Because of You

by Laura Ward

  “No more talking,” she said as she placed a finger over my lips. I nodded, catching her finger and giving it a quick bite. Grace moved onto her knees and took my cock in her hand, using it to rub back and forth over her opening.

  My back arched. “Yes, baby.”

  Grace held me in her hand and then slammed down on me, fast and hard. She covered my mouth with hers at the same time, allowing us to swallow each other’s groans and screams of pleasure.

  And then Grace rode me. She rode the hell out of me.

  Grace on top totally rocked.

  Grace moved up and down, slamming onto me over and over again, as I pushed up to meet her. When she touched her tits, her eyes wild and dazed, I almost lost control. But I held on, and she came hard, clenching me and pulling me into her deeper.

  I came with a shout and moved her hips back and forth slowly until I had milked out every second of my release.

  Grace fell onto my chest, kissing my nipples and then right over my heart. “I’m sorry about Finn.”

  Her face was pinched with worry and my heart melted. “Grace, I knew you had a son before we started dating. Now that we’re getting married, we have a son. One day I hope we’ll have a bunch more little Goldsmith’s trying to sneak into the bedroom. It’s a part of life.” I sat up, cradling her on my lap. “As long as we stay focused on what’s important, we’ll be fine.”

  She cupped my jaw with hand, her fingers caressing my stubbly cheek. “And what’s that?”

  “Always lock the door, and make sure the little cockblockers are sound asleep before we bump uglies.”

  Grace scrunched her nose at me, and I kissed it in return.

  “Deal?” I asked as we lay down.

  “Deal,” she responded with a sigh.

  Grace fell asleep in my arms, but I stayed awake for a while. I used the bathroom, unlocked the door, and checked on Finn.

  I loved my family, cockblockers and all.

  Fact was, Big D ended the night happy. And my team ended up winning Sunday’s game.

  Go Bears.

  TURKEY DAY AND AN ASSHOLE DOG:

  An After UNTIL NOW Short Story

  with a Look Ahead to SOMEDAY SOON!

  By Laura Ward

  THANKSGIVING HAD ALWAYS been my favorite holiday. Even after I was kicked out of my family’s home and my son Finn and I were on our own for every holiday, I still eagerly anticipated Turkey day.

  Perhaps it was that the entire day was centered on family and tradition. I longed for both, and until I fell in love with Dean Goldsmith, I had had only a small part of what I dreamt about.

  Now I was surrounded by his crazy, loud, loving family. And I relished every second of it.

  “I’m so glad you all got here early, my dear.” Dean’s mom, Dorothy, wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. She already smelled like home to me. “Especially since you have to leave first thing tomorrow morning.” Dean’s mom looked adorable, wearing an apron with a large turkey on it over her jeans and blouse. Her blond hair was graying but styled in a short bob that made her look chic and lovely.

  Dorothy moved to the coffee pot, holding it up, her eyebrows raised in a non-verbal question. I nodded and began to unpack the bag of food I brought to cook today.

  “Me too. Finn is thrilled to spend the day watching the parade on television, playing football, and eating. I’m so sorry we have to leave early tomorrow, but with Dean’s game on Sunday, the coach has ordered everyone home by Friday afternoon.”

  My fiancé was the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. His season had started off rocky, but the Bears were on a winning streak. Dean claimed it was all due to our fantastic sex life. I was fairly certain that was not the case, but it was an excellent excuse to keep us regularly and actively engaged.

  “Flower?” Dean’s father Dale bellowed as he shuffled into the kitchen, his slippers smacking against the tiled floor. His hair stood up on end and he wore a red robe, loosely knotted at the waist. I hoped our favorite Big Kahuna was not going commando on this holiday morning. “Where’s my Daisy? I’d like one of her famous omelets to start the day right.”

  “Good morning, Dale.” I walked over and kissed my soon to be father-in-law on the cheek, handing him a cup of hot coffee. “Daisy just left for the store. She decided she needed to make a pumpkin mousse tart, so she and Jon headed out to get the ingredients.”

  Daisy was one of Dean’s five younger siblings. She was an incredible cook who hoped to attend culinary school next year. She had graduated from high school a year early and was working and saving money to make her dream come true.

  She didn’t know it, but Dean would stop at nothing to help her. If she got accepted into culinary school he would make sure she could afford to be there.

  Dean entered the kitchen wearing a rare frown. Finn was latched onto his back, piggyback style. “We put the bags away upstairs!” Finn called out in a happy, sing-song voice.

  Dean kept his gaze trained on his mother. “Why did Jon take Daisy to the store?”

  “Now, dear,” Dorothy said in a placating tone. “You know Jon is staying here for a while. His mother has been awful to him since you both graduated from IU. He needs some space. He and Daisy have become very good friends.”

  “Daisy needs to make friends her own age,” Dean growled, gently easing Finn to the floor.

  “Jon’s good for our Flower. She’s been picked on in school for too long. She needs to be around people she trusts. And we all trust Jon.” Dale announced. He pulled a chair away from the kitchen table and sat down with a grunt. “I’m starving, Dorothy. What’s for breakfast?”

  Dean’s mom handed his dad a green package. “We have a big meal in just a few hours. You need to watch your cholesterol. Have some yogurt.”

  Dale picked up the container and his eyes widened. “I’m not eating this.”

  “And why not? It’s good for you.” Dorothy’s voice rose with irritation, and she placed her hands on her hips.

  Dale grimaced. “Dorothy, this is female yogurt.”

  Dorothy sighed in a loud, exasperated tone. “Oh for God’s sake, Dale. What are you talking about?”

  “Look,” he picked up the yogurt and handed it to Dean. “Son, you see that right? That’s girl’s parts on that yogurt. It’s for the ladies.”

  Dean coughed to control his laughter. “Pops. That’s the digestive system. Not ovaries. This is not vagina yogurt. Everyone has a stomach and intestines.”

  Dorothy smacked the back of Dean’s head and then swatted Dale’s arm. “For the love of all things holy! It’s a probiotic. Just eat it and settle down.

  Finn looked up from where he was studying the newspaper comic section. “Daddy, you just said ‘gina. Mommy says we don’t talk about penises or ‘ginas or bras in the kitchen.” Finn admonished, trying to hide his smile.

  “That’s right, you smart boy,” Dorothy kissed the top of Finn’s head. “Let me make you and your mom and your daddy some of my special cinnamon toast.”

  “Why don’t they have to eat lady yogurt?” Dad asked from behind his part of the newspaper.

  “Dale!” Dorothy groaned.

  The rest of us laughed. “I’m fine, Dorothy. Thank you, anyway. I’m going to prep my stuffing so I can play touch football later with everyone.” I told her, pulling out a cutting board and knife.

  “Sure, Mom.” Dean grinned as I handed him a cup of coffee. “Thanks. Finn and I would both love some.”

  Dorothy bustled around the kitchen, making piles of toast. The rest of the Goldsmith clan was still asleep, most likely exhausted after mini reunions with hometown friends the night before. But when they stumbled downstairs Dorothy would be ready for them. She started another pot of coffee and then finished sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on the bread.

  As Dorothy delivered her treat, Dean looked up at her from where he sat at the kitchen table, his face holding a huge smile. “Ma, for real? I’m a professional football player. You do not need to cut m
y cinnamon toast into four squares.”

  Finn giggled. “I like mine cut in four squares! Thank you, Grandma Goldsmith!”

  Dorothy squeezed him in a hug. “At least one of the boys at this table appreciates me.”

  As soon as her back was turned, Finn slid half his toast to Dale, who gobbled it up in a nanosecond. He winked and Finn gave him a thumbs up.

  A few minutes later the kitchen side door opened, and Daisy and Jon stumbled inside. Daisy appeared to be falling over her feet tripping, and Jon grabbed her, steadying her before she could fall.

  “Oh, sorry! Thank you, Jon. Hello everyone!” Daisy called out. She looked positively alive. Her eyes danced, her skin glowed, her cheeks were pink and her lips… well, they looked red and swollen.

  And so did Jon’s.

  Hmmmm… Things just might get a bit awkward around here.

  * * *

  “WHO’S READY FOR some fooooottttballllllll?” Dale yelled from the family room.

  Daisy and I grinned at each other, wiping our hands on kitchen towels and headed in to join him.

  “We’ve got some newcomers here, so let me explain.” Dale wore a black and white striped referee shirt with a whistle around his neck. “The Goldsmith Family Turkey Bowl has been played for generations. I started with my brothers and sisters back in—”

  “Prehistoric times?” Damian interrupted. His girlfriend from IU giggled and clutched at his shirt. Crystal was staying with him for the weekend. Daisy, Dorothy, and I had learned while peeling potatoes that she had decided to stay in state for the long weekend rather than head back to California. Because the Goldsmiths were the most generous people in the world, they offered to have her as another guest in their home. Since they weren’t engaged, Crystal slept with Delilah and Finn with Damian. Dean and I were able to stay in his old room.

  “That’s not true, right Grandpa Goldsmith? You aren’t that old?” Finn asked with wide eyes.

  Dale gave Damian the stink eye before shaking his head at Finn.

  A shrill barking followed the group’s laughter. Crystal also brought her dog, a pug named Diamond. It snorted and made a lot of odd noises, but then again, so did its owner.

  “Okay, settle down.” Dale held his arms out to his sides. “On Team One we have Dean, Grace, Finn, Devin, and Daisy. Team Two is Damian, Crystal, Jon, Dianna, and Delilah. I’ll referee, and Ma will keep score. No tackles. No rough play. Fight fair. Let’s try not to bleed this year, all right chuckleheads?”

  The brothers immediately started shoving one another around.

  Welcome to a Goldsmith family Thanksgiving.

  * * *

  THIRTY MINUTES LATER, we stood in the Goldsmith’s backyard sweaty and covered in mud. The score was tied twelve to twelve. Both of Team One’s touchdowns had been thrown in by Finn carried in the arms of Devin. To say my son was having the time of his life would be a massive understatement.

  Dale blew the whistle, and we got into our positions. Dean had the ball, and he threw long to Daisy. She caught it and raced to the end zone. I ran after her, ready for a pass if she needed help. I watched in slow motion as Jon caught up with her. While this was strictly touch football, we had had some tackles so far. This one I watched with what felt like a front row seat. Jon wrapped his arms around Daisy, taking her to the ground, but twisting so that his body broke her fall, cushioning and protecting her. He rolled on top of her, their bodies shaking with laughter as he whispered something in her ear.

  “That’s a penalty, douche. We get the ball.” Dean called as he jogged over. “And get off my sister.” He yanked Jon up by the shirt.

  Jon got his feet on the ground and pushed Dean’s hand away. “Get off me. Calm your nuts, man.”

  Dean took a step closer to Jon. “Don’t touch her, then.” While voices had started off light and teasing, a threatening vibe now lingered in the air as both men stared each other down.

  I looked over at Daisy, whose face was bright red. I motioned with my head toward the ball on the ground, and she picked it up whooping loudly as she headed into the end zone.

  “Touchdown!” I called, and we danced in a circle.

  “Good game, Goldsmiths!” Dale yelled, stepping between Jon and Dean. “Now let’s shower up and watch some football on television before we gorge ourselves silly.”

  The family scattered, stripping off muddy shoes and sweatshirts before heading to their rooms. Linking my hand with Dean’s, I pulled his rigid body back into the house.

  * * *

  “HE BETTER NOT be messing with her, Red. I’ll lose it if he is.” Dean said from the adjoining bathroom.

  Finn had been bathed and dressed, and he was helping Daisy and the rest of the Goldsmith women with pies and desserts. I was showered, my robe cinched around my waist, as I brushed and dried my long hair. “You asked Daisy again, and she reassured you that they’re just friends. You have to believe them, baby.”

  Dean emerged from the bathroom, pulling the door shut behind him. He wore only a towel wrapped around his waist. His lean, taut body was simply gorgeous, and I knew just how to turn his mood around. After the rubber band was secure on the end of my thick braid, I walked over to him. I placed my hands on his chest and ran them up his neck and around the back of his head, tangling in his wet hair.

  He stopped talking and closed his eyes. Leaning forward, I sucked his lower lip into my mouth and then released it, pressing my lips fully against his. His tongue found mine and I moaned into his mouth. He grabbed my ass, pulling me into him, and I felt him hard and ready, pressing against me.

  I wanted to take his worries away, just like he had taken away all of mine. I moved to my knees, yanking his towel off as I went. As soon as he felt my lips on him, his head smacked against the wall. I grinned, and then took all of him in my mouth, alternating long licks with deep sucks. My hand fisted at the root of him, twisting and tugging, just like he liked. Dean’s breaths came faster, and I knew he was close.

  Suddenly the wall on the other side of us, in the bathroom, began to vibrate from loud sounds. “Oh yeah, babe. Suck my clit. Play with my ass. You know I love it. Will you lick it this time? Please, Damian? Oh yes, pinch my nipples. I’m gonna squirt all over your face. You love it when I squirt don’t you? Mmmmhmmmm.” The high pitched, nasally voice was unmistakable.

  “Why are Crystal and Damian in your bathroom?” I asked, still on my knees, my eyes round with horror, Dean’s dick softening in my hand.

  “It’s also the hall bathroom. They must have snuck in there to hook up in private.” Dean’s eyes squinted in a wince as we listened.

  “I’m gonna come. I’m gonna come. And then I’m gonna suck your toes, baby. Oh yes, I’ll suck ‘em good. I’m commmmiinnnnggggggg.” Crystal moaned a long, drawn out sound of pleasure while Dean and I stared at one another.

  “I’m traumatized by all of that, Red.” He lifted me off the floor and enveloped me in his arms. “They totally killed the mood. All I’ll hear is… that. All I’ll think about are licking asses and sucking toes.”

  I shivered and then pressed my face into his neck to muffle my laughter.

  Dean reached behind him to bang on the wall. “Take your blue balls somewhere else bro. We can hear you in here.”

  Crystal giggled, and Damian opened the door just wide enough to poke his head through. “Sorry guys.” He grinned sheepishly. “She’s an over-communicator.” He shut the door, and the sound of her high-pitched giggles faded away.

  “She’s something all right.” Dean reached into my robe and cupped my breasts in his hands. “I need a little time before Big D can party, but let me make you feel good.”

  He leaned in to kiss me, and I grasped his face, holding him to me. His fingers moved from my breasts down to my hips. One hand held me steady by the hips while the other dipped into my panties.

  “Oh fuck, you’re wet.” Dean rasped out, pulling back to look at me with heated eyes.

  “Yes,” I moaned as he circled his fingers. “I
saw you get out of the shower and that was all it took. Don’t stop. That feels so good.” He pumped his fingers, and I moved onto my tiptoes, arching my back to help get the right spot. “Yes!” I cried out and then stopped as a shrill barking sounded.

  Dean kept going, but the barking intensified. It was Crystal’s fucking pug.

  I waited another few seconds and then gently pulled his hand away. “I can’t. It’s the worst sound I’ve ever heard. There’s no way I can come while that dog yips on the other side of the door.” I rested my head on his chest, my arms around his waist.

  “No, baby. The worst sound was Crystal getting ready to squirt.” Dean broke into laughter, and I joined him because what else could we do?

  * * *

  THE DINING ROOM table was loaded with food and family. My parents, who I had only recently reunited with, were joining us for dinner tonight, too. Finn led the group in a prayer and then platters were passed around in what seemed an endless circle.

  Dean and I were both horny. He used every excuse he could before dinner to press his hard self into my back, a reminder of what was to come tonight.

  But now we focused on those around us. And on some seriously delicious food cooked by all.

  Finn giggled as he ate his mountain of food. “Seriously mom,” he leaned over to tell me. “Best. Day. Ever.”

  I smiled and nodded in agreement. I was warmed body and soul from this family.

  Dean bit into his turkey leg. “Daisy, this is ridiculously good. What did you do?”

  She grinned, looking down and studying her plate before answering. “I soaked it in a brine. I like to try new ways to cook a turkey every year, but this one might stick.”

  Jon sat next to her and nudged her with his elbow. “You decided not to fry it?”

  She shook her head and turned to him, explaining the reasons she went with a brine.