by Jayce, Aven
“Cove, I… I don’t know how to respond,” I say in a small voice. “I guess I can tell you that it’s not your fault, but I’ve already said that so many times. I wish there was something I could do. Some way I could comfort you.”
“Just believe me, and know that I’m not going to hurt you. I’m sorry that I already did, but please realize that I’m not the dick your father makes me out to be.”
“I believe you,” I say, finally relaxed enough to eat my lunch. “Do you know what happened to Natalie? Did you ever see her again?”
“She was the woman you saw me with in the park. That day you were on the steps.”
“No way, really? You said you didn’t like her, for a few reasons, what reasons? Now I’m curious.”
“Paul showed me a video of her with my father. It hurt me to see it. She knew he was married.”
“Your father knew he was married too.”
“Yeah, but it was Doron’s bachelor party, he was drunk. He looked like he couldn’t even stand. He was completely wasted.”
“That’s no excuse.”
“I disagree, but only because I’ve been in his position. I know how much your father and the Rosens drink. They used to give me shots, lots of shots before I had to be in a scene. They said it would relax me, and make me last longer. I often had four to six drinks before Doron would film, or by myself, before I turned on the camera. I can only imagine my father had plenty more that night if you consider the company he was with,” Cove says, taking large bites as if he hasn’t seen food in days. I think a weight has been lifted off his shoulders now that more of his past has been exposed.
“So Natalie. Is she okay now?”
“She’s married and has a son. Her husband’s a chef and she’s a stay-at-home mom. I meet her in the park once or twice a year to catch up on her life. At first we would meet to apologize to one another. She was always saddened about what she was involved in when I was very young, and I still can’t get that miscarriage out of my head. I guess we may be friends, but I don’t believe we speak often enough to be considered friends. I’ll be excited to tell her about you next time we talk. Hopefully you can come with me to meet her. I’d love to introduce you.”
“Um, that’s kind. I’ll think about it. I’m not sure after what you just told me if I could handle to hear anything about the two of you. I’m not a very jealous person, but I do have a small amount of resentment in my body at times, and that situation might be a bit awkward for me to crash in on. Did you ask her about my father?”
“Yes, she said he gave her a choice as to whether or not she wanted to leave. He doubled her pay to stay and she couldn’t turn down the offer, not with a kid on the way. She planned to stop part way into her second trimester.”
“Yeah, she would start to show after that. Her breasts must have been so sore with those clamps if she was pregnant. When I was…” I stop, quickly realizing I haven’t disclosed that part of my life to him.
Cove puts his fork down and leans back, folding his hands. I’m getting used to him doing so whenever I say anything that needs more of an explanation. “Go on,” he says in a concerned voice.
“I pass.”
“What do you mean you pass?” he smiles.
“I pass on this conversation. Thank you for being so open with me, I know that must have been hard.”
“Sophia, this relationship won’t work that way. After everything I just said to you, you can’t even tell me you were pregnant?”
“I never said that.”
“Yeah, I’m not dumb,” he says, finishing off his water. “How old were you?”
“It was a long time ago and I’m sorry you had to find out,” I say, thinking back to college when I had second-guessed myself about the situation, but now I know I made the right decision. I was nineteen and not in love. Wait, I was nineteen? Cove was twenty?
“I’m not sorry I found out. I want to know more about you, the good and the bad. So how…”
“Cove, you said your were twenty when that happened with Natalie?”
“Yeah, it was during the spring, around Easter. Why?”
“I was nineteen when I had an abortion, it was March, just before Easter. I think my father took his anger about my situation out on Natalie. He punished her for what I did.”
“What?”
“I never told him, but now that I know he’s had his eyes on me for years, he was aware of what happened. He knew I had an abortion. Natalie must have told him around that same time. If I angered him by what I was doing, he could’ve easily taken it out on her, transferring my situation to her.”
“Well, let’s not get into conspiracy theories just yet. It’s hard to know what really happened, but yeah, for once it actually makes some sense. That’s why he didn’t fire her. He either thought he could help her, since he wasn’t able to help you, or he wanted to punish you and that was the only way he could figure out how to do so. The latter is probably true, knowing Paul. That prick.”
“Fuck. I had no idea any of these things happened in our family, with my father. I still don’t know what to say. What can I do?”
“Just focus on why we’re here and don’t think about the past. Especially don’t think about my past. Know that if your father tells you directly that I abused a woman and caused her to have a miscarriage, that yes, unfortunately that’s true. But it needs to be placed in the right context, and he won’t tell you the whole story.”
“I understand. I’m sorry, Cove. I’m sorry I overreacted when we were outside. I want to continue to enjoy the day with you and hopefully we can get back on track. Who was that guy outside the museum anyway?”
“Just one of your dad’s employees. He goes by Carl Caverns.”
I laugh with a full mouth of food. “Really?” I mumble. “That’s hilarious.”
“He’s a middle of the road porn star. Not in the top tier, but known by a few. He does odd jobs for Paul, which includes being his messenger. Hopefully we won’t have to deal with him again.”
“Or anyone.”
“Yes, beautiful. Or anyone,” he smiles, shaking his head. “Jesus.”
“What?” I inquire, my eyes gazing into the exposed area around his neck. I lean forward and release a button, needing to see more of his flesh.
“You. You’re gorgeous. I’m one lucky bastard. I get to see your bare shoulders bronze in the Nevada sun, and fantasize about kissing your full lips that are coated in a deep red shade of lipstick… Fuck. I don’t even think I can walk right now. I want to sprawl you out on a bed and put my lips all over your body, ending down between your legs. I want you, Sophia. I need you.”
I moisten my lips and rest the palm of my hand against his cheek. Those dark eyes and chiseled jawline send my mind into a passionate daydream of him fucking me on the table. “If only you could feel how wet I am for you,” I whisper. “I wish we could go back to the hotel and fuck.” I lean back and take a sip of water, trying to cool down. Cove swallows hard and places a finger up to his mouth, rubbing his upper lip.
“Tonight, Baby. I’m gonna enjoy it when my dick is in that wet pussy. I’ll make you beg for more. I can’t wait to feel you tighten around my dick when you come.”
My hand touches his jeans and travels up to feel his stiff cock. My God, how can he even breathe? “I’m glad your shirt is un-tucked so you can hide that giant mass. If we were alone I’d kneel and suck you off.”
“Oh, fuck,” he exhales while his hand stops mine from any further touch. “We haven’t done that yet.”
“No, we haven’t, but we will. You can count on that,” I say, placing my napkin on the table as I put my jacket back on. I stand and bring my mouth down to his ear and whisper. “And Babe, I’m really good at it too. You’ll be the one who begs for more.”
Cove stands and adjusts his shirt, trying to hide his erection. He grins and heads for the front to pay the bill. I follow holding his hand, completely in lust and in love with this man. If I hadn’t said no to s
ex for the day we’d already be back in the hotel having a quick fuck. No. We wouldn’t make it. We’d stop somewhere on the strip, maybe in a dressing room here at the mall. Yeah, I’ve never done it in one of those spaces. I guess I’m glad we’re not, and even though I’m a ball of raging hormones at this moment, it’s important that we have these conversations instead. I feel more connected to him with each hour that passes and that’s the reason we need to hold out for the day.
When we reach the register I take the check, reminding him that lunch was on me. He complies with my request and I finally feel like we have an equal relationship.
“Okay, Sophia. My balls ache and my head is mush, but I think I can continue on.”
“Maybe you need to pleasure yourself. We just passed a restroom.”
He laughs, “You think I’d be able to relax enough to masturbate in a mall restroom? And what if I got caught and arrested? How would I explain that to my mother?”
I laugh along with him, knowing that Leondra would probably try to ground him, even though he’s twenty-four. “Hey, that reminds me, when’s your birthday?”
“Masturbation in a mall restroom reminded you to ask me about my birthday?”
“Yeah, you know how my mind works. It’s a bit non-linear, and jumps from topic to topic for no reason at all.”
“I know. Well, I’m a Capricorn.”
“No way, me too. What’s the date?”
“January fifth.”
“Are you fucking with me?” I ask, stopping dead in my tracks. Cove frowns, not sure what he did wrong.
“Seriously, this is a joke, right?”
“No, why? Is it your dad’s birthday or something?”
“Mine’s the fifth. That’s so fucked up!” I scream. “You have to be playing a joke on me.”
“Baby, calm down. You’re causing another scene,” he says as we walk out onto the main strip surrounded by tourists once again. “I’m being serious. It’s the fifth.”
“Isn’t that exciting! We share the same birthday. How crazy is that?”
“Totally cray,” he responds.
“Cray? You use that word too?”
“Yes, totally awesome to the max, since we’re speaking all slang and shit.”
“Come on,” I plead, slapping his arm. “Humor me. This is exciting. It means we were meant to be together.”
He turns and smiles. “Well if you put it that way, then yeah, it’s great. I’m not much for birthday celebrations. I usually spend mine alone, but maybe that will change now that I can center the day around you.”
“Hey, you were born in…”
“Yeah, don’t worry, I know what you’re thinking and I’m not your twin brother. I’ll be twenty-five soon, a year older than you.”
“Thank God, could you imagine our lives being any more fucked up than they already are?”
“Actually, yes,” Cove says, tilting his head back to gaze up at a giant billboard. “I think I can.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Fuck Paul Jameson. I can’t believe he would stoop so low. Your fucking father.”
I look up to see what’s got him so upset. It’s a billboard for Jameson Industries XXX Adult Expo. There’s a bikini-clad brunette with a perfect body down on all fours sticking her ass in the air. Her full lips are caked in dark red lipstick and her mouth is slightly open. Behind her are three men, photographed from the chest up, shirtless with flexed muscles. Their abs are clenched and covered in oil. With heads tilted down and eyes on her like they’re hunting a wild animal, all three predators have staked their claim. The sign reads Porn stars, captured, trained, and always obedient. Come tame your own beast this weekend at the Jameson Convention Center, inside the Fox Palace.
“You okay?” I ask, knowing that my father’s presence, even through something as simple as a billboard is enough to piss Cove off.
“Take another look.”
I study the billboard, but don’t see anything out of the ordinary except that it’s in poor taste, even for Vegas. Then I see his eyes, Cove’s eyes, on one of the bodies in the background. His tattoo and scar are gone and must have been edited out from the shot, but it’s him. It’s definitely him, a few years younger with shorter hair. “Oh shit,” I mumble. “When was that taken?”
“Six years ago. I was eighteen. It’s from his wild beast series. I don’t know why the fuck he still uses my body for billboards. That fuck.”
“Cove, I’m sorry. Let’s walk. Try to get it out of your head. There’s nothing we can do about it.”
“Well, this must have been made before everything happened this past week, he didn’t just put it up today, which means your dad and I were still on good terms. It makes me feel like he expects me to do shit online for him again. I don’t like it that he’s got me on display. That’s supposed to be over.”
“Come on, let’s do something fun and get it out of our heads.” I pull his body in the opposite direction of the billboard. He looks back at the sign and grumbles under his breath. “You were about to tell me about our next destination before we were interrupted outside the museum earlier. So where to?”
“The Venetian. The Erotic Heritage Museum was interesting, but not as romantic as I thought it would be.”
“Well, duh.”
“Hush, Baby. I’m trying my best to make you all starry-eyed over me and my next plan may just do the trick.”
“You don’t have to try. I already find you delightfully charming. So what’s the plan?” He holds the door open with a smile and the two of us step into the Venetian. My mouth drops open and I gawk at the beautiful space that envelops me. I’m in Italy, literally, it’s like I just stepped off a plane and I’m overseas. “My God, this is breath-taking.”
“So, you approve?”
“Wow.”
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Cove laughs, taking my hand in his. We walk and I admire the classy architecture and brilliant faux-painted blue skies with puffy white clouds overhead. It’s bright and feels like the sun still shines down upon us even though we’re indoors. We walk past stores with unique gifts and clothing before we stop on a pier. I gasp at the sparkling water and long boat in front of us.
“Does a private gondola ride interest you, my sweet?”
I nod yes, grinning from ear to ear. Cove pays an outrageous amount then holds out his hand and helps me onto the boat. I take a seat in the back and Cove sits next to me, placing his arm over my shoulder. A man above us rows and we begin to glide through the water, observing the tourists shopping, and the incredible blue skies above.
“I can’t believe this. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Me either. It’s not the type of thing you can do by yourself or with your parents,” he smiles, kissing the side of my head. I turn toward him and capture his mouth, pushing my tongue wildly inside. He groans and his tongue takes chase. It captures and swirls around mine. There’s a round of applause and we look over to see a couple in total approval of our public display of affection. Cove tips his hat at them as I place my head against his chest, grazing his nipple. He laughs and pushes my hand away.
“Okay, you did it. I’m hard again. Will you ever stop the torture today or is this how it’s gonna be?”
“I just leaked some sweet juices into my panties for you, so yeah, as long as I’m aroused I’ll make sure you’re right there with me,” I reply, inhaling the spicy vanilla scent that’s on his shirt. “You smell wonderful again, Babe.”
“I try.”
We float past people who dine along the water and then glide under a bridge. It’s lovely. The buildings and atmosphere are dream-like and I’m happy to relax with Cove. Finally, this is a perfect moment in our day.
“I love you, Sophia,” he whispers, pressing his body against mine.
I give him a light kiss in appreciation but restrain myself from any further assault on his mouth.
We return to the pier and he assists me as we exit the gondola. “That was amazing
. I can’t believe you did that for me.”
“For us, Baby. But for now the romance is over for a short while, let’s have some fun,” he says in an excited voice. We walk past rows of shops and down a corridor, stopping in front of a group of celebrity wax figures. The sign in front of us reads Madame Tussauds and I give him another kiss in approval.
“What a cool idea, but this time it’s my treat,” I insist. Cove hesitates but allows me to pay the admission. I make him take my photo with almost every figure, requesting three separate angles when I sit with Will Smith, and two of me lying next to Hugh Hefner. He only requests one photo of himself, with George Clooney, mentioning that Clooney reminds him of his father. I give him a warm smile as I shoot the photo, and then ask him if he wants a shot with Jennifer Lopez. He places his hand on her ass and grabs his dick, dropping his mouth open like he’s about to erupt in his pants. I quickly snap the photo before he changes his mind, capturing his playfulness.
“This is terrific, Cove. It’s so nice to be out with you. Isn’t it great to spend time together?”
“I’ve never been this happy, Soph. Hopefully we can do this again soon,” he beams. “Are you interested in going to an art gallery?”