I thought. “This isn’t necessary,” he continued through think lips.
“It is for me,” I said, stroking his length. It wasn’t a lie.
Joy and ache filled his eyes. My mouth watered just thinking about taking him. I wanted to see the darkest side of him. I wanted this with him. To please him as he pleased me. And there, in between the trees. In the dark of the night. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, I gave him the pleasure he sought. His chest vibrated with desire until we both stood in the still of the night. A tapestry of raw emotion weaved forever into the fabric of my life…
While I held her, our scars were flush and painful memories slipped away. To be replaced with powerful new ones. I released a steady breath of smoke. Everything inside me screamed not to leave her. Don’t bruise her heart and leave it tender for someone to take. My teeth clenched against the ride of self-doubt inside of me. I called Archer as I began to pace. It was time to release some of the burn that was now pitted in my stomach—Allison. She set fire to me. Unexpectedly, someone equally damaged put me back together. We would heal each other.
Without a knock, Archer walked in. “What’s with the cryptic message, bro?”
I drained the last drops of Southern Comfort that I hid a week ago. I needed another litter for this convo. “We need to talk.”
“Yeah, no shit. Talk.”
“I’ve met someone,” I blurted out on my way to trash the bottle of SoCo. I watched the emotions play across his face before he settled. That fucking pissed me off to no end.
“Annnnd…?” His tone of sarcasm wasn’t appreciated. My eyes pinned his. However, when my hands balled into fists, his hands raised defensively. “Hey, what’s the issue?” He shrugged. “Isn’t that a good thing?” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Yes, and no,” I answered, uncomfortable talking about her with him…with anyone.
After being closed off for so long, I needed to start somewhere. He is my best friend. Trust didn’t come lightly. I didn’t do relationships. I did one-nighters. He did one-nighters. My body was now on fire. I was sweating up a fucking storm. Fuck, this was hard. I shook out my hands, trying to loosen up. Then I faced him, ready to admit how I felt.
“She makes me feel my world was never so black. The need I felt to escape from reality doesn’t burn as bright when she’s near. I’ve always felt comforted by my darkness—unreachable. Fuck, dude.” I sounded like a fucking pussy. And I wasn’t a pussy. I ran both hands through my hair trying to get a grip on this new revelation. “Allison has given me my vision back. Her light is a gift. A gift I’m never going to give back. This chick’s got me catching my breath like no fucking other.” Damn. My mind was now lubricated with alcohol. Just thinking about getting in the tight body had me hard. I wanted to empty her out, and then fill her up with me.
“What’s her name?” he asked, walking over to crack the window.
I closed my eyes, picturing our walk earlier. “Allison.”
He unscrewed a flask he had tucked in his inside pocket. “I’d love to meet the girl who stole my boy’s heart. I have to admit, I never heard you talk like this.”
“Not happening,” I answered flatly. No, I had a plan. For it to succeed, they couldn’t meet now.
He faced me, offering me the flask. I accepted and took a swig.
“What’s your issue? What the fuck, man?”
He was clearly offended. I needed to explain. “It’s not about trust. I trust you with my life.” I lied. I didn’t trust anyone. Not even my old man. “I have a plan, and in order for it to work, I need you. If you met her now, the whole fucking thing wouldn’t work.”
“Whatever you need, bro. I’m there.” He nodded. And I believed him. We were tight.
I smiled, taking another healthy swig. “Bro, I’m so glad you said that.” Fuck, I had a headache coming on. But this was more
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