It's love

by K. C. Harper

  This was going to be harder than I thought, he wasn’t getting the point. “Just leave the bags, we can throw them out tomorrow.” He looked up at me raising an eyebrow.

  “Are you in a hurry to get to bed for any particular reason?”

  My nerves took over now and I tried my best to keep it together.

  “Me? No. I’m just tired. What reason would I have to want to get in bed so quickly?”

  He was walking around the counter looking right at me. “I don’t know, you tell me?” He was on to me, I knew it. “I think you have a reason and just don’t want to tell me.” I tried to play it off like I was tired.

  “I’m tired, that’s all.” He pushed a strand of hair out of my eyes and pulled my chin up with his finger looking into my eyes. “You’re tired, huh?”

  “Very tired, actually.”

  He reached up and put his hand on my cheek and ran this thumb over my bottom lip. “Well then, by all means, I wouldn’t want to keep you awake if you are so tired, let’s go to bed.” He was pulling me down the hall holding my hand and looking over his shoulder grinning back at me. He finally let go of my hand when we were in the room. He kicked the door closed and pulled off his shirt. He tossed it to the chair next to the bed, putting his keys and wallet on the night table. As he was taking off his shoes and unbuttoning his pants he kept watching me.

  “Are you going to get ready for bed or are you going to sleep in that dress?”

  “Maybe you should help me. I don’t want to hurt myself trying to take it off. I can’t reach the zipper.” He stopped midway taking his pants off and pulled them back up.

  “I’ll help you.” Leaving his pants unbuttoned, as he made his way over to my side of the bed. He pushed my hair out of the way, sliding his hand to the back of my neck to find the zipper. He was close enough that I could tilt my head and my lips would be touching his. My heart was beating faster. I couldn’t even feel the pain in my side. With one hand he slid down the zipper, with the other he started to slide the dress off my arm. I moved back a little giving him room to see what was under the dress. His eyes roamed down my face, and slowly down my body as the dress fell to the floor. His eyes opened a little wider, like he couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing.

  “Have you been wearing that under your dress all day?” his voice was low, almost a whisper.

  I shook my head going for an innocent look. “No, just since the mall”

  He took a step back to get a better view. “Wow, you look… wow... I can hardly breathe right now, just looking at you.” The desire in his eyes was like a roaring flame, his gaze heating me as he took in the sight of me in the pink slip.

  “Do you like it?”

  He nodded while looking down at my body taking in every inch of pink satin. “Like it? No. I love it.” His hands were reaching for me, grasping my hips, pulling me toward him. “We don’t have to do this, you know that, right?” he said, as he pulled me closer.

  “TJ, I wouldn’t have bought this if I didn’t want to do this. Besides, you haven’t seen everything.”

  He took a step back and a deep breath. “There is more?”

  I nodded as he turned his head to the side looking up at me. “I want to see it.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching for me, pulling me to him with his hands on my hips. I was standing in between his legs looking down at him. His hands moved up my thighs, heating my skin as he looked up at me. “You are so beautiful Danielle.” His hands found their way up my thighs, skimming over the satin fabric of my slip. “So where is the other surprise? I don’t think anything gets better than this.” His eyes were hot and melting me with each gaze. There was nothing sexier than TJ wanting me.

  “Close your eyes,” I whispered.

  He looked at me raising an eyebrow. “Ok.”

  I slipped the straps down my arm, letting the slip fall down to the floor.

  “Can I open my eyes now?” I could hear the excitement in his voice. He was like a kid on Christmas ready to un-wrap the biggest box under the tree. I waited a second before answering him. I stood in front of him wearing nothing but a lace sheer pink thong.

  “Ok, you can open them now.”

  He cracked one eye open, peeking, trying to prepare himself for what he was going to see. His breathing hitched. His eyes were open now. Leaning back, he really got a good look at me. “Wow! This is way better than the first surprise. I don’t even have words for how you look right now.”

  “Is that good or bad?”

  “Oh, it’s good. Very good.” His hands slid up my thighs and around the back of my legs making their way up, sending shivers all over my body. He was laughing as he looked at my thong.

  This was a bad idea I knew it. “What is so funny?” I stepped back looking down at him because he obviously thought something was funny. “I look ridiculous don’t I?”

  “No. I promise, you don’t look ridiculous, you look amazing. Just don’t take this the wrong way, you standing here in front me in only that.” He pointed at my thong. “This would really be a kick in the ass for Jackson if he knew I was here with you like this and he was getting no part of it.”

  I looked down at him twisting my mouth at him and couldn’t believe we were discussing Jackson. “So, this is like the nerd gets the girl and revenge on the high school jock?”

  “I wouldn’t use the word nerd, but yeah, and I have to say this really is sweet revenge.” He pulled me down on him making me fall onto his lap. I could tell by the grin on his face that he was enjoying this even more knowing how jealous Jackson would be.

  “I think we should give Jackson something to think about then,” I said as I pushed him down onto the mattress sliding my hands down his chest and stomach.

  “I might hurt you. We should wait a few more days.”

  I looked down at him. I was straddling him now, resting my hands on his stomach. “Are you hearing the words you are saying to me right now?”

  “Trust me, if you weren’t in pain right now I wouldn’t be thinking twice about having my way with you.”

  I had to do something to make him change his mind, I didn’t go to all of this trouble for nothing. “Stop thinking and get naked, before I hurt you.”

  He shook his head, struggling with his thoughts for a second longer.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you, Danielle.”

  “I know a certain something you can do with me,” I said, making sure to emphasize on the word something.

  He sat up quickly, pushing me back a little. “I don’t know what I did to get so lucky, because right now I am the luckiest man in the world.” He was kissing me and I knew there was no place I would rather be.

  “Danielle...” he said my name in a rough whisper. “I don’t want to hurt you, let me get up so I can take off my pants.”

  I moved off of his lap and sat in the middle of the bed watching him. His body was perfection. He was drop dead sexy and if it wasn’t for the pain in my side, I would have jumped right off this bed and onto him. Moving slowly toward the bed, his eyes were locked on mine. He climbed onto the bed reaching for me, cupping the nape of my neck and slowly leaned in. I moved closer to him, meeting him halfway as his lips brushed mine. He slowly eased me back onto the bed, sliding his body almost on top of me. He moved his hand from my neck so he could support his weight with both hands as he held himself up over me. His eyes were searching mine, looking for an answer to an unspoken question. My hands were on their own personal journey up his abs, to his chest. His skin was hot I could feel the beat of his heart. He held himself still, trying not to move so he wouldn’t hurt me. I needed him, and I didn’t care about the pain anymore. All that mattered was him and having his lips on mine. I leaned up, pressing my lips against his. He let out a rough groan.

  “This has to be slow, I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, never taking his lips away from mine. His tongue was tracing the curves of my lips, he gently bit down on my lower lip. His fingers were tracing the li
nes of my ribs, over the bruise. I could feel the heat of his hands all over my body, sending tingles everywhere.

  When I was with him, everything else disappeared. I could feel his body tremble over me as I ran my hands up his back feeling every hard muscle and his warm flesh. I needed to feel him inside of me. “TJ...” My voice was a low murmur.

  He was kissing my neck, taking his time. “Tell me what you want.”

  His mouth was on my neck and I could feel his breath, it was scorching hot.

  “I want you.”

  He gently bit the side of my neck and kissed the same spot. ”You still haven’t told me what you want Danielle.” His lips found their way down every curve of my neck.

  I wanted every part of him, but deep down I knew I really wanted his heart and his love, forever. His fingers trailed down my stomach, sliding inside of my thong as he slipped his fingers between my thighs.

  “Danielle, you’re so wet. I can’t wait to be inside of you.” He got up on his knees, hooking his fingers into the sides of my thong and slid them down my legs. “These really do look good on you, but they’re in my way. I want to see all of you.”

  I tried to close my knees together, but he put both of his hands on my knees and pushed them apart.

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “I want you inside of me.”

  He was kissing me and slowly rolling to his back, taking me with him. “Like this, I won’t hurt you.” He lifted me a little, slowly moving me down until he slid inside of me. He let his hands rest on my hips as his eyes took in every inch of my body. “Go slow, take your time. We don’t have to rush.” He pushed me down on him, pushing himself deeper as I moaned.

  “You feel so good Danielle.”

  I started to move a little more now, inside wanted to feel him deeper. With every thrust I could feel another wave of pleasure coming. Taking this slow wasn’t going to work much longer. I moved my hips faster now, but he grabbed them, slowing me down.

  “I don’t want it slow, TJ.”

  He was over me again, holding himself up with his hands, and kissing me. He pulled out of me and slowly pushed back in sending a tingle down my spine.

  “More, TJ, please.” He positioned himself better, making sure he wasn’t putting any weight on me and thrust in again. Moving faster now, but still taking his time. He broke apart from the kiss and looked into my eyes. He didn’t say anything, he just kept his eyes locked on mine, with each thrust and I felt a shock that went straight to my soul.

  “I want you so much TJ.”

  He was breathing in short, quick breaths as he continued moving in and out, never taking his eyes off of mine. “You already have me, you always have.”

  I felt my chest tighten with his next thrust I was falling over the edge and it went on and on and on. He collapsed, rolling off of trying to catch his breath. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  I shook my head, I was still trying to get my breathing under control. My body was still feeling little shivers of pleasure. I couldn’t even move if I wanted to. He turned on his side, pulling me to him. My back was against his chest. He put his arm on my hip, resting his hand on my thigh, he put his face in my hair and took a deep breath.

  “Everything about you gets to me. Your smile, your lips, the way your hair smells like flowers and the way you look at me when I’m inside of you.” He pulled me closer. “You look at me like nothing else matters Danielle. The world could be falling apart and I wouldn’t care, it’s only you and me.” He was right, that was exactly how I felt. I could stay like this, in his arms, forever. He kissed my cheek and we drifted off into a blissful sleep.

  Seventeen

  The next few days I tried apartment hunting. I spent as much time with TJ as I could when he wasn't busy with work. We were going to have dinner with my mom. I wanted to spend some time with her before I went back to work on Monday.

  "You look amazing," TJ was standing behind me with his arms wrapped around my waist, watching me as I finished putting on my lip gloss. "Can I have a taste of that?" he said.

  I looked up at him through the mirror grinning at him "I never figured you for a guy who likes to wear lip gloss, but sure here you go." I handed him the lip gloss over my shoulder.

  He spun me around, turning me to face him. "Funny little thing, aren’t you? I don’t want the lip gloss, I want to taste your lips."

  He was kissing me and getting the taste he wanted. "Just as I thought it would be, delicious as always," He ran his tongue over my bottom lip before sucking it gently into his mouth, biting softly with his teeth. He was smiling, and had a smudge of lip gloss on his lip.

  I couldn't help but laugh. He still looked sexy. "You have a little something right here," I ran my finger over his lower lip wiping off the lip gloss as he bit down on my finger gently and let it go. He shook his head, laughing as I wiped all of it off.

  ***

  I enjoyed dinner with my mom and spending time with her at home. We talked about the apartments I was considering. TJ excused himself to make a phone call, she wanted to know how things had been going with him.

  “You look very happy, Danni. I think TJ brings out the best in you.”

  She was right. He made me happy.

  “He is sweet, mom.”

  She was happy for both of us. She thought TJ would make a good husband and father. “Mom, we haven’t even talked about where our relationship is going. I spend most of my time with him, but he hasn’t mentioned making this more.” I wanted more. I knew it deep down that he was the love of my life, but I didn’t want to pressure him into something he may not be feeling.

  ”What is it that you need him to say? He has been staying at your place. And I know you’re both adults, so I assume you two are intimate together.”

  Having to talk to my mom about sex with TJ was like having a root canal. “It’s complicated, mom, I don’t know. He hasn’t said I was his girlfriend or anything.”

  She looked out the window to where he was standing and talking on the phone. “I don’t think it will be long, Honey, he seems to really be smitten by you.”

  I laughed at the word ‘smitten’. “Mom, who uses the word ‘smitten’ anymore?”

  She was still looking out the window, watching TJ. “I’m an old country girl, Danni and a romantic at heart. Whatever word you want to use is fine, but I can tell that boy is in love with you.”

  I looked out the window and watched him as he walked back inside and smiled. I loved him too.

  ***

  We drove back to my apartment from my mom’s house. He obviously had something on his mind and wanted to tell me about it because he kept shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “Danielle, I want to ask you something, but I want you to keep an open mind about it.”

  I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. “Ok, what is it.”

  He moved his hand from my thigh, taking my hand and locking our fingers together. “I know that we have been spending a lot of time together the past few weeks and I’ve been staying at your place.” He was nervous I could sense it in his voice. “I have to get back to my apartment soon. I’ve decided to sell my dad’s house. I need to spend more time at work. I haven’t been at the office for a full day since I’ve been busy here in Mooresville.”

  I felt my heart squeeze. I knew he was going to tell me it was time for him to go back to his life, a small part of me worried I wasn’t going to be part of that life.

  “But I can’t just go back to the way things used to be. I need to see you every day, kiss you goodnight and wake up next to you each morning,” he said.

  I felt like everything was moving in slow motion as he parked his car in front of my apartment. He turned in his seat and looked into my eyes.

  “TJ, what are you trying to tell me?”

  He took a deep breath. “I’m trying to tell you that I want more. I want to come home to you at night, and see you every day. Move in with me, Danielle.”

  My heart was racing now. I knew
I would be miserable when he went back to his life. I would only get to see him mostly on weekends. The thought of that was painful. I loved him. I knew it had only been a few weeks, but I had loved TJ since we were kids. I knew this feeling of not being able to breathe without him wasn’t going to go away.

  “TJ, are you sure that’s what you want?”

  He let go of my hand and leaned across the middle console of the car looking into my eyes. “I have wanted you since we were kids, Danielle. When I moved to Los Angeles I thought it would pass, but there wasn’t a day that went by that I didn’t think of you, or miss you. I am not doing that again. Move in with me please, I know you work in Mooresville and it’s a morning commute that you wanted to avoid, but I can’t just ignore what I feel for you anymore,” He pulled me to him and kissed me. I could feel how much he needed me in his kiss. It felt like he was reaching into me, taking a piece of my heart and keeping it forever. He pulled back and rested his forehead to mine “I love you, Danielle, I love you so much that it hurts.”

  I knew my answer already and I didn’t care how far I had to drive to get to work. I needed him, I loved him. “I love you, too, TJ, and not seeing you every day would kill me, I know it. So yes, I’ll move in with you.”

  He didn’t say anything, he just kissed me until I was barely breathing. I didn’t think we would ever get out of his car.

  “When are you going to tell your mom that you’re moving in with me?” TJ asked as we walked to my apartment.

  I hadn’t thought about it, but I knew she would be thrilled at the news. She was practically marrying us off already. “I am going to call her tomorrow and let her know. She is going to be happy, my mom loves you TJ, she always has. Do you remember that time when you asked me to marry you when we were little?”

  TJ was in the bathroom getting ready for bed, he came out standing in the middle of the door way resting his hands on the door frame. “I try not to think about that. I was ten and asked you to marry me with a rock, not very romantic if you ask me.”