Here and Now

by Wasowski, Mary

  “Emily? How did you do this?” I asked as I took in my surroundings. The bare walls were now full of modern art. The black leather furniture is now gone and replaced with a sectional in lighter tones. Big floor pillows were around a huge center table covered with different shaped vases and art books. Bar stools were now at the breakfast bar and the countertop was decorated with red place settings. I was stunned and in awe of my sister. She was amazing.

  “So, you like it?”

  “More than like, I love it. Come here,” I opened my arms up wide to hug my sister. “You did great. Thank you so much.”

  “I’m happy you like it. I was happy to do it.”

  “So, I have to go to work. Mom’s back and I’m guessing she will be making an appearance today. Have you seen dad yet?”

  “Oh, yeah, I’ve seen him.”

  “Uh-oh, your tone suggests the reunion didn’t go so well. Do you want to talk about it? I can push back one of my appointments.”

  “No, don’t do that. I can handle dad. I just need to take some time to think a few things through and then I’ll go back later.”

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “There’s something different about you, I just don’t know what it is yet but give me time, I’ll figure it out.”

  “I’m the same guy I’ve always been.”

  “No, you’re not. You have this confidence in you that you didn’t have before and it looks amazing on you big bro. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Good. I want you to remember those words because here is the final bill. Don’t look at it until I’m gone.”

  “You are worth every penny.”

  “Okay, keep on saying that. Love you.” she stood on her tippy toes to smack a kiss to my cheek and then sprinted for the door. My sister has the ability to make a cloudy day look like sunshine. Sometimes I envy her. She is so carefree with this incredible zest for life. It’s no wonder why she is so good at what she does and has found the perfect partner in Gus. Damn, I want that too. I want to be able to share my life with someone special.

  I know I was the one who always put off the idea of something permanent with someone else. How many times would my mom try to fix me up on a stupid blind date that I knew would go nowhere but I did it to make her happy? Sure, I slept with a lot of girls back in college, but that’s all it was. Strings of just girls looking for a good time and that would be it. I was too focused on getting my degree and working for my dad. I didn’t want anything more because that would come later, and now it’s here. I want Alex, and I pray to god she still wants me too.

  Dad: You’ve had enough time cooling off. Come back to the office. Now.

  Shit! “Sorry, dad but you are the last person I want to see right now.” I grabbed my keys and headed for the one person I did need.

  I sent Alex a text telling her that I was at the Promenade, and if she could come down to meet me that would be great. It didn’t take long for her to answer me back telling me that I had perfect timing and she was on her way.

  I chose a table away from peering eyes and waited for Alex to show. Fifteen minutes later, the beauty walked in and joined me but not before greeting me with a kiss. I savored it and wanted more but out in the open wasn’t an option at the moment.

  “Hey, thanks for meeting me.”

  “Thanks for calling. How’s your day going?”

  “I’m in hell.” I dropped my head and reached for her hands.

  “Rogan, what does that mean?”

  “My father is home and he’s not too happy with me right now. He kicked me off the project.”

  “This is my fault. I’m so sorry, Rogan.”

  “No, it’s not your fault, and it’s not mine either.”

  “I thought he was in London?”

  “Yeah, I thought so too but he was already home and checking up on me.”

  “That’s kind of a dick move.”

  “I’m not disagreeing with you but that’s dad. Don’t get me wrong, he’s fucking fantastic on a good day but that’s not today. Today, he’s angry and wants someone’s ass for making things difficult for our company and because I was in charge, it’s my responsibility.”

  “No, that’s bullshit and you know it. This is because of me and the deception that I created. I have to come clean to my superiors and make this right before it’s too late. I can’t sit on this and the longer I wait, the worse it’s going to get for me. If I’m lucky, I may still have a career after all is said and done. If not, I guess I deserve what I get.”

  With her hands in mine, I pulled her close to me and on my lap not giving a shit who was looking. I wanted to hold onto her and keep her with me. I touched her face bringing her lips to mine. She tasted like fresh strawberries.

  “I want to keep kissing you but it can’t be here. Please come home with me.” I felt her body tremble just by my touch alone. Her arousal was even stronger. It was like smelling blood in the water and I was ready to feast at any moment.

  “Sir,” I heard someone say. He cleared his throat and tried getting our attention again but my entire focus was on Alex. “Excuse me, sir, but I’ve taken the liberty of boxing up your order,” he hesitates, “to go.” We both laugh but we just don’t care. She gets up off my lap and carefully fixes her skirt. I grab the to-go bags and fold two-hundred-dollar bills in the waiter’s hand.

  “Thanks, man,” I say and then lead Alex away from the restaurant and straight to my car. “I can have someone pick up your car but for now, you’re coming home with me.”

  “And where’s home exactly?” she asked.

  “The same building you were in last night but a few floors lower.”

  “Lower? Really now. And just how low exactly?”

  I chuckle. “As low as you want baby,” I say before I kiss her hard, raging war with her mouth. “I actually prefer southern regions the best.”

  “Welcome to my home. Please, make yourself comfortable. I kept my hand on the small of her back as I led her inside.

  “Wow, your place is gorgeous,” she said as she walked further inside and looked all around the wide-open space.

  “Thank you, I’m happy it pleases you,” I say smirking a bit watching Alex take in all the new additions Emily arranged in here. It felt right having Alex here with me. I stepped closer and pulled her into my arms. “All of this,” I gesture around the room, “is thanks to Emily. I wish I could take the credit but I don’t know anything about interior design. It needed a woman’s touch and now it feels like a real home.” Her eyes changed and all I saw now was jealousy, like the green-eyed monster. Oh, this was fun. She suddenly looked nervous and unsure if she was invading on someone else’s turf.

  “Um, is Emily someone important to you?”

  “Yes, very much so. I love her very much.”

  “Oh, I see. Maybe I should go?”

  “And why would you do that? Have I said something wrong?”

  “Look, I’ve messed up your life enough for one day, I’m not about to be the other woman in a relationship that obviously means something to you. I just wish you would have told me from the start. It would have saved us both a lot of time and trouble.” She began to leave when I pulled her back into my arms and easily lifting her off the ground and into my arms.

  “What are you doing?” she asked in a huff. I couldn’t stop laughing, she is downright fucking precious.

  “Stop laughing! What is it with you?”

  “Sorry, baby, you bring it out in me.”

  “Do you call Emily baby too?” she smirked with all the fight leaving her.

  “Only when she’s being annoying. But then again, if I even caused my ‘baby’ sister to shed one little tear, my father would have kicked my ass.”

  “Oh, my god! I am so embarrassed. I feel stupid,” she buried her face in my chest but I made her look at me.

  “No, you’re beautiful, Alex, and I want you so much.”

  “Rogan, you don’t ha
ve to say that.”

  “What? That you’re beautiful? Yeah, I do. I don’t care about the reasons that brought you into my life, I just care that you’re in it and I want you to stay.”

  “Um, am I getting heavy?”

  “Not a chance,” I laughed and placed her down on my new couch that I have yet to sit on. “Alex, my parents have been in love with one another since they were sixteen and eighteen years old. When my dad came home from his last tour of duty, he was honorably discharged and free to marry my mom. He did as soon as they could and built an amazing life together. This year they had one moment where that life was interrupted and questioned. In that time, my sister and I were devastated because our parents could do no wrong. We always believed they were perfect, at least in our eyes.”

  “No one is perfect,” she says caressing my face.

  “Yeah, I know that now. Here’s another thing I know. They are stronger than ever because even with that small pause in their relationship, it only proved how much they love each other and are completely devoted to the other. Alex, meeting you has made me want that too. I can’t explain it nor understand it. I just know I have all these feelings that are new and I have never felt before until meeting you.”

  “And what about your father? You already told me how angry he is? How will he ever accept me as the person you care about?”

  “No, you’re wrong. I just don’t care, Alex, I love you.”

  She got up from the couch and far away from my reach. “You don’t love me, Rogan, you can’t.”

  “Why? Because you say so?”

  “No, it’s a fact. We come from two very different backgrounds. We might as well be on opposite planets. My father was a low-ranking federal employee that worked his entire life. He didn’t go for the big promotions and tried his best to follow the rules. He raised me as a single dad, and he was amazing at it too. I loved him very much and miss him every single day. When he told me what they were doing to him, I accused him of being weak. I hurt him more on that day than any one of those assholes ever could.”

  “You made a mistake, it happens.”

  “And what about the rest? I allowed myself to be blackmailed by another rich asshole who believed he could do anything he wanted and get away with it.” I was now up on my feet and standing in front of her.

  “Let me ask you a question. Is that what you see me as? Another rich asshole? Because I’m not like Winston Lockhart, and far from the bullies that hurt your father. My father raised me up to be a man. To stand as a man and be proud of who I am and where I come from. Please don’t judge me because of all of this.” I pointed to my apartment and all of its new things.

  “Look at me, Alex,” I turned her around by her shoulders. “I am so much more than this apartment. I’m just a man, a good man who believes he has found his soulmate. The one person he wants to share his life with. The one who one day will surprise with a wedding proposal that will blow her mind, probably make her cry, but then when she says yes to him, she will make him the happiest man in the world.”

  “I love you, Alex Depry, and I’ll say it again. I don’t care how we were brought together. The only thing I care about is that we are here now and it’s where I want to be.” I released her arms and just waited for any sign that she felt the same for me. Her shoulders began to shake, and she began to cry silently. It hurt my heart to see it, so I took my thumbs and wiped away her tears. More fell and I wiped them away too.

  “You know something,” she said.

  “What?” I asked as I stepped closer to her proximity.

  “You are some kind of wonderful. You know that right?” she continued to cry.

  “No, I didn’t know that but thank you for telling me. What else are you telling me?”

  “I love you too. I know this is fast and maybe a little crazy reckless, but I don’t care. Let’s be together.” I rushed her and lifted her in my arms taking her mouth.

  “Dinner could wait. I want dessert.”

  How did I get so lucky to have found her? I thought as I continued to watch the only person who managed to find a place in my heart. The living breathing organ inside my chest that beats a little faster every time she’s near. You can’t get any closer to where she is right now. She’s in my bed and in a perfect world that’s where I want to keep her.

  She stirred a little and contently sighs as her lips curve into a smile. That right there is what I’m talking about. She doesn’t even know it but she’s making me so incredibly happy just by dreaming. I wish I could look inside of her mind and see what she sees. It has to be pretty awesome to make her look that beautiful even in sleep.

  “Hey, how long have you been up? Or shall I say staring at me?” she says and then gives her body a long stretch causing the sheet to shift just enough to expose her breasts. What a sight.

  “Not too long, how are you?”

  “Thanks to you, I’m pretty good.”

  “Well, I aim to please.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about that part. You certainly pleased me and more than a few times. I stopped counting after the fifth orgasm.”

  “Stop, you’re making me blush, and you are so good for my ego.”

  “Okay, you sucked.”

  “Now you’re going to get it!” I pounced and pulled her on top of my body so she could straddle me. My hands caressed her naked body as she seated herself on my cock. “Fuck me, you feel amazing.”

  All sexy with panted breaths she said, “I am fucking you. Oh, Rogan, I’m going to come,” she shouts.

  I gripped her hips hard and held her to slow her pace but Alex had other ideas. She was riding the waves to her release and it was going to be explosive. “Holy shit! Rogan! Throwing her head back and crying out my name was all I needed to fucking explode deep inside of her. It was in spectacular fashion. Her hair was a tangled mess. When she leaned her head back, her long hair grazed over my knees.

  “You are so fucking sexy,” I rasp.

  She leans forward to kiss me as I take her mouth and hold it hostage. My dick began to harden again as she already began to move. I flipped her to her back and thrust as deep as I could to make her feel every inch of my hard cock. Her nails clawed my back as we became one. It didn’t take long for us to come gloriously with each other. Our sweat soaked bodies and the heady smell of sex that filled the air as we both came down from our high.

  I couldn’t move nor did I want to. We stayed connected for as long as we could until I pulled out from her body with my cum beginning to seep out of her. Fuck! I didn’t wear a condom. How the hell could I be so irresponsible and not take care of her? It’s not like she stopped me so I could put one on. This is not good, unless she’s on birth control then I don’t have to worry about any babies arriving in nine months. Would that be so terrible? I can’t begin to think about this right now. She’s so fucking gorgeous laying underneath me as my cum continues to trickle out from her body and down her thighs.

  “You’re staring again, stop it.”

  “I can’t help it. You are easy to look at.”

  “Now it’s my turn to blush. Your flattery astounds me and as much as I would love to keep hearing it, can we shower? Oh, and feed me too since you had your dessert first.”

  I carried her into the shower and was the perfect lover washing her from head to toe and finishing off with rinsing all the shampoo from her hair. By the time we finished, we were both so spent but very well sated.

  “Hmmm, this is good even re-heated. Do you have secret powers or something?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “Penne Ala Vodka is my favorite Italian dish. I order it all the time.”

  “Good to know, I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “Rogan, I don’t want to be the buzzkill in the room but sooner than later we are going to have to talk about your father. Take it from someone who has lost both of her parents and would do anything for just one more moment with them. It wouldn’t matter on any scale. A minute. An hour. A day. If I had
any of that it would mean the world to me but it’s just a dream in my story, it doesn’t have to be in yours. Please, Rogan, I will not complicate your relationship with your father.”

  “Stop this right now, I know what you’re doing and it’s not going to work.”

  “Oh, yeah? What exactly am I doing other than trying to make you see reason here?”

  “I think you are looking for a way to run and I’m trying to understand why that is. Did you not mean what you said to me?”

  “What part? We said a lot to each other.”

  “The part where you love me. Don’t fuck with my head, Alex, I can’t take it. I’m in this too deep already.”

  “Are you always this dramatic? I would never say those three words so easily like I’m ordering a sandwich. And the only man I have ever voiced the words ‘I love you’ was to my father, and now today, it was to you. Please don’t think I regret them or running like a scared little girl afraid of her own feelings. I was trying to protect you and your relationship with your family.”

  She looked remorseful which made me feel worse. I pulled her close and into my arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

  “Hurt? No, bruised a little? Maybe.”

  “I’m sorry. I love you.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered. “I have to go. My inbox is full of messages on account of my no-show back to the office today.”

  “Stay, I want you here. It’s five o’clock somewhere and here in Georgia my clock says almost midnight.”

  “I don’t have any clothes here.”

  “I can call my personal shopper and have everything you need to be delivered in an hour. Next.”

  “Why bother. You have an answer and a solution for everything.”

  “I try. Let’s go to bed.”

  “To sleep?” she questions with amusement.

  “Eventually,” I say and lead her back to my bedroom.