Chapter 10

TEN

Wade

The morning sun streams through the half-open windows of the building, casting long shadows across the floor as I finish up the last of the trim work. My hands move almost on autopilot, the rhythm of the work calming my mind, but it's not enough to keep my thoughts from drifting to Auden.

She's been in my head since the moment I woke up this morning, and if I'm being honest, she's been there a hell of a lot longer than that. There's something about her—something more than just the way she smiles or the way her eyes light up when she's excited about a new design. It's the way she makes me feel. Like maybe, just maybe, I'm worth something more than the sum of my parts.

I set down the nail gun and step back to admire my work, but my mind's only half on the job. The other half is replaying last night, the way she looked at me after I had kissed her. I can't get that look out of my head. I've seen a lot of things in my life, but I've never seen anything that made me feel as alive as that.

The door creaks open behind me, and I turn to see Auden standing there, her arms crossed casually over her chest, a soft smile playing on her lips. She's dressed in her usual work clothes, jeans, a fitted shirt that hugs her curves just right, but there's something about the way she's looking at me that makes my chest tighten.

"Hey," she says, walking over to where I'm standing. "Looks like you're almost done here."

"Yeah," I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. "Just finishing up the trim. Should be out of your hair by tomorrow."

She laughs, a light, musical sound that makes my heart skip a beat. "You know you're never in my hair, Wade. I like having you around."

There's a warmth in her voice that sends a shiver down my spine, and I have to remind myself to keep it together. We're at work, after all, but that doesn't stop the way my eyes linger on her, the way my mind starts wandering to places it probably shouldn't be going when we're standing in a half-finished building.

"Speaking of getting out of your hair," I say, trying to steer the conversation back to something safe, "you want to grab lunch with me? I was thinking we could take a break, get something to eat."

She nods, her smile widening. "That sounds great. I could use a break."

We pack up our tools and head out to a small diner down the street, a place we've been to more times than I can count. It's nothing fancy, but the food's good, and it's quiet enough that we can talk without having to shout over the noise. As we walk, I can't help but notice the way her hand brushes against mine every so often, the casual touches that send sparks shooting through my veins.

We settle into a booth near the back, and the waitress, who knows us by now, brings over our usual drinks without us even having to ask. There's a comfort in the familiarity of it all, but at the same time, there's this undercurrent of something more—something that's been building between us for weeks now.

"So," Auden says as she stirs her iced tea, "what's the plan for tonight? I was thinking we could grab dinner, maybe see that new movie everyone's been talking about?"

The idea of spending the evening with her, just the two of us, sounds perfect. But as much as I want to focus on the movie, I know my mind's going to be elsewhere—on her, on us, on the way she makes me feel like I'm the only guy in the world when she looks at me.

"That sounds good," I say, trying to keep my tone casual. "I'll pick you up around six?"

"Six works," she replies, her eyes twinkling with something I can't quite place. "But I'll warn you now, I might not be ready on time. I promised Lena and Arlowe that I would stop by Clay and Cupcakes for a bit. Our hangouts always seem to last longer than I think."

"Take your time. I'm not in any rush."

We finish our lunch, the conversation flowing easily between us, but there's this underlying tension that neither of us seems willing to acknowledge. It's not the bad kind of tension, though, it's the kind that makes my pulse quicken, the kind that has me counting down the hours until I can see her again.

Back at the building site, we dive back into our work, but it's hard to focus when she's right there, so close I can almost feel the heat of her body next to mine. Every time she leans over to grab something, every time she brushes past me, it's like a shot of adrenaline straight to my heart. I know I need to keep my head in the game, but all I can think about is what tonight might bring.

By the time we finish up for the day, the air between us is practically crackling with unspoken desire. We exchange a look that says everything we're not saying out loud, and it takes everything in me not to pull her into my arms right then and there. All I can think about is our kiss last night and when we'll be able to do it again.

"I'll pick you up in half an hour?" I ask, my voice rough with the effort of holding back.

She nods, her smile a little too knowing for my sanity. "Half an hour."

I watch her walk away, my eyes lingering on the sway of her hips as she heads to her car. It takes me a moment to remember how to move, how to breathe, but eventually, I manage to get myself together and head home.

The shower feels good, the hot water washing away the sweat and grime from the day's work, but it does nothing to cool the fire that's been burning in my veins since lunch. I stand there for longer than I probably should, trying to calm myself down, trying to remind myself that tonight's supposed to be about spending time together, about getting to know each other better.

But as much as I try to convince myself of that, there's this other part of me that just wants to make her mine, to show her exactly how much I want her. It's been building for so long, this tension between us, and I'm not sure how much longer I can keep it at bay.

I dress quickly, keeping it simple in jeans and a clean shirt, nothing too fancy. This is supposed to be a casual night out, after all, even if it feels like so much more. When I'm ready, I grab my keys and head over to her place, my heart pounding with anticipation.

I knock on the door, expecting her to answer in one of those casual yet effortlessly sexy outfits she always seems to pull off so well. But when the door swings open, all my thoughts come to a screeching halt.

She's standing there in nothing but a towel, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders, a few stray droplets of water still trailing down her neck. The sight of her like that, so natural, so unguarded, nearly knocks the breath out of me.

"Do you always answer the door like that?" I manage to ask, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.

She smirks, leaning casually against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the effect she's having on me. "No. I only do it when I know it's you."

That simple admission sends a jolt of heat straight through me, and I have to force myself to stay rooted in place instead of closing the distance between us. She knows exactly what she's doing, and damn if it isn't working.

"You're going to be the death of me, Auden," I say, shaking my head with a grin I can't quite suppress.

"Good," she replies, her smile widening. "That's the plan."

She turns and walks back inside, leaving the door open for me to follow. I stand there for a moment, trying to get my head on straight, but it's no use. I'm already a goner and I know it.

I step inside, the door clicking shut behind me, and all the thoughts I had about keeping things casual tonight go right out the window. There's nothing casual about the way she's looking at me, nothing casual about the way my heart is racing in my chest. This is something more, something I've been waiting for since the moment we met.

She disappears into the bathroom for a few minutes, giving me a chance to pull myself together, but it's a losing battle. By the time she reappears, dressed in a simple dress that hugs her curves just right, I'm more turned on than I've ever been in my life.

"Ready?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she twirls a strand of damp hair around her finger.

"Yeah," I say, swallowing hard. "Ready."

But the truth is, I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for her, not really. She's like a force of nature, sweeping me off my feet and making me forget everything else. But if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that I'm damn lucky to be caught in her path.

We head out to my truck, the air between us crackling with unspoken tension. I open the passenger door for her, and she gives me a soft smile as she climbs in, her hand brushing against mine just long enough to send a jolt of electricity through my veins.

The drive to the restaurant is quiet, but it's a comfortable kind of quiet, the kind that feels like we're both content just being in each other's presence. Still, the tension is there, humming just beneath the surface, and I know we're both feeling it. The question is, where do we go from here?

Dinner is nice, the food is good, and the conversation is easy, but there's this undercurrent of something more that neither of us can seem to ignore. It's like we're both waiting for the other to make the first move, to break the tension that's been building between us for so long.

By the time we finish eating, I can hardly think straight. All I can think about is getting her back home, being alone with her, and finally giving in to everything I've been holding back. I know she feels it too—the way her hand lingers on mine a little longer than necessary, the way her gaze keeps drifting to my lips when she thinks I'm not looking.

"Ready to head out?" I ask, my voice low and rough with anticipation.

"Yeah," she says, her eyes locking onto mine in a way that makes my pulse quicken. "Let's go."

The drive back to her place is a blur, my mind racing with all the possibilities of what might happen next. When we pull up to her house, she turns to me, her expression soft but full of something I can't quite name.

"Do you want to come in?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

There's a part of me that wants to say no, to tell her that we should take it slow, that we should be careful with whatever this is between us. But that part is drowned out by the part of me that's been waiting for this moment since the day we met.

"Yeah," I say, my voice rough with need. "I do."

She smiles, a slow, knowing smile that sends a shiver down my spine, and opens the door, leading the way inside. The moment we're through the door, all the tension, all the waiting, all the careful restraint I've been holding onto snaps like a rubber band stretched too tight.

I pull her into my arms, my lips crashing against hers in a kiss that's been building for far too long. She responds with equal fervor, her hands tangling in my hair as she presses herself against me, and it's like everything else fades away. There's only her. Only us.

We stumble our way to the couch, the world around us turning into a blur of heat and desire.

"Auden," I murmur against her lips, my hands roaming over her body like I'm trying to memorize every inch of her. "I want you so much."

She pulls back just enough to look into my eyes, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. "Then take me, Wade. I'm yours."

And in that moment, with those words, everything clicks into place. This isn't just a fling, isn't just a moment of passion. This is something more, something real, something I've been waiting for my entire life. And as I kiss her again, losing myself in her touch, I know one thing for sure.

I'm never letting her go.

My arms wrap around Auden's waist and I drag her up against me. She moans, letting out a breathy sigh as my lips land on hers. I hold her tightly as my mouth claims hers and she moves against me, her knees going to either side of my hips. I help her kneel over me and we break the kiss, our eyes locking as she lowers down to sit in my lap. We both groan as her center makes contact with my erection and she grinds down against me.

"Fuck, Auden. God, you have no idea how long I've dreamed about this."

"How long?" She asks breathlessly.

"High school. You were my first fantasy. My only fantasy," I correct.

It's always been you. Only you.

Those words are on the tip of my tongue, but I bite them back. I don't know that Auden could handle that level of honesty just yet.

"I thought about you too," she pants as her hips rock against mine.

"Really?" I blurt, my lust filled haze lifting for just a moment.

I try to imagine what Auden was thinking about. I imagine Auden, alone in her room, her fingers inching under her panties…

I swallow hard, focusing on my girl as she squirms in my lap. She's breathing hard, her fingers gripping my shoulders as she moves against me.

"Please, Wade. I-I need you," she pleads and I nod, rolling her over and under me on the couch.

We barely fit, but I can make it work.

"Bedroom. That way," Auden gasps, pointing down the hallway.

I don't want to move, she feels way too good underneath me, but I want to have room to make love to my girl the way that she wants, the way that we both need.

I grunt, wrapping my arms around her waist as I stand and lift her into my arms.

"Wade!" Auden cries out in surprise as she clings to me.

I head off towards the hall and stride down it to the room at the end. I kick the door all of the way open and breathe deeply, smiling when I smell Auden's lemon scent.

I can't wait to see if she tastes like lemons too.

I beeline for the bed and lay her down in the middle, coming down over her.

"You're strong," she whispers, her cheeks bright pink.

"Huh?" I ask.

That's not what I thought she was about to say.

"You lifted me like I weighed nothing."

"You do weigh nothing," I say with a blink.

"Um, no, I don't."

"You do to me. I'm used to carrying around a bunch of construction materials. You're like a feather."

She smiles shyly up at me and I realize that this gorgeous woman beneath me doesn't realize that she's perfect.

"You're hot, Auden. I love your body. It's perfect."

I've never been great with words and I hope that I didn't just mess things up by saying all of that.

Auden doesn't say anything in return and my breath stalls in my lungs as I wait to see if she's about to ask me to leave, but instead, she wraps her arms around my neck and tugs until my mouth lands on hers.

I kiss her, trying to show her how much she turns me on. I want her to feel confident in her body. I want to know just how much all of her curves drives me wild.

"Clothes," Auden pants and I nod.

"Lose them."

I stand and start to strip while Auden sits up in bed and pulls her shirt over her head. We both strip in record time and I can see her hesitate as she's left in her bra and panties.

"You're even better than you were in my fantasies," I tell her and she blushes as she reaches behind her back and unhooks her bra.

"Fuck," I hiss as she pulls the bra straps down her arm and tosses it to the side. "Goddamn, Auden."

She holds her hand out to me, smiling slyly and I grin as I join her on the bed. I spread out next to her, gripping her hip as I hold her against me. Her skin feels so hot and soft against mine and when she arches against me, I can't help but groan.

My cock has never been harder and when Auden's soft curves press against me, I almost lose my load. She feels so damn good, even better than I ever imagined.

She rolls onto her back and I come down over her, settling between her legs. She spreads them wider for me, making more room and we both groan when my cock brushes against her drenched folds.

"Wade," she breathes and I nod.

"I know. I've got you."

I kiss her full lips once more and then start to trail kisses down her neck and across her chest. My palms cup her breasts and I feel the weight of them in my hands.

"Oh!" She sighs and confidence starts to grow in me.

I might not have any experience with making love, but I've had years to think about how I would do it… and it looks like Auden likes it.

I lick a path down to one nipple and when my lips wrap around the stiff peak, Auden arches, offering me more of her. I greedily accept.

Her hips are restless against mine as I switch to her other breast. She's driving me wild and even though I want to take my time and savor every minute of being with her, I know that I'm going to need to speed things up a bit here… for both of our sakes. I can take my time with Auden next time.

I give her nipple one last lick before I kiss my way down her body. I shoulder her thighs wider and pause as I come face to face with her core. Her panties are soaked through and I growl as I reach up, twisting the thin fabric in my hand and ripping them off of her.

"Wade!" She shouts and I glance up at her.

"I'll buy you more," I tell her huskily.

She gapes at me, but there's a flush on her cheeks, one that tells me that she likes when I go all caveman on her.

My thumb runs down the seam of her pussy lips and Auden moans as my thumb runs over her clit. My thumb circles her tight opening and her back arches off of the mattress.

"Oh! Oh!" She shouts when I lean forward and bury my face in her soft, slick folds.

She tastes like honey and I moan as her flavor hits my tongue. I'm instantly addicted and I know that I'll never be able to get enough of her.

"Wade," Auden pants and I growl as I start to eat her out.

I suck her sensitive pearl into my mouth and her thighs snap shut around my head. Her hands tangle in my hair and she holds me against her, as if I would ever try to get away.

I lick lower, my tongue finding her snug opening. The tip barely fits inside and I wonder how I'm ever going to fit my cock into her.

"Wade, please! I need you!"

"We have to get you ready," I tell her.

"I am ready!" She insists.

I bury my face back in her pussy, determined to make her come at least once before I make love to her.

I push one finger into her tight hole as my mouth finds her clit once again. I play with her little button until she's wet enough to fit another finger. I pump them inside of her, curling them to hit that spot inside of her that makes her lose her mind.

"Fuck! Wade! Don't stop!" She screams and I growl.

I'm not stopping until she's coming all over my face, until her juices are dripping down my chin.

I double my efforts, my tongue rolling over her clit and I can tell that my girl is close from her breathy moans and the way that her thighs keep tightening around my head.

My teeth scrape over her clit and that seems to send her over the edge. She screams my name as she comes and I lap up all of her juices, greedy for every drop of her. I keep licking her pussy, making sure that I don't miss a single drop.

Auden jerks as my tongue flicks over her clit and I smile, dropping a kiss there before I crawl up her body.

"Wow," she whispers and I grin.

"Yeah?"

"Uh huh," she says, her arms wrapping around my neck.

She pulls me down until my mouth lands on hers. I wonder if she likes tasting herself on my lips. When she moans, I think that I have my answer.

My cock rubs against her drenched core and I grit my teeth to stop from coming.

"Wade," she starts and I lock eyes with her.

"We can wait," I start, not wanting to pressure her into anything.

"Maybe you can, but I can't!"

I smirk at her and she rocks her hips against me. I lean down kissing her and then I start to push my way inside of her tight pussy. Feeling her wet heat wrap around the head of my cock has my eyes rolling back in my head and I grit my teeth to quit from coming.

She feels better than anything that I've ever felt and when she rocks up, taking another inch of my cock into her, I groan.

"Fuck, Aud. You feel so damn good."

"You too," she pants, her eyes glassy with arousal.

I bump up against her virginity and we lock eyes. Her fingers dig into my biceps and she clings to me as I thrust into her, popping her cherry and making her mine.

Tears shine in her eyes and I hold myself still as I bow my head and kiss her. I'm trying to distract her from any pain that she's feeling, but all that I can focus on is how fucking good she feels.

"I need you to move," she says against my lips and I let out a big breath.

"Thank fuck."

I kiss her as I start to thrust in and out of her. She's still so damn tight and I have to think about hitting myself with a hammer to not come instantly.

Her legs wrap around my waist and she clings to me, her hips rocking up to meet each of my thrusts. Soon we're moving in perfect sync and I can feel a tingle start at the base of my spine.

Auden's pussy tightens around me and I can tell that she's close too. I move up on my knees, changing the angle so that I press against her clit with each pass. Her nails dig into me, the sting helping me keep my own orgasm at bay.

"I need to feel you come all over my cock," I tell her and she cries out.

"I'm close. So close."

"Give it to me, Aud," I order and I pound into her.

She screams my name as she finds her own peak and I moan her name as I follow her over the edge. I keep thrusting in her, trying to draw out her orgasm for as long as I can.

"Wade," she moans and I kiss her as I slowly pull out.

I roll over onto my back and land on the mattress next to her. We're both breathing hard and I turn my head to see her watching me.

"That was…"

"Better than any fantasy," I finish and she smiles.

"Yeah," she agrees.

I pull her into my arms, kissing the top of her head as she cuddles against my side.

I remember closing my eyes, just for a minute, but as Auden's breath evens out, mine must too, because the last thing that I remember is thinking that I'm about what it will be like to wake up next to my girl in the morning before sleep claims me.