Oh, was that all? Alli stretched up to kiss him again, languidly, thoroughly. “That’s okay,” She assured him, “I’m on the pill.”
Those words took the last bit of his resolve. Jason gave himself over to his animal brain. It took every ounce of restraint he possessed to enter her slowly. He was tense, prepared to stop if she should stiffen or cry out.
Alli couldn’t believe this was happening. She was elated and excited, but more overpowering than all of her emotions was the primal yearning she was feeling in her core. He was slow and gentle. She could feel herself stretching to accommodate his girth. The slight pinch of pain she felt was quickly eclipsed by the satisfying fullness of him within her.
He lay quietly atop her, fighting his urge to thrust. He held her gaze, looking for any sign of discomfort. “Is that okay?”
In answer to his question, Alli pulled his lips back to her own and thrust against him, drawing him deeper. She gasped and he froze. “Alli? Did I hurt you?” She clamped onto his hips to keep him from pulling away. “No, keep going.” She urged.
Very slowly Jason started to move within her. His gentle thrusts were tentative at first, asking permission, but as she rose up to meet each one, they became more insistent, more demanding.
Alli could feel a delicious pressure building, like a threatening sneeze, or the promise of a yawn. Her climax overtook her quite suddenly, and she let out what could only be described as a squeak. Jason continued his rhythmic motion for two more thrusts before groaning with release and spilling himself inside her.
They lie still for a moment, their heartbeats pounding in unison. He was reluctant to leave the warmth of her body. Jason kissed her softly over each eye, the tip of her nose, and finally, her lips. He watched her, waiting for her eyes to meet his.
“Alli?” He kissed her again, ever so softly.
“Hmm?” Her face was a mask of dreamy contentment.
“Thank you.” Another soft kiss. “No one has ever given me such a precious gift.”
She regarded him sweetly. “Thank you for returning it.” His confusion shown on his face. “That was amazing. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”
“Which reminds me, I have something for you, remember?”
He slid smoothly out from inside of her and she caught her breath at the emptiness he left behind. Rustling in his jeans, he pulled out a folded linen handkerchief.
Alli sat up. She could feel the rush of his seed and clenched her muscles, in part not wanting to soil the blanket, and in part not wanting to let even this small part of him go. She was surprised to realize she was still technically clothed for the most part, minus her underpants. She hadn’t realized sex would be quite so messy, and she looked around vainly for something with which to clean up.
“Alli?” Jason was noticing her distress. “Is something the matter?”
She smiled sheepishly at him. “I’m about two seconds away from ruining this blanket.”
Her meaning dawned on him and he quickly produced the cloth napkins from the picnic basket. “Sorry, I’m used to it being more... contained.” It was his turn to smile sheepishly. “I’ve never done that before.” He said softly. “Uh, skin to skin, so to speak.”
After setting herself to rights as best she could, Alli accepted Jason’s proffered handkerchief. She unfolded it to reveal a delicate silver chain necklace with two tiny charms. Holding it up to the lantern light, Alli could see that the charms were two identical little goats. “Frick and Frack!” She was delighted. She beamed at Jason. “Thank you. I love it.”
Jason insisted on walking her to the back gate. Alli was relieved to note the house was dark. Her grandparent’s must already be asleep. It would be a simple thing to slip upstairs unseen. She kissed him one last, blissful time. “Will you come by tomorrow before you leave?” He asked.
“Try to stop me.” She answered, and with an impish grin, she turned and sprinted for the house.
* * * * *
Alli woke to bright sunlight streaming through her windows. It was late morning. She indulged in a full body stretch, enjoying the feel of tight muscles beginning to loosen.
She could hear the busy sounds of a large breakfast being made downstairs, and female voices chattering quietly. Her mom must have arrived early to pick her up.
Alli made her way to the bathroom. She relieved herself, noting a slight tenderness when she wiped. Starting the water running for a shower, she turned and evaluated herself in the mirror. Did she look any different? Aside from her slightly kiss-swollen lips, she couldn’t see any noticeable change in her appearance. Well of course not. Why would you look any different, you stupid girl?
Stepping into the shower, Alli sighed and let the hot water pulse over her body. Her inner thigh was sticky. Alli ran her hand over the area and felt the slickness wash away in the warm stream of water. She could feel the echo of Jason’s touch as she lathered her body. She remembered his fingers, tightly tangled in her hair as she massaged shampoo into her scalp. How was she going to endure the next eleven months without Jason’s touch, now that she knew what she was missing?
Satisfied that she looked like the same old Alli, despite her knew found knowledge of how amazing making love could be - specifically making love to Jason, she amended - she threw on some clothes and went to greet her mother.
Alli found her mother, Linda, sitting at the table with her hands wrapped around a mug of tea. The smell of blueberry pancakes filled the house. Her grandfather’s sticky plate sat empty at his place setting, waiting to be cleared. Gran could be heard clinking dishes in the kitchen.
“Hi mom.” Alli pecked her mom on the cheek and sat down. She heaped a small pile of pancakes onto her plate and doused them in syrup. “You’re early. I was hoping we wouldn’t leave until this afternoon. I still have a few things to do before I go.” Alli’s speech slowed as she noticed her mother’s pained expression. “What’s the matter?”
“Li-li, sweetheart, we need to talk.”
Alli was immediately alarmed. How could her mother possibly know?! “Mom, it’s not a big deal-”
Linda frowned in confusion at her daughter’s reaction. She held up a hand to silence her. “Li-li, don’t interrupt. This is hard for me to say, and I really need to just lay it all out for you.” Alli gulped audibly, a large bite of pancake seemingly stuck in her throat.
“Your father and I have separated. He’s going to remain at the house in the city, and you and I are going to be staying here with Papa and Gran for a while. Just until we get things sorted out.” Linda paused to take in her daughter’s reaction to this news before continuing on. “Now, I don’t know how long that will be exactly, so I’m going to enroll you here at Roosevelt for your senior year.”
Alli was floored. This was all too much information to take in. She knew things had been strained between her parents lately, but she hadn’t realized just how serious the situation had become.
“Oh my God, mom. Separated? Does this mean you guys are getting a divorce?”
Linda reached over and put her hand on top of Alli’s. “I don’t know, dear. Your father and I have a lot of issues to work through. We just need a little time apart right now.”
Alli nodded, not quite sure what to say.
“Are you terribly upset? About changing schools, I mean?”
Alli frowned. She hadn’t really dwelled on that part of the news. She wasn’t particularly attached to her school, and she had only moved into the district three years before, so it wasn’t like she had a long history with any of the students there. Sure, she would miss a few select people, but Margot was her closest girlfriend, and that wouldn’t change regardless of where Alli attended school. Alli’s heart broke a little at her mom’s distressed expression.
“School’s not a big deal, Mom. Roosevelt’s cool. I know a lot of the kids that go there from riding camp and stuff.”
Linda gave Alli a watery smile, then hugged her tightly. “Oh Li-li. Thank you for being so matur
e and understanding about this. And don’t think we forgot your birthday. Your father and I are trying to see if we can maybe work out a way to get you a car.”
Alli did her best to look excited and surprised by the prospect of getting her own car. In truth, she was a bit numb. Her parent’s might be splitting up. She was staying at her grandparent’s house indefinitely. She was going to go to Roosevelt High. It was a lot of change to absorb.
Alli felt like she was forgetting something important. Her brain was buzzing with all of this new information. She wanted to run and go tell Jason.
Jason!
Staying meant not having to say goodbye to Jason! Alli jumped up in excitement - this time for real. She couldn’t wait to tell him the good news. Her elation came to an abrupt halt a moment later when she realized her new dilemma. How was she going to justify staying in town with her mom when she was supposed to be living away from her parents anyway? In Jason’s mind Alli was heading off to a dorm room in the city. She slumped back down into her chair. This was going to take some figuring out.
* * * * *
“Community college?” Jason looked utterly confused. “Isn’t registration already closed? What about your scholarship?” Jason was overwhelmed with all of the new information Alli was springing on him. He had been looking forward to seeing her today, and dreading having to say goodbye, but he had been completely unprepared for her to tell him she was staying. His first reaction had been elation, followed quickly by sympathy for Alli over her parent’s troubles, and finally confusion.
Alli’s mind was racing, trying to come up with acceptable answers to valid questions that she didn’t fully understand. Flustered, she changed the subject.
“I don’t know, I’ll figure the details out later. Right now the important thing is to be here for my mom. She really needs the support. You of all people know how important it is to be there for family when you’re needed. You left your job to come help your parents.”
Jason shifted his focus and wrapped his arms around Alli, leaning her back to rest against his chest. “Of course. You’re right. I guess a year of community college wont cripple you. And,” He said, lowering his head so his mouth was at her temple, “I can’t say that I’m not thrilled at the prospect of you staying local. I wish it were under happier circumstances, but I’m not inclined to look this particular gift horse in the mouth.”
Alli turned in his arms to face him.
“I’m glad too. About that part.” Alli kissed him lightly on the lips. “I have to go. I have a video chat date with Margot.”
“Oh, Margot. How’s she taking the news? Is she moving up here too? She’s what, a senior? She’ll go to Roosevelt.”
“Oh, uh, no. Margot... Margot didn’t want to leave all of her friends her senior year, so she’s staying in the city with my dad.” Alli cringed inwardly. This was snowballing. She hated lying to Jason, and now things were getting complicated and muddled.
Alli looked down at Frick industriously nibbling on her shoelace. She shook her foot to dislodge him.
“Are you around tomorrow?”
“All day.”
“Then I’ll see ya tomorrow.” Alli loved that she would see him tomorrow. She kissed him again, reveling in his closeness. She was determined to keep their conversation in neutral territory. The less she had to explain to him, the better.
“Margot, can you believe it about Mom and Dad? Did you know this was coming? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Margot blinked back at Alli through the screen. “I didn’t want to worry you. They really seemed like they were going to work it out. And they still might! It’s just a trial separation, Alli.”
Alli wasn’t upset with Margot for keeping her parent’s strife from her. She knew she had done it out of love. Besides, she had too much she wanted to tell Margot.
Margot took Alli’s wild eyes to mean she was upset about their parents. “Let’s not freak out about this just yet Alli-”
“I’m not freaking out about it! It sucks, sure, but you’re right, it’s just a trial.”
“Then what’s with the crazy eyes?”
Alli was feeling mildly hysterical. She started grinning widely, and could feel a blush creeping up her neck.
Alli watched as realization dawned across Margot’s face. “Allison Rene Wilson, does that blush mean what I think it means?”
Alli tried to contain the unhinged laughter fizzing in her stomach. “If you think it means that I can no longer associate with unicorns, then yes! Jason made love to me last night!”
Margot’s face lit up with excitement for her sister. “How was it?”
Alli’s eyes became dreamy. “It was amazing, Mag. Even better than I had imagined it would be.”
“Alli! I’m so glad.” Margot was tearing up a little. “Oh, gosh, my baby sister is growing up. Look at me. Since when did I become the crazy lady that cries at virginity stories? I feel like we should celebrate. Does Hallmark make a card for this?”
Alli couldn’t hold in her giddy laughter anymore. She laughed at her sister’s emotional reaction, and couldn’t stop laughing. Margot started up too, and the two of them just kept feeding off each other. Their gales of laughter brought their mother upstairs. Linda knocked at Alli’s door, opening it without waiting for her response. “Alli? What’s going on in here?”
The girls calmed down immediately. Alli looked at her mom, face red with exertion, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Sorry Mom. I was just video chatting with Margot.”
Linda glanced at Margot on the computer screen. “Hi Mags.”
Margot greeted her mother, and the three of them made idle chit-chat. None of them wanting to bring up the trial separation.
Jason was surprised to hear a tapping on his door. The gallery was closed and you had to come through the gallery to get to his apartment. He was even more surprised to find Laurel on the other side holding a bottle of wine.
“Laurel. What a nice surprise.”
Laurel smiled shyly at Jason. “I hope this is ok. Emiline let me in on her way out.”
Ah. Mystery solved. Jason tried to sound lighthearted. “What wouldn’t be ok about a beautiful woman showing up with wine? I can think of worse surprises.”
“I’m always telling myself I should be more spontaneous, so I figured why not be spontaneous tonight? Worst case scenario you wouldn’t be home. Best case, we share a bottle of wine and maybe catch a classic movie on cable.”
Jason reached for two wine glasses out of the cabinet. Laurel presented him with the bottle. “It’s probably not as good as yours, but it was the only one I could find. The man at the store said fruit wines are tricky.”
Jason read the label and gave a bitter mental chuckle. How did this woman always manage to say or do something to remind him of heartache? She had brought strawberry wine. Perfect.
“Yeah, they can be tricky, and they tend to be an acquired taste. There’s not much of a demand for them. I’m impressed that you found this one.” He uncorked the bottle and let it breathe for a minute.
Laurel leaned against the breakfast bar, picking up a set of keys and putting them back down. She fished a marble out from among random knick-knacks nestled in a ceramic pinch pot and held it up to the light before putting it back. She was nervous. She didn’t want to come across as desperate, but Jason was clearly the kind of man that needed a nudge to get him going in the right direction.
Jason busied himself pouring the wine to avoid feeling uncomfortable in the deafening silence. He handed her a glass and clinked it against his own. “To your health.” He murmured before taking a sip.
It was awful.
He choked down a swallow and watched Laurel wince as she did the same. He couldn’t contain his laughter. She finished swallowing and joined him in the laugh. “That’s terrible!” She groaned. “Please tell me yours doesn’t taste like this!”
“Well I certainly hope not.” He answered with mock asperity. He dumped his wine into the sink,
and held his hand out for Laurel’s glass. She gladly handed it over. “I have a bottle of red around here somewhere.” He said as he washed the wine glasses. He nodded toward the small upper cabinet where he kept his alcohol. “How about we show ourselves a little mercy and drink that instead.” Laurel happily agreed. Reaching into the cabinet she pulled out what felt like a wine bottle. She read the label, “Wilson’s Wine?”
Jason turned sharply. “No. That’s no good. There should be another bottle up there.”
Laurel was intrigued by the label. It was clearly handmade. It featured a small painting of a woman’s face with strawberry leaves in place of her hair. “Is this one of yours?” she asked.
Jason shrugged half-heartedly. “It was a label I mocked up for a friend. I just keep it for sentiment. The wine has long since turned.”
“Oh.” Laurel looked disappointed at not being able to taste Jason’s specialty. She put the bottle back in the cabinet and felt around for another. This time she pulled down a merlot. “This one?” She asked. Jason nodded as he dried the wine glasses and reached for the bottle opener.
Soon they were settled on the couch with fresh glasses of red wine. “Much better. Not that the bar was set very high. That stuff would probably kill houseplants.” Jason said, motioning with his head toward the offending bottle on the counter. Laurel giggled genuinely at his joke. It wasn’t until a little over an hour later when the fresh bottle was empty that Laurel had the courage to make a move.
The night had gone perfectly - even the disgusting wine had served to bond them a bit. They had put on a movie, then ignored it in favor of talking about this and that. Having Doug as a mutual friend helped add a bit of humor to stories, both able to imagine his antics. It was as their chuckles were dying down after one such Doug story that Laurel leaned in and kissed Jason.
He hadn’t been expecting it, but it was surprisingly nice. She smelled good, and was soft and warm and giving in all the right places. He kissed her back. He had spent the last hour trying to stay in the moment, but Alli’s specter kept haunting his thoughts. Seeing her three days ago had thrown his world into chaos, and if he was being honest with himself, he was afraid. Afraid of having to relive the misery of the first two years he spent without her - the first waiting patiently for her birthday, the second wondering where she had gone and why she had forsaken him.
Strawberry Wine Page 11