Chapter 9

Clarice

We're laying down in the van, talking about our hopes for the future, what we want the new house to look like, how Brian needs to get back in the water and actually enjoy his life, when we hear a pounding on the back of the van. Brian quickly rises, pulling his pants on while I cover up.

"Clarice, you little whore I know you're in there!" Only one man hates me enough to call me that, and he just so happens to be my only living relative. Brian throws open the door to see Uncle Oliver with a fist raised to continue banging on the door, his face is red and he's dripping in sweat, like he ran all the way here. He's holding a stack of papers in his other hand.

Brian is fuming, "Don't you fucking dare speak to her that way, or I will ruin your life more than I already have," he seethes. Uncle Oliver stares at him slack-jawed, "It was you?" he grumbles out.

"Of course it was, do you really think Clarice would have sought revenge on you? No, she is too kind, and for some reason, still believes you are a worthwhile family member. She never would have left you with next to nothing," Brian says. I gasp, he didn't mention this, but then again, I wasn't really checking up on the man who tried to leave me high and dry with no home, no money, and no family.

"I swear to God, Hart, I will get you someday," Uncle Oliver yells, "I earned that inheritance."

"You didn't earn shit," Brian says back. "But, for some unknown reason, your niece still cares about you, so here's what I'll do. If you walk away right now, leave us alone, and stop grumbling about your fucking inheritance – which was always HERS, by the way – I will give you $500,000 cash, but you have to stay away."

I am in shock. Absolutely shocked that this man I just met is defending me this way. I stare at Uncle Oliver as he debates the offer before he lets out a muffled "Fine," and scurries off. I can't believe he left his only remaining family for money, but that just shows that he was nothing like Grandpa.

Brian is still crouching in the doorway when he turns and asks me if I'm okay. I don't waste a second before pouncing on that man who was so quick to defend me, to protect me, and to help me rebuild my dreams. I have to thank him.

***

I drag him back and quickly straddle him, our tongues immediately meeting in a wet, hot mess. I slowly start writhing on him, and it quickly becomes too much as he flips us over and takes the lead. "Oh my godddddd," I groan out as he moves down and pulls my breast into his mouth. His nipping and sucking is too much, I feel like I could come just from this. This man makes me so wet, I didn't know anyone would ever make me feel this way.

"You like that, baby?" He asks, shifting to the other side with a wicked grin on his face.

"Yes, oh my god, yes," I let out, "I need you inside me again, now," I'm nearly whimpering with how badly I need relief. I can already tell this time is going to be harder and faster than the first. With a dark laugh, he releases me and kisses down my torso, before reaching my pussy and giving it one slow, deep lick. He can taste how ready I am for him.

Slowly, he rises and lines himself up with my entrance. He pushes in and it feels like agony, waiting for him to be fully buried inside me. I'm writhing, begging him with my body to give me what I need. Finally, fucking finally, he sinks all the way inside me and I feel like I am seeing stars.

His strokes quickly become reckless, he pounds into me like he can't wait a second longer for his release. "You okay, baby?" He growls out, swirling inside me in a way that makes my eyes roll back in my head. "B, oh my god, keep doing that." He continues rocking and swirling and I feel myself coming undone, thanking god I waited to lose my virginity to this divine sex master of a man. No one else would've been worth it.

With another swirl and a thrust, I explode. My legs are shaking, I feel like I'm seeing stars, like nothing could ever feel better than this. I look up at Brian with nothing but love in my eyes, and that's enough for him to lose all control. He begins pounding into me, desperate for his own release. His pace is enough for me to come again, and we fall over the edge together, drowning in the pleasure we gave one another. I love him, I love him, I love him.

***

It's like gently floating back to earth after a whirlwind ride on a sunbeam. I nestle closer to Brian and the platform under my mattress squeaks. He laughs, drawing me onto his chest.

"You know, even when I was a teenager, I've never had sex in a van," he says, stroking my arm.

"Well then, it's the first and, er, second time for both of us."

His smile makes my heart skip a beat and the look in his eyes is everything I need. There's so much more in store for me— for us— and all because of him, and it's just icing on the cake.

"I love you," I whisper dreamily. Even when I thought he'd betrayed me, the love was still there, causing an endless amount of pain. Now it's only peace and happiness. I should have trusted him, but from now on, I won't let fear get in the way of my true feelings. He's taken away everything I need to fear. The future is bright now, because of him. "I love you so much, Brian."

Then I realize I've said both those things out loud. So lost in the afterglow of being in his strong arms, with the future no longer a scary, unsure place, I blurted out my feelings. I look up at him in horror, hoping by some miracle he might have fallen asleep.

He's wide awake and smiling at me. Not condescendingly, but with pure adoration. I don't even need him to say the words in return because I can read it on his face. I can hardly breathe from happiness.

"I love you, too," he tells me. "So damn much."

"Is this weird? Because it happened so fast?"

He shrugs. "Who cares if it is. I know what I'm feeling."

"Me too," I say. "I think I might have even gotten over it if you'd turned this place into condos."

He looks shocked. "I mean, I could still make that happen. You want to own some buildings?"

I snicker because he's clearly teasing. "You'd never do it. Not now." To my surprise, he turns serious and takes my face in his hands.

"How do you know that?" he asks. "That I wouldn't build anything here but a house for me and you?"

"Oh, we're both living in it now?" I feel so bold and free around him that it's easy to tease him back a little. He taps my nose.

"You know we are. Now why are you so sure I wouldn't develop this land?"

"Because you love me. Because I made you remember that life is more than just making money."

His mouth drops open. "That's exactly right."

"It's the same as why I'd come around if you wanted to build them," I say, feeling wise, like I'm the older one in this relationship. Brian looks at me expectantly and I kiss him before I answer. "Because being with you is being home," I tell him, placing my hand on his chest. "My very own beach in your heart."