: Chapter 39

The voice of the newscaster is the only sound in the apartment, and the silence itches under my skin. Lexie sits on the other end of the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through her phone. She’s too damn far away from me, physically and emotionally. Since our fight she’s barely glanced in my direction, and it’s driving me insane. The stress of her sister’s health only adds distance between us. When I want to pull her in closer, she’s pushing me away.

We’ve spent the last three days at the hospital so Lexie could spend time with her sister and best friend. And I just watched Lexie. I watched her get to know her sister’s new boyfriend, Noah. I watched her talk and laugh with her long distance best friend—seeing them together has me deciding that there are more trips to Oregan in the future. And I watch the tormented look in her eyes when she looks at me and remembers what I did—and who I am.

The only moment of intimacy we’ve had since coming to Astoria was the first night we spent in her apartment. Standing in the kitchen of her cozy two-bedroom, the emotional exhaustion of the last few days had overwhelmed her. When she started to cry, she turned into my arms and let me hold her while she sobbed into my chest.

I can’t deny that I felt relieved—because in that moment, I knew it’s not over. Not for either of us.

Not much can scare me, it takes a lot to get me rattled. But fear had crept through me, bitter and cold, when Lexie had closed that bedroom door on me. The knot of dread that formed in my chest that day never really left, and I have a sinking feeling it won’t be gone until she’s forgiven me.

But it didn’t last long. After a few minutes, when the tears slowed and reality set back in, Lexie had removed herself from my arms and shoved me back into no-man’s land where all I can do is wait and watch. Every minute that passes is an exercise for my control as I fight my compulsive need to be close to her, to know what she’s thinking. Respecting her need for space is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

A familiar name scrolls across the tv screen, pulling my focus from the woman I love, back to the news. “The Astoria Police Department were stunned when a person of interest was dumped on their doorstep in what they’re calling a vigilante style justice.”

The weasel’s face spears below his name when they display his mugshot. If it wasn’t important to Lexie that asshole would be dead, or worse, not in police custody.

Tracking down the man responsible for putting Samantha in the hospital was only a matter of finding the right surveillance cameras. The police report had listed an apartment complex parking lot as the location of the theft where Terence forced a woman out of her parked car. Gaining access to the security footage was as easy as yanking that weasel-faced lowlife out of that dingy dive bar after tracking the stolen credit card he’d taken from the same car.

Terence Bexler was given to the authorities without a few of his teeth, but with all of his organs still intact—something Roscoe is still pouting about. Stopping my enforcer from taking off a few of the asshole’s fingers was also a hard sell, but he restrained himself.

For Lexie.

The female newscaster continues, broadcasting the story in her over-enunciated tone.

“Terence Bexler, thought to be responsible for a carjacking turned hit-and-run that resulted in a local young woman being hospitalized, was found cuffed in a holding cell at the Astoria police department when the building was being opened for the morning.” There’s movement on the couch next to me when Lexie perks up and puts down her phone to listen.

“Wait, that’s Samantha’s car,” Lexie comments when a video of the crash site plays on the screen beside the news anchor’s head.

“Along with the suspected car-jacker were boxes of information and what the police believe is evidence of Bexler’s alleged crimes.” The brunette woman on the screen continues. “The department cannot comment on the case, as it is ongoing.”

“That’s him?” she says in disbelief, glancing in my direction without really seeing me. “It’s done, someone caught the carjacker that hit my sister.”

“You don’t have to worry, Dewdrop. There’s enough evidence in those boxes to put him away for several lifetimes,” I assure her. It takes a few seconds for my words to sink in and drag her eyes away from the tv.

“Wait, how do you know?” Lexie turns to face me. I look at her, gazing meaningfully into her eyes, and I see the moment it clicks for her. “You found him. What did you do?”

“What I’m good at,” I reply simply. “I fixed it.” The surprise that lights her pretty face quickly shifts to wariness.

“How did you fix it?” She’s smart to worry. But, luckily for my pretty pink nurse, I didn’t use my usual tactics to get Terence. Lexie hates violence on her behalf, so I practiced a little restraint… this time.

“The bastard will be charged for his crimes and given the maximum sentence.” It’s all been arranged. If the explicitly incriminating evidence I provided isn’t enough, I’ve ensured that the local justice system is rigged in our favor. Bexler’s not getting away from this.

“So…he’s going to prison?”

“He’s going to prison for a long time, Dewdrop.” Seeing that she’s still unconvinced, I concede to her expectant stare. “He’s missing a few teeth, but he’ll be walking into the courtroom on his own two feet. All limbs still attached.”

“What’s in the boxes?”

“Everything except a confession. But with the mountain of evidence, I’m sure the Astoria police won’t have any trouble getting it,” I reply.

“Why?” The way Lexie’s looking at me, tells me that her question has nothing to do with the confession.

“Why, what?”

“Why did you fix this?” Her question throws me off. Because the answer couldn’t be more obvious.

“He hurt your family,” I answer easily. There’s something stirring behind those gorgeous eyes of hers, and internal dialogue as her gaze searches my own.

Then she’s kissing me.

Despite the surprise, I don’t hesitate to devour her. Fuck, she tastes so sweet. She moves closer, her chest pressing to mine as she climbs on my lap. Her mouth moves desperately with mine, fueling the hunger growing inside me.

A growl resonates in my chest when those perfect tits of hers rub against me. She’s so soft, responsive, and pliable. I want to feel every part of her, see every ounce of her, feast on every soft inch of her. The soft breathy moans I’m pulling from her as I devour her mouth are the hottest thing I’ve ever heard. I need more, I need all of her.

“Are you wet for me, Dewdrop?” I murmur.

“Yes, I’m so wet. All for you.” Her words send arousal straight to my cock.

“Fuck, I want to taste you again.”

“Come with me.” She climbs off my lap and holds her hand out for me to follow her. I let her lead me into her bedroom, my entire body aching for her. Every muscle is tensed with desire when she starts to undress me. My hands work with hers to remove my clothes, I want nothing more than to feel her skin against mine.

I stand proudly naked, my cock thickening under Lexie’s lustful gaze. She’s wearing too many clothes and it’s time to change that. My hands move to open the buttons down the front of her little pink romper until I’m able to tug it down her shoulders. The fabric falls to the floor and pools at her feet.

These fucking pajama sets ruin me.

“Come here, Dewdrop.” Backing up a few steps, I lower myself to sit on the bed. Taking her hands, I draw her in to stand between my legs. Her hand reaches for my cock, giving me a few firm pumps that has my core tightening. Fuck.

Those gorgeous tits of hers sway tantalizingly right in front of my face, and my control doesn’t try to stop me from reaching for them. I lift one breast to catch her nipple in my mouth. Her moan vibrates over my skin, her hand stroking me.

“Mmm, damn I miss you,” I murmur deeply against her skin.

“I’m sure you do. Especially while you have my tit in your mouth,” she teases breathlessly, making me smile. “I miss you too.”

“I’m right here.”

“Of course you are. You’re always right there. Always so close.” If her hand keeps gripping me like that, this isn’t going to last nearly as long as I intend it too.

“Not nearly close enough,” I growl, releasing her breasts. Moving back towards the headboard, I pull Lexie onto the bed with me. “Come sit on me, Dewdrop.”

A look of surprise and skepticism crosses Lexie’s face, but she obeys anyway. She tries to be delicate about it, attempting to perch some weight on me while still supporting herself, but I pull her all the way down. I want to feel all of her.

Laying on the pillows, I move Lexie until she’s sitting on me, that gorgeous ass of hers on my torso. She leans down to kiss me, her hand reaching between her own thighs to relieve some of the pressure I’ve built there. My hand pulls hers away to replace her fingers with mine. Her moans against my mouth feed my hopeless addiction. My fingers don’t relent until she comes all over my stomach.

“Oh my god.” She struggles for breath, but I’m just getting started. When I said I missed her, I meant it. And now I’m about to show her just how much. “You’re so good at that.”

“Does this mean I’m forgiven?” My arms hook under her thighs, my muscles flexing to lift her hips towards my head. My mouth is greedy to bite and lick every inch of her generous thighs. Lexie’s hands grip the headboard to keep her balance, long blonde hair flowing freely as she tosses her head back.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Lexie sighs.

“Then let me convince you.” Pulling her back up until her full weight is on me, I revel in her lavish body. Thick thighs envelope my head, smothering me in warmth. She’s so goddam hot, I could suffocate under her a million times over and die the happiest man on earth. My mouth reaches her pretty pink pussy hungrily, my tongue taking time to savor her.

“Callum.” I’ll never get tired of hearing her say my name. Even muffled in my spot between her legs, it’s the sexiest sound in the fucking world. I relax my arms and lower her enough to speak. I can feel her dripping from my beard already.

“Consider this me groveling, Dewdrop.” My voice rumbles deeply in my chest, sending goosebumps across her fair skin. “Take me back. I’m begging.” Then I’m pulling her back into place to enjoy her.

Her pants and moans sustain me. Each time she comes on my tongue is a fucking gift, one I don’t plan to take for granted. She shifts against me when the stimulation grows to be too much, struggling against my grasp. But I hold firm until she completely shatters on top of me, clinging to the headboard breathlessly.

Using my grip on her hips, I lower her enough until I can flip us over. Lexie falls onto the pillows beneath me, still gasping for breath. Leaning over her, my fingertips brush the hair from her face to see her clearly. Her blue eyes are bright as they look up at me, and I can’t help myself from leaning down to kiss her.

“Please, Dewdrop,” I murmur against her lips, letting my mouth wander across her skin. “Please take me back.” Begging isn’t something I do, but I will for her. There’s no way I can go back to giving her space now—or ever again.

Lexie’s hands thread through my hair, pulling my lips back to hers. “There really is no getting rid of you. Is there?” The teasing edge in her tone gives me hope.

“Never.” My voice resonates deeply. “You can’t run away from this.” My lips capture hers possessively to make my point. She responds eagerly, giving me everything in return.

“Good,” she breathes, flooding me with pure happiness. “I never liked running anyways.” Only Lexie can make me laugh like this; naked, vulnerable, and stupidly happy.

I’m so fucking in love.

“Running is overrated.” My lips recapture hers, my throbbing cock lining up with her soaking pussy. She’s so swollen and needy for me. “Fuck, I missed you.”

Sinking into her with a shared moan, I move inside her incredible pussy like I’m on a mission. We fucking belong together, something I intend to prove to her every day for the rest of my life. But right now all I plan to focus on is worshiping her body with mine.