Crossroads

by Blake Haugen

  As if he could sense her holding back, he brought his lips from her neck to her ear and implored her to share. “Talk to me, sweetpea.”

  “That was beyond.”

  “Mmm, I like the sound of that. What else?”

  “I can’t put any words together right now,” she stated simply and latched onto him tighter.

  “Find some, babe,” he muttered against her neck.

  Persephone sighed lightly against him, knowing he wanted more, to see if she was ‘alright.’ She just wanted to doze off into a dreamless sleep. In sleep, there was no post-coital analysis or pouring out of the heart. There was no risk and no aching for him.

  As she thought up a response, she failed to notice she was clutching him even harder. It took a few moments for her to realize he was pulling her hands from around his neck. He held them close to his chest and then looked at her intently.

  “Remember, sweetpea, no judgment. It’s okay if you didn’t like everything we did.”

  Her face burst into a smile, “No! It’s not that at all. I mean, it’s obvious I enjoyed that, right?”

  “I knew you were into it and loving it, but I want to know how you feel now.”

  “Well, it means a lot. And you… you mean a lot to me, too. You mean so much to me and I can hardly stand it,” she said, her voice breaking.

  “Good, because that’s how I feel about you,” he whispered, leaning in for a kiss. “Percy, I will always love you and I’m so glad you’re mine.”

  “I am yours,” she replied, snuggling into his embrace. Vanya’s scent was strong and it lulled her, making her more and more droopy. They fell into slumber, dead to the world until sunrise.

  ☐

  In the morning they bathed for an hour in the bathroom’s large cast iron tub. Vanya washed Persephone as he sang goofy nineties R&B tunes to her, nibbling her until she joined in. He decided they should go out for some New Year’s Day shopping. An afternoon of running around town was just the thing to top off their holiday break.

  “What do we even have to buy?” Persephone huffed, questioning him. Unlike Vanya, Persephone only went shopping when she felt she had a need for a certain item. Vanya, on the other hand, went shopping for anything and everything all the time. They had very different opinions of what constituted appropriate spending.

  He recalled the time he had relayed the details of his sixteenth birthday party to her. It was a joint venture between him and the twins, Mikhail and Yulian, who shared a birthday three weeks after his. None of the guests were mailed an invitation. Instead, they were hand delivered cell phones and received clues about the location and instructions on what they needed to participate in the festivities via text message. Guests were fitted for tuxedos and gowns during the week leading up to the party. The day of the celebration they were led to an airport hangar where they held a fancy gala for about an hour.

  They were elated to find that the theme was actually a super spy party were they all took part in following clues to find a secret disc before another team could. The challenging game combined trivia, scavenger hunting, some physical prowess, math games, and double agents. Members of the winning team got a round-trip plane ticket or a $1,500 gift card to the store of their choice. The location of the disc was inside the airplane that was parked just outside the hangar.

  For the finale, everyone boarded the plane for a night flight around the city. Little did they know that before she had passed, Vanya’s mother had procured waivers from everyone’s parents so that they could all skydive Bond style out of the plane with the help of professionals. A week later they were gifted with the ultimate memento: a framed photograph and video of their smiles upon landing.

  Persephone had eyed him when he finished telling her how epic the party was. Aghast, she’d commented on the exorbitant cost of such an event. She’d sneered when he insisted that he and the twins had been able to invite only twelve people outside of the family. They solved this problem by inviting the other two starters on the boys’ basketball team and all ten members of the girls’ basketball team.

  “Vanya Pravdin! God forbid you ever have to go without access to vast sums of money,” she’d chided, shaking her head.

  Her admonition had made him think on how very different they were. Persephone had introduced Vanya to recycling, conserving, and volunteering. She owned a small, ceramic, indoor compost bin and changed his mind about how gross compost was. Once, he’d been amazed when she repaired a leg on one of the dining room chairs in his city apartment. Vanya had been intent on sending it back to the maker – a $600 job. She’d demanded that he bring it back to campus and then fixed it herself in two hours.

  Vanya found that he rather enjoyed volunteering with her little students. Though he wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, he liked to watch her teach children in her stern and loving way. On those nights that they returned to his place after Learning Law practice with the kids, he imagined giving her their child when he came inside her. It was a private fantasy; one he knew sharing would undoubtedly rock their boat. After last night, he felt like they were entering a period of smooth sailing, and he was determined to maintain that peace.

  So, when she asked him what could they possibly shop for, he didn’t mention a wardrobe. That would have been an essential item if she were moving in with him. Instead, he suggested something that wouldn’t induce Persephone’s panic – a bike.

  “A bike?” she asked. “Don’t you have one at your family’s house or something?”

  “Yeah, but I want to really get into it and buy gear to go with it. I’m sick of the school’s gym. It’s nice, but it’s too crowded. There’s that and the fact that my car isn’t always practical for getting to class. Parking takes forever. There are times when I could have walked to class in the time it took me to park.”

  He lay back on the bed in his towel, legs crossed. He watched her as she lotioned her naked body. Persephone’s ritual was the same each time she finished bathing. Going without lotion was something she refused to do; he remembered her shock earlier in their relationship when he revealed he didn’t apply lotion to his skin every time he finished showering. Even though he wasn’t dedicated to the care of his own skin, he had made a habit of watching her care for hers. It was quite a stirring sight. When she took particular care with her thighs, his attention changed from sexual interest to concern.

  “You okay?”

  “What?”

  “Your thighs – there are little bruises,” he said, rising from the bed to go to her, “Shit, Percy, I got you good. I’m so sorry.”

  “Oh, you’re fine. I actually didn’t notice until just now. Besides, I’m a little proud of yours.”

  “Huh?”

  “Those, right there. You’re pretty scratched up,” Persephone said, reaching up to graze his clavicles with her fingertips. Shallow scratches from her high heels marked each one and the red, raw skin around each abrasion enhanced its severity. Vanya shrugged the scratches off. Contrite, he took her lotion bottle and began to smooth a glob of the moisturizer over her skin.

  “Yeah, that’s because I asked you to wear your shoes. You didn’t ask me to bruise your legs. …Does your butt hurt?”

  “No, man! It’s just a little achy. I’m like, hyper aware of it, which isn’t totally a bad thing.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. Oh, my gosh. Vanya, I’m cool. Now keep rubbin’ my legs, lover.” She took a seat on the chest, propped up the leg he was lotioning, and wiggled its toes.

  “Lover,” he echoed absently. His movements slowed and crept toward her center. When he would have reached his destination she swatted his hand and rotated her position on the dresser.

  “Nope, none of that. We can’t start up if we’re gonna get back to campus by sundown. Other leg.”

  “Yeah, I suppose you’re right. We still have to go to my place to get new pants.”

  “Oh, please. Ivan Kirillovich Pravdin, you know I brought you a change of clothes
. I am the ultimate planner. You’ll probably find a razor in that bag if you dig deep enough. I don’t want no more scratchy kisses.”

  Vanya ogled her playfully. The lift of his eyebrows was the only warning she had before he assailed her neck with scratchy raspberries and let his towel fall from his body. He loved it when it was like this. She’d tease him in a bratty, country, valley girl voice. It was annoying, but enticing. They’d giggle, tickle, and wrestle until he convinced her to forget about the time. Fortunately, Persephone was easily aroused and a quickie was rarely out of the question.

  He frog marched her to the bed, laid down, sat her on his face, and ate her with gusto. Persephone had no time to recover before she found herself beneath him with his penis slipping gingerly inside her pussy. When he reached the hilt she gasped in pleasure and closed her eyes.

  “I’m going to be so gentle, baby,” Vanya promised as he began to rock back and forth, “I’m going to take this pussy nice and slow because that’s what you need right now. That’s it. Feel me. Feel me move in and out of you.”

  Persephone tried to pick up the pace. When she bucked against him in need, he stayed her hips with one hand and clasped one of her wrists with the other. He shook his head when the walls of her pussy clamped down on his cock.

  “Nope, Percy. You’ll have to sweat for this one. Do as I say. You like that, don’t you? Doing what I say? It makes this sweet little cunt wet and creamy. Tell me about how hot it gets you.”

  “It makes me hotter than anything,” she breathed out. Her body writhed under his and her breasts jiggled around in circles. Vanya couldn’t help but interrupt his rhythm to suckle and worship her nipples.

  “Your titties are so perfect, Percy. I don’t tell you that enough, baby. They’re the most perfect tits there have ever been. They’re so big and plump on your little body, and your skin is café au lait, and your areola are like hot chocolate, and your nipples are little round chocolate morsels. Fuck, they remind me of chocolate chip cookies. When I lick them, I’m always expecting them to taste that way.”

  “Ah!” Persephone whimpered when he gave her right nipple a small bite. “Please fuck me, Vanya. Please, I’ll be so good.”

  “You’re trying to break me, but it won’t work, sweetpea. We are not going to fuck hard,” he grinded his words, searching for the strength to endure. He loved it when she begged and knew she was doing it just to tease him. He’d pay her back and they’d both find pleasure. “Touch yourself. Take your hand, rub your clit, and tell me how much you want to get fucked.”

  Persephone’s body shook as her hand snaked down to her mound. She found her clit with ease; it was stiff with her arousal, poking out of her swollen folds. Her moans grew louder and her eyes lost focus as she began to pleasure herself. A few punchy thrusts from Vanya zapped her back to the present.

  “Speak!”

  “Fuck, I need this!”

  “Need what?”

  “You fucking me. I love it.”

  “Tell me why.”

  “I like you fucking me right after I get out of the shower. You’re making me dirty and sweaty all over again. I’m gonna smell like my perfume, and sex, and you. I know you’re gonna clean me up, but some of your come is going to stay inside me and I’ll feel it. I’ll remember how good your dick feels inside me and then I’ll get so horny I wanna touch myself. I’ll be so hot for you, and I won’t be satisfied until you take me as hard you as can.”

  Vanya leaned down for a kiss, afraid he would give in to her pleas. Despite his want, he pushed forward, slipping in and out her tight tunnel, moving gently. He increased his speed only a little. “Don’t worry, baby, I’ll give it to you tonight, anywhere, anyway you want it. Right now I’m going to make you come all over my dick. Be a good girl and stroke that clit as fast as you can. Come on my cock.”

  She followed his directions and rapidly flicked the pads of her fingers against her clit. Her big, dark brown eyes stared straight up at him and Vanya marveled at how innocent and vulnerable she seemed under him. The involuntary jerks of her body signified her impending release.

  “Yes, I’m gonna come! Please give it to me. Give me that dick,” Persephone ground out as she did his bidding. “I’m gonna come on you, Vanya. All over your cock. Please, just a little more. I… I need just a little. Oh – ah, yeah! Yes! Fuck!”

  The contrast between her sweet looks and her dirty mouth set him on fire. Vanya moved faster and she gushed on his dick, crying out his name. Her back arched and her spasms raised both their bodies off the bed. He maintained his rhythm and took over the ministrations of her clitoris when she could no longer stand to. He wanted to work every bit of pleasure he could out of her. When she was pliant and relaxed, Vanya pulled out and began to stroke himself over her body.

  “Oh, good girl. Made you come hard, didn’t I, babe? Mph, fuck, made you squirt on my cock. Now you get my come. Where do you want it? Where do you want my come, sweetpea?”

  With energy he wouldn’t have guessed she possessed, Persephone sprung up, rotated her body and slapped his hand away from his dick. Her mouth engulfed as much of his length as was possible. She sucked him with a speed and suction that had his eyes rolling to the back of his head. His hand fisted her hair, the silk wrap having long since fallen off.

  Even so, she couldn’t be stopped. Persephone swallowed him and he was gone. Just like that, Vanya had lost control, and her mouth was sending him straight to heaven. He bellowed as his seed shot down her throat. She refused to release him until all his shudders had subsided.

  Vanya bent back with his calves still tucked under his thighs. He didn’t know he was that flexible and didn’t feel any discomfort until Persephone used his thighs for support as she licked up the evidence of their pleasure from his cock and balls, making sure to leave no spot untouched. He now understood her motivation for keeping him shaven this week. She had never done this before, and although he had just found his completion, he found that her little kitten act was making him hard all over again.

  His fingers played in her hair, and he breathed out in contentment. Vanya was sure he was experiencing contentment, and as soon as he recognized it for what it was, he realized that the feeling would be fleeting. He pulled up Persephone’s chin so that she faced him and strived to hold on to the moment as long as he could. She kissed up his body and they made out again, nibbling and caressing until she fell asleep.

  ☐

  Already shaved and dressed, Vanya roused Persephone at noon. She was glad he had his wits about him; she would have let them sleep on until the late evening. The bike shop was their first stop and after discussing his needs with the shop’s manager, Vanya purchased a road bike with self-generating headlights. He convinced Persephone to take a smaller navy bike. He cajoled her into receiving it as a gift by mentioning the fact that she hadn’t accepted his Christmas present.

  Persephone had tried to fake a liking to the pear cut diamond solitaire earrings, however, Vanya had managed to see right through her ruse. It wasn’t that she didn’t find them beautiful; he got the idea to buy them because she had oohed and aahed at an ad in a fashion magazine. She just had a “thing” about diamonds. She had explained her dissatisfaction with the Kimberly Process to Vanya and then refused to accept them. He had still been brooding over her rejection of the gift last week. No amount of kisses or reassuring hugs would ameliorate his attitude on the matter.

  Satisfied that he was now satisfied, Persephone rode around town behind Vanya on her new bike, which she insisted on naming Gage. Gaining more confidence, she maneuvered Gage in front of Vanya and began to take them down routes unknown in the shopping district. By chance, she passed a store she vaguely recognized. Waving to Vanya, she pulled up to the curb.

  “What’s up?” he asked, pulling up alongside her.

  “It’s this little boutique I saw in a blog last week. I can’t believe we passed by it! Do you mind if we look around for a bit?” she requested hopefully.

  “Of cour
se, we’re here now anyhow,” Vanya replied as he dismounted his bike. He made his way to the shop’s door and opened it for her. Persephone easily dipped under his long, outstretched arm through the entrance as was their custom. The showroom was well heated and they shed their coats on a conveniently placed mahogany rack. The wood was found throughout the small store, giving it a warm and upscale ambiance.

  Persephone found that the shop was just as wonderful as the blog had promised. The place was full of designer castoffs and hand-me-downs, all in excellent condition. She perused the items, searching for her eventual purchase – a pair of gloves. Her knitted ones were wilting and lately she had been coveting Finn’s leather gloves. She found a pair quickly and Jennifer, the lone sales representative, held them at the counter so Persephone could shop unencumbered. Vanya was finding plenty of items on his own, moving too fast for Jennifer to keep up with.

  “Babe, check this out,” he held a pair of black patent leather dress shoes in Persephone’s face. “These would usually be eight-hundred dollars. They’re three-hundred!”

  Persephone fought not to roll her eyes, “Oh, yeah, that is way better, I guess.”

  “I’m serious! This a good deal!”

  “I know, I know.”

  Vanya came closer and looked down on her, scrutinizing her as she thumbed through a rack of blouses and tried to ignore him. His examination ended with a wry grin and skeptical eyebrows. “You’re placating me, aren’t you?”

  “Me? Nah. No way,” Persephone mumbled, eyes still on the blouses, suppressing her laughter.

  “Pshh, whatever.” Vanya trudged away with his great finds. It was strange to see such a lithe and graceful man trudge. He halted when Persephone called back to him.

  “Vanya, you know we can’t fit that all back on the bikes, right?”