Claiming What's Mine

by Holt, Leah

  I could guess that her pastor father was the reason for her having such humility, but I always thought that even if she was born to a different family, she'd still have that quality.

  Stepping into the cornfield, I held back long leaves and wispy silk tops so she could come through. The moon was sitting just high enough, and the sun was hovering just low enough that the mix of night and day created an opalescent smear across the sky. The sky morphed, twisting with charred orange and deep ocean blue streaks.

  Blue paused for a moment, but I kept going, not realizing she had stopped until my arm jerked in the socket. Looking back at her, she kept her gaze on the sky. “It's beautiful,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.

  I didn't say anything, simply turning my face to the sky. Her fingers tightened around mine, pulling me in closer. We stood like that for a few minutes, watching as the sky was painted in darkness and the colorful streaks were erased.

  Cupping her free hand over mine, she rubbed the top of my palm. “Where are we going now?”

  Looking down at her fingers, I watched how she stroked my skin, how she still moved her thumb across my knuckles, just like she used to when we were younger. The hair on my arm bristled as she used her nail to draw circles across the top of my hand.

  My body began to warm, same as the first time our hands met and our lips touched. It always started in my chest, then the heat would move in waves, down my stomach, around my ribs, slipping down until it reached my toes.

  It was a feeling that never got old.

  Guiding her back in the direction we were going, I asked, “Do you remember the day I came into your yard and we caught fireflies?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “You were wearing the cutest nightgown, with small purple flowers—”

  “Lobelias.”

  “What?”

  “Those were the flowers on my nightgown, Lobelias.”

  Moving more stalks, I kept checking the sky to make sure we were heading in the right direction. Where we wanted to be was set directly below the Big Dipper, right at the very edge of the bucket.

  “Those were the only flowers I could ever pick out if I saw them.”

  “I know,” Blue said, her voice coming out softer. “You always brought me a few on my birthday every year, and on the date that we first met.”

  “July seventeenth, a day I could never forget.” I kept moving us deeper into the field, making sure to kick any debris out of her way before she took a barefoot step. Stopping, I turned to face her. Running the tips of my fingers up and down the outside of her arms, I pressed our bodies closer together. “I found this one day, but I never showed you because I thought you would come and pick them all on me.”

  “What is it? What did you find?” Her eyes opened wide as saucers, eager and excited to know more.

  “This.” Spreading the cornstalks, there was a small clearing on the right edge of the field. “It's a lot bigger now than it was when we were kids.”

  Her eyes expanded as she helped push the tall palms aside and stepped into the clearing. “This has been here all these years?” Shaking my head yes, I just watched her as she was blown away by the rolling spread of purple flowers. “And you never told me?”

  “I was afraid you'd come and take them all, leaving me nothing to give you.”

  Walking forward, she held her hands hip high and softly raked her fingers over the flower tops. “I can't believe this. This is beautiful.”

  No, you're what's beautiful.

  Coming up behind her, I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her back against my chest. “You are so damn gorgeous, you still take my breath away.”

  Blue laid her head back, snuggling her face into the crook of my neck. Reaching her arm up, she curled it around my neck and started playing with the ends of my hair. “How do you do this?”

  “Do what?”

  “Ever since we were young, you've had this. . .” Blue let out a sigh as she tried to find the right word. “I don't know, this power. Do you know what I mean?”

  “I don't know, tell me what you're feeling.”

  Talking into my neck, she tickled the tip of her nose against my skin. “My stomach gets all bubbly and knotty, my hands get warm, my heart beats a mile a minute. I feel like a stupid school girl all over again. Like I would literally do anything for you.”

  Spinning her around, I cupped her face in my palms. “I've missed you, Betty-Sue.”

  Her eyes held a shimmer of doubt, even though I felt her arms as they tightened around my ribs. “Really?”

  “Yes, really. There hasn't been a day that you didn't cross my mind. There was always something that made me think of you.” Strumming my thumbs across the curve of her cheeks, I stared into her eyes. “Every damn day,” I said softly, lowering my lips to hers.

  Grazing her lips with mine, Blue attempted to meet my kiss with one of her own. But I didn't let her, I held her face in place, and pulled my mouth away. I wanted to tease her, take it slow, make her body burn for me in a way it never had.

  I wanted Blue to beg for me to be inside her. I wanted her to plead with me to ease the throbbing, swelling clit between her thighs. I wanted Blue to beg me to stay and never leave her again.

  If she asks, I'll say yes.

  Smoothing my hands down her hair, I placed light kisses across the exposed skin on her neck. A kiss beside her jaw, a kiss on her collarbone, a kiss on her throat. My hands controlled her head, manipulating the direction it rolled on her shoulders.

  Blue moaned, her coo so low I had to strain to hear her. My cock jerked as her hard nipples pressed against my chest. Working my fingers around her throat and into her hair, I tugged her head back and bit her bottom lip, plucking it with my teeth.

  Her eyes shut instinctively, and she folded into my chest as my kisses became more fierce and demanding. Digging her nails in, she clutched my shirt, her moan turning into a purr.

  “Did my Blue bird just turn into a kitten?” Speaking into her ear, I fisted her hair and ran my tongue across her earlobe.

  “Do you want me to be a kitten?” she asked, slipping her hand around my hard cock and giving it a firm squeeze.

  Growling, I ran the sharp edges my teeth across the soft curve of her jaw. “You're not so innocent anymore, are you?” I asked, holding her head firmly in place, and an arm around her back so she couldn't squirm away.

  Her lips spread into a sexy smirk as her eyes panned my face, moving from my lips to my eyes. “I'm not a kid anymore, Jay, I'm a woman.”

  “Yes you are,” I said, using the pad of my finger to trace her nipple.

  “So, what are you going to do with me now? You don't have to worry about my daddy coming to chase you away, you don't have to worry about someone seeing us, or your father showing up to kick your ass.” Blue bit her bottom lip and gave my cock another hard squeeze. “Show me, Jay, show me what you're going to do to me.”

  A noise came out of me that was more animal than human. It was wild and raw and full of everything that I had trapped inside for this girl. All the emotions and feelings I refused to share with any other woman that had been in my life over the years, they all came spilling out of me in one vocal grunt.

  Scooping Blue off her feet, I wrapped her legs around my waist and kissed her. My tongue swept across the ridges of her mouth, dancing around her tongue, tasting, licking, devouring the new woman I had suddenly met.

  Tipping her head back slightly, the intensity heightened as my tongue went deeper and our kiss became insistent, greedy, sending tremors through my muscles. Blue's thighs began to shake, causing her to clench my waist tighter, clinging to me as she broke our kiss for a single breath.

  Inhaling a sharp and ragged breath, Blue drove her hands into my hair, diving back in for more. More lips, more tongue and sharing air, with teeth scraping and audible gasps.

  I hadn't realized I was moving, walking with her around my body like she was a piece of jewelry until we were immersed in a mix
of flowers and cornstalks.

  Her dress had slinked up her legs and was sitting around her waist like a crumpled belt. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly as the large vein on her neck pulsed. Running my thumb over the vein, I felt her heart beat, loving that it was racing, each thump more wild than the next.

  “Do you want me?” I asked her.

  “Yes,” she choked out, her voice weak and throaty as if she had forgotten how to talk.

  Her breath was hot against my skin, making my cock jump and my balls draw up tight. “Good, that's all I needed to hear.”

  Holding her up with one arm, I unbuttoned my pants and pulled my cock out. Blue was holding my shoulders, using them to push up slightly so I could position my cock. With a flick of my finger, I moved her soaked panties to the side.

  My cock slid in easily, her pussy silky and warm as it swallowed my entire length. Blue dropped her head back as she dug her heels into the back of my thighs. Gripping her ass, I helped lift her ass up, and let her slam back down on her own.

  Our eyes were locked on each other, our bodies moving in sync as we got lost to the world. The blue-orange sky had changed, morphing into deep navy, almost black. The stars had started to sprout around us, the air was quiet and still.

  It felt like we were the only two people in the world, as the crickets began to sing and the sun disappeared behind the horizon. I enjoyed that feeling, the feeling that it was just us.

  Riding my dick, I used my finger to tease her asshole, rubbing small circles and tempting the opening with the tip of my finger. Blue moaned louder, riding harder, breathing heavier.

  “Yeah, my little bird, sing for me. I've missed my Blue bird.” Harder and faster I ground up into her pussy, slamming her ass down with each thrust.

  Her moans became more melodic, making my dick thicken as her pussy miked my cock and her muscles started to shake.

  She wasn't really loud as she got closer to coming. I always used her body to know when she was almost there. Her breathing would get heavier, her skin would get clammy and hot to the touch. Her muscles would clench tight, making her latch onto me no matter what position we were in.

  Blue whimpered as she laid her head on my shoulder and a quiver ran up and down her body. That was it, I had held my come in as long as I could. Pulling out, I pushed her hips in, forcing her pussy lips to wrap my dick as I came on her lower belly.

  Our eyes were still frozen on each other, the space around us was silent except for our harsh breaths and occasional moans. Setting her down gently, I chuckled.

  “What are you laughing at?” she asked, half looking at me, and half looking around the ground.

  “You look cute wearing me like that.”

  “Do I now?”

  “You do.”

  “I need something to clean it off. Do you have anything?”

  “I do.”

  “Can I have it?” she asked, holding her dress so she didn't get come on it as she tipped her head into her shoulder.

  “It's at the table.”

  Blue laughed, giving me a playful smile. “Well, that doesn't help me right now, does it?”

  Taking off my button-up shirt, I passed it to her. “Here, you can use this.”

  “Thank you.” Wiping herself clean, she pulled her dress down and balled up the shirt. “Want to put it back on?”

  Holding up my hand, I waved it in refusal. “Nope, I'm good.” Glancing at the ground, I could see the small box I had stashed out there earlier in the day.

  “I have another surprise for you.”

  “Another one?”

  Grinning, I picked up the box and opened the flaps. Taking out a glass jar, I passed it to her and took out another one for myself. “I thought maybe we could catch something you could bring back to your daughter.”

  Blue stood still, her eyes glazing over in thought. She started to smile, but that smile quickly faded. “Jayden, we need to talk.”

  “Nope, not tonight.” Unscrewing the cap, I started looking around. “I didn't plan on staying when I came back for my father's funeral.” Walking slow and cautiously, I kept scanning the sky. “Now, I'm in no rush.”

  “This is important, I really—”

  “Save it, Blue, let's just have tonight as it is. No worries, no talking, just us together.”

  Blue watched me for a few moments as I failed to catch those little flashing bugs. Laughing at me, she shook her head. “Do I really need to show you how this is done again?”

  “You are the bug whisperer. A little lesson might do me some good. I haven't done this since we were kids, you have a kid, you must do this all the time.”

  Blue stopped short and peered at me quietly over her shoulder. She didn't say anything, but it looked like she wanted to. I didn't press her, because honestly, I didn't really care. We would have plenty of time to talk, to fill in the blanks, to learn about the missing pieces between us.

  But that wasn't important just yet. I wanted Blue to want me. I wanted Blue to need me. I wanted Blue to know that I wasn't going anywhere, not this time.

  No matter who tried to push me away.

  Chapter Twenty

  Blue

  “You're still up.” Dropping my purse on the nightstand by my bed, I kicked off my heels, and took out my earrings, setting them in the small dish on my dresser. “Grandma said you were sleeping.”

  “Grandma fell asleep about an hour after you left.”

  “That's comforting,” I said, softly laughing. “Maybe I should just have you watch her instead.”

  “Don't worry, I do that already.” Peeking out from behind the top of her book, Bliss gave me a look that far out weighed her age in years. “You were out late.”

  Holding up my hands, I waved the white flag. “Sorry.”

  “I was worried.”

  “You are a child, and there was nothing for you to worry about.”

  “Well, you didn't tell me anything, and Grandma didn't know much about where you went tonight.” Cocking a brow, she set her book in her lap and glared at me. “I asked her and she just shrugged. Isn't it a rule that you're supposed to let people know where you are just in case?”

  “What have you been watching?”

  “I know things, Mom.”

  Sitting on the edge of my bed, I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in. With tender fingers I played with her hair, running my nails through, and brushing her bangs out of her face.

  “I was out with a friend.”

  It almost felt necessary for me to give her an answer. I wasn't sure why, maybe it was because it had just been us for so long, I felt like she had earned the right to answer.

  After a failed marriage, I figured the rest of my life would revolve around Bliss. It would keep things a lot more simple if I didn't have to focus on her and a relationship. Because Bliss came first, which my ex just couldn't handle.

  Bliss tilted her head back to look up at me, her face scrunched like I had disappointed her. “That's your answer? You're not going to give me a name?”

  With a straight face, I did my best to ease her worry, but also remind her that I was her mother, she wasn't mine. “I don't have to give you anything, but. . .” Drawing out the word, I scooted down the bed, and wrapped Bliss in a hug. “If giving you a name will make you feel better, I was out with Jayden.”

  “The guy from the store?”

  “Yes, the guy from the store.”

  Bliss coiled her small body around mine, allowing me to hold her like I used to when she was really little. There were times where she would snuggle up to me this way, where she allowed herself to be that vulnerable child who needed their parent for comfort.

  And I soaked it up.

  My daughter was, and always had been, an independent kid. She didn't like getting help for things, and she has had an opinion for as long as I could remember. Even with her stubborn nature, she was a caring, loving, and curious child.

  “Do you like him?” she asked, her big eyes
peering up at me with so much curiosity.

  “Of course I like him, he's my friend.”

  “No, I mean do you like him like him?”

  Brushing her hair with my fingers, I spun the thick ponytail into a bun, and let it go, watching the spiral unwind. Her question made me think, and those thoughts ran like a tsunami through my brain.

  Yes, I liked Jayden Henry. I had always liked Jayden Henry.

  There was a time where I had once loved him, a time where I had given him my heart and soul, and I thought we were going to spend the rest of our lives together.

  And then things changed. Things that were out of my control, choices I didn't have the ability to make. The options presented weren't in his favor at all, but I did what was right, and I still believed that.

  “Mom? Did you hear me?”

  Bliss's voice pulled me back to her, to us, to the question she had asked. Forming a feigned smile on my lips, I gently tickled the very tips of my nails across her cheek. “I heard you, and yes, I do like him like him.”

  “Are you going to see him again?” Yawning wide, Bliss rubbed her eyes.

  “I don't know, Honey, what I do know is that it's time for bed.” Patting her back, I helped her sit up. “Come on, let's go.”

  Bliss pushed herself up on sleepy arms, letting out another yawn. “I'm tired.”

  “I can tell.” Starting for her room, I remembered I had something for her. “Go climb in bed and I'll be right there.” Nodding, she disappeared out the door and into the hall.

  Grabbing the jar in my purse, I went to Bliss's room. She was already covered up to her chin in her pink zebra striped comforter. A giant, fuzzy, hot pink pillow was slowly swallowing her face as she sank deeper into the fluff. Stuffed animals formed barricades around her shoulders and sides, engulfing her as if she was one of their own. Had I looked quick if I was just walking by, I wouldn't have even seen her there.

  “Hey,” I said, holding the jar behind my back. “I forgot that Jayden got you something.”