by Toni Aleo
She grins happily as her cheeks warm. “Thanks.”
Kissing me loudly on the lips, she leans against my chest and grabs my plate. “Can I eat this?”
“Sure,” I say, moving my hand along her thigh. “Give me a bite of that taco first.”
She smiles as she feeds me, and I can see Jayden making gagging faces, but I know he’s just jealous. The hottest girl ever is feeding me, and he has to use a fork. I’d be jealous too. We eat together, and when we’re done, I think we’re gonna relax, but soon she’s pulling me onto the floor to dance. I don’t mind it, I like to dance, but I don’t like the way people are looking at her. I know she’s sexy, I get that, but I don’t want people watching her all the damn time. It seems every time I turn my head someone is looking, and it is honestly driving me up the fucking wall. Jealously bubbles inside me and I hate that feeling. I shouldn’t be insecure, but I am. I don’t understand it, really. Wrapping my arms tighter around her waist, I pull her to me, hoping people know she is mine.
I mean, they have to know. Right?
Moving her fingers in my hair, she brings my face down so she can see me. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head. “Nothing,” I answer.
I then turn her around, pressing her back to my chest, and she begins to move her ass against me. Bending over some, she puts her hands on her knees and starts to move her ass like a girl in a rap video. It’s beyond hot, but I can’t enjoy it because all I see are the guys staring at her, mouths parted and with wide eyes. It makes my blood boil, and I want nothing more than to take my poncho off to cover her up. I don’t think it’s what she’s wearing though; I think it’s just her. She’s insanely sexy and everyone wants a piece of her. I don’t like that. Not one fucking bit.
Thankfully the song turns to a slow one, and I turn her back around and wrap my arms around her as we slowly move to the music. Looking up at me, her fingers tickle my neck and a content little grin sits on her face. She really is so beautiful, and I should be flattered that everyone thinks my girl is hot, but for some reason I’m just jealous. Is it because I’m scared that she could leave me? I don’t know, but I don’t like the way I feel.
“Don’t lie to me again, Jude. Tell me what’s wrong,” she says against my cheek, and I let out a breath as my arms tighten around her.
“Nothing, baby. Let’s just dance.”
She moves her tongue along my jaw to my ear, and I take in a deep breath as she whispers against my ear, “Why don’t we take the party inside?” As she nibbles at my ear, my hands tighten at her waist and she says, “In your room, or maybe your bed, to be exact.”
Pulling back, she grins at me and I ask, “You’re done with the party already?”
“Yeah, I ate, I danced, I drank, now I want you to do nasty things to me.”
Grinning, since I’m always down to worship her sexy body, I nod. “All right, baby, let’s go.”
I take her hand in mine, and we make our way through the party. Reaching my room, I open the door and she walks in before me. I shut it behind me and she turns and says, “Make sure it’s locked.”
“Check,” I say, throwing off my poncho and locking the door. When I glance at her though, she’s not naked. Her hands are on her hips, her gaze locked on me. “What are you doing? Get naked.”
She shakes her head. “Not until you tell me what the hell is wrong with you.”
“You tricked me!” I accuse and she doesn’t move.
“Oh, I plan to let you do what you want, but first I want to know what is wrong.”
Mimicking her stance, I say, “Nothing.”
“Liar. You lie to me again and I’m gone.”
I glare and she glares right back; she isn’t going to budge. I let out a breath, running my hand through my hair. “Fine. I don’t like people staring at you.”
“Huh?” she asks, her face twisted in confusion.
“I don’t like the way people stare at you, like they’re having sex with you. It pisses me off.”
“Why? That’s dumb. They can look all they want, but I’m not touching them, and they sure as hell ain’t touching me.”
Letting out another breath, I roll my eyes. “I get that, but it makes me mad.”
“Why, Jude? Do I get mad when girls stare at you, or better yet, when they hit on you? No, I saw it over and over again tonight, and all I did was sit back and trust that you’re not going to fuck around on me.”
I look away and nod. I know she’s right, but it still doesn’t ease my jealousy. “I’m jealous. That’s all I can say.”
She smiles as she comes toward me, stopping in front of me. “Okay, Jude, and that’s fine, but you have nothing to worry about. I’m all yours.”
Reaching up, she runs her fingers along my lips, in a intoxicating way. “I don’t want to be needy and stupid, but for some reason, when it comes to you, I think I am.”
“You’re not, I promise. This is new. We’re both learning how to do this, but we have to remember and trust that neither of us is going to screw the other over.”
“You’re right.”
“I know, now stop all this and remember that I love you and would never ever get with anyone else but you…and Justin Timberlake.”
I laugh as I grip her hips, bringing her against me. “Sorry, babe, no JT. You are all mine.”
When she grins and reaches for my face, I think she’s going to cup my face or something but instead, she quickly pulls off my mustache. It feels as if she ripped off my real mustache, and I holler out as she laughs. “Sorry, can’t kiss you with that damn thing on your face. It’s itchy.”
“You took my face with it!”
“Oh, I did not, you drama queen. Come here,” she says, pulling my mouth down to hers. Kissing her, my heart pounds against my chest, and I find it hard to form a coherent thought. This girl is so fucking hot, and my God, I can’t get enough of those succulent lips.
Parting, our breathing is labored as beautiful lust swirls in her blue eyes. Leaning against me, she whispers against my lips, “Make love to me, Jude.”
“Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”
Grinning at me, she presses her lips to mine again. I hold her tight as our mouths almost dance together. She moves one way, I go the other, our mouths in perfect unison. Her body then molds to mine, and I know that I have nothing to worry about. She isn’t going anywhere. She loves me.
She’s mine.
Chapter 31
Jude
Moving her back, I slowly drop my hands to her ass, pressing her against my growing erection. Parting, we hastily rip our shirts off, our mouths coming back together as we push off our bottoms. It’s sloppy and kind of hectic, but it’s us and I love it. Unhooking her bra, I deepen the kiss as the cups fall away, her breasts pressing against my chest. When her hands slide into my boxers, I take in a sharp breath, letting it out just as fast against her swollen lips before she pushes them down. Then she does hers, and thank God, we’re both completely naked for each other. Running my finger down the middle of her chest to her belly, I swirl my finger slowly around her belly button, admiring her beautiful body. She’s so toned but also curvy; it’s sexy as hell.
I lift her up, and her arms and legs wrap around me as I walk toward my bed. I’m not sure how I’m going to carry her up to the bed, but I’m going to figure it out while still kissing her amazing mouth. Reaching my ladder, I lean her against it, holding on to it as I press into her, deepening the kiss as my heart beats out of control in my chest. I feel like a raging furnace. My whole body is on fire for this hot-as-sin girl. Threading her fingers in my hair, she goes up on a higher step and then slowly moves her wet pussy along my dick. My toes curl against the hardwood as a harsh breath leaves my mouth.
“My God, you are so hot,” I basically moan.
“Right back atcha,” she gasps before taking my dick and moving it up and down her pussy, her wetness covering my dick. Breathlessly, I grip her hips as she moves the tip of my dick agai
nst her clit. Her breathing is erratic and her eyes are glazed with lust as she pleases herself with my dick. I want to do it for her, but I am enjoying the view of this a little more. There is something about this girl pleasing herself that gets me off. As her legs shake with her orgasm, I hold on to her, not allowing her to fall as she yells my name, her hand squeezing my dick as she comes.
I want to be inside her.
Deep inside her, like, right now.
Taking her by the back of her knee, I part her legs and then thrust up inside her tight pussy in one swift movement. Groaning, I grasp her knee as she squeezes me tighter than a vise grip. It feels so damn good; she’s so tight, so fucking hot, ah, fuck. My hand grips the ladder as I pound up into her, losing my mind with lust and all things hot. When her hands cup my face, I look up from where I am watching myself disappear in her to meet her blazing blue eyes. She takes my lips with hers in a harsh assault, blowing my mind and making everything inside me blow the hell up. When I thrust up into her hard, she cries out, her nails digging into my shoulders, and I do it again and again until my legs are shaking and I can’t hold back anymore. Letting out a yell of my own against her swollen lips, I fill her up as my legs buckle underneath me, shattering my world.
Gasping for breath, I slowly kiss her neck, her jaw, before meeting my lips to hers. She lets out a little sigh before kissing my bottom lip, then top, running her tongue lazily behind each kiss as my eyes slowly drift shut. I feel so unbelievable and spent. Opening my eyes, I meet her loving gaze and a lazy smile curves my lips.
“I’ve never had ladder sex,” she says, the red blush creeping up her neck to her cheeks.
“First time for everything,” I say, letting out a long breath.
“Yeah, and with us, there are a lot of them.”
I nod, squeezing her ass as I nip at her bottom lip. “And to think, we have the rest of our lives for more of them.”
With a shy grin on her face, she says, “Exciting thought, huh?”
“Sure is,” I admit. “Now let’s get cleaned up.”
After cleaning up, we find ourselves in bed, her body lying across my chest lazily, her fingers dancing along my chest. The sounds of the party are still in full swing and I hear people running down the hall, but here in my love nest, I don’t hear anything but Claire’s breathing and her soft words. Moving my fingers in her hair, I smile as she glances up at me, her face warm with color.
“Tell me something,” she says, and I clear my throat.
“What?”
“Why do you think you feel jealous?”
I shrug. “I don’t know… Why does anyone feel jealous?”
She eyes me. “I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t get it. You are a superconfident man. You have to know I’m not going anywhere, that I know where I’m at is good.”
A grin curves my face as I meet her gaze. “I think I do know that. I think it’s deeper than that.”
Her brow comes up. “What does that mean?”
She sits up and I do the same, stretching my arms above my head before looking back at her. “It’s just that I’ve watched my mom for years basically have the phone glued to her hand twenty-four seven and hang on every word my dad says. She does everything for him and waits on him hand and foot. She loves him, like a lot, and sometimes when I look at you, I see myself being like that. I love you so much, so hard, and it has been so fast that I feel it everywhere. And it scares me that you could just leave me or find someone better or something.”
“I don’t want anyone else,” she promises and I nod. “Have I made you feel like I do?”
I shake my head. “No, not at all, it’s just that sometimes I think my mom is living in a loveless marriage. I’m not saying he’s cheating on her, or he’s going to leave her, but who knows? With us, I know I love you and I know you love me, so just the thought of something happening to where you leave me or I leave you has me in knots. When people look at you or try to holler at you, jealousy overcomes me. I don’t want the temptation or anything. I just want us.”
Her eyes are locked with mine as she breathes softly. Reaching out, she takes my hands and says, “Okay, this relationship can’t soar if there is no trust. You have to trust me like I trust you. I don’t think you’re gonna run off on me with someone. I trust you. Give me that trust and let that jealousy go. No one is going to come between us.”
Lacing my fingers with hers, I bring her knuckles to my lips and kiss each one. “I do trust you, Claire. I’m just so in love with you that the thought of losing you seriously fucks with me.”
Her thumbs move along the back of my hands and her eyes never leave mine as she processes what I’m saying. I know that I can be completely and utterly honest with her. She wants that, and I like that we’re talking about this. It will help, but something in her eyes says I’m not going to like what she’s about to say.
“I love you, Jude, but maybe we need to take a step back, y’know?”
My brows come together as her thumbs still against my hands. “How does that make sense?”
“It doesn’t, really! I’m just scared. I sorta feel like you’re obsessed with me!”
Dropping her hands, I say, “Are you fucking kidding me? I tell you I love you, and you think I’m obsessed?”
She pauses and then her head cocks to the side. “Okay, maybe the wrong choice of words.”
“You think?” I said in an offhand way that has her glaring at me.
“I was trying to say that we are so in this, committed and in love, that I don’t want to walk on eggshells or make sure not to talk to someone ’cause it is going to piss you off. I want this to be good. I want us to be drama-free and fucking happy, Jude. I don’t and I won’t walk on eggshells. This is supposed to be easy.”
Covering my face, I let out a long breath before taking another one in. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, you should. Communication is the key, Jude. But the thing is that we have to nip this in the bud. Are you going to cheat on me?”
I drop my hands and give her a look. “Fuck no.”
“Good, ’cause I’m not either. No one holds a hockey stick to you, boo. You are it. You’ve left your mark on me. I’m yours, and we both know that. So let it go,” she says, reaching for my hands. “Okay? We’re good, right?”
Slowly I nod as I lace my fingers with hers. She’s completely right, and while I’ve admitted that before, I’m not going to this time. Don’t want her getting a big head, but seriously, I feel kind of stupid in a way. I know what we have, so why be jealous of anyone? I should be proud that my girl is hot and all mine, not want to freak out every time someone looks at her. I just don’t want to lose her, and I won’t. I have to trust that.
“Okay,” I say since I know she’s waiting for me to say it.
She smiles, running her fingers through the beard on my face before leaning toward me for a heart-stopping kiss. As we slowly kiss, my heart beats in double-time for her. It’s so easy for me to love her; like she said, this is supposed to be easy and it is. I don’t know what I was thinking trying to throw a roadblock in that. I’ve never been good at this though, but as she lays me down, lying across my chest, her legs tangling with mine, I know that I’m learning to be good at loving her. I’ll probably never master the art of loving her since I’ll make dumb decisions and stumble along the way, probably say the wrong thing at times, but the main thing is that I’ll never stop loving her. I can’t. As much as I want to be hard and manly, I know that I couldn’t handle losing her, and I think that frightens me the most.
I just have to trust her.
And I do.
Rolling on my side, I wrap my arms around her, bringing her in close. She grins up at me after I kiss her nose and I say, “Now tell me something.”
Her mouth pulls up at the side. “What do you want to hear?”
“Your past.”
Her grins falls and her gaze diverts from mine. “Oh yeah, I did say I’d tell ya that
, huh?”
“You did.”
I don’t dare say anything. I only watch as she bites hard into her lips as her brain works. It can’t be that bad. I mean, yeah, she got around, who cares? But to her it must be horrible because I can feel her heartbeat against my chest.
Meeting my gaze, she says, “For as long as I could remember, my mom was a cracked-out stripper. She cleaned up for maybe three years when I was six, but then when I turned nine, she went right back to her old ways. We never had food. We moved all the time, and sometimes I had to sleep in a car. I went to school looking a hot damn mess, and I had to clean studios just for studio time with teachers.”
Looking away again, she says, “For six years, my mom would bring home these sleazeballs, and I had to fight them off from trying to touch me and rape me while she was passed out in the living room. But when I turned fourteen, I didn’t fight anymore. This guy, his name was Drew, he was maybe in his thirties, but he came in the room, drunk and stupid and was talking to me, telling me how pretty I was. When he made an advance on me, I let him and I ended up losing my virginity that night.” Running her hands through her hair, she lets out a breath as she looks away.
“Why?” I ask and she shrugs her shoulders, still not meeting my gaze.
“I don’t know. My mom didn’t love me. I was a hassle to her and a quick way to get money off my uncle. When Phillip left for the NHL, leaving me with only her, I just didn’t feel loved. I didn’t feel special or anything. I felt hollow. So then this guy is here giving me attention without trying to rape me, and I thought he meant it but he didn’t. He fucked me, hard, and left me to figure out why I was bleeding and why I was hurting so bad. But then he came back the next night and said he treasured me and I believed him, like the dumb girl I was, and I gave it up again. It felt so good, so amazing. I felt alive. So I didn’t stop. I slept with anyone who wanted me, and to be honest with you, I don’t know how I don’t have an STD or how I didn’t get pregnant.”
She looks up at me but only for a second before looking away again. I don’t know what to say, so I don’t say anything. I instead wait for her to finish her story. Tracing the outlines of my tattoo, she continues, “My mom was found in a ditch, raped and murdered by someone. They still don’t know who. I went to my crazy aunt who tried everything to fix me by the good Lord’s standards, and when that didn’t work, she sent me to rehab. Twice. I didn’t want to live. I tried killing myself, but couldn’t do it, and because of that, I decided to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. I knew how I was going to end up. I was going to become my mom and then I would die. So before all that could happen, I decided to self-destruct since I didn’t have the balls to kill myself outright.”