by Piper Frost
The elevator doors are dinging because Affton's been holding it open all this time, but I don't budge from my spot until Grant walks by and nudges my shoulder, heading for the elevator.
“You're done in this business, Af. And these hicks won't keep your fat ass around either.” He chuckles and puts his hands in his pockets before turning his back and walking away.
When I get in the elevator Affton's paler than I've ever seen her and she looks like she might get sick. My stomach drops when his words register and the look on her face says it all. She heard him loud and clear, and even though he's dead fucking wrong, all she heard was what he said.
The doors close and I immediately bring my hands to her cheeks, forcing her to look at me. I need her back.
“Hey,” I whisper. “It's over and I'm so fucking proud of you, Beany.”
She blinks a few times and her head starts to lower but I make her stay focused on me until tears break through and I pull her to my chest. I hold her until the doors ding open, then keep my arm around her all the way to the waiting car that Grant must have called for. She cries into my shirt the whole drive back to the plane and when the wheels are finally up and we're finally out of this fucking city I can relax. I rub her arm, breathing deep because she did it. She finally stood up to the man that made her life a living hell for seven full years.
“I'm proud of you, Affton,” I whisper. “I love you so fucking much.”
“Thank you for never giving up on me.” She wipes at her face before leaning over to kiss me. “I love you too.”
“I'm never giving up on you, Bean.” I kiss her again, each time our lips press together a small part of me starts to relax more. The farther we get from California the more I sense it in her too. “And you're never getting rid of me either.” I want to address everything he said to her, and how fucking wrong he was, but it's too soon. She's just now calming down from it and it's been well over an hour ago.
With a chuckle she wipes at her face with a tissue before leaning her head back and closing her eyes, her grip on my hand tightening. She's pretty much silent the rest of the flight and falls asleep on my shoulder minutes before we land. It's been a long fucking day for everyone.
“Thanks for today, man,” I tell Grant as we're all heading to our cars, finally back home. Goddamn the air even smells better here.
“Any time.” He waves us goodbye.
I turn and look at Affton who hasn't said more than ten words since landing and wrap my arms around her tight. “I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you,” she matches my whisper and wraps her arms around me.
“Let's go home, Beany.” I press my lips to hers before popping open her door and letting her up in my truck.
The minute we walk into the house I breathe a sigh of relief. We're back. And it's over. I watch Affton walk to the couch after kicking off her heels and dropping her bag on the table. She sits down and stares at the fireplace silently and I groan, hating that he got to her like he did. It was up to me to keep her safe and away from that bastard and I fucking failed her.
“Hey, you want some wine?”
Without looking at me, she shakes her head no as she pulls her legs up onto the couch.
“You hungry? We skipped dinner, I can make something for us.” I open the fridge and take stock of what we've got before glancing out at her since she hasn't answered yet. Another shake of the head for my answer. I huff and walk into the living room, standing in front of her. “What's goin' on in that pretty little head of yours?”
Her eyes finally meet mine and she stares at me until I sit down. “I will never get another job in fashion again,” she quietly chokes out and her eyes drift away. “And he's going to tell people I had an affair.” Looking at me again she says, “With you.”
“He won't. You've got too much on him, Bean. He's not that stupid, it was just an empty threat to freak you out. He likes that control over you, but he knows you have pictures and proof of what he did to you. He wouldn't be that stupid.” I rest my hand on her thigh. “You'll find another job.”
She closes her mouth and nods as she focuses on the fireplace again, just wanting me to shut up. I sit back on the couch and pull her hand to mine, mimicking her posture and staring at the same spot. If this is what she needs then I'll give this to her. At least until tomorrow when I fully expect her to snap out of this. It makes me rage knowing that one conversation with that fucker turned her into this. One conversation! She took seven full years of that!
We sit in silence on the couch, her hand in mine tight and my thumb rubbing hers, for almost a full hour before she stands and puffs out a breath of air. I watch her carefully, afraid to make a move she doesn't like because I seem to be pushing for all the wrong things tonight.
“You are someone I've trusted my entire life. And I know you, Tommy.” She clears her throat. “What's going to keep you around for the long term? Why would you settle on me and give up anyone you could possibly want?” Her eyes are swimming in tears and I'm at a loss for fucking words. She thinks I’m settling? I've waited my entire life for this girl.
“Affton,” I say, standing and stepping toward her. Bringing my hands to her cheeks and swiping away her tears. “Baby, I've been waiting on you to come home our entire adult life. There's literally nothing and no one else in this world I've ever wanted more. You've always been my future, Bean.” I search her eyes. “Always.” She tries moving her head but I don't let her. I need her to accept this as it is. A man that's been madly in love with the most beautiful girl in the world for too long not to have her. A man that will never stop loving that girl.
“You're settling,” she whispers. “I'm damaged goods, Tommy.” With an annoyed chuckle she wipes at the tears rolling down her face. “And now I have no career. I'm an overweight, mentally damaged, career-less, divorced woman in my mid thirties. What a catch.” She looks at me again.
“Fuck, Beany,” I huff, shaking my head and swallowing the knot in my throat that's threatening because she's never been so low on herself before and it's all fucking Corey's fault. “Baby, I don't give a fuck if you don't have a job. You'll find one, and you'll rock it. Your career ain’t ruined.” I swipe at her tears. “And you're not mentally damaged. You've been through a fuck ton and you're still standing. The strongest woman I know is standing right in front of me.” I smirk and slide my hands down her arms, then snake them around to her ass. “And please don't talk about your body that way. I, for one, love this fucking body. I'm not settling, Beany. I'm finally going after what I've deserved my entire life. What we've both deserved.”
“I love you.” She touches my face. “I just don't want to be anyone else's mistake.”
“You'll never be a mistake to me, Affton. The only mistake I ever made was letting you leave this place without telling you how I felt all those years ago.” I pull her to me and push my lips against hers. “The days of me not letting you know how I feel are over, Bean. You're going to get real tired of me professing my love for you.” I smirk and kiss her again, gripping her ass tight.
“I doubt that.” She chuckles and wipes at her face. “I've got so much to work on but I promise I'll fix everything that's wrong. In my head. In my life. So I'm ready for the long term.”
“I've been ready for the long term for years now, Bean. I'll wait as long as it takes you, as long as you don't forget that this,” I say, taking her hand and bringing it to my heart. “It's always been yours. And it always will be.”
“I don't deserve you.” She pushes her lips to mine while her nails slide into the back of my hair.
I moan into the kiss and walk her back to the couch, sitting down and forcing her to straddle me. Her skirt hikes up and my fingers dig into her thighs when she grinds down on me. Our tongues dance and my dick is straining in these fucking pants the more she rocks her hips. Her nails drag on my scalp and my fingers slowly start unbuttoning her shirt. I break the kiss long enough to get incredibly annoyed at this shirt, then rip t
he buttons off in one swoop and smirk at her.
“Never wear a shirt that makes me work so hard to get to these tits, Bean.”
“I made that shirt,” she pants, slamming her mouth to mine again.
“Looked good on you. You can make another one.” I moan, cupping her tits in my hands and nuzzling my face in them. “Fuck me, I love your tits.” I chuckle, then pull the cups of her bra down and can't tear my eyes from her nipples. I drag my tongue over them, flicking the hardened peaks.
She moans and arches into my mouth, then rocks her hips on me again, making me groan. My eyes lock on hers and my hand trails under the hem of her skirt, pushing aside her panties to find her soaked for me. She wiggles to rub against my fingers and her eyes close for a brief second. Goddamn she's beautiful right now. Her cheeks flushed, her nipples hard as hell, and her pussy begging me for more. I sink my fingers inside her and she moans, grinding on my hand. My teeth latch onto her nipple while I curl my fingers inside her, her pussy tightening around me. Her hips pivot and her breath comes in short, heavy pants. My palm rubs against her clit while I play with her, my fingers massaging that one spot that's always driven her crazy. She's breathing heavy when I push my lips to hers, bringing my free hand to tease her nipples.
She rocks her hips back and forth, grinding against my palm, and a moan escapes her mid-kiss.
“I'm close,” she pants, cursing and resting her forehead on mine.
My fingers curl and massage her relentlessly as her pussy starts to tighten. I slide her hair out of the way, nibbling small kisses on her neck.
“Come for me, Beany,” I whisper, sucking my way down her flesh.
Her back arches and her body shudders, a noise escaping her that's sexy as fuck. These jeans are so fucking uncomfortable right now with how hard I am. But when she comes on my hand and soaks my palm, her whole body going rigid before her thighs tremble around me, I forget about my situation and focus solely on her, forcing her orgasm out of her.
“God, you're so fucking hot,” I murmur, slamming my lips to hers as she grinds against my hand, riding out her orgasm.
“I need you in me.” She frantically pulls at me. “Right now.” Her hands yank at my jeans before she slides off my lap and shoves my pants down my thighs.
Without wasting a second, she wraps her lips around my cock and both her hands wrap around the base. She sucks while pumping, her eyes hitting mine before her mouth releases from the tip then her tongue slides over the head.
“Up,” I manage, even though her mouth feels amazing on me, I need inside her. She stands and I pull her down to my lap, sinking myself inside her as she lowers herself over me. “Fuck, Bean.”
It takes everything I have not to take over, but the way her tits start bouncing in my face when she starts riding me...fuck. I grip her hips, slowing her down because at this speed I'm going to finish within the next minute and I need this to last longer. She grins and slows down, my eyes flicking down to her pussy, watching my dick sink inside her, over and over again.
“You're so fucking wet,” I murmur, bringing my thumb down to play with her clit. She gasps, ending with a long hum as she rocks back on me faster. “I'm not gonna last, Affton,” I huff, cursing because she feels too good.
“Come for me.” She kisses me softly, pushing harder and angling me deeper, her hand slapping over her mouth as she muffles a scream. “Fuck, Tommy, fuck, fuck. Come, baby.” She kisses me again before her eyes squeeze tight and her thighs start to shake while her orgasm makes her movements less fluid and her fingernails dig into my shoulder as her hips keep rocking.
“God,” I huff. “Fuck, Bean!” My orgasm spirals out of control, spots speckle my vision and my hands grip her hips tight as I slam into her, arms weak and panting I slam my lips to her hard, letting out a moan and holding her tight to me. “Fuck, Affton. Fuck.” I pant.
“I love you,” she moans, her head resting on my shoulder.
“I love you, Beany.” I push my lips to her shoulder and wrap my arms around her.
I’m not sure what I did in my life to deserve her to come back to me like this, but I'm the happiest man in the world right now.
I wave bye to Bo and Kinlee and the second they pull on the road I set Bobby down and he runs for the back door, dying to play with the goats. Simon's home finally and I act like it's annoying, but I love those stupid goats, especially because Tommy's face lights up when they start playing.
“We're chopped liver compared to the goats.” I smile at Tommy.
“Yeah,” he says, laughing when one of them licks Bobby's face. The way Tommy's watching Bobby and the goats makes my heart warm. “I'm just happy your brother finally trusts us to watch him.”
“Probably a big mistake.” I grin and my phone chimes in my pocket. I pull it out to a text from Diamond.
Diamond: Cultured Relief was looking for you today.
My heart starts to beat faster. If Cultured Relief was looking for me, does that mean they’re possibly accepting my application? Corey hasn't done anything that I know about but I have a feeling that means something bigger is coming my way. He's not the type to let things go, especially since he thinks I was having an affair. I'm waiting for a lawsuit to come my way from Trenton, or something equally as insane. I've had to get a PO box because I didn't want him to get my physical address. Not that I think he'll show up. He hasn't even tried to contact me. I wanted to change my number but this number's been associated with me for years and anyone important has it, so I'll keep my number but keep my whereabouts hidden for awhile.
“I'm going to make a quick call.” I peck Tommy's cheek before heading for our bedroom.
I feel guilty I've slowly been changing his house, but he doesn't seem to mind and has asked several times for me to liven up the place. It's been a few months since I've been living here as his girlfriend but I'm not comfortable taking over like that. Even though we've been friends forever, this will all continue to be a slow transition.
The phone call is brief and to the point and ends on a good note. A note that has excitement making me giddy. I’m not hired, but I’m being considered.
I stop at the back door and can't help but smile at the image of Tommy flying Bobby around the yard, making the noises and everything. There's no doubt in my mind he'd be an amazing father, but there's no doubt in my mind I wouldn't make a great mother so that dream isn't one of mine.
“You guys thirsty?” I call out after watching them for a few minutes.
“Bobby, you want some beer?” Tommy asks, holding back a grin.
“I'm not old enough for beer!” he shrieks and Tommy cackles in laughter.
“Correct answer, little man.” He glances at the door, wearing a huge smile on his face. “Water?”
“With ice!” Bobby yells, running away and chasing after Simon.
I get everyone water and bring out some snacks. When Tommy heads toward me, I smile.
“You don't want kids, do you?” It tumbles out of my mouth, but I need to clear this up right now. That could be a reason he leaves me in the future.
He pauses and cocks his head at me. “Where'd that come from?” He takes the water cup I brought out for Bobby and hands it to him, then turns back to me. “I want what you want, Bean.” He taps my nose and grins at me.
I chuckle and roll my eyes. “That is not how life works, Tommy, and you know it.” I grab his arm before he walks away from me. “I don't want kids,” I quietly tell him, not wanting Bobby to overhear our conversation. He's only four but he's a parrot.
“Okay.” Tommy shrugs. “I'm old, and we're both way too busy for kids. Plus, I hope we can start stealing this little cowboy more.” He smiles as he watches Bobby in the yard. “I think we're just fine as we are, Bean. Don't stress over it.”
“No stress,” I lie and offer a smile I know he sees right through and when he grabs my face, I laugh. “No stress. Just promise you'll tell me if you ever change your mind.”
“I don't want kids, Affton
.” He looks so serious I almost believe him. “Kids ruin shit. Like my nice hardwood floors.” He grins and winks at me. “And we have a Grant.”
“I have to pee!” Bobby screams and Tommy chuckles, turning toward him.
“Go by the tree, dude!” He waves him to the tree and the look on Bobby's face is priceless. Tommy turns towards me and raises his eyebrows. “Your brother's gonna kill me for teaching him this.” He presses his lips to mine quickly before jogging out to Bobby and telling him that all boys need to learn to pee outside.
I roll my eyes and pray the kid doesn't start pissing all over our backyard. God, he's right, Bo's going to kill him...but it's really adorable how well Tommy does with kids. We run in circles for hours. Bobby never stops and luckily Tommy can keep up because I'm beat. By the time Tommy has to go the ranch, I'm panicking I won't be able to keep Bobby entertained.
“How do you work the TV again?” I ask frantically. Tommy always does this stuff.
“You use the power button.” He grins at me and laughs. “Here.” He takes the remote and gets it set up to the kid’s channel for Bobby. “One hour. That's it. You can do this, it'll be good for you two.”
“Crap.” I start to laugh. “Why'd I agree to this knowing you'd be going to work?” I grin at him then lean for his lips but Bobby barrels his way between us, stopping the kiss before it happens.