What Doesn't Destroy Us

by M. N. Forgy

  Bobby’s face lights up when he sees her; and he has the nerve to say Dani has me by the balls.

  “I know nothing about that,” I reply to Doc, sitting down on the couch.

  “He’s telling the truth. He’s never been in a relationship, ever,” Bobby says, seriously.

  “Man, what the fuck? Really?” I ask, throwing my hands up pissed off that he would just spill my life out to some chick.

  “Aww, that’s cute,” Doc coos. “From what Bobby has told me about Dani, she hasn’t either, so don’t sweat it.”

  It pisses me off that Dani and I are their choice of topic for pillow talk. I would tell her to fuck off if I didn’t need her help. I know nothing about romantic getaway trips; or anything romantic for that matter.

  “You said I should take her away somewhere. Where?” I ask, rubbing my bottom lip with my thumb, something I do when I'm deep in thought. Truth is, I just want them both out of my and Dani’s relationship; getting to the bottom of this quickly should do just that.

  We all sit thinking, silently.

  “Oh! A surgeon I work with said her husband rented a beach house. It was just them and some staff occasionally. She said it was super intimate and romantic. It sounded awesome from everything she told me. You should do that.” Doc's voice is perky and damn near annoying. I don't like in-love Doc.

  “You know you can afford it,” Bobby says, sarcastically.

  I can afford it, I know that. Money is not a problem. The problem is whether Dani wants to go with me now that I have been such a dick.

  I reach into the end table and pull out the laptop. I was taking Dani whether she wanted to go or not. Getting her away from danger, and these two love birds, would help ease some of my tension.

  “Tell her everything, I don’t think it will make her run. She’s a tough one. People are going to hurt you, break your trust no matter what. It’s up to you to decide which ones are worth risking that,” Bobby says. He has clearly been around chirpy Doc too long.

  “Where did you hear that?” I ask him snidely.

  “I don't know. I've had enough chicks break up with me. I’m sure one of them said it to me,” Bobby says, laughing, looking at Doc who is clearly not amused. Doc gets up and stomps out of the room, pissed at Bobby and his confession of being with lots of women.

  -------------------------------------

  I step out of the shower. Washing the spaghetti and shame off of me was harder than I thought.

  The bedroom is dark. There's just enough illumination from the moon to allow me to navigate. I look out the window to watch the pedestrians scramble like ants. It still makes me wonder what a normal person's life feels like. Hands slide over my bare back, startling me and causing my heart to race.

  “It’s just me. It's okay,” Shadow whispers into my ear. I didn’t even hear him come into the bedroom.

  “I fucked up,” he confesses, removing his hands from my skin. His lips kiss below my ear, trailing down my neck to my collarbone.

  “Forgive me?” Shadow asks, his voice rough and sexy. My head spins with the many emotions Shadow has me in. We’re so up and down; I don’t know if I can play these mind games anymore.

  “Come away with me,” his fingers twirling my hair as he asks.

  I turn around abruptly.

  “What?” I ask, confused about what he means by away.

  “Just me and you; away from the club and everyone we know. I want to get to know you better.” He leans in and pecks my lips but I don’t return the kiss.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” I ask, furious he would think I would just forgive him so easily.

  “I’m not fucking kidding you,” he mocks.

  “I get it, I fucked up; I was a dick. I admit I tried to push you away. The way I feel for you, the way you make me feel, scares the shit out of me. I don’t know what else you want from me.” He looks right into my eyes and cups the back of my neck bringing me closer. Our lips brush against each other. “I love you, Dani,” he whispers, his lips teasing mine.

  His confession has me stunned. I should tell him I love him, too, but I can’t move my lips to form anything other than a question: “You do?”

  Shadow bites my bottom lip gently, “I fucking do, and it scares me.”

  I smash my lips into his; his tongue dancing with mine. He tastes of beer and sex, making me wrap my legs around his waist. He walks us to the bed, laying me on my back, my legs never breaking contact.

  “I love you, too, Shadow,” I reveal breathlessly.

  “This is scary for me, too. I have never loved anyone before, “I say, running my hands through his tousled hair. Saying the words makes me feel like a lioness. Finally being able to say the words is a relief. I love Shadow; bad, biker-boy Shadow, beast and all.

  “Does that mean you'll go away with me?” he asks, pecking little butterfly kisses along my neck.

  “Yes, yes, I will go away with you,” I reply.

  “We leave tomorrow,” he whispers as his lips make love to my delicate skin and his hands snake around to grab my ass.

  -------------------------------------

  This day has already been a whirlwind. Shadow woke me up with the sun this morning, he had made pancakes and we ate on the balcony watching it rise. It was the most personal time I’ve had with Shadow in days.

  Last night was a long night. Bobby and Doc were up having sex all night again, keeping us up with their intense howling. Shadow and I laid next to each other, our bodies silently apologizing for the last few days.

  The kidnapping had given us both a violent reality check, I get it, but I still can’t shake the way Shadow tried to get rid of me so easily. Getting away with Shadow is just what we both need. I’m hoping to truly forgive Shadow for his dickish moves and I hope to learn more about who he is.

  After breakfast, Shadow took me shopping. He said our trip was to a beach house, so I bought three bikinis; a red and white one, a green one, and secretly, a black leather one. I can’t wait to strut my stuff in the leather one; Shadow is going to have a stroke. I got a couple of big, floppy sun hats, and a few cute lightweight cover-ups, and finally, a couple of pairs of sandals. Shadow paid for it all. When I told him it was too much, he threw random stuff on the counter and cocked an eyebrow at me.

  “Really, this is too much, Shadow, you have to stop buying me things,” I protested, pointing to the bags hanging from my arms and his.

  Suddenly, he drops the bags and grabs a fist full of my hair, pulling me harshly toward him. He might have felt bad for pushing me away, but his alpha dominant male ego is still there.

  “I want to buy things for you; I was an ass the last few days and want to make you happy. Let me spoil you. You're mine and mine will have whatever she wants.” He brushed his lips against mine; not caring about the passersby eyeing us in shock.

  After packing up all of our purchases, we climb into Shadow's Mustang and head out. I didn't know he'd put the motor in until this morning. The car is loud and fast, making me ache with sexual tension. Shadow takes my hand and tugs on it. I look over at him and he tugs my arm again. His playboy smile indicates he wants me to climb on his lap.

  “Seriously?” I ask, looking out at the road lined with traffic; knowing it’s dangerous and against the law.

  He smiles wolfishly and nods. Not being able to resist, I climb over and sit across his lap, my back facing his door, and throw my arm around his neck. He wraps his left arm around my waist and pulls me close, “A man could get used to this,” Shadow says, kissing my collarbone and steps on the accelerator making us race forward with a roar of the motor.

  -------------------------------------

  I wake up just as we arrive at the beach house; the loss of vibration waking me. I slowly start to open my eyes and feel Shadow brush a stray hair behind my ear. He grabs me by the thighs gently and picks me up off his lap. He sets me in the passenger seat slowly and lightly, not realizing I'm already awake.

  He climbs out of his
seat and quietly closes the door, then makes his way around the car. I stretch my legs into the floorboard and stretch my arms into the ceiling. My body aches from the cramp of sleeping on Shadow's lap the whole way.

  “I see you're awake now. I tried to let you sleep,” Shadow says as he opens my door.

  “Yeah, I woke up when we pulled up.”

  Shadow looks out behind us. Hearing another car, I turn in my seat to see what he’s looking at. A white Bentley is slowly pulling up behind us. I climb out of the car and stand next to Shadow, wondering who it is. The windows are darkly tinted so there's no way to see in.

  The passenger door of the car clicks open and a white cane presents itself on the asphalt. Two fancy, white shoes follow. Like a scene from a movie, all I can see is under the door.

  “Hope you guys weren’t waiting too long?” a scratchy voice sounds as an older man steps around the car door. He has thin, white hair, dark eyes and pale skin. The total effect is topped off by a white suit.

  “Not at all,” Shadow says, bringing his hand out to shake the older gentleman’s. “I’m-“

  “You must be Adrian Kingsmen?” The gentleman asks, cutting Shadow off. Hearing Shadow's last name throws a dagger in my heart; I’m in love with a man whose last name I don’t even know. Geez, I’m pathetic.

  Shadow smiles politely as he grasps the older gentleman’s hand firmly and shakes it, “Yes, I am, and you must be Harold White?”

  “Indeed I am,” the man confirms before freeing his hand from Shadow's and leaning on his cane. Harold looks over at me and smiles, his face flabby and wrinkled from age.

  “This must be your wife?” he asks, as he comes my way.

  “I, um, I’m...” I hesitate. I’m not sure what I am to Shadow. I know I’m not his wife, but I don’t even think I’m his girlfriend at this point.

  “This is Dani; she’s my girlfriend,” Shadow explains for me, his label making me smile.

  “She’s quite stunning, isn’t she?” he asks, lifting my hand and pecking it gently.

  My eyes never leave Shadow's. “Very.” He smiles as he admires me.

  “Sorry, Uncle White, I didn’t realize what time it was.”

  I turn to an unfamiliar male voice. There stands a man, no a boy, with brown hair that breezes down into his eyes; eyes of brown. They are pretty, but not nearly as vivid as Shadow's. This new guy is just a little taller than me and of a smaller build than Shadow. He is wearing a white, button-up shirt with khaki shorts.

  “Ah, yes, my belligerent nephew; late as usual,” Harold sneers, his teeth gritting as he speaks.

  Turning to Shadow, he continues, “This is Rudy. He will help with whatever it is you may need. He will cook for you, bring you drinks while on the beach, whatever you choose. Please use him from cleaning the toilets to fluffing your pillow.” Harold commands, his face twisted in disgust as he eyes Rudy.

  “Rudy here is paying me back for his little escapade last month. Rudy thought it would be a great idea to get drunk and do drugs with his buddies. He crashed his mother’s car and left it at the scene. Getting him out of jail was not cheap as this is something we like to do often, isn’t it, Rudy?” He eyes Rudy up and down. “Yes, this one is used to getting things handed to him, but not anymore. He’ll be staying in the guest house, so no worries.” Everyone stands in silence; the energy becoming awkward. I head toward the car to grab some bags and my luggage.

  “Yes, anyway, down to business, Mr. Kingsmen,” Harold chirps. “Rudy, help the missus with her things while Mr. Kingsmen and I take care of the last minute details.”

  With my hands full and Rudy ahead of me, we walk down a pebbled trail. The area is definitely secluded and it's a long walk along the path to the gorgeous house. Its walls are the color of dark green sandstone and its roof is of dark brown shingles. There are green vines that grow up the sides of the house, entwining with each other. It seems cozy and small, but elegant at the same time.

  Walking in, my mouth gapes open at the luxury. To the right of the doorway is a cute little kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an island in the middle. To the left of the doorway sits a small living area with an overstuffed tan couch that has green and white pillows thrown on it. Next to the sitting area is a bathroom that looks huge from where I’m standing.

  But what catches my eye is the bed in the middle of the room. As soon as you walk in, a bed sits in the middle as a centerpiece. It's a big, sand-colored, metal four-poster bed. White sheers hang elegantly along all four sides. I drop my bags and luggage and make my way to it. The comforter is white and fluffy and when my fingers touch it, I feel feathers inside. There is a sea of white pillows of every size and shape thrown all over it. In front of the bed are two floor-to-ceiling double glass doors that lead out onto a patio and beyond that a beach and the ocean.

  “Yeah, everyone loves the view.” I snap my gaze from the bed and the double doors to find Rudy; who is standing way too close. I smile sweetly and brush past him, making my way back up the trail to Shadow. I see him taking a black bag from the trunk of the car and walking toward Harold. Harold opens it up and pulls out a stack of cash. He then looks in the bag and nods before closing it. He shakes Shadow's hand and makes his way back to his Bentley. The question that has been plaguing my mind for days resurfaces; where does Shadow get all this money?

  -------------------------------------

  “The things I’m going to do to you on that bed,” Shadow says, entering the house. His eyes are hooded with sinful promises.

  Shadow grabs me mid-thigh and throws me over his shoulder. My ribs flinch in pain, reminding me they are not quite healed.

  “Shadow, I want to see the beach first,” I yell, half serious.

  “It’s a beach; you've seen one, you’ve seen them all. I’m fucking you on this bed right now, Dani, and nothing is stopping me,” he says seriously. He drops me on my back on a cloud of blankets; my landing soft and plush.

  “I do believe I have been an asshole to you Dani, and I’m going to make it up to you.” He grabs the hem of his shirt and lifts it over his head; his pecks and ripped stomach flexing with his movements.

  “And how do you plan to do that, Mr. Kingsmen?” I ask innocently.

  Shadow starts to unbutton his jeans as his eyes penetrate mine; his jaw clenched and face serious. “By making love to you like you deserve; like you’re my queen and I’m your king.”

  He throws his jeans away from the bed and climbs on top of me, his lips claiming mine possessively. He grabs the hem of my shirt and pulls it over my head slowly. I lay flat on my back as Shadow palms the crevice between my breasts with his calloused hands. His hands move down my bruised ribs to my stomach. As he kisses the tender trail behind his palms, I arch my back wanting more of him.

  Shadow bites the zipper on my shorts and pulls it slowly down as his fingers unbutton them. His lips kiss my stomach as he removes my shorts. He throws them over his shoulder and pulls himself up on his hands. Lifting himself slightly off of my torso, he lightly kisses the elastic hem on my panties. Making his way upward, he dips his tongue in my navel. His hands trail up the side of my body at the same time; his hands large and greedy as they claim me.

  My body vibrates with ecstasy as Shadow takes his time claiming me; admiring me, making me forget everything bad that has lived between us. I dive my fingers into his dark hair, bringing his lips back to mine and nipping them as he searches for the hook of my lacy bra.

  My nipples pebble from the cool air coming in through the double doors. Shadow leans down and sucks one into his mouth attentively as his fingers find the sides of my panties. Finding his mark, he trails them down my legs slowly, his blue eyes never leaving mine as he does so.

  “So beautiful,” he whispers. “I don’t deserve you.”

  He nudges my legs apart with his knees, his length insistent against his boxers. He presses his excitement against my swollen sex, making me throw my head back and gasp for air. His tormenting has made my bod
y come alive with sensitivity and desire. If he doesn’t give me what my body craves, I’m afraid I might cum at his next touch.

  My hands grab the back of his thighs, pushing his clothed cock against my more-than-ready entrance. “Now, Shadow,” I moan, half coherent.

  With the simple words, Shadow urgently pulls his boxers off, his eagerness heightening my arousal. I pull him to kiss me, needing some kind of contact. Without warning, Shadow plunges his hard length deep inside me. My head instantly lolls back, my back arches bringing my nipples to tickle across his chest, and my nails dig deep into his shoulders. He slowly pulls back and then forcefully thrusts forward again; his thrust delivers a sensation of warmth and butterflies throughout my body. I moan loudly.

  Shadow grabs the nape of my neck and pulls my head from its lolled position to look up at him. “Eyes on me, Firefly,” he demands. His brow furrows with exertion as he continues to thrust in and out of me; beads of sweat assault his forehead and threaten to drip. I slide my hands down his damp back to his chiseled buttocks and hold on as I feel his thrusts becoming faster and harder. Our eyes never break contact.

  I wrap my legs around his thighs, my nails dig into his firm cheeks, and my breath becomes spastic as I feel the rise of warmth head toward my core. I feel the build-up teetering on the edge of climax as Shadow thrusts hard and deep. His muscles bulge as his fists dig into the sheets beside me.

  He leans down and kisses my lips before plunging his tongue deep into my mouth. His tongue fucking mine is my undoing. My legs tighten and my fingernails dig deeper. I moan and rock into his thrusts as the tingle of sensations battle with the overwhelming feeling of warmth.

  “That’s it, baby.” He reaches back and grabs my hand off one of his butt cheeks. He pulls my arm above my head entwining his fingers with mine. His body stiffens and he drives himself deep. Low moans fill his chest as I feel him pulse inside me, filling me with his own release.

  Shadow falls to the side of me and grasping me by the hip, pulls my body half on him. Our chests heaving and demanding air, we lay in silence looking out the double doors. The ocean waves crash onto the beach; the sound fills the beach house competing with our loud panting.