Wrecked (Clayton Falls #3)(35)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“I’m more than pretty sure.”

He smiled. “I love this confidence, Em.”

“You bring out that side in me.”

“I’m glad.” He reached around and unclasped my bra. I wasn’t expecting it, nor was I expecting his mouth to claim my right breast so quickly. “Are there any other parts you like?”

“Can I just show you instead?”

“Showing is always an option.”

I reached into his boxer shorts, determined to show him the confidence we’d just discussed.

He groaned. “I’m glad you like that part.”

“Like my br**sts, I think it was expected.”

“There’s nothing wrong with expected.” He grabbed my hand to move it away. “But I also want this to last.”

He moved his mouth to my left breast and let his hand glide down my stomach. He didn’t stop at my panties, pushing them off quickly. He moved his mouth. “Now I get to see all of you.” He ducked his head under the blanket.

I laughed. “It’s kind of dark, isn’t it?”

“I can see with more than my eyes.”

One of his hands slid between my legs, while he returned his lips to mine.

I pushed his lips away. “Jake Mathews, you’re going to be the end of me.”

“The only thing I’m the end of is your dating history. I’m the last one, because I’m never letting you go.”

“I don’t want you to.”

“It’s nice when two people can agree.”

I couldn’t respond. The only thing coming out of my mouth was a moan.

He looked me right in the eye. “I love you, Emily.”

The words surprised me. We’d talked about loving each other’s bodies, but this was different. Even surprised, I knew how to answer. “I love you, Jake.”

“Yeah? Good.” He reached for his shorts and pulled out his wallet. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw him going for a condom.

“I’m guessing you’re on birth control, but you can never be too safe, right?”

I nodded.

He smiled before positioning himself over me. “It looks like I didn’t have to wait too long.”

“Thank god.”

He laughed before doing exactly what he’d promised a few weeks before—reminding me of what I’d been missing.

I’d never experienced anything like it. We moved together perfectly as I watched the stars above us. I’d never get enough of Jake, and I hoped he’d never get enough of me.

Chapter Twenty

Jake

I didn’t miss alcohol when I was with Emily. I didn’t miss the taste, I didn’t miss the way it dulled my senses. I didn’t need it. Nothing tasted better than her, and the last thing I wanted was my senses dulled. I wanted to feel, see, and experience everything about her. And I don’t just mean with sex. The sex was great—incredible, but it was so much more than that. I had the team and my friends, but I lived for the time I got to spend with her and Noah. If I was being honest with myself, I was falling for him too.

“You have to let me take him trick or treating. You can’t deprive him of the joys of Halloween just because you have to work.” I took a bite of my pizza, enjoying our usual Sunday night tradition. In the beginning, we only saw each other once or twice a week, but before long it became a whole weekend thing. We only had Friday night games, so I’d go back to her place afterward. I always stayed through Monday morning. I was right about my father loving Emily, so he had no issues with me getting in late those days. I owed my friends and family big time for driving me to Wilmington so often, but it was worth it. With my limited license, I could drive to work and school if I didn’t want to walk. At least I didn’t have to get Molly involved in that anymore.

“He’s not even two years old. He doesn’t know what trick or treating is.” Emily ate Noah’s crust. She refused to waste it.

“Okay, so I want to go trick or treating too.”

She laughed. “Now the truth comes out.”

“I won’t take him out long, just in my parents’ neighborhood.”

“It sounds great in theory, but by the time I get there Noah already needs to be in bed.”

“You can both stay over. Or if you want a break, just let me keep him for the night.”

“Where’s he going to sleep? He’s in a bed, but he needs a rail.”

I smiled. I’d been meaning to keep it a secret, but I decided to let the cat out of the bag. “I set up one of those toddler beds in my extra bedroom—you know the one that looks like a race car. I thought it might be nice if you guys could start staying over with me sometimes…” Staying at her place was fine, but I wanted her in my bed too.

“You set up a room for Noah?” Her eyes widened in surprise. I hoped it was the good kind.

“Yeah. I mean we’ve been together two months now, it makes sense.”

“You make it sound like two years.”

I didn’t like the way she avoided my eyes when she said it. “What’s that supposed to mean? Two months is a record for me.”

“Please tell me that’s a joke.”

“You know it isn’t. You know you’re the first girl I’ve been serious with.”

“Serious? You think we’re serious?”

“Aren’t we?”

She looked away again.

“Emily, answer me.”

She looked at Noah who was playing on the floor. She lowered her voice. “He’s getting attached to you.”

“And I’m getting attached to him. What’s the problem?” I wanted to stay calm, but I didn’t like where the conversation was heading.

“What happens when you decide you’re tired of us? When you decide you want a girlfriend without all of this?” She gestured to her and Noah with her hand.

“Is that what you’re worried about? That I’m going to suddenly wake up one day and break up with you?”

“It’s Noah I’m worried about. Maybe he’s spending too much time with you.” She got up from the table and started collecting our plates.

“Hey, Noah, can you give your mom and I a minute?” I knew we couldn’t leave him unsupervised but he’d be fine if we stepped into the kitchen.

She placed the dishes in the sink.

“He’s not spending too much time with me. You’re not either.” I braced myself on the counter behind me.