Текст книги "Unlawful Desire "

Автор книги: Chelle Bliss

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Текущая страница: 11 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

Chapter 17

Old-School Beatdown

When I pulled into the office at ten thirty, I could still hear her voice in my head.

“Frisco, don’t leave me. Please,” she said, gripping me like her very life depended on it.

“I have to go, Georgia. But I’ll be back,” I told her before giving her a kiss and walking out the door.

Guilt clawed at my insides. The way she looked at me, the sadness in her eyes when I told her I had to leave, would haunt me for a lifetime.

Thomas, James, Morgan, and City stood in a circle outside James’ black SUV and were deep in conversation. Even though I’d told them I wanted to do this alone, I’d lied. It wasn’t that I couldn’t, but I needed someone there to pull me off the fucker and stop me from killing him.

I’d learned in the military that sometimes, when coming face-to-face with the enemy, emotions often got the better of me. I couldn’t easily remove myself from a situation once it started, but the guys would make sure I didn’t get carried away.

“Hey.” I climbed out of the car and approached them, feeling jittery as I walked.

James gave me a chin lift. “We’re waiting for a few more?”

“More? I thought I said no one else.”

“I know what you said,” Thomas told me as he walked in my direction. “But we don’t know what we’re in for. More men equals safety.”

“Well, I—” I shook my head, but I knew he was right. “Okay.”

“Here he is,” Morgan said when Sam pulled into the lot.

“Tank’s with Bear and will be meeting us there.” James pulled out his gun and checked the chamber.

“Where?”

“Neon Cowboy.” City came to stand next to me. “That’s where the fucker knew Tank from. He’s been coming into the Cowboy on and off for years.”

“Fuck,” I said and ran my fingers through my hair. Of all the places in the world the guy could hang out, why did it have to be my spot…our spot?

“I have a plan.” City rested his hand on my shoulder. “Want to hear?”

“I’m all ears.” In actuality, I knew I was going to hear his plan either way.

“Tank is going to lure him into the parking lot, and we’re going to take care of him outside.”

I scowled and didn’t try to hide my annoyance. “That’s your plan?”

He nodded.

“We’re going to jump him like a bunch of punks?” I asked, shocked that City had come up with the idea.

“No.” He shook his head. “You’re going to do what you want while we have your back.”

“So I’m going to jump the asshole?”

“What were you going to do before?” City laughed and backed away. “Were you going to knock on his door and have a chat first? Like, ‘Hey, I wanted to talk to you about the car you drove off the road. Do you have a moment?’”

I punched him in the shoulder. “No, you prick.”

“Then shut the fuck up and get in the truck. We have ass to kick.”

“Fuck yeah!” Morgan yelled before climbing in the back.

Sam settled in the middle. “I’m all in.”

“Let’s go. We have women to get home to,” James said, pointing at the backseat.

“I hope I still do.”

James and Thomas climbed in the front seat. “Everyone have a firearm, just in case?” James turned the key in the ignition and paused.

“Check,” everyone but me answered in unison.

“Frisco?” Thomas turned to look at me.

I shook my head and made tight fists. “I’m not killing the guy. I just want to beat the fuck out of him.”

“Always bring a weapon. You never know what’s going to happen. Got it?”

I nodded but paid his little advice no heed. The last thing I needed to do was have a firearm with me. Because, knowing my anger, I’d shoot the motherfucker in the head if he said something shitty. I’d rather use my fists to beat the living shit out of him and leave him reeling in pain.

I sat quietly in the backseat and stared out the window as the guys chatted on the way to the Neon Cowboy. Even though I had enough anger inside me to fuel a thousand fires, I couldn’t help but smile. This amazing group of guys had my back. I knew if something went wrong, they’d make sure that Georgia would be taken care of and would do what was necessary to protect her.

Just after eleven thirty, we pulled into the Neon Cowboy.

“I’ll text Bear,” Thomas said and hit a few buttons on his phone.

Moments later, while we sat in silence, Thomas’ phone beeped. “He said to go out back. They’ll meet us there.”

This was it. Twenty-four hours after I thought Georgia had been ripped from my life, I’d get a little revenge before this guy received justice.

As we walked around the back of the bar, we took positions around the perimeter. Everyone evaded the single light that lit the back parking lot, hiding in the shadows, waiting for Tank and Bear to bring him outside. My heart pounded so frantically in my chest that I thought it would burst as the seconds ticked by.

“Thanks for getting the estimate done so quickly,” the man said as he wobbled into the light.

“Anytime, man. Are you sure you hit a deer? It’s a lot of damage for such a small animal.”

“I hit something. I didn’t stick around to see what the hell it was.” He laughed. “I was fucked up and probably shouldn’t have been driving.”

Bear looked around, trying to find us in the dark. “That shit isn’t cool, dude.”

“Eh, fuck it. I lived,” the scumbag said.

I couldn’t take it anymore. The rage inside me had boiled over. My body hummed with fury. The coldhearted bastard didn’t care if he killed someone as long as he survived.

I stepped from the shadows with my hands already clenched into tight fists, coming to a stop in front of him.

He stepped back and snarled. “Watch it, fucker.”

I took a step forward and invaded his space. “I think you need to learn some manners, asshole.”

“Fuck you, man,” he said, waving his hand in my face.

I swatted his hand away. The guys stepped out of the darkness, standing behind me. The man looked around, and his eyes filled with terror. The same fear I felt when I saw his car coming straight for Georgia.

“What the fuck is this about?” he asked with wide eyes, stumbling back another step.

Reaching out, I grabbed his shirt, fisting it in my hands before pulling him closer. “You fuckin’ ran my woman off the road last night.”

He shook his head and swallowed hard. “It was a deer. I swear.” His hands clawed at my fist. “You have the wrong guy,” he pleaded, his entire body shaking in my grip.

I didn’t wait. I couldn’t listen to his lies. My right hand connected with his jaw, snapping his head back sharply as his bone cracked with the impact. When he grabbed his jaw, I dropped him to the ground.

“Get up!” I roared. My anger had grown since I’d stepped out of the SUV. It had morphed into something more…something bigger than I thought possible.

He rubbed his jaw and tried to push himself up but failed. “That was a cheap shot,” he complained, sounding like a little bitch.

“Get up and fight.” I kicked his feet, trying to get him off the ground quicker. “You want to hurt someone…try to hurt me, motherfucker.”

He pushed himself up and put his hands in front of his face, making fists. “You’re going to kick my ass over some bitch?”

I cracked my neck and soaked up the adrenaline that coursed through my system. It had been far too long since I’d felt the thrill of beating someone’s ass, and I would enjoy every fucking minute of it. “She isn’t some bitch. She’s mine. You fucked with the wrong people.”

His eyes were glued to mine as he spat, and a stream of blood landed next to my shoes. “Let’s see if you can do it when I’m waiting for you. You don’t look that tough. You even had to bring a gang.”

He bounced from foot to foot. “Come on. You hit like a pussy,” he said with a cackle.

The guys took a step forward, closing the circle around us. “I got him,” I told them and waved them off.

“Kick his ass,” James barked.

The anger inside me was raging and my fists flew, landing one punch after another until he swayed and finally fell to the ground.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Sam called out and moved toward the SUV.

Standing there, I looked down at the guy and felt nothing. I wasn’t sorry for what I’d done. He deserved every blow, and tomorrow he’d wake up in jail.

“Come on, man. He won’t forget that ass-beating for a long time,” Bear said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I glanced at him, my breathing heavy and labored. “What if he does?” My chest heaved with the anger moving throughout my body more than from the exertion of knocking the guy’s lights out.

“He won’t, and when he wakes up tomorrow in jail, he’ll wish you would’ve killed him.”

Tank stood next to me with plastic zip ties in his hands. “Get out of here. Bear and I will load him in his car and deliver him to the police station.”

“Fuck, I wish I had a bow,” Bear joked.

Tank kneeled down next to the dirtbag. “Hit it. We got it from here.”

Slowly I walked toward the SUV, not caring who saw what had happened. The knot that had settled in my belly last night had vanished, and I knew I’d done the right thing when I saw Tank and Bear loading him into the back of his smashed-up car.

When I settled in my seat and closed the door, Morgan nudged me. “How are you going to explain your bloody knuckles to Georgia?”

She knew I’d left her tonight to take care of something. Since she was a smart one, I knew that she’d put two and two together. I just prayed that she’d understand why I did what I did and forgive me. Hopefully, knowing that I left the prick alive would be enough when combined with her feelings for me. We needed to ride out this storm and emerge stronger on the other side.

Take it or leave it, this was who I had always been. I classified myself as a nice guy, but I had a bunch of asshole hidden beneath the surface. When someone threatened or hurt someone I loved, I happily took him out.

Love.

I gasped.

“What?” James asked, looking at me in the rearview mirror.

“Nothing,” I said, feeling my pulse quicken to the same frantic pace it had kept when I had been fighting.

“Sure? You look a bit white.”

I clenched my hands in my lap. “I’m good.”

Did I love Georgia?

It had taken me months to say those words to Jeanine. They’d been wasted words, because her treachery showed that she didn’t feel the same.

But Georgia wasn’t Jeanine. They couldn’t be any more opposite. Even though they were yin and yang, could I honestly say I loved her?

The answer was simple.

I did.

Chapter 18

Make Amends

Thankfully, by the time I returned to her place, she’d passed out and was sleeping too deeply to wake up when I crawled into bed. I lay there, listening to her breathing and thinking about everything that had transpired since the day I’d met her.

Everything blurred together except for the moments I spent with her. I could play them over and over again in my head, reliving every second.

She was unlike any other woman I’d ever met.

Her kindness.

Her smartass mouth.

Her intelligence.

Her integrity.

Her beauty.

Our shared heartbreak.

The funniest part about it was that I couldn’t muster any reason why I’d loved Jeanine, but with Georgia in my arms, I couldn’t think of a reason why I didn’t love her. I just had to laugh.

“You’re home.” Georgia’s groggy voice made me still.

I pulled her closer, running my fingers through her dark hair. “I’m sorry I woke you, babe. Go back to sleep.”

She snuggled into my side, mumbling something that I couldn’t make out. Within moments, her breathing deepened.

“I love you, Georgia,” I whispered. “I’d do anything to protect you.” I drifted off to sleep reliving the moments I’d spent with her.

Every smile, kiss, and touch we’d exchanged in our short relationship. I couldn’t imagine a day without them now.

***

When the sunlight hit my face, I cracked open an eye and saw her form looming over me. She sat on the bed, the leg with her cast out straight and off to the side, with her other leg tucked in front of her. This wasn’t going to be good. Before I closed my eyes, I took notice of her posture. Her back was straight, her arms were crossed in front of her chest, and she wasn’t moving.

“Your knuckles are bruised.”

Without opening my eyes, I replied, “I got in a few punches.” There was some truth to it, but maybe “a few” wasn’t entirely accurate.

“You did it, didn’t you?”

I reached out and rested my hand on her cast. “He’s in custody now.”

She swatted my hand away and let out a loud breath. “Is this what you’ve been cookin’ up with my dad?” she asked.

“No,” I lied. In all actuality, it wasn’t. He’d wanted to kill the guy.

She poked me in my ribs. “Don’t lie to me, Frisco.”

“I was with the guys last night, and he’s in custody and completely alive.”

“Damn it.”

I sat up quickly, turning my body to face her. “Listen—” I started, but she shook her head and frowned.

“I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

“I know.” I placed my hand on her cheek and caressed her skin. “I had to do it.”

She stared at the ceiling. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Pulling myself closer to her, I wrapped my legs around her body, trapping her. “I want to explain.”

“That you beat a man?” She narrowed her eyes at me.

“Georgia.”

She drew in two deep breaths, and I waited for the okay. “What?” She glared at me.

“I love you,” I blurted out and instantly lost all the air in my lungs.

“You what?” She moved her ear closer, not believing the words I’d muttered as much as I did.

“I. Love. You.”

“Ohmygod, ohmygod,” she repeated with wide eyes. “You do?”

“I do.” I laughed and grasped her face in my hands. “I love you, Georgia.”

She closed her eyes and rubbed her cheek against my hand. “Isn’t it too soon?” she asked with a soft, raspy voice.

I grazed her lips with my thumb, needing to feel their softness. “I didn’t know there were rules.”

Her eyes flew open. “There aren’t, but damn, I don’t want to be one of those clichéd couples.”

“We can be whatever we want. You need to know how I feel about you. I’ll protect you until my dying breath.” I leaned forward, kissing her gently. “Even though we’ve only known each other for a short time, I can’t imagine my life without you.”

“Did you kill him?” she asked and stared at me as our lips touched.

“No,” I told her and shook my head.

“Thank God,” she whispered and rested her forehead against mine. “I don’t think I could get over that, Frisco. Promise me that’s not who you are.”

“I’m not that man anymore, Georgia. That I promise you. But…” I paused, brushing my nose against hers. “If someone hurts you, I will hurt him.”

She searched my face, finally landing on my eyes. “Fair enough, but know that I can fight my own battles. Not everyone deserves a beating.”

“He did.”

“I’m not new to my daddy’s brand of justice. He’s been trying to protect me since I was a little girl. I don’t need another protector, Frisco. I need a partner.”

“So, are you saying you wanted to help me kick his ass?” I bit my lip to hold in my laughter.

She shoved my chest and laughed. “You’re an asshole.”

“But ya love me?” I grabbed her back and pulled her closer.

“I do.” She sighed. “For some odd reason, I do.”

“Just one thing, babe.”

“What?”

“Don’t call him ‘Daddy’.”

Her eyebrows shot up and the corner of her mouth curled. “Do you want me to call you ‘Daddy’?”

I nuzzled my face into her neck and smelled the richness of her skin. “No. Don’t ever use that word again.”

“Only if you promise to let me fight my own battles like a big girl.”

“I’ll try,” I spoke against her pulse, feeling it thumping under my lips.

“I’ll try too.” She scooted forward, still entangled in my legs, and kissed me. It was unlike any kiss we’d shared before. Our lips moved together, perfectly in sync, and conveyed every emotion I’d felt since the day I met her.

“Frisco,” she whispered after breaking the kiss.

“Yeah, baby?” I pulled her so close that no space was left between us.

“I’m happy you saved me.”

“I’ll always save you. You’re mine.”

Chapter 19

Set Straight

A loud knocking on her front door woke us.

“Stay here.” I moved her off my shoulder and rolled to the side of the bed. After I slid on a pair of shorts, I walked to the living room and peeked out the front window.

Her dad’s car sat in the driveway. Fuck.

I swallowed down the lump that had returned and become lodged in my throat before I opened the door.

“Frisco,” Mr. Phillips said with a tight jaw. “Did you do it?”

I stared him straight in the eyes. “It’s done.”

“He alive?”

“Yeah.”

“Good job, son.”

I swear, we had the oddest conversations. It was a back-and-forth, much like tennis but without the grunting. He barely moved; I didn’t dare show weakness as we bantered.

Son. Oh my God, he called me son.

A slow smile spread across my face. “He’s taken care of, sir.”

He ran his hands through his hair and glanced around her yard. “I can sleep a little better.”

“Sir, I think it was the only way it could go.”

He took a step forward. “I’ve never killed someone, but I’d do it for my family. Remember that, Frisco. There’s nothing more important to me in this world than them. I’d give my life if it meant they’d be safe.”

“I’d do the same, Mr. Phillips. I’d never let anything happen to Georgia. I took care of him. He won’t hurt anyone for a very long time, and hopefully, he’ll think twice before he has the chance to do it again.”

He nodded and placed his hand on my shoulder. “How’s my girl today?”

At least he didn’t say kid. “She’s good. Sleeping.”

“I didn’t like you, and I still reserve the right to hate you in the future, but for now I’ll leave you two in peace.”

“Thanks, sir. You’re growing on me too.” I laughed.

“As long as you make Georgia happy and will protect her with your life, I won’t have you whacked.”

“What?” I asked, thinking I’d heard him wrong, even though I knew I didn’t.

“Nothing. Tell Georgia hello and I’ll bring Rosie over tomorrow to see her. She’s worried about her, but she knows you’re taking care of her.”

I crossed my arms in front of me, wondering where he was going with this. “I am.”

He winked at me. “Just not too well, got me?”

“Loud and clear, sir.”

“Good.” He nodded. “Back to the grind.”

I nodded back and waited for him to make his way to his car. He stopped before opening the door, turning toward me and smiling. “I was wrong about you,” he said and tipped his head at me.

“Okay,” I mumbled, unable to stop my eyebrows from drawing together. I knew what he thought. He’d seen my tattoos, knew my line of work, and probably thought I had been a criminal.

“You’re honorable.”

“I am.”

“Keep that shit up,” he said before climbing into the car and slamming the door.

The man always had me on edge. I didn’t know if that feeling would ever go away, but I hoped eventually it would pass.

“Was that my dad?” Georgia asked and looked over my shoulder as I closed the front door.

“Yep.”

She eyed me with suspicion. “He hassle you?”

“No.” I rubbed the back of my neck and closed my eyes. “He’s just…”

“Scary?” She laughed.

I walked toward her and wrapped my arms around her, smelling my scent all over her. “Something like that.”

“He’s all bark and no bite,” she said, balancing on her crutches even though I held her.

“Sure,” I mumbled. That man could bite, and it could be deadly.

Every girl thought her father was the sweetest man in the entire world. That fact was true of Georgia, but it was a complete and utter lie. Any man who used to carry a weapon for work couldn’t be discounted.

“I want to shower, but this damn cast makes it so fucking hard. Can you help me?”

“You know what makes me hard?” I whispered with my mouth buried in her hair as I rubbed my already hard dick against her stomach.

“We’re going to get dirty before we get clean, aren’t we?”

“You bet that sweet little ass of yours.” I lifted her into my arms.

She dropped the crutches and they clattered to the floor before she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me.

The cast was a problem. We’d have to make use of the counter before I wrapped her cast in plastic and helped her clean up.

I carried her to the bathroom and sat her on the granite counter, which earned me a yelp. “Jesus,” she mumbled, “that shit is cold.”

“I’ll warm you up.” I nudged her legs apart, dropping to my knees and burying my face in her pussy.

We spent the rest of the day making each other dirty and loving every minute of it.

Chapter 20

Worthy

Six Weeks Later

We walked into City and Suzy’s on time. Georgia had gotten a little frisky in the car; her newfound freedom of being cast-free had turned her into a tiger and had almost made us late.

The Gallos, the guys of ALFA PI, and our friends from the Neon Cowboy were there.

“We were getting worried about you,” Sunshine said, approaching Georgia with open arms and just about ignoring me. “You look…”

“Don’t say it,” Georgia warned her and laughed.

“Slut,” Sunshine said and wrapped her arms around Georgia’s neck. The ladies hugged each other and continued laughing.

“What are we celebrating?” Georgia asked when they finally let go of each other.

“You’ll find out soon enough,” Sunshine told her before giving me a wicked smile.

“Do you know what this is about?” Georgia glanced up at me.

“No. This is all them. I swear.”

She placed her hand on my chest and laughed. “’Cause if you were planning to pop the question in front of all these people, I’d have to kick you in the balls.”

I swallowed hard, and in a way, I felt sad that she even thought I would do it here in front of everyone. “No, babe. Tonight has nothing to do with us.”

“Good.” She adjusted my tie and tightened it. “’Cause there would be pain involved if you did.”

City had called a couple of days ago and invited us over for a barbecue. He said there would be friends and family and that we’d be celebrating, but he didn’t elaborate and I didn’t push.

Mrs. Gallo finally broke the silence. “Why don’t you just tell us already? The suspense is killing me.”

City and Sunshine glanced at each other and laughed.

“You tell them.”

“No, you tell them, sugar.”

“For fuck’s sake, one of you better start talking,” Izzy demanded.

City nodded at Suzy. She covered her face, slowly shaking it back and forth.

Mike stood behind his wife Mia with his hands clasped over her stomach. “Spill the damn secret.”

“We’re pregnant,” Sunshine said and bounced from foot to foot.

Mrs. Gallo leaned forward and looked like she might tip. “You are?”

“We are.” City pulled Sunshine against his side.

“With twins,” Sunshine added before she grimaced.

Mr. Gallo paled. “Twins?”

“Twins,” City repeated and kissed the top of Sunshine’s head.

“Oh my God. I couldn’t be more excited.” Mrs. Gallo practically vibrated in her chair.

“For fuck’s sake,” Bear complained and glanced toward the ceiling. “Haven’t you people heard of birth control?”

Tank slapped him on the back of the head. “Shut the fuck up.”

“Hit me again,” Bear challenged with a smirk.

“When are they due?” Max asked, rubbing her belly. She’d had a baby recently, but she was barely showing the aftereffects.

“In six months.”

Mrs. Gallo’s mouth fell open. “Six months?” she whispered.

City puffed out his chest. “Yep.”

“Do you know the sex?” Thomas asked.

Sunshine started to laugh. She covered her mouth, trying to hide her excitement. “We found out yesterday.”

Izzy put her head in her hands. “Oh God, no! It’s so unfair.”

“What is, babe?” James asked, wrapping his arm around his wife.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and frowned. “They’re having girls. I can tell. Why the hell do I have boys and they get girls?”

“Karma,” Anthony stated flatly. “We all got the shit end of the stick.”

City threw a sugar packet at Anthony, but he dodged it, letting it drop to the floor. “Speak for yourself, bro.”

Mrs. Gallo began to cry. “There are so many babies. I swear I’m the luckiest lady in the world.” Her lip trembled when she wiped away her tears. “I’m so blessed.”

“Congrats, son.”

“All this sweetness,” Georgia whispered in my ear. “It makes me long for the days when we have a family.”

“You want a family with me?”

We hadn’t talked a ton about marriage, but I already knew I’d be popping the question. I’d never loved anyone like I did her. My entire life, I’d searched for someone to be my equal and never thought it was possible. Until the day I met her.

Even though I tried to push her away, coming up with bullshit excuses, she was the one for me.

I’d pop the question, but it would be a surprise. I wanted it to be on my terms. I already had a ring waiting to slide on her finger at home, but I wouldn’t do it until the moment felt right.

“I want lots of babies,” she said, rubbing my cheek with her hand.

“Lots?” I swallowed hard, feeling my mouth go dry.

“Lots.” She giggled. “I want to sit around a table like this someday with our children.”

I looked around. She was right. Thinking this could be us with our kids someday made my body warm. Being an only child had left a sour taste in my mouth, and I’d do everything in my power not to do the same to my children.

“Anything you want, babe.”

“You two better hurry up and have boys. I want our kids to get married,” Sunshine blurted.

City laughed and gave me a sympathetic look. “Sugar, let’s not push things.”

She rubbed his belly, making giant circles with her hand. “Shush it.”

“Woman, don’t make me teach you a lesson,” he warned her with a smug grin.

“You know I love when you teach me things,” she said playfully.

“I love you,” I whispered in Georgia’s ear.

“Love you too,” she whispered back and settled in the crook of my arm.

I spent the rest of the barbecue thinking about our future and the perfect way to make her mine forever.

When we left, I knew where I wanted to take her. It had been forever since I’d watched the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico, and I wanted to experience it with her.

She nestled between my legs on the sand and stroked my knee. “Frisco, I’ve been thinking.”

I had one hand wrapped around her belly and held her close. “What’s up?”

She peered up at me with a soft smile. “I’m ready?”

I glanced down, completely confused. “For?”

She didn’t mean that. No. It couldn’t be. We’d been together for almost two months and we rarely spoke about it. I knew when the moment was right she’d tell me, but there was no way I’d push it on her.

“I love you so much,” she said and bit her lip.

I touched her chin and pulled her lip free. “I love you too, Georgia.”

“I want you to make love to me.” A funny smile spread across her face like she was worried I’d say no.

I exhaled slowly and brushed my nose against hers. “I would love to make love to you, but only if you’re sure.”

She turned in my arms and rested her hands on my knees. “I am. After Brent, I couldn’t imagine having sex with anyone. I hated men for a while after him. At that point, it was easier to stay chaste than to open myself up to greater heartache. But then you came into my life.”

“It’s a big decision,” I told her before I grasped her face in my hands.

“I know.” Her eyes dipped down and she swallowed hard. “I know it’s a big decision. I’ve spent a long time thinking about it. I can think of no one more worthy than you.”

My grip increased and she melted into my touch. “Why me?”

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. “Do you love me?”

“Yes.” I smiled, more to myself because her eyes hadn’t opened yet.

“I love you, too.” She opened her eyes and stared into mine. “No one has ever treated me like you do. You saved my life not so long ago. I know you’d do anything in your power to protect me and would never hurt me.”

“I’d never let anything happen to you. I’d give my life to save yours.”

“That’s the thing. I know you love me. Not because you tell me so, but because of how you treat me. I see it in your eyes every day. I even saw it that night when you pulled me out of my car. You were petrified.”

“God,” I said before sucking in a breath. “I can’t even explain how I felt that night. I was terrified and I couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening or help, Georgia.”

“But you did,” she said and shook her head. “You pulled me from the car, comforted me, and stayed with me until I was well enough to take care of myself.”

“Anyone would do that.”

She shook her head vigorously. “No, they wouldn’t, but you did. I want you to be my first.”

I kissed her long and deep, conveying everything I felt—joy, elation, horniness, hunger, and more love than I’d ever felt in my life.

When I broke the kiss, I told her, “I’d be honored to be your first.”

“Tonight,” she said before turning back around and facing the ocean.

I didn’t say anything, just pulled her close against me and stared at the sun as it disappeared below the horizon. My entire body was buzzing. Excited about what the night held, in awe of the beauty of Mother Nature and just having my girl in my arms. I was on top of the world and had everything I ever wanted.

***

She scooted closer and rested her hand on my leg. “I know you’re nervous, but I really want this.”

Reaching out, I cradled her face in my hand. “I’m not nervous. I just want to make sure you’re sure about this. There’s no turning back.”

“I’m sure.” She climbed into my lap. “I want you.”

The hard-on in my pants agreed. I thanked the Gods that she no longer had the cast. I wouldn’t want to deal with working around it and worrying about hurting her the first time. There were too many variables before this moment that complicated everything.

I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck and brought her lips to mine. She moaned against my lips as my tongue swept inside her mouth, craving more of her sweetness.

She leaned into my kiss, bringing her body closer to mine. The heat from her pussy permeated my jeans, caressing my hardened cock. I grabbed her waist with my free hand, halting her movement when she started to grind against me.

I broke the kiss and stared into her soft, dark eyes. “Let me control this.”

I wouldn’t rush this. Having her ready and relaxed would be key in making this evening a complete success. As I stroked her skin with my finger, I could feel the nerves I had denied creeping up inside me.

I slid my hands down her body, cupped her ass, and squeezed. I inhaled her exhale, losing myself a little more with each sweep of my tongue. I lifted her from my lap, adjusting myself as I laid her down on the couch and rested myself on top of her.

My mouth slid down her jaw, finding the soft skin of her neck and tasting her flesh. I felt the thumping of her heartbeat under my lips as I kissed a trail down her throat. She shuddered, digging her claws into my back as I licked the thin veil of perspiration that covered her body.