Fool For You

by Megan Noelle

  “I have nothing to say.” Right. The woman had something to say about everything; she wasn’t fooling me.

  “Whatever.” I poured a little more red into my now empty glass. Just when I was about to seek out my Grandfather I heard the unmistakable mutter of my Gram.

  “You certainly are your mother’s daughter, is all.” I stopped in my tracks. My body slowly turned back around to face her. The image of an old Western faceoff popped into my mind. A warning shot was fired; guns were drawn, it was no longer a heated conversation. It was a duel.

  “What did you say?” The tone escaping me was cold and foreign, something I hardly recognized. She moved the pots of food off the heated stovetop—this was serious.

  “Your mother only negotiated with her body and took pride in her ability to make men fall to their feet.” "Excuse me! I did not use my body to negotiate a deal!” So what if Corey and I had a strictly sexual relationship? That wasn’t the reason we negotiated a deal. I was just willing to look outside the box in a way my Grandmother hadn’t thought of before. I was not my mother and I certainly wasn’t acting like her—Right?

  “So why would Corey suddenly change his mind after all these years of putting his foot down where his profits were concerned? Not only that but if the two of you just met—why would he even feel comfortable enough to joke about the two of you being in a relationship?”

  “Maybe I just have a welcoming personality that made him feel comfortable around me. Plus, we’re only two years apart so we can relate on that level as well. Don’t forget Grandma, I talk with people for a living.”

  “I remain unconvinced, but you go right ahead and tell yourself that is the reason for the new negotiated plan.”

  My blood was boiling. Respecting your elders didn’t cross my mind and all reason for not blowing up at this woman flew. My newest insult was at the tip of my tongue. My face was practically turning blue as I waited to say the words. There was nothing stopping me from what I was going to say—or so I thought.

  A strong but gentle hand pressed against my shoulder pulling me out of the battle in front of me. Staring down into my face with his soft blue eyes and caring expression was my Grandpa Clayton. The man stood at a height close to 6 and a half feet tall and didn’t say much. Throughout my life he had been the one to step in at the right moments and defuse the flames. Growing up it was mostly my mother and grandmother that would go at it and it was always him who’d raised the white flag for the both of them. He was and always would be my hero. When I’d struggled with the poor realities of my family, he’d been the one who swooped in and took me away from it all. It was safe to say that my grandfather was my favorite person and would probably always be.

  His thick arm circled my shoulders, pulling me to his side. I was about half his size and still loved the safe feeling I felt in his presence.

  “How’s my Dolly?”

  “I’m good Gramps, just chatting with Gram.” He looked from my face up to my Gram’s. I almost missed it but his eyes narrowed minimally as a warning for her to back down. My Gram didn’t hide her frustration as she rolled her eyes and focused her attention back to the food.

  “Good. Now why don’t you come in here and tell me how you’ve been enjoying the house.” I knew no matter how curious he really was, the question was more to calm the storm still brewing under my skin. To give my Grandpa credit—it worked.

  The rest of the evening was still tense between us but what family didn’t have some edgy situations amongst them? All-in-all the meal went better than expected until the end. Just as I was about to get into my car and drive away with my fist held high at the personal victory for not stooping into a verbal sparring match with my Gram, she tossed out one last comment.

  “Just remember you have an obligation to answer your mother’s calls too. Lord knows I shouldn’t have to be the only one dealing with her.”

  Adding Pain to Misery

  I was a master of multi-tasking and last-minute plan changes. Shit, I could plan an entire wedding in a day and not break a sweat. The second you threw in any type of family stress I became a goddamn nervous wreck. The first 18 years of my life I was stuck in the middle of nothing but family BS. Then I did the best thing for myself I ever could have—moved the hell away. That was when I was finally able to handle them. Probably because I saw them as one of those interactive TV reality shows, where people from different walks of life assemble and try to live together peacefully. A total train wreck for sure but fascinating in some warped way, the perfect escape for an hour, but you’d never want to live there. Sadly, my own reality had included a family that was even more dysfunctional than the manufactured ones and I realized with them, there was no escape.

  It was for that reason that when I got home I paced around my backyard smoking like a chimney. Since Corey so rudely took the last pack—and didn’t reimburse me as promised—I stopped on the way home for a fresh one. I’m sure the older cashier thought I was feening for a hit of something else by the nervous tapping of my fingers and fidgety ways. I only hoped he didn’t know my mother or a rumor might spring up that I was following in her footsteps.

  After finishing the third one with no nicotine-induced relief I was back to the drawing board. My lungs were screaming at me to put the pack down for at least a minute; I complied. The old swing my Gramps instructed the previous owners to leave up—because he knew I would enjoy it—was where I sat, trying to calm down. The swing creaked a bit as I slowly moved back and forth; little-by-little I felt myself regaining control as the movements of the swing rocked me into a calmer state. My mind wandered to the times during my childhood when I would sit on a swing identical to that one with my dad pushing me higher. At first the recollection made me smile but as the memory rolled on my father’s figure behind me faded away. Leaving me all alone, wishing for everything to be okay.

  The easy rocking was bringing me down from the tense emotions but now that I wasn’t on pins and needles, I felt the adrenaline turning into tears. Screw that—I had done more than my share of crying this weekend. I was finished with it; losing my head over my family or anything else wasn’t worth it. Abandoning the swing I picked up my cigarettes again. The butt went into my mouth, the lighter flickered to life and I inhaled the delicious nicotine. My phone was still resting on the back steps; I tried phoning Gabby, wanting to at the very least listen to her latest tale. Sometimes it was easier to listen to her for hours than talk or think about my family for even a minute.

  No answer. Damn! I scrolled over the contacts in my phone and stopped when I reached Corey’s name. Corey knew my family—probably better than he was letting on—so if I needed to talk and just get something off my chest, I could. There wasn’t even a shadow of a doubt that he would be there for me in an emotionally supportive kind of way, if that was what I asked of him. Except right then that was the last thing I had on my mind.

  What I really wanted was Corey to work his magic and take away the pressures beating against me. My body craved the delicious release I knew he was capable of giving me. Him pressed against me, allowing me the chance to forget all that tortured my thoughts was what I needed. But then again I was too old for that, right? Without question I could handle the moment, without resorting to a college-level therapeutic release.

  Fuck it.

  “What’s up, beautiful?” Corey asked on the second ring.

  “Can you come over?” Jesus, I needed to at least try to hide the desperation resonating in my voice.

  “When?”

  “Like right now?”

  I thought about letting Corey know exactly what he was in store for if he came over. On the other hand if he was the player Bailey made him out to be, I figured he was smart enough to get it.

  After a brief pause he answered. “On my way.”

  I disconnected the phone and flicked the cigarette out of my hand. The first thing I needed to do was get the cigarette smell off me. Corey would pick up on that in an instant and the proceedin
g lecture I was sure would deter from the hot-sweaty release I was looking for. After brushing my teeth three times and swishing around enough Listerine mouthwash to last my breath a year, I ran to my room.

  Stripping out of my cigarette scented clothes I threw them into the closet. When I was down to just my lacy blue bra and matching booty short underwear I began spreading my best smelling lotion over my skin. My fingers, hands and arms received the bulk of the lotion but to make it less suspicious I moisturized all over. I yanked the hair tie out and my fingers immediately began undoing the braid. The braid ended up leaving my hair in a messy wave down my back that looked pretty sexy.

  Originally, I planned to pull on another outfit that accentuated my curves, bust and bubble butt but what was the point? Staying in my lingerie saved time and eliminated any question about the purpose of his visit that evening.

  The front door opened creating a mini-panic attack before I remembered I left the door unlocked when I got home. I had been more concerned with getting out back to smoke than locking up to protect myself. “Dani?” Corey’s voice called. “You really shouldn’t leave your door unlocked like this.” His concern warmed my heart as I left the bedroom at a slow pace to meet him, but that took too long.

  When he came into view my legs took off running for him. Corey was ready for me as I jumped into his arms and latched my lips onto his. A groan of confusion mumbled against my mouth as he stumbled backwards at the initial contact. He quickly regained his footing as his hands held on tight to my thighs. The feel of the hardness I longed for pressed between my legs; I couldn’t help myself as I moved my hips against his pelvis. A deep-throated growl escaped him as he pushed me hard against the wall.

  Corey shoved me against the wall rougher than he normally did, but it didn’t scare me or make the need go away. Instead it made me crave him more—if that was even possible.

  My mouth moved to his neck as I once again grinded my hips against his. I felt his body shudder beneath mine as our heart rates increased. Corey lost control for a minute as he let me work on his neck, and groin. When he regained control he found my mouth with his as we moved on to the next room of the house.

  The breakfast bar in the kitchen was cleared off— thank the Lord. Corey laid me down and his mouth moved down my neck, over my chest and down my stomach. Every time his hands and lips moved against my skin it sent an electric shock coursing through my body. My toes curled as his lips skimmed the top of my very pesky underwear. Little moans escaped my lips which seemed to be encouragement for him. His mouth worked over the top of my panties. As his 5 o’clock shadow rubbed my inner thighs, my hands reached out for him.

  When his lips found mine there was an urgency that I loved to feel from him. My legs wrapped around his hips and I arched my back letting my hips move up and down his throbbing erection. He tried to pull away but I used the created space to pull his shirt over his head, giving me a view of this perfectly chiseled body. After tossing the clothing onto the ground I wrapped my arms around his neck. Taking the hint he lifted me off the counter and practically ran with me to the bedroom.

  Corey set me down a few feet from my bed. My hands went to work to get his pants and boxers off as he greedily moved his hands up and down my back before unclasping my bra. Before his pants dropped to his knees he fished a condom from his pocket and threw the pack onto the bed. Once my bra hit the floor his mouth formed around my breast as he simultaneously bit my nipple. The cries leaving my body were no longer hushed, letting him know just how good he was making me feel. My nails ran up and down his back as a husky moan told me how much he enjoyed the sensation. That sound combined with his deliciously torturing tongue and teeth on my breast just about created an orgasm right then and there.

  Corey backed away far enough to lift me up again and move us onto my bed. His weight rested against me and my feet managed to yank his pants down the rest of the way. This time I wasn’t stopped, as his fingers were busy pulling my panties down the rest of the way. He ripped the condom packet open made quick work of sliding it over his length, before returning his mouth to my creamy skin. Moving his lips from my hips, back towards my face.

  “You feel so amazing.” He breathed against my mouth.

  I moved from under him and pushed his back to the bed. My knees straddled his rising cock and I slowly lowered myself on top of him. My body screamed at the contact; whimpers escaped me. Corey sat up, his arms locked tight around me holding me to him. I knew it wasn’t going to last long with how badly we both wanted it but before moving I tried to gain as much control as I could possibly conjure up.

  Corey’s hands grabbed my hips and guided me up and down his length. My head rolled back as I took over and moved of my own accord. Labored breathing was all that could be heard as we rocked together. Every time I plunged back down he filled me to the hilt and the feelings engulfed me. That was one of those most incredible things about Corey—the way he made all the troubles of my mind melt away. The only thing surrounding me was mind-blowing sensation, and body-shaking pleasure. With Corey—everything was explosive between us and knowing that this incredible man was there to take away my pain—made everything more astounding.

  I could feel he was close—I certainly was too. With the last bit of energy I had I sped up, rising and falling as fast as my body allowed. Corey’s strong hand found the back of my head and pulled my lips to his. He backed away and our eyes locked.

  “I love this,” he moaned against me. I responded by breathing out his name which sent him over the edge. The feeling shook my body and I too found my release. We stilled in our position as we rode out our orgasm before trying to regain our breath. Corey pressed his lips against mine again and laid back against my pillow, taking me with him.

  In that moment as we came down to a more normal breathing level I realized just how much I needed him around. The sex was the most amazing thing I had ever experienced but it was more than that. It wasn’t that Corey was necessarily any better than the others; it was the simple fact that I trusted him more than anyone. Trust wasn’t an easy thing to come by with me and although I wasn’t ready to spill all my painful secrets—I still knew I could.

  As his fingers slowly traced the length of my spine, he placed a kiss at my temple.

  “Dani, is everything alright?” With the little strength I had left I managed to turn my head to see him.

  “Yeah—that was—phenomenal.” The corner of his lip turned up as he placed another kiss on my lips. “Yes, but it hasn’t been less than phenomenal with you. What I mean is, everything else, are you okay?” I had to bite my lip and turn my face away. A single tear I hadn’t realized was there fell from my eye.

  How did he do that? How did he know there was something else bubbling beneath the surface he wasn’t aware of? Why couldn’t he just believe that I was in the mood for sex and nothing else? Corey’s fingers ran through my hair as his other hand tightened around my lower back. A few more tears escaped before sleep claimed us both.

  * * * *

  When my eyes fluttered open a couple hours later I found myself snuggled into Corey’s side with his arms holding me close. I cursed myself for falling asleep like that. The feeling of being wrapped around him with my head on his chest was one I found myself reveling in even more than I imagined I would. That didn’t make it okay. We weren’t supposed to be this way; we had incredible sex and enjoyed hanging out. That was supposed to be the extent of our relationship. So waking up curled next to him was not part of the plan.

  Corey stirred a little as I untangled from his embrace, the alarm clock display read 10pm. Well at least he didn’t end up spending the night. Not that it would have been that terrible, especially after that. It had been by far the most mind-blowing-toe-curling-sex I’d ever had. It was also a relief to know my body had completely calmed down where I no longer desired a cigarette. The one thing I needed most now though was a shower but there was no way I was going to shower with Corey there.

  Not becaus
e I was self-conscious of my body by any means but I didn’t need the comfort level between us to go up anymore. After a nice hot shower, I was going to be tempted by that amazing man and his comforting arms. It would be dark, lonely and I wanted him around more than anything—but alone was what I was used to. I couldn’t change all that now. The wounds from my previous heartbreak were far too fresh to be tampered with again.

  Before waking him up I pulled on a pair of sweats and a ratty T-shirt. No need to tempt him again. I flipped the light switch on and Corey blinked awake, eyes searching the room to remember where he was. For the first time since we’d met I felt awkward. My arms wound around my chest as he sat up in his naked perfection. His eyes met mine and an easy grin spread the width of his face.

  “Come back,” he cajoled.

  I shook my head, making him laugh. He moved himself off my bed and grabbed his boxers from the floor. My eyes stared at the sight without blinking, even though I tried to get myself to look away. He stepped into the leg holes of his jeans and pulled them up next.

  My arms tightened around my middle as he sauntered towards me. I didn’t expect him to reach out for me but he wound his arms around my waist and pulled me into his rock hard chest.

  “Was that so bad?” He whispered against my hair.

  “What?”

  “Sleeping next to me.” As he said the words I picked up on the vulnerability in his voice. It was what he didn’t say that made me sorry for what I was doing. He thought I left after we hooked up because I didn’t want to be near him—not because I was afraid of what being too close to him would do to me.

  Hurting Corey was the last thing I wanted; he just needed to understand this really was all I could give. Without the ability to stop myself I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him hold me close. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that he was a great person and was someone I already knew I could depend on. And it was for that reason I let the hug continue—I needed a good person in my life and chances were—so did he.