by Raquel Belle
It took me a second to catch my breath and realize what he was doing, as he leaned over the edge of the bed rummaging through his jeans.
“It’s okay,” I said. Anthony looked at me curiously but fixed himself on the bed again and pulled me next to him. “I’m on birth control, and I’m clean… Got checked after my last breakup.” Really, I wanted to skip this conversation and finish what we started, but it was necessary, especially if we were going to take this step. It meant not sleeping with anyone else, on top of dating exclusively, and it would solidify our role to each other. I think Anthony understood that. His bright blue eyes never wavered from mine, and he nodded, as if he’d been reading my thoughts.
“Same, I’m clean. Last I checked was right before we started interviewing the same guy,” he said, grinning at his own dumb joke. I giggled and kissed him. He pulled my leg around his hip and pushed inside of me again. I whimpered at the pleasure of it, and Anthony rested his forehead against mine. He pumped his hips, pushing deep into my tight pussy.
We both started to get sweaty. Anthony turned me over and plunged into me from the back. All it took was a couple of sharp thrusts, and I came undone. I cried out, my arms couldn’t hold me up anymore, so I sank onto the bed. Anthony sank with me as he kept pumping into me. I came again, and Anthony’s cock twitched inside me. I felt the warmth of his release, and he stilled. He dropped his head between my shoulder blades, and his soft moans set me off again.
“Anthony, pull out, pull out,” I said. With him pressed against the most sensitive part of me, I was afraid that I wouldn’t stop coming. The corners of my eyes pricked with tears, and I felt dizzy. Anthony slowly pulled out of me, and I winced.
“Did I hurt you?” He pushed the hair out of my face and put his hand lightly on my belly.
“No, I…you pressed some button in there, and the orgasm kept going,” I said. Anthony laughed, mostly out of relief, and he kissed me gently, then eased off of the bed and slowly walked to the bathroom for a couple of towels.
After we got cleaned up, I fell asleep, my body heavy and sedated.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Anthony
Beth and I sat in a restaurant near my offices. She looked utterly beautiful with the afternoon light shining on her face, making her eyes seem golden. Her hair was wavy, and it framed her face as if a professional hairstylist had primped it. She wore a simple sweater and jacket over jeans and boots. Maybe it was because I hadn’t seen her in a while that she seemed more beautiful than she normally was.
“What? Weirdo…” Beth laughed and took another bite of her salad. It had been a couple of days since we spent time together. Maybe my eyes were just thirsty for her.
“I might be obsessed with you. I don’t know,” I said.
Her smile widened. “As long as you aren’t crazy about it…or a serial killer.”
“Nah…” I had a joke ready for her, but a familiar face caught my eye. A tall man walked into the restaurant, followed by a woman, and my blood chilled. A scowl replaced my smile. “For how big this fucking city is…it can be really small sometimes.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” Beth glanced around, until she found who I was staring at. They walked to an empty booth a couple tables away from us.
“That guy looks like you—oh, is that your brother and sister?” She whispered. Her eyes were bright with curiosity, and I could see that she was trying to contain it. But she already wiped her mouth and put her napkin on the table, as if ready to get up.
“I don’t want to catch up with them,” I said.
Beth visibly deflated and rolled her eyes. “What if they see you?”
“They won’t come over either,” I said. “It’s just how it is with us.” My face felt hot, as if they were staring at me. I kept my eyes on my skirt steak.
“That’s fucking insane, Anthony,” she said. “You said you haven’t seen or heard from your sister in years. Aren’t you curious about what she’s into now? How she’s doing?” Beth tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced at their table again. “Maybe it’s you that doesn’t get along with them because… Anyway, they’re here together, is that not weird?”
I tilted my head to the side. She wasn’t wrong. It was weird that they’d go out to eat together. I glanced at their table, Eli was staring at me. He smirked and held his hand up in a wave.
“Alright, I’ll be back,” I said, as I got up and walked to their booth. “Well, this is bizarre.”
Nancy looked up, startled, her prim features looked so much like our mom’s it was uncanny. She was really pretty, too. It was annoying when we were all in high school together, and I learned how many guys were waiting in line for her.
Her blue eyes lit up weirdly with excitement, then she jumped out of her booth and hugged me tight. “My god! Anthony!”
“H-hey, Nance,” I said and patted her back. She let me go and sat back down. I shook Eli’s hand and sat next to Nancy.
“What a small town we live in. What are the odds?” She said, happily.
“Slim, but we would’ve seen him today anyway,” Eli said. His hair was long, shoulder length, and he was generally bigger than me, a few inches taller and stockier.
“Oh yeah? How’s that?” I said.
“We were going to drop in on you. Gramps told us that he saw you recently, and we got jealous,” Nancy said.
“She got jealous. I was bored,” Eli said. “We were going to show up at your job or apartment.” He glanced briefly at Beth. “It’s a good thing we didn’t drop in on you at home though.”
“Oh, is that your date?” Nancy said. She made no effort to keep her voice down or anything as she stared at Beth, practically analyzing her.
“Yes, she… We’re dating. So, why’d you want to see me, Nance? Do you miss me?”
“Well, first, it’s been years, I won’t deny that. How’s your life going?”
I shrugged. “The same, I guess. I’m still working at the paper.” I glanced at Beth who was on her phone and eating her salad.
“You know, if you ever want a change, Gramps would be over the moon if you joined Preston. He thinks Dad is too much for me to grapple with on my own. We need to do some serious innovating,” Eli said, as he sat back and twirled the menu under his finger.
“That right there is why I couldn’t. I’d just put a hit out on the man,” I said. They both laughed. “Plus, business has never been my thing. I don’t like feeling overwhelmed.”
“Which is why you landed short with journalism,” Nancy said.
I clenched my jaw and glanced at Beth again. Our eyes met for a second, then I looked back at Nancy. “You’ll never get over it, will you?” I said in a conversational tone, but my chest felt hot with indignation. Sure, she could miss me for a second here and there, but as soon as we started talking, she was right back to berating me about my career choice. It got under my skin every time.
“You know what I like to say, Anthony…” she said.
“If we didn’t have money, and I lived solely off of my writing, Nancy, I’d still be on the Upper East Side. I’m just that good. I prefer to enjoy what I do, unlike some people,” I said.
She scoffed. “You wouldn’t have a fraction of the lifestyle you have now, Anthony. That’s what I’m saying, and you ought to think about Eli’s offer.”
“Offer?” I glanced at Eli who waved his hand dismissively.
“You’re always welcome to work with us, Anthony, you know that. As long as you have your last name,” Eli said.
“The company could use help,” Nancy said, “is what he’s refusing to admit to. Dad’s slowly running it into the ground, and even Gramps sees that.”
I took a deep breath and wiped my hand over my face. “You’ve gotta be kidding me with this right now.”
“I wish we were,” Nancy said. “Anyway, it’s nothing pressing, but if we all get married and have kids, they might not have inheritances to look forward to like we did. You know how Dad is—all he does is care abo
ut himself.” Nancy signaled to a passing waiter. “It’s just something to think about.”
“Eli, can’t you convince Dad to…innovate or fix whatever the hell is wrong?”
He shrugged, then leaned forward and pulled off his jacket. “I’ve been trying to for years. Either it’s I convince him, or Gramps and I force him out, but the old man is reluctant to do that.”
“Well,” I said, and looked at Nancy, “it seems like Eli has some options. Don’t worry about your kids’ inheritance.”
She rolled her eyes at me and then nodded towards Beth. “Whatever. Are you going to introduce us, or what?”
“No. Never. Maybe you’ll get an invitation to the wedding though,” I said and stood up. “I’ll see you guys.”
“Wait, are you having Thanksgiving with us?” Nancy asked. Just like mom, Nancy was insufferable up to a point, then soft and apologetic at the moment you’re ready to walk away.
“I don’t know. I might have plans,” I said. “I’m being rude to my date.” Finally, I walked away and sat across from Beth again.
“That didn’t look good,” she said, a grimace on her face.
“It was nothing compared to how it could have gone…it’s just…” I sighed and took a sip of my water. “They like to pull me into their world and the drama of the family business every time we see each other. It’s old, and it’s exhausting. My head feels like it’s filled with bees whenever I’m done talking to any of them.”
“But they’re your—”
“Beth, not everybody’s family is like yours,” I said. I didn’t mean to snap at her, but she didn’t seem to take it to heart. She bit her lip, as if stopping herself from saying anymore.
“What drama with the business?” She eventually asked.
I shrugged. “Seems like it’s not evolving with the times as much. That can only mean they’re being beaten by younger competition.” The thought was annoying but not particularly concerning to me. Nancy was right—if the company went obsolete, they could sell, and get a good enough lump sum, so that everyone’s covered. I knew how to manage my money, so my kids would still have something to look forward to, and that was fine with me.
“That doesn’t concern you?”
“I don’t care about money as much as they do. What I have is more than enough for me and whatever family I might have…eventually,” I said and studied her reaction. Her cheeks turned pink just the slightest bit, and she looked back down at her salad. I shook my head. “And after all that, my sister asks if I’m coming to Thanksgiving dinner.”
Beth tilted her head with interest. “You don’t usually spend the holiday with them?”
“No. Naomi, Jess, and I usually hang out. We go to a restaurant or something.” I cut into my steak and took another bite along with a French fry.
“My family usually has these huge Thanksgiving cookouts. Everyone’s invited, friends, family, neighbors. You guys should come,” she said.
I smiled. “Oh yeah? You want me, Naomi, and Jess to come to your Thanksgiving?”
Beth rolled her eyes at me. “Yes, it’s very laid back. Everyone’s cool there, and my mom will practically treat you guys like family. Seriously, you should come.”
“Yeah, of course I’ll come, but Naomi is actually going to dinner with Jess’s family for the first time. That’s a big milestone for them,” I said. Beth blinked and seemed to think again about her invitation, but she didn’t take it back.
“Okay then you come and bring wine. Good white wine.”
I smiled at her. She wanted me to meet her family. “I can do that, definitely.” Then it occurred to me, stupidly and almost too late, that family was important to her, and if she wanted me to meet hers, then meeting my family would mean a lot to Beth.
“Do you…want to meet them?” I said, forcing the words out.
Beth smiled at me, her eyes soft and she shook her head. “No, introduce us when you’re ready. I’m fine, really.”
I reached across the table, and she laced her fingers with mine. I wanted to say something meaningful, and the words I love you sat on my tongue, but I wasn’t sure if it was time for that yet. Mostly because I wasn’t sure she would say it back for a while.
“This is important to me, you know? Us, our relationship…” I said. Beth blushed and nodded. I smiled. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m hiding you from anyone. Technically, you already met my family when you met Naomi.”
“Okay,” she said.
I ran my thumb over her knuckles then let her hand go. “Okay then.”
We finished our lunch in a bubble, and I forgot that my brother and sister were even in the same building. When I had to get back to work, I physically didn’t want to leave Beth, and I was sure, as we parted ways, that I was in love with her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Beth
My eardrum was ringing after Jasmine’s loud “What!” It had blared from my cell with all the decibels of a stadium rock concert. I held the phone away from my ear and placed Huevos’ water bowl on the ground.
“Yes, yes, I invited him to Thanksgiving, and he seems…enthusiastic,” I said, remembering just how eager he was last night after coming home, tipsy and horny as hell. Before we had sex, he kept saying how glad he was that I’d invited him. For a second, when we woke up, I wondered if he remembered saying all that.
“Really? Does he not spend Thanksgiving with his own family?” Jazz asked, dubious. It was hard telling my friends and family about Anthony when they all knew how much I used to hate him. I’d thought they’d gotten over it, but I understood that they were looking out for me, and even though I trusted him now, it didn’t mean everyone else had to fall in line.
“No, he and his family don’t get along at all.” I told her about what happened when Anthony and I had lunched the day before.
“Whoa …yeah, that’s dysfunction with a capital D,” she said.
I plopped down on the couch and propped my feet up on a pillow. “He really doesn’t care too much about his family, it seems like. And it’s sad! I just want to like…fix it, but he was right yesterday—everyone’s families are different and…” I sighed. “It’s really none of my business.”
“Unless you guys get married or something,” she said. I snorted but didn’t really find it funny because, weirdly enough, I could totally imagine myself marrying Anthony. Jazz cleared her throat. “Well, cool. He’s coming to Thanksgiving and he’ll meet all of your friends and family in one day, all at once in a place he can’t escape from.”
I cracked up. “Jazz, you make it sound like he’ll be tortured or something. It’s not that bad. Everyone is nice…except for maybe my parents and brother who might be a little scrutinizing, but you guys are nice.”
“Beth, we love you, but you’ve brought a lot of guys around that you were hopeful about, and they’ve screwed you. So, we’re all going to scrutinize him.”
I sighed, picked up my TV remote, and ran my finger over the buttons, not turning anything on yet. “Right…well, I’ll have to give everyone a pep-talk then. Including him. Hopefully I don’t make him back out.”
“He shouldn’t. If he’s as enthusiastic as you said, and he has feelings for you, then he shouldn’t back out,” Jazz said. “Talk to Cara. You know she’ll have fun carving that man in half to make sure he’s not double-crossing you or using you.”
“True, I’ll call her now, actually. Talk to you later?” I said.
“Yeah, wait, am I bringing yams again this year?”
“Of course! You know your yams are the best.” We got off the phone, and I dialed Cara’s number and hit send.
“Hello,” she answered, as if she were waiting for my call.
I shook my head. Of course, Jazz would have already given everyone a heads up about Anthony. I smiled. “How are you?”
“I’m great, excited about Thanksgiving. Jason is coming, but apparently I’m not the only person bringing a boyfriend?”
I laughed. “Cara, yo
u and my mother could be twins sometimes. Yes, he’s my boyfriend and Anthony is coming because I invited him, and he wants to come. So, I need everyone to be nice and welcoming to him.” I turned on the TV.
“Hey, I can be welcoming, but don’t get mad if my inquisitive nature comes out and I ask him tons of questions,” she said.
I groaned. “Cara…”
“What? I’ll be nice about it. I’ll say hello, and I’ll ask what he does for a living, then ask what his intentions are, just like everyone else there is going to!”
“Okay, fine, but don’t, like, make him feel ganged up on or anything,” I said. Cara was silent. I imagined the expression on her face not promising anything. “Cara, please.”
“Yeah, fine, whatever, I’ll space out my questions. How does that sound?”
“I can live with that,” I said. I knew there’d be no way to get her to back down completely. Same goes with my family. I’d have to really lecture them.
“Cool, but hey, if all goes well, maybe we can do a triple date thing,” she said.
“That sounds fun, actually. I think you guys would like the normal, non-pain-in-the-ass Anthony.”
Cara laughed. “Well, first he has to pass the test of Thanksgiving.”
I rolled my eyes. “Cara please, just give him a chance.”
“Yeah, yeah…” she said. Cara was going to do what she wanted to do, especially if she felt like she wanted to protect me.
“That sounds promising,” I said, which made her laugh. “Anyway, I want to call Grace now. I haven’t talked to her in a while. I know she’s not coming but she’ll probably want to weigh in.”
“I just got off the phone with her. I’m pretty sure she’s hanging out with Nick, so she might not answer.”
“I’ll talk to her tomorrow then. She’ll be in a great mood.”
Cara laughed. We talked about what she should make to bring to Thanksgiving and then hung up. I texted my dad, brother, and mom that we were having dinner tomorrow because they needed the same pep-talk.
