The Wandering Caravan (Forever and Always #8)

by E. L. Todd

  “If I didn’t cook for you, you’d starve.”

  “Well, I’ll give you that,” I said.

  We spent the next hour getting to know our new friends in paradise. Coen was a defense trainer and Sydney used to be his student. Now I knew I shouldn’t mess with him. They seemed extremely opposite of each other despite their commonalities. Coen was quiet and observant; watching everything his wife did without making it obvious. Sydney was more direct in her opinions and desires. And when she looked at Coen, she made it obvious. She didn’t seem concerned with the world around her. She trusted Coen to take care of her.

  Scarlet and Sydney got along well. Coen and I clicked as soon as we met. We had a lot in common in terms of our wives. We were both equally protective and suspicious of anything that came near them.

  When we finished our dinner, we had a long goodbye. Sydney and Scarlet exchanged numbers so they could keep in contact.

  “Next time you come to the island, stay with us,” Sydney said. “We have a house on the beach.”

  “Wow. I’ll take you up on that,” Scarlet said.

  They shared a hug and Coen and I shook hands. When we went our separate ways, Scarlet was sad.

  “I hope we see them again someday.”

  I wrapped my arm around her and walked her to the car. “I’m sure we will, baby.”

  5

  Scarlet

  We were finally on our way home. The plane was quiet and everyone was reading a magazine or watching a movie while listening to their headsets. I crossed my legs then squeezed my thighs together. I was extremely sore from all the lovemaking we did for ten days. It didn’t happen until recently. And I didn’t mention it to Sean because I didn’t want to make him feel bad. He was always gentle with me. We just had sex so much that my body couldn’t handle it anymore.

  Sean placed his hand on my thigh. “I’m sad our honeymoon is over but I’m excited to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  I loved it when Sean was romantic. It happened a lot more often now that we were married.

  “So…I’m going to the bathroom.”

  Not this again. “Sean, no.”

  He nuzzled my neck and gave me gentle kisses. “Let’s keep the honeymoon going.”

  “That tradition needs to die out and be forgotten,” I said firmly.

  “One last time,” he pressed.

  I looked out the window and avoided his gaze. “No.”

  He moved his hand under my dress and inched closer to the apex of my thighs. I knew where this was going and I had to stop it. I placed my hand on his and stopped it. “Sean, I said no.”

  His hand stilled at the seriousness of my voice. Then he pulled it away. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m just not in the mood right now.”

  He stared at me suspiciously. “You’re always in the mood.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I am not.”

  “Who are you kidding?”

  Yeah, he did have a point.

  “Scar, is everything okay? You’re a valued member of the Mile High club.”

  “We already got in trouble once. We shouldn’t risk it again.”

  He didn’t seem convinced. “Scarlet, you’ve never told me to stop touching you—not like that. I could tell you really meant it. Did I do something?”

  “No.” I grabbed his hand and held it. “You didn’t do anything.”

  “Then what’s bothering you?”

  “I’m just…a little sore.” I didn’t look at him when I said it.

  I could tell how upset he was by the tension in his arms. His jaw clenched and he took a deep breath. He pulled away from me then rested his forehead against the palm of his hand.

  “Sean?”

  He didn’t say anything.

  “It’s not a big deal. It doesn’t even hurt that bad.”

  “But I still hurt you,” he said sadly. “Fuck.”

  I wished I hadn’t said anything.

  “I’m so sorry.” When he looked at me he had tears in his eyes. “If I had known, I would have stopped.”

  “Sean, it’s fine. Really. It wasn’t intentional.”

  “The last thing I’d ever want to do is hurt you.”

  “I know. I know.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were in pain?”

  “I didn’t feel it until this morning,” I said.

  He sighed. “I’m so sorry.”

  “Sean, it’s okay.”

  He pulled away from me, hating himself in isolation. I didn’t know what to say to make him feel better. I leaned into him then rested my head on his shoulder. My arm hooked around his waist and squeezed gently. He didn’t push me away but he didn’t reciprocate any affection.

  After we left the plane and grabbed our luggage, Sean carried everything to the pick-up area. Cortland and Ryan were giving us a lift back to the apartment. I was excited to see my family, but now I was shaken up about Sean. He looked devastated by my words. I wanted to hit myself in the forehead for being so damn stupid. What was I thinking telling him that?

  Sean stood beside me and waited for the car to arrive.

  I sighed then looked at him. “It’s really not a big deal, Sean.”

  “Maybe not to you,” he said darkly. “I want to make you feel good, not bad.”

  “You didn’t. My body is just…tired.”

  Sean fell silent and I knew the conversation was over.

  The car pulled up, and Cortland and Ryan both got out at the same time. I wasn’t as excited to see them as I should have been. I was more concerned about Sean.

  Ryan stopped in front of me. “You know it’s me, right?”

  I smiled then hugged him. “I missed you.”

  “It doesn’t seem like it,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me. “I thought you were blind for a second.”

  Cortland hugged me next. “You okay, Scar?”

  “Yeah.”

  He eyed me but didn’t press the question. I knew I would be interrogated by both of them later. Ryan embraced Sean then helped him pack the luggage in the trunk. When we got inside, Sean made sure my safety belt was on before he sat at the opposite side of the car. He didn’t even hold my hand. He just looked out the window.

  Cortland headed back to the apartment then glanced in the rearview mirror. “I smell divorce…”

  I glared at him.

  Ryan looked over his shoulder and glanced at me. “What are you guys fighting about now?”

  “Nothing,” I said immediately.

  “Maybe they are sick of each other,” Cortland said.

  “Why don’t you just tell them?” Sean said. “You’re going to tell them everything as soon as I’m gone anyway.” I noted the darkness in his voice. He was angry, but I wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t my fault.

  Ryan turned back around and fell silent. The tension picked up in the car.

  Cortland arrived at our apartment. “We’re pretty much packed. Now we’ll have to do your apartment tomorrow. It shouldn’t take too long with all of us.”

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “You coming over?” Ryan asked.

  I didn’t know if I should. I looked at Sean.

  He glanced at me then turned away. “Call me when you want me to pick you up.”

  “Umm…I think I’m going to stay with Sean.”

  “No,” Sean said immediately. “I want to be alone right now.” He got out then grabbed the luggage from the trunk. I didn’t get out of the car because I didn’t see the point. Cortland helped him carry everything inside. Ryan and I stayed in the car.

  My brother eyed me with a concerned expression but he didn’t question me—not yet.

  Cortland returned to the car and drove away.

  Ryan turned in his seat and looked at me. “Should I be worried…?”

  “No. We just…had a problem.”

  “Spill it,” Cortland said. “He seemed really upset.”

  “Well, it’s kinda personal…” I was thinking
of my brother. This was a little awkward.

  Ryan rolled his eyes. “There’s nothing about you I don’t know. Even all the shit that makes me gag. I think I can handle it.”

  That was true. “We had a lot of sex.”

  “Shocking,” Ryan said sarcastically.

  “And now I’m pretty sore. When I told Sean, he was angry with himself. He hates the idea of hurting me.”

  “Well, if you were doing it that much, it was bound to happen,” Cortland said. “It obviously wasn’t intentional.”

  “I said the same thing to Sean, but he doesn’t listen.”

  “He’ll get over it,” Ryan said. “It’s not like you were seriously injured.”

  “I hope so.”

  We came back to the apartment, but there wasn’t much space. Boxes were littered everywhere. In the corner, there was fort made out of boxes. I had a feeling Ryan and Cortland got bored and decided to build it.

  Janice came out of the bedroom then sat beside me on the couch. We discussed my honeymoon, and I told her about my new friends, Sydney and Coen. Ryan ordered a pizza and we ate it on the floor. Seeing the apartment packed up made me depressed. We were really moving.

  “Why are you sad?” Ryan asked. “This is what you want, right?”

  “Yeah…there’s just a lot of memories here.”

  “We’ll have to go to MegaShake one more time before we leave,” Cortland said.

  That made me even more depressed. “Yeah.”

  When it was almost midnight, I decided to call Sean. I didn’t want to bother him because he was in a bad mood, but he’d be pissed if I took a cab by myself. His protectiveness only increased after we tied the knot.

  He didn’t say hi when he answered. “I’m leaving now.”

  “Okay.”

  He hung up.

  I sighed in irritation.

  “What?” Ryan asked.

  “I hate it when he acts like this. He completely cuts me off.”

  “Tell him off,” Ryan said simply. “I do it to Janice all the time.”

  I ignored his comment and waited for Sean to arrive. A few minutes later, he walked through the unlocked door. “You ready?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Good night,” Sean said to everyone.

  “We’ll be there tomorrow to help you pack,” Ryan said.

  “Sound good.” Sean still sounded depressed.

  Sean was silent for the entire ride home. He didn’t hold my hand or touch me. I felt like a stranger to him.

  When we got inside, Sean placed a pillow and blanket on the couch. He pulled his clothes off then lay down.

  Was he not sleeping with me? “Sean, what are you doing?”

  “Going to bed.” He closed his eyes.

  “Then why aren’t you in the bedroom?”

  “I want to sleep here.” He was short with me.

  I started to get angry. “Why are you blaming this on me? I didn’t do anything wrong. Now get your ass up and get in bed.”

  He sat up and looked at me. “I’m not blaming you. I just don’t want to sleep with you.”

  I felt my heart clench painfully. “Why…?”

  He wouldn’t look at me. “I don’t deserve to.”

  “Sean, you’re making this a bigger deal than it needs to be. Just let it go.”

  “No. What I did was unacceptable. I should have been easier on you.”

  “It was an accident. If it doesn’t bother me, it shouldn’t bother you,” I said.

  He leaned back on the couch, sitting in his briefs.

  “Either come to bed or I’m sleeping on the couch with you. And I prefer the bed.”

  “You want to sleep with me?” he asked hesitantly.

  “Of course I do, Sean. You’re my husband. I want to sleep with you every night.”

  He still didn’t move. “You do?”

  I grabbed his hand and yanked him to a stand. “Yes.”

  He stood in front of me, his chest bare. I placed a gentle kiss on his heart. “Did you tell Ryan?”

  “What do you think?” I whispered.

  “Is he pissed at me?”

  “No. He thinks you’re overreacting too.”

  “It’s just…I feel sick to my stomach for hurting you. I hate myself.”

  “Sean, let it go. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

  He sighed. “Okay.”

  “Now stop being annoying and come to bed.”

  He smiled at me. “Annoying?”

  “You’re acting like a girl.”

  He laughed. “Thanks. That really makes me feel better.”

  I pulled him to bed then undressed. Sean lay in the center of the bed and waited for me to join him. I pulled on one of his t-shirts then took my place on top of his chest. He took a deep breath while he wrapped his arms around me. His fingers glided through my hair until I fell asleep.

  6

  Cortland

  Packing up Sean and Scarlet’s apartment was much easier when we were all together. Also, they were selling most of their furniture. Sean said they would need brand new things for their new house. I didn’t see why it mattered but I didn’t question it. He was about to be a billionaire so he could call the shots.

  Sean and Scarlet seemed to be better today, but they were still a little tense around each other. I couldn’t count the number of times I made a girl sore after having my way with her. It was never intentional so I didn’t let it bother me. But when I imagined Monnique feeling that way, it made me feel sick. I guess it’s different when you actually love the person.

  After we finished packing everything, we went to MegaShake one last time. It wasn’t as much fun as it normally was. We drank our shakes slowly, trying to make it last as long as possible. There were a lot of memories in this place.

  Monnique had her hand on my thigh the entire time. I liked it when she was affectionate with me in public. When we were around other women besides Scarlet and Janice, she was possessive and controlling. She wanted everyone to know I was hers. That was fine with me. I was the same way when guys stared at her with lust. It used to bother but now I forced myself not to think about it. It was a price I had to pay for having a gorgeous and exotic girlfriend.

  But I was getting nervous with the move. Monnique was sacrificing so much to be with me, and I took that as a declaration of undying love. But what if she got tired of me and didn’t like where we lived? What if she moved back and left? I’d follow her in a heartbeat, but what if she didn’t want me to follow her? Now I was more obsessed with finding out why her serious relationship ended. What did he do? Whatever it was, I would make sure I didn’t make the same mistake. She was the source of all my happiness. I couldn’t let her go.

  When we came back to our apartment, nothing was in it. We had a sleeping back and a few pillows on the ground and our suitcases. Everything had already been shipped. I didn’t have any extra clothes that weren’t unpacked, so we both slept in the nude. Normally, Monnique liked to wear one of my t-shirts, but I preferred it when she was topless anyway. Her breasts always felt good against me.

  She snuggled beside me then rested her head on my shoulder. “Nervous?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Me too.”

  I ran my fingers through her hair. “It’ll be stressful at first but we’ll get used to it. I know you’ll love New York and Connecticut.”

  “I’ll love it if I’m with you.”

  “And I’ll always be with you,” I whispered. I meant it. This girl stole my heart the moment I saw her. My old girlfriend, Elizabeth, just wore me down and made me depressed. Monnique always lifted me up and pushed me to my greatest potential. She made me feel loved.

  Feeling her in my arms always put me in the mood. Her soft skin felt warm against mine. Knowing she was naked ignited a fire in me. I always made love to her every night, even when she was sick or on her period. I needed it all the time. I knew she felt the same.

  Wordlessly, I moved her to her back and held my weight on my a
rms. Her legs opened and pressed against my chest. She was flexible and bendable, another reason why I was obsessed with her.

  She cupped my face and kissed me while I found her entrance and slid inside. There were times when Monnique was in the mood to be nasty, but most of the time she liked being intimate and tender. I actually preferred the latter. I felt more connected to her. Our minds and bodies were linked as one.

  She was slick and smooth. I moved inside her slowly while I listened to the quiet noises she made. Her lips caressed mine until they stopped moving. She just breathed into my mouth, enjoying the way I made her feel.

  “Cortland…I love you.”

  I loved hearing that. It made my heart burst from my chest and my arms shake. We didn’t say it when we said goodbye on the phone or in person. The only time we did was when it was natural and organic. Sometimes I said it when she was watching a movie or picking out the right tomato at the store. It was usually random, but always meaningful.

  And the fact she said it now made my heart melt.

  She gripped my biceps and breathed deeply. I knew she was on the verge of her orgasm and I wanted to push her over the edge.

  “I love you.”

  Her nails dug into my skin and she moaned loudly. I knew she was coming. I kissed her neck and rocked into her gently, giving her as much pleasure as I could. When she was done, her fingers relaxed on my arms.

  Seeing her below, meeting my gaze in the heat of our lovemaking made me crumble and explode. I moved faster as my orgasm flashed through my body, making me hot all over. I depleted myself inside her, loving every second of the pleasure.

  When I was finished, I stayed on top of her. She looked at me with love in her eyes, and I could stare at the look forever. I gave her a kiss on the forehead then lay beside her, cradling her in my arms.

  “My white boy always delivers,” she said with a quiet sigh.

  I chuckled at her words. We had odd nicknames for each other. “I know what my big booty ho likes.”

  “You got that right. Keep it up so I’ll stick around.”

  I knew she was teasing me but the words struck a nerve. My biggest fear was winding up like her fiancé, alone and broken. “Baby?”

  “Hmm?” Her eyes were closed.

  “Why did you and your ex break up?”