The Bad Boys of Eden

by Avery Aster

  When I was fully seated, he dug his fingers into my hips and found my mouth. He kissed me hard, feasting on my lips. I returned his fervor, and started to grind my pelvis, impatient to find release. It wouldn’t take much for me to get off.

  Hands pressed over my back, Jakob pulled me close and captured my mouth again to swallow my little mewls of pleasure. He pounded them out of me with every thrust of his cock. Every time I pushed up with my thighs, he pulled me down thrusting hard and deep.

  He peppered my chin with kisses, then nuzzled his nose into my neck. I loved how he looked completely lost in me. As lost as I was in him. I’d heard sex could be like this but never thought I’d experience it myself. Not with the type of guys I hooked up with. They selfishly took what they wanted, never worried or wondering if I was getting what I needed. With Jakob it was so different. He made sure I had as much pleasure as I could handle. More than I knew I could take.

  And as if sensing I craved more, he slid a hand down between us and nestled his knuckles against my clit. I ground down on his hand, seeking my release. Hugging me tight with one arm, he drew me up then slammed me back down as he thrust up to meet me. He kept his hand at my clit working me hard with every movement. He drove us both until sweat poured down off our skin and dotted the leather cushion beneath our writhing bodies. The constant swelling of the ocean waves just added to our momentum.

  Jakob buried a hand in my hair and pulled my face down to his. He took my mouth hungrily. I kissed him back with little moans of pleasure. I was going to cum. My whole body tensed, and it felt like I was flipping over backwards. I dug my nails into his shoulders as I orgasmed. It was intense and powerful and I wanted to scream.

  After a few more vigorous thrusts, he came as well. “Oh fuck!” he groaned, his accent thick with arousal.

  I wrapped my arms around his head and held him tight as he emptied himself.

  We stayed wrapped around each other, until we both could breathe normally. I pulled back, and kissed his sweaty face.

  He gave me a lopsided fully-satisfied grin that had my belly clenching again.

  “You see? The fun we could have. You need to come to Germany.”

  “Is sex all you want from me?” That was not the question I was going to ask. I had intended to say something fun and jokey. But the intense moment had altered something inside of me. It hit my heart when I didn’t want it to.

  He looked up at me; his eyes met mine. “No. I enjoy you. All of you.”

  I didn’t want this moment to turn serious, there was no point, so I slid off him and adjusted my dress. “Got a towel or something? I need to dry off.”

  I gave him a cheeky smile to let him know he was off the hook. That I wasn’t looking for a serious conversation about ‘us’.

  He got up, walked half naked to the back of the boat and opened one of the storage trunks under the seats. I admit to admiring his tight ass all the way there and his other amazing attribute on the return trip. I loved that he was confident in himself.

  He handed me a towel and I moved away to dry off my nether region discreetly. Jakob did a quick wipe on himself, then pulled on his pants.

  “Would you like a drink?” He went into the cabin and pulled open a refrigerator. “I make sure it’s stocked of everything, for those just in case moments.” He took out a bottle of water, twisted the cap and handed it to me.

  “Thanks.” I took a long drink, then yawned.

  “C’mere.” He took my hand and pulled me down onto the two-seater lounger. He put his arm around me and I cuddled against his chest. “You can close your eyes if you want. I will wake you when the sun comes up.”

  I had no intention of falling asleep. But the lull of the ocean waves and the sweet way Jakob rubbed his fingers down my arm as he held me, pulled me under. It was a perfect ending to a remarkably perfect day.

  Chapter Nine

  Jakob woke me for the sunrise. It was the most beautiful spectacle I’d ever seen. At first the sky was aglow in deep reds and oranges, making the few clouds above even darker and prettier. The water reflected the colors, and it looked like we were floating on a sea of cherry Kool-Aid. Then the sun peered over the horizon, basking us in its dark gold rays. As it rose over the water, it nearly stole my breath. It was perfect sitting here in Jakob’s arms and watching it wake.

  Afterward, he drove the boat back in, and docked it. Off the boat, we walked hand in hand back to the resort. I was aglow from our sexual escapades and the beauty of the moment we shared, but a sadness filled me when we got onto the elevator.

  He pressed the button for my floor, then his. We didn’t say anything as the elevator ascended, just stood next to each other and held hands. When it stopped on my floor, he stepped out with me, holding the door open with his body.

  Jakob tugged me close to him, and leaned down to cover my mouth with his. It was a slow, languid wet kiss that made my toes curl and my belly clench. He pulled back and swept a lock of my hair from my brow.

  “I hope to see you in a few hours.”

  I smiled at him, not sure what to say if anything. I wasn’t sure if I was going to meet him or not.

  “If not, it was a pleasure to spend time with you Ivy. I wish you every beautiful thing in life.”

  He gave me a final smile, then stepped back into the elevator. I watched as the door slid shut. I walked to my room, opened the door and just looked around. I was in a bit of a fog. My mind was hazy. Dreamy I guess would be more accurate. I’d just spent the most incredible few days with an incredible man and I didn’t know how to feel about it or what to do next.

  I had about six hours to decide. First I needed a shower and a couple hours of sleep.

  After I showered, I did manage to get three hours of sleep in. When I woke, groggy and feeling more tired than I’d been before I slept, I grabbed my cell phone. I needed some help with my dilemma. I texted Dahlia and Violet.

  Me: Ladies, little help!!!

  Dahlia texted back right away.

  Dahlia: Whaz up?

  Me: Have a problem. Met a man

  Dahlia: The old rich dude?

  Me: He’s not old, but yes, lol. And he’s asked me to go away with him

  Dahlia: What!!!???

  Violet: What!!!???

  I laughed because both their texts came in at the same time, and done the same way. That was how close we all were. We even texted alike.

  Me: He wants me to go to Germany with him. In three hours

  Dahlia: You banged him, didn’t you?

  Me: Maybe

  Dahlia: You did, you ho lol

  Violet: Do you want to go?

  Me: Yes

  Dahlia: Is he hot? That’s what I want to know

  Me: Yes D, he’s extremely hot

  Dahlia: Like how hot? Fassbender hot?

  Me: Yes!!

  Dahlia: Do it girl. I’d kill for an opp like that

  Violet: Would it cost you anything?

  Me: I assume he’d pay for everything

  Violet: That’s not what I asked you

  Out of our little threesome, Violet had always been the logical and responsible one. Well, almost always if you didn’t count last year when she went through a horrible experience with a really awful man. But I could usually count on her for solid advice. This time was no different. I knew what she was asking me. I just couldn’t answer it.

  Me: Idk

  Me: nothing

  I waited, then typed again.

  Me: everything

  Dahlia: V, you’re being a downer lol

  Violet: I’m being reasonable, the two of you have always acted before thinking

  Dahlia: Yah, you’re right lol, probably why I’m having threeway sex with a cool couple I met here

  Me: WTF????

  Violet: WTF????

  Dahlia: Got to go to class. Tell you guys about it later. Luv u

  It was typical Dahlia, to drop something like that on us, and then walk away. She did that to us the first time she had sex
when we were all fifteen. We’d met up for lunch on the quad, ate our lunches, gossiped, then when it was time to go, she stood up, brushed at her jeans, and said, “Oh by the way I had sex with Todd last night at the playground near my house. See you later.” Then she ran off to science class.

  Violet: D knows how to make an exit lol

  Me: So true

  Violet: We probably didn’t help u much

  Me: No, you did

  Violet: I wish I could hug you

  Me: Me too

  Violet: Let me know what you do

  Me: I will

  Violet: Luv u

  Me: Luv u too

  After my conversation with my friends I still didn’t know what I was going to do. My heart and my head were telling me two different things. And my loins were in full agreement with one of them. It was an extremely difficult decision to make. But I knew I had to make one. I only had a couple of hours.

  I tossed my cell phone onto the bed, then stood. I walked over to my suitcase and took out the cutest outfit I’d brought. I went into the bathroom and combed out my hair and slicked it back into a simple chignon. I clipped a flower pin in beside it.

  I walked back into the bedroom and picked up my phone. I dialed my mom’s cell. She picked up after four rings.

  “Hello darling. I’m so looking forward to our lunch today.”

  “Ah, yeah, I was wondering if I could come over a little earlier. I have something I want to tell you and Dad.”

  “Okay? How about in an hour?”

  “Sounds good. See you then.”

  I ended the call, then set the phone down on the bed again. I stared at my suitcase. I needed to reorganize and refold everything to make it all fit. I started with the pajamas I’d discarded on the floor when I’d gotten dressed. After folding them neatly I set them into the case. Next I picked up the dress Jakob had bought me. I fingered the fabric and smiled.

  At one o’clock I stood on the dock next to the plane waiting for Jakob. The pilot, Joely, sat on a chair next to me, her face to the sun. She looked way too casual to be gearing up to fly in the next few minutes. I questioned her skills, and not for the first time.

  When Jakob stepped up onto the dock and made his way toward me, my belly clenched and did little flip flops. He had on sunglasses and his hat, and looked way too amazing. A porter walked behind him, carrying his suitcases.

  I wasn’t sure I was ready to do this. My hands shook and I wrung them behind my back. Nerves zinged up and down my body. I almost felt sick.

  He was smiling when he approached me. He took off his sunglasses and hung them off his collar.

  Joely stood. “All gassed up and ready to fly, Jakob.”

  “Thanks Joely.”

  She disappeared inside the plane.

  He looked me up and down, then behind me. “Is your luggage already onboard?”

  “No.” I licked my lips, still afraid to do what I needed to do.

  “You’re not coming.”

  I shook my head.

  He sighed, and gave me another smile. A different one. A disappointed one. I would be foolish to deny that it made me a little happy to see it there, to know that he was sad that I wasn’t going with him.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I talked to my parents, and I’m enrolling in a different university. I’m going to get my BFA in dance. I want to teach. Maybe I’ll open my own studio one day.”

  He took my hands. “Sounds like you have a plan.”

  “I do.” I laughed. “I figured I should get busy and start making a life.”

  “Well, I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I would’ve loved to walk along the Rhine River in Cologne with you.”

  I smiled. “I would’ve liked that too.”

  He stepped into me, and raised his hands to my face. He cupped my cheeks, and staring in my eyes he leaned in and kissed me. It was a lovely kiss. Soft and gentle but full of passion. I knew he had feelings for me. Kisses didn’t lie.

  When he pulled away, he looked into my eyes. “You are going to be some kind of remarkable woman.”

  I laughed. “You mean when I grow up?”

  “No, when you bloom.”

  He gave my hand a squeeze then stepped up into the plane. Joely shut the door, then climbed into the cockpit. I stood on the dock and watched as she taxied it away from the dock. The engines revved, then the plane was roaring across the water, then lifted into the air. I stayed and watched until it was a tiny blip in the distance, my heart squeezing in my chest, revolting against the decision I’d made.

  Chapter Ten

  Four Months Later

  I finished my last jeté across the floor, then stopped for some water. Sweat dripped down my face and neck and I wiped it with my towel. I’d been rehearsing my contemporary piece for the last two hours. My legs felt like Jell-O, and my core was aching. I smiled. It felt good to be back doing something I loved. I’d forgotten how alive and free I felt when dancing.

  After shoving my towel and water bottle into my bag, I pulled on my sweatpants, and slipped on my shoes. I had to book it across campus to my car if I didn’t want to be late for the class I was teaching at the studio I used to train at as a kid.

  “See you tomorrow Sharise.” I waved to my fellow dancer and classmate, then fast-walked out of the rehearsal hall.

  True to my word, the moment I got home from Eden, I called the School of Music and Dance at the San Diego State University to request an audition and interview. Thankfully they agreed after some persuasion. It helped that my dad had hired some of their dancers for a couple of music videos he shot.

  I knew it was risky as I hadn’t danced for years, except for that little bit of crazy in Eden for Jakob, but I trained for a week straight, and I managed to get through the audition. I was shaky in some areas, but at the interview I convinced them to take me. I promised to work my ass off. And I was. Four months in and I was pretty close to being at the top of my class. At least in contemporary and lyrical dance.

  I made it to my car in record time. The campus was fairly empty at this time of day. I drove out and got onto the freeway to make it across the city. The studio was near where I had lived with my parents in the suburbs.

  True to their word, my parents had sold the house and a lot of the furnishings inside. I’d taken what I needed for my new apartment. Because I was going to university, my dad agreed to pay for my rent. He wasn’t extremely happy that I was getting my BFA in dance, as he didn’t think there was much of an industry to work in, but he was placated with the fact that I was at least doing something for my future. My mom, on the other hand, was pleased. She told me she’d always thought I was a wonderful dancer. I remember her being devastated when I’d quit lessons in my teens. At the time, I thought she was being melodramatic, but now, I realize how right she’d been.

  That reminded me that I needed to call my parents tonight. They were happily squared away in a little villa in Tuscany, near the city of Florence. They’d texted me pictures. It was a beautiful place with four bedrooms. It was nestled along a hill with an acre of trees and grassland. There was even a small outside pool. They were going to fix it up, and turn three of the rooms into rentals. I couldn’t imagine my parents running a bed and breakfast kind of thing, but the prospect of it seemed to make them ecstatic, so who was I to judge? It made me happy to see them happy.

  Now I just needed to get my happy in order.

  At least, I’d made a good start of it. I was enrolled in university in something I loved and wanted to pursue. I didn’t necessarily see myself performing in shows. If it happened, I wouldn’t turn it down. I just wanted to teach. I wanted to share my love and joy of the art form. For someone who claimed to never want to have children, I did love hanging out with them and teaching them to dance.

  I also had a good apartment near the university, and I got to hang out with Violet as often as was possible. Unfortunately Dahlia was still across the country at fashion college, but we managed
to facetime at least once a week. She was having some drama of her own, so it was essential we stayed in touch. I didn’t need to watch TV when Dahlia’s life was so much more adventurous and interesting.

  Thankfully there was no drama in my life. Well maybe not thankfully. Sometimes having a little drama spiced things up. I hadn’t been spicy since Jakob in Eden. When I thought about him, which was often, I got little shivers. Pleasant shivers. The ones that liked to settle down deep between my thighs.

  It wasn’t that I hadn’t been hit on. I had, several times. There was even this hip hop dancer in one of my classes who thought he had game with me. He was definitely cute and sexy, but he just didn’t compare to Jakob. I realized now I needed someone older than me, and serious. Someone who could command and demand whatever he wished.

  I made it to the studio on time. All my little jazz dancers were waiting for me in the big room. I had twelve students and they were all amazing in their own ways. But I especially liked eleven year old Valentina. She had a lot of spit and fire. She was fierce even at eleven, and I sensed she was going to be spectacular on a stage.

  The second I stepped into the room, she ran up to me, her brown ponytail bouncing up and down. “Miss Ivy. Miss Ivy, guess what?”

  “What?”

  “Guess what I saw in the parking lot?”

  “I don’t know. A chicken?”

  “No.” She laughed. “I saw a limousine.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded enthusiastically. “Do you think someone rich and famous is in it? Maybe Jennifer Lawrence.”

  “No, I don’t think JLaw is in a limo outside our studio.”

  “Why not?”

  “I just don’t think she is, Valentina.”

  Her lips puffed out in the best pout I’d ever seen. “Then who was in the limousine? Only rich and famous people ride in those.”

  “I don’t know.”

  She folded her arms over her chest and stomped away.

  I stored my bag, took off my sweatpants, and fiddled with the music player to get class going. But now I was wondering who was in the limousine in the parking lot.

  By the time class was over, I’d thought about that limo at least seven times. I don’t know why it stuck in my mind, but Valentina’s enthusiasm for whoever was inside, also piqued my interest badly. I had to know now.