11. Peyton

Chapter Eleven

PEYTON

I lie here with Stacey sound asleep in my arms. We practically ripped each other's clothes off once we got back to her place earlier. My thoughts race as I have her in my arms like this. She has me second-guessing every single thing I thought about women. She has me reconsidering my stance on relationships. I still don't know what this is between the two of us, but I damn well know I don't want this to end. The distance once I return to base will be a small hurdle to deal with, but as she's said already, it isn't really all that far when you think about it. Hell, there are people that commute every day for work from more than an hour away.

All I know for sure is that I want to spend every possible moment I can with her this week. After that, we'll figure things out as we go.

I eventually drift off to sleep, my mind finally settling down as I think of the positives having Stacey in my life can bring and not allowing my experiences in the past to bog me down anymore.

The week passes quickly—way too quickly, in my opinion. Stacey was busy the rest of the week each day with work, and I took advantage of the time to spend with my dad. Once he was finally over being sick, we headed out during the day, hitting up a gun range one afternoon and a driving range on another. Each night, Stacey came over and we all had dinner together before I'd follow her back to her place, where we'd spend the rest of the evening in bed.

Tonight, I'm taking her out for a nice dinner before we spend our last night together, since I have to return to base tomorrow. I never expected to meet the most amazing woman while on leave, nor did I expect to be returning no longer a jaded, relationship-avoiding man. This woman has captivated me this past week and completely turned my life around.

"Hey," I say, opening the front door for Stacey. I pull her into my arms and seal my mouth over hers. I've come to crave the feel of her lips against my own and know it's going to fucking suck not being able to kiss them every day after tomorrow.

"Hi, how was your day?" she asks once we break our kiss, though we are still tightly wrapped together. She lays her head against my chest, right over my heart. The very heart she so quickly swooped in and now holds in her hands.

"Good, kinda lazy. Sat around drinking coffee with Dad once I got home from your place this morning. Ran a few errands with him while we were out for lunch. How was yours?"

"It was good. I finished up the paperwork I needed to finish today. We got our official schedule for the awards show. Reese is the opening artist and will be singing a medley of her hits from this past year, so we'll be working on the arrangement over the next couple of weeks."

"That's awesome, I bet she's excited about that."

"Oh, absolutely. It's pretty big to get the opening spot."

"I'm proud of you," I tell her, tightening my arms around her.

"Thanks. So, what do you have planned for us?" she asks, breaking out of my arms.

"Dinner, then we'll see where the night takes us," I tell her, cupping her cheek and dropping a chaste kiss against her lips.

"Hmmm…I like the sound of that. Are we having dinner with your dad?"

"Nope, tonight is his monthly poker night with some of his American Legion buddies. He left to head down to their post a little while ago. They meet up for dinner and then play poker for a few hours."

"Okay, so what's the plan, then? Dinner here, or out, or my place?"

"Out, I've made us some reservations. Figured I'd take you out, and wine and dine you tonight," I tell her, pulling her back into my arms. I realize we're still standing in the entryway of my dad's house.

"What time is our reservation?"

"Ah"—I pull my cell from my pocket and check the time—"we've got about forty-five minutes, so we should probably head out soon."

"All right, I'm just going to use the bathroom and then we can leave," she tells me and takes off down the hall. I grab my jacket from the closet and wait for her by the door.

"Ready?" I ask, holding out my hand for her as she walks over to me and links our fingers together. I bring our clasped hands up to my mouth and place a kiss against the back of hers.

"I was born ready," she teases. I chuckle as I lead her out to my truck.

"Where's your car?" I ask, just now noticing it isn't in the driveway.

"I Ubered it over here."

"You should have told me you were going to do that, I could have just picked you up at your place."

"It's no big deal," she tells me as I pull out of the driveway.

I just shake my head and smile. My stubborn girl.

"How was everything tonight?" our server asks as he clears our plates.

"It was amazing. I don't think I've ever had a steak so tender," Stacey tells him.

"Good to hear, and yours, sir?"

"Mine was just as great, thank you."

"Would either of you like to take a look at the dessert menu?" he offers, and I look at Stacey.

"I'm sure the desserts are delectable, but I can't eat another bite," she says.

"No problem. Can I bring either of you anything else?"

"Just the check when you have a moment."

"Right away, sir," he says before stepping back from the table.

"So, what would you like to do? Head out dancing? Go see a late movie? Stop and grab a movie from Red Box and head back to your place?"

"What do you want to do? I'm happy as long as I'm with you," she says.

"Honey, if you leave it up to me, I'll drive us straight back to your place and have us both naked within a minute of walking in the door."

"And there's a problem with that because…?" she asks, winking at me. My dick hardens in my slacks at her words.

"N-no," I stutter out in reply. "But"—I finally find my voice—"it doesn't all have to be about sex."

"I know, and I don't think that's all that this is about. But we also have to take advantage of the time we do have left together."

Our server picks that moment to drop our check off at the table. Before he can walk away, I hand him my card, not even caring what the total is on the bill.

"Are you going to let me help you out with that?" Stacey asks, eyeing where the bill folder had just been sitting.

"Fuck no," I tell her. "Your money is no good when we're together."

"I wish you'd reconsider that. I feel bad with you paying for everything this past week."

"Get used to it, babe. Call me old-fashioned, but when we're together, I'll be taking care of you," I tell her as our server drops off the bill folder, with my card and the slip for me to sign. I place the card back into my wallet, add a generous tip, and sign my name. "Ready?" I ask, standing and holding my hand out to Stacey.

"Yep," she tells me, accepting my hand. I escort her out to my truck and help her up into it before closing her door.

"Do you want to stop and pick up some wine or anything before we head back to your place?" I offer as I start up the truck.

"Actually, yes. Some wine tonight sounds perfect."

A quick stop to grab a bottle of wine for Stacey and a six-pack of beer for me and we're back on the road.

"Why don't you go change into something more comfortable while I pour you a glass of wine, then meet me on the couch," I suggest to Stacey once we make it inside.

"Sounds perfect." She presses a quick kiss to my lips and then slips down the hall to her room. I step into the kitchen and pull out a wine glass and the opener, then pour her a glass. I pop the top on one of the beers and head out to the living room where I turn on the TV and pull up Netflix and start flipping through the menu.

"Did you want to change?" Stacey asks, coming to stand in front of me.

"Now that you mention it, yes," I tell her, standing up and kissing her. "I'll be right back. Pick something for us to watch."

I quickly change into a pair of athletic shorts and a t-shirt, then head back out to the living room. "Got room for me?" I jokingly ask.

"Of course, I'll always have room for you."

I scoop her up and sit back down with her in my arms and across my lap. "Now, what are we watching?" I ask, shifting us around until we're comfortably lying on the couch together, facing the TV.

"How about this Jeff Dunham special?" she suggests.

"Whatever you want, babe." I reach for my beer on the end table. "Do you want your wine?"

"Not right now. Thanks, though," she says as she starts the comedy show.

We are both engrossed, laughing away at the show, and I let my mind wander. Lying here with her in my arms, spending a Saturday night together, just feels so right. It fucking sucks that things will be so different after tomorrow morning. I tighten my arm that is draped around her torso, pulling her ass back against me a little more. The contact has my half chub hardening fully, and now all I can think about is stripping her naked and sliding inside her. I bring my lips to her neck as I slip my hand under her tank top, bringing it up to cup her breast.

"Mhmmm..." Stacey moans, pressing her ass against my cock as she arches her back, pushing her breast further into my hand.

"I'm going to fuck you right here," I growl into her ear before I flip her under me. I quickly rip her tank top off over her head and drop my lips to her bare chest.

"Yes!" she cries out as soon as I suck a nipple into my mouth.

"You like that?" I say against her skin.

I separate long enough to tug my shirt off, then make quick work of both sets of our shorts.

"Fuck, I'll be right back, need to grab a condom," I tell her before I sprint to the bedroom and return less than a minute later, condom already open and ready to be rolled down my cock.

I trail my fingers up her inner thigh and circle my thumb around her clit, pulling a cry from her lips. When I sink two fingers into her pussy, she's wet and ready for me.

"Ready, baby?"

"Ready."

I pull my fingers out and bring them to my mouth, sucking her juices from my fingers. I slide my cock against her clit, pulling a few more whimpers from her before I thrust in, bringing cries of pleasure from both of us.

I find a rhythm, listening to Stacey's moans as I bring my lips to her neck. The couch doesn't leave us with as much space as the bed does, but the smaller space has this feeling more intimate. Something about tonight just feels different, special in some way.

"I'm close," she says, pulling me in for a deep kiss. I increase the pace of my thrusts and feel as she falls apart, her body spasming around my cock as she orgasms. Her release triggers my own and I slam into her one last time as I come undone.

"That was amazing," she says, a few minutes later.

"You're killing me, woman. How am I going to leave you tomorrow?"

"I don't know," she states as a tear rolls down her cheek. I wipe it away with the pad of my thumb, hating that I've made her cry.

"Don't cry, gorgeous. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It just sucks that tomorrow is already almost here. I know it isn't the end of the world and I'll see you next weekend, but it still sucks."

"I know, and this week will go by faster than we know it."

"How did you swoop in and change my life so fast? Become so important to me?" she whispers.

"I should be asking you that. I'm the one that was cynical toward relationships before I met you. I think it's all you. You're the special one in this relationship."

"I think it's us together. "

"You might just be right."

I wake the next morning, hating the fact that I have to leave in a matter of hours. Knowing I have to leave Stacey and return to base, to my job and life before I met her. I pull her closer, kissing the top of her head, before I force myself to fall back to sleep for a while longer. My plan is to take off after dinner tonight, so we've still got all day together.

A couple hours later, I wake back up when I feel the bed dip and feel cold feet against my legs.

"Fuck, that's cold," I mumble sleepily.

"Sorry." She giggles as she kisses me. "My feet got cold while I was up making us coffee."

"I'll forgive you if you brought me some."

"Of course I did," she says, pointing to two mugs on the nightstand.

"You're an angel," I tell her, pulling her back in for another kiss.

"I was thinking I could make us some breakfast before we get going this morning."

"I won't be opposed to that. How about a shower together first?" I suggest, sliding my lips along her exposed neck, pulling a few moans from her.

"Th-that sounds good," she says on another moan.

Our morning slips by way too quickly, as does our afternoon together. We returned to my dad's house after lunch and ordered some takeout for dinner. As the hours ticked by today, I could feel the melancholy setting in for both of us. Stacey has become increasingly quiet as our hours quickly run out and the time comes for me to head back to base.

"It was good to have to you home again," my dad says, wrapping me into a hug.

"I'm glad I got to come back," I tell him, slapping him on the back. "I'm sure I'll be back again soon."

I wink at Stacey over his shoulder, and watch as she wipes at a tear that threatens to fall.

"I'm sure you will," Dad says, a teasing tone lacing his voice. "And if this young lady has anything to do with me getting to see more of you, well, then I approve of that."

"Thank you for letting me take so much of Peyton's time this past week, and for inviting me into your home."

"Don't be a stranger. You're welcome here anytime, whether he's in town or not. I won't turn away a beautiful young woman as a dinner companion."

"I'll have to keep that in mind," she says, as a small smile crests her lips.

I finish saying goodbye to my dad and haul my stuff out to my truck before walking back inside. Stacey followed me over here in her own car, knowing we'd say goodbye when we both parted from here.

"Bye, Dad, I'll see you in a few weeks," I tell him, shaking his hand one last time.

"Drive safe," he tells me before I follow Stacey outside.

"Fuck, this is harder than I thought it would be," Stacey says as I pull her into my arms. I bury my face into her hair and neck, pulling in a lungful of air filled with her scent.

"I'm going to miss you so damn much," I mumble into her hair.

"Me too." She sniffles.

I lean back and cup her face in both hands, swiping at the tears sliding down her cheeks with the pads of my thumbs.

"Friday night will be here before we know it, and we'll spend the entire weekend together, just you and me."

"Promise?" she asks with a wobbly smile.

"Promise," I confirm, dropping my lips to hers. I hold her close and deepen the kiss. Not wanting to let her go, I back her up against her car and kiss her for who knows how long. I kiss her until our lips are swollen. The words I love you are on the tip of my tongue, but it has to be way too early to say them to her, doesn't it? I don't want to scare her, so I hold them back, knowing there will be a better time to tell her how much she means to me.

"I should probably go," I finally tell her, putting one step of distance between us.

"Okay," she says, another tear sliding down her face. I pull her in for one last hug, holding her as tight as I can against me.

"Drive safe and call me when you make it home, please," she asks before we break apart.

"Of course," I promise her.

She kisses me one more time and turns to open her car door. I hold it open for her while she slides in, then lean in and press a kiss to her lips before I pull back and shut the door. I double tap the roof of her car, then step back while she pulls out of the driveway. I watch as she disappears down the street before I climb up into my truck and pull out myself, wondering how I'm going to make it through the coming week without her.