Force of Love (Forever and Always #4) (Ryan and Janice)

by Todd, E. L.

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “I didn’t want to wake you.”

  “Waking up without you next to me was hard enough. At least if I knew you weren’t going to be there it wouldn’t have been so devastating.”

  “It won’t happen again. I hated not being home with you, knowing you both were alone. I couldn’t sleep at all because I was so worried.”

  She sighed. “Well, we’re fine.”

  “I know. It still scares me.” I got inside the shop then closed the door behind me. “I need to get to work. I’ll see you when I get home.”

  “Okay. Hurry.”

  I smiled. She always said that to me. “I always hurry.”

  “I love you so much, Ryan. I love you.”

  My heart squeezed when she said that. I could hear the sincerity in her voice. “And I you.”

  “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  As soon as I hung up, Cortland called me.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Hey. Have you heard anything about Sean? Did he come back over or call Scarlet?”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “That bad?”

  “Actually, it’s worse.”

  “What’s up?”

  “He got wasted last night and I had to pick him and take him home. Long story short, he’s totally devastated she slept with you. It’s not just the lying that bothers him. He’s a mess.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So the guy hates me?”

  “He didn’t say that but I think it’s implied.”

  “Damn.”

  “Yeah. He even started crying.”

  “How drunk was he?”

  “I doubt he remembers anything today.”

  “Are him and Scarlet done?”

  “No, definitely not. He’s just upset. He’ll come around.”

  “And this ends my relationship with Scarlet, doesn’t it?”

  “No. I don’t think it does. If he didn’t want her to see you anymore he would have already said that. He understands he can’t do that.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re my friend. If Scarlet couldn’t talk to you then she couldn’t talk to me either. Scarlet would never settle for that. She would leave him.”

  “That’s a relief. Who knew that your sick relationship would be my savior?”

  “Well, you’re welcome.”

  “Should I go talk to her?”

  “Nah. Stay away for a while just in case Sean drops by. A few days ago he came over, fucked Scarlet, then left.”

  “That’s makes sense. I’ll just call her.”

  “That’s probably best.”

  “Well, I gotta go. Monnique just woke and she’s giving me the eye. My foxy lady wants to get frisky.”

  “Too much info, dude.”

  “I’ve heard you fuck so many girls and you think that is too much info?”

  I laughed. “Bye.”

  “Bye.

  I hung up the phone then got the shop ready for the day. A few people came in before lunch and I finished drawing the the Last Supper on someone’s back. Another guy said his dog died and he wanted to tattoo a picture of him on his wrist. The only reason why I would get a tattoo is if it had some incredible meaning to me. Otherwise, I couldn’t justify it. I had so many customers that came in and got more tattoos because they became addicted. After a while they did it just for fun. There was no real meaning behind it. And I drew a lot of ugly tattoos on people. I didn’t want to get some ink done then regret it later. Everyone thought it was weird that I didn’t have any tattoos, but I didn’t understand what all the fuss was about. Perhaps someday I would get one. After my workday was over, I went by the bank and dropped off my checks and cash then headed home.

  I was so tired from not sleeping last night. It took a hold on my drawing today because I couldn’t keep my hand steady. I drifted in and out of consciousness throughout the night, but I could never get comfortable enough to sleep then Sean kept mumbling incoherently. I hoped he didn’t act this way every night. I couldn’t imagine how Scarlet got any sleep.

  When I walked inside, Janice jumped from her chair then ran to me, wrapping her arms around me.

  “I could get used to this,” I said with a smile.

  “I’m so glad you’re home.”

  “It’s okay, baby,” I said as I kissed her on the forehead. “I’m here now.”

  She squeezed me tighter.

  “You didn’t tell Scarlet, right?

  “No,” she whispered.

  “Okay.”

  “Are you hungry? Can I make you something?”

  “I’m exhausted. I just want to get some sleep.”

  “Okay,” she said as she pulled away. “Let’s get you in the shower.”

  “Together?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I like that.”

  “Come on.” She guided me into the bedroom. Scarlet’s door was closed when we walked by. I assumed she was moping to herself. Janice started the shower then stripped off her clothes. When she was done, she helped me out of my mine.

  When we got inside, she washed my hair and rubbed soap on my body, massaging my tight muscles. I closed my eyes as she attended to me. After I rinsed off, we turned off the water and dried off.

  I walked to the bed the collapsed on top of it. “Baby, I’m just too tired to make love.”

  “Well, I’m not.” She straddled my hips then leaned over me. “Just relax. I’ll do all the work.”

  “I’m not going to say no to that.”

  She kissed my body until my erection sprung forth. Janice kissed my neck as she grabbed my cock then slid it inside of her. I placed my hands behind my head and watched her ride me. It was a beautiful sight. She moved up and down just the right way, sheathing me entirely as she moved against me. Her breasts moved while she rocked me. I stared at them.

  When I felt myself start to shake, she kissed my lips. “Not yet, babe. Hold on.”

  I moaned.

  She rode me harder until her orgasm was reached. She stayed quiet as her pleasure mounted through her. She fucked me even harder than she was before until she was completely finished. I grabbed her hips and guided myself deeper inside of her. When I felt myself come, I bucked inside her hard until my moment had passed. Now that I was satisfied I was even more tired. Janice kissed my lips gently before she pulled me out of her. I closed my eyes and sighed.

  Janice grabbed my shoulders and turned me over. When I felt her hands rub my back I knew she was giving me a massage. I loved it when she did sentimental things like this, always putting my comfort first. I was a complete ass to her yesterday but she let it go because she loved me. I deserved to be slapped. I was glad she was too classy for that. I had been slapped by too many women to count.

  The feel of her fingers digging into the muscles of my backs made me moan a few times. My back throbbed with a dull pulse of pleasure, making me sigh repeatedly. Every time she touched me, I felt myself relax further and further. After she rubbed every inch of my skin, she delicately ran her fingers down my back, making me feel sleepy. When I felt the thoughts seize and my mind drift, she kissed me on the head before she left the bedroom. I fell asleep but noticed the absence of her warmth. I wanted her to stay but I was too tired to ask.

  11

  Sometime later, I opened my eyes again. I was still tired but I knew I had to get up otherwise I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

  I got dressed then went into the living room. Janice was sitting on the couch, watching television, and Scarlet was lying on the couch under a blanket.

  When Janice saw me she rose from the couch and followed me into the kitchen. “You hungry, babe?” she whispered.

  I nodded. “I’m starving.”

  “I had you some tamales with rice and beans,” she said as she grabbed the plate from the refrigerator. She put it in the microwave then turned it on.

  I stared at her incredulously. “Y
ou amaze me.”

  “Yep, I can do more than just fuck your brains out,” she said as she shook her hips.

  I came behind her and wrapped my arms around her. “I just can’t believe how sweet you are to me even though I was in ass yesterday. Plus, I didn’t come home last night.” I kissed her neck. “I don’t deserve this treatment.”

  “Couples fight—big deal. This is nothing.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, couples fight a lot more than you and I do. This is our first one—ever. It’s really not a big deal.”

  “So you and your ex fought a lot?”

  “Yeah.”

  I nodded. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or just uncomfortable by that knowledge. Even though I looked better than her ex in this situation, I still didn’t like being compared.

  “And I’m not going to hold your wrongs against you. We fight, make up, then just forget about it.”

  “Why do guys complain about their girlfriends so much? They are pretty easy to handle.”

  She laughed. “We aren’t all like that. You’re just lucky.”

  “I already knew that.”

  The microwave beeped so she took out the food then placed it on the table. “Come on.”

  I sat down and started to scarf down the meal. She opened her computer and started to type on the screen.

  She continued to look at the screen. “Monnique wants to go out tonight. I tried to get Scarlet to go but she would rather mop around and wait for her life to end.”

  “What do you mean go out?”

  “Like to dinner,” she said with a raised eyebrow.

  “Just you two? Alone?”

  “Uh, yeah. What’s wrong with that?”

  “I already said I don’t like it when you go out alone.”

  “I won’t be alone. Monnique will be there.”

  “Two hot chicks is worse than one. You aren’t going.”

  She glared at me. “You don’t tell me what to do.”

  “You wanna bet?” I returned her glare. “We already had this conversation.”

  “You said if I wanted to go out, I could.”

  “During the day and to the store—not out.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Guys will hit on you.”

  “And you don’t trust me?”

  “It’s not you that I don’t trust. I don’t want you going out wearing a skanky dress and high heels.”

  “So now you tell me what to wear?” She looked like she might slap me.

  “Right now I do.”

  She shook her head. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?”

  “I’m your boyfriend. I won’t let my girl go out alone. I’m coming.”

  “How can we have a girl’s night if you’re there?”

  “Ignore me.”

  “I should ignore you now.”

  “Come here if you want to have some alone time. I’ll stay in my room.”

  “That’s not the same thing.”

  “Does Cortland know?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I bet he doesn’t.” I grabbed my phone from my pocket. “I’ll make sure he knows now.”

  “You’re seriously pissing me off right now.”

  “And you’re driving me fucking insane. You don’t get it, Janice. Not every guy is nice like Cortland and I.”

  “Ha! You and Cortland are nice guys? You sound like a control freaks.”

  I grabbed her arm and pulled her from the table. I knew this was going to escalate into a fight and I didn’t want to wake up Scarlet. I dragged her down the hall and into the bedroom. When the door was closed I start tearing her clothes off.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  I pushed her on the bed then removed her pants.

  “I’m so not in the mood right now.”

  “Just shut up.” I removed my clothes and she looked at me with venom in her eyes. I walked into the shower then turned on the water. I returned a moment later and dragged her in with me.

  “Ryan, stop.”

  I shut the door behind us. The water was falling on both of us, masking our voices inside the bathroom. “Shut up and listen to me! You’re right. I’m not a nice guy, therefore, I know how they think. If I saw you in a bar I would think about nothing else but fucking you. I would do whatever it took to get you naked, go to any extreme. And because of that reason, I don’t want you going anywhere by yourself. I can’t handle it. I don’t want something to happen to you. Seattle is beautiful but it’s also full of shitty people. If you want to spend time with Monnique, that’s fine. I’ll take you down there or I’ll leave the apartment, but I’m not letting you two go out dressed like whores. That’s final.”

  “You aren’t going to tell me what to do,” she snapped.

  “Stop being stupid and I won’t have to.”

  “I’ll be with Monnique—I won’t be alone.”

  “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I pushed her against the wall. “Can she protect you when a guy won’t stop bothering you? Can she stop a guy from grabbing you? No, she can’t.”

  “I lived in New York by myself for years. I don’t need this bullshit from you.”

  “And you told me all the guys you dated were scumbags. That proves my point.”

  “No, it doesn’t. I handled that and got away from them.”

  “It would have been quicker if you just had me.”

  “You’re really pissing me off.”

  “I don’t give a shit. I won’t change my mind about this.”

  “I can’t live without someone this controlling.”

  “I’m not controlling. You can do whatever you want to do. I just want to be there or I prefer it if you are in a bigger group. That’s all. If you think I’m bad, you should hear Cortland. Monnique is obviously in for a surprise.”

  Janice turned away from me and crossed her arms over her chest. “I just can’t believe how crazy you are. When we met you seemed so calm and—normal.”

  I smiled. “When I fell in love with you everything changed. I’m sorry about that. I’ve always been protective of Scarlet because she’s my family. Now you and Monnique are family. I would die without you. I would rather piss you off and keep you safe than let you go out and pray you come back to me.”

  She sighed. “I just don’t like being told what to do.”

  I was quiet for a moment, controlling my anger. “I understand that. I wouldn’t like to be bossed around either. But I’m only doing this because I care about your safety. It has nothing to do with jealously or possessiveness. Please let me come, or better yet, just hang out at the apartment. That way Scarlet can join you.”

  “She wants to be alone.”

  “Then go to Monnique’s apartment.”

  “We want to go out and have a drink.”

  “Fine. Then the three of us will go out.”

  She rolled her eyes. “So, I’m never allowed to spend time with friends?”

  “I didn’t say that,” I snapped. “I’ll sit at the bar and keep an eye on you. I won’t listen to your conversation. I won’t even interfere if a guy flirts with you. However, I will beat the shit out them if they don’t leave you alone after a while.”

  “And this is how it’s going to be for the rest of our lives?”

  “It is if you still want to spend the rest of your life with me.”

  She pressed her forehead against mine. “Of course I do.”

  I sighed in relief. “Well, if that hasn’t scared you off then I don’t know what will.”

  “But I won’t put up with this forever. It will have to change.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not happening.”

  “What about when we have kids? I’ll have to pick them up from school, take them to soccer games, go to the store.”

  “Totally different and you know it is. You are getting dressed up and going out for dinner and drinks—the place where men pick up on women, slip shit in their drink
s, then fuck them in an alley. I won’t put up with it.”

  “You can be so sweet then turn into such an asshole a second later.”

  “What’s your point?”

  She was quiet for a moment and avoided my gaze. She said nothing for a long time.

  I kissed the brim of her nose. “I’m sorry that I’m like this. I’ve never been this way before. I just care about you, baby. That’s the honest truth.”

  “I know,” she whispered.

  “Please do this for me. Just let me sit across the room. I won’t eavesdrop, I won’t embarrass you, and I won’t do anything to make you angry.”

  “Fine.”

  I smiled in victory. “Thank you, baby. That means a lot to me.”

  “You can’t go out with Cortland and the guys anymore.”

  I sighed. “I guess I should have seen that coming.”

  “It bothers me that women hit on you all the time and I don’t want you in that environment. It makes me uncomfortable and I fear for your safety.”

  “It’s not the same and you know it.”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “Yes, it is.”

  “Women can’t rape me.”

  “But they can slip something into your drink. Plus, they won’t leave you alone.”

  I bowed my head. “Deal.”

  She smiled at me. “Annoying, isn’t it?”

  “If it keeps you safe, I don’t care.”

  Her eyes softened. “You don’t have to actually do it, Ryan. I know you can take care of yourself.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I just wanted to prove a point.”

  “And it’s a valid point. If you have to make sacrifices, then so do I.”

  “I guess you aren’t that annoying.”

  I pressed my body against her, feeling her wet tits against my chest. “I’m glad you feel that way.” I cupped her face with both hands then kissed her hard on the mouth. While I separated her lips with my tongue, I moved my hands down her body, feeling her large breasts in my hands. I loved massaging them and squeezing them. They were a little big for my hands. I’ve always been a tit man, but with Janice I was an ass man too. Her breasts always got me hard when I looked at them. They hung slightly but they were very perky. When she wore a push-up bra they were just distracting. She started to moan for me the more I rubbed her tits. Whenever she saw me get hard over her body it always made her hard. My cock pressed against her stomach as I rubbed her. Then, I removed one hand and placed it over her clit, rotating it with my thumb. When I started to finger her she was completely lost to me.