Ophelia (Love & Loss #1)

by Jude Ouvrard

  “We all miss you. This trip was hard for us. Clara has been sick a lot and Beverly, very emotional. It will be good to have you back.”

  Why didn’t she say anything to me when we talked? I hated that she was hiding it from me. Probably didn’t want to worry me, but it did upset me.

  My throat tightened as the tears in my eyes threatened to burst. “Are they okay? Are you able to help them out?” I asked, trying to hide my feelings.

  “Ophelia, don’t cry, please, baby, I’m taking care of them as much as I can. Her mother is supposed to fly here in two days to visit. It will all be okay, trust me.”

  I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m emotional today, I guess.”

  “Don’t worry about a thing, everything is under control. Now tell me, what are your plans for the day?”

  “I’m on my way to the university and then after that, I might stay a little longer to practice for my concert.”

  “You sound tired and you say you’re emotional. Don’t push yourself too far, Ophelia. I don’t want you exhausted and sick when you get back, okay? Take good care of yourself down there.”

  “I’m trying really hard, bab – Teo.” The endearment startled me as much as it did him.

  “Babe? Did you just call me babe? That was hot as hell.”

  I knew my face was probably cherry red. “Yes, I did. It caught me off-guard.” I laughed. “So you like when I call you babe?”

  “Very much so. I’m yours, baby.”

  “You’ve been calling me baby for a long time now. I love it. It’s cute.”

  “I love my baby. We’ll be together soon. I can’t wait to kiss you. I miss your lips and everything else about you.” His soft voice was like music to my ears.

  “Teo, don’t get me all turned on when I have to get to class. I won’t be able to stop thinking about you.”

  “That’s exactly what I want, Ophelia. You are my babe, mine.”

  My heart was overwhelmed by him and missing him too freaking much. If I could, I would fly back home for two days and come back for the concert, but it wasn’t exactly realistic. The flights from Australia to San Diego were way too long, around fifteen hours.

  I had to stop myself from thinking about it, I had a job to attend here and Teo would be home when it was time to go. Remember the plans, Ophelia.

  I climbed into my car and drove myself to work. I was getting used to driving here, but it was quite different than America. The radio was on and I was singing along. I felt good today, my heart was light and Teo’s call made it all better. God, I loved him. I smiled.

  I parked my car and noticed Evan walking few rows away in the parking lot. “Evan!” I called after him.

  “Hey, Ophelia. Are you ready for class?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. I just want to grab a coffee first. I can’t survive without my morning coffee.”

  “I can’t drink that stuff, but I can go with you. How’s the concert and practicing going?” He asked.

  “I think I’m ready. It’s such a big project, so exciting. I’ll forever be thankful that you spoke to your father about me. You have no idea how happy it makes me.” I didn’t think I would have been able to pull it off without his connections. This opportunity was the epitome of my life.

  “I just told him you were teaching me. I didn’t have to explain anything. He knew who you were.” Evan clarified and I blushed. My reputation preceded me.

  I knew I had talents, but it always surprised me to know that people knew me or had followed my career. I had played piano with the biggest names out there. All of this I did for myself, but also to make my parents proud. I believed they would have been.

  We arrived at the small cafeteria on campus and I got myself a black coffee. This had become my drug, it kept me awake after a sleepless night.

  In the morning class with Evan, I got to play piano for the students. They wanted to see what I had created and I explained the whole process of writing a concerto, something I had been working on for many years. It all started with my father. It had evolved a lot through the years and at the moment, it exceeded all of my expectations. Each and every chord brought something special and different. I could play with my eyes closed. Each time my fingers hit the keys, I knew exactly what was coming. The tips of my fingers danced, giving the rhythm to the music. While playing, everything in my head was clear, light and easy. Playing piano was the only time I felt so much at peace. Since my parents were gone, this hobby had transformed into something I needed to survive.

  The students asked questions and I answered the best I could. Sharing my knowledge about my passion represented something that I cherished. I wanted all of them to have the same opportunities that I had. Making a living off something I loved so much seemed like the best way to live.

  I stayed in the classroom late. I played for a little over two hours, but it felt like twenty minutes. My hands were getting tired and so was the rest of my body. I had survived on very little sleep all week, so I thought going to bed early would be good after all.

  The music was playing softly in the car. I was driving and thinking about my Teo. My desire to call him persisted, but I was too exhausted to take action. I promised myself I would call him in the morning. A smile appeared on my lips just at the thought of hearing his voice.

  The more I thought about it, the more I knew I wanted to spend my life with him. I hadn’t been home a lot in the past few years, but we tried to keep in touch every day or two. Our friendship had been filled with steamy passion, and a deep connection. We always acted like a couple, we held hands and cuddled on the couch while watching a movie. I always remained faithful to him, I wasn’t sleeping around. But as long as I was travelling, I didn’t think my heart could be with him a hundred percent. The difference wasn’t that significant but now, I wanted it all with him.

  I wanted us to be official. The time had come.

  ... O ...

  The sun was beginning to rise when I heard noises coming from the front door. Small knocks echoed in the cabin. Who could it be? I didn’t have friends here. It scared me, but the curiosity stopped me from going back to bed. I hoped it wasn’t some jackass playing games on me. Quietly, I tiptoed to the door and opened it just a little to see who was hiding behind it.

  “Baby?” My voice broke with emotion. “You travelled all the way here?” I jumped into his arms and kissed every inch of his face. I never expected to see him. My heart filled with joy, I couldn’t believe he was standing there at my door.

  “For you, Ophelia, only for you, my baby. I love you so much.” He returned my kiss and his arms took me in a warm embrace. I missed those strong arms around me so much. I wanted to stay there forever.

  “Come on in. It’s small but big enough for us.” I let him enter, never letting go of his hand, never leaving his sight. So many emotions were expressed only by the look in our eyes.

  He let his backpack fall on the floor and he lift me into his arms. “You are gorgeous, baby, you are so fucking perfect. I want to give you the world and make you happy.” He laughed out loud. “I’ve been thinking about what I would say to you for over sixteen hours, but seeing you here, now. There is only one thing you need to know. I’m in love with you and I want to share my life with you.”

  “That makes two things,” I teased. “I am, too.” The words rolled off my tongue. “I’ve always love you and always will.”

  We stood facing each other. Our past had been quite confusing at times. He’d waited for me, but whenever I was home, we were one. We acted like a couple, we were very involved physically. That was always our thing, our connection.

  “Hearing you, seeing you tell me that you love me is everything I’ve ever wished for. I want to spoil you, make you see how happy you make me.”

  “Show me.” I pulled him to me, holding his t-shirt. His touch had always meant everything to me. When we met, I’d been craving any kind of human affection. I wanted to be loved, I needed someone to hug me and make me feel safe a
nd he was exactly that for me. Teo gave me the strength I needed to go on with my life.

  “There is nothing else I'd rather do.” His lips crushed mine, taking possession of me. Our lips parted and our tongues met, hungry with desire. My hands hunted the skin of his waist and sensed the warmth emanating for his body.

  Teo didn’t waste more time, he removed the only clothing I was wearing, which was one of his old t-shirt that I had stolen before leaving.

  “Baby, look at you, you’re incredibly sexy.” He whispered, nibbling on my earlobe.

  My desire for him had me all mixed up. I wanted to push him on the couch, I wanted to undress him. I needed him to show me how much he loved me. “Let me get you out of that top.” I said, lifting it over his head and dropping it on the floor. I let my hands dance on his chest, enjoying the feel of his skin under my fingers. His muscles hardened under my touch.

  “You’re driving me crazy.”

  I chuckled shyly. My fingers grabbed hold of the belt of his jeans, pulling him towards my bedroom. The bed had to be the best place for what we had in mind. I undid his belt and unbuttoned his pants as we walked toward the room. His lips trailed a line of kisses from my lips to my jaw and then to the hollow of my neck. It sent shivers all over my body making my nipples pucker. I pushed his pants and underwear down and pulled him into the bed with me.

  “You have no idea how many nights I’ve wished to have you here with me. You are the one I love, Teo.”

  “I love you. I’m never getting rid of you. Look at you,” he said admiring my body, feeling my breast with his hands. “You’re everything. My everything.”

  With both of my hands, I held his face and looked at him. Love reflected in his eyes and I hoped he could see how much love I had in mine. I needed him to see it, to feel it. I had never loved someone that hard. It scared me, but I knew he would always have my back. I trusted that he would find the perfect words to make me feel secure.

  “I could get used to that look on your face. The one that says, oh Teo, you’re the man of my fantasies, the one I’ve been dreaming of all my life.” He mimicked my voice.

  We both laughed.

  “You’re an ass.”

  “It was the first promise I made you, and I keep my promises.” He kissed my lips languorously. “I don’t know why it feels so different. We’ve been doing this for a very long time but it feels like it’s the first time in all those times that I own you, that you really are mine.”

  “It’s because you do, I’m yours, baby, I’m yours.” I sighed. “I’m sorry that I kept you waiting all this time. It was very selfish of me. I can’t believe that you’re still here wanting me.”

  He smiled and nodded. Maybe he was happy hearing me acknowledge all the effort he had made over the years.

  “Enough talking now. I need to show my girl how much I missed her.”

  His body covered mine, his hands caressed me in a demanding manner. We were kissing like there was no tomorrow. The tension was palpable. I had missed him so much that my body desired everything coming from him. I had lost the battle against the passion between us.

  “God, Teo, I love you.” I wanted to keep telling him for all the times I should have said it and I didn’t.

  “I know you do, baby. I always knew but hearing it is the most arousing thing ever.” He laughed shamelessly while my cheeks flushed bright red.

  This moment meant so much for us, I didn’t want to ruin it, but all I wanted was him. I wanted him now.

  “Fuck the preliminaries, Teo.” I circled my legs around his waist and clutched his hair with my hand.

  Our breathing accelerated while our kisses deepened. Teo's body slowly fell into place, and the tension built inside of me. My eyes opened, only to see the amusement in his face.

  “Are you sure about this?”

  Of course I was. My body claimed him as it was ready to combust. I nodded and a second later, the feeling of him pushing into me sent me to seventh heaven. Our eyes stayed connected. I had this inexplicable need to watch him. Pure lust and desire reflected in his light brown eyes. His movements were slow and passionate as I expected him to be. He was loving me the best way he could. I drew my gaze to his full lips and he understood my demand. We met halfway, our kisses were intensifying and so was his thrust.

  Every possible part of our body touched, but yet it wasn't enough. My hands were holding his strong biceps tightly as I felt the pull in my lower belly. Our bodies in synch, I met him at every thrust.

  He had been with me not even ten minutes before we ended up in bed. That fact made me chuckle under my breath as he quickened his movements.

  “Anything you want to say?” He mumbled, out of breath.

  “Welcome home, baby.”

  “Wherever you are is home, babe. But I’d rather have you home, in San Diego.”

  “I know,” I whispered breathlessly.

  His lips found their way down my collarbone, nibbling and kissing me. Teo's touches tickled my sensitive skin and teased me relentlessly. As he pounded faster and harder into me, every muscle inside me tightened feeling the apex coming strong.

  “I don't think I’m going to be able to hold it much longer, baby.”

  “Don't go easy, I'm almost there.”

  Taking my words as orders, he filled me putting force into each thrust. His movements sent me over the edge faster than I thought possible. My legs were shaking around his waist and a tickling sensation covered my whole body. My eyes closed, unable to contain myself. We came undone simultaneously. Teo's full weight fell onto me. We both needed time to catch up our breath. We stayed in that position for a long time. Both of us were quiet, absorbing everything we'd just felt.

  My eyes grew heavy and from the look on Teo's face, I knew he was tired too. He’d had a long flight and quite a bit of time change to adapt to. He rolled off on his side and smiled at me.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “Because I feel like I’m falling in love with you all over again. You are all mine. I want the world to know we’re together.”

  Joy had the power to make me tear up sometimes, and that was one of these moments. All my life, I had tried to fix the void I felt inside me. Our lovemaking and finding each other again changed that, and now I felt complete. Giving him the place he owned in my heart, allowing him to be by my side officially, it made me emotional.

  “You are my king, baby. You are my other half.”

  We kissed until we passed out. My arms were holding him prisoner and my head was leaning on his chest, listening to the rhythmic drumbeat of his heart.

  Chapter SIX

  ***

  His smile inspires my soul.

  His energy nourishes my life.

  When one becomes the reason of each breath.

  ***

  “Wake up, sleepy head. It’s a beautiful day outside and I decided that you are going to play tourist with me.” I couldn’t hide the excitement in my voice.

  Teo opened his eyes one at a time and closed them again, groaning. Time difference is a pain in the ass, I knew that. I sat on the bed next to him and my fingers caressed his bare skin. He had been sleeping for a couple of hours. Enough time for me to shower and get ready. I even had time to prepare a lunch for our outing.

  “Babe, what time is it?” His voice rusty as hell and oh so sensual!

  I ran my fingers through his dark hair. “It’s almost eleven.”

  Again, he tried opening his eyes and when he saw me, he grinned happily. “You are such a sight, so lovely today.” He took my hand and kissed it. “Do you have coffee? I’m gonna need some.”

  “Yes, baby, I got you covered.” I leaned over him and kissed his forehead before taking a moment to breathe him in. “I was thinking, maybe we could go to the zoo.”

  “The zoo? As in animals and shit?”

  “As in animal and plenty of things to see, yes.”

  “Smart ass. Do I have time to shower?”

  He removed the covers and re
vealed is naked body nonchalantly. I knew he did that on purpose just to see me blush and make me unsteady. My eyes focused on his god-like body. I was a lucky girl, there was no doubt. We walked slowly to the small bathroom and he looked at me before entering.

  “Why don’t you come with me? I need your help to wash my back.” He winked arrogantly. I knew what he wanted, his desire to seduce me. Teo was well aware of my weaknesses and he had no problem using them against me.

  “You and I both know that if we do that, we’ll never leave the cabin and I really want to go out today. With you by my side.” I tried to convince myself I didn’t want to jump into the shower with him, but it was all I wanted. His body against mine with the mixture of the hot water and the smell of my shower gel. Temptations and decisions. This time, I had to keep my word, I had to let him shower alone. I wanted this day to be special.

  “How can I say no to you?” His words registered in my mind, he always did everything he could to please me, always placing me first and him second. “Hand in hand?” He asked, always so romantic. One of the many things about him, he loved walking around, holding hands. It was his way of showing off to the world that I was his. With everything being official, I knew his devotion to me would take another step.

  “Yes, hand in hand.” My heart was beating faster only looking at him, it was about to explode with love and joy.

  Since my arrival in Australia, I hadn’t had time to explore much. A guide showed me the city and told me where to go and what to do, but time seemed to disappear lately. The concerto was taking so much of my free time, and school kept me busy during the day. On my free day, I normally tried to catch up on sleep and errands for the week. With Teo here, I knew things would be different. He hadn’t traveled all the way here just to see me. We had to explore the beautiful country of Australia.

  I sat at small piano in the living room and started to play while Teo was showering. One of the things he loved was me playing in the morning. He once said that it calmed him and helped him focus positively on the day.