by Bellus,HJ
“Hungry, Chloe?” Kip chuckles when he sits down.
“This is the best food ever,” I say around a mouth full of salty fries.
“Mmmm.” He readjusts his hat. “There’s usually more crab on the salad.”
I offer him a guilty smile and we finish our lunch in silence. I want to push him and ask him all sorts of questions. It’s a need deep down of wanting to help him. He’s been my rock so far.
“How far is the house?” I ask, while swinging my leg and cast over the bike.
“Just another five minutes.”
“Is there a long way?” I wrap both arms around his waist and prop my chin on the top of his shoulder.
“I could make a long way.”
“I’d love that, Kip.”
He kicks the motorcycle to life and the rumble from the engine excites me. I squeeze him tighter and inhale his scent. I feel the bonds of the living hell I’ve been trapped in loosen.
Fifteen
Chloe
The grains of sand shift around with the movement of my palm. I’ve been staring down at the blank notebook Kip handed me for a good hour now while the sounds of the ocean distract me. He told me to just write. When my face showed confusion, he again simply replied with just write.
The notebook flies to my side. The inside of the back cover flops open and I see handwriting all over it. I pick it up and study the masculine, capital letters. It’s a sexy handwriting with all caps. It could be a damn font.
Chloe,
Once upon a time I was sitting in the same spot as you right now. I was only ten years old, but my dad shoved a notebook in my hand and told me to write. I’ve seen the question in your eyes about why I’m here for you.
I don’t like to talk about it and keep shit to myself. My mother was beaten to death by my stepfather and I couldn’t stop him. It was all over her cooking lasagna for me. I killed my mother. It took years of built up guilt and hatred built in me to finally let it go. It was all released through my notebook.
Then the force shit went down and I had to watch my best friend get killed in front of me while I was left with a fucking material wound. More guilt and hate built up in me and I turned to my notebook. I finally found a place in the world at my dad’s house and bartending at the Blue Iron.
Then you came into my life. It opened up all the old wounds and I’ve relived how I felt in the past. I know you’re whispering you’re sorry right now and know my finger is in my nose, Chloe. There’s something about you that makes me want to be a better person and push my own boundaries in life. I’ve never looked forward to waking up and helping someone like I have with you. I don’t know what it is…I just know it’s something.
Write. Write about your future goals. Write about your beauty and self-confidence and for the love of God please write about your gorgeous smile. Okay, I may be going off track right now because I think you should write about your amazing ass, too. I’ve always been an ass man.
Chloe, you’re healing me as much I’m helping you. Thank you.
Kip
Tears stream down my face. I wipe them away, but they keep flowing. I flip open the first page of the notebook and write a letter to Kip. I write about how thankful I am and never use the word sorry. I write about my ass and my new hairstyle and even what I want out of the future. I tell him he’s given me the strength to want to divorce Zack and proceed with my future. I even tell him more things that I have to write so fast, so I don’t want to scribble away the words.
I’m not intending him to ever see the letter, but it feels good to tell him on paper how my heart hurts for him and how damn thankful I am for him. Then I flip the page and write more. My hand finally cramps and I’m exhausted beyond belief. Pages after pages of the abuse I endured fill the lines. I cry for the old Chloe who laid there and let Zack beat her.
By the time I close the notebook, I know the old Chloe is beginning to fade and the real one is learning how to live again. It’s a rejuvenating feeling and slightly addictive. I stand to my feet and brush the sand off of me. It’s a losing battle, so I do something I’d never do with Zack. I let it all go.
Kip’s beach house is secluded with the nearest house barely the size of a pea down the shore. My pants drop to the sand, then my panties, and the rest of my clothes until I’m bared to the setting sun. The water is freezing on the tip of my toes, but I keep walking further into the ocean. It wakes all my senses and sets me on fire to enjoy life again.
My cast remains high above my head. My chin bobs at the surface of the water and then I go under with eyes wide open. I say goodbye to the past and invite the future into my soul. The intense water swirling around me begins to wash away the shame and the bitter temperature of the water numbs my senses.
I clench my eyes shut and pray. The past is expelled from me. I’m baptizing the new person I want to be and will become. When my lungs are exhausted, I rise above the water and inhale a long deep gulp of air. The sun toasts warmth on my face sending joy through all my extremities. I continue to face the ball of fire while walking backwards out of the water until only the tops of my feet are in the water.
I sense Kip before he speaks or even moves near me, but I don’t turn to him. A warm and very cozy towel blankets my back and then is adjusted around my front. Kip keeps his hands on my front, securing the towel. I raise both hands and cover his, lacing our fingers together as much as my cast will allow. I let him hold me for long moments soaking everything in before I talk.
“You love my ass?” I remain facing the sun, letting it warm me through the towel.
“I love your fucking ass, Chloe,” he growls.
The back of my head relaxes back on his shoulder. “Thank you, Kip. That felt so good.”
He smiles on my cheek not saying a word and I decide to go for it. I tilt my head and find his lips. I kiss him like the new woman I am. His taste flows into my mouth and he opens up to me. I dart my tongue into his mouth letting him know exactly how grateful and how hard I’m falling for him and the new woman I’m becoming. His lips are encouraging meeting every single one of my actions. He pushes into my backside and I know we’re on the same level.
I pull back before I’m unable to stop and peer into his rich chocolate eyes. Those eyes are my security blanket in this terrifying journey. Our lips are so close I can still soak in his taste without kissing him.
“Kip, will you wait for me? You deserve all of me.”
“I’m not a patient man, Chloe.”
My heart freezes in my chest and for a moment I start to think I took his message in the notebook the wrong way. I close my eyes and want to cry.
“Open your eyes, baby.”
He waits for me to look back into his deep pools.
“You didn’t let me finish.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “I’ve never wanted to wait for something so badly in my life. I’m not going anywhere, Chloe. You’ve done something to me.”
I relax back onto him knowing he’ll always hold me up even if when waiting. My head lies on his shoulder. Kip nuzzles into the crook of my neck. We let the sounds of the ocean crashing into the shore sing to us.
Sixteen
Kip
Her glorious body rising from the ocean nearly choked me up. I’ve seen her naked several times, but something was different. When she asked me to wait for her my soul cracked, allowing Chloe to seep in. She’s bringing me back to life.
She’s also given me the worst case of blue balls known to man. I grab the base of my dick under the hot water and begin to slowly stroke it. My teeth sink into my bottom lip remembering her ass pushed back on my cock today. I couldn’t control his hunger for her and didn’t even have the desire to. I want her to know how fucking bad I want her.
My heart swelled when she asked me to wait for her. I’m so fucking proud of her wanting to heal before letting our desires finally have their way. I grip my dick tighter and pick up the speed, feeling the precum help coat my cock. I work the head over and over pictu
ring Chloe when she’s ready for me. I’ll never be able to stop devouring her body.
Until then it’s showers and my hand. I growl when the first pulse of release threatens. My hand slows down enjoying the visual of Chloe riding me, being powerful and in charge. It’s the last fucking image that sends me over the edge. My release spills into the shower and is washed down the drain. I can’t control the growls escaping me as I milk every last fucking ounce out.
I dry off the passion and desire dripping from my body, throw on some loose gym shorts, and find Chloe painting her fingernails at the dining room table. I’d run to the store when she was out on the beach. I didn’t want to leave her, but also knew we needed groceries. Dad has his Jeep stored up here, which makes getting groceries a whole lot easier than on my motorcycle.
“Ready for dinner?” I ask her.
“Yeah, I’m starving. I threw together a garden salad while you were showering.”
Her sly smile makes me wonder if she knew what I was doing in there, but then I hear the soft music playing in the background and know I wasn’t that loud. Was I?
“I’ll fire up the grill. I bought some steaks for dinner tonight.”
“Medium rare, please.”
“Good taste.” I wink at her.
Bending over and grabbing the steak from the fridge, I wonder how in the hell I’m going to wait for her. I want to wrap her up in a hug, hold her tight to my body, and never fucking let go. I’m no angel that’s for sure; I’ve had plenty of one night stands and friends with benefits, but there’s never been a girl I’ve wanted to commit to. I want Chloe in my life every single day and it’s more than just a protective stance.
“I’m going to pour a glass of wine and join you. Would you like one?” she asks.
When I turn around, she’s standing right behind me. It takes everything not to reach out and bring her face to mine. Thank fuck my hand is full of red meat in this moment.
“Yeah,” I nod. “I’m typically a beer man, but wine sounds good.”
Chloe follows me out to the patio and curls up in a chair, sipping her wine while studying the ocean. I have no idea what it is about that powerful body of water that’s so healing, but it’s damn near magical. It centered my mind and soul with the many visits here.
When Chloe stands to get her steak and fix her plate, I sure in the hell don’t miss all the ass shots she sends my way. If I were a betting man, I’d bet she’s doing it on purpose. I’ve never been one to complain.
Chloe cuts her first piece of steak and moans when it melts in her mouth. Her actions do no good for my cock coming back to life in my shorts. My fucking palm is going to be raw.
“I love steak.” She smiles, cutting off another piece.
“We can have it for dinner every night if you’d like.”
“Yes, please.” She pauses, her tone turning into a serious one. “I talked to the girls while you were in the shower.”
“Yeah,” I offer, taking a bite.
“I’m filing for divorce. Darby found a lawyer. I’m also going to visit a counselor three times a week.”
I don’t know how to respond. I want to fucking fist pump the salty air and then scoop her up in my arms, but know it’s inappropriate.
“I don’t want anything from Tennessee besides my life back, so I’m hoping it won’t get too messy.”
“Don’t be afraid to take your life back, baby, and anything else you want. You deserve it.”
“I know.” She shrugs. “The thing is, none of that was really me. I don’t want it to taint my future, you know?”
“I totally get it.”
“I look at it like healing the past. If I cling to anything, it will be like just bringing that baggage with me.”
I smile brightly at her. “You’re so much stronger than I am, baby. It took me years and I still struggle.”
“Not brave, just ready to be set free.”
Seventeen
Kip
“Take it easy on those poor weights, man,” Rhett hollers from across the gym.
It’s been a while since the three of us have had a chance to workout in my gym. Life’s been fucking crazy and our worlds turned upside down on us. Mine more than theirs. Everything I paved out nice and solid in my quiet and private life has been shaken loose.
I should be pissed and I think the fact I’m not pissed is pissing me off even more. The last two years, I’ve fought to gain back something that resembled a life. My dad was there again to pick up the pieces. And I finally put together a life that I could cope in. Closed off, a steady job, and a home with just my dad and Boozer. Fucking lame, I know, but it worked.
Then Chloe came into the picture and erased everything. I look at the fucking moon differently all because of her. She’s opened my eyes and that fact should piss me the fuck off and it doesn’t, which irritates me even more.
It’s my third set of bench presses. I add an extra fifty pounds to the normal three hundred and I’m slaying it. Making the weights my bitch. I ignore Rhett until I finish the fifth set and am ready to die. I forced every single one of my muscles past the point of function and right into shock.
“Girl problems, pussy?” Zane tosses a towel to me.
I wipe my face without sitting up and shrug off their harassment. They’ve had a good time giving me hell about Chloe via text and visiting me at the bar the little I’ve been there.
“What does your new lady think of your whipping your dick around for extra cash?” Rhett settles next to me on a bench.
I shrug and play it off like I typically would. “She doesn’t care.”
“You two sinking the ol’ burrito yet?” he asks.
Zane falls from his position on the pull-up bar, laughing his ass off.
“Prick.” I snap the towel at Rhett’s calf, connecting.
“You’re different.” Zane offers me a water bottle and stands in front of me with his hands on his head. “What gives?”
I brush the remaining sweat from my brow and sit up. “I don’t fucking know. How’s that for an answer?”
“Typical when dealing with female shit,” Rhett replies.
It may be the smartest thing he’s ever said.
“What don’t you know about?” Zane pushes.
“I’ve never been in a relationship.”
Rhett interrupts me. “Imagine that Captain Private has never been in a relationship. Do you even know how to bang a chick or been DTF?”
I give him a sideways glance. Rhett can be annoying as hell, but in intense moments like this he breaks it up perfectly.
“DTF?” I ask.
Rhett roars like I just stepped in the funniest joke without even knowing it.
“Down to fuck,” Zane clarifies.
“I’m not a fucking virgin. You guys know about most of my past. I’ve been closed off and Chloe has done something to me. I swear she put a fucking spell on me.”
I let it all out in long sentence without stopping.
“Ahh, you’re under the pussy spell. It’s the best. In fact, I need some puss right now.” Rhett stands, grabbing his junk.
“If you’re sporting wood right now, Rhett, I’ll fucking beat you down,” Zane growls.
“You two ugly fuckers aren’t anything to pop up my cock. Now my sweet tits wife with her juicy ass and sweet pussy, now that’s some fine boner making material.”
I can’t help but laugh. If anyone else heard Rhett say that in public they’d think he’s a monster asshole who is arrogant. You have to know him to understand it’s Rhett and if Darby or sweet tits hears him say it she’d probably swoon and take him to the nearest closet to jump his bones. They’re fucking weird and very in love.
“Do you think she’s ready for a relationship?” Zane asks when Rhett goes to work his legs on a machine. He’s always bragging about his kick-ass wheels.
I shake my head no. “I know she isn’t.”
“Is that what has you twisted up?”
“No. It’s killing me
to watch her heal from this shit. I know what it’s like, man. It’s deep and horrible shit. She’s going through it without fucking family. It’s tearing me apart.”
“So, you’re more worried about her healing instead of getting down her pants?”
“I’m not fucking Rhett or a goddamn pig.”
“I heard that fuckers and when I’m done with my final set, I’m going to karate kick you with these powerful bastards.” He points to his legs, flexed with veins popping up everywhere.
Zane nods to me. “You reliving shit, man?”
I nod. “I’m just looking for the magic button to heal all of her.”
“I get it. Seeing someone you love in pain is the worst feeling in the world. Stay strong.”
I tell him about the notebook, Chloe going to a counselor, and us waiting for each other while I spot him on the bench press. Zane is a great listener and Rhett can’t help but add his two bits, cracking us up every once in awhile. But right before we lock up and make plans for our next session, Rhett pipes up in a serious tone.
“Do you love her?”
I know it’s fast, but I nod.
“Then fucking go through pain and stand by her side because losing someone you really love will shred you.”
“For once numbnuts is right,” Zane adds. “Fight for what you want when you find the right one.”
“Thanks guys.” I pat both of them on the back. “Can we quit acting like a bunch of menstruating females now? I think my testicles just shrank in size.”
“You have nuts?” Rhett asks with a smirk on his face.
“See you in a few days, assholes.” I wave to them and go inside to shower and enjoy another hand job while fantasizing about Chloe.
Eighteen
Chloe
“Buy four bottles of wine, please.”
Darby looks over her shoulder while still grabbing a bottle of white wine. “Are you sure? I mean, that’s one big ass headache and hangover.”