Read Without You Page 31


  I looked around once more before pushing her dress up and spreading her legs apart. One touch of her lips, and I knew how turned-on she was.

  “I want you, Lex.”

  “Oh God, Will. I want you, too.”

  I trailed my fingers along her lips as she let out a moan and pushed her hips toward me. I slowly slipped two fingers in as I used my other hand to grab her breast. Lex dropped her head back against my truck and whimpered as she began moving her hips against my hand to gain more friction. I slowly pulled my fingers out, and Lex snapped her head forward and looked at me.

  “Will, goddamn it.”

  I smiled. I loved seeing Lex like this. I looked around the parking lot one more time before I lifted her up and slowly sank my dick inside her.

  “Yes,” she hissed as we both began moving. “Faster. I don’t want to get arrested.”

  I stopped moving, and she looked at me.

  “Don’t stop! Oh God, I’m so close.”

  I began going faster as Lex placed her hands on my shoulders and started moving along with me. It didn’t take long for her to start moaning as she dropped her head back.

  “I’m coming,” she panted.

  I felt her pulsing around my dick. I pulled out and slammed back into her, causing her to let out a gasp.

  “Oh God, Lex. I’m coming. Baby, I love you.” I buried my face into her neck as I poured everything I had into her.

  I stood there for a few seconds and just held her while I caught my breath.

  “Are you done?” she whispered.

  “May I enjoy this hotter-than-hot moment for just a second?” I asked as I kept my face buried in her neck.

  She hit me and said, “No! Put me down.”

  I let out a giggle as I pulled out of her. I opened the back door of my truck. I got a paper towel out and quickly cleaned her off. I pulled her dress down, and she slammed her lips to mine. I pulled her body closer to mine, and if I didn’t know any better, I would swear my dick was coming up again.

  She slowly pulled her lips from mine. “That. Was. Amazing.”

  I grinned and wiggled my eyebrows up and down. “Luke was right. Public sex is hot as hell.”

  Lex frowned but then smiled again. “I thought you were bringing me out to your truck. I wasn’t expecting that. I was waiting to get caught.”

  I placed my hand on the side of her face. “You make me mad for you, Lex. My body is taken over by you, and I just can’t control myself, especially when you look so incredibly hot.”

  Even though it was dark, I could see her face blush slightly.

  I zipped up my pants and grabbed her hand. “We’d better get back before they go searching for us.”

  We walked back into the dance club and made our way over to the table. Luke was talking to Colt, and it seemed like a heated conversation.

  “Oh Lord,” Lex said.

  I turned and followed her gaze. Lauren was dancing with someone. I rolled my eyes.

  “Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea,” I said as we made our way to the table.

  “It’s like a soap opera—The Days of Colt and Lauren and Luke and Libby.”

  I laughed as I grabbed Lex’s hand. I thanked God for her.

  Now, all I had to do was get through tomorrow evening.

  “You are an asshole, Colt Mathews. I will hate you for the rest of my life.” Lauren had tears streaming down her face as she pushed Colt and then ran up the stairs.

  “Lauren, wait,” Taylor called out as she rushed after her.

  Will and Luke thought they had calmed Colt down at the dance club, but they had been mistaken. Colt had been asking Lauren to dance all night, and she’d turned him down each time. When he had seen her dancing with another guy, he had wanted to chase the guy away, but Luke and Will had talked him out of it. But when he had seen Lauren dancing a little too sexy while moving her hand down to the guy’s dick and beyond—Colt’s words—Colt had gone out to the dance floor. He’d given the guy a push and then proceeded to tell Lauren that he never pictured her to be that kind of girl.

  I walked up to my brother and looked at him. “Why did you say that to her?”

  He pushed his hands through his hair and let out a frustrated moan. “Damn it, Alex. Last summer, she made it seem like she had the same feelings for me, and then she just dropped me. It was like she didn’t remember everything she’d said to me. Then, she went off with that fucker, but she got pissed when I got back together with Rachel.” Colt was raising his voice louder and louder. He pointed toward the stairs and yelled, “I left Rachel for her! I fucking dropped everything!”

  I grabbed his arm and pulled him outside. When I shut the door, I punched him in the chest.

  “What the hell, Alex? Why are you hitting me?”

  I shook my head. “Colt, I don’t know what Lauren said to you or why she all of sudden decided that she didn’t want to be with you, but that gives you no right, none, to walk up to her and basically call her a slut.”

  Colt swallowed hard. “I didn’t call her that.”

  I placed my hands on my hips and tilted my head. “Colt Hunter Mathews, you told her she was grabbing a guy’s dick and that you never pictured her to be that kind of girl. What, in your mind, does that sound like you’re saying?”

  Colt sat down on the chair and dropped his head into his hands. He sat that way for a few minutes before he finally looked up at me. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. “I can’t do this, Alex. It is obvious Lauren doesn’t want the same thing I want.”

  “You don’t know that,” I whispered as I sat down and took his hands in mine.

  “If she wanted to be with me, she wouldn’t have been with him tonight.”

  My heart hurt for my brother because I knew he was right. I dropped my head in a silent acknowledgment. “Colt, I’m so sorry.”

  He let out a gruff laugh. “It’s not your fault, Alex. I’m just not the guy for her.”

  I slowly shook my head, and I was about to talk when he pulled his hands from mine. He stood up and reached for me to help me stand.

  “I guess this is a new beginning for me, huh, sis? I’ll be heading to school and meeting new people.” He nodded his head as if he was thinking of something and agreeing with it. “Football will occupy so much of my time. Dad’s right. It’s a whole new world.” He smiled slightly. “Who knows? I might get lucky enough and meet someone who loves me the way you love Will.”

  “Oh no, Colt. I know Lauren has—”

  He held up his hand to stop me. “I’m tired, Alex. I love you, sweetheart. I’m gonna go to bed.”

  He kissed me on the forehead. Then, he turned and walked back inside. I wiped the tear from my face and closed my eyes.

  “Why does love have to be so hard for some?” I whispered.

  The feel of Will’s arms coming around me as he pulled me closer to him instantly warmed me. We stood in silence as we listened to the waves hit the shore.

  “Is Colt okay?” Will finally asked.

  I slowly shook my head. “I don’t think so. He will pretend he is, and he’ll move on, but I don’t think things will be the same anymore.”

  Will rested his chin on top of my head. “How about you and I go on a sunset cruise tomorrow? Just us.”

  I smiled and turned to face him. “Yeah? But it’s our last night. You don’t think everyone will want to go out to dinner together?”

  Will shrugged his shoulders. “All I know is I want one evening with you before we have to head back. I’m sure the others will understand.”

  I began to chew on my lower lip. It felt like our friendships were changing but growing stronger also. I wasn’t sure where Luke and Libby were heading, and honestly, I was tired of worrying about it. Now, I had to worry about Colt and Lauren.

  Ugh.

  I attempted to give Will a sexy smile, and he raised his one eyebrow and narrowed his eyes at me.

  “Are you thinking yes?”

  “I think tomorrow night w
ith just you and me is exactly the thing I need.”

  Will picked me up and spun me around. “Perfect. Leave all the details to me, and I’ll plan it all.”

  I laughed and said, “Okay, you don’t have to tell me twice.”

  He moved his lips to mine. “I’m going to make love to you now, Lex.”

  My stomach fluttered as Will walked us both back inside. I looked around, and no one was downstairs.

  I hadn’t seen Luke come outside, so I asked Will, “Where is Luke?”

  “No clue.”

  I started to say we should find him, but then I decided to push everyone else’s problems out of my mind and enjoy the rest of this trip.

  Will pulled into a private parking lot and parked.

  “I thought we were going on a sunset cruise?”

  He turned off the truck and looked at me and said, “We are. You ready?”

  He jumped out of the truck and walked to my side. When he opened the door and reached for my hand, I smiled.

  “Um…are we taking out someone’s boat? Do you know how to take out someone’s boat?”

  He winked at me, and we made our way down the ramp and onto the deck. An older gentleman with blond hair and a deep dark tan smiled as we approached him.

  He stuck out his hand. “Will?”

  Will shook his hand and smiled. “I take it you’re Jonathon.”

  He grinned and nodded his head. “You’re right on that one. Come on board.”

  Will helped me climb on the yacht.

  Jonathon said, “I’ve got a nice little trip planned for y’all. I hope you like dolphins, Miss Mathews.”

  I was taken aback at how he’d known my name, but I figured Will must have told him when he’d made the arrangements.

  I nodded my head. “Yes, I love them, and I’m super excited.”

  Jonathon looked up at the sky and grinned. “The weather couldn’t be more perfect. The sunset is going to be amazing.”

  I looked at Will, who was grinning from ear to ear, but he also looked like he was about to be sick.

  “Please head on down into the cabin. I’ve got some trays out for y’all to snack on while I get us going.”

  Will placed his hand on the small of my back to lead me down into the cabin. My heart skipped a beat, and goose bumps covered my body. I wasn’t sure why, but I loved when he did that. It felt like such a romantic yet manly gesture.

  When we got down in the cabin, my hands came up to my mouth, and I sucked in a breath of air. The whole cabin was filled with every kind of flower I could imagine.

  Will and I both said at the same time, “Wow.”

  I looked at Will. “Did you plan all of this?”

  He swallowed hard and dropped his mouth open just a bit. “Um…I, um…”

  I threw myself into his arms. “Will, this is the most romantic gesture ever!” I lowered my voice. “I wish we were alone because I’d love to make love on a boat in the water.”

  Will’s eyebrows lifted as he smiled. “Really? I’m going to have to remember that.”

  It wasn’t long before we headed out. Will must have been feeling seasick because he looked like he wanted to lean over and throw up.

  “Will, are you okay?” I asked as I rubbed his back.

  He nodded his head and smiled. He jumped when I let out a small scream and pointed.

  “Dolphin!”

  Jonathon and Will both laughed. I couldn’t believe how they were swimming and jumping at the bow of the ship as we sailed along.

  “How far are we going?” I asked as I looked at my watch.

  The sun wasn’t setting for another two hours.

  Will and Jonathon looked at each other, and then Will slowly looked at me.

  Will smiled and took my hands in his. “I have a surprise for you, sweetheart.”

  Will

  I watched as Lex’s face lit up. She loved surprises, and I knew the moment I said it, she would get excited.

  “Oh, yeah? Are we swimming with the dolphins? I thought that was illegal!” She began clapping her hands.

  I wasn’t sure if she was excited at the idea of swimming with dolphins or doing something illegal.

  I stared at her for a moment and chuckled. “No, Jonathon is taking us to a private island—St. Joseph’s.”

  Recognition hit Lex’s face. “Mr. Shelton’s ranch?”

  I nodded. “Yep. We’re gonna watch the sunset from there.”

  Lex slowly smiled. “I used to love going over there when I was little. Do you know how many sand dollars Colt and I used to find there?”

  Jonathon laughed. “The untouched beaches of the island make it beautiful.”

  Lex looked around. “Well, darn it. Let me use the restroom before we get there, or I’ll be peeing in the ocean!”

  I watched as Lex retreated down into the cabin.

  I spun around and looked at Jonathon. “Did you do all of that with the flowers?”

  He smiled and nodded his head. “She was hoping y’all were alone, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes, and so in the hell was I.”

  Jonathon threw his head back and laughed hysterically. “Her daddy wouldn’t like that response. He was the one who told me to do it.”

  My mouth dropped open. “Gunner did?”

  Jonathon nodded his head. “Yes, sir, he did. Told me to fill the cabin with flowers. Stupid romantic bastard.”

  I chuckled and shook my head. “That he is, but he sure does teach me the right way to treat his daughter.”

  Jonathon rubbed his thumb and index finger back and forth across his chin like he was thinking. “I can imagine. The key is to always put them first, son. I’ve been married for almost thirty years. My wife comes first and foremost. She is my life.”

  Nodding my head, I said, “Yes, sir.”

  “Oh my gosh, there it is!” Lex shouted as she popped up out of the cabin. “I haven’t been on that island in so long. Oh, Will, I wish you could see Mr. Shelton’s home. It’s breathtaking. I haven’t seen it since I was eleven, I think. The last hurricane did some damage to it, but that thing was built to last.”

  I just grinned and pulled her next to me.

  Jonathon gave me a wink as he made his way over to the private dock. “That’s Kip, Mr. Shelton’s ranch hand. He’ll be taking care of y’all while I hang out here.”

  Reaching out to shake Jonathon’s hand, I said, “Sounds good. Thank you so much, Jonathon.”

  Lex shook his hand next and said, “Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to the trip back at night.”

  “Will and Alex? I’m Kip,” he said as he helped Lex out off the yacht.

  “Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Lex looked around.

  Reaching out and shaking Kip’s hand, I introduced myself and said, “Thank you so much for taking the time to do all of this.”

  Lex had already begun walking off down the beach. I smiled as I watched her.

  “She is totally clueless, isn’t she?” Kip asked.

  I rocked back and forth on my feet. I was proud of the fact that I had been able to keep this surprise from her. “Totally clueless.”

  “If you want to take advantage of asking her at sunset, I suggest we head up to the house and start with dinner. My wife, Cassie, did all the decorations. Mr. Shelton is thinking of having weddings at the house, and when he saw how Cassie had done up the place for y’all, he said he was one step closer to that.” Kip had a huge smile on his face.

  “Does she do party-planning?” I asked.

  “Nah, she’s just a rancher’s wife stuck on an island and bored out of her mind. If Mr. Shelton did this, it would make her so happy and give her something to do.”

  I let out a sigh. “So, tonight’s like a test run?”

  Kip chuckled. “No pressure, but yes. I hope y’all like what Cassie has done.”

  “We’re going to love it.” I looked back at Lex as she stood with her feet at the edge of the water. “Lex!” I called out.

&nb
sp; When she looked at me, I waved for her to come back. She picked up her flip-flops and headed back over to the dock.

  Alex

  When Will called me back over to the dock, I had a feeling something was going down. “I thought we were gonna walk along the beach?”

  The smile that spread across Will’s face caused my heart to drop to the ground. I wanted to push my legs together or have him take me off somewhere to have his wicked way with me.

  “Alex, we’re heading up to the house,” Kip said.

  I jumped up and down. “Really? Is Mr. Shelton here?”

  Kip didn’t answer as he walked over to his truck and opened the passenger door for me. I slipped my flip-flops on and made my way over to the truck. Will got in and slid in next to me. Kip started off toward the house.

  “Oh, Will, wait to you see this house. It sits on the highest point of the island, and the view is amazing. I can remember being little and dreaming of a house like this one. It’s rustic—or at least, it was when I was here last.”

  Kip nodded his head. “You have a good memory, Alex. The log cabin was built back in the early nineteen hundreds for hunting. A few presidents have graced the island with their presence.”

  “LBJ stayed there. Colt stayed in the room he stayed in,” I said.

  Will grabbed my hand. He began rubbing his thumb back and forth quickly as we drove to the house. I’d peek over every once in a while, and he was just staring out the window.

  “Will? Are you okay? You just don’t seem like yourself.”

  Will turned quickly and looked at me. “What? Baby, I’m totally fine. I think I might have just gotten a little seasick, that’s all.”

  I gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He placed his hand behind my neck and deepened the kiss a little too much. I pulled back and motioned for Will to remember that Kip was in the truck.

  “Here we are,” Kip said as he parked the truck.

  Will jumped out, and I slid over and took his hand. We followed Kip up the stairs.

  A beautiful older woman with red hair greeted us at the door. “Will, Alex, it’s such a pleasure to meet you.”

  I smiled and nodded my head. Okay, this is getting weird.