by Raquel Belle
The butterflies come alive in my belly, and I nestle closer to him. He has scented candles positioned all around the balcony, giving off a soft glow and a sensual fragrance.
“Very nice,” I say, as he leads me to the blanket.
He lets go and sits, and then reaches for me. I sit between his legs, and he hugs me and kisses my neck. “Now, I could get used to this.”
“Yeah?”
“Yup,” he says and nips my earlobe. “I already told you—this will never be over again. You’re mine!”
I turn to look at him, and the love I see in his eyes make every molecule in my body come alive, and all my brain functions shut down. I’m primal, and all I want is to feel him inside me.
“Trip, I love you,” I whisper, and toy with his arm.
He tips my face and kisses me. “Love you more.”
I close my eyes, as his arms tighten around my waist, and our breaths mingle, becoming rapid and choppy together.
“I can’t live without you, Jazz,” he says against my lips. “I can’t. You’re all I think about.”
“Me too,” I finally say to him. “I don’t want this to be over either.”
“So, say yes, and it’ll be forever,” he says to me, and I throw my head back when he kisses my neck.
“Yes,” I say. “A thousand times, yes.”
He pushes me back against the blanket and stares into my eyes as he caresses my face. It’s the most intense thing he’s done since we’ve been together, and it’s amazing how powerful the simple things in love are.
He begins to caress my body again. His hand slips under my shirt and reaches up to my breast. He cups it and begins to gently squeeze it. A gasp escapes me, and I hold onto his arm and bite on my lower lip.
“Let me do that for you,” he says and brings his lips back to mine. His hand moves down to my crotch, and he grips it, sending climactic sensations racing throughout my body.
He begins to knead the spot and then nibble one of my nipples through my shirt. There’s something so sexy about dry-fucking, but this time, I don’t want to savor it—I want to go straight to the main course. I want to feel his cock inside me getting familiar with the avenues in my pussy that belong only to him.
“No,” I say, forcefully, and press against his chest. “This time I’m in charge.”
“Oh…” He says, grins, and rolls over onto his back right away. “I like that…”
He folds his arms under his head and watches while I get naked. He whistles when I’m done, and I laugh. “Aren’t you going to help me?” I say, nodding at him still fully dressed.
“I thought you were in charge,” he says and narrows his eyes in a dreamy sort of way.
“Okay,” I say, and drop to my knees. I lean over and kiss him, and he cups my face, kissing me right back.
I move my hand down his body, slipping his shorts from his hips one side at a time, until he lifts his lower half, and I push them down to his ankles. His cock lifts slowly to an upright position like it’s magnetically controlled, and when I look up at him, he’s beaming.
I don’t want to wait. I grip his cock and straddle him, eager to feel him inside me. I’m already wet, and I slide the tip of his cock over my pussy, giving him a taste of what’s to come. He bites down on his lower lip and hisses.
I’m teasing him, but it’s messing more with my head. I begin to tremble while I dance on the edge of his cock. Then, without warning, he makes a slight movement, and I feel it sink inside me.
My eyes pop open and I look at him. I see the animalistic need in his eyes. It sets me on fire, and I turn my legs out so it’s like I’m sitting…and I begin to work his hard cock. My body jumps as I rise and fall on his cock and he reaches out and grabs my breasts to use them as a harness.
He thumbs my nipples, and I grip his hands as his cock fills me up, hitting me right in my sweet spot over and over again…until I feel my body tightening. I grip harder on his hands. My cum floods his cock and lightning shoots through my brain. I almost lose control of my body…
His eyes get wild when he feels my stickiness washing over him. He grips my back and rises, and as we stand in the middle of the space, he begins to fuck me hard.
My body slides up and down his. He grunts with every thrust. I can barely breathe—I’m panting and shaking as feelings of eroticism flood me. I feel my body melting again, and this time, when I explode…I feel my eyes rolling, so I lock my legs tightly around him. He tenses too, and sinks his fingers into the cheeks of my ass.
He thrusts hard into me, and I feel myself being filled with every inch of him. I hear him growl and feel his hot cum flooding me. I hang my head back, and my hair dangles in the space. When I reposition myself, he’s smiling at me. He leans forward and kisses me again, soft and sweet, and with so much love and sincerity, that I’m almost sure I’m about to wake up from this dream.
He places me on the blanket, and I reach for my clothes. “No…” He swats my hand away. “I want you to stay just like this.”
We spend the next couple of hours relaxing, eating the sandwiches and cheese from his basket, drinking wine, and goofing around. We’re still naked and cuddling, when the countdown begins, and when the fireworks light up the sky, they have a strong rival in his heart and mine.
He hugs me tighter, his arms pressing down on my breasts as the display lights up the night sky.
“Happy New Year,” he whispers in my ear.
I turn to him. “Happy New Year.”
We kiss, and it’s the perfect start to a year that holds a lot of promise for the both of us.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Trip
This is not how I thought I’d start off my new year.
Well, not after the actual explosive start I had this morning anyway. Now, I’m looking up at the underside of a leaky sink, wrench in hand.
“Can you fix it?” Trisha asks, bending over and checking under the sink.
“What kind of a question is that?” I push out a little from under the sink so I can see her face. “I’m Trip! I can fix anything.” I grin and lean back underneath.
She laughs. “I bet.”
“You doubt me?” I say, and position the mini flashlight in my mouth, so I can see where the leak is coming from.
“No, but I don’t think you can fix anything.”
“We’ll see about that,” I say. “Maybe next time I’ll let you find someone else to do this. Maybe Old Fred.”
She starts to laugh, so hard, even the boys run over to check if she’s okay. I laugh too.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Conrad asks and drops to his knees.
“I’m trying to fix this leaky thing,”
He tries to crawl into the space. “Can I see?”
“No,” I say, and laugh. “We can’t both fit under here.”
“I want to see too,” Kyle says, and runs up to the sink.
“Okay, none of you can see anything. Plus, it’s dark under here. You don’t want the Boogeyman coming after you, do you?”
They exchange looks at each other and giggle. “There’s no Boogeyman.” Kyle laughs.
“He’s in the closet,” Conrad says.
“There’s no Boogeyman,” Kyle says. “Mom, is there a Boogeyman in the closet?”
“I don’t know. I’d have to go and check,” she tells them. And now they’re both wearing frightened looks on their faces. It doesn’t last long, and soon they’re running off again.
“I’m going to look,” Conrad yells and leaps into the air. Kyle is right behind him and they race to see who’ll get to their room faster.
I laugh to myself and shine the light upwards. I see where the leak is—it’s at the joint, which means I’ll have to change it. For now, a sealing tape will do.
“Hey, Trisha, could you pass me the tape? It’s in the bag by the cupboard.”
“Okay,” she says, and does.
I’m rolling off a stretch, when I notice that she hasn’t moved. “Is something wron
g?”
“No,” she says. “Just…how do you feel about Jazz leaving tomorrow?”
I stop rolling for a second. It’s quite awkward to talk to Trisha about Jazz—or anyone for that matter. But it’s a conversation that’s been a long time coming. There’s no way I’m going to let Jazz go again, and whatever decision I make…to follow her or whatever else…it will affect Trisha and the boys.
It weighs heavy on my heart, and I remain silent for a few more moments, while I wind the tape over the leak.
Sweat beads run down my neck, and I eventually slide out from under the sink. I stand and pull a piece of paper towel off the roller and wipe my face. I look back at her. She’s standing next to the kitchen counter, her arms folded across her chest.
“Did you hear me?” she asks, and widens her eyes.
“I did,” I finally answer, and I walk over to her and take her hands. “I think it’s about time you and I have a little talk.”
“About what?”
“Come on,” I say, and lead her over to the sofa. I’m still hot, and my shirt is clinging to my torso. She walks softly after me and sits down, but doesn’t say anything. Her hands are in her lap, and her eyes are expectant and hopeful.
“So…?” She says, impatiently. “What do you want to talk about.”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose, wondering if there’s any right way to say what I’m about to. “You know Jazz and I had something really special back in the day.”
She laughs, nervously. “I think the whole town knows that. What about it?”
“Well, it’s just that nothing’s changed between her and I. I saw her that first day and everything I felt from high school came rushing back.”
“I’ve seen the way you two have been spending a lot of time. I’d be a fool not to realize you two are igniting that old flame,” she says, then smiles, wryly. “It’s only natural.”
“Right. The thing is, she leaves tomorrow, and everything’s going to change.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you, Trip. It’s all good and well that you two reconnected, but after she’s gone, it’s going to leave a hole inside. I know all about that. But you wouldn’t listen to me.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I say calmly. Now, I realize she thinks it’s going to be over.
“Well, what then? I know Jazz isn’t staying here, and you sure as hell aren’t a city boy.” Her eyes are even wider now, and she combs her disheveled hair back with her fingers.
I can see it in her eyes…she knows what I’m about to say, and she’s frightened. I preempt her. “Trisha, you know I’ll always be there for you and the boys…”
She moves away from me like she’s just found out I have a contagious disease. “Please tell me you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking!”
“Trisha, I can’t let her go,” I say. I’m trying to make this as easy as I can, but it’s not having a positive effect. In fact, it’s turning out to be exactly like what I didn’t want to happen.
“Trip, are you crazy?”
“Crazy? I’m in love with her. I always have been, and these last few days have reminded me of that.” She gets up and paces the room, her hands on her hips with her head thrown back, staring at the ceiling. “Are you upset?”
When she looks back at me, her eyes are red and jumpy. “Are you even thinking about this logically? Jazz just came back for three weeks! Three weeks! She isn’t the same person you knew back then, you can trust me on that,” she says, and keeps walking around.
“What are you talking about?” I say, and laugh, slightly. “Why are you making a big deal out of this?”
“Because…” She shouts and grabs a fistful of hair like she’s just heard that her house is being repossessed by the bank. “She’s a city girl. She’s not even your type anymore.”
I fold my arms across my chest and raise my eyebrows. She’s being serious. I tilt my head and purse my lips, waiting for her to plead whatever case she thinks she has.
“So, you know what my type is?”
“Are you kidding me? You’re a mechanic, in a shop. You do dirty work. You want a woman who can understand that and appreciate it. And you’re a great father. Did you know that Jazz doesn’t even want children?”
I shake my head in disbelief. “You know, I thought I’d get your support by telling you all of this. I don’t need your permission to be with Jazz, Trisha. I was just being courteous, but obviously, it was a mistake.”
I get up and start to walk away. She grabs my arm and tugs me back. “Trip, just listen, okay.” Her chest heaves, and she hurries to my front pressing her hands against my chest. “I mean, I get it. You think this will work, and I don’t blame you. I remember how it feels to be in love. But think about it, Trip. And think about us. What about me and the boys?”
“What about you and the boys? Trisha, you make it sound like I’m dying,”
“Trip, what’s the use of chasing a pipe dream? As soon as you get there, you’ll realize you’ve made a mistake.”
I grip her shoulders, and shake her slightly. “Trisha, relax, will you? Things aren’t as complicated as you think. It doesn’t matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you and the boys. I won’t go back on that, okay?”
She’s shaking, and she pulls away and hugs herself. “Right…”
“Are you okay?”
She sniffles, and when she turns to face me again, her face is red. “Hey, could you watch the boys for a little while?”
“Trisha, I was on my way to the shop. Can’t it wait?”
“Not really,” she says. “It won’t take long.”
“I’m sorry, but I left Bubba by himself to come check out the kitchen sink. I’m going to have to find an elbow joint for that, so I need to get back. It’s a busy day.” I might be wrong, but I think she just wants me to stay here. She likes knowing I’m here. Looking at her now…it’s almost like she’s afraid that if I walk out the door, I won’t come back, and she’ll be back to struggling.
“Okay,” she says and waves me off. “Go do what you’ve got to do. I’m going to make lunch for the boys. You can see yourself out.” She walks away into the kitchen.
“Trisha—” I start to say, but then, I figure it’s better to just leave things be. I walk out and head to the shop.
***
It’s as busy as Bubba said it would be. There are two customers waiting and he’s currently under a car.
“Hey,” I call to him when I step inside.
He slides out, and the relief on his face is immense. “Glad to see you. We have our hands full.”
“So I see. I’ll get to it,” I say, and hurry off to change into my overalls.
While I’m checking brake fluid and transmission problems, the earlier conversation with Trisha resonates in my head. I detected the fear in her voice, but I’m almost sure there’s something else. She’s taken my decision to be with Jazz way too personally.
“Are you alright?” Bubba interrupts my thoughts.
It’s then that I realize that I’m just staring at the inside of a car, not doing anything. I try to shrug it off and focus. “Yeah, just thinking about some things.”
“Things? Or her?”
I glance over and smile at him. “I can’t sneak anything past you, can I?”
He wipes his hands in the already-blackened rag that still has traces of its original blue shade. “Not after knowing you for so long. But I didn’t think there was anything more to think about.”
“There isn’t,” I say. “She leaves tomorrow. Maybe. But if she does, it won’t be before she learns that this time, I’m not watching her walk away.”
“Attaboy!” Bubba says, and slaps me across the back. “I knew Mike raised you right.”
He grins and walks away. I’m excited to see Jazz later that evening. I plan to spend her last night here with her, but it’s going to be another surprise. I’m constantly checking the time and anticipating when the store will be cl
osed. But, only about an hour before five, a pickup pulls up with a desperate driver needing assistance before he can make an inter-state trip. I groan and head back inside the shop.
My plans with Jazz will have to wait just a little longer.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Jasmine
I laugh when I glance up and see the forlorn look on Mom’s face. She’s watching me from the door while I’m packing the last of my things.
“I’m going to miss you, honey,” she mutters.
“Aw, Mom,” I say and walk over to hug her. She pushes herself off the door jamb and embraces me. “I always miss you. As soon as I get back, I’m going to buy you a ticket so you can come see me.”
“That’d be nice. It would also be nice to have some grand babies to see and play with.”
I roll my eyes. “You really don’t give up, but you’re going to have to wait.”
She smiles and checks out my luggage. “I think you’re all set. What time’s your flight?”
“Um, ten, in the morning.”
“Any last-minute things you want to do?”
“Not really,” I say. “I might see Trip later, but nothing else that I can think of.”
“Jazz!” Dad calls from another room.
“In here, dad!” I yell back and Mom slaps my hand—she has a rule about shouting in the house.
“You have a visitor,” he shouts back.
“See? I’m not the only one,” I say. I giggle and mock Mom who’s grumbling about the noise. “I’ll be right there.”
I hurry from the room, leaving Mom behind. I’m a little excited that it’s Trip stopping by to see me again. He’s made a habit of that. But it’s not Trip that’s standing inside the door. It’s Trisha, and she doesn’t look pleased to be here.
“Trisha?” I say, as I walk closer to her. “Is everything okay?”
“Can we talk somewhere?” She says, flatly, and folds her arms.
