“We haven’t been together in a very long time, but it’s still freeing to get everything out in the open. And the thought of Lucas getting the help he needs, maybe even getting out of that place? I can’t find the words.” She drops her forehead to my chest and breathes deep. “Thank you,” she whispers.
I kiss the top of her head. “While I love being the hero in this scenario, I may have had an ulterior motive. The image of a tiny fairy letting me have my wicked way with her may have been the driving force behind my actions.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Definitely.”
She tips her head and catches my bottom lip, sucking gently. She pulls away and loops her arms through the straps of her dress, but holds the material to her chest. Flushed skin and mischief on full display, she raises an eyebrow and purses her lips.
“Are you liking this image? Is it wicked enough for you?”
“Don’t play with me, woman. Drop the dress or I go into full-on attack mode,” I growl, only half joking.
“Oh, I’m counting on it,” she says, then drops her dress and crashes her lips to mine.
Frenzied arms grasp and pull. Dueling tongues slide and explore. I can’t get close enough. I wrap her legs around my waist, leaving her dress scrunched up around her waist. I lose my shirt somewhere along the way, and her hands fumble with the button of my jeans.
A fat drop of rain splashes on my cheek, and I lift my head to the sky. Thunder rumbles in the distance, and another raindrop hits my shoulder.
“A storm’s coming,” I say, my voice breathless and ragged.
Her hand dives into my jeans, and her fingers wrap around my dick. My head falls back, and I groan when she massages me, root to tip. The drops continue to fall, the water cooling my heated skin.
“It’s about time.” She pulls me to her and licks the water from my lips before plunging her tongue into my mouth.
Yes, she’s right. It’s past time for the rain … the thunder … every bit of the storm that is Celia.
“I can’t go slow,” I tell her between kisses as I toss my rain-soaked wallet into the truck bed after finding a condom. “It’s been too long … I’ve missed you too much.”
She rips the condom from my hands while I drop my jeans below my hips. She smirks as she rolls it all the way down my shaft.
“Commando, huh?” She smirks and squeezes me. I can’t help myself from pumping into her hand. She pulls me close and gives my ear a playful bite, then a seductive lick. “I want you hard and deep. I’ve missed you, too.”
The words barely leave her lips before I drive into her in a long, swift thrust. The feel of her body pulsating against my cock nearly does me in. The rainfall quickens as our bodies move together, each hungry—fucking starving—for what we’ve missed.
I whisper to her through ragged breaths and powerful thrusts. “If you leave me again, I won’t give you space. I’ll love you harder and deeper than ever before.”
“Never again.” Her body bows to mine, and I feel her gripping me, edging closer to the precipice. She pulls my forehead to hers and burns me with her gaze. “My heart will never allow it.”
Slicked skin and entangled limbs tremble as we watch each other with every roll, every thrust. I see the clouds form in her eyes just as the haze rolls over me as well.
And we fall head first over the cliff … together.
“I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles
Present Day
“WELL, BOY WONDER decided to wake the hell up. It’s about time, don’t ya think?” Sarge bellows as we climb the front porch steps, fingers laced and lovesick smiles in place.
“Who me? You better take a look at your tiny friend right here,” I say with a chuckle as I kiss the top of Celia’s head. “I’ve been wide awake for a long time, old man.”
Sarge grunts and points at me. He shakes his head and turns to Celia. “Is that any way to talk to your grandfather? No manners, that one. No respect.”
“Christ,” I mutter under my breath, and Celia giggles.
“Come sit with me, girlie. You and I have a date with the past.” Sarge pats the rocking chair next to him in invitation.
“It’s so good to see you, Sarge.”
Celia leans in for a long hug, and Sarge holds on tight the entire time. I faintly hear her whispers of gratitude, and he pats her back gently in response. She curls up in the rocking chair next to him and kicks off her shoes. I sit down, too, half expecting Sarge to send me away. I get the feeling he’s territorial about his time with Celia.
Sarge grabs a notebook off the side table and hands it to Celia, along with a pen. “What memories should we visit today?”
“Hmmm,” she says softly as she looks between Sarge and me with a mischievous smile. “Why don’t we talk about your memories of Cain? Since he’s here, he can help fill in the blanks.”
“Well, I’ve been there since the day the doctor slapped his lily white ass and hollered, ‘It’s a boy!’ and there were days I wanted to wring his damn neck … and there were some I never thought I could be so proud.” Sarge beams at me, making my jaw go slack.
As much shit as the old geezer gives me, it floors me to see pride in his face. The old Sarge, before Alzheimer’s? Absolutely. But now, it’s hard to believe. Most days, he wouldn’t show me the flow if I were a gutter. He rides my ass all day long.
“Let’s talk about a time you wanted to wring his neck,” Celia says primly, pen perched in her fingers ready to write one of my finest moments.
“Thanks, Tink. Much appreciated,” I mutter, crossing my arms across my chest and rolling my eyes.
She levels me with pleading eyes, silently begging me to be patient. Fine, I’ll keep my opinion to myself, but it doesn’t mean I’m happy.
“Ha! Boy wonder here has given me so much to choose from over the years.” Sarge lets out a raspy chuckle and grins. “But if I have to choose just one, a certain Halloween comes to mind.”
Fuck…
Sarge lowers his chin and looks in my direction. I slump down into the chair and pull the brim of my hat low. Man, he picked a doozy.
After Sarge finishes recounting one more of my more embarrassing moments, he leans back in his chair and steeples his hands. “There’s plenty I’m proud of though, too. You know what else I’m proud of?”
“What’s that?” Celia asks.
“The two of you,” he answers, eyeing us both through squinted lids. “It’s been a rough road to get where you are today, but you made it. And believe me, there will be hard times ahead. That’s life. But I see the fire in you that still blazes in Rose and me. Nothing can dampen that kind of love.”
I reach out and lace my fingers with Celia’s and see the misty look in her eyes. My sweet, soft-hearted fairy—my life goal will be to give her more laughter than tears. She’s as sappy as they come, so I know I’ve got my work cut out for me.
“That’s solid gold in the palm of your hand right now, boy. Don’t screw it up.” Sarge’s voice cuts through the nostalgia like a hot knife through butter. The old man has a way with words.
Little does he know, his warning isn’t needed. I’m well aware of the treasure next to me, and I’m never letting her go. Little does she know, Operation Fairy Lockdown is well under way.
“Cain!” Her voice pierces my ears, and I smash the pillow over my head in an attempt to drown her out. I just need a few more minutes of rest. “Cain, why are my plates and bowls all packed up? And what’s with the boxes and newspaper strewn all over the living room?”