by Taylor Wade
I wrapped my legs around his waist, locking my feet together behind his back. I ran my tongue across the seam of his lips and he opened his mouth, our tongues dancing together sensually. I couldn’t help the moan that crept up my throat and Wes intensified the kiss at the sound. I lifted both arms to wrap around his neck and positioned my body so that it was flush against his solid frame. His erection pressed against me and I moved closer causing a deep groan to escape him. He broke the kiss and we both fought to catch our breaths. I moved my mouth to his neck and tasted his skin, running my tongue up his throat and to his ear, biting his earlobe gently.
“Brookelyn,” he whispered, his voice rough and thick with longing. I moved my head back to look him in the eyes and the desire in his hooded gaze must have mirrored my own. We sat there for a beat, our bodies pressed closely together, staring into each other’s soul. Suddenly, Wes wrapped his hands underneath both of my legs and picked me up from the stool, melding his mouth to mine once again. The kiss wasn’t slow and sensual by any means. As he walked towards my room, holding me against him, his mouth moved against mine fiercely putting every single emotion into that one lingering kiss. The power of that moment said more than any words could ever speak.
Wes pushed the door to my bedroom open and kicked it shut behind him. I felt the mattress on my back as Wes gently lowered me, positioning his body on top of me so that I could feel every inch of his hard physique, but could still breath beneath him. He broke the kiss and pulled his face away from mine, leaving an inch in between us. He released my hair from the elastic band and ran his fingers through the braid I had made earlier, my dirty blonde hair fanning out around me in soft waves.
“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Brookelyn.” Wes whispered, placing a gentle kiss on the corner of my mouth. “I’ll wait for you. I’d wait a lifetime for you if you asked me to. Just knowing you love me is enough for me.”
My heart exploded in my chest at his words and I knew in that moment that I would never love anyone as much as I loved the man in front of me. The sincerity in his gorgeous blue eyes sent warmth throughout my body and I was at a loss for words. I pulled his face back down to mine and kissed him tenderly, yet passionate. He tensed for a moment above me, realizing the implication of my actions, before parting his mouth to me, surrendering to my silent plea. His lips were caressing and crooning, against mine and I was engulfed by fervor and longing. I lifted my hips against his, wordlessly telling him exactly what I wanted. His soft groan vibrated throughout my body and I felt goose bumps cover my skin.
I moved my hands down his firm chest and grabbed the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it over his head and reaching for my own. Our lips remained locked together as Wes finished undressing me, caressing my body tenderly. I reached for the waistband of his jeans and unbuttoned them, tugging them down as best as I could from my position below him. Wes smiled against my lips at my impatience and finished removing his jeans, pulling his wallet out from his back pocket and removing a square foil packet. He placed it on the bed beside us and brought his lips to my neck, feathering kisses down to my collar bone and the swell of my breasts before trailing his lips back up to my mouth. He rocked his hips against me and I bit my bottom lip as pleasure coursed through my entire being.
“Wes,” I panted, trailing my hands down his back, exploring each sculpted muscle with my fingertips. “I need you.”
Wes stopped the rocking motion of his hips against mine and I stopped myself from crying out at the loss of contact. He reached down and pulled off his boxer with one hand, his other hand beside my head, propping himself up. When his boxers were off, my eyes widened slightly but I forced myself to remain calm so that he wouldn’t mistake my reaction for fear. Wes brought the foil packet to his mouth and ripped it open with his teeth before rolling it onto his length, keeping his eyes trained intently on mine the whole time.
Wes settled himself in between my legs and I closed my eyes, forcing myself not to think of the last time I had been in this position. I fought through the fear reminding myself that this was Wes and he would never hurt me. I was reassuring myself when Wes paused and touched my cheek gently. I opened my eyes to see him peering down at me affectionately.
“I need you to look at me, Brookelyn.” He told me softly. “I need to know you’re here with me.”
I nodded and swallowed any thoughts of Jesse. I was amazed at how well Wes could read me. He leaned down and placed his mouth on mine in a passionate kiss, both of our eyes remaining open as we peered into each other’s depths. In one motion he thrust inside of me and I gasped into his mouth. His lips pulled away from me and he caressed my face with his hand, as he stayed motionless inside of me.
“Are you okay?” he asked me. I nodded and leaned up to place a slow kiss on his chest, tasting his flesh against my tongue. His gaze was flooded with desire as he kept his focus on me, pulling his hips away from me before rocking back into me. He groaned in pleasure and I smiled knowing that I could make him feel that way. I kept my stare locked on his as he continued his motion, creating a gentle rhythm with his movements. After a few moments of Wes adjusting me to the feel of him, he picked up his pace and I was overcome by unimaginable sensations as his body moved with mine. I raised my hips to meet him and cried out at the contact of our bodies. I had never before felt so connected to another person as I did in this moment. Our bodied molded together, our breaths becoming one, as I found myself wrapped up in him completely: body, heart, and soul.
I breathed in his intoxicating scent and tasted his salty skin as his body began to lightly sweat. I brought his mouth back to mine and kissed him deeply, expressing my love for him as best as I could in that one passionate embrace. My hands slid into his hair and ran through his short dark locks as he kissed me back, a groan tearing from his throat. I was lost in a state of bliss as Wes’s lips mirrored my own. Taunting and teasing my lips, his tongue meeting my own in sensual, intimate strokes as he explored every inch of my mouth.
A shiver of pleasure rocked my body and a tingling feeling flashed through me and I felt as though every once of my body was on fire. Wes placed his forehead against mine and looked deeply into my eyes as he thrust into me three more times before releasing a throaty groan as I followed him over the edge, my nails gripping into his back, crying out, as we lost ourselves to the sensations riding throughout our bodies. Wes collapsed on top of me gently, his breathing labored as he shifted off of me, pulling me with him so that I lay across his perspired chest. I placed a kiss to his chest and smiled up at him. He looked down at me and broke into a wide grin that took my breath away.
“I love you,” I told him, placing my hands on his chest and resting my chin on top of them.
“I love you, too.” Wes told me softly, his voice full of promise. He ran a hand through my hair and placed a lingering kiss to my forehead.
We both lie there in silence for while, wrapped in one another’s arms, a calmness floating in the air around us.
“That was definitely worth the wait,” Wes said suddenly, with a sigh. I smacked his chest playfully which made him chuckle and I laughed along with him.
“I guess we have a lot of lost time to make up for, huh?” I whispered, sitting up on my elbows and trailing one finger down his chest. I looked up at him with a shy smile and bit my lip as desire pooled in his blue eyes once again.
“You’re going to be the death of me, ugly,” Wes told me with my favorite boyish grin playing across his lips. He grabbed me by my hips and pulled me so that I was completely on top of him. “But it’s not a bad way to go.”
TWENTY-FOUR
I felt like I was on top of the world during the next two days that followed. Being with Wes physically was incredible; every emotion that I felt for him was amplified, especially because I had offered every piece of myself to him and yet he still stood by my side. Our relationship changed significantly, for the better. We became closer than we had been before, and we trusted each other utterly.
Our connection grew stronger, and I found myself more at peace than I had been in my entire life, let alone in the last year.
I smiled thinking about Wes as I made my way through the quad packed with students. Elle had finished her classes for the day a few hours earlier and got a ride home with Colin so that I could use her car to get home after I finished my last class. I had plans to meet with Wes at the Starbucks inside of the student center after my Psychology class let out. I was about half way there when my phone vibrated in my back pocket. I pulled it out and Elle’s name flashed across the screen. I grinned, sure that she was calling me to ask me to pick up her favorite chocolate chip frappe before I got home.
“Hey,” I answered after placing the phone against my ear. I was confused by the deep sigh I heard on the other side of the phone.
“It’s so good to hear your voice, Brookey Baby.” I stopped walking and a girl behind me crashed into me shooting me a dirty look as she scooted around me. A cold fear swept over my body and my hand flew to my mouth as I suppressed a sob.
“Where’s Elle?” I managed to ask him through my panic.
Jesse chuckled over the phone, “She’s right here but she can’t talk right now.”
“Leave her alone Jesse! Please!” I begged, turning in the direction of the parking lot and breaking out into a run.
“Here’s what you’re going to do, Brookelyn,” Jesse said, his voice harsh, but I could hear a hint of amusement. “You’re going to come here to your apartment and you’re not going to tell a soul. If anyone shows up here with you, I will shoot her. I swear to god, I will shoot her.”
I gasped, unable to suppress my cries any longer as I realized that Jesse was implying that he was armed and holding my best friend captive as some sort of twisted game. “Please let her go, Jesse. I’m begging you! I will do whatever you want, just let her go!”
“I’ll see you soon, Brookey Baby.” He taunted me right before the line went dead. I found Elle’s car and crashed against it, my body crumbling to the pavement as sobs racked throughout my entire body. This couldn’t be happening. He was supposed to stay away. He was ordered to stay away. I knew that I was supposed to call the police but he said he had a gun and I couldn’t say for sure that he was bluffing. I knew Jesse well enough by now to know that I shouldn’t chance losing my best friend. Another cry escaped me at the thought. Elle was in more danger than she probably realized. Jesse was a ruthless, volatile man and he would not let anyone get in the way of what he wanted. And he wanted me. For what, I wasn’t sure, but I knew that I was possibly risking my own life by showing up at my apartment alone. I forced the thoughts to the back of my mind, reminding myself that Elle was in danger and that was what was important; I had to save Elle above all else. I composed myself as best as possible, wiping the tears from my eyes before I got up from the ground and got into Elle’s car. I decided against calling Wes, hoping that he would wait for me in the student center assuming my professor let us out late. I wouldn’t put him in danger, either. I loved him too much to stand the thought of him getting hurt. I had never been so grateful for Savanna’s shopping addiction. She had gone to the local mall after classes and I knew she wouldn’t be back for hours. She was safe.
The tires screeched as I peeled out of the parking space and out of the university’s entrance. I traveled at twice the legal speeding limit, holding back my tears so that they wouldn’t get in the way of my vision. The ride to the apartment felt longer than usual and I couldn’t help but imagining the worst possible scenes that I would encounter when I finally got there. I managed to hit every single red light and swore to the heavens for providing me with more obstacles to overcome. By the time I finally made it to the apartment there were no parking spaces close by so I swung the car so that it was parked against the curb leading up to my door. I didn’t care if the car got towed; I needed to get to Elle. I needed to save Elle. I repeated the words over and over in my head like a mantra as I raced to the front door of my apartment. The door was unlocked and I pushed it open, allowing tears to stream down my face as I gasped at the scene before me. No amount of mental preparation could prepare me for the sight before me.
“Close the door, Brookelyn.” Jesse ordered from where he stood in the living room. I managed to shut the apartment door with shaky hands. I stood frozen where I stood, unable to move my body from the fear that incapacitated me.
A stream of tears flowed down my face as I looked into Elle’s large round eyes. There was a plea in her wide gaze but all I could focus on was the gun pointed at her head. Jesse had tied her wrists behind her where she sat so that she was trapped to a chair. The plastic cords wrapping her wrists were also attached to her feet, further preventing her from moving. I let out a cry at the sight, and it took all of my strength not to run to her and remove the duct tape from around her mouth. Jesse had clearly been planning this. He came prepared.
I forced myself to look away from my best friend and stepped closer to the man that I detested with every ounce of my being. His eyes had that red, glassy look and I knew right away that he was highly under the influence. His eyes staring back at me held malice and wicked promise and I felt myself shudder in fear. He curled his lip up in disgust as he looked at me from head to toe, shaking his head in repulsion. His hand that held the gun remained against the side of Elle’s head.
“Jesse…” I started to plea, willing to offer myself to him in exchange for Elle’s safety but he cut me off before I could continue.
“You ruined my life,” his spat out. “You stupid bitch. Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me?”
I kept my mouth shut, my body shaking as panic settled in.
“DO YOU?!” He repeated himself with a shout while leaning his face into mine. I flinched away from him and he chuckled humorously. His features smoothed out suddenly and he lifted his free hand and placed it on my cheek. I flinched again and clenched my eyes shut; both scared for what came next and disgusted by his touch. “I forgive you, baby.”
My eyes snapped open at his statement and he brushed his thumb across my cheek in slow circles. “What?”
“I forgive you, Brookey Baby,” he repeated softly.
My attention swung to Elle as she let out a scream, muffled by the tape covering her mouth. She was trying to tell me something with her eyes but I couldn’t make it out through her tears. She shook her head violently. “Elle, you’re okay. Jesse’s not going to hurt you.” I told her carefully, praying that my words were true. “Right, Jesse?”
Jesse smirked and removed his hand from my face before swinging his arm back, his closed fist crashing against my face. I screamed in pain as the force of his blow pushed my body to the floor. I felt a warm tricked down my face and lifted my hand to see that my lip was split open and already beginning to swell rapidly.
“I’m not gonna hurt that bitch, don’t worry.” He laughed once. “You’re the only one that’s gonna pay for what you’ve done.”
“But—but…” I stuttered through my cries of pain. “You said you—you forgive me.”
I was only vaguely aware of Elle’s muffled cries as she tried to wrestle out of her restraints. Before I could lift myself from the ground my ribs were met with a hard kick from Jesse’s boot. The air left my body and I gasped trying to catch my breath from the force of his strike. My sobs were uncontained as I felt the familiar pain course through my body. This couldn’t be happening again. From the corner of my hazy vision I saw Jesse pull the gun away from Elle and step toward me, landing one more kick to my stomach. I coughed again, screaming from the brutal ache that he left behind. My lip was throbbing and the left side of my ribs had already begun to bruise. With each breath I struggled to take a sharp pain swept through me.
“I do forgive you, Brookey Baby.” He sneered, looking down at me from where he towered over me, his gun resting in his hand beside him. “But you still need to pay for what you’ve done.”
I screamed a loud, piercing shriek as he lifted his gun and
pointed it at my face from where he stood above me. Elle thrashed in her constraints, her sobs stifled from the tape pulled tightly across her lips. Jesse’s attention was pulled away from me when Elle tipped over her chair and crashed to the floor along with it. She didn’t loosen her ties with the fall but she managed to give me time as Jesse turned to her. He spit down at her, his saliva splashing onto her shoulder and she shuddered, gagging through the tape.