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4

RAYNA

“ O h my God, you slept with Rhett?!” Serena shrieks down the phone, and I wince from the sheer high-pitched volume of her excitement.

Serena’s the only person who knows how much I’ve pined for Rhett over the years, how deep my desire for him goes. As my best friend, I’ve confided everything in her, so I know her excitement for me is real. She wants me to be happy just as much as I do.

“I know, I know. I feel like it’s some sort of dream, except I’ve never had a dream that good,” I gush, telling her everything.

Serena squeals again, and I can practically see her doing her happy dance in her kitchen. I grin. “And my best friend is finally not a virgin!”

I laugh, my cheeks burning even though I’m alone in my apartment. Rhett had to leave yesterday, but he promised me he had something planned for today. It’s mid-morning, and I’m equal parts excited and nervous for what he’s got planned. I’ve never been on a proper date before, and the fact that the first one I’m going on is with the man of my dreams is incredible. My arm is a little red from pinching myself, but nope, this is all real.

“So, where’s he taking you today?” Serena asks as I finish applying my lipstick and fixing my hair.

“I don’t know. He just told me to be ready at eleven and let him take care of everything,” I tell her, butterflies fluttering in my stomach at the memory of his words.

“What a gentleman,” Serena croons, giggling like we’re school girls again. “Honestly, Ray, I’m so happy for you. You deserve to be this happy, truly.”

My heart’s all warm and fuzzy as I say, “Thank you, Serena. I’ll text you later to tell you how it goes, yeah?”

“I can’t wait! Have fun!” she sing-songs before we hang up, just in time for a knock on my door.

I scramble to shove my feet into a pair of cute but comfortable flats, aiming for a cute but casual vibe since it’s a Sunday morning, but still wanting to be dressed up enough to look nice for Rhett. Even though I just saw him yesterday, I can’t contain my excitement as I rush to answer the door, a huge grin on my face that only grows wider when I yank the door open and see him on the other side.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” he says, and my heart thunks rapidly in my chest.

“Morning,” I answer, a bit breathless with excitement. The second I see him, everything we did yesterday comes flooding back to the forefront of my mind, and my whole body lights up.

“You ready?” he asks, holding out his hand for me to take. I nod, slipping my hand in his, pausing to lock the door behind us before he leads me out to his car. He opens the door for me, waiting for me to get myself settled in the passenger seat before closing it and slipping into the driver's side.

I can’t focus on how fancy his car is or how it smells like his cologne and my body’s response to that because Rhett drives the short distance with one hand on the wheel and the other on my thigh. The casual yet intimate touch is so consuming that it takes me a minute to realize when we get to our destination, and I startle a little when Rhett moves and comes to open my door for me again.

Rhett’s brought me to a cute brunch spot downtown, and the smell of coffee and pastries warms me as we enter. We’re quickly shown to a corner booth with a cute floral arrangement in the center of the table, and I slide onto the leather seat across from Rhett, our legs touching beneath the table as though neither of us can bear not to be touching, for even a second.

“Everything looks so good,” I say as I look over the menu, drooling over the pancake stacks and selection of pastries available. I’ve always had a sweet tooth, after all.

“It does indeed,” Rhett agrees, the tone of his voice making me look up to find him staring directly at me, not at the menu.

I blush, squirming and trying to remind myself of the importance of eating breakfast to avoid just grabbing his hand and rushing us out of here so he can eat me instead. My thoughts must be written all over my face because he chuckles. “Later, baby. Let me feed you first.”

I finally decide on a strawberry and white chocolate pancake stack, with a fruit smoothie to drink, and Rhett and I chat about life until the waitress brings our order over. I’ve known Rhett for years, but I’ve never allowed myself to get close to him, to truly listen to him speak about his passions and career, because it was too painful to know I could never have him. But now, I listen eagerly, devouring all the information he gives me, wanting to know everything I can about the man I’ve claimed as my own.

The pancakes are the best I’ve ever had, and so is the company. When the loud ringing of a phone interrupts our happy bubble, I jump so hard that some of my smoothie spills over the rim of the glass.

Rhett gives me an apologetic look, pulling out his phone to check who’s calling. His eyes widen, and he curses under his breath.

“Sorry, baby, I need to take this. I’ll only be a moment,” he explains, and I nod, trying to be understanding but also a little worried as to who put that look on his face.

He stands and moves to take the call outside, and I focus on my food, savoring my meal. Unfortunately, the universe seems to have decided I’m not allowed a second of peace because a new voice interrupts me mid-bite.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing with an old guy like that?” a male voice asks, tone teasing and making my hair stand on end. I bristle, swallowing thickly, and turn to find a man from the table beside us leaning over to speak to me. He’s around my age, if I had to guess, and well-built. I’m sure he’d be considered handsome by anyone else, but to me, he looks as bland as the cereal I usually eat for breakfast before work.

“Excuse me?” I ask, my tone sharp.

“Oh come on, you know what I mean,” the man leers. “What’s the deal? Is he, like, your sugar daddy or something?”

I gape at the stranger, wondering where the hell he got the audacity to say such a thing. “What?! No!”

The man just smirks. “That’s a shame, you deserve to be spoiled. I could treat you right, you know…”

My delicious food turns to lead in my stomach as the man tries to flirt with me, insulting Rhett as he does. Now I’m mad for multiple reasons because how dare he try to ruin my pancakes and my relationship?!

“I’m not interested,” I snipe, hoping he’ll leave me alone.

“Give me a chance,” he pushes, leaning closer and nearly knocking his glass of water to the floor. “I’ll treat you so good?—”

I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head at him. “You’re delusional,” I inform him, furious. “You could never, in a million years or in your wildest dreams, ever treat me as good as Rhett does. How many ways do I have to tell you? I. Am. Not. Interested!”

The man’s face morphs from gross leering to outright rage. His cheeks redden, and his thick brows draw together as his mouth sets in a hard line. A beat of panic rings in my chest, realizing I’ve just antagonized an unknown man when I’m alone and know approximately zero self-defense.

Just great!

“What did you just say?” the man seethes as he pushes to his feet. I lean back in my booth, trying to put distance between us. “How dare you! You bitch?—”

“What did you just call her?” a cold yet comforting voice asks. My heart leaps with relief as Rhett comes into view, standing protectively between me and the stranger.

I peer around Rhett’s arm, thoroughly enjoying the way the other man’s face pales. “Hey, look, it wasn’t?—”

“Do you want to repeat what you just said?” Rhett asks, his tone dark and menacing. I can’t deny the fact that it’s heating my blood, watching him stand up for me like this. It’s as if every time I think I can’t get more attracted to him, he proves me wrong.

“I…I…” the man stammers, clearly not in control of the situation anymore.

“I suggest you stop talking to or even looking in the direction of my girl,” Rhett presses, and I swear I’d have swooned if I wasn’t already sitting down.

The other man musters enough bravado to snark back, “Oh yeah? Or what?”

I can hear the challenging grin in Rhett’s voice when he answers, “Or else you’ll see just how much this old man can do.” He rolls up his sleeve, making the muscles in his arm flex. My mouth waters and I can’t wait to get out of here to show him my gratitude.

The other man sputters, backing away while muttering under his breath, trying to save face with empty threats but too much of a coward to say them to Rhett’s face. When he’s gone, Rhett turns to me, immediately pulling me into his arms.

“Are you okay, baby?” he asks, concern filling his voice.

I sigh against his chest, savoring the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around me. “I’m fine,” I promise him. “He was just an asshole, but he didn’t hurt me or anything.”

Despite my assurances, Rhett looks ready to chase after the man and give him another talking to with his fists, so I try to de-escalate the situation.

“Who called you?” I ask as we sit back down to finish our food. My pancakes have gone a little cold, but they’re still delicious.

Rhett grimaces, running his hand through his hair. “Your dad.”

I wince, understanding Rhett’s reaction to seeing the caller ID now.

“Dare I ask why?” I press, mildly terrified my dad has somehow figured out what happened between his best friend and me yesterday.

“He wanted to check that I was all right after I left our Friday night drinks in a rush,” Rhett explains.

“Oh God,” I groan, resting my head in my hands and sighing. “What did you say? I’m assuming you didn’t tell him it’s because I got drunk and sent you nudes?”

Rhett chokes on his sip of water, laughing. “No, weirdly enough, I did not tell him that,” he chuckles. “I made up some excuse about feeling ill, and he bought it, I think. But I’ve known that man for years, baby, and I don’t think we can keep up the lies without him knowing something’s going on.”

“You’re right,” I agree, knowing what my father’s like. He cares about his people and has always been annoyingly astute when it comes to sniffing out lies, which meant my attempts at sneaking out to go to parties with Serena when we were teenagers were never successful. “But how the hell are we supposed to tell him? ‘Hey Dad, you know your best friend, Rhett? Yeah, we’re together now. Surprise!’ ”

Rhett reaches across the table, taking my hand and squeezing. “Not exactly like that,” he says, humor in his warm voice. “But I’m all in with this, baby, and I’m not ashamed of what we share.”

I nod, utterly in agreement. “Me, too. It’ll all be fine, right?”

Rhett nods, and I know that whatever happens and however my dad reacts, I’ll still have Rhett by my side.

With both of our breakfasts finished, Rhett pays, and we head out. Neither of us wants to leave each other yet, so instead of driving me home, Rhett takes me back to his.

“This place makes my apartment look like a cupboard!” I laugh as we pull up to his house. It’s on the outskirts of the city, in a nice neighborhood filled with other houses just as beautiful as his. It’s a two-story red brick house that could fit my apartment inside of it probably about ten times. It reminds me of where I grew up, though, and for a second, I picture us both here, kids running around our feet and maybe even a crazy dog joining in the chaos. The perfect vision of our future stops me in my tracks, and I jolt when Rhett’s hand strokes my back.

“You okay, baby?” he asks, wrapping his arm around my waist as we walk up the path to his door.

“Yeah, better than ever,” I say, smiling wildly as excitement and love bubbles in my chest. Love. That’s what this is, isn’t it? I can’t deny it. I’ve been in love with Rhett for years, and now that we’re actually together, the feeling is overwhelming.

I don’t even take a second to look around his house when we enter, needing to be closer to Rhett like I need air. I practically pounce on him as soon as the door closes, kissing him deeply.

His arms wrap around me immediately, pulling me closer as his tongue sweeps against mine. I melt against him, an ache quickly building between my legs that only he can help.

We don’t make it to the bedroom. Instead, he walks me backward into what must be his lounge, and when the backs of my legs hit the sofa, he eases me down onto the soft cushions. I expect him to follow me and cover my body with his, but instead, he kneels on the floor, pushing my knees apart to make space for himself between my thighs.

“What are you doing?” I ask, looking down at him as he runs his hands up my thighs, pushing my skirt up to reveal my panties. I’ve already ordered more cute lingerie sets online because my collection of cute underwear is sorely lacking, given that nobody was ever seeing them before. Now, though, I have a reason to wear them, and I can’t wait to find out what set makes him lose his mind the most.

Rhett’s fingers slip into the sides of the underwear, and I lift my hips to help him slide them off me. “Looking at what’s mine,” he says, voice thick with desire. I shudder, anticipation building low in my stomach.

“Oh,” I whisper, not knowing what else to say as he leans closer to my center. It’s a new feeling, being on display like this, but I don’t feel self-conscious like I thought I might. Rhett has made me feel so treasured, proved how much he wants me, that covering myself doesn’t even come to mind.

“Oh!” I gasp as he kisses my inner thigh, then trails soft, open-mouthed kisses up to where I’m desperate for him. His tongue sweeps through my folds, the sensation new and utterly addictive, and the air rushes from my lungs.

“So fucking sweet, baby,” Rhett murmurs, looking up at me with so much heat in his gaze, I flush red hot.

“Rhett,” I breathe, barely able to speak as he kisses me there again, this time tracing his tongue over my clit and sending bolts of bliss through me. My head hits the back of the sofa as pleasure makes me limp, and Rhett fucks me with his tongue, doing things to me I didn’t know were possible. I feel like I’m floating, burning up, and ready to explode with absolute pleasure as Rhett makes it his mission to make me lose my mind.

“Mine to touch, mine to taste, mine to fuck,” Rhett says against my flesh, his words only driving me higher. “Come all over my tongue like the good girl you are, Rayna.”

I can’t help but obey him, the combination of his rough, need-filled demand and the way he’s eating me out pushing me quickly over the edge. I cry out his name as pleasure overwhelms me, my thighs tightening around his face. I worry briefly that I’m hurting him, but I’m too lost in the feeling of bliss to do anything about it.

I’m panting heavily when the orgasm wanes, and I crack my eyes open to find Rhett grinning and licking me off his lips.

“Did I hurt you?” I ask.

Rhett laughs. “Baby, you could suffocate me with your thighs, and I’d say thank you for it,” he tells me, and just like that, my need for him is reignited.

I want to make him feel the way he just made me feel, and though I have no idea what I’m doing, I’ve always been a pretty quick learner. When Rhett stands, I shuffle forward and reach for the zipper on his pants.

“What are you doing, baby?” he asks, amusement and lust coating the words.

I grin, trying to muster some confidence, as he helps me undress him, stepping out of his pants and underwear and tugging his shirt off. For a second, I forget his question, too busy drinking in the sight of him. Suddenly, my plan feels a lot less intimidating as my mouth waters over the sight of his muscles and the veins flexing on his arms when he reaches for me, tucking my hair behind my ears.

“Returning the favor,” I finally answer, my eyes dropping to his cock, hard and ready. Thankfully, with him standing and me sitting on the edge of the sofa, I’m at the perfect height for this.

“There’s no press—” Rhett begins to say, but I cut him short by leaning forward and taking him in my mouth. The groan he makes as I sweep my tongue over him sends a burning hot thrill through me that spurs me on. His hands fly to my hair, and I moan as he tugs a little at the strands. “Fuck, baby,” he grunts as I take him deeper, learning what he likes.

Rhett guides me, helping me set a rhythm as I bob my head on his length, gagging a little when he hits the back of my throat.

“God, Rayna, you look so fucking pretty swallowing my cock like that,” he groans, and I whimper around him, doubling my efforts. “That’s it, such a good fucking girl. You feel fucking incredible, baby.”

All his praise and encouragement light me up inside, and I feel like I could float with how satisfied it makes me feel.

“Fuck, just like that,” he groans as I hollow my cheeks around him. “I’m gonna come, baby.”

I swallow, savoring the way he cups my face and stares down at me with so much heat in his eyes as he comes undone. I let him catch his breath, licking my lips to make sure I got every drop.

“Was that okay?” I ask after a second, giving him a smile. “I’ve never done that before.”

Rhett shakes his head at me. “Okay? Baby, you’re fucking perfect,” he reassures me, making me grin wider. He leans down and kisses me, and I sigh, melting against him, absolutely certain that this man is the one I’m meant to spend forever with.