Anyone But Me

by J.D. Frost

“Of course it fucking matters. Somebody hurt you, Oakley. Really hurt you. You have to tell me who did this.”

He’s quiet for a beat, then he lunges forward, smashing his mouth against mine.

“You wanna know why?” he murmurs. “It’s because I can’t stand the thought of anyone hurting you, okay?” His throat bobs with an audible click. “Anyone but me.”

“Your skin tastes like sugar. So fucking sweet.” “This better not be another one of your games, or I swear to God—” “It’s not. I promise it’s not. I want you, Oakley.”

“Can you hear them?” I taunt, voice low. “They’re looking for you. They could come in here any second. What would they say if they saw you like this, huh? What would they say if they knew that their captain was on his knees for me, moaning like a damn whore?”

“You love this, don’t you? Love the idea of being caught.” He nods shakily and an evil grin slides over my face. “Touch yourself. Make yourself come. Let them hear just how much you love my cock.”

“Oakley…” he whispers, panting breaths hitting my lips. “Don’t you get it? I would hurt anyone for you. Anyone. All you have to do is tell me who it is.”

“Is it so wrong for me to want to protect you?” “No,” I choke out. “It’s not. Because that’s what I’m doing for you, by not telling you.”

“Oakley, you are the only person I can be myself around. My real self. Even if I was into Peyton like that, which I’m not, she’s not you. I only want you.”

“You want it hard, huh?” I growl, sinking my teeth into the side of his throat. “You want me to fuck you so good that you won’t be able to walk? So that everyone will take one look at you and know your ass belongs to me? You’re mine, Ash, and I’m never letting you go again.” He groans, his arms bent behind him as his fingernails claw at my ass cheeks. “Say it. Say you’re mine.” “I’m yours, Oakley. I’ll always be yours.”

“Please don’t leave me,” I cry, my tears soaking the blanket wrapped around him. “Please, Oakley. I can’t do this without you. I love you.”

If spending the rest of my days miserable and alone is the price I have to pay to have Chief Farrow locked up and Oakley safe, then I’ll do it. I’ll do it without hesitation. Even if it feels like it’s killing me.

“Don’t worry, Ash.” His mouth molds to mine, kissing me slowly and intensely, stealing my breath and robbing my brain of all thought. “They’d need a fucking army to drag me away from you. I’m not going anywhere, ever again.” “I love you,” I whisper against his lips. “I love you, too. So fucking much. Now, go to sleep. You need plenty of rest so we can get you home.”

“Oakley,” I start, voice cracking on the word, the sudden level of emotion I feel damn near overwhelming. “When I met you, I was just a dumb, naive kid, who didn’t know what I wanted or what the hell I was doing. I was lost, with no idea how to find my way. But, there was one thing I knew for certain: that I loved you. From the second I first saw you, I knew. And every day since then, it’s only—”

“I don’t need a big speech,” he tells me, the wetness in his eyes spilling over. “Or rose petals or candles or a surprise trip away. I don’t need any of that stuff. I just need you.” He swallows hard, hand coming up to cup the side of my face as his forehead lands on mine. “Yes. The answer is yes. I’ll marry you, Asher Brooks. I’ll marry the shit out of you.”