The Withered Series (Book 1): Wither Read online

  My lungs go through a temporary paralysis as he pulls me closer to him. I am hyper aware of every part of his body that brushes against me as he shifts: the feel of his hand curling around my hip, the weight of his arm along my side and the gentle breath against my neck that makes me shiver.

  His legs curl in around behind mine, molding perfectly to me. I suck in only tiny breaths, terrified of waking him, of shifting enough to bring him out of his dream. His fingers tense against my hip and I bite my lip, trying desperately not to think about how good it feels to be touched. It’s been a long time since I let anyone get close like this.

  Sure there were guys along the way, but I hardly remember their faces. They were needs that were met, nothing more. Cable is different, no matter how much I wish he weren’t.

  Would it really be so wrong to encourage him? Just once?

  I press back into him and close my eyes, imagining what it would be like for his arms to wrap around me, to hold me. The feel of his hands on my bare skin, his lips trailing down my neck. My pulse jumps at the thought of feeling him above me, moving together in unison.

  A warm tingle begins in my abdomen and grows, expanding outward as my thoughts turn to things best left to the dark. My fingers curl around the covers as I bite my lower lip. My breath catches as I imagine the feel of his hands on my breasts, kneading and teasing.

  I turn my head and rock my hips back into him. I pause, waiting for a reaction. My skin is warm, sensitive to each breath that washes over my bare shoulder. My tank top suddenly feels restrictive and I long to be free. To let the cold night air soothe the fire raging within.

  Cable breathes heavily behind me as I grind my hips against him. He stirs in his sleep, his fingers curling against my hip. A breathy groan escape between his lips and I nearly lose it.

  There’s no going back now. Not now that I’m consumed with need.

  I reach back and grasp his hand, slowly drawing it over my hip and down between my legs. I press his fingers against me and turn my head to stifle a moan into my pillow.

  The muscles in his forearm go rigid and I know he’s awake. He angles his hips away from my ass, obviously aware of how tightly he was pressed against me. “Avery, what are you doing?”

  “I can’t sleep,” I whisper, rolling my face so that his mouth is beside my ear.

  “I can see that.”

  “Am I bothering you?” I bite on my lower lip and he hesitates. His fingers flinch against me and a shiver trickles down my spine.

  “I wouldn’t call it bothering.” I clench my legs around his hand and his breath grows haggard. “Stop.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I’m trying to be a nice guy right now and you’re making me forgot my reasons for doing that!”

  I smile into the dark. “Maybe I don’t want you to be a nice guy right now.”

  He goes completely still behind me. “Avery, I don't think this is such a good—”

  “No.” I release his hand from between my legs and push away so that I can roll over and face him. I place a finger against his lips to silence him when he starts to speak. “Hear me out.”

  I wait for him to protest, to pull away and try to stop me again, but he doesn’t. Maybe I’ve affected him more than I thought.

  “I get that you care for me and you know me well enough to know that I don’t let people in. Not people that I could feel for. I’ve lost a lot of people in my life and I’ve dealt with it, but sometimes I just need to be held. Not because it means something or that I’m looking for some deep bullshit connection, but because it’s what I need. Just one night of not caring, of not worrying about how long I have to fight to survive in this god forsaken world. One night to feel something other than this blasted cold or endless hunger. I need this.”

  The darkness is so complete that I can’t see his expression, read the fear or doubt in his eyes. I know it’s there. He’s always trying to find ways to protect me, even from himself I’d imagine, if the situation called for it. Cable wants me. I saw it plainly etched into his face earlier tonight and felt the evidence pressed against my backside only a moment ago, but there is another emotion that I saw lingering in his gaze and that something needs to stay buried tonight.

  I push on his shoulder until he sinks onto his back. I rise beside him and extend my leg over his waist, my movements slow and cautious. His skin feels blistering hot as I settle down on him. His abdominal muscles are taut, his arms rigid on either side of my legs as I run my hands over the hard contours of his chest to hold his shoulders I wait for him to push me away, to tell me no, but he doesn’t.

  “Say something.” I lean down and whisper into his ear. The dry strands of my hair tickle his chest.

  He doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. I can practically hear the battle raging in his mind and start to pull away, knowing that his honorable side will win out, but he stops me with two little words.

  “One night,” he vows as he reaches up and cups the back of my neck, crushing his lips against mine. My fingers curl around his shoulders as I press into him. My mess of curls spills around his face.

  His hand rises from my neck and winds through my hair, holding me in place. His free hands squeezes my thigh, his fingers achingly close to where I long most to be touched. Cable’s kiss is long and deep, breaking apart only when he’s forced to gasp for breath. His chest heaves as I hover over him. I smile as he lifts his head to stroke my bruised lips with the tip of his tongue.

  I love his scent. The taste of his lips. I don’t pull away as he claims my mouth once more. I wind my hands down from his neck, tracing the muscles that flex as he pushes upright and settles me firmly around his lap.

  I explore freely, savoring the rise and fall of the muscles lining his arms and across his defined chest and abdomen as his tongue explores mine. His skin pimples beneath my touch as I trail my fingers down to the path of hair leading beneath me.

  I can feel him pressing urgently against me and bite my lip as he thrusts his hips. I shake my head, breaking the kiss, wanting to lengthen the moment yet desperate for release. I grind back against him and enjoy each flinch and groan that he makes.

  “Shit, Avery” He rolls his head to the side as I dip my hand down between my legs and grab hold of him. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

  I lean down and nibble on his lower lip. “At least you will enjoy it.”

  “More than you know.” He wraps his arms around me, sealing me into his embrace. He is scorching against my chilled skin.

  I’ve always known Cable was strong, but observing it before and feeling it now are two very different experiences. I melt against his touch as his hand rises to my waist, pushing my hips to create friction. My hips grind against him until I’m desperate for more. I break off the kiss and grasp the hem of my shirt, tugging it over my head.

  “I can’t see you,” he growls, his fingers digging into my side.

  Curling my back, I lean down and nip at his ear. My breasts graze along his chest and he arches up into me. The sensation of his bare skin against my swollen nipples wrenches a moan from my lips as I rock. “You saw me earlier.”

  “It’s not the same.” His hands move restlessly along my bare back, tugging and pushing.

  Grasping his hands, I place them on my chest, filling his palms. I lean into him, resting my head atop his as he begins kneading my breasts. “Then memorize me with your hands.”

  My skin aches with sensitivity as his thumbs swirl around my tender flesh, pinching and tugging me into oblivion. My breath catches as he lowers his head and sucks my nipple into his mouth. My hips buck as I hold his head, begging him not to stop.

  A groan rises from deep in his chest as I push back into him, grinding then pulling away. A flush grips me as I roll off him and rise from the bed, shedding the last of my clothes in a rush. I can’t wait any longer.

  The bedsprings squeak and I smile, knowing that he’s in no mood to linger either.

  Kneeling on the bed, I prep
are to straddle him again but he grasps my arms and rolls on top of me, pinning me down. The scent of his skin is heady as I bite at his neck, my nails raking down his back. His growl echoes in my ear as he spreads my leg with his knee and buries himself inside me. I wrap my arms possessively around him.

  The bed squeaks and groans as Cable finds a rhythm that leaves me breathless and wanting. I rock with him, whispering in his ear, urging him on. He follows every command, every plea for him to speed up or slow down. He draws himself back, taking me to the edge of frustration them slams hard, stealing my breath away.

  Raising my hands overhead, I grip the wooden bars of the bed and bury my face in my arm. Small whimpers escape my throat, fueling his thrusts. Sweat clings to my body as I wrap my legs around him, arching upward so that he sinks deep.

  “Look at me,” he demands.

  I roll my head and stare up at him, startled to realize that I can make out the contours of his face. I release my grip on the bed and wrap my arms around his neck, drawing him close. “I see you.”

  The headboard beats against the wall with increasing speed. I buck my hips up into him, increasing the friction between us. His head arches back and the muscles along his neck pull taut as he thrusts one final time. Goosebumps rise along his arms. His arms strain with exertion before he collapses, nestling his head against my cheek.

  I hold him, feeling a tingling warmth spreading through my body. His chest rises and falls rapidly. He gulps in breath, wrapping his arms around me.

  “Thank you,” I whisper as his breathing slows.

  He raises his head. His skin is clammy, sensitive to the touch as I glide my fingers over his arms. He flinches as I reach his side and trail down to his waist. “For what?”

  I smile and brush the matted hair back from his forehead. “For giving me what I need.”

  He reaches up and cups my cheek. His gaze still holds the haze of passion but there is a deeper emotion hovering just below the surface. I know that I should turn away, ignore that I see it, but he won’t let me look away as he smiles. “Who said we’re done?”

  I arch my eyebrows as he untangles himself from my arms and crawls backward, his tongue trailing between my breasts and over my abdomen. He pauses as he comes to rest between my legs and presses a kiss against my inner thigh. As he nestles closer, I close my eyes and lose myself to the moment.

  When I wake sometime later the sun seems wrong, too bright and hidden from the windows before me. I groan and rub my eyes, feeling sore and exhausted.

  “You know, if you’re going to have sex the least you can do is scream louder so I can enjoy it too.” I bolt upright. Cable’s hand falls away from my bare breast and I struggle to yank the tangled sheets out from under him to cover myself in front of Sal.

  “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” He leans against the banister and stares openly.

  “Cable,” I hiss and smack him on the arm. He rouses and my stomach tightens at how good the tousled look is on him first thing in the morning.

  “What?” He grabs the pillow and tries to tug it over his eyes.

  “I need your help.”

  Cable tenses at the tone in my voice. He emerges to find Sal grinning down at us. His tanned skin darkens as he moves toward the edge of the bed. I quickly tuck the sheet around me. Cable doesn’t seem to need it at the moment. “You have three seconds to get your ass back down that ladder before I toss you over that railing.”

  “Fine.” Sal raises his hands in mock surrender, pausing long enough to try to get another good look at me. “I just thought you might like to know we’re leaving.”

  “Leaving?” I tuck the sheet around my legs for good measure. “Who the hell decided that?”

  Sal shoots me a wink. “Wouldn’t you like to know? I’d be willing to let you in on that delicious little secret if you lower that sheet just another smidgen.”

  Cable growls and surges to his feet. Sal’s eyes open wide, but he quickly sinks into a knowing smirk, tsking as he shakes his head. “I expected more from you, Avery. Any girl should have been screaming with that guy in bed with you.”

  Grabbing the front of his shirt, Cable shoves Sal back. His heels come off the floor and for a moment I’m convinced he intends to follow through on his threat.

  “Cable!” His arms flex. I try not to notice the curve of his backside as he turns to look at me. The tattoo that I spied ages ago peeking through his shirt trails down from shoulder to waist. A waterfall of ink in the shape of a rugged looking cross spans the breadth of his back. The sight of it surprises me. I never took Cable as a religious man. “He’s not worth it.”

  “Aw. Sticks and stones, love.” Sal blows me a kiss. “When you get tired of him you know where to find me.”

  With a vicious growl, Cable shoves him off the balcony. I watch as Sal’s arms pinwheel and listen as his scream is cut off with a loud whump.

  “What did you do?” I yank the bed sheet off and hurry to the ladder. Alex peers questionably up at us from beneath the loft and I cower behind Cable for cover. Alex’s hair is damp, his face ruddy from a recent washing. It must be later than I realized for him to have time to bring water back from the stream and boil it.

  “He’s fine.” Cable turns and walks away. His fists clench at his sides. It’s obvious just how hard it is for him to get himself under control.

  Sal shouts as he fights to right himself, his fall broken by the couch. I meet Alex’s gaze before I return to Cable’s side. I place my hand on his arm and he flinches.

  “Sorry,” I whisper and draw back. I turn away from him to find my clothes but he pulls me back. He wraps his arms around me, my back pressed to his chest as he rests his head on top of mine.

  “I don’t want to pull away from you. Not like this. I’d planned for something a little less drama based.”

  I close my eyes, knowing this moment would come. I just didn’t have time to prepare myself for this awkward moment when lovers become friends once more. “You don’t have to. At least not too far.”

  He presses his lips to the back of my head and releases me. I walk away from him, attempting to put the events of the night behind me, but some things are harder to forget. Cable touched me in ways no man ever has, deeper, more intimate. Not in the physical realm, but emotional. I told myself in the early hours of the morning as he slept beside me that nothing would change. I wish I still believed that.

  SEVENTEEN

  I scowl at Sal as I hit the bottom rung of the ladder after dressing in silence with my back turned to Cable. My footsteps sound unnaturally loud in the quiet cabin as I pass by him to face off with Alex.

  “You saw what he did?”

  Alex nods and stirs his spoon around the lip of his metal coffee mug. It’s filled with only hot water but I’ve discovered over the past few days since being here that in his mind, it’s almost like having the real thing. “Saw what Cable did too.”

  He doesn’t say an accusing word about Sal’s untimely fall from the loft, or the events that led up to them. I can tell by the deep blush riding high on Victoria’s cheeks behind him that my tryst with Cable before dawn didn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the house.

  “So that’s it? Just brush it off like it’s not the creepiest thing in the world to have a guy watching you while you sleep.”

  “While you are naked, you mean?” As he turns his gaze away and takes a sip I notice that the tips of his ears are red with embarrassment, or anger. I can’t really decide which..

  “That’s...that’s really not the issue at this point,” I stammer and wrap my arms around my waist.

  “The pre-dawn wake up moans say otherwise,” Sal quips.

  “Go fuck yourself,” I snarl, turning to glare at him.

  “Alright,” Alex sets his mug down. “That’s enough, you two. We all have to live under the same roof. Obviously we are going to have to make some...adjustments to make it all work.”

  My fingers dig into my sides as I shake my head, lett
ing my hair shield me from Alex’s gaze. The need to retreat, to rush out into the woods and hyperventilate over this morbid embarrassment is unbearable. “There’s no need,” I mutter. “It won’t happen again.”

  Alex grabs my arm and draws me back as I try to move away from him. “What happened happened. I’ve got no say in that. I just want you to be careful.”

  “I am.”

  “Are you?” In the late morning light I notice that the blond hairs along his chin, jaw and cheeks have begun to fill into a beard now. I can’t say that it seems all that fitting for the fly boy airline pilot but he seems more down to earth now. More likeable. I think this new life, as crazy as it sounds, suits him better.

  “Cable and I have an understanding.” I stare down at his hand on my arm until he releases me and steps back.

  “Those have a way of being forgotten. I should know. I was the king of one night stands that ended badly.”

  “Who said it was a one-night stand?” I challenge.

  Victoria stares hard at the counter before her. There’s no food left to eat, but I’d bet she’d rather bury her face in that hunting book I found yesterday than be stuck standing here in the middle of our discussion. “I know your type, Avery. You don’t settle down.”

  “Maybe I do. Maybe I don’t. That’s none of your business either, now is it?”

  “Not normally.” He shakes his head. “But it becomes my business when other people are involved.”

  I glare over my shoulder at Sal. He wiggles his fingers at me and blows another kiss. Anger simmers low in my belly but I don’t show it. I don’t want to add fuel to Alex’s fire. “Cable and I have nothing to do with any of you.”

  “You’re wrong.” I turn back to look at Alex, surprised by the tension in his voice. “When were you going to tell me you two were followed last night?”

  “Followed?” I glance toward Victoria, noting that her head has raised up a bit. “Followed by who?”