Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(81)

Stars burst behind my eyes and I shatter, the world around me exploding into different colors behind my eyes. I scream Cole’s name just as he calls mine, which comes out in a primal shout. We continue holding each other, our skin wet from the sweat, our ragged breathing and soft groans filling the room.

I open my eyes to look up at him and what I see before me steals whatever air is left in my lungs: Cole’s head is thrown back, his body arched and veins popping on his neck. His body shakes with his release.

“Are you okay?” he asks.

I grin, using my hand to smooth the frown on his forehead. “I’m a million times better.”

His shoulders droop in relief just before he nods, and kisses me softly. So softly I might have imagined it if I wasn’t paying attention, then he pulls back to look at me. “Thank you for this gift. Everything about today is perfect. I love you so much.”

“I love you too.” I smile, my bones feel tired in a good way. My body is warm. Other than the slight ache between my legs, I feel wonderful.

He rolls over, removes the condom and heads for the bathroom. He returns with a cloth in his hands and crawls between my legs. My body tenses as soon as he starts to clean me but relaxes when his gaze meets mine with a troubled look on his face. “You must be sore.”

I nod. “I am. It was worth it.”

He heads back to the bathroom and returns minutes later with the same wash cloth. He cleans my tender skin and I just lie there enjoying the warmth and the way he is taking care of me. My eyes start closing. I feel him leave the bed. The sound of a toilet flushing in the distance. The bed sinking beneath me and then hands gently turning me to my side. His body drapes on my back, then he pulls me flush to his chest and wraps his arms around me.

I wake up to the feel of heat on my breast. I peel my eyes open to find Cole sucking my nipple while languidly rolling the other between his fingers. I sigh, move my hands down and sink them into his hair. His head comes up and his mouth drops from my breast in favor of my lips.

“I wish we could stay here forever,” I say when we come up for air.

He flashes me a sexy smile. “Me too.” He glances at the clock on the bedside table. “It’s almost midnight. I promised your mom I would get you home by eleven. Come on, lazy bones.”





COLE PULLS UP IN FRONT of my house at almost one in the morning. He turns off the engine, climbs out of the car and opens the door for me. The porch light comes on as soon as we hit the first step. He walks me to the door the proceeds to kiss me until my lips feel raw, loved, used by him.

“See you tomorrow?”

I nod, grinning blissfully. “Tomorrow.”

He starts to walk down the porch steps, but abruptly turns back. He grabs me around the waist and kisses me, dipping me backwards until I feel drunk with everything good in this world.

He swings me back up, steps back and tucks his hands inside his pocket.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better Formal. Thank you for giving me that.”

My chest hurts just thinking he’d never gotten a chance to enjoy his own prom because he couldn’t find a girl who would go with him. At the same time I’m glad I was the one who gave it to him. His first. My first.

“Thank you for giving me my everything,” I tell him.

As soon as I step inside the house, I’m so high on my perfect night that I fail to notice the hunched form on the couch. I jump and shriek when the lamp is suddenly turned on, momentarily blinding me. I blink several times to adjust my eyes to the lighting.

I clutch a hand over my chest and stumble back. “Dad!” Of all the nights for him to come home, today had to be one of them?

He unfolds himself from the chair then staggers upright. Or sideways. He’s still wearing his uniform, which makes me wonder when he came home and how long he has been lying in wait for me to come home.

“Did you have fun?” he asks, taking a step forward his hands on his hips.

I swallow hard and lick my lips. “It was okay.”

“Hmm. What time did you tell your mother you’d be home.”

My heart is beating so hard I can hear the thumping in my ears. Gosh, what time did Cole say he’d bring me home?

“E—eleven,” I stammer.

He exhales through his mouth. “WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?!” He shouts so suddenly, I shriek and back away from him so quickly that I drop my purse in the process. “ANSWER ME!”

I dart a look at the clock although I already know the time. “One in the morning.”

I hear a whimper coming from the stairs and glance over quickly. Elon and Elise are peeking through the bars on the stairs.

Crap. They shouldn’t be seeing this.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here on time,” I whisper, eager to appease him so he can let this go.

“You promised your mother you’d be here on time. She was worried.”

As if he cares about my mother. This is all about him, throwing his weight around.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper again, keeping my head low so that he doesn’t think I’m confronting him.

“Were you with him?” He slurs the words, moving closer. “ANSWER THE FUCKING QUESTION!”

I nod, tears instantly forming. Elon or Elise, I don’t know which one of the two, wails.

“Daddy please. You’re scaring us.”