Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)

by Tijan

  He turned toward Taylor once the two girls got into a car.

  “Can I give you a ride to your man?” he asked. “I have questions to ask. You have answers to give.”

  “Really? Do I?” Her eyes rounded. “I’m just kidding. I’ll take the ride, but I’m not divulging any secrets Grace might’ve confided in me.” She looked over to me. “See you guys there?”

  I nodded, but once Mason and I were in his Escalade, he said, “No, she won’t.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He started the Escalade and pulled out of the parking lot. “I’m going to be selfish. I want alone time with you. Being in our bedroom when the house is full doesn’t cut it for me sometimes.”

  I leaned back in my seat, grinning at him.

  That sounded more than all right to me.

  I wondered where Mason was going to take me. I assumed a hotel. We’d get a suite, have some hot and rough sex . . . when he pulled up to a construction site and hopped out to open a gate, it was the last place I expected to be.

  Well, to be honest, I wasn’t sure where we were.

  He got back in and pulled the Escalade inside before parking and closing the gate behind us again.

  I started to get out, but he waved me back. “I gotta drive a little bit still.”

  There were buildings and walls all over the place, along with construction trucks and machines.

  “What is this place?” I asked, as he went down a small trail.

  “You remember hearing about that old amusement park Logan took Taylor to last year?”

  I nodded. “This is it?”

  “This is it while it’s being torn down and turned into a big resort kind of thing. James bought it, and I came across some of the plans they have for it this summer. I did a little more digging and found out some of what’s already done.” He grinned. “I swiped the access code, and I know they’re not building tonight or tomorrow. They have those days off for some reason, so it’s ours.”

  “Oh.” I laid my hand on his arm. “You’re so sweet. A construction site. It’s where every girl dreams of being ravished.”

  His grin only deepened. “Joke will be on you when you see where I’m taking you.”

  I laughed, leaning my head against the headrest again. “I was teasing, but I do mean it. I appreciate the gesture for some time alone.”

  “I’m going to miss Logan when he goes to law school, and I know Nate will be moving out eventually, but we do have a full house.”

  I agreed. It seemed to be getting fuller every year.

  “We’re here,” he announced.

  Mason parked outside of a large building. As I got out and he took my hand, I tried to guess what we were stepping into, but nothing could’ve prepared me.

  “Mason!”

  It wasn’t just a pool; it was one of those you find at water parks. There were slides and a kiddie pool. There was a large butterfly statue in the middle of one section, off to the side, and it looked like a real oasis. The wings were made of material that shimmered all different colors. Just watching it a moment, it was blue, green, orange, and a stunning teal color. The whole place looked almost like a fairytale.

  Palm trees overshadowed the edges of the pool. Foliage hung from the tops.

  It all looked so real.

  A bar was at the far end, with stools to sit on in the water.

  “It’s useable too.” I could smell the chlorine in the air, feel the humidity from the room, and a second later Mason switched the lights on.

  He came up behind me and kissed my cheek. “They’ve been using it for office pool parties and some other events. I think they’ve rented it out a couple times. This is the next big deal in Cain. I thought my dad was going to sell it again, but he got approached by some guys, and changed his mind. It’s smart, if you think about all the sports the university has. That’s a lot of cash flow. James is going to capitalize on that.”

  I turned back to him, feeling one of his hands fall to my hip. “And does James know we’re using it?”

  Mason shrugged. “I know it’s empty tonight. That’s all that matters.” Then his grin darkened, and before I could register what was going on, I was in the air. I shrieked, and the sounds echoed off the walls. Then I was in the water.

  It felt warm and refreshing all at once, and just like that, my inner kid surged out. I kicked off the bottom and broke the surface just in time to see Mason pull his shirt off. His sweatpants were on the floor too, along with his shoes and socks. Then he launched himself over me, sinking into a cannonball so I was splashed all over again.

  I waited, my heart picking up pace, but he didn’t come back up. Instead, two hands grabbed my waist and pulled me down.

  “Ah!” I yelled when I popped back up, but by then he was at the far end of the pool.

  His eyes danced. “Come and get me, Strattan.”

  The challenge was on.

  I climbed up, pulled off soaking clothes until I was in my bra and underwear, then dove in and was at his side within moments. He dropped below the surface, watching me under the water. I tried to grab him, but he caught my hands and found my waist. He lifted me in the air again, tossing me once more.

  I got in a few good dunks when I surprised him, but Mason was strong and quick. I was dunked more often than he was until we’d been swimming for an hour, and our touches started to linger. The grins and laughter turned more serious, more lust-filled, and it wasn’t long before I was pressed against the edge of the pool.

  Mason trapped me, his arms on either side and his legs underneath me. I wasn’t even going to attempt to get away. This was exactly where I wanted to be, and I sat down, straddling him instead. I had my hands on the pool’s edge behind me, but I pushed myself forward so my breasts touched him.

  He groaned, his eyes almost black with desire. “You’re killing me, Sam.” He nuzzled my neck, just under my jaw and murmured, “They could have cameras.”

  “Then turn the lights off,” I whispered, searching for his mouth.

  I found it. His lips claimed mine, and a tingle went through me.

  I was beginning to ache for him, feeling throbbing between my legs, and I just wanted to feel him. Only him. The rational side of me was turning off quickly. I let go of the edge and wound my arms around him.

  “Mason.” I kissed him, feeling his tongue sweep inside.

  He groaned, pulling back. “You sure?”

  “God, yes.”

  He pulled himself up and went over to the panel. A second later, the pool was plunged into darkness, and not long after that I felt his hands on me again. He pulled me into a darker corner of the pool, underneath the butterfly statue, and then his lips found mine.

  I raked my hands through his hair, still kissing. I couldn’t get enough of him.

  “Sam,” he breathed.

  His hand slid down my back, caught my leg, and pulled me tighter against him.

  I moaned. The ache was building, and I moved against him, needing to feel more friction. God, he was right there. A quick shift of his boxer briefs, he could tug my underwear to the side, and he’d be in. But he waited. I waited. I was breathing hard, grinding on him.

  He kissed down my throat.

  His other hand rested at my waist, and he turned me so I was against the edge of the butterfly. I was almost immobile as he continued kissing. Then he tugged my bra, unclipping the back and pulling it completely off. His mouth found my breast, sucking on my nipple.

  I gasped, then arched into him.

  I clamped my legs more tightly around him.

  He kept kissing. He kept caressing. His hand swept between us, and his finger slid inside.

  A guttural groan left me. I just wanted him. Like always.

  “Mason.” I was damn near begging. I panted.

  He kissed me again. Home. That’s how he tasted. My arms went around his neck, and I moved my hips in rhythm with his finger. He slid two more inside, and I was soon riding him.

  “I lov
e you.” His words were a teasing caress against my lips, and then he sunk his fingers inside me again.

  I kept going, kept feeling him thrust inside of me until I was damn near falling apart in his arms.

  “Mason!”

  He continued, holding off on his own pleasure until I had mine. I held on. I loved this Mason. His will was iron strong. He always made sure I came first, and when I was a puddle and my bones weren’t firm anymore, he’d slide inside and take me on a whole other ride.

  That seemed to be his plan this evening too.

  I cried out, feeling my climax rip through me, and then Mason removed the rest of our clothing and sheathed himself inside of me. He pushed in, holding me as his muscles trembled and rippled. He waited, but he didn’t have to wait long. He gave me time to adjust to him. But I didn’t need any of that. I grabbed his ass and began.

  I was moving before he was ready.

  “Sam!” My name ripped from him.

  “Let’s go.” I pushed my hips at him, starting the ride.

  “Fuck, yes.” Then he was going with me.

  He thrust out, and I went with him. He went deep inside.

  Anywhere he went, I was there too. How fast, how slow, it didn’t matter. My heart was a fucking stampede inside of me. Pleasure, desire, lust—it all swirled in me, building into a frenzy until all I could do was beg, plead, and answer any command he made of my body.

  I felt he was near, but he held off. He kept thrusting in and out. He was giving me time to match him, to be right with him as he came.

  A primal need clambered inside of me. I grabbed his shoulders and urged him to go harder. I wanted it rougher.

  “Sam.”

  “I want it.” I gritted my teeth, needing something deeper, darker in me.

  And then he gave it. He began pounding into me. He grabbed my shoulder. Half of his hand was on my throat, and he held me in place as he pounded into me.

  I came undone in his arms and nearly wept as a second climax ripped through me. I felt like I was torn in half, and then Mason came. His body surged one last time, almost crushing me, before he pressed a tender kiss to my shoulder and swept his hand down my arm and side lovingly.

  “You okay?”

  I nodded. I was more than okay. I touched the side of his face. “I love you.”

  His eyes were clouded. I knew he didn’t like to think he hurt me, and this had been rough, but I wanted it. His eyebrows dipped together.

  I kissed his lips. “I wanted that.”

  He frowned, slightly. “I might’ve hurt you.”

  I shook my head. I felt alive. So much alive. I kissed him again and wrapped my entire body around his. He slipped out of me and held me for a moment. We stayed like that, our heartbeats next to each other, until I began shivering. He moved through the pool, carrying me the whole way, and set me on the edge.

  “Stay here.”

  I wasn’t sure what he was doing. I heard some splashing before he pulled himself up and out behind me. He padded somewhere, then a small light was turned on. It was in the corner of the room, enough for us to see, but not to be seen. I could make him out as he came over, handing me my clothes and some towels.

  “I’ll start the Escalade and make sure the heat is on.”

  I left my clothes off. They were still wet anyway. Instead I wrapped myself in two large towels. Mason came back in, barefoot in his sweatpants and shirt. He took one look at me and whipped off his shirt. He handed it over.

  “Here. It’s something.”

  I grinned, pulling it over me. I was more than okay with him driving home shirtless. “You’re going to attract attention from other drivers.”

  He shrugged, then bent and threw me over his shoulder.

  “Mason!”

  He smacked me on the ass. “I’m being all gentlemanly. Let me carry you outside.”

  I stopped struggling and pointed for him to grab my shoes. He must’ve taken his to the Escalade already. He locked the door behind him, double-checked it, and then deposited me in the passenger side of his vehicle.

  I was pulling my seatbelt on when he paused. “Shit.”

  “What?”

  “Hold on.”

  He went back in and returned ten minutes later.

  “What’d you do?” I asked when he climbed inside again.

  “I moved us to a place you couldn’t see on camera, but I still wanted to make sure.” He put his seatbelt on and pulled away from the building. “I just deleted the whole thing.”

  “Are you going to get in trouble for being in there?”

  “Nah. No way.” He got out to the open the gate, and then again to close it behind us. After that he found my hand. “I’m sure Logan’s blowing up our phones, but I needed that.”

  I squeezed his hand. “Me too.”

  We shared a look before he turned back to the road.

  When we pulled up at the house, there were too many cars for him to pull into the driveway. He still opened the garage, and we went in that way. As soon as we opened the door to the house, loud music and laughter greeted us. Mason hit the garage button, then went on ahead of me. I huddled behind him, thankful for his bigger build.

  “Hey!”

  I heard Logan, but darted for the bedroom. I was inside and heading for the bathroom when I heard Mason saying, “We went swimming.”

  “You couldn’t have told me? Dude.”

  “Give us a minute to shower and chan—”

  The door shut on Mason’s words, but as I turned on the shower and stepped under the water, I knew he’d be joining me here as well. A few minutes later, he did, but this time I didn’t turn around and find his mouth with mine. I leaned against him as we soaped our bodies and washed our hair. I could’ve turned around, pressed into him, and asked for round two, but my restraint was ironclad. That and I was exhausted. I smiled up at him, watching as he watched me, until we were both clean and there was no reason for us to remain.

  I groaned. “How many were out there?”

  “More than just Matteo and your two friends,” he said.

  Another party.

  I nodded, stepping outside as Mason turned off the water. “Chef Logan must’ve called some people.”

  I handed him a towel, drying off with mine.

  “I think some are Nate’s friends, and I’m pretty sure Matteo called a few guys from the team.”

  “Nate has friends?” I was joking. Kind of. I knew he did, but they rarely came over.

  Mason finished drying and grabbed new clothes from his closet. I could hear him as I found my own.

  “He’s bartending at that place where Taylor worked last year. I think she put in a good word for him.”

  “Really?”

  I pulled on underwear, considered a sports bra, but tossed it for a regular one, and pulled on sweatpants. Mason’s had looked comfortable at the pool—I wanted to feel that too. I also grabbed one of his football shirts. I wanted to feel like this, like his, for the rest of the night.

  His eyes darkened when he saw me wearing his shirt. He grabbed the sleeve, feeling the cloth. “I like when you wear my stuff.”

  “Me too.”

  He would’ve pulled me to him, but I slipped on some flip-flops and ducked out of his reach. He groaned.

  Heading for the door, I promised, “Tonight.”

  “Hell, yes.”

  Then he reached for the door over my head and opened it for me. When we went out to greet everyone, we went together.

  Two days later, my first cross-country meet had arrived. I had my leg pulled up behind me to stretch when Logan pointed a finger in my face.

  “May you be the strongest. May you run the hardest. And may your ass beat some bitches and be the fastest.”

  “Hey!”

  He moved his finger to Taylor beside me. “Hold on a second.” He turned to face her, his finger in her face. “May you be the strongest. May you run the hardest. And may your cute and fine ass that I really loved impaling last night be
the fas—”

  She finished stretching and grabbed his finger. “You couldn’t have used a different word? Impaling? Really?” She rolled her eyes, letting go of his finger. “We got it. Thank you.” She gave him two thumbs-up. “Best cheerleading boyfriend ever.”

  He straightened and saluted her, then me. “I’m doing my duty as boyfriend and brother. I hope you both kick ass, but Taylor, let’s be real.” She’d started to lift her other leg for a stretch, but he yanked her to the side and thumped her on the back. “We all know Sam’s going to be legend today. Legend, Samantha. L-e-g-e-n-d.” He said it slowly again, one last time, drawing it out.

  I clipped my head in a nod. “Thank you.”

  I wasn’t sure if he was helping or hurting. To say I was nervous would’ve been an understatement. Every inch of me was sweating, and my pulse was racing. I could feel it through my forehead.

  This was it. This was the day I proved I could live up to the hype—and I knew there was some about me. I’d caught the looks the other teams were giving me. Or this was the day everyone learned I was a choker and a failure.

  I tried to calm myself. I’d been annihilating Faith at every practice run, and I wasn’t even trying. According to records, she and a runner from another school had taken the top two spots last year at this meet. When I’d visited Raelynn earlier in the week, she’d filled me in. She said she was sure Faith had probably looked in on this runner’s times, and instead of focusing on beating me the last couple of weeks of practice, she might’ve been more centered on her previous rival.

  When we lined up for our starting spots, it wasn’t hard to recognize the runner in question. She had the same diva aura Raelynn and Faith had had the first day I ran with them. She walked like a ballerina, with razor-straight posture and her almost-white hair up in a high braid. Girls didn’t worry about a lot of makeup for runs, but everyone did a light bit because of pictures. This girl had a smattering of glitter over her cheeks, but then again—I scanned the rest of her team—they all did. It must’ve been a team-bonding event.

  “That’s Emily Kostwich,” Faith announced as she took her spot next to me. Our coach had put us in spots up front and in the middle. “She and I are your competition today,” she added, shaking her hands out.