Open Wounds: Abel and Hope: Love Against the Odds

by Inger Iversen

  “Get me in trouble, how?” Trent asked. He placed his cup in the sink and headed to the man’s fridge. There was nothing inside but a pizza box and a few other things that Trent wouldn’t consider eating.

  Sam moved over to him and pointed to the pizza. “Got that last night. You can eat it.” Trent pulled out a slice and took a bite. “That girl’s father is important and is known for that Jesse man, you know the one that talks about how blacks are all suppressed and it’s the white man’s fault or some shit like that.” Sam rolled his eyes and shook his head, but no matter what Sam believed, the racial divide was real and it was an issue in Kentucky.

  Although it was nothing new to Trent, it did stir up plenty of concerns about Harper and him. “So, what’s that got to do with me and her?” he asked, already knowing the issue and wanting to hear Sam’s thoughts.

  It wasn’t like shit didn’t go down in school. A lot of fights were race related and in his high school you rarely saw races mixing. It happened, but it was rare and it was never a poor white kid dating a rich black kid or vice versa. Trent saw where things could get sticky and adding Harper’s age to it, there was bound to be some issues.

  “Look,” Sam got his attention, “you ain’t marrying that girl and once her daddy gets wind that a poor ass white boy is chasin’ his daughter’s sweet little ass, he’s gonna be putting and endin’ to it, you here me.”

  A muscle ticked in Trent’s jaw and he worked to temper his anger. Trent was graduating, moving out, had his own car and a job. What the hell else did he need to do to convince people that he was worth Harper’s attention? “Got it.” He threw the pizza crust in the trash and headed out to the living room. “So you don’t need any help today with that transmission?”

  Sam eyed him for a moment. No doubt knowing that his words had upset him. “No, go do whatever it is you and your friends plan to do. Just come in Monday morning at eight. You still got the keys to open up. If I ain’t there open up and get to work. Auggie’ll be there ‘round noon. Anything you can’t do, just schedule it for then.” Sam sat of the couch shoving papers to the ground as Trent headed to the front door.

  “Gotcha,” Trent said. He pushed Sam’s warning to the outskirts of his mind. Pulling out of the driveway, he headed home. There were some obstacles in the way, but for the first time in forever, he was hopeful the future he’d always wanted was actually within reach.

  Chapter 2

  Trent’s engine ran rough and loud and he’d need to check that later. As he sat at the end of Harper’s street at midnight he’d turned the car off and leaned the chair back just in case anyone drove by. The sound of heels click-clacking on the cement signaled Harper was near. Trent peeked up and saw her heading to his car dress in a light purple thigh length skirt and a white tank top that revealed a little patch of her brown tummy.

  Damn, she’s beautiful.

  Reaching over to unlock the door, Harper grabbed the door handle at the same time and pulled. Their movements canceled out the other’s action and they both laughed.

  “Hold on, now. Let me unlock it,” he said.

  She flashed her big smile and waited for him to unlock and pop the door open. Sliding in, her skirt slipped up her thigh as she scooted over close to Trent. He leaned in, placing a hand on her warm bare knee and gave her a kiss. The taste of her sweet essence and cherry lip-gloss burst on his tongue.

  With a groan, Trent pulled her closer deepening the kiss. She always tasted so fresh and sweet. He pulled away when the sensation became too much and his pants bunched uncomfortably. He closed his eyes for a second, gathering his wits before opening them again. Taking a deep breath, he leaned back in his chair.

  With a smile, she threw her purse to the floor and said, “I love those kind of hellos. Let’s go.”

  Trent started his car and headed away from Harper’s house. “Where we headed?” he asked.

  Harper had just finished buckling her seat belt. “It’s a surprise, but it’s not far. Over on Delphanie Farms.” She smiled brightly.

  Trent’s radio was busted, but that didn’t matter. It was never hard to have a conversation with Harper. She was always full of questions, advice, and ideas, that it made conversation long and plentiful. Tonight, however, she seemed quiet. Trent peered over to find her fiddling with the hem of her skirt, a nervous tell he’d picked up on months ago.

  “What’s over at the Farms?” he questioned.

  Delphanie Farms wasn’t a farm at all. It was a place where people with money went to “camp”. Apparently rich folk considered luxurious cabins and a large sprawling hotel as roughing it. Trent thought these people spent their money on some odd things.

  “Your birthday present.”

  Trent glanced over quickly when he heard the jingling of keys. “What?” Confusion and anticipation warred in his head.

  “The keys to the cabin my dad rented for our summer vacation.”

  Trent gripped the steering wheel tightly at the thought of having Harper all alone in a cabin. He’d hoped she’d give herself to him, but never really expected her to do it so soon. Most of the girls he’d dated had given it up fast, but they were older, and more experienced; they had different expectations of him. A ball of nerves settled in his throat. He didn’t want to ask outright and sound like an idiot, but he needed confirmation.

  “You okay?” Harper asked. Most likely because he’d gone silent.

  Just the thought of possibly being with Harper had him hard and his mind out of sorts. Trent pulled into the Farms. “Yeah, I’m just—”

  “Left here, at Haddow Street.” She cut him off.

  He made a quick left and then wordlessly followed her directions until they pulled up to a medium-sized log cabin at the end of a cul-de-sac. He parked the car and turned it off.

  Harper turned in the seat, placing her feet in Trent’s lap, and eyed him. “What’s going on? You seem quiet.”

  He looked down at the white heels hiding her brown toes. Pulling off a shoe, he massaged her soft foot. “I was going to ask you the same thing earlier.” He moved his ministrations up her calf, ending at the bottom of her thigh. She licked her lips in response to his attentions. “You want to tell me what all of this is about?” He motioned to the cabin.

  As Harper bit her lip, his body went tight and his grasp on her leg slowly moved higher. At her silence, he prompted, “Baby, what do you want to give me for my birthday?”

  Harper smirked. “It’s twenty after midnight.” Trent glanced at the clock on the dash. “Happy birthday,” she whispered. Moving her legs out of his lap she slid over and placed a hand on his chest.

  Trent didn’t have much in the way of nice clothes, but he’d wanted to dress up for the evening. He’d taken care in choosing the nicest button up shirt and cleanest pair of jeans he could find.

  When Harper’s hand pushed past one of the buttons on his shirt and rested on Trent’s bare chest, a shock went through his body. It took everything he had to stay seated and keep his hands to himself.

  She chose that moment to lean in and give him a timid kiss, before leaning back. Feeling like he wanted more, Trent moved his hand behind her head, tangled his fingers in her straight locks, and pulled her back to his lips. It was unreal how easily she came forward and opened for him. He loved how she fell into his lap as his kiss turned from soft and sweet, to a needing exploration.

  Harper pulled away, rasping for air as she asked, “Want to go inside for the rest of your present?”

  While his dick nearly jumped off his body and ran inside, Trent tried to play it cool. “That sounds like it might be a good idea.”

  Harper moved from his lap and exited the car. Trailing behind her on the way up the drive, he slyly attempted to adjust his pants. Once inside the cabin, he was met with a foyer filled to the brim with pictures of the great outdoors. If you were rich and you were going to camp, he guessed you’d at least want to see trees and bears. Photos must do the trick.

  Harper led him past the l
arge living room painted in white and turquoise, and down the hall to the last door on the right. Pushing it open, she walked inside and turned on a light. Trent glanced around and saw she’d already been there earlier in the day. Her laptop was on the desk and a few of her clothes had been thrown on the sofa under the window.

  Harper easily cleared up any leftover confusion about what she wanted from him tonight when she kicked off her shoes and started to unbutton her skirt. Trent stood in stunned silence as the fabric fell from her legs and floated to the floor. Pausing to take it all in, Trent finally ambled forward and fell to his knees in front of her.

  Never had he smelled such a sweet scent. Her vanilla perfume always drove him mad. It reminded him of how innocent, untouched, and fresh she was. She’d been saving herself and now Trent was the man she found worthy enough to give herself to. Knowing this made his chest swell with pride.

  Trent kissed and nibbled her thighs, caressing them with his hands, still too afraid to look in her eyes. He knew what he’d find there—lust and desire, mingled with inexperience. All of which, turned him on. But he would have to move slower with Harper than he had with other girls. No matter how bold she acted now, she’d clam up if pushed too fast.

  The one night she’d let him touch her a month back had proven how much she wanted him. She had writhed under the soft strokes he applied over her panties, only to be outdone when he’d pushed aside the thin material with his curious fingers. Once her clit was released from its hiding place, he’d only given her a few soft strokes before she fell to pieces.

  After that night, she hadn’t called him for a couple days. She later confessed how she’d been embarrassed over her body’s reaction. Trent on the other hand had masturbated every night to the memory of her moans and the softness of her body.

  Now, as he was on his knees before her, he begged his body to have the patience she required. Her breaths came in short pants above him and it took every bit of strength to pull away and look up at her.

  Harper’s eyes were at half-mast, her lush lips parted. He would have to say it now, before the ship they were on set sail.

  “Baby, I don’t have a condom.” It hurt his heart to say it, but if tonight was just about making Harper understand how good and right she could feel, then he was game.

  She moved around him and pulled a condom out of the dresser drawer and handed it to him. Shocked, Trent didn’t even look at it. All he could do was stare at his girl; the one who’d thought of everything for his birthday.

  Chapter 3

  Trent led Harper to the bed. His pants shifted uncomfortably over his erection causing him to adjust once again.

  “You okay?” Harper asked, her gaze trained on the area with which Trent was fussing.

  “Yeah.”

  He looked up at her as she moved close and unbuttoned his jeans. Trent grabbed her hands forcing her to look up at him. She smiled as she shook his hands off and unzipped his pants. As she yanked them down his legs, Trent pulled his shirt over his head and threw it to the floor.

  Harper leaned back and pulled her little tank top off. Her black bra and panties were the only thing stopping Trent from seeing her in all her glory. Nervously glancing at the floor, she sat up and exhaled, before pulling at Trent’s boxers. Tugging them down his legs, he helped her by stepping out of them.

  Their combined excitement was palpable as she reached out and caressed the underside of Trent’s erection, causing him to take a quick breath in. Her feather soft motions had him on edge. He gently pushed her hand away and reached around her to undo the clasp on her bra. With almost too much ease, he had the bra off and thrown next to the bed.

  Assisting her to her feet, Trent guided Harper back until she was on the bed, her pert breast bouncing as she landed. Hooking his thumbs in the waistband of her panties, he pulled until a little thatch of black curls peeked past the hem. Leaning down he placed a kiss atop the springy curls. He groaned his approval and pulled until they were off and in the pile with the rest of their clothes.

  Trent gently parted her legs and watched as her brown folds exposed the pink center in front of him. His mouth watered and his dick bobbed eagerly at the sight.

  “Baby?” her soft voice filtered into the present.

  Trent was damn near unable to take his eyes off the sight. With effort and strength he summoned from only God knows where, he tore his gaze away and looked into her eyes. “Yeah?” he whispered.

  The soft glow of the dim lights in the room lit her face, showing her youthful radiance. They were both so young, yet Trent had so many plans for their future. Looking down he realized what Harper was truly offering him and felt the weight of responsibility that comes with accepting such a gift. In her eyes he saw lust, love, and nervousness.

  “You’ll go slow?” she asked.

  “Yeah, baby. I will. There’s no need to be nervous, alright?”

  She nodded before he’d even finished speaking. Trent grinned and laid between her legs, his chin resting on her stomach. Sappy as it sounded, he knew he loved Harper long before this night. Her compassion and strength made him want to be better and not just for her, but for the future he never thought he could have.

  He wanted to tell her he loved her, but was looking for the right time. It’d have to be now. It couldn’t be during or after. He’d tell her and then he’d show her. He opened his mouth to speak; yet fear muted the words.

  She tilted her head to the side in question. “You okay?” He nodded. “Are you nervous?” she asked in surprise.

  Trent answered honestly. “Yeah, a little. It’s your first time and I want it to be right. I—I want you to enjoy it—to remember it.” Harper held out her hand. He took it placing a kiss in her palm.

  “I trust you, Trent,” she said with candor. “If I didn’t, we wouldn’t be here. You know how many guys tried and failed?”

  Jealousy burned in his stomach. He wanted to demand who these creeps were, but he reminded himself that he was here with her and no one else. “I’m glad you trust me, Harper. I want to tell you something.” Trent swallowed hard. He’d never told a girl that he loved her. He actually never really heard it himself either. He wasn’t even sure how to start. His mother had never told him and his biological father left the first chance he got.

  How was he supposed to not fuck this up? He looked into her patient gaze and fear won. I’m so weak. He nearly stood and bolted from the room until Harper ran her hand through his hair and spoke.

  “I love you too, Trent.” She gave a smile at his shocked expression. “I know you. I also know this,” she touched his heart, “may need a bit more mending. The words don’t matter so much, not when you show me your love every day. I’ll wait. I’ll wait until the day you’re comfortable saying the words.”

  He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak, but Harper interrupted. “Now, come up here,” she said as she pulled at his arms.

  Trent tenderly slid up her body. Her soft laughter made him smile, he was ready and he was damned glad she was as well. Trent opened the condom and groaned. It was too small. Way to small.

  After a minute of trying the impossible, he stopped. “Is this the only one you brought?” he asked, struggling once again to get it to fit. He looked up to see Harper nodding. Frustrated, he threw the condom away. “It isn’t going to work.”

  Her hopeful expression changed to one of disappointment. “Why can’t you just pullout?”

  He scoffed. “What do you know about that? Besides, it doesn’t always work.”

  She moved away from Trent and covered up under the covers. “Sheila told me Grant does it when they don’t have condoms. Plus, I totally trust you.”

  Trent slid under the covers next to her and pulled her into his arms. “The problem is, I don’t trust myself. When it feels good, it’s hard to think. I may not pull out in time and you could end up pregnant.” In this case, he wasn’t worried about STDs. He’d always wore a condom and Harper was a virgin. In his mind, that wa
s all he needed to know.

  She thought on it a moment before looking up at him. “You warn me and I’ll tell you to stop?”

  Trent grinned. Not using a condom definitely felt better, and he wondered if it would make a difference to her. Throwing his head back, he laughed. “Wow, and here I thought I’d be the one begging.” Harper swatted at him playfully. “Okay, but listen. If I say I’m close, tap my arm if I don’t move, deal?”

  She laughed and nodded.

  Pushing her back, Trent settled between her legs. His hands softly roved over her and moved to the soft curls at the apex of her thighs. When she sighed he looked up at her.

  “You’ll let me know if you want me to stop, right?” Trent prayed she’d never ask him to stop, but the thought of hurting her or making her uncomfortable scared him.

  She gave a sure nod. “I will.”

  He covered her sex with the palm of his hand, watching as her body moved in rhythm with his strokes. Wetness coated his palm causing it to slide with ease over her clit. She closed her eyes and her head flew back as she released a moan. He leaned down to kiss her chest, while increasing the pace and pressure of his hand.

  Harper pulled him down, so his flesh was covering hers. She kissed him hard and deep as he guided himself inside her. Her warmth and tightness made him shake with need, squeezing his eyes closed he focused on entering her as gently as he could. Trent braced himself back up on shaky elbows and forged ahead deeper.

  He kissed her again, hoping to distract her from what was about to happen. He moved a hand and palmed her breast, softly pinching the nipple until her back arched and her breast smashed into his chest. Squeezing the little chocolate drops harder between his fingers, he gave a quick thrust and pushed past the soft barrier. He swallowed her whimper and seated himself deep inside her.

  Her body held taut beneath him and Trent held his position, unmoving, hoping to give her a moment to adjust. Glancing at her face, he noticed her eyes were squeezed shut. An excited spasm of his dick caused her to suck in a breath and Trent wrestled with the idea of pulling out.