Something True: Atlanta Outlaws

by Aja Cole

  I poke him with my big toe again. “It’s not polite to bring up the past.”

  He turns back to the game, making his player do some kind of spin move. “I’m anticipating a repeat before the night’s over.”

  Damn.

  “I uhm…” I pause, wincing. I don’t really want to say it, but I don’t want to lead him on either.

  The game stops on the screen and he turns to me, dropping a hand to my legs.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know if I’ll be any good for sex tonight. It had been awhile and you’re bigger than I’m used to.”

  “Why’d you hesitate?”

  “Kinda awkward saying you can’t hang and it’s only been one night. Didn’t wanna wimp out.”

  “There’s plenty of time for us to fuck, Nomi. But it’s not all we have to do, we can chill.”

  I grimace, not even bothering to filter my next words. “But if we’re not having sex, then we might have to talk to each other even more and it’ll be harder to leave.”

  “Why, because you’ll realize we might not be so bad together?”

  “Your girlfriend just left yesterday, how are you talking about together?”

  “Believe me, I’m not wealthy enough for her. She’s been ready to go for awhile but her family likes me so she needed a reason to do it.”

  This place isn’t where someone who didn’t have money would be. But maybe he’s only housesitting? Shit, I don’t know details on any of that. “What? And you didn’t say anything?”

  “Didn’t really care enough to. Honestly, I don’t like having sex with a bunch of people so having a girlfriend for a bit after my divorce was nice, uncomplicated.”

  “Sounds like a glowing review of relationships.” Jackson sets his controller down and rubs his hands up my bare legs and over my thighs in what feels like two seconds. One look and he was in the corner of the couch, and next, he’s stroking across my skin.

  “We could try it on for size, maybe I need more hands-on experience.”

  I give him a look, bemused but not wanting to delve too deeply into that line of conversation.He’s obviously not serious since no one moves on that quickly without being a player, and he doesn’t strike me as that. “It’s hands-off tonight.”

  Unfazed, he yanks my shorts down and pushes them away with the blanket, exposing my thong and legs. I hold my breath when he grips my thighs and settles between them, rubbing his nose against the center of the mesh on my panties.

  He flattens his tongue against me and takes one long lick, ending at my clit. My muscles twitch in his hands, and he peels off the scrap of material, looking up at me, eyes heated.

  My mouth goes dry and I swear it all goes to my pussy.

  “But it can be tongue-on.”

  9

  Pressing the call button, I put the phone to my ear and lean against the metal balcony just outside Jackson’s bedroom.

  My legs still feel like jelly, and if I let myself, the memory of Jackson’s tongue and lips and fingers on me…

  Shiver.

  The man should come with a label.

  Caution: Might ruin your life.

  I’ve never quite understood how sex and lust could make people do so many things. Tear apart families, break vows, start wars. The way I fell for Vaughn, it wasn’t about how we were inside the bedroom. I enjoyed the way he treated me outside of it, how charming he was and the promises he made me. I felt loved. I thought I was.

  In summary…I fell for empty words and a few good actions.

  I feel it in my bones, how different Jackson is.

  How different this is, and I barely know him.

  I can’t let it get past sex.

  “Nomi, you haven’t been answering my calls.” Vaughn picks up quicker than I thought he would, almost like he’s been waiting by the phone.

  But I know he hasn’t, not for my call. He’s most likely working late and his phone was nearby.

  “We don’t have much to talk about.”

  “Are you ready to come back home?”

  I roll my eyes, rubbing my ankle with my toe. “That’s why I called.”

  He pauses for just a second, then I hear rustling, like he’s getting up. “I can pick you up right now, just turn on your location.”

  “Uh, no. I am going home, but back to Atlanta, not back to you. I just need to arrange for my things to be picked up.”

  “This is childish, Nomi. We had a little disagreement. I let you have this tantrum, but now you’re just being ridiculous.” He scoffs, that familiar frustration underlining the voice I used to think was appealing.

  “I’m not getting into it with you about this anymore. We can agree to disagree, but I’m filing the papers soon and I expect you not to be an asshole about it. I don’t want anything but what I brought with me.” I rub a hand across my forehead, the rest of the day and not getting much sleep last night catching up with me. That and the orgasms…oh my, the orgasms.

  “So you’re just giving up?”

  “I don’t know what kind of struggle love you expected me to endure, but I’m not fighting for anyone who was very clear that I’m not who they want. You can’t take back anything you said, and I will never forget it, Vaughn. You did this, not me.” I force myself to calm down, putting a hand against my chest and closing my eyes, like I can physically push away the pain.

  I hate feeling this way when I talk to him, hate feeling this way at all.

  “Nomi—”

  “Arrange for my things to be shipped to my parent’s house, or don’t be there when I come to do it myself.”

  I end the call, heaving a loud sigh and resting my forehead against the railing.

  “I am so glad that pregnancy test was negative.” I say aloud, curling my fingers against the cool metal. I can’t imagine what this would be like with a child in tow, and thank god that I don’t have to, because it makes it a helluva lot simpler to get out of dodge.

  “My sperm count is good, but don’t think I can trump biology.”

  My head pops up and I look at Jackson, dark hair still damp from his shower and pajama pants hanging low on the vee of his muscled hips. He steps outside, feet bare like mine, but his body is filled with a lot less tension. Holding out a hand, he motions inside with his head. “Come on, no one should look as stressed as you do this late.”

  I take it, allowing him to pull me in and guide me to the bed before he locks the doors and closes the curtains. I took my shower before he did, so I slide under the covers and wait for him to settle down, ignoring how intimate it feels.

  Just because we cuddle and sleep together, it doesn’t mean this is more.

  We’re both adults and keeping boundaries on intimacy is for people who can’t handle themselves. I don’t need that stuff.

  Mhm, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

  For awhile, Jackson just holds me and rubs circles on my back, then he brushes his lips against my forehead and taps me to get my attention.

  “You looked sad out there.”

  I knew it was coming, but I didn’t know how he’d start it.

  “I was just making sure my soon-to-be-ex-husband knows where to send my things.”

  “That what the pregnancy test comment was about? I don’t have any surprises coming?” His voice is teasing.

  “I don’t think your super cock sperm works that fast, so no.” I smile a little, “And I just got my IUD not too long ago, so I’m very well protected. I was just appreciating that we don’t have to figure out custody or any of that.”

  He doesn’t respond for a few moments, but he keeps touching me. “You want kids someday though?”

  “I think so. I’ve always thought I’d be married or really committed, so now I don’t know when it’ll happen since my marriage imploded. One day in the future, hopefully.” I pause, “You don’t want any at all right?”

  “My buddies are on the kid wave lately, so I’ve got enough nieces and nephews to keep my attention for awhil
e. Never saw myself as a Dad, honestly. Don’t see that changing anytime soon.” He yawns wide, which makes me yawn, which makes him yawn again. I chuckle, resting my cheek to his warm chest, letting my eyes flutter closed.

  “See you in the morning, sleepyhead.”

  “Goodnight, gorgeous.”

  10

  “Marco!”

  “Polo!” I call out, moving around the pool. I’ve been successfully evading Jackson for a good five minutes and I have no intention of losing this round.

  “Marco!”

  Oh shit, he sounds pretty close.

  “Polo!” I call a little quieter, hesitant. I don’t hear the water splashing around, and as much as I want to cheat, I follow the rules of our game and keep my eyes closed too. I feel my way around the edge, then when I don’t feel him near me, I head through the water, holding my breath.

  Then it’s too late.

  “Marco.” He whispers from just behind me, and I spring into action too slowly, trying to dive forward into the water but Jackson scoops me up in his big arms and I try to cling to him, but he hefts me up and tosses me up and into the pool without a second of hesitation.

  When I surface, spluttering, he’s leaning against the edge of the pool with his arms stretched across the smooth stone, looking pleased as punch.

  “That was uncalled for.” I swipe water out of my eyes, glaring at him.

  “Sounds like something a loser would say.” He grins and then closes his eyes, tipping his head up for the sun.

  His face is full of betrayal after I send a large splash his way, interrupting his basking moment.

  “Really?”

  I blink innocently, moving backwards. “What’s good for the goose…”

  He dips his chin, mischief lighting his eyes as he pushes away from the edge and I shake my head. “Jackson, chill! Stay where you are, stop playin’.”

  He’s definitely not listening to me.

  So I do the stupid thing.

  I turn my back on the threat.

  The water is really hindering me moving as fast as I need to, and my swimming is not good enough for me to try that, so I do this strange bounce/hop/float combination in my attempt to put as much distance between Jackson and me as possible.

  I’ve reached the other edge and am trying to scramble out, when I feel a hand wrap ominously around my calf. I kick lightly, trying to shake him off, but there’s no way he’s letting go so I take a deep breath and close my eyes, prepared for my inevitable dunking.

  When seconds pass and I’m still safe, I peek open an eye and look down…which is Jackson’s cue to pull me into the water for the second time.

  This time, he’s laughing and in the same place when I come back up, taking my splashes good naturedly as he shrugs.

  “Okay, okay, I’m done, I swear.”

  I swipe a braid away from my face and splash him one more time for good measure.

  Okay, maybe just once more.

  Before I can, he’s taken my hands and pulled me forward, putting my arms around him before he slips his hands around my waist, squeezing.

  “Truce.” He rumbles, eyes warm and spiked with thick, wet lashes.

  “Maybe I wanna keep splashin’ you.”

  He quirks an eyebrow, his hands slipping around to trace just above my bikini bottoms. “Maybe I just want to kiss you.”

  Sigh.

  My eyes drop down to his lips, droplets of water clinging to the soft skin. Molten heat slides through my veins, making time seem like it’s slowed down, so much so that it feels like it takes minutes for Jackson to kiss me.

  I bounce forward and up, clumsy and urgent, wrapping my legs around his waist while his hands move to cup my ass. His hard-on nestles between my legs perfectly and we both groan into each other’s mouthes, nipping and licking, sucking and grinding.

  “Can’t get enough of you.” He says gruffly, tearing his mouth away to lick a hot path up my neck. He takes the steps out of the pool, and the air on my wet body does nothing to cool me down, not with Jackson induced heat lighting me up. “Why the fuck can’t I get enough of you?”

  He drops down onto one of the lounge chairs, freeing his cock with a few deft movements. He pulls the strings holding my bottoms together and pushes them away while I press closer, pushing the cups of my bikini top under my breasts, putting them on full display. I roll my hips forward, arms loosely draped on his shoulders while he moves between my nipples and breasts, suckling and biting, stroking my arousal higher and hotter.

  “Jackson,” I pant, watching his dark head at my chest, pulling my lower lip between my teeth because I can’t do anything else. “Too good, god, that’s so good.”

  His cock throbs against my labia, and if I move my hips just right…

  Fuck.

  His cock-head slips against my clit, and I shudder, tipping forward for more of it.

  “I could come like this,” I murmur, breath hitching.

  “Do it then.” He growls, “Use my cock to make yourself come.”

  His hands tighten on my hips and he helps me, pressing me down and leaning back against the chair so I can lean forward and use him as leverage. The waves start to stack against each other, building and rising with every second that passes. I can feel it coming, and I close my eyes and drop my head against his chest, sinking my teeth into his skin and grinding my hips harder and faster than I ever have.

  My body bows and I dig my fingers into his shoulders when it slams into me, fast and hot. “Uuungghhh.” With my pussy still rippling, I release his skin, kissing the red marks softly as I come down. “Fuck, it’s never been this good.”

  Not even a second to breathe, Jackson parts me with his fingers, opening me up for his thick cock. When he strokes those first few inches into me, my eyes almost roll into the back of my head.

  “Perfect, Jackson. So damn perfect.”

  “Love watching you ride me, baby. Show me, show me how well you take my cock.” He grips the back of my neck and slams his mouth to mine, stealing my breath as I start to move on him, lifting and falling in the rhythm I know he likes. Slow and deep, Jackson likes to fill me up to capacity every time, leaving me no doubts as to who’s inside me, who’s owning my pussy.

  Each slam of my hips, each press of his thickness, each kiss, each grunt…all too much. I unravel again like I didn’t just come mere minutes ago, and he fucks me through it the way I’ve come to crave, taking me further, obliterating my senses until he’s all I can hear, feel, smell, touch, and see.

  Jackson buries his face in my neck with a snarl, arms tight around me while his hips pump furiously. I cry out, feeling the moment he can’t hold back anymore, the warm rush of cum pulsing into me and bathing me with an intimacy that I wasn’t expecting. I caress his back, enjoying his embrace, feeling his heart pound along with mine for I don’t know how long until he stands, steadying himself.

  “Got me all wobbly, girl.” He rasps.

  In the downstairs bathroom, he lifts me off him, wetting a cloth and wiping up the mess between my legs. When he’s finished, he tips up my chin and kisses me softly, pulling back to look at me with something strange in his eyes.

  Almost guarded.

  “You go grab a shower, I’m gonna grab one here so I keep my hands to myself then start on dinner. Cool?”

  “Cool.” I nod, leaving the bathroom and heading upstairs.

  Closing his bathroom door, I lean against the wood and rub a hand over my eyes, knowledge making my chest ache.

  We can’t keep doing this.

  It’s been fun and I know without a single doubt in my mind that it would only get better, brighter…harder, if I stay.

  I take a quick shower then move to the room, a towel wrapped around my braids and another around my body. Grabbing my phone, I dial my sister Corinne and pray that she’s in a listening, not a questioning, mood.

  “Hey Corie….can I crash on your couch?”

  When I get back downstairs, Jackson is sautéing something on
the stove. I set my suitcase just outside the doorway and take a deep breath, moving forward.

  “Jackson?”

  He glances back briefly, but turns his attention to the stove again. “Hey, you fine with fajitas?”

  I move towards him, touching his back lightly.

  “I am, but uhm…my flight leaves in a few hours.”

  His muscles tense, but that’s his only reaction.

  He doesn’t say anything, doesn’t stop the sizzling peppers in the pan and he doesn’t look at me.

  Until he does.

  “Can I take you to the airport?”

  I scan his face, looking for something, anything.

  But his poker face is impeccable.

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  “Okay. This is almost ready, we eat and then we can go.”

  “Okay.” I nod, unsure what to say now. I’m not sure what I expected from him, because he’s not the disrespectful kind. I guess I just…I don’t know.

  We both knew this was going to be a fling, so I guess there’s no need to be broken up over it.

  It was good while it lasted.

  Amazing.

  “I’ve had a really good time and maybe when if I’m in the area again, I’ll look you up?” I throw out, regretting the words when his brow wrinkles quickly before he smoothes his face again. “Or not, you know, maybe it’s better to leave things as is.”

  “Yeah,” He says slowly, “No hard feelings.”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah. Matter of fact…” Jackson turns back to the stove, fiddling with the burners. When he turns back around, he drops to his knees and starts to pull on the drawstring of my sweatpants while I stand there like I’ve lost my voice, because I basically have. “Let me give you something to remember me by.”

  My pants hit the ground, and my panties join them soon after.

  Snatching up my leg, Jackson hooks it over his shoulder and has me for a meal instead.

  Later, when he drops me off at the airport, he gives me a kiss that’s reverent and gentle and full of things that I don’t want to think about.