“I need you,” I say, eyes closed, head resting on his chest. He picks me up with ease, giving me what I need and carries me down the hall to his room. He pushes open his door, then kicks it shut, before walking me to his bed.

“You have me, Bell,” he says, pulling me closer into him as he lies next to me.

“Her birthday gets harder and harder each year,” I say, and I know I won’t have to explain it any more than that. He understands.

“Ahhh, sweetheart.” He holds me a little tighter as the tears come, and I know I shouldn’t let it, but it makes me fall a little more for him.

I’m on a slippery slope and I don’t know how to stop.

“Hi, Bell. Nice to see you again,” Nix, Kadence’s husband, says as we walk out to the back patio where everyone is sitting. We’ve been gone for over thirty minutes, with Jesse holding me while I cried. I didn’t think I could cry any more, but each time he held me tighter, it would set off another round of tears. Eventually, I was able to get it together enough for Jesse to convince me to come out and say hi to everyone. I wasn’t expecting him to invite me out. I thought for sure, being in his bed, things would lead to other things, but he surprised me.

“Yeah, you too, Nix.” I smile, taking a seat next to Jesse.

“Bell, you know Nix, Sy, Holly and Kadence.” Jesse points to the faces I’m familiar with. “This ugly fucker is Beau.” He motions first to a man with long hair that’s pulled back in a small ponytail. I remember him from the first night I was here. Only in the light of the day, he doesn’t look so scary.

“Hi,” I wave awkwardly and watch his smile transform his dark looks into something completely different. Calmer. Sexier?

“And this is Brooks and his wife, Kelly. Their daughter over there is Mia.” He points first to an older man. His face hidden by a beard, dark with flecks of grey. I move my eyes over to his wife, Kelly. My first thought is she’s younger. A lot younger, but I’m not thrown by it. She smiles and waves before saying hello.

“Hi.” I wave back. “Your daughter is cute.” I look over to the small blonde-haired girl playing with an older boy who looks to be twelve maybe thirteen years old.

“That’s our son, Z.” Kadence notices me looking at him. I nod, remembering Jesse telling me about Z.

“You okay, Bell?” Holly asks, eyeing me curiously. She saw my tears before Jesse took me to his room, and it warms my heart that she’s worried for me.

“She’s fine,” Jesse answers for me, halting the conversations at the table.

“Holy shit! Did you just see it?” Nix asks, and grins split over Kadence and Holly’s faces. See what?

“I fucking told you so. You all owe me ten dollars, ” Sy says, weighing in and now I’m completely lost.

“Shut the fuck up,” Jesse grumbles, causing them all to break out in laughter.

“Fuck, he’s a goner,” Nix continues to push, causing Jesse to stand.

“Don’t fucking start. You don’t know shit.” He continues to be pissed while everyone else seems so happy. What the hell is everyone talking about?

“We’re out of here.” He leans down and takes my hand, pulling me up to stand with him.

“We are?” I ask, confused, considering he was the one who dragged me out here in the first place.

“Yeah, I gotta be somewhere,” he says as he starts to drag me back inside. I don’t fight him, his hold on me is rough and desperate.

“Bye everyone,” I call out, turning back to wave. I’m sad we are leaving so soon, but maybe next time we can stay longer.

“Bye, Bell,” Holly and Kadence call back, the rest grinning.

“Don’t talk to those assholes,” Jesse growls, setting off another roar of laughter as he pulls me down the hall back to his room.

“Jesse, what’s wrong?” I ask when he slams his door shut.

“Nothing, I just need to be inside of you, right now.” He walks me to the bed and pushes me back. I land in a squeal but his mouth descends to mine before I can protest any further.

“Have to take you, Bell,” he says against my mouth. Need pulses through me at his confession and all thoughts and worries leave me.

“Hmm,” I hum. His hand slides up my inner thigh, under my dress, pushing my panties aside and going straight to my heat.

“Fuck, always so wet, Bell.” His eyes roll back in his head like he’s enjoying it more than me, even though I haven’t touched him yet.

“Jesse,” I sigh when two fingers fill me.

“Always so ready.” His eyes burn in arousal as the corners of his mouth tips up, ready to break out in a knowing grin.

“Just for you.” I agree as his lips move down my neck over my collarbone and across my breasts before he peppers kisses all over my belly. Finally, he’s breathing a hot breath over my cotton panties.

“Jesus, Bell, I’m gonna come apart before I even get to taste you,” he says, and the anticipation of his touch is too much.

“Please, Jesse,” I plead as he slides my panties down my legs.

“Spread them wide for me, dirty girl,” he orders, and like every time he bosses, I do as I am told, spreading my legs wider to expose myself to him.

“Holy mother fucking God.” He drops to his knees, and pulls me to the edge of the bed. My hand moves to cover myself unsure if what I have is enough for Jesse.