Being Emerald

by Sylvia Ryan

  They climbed in the cab of his truck, and drove off.

  The trip was short, and Laila was disappointed when a national guardsman waved the truck through the checkpoint of OZ. They spent every day there, and it was not fun. She kept her disappointment to herself and met him behind the pickup as he pulled a box and a bedroll out of the back.

  He handed her the bedroll. “Come on.” In the compound’s main building, he took her through the emergency exit at the end of the long hallway and up a flight of stairs. The second story was a sweltering utility area, containing ventilation ducts, water and electricity lines. It was dim and dirty, but still she followed without questioning. When they reached a ladder, he climbed it and pushed open a hatch, revealing blue sky.

  He took the bedroll from her. “You go first. I’ll hand the stuff up to you.”

  Laila emerged on the flat roof of the building and lay on her belly to reach her arms into the opening. She grabbed the bedroll Rock handed up to her. When she turned back around to grab the box, he was rising out of the hole with it balanced securely on his shoulder.

  Laila stood and took a moment to look around at the three-sixty view. The densely packed skyscrapers of the old city overshadowed the hastily constructed New Atlanta like an old black and white picture propped up in the corner of a green watercolor landscape.

  Rock closed the hatch and hefted the box back onto his shoulder. He motioned to the west, then took her hand. They walked the length of the building then he dropped the box and took the bed roll from her.

  Normally, her eyes were drawn to Rock when he was near, but she paid little attention to him as he set up an area in which to sit. The Onyx Zone was right there, less than half a mile away.

  “It’s so close.”

  “The whole southern border of Emerald is the wall, or should I say, fence. They weren’t as worried about security of this border, probably because all the military compounds are right there.”

  Rock spread out a thin mat and then a blanket on top of it.

  “I didn’t realize we were living so close to it.” Portions of the fence separating New Atlanta from the Onyx Zone were hidden by the encroaching forest, with only glints of razor wire scrolled at the top revealing there was a fence there at all.

  He opened the cardboard box and took out two plates, cheese, crackers and a handful of small containers.

  “Vegetation has taken over everything. I didn’t expect it to be so overgrown.”

  “It’s amazing where some things can put down roots. I’ve actually seen a tree growing out of a crack in the pavement of a parking lot, and whole neighborhoods completely covered by ivy.” Rock got busy making up some plates while her focus switched from the Onyx Zone to the sunset.

  He held a hand out. “Come here.”

  She sat opposite him with the food between them on the blanket he’d arranged. It was a perfect spot to watch the orange-soaked sunset. The air was noticeably cooler up there with an unobstructed breeze from the west fanning their faces.

  Laila thought about her mom for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. The last message from Big Rock had felt different, as if her mother had been there, a silent listener to the exchange.

  “Do you know anything more about our parents? I got the feeling my mom might have been there with your dad today, listening to my voice.”

  Rock’s expression changed to one of thoughtful consideration. “Probably was.”

  “They must be hitting it off. You think there’s more to this story?” Laila waggled her eyebrows. But, instead of getting a yeah, right, she got careful avoidance of her gaze. “What are you not telling me?”

  He took a long, deep breath, then avoiding eye contact, pretended to be more interested in the view. “Your mom and my dad have been together.”

  “What? Oh my God. You’re not my brother, are you?”

  He laughed. His broad shoulders danced and tiny lines fanned out from the corners of his eyes. “No. I’m not your brother. I don’t know what’s going on now. What I know about was a long time ago, when we were in elementary school.”

  “Your dad told you?”

  He nodded.

  “When were you planning on telling me?”

  He glanced at her quickly but remained silent.

  “You weren’t?”

  “Wasn’t sure how you’d react.” He glanced over at her while she mulled over this new information.

  “I don’t remember my mom dating when I was a kid. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember my mom dating, ever.”

  “From the sound of it, it wasn’t really dating. It was more like fucking. My dad was kind of a ladies’ man. He’s slowed down in the past decade or so, but back then, he just went crazy trying to fill the hole my mom left behind.”

  “Do you think they picked up where they left off?”

  He didn’t answer her question right away, just stared out over the landscape. “Yeah, I do. Maybe it’s a good thing he went a little crazy when we first got here. That hook-up so many years ago gave him the gumption to visit her now.”

  “That entire generation is a little crazy, if you ask me. I don’t know if it’s survivor guilt, or what, but every one of the original refugees seem to have some kind of issue.”

  “Including me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Some might say my relationships with women might be an issue.” He popped a cube of cheese into his mouth then held another one for her to take. She opened her mouth slowly, watching his gaze fall on her lips. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m a bit intense and controlling.”

  “I like how you are.”

  “Not always,” he said with a sexy smile.

  She took his hand and twined their fingers together. “Honestly, Rock, I wouldn’t want you any other way. This way we live…I’m still adjusting, but you were right. The highs are peaks I didn’t even know existed. The lows so excruciating, that, at the moment, I think I never want to feel like that again, but there’s something about the brutal expression of who you are that’s so honest and undisguised it’s precious to me. For the first time in my life, I feel. I appreciate, endure, and savor moments in my life every day. Our time together has been an adventure, and I don’t want you to be anything other than who you are.”

  Laila held Rock’s devastated gaze, and her heart swelled with devotion.

  He placed his lips lightly against hers. “I love you, Laila.” As he spoke the words, his lips moved against hers, the air from those words entered her. It was like a physical transfer of love from his body to hers.

  Leaning back, he smiled, squeezed her hand then let it go. From the box beside him, he removed the bottle of hard liquor he usually kept in his freezer. It was sweating from the heat and humidity of the evening. “Crap. I forgot glasses.” He shrugged. “We’ll have to drink from the bottle. Tonight is more of a feast for the eyes anyway.” Rock sniffed the contents of the bottle and took a swig before holding the bottle up to her nose.

  “Ugh.” She put a finger up to signal Rock to hold on and popped a cracker into her mouth. Then, she chased it with a swig from the bottle. Her esophagus burned as she hissed her next intake of breath. “Damn. Nothing should taste that bad.”

  She handed the bottle to Rock. He laughed and took another swig. “What about your mom? Are the two of you close?”

  “Yeah. She was pregnant with me when she got to New Atlanta. She thinks she was immune to the virus because she was exposed several times and never got sick.”

  “What’s her job assignment?”

  “She’s cultivated the Wellness Center’s herb garden and propagated plants for Circle City for almost twenty years. She was part of the initial group that pushed to beautify the Amber Zone, make it less depressing, more livable. She’s got a green thumb like nobody’s business.”

  Not liking the space between them, Laila moved some items out of her way and scooted closer. She reste
d her head on the outside of his arm, taking in the sun’s brilliant descent. It was gloriously beautiful.

  She’d changed so much in the short time they’d been companions. She’d learned to drive, to fight, to survive. Those skills were meaningful contributions to her life that would stay with her no matter what their future as a couple held. It was the legacy of their relationship. Wherever they ultimately ended up, her life would be better until the day she died.

  The sun was a bright orange sliver just ready to disappear completely below the horizon. She took in a deep breath and sighed. It was a contented, lilting release of air that said more about how she felt than any words could.

  “What are you thinking?” Rock asked.

  “I’m thinking…I’m thinking I’m a bad ass now.”

  He examined her face with mahogany eyes that reflected the fiery glint of the sky. “Yeah, baby. You are.” Rock wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her tightly to him. His rough fingers caught her chin and lifted it to meet his gaze. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed.

  Euphoric from the depth of feeling she sensed from him, she sent hers right back and wished he could feel it, as she did. Even though he didn’t have the same gift, they were tuned in to each other, connecting on yet another level. She was addicted, dependent on the sizzle charging the air whenever they were together.

  He leaned in and kissed her softly, a tummy-turning brush of their lips. Then deeper. His tongue passed into her mouth as he aggressively demanded what he wanted from her without a word. He’d never kissed her like that before. There was more approval than sexual need in the kisses he usually gave her. The heat of his hand covered her back as he pulled her in closer. With the other, he gripped her ponytail, yanked so her face lifted to him.

  The possession of his mouth covering hers submerged her in a place where there was nothing but him. Nothing but his heart drumming against her flattened breasts as he bound her tightly to him. His breaths were her air. His need became hers.

  When the kiss broke, she opened her eyes to the hazy blue shadows of dusk.

  Rock stood quickly. “Help me put this away before it’s so dark we can’t see where everything is.” He offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. A minute later, the snacks and plates were stowed away.

  As she straightened from placing the last of their dinner remnants in the box, Rock stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. The cool breeze was more noticeable when they stood. It licked the sweltering skin on the back of her neck, making her groan with appreciation.

  Then, without a word, Rock slowly turned them in a different direction.

  Laila scanned the new view, Circle City’s tall buildings with rows of lit up squares. Almost every window on every building seemed to emit light. It was similar to the view she had from her bedroom window when she lived with her mom. Her gaze flicked to the area of her childhood home, where her mom was, but they were too far away to see any one-story houses. Still, she continued to search the darker section of the Amber Zone where she’d grown up. “It’s beautiful.”

  Rock stood directly behind her and wrapped his arms around her, rested his chin on the top of her head. They took the scene in. The sun was long gone, and in the darkness, the twinkling lights of the city spread out before them.

  “I used to come up here a lot. Just sit and watch the place where I wanted to be. Tonight is the first night I’ve been up here and not wished to be there instead.” He gave her a squeeze. “Tonight there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  Laila closed her eyes and took in their scene on a more intimate level. His arms were cinched tight around her, heavy slabs of warm flesh providing safety and bringing contentedness. His cock pressed into her rear end. She wanted it inside her so badly she thought she’d die from the empty ache.

  He grasped the hem of her tank top, pulled it slowly, gently over her head, and then turned her around to face him. His expression changed, hardened. His breathing was harsh, his gaze, a brand as it meandered over her body. He stepped back. With a tilted head and thoughtful smile, he admired her breasts. Then he returned, going down on one knee in front of her.

  She laughed at the realization he was as tall as she in that configuration.

  “Not even close,” he murmured. “You’re at least six inches taller.”

  Laila gasped. When he studied her, he saw every movement of every muscle, and her thoughts were somehow broadcast to him. “You’re getting very good at that.”

  “I’m good at a lot of things.” He lazily tugged her shorts down, put her hand on his shoulder, and lifting each foot, rid her of the material pooled at her feet.

  Rock lifted from his kneeling position and walked the few steps toward their packed belongings. He pulled out a white washcloth and a bottle of water, twisted the cap off, and soaked the cloth.

  She tensed slightly at the momentary cold shock as he laid the drenched cloth across her shoulders. Cool water dripped down the curve of her back. When the rag warmed, he returned to the bottle, soaked it and repeated the process until most of her body was wet.

  She groaned at the sweet relief as Rock continued to cover different body parts with the soaked rag. The stiff wind buffeted her cool wet skin. She lifted her chin and breathed in the fresh summer night. The experience was invigorating. Goose bumps rose and sent a shiver down her spine. Goose bumps in the middle of summer; it took her breath away. She gulped in a gust of air.

  She hadn’t realized the burden of the relentless New Atlanta sun and what it did to her, until it had been lifted, rinsed off her by this beautiful man.

  When he’d finished, he smoothed the damp cloth over her forehead, cheeks and neck then rolled it up and wrapped it around her nape.

  She stood there for minutes, soaking in the experience, until the wind dried her.

  Rock stepped closer and rested his hands lightly on her hips.

  “Training?” she asked as he dipped his head to nuzzle behind her ear.

  “Tonight, we’re making a memory. One you might need someday. Think of it as a reserve of strength for when you need it most.”

  She’d think of this night often, whether she needed strength or not, because in that moment, in the darkness of OZ, she was cool, happy and utterly, hopelessly in love.

  Rock pulled his T-shirt off over his head, revealing his gorgeously tanned torso, complete with meandering tattoos and enticing gold nipple rings. He worked at the front of his jeans and peeled them off. He stepped close, their naked flesh grazing each other’s. She took him in hand, and he rumbled.

  “You have a nice man-purr.”

  “Keep listening.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her to her knees. “Show me how much you want my cock in your mouth, and I’ll purr some more for you, peanut.” His erection loomed in front of her, long and thick, pointing, as if telling her what to do.

  She smiled at his bossy penis and gripped the base, cupping his balls with the other hand. Laila wanted nothing more than to show him how much she wanted to be a memory for him, too. She guided the mushroomed head to her parted lips, peeked her tongue out and teased the taut tip, investigating the flare of tight skin.

  Rock gripped her ponytail tightly, tilting her head back. Their eyes locked in the deepening shadows of the night. His features were stormy. Intensity flooded her, electrified the air she forced into her lungs. He positioned the crest on her bottom lip, and slipped his thumb into the side of her mouth, using it to keep her jaws open. She groaned as he advanced the massive wedge of flesh into her mouth. “Relax, Laila. Relax your jaw, your throat. I want to see how far I can go.” Even in this, he couldn’t give her the lead. Pushing forward, he hit her soft pallet.

  Rock canted his hips, moving forward and back as she stroked him with her tongue. Hooked like a fish, he held her head still as he fucked her mouth. “Relax your throat, peanut. I want deeper.” His voice was guttural, like he was speaking with gravel in his
mouth.

  Her need to please him overruled the limitations of her body. Concentrating her effort, she angled her head and relaxed her muscles so he could fuck her throat.

  “That’s my girl,” he said as he withdrew almost completely then advanced again even farther than he’d been before.

  She had waited an eternity to be this for him. It was maddening how much of himself he held back from her still. She felt like she had something to prove. And she would. He would have to come back for more if she did this the way he needed it.

  “Yes, baby. You’re beautiful this way,” he said, advancing again.

  Tears streamed down her face. She groaned, vibrating the head of his cock as he paused at his deepest advance yet before pulling back again.

  “Touch yourself, Laila. I want you to come with my dick in your mouth.”

  She was reluctant to remove her hand from cupping his balls.

  He encircled her wrist with a hand. “Do it,” he rasped.

  With the first wisp of the pad of her index finger over her clit, she quivered. She was primed, ready to explode. Tensing her muscles and controlling it as much as she could, she locked her orgasm down. He wanted them to come together, and she could give him that. She whimpered and knew he was well aware what her issue was.

  Rock gripped her hair harder, sped up his thrusts. “I’m going to finish. Just stay like this, baby.” He growled his warning before the first spurt of come landed on her tongue.

  Laila dragged her fingers over her clit hard and fast. She teetered on the brink, barely able to continue pleasuring herself as she determinedly sucked, and then swallowed. The smooth plane of his abdomen clenched with his release.

  Rock was beautiful, with his head tilted to the night sky, brows furrowed, lips parted in a silent shout. When his eyes opened, he sought her out immediately. He beheld her kneeling before him, and then pulled out of her mouth.

  She teetered, a bit dazed. Rock scooped her off her knees and laid her on the bedroll. He covered her, holding his weight on his forearms. His face hovered inches above hers. She found herself in this configuration almost daily. Her head buzzed a little as she looked up at him through slightly unfocused eyes. Their quick breaths mingled.