Текст книги "Pushing the Limits"

Автор книги: Brooke Cumberland

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Текущая страница: 20 (всего у книги 21 страниц)

CHAPTER THIRTY

ASPEN

For six years, my life has revolved around one thing—pain. I’ve let it take over my life, fueling the guilt and anxiety for everything I lost. Although I will always love my sister and the years we shared, I can’t let it control my life any longer.

Letting go will be a constant struggle, but with Morgan by my side, I have no doubt I’ll be able to better control my anxiety. The strength I get from his support gives me confidence that I can overcome the things I’ve struggled with for so long.

I’m not sure if it was finally knowing the truth of what happened and why, or if it’s because of meeting Morgan—perhaps a combination of both—but my life is full of hope instead of constant guilt. Finally, the weight has lifted, and I’m starting to see a future full of possibilities and happiness. He’s peeled back layers I never even knew existed. He’s managed to dig his way right into my heart, the very thing I’d sworn off years ago.

Natalia and I started painting together. I bought her an easel and her own painting and drawing supplies so she can work whenever she wants. Morgan signed her up for some art workshops for kids her age at The Art Shoppe. When she isn’t burying herself with drawing, she has her face stuck in a book. She tells me about every piece she creates and even let Ms. Jones put a couple of her pieces up in the gallery after several plea attempts.

My favorite ones are the drawings of her mother. She can’t remember much about her, but she draws what she does remember. She tells me stories about her and her dad, the fun things he’d take her to, and all the pictures he’d take of them together.

I can see a lot of Ryan in Morgan and think about how much it must hurt Natalia to see the resemblance. But for her age, she’s handling it quite well. In fact, she’s starting to act like a typical eleven-year-old, laughing more easily and slowly opening up about her feelings. We’ve been able to bond over teasing Morgan about his lack of cooking skills. I’ve been trying to teach him and show him some of my techniques. He’s getting better—in that the smoke detector goes through fewer batteries than before.

Morgan and I take turns sleeping over at each other’s places. If Natalia spends the night at a friend’s or Morgan’s parent’s house, he stays with me. Otherwise, I stay over there and make sure they stay fed.

Music plays softly as I work in my studio. Different shades of purple and red paint cover my jeans and hands. The blend of warm and cool colors is the perfect mix for the abstract I’m currently working on.

The paintbrush strokes effortlessly along his jawline and cheekbones. His green eyes are bright in the mix, showing his softer and gentler side. Light purple and deep red cover the rest of him, representing the very meaning of this whole piece.

I hear him walk up behind me. My body shivers as he gently wraps his arms around my waist and nuzzles his nose in the nape of my neck.

“Mm…you smell good.”

“That’s the smell of paint and working for hours, or what normal people call sweat,” I tease.

“Strawberry,” he murmurs. “You smell like strawberries…and cream.” He nips on my earlobe, pulling it in between his teeth and sucking lightly.

“Don’t get any ideas,” I threaten. “The last time you mentioned strawberries and whip cream, it took three hours to wash it out of my hair.”

“That’s only because you kept distracting me in the shower.” He kisses down my neck, sending goose bumps over my skin. “But at least you were thoroughly cleaned.” I feel the corners of his lips tilting up in an amused grin.

“Can you at least wait until I’m finished? It’s almost complete.”

He growls in my ear. “You have five minutes.” He pulls back and slaps my ass.

Thirty-seven minutes later, I step back and examine the painting. “It’s finished,” I call out. I smile as I study it. I can’t wait to frame this one.

“What’s this one called?” He rests his hands on my hips and pulls me against him, his chest to my back.

“The Professor,” I answer with a smile.

“He’s very…brightly colored.”

I lightly elbow him in the stomach. “It’s you.”

He presses his lips against my neck. “What’s it mean?” he softly asks.

“The colors represent healing and love.” I turn around and face him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “You’re the purples and reds of my life.”

He leans down and presses his mouth to mine. “You’re the purples and reds of my life,” he repeats my words. “Many, many, many reds.” He brushes his tongue along my lower lip and pulls it in between his teeth and sucks it lightly before releasing it. “I love you, Aspen Evans.” He kisses my lips. “I love how passionate you are. I love how much you love Natalia and me. But I think the thing I love most about you is how adorable you look covered in paint.”

“If you think that’s adorable…” I take the brush covered in purple and wipe it across his forehead, leaving a nice bright streak over his skin. “You should see how adorable I am when I kick your ass at paint wars.”

He pulls my body against him, making me gasp and laugh at the same time. He grabs the brush from my hand and wipes it all over my cheeks and nose. “It’s super adorable how you always think you can beat me. Too bad that’s not going to happen!”

I manage to push out of his grip just long enough to grab another tube of paint. “You’re so dead!” I scream, smearing it on my hands and covering it over his arms and neck.

We continue chasing each other around the room, laughing, and eventually surrendering to each other. I release the brushes and paint from my hands and wrap them around him, holding him close to my chest.

“I love you, Morgan Hampton. Thank you for bringing happiness back into my life.” I arch my neck and smile up at him, his warm eyes making me fall harder and harder for him every single day.

“Thank you for letting me in so I could.” He kisses the top of my nose and squeezes me tighter against him. “Now…about that shower?”

I burst into laughter and lead the way.

MORGAN

I run my hands along her neck and arms, rinsing the soap and paint off her body. She sucks in her bottom lip as she watches me, our eyes locked on one another’s.

I lower my arms and her hands cover my chest, rinsing the soap off. I study her features, still in shock at how flawless she looks. She’s naturally gorgeous, but her confidence and strength just radiate off of her. She’s beautiful on the inside and out.

I wrap a hand around her body and cup her neck, pulling her lips to mine. The water streams over us as I kiss her in wanton desire, heated with passion and need. Her arms move up my chest and wrap around my neck as our mouths devour each other. Slowly, she pulls away, tugging my bottom lip in between her teeth, playful desire dancing in her bright blue eyes.

Once she releases my lower lip, her tongue glides across it, soothing the sting. Her lips travel down my throat, marking the skin for her own. She licks a trail up to my ear and gently pulls the earlobe in between her teeth, eliciting a groan from deep in my chest.

Tangling my fingers into her wet hair, I pull her lips back to mine, locking her body to mine and kissing her deeply. Her wet chest rubs against mine, those hard little nipples begging for my attention. Running my hand from her waist up to her breast, I squeeze it roughly, just the way she likes, before I pinch her nipple between my thumb and forefinger, rolling and tugging it.

“Mm…yes,” she moans into my mouth as she rubs her lower body against me, searching for friction. “Pleasepleaseplease…” Her voice cuts off when I pinch her other nipple. I fucking love that my girl likes it rough as I please her body.

“I know what you need, sweetheart.”

Aspen glides her hand down between our bodies, wrapping her fingers around my length, squeezing tightly before moving her hand in a quick, hard motion. I tweak her nipple hard in warning. I know she’s trying to get me to lose control, but that’s not in the cards tonight. I pull away from her and turn the water off before stepping out of the shower. Without warning, I lift her over my shoulder and slap her ass with a firm hand, the sound ringing through the room, and echoing off the walls.

She yelps in surprise, a satisfied grin on my face as I tighten my hold around her thigh. “Behave yourself,” I warn with a teasing tone as I walk into her bedroom.

I lay her on the mattress and don’t waste any time before climbing on top of her. I part her silky legs, spread them wide, and attack her pussy with my starving lips. I suck her clit into my mouth, lashing it with my tongue. Her thighs clench, threatening to close around me. I push her legs further apart, holding her just how I want to—keeping her at my mercy.

“Mm…fuck. Morgan, yes.” She’s breathless, making incoherent noises while fisting the sheets.

Throwing one of her legs over my shoulder, I plunge two fingers deep into her tight little pussy, thrusting hard and faster. Her body bows up on the bed pushing her closer to my mouth, begging me with her body for more.

“Let me hear you, Aspen,” I demand as I curl my fingers, hitting her g-spot with every deep thrust. “Fuck my fingers, baby. Take what’s yours.” Her whole body seizes as her orgasm explodes, covering my fingers in her release. Leaning back onto my knees, I make eye contact—her eyes full of passion and love. Her chest heaving with every breath she takes.

Slowly, I lay my body on top of hers, covering her completely, she reaches up to kiss me, but I pull away, instead rubbing my fingers across her lips. “Taste yourself. So sweet, so mine.”

Her tongue slowly licks across her bottom lip, and I groan at how hot it is knowing she’s doing as I demand.

“Mm…” She makes little moaning noises, my cock pulsating harder against her at how much she enjoys tasting herself. “But you taste better,” she teases, she pushes against my chest, and I give in to her silent demand, rolling to my back as I pull her with me.

Aspen scoots down the bed, coming to her knees beside my body. Grabbing the base of my cock, she quickly wraps her lips around me, sucking the head into the warmth of her mouth. Without conscious effort, my hips thrust up into her, making her take another inch. I tangle a hand in her hair, pulling gently, but just enough to get her attention.

She smirks around my cock, a devious, playful look in her eyes. Slowly, she takes me again, inch by inch, as she keeps eye contact until her lips meet the bottom of my shaft and that hot little tongue of hers rubs against the sensitive underside of my cock.

“Fuck, Aspen,” I groan, squeezing my hand tighter between her locks. “So fucking hot watching my cock disappear into your mouth, baby.” She pulls her plump lips back up my shaft, and then pushes me deeper down her throat. “Jesus,” I hiss, my head falling back against the mattress as I feel her hot breath against my throbbing cock.

Fuck, I’m going to explode right in her mouth if she keeps this up, which is the exact opposite of what I intend to do. Again, my girl is trying to get me to lose control.

Cradling her face between my hands, I lift her away from my cock, much to its disappointment. I can almost hear it cursing me for stopping her.

“I was enjoying that,” she pouts.

“I’m not coming in that hot little mouth tonight.”

Before she can protest further, I roll off the bed. She turns onto her back in defeat, watching me with curious eyes. Quickly grabbing a condom, I rip it open with my teeth and hand it to her.

“Roll it on, baby,” I demand, my eyes heavy with the need to be inside her.

She sits up slightly, taking the condom from my hand. She slowly licks her lips, her eyes looking up at me through those perfect eyelashes. She slides it over me, slowly rolling it down my length.

“Now lay back,” I command. “And close your eyes.”

I walk to the end of the bed and latch my hands around her ankles. I easily pull her to the edge of the bed, spreading her legs.

“Morgan!” Her voice is laced with indignation and humor.

Lifting one of her legs over my shoulder, I plunge into her, filling her with my entire length. Her laugh is cut off abruptly, no longer tinged with humor, my name falls from her lips full of unbridled passion.

“You’re so fucking tight. Christ, Aspen.”

Her head is thrashing against the bed sheets, making her hair stick up every which way. The only sounds coming from her lips are moans. I thrust into her harder and deeper, digging my fingers into her hips, knowing she’ll have bruises in the morning, but also knowing she loves it. “Touch yourself,” I demand in a raspy voice. “Let me hear how good it feels.”

One hand lowers down her stomach and lands on her clit, rubbing aggressively in sync with my thrusts. Her other hand palms her breast, squeezing as she continues rubbing against herself. She moans louder, rubs faster. I dig my nails into her hips, pounding rougher and dying to feel her come apart.

My hand slides up her stomach and cups her other breast. I squeeze and give it a little slap, her body shivers in response. “Mm…” I hum, leaning over her more.

“More,” she groans, arching her back.

“You like that, baby?” I palm her breast harder, rolling the nipple tightly between my fingers. “You love the things I do to you, don’t you?”

“I fucking love it,” she hums. “Attack my fucking tits like you own them.”

I growl, rolling my hips into her deeper.

“Jesus Christ,” I hiss.

I grab her wrists and pin them to the mattress. My hands cover her breasts, squeezing, pinching, slapping. The rougher I am, the louder she moans. Her back nearly flies off the bed as she screams my name.

“Fuck, Aspen.” I’m close but need to feel her tighten around me first. I release her and crawl down her body. “Turn around.”

She’s quick to obey and rolls over to her stomach, arching her back and pushing her plump ass straight out in the air—waiting for me.

I cup her pussy as I slide a hand around my length, feeling how wet and ready she is for me. I decide I need more of her pussy in my mouth first and crawl under her legs.

“What are you—”

“Ride my face.” I align her pussy with my mouth and wrap my hands around her legs and cup her ass cheeks.

She rolls her hips as I part her lips and slip my tongue inside. She rocks harder as I suck on her clit and twirl my tongue inside her.

“That’s it, baby. Fuck my face hard and fast.”

“Yes…” she whimpers, my tongue bringing her over the edge.

I slow my pace as she comes down, her body humming with pleasure.

“You taste incredible. Fuck, you taste so good.” I press one last kiss before shifting my body and sliding out from under her. “Don’t move just yet.” I grab her hips and arch her body, aligning her ass with my hips.

I press the tip of my cock along her swollen pussy, coating it with her juices. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

  “Not there…” Her voice barely a whisper. “Fuck my ass, Morgan. I want it rough. Don’t hold back,” she demands. My eyes widen, an intense thrill jolting through my body.

“Aspen…” My tone a warning not to tease me.

“I want it,” she pleads. Sweet Jesus.

I feel her dripping against my cock. She’s greedy and hungry.

I coat my length before sliding it up her ass and pressing the tip inside. She arches lower, opening herself to me even more. I slap her ass and dig my nails into her hips as I squeeze a hand around her. I roll my hips and push deeper inside, her moans growing louder.

“Fuck,” I growl. It’s so fucking tight.

“Yes…” she whimpers. “Don’t stop.”

I slide further in, feeling her squeeze me tighter. I’m worried about hurting her, but her body relaxes and opens up even more as I push inside another inch.

I’m going wild with the way her ass feels stroking my dick. Fuck, I can barely hold it any longer. Panting and groaning, I thrust in deeper once more before she screams my name, and I follow behind her, moaning my own release.

She collapses on the bed as I stand up and dispose of the condom in the trashcan. I can see her chest moving with uneven breaths as she tries to recover. I lie next to her and wrap her in my arms, tangling my legs with hers.

I cup her face and feather kisses across her cheeks. Settling in against her lips, I press a soft kiss against them.

“I love you, Aspen. With everything that I am and will be, I love you.”

Her breath catches, and a solitary tear slips down her temple. I kiss the dampness from her face. “No need for tears, beautiful.”

“I love you, too, Morgan. So much. You’ve made me feel whole after feeling empty for so long. You took a damaged person with a broken soul and showed me how to take my life back.”

“You’re the one who’s given me a reason to live at all.”

EPILOGUE

ASPEN

15 Months Later…

“I can’t believe it’s already time for you to leave,” I pout, tightening my grip on her.

“It’s only for a semester,” Kendall reminds me. “Maybe two if the eye candy is really sweet.”

I release her and force her to look at me. “Listen…under no circumstances are you allowed to come back pregnant, married, or both. And for the love of God, do not fall for a professor while you’re over there.”

“And what fun would that be?” She flashes a crooked smile.

“Kendall Jane Mueller, I mean it!” I scowl with a serious tone but laugh when she wrinkles her nose at me.

“Well, it seems to have worked for you,” she mocks, throwing her bag over her shoulder.

“Only because we live in the same zip code,” I sneer. “Should I remind you of all the heartache we went through first?”

She pulls me in for another hug and kisses my cheek. “Stop worrying. I will be fully engrossed in my books and watercolors. Promise.”

“Good, and well, I guess if you happen to find a handsome lad, you could maybe hang out or something.”

“Considering they have English accents, I don’t anticipate having a hard time finding any male companions.” She waggles her brows.

I snort and shake my head at her. “I’m going to miss you.”

“We’ll email, okay?”

“Yes, you better!” I squeeze in one more hug. “All right, you better go before you miss your flight.”

She smiles and starts heading toward the security line. “Love you!” she calls out one last time with a wave.

I wave back and watch as she makes her way through the line. “She’ll be all right,” Morgan says from behind me, giving my shoulders a gentle squeeze.

“I know.” I sigh. “I’ve seen her almost every day for the past three years. It’s just going to feel so quiet and lonely.” I frown.

He grabs my hand as we walk back out to the parking garage. “Well, I’m happy to fill the void for you,” he says with amusement. “Pillow fights in our underwear, gossiping about celebrities, and who wore it best.”

I playfully punch his shoulder and laugh. “Very funny.”

“I thought so.”

“Don’t forget the wine. Drunken pillow fights are way better.”

“Damn, I was definitely going to the wrong parties when I was in college.”

I roll my eyes and sigh. “You’re ridiculous.”

He takes a quick step in front of me and pushes my body back and through a door that’s marked ‘employees only’ before I can stop him. The hallway is empty, but there are closed doors all down the hall, which means anyone could come out at any time.

I feel the arousal through his jeans as he arches his hips against me.

“What are you doing?” I hiss quietly.

“What? Never engaged in public sex before?” He arches a brow.

“Don’t even think about it,” I warn, but he presses his lips to that spot on my neck that instantly paralyzes my thinking. “Stop it.” I laugh, pushing my palms against him, but it’s no use. His body feels like cement against mine. “Don’t make me scream,” I threaten. “Because I will.”

He wraps his hands around my wrists and pins them up against the wall above my head. “I plan to make you scream nice and loud, baby. No worries there.”

His lips trail up and down my neck, switching off between sucking and kissing on my earlobe and jawline. I curse that he knows all my sensitive spots that get my body buzzing. He knows it’s impossible for me to resist him when he does that.

“Can you at least hold off until we get in the car?” I plead, too worried about people walking by and seeing or hearing us.

One of his hands lowers down my body and slides in between my legs, rubbing against the fabric of my jeans. “Not until I feel you shaking against me first.”

“No,” I whisper loudly. I push his chest, but it only drives him to rub his hand faster and harder.

“Just one, baby. Let me hear it.”

“Damn you,” I groan. The hallway we’re in is dimmed, not as bright as the main walkway, so I finally give in and relax into his hold.

“That’s my girl,” he praises. He unbuttons my jeans and lowers the zipper. He slips a hand inside over my panties and continues his delicious torture.

I bite my lip to keep from moaning aloud, but the faster he speeds up, the harder it gets to stay quiet. He notices my struggle and covers his mouth over mine, allowing me to release them against his lips.

“Mm…” he hums against my lips. “Even your lips taste good when you come, baby.”

He slides his hand out and slowly licks his fingers covered in my arousal. I feel my insides burning as he stares intently at me, the scent of what he does to me floating between the two of us.

He brings his hands down and buttons my jeans back up, leaving me soaked and wanting more. “Now let’s get you home before I fuck you right here against this wall.”

“Lead the way.” I grab his hand and smile, nearly skipping to the car.

MORGAN

Aunt Mel’s retirement party was a blast. It lasted all night long and into the early hours of the next morning. After a day of rest, I officially begin my new job as the gallery manager.

“You look so cute,” Aspen gushes, straightening my tie.

“I’m not really going for cute.” I frown. “Dead sexy maybe…”

She flashes me a look that I’ve come to known as the ‘Shut up’ or ‘Stop talking’ look.

She adjusts my tie and rolls the collar over it, sliding her hands down my new button-up dress shirt. “Handsome, is that better? You look very handsome.”

“How about professional?” I arch a brow.

“You’re in a suit and tie,” she reminds me. “Besides professional, you look very handsome.”

“Thank you.” I give her a quick kiss on the lips.

“And cute,” she blurts out. I lower my hands down her back and give her a quick slap on the ass. She yelps and laughs, batting my hands away.

“I’ll miss you.” I kiss her forehead gently. Aspen moved in just a few months after graduation, and we have spent every single day together since. She and Natalia grew even closer. We took advantage of the summer to explore around San Francisco, doing all the touristy stuff that most locals take for granted, and even set up a studio in my basement big enough for all three of us to paint in.

But this was a good and exciting change. We’ll continue working together and soon Aspen would start her first semester at the University of San Francisco in museum studies.

Everything’s fitting together just perfectly. I even understand Natalia most of the time, thanks to Aspen for deciphering her ‘girl code’ or whatever the hell that is.

“Well, Mr. Hampton,” she says, handing me the new briefcase she bought me as a ‘new job’ gift. “You ready for your first day as Gallery Manager?” She wraps her arms around my waist and tilts her head up so I can kiss those full, cherry lips of hers.

“I sure am, Mrs. Hampton.” I kiss those lips as if they’re my lifelines. “I love you,” I call over my shoulder as I walk toward the front door.

“I love you, too!” she calls back, giving me her infamous smolder look that she knows I find irresistible.

“Save that for tonight!” I blow her a quick kiss before opening the door.

“I expect you to rip my little red panties off with those lips tonight,” she quips.

I arch a brow and smirk. “Challenge accepted!”