Payback is Sweet

by Kristy Centeno

  Burying his face in the back of my neck, Dakota held my leg up as his hips started pumping, moving his erection in and out of me in a steady pace. There was no teasing foreplay this time around, just a passionate need to fulfill us both. I shivered as his warm breath brushed my skin, and moaned as he started to move even faster, slamming into me ardently.

  My eyes squeezed closed as I allowed myself to be carried away by Dakota’s fervent strokes, each one of them feeding my hunger more and more. I could hear his heavy breathing behind me, feel the perspiration on his skin as he heightened our passion as we let lose our primordial instincts and I swear nothing was better than being in his arms, in my bed, with total darkness encasing us.

  My senses had never been as sharp as they were then. There was no sense of modesty. Nothing to be shy or ashamed of. We were just two adults acting out on our basic needs and emotional connection.

  I groaned and moaned as the all too familiar pressure quickly built up, pushing me toward the release I so desperately craved. It wasn’t long before my walls began to ripple and light exploded behind my eyelids as pure, hot bliss washed over my body. I rode the rocky waves that erupted from deep within my loins and bit my lower lip to keep from screaming as Dakota continued his pleasurable assault.

  I was in fucking heaven. There was no better explanation for being in Dakota’s arms. It was more than a full experience to me. The way he handled me, the way he could make love as if the world was hours away from ending, and all we had was tonight, was just mind blowing.

  I knew he was nearing his own release. I could feel his body winding up like a rattle snake getting ready to strike. A few more long strokes and he was there, groaning into the back of my neck as he finally let loose. His magnificent penis twitched as he unloaded inside of me and I smiled in satisfaction as he grumbled something I could not make out and drew me closer to him.

  Dakota held me to him, his cock still buried inside of me, for what seemed like hours. Neither of us spoke, but I listened to the sound of his breathing as he laid awake behind me. I don’t know what was going through his head, but I hoped it had nothing to do with Margaret.

  “A penny for your thoughts.” I caressed the hand cupping my left breast.

  Dakota planted a kiss on my shoulder before withdrawing and climbing off the bed. Since it was still dark out and the lights were off, I couldn’t see what he was doing, but the sound of his feet padding toward the trash bin next to the desk I figured he was removing and disposing off the condom.

  I shifted so that I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling as I waited for him to join me on the bed again. He immediately climbed back on the mattress and much to my delight, trailed a path of kisses from my right knee, all the way up to my mouth as he positioned himself in between my legs. He planted a quick peck on my lips before settling his head just above my breasts.

  For a girl not accustomed to cuddling, having him lay on top of me, holding his weight on both elbows as he rested his head on my chest seemed like such an intimate act. Of course, we were naked and part of his anatomy was a little too close to home, but the intimacy wasn’t purely physical. I was drawn to this man like I’d never been drawn to anyone else before and that really scared me.

  “I was thinking about us.” Dakota’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

  I cradled his head to my chest and asked, “What about us?”

  “I’d seen you around campus for years and the thought of us ever getting this close never crossed my mind.” He sighed.

  I had never noticed him. Not until the whole thing with Kirk blew over. Then again, I had been too self-involved in my own world to notice those I thought were below me.

  “We have Margaret and Kirk to thank for that,” I replied with a smile.

  Dakota tensed above me. I knew instantly Margaret was still a touchy subject for him.

  “I’m sorry, Dakota. I didn’t mean to—”

  “No. It’s okay.” He lifted his head to kiss the top of one breast and then the other. “Margaret was a huge part of my life for a long time. I loved her and I think a part of me still does. I was committed to her for five years and sometimes it messes with my head to know what she did without actually knowing the reason behind it. But I have decided to move on with my life and not let the past get the best of me. I don’t know exactly what we have or where we’re going, Janessa, but I don’t think it matters if we can’t or won’t define what’s going on between us.”

  I ran one hand over his long hair. “We don’t have to label our relationship, Dakota.” I twirled one finger around a lock of his hair. “I know we’ve talked about this before, but since we both just got out of long-term relationships we should take things day by day.” I felt like I needed to reassure him for some reason. Something told me he was still a little confused, maybe even afraid of getting involved with me because of what he went through with Margaret and I needed to tell him he was under no pressure. I wasn’t looking for commitment. I only wanted to enjoy whatever he wanted to share with me. The rest could wait. “I’m perfectly happy with being just friends.”

  “Just friends? Haven’t we totally bypassed that already?”

  I laughed softly. “I don’t know. We met one day and things moved fast after that. Maybe we’re a little more than just friends.” I’d certainly never had sex with any of my friends before that’s for sure. So if Dakota was really just a friend, he was a pretty damn special one.

  “I think we missed out on something.” He lifted himself up and moved so that his face hovered directly over mine.

  “What would that be?” I could make out the outline of his head in the dark.

  “I think we should have an official date.” His lips were on my neck before I could respond, kissing a trail from the back of my ear to my shoulder.

  I took in some air as my body came instantly alive with heat. “That’s right. We’ve never had much of a date, have we?”

  He pulled back to say, “No. We have not and I think it would be nice if we did.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” My hands slipped to his back where they started the process of exploring the same muscles I was so familiar with already.

  “How about later on tonight? After my shift at the book shop?” He brushed his lips over my nose. “We could go for a diner and a movie maybe. What do you think?”

  I smiled. “Is that my influence kicking in? Diner and a movie? And this is coming from the guy that hardly ever goes out?”

  Dakota chuckled. “You’ve had a very positive influence in my life. Being exposed to you has probably changed me for the better.”

  “Is that right?” I wrapped my legs around his midsection and pulled him closer. We both groaned as his rapidly swelling member brushed against my clit. “Care to show me just how positive my presence has been?”

  “My pleasure.”

  “No. I believe it’s mine as well.” I lifted my hips to grind myself against him. “Rock my world.”

  “I’d love to.” Dakota crushed my lips with his as he made good on his promise to rock my world over and over again.

  ***

  Dakota had left early that morning because he needed to report to work but he asked me to pick him up at his place around seven so that he could have time to shower and dress before we headed out to our first official date.

  I was excited because we had agreed to finally leave Margaret and Kirk behind and give them no importance at all. It was all about us from now on and after the passionate night—and at least a half an hour in the bathroom in the early morning hours—we were well on our way to putting aside the disgruntled feelings brought on by our cheating exes and starting something new.

  Granted, I wasn’t sure what direction our relationship was about to take but it was of no real importance. Dakota liked me and I liked him. We enjoyed each other’s company and a lot more too. As I drove to his place, I could think of nothing other than what things would be like for us from this day forward.

  I
hoped things between us didn’t get awkward though I didn’t think so. He knew what I was like and even so he wasn’t put off. And I certainly loved his laid back personality.

  I did find it strange that he hadn’t called when his shift ended or when he got home, but I honestly thought nothing much of it. I figured he was either busy or hadn’t thought to call since I’d be arriving shortly anyway. He hadn’t promised to call after all so it shouldn’t have been surprising when he didn’t.

  But the closer I got to his place, the more the nagging suspicion that something wasn’t right grew. I don’t know why but I kept thinking he should have called. At least so that I knew he was on board with the whole date thing, but I did not even receive a text.

  I picked up my phone from the console and quickly dialed his number, breaking out the nasty habit of messing with my phone while driving. It rung and rung until the voicemail kicked in. My heart palpitated hard against my chest. Something was wrong. I could feel it.

  It was practically confirmed when I pulled in into the apartment complex’s private parking lot and spotted Uziel and Demarco standing by the sidewalk. The looks on their faces told me something was definitely up.

  I grabbed my phone and flew out of the car in less than three seconds flat.

  “What’s going on?” I pushed the car door shut and made my way toward the guys.

  “Did Dakota call you?” Demarco asked.

  “No. I tried calling him but there was no answer. He was supposed to meet me for a date. Is something wrong?” I glanced from one to the other.

  “I don’t know. He left me a message but you could barely make out what it says,” Uziel replied.

  “All I know is that he had some kind of emergency and had to go back home,” Demarco added. “He didn’t give out too many details and the call dropped soon thereafter.”

  “You spoke to him?”

  “Barely,” Demarco said. “The call kept breaking up.”

  “How long ago was this?” I asked.

  “At noon.” Demarco shoved is hands into his pockets.

  “Why didn’t he call me to let me know?” I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t fill me in. Why leave without saying a word to me?

  I gazed down at my phone and decided to give him another call so I redialed his number and held the phone to my ear.

  “If he’s heading back home, his cell might not have a signal.”

  I nodded to acknowledge Uziel’s comment and waited patiently as the phone began to ring. By the third ring I was convince he wasn’t going to pick up, but then I heard the sound of an all too familiar voice at the other end.

  “Janessa?” Margaret’s voice came through loud and clear. “It’s you, isn’t it?”

  Why was she picking up Dakota’s phone? Why wasn’t he picking up? What the hell is going on?

  “I want to talk to Dakota.” I fought hard to keep my rising anger under control. The last thing I wanted was to explode with Demarco present.

  “Dakota is unavailable right now. But if you must know the reason why he isn’t meeting you tonight well, that’s simple really. I’m pregnant and the baby’s Dakota’s.”

  I felt as if a bucket of ice cold water had been dropped on my head.

  “You’re lying.” I could hear her laughing on the other end. “How could you even—”

  “Know its Dakota’s? I’m eight and a half weeks pregnant. Kirk and I only started going out six weeks ago so there’s no way he’s the dad.”

  My heart clamped so tight actual pain rippled through my chest. So that’s why Kirk was so pissed off that night I’d seen him arguing with Margaret. She must have told him and being the way he was he wanted nothing to do with someone else’s baby. Or her by the looks of things.

  “So you played your game. You had your fun. Dakota has responsibilities to take care of now and we need to go back home and talk to our families. I suggest you look for a replacement somewhere else since Dakota won’t be available for you anymore.”

  “Do me a favor.” The combination of anger and disappointment was almost too much. I did not know whether to scream and throw a fit, or cry.

  “What?”

  “Erase my number from his phone.”

  “Will do.” She hung up, but the sound of her mocking laughter was not something I could easily forget. Nor would I want to. She was obviously happy. She’d gotten Dakota back. She had a hold over him that I did not.

  I stared at my phone until my eyes watered, forgetting who was next to me and why I was even there. I felt like such an idiot. I felt stupid. At the first opportunity he went running straight to her. She must have tried to pin the baby on Kirk and when he didn’t buy it, she came back to Dakota and told him the truth. And of course, with his feelings for her still a little tumultuous he didn’t doubt for a second to take her back.

  I spun on my heel and headed back to my car.

  “Janessa?” Demarco reached out for my arm and stopped my hasty retreat. “What’s going on?”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat as I turned to face him. “That was Margaret on the phone. Dakota has made his decision so he can live with it. I want nothing to do with him anymore.”

  Uziel shook his head. “He didn’t mention Margaret to me.”

  “Me either. Are you sure it was her?”

  I pulled my arm from Demarco’s grasp. “Of course it was her. Don’t you think I’d know her voice? It doesn’t matter anyway. They can be one happy family for all I care.”

  “Family?” Uziel and Demarco asked simultaneously.

  “Yes. Family.” I glared at Demarco. “He has a family emergency all right, and for the next seven months he should be really busy.”

  “I don’t get it.” Uziel’s confused expression told me he had no idea what was going on.

  “You will soon enough.”

  I ignored the look of puzzlement in their faces and hurried back to my car, speeding off in the direction of my house as fast as the wheels would take me.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  The past week since Dakota’s abrupt leave had been the hardest of my life. Between faking his departure and betrayal did nothing to me at all while in the presence of my friends, and holding back my true emotions at night while I lay alone in the same bed we’d made love in seven days before, I was truly exhausted.

  Although everyone asked how I was doing, and thought that by keeping me busy and clinging to me I’d feel better, I laughed and assured everyone I didn’t care when in fact I was dying inside. It had taken little less than a week for me to make the same stupid mistake I made at the age of sixteen and I was once again paying the price.

  Dakota had become such an important part of my days. I’d grown to love even the geekiest aspects of his personality. And knowing that he was hours away from me, planning a future with the mother of his child was worse than having a knife drilled into my heart.

  For his part, Dakota had tried to get in touch with me. He had called my friends to ask for my number after Margaret had done as I asked her to and erased it from his phone, and called me at last, but I had refused to talk to him and ultimately blocked his calls. After two days of incessant calls, I changed the number and forbade the girls to give it out to anyone.

  Since he was unable to reach me by phone, he had Uziel and even Demarco try to convince me to call him because there were things he needed to explain—according to them, but I refused to sink that low. He had left with Margaret and he had to face the future with her and their…baby. I had no room in his life anymore. Whatever it was that he felt like he needed to explain was of no importance.

  As I sat on my bed, with my legs folded into my chest and my arms wrapped around my knees, I fought to keep back tears. I hadn’t cried all that much since the last time someone broke my heart and I certainly didn’t want to do it while thinking about the one guy I thought was truly different from the rest.

  It was confusing to believe he’d betrayed me when in fact he had always been honest abo
ut how he felt, and had even told me more than once that he was afraid I’d get hurt, but I was such a self-involved kind of person that I refused to believe he’d pick someone like Margaret over me. I was pretty, had a killer body, but that mattered little when it came to matters concerning the heart. Men didn’t want a girl who put themselves in a pedestal and apparently that was a lesson I needed to learn more than once I suppose.

  I had prided myself in thinking the process could not be repeated. That I could not possibly make the same mistake twice. How could I? I wasn’t supposed to feel anything for Dakota. He had just been a nice fling. A good friend. An excellent lover. But then, if he meant nothing to me, why did the sole thought of him with Margaret hurt so damn much?

  I scrambled off the bed and bit my lower lip to keep the tears from flowing down. I refused to cry. I would not cry. No matter what. I just needed to keep myself busy so that I didn’t even have to think about him. He was gone and I had to keep on going with my life. Damn it! I’d done it before. It couldn’t be so hard to look the other way, could it?

  I paced the length of the room. Frustration quickly rose as the need to let out some steam mounted. After seven days, I could hardly keep the need to unwind under control. Letting it all out was probably the best course of action but I was too proud to break down. I promised myself I’d never let another guy make a fool out of me but I had anyway and all I really wanted to do was kick my own ass.

  Dakota had warned me not to get too close. Not to take things too seriously. He’d been honest in explaining there was only so much he could give but I did not listen. I let his charm carry me to places I now wish I could forget.

  I need to get out of this house!

  The girls had gone out for a girl’s night out but I had refused to go. Being around girls involved in new relationships seemed like the worst kind of torture I could put myself through, but now I regretted not going. Anything was better than being home thinking about Dakota.