Page 28

The wind blew through my hair as I watched the waves crash against the rocks. The perfect soundtrack as I thought about everything that brought me here to this very moment.

Roasting marshmallows… Secret glances during study sessions… A Vegas wedding… What a wild ride Britt and I had been on. Yet, we were still here. Still drawn to each other, and still wanting to make this work. As I fiddled with the piece of jewelry in my hand, I looked to the sky and smiled.

“This is it, Mom. She’s the one for me,” I said. Watching the fluffy clouds pass by gave me a sense of calmness and I hoped my mom would be proud of me, wherever she was.

I spread my toes out, letting them sink into the sand, and licked my lips, only to taste the salty sea air.

Everything felt right.

I was supposed to be right here and for the first time in my life, I didn’t feel the stinging anxiety in my chest. Was this what being content felt like?

My mom had passed away, but I was slowly rebuilding my family in her honor. We were going to be stronger. Olana was finally gone, and the only person I felt like I strived to impress was my wife, and to become the husband she deserved.

“Matty.” Her voice called me from across the beach, and when I turned to look at her, I lost my breath.

Was it always going to be like this? Would I always lose my breath every time I saw her again? If I didn’t get used to my wife’s beauty soon, I was going to need to get myself an inhaler.

Britt waved, her hair blowing in all directions from the wind. She pulled it to the side, holding it back from the sea breeze. With her heels in her hand, she jogged gently down the quiet beach to get to me.

Better than any walk down the aisle because she was already mine.

How did I get so lucky?

There she was.

My wife. My future. My everything.

All I needed to do now was make sure it stayed that way.

Meeting her in the middle, I pulled her into a hug and kissed her cold cheek, taking her in and noting the goose bumps marring her skin. I immediately brought my hands to her bare shoulders in an attempt to keep her warm.

“Did you find the place okay?”

She grinned, offering me another quick peck on the lips. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

“That you are.”

Was I smiling like a goofy idiot? I sure as hell felt like one. Britt’s eyes glistened with what I could only hope was love as she looked up at me. I pulled her in close, wishing I could unzip my skin and tuck her inside. I wanted her to be with me forever. Nothing else would do.

“I parked just over there.” She pointed to a small parking lot with only her Jeep as she snuggled into me. “I know this beach well.”

I kissed the top of her forehead before saying, “It’s where your parents would take you before you moved to LA, right?”

She tipped her chin up to look at me with her lips parted. “How did you know that?”

“Britt, I know when you turn your vibrator on. Are you really surprised how much I know about you at this point?”

“I need to be surprised, otherwise I’ll think you’re tracking everything.”

I was tracking everything, but she didn’t need to know that.

“I actually know that because you told me.”

“I did?”

“Yup.” I looked up to the sky, thinking about it for a second. “It was the second time I met you in the coffee shop freshman year. I was coming here with the guys for some team bonding, and that’s when you told me it was your favorite place on earth. I believe it was because you and your brother…” I scrunched my nose. “Bryce? I think it was Bryce would make these giant sandcastles, and Max would always run into them.”

Her eyes widened, and she shook her head. “And you’re just going to throw that out there like it’s not crazy you remember that?”

“You’re thinking about things too much.” Holding her hand, I kissed her knuckles and smiled. “But do you still like it here?”

“I love it.”

“Good.”

“Why are we here?” she asked, tossing her windswept hair over her shoulder, and looking at me with the same excitement in her eyes as when she said, “I do.”

“Because I have something to show you.” I held out my hand to her, and she narrowed her gaze to it. Was she hesitating? “Come on, Britt. Are you telling me you don’t trust me after everything?”

“Of course I do.”

I wiggled my fingers, and she laughed. “Then what are you waiting for? Let me show you why I brought you here.”

She rolled her eyes before slipping her hand in mine and letting me lead her across the sand. “Where are we going?”

I squeezed her hand, smiling. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”

“And you’re giving me no answers.”

“I’m giving you an answer, you just have to follow me.”

“Last time I followed you, we ended up married.”

I stopped to look at her. “Is that your way of telling me you regret that?”

She rolled her lips into her mouth and shook her head.

“Then I promise you won’t regret this either.”

We walked up to the beach in silence, and I turned to a set of sandy steps leading to a small beach house.

As I stepped forward, Britt stiffened. “Matty, where are we going?”

I pointed at the white house with baby-blue shutters. “Up there.”

She looked between me and the house for a few seconds. “That’s private property. We’re not allowed up there.”

“Yes we are.”

I tugged on her reluctant hand, and she eventually complied, stepping onto the sandy wooden steps. The closer we got to the house, the clearer the little candles flickering on the porch became.

“Matty,” she said breathlessly. Why did it sound so similar to the way she said my name when I gave her that orgasm last night?

“I know. I know.” I laughed as I led her up the back porch steps. “I shouldn’t leave candles unattended, but don’t worry, I had no idea how long we’d be walking on the beach, so I figured I’d just use battery-operated ones. It might not be as romantic, but at least I didn’t burn the house down.”

“You’re kidding, right?” she said in disbelief. “You don’t think this is romantic? No one’s ever done anything like this for me.”

“Not even Adam?” I asked with a smirk. “I heard he likes to take girls to fancy French restaurants.”

She swatted my chest, laughing. “Adam and I were never serious enough for anything like that to happen.”

I grabbed her hand before she could move it and kissed the top of her nose. “I know. I’m just kidding. Come on. There’s more inside.”

She took in a sharp breath as she turned her attention to the panoramic window with the sliding doors. Just inside was a small picnic for the two of us with champagne chilling on the side. A small smile played on her face, the only indication she was excited.

The house was still bare, I hadn’t touched or changed anything since I signed the papers since I wanted Britt to style it and she hadn’t seen it yet.

“I can’t believe you arranged this for me.”

“Only the best for my wife.” I took her hand, and led her to the picnic, helping her down. “Sorry it’s just a picnic. I didn’t have time to organize anything else.”

“How’d you get access to the house?”

“Well, it was listed for sale, so I just talked to the real estate agents and asked if I could rent it for the night.”

“And they let you?” She sounded suspicious, but I didn’t want to let her in on the secret just yet. I wanted her to enjoy this for what it was. My first real date with my wife.

I shrugged, taking a seat next to her and grabbing the champagne. Then I opened the bottle, pouring us both a glass. “You don’t ask, you don’t get.”

She let out a low laugh before looking toward the ocean in awe. Set on a small hill, the house had the perfect view of the waves and sunset.

“This view is breathtaking.” My chest expanded at the awe in her voice. I hoped she loved this place as much as I loved her. I handed her the glass of wine and kissed her cheeks, never taking my eyes off her.

“Not as breathtaking as you,” I said, clinking my glass with hers.

She laughed, slapping me lightly on the arm. “Stop it.”

“It’s true. I’d much rather think about you last night than look at that view.”

Britt took a sip of her drink in an attempt to hide her flushing cheeks, no doubt. Then she leaned into me, and I kissed the top of her head.

“Did you make all this?”

“No. It’s all food from that deli that you like. You know the one you took me to after every class last year.”

“I still go there now,” she said, reaching over and plucking an olive from one of the bowls.

“You go without me?” I asked, shocked.

“Well, we weren’t exactly talking.” She popped the olive in her mouth, already reaching for some of the dried meats. “This stuff is delicious.”

I watched her pick at the food, humming to herself as she ate. I swear I could watch her all day. She was so cute without even trying.

What took us so long to get here?

“Why did you ask me to set you up with Adam?”

Her hand was about to grab some bread, but she paused and looked at me. “I thought we were over talking about him?”

“We are, it’s just you told me it’s always been me, so I’m just curious. Why did you want to date one of my best friends?”

She bit her bottom lip. “Well, I may have only asked you about him because I needed a distraction from what I was going to do if I didn’t ask.”

I had to think about it for a second. What were we doing?

“Weren’t we watching Max throw a perfect game?”

She nodded. “Yeah, in all the excitement, we hugged, and well, I, uh, remember wanting to kiss you, but I remembered you had Olana, and I didn’t want to get in the middle of things.”

“Seriously?” My brows rose and something that felt a lot like disappointment weighed heavy in my stomach.

“Yeah.”

“Fuck.”

“What?”

“Typical of you, B. Always assuming I was thinking about another girl when it was you I could never get my mind off.” I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink. Maybe the alcohol would take away the bitter taste in my mouth.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“I was going to ask you out that night.”

“What? B-but what about Olana?”

“I’d broken up with her. I realized I couldn’t hide my feelings for you, and frankly, I didn’t want to. So I’d hyped myself up to ask you out.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah. Can you imagine how hard my heart broke when you asked me to set you up with Adam?” I clutched my chest as she plucked another olive. Apparently, those things were irresistible. “The most upstanding and dependable guy I know. I thought for sure I’d never have a chance with you after that.”

“Upstanding and dependable? I’m not sure you’re doing yourself justice there.”

“Pfft. I’m not dependable. At least not for anyone else but you.” She popped the olive in her mouth and grinned. “I’m so obsessed with you that even if you were marrying another guy, I’d happily stand on the sidelines watching so I could see your face as you walked down the aisle. At least then I could pretend it was me that you were fawning over.”

She looked down at the food bashfully. “I think you’re underestimating just how much I fawn over you, but if you were that obsessed, why did you get back with Olana.”

I sighed, knowing this conversation would come sooner or later. “I genuinely only wanted you, and when I thought you didn’t want me, I didn’t see the point in dating other people. Olana came crawling back and manipulated me into staying with her. I can’t remember what lie she used that time, but it was one of many, and I guess, I just settled.”

“So you mean to tell me, if I had just kissed you like I wanted to, none of this would have happened? As in, we could have avoided everything?”

“Yeah.”

She laughed as I took her hand, interlocking it with mine. “Well, that sucks.”

“Would you take it back?”

“What?”

“Everything since that night.”

Her gaze had flittered down to our connected hands, and she had the gentlest smile on her face. “No.” Her glistening eyes connected with mine. “Without those moments, I don’t think I’d love you as much as I do now.”

“I love you too, Britt.” I brought her hand to my mouth, kissing every one of her knuckles. “But I’m sorry.”

“For?” she asked with furrowed brows.

“Not giving you the opportunity to walk down the aisle with your friends and family watching. I know how much your parents and brothers mean to you. I feel like that I’ve taken away an important moment.”

“It’s all right.” She gave me a small, somewhat sad smile.

“I hope one day we’ll be able to have a do over and do it right.” Her eyes flicked to mine, and before she could say anything, I started to stand. “There’s one more thing I want to show you.”

I opened my hand to her, and she gestured to the picnic. “But what about the food?”

“It’ll be fine. We can have the rest later.”

She placed her hand in mine, and I led her through the house, up the stairs, straight to the primary bedroom, which was devoid of furniture, save for a mattress and some bedding. She gasped, too enamored with the view to care about the empty room. It was amazing how much another level changed the horizon. Now we were able to see past the beach and more of the sky was on show. The sun was setting, and pinks, blues, and orange reflected off the sea, creating a canvas of colors across the sky.

“Matty. This view is everything.”

“Do you like it?” I asked, stepping up behind her.

“Like it? I love it. The people that end up living here are going to be so lucky.”

“You think?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind, and as she relaxed into my arms, I kissed her temple. This was it for us. I knew that now, and I was pretty sure she knew it too.

“I’m glad you like it.” I placed my hand on her hip, letting my thumb rub across the silky fabric of her dress.

Britt hummed before bringing her arm up behind her and running her hands through my hair. “How could I not? The sky, the ocean. This place is so peaceful. How long has it been on the market for?”

“Why? Are you interested in buying it?”

She laughed, trying to wrangle out of my hold, but I didn’t let her. Now that she was in my arms, there was no way I’d let her go.

“No. Of course not. Unless Chally Sports pay their interns better than their broadcasters, I think it’ll be a few years before I can afford a house like this.”

I pushed her hair to the side and kissed up and down her neck, tasting remnants of the salty sea air.

“Is that your way of telling me you got the job?”

She rolled her head back so it laid on my shoulder, and the faintest of smiles played on her lips. I raised my hand from her hip up to her ribs until my thumb grazed the underside of her breast.

“They asked for me to book a call in with someone in HR, but that’s just to discuss a potential internship at one of their lower-level affiliate teams.”

I swiped my thumb against her breast again, eliciting a moan as I crinkled the fabric of the dress, ready to tear it off her. “And you’re acting like that’s not something to celebrate. My wife might be landing the role of her dreams, and yet, she still acts like it’s not a big deal.”

Her hips pushed against me, rolling against my crotch, and I was certain she could feel my erection at this point. One I’d been harboring since she arrived. “I don’t want to celebrate it until I know what they’re offering.”

“Makes sense. Then can we celebrate something else tonight? Like this beautiful view, perhaps?”

She turned in my arms, wrapping her own around my neck, and gave me a long, lingering kiss. “I like the view in this direction better,” she teased, using my compliment against me.

“Well, shit. Maybe I should have bought something else.”

She stiffened and her eyes searched mine. “Bought? What are you talking about? I thought you were renting it for the night.”

“I might have lied.”

Her eyes grew wide, and she backed away to take me in. “So it’s not for sale?”

“It was for sale, that wasn’t a lie. It’s just, we might be the new owners.”

“W-what?”

“Well, my father and I agreed to sell the house. It’s not like I was going to move back to Darwin Falls after I graduate, anyway. I needed somewhere else to live. I love it here in California. You’re from here, and this is only a ten-minute drive from campus. I felt like it was the perfect place for us to start the rest of our lives together.”

She shook her head, looking around the house but never once attempted to come out of my hold.

“Whoa, wait. You want me to move in here too?”

I nodded. “Only if you want to. I’d like you to.”

“But how the hell could you afford a place like this? Aren’t you also a broke college student like me, or did you use the money from your parents’ house sale?” Her eyes widened.

“No. All that money is going into an account which I plan on using to help my father get better. It should hopefully be enough for him to buy an apartment when he’s ready for it.”

Britt’s palm rested on my cheek as she pushed up on her tiptoes to give me a little kiss. “I’m proud of you, Matty,” she said before dropping back down. “I’m proud that you’re starting to work things through with your dad. Frankly, he doesn’t deserve a son like you.”

I shrugged, doing my best to mask my emotions. “Well, after that terrible dinner, I did some reflecting. He might not have been the best father to me, but I wasn’t helping the situation either, stubbornly keeping him in that house. Letting him rot to death.”

“It’s because you wanted to help him.”

“Yes, but maybe I should have looked at it from his perspective. He loved my mom, and I can’t imagine how hard it would be living there. Drowning in her memory every day. I couldn’t leave him there like that. Not after everything he said. I did make him agree to get help before I signed off on the sale, though. He’s getting grief and addiction counseling. Something I’m more than willing to pay for because I want to save what little family I have left.”

“Oh, Matty. Is that why you weren’t around the last couple of weeks?”

“Yeah, I needed to do that. Not just for me, but for you.”

She looked at me with surprise. “I hope you didn’t do that because you thought I wanted you to?”

“No. Nothing like that, but I wanted to be taken seriously by you, and in order for that to happen, I needed to act like an adult and show you how willing I am to create a life with you. That’s why I bought this house.”

“Buying a beachfront property in Covey Cove definitely makes me take you seriously. How did you afford it, though?”

I gave her a sly smile before picking her up and walking her over to the makeshift bed. She squealed when I tossed her onto the sheets, and only answered once I was lying on top of her. “You remember that I like to hack things?”

She put her hands on her face. “Oh no. Please, please, please don’t tell me you hacked into some banks and stole the money? I’ve only just got you, I don’t want to have to visit you in jail!”

“No. I’m not doing any more of that. But there are a lot of companies out there that will pay white-hat hackers to stop the bad hackers getting in, and well, I took advantage. It only takes a few jobs to make enough to afford something like this.” I left out the fact that I did enough jobs to buy the rest of the neighborhood if I wanted. That bombshell could be dropped another time.

“So, you bought this place with it?”

I nodded. “Yup, and put it in our name, so if you do decide to divorce me —which I hope you don’t— you’ll get half.”

She blinked a few times, clearly shocked, and I didn’t blame her. It was a lot to take in.

“Why here? Why not stay with the guys for the last two semesters and leave?”

“Because I needed a change. We needed somewhere to live as a couple, and you told me this was your favorite beach. I figured buying here would be the best thing to do even if we ended up moving for your job. We can use this place as a vacation home.”

“ My job?” she said with raised brows.

“Well, we won’t have to move for mine. I can do it from anywhere. Just give me some internet connection, a phone, and a keyboard, and I’m ready to go.”

I dipped down, kissing her neck and her shoulder before pushing the spaghetti strap to the side, revealing her breasts.

“And you want to be with me even though I have no idea where I might be going?”

“I’d go anywhere with you.” I dropped down to take one of her nipples in my mouth and flicked it with my tongue before staring up at her. “You’re the strongest, most determined person I’ve ever met. The fact that you haven’t realized that I’ll do anything for you is astounding and only emphasizes that I need to do better.”

She shimmied her hips, her fingers clutching onto my shoulders, which I took as a hint to pull her dress down.

Britt was lying across the bed, hair sprawled all over the pillows in just a pair of black boy shorts. I licked my lips before kissing the skin across her stomach, more than ready to feel her again. One time wasn’t enough.

Standing, I took my shirt and jeans off, then climbed over her. Skin to skin, the only thing separating us from each other were two thin pieces of fabric.

“Matty. I need you.”

I reached over to my jeans and pulled out a condom, and kept them on the bed, knowing I might need them later. Britt rested her hand on mine. “It’s okay. I don’t think we need protection tonight.”

I glanced down, studying her face to check if she was serious.

She bit down on her bottom lip before explaining, “I just finished a very painful period a couple of days ago. Timing wise, I really don’t think there’s any possibility that I’ll get pregnant.”

I was still hesitant after that. “But what if you do?”

“Then so be it, but I want to feel my husband inside me without any barriers.”

Okay. I nearly came. Hearing her call me her husband did so much more than I expected. So many things ran through my mind. I wanted to fuck her senseless. I wanted to make love to her. I wanted to eat her out until she was crying from pleasure underneath me. But most importantly, I wanted to make her happy.

She rocked her hips as she shimmied out of her underwear and used her legs to pull at mine until they were by my knees. I helped by pushing them down the rest of the way and groaned when my cock rested against her warm cunt. As I rocked against her, I coated my dick with her juices.

“Are you sure you want this?” I asked, shifting ever so slightly, which made her moan as I rocked against her clit.

She rested her hands on my shoulders and opened her legs wider, forcing the tip of my cock to her opening. So close to being inside her with no barriers, and when she moved her hips a little more, that was all it took. I drove myself in farther and watched her face as she took me in.

Pure bliss.

I’d never been inside someone bare, and being here with Britt felt like everything. I needed no one else in this world. I only needed her wrapped around me, clenching as she fell apart.

“Tell me to stop if you need to?” I was slow to start, not wanting to hurt her as she gripped my shoulders and moved her hips.

“No. Keep going. I like it.”

When I was fully seated inside her, I pulsed my hips, slowing it down for the sole reason that I was already so close to coming it could be embarrassing. Warm, tight heat. Nothing felt quite like this before. Having any sense of sanity was proving difficult while being inside her.

Britt dug her fingernails into my shoulders, and it was hot as hell.

“Faster, I need more.”

Well, fuck. This wasn’t working. If I gave her more, I would come too soon. I knew I should have eaten her out first. I needed to change tact.

Still inside her, I gripped onto her ass and flipped her over so she straddled me. Her tits were in my face in this position, so I took her nipple in my mouth and sucked. Her head dropped back in pleasure as I moved her ass, encouraging her to ride me.

Popping her breast out of my mouth, I looked down at our connection, watching my cock being swallowed by her pussy.

“Look at you, taking me so well. Such a tight little pussy.” I reached between us to feel the connection before playing with her clit.

“Matty. Your cock.” Her words were desperate, and she slowed, chasing the touch of my hand, so I took control again. Spreading my hands over her ass cheeks, I moved her up and down. “Ride me, wife. I want to worship you.”

She threw her head back so far her blonde hair tickled my balls. I couldn’t close my eyes. I was too greedy. Britt’s breasts were pushed up, and her hands gripped my thighs as she rocked on my cock.

Heaven.

There was no other word for how this girl made me feel. I was in heaven and doubted she realized how obsessed with her I was.

“You feel so good.” She moaned with her chin tipped. I couldn’t stop watching, not that I wanted to. Her tits were too inviting in this position.

What did I do to deserve such a beautiful woman inside and out—my best friend—to be here, fucking me like this for the rest of our lives.

I moved my hands from her ass to the front of her thighs and used my thumb to toy with her clit. She let out these short, breathy moans and clenched around me. My spine was tingling. I was on the verge of an orgasm and knew I didn’t have long, so I sped up and took her breast into my mouth again.

“I’m so close, Matty,” she breathed out, and I could listen to those breathy moans forever.

Suddenly, she stopped moving, so I jerked my hips up, spearing her with my cock as she screamed through her orgasm. It didn’t matter that the windows were open. The neighbors weren’t home this time of year, and the ocean would’ve drowned her out, anyway.

Without the condom on, I could feel how wet she was, and when she collapsed on top of me, I knew I wouldn’t last long, so I flipped us back over and lifted her limp thighs before fucking her so hard her head hit the headboard.

“I’m going to come.” I backed away, ready to pull out, but she held my shoulders in place, making it impossible to leave.

“Come inside me. Please.” Her blue eyes met mine, and with her pupils dilated and her cheeks flushed from her orgasm, I didn’t have the option of doing anything else. Seeing her like that tipped me over the edge.

A searing heat burned through my bones as I experienced one of the most intense orgasms of my life. Wave after wave of pleasure hit me. I couldn’t speak or do anything for at least a minute. It was… It was everything.

“Fuck,” I whispered, feeling like I drained my entire body into her.

I collapsed on top of Britt, our sweaty bodies sticking together as I breathed in her post-orgasmic scent. My dick was softening, but I had no intention of moving out of her; she felt too good, and I honestly wasn’t sure I could move just yet.

We were both breathing heavy when she said, “That was the best sex I’ve ever had. It felt like you were everywhere.”

I lifted myself enough to take her in. Her face was flushed red, and she had this small placid smile on her face. I placed a kiss on her lips before saying, “Yeah, I don’t think I’m ever going to want to use a condom again.”

She hummed in approval as I rolled next to her on the bed. “I love you, Britt. I always will.”

“I love you too,” she said loud enough for me to hear. She was quiet and satiated, so I reached over to my jeans, happy that they hadn’t fallen off the bed with all that rocking, and took out the item that was always meant to be hers.

She wrapped herself in the sheets before snuggling into me, and as much as I wanted to ask this question, I didn’t want to do it here. Sitting up, I pulled Britt into my arms and carried her over to the hammock hanging outside on the porch.

The wind sent a chill through my body, but the feeling would be temporary. Once I was wrapped in the blanket with Britt, everything would be fine.

As I placed her on the seat, she opened her arms, pulling the sheet aside to give me enough space to join her.

Once I was resting in the hammock, Britt snuggled into me and laid her cheek against my chest. My heart was full, and I could see our future here while watching the ocean and talking about all our hopes and dreams as I rocked the hammock with my foot.

She mended my past.

She would build my future.

Until the day I die, she was everything I’d ever want.

I took Britt’s hand and placed it on my chest before giving it enough of a squeeze to divert her attention from what I was doing. Her eyes were closed, and she hadn’t flinched. I guessed I got away with it.

“Britt.” I kissed her forehead, and when she opened her eyes, she looked at me with a calm, serene smile. My breath inevitably caught. Welp, that confirmed it. It didn’t matter how close I got to Britt, her beauty would continually stun me.

I cleared my throat. “There was something I wanted to ask you.”

I lifted her hand, drawing her attention to the gold ring with the single solitaire diamond with two emerald stones to frame it. It was my mom’s ring, and it looked just as beautiful on my wife as it had her.

She drew in a sharp breath. “Oh, Matty.”

“I know we didn’t have the most conventional start, but there’s nothing more I want to do in this life than continue to be your husband. You are my best friend. The one person I want to know everything about. I want to be a better man because of you, and I want to watch you shine. Will you let me? Will you marry me, Britt?”

She stared at the ring and was quiet for a minute, but when she looked at me with soft eyes, I relaxed.

“I already did,” she whispered as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

“Then keep me?” I swiped the tear away with my thumb, so in love with her that I couldn’t breathe as I waited for her answer.

“Forever.”