by JL Davis
“Yes, he is, mom. I know you already think you know him, but you only know what people wanted you to know.”
“Oh no sweetie. I know quite a lot. There were quite a few witnesses that proved that. Do you even know what kind of man he is?” She’s speaking as if he isn’t sitting at this very table.
“Yes, I do,” I say irritated. “I really like Alex and I hoped that you could get past all that and see he makes me happy.”
She looks at Alex, “How did you meet my daughter?”
“Well, Ms. Phillips my niece gave me a number for someone to clean my house. I didn’t know that it would be Jessa.” He looks so uncomfortable right now. He did the throat clearing thing several times in that one sentence.
“Are you nervous, Alex?”
“Of course I am. I knew everything that happened during the case and what you think you know about me was going to make this very hard. I want you to know, that during the trial everyone made me out to be a monster. I am not who I was perceived to be. I care very much for your daughter.” She looks at him for several seconds before speaking.
“So, you want to tell me that you didn’t leave bruises on your wife during sex and that you weren’t cheating on her?”
Alex looks down at the table. I want to say something to help him but I also want her to get past this. I know he can handle it, even though this is painful to see.
“I never cheated on Lizzy once we were married. We both cheated before, not that makes it okay, because it wasn’t but you didn’t know the whole story.”
“What about the bruises? You kind of avoided that part,” she says furiously.
“Lizzy and I had gotten a little rough one night and she bruised easily,” he says flatly. I can tell he’s getting embarrassed.
She narrows her eyes. “There were text messages between her and her friend as evidence in court, stating that you hurt her during whatever you do.”
“If you’d known Lizzy at all you would know how much she exaggerates everything. We had different preferences in the bedroom. I don’t know what you are expecting me to say here.”
“Okay let me help you. Do you like to cause pain in your sexual favors?”
“No!” he says loudly. He looks around and notices people staring at us now. He leans forward towards my mom and says, “I would never hurt a woman, ever, and especially not the woman I’m falling in love with.” He realizes what he’s just said and looks at me. My mouth falls open. I don’t know what to say. I want to say it back. I don’t know if it’s too soon. I’m scared and my mother is stunned looking between us. I wish it had happened at a different time, not here with my mother witnessing it.
“Jessa, I didn’t mean for it come out here,” he shakes his head and looks down at his fingers.
I look at my mom and back to Alex. “I feel the same way and didn’t want to freak you out if you didn’t feel it, too. I’m falling in love with you, too.” I smile so big with tears in my eyes.
“Don’t you think that’s a little fast, Jessa? I mean how long have you even known him?”
And there it is. She’s ruined our moment. I give her a go-to-hell look. “Mom, I don’t need your input right now. You married dad very soon.”
“Exactly my point. You see how that worked out.”
“Mom, we’re not getting married and even if we were, it’s really none of your business.”
“Wow. Jessa, what is the matter with you,” she asks, shocked at my comment.
“I wanted you to have dinner with us and maybe try to get to know Alex for who he really is, not who everyone made him out to be. I’m not stupid. If I thought he’d hurt me in any way, we wouldn’t be sitting here. Now, can you please let go of what you think you know and let us all start over like adults?”
Her face changes to one of regret. “I know you’re a smart girl, Jessa. No, I don’t know everything about Alex and if you feel this strongly, I’m willing to try.” Looking to Alex she says, “I’m sorry for what I said, but you can’t blame me. She’s my daughter and I want what’s best for her. If you can be the man she deserves in every way, then I’m okay with it, even though I don’t think what I say would matter either way. If you do hurt her, though, I’ll castrate you,” she smiles and Alex’s eyes bug out again. I laugh.
“Okay. So now that that’s over, let’s enjoy the night together. Mom, you’ll be happy to know I’m enrolling in some business courses at the tech school in town on Monday. I should start soon,” I smile. I know that will make her happy.
“That’s wonderful honey! I’m proud of you.”
“Ms. Phillips, I have my business degree and will help her if she needs it. I doubt she will, though.” That makes her eyebrows raise.
“See, mom, I told you, you didn’t know everything about him. He is very smart and runs his father’s business.”
“Well, technically, it’s my business now. My father retired and gave it to me. I work very hard to keep it running as he did.”
“So, the house I dropped you off at your first day is Alex’s house?” I can tell she’s trying to piece it all together.
“Yes, it is. I built it shortly before Lizzy passed,” he says sadly.
The waitress comes finally, to take our orders. They’re quite busy tonight. We decide on one of the pizzas they’re known for. They are huge and taste delicious.
“So, Alex, what’s the plan with Jessa?”
“Mom! Really,” I shake my head.
“I wasn’t looking for anyone, Ms. Phillips. After Lizzy’s passing I kept to myself. That case hurt my reputation around town, not that I care really. When Jessa came that first night to look at my house, I was shocked. As you know, she looks similar to Lizzy and that was kind of hard for me at first. When we shook hands that night, I felt something there and it scared me. She’s slowly been helping me through a lot of things, and, that she probably doesn’t even realize,” he says, grabbing my hand and smiling at me. I am falling hard for him. I know it’s fast, but I can’t help what my heart feels.
The waitress brings our pizza and some waters for us. We eat our meal and talk about things that are much lighter and enjoyable like the crazy weather and the classes I’ll soon be taking. Mom, shortly into conversation, drops a bomb on me, though.
“Jessa, I do have some news I don’t think you’ll be too happy about.”
“Such as?” I’m now concerned by the look on her face.
Her face lights up before answering, “Edward has asked me to marry him,” she smiles.
“Mom that’s awesome! I’m happy for you. Why do you look sad about it?”
“I’m not about that. I basically live there now, anyway, but when we make it official I’ll be selling the house. I’m so sorry.”
My smile quickly fades. I know I should be very happy right now. My mom deserves happiness. I will no longer have a place to live, though. “When are you thinking of selling it?”
“Well, we were thinking of getting married this summer. I am going to hire someone to do a few more updates to the house and put it on the market in a few months.”
“Okay. I have a few months to figure this out. It will be fine,” I smile, trying to show her I’m okay with this. Inside, I’m freaking out.
“Ms. Phillips, what are you wanting to update in your house?” The business side of Alex has come out now.
“Please, call me Janis,” she smiles warmly. “I have recently had the kitchen and bathrooms redone. I was thinking of removing the popcorn ceilings, fresh paint throughout, and maybe new wood throughout, if I can find a good price for everything.”
“I could come by and give you an estimate, if you’d like? I have great references and some great crews to do the job. It shouldn’t take too long to complete.” I pretend to follow along as they discuss what needs to be done. But deep down, I’m freaking out and want it to take longer, for my own selfish reasons. I have to find a place to live ,and with me about to start school and not making much money right now, it’s go
nna be hard. Dammit, Alex, why does he have to be in construction?
I’m kind of in a zone through the rest of the meal. Mom and Alex seem to be just fine now talking about her renovation plans. They are both looking at me and I hadn’t realized they asked me something.
Mom tilts her head, “Jessa are you okay? Did you hear me?”
“Sorry, what was it?” Shaking my head. Alex is looking at me concerned.
“If Alex comes by tomorrow afternoon, will you be at the house?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be there.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Alex,” she stands and shakes his hand. “I may have been wrong about you. Sorry again for the hard time earlier.” She leans over to hug me. I don’t stand, but I manage a smile, “I love you mom, and congratulations.”
She offers to pay and Alex refuses to allow her. She smiles. “Thanks for dinner. I’ll see you soon, honey, and Alex let me know what you come up with.”
As she walks out the waitress comes by. “Can I have another apple Crown and cranberry, please?”
Alex furrows his brows at me, “Are you okay? You’ve been a little quiet for a while.”
“I’m fine,” I lie. I don’t want him to know I’ll soon be homeless, if I don’t hurry up and get my shit together.
“Are you upset your mom’s getting married?”
“No. Edward’s a great guy.” I’m just gonna say it. “I’m worried I won’t have a place to live. Do you think you can drag out the renovations for about six months or until I find a roommate?” I’m not even joking but I smile.
He doesn’t look pleased by that at all. “A roommate?” I laugh awkwardly.
“Well, yes. I can’t afford to live by myself right now. I can save money until it’s time to move out but even if I do it won’t be enough to pay all the bills each month by myself,” I sigh. Right when I thought things were looking up this happens. I really am happy for my mom I’m just worried and being selfish. I will figure it out.
“I can help you, if you want me too?”
He’s so sweet. “I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t. I offered. There’s a big difference,” he smiles.
“You’re sweet, and please don’t take this the wrong way, but I really need to try and do this on my own.”
“I completely understand. Now, can we leave and maybe I can help take your mind off of it for a while?” He’s wiggling his eyebrows and it makes me crack up laughing, and yet again attention is drawn to our table. I don’t care. He makes me laugh even when I don’t want to.
“What did you have in mind? I may be persuaded.”
He leans in closer and whispers, “I can show you, better than I can tell you.” He takes my hand and we stand. He tosses a few bills on the table before leading me out to his truck.
Chapter Nine
We make it back to his house and I’m no longer thinking about my predicament. I almost forget that Alex said he was falling in love with me. I am so relieved and happy.
“Do you want something to drink before we go upstairs?”
“Nope. I’m good,” I say, running up the stairs past him, causing him to laugh and hurry after me. He catches me just before we reach his door and lifts me in his arms.
“Jessa, I’m sorry I said that I was falling in love with you like that. Your mom was getting under my skin and I felt she needed to know. I had it all planned that I would tell you when we were actually alone and maybe even in bed.” He starts kissing down my neck with me pressed against the door.
“I would have liked that, but I understand why you did it. She needed to know how we feel about each other. The look on her face was priceless,” I laugh and Alex smiles.
“I’m going to make it up to you,” he says.
He carries me into the bedroom and gently sets me on the bed. He takes off my shirt and kisses my neck, moving down to my shoulder. I raise up so he can take my jeans and thong off. As they come off, he kisses my stomach. He looks up at me with his smoldering eyes and draws me in for a kiss, wrapping an arm around my neck and the other around my waist. He’s not wearing any boxers tonight. I lift my eyebrows in surprise. I bring my hands under his shirt, running it up his chest, lifting his shirt over his head. Now we’re even.
I want him naked, too. It’s not fair that I am and he’s still fully dressed. I reach for the button on his jeans and help him out of them.
“I’m thirsty,” he says, causing me to laugh.
“You just asked me if I was and now you are,” I say, looking at him silly.
“I’m thirsty. For you,” he says with a growl, licking his lips, my eyes on his tongue as he teases me.
He gently pushes me back. He seems different tonight, not as intense. I like it, but also like it when he’s rough. He’s looking at me with a playful gleam in his eyes, causing me to smile and then a moan escapes when he licks me from my clit to my core in one swipe. He does that a few more times and puts his thumb over my entrance and circles around my arousal. I’m extremely wet and ready for him to be inside me. He pushes his thumb inside, wiggling it while sucking on my clit. It feels so good. I’m starting to tremble and buck into his hand. He removes his thumb and I groan. “Please, Alex,”
“What, Jessa? What is it?” He’s teasing me now. He starts circling again and inserts two fingers while sucking my clit again. I fucking love it. He looks up at me, still pumping his fingers and I’m a panting mess. He puts his pinky from his other hand in his mouth and I’m not sure what he’s going to do with it. I don’t think any more fingers will fit inside me and I don’t want him to try. As I’m about to protest he puts his mouth back over me and I cry out. He then slowly moves his wet finger to an unknown territory, lightly circling the tight hole.
The feeling is foreign, but it feels good. I’m now so close, with his mouth on me and his fingers inside and now this new feeling it’s so overwhelming; until he slowly pushes inside. All of this is too much. I scream with pleasure, calling his name. “Oh my God, Alex.” He chuckles and I feel like there’s fireworks going off inside my blood. It’s like nothing I’ve ever felt before. My body is trembling as I come down from all the sensations.
He slides up my body and rests his arms on each side of my head, looking deep into my eyes before kissing me with such passion and love that a tear rolls down my cheek.
“I love you, Jessa,” he whispers before wiping the tear off my cheek.
I’m smiling so big my face hurts. “I love you, too,” I whisper. I feel like I could cry. I’ve never felt like this before, hearing those three little words. They mean so much, hearing him say them. My heart feels whole again. I didn’t realize until now how empty I’d felt inside for so long.
Using one arm to support himself above me, his other hand rakes lightly down my body leaving goosebumps and causing me to shiver until he’s holding himself at my entrance. He slowly enters me, causing us both to moan. It’s so good; feeling him fill me after his fingers were there moments ago. Each thrust goes deeper inside of me. He’s now all the way inside and pauses looking down on me. He’s fighting the urge to fuck me.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to fuck you. I want to make love to you,” he says, kissing my lips softly. I feel my eyes welling up with tears again. I’m trying to blink them away, but all the emotions, sensations and things he’s saying and showing me are so overwhelming. I’ve never felt love like this before. Looking back, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced real love.
He pushes forward slowly and I can see the love in his eyes.
“I love you, Alex,” I confirm what I see in his eyes.
“I love you too, Jessa. So much.”
He picks up his pace a bit and kisses me, using his tongue to get past my lips. I open for him, our tongues exploring. He takes his hand and begins rubbing my clit. My heavy breaths are now turning into pants and moans. Watching him above me, seeing his muscles contract as he moves this slowly is spellbinding. I look down and se
e him playing with my clit and moving inside me, my arousal glistening all over his length. It’s so fucking hot causing me to moan loudly. He sees me looking and does the same. I can feel my orgasm building.
He moans, “Jessa, you feel so fucking good.” Hearing him moan is exhilarating and I tremble and explode around him, screaming his name. He feels me clenching around him and he begins moving faster chasing his release.
“Oh, Jessa. Fuck. It’s so,” he can’t continue. His orgasm rockets through him and a loud moan erupts from his mouth. I feel the warmth of his orgasm inside me as he comes to a stop, staying inside.
We’re both breathing heavily, both satisfied. I enjoy him making love to me. This is a different side of him that I haven’t seen yet. I love all of him.
“Alex, that was just, wow!” I have no words.
“It was,” he sighs.
He goes to the bathroom and washes his hands and returns with a warm wash cloth to clean me up. He’s so gentle in doing so. I watch his beautiful face as he’s concentrating on the task. The warm cloth feels so nice against my sensitive skin.
We lie in bed together for a while. He tickles along my naked body and it’s so relaxing.
“Jessa, do you still want to work for me? I will understand if you don’t.”
“Yes I do, if you’re okay with it? With mom selling the house I need to save all the money I can right now,” I sigh. I had forgotten about all that for a bit and now I’m back to worrying again.
“I said I’d help you, Jessa, and I meant it.”
“I’m very appreciative, Alex, but I need to do this for myself right now,” I say, giving him a small smile. “I’m going to enroll in school after I finish here Monday. I’m excited about that.”
“From what your mom said, I think it will only take a few weeks for the renovations to be complete. Do you have a plan?”
“I just found out tonight and then you said you loved me, so I hadn’t really thought about it anymore after that. You’ve had me preoccupied,” I smile.
“Do you want to stay here tonight and I’ll bring you home tomorrow when I look at your mom’s house?”