Love Me Always

by Peyton Banks

  “Hi, Jada,” Tina, the pretty college student, said behind the counter. Tina was only one of the many students that worked for my friend during the summer months and part time during the rest of the school year. “What will it be today? Donuts or cupcakes?”

  “Actually, I’m here to talk to Asia. But I promise to grab something before I go.”

  “I recommend the dark chocolate with raspberry filling,” Tina said.

  “Great, then fix me up six to go,” I replied, just as Asia stepped through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. A big smile spread across her ebony face, when her eyes latched onto mine.

  “Hey, Jada!” Asia greeted, as I stood on the other side of the counter. “I called you last night and you didn’t return my call,” my friend chided.

  “I’m sorry. I saw your call but I needed to talk to you face to face. I hope that’s alright?”

  “Yeah sure. It’s not too busy this time of day anyway,” Asia replied, before turning to her employee. “Tina, will you take over for a while?”

  “Sure thing, boss!” Tina smiled, as Asia took off her apron and came around the counter. She led me over to a small corner table by a window to take a seat.

  At least once a week, Asia and I would get together to meet for dinner or catch a movie on the weekends. We promised no matter how busy life got, we would try to make time for our friendship. Over the years, it had worked well for the both of us.

  “So, what’s up?” Asia asked, with a curious look simmering from her brown eyes.

  “You will never guess who I ran into and went out on a date with last night,” I replied.

  “Who? Is it the new guy from your office?”

  “No. I wouldn’t date the new guy if my life depended on it. All the single women are on him like ants,” I laughed.

  “Then who? Don’t you dare keep me in suspense.”

  “Okay. I will tell you. I ran into Joshua when I was at the park yesterday. He literally jogged past me before he noticed who I was.”

  “The famous basketball player and your ex Joshua Perry?” Asia’s owl-like stare widened.

  “Yes, the one and the same,” I nodded.

  “Oh my God! What happened? You need to tell me everything.”

  “There isn’t a lot to tell. We had dinner last night, we talked a lot. Then—” my voice trailed, as I glanced down at the tabletop.

  “Then, what?” Asia questioned, as she leaned on the table with her elbows, giving me her rapt attention.

  “We kissed and he asked me out on another date,” I whispered, just loud enough for her to hear me.

  “Jada! Don’t play with me. I thought you was going to say that you had the best sex of your life, cause the good lord knows I’m not getting any,” she let out a long breath.

  I laughed at the disappointed look in my friend’s eyes.

  “Come on Jada. You have to give me something juicy.”

  “Joshua is still a great kisser,” I said, licking my lips at the thought of Joshua’s mouth on mine. Truth was, if he had tried to make love to me, I would have undoubtedly allowed him to, but after he kissed me senseless, he saw me safely inside after setting up another date with me for tonight.

  “Do you still love Joshua?” Asia asked me.

  “I do,” I answered truthfully. “Do you think I’m foolish to still love him after all these years?”

  “No,” Asia replied. “I know you two were kids back then when you first fell in love, but I knew the two of you were meant to last a lifetime. I often prayed that you two would make your way back to one another.”

  Tears filled my eyes from my friend’s words.

  “Thank you because God must have heard your prayers. I would have never thought the day would come when Joshua walked back into my life. But I’m glad he did, I’m not going to even lie.”

  “Well this is cause for a celebration,” Asia said, jumping to her feet. A few seconds later, she came back with us each a cupcake on small plates.

  “To love and second chances,” Asia lifted her cupcake in the air.

  I mimicked her motion and repeated her words with a big grin on my face.

  “To love and second chances,” I replied, before biting a big chunk out of the cupcake and relishing in its sweetness.

  4

  Jada

  One Month Later

  Joshua stayed true to his word and took his time with us getting to know one another again. I had to be honest with myself, I was disappointed that he hadn’t tried to make love to me since we started seeing one another again. Our kisses got heated, but when I thought he was going to take it a step further, Joshua always pulled back and brought sanity back into the moment.

  I hadn’t heard from Joshua at all today, and I was a bit surprised by that fact since he hadn’t missed a day of calling or texting, even when we didn’t get to see one another physically. I walked toward the refrigerator to heat up leftovers for dinner when I heard a knock at the door. I glanced down at my skimpy shorts and tee-shirt before strolling over to peer through the peephole. Joshua stood on the other side of the door with a takeout bag in his hand.

  “Hey,” I said softly, after opening the door.

  “Can I come in?” he asked, peering down at me.

  I stood back from the door to allow him entry. I tugged down my well-worn tee shirt and closed the door behind him.

  “I brought dinner,” Joshua said, holding up the bag. “I hope you haven’t eaten yet.”

  The fiery look in his warm brown eyes caused my nipples to hardened beneath my shirt.

  “No, I haven’t eaten yet. I was just about ready to warm up some leftover chicken casserole, when you knocked on the door.”

  I allowed my eyes to slowly travel over his tall, muscular frame. He was dressed in a navy Fendi tracksuit. I couldn’t help but notice the expressive outline of his shaft underneath his loose-fitting pants. I quickly tore my gaze away and led Joshua into the kitchen, instead of standing there, getting hot, bothered, and saturating my underwear.

  “I hope burgers and fries are okay,” Joshua said, placing the bag on the table.

  I grabbed a couple of paper plates and two sodas from the fridge before I spoke.

  “That’s sounds terrific,” I said, at the same time, my stomach rumbled loudly.

  Joshua chuckled. “Let’s get you fed,” he said, walking over to the kitchen sink to wash his hands, while I plated the food on two plates.

  “Ooh, this is delicious,” I said, taking a big bite out of the sandwich. Ketchup and mustard dribbled down my chin, but before I could wipe it away, Joshua took a napkin and wiped it away.

  Our gazes clashed, and a tremble went up and down my spine from the intense look in Joshua’s gaze. I got wetter as my pussy throbbed.

  Joshua stopped eating. I placed my burger on my plate, leaving the fries untouched. “Damn, you’re fucking beautiful,” Joshua’s voice sounded deep and gruff.

  I sat there speechless, as desire floated around us. Finally, I picked up my can of cold soda and took a gulp. I needed anything to try to dispel the heat running through my body.

  “I tried to be good and take my time with you, Jada. Do you know how hard it’s been to pull away from you, time and time again? I lay in bed at night, not able to sleep. I remembered what it felt like being inside of you. The memories of how good we were together and being inside of you drove me to distraction.

  “Can I have you again, sweetheart?” Joshua said, getting up from the table and coming to stand in front of me. His hand reached out to me, as silence hung between us.

  “Yes,” I finally said, in a soft voice. I placed my hand in Joshua's, and he pulled me to my feet.

  The food was forgotten, as I led Joshua from the kitchen and down the hall to my bedroom.

  “Nice bedroom,” he said, glancing around my small but immaculate room. Lace curtains hung at the window, and a Queen size bed centered the room.

  It didn’t take long before Joshua had me complete
ly disrobed, and the back of my legs pushed up against the bed.

  “Jada—Jada—Jada,” Joshua grunted, as he pushed me back on the bed.

  Before I knew it, he had my legs pushed up against my ears with his face buried between my thighs.

  “Oh, my God!” I moaned at the first swipe of his tongue against my clit, as sizzling vibrations zinged throughout my body. My hips began to undulate in an up and down motion.

  The salacious feelings inside me were building with each lash of Joshua’s tongue.

  His fingers gripped my hips and held my mound flush against his mouth; there was no escaping the delicious licking and sucking of his tongue and mouth. I clasped my hands to the side of his head, feeling the slight coarseness of his close-cropped hair.

  “Yes, just like that,” I whimpered, as I felt the heat budding between my thighs. Joshua’s tongue continued to lick and swirl against my pussy. I had secretly dreamed of Joshua and I being together like this again one day. Every time I saw him on television, or doing a basketball commercial, or in a magazine… I never got over Joshua. That’s the plain and simple truth.

  “Fuck, I have wanted to taste you since I first saw you again,” Joshua muttered against my wet folds. “So fucking sweet. Cum for me, sweetheart.” And I did, letting loose a long toe-curling moan, I gushed my nectar into his waiting mouth.

  Joshua gave my pussy a tantalizing French kiss before he stood and disrobed. “Keep your legs apart,” he directed and grabbed my hips again, before snatching me towards him.

  I gasped at the length and width of his rock-hard dick. Joshua reached down to his discarded pants and pulled out a foiled pack of condoms from his pocket. My gaze never left him, as he covered the length with the latex.

  “Mm,” I moaned, as Joshua slammed my pussy against his humongous erection. I could feel all of him slowly sliding inside my heat.

  Joshua's voice reverberated, as he slammed into me to the hilt. I didn’t know where he ended, and I began. His head bent, and he took a pebbled nipple into his mouth. More electrical shocks vibrated through my core with each of Joshua’s thrusts.

  “Fuck,” he grated out between clenched teeth, pushing his dick deeper inside my core. “You feel so fucking tight.”

  “Mm,” I moaned as his head lifted, and our gazes met. Slowly, he tried it again. Each thrust was careful, in and out. Joshua’s hips shifted, and my hips followed, seeking more of his engorged dick. I closed my eyes as, glorious sensations build in my core.

  “Open your eyes, Jada,” Joshua directed.

  My eyes popped open to meet his intense gaze. Our bodies danced and collided, as we strained towards the same goal.

  “Fuck,” he grunted, as our bodies slammed into one another.

  Suddenly, his mouth captures mine. My mouth opens automatically to receive his tongue. I get more turned on when I taste myself on his tongue. Our kiss deepens. I moan louder, and Joshua groans deeper.

  His thrusts pick up speed. “Cum for me,” Joshua demanded and grab hold to my shoulders, as our bodies undulate towards a blissful outcome.

  “Mm,” I whimpered, clinging as I feel a climax roar through my core.

  Then Joshua grunted. His dick throbbed and jerked, as we came in unison. Joshua held me so close while coming down from our passionate high.

  “Shit. I’m never letting you go,” Joshua muttered, pulling out of me.

  I lie there panting, as he got up to dispose of the condom. I didn’t move, as he walked into the bathroom and came back with a washcloth. He proceeded to wipe me down intimately between my thighs, before using the washcloth to clean himself.

  After discarding the cloth, he came back to the bed and took me in his embrace. “Don’t send me away. Tell me I can stay the night,” he said in a low, gruff tone.

  My body felt sated, and I felt safe and warm in Joshua’s embrace. I didn’t have the heart to send him away.

  “Yes, I want you to stay,” I replied and nuzzled my head against Joshua’s broad chest.

  “Good,” Joshua said and leaned down to place a kiss against the top of my head.

  I sighed and closed my eyes, before sleep soon claimed me with a smile on my lips and hope in my heart.

  5

  Jada

  One Week Later

  My eyes widened when I spotted Destiny in the vegetable aisle. I hurriedly back away, attempting to turn my grocery cart in the opposite direction before she notices me. I had been fortunate to avoid her for years. Now, it seems my past is coming at me from all sides.

  “Jada!” I jumped, as if I was spooked when her eyes met mine, and my name slipped past her lips.

  “Destiny, what a surprise seeing you here,” I replied drily.

  Destiny placed her hand on her stomach, my eyes followed to be connected to a very pregnant belly.

  “I know this is out of the blue but could we go somewhere for coffee? I’ve wanted to talk to you for years but never got the courage to. I—"

  “I don’t think having coffee together is necessary. Whatever you have to say to me can be said here.”

  “Ahem,” Destiny glanced around, as if to make sure no one was close by to hear her words. She licked her thick lips, before glancing down at her belly, then locking her glance in mine.

  “You know, I’m a First Lady now. Meeting and marrying my husband five years ago really changed my life. I asked the Lord to forgive me for all my sins, now I’m asking you to forgive me for lying all those years ago about Joshua and I having sex.”

  My mouth opened and closed with no words coming out. I placed a hand against my chest to try to dispel the erratic thumping of my heart.

  “Yeah, I lied. It’s true that Joshua was smashed that night. His friend Travis invited a group of us to his house, since his parents were out of town. Joshua fell asleep in one of the bedrooms upstairs and I took advantage of the moment. I always wanted Joshua but he never wanted me. I thought the head cheerleader and the top pick of the basketball team belonged together. Most everyone thought so, but Joshua wouldn’t hear of it. All he wanted was you.”

  “So, you got him naked while he was drunk and took advantage of him! You sexually assaulted him while he was incapacitated?”

  My voice grew louder, and Destiny held up her hand.

  “No, you misunderstand what I’m saying. It’s true that I did get him naked while he was in a drunken sleep, I even stripped, so it would look like we had sex the night before, but nothing happened. God be my witness nothing happened, Jada.”

  My hand squeezed hard against the steel handlebar of the grocery cart. I swear in that moment, if Destiny hadn’t been pregnant, my hands would have found themselves around her neck.

  “All of these years, I thought the worst of Joshua and you’re just now telling me because you found salvation! So many years lost because of your deceit.”

  I could feel tears welling in my eyes, as I glared at her.

  “I’m sorry, Jada. I really am. I was a kid, for God’s sake! Kids do stupid things. I’ve matured and would never do anything like that again. You—"

  “I need to go. I’m glad you changed for the better but I need some time to wrap my head around what you just told me. Did you ever tell Joshua it didn’t happen?”

  “No— not yet. I’m glad I ran into you first, now I can contact him, since he’s back in town.”

  “No, you need to stay away from Joshua. I will tell him what we talked about. I know we were kids but you ruined my life with your lie. I will never understand why you did that,” I said, shaking my head from side to side.

  “I’m truly sorry,” she said again. A glassy sheen had entered her dark brown eyes.

  “I need to go. I can’t say it’s been a pleasure seeing you again,” I said, walking away.

  I couldn’t pay for my groceries or get out the store fast enough. I had to get to Joshua, even though I knew it would be a couple of days before I saw him because of his busy schedule. I wanted to wait until I saw him face to face before I to
ld him about Destiny. My heart was elated that the man that was forever in my heart hadn’t betrayed me after all.

  6

  Jada

  “Guess who I saw at the grocery store the other day?” I said to Joshua, as we entered my apartment.

  “Who?” he asked, nuzzling my neck.

  We had just come in from date night. We went out for dinner and a movie. But I think Joshua paid more attention to me than the movie.

  “Destiny.”

  Joshua pulled away from me and turned me by the waist to face him. “I hope she didn’t give you any trouble because if she did I—”

  A frown furrowed between Joshua’s brows, and I reached up with my hand to smooth the worry lines away.

  “Destiny actually wanted to apologize about the past and to tell me she lied about the night you and she were together. She said nothing happened.”

  “Fuck. Now she wants to be honest after fucking up our lives. Do you know how many years we wasted when we could have been together? I just don’t—”

  “Shush,” I placed a finger against Joshua’s lips. “Thank God we know the truth now. You didn’t betray me that night, and that’s all that truly matters.”

  “I love you, woman. I would never knowingly betray you,” Joshua vowed, as his lips met mine in a soul-stirring kiss.

  I moaned, before pulling away. I took Joshua’s hand in mine and led him down the hallway to my bedroom. Once in the bedroom, Joshua gently pulled me into his embrace. It seems as if he can’t stop touching me. His hand caressed up and down my back, and we continuously gazed into one another’s eyes.

  “You are the best thing that ever happened to me.” Joshua’s deep timbered voice causes goosebumps to appear on my skin.

  “I love you, Joshua Perry. You better not hurt me.”