Page 42 of End Of Never

I turn towards my friends, whom I now call family, all gathered around us, “Thank you all for your endless nights and days. For keeping my lady far away from here as we built and rebuilt. Thank you for being part of this and for showing Lilla that it’s okay to need help. Needing help doesn’t make us weak; it makes us strong. Strength in realizing you are worth receiving the help, you are worthy of the time and energy, you are more than enough, you always were, and you always will be.” That does it, the barrier that kept her tears in, the love knocked down the wall that held her back. The wall that she believed saved her from the enemy was built by them. She throws her arms around me once again, pressing her body into mine, squeezing me with admiration and hope. Haley wipes her tears as she nods, wrapped in Hayden’s arms; she mouths, ‘thank you.’

The moment is interrupted by a call; as pagers start going off, the team says a quick goodbye before filing out and running to save another.

I grab Lilla’s hand, guiding her to the front door after everyone files out. Hayden and Haley wait outside for us. “I hope it's everything you wanted. Let’s go home. Work starts Monday.”

She looks around once more, “It’s more. I can’t believe you did this, all of it, for me.” Reaching my hands up, I grab her face, forcing her eyes to look solely into mine, into the truth.

“Eight years ago, we were in your bed, and you asked me to do something for you. Do you remember my response?” She pauses, her eyes darting between mine. “I said, I’d do anything you asked me to. But here’s the thing, you shouldn’t have to ask. I pay attention. I did this for you because I wanted to, because you needed help, and you wanted it. You were raised not to ask for it. But I’m here to help whether you ask or not. You’re done figuring it out. From now on WE figure it out, you and me, together. There is no more struggling alone, because I want you, I need you, so need me, baby.” Her eyes swell with unshed tears once more.

As they fall from her eyes, I wipe them with my finger, “I do, Jace.” Sealing her lips with mine, I steal her soul and her heart, begging her never to take it back.

Chapter 35

Lilla

On the drive back home, my emotions run haywire. It’s more than Jace fixing up my clinic; it’s the way he did it. The detail to keep it exactly how I envisioned it, plus the mural. He didn’t just use his words to tell me how he feels; he used his actions. He could always steal my heart and soul without saying a word. All those times we were around each other, and I found myself inching closer to him. To be in his space, even if Ava was near, I couldn’t stop myself from being in his space to feel his presence, to be seen by him. Even now, as much as I have tried to hate him, to wish him away, my heart knows it is a lie; he has always been my anchor in this life.

Jace parks the truck in the driveway and turns to look at me. His ball cap sits atop his head, casting a shadow over his eyes and darkening them. “You’re not going to touch that door handle. I’m going to come around this truck, scoop you up, and take you inside. Because that craving I was telling you about is at full capacity, and I’m afraid that if I don’t get to taste you soon, I’ll die. Don’t. Move.” He opens his door, with his eyes still locked on mine, rounding the truck, his daggers drive into my bones. I don’t move, and not because I don’t want to; defying him brings me great pleasure. It’s as if I can’t. I am glued to this very seat, by his dominance, his eagerness to need him is keeping me still; yet I vibrate all at once.

My heart rate speeds up as he opens the door, eyeing me like his last meal. Both eagerly and delicious. He pulls my legs around, lifting them up and around his waist. My arms wrap around him on instinct, pulling myself into him. “Lock those legs, baby.” Doing as he says, I lock my ankles as he carries me into the house and straight to his bedroom. I chuckle as I watch Zeus chase us to the room, only to have the door slammed in his face. Trust me, baby boy, you do not want to be in here for this. Jace’s hands slide across my back as he kisses my neck, drinking me like his last sip of water, savoring the way it quenches his thirst.

Our bodies fall onto the bed, his body pressed against mine, “Tell me you need me, baby?” His breath is hot on my neck as he peppers kisses down, his hands following his motions, reaching the hem of my shirt, lifting it slightly, allowing his fingertips to brush my sensitive skin. My breath hitches, lost in thoughts that crash against the surface. At my pause, his movements stop. Jace lifts himself from my body, his eyes scanning mine, “I want you so fucking bad. But I want you here with me one hundred percent. If you’re not ready, tell me.” His voice is so soft, his eyes full of compassion, and it only makes me want him more.

I shake my head, “I am ready, and I want you like you want me, if not more. It’s just—I haven’t—it’s just been a long time since I…” A grin spreads across his face as he moves his hands to my face; he holds it steady, stealing my lips slowly and in control. Each kiss has meaning, love, apology, and promise.

“I promise to be gentle, I’m not going to fuck you, Lil. I am going to make love to you, and trust me, there is a difference, one you will come to know. If you need to take control, take it, baby.” He kisses me as he slides my shirt up, exposing my black lace bra. His five o’clock shadow tickles down my stomach with each kiss. He slides down my pants, effortlessly, throwing them onto the floor as he stands. His eyes scan over my naked body, hunger in his eyes. He licks his bottom lip and smiles. I know he sees the goosebumps that now canvas my body, “Let me warm you up.” He drops to his knees, grabbing onto my thighs and pulls me to the edge of the bed. His breath is warm as he skates down my thigh, finding his way in between my legs. “Beautiful.” He kisses each leg, running his fingers along the backs of my legs, then places his hands on my shoulders. “Rest your legs right here for me.”

My hands grab onto the sheet as his fingers tease me, speeding up my pulse. The minute his tongue touches my most sensitive part, my back arches, and my legs open wider, welcoming his touch. His soft tongue swirls around my slit, from top to bottom, lapping me up. With each swipe, he moans into me, pulling murmurs from me. With one hand, I feel his fingers open me wider, giving him more access to my sweet spot, while the other hand slides from my thigh to my entrance. He teases the outside until I feel the pressure, as he sinks a digit into me. His tongue and his fingers work in tandem, pulling me away from the harrowing memories of the last time I lay in this position, and he frees me.

He must feel the change in my body, the way his soul speaks to mine. He moves faster, with precision, applying the right amount of pressure to send me over the edge. My legs shake, my heart thrashes against my chest, my fingers grip the sheets as my legs shake around him, breath falls labored as he takes my orgasm and rides it out, until my body falls spent under him. He looks up from between my legs, looking sexy with his hat turned back, and his five o’clock shadow now glistening with my wetness. “Jace…I need you, I need you inside me now.” My breath falls from my lips as my pussy pulses, begging to clench around him. He slides up, pulling his pants down. Just as he slides them off his ankles, I meet him at the end of the bed, on all fours. “Come closer.” I pull his thighs flush with the bed, where he stands naked, my eyes fight over where to look first. Until my eyes lock onto his tattoo, the one I have been waiting to see, the hidden gem, “Show me.” He stands taller, showcasing his chest, which is detailed with a clock displaying two numbers: an eleven and a nine. The bottom of the clock is underwater. In small cursive writing, it reads,

‘Never long enough.’ My eyes take in all the details; the words flow beneath the broken clock, each letter wrapping around the bottom, creating the clock's base. My eyes find his. His voice is a whisper, “11:45 was not enough time to hold you. I got this tattoo a year after I left, and I knew no time with you would ever be long enough.” His hand rubs along my cheek. “I love you, Lilla Lane. I will love you for the rest of my life, and no time will ever be long enough, but I want all the time we have, in this life and the next.” Everything he has said was true, and my heart fuses the broken cracks with his honesty.

Emotion chokes me out, “So let's not waste all the time we have now.” Dropping my eyes, they take in his muscular chest and his strong thighs, then they go to his thick cock, waiting and dripping for me, as a bead of precum sits on the tip. I lean down, sticking my tongue out, I slide it across his hard shaft, tasting him, my mouth forms around him, swallowing him down, allowing the precum to coat the top of my throat. He groans, leaning into me. I cup his balls, sucking and swirling my tongue around his shaft, pulling noises from him, making me wetter than I already was. His fingers lace through my hair, pulling my head back.

His ravenous eyes find mine, begging, “You gotta stop, baby, or I’ll be coating your throat and not this beautiful pussy.” Leaning back, he follows me onto the bed, “Lay down on your back, I want to look into those ocean eyes while my cock slides into you for the first time.” My legs open wide for him as he positions himself, his hard length knocks at my entrance, and his finger rubs my swollen bud. Wrapping my hands around his biceps, he leans over me, slowly pumping himself into me. My back arches, and my legs drop to the mattress as I feel myself stretch around him, gripping him, as he slides in and out. Our moans fight over to be heard, as our tongues dance in the most dominating way. Jace leans up, loops his arm around my leg, holding it, watching my body take him. Desire pours from his eyes, “You look like a damn dream taking my cock so good, baby.” He thrusts into me over and over, sending my eyes rolling back, “Be a good girl and cum on my dick, baby.” My other leg shoots around him, locking onto his back, as his thrusts get harder, my moans get louder, “That’s right, squeeze me.”

My breath fights against my moans as my climax climbs, “I’m going to cum, Jace, don’t stop.” His hand grabs my hip while the other holds my leg in place. As he drives into me, he smiles, watching me come undone for him, giving my heart, soul, and body to him, just as it has always craved to do.

“Didn’t plan on it, baby. Now cum with me, give me everything.” His thrusts deepen as he moans in sync with mine, both matching one another as we climax together, tangled in one another, just as we are meant to be.

“I have a confession.” Jace rolls over next to me, his chest rapidly rising and falling. “I can’t ever let you go, not now, not ever. You’re mine, Lilla Lane, you always have been.”

I roll over now facing him, our chests touching, as we look into one another's eyes, “Let me tell you something, honest, it’s always been you. Even when you weren’t here, it's been you. I love you too, Jace. And I’m not going anywhere.”

Jace’s smile stretches ear to ear as he comes in for one slow, tantalizing kiss. His hand slides down my side, across my stomach, reaching between my legs. He moves his finger to my center, “best honest thing I’ve ever heard.” He slides his finger back inside me, pushing the cum that has tried to escape. “None of me is leaving you, ever, not even my cum gets to drip out of that perfect cunt.”

“That was amazing. Now I need food and a shower.” Jace climbs over me, kissing my nose, then scoops me up and carries me to the bathroom.

“I’d do anything you asked me to.”

Today is officially move-in day. Jace and I are on our way to my house to get the rest of my stuff. Hayden and Haley were supposed to help, but Haley isn’t answering, and Hayden is helping his dad.

Walking into the house, Jace and I are interrupted by intense moaning. I shut the door and gave him an "are you kidding me" look. I march over to Haley’s door and knock hard. “Finish faster, you’re supposed to be helping me move!” I inch back to Jace, who is now laughing. All sounds have stopped, and after listening to them shuffle around, the door opens very slowly. Out walks Hayden, followed by Haley. “Well, well, well, look who it is, our lying best friends—horney thing one and thing two.” Haley rolls her eyes, and Hayden and Jace laugh.

Hayden steps forward, and I back up. “No way, Mr. I know there isn't a bathroom in her room, and based on those sounds, I know where your fingers have been.” I snap my fingers and point to the bathroom, “Go clean yourself, ya nasty. Then help me move out of this house of ill repute.”

Haley laughs with a big smile on her face, “I see that hickey on your neck, Lills, don’t fool us with our ill house, when yours is just as ill.” I step back from little Mrs. Dick breathe, and start grabbing boxes.