“Yeah, alright,” Teresa took the leggings and pulled them on. She looked around quickly and pulled out an oversized sweater. “And this sweater. He loved this sweater.” As Liz walked back across the room to pick her phone up off the bed, Teresa turned around and held it up for her. “He got this for me as a gift.” Liz glanced at it and resumed scrolling through her Twitter feed.
“Yeah, if he remembers maybe it’ll be some kind of clue to him or something. But, he’s a guy, so he won’t remember.” Liz laid down on the bed and sighed.
****
It had been their three year anniversary when Teresa sat at the kitchen table, hands covering her eyes. She could hear the wrapping paper of her gift crinkling as it was placed on the table. She felt the smile creep across her face as James’ voice washed over her. James hated wrapping presents, so this was a big deal for him.
“Alright, open your eyes, babe.” Teresa threw her hands off and eyes open to see a large preset sitting in front of her. It was crudely wrapped, with crinkled paper, but it was wrapped. “Go on, open it, don’t study it.” She could hear the smile on his face, his voice always gave away his emotions.
She tore into the paper, tiny bits fluttered onto the floor. She opened the box and pulled out a large, oversized, knit sweater. She held it up to smell it and was almost overwhelmed by the smell of sheep. She giggled and put it back into the box. Teresa spun around and stood up, throwing her arms around James’ neck. She buried her face into his chest and could feel him laughing. “You’ve gotta try it on, you goof.”
She turned back around and pulled it back out of the box, throwing it on over her black tank top and athletic shorts. The sweater fell to the middle of her thighs, effectively making it look like she wasn’t wearing pants. Teresa looked up at James for approval.
“Looks good doesn’t it?” She twirled around a few times, laughing to herself slightly at the ludicrousness of the sweater. “How much did you pay to ship this from Ireland, anyway? I thought we agreed on not spending too much money.” As she finished up her twirl James grabbed her and picked her up. He tossed her slightly until she was being carried under his arm.
“What are you doing,” Teresa exclaimed through laughter. “Don’t you want your gift?” James made his way through his small apartment and into his bedroom where he dropped her onto the bed.
“I thought you were my present.”
James pulled his white henley off over his head, his curly hair flopped slightly and he took a minute to straighten and correct his beard. He climbed onto the bed next to her, hands slipped up inside the sweater and grabbed her sides playfully, pulling her body close to his.
Their lips interlocked, their breath in sync as their tongues passionately lapped at the other. His hands had made their way inside her shirt, his hands cupping her breasts, his thumbs flicking her erect nipples. As they rubbed over her tits, she moaned quietly, his lips breaking away to find her neck.
He licked his lips before kissing her pale neck, slight bites left red marks that would remind her of this later when she would look in the mirror. Her fingernails scratched at his back in pleasure creating a mosaic. James raised up onto his knees slowly, and mounted her. He pulled off her sweater and tank top and laid back on top of her. His hands, lips, and tongue began the slow descent down her body. The soft kisses and flicks of the tongue drew out louder moans, Teresa's head rocked back as she managed to mutter his name out under her breath.
James rose up again, unfastening his belt and jeans as Teresa managed to slide out of her shorts and panties. James fell back into her neck, one hand firmly grasping the nape of her neck, his chest hair felt soft against her exposed breasts. The other hand slowly walked down her stomach, ticking her as it went. The index and ring finger gently opened her pussy, his middle finger rubbing her clit. He leaned down, leaving her to moan as his face and lips passed over her body, kissing every inch.
Finally, as he reached her vagina, his tongue began to lap at her clit, his finger now inside her. Moaning, she began to contort and crumpled into the bed. He spit on her pussy and raised up slightly, taking his cock in his free hand. With another quick spit and rub, he slowly inserted his dick inside her.
Immediately she began to moan loudly, his name barely finding its way off her tongue, her mind completely engrossed in the feeling of his dick. Reaching up with both hands, he grabbed her behind the neck, locking eyes with her as his body rhythmically thrusted his pelvis into hers.
Their naked bodies seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, after three years they had fallen into such a tight sync that without saying a word James stood up and flipped Teresa over onto her hands and knees. He took up a handful of her hair in one hand, and he slide inside her again, his bare thighs slapping into her perky, porcelain ass.
Her moans were replaced with screams of delight as every few thrusts he would pause to spank her firmly. Each time he would do it, Teresa would let out a small yelp of pleasure. Leaning down onto her, his chest matching the curve of her back, kissing the back of her neck, he reached around, grabbing her bouncing tits, his fingers pinching and squeezing her nipples as he thrusted deeper.
Her screams quickly began coming faster and faster, with each thrust the orgasm building up. James released one tit and reached between her thighs and began to tease her clit. Teresa went limp in the bed as her body shook uncontrollably, pleasure rolling over her body like tidal waves.
James didn’t let up though, his hard dick continuing to pound. Her hands clutched at the sheets on the bed as he slowed down, the thrusts began to have more meaning, each one brought her close to cuming. As he pumped one last time she let out a long moan, feeling all the pressure in her body release. James pulled out and rolled her over into his arms and he laid down onto his back.
“My god, I thought I was just getting that sweater,” Teresa said between labored breaths. She pushed her hair out of her face and looked at James as he laid, sweating and panting beside her. He smiled and turned to look at her, kissing her on the forehead. “I don’t know if I got enough now.”
“Yeah, you don’t even need to get me anything at this point if you didn’t want to,” James laughed as his free hand played with her hair.
“Oh, well good because I actually didn’t get you anything for the anniversary. So, I’m really glad you said that.” Teresa held her breath to see how James would react. He slowly turned his head and looked away from her.
“Well, I mean, that’s fine I suppose.” Teresa laughed loudly and rolled over on top of him, mounting him as he had just done.
“You want a present, you punk. I know you.” Teresa nuzzled into his neck, blowing raspberries, causing him to shirk away as he tried to push her off.
****
The party was nothing special honestly. Teresa stood with Liz in the corner of the living room, each of them held a red solo cup full of some sort of mixed drink. Mike had worked at a Mexican restaurant for a few years and learned how to make some fantastic drinks. However, he only knew the measurements to make the drinks in gallons. There was nothing wrong with this, but it led to some interesting parties. Sadly, this did not appear to be one of them.
Teresa and Liz silently sipped from the cups while Mike’s classic rock blared throughout the apartment. Small pockets of people had formed up, but Liz and Teresa did not necessarily fit in well with any of the circles of friends. Over the past few years Liz and Teresa had isolated themselves and burned a few bridges, something they didn’t think of until they arrived at the party.
When they had arrived Mike had introduced both of them to his new work friends, which they didn’t mesh well with at all. Unable to hold a conversation about the things people do at church or children, the two had agreed to come up with a drinking game that would make the party more bearable until James got there.
So, now they stood in silence in the corner, watching the room and listening to the small groups around them make small talk. For each mention of an engagement, promotio
n or raise at work, or a “remember when we were in college” story, they would take a drink. If, and when, someone would mention a pregnancy, they would finish their drinks.
It had been about an hour and both Teresa and Liz were feeling light headed and had to brace themselves while they walked around the room to keep the conversations fresh. They had hit the jackpot early on with one group of accountants who couldn’t help but try and one up each other’s promotions. As they made their way across the room Liz nudged Teresa to tell her something.
“So, one or two more hours and I’m out of here. I can’t be around these people too long. All this talk of babies is drying my vagina up.” She looked into her cup and made a beeline for the cooler. “And all this drinking can’t be good for me. I mean, why people can’t just be happy to be unemployed like me.”
As Teresa and Liz reached the cooler the door opened and in walked James. He carried in a brown paper bag, the top of a bottle of liquor protruded from the top, the cap was nowhere to be seen. Mike jumped up from his seat and caught up to him as he began to walk into the room, tossing his keys into a bowl that sat on a table next to the door. Mike quietly whispered in his ear and James took a step back as if he was shoved.
“And you’re only telling me now?” James started to look around the room, eyes landing on a few different girls until he met the gaze of Teresa. Without breaking eye contact he raised the brown bag to his lips and took a long pull of liquor. “Well, let the shit show begin.” He took another step back and stared intently at her outfit. Turning his head like a dog, trying to understand a noise. With a look of understanding he slowly shook his head and took another drink.
James pushed past Mike towards a door in the back of the room leading to his bedroom. Liz had poured herself a new drink, but instead of saying anything took a few more sips. As the door closed and Teresa didn’t move, Liz leaned over to Teresa and drunkenly whispered:
“Do you think he noticed the sweater?” Teresa didn’t say anything so Liz tipped the cup back, finishing her drink again. “Things can only get worse. I’ll need more booze.” Mike walked over to Teresa as Liz made her way back over to the cooler of alcoholic mystery.
All of Teresa’s dreams and fantasies about seeing James again quickly were becoming nightmares. She had been prepared for something a little more...erotic.
“Hey, listen, he had a tough day at work. You know how teaching can be. I mean, its high school so all those hormonal teens can wear just about anybody down.” Mike stood there and spoke with hopeful eyes trying to make Teresa feel better. Teresa placed her cup on the coffee table and motioned for Liz.
“This was a stupid idea, guys. Thanks for the invite, Mike, but I realize how dumb I was being.” Liz walked over and placed her cup beside Teresa’s. Mike apologized on behalf of James and walked them to the door.
As Mike went to open the door for the girls, James’ bedroom door slammed open. Out walked James in jean shorts, a black graphic tee shirt that had a bald eagle on it and the sleeves cut off, and a cowboy hat. He raised a bottle of whiskey in one hand and hollered.
“Let’s get this shit started!”
****
James and Teresa sat together on the couch, Mike and Liz stood together on the other side of the room, ready to step in, just in case they started throwing punches. Where they had left off it was unclear of how this would go, but from across the room they could only see smiles and laughter.
“No, I know it wasn’t our first date party, but these are the only clothes I still have that were from any of those parties. I thought it was a good tip off that I wasn’t too mad or anything.” James took a small pull from the bottle while Teresa sighed and sat back on the couch. Her drink balanced carefully in her lap.
“Well, you clearly noticed the sweater then?” Teresa motioned at her sweater and James nodded.
“Yeah, third anniversary. If I recall we had some pretty great sex after I gave you that. I think you gave me a map, right?” He reached over and tugged on the sweater a bit. “I always liked how it made you look like you weren’t wearing pants.” He laughed slightly under his breath. “Especially when I found out you weren’t wearing pants.” They both laughed and slumped into the couch.
“It’s been so long, I missed this James,” Teresa put her hand on his shoulder and James coughed quietly and pulled away from her. She sat up quickly and apologized. “Sorry. It was muscle memory and the alcohol, it’s-” James reached out and grabbed her arm. She immediately stopped talking and James shifted a bit in his seat.
“It’s not that. You don’t need to apologize.” He sat back in the seat and he took another swig from the bottle of whiskey to settle his nerve. “Being here, with you and our friends; it’s everything I’ve wanted for the past two years.” He looked over and Mike, who smiled and waved while drinking with Liz. “It’s just that as soon as I relax, I hear you breaking up with me all over again. I hear all the terrible things you said. I can’t keep putting myself through that.”
James stood up, his hand lingered on her leg for a moment. He walked away though, leaving Teresa on the couch, watching as he walked away. Liz jogged across the room, bumping into a few people, to fill in James’ seat and Mike followed James into his room. Teresa looked down at her cup and back up at James as he closed the door to his bedroom.
“Well, let’s get drunk.”
That was the last thing Teresa remembered saying.
****
Teresa certainly didn’t enjoy the feeling of waking up in a strange place, but it wasn’t something she was completely unused to either. She slowly lifted her head the pounding from a headache started to throb so she laid back down. Carefully she started to take in her surroundings one piece at a time.
She wasn’t naked, but these certainly weren’t the clothes she came in. She looked at the ground and saw her sweater and leggings folded up neatly. The sheets smelled strange, not off putting, but strange. And she was thirsty. Incredibly thirsty. She looked over at the bedside table and there was a chilled, unopened water bottle on it. She crept towards it, careful not to move her head too much.
After taking a drink of water she rolled onto her back and took in the room a bit more. It was pretty sparse with some dirty clothes scattered around the room and a desk in the corner had a desktop and a laptop sitting on it. There were four or five legal pads stacked on the desk as well. The desktop had the time on the screen. It was 10:24 in the morning.
Teresa collected herself and stood up. She noticed that on the legal pad that was on top of the others had a note scrawled on it: “Advil is in the top drawer of the bedside table. Take as many as you need.” She padded back across the room and grabbed a few Advil out of the drawer, threw them back, and drank some more of the water. Absently she flipped through the other legal pads and came across a poem:
Brown eyes that I once teased
Haunt me now in my dreams.
Her thin hair that I once ran my fingers through
Dances just out of my reach.
Pale skin that I once caressed
Is now covered with ink,
Ink that I know means the world to her,
But means nothing to me now.
Drunken nights that were once filled
With movies and laughter
Are now filled with questions
Of what if.
Years have passed
But I’ll always wonder
If we can come back from this.
Teresa looked down at the tattoos on her arms, showing through the thin, white shirt and sat down on the bed. He knew the story behind two of them, but her arms were covered now. She never thought of that. As she went to read the poem again and to read the other poems that were in the pad, the door to the room opened. She tossed the pad under the bed as James walked in, his hair disheveled and bags obviously hung low under his eyes. He held up his car keys and a pair of sunglasses.
“Breakfast? I know a place.”
****
After quickly getting dressed and taking a short shower, Teresa sat next to James in his aging car, trash clattered around in the back seat as she fell back into a strange rhythm. She immediately fell back into the memories of the car. The car they drove back and forth from family vacations to college. The same car he had driven her to her internships and the airport in. It was a car she knew well and didn’t realize she had missed.
“So, like I said, after I went to my room I hung out in there for a while until Liz came and got me. I didn’t want to ruin your party experience more than I had, but I guess I did.” James looked over at Teresa who was staring out the window. “You had gotten pretty drunk by the time Liz got me and you were hitting on one of Mike’s priest friends.” James chuckled and adjusted his glasses. “You kept whispering, just because God is playing goalie, doesn’t mean I can’t score.” Teresa laughed at her own joke and slumped lower into her seat.
“Christ, I don’t remember that.” They both pause for a moment. “Well, not Christ. Shit I suppose.” They laughed together until Teresa realized where he was taking her for breakfast. He’s taking her to the coffee shop she works in. She had the day off but surely someone would give her grief for being there. Especially looking like how she looked now and being with the man she avoided a week ago.
ROMANCE: BILLIONAIRE ROMANCE: Completely Obsessed (Bad boy Alpha Male Pregnancy Romance) (New Adult and College Contemporary Romance) Page 59