Running Rings

by Ruth G Juliano

  Verity moved her hands from her face and looked at him in the mirror.

  Brock rubbed her abdomen and moved closer to her. “Verity, I fell in love with you long before I got the nerve to kiss you. You gave me your virginity when I gave you mine. You promised me your heart and you kept that promise. You never forgot about me or gave up on me. So whatever it is, whatever it was, it’s ours, together. I will help you get through it and I will love you no matter what.”

  Verity moved her hands onto his hands. “It’s not up to me what you want. If I’m your heart’s desire, and you’re mine, then why should I fight that? If you really want me, I’m here.”

  “I want you more than ever, unlicked wounds and all. Sometimes you’re so quiet and sometimes you’re manic, and crazy, and you laugh about nothing, and other times you’re so pretentious that it makes me laugh. You’re my Variety show, the spice of my life.”

  “And you’re my Broccoli soup, so very green to the ways of the world, and so very good for me.” Verity turned in his arms and felt his skin again. He was really here and in her arms and they were really going to be together from now on.

  “Did you ever hear me call your name?” he asked, rubbing her back.

  “Yes,” Verity replied with a smile, “In my mind, many times.”

  “Sometimes when I was in a big crowd I’d call out your name as loud as I could. People would look at me like I was cracked, but I always thought it was worth a try.”

  Verity laughed, “Yes, around the city, yes I did think I heard my name quite a few times. The plan was always that I’d stand still and you’d find me. But I stood still and you didn’t find me.”

  “It wasn’t a very good plan, was it?” Brock laughed, “You should have called back. I’ve got you in my arms now, and I want to marry you as soon as possible. I don’t want to be apart from you for any length of time other than what’s absolutely necessary. The last few months have been torture. They’ve put me off my work, off my food, off shaving, off everything. I know why you pushed me away, I understand it completely, but I want you all to myself for a while. I know we got these job offers and they pay really well, but I’d rather be poor and have you alone for a while. Can I be that selfish? Can I just take you away from everything and have you all to myself for a while?”

  She nodded, “I have some money. I’ve been saving and the term deposits are almost due again. We’ll make it last as long as we can. They’ll probably be upset when neither of us turns up to such a great job, but we’ll deal with that later. Right now I have to feed you and water you and take care of you. Let’s throw some clothes on and make some dinner.”

  “You can cook?”

  Verity laughed and smacked his bare bottom. She walked around him into the bedroom and found some clothes to put on. Brock got dressed and followed her out to near the front door. Verity picked up the mail and walked into the kitchen. She looked at one of the letters and her heart raced. She didn’t know why the Supreme Court was writing to her, and wondered if it had something to do with Ray. She opened the letter and unfolded it. Her eyes opened wider and wider as she read. “I don’t believe it.”

  “Believe what?”

  “I won,” Verity laughed, “I actually won.”

  Brock laughed, “Won what? Lotto or something?”

  “No, I won the court case about my Dad’s estate. I won. Uncle John was handling it, and then he died, and it went to his brother, Barry, but he wouldn’t do it because they’d been fighting, so John’s new firm partner, Jackson Perry, ended up with it and then nothing happened and it went to David Sloane because he partnered with Jackson Perry and then David Sloane took it on, even though he was originally Carole’s lawyer and I basically gave up. But he didn’t. He knew that John Hanson was so passionate about this that he wrote it into his own Will in case anything happened to him before it ended. He’d be so happy to know that Carole lost. I’ll have to call Jackson and Sloane to thank them.”

  “Sorry, what?”

  “Carole, Carole Hardy, who was my mother for fifteen years, she wanted everything and she got nothing. She also has to pay all the legal fees. Thank you, Joshua Sharpe and John Hanson. I love you. May you both rest in peace. Thank you, David Sloane. I can’t believe this. Everything is going to be fine. I have all of Dad’s estate plus interest.”

  “How much was in his estate?”

  Verity held the letter to her chest and smiled, “We never have to work again. We don’t have to work for the money, Brock. We can just work where we want and when we want. We could even start our own company. You want me all to yourself? We can go wherever we want and do whatever we want for as long as we want.”

  “It’s that much?”

  Verity nodded and handed him the letter. She opened the fridge, unable to lose her smile. She’d been saving a very special bottle of French Champagne for a very long time. It was a graduation present from her father and she was going to open it at her engagement to Brock. She took two glasses down from the cupboard and put them on the bench. “Should we have an engagement party slash inheritance party slash never have to work again party?”

  Chapter 45

  Verity ran her finger around the edge of the envelope and tapped it on her hand. She wondered if she should knock again, or wait a bit longer. The door opened slowly and she smiled as he looked up and saw her.

  “Hi, what are you doing here? I thought you were off to live happily ever after,” he said, looking away from her.

  “I am,” Verity replied, “I brought you an invitation to my wedding.”

  “Hand delivered. Thank you. I’ll make sure I’m definitely there.”

  Verity noticed he wasn’t making eye contact, “How are you?”

  Adrian nodded and looked sideways, “I’m fine. Right as rain.”

  “Is that why Chris Isaac’s version of ‘Only the Lonely’ is on repeat, and you’re drinking bourbon straight from the bottle?”

  Adrian looked at her, “I’m okay. I just thought I’d never see you again.”

  “Can I come in?” Verity asked.

  “Of course,” Adrian replied, opening the door wide.

  Verity gave him a nod and walked inside. She inhaled the scent and smiled. “I love the smell here,” she uttered.

  “Can I make you a coffee or something?”

  Verity smiled and shook her head, “I’m going to spend the rest of my life with Brock.”

  “Yeah, I figured that.”

  “Yes, and we’ll be having vanilla sex because that’s what works for us. It works really well and satisfies us both immensely, which surprised me a lot after everything you and I did together.”

  Adrian gave a little laugh, “I’m happy for you.”

  “I know you are, and that’s one of the many reasons I love you, and that’s why I want to spend one more night with you.”

  “What? You just handed me an invitation to your wedding.”

  “I know, and he knows where I am right now. He’s gone to arrange some things.”

  “He knows you’re here with me?”

  “Yes, Adrian, and he knows how I feel about you. He’s my other best friend. I’ve never lied to him and I’m not going to start now. Do you want me to spend the night with you?”

  “More than most things. I can’t say more than anything, because more than anything I’d like to be with you all the time,” Adrian replied.

  Verity put her handbag and shoulder bag on the floor. “I know,” she said, taking a few steps back from him, “Let’s focus on the here and now. You know how much we both like royal blue, but I bought this just for you.” She dropped her coat to the floor and put her hands on her hips.

  “Holy shit.” Adrian looked to Verity’s blue high heels, her blue thigh-high stockings attached to a suspender belt, her crotchless royal blue butterfly underwear, and the blue ribbons tied around her body, up to her cupless bra and blue bowtie. She turned around and he looked at where the stockings ended and at the flimsy strings wrap
ped around her body.

  She turned around to face him again, “You’re the sexiest man I’ve ever met, Adrian Phelps. I want to fuck you until our legs turn to jelly.”

  Adrian laughed, “I never thought I’d hear you say those words.”

  “I’m such a slut for you, Adrian. Let’s fuck until one or both of us can’t walk. Get your hot throbbing cock out of your pants and into my wet pussy stat. I want you to handcuff me and point your pistol at me and take me, take me on the floor.” Verity and Adrian both laughed. “Okay, fine,” Verity said, “I went too far and I sound ridiculous, but I wanted you to see that because of you I’m not afraid of sex, or to have sexual desires, or to express my sexuality. I can enjoy sex, and I can enjoy passion, and I can enjoy feeling your amazing body against mine at least one more time.” She moved to him and unbuttoned his shirt. “If you feel like smacking my bottom and pulling my hair then do it. I trust you with every inch of my being, Adrian.” She kissed him and moved her hand inside his pants.

  “Am I really the sexiest man you’ve ever met?”

  “Without a doubt,” Verity replied, kneeling in front of him. She took him in her mouth and he breathed hard and looked at the ceiling.

  “Get up here,” he said, after half a minute.

  Verity helped Adrian remove his clothes, keeping her eyes locked on his. He put his hand on the back of her head and moved her face to his. He kissed her hard, stroking expertly with his tongue, and making Verity’s internal partitions contract. He moved her to the wall, lifted her up and lowered her onto his erection which made her moan his name. He bent one leg slightly and took her hands and held them above her head against the wall. He kissed her neck while he rolled his hips and Verity kept catching her breath. Minute after minute he pounded her into the wall and Verity was more than ready to climax but he knew how to stop before she got there. He dropped her hands from the wall and carried her to the couch where he sat down. Verity slid back and forth on him, as he kissed and caressed her breasts. The feeling in her loins was intense and Verity was ready to climax again when he moved forward and took her to the floor, still inside her. He slid her legs around his hips and put them on his chest, smiling down at her as he moved against her.

  She moaned and breathed hard, whimpering, her legs shaking on his chest. He stopped moving and leant down to kiss her. He moved his hips hard and fast and then stopped again. He pulled out and turned her over and pulled her by her hips to her knees. He moved in behind her and smacked her backside hard before taking both her hips and entering her. Verity rested her cheek on the soft carpet and moved her hand between her legs. She called his name desperately as the orgasm sent jolts of pleasure throughout her body. He continued rolling his hips and she knew she was going to ejaculate hard. They called each other’s names as they reached the crescendo, dripping sweat and breathing like they’d run a marathon.

  “Verity,” he breathed, “Oh, Verity.” He ran his hands over her back up to her shoulders and pulled her upright. He moved his hands over her abdomen and breasts, kissing her shoulder. “Thank you, Verity. That was the best twenty minutes of my life because you were here, and it was really just you and me having sex again.”

  “Adrian,” she panted, “You’re astonishing.”

  He wrapped his arms around her tight, “I think we’re dripping on my carpet.”

  Verity laughed, “I’ll have it cleaned for you.” The rise and fall of his chest against her back made her smile. She rubbed his arms, not wanting to separate from him.

  “My legs are jelly, Miss Sharpe, mission accomplished,” Adrian said, “But I don’t want to let you go.” He stayed inside her and they lay down on their sides on the floor. “I’ll never forget this night. I’ll never forget the first night we met and how much you’ve grown since then.”

  “I’ll never forget your part in that. I’ll never forget how you restored my faith in men, that you saved me and loved me when I couldn’t love myself. I’ll never forget all your good advice. You’re the manliest man I know with the softest heart I’ve seen. I know why you protect your heart, I do, but one day you’ll find a woman who can give you everything you want.”

  “I need time to get over you. I never meant to fall in love with you, and my heart is breaking, Verity Kate Sharpe. I’m so happy you’re here right now, but I know I have to let you go again and that’s so fucked.”

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

  Verity tiptoed into the bedroom and Adrian was still asleep. She climbed onto the bed beside him and ran her hand over his chest. He inhaled deeply and wrapped his arms around her. “You smell like bacon,” he mumbled.

  “That’s your breakfast. Do you want it before or after more sex?”

  Adrian laughed and pulled her towards him. Verity moved down to kiss him and raised her hips. She moved them around until he was on target and slid down onto him. He closed his eyes and rubbed her back. She put one arm under his neck and kissed his lips. He breathed into her mouth and slowly opened his eyes. She looked into his eyes and he was becoming teary. She sat up straight and looked down at him. She lifted her leg over him and turned around to face his feet. She leant back and rolled her hips and rubbed gently between his legs. He grabbed her calves and began thrusting upwards. She moved faster and harder and she heard him struggling to get sounds out. His body tensed and relaxed and he let out a satisfied sigh. Verity turned around on him and faced him again. “Good morning.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Come and have breakfast, gorgeous, I don’t want you to be late for work.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he said with a wink.

  Verity kissed him and got off the bed. She picked up her shoulder bag and went into the bathroom to get dressed. She came back out and Adrian was lying there staring at the ceiling. “Oi,” she said, “None of that. Get in the shower, now.”

  Adrian laughed and threw the sheet off. “I didn’t know you were so bossy.”

  “I am,” Verity replied, “Move your sexy arse.” She smacked Adrian’s bare bottom as he walked by then went into the kitchen to finish preparing breakfast.

  Adrian appeared five minutes later, showered, dressed and smelling like sexy cologne.

  “Efficient as always.”

  “I try not to waste time,” he said, kissing her on the lips.

  “Breakfast is served,” Verity said, gesturing to their breakfast.

  “This looks pretty incredible.”

  “I figured you worked up quite an appetite with two sessions last night and two this morning.”

  Adrian smiled and sat down, “I’ve never had sex that many times in a row before. You and I have had a lot of firsts together, Butterfly.”

  Verity sat down opposite him and put her feet between his. They kept looking at each other as they ate, and smiled. There were things to say, but no one wanted to start. Verity collected the dishes and took them to the sink. “You didn’t get to use your handcuffs and do naughty things to me with your gun.”

  Adrian laughed, “You didn’t really want you to tie me up, did you?”

  “I think that crossing over something dangerous with something pleasurable is how our relationship started. I never thought I’d have a one night stand.”

  “That was years ago, it’s a bloody long one night stand.”

  Verity laughed, “It’s my one and only. I guess you’ll have to get going soon, which means I do.”

  Adrian took her in his arms, “What am I going to do without you?”

  “I’ll never be too far away,” she replied, kissing him on the lips.

  “I have to go I guess.”

  “Don’t forget your file.”

  Adrian sighed, “She reminds me of you.”

  “I can’t imagine how hard your job is, Adrian. Just the flash of the picture I saw in that file was bad enough. I thought it was a picture of me at first.”

  “Amy is frail and fragile inside like you used to be, and the pictures of her battered body look like your
s did, and the way he treated her… it was a lot less time than what you went through but it was cruel. I’m struggling here, Verity. I have trouble comprehending how people like Ray Farmer and Joe Anderson just take what they want and damn the consequences.”

  Verity held him tight, “Don’t fall into the hole. Ray has no chance of parole and is serving consecutive life sentences. He didn’t get away with it. You can’t save Amy like you saved me, it doesn’t work that way. Someone else needs to save her, not you, and you need to take care of yourself. We were something unique. You can’t be a hero to everyone, and hope that it’s like us. You need someone who just worships you as you are, without your cape.”

  “I’m already depressed about losing you, Butterfly. I’m not going to be able to look into your green-brown eyes, or hide in your arms, or hear your voice. I already feel like I want to give up, and like I can’t go on without you. I’m already fucking things up in my life and trying to find some way to get through this.”

  Tears moved down Verity’s face and she licked the one closest to her mouth. “But you don’t have to go on without me. I’m part of you, and you’re part of me. I’m in your thoughts and in your heart, and I’ll love you always.”

  Adrian kissed her on the lips, “And that’s why it sucks, because now I’m in the same position that you were with Brock. Now I’m the one who’s got a piece of their heart they can’t give away. I’m the one left wondering and aching and wanting. I never wanted to love you, and this is why.”

  “No, this is different. You know where I am and who I’m with and that I’m happy. If Brock had moved on with someone else, and was living happily ever after, I’d be happy for him because I love him. But he wasn’t. He was looking for me too. You know where I am. You can call me and text me and drive me crazy with your logic. This isn’t the end, Adrian.”