Chapter 21
Gently lifting July into his arms, 'Taker carried her out into the yard, settling down on the grass with her in his lap, leaning back on his arms, feeling July's weight on him and didn't mind it one bit. It was rather comforting actually. Though he decided laying down would be better view wise, and he meant the sky. He lay on his back, gently tugging July onto the ground beside him, resting her head in the crook of his arm.
She stared up at the sky as one by one the stars began popping out, the moon slowly overtaking the sun. It fascinated her how that happened and could already see constellations forming. It made her smile as she snuggled against 'Taker, seeing lightening bugs were starting to surround them as the cool breeze blew across their bodies. She wasn't cold, how could she be in this man's arms? It was impossible.
It was like nature was coming to his aid or something, saving his sorry ass since he wasn't apparently capable of doing it by himself. Sighing softly, 'Taker watched the change in the night sky. "This is my favorite time of day." He murmured, running his fingertips against her shoulder, back and forth, gently. "When the moon and the sun are both out, kinda sad in a way."
"Why is that?" She asked softly, running her fingers with his as they entwined together, her heart beginning to slowly piece together again.
She missed him. She missed his touch and she couldn't stop thinking about the last time they'd been together alone, before coming to Texas. It was when the trap had been set, when he had shown her an intense amount of passion within those few moments in her room at the Ministry mansion. She closed her eyes, briefly remembering how his lips felt against hers before opening them again, snuggling even more against him while she watched the sun disappear fully.
"Well, because it's the only time of day you can really see them together besides early morning. This is going to sound really damn corny and if you laugh at me, I'm going to tickle you till you piss yourself, but..." He took a deep breath. "It reminds me a bit of Romeo and Juliet, wanting to be together, but eternally apart. Odd way to think of the sun and moon, don't you think? Though it was the sun and moon line in the play that made me think of it to begin with."
She didn't laugh at him, though a big smile crossed her face, sighing gently with a nod. "I completely agree with you." She replied, though an eyebrow arched when he threatened to tickle her, remembering that happy moment back at the Ministry mansion. She slowly sat up and turned to face him, her eyebrows furrowed in both wonder and confusion. One minute he could be the sweetest man in the world, like now, and other times she left him be because of how angry he was. Why couldn't he just find a balance or something like that? Like she had room to talk, right? Wrong.
Seeing the confusion on her face, he too sat up, staring down at her. "What's wrong, July?" 'Taker murmured, worry in his green eyes as he reached out to cradle her chin in the palm of his head. "Did I do something? I told you it was corny." He half teased, trying to bring that beautiful smile back to her face.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong." She assured him, staring back into his green eyes, searching for something she wasn't sure she was looking for. "'Taker..." She whispered and wrapped her arms around his neck, just wanting to feel his warmth engulf her, closing her eyes as she blinked the tears away. "I missed you." She knew it sounded absolutely ridiculous, but for the past month, she'd barely seen him. She saw more of Paul then him, especially when she moved into the third guest room. So saying it wasn't all that hard considering what had happened was false.
"I missed you too." He murmured, holding her close to him, feeling her body trembling against his and wondered if she was cold or crying, deciding the latter. "I'm sorry, July. I thought by staying away from you, I was doing the right thing." He apologized. "I figured you needed time and space and me being by your side twenty four seven wasn't going to help that."
"I know." She whispered, slowly pulling back to stare into his eyes, hers glistening with unshed tears. "I thought you didn't want anything to do with me." She felt a tear roll down her cheek and wiped it away, her eyes moving to the side, sniffling softly. Damn it! She didn't want to cry! She wanted to tell him how she felt, to show him somehow, to make him believe that what happened to her wasn't his fault. He was blaming himself, she could see it in those green eyes, and she hated he was doing that to himself. "It wasn't your fault, 'Taker."
"Yeah, I know." 'Taker murmured, wiping away her tears with the pad of his thumb. "Took me until today to finally realize it though. It wasn't your fault and it wasn't my fault. We were betrayed by someone I used to trust. The mistake in letting him live long enough to betray was mine, but I rectified that one." His eyes flashed a dangerous green for a moment before returning to their usual color. "I want everything to do with you July, please don't ever think otherwise, even if I do act like a fool."
She smiled back at him and cupped his face in her soft hands, pressing her forehead to his and closed her eyes. "I know that now." She murmured, never wanting to let him go, never wanting this moment to end. "You've shown me so much in the past few months then I ever dared to dream possible. You protected me the best ways you knew how and I..." She took a deep breath, slowly pulling back to stare into his green eyes. "I love you. I love you, 'Taker." She knew he was probably going to say she was too young to know what love was and that whole schpeal, but July knew what it was. It was everything he'd shown her, even if he had pushed himself away. He did it for the same reason she was voicing.
Smiling, he kissed her tenderly, pushing a stray lock of her black hair behind her ear when he pulled away. 'Taker could feel her words causing a physical affect on him, his entire body warming at those sweet, sweet words. Of course, he also knew that he was the first man to ever show her kindness and affection in a non-fatherly way, so her experience was limited. There was probably someone better out there for July, but if he had his way, she'd never meet him.
"I love you too." He murmured.
Her blue eyes lit up like the stars above them as July kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck, sighing when he pulled her to straddle his lap. The dress rode up her thighs a little as she rested her hands on his shoulders, laughing when he laid back, her going with him. Her black hair splayed around them in a curtain as she rubbed her nose against his before moving down to his lips and even his beard, moving back up, her lips barely touching his. Her heart was fully pieced together now and the happiness and life was shining in her eyes again.
There was that sparkle that had been missing in her eyes since she'd come back, that life he had grown to love. He knew there had been a fire inside of July that only needed a bit of kindling to turn into a blaze, proof was in his arms. "Tease." He murmured, well aware she knew nothing about the act of making love besides what her body told her, his hands gently skimming her ribs, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric.
On the contrary, July had read up on the act of love making quite diligently, thanks to Paul pointing out some books to her. She needed some experience after all and smiled when she nipped his bottom lip, causing a low growl to escape him. She was completely comfortable with him, no hesitation in her eyes. The nightmares of what Shane did to her were gone, having been shoved in that little box, hopefully to never surface again. She loved this man and he loved her, which was enough to make the nightmares vanish and replaced with sweet dreams.
Deciding outside in the grass -while the night progressively got colder wasn't the best place for this- especially not for her first time with a REAL man -providing they got that far- 'Taker stood up. Pulling July with him and smirked, scooping her into his arms again, bending his head to catch her lips in a searing, demanding kiss, feeling her melting against him. Chuckling under his breath, he started for the house.
July groaned when he pulled away and carried her inside the house, the warmth engulfing them, deciding she would do the dishes later. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her dress now bunched up around her hips, her arms around his neck while he carried her up the steps. Deciding to experiment a little, July began to softly kiss his neck, running her fingers through his hair as she undid his braid, needing to feel his soft tresses against her touch.
"Woman, if you want to make it to the bedroom..." 'Taker warned, his voice low and throaty, growling when she giggled. He leaned against the wall, still in the stairwell, his hands holding her up and tilted his head back, letting July have free reign for the moment. Not about to deny himself the pleasure of her touch or her the exploration, groaning when she undid his hair, loving the feel of her fingers running through it.
Her soft purrs vibrated against his skin as she nipped and kissed his neck, moving across his throat, nipping his Adam's apple, before moving to his other side, smiling when she felt him tighten his grip on her. It was just them, no interruptions. Nothing to stop them this time. 'Taker..." She moaned softly against him, taking his earlobe in her mouth, her hands running through his hair continuously, loving him the best way she could.
She was going to be the death of him, literally because if July kept this up, he was going to lose his already precarious balance. Grunting, he carried her up the rest of the stairs and into his bedroom, depositing her in the middle of his bed. Standing back, he peeled off his long sleeved shirt, tossing it aside before leaning down over her, muscles flexing as he shifted his weight onto his arms, his body ALMOST pressing against hers.
July's eyes were darkened with passion as she stared up at him, her fingertips running down his chest, feeling the muscles ripple beneath her touch, a soft smile gracing her slightly swollen lips. She loved how strong and muscular he was, the anticipation of his body pressing against hers almost driving her to the point of madness. She didn't want to rush this though, her nails barely grazing his flesh, her eyes locked on his as they slowly turned from emerald to a deep dark forest.
There was no rushing, he was completely in control now, though he wouldn't deny July's enthusiasm had tempted him to let her do what she wanted. Tempted. His eyes closed, feeling her running her hands down his chest, breathing through his slightly parted mouth before shaking his head. Leaning down to kiss again, he caught her both her hands in one of his, pinning them between their bodies. "Do you have any idea what you're doing to me, hmmm?" He purred in her ear, his breath hot against her.
Her entire body trembled against him, her breathing more ragged than before. "No, show me." She breathed out, gasping softly when his tongue flicked out against her earlobe, sending a tremor to rip through her. She loved the warmth that was pressed against her palms and felt her eyes drifting shut, licking her suddenly dry lips. Just the sheer intensity between them was enough to make her head spin as July arched her neck against his lips and tongue when he began exploring her, moaning out softly.
"I will." He promised huskily, moving down her body, brushing his lips against July's collarbone as he moved. Soon he had settled himself on the floor, kneeling at her feet. 'Taker softly kissed her heels, setting them aside before running his hands up her smooth calves, feeling her muscles tensing beneath his palms, chuckling darkly. He would take his time with her, introduce her to the sensual pleasures she had been denied. "So beautiful..."
Just the feeling of his strong, muscular hands on her body sent July's mind reeling, but she couldn't pull her gaze from his. She bit her bottom lip when he ran his hands across her thighs, some of the bruises from Shane's beating lingering, and closed her eyes. She could only pray he wasn't appalled by them and leaned her head back, her hair trickling down her back in waves, her breathing and heart rate increasing rapidly.
At first he was disgusted by the bruises that still haunted her otherwise gorgeous flesh, though he would never let her know that. Then after a moment, he realized these marks were a badge of her courage. Reminders of how brave July had been in facing Shane, doing whatever necessary to ensure he wouldn't touch her. Bending down, he planted a tender kiss on a bruised area. "My brave, brave July." He murmured.
She slowly sat up, running her hands down his tattooed arms, watching as he lovingly caressed her marred skin, the feeling exquisite. Her hands moved up his arms to his shoulders, feeling her dress being pushed up inch by inch the further he ventured, her chest rising and falling rapidly. He was lighting her on fire and causing intense sensations to flow through her body. "'Taker..." She whispered, her hands burying in his black tresses that were crimped from being in a tight braid.
"Hmm?" He murmured absentmindedly, busy uncovering her delectable body. His green eyes reluctantly strayed over that body and back up to meet her eyes, seeing the desire swimming in those beautiful blues. Slightly smirking, he returned to his previous explorations, guiding the dress down her creamy hips, inhaling raggedly, reaching down to cup her sex, feeling the heat through her panties, a low groan coming from deep in his chest.
A gasp escaped her lips when he touched her, the heat pulsating against his hand, not believing how wonderful this felt. She loved his touch and dropped a kiss on top of his head, her hands moving down to his shoulders and back up to cup his face in her hands. Moaning softly when his finger slid up and down her panty covered slit, July did a full body shiver and trembled slightly against him, the desire overwhelming her and igniting every nerve ending. "Oh my..." She kissed him briefly before being gently pushed back down on the bed, her legs dangling on his shoulders.
First, the rest of the dress had to go, granted it was hanging off one leg, but...He tossed it onto the floor to join his shirt. He leaned back on his haunches to look down at her, there was something way too innocent about seeing July in just her bra and panties. He could see faint bruises still on her abdomen, resting his palm over them with a soft sigh.
For the most part, July was healed, though she still had to be careful as far as abuse went. She hadn't healed fully from her surgery, though it was in its final stages. The doctor told her she could resume normal everyday life, including sex, which caused her to blush furiously. Right now she was hot, his palms on her abdomen only fueling that fire more, wanting to reach out and touch him. Instead, her fingers gripped the comforter below, squeezing it gently between them as he began kissing his way down her stomach, leaving a trail of fire ridden kisses in his path, scorching her.
'Taker circled her naval, dipping his head lower and lower until his face was pressed against her panty covered sex, inhaling her scent, her arousal. His breath hitched in the back of his throat for a moment before hooking his fingers in the waistband of the flimsy material, sliding them down her hips, over her legs until they too rested on the floor, his attention firmly on her. "Mmm." He rumbled, slowly sliding one finger up her slit, caressing her clit which seemed to be begging for attention he was only to keen to give.
July cried out softly when she felt his finger caress her, the sheer anticipation forcing her to soak against him at the mere touch. She'd never been touched like this so...gentle and soothing. He was soothing her because, as far as she was concerned, he was her first time, her first lover. Rape didn't constitute as losing her virginity, July knew that, and she also knew with how big as 'Taker was, it was going to hurt. She was prepared to feel the pain as long as she was with him. That's all she ever wanted was to find someone who could love and treat her well. She'd found both in him, a man who looked like Satan, but had a heart of gold.