Rekindle Read online

  He walks me to my door and kisses me goodnight. His kiss is soft and sweet with a hint of need. When he lifts his lips from mine, he looks at me intently.

  "Had a great night, M. Thank you for that."

  "Thank you for my fabulous putting lessons."

  He smirks at me and touches my lips once more. "I'm going to be working this weekend, so I probably won’t see you much until later in the week, but I'll call."

  "Okay. Talk to you soon."

  "Goodnight, M&M. Sweet dreams."

  "Goodnight, Rhett."

  I let myself inside and head straight for my room, crawling under the covers of my bed. My mind is spiraling with everything that has happened over the past few weeks, but when I fall asleep, I do it smiling and I have sweet dreams.

  It’s been a week since Rhett and I had our mini-golf date. We haven’t seen each other much, other than a night together with all of our friends at Reed’s for burgers and beer. Somehow we’ve all just merged together into one big group. They’re no longer my friends or Rhett’s friends. They’re simply our friends. It feels natural, our lives meshing together like this, even after only a month and a half. Rhett has integrated himself into my life so deeply that I can’t see him not being there. It’s the little things—the random texts during the day, late night phone calls, calling in our favorite pizza order for delivery when he knows I’ve had a long day. They aren’t huge things, but I’ve come to crave those moments with Rhett… The moments when he makes sure I know he’s spending time thinking about me. It’s not something I’m used to, but it’s something that I’ve come to love. My phone pings with an incoming text, and speaking of the devil….

  Rhett: What does a nosy pepper do?

  I stare at the text. He does this all of the time. His texting repertoire is full of useless facts and corny jokes.

  Me: What?

  Rhett: Gets jalapeño business.

  I let out a loud, short laugh and shake my head. Where he gets these things from, I will never know. My guess would be Micah.

  Me: Hardy-har-har. That was a good one. How’s your night going?

  I settle deeper into the blankets on my bed. It’s rare that I get to talk to Rhett on a night when he’s working, so I’ll text him as long as he is able.

  Rhett: So far, so good. Definitely ready for tomorrow.

  Me: What’s tomorrow?

  Rhett: If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

  Me: Tease.

  Rhett: Not even close. Gotta run. Sweet dreams, M.

  Me: Goodnight, Rhett.

  I smile and curl into my pillow. I already know I’ll be settling in for sweet dreams…ones that include Rhett.

  Someone is shaking me. Whoever that person is, they are going to die—preferably slowly and painfully—for waking me up on a Saturday. I’ve decided all of this before I open my eyes to see Rhett standing above me, a smirk on his face.

  “You know, you’re gorgeous. It’s going to be a shame to have to kill you,” I mutter sleepily before rolling over.

  Rhett lets out a low chuckle and crawls into bed behind me. “Wake up, sleepy head. We have plans today.” His kiss to the base of my neck almost makes me want to wake up. Almost.

  “I have plans that include sleep, mister. I don’t know what your plans are.” I roll toward him, I can’t help it. He’s warm and perfect to snuggle into.

  “As much as I love having you in my arms, M, we will have plenty of time for that tonight. C’mon. Let’s go.” He stands and grabs my hands to pull me out of bed.

  I reluctantly stand up and stretch. Rhett grabs my waist and bends to kiss me. I immediately turn my head and his lips land on my cheek. He pulls back and looks at me quizzically.

  “Nasty morning breath. I’m going to grab a shower and get dressed. I’ll be ready in just a minute. Any hint as to where we’re going, so I can get dressed?”

  “Wear something comfy. I’ve already got your bag packed for tonight.”

  “Oh, really? How did you manage that?”

  “Cam,” he says with a shrug, like her name is all the explanation I need. Which it is. Cam loves surprises. She thrives on them.

  “Be out in a jiffy!” I say with a quick kiss to his cheek.

  I walk out of the bathroom a few minutes later in a pair of yoga pants and an off-the-shoulder sweater. I throw on a pair of slip-on tennis shoes and I’m ready to go. I make my way to the kitchen where Rhett is standing with a travel mug of coffee.

  “My hero!” I coo as I grab for the cup, but he holds it above my head.

  “You can have your fix when I get mine,” he says, wrapping his free arm around me. He sets the travel mug on the counter and wraps his other arm tightly around me before bending me over and pressing his lips to mine. His kiss is slow and thorough, erasing my need for anything other than his taste. He pulls away reluctantly.

  “If I don’t stop now, we won’t be leaving this house today.” He drops another quick peck to my lips and hands me my coffee. “C’mon, beautiful. Places to go, things to see.” He grabs my hand and we’re out the door.

  A little more than an hour later, we’re pulling into a condominium complex on Dauphin Island. The building is beautiful, sprawling the beach area. We step out of the car and the salty sea air assaults my senses. I absolutely love the smell of the beach. I haven’t been to one in so long, and a relaxing night here seems like the perfect getaway.

  Rhett grabs my hand as we check into our condo. Once we’re done, it doesn’t take long to find our way to the beach. The air is crisp with fall and the beach isn’t crowded at all. We walk, holding hands and taking in the beauty and serenity of this place. When we come across a large driftwood tree, we stop, nestle down in the sand, and lean against it—me between his legs with my back against his chest.

  “Thank you for this. I can’t tell you a time I’ve been more relaxed,” I say, leaning my head against his shoulder.

  He wraps his arms around my stomach and gives me a squeeze. “Anything for you, M. Anything.”

  “You did it, Rhett,” I say after a few moments of silence.

  “Did what?”

  “Proved to me that I don’t need anyone else. I can’t imagine anyone giving me more than you have in the last month. Making me feel the way you have.”

  “You act like it’s some great feat, M. Being with you is as natural as breathing to me. Are you admitting that you’re mine now? Complications and all?”

  “I’ve always been yours, Rhett. In some form or fashion.”

  He lets out a breath that is so deep it sounds like he’s been holding it for months. “That right there, M—that’s all I will ever need.”

  We sit on the beach until it’s time to get ready for dinner. Once we make our way back to the room, I shower and dress in the master bedroom. Rhett has been waiting in the living room, being that he is a man and it takes him approximately five seconds to get ready. Cam packed me exactly what I would have packed myself—no surprise. Elegant and sexy, my black dress is knee length with sheer sleeves. The back of the dress drops in a deep V, exposing most of my back. Simple gold bangles adorn my wrist, and my strappy gold heels complete the look. I check the mirror for the last time, applying a coat of gloss, and make my way to the living room.

  Rhett is standing against the railing on the patio. He turns to face me when he hears my heels clicking against the floor. We are both momentarily frozen in place, drinking each other in. He is absolutely stunning in his dark suit and pale blue shirt. His hair is that perfect mix of fixed and messy, like he’s spent just enough time running his fingers through it, and his green eyes are drinking me in with fierce desire.

  He makes his way to me. “You—” his voice is hoarse, so he clears his throat and tries again. “You look absolutely breathtaking, M.”

  I can feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. “You look pretty great yourself, hot stuff.” He chuckles and places a kiss below my ear.

  “Let’s go to dinner.” He places his hand
at my back and I immediately feel his body still. I turn to face him and his eyes are closed tightly.

  “Rhett?”

  “Jesus Christ, M. Are you trying to kill me?” He shakes his head to gain his composure. I smile to myself at the small victory as we head to dinner.

  “Why teaching?” Rhett asks as we’re finishing dinner.

  “I don’t know. It just seemed natural. I love reading, but being a librarian was out of the question. I need interaction and noise. I can’t function in the quiet, so teaching just seemed like the best fit. And it was. I honestly couldn’t have picked a better career. I love watching these kids absorb these books. Not everyone gets it, and that’s okay, but the ones who do—I don’t know, Rhett—it’s like watching them come alive.” I shrug and take a sip of wine. It’s hard to put into words what teaching means to me.

  “You’re a natural at it. I can see it written all over your face.” He smiles indulgently. “What about Cam? Where does she fit into your move?”

  I sigh. This is a bit of a tougher question. “Well, Cam needed to get away. I guess that’s the best way to put it. Chicago was a toxic place for her. It was actually her idea to move, and it was never a question about us going together. We’ve been inseparable for so long.”

  “I’m glad you found that with Cam. And I’m glad she decided that Alabama was the place to be,” he says with a wink as he pays the bill for dinner.

  We make our way back to our room and head to the patio. The sun has set and the moon is shining brightly across the ocean. Rhett stands behind me, holding me close as we listen to the sounds of the beach at night. It’s so peaceful.

  “Nothing more beautiful than you in the moonlight, M,” Rhett whispers.

  He places a kiss at the base of my ear, his lips warm on my cool skin. My head falls back against his shoulder, allowing him access to my neck. He alternates kisses with light nips at my skin, down my neck and over my shoulder, before he turns me toward him. He cradles my head in his strong hands. His eyes are roaming my face asking for…what? Acceptance? Permission? Whatever it is he’s wanting, I will freely give. I lean forward and place my lips against his. That seems to be exactly what he was looking for.

  His fingers tunnel through my hair and he grasps it tightly. Without hesitation, I open my mouth, allowing him inside. He groans and his kiss turns almost feverish. My hands are roaming his shoulders and back. He breaks the kiss and buries his face in my neck, inhaling deeply, like he’s trying to regain control.

  “I want you, M. Christ, I want you so damn bad I’m falling apart. But I have to know you’re with me here. If we do this, there is no going back. You’re mine. Period.” He lifts his head and searches my eyes, begging me silently to say yes.

  “I’m yours, Rhett. Period,” I confirm.

  No sooner do the words leave my mouth than I’m lifted in his arms. My legs wrap around his waist out of instinct, and he carries me straight to the bedroom. He releases me at the foot of the bed and begins peeling my dress away from my shoulders. Once he pushes it past my hips, it pools at my feet and I’m standing beside him in nothing but my lace underwear and gold heels. His hands rest at my hips as his eyes take me in. He watches his hands as they move upward over my ribs and chest. They come to rest at the base of my neck with his thumbs under my chin. He pushes my chin up so that I’m looking him in the eyes.

  “You put my dreams to shame, M.” He kisses me deeply, walking back until I have no choice but to land on the bed. He follows, crawling on top of me, never breaking the kiss. My hands fly to his shirt, trying to unbutton it, but my coordination is thrown off by the fact that I’m practically naked in a bed with Rhett. He sits up long enough to pull his shirt over his head and toe off his shoes.

  Instead of returning to my lips, he begins kissing my jaw, my neck, my shoulders, down the center of my chest, worshiping my body. My hands fist his hair as he makes his way down my stomach, slowly pulling my panties down my legs. My body jerks when he kisses the inside of my right thigh, his hands leaving a trail of fire as they run up and down my legs.

  I’m well aware of what’s coming, but what I don’t expect is the rush of pleasure my body feels when his mouth makes contact with my wet center. My hips fly off of the bed, and immediately his hands are there, holding me in place. He licks and kisses at me like a man starved. I’m writhing from the buildup of pleasure, my body begging for release. When Rhett moves two of his fingers inside me as he continues to suck at my clit, I come undone.

  “Rhett!” His name is a hoarse cry on my lips. He continues to stroke me as I come down from my high. He begins to kiss his way back up my body, and when his eyes meet mine, there is a fire in them that I’ve never seen before.

  “Goddamn perfection,” he grits out as he reaches to undo his pants and take them off. He reaches for a condom and rolls it on. His body is tight with unleashed need, and my hands roam his back and shoulders, making their way to his firm chest and stomach.

  He holds himself above me, bracing on his elbows. I have never seen anything more perfect in all my life. He reaches down to guide himself into me. It’s tight at first, and he eases his way into me little by little, his eyes never leaving mine. With one last thrust, he’s seated fully inside me. My breath leaves my lungs.

  “Jesus,” he pants, his eyes squeezing shut.

  I wait as Rhett tries to compose himself. He’s holding my thigh so tightly against his hip I’m almost positive my skin will be bruised tomorrow. My body is aching with need. I lift my hips against him and he groans. When he opens his eyes and looks down at me, I swear I’m going to lose it right then. Finally, he begins to move, his eyes searching mine. His thrusts are slow and measured. It’s like he’s preserving this moment and doesn’t want to risk leaving anything out.

  I am strung so tight I feel like I could explode at any moment, but I just need…more. I need Rhett completely uninhibited. My hands make their way to the back of his head and pull his mouth to meet my own. I kiss him with all the hunger that I feel, completely unrestrained. His movements become faster as he makes his way down my neck, nipping and sucking against my heated skin. The sound that leaves my lips is all pleasure when he bites at the base of my neck.

  My fingernails grip the skin of his shoulder and I swear I hear Rhett growl. His hand leaves my thigh and makes its way to my clit, his thumb circling against me. I’m so close to falling apart. My body is tensing and I’m teetering on the edge of sanity.

  “Come with me, M,” Rhett says against my skin. “I need you to come with me.”

  I respond, but I’m not sure what I say—I am literally that gone at this point. He bends his head again, this time his mouth connecting with my nipple, and he sucks. His moves are feral and uncoordinated, but deep and powerful. With his thumb at my clit, his mouth at my breast and him driving into me, it takes no time. The trifecta has me exploding. My neck arches back and a scream tears through my throat. Rhett slams into me one last time before going still. A sound that is nothing short of a roar escapes him, matching my scream.

  A moment later, he falls on top of me and I gladly take his weight. Our breaths are harsh and rapid, and we have sweat covering our bodies, but never in my life have I felt more wonderful.

  “Holy shit,” we both say at the same time. Rhett pulls his head from the crook of my neck to look at me, humor in his eyes.

  “Glad you feel the same, gorgeous.” He smirks at me and kisses me chastely on the lips. “I’m going to get something to clean us up.”

  “Mmmm” is about the only sound that comes out of my mouth. I watch Rhett as he crawls from the bed and makes his way to the bathroom. I’m floating somewhere between reality and dreamland when he returns with a warm cloth to clean me off. He tosses it to the bathroom when he’s done and climbs under the covers, pulling me close to him.

  My head rests on his chest and my fingers are busy tracing idle patterns on his shoulder.

  “We just had sex,” I blurt out.

  Rhett
tenses under me. “Yeah…” His voice holds a hint of hesitation. He isn’t sure what to make of my sudden declaration. Honestly, neither am I.

  “And I’m yours?”

  “Yes.” His answer is firm, no room for any argument.

  “So that makes you what? My…boyfriend?”

  “I’m yours. You’re mine. You can put whatever label you want on it as long as those two facts don’t change.”

  “Thank you for kidnapping me this weekend.” I yawn.

  “Trust me, M, the pleasure was all mine,” he says through a chuckle. “Get some sleep, babe.” He places a kiss on my forehead.

  “Mmmm,” I mumble as I snuggle deeper into him and feel him squeeze me tight. Somewhere in my subconscious, I decide that there is no better place than being wrapped up in Rhett’s arms. It doesn’t take long for sleep to come to me with dreams of Rhett. The best thing is, this time my dreams are filled with possibility and future.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rhett

  It’s been two days since I dropped M off at her apartment after our night together. It was the best night that I’ve had in forever. We really needed the time together. She is everything I never knew I wanted. I love learning her quirks—the things that make her tick. One thing I can say with complete certainty is that my girl loves to laugh and she does it often. She can light up a room in seconds. She is a complete goofball, and it’s one of the things I love most about her. Love…

  “Hello, Earth to lover boy. Come in, lover boy. Do you copy?” Micah calls out, pulling me from my thoughts.

  “Hey, bro, what’s up?” I ask, slightly annoyed.

  “Man, Tanner is moping around like someone kicked his puppy again. I think we need to have a chat with him and see where his head’s at. He’s not acting himself, and I’ll bet dollars to donuts that it’s that bitch of a gold-digging whore girlfriend of his.”