If Only (Captured)

by Louise J

  “Dude, it sounds like shit. You better drink that yourself before you give it to anyone else.”

  “How can I stay focused on my creations if I drink them? I’ve got all night, anyway. I’m gonna knock up somethin’ special, soon, Just for you, brother.” Staring into his eyes, I’m reminded why my escape is necessary. He is out to cause trouble. I can only imagine the kind of potion he’d have me drinking, no-fucking-way. I take my watered down alcohol and decide I should at least go and talk to some of the guys that came.

  After an hour, Gerard comes out from behind the bar and declares, “We need some women up in here. All these men are no fun!”

  “It’s supposed to be guys, it’s a fuckin’ bachelor party,” I reply. The music’s gotten louder, so we’re shouting in each other’s faces.

  He puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes it. “A party without women is no party at all, man.” He slowly shakes his head and speaks through hungry, gritted teeth. “Tonight is gonna rock, brother.” His smile tells me to get the fuck out of this place ASA-fucking-P! Bachelor parties were made for men like him and if he ever has one he’ll be planning it himself.

  I hold up my empty glass. “I need another drink.”

  After I create some distance, and he’s occupied with chatter, unnoticed, I walk the outer edge of the room, all the way to the other side where the front door is. And the restroom, too, so it’s not a suspicious move on my part. It’s easier than I thought it would be to slip from under the radar, my planning wasn’t even necessary.

  I sneak out the door, closing it behind me. A line of women stand in the hall, against the wall. They’re obviously waiting for their arrival time, which I guess to be at nine. It’s approaching the hour now.

  Ten chicks, a mix of blondes, brunettes and red-heads, all dressed in police officer outfits. Gerard has a thing for female police officers. My bachelor party and he’s organized strippers dressed according to his own taste. I’m not surprised by that aspect, but I didn’t expect this many. Yes, I was right to leave and my timing couldn’t have been more perfect. I know this is only the start. God only knows what kind of condition I’d wake up in, or where I’d wake up.

  Glancing along the line, I offer a smile to be friendly. “Hello, ladies.” I make a point of not adding the shake of my head that I’m tempted to.

  “Are you leaving already?” A blue-eyed brunette asks.

  “Uh, no, I’ll be back. I have to go get something. The man you want is in there, though.”

  “Yes, Joe, right?”

  “No, no, someone’s gotten the communication wrong there. His name’s Gerard.” I hold back my chuckle, the fucker’s going to love this. He’ll thank me for it, I’m sure.

  “Oh,” she says, with a small furrow of confusion settling between her brows. “Okay. Gerard it is.” She puts the sparkly grin right back on her face.

  “He’ll adore you, every last one of you,” I say, scanning them all. I already know the blue-eyed brunette that spoke will be his favorite. “I’ll see you all soon.” I walk to the elevators.

  As I get out of a cab, Su is exiting the door to her apartment building. She shakes her head in disapproval, as I approach. “Joe, why aren’t you with the guys?” Sometimes she has a motherly vibe about her, like right now. It’s in her tone, unimpressed gaze, and the way she’s got her hands propped on her hips.

  “Gerard,” is all I need to say, and she pushes the door open. “Where you going?”

  “To Elena’s. Saff’s meeting with us, too. I decided we should since Zack and Adam are at your bachelor party and Callie is otherwise occupied. She said she was tired and wanted an early night, but she only went to bed about ten minutes ago. She’s probably still awake.”

  Su lets me into their apartment and leaves. Once I’m inside, I turn left and walk to the end of the short hallway. The place is in complete darkness and it’s silent. Even if she isn’t awake I’ll stay, all I wanted to do is lie with her, anyway.

  I leave my shoes outside Callie’s room and, as quietly as I can, turn the knob and push the door open, wide enough for me to fit through. Once I’m inside, I close it carefully. The moonlight is barely penetrating her curtains, but the shapes of the furniture are visible enough, and I know the layout, so I don’t need to be concerned about walking into anything. I can vaguely make out Callie’s small figure under the covers.

  I approach, lift the comforter and climb in beside her, sliding my arm over her waist.

  “Joe?” she whispers, in surprise.

  “Yeah,” I whisper back, pulling her closer to me and breathing her in. Citrus fruits.

  “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “You heard me?”

  “I heard the front door, I thought Su forgot something and came back. Then I heard my door, but nothing after that. I knew someone was in here, but Su wouldn’t do that, I thought it was a fucking pervert. I was totally plotting my defense, you’re lucky I smelt you.”

  I snicker at her serious, but relieved murmur. “I’m sorry, I didn’t wanna wake you. Did I?”

  “No, I was just thinking about you.” I heard the smile in her hushed voice.

  “What were you thinking?”

  “I’ll show you, but only after you tell me why you’re here.” Fuck, I’m already half-hard. “And I want you out of those clothes before you start.” Good thing I didn’t stay long.

  Faster than ever, I strip naked. As I detail the non-eventful night, right up to and including the ten strippers dressed as police officers, I remove Callie’s clothes, noting the nice camisole and panties made from a satin feeling material.

  “It sounds like fun.” She’s now face-to-face with me and drapes her leg over my hip. I pull her pelvis closer to mine. “I don’t think Gerard will be disappointed with you if he gets to act out man of the hour.”

  “That’s exactly why I did it … why are we whispering?”

  “I guess it just feels appropriate in the dark.”

  Pushing my hard cock against her pubic bone, still in a whisper, I ask, “So what were you thinking?”

  She presses a single kiss to my lips and then tugs on my bottom lip with her teeth. Her gentle moan makes me want to ravish her right now, but I’ll wait and let her show me.

  Forty One: Callie

  I trail kisses down Joe’s chin and neck before pushing him onto his back, to squat over him and straddle his hips with my feet. My hands braced on his chest, I sit cradling his cock with my slick pussy. Lowering my upper body to his, I catch his nipple bar between my teeth and tug it, before sucking it into my mouth. “Shhhit,” he mutters, pushing his fingers into my loose flowing hair and gripping it. I smile at his reaction and cover his chest with soft, teasing kisses and licks. Giving my full attention to his other nipple, I work my tongue over and around it.

  Returning to my squat-straddle position, I start sliding my slickness along his shaft, back and forth. The only sound now is our deep breathing and my wetness as I slither along him. I release the sweet pleasure on a sigh. “You feel so good under me like this, Joe, flesh-to-flesh, but I need you inside me.”

  “You’re the one in control here.” I know he’s fighting against taking over. I can hear it in his tense voice and feel it in the demanding grip he has on my hips.

  This will be our first time without a latex barrier between us. It’s been on my mind constantly. Rising up slightly, I position myself right and slowly slide down on him, my walls closing around him, holding him, keeping him. All mine. I remain still, my body claiming his. “Mmm, Joe.”

  “Fuck, you’re driving me crazy,” he says, at the same time pressing his hips up, and I feel the delicious bite of his dick pushing against my cervix.

  My hands braced on his firm abs, I start to move, up and down, leisurely. I tingle throughout at the feel and exhale his name, it sounding like a sob, even to my own ears. As I get faster, Joe thrusts upward, increasing the depth, which has us both moaning and my nails biting into him.

&nb
sp; In an unspoken agreement, I reposition my legs, moving from my feet to my knees, and Joe pulls me down to him. Our upper bodies now glued together, breasts to pecs and soft tummy to taut abs, I grind on him. A soft shiver passes through me and I prickle with goose bumps as his touch traces the length of my spine, from neck to butt. His fingers lightly brush over my rear entrance and I sigh at the pleasant, teasing thrill. Dipping into my wetness, making them slick with my arousal, Joe uses the tip of one finger to test the tight opening. I relax, allowing him in. The heated sting his entry creates quickly subsides, replaced with sparks of sensation as he works his way in, slowly, a little at a time. After my body accepts the full length another one joins the party. I’m lost in the dual pleasure, an overload of stimulation. I grind harder, and Joe pushes into my ass deeper, faster. “Ah, yes, I like that,” I tell him, our faces now cheek-to-cheek and my mouth at his ear.

  “I’m gonna take you and claim you in every way possible after I make you my wife,” he says, and I can hear that he means every single word.

  “I can’t wait,” I moan.

  The double-penetration feels amazing, now joined by the slow spiking ripples in my clit. I grab the bed sheets into my fists and nestle my face against his shoulder as I’m taken over, the intensity is only-just bearable. Joe’s not far behind me with his own climax, his clasp on me remaining firm until the final second.

  Somewhere deep in my foggy brain, I’m excitedly aware of the fact that I have Joe in my bed.

  In my freaking bed!

  You can’t know how many times I’ve thought about this, wanted this.

  *****

  It’s mid afternoon, the next day, and Joe’s gone to Adam’s to collect his bike and bring it back to his garage. While he’s doing that, I’m waiting at the condo. Sitting on the couch, with my laptop, I’m running through the photos I took at the campsite and Hillsborough. It’s the first chance I’ve had, since I’ve been so busy with wedding stuff. I’ve gone through them all twice and now I’m looking at the pictures I’ve taken of my engagement ring. Even though it’s on my finger, I’m still fascinated by the images of it.

  The intercom sounds, disturbing my admiration. I set my laptop on the coffee table and get up to answer.

  “Hi, I’m here to see Joe,” a delicate female voice says through the speaker.

  “I’m sorry, he’s not here. Can I help?”

  Silence … more silence … If it wasn’t for the noise coming from the street, I’d think she was gone. “I really need to speak to him. It’s important.”

  “Is he expecting you?”

  “No.”

  Back to silence.

  Torn over what I should do, my only option is to let her in. I think? I’m hoping she isn’t some crazy stalker bitch. It feels like a stupid idea, permitting her entry, but I’m praying Joe won’t be long. He’s been gone a while, so it’s likely he’ll be back soon.

  Two slight knocks sound at the door. After a peep through the spy hole, I open it.

  Standing there is a woman, a few inches taller than me, with blonde hair cut to jaw length and pretty, but uncertain, green eyes. She doesn’t say a word, she just stares at me.

  “How can I help you?” I eventually ask. Damn this is awkward.

  “I-I’m really sorry about this. I’ve …”

  Maybe it’s a case of checking out the competition. Maybe it’s instinct. My own stare, for whatever reason, lowers down her body and stops at her … oh, shit. A cold wave washes over me, freezing me in place.

  I can’t look anywhere other than at her swollen belly.

  “Do …”

  I know she’s speaking, but I’m not listening and my stunned gaze isn’t moving. I close my mouth so quickly my teeth clink together. “Maybe you should come in,” I barely manage to say, as I step aside. I can only just make my legs move.

  I close the door and stand with my hands braced against it, preparing to face her. I take a deep breath and turn. “I’m sorry,” I say to her. I don’t know why, but somehow I feel like I should apologize for my reaction. “Take a seat.” She hesitates and then makes her way over to the sofa. “I’ll call Joe. He’s not far, but I’ll hurry him up.”

  “I appreciate it. Thank you,” she says, as she sits down.

  I pick up my phone and go into the bedroom.

  “Baby cake,” he answers. I shiver. Not in my usual I’m-crazy-about-Joe way, this is something entirely different, something cold and not so nice.

  “Joe, you need to get back here. Right now.” I hang up and stand clutching my cell in my hand, holding it to my chest. I don’t want to walk back out there. I don’t want to see that … bump.

  It’s strange, that ladies condition could be due to anyone. She could just be an old friend passing by, wanting to say “Hi.”

  But instinctively, I feel it has everything to do with Joe.

  And she’s too nervous for it to be the alternative.

  Okay, if Joe is at Adam’s, he could ride back and be here in no time. If he answered, he must have been at his brothers.’ He’ll be here soon. I force myself to move and, in a split second, go from not wanting to see her belly to needing to see it.

  I head out to the other woman and sit on the sofa facing her.

  Her lips twitch into a nervous smile. “I’m really sorry about this. I called and passed by the other day, but I haven’t had any luck contacting Joe. We seem to keep missing each other. Are you …” I wait, but she doesn’t continue.

  “Yes,” I answer, looking to her eyes and then down her body. Reaching forward, I push down the screen to my laptop, closing the image of my engagement ring. “Yes, I’m his …” Fiancé? “Girlfriend.” I can’t say the F-word, for some reason.

  After a few moments that feel more like forever, I stand up and head for the kitchen. “Would you like a drink?”

  “No, I’m okay, thanks.”

  I stop and turn to face her, sitting with her back to me. I’m glad I can’t see it from here. “Is that …” Ask her. “Is it Joe’s?”

  Remaining seated, she shifts around to face me and nods. She seems sympathetic as well as worried. I want to ask if she’s sure, but that isn’t my question to ask, it’s–

  I hear a key slot into the lock and turn, the front door opens, the rattling of Joe’s key chain accompanying it. Joe walks in. I stare directly at him, but can’t meet his eyes. He glances at the other lady, but his gaze rests with me. I want to smile at him. If I could, I would. “I’ll let you two talk.” Stiffly, but as quickly as I can, I pad to his bedroom.

  As I press against the door, to close it, Joe pushes it open and comes in, closing it behind him. He cups my cheeks and attempts to look into my eyes. I try to turn my head, to break the connection I can’t take right now, but he won’t let me, so I close them. “Joe, you need to go talk to her.” I know he hasn’t seen the bump.

  “I will, but I need to talk to you first. Look at me.”

  “No.” I try harder to move my face, but he holds it tighter.

  “Please, look at me.”

  “No, go talk to her.” I start to shove him away, but I may as well be pushing against a brick wall. “Please, Joe.”

  He sighs heavy and kisses the tip of my nose, then my lips.

  I don’t kiss him back. I can’t.

  He leaves and I run over to the bathroom, across the other side of his room, and lock myself in. I don’t want to risk hearing any of their conversation, I know enough already. If I hadn’t been so shocked by it all, I’d have left the condo all together.

  Forty Two: Joe

  Callie’s stare and the rejection of her lips told me different things, none of them good. The moment I walked through the door her eyes told me fear, disappointment and uncertainty.

  Why?

  I’ve never seen her look that way before. I know it’s bad, it concerned me the moment I saw her. Her lips told me she needed to be away from me, she rejected me.

  Why?

  As I close the bedro
om door behind me, Emily stands up from the couch and turns to face me … and now I know. Shit.

  So many times I’ve had conversations with the guys where one of us would question what we’d do if something like this were to ever happen. Stupid-ass questions, probably arrogant, none of us actually thinking it would happen.

  Very fucking stupid and very fucking arrogant!

  This is a moment when you say, “I never thought it would happen to me.” I truly didn’t believe that it would, I’ve always been careful. But I do recall a condom splitting incident, the only time that ever happened to me. Fuck.

  “I’m sorry to drop it on you like this, Joe, but I didn’t really know what to do. I didn’t know you had a girlfriend, I never would have showed up like this.” She starts fidgeting nervously with her fingers. If I wasn’t in shock I’d feel sorry for her, but I just can’t believe my eyes. “Maybe I should go. Maybe–”

  “No … sit down … shit, Emily.” I rub my hands over my face. Right now, I have no words. She turns and sits down. I walk over to the couch facing her and slump back into it.

  We sit for quite some time and speak very little, but make many attempts. It’s probably my reaction that’s leaving her silent. I want to say the right things, and make this easy for her, but what? What do I say? Until I put that ring on Callie’s finger, I hadn’t thought about having kids any time soon. I always knew I wanted them, at some point, but not yet, and not with a woman I only shared a few nights with.

  “Is it definitely mine?” An impolite question, but a necessary one nonetheless.

  She nods, almost sympathetically. “You’re the only person I’ve been with since my ex. I’m one hundred percent certain, I’ll prove it if you want. I don’t expect you to take my word for it, but it is your baby, Joe.”

  It is your baby, Joe.

  I put my hands over my face again. Fucking hell. What I would give to have passed up this woman. That is one time I really should’ve kept my dick in my pants.

  We have an awkward conversation, with the most important aspect remaining unchanged.