by Various
His fingers found the clasp of her bra. With one flick it was open, breasts free for his exploration, her pleasure. The heat from his mouth and the pressure of his tongue on her nipple made her body ache with arousal and need. She wanted him, craved him, loved him so bad it almost hurt.
She stood up long enough to undo the buttons on his jeans. Her hand slid into the front to grip his rock hard shaft. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she slid her hand down the length. He reached
out toward her. She slipped her pants over her thighs, revealing the last piece of clothing restricting her from him. Skimpy red panties.
Once the panties fell to the floor, she put one bare foot up on the couch next to his thigh.
His fingers slid over the tattoo with his name. A soft smile played on his lips. His fingers moved lower. Her eyes closed as she waited for him to reach his destination. An anticipated breath filled
the air around them before turning into a moan. His fingers made it to the downy hair and ever so slowly, two fingers dipped inside her.
“Jordan.” She moaned and grew wetter by the second. She opened her eyes to see how large he was now. He had to be ready to explode. His cock stood up for her. Slowly, she moved back to him, her legs straddling him as she scooted across his lap. Her tender spot slid over the length of his erection, making him shudder beneath her. Once in the perfection position, her lips found his, and she eased herself onto his shaft.
She didn’t stop kissing him as she rocked back and forth over him until she knew he’d explode. He called out her name as he clasped his hand around her breast. His head dropped back and he moaned again. His eyes never left her face as the warmth of him released, claiming the inside of her.
* * * *
Elizabeth stared at the back of the frame holding her parents’ picture. Scratch that. Her fake parents’ picture. Once Aunt Muriel had told her the truth, she couldn’t look at it, but couldn’t bring herself to actually throw it away either. She wasn’t sure why and didn’t ask Aunt Muriel.
She loved her room and didn’t really want to leave it when her mom came. Aunt Muriel had insisted her real mom would come. Chelsea was her name and Elizabeth knew she had some matching features but not the hair. She had gotten her curly dark hair from somewhere else. Maybe her dad? Aunt Muriel wasn’t sure because she hadn’t met Elizabeth’s father.
A light tap on the door washed away the image she had formed of Chelsea. “Come in,” Elizabeth called. She liked when Aunt Muriel knocked before entering. None of her other parents, even Mr. and Mrs. Banash, ever had.
“What are you doing?” Aunt Muriel wore what she called a housecoat but it’s really a plain old robe as far as Elizabeth was concerned.
“Thinking about things.” She rested her chin on her hands.
Aunt Muriel smiled as she sat down on the pink comforter next to her. “Want to share?” She rubbed Elizabeth’s back.
“I’m wondering about my dad. Will he be coming too?”
“I really don’t know anything about your dad, sweetheart.” Elizabeth heard the sadness in Aunt Muriel’s voice. The sadness visited whenever they talked about Chelsea, but she’d never seen Aunt Muriel cry.
“Chelsea didn’t say anything about him?”
Aunt Muriel quickly looked away as she always did before telling a lie. Why hadn’t she figured out Elizabeth knew that trick? “No, she didn’t say anything.”
“So he won’t be coming?” Elizabeth rolled over on her side.
“No.”
Elizabeth put her head down on Aunt Muriel’s lap as she had done since she was little. Her fake parents had been nice to her, but never let her snuggle up with them. She wondered if her real mom would. Elizabeth loved to cuddle.
“Tell me about my mom, my real mother, Aunt Muriel,” she whispered as her eyes drifted shut.
“She’s so pretty with her fire hair—that’s what I call it. Her freckles looked like someone dotted her cheeks with a brown marker.”
That was Elizabeth’s favorite part because she had those same freckles. She giggled but kept her eyes closed. “What else?”
“She’s really smart. Like you. And she loved to read. Boy, did she have books all over. She had this giant bathtub and I would always find a book next to it.”
“Sounds nice,” Elizabeth murmured then yawned. “Anything else?”
“I heard her laugh one time.”
“Just once? I hope she laughs more now.” Elizabeth peeked her eyes open but just for a second. A smile played on her lips as she drifted off to dreamland.
CHAPTER 13
The vibrating wood woke Jordan with a start. He grabbed his cell off the end table, careful to not wake Chelsea still curled up in the crook of his arm. The cellphone stopped ringing, but his mother would call back.
He gazed down at a chestnut colored strand of hair lying across her cheek. She’d always complained about what she called her pasty skin but he found nothing pasty about it. It was a beautiful combination. Maybe that’s why he had fallen in love with her in the first place. And over and over again.
Sometime during the night, she had gotten up to put on a college t-shirt and a pair of pink panties. The shirt was pushed up, revealing her thin stomach, and barely covered her breasts. The idea of making love to her made him hard. He traced his finger over her stomach. She murmured while she snuggled closer to him.
He’d made love to her the night before. It wasn’t sex. No way could he ever just have sex with her. Bailey? Hell yeah. But with Chelsea it was so different.
The cellphone in his free hand vibrated again. He yanked it up to eye level. She rolled out of his arms with a small murmur. The call had to be answered in case something had happened. He
quickly slipped his gym shorts on and ran outside so his conversation wouldn’t disturb Chelsea.
Even with the shelter of the porch, he still had to stand in freezing water with bare feet. Why on earth hadn’t he worn shoes?
He dialed his parents’ number.
“Jordan,” Mom called over the line.
“What’s wrong?” It had to be an accident, right? Why else would she be calling so early in the morning?
“Nothing’s wrong. I’m up, so I thought I’d call you.” A dog barked in the background. She was probably walking her spoiled poodle who wore more expensive clothes than he did.
“Do you realize it’s five AM? Couldn’t you let me sleep a little longer?”
“Five? It’s not five. You need to check your clocks. It’s six, Jordan.”
Shit! He’d forgotten to tell anyone about the trip. But damn! “I’m in Oregon right now.”
He sucked in his breath. It was like counting down the seconds between the flash of lightning and the boom of thunder.
“Jordan! Why on earth are you in Oregon? Don’t you have responsibilities here? A company to run?” There’s the lightning.
“I’m with Chelsea.”
“What the hell are you with trash for? You mean she’s back?” His mom’s words boomed like thunder exploding during the storm. Little did she know, this was the eye of it all. Jordan had more things to reveal and might as well get it over with.
“We’re getting our daughter back.” A long silence followed.
He’d thought his mom had hung up the phone or even passed out. “Are you there?”
“You have a…a…”
“Daughter. Elizabeth is about ten now.”
She took deep breaths. “Why didn’t you tell me until now?”
A blonde walked out of the apartment next door and went in the opposite direction.
“I didn’t know until about a month ago. Now we’re looking for Elizabeth. When I get her back you’ll be able to meet her.” He leaned up against the building, not caring how cold it felt against his bare skin.
He glanced at the blonde, who stopped at the sound of his voice. Her mini-shirt showed way too much cleavage and stomach. Jordan eyed her as she walked up to him. If she bent over, he’d see her nip
ples, which he didn’t want to do. Her jeans looked like they had been painted on. Sure, she was a centerfold type of woman. And not his type at all.
“Do you have a smoke?” Her painted lips ended the sentence with a pucker as if she waited for a kiss. She tried way too hard.
“Sure don’t,” he mumbled. He glanced at the door, hoping Chelsea was still in bed. He didn’t need her thinking he’d snuck out to pick up on someone like Miss Centerfold.
“Is it her?” His mother screeched in his ear. “Is it Chelsea?”
The blonde flipped her hair, which was probably as fake as her boobs. “Let’s have a beer together. One thing I can promise is a good time.” Her lips puckered again. It could’ve been his imagination, but he swore she pushed her breasts out a little farther in his direction.
Jordan slid his hand in his pocket. “Chelsea has a million times more class than this broad ever could dream about.”
The blonde flipped him off and stomped down the sidewalk, hopefully going to her original destination.
“I don’t understand any of this, Jordan. You’re not supposed to keep your family in the dark. Especially not your mother.”
He turned his attention back to the dripping water, since the blonde had disappeared around the corner. “All you need to know is what I told you.”
“When will you be back? Have you forgotten my party?”
Oh shit! He’d promised to hold the birthday bash at his house. Double damn! “I’ll be back long before the party. We’re still having it at my house.”
“And Chelsea will not be there?”
Triple damn! That wasn’t something he could promise. “I have to go. I’ll call you when I get home.” He offered a hasty goodbye before flipping his phone shut.
His feet felt like blocks of ice. All he wanted to do was dry off and slip back into bed with Chelsea, his love.
* * * *
Sun rays peeked through the blinds. The brightness of the morning wouldn’t last long. She was curled up in the crook of Jordan’s arm and didn’t feel comfortable being there. It wasn’t that
she didn’t want to be there, but that she shouldn’t be in his arms. Not on a temporary basis. She’d be going back to her desolate life once they found Elizabeth or when Jordan gave up, which he was bound to do at some point.
His dark curls flopped down on his forehead. His smile shone bright as he stared down at her. “You’re beautiful in the morning.”
“Oh? Just in the morning?” She giggled before rolling out of his grasp.
“Honey, you’re beautiful all the time. What are you doing?”
“I’m packing some more stuff. It seems I’ll be staying in Wilson longer than originally planned.”
He pushed the sheet to the side, revealing his nakedness. The heat bubbled over her cheeks as she watched him get up from the bed. Jordan did nothing to hide those beautiful contours, the same contours she had explored all through the night.
“Jordan?” she asked when she didn’t get a response. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all,” he snapped. She watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door. A moment later, the water turned on in the shower.
All of her summer clothes had been put away for the winter. She found the box in her closet and tossed it on her bed. The Northwest had a shorter summer season so she spent most of the year dressed in long sleeved shirts and jeans. It would be nice to wear the cute stuff longer before it went out of style.
Her clothes were piled on the bed, ready to pack in the suitcase. She wished she knew how long she’d be with Jordan. If he hadn’t booked their flights, they could’ve done the research easier from her apartment in case Elizabeth happened to be close by.
But that caused a problem. She wouldn’t be able to see her family and would still have to fly back there to get her car. Jordan had made a wise decision. This way everyone would win.
The scent of their lovemaking lingered through the air. She sprayed some air freshener around and then piled her clothing into a suitcase. This time she’d take a bikini to enjoy the warm sunshine while having the opportunity. She thought of Jordan’s gorgeous swimming pool and felt a tinge of excitement about returning. If only he would keep his dark moods away from her, things would be great.
With the suitcase ready to go by the front door, she glanced up at the clock. Three hours until their flight. Hopefully Jordan would be done in the shower soon so she’d be able to get one. When the bedroom door opened, the cleaned-up Jordan emerged carrying his duffle bag.
“I took a peek out of the window. Looks like it’ll clear up.”
“Don’t count on it. The sun is teasing us.” She tossed a laugh his way and went toward the bedroom door.
Jordan stepped over to her and let the bag fall to the floor. “Hey,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t have been so snappy in the bedroom. I’m trying to work on my attitude toward this whole thing.”
“You have every right to be angry about this, Jordan.”
“I shouldn’t take it out on you. You’re here helping me find her.” He reached out to take her hand.
Pulling her hand out of his, she said, “But you’re making me.” And regretted the words instantly. Once in the bedroom, she snatched her clothes from the dresser and hoped he didn’t follow her as she stomped to the bathroom. If she stayed around him, who knew what else she might say.
She threw the nightshirt and panties she’d been wearing onto the floor. The warm water shot full blast from the shower head, like a hard rain pelting down on her. Her eyes drifted shut as she thought about the things she wanted. She hoped for the water to wash away the pain in her heart, and that Jordan would some how forgive her fully and be able to find her daughter. The love of her daughter wasn’t what she deserved, but Jordan did.
She’d just gotten dressed when Jordan tapped on the bedroom door. A mumbled greeting prompted him to open the door and poke his head in the room.
“Chels, are you ready? We need to get to the airport.”
She’d never be ready but wanted to get it over with. Not wanting him to say forget it and contact whatever authorities he had in mind, she kept her feelings to herself. She gave a quick nod and rose to her feet.
She slipped her wet hair into a ponytail before shutting off the bedroom light. The suitcase had already been taken out. He held the door open to her and for some reason she turned and scanned the room as if to say goodbye.
She missed the place already. Next time she was back here, she’d be ready to continue her life guilt free.
CHAPTER 14
She found her childhood home looking different than the last time she had visited. The lawn was mowed and her mother was sitting on the porch with a cigarette stuck between her fingers.
“Hey,” the raspy voice greeted as she walked across the yard.
“Mornin’,” she said with a smile as she fought the temptation to snatch the cigarette and stomp it into the ground. “Your yard looks nice.”
“Paul mows it for me on his day off. He says an old woman like me has no business doing yard work,” her mom huffed.
“That’s nice of him. At least you have a man around to do all the grunt work.”
Her mom dropped the cigarette onto a patch of dirt and then snorted. “Chelsea, one thing is for certain—I don’t need a man to do anything.”
“I know.”
She wanted to call her “mom” again but couldn’t bring herself to even though she did love the gray-haired cranky woman seated next to her. At least she could think the word now. A huge improvement.
“Another thing, I’m not too old for anything until I’m in my grave. Which’ll be never.”
She laughed. “You forgot a key thing here.”
Her mom glanced sideways at her. “What’s that?”
“You’re also too damned stubborn for your own good.”
They both roared. Patty was one of those women who wouldn’t let anyone help her, no matter what. She could picture the sce
ne between her mother and Paul, which probably included a big fight. The result had probably been Paul bringing over the lawn mower and insisting on doing it while the sulking Patty smoked on the porch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest and her face twisted in a scowl.
“What’s the dish on you and Jordan? Back together?”
“Nope.” She kicked the dirt with the toe of her shoe.
She wasn’t surprised the question had come up. It was bound to sooner or later, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to jump into the details of the situation. She didn’t really know these people anymore, so the trust really wasn’t there, even though it wasn’t their fault. It was hers. She had gotten everyone in this mess and it made her sick.
Allison came stomping across the grass with her hands on her hips, daggers shooting from her eyes. “Mother! Have you heard Danielle’s news?”
“Nope. Today is her day off.”
“She’s been given a job offer far from Wilson. Let’s go inside so we can talk about this.” Patty scooted over and patted the porch next to her. Allison shook her head.
“Not in front her.” Allison pointed to her but wouldn’t look in her direction. “It’s a sensitive family issue.”
“Come on, Allison. Why don’t you listen to what she has to say first?”
Chelsea stood up from her spot on the porch. “Allison—”
“Don’t talk to me. Not now, not ever. You chose not to be my sister. Now you have to deal with it,” Allison yelled.
Chelsea walked over to Allison and put her hand on her forearm. “Allison, please listen to me.”
Allison’s fist flew at Chelsea’s mouth like a missile looking for its target. The impact of it hitting knocked Chelsea back few steps. Tears sprung to her eyes as she wiped the blood from her bottom lip. The fact her sister had gotten so angry at her hurt Chelsea ten times more than any punch would.
“Damn it, Allison Montgomery! Leave your sister alone,” Mom yelled.