Autumn didn’t mean an end to the summer heat around Ellsberg. After a long day at school, Bailey told me to get into a pair of swim trunks. Instead of walking to the pool though, she led me into the woods. Along a winding path and down an endless stairwell, we walked hand in hand.
“I used to think the woods were magic,” Bailey said, looking embarrassed under her baseball cap. “I imagined fairies watched me when I played. There was a tree near the river that I was sure was their home. When I was twelve, the tree fell over in a bad storm. It’d been dead and rotting, so I don’t know why I was so surprised when the tree disappeared into the river. I still cried because I thought the fairies died and that’s why I didn’t feel them anymore. Does that seem stupid to you?”
“I used to think a dragon would destroy all my enemies,” I said, squeezing her hand. “So no, I don’t think fairies sound stupid.”
Sharing her smile, I followed Bailey down the winding staircase to a deck below.
“Don’t be afraid,” she said then jumped off the deck and into the river.
I watched her splash into the water then reemerge seconds later wearing a big grin.
“The water feels nice.”
“I don’t know how to swim, remember?”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
“You can’t make that promise.”
“Swimming is nothing more than kicking your feet. I’ve seen you kick guys plenty in the Thunderdome,” she said, flashing a tit at me. “Besides, there’s an inner tube down here for you to hold onto while I feel you up.”
My erection made the decision for me. Diving into the water, I hoped the water cooled my arousal. So focused on how much I wanted to be inside Bailey, I didn’t think about how I couldn’t swim. Once under water, I kicked my legs until hitting the surface where she waited topless.
“I wanted to reward your bravery,” she murmured as I wrapped one arm around the tube and the other her waist. “I’m proud of you.”
“Prove it.”
“However will I do that?” she said, wiggling her hips against mine.
Cupping her face, I brushed her lips with my thumb. “You’re medicine for my soul, Bailey. Never forget that.”
Her naughty gaze shifted into something softer. “Thank you for being brave enough to love me.”
Despite her earnest expression, I laughed. “Like I had a choice.”
My inability to swim and the public nature of our tryst didn’t matter next to my need for her. Soon, my trunks floated next to her bikini bottom.
Once I was inside Bailey, I felt like Dragon. I didn’t need to hurt anyone or bleed myself to be powerful. I just needed Bailey.
Chapter Thirty Nine ~ Bailey
Watching Maddy walk down the aisle of the church, Tucker was a smiling fool. I’d only seen my brother so happy at Scarlet’s birth. Now he was finally making things official with the woman he loved.
I stood next to Farah, Tawny, and Raven, wearing matching pale yellow bridesmaid dresses. With a little alteration, I could see wearing it again on a normal occasion. Redneck chic turned out to be pretty awesome.
Unable to attend, Lark still watched the ceremony live. Aaron sat up front and sent the feed to his wife. Later, she would say she missed most of it from crying so much. I could understand since Maddy made a beautiful bride and my brother looked pretty spiffy too. Hell, even demon spawn Sawyer looked like an angel in her yellow flower girl dress.
The reception was a blast. We enjoyed messy food and a Blue Grass band. The open bar certainly didn’t hurt either.
Watching my brothers dancing with their wives, I saw them as men for the first time.
“This is my family,” I said to Nick.
Instead of making a snide comment about how I was stating the obvious, Nick understood. A girl could be forgiven for being proud of a family like mine. I finally had great friends who supported me no matter what, but also knew when to tell me to shut the fuck up.
“I dance like shit,” Nick said, taking my hands. “Fortunately, no one will be looking at me.”
Grinning, I liked how comfortable he was these days. A storm still sent him into a dark mood and he continued to shower more than a normal guy. Otherwise, he felt at home in Ellsberg. With a new job allowing him time for school, he also had friends who watched his back. Nick finally had a family too. At dinner with Pop, Mom, Sawyer, and me, he never kept them at a distance. He was like a third son and even managed to help me get along with my little nemesis.
Even growing up the princess of a powerful family, things didn’t fall into my lap. I finally stopped whining about wanting more and took charge of my life. My reward was the man of my dreams.
Epilogue – Nick