Page 38 of Waiting for Acceptance (Nashville Nights #5)

LAUREN

Neither Fitz nor myself have spoken since we left the airport.

I’ve been trying to figure out how I feel because part of me says his behavior at the airport should have me running in the other direction, but the other part of me feels…

wanted. I’d never say it out loud, because I fear it would sound even more pathetic than it does in my head, but seeing him kind of freak out over the idea of me with another man makes me think of Max, Tucker, Tank, and Sawyer.

The four guys would have acted the exact same way, had someone been a little too friendly with any of their girls and they witnessed it.

I mean, he did tell me last night that he got jealous when I was talking to those guys at the mixer, and I did tell him that for as long as we are in this agreement, I would be his.

Maybe he felt like I was betraying that trust I asked him to put in me.

I look over at Fitz, who is zoned in on the road as he drives in the direction of my house.

“My problem is that I can’t stop picturing you with him, Lauren, and I don’t fucking like it.”

He called me by my name. That has to mean something, right?

I’ve been Trouble or Sweetheart for as long as I’ve known him, unless he’s introducing me to someone, of course.

For him to use my real name feels the same as when your parents use your middle name when you’re in trouble—it’s unsettling.

Him shifting the car into park pulls me out of my own thoughts, but he doesn’t say a word as he gets out, opens my door, and grabs my bags from the back.

“Thanks,” I mumble. I go to grab them from him but he stops me.

“You know the rule, Trouble. You don’t touch your bags. I’ll take them up for you.”

Trouble.

He sets the bags inside the door, his feet never leaving the doormat and my heart sinks. Ginny runs over to us and I smile, picking her up and snuggling her.

“Ginny girl! I missed you!” Her purrs are insanely loud for five whole seconds before she jumps down, rubs against Fitz’s leg, and then runs back into the house. “She’s so low maintenance.” I laugh, seeing a smirk play at Fitz’s lips, but the humor doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You want to come in?” I ask, leaning against the door to allow it to open further.

“Do you want me to come in?” The defeat in his tone makes me even more sure.

“Yeah, I do.” He nods and walks inside, kicking his shoes off to the side, and I do the same. We make it to the island in an awkward silence before I finally get the courage to speak first.

“Fitz?”

“Yeah, Trouble?”

“Why didn’t you like the idea of me with someone else?

” The pained frown on his face makes me backtrack.

“I just mean… It was a long time ago, me being with Hugh, did you really think I would sleep with him when I’m supposed to be with you?

After I told you I wouldn’t do that.” He takes a deep breath and I have no idea what answer to expect from him.

“I didn’t, and don’t like it because I’ve been able to picture you with no one but me ever since I had you. Today, seeing you with him, put a new picture in my head. The possibility of you wanting to be with someone else, and it shattered the illusion I’ve been living in.”

“I don’t?—”

“You don’t remember that night, but I haven’t been able to forget it.

For almost a year now, every time I see your eyes roll, all I remember is how it felt to be inside you.

Every time I have to get myself off, I see you on your knees for me, begging for every drop of cum I had for you.

Every time I see you play with your hair, all I can see is the way it fanned out on my pillow when I would sink inside you.

You’re rooted in every single part of my mind.

Having to act like that wasn’t the best fucking night of my life just to keep you from running for the hills has been torture .

” I can hardly breathe when his hand reaches for my hair, tucking it behind my ear.

“You were anything but decent , Trouble. I would have kept you in my bed forever had I not gotten called away before you woke up the next morning. Then when I finally saw you again, you didn’t remember me.

All the while, I’ve not been able to think of anything but you.

I wasn’t ready for the illusion to end if you decided you wanted to be with someone else. That’s why I snapped.”

I can’t breathe.

“I need some water,” I barely whisper, causing Fitz to fly into action. I stand motionless as he moves around the kitchen to get me a drink.

“Here.” He hands me the water and I practically chug the whole thing. I finally meet his eyes and feel as though my knees could give out at any moment.

“You… Do you—” Shit, why are words so hard right now.

“Breathe, I’m not going anywhere.” He runs his hands along my arms, helping to center me while simultaneously sending goosebumps along my skin.

“You make all these flirty comments, but then you walk away. I always thought it was part of your game to get under my skin. Do you still want me? In that way?” If he said no I would probably just go fling myself off the roof.

“Yes.”

“Then why haven’t you done anything about it? Why haven’t you made a move?” The look he gives me is one that will be ingrained into my memory forever.

“I needed to know you wanted me too, Trouble.” Consider caution officially in the wind.

“I do.”

“You do?” I nod, a little more eagerly than I meant to, and he’s got me on the counter before I can say another word. His hands are resting on the curve of my ass and his nose is grazing my ear when I hear him inhale softly. “Tell me that you want me.”

“I want you, Fitz.”

“Fucking finally,” he growls in my ear. The ferocious way he kisses and nips at my neck, while his hands palm my ass before moving underneath my shirt, has my panties soaked within seconds.

He rips my shirt off and kisses down my neck, against the slope of my breasts, and down my stomach.

“You know the rule, Trouble. You tell me to go and I take what I want.” He hooks his fingers into my shorts, and I bite my lip in anticipation.

“Go.” It comes out breathy and I don’t even care.

I need this. I need him. He rips my shorts down, taking my underwear right along with them, discarding them before he hooks his arms around my thighs, pulling me to the edge of the counter as he kneels for me.

I prop my feet up on the barstools on either side of him and his mouth is on me a second later.

“Fuck,” I moan. I can feel the motherfucker smirk against my pussy and I roll my eyes.

The moans coming from him as he completely devours me have me closer and closer to coming undone.

Then he moves—plunging his tongue inside of me, sucking my clit into his mouth then kissing it so softly it has my head spinning.

“Fitz!” My body is screaming, begging for release. He looks up at me and the way his face is glistening with my arousal is exhilarating.

“Say please, Trouble.” He squeezes my thighs and blows on my clit, making me jump.

“Please, Fitz. I need to come.” I grab a fistful of his hair and his eyes roll, finally making me understand what he gets so worked up about.

I guide him back down, and he doesn’t argue.

His tongue is back on me and the electric feeling I get every time we touch, completely ignites, causing my toes to curl.

I keep a hold of his hair, grinding my hips against him and he matches every movement.

Causing the most intense orgasm I can ever recall having, to rip through me.

“Fuck, Fitz. Yes!” He lets me ride out every last wave of pleasure before giving my clit one last kiss, and stands up.

“I’ve been craving the taste of you for ten.

Months .” He slides a finger inside me, staying only long enough to be a tease, and I moan at the loss when he pulls it away.

“Don’t make me wait so long for another taste, will ya?

” He sucks his fingers clean and grabs my shorts from across the room, sliding them up my legs until I feel the dampness of my underwear.

He pats my hips and kisses my nose, leaving the scent of my arousal lingering before he walks away.

“Wait. Where are you going?” I frown, folding my arms over my chest.

“Giving you time.”

My frown deepens. “For what?”

“To make sure you won’t regret this before we go any further. Because if I have you again, I’m never gonna want to let you go.” He opens the door and my stomach twists.

“I’m not going to regret it,” I call after him.

“Get some rest, Trouble. I’ll see you soon.” Then he closes the door and I’m left with the realization that I miss him already.

Shit.