“You might as well give up!” he shouts, gaining on me inch by inch.
I look back over my shoulder and yell, “Never! You’ll have to catch me first!”
“Oh, Baby, I will always catch you.” I’m pulled back against his hard chest as an arm wraps around my waist.
We tumble to the ground, breathing heavily and laughing at the same time. When we finally come to a stop, Wes rests above with his large arms and sexy body caging me in. Before I realize it’s happening, Wes’ face rolls over mine, covering me in cake, too. I squeal in surprise before my squeal turns into bellyaching laughter. “I told you I’d catch you, Baby,” he mumbles out in that husky voice that gets me every time, as he leans in, sealing his lips over mine.
Feverishly, I return his kiss. My arms snake around his neck and pull him all the way down on top of me. The taste of chocolate and vanilla and everything Wes has me wanting to rip his clothes off him right here, right now. But I don’t. My subconscious breaks through, and unfortunately, reminds me that there is a birthday party to get back to. “I knew you would. You always do,” I reply against his mouth before breaking the kiss.
My hands smooth out the blue, black, and grey plaid shirt that hangs above my cut off jean shorts. A loose braid wraps around the side of my neck and rests over my right shoulder, while the black, slouched, cowboy boots complete the look. I lean in close to the mirror once more as I check what little makeup I have on.
Yesterday was one of the best days of my life thus far. The funny thing is, I finally feel like there will be many more to come. I was sad to watch my aunt leave, but it was great to spend some time with her. After a long hug, and me promising that I would come home to visit more often, she left. I didn’t cry. Instead, I waved her off with a smile.
My heart felt lighter when Bailey hugged me goodbye. We exchanged phone numbers, and I told her that she could call me anytime, for anything. An easy smile found its way onto my face as I watched her climb into the passenger seat of her mom’s car. I sat there, prepared to watch them drive off, as well, but instead, her mother got out of the car and met me in front of it. “I don’t know if I can ever thank you enough,” she said as she yanked me forward into a hug. I almost broke down when I felt her mother trembling beneath my hands as she quietly cried. “I already lost my son. I can’t bear to lose my daughter, too. You’ve helped her so much, and I don’t even think you realize it.” She cried brokenly on my shoulder.
“You didn’t lose her. She just went down a different path for a while, but now, she’s making her way back to you.”
“How do you know?” she asked, her voice overcome with emotion.
“Because I’ve been where she is. She may never heal completely, but she’s learning to cope, and that’s all anyone can ask for.”
She pulled back from our embrace and wiped away her running mascara. “You’ve helped her more than anyone else could. And for that, you will always be a part of our family. You call if you need anything,” she said, her voice stern and serious.
The corners of my lips lifted in a smile. “Yes, ma’am.” With that, she gave me one last hug before she turned back to her car and left.
A knock on the bathroom door pulls me back to the present. “Yeah?”
“Babe, you ready?” Wes asks when I open the door. I don’t think I will ever get tired of watching his eyes pop out of his head when he looks at me. I lean my shoulder against the doorframe while his gaze peruses my body. I’ve left the first three buttons of my shirt undone because I know he likes to see a little cleavage. My sleeves are rolled just below my elbows and the hem of my shorts fit snug right below the curves of my ass.
“You’re staring?”
“Fuck me,” Wes groans. His hands grip onto my hips as he pulls me into him. Without warning, his lips crash down on mine. His tongue sweeps across my upper lip demanding entrance, entrance that I have no problem allowing. A deep, husky growl rumbles from deep within him as his hold on my hips tightens. Lust shoots through my veins, resonating in that one spot where I need him the most. My hands grasp his shirt, fisting it as I try to get as close to him as possible. “Let’s not go to the party,” he mumbles against my lips.
“We have to.” I chuckle breathlessly.
Wes leans his forehead against mine. “No, we don’t. We can go somewhere, just us,” he says, taking deep breaths.
“It’s the end of camp bonfire and my party. Of course, we have to go.” I smooth out the wrinkles my fists made in his black, button-up shirt. The dark, boot cut jeans he’s in fit nicely as they cling to his massive thighs just the way I like. I look up at him beneath my eyelashes. “You look so damn sexy.”