Hustle and Heart

by Alison Mello

  “No, you?” I try to sound serious, but I fail.

  He looks me in the eye, dead serious and says, “Only that you’re trying to make me wait for what I want, what I need.” His mouth crashes down on mine, kissing me hard. I moan into his mouth. His body presses against mine, pinning me in place. He’s panting when he demands, “Room, now.” He scoops me up over his shoulder and carries me to our room, dropping me on our bed. I love the thought of that, our bed.

  He climbs on top of me. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” My words are barely out before his lips seal over mine. His kiss is passionate, bruising. Our tongues collide, dancing together as his hand slips into my hair pulling, angling my head to give him access to my neck. He peppers kisses down to my collarbone where he nibbles before he continues down the V-neck of my shirt. He pulls me up from the bed, peels my shirt over my head, and tosses it to the other side of the room. His hands go straight to the clip of my bra. He undoes it and tosses that away with my shirt. His eyes rake over my body, soaking me in. When our eyes connect again, I can see the love in them; it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. His eyes never leave mine even as his fingers work their way up my stomach and over my breasts. He gently pushes against my chest to lay me back. His lips connect with my chest. He licks his way over to my breasts. His teeth scrape over my hardened nipple, my eyes roll back, and I bite my lip. He has one hand on my breast and the other unbuttoning my pants. His hand slips inside, finding my hardened nub. My hips jerk wanting more friction, but he pulls his hand away.

  He smiles against my skin as he kisses his way down my stomach to the top of my pants. I lift my hips to encourage him. He slips them down my legs, leaving me completely naked in the center of our bed. “Someone is wearing too many clothes,” I observe.

  He peels his shirt off and tosses it at me. I laugh, catching it and tossing it aside. His six pack abs and that amazing v he sports are on display. He toes off his shoes and slips his jeans over his ass, leaving him in nothing but his boxer briefs.

  I climb off the bed. I lower his briefs, taking to my knees. Glancing up at him through hooded lashes, I wrap my lips around his hard cock. I work his head, sucking him deeper and deeper. His hand slips into my hair, and he pulls it hard, forcing me to look up at him. “I need to taste you.” My words are needy, but I don’t care. He is always taking care of me, now it’s my turn to take care of him. He smiles and releases my hair. With my hand wrapped around his cock, I feed it back into my mouth taking him as deep as I can. His hips roll in sync with me, fucking me as I suck him harder and harder. He places both hands on the back of my head, feeding me until he’s on the brink. He seats himself at the back of my throat. With my hands on his ass, his legs shake as he releases his seed. I happily swallow every last drop.

  He grabs my shoulders and lays me on the edge of the bed, my ass still hanging off. I’m dripping with excitement, ready to take his cock, but he surprises me by taking to his knees in the same manner I just had. He hooks my legs over his shoulders and parts my folds with his tongue, seeking out my hardened nub. He sucks it into his mouth, devouring it.

  “I love the way you taste.” He kisses the inside of my leg before lapping up the juices running down my ass. His tongue attacks my clit, licking and sucking at it. My muscles tighten up as I border on the edge of release. He slips two fingers inside me, curling them to hit that special spot. It tips me over edge; my legs shake, and my muscles tighten as he continues licking at me while I ride out my orgasm. He finally pulls away, his face glistening as he licks his lips to rid them of my release. “You taste like heaven,” he says, wiping his mouth.

  “You don’t taste so bad yourself.” I wiggle my brows.

  “You ready for another?” He grabs his cock and strokes it a few times. It makes my mouth water.

  “I am.” I wrap my legs around his hips as he lines his cock up with my opening. Grabbing my hips, he slips his cock balls deep inside of me. I bite my lip and smile, loving how he feels inside of me. He looks deep into my eyes with so much love as he rolls his hips. [34]For the first time, I truly know what it feels like to make love. The pace is perfect. He hits all the right spots, but it’s not rushed like I’m used to. I can tell he cares about me and my release. He leans forward on his forearms, changing the angle and brushing his lips over mine. “I’m going to come,” I pant, so close to finding my release.

  “Yes, give me another one, baby,” he urges. My muscles clench, squeezing his cock and sending him over with me. He buries himself inside of me one last time to empty himself as we ride out our orgasms together.

  “That was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.”

  He chuckles and rubs his nose over mine. “I agree. I look forward to many more afternoons like this.”

  “Me too, but we need to get cleaned up. We have things to do before the kids get here.”

  He glances at his watch. “Unfortunately, you’re right. My mom will be back soon too.” He laughs.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I feel like we’re teens again trying to hide from my mom.”

  I giggle. “I’m pretty sure your mom knows.”

  “Oh, she knows.” He slips out of me and pulls me up from the bed. Our lips collide in a brief kiss. “Trust me, she knows.”

  I jog off to the bathroom to get cleaned up then meet Jesse in the closet a moment later. I change into some sweatpants and a t-shirt while he grabs a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt. “I’m going to grab the paint.” I kiss him and hurry down to grab the three samples of paint. I want to get them on the wall before Grace gets home, and we’re running out of time.

  When I get downstairs, Josephine is sitting in the recliner in front of the TV. “Oh hi, Josephine. We didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I know you didn’t.” She winks at me.

  Oh dear Lord, she heard us. I[35] grab the bag with the brushes and sample paint and run upstairs, not sure what else to say. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  “Your mom is home,” I whisper like she’s right behind me.

  He laughs. “She is?”

  “Yes, and I’m quite positive she heard us.”

  “I’m sure she did. She’s not deaf.” I slap his arm and step into Grace’s room. “I’m going to make sure she’s okay while you start that.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” I shake a small sample can of paint as I look around the room for the best spot to put it. I decide I’m going to do it along the doorjamb. It will be against the white trim and across from the window so we’ll see the color the best. The first color I put on is the palest. It’s pretty but really only has the slightest shade of pink. The next one is a tad darker, and the third color is as dark but a slightly different shade. I think I like the second one the best. It’s a pale color and will compliment her set nicely, but we need to let the three colors dry first before we can decide.

  I put the cap back on the paint cans and move them to our room so Grace won’t get any crazy ideas. I pad downstairs and to the kitchen where Josephine and Jesse are getting dinner ready. “Did you get the paint done, dear?”

  “Yes, I think I know which color I like, now we just need to see if Jesse and Grace agree.”

  “Good.” She kisses me on the cheek. “You look much better now.”

  “How so?” I’m confused by her statement.

  “You were a bit pink earlier.”

  Jesse spits the water he was about to drink into the sink. “Mom, I don’t think you bringing it up again is helping.”

  “Oh hush. You’re young, you need to enjoy each other.” Josephine slaps Jesse on the arm and continues cutting up veggies and placing them in a roasting pan for dinner.

  “Yes, but we don’t need you knowing we enjoy each other.” Jesse mumbles, “Besides, we thought we were alone.”

  “Yeah, well, you were wrong.”

  I roll my eyes, but can’t help but laugh. “It’s hard not to know, you two aren’t exactly quiet.”
<
br />   Jesse leans in close. “I’m buying you a gag.”

  “What about you? You’re not exactly quiet either.” I plant my hands on my hips.

  “No, he’s not.”

  “Mom!” Jesse groans, shaking his head.

  “What?” she asks, placing some of the veggies in the fridge like it’s no big deal. She slips the roast into the oven and says, “I’m going to go take a nap until it’s time for dinner. Clearly, you don’t need me to get the kids since you’re both here.” She kisses Jesse on the cheek and then heads up to her room. From the top of the stairs she shouts, “Think you two can keep it down?”

  “Yes, Mom. We’ll be quiet.”

  My cell rings and I hurry to answer it not looking to see who it is first. “Hello.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me right now?” Brian yells through the phone.

  “Hello to you too, Brian. I didn’t realize you were out of jail.”

  “Don’t give me that shit. I got out this morning. Just so you know, you will be hearing from my attorney. Your son is no angel.”

  “Fuck you. My son did nothing wrong.”

  He laughs. “So now you want to sell the house after you gave me so much shit about keeping our son in the house he grew up in?” he pants angrily.

  “I thought you’d be happy. We can sell it and split it 50/50.”

  “First of all, let’s get one thing straight. I know you’re living with Jesse.”

  “That’s none of your business. That stopped being your business when you moved out and filed for divorce. Lastly, if you’re calling to negotiate, you should be talking to my lawyer.”

  “My kid in his house makes it my business.”

  “Yeah, not so much. You don’t get to dip your dick in another woman, leave us high and dry, and then pretend you care. I’m in a relationship with someone I should’ve started dating years ago when I believed you loved me.” I walk outside knowing full well I’m getting loud. As I take a seat, Grace comes skipping up the steps. Once she’s inside I continue. “That’s not how life works, Brian. Your son has a roof over his head, he is healthy, and is very happy where he is living. As a matter of fact, the kids are the ones who convinced us it was time to do this. Not to mention, that after what happened Saturday, there’s not a chance in hell you’ll be seeing him again any time soon.”

  He laughs. “Oh, so now you let your son run your life.”

  “Brian, what do you want?”

  “I want you to know there’s no way I’m allowing you to get fifty percent of the house. It’s in my name, and I paid for the majority of it.”

  I let out a belly laugh into the phone. “You know, Brian. I’m so tired of you controlling my life. I want to be rid of you, so I’ll tell you what. You have your lawyer draft a proposal to my attorney, and I’ll sign it. There’s one thing I will not concede to and that is child support. You will support your child. I don’t give a rat’s ass about anything else. I just want you out of my life.”

  “You want me out of your life?” he questions.

  “Yes[36]!” I practically shout with frustration.

  “Concede to everything, and I’ll walk away. You’ll never have to see or hear from me again.”

  “What about Jason?” My words are barely a whisper.

  “The fucking pecker doesn’t want to see me anyway. Who do you think started everything?” My eyes well with tears. Not because he is being so nasty to me, but because he basically told me he wants nothing to do with his son.

  “That’s not true. I don’t believe that for one moment.”

  He sighs into the phone. “Believe what you want. You’ll be hearing from my attorney. I’ll have him draft up two different proposals, sign the one you want.” He cuts the call and the tears I was trying to hold at bay are now pouring down my face. I don’t know what to do. I want so much for my son to have a relationship with his father, but not if it means he’s going to get hurt. I can’t believe his father is willing to toss him aside like a dirty, old shoe.

  “Are you okay?” Josephine takes a seat on the bench next to me.

  I quickly try to wipe away my tears. “I’m so sorry, Josephine. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “You didn’t, dear, but my window was open so I couldn’t help but overhear.”

  “What do I do?” I ask her through the tears that won’t stop coming. “I know in my heart I made the right decision to move on. I love Jesse, but it’s not about me; it’s about Jason. That’s his father, and he is willing to give up his relationship with him. That kills me inside.”

  She puts her arm around me. “I know you want Jason to have a relationship with his father and being a mom, I totally get it. You know Jesse was close to his dad and clearly, he and I are still close today, but you have to think about this. Do you want to force your son to have a relationship with a man who doesn’t want him?”

  “I guess that’s what kills me. I don’t want to force that because I know Jason will be the one to get hurt, but at the same time it breaks my heart that his father is willing to sign everything away, like Jason doesn’t exist.”

  The front door opens and out walks Jesse who kneels before me. “I know you’re hurting right now and this may not be the best time to discuss this, but I’m hoping it helps you heal.” My brows furrow as I try to figure out where he is going with this. He looks at the ground and then back up at me. “We all love each other so much. Fate has brought us together under this one roof, and I want you to know that I will be the father Jason needs if you’ll allow me to be.” He swallows hard. “Just like I want you to be the mother my children need, and when the time is right and we’re all ready, we’ll make it official.” My eyes go wide. “Yes, Karen, I want to marry you someday. I’m not sure when that day will be, but I hope you’ll allow me that honor.” Just when I was getting my tears under control they start back up again. I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze him tight. He whispers, “Let me adopt Jason, and you can adopt Grace and Gabe.” He pulls away and looks into my eyes. “Please.”

  “I think we need to discuss this with the kids.” I lick my lips and look at the floor, trying to compose myself. “I know your kids don’t have the choice of seeing their mom, but Jason needs to heal and think about what’s happening with his father.”

  He nods. “I agree. I think you need to discuss this with him, just the two of you. No pressure from us. All I ask is that you make him aware that no matter what he decides, I’m there for him and I love him.”

  Josephine gets up from the [37]swing. “Make it quick. I’m not going to be around forever ya know.”

  Jesse and I both start laughing. Leave it to Josephine to lighten the mood with her sass out there. The woman certainly doesn’t hold back. The boys’ bus pulls up, and Jesse ushers me into the house so I can get cleaned up before Jason sees me a mess. I need to talk with him, but I don’t want it to go down like this.

  When I get back to the living room I see a cop car in our driveway with two cops getting out. They knock on the door as I approach. “Can I help you, officers.”

  “Ma’am, we’re sorry to bother you, but we need to speak with your son in regards to the incident that took place at his father’s this weekend.”

  I open the door. “Please come in.” The three of us step into the kitchen. “Jesse, these officers need to speak with Jason.”

  Jesse tells Gabe and Grace to go upstairs, and he holds his hand out to the men. “Officers.”

  They shake with Jesse, and the four of us join Jason at the table. Jesse and I sit on either side of Jason and they sit across from him. “Jason, I know you really don’t want to go over this, but we need to ask you what happened on Saturday.”

  “I told the officers what happened the other night.”

  “Jason, we understand that, but…” His words trail. “Your father is saying that you started this and that he[38] hit you defending Melinda. That would still be child abuse, but Melinda is considering filing charges against you for
assault.”

  My eyes go wide. “Are you kidding me right now?”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I wish I was. This is his defense, so we have to make sure we have all our angles covered. It lessens his charges and would most likely keep him out of jail.”

  “What did Melinda say? She knows I was defending her.”

  “She says that she was afraid to tell the truth at first because you’re just a child, but it was all you,” he says sympathetically.

  “This is complete bullshit.” I pound my fist on the table.

  “Ma’am, please stay calm. We agree, but we still have to question him.”

  Jason goes into the story. “Something was off when Dad picked me up. He was too nice. It all seemed fake. When I got to the house her kids were getting ready to leave, and about ten minutes later the doorbell rang, and their father took them. My dad had already started drinking. I don’t know what it was, but he started as soon as he got back. It was a brown liquid he poured from a glass bottle. He downed the first glass and told me to go to my room. Shortly after I got upstairs they started to argue about me being there. Melinda wanted to go out and was complaining that they couldn’t because of me.” He pauses. “I was playing Xbox Live in my room with Gabe when the fighting started up. They were so loud he heard them. She told my dad if they weren’t having a date she was going out with her friends. He yelled ‘the hell you are.’

  “That’s when I started to hear things be slammed around. I hurried downstairs to see Melinda running from my father. He grabbed her, but I stepped between them. I tried to stop him. I told him he wasn’t going to hit a lady. He grabbed my arm, backhanded me, and then threw me to the floor. He stood over me growling that his son wasn’t going to disrespect him in his house. He was so angry spit was flying from his mouth. He told me he was going to teach me a lesson when he was done with Melinda, but when he turned his back to me she told me to leave, so I ran upstairs. Gabe was still on Live. I asked him what I should do. He told me to call my mom. I did and Jesse told me to call 911 so I picked up the house phone to do it, but she was already on the line with them.”