Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust?

by Carston Hendry

  He is right though. He is the one that brought me out of the darkest time in my life. He has been my rock since my dad had been gone, and I guess I never realized that he has given me all the love I was missing. My life could have been so much different if I had never met him. Who knows how long I would have stayed in that depressed state of mind. Would I still be there? Would I have let my mother have control and just been a puppet? Would I even be alive?

  I have always been grateful to Spencer for being my best friend, but now I realize just how much he means to me. He is more than my best friend, he is my family. The brother I never knew I needed. This thought brings tears to my eyes, making me sniffle.

  “Oh Emmey, shit I didn’t mean it.” he says worried he has upset me. “I was just trying to make you smile, you know I love you. You’re my best friend and I will always love you. Don't you ever go thinking I would ever...”

  He stops his defensive rant when I giggle into his chest. He takes my shoulders and pushes me away till he can see me. The look on his face is a mix of confusion and concern.

  “I know Spence. Sorry, I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you. You are the family I have chosen and will always choose. I love you for everything you have ever done for me, for always standing by me and putting me back together when I break apart.” I say as I wipe away my tears.

  “Awe, you're gonna make me cry. I love you, baby girl.” as he pulls me back into a big hug and kisses the top of my head.

  We stay there for a few minutes before he speaks again. “Now that we both have red teary eyes, why don’t I make some popcorn and we watch a movie. I’m thinking something scary.” he says as he makes the ‘scream face’.

  I bust out laughing at him and he pulls me off the bed dragging me to the living room.

  “Butter or kettle corn?” he shouts over his shoulder as he looks through the cupboard.

  “Can't we have both?” I say as I get the fuzzy throws from the hall closet for us to cozy up in.

  “You my dear are a genius.” he throws a few bags of candy over the kitchen island, they land on the floor next to the sofa. “That enough?”

  I look at the bags pouting not seeing any milk duds. I look up to him and he has a box in his hand with a stupid smile on his face. He shakes it at me making it rattle. “Looking for these?”

  “You know me too well.” I smile and catch the box as he tosses it to me.

  “That is my job as best friend. Have you picked a movie yet?”

  “Oh, I think I have an idea.” I smirk.

  I decided on Scream just to mock him. I get the movie ready to stream while he gets the rest of the snacks and we spend the rest of the day watching all the Scream movies and eating junk food. By dinner time we are miserably stuffed with candy, carbs and soda. We both look like pregnant women rubbing our extended bellies.

  Chapter 4

  Ember

  I can tell from the look in his eyes he only wants one thing right now. I'm not in the mood but it will be over quick enough. I finish washing the dinner dishes and turn to him.

  He places his hands on my hips and pulls me into him, his eyes hungry with lust. He leans into me and presses his lips to mine. "I have been thinking about what I want to do to you all night."

  His hands move around to my ass, he cups a cheek in each hand to pull me closer still, as he moves his lips to my neck. His breath is hot on my skin, he trails his tongue up till he reaches my ear and takes it between his teeth. "I want you now." he whispers. He takes my hand and leads me to his bedroom.

  As soon as we get through the door he pushes my chest against the wall and aggressively runs his hand down my sides as he presses his body against me. He pulls my head back by my bun as he unzips my dress and lets it fall to my hips. I pull it over my hips and it becomes a silky blue pool at my feet, while he palms my breast. I push myself off the wall into him and he lets go of his hold on me. As we make our way across the large room to the bed, he strips himself down to his boxer briefs.

  I climb on my hands and knees onto the bed knowing what he likes. He stops at his nightstand to get a condom, drops his boxers and slides it on. He pulls my panties down my thighs and slides himself inside me. Using my hips like handles he thrust into me hard, over and over. After a few minutes he pulls himself out to flip me to my back. He takes my panties off the rest of the way before inserting himself again. I don't enjoy it the way I did when we first became intimate.

  He is aggressive and possessive as he pins my hands above my head with one hand, the other placed on the bed holding him above me. I close my eyes and try to act as if I am pleased by him, as he thrust in and out. Grunting and panting as he works himself towards his release.

  He presses his body down on mine. His arms slide under my back so he can grab my shoulders, he grips me tight and thrusts harder and faster. His sounds become more farel and he speeds his movements even more. When he finishes he rolls off of me and makes his way to the bathroom. I normally finish myself while he showers, but tonight I have no desire.

  I wait for him to finish and take my turn, letting the hot water run over me until it goes cold. Kade is already asleep when I enter the room again. Not wanting to wake him I decided to get some work done. I head to the living room and pull my tablet from my bag; the sofa is hard and not very comfortable so I opt for the dining table.

  ∞∞∞

  I open my eyes to find Kade standing over me. "I can't imagine that you are comfortable. Why didn't you just come back to bed when you were getting tired?"

  I raise my head from where it lay on top of my arms. I must have fallen asleep while I was going over details for one of the dozen graduation parties I have on my roster.

  "Sorry, I just have so much to get done. I thought I would get a jump on it. Taking today off is going to put me behind, I wanted to at least get some of the details hammered out. I must have been more tired than I thought." my neck aches as I get up and walk toward the bathroom to get ready for the day.

  “Have you got what you need? We need to get going, I really don’t want to be late for the festivities. You know this is my favorite event of the year.” I’m trying to push Kade out the door so we can get downtown to the Spring Fling Festival.

  It’s like a carnival or state fair on steroids with concerts and competitions. My dad took me every year without fail. We would see all the rock bands and ride the most thrilling, sometimes downright scary rides. Every year he would win me some sort of stuffed animal to add to my collection.

  “Fine let’s go so you don’t miss anything. It’s not like it won’t be going on all week or anything.” he rolls his eyes at me.

  “The first day is the best day, and it’s not all week, it's three days. Don’t mess with my tradition Kade.” I walk out the door and to his car. He follows reluctantly. This is not the kind of event he is used to attending, so naturally he hates it.

  Downtown is full of life everywhere you look. Carnival is to the south, concert stage to the north, food trucks line the east and west streets. Central downtown is a green oasis; a park for the little ones to play, open field for sports and kite flying and a dog park. Men on stilts and unicycles roam the walkways. Kids run with kites and a little gymnast practices her ribbon routine for the annual competition.

  “What should we do first? I want fried cheese on a stick! And funnel cake, and everything. I want everything.” I say as I rub my hand on my belly.

  “Em you really think you need fried cheese? Or fried anything for that matter? Why don’t you find a nice salad truck?

  What a dick.

  “I don’t think that is a thing.” I say and roll my eyes. “And yes, I do need it. It is my one day to go crazy and stuff my face with all the amazing things my dad and I loved to share. You could share some with me. Maybe make a new tradition?” I try for a pouting face.

  “Why don’t you just go have your fun with your fried foods. I will be right here. I have some case files I need to review.” he sits at one
of the stone tables near the dog park and pulls out his laptop.

  I won’t let him mess up my day. It will be better without him anyway. I head toward the field to cut across to the corndog and fried cheese truck. Children running around laughing and playing distract me, and I get tangled in the little girl's gymnastic ribbon.

  Next thing I know I am laying on my stomach, but not on the ground. I am on top of someone, and I smell that mouth watering salty watermelon sent. Somehow, we both got tangled in the little gymnastics ribbon and ended up tumbling to the ground. I rolled off him but still tangled up. The little girl's mother came running over apologizing for her daughter not paying attention. She helps us to get untangled and then takes her child to play practice where there are less people.

  I knew it was him when I smelled him, the sweet and salty mixture is unforgettable. He is even more beautiful than I remembered him being. Maybe it is because he was just under me. Oh, the dirty things that come to mind with that thought.

  Dark wash jeans hug his form, a snug but not too tight solid white t-shirt that is now grass stained. I can see the definition of his biceps and pecs through his shirt, his broad shoulders and thick neck. My tattooed God. I probably need to pick my jaw up from the floor.

  “We really should stop meeting like this.” he says as he brushes grass off his shirt.

  I can’t believe he remembers me; the gala was months ago. “Is there another way to meet?” it was flirtier than I meant for it to be, but he smiled.

  “Ember, right?”

  I nod. “Nice to see you again Jonas. Are you here alone?”

  “I am”

  I can't hide my giddiness at his answer. “How do you feel about fried cheese?” I ask with a corny smile.

  “Like mozzarella sticks?”

  I laugh “No, better. Much better.”

  “Sounds like I should try it. Lead the way.” he says as he gestures for me to go in front of him.

  We head to the food truck and order one of everything to share. As we sit at the picnic table and chow down we get to know one another.

  “So, I asked around and found out you are the one that planned the North Winds Gala. It was quite...extravagant.” He is trying not to sound rude. “Don’t get me wrong it was beautiful but so much gold.”

  I smile. “It is funny, that is what everyone says. The gold is the most memorable thing about it I guess.”

  “I wouldn’t say the MOST memorable thing, but definitely up there.” he flashes a smile so stunning it takes my breath away.

  To change the subject, I start in on his background. I have to know more about this Godly creature I have somehow conned into spending time with me. “Where are you from? Your accent is so…” I had to stop myself from saying sexy. “nice. I don’t think I have ever heard anything quite like it”

  “Ha, nice is a new one, most people say I sound off or odd. I was raised in Greece and Egypt. Mostly Greece but I spent the summer in my mother’s homeland until I was 14 so it is a mixture I suppose. Then when I finished school, I moved to France to model, so add that to the mix.” he laughs.

  “France? Wow. How did you make that choice?”

  “School was over, and I was never the greatest student. I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish in my life and I just hopped on a train one day and ended up there. It was a good time, I learned a lot and finally opened my own shop. I just started my own line a few years ago. That is why I have moved to Shoreline City, to do some promoting and networking in the states. It seems this is the best city of the east coast for that.”

  I’m not really sure I heard everything he said, but I could listen to him talk all day long.

  “How long have you been here? How long are you planning on staying?” you sound way too eager, calm down Em.

  “I arrived just before the gala. I heard it was the place to be and thought I could mingle and make some contacts. It was a very fruitful event for me. As for how long I’ll say, that is still up in the air.”

  “Why is that? Do you not like it here?”

  “Well I am trying to market my shoe line here in the states. My partners and I are in talks with a few American shoe companies, so I do not know how long it will keep me here. Business is good back home so I am not in much of a hurry, and my partner Wellington is keeping it on track. As for the city itself, I do not mind it. It is not as lively as I am used to in Europe. Here it seems to be a lot of old money and tradition. Where I am from it is much different, a different way of life. We live to enjoy life and all it has to offer. Americans seem to value possessions over life experiences. It is an odd concept to me.”

  “So, you don’t like to own things?”

  “Of course, I do. I have my business, my home, my car. What I mean is I do not judge the value of my life on the things I own, but by the things I have done.”

  “I see what you mean. To be fair, you did come to a very greedy city.” I smile at him. “I know the elite of Shoreline can be excessive at times…well all the time actually, but not all Americans are like that.”

  We sat there talking for over an hour. He is fascinating, smart and kind. I never expected him to be so real, so down to earth.

  We head toward the carnival and go on a few rides, turns out he is not really an adrenaline junky. Me on the other hand, I love it. The rush you get when being hurled through the air, spinning upside down. We skip the hardcore rides, and opt for the go carts.

  “I am quite competitive, just be forewarned.” he smiles as he puts on the helmet.

  “Oh really? Well you may have met your match today sir.”

  His smile is devilish and his eyes go dark. “I do hope you are right about that.” he says as he bites on his lower lip. “Let’s see what you have got Agápi Mou.”

  I smile at his challenge. “What does that mean?”

  “If you win I will tell you.” he said with confidence as he climbed into the go cart and buckled himself in. I did the same as if readying myself for battle.

  As soon as the light turned green we were off. I had the lead until the first curve, he took the inside and managed to pass me. It seems we are both very competitive, and I want to know what he said. I have to win. The track weaves in curves with a long straight track leading back to the finish line, almost like a bobby pin.

  On the last lap I have the lead again when we hit the straight, but he passes me, leaving me in the dust. What is this Mario kart? Did he get a boost? He crosses the finish line and pulls the cart to the loading zone, shortly after I make my way there too. I had been so intent on beating him I forgot there were others on the track.

  Before I even get unbuckled he is standing over me, he offers his hand to help me out of the low rider. His skin is like silk, warm and gentle. “So, what does that word mean?”

  “Guess you will have to look it up.” he smiles proudly

  “How can I look up a word I can’t remember? I’m not even sure what language it is, how many do you speak?”

  “I speak six languages actually, but you can take English off your list.” he winks and walks to the exit gate.

  At least I don’t look stupid not knowing a word in my own language. “So, you’re really not going to tell me? Come on, at least say it again.”

  “I will say it as often as you like, Agápi Mou.”

  That really does me no good, letters sound different in other languages, how am I going to work this out. I try to say the word over and over in my head as we walk toward the carnival games, trying not to forget how it sounds.

  We walk side by side, close but far enough away to not be mistaken as a couple. He looks at me, still lost in thought. “Everything alright? You look as if you are somewhere else.”

  I look up into his eyes, a smile playing at his lips. “All is well here. Shall we try again?” I say with a smile and point to the rubber duck race.

  “Not a chance.” he says with a deep laugh. “You almost had me on the track, I cannot risk it when I have the upper hand.” />
  We both laugh and find a few games to try, I lost every time but he has pretty good aim. He won a big prize and told me to choose, I took one look at a large pink and purple spotted stuffed octopus and squealed “That one!” as the worker grabbed a long hook to get it down.

  “Thank you.” we say in unison to him.

  I turn to look at Jonas, squeezing the stuffed animal in my arms with my cheek pressed against it feeling the soft fuzzy fabric. “Thank you, I love him.”

  “I am glad to hear that.” he says with a soft sweet smile. “You seem to be having a good time. I hope I can claim some of the credit for that.”

  “Yes, I am having a wonderful time, and it is all because of you. My dad used to bring me here every year and it just hasn’t been the same since he passed away. This is the best time I have had here in a decade, so thank you for that.” I can feel the tears start to sting my eyes but none fall.

  “So, your father is the one you were close with? I just remember our first encounter, you didn’t seem to be too fond of your mother. Sorry if I over step.”

  I smile at the thought of my comment that night. “I don’t hate my mother by any means, but I don’t practically like her either though. My dad was everything to me when I was growing up. He taught me pretty much everything I know. He was a mechanic so I’m great with cars. Sometimes I miss the smell of motor oil and gasoline.” I drift off into memories and lose my train of thought.