I’ve spent the last couple of years adhering to all these boundaries keeping me away from Cherry, but now, I’m done with them. I don’t wantanythingto get in the way of giving her the pleasure she deserves. So, if that means stopping to clean away all this goddamn paint, so my mouth can run freely over her body, then that’s what we’ll do. Itcan’tend here.
Cherry’s grip on me loosens suddenly, and she blinks, looking around the barn as if she forgot where we were. Hell, I know I did. ‘Right.’ A titter trickles out of her. ‘Probably a good idea.’
We both sit there for a moment, wrapped up in each other, unmoving, until I finally shift and say, ‘Come on. Let’s go get you in the shower.’
23
Cherry
Duke’s hardly said anything since we got in his truck and drove back to his apartment, despite his tone beingincrediblysuggestive when he mentioned having a shower. I know technically I was the one who cut off the kiss – darned paint getting in my mouth – but what if that’s the end of it? A quick moment of weakness from the both of us, where we could indulge in it because no one was watching for once, and now he’s dropping back into his usual caretaking mode, where I’m just Wyatt’s little sister.
I rub at my sternum to try to loosen the tightness there, even as my heart threatens to beat out of my ribcage as we climb the stairs to Duke’s apartment. I can’t bring myself to talk, to fill the silence. What’s wrong with me? Where has bold, confident,strongCherry that basically propositioned him in the first place gone? I literally just had my dream kiss – a goddamn firework kiss, exactly like I described to him – with the one guy I’ve wanted for years.
Quietly, he unlocks the door and gestures for me to enter first, placing a hand on the small of my back as I walk through – the touch immediately sparking heat within my core as I’m still so worked up from that kiss. I shuffle inside, standing in the middle of the room so not to get paint anywhere as I wait.
‘I’ll go get the shower running,’ Duke says, moving towards the bathroom. It makes sense for him, dropping back into our usual routine, saving him from admitting his feelings. And I almost –almost– let him get away with it.
‘Duke, wait,’ I blurt out. Even if all this time working on my bucket list together hasn’t meant anything to Duke, it has to me. It’s made me realise that I’m strong enough to do whatever I put my mind to – including putting my feelings on the line. And I’d rather attempt to get back into the saddle, even if only to fall, than regret having never tried.
He turns to me, his face immediately creasing when he notices my concern. Wildness sets ablaze in his eyes, like he’s readying to fight whatever I’m battling. ‘Everything okay?’
My breath shudders out. ‘Is … is that it?’
‘Is what it?’
‘Because I need to know.’ I can’t stop the thoughts from spilling out, whatever dam I had holding back this crush destroyed from that kiss. From the way I felt stars shooting through the skies of my soul. Even if nothing else happens, that kiss will be branded in my memory forever. ‘What this means to you. I’m sorry, I know it sounds silly because all we did was kiss but …’ I stepaway from Duke and rub my hand along my forehead, my fingers trembling.
‘Hey, hey. It’s okay.’ Duke follows me instantly. He reaches for my hands, harbouring them in his own, soothing my racing heart.
‘I don’t wanna scare you,’ I admit, the prick of tears surfacing.
His large hand comes up to cradle my jaw and I let myself lean into his touch – where he always manages to anchor me to safety. ‘Cherry, you can tell me anything. I’ve got you, remember?’
I swallow, trying to muster up that unexpected bravery that has been around the past weeks. ‘Duke, I’ve … I’ve liked you for years. And when I say years, I mean since I was ateenager.’
There’s a widening of his eyes as they flick between mine. I’ve ridden this rocky journey he’s had us on for years, weathered every push and pull, holding on to the reins with hope that something might be at the end of it all.
But what if Duke hasn’t done the same? He’s six years older than me – he probably barely sees me as an adult. He’s likely not even thinking beyond today, when I’mmilesahead in our future, ignoring all the times he’s insinuated nothing could happen between us.
‘I know it was just a kiss, but that – that means a lot to me. And it’s okay if it doesn’t to you, but I need to know that. You went so quiet on the way back that I just freaked out. Maybe you’re regretting it because of Wyatt, I don’t know.’ My laugh trembles out. ‘Either way, I need you totalkto me. I don’t want to build up this idea ofus in my head. I don’t want to let myself start falling if you’re not going to be there with me.’
The few seconds of silence that follow are deafening. Duke doesn’t move, the weight of his gaze unbearably heavy. I wonder if this is my last moment in his hold, the last opportunity to feel his soothing touch, but then he whispers, ‘I’m right here, Cherry. Falling with you.’
Each word breathes bright hope into my heart.
Duke pulls my hands to his chest, and his heart pounds beneath. His eyes dip between us. ‘I’ve been falling since the day you started working at the bar. And I’ve spent all that time fighting against it because I didn’t want to do the wrong thing. Because I was scared. Iamscared. That’s why I went quiet, I think …’ His lip drops, hesitating. It’s my turn to caress his face, my hands trailing up his neck until I’m brushing my thumbs against his cheeks, gazing into those umber eyes of his. ‘Because I’ve wanted this for so long too, and now I’m here, I’m almost overwhelmed. That, and I was really struggling to keep my hands off you while we were still covered in paint.’
He wets his lips as his smile plays out, mine following quickly.
‘But I’m not sure this is so wrong anymore, because that kiss –fuck, Cherry.’ Duke laughs, shaking his head. He grabs my waist, tugging me into him. ‘That was fucking heavenly.You’refucking heavenly. I don’t see how something that feels so right could possibly be wrong … I’m not sure how this is all gonna pan out, but whatever happens, I promise I’ll be right here with you. Even if it terrifies me.’
‘Because you’ve got me, right?’ I ask.
Duke presses his forehead to mine. ‘Because I’ve got you, Baby Hensley. Always.’
I don’t give him a second before I launch myself at him, my arms circling his neck. Duke’s reflexes are quick enough that he grabs my waist, pulling me up and into him so he can kiss me back. Fireworks sparkle along my skin again at the taste of him, exploding deeper inside my core with each stroke of his tongue. Tightness winds in my stomach. But I needmore.
My hands drop to the waistband of his sweatpants and—
