“Derrek I need more of you and I don’t think I can get that in this bath, even though it is amazing.” I pant out.
He moves his hips in motion with mine and he growls out, “Okay you were right! Let’s head to the bedroom, I like to see more of you anyways.”
I step up eagerly and grab a towel on my way through and he has me by the waist before I even reach the bed, he swings me around and lays me down on the bed. “We are going to get the bed all wet,” I tell him. I always worry about disturbing things in his home, after how OCD Josh was about his place…
“I don’t care if we put holes in the fucking things. It’s not the furnishings that matter to me Margot, it’s you.” His green eyes shining bright.
We try to slow it down, but we were both so eager. There would be more than enough time to take it slow, but tonight we just need this. I wrap my legs around his waist as he pumps in and out of me, I try to move to find all the right spots and he sits up more and grabs my legs, “Trust me,” He says and pulls them in front of him and places my ankles on his shoulders. He dips in slowly and when he finally fills me, he is stretching me more than I have yet. Now he is definitely hitting all the spots. With only a few deep thrusts we are both coming wildly. I arch my back and he picks up my ass and hits another deeper spot.
After lying in bed for a while just come down together I ask Derrek, “Can you help me with something?”
“Anything for you. Always.”
I told Derrek to meet me at his spot just before sunset. I would normally do this someplace that no one would see me at or have any spectators. I have done this on this day for the last eight years and I have never asked someone to be there with me. After yesterday and last night I have learned a major lesson that sometimes it’s okay to open up, great things can happen.
So this is me opening up.
I drive to his spot and after a quick stop. I see his car there already and when I get out of the car I find him standing at the end of the dock looking out over the ocean. I adjust my skirt and make my way down the walkway. He hears me clicking my heels on the wood and turns with a big smile on his face. He looks so handsome in a pair of slim fitted dark wash jeans and a light gray fitted t-shirt, simple but so perfect for him. He gives me a questioning look as I get closer to him. “What’s with the balloon?” He asks me gesturing to the single pale pink latex balloon that I had picked up.
I nod my head in the direction of the edge of the dock. I look out over the water’s edge and fall silent. He grabs onto my free hand and brings it to his lips for a kiss. I look over at him and he waits patiently for me to explain.
“Today is her birthday.”
His face drops to mine and he reaches for the back of my head with one hand the other wraps around my body. His forehead rests on mine and when I look up at him, his eyes are closed and he looks pained. I hold onto his raised arm and rest my hand on his wrist, he opens his eyes, “I am so sorry Honey Bee…”
I sigh and tell him, “It’s okay. But this is something I do every year and I have never told anyone about it. This is my way of acknowledging her.” I kiss him softly on the lips.
“How did you manage not to go insane through all the years?” He asks me sincerely stunned.
I shrug my shoulders, “Because I knew I needed to find me eventually and things had to change. I never expected to find you or anyone who could love me through all of my tattered pieces. I know I haven’t said it back yet, but I love you Derrek. I loved you since I first say you. You started taking care of me from the day I gave you a ride, you made sure I was eating.”
“I only fed you the food you bought for yourself and they were hush puppies,” he lightly laughs.
“But you cared enough and that’s why I decided that I need you here with me today. I need to finally share this with someone who cares enough.”
He lowers his hands and takes the free one and we walk to the edge of the dock. We both look outward to the ocean and the sun is glowing orange and the sky is painted with blue, pink and purple tones. The clouds look like they are made of golden cotton candy. There is a light breeze and when it hits my skin I get a chill, not because of the cool wet air, but because I am finally feeling like I am home. I thought about leaving town right after everything that had happened and I am glad Fancy threatened to rip me a new one if I left.
I hold the pink balloon down in front of my face and I give it a little kiss. I can feel Derrek’s loving eyes on me. If it were anyone else they would probably think I am being ridiculous. To tell me to move on, but you don’t just move on from giving up your baby. Your life. But I knew if I had tried to even keep her, she wouldn’t have had a chance. Deep down I know what I did was the right thing. But it sure hurts like hell.
Derrek squeezes my hand tightly and watches me as my cheeks are damped with heartbroken tears. I refrain from looking at him if fear of fully falling apart on him. “I love you Margot.” He tells me.
I take in a deep breath and close my eyes. “I love you too.” I let go of the balloon and we both watch in silence as it take off into the colorful sky. Floating away in search of a new place to begin, much like I did those six years ago. I just want to love a life that my daughter would be proud of. Who knows maybe one day I will get to see her again.
We find our seat on the bench that he first kissed me on. I pull my legs up onto his lap just like before and I continue to stare up into the sky, even though the sun has dipped down past the horizon.
Derrek has his hands on my legs and his trailing circles with the pads of his thumbs. “Move in with me?”
I slowly turn my head to meet his eyes to tell if he is serious, and he certainly is. “But, wouldn’t you like to have your space back? I have been making enough at the bakery to get my own place.”
“Save it. I want…no, I need you to be with me. I want to make that place our home, your safe haven if you will let me. Just don’t go.” His jaw is clenched and he looks worried.
I fall silent for a brief moment and I finally nod in agreement. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” His eyes widen and they are full of light. His smile wide, stretching from ear to ear. He stand up and offers me a hand, “Let’s go home then.”
I stand and look out over the water’s edge one last time and I blow a kiss. I never had a family. I never had a real honest to true God friend. Now I have it all and it’s a scary feeling, but also exhilarating. My new family has chosen me, my team members are all the family I need and I have the love of a man, who I never saw coming.
It is most definitely about time.
My honey Bee fucking nailed tonight’s bout! Everyone loves her and I have seen such a drastic change in her. She is no longer on edge or chewing on that lip of hers in stress, but rather desire now and I am a lucky man that gets to be on the receiving end of that desire.
This is the season closer for the team, they have won all but one bout and I couldn’t be more proud of my team. I thank God every day that they were there for her the night of the first bout Margot ever went to. If they never cheered her up in that restroom and convinced her to go to the pub after, I don’t know what would have happened, but I do believe that we would have ended up together one way or another. I told her one day she would come home to me every night, I don’t think she believed me, but look what she has been doing for the last three months.
She is happy with her position in the bakery and my own restaurant that my father handed over to me orders all of our baked goods from Sweet Cheeks. And those sexy baking sessions alone at home…well fuck, seeing my floury handprint on her bare behind makes me twitch in my pants.
After the celebratory dinner for the team I plan on taking her back to our spot on the dock. Sure it will be late and dark, but you know what. I have it decked out in twinkling lights and umbrellas covered in stars and I plan on asking her to marry me.
Here’s to hoping she says yes.
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To my wonderfully supportive husband Jeff, you can and will always make an erotic/romance author blush, well with me at least ;) I love you for corrupting me.
My mama for always telling me I can do anything I want, but we never expected this did we?! Haha Never thought I would be a writer. Thank you for encouraging me all these years.
My Best friends, Katie Potvin (Katie-Strophic) for letting me talk about the many voices in my head. Here is to many more bottles of wine! Randy Potvin, the master of my cover designs! You are getting better and better and I love watching you spaz out about the fonts I want, but can’t have. Just always remember: BEBAS! Mesha (Living Dread Girl), for doing the crazy cover shots and photo shoots, especially this one on a freezing cold pier at sun down.
Check out Randy’s work on his website RP Designs: www.rpotvindesigns.com and Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/rpotvindesigns
Stacy Nickelson, for a super editing job and always being there for me! You are a true friend and I cannot wait to work on the next book with you! Thank you for everything you do, you rock!
My real life Fancy, Christy Dilg I love you so much and more than you know! I am so proud of you! I can’t wait until we can see each other again.
Cassie Dilg, you killed my back cover for About Time! I am proud you! For as young as you are, you are full of talent. Keep it going, because you will go places with that camera and gift! Check out Cassie’s Photography: www.facebook.com/pages/Cassies-photography/587519968028366
Lacey (Lobotomy Lacey) my beautiful cousin (Yes even though it’s by marriage, I don’t care!) for helping me by researching certain places and distance information for me about North Carolina. I was inspired after you took me and the boys to Atlantic Beach when we visited this past summer. You are awesome and I love you!
Dawne Walters (Dawne of the Dead) I miss you so effing much and I will love you forever, even though you STILL have me waiting for Pick me…shit, the way you left me hanging after Wait for Me… I still love you!
My Beta’s:
Sara Fuller (Lola Punk), Elise Taylor, Lheanne Spicer, Katie Potvin, Tiffani Storck, Lisa Petty, Amber Longo, Lori smith, Shelly Small, Diane Donahue, Laura Barcenas and Leah Sampson.
Sunflower Dead, I first saw you guys live when you were on tour with Powerman 5000 and I was hooked as soon as Michael came up on stage in FX makeup and an accordion. Your song Starting Over Again, really sums up this book and it gives me chills. I am eager to get my hands on your next album and to see you on stage once again! Thank you!
Check out Sunflower Dead: www.sunflowerdead.com
If you know me then you know I am a caffeine addict! Tea or coffee for me! Check out Death Wish Coffee Co. for the world’s darkest coffee, they kick ass! http://deathwishcoffee.com
Keep reading for an exclusive first look at Christy Dilg’s new book coming in 2015
Two months earlier...
I am standing on the dance floor next to a dozen screaming girls near the front of the stage. My best friend, Atlanta Lane Reed is singing her new single “Flying” while the entire room is chanting the lyrics, word for word along with her. We have been best friends since we were five years old and our parents enrolled us at the local daycare. I will never forget when she strolled into the playroom with her chestnut brown hair, sectioned in pigtails dangling in front of her, and the way her glassy blue eyes peaked up at me as I handed her my yellow transformer action figure. Here we are sixteen years later and she still has no indication that I am insanely in love with her and have been ever since she stole my juice box all those years ago at lunchtime. She was a bully, but for the most part, she always had my back unless there was something she wanted from me. What she didn't know was that I would have given her anything she desired if it was in my reach. I, Archer “Dare” Andrews, would give her everything even now.
Atlanta began singing on stage at the age of eight at our school talent show and her parents took notice as well as the head of the chorus department. He immediately added her to part of the school choir and as a result, I joined the band so I could be near her. Drums were the only thing open that year, so I had no choice but to learn to play them if I wanted to be near her more. I followed through playing the drums until we graduated from high school, and no one ever knew how much I hated playing them. I spent my whole life doing something I loathed so I could be near her. I hoped that one day she would fall in love with me, or at least perceive me as more than her friend. All I needed was for her to look at me once without the friendship glasses on and fall head over heels for me. I have watched her go through boyfriend, after boyfriend and I even tried to find love somewhere else but no matter how hard I looked, it was her face that I saw when I closed my eyes at night.
I never had the nerve to tell her that I have tremendous overpowering emotions for her, and I feared that it would come between our remarkable friendship. My luck is so bad that I was scared once I poured out the words she would stop answering my phone calls and avoid me at all turns. A life as Atlanta Reed's friend is better than any life without her. The thought of never seeing her face again would be the death of me and I couldn't jeopardize it. Therefore, I will continue to portray the part of her best friend, so I can watch her laugh over the dumbest “Vine” videos and replay the same little kid video where he hits his dad in the face and takes over his “Vine.” I will make it my mission to be at every concert she performs and follow her around the country if that is what it takes to be close to her as I wait for her to notice me.
Once her show is over, we go back to her apartment so I can help her finish a song she is struggling with finishing. Her undersized, one bedroom apartment is on the third floor above her Uncle Damon's music store. His grandfather passed down the store to him, and they still carry old records that take up the entire second floor of the building. We take the back entrance that leads us up to her apartment, and once inside we climb into a secret passage that leads to the second floor through her closet. Atlanta and I sneak down there during after-hours and jam out to the old but timeless classics on vinyl. Here she finds the inspiration to pour her heart out on paper. The room permanently smells of incense and it instantaneously takes you back to the days where life was simple. Atlanta and I have grown up loving this place and we have both grew to appreciate the small things that most would take for granted. It also helps that we are both flat broke.
I can't tell you the countless hours we have devoted together working on music lyrics in this apartment. They are some of the best nights that I can remember and tonight I am sure will be another night I will never erase from my mind. Atlanta never entrusts anyone with her music until she is completely satisfied with every word except me, which makes me feel exceptional. Her band called “freaks” will help with the sheet music once she has completed the lyrics. She treats each one as if it was a delicate baby, carefully cradling them until they can walk on their own.
Her long wavy hair hangs down as she leans over me to reach for the notepad in my hand. “Hey, that's private.” She declares as she swats my hand and grips the side of the paper before pulling it away from me.
“Since when do you have private things that I can't see?” My tone a little sad but also curious.
“Since now. I'm writing this song for someone special and they can't see it.” She pauses and then continues, “You, okay, and it's not ready.”
I have to admit that I am slightly baffled and moved that she is composing words for me. For anyone that knows Atlanta, you know that if she writes about you, then it is special and not to be taken lightly. Her soul pours out in her music and that is something no one should overlook. I am feeling emotional right now and guy’s should not get
sensitive around anyone, especially a girl. They will either think you are a sissy, or they will expect it more and I am not sure which is worse. Okay so being a sissy has to be worse, but I don't get emotional at everything, so I would hate her to expect me to watch chick flicks as we cry together when the man finally does some heroic act of love. Yeah, that's just not going to happen.
I stare in her crystal blues eyes before I pull my gaze away from her, and play if off as if it is not a big deal that the song is for me, but it is. I don't want to give it away that I love her and I am secretly wishing the words were her way of expressing her abiding love for me. I know that it is a friendship song and that stops me from pushing to see it. The last dagger to my heart and possibly the goodbye to a future I have been hoping and waiting for. She has not ever looked at me in a romantic girlfriend way and her lips have never came close to grazing mine. I am just a lovesick fool, waiting for a fantasy, a dream that may never come true and let's get real; the time has passed for her to see me as more.
We spend the remainder of the evening playing record after record until we finally play the one that sparks the fire in our hearts, and moves the words from our minds making them dance. If you can't feel the music enough to get up and move to the beat, then you should keep listening until you do. Good music will speak to you, and when it does, you will dance. Our song of the night is “The Righteous Brothers, You've lost that lovin' feeling” from 1964. We jump up and dance around the room, dodging records that are dispersed all over the brown shag carpet. Her laughter fills the room, and my heart as we sway back and forth, and I twirl her around and around like a ballerina. Her smile mesmerizes my mind and captivates me, then for a moment, I think I see that gaze I have been searching for all these years. Is it so or have I fooled myself into thinking she might have taken the friendship glasses off?
About Time Page 28