Lost in You (Flirting with Forever Book 1)

by Amanda Bailey

  Her lashes flutter as she opens her eyes and glances carefully out the window and windshield, hands still clamped on the seat. “I’m okay.” Her frightened eyes lock with mine. “Are we off the road, or …?” She pauses, nibbling on her lip. Conditions outside the truck are approaching whiteout—we can’t see jack.

  “Yeah. We slid right off. I’m really sorry.” My hand skims over her hip, and I reach for her buckle, unclipping it and tossing it away from her. I tug her into my arms, the feel of her body against mine, her heartbeat, her scent—everything about her—it’s pretty much my undoing. I close my eyes and let myself feel her here with me, to hell with everything else right now.

  Her voice is muffled against my chest. “Can we get back on the road, do you think?”

  I slowly shake my head. “I kind of doubt it, but when I get out, I’ll look before I do anything else.”

  Her fingers sink into my upper arm through my coat. “Shawn, what are you talking about?” She tilts her head back to look at me, brow furrowed with worry.

  “I might have to go for help. There was a gas station about a mile back.”

  “Oh, no you’re not. No way. We have cell phones. Let’s try to get help to come to us first.”

  I chuckle into her hair as I hold her close again. “What? You’d be worried about me?”

  From the anguish on her face when she pushes away from me, I realize that was a mistake. Wrong thing to say. And I don’t even know why.

  “Of course I would.” She bites her lip and looks down.

  “I was teasing you.” I cup her cheek in my palm, sliding my thumb under her eye where a tear has just broken free. Oh, boy. I think between whatever was already upsetting her and the fact that we’re now stranded in the middle of a snowstorm, she’s a little overwrought. I’ve got to do something to get her mind off of things. She needs a purpose of some sort, something to occupy her mind.

  “I tell you what, do you think you’d be able to crawl over the seat into the back? There’s a box stowed under the seat with emergency supplies. There should be a blanket or two under there as well. If you can get that stuff out, I’ll work on getting help.

  Once I’ve spoken to 911 dispatch and have given them our location, I pull up the thread of text messages with my brother.

  Me: Hey. So much for leaving early. We ended up in a ditch. I wanted to make sure more than just the dispatcher had our location. Sending it now.

  My brother and I are on a family cell phone plan, so I pull up his info and send him my location.

  Heath: Ah, shit. I wish we could have warned you all sooner. That storm is moving faster than anyone anticipated. I texted as soon as Sophia told me it looked like it was going to be bad. You guys okay?

  Me: Yes, we’re okay so far. Engine’s still running, so we have heat.

  Me: You know me, I’ve got blankets and stuff in the back and we’ll hope someone can get to us. I’ll check in every thirty minutes or so.

  Heath: Okay. Be safe, brother.

  From the backseat, Madison gasps and then mumbles, “You are like a Boy Scout.” She hands me a couple of blankets along with the box of supplies before she begins to climb back into the front seat.

  I smile at her when she finally hikes her long limbs over the back of the seat and settles. “Yeah, kinda.” I pop open the box and dig around. There are a bunch of medical supplies on top, but at the very bottom is my stash of hand and foot warmers. They’re the kind that you open the package and shake to activate, which starts some sort of chemical reaction that creates warmth. They stay that way for hours, so I figure we’ll get them out now, as they take a few minutes to heat up. If we’re here so long that we run out of gas and the truck shuts off, at least we’ll have a way to stay a little warm. For a while, anyway. I keep my thoughts from Madison, not wanting to worry her.

  I open and shake five of these things, one right after another, all while Madison looks on, her brow pinched. I toss them up on the dash while they warm up.

  “What exactly are those?”

  “They’re what will keep you toasty warm until someone can get to us.”

  She frowns. “Me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  “And you?”

  I send her a tight smile and shake my head. “I’ll show you what we’ll do in a sec.”

  She pouts, almost scowling, and even though we’re in quite the predicament, my eyes are drawn to her full lips and then up to her beautiful green eyes—she’s so damn pretty. I lean over and touch my lips to hers.

  “Hey, we’ll be okay.”

  Her eyes bore into mine, and I know she’s thinking about more than just the snowstorm raging outside. “You think so?”

  I nod. “Yeah, for sure.” I want to taste her sweet lips again, but my good senses override the urge. “Here—” I grab two of the warmers and shove one in each of her boots. Her eyes follow my movements as I grab another two and put them into her hands. “Put these in your pockets.”

  Her eyes flick to mine. “But there’s only one left for you.”

  I shake my head. “Nope.” I lean over and unzip her coat, putting the final warmer under her hoodie, against her stomach, holding it there when she starts to swat my hands away.

  She shakes her head vehemently. “No, Shawn. We’ll share. I don’t want them all.”

  “Shh. Here, come here.” I grab her around the waist with one hand on either side, pick her up, and turn her so she can straddle my lap. I unzip my coat, and she gets the idea right away, pressing her warmer-heated abdomen to mine. “There, see? Sharing just like you wanted. And I can stick my hands into your pockets with yours.”

  Madison nods as my hands wrap around hers, and she leans against my chest, tucking her face against my neck. “Yeah, okay.”

  “We’re going to be just fine.” I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince—her or me—but I hope like hell I’m right.

  We huddle together like that for a few minutes in silence, and have just relaxed, both of us lost in our own thoughts when a sharp voice from my phone says, “You okay still? We’ve got emergency vehicles coming in your direction, and they’ll check out the situation and then give you a ride to safety. There’s a little bed-and-breakfast about ten miles from where you are. Someone will take you there.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Madison stifles a groan.

  “Pardon?”

  “Sorry, ma’am. We were just having a minor chuckle. That’s where we were staying this weekend.”

  “Oh. Well, extended stay, then. I’m just glad you are okay. Stay warm. They’ll be there shortly. I’m going to let you go so you don’t drain your phone battery, just in case.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I turn off my phone and Madison breathes a huge sigh of relief against my chest.

  “We’re okay. We’re going to be safe and sound soon, and when we get back to that teeny-tiny room together, we can talk about whatever else is upsetting you.”

  Her body tenses again. “Okay.”

  Chapter 21

  Madison

  To our surprise, fire, police, and rescue had shown up within an hour. It’d been slow-going, with plenty of slipping and sliding on the road, but we’d made it back to the bed-and-breakfast. That was an experience I don’t ever want to relive. The only good part had been that I was with Shawn, and he made me feel safe, like nothing bad would ever happen to me if he was there.

  It’s a feeling that I cherish; something I haven’t felt after being taken advantage of by Chase and going it alone for so long. I couldn’t bear to open myself up to anyone else because I hadn’t ever wanted to feel that level of betrayal again—the level of hurt that had sent me into the worst tailspin of my life.

  And without really realizing it, Shawn has slowly, carefully crawled right under my skin and snuck his way into my heart, giving me all those things I’d been missing for so long. I’ve craved the security and support having a true partn
er provides. A true partner.

  Someone who is loyal and committed.

  Someone who puts the needs of the other person first.

  Someone who gets me.

  Someone like Shawn.

  I take a deep breath and blink as the officer who’d driven us back to safety waves at us through his windshield. We stand at the door with our bags and Shawn’s guitar, watching as he reverses his patrol car so he can get back on the road. We wave as he finally takes off, then Shawn pulls me to him and kisses my cheek. “Let’s get on in there. No need to be rescued from becoming popsicles on the side of the road only to do it right in front of a perfectly warm building.” He holds the door open for me and I slide past him, my bag clutched to my chest, pulling my roller bag behind me.

  The nice lady at the front desk rounds the corner as we are stomping our feet on the large mat at the door and shaking off snow. She comes to us with her arms outstretched giving me a hug first and then Shawn. “Oh, no! I guess you all had some trouble out there.” She shivers. “You need to get warmed up.”

  I huff out a strained laugh. “You could say that again. We didn’t make it very far.”

  “Nor’easters are unpredictable. Not to worry, though, we have rooms open.” She gestures to the keys on the wall and takes a few extra seconds to pat Shawn’s arm. “And, of course, the rest of your stay will be discounted. We’ll keep the kitchen open, assuming we don’t lose power. There’s a ton of food left from the reception, too, that’s just sitting in our refrigerator because the bride’s parents haven’t been able to leave yet. They’ve already said they don’t mind if people go ahead and eat it up while we’re all stuck here.”

  “All of us?”

  “Well, yes. Very few people left in time.” She tilts her head to the right, studying me. “Pretty much everyone is still here, except one other couple who managed to leave early enough.” Her eyes roam over me. “In fact, I’m guessing that it must have been your mom and dad. Your mom has pretty hair like yours, right? And your dad has those same green eyes.”

  Shawn smiles and nods as he tucks a strand of my unruly curls behind my ear. “Yep. That’d be them.”

  She wrinkles her nose. “I thought so. You all are cute together, by the way.” She walks back around the counter and pulls a key down off the wall. “Same room okay?”

  “Yes, ma’am, that’d be great. We really enjoyed it.” Shawn chuckles and nods.

  “Well, here’s to a day or so more of making memories, then.” She winks at him, and I cover my giggle with a cough.

  Back in our room, we settle in, me taking my time as I carefully tuck my clothes back into drawers while Shawn stuffs his haphazardly into the ones on the other side. He sits on the bed and mumbles, “I’m just going to shoot a quick text to Heath.”

  “Good idea.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and send a couple of quick texts to my parents and James to let them know what happened. With that accomplished, I take my time unpacking, and slowly but surely, everything that happened this morning begins to catch up with me. I spin around to face Shawn, and my chest heaves as all the emotions I’d held back in the truck flow through me—panic and fear at the very top of the list, along with the overwhelming need to tell him exactly how I feel about him.

  My voice is quiet as I finally find my words. “Shawn, I was so scared.”

  He sets his phone aside and stands. He studies my face and the way my body is shaking. “I told you we’d be okay.” He runs the palms of his hands up and down over my arms. “Did you think the Boy Scout wouldn’t keep you safe?” He tries for a little bit of levity, but I can’t crack a grin.

  I go to open my mouth again and my face crumples.

  “Madison?” Shawn’s voice is gruff. “Talk to me.”

  “I-I care about you. And I was scared to death I wouldn’t get the chance to tell you.” And there’s so much more I need to tell you, and I’m terrified that it’s going to mess all of this up. I can’t say it. I can’t bear to know if it will come between us.

  He draws me into his arms and holds me against the wall of his muscular chest. “This weekend has been completely unexpected for me. Everything that’s happened between us—I think it’s been a lot for both of us to take in—and it’s been so fast. Do you feel like you want to slow things down?” He clears his throat, his voice rough. “Because we could do that. I don’t think either of us intended to come into this weekend faking a relationship and walk out of it as lovers.” He runs his hand gently over the back of my head and down over my curly hair, the softest caress. “We can put the brakes on … or pretend like nothing ever happened at all. It’s up to you,” he rasps.

  I press my lips together and slowly shake my head, my throat thick with emotion. “No. I don’t want to pretend anymore. I’m done faking it.” My fingers grasp at the hem of his T-shirt, edging it up. I run one palm over the dips and planes of muscle. “No more.” I wipe a frustrated hand under my eye, emotion riding high. “I don’t want to slow down or pause or stop. I don’t want to forget. I want to feel every touch of your hand, every stroke of your tongue. I want to spin out of control with you like we’re back on that black ice.” With both hands, I draw the shirt up higher until he takes over, yanking it off on his own.

  I peel my hoodie and T-shirt off at the same time. My breath shudders out of me as I drop my jeans as well and step out of them. I’m never this bold. But, Shawn? He makes me feel like I can do anything. He makes me bold.

  His eyes are on me as I reach behind my back to unclasp my bra. I allow it to fall from my arms onto the floor. I hook my thumbs in my panties and push them down. The heat in his eyes travels a scorching path over my body. My legs feel weak at the giddy thrill of standing naked before Shawn, and it sends liquid desire through my whole body, pooling between my legs. I never knew I could want someone so much. I never knew it could feel so right. I never knew I could need like this.

  My gaze falls to his full lips as I wait for him to say something—anything—so I know we are on the same page. As I watch him, he pops the button on his jeans. His teeth bite down on his full lower lip and rake slowly over it while he continues to follow every curve of my body with his eyes.

  I take a deep breath, reach out, and work his zipper inch by painstaking inch. Shawn’s stomach tightens in awareness at my proximity. I slide my fingers around the waistband of his jeans to the back and then dip them down over his taut ass. I take his jeans and boxer briefs off all at once. As my hands travel down over his legs, I kneel in front of him.

  Shawn’s whole body tenses when he realizes what I’m doing. I take him in my hand, his skin so soft over the steel of his erection. He sucks in a breath as I stroke him. I want to make him feel good, like I’d felt last night when he put his mouth on me. The memory of it sends flutters through me, every cell of my body humming a song just for him. I wrap my lips around his head and suck while still pumping with my hand.

  “Ah, fuck, Madi,” he groans.

  With a smile, I release him from my mouth and change gears. I take my time licking and kissing up and down his length, swirling my tongue to the underside before I take him back into the warm wetness of my mouth.

  When I suck him deep, his hands dart into my hair, holding the back of my head. He moans, the sound a vibration deep within his chest. “Madison.” His voice is pure grit as his hands guide me to the pace he prefers. “Your sweet mouth. Jesus.”

  His thrusts are careful at first, but the longer my mouth is on his cock, the more I can tell his control is dangling by a very thin thread.

  That’s because of me. I’m doing that to him. Need surges, spiraling deep inside of me. I love that my mouth, my tongue, are capable of bringing this man to his knees.

  I’ve never even liked oral sex before, but somehow this feels different. With him, it’s different. I want to do this. His pleasure rockets through me and becomes mine.

  Chapter 22

  Shawn

  Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck. With every s
troke of my dick into her insanely wet and warm mouth, it just feels better and better. Watching her on her knees before me, her plump lips wrapped around me, well, that’s got to be the best goddamn thing ever. Her pale breasts, with their dusky pink nipples, swing a bit as I thrust into her mouth. Her tongue is so wild on me, I’m about to see stars. Planets. The whole fucking universe.

  And then she does it. She reaches for my balls with her free hand, and when she cups me, I know we’re about to arrive at the point of no return. My body tightens, jerking to attention at the fresh onslaught of electricity streaking through me. “Wait, baby. Wait.” I tug gently on her hair, and she glances up, her lips breaking their seal around me with a pop. She gives me a smile that is part sweet, but then she massages my balls, giving me a sly look. Little minx. Sweet but one hundred percent fucking naughty. She knows what she’s doing is making me crazy. I wrap my fingers around her upper arms. “Come here.”

  She stands while I breathe deeply and steadily with my eyes shut in a bid to gain back control. “You’re killing me.”

  “It was bad?” My eyes flick open in time to see her face fall.

  I give my head a quick shake and a tortured chuckle works itself from me. “Fuck no. The best I’ve ever had.” I pull her to me, kissing those naughty lips that have tipped up into a grin. “So fucking good, Butterfly.” I cup her cheeks in my hands and capture her lips with mine, our mouths immediately slanting, giving each other better access. As we take the kiss deeper, the idea that her tongue has just been on my cock is almost enough to make me blow right on the spot. I drag her nakedness flush to my body, my aching erection trapped between us.