Bailey wrinkles her nose. “Lizzie, that sounds just like something Granny would have done to us.” Then she smiles.
“Where do you think I got the idea? I did make Granny promise not to tell Margie.” I say cockily. Margie is Cash’s mom, but with Clay and Oakley being Cash’s half-siblings, she mothers them. Oakley calls her Smother because she is even more active in their lives than their own mother had been.
“You are so bad, girl. You should sit down and have a talk with Oakley.” Bailey suggests.
“You’re going to be her sister-in-law, you sit down and have a talk with her.”
“What, are you scared of an eighteen-year-old girl, Lizzie? Afraid she is going to tell you to mind your own business? Hmm?” Bailey laughs.
“Yeah, you’re a fine one to be talking, I don’t see you rushing over there or telling the guys either.” I scoff.
We sit and contemplate what to do about Oakley but decide to put it off until we get back from Nashville. One more weekend hopefully won’t make a difference.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s my man! I notice the time is getting late. “Hey, I’ve gotta run and this is Clay, anyway,” I tell Bailey in a bubbly voice I normally find irritating.
I answer my phone as I hurry out the door. “How’s my man?” I still get flutters in my stomach when he calls me. I kinda hope this feeling lasts forever.
“Hey, Tink, where have you been today? I’m missing my baby.”
“I’m going to show you my Tinkerbell,” I tell him, lowering my voice. He can have me craving him even over the phone.
“Mmm. I wish you would. I want to take you out in the middle of the wildflowers and see if your honeypot is overflowing.”
“That does sound good, but I need to pack,” I tell him breathlessly, “I can be over as soon as I’m done. I’ve been visiting with Granny and I helped Bailey pack.”
“Are you going to pack for me, baby? I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded. I’ll give you the licking of your life. Get your ass over here. I’m horny and I want my woman. Don’t make me come hunt you down.”
“I’ll pack for you because I love your rewards. But if you’re in that bad of need right now, you can meet me at my apartment and help me pack.” I giggle.
“When we get back from Nashville, I want you to move in with me. I can’t stand being away from you, babe.”
“Clay, we have only been dating a couple of months. That’s rushing things.” I’ve been in his bed every night, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for what else he might want.
“Baby, you know you drive me crazy. I want you here, Lizzie.”
“We’ll talk about it when we get back from Nashville.”
“So, we’ll start moving you in when we get back from Nashville.” He sounds like he’s bouncing. He must be outside and chilly. My poor baby is cold.
“I’m pulling into my parking lot. I’ll pack faster if I’m not on the phone,” I say all pouty. “I hate to hang up, but I want to get over there as soon as possible.”
“Just grab a couple pair of panties and come on, baby. Hell, you don’t even need panties.”
“You’d like that wouldn’t you, having easy access. I’ll see you in a few. Bye.”
“Bye, babe.”
I run up the steps, unlock the door and fly through the apartment, packing for my trip. I’ll undoubtedly forget half of what I plan to bring, but thankfully, I have all of my new purchases ready to go. I throw them in my overnight bag. I have a new little toy I want to introduce to Clay. I’m out of the door and back on the road in ten minutes flat.
Driving to Clay’s, I think about how much he’s changed me, how much I’ve allowed him to change me. I can’t believe I caved so easily. He was just so relentless. I had carefully constructed these walls. They were reinforced with rebar and so sturdy that they were hurricane proof. They were erected to keep all the bad guys away from my heart. I was cold hearted, hurt, and damaged. The walls were my fortress, which kept away the pain, but also kept away the joy. On the outside, I was always smiling and laughing – the life of the party. On the inside, I had a cold black heart that not only was unworthy but so very afraid of love.
Clay chipped away with his chisel. He made tiny little cracks, weakening the foundation. Little by little, my barricade started to crumble and now… I couldn’t be happier to have let him inside my heart. I’m bursting with love after only two months. I feel like my heart is overflowing. I was hardened for such a long time I must have become brittle. I shattered when he showed me love. Clay wrapped me in the warmth of his love. It all happened fast, is it supposed to happen this quickly? Is that how you know when it’s true love?
Pulling up to Clay’s house, I park beside his truck. Oakley must already be gone to her friend’s house because I don’t see her car anywhere. I love the solitude out here. I only thought Granny and Papa’s house was out in the sticks, but Clay’s house is surrounded by woods.
Opening the wooden door, I can faintly hear a melody being played on an acoustic guitar. My man must be working on a new song. This sounds like it will be a poppy love type song. So not Clay.
I decide on the spur of the moment to surprise him. I strip in the kitchen. I see this being a fun jam session. We turn everything into fun. We are in sync with each other.
I turn the corner for the living room then stop dead in my tracks. “Shit!”
“Shit!”
“I thought Clay was in here playing. I didn’t even know you played, Oakley! What are you doing here? I thought you were going to Raelynn’s.” I yell as I run back to the kitchen to retrieve my clothes.
“Clay’s making me go like I’m a kid who needs a babysitter. Is it not bad enough that I hear you guys going at it, now I have to see you naked, as well? Jesus, Lizzie! I’m not going to listen to the two of you for half a week in Nashville. I refuse. Clay had better get me my own room, seriously.”
I’m not sure whose face is the reddest, mine or Oakley’s. That was bad, I’ve never in my life been embarrassed like that. I know Oak had to be mortified.
Clay comes in the house as I finish slipping my shirt over my head.
“Tink, you’re supposed to be undressed by the time I get here, not getting dressed.” He envelopes me in his arms and leans in to give me a kiss that still makes my heart skip a beat.
“I’m in the freaking living room. Urgh!” Oakley bellows.
Clay tells her, “Buy earplugs if you don’t want to hear it, or better yet just put on your headphones. Those things pretty much block out all background noise.”
Clay slips his hands under my shirt.
The faintest of touches from him sends messages to my lady parts that it’s party time.
Oakley walks into the kitchen. She has her hands over her eyes, but is peeking through her fingers, “Is it safe in here now?”
“Now?” Clay asks, removing his hands from beneath my billowy top.
I laugh and tell Clay what happened, making Oakley react more mortified than the actual event.
“Clay, please let me stay with Raelynn while you guys are in Nashville. Please!” Oakley clasps her hands together, holding them in front of her face.
“No, sis, we already talked about this and I thought we were going to be adults about it.” He tilts his head, narrowing his eyes.
“Clay, I’m not in any way, shape or form sharing a room with the two of you. It’s not happening.” She huffs out.
“You don’t have to, sweets. You're sharing a room with Denise.”
Clay gives Oakley a very satisfied looking smile.
“Why is Denise even coming?” I ask.
“Yeah, why is she coming with us?” Oakley puts in her two cents worth.
“She kind of invited herself because she has a crush on Kane. He’s not very happy about it. She’s not his type. That’s why they aren’t sharing a room.” Clay pulls me in front of him.
I can feel his erection pressing into my lower back. I hate being a shorty.<
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“You know who I think would be a good match for Denise?” Oakley goes to the refrigerator and takes out a soda.
Clay kisses my neck. My core now has an S.O.S status that it needs its man. Control your erotic impulses, Lizzie. He’s merely kissing your neck.
“Who?” Clay whispers, sending little breathy flutters down my nape.
I couldn’t talk right now even if I had a gun to my head. It would only come out as a whimper.
“Levi. They would be perfect together. I’m going to Raelynn’s so this porno you two will have going on in a few minutes won’t corrupt me.” Oakley scrunches her nose and turns for her bedroom.
“You know you love us,” Clay calls after her. “Why don’t we go and have our nibbling time while she’s gone?”
“I think we should get in your big claw foot tub and you wash my back.”
“I believe I can find other areas of your body that needs to be clean other than your back.” He pulls me toward the bathroom.
“You always have the best ideas.”
Clay
Lizzie hasn’t a clue about the ideas running through my head. I’ve never taken a bath with a girl, but if that is what she wants who am I to tell her no. That’s the kind of things you do when you’re in a relationship with a woman. You end up doing little things you swore you would never do or never thought of doing. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
While water is flowing in the tub, I find some of Oakley’s bubbly shit to put in the water. Lizzie brings in candles and places them on the counter. She says she doesn’t like the romantic gestures, but my girl simply doesn’t realize she is one of the tenderest, affectionate, and romantic ladies to ever breathe. I love that she makes the effort to do little things like these candles and bathing together. What could be more romantic? She will still argue with me that she isn’t into all that shit as she likes to put it. Actions baby, actions.
I put out the big fluffy towels that Oakley insisted I buy. That must be what women like. When the tub is full, I turn off the water and pull Lizzie’s curvy body into my arms. “I’ll be right back, Tink. Find us some music on my phone and put it on the dock, please.” I nip her mouth. Mmm, she has the best lips. I’m addicted to the way they taste and how they say every word—like they’re talking straight to my soul.
I make a dash to my room to get a strip of condoms. If we are going to have bathroom sex often, I need to put a supply under the counter. She hates condoms and I would like nothing more than to go bareback, but I have my reasons. She’s been burned and so have I. I live my life without regrets, so I do everything I can to prevent mishaps. To say I’m cautious is an understatement. I’m fortunate Lizzie doesn’t make a big deal about this so I don’t have to go into awkward details. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before she asks about my exes, though.
Lizzie is already in the tub and covered in bubbles when I arrive back in the bathroom. I’m infatuated with her provocative smile. I toss the condoms by the tub and I strip as fast as humanly possible. As much as I’m stumbling around in my haste, I probably look like the village idiot.
“Babe, there isn’t any need to rush. We have all night.” Lizzie giggles.
I’m glad she thinks my need to have my way with her is funny. My sexy as hell girl. She came into my life at the right moment. I needed someone when I moved here eight months ago because I was in a bad place. We were just friends for six months and I honestly think that built a foundation for our relationship now.
“I don’t want to waste a second of my time alone with you. Now, why don’t you use those lips for something other than giggling?” I step one foot into the tub then lose my balance when I lift my other foot. That’s when all hell breaks loose and sexy time is over.
“Oh My God! Clay, baby, are you okay?” Lizzie jumps up to inspect me as I lay sprawled on the bathroom floor.
My ass and lower back hurts. A sharp stabbing pain is radiating up through my spine. I only want to lie on the cold tile floor and not move. “I’m fine, give me a minute.”
“Do I need to call for an ambulance or take you to the ER?” She grabs a towel, dries off, and dresses in a hurry. “Do you want me to call Cash?” Now she is on her hands and knees by my face. She dries me off, too.
Man, she is even beautiful when she’s upset about something. “No way are you calling Cash. Babe, I just need a minute and I’ll be fine.” I try to smile, but it comes out as a grimace.
“Either I take you to the ER or call the paramedics. Your choice. Something could be broken. Can you wiggle your toes?”
“You wanna play doctor, baby?” I wiggle my toes because I don’t want to go to the hospital tonight.
“Good, can you move your feet and legs?” She continues with her assessment of my body. My own private Dr. Love.
“Do you wanna check my temperature, doctor?” Finally, I get the smile I’ve been after. “See I’m fine, may be a little banged up but nothing’s broken.” I hold out my hand and she helps me to a sitting position. Holy Hell Fucker! I think I broke my ass. “Can you help me all the way up, please? I’m a little sore. I probably bruised something.” I hold in all the explicit language I want to say.
Lizzie helps me to a standing position then lovingly dries the leg that got wet.
“Do you want me to help you back into these clothes or do you want some sleep pants? Maybe we can lay around and be comfy cozy tonight.”
“Sleep pants. I don’t know if I can bend over right now to get them out of the bottom drawer of my bureau. Besides, I like seeing you bent over in those tight ass jeans.” Lizzie helps me hobble to my bedroom. She has her arm around my waist leading the way. I wait while Lizzie rummages through my drawers for sleep pants.
Lizzie digs around, touching the material of each pair. “I want to find you the softest pair because they will be the most comfortable.” Suddenly, she stops and flashes her gaze my way then grabs a pair of sleep pants and throws them at me. She’s no longer smiling. In fact, she looks really upset.
“What’s wrong? Come here, beautiful.”
She turns back to the drawer and takes out the piece of my past that haunts me. “You need to explain this, Clay. I don’t want excuses, I want the truth and if you can’t do that then I need to rethink this whole thing we have going on here.” She holds out a small black box.
“Lizzie, please believe me when I say that part of my past is over. There is nothing there for you to worry about. I don’t love that person. I never really loved that person. I gave that to her because I thought it was the right thing to do at the time.” I point at the little velvet box and I hope that’s enough. I’ll tell her all of it eventually. But why now? Why tonight?
“What else, Clay? How long were you together? Where does she live? What’s her freaking name? Details, Clay.” She shoves the box back in place, and slams the drawer closed with force.
She’s hurt. I promised I’d never hurt her. The way her chin trembles tears me up because my girl is strong. She rarely lets her emotions show. I feel like a bastard. I didn’t mean to hurt her.
“Lizzie, I’m sorry that I’ve not told you about this before, but we haven’t gotten into my past relationships yet. Her name is Megan and she is one of the reasons I moved here. To get away from her. She disgusts me so much I can’t even stand to see her. Hell, I can’t even stand to hear her name. She lives in Nashville and at first was a fan I casually hooked up with. You see, baby, she means nothing to me. You’re the one person, the only person I’ve ever loved. I love you. I hope that doesn’t scare you. I’m not going to lose you. You’re mine now and I’m not letting you go.”
Lizzie has a tear running down her face, “You love me?” She places her hand flat on her chest. She pulls her lips inward, fighting back tears.
I pull her to me, crushing her curvy body to mine. “Yes, I love you. I hate every minute we’re apart. I want you here, with me, in my bed, every night.” I pull back from her and kiss her forehead.
&
nbsp; “I love you, too, Clay. I never thought it was possible for someone to love me. I think over the last eight months of spending so much time together, I slowly fell in love with you. I’ll admit I fell hard but if you ever hurt me or hide anything like that from me again, I will cut off your balls.”
She kisses me with such intensity my dick gets hard. God, I love her lips. I am still standing here naked though. I lean toward the bed, and feel a shooting pain up my spine. Shit. I was horny, but with this back pain, I just went limp.
“Tink, will you help me with my pants? My back is killing me. I think I’m going to take something for it.”
Lizzie retrieves my pants from where they landed on the floor, “Oh, my poor boo. Do you need me to take your mind off of your back?” She bends down to help guide my feet into each leg of my pants, making a pit stop along the way.
“Ohh, babe, I love when you do that. You should have a Ph.D. in head. Ah, fuck, that’s ooh. You are the fucking cock whisperer, baby.” I swear she does acrobatics every day with her tongue. I’m embarrassed by how quick she gets me off. But what can I say? My baby is the master.
“Is that all better, boo? Crawl up here in bed, and I’ll be right back with the pain killers.” She licks her lips, getting every drop of my love potion off.
“Can you make that ice water, babe?” I have an idea for returning the favor.
Lizzie winks and blows me a kiss then sashays that curvy ass out of my room.
I was looking forward to our night together, but my ass is hurting sitting here on the bed. Shit, if I hadn’t been in such a hurry, like a horny teenager, both of us could be very satisfied right now. I feel bad for my girl. She’s not getting the love and attention she needs and deserves.
Lizzie comes back with her cell phone in one hand and the glass of ice water in the other. “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” She snickers.
I see she is finding amusement in my mishap, “I want you to give it to me bad, Baby.”
“You’re a naughty boy, I thought I just took care of your needs, Babe. Anyway, you aren’t going to like this, but according to the internet doctor website, you’ve bruised your coccyx.”
Love Me ~ Without Regret Page 9
