Summer Ever After

God, what is it about this woman that makes me warm from the inside out? I’m literally a sappy goober, hoping this all works out. My thoughts of the last few weeks distract me and the time we wasted being hardheaded and difficult. Focusing on the road, I turn the radio on and we continue driving along the coast.

“Hmm, good song.” Murmuring, I grab the dial and turn it up a hair to hear it better. The beat catches me and I’m transfixed. I’ve got the girl I want sitting next to me and life feels good for the first time in a long time. Abby looks over from the view out her window to catch me tapping my hands on the steering wheel. Normally, I might feel embarrassed, but she might as well get to know the real me. I’m an eighties song nerd and it will either break us or make us stronger.

“What are you doing?” I catch her smirk from the corner of my eye. Rolling my shoulders, I wait for the chorus to come through the radio. I sing about being unable to fight how I feel about her anymore.

“Are you singing REO Speedwagon?” I shake my head and keep going, letting my voice get braver and louder. “Holy shit, you are singing. Okay, we did not start out as friends; I want you remember that.” Abby points her finger at me and the desire to grab her and pull over the truck is overwhelming.

I sing about following her and I’m reminded of all of our calculated run-ins in Gold Beach. She made me crazy, and every morning I woke up wanting her more and more.

Mumbling, she responds to each chorus with a snarky answer. “Like a stalker maybe.” She pushes her sunglasses back to look at me. Her nose must be continually scrunched and I laugh mid-chorus. She crosses her arms, pushing her breasts up, and now it’s either keep going or pull over. Sorry, my band forces me to keep at it shamelessly. I sing about ships and oars, and she sits back shaking her head, laughing. The song ends and I catch her hand on the seat of the truck. I mean every word of the song, but I don’t think I’m ready to tell her that just yet.

“You are such a dork, you know that?” If eyes could twinkle, hers fucking sparkled, and I couldn’t wait to see her laid out in my bed focused only on me.

“Yeah, but you like that about me. Admit it, counselor, you just can’t fight it anymore.” A heavy sigh settles inside the truck and I squeeze her hand. She grabs mine back and it’s all I need.

* * * * *

Pulling up to my parking garage a few hours later, Abby is passed out in the truck, her head in my lap again. It feels good having her here. I ease the truck into park and she stirs in her sleep.

“Mmm,” she murmurs, and I don’t have it in me to wake her. Sue me for contemplating anti-claw regulations for feisty women.

“We’re home, Abby girl.” I get out, letting her head gently slide to the seat, and go to the other side of the truck. Opening the door, I slip my arms around her and carry her up to my elevator gate. I leave our stuff in the truck, taking her inside to get her settled first. The elevator opens up to the top of the loft and I step out, walking over to my king-sized bed. Pulling the sheets back, I place her down on the cool sheets. She doesn’t even stir once as I pull off her sandals and peel her shorts off to make her more comfortable. Unlike the last time, I think we know each other well enough to make this move. She doesn’t move at all as I climb in. Spooning her, I put my arm around her.

“Roman…mmm…” Abby moans in her sleep. My body stills. The sound of my name on her lips makes me rock hard.

“I’m here, Abby. Sleep, sweetheart.” I snuggle her hard against my chest, breathing in her sweet scent. That increasingly familiar orange vanilla reminds me of orange cream pops slowly melting in sunshine. I close my eyes, tired from the drive back, elation filling me that Abby is here exactly wher

e I want her to be.

Chapter Nine

ABIGAIL

I wake up to pleasant warmth covering me, steady and calm. A safe cocoon I am reluctant to leave. It’s devoid of the sticky sweat that reminds me of Lucas. I shudder recalling my time with him—so wasted. Pushing the negative thoughts of the past away, I relish in the newness of what I have now. Stretching, I feel more than hear the grumble behind me along with a thick hard member nestled against my ass.

“Roman…” A smile washes over me as I say his name. He squeezes me harder, pushing against me to let me feel every ridge and angle of his body against my smaller frame.

“Abby…” Roman growls my name, his voice gruff from sleep. Burying his nose deep in my tangled hair, his breath is hot against my neck.

The heat makes me giddy. “What are you doing?” I giggle.

“I’m hoping you’ll roll over, if you don’t try escaping this bed first,” Roman rumbles, tugging me deeper underneath him, pushing his legs between mine, and gently opening a vulnerable door between us.

I’m feeling shy as Roman’s cock presses against me, and I realize how little remains between us. Rolling over under him, I ask. “Um, where are my shorts?”

“Don’t need ‘em right now, do ya?” Roman sleepily asks with a husky tone.

“No, not right now, but I was just wondering.” I let my legs fold around his hips as he settles down on top of me, just holding me.

Roman’s hands cradle my face and fingers brush my hair back. “First time I had you in a bed, I was being a gentleman.” Leaning down, he rubs his nose against my neck and the touch feels so good I shiver when he darts his tongue out to lick the sensitive skin.

I can’t help the moan that sneaks past my lips. “And now?” I ask him, feeling his heat between my thighs, hot and pulsing against me.

“Not doing the gentleman thing today. Don’t wanna,” he says.

“O-okay.” Trembling, I want this. I don’t know if I’m ready for all things Roman, but damn if it doesn’t feel right this time.

With seriousness, Roman leans up on his forearms, looking down at me while holding back his full weight, but covering me gently. “Are you sure, Abby?” Feeling protected, I reach out to touch his arms. I like him over me, around me; it’s good.