by Lisa Sommers
I can see the hesitation in the way she takes that in. She’s been hurt. She’s not looking for someone new. At least not yet. She needs time.
She’s been hurt. My mind won’t stop processing that information. Who the fuck could hurt her like that? Against everything that my body wants to do to her right now, I decide that pulling her into a tight hug is all that she needs at this particular moment.
My voice is barely above a whisper when I say, “Come here.” I hold my arms out to her, and it’s clear she is at the end of her reserve.
Alli is emotionally broken. She easily falls into my open arms and lays her cheek against my chest. I rest my chin atop her soft hair and hold her tight. She melts against me, and I feel her body tremble. It’s barely noticeable to others, but since she is leaning against me I feel every bit of her emotions overflowing.
“Shhh.” I rub the palm of my hands up and down her back. “It’ll be okay,” I reassure her.
Nearly a minute goes by before Alli pulls away from me, and I’m suddenly left feeling cold and longing for more. Damn if she didn’t feel perfect against me. Her touch. Her warmth. I miss it already. And I want more. But it’ll have to wait. I’ll be damned if this is the last night I see her.
Alli stares back at me as if she is assessing me. She probably has no idea who she can or cannot trust anymore because of that Jackass.
“Come on.” I stand, throw a few twenties on the table, and hold my hand out to her. She accepts it willingly, and just her touch flickers that warmth back into my soul. “Let’s head back to the room and rest before we catch our last leg of the flight.”
Alli nods and quietly accepts me wrapping my arm around her back with my palm resting over her shoulder. I love how she fits perfectly into my side.
The short walk comes to an end all too soon, but I’m happy to see that those two kids are fast asleep. I step into the room first and immediately drag Alli’s yoga mat over next to mine. I gesture for Alli to lie down first. After she removes her sweatshirt, she kneels down and folds it to use as a pillow. Alli looks up at me and, without questioning my motives, she lies down and rests her beautiful head on her sweatshirt. She must be wiped out, both physically and emotionally.
I stare down at her, and something in me just breaks. Alli is a woman that any man would be grateful to have. She’s smart, funny, attractive, witty, intelligent, gorgeous, sweet, and sexy. Did I mention fine as hell?
I may not have had a plan when I started this little game, but I sure as heck can’t complain about where it’s ending up. I am a winner just because I get to be near her.
I bend down and contemplate how to do this. I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around her. Alli is in the fetal position, facing the opposite direction. She is so fragile, and I don’t want to break her more than she already is.
I end up lying behind her with only inches between us. I decide not to touch her, even though my body aches from being so far away.
A few minutes of peaceful silence stretch in the semi-darkness of the room, then I feel Alli twist her upper body slightly. She reaches her arm back, and I want to see what her delicate fingers are searching for. She eventually finds my arm that is resting on my side. She slides her hand so lightly down my arm that it nearly tickles, but I sure as hell make no attempt to move it. Her hand finds my hand, and she laces her dainty fingers with mine, before slowly pulling my arm so that it wraps around her torso.
I feel her body relax, and the air she exhales works my nerve up enough to snuggle close behind her. You couldn’t fit a sheet of paper between us when I pull her close.
I close my eyes and take in her scent. I would love to move her hair aside, making room for my lips to kiss the softness on the back of her neck. But moving my hand away from her stomach isn’t an option. I’ll be damned if I lose this moment with her.
Alli slowly twists her body in my arms so that she faces me. The front of her body now flush with mine, she says nothing. Her big beautiful green eyes peer up into mine. They are full of questions. Full of want. Full of desire and something else. Something pure. Something challenging.
She blinks slowly several times, then long lashes rest lazily against her high cheekbones. She lowers her head slightly, and stops as if questioning her own motives.
I make no move. She’s in total control of the situation. There is so much I want to do to her, but I don’t. I’m not about to fuck this up.
Her lips part slightly, and her tongue slips out just far enough to wet her lips. She moves in a little closer, closes her eyes, and the feel of her lips on my neck makes my breathing ragged. I can’t seem to get enough air in my lungs.
“Alli.” Her name barely escapes past the lump in my throat. “Alli . . .” I moan. “You don’t need to . . .” Shit, what am I saying? I don’t want her to stop. She feels fucking amazing. Her hands reach up under my shirt, making my heart skip a beat. Her touch is light as she drags her nails up and around to my backside. I lean up just enough to pull my shirt up and over my head, giving her better access to whatever it is she wants. “Fuck, Alli.” I groan as she wastes no time licking her way to my nipple piercing and bites down on my flesh. Not hard, but enough to make the blood rush in at the contact. I don’t think I could stop her if I tried. And at this point, I don’t want to. Her sweet lips continue to trail across my torso, circling my other piercing. I puff my chest out at the contact. Alli’s got me so turned on that I can’t stand it any longer.
I abruptly push her so that she rolls over onto her back. I hover over her, then encase her between my arms. She squeals with concern at first, until our eyes lock on one another. It only takes a moment for her to relax. The look in her eyes is all confidence, and if you can believe it, I’m turned on even more.
Without warning, I crash my lips against hers. Rough at first, until it becomes soft and sensual. Alli grips my biceps, and I pull back to see if I’ve hurt her. I’m looking back and forth into each of her eyes and searching for any sign of destress, when she pulls up and places her mouth back on mine. Fuuuck me. This is, hands down, the best make-out session ever. I’ve never had a woman make me so fucking hard before. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted another woman as badly as I want Alli. There is something about her that is so vulnerable, yet she masks her weakness with a brave front. I have the urge to protect her. Protect her from all the assholes out there in the world. Protect her from Jackass.
Alli wraps her legs around my waist as she sucks on my bottom lip. I am a fucking goner.
“Alli,” I call to get her attention. I know what I want, and she’s making it clear what she wants, but I need to make sure she is okay with this. Because once I start, I’m not going to be able to stop.
“Chris, please,” she begs.
”I got you, baby.” I reach down to undo her jeans, when I remember that those two college kids are in the room. They’re sleeping, but still. I can’t take Alli in front of them.
“Come here.” Standing up, I reach for her hand, then lead her into the small snack room and shut the door. As much as I want to see Alli stripped bare naked, having the image of a snack machine in the background bites, so I flip the switch to darken the room.
We both stand facing each another, feeling our way with our hands on one another’s bodies. I slide my hands up the soft skin of her toned belly, raising the hem of her shirt as I go. I slide it all the way up until I have it off of her. I may not be able to see her, but having to feel my way around her sweet body gives me a better appreciation for the female form. She feels amazing.
“Chris . . .” She hesitates a moment, before continuing, “Do you want me?”
Is she fucking kidding me? I’ve never wanted anyone more. She can’t be serious. I must be doing something wrong if she is questioning my want for her.
I reach up and run the pad of my thumb slowly along her bottom lip. She parts her lips, then I slide my thumb in slightly, before she licks her way around it. Oh, Christ! I can’t take this any longer. �
��You have no idea.” I moan, tilting my head and leaning in so I can devour her mouth with everything in me.
Reaching around with my free hand, I grab my wallet and pull out a foil wrapper. I slap it on the small round table, then begin to undo her jeans. I reach to do the same to mine, but Alli beats me to it. She delicately completes the task, then her cool fingers slide over the rim of my boxers.
I quickly grab her hand to stop her, and whisper against the soft skin below her ear, “Baby, if you keep touching me like that, I’m not going to last.”
Alli breathlessly pauses and simply says, “Oh.”
“Baby, are you sure you want this?”
Alli reaches for my hand and gently places it on her breast. “Touch me.” Her voice is soft and sexy. “Show me what it feels like to be wanted.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see me. Protecting her doesn’t even begin to start at what I want to do for her. I ball my fist at the thought of someone not paying her the attention that she so deserves. If only we weren’t in this god-damned airport.
“I want you so bad, I just wish it wasn’t here,” I confess. I’ve fucked women in all sorts of places, but none of them can hold a candle next to Alli.
“I don’t care where it is.” Alli’s hands search for my face, then she gently grabs my cheeks and pulls me down to her and whispers, “I just want you to make me feel sexy.”
“Honey, sexy doesn’t even begin to describe how incredible you are. My god, what did he do to you?” This beautiful creature is so messed up inside that she doesn’t understand how perfect she is. I can hear Alli shimmy out of her jeans as they fall to the floor. She reaches for my hand and brings me closer to her. At the moment, Alli is all about reassurance, and I plan to reassure her as much as I can that she is all that I am thinking about right now.
I slide the palm of my hands under her arms and lift her until she has to wrap her legs around my waist to keep her body up. Once again, she fits amazingly pressed up against my body.
She entwines her fingers through my hair and tugs the back so that I have to raise my head. I feel her breath against my cheek, then her soft tongue licks the side of my mouth.
“You’re killin’ me.”
“Take me,” she whispers.
This time, I don’t waste a single minute before I’m inside of her. After sheathing myself, I raise her slightly, and allow her to slip right onto me. “Fuck, Alli. You’re so wet.” Holy shit. “You feel amazing.”
“Mmm.” Even her sounds strip me from everything that I am. Where did this girl come from?
Switching my flight was the best damn decision I’ve made in a long time. This girl doesn’t know it yet, but I’ll never let her go.
She arches her back, mewling quiet sounds as she slides up and down me. I press my lips to her neck and softly bite down, giving her every bit of pleasure I can. Making her feel like the most desirable woman alive comes easily, because she makes me feel just as desired.
“Again.” She pants.
I bite the soft flesh on her collarbone. Sucking in her skin, making sure to leave my mark. I feel her nails scratch my shoulder blades and it pushes me to take things further. I sit her sweet ass on the round table and pound into her fast and furious. Alli leans back, splaying her hands behind her on the table. I have full vantage of her beautiful chest. It nearly sends me over the edge, but I manage to reign it in to make this last longer. I don’t want to stop. She feels so fucking good.
“Chris, oh my god. I’m so close.”
“Let it go, baby.” I lift her back up to straddle my waist and turn us both so that her back is now pressed up against the wall. The movement of her hips is driving me crazy. I may have her wrapped around my waist, but she still takes control of me. I grip each side of her hips and pull her tight against me. That’s when I feel Alli tighten around me, and it does me in. We both end up exploding at the same time, and nothing has felt more right in my entire life.
After Alli and I clean up and redress, I quietly lead her back to the room where we find Brea and Michael still sleeping. I help Alli lie down, and I scoot in right behind her to resume our original position.
After a few minutes, Alli’s breath seems to calm and her body fully melts against mine. Nothing feels better than this moment right here and, before I know it, the both of us fall into semi-unconscious state.
The buzz of my phone jolts me awake, and I quickly reach into my back pocket to retrieve it before it wakes Alli. She stirs, but doesn’t fully wake. I glance at the screen and immediately swipe the answer icon upon seeing the picture of my dad. “Hold on a second, dad,” I tell him as I reluctantly shrug away from Alli. I quickly walk into the snack room and close the door so as not to wake anyone.
“Hey, dad. Can’t sleep?”
“I’m sorry, this is nurse Arlene.” Her voice is not what I expected to hear, and the thought nearly brings me to my knees.
I rest my back against the counter and close my eyes.
“Shane, I’m sorry, but I think you should return to the hospital.” I swipe my free hand through my hair and let her comment sink in. I release a long breath of air that was clogging my lungs.
“What happened?” I ask.
“It’s what we talked about, Shane. It’s time,” she says calmly, which means it’s dad’s final hours with us.
I nod my head, even though she can’t see me.
“Shane? Are you still there, honey?”
“Yes. Yes, I’m here. I’ll catch the first flight out. Do I have time?”
“Yes, just get here as soon as you can.”
I hang up the phone and tuck it securely into my back pocket. I take a deep breath in. My cheeks puff out with all the air left in my lungs, before I expel every ounce.
Shit. I knew it was coming, I just didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Fucking cancer.
I stay in the small room for just a few minutes, trying to gather my bearings before walking out and booking the first flight back to Pittsburgh.
I walk through the next room and nearly trip over my own feet when I see Alli.
Shit!
Alli.
She looks so peaceful. I don’t want to wake her, but I need to tell her goodbye. Well, at least until I get in touch with her again in San Diego. Crap, we didn’t exchange phone numbers though. I’ll check with an airport attendant to see when I can catch the first flight out, then come back to see if Alli is awake yet.
I reach the nearest podium that has an attendant available and explain my situation. “Yes, the first flight to Pittsburgh, please.”
She starts searching through her database while I wait impatiently. “You’re in luck. We have one seat available due to a cancelation.”
“Perfect. I’ll take it,” I say without even asking when it leaves.
She types diligently before handing me a boarding pass.
I glance at the time and compare it to the time on my phone. “It leaves in twenty-five minutes?”
“Yes, sir.” I look up to her, and she flashes me a gentle smile. She clearly doesn’t know my dilemma. Alli.
I quickly walk back to the room where Alli is, and I gaze longingly at her. I wish I didn’t have to leave her. She is so beautiful. I pace the room for a minute, before returning to the snack room to grab a napkin to write my number on. I write it down, along with the name I use when I travel.
My friends know me as Shane, which is my middle name, but when I travel I go by my first name, Chris. Being a professional baseball player attracts the crazies and unwanted attention. I don’t mind the fans, or even signing autographs, especially when I travel with my teammates, but when I’m on my own, it’s too much. I used to be fine with it, but one time I had a group of barely-legal teens follow me to the point I had to duck and cover in a bar until they finally got tired and left. Unfortunately, the bar I was in was a sports bar. I ended up getting cornered by a bunch of middle-aged women and one dude. Needless to say, I now only travel using my first name,
and deny it to people when they ask if I’m that baseball player.
I return to Alli and think of a place I know she will not lose my number. Her sweatshirt.
I tuck the napkin into the front pocket. Right before she fell asleep, I had pushed it away and slipped my arm under her head as a replacement. The feel of Alli’s skin against mine felt amazing, and I can’t wait for the moment she is back in my arms again. I have no doubt she will call. I just hope it’s soon. It pains me to know I have to wait god knows how long to see her again.
I press my lips to her temple for one last kiss, before promptly leaving the room. I enter the airport corridor and make my way to the nearest gate. They’ve just finished loading passengers when I arrive, so I board immediately.
The flight back to Pittsburgh seemed to lag horribly. I don’t know if it’s because of what I expect when I see my dad, or if it’s because the seat next to me was not occupied by Alli.
“Mr. McCall,” I hear the minute I enter the hospital.
I look over to see nurse Arlene walking toward me.
Arlene has been my dad’s caretaker for the past two months, and I am beyond grateful for everything she has done to make my dad feel comfortable.
“How is he?” I ask as she takes my hand in hers.
“Hanging in there.” Arlene stops short of entering his room and gazes up at me. “He’s done in this world, Shane,” she says with sympathy. “I think he just wanted to see you one last time.” She clasps her hand around mine as she gently rubs the back of it.
I nod my response, but don’t answer her. Arlene loosens her grip and holds her arm out, gesturing for me to enter my father’s hospital room.
I take a few steps in and see that he is asleep. I walk the rest of the way in and pull up a chair next to his bed, then take a seat and see my dad swivel his head to look at me.
“Dad,” I whisper. Not too many kids can call their dad their hero, but that is what my dad is to me. My hero. I love him.
“Son, I’m sorry.”
“Dad, don’t be sorry.”
Dad takes a gulp of air, but then continues, “Son, I’m sorry I haven’t been the man you deserve.”