Thursday (Timeless Series #4)

by E. L. Todd

  I wasn’t going to argue with that. “Perfect. I’ll just sit down and watch you work it in the kitchen.” I grabbed a beer from the fridge and took a seat, ready to gawk at her all I wanted.

  She gave me a smile before she began dinner. “How was work?”

  “Boring. What’s new?”

  “I know you like your job.” She brought the pot to a boil and tossed the pasta inside.

  “I like my discipline—not my job.” Two very different things. “One day I’ll move to the big city and find something better—with better pay.”

  “But you don’t like it at all?”

  I shrugged. “I’m an intern. People pile crap on me all day long.”

  When she moved around the kitchen she swayed her hips in a sexy way. Her blonde hair trailed down her back, making her look even more beautiful. I’d always preferred brunettes to blondes, but Marie was a major exception.

  When dinner was ready she placed the dishes on the table.

  “Mmm…this looks good.” I eyed the steam coming from the noodles.

  “It’s no Mac and Cheese but it’ll be tasty.” Marie walked down the hall to fetch Francesca.

  I forgot about her altogether.

  Marie returned without her.

  Thankfully.

  “She said she’s not hungry.”

  “What’s new?” I scooped the pasta onto her plate before I made my own. “Maybe she’ll starve to death and end the problem altogether.”

  Marie kicked me.

  “Ouch…right in the shin.”

  “Don’t say things like that.”

  “What? It’s true.”

  “No, it’s not.” She used her spoon to spin the pasta before she took a bite.

  I forgot about our argument in light of what she was doing. “You actually eat pasta like that?”

  “What?” She stopped and looked up at me. “This is how you’re supposed to do it.”

  “But no one ever does anything the way they’re supposed to. You’re actually doing it.”

  “Well, I’m on a date. I want to impress you.”

  I chuckled. “You impressed me a long time ago.”

  Her foot moved to mine under the table and rubbed against it gently.

  I smiled at the quiet way she apologized to me for kicking me earlier.

  Francesca left her bedroom then entered the kitchen.

  I quickly pulled my feet away even though she couldn’t see them. “What brings you in here?” I tried to act casual but failed miserably.

  Francesca gave me the same look she gave me that morning. “Just getting some water…” She grabbed it out of the fridge then retreated back to her room.

  The second she was out of earshot Marie turned on me. “You need to chill out.”

  “She caught me by surprise. What if I were kissing you?”

  “But you weren’t.”

  “But if I was…?”

  “But you weren’t.” She rolled her eyes and kept eating.

  I sipped my beer but kept eyeing the hallway, wondering if she would reappear at any moment. Sneaking around might not be as easy as I imagined.

  ***

  “Alright.” I spoke loudly so Francesca could hear me in her room. “I’m going home now.”

  Marie rolled her eyes.

  “I’ll see you later.” I was practically yelling.

  Marie opened the door like I was leaving. Then she shut it when I was gone.

  Thankfully, Francesca’s door remained closed.

  Marie took my hand and guided me into her bedroom. Once the door was shut I could breathe easy again. She wouldn’t walk in here for any reason so I was safe.

  Marie had the master bedroom so we went into her private bathroom and brushed our teeth. I stood at the sink and waited for her to finish before I snatched it away and brushed my gums.

  “What are you doing?” She gave me a repulsed look.

  “Brushing my teeth.” I scrubbed my mouth then spit in the sink.

  “But that’s my tooth brush.”

  “You kiss me so what does it matter?” I rinsed my mouth before I dropped her toothbrush in the cup. “And you’ve done much nastier things…” I walked into her bedroom then stripped my clothes away until I was in my boxers.

  “Bring your own over next time.” She opened a drawer and pulled out a nightshirt.

  “Why? I’d rather share with you.” I came behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist.

  She pulled her top off and unclasped her bra without breaking her stride.

  I’d always seen her naked, but the action caused me to stop breathing. I stared at her back, seeing the definition of the muscle there. Her spine was noticeable, and the muscle around it popped. She was petite but built with muscle so she obviously hit the weights a few times a week. I stared at the individual grooves of her body, loving the way she looked. I wanted to sprinkle kisses everywhere.

  Marie pulled on the new top and covered her flawless skin, hiding the steep arch in her back.

  I stopped the protest before it escaped my lips.

  She removed her jeans and kicked them to the side. Her shirt was long enough to cover her ass and panties. When she turned around she examined my chest, noting its hardness. I tried to hit the gym as often as I could and I was glad she appreciated it.

  Now that I was alone with her I didn’t have to worry about Francesca catching us. I could just be with her—do anything I wanted. I guided her to the bed then moved on top of her. Even though we already had a passionate night together it didn’t really count. It was meaningless and aggressive, and I didn’t feel the way I did now.

  I stared at her lips and watched them slightly part in excitement. Her thighs were pressed tightly together and she writhed for me. I’d already had her once and I wanted her again, but now I wanted something else.

  Something more.

  I separated her knees with my hips and moved directly over her, my hard-on in my boxers directly next to her panties. Using my arms as anchors I positioned myself over her and looked her in the eye. Then I leaned in and did the thing I’d wanted to do all day.

  I kissed her.

  My kiss was soft and slow, just the way it should be. I had nowhere to go and nothing better to do, so I treasured every second of it. There was no rush, no need to get to the physical stuff. Kissing her, feeling her like this, was all I wanted.

  Her lips moved with mine, dancing together like they could communicate. When her warm breath filled my lungs, the air on the back of my neck stood on end. Kissing was something I hardly did, and when it happened it didn’t last long. I preferred the dirtier things. But with Marie, this was all I wanted to do.

  Her arms wrapped around my neck and she kissed me harder, her passion guiding her forward. Her legs wrapped around my waist and she squeezed me gently.

  I grinded against her gently, the definition of my cock giving her the right amount of friction. After a few thrusts I felt moisture between her legs seep through her panties and soak my boxers.

  It was hot.

  I knew she wanted me and I wanted her, but I was content doing this. I could kiss her forever, feel those soft lips until the end of time. Marie dragged her sharp nails down my back, cutting into me in a pleasurable way. Soft moans entered my mouth, and she writhed underneath me like she wanted more.

  It was the hottest make out session I’ve ever had.

  “I could do this forever.” I sucked her bottom lip before I kissed her again.

  She ran her hands up my back, feeling the muscle underneath the skin. “That sounds nice.”

  I kissed the area along her jaw then moved down to her neck, wanting to taste her everywhere. I’d already been between her legs and I wanted to revisit that magical place but I was fine where I was.

  Marie’s fingers played with the hem of my boxers before she pulled them down slowly.

  I grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head. “I just want to kiss you.”

  She tried to
get free but couldn’t free herself from the restraints. “Why?”

  “Because I love it.” I brushed my nose against her before I returned my mouth to hers. Our tongues danced together, teasing one another as we received mutual satisfaction. Our bodies were connected just as much as our minds were. Somehow, it was better than sex.

  I released her wrists and allowed her to touch me again. She felt the details of my chest and stomach, feeling the hard grooves that separated the masses of muscle. Her fingers traced the area like she was trying to memorize it.

  My hips grinded against her, my cock moving over her folds through her lacey panties. The moisture was soaked into my body and I could feel it on the skin of my dick.

  Fuck.

  Her hands went to my ass and she gripped it tightly as she kissed me harder, breathing fast into my mouth. She was moaning with me, not bothering to try and remain quiet.

  I rubbed against her harder, loving the way she was turned on. I wanted to make her come like this, without me touching her.

  Her fingers dug into the fabric. “Axel…”

  I remembered the way she said that before, on a night similar to this one. I loved hearing it again, bringing my body to a new level of heat. I was an inferno about to burn everything around me.

  I rubbed myself against her harder, dry humping her in a way I never did as a teenager. The fact it was so amateur somehow made it sexy. We were so hot for each other we didn’t need to have intercourse to get off.

  She stopped kissing me and just breathed into my mouth, moaning loudly. “God, yes…” She clung to me tightly, spiraling out of control. Her nails almost drew blood because they were digging into me so deeply.

  I didn’t think I could find a release like this, but seeing her eyes roll into the back of her head as she continued to moan for me hit my trigger. With my lips pressed to hers I came inside my boxers, unable to recall the last time I ever did that. I filled the fabric and moaned the entire way. When I was finished, I remained on top of her, out of breath and satisfied.

  She dug her fingers into my hair and felt the sweat that formed on the back of my neck. “I feel like an eighth grader.”

  I chuckled. “Me too. But I like it.”

  “I like it too.” She kissed the corner of my mouth.

  “Then I think we should keep going.” I sealed my mouth over hers and kissed her slowly, starting all over. I hadn’t kissed a woman like this since I could remember. There was nothing else I wanted to do than feel her mouth move with mine. It felt right.

  It felt like we should have started this sooner.

  ***

  Alexia walked into my cubicle wearing a dress that was way too short for the office. “Hey, Axel.”

  I was reading through a portfolio when she stopped by. “Yo. What’s up?” I lowered the folder and looked at her, trying to get Marie out of my head. She’d been circling there all day. I couldn’t concentrate on anything.

  “You doing anything later?”

  I looked up at the question. Alexia and I had hooked up a few times in the past. Then she got a boyfriend because I wouldn’t commit. From the sound of things they weren’t together anymore. “Why?”

  “Wanted to see if you wanted to get a drink.” She had long brown hair, the kind that reached past her boobs.

  “Didn’t work out with Tom?”

  “No…he wasn’t right for me.”

  “What a shame.” I tossed the folder on the desk. “He seemed like a nice guy.”

  “Spent way too much time with his mother.” She rolled her eyes.

  “A mama’s boy, huh?” I was a bit of one when I was growing up.

  “So, are you free?”

  “Actually, no. And I have a feeling I won’t be free for a long time.”

  She cocked her head slightly.

  “You see, I have a girlfriend.” I grinned from ear-to-ear. “Her name is Marie. She’s got blonde hair, green eyes, and a body that would make you cry yourself to sleep.”

  “Oh…good for you.” She didn’t bother hiding her disappointment. She clearly wanted a good lay without having to do any work.

  “Thanks. She’s great. No, I take that back. She’s perfect.”

  “I didn’t see you as the boyfriend type…” She crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I’m not,” I admitted. “But this one is different. She’s cute and smart…she’s got the whole package.”

  “And other women don’t?” she asked in offense.

  “That’s not what I said.” But it’s pretty much what I meant. “This girl is special. I can’t really explain why.”

  “Well, I’m happy for you.”

  Bullshit. “Thanks.”

  “Give me a call if things go south.”

  I didn’t like to think like that. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  ***

  Marie was working so I decided to stop by.

  When I walked inside she was standing at the counter snacking on a chocolate chip cookie. No one was in line and she was slacking off. She wore a black apron that was tight around her waist, highlighting her hourglass figure.

  I’d never seen anyone look so good eating a cookie.

  I walked up to the register and rang the bell. “Can I get some service?”

  She quickly shoved the cookie in her pocket then turned to the counter. “Shit, you scared me.”

  “Don’t you eat in the back?”

  “Well, I was bored and we’ve been dead all day.” She came to the register then stared at me, hardly able to contain her happiness at seeing me there. “Thought you would stop by?”

  “I missed you.” I’d been thinking about her all day and I was going crazy without her.

  “Yeah?” She leaned over the counter and lowered her voice. “I missed you too.”

  “I missed you more.” When I woke up that morning I had to hightail it out of the house before Francesca woke up. I wish I could just wake up there on a Saturday and lay in bed with her all day.

  “Doubtful. So, you want anything?”

  “Can I get you to go?”

  “Do these cheesy lines actually work?”

  “You tell me.” I got her in the sack once, and I got her to be my girlfriend on top of that. If you ask me, I knew a thing or two.

  “How about a black coffee?”

  “Sounds perfect. I’m going to need it if I’m going to stay up all night.” I set the cash on the counter.

  “All night?” She put the cash in the register and gave me change. “I don’t know. I need some sleep tonight. Didn’t get much last night.”

  “Well, if we get rid of Francesca we can get right to it after work.”

  “Tempting…”

  “Or you could come to my place.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t like leaving her alone.”

  My sister was really cramping my style. She needed to get over this break up and move on. “I guess those therapy sessions aren’t working.”

  “I’m not sure what would work.”

  “Slapping her.” I wasn’t kidding at this point. She completely stopped living just because Hawke lived. I didn’t care how heartbroken she was. There was no real justification for that. I really liked Marie and I didn’t want to lose her, but if she walked out on me I’d still get up and go to work the next day.

  “We just have to be a little more patient…”

  I was starting to think she would never get better. Marie and I babysat her as much as possible but that wasn’t doing any good. “My patience is waning. I doubt I can put up with it much longer. If my mom were still around she’d get Frankie out of bed.”

  “What about Yaya? Do you think she can help?”

  “I don’t want to bring her into this. It’s a burden no one should have to deal with…” Including Marie and I. I took the coffee and tightened the lid on it. “Thanks for the Joe.”

  “No problem.”

  “My girlfriend serves the best cup of coffee in to
wn.”

  “She serves the best something else too.” She gave me a playful look before she left the counter and kept working.

  I froze on the spot, thinking about the specifics of what she meant.

  Play Date

  Marie

  I parked my new car in the driveway then killed the engine. It was a white Toyota Corolla and I got a great deal on it—thanks to Axel.

  He parked his truck then came to my side. “She’s a beauty, ain’t she?”

  “She is.”

  He nudged me in the side. “I was talking about you.”

  “Oh…” My mouth formed an unstoppable smile. Ever since Axel came into my bedroom and said all those pretty things everything had been different. We were playful with each other and happy. After the way he rejected me I didn’t think we would ever find our way to each other. But somehow, we had.

  He put his arm around my waist and walked me to the front door. “Going off-roading?”

  “In a little car?”

  “You could tear up the beach if you really wanted to.”

  “No. I need to keep that car in good shape if I’m going to sell it eventually.”

  He got the door unlocked and we walked inside. “You’re no fun.”

  “I’m responsible.”

  “Like I said, you’re no fun.” He shut the door behind us and leaned in, his lips teasing mine.

  I loved his kisses. They were so precise and delicious. He was never sloppy, always giving me embraces that made me lose my breath. He continued to torture me, brushing his lips past mine in a torturous way. Then he finally pressed his mouth to mine, a closed-mouth kiss.

  My body shivered from the heat.

  When he pulled away his action was full of reluctance, like he didn’t want to be anywhere else except pressed against my lips. “So…should we check on that worthless piece of shit?” With every passing day he was becoming more resentful of his sister.

  Her behavior was extreme, but it was difficult for me to be mad. She was my best friend in the whole world. All I wanted was for her to get better. “She’ll come out when she’s ready.” I set my purse on the kitchen table and pulled out my school stuff.

  “Hey, what are you doing Saturday night?” He sat in the chair beside me with a beer in his hand.