by Shayne Ford
I sense another wave rising. He’s not even moving.
My walls drip with wetness, my nipples getting hard against his chest. I roll my hips. He presses into me harder, keeping me still a little more. The pull starts growing stronger. I bite my lip. And lick it. His eyes dip to my mouth, glinting with a knowing smile.
“You’d love to suck a cock right now...” he says, and the words perform their little magic, throwing me into an abyss of pleasure.
My nails sink into his arms as he pounds me through my high. Moments later, he smoothly breaks away from me, sheds off his pants, and straddles me again.
This time my chest.
I tilt my head.
“You didn’t forget,” he says.
“I never tried,” I say, grinning cunningly.
A sly smile spreads across his face as he keeps stroking his cock. Rock hard, his shaft juts in the air, curving up.
Ready for my mouth.
I hold his gaze as I wrap my mouth around his girth, and start sucking him. Hard as steel, he’s very close. His fist clutches my hair as I start moving my head.
He didn’t forget either.
He pulls my head back, disconnecting my mouth from his erection. I shoot my eyes up. One hand in my hair, the other running the length of his erection. He looks down at me, dominant, yet not threatening.
He comes back to me.
I open my mouth and take him until he hits the back of my throat. His hips start moving, back and forth, my cheeks getting hollow as I suck him, my lips molding to his shaft. Tension escalates in his body as my pleasure thickens. He begins to thrust faster. Soon, he shoots his load, groaning.
I lick his shaft thoroughly.
He watches me in silence, panting and relishing every moment. A crooked smile tilts his lips as he softly nods.
“That’s my girl.”
He rolls to my side and sinks his back into a pillow next to me. I slide on top of him. His arms drape around me, a mysterious smile claiming his eyes.
I grin just because he does.
He brushes a few locks away from my face, softly kisses my lips and murmurs in my ear.
“You let me know when you’re ready for more...”
I pull up a little and look deep into his eyes.
Another secret smile flickers through them.
“Are you serious?” I ask.
He nods and purses his lips, his eyes gleaming.
“Mmm-hmm.”
I search his eyes for a moment, my smile vanishing slowly.
His grin fades away as well.
“Maybe this will be a test. And it will teach you how much I love you. It will also give you pleasure,” he says with a quiet voice.
“You’re serious.”
He smiles.
“I sure am.”
I glue my cheek to his chest, listening to the soft pounding of his heart.
His hand goes to my hair.
“You shouldn’t be afraid, baby.”
“Do I have a saying?”
“You had a saying...” he says, seriously this time. “You just opened the door to your heart and let me in. I do love you as no one else would. And I will take care of you as no one else would. You’re the best woman I could ever have. I will mend your heart, and I will make you mine. And in time, you’ll fully understand why I had to leave, and you’ll forgive me.”
I flip my eyes open. This is not just any other morning. I stretch my hand behind me and brush a naked body.
“Lower.”
His hoarse, nasal voice echoes straight between my legs. I sweep my hand lower and cuff his erection.
“I haven’t done anything,” I say.
“Yet...” he says, shifting his body and spooning me.
His shaft nestles between my butt cheeks as his hand cups my mound. He curls his fingers and slides them into me.
“Someone had a wet dream,” he murmurs, his lips in my hair.
“There wasn’t that much of a dream. I’m wet when I’m around you.”
“Sounds like the foundation of a long-lasting relationship.”
I let out a chuckle. He pulls his fingers out and slides his hard cock into me, filling me up. I arch my back and push my backside out as he rolls his hips. His hand coasts over me, kneading my left breast, then circling my clit.
He presses his lips against my shoulder.
“You’re the best lay I ever had,” he murmurs.
I clutch his thigh, clenching inside.
“And the only one who gets off with words...”
“It’s not only the words,” I say, smiling.
“Mmm-hmm. I’ve never seen a woman who craves it as much as you do... Having your mouth and pussy filled at the same time.”
“Jaden,” I breathe out as I start to shudder in his arms.
He rams into me giving me so much pleasure.
“That’s what I was talking about,” he says after a few moments, his breath heavy just like mine.
We catch our breathes and minutes later we walk into the shower.
Half an hour later we pull some clothes on and stroll into the kitchen.
“I can’t believe you kept my clothes,” he says, glancing down at the sweatpants.
“I don’t know why I kept them.”
He gives me a lopsided smile.
“Don’t get cocky with me,” I say, wagging my finger at him.
He flicks his hand up and spins toward the fridge when a new tattoo catches my eye.
“New ink?”
He glances at me over his shoulder, his smile fading away. He stays silent, and I then remember. Every scar renders a new tattoo. I erase the space between us and study his ink.
“Is there a new scar?”
I trail my fingers over his shoulders, following the intricate design of a bird unfurling mythical wings over his back.
“I don’t feel anything,” I say, my fingertips inspecting his skin.
“It’s not on my body,” he says, pulling away from me. “How do you like your eggs?” he asks, swiftly shifting the topic.
He opens a couple of cabinets and pulls out pots and pans.
“I can order something.”
“I don’t want to wait.”
“What are you looking for?”
“I want to make pancakes.”
“I don’t have any ––”
“That’s fine. I’ll make them from scratch.”
He raids the refrigerator and the pantry and pulls out eggs, milk, fruits, whipped cream, maple syrup, flour.
“We eat outside,” he says and motions to the backyard.
“Here. This is for you.”
He hands me a cup of black coffee mixed with a dash of cream.
“Go.”
He nudges me to move away.
Half an hour later, he brings out the plates. For a few minutes, we only eat.
“This is really good,” I say.
“Thank you.”
“How can I love you back?” I ask casually, taking him by surprise.
He locks my eyes.
“Is this because of the pancakes?” he asks, amused.
“No. Pancakes are only part of the reason. It’s not only about them,” I say, smiling as well. “Seriously now. How do you want me to love you? You never told me. I know how to satisfy your body, but I want to know more about your heart.”
“Loyalty,” he says and pauses, gulping water from the bottle. “We are not that different...” he adds.
I ponder for a few moments.
“You said that in time I'd know exactly why you left. When did you know you had to leave?”
His eyes darken for a second.
“Looking back, I probably knew it the moment we played house in that chalet. You gave me a taste of a different life. A life I missed. I knew it wasn’t perfect, but it was more than anyone had offered me. I was falling hard for you, and I think you knew. You thought you had things figured out for us. You hoped I’d play along. It would have never wor
ked out.”
He glances at me briefly.
“I had to become my own man without you holding my hand, and without me self-doubting myself my entire life. I credit you for picking me off the streets and teaching me and giving me that initial opportunity, but after that, it had to be all on me. I started to feel for you way before I left. I wanted to move fast and do what I was supposed to. Besides, I bore the responsibility of Sara and Emma. I couldn’t mess with their lives. They depended on me, and I depended on you, and that made my life a nightmare.”
He pauses for a moment.
I feel my blood spasming in my wrists.
“All that time we spent together I tried to keep you at arm’s length. I tried not to promise you anything or encourage you. But things were getting out of control, and I had to leave. I couldn’t tell you then what I tell you now, and I couldn’t ask you to wait for me. I was willing to take a risk than have you feel sorry for me or think about me as less of a man. That’s why I left. It wasn’t a choice at all. I had to take care of my family first, and then find my own way, and then come back to you. I want you to understand that it was not a real choice for me. You weren’t the last one on some list. In my heart, you were right there with my family, but I wanted to be with you the right way.”
He goes quiet for a moment before he continues.
“I didn’t think you were gonna hate me, though.”
“I didn’t hate you.”
His lips curve into a rueful smile. He softly nods.
“Yes, you did. Back then, when we met in that bathroom.”
“Okay... Yes, I did, but only because things played differently in my head. I thought I was not enough for you and that’s why you left. I always knew there was a good part in you. It shined through in your love for Emma and Sara. But you didn’t let me close to that side of you. At least not then.That’s why I felt used and abandoned.”
I pause and stare blankly at the pool before I swing my gaze back to him.
“And then I ran into you on that terrace. A new man. Well-off, detached, laughing with a beautiful woman. It made me jealous. That’s where the hatred stemmed from, but I never truly hated you,” I murmur.
He keeps his eyes lowered.
“I didn’t,” I say, sliding my hand on top of his.
He raises his eyes.
“You have to believe me.”
“I do,” he says and smiles at me before he gives me a soft kiss on my lips.
He smells like powdered sugar and vanilla.
I run my tongue over my lip.
“You’re so sweet,” I say, grinning.
“I am, aren’t I?”
He pulls a folded napkin from a chair and runs it over his lips when one of the children books slides to the ground.
His gaze lands on the cover, and a thought flits through his eyes.
“Since when do you read children books?” he asks.
Stretching a mysterious smile, he picks it off the ground and sets it on the table.
“It’s a product review.”
“Hmm. And what’s the verdict?”
I take the Baby Bear book in my hand and sift through the pages.
“They’re actually very good, and the illustrations are well drawn. They remind me of your drawings.”
His lips curve into a grin.
“Why are you so entertained?”
“No reason.”
“They do look like yours, don’t they?”
He nods.
“Yeah, they do. Because they’re mine.”
My mouth falls open.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes.”
“Have you sold the rights? I didn’t see your name anywhere.”
“No, I didn’t. My pen name is on the cover.”
I flip the book and examine every inch of paper as if I’m looking for a secret door to a different Universe.
“What name?”
“Hope Evans. I’m the writer as well.”
“No...”
“Yes. I’m surprised you didn’t recognize the Lost Girl story. You inspired me.”
“Oh, my God. I can’t believe it. So... the name...”
“Hope Evans was my mom’s maiden name.”
“Jaden...” I murmur, suddenly gasping and grappling with emotion. “They are beautiful,” I say with a trembling voice. “Shit. Why am I getting so emotional?”
His lips curve into a knowing smile.
“You probably need to get laid... more?”
I ball up a napkin and throw it at him as we both start laughing.
15
“No sex toys, pornographic materials... Right?”
“Jaden,” I growl under my breath, admonishing him while flashing a smile to the catering people who pass by, holding plates of food above their hands.
The sunlight pours in Jaden’s eyes. He parts his lips, giving me a playful smile.
“I just want to make sure...”
“You want to know for yourself. That’s what this is,” I say, pushing back a smile while shifting my eyes back to my tablet.
“No it’s not,” he says, amused.
“The house is clean, and it’s definitely children friendly.”
“So there were some compromising materials,” he says, pulling my leg.
“Shut up!” I say, chuckling.
Grinning, he holds his hands up and walks away. He stops next to the food tables and starts overseeing the crew working on setting up the party.
From time to time, I glance up from my tablet and look at him. He inspects the food, the newly set up playground, and the decorations.
He also checks his phone often.
This is not just any other party. It was my idea to invite Sara and Emma, and I promised him that it was going to be a family-friendly event.
Adele, Mark, Nick, Abel, and Harper are expected to show up. Some of the other guests are people I know through Adele and her husband or people I work with. Also, this is a daytime event. Some of the guests will bring their children with them, hence the playground full of toys, waiting for them.
Early afternoon, the guests start arriving.
It doesn’t take long before the air fills with the sound of the party–– voices, children’s laughter and adult’s dialogue.
Sara and Emma show up not much later.
Emma has grown up since last year. She’s shy with me and completely glued to Jaden. From the moment she walks into the backyard, she’s either in his arms or asking for him.
Sara looks good. Her hair is longer, her features more mature, elegant and beautiful. She wears a halter style dress and a flower in her hair that makes her look like a Hawaiian pin-up girl.
“Emma’s okay,” I say, trying to convince her to mingle with the guests so she can meet new people.
I introduce her to Adele’s group before I stroll back to Emma and Jaden. I find them sitting on a lounge chair, Emma sprawled on Jaden’s lap.
I watch them from afar, and my insides begin to melt. She cuddles at his chest and rests her head against his shoulder, glancing up from time to time to catch his gaze. Softly, she kneads his arms, reminding me of a kitten.
He reads her a story, and she couldn’t be more mesmerized.
He raises his eyes and locks my gaze.
“I can read to her if you want to grab a bite,” I say.
He talks her into letting go of him, and I replace him on the chair. The corners of her eyes point down as soon as he walks away.
“Don’t cry Em. I’m coming back,” he says to her.
She barely pushes her tears back.
“I’ll be back,” he mouths to me while I wrap my arms around her, holding the book in front of us.
She casts a long gaze across the lawn where Jaden nears a table, still waving at her.
“You like him?” I ask, trying to distract her.
“Yes,” she says.
To prove it she gives me a grin and starts clapping her hands.
“I like him too.”
She looks up and over her shoulder, giving me a curious glance. Smoothly her gaze shifts to my hair.
“You wanna touch it?”
She nods with half of her upper body, smiling from ear to ear. I brush all my hair to the side and let her pull my locks.
She smiles.
“You want me to continue the story?”
“Yes,” she says, playing with my hair.
We start our little reading session, and by the time Jaden comes back and takes a seat in a chair next to us, Emma’s eyes are glued to me, her fingers woven in my hair.
I feel Jaden’s stare on us, and it takes me an extra effort to remained focused on the story and not get distracted by him.
Every time I glance at him, his eyes glint with a soft smile.
“Are you okay?” I ask, trying to conceal my own emotions.
He nods. His eyes slip to Emma.
“Are you getting sleepy, baby bear?” he asks, his voice mellow like a lullaby.
Emma nods against my chest.
A warm grin creases his lips while his eyes sparkle, full of love for her. My mouth pulls slightly agape as I take in the tenderness flowing through his eyes.
“Time to take a nap then,” he says.
“Senna... nap...” she says, happily clapping her hands.
He scoops her up from my arms and glances down at me.
“Senna doesn’t take a nap... Not now, anyway,” he says, winking at me.
Blushing, I start to fidget, grappling with emotion.
Without adding anything else, he holds Emma against his chest and bends over me, placing a feather-like kiss on my lips.
I melt into my chair.
“I think I may have the cure for your emotions,” he says, winking at me again and my face gets even hotter.
They stroll away, and I finally begin to breathe.
Emma waves me goodbye while he keeps telling her something and nuzzling her face, making her laugh. She eventually locks eyes with him, and I may need a box of tissues.
What the fuck?
As the day recedes and the evening sets in, the lights begin to come on. A gasp falls from my lips as I spot Sara and Nick sitting together at a small table for two.
I watch them interact for a few good minutes. He’s talking–– more than he usually does, and she’s laughing–– a heartfelt, carefree laugh I’ve rarely seen on her.
He pushes to his feet, walks to the food table, picks up a plate with fruit and desserts and walks back to her. She watches him as he pours wine into their gasses.