Chapter Seventeen

Macy

My sleep may have been dreamless, but who needs dreams when they have the real thing lying right beside them?

I turn slightly in Dawson's arms, and see his eyes are still closed, and I can't say I'm surprised. I don't know what time we both fell asleep, but what I do know is the clock by his side of the bed says it's just after six, and that feels far too early to be awake, even though I am. Still, at least I'm awake, and in bed with him… and with the memories of the most perfect night.

Sure, more sleep would have been nice, and I was kidding when I threw down that challenge in the early hours of this morning. I didn't expect him to take it seriously, but he did, and it must have been at least another hour before he finally came inside me, murmuring my name. He'd howled it out the first time, but I got the feeling his second orgasm was no less intense for it being quieter. He'd made me come so many times by then, each one in a different position. Spooning was fun. I enjoyed the feeling of being enveloped by him, and the slow, languorous way he moved inside me.

"Is this a sign you're getting tired?" I asked, as I came down from another climax.

I should have known better than to tease, because the next thing I knew, he'd changed position and raised my leg onto his shoulder, kneeling up and straddling the other one, still buried deep inside me.

"What do you think?" he growled as he started to move, although he kept it steady, taking me to yet another new height before he lowered my leg and flipped me over onto my front. I half expected him to part my legs, but he didn't. He moved them closer together and placed his on either side, leaning over me, my prone body his for the taking.

There was something about the angle… about what he was doing to me. I'd thought I couldn't take much more, but it seemed I was wrong.

"You're so tight," he said. "Jesus, Mace… you're so tight on my cock. You're gonna make me…"

That was all I needed to push me over the edge, and we spiraled out of control… together.

We fell asleep not long after that, lying in each other's arms, just as we'd wanted. And that's exactly where we still are… wrapped up in each other. It's the perfect place to be, and I twist my body so I can study him more closely.

He's a bear of a man, just like I thought the first time I saw him. The most surprising thing about Dawson isn't his appearance. It's that, despite his size and his demeanor, he's such a gentle lover. That thought makes me smile and snuggle a little closer to him, recalling how he said he was falling for me after we first made love. It felt good to hear him say that, even if I urged caution at the time.

I didn't do that out of any sense of doubt, though.

How could I doubt the man who'd offered to sell his bar, just so we could be together? How could I doubt anything about him when he treats me the way he does?

No… it's not that. It's just that I don't want to rush things…

Okay, so I know I'm the one who came in here last night, even though I'd asked him to give me time. But I couldn't see the point in lying awake next door, missing him, when it was obvious we both wanted the same thing.

Regardless of that, and everything we've done, I want to make sure it's right for both of us. I may be deeply in love with him, but I'd rather he took his time and made certain he feels the same way about me, because I couldn't bear it if we got this wrong.

"Tanner!"

I jump as Dawson startles awake, his friend's name crossing his lips in a surprising cry.

"What's wrong?" I ask, and he turns his head, his eyes meeting mine, and widening slightly, as though he'd forgotten I was here. He reaches out, putting one hand behind my head, before he dips his, our lips meeting as he kisses me deeply. It's like he's missed me, even though he's been asleep, and as I pull myself up his body, he turns over, so we're face-to-face, wrapping his arms and legs around me. I can feel his arousal pressing in to me, my sighs matching his groans, as we greet each other wordlessly.

We take our time exploring… like this is a new beginning, which I suppose it is. Eventually, though, Dawson pulls back, sucks in a deep breath and smiles at me.

"Good morning," he whispers.

"Good morning. Was there a reason you woke up saying your friend's name?"

"Yes. I suddenly remembered something."

"Even though you were asleep?"

"Yeah."

"Does that happen often?" I ask, nestling against his chest as he strokes my back.

"I don't know. I'm usually too hungover to engage my brain in anything as complicated as thinking."

I chuckle and he hugs me even tighter.

"Was your thought about Tanner important?" I ask.

"Only that I promised myself I'd organize something for his and Zara's wedding night."

"Their wedding night? Isn't that kinda personal to them?"

"Yes, it is. Or it should be… and that's the whole point. The way they've got it planned, it's not gonna be very personal at all."

"Are you sure you didn't have anything to drink last night?" I say, and he tilts his head, his brow furrowing.

"I'm positive. Why?"

"Because it sounds to me like you're still hungover. You're not making any sense at all."

"I am. At least, I am to me." He lets out a long sigh, shaking his head. "I came up with a half-assed idea to do something for them… to fix up a surprise. Only I was drunk at the time, and I've been drunk ever since… until yesterday. And now I'm running out of time, and even though they know nothing about it, I don't wanna let them down. I feel like I've done too much of that already."

"Hey…" I reach up, dusting my fingers down his cheek and he sucks in a breath, leaning in to my touch, then turning his head and kissing my hand. "Stop beating yourself up."

"I think I'm entitled."

"Why?"

"Because I've been a god-awful friend to Tanner over the last few years."

"Did he say that?"

"No. He's called me miserable a few times, but I deserved that."

"Even if you did, that's no reason to give yourself a hard time now. You're trying to do something nice for him."

"Trying and failing, it seems."

"Why failing? You said yourself, you've still got time."

"I know," he says.

"In which case, stop panicking, will you? I'll help you organize something, if you tell me what the problem is, and what you've got in mind to fix it."

He stares into my eyes, licking his lips, shaking his head from side to side. "You're something else, Macy Potter."

"Am I?"

"Yeah… and you're just what I need."

"That's good to know," I say, smiling up at him. He smiles back, then shifts away from me slightly, although his eyes don't leave mine.

"You're just what I need right now… in my shower."

He leaps out of bed, and I get a glimpse of his impressive erection, just before he pulls me to the edge of the mattress. "Dawson!" I yelp. "I thought we were gonna talk through the problem with Tanner's wedding night."

"We can do that later," he says, with a wave of his hand. "Like I said, right now, I need you in my shower."

I giggle as he pulls me to my feet, and although I expect him to lead me out of his bedroom and along the hall, he doesn't. He bends, putting his arm around my legs, and tips me back, over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I squeal as he strides from the room. "I can walk, you know?"

"Sure… but I've got plans for this shower, and you're gonna need every ounce of strength you have in your legs. So, let's not waste any…"

I laugh out loud, admiring the view of his toned ass, as he pushes open the bathroom door, flicks on the light, and walks me straight into the shower. He turns on the water, which hits my back, making me shriek.

"Damn… that's hot."

"Sorry."

He spins me around, so he's taking the brunt of the scalding water, and I twist my head, watching as he adjusts the setting.

"Better?" he says, lowering me down his body.

"Much. Thank you."

He bends his head, his lips meeting mine, and as his tongue delves inside my mouth, he pushes me back against the tiled wall behind me. I'm desperate to feel him inside me again, although I know it was only a few hours ago that he made me come so hard. Even so, there are questions I need to ask him; things I didn't get to say last night, or in the early hours of this morning, and I can't wait a moment longer.

"Can I ask you something?" I say as he pulls back, sucking air into his lungs.

"Sure."

He reaches around behind me, cupping my ass and pulling me closer to him, his erection pressing hard into me.

"That's kinda distracting, Dawson."

"I know. But there's nothing I can do about being hard, babe. Besides, you're distracting me."

"How? I'm not doing anything."

He smiles. "You don't need to do anything. You just need to be here. That's more than enough distraction for me."

"Does that mean you won't be able to concentrate on giving me an answer?"

"No. What's the question?"

I lean back as far as the wall will allow and study his face, needing to see the truth in his response. "Have you stopped drinking for good?" I ask.

He takes a moment and says, "Yes."

"Why did you hesitate?"

"Because I wasn't expecting you to ask that."

"You assumed my question would be about Stevie?"

"Yeah."

I nod. "I'm not saying I won't have questions about her… just like you might have questions about James, but for now, I need to know if you've taken your last drink."

"I have."

"And was your decision to stop drinking a factor in your offer to sell the bar? Were you suggesting it so you could step away from the temptation of being surrounded by alcohol all the time?"

"No. That had nothing to do with it. I offered to sell the bar for the reason I gave you. It was because you had a problem with me being your boss. I couldn't fire you, like your ex's uncle did. That would have made me no better than him… even if my motives were completely different."

"So, you offered to sell this place instead?"

"Yeah. The offer still stands. I'd sell it today, if you needed me to."

"I don't," I say, resting my hands on his bare chest.

"Were you worried about me drinking?" he says, his voice dropping to a whisper, with a hint of fear behind it.

"I was concerned about the level of self-destruction you were putting yourself through."

He moves closer, placing his feet on either side of mine. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, capturing my face between his hands, and leaning in to kiss me. "I promise," he says, his lips brushing against mine. "I promise it won't happen again."

"You won't be tempted?"

"No. Never. I've got too much to lose."

"Like what?"

"You."

I lean back slightly, looking up at him. "I was never scared of your drinking… never worried by it. My only concern was the damage you were doing to yourself."

"Maybe, but I still don't wanna put either of us in that position again."

He kisses me again, grinding his hips, water splashing onto us, as his tongue caresses mine. I can barely control my breathing, his body hard, yet his touch so delicate, and I'm wondering if it would be rude to actually ask him to make love to me, when he leans back and stares down into my eyes.

"I—I know you said we should wait," he says. "But I'm ready."

I glance down at the narrow space he's made between us, at his long, thick erection, and then raise my eyes to his again. "I think that much is obvious."

He shakes his head, smiling. "I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about love."

"Love?"

"Yes. I'm in love with you, Macy Potter."

For a moment, I can't breathe at all, and then it's like all the air in the world is filling me up… like he's breathed new life into me with his words, and his love, and I can't stop smiling, or stop myself from saying, "I'm in love with you, too, Dawson Pine."

"Seriously?"

I've never seen him look so happy, and I nod my head. "I've been in love with you for ages."

The smile doesn't leave his lips, but his brow furrows in confusion. "You have? Even though you didn't want us to get together?"

"I did, though. I told you that. My doubts about us had nothing to do with you. They were just about you being my boss."

"So, you loved me before I loved you?"

"Probably. But I didn't realize it was a contest."

"It's not," he says, his smile widening. "It's just you got me kinda confused last night, when you said you were pleased I'd limited myself to falling for you. At first, I thought that meant you didn't want me to love you, but then when you said we should take things in stages, I wondered if you were just being cautious."

"I was. I didn't want us to rush into things."

"I know. I get that. But the thing is, I don't wanna be cautious. I don't wanna hold back. And I sure as hell don't care about rushing things. It doesn't matter to me whether we've known each other for half a lifetime, or half a minute. You're everything I've ever wanted, and you're so much more than I deserve."

"Oh, Dawson…" I can barely speak. My heart is so close to bursting, and he holds me tight against him, like he senses there are no words… and that maybe we don't need them. I can feel his heart beating loudly in his chest, as he drops kisses onto my cheeks, forehead, my neck, and shoulders. There's a lightness to his touch, and to him, as though all the strain and worry have been lifted from his shoulders, and I lean back and gaze up into his eyes. "Would it be improper of me to ask you to make love with me?" I ask.

He smiles, shaking his head. "No, Mace. I think that's exactly what we both need."

He bends, lifting me up and hooking my legs over his arms, before he leans me back against the wall again, reaching around beneath me. I feel the head of his erection pressing against my entrance, and then he's inside me.

"Oh, yes," I hiss between gritted teeth. He feels enormous in this position, and as though he knows that, he waits, letting me get used to the depth of his penetration.

"Okay?" he says, after a moment or two.

"Never better."

He nods his head, pulling out almost all the way, and then sliding back in again. We let out a mutual sigh of satisfaction as he builds a steady rhythm, and after a while, I grind against him.

"Woah… shit, Mace. You're gonna make me come."

"Isn't that the point?" I say, shooting him a smile.

"Yeah, but not yet. Not before you… and besides, I wanna keep doing this a while yet."

He thrusts into me a couple more times, but then lifts me up and off of his erection, lowering me to the floor.

"It's no good," he says, with a shake of his head. "You're too much for me."

"In that case, let's try something to take the edge off," I murmur, and without taking my eyes from his, I drop to my knees. His eyes widen as I open my mouth and take him inside. He tastes of me, and I like that, swallowing down as much of him as I can.

"Take the edge off?" he growls. "How the fuck is this supposed to help?" I look up at him, raising my eyebrows, because I can't do anything else, and take him even deeper. "That looks so hot," he says, letting out a groan as he gathers my hair behind my head. "I've dreamed of doing this so many times." Without moving his hips, he gently pulls me a little further onto him, and I reach up and cup his balls in my hand, making him jump. "Jesus, Mace… that never happened in my dreams."

I laugh, unable to stop myself, and have to pull back, so I don't choke, releasing him from my lips. "This isn't a dream, Dawson." He laughs, too, the sound echoing around the enclosed space, and I stand, staring up at him. "You laughed," I say. "You actually laughed."

"Of course I did," he says, capturing my face with one of his hands, the other resting on my hip. "You make me so fucking happy, Mace. Why wouldn't I laugh?"

I giggle and lean against him for a moment before pulling back. "Is there a reason you've dropped the ‘y' from the end of my name?"

"No. I guess I just like saying it that way. It sounds more… intimate."

"Hmm… it does."

"So you don't mind?"

"Not at all. It's just not something anyone's ever done before… probably because my name is so short in the first place. No-one's ever thought to shorten it further."

"As long as you're okay with it?"

"I'm fine with it."

"Good. In that case, can we get back to the dream sequence?" he says, and I nod my head as I kneel before him once more, taking him back in my mouth. He gathers up my hair, just like he did earlier, and pulls me on to him. "Fuck… that's good," he says, his voice a low whisper. "Stop me if this gets too much, babe." I nod again as he pulls me even closer, and I reach up, giving his balls a gentle squeeze. He's breathing hard, flexing his hips, and I know he can't take much more. I'm right, and after just one more thrust, he releases my hair, stepping back and pulling out of my mouth. "Man, that was close," he says, catching his breath as he leans over and helps me to my feet, pulling me straight into his chest, holding me tight. I put my arms around his waist, licking my lips at the same time.

"You tasted of me," I say, looking up at him.

"There's no better taste in the world than your sweet pussy," he says, and he bends his head, devouring my lips with his, before pulling back and nodding his head. "Hmm… you taste of you, too, now… and that's so fucking sexy."

He raises me in his arms again, just like before, only this time, he turns, so his back is against the wall, and as he enters me, I grab his shoulders for support.

"Don't let go," he whispers, shifting his feet slightly, before he raises me up, and then lowers me down again onto his erection.

"Oh, God…" The words leave my lips on a low sigh, and I dig my fingernails into his shoulders, using them for leverage as he lifts me up again, over and over, the speed relentless, the stretch divine.

"We did this in my dreams, too," he says. "But I prefer the reality of your sweet pussy on my cock."

"Make me come… please," I whimper, need getting the better of me, and he pulls me down even harder, flexing his hips at the same time. "That's so deep… so deep."

"It's meant to be. Come on my cock, Mace. Let me feel you."

There's something about his words, his strength, the way he's taking me… it's too much. I move my hands slightly, fisting one in his hair, pulling his head back to kiss him as my orgasm claims me, driving me wild. I'm thrashing against him, but he keeps going, his tongue darting into my mouth as I scream and scream. And even though we're still kissing, he lets out a groan, which becomes a howl as he swells inside me, and then fills me, his body trembling.

He holds on to me, both of us calming slowly through our tender kisses, and although I thought that was all too much, I think we both know it'll never be enough.