The Truth She Knew (17 page)

“
Hey, Lacey,” Garrett said as he turned to the sink to wash the raw meat off his hands.

“
Hey, buddy. What are you making?” I asked as I peered around them.

“
Walker’s teaching me to cook hamburgers.” As big as his smile was, it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“
Good, I’m starving,” I said as I reached over and tousled his hair.

“
You might be a girl, but I won’t hesitate to give you a noogie,” Garrett said, laughing.

“
Like hell you will,” Walker said as he popped Garrett in the ass with the hand towel.

“
Dude! You suck!” Garrett said.

“
Yeah, but you’ll get over it. Get back over here and turn your burgers,” Walker ordered.

Garrett went back to the stove and attempted to turn his burgers, but sent grease spattering across the stove instead. Walker showed him how to slip the spatula under the meat and turn it gently.

I mentally snapped a picture of them at the stove together. I wanted to forever ingrain it in my memory. A pang of jealousy and hurt filled me as I wished things at my home were different, that we were close like Walker and his family. But we weren’t, and I was grateful to have a second chance with people who loved me.

“
Whatcha thinkin’, Lace?” Walker asked as he crossed the kitchen and leaned down to kiss me.

“
How awesome you are.”

Garrett made a gagging noise.

“
Pay attention to your cooking, Garrett,” Walker said over his shoulder.

I couldn’t hear Garrett’s response.

“
You hungry?”

“
Yeah,” I said as I ran my hands over his chest. I was going to miss these moments most of all, being next to him with his arms wrapped around me, safe from everything and everyone. I wished I could stay there forever.

“
What do you want for dessert?” he whispered as he gently grabbed my ass.

I peeked around to make sure Garrett still stood with his back to us as I rubbed my hand across his lower stomach and slid my fingers beneath his jeans. I fiddled with the button as I searched his face. His expression changed from wanting to take care of me and shield me to pure need.

I wasn’t sure who was right, Mama or Aunt Linda, about being possessed or not, but I was tired of fighting. I was the only virgin left in my group of friends and if that was part of Mama’s basis for my condition, then maybe she was wrong. Maybe I was normal, maybe I was in love with someone who thought I was worth fighting for. Regardless, I wanted Walker.

He rubbed my neck in small circles and threaded his fingers through my hair. He tilted my head up, exposing my neck as he leaned down and placed light kisses down to my collarbone. If Garrett hadn’t been making so much noise cooking, he would have heard me gasp as Walker stroked my nipple through my shirt. Walker moved me backward from the kitchen into his bedroom as he continued to kiss me. I heard the door shut behind us.

As soon as the door closed, Walker slid one hand up my stomach and across my rib cage. He hesitated for a moment as he came into contact with my bra, and then slid his hands around my back and released the clasp. I wiggled my arms free and let it slip to the floor.

He pulled me up as I wrapped my legs around him. He took a few steps and leaned forward with us together until my back pressed against his mattress. I scooted up toward the head of the bed and Walker settled on top of me. He rolled us slightly onto our sides as he gained more access and cupped my ass. I rocked against him, wishing our clothes weren’t in the way. I wanted him like I’d never wanted anyone before. I wanted to touch and kiss him, and I wanted him inside me. I loved him and I wanted every part of him.

I slid my hands along his back, allowing the tips of my nails to dig into his skin. I tugged on his shirt until he released me long enough to slip it over his head and toss it on the floor. I ran my hands over his bare skin as he kissed me. Our tongues danced as we rocked together. I reached for the hem of my shirt and slowly pulled it over my head. The cold air brushed across my breasts as Walker pulled back for a moment to look at me. I searched his face for some kind of clue to move forward. This was the first time I’d been half-undressed with him. My heart knocked against my chest as I waited for his signal. I needed him to do or say something before I put my shirt back on and ran.

“
You’re going to undo me,” he muttered as he lowered himself down on me.

We were skin to skin, and the heat from our bodies made me want to finish what we’d started.

He dipped his head down between my breasts and kissed me. My breathing quickened as he took me into his mouth. His tongue flicked across my nipple as he cupped my other breast. I tilted my hips to him, trying to bring him closer.

His breath was hot against my skin as he rose up and released the button on my jeans and unzipped them. We rolled over onto our sides as he continued to flick his tongue across my nipples, one then the other. I was barely conscious of his other hand slowly making its way across my stomach and down to my panties.

“
Don’t stop,” I whispered in his ear as I dug my fingers into his back.

His kiss became more urgent as he slipped his hand into my jeans and over the thin lace of my panties, and I moved against his hand as he slowly began making small circles with his fingers against my core. I pushed down my jeans so they weren’t in the way.

“
You’re so wet,” he whispered as he moved my panties to the side and made contact with my bare skin. Nothing was in the way of his hand and me.

I moaned as he dipped his finger inside me and his thumb circled against my clit. My breaths became ragged as he slipped another finger inside me. I moved my hips with his fingers, taking him in, and wanting more.

I reached down and unbuttoned his jeans. He groaned as I released him and ran my hand along his shaft.

He shifted and allowed me more access as he kissed my neck and worked his magic on me.

I wrapped my hand around him and stroked him in rhythm with his fingers as they slid in and out of me.

“
Oh my God. I need you,” I whispered. “I need you now.”

Our breathing came in jagged, desperate gasps as we touched each other. I tightened my hold on him as I stroked him faster.

“
No, baby, not yet—you first. Come for me. Come on baby, let it go,” he whispered in my ear.

Chills shot down my spine as I arched up against his hand. His warm mouth covered my breast and I exploded against his hand. I gripped the blanket tightly as he continued his rhythm. Even though I was super sensitive from my release, I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him inside of me, all of him.

I continued stroking him as I nuzzled his ear.

“
Walker, come with me this time.”

“
Oh God, you’re driving me crazy,” he said as he ground his hips against my hand.

“
Are you ready?” I asked, pumping him harder. “Come with me, baby.”

He buried his face in the pillow as his hot fluid spilled over my hand. I stroked him faster as he moaned into the bed. His release peaked mine and once again I arched against his hand and released with him.

We relaxed together as he kissed my cheek. He eased his fingers out of me and I wrapped my legs around him. He throbbed against the inside of my leg, and I reached down to stroke him.

“
Lace, I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“
Why?” I asked, kissing him along his neck.

“
I want you to make this decision when we aren’t mostly naked.”

“
I have—I love you.”

“
You’ve been through so much lately, I need you to be sure,” he said and stroked my cheek with his fingers.

I adjusted my pillow and met his eyes.

“
I’m sure. I have no doubt in my mind.”

“
It’s not going to be the same as what we just did. It’s going to hurt and I don’t know if I can stand hurting you right now with everything else going on. I don’t want you to ever second-guess how much I love you. We don’t have to just because I’m leaving. We can wait.”

“
I don’t want to wait anymore. I want you and no one else. I don’t want you leaving for boot camp and questioning me, either. I want you to think back to this moment, our first time together, and let it help you get through every difficult time ahead.”

Walker let me go and rolled over onto his back as he opened his nightstand and grabbed a condom. It was the first time I’d seen him completely naked. My breath caught as my eyes traveled over his chest, down his stomach, and down to him. He was larger than I thought, and hard again.

I bit my lip thinking about him being inside me, but then I remembered a few minutes ago when we came together. I wanted that with him again. Walker would take care of me. I realized it would hurt, but I trusted him to be as gentle as he could.

He rolled the condom over the length of him.

“
Are you sure?” he asked. His voice was rough with emotion and need.

“
I’m sure.”

“
Okay, I’m going to try and make this as gentle as I can.”

I nodded. He slowly lowered himself on top of me, the full length of his body against mine. I slid my hands down his back and dug my fingers into his ass.

“
I’m going to take care of you first,” he said as he lifted up my leg to position us better. Then he grinned.

He took both of my breasts in his hands and squeezed gently. His tongue darted across my nipples, teasing them again. I ran my fingers through his hair and arched into his wet mouth.

Walker trailed soft kisses down my stomach and continued to play with my nipples as he spread my legs apart. His hands kneaded the inside of my thighs.

He ran his tongue slowly along the inside of my thigh. I throbbed with need. He brushed his thumb over my clit and I gasped. His hot breath brushed across my bare skin as he paused for a moment and glanced up at me. I gripped the blanket in anticipation of his mouth. Finally, he dipped his head between my legs and ran his tongue over my clit as his finger entered me. I tried to raise my body up to meet him, but he pinned my hips against his mattress. His tongue caressed me as his finger slipped in and out of my wet core.

He sucked and licked my clit until I twisted underneath him. I needed him inside me.

“
I need you inside me,” I said breathlessly.

He sucked harder as his rhythm picked up.

“
Baby, I can’t . . . I’m gonna . . . Oh God . . .”

I grabbed his hair as he caressed me with his tongue. I wouldn’t last much longer. If we were going to do this, it needed to be now.

Walker pulled away, nestling himself between my legs, and met my gaze.

“
Are you sure?” He repositioned himself on the bed so he was on all fours above me.

I answered him with a kiss.

He paused for a minute, cupping my breast and kissing me deeply, and then slid his hand down and massaged my clit again. I was still wet.

“
I just wanted to make sure you’re ready,” he whispered.

I nodded. I could feel him at my entrance, and there was a moment of intense pressure as he pushed inside me a little bit.

I gasped as I dug my fingers into his skin. He was right: it hurt. He eased in more as I accommodated him. Once fully inside me, I wrapped my legs around him and lay still. He didn’t move either.

“
You’re so beautiful, Lacey. I love everything about you. I love your heart, your mind, and now your body. I’m the luckiest guy alive.”

I smiled as I leaned up to kiss him. He responded and pulled on my lower lip with his teeth as he began to rock his hips. His kiss deepened as he gently picked up his pace. He was taking extra care to make it worth me saying yes. I loved him for that. I loved him for loving me. It wasn’t as much about the sex as it was my needing to be as close as possible to him. I wanted to give him the one thing I could never give to anyone else. I wanted to love him in every way possible, and I was doing just that.

This was a moment I could never change and never get back. I closed my eyes and tried to relax as I gave myself completely over to him.

“
Are you okay?” he whispered.

“
Yeah,” I muttered.

“
Okay, good. I was afraid I’d really hurt you.”

I answered him with a slight tilt of my hips as I dared to take him a little deeper. My nails dug into his back and he responded with a moan as I tentatively rocked back and forth with him.

Walker trailed light kisses down my neck as our fingers intertwined and we maintained a slow and steady rhythm together. The pain eased the longer we were together and my body molded to him.

“
My God,” he whispered. “Lace—”

“—
I love you,” I whispered as Walker tensed and released as I tightened my legs around him.

Afterward, we lay quietly against each other, not wanting to ruin the moment by speaking. I’d done it. I’d given Walker my virginity and I didn’t regret it one bit.

It was strange sitting at the dinner table with Susan, Linda, Garrett, and Walker after what Walker and I had just done in his room. I wondered if anyone could tell, or if I was acting differently. My heart swelled as I glanced at Walker. I loved him in a way I’d never loved anyone before. I finally belonged to someone who wanted me and loved me in return. I might have a crappy home life, but Walker and his family were quickly becoming mine.

After dinner, Walker and I cleaned the kitchen and washed the dishes.

“
How are you doing?” he asked.

“
Sore, but I guess that’s pretty normal.” I smiled at him. My cheeks warmed with the thought of everything we’d done in his bed. A flutter of heat traveled through me as I gazed at him. I stood on my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his.