Begin Again (18 page)

“Who says I’m playing
?” she whispered as her hand slid right over his hardening cock.

His hips raised up a tiny bit, groaning as she gave him a squeeze.
She had him so hard he was afraid he was going to come in his pants.

“Touch yourself
, baby. Are you wet for me?” Out of the corner of his eye he watched Journey reach under the skirt of her dress with her free hand. He knew the exact moment she touched her pussy because her eyes closed and her lips parted in a breathless gasp.

“Answer me, Journey. Are you wet?” She pulled her hand back out and leaned towards him, holding her two fingers to his lips.
Sucking them into his mouth, he moaned as the taste of her exploded on his tongue.

“Baby, I’m telling you right now that as soon as we
’re in my house I’m going to bury my dick so far inside you-you won’t be able to walk for a week.” He let go of her hand and watched as she reached under her dress again with both hands. This time when they reappeared she was sliding her panties down her thighs, then her legs, and as she picked them up, she dropped them in his lap.

He pulled down his street and as soon as he rolled to a stop in the driveway
, he and Journey were both flying out of the truck. His keys were out and he immediately unlocked the door. He practically shoved her in the house, and once he cleared the door, he slammed it shut with his foot and began stalking towards her. He unbuttoned his shirt as he approached her. He smiled as she backed away from him looking panicked.

“Lose the dress now!”
he all but barked at her.

She didn’t need to be told twice
, because as she hit the wall with her back, her dress fluttered to the floor. God, she had great tits—perky, full, and topped with the most delectable nipples. Dylan let his gaze linger over the rest of her body; her stomach was flat except for the tiniest bit of softness below her belly button, she had a couple of silvery stretch marks from when she carried their boy. The dip above her hips was perfect for his hands to hold her in place. He knew if he made her turn around he’d see her delectable ass. It was perfectly heart-shaped and she had two of the cutest dimples at the base of her spine. Her legs were long and lean and he got even harder thinking about those legs wrapped around him. But his favorite part of her was her shaved pussy, so tight, hot and wet for him always.

He watched her chest rise and fall as he caged her in with his hands.
“Are you ready?” His voice low and husky against her throat, he could feel her pulse beat rapidly against his lips.

“Take me, please.”

That was all the encouragement he needed before his lips crashed down on hers. He felt it as her hands gripped his hair and she was practically trying to climb up his body. His hands gripped her ass as he lifted her, her legs wrapping around his hips. Feeling the heat coming from her pussy through his jeans, Dylan ground his cock against her, swallowing the moan that left her lips. His tongue entered her mouth and she sucked it into her mouth, even using her teeth a little.

He moved away from her mouth and made his way down her neck, biting into the sensitive flesh
where her shoulder met her neck. She moaned again, then ground against him harder. His lips travelled lower until he had her brownish-pink nipple in his mouth and sucked hard.

“Ahhh…Dylan!” He loved the sounds she made when she became desperate for him.
He needed to torture her a little bit more first. He latched onto her other nipple, sucking it into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the tip before nipping it with his teeth.

“Damn you, Dylan. If you don’t fuck me right this minute
, I’m gonna kick your ass!” He slapped her ass, making her yelp and then moan.

“You want me to fuck you, baby?”
he whispered against her lips as he tried to get his pants undone, but he wasn’t putting her done.

“Yes please.” She lifted herself up, obviously trying to help by getting out of his way.
He laughed at the absurdity of them fumbling around like a couple of horny teenagers. Her giggle vibrated against his shoulder as she buried her head against it.

Quickly grabbing his wallet out of his back pocket
, he pulled a condom out put it between his teeth so he could pull his cock out of his pants. After sheathing himself, he placed his forehead against her neck and muttered, “It’s about time.” Lifting her up to line up his cock with her entrance, he plunged in to the hilt with one stroke.

Her pussy hugged his cock so tight he knew he wasn’t going to last long. He picked up the pace
, pulling her up and down on his cock. Her moans were becoming louder and more ragged.

“Baby
, you feel so good. You’re going to make me come so hard.”

He felt her muscles contract around her. Feeling his own balls tighten up
, he knew he needed to get her there. Reaching between them he stroked her clit. He gave it a tiny pinch and he felt her pussy tighten as her orgasm tore through her. Even through the latex he could feel how incredibly wet she was. She was still coming as he roared with the force of his orgasm. As he tried to get control of his breathing, he sank to his knees while he was still inside Journey. He carefully laid her on her back, settling his weight on top of her.

Pulling his cock out of her
, he already felt the loss of her tight, wet sheath. He laid his head on her chest between her breasts. Her hands rubbed through his hair, practically lulling him to sleep. He stood up and bent to scoop up Journey in his arms. He smiled when she buried her head in his neck. Feeling her body go limp, he knew she was out cold. Laying her down gently, Dylan crawled in behind her, curling his body around hers.

Chapter Thirteen

Nan was a few minutes late getting to Chili’s to have lunch with Ruth. She’d been surprised when Ruth had called her to have lunch. Nan was glad, though; Journey and Dylan were getting so much closer and they were all going to be spending more and more time together. When Dylan had appeared out of the blue, she wanted to be leery of him. Only because Journey had been so hurt the night of the wedding at his cruel words, but it didn’t take long to see what he felt for her and the kids. He didn’t see how hard Journey had it when she had first moved in across from her.

Journey had come into Nan’s life when they both needed each other the most. She was there as Journey got adjusted to Abby and dealt with being pregnant. Nan loved having the opportunity to help decorate the nursery and buy furniture
. She was even her birthing coach. Getting to witness Joey coming into the world was something that she’d never forget.

Pulling into the parking lot
, she checked her makeup once she parked her car. She grabbed her purse before heading inside. She looked around until she saw Ruth waving her over to the booth she was sitting in. She made her way towards her, hugging her once she reached the booth.

“Hi
, Nan, it’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you
, too.” Nan slid into the seat across from her. “So how were the kids for you last night?”

“They were so good.
Joey bonded with Grandpa, which was so sweet. They fell asleep in Charlie’s recliner together. Abby and Carrington watched movies, until they fell asleep, too. Dylan and Journey picked up the kids around nine and they, um—looked like they had a good time last night.”

Nan smiled
. She could almost guarantee that they had a good night. She knew how hard it was to have a physical relationship with kids, although the sneaking around was always fun.

“Nan
, can I ask why you’re single? You’re a beautiful woman and you’re so great with Journey and the kids. I figured you had a husband and kids.”

She missed the closeness of a man, but she never found anyone that she wanted after her husband died ten years ago.
A drunk driver had hit and killed her husband of twenty years, instantly. Their nineteen year old daughter, who had been in the car with him, lived only long enough for Nan to get to the hospital and say goodbye before her baby girl took her last breath.

Shaking her head
, she didn’t know what her problem was. She hadn’t thought about them in a while, but then she opened up and told Ruth all about it. As they sipped their drinks, she poured out everything she hadn’t talked about in a long time.

“Nan, why doesn’t Journey know any of this?
She’d want to know.”

“I guess I was afraid at first she’d think I was just using her as a replacement child. Maybe at first that’s what I thought.
She looks a lot like my Marie, but I saw how lonely and scared she was at first and I just felt like I had to help her.” She brushed away a stray tear. “Sorry, I don’t know what got into me just now.”

Ruth leaned over and grabbed Nan’s hand.
“I’m sure it’s because a lot is going on right now. That’s all. I think Journey should know this stuff, though.”

“You’re right, I
need to tell her. She’s just so happy right now and I don’t want to burden her with my baggage.” Nan was probably being overly dramatic, but her girl was smiling all of the time now and it was a beautiful thing to see. She knew that Journey could share the pain since it was a car accident that took her parents away from her too soon as well.

She shook her head
. “Okay, no more talking about sad stuff. So how long do you think it’ll be before they get married?”

Ruth seemed to ponder that question for a minute
and then begin to laugh. “My guess is within the year. I know once that boy admits he’s in love with her he’ll want to make it official as soon as possible.”

Nan watched emotion come over Ruth
. “I’ve always been a worrier. I worried about Dylan being so hotheaded that he would get in trouble, but he joined the Marines and learned discipline while serving our country, but then I had a whole new set of worries with him. I worried about Dustin and his heart. He was my romantic and I worried constantly that he’d have his heart broken, and unfortunately he did. He shut it off and ran around with all sorts of easy women, but then he and Stacy happened. Bellamy was the hardest. She’s the only girl and the baby. I worried about her all of the time.”

Nan listened while Ruth shared what happened to Bellamy eight years ago.
Her heart broke for the girl who had obviously lost so much.

“Okay
, no more tears. We’re going to order a very decadent dessert and celebrate the fact that we have amazing children, even if they’re not blood-related, and beautiful grandchildren. How does that sound?”

Ruth beamed at her from across the table.
“That sounds fantastic.”

Nan was going to love ge
tting to know Ruth and Charlie better. It was clear that they already cared for Journey and the kids so much. They ordered their dessert and continued to talk until it was time to leave.

***

Journey was sitting on her desk in front of her sixth period English class. They were supposed to find their favorite passages from
To Kill a Mockingbird
.

“Okay
, everyone, have you all picked out your favorite passages? It’s okay even if someone picks the same one as you, I still want you to read it.” They all pulled out their books, pulling out the bookmarks holding the pages they wanted. “I’ll read mine first
. ‘“…if I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the Legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again,” Atticus explained to the children.’
Now, can you tell me what it means?”

She pointed to Kristy, who had her hand up
. “I think he’s telling his kids that if he didn’t defend Tom that he couldn’t hold his head up in town and wouldn’t respect himself and he couldn’t keep Jem and Scout from doing stuff, too.”

“That’s very good
, Kristy. I think that’s exactly why he said that. Okay, now let’s go down the rows. Each of you will read your passage and if I hear one more than once we’ll discuss the meaning of it.”

For the next thirty minutes
, row by row, the kids read their favorite passages. Some of them obviously just flipped to a page and read the first one they found, but some actually put some thought behind it.

Before she knew it the bell rang, this was her last class of the day.
She was glad it was Friday. It had been a busy week. She hardly got to see Dylan. He had been working late all week, so she was usually in bed when he came over. Both of them were so exhausted they just snuggled up in bed together.

She sat down behind her desk
and used the last hour of school to grade papers. Glancing out the window, she took in the beautiful sight. The sky was cloudless, the blue color was vibrant. The campus was covered with big trees and there were flowers everywhere. She stared out the window, smiling. She couldn’t remember a time when she was this happy and content. Every day she fell more and more in love with Dylan. She wanted desperately to tell him, but she just couldn’t risk scaring him off.

Journey knew she had
to get over her fear of him leaving, but it was easier said than done. A part of her didn’t think he would, but there was the other part that thought he wouldn’t be able to handle hearing it.

The final bell rang and jerked her out of her thoughts.
She looked down at her papers and got busy grading them. She was almost done when a knock at the door had her looking up. Zach stood in the doorway with his messenger bag across his chest.

“Hey, how are you?”
she asked as he walked into the room.

“I’m good.
You look great.”

“Thanks
. So what have you been up to?” She hated the awkwardness that was between them now.

“Nothing really, just spending time with my family.
How are the kids?”

“They’re good.
Joey is starting to talk more now and Abby’s doing great in school. She’s going to start taking dance lessons and she’s pretty excited about it.” Ruth had talked Abby into it. At first Ruth wouldn’t let Journey pay, but she stopped in one afternoon when Ruth wasn’t there and paid for Abby’s first month when Bellamy was manning the desk.

“Well
, I’m sure she’ll do great.” He started fidgeting and rubbing his hand through his hair. “Can we—can we have lunch sometime soon?”

She didn’t know what to say, but she could
n’t say yes. At least not without talking to Dylan first because she wouldn’t like it if Dylan went out to lunch with Cassie and he didn’t say anything to her.

“I don’t know
, Zach, we’ll see.” He didn’t seem to like that answer very much, but he was the one who had been distant since he stepped back. Sure he came to see her…a month ago. He wasn’t really holding up his end of the “let’s be friends” bargain. “How about if I’m able, let’s have lunch next Saturday.” That’d give her time to talk to Dylan about it.

His brow creased as he looked down, it was obvious he didn’t like her answer.
She didn’t want to upset him, but she didn’t want to upset Dylan more. “Okay, sure. Call me or text me and let me know.”

“I will.” He wrapped his arms around her and held the hug a little too long so she pulled back.
He let his arms fall to his sides. “I’ll see you later, Zach.”

“Uh
, yeah, see you later.” She watched him turn and leave her classroom as she sat down heavily in her chair. Shaking off the sadness that washed over her, she got back to grading the last few papers that were left so she could go home to her family.

Journey tucked Abby into bed. Her little princess was tired after running around the backyard
playing hide and seek. She had been happy to see Dylan when he showed up a few hours earlier. Thinking he would be too tired, she had jumped when he wrapped his arms around her while she was washing dishes. How he got the kids to be quiet when he showed up she didn’t know.

“Night-night, sweetheart, I love you very much.” She kissed Abby’s forehead and pull
ed the blankets up over her.

“I love you
, too. Aunt JoJo?” Her big blue eyes stared up at her.

“Yes, honey.”

“Can I call you mommy? I want you to be my mommy forever.” Journey felt her heart burst. When she was granted permanent custody of Abby, she wanted to tell her that she could call her mommy, but she didn’t want to push her. She looked at Abby through her tear-filled eyes and smiled.

“I would be honored to have you call me mommy.
I love you and you’re my little girl
,
okay?
”

Abby smiled at her and nodded her head
. “Night-night, Mommy.”

She tickled Abby, blowing raspberries on her little cheek.
“Sweet dreams.”

Journey turned to leav
e the room and found Dylan standing in the doorway. She knew she was smiling like a lunatic as she walked towards him. When she reached the door, Dylan backed away so she could shut the door. “Did you hear what she asked me?”

“Yeah, baby
, I did.” He was returning her big smile.

She walked towards him, burying her head in his chest and burst into happy tears.
They stood there for a while with Dylan rubbing up and down her back as she soaked his shirt. When she pulled away, she looked up at him. He reached out and brushed her hair out her face and she wrapped her arms around him again. “I’m so happy right now. Take me to bed.”

Dylan scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.
He set her on her feet and closed the door behind them. Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her slowly and sweetly making her want to melt into a puddle on the floor. Backing her towards the bed, he slowly started pulling off her clothes.

His lips trailed down her neck, he bit the tender flesh where her neck and shoulder met, making her body shudder.
He let his tongue glide up her neck to her ear, nipping her lobe with his teeth. “I’m gonna take it slow and easy tonight, is that good with you?”

“Yes, baby
. Please,” she purred as he began lowering her to the mattress and following her down.

He settled himself between her legs.
She loved taking his weight on top of her; it made her feel protected and cherished. He kissed her lips one more time before he started moving down her body. She had already taken her shirt and bra off, so he had immediate access to her aching nipples. He sucked one tight bud into his mouth, swirling his tongue around it and then sucking on it hard.