Familiar Ground

by Michelle Lynn

  “Leah, you’re so beautiful.” He stands up and peers down at me.

  Heat radiates up my neck, and now it’s my turn to worship the body I’ve been appreciating all this time. I sit up on my knees, and my fingers grip his waistband and manipulate the button of his jeans. His stomach sinks in from his deep breath, and I smile up at him as my fingers pull his zipper down. Teasing him, my fingers trace around his waistline, and I slowly push them down to his ankles leaving him only in his blue boxer briefs. My breathing hitches at the sight of such an amazing body and the thought that he’s mine.

  Shivers course through me as Adam guides me back down on the bed while I finish taking off his boxers with my feet, and I cradle him between my legs. When our naked bodies touch, warmth fills every inch of us. My legs slide up and down his while my hands feel the V-shaped stomach that feels like smooth leather. His forearms lay on my bed, encasing my head between them. All the passion that’s been building between us is so evident in his loving eyes as he gazes down at me. “Please, tell me you’re on the pill?” he asks, and I feel the tip of him at my opening.

  Unable to speak, I nod, and he smiles.

  “I’m clean, Leah, no worries,” he admits, and his fingers play with my hair splayed across the bed.

  “Me too. I’ve always used condoms before.” I confirm.

  Painfully slow, he begins to enter me. “Is this okay?” he asks me.

  “More than okay,” I respond, and my hands move down, gripping his ass while he eases into my body.

  Adam slides in and out of me, allowing me to feel every inch of him, and I’m about to lose my mind. The need to have him harder and faster grows stronger with every thrust. Pushing my hips up to gain more of him, he quickly gets the hint and starts moving faster in and out of me. “You feel so good, Leah.” He captures my lips, pressing his tongue in my mouth, demanding a response, and I match his speed. Soon we’re both moaning, groaning, and whimpering. Adam places his hand on my shoulders and begins pushing my body down as he pushes into me, hitting me in just the right spot every time. I’m barely hanging on, but I don’t want this feeling to end. The urge to scream his name only makes it that much harder to keep my orgasm at bay. Just when I don’t think I can handle it anymore, his mouth finds mine again, stopping my increasingly louder moans and ramblings of pleasure he elicits from me.

  Breaking apart to breathe. “I’m going to come, Adam. Please, don’t stop,” I beg.

  Our sweaty naked bodies slide along one another, I tighten my thighs against his waist, and soon we both finally find our release. He slows his pace, allowing my body to enjoy every shift of my orgasm, only making me want to have him again. Ultimately spent, Adam’s body collapses on top of me. We lay there in complete silence as my legs fall to the side, and my fingers massage the back of his head. Once our breathing steadies, he rises back up on his elbows and showers my neck with small kisses until he reaches my lips. His face mere inches in front of mine, only love remains in those honey-colored eyes. “That was incredible. So, fucking incredible.”

  I laugh. “Yes, it was.”

  “Sorry, you were probably expecting something romantic.” His face falters slightly before that devilish smile reappears. “When I say incredible, I mean you. You know that, right?” His thumb brushes across my lips. “For the first time in my life, words can’t reflect what I’m feeling.” He picks up my hand and kisses my palm. “You’ve brought so much into my life. Thank you, Leah.”

  “You did a pretty good job of saying something romantic just now.” I slither my hand up his chest and shoulder, placing it on the back of his neck, and nudging him down to me. “You’ve brought something out of me that was lost long ago. So, thank you, Adam.” Then his mouth meets mine and all those sparks flare up again.

  Leah surprises me with every step this relationship of ours takes. When I first laid her down on the bed, she seemed hesitant and nervous. For someone who believes they aren’t very experienced, she definitely killed me with her moves. I was barely able to hang on long enough to make sure she came first. I’m sure her douchebag ex-boyfriend was mostly out for himself when it came to every aspect of their relationship, but with sex, I’m positive he only looked out for his pleasure. I loved watching her climax so much I could please her fifty times before fulfilling my own needs.

  I don’t want her to leave my side, but she’s insistent on taking a shower. All I want to do is lie with her, feeling her soft silky skin the whole night. Sprawled out on her bed, listening to the water running in the next room, I can barely contain myself not to run after her. Even though the sex was amazing, I can’t wait until we don’t have to worry about Dani down the hall. Just imagining what the screams and other sounds that I could unleash from her, have me hard all over again.

  Getting up from the bed, I make sure the bedroom door is locked, and I step into the shower behind Leah. My hands rise across her body, and I cup her breasts with both my hands. Kissing her back with small kisses. She jumps as my arms wrap around her, surprised from the contact.

  “Oh Jesus, Adam,” she gasps, but her ass pushes back into my hardness.

  “I was lonely,” I whisper.

  “It has only been a few minutes.” She leans back to my chest, not discouraging me from continuing, though.

  “What can I say? You’re addictive.” I kiss the back of her neck, moving to her shoulder.

  “Oh really? I was secretly hoping you would follow me.” That’s all I need to hear from her. I grab her waist and whip her around fast, connecting my lips to hers with a sense of urgency.

  Our tongues collide in each other’s mouths. The meeting is more forceful than before. My desire for her has only increased from the last time, and I can’t take my time, I need her now.

  Grabbing her ass with both hands, I bring her up to my waist as her legs wrap around me. I push her up against the shower wall, still taking it slow when I enter her, allowing her to get used to me. Once I get all the way in, I calculate some math in my head to stop from coming too soon. Even though I just had her, she’s tight and wet, allowing me to slide in and out with so many sensations it feels so good, reciting math in my head is the only way I can hang on. She moans as I take one nipple and suck it into my mouth, making it red and swollen.

  My hands on her hips guide her up and down on my length. From her years of dancing, she’s limber, making shower sex so much easier. Capturing her lips again, I pour every ounce of my passion into her, willing her to feel everything I’m feeling in this instant. I want her to know how much she means to me, how much I desire and want her. I’m not sure which moment was more love-induced the bed or the shower. Because as we crash together in ecstasy up against the shower wall, the words slip out of my mouth before I can stop.

  “God, I love you, Leah.” Oh shit.

  She slowly drops her legs from around my hips, and her arms fall limp to her sides. As I hold her by her waist, her feet dangle two inches from the floor, we stare at each other frozen in place. Way to go, she’s scared now. This perfect night just got ruined, since I can’t keep my emotions in check.

  I lower her down to the shower floor and lean back, waiting for her to say something…anything.

  “Adam,” she whispers, and I sigh. Just like I expected, I’m the sole person on the love train.

  Not even bothering to say anything more I step out of the shower, hand her a towel, and grab one for myself. Walking into her room, I scramble to find my clothes, so I can escape this apartment. I got her and lost her all within five fucking days. What the hell was I thinking?

  “Adam, wait,” she calls from behind me, but no way can I look at her. See the pity face staring back to me with empathy that I’m the only one feeling this way.

  “Adam!” She grabs my arm to stop me. I turn around and look at this beautiful woman standing in front of me with a towel wrapped around her. Absolutely beautiful, the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever been face to face with. Everything about her is remarkable, from her
looks to what’s inside. I do love her. I’m not sure when my desire turned to like, which turned into love, but sometime during our crazy fucked up situation I fell for her, harder than ever before. I have to own my feelings, even if she doesn’t feel the same way. I’m not going to be a pussy and make up some stupid excuse like the words slipped, and I didn’t mean them. If she doesn’t feel the same, so be it, but life’s too short to sit on the sidelines and wait.

  “Listen, Leah—” I start my plea to stop the awkwardness, but she interrupts me.

  “Wait, Adam.” She holds up a finger. “I need to know if you meant it or was it just something that slipped out during your orgasm.” she asks. Her green eyes are filled with confusion, and her lips are in a taut, straight line. She honestly thinks I might not mean those heartfelt words, that they were some meaningless words I could say out of habit when I come.

  “Oh, Leah,” I pause. The need to tell her how strong my feelings are for her is so great, but I don’t want to scare her away either. It’s a fine line I’m walking on, and I’m trying to proceed with caution. I can’t lose the first girl I’ve ever fallen in love with.

  “That’s okay, Adam, you don’t have to say anything. I understand,” she says turning around, going to her dresser.

  Now, dipshit, say something now. “What do you understand, Leah?” I ask. How could she not see how much she consumes me? We’ve known each other three weeks, and, already, I’d do anything for her.

  “One of those heat of the moment declarations. I forget things I say during the height of an orgasm, as well. No big deal.” Her shoulders rise and fall heavily.

  “Turn around, Leah,” I demand. If I’m going to bare my soul, I sure as hell want to see her face.

  When she turns around, I notice her watery eyes before they veer down to stare at the floor. Don’t think it, Adam, don’t get your fucking hopes up. I reach out for her hand, and she willingly gives it to back to me. Leading her over to the bed, I sit her down on the edge and join her, still holding her hands within mine.

  “Leah, it wasn’t some high on orgasm phrase. I know we haven’t known each other long. Hell, you just broke up with a long-term boyfriend a week ago. I don’t know if it was the first time I saw you walk by my site, or when I first talked to you at the dance studio, or that first time kissing you in that bathroom in Minnesota, but at some point I fell in love with you,” I pause, waiting for her reaction.

  A small smile crosses her lips, but she reveals nothing.

  “I know it’s too soon, and you don’t feel the same way, but I can’t help it. I would do anything for you. It’s not just because of Dani, either. I mean, I love you even more when we are around her, but that’s not why I love you. I love your strength, your courage, and your determination. You’ve been dealt a pretty shitty hand in life, and, look at you, you’re truly astonishing, Leah. I love how you already know Dani’s likes and dislikes after such a short time. The way you protect her and have changed your whole life to make sure she has a good one. As much as I hate to admit it, I love the fact that after all the crappy things your brother did, you still love him and hope he gets clean.”

  Tears stream down her face, and I have either just hit it out of the park or struck out, it’s hard to tell from her reaction.

  “You don’t have to say anything, Leah. I love you, but I don’t need to hear the words back. Take your time with this, and I hope one day the feelings will be mutual, but no pressure until then.”

  “Adam.” She places her hand on my cheek. Here is the sendoff, man. “It’s crazy. We haven’t known each other long, and I just broke up with Jason. I don’t feel like it’s right.” She looks down at her lap, and I want to grab my shit and leave.

  “I told you, Leah, no pressure,” I plead for her not to end this between us, but give us a real chance.

  “No, Adam, that’s not it. I agree, if someone would’ve told me three weeks ago that I would be raising my brother’s daughter and be in love with her uncle, I would’ve said they were out of their mind.” Her sparkling eyes meet mine, and she smiles so wide, I can’t stop the hopeful feeling building inside of me.

  “Are you saying what I think you are?” I have to hear the words. Those three words will calm my erratic beating heart.

  “Yes, Adam. I love you, too.” I reach around her, pulling her tight into me.

  “I promise to never let you down,” I whisper in her ear.

  Did I really just tell Adam that I love him? It scares me to think I can go from one guy to the next, but there’s something about Adam. It’s a connection I’ve never had with anyone else. Completely foreign to what I felt for Jason. If I believed in reincarnation, I would believe that Adam and I were soul mates who found each other in every life. We’ve been joined together by something more powerful than ourselves. It may not have been love at first sight for me, but I fell for him so fast and so hard it might as well have been.

  I mean it, too; I love him with everything I have in me. Even if this complicates our situation further, I’m not going to harp on those things now. I want to enjoy this night in his arms with his touch and his words.

  Our towels are quickly discarded, and we get under my red comforter. Adam holds me while stroking my hair, and I mindlessly play with the small patch of chest hair. It’s the perfect amount, not too much, but enough to play with. We talk about when we each think we fell for the other one and the surge that seems to connect us. He informs me that he and Marcus came to the student center when I broke up with Jason just to make sure nothing happened, and he said I handled myself great with him. That when I told him the night before I was planning on doing it, he was happy it was during his lunch. I feel like an idiot not putting all his questions of where and when together that night. I’m surprisingly, angry and happy about him being there. Mostly, it brings a feeling of safety over me. Adam has a way of blanketing me with his security, as though no harm will ever come to me as long as he’s in my life.

  We make love two more times that night and barely sleep, except for some catnaps here and there. Early in the morning, Adam sneaks out of my bedroom, so Dani wouldn’t know he’d been there. We don’t know how to tell her, or if she would understand Adam sleeping in my bed.

  When I emerge out of my room, I hear Adam and Dani talking in the kitchen.

  “Syrup,” Dani asks. “Mickey Mouse,” she excitedly says.

  I turn the corner and find them both sitting down at the breakfast bar, staring at a plate of pancakes in front of them. “Good morning, Aunt Leah. Did you know Uncle Adam spent the night?”

  “Good morning. Yes, I did,” I say, shooting an amused expression toward Adam.

  “Can he spend the night in my room next time? You’ll have to sleep on the floor though.” She frowns at Adam, who raises his eyebrows.

  “We’ll see. What are you eating for breakfast?” I remark, and Dani reaches across and pats the spot next to Adam.

  “Uncle Adam made all different pancakes,” she says.

  Sitting down at a place setting including a cup of my peppermint tea in front of my plate, I sigh and look over at a very happy Adam. “Thank you,” I say, and his hand reaches under the bar, giving my knee a squeeze.

  “All right, girls, the rest is for you. I’ve gotta go to work.” He stands up and kisses Dani on the head. “Love you, little girl. See you tonight.”

  Standing up, I leave Dani and walk Adam out. Finding prying eyes on us, I shut the door slightly to shield our affections to her. Adam gives me a huge hug, whispering in my ear how much he loves me and that he’s already missing me. My heart flutters, and my stomach somersaults as he closes the door behind me, so he can kiss me goodbye.

  “I can’t go all day without kissing these lips.” He thoroughly kisses me, leaving me gripping the doorknob. “Pick you up at five?”

  “Sounds good, I’m nervous now. What will your parents say about us?” I ask.

  “Don’t even worry about it; it’ll be fine,” he casually says.
With a chaste kiss he descends the steps, and when he stops at the bottom of the stairs, he turns around. “I just have to check you out one more time before I leave.” His eyes roam up and down my body before he coyly winks.

  “Bye, Adam,” I say.

  “Bye, angel,” he replies, and hearing the term of endearment, I sink into the doorframe further.

  Adam shows up at exactly five o’clock, punctual as usual. I’ve dressed Dani up in a pretty dress, and we’d gone over where we were going, so she would be prepared. I’m wearing skinny jeans and a sweater with a pair of flats. I want to be casual, but nicely put together. These are very different ‘meeting his parents’ circumstances. Will Adam show affection, or try to hide our relationship? Anxiety begins to build, wishing we would’ve discussed this further.

  Dani runs up to the house as soon as Adam unhooks her harness and moves to the side. Jan is out the front door, as though she’s been looking out the window for us. “Hi, Grandma,” Dani exclaims and barrels up the stairs. Jan smiles widely, bending down to give the little girl a hug.

  “Hi, Dani. You look so beautiful,” she tells her, and Dani beams.

  Adam and I slowly make our way to them, and Jan stands up, peering down at us with a curious eye. “Hi, you two. How are things?” she asks, looking at our joined hands and then directs her stare directly at Adam.

  “Hi, Mom,” he says, releasing my hand and placing it on the small of my back to lead me up the stairs.

  “Hi, Jan. It’s nice to see you again.” I act polite as possible. Reaching over, I give her a small uncomfortable hug.

  “You too, Leah.” Her voice barely above a whisper.

  Then her attention focuses on Adam, and he hugs her hard and tight, just like he does with me. She says something to him, and he rubs her back almost soothing her. When she pulls back, she places her hands on either one of his cheeks and stares into his eyes for a moment before disengaging from him completely.