by Jaycee Ford
“What could possibly be in North Carolina? Your father moved to South Carolina, and you and Lance broke up a long time ago.”
Honesty was the best policy.
“Paul.”
She stared for endless moments, absorbing the news that I dropped on her.
“So, let me get this straight. You bought a shop in North Carolina essentially to be with your ex-boyfriend’s best friend.”
“Pretty much.”
“I’m not happy.”
“I knew you wouldn’t be.”
• • •
The silence I endured through brunch was welcoming. Her silence meant full disapproval, but it was much better than the nagging, which would more than likely come over the next few months. The cab dropped me off in front of my apartment building, and Mason opened the door to the lobby for me.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Caldwell.” He nodded when I entered.
“Hi, Mason. How are you today?”
“Just fine. Can’t complain,” he said.
The elevators opened upon my arrival. “Have a good afternoon, Mason.” I waved as I walked into the empty car. I pressed five and watched my reflection as the doors closed behind me. I pulled out my phone to check any messages. There weren’t any notifications, so I decided to send one.
Brunch over. Would like to tell you some big news when you’re free for a call.
I shoved the phone back in my purse as the doors opened to my floor, and I wondered if Paul would be happy with my moving back down south. I hoped this wasn’t a big mistake. If it turned out to be one, then I could always close up shop and move back. I stepped into the hallway and dug in my purse for my key, reminding myself that he did send me flowers. Flowers were a big deal.
“So, what’s the big news?”
My eyes shot up as my heart skipped a beat.
TWELVE HOURS AFTER hearing her voice for the first time in two months, I was standing in front of her door. I texted her as I got off the plane about the same time she received my flowers. Between the flight and the flowers, my little bit of savings had depleted, but I had to see her. The thought of another man’s lips on hers drove me insane. I couldn’t take being away from her any longer. The back and forth texts over the past months never gave me a clue how she felt; although, I didn’t offer up much either. Hearing her voice last night solidified that I had a shot to win her heart as I once had her body. She had missed me as I missed her. Tonight, I would make it known that I wanted her and no one else but her.
I pulled out my phone to check on the time. It was nearing noon and I knew this was about the time the dreaded weekly brunch would be finished. Before I slipped my phone back into my pocket, it beeped with a text.
Brunch over. Would like to tell you some big news when you’re free for a call.
As soon as I touched the keypad to send a reply, the elevator dinged and my heart thumped with nerves of happiness. Brilliant red hair topped off a dark green dress, and the most beautiful woman in the world strolled down the hall, digging in her purse. I leaned my shoulder against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest, and studied the woman I would claim as my own one day.
“So, what’s the big news?”
Her eyes lifted at my question, and with a silent gasp, she dropped her purse on the floor before me and covered her beautiful mouth with her hands. Her shocked eyes filled with tears, but she didn’t move from the spot, frozen in perfection.
“Paul?” she croaked as her tears spilled over.
I pushed away from the wall, taking three steps and pulling her into my arms. She laid her head against my chest, wrapping her arms around my torso. I placed a kiss on top of her head as I held her. My heart grew with each breath of sunshine. I tilted her chin up to me. I coddled her face within my hands, wiping her tears with my thumbs.
“Ellie.”
I stole her lips, sealing my love for her forever. Her tongue grazed against me, and as I welcomed her touch, the game I tried to play was over. I would no longer play with my heart or hers. I would make our future possible, but the only thing that concerned me right now was getting into her apartment to claim her for good.
“Get us inside,” I whispered against her.
I pulled away to scoop up her fallen purse. When I handed it to her, she smiled with tears in her eyes. I stepped back and reached for my carry on, tossing it over my shoulder, and with a shake of her head, she slipped the key into the dead bolt, opening the door for us.
I closed the door behind me as the wonder of Park Avenue shone through her panoramic window, but my eyes gravitated toward her every move. She walked through her living room of a muted gray and stood in front of the kitchen table nestled between her living room and her kitchen, carrying the same color of gray and steel. Random splashes of purple caught my eye around the living area, but the fire of her hair received my full attention.
She stood with her back to me and placed her purse on the table. Her hands shook before she clasped them together. I dropped my bag to the floor next to the front door, and walked across the carpet toward her. I stood inches behind her, just as I had in North Carolina when she gazed over the snow. Her ponytail hung over her right shoulder and I nuzzled her neck.
“Are you glad I came?”
I didn’t let her answer before I pressed my lips to the curve of her neck. Her head tilted back on my shoulder as her knees weakened against me. Recovering her strength, she spun around, finding my lips, and claimed me as hers. One arm wrapped around her waist, holding her to me, while my other hand grasped the back of her head as I fed on the lips that I had craved for months and years. She grabbed my button-up shirt and walked backward. I followed her down a short hallway with my kiss never breaking from hers. We stumbled through a doorway, and her fingers went to work on the buttons of my shirt. A mad frenzy took place with our clothes being stripped.
When her bare chest pressed against mine, I hiked her legs around my hips and dropped her onto the bed with me following. I broke away from her lips as she let out a whimper, but her whimper turned into a moan as I sucked on the tip of her breast, drawing circles around her nipple with my tongue and hardening with each lick. She threaded her fingers through my hair, holding my head to her chest, but I left the confines of her fingers. My lips feasted on her body. She shifted beneath me, and as I neared her patch, I lifted my eyes. She rose onto her elbows.
“You like watching me when I do this, don’t you?”
She nodded, biting her lip. I kept my eye on her the whole time while quenching my thirst, daring her to scream. One slow swipe of my tongue and she struggled to stay on her elbows. I kissed her thighs and around her core. Her breathing quickened and her head fell back from the beginnings of ecstasy.
“Beautiful,” I breathed against her. Her chin lifted forward as our eyes locked. I couldn’t believe I was with her after being without her for so long.
“Come here,” she whispered.
I traveled up her body, meeting her lips again. I nestled between her legs, but pulled away, holding my finger up. I scooted off her body, but she pulled me back.
“I’m on the pill.”
Our lips welded together as my tip hardened at her entrance. I had never felt a woman without the protection of a condom. I would only ever feel her for the rest of my life. I would never be with another woman again. She was the only one I ever wanted.
Sliding inside of her, she gasped out of our kiss as I grunted a moan from the sensation. I buried my head in the crook of her neck, and her tight core opened for me. A sense of possession came over me with the thought of me being the last man inside of her. She moaned with satisfaction as I slid out and back in again. I kissed her neck, following her jaw to her lips. She threaded her fingers through my hair, fisting her hands as we devoured each other. She thrust up to me as I flexed into her. I released her lips and angled her hips higher.
The swirling mix of the blue and green of her eyes darkened as the breath caught in her throat. I knew that I
hit her spot. I pumped faster as she held on to my shoulders, quivering with every touch. She met me thrust for thrust as she bit her lip, a moan echoing between us. I captured her lips again, her core clenching around me. Her nails dug into my biceps as she closed her eyes, nearing her release. Holding my weight off her with one arm, I cradled her face with my hand.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes flew open as Ellie melted in my arms. She clamped around me as I poured into her. Our bodies shook, both coming together. The last remaining quakes began to subside, and I caressed her lips, evoking the love that I wished I could tell her. I gingerly lay on top of her, resting my head against her chest. The thumping of her heart mimicked mine, the beats steadying to a calming drum. Her fingers threaded through my hair, holding me to her. No words were spoken, but nothing needed to be said. I saw it in her eyes. She loved me as much as I loved her.
• • •
The sunlight faded away as day turned into night. After hours of claiming her, we lay sated with my arms wrapped around her. Her back pulled tight into me as my hand possessed her chest. I kissed her bare shoulder, breathing in her scent. A rumble killed the silence and she giggled.
“Was that your stomach or mine?” She glanced over her shoulder. I kissed her cheek and her ear.
“Mmm, don’t know,” I mumbled into her neck.
“Are you hungry?”
“Starved.”
“What do you want to eat?” The smile was evident in her voice.
“You.” She nudged my stomach with her elbow. “What?”
“I need sustenance to keep up with you.” She rolled over and pressed her lips to my bare chest.
“It’s your fault.” I pulled away slightly to look at her. I still couldn’t believe, after all of these years, I was finally with her. Her lips were swollen, and her hair was in disarray, having fallen out of the ponytail long ago. I was the luckiest bastard in the world.
“How so?” she asked. Her brow etched in confusion.
My fingers grazed down her cheek in awe of her beauty, the corners of my mouth curving into a smile. “I’m working off the horny teenage years of wanting you.”
“Oh my God …” She laughed, burying her head in my chest.
“Just wait until I get to the adult years,” I said in a serious tone.
She pulled her head back and her eyes widened. As she scooted out of my grip, she said, “Well, then I’m going to go shower so we can eat, and I can be prepared for the upcoming adult years.”
I darted out of bed and caught her before she could run off. She laughed as I picked her up and carried her into the bathroom. Her legs wrapped around my waist as we approached the shower. She reached back, turning the nozzle, and water sprayed from two different directions and rainwater fell from overhead.
Her lips found mine as I stepped inside, the water raining down on us. She shut the shower door, and I pressed her against the wall. I hardened touching her and adjusted my position, sliding deep inside of her. Her tongue swirled with mine as I thrust into her, using the wall as leverage. She pulled out of our kiss, her eyes hooded with lust and pleasure.
“Are we at the adult years yet?”
“Baby, I’m still working off the age of fifteen.”
• • •
Forfeiting my need to feast on Ellie, we left her apartment on foot to experience this bustling city. We descended a flight of stairs from the sidewalk, and after figuring out how to use the crazy turnstile, I stepped onto a subway train for the first time in my life. We settled into a seat as the train took off. I watched people hop on and off as we passed Fifty-Ninth Street, Fifty-First, Grand Central Station, and continued heading south. I peered at this wonder I had my arm around, and her stare had already found me.
“You stick out like a sore thumb.” She smiled with her teasing. I looked at my boots and jeans. A brown leather jacket covered my plaid.
“I’m not wearing my hat.” I arched my brow.
“You don’t have to. You can’t cover up the swagger of a cowboy.”
I kissed her head, tucking her closer to me as the train continued. The intricate tiles along the subway tunnel alerted us to Spring Street. She squeezed my hand and stood. I followed her short, quick steps back up to ground level, finding myself surrounded by dozens of brick buildings.
“Where are you taking me?” I held her hand, marking my territory for curious eyes.
“To the absolute best pizza in the world.” We arrived at a brick building with a red wraparound awning that read, Lombardi’s Pizza. I was suddenly hungry for food. The place was crowded, but we were lucky enough to get a table for two right away, nestled in the corner with a brick wall serving as our backdrop.
“Welcome to Lombardi’s. Can I get you something to drink?” A waiter placed a menu in front of both of us.
“Draft?” Ellie asked and I nodded. “A pitcher, please.”
The waiter turned away to fetch a pitcher, and I asked, “So, what’s good here?”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got ya covered.” She winked, her face laced with humor.
“Oh, you think you know me, huh? After all of these years?”
The waiter returned with our pitcher and Ellie ordered, “Small pepperoni, Italian sausage, and extra cheese.”
The waiter took the menu and left our table. I stared at the love of my life in shock.
“How did you remember that?”
She shrugged, reaching for the pitcher. She poured a glass, placed it in front of me, and then poured herself one. I continued to stare as I waited for an answer. She fidgeted a little, avoiding my stare. “I just remember a lot about you, really.”
“Is mint chocolate chip still your favorite ice cream?” Her eyes popped back to mine. I reached for her hand and whispered, “I remember a lot about you too.”
We continued chatting as I engulfed the pizza; I never had a better pizza in my life. I filled her in on the revolving door of women for Tom and Lance, which didn’t surprise her. As she began to tell me about her internship, she gasped.
“I forgot to tell you.” Her seriousness scared me. Was she going to be staying here longer and not moving back? Surely, any designer would be pleased to hire her.
“I bought the Olde Town Florist shop.”
I leaned forward, unable to contain my smile. “You did what?” She nodded. “You’re moving back for certain, then?” She nodded again, biting her lip. Not wasting a second, I dug in my back pocket, pulled out my wallet, and threw down forty bucks. After putting on my jacket, I tugged her outside and said, “Which is faster, a cab or the subway?”
• • •
The morning light shone through her window, and for the first time in my life, I woke up with Ellie in my arms. Unfortunately, I was due to leave within the hour to catch my flight back to North Carolina.
I shifted from behind her, gazing at her face, and her eyes fluttered open to mine. Her legs wrapped around me as I slowly slid in, thrusting to a lazy beat. I barely kissed her. I just wanted to look into her eyes and memorize her face, but her eyes saddened, as I was sure mine had. Her arms hugged me as I held her, and I leaned down to kiss her. I kept my lips on hers as she released a soft moan. I picked up the intensity, bringing us both over the edge. I released her lips as I gazed into her eyes. We came together, and a tear dripped down her cheek. I hated that I had to leave her.
“Don’t go,” she whispered.
I kissed her with every emotion that I had, hoping she would feel my love. I kissed her chest that held her heart.
“I’ll always be here, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
GOOD MORNING, BABY.
The morning routine continued the same every day since I left New York a few weeks ago. My alarm went off at five thirty. I knew she got up at six. My message sent, and I headed to the kitchen for a cup of freshly brewed, automatically timed coffee. It was still dark outside as I gazed out my kitchen window, rinsing my coffee mug. One day, I would be washing Ellie’s m
ug. A smile eased up my cheeks just thinking about sharing a home with her. It would happen. I would make it happen.
After pouring a cup, I let it sit to cool and headed for a morning shower. I adjusted the temperature of the water, and like every morning, my thoughts were consumed by our shower together. I stepped under the spray as I envisioned her hand pressed against the wall for leverage with her other arm wrapped around my shoulders. My face buried in her neck; our chests were pressed together. Her arm released the wall as she inched up my body, her core thrashing down on me as I pulsed into her. I pulled away from her neck and gazed at her beautiful face. Her usual mix of blue and green were dark emeralds. Her light pink lips had turned dark and plump. The water from above rained down on her hair; the heat from the temperature and our passion flushed her cheeks. As the water dripped over the curve of her lips, I pulled her bottom one into my mouth, sucking on it and making it swell more. When I left her the next morning, I wanted her to still feel me possess her. I wanted her to touch the swelling of her lips and know that I claimed them. I claimed all of her. And every morning, my thoughts of her released the ache that I awoke with from my dreams of her.
I exited the bathroom with the towel hanging across my hips. My lips formed into an automatic smirk again thinking about her. I picked up my phone from the night table, and as the screen lit up, my face blanked. I checked the time; it was well past six. It was the first time in the weeks since New York that she hadn’t responded. I shook my head and carried the phone with me into the kitchen.
The dawn awakened through my window. The fog hung around the mountain peaks in the distance. I sipped my coffee, absorbing the peace outside as my soul became tense. I sipped my coffee again, attempted to shake it off, and got ready for the day.
• • •
The sun hid behind the brim of my hat as the heat blazed in the cloudless sky. It was already May and summer was here. I trotted along the edge of the McCloud Farm with Ginger as my guide. As much as I hated winter, I now longed for that cold, snowy night with Ellie wrapped in my arms. I patted Ginger, and I pulled out my phone for what seemed like the hundredth time today. My hope fell once more when I saw the blank screen.