Part 14 (1/2)

”I'm not your mother.” A smile spreads across her face as she steps up to the counter on the opposite side of us, immediately reaching for the scotch. ”Drinking the good stuff tonight I see.” She sets the bottle down and turns her eyes to Decklan. ”You okay?” She mouths even though we are all looking at her to see what she's saying.

I flip my eyes to Deck who nods yes and reaches for her hand which she willingly extends to him.

”We didn't wake you did we?” he asks, closing his fingers around hers.

”No. I'm used to sleeping through the noise. You three have nothing on a packed bar.” She leans forward, resting her elbows on the bar directly across from Decklan. ”So what are we talking about?” She eyes the three of us curiously.

”Gavin's in love,” Paxton blurts, throwing the attention my way.

”What the f.u.c.k, dude,” I object. ”What the f.u.c.k happened to keeping s.h.i.+t in the circle?” I ask, referring to the fact that what we say to each other stays with us and only us.

”Duh,” Kimber's response pulls my attention back to her. ”Don't look at me like that. You're so obvious it's almost a little pathetic.” She grins playfully. ”But if it makes you feel any better, I think the only person more clueless than you is Harlee.” Her smile widens.

”Well thank f.u.c.k for that.” I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers as I feel the effects of a small headache working its way in.

”Come on, I'll drive you two home,” Kimber offers, releasing Decklan's hand.

”You don't have to do that,” he immediately interjects.

”Considering they've been here drinking all night, yes, yes I do,” she insists. ”I can take Gavin's truck. I'll drop them off and then bring the truck back here until later.”

”I'll just follow you over and bring you back on my bike.” The moment the words leave Decklan's mouth, Kimber c.o.c.ks her head to the side and narrows her eyes at him.

”Nope, you're right. I'm going to go upstairs and try to sleep it off,” he says without her having to say another word.

”Now that's what you call b.a.l.l.s deep,” I tease the moment he slides out of the bar stool.

”Yeah. Yeah. f.u.c.k you. I know I'm whipped,” he says, stepping directly in front of Kimber. ”And I wouldn't have it any f.u.c.king other way.” He plants a deep kiss on her lips.

I immediately look away, as does Paxton, suddenly feeling like I'm intruding on a very private moment. I've seen Deck make out with countless girls, but there's something very different about seeing him kiss a woman he loves. It's more intimate and private. For the first time in my life, I'm actually able to relate. The thought makes me miss Harlee even more than I already do.

”You can look now.” Kimber pulls my attention back to where she's standing, a wide smile plastered across her face. ”You, bed.” She opens the door leading upstairs and ushers Decklan through it, pus.h.i.+ng the door shut behind him. ”You two, come on.” She gestures toward the back entrance.

”f.u.c.k. Now I really feel like a f.u.c.king teenager again,” I whine, pus.h.i.+ng off my stool.

”But Mom, I'm not ready to leave yet,” Paxton continues the joke, calling after her as she pushes open the back door.

Suns.h.i.+ne filters into the bar and for the first time, I realize that it's daylight outside. f.u.c.k... Where did the time go?

”Don't make me tell you twice.” She purposely tries to make her voice sound more parental, pulling the back door shut as soon as we're all outside.

I squint into the bright sun, following Kimber as she leads the way toward my truck that's parked toward the back of the lot.

”You know, you don't have to drive us home. I can call a cab,” I object when she holds her palm out for my keys.

”I realize this, but it's a five-minute drive and there's no sense in paying an arm and a leg for a cab when I can just take you really quick.” She nods when I drop the keys in her hand.

”Now get in,” she orders, waiting until both Paxton and I are in the cab of the truck before climbing in.

”You realize you're still in your pajamas right?” I ask, just now noticing that she's wearing one of Decklan's old t-s.h.i.+rts, a pair of ratty looking plaid pajama bottoms, and thick pink house shoes. She didn't even bother to put on a jacket despite the fact that it's freezing this morning.

”And?” She gives me a look that says she couldn't care less before sticking the key in the ignition and firing the truck to life.

”Girls.” Paxton looks at Kimber and then back to me before shrugging.

”I'm sorry. Would you rather I go get dressed before driving your two drunk a.s.ses home?” she nips playfully.

”Sorry, Mom,” Paxton jokes, shrinking down in the seat.

”Boys.” She sighs, shaking her head as she pulls the truck out of the parking lot and heads in the direction of my condo.

Chapter Sixteen.

Harlee I look up from the textbook laying in my lap when a loud knock sounds against the door to my dorm room. Looking at the clock on my bedside table, I see it's just after eight in the evening. Not sure who it could be, I drop the book next to me on the bed and push into a stand, quickly reaching the door just as another knock echoes through the room.

Sliding the lock, I crack the door open just enough so that I can see into the hallway, letting it fall the rest of the way open the moment his blue eyes find mine.

”What are you-” I start to ask but before I can finish my sentence, Gavin quickly steps forward, his mouth immediately closing down on mine.

The contact instantly silences my attempt to speak as he backs me into my dorm room and kicks the door closed behind him.

”G.o.d, I f.u.c.king missed you,” he growls against my lips, deepening the kiss as his hands immediately go for the band of my yoga pants.

His fingers slide inside the elastic waist moments before he rips them and my panties down in one quick tug.

As much as him showing up unannounced is a surprise to me, it takes my body no time at all to adjust to his presence. Within seconds I can feel the familiar buzz start to work its way through my limbs, the fire of his touch sending heat spiraling through my entire body.

”I just couldn't wait any longer.” He breaks away from my mouth just long enough to pull my hooded sweats.h.i.+rt over my head and toss it to the floor.

”f.u.c.k me,” he rasps as his eyes trace down my chest, taking in my bare torso. ”You're so f.u.c.king beautiful.” His lips dip to my neck, his tongue flicking across the base of my throat.

I let my head fall back, my hands tangling in his hair as I anchor my arms around his neck.

”I can't wait another second to be inside you.” His mouth finds mine again as he backs me toward the bed.

The moment the mattress. .h.i.ts the back of my knees, I collapse on top of it, Gavin coming down directly on top of me. Kicking my pants the rest of the way off, I wrap my legs around his waist, moaning when he grinds his erection into me through the material of his jeans.

I pull at his s.h.i.+rt, sliding it over his head when he pulls back slightly to make the task easier for me. My fingers trace the defined muscles of his chest, sliding lower along his abs as he hovers above me, his arms holding up the brunt of his weight.

I flip my hand up, palming his erection which causes him to close his eyes as he grinds into my touch. The look of pure l.u.s.t in his eyes when they finally open again sends a whole other wave of desire coursing through me.

I unb.u.t.ton his pants, ripping open the zipper before helping slide them off his hips. The moment his erection springs free, I wrap my hand around it, sliding it from the base to the tip. He groans again, this time, his eyes not leaving mine.

Lining him up at my entrance, he pauses, looking down at me curiously.