Always (Next Generation The Skulls 1)

“Simon,” she said.

“I know. Please, don’t hate me.”

She chuckled, the sound rushing through his body. He pulled back to see tears in her eyes, but he had some in his own as well. She cupped his cheek. “You have no reason to cry.”

“I can’t stand the thought of hurting you.”

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” she said. “I don’t know what I did to get you.”

“You were yourself, and I will always be with you.”

“Make love to me, Simon.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. I’m ready.”

He pulled out of her, watching for any sign of discomfort. When there was none, he slowly began to rock inside her. She felt so good, and the pleasure, it was already building. She was tight, warm, and it was so good.

She cried out as he went harder but she didn’t allow him to slow down. He tried to make it last, but it was too much. He came, hard, filling her as he wrapped his arms around her.

“It will get better,” he said.

“I don’t know, I thought that was pretty damn perfect.”Chapter EighteenPresent Day

They kept their marriage private. Only Miles, Anthony, and Daisy knew. She also confided in her sister Tate, who was also in agreement about keeping the marriage on the down-low. She believed their parents would pitch a fit, which would cause trouble. She wasn’t interested in causing trouble.

“I’m going to miss you,” Tabitha said to Simon in the cafeteria. He’d already told her he was heading back to Piston County to see his parents and his friends. Simon had already started to prospect for the club. As he was only eighteen, there hadn’t been a big initiation yet, and he was testing the waters at home. He didn’t want to leave her for long periods of time. She knew he was nervous about her getting too comfortable being back in Fort Wills. She smiled when she thought of how he made a fuss whenever he returned home. Thinking about him, she touched her chest where her ring currently lay. They both wore their wedding rings around their necks. She had hers on the necklace he gave her when they were younger that she rarely took off, while Simon had placed his on the locket. So far, they’d been able to keep their marriage a secret. They’d also gotten better at sex. It had been a week and already Tabitha enjoyed it a lot more than the first time. Of course, there was nothing better than when Simon went down on her, and they’d even tried it the other way around, but he’d asked her to stop as he’d enjoyed it too much. Being with him was better than she could have imagined.

After lunch, Simon headed out of the school while she went to English. Taking a seat in the back, she stared out of the window, ignoring her companion who’d been sitting next to her for months. Luke hadn’t tried to talk to her for a while now, which she was happy about. He was still the enemy, even if he did try to play nice.

Holding on to the wedding band, she twirled it in her fingers, smiling as she recalled the moment Simon became hers.

“What are your plans for the summer?” Luke asked.

She turned to her right. “Huh?”

“The summer. After graduation.”

“Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?”

“I would, actually.”

“It’s good to want things.” She offered him a smile.

“I don’t think that loser you’re dating is good for you.”

She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know the first thing about Simon or me. Don’t even think you can talk to me about him.” She didn’t want to talk to this guy.

“Look, I get that you’ve been together since you were kids—”

“How did you know that?” she asked, glaring at him.

“I asked around. People know shit as well, even about my club.”

“They shouldn’t be telling you anything.” Her anger grew.

“I’m not trying to cause an argument here, Tabs. I’m just letting you know there are guys here for you. Who want you.”

This was the closest he’d come to even hinting at his attraction.

“Don’t,” she said.

“Tabs, please,” he said.

She shook her head. “I know what you’re getting at, but stop. Okay? I’m Simon’s. I’ve always belonged to him. There is no way on earth I would ever pick you. You’re the enemy. I don’t want you at all.”

“What seems to be the problem there?” the teacher asked.

Tabitha looked up to see she and Luke had caught the attention of the entire class. Grabbing her books, she got to her feet.

“Tabitha, wait,” Luke said.

She ignored him. Leaving the classroom, she ignored the teacher and told her she was heading to the library. Instead, she made her way outside and went to go and watch the football team play as she sat on the bleachers. Luke didn’t follow her.