Hold Me Close (Happy Endings Resort #13)

by Alisha Cole

  When Tommy arrives, I rush out of the building with my suitcases in tow. I watch as he pops the trunk to his bright-yellow Dodge Neon and then helps me with my luggage. After he closes it, I slide into the passenger seat and my mind is full of questions. “He chased me before I met him?” I can’t let that go, I need to know what he’s talking about. “He’s been crushing on you for a few years. He used to go to parties, just to see you from a far. I’ll never forget what he said, when you had that big fight with Jesse over that chick rubbing on him. He said this, and I quote, ‘What in fuck is she doing with that? Tommy, what are my chances of getting in the middle of them?’ It was the funniest shit ever. So, just remember: he’s never given up—he’s been waiting for a long time. Just don’t hurt him, okay? He’s a big softie.”

  Wow. Ethan’s long-time crush has me in shock and mute; and I stay that way the entire trip. My thoughts are restless and I’m uncertain of what to say to Ethan. Pulling up outside the gate, my stomach is in knots. I’m so full of panic over having to tell him how I feel. Is love supposed to be like this—rushed and passionate? I know it sounds right, but how fast it’s happening makes me uneasy. We’ve known each other for a few weeks, and I’ve already fallen hard for him. And it’s a scary change.

  Once we’re in Happy Endings Resort, I have Tommy drive me all the way to Ethan’s house, and freak out asking questions the whole way. He shakes his head and chuckles. “Ready? We’re here and boy is my aunt gonna be surprised see me. She’s not my biggest fan.” I see Ethan’s truck in the driveway. Good thing he’s here, at least. My palms sweat and my stomach knots up as I stir with excitement to see his face and meet his family. I open the car door, and step out on the gravel lot, moving as slow as possible. Then Tommy steps out with a huge grin when he sees his family. “Oh, Lord—are you here to see me, you little brat? Come give me a hug.” Says a woman who I believe is Ethan’s mom. Ethan is the male version of her: dark brown hair, youthful face, and the gun-metal blue eyes that I love gazing into. “And who do we have here? A girlfriend?” she asks, when she notices me.

  “Nah, Aunt Emma—this is Lyly. Ethan’s girl.” Her eyes light up so bright as she half jogs towards me. “Oh, darling—he’s going to be so happy to see you. I knew you’d come. Let me get your bags.” She’s the sweetest mom ever, and I already feel a connection. Any and all worries instantly fade away. She takes off with my bags and leaves me in her dust, and I crack up following her. The trailer door swings open, and the inside has a cute sunflower theme. I step inside and turn my head towards the living room area, and find Ethan lying down with his arms resting over his face. To get his attention, I clear my throat as he shifts and opens his eyes. “Lyly? You came?” It’s my turn for my eyes to light up, and I dart towards him as if I didn’t see him just this morning. “I’m here to save you.” I say sweetly, verbally answering his text message after leaving him hanging half the day.

  He grabs me into his arms and spins me around in one quick spin. He ignores everyone else, and pulls me back outside. “I didn’t think you were going to come; I even mentally prepared myself for the boring summer ahead of me. But this changes everything. Thank you for being here, Lyly. I promise you . . . you won’t regret it.” We get my bags from inside, talk to his mom for a few minutes, and then leave to his trailer. “This is it—home sweet home,” he laughs, pushing his trailer door open. The outside does no justice to the inside. It’s beautiful, the entire inside resembles a fancy cabin from a mountainous region.

  “How did you make the inside so . . . beautiful? I mean granted it is a mobile home and they don’t make them this fancy, but from in here—you wouldn’t know it’s a trailer.” He snorts at my reaction. “Architect, remember? I built this thing from nothing.” Fascination hides behind my eyes at his amazing work.

  After we settle in, he offers to show me around the resort. All night, we walk-and-walk while he shows me everything and introduces me to some of the locals. We stroll past a girl in a skimpy swimsuit—and she gives me a dirty look. “Who’s that?” I ask, rolling my eyes back at her. “Look at it this way—she’s my Jesse. Only I can’t stand her ass, and won’t talk to her . . . Ever. Again.” Oh, not what I wanted to hear, but it made sense. He squeezes my hand and walks me down by a lake. “Here’s another one of my favorite thinking spots.” I look out over the dark waters and see the sun setting. The perfect sunset to a perfect night; I just hope I don’t ruin it.

  “Ethan . . . do you think if we went swimming after dark . . . the locals will get mad?” He gives me a mischievous grin. “No, probably not. No one really comes down here after dark, unless there’s a bonfire.” That’s all I needed. I slowly lift my shirt off the top of my head. “Oh, you were serious?” He wears a silly grin as he rushes out of his shirt. I giggle, diving in and answer as I resurface, “Yes, I’ve always wanted to skinny dip.” His reaction is priceless as he quickly removes his pants. We stand apart from each other, in nothing but underwear and wide grins that spread over our lips. We take each other in: him in his tight boxer briefs that barely contain him and me in my skimpy lace set. It’s as if we both became shy in the same moment. We gaze at each other as the sun fades away a little more. He takes his boxers off, and I stare in awe as he springs free. Nothing can compare to the excitement I feel staring at his arousal. He glides into the water and waits until he’s waist deep, and then fans his hand out. “Come here.” His voice electrifies me.

  I slide my bra and panties off and then toss them onto the rocky shore. I’m waist deep as a soft breeze tickles at my bare chest. His eyes roam over me for a few seconds before he walks towards me. He clasps my hand and leads me into deeper water and then pulls me in closer. “This . . . what we have—it’s real. More real than anything I’ve ever felt. Don’t run because you’re scared of change, Lyly. Don’t fight me on this,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me.

  Our kiss is dreamy, perfect, or any other word there is to describe it. It tingles at every nerve in my body; my heart races as my worries vacate my thoughts. He picks me up, wrapping my legs around him. It’s our most intimate moment. I can feel his cock brush my entrance as my body aches for a release. He sucks and nips at my neck, and guides my nipple to his teeth. I moan at his tenderness as he roams his hands and mouth all over me. I take the next step, and reach between us to line him up with my entrance—until he thrusts deep inside of me.

  My body begs for more as I tighten around him. He pants as he works in-and-out of me and bounces me up-and-down. My orgasm climbs as he fiercely works my body, mind, and soul. Nothing compares to this. His eyes lock with mine as he pumps faster . . . and . . . faster—until I feel his warmth spread through me. He’s out of breath as he lies his head in the crook of my neck and pants, “It’s been a long time . . . since I’ve done that. But with you . . . it was new and exotic. I’ve never felt this way . . . before.” I love him. I lazily smile from what he just made me feel, and whisper, “Take me to your bed.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Happy Endings

  Ethan

  “Oh-fuck-me-Ethan,” she whimpers beneath me. It’s been two weeks of non-stop sex with Lyly. Each time is better than the last. I thrust harder when she says my name—and I lift her ass off the bed to grind against me. Nothing is hotter than seeing her eyes roll in the back of her head, especially knowing I’m the one doing it to her. After an earth-shattering orgasm, I follow quickly behind and leave us gasping for air. I roll off her, onto my side, and then turn to face her.

  “That was WOW,” she giggles. She tends to get heavy eyes and snickers when we finish. It’s so fucking sexy.

  “I think I’m in love with you,” she blurts out. “I hope so, I’ve been busting my ass to make sure that happens,” I joke. “I think I love you too.” I kiss her forehead. “No, Ethan—you don’t understand . . . After school, I want to come back here with you. I want to be your girl—forever, not just this summer.” This girl is the best part of me, and I preach to her just how much I wan
t it. “Lyly Denvers, I’ve wanted you before you even knew I existed. I promise to keep you safe and to protect you from any harm. I want to wake up to you for the rest of my life, just to see that smile and hear that laugh. I promise to always be everything and anything you need.” She touches my face, and through a wide grin she says, “You forgot my favorite thing.” I raise my eye brows and ask, “What’s that?”

  “Promise, to always . . . hold me close.”

  “I promise.”

  THE END

  Acknowledgements

  I’d like to thank my family for all their undying support: Lisa Brooks, Chris Coggins, Laura Miller, and my sons, Cameron & Shaun.

  I want to give a huge shout out to Annie Boylan my PA for being the best damn PA, #SB, and for going out of her way—daily—to make sure everything I need is taken care of. She is one of my favorite people in the world, and I would literally die without her (dead serious).

  Thank you for editing and making my first sweet romance an amazing one, Krihstin Zink. It wouldn’t be as good without you! Thank you for having my back, being my #AuthorBestie, and believing in me.

  To my street team and beta readers: thank you for loving and supporting me—every single day. You’re my biggest fans, and I don’t know what I’d do without your faith in me.

  Also, I want to give a shout out to the blogs who signed up for cover reveal, the release blitz, and those who always share for me. You’re all amazing people, sorry I couldn’t name you all.

  Thank you to all my author friends who’ve shown me support. You guys encourage me to reach for the sky, and I’m so grateful to have you to stand beside.

  LAST . . . but never least, my fans. Thank you for reading, reviewing, and rooting for me. I love you all so much, each and every one of you. Thank you for standing by me and enjoying my imagination.

  About the Author

  Alisha Cole is a twenty-six-year old romance author. She released her debut novella, My Beautiful Nightmare, in September 2015. Alisha has lived in Smyrna, Delaware for the past six years with her twin sons and fiancé. She enjoys reading, dancing, spending time with her family, and spending endless nights writing her fans more stories. When Alisha is not writing or reading, she is on her Facebook—where she connects with her readers most.

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