by Lisa Bilbrey
“Touché.” Thomas laughed again and shifted his eyes between everyone before they landed on Elle. But instead of saying anything to her, he addressed the table. “Well, can I take your drink order? We have the best iced tea in the city, as well as soda, lemonade, beer, wine, and several types of flavored water, thanks to my gorgeous wife.”
The silence that settled upon them was deafening, so Elle cleared her throat. “Um, do you have raspberry water?”
“You bet your sweet ass.” Thomas winked at her before looking over at Helina and shrinking away from the glare on her face. “I mean … Yes, we do.”
“I’ll take one of those,” Elle said, struggling not to laugh. She liked Thomas; he had charisma.
“Me, too,” Sadie chirped. “Lots of ice in mine, please.”
“Sure thing,” he said before looking at Ivy. “For you, darlin’?”
“I’m dying for a Coke,” she laughed.
“Me, too,” Nick told him, sliding his arm around Ivy’s shoulder and making a point that she was his. He had nothing to worry about; Ivy only had eyes for him.
Thomas appeared to be unfazed by Nick’s actions as he turned to Helina and James. “And for you?”
“Tea,” Helina ordered. “Unsweet. No lemons, lots of ice.”
“For the both of you?”
“Yes,” James said, moving his arm to the back his wife’s chair. Elle once again fought the urge to snort. Did her father think Thomas was going to flirt with Helina when she was giving him the look of death?
Thomas nodded and shifted his attention to Callum and Derek. “Usual?”
“Um, no,” Derek said. “We’ll take tea, too. Not a lot of ice, and lemons in ours.”
Though it was clear he expected them to order something different, he didn’t question them. “All right. Menus are in the box there,” he said, pointing to a small wooden carton in the middle of the table. “And I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“Thanks,” Elle murmured, earning her another wink. As he walked away, Helina looked at her, lifting an eyebrow. “What?”
Helina scoffed and shifted her eyes to Callum. “So, you’re dating my daughter.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, smiling at her.
“What do you do for a living, Callum?” she asked.
“I’m an architect.”
The second the words were out of his mouth, Helina looked at Elle, and she knew what her mother was thinking. “Mom —”
“Seriously, Elle? Of all the men you could be dating, you choose one that you work with.”
Leaning back in her seat, she crossed her arms in front of her, trying hard not to let her anger show. Of course her mother would just assume that she worked with Callum, even though it was true. In Helina’s eyes, she would never be more than the girl who fucked around with the wrong type of guys.
When she didn’t respond, Helina sighed and turned her attention to Sadie. “I bet you haven’t told your parents that you’re seeing anyone, either, have you?”
“Mrs. Reid,” Sadie began, but she was cut off when the woman shifted her glare to Derek.
“Do I need to ask what you do for a living?”
“Um, probably not,” he admitted.
Shaking her head, Helina brought her hand up and laid it on the table, drumming her nails. Elle almost laughed, knowing full well just how dramatic her mother could be when she wanted to, but she stifled the urge. No point in adding fuel to the fire.
“Can’t say I’m too surprised,” Helina said after a long, awkward moment of silence. “With as focused as you both are on your careers, the only place you can meet a man is at work, I suppose.”
“There’s nothing wrong with focusing on their careers, Mom,” Ivy said, trying to defend her, but it wouldn’t do any good. Helina had always made her disgust with how determined Elle was to be a success clear.
“I never said there was, Ivy, but she’s putting the very career she loves so much on the line, and for what? Some guy who will use her and leave her broken?” Helina looked at Callum. “No offense, of course.”
But before Callum could say anything, James piped into the conversation by saying, “She’s right. What happens when things end between you? You’re risking everything.” However, he paused when Elle pushed away from the table and stood up. “Sweetheart.”
“Don’t.” Elle put her hand up, trying very hard to keep her tears from falling. “I thought … Well, I don’t know what I thought. That we could have a nice dinner, that you’d both be able to meet Callum and Derek, and see …” She trailed off, swallowing the lump in her throat.
In an instant, Sadie was on her feet and had her arm around Elle.
“Just forget it,” Elle whispered. And pulling away from Sadie, she walked out of Gold Rush.
The moment the door closed behind her, the tears that she had been holding back since her mother opened her mouth fell down her face. She wasn’t surprised. Helina Reid had never accepted one of her boyfriends.
Except for Leo. Helina had adored Leo, which made it even harder to tell her mother how he’d beat her, tried to rape her, treated her like she was nothing but trash. So she hadn’t. And when Helina asked her why she and Leo broke up, Elle lied and told her that he’d moved away. She couldn’t handle looking her mother in the eye and telling her that Leo had tried to kill her. It would just solidify Helina’s opinion on the type of men Elle dated.
“Elle?” When she looked to her left, she saw Leigh standing there with two grocery bags in her arms and a frown on her face. However, before she could say anything, the door opened behind her and Callum walked out.
“Oh, hey, Leigh,” Callum murmured, sliding his arms around Elle from behind. He pressed his forehead against her the back of her head.
“Everything okay?” Leigh asked.
“It will be,” he replied. “Do me a favor and keep your man from spitting in her parents’ food?”
Leigh nodded before walking past both of them and going inside the restaurant.
“I’m sorry,” Callum whispered. “We shouldn’t have pushed for dinner. You were right about them.”
“Better here than at the wedding, right?” Elle placed her hand on top of Callum’s arms. “I knew they’d say something, but I never expected them to be so blunt about it.”
“Can’t say I was expecting that, either.”
Turning in his arms, she laid her head on his chest. “The moment they stepped off the plane, it’s been one thing after another. I love her, I mean she’s my mom, but sometimes, I hate her. And my father is even worse. He just pretends everything’s normal, when it’s not.”
“I don’t know how to make this better,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head. “Tell me what to do.”
“You’re doing it,” she whimpered. “Just don’t let me go.”
“Never.” The sincerity in the single word reached her soul. “Do you want to leave?”
“I do,” she admitted, but then tilted her head back and looked at him as she said, “But we can’t leave Derek and Sadie here.”
Callum smiled. “No, we can’t.”
Leaning up on her toes, she pressed her lips against his. “We’re in this together, right?”
“That’s right, baby,” he murmured. “Just the four of us.”
Elle took a deep breath, slipped her hand into his, and led him back inside Gold Rush. The tension was thick, and at the sound of the door opening, Derek and Sadie snapped their attention to them, worry radiating off the pair. Once again, Elle was reminded why she had fallen in love with them. Though she wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around Derek and Sadie and beg them to take her home, she had to deal with her parents first.
As she walked over to their table, she saw Thomas and Leigh watching with frowns at the showdown that was sure to happen. Helina lifted her eyes to her and opened her mouth to speak, but clamped her lips shut when Elle held her hand up and looked at Ivy.
“Will you make sure that Mo
m and Dad get back to their hotel?” she asked.
“Sure.” Ivy nodded. “Elle …”
“I’ll call you in the morning,” she said before turning to James and Helina, both of whom appeared unbothered by their daughter’s hurt feelings. “I … you …” She shook her head. “You know, just forget it. I’m tired, so Callum and Derek are taking me and Sadie home. If and when you decide to stop being a bitch, call me. If not, then I guess I’ll see you at the wedding.”
As Elle turned and walked away from her parents, Ivy, and Nick, she knew Callum, Derek, and Sadie would follow. They’d hold her, touch her, and make love to her, all in an effort to soothe away the pain that filled her heart. She needed them, because she was a heartbeat away from falling to her knees and begging her mother to love her.
Fourteen
Helina never called. Neither had James for that matter. Not that Elle was surprised. Her mother would nurse her wounds, play the victim, and have everyone eating out of the palm of her hand because that’s what she did for attention. And her father, he would be indifferent because in his world nothing was worth getting that upset about. To them, Elle would always be the drama queen, acting like a brat to gain everyone’s sympathy.
“You’re going to be late.” Shifting her eyes to the mirror, Elle saw Callum leaning against the doorway to the bathroom, pajama pants slung low on his hips and no shirt on.
Just as she knew they would, Derek, Sadie, and Callum had stayed by her side, making sure she never broke, and she hadn’t. Her relationship with her parents had always been turbulent, and their behavior hadn’t been unexpected. Of course that hadn’t made the pain go away, but Elle had gotten to the point where she stopped caring if they ever approved of her. Maybe the time had arrived to come clean and tell them about her relationship Sadie, Derek, and Callum.
“I know.” Elle smiled as she dropped her mascara into her make-up bag. “I don’t even know why I’m going.”
Callum sighed and pushed away from the door and walked up behind her, sliding his hand inside her robe. The moment he touched her skin, a shiver ran through her, causing him to laugh. Yeah, he knew exactly what he did to her. “You’re going,” he began, “because it’s your sister’s wedding, and she needs you to be there for her.”
Elle nodded, brought her hand up to the back of his head, and lifted her eyes to the mirror again. “You don’t have to come, though. After the way they treated you and Derek, I won’t hold it against you, Derek, or Sadie if you’d prefer to not be my dates.”
“This is the last time I am going to tell you this.” Callum pulled on the tie around her waist, which caused her robe to open and exposed her nude body. He brought his hand up to her breast, pinching a nipple between his fingers, causing her to moan. “We’re going with you and Sadie. We’re in this together, and we aren’t about to abandon either of you; not now, not ever.”
“I know, but—” The words were stopped when Callum brought his other hand up and covered her mouth.
“There are no buts,” he murmured. “Well, except for this one right here.” Releasing her nipple, he yanked her robe down her arms, leaving her naked as he grabbed her ass. “And it’s a mighty fine one, too.”
Elle whimpered and pressed herself against him, desperate for him to keep touching her.
A smile tugged at the corners of Callum’s lips. “What do you want?” he asked, removing his hand from her mouth. He palmed her breast while massaging her ass. “Hmm? What do you want, baby?”
“You,” she groaned. “You inside of me right now!”
“Oh, you naughty girl, you don’t have time,” he chided. “What will your mother think if you’re late?”
Elle reached between them and grabbed his cock through his pajama pants, feeling how hard he was. “I don’t give a fuck how late I am, or what that bitch thinks! I need you to fuck me so hard, I’ll be feeling you inside of me all day.”
A growl reverberated from deep inside his chest as he moved his arm from around her and bent her over the vanity in one, quick move. Elle watched through the mirror as he tugged his pajama pants down to his knees, grabbed her hips, and sheathed himself inside of her with so much force, the edge of the counter dug into her skin. As he began to fuck her, setting a quick and furious pace, Elle was glad that she and Sadie had opted to start using birth control and not use condoms anymore. There was nothing quite like the feel of Callum and Derek inside of her without the thin piece of latex getting in the way.
“Goddamn, baby, you feel so good like this,” Callum moaned, sliding his hand along her back and grabbing her hair, tugging her head up.
“Oh, fuck,” she cried. He began to loosen his grip, but she almost screamed, “Don’t let go!”
“You like that, huh?” he grunted, the sound of his skin slamming against her echoed.
“Yes,” she hissed, moving her hand up to the mirror and bracing herself as she pushed back against him. “I always love it when you fuck me. Please, don’t stop!”
“I won’t, baby.” Over and over he pounded into her, his chest heaving, and her name spilling from between his lips. Every few thrusts, he’d push himself up onto the balls of his feet, changing the angle in which he filled her.
Elle couldn’t speak, couldn’t do anything but moan and whimper, use her body to beg for more, to plead with him to never leave her. To most it was just sex, a quickie in the bathroom, but for her, for Sadie, Derek, and Callum, sex was what brought them together, helped push them toward their destiny, and paved the way for their future. She loved them for more than just the way they touched her, tasted her, made love to her, but it was in those simple ways that she found her passion to live and not just get by.
“Baby, tell me you’re close,” Callum pleaded, thrusting furiously inside of her.
“Almost,” she stammered, feeling her pussy begin to tighten.
It wasn’t until a moan came from behind them and she looked over to see Derek and Sadie watching them that she was able to let go. Her muscles clenched around Callum as she cried out. He thrust a handful more times before he found his own release. She could feel him pulsating inside of her and stilled his hips against her.
“Damn, that was fucking hot!” Sadie waved a hand in front of her.
“That’s not fair,” Derek grumbled.
“What’s not?” Callum asked as he pulled out of her.
Elle groaned, already missing the feel of him inside her.
“We came in the ending credits,” he whined, winking at Elle. “Would have loved to see the whole show.”
“Oh yeah?” Elle asked, picking her robe up off the floor and walking over to him.
Derek nodded, his eyes drifting down the front of her body.
“Hmm, if I wasn’t so late, I’d offer you a ride, but I guess you’ll just have to wait until after the wedding.” And before Derek could say anything, Elle leaned up on her toes, kissed him, and walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom, leaving her lovers standing there.
“That was mean, beautiful!” Derek called after her, causing Elle to laugh.
It was mean, but the anticipation would lead to amazing sex, and she really was late. Elle had just slipped on a pair of yoga pants and a tank top when the door to her bedroom opened and Sadie walked in, a dress bag draped over her arm and a small travel bag in her other hand.
“She’s gonna be pissed,” she said, laying the items on Elle’s bed.
“I know,” Elle replied, knowing that Sadie was referring to Helina, and not Ivy. She’d spoken to her sister the day before and assured Ivy that she wasn’t upset with her. Elle would do her best to put her personal feelings aside for Ivy, but she wasn’t looking forward to spending the afternoon in a room with just her and Helina. “I wish you were coming with me.”
“Me, too.” Sadie giggled, noting the double meaning of what she’d just said. “But Ivy needs you to do this for her, Elle. Derek, Callum, and I will be there before the wedding starts. Do this for your sister and nobody e
lse. Ivy’s always been there for us, supporting us even when she didn’t understand our relationship.”
Elle nodded in agreement and leaned down, pressing her lips against Sadie’s. “Do me a favor?”
“Of course,” she agreed almost immediately.
“Don’t wear panties under your dress.”
Sadie inhaled a sharp breath. “Wasn’t planning on it, lover. Now, get your ass out of here before I lay you on the bed and lick Callum’s come out of your pussy.”
Somehow, and Elle wasn’t sure how, she managed to drag herself away from Sadie. The temptation to stay wrapped in the arms of her lover, hide away in the private bubble they often found themselves in, was strong, but Sadie was right. Ivy had always been there for her, and had never been never judgmental, so the least she could do was deal with her mother for a few hours.
Ivy and Nick had opted to get married at a Grace Methodist Church. Neither of them were religious. In fact, Ivy had wanted to get married at a charming little bodega that overlooked the city, but Helina threatened not to pay for the wedding if they didn’t get married in a ‘respectable’ church. Elle had tried to convince Ivy to follow her dreams and not let their mother ruin the wedding that she wanted, but Ivy didn’t want to disappoint Helina and decided to settle on the church.
Elle found Ivy and Helina inside the bridal suite. While Ivy scrambled to her feet and rushed over to hug Elle, their mother tossed a glare in her direction and folded her arms in front of her chest.
“Nice of you to show up, Elle,” Helina snarled. “I would have thought that you’d have more consideration for your sister’s feelings on her wedding day, but then again, you never have cared about anyone else.”
“Gee, Mom, great to see you, too,” Elle groused, rolling her eyes before she looked at Ivy. “I’m sorry I’m late, but I’m here now. What do you need me to do?”
“Nothing,” Ivy chirped, sliding her arm in with Elle’s and dragging her over to the large, plush sofa. She tugged the garment bag out of her arms and laid it over the back before turning back to Elle. “I’m so glad you’re here, sis.”