Wanted_Found Page 4

  I parked on her side of the garage and waited for her to stir.

  After a few minutes of her not stirring, I said, “Scarlette?”

  “Hmm . . . No, Momma, you eat that. I promise I’m fine.”

  I gripped the steering wheel until my knuckles were white. I promised myself she would never want for anything again. I hopped out of the truck and went to her side. Putting my hands underneath her, I picked her up. “Hey, sweetheart. We’re home.”

  She barely stirred as I cradled her to my chest. Then ever so softly, she murmured, “Don’t leave me again.”

  The fist gripped my heart tighter. “I won’t. Not even if you send me away.”

  She snuggled in deeper against my chest, and I kissed the top of her head. “I got us dinner. Do you want to eat?”

  “Not hungry. You wore me out.”

  Yep. Dumbfuck. “I’ll put you to bed and go back to my place.”

  Ol’ Trusty would be my companion—again.

  Her fist clenched my shirt, and the vanilla scent I loved wafted through the air. “Stay with me tonight, Austin. Please.”

  Music to my fucking ears. “Yeah, sweetheart. I’d like that a lot.”

  Inside her apartment, I carried her back to her bedroom. Sleepily, she crawled into her bed.

  “I’ll be right back. I need to get the food out of my truck. Need anything?”

  “I’m good.” Or at least that’s what I thought she mumbled.

  Quickly, I got the food, scarfed down a few bites, and put the rest in the fridge. When I returned to her bedroom, Scarlette was asleep under the covers, her blond hair splayed across the pillow.

  I took a few minutes to stare at her.

  Mine.

  She was mine.

  And I wouldn’t do anything to fuck it up this time.

  I took off my pants and shirt, leaving my boxers on. I got under the covers and took a deep breath as my cock hardened. Down boy. Not tonight. Yeah, that wasn’t helping. Scarlette scooted closer and wrapped her arm around my waist. Her leg draped over mine. Oh fuck. This was going to be the longest night of my life.

  ***

  I awoke to find the bed empty. Where is she? I threw back the covers and went into the living room. Scarlette stood at the kitchen counter, eating.

  “Did I wake you?”

  “No, I usually wake up several times throughout the night.” She closed the container and put the food back in the fridge. “I was starving.”

  The glimmer from the lamp gave just enough light. When she walked around the corner, I saw that her shirt stopped just above her belly button. Hell, the small shorts she wore should be a sin. My dick hardened at the sight.

  Shit.

  I dragged a hand down my face. “I’m going to take a cold shower.”

  She giggled. “Why?”

  “Because I need to cool off. I’ll be back to bed in a bit.”

  The lingering scent of vanilla only made things worse. A year ago, I had dripped vanilla ice cream down her body and licked if off. This sweet, timid girl turned into a wildcat in the bedroom. Shaking my head, I walked to the bathroom. Ol’ Trusty would get his workout tonight, after all.

  I reached for the shower when the door opened. Scarlette walked in, chewing on her bottom lip. Fuck yes, there was desire in Scarlette’s eyes. She hopped up on the counter and left her legs parted slightly.

  “You want to watch me shower?”

  “I thought you were coming in here to jack off?”

  “I was.”

  She spread her legs a little wider. “Wouldn’t you like to fuck instead?”

  Hell to the freaking yes. Before another word was said, I nearly pounced on her. She lifted her ass and I pulled her shorts off with ease. Hell, I could come in my pants at the sight of her pink pussy. Savor this moment. I trailed my fingers up her legs. “You sure about this? I don’t want to rush you.”

  “I’m sure. If I don’t come soon, I’m going to explode.”

  I traced almost to her entrance and stopped, and Scarlette gave a little whimper. Bending down, I kissed her neck.

  “Touch me, please.”

  “I’m going to take my time with you.”

  I moved my free hand up her stomach under her shirt. When I found her perky nipple, I rolled it between my fingers. Without warning, I touched her clit and slid a finger inside.

  Throwing her head back, she moaned. “Yes! Oh, that feels so good.”

  I moved faster, eager to see the look of pure ecstasy on her face. Squeezing her nipple harder, I added another finger to her warm pussy and waited for her to explode. With a little more pressure to her clit, she detonated. I kissed her as she orgasmed, savoring her taste.

  “Wrap your legs around me. I’m taking you to bed where I’m going to make love to you.”

  She pulled out a condom from behind her back. “Or you could fuck me first. Make love to me later.”

  She was a wet dream come true. “Scarlette.”

  She slowly slid her shirt over her head. “I remember what your dick felt like inside me.” She rubbed her nipples and threw her head back. “Oh, you could fuck me for days.”

  Within a nanosecond, I was sheathed and had her against the wall. With as much restraint as a man in this situation could have, I pushed into her.

  Sweet heavens.

  Scarlette dug her nails into my back. “Oh, Austin. Move. Harder. Please.”

  I pulled out and slammed back in. We moaned as the sensations rocketed through us. Nothing would ever compare to being with this woman. Nothing.

  I continued to pump into her, holding back until I was about to see stars and a light sheen of sweat coated our bodies. This was it. I couldn’t hold on any longer. As I entered her one last time, her name was a prayer on my lips.

  Best. Feeling. Ever.

  Chapter Eight

  Scarlette

  I OPENED MY EYES AND stared at Austin’s face. He was still asleep, and his dark lashes fanned across his cheek. My beautiful man. Last night had been everything I’d wanted. Austin understood me on a level no one else did. There was a part of me I could only unleash when I was with him. He fulfilled the raw, sexual need within me. We’d been together just under two weeks, but our souls knew each other.

  I shifted, and his arms tightened around me. “Mornin’, sweetheart.”

  “Morning.”

  After all the activity from the night before, I was deliciously sore. Austin was still, and I sensed his worry. I put my hand on his jaw. “What’s wrong?”

  “Are you okay with what happened? I should have taken my time with you. Made love to you. Not taken you like some teenager with no will power.” His eyebrows drew together in a frown and his mouth turned down.

  I kissed his cheek. “I didn’t want that. I wanted exactly what you gave me. It was perfect.”

  He blew out a breath and kissed me hard. “Thank fuck.”

  “Why were you worried?”

  He shifted me underneath him and stroked my cheek. “I don’t want to rush you into anything. I’m doing everything I can to make sure I don’t mess this up. I know what you liked a year ago in that hotel room, but I want to make sure it’s what you really want.”

  The heartache I’d experienced a year ago had been worth it because it led me back to Austin. “Last night was perfect. Beyond perfect. What you gave me is what I wanted.”

  Then I remembered that his mom was coming into town. I jutted out my lip. “It’s sad you’ll be over at your place tonight.”

  “Why the hell would I stay over there?” he said, his brow furrowed.

  Stating the obvious, I repeated what he’d said in case I’d missed something. “Your parents are coming into town.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m a grown man. I can stay with my girlfriend and not need a time out.”

  I wiggled underneath him as the hunger in his eyes grew. “Austin . . . I don’t want them to think badly of me.”

  “They won’t. I don’t want to stay apart, Scarl
ette.” Austin’s dick hardened against my thigh.

  His mother’s ringtone filtered through the room and his dick immediately softened. Austin didn’t move to answer it, but it kept ringing. “Get that. It might be important.”

  “Cockblocking her son now.” He cleared his throat as I giggled, and then he answered. “Hey, Mom. What? Already?” His eyes grew wide. “Yeah, give me like twenty minutes. Yes, she is. Yeah. Okay.”

  What’s going on?

  He hung up the phone. “They’re here.”

  I shot out of bed. “Like, here, here? As in ‘in the driveway’ here?”

  “Yeah.”

  There was no time to look at what he was doing. His parents were here. Like here. I’d be meeting them in minutes. In a whirlwind, I searched through my clothes and settled on a summer dress. Panic ensued. What if they don’t like me? His parents were here. And they were close. Like, really close as a family. I froze, feeling like the room was closing in on me. “Austin, I can’t meet them right now.”

  I turned toward the bathroom, looking for a place to hide, when his arms wound around me. “Scarlette, it will be fine.”

  The warmth from his arms soothed me some, but this was still too much. I’d planned to spend the day preparing to meet his parents. I needed more than a few minutes.

  “Relax. I promise it will be fine.”

  I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm. “I want to make a good impression.”

  Austin spun me around, and the intensity of his stare sent goosebumps along my skin. “They already like you because you’re important to me.”

  I huffed, blowing some hair out of my face. “If you say so.”

  Leaning down, he gave me a little kiss, and I focused on his touch as he murmured, “Just relax. If you want me to ask them to come back later, I can. Or we can go hang out at my place.”

  That would be worse. Then I would have to go over there and feel awkward walking into Austin’s place without knocking. I just needed a few minutes to gather myself. “No. Don’t do that. Let me brush my teeth. I’ll meet you in the living room in a bit. I just need to . . . give me a few minutes.”

  He gave me another kiss. “Deep breaths. They don’t bite. Take all the time you need.”

  I tried to smile, but my stomach felt queasy. When he closed the door, I sat on the bed for a few minutes to gather my thoughts. I can do this. It’ll be fine. Feeling more optimistic, I got myself off the bed and headed to the bathroom.

  Before I was mentally ready, I was presentable and the bed was made. The bedroom looked like we’d only played cards there the night before. I giggled, thinking about how untrue that statement was. After he took me against the wall, I’d ridden him cowgirl style. Yee-haw, welcome to Texas, Scarlette. I stifled my giggle, trying to get serious.

  Austin’s parents are in my living room.

  At the bedroom door, I heard a booming laugh that was similar to Austin’s, yet different. Quietly, I opened the door to see two older people standing with their backs to me. Austin’s eyes lit up when they landed on me. At his change of expression, his parents turned around.

  “Mom, Dad, meet Scarlette Noelle. Scarlette, these are my parents, Doris and Gene.”

  Doris turned to me with a brilliant smile on her face, happy wrinkles framing her eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Scarlette. I’m sorry for showing up earlier than expected. We made better time on the road than we anticipated. And I was excited to meet you. It wasn’t until we got here that I realized it might not be a good idea.”

  I held out my hand. “I’m glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things from Austin.”

  “Well, I’m glad my son finally got his head out of his ass. He’s been pining over you for quite some time,” Doris replied.

  Oh, this gray-haired woman was feisty. I liked it. “I’m glad we ran into each other again.” I blushed and looked down. It was time for a subject change.

  Gene must have sensed it, too, or he had impeccable timing. He extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Scarlette.”

  “You, too. Would you like some breakfast? I have eggs and sausage. Maybe some biscuits.” It was so wonderful having food in my house. Being able to afford the food to cook for other people was an indescribable feeling.

  Austin came around and wrapped his arm around my waist. “Mom, Dad. Let me help Scarlette get breakfast together while you get settled in my place.”

  “Doris, honey, let’s get settled. I know I could use a shower.” Gene walked toward the door, but Doris didn’t take her eyes off us. “Doris! Come on. She’s not going to disappear. You’re going to freak her out if you don’t stop hovering.”

  That broke the ice, and I laughed as Doris slumped her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I know I’m being creepy. It’s just I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Doris!”

  She threw her hands in the air. “Okay! Okay! I’m coming. Hold onto your drawers. But if she does disappear, I’m holding you responsible.”

  I loved the banter between his parents. It made me feel more at ease and less on display.

  The door closed, and I grinned. “Oh my, I think I just fell in love with your mom.”

  Austin gave me a kiss, and I could sense his relief as the stiffness in his shoulders eased ever so slightly. “She’s a mess but excited to meet you. Let’s cook breakfast. Knowing Mom, she’ll be away for about five minutes and not be able to stand it.”

  We had the biscuits in the oven and the eggs were ready for the skillet when the door opened about ten minutes later. “You need any help?”

  Austin and I glanced at each other with secret smiles. He hadn’t been far off from his predictions.

  “I think we’ve got it,” I said.

  Austin turned the sizzling sausage over in the pan. “Where’s Dad?”

  “Oh, he was taking too long. I think he’s still in the shower. Old fart’s doing it on purpose. He’s in there singing and carrying on while running up your water bill.”

  Sweet Gene. I could only imagine Doris hanging onto the bathroom door, trying to rush him to come back over. I added one last dash of pepper to the eggs. “What would you like to do today?” I asked Doris.

  Austin looked my way with a smile. It was important to him for me to get along with his family. And I wanted a family. I loved my parents and cherished every memory of when they were alive, but they were the only family I’d had and they were gone.

  Doris thought for a second. “I would love to go to Marble Falls. Oh, and stop by a furniture store in town. A man named Josh Hayes is supposed to make the most incredible furniture. I want to see about having a custom piece done and shipped home. Though Gene doesn’t really want to do the shopping part. So maybe we can just do Marble Falls.”

  The other skillet was warm, so I poured in the eggs, saying, “Why don’t we all go to Marble Falls. Then you and I can go to the furniture store when we get back. Fredericksburg has some other cute little shops we could visit.” Though funds weren’t as tight, I still wouldn’t be buying anything.

  Doris responded, “I would love that. I’ll drive and treat you to lunch afterward.”

  “Sounds like a date.”

  Doris gave me a side hug. “I can’t wait.”

  Life was perfect. Maybe I was closer to checking off Momma’s second dying wish than I ever imagined.

  Chapter Nine

  Austin

  IT WAS GETTING LATE, AND Mom and Scarlette hadn’t returned from furniture shopping. As it turned out, Josh Hayes was a good friend of the Mathews’. He was going to build Mom her custom-made china cabinet at a discount. Mason was such a unique place. I’d have to drop by with a case of beer sometime. Lord knew he could use it with the twins. His wife, Heather, was a sweetheart. From what they’d said, it had taken a while for them to figure things out. And now they seemed so in love. One day, I wanted that kind of chaos—toys everywhere, Scarlette holding our child.

  Someday.

  Life was fucking perfect.
Dad handed me a beer on the back porch on Scarlette’s side. “I like her, son.”

  I tapped his bottle with mine. “Me, too.”

  “I think it’s probably a little more than like for you.”

  I took a pull from my beer, staring out into the yard. “Yeah, it is. But I’ve got to take my time with her. I don’t want to fuck it all up again.”

  “You’ll know when it’s right, son.”

  My phone vibrated with another text from Angie. Shit. That’s the second one this morning. Yesterday, she texted me four times and called twice. It was becoming more frequent—too frequent. I still hadn’t told Scarlette about her. Not intentionally, of course; it just never came up.

  Angie: Hey, I wanted to know if you had time to talk. I’m having a rough day.

  I blew out a breath, frustrated.

  Dad asked, “What is it, Austin?”

  “Angie. She’s having a hard time. We’re coming up on the anniversary of Kevin’s death, and for the last few days, she’s been calling and texting a lot.”

  “Your mom mentioned something about it. How often is she reaching out?” Dad took a seat in one of the chairs around the table.

  I followed suit and leaned back. “Before a few days ago, it was a few times a month. Lately, it’s been every day, usually at night. This is the second time today. I told her about Scarlette the first night she called, and she seemed happy for me.”

  “Doesn’t she have parents? A sister?”

  I leaned my head back, rubbing at my temples. “Yeah. I feel like an asshole. I want to do what I can for Kevin’s girl, but . . . I don’t know. Shit, it’s tough.”

  I felt guilty for having thoughts like this. Angie was a sweet girl, and her fiancé had been killed in combat. That affected people. I got it, but I hated the fact that the past clung to me through her. I wanted to move forward and be free.

  Dad took another drink. “You told Scarlette about her?”

  “No. Not yet. I keep meaning to. I know I need to.”

  “Word to the wise: No matter how innocent it is, don’t let it be a surprise to Scarlette. She walks by and sees Angie’s name pop up . . . Not good. You don’t want to plant that seed of doubt in her mind.”