Running From Forever

by Ashley Wilcox

  When we reached my building, we took the elevator in silence, periodically exchanging heartfelt glances and randomly kissing her knuckles. I envisioned kissing every last inch of her body.

  By the time the elevator doors opened, my hand was laced with hers, leading us into my bedroom. Although I wanted every ounce of me inside of her, that wasn’t my initial intention. I needed to cleanse us; clean the seed of hate planted within us. I needed the events that occurred in these last days to be washed from our bodies. We needed a fresh start; we needed our love to be the only thing between us.

  I took us straight to the bathroom, opening the shower door to turn on the water then undressed Kayla before myself. She didn’t offer any resistance, nor ask the reasoning for the shower. She trusted me, filling my heart with joy. All I had asked God for in the last few days was to have Kayla’s trust and love back, and both were granted. She was here, standing before me, and I was the happiest man on earth.

  I couldn’t resist dropping a kiss at the crook of her neck once her clothes were completely discarded. A small cry of pleasure echoed throughout her body, making my insides hum with need. Too indulged to stop, my mouth carried down to the base of her throat, kissing the small indent at the bottom. I was savoring her, moving slowly, taking my time, indulging in the sweetness of her skin.

  She sighed as my mouth carried up along the other side of her neck, her hands finding my hair, tangling and massaging her delicate fingers against my scalp. I have to stop. Though everything in me was rooting to continue, I had to stop. It’d been too long since I’d seen her; had her in my arms—I wasn’t going to jump the gun right away. I needed time to coddle her, caress her skin, clean away the ugly past before consummating our love again.

  I slowly backed away, undoing my belt and slipping off my shoes. She watched, her eyes never wavering from mine, studying each move I made. I loved it. I loved the way she watched me with softness in her stare and passion in her eyes. I could see deep. I could see the woman I fell hopelessly in love with within just five days. To anyone else, I’m sure we just seemed crazy, but I didn’t care. I knew what we had was real. No one had ever filled my insides with so much love. Kayla and I were put on this earth to be together. I’m not a religious man, but I did believe that God worked his magic by putting us together. This was fate and I was now a firm believer.

  I stepped out of my pants and briefs and Kayla took a step forward, placing her hands at the top of my shirt, undoing each button in a flawless rhythm, taking her time, eyes following each one as it came loose. After opening the last one, her hands slid up my chest, slipping underneath the shoulders of my shirt before slowly pushing it down to fall lifelessly to the ground.

  Now completely exposed to one another, I took her hand in mine and stepped backwards, leading us into the now steaming shower. With water pouring from both walls, our bodies were instantly soaked, her hair wet and heavy, slicked back and out of the way. I placed my hands on each side of her face, holding it close to mine, kissing her forehead first, her nose second, and then ending on her lips. Her mouth immediately cracked, allowing my tongue to taste her sweetness for the first time in days.

  I continued to move slowly, savoring each time our tongues passed, feeling each transfer of love and desire ripple down my body. With one hand cupping the back of her neck, and the other holding her rear, I kissed her passionately, methodically, until my body couldn’t take any more. Mindlessly walking her backwards, her back pressed against the tiled wall as my hand slid down her thigh, gripping the back, bringing it up to the side of my waist, aligning her opening perfectly with my length. My mouth traveled down her neck as her hands slid up my back, stopping and tangling in my hair again. It was a pleasure I never knew I enjoyed, but with every knot and tug of her beautiful fingers, my cock grew impossibly harder. It was intoxicating and incredibly hot.

  As my mouth progressed down her neck and over her chest, Kayla’s whimpering and moans increased. I pulled her peak into my mouth and her control was forgotten; so was mine. Delectably running my tongue back up her body from her chest to her neck to her plump lips, I pressed my forehead against hers, whispering, “I love you,” as my erection slipped into her.

  Only soft kisses in between heavy breathing were exchanged as I moved in and out of her, connecting on a level we had yet to reach. It was sensual yet passionate, intense yet soft, mind-blowing yet enduring—lovemaking like I had never experienced before.

  Entranced with the overwhelming amount of pleasure consuming our bodies, my pace increased, causing her face to turn and breathing to accelerate. With her right cheek against the tiled wall, my lips carried down her neck and up to her ear, breathing heavy into it, moaning, and repeatedly telling her how much I loved her, all the while pumping in harder and harder. The feeling was intense, amazing—inconceivable. Within minutes, our bodies unraveled and the flood of pleasure rippled down our frames, releasing in a delicious, heart filled orgasm.

  Once the spasmed rush of pleasure escaped our bodies, I set her leg back on the ground, but kept our foreheads touching as our breathing evened out. Kayla’s eyes squeezed shut as what I thought was a tear slipped down her cheek. I couldn’t be sure as we were in the shower, but I had a feeling it was. I kissed her cheek where the tear just fell then asked if she was okay in a low whisper. She nodded her head, eyes still closed as more fell. I kept kissing her face, kissing as many of them away that I could. After a short minute, her eyes opened, her lips finding mine, kissing me gently. It was the most consuming kiss I’d ever received from her. I felt everything she was trying to express that words couldn’t speak: love, trust, devotion, remorse.

  Her voice appeared after the third kiss. “I’m sorry,” she whispered raggedly. “I’m sorry I ran.”

  I held her face in my hands, making her eyes see mine. “No. You have nothing to be sorry about.” I paused, closing my eyes, feeling the emotion bubble up through my chest, threatening to escape my eyes. “You had every reason to run, baby, just never leave me again,” I begged, my eyes now open, tears hopelessly falling from them. I couldn’t remember the last time I was so open and vulnerable, but the emotion was too high to hold back. Kayla caused feelings to arise that I never knew I carried. With her, I was an open book, letting my heart explode freely between us.

  Her eyes shut and she shook her head before they opened again, looking at me with her heart in her eyes. “I’m done running,” she repeated softly. “You’re my forever. I’m done running from happiness.”

  ***

  6 Months Later…

  It was just after three in the afternoon when the last boxes arrived from Kayla’s apartment. After months of searching, refusing my assistance, Madison was finally employed full-time, working as a receptionist at nearby law firm, which enabled her to afford and transfer the lease for Kayla’s apartment into her name.

  I laughed when the moving crew dropped the final box next to the other ten sitting in my entryway; it was probably the simplest moving job they’d ever experienced and also probably be the only time I could say that my girl packed light—her apartment was nothing more than a place to sleep and shower. All that would change now that she was with me; now her home was where her heart was and my love would be pampered and taken care of, and she deserved it. Kayla deserved everything that I could fortunately provide her. It was because of her that I saw a life like I had never seen before, because of her that I felt love that I never knew existed. Kayla deserved the world, and I was bound and determined to give it to her every day for the rest of our lives.

  Kayla was gone visiting her friend, Merrick. It was a friendship that I never understood, but one that I would never challenge. She cared for him deeply, as he did for her. They had a special bond that only two people from similar pasts could share. Merrick lived in the city by himself. He had friends that lived nearby in Jersey, and a sister that lived in some country I couldn’t remember, but here, in New York City, he only had Kayla, and in a way I prefer to not adm
it, she only had him, too. Kayla’s past and the struggles she endured were nothing I could relate to. I was privileged; given anything I had ever asked for. She and Merrick…not even close. So in a way, Merrick was all that Kayla had to relate to, the only person she could talk to about the underlying feelings of her past. She had Maddy, but she was still the younger sister— not as mature, and she carried their past a little differently than Kayla did. I could listen, and I’d always be there as someone she could bounce her emotions of off, but I couldn’t relate, and for that I was eternally grateful she had Merrick.

  He was her escape, but I was her home.

  At just after four, our driver arrived, carrying our suitcases down to the awaiting town car. I made sure to grab everything on the checklist Kayla left, making sure we didn’t forget anything. Every time we traveled I was given a long list. It didn’t matter that I told her numerous times that anything that may have been forgotten could easily be purchased when we reached our destination. No, she wouldn’t hear it, reminding me that it was a waste of money to buy something twice. I couldn’t disagree with that.

  I had phoned when I left our building that I was on my way. Merrick was invited to attend this weekend, but he had a big race that he couldn’t miss. Even though Kayla was exceedingly thrilled for the weekend, I knew it hurt that she couldn’t be there for him—she never missed his races.

  Kayla was already reaching for the bar door when I entered, allowing me to only have to wave to Merrick from the exit before holding it open for Kayla to leave.

  “Everything well with Merrick?” I asked, kissing the top of her head gently.

  She smiled and thanked the driver holding her door first, then climbed into the backseat of the car. “Fine. Bummed he won’t be there this weekend, but otherwise good,” she said while getting situated in her seat. She smiled, her eyes bright. “Did everything get delivered okay?”

  Wrapping my arm around her shoulders, I slid her closer to my side, eliminating the distance between us. I softly held her chin up to face me, pressing my lips against hers briefly. “You are officially a permanent resident in the Blackwell penthouse,” I whispered against her mouth.

  “The Blackwell penthouse? Sounds so sophisticated.”

  I smiled at her adorableness. “Well, Ms. Reynolds,” I slid the back on my hand along the cheek of her skin, admiring her beauty, “the title must hold the utmost sophisticated label in order to accommodate such an elegant woman.”

  She snickered, cheeks blushing the perfect shade of pink. “I don’t know what that means, but I love the way it sounds.”

  I laughed at her simplicity, kissing her again on the forehead. “You amuse me, Ms. Reynolds.” I peered down at her and smiled. “More than you could ever imagine.”

  Today was the big day. The sun was shining, the beaches of the Caribbean pristine as ever…an exceptional day for an ocean view wedding. I wished we would’ve gotten in earlier yesterday; it would have been lovely to have some alone time together before the wedding festivities started today, but with the executive title, time was of the essence and I had minimal time allotted for getaways—even for one with today’s stature.

  I knocked on the door of the suite that Kayla was in. Though the men were ordered to stay away, I couldn’t. I needed to see my love. I couldn’t wait. I heard voices conversing on the other side and it took a minute before the door opened and Kayla’s head peeked out around it, sure not to reveal the dress she was wearing.

  “You’re not very good with rules, are you?” she asked me, her smile radiating against her freshly-applied makeup, her hair down in long, loose curls just the way I loved it.

  I grinned, emotion flooding my body. My love was beautiful, stunning…breathtaking. “Not when it involves keeping you away from me.”

  Her cheeks flushed and her lips curled up into the grin that stole my heart every time. I loved the way my words affected her, the way they still flattered her after the months that we had been together.

  “Only a little longer,” she promised flirtatiously, “then I’m all yours.”

  She made my insides cave. With the simplest declaration, she always left me a pile of mush. Only this time, I was turned on, emotionally fulfilled, and left all to myself. I would have to wait a little longer to indulge. With my hands in the pants pockets of my suit and my weight shifted back on my heels, I licked my lips then cynically glared at her with a look of apprehension.

  “Will you stop it!” she kidded. “I’m going. You’re supposed to be out there waiting by now anyway,” she continued to point out with a statement that was very much accurate.

  Knowing that her lipstick had just been professionally applied, I brushed her cheek with mine, whispering, “You look beautiful,” in her ear before stepping away, giving her one last, lingering glance.

  Everyone stood with the violinist’s change in music, and the beautiful bride rounded the entrance of the rose petal aisle. I couldn’t look away or anywhere but at Kayla. Engrossed by her beauty, my eyes stayed fixed on her; captivated and in total awe of the woman before me. Her eyes glowed and her skin glistened in the warm sun, making her makeup sparkle on her face like an angel’s would, but her eyes were on everyone’s but mine, making me snicker …she couldn’t, could she? She’d pre-warned me about the emotional state weddings put her in, and said she wouldn’t be able to focus on me or anyone else in attempt to save her makeup.

  “We are gathered here today to witness the joining of two lives. These two separate people have chosen this special time and place to be married to each other. The decision to marry is not entered into lightly, but rather is undertaken with great consideration and respect for both the other person and oneself. You, as friends and family, are able to celebrate with Matthew and Leah in the making of this important commitment,” the justice of the peace began with Leah now standing beside Matt with her back to her maid of honor, Kayla.

  The ceremony and words slowly disappeared as my eyes focused on Kayla once again, picturing us standing just as Matt and Leah were at the moment, vowing their lives together. Marriage had always appeared superficial, unnecessary. It was nothing but a sheet of paper signed by two parties—a contract. Contracts were something I dealt with daily. I couldn’t fathom it as the legal bind in love and trust. One shouldn’t need a piece of paper to have a successful, prosperous relationship with someone they presumed to love.

  But, along with everything else in my life, Kayla changed that too; my outlook. Standing there, I envisioned her hands in mine, looking at me with such promise and adoration. I wanted it. I wanted the sheet of paper, the legal binding, and everything else that came with it. It was in that moment, with my heart beating erratically in my chest, that I realized how much I wanted Kayla as my wife. I wanted the forever that everyone dreamed of having.

  With clarity consuming me and adrenaline filling my veins, I took advantage of Kayla being monopolized with wedding photos to slip out during cocktail hour, calling for a car to pick me up outside the hotel. Having no knowledge of the stores in the area, I told the driver to take me to the most highly regarded jeweler in town. With a knowing smirk, he nodded, then proceeded in the direction we had brunch at that morning.

  It only took one glance at a ring hidden behind others and I’d found it: the ring. A princess-cut solitaire diamond in an almost antique setting. It stood out perfectly, just a little different and perfect for my girl. My heart squeezed when I pictured it on her finger. I quickly had it sized and placed back in the velvet box, returning to the hotel within the hour, my outing undetected.

  “May I have this dance?” I asked, taking Kayla’s hand in mine as a slow song filled the outdoor reception area.

  “It would be my great pleasure.” She smiled, mocking my proper demeanor.

  I shook my head and grinned, kissing her temple before placing my hand on her lower back, escorting her to the dance floor. Her left arm draped my neck while she held my left hand with her right. I guided her around the dance fl
oor, floating in between other couples as I loved to do. She was becoming familiar with the steps, causing heads to turn at every event we attended. It was a time I loved to share with her; a time where it was just us in our own tiny bubble.

  “How beautiful is it here?” she asked, looking up at me with happiness beaming from her face.

  “Stunning,” I agreed, absorbing her flawless features.

  She slipped her bottom lip in between her teeth, gently biting down, looking lost in thought.

  “What is it; what are you thinking?” I asked, needing to know what suddenly slipped inside her mind.

  Like I interrupted her thought process, her eyes snapped back to mine, a smile appearing where her straight expression just lay. “Oh, nothing.” She played it off, but I knew her mind was somewhere else and I had to know just where it went.

  “Tell me, love. What were you thinking?” I asked, still waltzing effortlessly among those around us.

  “Do you want to get married? Like, do you see this,” her head quickly glanced around the area, “for us?”

  I snickered, unable to hide my smile as I came to a stop, taking her hand in mine. “Come,” I said to her and I guided us away from the reception and down the sandy sidewalk that led to the beach. “I need to show you something.”

  She didn’t offer any resistance as she followed beside me, keeping silent for the few minute walk we made along the water. With the music and chatter from the wedding now diluted by the crashing of waves, I stopped with the moonlit water and ocean as our background, kneeling down before her. Her eyes grew wide with shock as I held her hand and began my confession, my declaration of love, and my desire for her hand in marriage.