by Masen, Kat
She shuffles, leaning on her side. Letting out a sigh, she pulls the blanket to her chest and clutches onto it. “I told my father I wanted out. He threatened me, called me a disgrace. Warned me I’d have nothing. So, I agreed to marry Sebastian. I was terrified of having nothing.”
“You married him?”
“I left him at the altar… I can’t explain it. Seeing him, then Aubrey and Chance, I knew I couldn’t live the lie any longer. I was miserable.”
My muscles become rigid beneath my dress shirt, the revelation a complete shock. “Then what happened?”
“True to Father’s word, I was shunned. Got on a plane and stayed with Aubrey and Chance. He froze my accounts, disconnected my phone, all within hours of me walking away.”
“So, you live in Hermosa Beach?”
“Yes, in your old room.” She smiles faintly. “I’m working at a law firm, helping out with admin stuff, and at nights I work some shifts at a bar near the beach. Just keeping myself busy and trying to save enough to move out.”
It’s so much information to take in. She had finally done it, learned how to stand on her own two feet. I’m fucking proud of her, but judging by the way she’s distanced herself from me on the sofa, our friendship is far from repaired.
“Listen, I should go, right?” She tugs on the hem of the T-shirt. “I feel so seedy. Can I use your bathroom?”
I motion for her to follow me as she grabs her dress, pulling the tee down to cover her bare legs as she walks.
Opening the door to the bathroom, I point to the spare towels and toiletries.
“Wow!” She whistles, scanning the room. “Nice bathroom.”
“Enjoy,” I say, before closing the door behind me.
This is going to kill me.
Go get a coffee or make breakfast, don’t just stand here and imagine what’s happening on the other side.
“Oliver,” Gabriella calls. “I don’t know how to work your fancy shower.”
“You press the button, swivel left, then push.”
“What?”
“Let me come in.”
“You can’t come in,” she blurts out.
“Stop being a baby. Put a towel on.”
I hear her cursing me until the door unlocks.
Standing behind the door, my charcoal-colored towel is wrapped around her body. It takes every fiber of my being not to make a comment or even imagine what that towel would look like on the floor with her body stark naked in front of me. My boxers become increasingly tight with the shaft of my dick refusing to settle down.
I lean into the shower and start it, the water falling instantly.
“How do you take it?”
“Take what?” she asks, removing herself from behind the door.
“Your shower? Soft, hard…”
“Soft... hard? I don’t know. What kind of question is that?”
“A very valid one. I, for one, take it hard.”
She bursts out laughing, her hand moving toward her mouth until the towel slips, and she pulls it up in a panic. “Okay, nice piece of information. This shower is massive, you could fit a whole soccer team in here.”
“I guess. But wouldn’t that be awkward?”
“Yeah, for you. I wouldn’t say no to your team. Bow chicka wow wow.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Chance’s drink helped?”
“Sadly, yes. The guy is always right.”
“So, I should go…”
“Yes, you should…”
I hesitate at the door, turning around, I want to take her, all of her again, but I know my heart won’t be able to cope with the loss again. Gabriella has a power over me no other woman has even come close to. She’s a magnetic force, and right now, I am fighting all odds trying to walk away.
“Olly?”
“Yes, Gabs?”
“Stay,” she whispers.
“Stay?”
Gabriella unravels her towel until it falls on the floor. She climbs into the shower, her beautiful naked body completely bare in front of me. My lips part at the sweet sight, eye contact firm on her perfect breasts. The water cascades in droplets down her skin, slipping past her hard nipples and dripping off, teasing me as they stand erect.
I lean against the door, unzipping my pants and placing my hand on my shaft. Every fucking stroke feels like heaven, an ache on the verge of combusting.
Her hand glides past her breasts, settling between her legs. The desperation is fueled by desire, so she doesn’t hesitate, sliding her fingers against her clit as a long-winded moan escapes her lips.
The steam inside the room begins to rise, my body hot beneath my clothes. Watching her against the shower wall, rubbing her pussy with a sweet delight, drives me to a maddening finish until I can’t cope any longer, exploding all over my hands in a pleasurable climax.
Fuck.
Her finish is hard and fast with a string of moans until the high pitch levels out to just heavy breathing.
This moment had been what we both needed. I want to bare my soul to her, tell her the air around me is nothing without her in my life.
But we both remain silent.
So many words, yet not enough can ever be said.
I close the door behind me and retreat to my bedroom to clean myself up and gain some clarity.
Rubbing my hands through my hair, I walk into the lounge room where she’s gathering her things.
Looking downward, she stops. “I need to go, Oliver.” Her voice sounds strained. “I can’t be just friends with you. I’m selfish, spoiled, I know, but I want it all. And you… you need to focus on you.”
“Gabriella,” I murmur, torn at the sight of her leaving. Again.
Her gaze meets mine staring back at me with a conflicted expression. I know that no matter what I say, Gabriella will walk away.
With a wavering smile, she walks toward me and stands on her tiptoes to reach the side of my cheek with her lips. “Goodbye, Oliver. It’s time for you to shine, again.”
She’s right. It is my time to shine again. I’ve worked myself to the grave to be the best I can be to fulfill my needs. Soccer will always be my life.
I have to say goodbye.
The love I have for her will never fade away, no matter the harsh words or the failings of the moment. Gabriella has imprinted her soul on my own. We’re two people destined to be together yet torn apart by the force of our own foolish actions.
I know she’s deeply sorry for her actions. I just can’t see past my arrogant ways to accept my own faults.
And so, I let her go.
My choice.
My decision.
My way of fighting against what my heart wants.
Gabriella
The airport looks more like a shopping mall than a building transporting people back and forth from domestic and international destinations.
I arrive with plenty of time to spare, still managing to meet Miles for a farewell coffee. Much like our initial meeting, he was just as welcoming. We made plans to keep in contact via the phone and social media, and he even mentioned a trip to California in a few months when his twins graduate.
Meeting Miles was my scapegoat for leaving Oliver’s apartment. The damage is done. I had laid my cards out, more so than I ever thought possible. I never expected him to beg me to stay. Oliver will always be Oliver. Soccer is his life, and he deserves to welcome that back without my presence as a distraction.
It is time for me to leave, for good. I did what I needed to do here in Australia. I’ve answered the burning questions of my paternity and visited the ghosts of my past by confronting Oliver. I even succumbed to my desire to be close to him—the shower incident based on spontaneity.
Yet, deep down inside, I know my heart can only withstand so much. I’ve built a wall, a defense mechanism to fight the turmoil of saying goodbye to Oliver.
It isn’t easy to leave even when it’s the only option ava
ilable. In so many ways, Oliver and I are like fire and ice. We were never truly in sync with each other. If I force my stay, Oliver will end up resenting me. His focus needs to be solely on him.
And I need to continue my reign on freedom, find myself in a world full of endless possibilities.
The tiles under my feet gleam white. No matter where I turn, people are milling around. There are several duty-free stores, so many choices depending on your taste. The high-end stores are not as busy, but there are a few shoppers, mainly older ladies with cash to burn on designer handbags and expensive jewelry.
There’s a glass elevator leading to an upper floor which has the appearance of a first-class lounge. The irony of traveling economy is not lost on me.
In the middle of the open area are several tables and brown leather lounges.
I’ve perused a few of the stores, purchasing a small stuffed koala bear to keep as a souvenir. With still some time to pass, I make my way toward the terminal to sit and pull out the book I’m currently reading. With my book on my lap, my mind refuses to focus, so I place it back in my bag, watching my surroundings.
People walk around the terminal so differently. Some almost skip, eager expressions at the thought of leaving for another shore. Others—mainly men in business suits—walk as if they’re boarding a rundown bus, no more exciting than any other commute.
Then there are the nervous ones, quick steps and stern expressions, everything about them tight and fearful. A mother with four kids is at her wit’s end trying to calm her overactive older children while her husband is wrestling with a toddler.
“Honey, did you pack the pacifier?”
The husband’s face drops, the wife instantly riddled with panic.
“Yes. Here take Joshua, and I’ll check the bag.”
I’m fascinated by this family. I can barely remember packing my own stuff let alone for a family of six. The husband has pulled everything out of the bag, and after several minutes, a raised voice from the wife, the two the older boys getting into an argument over an iPad charger, the pacifier is held into the air like the holy grail.
“You know, over a million people walk these terminals per day. That’s a lot of people watching.”
The corners of my lips turn up, the voice spreading warmth throughout my entire body.
“Psychologists say that observing people unleashes your inner self-doubt making you less conscious about your actions or appearance.”
“Is that in the book you’re reading with the old lady on the front?” Oliver deadpans, grabbing it from me to read the blurb. “Geez, Gabs, where’s the saucy fifty shades of whatever you women are supposed to be masturbating over?”
“What are you doing here?” I ask, turning to face him.
Oliver does the same, placing the book back down on my lap.
“Here’s the thing… you said you want it all. Please define all?”
“Olly…”
He places his hand on mine, caressing my skin softly. Suddenly, my defenses are crumbled pieces of paper unable to be put back together. Gently biting my lip, I gaze into his deep green eyes, my breath temporarily bottling up in my chest, lost in his longing stare.
“Gabriella, I love you. I haven’t stopped loving you. Even when I was angry and hated you, I still loved you. It’s quite a bind to be in.”
“But… but…”
“I’ve been an arrogant fool,” he admits, stalling as his voice begins to croak. “I’ve let my own insecurities derail us of what could be.”
I run my finger against his cheek watching his eyes closing with contentment.
“Not an arrogant fool, an arrogant Aussie.” I smile, studying the way his face reacts to my touch.
Oliver opens his eyes, a grin spreading across his beautiful face unable to be contained. Before I can draw in the air my body needs, we both lean forward, and he grazes his lips against mine.
The world around us begins to fall away. Our kiss is slow and soft, the perfect type of kiss from the man who owns all of me. His hand rests below my ear with the tip of his thumb caressing my cheek as our breaths mingle. I place my hand on his chest, desperate to feel his beating heart.
I pull back slightly, our noses touching. “I love you, Olly.”
“I love you, Gabs.”
I laugh at the name, only to stop and realize people are people watching us. An applause erupts, a flush creeping across my cheeks from the unwanted attention.
“We’re being people watched,” I whisper.
“Karma.” Olly grins, caressing my face with the back of his hand. “She’s such a bitch sometimes.”
I laugh heartily and keep moving my hand on his thigh.
“So many questions,” I sputter, momentarily beyond words. “How did you even… you know what, you’re here. But what now? My plane leaves in an hour?”
In his typical arrogant triumph, he smirks, narrowing his eyes followed by a slight tilt of his head. His mind is conjuring up something wicked, something that will most probably get us into trouble. Something naughty and foolish. I wait with bated breath.
“I’m not letting you go again. So, I don’t care where we go as long as we’re together.”
“But you have soccer… and I have work.”
“Consider your vacation time extended for another week.”
“I can’t do that,” I reply, disappointed. “Aubrey needs me.”
“Aubrey is busy getting her tan in the Whitsundays for the next few days, and she was the one who suggested it.” He places his finger on my lips, stopping me from speaking. “Now, before you get in a tizzy, the Mackenzie case settled earlier than planned, so the firm is quiet, and everything you’ve been assisting with doesn’t need attention until next Monday.”
I throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into me and kissing him deeply.
“So, I guess this is it… I’m staying here for another week.” I grin, unable to contain my excitement.
We both stand, my bag at my feet.
He scoops me up into his arms, leaning in to whisper, “From a scale of one to ten, how inappropriate would it be to fuck you to into oblivion in the bathroom?”
I slap his shoulder, watching all the gawking eyes.
Damn people watchers.
“I’ll make you a deal. If you can hold off until we’re back at your apartment, I’ll do a re-enactment in your shower, but this time I want it hard.”
“The water?”
My head tips back, laughter rippling through me.
“Sorry, Olly, mine’s in gutter this time,” I tell him, gazing into his stunned eyes. “You. All you. Every which way of you.”
“All doors open, huh?”
“Every door open.” I grin, wickedly.
Oliver
Her body is sprawled across the bed, naked and perfect in all its glory.
The bedroom is basking in sunlight which highlights the copper curls flowing down her back and against her soft skin.
I lay beside her, cocooning myself in the gray silk sheets admiring every inch of her body. The way her arms lay beneath her, tracing each curve exposed above the sheets.
Gabriella will be the death of me.
Around her, I become insatiable, begging to be inside her every waking moment.
We have barely left this room or this apartment.
But I am selfish and only have her for a week, and today marks three days left.
I gaze upon her naked form, addicted to the sight. Her skin is glistening with a sensual sweat.
It was just three hours ago you were inside her. Calm the fuck down, boy.
This woman is a masterpiece, and I’ve wracked my brain on how I can make her all mine for a lifetime.
I run my finger along her skin, watching the tiny bumps rise with my movements. She stirs with a contented smile playing on her supple lips.
“Hmmm,” she murmurs, with her eyes still closed. “What time is it?�
�
“Time for me to fuck you again.” I kiss the top of her shoulder, then slide my hand down between her thighs. “You sore, still?”
She buries her head into the pillow, muffling her laughter. “I’ve been sore all week, but that hasn’t stopped you, you sex maniac.”
“Hey.” I slap the curve of her arse, the sound echoing in the room. “A maniac is known as a person exhibiting extremely wild or violent behavior.”
She rolls onto her front, exposing her tits, making it impossible to concentrate on anything else. They are perfection. I’ve touched every inch of them, sucked on them hard until she screamed my name. My teeth tugged on the tips of her nipples, a pleasurable pain she admitted got her off quickly.
“Um… hello, did you forget Tuesday’s romp in the shower. Or perhaps the midnight express on the balcony? What about the impromptu fuck on the kitchen countertop with the use of your kitchen utensils?”
I’m unable to hide my grin, burying my head between her tits. The smell of her skin is intoxicating. My mouth moves like a magnetic force wrapping my tongue around her nipple causing her to moan in delight.
“Okay, fine. Maniac, whatever. Shut up! I need to fuck you now.” I don’t give her any more time to question my desire to fuck her twenty-four-seven. My mouth slams onto hers, pushing her head into the pillow as I pin her down to the bed. Raising her arms above her head, I pull away to watch the desperation in her eyes.
“Olly, we need more protection,” she breathes. “I used my last diaphragm.”
“Fuck it.” I want my mouth back on hers.
Our tongues are in a battle, feverishly fighting until she lets out a deep moan, the one that makes me rock hard, wanting to explode.
She pushes me back, catching her breath.
“Um… we can’t just ‘fuck it,’” she warns. “I love you, but I want it to be us for now. I’m not ready for kids.”
“Then, I’ll have to fuck you some other way.”
I don’t have much time before she questions my motives. I quickly flip her around, pushing her against the bed again, this time with her back to me until all I can see is that sweet ass of hers.
With her skin in full view, I grab my palm and slap her ass hard enough for her to let out a squeal.
