The NOVA Trilogy Boxed Set

by Jayce, Aven

“Hmm mmm.”

  “I saw a shooting star,” I say in a soft voice.

  “Make a wish.”

  “I just lived it.”

  He smiles and turns toward me, opening his eyes. “Make another.”

  I lean in and place my mouth on his. He lets out a quiet moan and a heavy breath.

  “God, Baby. I’m hard for you again,” he speaks softly and nibbles at my ear.

  I grab his hand and place it under my skirt. He moves my underwear to the side and places a finger inside, groans, closes his eyes and shakes his head. “And I feel you’re aroused too.”

  I nod yes with a smile.

  “We need to be very quiet. Can you do that for me?”

  I nod yes again, biting my bottom lip while I unbutton and unzip his jeans. He delicately sashays my underwear down to my knees and I pull my legs up, gliding them completely off with my feet. His hand wraps around my bottom under my skirt. He gently massages my hips and behind as he pulls me closer to his body. My lips touch his and our tongues prance inside one another’s mouths. His hoodie is soft and comfortable, but I’d rather huddle against his flesh. I reach down and begin to pull it off, only to be captured by his hand.

  “No, Sweetness. Remember where we are,” he whispers. “I want this to be tender so that you feel my love, but I want to keep it between you and me. I don’t want to put on a show for wandering eyes in the neighborhood.”

  “I adore you, Cove,” I tenderly say into his ear.

  He smiles as he takes his jeans and boxers off, leaving them hidden under the blanket next to his feet. “Sophia,” he whispers. “I want you to lie back and look up at those beautiful desert stars. I’m going to slowly move on top of you and then place myself inside. I want to see the reflection of the night sky in those big brown eyes of yours. You spark heat and radiance in me, just like the stars you’ll gaze at as I make love to you.”

  It’s easy to submit to such passionate words. I lie back and look at the sky. I’m surprised to hear the crinkle of a condom wrapper, but decide not to ruin the mood with questions. Cove’s gentle as he slides on top of me. He holds the blanket tightly to ensure privacy. His lips brush against mine and with one quick sweep, both his tongue and cock are inside. We try our best not to release our deep breaths and moans of pleasure. His mouth presses into mine, reminding me not to make a sound. I keep my eyes open and look at the bright stars. I watch his head move, his eyes stare into mine as I peer above, past him and into the night.

  He frees my lips and places his head to the side of mine; his body methodically rises and falls in small thrusts. His dick grows, stretching my insides as our orgasms build. The pressure on my spot is precise. My arousal is quick, encased by the stars that glow overhead and his slow movements. We’re hushed, our sounds imprisoned. I need to cry out, but stay silent and restrained. Cove struggles to stay in control, a low groan escapes his throat every few minutes.

  I stretch my legs and tense my chest. He feels me, he knows. The stars blur and dance, and then they’re gone. I close my eyes, and clench his back, holding everything in. I fight to keep my words inside as he deliberately slows his movement, sending me into a crazed frenzy. My mouth opens. My body demands more. Faster, Cove. Please. Fill me. Harder.

  His release starts as I near my end. He bites my shoulder, locking his cries inside. Deep, pulsating bursts throb against my inner space. His body is tight and trembles on top of mine. I hold him as he exhales a large breath into the night.

  He rolls onto his back, trying his best to keep his gasps low and discreet. I place my hand under his hoodie and trace his belly button as I wait for him to speak. He covers his face with his arm, shielding his eyes from view. I wonder if he’s embarrassed or worse, upset.

  “Hey, Babe,” I whisper. “You okay?”

  “Yeah,” he whispers in a cracked voice.

  “You sure? Look at me.”

  “No,” he says softly.

  I sit up and lean over him, moving his arm from his face. His eyes are filled with tears and he turns away.

  “Sophia…”

  “I’m right here for you, Cove. I always will be unless you want me to leave.”

  “No, absolutely not,” he says, turning swiftly around. He runs his hand through my hair and kisses my forehead, holding his lips against mine. He releases and places his head on the futon. “I love you, and I want to keep you safe. I need you by my side…forever. I want you to be my wife.”

  I don’t know how to respond. I look into his watery eyes and try to figure out if this is a proposal, if he’s lost in a moment of passion, or if there’s something else going on. “Cove, what’s up Babe? I don’t understand. You want to get married?”

  “Do you?”

  “Well, eventually I’d like to marry someone.”

  He sighs. I watch him pull the condom off and toss it into the fire. He reaches for his jeans and slides his clothes back on. I grab his arm before he can escape, tugging him close to me. “Eventually, yes. And not just to anyone, to you. But we just met…”

  “Stop.”

  “Let me finish,” I whisper. He closes his eyes and listens to my quiet words. “We haven’t known each other long enough. We haven’t even had a fight yet. Much of what we feel is love, but a lot of it is lust. We need to see how we feel after our honeymoon hormones calm down.”

  “We had a fight. In my mother’s studio.”

  “Yeah, well we need more than one to know if this will work. Plus, the sex thing. Maybe we should spend tomorrow without touching one another, I mean besides kissing and holding hands. Nothing beyond the basics.”

  “Easy. I love to be with you. Making out is a bonus, so yeah, I’m game.”

  “Cove. I mean it. It won’t be as easy as you think, but we need to do other things besides fuck... or make love. And this isn’t a game. I’m not going anywhere, but I’m also not hopping through some all night Vegas wedding chapel either.”

  “So, you don’t feel what I feel,” he mumbles quietly.

  “You’re wrong, I think I do. I know I do. I’m in love, but since this is the first time I’ve experienced anything like this I can’t be a fool.”

  “Sophia?”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t ask you to marry me,” he says with a grin. “I’m just worried about tomorrow.”

  I brush his cheek with my hand, snuggling up against his chest. “What do you think’s going to happen?”

  “With your father? Maybe nothing. It’s possible he’ll just ignore us. Or he might have plans to send one more fist my way, but he’d have Dayne do it this time. Then it might be over… but with you? With you I’m worried. Can you see us together forever, even if I upset you?”

  “Upset me how?”

  “Maybe you should stay in the hotel room and I’ll go to the expo on my own.”

  “Hell, no,” I squeak in a raised voice. Cove covers my mouth and places a finger up to his lips to remind me to keep a low voice. I nod and he slowly drops his hand. “I won’t let you go there alone. I’ll be right by your side,” I whisper. “I need to show my father that I’m strong, and that I love you. And I want to be there to support you, no matter what you say to him or what you have to do.”

  “Remember you said that. Okay?”

  “Oh, Cove,” I sigh. “What are you worried about, really?”

  “You haven’t seen me interact in person with your father. You don’t know…you may not like… let’s just say I’m nervous. I’m not the same person around him as I am around you.”

  I take his hand and give it a squeeze, then kiss his sweet mouth to silence any more words from rolling out. “It will be okay,” I say, nervous and frightened of the event myself.

  “I said I wanted you to be my wife someday to distract my mind. If I have that in my head, if I know you’re part of my future, I can focus on that tomorrow instead of other things I need to do. Plus, yeah, I’m more than a little serious about the question.”

  “Yes.”<
br />
  “Yes what?”

  “I can see us as husband and wife…someday.”

  He smiles, pressing his mouth to mine. His tongue parts my lips and slides inside, moving in a happy dance. He exhales, closes his eyes and leaves an arm draped over me.

  “Do you mind if we stay here tonight, or do you want to go back to the hotel?”

  “What time is it?”

  “I would say it’s close to midnight.”

  “Let’s stay. It’s comfortable and I feel safe with your aunt and uncle close by.”

  He pulls the blanket up and tucks it under my chin, making sure I’m warm and cozy, just like Lydia did earlier. “Are you satisfied, Sophia?” he asks in a hushed tone.

  “With what?”

  “Am I giving you what you need? When I make love to you, or do you need more? Is what I do enough?”

  “You’re incredible, loving, sexy, considerate, sincere, rousing, erotic, stimulating, exciting… should I go on? Yes, I’m more than satisfied. I only hope I do the same for you.”

  “More than you know.” He turns onto his back and I join him, his arm under my body, his other under his head. I rest my head on his shoulder and we gaze at the stars, drifting quietly to sleep.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Mmph,” Cove mumbles with his face underwater. He kicks his feet and swings his fists in Paul’s direction.

  “What the fuck were you doing at that police station, Cove? Dayne, get in here and hold this little fuck down,” Paul shouts.

  He releases the back of Cove’s neck as Dayne steps in. Cove pulls his head out of the tub, quickly turning his face away from the water. He swings and his fist comes in contact with Dayne’s jaw. He knows they’re about to kill him.

  Dayne laughs it off, pushing him back into the water. His arms and legs continue to kick as he fights back. He begins to panic and feels his stomach clench into a knot as vomit enters and burns his throat. He pukes and Dayne immediately pulls him out. He slumps next to the edge of the tub, gagging and coughing water out of his lungs.

  “This time, you little shit, you’ve gone too far,” Paul growls with his teeth clenched.

  “Please Paul,” Cove gasps, still trying to catch his breath. “It won’t happen again.”

  “Damn right it won’t,” Dayne chimes in. “Shoot him.”

  “No.” Paul steps back and tosses a towel to Cove. He uses it to wipe his mouth free of vomit. “Tell us, Star. I want to hear what you were going to say when you walked into that station. Tell us your exact words. I know you had something planned. Talk to me, like I’m a cop.”

  Cove looks up and shakes his head no, letting out a short laugh in disgust.

  In one quick thrust Paul grabs his hair and drags his head down to the floor. “You dumb fuck. Say it! Say the words, Cove.”

  He takes hold of Paul’s wrists, trying to pry them away. “I’m not afraid of you, Paul Jameson. I already told you it wouldn’t happen again, now let me go, you dick. I have money to make for you.”

  “Put him back in.”

  “No!” Cove screams, flailing his arms as Dayne pushes him back into the tub. He cries out from under the water, places his hands on the bottom and tries in vain to push up. It’s pointless, he’s only fifteen-years-old and Dayne is a hundred pounds heavier. He needs air. Slowly, his arms relax. He can no longer hold his breath. His body craves oxygen. His head hurts. There’s a sharp pain in his temple. His body reacts and sucks in water as it searches for air. He hears a mumbled voice as he starts to fade into darkness.

  Dayne hauls his body out. He inhales hard, wheezes, coughs, and chokes in deep breaths.

  “You afraid of me now?” Paul whispers in his ear.

  “He pissed himself,” Dayne says, pointing down.

  Paul looks at Cove’s pants and smiles. “I would say, my little white dwarf Star, that you’re terrified right now. Is that correct?”

  Cove is motionless except for his heaving chest.

  “I asked you a question,” Paul snarls, taking Cove’s chin into his hand.

  “Yes,” he says in a hushed voice.

  “What was that?”

  “Yes, sir.” This time loud enough so they both can hear his words. “You own me, Paul,” he wheezes. “I promise… I won’t do it again.”

  “No, Cove. You won’t. Because next time, not only will you be punished, but I’ll make sure your father is ready to be submerged as well. And it won’t be in the tub.”

  Cove nods his head in defeat.

  “Kneel for me, Star,” Paul orders, standing in front of him. “Kneel and show me your face.”

  Cove kneels and looks up into Paul’s wicked eyes. He wants to tear them out of his head. He wants to place a knife in his heart and twist it. He wants Paul dead.

  “Say it.”

  “You own me.”

  “Say it again.”

  “You own me, Paul Jameson.”

  Paul grins, leans down and sweeps Cove’s wet, dark hair away from his ear. He massages the skin on his lobe before tugging it lightly. “One more time, my pure Star.”

  “You own me, Paul…”

  ***

  “COVE,” I shout, shaking his shoulder to startle him awake. “You have to stop saying that, please.”

  “What?”

  “You were talking in your sleep… about my father. What the fuck?”

  Cove pushes the blanket off and sits up. He drops his head into his hands and wipes his eyes. “What time is it?” he asks quietly.

  “Dawn. The night has disappeared. Tell me what that dream was about.”

  “It doesn’t matter, let’s get up and go inside. I’m sure my aunt has breakfast for us.” He stands and holds out his hand. I slip my underwear on then rise next to him.

  “I want to help you, Cove.”

  “My dreams are nothing you can help me with.”

  “Try me.”

  “Let’s just say I learned to be your father’s submissive little Star through a few coercive dunks in a tub.”

  “Oh, Jesus,” I whisper as he folds the blanket and takes the path to the house. I watch him walk with his head down, conquered and lifeless.

  A light’s on in the kitchen and I see Lydia by the sink. I smile when I notice she’s dressed in a white high-pile fleece robe, very different from the gold silk one that Leondra wears. Lydia looks like a cuddly bunny and as she sees me watching her she waves me inside. I catch up to Cove who waits at the back door.

  “I’m sorry, Sophia,” he says sadly, giving me a warm kiss as an apology. “Let’s have a nice day together before we go to the expo. I want to take you out to a few of my favorite places and then we can have dinner before we get dressed for the night.”

  “Sounds great, Babe,” I declare, placing my hand in his as we walk into the house.

  “Hooray! There are my two lovebirds. Get in here and sit down. I have coffee and scones for the two of you,” Lydia exclaims, way too loud and bubbly for this time of the day. She takes the blanket from Cove and the two of us use the bathroom to freshen up. I wash my face and fix my hair before I join everyone at the table. The beautiful night restored my mind and I’m hopeful that Mera, Cove, and I will be back in St. Louis shortly. I’m stronger than yesterday and ready to go. Bring it, Dad.

  Wayne’s in red plaid pajamas and lost behind a newspaper while Lydia pours coffee into four yellow smiley-face mugs. Looking around I see that the house, although tastefully decorated, is rather run of the mill middle-class bland. The bright yellow mugs from which we’re about to drink stick out like a sore thumb. I hadn’t noticed last night that the art on the walls look like it was purchased from a chain department store. Most of the work consists of prints and I would suspect that the two of them are fans of Thomas Kincaid. It’s all standard decoration for the common man. They’re merely keeping up with the Joneses, where Leondra has the Joneses in handcuffs and hidden in her closet.

  The standard cookie-cutter lifestyle has never been a dream of mine. I g
rew up in an old farmhouse on a dirt road, and since that time I’ve lived in eclectic and unique homes. Although it’s comfortable and calm to be in a house where the cabinets, floors, and wall colors have all been chosen from a catalog, I’d still rather live in a community that doesn’t regulate my door color and the number of bushes I’m allowed to plant.

  “Sophia, sit down sweetie. Let’s chat.”

  Wayne folds his paper, and I take a seat at the rectangular maple table next to Cove, and across from Lydia.

  “I’ve made everyone cranberry scones this morning. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Always,” I say, placing two on my plate. “And I love your mugs.”

  Lydia rolls her eyes and Cove laughs. “Yes, a gift from my sister. She likes to send me the most colorful items she can find each year for my birthday.”

  “Well I think they’re cute,” I announce, taking a sip out of one in approval. Lydia has placed a small amount of caramel syrup in my coffee and my taste buds are grateful. “Mmmm, perfect. Just what I needed.”

  “Yes, much better than what we would have had at the hotel. Thanks, Aunt Lydia.”

  “You’re welcome you two. Now, let’s talk.”

  “Cove, did you use that thingy I gave you yesterday?” Wayne blurts out; his voice dominates the room.

  “Oh Wayne, that’s not the conversation I was about to have. This isn’t a sex talk with our nephew. He’s too old for that,” Lydia suppresses her husband, shaking her head at him. “And why did you give him a condom?”

  “Well, what if his father never talked to him about those things?”

  Cove smiles and takes my hand. “My father and mother had the sex talk with me a very long time ago, and yes, I’m careful. Now, can we change the subject? You’ve already embarrassed the two of us.”

  “I just wanted to make sure. I don’t want that sister-in-law of mine to call here all panic-stricken that we allowed you to knock someone up in our back yard.”

  “Uncle Wayne, please.”

  “Yes, Wayne. That’s enough,” Lydia says.

  “Well, don’t say I never gave you anything. Latex gloves are the best gift an uncle can give.”

  “What the fuck?” I blurt out and giggle. Three sets of eyes look at me and I blush. “Oh, I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?”