Always Beautiful

by Oien, M. K

  The moment we reached his front door, he was grabbing me and kissing me. We had fallen into his bed, greedily stripping each other before having the most amazing and passionate time I had ever experienced. Everything with Zeppelin always seemed to be intensified. There was no doubt that we had an undeniable physical chemistry, but I liked to think that there was a mental connection as well.

  There were some nights that I would go to his place and we would just cuddle on the couch while watching movies. We would talk about life and interests and our childhoods. Zeppelin and I weren’t raised that differently. We both had parents that were still together and that worked a lot. He told me about times when he would ride his bike to his friend’s house and they would ride to the park and play for hours in the summertime. One day when we were hanging out in the backyard at Dixon’s house, I asked him about one of his many tattoos.

  We were lying out on an old blanket in the grass, me in a pair of shorts over my swimsuit and him in just shorts. I ran my finger along his side where the script tattoo flowed up his side. It read “Always Beautiful”. “Why did you get this tattoo?” I asked quietly as he laid on his back, his arms tucked behind his head and eyes closed. “You know how people say that life isn’t always beautiful?” He replied, opening his eyes to look at me. I nodded. “To me, I think that life is always beautiful. Things can suck sometimes and shit happens, but if you try hard enough, you find beauty in the ugly.”

  I smiled at him and leaned my head to the tattoo placing a tender kiss over it. “That’s incredible.” I said. “I got this as a reminder that no matter what I face in life, it is and will always be beautiful. Kind of like you.” He winked and rolled over, pushing me on my back as he placed himself between my knees. “To me, you’re always beautiful.” He said before kissing me sweetly. He was always saying or doing sweet things that would give me butterflies and make my heart race.

  Being with Zeppelin was as easy as breathing. I couldn’t explain why everything happened so fast and I didn’t question it. Nobody really questioned our new found relationship as a matter of fact. Hannah only insisted how happy she was for me and Dixon didn’t seem to mind at all that one of his good friends was spending time with me.

  I had even told my parents about Zeppelin. We didn’t really have a title like boyfriend and girlfriend yet, so I said he was a new friend that I was dating. My mother questioned me on how much time we really spent together and if there was more to it. I had told her that we were just kind of seeing each other right now.

  To be honest, I wasn’t really sure if I was ready to have a label anyway. I still was very much into getting ready for school in the fall, but it didn’t consume my thoughts nearly as much as before. I knew that I wanted to move out of Dixon’s before school started, and had gone apartment hunting a bit but had yet to find the perfect place.

  It was nearing the end of June now on a Friday night. Zeppelin had called me earlier in the day and asked me if I wanted to come over to his place and spend the night. I had teased him about it sounding like a slumber party when he asked. “We could have a slumber party.” He said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “That might be fun. We could build a blanket fort and watch movies and eat junk food.” I said. Zeppelin laughed. “You got it Angel. Be here around seven.” He replied.

  I was on my way to his house now. In the last few weeks I had found that getting around town wasn’t nearly as scary as I had originally thought. The roads were pretty easy to navigate and Zeppelin’s building was hard to miss downtown. It was very tall and colored tan with brick accents and so many windows. I pulled in to the parking garage of the complex, using the code for the gate that Zeppelin gave me. I felt butterflies swirl in my belly as I rode the elevator up to his floor. You’d think after spending so much time together, the feeling would go away but it hadn’t.

  I knocked on the door and waited for him to answer. After a moment, I received a text from him telling me to just come in. Shrugging, I turned the handle and opened his front door. The lighting in the room was dim and I closed and locked the door behind me before navigating my way to the living room. A huge smile spread across my face as I entered the room and saw Zeppelin.

  “What are you doing?” I asked. Zeppelin was comfortably reclined on the floor. He had taken the dining room chairs, all of the blankets and pillows, and created a cozy fort. He looked absolutely adorable on a bed made up of couch cushions and blankets. I shook my head and began to walk closer as Zeppelin glanced up at me, grinning widely. His blue eyes were sparkling.

  He extended his arm out, motioning for me to lie beside him. Giggling, and still in awe of this tatted up bad boy looking like a kid, I tossed my purse aside and curled up next to him. “I liked the idea of a slumber party.” Zeppelin said. I propped up on my elbow and looked down at him with a raised brow. “Oh really?” I asked. He chuckled and nodded. “Yeah really, I even got some snacks for us!” He said excitedly as he sat up. I sat up with him and watched as he stood and wandered to the kitchen. When he came back his arms were full of junk food.

  Zeppelin laid it all out in front of me, listing things as he went. “I’ve got peanut butter cups, sour candies, popcorn, chips, ice cream, and licorice.” I nodded. “These are all my favorite things. You’re amazing.” I said. “I also got some bottled water and soda but it’s in the refrigerator.” He explained. I couldn’t wipe the stupid grin off my face. “I figured we could watch movies and pig out. What do you think Lucky?” He asked. “It sounds perfect Zeppelin.” I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his. Pulling back, I asked, “What movies did you get?” “Well I wasn’t sure what you felt like watching, so I picked a horror film, a romantic comedy, and this…” He trailed off as he grabbed a DVD off the entertainment center and held it up.

  “You got Shrek?” I asked. Zeppelin nodded and chewed on his bottom lip, studying me. “I love that movie! It’s hilarious and cute.” Zeppelin laughed. “I always liked it too. Alright this is the one we’re watching.” He knelt in front of the television and popped the DVD in. He came back over to me, sitting down and crossing his legs. I mirrored him and reached for the peanut butter cups.

  As the movie started, Zeppelin and I began quoting lines from the movie. He had me laughing so hard, I missed the opening scenes. We snacked on everything he had brought. I was sure I had eaten close to my weight in candy and popcorn by the time the movie was over. As the end credits rolled, Zeppelin turned to me. Setting his bottled water down, he grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it softly.

  “You are the most amazing girl I have ever met Angel.” I smiled, not sure of what to say, I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for tonight. You’re kind of awesome.” I said. Zeppelin grinned and raised a brow. “Kind of…?” I rolled my eyes, giggling. “Okay, really awesome. Is that better?” I asked. He nodded. “Much better,” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear and inclined his head toward me. He placed a kiss on my nose, my eyes, and my cheeks before resting his forehead against mine. “I love spending time with you.” He whispered. Warmth spread over me and my body trembled. “Really?” I asked breathlessly. Smirking, Zeppelin replied, “Really, really.”

  I melted instantly at his choice of words. I wound my fingers through his hair and pulled his mouth to mine. Zeppelin was gentle, passionate, and unhurried as his lips moved with mine. His tongue slid against mine and I felt my body respond. With one hand at the small of my back and the other holding my face, he guided me down to the array of bedding. He groaned as he kissed me, his hand sliding around to my waist, traveling up under my shirt, scorching my skin.

  “I want to feel you Angel. I want every part of you.” He gazed at me from above. “Yes.” I breathed as his hand sought and found my breasts. Zeppelin cupped one and then the other, his thumb gliding along the lace fabric, teasing me. With one hand secured in his hair, I let my other slide along his chest and perfect abs, down to his jeans. I ran my fingers along the hard length of him, my
own body beginning to ache with need for him. Zeppelin pulled back from me, grasping the hem of my shirt and pulling it off in one fluid motion.

  He pulled off his own shirt as I began clawing at the buttons of his jeans, undoing that and the zipper rapidly. I could feel my heart racing, and my breath was labored as I pushed his jeans down his legs. I wanted him, now. Whatever way I could take him, I would. My hand reached in to his boxers and I wrapped my hand around him. “God!” He groaned as I began sliding my hand up and down the length of him. I repositioned myself to my knees and moved my head closer to him. Zeppelin gripped my hair at the back of my neck as I bent forward, my tongue darting out to taste him. Sucking in air through his teeth, his body shuddered.

  I had never done anything like this before, but I wasn’t against trying. My only hope was that he would enjoy it. Parting my lips, I ran my tongue along him and drew him into my mouth as far as I could. “Fuck Lucky, that feels so good.” He said as I began to move him in and out of my mouth. The hand that wasn’t holding my hair ran along my shoulder, over my collar bone, and down to my chest. He squeezed gently as I sucked on him, driving me wild. I felt a sense of power in what I was doing and it made my senses that much more heightened. Turning him on was turning me on.

  “Stop, stop.” Zeppelin begged as he placed his free hand around himself and pulled out of my mouth. He was panting and his blue eyes locked on to mine with a fierce intensity. “Lie down Angel.” He ordered in a gruff whisper. I situated myself back on the blankets, my gaze never leaving his. Zeppelin positioned himself between my legs, kneeling. He began to unbutton my denim shorts, sliding them down my legs until they slipped off of my feet. Left in only my bra and panties, his eyes roamed over me hungrily.

  “Take off your bra.” He said, his chest rising and falling rapidly. I reached behind me and did as he asked without hesitation. As I tossed it to the side, Zeppelin bent his large frame over me. His mouth began to devour my own with a heated passion. His lips then traveled down to my neck where he nibbled his way to my chest. His tongue came out and slid over my skin, causing me to moan. Looking up at me through his long, dark lashes, Zeppelin smirked. “You like that baby?” He asked. Before I could even respond his hand began to stroke over my other breast as he continued the assault with his tongue.

  I moaned and fisted my hands in his hair, guiding his head and pressing it closer to me. Zeppelin shifted and lowered himself, settling between my legs. He nibbled on my skin and placed a hand behind me, pressing into me. My legs wrapped around his waist. “Zeppelin, I want you inside me.” I moaned. He lifted his head, smirking. “Patience Angel, I’ll be inside you soon.” He said. He began spreading open mouthed kisses down my body, his fingers sliding down either side of my body as he made his way to where I was aching for him.

  My eyelids were heavy as I peered at him through my lashes, watching as he stripped my panties off of me seductively. His hands were back on me the moment they were tossed aside. They traveled up my ankles, to my calves and then my thighs where he squeezed gently. Applying a little bit of pressure, he spread my legs apart, his hips at my knees. Giving me a blazing look with those blue eyes, he licked his bottom lip slowly and dragged it into his mouth with his teeth. My heart hammered and I felt my stomach clench with wild butterflies as I felt a flood of warmth.

  His head bent to kiss the inside of my thigh, moving up achingly slow toward my center. As soon as his lips touched me, I sucked in a breath and then cried out as his tongue swirled in circles against me. “You’re soaking wet Lucky. Fuck, it’s so sweet.” He growled as he continued devouring me. My hands flew up to the pillow underneath my head and I held tightly as my hips raised beneath his expertly skilled mouth. I began to soar higher as Zeppelin cupped both hands beneath me and pulled me closer.

  I began to cry out as the overwhelming sensations overtook my heated body, my eyes closing on their own accord. “Oh god, Zeppelin,” I moaned. My body shuddered and the warm heat expanded as I flew to my peak, tipping over the edge and screaming his name. My heart was working double time. I tried to catch my breath, but felt Zeppelin’s hard length pressing against me now. My eyes flew open. His face was inches from mine, his eyes sparkled as they drank me in. “You’re so fucking gorgeous when you unravel like that. I could watch you forever.” His lips lowered to mine in a tender kiss.

  I could taste myself on his tongue and I moaned as I curled my hand in his hair and drew him closer. My body began to react again, aching for his touch, wanting him inside me. I ran my other hand down his chest and over his firm abdomen. My fingers wrapped around the length of him and I guided him toward my awaiting body and lifted my hips, allowing him to slip inside of me. I whimpered as Zeppelin rammed into me hard and fast.

  “Shit! Sorry Angel, God you feel like heaven. I lost control for a minute.” He whispered as he cupped my cheek and began placing kisses on my mouth, my cheeks, and my jaw. He slid out of me and back in slower this time. His lips traveled to my ear and he let out a low moan, his breath hot and fast. My hands flew to his back and I pushed him nearer to me as I began to move faster. He took in a sharp breath and groaned, tugging my ear lobe with his teeth. Zeppelin’s hand went to my hip, gripping it tightly as he pulled me to him. I braced my hands on his tight, sinewy biceps as he rocked into me harder.

  “Oh my god Lucky, ah, you feel so good.” He breathed, his blue eyes locked on mine. “Don’t stop Zeppelin, please don’t stop.” I moaned. He swallowed roughly and shook his head. “I won’t baby, I won’t.” Squeezing my legs tighter around his waist, I let the feeling of him filling me up take over. Within minutes I was soaring again, crying out but not coherent at all of what I was saying. I felt Zeppelin’s body tighten and he groaned loudly as he came apart of above me.

  Zeppelin pulled out of me and collapsed beside me. I flung my arm to the side to rest atop his chest. His heart felt like it was going to leap right out of his chest. We lay there, both staring up at the ceiling and catching our breaths. I whimpered a little as light sensations continued to rock through me. Zeppelin rolled his head in my direction, a smile playing at the corner of his swollen lips. “Still going Angel?” He asked. I gave him a sleepy look and nodded. He smoothed my damp hair off of my forehead and kissed my lips.

  “You’re amazing.” He stated in a low tone, his forehead resting against mine. “Likewise,” I murmured. His blue eyes closed and he took a deep cleansing breath before pulling away from me. Standing abruptly, stark naked, he made his way toward the hall bathroom. That was one of the most amazing experiences I had ever had. I sat up slowly, blood pounding in my ears, as I located my strewn undergarments.

  I was fully dressed again when Zeppelin came out of the bathroom. He grabbed his boxers and pulled them on and then his jeans. I watched him dressing. He was just so captivating to me. Smirking at me, Zeppelin looked in to my eyes and then bent down to kiss my lips. “Have I told you that you look really pretty tonight?” He asked. I shook my head and smiled at him. “Thank you.” I said. He put another movie in the DVD player, the horror one this time and then crawled over to me. We cuddled together watching movies the rest of the night.

  Sometime around three a.m. after being together a second time, we both fell asleep in each other’s arms in the comfy fort he had made for us. As I drifted off that night I thought about how incredible it is to not know someone at all one minute and the next they meant more to you than you ever thought possible. I fell asleep with a smile on my face which had happened quite frequently since knowing Zeppelin Rhoades.

  ~~~

  And that’s how it went for another two weeks. After spending the fourth of July weekend together at Dixon’s house, I began to contemplate the possibility that I was falling for Zeppelin. Hannah had mentioned how different I seemed and had assured me that it was a “good” different. We were sitting out in the backyard at Dixon’s house after having a barbecue with Matt, Tucker, Josh, and a few other friends. The guys were all messing around with the fire pit and Han
nah and I sat together in two lawn chairs.

  “You’re practically staring.” Hannah whispered as she elbowed me in the shoulder. I pulled my gaze from Zeppelin who was teasing Matt about the way he started the fire. “I am not.” I argued, meeting my best friend’s green eyes. She grinned. “Oh you so are Lucky. How are things going? Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” She asked. I shrugged. “We’re just kind of hanging out.” I said nonchalantly. Hannah raised a brow and gave me a “Yeah right” look. I rolled my eyes. “He hasn’t asked me to be his girlfriend or anything. We’re just together right now.” I explained.

  “He talks about you a lot.” She said. “He does?” I asked curiously. Hannah nodded. “Josh said that he was at the gym the other day and wouldn’t shut up about you. He said that Zeppelin kept saying how amazing you were and how much he really liked spending time with you.” I felt butterflies expand in the pit of my stomach, hearing that he talked about me, made me feel really good and stupidly giddy for some reason. “I love spending time with him too.” I admitted. Hannah tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “I know you do chick. You seem really happy right now. I told you to lighten up a little. I’m glad you did.” She said.

  “I’m still me. I still care about school and moving out of Dixon’s. It’s nice to have something else to think about though.” I said. Hannah nodded. “Speaking of which, I found out that a girl I work with at the boutique is subletting her apartment downtown. The rent is fairly cheap since she doesn’t need the money. She is moving to London for a year to apprentice at a shop there.” “Wow, really?” I asked. “Yeah, she says the place is totally safe, in a good neighborhood, and really cute. Maybe we could go check it out next week.” I nodded. “Yeah of course, that would be great. You’re amazing Hannah.” I said. Hannah shrugged. “I know, I know.” She giggled and hugged me.