Stronger with You (With You Trilogy)

by R. J. Sable

When we curled up in bed that night, I questioned Jason about Ian’s chat and he was unusually unforthcoming. It made me nervous so I resorted to my chocolates to force it out of him.

  “Jamie,” Jason eyed me cautiously as I popped a truffle into my mouth. “You know I won’t lie to you when you ask me chocolate questions. I promised you that, but please don’t ask me something that will put me in an awkward situation.”

  I frowned, caught off guard by the caution in his voice. I wasn’t sure I understood. “You really don’t want to tell me what you two talked about?” I asked uncertainly.

  He shook his head. “I do,” he reassured me. “It’s just not the time. If you give me some time, I promise I’ll tell you when I’m ready, okay?”

  I nodded, feeling a little better but still wary that he was hiding something. I was scared Ian might have made a threat against him or was punishing Jason in some way for something I’d done. I knew I had to trust him though.

  “I’ve already eaten my truffle,” I pouted, thinking of what else I wanted to know about Jason. Whilst I was thinking, he pulled my chocolate covered finger to his lips and slowly licked all traces of cocoa from my fingers with the familiar heat dancing behind his eyes.

  I let him guide me so that I was straddling his hips, the two of us naked save for the blanket wrapped around my waist and covering his legs. The light from my bedside lamp cast shadows on the right side of his body, highlighting every muscle and demanding the attention of my eyes.

  I traced the shadows with greedy fingers, watching as Jason closed his eyes and relaxed with his hands on my legs, enjoying my fingers on his body. I let them travel up over his stomach and circle each of his nipples before indulging in one of my favourite pastimes of tracing Jason’s tattoo.

  A thought popped into my head and I knew what my question had to be. “What does your tattoo mean to you?” I asked. He’d never told me. He’d always shrugged it off, but nobody got that much ink put on their body for no reason.

  I watched Jason’s eyes flash open and a look of insecurity crossed his face. It was both endearing and heartbreaking to see.

  “Jamie,” he breathed, the insecure look still locked in place. “I promised I’d open up, and I will. I’ll never break a promise to you. I’m just not quite there yet.”

  His voice was raw and honest and I could see the plea in his eyes, but I didn’t understand his disinclination to share himself with me.

  “Don’t you trust me?” I asked sadly.

  “Of course I trust you, baby,” he soothed, sitting up to cup my face in his hand. “I trust you more than I’ve ever trusted anyone. That’s not what this is about. It’s too… I’m not… I can’t talk about it just yet.” He closed his eyes briefly and then reopened them, staring into my own with a look of desperation. “I will though.”

  I knew he meant it and I didn’t want to push him. He’d been true to his word and he’d opened up to me so much. I knew that I was closer to him than anyone, I knew he’d told me things that he’d not even told Ben. I didn’t need him to tell me more than he was ready for so I nodded my understanding, resting my hand on top of his as he held my face so that he’d know I was okay with it.

  “I get another question though, right?” I grinned. It was only fair since he hadn’t really answered that one.

  “I suppose so,” he grinned, his body language relaxing and the heat in his eyes returning somewhat.

  He lay back down on the bed and I studied him contemplatively, continuing to tickle his torso and enjoying watching him relax under my touch. I liked the questions game. I liked focussing on Jason so that I wouldn’t have to think about what was bothering me. I wouldn’t have to focus on the thing I’d been putting off all week.

  I leant down to position myself over Jason and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, waiting for him to open his eyes as I pulled away.

  “Is it okay if my question is more of a request?” I asked, letting my lips hover on his as the question hung in the air.

  “I suppose so,” he answered curiously, bringing his hands up to my waist and encircling me with his warmth.

  “I want you to do very naughty things to me,” I grinned, lowering myself a little so that our naked bodies were pressed together.

  “You do, do you?” He grinned, his voice adopting the low growling quality that had my insides quivering in delightful anticipation.

  I nodded, tipping my head down away from him to hide my compulsory blush.

  “Got anything particular in mind?” He asked, letting his hands travel down my back, his fingers barely touching my skin.

  I shivered at his gentle touch and my skin broke out into goosebumps. “Nope,” I shook my head and began pressing soft kisses to his chest. “I want you to pick. I want to make you happy.”

  “Jamie, I didn’t know what happiness truly was until I met you,” he said earnestly, bringing one hand up to tilt my face towards him and press his lips to mine. He kissed me so tenderly, so sweetly, conveying the truth of his words with his compassionate caress. “That being said, I know exactly what I want to do to you,” he breathed as we broke off the kiss.

  “I’m yours,” I answered back.

  He smiled a rare shy smile, a smile I knew was reserved just for me, and brushed my hair away from my face, pulling it all to one side.

  “Stand up for me, baby. I want to look at you,” he said gently.

  I stood in front of him, not at all ashamed by my nakedness as I once had been. I loved the way his eyes shone with a dark heat as they travelled over my body. I loved how sexy I felt with his eyes on me, I loved that he made me feel that way.

  “You are so beautiful,” he breathed, scooting forwards on the bed so that he could run his fingers down my sides.

  I smiled back at him because I knew he didn’t like me brushing off compliments. I doubted he would smack my ass as he might have done on other occasions. I recognised the tenderness in his touch, the silent appreciation in the way he looked at me. I knew this would be a night of lovemaking. I knew it would be slow, tender, and not in any way lacking. Jason had taught me the difference between sex and making love and I knew each had a time, place, and purpose.

  He took his time trailing his fingers over my skin, the pads of his fingertips barely grazing me. He studiously avoided my nipples and the juncture between my thighs, even though they were craving his attention desperately.

  “Jamie,” Jason said, cocking his head at me in that way the he did when he wanted to make sure he had my full attention.

  I met his gaze and let him pull me down to straddle his lap. He rested his hands on my hips and studied me for a few seconds before speaking.

  “I know you’ve been a bit down the past few days,” he said, continuing quickly when he saw I was about to open my mouth and tell him I didn’t want to talk about it. “And that’s okay. I understand. I just want you to know that it’s okay. I’m here for you if you need me. You know that right?”

  I nodded, feeling the sinking feeling in my chest because this was exactly what I wanted to forget. I wanted to go to the little corner or Nirvana that we shared together in our moments of bliss.

  “Good,” he smiled. “And now I’m going to help you forget all that.”

  Psychic as always. I smiled back at him because no more needed to be said. Jason always knew exactly what my body, mind, and soul needed and was always there to meet the need. And meet the need he did. Very thoroughly.

  We lay together silently a while and I drew comfort from the safety of Jason’s embrace. He rolled us over so that I was on top of him and stroked my back gently whilst our breathing gradually slowed.

  “Thank you,” I breathed sleepily, grateful for the momentary reprieve from my troubles.

  Jason chuckled and pressed gentle kisses to the top of my head. He sat us up together and gently eased himself out of me before laying me back onto the bed and lovingly cleaning me with a tissue.

  “Are you okay?” He asked me, stroking my cheek
gently with his finger.

  “I am,” I nodded with a smile, pulling his hand closer to my face so that I could press kisses to his palm.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he said, sitting up next to me and holding my hand. “Your brothers are making a real effort with us.”

  “They are aren’t they,” I smiled happily, ignoring the twinge of guilt in my gut. Part of me wished they were being impossible assholes so I wouldn’t feel so awful about what was to come.

  “I was thinking maybe you were right about the clothes thing,” he nodded.

  “What do you mean?” I frowned.

  “Maybe we should sleep with clothes on,” he explained. “I don’t want them walking in here and getting pissed off with you. It’s not worth the argument.”

  “Okay,” I frowned. He had a point, I guess. My brothers had made such an effort to adapt to our relationship, it only seemed fair that we reciprocated by respecting their rules. I wasn’t entirely happy because I very much enjoyed sleeping naked with Jason and feeling skin against skin all night, but I thought it was sweet that he’d put some thought into it so I obliged.

  “Good night, beautiful,” Jason said as I rested my head on his chest.

  “Good night,” I smiled, snuggling closer to him and feeling my eyes grow heavy. I didn’t want to sleep, but I was tired. Very tired. I tried to force my eyes to stay open and concentrate on running my fingers through Jason’s chest hair but I was losing the battle of consciousness and eventually I gave in and let myself fall asleep in his arms.

  Chapter 38

  Monday, 10th June 2013

  Something wasn’t right. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t. They wouldn’t open. I tried to move my hands but they wouldn’t move either. Something wasn’t right. Breathe, Jamie-Lea. I needed to keep my head clear. I wriggled my fingers slowly and tested my range of movement. As the haze from my sleep faded, I started to concentrate on the situation. Something was over my eyes and my wrists and legs were bound together. I couldn’t move my lips, it felt like there was tape over my mouth.

  I was lying in a small space on a hard floor, definitely no longer in my bed. Jason’s scent was curiously absent and I could tell he wasn’t nearby. It didn’t make sense. I couldn’t figure out how I’d gotten there. Somebody had to have moved and bound me. The thought made me panic and anxiety rose in my chest. How had they moved me though? It made no sense.

  They would have had to get past my brothers and Jason. I wasn’t saying it was impossible, but it was highly unlikely, especially with Ian around. I was fairly sure he slept with his eyes and ears open. Something didn’t add up.

  I held my breath as I heard voices and tried to lie still and quiet trying to make out what they were saying.

  “Get her out,” a voice said, a familiar voice. Too Familiar.

  “You do it,” a very similar voice replied.

  The twins. It had to be the twins. My confusion increased ten-fold. I heard what sounded like a boot opening and quickly realised where I was. I felt myself relax ever so slightly from the knowledge that my brothers were behind this. I wasn’t exactly enjoying myself but I was a little less worried about what was going to happen.

  One of them lifted me out of the car and I felt myself being slung over their shoulder and carried somewhere. I was set down on what felt like a sofa and I garbled protests through the gag, listening as the sound of their footsteps retreated.

  “Relax, Jellybaby,” Alex’ voice giggled happily.

  I frowned in confusion as I felt him removing the tape from my mouth.

  “Alex?” I gasped, as soon as I was able. “What’s going on?” I could hear a slight tremble in my voice. I felt so disorientated.

  “It’s okay, Jellybaby, I promise. Just relax,” he soothed.

  He removed the blindfold and I blinked rapidly as the light violated my pupils. Alex set about freeing my arms and legs whilst I took in the room around me.

  We were in a medium-sized room with a few sofas and what looked like a reception desk. The room was well lit by large floor to ceiling windows. There were a few other sofas, cream like the one we were sitting on with purple cushions adding a touch of colour to match the lilac curtains, which were pulled to the side.

  “Alex, I don’t understand,” I shook my head, throwing my arms around him as soon as my wrists were freed from behind my back.

  “I know,” he said gently, returning my hug. “Ian wanted me to give you this.” He handed me an envelope and I took it, looking anxiously at my best friend’s face and seeing nothing but genuine happiness reflected in it. That calmed me down.

  I opened the envelope with a curious fascination. I had no idea what was going on but I didn’t feel like I was in trouble any more. I didn’t understand what was happening but Alex seemed to and he didn’t seem worried.

  Jamie-Lea,

  We know it hasn’t been easy for you growing up without our parents. We always hoped we’d fill that void for you but we never expected we could fill it completely.

  We’re all so proud of the woman you’ve become and we owe you some explanations which are long overdue.

  Jason quite rightly pointed out that we owe you eighteen years of birthdays. Nineteen as of today.

  Happy Birthday, Jellybean.

  Your Brothers.

  I felt the tears leaking down my cheeks as I read the words on the page. This wasn’t right. This couldn’t be happening. Suddenly the air I was taking in wasn’t enough, I found myself gasping desperately, my lungs pleading for oxygen.

  “Hey, hey!” Alex soothed, wrapping his arms around me once more. “It’s okay, Jelly. Just breathe.”

  I sobbed into his shoulder, the most painful grief wracking through my body in excruciating waves. They couldn’t do this. It wasn’t right. Everything was starting to piece together, the kidnapping made sense. This was one of their birthday pranks. But we don’t celebrate my birthday. That was the problem. Celebrating. Celebrating was something good, a day to be glad over something positive. Nothing good had happened on the day I was born.

  “They can’t do this,” I choked. “It’s not right.”

  “Jelly,” Alex said gently, pain obvious in his voice. “Of course it’s right. You deserve a birthday, darling. Everybody deserves a birthday.”

  “But, my Mum…” I broke off because it was too painful, the agonizing guilt was back, twisting my stomach and burning my insides.

  “I know, Jelly,” he said gently, squeezing his arms around me. “It was a terrible thing that happened, but it wasn’t your fault.”

  I shook my head against him because I knew he was wrong. There was no denying it. If I hadn’t been born, she wouldn’t be dead.

  “That’s why they’re doing this, Jelly. They don’t blame you. Nobody does. They want to celebrate your birthday with you,” he reassured me, pulling me back away from him and wiping my eyes with a tissue. “You guys can talk about it later,” he reassured me once I’d cleaned up a little. “For now, I have strict orders.”

  I sniffled and took another tissue, wiping my eyes dry. Alex looked a little mischievous, albeit still concerned.

  “Firstly,” he started, handing me a small bag. “Jason told me to give you this. He assumed you’d want it.”

  I looked in the bag to find my contraceptive pills and found myself grinning a little bit because it was just like Jason to think of the pervy things at a time like this. He’d also left me a little note telling me he loved me and apologising profusely for letting my brothers kidnap me. Suddenly it made sense that he’d wanted us to sleep with clothes on. I wondered if this was what his mysterious chat with Ian had been about.

  “Secondly, you are to come with me,” he demanded, which made me giggle because he didn’t sound all that authoritative.

  I followed him into the next room and he guided me into a small changing cubicle where a soft cotton robe and my bikini were waiting. Once I was changed, he led me down a cream hall with colourful paintings and into a r
oom with a small circular pool. There was a table laid out, filled with lots of fresh fruit and some breakfast cereals.

  “Here’s the plan,” he grinned. “We are going to eat breakfast, lounge by the pool and I’m going to tell you all the filthy gossip that you know you’re secretly dying to hear,” he winked. “Then these lovely ladies,” he motioned to two women hovering at the side of the room. “Are going to pamper us!” He beamed happily and I couldn’t help but smile back because his enthusiasm has always been contagious.

  “My brothers organised all this?” I asked, still not sure how I felt about it.

  “With a little help from Jason,” he nodded. “There was some pretty heated arguing about nudity, one night stands, and piercings,” he grinned. “The first two I understood, the third one you’re going to have to fill me in on.”

  I laughed because I wasn’t sure Matt would want Alex to know about his new body jewellery but I planned on filling him in anyway.

  Pampered was the word Alex used. It didn’t quite do the morning justice. My nails were all manicured and pedicured, my hair and make-up done the way only a professional could do, and not a stray hair remained on my now waxed lower body. The waxing hadn’t been on the agenda, but the lady had given me a list of treatments and I figured a leg and bikini wax might be a good way of thanking Jason for the spa, which I suspected was his idea because my brothers’ versions of celebrating were usually much more humiliating. I assumed the kidnapping was all their idea.

  Chapter 39

  Monday, June 10th 2013

  “Ready to go?” Alex beamed at me as he hopped up from his chair after we’d finished our lunch.

  “Go where?” I asked.

  “Somewhere else,” he teased with his winning grin.

  I pouted but was secretly a little excited. If I just looked at this as I nice day out, and forgot about what the date meant to my family, I found it was easier to enjoy myself.