Goodness, how I've missed you. Thanks for standing by while I take time to recuperate. I've had some health issues, but I'm back on track and feeling better. TY for rejoining me! Feel free to reread if you need a refresher. We will go back to our MWF postings and this story will be complete with 20 chaps! :)
PM Messages- Wow, TY for all of the messages. I will respond to you later today.
TY Cherry and Cinny for all your hard work. You are loved and most greatly appreciated!
Chapter Thirteen: Searching
"We all do 'do, re, mi,' but you have got to find the other notes yourself."
~Louis Armstrong
(EPOV)
If I thought for a single second I could hide my pre-fornicating ways from Pa, I was wrong. The man had suspicious eyes that glared at me as he bit into a piece of greasy, fried chicken.
Ma nervously took a sip of water, avoiding my gaze and trying to act like she wasn't my accomplice in meeting Scarlett earlier that day. I'd done a lot that summer—hiding in the back of Ma's truck, sneaking into town with Scarlett, nearly getting killed by Mr. Swan—but now Ma was involved, and she wasn't exactly the best liar. She tapped her foot against the linoleum floor as Pa's gaze switched back and forth between us.
He wiped his mouth of the back of his hand and huffed. "What did you two do today?"
"Nothing," Ma and I said simultaneously.
"Huh." Pa nodded and scooped a large forkful of collard greens into his mouth. "So you didn't go anywhere?"
"Nope," I replied, biting into my own chicken leg. "Just hung out."
"And rested," Ma added. "You know how tired I've been. So I slept. Didn't get out of bed at all. Come to think of it, I might be coming down with something. The flu, perhaps. Or a cold. Most likely the flu."
She coughed dramatically and I kicked her leg beneath the table.
"It's summer," Pa reminded her.
"Allergies," Ma continued hacking. "Can't even breathe with all this pollen. I'm surprised I even made supper."
"Me too," Pa said slowly. "I had my own surprise today."
"Oh?"
"Sure did. Embry was sent out into town to pick up some more cotton sacks at the mill."
"Is that so?"
"Yessiree. But he returned and told me the funniest thing. He claimed he saw my wife, in town, with another man."
Ma choked and immediately shook her head. "That's not true!"
"That's what I told him. 'My Esme would never do such a thing.' Then he told me it wasn't just any man; it was a younger gentleman who wore a hat. And it got me to thinking … either my wife is cheating on me or she snuck my son into town after I already forbid it!"
My eyes grew wide and Ma started wailing. "Oh, Carlisle! I'm so sorry! Lincoln was going to leave and I couldn't let him go out by himself! He loves that girl! We can't just let them never see each other! He'll die of a broken heart. Look at him, Carlisle! He needs her. You remember us at that age, don't you?"
Pa slammed his fist on the table, rocking the wooden legs and causing our glasses to shake. "Esme, that's not the damn point! Are you trying to get him killed? They've got that rally tomorrow. Folks are just looking for a reason to hurt a Negro!"
I sighed, interrupting before Ma could flood the kitchen with her tears. "Pa, it's not Ma's fault. It's mine. I wanted to see Scarlett."
"Have you learned nothing?" Pa yelled, pushing himself away from the table. His chair scrapped the floor and Ma winced. "Was hanging from a tree not good enough for you? Do you want bullets? A whip? Dogs to rip you apart limb by limb? What Lincoln? What's it gonna take for you to realize y'all will never be together?"
Anger brewed inside of me. Why couldn't he just understand Scarlett and I were meant to be? That other stuff didn't matter. I would do whatever it took to be with her. "Pa, you can't tell me what to do! You're so scared something bad's gonna happen, you're not even trying to see the good! We're in love. If you and Ma made it, so can we!"
Pa shook his head. "No, Lincoln. That's not the same. Your Grandpa Lincoln accepted me. Mr. Swan ain't got a forgiving bone in his racist body! And even if he did, you and that girl still couldn't be together! You're yellow, Lincoln. If Mr. Swan doesn't kill you, the rest of Birmingham will!"
"And being yellow is somehow my fault?" I stood up, ignoring my half-eaten supper. "YOU are the one who fell for a white girl! YOU got married and YOU are the one who had an illegal baby. Now you expect me to stay locked up because of your mistakes? No, Pa, I won't. I'm gonna live my own life whether you like it or not! Maybe next time you'll keep your dick in your pants!"
"EDWARD LINCOLN!" Ma gasped at my language and I shook angrily.
Pa's expression transformed from one of rage to one of pity, but I didn't want his sympathy. I was tired of him telling me what to do when he lived a life of hypocrisy. Maybe Scarlett and me's relationship was different, but we deserved happiness too. It was our God-given right to be free and love each other, and Pa couldn't stop us.
I wouldn't let him.
I stormed towards the kitchen counter and grabbed the truck keys. The raised metal stabbed the heated skin of my palm and I glared at both of them. "I'm leaving."
"Don't go!" Ma cried. "Lincoln, you can't even drive!"
"I'll figure it out. And don't worry about me getting caught, I'll stay hidden. Lucky for you, it's the one thing I was born to do."
Pa opened his mouth to protest, and then closed it. I could tell he was fighting himself internally, battling between wanting to keep me close or rip me a new one. It didn't matter—nothing he said was going to change my mind.
"You know, Pa, I know how everybody else sees me. I know I'm an abomination in their eyes, rotting meat for them to hang. But when my own Pa tells me I'm yellow—when my own flesh and blood sees nothing but what they see—that's when I know I'm not worth anything."
I paused, letting my words sink into his soul and cut through every ounce of his being. "Don't come looking for me. I'll be out searching for the parts of myself that you can't mix with a paintbrush."
I ran out of the kitchen, into the living room, and out of the front door. The wood bounced behind me and Ma yelled my name over and over. By the time she made it out onto the porch, I was in the truck with the engine rumbling over the sound of her voice.
She would forgive me, eventually. Perhaps Pa would too, but I no longer cared.
There was only one person I wanted to see at the moment, and as I drove down the long, winding road, I put my family and the rest of the world behind me.
.
.
.
I waited until nightfall before I finally parked outside Scarlett's gated community. It took three pebbles to her bedroom window and a loud whispered, "Come down," but she eventually followed me to the treehouse in the woods. By the time we reached the top, I collapsed in a heap of misery and regret. I pulled my knees up to my chin and moaned, trying my best not to cry in front of my girl.
"You should have heard him, Scarlett! He's selfish! He doesn't give a shit about me! He just doesn't want me to get caught 'cause then that means he'll be the one in trouble!"
"Lincoln …" Scarlett rubbed my head as she scooted in front of me.
"He was threatening me; death this and murder that! Like the entire world is out to get me. It's bad, I know, but I made it out in public today. He doesn't even take that into account!"
"Lincoln …"
"I just want to run away sometimes. Get away from this hellhole! Out of Birmingham, out of Alabama; just leave and never look back! We could do it, Scarlett! We'd go someplace like Virginia, where it's safe."
Scarlett sighed and pried my head off of my arms by lifting my chin. "It's not that easy, Lincoln. We can't just run away. My father would have the entire east coast police looking for us."
I groaned loudly as common sense finally overcame me. I knew what she said was true. I was just venting. For once, I wanted to not think about the messed up life I was born into. It wasn't fair. And maybe I sounded like a damn child, but it was the truth.
"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. You have no idea what it's like to only be judged by what you look like. I can read, Scarlett, words that folks from universities can't even pronounce. I've learned how to cook from Ma, fancy meals with seasonings that would make your tongue jump for joy. And I'm kind, Scarlett. I've got this whole family of rabbits in my yard I've been taking care of, and they let me pet them and everything. I'm Edward Lincoln. Not white, or black, or yellow … just Edward Lincoln. How come folks don't want to see that?"
She stroked the stubble along my jaw, her eyes watering at my pain. The green ribbon in her hair somehow made her eyes gleam, and I was grateful just to be in her presence again.
"You are all of those things, but they're blind," she said softly. "Forget everything else. Your father, mine, everything. They don't matter."
She was right, as usual. They didn't matter, but somehow our relationship always consisted of a triangle, with our parents disapproving of our every move.
"Stay with me?" I asked with a tone of hopefulness.
"Always."
She said that one simple word, filled with promises of a future I had always dreamed about. Her brown eyes met mine and I leaned in, pressing my lips against hers. She was my safe haven, the one constant when everything around us was changing and threatening to rip us apart.
I broke the kiss first, running my nose along her cheek and across her jaw. She smelled heavenly, like springtime and flowers and all of the good in the world. I stared at her intensely, thinking about the day when people would decide our skin color didn't matter, and if she would ever marry me. I could envision it, but I wondered if she could too.
I raised my hand slowly to stroke my thumb across her full bottom lip. Scarlett blushed and ducked her head shyly.
"Are you scared?" I whispered.
Scarlett shook her head, confused. "About Mother and Father? No, they're out at a dinner with Father's fancy board members. I stuffed my bed with pillows, just in case."
I chuckled at her innocence, hypnotized by her sparkling eyes. "I meant about us."
Scarlett tilted her head, blinked once, and then inhaled a sharp breath. "No! Yes! I mean, about you, not at all. But we … and I've … never …"
She babbled incoherently and I kissed her forehead. It calmed her momentarily and she sighed.
"I have a confession," I murmured. "I'm scared shitless."
"Really? Why?"
""Cause," I began, "I'm in this treehouse with you, and we're alone, and I've got thoughts running through my head that aren't very gentleman like. I want to be with you, physically, and it's terrifying."
Scarlett's face reflected a myriad of emotions, most of them unreadable. She spoke so quietly I wasn't sure I heard her. "I won't say no."
"I know," I whispered. "And that's what frightens me."
She hummed beneath her breath and what little self-control I had left disappeared somewhere in Alabama night sky. Our small space was quiet, except for the sounds of our heavy breathing and quickened heart beats. With my knees already propped up, I spread my legs on each side of her, taking her small, fragile hands in mine. I stared at them, smiling, wondering how on earth I got so lucky.
"I can't believe I used to be so scared to touch you," she said, staring at our fingers that were linked together.
"You couldn't help it, Scarlett. You didn't know any better."
She shook her head, disagreeing. "I should have. I think I was too consumed with what society and Father expected of me, and I just … I tried to hide what I was feeling for you. I think I liked you the first day we ever met."
"That's not surprising," I joked. "A sweaty teenage boy, a rusty truck, the lure of a forbidden affair … it has all the makings of a love story."
Scarlett giggled, her brown curls sweeping over her shoulder. "I mean it. I was attracted to you then and horrified that I was. I'm sorry, Lincoln, for even thinking that way."
"Stop it," I said harshly. "That's done and over with. We're here now, together, and there's nothing you need to apologize for."
I brought our enjoined hands to my face, grazing my lips gently over each of her knuckles. She was nervous; I could tell by the slight dampness of her palm. I would never, ever do anything to hurt her and I hoped she knew that. I wished I could tell what she was feeling. Scarlett was strong in some ways, but when it came to emotions she was a closed box, and to pry her open required time that neither of us had.
"Can you hold on a second?" I blurted out. Scarlett's brows furrowed together as I let go of her hands. She let them fall onto her pale green dress, the same one she'd wore earlier that day. I pulled the skunk necklace over my head, fumbling with the silver chain. The links were looped together and I wrenched them apart. I sat quietly and worked until I'd loosened a small section. I fixed the original necklace and placed it back around my neck. I took the links I'd removed and formed them into a small circle, which I enclosed in my hand.
"Scarlett, I …" Suddenly I was nervous, as if this moment required bravery I never quite had. But I had to continue. I had to tell Scarlett how I felt, even if it meant making a complete and utter fool of myself. "We … when I first …"
"Lincoln, breathe."
It's what Scarlett always told me when I felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack. I heeded her advice, inhaling air into my lungs and exhaling slowly. She had this way of making me feel calm, and I willed myself to relax. Taking her left hand in mine, I continued.
"I once read you that story, you know the one about the fairy tale with the dragon? After all these years, I realized why it was my favorite. It wasn't because the knight and princess fell in love. It was because the knight saved the princess. He did it with selflessness and humility, and lived for someone other than himself. Scarlett, I'm no knight. I have no armor and even if I had a sword, I wouldn't know what to do with it. But I do have one weapon. It's strong and mighty and it will defend you until the day I die. It's my heart. And maybe it's not worth much, and it won't slay a dragon, but it will protect you. I will always keep you safe, shielding you from whatever this world has to throw at us …"
Rubbing Scarlett's hand gently, I continued. "You are my princess and I will always treat you as such. It is an absolute honor to love you, and I will do so for the rest of my life, if you'll let me. Scarlett Swan, will you … one day … marry me?"
Scarlett froze with watery eyes and I could feel the wave of tension and gut—wrenching silence loom over us. Her hesitation was like a knife, cutting me to my core. I groaned, berating myself for such stupidity. Of course she would never marry someone like me. I was so dumb and naïve, thinking she would ever—
"Yes."
I glanced up and Scarlett was nodding, tears streaming down her face.
"Yes?" I repeated.
She smiled, her hand trembling in mine, and I grinned back like an idiot. I laughed, cradling her cheeks in my hands and kissing her passionately. She giggled between our teeth—knocking and wet lips.
"Shit!" I dropped the homemade ring somewhere on the floor and I scrambled to find it. The cold metal touched my fingertips and I lifted it up carefully, sliding it onto her left ring finger.
"I love you, Scarlett."
"I love you too, Lincoln."
We grinned stupidly at each other, wrapped in a cocoon of teenage bliss and pledged vows made in an old treehouse, pledging vows that neither of us quite understood. But we were happy.
Love swelled in my chest and I wrapped her in my arms. Being with her was so soul consuming, so intense it overrode everything we'd fought for in that moment. It was a love that couldn't be broken or even shaken. We were the kind of love that shattered expectations and rules and unfounded laws that didn't make sense where the heart was concerned. For once in my life, I was proud of that. I was proud of being me and being my skin color, because everything that I was had brought me to Scarlett.
"Lincoln?" Scarlett breathed my name softly in my ear. "Will you love me now?"
I was so full of emotion I thought I'd explode. I pulled away from her slowly, not wanting to ruin the moment. "I don't want you to feel like we … um, have to. I'm okay with holding you, Scarlett."
She folded her hands timidly in her lap. "I know, but I, uh, I want to."
I glanced around at the rotting wood, rumpled blanket, and the stack of books jumbled in the corner. I wanted our first time to be special, planned out and in a place that was as beautiful as she was. Scarlett was used to silk sheets and fine linens and chandeliers. This was not even close. She noticed my expression and lifted her hand to turn my head towards her. "Please?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I crushed my lips to hers, placing my hand behind her head as I pushed her onto her back. We kissed passionately, tongues and teeth forcefully devouring one another. I felt the wave of heat come from her body, but I wanted to show her I cared. This was going to change everything and I wanted her to know I understood what it meant. Her hands gripped my shoulders as I hovered over her, holding up my weight so I didn't crush her against the thin blanket and hard wood. I was losing my breath from our frantic kiss, but I didn't stop. I needed her more than air.
I felt myself getting hard in my trousers and I had to remind myself to go slow. Neither of us knew what we were doing, but that was the best part about it. We would always have this to share, to remember every aspect of this night.
Scarlett clawed at my beige shirt and I used the moment to pull away, yanking it over my head. Her fingertips danced across my chest, exploring skin no one else had ever touched before.
I glanced down at her, her sparkling eyes gazing at me intensely. I wanted to feel every part of her and take my time, but I was unsure of how slowly I would be able to go.
"May I?" I whispered, my hands traveling along her scooped neckline. She nodded and sat up partway so I could unzip the back of her dress. I fumbled with it when I reached the middle of her back and she giggled shyly, reaching around to jerk the zipper downward. The dress slid down her arms, falling to a pool at her waist.
Her white brassiere was silk was lace, the cups covering her breasts completely. She was breathtakingly perfect and I felt tingles of excitement run along my abdomen. Scarlett appeared scared, quite nervous at her exposed skinned and I bent over, placing soft kisses along her neck. She relaxed slightly and I reached around to unhook the clasps of the expensive material. I pulled the straps down her arms and tossed it somewhere behind me.
"You're beautiful," I assured her. "My pretty, pretty princess."
Scarlett moaned at my whispered words and the sound shot straight to my groin. Her eyes closed, as if all she wanted to do was feel and hear. I allowed her a moment of shyness as I kissed and licked beneath her ear. She shuddered beneath me and I used the opportunity to run my hand across her chest. She gasped at the sensation, her rose colored nipples perking up immediately.
Scarlett's hands gripped the blanket beneath her and I placed soft kisses across her heated flesh. I used one hand to gently massage her left breast while my tongue grazed over the other. She squirmed beneath me, making inaudible noises that I hoped were a good thing.
"Is this okay?" I asked quietly, looking up at her. She refused to open her eyes but her fingers met the back of my head and moved me back to my previous position. I took her motion as a permissible 'yes' and sucked tenderly on her nipple. I gripped her left breast more firmly, eventually using my fingers to flick her raised bud back and forth.
"Lincoln …" Scarlett sang my name and I switched sides as she bucked beneath me. I could stay there and do this forever; anything to make her feel like I did and watch her cheeks flush red. I wanted to move slowly but the skin beneath her breasts called to me. I moved my mouth down her stomach, but replaced it with my other hand. Alternating between flicking and rubbing, I used my lips to brush across her skin. I reached her belly button and dipped my tongue inward, kissing every sliver of flesh presented to me.
Blocked by her dress, I finally removed my hands to tug it slowly down her legs. She locked her knees together and I lifted her legs to take off the material. She lay in only a pair of white panties that matched the brassiere she had on earlier. Scarlett was trembling so badly, I needed to know if I should stop. I would, if she wanted me to. I wanted her, without a doubt, but I craved her love and respect more.
"Scarlett?" Her eyelashes fluttered and she looked down in fear. "We can stop, okay?"
"No!" She yelled a bit too loudly and I chuckled. "I mean, don't! I'm just nervous."
I nodded, completely understanding, and scooted upward to kiss her lips. She moaned into my mouth as I held one hand under her head. I used the other to travel across her breast, down her mid-section, and right to the hem of her underwear. I paused, giving her an out, but when she kissed me forcefully, I roamed into the white silk, rubbing small, firm circles.
Scarlett gasped in my mouth, taking my own breath with hers. I mumbled sweet words against her lips as she squirmed from my movements.
She was a ball of nerves, caught between wanting me and clenching her thighs together. "Open your legs, baby."
She hesitated and then spread her legs further apart as I licked and kissed along her collarbone. I pressed my palm against her center and slowly pushed one finger inside of her. She shivered from my touch, breathing against my ear.
"I love you so much," I murmured. Scarlett whimpered and her hips raised in the air as if her body had a mind of its own. I loved seeing her react like this, all because of me. I blew against her neck, watching her fluttering eyes as I applied harder pressure with my hand, inserting a second finger. It was like electricity shot through her and she squirmed, searching for my lips. I obliged, kissing her deeply when her body suddenly went paralyzed. She tensed, half-screaming into my mouth, and quivered as my fingers sped up their movements. Scarlett trembled and her legs shook as she cried out my name. I groaned at her spasms, holding my hand in place as she rode out her orgasm. The tension slowly released from her muscles and my kiss softened as I stroked her gently.
I sat I silence, gazing at her chest as it rose and fell. Her expression told me everything I wanted to know and her shallow breaths became full again as she struggled to absorb what had just happened. I smiled, pressing my lips along her shoulder and collarbone.
"How did that feel?" I asked after a moment. I couldn't help but smirk—it was the cocky side of me that slipped out unconsciously.
"Like you don't know," she finally answered and I chuckled out loud.
"I told you you'd like it swirled," I joked, and Scarlett slapped me teasingly on the arm. It only made me laugh harder and I moved so that I hovered over her, running my fingers through her hair. "I wish you could see what I do. You're so beautiful Scarlett."
"So are you," she murmured lovingly, caressing the fine hairs along my jaw. "I wish you knew that."
Something tugged at my heartstrings, pulling roughly without my consent. I had my own issues with insecurity, a combination of self-hatred and self-doubt brought on by life's circumstances. It was a part of me I never shared with anyone, but I had the sinking feeling Scarlett saw right through me.
"You may not love yourself," Scarlett said softly, "but I do."
She sat up, pushing her weight against mine until she maneuvered us into an upright position. She ran her fingers across my bare chest, exploring every aspect of me. I shivered from her touch, her milky skin moving over my darker colored own. Scarlett gazed at me with appreciation and love and an endless amount of acceptance I had never known before. It was overwhelming and I found myself looking away.
Scarlett turned my chin, reminding me that she wasn't going anywhere. She kissed me softly, pushing against my chest until I was the one on my back. My skin tingled and I felt afraid that I wasn't the one in control. She took her time, pressing her lips across the hairs leading down to my pants. I gulped as she unbuttoned them and instead of just pulling down my trousers, she tugged my underwear down too. My hardened cock was free and bare before her, standing upright. She didn't say anything, or even touch it, just stared as she sat in between my legs.
"You're making me nervous," I joked, trying to break the silence.
"Sorry," she blushed. "You're just … um … big."
Pride swelled up inside of me and I grinned.
"Stop smiling," she berated me.
"I can't help it," I said proudly. "You tell a fella a compliment like that and it'll go straight to his head. Literally."
My cock twitched in agreement and Scarlett rolled her eyes. I ached for her to touch me, but I didn't want to rush her. I let her take her time as she stroked my pubic hair, touching the small curls. Her small hand finally grasped me at the base and I nearly came on the spot.
"What do I do?" she asked shyly.
"Like this," I answered, wrapping my hand around hers. I moved our hands upward, sliding them up and down. Nothing would ever beat Scarlett touching me like this and I throbbed as she frowned in concentration, stroking me until I groaned loudly. I closed my eyes, relishing in the sensation, when I felt something hot and unbelievably wet cover me.
My eyes flew open and Scarlett's mouth was wrapped around the tip of my cock.
"Scarlett," I pleaded, but I wasn't sure if she heard me. She sucked gently on the head, making erotic sounds I would never be able to forget. Her lips curled and just the slightest bit of her teeth scraped against the skin, causing me to push my hips upward. She took me in deeper and I was a goner. My hands traveled to her hair, guiding her as I felt myself about to let go. It was embarrassing and I couldn't let myself do that twice in one day.
I repeated her name, louder this time until she finally released me and glanced up. "Am I doing it wrong?"
I swallowed, shaking my head. "No, but I'm not going to last if you keep that up."
"Oh."
I waited for her to move, but instead she did the last thing I ever expected her to: she put her warm mouth on me again, this time going at least half-way down. I cursed and she wrapped her hand around the base of my cock, moving unevenly as she sucked me at the same time.
I was so aroused and paralyzed and shocked all at once. Her muffled moans made me throw my head back and when she sped up, I knew I wouldn't make it another second. I fought the urge to grab her hair roughly and instead, twisted my fists into the blanket. My breaths accelerated and she massaged the swollen flesh firmly. Blood rushed like wildfire beneath my skin and I thrust myself faster between her sweet lips. I felt my muscles contract and the tension rise in my abdomen. She deliberately sucked me hard and I squeezed my eyes tighter as she pumped me relentlessly.
Gritting my teeth, my body tensed as the hot liquid spewed out of me. I grunted and my body quivered, releasing into Scarlett's mouth. She took it all, not moving until I finally stopped jerking. It was so intense, I felt like I would never move again. She finally scooted backward, leaning over the treehouse entrance and spitting down below. I was in such a state of euphoria that everything was a blur around me. She turned to face me, wiping her mouth and smiling.
With heavy eyelids, I blinked as she sat before me, propped up on her knees in only her underwear. "How did you—"
"Alice," she told me boastfully. "It pays to have an older, more experienced cousin."
I didn't even want to know what else Alice had told her. Instead, I reached my arms out, trying to catch my breath and hold her as well. She lay beside me, snuggling underneath my arm and placing her hand on my chest.
"Thank you," I said softly. "That was … better than anything I'd ever imagined."
Scarlett giggled. "So you admit you've been imagining it?"
"I've got a lot of time on my hands," I confessed. She laughed, strumming her fingers along my skin. I felt her breasts press against me and her feet rub up and down my legs. She kissed me softly and even though I'd come harder than I had ever before, I felt myself getting excited again.
"Lincoln?" Scarlett's voice came out in a whisper as I stared at the treehouse roof.
"Yeah?"
"You know how you were upset about your father?"
I groaned, not wanting to talk about my parents at a time like this. It was interrupting my state of blissfulness.
"Scarlett—"
"Just listen, okay?" she pleaded. I nodded and let her continue. "I just want you to know he loves you. And maybe he's a little harsh, but everything he did was to keep you safe. My father doesn't do that. He uses his power and authority to boss me around and his money to buy my love. I want you to know we don't all have a Carlisle. Be thankful for him."
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so angry at Pa I forgot all Scarlett had was Mr. Swan. Pa could be overprotective, but he would never hurt me or someone else. And after everything, he was still my pa.
"I don't hate him, Scarlett. I guess I just want a little more freedom."
"And that's what he's fighting for. Didn't you tell me he was going to that rally tomorrow? It's not for himself—it's for you. He wants you to be free and safe. Your father is sacrificing himself amongst a bunch of angry protestors to make sure you can finally walk down the street and make it out alive. And I want that for you too. I want you to live, Lincoln. Not sneak around and duck behind buildings and wear hats, but to truly live. And your father wants that as well."
I sighed. I knew she was right, but Scarlett was a Swan. She was white and privileged and everything I would never be.
"What if nothing changes?" I asked. "What if after all of the fighting and protesting and sacrifices from Pa everything stays the same?"
Scarlett sat up, wrangling herself out of my hold. She hesitated, debating what to say. "A wise man once told me to look at colored people like they're real. So that's what I'm going to do. The world can't stay the same if someone's trying to change it. And for you, Lincoln, I will do anything, even if that means giving away all of my cookies."
I furrowed my brows in confusion. "I don't know what that means."
"It means I love you," she smiled. "And when your father's trying to fight for your freedom, I will be too."
"I'm not asking you to," I replied gently.
Scarlett climbed on top of me, placing her legs on both sides of my hips. "That's thing about love, Mister Masen. You don't get a choice. You're not the only one who can slay dragons, you know."
I laughed and pulled her to me, pressing my mouth against hers. She giggled against my lips, parting her mouth for me. I kissed her deeply, tasting her tongue with my own. Her breasts were pushed against my chest and she rocked her lower half against mine. The friction made shivers rip through my body and I groaned. She repeated her motions, rocking back and forth as my cock thrust against her sweet spot. My hands traveled up her thighs, lingering at the edge of thin, silk material.
Sitting up, Scarlett shifted and moved until she removed her underwear. She returned back to her position and this time she was bare, and her tiny curls were touching my own. My erection throbbed as I pressed against her. Placing her hands on my chest, she rubbed herself back and forth. I could feel her wetness soaking my cock and she was so damn beautiful.
I didn't know how much more I could take and I placed my arm around her back. I flipped us over and her headband began to slide out of her hair. Pulling it off completely, I tossed it to the side and her brunette curls fell around her angelic face.
I had never wanted anything more than I wanted her in that moment. Hitching her right leg higher, I wrapped her around my waist, gaining entry to the spot I needed so badly.
It seemed surreal, the two of us, after everything we had been through. I stared into her eyes, hoping she knew how special she was to me. Scarlett was no ordinary girl and I was honored just to have her love me back.
She looked at me with watery eyes and I felt like a bastard, hoping I hadn't pressured her to go too far.
"Hey," I said gently. "We can stop."
She shook her head. "I'm … no. I love you so much. I want to do this. Alice told me it will hurt, but I want you, Lincoln. I want you to be my first and last."
Her words made me feel like the luckiest man in the world. "I want that too."
She smiled, moving her hand between us. She positioned me so that all I had to do was push forward, but I couldn't, not yet.
"Scarlett, I love you. Maybe that's not enough, but I just wanted to tell you that."
"It's enough," she said quietly. "It'll always be enough."
I nodded, leaning forward to kiss her. Despite what Alice had told her, I didn't want to cause her pain. I slipped my hand between us, rubbing circles gently as she moaned. She was so stunning. Everything about her was flawless, even her imperfections. She finally relaxed and I glanced down at my glistening hand. She clutched tightly onto my shoulders, moaning and squirming beneath me.
She begged me with slurred words until I pressed my cock at her entrance. I hesitated, but she bit my bottom lip, pleading me to continue. Using my hand to guide me, I stroked myself up and down, lubricating my erection. It throbbed, waiting impatiently to be inside of her.
I was filled with emotions, knowing this moment would bind us together forever. I whispered that I loved her into her and mouth and pushed half an inch. Scarlett cried out and I froze.
"Scarlett—" My gritted voice was saturated with anguish at her pain.
"Love me, Lincoln," she ordered me boldly. "Please."
I nodded, trying to not succumb to pleasure. She was so tight and hot and I didn't know if I would even make it all the way inside her.
She squeezed her eyelids shut and I pushed the tip of my cock slowly past her barrier. Her thighs clenched around me and I kissed her, holding her tightly to me with my other hand. Scarlett whimpered and the sound vibrated into my ear. I pressed forward, agonizingly slow, until our centers pressed together.
Scarlett was no longer kissing me, or even breathing for that matter. I remained still, not believing that we had made it this far. My hand glided up her body, reaching her breast, and I massaged it gently.
"Scarlett, are you okay?"
She finally opened her eyes and smiled. "Yes. I'm perfect."
I grinned, gazing into her beautiful eyes. "That you are."
I waited for a few more seconds, trying to soak in the moment for all it was worth. No matter what anyone thought, this was beautiful. Finally uniting our bodies as one was indescribably wonderful. I could stay like this forever. It felt right, like we were meant to be.
"Are you going to move?" she asked softly.
"I was trying to relish the moment."
"Oh."
She finally cracked a smile and shifted, her walls contracting around me. I had the feeling she did it on purpose and when she dug her nails into my back, I knew I couldn't remain still for much longer. She pulled me closer and I pulled out slightly before pushing back in. Scarlett moaned, sending electric shocks through my body. It was so intense, making love for the first time without any doubts or regrets. We were making the decision to love without boundaries and it was a complete reflection of who we were.
"I love you, baby," I whispered, sliding outward again. I fought for control as I slid back and forth, in and out, filling her completely. She felt so, so good when I thrust slowly into her body. I don't think I would ever feel like this again and I hoped she felt the same.
Deliberately moving, she met my thrusts and when she finally sighed, I wondered if her pain had subsided. Her fingers roamed my bare skin and I kissed every sliver of skin was available to me. I wanted her to know how much she was loved and adored. I didn't take her gift for granted.
Her flesh was hot, scorching me from the inside out. We whispered each other's names, falling in sync as I hitched her leg higher. The new angle made her gasp and she clawed at my back. Her frantic motions made me thrust into her faster with sweat dripping down my brow.
"You're mine, sweet princess," I told her breathlessly. "Always mine."
She whimpered in response and our foreheads touched one another. I reached for one of her hands and she fumbled before twining our fingers together. A bubble of emotion caught in my throat and I gripped her hand tightly.
"Promise me forever," I grunted.
"I already did," Scarlett panted with quickened breaths.
"Again, baby. I need to hear it again."
She didn't answer and I reached between us, rubbing the hardened bud that made her cry out. I drove into her more firmly, waiting to hear those words. Her head fell to the side and her legs quivered around me. I felt as if we were falling, almost spiraling into a place filled with pleasure and love.
Scarlett was fighting the inevitable. I could tell by the way her eyes glassed over and how she struggled to clamp her teeth together. I licked her sweet flesh, tasting the salty sweat and hot skin just below her ear. My own orgasm was on the horizon and my stomach hurt as I tried to hold off a bit longer.
"Scarlett," I growled, pumping into her. "Promise me."
Scarlett shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. I missed those pretty browns, the ones that always held nothing but love for me. Gripping her hips tightly, I thrust erratically into her. Scarlett tensed and screamed, holding onto me so firmly it hurt. I continued slamming, her wetness coating me fully. The sounds of our bodies filled the small space, echoing out into the open air. Unable to stop myself, I snarled into her neck, biting down as I released. Pleasure surged through me and my heart pounded as I slowed down and stilled my movements. I became slack, falling onto Scarlett, unable to move for an immeasurable amount of time.
We both laid there, breathing heavily, until I realized Scarlett was probably hurting. I pulled out of her slowly and my eyes widened at the streaks of blood on my cock. Alarmed, I kissed her forehead and used my shirt to wipe her clean.
"Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"
Scarlett smiled. "I'm fine. It, uh, happens the first time."
"Oh." I tugged on the blanket sheepishly, covering us both. I was too tired to move or leave and I suspected she felt the same. "Scarlett, why did you not answer me?"
Sighing, she curled into me, running her hands up and down my body. "I told you, Lincoln, I already did."
Scarlett gestured to my hand. I glanced over and raised it into the air. In the midst of passion, she had slid the ring I'd given her onto my own finger.
"I once told Alice that I owned you," she admitted softly. When I frowned, a saddened expression covered her face. "It was wrong. I expected you to be my property, something I could do as I wish with. But after all this time, my wish is the same but my reason is different. I still want you, Lincoln. I want you to be mine forever."
Smiling, I slid the ring back onto her finger.
"Then we will be, Scarlett Swan. Forever and ever."
We started a new chapter of our own that night. In a treehouse in the middle of a forest in a faraway land, the princess helped the knight finally find himself.