One Love Read online

  * * *

  16 years old

  I ripped my mouth away from Gracie’s and flopped back against the seat, breathing hard and willing my body to stand down. Literally. Gracie wiggled on my lap and moaned as she searched out my lips again. It took every ounce of my control to lift her and deposit her back into the passenger seat of my car.

  “I thought…” She trailed off and curled into herself.

  “Hey.” I reached across the console and brushed her beautiful red curls away from her face. “Don’t ever doubt how much I want you, baby,” I told her in a gravelly voice. “But if we don’t stop, I’m going to lose it and fuck you in the back seat of my car.” I wanted to. I really fucking wanted to. But I had more than enough reasons to wait. The biggest one being the risk of pregnancy.

  We both wanted a big family. Gracie had been talking about babies for as long as I could remember. And I hoped to start working on her dream as soon as we started a life on our own. She could go on the pill, and I could wear condoms, but nothing except abstinence was foolproof. Knowing how she felt about providing for our family on our own—although I had gotten a jump-start on it—I wasn’t going to risk a teen pregnancy. Gracie would see it as a failure, and I would never knowingly do that to her.

  She opened her mouth, and I placed a finger over it to keep her silent. “You are not a one-night stand, not an easy lay, or just a girlfriend I use for fucking as a placeholder for when the right one comes along.” I brought her face over to meet me in the middle and gave her a soft kiss. “You are my one, my everything, and I refuse to let our first time be anything other than making love.”

  Her skin pinkened with one of those blushes I loved so much, and her mouth curved up into a sweet smile. “We could go to a hotel.” I shook my head and chuckled when she pouted, “It’s my birthday.”

  “We have our whole lives to explore every kinky, dirty fantasy in my head,” I teased, making her giggle. A sound that always sent a bolt of warmth to my heart and a bolt of lust to my dick.

  “You’re such a boy,” she said with a roll of her eyes.

  “You’re such a girl,” I replied with a smirk.

  I cupped her face in my hands and pressed my forehead to hers. “You are it for me, Gracie. I love you.”

  Her ocean blue eyes widened, and she blinked like an owl, her mouth forming a little O.

  It might have seemed odd to some people that we’d been together this long without saying I love you, but even though I’d known it for a long time, I didn’t feel right using those words until we were old enough for it to truly have meaning and promise.

  “Do you love me, Gracie?” I asked when she continued to sit in silence.

  That seemed to snap her out of her trance, and she threw herself at me. “Yes! Yes, I love you!” I’d known she would say yes, yet I still felt a sigh of relief trickle out.

  I reached into the pocket of my suit coat—we were all dressed up from a fancy dinner—and took out a box I’d been trying to find the right time to give her.

  Gracie gasped when I held the box out and looked at it with utter disbelief while her brow furrowed, telling me she was also apprehensive. I knew what was on her mind and strived to settle it.

  “I’m not proposing, baby.” Yet. “Just open it.”

  Her worry dissipated, and she opened the lid, suddenly vibrating with excitement.

  An Irish Claddagh ring was nestled inside, except I’d had the emerald heart replaced with a sapphire because of her eyes. “I’m not proposing tonight. But I am asking you to promise to always be mine. To say yes when the day comes that I ask you to be my wife.”

  She bobbed her head, and tears streamed down her face as I slipped the ring on her finger. Once again, she practically fell on top of me, sealing her mouth over mine.

  I hugged her tight and didn’t fight her when she kissed me, her hunger clear in the way she tried to devour my mouth. Then one of her hands slid down my shirt, headed for my groin, and I caught it as I gently pushed her away.

  Gracie and I were both virgins, but that didn’t mean I hadn’t learned things about myself, about my preferences and needs during sex. And with Gracie, it seemed as if they were magnified. I wanted to dominate her, to make her submit and cry out my name as she came, reminding us both that she belonged to me. And while she screamed in ecstasy, I’d be making sure everyone else knew she was mine too by filling her with my come and putting my baby in her belly.

  We’d only ever done some heavy petting and I’d given her orgasms by rubbing her over her clothes—with my hand or the bulge of my very large cock through my pants. I hadn’t let things progress because I didn’t trust myself not to do more. But we’d said I love you. She’d promised to be mine forever. To say yes when I finally proposed. It was finally time to start preparing her.

  Holding her hand in an iron grip, I looked straight into her eyes. “I’m in charge when we fuck. Don’t touch, don’t speak, don’t breathe unless I tell you to. And you especially don’t orgasm until I tell you to. Is that clear?” Gracie’s eyes were wide again, but heat had sparked in them and I could tell my words interested her. My jaw firmed, and I narrowed my eyes in warning. “And baby, that includes getting yourself off.” Her mouth fell open a little more, and I used two fingers to gently shut it.

  “If you disobey, you’re going to find yourself bent over my knee while I spank you until your ass is cherry red so you remember who you belong to every time you sit.”

  I released her hand only to shackle her wrist in my own. “Or maybe I’ll tie you to the bed and show you who’s in control by teasing you until you can’t remember your own name before I decide whether to let you come.”

  Gracie panted and squirmed in her seat, and a wicked smile stole across my face. “Does that make you hot, baby?”

  She blushed, but after a moment of hesitation, she nodded.

  “That’s because you were made for me, Gracie. We’re two halves of one soul.”

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  “I love you too, Gracie.”

  * * *

  18 years old

  Graduation Day.

  Finally.

  I’d waited, been a gentleman—mostly—because I wanted everything to be perfect for my Gracie. She’d almost managed to make me capitulate a few times while we were hot and heavy. I deserved a fucking medal for waiting until we turned eighteen.

  My birthday had been several months ago, but Gracie’s was tomorrow. Today, we’d walk across the stage and leave our childhood behind, finally able to be the adults we’d grown into long ago.

  Honestly, I could have graduated from high school my freshman year if I’d agreed when they asked me to skip three grades. But I’d refused to leave Gracie. I’d put up such a fit—I was only seven—that my parents had finally realized they’d never be able to separate us, and from that point on, no one tried.

  We’d both grown up in homes with parents whose love for each other bordered on obsession. They taught us to love hard when it came to the right people. And to go after our destiny, whatever it might be. I knew we both wanted what our parents had, and we’d found it in each other.

  So I’d gone through the motions, completing my schooling just to be near my Gracie. I never wanted her to feel as if she were holding me back, so I didn’t mention that I also completed my bachelor's degree in our four years of high school.

  My plan was to graduate, get married, and start our family, but Gracie had misgivings about jumping in right away. She didn't want to live off our trust funds; she wanted to go to college, graduate, build careers, and be able to provide for our family on our own.

  I certainly couldn’t blame her for wanting to be independent and for us to stand on our own two feet. I respected the fuck out of it. Which made it even more perfect when Jonah approached me about a job. I’d gone to him for research on some of my college papers, and we’d talked a lot over the years about my skills and ambitions.

  At the end of my s
ophomore year, he came to me with a problem that no one in his company seemed to be able to solve. No one in the industry could top Jonah’s knowledge and skill, but I let him pretend I didn’t know he could have fixed the issue himself because it hadn’t been a favor. It had been an interview.

  After completing the assignment in record time, he offered me a position that would work around my schedule, and I could do a lot of it from home. He also offered me the resources to indulge in some ideas I’d had percolating. Some new software and tools that could revolutionize the industry.

  The only catch in the whole situation was that my main projects were being contracted from the DOD, which meant top secret clearance and a gag order. I was still a minor, so my parents were aware of my position and had given their permission. However, beyond my team, the only other person I could tell was a spouse. Which meant no Gracie.

  I could have shared that I worked for Jonah to a certain extent, but I didn’t want suspicion anywhere near her, so I ultimately decided to keep her out of the loop completely until graduation.

  Neither Jonah, nor I, were happy about me keeping secrets from Gracie, but we both knew that in the end, it meant I’d be prepared to take care of his precious baby girl. It actually worked a little in my favor anyway, because Jonah didn’t balk at my request to propose to Gracie as soon as we were both eighteen.

  “Are you ready?” Gracie asked as she walked up, drawing me out of my thoughts.

  I slipped my arm around her waist and answered honestly, “Couldn’t be more ready.”

  Bending down, I winked before planting a solid kiss on her mouth. “Let’s get this shit over with and get to the good stuff.”

  Gracie giggled and poked my side.

  “You’re such a boy.”

  “You’re such a girl.” I kissed her again. “My girl.”

  1

  Hudson

  18 years old

  Day after graduation

  “Holy shit,” I breathed as I stared at the vision before me.

  Gracie finished fastening an earring and turned toward me, away from the mirror she’d been facing. Her auburn hair was pulled back from her face with glittery clips, and it hung in gentle curls down to her waist. The blush-colored dress she’d put on was strapless, the top fitted to her waist before it flared out over her wide, curvy hips. It fell to her knees with a poufy thing underneath the skirt. There wasn’t a lot of cleavage showing—for which I was immensely grateful because I probably would have ended up in jail for assault before the night was over—but her generous tits pushed against their constraints. I licked my lips, thinking about setting them free later, only to capture them with my hands and mouth.

  Down boy. I shook my head to dispel the images so I didn’t end up stealing her from the party before she had a chance to attend it.

  Finally, my gaze traveled down her sexy legs, and my throat dried up. Glittery silver straps weaved around her calves and tied in a bow at the back. They were attached to high stiletto heels, and a strap that crossed over toes painted to match her dress.

  Those shoes...fuck me. Yeah, those would be digging into my ass at some point tonight.

  “You look unbelievable, Gracie,” I croaked.

  Her skin bloomed with pink, and she flashed a smile that had only ever been directed at me. “You’re looking pretty good yourself, Mr. Kendall.”

  With a grin, I sauntered into the room with a hand behind my back. Gracie’s eyes lit up when she noticed, and she bounced on her toes.

  “Gimme!” She made grabby hands, and I laughed at her excitement. Gracie loved presents and surprises. It made life a lot of fun.

  “This gift isn’t free,” I said, furrowing my brow and giving her a stern expression.

  “I have to pay the piper, huh?”

  I stopped when I was only inches away from her and shrugged. “If that’s what you’re calling me these days…”

  Gracie giggled and closed the distance between us. “Seriously, though.” She frowned, trying to match my severe features. “Gimme.”

  My head fell back as I laughed with pure joy. Gracie always did that for me. Brought happiness to every moment. Knowing what was coming, I didn’t bother to try to stop her when she reached around me and snatched the small box from my hand.

  She held it in silence, staring at it with blue pools filled with apprehension.

  “It’s not a ring, baby,” I sighed before adding a warning. “But it’s coming, so you need to get over this...whatever it is. You promised to say yes, and I’m holding you to it.”

  Gracie opened her mouth but shut it at the sight of my steely gaze. Wanting to recapture the mood, I leaned in and brushed a kiss over her lips. “Mm, cherry,” I teased after pulling back. It was her favorite flavor of everything. “Open it,” I urged her.

  She grinned and ripped open the paper, then flipped up the lid to the box. When she didn’t say anything, I couldn't help chuckling at her adorably confused expression. Inside the box was a key.

  “Okay, I’m going to assume you didn’t buy me a car or a house because a, we can’t afford it, and b, I’ve never seen a key like this.”

  If only she knew. We could afford a couple of nice cars and a very swanky apartment if that’s what she wanted. A sliver of guilt trickled through my veins at the reminder that I’d still not come clean with her about my education and job. But since it wasn’t the time to get into all that yet, I shook the thought off and refocused on the moment.

  “It’s a key to a suite at The Royalton, Gracie,” I informed her in a low voice.

  Her eyes flew up to mine, sparkling with hope as a giant smile spread across her face. “The Royalton?” she shrieked as she threw herself into my arms. I grabbed her ass and tried to keep us upright when her legs went around my waist, and she planted a hard kiss on my mouth. “Really?” she asked softly when she ended the kiss.

  Gracie had been driving me insane with her attempts to convince me that we should have sex before we turned eighteen. I honestly didn’t know how I found the strength to hold out. But here we were, both virgins.

  “Really,” I answered with a wink. “Your mom is going to help us sneak out later.”

  Gracie beamed at me as if I’d just handed her the keys to the moon. I didn’t know what I’d done to be given such a rare and precious beauty, but I’d work every day to make sure I was worthy of her.

  “Happy Birthday, baby,” I murmured before seeking out her lips for another kiss, this time taking it deep. A stupid idea because all the blood in my body drained to my dick, where Gracie’s hot pussy was rubbing against it. I began to back to the door, ready to shut and lock it when the clearing of a throat brought us to an abrupt halt.

  “It’s a good thing I’m the one who came to fetch you two,” Penny, Gracie’s mom, said as I slid my girl down to stand on her feet. I positioned her in front of me to hide the obvious bulge in my suit pants. “If Jonah had come up…” She trailed off and rolled her eyes.

  He’d had a talk with me long ago. One of the reasons I’d held out for eighteen was out of respect for him. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t kick my ass if he found me mauling his teenage daughter in her childhood bedroom.

  “Thanks, Mom. We’ll uh…” Gracie snickered as she pressed her bottom against me, the little vixen. “We’ll be down as soon as Hudson can, you know, walk.” Then she doubled over with laughter, leaving me grumpy and Penny laughing along with her.

  Once they sobered up, she pointed at Gracie with a grave frown. “Grace Carrington, your father is never, ever to know that I helped Hudson with your surprise.” We both nodded in quick agreement. “Good. Now hurry down before he comes up here and locks Grace in her bedroom after tossing Hudson out the window.”

  2

  Hudson

  “This is…” Grace trailed off as she stood in the spacious solarium with three walls and a roof made of windows. “It’s just so romantic.”

  I walked up behind her and slipped my arms around her waist
, resting my chin atop her head. “You’re such a girl,” I teased, bringing her body snugly against mine.

  “You’re such a boy,” she sassed back as she turned in the circle of my arms.

  Bending down a little, I touched my nose to hers. “I love you, Gracie,” I whispered.

  Her smile was blinding as she stared up into my eyes. “I love you too, Hudson. I can’t wait to start the next chapter of our lives.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

  Gracie’s gaze dropped to my mouth, and she licked her lips as she nodded.

  “So, I’m just a cock and orgasm machine for you, huh?”

  “Yup.” She let the P pop before winking at me. Her response made me laugh, but it also sent a shockwave of desire straight to said cock.

  I dropped my arms from around her body and took her hand before leading her to a spot on the couch that spanned the entirety of the solarium. “Wait here.”

  After removing my suit jacket and tossing it on the back of a dining room chair, I strode into the bedroom and flipped the switch to ignite the fireplace. Then I continued into the en suite bathroom. A round tub, large enough for at least three people, sat against a wall decorated with tiny mirrors, similar to a disco ball.

  I twisted the handle to begin filling the tub, and once I was happy with the temperature, I added some cherry bubble bath. Before returning to the living room, I took off my white button-down dress shirt and removed my shoes and socks.

  Then I padded over the plush carpet back to where I’d left my woman. Gracie’s eyes perused my body with appreciation from head to toe, lingering a little longer on the tented area of my pants. “You are so sexy,” she murmured.

  I wanted to preen like a peacock. Instead, I paused a foot away from her and held out my hand, palm up. She took it without a moment’s hesitation, and I lifted her from the couch and swept her into my arms. Retracing my steps, I carried her into the bathroom and set her on her feet next to the tub.