“You know,” she murmurs, leaning in close. “I’m on birth control, and…I’m clean.” She swallows hard, blinking back the tears.

Anger flares inside of me, knowing it was something she had to worry about. Reaching up, I cup the side of her face, my thumb grazing her smooth cheek. “What are you saying, Liv? That I can have you with nothing between us? Because if you are, then I want nothing more than to feel all of you. I’m clean, baby. I’ve always used protection. I would never put you at risk.”

She nods. “I know you wouldn’t. I want to feel all of you, too. Nothing between us.”

That was all the reassurance I needed. I take her lips in a quest to make her forget everything but me. Her hands move to my shorts, unfastening them before reaching in and wrapping her fingers around me, stroking up and down. I hiss, surprised by her boldness, and quite fucking pleased. “Jesus, your hand feels fucking incredible.”

“I need you.” Her breath is frantic, desperate.

I tug the knot at the side of her bottoms, the black material falling away. She inches down a little until I’m right there, the bare tip teasing the opening of her hot pussy. My fingers dig into her hips as I drive up into her, intense heat exploding in my veins.

“Oh God, Grayson.” Those sharp nails of hers dig into my back, the bite of pain shooting straight down my spine.

“Fuck, Liv, feeling your pussy gripping my bare cock is goddamn heaven.” Reaching around to cup her ass, I squeeze the smooth skin, driving up in into her over and over again. I can feel myself getting carried away, the need to claim her in every single way growing stronger, but I fight it, not wanting to ruin how far we’ve come. I slow my pace, drawing out the strokes, reining in my control. “Undo your top, baby, let me see your pretty tits.”

She does what I say with a whimper, removing her bikini top. Leaning in, I close my mouth over one pink nipple, making her cry with pleasure as she picks up her pace.

“That’s my girl. Show me, Liv. Show me how hard you want it.” Her slick pussy clamps tight around me every time she leaves my cock. Her head falls back on a deep moan as she begins to move harder and faster. “Goddamn, you look sexy as fuck riding me.”

Her tits sway in my face, taunting me. I take the other nipple inside my mouth, sucking on the tight bud as she continues to ride me, releasing it with the scrape of my teeth before meeting her dark, hooded eyes. She moves faster, slamming her supple ass down harder and harder with each mind-blowing stroke up.

The insecurity from last night is nowhere to be seen.

No, the beautiful woman fucking me is full of confidence, and it’s sexy as hell.

I look down between us. “Look at us, Liv, watch your hungry pussy take my cock.” She drops her gaze, her breath coming faster and harder when she sees our connection. Her hot breath in my ear urges me on to give her more. The slap of skin meeting skin and our heated breaths are the only sounds filling the air. “You good, baby?”

“God, yes, don’t stop.”

With a growl, I shift and pound up deeper than before, hitting her sweet spot. “Scream for me. No one can hear you. Scream loud for me.” Keeping my rhythm I move my thumb to her clit and barely graze the swollen bud before she detonates, falling apart above me in a series of cries and moans accompanied by her nails raking frantically across my skin. Her cheeks are stained with pleasure and the slick sound of her sweet cum coating my cock pushes me over the edge.

Fucking Christ.

She collapses on top of me, our chests heaving in unison as we try to catch our breath.

“I never want to leave here,” she whispers, her voice thick with emotion. “I know that’s horrible of me to say, especially because I’d miss Pap and the farm so much. But I’m scared what might be waiting for us when we go back. I’m terrified of losing this peace we’ve found with each other.”

“Hey.” Twisting my head, I grab her face and force her to look at me. “There’s nothing to be afraid of. Yeah, we’re going to have to deal with shit when we go back, but no one, and I mean no one, will fuck with what we have. I swear, baby, nothing will change between us. Okay?”

She nods then drops her forehead on mine. “You’re healing me in ways I never thought possible.”

I grind my teeth against the sudden burn in my throat, and trail my lips across her wet cheek, tasting the saltiness of her tears before bringing my mouth over hers for a long, hard kiss.

She wraps her arms around my neck as I hold her close, looking back into those big brown eyes that have somehow managed to steal my fucking heart.

“I love you, Liv. You’re mine now, and you’ll never know what it’s like to hurt again.”

Her smile tells me what I already know. “I love you, too.”

CHAPTER 22

Olivia

The closer we get to Harmony Falls the more my euphoria begins to dim. The peace I was fortunate enough to grab onto this weekend vanishes with every passing mile.

As if sensing my apprehension, Grayson reaches over and takes my hand, holding it softly in his. “It’ll be okay. Trust me.”

With only the small reassurance from him, I slip right back into my happy place, all of my fears melting away because of him.

Because he loves me.

Hearing him say those words to me for the first time was like coming home. A warmth settled in my bones, deep and pure, claiming me in ways I never imagined. Whether I was sitting next to him with his hand protectively wrapped around mine, or a million miles away, I knew exactly where I belonged.

I look over at him with a soft smile. “You’re right. It will be okay because I have you. As long as I have that then I can face anything.”

He lifts my hand to his mouth, brushing a kiss on the inside of my wrist. “You’ll always have me, baby. And we’ll go back to the cabin again soon. I promise.”

Sooner rather than later, I hope, because I absolutely loved it there. I loved everything about it. Especially being alone with Grayson and sleeping in his arms every night. I don’t want to think about tomorrow morning when I’ll be forced to wake up without him there beside me. I’m pretty sure Pap would not be happy with him being in my bed every night.

Grayson clears his throat, pulling me from my wayward thoughts. “Do you have plans Friday night?”

“That depends,” I reply with a smile.

“On what?”

“On your plans. If they have room for me then I’ll be with you. If not then I’ll probably be with Tania. Or Pap, or Rosie, or a book. I’m a popular girl, Deputy Taylor, my social life is very full.”

His lips curl into that sexy grin I love so much. “In that case, baby, consider yourself busy all the time…with me.”

My heart soars at the thought of being with him all the time. I hope there’s lots of touching and kissing involved, too. Desire swirls in my tummy when I think about all the dirty things he said to me, stirring an ache of need below.

“I was asking because Terrell mentioned something about maybe hitting up Tucker’s for a few drinks. He said Tania would be coming, too.”

“Do you think all of us together will be okay?” I ask quietly, thinking about Fletcher and the incident at the diner.

“Yeah, I think so. Obviously, he’s been there since, or he wouldn’t have mentioned it. Plus, Tucker’s a good guy, I can’t see him being like that.”

“Okay, sure. It sounds like fun.”

All conversation ceases and we ride the remainder of the way in comfortable silence, until we pull into the driveway. All of my fear comes rushing back when I see the sheriff’s patrol truck.

“Oh no!”

My stomach bottoms out at the sight of our house. Every window has been shattered. What looks like the remnants of the porch swing are lying in the yard. All of the potted plants have been destroyed, as well as anything else outside they could get their hands on.