A Simple Love (The Hopetown Series, Book 3)

by Harlow James

  “I get it. I am a little nervous though…”

  “You know where everything goes, right?” Dean busts my balls, my hand finding an apple from the bowl of fruit in front of me, chucking it across the island at him. He catches it pretty well for someone who’s probably slept six hours in the last week, his laugh filling the room.

  “Yes, I know where everything goes, asshole. I’ve done stuff and taken biology. I just don’t want to hurt her.”

  Dean shakes his head. “Hate to break it to you, bro…. but that’s kinda unavoidable. It’s gonna hurt her a little. Just be gentle, go slow, and then things will feel very good, very fast.” He wiggles his eyebrows over at me, making me chuckle before he stands and grabs his keys.

  “Alright. Well, daddy-duty calls yet again. I’ve only been gone a few hours, but I miss my kid and my woman, so I’m going to head back. Good luck tomorrow.” He reaches into his back pocket and retrieves a brand new box of condoms, sliding them across the island to me. “Have fun and be safe,” he salutes me as I send him a death glare and he leaves my house.

  Chapter 22

  Victoria

  Sleeping past seven has proven to be a struggle since completing school and starting my teaching job. I guess one of the perks to getting older and having a normal job now is an internal clock that ruins any plans of extra sleep you might want to partake in. Lilly running into my room this morning to say hello since she hadn’t really seen me in a few days didn’t help my quest for more sleep either.

  “Lilly, do you know what time it is?” I mumble under my pillow, attempting to block out the light and Lilly’s overly enthusiastic voice.

  “It’s seven o'clock, Vic! Time for breakfast. Mom’s making bacon and pancakes. Dad’s already headed to work, but I missed you and want to hang out with you today.” The sadness in her voice prompts me to uncover my face and find her eyes. Staring at the younger version of myself brings me back to being her age, desperate to spend time with adults because they were way more fun than kids my own age, or so I thought. If the roles had been reversed and I was the younger sister, I’m sure I would die to follow around my older sister as well. Adult lives seem so much more exciting when you're small.

  “Okay, I guess I can’t be mad at you for that,” I tease while pulling her into my arms next to my bed. “I need to get a pedicure today. Do you want to go with me?”

  “YES!” She shouts, kisses my cheek, then runs out of my room to relay the news to my mom. The smell of bacon and syrup hits my nose as I sit up, and then the biggest smile splashes over my face as I realize that tonight is finally my date with Mike.

  My stomach is already in knots over the prospect of what could happen this evening. I don’t know if I’ll even be able to enjoy the meal my mom is making. I make my way over to my dresser to change my clothes, pull my hair up and off of my face, and slip on a pair of flip-flops before walking down the hallway and into the kitchen.

  “Smells good, Mom.” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek, followed by one for Lilly.

  “Grab a plate and dig in,” she replies, sliding the last pancake from the skillet onto the fluffy stack already on the counter. “So you’re taking Lilly to get a pedicure today? What about me?” She’s teasing, but the prospect of spending the day with my mom and sister actually sounds fun. Maybe it will help me keep my mind off the impending evening.

  “How about we all go then?” I offer.

  “Actually, I could use some pampering.” She smiles and we finish our breakfast before loading in the car and making our way into town.

  While my mom and Lilly sort through the racks at Kohl’s in Lincoln, I sneak away to the salon to get waxed. I’m actually glad that my mom offered to tag along so I could take care of that personal deed without worrying about Lilly. Mike has already had his hands between my legs, but I was in-between my monthly appointments, so it will be nice to surprise him with a whole lot of nothing down there.

  I find a few new outfits for work when I return, my mom and Lilly each find a few new pieces for themselves as well, we all settle in at the salon to get our much-needed pedicures, and then we grab some lunch before stopping at the grocery store back in Hopetown so I can pick up some supplies for a cake. Baking is one of my favorite things to do, especially around the holidays. It’s a pastime I made time for in-between classes and on special occasions. And since I’m going to have dinner at Mike’s house tonight, which is a special occasion in my mind, I figured the least I could do is bring dessert. A classic vanilla cake with chocolate ganache should be enough to win over Mike’s stomach since I’m pretty sure I’ve already won over his heart.

  Once we’re home, I mix and whip the ingredients for the cake and icing, shove the pans in the oven to bake while I shower, and primp myself for my date. I decide to go for something casual, but still sexy, choosing a denim skirt and sandals, with a low cut blush top that shows off my average breasts and curves. Even though I’m insecure most of the time, tonight I don’t feel that way because I know Mike wants me, and the feeling is mutual. I leave my hair down and curled in soft waves, light make-up on my face, and gloss on my lips. Checking my appearance in the mirror one last time, I’m confident that I’m stimulating to the eyes, snap a quick selfie to Pauline seeking her approval, and then make my way to the kitchen to finish assembling the dessert.

  “Victoria,” my mom calls behind me while I’m slathering the last bit of frosting on the two-tiered cake.

  “What’s up, Mom?”

  She places her hand on my shoulder, forcing me to stop icing and turn to her, a small smile gracing her lips. “I hope tonight is everything you’ve been waiting for hun.” My mom has been rooting for Mike and me since we were kids, and I confided in her about our date tonight and how I ended things with Ben. My mom also knows I’m a virgin still, but I didn’t inform her of Mike’s common status.

  “Thank you, Mom. I’ve been waiting for this for so long… I think I might throw up.”

  She laughs at me. “You’ll be fine. Just promise me you’ll be safe,” she states, raising her eyebrow at me in a warning.

  “Yes, I promise,” I assure her with a kiss on the cheek.

  “Are you staying the night then?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know, honestly. I just figured I’d see where the evening takes us.” But there is an overnight bag packed and stored just moments ago in my trunk just in case, filled with a Costco-sized box of condoms and a change of clothes. My mom doesn’t need to know that, though.

  “Well, don’t worry about letting us know. You’re twenty-five and it’s time you made a life of your own.”

  “I’m trying, Mom.” I lean in for a hug, relishing in the feel of my mother’s arms holding me. She’s always been there for me, even now as my life is finally starting to take shape and my future is turning out exactly the way I wanted it.

  I grab the cake after saying my final goodbyes to my mom and Lilly, making my way down the porch stairs and over to my car.

  “Where are you headed looking like that?” I turn towards the voice to see my father approaching me, leaving the shade from the eaves of the garage as he steps into the sunlight.

  “Um, I have a date with Mike tonight. At his house.” I’m not sure why I’m so nervous to tell my dad that. He knows I’m an adult, but I guess the idea of him knowing I’m headed to a man’s house tonight might not sit well with him.

  “What about Ben?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest. Angry eyes peer back at me. Is he really pissed about this?

  “I told Ben that I couldn’t see him anymore. Honestly, he’s not the man I wanted, Dad. And I think you and I both know that.” Even though my father has never been a fan of Mike, I think he’s known all along how I’ve felt about him.

  “Well, I’m glad you made a decision finally,” he replies, an answer I was not expecting from him at all.

  “Really?” I’m curious, finding his statement odd. “Why?”

  He takes the cake from my hands
and walks to open the passenger door of my car, placing it on the seat before looking back at me. “Because I want you to be happy, Vic. I love you more than anything…. You know that, right?”

  I smile up at him. “Yeah. I know that, Dad. Thank you.” I kiss him softly on the cheek as he pulls me in for a hug. Maybe Dad is finally accepting that I’m an adult now because this reaction is far different from the one I got when Mike first picked me up for a date.

  I settle in and start my car, coasting down the driveway and onto the road, taking a few turns before finally arriving at Mike’s house. The sun has started to set, a glow of orange and pink filtering through the sky. A slight breeze has picked up, but nothing too crazy. Honestly, it’s the perfect summer night, and I hope it ends that way too.

  Killing the engine, I sit for a moment before taking a deep breath and exiting the car, walking around to the other side to fetch the cake, and then up the front porch to the door, carefully balancing the dessert on one hand to knock. Only a few seconds pass before I’m greeted by my boyfriend in all his rugged glory.

  “Damn, Vic,” he growls, opening the screen and taking the cake from my hand, placing his other palm on my back, pulling me up close to him. “You look incredible,” he whispers in my ear, tingles shooting down my neck and straight between my legs. Just this one touch from him and I’m already a puddle. I don’t know how I’m going to wait all night for him to ravage me.

  “Thank you,” I reply while putting some distance between us, forcing him to follow me into his kitchen that overlooks the living room. Dark cherry cabinets line the walls and island, and granite countertops cover every flat surface in the kitchen, clean and masculine without being overbearing.

  “You look great too, handsome,” I grin over my shoulder at him while moving to wash my hands that rubbed against the chocolate ganache when I was getting the cake out of the car.

  Mike places the cake in the fridge, then grabs two steaks in a glass pan and a tray full of sliced vegetables before closing the door, placing the items on the counter.

  “I hope you came hungry.”

  “Definitely. I haven’t really eaten too much today. I’ve been to anxious for tonight,” I say while glancing around the room. I haven’t been inside his house yet, just the shop for the first time this week.

  He strides up to me, holding my waist as he pulls me in and nuzzles my nose. “Me too, beautiful.” He backs up and continues. “Let me give you the tour of the house, and then I’ll start cooking,” he says with a smile, reaching for my hand and placing a small kiss on my lips before ushering me around his beautiful home.

  The living room, dining room, and kitchen are all open concept, creating an inviting and airy space perfect for entertaining. Everything is dark brown and black, and the furniture had to have been made by him. Each piece has Michael Kelley written all over it. A long hallway extends to the right of the front door, leading to three spare bedrooms and then the master. Knowing Mike for as long as I have, I’m surprised to find his room brighter than I expected, a solid white comforter laying perfectly flat over his bed, light grey walls except for the wall behind his bed that’s covered in wood paneling, and black furniture placed strategically around the room. I saw Mike having a dark room filled with blues and greens, maybe with a plaid comforter or curtains. Must be the flannels he’s wearing ninety percent of the time.

  “Huh,” I exhale, slowly sliding across the hardwood in his room, focusing intently on his bed. I hope we’ll be rolling around on it later.

  “What?” he asks, folding his arms and leaning against the doorjamb.

  “This just isn’t what I expected for you, in your room. It’s nice.” I turn to find him gleaming in my perusal of him. His tight grey shirt clings to his well-defined chest and his dark jeans look like they were painted on his perfect body. His bare feet peeking out beneath the hem of his pants does things to my vagina, the wetness I already feel pooling between my legs, reminding me that we still have an entire meal to get through before she can be satisfied.

  “Well, I am full of surprises,” he teases before encouraging us to return to the kitchen so he can cook us dinner. I want to stay in this room and strip him naked, match him in lack of clothing, and rub our bodies together all night. But I take a deep breath and remind myself that there is no expectation of what has to happen this evening. I need to relax and let things happen the way they are meant to. If it’s meant to be, it will be.

  Chapter 23

  Mike

  I swear, my dick is going to fall off from too many erections and not enough release. The moment I saw Victoria in that skirt and top, all of my blood flowed south and now I know, I have to have her tonight. If she’s ready, of course. But the way she’s been eyeing me at the grill and touching me since she arrived, I think she’s feeling the same way.

  “So, how were your first few days with the kids?” I need to redirect our focus, a necessary distraction so I don’t blow my load before I ever touch her.

  She takes a sip of her red wine before placing the glass back on the table. She’s seated outside on my deck while I’m standing at the grill, flipping the steaks and vegetables. I have some rice cooking inside too, but nothing beats a char-grilled steak. I set the table so we can eat out here as well to enjoy the summer evening before the cold hits Hopetown soon.

  Her long black hair is flowing in the breeze, her eyes sparkle in the dull light left from the sunset. She’s perfect. She belongs here. She’s mine.

  “It was really great, actually. My students are so sweet. I’m told that will end in a few weeks when they come out of their shells,” she jokes. “But it went well! And I love my desk, by the way.” Her comment makes me beam, and if I had a tail, I’d be wagging it in appreciation.

  “I’m sure you’ll have those kids wrapped around your fingers in no time,” I pause to plate the food. “And I’m glad you like your desk.”

  “It’s beautiful and the perfect size. A bunch of the kids even commented on how ‘pretty’ it was,” she explains, using air quotes. “It’s so crazy to see all of them in that room finally and getting to know their individual personalities. I have a few little boys that I feel will be a challenge, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Well, you know I’m here if you need anything. Or even, just someone to listen.” I want her to know that even though I could never be a teacher or won’t completely understand what her job is like, I want her to open up to me and share her struggles and success. I want to be her best friend, the person she tells everything to. That’s the relationship I want with her. That’s the marriage I want with her someday, too.

  “Sorry that day I brought your desk to you was kind of tainted by my outburst though,” I still feel awful for how I reacted towards her over Ben, but all I can do now is apologize and vow not to lose my temper again.

  She rises from her seat, making her way over to me, grazing my shoulder to turn me to face her. The tongs are still in my hand, the food still on the grill, but all I am aware of right now is her. Those pools of forest green staring back at me are full of acceptance: of my apology, of my need for her, of everything I want to give her. She looks at me and sees me, and it makes me want to be everything for her.

  “I know you’re sorry, Mike, okay? But here’s the thing,” she pauses, looking deeply between my eyes, “I’m not sorry that things happened the way they did, because it lead us to where we are now.” Her smile brightens the darkness that has descended around us and all I can do in lean in and kiss her with a soft brush of my lips.

  “Me too, Vic,” I whisper to her while resting my forehead on hers. I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve her, but I’m never letting her go. “Now let’s eat.”

  I bring both plates inside to spoon rice beside the meat and veggies, grab the last of the bottle of wine, and make my way back outside to join Victoria. She moans with every bite she takes, complimenting me on the flavors. I am a pretty talented cook if I do say so myself. My addic
tion to the Food Network is not something I share with anyone, but I’ve definitely learned a thing or two from watching Chopped and multiple cooking shows. That Bobby Flay sure can grill.

  Every lick of her lips and sounds she makes keeps the rock hard erection in my pants holding strong. I know Victoria brought a cake for dessert too, but I don’t know if I can wait that long. My body is not just aware of every physical touch between us, but every conversation and feeling I get when I’m around her. I’ve imagined an entire life with her, envisioned her in my house with me, just how we are. I feel like I’m dreaming or having an out-of-body experience. Someone needs to pinch me to remind me this is real.

  Holding her hand, memorizing the feel of her delicate fingers in mine, we sit back and relax after clearing our plates.

  “That was so delicious, Mike. Thank you,” she says, reaching over to stroke my cheek with the hand I’m not holding. “Who knew you could cook so well. Good thing, because cooking isn’t my forte… now baking on the other hand? That I have in the bag.”

  “You’re welcome, Vic. I actually enjoy cooking. It’s easier for me to cook than get takeout since I live far away from town now anyway.”

  “That makes sense, and you’re definitely good at it. I can’t wait to see what else you make me in the future,” she winks. The future. Yeah, we have one of those now.

  “Are you ready for cake then?”

  “How about we clean up first, and then yes… I want to taste your cake.”

  That penetrating gaze of hers hits me from her seat, her face clearly depicting she understood my sexual reference. Honestly, I do want to try the cake she brought. But truth be told, I want to taste her too.

  “Wanna move inside before the bugs start biting?” The mosquitoes at night are silent predators, waiting to feast on human flesh. But once we get inside, I may not be able to keep my teeth to myself.

  “Good idea,” she chuckles, grabbing both of our plates. I follow with the wine bottle and glasses into the kitchen where we rinse the dishes and load them into the dishwasher side-by-side. It’s so normal but so surreal. I’m pretty sure I’ve envisioned a mundane life like this with Victoria so many times, I’ve lost count. But now that she’s here, in my house, I never want her to leave. I want every day with her. I want her, every day.