Page 37 of Fueled Fury

23

Austin

It’s about an hour later when the rumble of engines in the distance catch my attention. It’s probably a group coming to run the track, or even some students looking for a place to hang out unbothered. Like Lainey had. Looking around the abandoned airport hangar, the years have certainly allowed decay to take over, but the shell is still there, allowing for plenty of coverage for a hiding place.

“We should probably go,” Lainey whispers. “Eli will tell my dad if I go home, and I don’t want to talk to him yet.”

“Let’s go to my house,” I suggest, knowing I’m in for an explanation on this one.

“Um. Unless you have another house around here, I just said I didn’t want to go there.”

I’m uncertain for a second but there’s no point in continuing to hide everything from her. “I do, actually. I sort of … bought a home in Sunland.”

“Then why are you staying at—” She doesn’t finish the sentence, knowing my answer. “Where’s it at?” she asks as she carefully climbs off my lap.

“Just off of Blue Bonnet near Big Tobe’s.”

“When did you buy it?” I’m not sure she wants an answer from her hesitant tone.

Clasping her hand in mine, I lead her to where Lucy is hidden—very well, I might add because I completely missed the car on my previous trips here looking for Lainey. “Last summer.”

She remains silent as she drops into the driver’s seat of her car. Probably because last summer was when everything happened. When I finally got to feel, touch, experience her. And when I lost her.

Driving across town, I watch the headlights in my mirror, thankful every time I see she’s still following me, but I’m not completely content until her car is securely parked in the garage next to mine and we’re walking into the house.

I have to know. “What are you thinking?”

She brushes her hand across the granite countertop as she makes her way into the living room situated just off to the side. Studying the area, I see the wheels turning in her head and I’m relieved as she says, “It’s wonderful.”

I’d hoped for that response when I’d picked it out with the insane notion of her living here with me while we attend the same uni. Eli terminated that plan.

“Come on.” I grasp her hand, lead her into the master bedroom, and gesture to the en suite. Searching around the dresser, I grab a T-shirt and pajama pants and toss them on the bed.

“I’m gonna go grab us some cheeseburgers from Big Tobe’s. Make yourself at home.” Please. Because this is the first time I’ve walked into this house and didn’t tell myself it was another fuckup on my part. It was one of the more modest homes I looked at, but something just felt right about it, which made me think it was a mistake. Nothing I do turns out to be the correct decision usually.

Giving her a quick peck on the cheek, I hurry down the stairs and leave the house before I get her in bed and never want to leave. She has to be hungry; I’m starved but more so for her than a greasy burger, but I’m trying to be patient. And it’s so fucking hard.

I return to the house less than thirty minutes later with two to-go cartons that I set on the counter. The house is eerily quiet as I walk through the kitchen, heading to the living room to go upstairs. I’m guessing she’s probably still showering until I spot something out of place on the sofa.

She’s curled up in a ball, her knees tucked to her chest. Sound asleep. The only thing out of place is the fact that it’s her first time being here.

Walking over to the sofa, I lift her upper body enough to sit down and move under her, guiding her to rest across my lap. She snuggles her face against my chest, her fingers clinging to my shirt as she relaxes against me. Leaning forward, I press my mouth to her forehead, anticipating the day I can kiss her lips. Maybe then I won’t feel like she’s going to slip through my fingers the moment I loosen my grip on her.

* * *

I’m only vaguely aware of Lainey moving around until her hand slides under my shirt, her palm flat against my skin. Opening my eyes, I look down to find alluring eyes staring back at me. The room is dark, suggesting it’s only been a few hours since we dozed off on the sofa. I’d tried keeping my eyes open as long as I could until exhaustion finally consumed me.

“I bought you a burger, but it’s probably cold by now.” My hand rubs her back, and my head falls against the cushion.

“Thank you.” Her fingertips glide down my stomach, trailing along the waistband of my jeans.

“I’m sure I could find you something else if you want.” I don’t know what my hesitation is about when all I’ve wanted to do is dive into her headfirst.

“I’m not hungry.” She crawls up, sits astride my lap, and grips the hem of my shirt, lifting it over my head. There’s a sliver of hope that her mouth will land on mine, but instead she kisses down my jaw.

“Kiss me, Lainey.”

“I can’t.” Her head slightly shakes as she stands, removing her borrowed shirt and pajama pants before straddling me again. Her eyes bore into mine as her fingers fumble with my jeans. Unbuttoning them, she reaches into my boxer briefs, stroking her hand down my length. I grip her thighs, holding her on me, as my hips rise to her command before I shove my jeans down.