by E. L. Todd
“You’ll get them…just be patient. I’ve only known Clementine for a month. We have a long way to go.”
“If you brought her all the way here from America and took her to your niece’s birthday party, I’d say you already know everything you need to know, son.”
Ward didn’t speak for a long time. “The pie smells good.”
“Well, of course. They always smell good.”
“Need help carrying them out?”
“No, I can handle it,” she said. “I’ll let them cool off a little bit before Patricia throws it in your face.”
Ward chuckled. “Thanks for being so considerate.” His feet hit the floor as he started to walk.
Shit, I needed to hide! I turned around and looked for a place to run. I stepped into the nearest bedroom then hid behind the wall. A chair was in my way, and I fell over with a loud thud. “Ouch,” I said under my breath.
His footsteps stopped for a moment before they continued again. Then he stepped into the bedroom and looked at me on the floor. An amused smirk was on his face. “Do I want to know…?”
“I was looking for the bathroom,” I lied.
“On the floor?” he asked.
“No. I was just…lost.”
He chuckled then helped me to my feet. “I’ll show you the bathroom, darling.” He took my hand and guided me down the hallway. He turned on the light then stepped back. “Try not to fall again.”
“Yeah…” I shut the door in his face then breathed hard. The conversation he had with his mom played in my head. He’d never introduced a girl to his parents, and he said I made him happy. Was this still a casual fling? Or was he falling as hard for me as I was for him?
***
“I told you it would be fun.” Silke tossed his pie-stained shirt in his hamper then removed his jeans.
“Yeah.” I removed my clothes and stayed in my bra and panties.
“My mom can be a little crazy when it comes to feeding guests but she’s harmless…like I said.”
“She was very sweet.” I got under the covers then turned on my side.
Ward went into the bathroom and brushed his teeth and got ready for bed. When he returned, his face was cleanly shaved and his hair was a little messy. He was just in his boxers, looking like an underwear model.
After he got under the covers, he hooked his arm around my waist and dragged me to the center of the bed. “What are you doing way over there…?” His lips were pressed to my ear, sending chills down my spine.
I felt his chest press into my back. His warm skin scared the chills away.
“So, did you have a good time?”
“I did.”
“Did you like my family?”
“Of course I did, Ward.”
He kissed my neck. “Good. Because they liked you.”
I overheard his mom when I wasn’t supposed to. I wondered if Ward had figured out I was eavesdropping, or maybe he really thought I was just wandering the house, completely lost.
“I told you there was nothing to be worried about.”
“I guess not…” I couldn’t forget the words he said. It seemed like I meant a lot more to him than he let on. And that scared me a little bit. The feeling was mutual, but that made things more complicated. I told myself I wouldn’t fall for him, but of course, that happened anyway.
He moved me to my back then positioned himself over me. “Something on your mind?”
I didn’t want to discuss my thoughts. “You.” I ran my hands up his chest to his shoulders.
“Yeah?” he whispered.
I nodded.
He leaned in and kissed me softly, giving me purposeful kisses that made my legs shake. Every touch of his mouth made me forget any intelligent thought. All I thought about was him and how amazing he was.
He pulled my underwear off while I removed his. Then he unclasped my bra and pressed his naked chest to mine. He didn’t position me in front of his mirror. It seemed to be far from his mind.
Ward ran warm kisses all over me, kissing my inner thighs and the curve of my hips. When his lips ran up my body, he kissed my neck softly, his tongue making me melt. Then he pressed his forehead to mine and separated my thighs with his.
This was different than all the other times. I couldn’t explain why. He looked at me differently, and his touch was foreign. It was like the first time again, but in a new way. His chest rose and fell at a steady rate, but his eyes showed an emotion I couldn’t identify. He kissed me again, taking his time before he entered inside me.
When I felt him stretch me, I gripped him and kept my face pressed to his. I breathed hard, unable to handle how good he felt. Any time our bodies were connected, it felt right. But tonight, there was a new level to how good it felt.
His eyes were glued to mine and he never looked away. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever had in this bed. I can’t even remember who else has been here.”
My legs wrapped his waist and I moved my fingers through his hair. “Ward…”
He rocked into me slowly, taking his time with every move and thrust. His lips brushed past mine, kissing me, but barely. He was teasing me, building me up while he pleased me so much it hurt.
My nails dug into his skin, and I anchored to him while I rocked into him from below. I wanted more of him, more than he could give. My heart began to throb painfully. Spending passionate nights with him were satisfying, but I couldn’t help but want it forever. I didn’t want him to be with anyone else but me, not just now, but forever. The revelation scared me, and I held onto him tighter like it would keep him beside me indefinitely.
The thought of spending forever with him ignited me in a heated blast that burned me from the inside out. My spine felt like it was going to snap, and a wave of pleasure rocked me hard and fast. My head rolled back because it felt so good. I writhed on the bed, unable to channel the heat.
Ward tensed at the same moment, and he gripped me harder. “I feel it too, baby.”
My legs widened and I took in more of him as the thunder passed.
He looked into my eyes as he released, his face flushed with heat, and then he released a quiet groan. When he was finished, he stayed on top of me, not wanting to move.
I stared up at him, not wanting to move either. What just happened? It was different than anything we had before. Now I felt our souls touch. I felt my heart sear like it was sitting in a fire. And I felt my eyes burn with unspent tears.
Ward lay beside me but he never pulled out of me. Instead, he cuddled close to me and locked his large arms around me, caging me in like an animal that never wanted to be free.
His hand cupped my face and he stared at me for a moment before he closed his eyes. “My darling.”
Chapter Twelve
Silke
“You have a big family.” He sipped his coffee while he sat across from me.
We were sitting at the restaurant where we had our first date. It’d become a place we frequented often. “I know. But I’m not actually related to most of them.”
“Genetic similarities don’t make you closer. It’s who you choose as family that makes an unbreakable bond.”
“Well, we’re pretty unbreakable,” I said with a laugh.
“And Scarlet knows how to throw a pitch.”
“She does.” I sipped my coffee the pushed my empty plate aside, unable to eat another bite.
“Your parents seem to like me more now.” He set his coffee down and stared at me.
So, he noticed the tension. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Do you know why they had a problem with me before?” He spoke calmly, like the fact he was disliked made no difference to him at all. Pike was confident and self-assured. Nothing seemed to bother him.
“Actually, no,” I said honestly. “They were acting so weird that day we ran into them. They said it had nothing to do with you.”
He nodded. “Perhaps they were fighting and we showed up at the wrong time.”
“No�
�my mom said weird things. Like, I needed to know something, or she couldn’t take it anymore.”
Pike watched my face.
“I haven’t got a clue what it means. At first I thought they were upset that I was moving on from Arsen but that doesn’t make any sense.”
“Arsen?” he asked.
“My old boyfriend,” I said quietly. “The one in prison.”
“I see.” If he was irritated at the subject, he hid it. “And why doesn’t that make any sense?”
“When we first broke up, Dad even told me I deserved someone better. He said I needed to move on. I mean, what kind of parents would want me to be with a criminal? So, that can’t be it. But I can’t figure it out. My parents have never been confusing or difficult to understand. But right now, they’ve left me flabbergasted.”
“Then perhaps it’s my earlier suggestion,” he said. “It had nothing to do with either one of us at all. Besides, they seemed to make an effort from that point afterward.”
“My parents like you,” I blurted. “Dad even told me that.”
“I know, Rose.”
“I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable…”
“Obviously, I would prefer it if they liked me, but if they don’t that’s okay too.”
“It is?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yeah. I have plenty of time to change their mind.”
If a boyfriend’s parents didn’t like me, I’d take it really hard. I wouldn’t be able to brush it off and move forward like that. Pike had an unknown confidence that didn’t come off arrogant. He just seemed assure of himself and what he had to offer. “I think you’re fine, Pike. They invited you to the game, after all.”
“Yeah,” he said. “And that was a lot of fun.”
“It was. But I ate too many hot dogs.” My stomach hurt just thinking about it.
He chuckled. “I have to say, I’ve never seen such a tiny girl eat so much.”
“I guess you don’t know Skye very well.”
He sipped his coffee again. “She and I exchanged a few words. So, your brother and your other friend broke up?”
“Yeah…” I felt sad just thinking about it.
“I’m sorry.”
“I am too.” I was miserable over it. He was so happy with her, and she’s great for him.
“Then what’s the problem?”
I rolled my eyes. “My brother is stupid and refuses to marry her.”
“Right now?” he asked. “Or ever?”
“Ever. He has weird commitment issues and doesn’t believe in marriage. Trinity has the opposite view points.”
“They didn’t discuss this before they got together?” he asked with interest.
“They did, but Slade said he would try to change for her. And he did. He was so sweet to her. But I guess he couldn’t make that final change for her. So, she left him.”
“That must be tough,” he said. “Not being able to be with the person you love most.”
“Yeah…” I immediately thought of Arsen and pushed him out of my mind. I wouldn’t let myself think about him when I was with Pike. And when I wasn’t with Pike, I did the same thing.
“I hope they work it out.”
“I hope my brother realizes how empty his life will be if she moves on and marries someone else. He’ll hate himself forever.”
“Then, let’s have faith in love.”
“Yeah…”
The waiter placed the tab on the table.
I snatched it away. “I’m paying this time.”
He stared me down. “No.”
“No?” I asked. “Just no?”
“Hand it over,” he said calmly.
“No, you must be breaking the bank feeding me all the time.”
“Girlfriends are expensive,” he said. “But I wouldn’t have one unless I could afford it.”
“I have a great job,” I said firmly. “I want us to divide dinners and stuff.”
“No.” He held out his hand.
I put my cash inside then held onto it before the waiter returned.
Pike didn’t look angry or annoyed, but he definitely looked determined. “It’s not going to happen, Rose.”
“Why are you so aggressive about paying for everything?” I asked. “I’m a feminist, and I think women can provide the same things as men do.”
“I think the exact same thing,” he said simply. “However, I want you to know I can take care of you, financially and emotionally. And I enjoy it as well.” He snapped his fingers for me to hand over the tab.
“No.”
He leaned over the table and stared me down. “You don’t want to go down this road with me.”
“Is that a threat?” I mocked.
“It is, actually.”
“I’m not afraid of you, Pike.”
“You should be,” he said seriously.
“Nope.”
He didn’t make a move and continued to stare at me. He didn’t seem angry.
The waiter came and I shoved the tab into his hands. “Thank you. Now go.”
Pike handed out a wad of cash. “If you take my cash instead, there’s a twenty dollar tip for you.”
“No! That’s not fair!” I said.
The waiter made up his mind quickly. He exchanged the money and walked away.
I glared at Pike. “You’re really that threatened by a strong woman?”
“Threatened?” he asked with a laugh. “No. I admire your intelligence and independence. But like I said, I want to take care of you. Now, don’t offer to pay again.”
“You know, I really like you. But this is the one thing I hate about you.”
He didn’t seem offended. “There’s only thing you dislike about me?” He smiled. “I must be doing a pretty good job then.”
***
Pike and I were lying on the couch watching TV. A blanket was pulled over us, and I was leaning against his chest. His arm was anchored around my waist, holding me close.
He trailed gentle kisses down my neck. “Still mad at me?”
“Annoyed.”
He continued to kiss me. “Why is it so important to you?”
“Because it’s a stupid tradition that men should pay for everything.”
“It has nothing to do with tradition,” he said. “I just want to take care of you. That’s all.”
“You do, Pike. There are other ways of taking care of a woman other than buying her things. You fulfill those duties.”
“I do?” He kissed my neck again.
“Of course.”
“How about you just let me pay for things since it makes me happy?”
“But if we’re together for a long time, that adds up.”
“So?” he whispered. “One day my money will be your money. Then it won’t make a difference.”
Talk of marriage didn’t excite me like it should. It was way too early for that. I wasn’t even close to thinking of walking down an aisle wearing a long white gown. While Pike was the perfect guy to be standing at the end, I wasn’t ready.
“Just let it go.” He kissed the shell of my ear then pulled me closer to him.
I felt his hard-on through his jeans and knew what he was thinking. Pike was good in bed and he satisfied me. There was passion and desire, and a there was a comfortable connection between us. The first time we made love it was difficult for me because Arsen was on my mind. It was hard not to compare a new lover to an old one. But after that, he didn’t come into my mind.
Pike scooped me into his arms then carried me upstairs to his bedroom. My legs were around his waist and he was kissing my neck as he went, not breaking his stride. Then he gently laid me on the bed and undressed me.
Pike’s body was hard with muscle, but he was also lean. I liked his body and the way it felt against mine. Whenever I felt the hardness of his back, I gripped him tighter because it felt so good.
I undressed him while he kissed my body, and when he was naked he moved over me. His forehead was
press to mine and I could see the excitement in his eyes. Then he opened his nightstand and put on a condom.
I was on birth control, but I never voiced that fact. For some reason, I continued to let him wear the latex, letting it come between us when we moved together.
Pike moved inside me then wrapped his arm around my back. He lifted me slightly off the bed then pulled me into him. I gripped his shoulders and used them to shift my body. Soon, we were sweaty and hot, enjoying the pleasure we were giving each other. Sex with Pike was good, and I always liked our rendezvous. He was always there for me, making sure I was satisfied before he was.
Pike slowed down and locked his eyes with mine. Every touch he made was precise and slow. He wasn’t rushed to reach the grand finale. He wanted to make it last as long as possible.
When I looked into his eyes, I saw emotion shine deep within. His thoughts were unknown to me, but I knew he was thinking something. He looked at me like I was his whole world, which he’d done several times, but this was different.
He leaned in and gave me a long kiss before he pulled away. “I love you.”
His words spiraled through me and left me paralyzed. I hadn’t expected him to say that, especially when we were making love. Unsure how to respond or what to do, I lay beneath him, terrified.
Pike kept going while his eyes were locked to mine, waiting for a response or some reaction.
I suddenly became very hot, and not in a good way. I couldn’t breathe and I felt constricted. My body was being compressed and I couldn’t get out. The walls were closing in and I felt panic form in my heart. “I…I have to go.” I pushed him off and grabbed my clothes before I stormed out. I quickly threw everything on, grabbed my purse, and then took off.
***
I didn’t know what the hell happened, but I knew I was freaking out. Hearing him say those words immediately made me think of Arsen. He and I never said those words to each other because it was implied in everything we did. And when he finally said them to me, it was what I’d longed to hear. The confession meant a lot to me, but it wasn’t necessary.
He and I had such a difficult journey, but the adventure wasn’t something I regretted. I learned a lot about Arsen and who he was. I understood his past and knew he had a broken heart from the lack of love he had his entire life. I always wanted to be the person that convinced him that he was loved, and more importantly, he deserved love.