Bound (Bound Hearts #1) (13 page)

I looked right at Courtland. He stared right back at me with clarity and intensity. Gram and the rest of the restaurant faded away into a dull blur.

“Was it? That’s a shame. And I don’t feel bad about that night. Maybe everything afterward, but never when I was with you. That had been perfect.”

Shit. I didn’t mean to say that much. To tell him how much that night saved me, but totally ruined me. I looked away, doing my best to not let him see the hurt in my eyes. He always could see what I was feeling. He kept his eyes on me
, trying to get me to look up at him. So, I slowly started finished my food. When the waitress came by, Courtland still hadn’t taken his eyes off me. I looked up at Gram and she had this pleasant smile on her face.

Really? She mouthed, ‘
what?’
to me and I just rolled my eyes. This was entertaining someone, at least.

The young girl who was serving us was waiting patiently
, but I knew I didn’t want dessert. I didn’t care if Courtland wanted any and I wasn’t bothering Gram with it so I said as politely as I could, “We are finished, thank you. Separate checks, hers and mine together, please.”

“No.”

Don’t look. Don’t get ensnared by his intensity. Agh. I’m gonna look because I wanna glare at him and give’m a piece of my mind! And see his hotness.

“Excuse me?”

Then, he slipped the girl his card and said, “All of it.”

I scoffed and punched his arm. “You don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”

“I’m not Adelaide, but I’m the man at this table. I am not letting you pay for a meal. Not while I’m here I don’t know how men are in Georgia, but here, men take care of the ladies.”

“They
do too, Courtland. Addy is just stubborn.”

He turned to Gram
, and nodded. “Yes. She’s gotten a whole lot more stubborn over the years. She was so sweet when I knew her before.”

He had the nerve to wrap me in his arm and squeeze me to him as he chuckled.

Enough of this shit. I shoved him back.

“Don’t talk around me. I am right here. You want a repeat of the night before last? I don’t care if she’s right here.”

That sobered his jackassery up.

Sighing, he got real clo
se and put his forehead on mine. “Just let me pay please. Don’t take that away from me. I can well afford a meal Adelaide. If it means so much to you, buy us some ice cream later, since you refused a dessert. Please.”

That last whispered please did me in. “Fine. But you can’t tell me no when I want to do something. If I wanna pay-

“I will pay whenever we are together and eat. I’m sorry, but your sense of insecurity won’t stop me. I am a big man. I can eat a lot of food. It’s not a concern for me. Okay?”

The way he was whispering softly and coaxing me into the agreement, I shook my head and let out a laugh. Then backing away
, I held my hands up in surrender.

“Alright
, I concede. For now.”

“Had to add the disclaimer,
didn’t you?”

Courtland

As we were walking out of the restaurant, Gram was ahead of us and I reached for Adelaide’s hand. I tugged her back, so she would slow down. When Gram was out of ear shot I asked her, “Do you have anything to do tomorrow at your Book Convention?”

“No, tomorrow is mainly for agents, and publishers. I could attend. S
ome of my books are under one of the publishing houses, but it’s not a requirement. I was gonna try writing a bit.”

“What about Gram? What will she do?”

“I’m not sure. This is the first time she’s come with me to one of these. I’m not restraining her if she wants to go out and do something, even though I’d prefer she stay there with me. She doesn’t know this area. Back in Georgia, she has her own car and does a lot of stuff with other women her age. I actually didn’t think she’d come with me, but she was adamant on coming so, I couldn’t refuse her.”

I kept her hand tucked into mine, rubbing my thumb across her knuckles. This somehow relaxed me. Just touching her. Nice and easy like this and not have her try and rip her hand away. Never really held a woman’s hand before. I never did relationships. Longest relationship I probably had
, lasted a month. I never held that woman’s hand or wanted to caress it like I was doing now. I liked it with Adelaide though. It felt comfortable and I never felt pressured. Some chicks, all they wanted to do was cling and try and rub themselves all over me. If I got interested, I let them know straight up what I was offering. Sex and nothing but sex.

“No one can refuse her much
, huh? I bet she was hell on your grandpa.”

Laughing with free reign, Adelaide reached out with her other hand and gripped my bicep, holding herself up as she must be thinking about him. “Not really. Oh
, he and Gram argued, but he never got truly angry. I’m pretty sure he just loved riling her up. He always called her a city-slicker since she was from New York. That got to her like nothing did and she always had a quick temper when she was younger. Or when they first got together. I never saw that temper. She was always such a beautiful person. My rock when I needed someone. Grandpa always had this look he gave her that was so vital and precious, like she was his entire reason for breathing. That’s what really got me into writing romance. It just seemed so profound to me a love like that really existed. Mom never talked about her family. I saw them once when I was younger, but that was about it. I am so very happy to have known him and to know her. Ya know?”

Hell. The way she talked about them made me want to know more. I think I just fell a little bit more in love right there. The way Adelaide talked about her Grandparents and the love that they had, I knew she would like that. To have someone look at her just like that. The way her eyes glistened and the smile she had as she said it made her glow. Just like the way she did when she twirled in the moonlight in that field
, ten years ago. Like nothing could go wrong.

A little bit in love? Fuck. I don’t think I ever stopped.

“Yeah, Addy. I do. I understand completely.”

Her smile was contagious and I smiled with her.

“What’s so funny back there?”

Not even a day
, and I had no problem calling her grandmother Gram. Although she never told me her name, just stated, “Call me Gram.” I knew it was kinda weird, but oh well. I didn’t see a problem, except the few times Adelaide looked at me weird for calling her that. I had just shrugged my shoulders and went with it.

“Nothing Gram. Hop in the truck.”

Adelaide waited as I helped Gram in the truck, before I walked her to the passenger side. Before I opened the door, I captured her lips in mine. I just couldn’t resist. Her vibrancy was irresistible. I wanted it for my very own. So I took it. My tongue licked the crest of her upper lip and the small catch of breath she took, allowed me entrance. I kept the kiss brief, but I made sure she knew I wanted her. I drew back and she licked her lips. Damn. That was so hot. Her lips plump and swollen from my kisses. I could look at her like that for the rest of my life.

That’s when I knew I would always love her. It never stopped. For once, I didn’t give a shit about the letter she wrote me. It w
as an afterthought. It was fast-these feelings stirring up inside me but once they were there, they solidified. Somehow, I needed to convince her of giving us a chance. I knew she couldn’t tell yet, but I looked at her just like her grandfather had looked at her Gram. I think that’s why Gram was always smiling since I met her. Adelaide was my reason for breathing and she noticed. I kissed Addy’s temple and I opened the door.

Picking her up from the waist with barely any effort, I placed her in the cab. Buckling her in, I smoothed a hand across her lap and down her leg. In response, I saw her legs clench together. I knew she was wanting the same thing I did. I wanted her beneath me again. She was biting her lip as I slammed the door shut and made my way to the other side. When I was hopping in
, I glanced back at Gram and she winked as she looked at me with a sweet smile.

Nodding to her, I started the truck and made my way back to the hotel. When we got there
, I held Addy back as Gram walked ahead and into the elevator. I let the doors close and we waited for the next one.

I played with her hair as we did. Another calming effect on me
, no doubt. I wasn’t rushing this or wanting to push her. We got into an elevator and as we were riding up, I saw her fidgeting with the hem of her top.

“Addy, you o-hey!”

She let go of her top and grabbed my face and brought it to hers, kissing me with passion and desperation. I put my hands on the railings and let her have her way with me. I had to bend down just a bit so she could kiss me better, but that was okay. She was cradled between my bent legs and moved her mouth to my neck. She was sucking hard enough to leave a hickey on my neck, and I loved it when she bit down. My dick was rock hard and ready to fill the sweet warmth I knew she had between her thighs.

“Adelaide, I’m this close to fucking you against this elevator wall if you don’t calm down.”

“I’ve never done it in an elevator.”

“Fuck. You’re about to if you don’t stop.”

She reached back and looked in my eyes. “I don’t want to stop.”

I stood up, backed her up to reach around for the emergency stop.

“This is gonna be fucking quick before hotel security or maintenance call on the speaker.”

Her eyes lit up and I punched the button as she bent to take off her boots.

“Leave those on.”

The elevators stopped, and I turned to her to undo her belt, button and zipper. I hooked my fingers in the band of her shorts and panties, pulling them down quickly. Adelaide panted harshly as she reached for my own pants.

My jeans were cupped below my ass and I lifted Adelaide up and had her back against the wall. I placed my hand at her entrance, testing to see if she was ready. My finger came back wet and warm.

“Put your arms around my neck.”

She did and holding on to her hips, I thrust myself inside her. She cried out my name with hunger. I pushed my hips deeper inside. The heels on her boots were digging into my ass and I felt her inner sheath squeeze me tight. Letting me know how close she was to the brink.

“Yes. Harder. So good
, Courtland. So good. Go deeper. Faster.”

I kissed her lips and made my way to her ear. “You like it when I go fast Adelaide? Pounding this sweet
, hot pussy into orgasm? You feel so fucking tight on my dick. Choking my dick each time you squeeze me. Nothing feels better than taking you. Hold on tight, babe. That’s it, Addy. Say my name.”

“Courtland. Oh. Yes. Fuck me harder
, Courtland. Almost there. So close. God that barbell is hitting
right there
. So fucking good. You fuck me so good, Courtland.”

“Fuckin’A
, I do. Love hearing my name on your lips. So long. Only name I want on your lips is mine when you come. Tell me whose taking you.”

“You.”

“Say my name.”

“Courtland. Ah, y
es. Just about-

Her voice stalled in peaking pleasure and I held her against the wall bracing my legs as I held her hip with one hand and my other went straight to her clit. Keeping my thrusts hard and quick, she came and feeling her cream spill around me, had me only taking a few more quick jerks and I was busting my load inside her.

Her voice whimpered out as she said my name and when I came, I called out hers before placing my mouth at her neck, leaving yet another mark. Then, tracing my lips back up to hers, I kissed her slowly and gently. Showing her I could be tender and sweet even as I had pounded into her like a man on a mission.

Her breath was slowly coming down back to normal and she laid her head back on the wall.

“This is hotel maintenance, is everything alright?”

Leaning away from Adelaide, her eyes wide
ned with mortification. I kissed her nose, winked and called out an answer.

“Yeah, just pushed the wrong button. Sorry about that.”

My voice was low from all the heavy breathing and keeping Addy lifted. From pushing and thrusting. Even though she was half panicking, she giggled and I felt her inner walls suck on my semi erection and I groaned out from the sensitivity.

“Uh, okay. We’ll go ahead and get y’all on your way.”

“Thanks.”

Turning back to Adelaide, her face was lit up with mirth and I said, “Don’t start.” Then I shift
ed and she whimpered, catching her lip between her teeth.

“So, Courtland, that must totally be your sex voice huh? That’s so hot. Hopefully they didn’t think anything by it.”

Laughing, I said, “Damn girl. You make me laugh Addy.”

And she did. She had this way
about her that was contagious. I laughed right along with her.

“Ha. I do my best.”

I lifted her off me slowly. I didn’t want to hurt her, and I knew I was rougher than I was before. I lowered to my haunches, picked up her discarded panties and shorts and put them back on her.

That’s when the elevator shaft dinged, shook itself awake and began its ascent to the seventh floor.

My dick was begging for more. It wanted to go for round two, but I didn’t want to push my luck. I’ve always had a high stamina. Looking at her, her beautifully messed up hair, the bright blush staining her cheeks was adorable and sexy. I tucked myself back in my jeans and fixed myself while I kept my eyes trained on her.

“Gram will totally know what happened when I walk in there. I can feel my hair all out of place. Just look at it!”

She started messing with the loose strands, trying to tame it. The top part came unraveled when her head been moving against the wall. I took both of her hands and placed them on my chest.

“Let me.”

Her eyes stayed focused on my chest as I stripped her of the hair tie, and slipped it on my wrist. I untangled her braid and combed her hair with my fingers to make it look as if I didn’t just give her hot wall-bangin’ sex.

Her waves fell to the tops of her breasts where I could clearly see the outline of her nipples and the piercings. I leaned in real close and whispered, “Ready for round two?”

Laughing, she took the band from my wrist and threw her hair up in a messy up-do.

“My Gram is here. Remember?”

Groaning, I knew as soon as I got home and in the shower, I would be fisting my cock into release. It wasn’t too late right now. Just a little bit after nine. I didn’t want the night to end. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could. That’s when I thought of the perfect way to spend the whole day tomorrow with her.

“Hey Addy?
Go to Galveston with me tomorrow. You said you don’t have to go tomorrow. It’s supposed to be nice and warm. Some sun. Some fun. Gram can come too. She’s never been to the Gulf, right? It’s been practically a life time for you too, huh?”

I held her hand as we rode to the right floor. It stopped, and just as we were stepping out
, the emergency speaker came back on and I could hear the laughter.

“Next time, please wait until you’re in your hotel room to uh, have a happy ending.”

“Oh. My. God.” Adelaide ripped her hand from mine and walked briskly towards her room. Still laughing that we were caught, I jogged to meet her as she was searching her wallet for the key-card.

“Addy
, wait up.”

“Wait up? They must have seen us have SEX! They heard us say all that
,
illicit
stuff. Aren’t you embarrassed or freaking out? They could have seen my bits and pieces!”

Shit. She was right. That stopped my sudden burst of laughter. I didn’t like thinking anyone seeing what was mine uncovered to her bare flesh. I’ll be damned if she’s not mine either. She might not know it yet, but I saw the stars in her eyes when she talked to me sometimes. I knew I looked at her like her grandfather looked at her grandmother. I loved her. With everything in my being. My very reason for breathing ten years ago and that hasn’t changed.