Page 100 of Never Really Over

Layla:I’ll be at your house at 2:30. We’ll ride together.

Just like that. No questions asked, she’s willing to drop whatever she had planned for today and be there for me. I don’t think I could walk into Natalie’s house on my own and just knowing she’s going to be there with me has my pulse slowing down.

It makes me feel weak, not being able to handle something like going to my late sister’s house without her, and I hate that feeling. If I can’t do this on my own, what does that say about me? I’m pathetic. I’m already second-guessing my decision to ask her to join me only because I don’t want her to see me as some coward who can’t do shit on my own.

But, as I said, I’m weak and pathetic, only feeling strong enough when she’s with me. For that reason, and because I want to see her, I’m glad I sucked it up and asked her to join me today.

When Natalie died, I felt so alone. Even knowing my friends were there to help didn’t fill me with a sense that I had others I could count on. Lowering my defenses around Layla was the best decision I ever made.

Where I’m weak, she’s strong. I hope I can do the same for her.

An hour later, an hour earlier than she told me she’d arrive, Layla’s pulling up to my house. I go outside to greet her, Maverick running out with me.

She steps out of her car and I don’t slow down.

I take her in my arms, pinning her against her car. She cries out in surprise and I take advantage of her open mouth. I sweep my tongue inside her mouth and she answers back, slipping her hands around the back of my neck. She moans and I feel the vibration against my tongue.

“Fuck,” I growl, trailing my hands down her sides to grip her delectable ass and lifting her. She wraps her legs around my waist and I grind into her.

“Colt,” she whispers. “More,” she pleads.

“You want more?”

“Always. It’s never enough with you. Never.”

I know the feeling, because every kiss just fuels the fire inside me, wanting and needing everything she’s willing to give me.

“I need…” She stops talking, gasping for air as she lifts her head, cupping my face. “Everything. I need everything.” She’s reading my mind, which shouldn’t surprise me. We always knew what the other was thinking without having to say the words.

Looking between her eyes, I see a vulnerability there. She’s laying it all out there and she’s waiting for me to do the same.

I’m still holding her against the car, kissing her neck, feeling her pulse racing. “Everything, huh?”

Her fingers flex against my neck and she wiggles, wanting me to release her. Reluctantly, I do, but I don’t step away.

“I promised not to rush, but you need to know.”

Something primal in me needs to hear her say the words. Or maybe it’s part of my weakness or carryover hurt from the past. “Know what?”

“That in case I wasn’t clear, I’m in this, Colt. With you. With Poppy. I want to be a part of your lives.”

“You are.” It’s why I wanted her with me today. I thought I was weak but maybe it’s just that I’m stronger with her. She gives me strength and I’ve wanted her more than ever before. “You are,” I say again, with more intensity in my voice when I see the doubt in her eyes.

I give her some space between us but hold her hand, needing the comfort of her touch. She takes a deep breath. “I hate being away from you, Colt. It might sound a little pitiful, my admission, but it’s the truth. We had twelve years apart and it was too long. I’ve been trying to go slow, but it’s killing me. Last night when you and Poppy left, it felt like a part of me was leaving with you.”

“Do you know why I asked you to come with me today?”

She shakes her head.

“Because I need you with me. You wondered if it made you pitiful and I thought it made me weak and pathetic. But that’s not true. We’re just stronger together. What you’re feeling, I’m feeling, too. The only reason I’m not demanding more is because it’s not just about me. If it were, I wouldn’t let you out of my bed. I’d handcuff you to the headboard if I had to.”

She bites her lip but I don’t miss the sparkle in her eyes. It’s the same one I see when she’s turned on. “Hmm. Kidnapping me? Handcuffs?”

The corner of my mouth ticks up. I think there’s a naughty side to Layla that she hasn’t let me see yet. Looks like we have some exploring to do.

Layla tugs on the waistband of my jeans and pulls me to her. I cage her in between my arms, kissing her until we’re both breathless.

“Poppy sleeping?”

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