think I’ll pass.”

  She gasped in outrage. “I’m a good driver! My daddy taught me how to drive stick.”

  “I would argue I was the one to teach you how to drive to stick, but we’ll leave it alone for now.”

  She scrunched up her nose in disgust as we got into the car. “That’s gross. You know that’s not what I meant.”

  Laughing, I drove out, reaching over to grab her hand. See? I wasn’t always miserable. Chloe made me smile and laugh all the time. She was right earlier, she was good for me.

  But not forever, a voice inside me said.

  Maybe not. I didn’t know what would happen. She’d go to college or university, possibly somewhere far away. And I’d be here, close to my family. Hopefully running my own business. But at least while I had her, I would be happy. I wouldn’t take her for granted.

  You’ll hurt her, the same voice said.

  I pushed it away. I wouldn’t. Not intentionally. Never cruelly as I had with others in the past.

  The thought of not having her in my life caused a weird caving sensation in my chest, and my breathing became deeper.

  “Kyle?”

  “Yeah, babe?” I said instantly, my voice strangely hoarse.

  I looked over and saw her looking at me with a concerned and confused expression.

  “Are you okay?” She asked.

  “I’m fine why?”

  Her eyebrows lifted as she lowered her gaze to where I held her hand. I followed her attention and realized I was squeezing her hand tightly. Cursing, I relaxed my hold, apologizing.

  “Is everything okay? What were you just thinking about?”

  I gave her a quick, reassuring grin before focusing back on the road.

  “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  This was the first time I’d been in Chloe’s house. I took in the spacious living room and kitchen, with all the light furniture and splashes of colour from pillows and rugs. Her mom clearly had an eye for interior design.

  It wasn’t a huge house, but it had tons of character. I’d always loved the old century homes in Bloomfield, and this one was in amazing shape.

  Her parents weren’t home, so we settled in the kitchen as she preheated the oven.

  “I’m not much of a cook,” she admitted sheepishly. “So I hope frozen lasagna and garlic bread is okay with you.”

  All I wanted to eat was her, but I didn’t say that. “I’m good so long as it’s food.”

  I watched her as she fluttered around the kitchen, talking to me as she prepared food and drinks for us. I replied when she asked me something, but I was only half listening. I was too preoccupied with the domestic feel of all this. It felt...nice.

  I’d never given much thought to how it would be to have someone there at the end of the day. Someone who you could actually sit and talk to, not just fuck and leave. The thought that this was only temporary hit me again, and that same hollow feeling in my chest returned. I didn’t like it.

  Make the most of the time you have, I reminded myself.

  Chloe bent over to put the lasagna in the preheated oven, her dress slipping up the back of her thighs to just under her ass. My mouth went dry, and I was moving before I realized it. The food needed an hour to cook. Plenty of time for me to have some fun with her.

  She gasped when my hands encircled her waist, pulling her against me. I licked and tasted every inch of skin available to me as her body melted into mine. I loved the way she responded so easily to me. It was as though she were made for me.

  Thinking of her like this with anyone else sparked a new sense of panic inside, as though I needed to mark her so every guy out there knew she was mine before she was anyone else’s.

  She’ll always be mine, I decided as those throaty moans surround me. God, the noises she made could drive a man insane. No matter what happens in the future between us, this girl was always going to be mine. She just didn’t know it.

  Turning her in my arms, I took her mouth, swallowing her sounds happily. Cupping o
ne of her breasts through her dress, I ran my thumb over her hardened nipple, teasing her. She was so sensitive everywhere, more so than any other girl I’d been with. Unless it was just like that because this was us. Maybe things would always be different with her.

  “Kyle,” she moaned. Her little hands gripped my t-shirt until her knuckles turned white. I chuckled against her skin. My girl needed me.

  Slipping my hand up her thigh, I pushed her panties to the side to find just how much she needed me. I groaned into her neck.

  Chloe let out a whimper as I inserted one finger inside her, hooking it to rub lightly over her sweet spot before retreating, bringing all that wetness up to rub over her clit. Her knees nearly gave out.

  Picking her up, I wrapped her legs around me and headed toward the stairs at the front of the house. Her sweet mouth sucked at my skin, those tiny teeth biting me as she clung to me, as though she couldn’t get enough.

  Fuck. It was making it hard to concentrate.

  “Chloe, where’s your bedroom?” I asked, my body shaking with the need to be inside this girl.

  “Second door on the left,” she said, a breathy reply against my ear. Then she sucked on my earlobe, making my eyes roll into the back of my head.

  I gripped her ass tightly. “You’re making it really hard for me to focus on not killing us on these stairs.”

  She giggled and that sound only made it worse. Everything she did was sexy to me.

  Finally we made it to her room. I only took a half a second to take it in before dropping us both on her bed. Her hips cradled me as I rotated my rock hard cock over her clit, taking her lips again.

  Her hands tugged at my clothes but I wasn’t going to rush this. I loved kissing Chloe. It was becoming my new favorite thing to do. I used to love to draw in high school. When I’d started college I didn’t have much time for it, between that and work. But this was better than drawing. I’d take kissing Chloe over anything.

  “Kyle, please,” she whimpered.

  Fuck.

  Pulling back, I whipped her dress right off, and sat back to look at my girl. She wore a matching black lace bra and panties. I rubbed a hand over my mouth, wondering, not for the first time, if I was dreaming her up. No one could be as lovely as she was.