by JL Davis
“It may not be going as planned, or how you expected it to, but life doesn’t work by your schedule, Brooke. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.” Cole kisses my neck lightly.
We sit here like this for about an hour, talking about all sorts of things and watching the water ripple against the shore, before we decide to walk back up to the house.
I guess I’m not the only one with regrets and disappointments in my life. I feel the same way as she does. I thought I’d have the white picket fence and at least a couple kiddos clinging to my legs by now.
As I look into Brooke’s eyes, I wonder if she’s possibly the one; that one who can give me the family I’ve dreamed about so many nights while I was in prison. Waking up to the realization that it wasn’t real and in fact only a dream, I felt so alone and disappointed in myself.
Brooke doesn’t know that I hid back a few things I had picked up for a special dinner for our last night here together. I picked out the nicest New York strip steaks they had at the grocery store and two potatoes to toss on the grill along with them.
“I have a surprise for you.” I smile, tuck my head into the refrigerator, and pull the steaks out to prepare them.
Brooke sits at the counter on a stool and observes me while I work with my meat. “Does this turn you on?” I joke.
Brooke just shakes her head and then rolls her eyes at me. “It takes more than that,” she huffs jokingly. “I’m only kidding. Jeez. I’m a one man kind of woman, not the slutty kind.”
I wash my hands and walk over to her. “Believe me, I know this from experience. You feel amazing and not at all overused.” I wink.
“Good to know. A girl just loves to hear she’s not a loose, desperate slut.” She giggles before I cover her lips with my own. “I’m only teasing. I knew what you were trying to say before you terribly failed.” She crinkles her nose up.
Martha Stewart would be proud of me. We’re a lot alike she and I. We are both magicians in the kitchen and both of us have served time for mistakes we’ve made.
“That was delicious,” Brooke breathes out dramatically. “I couldn’t eat another bite if there was one left.” She giggles. I think she’s a little buzzed. She’s on her fourth or fifth glass of wine. I chose to drink beer tonight to go along with my steak. It paired beautifully.
“You’re amazing. You know that, right?” Brooke props her elbow on the counter, resting her head in her hand as she stares at me, her eyes gleaming.
“What do you mean?” My voice cracks as I try not to laugh and upset her. She’s just so adorable like this, so carefree, and I love it.
“Who would’ve known that you’re such a great cook, and such a wonderful man?” Brooke smiles and her eyes look misty.
In a way, it kind of offends me, but I know what she was trying to say. The wine is making it difficult for her. I hope she’s not one of those women that cry when they drink.
“Thanks, I guess.” I stand and collect our plates, so I can distance myself.
I don’t want her to see that what she’d said affected me in such a way, but it did. She didn’t think someone like me could have good qualities, basically. I know she’s getting better about judging people and I get why she does, but I will be the exception and the reason for her to give everyone at least one chance. If she only knew how much potential is locked away behind bars.
Brooke comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Did I upset you?” she whispers. “I’m sorry if I did. I’m even worse when I drink. Lots of things are different when I’ve been drinking,” she says seductively.
The plate falls from my grasp into the sink. I turn and pick her up quickly and set her on the counter. “Can I have dessert now?” I wiggle her shorts down her legs and bury my face between them.
Brooke lets out a strangled moan and grips onto my shoulders for stability as I drive her insane with my magical tongue. The secret to a clit is sucking while brushing the tongue against it firmly. I thank my babysitter for that bit of information. She had told me that when I was twelve and I never forgot it.
“You taste so good,” I mumble between her legs just before she erupts under my skillful tongue and I lap up her tangy sweetness.
Just as she falls from ecstasy, she tries to yank my shorts down, but can’t reach from the counter and I help her with them the rest of the way down. Just as I spring free, she begins stroking me softly in her hand as I urgently lean in for a kiss.
I attempt to pull away so I can go grab a condom, but she refused to release me from her grasp. She’s not hurting him or anything.
“Where are you going?” Brooke asks, as she tries to catch her breath.
“I need to go get a condom from my bag.” I chuckle.
“Hurry up, please.” She pouts and finally lets go of me.
I’m putting it on as I walk back into the kitchen where she sits on the counter waiting for me with her legs spread wide for me to see. I kiss her and push right inside. Every time feels like the first time with her. She feels amazing as I push inside and almost back out. I feel her tighten around me. She feels every bit as good as her mouth around me. I can’t get enough of her. I want to slow down so I can last longer, but it’s feels too good.
I lean back slightly with my hands on the edge of the counter. I want to see her face when she comes. I want to see what I do to her, see her come undone. She’s absolutely breathtaking. Some girls watch way too much porn and think that looking pained is the way it should be. That’s so unattractive. It doesn’t matter how pretty she is either. That gets you doggy styled if there was to be a second time. I’ve been that low in my life a few times.
Brooke clings to me, her nails digging into my back. “Cole, I’m…” she moans loudly.
She’s so responsive. Her body begins to quiver, I pump faster, pushing her over the edge. She clamps down around me and cries out against my neck. I always like a challenge. I slow my pace to try and bring her one more before I get mine, if I can.
A very short time later… who am I kidding, I pound into her a few more times and a guttural moan comes from deep down in the pit of my stomach as I erupt. She came as I did and milked me for every last drop.
Brooke and I stay like this a few moments, our foreheads pressed against each other, staring into each other’s eyes, and trying to catch our breath.
“If I told you that you’re the best I’ve ever had, would your head get too big?” Brooke smiles and pokes me in the side playfully.
“Me? No. Not at all. I consider that a challenge.” I grin and tweak her boob that’s in my face.
“What do you mean?” she asks, a confused look on her face.
“I’ll have to be better than the last time.” I wink and help her off of the counter.
“I like this challenge and I want in.” She nods and we walk to the bathroom, shower together, and settle in for the night.
This weekend has gone by way too fast. I want a redo. I want more time with her. I lay here holding her and this weekend in a way hasn’t helped our situation at all. It’s only made me realize that I want to be with her more. I don’t know how we’re going to keep this up much longer. It’s going to get to a point that it’s heartbreaking to ever leave her.
With the thought of leaving tomorrow rolling in my head, I pull her in closer and try to focus on the here and now. We have had a great time together this weekend. I just need to be happy about that.
Waking up with Cole makes my morning better. Knowing that I won’t wake up beside him for days brings me back to reality. I hate everything about this. It will be like this for so long. Happiness that turns to sadness. A vicious circle that will repeat itself every weekend for months and months and then even more months on top of those.
I stare at him for a few minutes while he continues to sleep. The longer he stays asleep, the longer he avoids what’s to come at the end of the day.
His eyes flutter open and he tries to focus on my face. When he does, he smiles. �
��Good morning, beautiful.” He then kisses my cheek.
“Good morning.” I snuggle closer to him and bury my face into his neck. His scent relaxes me.
“Let’s make the best of the day, not think about it coming to an end, okay?” he whispers optimistically.
I sigh. “Can we just stay here forever?”
Cole sighs. “I wish we could. I want to make the most of what we have left. Let’s get up and enjoy the beautiful day together.” He kisses me before getting up from the bed. “Come on.” He leans down and tickles my ribs.
“Okay. Okay. I give. I give,” I pant, begging for him to stop. I hate being tickled. Hate it. It does tickle, but it also freaking hurts. I play dirty and I’m not ashamed. I reach forward and cup his gems gently, waiting for him to respond. I play dirty and I don’t care. I’m not sorry either.
“Well played.” He nods with wide eyes, removing his fingers from digging into my ribs, and I do the same with his balls.
“I wouldn’t really hurt them.” I trail off as I climb out of the bed in search of clean clothes. Cole eyes me skeptically and I laugh.
Cole and I decided to pack a lunch and take the canoe out for a spin. I’m a little nervous because I’ve never been in a boat this small. That sounds terrible but it’s true. I have my paddle in hand as we walk down to the water.
I follow behind Cole as he carries the canoe. It’s the perfect vantage point. His arms and back muscles are bulging, making his tattoos look larger. A bead of sweat falls down his back. It trickles so slowly until it reaches the top of his shorts and disappears, as does my vision. I run right into him, nearly causing him to fall forward with the canoe still in his arms.
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
Cole arches a brow and puts the canoe partially in the water. “It’s okay. If I’d have gone in, I’d have taken you with me. I can’t get wet by myself.” He motions me into the boat.
“I’ll have to remember that.” I nod, eyeing him skeptically as I climb inside before him.
I knew we’d have no problem controlling the canoe. We both have great upper body strength and have paddled a good distance from shore already. We decided to stop paddling and just drift while we eat our lunch, see where we end up, both the canoe and our conversation.
Cole and I act as if we’ve known each other forever. I have no problem telling him anything about myself or my past. I have nothing to hide from him. By some of the things he’s said, I think he thinks that I’ve had an easy life. It was most definitely easier than his, but having to act out for attention from my mother as a child and never being good enough was exhausting and devastating. I think she was jealous of the time my father always made for me. He usually took up for me when she was overreacting and that pissed her off.
Cole needed more positive influence in his life. He needed someone to look up to other than his elderly grandfather because the poor man could only do so much at his age with a teenager who needed a father.
Cole needs to learn that he can still be whoever he wants to be. He doesn’t have too many limitations. It just may be a bit harder to achieve depending on what it is.
“As long as you continue doing great as you have been, I think we can get you an early termination. Have you thought about what you’ll do once you’re a free man?”
“Honestly?” He looks over at me, but quickly diverts his eyes to the water. “I can’t wait for us to just be us and not have to keep our relationship a secret like this. I mean, I love this, but we’re so limited.” He glances up at me nervously.
To think of us that far ahead is so sweet. I hope we can make it through this together. It will be a challenge, but we’ve both already proved we’re up for challenges.
“I completely agree. Think of it as one of our many challenges.” I wink and he gives me a half smile. I know how he feels. Defeated.
“Do you think we can do it?” he asks, unsure and fumbles with his paddle.
“I don’t know about you, but I know I can do it,” I say, determined with my head held high and I poke my boobs out in attempt to help him out of his current mood.
Cole leans in and the canoe starts to rock. He smiles. “Have you ever done it in a canoe?”
“No, I haven’t, but I’m up for the challenge if you are.” I grin. Challenge. That can be our quote. Every couple has one. Maybe something that has to do with conquering challenges. Love conquers every challenge. I’ll have to remember that. “Please promise me we won’t flip over?” I search his eyes. We’re so far out, a huge ass catfish could eat me in one bite for lunch. I’m not a fan of swimming in deep water.
“We can go with the motion of the lake.” Cole grins, a smile that shows he thinks he’s so funny. “You get it right? Motion of the ocean. Motion of the lake.” He chuckles and settles in beside me. The canoe continues to sway from side to side as I search the lake for any potential on-lookers.
Brooke and I had a fun time in the canoe, and I feel closer to her in a big way. She told me more about her childhood and the struggles she went through as a child. I guess everyone has their own battles to fight.
We put the canoe back in the exact same spot we found it and are currently walking through the house to be sure it is exactly as it was when we got here Friday evening. I walk into the bathroom and find Brooke staring out the window.
“Hey,” I say softly. She doesn’t acknowledge me. I’m not the brightest, but I know that isn’t good. I pull her in for a hug and she sighs.
“It’s going to be like this every weekend, Cole. Every Sunday evening I’m going to be upset.” She turns, buries her face into my shoulder, and clings to me. I can feel her shaking against me. It breaks my heart that she’s hurting. I can’t do anything to change it, to make it better. Brooke’s right to a degree.
“Brooke. Look at me.” I lift her chin and wipe the tears from her cheeks. “It will only be like that if we allow it to be. I felt the same way this morning, believe me. I didn’t want to waste a single minute being sad when we could and should only be happy when we’re together.”
Brooke smiles weakly and considers what I’ve just said and shakes her head. “You really need to give yourself more credit. You’re such a wonderful man, Cole. I’m so glad I have you.” Her voice cracks.
“Hey!” I shout and snatch her up quickly. I surprised her and she squeals with excitement. “I said happy. We’re going to be happy.” I spin us around the living room like we’re a couple; crazy, madly in love. Hopefully, someday.
“You’re right.” She beams as she looks into my eyes and zeroes in on my lips with a look in her eyes. A look of hunger, and not for food. I carry her into the bedroom and we make sure the springs are holding up well.
By the time we finish we’re out of breath, glistening with sweat, and completely satisfied. I think the springs are in far worse shape than when we arrived.
“Will we be able to come here next weekend?” I ask. It makes me uncomfortable that Brooke has to do this, that she’s making the plans for our sneaking around. I need to work my ass off to move up at the glass company or I need to find something much better in order to take care of Brooke. This isn’t right. I should be taking care of my girlfriend. She shouldn’t be booking her friend’s parents’ cabin for us to hide in. I have to stop thinking like this. It will change and it will get better. Everything good takes time.
“I’ll talk to Mya, make sure her parents aren’t coming up and be sure she isn’t having one of her crazy parties. Mya may be my best friend and a therapist, but she’s crazy.” Brooke giggles while shaking her head. “I love her so much, though. She’s such a good friend to me, to us now.” She kisses me gently before she wiggles an attempt to get up. We’re currently a tangled mess.
We clean up, redress, and pack our things. I carry everything out to our vehicles while Brooke remakes the bed. I think next weekend, if we do come here, we aren’t making that bed until right before we leave.
I walk inside and to the be
droom in search for her. “I have a complaint.”
Brooke turns, a frown forming on her face. “What do you mean?”
I put my hands up quickly in defense, not sure if she’s going to lunge for me. “I didn’t mean it like that. I thought of something while I was outside, while you were making the bed. If we come back next weekend, we won’t make the bed until we leave. Do you realize how much time we wasted on making that bed so many times?”
Brooke crinkles her face. “I don’t know if I can agree to that. I will agree to only make it before we actually go to sleep.”
I can’t help but laugh at her nonsense. “Do what now?” I squint one eye slightly, revealing underneath a tiny dimple just above my cheek and I give her a half grin. It’s one of my many features that make women weak.
“I know. I know. It sounds silly, but I hate getting into a bed with the sheets tangled at my feet. They feel claustrophobic or something.”
“I kind of have a touch of OCD.” I shrug.
“I could tell when I did the initial walk through of your house. I was very impressed, especially with the bathrooms. I’ve been to people’s houses where the husband is the only one who cleans because the wives are just lazy, and they aren’t as clean as I saw yours to be.” Brooke smiles approvingly.
“I’ll never understand how people can be like that. I guess it’s part of my problem because a lot of people have told me it will still be there tomorrow. Yes, it could be, and with another layer of dust. I just can’t.”
“I get what you mean.” She glances around the room sadly. “We ready to go?”
I nod. “I did a final walk through and loaded our vehicles. I think we’re good.”
Brooke looks down at the floor. “This has been the best weekend I’ve had in a long time. Thank you.” She struggles with her words and clears her throat.
I walk over to her and bring her in for a hug. I know exactly how she feels. This is killing me to leave her, but one of us has to be strong. “We’ll get to see each other in just a couple days. Mya has me coming in a day early. She has something to do or whatever.” I wave it off.