Claiming What's Mine

by Holt, Leah

  “Dinner?”

  “That's what I said.”

  “Tonight?” Jayden nodded, giving me a wink. Shaking my head no, I took a long step back. “I can't tonight, I have Bliss, and errands to run—it's just not a good night tonight.”

  “Okay, I get it.” Jayden tucked his hands in his pockets and started walking towards the front door of the church.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I think I saw some faces I recognize, I think I'll go see if they remember me.”

  “Wait, no no no, you're not doing that.”

  “Yes I am. No dinner, no deal. See? I'm walking this way.”

  Running up in front of him, I held up my hands and stopped him. “Alright, alright, I'll have dinner with you tonight.”

  “Great, I'll pick you up at seven.”

  “Give me your phone.” Holding out my hand, he gave me a funny look but handed it over. Typing my number and address in, I handed it back. “There, now you know where to really find me.”

  Jay gave me a big smile as he looked at the screen. “I'll be there at seven.”

  “Alright, dinner at seven.” Pointing in the direction of my car, I started to walk. “I'm going to go make sure Bliss isn't cooking in the backseat.”

  “Yeah, that's probably a good idea.” Watching me walk away, he called out, “Seven, don't forget!”

  My belly tumbled as his smile thickened and his eyes ran up my body. Giving him a small wave and a smile back, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  Dinner with Jayden Henry.

  What am I getting myself into?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jayden

  Running a comb through my hair, I set it on the sink and used my fingers to move the hair around. The pit in my stomach was growing, spreading like a heavy mass. I wasn't sure why I was so nervous, it was just dinner.

  It's not just dinner, it's dinner with Betty-Sue.

  Spraying my neck with some cologne, I adjusted the sleeves on my navy blue button-up and checked myself over in the mirror.

  I felt pretty damn good right then. With my collard shirt and jeans, my white sneakers matched nicely. There was no doubt in my mind that Blue would appreciate this outfit on me.

  For as long as she knew me, my entire existence was spent in torn up jeans and dirty t-shirts, most of them were old band shirts from the eighties that no one remembered anymore.

  “Is it safe for me to come in?” my sister asked, approaching the door with her hand over her eyes and one arm out to make sure she didn't walk into anything. “I don't want to interrupt private time.”

  “Screw you,” I said with a chuckle, “I'm not doing anything, jerk.”

  Beth laughed, stepping to the door and leaning against the frame. “Don't you look nice. Big plans for this evening?”

  “Dinner with Blue, so I'd say yeah, I have big plans.” Brushing my hands down the front of my shirt, I puffed up my chest. “Don't wait up for me, in case you're wondering if you should.”

  Beth rolled her eyes, letting her arms droop to her sides as she stuck out her tongue in disgust. “Don't worry, I won't.” Taking a step forward, she adjusted the fold on my collar as she spoke. “Are you nervous?”

  “Nervous about what?”

  “I don't know. It's been a long time for you two, I'd be nervous if I was you.” Her thin fingers ran under the collar edge, smoothing any creases.

  God, she looked so much like our mother right then. The way her eyes moved over my clothes, fixing the fabric so it was perfect. She had the same dirty blonde hair, the same small button shaped nose, and the same serious stare. It was a stare that always struck a nerve, giving me chills.

  “I'm not nervous.”

  Snapping her eyes up to mine, she held them there for a second. There was something in her eyes, I just couldn't figure out what it was.

  Dropping her eyes back to my neckline, she pressed the tips of her fingers down on the collar. “Then there's Bliss. . .” Her voice trailed off as she worked the material to make it flat on my skin.

  What about Bliss? Why does she matter?

  “So? She has a kid, why is that a problem?”

  Beth let out a rush of air, holding her hands still. “It's more than a child, Jay,” she said, not looking up.

  Does it really matter?

  She thinks it'll send me running.

  “I don't care if she has a kid, did you think it would bother me if she had a kid?”

  “Not bother, but maybe make you angry. You're not angry about it at all?”

  “Angry?” Angling my head, I couldn't understand why my sister would think that Blue having a kid would piss me off.

  “Jayden, don't you see—”

  People still think I'm not good enough for her. . . That's what this is.

  The world would still frown on us.

  “See what? That everyone still looks at me like I'm a piece of shit? Are you worried that I'll be a bad influence on her kid?”

  “I didn't say that.”

  “You don't have to. Everyone has always thought that she was too good for me, that she deserved better, that I wasn't right for her. But you know what, maybe they were all wrong, maybe everyone was just too focused on what they thought they knew, and not what we felt for each other.”

  I could feel myself getting more angry with each word. I was tired of being judged, tired of people making decisions for me and for Blue. Her father had tore us apart when we were kids, but there was nothing he could do now.

  We were both adults, both old enough to make choices for ourselves. Seeing Blue that first night was all I needed to know that I couldn't ever live without her again. I didn't give a shit what the rest of the town thought. It wasn't up to them, it wasn't up to my sister, or Blue's family.

  I loved that woman, I'd loved her for as long as I could remember. And I'd accept her for who she was now, child and all, so long as she'd accept me back.

  “You know what,” Beth said, flicking her eyes up to mine, and opening her lids with a false, apologetic glare. “I'm sorry, okay, I'm sorry I tried. Just forget it, forget I said anything.” Taking a step back, she shifted her eyes around my face. “It's not like you'll listen anyway, you're someone who needs to learn on their own.” Holding up her finger, she snarled. “But don't think this wasn't me trying to help, because I do care about you, Jayden. One day you'll see you have more people on your side than you think.”

  Beth whipped her body around and stormed out the door. I heard her car start up and the tires spit out dirt as she sped down the driveway. I didn't like arguing with my sister, but I was finished with feeling like people were judging me, expecting me to turn into my father.

  Yes, for a little bit I had done some partying, I had drank too much alcohol, and got arrested a few times for disorderly conduct. I was still a kid then, barely twenty-one, and trying to make it on my own.

  I fully understood that the actions of one could spread like wildfire. My arrest record had tainted my life for a bit, but I finally regained control. I wasn't my father, I would never be my father, and if no one else would take the time to see it, I wasn't going to lose sleep over it.

  Turning back to the mirror, I gave myself one last look over. I wasn't going to let this get to me, I wasn't going to let anything ruin my night.

  Grabbing my keys, I closed the door and hopped into my car. I didn't have time to dwell on what Beth was saying, or see that she was subtly trying to give me advice in her own way. If I wasn't such a thick headed asshole, maybe I would have heard her differently.

  Except I didn't. I heard what I wanted to hear.

  Pulling up to Blue's house, I turned into the driveway and shut off the car. It was a nice little place, nothing like the big farm house on the hill.

  The small white cape had black shutters, and a bright yellow door. There was a long set of stairs that led up to the entrance. Smoke was billowing out from the chimney, spiraling up into the sky, and disappearing into the cl
ouds. Her home was quaint, simple, nothing fancy. And that was exactly what I would expect from Blue.

  Taking a deep breath, I opened my door and started up the walkway. The front door opened, causing my lungs to freeze and my heart to stop.

  Blue stepped out, dressed in a tight pink dress that had a neck line that dropped all the way down to the center of her chest. Her legs shone under the glow of the outside light, drawing my attention down her body. A light glitter sparkled on her skin, following her curves down to her ankles. She was perfect, she had always been perfect.

  Brushing her hair behind her ears, she dipped her chin into her chest and smiled. Peach eye shadow tinted her lids as her thick black lashes fanned her eyes. My breath hitched as Blue's hand moved from behind her ear, trickling so lightly down her chest with just the bare tip of her finger.

  “Wow,” I said, walking up the steps. “You look amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Looking down at herself, she asked, “It's not too much, is it? Because I can change, it will only take—”

  “No, no, you're perfect.” Reaching out, I took her hand and braided our fingers together. “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” Looking back over her shoulder, she stuck her hand in the door, and flipped on the outside light. “Don't want to try to go up these steps in the pitch black.”

  “I wouldn't think so.” Smirking, I tugged her hand. “Let's go eat, Gorgeous, I'm starving.”

  “Where are we going?” Blue watched her feet as she walked, taking each step carefully. “Corner Tavern?”

  “Nope.”

  “No? But that's the only place around that I can wear a dress like this.”

  “No it's not.” Stopping short, I set my hand on her lower back and swooped her off her feet.

  “What are you doing?” Blue asked with a giggle, and fuck if that giggle didn't make me hard.

  “I don't want you to worry about falling, so, I'll carry you instead.” Grinning, I held her firmly against my chest and brought her down the steps to my car.

  “Well, isn't this star treatment,” she joked.

  Setting her back on her heels, I held her hips, allowing the tips of my fingers to brush her ass, and softly run up the exposed skin of her back as I pulled her door open.

  A visible shiver caused goosebumps to break out across her skin. I watched them as they moved down her back in rows, each one a sign that my touch had affected her deeper than the surface.

  “After you,” I said, taking her hand and helping her into the seat. “Here, put this on.”

  Blue took the blindfold, flipping it around in her hands. “What's this for?”

  “Just put it on.”

  Tilting her head to look up at me, her lip twitched at the corner with a curious smile. “What are you planning, Jayden Henry?”

  “I guess you're just going to have to put it on, and find out.” Closing the door, I could feel her eyes on me as I moved around the car to the driver's side and got in.

  She was always good at reading people—always. Blue would watch you, study you, she'd know what you were thinking before you actually thought it.

  Not tonight, tonight was a surprise for her, and I wasn't going to risk her figuring it out from analyzing me.

  Looking down at the fabric, she lifted her eyes to mine and quirked a brow. “And what if I refuse?”

  “Then we sit in this driveway all night. I hope you like pizza delivery.”

  “That doesn't sound like it would be so bad honestly.” Smiling, Blue licked her lips as she twirled the blindfold and held it up in front of her face. “And what happens once it's on? I won't be able to see a damn thing.”

  “That's the whole point.” Putting the key in the ignition, I started the car. “You used to trust me, there's no reason you can't trust me now.”

  “It's been ten years, Jay, people change. How do I know who you are anymore?”

  “Not all of us change.” Tapping my thumb on the steering wheel, I nodded my head at the blindfold.

  Blue smirked as she pulled the cloth around her eyes and tied it behind her head. “Am I going to regret this?”

  “You can't live life with regrets.”

  I watched her as she rested her hands in her lap, her fingers fumbling nervously around each other. But there was a smile on her face, a big, bold smile. That smile told me more about what she was feeling than anything else.

  She wasn't afraid, she wasn't anxious and wary; Blue was excited.

  Running my eyes up and down her body, I traced the shape of her lips, moving down her perfect tits and over her thick thighs. I could tell instantly she wasn't wearing a bra. With each inhale, her tits pushed out the thin edge of the V-shape dip. Her nipples were hard, poking through the fabric and screaming for me to pluck them with my teeth.

  Not yet. Keep your head on straight!

  Forcing myself to look out the windshield, I said, “Let the fun begin.”

  “Oh great, those are words I remember you saying, and it ending with us getting into some kind of trouble. I'm not going to find myself in jail by the time we're done, am I?”

  “I don't know, I guess that depends on how quick you are. Hope you can run good in those heels.”

  Blue giggled again and that fucking giggle made my cock jerk, ready to fuck her right then and there. But that wasn't my plan, and I wasn't going to ruin it by fucking her in my car.

  I wanted more from her.

  I wanted all of her.

  And I would do anything to get what I wanted.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Blue

  Black.

  Tying the blindfold, I tucked my hands under my thighs, keeping my head down.

  Wind.

  The breeze came through the window, ruffling my hair. I felt the soft edges of my hair as they tickled across the sharp curve of my jaw and around my shoulder, causing the tiny hairs on the back of my neck to raise.

  My senses seemed to peak without the use of my eyes. I could hear the trees swaying back and forth, and the grains of sand crunch and crack as the tires rolled. Jerking slightly, I laughed out loud as my stomach did a flip like when you went down a slope on a roller coaster.

  We're moving.

  “What's so funny?” Jay asked.

  “Nothing, that just felt weird.” Placing my hand on my stomach, I turned my head in the direction of his voice.

  “Can you see out of that thing?”

  “Nope, it's dark as night.”

  “You're not lying, are you?” I could hear the smile in his voice as he asked, making it easy for me to picture that sly little smirk.

  That smirk, that damn smirk had been one of the things that drew me to him in the first place. And then there was his eyes, those earthy brown eyes, so dark they reminded me of the soil after a torrential rainstorm.

  He would look at you with such intensity, such fierceness, that it felt like he was looking inside your soul.

  “You know I can tell when you're lying.”

  “Can you really?” I asked.

  “When you're not telling the truth, you nibble your bottom lip. It's very subtle, so subtle that it's barely noticeable. But when you do it, you look so fucking sexy.”

  My lip twitched with a half smile. “So am I lying?”

  I could feel his eyes on me, the weight more than enough to make my shoulders snap back and my sex tingle. But then he touched me, and my skin set on fire. His thick finger ran across my cheek, following the seam of the blindfold over the bridge of my nose, and around my ear.

  “Nah, you're not lying. Besides, I tried the blindfold myself before I let you put it on.” Chuckling, his finger moved down my throat, causing me to swallow hard. “But I'm enjoying this, I can tell you that.” The tip of his finger moved lower, slow and steady, until I was barely able to feel it.

  Sucking in a gulp of air, I held onto it, sensing the weight of his hand had pulled away. But his finger was still close, hovering near my skin, warm, gentle, and yet ready to tear my dress
off with the fierceness of a hungry lion.

  Letting out all the air in one long breath, I closed my eyes, even though it was already dark. The tension in my body relaxed once the space between us was empty, and his hand was back on the wheel.

  “So, where are you taking me?”

  “Let's see if you can figure it out.” The blinker beep started as the car slowed to a stop. “We can make a game of it.”

  “A game, huh. . . What do I get if I win?”

  “Alright, every street you get right, I'll massage you for five minutes.”

  “And if I'm wrong?”

  “You massage me. . .” His words trickled into a smile I could hear. “With your mouth.”

  A fiery heat spread across my cheeks and my heart started to kick. The sexual tension was intense between us. The air felt like it was charged with electricity, creating a buzzing sensation that moved over my body.

  Fuck, it's been so long since I've wrapped my lips around him.

  Snapshots of Jayden's length flashed through my mind. I could visualize it perfectly. His thick cock, the tuft of black hair that sat at the base, the engorged tip and firm, rigid shaft.

  “Which stree—”

  The car began to turn left, so I blurted out, “Lincoln Avenue.” Smiling with thin lips, I cupped my knees. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “Confident are we?” he asked. Listening intently, I could hear his hands as they swept around the wheel, even before the car started to take a left.

  “Doris Drive.”

  Jayden was quiet for a brief second as the car slowed to another stop. “We might need to up the prize.”

  “Because you're losing already? You always were a sore loser.”

  Jayden let out a deep laugh. “Is that right?”

  A sharp burning sensation hit my nipple. “Ah, what the hell was that?” Covering my chest, I soothed the mild throb. “Did you just flick my nipple?”

  “Maybe.” There was a playful smugness to his voice, a tone I had heard numerous times before. “But it's your word against mine.”

  “Potter,” I said as the car took a right, and the sounds of the trees grew further apart, making the sky an open void with an echo.