The NOVA Trilogy Boxed Set

by Jayce, Aven

  Taking a few steps over to the kitchen I admire the splendid craftsmanship of the espresso colored kitchen cabinets, concrete countertops, and dark red tiled backsplash. There are mustard colored placemats on the island, with matching dishtowels, and ceramic pieces topping off the space. Luxuriant beyond belief, this man has expensive taste.

  “Here you are, Sophia,” he says, reaching the shirt out and placing his head down to give me some privacy.

  “Thanks,” I say, taking it from his hand, and placing my arms hurriedly into the sleeves. The shirt is a soft plaid button up, and it immediately warms my flesh. “You’re sneaky. I didn’t even hear you come down the steps, or walk into the kitchen.” He looks down at the floor, listening to me speak as I button the front of the shirt.

  “That’s much better. You can look now.”

  He lifts his head slowly and I gasp, taking a quick step back.

  “Sophia? Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “I…I’m fine,” I stutter, looking into the beautiful face that I saw the other day in the park. It’s the man on the steps, the man who was reading the book. The one who I thought was going to say hello to me, but instead he walked right past me and sat with the breastfeeding mothers. The man who made my heart skip a beat.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes,” I say quietly. “You’re the man from the park. I saw you the other day sitting on the steps by the Gateway Arch.”

  He studies my face for a moment, then peers beyond me to the living room area. His eyes flicker from the one dim light coming from the kitchen.

  “Would you like that warm milk and honey now?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’m not sure I understand. I thought you were staying for a while.”

  “Yes. I am,” I say, without hesitation. “I don’t know about the warm milk and honey though. I’ve never had that before.”

  He smiles, showing off perfectly straight white teeth and small dimples on his cheeks. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how calming the drink can be for your mind. It’s not just for children you know.”

  I smile warmly, and agree. He takes the milk out of the refrigerator, pouring a small amount into a pan. He sets the gas range to low, warming the milk, as I sit and admire his kindness. Besides my father, Mera is the only person in the past that has offered to take care of me, and even with a small offering such as this one, it means a lot.

  “It needs to warm gradually, and not boil in order for it to be enjoyable. Patience is an important part of this recipe,” he says, while stirring the milk. “I believe that fixing it slowly is one of the ways the drink soothes your nerves and puts you to sleep. I’ll assume this will be beneficial for you since I found you in the hallway curled up in a little ball.”

  He’s right. I must have been sleepwalking again. The group therapy that was supposed to help me completely stressed me out.

  “Is there something that I should be aware of that I can help you with? Did you get locked out of your place somehow? And it’s none of my business but if you were drinking, you should probably have a friend with you so that you don’t turn up in random places.”

  His concern for me is overwhelming. His eyes are sincere, and he looks at me in a tender and loving way. I enjoy watching his body flow gracefully throughout the kitchen. His muscles flex as he lifts items and stirs the milk. He’s comfortable with himself, even with a stranger in his space. The black t-shirt he wears is tight on his body, and the muscles on his arms and chest are clearly defined against the fabric. I want to touch him, place my hand on his chest and feel him.

  “Sophia?”

  I look up at his face as I realize he’s caught me staring at his chest. “I’m sorry. Yes…uh, I mean no. There’s nothing you can do to help. I wasn’t drunk, and I didn’t get locked out. I was sleepwalking.”

  “Sleepwalking?” he says in a surprised voice. “I’ve never met anyone who had that problem,” he turns, removing the pan from the burner, and placing it onto a hot pad. Taking two red mugs out of the cabinet, he pours the steaming milk into each one. He then takes a glass jar of raw honey out of his pantry, placing one spoonful into each mug, stirring them gently for a few moments. I take a seat at the kitchen island as he hands me the drink. The mug is warm, but not hot, and even though I haven’t taken a sip just yet, it’s already comforting.

  He sits to my right at the end of the island, and I turn toward him, enjoying his friendliness and our conversation.

  “Go ahead, try it. I want to please you,” he says as he takes his first sip. “Lovely. Just like my mom used to make.”

  I place the mug to my lips and feel the warm liquid enter my mouth. My taste buds awaken to a slightly sour, yet sweet taste. It slides down my throat, coating my insides along the way while warming my stomach. I take another sip, lulling my muscles to loosen and relax.

  I look at his beautifully chiseled face, and smile. There’s something mysterious about him, something hiding under that eager to please personality.

  “Take it slow, Sophia. Enjoy yourself.”

  His words echo in my head. I believe he may be referring to more than just the warm milk.

  “Can I get you anything else?”

  “Yes,” I say, gazing into his eyes. “How about your name?”

  He smiles, and pauses for a moment, deliberately forcing me to wait. “Cove,” he finally responds. “Cove Everton.” He continues sipping from his mug, his eyes looking directly into mine.

  “That’s a beautiful name, I’ve never met anyone named Cove.”

  “It was my father’s name, and his father’s, making me Cove Ambrose Everton the third.”

  “Very sophisticated,” I say glancing around the room and back to him. “Sophisticated in all ways.”

  “So, Sophia. What were you doing in the park the other day?”

  “I like to jog every couple of days to clear my head. My best friend lives a block away from here, and the two of us used to jog around the arch twice a week. Now that I live just as close to the park as she does, I plan on getting out there more often.”

  “So you sleepwalk, and you jog to clear your head. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s stressing you out so much?”

  I want to say my mother, but it’s more than just her. Now, I think I’m distraught about my sex life, the intervention of Dr. Rosen, and my father’s knowledge of recent events. I’ve always lived the find em’, fuck em’ and forget about em’ lifestyle, and now I face an interference.

  “You’re hesitant. Forget that I asked, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

  I could fuck him right now.

  “Well, Cove. How about you? What were you doing in Gateway Park the other day?”

  “I was meeting an acquaintance,” he replies under his breath, while taking another sip of warm milk.

  “A friend?”

  “No, an acquaintance. Someone I’ve known for many years.”

  I set my empty mug on the counter after taking the final sip of the delightful drink. Yawning, I look at my watch. It’s two-thirty in the morning. The concoction has worked and my body is heavy, warm, and ready for sleep; a deep sleep in my soft bed. I wonder if I should ask him to join me.

  “Did it help?”

  “Yes, I like it, I’ll have to make some tomorrow night before I go to bed.”

  “Try a warm bath or meditation. That might be helpful as well.”

  “You sound like my therapist,” I say, quickly realizing my mistake. Fuck. Damn it, Sophia. That slipped out. He sends a concerned glance my way, and I send him a reassuring smile back. “Don’t worry, it’s by choice that I see her. I’m just talking some things out.”

  “Good. I’m glad. Some people really benefit from talk therapy. My mother being one of them.”

  “Your mother?”

  “Yes. Haven’t you met her yet? She’s the other person who shares this floor with us. I’m surprised the two of you hav
en’t crossed paths, she can be a bit boisterous, and nosey at times.”

  “Why do you live so close to your mother? Isn’t that a little weird?”

  “No. Not really. She’s always been a part of my life, and we’re in business together, so living close to one another just makes things easier.”

  “Yeah, but you practically live on top of one another. I could never live next to my mother.”

  “Bad relationship?”

  “You could say that. We don’t talk much.”

  “Well, if you haven’t noticed, Sophia, this is a beautiful building and my mother and I both have exquisite taste. It’s also a very private building. We couldn’t find what we wanted anywhere else so we agreed to buy these two penthouse units, even though they were next to one another. This building satisfies both our needs, and I do get along with my mother.”

  “I see,” I say with a big yawn and heavy eyes.

  “I sense that you’re in need of sleep, and I fear I may be boring you. Let me walk you to your door.” Cove stands, setting his mug on the counter. He takes my arm and helps me off the stool. We walk out his door, his hand on my back the entire way down the hall to my front door.

  “Thank you. That was nice,” I say, beginning to unbutton his shirt. “Would you like to come in?”

  “Sophia, what are you doing?”

  “I’m giving you back your shirt,” I say, tilting my head in an innocent, yet slutty way.

  “No, please keep it for now.” His hand reaches out and stops me from exposing my chest. “You can give it back to me another time.”

  I stop, lean against my door, and my breast falls free from the garment.

  He keeps his eyes directly on my face, not even sneaking a peek.

  “Good night, Sophia. Sleep well.” He leans in, placing a small kiss on my cheek. “Now please, go inside and lock yourself in. I don’t want to find you out in the hallway again in the morning.”

  “Are you always this nice?”

  He laughs, and shakes his head. “Only when I’m nervous.”

  “Hmm. Are you sure you don’t want to come inside?”

  “I have some business to attend to, and you need some sleep. Good night, Sophia.” He stares at me, waiting for me to open my door.

  “What type of business do you have to do in the middle of the night?”

  “Another day, another conversation. Now good night.”

  I look at him as I walk inside, close the door, lock it, and quickly peer out the peephole. He smiles as he turns and disappears out of sight. “Sweet dreams,” I hear him say under his breath as he walks down the hall and back to his place.

  I set my back against the door, sliding down the surface, until my ass hits the floor. Lewis comes running, letting out small meows.

  “Hello little boy. I met our neighbor. He’s just as gorgeous and gentle as you.” Lewis rolls onto his back and puts his paws up in the air. I pet his stomach and he purrs. “I love you too, fuzz ball. Come on, let’s go upstairs and get some sleep.” I pick Lewis up, placing him over one shoulder as we walk the two flights of stairs into the master bedroom. Lewis hops out of my arms and lands on the floor, waiting for me to turn down the bed. After putting numerous pillows on the floor, and placing my sleeping pillows at the headboard, I undress and slide underneath the comforter. Lewis pounces and lands next to me, curling into a little purring ball. My eyes are heavy and fall shut, as the rush of sexual excitement from a minute earlier wanes.

  Sleep.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  My hand slides down my stomach, coming to rest over my clit. I awoke this morning thinking about Cove, his dark and handsome features penetrating my mind. Fuck, I’m so turned on by him, wet with desire, wanting to feel him inside of me.

  Straightening my legs, I start to pleasure myself. My body tenses, while tiny pulsations grow in strength with every passing moment.

  Cove is over me, looking down, studying my face with his dark eyes. Fuck me, Cove.

  I slide a finger from my free hand between my inner lips and into my space, still rubbing my clit with my other hand. My toes point downward toward the foot of the bed, and my legs tighten. I lift my hips as the pulsations increase.

  I picture Cove’s body, his defined abs and arms hovering over my chest; his powerful smile. Kiss me. Fuck me.

  My hand moves faster and my chest is tight as I imagine his cock inside, thrusting against me. I hold my breath as the throbbing beats take over my body. My hand stops, feeling each burst of my orgasm.

  I relax, lying under the covers of my warm bed. Lewis is awake and has wandered downstairs. Looking over at the clock, I’m surprised that it’s already ten. I slept straight through the rest of the night and into the late morning. Milk and honey is my new best friend.

  My phone rings as I rise and stretch. Mera’s smiling face pops onto the screen. God, I feel like I haven’t talked to her in ages.

  “Hi Mera.”

  “Howdy girl,” her happy voice chimes in. “Ready for a night of partying?”

  “You bet. I have a lot to tell you.”

  We still haven’t discussed my father’s offer to Mera about the porn sites, and that will all be good to work out over drinks.

  “I heard of a new place, quieter, full of affluent people. It’s time to take a break from the shitty-ass college boys.”

  “That works for me. I’m not in the mood for Worship anyway,” I say, remembering the young guy I took to the balcony.

  “How about I pick you up at nine?”

  “I’ll be waiting with bells on.”

  “Only bells?” she snorts.

  “Yup, only bells.”

  “Can I jingle them?”

  “Whatever your heart desires,” I laugh along with her, descending the stairs to the kitchen to make my morning coffee. “See you tonight.”

  My day is mundane. Coffee, breakfast, feed Lewis, go for a jog, shower and read. My father sends a few texts for job openings, all within blocks of my building. Interestingly enough, there’s one that I think I might enjoy, a film and video editor at his friend’s company. I spend some time in the afternoon on my laptop updating my resume to send out to the company, James and Gallo Technologies. Even though it’s an entry-level position, it sounds a hell of a lot more interesting than being an administrative assistant in some boring business office. I don’t have much experience, so I appreciate my father’s thoughtfulness in helping me get my foot in the door somewhere. I text him back, thanking him, and letting him know my resume has been sent off to his friend. I’m actually looking forward to hearing back, hopefully with news of an interview soon.

  Mera arrives at my place at eight-thirty, and rings my doorbell consecutively until I buzz her into the lobby. I open my door to find her standing in the hallway with a beautiful sleek black dress and three inch, high-heeled shoes in hand.

  “Juke or the MINI tonight, Soph?” she asks, walking into my foyer, and through to the kitchen.

  “The Cooper,” I respond. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

  “The fucking power is out in my building, so I was wondering if I could shower here before we head out. I guess a crew working next door accidentally cut some lines leading to our building. It’s a big mess right now.”

  “Well, you know you can stay here as long as necessary, remember you have your own bedroom right around that corner,” I say, pointing to the far end of the kitchen.

  “I might take you up on that tonight, but for now let’s get ready, school girl.”

  “School girl? That’s a horrible nickname.”

  “I kind of like it,” she says, walking up the stairs to my bedroom.

  “Alright, just don’t call me that in front of anyone. It’s embarrassing.”

  Mera stops on the stairs and turns swiftly around to face me. “Since when do you get embarrassed? Are you feeling okay?”

  I laugh and push her up the steps until we reach the third floor.

  “God, Sophia. I haven’t seen
this view at night. It’s breathtaking.”

  “I know. Sometimes I just sit here with my tea and watch all the lights glimmer around the city.”

  She places the back of her hand against my forehead, “Are you feeling okay? You’re suddenly embarrassed and drinking tea? My coffee nut is drinking tea? What gives?”

  “Devery.”

  “Oh. Say no more.”

  “Shit, I forgot I had an appointment with her today. She’s gonna kick my ass next time I meet with her. Damn it.”

  “I’m sure she has people who cancel on her all the time. Don’t worry so much, just enjoy the night.”

  Mera walks into the bathroom and places her dress on the towel bar, dropping her shoes on the floor below. I follow close behind, take my make-up out of the cabinet, and line it up on the counter.

  “I’ll be back. I need to find something sexy to wear.”

  “You should wear that classic black velvet cocktail dress your father bought you last year for Christmas. That looks smashing on you.”

  “Smashing, huh? I guess that’s the winner for tonight,” I say, heading toward my closet. I find the dress in the back, hidden behind my heavy winter clothes. I guess it’s really that time of the year again.

  The dress is one of my favorites, a refined 1950’s style with a metal zip closure in the back. It’s longer than most of my outfits, reaching down just below my knees with a V-neck front exposing a small amount of cleavage, a tasteful choice for an evening at a new bar.

  Mera hums as steam pours out of the shower. The fogged glass doors hide her body, making her outline barely visible.