by JC Szot
His tongue poked at her lips. His impatient need was hard to curb. Zane tried to reel it in, wanting to be respectful. He explored the sides of her mouth, bathing her smooth, orderly teeth. His hand was clever, slipping below the loose elastic of her pants. He fingered her panties, moving them to the side. Her pussy was saturated, slick, and warm. Her tongue touched his, cautious but wanting. Her hands gripped his shoulders. The kiss fueled and drained him all at once. The intensity had him pulling back. Zane’s head fell back into the cushions, cradling his neck, his breaths quickening.
“God, Meg. You’re so wet.” His fingers slid through her arousal.
“It’s all about you.” Her answer was raw, slicing through his hard exterior. Her hips wiggled, condoning his touch. Zane’s heart hammered at her words. All his sanity was lost. Air rushed in and out of his body. His cock arched against his zipper, thrilled with her receptiveness but panicked by her utterance. His physical urge battled with the sentiment. Zane felt her fall. Her body slumped into his, giving in. He stroked her clit, his other hand sliding up her back, peeling the snug tank off her body. Her flawless breasts filled his eyes. He pulled his other hand free, gripping her waist. He kissed her soft mounds, his tongue swirling around her raised nipple. He buried his face into her warm, soft flesh. His hands moved, gripping her head, his need spiraling out of control. His fingers tightened in her hair, the strands stretching and pulling. Her soft whimpers tumbled in his ear.
“Oh God,” she cried. Her nails scraped down his chest. Zane’s gruff voice tore through the heated air.
“Come on, Meg. You always let me take what I want. Take me.” His hips pushed up into hers. “Show me you want it, too.” He was playing with fire. Was he testing her again? Needing to know exactly where she was at? She moved off of him. Her eyes smoldered through the hazy light. She tugged off her pants and panties. She grabbed Zane’s hand and pulled him up. Her fingers fumbled as she unbuttoned his jeans. The zipper scraped against his damp flesh. Zane helped her, shucking off his sneakers and jeans. Her hands were on his chest now, clawing at his shirt. Once naked, she pushed him back down on the sofa.
Zane liked what he saw, her need matching his. She was forceful, hard, and demanding. She shoved the coffee table back with her foot. Her nakedness was an amazing beauty. Every long, lean line glistened. The curves of her body were a work of art. He’d love to draw her. She crawled across the carpet. Her weighted eyes clung to his gaze. He watched her every move. His skin beaded with sweat. Her perfumed body smelled like a garden of forbidden fruit. Her hands slowly spread his legs, her breaths tickling his skin. Her tongue licked over his balls. His bones turned to dust.
“Jesus, Meg.” His head felt dizzy. Her touch was like a miracle medication he couldn’t get enough of. When her wet, warm mouth took him in, the world stopped around them. “Oh man.” Zane’s groin ignited. “That’s real nice, Meg, real nice.” Her tongue slid up and down his cock, wetting the underside, edging through his slit. His hips trembled. He’d never had a woman make him feel this way. Her mouth and tongue worked him with an expertise, a hidden skill she had mastered, hands down! Her soft fingers coddled his sac then gripped the base of his dick. She licked him with long, therapeutic strokes. His orgasm was knocking, pushing to barge through with an unbelievable force that had him strung out. It would short-circuit through his body, feeling like nothing else, because she was like no one else. She was healing him, resurrecting him back to life, inside and out. He called out to her, his voice almost lost.
“Meg.” His voice strained through a dry throat. “I want to be inside you, Christ almighty.” His cock cooled. Her warm mouth kissed and licked her way over his concave belly and chest. She straddled him. Her breasts lined up with his mouth again. He smoothed his palms over her rib cage. One hand held her hip, one easing through her wet folds.
“God, you’re soaked.” His fingers threaded through the silky, red curls. She took his cock in her hand. Zane felt his eyes widen. He was about to blow. He had to hold out. Meg guided him inside her, sitting down in his lap, fully impaling herself. Her walls of heat closed in on him. Zane’s blood was boiling. His balls tingled into a tight, puckered sac. Meg tossed her head back. Her back arched. Zane caressed her body as she stretched. Her flesh was tight and taut before him. Her theatrical reaction to their pleasure had him teetering on the edge. Her breasts lifted as her body took in more air.
“I’m gonna come, Meg. You’re so beautiful. I feel so incredible.” Zane grunted. “I just can’t hang on.” His fingers moved through her pussy, stroking her clit. Her petite body quaked over his. The knitted bones of her spine moved under his palm.
“Oh,” she breathed. “Oh wow.” She laughed lightly. Her body flexed and bowed, absorbing the sensations. Her skin shimmered. Her fruity fragrance assaulted his nose. He inhaled her sweetness.
“Oh, Meg.” Zane lifted his hips, thrusting deeper into her. Her spine curved. Her head dropped down, resting on his shoulder. Zane nestled into the curve of her neck. His stomach was doing some strange flipping thing. His heart was palpitating, vibrating against his ribs.
What the hell just happened?
Chapter Fifteen
“God, I hope the sun comes out.” Nora gazed up at the sky. The air felt warm, but the sky was a colorless, hazy dome. The trees were beginning to pop, pushing through the dreary landscape of a retreating winter.
“It will. This’ll burn off.” Meg set up the reflexology chair and hung all the charts up on a display board that was propped up on the adjacent table. She hung posters explaining the importance of massage and the healing techniques of Reiki.
Nora lined up all their specialty shakes and supplements on another table. Meg stuffed all the compartments of the brochure tower. They had information on everything from treating diseases holistically to maintaining a well-balanced diet and eating organic. Nora nudged her shoulder, her voice lowered.
“Look who’s right across the way, for ample viewing.” Nora smiled. Meg glanced across the street, her body warming at the sight of Zane. He was hanging colorful drawings up on their display wall. Sean was working under the tent, setting up his tattoo station. She wondered if Zane was going to ink today, despite his doctor’s orders.
Meg felt her fingers clench into a fist. She hadn’t seen Zane in over a week. After their ravenous fuck on her sofa, he’d been MIA. It was almost pitiful how she reacted to his presence. Her heart pushed into her throat, sucking all the air out. Her body started to hum like an idling engine. He caught her stare, though she’d meant to look away, not wanting to look like a crazed teenager. He gave her a casual wave.
Zane was wearing a black ski hat and sporting his usual muscle tee. His jeans were slung low. Her eyes roved all the way down to his black boots. The weight was coming back, filling him out, right where he needed it. Meg’s eyes continued their leisurely perusal. Sean jumped on board, sharing their connected gaze. He waved, a wide grin moving across his face. Sean called out to her, his voice reaching her from across the street.
“Stop over later.”
She cupped her hands around her mouth. “I will.”
Zane’s eyes skirted back and forth between them. Zane waved again. Meg smiled, feeling uneasy about his lack of verbal participation in the exchange.
* * * *
Swarms of people crowded the street. The salty-sweet scent of grease and fried dough drifted through the air. The sun began to burn through, warming the skin of her shoulders. She and Nora were busy, bouncing back and forth between the reflexology station and the display tables. As the crowd began to thin, Meg told Nora she was going to take a walk over to The Ink Well’s booth.
“Now don’t you let those men mark you up.” Her finger wagged. Meg laughed, picking up her ginseng tea. She wove her way through the ambulating traffic. Sean was sitting near his tent, a bottle of Pete’s Wicked Ale in his hand. Meg scanned the group of people at their tent looking for Zane, thinking he may have left the booth for a bathroom break.
Two guys were gawking over a tattoo of a fiery dragon that Sean had just finished on their buddy, their fingers peeling back the dressing for others to see.
When Meg caught sight of a woman hanging over Zane, her insides contorted. He was sitting down, working on a transfer that would eventually become someone’s tattoo.
A woman with blonde hair had her hand resting on Zane’s shoulder. Her hair was crinkly, fried from one too many dye jobs. Her nails were short, chewed down to the nubs. Heavily lined eyes lifted, meeting hers. There was so much black colored in around them that Meg couldn’t decipher the color. A tight, knit top pulled across her ample chest. A tattoo of a ladybug jiggled on the flesh of her left breast when she moved. Zane’s eyes darted away from his work. His face went blank, puzzled, and, quickly processing her presence, his greeting was delayed.
“Hey, Meg.” His tone of voice was flat with awkwardness.
“Hi.” She felt her face tighten. She didn’t want it to, but it was her natural, immediate reaction. She silently berated herself. She really didn’t want Zane thinking that this scenario bothered her. If he knew she was jealous, this would only empower him more, making her all the more vulnerable. It wasn’t so much jealousy. It was the hurt. As if wanting to add to her pain, Zane’s observant companion leaned over and kissed him on the cheek, her lips lingering. Who was this woman? If they were so close, why was it that Meg hadn’t seen her while Zane was battling the height of his illness? Zane’s voice brought her out of the rolling fog of questions she was now lost in.
“Meg, this is Leslie.”
“Nice to meet you, Leslie.” Meg sipped her tea, needing something to do. “So how’d you guys do today?” Meg’s eyes zeroed in on Leslie’s fingers. They were moving over Zane’s shoulder now, a slight caress, her fingers glinting with large, silver rings. The sun hit her ruddy skin, her makeup melting off.
“Good, good.” Zane’s words were rushed. “I didn’t do any ink, so don’t worry.” Zane smiled weakly.
Meg shrugged. “Well, you’re a big boy.” She laughed it off. Leslie’s tarry eyes held hers. I did my part. Let Leslie here help you out. A silent war raged inside Meg’s head. Is he fucking her now?
The bellowing of Sean’s voice calling out to her smoothed her face with relief. “Meg. Get over here and say hello. I’m still offering my discount.”
Meg turned, grinning over her shoulder. “Take it easy, Zane.” Not waiting for any returned words, Meg sauntered away.
Sean showed her all the designs he’d done in the course of the day. She tried to ignore Zane and Leslie, but when she saw them leave in her eye’s periphery and disappear into the crowded street, a piece of her heart broke off. She felt herself shutting down, swallowing the sobs that needed to be released. When Meg thought she couldn’t disguise her anguish any more, she bid Sean good-bye.
She ran across the street. Nora was disassembling their booth. She bolted into the store. Meg scurried into the bathroom and slammed the door, gulping for air. She leaned her back against the wall. Her eyes probed into the black as if looking for an answer that was nonexistent. Her body slid down to the floor. Her chest heaved, spilling every want, urge, and need for Zane. Her body purged itself. She fought through the darkness, reaching for the toilet paper. She blew her nose.
A light knock sounded on the door. Nora’s soft voice reached out through the darkness, cradling her wounded heart.
“Meg, honey, what’s wrong?”
“I’m okay.” She sniffed. Nora was turning the knob. Meg stood up. The door opened. Light spilled across her eyes.
“What happened?” Nora’s eyes narrowed, her face pinched with anger.
Meg walked past her, spinning to face her. “Did you see them?” Her eyes burned.
Nora nodded. “I did. Who is she?”
“I have no idea.” Meg flung her hands into the air.
“Just what is happening between you and Zane?” Nora’s brows rose.
“I thought it was something. I don’t have a name for it, but I thought we were going somewhere.” Meg walked into the back room, Nora at her heels.
“How many times have you…ah, maybe I shouldn’t be asking, I’m sorry.”
Meg held up three fingers, her face scrunching. Nora pulled her into her arms. Meg let it come out. She wanted to be strong, but the bond that she had allowed to form with Zane was now the enemy, laughing back at her, wearing a deceitful shroud. Did he even care about her at all? All those emotions she felt when they were together, was it all a sham? Meg pulled away from Nora’s motherly embrace.
“I let it happen. It was my own fault. I figured he was feeling better. I wanted him. I still do. I thought he wanted me, too.” Meg felt her lips press together. “I was a fool.” Nora was shaking her head at Meg’s words.
“I’m not buying it. I know he cares for you. I could see it in his eyes when he was here that day doing his shopping. That girl wasn’t there for him through the tough times. You were.” Nora’s hard tone scraped over her. “Loyalty always wins. Sometimes it takes a person awhile to recognize it. Zane needs to acknowledge his feelings, and when he does”—Nora paused, selecting her words—“the best woman will win. And let me tell you something, honey. It won’t be her.” Nora’s tone was snide. Meg giggled through her tears.
“Look at you!” Nora steered her back into the bathroom. She flicked on the light. Meg stared at her broken-down reflection. Her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks damp. Nora fingered her hair back into place. “You’re a beautiful young woman, inside and out.” The air of Nora’s warm words bathed the back of her neck. Meg looked away from their reflected eyes. Nora turned her around, gripping her shoulders.
“Sometimes when the right thing comes along, it scares the shit out of us. I firmly believe once Zane fully gets past the trauma of his illness, he’ll be able to see you. You are his shining star. He just doesn’t know it yet.” Nora smiled, tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.
Chapter Sixteen
“I’m sorry, Meg.” Cheryl’s breath rushed through the line like a deafening sea.
“When?” Meg clutched the phone.
“We lost her about an hour ago. They just took her to Fenway’s. The undertaker said to give him a call as soon as you were able.” Meg thanked Cheryl for everything they’d done for her mom. She hung up, her insides numb. Two losses hung over her like a polluted cloud. Zane and now her mom. She’d done everything she could to avoid Zane. He was only down the hall, which made it a challenge. She’d even thought about moving. That’s how extreme it had all become. It’d been over two weeks since the street fair. They’d both been savvy with their avoidance. Meg didn’t know who was better at it, her or Zane. With every passing day, the awkwardness of her rejection and Leslie’s presence created a fault line between them that was growing.
Now she needed to take a few days off. Her mother hadn’t wanted a service and had requested to be cremated.
She called Nora to make the adjustments to her work schedule. Nora sympathized profusely, telling Meg to take all the time she needed.
* * * *
“I think you’re a fucking asshole.” Sean’s brown eyes went black. “What the hell is wrong with you?” His tone boomed through the empty shop.
“I told you that you could take her out.” Zane’s throat closed. Do I really mean that?
“Yeah.” Sean leaned into him. “There’s just one problem with that, buddy.” Sean’s tone was scathing, full of distain. “I’m not the one she wants! Why do you let that skank hang all over you?”
Zane’s mind spun, struggling for an answer that wouldn’t come. If he’d told Leslie to cool it, that showed Meg that he cared what she thought—but didn’t he? And just how much did he care? His brain hurt from the torture. Zane stood, shrugging on his jacket. Leslie had always had a thing for him. That was why she had six tattoos. You’d think she’d get the message. She hadn’t been around when he was sick. Now that she knew he couldn’t ink, maybe she’d disappear
for good.
“I’m going to make the deposit,” Zane mumbled. He stormed out of the store.
The weather mirrored his mood. A cool spring rain pelted against his face, the sky the color of cold seawater. He shoved the ear buds of his iPod into his ears. Days of the New blared in his ears. The lyrics of “The Down Town” ripped through his gut like a thousand knives, afraid of a change, existing only.
After he left the bank, he found his footsteps leading him toward the Holistic Hut. What he would say to Meg he didn’t know. His stomach burned into a tight knot. When he entered the store, Nora was at the counter, on the phone. Her eyes lingered on Zane as he leaned on the edge of the counter. She hastily ended her call and met him around the counter. He silenced his iPod, the ear buds hanging around his neck.
“What can I help you find today, Zane?” Her greeting fitted his circumstances like a glove.
“I was wondering if Meg was around.”
“Meg’s mother passed away yesterday.” Nora’s tone was flat. “She’ll be out for a few days.”
“Jesus.” He stepped back. “Um…I’m sorry.” His fingers dug at his scalp. “I had no idea.”
“So it appears.” Nora’s eyes moved over him. Zane didn’t like the aura that was circling around them. Something had soured. He felt like roadkill.
“I’ll check in another time then, maybe in a few days.” Zane turned and fled toward the door, feeling Nora’s stare stabbing him in the back. Her hand on his shoulder stopped him dead in his tracks, her footsteps undetected. Zane faced her, Nora’s eyes now softer.
“Meg’s a wonderful young woman. Please be truthful with her. You’re either in or out. I know you’ve been through a lot, but please just be honest with her—and yourself.”
Zane nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I will.”
* * * *
His chilly conversation with Nora, along with her polite words of warning, meant that Meg had reacted to what she’d witnessed at their booth during the festival. This sank in his gut like a stone. Zane walked the streets, unsure of his destination. He didn’t feel like going home. All he’d do was gape at that damn clock on his wall that had mysteriously started working. That was another issue that remained unsolved. He still couldn’t ink. There were only so many transfers he could do in one day.