Chapter 15
Ashley
ALL THE TESTS ARE NORMAL and the doctor gives strict instructions to rest and stay hydrated. I have a respiratory infection virus and the antibiotics I’m on are working wonderfully. I feel better and want to get out of this room, but my annoying boyfriend won’t let me. He has Memphis, Leigh, and Shelby taking turns to come over and keep me company while he works. I feel like a child and I’m ready to kick everyone out of the house, so I can be alone and plot Landon’s death for making me stay in bed.
“I don’t know why you’re complaining,” Leigh says with a laugh. “That man worships everything about you and wants to take care of you. Woman, you need to let him.”
I grunt and throw a pillow at her head. “Shut up. You’re not helping. It’s been six days, and he still carries me down the stairs and caters to me. It’s sweet, don’t get me wrong, but come on. I need to get out of here.”
“Girl, just relax and let it soak in. Trust me.”
“Ugh. Whatever. Okay, fill me in with everything that’s going on. I’m losing it!”
Leigh puts down her phone and taps on her chin, thinking of things to tell me. “So, Magnolia tried sinking her claws into Kemper. She told him how worried she was about you and if he needed anything to let her know.”
“What the fuck?”
Leigh waves her hand like it’s nothing. “He told her he wouldn’t ask her if she were the last person on the planet.”
I’m laughing so hard that I’m crying. Serves that bitch right for trying to use me being sick to get to Kemper. Will she ever learn and move the hell on to someone who isn’t in my life?
“I’m sure she won’t be showing her face around here any time soon.”
“Good. I’d rather not see her.”
Leigh continues to tell me about her dating life and I’m so thankful I don’t have to go through that. Dating is hard these days. There are so many apps you can download to find a date, and half the men you find only want sex. It’s crazy.
“Oh! You have to come outside with me. It’ll do you some good to get sunlight.”
“Thank God!” I push off the covers and change into shorts and a tank top. Leigh’s checking her phone again and it’s a little irritating. “Leigh!”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve been on your phone all day. What’s going on?”
“Nothing, girl. Come on. We need to hurry before that hot boyfriend of yours comes back and whoops my ass for taking you outside.”
I forget my irritation, and we quickly go down the stairs and rush out the back. As soon as we’re on the deck, my hands fly over my mouth, and I’m looking around to see the people I love most.
And the man who has my heart.
He’s facing me, smiling, and I can’t help to smile back. I take him in, admiring the way the polo stretches across his chest.
“Landon?” I whisper. “What’s going on?”
Mama and Kemper are on one side, and our friends are on the other. Ellie’s clapping her hands and Gunner’s trying to calm her down. This is really weird. I look at them and can’t figure out what’s going on until I turn back to Landon. He walks closer to me and gets down on one knee.
A small box appears in his hand, and he opens it slowly as a diamond ring shines from the sun. I gasp and pinch myself because how is this happening? We haven’t talked about marriage and the next steps. I mean, do I want this? We’re still learning each other. There’s still so much to get over.
Do I want this?
“Ashley Monroe, I’ve loved you ever since we were kids. The day I asked you to be my girlfriend and you said yes was the happiest day of my life. We’ve been through so much together and when we were apart, there wasn’t a day that passed I didn’t think about you. I kept our memories alive in my heart and I prayed hard for you to come back. So, when you were standing next to me, my heart leapt. I forgot how to breathe and that moment my cold heart felt warmth. No matter what I did or how hard I tried pushing you away, you were strong enough for us both. I know I wasn’t easy to get along with, at first. You broke down those walls and made me a better man. I solemnly swear to love you with everything I am and give you the best life, because finding you made me find myself.”
“Landon,” I gasp and kneel with him. “You don’t have to do this, babe.”
“I love you. My love for you runs deep. Marry me, Ashley. Be my wife and let me show you what forever will feel like.”
“Yes! Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Cheers erupt and when Landon slides the ring down my finger, his hungry lips capture mine. We’re on our feet again, hugging our family and friends, while the girls tell me we have to get married soon.
I look at my future husband and smile because I want to be married as soon as possible. I don’t need a big wedding or anything fancy. As long as I’m walking to him then everything else will fall into place.
We say goodbye to everyone and watch Mama get in the car with Kemper, before Landon turns to me with lust in his eyes. As soon as we’re inside, he takes the steps, two at a time, and rushes into the bedroom. My ass is on the bed before Landon’s mouth covers mine. His hands go right to my breasts, and as much as I want to talk, there’s no way I’m stopping this now. He devours my lips, taking in the bottom, and sucking a little, before squeezing my breast.
We’re out of control. Clothes are flying everywhere and the hunger from our kisses and touching ignites. I need him like I need my next breath. He’s wild with me. Hungry. Consuming. Intoxicating.
He’s towering over me, claiming my mouth, and doing delicious things to my breasts. I can’t get enough of him. I need more. I want more. Landon kisses a trail down my neck, licking between my breasts, and then taking a nipple into his mouth. The heat from his breath is driving me wild. I’m trembling underneath him and grab his hair, forcing his mouth to stay where it is because the sensation of his teeth biting my nipple is perfect. The ache between my legs grows and I need him.
“Landon!” I scream when he moves to my other nipple, showing it the same attention. His hand travels down my body, and I open my legs for him, his fingers tracing my entrance.
“Fuck. You’re soaking wet,” he whispers, burying his head in my neck. “So wet. Just for me.”
“Always for you.”
Landon releases my nipple and kisses down my body to my stomach, until his tongue is touching my pussy.
“Mmm, you taste so good. This is mine, Ashley. This will always be mine.” His fingers slide inside and I scream from the strength of them. They’re sending me closer to the edge. I feel my orgasm building. As if he can sense it, he removes his fingers, and lifts my legs over his shoulders and spreads them wide.
“Hottest thing I’ve seen.”
“Please, Landon. Please.”
“Does my baby need me to suck on her sweet pussy?”
“Yes. God, yes.”
He laughs before covering me with his mouth. I loudly cry out when I feel the flick of his tongue over my clit.
“Landon, I need you inside me.”
As soon as he stands up, I move myself higher on the bed, and the bed dips with Landon’s weight. His eyes are on mine, never leaving, as he guides himself inside me.
“Fuck.” He loudly moans.
He’s fully inside me. Completely full, I wrap my arms around his neck and find his lips again. The intensity of our kissing makes him pump faster and deeper.
“Fuck me harder,” I pant in his ear.
“Baby, you keep saying that and I’m going to blow too soon.”
“Bend me over and fuck me until I’m screaming. I want that so badly.”
“Fuck,” Landon groans and does exactly that.
My ass is in the air, and his lips kiss each cheek before his hands find my hips and he tightly grips them.
“You want to be fucked, baby?”
“Yes!”
He pounds into me so hard that as my orgasm hits me, I scream his name, clawing at the bedsheets. With two more thrusts, Landon growls my name, and slows down.
When he slowly pulls out, my body instantly misses him and I want to feel him again. Before I can suggest a round two, he places a kiss on my forehead before walking to the bathroom. I admire his firm ass and cover my mouth to hide my sighing and moaning.
This feels right. Being here with Landon, screaming his name, loving his dirty mouth, and feeling complete.
Once we’re both cleaned up, and under the covers, his chin is resting on top of my head and I’m staring at the night sky through his large bay window.
“You’re so beautiful. I don’t think I told you that, but I’m going to tell you every day how beautiful you are and how much I love you.”
The beauty of his words causes my heart to beat harder. I love hearing his voice, and the way he tells me how he feels.
“Are we going to bed like this every night? And every morning I’ll wake up in your arms?”
“Yes,” he answers with a gleam in his eyes. “Forever.”
“Then let’s get married as soon as we can. I want to have your last name and call you my husband.”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart.”