Talia met Charlie and the Andrews briefly before my sisters took them away to explain what was going on with Dad. But it wasn’t long before everyone was congregated back in the living room, beverages in hand, and trying to make the best of the evening. Everyone rallied for my mother, kept the conversation light, and welcomed the giggling and silliness from my nieces.
“What do you think, Teeps, you and me on a fifty foot catamaran? I bet we could think of something fun to pass the time.”
Talia had clicked with Charlie immediately. It was fun to talk sailing and he was always good for a few crazy stories. Tal loved the idea of his school expansion and since I had already funded his account the ball was rolling.
Tara laughed and her eyes bugged a little. “Oh wow, girl, what have you done with my brother? Asher talking about the future. Great sign.”
I rat-tailed her with my eyes even though Tara was spot on. Talia’s eyes questioned me.
“But don’t let him fool you, he’s a softy when it comes to tradition. He won’t let a year go by without planning our dual family vacations. This week is a given, but August’s trip is always a last minute surprise. We love that about him.”
Any time she could zip it. Nope.
“Can’t keep that Craig family stubborn trait at bay though, he won’t let us pay a dime. It’s seriously annoying.”
“Well, there’s no way you can turn that down.” Talia laughed, squeezing my hand. Her eyes flitted in my direction, clouded with something that made my heart pick up. She’d been giving me these looks all night and I was starting to welcome that warmth beneath my chest.
I returned her hand squeeze and surprised the room. “Speaking of, how does Hawaii sound?”
“Thank you.” That was a complete understatement.
The way she handled my father and comforted my mother and sisters later in the evening deserved way more than a simple thank you. I fell back on the bed and pulled her down on top of my chest. My mother and sisters were all mentally exhausted, hell, we all were. So when someone suggested we turn in early, everyone was in agreement. Besides, I was done sharing for the evening.
“I threw you to the wolves and you handled it beautifully,” I teased, attempting to lift the heavy air. “Not that I would’ve expected anything less.”
“Your family’s awesome.” She giggled while I nipped her bottom lip and licked down her exposed neck and shoulder.
“I’ve wanted to do this all night.”
“I’m glad you held your tongue then because tonight turned out to be really nice. I loved catching up with your mom and your sisters.” She paused and ran her hands through my hair. “I know you weren’t expecting to see your dad’s confusion deteriorate so soon, but you have to remember he’s still gonna have his good days. And now those good days are going to be that much more important and that much more memorable. Every single one will count. If there’s something you want to ask him or something you need to tell him … there’s no more holding back. You have no reason to wait.”
I flipped her to her back and brushed a few strands of her hair away from her face. Resting on my hip and forearm I hovered above her. She stared at me while I traced her lips, her cheekbones and along her jaw. Her poignant words settled in my chest and touched a nerve. A nerve that was undeniably still raw. But these were the words I needed to hear. My family had done denial; without a doubt it was easier to live there. We mastered ignore and avoid too. We learned firsthand that it ate you from the inside out. Nothing but an empty shell left. This was how we quietly handled watching my strong-headed grandfather dwindle to a mere child. And sadly, I witnessed the anguish on my father’s face when he finally realized it was too late, he was too late. So when my uncle was diagnosed with the same filthy disease a couple years later, my father, the successful businessman, took a step back and made his brother his priority. In the beginning the changes were subtle, a quick phone call or an extra get together during the week with a couple extra funny stories, or a few more intellectual conversations. But as my uncle’s symptoms worsened our stops were more frequent. I was a teenager so I wasn’t there all the time, but I didn’t miss the few times I watched my father sit and read passages from my uncle’s favorite books and flip through old black and whites from when they were kids. Without fail his favorite music always played quietly in the background. His actions were his unspoken words. He was making every day count. Now it was my turn. Not only for him, but for me. And I knew without a doubt that this woman lying beside me was going to be my strength. I wanted her to be.
“I need you, Tal. I want you. And not just tonight. Yeah, I want you naked and I have full intentions on making that happen, I will always want that. But I want you more. All of you. I want you there every morning. I want you there every night. I want to watch you sleep. I want to breathe what you breathe.”
I was pretty sure she knew what I was asking, without saying the words. And if I didn’t want to get lost in her so bad, I would have talked it out. But I didn’t want to talk. At least not right now. I wanted to forget, even if it was just for a little while. She was the only one who had that power. I needed her with me. I wanted her with me. Across the country was just too far. I knew she was going to resist, I knew she wasn’t ready yet, but I was going to fight through her nerves and gain her trust. I wasn’t that playboy anymore and she wasn’t my next good time. She changed me. Or maybe she brought back who I really was.
I slid my fingers through the side of her hair and crushed my lips on hers. She moaned into my mouth and sunk toward my chest. I yanked at the hem of her shirt and she willingly lifted her arms straight up. I ran my thumb across her peaked nipples straining through her bra. In one smooth motion I sent the lace fabric to the floor. My sweater joined the growing pile. She trailed her fingers across my chest and abs, hooking her fingers at the top of my jeans. She traced the line running to my hip, sending a jolt directly to my groin. My cock painfully pressed against my zipper. Lust and desperation consumed her wild eyes. Her hand tracked down further and she palmed my thick erection.
“Fuck, Tal.” I wanted inside her more than my next breath. I popped the button of her jeans and pushed her back onto the bed. She unveiled her long sexy legs in record time only to sit up and work on mine. She was as frenzied as I was. She purposely tugged my boxers down, watching my cock spring free. Her silky thumb found the most sensation spot and she gripped my shaft. The tips of her fingers brushed against my aching balls and her thumb continued to stroke me. I growled and sucked in a sharp breath and pushed against her hand. Fuck, it felt so good.
Our mouths connected, starved, the need frantic and ravenous. I lowered her back and climbed on top of her. My hands were everywhere, her breasts, her abs, her clit. She writhed beneath me, begging me with her moans. Fuck, I loved the sound of her moans. I licked my fingers and dragged them across her warm entrance. She thrust her hips forward and I took that as my cue to slam into her heat. The earlier night’s events blurred to the pure passion of the moment. I rocked against her and listened to her labored breath. The pulse in her neck accelerated beneath my tongue.
“Ah, Ace,” she harshly whispered, obviously conscious we weren’t alone-alone. Avery and Drew were in the other bedroom in our wing.
“Let it go, Teeps.” She pulsed and clenched around my swollen cock. She gripped my back and ass so hard I was sure she left marks. I quickened my pace and let her ride the wave. “Fuck, you’re sexy.” In one swoop, I pulled out and flipped her over. She peeked over her shoulder, her eyes glazed with the aftermath of her orgasm. She rose to her knees and dropped her chest to the bed. Her whimpers and moans egging me on. I couldn’t do it. Every other woman had always been from behind, never looking in their eyes. Less commitment, no connection. Not with Talia.