The Ahern Brothers Collection, page 39
The urge and hunger for her expands inside me as if her lips were fundamental to my survival, our connection—my oxygen. I need Abby as much as I need my next breath, my next heartbeat.
“What are you thinking about, Ahern?” Her voice is low and softens when she says my name.
“You,” I breathe the word, unable to catch myself from the fall I took when I kissed her.
“Me?” She arches an eyebrow, as she bites her cheek. “Or the letter.”
“It was intense,” I tell her. “There’s so much in there that …” I rub the back of my neck thinking about every word she wrote.
I have it nearly memorized after rereading several times.
“Even after you opened your heart, I’m still not sure where I stand.”
“You’re obviously standing right here. In my kitchen.” She pours a glass of apple juice and sets it on the island along with the sandwich.
“Yes, but how do I proceed?”
She narrows her gaze and crosses her arms.
“I need to know where we stand, because fuck, if I don’t want to drag you upstairs and love you—worship you. Abby, I’m fucking hungry for you.”
She makes a tiny sound in her throat. Her eyes are wide, her lips parted.
I’ve never seen that hunger in her. My dick stiffens. I need to get out of this house before I do something stupid. Would it be stupid? There’s got to be some way to define our expectations.
“Sorry, what’s the question? My brain suddenly froze and can’t remember what we’re talking about.”
“The letter, why’d you send it?” I set the letter on the counter.
“After our date, I couldn’t sleep.” She stares at the folded paper. “I had work out my thoughts and feelings about us. That’s why I began to write the letter. Afterward, I baked some cookies.” She stares at the counter. “The next morning, I packed them up and sent them off. It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Do you regret it?”
She shrugs. “No, I just don’t think I’m ready to talk about the letter. It was maybe too raw. Those were thoughts that matter to me, yet I’m afraid you may have taken it out of context.”
“Nothing is out of context. You put all your cards on the table and showed me your hand.”
“It felt important at the time—essential that I let out everything I bottled up after our date.”
“Our date?” I frown. “I thought you had fun.”
“Lots,” she smiles. “I also feel as if we were trying our best to come off authentically, but we’re still holding back. Without that letter, I doubt you would have kissed me the way you did just now.”
“Was I wrong to?”
“What?” she asks confused.
“Kiss you?”
“No.” Her voice becomes breathy. She bites her cheek, while her eyes watch my lips intently.
“I liked that you didn’t hold yourself back. That you were truthful about what you want and need. There’s no hesitation just …”
Abby sighs. “Us.”
I’m still unsure of what to make of this. All I know is that I need to taste those sweet lips again. I swallow hard and walk around the island to stand in front of her.
“How authentic do you want me to be?” I caress her cheek, leaning in closer to her.
Abby takes a deep breath; she stares at my mouth. Then, she looks at me. “Be you. Act the way you want. Don’t treat me like I’m fragile because I’m not.”
“Me,” I breathe against her lips. “That’s what you want? I’ve got to warn you that you’re special to me. Precious. And I’ll worship you as such.” I press my lips together and exhale, “Forever.”
Abby links her arms around my neck. “Wes,” she breathes.
I wrap her body in my arms, pulling her against me to find her mouth. The world shifts like it does every time we kiss. Abby’s all that matters. She’s my entire universe. Every cell of my body burns with lust, need.
Breaking our kiss, I scoop her up and carry her toward the stairs.
“Which one is your room?”
“The one at the end of the hallway.”
“I’m going to undress you,” I tell her when we arrive at her room. “Slowly, I’ll peel off every item of clothing you’re wearing, and then I’m going to graze every inch of your body with my lips. Is that okay?”
“Yes,” she whispers as I set her in the middle of her bed.
Abby observes me as I undo her pants and pull the zipper down slowly. I tug them down, but when she trembles under my gaze, I stop.
“Are you nervous?” I hold my breath because maybe I misunderstood and I’m pushing her too far.
“A little,” she tugs her lip between her fingers. “This is new, different for me. Obviously, I’m not a virgin but … it’s you.”
There’s no fear, just desire in those dark eyes. I trace the line of her lacey panties. Abby breathes and closes her eyes. She’s so fucking beautiful and perfect. I want to run my tongue all over her—taste how much she desires me, how much she missed me.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Holding her gaze, I let one heartbeat of charged silence spread between us.
I’m ready to tear off the t-shirt she wears and possess her. Making love to her will be an art. Being gentle while holding nothing back. She’s worth it though, and I can stay here all night.
“You wouldn’t be in my bedroom if I didn’t, Wes. Of course, I want you. It might not happen tonight, but it’ll happen soon, and giving myself to you isn’t just a physical act. It’s a gesture of love. I trust you.”
I undress and climb over her, lowering my body onto hers. I brush my lips against hers once, then I kiss her forehead. “You won’t regret it.”
I catch her mouth, parting her lips with my tongue. This time I take it slow. My mind travels to the memories of what we had and what was lost. I close my eyes.
My chest cracks open when I ask, “Will you ever forgive me for not being there for you when you needed me?”
“You’ve always been there, Wes,” she says, her fingers raking my hair. “It wasn’t your fault, and there’s nothing to forgive. What happened to me was like a cancer eating away at my every thought, all my emotions. It left me hanging by a thread. I had to save myself and find the courage and will to continue. You’re not responsible for me.”
I kiss her eyes. “But I want to take care of you.” I kiss her nose. “Protect you.” I pass my lips over hers, and she shivers. “Be there when you need me.”
Her hands frame my face; our eyes meet. “I want you to need me too. To care for you. To protect you.”
“I’m scared,” I confess.
“Of what?”
My throat tightens. I close my eyes before I speak, “That this is a dream and I’ll wake up soon, and you won’t be by my side.”
“We’re both scared of a lot of things. The beauty of being together is that we can hold each other while we face our biggest fears.”
I peel off her shirt, dipping my head and pressing my lips to her neck. Nibbling her sensitive skin and breathing her soft scent, I take my time kissing my way down her neck. She shudders under my body, a moan escapes from the back of her throat. My cock urges me to speed this up, but I ignore it. Abby’s a delicate fruit that needs careful attention. I want to enjoy her succulent juices.
Kissing her sternum, I stop right at her bosom. My hand finds the clasp of her bra, I snap it open and watch her beautiful, plump breasts spill out of the fabric. I discard the beautiful lingerie and take one nipple into my mouth, sucking it hard while I play with the other one. I pinch it, and flick it, alternating sides. My head spins out of control as she pushes her hips against me and whimpers while I devour her tits.
“Please,” she begs with a throaty voice.
“What do you want?”
“Make it better. The ache between my legs.”
“With pleasure.”
Running my tongue down her torso with slow precision, every swirl makes her tremble. I stroke her pussy over her panties, and her moans sound like music. A melody I’ve played for years but haven’t heard since that night in Tahoe. My fingers slide inside the silk material that covers her pussy. I run my thumb through her slit and circle her clit.
Abby pushes her hips against my hand, and I stop.
“Patience,” I tease her.
She whimpers as I work her panties down her thighs, past her feet, and onto the floor. I kiss the tips of her toes, take them in my hands and spread her legs wide. I kiss the inside of her legs, inch by inch. Left, then right. I suck the sensitive skin of her inner thighs. Moving up, up until I’m right at her core. I run my fingers through her beautiful pussy opening her folds.
This time I don’t stop myself. I bend down, pressing my tongue against her nub. My hands go under her ass, raising her pussy and opening her wide. She’s perfect. I begin to stroke her with my tongue all the way down to her back entrance.
“Oh,” she breathes, trying to close her legs but I don’t let her.
Instead, I continue to pleasure her with my tongue. Sucking her juices, making her even wetter. My tongue swirls through her folds, flicking her clit, and wetting the delicate entrance in back. I move my hands from under her and replace them with a pillow. Carefully, I push a finger past her entrance and stop, watching her. Her eyes are two hazy pools staring at me while her hands grasp the sheets.
“Should I continue.”
“Please,” she begs.
I slide in a second finger; my mouth doesn’t stop kissing her beautiful pussy. Then I move my tongue to her little hole, licking it, lubricating it. She wiggles and moans, and I take that as a sign to continue. Carefully, I press my thumb inside, moving it while crooking one finger, and pushing it against her g-spot. Her body trembles as I nibble her precious pearl.
“Wes,” she screams as if pleading for mercy, or maybe for more. The sound is like music—a hymn—the only sound I want to hear for the rest of my life.
She spasms around my finger as I continue to draw out her climax, drinking her orgasm. Her muscles shake uncontrollably under my touch. When her breathing finally evens out, I move away from her.
This is happening, I repeat in disbelief. It’s real.
“I need you,” Abby grunts, her eyes meeting mine. They’re glazed over and seem far away, yet still needy. “More than I’ve ever needed anything in my entire life.”
Reaching out for my wallet, I pull out a condom and open the package. I kneel between her legs and roll it onto my shaft. I hold onto my erection, caressing her entrance with it. She stiffens.
“We can stop,” I hold my breath, worried about her reaction—afraid that she might break down.
“It’s normal to feel angry, but don’t let it show,” said my therapist when we skyped. “Just like you wouldn’t pressure her into sex, also be careful not to withhold displays of intimacy. Don’t emotionally withdraw from her. Don’t assume that she doesn’t want to be touched at all. Be gentle if she desires you.
“It’s important that she knows you are respecting her right to decline sex. When the time for sex comes, be tender and slow.”
“Don’t make me beg,” she says in a serious tone. “Please, don’t ask me again. I know why you’re doing it, and I love you even more for being so patient and careful.”
I stay right by her entrance, lowering my body. I lean down and croon in her ear. “I love you,” as I press myself inside her. Our gazes connect, I smile and whisper again, “I love you so much.”
Abby laces her hands around my neck. I drop my forehead to hers as I thrust inch by inch. Her walls wrap around me. Our bond strengthens. Every muscle of my body tenses as I control the need to plunge into her. Instead, I enjoy the feeling of being inside the most beautiful woman in the world. Becoming hers. Claiming her.
With one last thrust, I’m all the way home. I stop, resting my weight on my elbows. “I love you, beautiful Abby.”
“Thank you,” she says, running a hand through my hair and caressing my face. “For always knowing what I need.”
I kiss her forehead and move slowly, pressing my hips against hers, whispering how amazing she is and how much I love her. I feel like I’m outside my body. Elevated to another dimension where I share a space with her soul. We’re becoming one in the process. I hear her screaming my name, begging for more. My entire body blazes, the rich heat makes every molecule in my body shake violently. I thrust harder, unable to stop myself, letting everything go, surrendering to the pleasure as I reach the peak with her.
“Abby!” I collapse on top of her, panting.
“I love you,” she whispers one more time as I move away from her.
“I love you with all my heart,” I repeat. “Give me a second I have to clean myself up and let the dogs inside.”
After I finish, I come back upstairs to a very tired Abby who snuggles against me when I get into the bed. “Sleep.” I brush some strands of hair away from her face. “I’m here to protect you.”
I stay awake for a long time, watching the most important person in my world sleeping. We finally found our way back.
Twenty-Nine
Wes
I wake up with the sunlight in my eyes and classical music playing somewhere in the house. For a second, I’m confused about my whereabouts. Am I still dreaming? The empty bed smells of strawberries and sweet Abby. I sit up, lift the covers, and get out of the bed. After putting on my boxers I make my way downstairs.
She’s in the living room, rolling a yoga mat, looking beautiful. She brightens the entire room with her glowing personality. My fucking God I can’t believe it. She’s here. With me. We’re together and we finally took the last step. We smashed the last wall that remained between us. I’m completely hers. She’s mine.
Last night was un-fucking-believably amazing.
“Morning,” I greet her, giving her a peck on the lips.
A slow grin spreads across her face. I wait for her to disappear and for this to be just another hopeless dream. This entire fucking week has been just that—a waiting game where I’m expecting to wake up from the biggest fantasy of my life. But it’s not; this is real.
“Hey, handsome,” she says softly.
Abby places the mat inside a cylindrical bag, and after putting it away in the coat closet, she faces me. “You look rested.”
“You should’ve woken me up.” The dogs aren’t around, and she seems to be wide awake. “What did I miss?”
“Nah, you looked so peaceful and tired. Do you want breakfast?”
“Aren’t we going out for a walk?” I wait for Oakley to appear with her leash but she’s nowhere to be found. “Where are the dogs?”
“Outside, in the backyard. I’m going to start breakfast. Any requests?”
“Surprise me,” I say, smiling and walking to check on Oakley.
My blood boils when I see Chester mounting her. I slide the door open. “Leave her alone, you perverted dog!”
I march toward the kitchen searching for a bucket. I can’t let this happen.
“Your dog is rubbing on mine,” I complain to Abby who’s too busy preparing breakfast.
“So, what if he has a little fun?” She doesn’t look up at me.
I’m raging and seriously, doesn’t she own a bucket? Giving up the search, I grab a container and fill it with cold water.
“What’s your problem, Ahern?”
“I don’t think you understand.” I turn off the faucet.
“Yeah, he’s not the super obedient girl you introduced us to.” Abby waves the spatula at me while plating the pancakes.
“No,” I groan, heading to the backyard. “Your mutt is fucking my puppy.”
“What?” She squeaks and begins to laugh.
Abby takes the container away from me and doesn’t stop laughing. “Give me that.”
“It’s not funny, Lyons.” I go out to yell at her mutt, but they’re already apart. “First I find her on the couch when I come downstairs for a glass of water. She’s not allowed on top of the furniture. Now … this.”
“Ahern, they’ll be together a lot. You might as well ignore their little affair.”
“She’s just a puppy,” I complain. “He defiled her.”
“In dog years, she’s four years older than Chester,” Abby argues, but can’t keep her face straight. The woman is enjoying this.
“You’re calling Oak a cougar?” I cross my arms feigning anger.
“No, I’m telling you to chill. It’s perfectly normal.”
“Talking about normal, what are your plans for today?” I freed up my entire week when I read her letter.
I delegated my duties, and I’ll oversee the operation from here. There’s no way I’m heading back to San Jose. I can’t handle being away from her.
“I’m meeting the architect in Franktown.” She grins.
If anyone could see her now, they’d think she gets excited about pouring coffee. It’s the center that has her giddy. Her dream. A dream that’s about to come true.
“Can I join you?”
“Yeah.” She busies herself serving the food and stops to look at me. “Don’t you have to be in San Jose?”
“I have to be here, with you.” I hold her by the waist, lift her and set her right on the counter.
She’s wearing just my t-shirt. I caress her inner thighs. Abby squirms, and I realize that she’s not wearing any underwear. “What if I have you for breakfast?”
I trace her pussy with my fingers.
“Ahern, you need to go to work and I—” She moans.
“There’s no fucking way I’m leaving you anytime soon.” I pull the shirt off and stare at her naked body. “
“Is this okay?” I run my lips down her ear all the way to her mouth.
“Mhmm,” she whimpers.
I nibble her lower lip before trailing kisses down her neck, working my mouth down her beautiful body. Sucking and kissing my way down to the hollow of her throat, her breasts. I cup them and tease one nipple with my hand while lapping at the other with my tongue.
