*A hint of last night’s inadequacy came back as he led Chloe to his painfully modest apartment. She’d never cared about material things in the past, and he constantly had to remind himself of that fact.
He stood there at the door for a moment, his eyes narrowed. Things had really changed since morning. He’d been sure it was over before it began. Finally, they were at the beginning, he hoped, of what would be a long relationship. Not that he was ready to admit as much.
She bounced beside him, smiling. Her excitement was contagious, and helped him relax. “Well, what are you waiting for?” she teased. “Is there a secret knock or password?”
A nervous laugh escaped. “I’m wondering if we’ll find Jordan here, and if he’ll be—busy.”
“I thought he was with one woman now.”
“He is. But they don’t always land in his bedroom when they get home.” He snorted. “Just warning it could be porno-town when we walk in. I apologize in advance.”
Her eyes widened, humor making the amber depths sparkle. “Oh.”
Doug opened the door, finding Jordan alone on the couch with a notepad and pen. Glancing back to Chloe, he chuckled. “You’ve been spared.”
Jordan looked up, finding Chloe. His brow arched and a smirk lifted one corner of his mouth. “Nice. I’m glad you came to your senses, Doug. Pleasure to see you, Chloe.”
Her head tipped to the side. “What are you doing, Jordan?”
“Writing.” He nodded to the pad. “Been doing a lot of that.” Glancing at his watch, he stood and took the pad back to his room. “I’m heading out. Don’t wait up.”
Chloe shook her head, a soft laugh on her lips. She walked into the living room and looked around. “Clean for a bachelor pad, and warm.” She took in the posters and flyers, mostly from their shows. There were two guitars and a bass in the corner. An electronic drum set in the other. Big TV with game consoles and a sound system.
She closed the distance and her hands landed on his chest. “Your place fits you. I love it.”
“Come on, let me show you my room.” This was the test he dreaded. Would she notice what he still had? He pushed the door open and let her step into his room. It was spotless, except for the jeans he’d thrown that morning, still in a heap against the wall.
Embarrassed by his earlier outburst, he scooted past her to pick them up and drop them in the laundry.
She moved straight to the mirror where there was a strip of photo booth pictures, from the one summer she came back. In the first they smiled. The second, she’d leaned over to kiss him. Third, he turned to pin her against the wall, taking over the kiss. The forth, she straddled his lap.
*
Chloe reached out to touch the strip of pictures. That night came back to her.
“To a fresh start,” Doug rumbled, shoving money into the photo booth. He pulled her into the tight space and onto his leg.
They gave the camera a cheesy smile and emotions bubbled up. This was the guy she wanted to spend every day with. The one who had an easy way of making her smile. The one who didn’t care about society and what everyone else was doing. He made her feel so precious she couldn’t find words.
Turning, she kissed the outer corner of his mouth. His eyes widened. Then he shifted, pushing her against the wall. His mouth covered hers, his tongue demanding.
Taking her own life into her hands, she shoved him back, straddling him as she took the kiss deeper.
He jerked his head away. “Tell me you aren’t leaving me again.”
“In the fall, I’ll be in school.”
“But tonight. Don’t ditch me tonight,” he pleaded.
“Not tonight. I’ll say goodbye when it’s time to leave.”
“Let’s go before I figure out a way to have you here and now.”
She was tempted to unzip his pants and see what he could do in the small space, but remembered the last time, and the furious passion they had shared. This time, she wanted more.
Chloe stumbled out of the booth. He caught her arm, hauling her against his body and devoured her mouth. Then tugged her down the road.
He took her to his first apartment, the one above his parent’s garage.
They slipped inside, and she peeked out the window toward the house. “Are they home?”
“Nope, out of town for a business trip. Rather go in there?”
“Not a chance. Wanted to know if I needed to tame myself.”
“No taming. I need all of you, any way you come.”
She gave him everything she had, no holds barred.
Tears trailed down her face as she turned back to him. “That night was the best night of my life. I didn’t have to be someone else. Then morning came and I—”
His hand covered her mouth. “Doesn’t matter.”
She shook her head, pulling his arm down. “Does. Need to get this off my chest.”
He nodded, taking a few steps back to sit on the edge of his bed.
“Morning came and I realized if I stayed, I wouldn’t go back to Brown. I wouldn’t get my degree or go on to medical school. My parents would likely have worn me down until I went back to college, but by then I would have caved and done what they wanted, not what I needed to do.”
“We were kids. I knew you were going back to school. I had no plans to keep you from going. You’re the smart one, and college suited you. I could tell you were finding yourself and breaking out of your parents’ mold. You came to me.”
“But I hurt you.”
“Yeah, you did. You needed freedom though. And I needed the pain to motivate me to do something with my life. The band has always been great, and I loved working in my uncle’s record shop, but I wanted to help people create music. After some business courses at the community college, I formed a pretty solid business plan, and convinced my uncle and parents to help me get it off the ground.”
“And you say you’re not smart.” Shaking her head, she looked up at the ceiling. “Did you get a degree?”
He shook his head. “Nope, only took the basics. My uncle helped me learn everything else I needed.”
“Yeah, you’re brilliant.” She gave him a crooked smile.
“The past shaped us. Honestly, you leaving pushed me to do what I needed to do.”
“You’re the one who inspired me to go for my dreams.”
“We needed that time to find our purpose. Thankfully our paths looped back to each other.”
She walked over and sat beside him. “Can I stay the night, Doug?”
He grinned. “You didn’t bring any clothes.”
“Don’t need them. You’re what I want.”
Conversation dried up as he turned toward her, caught her face, and kissed her softly. “Need you, Chloe,” he whispered against her lips.
She kicked off her shoes and stood.
He followed, dragging her dress up over her body with a groan. She unbuttoned his shirt in a hurry, then opened his pants. This time, she didn’t ogle him like a fool. There was plenty of opportunity to do that later, while he slept.
Doug brought her to the bed. His hands caressed, his mouth explored. Needing a taste, she brought his mouth to hers and sucked his bottom lip.
He broke away with a groan, reaching for the nightstand. She almost stopped him to ask if he was clean. But the words never left her lips. First she wanted to prove she intended to stay here, with him.
She took the condom, taking her time to roll it over his blunt head, and down the gorgeous shaft. She licked her lips.
He laughed. “I know my cock isn’t the first you’ve seen.”
“No, but it’s the only one I remember.”
His brow arched. “You’re the only woman I remember, Chloe. Always have been.”
“Puts us on the same page.” She threw her leg over his hips and held his length steady to take him in.
Doug reached up, grabbing her head and she fell forward, her hands landing on his chest while he kissed her, deep. He thrust into her, a powerful rhythm, and all she could do was hang on while he poured his emotions into her. In return, she gave him every ounce of her love.
*
Letting go of every doubt, Doug rolled on top and gentled the pace, wanting to savor every second. He looked into her eyes and saw all the way to her soul. Chloe was it for him. The one he would never let go.
Her walls pulsed around him, then she shuddered, a cry breaking free. His release followed, pulling him in. Words danced on the tip of his tongue, but he reined them back. He wanted to believe this time was different, but he needed proof in the form of actions.
Lying down beside her, he gathered her into his arms. “Don’t go.”
“I’m not,” she promised.
He hoped to god she meant it this time.