“Fair enough,” I agreed. “I wanted to try to explain this situation between me and your daughter. I want you to know that it isn’t anything like you think it is,” I paused, choosing my words carefully. “The thing is that it just sort of happened after she got back from college. Neither of us intended for it to happen. And I want you to know that I’d never thought about pursuing her, mainly because of our age difference.”
Janis stared at me blankly, but I could tell that my words were registering and she was listening intently. I took it as a good sign.
“I can understand why you see this relationship as freaky but I ask you to please give us a chance to show you otherwise. We don’t even notice our age difference when we spend time together.” I let out a sigh. “I hate that you and Amelia are not talking and I do feel responsible for it.”
Janis was quiet for a while, her face not revealing any of her thoughts. “Fine. I have to say, I applaud you for coming here to meet me. But you are a..grown man,” she said, with an odd hint in her voice. I immediately felt slightly uncomfortable.
“I can understand that my daughter and you getting together just happened..but what I don’t understand is how come you didn’t go for a woman who is closer to you in age...,” her voice trailed off, leaving the clear impression, that she was referring to herself, in its wake.
I was lost for words, because Janis trying to flirt with me had been the last thing I had expected in this situation.
She took a step in, so close that I could feel her hot, alcohol-infused breath on my face. I tried not to breathe in through my nose.
“You should be with a real woman,” she whispered. “Like me.”
Before I had a chance to react in any way, her lips were pressed on mine. I pulled away just as fast as it had happened, shocked and appalled by her actions.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, my voice growing louder and angrier. She had no shame. “I'm with your daughter. Your own flesh and blood. How could you ever do something like that to her?” I heard my voice boom loudly, still feeling violated. “Not that I’d ever go for it,” I added after the fact. I didn’t want her to get the wrong impression.
Janis looked at me up and down, visibly shaken. “That little bitch took my youth and if I could go back I’d never have her, especially so young,” she spat out suddenly. “Look at what she did to me,” she cried out, pointing at her own body. “I used to be as pretty as she is and my body was the same. I had curves everywhere and she ruined it..ruined my future.” She shook her head violently. “And now men like you who are my age, don’t even consider me. The only silver lining is that my ex-husband is a plastic surgeon and he’s been able to fix what could be fixed,” she sighed loudly, shifting her weight from one leg to the other.
Suddenly her eyes lit up and a wicked smirk spread across her lips. “I can tell you that you’re missing out. I know my daughter was inexperienced before you came into the picture...you should try someone with more experience. I could show you things that don’t even exist in your wildest dreams.”
My eyes must have been as wide as plates because only seconds after her remark, she came to the imminent realization that I wouldn’t take her up on her offer.
“Fuck off. Stop bothering me!” Janis yelled and slammed the door to my face.
She was a total nutjob. Throwing her own daughter out for doing something she wanted to do. That was hypocrisy at its finest. And to think Amelia had to grow up with that.
I shook my head and made my way back inside my place. It would be hard to focus on work after this. Plus I wasn’t exactly looking forward to explaining it all to Amelia.
Chapter 3
Amelia.
I got back from work surprisingly early and opened the door to a serious looking Lucas working intently on the couch. I threw my bag on the floor, got out of my jacket and then sat next to him, exhaling loudly.
“So, how did it go?” I’d been feeling anxious about him going to see my mom all day and when he had texted me that he’d explain the situation in person, I’d been desperate to leave early.
Lucas started telling the story, going over each and every single little detail. The little hope that I’d had of my mom’s rationality started disappearing the longer he spoke. I couldn’t believe her. The nerve she had. By the time he finished, my blood was boiling.
“I’ve always known she’s not the most rational person but this...this is on another level,” I hissed.
Lucas tried to calm me down by taking my hands into his. I hadn’t even realized that I'd squeezed them into tight fists.
“I’m gonna go talk to her right now,” I remarked, feeling the compelling need of letting my mother hear it.
“Amelia, it’s not smart. It doesn’t make sense to argue with her, she wouldn’t understand it,” he insisted. I didn’t like hearing the words that were coming out of his mouth, even though I knew he was right.
“You’d only make yourself more frustrated. Let’s just focus on ourselves and not worry about her,” he said and let go of my hands, then pulled me closer to him.
Slowly, Lucas managed to calm me down by reminding me about my goals and dreams, and just by being there for me. He was my rock and my support system, helping me when my mom had thrown me out. A person who only wanted me to succeed and thrive. I was so lucky to have him in my life—it didn’t matter what other people thought.
Still, a tiny nagging thought popped into my head. “You said I could ask you anything, right?”
Lucas nodded. “Yes. And I meant it.”
I hesitated for a moment. “I’m just wondering if you ever noticed my mom like that..before. Since she’s not that much older than you.” I felt embarrassed and shameful for even asking.
He shook his head determinedly. “No, never. She’s not really my type,” he chuckled. “And you guys were just my neighbors. Like I said, I only really noticed the people in your household that summer before you left for college. And it was you who caught my eye.”
I nodded, feeling relieved. I wasn’t sure why I felt so insecure around him sometimes. As if I was questioning whether he thought of me as special. Maybe it was all those years of my mom making me feel less about myself. I knew he was special to me but then again, he was the only man I’d been with. I couldn’t help but feel as though to him, I was one among the others. I pushed the thought to the back of my head, not wanting to go down that road.
Lucas could see there was something on my mind because he lifted my chin up and looked me in my eyes with intensity.
“Hey, I want you to know that I really care for you. When we’re together, I never think about our ages. You’re on the same level as me. Completely.” He placed a soft kiss on my lips, turning my insides warm with affection. The hot, searing rage that I’d felt moments earlier completely dissipated—as did the insecurities.
“I feel that way too,” I told him, looking deep into his baby blue eyes.
Lucas stroked my cheek. “And I’m so glad I’m in this relationship with you. You’re perfect for me.”
His words made my heart melt. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. He was perfect for me too, mentally and physically. I dropped on my back on the couch, our lips still locked as his weight rested on top of my body. The affectionate warmth was fast turning into molten desire—I wanted him completely.
“You turn me on so much,” Lucas whispered as he nipped on my neck before pulling my shirt off. I helped him out of his shirt and paused to marvel at his chiseled chest. I ran my hand on the smooth, warm skin with tufts of blonde hair nestled in the middle of his chest.
He unhooked my bra and pulled down my pants, leaving me on the couch only in my purple satin panties. He got out of his jeans fast and the next moment he was back on top of me. I could feel his erection pressing against my belly, hard and needing.
His mouth engulfed mine and I bit his bottom lip, causing him to grunt. He lowered his head and cupped my tits, circl
ing his tongue around my nipple. My back arched to meet his mouth and he gladly obliged, sucking the nipple into his mouth.
“Lucas...,” I moaned out quietly as he sucked and licked. My insides were throbbing with need and I could feel the wetness between my legs seeping through the thin satin fabric.
I reached down to his boxers and hooked my fingers in the waistband, freeing his erection. His cock stood up, thick and hard, ready for me. I wrapped my fingers around his shaft and he let out a loud hiss, closing his eyes.
“I love how your fingers feel wrapped around my cock,” he groaned. I blushed at his words while they simultaneously turned me on even more. I started moving my hand along him, stroking him slowly.
I used my other hand to push him on his back and then straddled his legs. Lucas looked at me with fiery passion in his blue eyes, the contrast like fire and ice, setting me ablaze. His hand threaded through my hair as I lowered my mouth on him and his hips bucked up to meet my lips. I wanted to taste all of him. I plunged my mouth down, then came back up and twirled my tongue around his crown.
“Amelia,” he hissed again, closing his eyes. His hold of my hair tightened and his hips slowly thrust in and out. I let him take the lead for a while before plunging down again.
“Your turn,” he whispered and gently pushed me off him. Next moment, he flipped me on my back and pulled my soaked panties down in one swift move. He pushed my legs apart and as his mouth made contact with my center, I cried out in bliss. His tongue ran up the length of my folds before reaching my clit. I gasped as he started devouring me with his mouth, sucking and licking me into oblivion, building the sweet pleasure.
“Come for me,” he murmured and began his assault on my pussy, harder and faster than before. I was a whimpering mess under him and within seconds the orgasm rolled over me with such intensity that my whole body felt like it was vibrating.
Lucas moved back up, licking his lips and then kissed me. His cock rubbed on my entrance and before I knew it, he had thrusted in with determination. I moaned at the sensation of him filling me completely.
I gripped his shoulders and wrapped my legs around his waist, inviting him inside me fully. Lucas grunted and withdrew before plunging into me again. His hips were moving fast and steady, delivering long, deep strokes that caused the pleasure to start building up again. The friction was delicious as it grew and heightened, pushing me towards the edge again.
“I’m gonna come again,” I moaned as he stroked in and out.
Lucas glanced at me, groaning as I felt my body go tight around him. He pressed his hips against mine, hitting my clit and sending me flying. I felt my pussy contracting and my legs shaking under him as the second orgasm washed over me, immersing me completely.
“Come on my cock, Amelia,” he growled and thrusted up to the hilt, spreading warmth in my pussy as he got his own release.
In our usual manner, we stayed there, intertwined with each other. Lucas rolled on to his back and pulled me close, delivering a soft kiss on my forehead.
“Like I said, you’re perfect for me,” he repeated his earlier words with a smile. After a while, we got up from the couch, showered and then snuggled in bed.
He was right. We should just focus on each other and our goals. I was happy. He made me happy.
The next morning we woke up early and decided to go on a run. After clocking in six miles, we feasted with fresh bagels and chocolate chip cookies that we had picked up from a bakery on our way back. As we were having breakfast my phone rang.
“Jennifer!” I answered excitedly.
Lucas observed me as I talked with Jen, eating his bagel with a sly smile on his face. He was probably thinking about last night. I winked at him and ten minutes later got off the phone.
“So, great news and a request,” I began. “My friend Jennifer is coming to New York for an interview and I wondered if she could stay in the guest bedroom?”
“Of course she can,” Lucas smiled and nodded.
“Thank you so much!” I let out a shriek and got up from my chair to jump on his lap.
“If I’d known getting to have a friend over made you this excited I’d have done it before,” he grinned.
I turned to straddle him and delivered a steamy kiss on his lips, grinding my hips against him slowly. “She’s coming in two days. So we’ll have to make the most of our time before then,” I hinted and licked his lower lip before sucking it into my mouth.
Without further encouragement, Lucas got up, and laid me down on the table.
“Well, in that case, I don’t think we’ve taken this table on a test run yet,” he smirked and kissed me as his hand wandered down between my legs.
I closed my eyes and let out a loud moan.
JENNIFER ARRIVED ON Monday evening and I managed to get Thursday, Friday and Monday off work to show her around the city. Her interview was on Tuesday and it went well, according to her. If things went right, she would be moving to New York.
On Tuesday night we ordered pizza and watched movies together. I was happy to find out that Lucas and Jen got along well enough—and she gave me her approval of him as well.
Jennifer spent Wednesday shopping and on Thursday, I took her to see some of the popular sights. It was her third time in New York, so I wanted to make sure she got all the mandatory touristy stuff done. Then, on Thursday night, we went out for drinks and I invited Lucas along. Jen revealed that a guy she had been talking with on Tinder would be joining us, so our night out turned into a double date. We had a fun time and only headed home late and crashed as soon as we reached Lucas’ place.
We woke up relatively early on Friday, luckily not really feeling the effects of staying up so late the night before. I was fixing all of us some breakfast in the kitchen with Lucas when Jennifer walked in, rubbing her eyes.
“Good morning,” she yawned.
“Good morning,” I said as Lucas poured her a cup of coffee. I took a sip of my already half-empty cup. “What do you wanna do today? You leave already on Monday.”
“I was thinking if we could have a small get together? Maybe here. Just a couple of people,” she suggested with a coy smile. “I was kind of hoping to see Kane again before I leave.”
Kane was her Tinder date from the night before.
“Yeah, that’s fine with me,” Lucas chipped in. “Just don’t make too much noise.” He took a bite out of his sandwich. “I have a special strategizing session with Xavier today so I’ll be out the way until later.”
“Awesome, thanks so much. We’ll make sure to get some drinks so you and Xavier can join us when we're done,” Jennifer smiled brightly as she sipped on her coffee.
After breakfast, Lucas headed out for his meeting with Xavier and Jen and I started cleaning. Once the place was spotless, we headed out to the store to buy drinks and snacks. Having a nice get together would be a great way to meet new people. Jen had always had the ability of getting me to step outside of my comfort zone. I was looking forward to the night.
Chapter 4
Lucas.
“I think that’s about everything, right?” Xavier asked quizzically as I typed in the last notes on my laptop.
I gave him a nod and slammed the screen shut. “Yup, should be. Once we get the greenlight from the board, we can start moving ahead with the merger.”
“Well in that case,” he grinned and took a couple of steps to the mini fridge sitting in the corner of his office. “Let’s get a couple of cold ones to celebrate.” He opened the door and reached inside, pulling out two beers.
I got up from my chair and walked over to him to grab one. With a fizzing sound, I twisted the cap off and took a swig. “Hits the spot,” I sighed, savoring the bubbles trickling down my throat.
We’d spent the whole day going over our strategies, and had only broken for lunch. It was already 9 p.m. but at least the day had been productively spent.
Xavier sat down on the couch and I chose his comfy leather chair. He called it his ‘thinking ch
air’: that’s where he sat when he was in need of new ideas or solutions. The leather let out a creak when my jeans made contact with it.
“So, tell me more about your honeymoon,” I said, taking another gulp.
Xavier’s dark eyes turned dreamy and he looked upwards as he reminisced. “Man, it was perfect,” he sighed. “Two weeks in Bora Bora...it was like a dream come true to Lily. I’d booked this over-the-top bungalow for us. Like, I’m telling you, it was huge,” he grinned.
I nodded along to his words. It really sounded amazing. And Bora Bora had always been a destination to visit on my bucket list. “So what did you guys do?”
Xavier chuckled. “The first week was pretty much spent in bed and ordering room service,” he winked. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Lily’s about to break the news to me that she’s pregnant. There’s no way I didn’t knock her up with all the sex we were having!” He roared into laughter while I shook my head amusedly. Typical Xavier.
After a few good seconds he pulled himself together. “The second week we mainly swam and enjoyed the sun. Oh, and we also scuba dived. That was sick!”
“Jeez, that sounds like a dream. How’s it feel to be back in New York, especially now that it’s getting colder?”
“I mean, it’s not too bad. Plus we’ve got a lot going on with our baby,” Xavier grinned, gesturing at us and the room.
It was true. A lot of great changes and growth would be hopefully happening in the upcoming months.
“So how’s it been going with you and Amelia?”
I chugged the rest of my beer and grabbed two more from the fridge, handing one of them to him. “It’s good. She’s actually staying with me now.”
His mouth dropped open. “What? Already?” Then, fixing his face, he smiled, showing his pearly whites. “I mean, I’m happy for you guys but that was pretty fast. Especially for one Lucas Carter, also known as my best friend and trusted companion,” he chuckled.
Dark Little Lies Page 2