8. Fiona

8

FIONA

" I miss your face," Destiny, my roommate says over the phone.

"I miss yours more," I tell her as I flop down on the guest bed I've been sleeping in all week. I just got done with my last assignment, which means I'm completely done with college. Thank the stars above.

"You're all done with exams and everything, right?"

"Yup," I confirm. "I have a few days to chill before going back to work. I took some time off to prep for finals but I'll be back behind the register of Sally's Unique Antiques soon. When are you coming back?"

Destiny lets out a breath and I can tell she also just plopped down on her bed or couch or wherever she's staying. My poor friend lost her grandma, the woman who raised her, a few weeks ago. She's been dealing with legal stuff and wills and all sorts of things that seem far too complicated and adult-y to think about.

"I don't know," she says disparagingly. "I was thinking… No, never mind. It's dumb."

"Destiny," I say softly, wanting to console my friend and roommate. She's always been shy. It took her weeks to talk to me or anyone when she first moved to town and joined my class in school. We were in fourth grade. By the end of the year, we were besties. "Whatever you're thinking or feeling isn't dumb," I tell her.

"Well… You know how my grandma always wanted me to go out and experience new things?"

"Mmhm," I say, waiting for her to continue. Silence stretches between us, but she finally finishes her thought.

"Is it stupid if I want to go to a ski resort? I mean, it's not exactly a harrowing adventure, but it's a start. I just… I don't know. I want to do something to honor her life. I want her to be proud of me."

"Your grandma loved you more than life itself," I remind my friend. "She was always proud of you."

My phone beeps, alerting me to an incoming call. I pull the phone away from my ear for a second to check the screen. Jett . He's called me several times over the last few days, but I haven't answered. I don't know what to say and he'll know if I'm lying. He's always had a crazy radar for bullshit, especially mine.

"You there?" Destiny asks.

"Yeah," I say as I ignore yet another call from Jett. "Sorry. I think skiing is a great idea," I tell her truthfully. "I can help you find someplace affordable that has nice instructors. Think of how amazing it's going to feel to say you skied down a mountain!"

"I haven't done anything yet," Destiny says. "I'm still not sure. I should have all the legal things wrapped up by the end of the week. Sorry, it took longer than I thought."

"Don't apologize," I tell my friend. "You're going through something so difficult right now. The last thing you need to worry about is me."

My stomach twists when I think of what I'm keeping from her. She doesn't know about the incident at the bar or that I've been staying with Samantha and Forest. I don't want to burden her with all of that while she's still grieving her closest relative.

"I really do miss you," Destiny says. "Oh shoot, the lawyer is calling. I'll text you later, okay?"

"Sounds good." We say our goodbyes and I stand from the bed, slipping my phone into my pocket.

I walk out to the living room, where Forest and Samantha are hanging out. Some cheesy Hallmark movie is playing in the background while they chat back and forth. I love that Forest is close with his mom. I've always liked Samantha, and seeing how Forest takes care of her gives me confidence he'll handle me with care as well.

"Are you all done?" Forest asks, spotting me lurking in the doorway. I nod. Forest leaps out of his chair and wraps his arms around me, lifting me up and spinning me around. I giggle while Forest kisses my cheek and then sets me down. "All finished with college work. That's incredible," he says, beaming down at me. I can see the pride shining in his eyes, and it warms me up from the inside out.

"Thanks, I still can't believe it's done yet. I don't think it will be real until I get my final grades and see my degree."

"We're both very proud of you," Samantha says from her seat on the couch.

"Thank you so much," I say, my voice full of emotion. This week has been a roller coaster, and it's not over yet. I need to call Jett. Maybe I can start the conversation off with the fact that I'm all done with my classes. That should put him in a good mood.

"There's a full moon tonight," Forest says.

I tilt my head to the side while Samantha blurts out, "What in the non-sequitur is going on?"

We all laugh, then Forest explains. "I was just thinking you might want to get out of the house for a bit after spending all afternoon and most of the evening working on your last project."

I look outside the front window for the first time in hours, not realizing it's already dark out. "Oh, wow. I guess that explains why my back and shoulders ache."

"I'll give you a massage while we gaze up at the stars," he whispers into the shell of my ear.

"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" Samantha says, making my entire face heat in embarrassment.

Forest just chuckles and pulls me in for another hug. I bury my face in his chest, totally mortified that his mother heard us talking about something so intimate.

"Ma, don't give us a hard time. You know you've been wanting this since I brought Fiona here."

My eyes widen and I look up at Forest. "Really?"

"She hasn't stopped bugging me about it," he says rather loudly.

"Love you, son!" Samantha says in an obnoxious tone.

He rolls his eyes, then looks down at me. "How about it? Want to go stargazing with me?" The look in his blue eyes makes me think he has more on his mind than looking at the stars. I have a sneaking suspicion our minds are in the same place.

"Ready when you are," I reply, taking his hand in mine.

Fifteen minutes later, Forest pulls the truck over to a secluded spot in the countryside where there won't be as much light interference. Just like always, Forest opens my door for me and holds out his hand, silently asking if I trust him. Of course, I do.

I slip my hand in his, letting him lead me to his truck bed. He pulls down the tailgate and spreads out several blankets and pillows, making a cozy spot for us to snuggle. Forest helps me up into the bed of the truck, guiding me to sit back against the pillows. He follows close behind, adjusting us so I'm tucked into his side.

I rest my head on his shoulder and take a calming breath. I feel like I can relax for the first time in forever.

"What's on your mind, sweetheart?" Forest asks.

"Us," I answer. "You make me happy and calm me down. I feel…"

"What do you feel?" he murmurs, nudging my head up so we're eye to eye.

"Safe. Sexy. Loved." I didn't mean to say that last one, but I don't regret it.

Forest's nostrils flare, desire and lust surrounding us until it's almost hard to breathe. "You are all of those things," he rasps, rubbing his nose against mine.

"Show me again," I whisper. "I need you, Forest. Please?"

"When you ask so nicely…"

He doesn't finish his thought, he simply dives into my mouth, sucking on my tongue and feeling every inch of my body with his large, capable hands. Forest squeezes my breasts, strokes my back, and tangles a hand in my hair to guide my head as he deepens his kiss. Forest consumes me, each stroke of his tongue reminding me I'm his, each soft moan from our lips adding to the symphony of our love.

Forest makes quick work of undressing us, then lays me down on the blankets and pillows he has set up in the truck bed. I'm stretched out before him, naked and unashamed beneath the soft light of the moon and stars. He kneels at my feet and trails his fingers over my toes, up the arch of my foot, circling my ankle, and then trailing his fingers higher, higher, higher.

He continues touching and tickling my skin, bending over to add soft kisses to the places his fingers just touched. He works his hands higher up my legs, massaging my calves, knees, and thighs. When he gets to my center, he places a sweet kiss on top of my curls and continues moving up my body.

His hands slide over the curve of my hips in reverence and he places small kisses on my belly, nuzzling his head there. I wonder if I'm pregnant? We're not exactly practicing safe sex. The thought should scare me, but I find that I want it. I want everything with him.

He looks up at me and a moment of understanding passes between us. "I want that too, sweetheart. We'll make it happen, I promise."

He returns his focus to my body, kissing a trail up my torso and in between my breasts. His knuckles brush against my nipples and he traces the round curve of my breasts with his tongue.

Forest is worshiping my body, showing me how much I mean to him. His hands glide down my arms and he twines his fingers in mine, bringing my arms above my head and holding them in place with one of his large hands on my wrists.

He dips his head down and sucks on my collarbone before licking the curve of my neck and placing a soft kiss at my pulse point. Forest makes his way to my face, kissing up my jaw and placing sweet kisses on my temple, my forehead, my eyes, and my nose. He hovers above me, inches away. We share the same breath and get lost in this moment.

Finally, Forest kisses me. It's tender and reverent, full of promises. He reaches down and drags his throbbing cock up my slit, rubbing my juices all over him. He deepens the kiss and slowly slides into me. I can feel every vein on his large shaft as he presses himself into me, keeping his slow, steady pace.

We both groan when he's fully buried deep inside of me. He stays there for a few seconds, bowing his head so it's resting on my chest. The hand not holding my wrist ghosts up and down the side of my body, from the curve of my hips to the side of my breast.

"This is everything. Everything. Mine. Mine. Mine ," he whispers into my chest, more to himself than to me.

Forest starts to move inside of me, pulling out at the same slow pace. My walls pulse, wanting to suck him in and keep him inside of me. Once he's fully out, he enters me again, excruciatingly slow. I need him, need his cock, need our release. But he is in control.

In and out, he never picks up speed, slowly thrusting and feeling every inch of my pussy, like he's memorizing me from the inside out, figuring out exactly which places are sensitive, which ones make me flinch and buck and lose control.

The slow burn is killing me. I can feel the edge of the flame lick at my core, not quite there yet. His delicious torture is like nothing I've ever felt before. In and out, slow and steady. I wrap my legs around his hips and press him further into me so his cock hits my clit with each slow thrust.

He lets my hands go and places his arms on either side of my head. I wind my fingers in his hair and pull him down for a kiss. His tongue twists with mine in a slow dance, the same pace as his thrusts.

The flames reach my core and I'm so sensitive even though I haven't even come yet. He's keeping me on the edge and it's almost more than I can take. I grip his shoulders and try to move myself up, chasing my own release.

His hand goes to my hip to still my movements. Forest rests his forehead on mine.

"Feel this with me, love. Feel me, feel us." He grunts and bucks his hips, sending shockwaves throughout my body.

"Forest…" I whisper, not wanting to break whatever spell he's casting over me.

He continues his slow pace, every once in a while, adding a quick hard thrust that brings me right to the edge before he slows down again and brings me back. My juices trickle out of me and pool on the blanket beneath me.

"Please…" I bed. He thrusts again, harder this time. "Oh! Oh fuck, I'm right there, Forest…"

"Come for me, Fiona. I've got you. Look at me, I want to see you come."

With a final thrust, my orgasm takes over me. It's slow and all-consuming, starting in my core and squeezing my muscles one by one. I swear my heart stops, I can't take in air, as wave after wave of delicious pleasure pulses through my body.

I stare into Forest's eyes. It's so intense, so vulnerable. He swells inside of me as he empties himself deep in my womb. His jaw clenches and his nostrils flare as he comes, never breaking eye contact with me. He's shaking and panting as much as I am.

Forest collapses on top of me and I savor his skin on mine, covering me, melting into me, as close as we can possibly be.

"Sorry," he mumbles as he rolls us over.

I lay on top of him, completely spent and content. I rest my cheek on his chest and throw a leg over his, tangled up in him. My arm stretches over his chest as I place my hand over his heart. "I love… being with you like this," I say, stumbling over my words. I almost told him I love him. I do, but it's too soon to say it.

"I love everything about you," he murmurs, kissing the top of my head.

It doesn't take long for the sweat to dry on my body, making me shiver in the cool night breeze. Forest kisses me full on the lips, his movements slow and intentional. When we break apart, he helps me get dressed before pulling his own clothes on.

He settles back down on the blanket, sitting with his back against the pillows and his legs spread out. I sit in between them, leaning back against his chest. Forest holds me close, both of us staring up at the twinkling stars.

Without sharing a word, I know we're thinking the same thing; we somehow found each other again in this big, crazy universe.