Fragile Love

by Mack Black

  She grasped my hands and hauled me up, forcing me to swing my legs over the side of the bed.

  Climbing up, she straddled me and rubbed her naked center against me as her lips claimed mine once more. Her fingers laced in my hair, pulling it and bending me to her will.

  My hands found her hips again, my fingers digging into her skin.

  She raised up and lowered herself down on me, her hot wet center enveloping me completely, and I let out an unfamiliar sound at the tightness surrounding my cock.

  I didn't know sex could feel so good. My head spun from the pleasure.

  She rocked back and forth, the feeling of me inside her driving me to an all-time high. I was afraid I would explode inside her any minute.

  All too quickly, she stood in front of me, silently asking me if she should continue. When I said nothing, she dropped to her knees and ran her fingers up my thighs.

  Her mouth surrounded my length and she moaned as she tasted herself on me. I was throbbing, begging for release but refusing to allow myself to let go so fast.

  After several minutes of the best pleasure imaginable, I found it harder and harder to hold out. I grasped her by the hair and yanked her up, kissing her with so much pent up passion as I threw her on the bed by her hips.

  This time, I took control, my lips exploring the planes of her breasts before I sucked a hardened nipple into my mouth. Her skin tasted like honeysuckles, sweet and refreshing. My fingers trailed down her stomach and I groaned when they contacted her wet center.

  "You're so ready for me," I said against her skin.

  "I've been ready since this morning," she said, her breath hitching as I rubbed her.

  "Damn it Bella! I've been ready since you caught me looking up your skirt six years ago. Why did you make me wait?" I was lost in the frenzied heat of passion, ready to feel myself inside her again.

  I increased the speed of my hand, a twisted smile spreading across my lips as she ground against it.

  I dove between her legs, eating her like a foreign delicacy. Her nectar was even sweeter than the taste of her skin. I never wanted to leave the sweet spot between her legs, so warm and wet for me.

  Even as her fingers grasped and pulled my hair, trying to make me stop, I still enjoyed every drop of her. It was only when her body shuddered that I stopped and kissed her lips again.

  Grasping her by the waist, I rolled us over and positioned her over me. I helped her sink down on me, groaning again as I hit the back of her.

  Her palms lay flat against my chest and she lifted a little before slamming down, again and again, creating a fast rhythm that felt like rafting an intense river. I was past cloud nine, moved directly into the 'love so much I'm gonna die' territory. Now that I had her completely, I knew I’d never let her go.

  I yanked her off me, spewing my load onto my stomach. I reached down to my nightstand, pulling out a small towel and wiping myself off. I tossed it to the floor as she laid her head down on my chest. My heartbeat had turned so erratic it made me wonder if it might beat right out of my chest.

  We laid together this way for several moments, each of us catching our breath.

  "That was…" I said after a few minutes, trailing off because I couldn't find the right word.

  "That porn you watch is really paying off, James. You’re a pro. Are you sure you were a virgin?" She laughed, her body vibrating against mine. “You held out a lot longer than I thought you would.”

  Dear future self, today was incredible. File it under firsts.

  Bella rolled over to lay on her back beside me. "You never cease to amaze me James."

  I shifted to my side, reaching over her to grab a cookie. I brought it straight to my mouth and took a bite as I contemplated how to respond. "That's because I'm me. The most awesome boyfriend in the world. Those other chicks didn't know what they were missing." I ate the rest of the cookie, smiling as her eyes latched onto it.

  "Hmm, I sure do, and let me just say I'm glad they passed you up because now it's you and me."

  I folded my arms behind my head, staring up at the ceiling and feeling so satisfied and content I could go to sleep, but I didn't want to because I wanted to be with her.

  "Let's take a nap. Then we can get dressed and go out for some fried chicken." She rested her head on my chest, draping an arm around my waist.

  "Okay little flower."

  It was quiet for a while, and I wondered if she’d fallen asleep. I lifted my head a little to get a look at her. Her eyes were open, staring at the wall.

  "You know, all bullshit aside, that really was a lot of fun." She bit her lip, turning back towards me with that sultry smile.

  "I'll definitely be writing a letter to my future self about how much fun I had." I couldn't help myself. The teasing helped take the pressure away from all the feelings threatening to drown me, and there were a lot.

  I closed my eyes, wrapping an arm around her and kissing the top of her head.

  I held her for quite some time as I stared at the ceiling and thought about everything I wanted for us. We’d come so far, yet nowhere at all. Finally, after what seemed like forever, I drifted off to sleep.

  I woke before her, taking the uninterrupted time to just stare at her. She was so beautiful it made me hurt and lying naked against me, she was even more beautiful. She stirred a little as a smile swept across her face. She looked so happy and peaceful, which made me wonder when I’d ever feel that way.

  Ever since Charlotte, I’d been on edge. Small things would set me into a mental flashback and it tore at everything that made me who I was. Almost losing my sister had given me a lot of perspective. Losing someone was always hard but losing someone you barely knew because you were stubborn was even harder.

  I shook my head, trying to rid all thoughts of that monster. Bella jumped up, her widened eyes scanning the room as she tried to figure out where she was.

  What the hell had she been dreaming?

  "It's okay Bella, you're safe here with me," I said, trying to calm the fear that was so obvious on her face.

  When she noticed me, her eyes scanned my naked body, uncovered when she’d jumped up and pushed the blankets away. Then, her eyes went to her own naked body, muttering incoherent Italian words aloud.

  She paced the room, a half smile and half frown marring her beautiful face.

  "What? I don't speak Italian." I laughed, unsure at what the freak out could be about.

  "N-nothing," she shot out, climbing back into the bed and resting her head on my chest above my heart.

  "Hungry? Or round two?" I wiggled my eyebrows and she gave me a confused look, making me chuckle.

  "Solo zitto e baciami!" She half yelled, lunging at me and connecting her lips to mine.

  "Fuck, that's so hot. You could be telling me I’m an ugly pig for all I know, but damn it's hot." Before I could say anymore, her mouth attacked mine again.

  My arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her body on top of mine.

  "Non avrei mai potuto chiamare un brutto maiale!"

  "What are you saying little flower? I don't understand." I was beyond curious now, itching to grab my phone and google translate.

  "I said I’d never call you an ugly pig."

  "I hope not because I’m neither of those things. Sexy and sweet maybe." I winked at her, pulling her tighter against my body.

  My skin was crawling with fire, blazing with desire for her. I raised my hips, pressing my growing erection against her, groaning aloud at the feel of her skin against mine.

  "So round two it is," I said, my voice low and full of need.

  I finally understood what Tucker meant when he said once you got it, you’d need it forever. Sex for a guy was like the air you needed to breathe.

  After a second round of amazing sex, Bella rolled over and looked at me. "I'm hungry now," she said, laying a hand on her already growling stomach.

  "Go out for fried chicken or order in?" I asked.

  "Order in. We can watch a movie,
but make sure you pick a boring one so we can just make out." She laughed as she stood and gathered her clothes.

  "Chinese?"

  "Sure, gorgeous." I loved it when she stroked my ego. And other things.

  Halfway through the movie, we had not only ate our dinner but had also managed not to pay attention to any of it.

  "You know, I do have to get back to normal life tomorrow or else I'll get fired," I said, pulling away from her lips.

  "Boo. I know."

  "Do you want to stay the night?" I asked.

  "If I stay we won't be sleeping," she said, wiggling her eyebrows.

  "I know, but a guy can hope right?" I laughed, pulling her up from the couch and kissing her once more.

  "You don't have to hope with me. I'm here and this is real."

  "Today was amazing." My smile was so wide I felt like my face might crack. "But honestly, I'm kinda glad I finally checked that off my firsts list."

  She leaned in for another kiss, then drew back and grabbed her things. I walked with her to the door.

  "Me too James. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Sometimes first times aren't very fun."

  "How is that even possible?"

  "Well it's all in who you’re with," she replied, giving me one last kiss before walking out the door. "See you bright and early tomorrow."

  "Can't wait."

  I didn’t move from the door until she disappeared down the hall. After that, I shut and locked my door, and as I moved through my apartment, I felt like I was walking on air. It was time to get ready for bed, though. Just the sight of my bed made me grin.

  When my teeth were brushed and my clothes stripped off, I plucked my notebook out of my closet and opened it to a blank page. Then I wrote an entry about today.

  After I shoved the notebook back where it went, I climbed into bed and flicked the lights off.

  My alarm blared, telling me to get my ass up and get moving. I’d set it an hour early so I could get in a quick workout and a shower before Bella came over. I donned some gym shorts and made my way to the spare bedroom where I’d stashed my weight bench.

  I cranked the radio up and got right to sweating. By the time I finished, I barely had enough time to shower.

  In record time, I stripped and jumped into the shower, washing myself and my hair. As I stepped out, the buzzer sounded, and my heartbeat quickened in anticipation.

  I wrapped a towel around me before running to the door and unlocking it.

  She looked gorgeous in her lavender sun dress with matching jeweled flats.

  What is it with girls and sparkly stuff? And why on earth am I noticing such things?

  "Oh James." Her eyes scanned my bare chest down to the towel around my waist. "You shouldn't have answered the door in a towel. Now you're going to be late."

  "I am?"

  She placed her palm flat on my chest, pushing her way through the threshold and kicking the door closed with her foot. I didn’t realize what she was doing until she shoved me into my room and ripped the towel off me. Her hands traveled over my chest and I almost sighed in pleasure at the feel of her soft skin.

  "Well good morning to you too, little flower," I said, beaming at her.

  "Shut up and kiss me, James."

  She didn't have to ask me twice. When we finished, I laid there, stunned and unable to move as I tried to catch my breath.

  "You okay?" Bella asked, sitting up to get a better look at me.

  "Yeah," I replied. “Just great.”

  After a glance at the clock, I forced myself to get up and get dressed for the day. If I didn’t move, I’d be late…although at least I’d be showing up.

  Bella dressed quickly, trying to keep pace with me. "I'm definitely going to be late now," I said, rushing out the door.

  Bella jogged to catch up and slipped her hand into mine, giving it a squeeze. My heart swelled with so much love I could barely contain it. As I pressed the elevator button, a slow smile spread across my face.

  The things I could do to her in an elevator...

  We walked in silence halfway to my work. I was just about to open my mouth and say something when she chimed in.

  "You know, this new version of you is really starting to grow on me.”

  I spaced out for a moment, thinking about her words.

  "You still with me?" She snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. I hadn't even realized she’d stepped in front of me.

  I looked up suddenly, jumping a little. "Yeah I was just thinking about what you said is all." I resumed walking, pulling her a little to get her to walk beside me.

  "The look on your face said something else entirely," she remarked, stopping again to look at me.

  "It's just that you're kind of like a drug for me. I spent so long wanting you and now that I have you I can't seem to get enough. Cheesy right?" I laughed, thinking about how cheesy it sounded.

  "Nah! I get it babe." She grasped my hand again, pulling me down the sidewalk and towards my job that I was already ten minutes late for.

  At the door she gave me a quick kiss and slipped away while I tried to enter unnoticed.

  I was just about to leave for lunch when a throat cleared. I looked up from my desk and saw Bella staring down at me.

  "What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice an octave higher than it should’ve been.

  "I thought we could go to lunch baby." Her super sweet, way too loud voice told me she had something up her sleeve.

  "Sure. Let me just finish up this paperwork." I looked at my desk, thumbing through the last five pages and stamping it.

  I slid it into the finished pile and stood, turning to grab my things.

  "Where do you wanna eat?" I asked, gripping her hand to pull her away.

  "Anywhere baby, as long as I'm with you."

  Okay what the fuck is up with her.

  Before I could say another word, she glanced over my shoulder and jerked me in for a big, long, wet kiss. Not that I didn't love it, but I was at work and it wasn't very professional.

  When I tried to move away, she just held me tighter, turning a simple kiss into a PDA nightmare. When she finally stopped, I looked at her with wide eyes as my fellow employees actually clapped behind me.

  A satisfactory grin etched across her face and I spun around, finding who the show had been for.

  I gripped her hand tighter in mine and rushed out of the building before my boss could catch me and yell. The last thing I needed was to be talked to by my boss about how unprofessional I’d behaved, and how almost having sex in the office wouldn’t be accepted.

  My office consisted of a desk in a sea of other desks, so it didn’t even have a door to offer any privacy. What just happened every single person around me had seen.

  As soon as we were out the doors I let go of her hand. I didn't look at her or speak to her for about two blocks.

  "Slow down, please," she said, trying to catch up to my pace.

  I spun around. "What the hell was that back there?”

  She gave me a sheepish grin. "A very nice greeting for my awesome boyfriend?" It came out more of a question than an answer which only made me madder.

  "Do you understand what you’ve just done?"

  "I guess not.” She pressed her hand up to rest under her chin, and her eyes darted to the sidewalk.

  "I'm not stupid Bella. I know exactly what that was. You were using me to make Elise jealous, but I could lose my job over that. My boss doesn’t play those kinds of games. "

  “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking about that. I just wanted to show her that you were mine.”

  I released a harsh breath, then shook my head.

  “I don’t have time for this right now. I need to go back and try to run damage control before I find myself jobless.” My neck felt stiff as I turned and walked away without another word.

  "James wait!" Bella cried as she chased after me. "What can I do to help?”

  I stopped but didn’t bother to face her. “Nothing Bella. Please just
leave it. I get why you did it, I really do, but that was my place of employment, there are rules to follow there.”

  "After everything she did, I wanted to make it clear you were mine, that I wasn't going to let you go so easily. I wanted to rub it in her face how happy you make me and how happy I make you. After being jealous of her for so long, I just wanted her to be jealous of me for once. It's petty and stupid and I'm so sorry." The words rushed out of her.

  Was every woman like that? My sister never acted like that. Nessa would just punch a bitch out. Nessa also was never really picked on like I’d been. Sure, girls called her names sometimes, but they didn't use her as a doormat.

  “What’s done is done. I really need to get back to work now. We can go to lunch together another day.” I wanted to reach out to her, but the need to fix this with my boss was greater right now. I took deep, calming breaths as I walked back, mentally preparing myself for what I already knew was about to happen. With the way gossip ran around that place, there was no way in hell my boss didn’t catch wind of it. When I hopped in the elevator, I couldn’t catch my breath. I placed my palms flat on the glass and rested my forehead on the cold surface, hoping to calm the nerves rolling inside my stomach.

  The elevator dinged, and I took another deep breath as I walked back to work. Everyone’s eyes turned to me. I was completely humiliated.

  "He snagged a hot girl. Can you believe it?" a woman whispered, pointing at me.

  Way to not be obvious.

  I kept walking, ignoring the comments around me as I sat at my desk to gather my wits. I needed to come up with a good excuse before my boss yelled for me to join him in his office, which I knew was coming any minute.

  No sooner than I sat down, Elise came up to me. "Look, I know I screwed up okay? But that was taking it too far, even for her." She rested her hand on my shoulder. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

  I didn't bother to respond. Instead, I shook my shoulders until she removed her hand. All I wanted was for this day to be over already.

  Halfway through the second paper, the phone at my desk rang. I picked it up and greeted the caller, but a frown formed on my face when I realized it was Nessa. And she was crying.