by Aoide, Arden
She pressed her palm to his cheek and moved his face up to hers. He had an intense look of concentration on his face and Dahlia could tell how much he was holding back. She thought it might be nice of her to help him let go. She was going to play dirty. “Guess what I brought for tomorrow?” She didn't wait for an answer. “I brought my vibrator.”
He opened his eyes to look at her and moaned when she wrapped her legs back around him and thrust up. “I've always had this fantasy of having two cocks inside me, so I was hoping that maybe you could try to prepare me.” Dahlia kept an innocent expression.
What the fuck was she doing, thought Alex. He was trying to be all nice and sweet and she was talking about how she wanted to be fucked with two cocks. This woman was going to kill him. He was subconsciously thrusting harder now, and apparently if she was well enough to torture him with her mouth, he was going to pay in kind.
He loved the look of surprise when he rose up and spread her legs wider. How he had intended to make this easier on her. He smiled diabolically. “You want me to get you ready for two cocks?” He didn't wait for an answer. He pressed one thumb inside her on an outward thrust and pushed in slowly. And that was probably one of the hottest things he'd ever seen. He copied the movement with his other thumb and looked at her face. Her eyes were tightly closed, but she was flexing her hips up to meet him.
He fucked her slowly like this for a while until his cock went smoothly in on each thrust. Then he started to fuck her a little harder. He moved his hand up, cupping her wet pussy in his hand and teased her clitoris with his middle finger, wrenching a cry from her mouth that almost sounded painful. Had she not been coming all over his cock, he might have stopped to check.
She huffed out a disbelieving laugh and Alex gave her a dirty smile and bent to kiss her, their lips barely touching. He started fucking her so hard that he hoped she understood what he was saying. “Here I was, trying to be so nice. Then you go and be all greedy.” He kissed her for a moment, then growled, snapping his hips as his orgasm rushed through him.
He really tried to stop himself from falling on her. “What am I going to do with you?” He asked her, shaking his head fondly.
She smiled coyly back. “I don't know. What do you want to do with me?”
He laughed and rolled off of her, but pulled her to face him. He was utterly smitten and he didn't even try to keep it off his face. “How do you feel?” He moved a little closer, so their foreheads touched.
“Awake, now.” She yawned.
Alex let out an amused sound. He touched her softly with his fingers along her arm and back and he'd reveled in her contented sighs. “You told me the other day about Nick and a proper ring. What did you mean?” He knew she might suspect where this was going. Hopefully, she would be too tired to remember.
She was silent for a minute. She brought up her right hand. On her ring finger was a dainty ring with various colored stones. She pulled it off and put it on her left hand. “We had cheap wedding bands to begin with. We just needed something to wear for the wedding. By the time I was about seven or eight months pregnant, it didn't fit me. I put it away. I never put it on again. We'd always promised ourselves that we'd get new ones when we had the money.” Dahlia held up her hand to admire her ring. “I bought my own ring five years ago. I had hinted and even recruited Callie, but he never bought me one.” She looked over at him. “I never considered this ring as a replacement for my wedding band. I just thought it was pretty. When we divorced, I moved it over to my right hand. It fits me better on my left, though.”
Alex wanted to hate Nick, but there was no point. Dahlia was his. “I'm sorry. That must have been really frustrating.”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “His indifference was maddening. I can't blame him, though.”
That irritated Alex a bit. “Why not?”
She glanced at him. “Don't say anything to anyone.” He nodded. “I've suspected for much of our relationship, or for as long as we've had Internet, that he might have low testosterone. It was the only thing I could think of. He always brushed me off. He told me yesterday that he went to the doctor, finally.”
“Why would he go now and not then?” He asked, confused.
Dahlia sighed. “Because he was having other symptoms. He hadn't been feeling good. He always feels like he's coming down with something. He went and got checked out. He got a shot. He has to go once a week to get one.”
“Well, that must have hurt.” Alex had to remember that he got the girl.
“A little. Luckily, I already had it bad for someone else.” She smiled at him. “Besides, I learned today that Nick has never really hurt me. He never had that power.”
Alex pulled her close. “I'm so so sorry. If I could turn back the clock.”
Dahlia shook her head. “While I don't want to experience that again, I learned a lot about myself today and about you. And Nick, even. I didn't know it was possible for me to feel closer to you. I should send that fucking bitch a fruit basket.”
Alex laughed loudly. “Oh, she would just love that.” He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I love you.”
Dahlia was amused. “I love you, too.”
“What did you learn about Nick?” He wasn't sure what she meant by that.
“I learned that he really is my friend. My best one. I felt it when I texted him. Our relationship shifted properly today, or rather my perception did. I've always told people that we were great friends. I wouldn't allow myself to believe that I had that many years with a man and only a child to show for it. Today I believed it. I think he and I have had more meaningful conversations this week than we've had our entire relationship. He told me about his appointment, he even told me that you loved me.”
Alex raised his eyebrows. “When?”
“It was after you'd told me today. When you went for food. I told him about the picture and he said that you loved me.” Her eyes were getting heavy, but she didn't want to sleep. She yawned again.
“I guess we're kind of obvious. He told me you were head over heels for me.” He smirked at her.
“When did he tell you that?” Dahlia asked curiously.
“When I realized that you'd been here before me, I went looking for you. Once he tracked your phone, he...he said that you were head over heels for me and because of that he wasn't sure what sort of condition you were going to be in. He offered to find you. I considered it.” Alex admitted.
Dahlia teared up. “I'm liking him much more now that I don't think of him as my other child.”
“Not too much more, I hope,” Alex added.
“Not like. Maybe respect. I don't know. Either way, it's a healthy thing,” she replied.
“I'm just teasing,” he reassured.
“I know.” She smiled and kissed him lightly. “But if he starts whipping out his boner in a testosterone fueled bender, I'll come over right away.”
“Oh my God. Is that a possibility?” Alex was a little worried for Nick.
“He's scared he's going to start humping the furniture.” Dahlia thought that Nick was exaggerating, but now she wasn't so sure. “He says that it's common to need your dosage adjusted. Apparently, his levels were pretty low.”
“So, that's why you don't blame him. He didn't feel like anything was wrong,” Alex concluded. “The last thing a guy wants to do is go tell a doctor that he doesn't have a sex drive. It's easier to believe that you're just tired.” He looked down at her. “If we hadn't gotten together, do you think you would have ended up getting back together with him?” Alex didn't know why he asked.
To her credit, she didn't answer right away. “I don't know. I'd like to say that he'd really have to go out of his way to win me back, but I think I can only say that now because I know what it's like to be with someone who shows me that he loves me. Truthfully, if I'd never known that it could be like this, like we are right now, I probably would have settled. It's sad, but I know better now.”
Alex thought that was a fair assessment. He ha
dn't thought of it that way. He held her tighter.
She yawned massively, but added, “There are worse fates than Nicholas Jones, but you've shown me that my life could be so much better.”
He didn't know why he was feeling so insecure. He took a deep breath and looked at her face for a while. He liked Nick and knew he was a good guy and maybe that was what was bothering him. It was easier to believe that Dahlia had left some heartless asshole. Maybe Dahlia was right about getting Nick together with Miranda. He kissed her. “Go to sleep, my love. You've got a full day tomorrow.” He tried to leer at her, but it probably came out as worshipful.
She smiled sleepily.
He waited a few minutes after he was sure she was asleep. He climbed out of bed quietly and went to fetch his phone and spent a few minutes getting Nick's number out of Dahlia's phone. He turned out the light. He crawled back in, trying not to bother Dahlia, and got comfortable with her pressed against him. He turned the ringer down and texted Nick.
Are you up? This is Alex.
I just got in bed. What's up?
Dahlia's ring size. Do you know it?
The ring that she wears on her right hand is a 6. It was fitted to her left, though. LOL, I only remember because she once said how weird it was that her shoe, ring, and pantie size were the same. Then, since I wear a 10 shoe and 10 ring, she brought me home a pair of women's size 10 underwear. God, I think I might still have them somewhere.
:-D I'm trying not to wake her.
She is fine, then?
She's great. She ate pretty good and she's had plenty of fluids. We talked a good deal until she couldn't stay awake.
She told me about the picture. I might sneak over tomorrow to have a look. Maybe I should open a gallery. :-D
Maybe you should. We'll probably have a late lunch tomorrow with my sister. Around 2. Can you escape?
Yeah. I had planned on leaving early anyway. I've got someone in to take appointments. Dahlia finished the filing, so we're good.
Good. Park in the back. Text me. Then I'll get you the codes. Miranda changed them because of earlier.
Sounds good. I'll get back to you tomorrow.
Alex drummed his fingers against his phone, wondering what he wanted to do. Well, he knew what he wanted, but wasn't sure what Dahlia preferred. He wouldn't let himself believe that she'd say no. At the very least she might insist on a long engagement, and that was fine. He just wanted to officially pledge himself to her.
He had a ring. It was his great-great grandmother's. His great-great grandfather was a jeweler in Prussia and he created a ring for her. It took him over a year before it was perfect. Alex inherited it when their grandmother died. She only had daughters, and he was the first male grandchild, so it went to him.
He wondered if Dahlia preferred it if he picked something out instead. Would she appreciate the sentimental value? Of course she would, Alex thought. His judgment was being clouded by Nick's negligence. He decided to text Miranda.
What size is Bobi's ring?
Alexander! It's a 6, I think. Lemme go see.
Yeah, I'm a 7 and I'm not going to attempt to try to push it past my first knuckle.
Do you think she'll like it?
Duh. When are you going to give it to her?
I don't know. Probably sometime this weekend if I don't chicken out.
Bobi would be so happy! Gotta go. Being paged.
:-) Lunch at 2 manana. Don't forget.
Chapter 10
Dahlia woke slowly the next morning. For the first time this week she felt rested. She was still a little delightfully sore from the crazy amount of sex she'd been having, but she wasn't going to complain. She stretched languidly and giggled when she felt fingers across her ribcage. She opened her eyes and saw Alex next to her, sitting with a laptop in his lap, and a pair of large black-rimmed spectacles perched precariously on his nose. “Isn't this domestic?” Dahlia asked.
He gave her a covetous glance and Dahlia wasn't prepared for the rush of devotion she felt. “What are you doing?”
“Putting appointments onto my calendar for next week. Boring, really. How are you feeling?”
“I feel fine.” Dahlia couldn't stop staring at him with his glasses. She hadn't thought that he could be even more adorable. “I didn't know you wore glasses.”
“Oh.” He grabbed the frames and adjusted them. “I've been forgetting to take my contacts out this week. Been sleeping in them. My eyes were pretty dry and sore this morning.”
“I like them. A lot,” Dahlia said seriously.
Alex looked pleased. “You have all sorts of strange kinks, don't you?” He put his hand back on her ribcage.
Dahlia laughed. “It's turning out that way.” She rolled out of his reach and stood up. She looked around for her chemise and reached for it at the end of the bed.
“There's really no point in putting that back on.” His gaze looked even more heated behind those glasses.
She let the material slip through her fingers. She made a detour to the bathroom for a few minutes, but made her way back out with one thing on her mind. She crawled back in the bed and he helped her move the computer off his lap. She raised her body over his, using the headboard for leverage. His hands automatically went to her breasts. It was a quick ride that had Alex's frames sliding off by the end. Dahlia wasn't sure why this seemed more intimate to her. Maybe it was because they were on his turf, but he'd gone out of his way to make her feel at home. Not feel at home, she thought, but show her that this was her home, too.
They lounged for most of the morning, talking and watching a bit of television. He remembered around one to tell her of the lunch they'd be having with Miranda and Nick. A little later, she took a quick shower while Alex received a work related call. She put on one of her new sheer black bras and matching panties, then threw on her black wrap dress.
Alex popped his head in to let her know that Nick was there already and that Miranda was on her way back from Ruby's with barbecue.
When she walked out, she found Alex and Nick centering the large table that had been pressed up against the back of the sofa. Alex had moved all the electronics into a box in the corner from what she could tell, because she couldn't see any other place for it.
Nick caught her eyes and glanced quickly over to the portrait, then back again at her and he smiled. “Have you talked to Callie today?”
Dahlia nodded. “We texted earlier. She's going to brood for weeks when she gets home. She's having the time of her life.”
Nick nodded. “She's wants to go there instead of the beach during her winter holidays. I told her that I'd only want to be that far away for a couple nights and she said it was better than nothing, but she wanted a week, at least.”
“That's what she told me.” Dahlia sighed. “We'll figure something out.”
Alex wanted to interrupt them, but he wasn't sure if his input would be welcome in their family dynamic. He thought he would chance it. “We could split the week.” Both Dahlia and Nick turned their heads to look at him. “Nick, you and Callie go first for a few days while Dahlia holds down the fort, then we can fly up and do something together for the night, then you can fly home while Callie, Dahlia, and me finish out the week.” His voice was more confident than he felt, but one look at Dahlia's face convinced him that he'd said something very right. He looked over at Nick and he had his arms crossed and the side of his mouth was turned upward. They were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Alex jogged to open the door, then quickly relieved Miranda of the bags. Dahlia walked over to the kitchen and pulled out four glasses and put ice in them. She showed Nick where to get the plates and utensils and moved over so he could take care of that while she briefly reacquainted herself with Miranda and asked what everyone wanted to drink. Alex introduced Miranda to Nick and Dahlia was quite relieved. She wouldn't have been able to do it with a straight face. As it was, Nick couldn't keep his eyes off Miranda, so Dahlia was hopeful.
Nick and Mir
anda stayed with them well over an hour. Miranda had brought several pounds of various meats and cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. And a sweet potato pie that Alex pulled away from Nick before something inappropriate happened to the pie.
Dahlia was impressed that Nick was being a bit more animated and wondered if it was because of the shot. He was laughing at all the appropriate places when Miranda spoke and he was smiling. She wasn't used to seeing him being so sociable.
After a while they started talking of business and Nick offered to come by tomorrow to look at all Miranda's financial records, all with a charming smile. Alex hooked Dahlia's leg under the table and gave her a 'are you seeing this' glance. Dahlia decided her best choice of action would be to let Nick do his thing, because she was increasingly curious at what his 'thing' was going to be.
Once the pie was gone, because Nick had two slices to Miranda's obvious delight, it was time for Miranda to go to her weekly staff meeting and get the club ready for the evening. They all said their goodbyes and as Dahlia was turned toward Nick, she wasn't able to see that Miranda handed something over to Alex. Nick saw it, though, and Dahlia couldn't decipher the look that the other three gave each other. She didn't understand what just took place, and she knew something had, but it was most likely a Nick and Miranda thing, and she was going to stay out of that.