Page 18 of We're All Liars

“Totally.” I try to act unbothered.

“Hetotallygot to you,” Topher teases as he does some stupid celebration dance in front of me that reminds me of when he scores a touchdown on the field.

Standing, I move in front of him. “I willtotallybreak your legs if you don’t get out of my face.”

He stumbles back, his hands waving me off. “Yeah. Yeah. I know you’re still a heartless bitch. But it’s about fucking time.” Topher lets out another whistle before disappearing into the crowd. I’ve never wanted to knock him out as much as I want to right now. But I elect against it since he wants to keep up the idiotic announcement. And I decide to have another drink.

Fucking Cade Crawford will not get out of my head. And I’m not about to tell him that. Those words will never leave my mouth. But before I can think twice, I stand and head for the door. I won’t admit to shit. But that isn’t going to stop me from getting what I want tonight.

18

CADE

I see her sitting on the dock. For a second, I think I’m dreaming. Then I realize this might be the start of another nightmare. My gut tells me we’re past that, but it’s normal for Morgan to go out of her way to create a shock wave. I’d expect nothing less from her now. I just pray she’s at least past hating me so much that she’s only here to set shit on fire—literally and metaphorically. Please let her be here for any other reason.

She doesn’t look to me. But her words are more annoyed than angry. “Topher was whining like a little bitch because you’re here pouting instead of getting inebriated with him.”

“Anyone else miss me at the party?” I ask, watching as she slowly turns to look at me.

“Nope.”

“Well, should I expect anything around here to go up in flames? I really can’t lose my job. Again.” That’s the truth if I ever spoke it. This place has been the only thing keeping me sane when everything else in life has been spiraling.

“Don’t worry. Your beloved job is safe.” She brings her knees to her chest, her arms wrapping around her bare legs.

I am a little surprised to see she hasn’t changed since the game ended hours ago, not to mention the wind off the lake is no match for the skimpy cheer uniform… even if the top has long sleeves. Reaching down, I pull my hoodie over my head, then hold it out to her.

Instead of the refusal I was expecting, she takes it from me and puts it on, then brings her knees back up, slipping them under the sweatshirt too, and wraps her arms around them. The last time she came here, it was with a purpose—pretending to be drunk, an act I should’ve seen for what it was—but back then, she was up to something. I shouldn’t let my guard down now, and I don’t completely… but I actually believe she doesn’t have some evil plot to carry out for once.

Dropping down beside her, I let my legs dangle off the dock and glance forward to where she’s staring. There’re few lights on the water, mostly coming from the main area of the marina. Otis keeps saying he is going to install more, along with some cameras, but the owner of the place keeps saying having surveillance is more of a liability than a safety net.

And moments like this, I’m glad there aren’t any cameras around. There’s no one watching us. No one for her entertain. No one for me to convince of anything either. Just us. “Want to talk about it?” I ask, taking a quick glance her way.

She shakes her head. “Nothing to talk about. Just bored.”

“God, Morgan,” I breathe, unable hide the frustration. “Just give me the fucking signal already.” I know she wants this. Wants us. But she’d rather be stubborn and suffer than actually be happy for five seconds.

When she starts to move, I think she’s either going to walk away again or push me off the dock. To my utter surprise, she doesn’t do either. She climbs onto my lap, straddles me, and grips my shoulders. Her captivating eyes lock on mine. “I’m here. That has to be enough, because that’s all I’ve got.”

Reaching forward, I wrap my arms around her torso and pull her closer. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She’s offering me a morsel. And I’ll take it. I can’t let her run off and hide now. Baby steps. Because for Morgan, it’s one gigantic-ass effort. Closing the space between us, I move my mouth over hers. There’s so much that needs to be said. But it won’t happen tonight. It’s not worth forcing her to face the truth. But I have to say something. “I’ve missed you. There’s one thing I won’t bargain on. I’m not spending another night without you. I need sleep. And I need you there for that to happen.”

Do I sleep better with her curled against me? Yes. And I know she sleeps better too. Even with me waking her up, she never gets into the full-blown nightmares. Ryder says she still won’t admit it to him, but he hears the horrible time she has in her sleep. He’s had to check on her a few times during the night when her screams carried down the hallway.

“Just stop talking.” Of course she doesn’t outright agree and just slides her hands under my shirt. Her cold fingertips on my skin remind me that we can’t sleep out here. And I’m not sure I want to go back to her place. “Want to go to Neil’s? I’m sure the party is still going on.”

“In a minute.” She rocks against me, moving her hand lower to unbutton my jeans. And I already know what she wants.

“Only a minute?” I joke. “Surely you want more than that.”

“Shut up.” Her fierceness finally kicks in as she firmly grips my dick, only loosening her hand enough to stroke me. Fuck. I need to concentrate, or it really will only be a minute.

Carefully maneuvering, I stand up and bring her with me, her legs hooked around my waist. Not breaking our kiss, I walk over to the nearest yacht. It’s the Hebert one. I know I’m risking my job, but there’s nothing I won’t lose to make sure I keep her.

Stepping inside the cabin, I shut the door behind us. The glass still allowing for some of the light outside but just enough for me to see her fuck-me eyes as I set her down on the sofa. I remove my hoodie from her, thankful for the warmth of the boat’s cabin as I peel every piece of fabric from her body. My shirt quickly joins the pile before I lean forward, my chest against hers, to capture her mouth.

Her fingernails dig into my back as she clings to me. My craving for her surges. Moving my hand between her thighs, I push my fingers inside her. She’s so fucking wet for me. “Fuck, Morgan. I need to hear it. You have to give me a little more. Mine. Say it.” It’s not just for the sake of having her body. It’s more. It’s knowing that she’s mine to keep. Mine to fuck. Mine to cherish. Forever. And she won’t let anyone else touch her because she belongs with me, to me. And I fucking belong to her. Why else would I be panting like fucking dog in heat at the thought of tasting her again? And it doesn’t matter what she says, I’m going to claim her again tonight. But I still want her to declare it.

Trailing my tongue down, I suck her nipple into my mouth. Her hand moves into my hair, clutching, as her hips rock, her pussy rubbing against my hand as she shoves my head lower.