Page 34

THIRTY-FOUR

The weights slam into the rubber floor of Fox’s basement gym, the sound blending with the music thumping from the surround sound speakers. My home gym has the basics, but Fox went all out, buying every piece of equipment you could possibly need, plus a few extras.

“You know you don’t need to throw weights around for the set to count, right?”

I glare at him but don’t respond, grabbing the dumbbells for another set of curls. When I finish, I make a conscious effort not to drop the weights again, setting them down carefully. The heavy metal music cuts off, and Fox pulls up a chair in front of the bench where I’m standing.

“Sit. What’s your deal?” He leans toward me, elbows resting on his knees.

How did Fox become my unofficial relationship guide? I’m worried for myself… and for Hannah.

I let out a deep sigh. “Hannah’s going to meet up with Knolls, and I’m trying not to get in my head about it. But it’s not working. I hate the thought of him getting to her. But what can I do? Abso-fucking-lutely nothing.”

Fox shifts in his seat, studying me. “And what? You think she wants to get back with him, like he hinted at in that interview?”

“No. Of course not. I trust her and what she’s told me. She says he wants to reach some sort of truce now that he’s with the Saints. I don’t believe it, though.” I stand and stack plates on a barbell. “Forget it.”

Fox shrugs, heading toward the bike for a cool-down.

Why the fuck is this bothering me? I trust Hannah. She’s with me now.

She could always leave.

I thought that little voice in the back of my head—the one that messes with my thoughts—was gone. But nope, it’s back, wreaking havoc again. Logically, I know she’s not going to leave me for Knolls, but that fear still lingers.

On my ninth birthday, someone I thought would never leave—my father—did. Someone I try not to think about, if I can help it. I may share his DNA and last name, but Greg has always been my father figure.

Doesn’t stop the thoughts from creeping in when I least need them, though. The days, weeks, months, fuck , years that followed are still burned into my brain. Families are supposed to stay together. The people who love you aren’t supposed to leave.

Love .

Fuck.

I love her.

I’m not sure I can remember a time when I didn’t love her.

I’ve waited six years, and I would've waited a hundred more.

Just to call her mine.

From the moment I saw her, I was intrigued, taken, obsessed. Over time, that interest grew into affection, into care. Somewhere along the way, it turned into love. When I couldn’t have her the way I wanted, I still craved her happiness, even if it wasn’t with me.

And now that she’s mine, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I’m the one keeping her happy.

I can’t let her go to this meeting without her knowing my feelings.

I shake out my arms, pacing back and forth, trying to gather the courage for what I know I have to do.

“Hey, where are you going?” Fox shouts at my retreating back.

I quicken my steps, sprinting up the stairs. “To tell my girl I love her,” I yell back, not slowing down.

Fox’s laughter echoes behind me as I rush through his house, across the yard, and into mine. The patio door slams against the wall as I yank it open, but it’s hardly a worry when my focus is on finding Hannah. She’s at the counter, waiting for something to pop out of the toaster. She spins toward me, her face pinched. “Is everything okay?”

It only takes four strides to reach her. With her back pressed against the counter, I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close.

I take a steadying breath, and on the exhale, I finally say the words that have been on the tip of my tongue for years . “I love you.”

I ease back just in time to see her eyes go comically wide. Maybe there was a more romantic way to do this, but I couldn’t wait a minute longer to tell the woman I love how I feel.

Her mouth opens, ready to form words, but before she can speak, I bring my lips to hers. Her mouth is addictive, and with any luck, it’ll be mine to kiss forever.

I lean back just enough to press a kiss to her forehead, then look down at her. “I don’t want you to say anything right now,” I murmur. “I just had to tell you. God, I feel like a weight’s been lifted. And now that it’s out there, I can tell you every day.”

“But…” she starts, and I run my thumb over her lips.

“I couldn’t stomach the thought of you facing him without knowing how I feel. I stayed quiet the first time?—”

“The first time?” she interrupts.

I shake my head, not wanting to ruin the moment with past regrets. “Last night was the best night of my life, even with the bad news. Really, since you moved here, it’s been the best time of my life. I want it to be real.”

“It is real. I lo?—”

I place a finger gently against her lips to stop her. “No. I want you to wait. Talk to Knolls, see how you feel. I’m not going anywhere.”

She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. It’s a look I’ve come to know well, and on her, one I love. She leans up, connecting our lips again.

As our tongues meet, she moans. My grip on her tightens as I grind my hard cock against her stomach. I pull back and kiss her jaw, down her neck, sucking a spot near her collarbone.

“Ry,” she whimpers.

The need for her burns through me. In one swift motion, I swipe my arm across the counter behind her, sending everything crashing to the floor. I grab her waist and set her on the cool surface.

“Fuck, Hannah, I need you.” I give my cock a hard squeeze through my gym shorts.

“You have me. Always,” she breathes.

I grip her sleep shorts, and she wiggles, helping me slide them off. Just the sight of her makes my cock throb. Needing to see all of her, I tug her shirt over her head. As she writhes, desperate for friction, I trail my tongue from her neck to her breasts. My hand follows, sweeping down her body until my thumb brushes over her slick core.

My hips press forward instinctively, my clothed cock gliding over her spread thighs. Leaning down, I take her nipple into my mouth, sucking eagerly while my thumb circles her clit, applying just enough pressure to drive her wild without pushing her over the edge.

“Ryan, please.”

“What do you need, baby?”

She doesn’t answer with words. Instead, she leans forward, gripping me through the fabric of my shorts. Even through the layers, the contact makes me shudder. She helps push my shorts and boxer briefs down. The moment my cock is free, she wraps her hand around me, stroking me.

I rest my forehead on her shoulder, but it only makes things worse—I now have the perfect view of her wet cunt and her small hand, running up and down my length. The sight has precum leaking from my tip. Unable to wait any longer, I step forward, pulling her to the edge of the counter, breaking her grip on me. I take myself in hand, running the head of my cock through her wetness, pausing to take in the sight of her.

Her legs wrap around my waist, urging me closer, but I resist, teasing her as I continue to drag myself against her.

“Ryan,” she growls, a small but fiery sound that makes me chuckle.

“Say it, baby,” I taunt.

She holds out for only a moment longer before giving in. “Fuck me. God, please, fuck me.”

Before she finishes, I slam into her. Her breath catches, and I hold mine, fighting the urge to come right away. She rolls her hips, urging me on, and I grind against her, bringing my thumb back to her clit.

I may have been teasing her, but in the process, I’ve edged myself too, and there’s no way this is going to last much longer. Now, I’m racing to make her come before I lose it.

Her walls tighten around me, sending a full-body shiver down my spine. I increase the pressure of my fingers on her clit and thrust harder. My reward is a breathy moan in my ear. Fuck, I love this. I love her.

I love her.

I love her .

“I love you so fucking much, Hannah,” I rasp, gripping her jaw and pulling her mouth to mine. I nip at her bottom lip, sucking it between my teeth greedily. A needy sound escapes her throat, and I groan against her lips.

“I’m close,” she mumbles. A few more seconds pass before her body jerks, her hands gripping my forearms as she comes. The sensation of her nails digging into my skin and her body contracting around me, almost sends me over the edge with her. But I force myself to hold off, determined to extend her climax.

My jaw clenches as beads of sweat run down my back, and my muscles tense, teetering on the edge of a mind-numbing orgasm.

Hannah’s pink tongue flicks out, and she leans in, dragging it up my neck, her lips finally settling on my jaw.

My body reacts before I can attempt to hold back. I tighten my grip on her hips, pulling her close as I come, murmuring her name.

All I can feel is her—the softness of her skin, the way her body still trembles in the aftermath of her own climax, the sound of her panting mixing with mine. My lips find her neck, trailing slow, lingering kisses as the lust slowly fades, replaced by a warmth that spreads through my chest.

I press my forehead to hers. “I love you,” I say, my lips brushing against hers. Before she can respond, I capture her mouth in a deep kiss.

When I ease away, I can’t help my eyes from roaming down her body, unable to get over the fact that she’s mine. I still have a tightness in my chest at the thought of her meeting up with Knolls, but her going to meet him smelling of me— of us —relaxes something in my caveman brain.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask, glancing over at Hannah in the passenger seat as we sit in the garage. I haven’t started the car, hoping maybe she’ll change her mind.

She gives me a patient smile. “I’m sure.”

She’s beautiful. Well, she is every day, but today, I’m hyper-aware of every little thing about her. I’m searching for signs, though of what, I’m not sure. Since learning about their plans to meet, I’ve done nothing but drive myself crazy, only calming myself down by making love to her.

After fucking in the kitchen, we made our way up to our bed. Which she endlessly teased me about, but I was too focused on having her spread out on silky white sheets to defend myself. Call me old fashioned, or vanilla, but I’m obsessed with having her in our bed. A first for me, with all my past hookups being at hotels or their places. I never wanted to share my space with another woman.

The last time I came, I rubbed my release into her skin and begged her not to shower before her meeting. She shook her head and laughed but humored me, skipping the shower and throwing on what she’s dressed in now: tight black jeans and an oversized cream sweater. Her winter coat hangs open, falling to her hips. Her hair is thrown up in a messy knot, and her face is bare, except for the rosy hue the wind has added to her cheeks.

“You don’t want me to come in with you?” My hand hovers near the ignition as I stall, still feeling like this is a bad idea. I know she can take care of herself, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about Knolls hurting her again.

“I need to do this on my own,” she says, followed by a look that says, quit procrastinating and let’s go .

I reluctantly press the button to start the engine on my Land Rover. It must be the right move because she leans over the center console, planting a kiss on my shoulder and rubbing my thigh in comfort. Covering her hand with mine, I hold it in place.

“It’s going to be okay,” she says. I should probably be the one comforting her, she’s the one who has to talk to Knolls, after all.

I bring her hand to my lips and press a kiss on her palm. “Are you trying to reassure me or yourself?”

“Hmm, maybe a bit of both,” she admits.

I let out a sigh and squeeze her hand, bringing it back to rest in my lap.

The drive to Bridgewater Coffee passes in near silence. I keep Hannah’s hand in mine, the low hum of the music serving as the only background to my thoughts.

As much as I want to be supportive and hope for the best, my gut tells me it’s just another ploy for Knolls to worm his way back into her life. If she feels even a fraction of what I feel for her, I know his plan won’t work. But that doesn’t mean I like it.

“I’ll be close by, so if you need me, just call, okay?”