by L A Cotton
“Are you just going to stand there watching?” she said around a smile, and I jumped into action, yanking off my t-shirt before shedding my jeans. Kiera’s hands slid to the waistband of her shorts, but I caught her wrists.
“Let me.” I dropped down on the edge of the bed again, my fingers slowly dragging the thin material off her hips and down her legs. Before I could warn her, or stop myself, I leaned forward pressing a single kiss to her hipbone.
“Trey,” it came out a breathy sigh. She was nervous, her body vibrating with restless energy.
“Come here.” I pulled her down to the bed and rolled her underneath me. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do this yet, we can wait. I can wait.”
Fuck knows, I’d waited long enough.
“No, I want to.”
“If I do anything you don’t like, anything that doesn’t feel good, you tell me, okay?” She nodded, but it wasn’t good enough. “Say the words, Kiera. I need to know you understand.”
“I’ll tell you.”
I needed to know that nothing I did would remind her of that fucker. Not when it was already taking everything in me not to go over to his house and beat the shit out of him.
The rise and fall of her chest quickened as I skated my hand down her stomach. “Oh, God.”
My fingers grazed her panties. Kiera dropped her head back against the pillow. She looked so fucking good laid out before me; all my dreams come true. Although it had been a messy road paved with broken promises and hurt and disappointment, I couldn’t help but think it was all worth it.
“What?” she asked as I drew lazy circles on her bare thighs.
“You were worth the wait, Kiera. Every painful, fucked-up second.” I dipped my head, pressing a kiss to her belly button, swirling my tongue around the skin there.
“Trey.” She tried to push me away, but I snagged her hand, pinning it to the side of her body.
Fuck, the things I wanted to do to her. I wanted to taste every inch of her tanned skin. Explore every dip and curve. See how loud I could make her scream my name. But most of all, I just wanted to be with her. However, I could.
Pressing another kiss to her stomach, I climbed up her body, hovering above her. “Hi.” I smiled down at her, and Kiera’s brows drew together. “What are you doing?” She pouted and it was so fucking sexy. I leaned in, nipping her bottom lip between my teeth.
“I’m enjoying you,” I confessed. “Enjoying this.”
“That’s all well and good, and I’m happy for you, I am,” she replied. “But if you don’t touch me in the next three seconds, I’m going to—”
My hands dipped between us, finding her sweet spot. Her body pressed into mine as she moaned my name softly. “You were saying?” I slipped off her body, lying beside her so I could touch her. My fingers ran over her clit between her wetness and then dipped inside her again.
“Do you have any idea how many nights I’ve lay awake imagining this?” she whispered, her fingers twisting into the bed sheet.
“No, but I’m thinking one day you should tell me all about it.” I trailed my tongue down the slope of her neck and back up, kissing her jaw. “I want to get you off so bad, Kiera. To watch you as you come all over my fingers, but I’m selfish and I don’t think—”
“It’s okay.” She touched her head to mine. “I want to feel you too.”
Thank fuck.
Relief settled into my bones as I climbed off the bed and retrieved a condom from my wallet, while Kiera slipped her panties off. Her bra went next and I had to take a second to look at her, really look at her. The girl who owned my heart.
Owned a piece of my fucking soul.
“Come here,” she said around a coy smile. And I went willing, sliding between her legs, careful not to get too close, not yet. “I thought I’d feel more... scared. But I don’t.” Kiera gazed up at me with love and lust in her eyes. “It was always you, Trey.” Her legs hitched at my waist and my dick grazed her center, causing us both to groan.
“Wait, let me get the condom on first.” I rocked back on my haunches, tearing open the wrapper with my teeth. Kiera watched me, her eyes glittering with desire as I sheathed it over me. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, eyes hooded, and I didn’t need telling twice. I lowered myself down over her, hooking my hand underneath one of her thighs, drawing her body closer. “I love you, Kiera. I love you so fucking much.” I pushed inside her, stilling myself to let her adjust to the feel of me. I knew this was a big deal for her.
She leaned up, kissing me. When she pulled back a huge smile was plastered on her face. “I’ll always remember this as my first time. Here, with you.”
I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words to tell her what this meant to me. But Kiera beat me to it, pressing her palm against my cheek. “Make love to me, Trey,” she whispered. “Show me how good it can be.”
And I did.
Every thrust was a silent I’m sorry. Every kiss a silent I love you. But eventually, the silent apologies and promises were replaced with the sound of our moans, skin moving against skin, hearts beating as one.
A broken girl and a lost boy healing each other, murmuring promises of the future and forever.
And when her body began to tremble and I felt the familiar tingle at the bottom of my spine, I knew I was a goner.
Kiera Lessinger owned every single inch of my heart.
And I never wanted it back.
Epilogue
Two weeks later...
Kiera
“DO WE HAVE TO GO IN there?” I said, staring at The Coastal from across the street. We’d been sitting out here at least ten minutes already.
“We agreed, we’d do this... together.” Trey slid his hand against mine, tangling our fingers. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
I gave him a harsh look. “You really want to go there? Kyle could hulk out, for one.”
“Hulk out?” Trey laughed. “He might be the star running back for USC but if it came down to it, I think I could take him.”
“Trey!” I fought a smile. He was only trying to help lighten the situation, but my nerves were getting the better of me. “Hmm, babe, I think you’re vibrating.” He pointed at my purse and I leaned down to grab it.
Kyle: Where are you? Stepmomster is about to burst a blood vessel
“You should probably text him back.”
I glared at Trey again. “Not helping.”
“Seriously, you don’t want to do this? Say the word, and I’ll take you someplace else. We’ll get pre-birthday burgers and drive to our usual spot and we can—”
“No,” she let out a resigned sigh. “We should go in.”
“That’s my girl.” Trey looped his arm around my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. He brushed his lips over mine and then moved to my ear. “You’ve got this, and I’ll be right there with you, okay?”
“Okay.” I eased back to look at him.
We’d enjoyed two weeks of uninterrupted bliss. Kyle was late returning home from football camp and Nick had surprised Summer with a trip to Disney World, while Macey had been supporting Devon with his tour of local clubs in LA, so it had been easy to sneak around.
Between picking up extra shifts at Brownie’s, Trey working at his dad’s lot, and us sneaking off in his truck under the cover of darkness, my birthday had rolled around in the blink of an eye.
And now there was no escaping it.
“Okay, almost-birthday girl, let’s go.”
Trey climbed out and I took a minute to appreciate him as he came around to the driver’s side. He looked good in dark wash jeans and a black button down, the sleeves rolled up. I’d kept it low key, opting for jeans and a sparkly tank top instead of the dress Summer had tried to persuade me to wear. But since Trey couldn’t keep his hands off me, I didn’t want to tempt him any more than necessary in front of my brother and the rest of his family.
He opened my door and helped me out, his hands resting on my hips. “I love yo
u Kiera.” Trey brushed his nose over mine. “Nothing they say or do will change anything. You know that, right?”
“I know.” I kissed him. It was only supposed to be a quick peck, but Trey slid his hand up my spine, cupping the back of my neck. His tongue parted my lips, tangling with mine, and I melted into him.
“Are you sure we have to go?” I murmured against his mouth, my hands twisting into his shirt, needing him closer.
“They’re waiting. And if we don’t go in soon, they will come looking.”
That had my attention. I untangled myself from him and inhaled a deep breath. Trey took my hand in his and gave me warm smile.
And just like that I could breathe again.
Trey was right.
Nothing anyone did or said tonight would change anything.
Not a damn thing.
“THANK GOD,” MACEY SAW us first. “Mom is ready to—Trey?” She gave me a hard look and then narrowed her gaze on Trey. “Well, I can’t say as I’m surprised. I’m just going to say this once, you don’t need to worry about what Kyle will do to you, because if you ever fucking hurt her again, I’ll kill you myself.”
“Babe, let’s not scare the birthday girl away before she’s had chance to get through the door.” Devon hooked Macey into his side and said, “Happy birthday, Kiera. I’m sure everyone is going to be happy for you.” He gave me a knowing smile, one that surprised me. I’d gotten to know Devon over the last few months and while we’d never talked about me and Trey, I knew Macey would have told him everything.
“Thank you,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ears.
“It’s good to see you, Lions.” Trey extended his hand and to my relief, Devon accepted it.
“You’re safe, for now. Laurie has Kyle pinned down talking weddings.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Trey squeezed my hand as we followed Macey and Devon deeper into the room. It was the same one where Rebecca had hosted Kyle’s engagement party back in March, except it wasn’t so lavish this time.
“Mom?” I gasped at the sight of her standing there with Kyle’s grandparents, August and Beatrice. “But I thought you said you had to work?”
“And miss my baby’s birthday party?”
My eyes slid to Kyle’s grandparents in question. “Me, Beatrice, and August have finally buried the hatchet.” She leaned in so only I could hear her. “I’m not saying we’ll be friends anytime soon, but it feels good to let go of the past.” Her eyes sparkled at me and part of me wished I could forget so easily.
“Come here, baby.” She pulled me away from Trey and wrapped me in her slim arms. “I’m so proud of you. But don’t think we won’t be having a talk about that hunk of a man you’ve brought along tonight.”
“Hunk of a man?” I laughed. I couldn’t help it.
“I’m assuming he’s the same man you’ve been sneaking out all week to see?” Her brow rose and I felt my cheeks heat.
“Hmm, hi, Ms Lessinger, I’m Trey. Trey Berrick.” He stepped forward, offering Mom his hand and she took it.
“Hello, Trey, it’s nice to meet you. Finally.” She shot me a knowing look but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll see you both tomorrow for brunch?”
“Hmm, yeah, sure.” Trey glanced to me and I shrugged.
“There you are,” Rebecca’s voice pierced the air. “Thank God, I thought you weren’t coming.” Mom stepped back letting Kyle’s mom sweep me up into a hug. “Happy birthday, Kiera.” She squeezed me tight.
“Thanks, and for all of this, it’s...”
“Too much,” she said pulling away. “I know, but you’re all growing up so fast and it makes me sad. Thank you for letting me take the reins. Kyle,” she shouted to somewhere across the room. “Come see your sister, she’s—” Rebecca did a double take. “Trey?”
“Hi, Mrs. Prince.” He nodded politely, stepping closer to my side. They were all watching now. Mom, Rebecca, Lo and Maverick, Macey and Devon, even Gentry stood off to the side with his parents, and his brother Mr. Stone and his girlfriend, Stella.
“What’s the big—Berrick? What the hell are you...” Kyle’s voice drowned out as he stepped into the circle we’d formed. His eyes darted from Trey to me and back again, and then they fell on our hands. Our joined hands.
“Oh, hell no,” he ground out, stepping forward, but Laurie flanked his side, slipping her arm through his.
“Don’t make a scene,” she said through gritted teeth. “It’s her birthday, Kyle. Get it together.” Laurie flashed me an apologetic smile.
“But he’s...” He gasped for breath. “And she’s...”
“Let’s go, Stone,” Maverick stepped in front of him, shielding me from his view. “You owe me a drink. Besides, I want to know all about football camp.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed to Maverick as he ushered my brother to the bar.
“Well, that went well,” I said to no one in particular.
“Oh dear,” Rebecca mumbled to herself as she left us to go join her husband and his parents.
“Do you think I should go talk to him?”
“Give him some space,” Lo said. “For what it’s worth though, I’m glad the two of you finally got your act together.” She hugged me and then Trey. “I was always rooting for you.”
“Come on, Macey,” she added. “Trey will be here all night for you to throw daggers at.”
“I wasn’t... I’m not...” Devon and Lo guided her away to the others, leaving me and Trey alone. He pulled me into his arms, staring down at me.
“I really, really want to kiss you right now.” The gravelly timbre of his voice made my stomach clench.
“For as much as I want you to kiss me, I don’t want to give my brother a heart attack. So let’s keep it clean, for now?”
He pouted. “You’re no fun.”
I grabbed his hands and said, “Come on, it’s my party. And this birthday girl wants a drink.”
THE PARTY WASN’T AS bad as it could have been. No one made a big deal of me and Trey turning up together. No one except Kyle. But after an hour of him avoiding me, I finally sought Kyle out. “We need to talk.”
“I’m not ready yet,” he said.
“Tough shit.” I took the chair opposite him. He’d been out here, sulking, for the last thirty minutes after Trey and I danced together. “I can’t believe you’re acting like such a baby over one dance.”
“You were practically dry fucking him right there on the dance floor.”
I rolled my eyes at that. “Like I don’t have to watch you and Laurie enough.”
“That’s different.” He cut me with a hard look.
“I love him.”
“Ah shit, Kiera, I don’t need to be hearing that.”
“Would you rather I loved Jack?”
His eyes went wide. “I would rather you stayed single... forever.”
“I don’t get why you’re being so weird about this. Summer is with Nick. She’s the same age as me and I know they had se—”
“Stop, for the love of God, stop. It’s different because you’re... you, and Trey’s older. Too old. And he’s my friend; well, he was before tonight happened.”
“Do you want to know what I think?”
“No.” He buried his face in his hands. “I really don’t.”
“I think you treat me differently because you feel guilty. I didn’t get to grow up in Wicked Bay with nice things and endless supplies of money. I didn’t have a family who loved me and friends who would go the distance. I didn’t have any of that and you think it was all your fault.”
Kyle’s eyes were saucers now, his lips parted with surprise. “But it wasn’t your fault, Kyle. What happened between Mom and your dad, that’s on them.”
“Sometimes,” he said quietly. “I think it would be easier if you hated me. The things you’ve endured, the things she did because of...” Pain flooded my brother’s face and part of me wanted to end this conversation, but it was long overdue.
; “Mom was an addict, Kyle. She made bad choices.” Choices I wouldn’t ever really understand. But I couldn’t keep living in the past. Not when I had a whole future ahead of me.
“I’ll always be Kiera Lessinger from Rotunda Heights, Kyle, but I’m starting to realize that doesn’t define me. Just like our parents’ mistakes shouldn’t define you.”
Trey had called me strong once and I hadn’t believed him. But now I realized, I was strong. I hadn’t let the past define me or break me. Sure, I still had things to deal with around Mom’s suicide attempt, but I would do it in my own time. Just because I came from the wrong side of the tracks didn’t mean I couldn’t have the kind of life I’d always wanted.
He met my gaze and gave me a half-smile. “This doesn’t get you off the hook where Berrick is concerned.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” I grinned. “But I want you to know, this—me and him being together—it’s new. Yes, there’s history there and no, I’m not going into detail with you about it, but please know, this was never about hurting you.”
“I know,” he whispered. “Now get out of here before I change my mind.” Kyle gave me a small smirk, and I flipped him off.
One day, we would need to sit down and hash everything out. But tonight, we’d said all we needed to. I glanced back at my brother and smiled. We would always be from two different worlds, but we would always meet in the middle.
And that was okay.
It was more than okay.
Trey
WHEN KIERA CAME BACK into the party smiling, no signs of tears in her eyes, I decided to take my chance and slipped outside to find her brother.
“Hey,” I moved over to the railing where Kyle was looking out over the lawns.
“Hey,” he grunted, taking a long pull on his beer, refusing to look at me.
“Listen, I’m sorry things went down how they—”
