Going the Distance

by Christa Cervone

  Gabriel grunts savagely, rasping, “I wanna be inside you.”

  Salem removes her fingers. “Fill me, Gabriel,” she begs, wrapping one of her legs around his ass.

  With ease he lifts Salem up, his cock pressing between her legs, teasing her. He slides his swollen head against her opening, then slowly slips just the tip inside. Involuntarily, she contracts around him, her body latching on, trying to pull him deep into her depths. Salem’s entire body is yearning for him. Swaying her hips, she desperately tries to get his cock deeper inside, yet he fights her, trying to pull back. Her pussy aches to be filled, for his heavy balls to be bouncing against her backside as he brings her to her climax. “Gabriel, please make this ache go away? I need you. I can’t take being teased right now.”

  Gabriel surges forward, burying himself to the hilt. Salem lets out a shriek as pure exhilaration fills her and her eyes feast hungrily on his. Pulling all the way out, he again pumps deep into her depths. “Is this what you want?” he grits out.

  Again, he removes himself from her; what he’s doing to her is sweet torture. Holding her breath, she waits for him to push inside her once more. As he plummets into her over and over, she yells out in a rapturous cry, “Yes, yes it is!”

  Pushing her breasts out, she craves to have his warm tongue teasing and his teeth grazing her nipples. That feeling of desperation to come takes over, along with the need to feel Gabriel spilling himself into her. She loves the way he rides out his orgasm; she loves how the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end when he growls as he comes inside her, and as the last spurt of fluid shoots out, how his entire body shudders before he collapses on top of her.

  All of these thoughts have her head spinning, but a deep, guttural growl from Gabriel brings her back. Reaching up above her head, she grabs onto the shower head and holds on tightly. She works her hips fast and hard in hopes of draining Gabriel of every last drop. “Say,” he groans, his eyes looking passionately into her as he digs his fingers into her skin. The first hot spurt hits just as she feels her tight inner muscles clench; her body ignites. Right before she needs to force Gabriel to stop moving, she feels him shudder and a deep exhale and she knows he’s done.

  Gently, he sets her down, holding onto her waist to make sure she has her footing. He runs his hand through her wet hair as the water beats down on both of them. Salem’s heart is still racing and they both remain speechless, staring into each other’s eyes. She doesn’t need him to say a word; she knows exactly what he feels by the look on his face. Standing up on tiptoe, she kisses his lips and draws him closer. “I love you.”

  As her body recovers from what just happened, Salem can’t help but wonder what their future will bring. She’s always been a planner, and this hasn’t stopped since she and Gabriel got together. The need to get married and have children is still there. In fact, it’s getting increasingly stronger with every day she spends with him. Yet, she’s not certain he wants the same. Given his past and what’s happened over the last few months, she doesn’t blame him and she’s willing to give up those things to be with him.

  As the thoughts of marriage and children race through Salem’s head, she does her best to force them out. “Aren’t you cold?” Gabriel interrupts her thoughts. She hadn’t realized the water has cooled to lukewarm, at best, and cold shivers run through her.

  “Yeah,” she responds distantly.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”

  Gabriel reaches around Salem and turns off the water. “Let’s go get you a towel. Your lips are turning blue.” Once he has her wrapped up tight, he resumes his questioning, “So, what’s got you so distracted.”

  Salem tries to shake it off. “It’s nothing, really.”

  “It’s obviously not nothing, Say,” Gabriel retorts as he pulls on his shorts.

  “I was just thinking about the future, that’s all.”

  “What about the future?”

  She shrugs, “I was just thinking about us and how we’ll end up.”

  Gabriel pulls Salem up into a standing position and then wraps his arms around her cold shoulders, pulling her into a bear hug. “You wanna know how I see our future? Well, I see us having a lot more hot sex.” Salem tilts her chin down at him. “Alright, alright…” he laughs, “I’ll be serious. I see my fight going well and me gettin’ a chance to fight pro, and you becoming a kick-ass lawyer. I see us gettin’ married, and our honeymoon consisting of you bein’ naked the entire time.” Salem slaps his chest for the last comment.

  “What about children?” Salem asks curiously.

  “Is that what you’re worried about, Say, me not wanting kids? I’m gonna be totally honest with you.” The knot in her stomach intensifies and her heart rate increases. “I never really wanted kids.” Salem feels her face drop along with heart. She knew his stand on kids, but she was hoping he’d change his mind. It’s alright, plenty of people live happy marriages without children. My law practice will probably take up most of my time, anyways, and I wouldn’t want my children raised by a nanny. This is something she’d have to get over; their love will have to be enough. Gabriel lifts Salem’s chin, “But, that was before you, Say. What you should be worrying about is how we’re gonna find a house big enough to fit all of us,” he smiles at her.

  Salem starts to laugh, and she feels like a thousand pounds have been lifted from her shoulders. “You’ve really changed your mind?”

  “How could we deprive this world of having a little Gabriel and Salem running around? We’d be doing it a disservice.” Salem beams at him. “Now, this doesn’t mean I wanna go out and knock you up tomorrow, but I can definitely see myself being the father of your children. And, we can certainly practice makin’ babies anytime you want.”

  Go the Distance – A boxer goes the distance when he can fight through all the scheduled rounds.

  “Will you two hurry up and get ready? You’re worse than two women!” Salem anxiously yells into the locker room. “We don’t have all day!”

  “Well, if you’d give me a hint as to what’s happening, maybe I would,” I yell back at her playfully.

  “I already told you, it’s a surprise.”

  “How ‘bout a hint?” Frankie asks.

  “Not even a hint, Frankie. That’ll give it away!”

  A couple of minutes later, Frankie and I emerge from the locker room. Frankie’s wearing a plaid button-down, a solid red tie, and a pair of khakis. While I’m sporting my signature white button-down, some fancy tie Salem bought for me, and black dress pants.

  “Wow, look at you two!” Salem whistles. “Frankie, if I wasn’t already spoken for…” she flirts.

  Frankie just grumbles, “This better be a surprise wedding you’re draggin’ me to, girl.”

  Through her laughter she replies, “No, Frankie, it’s definitely not a surprise wedding. But, there will be a nice dinner afterward.”

  My stomach rumbles. “Good, because I’m starving.”

  “The sooner we get out of here, the sooner you can eat.”

  “Well then, let’s go!” Taking her hand, I lead her out the door.

  As always, my eyes are on Salem, watching her intently; she looks so pleased with herself as she drives us to our undisclosed destination. As her car stops at a traffic light, I look around at our surroundings and still have no clue as to where we’re headed, other than that we’re headed downtown.

  “How much longer?” Frankie barks anxiously from the back seat. He’s usually the one in control and has never been much for surprises. So, for him to even allow Salem to do this says a lot. The two of them have gained mutual respect for one another, which is good since the majority of our nights have been spent at the gym training for my fight.

  Salem looks into her rearview mirror and gives him a soft smile. “Only about five more minutes, Frankie.”

  Just like Salem promised, we were pulling into a parking lot within five minutes. “Why are we at the courthouse
?” Frankie inquires as we get out of the car.

  “We have some business to take care of here.”

  Frankie turns to me. “Kid, are you gettin’ hitched?”

  “No, Frankie, we’re not. I’m in the dark just as much as you are.” My eyes skirt from Frankie to Salem. Her face gives me no clue as to what she’s up to here. “Are we just gonna sit here or are we gonna go in?”

  “Well, that depends on what’s happening in there,” Frankie replies, motioning to the building directly in front of us.

  “For two big, tough men, you’re certainly acting like wimps about going into a building.” Salem laughs, hooking her arms around both Frankie and me, and pulling us toward the building. After we get through the security check, Salem leads the way to the elevators. “We’re going to the fourth floor.”

  I glance at the directory as we wait for the elevator doors to open. The fourth floor houses both District and Probate Courts. Salem holds my hand and watches the numbers on the elevator change, acting like nothing’s up. Damn, I wish I could read that mind of hers.

  The elevator dings. “Almost there now,” she says with a smile, then steps inside.

  The next two minutes seem like an eternity, and my heart jumps as the numbers change on the door panel. I feel sick to my stomach. When we finally reach the fourth floor and the door opens, I have the overwhelming urge to run. Nothin’ good ever happens at a courthouse.

  Standing outside the elevator, with her arms crossed and her toe tapping, Salem impatiently asks, “Are you coming?”

  I push the taste of bile back down my throat. “Yeah,” the word barely squeaks out as I step out to join them.

  Approaching the first courtroom, she chuckles, “I don’t know why either of you are so nervous. Nothing bad is going to happen to you here, I promise.”

  “Let’s just get it over with,” Frankie yanks the door open and proceeds through while Salem and I follow.

  Once we’re fully inside, memories of my father’s trial hit me: The sound of the gavel hitting the desk, the flashes from the cameras, and of course, Jase’s cries. My heart is thudding against my chest while I squeeze Salem’s hand tightly, trying to hold on to the present.

  “It’s okay, Gabriel. I would never do anything to hurt you. Just breathe,” she whispers softly.

  I close my eyes and take several slow, deep breaths until my nerves begin to settle.

  “You finally made it,” a jovial voice booms from behind the large wooden desk across the room.

  “Finally,” she sighs. “These two gave me a run for my money today.”

  “You still haven’t clued them in?” He has a conspiratorial look on his face.

  She smirks, “No, I haven’t.”

  Waving us on, he addresses Frankie and I, “Gentlemen, please come on up. I promise I don’t bite.”

  I glance over at Frankie, shrugging my shoulders. We proceed down the aisle to the front of the courtroom.

  “I’m Judge Ferguson,” he extends his hand to each of us. “I’ve known Salem since she was a young girl. I’m glad to see she hasn’t lost her fire,” the judge flashes a smile in Salem’s direction.

  “No, she certainly hasn’t lost that,” Frankie adds.

  “Why don’t the two of you have a seat?”

  I look over my shoulder at Salem, who’s sitting in the front row; she nods her head at me.

  Frankie and I take a seat at the desk. “So,” Judge Ferguson folds his hands in front of him, “Salem has filled me in on your relationship with one another, and I must say, it’s quite remarkable. It’s very rare to find a bond, such as yours, that isn’t blood.” I can feel Frankie’s eyes on me. “Salem also told me that Frankie…” he stops. Turning his attention to Frankie, he continues, “May I call you Frankie?”

  “Yes, that’s fine.”

  “I was told that Frankie tried on several occasions to adopt you, Gabriel.”

  “Yes,” Frankie answers for me. “But, after he turned eighteen…”

  Judge Ferguson leans back in his chair. “What if I told you this is still possible?”

  “What’s still possible?” I ask, completely confused.

  “Adoption.”

  “Adoption? He’s an adult,” Frankie sounds just as baffled as I am.

  “Yes, he’s a consenting adult, one that can legally choose for you to adopt him.”

  Frankie leans forward in his chair. “Are you sayin’ that it’s still possible for me to adopt Gabriel?”

  The judge smiles. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. And it just so happens, I have everything already drawn up for you. If that’s what both of you want, of course.”

  I eagerly turn toward Frankie. “Frankie?”

  “Do you even have to ask me that, Gabriel?”

  I begin to laugh nervously. “I dunno, maybe you changed your mind.”

  “Kid…” his features soften, “if I didn’t want this, I wouldn’t have tried for so many years.”

  I smile harder than I’ve ever smiled before at his response. Clapping my hands, then rubbing them together briskly, I exclaim, “Let’s do this!”

  “Salem,” the judge calls her forward, “will you please be their witness?”

  “Gladly.”

  I feel her small hand rest gently on my shoulder and on impulse, mine covers hers. I look up at her and mouth “Thank you.”

  Smiling, she mouths back “You’re welcome.”

  “So, before we get started, we need to go through some legal stuff,” the judge pulls my attention back. “You are both here of your own free will, correct?”

  Frankie and I answer, “Yes.”

  “Good.” He fans out some official looking documents on his desktop. “The majority of these forms are already filled out, but I’ll need you both to read over them carefully and confirm everything is correct.”

  After reading them, I place the papers back down on the desk. “Do either of you have any questions?”

  I shake my head and Frankie replies, “No.”

  Handing each of us pens, the judge gives further instructions. “Okay, then I’ll have you sign at the designated check marks. Gabriel, on the bottom of the Petition for Adoption, there’s a section labeled “Change of Name.” If you choose to have your last name changed, you’ll need to fill that section out as well.”

  Frankie looks over at me, “Kid, you don’t have to change your last name. Knowing you’re my child by legal adoption is good enough for me.”

  The only reason I would’ve kept the last name Vega, would’ve been for Jase. But now that he’s gone, there’s nothing holding me to it. Why should I continue to bear the name of a man who’s done nothing but cause pain in my life? “Frankie, it would be an honor to have your last name.”

  “Congratulations, Mr. Carbone. It’s a boy!” Judge Ferguson laughs as he takes the signed papers from us.

  Salem squeezes my shoulders and leans around to kiss my cheek. “Congratulations, Gabriel.”

  Hooking my arm around her waist, I swoop her around and onto my lap. “Say, I can’t believe you did this,” my heart quickens. “I…” I’m at a loss for words.

  “There’s nothing to thank me for, Gabriel. I just did a little research. The rest was all you and Frankie.”

  “Stop doin’ that, Say.”

  “Doing what?”

  “Stop sellin’ yourself short on everything. You never take credit when credit is due.”

  “I don’t need or want credit for this. What I want, is for you to be happy.”

  I rest my forehead against hers. “You make me so happy,” I breathe out.

  “I love you, Gabriel.”

  “I love you, too.” My lips search out hers, and she lets out a small whimper as my tongue invades her mouth.

  “Do you perform weddings?” I hear Frankie ask.

  “I’m sure that can be arranged.”

  Both Salem and I laugh.

  “Gabriel, you’ve got to get up. Frankie and Jimmy are going to be her
e soon.”

  I pull a pillow over my head and grumble, “I’m tired, Say, I don’t wanna.”

  Salem starts peeling the blankets off of me. “You can sleep in tomorrow. We don’t have anything planned. Today is a big day.”

  “What time is it?”

  “It’s six.”

  “Six? Why the fuck does Frankie want me up so early?”

  “Well, I see someone is wide awake.” I can hear the smile in her voice, and I know exactly what she’s talking about.

  I grab ahold of my cock, “You want a piece of this?”

  Lifting her shirt up, she exposes her bare stomach and the lower half of her breasts, “I don’t know. Do you want a piece of this?”

  Pushing myself up into a sitting position, I wet my lips with my tongue and answer breathlessly, “You know I do.”

  “Show me,” she purrs, crawling onto the bed on her hands and knees. I can see right down the V in her shirt, to her breasts hanging low and those pert nipples. My dick twitches as it presses hard up against the fabric of my boxers. Kneeling up on her knees, she demands, “Show me, Gabriel. Touch yourself.” Her eyes stare hungrily at my cock as she runs the tips of her fingers over her nipples, making them harder so they poke through her shirt.

  “Oh, fuck me, Say.”

  “Mmmm… You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

  I slowly nod my head and my breathing turns deep and shallow. My eyes are glued on her hands as they wander down her body and her fingers dance over the silky fabric that covers her pussy. My mouth has turned dry and I repeatedly swallow, trying to wet my throat.

  “Do I have your attention?” she coos.