CHAPTER 7
DELLA
I feel deflated as I walk out to the classroom where I just wrote my final exam.
I don’t know what I expected my last day here to be like, but it wasn’t this. Fireworks would’ve been nice. Hell, anything but this deserted silence.
I finished my last shift at Rameses on Tuesday. Yesterday I spent the whole day studying for today. Now I have to go pack. I want to be on the road first thing tomorrow morning.
I’ll help Sue at the diner until Jamie’s finished with school. We’ll use the summer break to move to Raleigh, where I can enroll her in middle school.
When I walk into the apartment, I’m surprised to see the girls all here for a change. They’re running between rooms, and there’s a huge bundle of clothes on the couch.
“Are you all going home as well?” I ask as I eye the mess in the living room.
Evie comes hopping out of her room as she finishes slipping on a heel. She grabs my hand and pulls me in the direction of the couch.
“We’re going to a party. They guys are having one last one to celebrate us all finishing our exams.”
I start to shake my head, but then Willow joins in. “You’re coming with.”
Leigh comes out of the room, pulling a brush through her long blonde hair.
“We’ve lived together for three years, hardly spending time with each other. The party will be a nice way to say goodbye to each other and the guys.”
She’s got a point. I’d love to say goodbye to the guys, but mostly I’d love to see Carter one last time.
“Fine, let me just change into a clean pair of shorts and a shirt that doesn’t smell like I was sweating through my final exam.”
Willow steps in front of me and waves a hand at the couch. “Your usual shorts and t-shirt won’t do for tonight.”
I glance back at the couch and start to shake my head. “I’m not wearing a dress.”
“You are and you’re going to look gorgeous,” Leigh says as she picks up something that looks more like a hairband than a shirt. Thankfully she tosses it to the side.
Soon Evie, Willow, and Leigh are digging through the heap of material, discussing what would make my ass look best.
They make me try on a dress that hardly covers my butt. I hardly have it on when I start to yank if off.
“I’m just going to wear some shorts,” I say, rushing into my room. I grab a one that I’ve made from a pair of old jeans I had lying around. I think it looks cute.
The girls seem to be happy with the shorts, but they won’t let me wear any of my t-shirts. I’m told to wear a black bra, then they shove a piece of chiffon in my hands. I shove my arms through the flimsy sleeves, then try to figure out what to do with the rest of it.
Evie takes the two long points and crossing them over my breasts she ties them at my back. The sleeves are wide and really pretty. The dark blue of the material matches my eyes, and I actually feel pretty. I finish the look off with some mascara.
I insist on taking my own truck. I’m not going to stay that late. I still need to pack most of my stuff before I leave early in the morning.
I follow behind Evie’s Mini Cooper and when we pull up to the guys’ house, I’m surprised to see that I’ve been walking by it every time on my way home from work.
Nervous excitement starts to bubble inside of me. I haven’t seen Carter in almost two weeks. There were many moments I regretted telling him that the timing is wrong. A couple of times I almost phoned him. But I held out and finished my exams.
I take a deep breath and check my reflection in the review mirror. When I go home to Jamie, I’m going to have to be the adult. There won’t be time for parties. For tonight I’m going to let my hair down.
There’s a huge smile on my face as I cross the road and joining the girls. When I walk into the house, my eyes dart everywhere. It doesn’t look like a frat house. It smells of expensive taste.
There are a lot of people already standing around. The girls all head in their own direction and I decide to go left. I walk into a huge room that opens up to a veranda and pool.
I smile as I watch everyone having fun. Some are dancing while others are swimming.
A girl with black hair and clear green eyes comes to stand next to me. We both stare at the people swimming.
“You look just out of place as I feel,” she says.
I smile at her and nod. “I’m not used to parties.” I reach a hand out to her. “I’m Della Truman.”
She meets my smile as she takes my hand. “Mia Daniels. Do you know Rhett?”
I laugh, saying, “Who doesn’t know Rhett?”
She nods in understanding. “Yeah, my older brother can be quite a handful.”
My eyebrows pop up with surprise. “You’re Rhett’s sister?”
“Yeah. I deserve a gold medal for that.”
I notice Logan by the pool where he’s drying off. I wave and when I look back to Mia her eyes are glued to Logan.
I keep looking between the two as they stare at each other.
Taking Mia’s hand I pull her outside with me. When we reach Logan I pull her a little forward so that she’s closest to Logan.
“I’ve just met Mia,” I say to break the silence before it becomes awkward.
“Yeah, she’s spending the night here before we all head to New York.”
The smile drops from my face. I knew this was goodbye, but New York? Deep down I was hoping I’d run into them somewhere down the line. That will never happen with them in New York.
Tonight is really the last time I’ll see Carter.
“Have you seen Carter?” I ask as my heart starts to race. I’m going to make the most of tonight. I can’t leave here with regrets.
“Yeah, I last saw him in the kitchen. Just head back in and take a right at the front door.”
“Thanks.” I rush through the people. Students keep coming in and the house is quickly filling up. It’s going to be crazy soon. I have to find Carter before then.
When I find the kitchen, my eyes land on Carter. He takes a sip from his beer and laughs at something Marcus is saying.
A girl moves closer to him and she trails her finger down his bicep as she leans in. She’s trying hard to get his attention. He glances at her but then his eyes meet mine and I see surprise registering on his face.
I gather every ounce of guts I have and I walk towards him.
He straightens to his full-length from where he was leaning against the counter.
When I reach him, the girl plasters herself against his side, clearly trying to show me that he belongs to her.
***
CARTER
As I watch her walk towards me all I can think is that this has got to be a dream. One I don’t want to wake from.
Della stops in front of me and scowls at the girl before she looks at me.
“Me or her?” Della says as if that’s even an option.
I shove the girl away, never taking my eyes of Della.
“You,” I growl as I slip my arm around her waist, pulling her body into mine.
Her hands crawl up my chest and when she reaches my jaw, she pulls me down to her. Our mouths crash into each other, sparking a scorching heat.
She tastes so damn sweet as her tongue brushes over mine. Instantly, I grow hard as her kiss grows more urgent.
Our tongues twist and when I nip at her bottom lip, I take hold of her ass and lift her body up against mine. She wraps her legs around me and I carry her out of the kitchen. Somehow I get us to my room without falling flat on my ass.
I lay her down on my bed and crawl over her, still not sure if this is just another dream I’m having of her. It’s by far the best one.
She brings her one hand down to my chest. Our heated breathing is the only sound in the room as we devour each other.
She pushes me onto my back and for a second I’m confused until she follows, crawling on top of me.
Hell yes! I like where this is going.
She straddles me and a surge of frustration washes through me. I want the clothes gone. I want to feel Della skin to skin against me.
She pushes her hips down, rubbing her pussy against my cock. I can’t wait to be buried deep inside of her. I want her so badly it will be over in a matter of seconds.
A soft moan slips from her lips and it’s the hottest sound I’ve ever heard.
I pull myself up against the headboard and remove my shirt while I’m at it.
“This one, too,” she whispers, tugging at the t-shirt I have on underneath. I let her pull it over my head. Delicious shivers rush over my skin as her fingers trace a hot path down my chest to my abs.
“What are you doing, Della?” I need to know what her intentions are, just how far she wants to take this.
“Second base for now.” The two magic words fall hot against my jaw.
Her hips move again, rocking hard against me. We both groan and if she keeps pressing down on me like that, I’m going to detonate like a damn nuclear warhead. I grab hold of her hips with the intention of keeping her still but she has other ideas. She starts a slow and steady rhythm, rubbing her pussy hard against my hard as steel cock.
“Shit, Carter,” she moans, her breaths coming faster.
Wanting to hear her moan again, I start placing kisses down her neck, working my way to her breasts. My mouth trails the curve of her breasts until I find her hard nipple through the material. I suck it into my mouth which earns me that sweet moan.
Her hands grip hold of my hair, and she arches her back, thrusting her breasts into my face. This night couldn’t have worked out more perfect.
I need more of her. I kiss my way back up to her ear, placing a final kiss just below her earlobe.
“I want to touch you, Della. Dammit, I want you so much.”
“Okay.”
No fucking hesitation. I don’t know what I did right to deserve this but there’s no way I’m letting this chance slip through my fingers.
I untie the bow behind her but she has to help me get the thing off her. With the bra I need no help, and I have the thing off in a second.
My mouth actually waters at the sight of her firm breasts. I cup them both and caress her hard nipples with my thumbs. She’s a perfect fit.
I roll her over until she’s lying on her back. I grip hold of her shorts along with her panties, I drag them down her legs. It makes my insides turn to molten lava with want. I get rid of her sandals before I crawl back over her.
She’s fucking naked beneath me. Heaven.
I trail hot kisses over her breasts, softly biting her creamy skin.
I place my hand on her hip, and it’s heavenly to feel her bare skin beneath my fingertips. Shit, I want my clothes gone, but the second I remove my pants, it will be game over.
I lie down on top of her and rub myself against her center. Dry humping has never been such a turn on for me before.
“Do that … do it again,” she breathes hard. Her nails dig into my shoulders and she pulls me down to her mouth. I roll my hips against her again and it makes her body shudders under mine. Her tongue starts a fast and hot assault on me. Every nerve in my body is tingling. Every inch of me is on fire for her.
I slide my hand from her hip, and when my hand cups her, we both moan. Our mouths are inches from each other as I stare into her shining eyes.
I push a finger inside her pussy, feeling how wet she is for me. “Della, you’re so ready,” I groan.
She moves her hips up, pressing herself into my hand. She sucks in a deep breath, her movements becoming erratic with the lust building up between us.
“I’ve never …” she tries to speak when a low moan builds up in a throat. “Ah. Carter.”
I rub my palm against her clit as I slip another finger inside her. She gasps sharply, her body tenses for a moment, and then a sweet tremble rocks her.
“Tell me if it hurts,” I whisper. Because, shit, the last thing I want to do is hurt her.
“Uh-huh,” she mumbles, then she brushes her cheek against mine, pressing soft kisses along my jaw.
I move my finger deeper inside of her, rubbing slow circles over her with my palm. She’s so damn tight. It’s going to feel like heaven to be inside of her.
She slides her hands to my sides and I take it as a good sign. I pull out slowly. When I thrust in, deeper this time, her body arches into mine. She wraps her arms around my waist, clinging tightly.
“Ow.” The one soft word makes me freeze.
“Ow, how?”
What the hell am I asking her?
“Uncomfortable.” She takes a deep breath. “Keep going.”
“We can stop.” I start to pull away, but Della grabs hold of my wrist. Her head falls back against the pillow.
“Don’t stop. I want this. Touch me, Carter.” She presses my hand harder against her, forcing me back inside her, and it’s so damn hot.
She doesn’t have to ask me twice. I move slowly, checking her reaction. When she pushes up against my hand, I relax. I start gently, sliding my finger deeper with every thrust. Her breathing starts to pick up and she tightens her grip on my wrist.
“Is that better, babe?”
“So good,” she breathes.
Her other hand finds its way along my abs, making a torturous path to my jeans. I feel her unbutton it and then the zipper goes next. She lets go of my wrist to yank my jeans away and pull my boxers back.
The second her fingertips brush the head of my erection, I almost come undone.
“Fucking hell, Della.” I bury my face in her hair.
Every muscle in my body tightens as she grips me. This is more than I could ever ask for.
She starts her slow assault on me, working her hand up and down the length of me. The faster I thrust my fingers in and out of her, the quicker she strokes me.
“Carter, I’m gonna …” she throws her head back. I know what she means. She has to stop or I’m going to come all over her.
I bring my other arm down between us and cover her hand, holding it still against me. Her body shudders, and when she opens her legs wider for me, I groan and quicken my pace.
“Ah, yes!”
She yanks her hands from my pants and covers my hand with both of hers, holding me to her as her breathing hitches. It’s the most beautiful sound ever. Her movements slow down, and her hips start to do an erotic grind against me, as she rides out her orgasm.
“Carter,” she whispers as the last of the trembles rakes through her body and I don’t care. I reach over to the nightstand and grab a condom from the drawer.
I get rid of my pants and as I roll it over my cock, I drink in the sight of her flushed cheeks, and her hair splayed over the pillow all around her. I wish I could burn this image into my heart. I wish I could take this with me.
“I’ve never,” I choke up and Della must hear the emotion in my voice because her eyes snap open. A faint blush creeps up her neck and colors her cheeks a perfect pink, God only knows what she’s thinking now.
“I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful in my life,” I finish what I wanted to say.
***
Her lips are swollen from the kisses and I reach up to brush my fingertips over them. Her eyes find mine as she sucks in a breath. Staring at each other, the air around us crackles with desire.
I want this woman to be mine. Not just for tonight, but forever. She challenges me like no one ever has.
“I’ve never dated before, Della, so I’m not sure what the right protocol is for dating. All I know is that I don’t want casual with you. I want more. I want it all.”
“We haven’t even been on a date,” she says. “We don’t know each other.”
I don’t want her to panic right now. I place a tender kiss to her mouth and whisper, “I want you. I’ll give you all the time you need to get to know me. I just want you to know that this is not just another screw, Della.”
A sad smile forms around her lips, and it only makes me kiss her until it’s gone.
“I’m a control freak. I want to make it clear that you’re mine. I won’t share. No matter what happens or how long it takes for us to get to know each other, you need to know that you’re mine.”
Her eyes dance over my face as if she’s trying to make sure whether I’m being serious right now.
“So you’re one of those men with alpha tendencies?”
“And I get jealous. I’m an only child. Sharing is not in my DNA.”
“No one has ever gotten jealous over me before. It’s kind of hot.”
She reaches for me and I let her pull me down against her. I can’t believe I wasted so much time by being such an asshole to her. We could have had this so much sooner.