by Lena Nicole
“Trying my hand at baking,” she answers. She closes the oven and turns around and I can’t hold in my laughter. “What are you laughing at?” she asks as she puts her hands on her hips.
“You have flour everywhere. It’s even in your hair.” I look at Morgan’s hair that is never anything less than stellar and her black locks are covered in white. She wipes her hands on her forehead, smearing the flour that was already there down her cheek as she lets out a huff.
“Well, I have been a little frustrated lately and someone suggested baking. It’s supposed to relieve stress, but I don’t see how.” She grabs two bottles of water. “Come on, this kitchen is a disaster; let’s go sit on the couch.”
I follow Morgan to the couch and we both sit, kicking our legs up on the coffee table.
“So tell me all about your night with Colin,” she says, jumping right into it.
I take a sip of my water and place the bottle on the table.
“It was great,” I say as I feel excitement spread through my body and continue, “It wasn’t forced or expected. It just happened naturally like it used to. I can’t believe that when I couldn’t remember Colin and we kissed, I felt nothing, especially after last night. All the same emotions were there, but I don’t know how to describe it. The connection just felt different,” I say, touching my lips remembering his lips on mine.
“Different how?” Morgan asks, leaning forward clearly interested in everything I’m telling her.
“I’m not sure,” I answer honestly. “It’s like the old Colin was there with me but maybe he wasn’t there. Does that make any sense?”
“Not really. Did he at least give you an orgasm?” she asks with a devilish grin on her face.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes,” I say as I toss the throw pillow at her head.
“What’s not her business?” We both turn our heads and see Jeremy walking in the door.
“Don’t you ever knock?” Morgan asks while she is trying to wipe the flour off her pants. Oh yeah, she can deny it all she wants, but I can see she clearly cares what Jeremy thinks of her.
“No, why should I? You just stroll into my place like you own it.” Jeremy walks over to the fridge and takes a bottle of water out before sitting next to Morgan on the couch.
“Make yourself at home,” Morgan says sarcastically while glaring at Jeremy.
“Don’t you look so cute covered in white,” Jeremy says as he is about to wipe the flour off Morgan’s forehead.
Morgan grabs Jeremy by the wrist before he can touch her. “What are you doing?” she spits, still holding a firm grip on his wrist.
“I was going to wipe the flour off your face, but since you’re so hell bent on being a bitch to me all the time, you can do it yourself,” he says, pulling his wrist away from her. “I just came by to see if you wanted to do something. Colin is busy today and I’m bored. But it looks like you’re busy,” he says as he gets up.
I jump up off the couch, which earns me a confused look from Morgan and Jeremy. “I was just leaving. Morgan isn’t busy; she’s just trying her hand at baking. I’m going to run. I’ll leave you to it,” I say to Morgan as I grab my keys. I’m sure I’m going to hear about this later, but it will be worth it.
As I’m walking out the door, I see Jeremy put his mouth next to Morgan’s ear and hear him say, “You’re in luck. It turns out I’m an excellent baker.” And with that, I close the door and hope for the best.
THE SUN is out and the top is off my Wrangler. I’m taking Addison surfing and I can’t think of a better way to spend our day. My girl, the sun, the beach, and pure relaxation.
I set the boards in the sand and knock on her sliding glass door. As soon as she opens the door, I scoop her into my arms. She squeals until I place a kiss on her lips, setting the tone for the day. Fun, laughter and love. “Well, hello to you too,” she says with her hands still resting on my chest. The warmth I feel from her simple touch is enough to bring me to my knees. Trying to maintain control, I lean in and place a gentle kiss to her cheek.
“Hi, Beautiful. Are you ready to head out?” I nod my head over my shoulder toward the beach.
“Yep, just let me grab my sunglasses and towels.”
“Okay, I’ll wait out here for you. Would you mind putting my keys and phone on the counter in the kitchen for me?”
“Sure,” she says before walking back in the house.
I lean against the deck railing and look out into the surf. The water is perfect for surfing. I remember the first time we went surfing so clearly. It was probably one of the best dates I’d ever been on. We had just started seeing each other. She was reserved and cautious, afraid of adventure. We were new and I was determined to break her out of her shell. I wanted to teach her how to experience life.
Addison was a natural. Of course, I didn’t mind having to teach her how to pop up on the board correctly. It was sly on my part, touching her every chance I could, but I couldn’t help myself. And it didn’t escape my attention that she was very aware of every inch of my body that touched hers. I was almost a little disappointed when she got the hang of it and we had to head out to the water. I could have done that all day long.
Even though it was nice being able to touch her bare skin under the guise of instructing her, the best part was when she caught her first wave. I was so impressed and proud of her that I couldn’t stand it. My cheeks hurt from grinning from ear-to-ear as she made her way toward the beach on her surfboard. To go from being so hesitant and nervous, to being able to get the very first wave was remarkable and showed what a determined person she truly was. She was just hiding that determination behind trepidation. I vowed to pull her from her anxieties and fears from that point on.
“You look awfully deep in thought there,” Addison says behind me, bringing me back to the here and now. “What were you thinking about?”
“Just about the very first time we ever did this. Do you remember how nervous you were?”
“Oh, yes. I almost didn’t do it, but I’m so glad I did.” She walks away from me and goes down the steps toward the sand. I follow and pull both boards from the sand.
“I’m glad you did too,” I say when I catch up to her. “I was so proud of you that day. I don’t know if I ever told you that.”
“Thanks. I must have done so well because of all the hands-on teaching I got beforehand,” she says with a sexy grin. I’d like to kiss that look off of her right now.
“I’ll bet that’s why. Maybe we should do a quick refresher course before heading out. You know, just in case you’re a little rusty,” I say as I wiggle my eyebrows at her.
She starts laughing before saying, “I’m good, Charming. Let’s get out there.”
We spend the better part of the afternoon surfing. Actually, we spend most of it sitting on our boards in the water and talking, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m having such a good time just being with her that I don’t want this day to end.
After a while, we both decide to head in and find something to eat. We’re standing in the kitchen, drying off our bodies when she says, “You’re phone is flashing from a missed call. Here you go.” She extends her hand out to me with the phone in it.
“Thanks.” I’m about to grab it from her when it flashes again. We both look down at it just in time to see Samantha’s name flash across the screen. My eyes immediately shift to Addison’s and her face has gone void of any expression. Just great. Once again, Samantha ruins a perfect fucking day.
“How many times has she called?” she asks quietly, still not meeting my eyes, focusing instead on my phone in my hands.
“Um,” I say as I unlock the screen. Holy shit. “Too many,” I respond. My jaw clenches and my anger is starting to rise. I do not need this shit ruining my day with Addison.
“How many times, Pierce?” she asks again.
I scratch the back of my neck, knowing that she isn’t going to like my answer. “Thirty times.”
; Addison’s mouth falls open and her eyes spring to mine. “Thirty times! Are you serious? What could she need that’s so urgent that she’d call that much?”
“I honestly have no idea. Anyone who would need me for an emergency would never go through her to get to me. I think she’s just desperate for attention.”
“And you’re sure there’s nothing going on with the two of you? I’d rather you just be honest with me if there was.” Her eyes are searching mine, like she’s trying to detect any form of non-truth in what I’m telling her.
I pull her to me, my hand cupping her jaw. “I can promise you, Addison, that there is absolutely nothing going on with her. I swear to you that you are the only person I want to be with.” I’m not sure how many times I need to assure her that what I’m saying is the truth. If she doesn’t trust me, then our relationship has more issues than just her memory resurfacing.
She exhales and closes her eyes, “I believe you. It’s just a little odd that she’s constantly calling and texting you, that’s all.”
“I know, trust me. I’ve tried everything short of a restraining order to get her to leave me alone. I’m hoping if I ignore her, she’ll go away.”
She nods before leading us to the barstool in the kitchen. “Sit,” she says, “I’m going to whip us up something to eat.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” I say as I take a seat.
I sit and watch her as she moves around the kitchen, searching for something easy to make. Not finding anything in the pantry, she settles on some fruit from the fridge. She cuts up some strawberries, kiwi, and apples and sets them on a large plate for us to snack on. While looking at her, I think about all the times we’d help each other cook and how easily we moved around each other in the kitchen. The corners of my mouth lift up slightly at the thought and I know that I’ll have that with her again.
I take the plate from her hands when she finishes. “Why don’t we relax on the couch to eat this and watch some TV?” I ask.
“Sure.”
We both have a seat and she takes a strawberry and bites into it, sending a tiny drop of juice down her chin. I have the strongest urge to lick it off, but resist. She wipes it away with the back of her hand as she finishes chewing. I’m mesmerized by her mouth, unable to look away and find myself licking my own lips at the thought of tasting hers.
Not able to hold back another moment, I gently grab her chin and tilt her head in my direction. “Here, I think you missed a little.” I lean in and kiss her like I’ll never kiss her again. She tastes delicious, like strawberries and kiwi mixed with the most intoxicating taste of all, which is Addison.
She moans softly when I pull her bottom lip between my teeth and suck gently. Her hands go up around my neck and to my hair, tugging at the ends. I wrap my hands around her waist and pull her closer to me, needing to feel her up against me. Her kisses are becoming more frantic with a need that matches my own. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to stop if we continue on like this.
I pull away and rest my forehead against hers. “Addison…” I whisper, hoping she understands what I’m trying to tell her.
“Make love to me,” is her response. I thought she’d never ask. I want to take this at her pace and not pressure her into anything. I look into her eyes and see nothing but certainty and that cracks any remaining resolve I had left.
I scoop her up in my arms and hurry toward the bedroom. This is the first time we’ve been together this way since her memory came back. I want to go slow and cherish every single second of it, but she has other ideas apparently. I undress her slowly, revealing parts of her that I’ve only seen in my memories. She watches, intently, as I strip out of my board shorts, letting them fall to the floor. I want to go slow and relearn her body, but her movements are fast and hurried, like she’s afraid if we don’t get to it, we might never have the chance again. I can understand her frantic pace and go with it. We don’t make soft, sweet love like I had intended. Instead, we fuck passionately. Gripping the headboard behind her, I thrust into her forcefully, causing it to bang against the wall. She digs her nails into my hips, pulling me into her as we both moan and cry out like wild animals. We seek every ounce of pleasure from each other until the sun has completely disappeared from the sky and neither one of us is capable of moving.
We’re both breathing heavy, our skin slick with sweat. I look over at her and she has a satisfied look on her face. God, I love her.
“I love you, Beautiful.”
“I love you too, Charming.”
MY NIGHT with Pierce was pure perfection. I can’t pick a better word to describe it. The attention he gave my body, like he was savoring every part, was pure blissful torture. I know he was trying to take it slow, but I was craving his touch and once his lips and hands were on me, I wasn’t willing to wait any longer than I had to.
Surfing was great too. I never knew I could love something like surfing so much. I never would have known how fun it could be if Pierce had not pushed me to do it. It felt great to lie on our boards talking while the warm sun kissed our skin. I managed to catch a few good waves and Pierce showed off all his moves. I laughed so hard when he turned his attention to me and completely wiped out. He popped up from under the water and swam after me, playfully dunking me for laughing at him. When he pulled me up, we shared a long, passionate, salty kiss.
I wish I could say lunch was great, but it wasn’t. I can’t imagine why Samantha would need to call Pierce thirty times. That’s just a bit excessive. I don’t think Pierce lied to me when I asked him about her. He assured me this wasn’t his doing and it was all on her end. I trust him, but I definitely don’t trust her. I would be an idiot to trust her. She seems like one of those women who see something they want and will stop at nothing to get it, and that terrifies me.
It was easy to place those fears to the back of my mind once Pierce and I made love. Everything seems to go away when I’m with him and we are in our own little world. I’m glad things felt the same and there was no distance between us. At that moment, we needed each other like we needed air to breathe. It’s almost as if he can read my mind and knows exactly what my body needs and craves. He gives in to every one of my desires and brings about the most mind-blowing pleasure. Sometimes I wonder how I’m even going to walk the next day.
I feel a little guilty about sleeping with Pierce and Colin so soon after each other. The old me would never do that. But I’m no longer that person, and this situation I’m in has me doing things I’d never have considered under normal circumstances.
When Colin and I made love, it gave us a chance to reconnect intimately. I am more than grateful that we had that opportunity; I don’t think I’d be giving us a fair chance if we didn’t. We needed to explore each other physically and make sure that connection was still alive like before. I’m still unable to put my finger on exactly what is different, but I did notice that it wasn’t like before, and that has me doing a lot of thinking as to what that could mean.
I used to feel complete when Colin and I were intimate, like we were filling the missing void in each other. But now, something felt different. I’m not sure whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing. I almost felt cheated of the deeper connection I was so desperately seeking with him. Had we slept together when I didn’t remember him, I wouldn’t have noticed a difference, but I do remember him and how we were, and this time just didn’t measure up to those others. I should feel like I’m floating on cloud nine and happy that I am able to share those intense feelings with Colin again, but I don’t. I’m too distracted, trying to pin point what’s off. I don’t even know how he felt about it because we never discussed it. I’m not sure if I should bring it up to him either, since we are trying so hard to get things back the way they were. I guess I thought we would just pick up where we left off, but I’m starting to think we are going to have to start from scratch.
ADDISON CALLED the other day and asked me out, which was kind of funny and maybe slightly emasculating, bu
t I’ll take it. She wouldn’t tell me where we are going, so this should be interesting. It’s very unlike her to plan a surprise date like this, and it leaves me a little anxious to see what’s up her sleeve.
My doorbell rings and my excitement level spikes. I know Addison is behind the door. I take a deep breath before opening it. “Hey, Addy,” I say as I hug her tight.
“Hey, are you about ready?” she asks. I’m guessing that since she doesn’t want to come in, she’s in a hurry to get us to wherever we’re going.
“Yep, just let me grab my keys. Do you want me to drive?” I ask, as I pick up my keys.
“How are you going to drive when you don’t know where we’re going?” she says as we walk toward her car.
“You’re still not going to tell me what you have planned?”
“Nope,” she says. She shakes her head as we get into her car. This is different. I don’t like different. “But we need to get going or we’re going to be late.” She starts her car and throws it in reverse.
I sit and think about this tiny clue. If we don’t hurry, we’re going to be late. Maybe we’re going to the movies. Right now that’s the only thing I can think of that we usually did while dating that would require a specific time to be there. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see if I’m right.
We start talking about everything on the drive to wherever. Eventually, the topic shifts to work as it so often seems to do. I don’t know if it’s because we just don’t have much to talk about right now, like we’re trying to get to know each other again, or if it’s because she’s genuinely interested.
“Charlotte and I are just about finished prepping for this case we’re working on before it goes to trial. I was starting to get nervous because I didn’t know how we were going to win. The evidence is pretty damning, but Charlotte is a genius and I think she’s gonna win it for us.” A smile crosses my face as I think about the “ah ha” moment she had and how excited she was when she figured out the loophole that will guarantee us the win.