by kj lewis
“Love you,” we say to each other walking in opposite directions.
“Want to walk before we call for the car?” I ask Teague.
“Your wish is my command.”
“Do you like being my security?”
“Yes, Emme,” he says, exasperated. “I’ve told you before.”
“Want to ride the carousal?”
“Pretty please with a cherry on top,” he says sarcastically.
“Emme?” Teague and I turn in the direction of my name.
“Evan. What are you doing here?” I hug him.
“Actually I am headed to a meeting with my dad. His campaign office is over there.” He points to the building Jackson’s offices are in. “I was cutting through the park.”
“I use to work in that building. So do you live here now?”
He nods. “We moved here a few years ago. Have a minute?”
I look at Teague, who’s already looking at his watch nodding.
“I have a few. Why don’t we sit?” I point to an empty table on the lawn.
“Dad grew up in New York. About two hours from here. Senator Harris has been planning his retirement for a while, so Dad moved us to the city to establish residency and start building a war chest for his campaign. I didn’t know you still lived here. I guess I thought you moved back to Memphis after the accident.”
“No. There was nothing left for me there. I go home a couple of times a month to see Addie. Incidentally, I think we are going to have her moved here for some testing.”
He’s quiet, his eyes not able to meet mine.
“I feel like I failed you both.” He picks at a chip in the paint on the table.
“You didn’t. It was an accident.” I reach out and place my hand in his. “It’s taken me a while to realize that I’m not at fault either. Some days it’s easier than others.”
“She just totally shut down. I didn’t know she had feelings for me. I would never come between you two.”
“What do you mean, she had feelings for you?”
“She told me she loved me a few months after you left, but I was still in love with you, so I told her I wasn’t ready for another relationship.”
“I’d hardly call what we had a relationship Evan.” I pull my hand back and wrap my jacket around me. “We were kids.”
“I know, but you were my first relationship. I just wasn’t ready. Like you said, I was a kid. I had no clue what love was.”
“Look, I don’t know what happened between you and Addie, but no matter what it was, you are not responsible for what happened. We would never allow a boy to come between us. How long have you been carrying this guilt?”
“Probably as long as you have.”
“You gotta let it go,” I encourage him. “You didn’t give her the alcohol that night. She was with Jake. And I don’t hold him responsible either. Like I said, it was an accident. Things happen when you’ve had too much to drink.”
“You and I know that better than most.” His eyes drill into mine.
“Yes. It was a hard lesson we learned.” I tell him, but something tells me we aren’t talking about Addie anymore.
“Shoot. I have to go. Call me for that coffee sometime. You look great. I told some of the guys that I ran into you and that you look amazing. They were always jealous that you were mine.”
“I was never yours Evan.” I roll my eyes at him. “We were eighteen.”
“You wound me.” He places his hand over his heart. “Bye.” His kisses my cheek before leaving.
“I don’t like that guy,” Teague says coming over to me.
“You don’t like anyone besides Graham. Does he pay you extra for that?”
“Yes he does.” He winks at me. “Myles is here with the car.”
“I thought we were walking?”
“That was before you took forever talking to weird guys.”
“Evan is not weird. He’s an old friend,” I say, but I realize I’ve lost Teague’s attention.
“Do me a favor, Emme. Walk on this side of me,” Teague says nodding to his right. I see him looking at a crowd of people on our left.
“What?” I ask, following his request, trying to see what he is seeing. They just look like a crowd of people to me.
“In you go,” he says once we reach the car. He slides in beside me this time instead of taking the front seat. He takes a picture of the crowd before we pull off.
“Who are you sending that to?”
“Smith.”
“Why?”
“Just someone I recognize that I think he might know.”
“So tell me about this Evan kid. What’s his story?”
I tell him about Evan and we talk about normal things on the ride home. By the time we pull into the portico, I’ve forgotten about Evan.
I see the car Smith drives is here, so I go in search of Graham once I’m in the apartment. He’s on the phone in his office giving someone hell about some deal not being hammered out.
“You okay?” I ask once he’s off.
“I am now that you’re home, baby.” He pulls me onto his lap and starts massaging my breast.
“I thought you might want to go for a run with me.” I arch my back so he can have better access. This pleases him. Unbuttoning my blouse, he slides his hand inside and works my nipple into a hard peak through the lace bra I’m wearing.
“Sounds good unless you plan to run more than ten today. I can’t keep up with you on those long distances.” He nuzzles my neck, before running his tongue over my skin.
“That is not true, you can out-run me. But I’m good with running ten miles today. It won’t throw off my training.” I pepper him with kisses. “But we need to go now while there’s still some daylight left.
“Then stop kissing me.”
“Okay.” I hop off his lap.
Frowning he follows me to our bedroom. “I expected a little more resistance than that.”
“Tell you what. When we get home, I’ll give you all the resistance you want.”
“Deal. Try to keep up. This is going to be a fast run.” He slaps my ass before heading into the closet to change.
The purple and orange sunset makes a beautiful backdrop over the Hudson as we run back to the apartment. It’s been a day that I’ve needed. Mindless in that I had no decisions to make and that I was able to focus on something other than myself.
“If I win, you have to rub my feet,” I announce as I begin to pick up the pace in the home stretch.
“If I win, you have to rub my cock,” Graham says. He reaches out to catch me by my elbow when I stumble over my feet laughing at his bluntness.
“Either way, I can’t lose.” I smack him on the ass.
“Does that mean you’re going to lose on purpose?”
“When have you ever known me to lose on purpose? I promise you that is one thing you won’t have to worry about with me.” I slide my eyes to the left to make sure the traffic is stopped before I dart across the street and make a mad dash the last few blocks, ignoring the expletives Graham shouts at me.
Watching him across the highway I can see he has increased his pace and intends to make it across ahead of me. Smith catches me as I run through another intersection pushing the crossing button as I go, hoping it will cause the light to change on Graham so he has to stop.
“It’s creepy sometimes how masterminded you are, ma’am,” Smith says running beside me. “Pace me.” He takes the lead, effectively letting me draft off him. I can tell he’s increasing his speed, and it actually helps. Graham and Teague cross the street as Smith and I make it to the corner. I am seconds from touching the door when Graham pulls me off my feet, swinging me around him as he reaches out and touches the building first.
“Cheater!” I laugh and kick in protest.
“There was no way I was losing that prize, Emelia.”
“That’s not fair.”
“I never promised to play fair.” He sets me down on my feet to suck in air.
>
“Smith, we were robbed!” I tell him as we all huff our way to the elevator.
“Yes ma’am. We were. Goodnight, Sir, Ma’am,” Smith says before heading down to his apartment for the night.
“Something smells delicious.” I make my way to the oven to see what Vinnie has cooking.
“Lamb chops,” Graham says holding up the note. “Says we have ten minutes before its ready. Just enough time for us to rinse off.”
“Only if you stay on your end of the shower,” I tell him, pulling off my running bra.
His eyes land on my breasts, and he bites his lip. God, this man is adorable. “I think I’ll turn it down a little.” He adjusts the heat on the oven. “Give us an extra ten minutes.”
“When have you ever been that quick?” I raise a brow at him kicking my shoes off.
“You would be surprised at what I can do to you in twenty minutes, Emelia.”
I don’t know if it’s his promise or my name on his lips, but I can already feel the heat between my legs.
“I’m already wet.”
“Keep talking and I won’t even need fifteen minutes.” He follows the trail of clothes I’m dropping on the way to the shower.
“Thank you, Vinnie,” I say to her spirit as I eat the last piece of meat off the bone.
“Yes. Vinnie is an excellent cook,” Graham agrees pouring us more wine.
“I like that she cooks regular food. It’s not all foo-foo.”
“Foo-foo?”
“You know fancy. Don’t get me wrong, I love gourmet food. But I also like regular meals. Her chicken pot pie…”
“I know. It’s amazing.” He pops a roasted potato in his mouth.
“Do you have more work to do tonight?”
“I should since I let you entice me into finishing early, but it’s going to have to wait until tomorrow. I’m not passing this up.”
“Passing what up?” I take a sip of the white wine.
“This. You. You’re happy.”
“I’m always happy, babe. Scratch that. I always have joy. Happiness is an emotion. It comes and goes like anything else, but yes, for the most part I’m happy most days.”
“True. Lighter is probably a better word. You’re lighter tonight. You haven’t been this way in a while.”
“I feel lighter. I’m not sure if I’m coping with all the change better, or if it’s just taking a break from it today. Having lunch with the gang was just what I needed.” I get up to clear the plates.
“You know if it makes you happier, you can work there. You don’t have to be at Taylor.” He follows me into the kitchen.
“I know. I don’t know that I am happier there, I just needed a day without decisions about all the crazy things in my life. Like crazy stepdads, vegetative sisters who need care, and people giving me billion dollar corporations.” I smile at him on the last one.
He pulls me to him. “Leave the dishes. Vinnie will get them tomorrow. I believe I won, and I would like to collect my prize now if you don’t mind.”
“Winning by cheating…”
His mouth closes over mine.
Thirty minutes later as Graham’s tongue works its magic on my clit, my fingers twisting the bedspread as he brings me to an exquisite orgasm, running his tongue over me again and again well after I’ve climaxed. Right when I think my body won’t make it, he pulls my ass to the edge of the bed. Standing, he places both of my ankles against his shoulders as he pushes into me. His hands rest on my hips where they meet the tops of my thighs. It’s so deep this way.
“I love you, Emelia,” he says as he pushes in and down. The angle sends delicious ripples through me.
“I love you Graham,” I tell him breathlessly.
“Eyes on me. Control, Emelia. I want this to last.”
“Graham. I can’t.”
“Not before I give you permission. You can and you will. Keep your eyes on me. Control your body.”
“No.” He pulls out of me when he feels me tightening around him. “If you come before I give you permission, I will punish you.”
“Graham, please.” He continues to run his cock up and down my sex, taunting me. Without a word, he leaves and goes into the bathroom, returning a minute later.
“Knees to your chest, Emelia.” He guides them into place. “Grab your ankles. Hesitate again and I’ll take you over my knee. Don’t try to figure out what I’m doing. Just obey me.”
Knees to my chest, grabbing my ankles, I watch curiously as Graham takes his belt and wraps it around the area where my thigh, calf, and forearm all meet. He repeats the same step on the other side. Even though Graham has seen every part of me, this position feels vulnerable and open. He’s in complete control and there is no way to hide.
Leaning over me, he bites, licks, and sucks my breast in a rhythmic motion. My body is on display and every time he lowers himself to take my breasts, his abdomen brushes against my clit, sending delightful tingles through me. I try to rock my body to gain some friction against my sex.
“Ah-ah-ah,” Graham chastises. “I know what you’re doing, Emelia. Since you can’t be trusted…” He walks away again, this time coming out with an eye mask. Covering my eyes with it, he whispers in my ear, “The only control you have is to not come until I give you permission. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
He turns me on my side. POP! The noise of him hitting my ass with something solid echoes through the bedroom.
“Graham,” I whimper. What is that?
POP!
“Yes what?” he says, rubbing his hand over what I imagine to be two very red spots on my ass.
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl.” He sets me upright and I feel the bed shift. I wait for his touch but it doesn’t come. I try to hear his breathing, but I can’t over my own. I can’t take it anymore. I pull on my restraints, but they don’t move.
“Graham?” I ask needing confirmation that he’s still here.
“Why?” His voice comes from the corner of the room.
“I just needed to make sure.”
“Do you think I would leave you without telling you?” I turn my head in the direction of his voice now coming from another corner. He’s circling the room.
“No.”
“Then why?” he asks again. “I will always take care of you, Emelia. Even if you don’t see me, you need to trust I am here. I will never leave you. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Your mind understands, Emelia. Your heart does too, but you’re letting your fear overrule what you know to be true. It’s okay to be scared, but don’t let it take control. You can’t make decisions based on fear.”
It’s a few more minutes before I feel the bed dip. Lifting my head, Graham places what feels like a bottle to my lips. “Drink.” He pours the liquid into my mouth. I can feel him getting off the bed, and he’s quiet for several minutes. My breathing escalates as I imagine him moving his hand up and down his cock while he watches me. Waiting to see if I will trust myself and him.
“Very good, Emelia.” He runs something over my skin that tickles and heightens my sensitivity. It feathers over my clit, and it’s enough to send a shiver through my body.
“Control, baby,” he says before pulling away whatever he was using. Without touching me or the bed, his lips land on my sex without warning. The attack on my clit sends my body into convulsions as I cry out, almost painfully trying to hold off my climax.
“You can come, Emelia.” Graham inserts two fingers in me as his mouth consumes me. My body convulses into the most concentrated orgasm yet. Graham continues his assault, and in this positon I have no control to stop it.
“Graham, I can’t.”
“You can and you will. I haven’t begun to have my fill of you.” He plunges something cold and hard inside of me, turning it around and around. It takes me a second to realize he’s lubricating it.
“Relax your muscles,” Graham tells me as he holds it to the entrance of my ass.
Exhaling a deep breath, I try to relax my body as he pushes the tip inside of me. “This is larger than the last one. We’re going to work it in intervals.” He moves it out and back in a little deeper with each move. Once it’s past a certain point it slides into place without issue. “That’s right, baby. Let yourself feel it.” Graham says in response to my loud moan of need once it’s in place. His thumb swipes over my clit before he turns me on my side and paddles hard each cheek once more. Turning me back into place, he plunges into me in one stroke, his balls coming to rest against me.
“Fuck!” he moans. “It’s so tight this way.”
“Sir,” I say breathlessly in agreement, loving the fullness.
Graham pulls out to the tip before slamming into me again and starts a grueling pace.
“Not yet, Emelia,” he says between gritted teeth. Pinching my nipple hard, he pulls my attention off my awaiting orgasm, while he continues to move in and out of me. His breathing growing more labored and I can feel him swelling inside of me.
“Now, Emelia.” He gives me permission and as he has proven tonight, my body is his and it follows his command as my most intense orgasm of the night rips through me and clamps around Graham like vice. I can feel him coming inside of me, my body continuing to ripple, milking everything it can from him.
Graham collapses on top of me. Sliding my mask off, he declares, “I couldn’t love you more, my wife. I adore you.” Both of us know that we have crossed into a new part of our relationship.
Standing he removes the butt plug before he undoes one belt at a time, massaging the feeling back into my arms and legs. The pain of the stiffness turning into pleasure from the massage is enough to send me over the edge one last time when Graham runs his thumb over me.
“You have no off button,” he muses before carrying me to the shower.
After the shower, he rubs lotion onto my ass where he paddled me, turning me in the mirror so I can see the redness left behind. I run my hand over the spots, fascinated by them. Facing me back to the mirror, the front of his body rubs against my ass as he slowly raises to his feet. Running his hands over my lower back, he moves one to the front of my stomach while the other reaches around to the breast opposite, then runs his tongue down the length of my ear before whispering, “You have my permission.”