“Sounds like you two had a blast,” Ari said.
I sat down in my own chair. “It went off without a hitch.”
Macy dominated the conversation at lunch. And even though Ari listened with a steady ear, I couldn’t help but notice the wrinkle in her brow. The way her blinking sped up and slowed down. She looked… distant.
No, not distant.
Caged.
“Well, we should get going, sweetheart. I’ve got some things to wrap up at the house this evening,” Ari said.
“Awww, Mom. Do we have to?” Macy asked.
Their voices ripped me from my trance, and I looked over at my daughter.
“Yes, honey. You need to go with your mother. But I’ll see you soon. Okay? I promise,” I said.
“And you’ll be spending another night with Daddy next weekend. So, you can look forward to that,” Ari said.
I looked over at her to smile, but her plate caught my stare instead. She had only taken a couple bites of her pancake, and her eggs hadn’t been touched. Her juice was gone, though. Along with her bacon.
“Oh, that reminds me. Simon, if you’re not doing anything Thursday evening, you’re more than welcome to come with me and Macy to my art exhibit.”
I blinked. “Wait, your what?”
Ari stood from her chair. “My art exhibit. Some of my pieces are being hung for the public to come see Thursday night. It’s a gallery in Nashua. I can get you the address later.”
I stood quickly. “Yeah, I can see about that.”
“We really have to get going. But I’ll text you the information, okay? Just know you’re more than welcome to come,” Ari said.
“Please come, Daddy. I want you to be there,” Macy said.
“Uh, yeah. Yeah, just um… just text me the information. And time,” I said.
Ari gathered up our daughter’s things, and Macy hugged me tight. But I couldn’t take my eyes off the mother of my child. An art gallery. Her own exhibit. How the hell had I not known she was making such strides with her art?
“I thought you said you weren’t doing much with your art,” I blurted out.
Ari turned around in the doorway of my cabin and shrugged.
“Well, I guess I am now,” she said.
“Please come, Daddy. Okay?” Macy asked.
As they made their departure from my new place, something heavier than sadness weighed on my shoulders. Something heavier than loneliness. As I walked out onto the porch and waved at them both, the weight of my grief made it hard to breathe.
I felt isolated.
From the only person I didn’t want to be isolated from.
25
Arianna
“And there she is, the woman of the night.”
Simon’s voice startled me as I whipped around. I clutched my wineglass tightly in my hand as I drew in deep breaths. He held his hands up in surrender, approaching me calmly. I hadn’t felt this jumpy about anything in years.
And it didn’t help that Macy was home sick.
“Hey, Simon. Sorry. I just…”
I held my hand out at the crowd jostling around in the gallery. People were butting shoulders and slipping between others talking. I hadn’t expected this kind of crowd in a small area like this, but there were at least a hundred people packed into this place. And more outside, waiting to get in.
“I actually bought one of them for the cabin,” Simon said.
His voice pulled my gaze from the crowd. “What?”
“One of your paintings. I thought it would look amazing in the cabin. So, I bought it.”
“Wow,” I was speechless.
“Care to show me your favorite piece?”
I nodded slowly and drew in a deep breath. I hated that Petra couldn’t be here for this night. But my father was busy, and someone needed to watch Macy while I was here. It killed me to leave her like that, especially while she was sick. But this gallery showing was important to me. And Petra finally convinced me that doing things for me was just as important as taking care of Macy.
It takes a village, I guess.
“I think this one is my favorite,” I said.
“Oh, why is that?”
“She’s over here!”
“I like the colors you used. Very dichotomous.”
I looked over at Simon, and he nodded with a smile on his face, urging me to keep talking. I glanced around the room and saw the owners smiling at me, waving with their hands high in the air. I looked around at all the eager eyes waiting for my response, waiting for me to introduce this piece.
So, I passed my wine off to Simon and drew in a deep breath.
“This particular piece comes from a recurring dream I’ve had since I was a child,” I said.
Everyone nodded their heads as Simon’s eyes bored into my profile.
“This dream has always been with me. Black and white, with splashes of bright colors. Yellow, usually. But sometimes bright blues and pale greens. One time, it was pink. When I was pregnant with my daughter. Always the same dream, though.”
I turned to look back at the painting of the faded sunset splashed across a tree-lined sky.
“I’m standing in a field. I can smell the fresh air. There’s a house behind me, fading into the background. And in front of me is a massive dip into a valley. There are trees and cars way down below. And as I step off the cliffside, I’m walking on air. Closer to the sunrise. Closer to its warmth. Closer to its beauty as colors pierce the black and white around me.”
I could almost smell the fresh air as I smiled.
The evening flowed from my lips like a fine wine as I moved from painting to painting. And after every backstory I told the crowd, someone snatched it up, throwing around hundreds of dollars like it was nothing. By the end of the night, none of my paintings were left on the walls.
“Well, I guess this is where I ask you if you have any others you want to hang.”
I laughed with the gallery owners as tears rushed to my eyes. I shook my head. I couldn’t believe it. As the owners cut me a check for well over five thousand dollars, I jumped with delight. I held the check to my chest, then threw my fists up in the air. And when I felt a set of strong arms around me, a familiar scent followed.
Simon.
“I’m so proud of you, Ari,” he murmured.
He placed me back down onto my feet, but he didn’t let me go. And I didn’t want him to. The heat of his body was comforting. The strength of his arms reminded me of a finer time. A happier time. A more loving time. I nuzzled my face into his neck. I felt his hands stroking my back.
Then, the gallery owner cleared his throat.
“So, should I expect some more paintings, or…?”
I pulled away from Simon. “Yes, yes. Sorry. Um, I’ve got four I can bring over this weekend?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll make sure there are places out front here to display them.”
I smiled up at Simon, and he wrapped his arm around my waist.
“I’m proud of you, beautiful.”
The nickname made my stomach come alive with butterflies.
“I just hate Macy isn’t here to see it,” I said.
“She’s with Petra, right?”
“Mhm. I hate that she’s not here, either. But—”
“She’ll be okay, Ari. She’s in good hands. Her headache will be gone by tomorrow, and all will be well.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am. We have a strong daughter. I hope you won’t let that stop you from getting a congratulatory drink with me, though.”
I paused. “What?”
He laughed. “I’d like to take you out for a drink to congratulate you on your evening. I mean, if that’s all right.”
“I don’t know. I really should get home to relieve Petra.”
“Then, a quick drink at my place. I’m only fifteen minutes from here. Which puts you closer to home once you’re done.”
I sighed. “I guess a glass of wine won�
�t hurt. I mean, I didn’t even get through the one I passed off to you.”
The heat that shot behind his stare took me aback. I second-guessed myself. Maybe I shouldn’t have taken him up on his offer? Then again, I followed him back to the cabin anyway. Fifteen minutes was generous, though. We didn’t hit a single stoplight and got back to his place within ten. After stowing the check away in my glove box for safekeeping, I followed Simon into the cabin.
The second I closed the door behind me, I felt his heat. I saw his shadow lingering against the wood of the door as I slowly turned around. I gazed up into his stare, watching his pupils blow wide with lust. My back pressed against the door as I drew in a shaking breath, trying to ignore the puckering of my nipples.
“Red or white?” Simon asked.
I blinked. “Um, what?”
He grinned. “Your wine selection. Do you prefer red or white?”
Wine. Right.
“Uh, either is fine. Though, I usually drink white.”
He nodded. “Good to know.”
But instead of moving away, his eyes fell to my lips.
“Simon?” I asked.
“Yes?”
“Will you, um…”
I wanted to tell him to back up and give me some space. But that wasn’t what flew out of my mouth.
“Will you kiss me?” I whispered.
With a salacious smile, his lips fell to mine, popping a string inside me that had been tense for far too long. I dropped my keys as my arms slid around his neck. I groaned down the back of his throat as my tongue pushed through his lips. His hands fell against the door with a thud, trapping me between his beautiful muscles and the cool wood of his front door.
And the growl that fell from his lips made my thighs warm.
He pressed against me, pinning me down. His hands slid down the door before he gripped my hips. He picked me up against him with ease, and I moaned against his lips, wrapping my legs softly around his waist. Our tongues dueled for control as he walked us down the hallway and into the bedroom, where he tossed me onto the bed.
Then, he stripped for me, allowing my eyes to run along every chiseled inch of his body.
“Simon,” I breathed.
He gripped my ankles and pulled me to the edge of the bed. I yelped as he ripped my shoes off. His hands slid up my smooth legs toward my panties before he gripped them, shredding them without a second thought. I gasped as he tossed the tattered fabric aside. He pushed my dress toward my waist, revealing my naked skin for him.
But instead of falling between my legs, his lips fell to my stomach.
“Gorgeous,” he murmured.
I moaned as his lips touched my stretch marks. I felt him tracing them with his tongue. It’d been years since a man controlled me like this, touched me like this, and I didn’t want anyone else but Simon to be doing it. I fisted his hair. I traced my toes along his naked skin. He kissed up and down my stomach, nibbling my hip bones and marking them before he fell to his knees. His tongue traced down to my pussy lips. I felt myself already dripping with arousal. My back arched, moving my hips closer to him, hoping and praying his heat would touch me.
And holy fuck, did it ever.
His tongue pierced my folds, and my eyes rolled back. My clit pulsed against his tongue as he drank me down. I bucked against his face. I moaned his name as unearthly sounds fell from my lips. So long. It had been so long since electricity had taken hold of me like this. And as I clamped my thighs around his face, he growled against my pussy.
“That’s it, Ari. Come for me.”
“Simon.”
I choked out his name as I fell over the edge. My legs went weak, collapsing against his bed. I gasped for air as my gut jumped. My legs quaked as my walls pulsed. He stood from the floor and tossed my legs against his shoulders, bending me quickly in half.
Then, his lips captured mine, giving me time to lick myself off his skin as he slid inside me.
“Oh, fuck,” I groaned.
“You feel just like I remember,” he grunted.
His hips snapped against my own as he ripped my dress over my head. My nails raked down his back as he pinned my knees to my chest. I lay there, helpless against his thrusting, feeling him suck against the skin of my neck and rake his teeth along my bare shoulder. I gasped for air. My body felt more alive than it had in years. I felt beautiful again. Wanted. Complete.
“Simon, yes!”
“That’s it, Ari. Holy fuck, I’ve missed this.”
My back arched and my body let go. I wrapped my hands around his forearms, feeling them pulse with his efforts. My walls collapsed around him, massaging his cock as he grew, thicker and thicker inside me. My jaw unhinged. My nipples puckered to painful peaks. Simon swiveled his hips, his movements stuttering as something grew wet between my legs.
“Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,” I whimpered.
“Yes, Ari. Keep going. Soak me. Soak my cock.”
My back collapsed against the bed, and he growled. His body fell against mine as he unleashed, exploding deep within my body. I felt his threads of arousal filling me up until there was so much it dripped down onto the mattress below. I felt the wetness beneath me growing and my body soaring through the heavens. As Simon kissed my naked skin, anywhere his lips could touch, I lay there, blanketed by his weight.
Something I didn’t even know I had missed.
26
Simon
My eyes fell open, and I had the stupidest grin already on my face. I drew in a deep breath, allowing the lingering scent of Ari to waft up my nose. Holy fuck, what a night. Her gallery showing had been outstanding. That picture of hers would look great in the hallway of the cabin. But what happened after most certainly topped it.
She asked me to kiss her.
I chuckled as I sat up. I felt lighter than air, unstoppable, like I could conquer the damn world or some shit like that. The only thing that would’ve made this morning any better was having her stay with me, waking up to her precious body next to mine.
Letting her go had been hard last night.
But the smile she left me with kept me company in my dreams. The way she giggled. The way she stumbled around, trying to get to her car. The way she let me kiss her once more before she left. It felt like a dream and like I was still dreaming.
I pinched myself just to make sure it hurt. Just to make sure this was real.
As I slid out of bed, I cracked my neck, my back, my fingers. I felt loose and alive, ready to tackle whatever came my way. She hadn’t pushed me away. She let me love her. And I knew that was big for Ari. I just hoped things wouldn’t be awkward between us from now on.
Because I definitely wanted that to happen again.
I walked into the bathroom and splashed water in my face. I gazed at myself in the mirror and massaged my cheeks. They fucking hurt, from smiling so damn much. Part of me was hesitant to even shower, for fear the memories might swirl down the drain along with the water.
I wonder if Ari would take a shower with me in the mornings.
Just the mere thought stiffened my cock again. I drew in a deep breath and cleared my throat. Ari’s gallery showing last night had been fantastic, and I was beyond proud of her. The way she spoke of the backstories of her paintings. I saw that light in her eyes. The way she described the techniques she used— I heard that passion in her voice. I mean, I knew she loved art, but I couldn’t recall her ever being this talented.
In fact, I couldn’t recall her ever showing me her art when we were younger.
Maybe that’s a good sign.
I walked over to the old shower and started toggling with the water. A new dawn, a new day, a new outlook on the horizon. As the water ran, taking its sweet time to heat up, I walked over to my cell phone. I picked it up and found the closest florist to Ari’s place. Then, I ordered her some flowers. I wanted them to be delivered tonight. One last congratulatory gesture for last night.
And maybe a shoo-in to see her sooner than this weekend.
I let my muscles relax as I logged the reminder away for safekeeping. I took a longer shower than normal, letting my mind wander where it wanted. I dwelled on the memories from last night, much to my cock’s respite. I didn’t hold back, though. Because all my life, I had held back. All my life, I’d tried to keep myself under control, to keep my temper and my imagination in check. I’d dulled my expectations of others and absolved myself of dealing with the mediocrity around me. But no more. I wouldn’t restrain myself like that any longer.
Especially if my lack of restraint protected my daughter and Ari and helped them to flourish beyond anything they thought capable.
You have a family to care for now. Make sure you step up to the plate.
The water ran lukewarm, and I turned the shower off, reaching for a towel to wrap around me. I had things I wanted to accomplish today. I needed to check my emails, log into my resume sites and see if mine had gotten any hits. I didn’t want to waste time when it came to finding a job. Because I knew the longer I was unemployed, the more Ari might think I was preparing to leave.
Which I didn’t want her to think at all.
With my towel slipping down my hips, I sat at my laptop. The small desk in the corner of my bedroom served as a nice place until I could find a better area to work at. I smiled as I checked my emails. I had three hits forwarded to me from those resume sites, people who were interested in getting me on the phone for a preliminary interview.
It wasn’t much, but it was something.
I emailed everyone back and told them my schedule. I was free all day, every day, during the week. But the weekends were for my daughter. For Ari. For my family. I couldn’t risk shoving them off to the side just to take a preliminary interview.
A final one? Maybe. But a beginning-stage interview? Not even a little bit.
“Some things are just more important,” I murmured to myself.
My phone dinged and I reached for it, hoping it was Ari. I wasn’t disappointed, though. Because seeing my father’s name blinking on my screen still made me smile. I opened up his text message and stood quickly from my chair. My eyes fluttered quickly across the words from my father as I ripped the towel from my hips.
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