Shadows: A Love Ever After Series

by Amber Lacie

  "Eve, that was not funny or cute. Never, ever joke about being with someone else or leaving me."

  Looking into his eyes I see the hurt that I have put there. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I need you. You consume me too."

  "Is that so?" He tucks a strand of hair behind my ears and I softly nod my head, while chewing the inside of my cheek. I feel awful. "Lucky for you, I'm addicted. Sit up."

  My body automatically complies with his demands. I sit up, my legs resting against his sides. I can feel him hardening beneath me. My relaxed breaths turning ragged. My thoughts are all over the place wondering what he's going to do to me. I know it's going to be amazing, it always is.

  "First things first. Your panties, although they are incredibly sexy, must go." He pulls at the bows on my hips, gently undoing them. "Lift." I do as I'm told and lift my hips up.

  Sliding my panties out from underneath me, he tosses them to the floor. "Condom." I reach over and pull open the nightstand drawer. I grab one condom and close the drawer.

  Ripping it open with my teeth, I look directly into his eyes. They are swirling with approval. "Put it on me. Make sure to pinch the tip." Once again, I immediately do what I am told. I pinch the tip of the condom and roll it down his erection. I run my hands back over his thighs, slightly grazing him with my nails.

  "Like this?" My voice is a soft whisper. He answers me by lifting me by my waist and sliding me down his hard cock. I have never been so completely filled in my life. My breath escapes me. My nerves are electrified. I can feel every inch of him. I place my palms on his chest and slowly lift myself. Grinding back down, I clench my muscles around him.

  "Yes, just like that. Do it again."

  I do, but this time I slam back down on him, hard. I gasp. Every nerve ending is screaming out in pleasure. I won't be able to handle much more of this. Theron takes control and grasps onto my hips holding me in place. He drives his cock into me, pulling out slowly and crashing back into me repeatedly. I'm moaning and writhing on top of him. I'm on the brink of an orgasm and he knows it.

  "Are you ready?"

  I fervently nod my head. Once again he has made me speechless.

  SLAM!

  "Ahh!"

  SLAM!

  "Fuck. Theron!"

  "Scream my name, baby." He drives his hard cock into me, hitting every single nerve as I come undone above him. My climax is intense and unending. My legs are shaking as my muscles spasm around his cock. "Hold on, beautiful. I'm not done."

  I'm not sure that I can, but I don't have a choice. Theron's hand digs into my hips as he pounds into me. I feel his grip tighten and he comes, bellowing out inaudible words. He releases his grip and I crash onto his chest.

  We are both breathless and sweaty. I can't move and he doesn't. His fingers run softly up and down by back. I shiver. "Are you cold, baby?"

  I make no movement or sound in response to his question. Softly he rolls me to the side and grabs the duvet to cover us. Burying my head in his neck, I place a soft kiss on this throat. His arms wrap around me cocooning me in his grasp, and I don't plan on leaving it anytime soon. I drift off to sleep with a smile on my lips.

  I'm walking along the beach with Kayla. We must be around eleven years old or so. I can see Matt playing with some boy in the distance. The boy turns his head to me and smiles.

  I'm not sure why, but my stomach always seems to drop when I see his smile. I look at Kayla and she nudges me. She thinks it's funny that I have a crush on him. I can't help it. He's exciting, and we only see him at the beach.

  Kayla stops and grabs my shoulder. "Why do you think he always wears his sunglasses?"

  "I don't know. Maybe he's cooler than you." I go to shove Kayla, but she dodges me, and I almost fall into the waves. I’m able to stop myself and I fall backwards, but my feet still hit the water. Kayla is hysterically laughing as I try to stand, the waves lapping around my feet.

  "Here comes your knight in shining armor." I shoot her a dirty look. The boy with the sunglasses pulls me to my feet. I start brushing the sand off me, when someone calls for him. I think it's his dad. He's always in a suit, and he's always so angry.

  "Tomorrow," says the boy with the sunglasses. Blushing, I nod my head and smile at him.

  I wave goodbye as he runs back up the beach to the man waiting for him. I watch him walk away and suddenly I feel so lonely.

  There is an awful sound screeching in my ear. It takes me a moment to realize it's my alarm. I try to roll to shut it off, but someone's legs and arms have me trapped. I gently nudge his arm off my waist, and slide his legs to his side of the bed.

  Turning off my phone, I head to the kitchen. I am in desperate need of coffee, especially starting work so early. It doesn't take me long to finish the accounts I brought home. I close my laptop and head for the shower.

  My thoughts are an unorganized mess as I'm in the shower. I'm nervous about work. I hope I'm making the right decisions with Theron. The thought, which captures my attention the most is my dreams about the boy with the sunglasses. I have a feeling I know him, but I can't tell if they are memories or dreams.

  I finish my shower and get dressed for work. I'm distracted this morning. I'm finishing breakfast when Theron graces me with his presence. Wrapping me in his arms, he spins me around. I gently brush his arms off me. He's going to wrinkle me, and I want to look my best for work today.

  "What's gotten into you today?"

  "I woke up alone and I didn't like it. I came out here to find you."

  "You've found me, but I need to get to work. Did Paul bring my car by yesterday?"

  "Nope. He will tonight when Kayla and he come by for dinner."

  "What? You invited them to dinner? What am I cooking?"

  "Nothing. I'm going to make dinner, since you've decided to slave away at the office today. I will be holding you accountable for dessert though." He slides his arms around my waist, softly kissing my neck, just under my ear. I shiver. "Mmmm, I love the way you react to me."

  "So, do I, but I really need to get to work. My new boss doesn't seem like the forgiving type."

  "If you must, but remember I offered to let you stay here with me. We can have wild and crazy sex most of the day."

  I kiss him on his cheek. "Most of the day?"

  "We need to eat and I'm not a machine, woman. Now get your demanding butt to work." He smacks my ass and spins me around. I blow him a kiss as I walk out the door.

  God, I love this man. The thought slams into me. Love? Am I that consumed by him? I can't deny my attraction to him, the way my skin feels when he touches me, or the way he fills my thoughts. I need him. I do love him. I decide to keep it to myself. I am not ready to admit it to him yet.

  I roll my shoulders and start the car. Turning on the radio, I focus my thoughts on the words playing through the speakers.

  There are only three other cars in the parking lot when I pull in. I recognize Kayla's and Ben's. I'm not sure whom the other belongs to. I can only hope it's not Ms. Clarks. I barely make it to my desk before Kayla rushes over to me.

  "What the hell is going on?"

  "Shh. Kayla, you'll get us both fired." She sits on my desk and crosses her legs. Picking up one of my pencils, she taps it with her fingertips. She's obviously not going anywhere.

  "I'm gone for one week and everything has turned to shit. They sold the company? What's with our new boss?"

  "You mean the blonde bitch? She hates me. I have no idea what's going on with the company. We had a meeting yesterday, but they didn't talk about anything in detail. Ms. I have a rod up my ass Clarks, did inform us that there will be changes in staff though. She made it clear, she's not afraid to fire anyone, if necessary. Now get off my desk, before she sees you."

  "Okay, okay. Don't get your panties in a twist. Why didn't you tell me any of this?"

  I push her off my desk. "If you would respond to my texts you would have known. Now get out."

  I practically shove Kayla out of my
cubicle. I do not want to start off my day on Ms. Clark’s bad side. Logging into the program, I get straight to work.

  "Ahem. Eve, Ms. Clarks would like to see you now."

  Looking up from my computer screen, I find Ben standing with his arms crossed over his chest. He looks so smug in his fake suit. His sleeves look so tight I'm afraid the seams will rip open. One day he's going to resemble the Hulk, ripping through all his clothes. Too bad he doesn't look anything close to the Hulk, he's more like the Staypuff Marshmallow Man. I hope a pen explodes in his pocket later. Karma owes me one.

  I give Ben a snarky smile and head to Ms. Clarks’ office. I knock on the door.

  "Come in."

  Walking in, I notice she has wasted no time in making herself comfortable. I can't tell this office was ever Sharon's. She even rearranged the furniture.

  "Have a seat, Ms. Davidson."

  Yesterday I was Eve. Today I'm Ms. Davidson. I don't take this as a good sign. I sit down in the leather chair in front of her desk. Is this chair new?

  "Ms. Davidson, I can see that you are easily distracted."

  "What? No. I'm sorry I was just admiring what you have done with this space." I swallow and wipe my palms on my legs. I'm so nervous. How did she get this position? She must be close to my age. I wonder who she knows.

  "If this was an interior decorating business, I might be inclined to listen to your opinion. However, it's not. We are an accounting company. Your job is to simply input data for the accounts on your schedule. It's not difficult. It's not a hard job. Even Ben seems to be capable, and I doubt his capability at most day-to-day life functions. I noticed you finished your schedules from yesterday. I would like you to know, it's appreciated. Perhaps next time you will see to finish them in a timelier fashion, for instance, on their scheduled day."

  "Yes, I'm sorry." I'm seriously gnawing at my cheek. I might need plastic surgery after today.

  "That being said, I would like to start over with our business relationship. I can come off quite abrasively. Ben has informed me that you are quite the social butterfly around here. While Ben may have given me that information to cause you some trouble, please know I found his kiss up attitude more than unbearable. I would like to make friends here at this office and I think you are the right person to help me do so."

  I must look like a deer caught in the headlights. I'm completely frozen and have no clue how to respond. I thought she hated me, but she wants me to help her make friends. This seems like such an odd request.

  "It's alright. You don't have to be scared. Our business relationship would stay that way. It's just that I don't get out often, and being only twenty-eight, I would like more of a social life. Being an old maid with cats is not my cup of tea." She smiles sweetly at me, looking so sincere.

  "Um, Kayla and I normally get lunch together on Fridays. Would you want to join us today?"

  "That would be lovely. I normally take my lunch around noon. Would that work for you ladies?"

  "We normally take lunch at one, but I'm really hungry today. We could go earlier if you'd like, Ms. Clarks."

  "Great. Wonderful. Please inform Kayla of our plans. You may go. Oh, and Eve, please call me Bridgette."

  I push my chair back and turn to walk out of the office, trying my best to smile. That was so awkward. I head straight to Kayla's desk and plop down on it.

  "Hello? I'm working. Get your ass off my papers."

  "Ms. Clarks wants to have lunch with us." I spit it out quickly trying to rid my mouth of the awkward taste.

  "What are you talking about?"

  "Ben came up to me and told me Ms. Clarks wanted to see me. I head to her office thinking she's going to fire me, but I'm not even close to being right. She says she wants more of a social life and has decided I would be the right person for the job. I didn't know what to say. I mentioned how you and I get lunch on Fridays and now she's coming with us, except we are taking lunch at noon instead of one. Plus, she wants me to call her Bridgette." Twirling the ends of my hair, I stare right at Kayla. She better not back out on me.

  "Wait, she asked you? You are the least sociable person I know. I mean you live in books. Well, you did until you decided to live with Theron's dick." She grins at me.

  "Kayla! We are not discussing any of that right now. Our boss is coming to lunch with us, so you better behave!" I smack her shoulder.

  "So, his dick is the reason you moved in with him."

  "Oh, my God! On that note, I'm out."

  "Eve, the only way you can come out is if you're a lesbian. Is there something you're not telling me about Theron?" She yells at me as I flip her off and walk back to my cubicle. “Just so you know, I'd love you either way!"

  She's impossible. I'm now dreading lunch. I fiddle around on the computer for an hour or so. I made sure to finish all my work, but now I have nothing to do. I watch the clock as it slowly ticks away. Ten more minutes. Five more minutes. Three more minutes. I'm greeted by Kayla, standing by my desk.

  "You ready or what? Where are we eating?"

  "I don't know, maybe we should ask." I grab my purse and walk with Kayla to meet up with Ms. Clarks. We all agree on a café around the corner and decide to walk, since it’s close.

  The hostess seats us and the waiter promptly takes our orders. I'm enjoying a cold glass of lemonade. Nobody has spoken a word since the waiter left. I'm trying my best to avoid eye contact, but it doesn't work for long.

  "So, what do you ladies do for fun?" Bridgette is sitting across from Kayla and me. I thought the meeting with her was awkward earlier, but this is worse. Kayla is playing with her straw and looks at me as though I'm the only one Bridgette is talking to.

  "Nothing really. Kayla has a boyfriend and I like to curl up with books." I shrug my shoulders. Maybe if she thinks we are boring, we can drop this ‘let's pretend to be friends’ act.

  "Wonderful. How long have you been together?" Bridgette looks right at Kayla. I am now saved from any conversation. The waiter brings our meals and we have a lovely lunch. I get away with only saying one-word sentences since all the focus is on Kayla. I'm drinking my lemonade when I get a sharp pinch on my thigh.

  "I'm not the only one with a boyfriend. Isn't that right, Eve?"

  I give Kayla the look of death. It's like she is pushing me into oncoming traffic and waving at me from the sidewalk. I guess it's only fair since I did it to her. "Yeah, um, I have one too." I kick Kayla under the table. I hope it hurt.

  "That's right. I remember now. You were driving his rather expensive car the other day. What is it that he does?"

  I kick Kayla again and she pinches my leg under the table. Oh, it's on. "He works for a business merger company. It's not a large corporation yet, it's just in the beginning stages. It's nothing compared to the law office Paul works for. Didn't he just make partner, Kayla?" I smile sweetly at her and she eyes me down. Once again, the conversation is back on her, and I'm in the clear.

  We end up taking a longer lunch than normal, but Bridgette doesn't seem to mind. As we walk back into the office, Ben is waiting for us.

  "About time you two made it back. You're lucky Ms. Clarks is in a meeting, or I would have to let her know of your infractions." He makes a disgusted face as he looks up and down.

  I don't say a word as I move to the side and Bridgette comes in behind us. The look of shock on his face is priceless. I would sit through a hundred awkward lunches, if I were rewarded by this exact expression of his every time.

  "What infractions?" Bridgette has her hand on her hip and raises her eyebrow towards him. It's obvious she finds him irritating. I find immense pleasure in her scowl.

  "They obviously were late coming in from lunch. They have schedules to keep." He's so incredibly smug.

  "Ben, their schedules are of no concern to you. Their whereabouts do not concern you either. For your information, they were my lunch meeting. We were discussing matters concerning this office. Oddly enough, your name was mentioned, nothing good has come of it
thus far. I wouldn't push matters if I were you." Her voice is professional and firm. Ben is sweating, his fear obvious. "Ladies, thank you for your help with this office. I can tell you will be highly valued employees." She smiles at us and rolls her eyes at Ben as she walks away.

  "You heard her, Ben. Go screw off somewhere."

  "Kayla!" I grab her arm and pull her towards our cubicles. She needs a filter to stop every thought from coming out of her mouth. "Can you please, just for once, be nice?"

  "Why? He's a jerk. I know it, you know it, and it’s obvious Bridgette knows it. Perhaps a little blunt honesty might help him change his attitude." She sticks her tongue out at me, before taking a seat at her desk. She's so mature.

  The rest of the day races by. The company has installed in-office chat boxes on our program. Bridgette sent an email, detailing how they were to be used appropriately to the entire office.

  It was followed by another email sent only to Kayla and I, stating that ours are marked as management. Ours will not be monitored, but we are responsible for reporting any indecencies made by other employees. Kayla is enjoying this freedom, but I'm leery. I feel like a paid rat.

  At five o'clock, I pack up my belongings and head home. I could use some time with Theron.

  I absolutely love driving this car. It's so quick and handles like a dream. I'll have my car back tomorrow. This is the last time in the driver's seat, so I enjoy every bit of the drive home.

  I pull up into the drive and I notice a black Lexus parked in front of the main house. I hope it's not Theron's dad or someone else who will upset her. I felt so awful for her last night.

  As I step out of the car, I notice a man is walking to the Lexus while speaking with Theron. The man shakes Theron's hand and slides into his car. Theron waves at the man as he drives away.

  Theron must be lost in his thoughts. He doesn't notice me approach him, until I encircle my arms around his waist. "Who was that?" I kiss his back and he turns to look at me.