“What in the fuck are you watching?” His face is scrunched in disgust.
“Bad Girls Club.” I quip. I turn back to the weave pulling, screeching, nail-biting bitches, acting engrossed in the catastrophe playing.
He continues staring at me . . . a response isn’t coming to him. “I’m gonna jump in the shower. Wanna join me?” His teasing tone clues me in to what he’s thinking.
I hide my smirk. “Nah. I’m gonna finish this episode.” I avert my eyes but I don’t miss his disappointment. Good things come to those who wait . . . or strip and get their fine ass in the shower so I can pounce.
He trudges to the bathroom, making a show of his aggravation and I chuckle. I wait until the water’s been running for a few minutes timing my surprise for ultimate gratification. I strip and tiptoe into the bathroom, careful to be in stealth mode. His silhouette is barely noticeable through the steam and glass but I take my time perusing what I can see. His head tilted back, arms raised running his fingers through his hair, biceps bulging . . . down to his defined chest and washboard abs. My man is fine— my eyes drop lower to his semi-hard cock, jutting proudly, begging for my lips, and dat ass . . . every girl should date a catcher once— for their ass alone.
I step into the glass enclosure and splay my hands across his chest and press my body close to his. “Hey baby.” I snicker to his widened eyes. I give him a push so he steps back and I drop to my knees and look up at him with water running down my face, beading on my eyelashes.
“Wasting no time are you?” He winks and I wrap my lips around his dick and feel him swell inside my mouth. My answer is self-explanatory. I let my lips cascade over his shaft and run my tongue underneath, tracing the vein until I get to the tip and dip my tongue into his slit. I grip the back of his knees giving him all control to set and control the pace. He tests the boundaries with a few shallow thrusts and his length continues to harden.
His fingers tangle in my hair, holding my head still, as his thrusts get deeper and faster. A sharp tug has me gasping and him pushing in deeper, so I swallow the head to his loud groan. “Fuck.” He hisses. As he fucks my face, I change the power of my suction and continue tracing him with my tongue. All too soon he pulls his dick from my mouth and grabs me under my arms.
His lips capture mine and tongues mate. It’s sensual . . . staggering . . . powerful. The heat sparking off our bodies is so strong it feels like poison coursing through my veins and my nails dig into his shoulders. One arm comes under my ass, lifting me off the tile as I straddle his waist. He uses his other arm to brace his weight against the shower wall as his teeth scrape my lip. “Rub your clit, Avery.” His command forces all reasoning, all thinking, to leave my mind and my hand snakes down to rub my clit. “Push your fingers in.” I do. “Bring them to my mouth.” I comply. He sucks my fingers clean and nips the tips. “Again.” I repeat the motions and am glad he’s holding me because I couldn’t support myself.
“Hold on to me.” His order is scarcely emitted before he lets go of my ass and replaces my fingers with his. Long, thick digits more pleasurable than mine . . . his thumb covers my clit and presses as two fingers delve deep and find my sweet spot.
“Harder.” I beg.
“Slow.” He corrects me. Bringing my fingers to his mouth he coats his lips and bends down to capture my mouth as he pushes back into me. Reaching above me he grips the shower-head and tugs— seeming satisfied he leers at me. “Grab the shower-head . . . I need to taste you.” I extend my arms and hold the piece of metal for dear life as he hoists my legs over his shoulders, putting my pussy at mouth level. And he eats. Devours. Licks. Sucks. Repeats. My eyes roll back into my head as he spears his tongue inside, pinching my clit. I have no shame as I fuck his face . . . turn about is fair play.
“Stop. I’m gonna come.” I stop moving my hips but his tongue makes me start riding his face all over again.
“That’s the point.” He muffles into me. He picks up the pace, the pressure— and I detonate, acting like his face is a pole and I’m the spotlight stripper working for rent money. He brings me down and begins to build me up with his tongue and fingers. I’m cresting when he stops, dragging me down his body until his cock is lined up perfectly and he pushes in— deep and dominant.
My heels dig into his ass, my fingers sting his scalp and his teeth nip my neck. With each sting, he soothes. With each push, he takes me higher. With each sigh, we mesh.
In and out.
Drive and swivel.
Bite and lick.
His hands slap against the wet tile bracing his body so he can thrust harder. Deeper— until his balls meet my flesh with the force. “Come.” His authority comes half plea half requirement. And I find I’m powerless to deny him as I let go. My toes curl, my head meets the unforgiving wall but is immediately cradled by his hands, and my fingers lose their stinging grip of his hair, all while he continues to power into me.
Water is blinding me as it rushes into my eyes but I refuse to shut them so I can see his face. His body. His complete control of me. It’s a sight . . . one I’ll never tire of. “Now slow.” He manages to speak as he takes my mouth and leisurely strokes my tongue with his while slowing his hips to a rhythm that is teasing and pleasurable.
I can do slow. I can do fast. I can do anything and everything with him.
Just him.
Only him.
Our gazes lock and neither of us will blink, our eyes speaking for our hearts. Our bodies. Both drinking immense ecstasy from the other, heat from the steam of the water and the temperature of our bodies is scorching me and I wouldn’t change a thing. In this moment we’ve achieved perfection. We’ve set the boundaries of love and lust.
Push.
Retreat.
Enter.
Pause.
His girth grows inside me as he drags his cock from my core and shoves back in. “Again.” It isn’t a question and it isn’t something I could deny myself. Or him. As he fills me with his hot come, heat jetting inside me, my pussy clamps tight and I release. “Mine.” He growls into the side of my neck.
For many that word won’t fill you with emotions, with completeness. For me— from him— it’s everything.
Waking up tangled with him seems eons ago— I check my watch and it’s been three hours. “You worried?” My mom pushes my hair behind my shoulder.
“Sorta. I know he’ll be fine. He needs to believe that.” I shrug. He was flustered and nervous this morning and with company showing up at the ass crack of dawn, I couldn’t soothe him how I wanted. How he needed.
“When is he gonna tell everyone his plans?” My dad chimes in as he parks the car.
“I think he’s waiting to see how Mason is. If Mace can’t play pro, Caden doesn’t want Mason to think he’s giving up his dream because of him.” My mom nods— she gets it.
Males, they’re another species. “Sometimes I worry y’all are so intertwined. I love you have support and solid friendships, but I wish you’d make your own decisions without weighing everyone’s opinion.” My dad lectures me.
“Hush Brian.” My mom admonishes. “We were like that— still are.” He gives her the look and she shushes him. “Us girls discuss everything.”
“And that’s the problem. You talk everything to death. Nobody else is paying our bills and sleeping in our bed. None of their business.” He’s rolling in wisdom.
“I didn’t hear you complaining when Sara gave me pointers on you know what.” I cover my ears. La la la la. “And if you don’t watch it, nobody will have to share our bed because one of us, and I mean you dear, won’t be in the bed.” And he shuts up. Or changes the subject.
“So, Aves,” I giggle. “You didn’t look at this place yet?”
“No. Liza mentioned it when we got done looking at condos so I looked it up online and I think I’m in love.” I meet them on the sidewalk and stand and stare. It’s vast . . . the vibes radiating from the building. Seems weird, but I’m drawn to the building, the connecti
on strong. It’s an old warehouse, keeping the industrial aspect for the exterior, but it’s a host of so many venues, tenants . . . and history. A giant water tower marks its location and I pull my parents through the door. We’re supposed to meet a leasing consultant in the offices but I’m rooted to my spot. Concrete floors, wide open spaces for acoustics to accommodate the various concerts. Shops, smells— it seeps into my pores and stops me in my tracks.
“Abigail, I think I witnessed our girl falling in love.” My dad jokes.
“Honey, you did that junior year when Caden took her to the dance.” My mom corrects him.
“I don’t admit she’s in love with another man.” Yep, daddy’s little girl and not ashamed. I let my dad lead us to the offices and don’t pay attention as he makes small talk. My neck is craning, my head swiveling from one venue to another. Courtyards for conversations are present, antique shops, photo galleries, photographers to the stars, guitar shop, and food— venues inside and outside. I follow them in a trance, absorbed in my own world.
After seeing every inch, I wish we were moving tomorrow. Home is where Caden is, with our friends in Kansas . . . but this feels like my home. I fit here where I don’t quite mesh in Wichita. I’ve found my missing element. “Is this it baby girl?” My dad throws his arm around my shoulders.
“Yeah.” I whisper, still awestruck.
“Let’s talk numbers and spaces.” I grip my dad’s hand so he can’t head off to make a deal.
“Wait. Are spaces hard to come by here?” I ask point blank.
The man stutters and pauses. “We usually are near capacity. Most of our vendors are here for the long haul, but as you can see, there is a lot of spaces to accommodate.”
“I have two years before we’re ready. Is that a problem?” He shakes his head. “How about a good faith contract?”
“Doable.” He ponders. “Upstairs or downstairs?”
“Doesn’t matter.” My dad has a smile on his face.
“Seven down. You forfeit, you lose that down payment. You set up shop in two years, first month is free rent.” I glance to my dad and he nods.
“Deal.” I shake his hand.
“With a signature and check it is.” Slick Rick here.
“What are we waiting for?” My dad takes over and I let him.
“Aves and I are gonna get a coffee. Meet you here in a few.” My mom grabs my hand and lets my dad do his thing.
Ten minutes pass and we’re heading back to the hotel for some downtime until we meet up with Caden and his parents for dinner.
“Good school. Great medical school. They’d be lucky to have him.” Thomas talks as he entertains us with their day’s tour. Caden’s kinda quiet so I squeeze his hand.
“You okay?” I mouth.
He leans to me. “It was real. Overwhelming and exciting. I want this, Aves.”
“Me, too.” I grin. “I found the perfect space for my gallery.”
“Picasso, I’ll make this happen.” He’s so serious.
“I don’t have any doubts.” I kiss his cheek and we settle back to our parents staring at us.
“You two need to stop this hiding.” Bethy announces and my mom follows suit.
“Enough.” My dad barks. Thomas sets down his fork and I can see it’s gonna be a stand off. I bet Caden’s the only male at this table getting laid tonight. “They’re doing things at their pace. Their way. It’s their relationship.”
“But they’re friends.” My mom argues.
“Aren’t running their relationship. I repeat my earlier sentiment— they aren’t paying their bills, nor sleeping in their bed. Boundaries. I’m glad they’ve set them.” I feel bad because it isn’t true. We’re hiding. But with good reason. At least in our minds.
“Daddy.” I want to stop this. “I understand Mom and Mrs. Bethy’s point but you’re right. This is our decision. Any fallout we’ll deal with it— together.” I seek Caden and he’s with me.
“How would you feel if roles were reversed?” Bethy asks us.
“I don’t ask them every time they shit. We didn’t know Lee Lee was seeing Brody for a while.” Caden begins.
“Y’all weren’t in good graces.” His mom volleys back.
“Hell, none of us knew Deacon and Adriane were still sleeping together. I don’t get in the middle of Mason and Brecklynn. The way we work, the way we’ve always worked, we don’t have to agree with all our choices but we stick together. If they’re willing to discount all that because I’m in love with Avery, then they aren’t the friends I thought.”
“And you made our point, Caden.” My mom gets all philosophical. “This relationship won’t break your friendships and you aren’t giving them the chance to support you.”
“With good reason,” I huff. “Deacon had a baby. Adriane tucked tail and ran. College. Saylor entered our lives. Deacon and Saylor had their own issues. Drama.” I’m ticking points off and running outta fingers. “Lee Lee went bat shit crazy. We tried to work through it. She started seeing Brody. Deacon and Saylor get married. Saylor and Lee Lee get pregnant. Mason falls in love with something besides the game. Mason gets hurt. Mason gets hooked on drugs. Babies are born.” I pause. “Mason is off trying to get his arm back. Brecklynn is wounded. Saylor and Lee Lee are learning motherhood. Lee Lee graduated and is gonna start work.” I’m exhausted listing all this. “And it’s been two years. Now you want us to throw this in their face. Something we all agreed we wouldn’t do— date one of our own. I see your point, but I think my points trump yours.”
“Sass mouth. That’s why you can deal with my son.” Bethy grins and I think I’ve won.
“Good job, baby.” Caden chuckles and I kick him under the table.
Our dads go back to bullshitting and eating while our moms drown their defeat in wine. Maybe everyone is getting laid after all.
I’ve been so busy with the community center and teaching the kids we’ve all been like ships passing in the night. We still manage Sunday dinners but they’re scattered. I’ve been collecting crayons, papers, clothes— whatever I can for the kids at the center. Much to everyone’s dismay. Caden being the loudest— he feels they take advantage. I think they need guidance.
“Sunday dinner is here tonight.” I holler to Breck.
“Why? We hosted last week.” She grouches.
“Go figure. We’re the only house accompanied solely by vagina . . . yet we have the one grill. Mason is coming home and we’re grilling.” I bat my eyelashes and smile. She isn’t happy but that’s life.
“You’re lucky I love you.” And you love him— big liar.
“And him. Don’t forget you love him.” I’m pushing my luck if her glare is warning.
“Go to hell.” She singsongs, so I’m certain she isn’t gonna trap me in the basement with an axe swinging towards my head. “I’m not helping. This is all you.”
“Lazy.” And typical. She still keeps this wall erected with her and the group. Not with me, but I think she feels like an interloper. We can help Mason and her. It isn’t one or the other.
“Where’d you go last night?” Shit. I’m speechless . . . ‘cause I was getting my world rocked by my boyfriend. The one I keep a secret. “You ever gonna tell me who you’re doing?”
“Not my vibrator like you . . . but that’s none of my business. Does Mason know the Purple Pounder is named after him?” Change the subject. New tactic. She’s been riding my ass all summer— the fake relationship and even faker breakup with David didn’t stop them from being relentless. Or nosy. Maybe I just wanna be a ho, isn’t it my friends duty to support this venture?
“You’re a bitch.” She doesn’t mean it. All the time. Right now, she does.
“And you’re a screamer.” She throws the dishrag at me and we laugh at our antics. All is normal in our world. I hope.
Dinner topics are strained because we’re avoiding the elephant in the room. Will they or won’t they. Mason and Brecklynn. Their crossroads. Their love. Their obstacles.
<
br /> “When do you pitch for Coach?” Brody asks.
“Few days.” Mason is nonchalant but the nervous tension radiates from his pores.
“You ready?” Deacon asks.
“Hell yes.” Theirs my cocky Mason.
“Any of you have any clothes or money you wanna donate? I’m doing a shopping trip next week for the kids.” Begging my friends isn’t something I won’t stoop to.
“Your classes end this week.” Caden acts as if I’ve forgotten.
“Yeah. A few of the kids live in the same apartment housing so I’m taking it there.” I didn’t want to admit that fact.
“No.” All eyes swing to him, causing redness to color his neck. He’s mad. “Where is it?”
All eyes swing to me as realization dawns. I fidget and answer while I’m getting up and stacking dishes, hoping they don’t hear. “Planeview.”
“No way.” Deacon and Mason stand.
“It’ll be a quick drop off. They take the bus and don’t have a way to carry all the stuff home.” I argue. They aren’t the bosses of me.
“It’ll be a quick drive by.” Mason asserts.
Brody, Saylor, and Breck are quiet . . . they don’t know the area. It’s shady. Okay, it’s downright terrifying but I have to help the kids. Backpacks, school supplies, clothes. They have nothing.
“Aves.” Lee Lee is scared for me but she knows I’m determined.
“I have mace. I’ll be there five minutes.” I reassure them and shut the conversation down by leaving the room.
Caden’s words ring in my ears. “If you’re hell bent on doing this I’ll go with you.” Yeah— should’ve listened. I took off all jewelry. Hair in ponytail. Jeans and as inconspicuous as can be. I sent him a text when I took the exit into Planeview and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I pull to the curb and answer. “I’m here. I’ll be ten minutes. Call you when I get to car. Love you.” I end the call and rush from my car making sure I have my purse. I don’t want to lock the door and have the alarm draw attention to me.
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