Paul heard her determination, and he wanted to tell her everything, share everything with her, but part of him was terrified. Some of the things he’d shared with Tracy had been false. They’d been words he’d spoken to get her in the mood, and he was ashamed of it.
“I don’t need any—”
“If you didn’t need any of those needs then you wouldn’t have participated with Tracy in doing those needs,” she said.
Paul pulled away. He stood up and paced the kitchen.
“Tracy was just sex. I don’t need everything she described, okay? I don’t want to talk about it because it was in the past with her. For instance, she mentioned doing it in front of others, right?” he asked.
She nodded.
“That was never something I wanted to do. I described it to get her in the mood. She loved the thought of others watching her while I fucked her. I don’t want any other man’s eyes on you. You’re mine, Rachel.” He stared at her waiting for her response.
“What about the anal sex?” she asked.
“I’m not going to lie, Rachel. I do like it, but not all the time. I’m not some anal sex maniac. I’d love to fuck your ass but only when you were ready for it. If you were nervous or scared, I’d never do it. You have to want it.”
“What happens if I am never ready?” she asked. Her voice shook with tears.
Paul knelt on the kitchen floor, cupped her face in his hands. “I love you. I’d only ever do something that left you feeling completely satisfied and filled with anticipation. Anything else would be a waste of time. I want you to love sex, everything about sex. I would never pressure you.”
He watched her lips quiver and the tears shining in her eyes. “Don’t cry, baby. I couldn’t bear you crying.” He brushed away her tears with his thumbs.
“I love you.” She croaked out the words. “I don’t want any more women telling me stories about you. I cannot bear the pain.”
“I have a past, Rachel. If I could wipe it out I would, but you are the only woman I want. You’re my present and my future. No more women. Just you.” He was completely honest with her. “Please tell me you forgive me?” he asked.
“Forgive you for what? You haven’t done anything. You’re older than I am. This wasn’t your fault. You can’t bear the brunt of every woman’s jealousy.”
Slamming his lips down on hers, Paul showed her with his kiss how much he loved her. There were Tracys in his past, but there would only be one Rachel in his future.
That night he took her to his bed and simply held her in his arms. There was nothing between them at all. He stared into her hazel eyes and remembered everything over the years that he loved about her. Rachel’s passion for life and food, the way she always had to be right and the fact she could climb a tree like pro.
****
Rachel woke up the following day and left Paul in bed while she went to see her brother. Mitch’s reaction to her and Paul being together unnerved her. She needed to make sure her brother understood she loved Paul and wasn’t going to let him go because Mitch didn’t approve.
Most of the town was still sleeping. The walk was quick and silent. She let herself into her old home without any problems. Mitch may have given them both his blessing, but Rachel needed to know why he had had such objections in the first place.
The scent of coffee permeated the air. She followed the scent to find Mitch sitting at the kitchen counter eating some toast and drinking coffee.
“Good morning, sis. I didn’t expect to see you today.” He stood to get her a drink. She took a seat waiting for him to come back to her. Mitch handed her a cup.
“Thank you. I needed to talk to you about something.” She looked down at her hands wondering how best to approach the subject.
“How’s Paul?” Mitch asked, eating some toast afterwards.
“He’s fine. He’s sleeping and would have wanted to come with me if he knew I was here.”
“I love you, Rachel. Why are you here?”
Licking her lips, Rachel let out a long breath. “I need to know why?”
“Why what?”
“Why you were so aggressive toward Paul and me. I’m in love with him, Mitch, and he’s in love with me. I can feel it. I need to know you’re not going to start rebelling against us.” She took a sip of the bitter coffee waiting for his response.
“Mom and Dad always told me to take care of you. You were the baby and still are. You’re my sister, and your care came to me when you were fifteen. That was hard to deal with. Paul has always been by my side. He took care of you and helped me take care of you when I was around.” Mitch stopped to clear his throat. “You’re my sister, Rachel. No man, not even Paul, will ever be good enough for you. When I saw you two together I felt betrayed. The one guy I trusted with you had done what I asked him not to. He’d claimed you as his woman. Paul is my best friend, but he’s still a man. He betrayed me, and he didn’t ask me or even tell me how he felt about you. In that moment, watching him kiss you, I was angry at him. He cut me out.”
“What would have happened if he asked?” She saw the tears in his eyes and the regret. Rachel knew her brother better than anyone.
“I don’t know. I would have said no and then gotten the chance to say yes. He’s good for you. Paul loves you more than anyone. You’ll be well taken care of. Yesterday, I felt a mixture of betrayal and hurt. Paul’s older than you, and I thought he took advantage of you. I don’t know. When I came home I didn’t expect you to be kissing my best friend. I may be ten years older than you, but I can still act irrationally. Can you forgive me?”
Rachel stared at him for several seconds. “Can you promise not to lash out?”
“I won’t. You and Paul have my blessing. I’ve also promised him that if he hurts you, I’ll kick his ass,” Mitch said, smiling.
“I doubt that will happen, but if it does I’ll hold you to it.”
She walked around the counter and hugged her brother. Mitch’s explanation made sense, and she could go back to Paul knowing they had his blessing.
Chapter Fourteen
Rachel moved out of her house, and Mitch helped her. She was really relieved to see her brother and Paul getting along. Mitch spent a great deal of time with them. She knew he was getting used to her being with someone. Rachel also believed it helped her being with Paul. When he went away with his tent, Mitch wasn’t concerned about her safety. Tracy gave her shit, but once Paul and her brother came around she stormed off. Rachel loved Paul with all her heart, and she refused to put her life on hold to satisfy other people.
They became the star couple in town. It seemed some of the residents were rooting for her, and Paul’s family were more than happy to have her in his family. The love shining brightly between them was easy to see.
She’d never had so much fun in all of her life. Every moment was a buzz to her. During the day they worked, and when they were together they planned time together; and by night, they experimented with food, cooking for each other and making love long into the night all around the house.
Bliss, pure bliss.
They were also working towards more adventurous sex. Paul had been helping her with butt plugs to make it easier to receive him. He’d been nervous about her trying for anal sex so soon. She was adamant she was going to give him a memory to last a lifetime.