Craving You (TBX #2) (24 page)

Turning the knob to my room, Parker crashes into my back with a playful laugh before placing a kiss to my cheek and swinging the door open.

“You girls always do weird stuff when us boys aren’t around?” He must be talking about the vodka cupcakes.

“Only when we’re feeling bad,” I tease while picking up my Kindle and placing it on the bedside table.

“I’d bet you’re crazy funny after a batch of those.” Dammit. He’s right. They help us get into trouble. Idle hands …

“How’d it go?” Taking a seat on the bed, Parker stands in front of me with his hands in his jean pockets, head down.

A long sigh moves past his lips. “Better than expected.” His head rises. “Colt’s not angry with me, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t hurt by all of this.”

“Like you?” The concern in my voice causes it to become thick.

“Yeah, baby. Like me. It feels like the thread of my soul is being pulled apart, and the only thing tryin’ to pull back, to fight and keep me together, is
you
.”

“I’m always here if you need me.” My lips feel dry, and my limbs weak. The urge to comfort him is killing me. Think Kelsey.
What will help you start to heal this man of yours?

“I always need you, Kelsey.” Sincerity thick in his voice he stalks toward me.

Trembling hands reach up to touch his strong arms when he’s inches from me. Rubbing up and down over his smooth, tanned skin, I look up into his eyes. “Do you want to go back to the box?” I don’t know when the thought came to my brain. It was almost like a natural response.

“Want to be wherever you are.”

“Both of us. You can teach me how to do a trick.” I wink my right eye at him. I know he needs this. He bleeds it.

“Mmmm, that sounds perfect.” His lips mumble against mine with a slanted grin.

Parker

This is the reason I couldn’t quit her no matter how hard I tried.
She gets me
. Hand in hand, we walk out the front door and down the dark beaten path that leads to the box. Silence wraps around us, and for once in my life, insecurities don’t rise between us and suffocate me. Comfortable silence is new to me.

“Life’s crazy sometimes,” Kelsey whispers into the night. “This isn’t easy for me, ya’ know. Being this close to you. The only person I’ve ever allowed myself to get close to is Brealynn.” Her voice gains strength as she speaks.

“You two are pretty close.”

“She’s my sister. Maybe not by blood, but I know she was put in my life to save me.” Our fingers hold on tightly as our hands swing between us. “And you, well, I think you’re here to bring me back to life. I’ve closed myself off so much from feelings and commitment. Control has always been a big thing for me. Loving someone else makes you lose control, and I didn’t think I could afford that. Until you …”

“No one loves you better than you love yourself.” The chant I’ve had running through my head for years haunts me.

“Yes!” We pause our walk, her gray eyes glistening in the moonlight. “That’s exactly what I’ve always thought. I mean what’s the point, right?” I caress her face with my knuckles. I used to ask myself the same question. “Well, I thought that way until you came riding into my life making me hot with your special man capris pants.” The melody of her laughs filters through me and sinks into my being.
She’s become a part of who I am.

“They’re not capris.” Looking up with a smile, she places her hands on my chest. “I’ll tell you again. I roll one leg up so it doesn’t get stuck in the bike chain.”

“All I hear out of your mouth is ‘I love man capris.’ And that’s okay, Park. I still love you.” Then she steps on her tiptoes and places her lips on mine. Lapping up the fix I need to help me heal my wounds, I indulge without guilt.

The box comes into view, and that’s when I realize that everything I could ever need is in one place all at the same time. You hear love stories about everything clicking and two souls finally finding common ground to build off of.

This is our ground, and I’m ready to build a
fuckin’ empire
.

My bike is laying where I left it after talking with Colt. Down at the bottom of the ramp like no one cares about it. Had I been thinking, I’d have brought it back to the house. It’s not like me to leave it laying around. Steadying the metal that centers me, my feet hit the pedals.

Silence settles between us again, and it’s the comfort of that that speaks volumes.

She just lets me be me
.

Allowing what centers me to carry me back and forth over the worn wood, the rub of my tires is comforting.

With each scrape of the rubber across the ramp, my nerves settle. It’s nice to be out here for me. Not for practice, not for competition, and not to show off for someone, but for
me
. No one judging my talents against my brother’s. Everyone has his or her passions. I like to think most pour every part of themselves into it, but the truth is I’m BMX, and
BMX is me.

When I see another rider riding half-ass or giving it his all, I see me. The bike, the crowd, and the pull feed into me. It’s like the metal of the bike calls for me to pedal against it. You won’t understand, and I’m not blaming you for that. It’s not your fault. It’s just what happens.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

I run the ramp. The early night air cools my skin as I pedal faster and faster, gaining speed. Looking toward Kelsey, she’s watching me with rapt attention, and my heart skips a beat while I still pedal faster and faster. The feel of air being the only thing holding you up; nothing can beat that feeling of being free, if only for a few seconds. Defying gravity. Flipping backward mid-air, I land my bike with the ease of many practices, and the thrill settles my nerves.

“I’ll never get used to you doin’ that,” Kelsey calls out with a sheepish grin.

“Why’s that?” I’m straddling my bike in the middle of the ramp, my breathing rapid.

“It causes my breath to catch in my throat. What if something were to happen to you?”

“Nothin’ is gonna happen to me.”

“A part of me is filled with nerves as I watch, but the other part, the thrill of watching you, makes my panties wet.” Her breathing is picking up as well but for different reasons.

“Come here.” There is no room for her noncompliance.

“I’m always here,” Kelsey says as she reaches me and places her small hand on my shoulder. Bending my neck, I kiss her hand.

“I know.” Focusing on her eyes, I say, “Straddle me.” For a split-second, I think she’s shocked by my request, but she’s not, even as I add, “naked.”

Without another thought, she strips before me. My mouth runs dry as a fuckin’ desert before she throws those sexy legs over me, her core hovering right over mine. “Let’s go for a ride.” I hum against her neck before placing a kiss on her soft skin.

Kelsey’s legs hug around my waist as she holds on and my hands squeeze the handlebars to try and keep me in line. It’s not hard to balance with her on the bike as well; she’s small but has curves in all the places I need.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

I’m getting restless and hard as a damn rock while Kelsey places loving kisses across my skin.

“Can I ride you while you’re ridin’ your bike?” Her voice is tight with passion.

“You can have whatever the hell you want, Kelsey.” Her fingers work to undo the button of my jeans. When she’s freed me, I hear a sigh of relief from her as she takes my hard length in her hand and starts moving up and down. “Fuckkk, baby.” A hiss escapes and the bike wavers for a moment before I right us by placing my feet on the ground.

“I’m going to put you inside of me now. When I do, we’re going to feel whole because we’re right where we belong,
finally
… Okay?” My dick grazes over her clit before pressing inside her. “Pedal.” A soft moan tumbling from her lips, I begin to move inside her as the bike moves us at a slow pace. Kelsey rides me while we make our way back and forth over the flat bottom of the ramp. I never really hit the curve; I’m just riding.

“You feel so damn good.” With every lift of my knees to pedal, I move deeper inside her.

“Yes,” she coos, “I need to take up BMX.”

A rough laugh falls out of my mouth. Only under one rule, ”The only way you’re getting close to another bike is if it’s under me.” Laying her head between my neck and shoulder, we ride the ramp at the slowest pace I’ve ever done.

Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Gripping the handlebars, I stop us once we’re in the center of the wood. Thrusting my hips up, she hisses, “Park!” and grips her arms tighter around my neck. My lips assault hers in a deep fight for the lust she has buried inside her, but all that’s drawn out is the love. It surrounds me like a fog, seeping into every crevice, intoxicating me.

“Don’t ever leave me,” she whimpers just as affected as I am.

“Why would I?” Now that I have her, I’m never letting go. She’s finally admitted her feelings, and there’s no turning back.

“Everyone always does.”

“You’re mine, sweetness. No getting rid of me. You hear me?” My fingers graze the skin of her chin and her eyes rise to meet my gaze. “Tell me.”

“I crave you, Park. You’re all I think about, even on a bad day. I fuckin’ need you.” With her admission, I wrap my arms around her and start thrusting into her like it’s my last time.

Mine.

“Craving you is the best fuckin’ thing in my life, Kelsey. Best. Thing.” I’m deep inside her before I pause. And she gasps. “I love you, baby.” I begin moving again to the rhythm of my heart.

Fast and hard.

Kelsey

It’s been one week since Parker’s life was thrown off balance. The boys are both dealing with their emotions pretty well until Jamie came over last night and was blown up by the whole ‘
you have a brother’
bomb. There was screaming, crying, and then silence that only family comfort can bring, helping mend themselves. Brealynn and I eavesdropped because, duh, we need to be in the loop. I was given the superpower of being as quiet as a mouse, so why not use it. Jamie was angry at first and then hurt that she has another brother out in the world. The boys are now worried about how she’ll lash out like she did after her mom died, so she’s staying here at the house.

Her drinking and disrespect reached high levels. Colt thinks it was Brea and I coming into her life that helped settle her, but us girls know it was Tim. So that brings out more worries. Are they on bad terms? Was it a clean break? Who knows … she won’t talk about it. Vibrating from my nightstand pulls me from my thoughts. It’s my mom. Great. Let’s chalk up some more drama onto my already full board.

“Hey, Mom.” I hope my sigh doesn’t sound as annoyed as I feel.

“Sorry I haven’t called you in a few weeks, but I’ve been busy online dating!” Can she sense an eye roll through the phone? I hope not. “I’ve met this man, Kelsey, and baby, let you tell you, he’s just the best thing!” Her excitement is causing my ears to perk up. Never have I heard this level from her before. “We’re in Vegas and just got married! I’m now officially Mrs. Andrew Montley.” Of course, she’d have to go to Vegas. I believe Texas has a law on the number of times you can marry. If so, she’s exceeded it.

“Mom …” My tone cautious.

“No. Before you start talking down to me, you listen. This isn’t like the other times. I can’t explain why that is or how, but I can just tell you I feel that he is who I’m supposed to be with. I should know- I’ve married enough.” Her laugh is dry, almost humorless at that comment. “Just a hopeless romantic looking for her soul mate. Knowing he’d show up one day and honey, he has.”

“Is that your daughter?” a voice in the distance says over the line. Mom confirms before I hear, “Tell her she’ll have to come to the house soon. We’ll have dinner and try to work out being a family. It’s about time you ladies had that.” My heart swells two more sizes at that comment.

“I’m sure she just heard you, darling, but I’ll inform her. Kelsey, he’s a good, honest man, and he loves me. I know it’s sudden, but when you know, you know, and we wanted to make it official. He knows everything about me, and despite it all, he loves me …”