by Amanda Wylde
Remi is standing next to the piano staring at me almost in awe. I stop playing and she immediately shakes her head. "No keep going. I had no idea you played."
I nod then play a little softer this time. "I'm rusty. I haven't played in a while. We had to sell my piano to help pay for the move here. But I'm getting me another one as soon as I'm out of the academy. It'll be my graduation gift to myself." I stop playing and lift my nose in the air. "Smells good. Isn't your dinner gonna get cold?"
Remi pouts but nods in agreement. "Yes and it's ready but you have to play for me when we're done eating."
I grab my glass of wine from on top of the piano and get up. "If I'd known how excited you'd be about me playing I would've played for you a lot sooner. Who plays in your house?"
"My sister," she says turning back to face me as we reach the table. "My dad bought that thing when I was a kid hoping I'd learn to play but the lessons were so boring I could hardly stand it. But when my sister was around five she started fiddling with it and he got her lessons. She actually liked it so now she's our piano player for parties and holidays. Only she's not nearly as good as you."
I sit down and stare at another beautifully plated dish only it's nothing like my mother and aunts heaping dishes of whatever Italian dish they prepare. There are three small rounds of some kind of meat with crusted edges layered across the plate, with some kind of purple mushy things over them. It has a purple sauce dripping off it and there's something that looks like brown rice only a little fatter on the side. "Looks delicious again. What is it?"
"Almond crusted pork loin with red wine raisins."
"Wow," I say and I'm flattered that she went through all this trouble for me. "Sounds fancy. What's the stuff on the side?"
"Farro," she explains but I still have no idea what it is and she laughs because clearly my expression says so. "It's a grain like rice only my mom says it's healthier so it's what we have most of in the pantry. You boil it in water to cook like pasta and rice."
I shake my head. "Yeah, my mom and aunt's pantry is stacked wall to wall with every pasta you can think of but I can guarantee you there is no farro."
She bites her bottom lip waiting for me to dig in. "It's like rice as long as it's seasoned right, makes a simple but good side dish."
Remi watches as I dig in and, oh man. For a moment there I was afraid of her watching me so closely. This kind of food has always looked boring as fuck to me. But the combinations of flavors in my mouth are amazing. I close my eyes as I chew then open them smiling big.
"I'm gonna be honest with you. I'm used to big fat heavy dishes like the ones my mom and aunt make. So I thought this might not be for me. But holy shit, the flavors. This is amazing." I lean over and kiss her. "Thank you, baby for going through all the trouble. This is really really good."
She looks so relieved I kiss her again and can't help laugh. "Come on, Remi. Were you seriously worried about me not liking it or having the nerve to complain? You could burn me a hotdog and I'd love it."
My beautiful girlfriend smiles so sweetly then exhales as if she really were nervous about it. I can't help myself. I scoot over and have to kiss her again.
We finish eating dinner as she explains about the first time she made it. How she basically ruined it and it's why she was nervous about it tonight. When we're done I help her clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher then she insists we get back to the piano.
"So you actually liked piano lessons," she asks as she takes a seat next to me on the piano bench.
"Nope. Never had them."
"What?" she turns to me as surprised as everyone always is when I tell them. "So how'd you learn to play?"
"Well," I say as I hit a few keys and start the intro of John Legends, All of Me. "My dad was a musician. Played in a few bands before I came along. I guess you can say I did have them because he taught me but it didn't feel like lessons. And it was fun for me. He called me a natural because I picked up on it so quickly."
Again she seems to be in awe and I could kick myself now for not doing this sooner. She says nothing but, continues to watch my fingers and sway her head. I play the chorus of the song until I get to that part and sing it. "'Cause all of me loves all of you," I smile because I knew she'd be even more surprised at my singing she gazes at me her eyes flooding suddenly. "And you give me all of you. Love your curves and all your edges. All your perfect imperfections."
I'd go on but her hands are on my face and her lips are on mine. I stop playing and wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her deeply. She straddles me as her kisses become even more passionate—hungrier.
"Make love to me," she whispers urgently against my lips. "Fuck me, Kris."
Instantly I start to move. Visions of sweeping her up over my shoulder and rushing to her bedroom are already assaulting me but she shakes her head.
"No," she stands pulling her skirt down her hips and off all together.
I stare at the lacy black panties and matching thigh high pantyhose as my cock tries to rip through my pants. She pulls her blouse off to reveal the matching black lacy bra.
"Fuck me right here on this bench," she says then starts undoing my pants as she kisses me again.
"Yes, ma'am," I say unable to wait for her to figure out my pants and undo them myself.
The moment I free my cock it pops out ready to go. "I want to sit on your cock Kris and ride while you play for me," she informs me as her beautiful bright eyes stare at it.
She starts to straddle me again. I go to pull the middle of her panties aside since she didn't take them off and feel her wet pussy on my fingers as I move the barely there string in the middle of her legs. "Oh baby," I say as I slip my fingers in her and she drops her head back.
As much as I'd love nothing more than to give Remi whatever her heart desires, I can't imagine being able to concentrate on anything but her. My fingers would much rather be on her. Remi's tight but she promptly loosens up as I fuck her a little faster with my fingers. She moans against my mouth when I use my thumb to play with her clit. I can hardly stand it anymore so I position her to do to her what she asked me to. My dick is begging to be inside her and she slides onto it easily. I try to take it slow but it's impossible especially because she spreads her legs even wider inviting me all the way in.
I groan in pleasure as she takes me all the way in. This time my head goes back but Remi hugs me pulling me to her so my mouth is back on hers as she bounces up and down on my dick. It's as fucking amazing as I always thought it'd be. I attempt to hit a few notes on the piano but give up as she rides me harder."You're pussy feels so good," she slows a bit then speeds up again.
"I can't believe I waited this long for this," she says bouncing even harder.
I move my hand down to play with her clit because I can feel it building fast and I don't want to finish before her. She starts to whimper and moan and I thank God because I feel ready to blow. Feeling her body tremble uncontrollably as she cries out has my dick exploding in her instantly.
I groan burying myself deep in her as we hold on to each other for dear life and both pant in pleasure. When we finally come down from the high of our first climax together I hate to ruin the moment but I have to ask.
"Not that it'd be a huge deal, not for me anyway, but that happened so fast and unexpectedly I wasn't wearing protection," I say resting my forehead against her. "Are you on birth control?"
She nods and I'm slightly relieved. Even though I meant what I said about it not being a big deal for me. I’ve already fallen hard for Remi. Finding out she's pregnant with my baby wouldn't be the end of the world. But I know enough about her already. She's just getting started with a career she worked so hard on. I don't want anything derailing her plans. Least of all be the one to blame for it.
We move to her bedroom where I can do what I'd intended on doing when this day finally came. I make love to her, not fuck her this time. Slowly, I take my sweet time, exploring every inch of her beautifully freckl
ed body. When I'm sure neither of us can go on again I hold her close to me. I'm trying to hold back saying too much but my heart needs to. The time feels right.
I play with her fingers as we both lie there staring at the ceiling. "You've made me a better person," I say and instantly I feel her go tense and I start to regret it until her fingers slip all the way into mine and she squeezes.
"You are a good person, Kris."
"But I'm better because of you," I say at the risk of making her uncomfortable again because I need her to hear this. "When I came to Atlanta with my mom I had no direction. No goals. All I knew was that I had to finish my tour then come back and take care of my mom and sister. Ever since I met you. Ever since we started corresponding when I was away, it gave me new perspective. I want to do better. Be better. For you. For our future. I'd do anything for you, Rem."
The emotion in her eyes alarms me. I'm not sure if it's good or bad. Have I said too much? Then she touches my face but says nothing. Just kisses me deeply until I'm sliding into her warm perfect body again and everything is perfect. Everything is just like I knew it would be when we finally became one.
I smile at a sweet younger version of Remi. "Hey Lana," I say as her sister walks into the house carrying her backpack.
"Hi, Kris", she says softly with a timid smile and I can't help wonder if this is what Remi looked like when she was sixteen.
They have the same red hair, same blue eyes and same sweet smile. Her parents walk in after her. Her mom walks in first, then her dad helping her grandpa.
Her dad eyes me suspiciously when I greet him and I know what he must be thinking. Did you spend the night with my daughter? I refrain from smirking at my fantasy answer to the unspoken question.
"Why yes. Yes, sir I did. I spent the entire night making love to her. She rode my morning wood when we woke, then I fucked her again on your kitchen counter while she attempted to make us breakfast and then again in the shower. Any other questions?"
Her dad didn't like me in the beginning and I know it's because of my last name. Apparently Travis was quite the troublemaking rebel and the neighborhood was glad to see him go when his mom sent him away. At least that's how my aunt tells it. I know my tats don't help either but I'll be a cop soon. How much safer will his daughter be than being around a guy trained to protect and take down bad guys? Even if I wasn't a cop I'd kick anyone's ass in a heartbeat who tried to mess with my Remi, especially now that I've claimed her in every way.
"How's the academy coming along?" her mom asks as she puts her bags down on the sofa.
"Great," I say as Remi slips her hand in mine. "Two more weeks and I'll be an official Fulton County Sheriff."
"Good for you," she says with a genuine smile then turns to her dad who's helping Remi's grandpa onto the recliner in front of the TV—his spot. "You see. I told you not all the De Luca boys were bad news."
I squeeze Remi's hand so she knows not to worry. I'm not taking this shit personal. This isn't the first time her parents have made comments about my cousin. I think it's funny actually.
"I never said they all were," her dad says to her then turns to me. "Just that Travis boy. That kid had bad news written all over him. I wouldn't be surprised if he's not in prison already."
"He's actually straightened out," I say but her father frowns not looking at all convinced. "He really has. His dad straightened him out and now he and his dad run a business together. It's doing real good too. He's even gonna be a family man soon."
I turn to Remi and do a double take when I see the strange troubled expression on her face. Her dad makes a comment about being surprised Travis hadn't knocked someone up sooner. I'm done trying to convince him. I really don't care. It was just my attempt to erase the stigma her parents seem to have about the De Luca boys. But I'm in now as her boyfriend so it really doesn't matter.
I say goodbye to them and Remi walks me out. Her twelve hour shift starts at six in the evening. After the night and morning we had I want her to get some sleep. I'm hoping I can see her again tomorrow afternoon once she's slept after her shift so I don't want her to be too tired she sleeps so long tomorrow I don't get to see her.
It's not until I pull her to me out by my car that I notice the strange demeanor again. "Something wrong?" she shakes her head a little too quickly and I stare at her. "What is it?" I think back to when I first noticed it. It was when we were talking about Travis. "This have anything to do with Travis?"
There's this almost panic in her eyes as she shakes her head again and my heart thuds. What the fuck? "You sure about that?"
She lets her shoulders fall and exhales loudly. "I just hate when my parents act so close minded about him in front of you. They should be mindful that he's your cousin and they might be insulting you just a little."
I wrap my arms around her relieved and feeling like an asshole for jumping to any other conclusions than this. "Don't worry about it, Rem. It doesn't bother me in the least. I think it's funny."
I smile at the fact that I can feel how rapidly her heart is beating now that I'm holding her this close. "The De Luca boys," she huffs against my shoulder. "I mean talk about making blanket statements. They hardly even knew Travis, much less you and his brothers now that I haven't even watched them in years."
I pull away to look at her face and chuckle then kiss her softly. "I don't care okay? They've accepted me in your life and that's all that matters. Don't let them get to you."
She finally smiles and I have to kiss her sexy lips again. "Go get some sleep. I don't want you too tired tonight. I wanna see you before I go back to the academy on Monday."
She nods with a small smile. "I miss you already."
I hug her tight again with a groan. "I miss you too."
Chapter 11
Remi
My heart thuds when I read the text from the unknown number.
Text: I see you, beautiful. You look as amazing as always.
Kris and I are at our pizza place again. It's been weeks since I last allowed myself to even think of Travis. I still haven't heard back from him in over a month since he ran back home to his pregnant girlfriend. But I did update his contact info with his new number on my phone so that I'd know if it's him when, but mostly if, he ever does try to contact me. Of course I couldn't bring myself to block him but I really didn't think I'd hear back from him again.
"What's wrong?" Kris asks.
I love and hate how Kris can read me so well. Just like when he questioned my change in mood the day he mentioned Travis would be a family man soon. Even after I thought I was so sure about moving things forward with Kris my reaction to anything Travis is still so pathetically obvious. Kris hasn't brought up his cousin since, and I dare not ask about him.
"Nothing," I say taking a sip of my beer.
"Who text you?" he asks but it's not a suspicious question, he genuinely seems concerned because I'm certain my face must've gone white.
I gulp wondering if I should just be honest because the truth is I really don't know who it is. I just fear whoever it is, might text again and confirm who they are. What if Travis got a new number again? How the hell am I supposed to explain his cousin's flirty text?
"I don't know," I say as casual as I can. "It's not any number I have on my contacts and it sounds like it's meant for someone else."
His brow rises. Now he looks suspicious. Damn. Why am I so incapable of having a normal reaction when it comes to Travis? "What's it say?"
The only thing that gives me hope that it's not Travis and that this is just a wrong number is that it's a local number. Not a Philly one like Travis's new one. I show it to him and pray it's not Travis or that he follows up with another text just as Kris's reading this one. As expected, Kris's expression goes hard and he glances up at me again.
"You sure you don't know who that is?"
I shake my head again. "No, idea."
Kris glances around the restaurant and I do too. My heart's racing and I wonder now if it'll always
be like this. The possibility that it is a text from Travis is what has my heart pounding this way. This is his cousin. I'm bound to see him again. Maybe even have to spend time with him if he's ever in town again and Kris insists. How in the world will I deal with that?
Minutes pass and there are no more follow up texts. After a half hour I'm convinced it was a wrong number. I notice Kris glance at my phone a few times but he doesn't mention it again. The subject changes to his living arrangements.
"I'm gonna hold off getting my own place for a little longer," he says and that surprises me because he's been adamant since he graduated from the academy that he wants to get his own place. "My aunts having trouble paying her part of the bills. Her job's really cutting down her hours so I'm gonna help her out. I'll help her pay her part until she can refinance her mortgage, then give her money to pay for the refinance and in turn she'll get my mom on the title since my mom doesn't wanna move again anyway. She likes living with her sister."
I wonder for a moment, if Travis is doing so well with his business, why is he not stepping up to help his mom. But I've vowed to avoid the subject of Travis especially when speaking to Kris who's begun to read me like a book.
Instead of asking I squeeze his hand and lean into him and kiss him. "That's so gracious of you, sweetie. I'm sure your aunt must be so relieved."
"She is," he says. "But it's not all selfless. I was thinking about my own future too." He pulls me closer to him. "Our future. When I first mentioned to my mom about getting my own place she debated about her and Riley moving out with me. What was I supposed to say? 'No I don't want you two moving with me?' I'm the man of the family now. She relies on me, so this sort of helps with that dilemma. Now that I'm setting her up and she's already said she doesn't want to move again, when I do move out, I don't have to worry about her moving out with me."