Until You're Mine (2 page)

“I’m just not into all that stuff like you are.”

“What stuff?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “Love and stuff,”

“Yet serial killers interest you? You’re such a weirdo.” I pushed the movie into the VCR, pressing play.

“No, Brad Pitt interests me. And I’m not a weirdo. You are.”

“I just believe everyone should have a happily ever after, that’s all. I can’t wait to grow up and find mine.” Climbing back onto the bed, I reached for a pillow and hugged it to my chest.

“First of all, you don’t
find
happily ever after, it finds you. Did you even watch the movie?”

“Says the girl who doesn’t believe in love,” I raised the remote to fast forward through the previews.

“I didn’t say I don’t
believe
in love. I just think there are more important things in life.”

“Like what? What’s more important than being loved?” I questioned, throwing my hands up.

“Mama says you gotta love yourself before you can love anyone else. I’ll be busy loving myself for a while- thank you very much and of course, Brad Pitt.”

“I can’t wait until love
finds
you. I’m gonna remember this day with great pleasure, Madison Waters.” Her
know it all
smile slid from her face. My lips curled in satisfaction.

“Well, you’ll be waiting for a long time Katherine Vaughn!” She stuck her tongue out at me, tossing a pillow in my face. 

“Don’t start a war,”

“Don’t talk smack,”

There was a loud knock at the door. We covered the giggles falling from our mouths.

“Oh crap, take the movie out and put Belle back in. Hurry!” I whispered, hopping from the bed. “Just one sec,” I yelled, trying to stall while Maddie swapped the tapes. I flung open the door and there stood my older brother, Alex. Jumping up and down with a squeal, I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Oh my goodness, when did you get here?”

“’Bout an hour ago, been downstairs with mom and dad. Hi, Maddie,” Alex greeted, and I swear she turned as red as a tomato.

“Hi, Alex,” Maddie smiled.

“Haven’t you seen that movie like a million times?” Alex laughed, nodding at the TV.

“A million and one,” Maddie grumbled from the bed.

Alex winked down at me. My brother was six years older than me, and he was the only one in this family who understood me.

“I just wanted to say goodnight before I hit the hay. I’ll see ya in the mornin’. Night, Maddie.”

“Night.” Smiling, I closed the door. “Can we put my movie back in now?”

“No, that was way too risky.”

Maddie pouted. “Let’s just go to bed. I’m tired and we have to get up early for church in the morning.”

“Yeah, I’m tired too.”

We crawled into bed where I silently prayed for my own fairytale, my own prince. Or maybe even a beast to save and call my own.

Faith is strong by which a shattered

world shall emerge into the light.

~Helen Keller

Thousands of twinkling white lights dangled from the rafters of the old barn, coating the rustic walls with a soft glow. Beautiful centerpieces made up of white daisies and candles adorned each of the twenty or so round tables surrounding the dance floor, creating the perfect romantic setting. Reckless Heart sang a familiar melody, but I couldn’t remember the name of the song. It rested just on the tip of my tongue. That’s how it always was. Any time I was wrapped up in his arms like this, I had trouble thinking…sometimes speaking.

With a skill I never knew he had, he led us around the dance floor slowly. His masculine scent wafted through my nose while his peppermint breath tickled my ear. Arousal flooded between my thighs, and I clenched at the sensual assault.

“Have you thought about what we discussed?” Archer’s mouth was so close that every time he spoke, his lips brushed the shell of my ear. Chills rushed down my spine, spreading outward in the wake.

“Yes.”

One word responses were all I could manage when his hands and mouth were on me.

“And?” He suckled lightly, nipping then biting my lobe.

“No.” I said into his shoulder, my nails scraping at the coat of his tux.

God, what this man did to me.  

Removing his mouth from my ear, he pulled back. Emerald eyes flecked with specks of brown and gold gazed back into mine, freezing me in place. “You better have a damn good reason.”

His fingers dug hard into my hips, and the look on his face switched from inquisitive to possessive. This side of him turned me on even more. The side of him that always took what he wanted. How the hell I’d managed to keep my panties on around him this long was beyond me. Archer and I had been going round and round about this for weeks now. Hell, we’d been playing cat and mouse for months. From stealing fire starting kisses in his office, to finding any excuse to touch each other. The connection was there. It was strong and physical on his part, but for me it was more. A lot more.

I was in love with him.

I loved Archer with a heart that had been broken and shattered so many times, it was a wonder it still beat. It was a wonder that blood was still able to pump through the bludgeoned organ properly. But he wasn’t built like me. He wasn’t built for love. He’d told me numerous times he didn’t believe in it. I was starting to believe he never would.

I removed his hands from my hips, taking a step back. Finally able to find my voice, now that all physical contact had been severed, I gave him his answer. “It’s wrong.”

“That’s your daddy talkin’, and you know it. What do
you
want, Katherine?” Archer demanded, taking back my step.

“I want you. All of you. I want you to be
mine
.” I confessed.

“I will be yours.”

“Heart and soul?”

He retreated. “We’ve already discussed this. Not an option.”

“Then I can’t. Yes, I want my mouth to touch more than just your lips. Yes, I want to memorize and worship every inch of your body. I am dyin’ to have you inside me. But if I let you in, I have to give you my heart. And I want yours in return. I won’t be just your play thing. I deserve more than that.”

“You’re right. You do. I just can’t give it to you. The only thing I can offer is my flesh. The rest is non-negotiable.”

“Then this conversation is over.” Tears pricked the back of my eyes, and I swallowed hard trying to hold them back.

I had to get out of there.

With my palm to my mouth, I fought through the swarm of dancing bodies. I felt like I was going to be sick. I knew that would be his response to my confession. I thought I’d prepared myself for it. But hearing the words aloud only made it hurt worse. He would be my biggest heartbreak, and we’d done nothing more than exchange passionate kisses. Bursting through the exit door, I struggled for air. I couldn’t leave yet. Not without saying goodbye to the bride and groom. But first I needed a moment alone. My heels were sinking into the soft earth, so I removed them. The dewy grass felt good beneath my feet, putting me back on solid ground. I found solace on the side of the barn. I’d never craved a man so much in my life.

Lust
.

It was one of the seven deadly sins. The bible didn’t call it that for nothing. Morals and scripture had been instilled in me since birth. Being the daughter of a preacher had not been easy shoes to fill. All of the tattoos and piercings in the world couldn’t cover up what had been ingrained into my heart…into my soul. I was far from a saint, but I still had my faith. With everything that I’d been through in my life, my faith was all I had left.

Leaning against the barn wall, I looked up. Stars dripped from the sky like rhinestones and the autumn moon hung low, igniting the darkness around it. There had to be a God to create something so beautiful. It was with that unwavering faith that I knew he had a plan. Sucking in a deep breath, I sagged back into the wall. I turned twenty-eight yesterday. I should’ve been married by now with at least two kids. That was my plan. But instead, I worked at a bar and lived alone. My happily ever after was nowhere in sight.

“There you are. What the hell are you doin’?” My heart took a nose dive as Archer stalked toward me. He’d removed his tie and coat. His crisp white button down had two buttons undone at the top, gifting me with a peek at the tan skin beneath. Hovering over me, he stared down into my eyes. The moon hanging above his head was like a halo, casting a shadow across his hardened face. He looked like a dark angel
.
      

“I wasn’t done with you.” he said, resting his hands on both sides of my head.

“Well, I’m done with you. No more kissing, touching. None of that. You can’t just take what you want and leave me with nothing. I’m not built that way.”

One hand found my cheek while the other found the back of my neck. “I know that. I know exactly how you’re built.” His solid thigh rubbed between my legs, sending warmth to dampen my panties. 

Oh God.

He always did this, completely overwhelmed me. Overloaded my senses until I was unable to make a sound, make a rational decision or form a coherent thought. As I said before, it was amazing that I had not succumbed to this temptation before now. He continued to weaken my defenses. Pretty soon, I would not be able to fight him off, and deep down, I was almost certain I didn’t want to.

“What do you want from me?” His hand shifted, gripping my neck tighter.

“I want those sexy legs wrapped around me while I bury myself deep inside your hot pussy. I want this sweet mouth wrapped around my cock. I want to own and dominate every inch of your body, Katherine. And it will happen. I will not stop until you’re mine.”

His words sent a shiver of heat to rock down my spine. Greedy lips found mine as I was pulled under, swept away in the powerful current that was Archer Brooks. Fighting to break free, I shoved at his chest. It was like pushing against a brick wall.

In one swift move, his hands fell from my face as he shifted his right leg between mine. Clasping both wrists in his large hand, he pinned them above my head. “I’m tired of this shit, Katherine. I can’t take it anymore. I want you so fuckin’ bad, and goddamn it, I know you want me too. I can fuckin’ smell it.” His deep voice sounded like he was gargling gravel. I loved it when he talked to me this way. His feral eyes flickered with desire just before his lips found mine once more. Scorching heat licked every inch of my body. Archer had a firm grip on my wrists while his other hand slipped beneath the hem of my dress. The friction of his fingers rubbing back and forth against the silk of my panties elicited another wave of heat “Just as I thought…soakin’ fuckin’ wet.” I spread my legs wider. “That’s it, baby. Let go. I can give you so much pleasure. Do you want my fingers inside you?” His grip on my wrists tightened as I nodded my consent.