by Kaylee Ryan
She runs her fingers through my hair. “I will never forget today. You meeting my family, and this right here, spending time with you.” She wiggles her hips and I groan as my cock rubs against her, begging to be inside of her. “We’re making memories,” she says softly.
“Every day,” I promise her.
“Thank you.” She places a chaste kiss to my lips.
“For what?” I ask, confused.
“For being you, for never giving up, for loving me.”
“Don’t!” I say, my voice stern. “Never thank me for loving you. You’re here.” I point to my chest. “My life is no longer my own. It’s ours. It’s our present and our future. I want every damn day with you. I want it all, Logan. I want you to take my last name, to call you my wife. I want to make babies with you, raise our family together. I want every breath you take to be circulated with mine. I want your forever to be a part of mine. I love you, Logan.”
“I love you, too,” she says as her eyes well up with tears.
“Let’s get you out and dried off, the water’s getting cold.” We do just that. I make sure every inch of her is dry before guiding her to the bed. I pull back the covers and motion for her to climb in. I climb in right behind her and pull the covers up over us. She snuggles her naked body closer to mine.
“Just like this,” I whisper into the darkness.
“Just like what?” she asks.
“Every night, I want to fall asleep just like this. Nothing between us, skin to skin.”
“Deal,” she says as we drift off to sleep.
Chapter 44
Logan
I wake fully rested and warm, very warm. Kacen is still wrapped around me from the night before. My lips curve into a smile. We’re together. Although I’m more than comfortable in his arms, nature is calling. I try to go into stealth mode and slowly lift his arm.
“Stop,” he grumbles, burying his face into my neck. “You’re not getting away this time.”
I can’t help it, I laugh, which brings my need to relieve my bladder front and center. “Kacen, I have to use the restroom,” I sputter.
“Fine.” Still holding me tightly in his arms, he rolls over and climbs out of bed, carrying me to the bathroom.
“What are you doing?”
“Keeping my eye on you. I’m not letting you off the hook this time. We promised last night,” he explains.
This man.
“I have to pee,” I say, exasperated.
He sets me on my feet once we’re in the bathroom, leans in, kisses my cheek, and walks out. I do my business and wash my hands. As soon as I open the door, I shriek when Kacen’s arms wrap around me and he picks me up and carries me back to bed. I start to complain, and then I realize I have this sexy-as-hell man who wants to be with me, spend time with me. Who in their right mind would complain about that?
“I’m not done holding you.” He climbs into bed with me, pulls the covers over us, and pulls me close to him.
Skin to skin.
I’m not sleepy, so I roll over in his arms so that we are face to face. I take in his chiseled jaw and the five o’clock shadow across his cheeks. I could look at him all day.
“I can feel you watching me,” he says, his eyes still closed.
“I’m not sleepy.”
Those baby blues pop open and he grins. “I’m not either, but I’m not ready to let you go just yet,” he confesses.
I lift my hand and run my fingers through his hair. “I like you like this.”
“Like what?”
“Like this, here in bed with me. I like that I don’t have to wonder what it would feel like to be here again, in your arms.”
“I like me like this too.” He smirks. “I really like me like this,” he says as his lips find my neck.
I tilt my head to give him better access. “Kacen,” I breathe.
His hands are everywhere as they roam my bare skin under the blanket. One traces my hip and thigh while the other palms my left breast.
Definitely like him like this.
His hand travels to my center and he groans deep in the back of his throat when he finds me wet for him. “You’re ready for me,” he says reverently.
“Always,” I reply, because I’ve been walking around like this for months. No one has ever affected me like he does. This is all for him.
“Hmmm,” he says against my neck and the vibration causes goose bumps to break out across my skin. His lips travel to mine and he kisses me too soft, too slow. I want him. I feel like I’m ready to combust with how bad I need him inside of me.
“Please,” I beg. My body knows what it wants, remembers how it felt to be one with him.
“Shh, I can’t be fast, not this time. I want to . . .” He kisses my ear. “I want to slam inside and never leave, but I can’t. My need to make love to you is far greater.”
“We can go slowly next time. I need you,” I plead.
“My one regret from the night we spent together is that I didn’t take my time. I rushed. I didn’t take the time to savor the taste of you on my tongue, to fuse my lips with yours for hours, just kissing you. I chased our release. I should have cherished every stroke,” he says as his fingers slide through my folds. “I should have memorized every fucking sensation with you. This time, I am. I’m going to take my time to appreciate what you’ve given me.”
I open my mouth to try to change his mind as he buries his face between my legs. Suddenly, speaking is not something I’m capable of. I grab onto his hair and hold him there. Kacen was my first. My other lovers, all two of them, didn’t care for the act, so I’m going to follow his lead and appreciate him.
Just a few quick strokes of his tongue and I’m crying out with my release. I’m too sated to care that it happened so fast. It doesn’t seem like he cares as his lips kiss their way up my belly. He stops at my breasts, nipping and sucking on each one, slowly running his wet tongue across each nipple.
He’s taking his time.
I’m greedy and I want more of him. This time, instead of pleading, I reach down and palm his erection in my hand. I start each stroke long and slow. I want to drive him wild, and if that gets him inside me sooner, that’s just an added bonus.
Kacen reaches down and places his hand over mine. “You’re gonna have to stop that, babe,” he grits out.
“But I want to touch you,” I say, adding innocence to my voice.
“Logan,” he breathes my name as his lips crash with mine.
I don’t stop like he asked. Instead, I increase my speed and, apparently, that does it. He tears his lips from mine and reaches over to the nightstand. Grabbing his wallet, he pulls out a condom.
“I’m on the pill,” I blurt out.
My words cause him to freeze. “What are you saying, baby?” he asks.
I can feel heat flush my cheeks. “Well, just that you know we’re safe if you didn’t want to use that.” I motion my head toward his hand where he holds the opened condom wrapper.
“I’ve never,” he says, his voice gruff.
“Me neither, but I want to with you. If you want, no pressure. I just . . .”
“I want,” he says confidently. He watches me, those blue eyes burning flames. I nod my head, letting him know this is what I want too. He tosses the condom over his shoulder and rests his weight on his elbows on either side of my head. His hands brush the hair from my forehead. “I want this, but I need for you to be sure. I need to know you understand that once I’m in you bare, you’re mine. I’ve never done this, and I’m excited as hell that you trust me, but this is it for both of us. Are you ready for that?” he says emphatically.
“I love you,” I say, lifting my hips.
He nods, letting me know he understands. He has my vow that this is it for both of us. We’re it. We’re us. I watch his face as he slowly pushes inside, not stopping until he’s fully sheathed. He rests his forehead against mine and breathes the words, “I love you, too, baby.”
I tilt my hips agai
n, needing him to move.
“Logan.” He growls. “Sweetheart, you can’t keep doing that.”
“What? This?” I ask innocently as I lift my hips again.
“Yes, that,” he says through gritted teeth. “I’m sure there is a rule about confessing this while deep inside your girl, but, baby, I’m not going to last. I promised slow, but as soon as I start to move, it’s going to be all over. I need to get you there,” he confesses.
Placing all of his weight on one arm, the other slides down my belly until he reaches my core. He begins an onslaught of pleasure with his fingers, and all too soon, I feel my release building. Kacen must feel it because it’s at the exact moment that he starts to rock in and out, setting the pace that I was begging for earlier.
“Yes,” I moan.
“Now, Logan. Come for me,” he says as he throws his head back in ecstasy. I follow him over the edge.
He rolls to the side and gathers me in his arms. My back is pressed firmly to his front and he buries his face in my neck.
“Good morning,” he finally says. His voice is husky with desire.
A giggle escapes my lips. Never have I felt this connected to someone and felt as though I could be me and laugh after making love. “Good morning,” I reply.
What I wouldn’t give to wake up like this every day.
Chapter 45
Kacen
Yesterday was bittersweet. Sweet was waking up with Logan’s naked body nestled against mine. Making love to her with nothing between us. I wanted to tell her that I couldn’t give a fuck less if she was on birth control, but decided I would save that little tidbit of knowledge for another day.
Bitter was her grandfather’s visitation. Standing in the background, watching as my girl and her family mourned the loss of their loved one. To make matters worse, several in attendance recognized us. I tried to tell Logan we would wait for her in the back room, but she clung to me and said she needed me. No way could I leave her. Luckily, no one was tacky enough to ask for an autograph.
Today is going to be hard. Today is the funeral, and it sucks ass. There is just no other way to describe losing someone you love. Logan’s gran pulled me to the side. “No matter what you do, young man, just love her through it.” I plan to do just that. I will be by her side every step of the way.
Stacy has been an angel. She spoke to the hotel management and arranged for us to park behind the building and got approval for us to enter the building this way. We just want to make sure we do not draw any attention to Logan and her family, at least not until after today. Once word gets out that she’s my girl, the paparazzi will hound them for a few days. Once they realize Logan is in Tennessee with me, they should leave them alone. At least, I hope that’s what happens.
I’ve just finished fastening my tie when Logan opens the bathroom door. I open my arms and she walks right into them. Right where she belongs. “We need to be going soon,” I say as I rest my chin on top of her head.
“Yeah,” she agrees.
“The guys and Stacy are down there.”
Taking a deep breath, she steps back. “I’m ready,” she says.
I double-check that I have the room key as well as the Tahoe keys, and we head out.
The drive to the funeral home is quiet. The guys make a few crazy jokes, making her laugh, and I make a mental note to thank them. As soon as I pull into the lot, I see a guy with a camera standing by the entrance. I don’t think too much about it. He’s one man, and often times, for those who are big in the community like her grandfather, the press will cover the funeral. Hell, the press covers everything these days.
As soon as we make it to the front entrance, I realize I should have been more concerned about the man with the camera. He starts snapping pictures as three of his buddies come racing toward us doing the same. Anger courses through me. This is a fucking funeral, and they don’t have the decency to give us some privacy. I pull Logan tight against me and stop. I look back and see Cole has done with same with Stacy while Gavin and Tristan stand with their arms crossed.
They start firing off questions. “Were you related to the deceased? Who are the girls? Is it serious?” One after another, the questions come our way.
I hold up my hands and they stop with the questions, but keep snapping pictures. “We ask that you please allow us our privacy during this time.”
“Are you related to the deceased?” one yells.
I realize I’m going to have to give them something to get them to leave. “Listen, yes, I was related. The gentleman we are laying to rest today is my girlfriend’s grandfather. I ask that you give their family the privacy they need to mourn their loss. The guys and I would be happy to talk to you on another day. Today it’s time for us to spend with our families. Please respect that and leave.”
I want to wring their damn necks, but I keep my cool, for Logan and her family,—my future in-laws, if I have a say in the matter.
“What—”
Gavin cuts him off. “Listen, we’re trying to be nice about this. We can do this the hard way and have the police escort you from the premises. Please, just let us have our privacy with our family,” he tries again.
“Is there a problem here?” A uniformed officer asks. He’s walking from the parking lot.
“We’ve asked these gentlemen to leave, to allow us privacy, and they’re refusing,” Tristan sings like a canary.
“This is private property, and I’ve been advised that you are not here to pay your respects and to escort you from the premises,” the officer says.
Two more officers walk up and, suddenly, the photographers are quick to change their tune. “We’re leaving,” the ringleader says and they turn and hustle off to the parking lot.
I turn to the officer. “I’m not sure where you came from, but thank you so much. I’ll make sure to get you all some merch when we get back home. Do you have a card or something?”
“No, sir, just doing our job,” he says. “You all can go in. We’ll stand out here and keep them away.”
I nod and lead Logan into the building, the guys and Stacy following closely behind.
“Gah! I was wondering where they were,” Stacy says when we’re all inside.
“What are you talking about?” Cole asks her. His arm is still thrown across her shoulders.
“I called the police. I had a feeling after last night at the visitation that this might be a possibility. I figured better safe than sorry.”
Cole stares are her in fascination. “Thank you,” he finally says. The rest of us, including Logan, tell her how grateful we are before taking our seats.
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The funeral is . . . nice. I really don’t know what else to call it. There were several members of the family, and the community, who stood before the room to tell stories of Logan’s grandfather. He seemed as though he was well liked and would bend over backward to help you. I wish I could have met him. We’re back at her parents’ house and I’m keeping my eye on Logan. She’s staying busy helping her mom with the food.
“Let’s go for a walk, handsome.”
I look over and see Logan’s gran smiling up at me. Leaning in, I kiss Logan on the temple and hold my arm out for her gran. “Where are we headed?”
“Oh, just out to the back porch. This house is getting a little stuffy for my taste,” she says.
Once we reach the porch, she points to the swing. I make sure she gets comfortable before sitting down beside her. “You look at her just like my William used to look at me,” she says.
I grin. “How is that exactly?”
“Like she’s the sun and you’re simply here to revolve around her.”
I laugh. “Pretty much. She’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”
“She says the same about you. It’s refreshing to see two young kids as young as yourselves fall in love.” She raises her eyebrow as if daring me to deny it.
“You should see it from my end.” I wink at her. “Everything i
s better. I can’t explain it. When something happens, she’s the first person I want to tell. I miss her when she’s gone, even if it’s just to run out to the store.” I chuckle. “I must sound like a complete freak. I promise I’m not,” I defend myself.
“Nonsense. You sound like you are quite smitten with my granddaughter.”
“I’m in love with her.”
“Good. I told her as much. I just needed to make sure my suspicion was correct.”
“How did you know? We hadn’t even met yet.”
“The way her eyes lit up when she talked about you. I could tell you caused that. You make her feel special and loved. Only a man in love can put that look in a woman’s eyes,” she says, patting my knee.
“Mom, there you are,” Logan’s dad says. “There are several people looking for you, wanting to say goodbye.”
“Oh, dear.” She starts to get up. I stand and offer her my hand and help her from the swing.
“Do you need help getting in?” I ask.
“No, sweet boy, I can make it.” She pats my arm and disappears inside.
“She’s a handful.” Logan’s dad laughs. “She kept Dad on his toes.”
“I bet she did. I’m sorry for you loss.” I’ve said that already, but it seems appropriate to say it again speaking of his father.
“Thank you. My daughter is happy,” he says, cutting to the chase.
I smile. “I hope so, sir. That’s all I want for her.”
“I can see that. I gotta be honest, at first I was worried. Your career comes with unwanted attention, and I wasn’t sure how either of you would handle it. That is until I saw what happened today at the funeral home.”
