First Down

by Paula Mabbel

  After putting her things away, he sat on the couch. Silent. Unmoving.

  Danielle sighed heavily. “You’re not leaving are you?”

  Alex shook his head. “You’re my family,” he said. “I have to try.”

  Danielle shook her head and disappeared into the other room. She came back a minute later with a folded up comforter and a pillow. She threw them at him. “I’m too tired to argue with you,” she said. “You can sleep out here.”

  She disappeared into the bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

  *****

  And that brought them back here.

  Her breath caught when he touched her, and he could feel her start to tremble slightly.

  “Baby –,” he started.

  “I'm OK,” she said quickly.

  But she wasn’t.

  Alex wrapped his arms around her middle from behind. Before long he could feel her tears falling onto his hands.

  “Breathe baby,” he whispered.

  She sucked in a breath and soon her entire body was shaking with violent sobs.

  Alex stood there, holding her from behind and letting her cry. He knew he was in large part, responsible for those tears so being present was the least he could do he reasoned.

  When Danielle had finished her cry, she nearly collapsed against him.

  Alex picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. He sat her down on the toilet seat while he turned on the faucets in the bathtub. He walked over to her, stood her up, and silently began unzipping her dress.

  “Alex what are you doing?” she asked warily. She put her hands on his to stop him.

  “You don’t have anything I haven’t seen already,” he replied.

  He put her hands to her sides and then pulled her dress over her head. Then he picked her up again and eased her into the tub.

  She sat silently as he sponged her and washed her hair. The sheer look of peace and relaxation on her face, one she hadn’t seen in far too long, was more than worth it.

  When he was done, he wrapped her in her favorite robe and carried her to the bed. Her eyes shut the instant her head hit the pillow.

  “Sleep,” he whispered to her, kissing her lightly on the forehead. He turned off the bedside lamp and turned to leave the room.

  He paused. Danielle had held onto his hand. “Stay,” she whispered.

  Alex pulled back the covers and slid into the bed next to her. He snuggled up behind her and slipped his hand around her waist, kissing her on the back of her neck.

  His hand grazed her belly and he let is rest there, embarrassed at the fact that this was the first time he’s touched her there since finding out she was pregnant.

  She placed her hand on top of his and looked him in the eye. He leaned in and lightly placed his lips on hers.

  They kissed for what seemed like the fish time, exploring each other slowly, tentatively.

  She ran her hands up his back, and he realized at that moment how much he missed her touch.

  His kiss deepened and he felt his desire growing.

  He pulled back. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  “Don’t be,” said Danielle, leaning in to nibble on his bottom lip.

  That was their sign. Alex knew that when she did that, she was ready, and she wouldn’t stop him.

  “Are you sure?” he asked. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t hurt me silly,” she said, pulling him on top of her.

  He stirred, adjusting himself in the bed. She turned toward him and pressed the length of her body against his. His arm wrapped around her in a way that felt natural.

  He didn’t say anything but the look he gave her sent intense heat through her body. It almost startled her. “Alex…” she said softly. But before he could answer she leaned in, fell in really, and their lips touched. He made no move to pull away. Instead, he leaned in further to deepen the embrace.

  He turned to her, dropping his lips until they were at her ear, his warm breath fanning over her skin and his lips brushing against her as he spoke. “Danielle.” It was a question and a statement all at once.

  A shout and a whisper.

  He leaned into her, pressing her into the bed, keeping her from retreating. His eyes dropped to her lips, the heat in them unmistakable as he licked his own. He brushed his lips over hers, barely there, but his tongue snuck out and teased a small moan from her mouth.

  Danielle then flicked the opening of his mouth with her tongue before thrusting in at full force. Alex responded by opening his mouth wider and engaging her.

  He was the first to pull away, but only for a second. He leaned in again and brushed his lips against her chin, and then dipped down to her neck, trailing his lips back up. Her hands went to his chest, squeezing the hard muscles there, bunching the fabric of his shirt into her fists.

  He snaked one hand into her hair, gripping it, pulling it tight to angle her face as his tongue circled hers. His other hand grazed her inner thigh, rising higher and higher.

  She shifted under his hand, her hips wanting to move toward him. His fingers made her crave more.

  He widened her legs with his body, pushing her back further into the bed as he raised over her. His pants were smooth against her thighs, allowing her to feel everything. And she felt his hardness, all the way up to his stomach.

  “Danielle,” he whispered, and her eyes snapped open. The look on his face was one of complete and utter lust. But underneath that was also an incredible kindness. She locked her eyes on his and forced herself not to look away.

  “Look at me. You’re sure?”

  She hesitated.

  Her confidence wavered. She almost said no, but then her hips moved involuntarily, grinding up into him. He groaned, and she closed her eyes again.

  “Yes.”

  His lips covered hers again as he settled on top of her. His hands outlined her body and slid up her shirt. She pulled the shirt over her head, followed by his own and then pulled him to her so she could feel his skin against hers.

  He trailed his hands along her stomach, down each one of her legs, and back up again at a maddeningly slow pace. He smiled as he touched her, enjoying her, savoring the moment. Finally, she grabbed his hand and moved it up to her breast.

  He grinned and then reached around and with one quick motion, unsnapped her bra, freeing her breasts. He kissed down her neck, the tips of his fingers sliding her bra down her arms.

  She gasped when his mouth found her nipple. Pleasure shot through her and her hips rocked underneath him. She let out a moan as he licked and sucked and nibbled. And she actually whined when he took his mouth away.

  He held her thighs to the bed, kissing down her stomach until his lips hit the top edge of her panties. He dipped his tongue under the elastic band, and she cried out.

  He locked eyes with her as he slid her panties down her legs. Then she bit her lip as his finger slid up and plunged into her without warning. “So pretty,” he murmured. His breath on her inner thigh melted her.

  He pulled her hips into his hands, lifting her center to his lips.

  He kissed gently at first. Around her lips, her inner thighs. Then he parted her with his tongue, diving in deeper.

  Danielle arched her back, pushing her hips into his face, and moaned loudly.

  Taking this as express permission to keep going, Alex circled her clit with his tongue, pausing every so often to nibble at her thighs. Thighs that quivered against the sides of his face.

  Danielle felt herself shaking, spinning, and soon she had erupted, reduced to a quivering mess as Alex showered kisses all over her thighs and stomach.

  Danielle pulled on his shoulders, desire surging through her.

  She wanted more.

  She wanted him to fill her.

  To completely shatter her.

  She tugged at the waistband of his sweatpants and seconds later, his cock sprang forth.

  Alex hovered over her. She could feel the tip of him, pressing between her le
gs, rubbing her slickness.

  She reached down and grabbed his hips, wrapping her legs around him, urging him forward and into her.

  And Alex obliged.

  Danielle cried out again. Alex continued to press until he was all the way inside of her. Then he paused, concern on his face.

  “Keep going,” she whispered, every part of her stretched and on fire. His breath rasped, and his muscles were taut as he rocked his hips into her over and over.

  Danielle gripped him and hung on, biting his shoulder. Their bodies crashed into each other. She thrust her hips upward and met every single one of his downward strokes

  And then he locked up, anchoring himself deep inside her as his muscles released and twitched under her hands. She could feel him shaking. She could feel him panting as he fought to regain his breath.

  He lay on top of her for a long moment and then rolled to the side, keeping his arm around her. She turned to look at him and smiled. His eyes were already half closed, but he too had a smirk on his face. She leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  “Goodnight,” she whispered.

  “Indeed.”

  *****

  Alex ran his hand down the length of his wife’s naked body and marveled at her new shape.

  She was so much more voluptuous. So much more full of life. He was wildly attracted to this new body of hers. If he had taken the time to really look at her, really see her again before tonight, he’d have pounced on her, and they’d have made up much earlier.

  But that no longer mattered.

  It was all good now. Or at least well on its way to being good.

  “Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden?” she asked with a smile.

  Alex looked down and planted a small kiss on her forehead. “I’m not being nice,” he whispered. Then he grabbed her face and made her look up at him. “You asked me the other day why I’m still here,” he said. “The answer is simple. I love you. That has never changed. And it never will.”

  “How can you love me still? After the horrible things I’ve done to you?”

  Alex smiled. “I’ve done horrible things to you. We’ve done horrible things to each other. But we have to forgive one another. Otherwise, it was all for nothing.”

  “So you’re ready to forgive me?”

  “I’ve already forgiven you.”

  *****

  Danielle woke up the next morning to the smell of fresh coffee brewing.

  A minute later, Alex appeared in the doorway with a tray. He set it down next to her and sat on the edge of the bed. “Good morning my love,” he said smiling widely.

  Danielle looked at him for a moment. So this was real, she thought. She didn’t imagine last night after all.

  “What’s all this?” she asked.

  Alex shrugged. “I figured you’d be hungry,” he said.

  Danielle grinned widely. “When was the last time you brought me breakfast in bed?”

  Alex smiled. He couldn’t remember and neither could she.

  “Eat,” he commanded. “Before your eggs get cold.”

  Danielle pick up the folded napkin. Something fell out of it and clinked onto the tray.

  Alex smiled.

  Danielle reached for it.

  It was a ring. A beautiful ring with three diamond in the center.

  “What is this?” she gasped.

  “What does it look like?”

  “When did you get this?”

  “I had one of my men pick it up for you. Do you like it?” He took it from her and removed the old ring, putting this one in its place.

  She bit her lip and nodded. “But why?”

  “So we look to the future,” he said. “Will you marry me? Again.”

  Danielle laughed.

  “Yes,” she said. “A thousand times yes.”

  *****

  THE END

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  My Secret Italian Billionaire

  I couldn’t stand the air in the club anymore. A bit dizzy from being surrounded by the body heat of so many people, I signaled my friend I was leaving and tried to squeeze through the crowd of dancers. I fought my way out of the hands of a man who seemed really eager to grind on my rear and escaped the madness scot free.

  The cold air outside hit me like a wall of ice and I had to stop and lean on the dirty brick wall of the club to regain some composure. Although shaking, I felt I was sobering up so I dared to trust my feet for a walk. I could’ve taken a cab but I wanted to breathe in the chilly air a little more.

  Step after step, careful to pull my faux fur coat tightly around me, I was slowly putting some distance between me and the club. Why did I agree to come, again? I shook my head, somewhat disappointed with myself. Not only did I give in under my friend’s insistence, but I had drank a bit more than I should.

  I passed a brasserie, closed at this hour, and suddenly felt like having coffee. I stopped and looked around, searching for a place to get some, but nothing seemed open. Sighing, I started forward again, now with the purpose of finding an open bar.

  I was sure I had been in this part of the city before and I thought I remembered a place nearby. Turning right at the next corner, I was hit by the smell of sewage, with which my stomach didn’t agree, so I stepped back. “Maybe I should get back to the club,” I thought to myself.

  Somewhere behind me, closer than I had liked, I heard a man shout something.

  “Yo, mama, c’n I touch your hair?” I could make out from his mostly slurred speech.

  The circumstances had become that I couldn’t go back the way I came. The group of drunks were now closing in from that direction, giving me the sewage smelling alley as a means to escape.

  “Hey, say somethin’!”

  “Yo’, I’d love to taste that chocolate, dude,” they kept laughing behind.

  I was getting nervous with the situation so I inhaled a mouthful of stinky air and, holding my breath, I walked into the alley. I could see it opened in another street and my hope was that I could find another way back from there or I might just hail a cab. My main fear was, however, that the drunk men would catch up with me in the alley, so I sped up. One glance back confirmed my theory. With a racing heart, I started running, eager to get into the other street sooner.

  “Hey! Whatcha running for?”

  “Oh, my God, oh, my God,” I whispered, trying my best not to fall off my uncomfortably high heels.

  Finally out of the alley, I looked around, disappointed that it was just another empty street, less lit than I would’ve liked it.

  “Yo, girl, what’s the matter?”

  I was startled by how close they had gotten so I started running again, automatically going right. In a couple of yards, I crossed the street and went into another alley, in the hope that I would lose the three men following me. I was unfit to run any longer.

  Out of air, I leaned on the wall and held my head in my hands. My lungs were burning and I was breathing loudly; too loud for my liking. I held my breath when I heard them in the street, trying to melt into the cold wall behind me. If they saw me here I would be in big trouble, since the alley had a dead end.

  The drunk men ran past the entrance, shouting for me as they got away. I waited a couple more minutes, barely able to breathe, until I couldn't hear them anymore, then dared to peek into the street. It seemed empty again, not a soul in sight.

  Somewhat calmer, I stepped onto sidewalk and straightened my above-the-knee black dress that had slid up during my run. In the dim light, I caught a glance of myself in a dirty store window and gasped at the sight of my usually beautiful natural hair, now tangled into a curly mess.


  “Oh, dear,” I whispered, trying to make myself presentable.

  It was almost like I was fighting with Mother Nature herself. My hair would simply not comply. And the humidity in the air didn’t help one bit. Giving up, I let my hands fall to my sides and resigned to walk away. There was nothing I could’ve done by myself to tame the afro mane once it started rebelling like that.