DON’T STOP (Lila and Darrell) novel Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Ryder

I knew it was time.

The words had been sitting heavy in my chest for too long anymore. I was done pretending. Done hiding. I wanted Lila. All of her. And I was tired of letting fear decide for me.

weeks, months, maybe longer. I couldn’t hold them back

We were all at the table. The food was mostly gone. Lila’s parents were watching me, waiting. Her father leaned back in his chair and asked, “We’re waiting. Or don’t you want to talk about it?”

I sighed hard. The sound came out rough, like it had been stuck in my throat. “So, you actually know that person.

They exchanged glances. Mom tilted her head. “Who is that? Please just go straight to the point. You’re making us more curious than ever.”

I opened my mouth. The truth was right there, on the tip of my tongue. I was about to say it. I was about to tell them everything: that the person I had seen, the one I loved, was sitting right across from me. That I was in love with Lila. That I wanted to be with her. That the family register didn’t matter anymore because I was choosing her over everything else.

Then Lila stood up suddenly.

I looked at her. She looked down at me, her eyes wide, cheeks flushed, and lips pressed tight.

“I’m done eating,” she whispered. Then she left, quickly, without another word.

I watched her go. My stomach twisted. I sighed again. The moment was gone.

Martha turned to me. “Anyway, what were you saying?”

“Never mind,” I said quietly. “Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

They exchanged glances again. Then both nodded slowly.

We finished the meal in silence. After the plates were cleared, they moved to the living room to watch TV. I heard the low murmur of the television, their quiet laughter at something on screen. Eventually they said goodnight and headed to their bedroom, leaving me alone in the sitting room.

I didn’t want to sleep yet. My mind was too loud. I needed to see her. I stood up and started toward the stairs.

But at that moment, Lila came down.

“Lila?” I whispered, stepping closer.

ľ

She held up a hand quickly. “Stay where you are,” she said. She took a step back. “Come outside in a minute. Let’s talk.”

Then she left, out the front door, into the night.

I waited thirty seconds. My heart was pounding. I followed her.

Outside, the air was cool. The canopy lights glittered softly – small, warm stars strung across the yard. She was sitting on the bench under the canopy. Arms crossed. Face turned away. Mad.

I walked over and sat next to her.

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Chapter 44

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“What was that about?” she asked finally.

“What?”

She scoffed. “Don’t act like you didn’t almost tell my parents we’re in love!”

I stared at her. She still wouldn’t meet my eyes. Her jaw was tight. Her hands were clenched in her lap.

I exhaled slowly. “Lila…”

She turned to me then. Her eyes were shiny. She also looked angry and hurt.

“You were going to tell them,” she said. “You were going to tell them everything. About us. About what we’ve been doing About how you feel.”

I nodded once. “Yeah. I was.”

“Why?” Her voice cracked. “Why now? Why when I’m about to leave? Why when everything is already so messed up?”

I reached for her hand. She let me take it

–

but her fingers were stiff at first.

“Because I’m tired of hiding,” I said. “I’m tired of pretending you’re just my niece. I’m tired of acting like what we have is nothing. I love you, Lila. And I want them to know. I want everyone to know. I want to be with you, really with you, without the guilt, without the secrets.”

She stared at me. Tears welled up again. One slipped down her cheek.

“But what if they hate us?” she whispered. “What if they hate you? What if they make me leave and never come back? I mean, they would even kill me.”

I squeezed her hand. “Then we’ll figure it out. Together. I’m not letting you go. Not because of them. Not because of anyone.”

She looked down at our joined hands. Her thumb brushed over my knuckles a little and hesitantly,

“I’m scared,” she said.

“I know,” I said. “I’m scared too.”

She lifted her eyes to mine. “But you still want this? Even if it breaks everything?”

I leaned in. Rested my forehead against hers. “I want you,” I whispered. “More than anything. More than family. More than the ranch. More than anything I’ve ever had.”

She closed her eyes. A tear slipped free.

Then she nodded – small, sure.

“Okay,” she whispered.

I kissed her then, soft at first. Then deeper. She kissed me back. Her hands slid to my face and held me there.

We kissed like we had been starving for each other.

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Chapter 44

afy mouli moved over hers with raw hunger, tongue sliditig deep, tasting every corner like I needed to remind myself she was real. One hand cradled the back of her neck fingers knotting in her hair so I could tilt her head exactly how I wanted. The other drifted lower, tracing the curve of her spine, slipping under the hem of her skirt. My fingertips brushed de bare skin of her thigh, and she shivered hard, thighs pressing together instinctively.

“Fuck,” I muttered against her lips, voice thick and rough. “I missed this.”

My hand slid higher, slow and deliberate. I pushed her skirt up inch by inch until it bunched around her hips. Cool air hit the damp cotton between her legs, but then my fingers were there, stroking over the fabric first, pressing just enough to outline her clit through the thin material. She moaned into my mouth. Her hips rocked forward on their own, chasing the

pressure.

I pulled back from the kiss just enough to watch her face. My eyes were dark, pupils blown wide. “You’re already soaked, 1 whispered, almost reverent. My thumb hooked into the side of her panties and tugged them aside. Two fingers slid through her folds slowly and teasingly, gathering wetness, before circling her clit in lazy, maddening loops.

She whimpered. Her head fell back against the wall. “Ryder…”

“Shhh,” I breathed against her throat. I kissed the pulse point there, sucked gently, then bit down just enough to sting. My fingers never stopped-rubbing slow, firm circles over her clit, dipping lower to tease her entrance, then back up again. Every time I brushed that swollen bud, she jolted, thighs trembling, breath coming in short, needy gasps.

“Please,” she whispered. “Inside… I need you inside.”

I groaned low in my throat. One finger pushed in slowly and, carefully, stretching her gently. Then a second. I curled them immediately, stroking that spot deep inside that made her vision blur. My thumb kept working her clit steadily, making relentless circles while my fingers thrust in and out, slick sounds filling the quiet room.

“Fuck, I missed this,” she moaned into my mouth when I kissed her again. Her tongue tangled with mine, sloppy and desperate. Her hips rolled against my hand, riding my fingers shamelessly. Pleasure coiled tight and fast in her belly – hot, sharp, overwhelming. I could see it in her eyes.

I thrust harder and deeper, curling my fingers faster. My thumb pressed firm against her clit and rubbed in tight, quick circles. Her thighs shook violently. Her nails dug into my shoulders. Her moans turned into broken whimpers against my lips.

“Come for me,” I growled. “Let me feel you come on my fingers.”

She shattered.

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