Page 32

Allie

E dward walks with me to the library to collect my things before I head home. The rest of the boys are heading down to the beach for a bonfire, but Edward isn’t a fan of the loud parties and whatever else they do to burn off energy after the games.

I couldn’t believe he wanted to be on the team at all, but Austin told me he wears earplugs on the field.

When they got off the bus, I asked my son to be aware of his surroundings tonight, but I didn’t tell him about the text.

Jack’s right. It’s still possible it could be a text intended for someone else, and I don’t want to spoil Austin’s senior year by having him paranoid all the time like I am.

I hate that Jack has to worry about me and my poor choices. He has enough on his mind with the loss and George Powell growling in the stands and second-guessing every decision.

Even with Levi starting the game, he isn’t satisfied. He’s making noise now about how Jack put him in knowing Crystal Shores is our biggest rival. How he spared Austin’s record and intentionally made Levi look like the weaker player .

Whereas, I’m sure if they’d pulled out the win, he’d be crowing about how Levi should be starting every time, and how he saved the team in an important game. How he’s clearly the stronger player.

My head hurts, and I don’t want to think about that man.

“There’s a new poem on the graffiti wall.” Edward’s standing by the sheet, looking up at the couplets.

Taking my bags from behind the circulation desk, I let the positivity of this moment ease the tension in my chest. I’m so happy the students are responding this way.

“I knew they’d like poetry.” I smile, going to where he stands. “Show it to me.”

“It’s here.” He points at the four lines written in what looks like a male script.

Your eyes are so beautiful, so blue.

I see them even when I’m alone.

You’ve woven yourself into my soul.

Losing you now would be losing my home.

As I read the words, my lips part. “I don’t recognize this. Is it an original?”

I look at Edward, who simply shrugs. “It’s impossible to know.”

We stand for a moment, and I reread the poem, thinking how it’s more sophisticated than the others.

Most of the “graffiti” are passages from existing works or variations on them. We have a Robert Frost fan, who has copied both “The Road Not Taken” and “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening.”

And miles to go before I sleep.

And miles to go before I sleep.

But this new verse is something different.

“It’s really good,” I muse. “I can’t wait to find out who it is at the end of the contest.”

“I’m voting for it.” Edward takes one of the Sharpies hanging on a string and numbers the poem 18, then he puts a slip of paper in the box.

“Thanks for escorting me to the library.” We head out, making our way up the hall to the parking lot. “Do you need a ride home?”

“I’m meeting Zane at the restaurant if you’d drop me off there.”

I do just that, then I head to my house. It’s dark when I pull into the driveway, and my heart beats faster as I survey the dark lawn and surrounding trees.

Jack said he would sleep here tonight, and as much as I tried to say we’d be fine, not to worry about us, I’m glad he is.

Walking to the front door, my breath tightens in my lungs.

“You’re safe, Allie,” I tell myself as I type in the security code. “The house alarm was armed, and nothing has been touched.”

Inside, I quickly shut the door and lock it, arming the system again. I remember the night Garrett walked in with me, and I almost wish he were here to do it now—or someone.

As it is, if anything happens, all I have to do is run out the door and the alarm will go off. Very sensible.

Shaking my head, I go to my bedroom to shower and put away my things.

All my reinforcing thoughts and admonitions don’t slow down my movements. I shower quickly, changing into pajama pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt.

Jack’s jersey is tucked under my pillow. I only wear it when I’m sure Austin won’t see me. I’m not sure how to answer his questions yet.

The nights are growing cooler as we get closer to Halloween, and a shiver sends me to the thermostat in the living room to crank the heat a little higher.

I walk down the hall, and the alarm goes off like a train barreling through the living room. My heart flies to my throat, and I scream .

A man wearing a black hoodie and a baseball cap is at the wall where the control panel is located. His back is to me, but when I scream, he turns.

A series of beeps stops the blaring noise, but my entire body is shaking, and my vision blurs. I think I’m going to faint.

Strong arms surround me, and when I inhale the scent of leather and sandalwood, I start to cry.

“Allie.” Jack’s hand smooths my hair away from my face, but I can’t stop. “Didn’t you see my texts? I told you I was on my way here. I didn’t know you’d set the alarm.”

“I didn’t…” A hiccup breaks up my words, “…see your text. I thought… I thought…”

My stomach clenches painfully, and he lifts me off my feet, carrying me to the couch and sitting down with me in his lap. He shushes me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms and kissing the side of my temple.

“I’m so sorry, my beautiful girl. I didn’t mean to scare you.” His low voice is rich and soothing, and my fingers curl in the soft fabric of his jacket. “I’m here now.”

It takes a few moments of breathing to regain control. Shaking my head, I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand. “I’m sorry. I thought… I’m such a mess. I can’t believe I screamed like that.”

“I should’ve called. I shouldn’t have counted on you seeing a text.”

“I just got out of the shower.” I’m so embarrassed.

I feel like a complete disaster. Too much work. Too much drama. He’s got enough to worry about without adding my trouble to the mix.

His arms surround me like protective bands. It feels so good despite of it all, and slowly, my shaking subsides. I tap the tears out of my eyes.

“I’m sorry I overreacted.” Sitting back on the couch, I look up at him sheepishly. “I should’ve known it was you… or Austin.”

“Don’t do that. You have every right to be on edge.” He reaches out to cup my chin before leaning forward to pull my lips with his.

It sends warmth through my belly, and I climb onto his lap in a straddle, holding his face and kissing him back.

His tongue sweeps inside, curling with mine, and he grips my ass in his large hands, sliding me forward and back over the length in his gray joggers.

I whimper as orgasm ignites low in my belly. His hands move to my waist, fumbling with the hem of my shirt as I continue to rock my clit back and forth against his growing erection.

Sliding his palms under my shirt, he cups my breasts, lifting and squeezing them.

The thin cotton rises over his forearms, and he breaks the kiss, moving his mouth to my hardened nipples.

He nibbles and sucks them. It feels amazing, and my head falls back.

I moan louder as the friction between us shoots sparks through my inner thighs.

“Your body is so beautiful,” he groans, moving from one breast to the other, tasting and savoring me.

My fingers thread in his hair, and I kiss his ear, his temple. “I love the way you love me.”

He groans, lifting his face and pulling my mouth to his. We kiss once, twice. Our eyes meet, and his are so deep, so full of unspoken words.

“Stand up.” It’s a low order, and I’m quick to obey.

I’m ready to do anything he says.

“Pull down your pants.”

Again, I do as he says immediately. I start to take off my underwear as well, but his hands catch my wrists.

“Stop.” It’s just above a growl. “I didn’t tell you to take them off.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Take out my cock.” Excitement flares in my core, and my eyes go to the hard muscle hidden behind thick cotton.

I start to kneel, but again he stops me. “On your feet.”

Chewing my lip, I bend forward, tugging the waist of his pants lower so his penis rises from the fabric, long and throbbing. I swallow the ache in my throat, and when I look up at him, he’s still watching me.

“Straddle me, and put my cock in your pussy.”

I climb onto my knees above him, lifting him in my hands. Guiding him to my slippery core. He lifts his hand as well, moving the crotch of my undies to the side.

I put his tip right at my entrance, and his hands grasp my ass again. “Slowly.”

Another whimper aches from my throat as I follow his order. Every ridge, every line and vein stretches me, filling me completely.

My eyes lock on his, and they’re so dark. His lips part, and he exhales a groan when I sit flush against his body, taking him fully into mine.

“Fuck,” he hisses, reaching for the nape of my neck and pulling my mouth to his.

My shirt is still over my bare breasts, and he squeezes my ass as he bites my bottom lip.

“Ride me, beautiful girl. I want to watch your beautiful tits bounce as you come apart on my dick.”

“Oh, God,” I whimper, lifting up on my knees and watching his eyes fixate on my body.

I’m an exhibitionist, a lap dancer. I roll my hips, arching my back and doing my best to get him off. I twist my hardened nipples, lifting and dropping, feeling like a queen, feeling powerful and free.

“That’s it,” he whispers. “So beautiful… fuck, you ride me so good.”

His voice is low and growly, and his words send flushes of warmth through me. His hand moves from my ass to between my thighs, finding my clit and massaging it forcefully.

“Oh!” I yelp.

I’m already on edge; the orgasm I’ve been coaxing twists tighter, hotter at the base of my stomach. I rock my hips back and forth, and he massages faster. I’m getting so close, when I feel his other hand slide around to my ass.

My stomach twists as he runs a finger up and down, getting closer, until he slips one into that tight hole. Another yelp, and I start to come. My thighs tighten, and I’m practically jumping on his cock.

He groans, and I feel a second finger slip inside. The ball of tension tightens so hard, I scream when it bursts into sparkling waves of ecstasy.

I grip his shoulders as my muscles jerk me forward. I moan and cry, and he holds me by my ass, moving me faster over his cock. He speaks dirty words, words of desire and darkness as he groans, working out his own orgasm.

I’m fluttering and pulsing, drawing him further into my depths as his mouth latches onto my breast, pulling and sucking my nipple. Then all at once, his back arches. He drives deeper into me, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me close as he finishes with a shout.

We’re so tight, I feel every pulse as he fills me. His body shudders and breaks, and his muscles ripple in my arms. Holding him, I exhale a soft sigh.

This gorgeous man, this fierce protector, is coming apart in my arms. He’s all my dreams, my fantasies come to life. We hold each other, and I hum as we drift back to this world, as this small room comes into focus again.

His face is against my chest, and he gathers my hair in his hands, holding it back as he presses warm lips to my neck.

“You’re so beautiful, Allie.” His mouth rises higher to my ear. “So perfect for me. I’ll never let anyone hurt you. You’ll always be in my arms. Always.”

A smile curls my lips, and I exhale a soft noise of happiness…

Until the sound of a key in the front door lock sends me scrambling.

“Oh, shit!” I hiss, snatching up my pajama pants from the floor and running to my bedroom .

The front door opens just as mine closes, and the low murmur of voices meets my ear, followed by the staccato beeps of the security system code being entered.

Leaning my back against the bedroom door, I do my best to catch my breath.

In the mirror on my armoire, I see the smile covering my face, but I also see the red marks covering my neck and chest. Love bites, swollen lips, sweaty cheeks…

Another flush of warmth floods my veins. It’s the warmth of love melting away all my fear. I close my eyes and replay his words in my mind.

I’ll never let anyone hurt you. You’ll always be in my arms. Always.

Jack said he would explain what’s happening to Austin, and I’m in no shape to go out there. Still, pressing my lips together, I put my hand on the doorknob, carefully opening it so I don’t make a sound.

“We didn’t want to worry you.” I catch the end of Jack’s explanation for his presence on my couch. “Garrett’s got his guys keeping an eye on things.”

“You think he’d try to hurt me?” My chest aches at Austin’s question.

I’d give anything for his dad to be a better man.

“No,” Jack answers quickly. “I don’t know what that would accomplish, and he doesn’t have a history of that sort of thing.”

It’s quiet a moment, and if I weren’t scared I’d be caught, I’d peek to see what’s happening.

“You think he’d try to hurt Mom.” It’s not a question, and the shock in Austin’s voice hits me hard.

My hand covers my mouth, and I inhale slowly. Jack doesn’t answer, and I don’t know if he’s trying to find the right words or if he nodded in assent.

“I won’t let anything happen to either of you.” His tone is final. “You hear me? ”

Rustling in the room makes me want to see what they’re doing.

Finally, my son answers. “You always look out for us.”

“I always will.” More sounds of movement, and I hear what sounds like someone patting another person’s back.

I carefully close the door as they’re saying goodnight. We’ve never had a man looking out for us, a husband, a father. Curling under my covers I hug my knees feeling more secure than I ever have in my life.