by Jamilia Fair
“Tabitha? What the hell are you doing here?” Jeremiah questions.
“I followed you. By the way, for future reference, if you want to fit in and not stand out, ditch the big black SUV. It just screams ‘I don’t belong here’.”
Jeremiah glares at me. “Tabitha,” he says in a warning tone.
“I can’t let you kill her, Jeremiah.”
His eyes widen, and an incredulous look spreads across his face. “Are you shitting me? Did you forget what she did to you and helped do to us?”
I shake my head. “Of course not, but she doesn’t deserve to die for it. She was your best friend, Jeremiah. A part of you has to still care for her.” I step closer to them. “Even if it’s only a small part.”
He shakes his head then turns his stare onto her. “Whatever respect or love I held for her died the day she poisoned you and sent that man after you.”
I look to Jessica, and despite everything, I feel sorry for her. Here she is, surrounded by men who want her dead, and there’s nothing she can do to save herself. She’s stuck in a rut, all alone. I know I should want her to burn for everything she’s done to me and put me through, but I can’t fight the need to want to help her live.
“What about her parents? They would never forgive you.”
He turns his head to look at me.
“They’ll never know it was me. I’ll make it look like she was mugged, and when she fought back, she was killed.”
Oh, for crying out loud! This man is almost as stubborn as I am.
I take a big breath. “How about this then: if you kill her, there will no longer be a chance for you and me.”
His eyes widen, and his jaw drops. “What?” he gasps.
“If you kill her, right now, you kill any chance there is for the two of us ever trying to reconcile.”
I know I’m not being fair, but if it’s the only way to save her life, to keep Jeremiah from having her blood on his hands, then so be it. I’ll do whatever needs to be done to keep her alive. I need her alive so she can go to prison and pay for what she’s done.
“You… That’s not fair, Tabitha, and you know it,” he growls.
I nod. “I know, but it’s the only way to keep you from making a huge mistake.”
He looks at Jessica then me again. “So, it’s kill her and lose you forever, or let her live and work things out with you?”
“Yes.”
Maybe thirty seconds goes by before he lowers his gun and speaks again. “I’ve lost you once already; I’m not willing to lose you forever.”
I smile just as Jessica lets out a breath of relief.
“So, if we’re not going to kill her, what should we do with her? Should we turn her in to the police?” Danny questions, dropping his hold on Jessica.
Jeremiah shakes his head. “No. If we turn her in, she’ll be thrown in prison where she will be given visits by her parents and friends. Take her underground. I want her imprisoned until I feel she’s served the time she deserves.” He then turns to Sammy. “I want her to be reminded every day that she is alone and that no one will come to see her.”
“Is that necessary?” I ask.
He turns his attention to me. “It’s either that, or I bury her.”
Sighing, I cross the room toward Jessica. Taking a breath, I throw my fist back and deck her right in the jaw, knocking her flat on her ass and unconscious. I may not want her dead, but that doesn’t mean I want her to walk away from me without a scratch. Though she deserved a lot more from me than a punch to the fucking face.
“Holy shit. Tabitha, baby, I didn’t know you had it in you,” Remy says.
Rubbing my knuckles, I turn toward him and the rest of the men. “What can I say? Momma raised a princess; daddy raised a savage.” I turn and make my way in front of Jeremiah. “Plus, she deserved that and a lot more. Now, if you’re going to hold her prisoner, for however long you intend to, make sure she eats, bathes, and stays healthy. I don’t want her dying of starvation, dehydration, or weakness.”
He shakes his head. “You’re the only woman I know who could still care about the well-being of the person who tried to kill her.”
I shrug. “I have a conscious. Sue me.”
Past
Tabitha
(17)
The last several weeks have been rather … great. Jeremiah, the kids, and I have been spending a lot more time together as a family. Jeremiah spends every available moment with me that he can. He even comes down to the breakroom to have lunch with me and brings his laptop down to do his work at my desk. Instead of it being annoying, I’m finding it quite adorable and cute, even a little romantic. He’s even gone as far as buying a new house further down the block from his old house.
“You know you didn’t have to or need to buy another house.”
Jeremiah tears his gaze from Melissa and Jacob, who are running around the living room, chasing each other, and meets my gaze. “Yes, I did. You had a very horrible experience in that house, and you deserve to feel safe, and I’ll do whatever I have to to give that to you.”
“I appreciate that, Jeremiah, I do, but we’re no longer living together.”
“I know that, but I want you to be comfortable anytime you come over, and being in that house only brought back bad memories. At least in the new house, we can make new memories.”
My heart skips a beat. I know I shouldn’t be surprised by his acts of love and caring for me, but for some reason, I’m still somewhat surprised. I mean, to sell your old house and go off and buy a new one just to make someone—me—feel more comfortable is a lot of trouble to go through.
I reach over and take his hand in mine. “I really appreciate what you did. You’ve always been over-the-top good to me.”
He smiles and lifts my hand to kiss it. “I’ll do anything for you.”
I smile. “And here I thought you were just being over-the-top pretentious,” I joke.
He chuckles. “I wouldn’t say pretentious, but maybe a little overambitious in the beginning,” he says.
I nod in agreement. “Yeah, you were pretty overweening when we first met. Especially when you kissed me without my permission in my mother’s diner. I don’t think anyone’s ever had the balls to do what you did.”
“I’m… I’m self-assured,” he says.
“How true that is.”
“Hey, can we play a game of Uno?” Melissa questions, heading toward us with Jake at her side.
I nod. “Sure.”
Smiling, she rushes over to the entertainment stand and grabs the deck before rushing back over toward us and handing them to me. “Everyone ready to play some Uno?” I cheer excitingly, taking a seat on the floor beside Melissa.
“Yeah!” Jake cheers.
After Melissa passes out the cards, the game starts, and boy, are Jake and Melissa taking the game seriously. I’ve been winning most of the games, so after maybe five wins, I start to let the children win.
“You’re not really good at this game, Jeremiah, are you?” Melissa laughs.
Jeremiah smiles and shakes his head. “No, I’m not.”
Jake pats his father’s leg. “It’s alright, Dad. I’ll teach you.”
Jeremiah smiles then leans over and kisses his hair. “I’d really like that, Jake.”
A smile spreads across my lips as I watch the two of them. Jeremiah has really become very close with Jake, even with Melissa. The two of them are so alike and so different in so many ways, yet they’ve taken to each other in a way two people who’ve known each other all their lives have. I couldn’t be happier.
“So, what are we doing tomorrow?” Melissa questions, picking up her winning book of cards.
“Well, I was thinking the four of us could go rock wall climbing then go see a movie,” Jeremiah suggests.
“Really? That sounds so freaking cool,” both Melissa and Jacob cheer.
Jeremiah and I laugh. “I’m glad you both approve,” Jeremiah says.
After putting out my
card, I pick up my winning deck. “Then, maybe later tomorrow night, we can have a small fire out back and roast marshmallows.”
Jeremiah nods and smiles. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“Thank you,” I say with a smile.
“Dad?” Jake calls.
“Yes?”
“Are you and Tabitha back together?” Jake questions suddenly.
Jeremiah looks my way, then turns to Jake. “Well, Jacob, Tabitha and I aren’t together, but we are… friends.”
“Friends? Is that even possible?” Melissa asks.
“It’s a lot harder than I thought, but yes, it’s possible,” Jeremiah says.
“Will the two of you ever get back together?” Melissa questions, turning to look at me.
Jeremiah looks at me. “Well, uh, that’s complicated.”
“A lot has happened in the last several months. Things that need time to heal, and the only way for that to happen is if Jeremiah and I start over as friends,” I say.
“So, there’s a possibility that you two could get back together?” Melissa questions.
Holding Jeremiah’s gaze for a halting moment, I turn to meet her gaze. “Yes, there is.”
Melissa smiles. “Well, I’m rooting for the both of you.”
Jeremiah stares at me with a familiar look in his eyes and smiles. “So am I.”
Before I can say anything, Jake lets out a long yawn.
“Looks like someone is tired.” I push to my feet and move toward him to pick him up. I know he’s too old to be picked up, but he’s just too damn cute. “Let’s get you up to bed. It’s pretty late, and it’s time for everyone to get some sleep,” I say with a yawn.
“Looks like Jake isn’t the only one tired,” Jeremiah says.
I smile.
“Can Daddy tuck me in tonight, Tabitha? You did it yesterday,” he says.
I smile down at him then kiss his forehead. “Of course. I love you.”
He smiles up at me. “I love you, too.”
I kiss his hair one last time then hand him over to Jeremiah. “I’m going to head up to bed now. Goodnight, Jeremiah and Tabitha,” Melissa says, moving to kiss my cheek.
“Goodnight, sweetie. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” Melissa says before disappearing out of the room.
Turning to Jeremiah, I hesitantly step forward and kiss him on the cheek. “Goodnight, Jeremiah.”
He smiles. “Goodnight, Tabitha.” He leans forward and kisses my cheek. “I love you.”
I smile. “I love you, too,” I say before heading up to one of the empty bedrooms.
***
I can’t sleep. Thoughts of Jeremiah making love to me won’t stop exploding in my head. All I want to do is go into his room, undress, climb into his bed, and make love to him until the sun sets the following day. But I can’t. If I do that, he’ll assume we’re back together, and that’s not what I want yet. It’s not something I can do right now. I just want him to hold me in his arms while I hold him. I want him to show me how much he loves me and how much he’s missed me.
“Ugh. Go the fuck to sleep, woman,” I scold myself.
But it’s no use. I close my eyes only to open them just as quickly as I closed them. Images of Jeremiah naked in all his glory is all that’s behind my eyelids.
Maybe just for one night, you can give into your desires. Give yourself to him in a way you’ve wanted to since that horrible day at the hotel. And after, or before, explain to him that that’s all you wanted. That you needed to be held. He’ll understand.
So, taking a deep breath, I throw the covers off myself, push to my feet, exit my room, and make my way down the hall, toward his room. I hesitate, for a moment, outside his door, but before I can change my mind, I open his door, quietly enter his room, and gently close the door behind myself. I slowly cross his room to the side of the bed where he’s asleep. He’s dressed in gray pajama bottoms but no shirt. Instantly, I feel myself getting wet just from staring at his naked torso. Swallowing, I quickly yet calmly remove my panties and gown, allowing them both to pool at my feet before kicking them off to the side.
Taking a big breath, I calmly climb into his bed. He stirs but doesn’t open his eyes. So, with all the confidence in me, I lean over him and kiss his lips. An electrifying heat shoots down my spine and settles in between my thighs, eliciting a moan from me. After a few moments of not responding, he starts kissing me back deeply. I then move to straddle him, and before he can wrap his arms around me, I wrap my fingers around his wrists and pin them on either side of his head.
He breaks the kiss and stares up at me with wide eyes. “Tabitha?”
I nod.
“Is this a dream?”
I smile and shake my head. “No, Jeremiah, this is not a dream.”
“What are you doing? I mean, I know what you’re doing, but … why?”
“I miss you. I miss your smile, your laugh, the way you smell, the sound of your voice, even your hair.” I lift a hand and run my fingers through his deep curls. “I miss everything there is to miss about someone, but I really miss being in your arms. I miss you making love to me, and I thought that, for one night, we could forget about everything that’s happened in the last several months and just be together.”
He slowly sits up and wraps his arms around my middle, pulling me closer so that my breasts are pressed flat against his chest. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want you to push yourself if you’re not ready.”
I wrap my arms around his neck and press my forehead against his. “I’m sure. I’ve missed this, us, being so close.”
“So do I,” he says before capturing my lips in a kiss.
His hands are everywhere, experimenting with my body, adding pressure in some places and touching me lightly in others, making me ache with much need. Rolling over on top of me, he teases my body with his hands and mouth as I work his pajama pants down his long, muscular legs. After kicking them off to the floor, he starts playing with my nipples, sucking one of them into his mouth, causing my body to quake and the moisture between my legs to begin to flow.
“Jeremiah, please, make love to me.”
His hand slides down my body, and just when I think he’s going to position himself between my legs, he slides a finger into me. I clench down around his finger as he massages my insides. He slides in another finger, stretching me, playing with my pussy until my body starts moving in sync with his fingers.
“Tell me how much you want me,” he breathes in my ear.
I arch up into him when his fingers curl inside me. “I want you bad. I need you inside me. Now.”
Spreading my legs, he positions himself between them. Quickly, I wrap my hands around his ass and pull him deep inside me, and it feels like I’m losing my virginity all over again. My body shutters, and I feel a few tears roll down my face and into my hair. But like my first time, the pain soon turns into pleasure, and my body starts moving in sync with his. Sliding out to the tip, he slowly slides his way back into me, our bodies drawing desire and passion from one another.
“Oh, baby, go deeper. Faster.”
Quickening his pace, Jeremiah intertwines his fingers with mine, pinning my wrists above my head, and sinks deeper inside me, rocking my body and the headboard with a steady rhythm. A familiar heat builds up between my thighs with each deep thrust. Without thinking, I roll us over until I’m on top and start rolling my hips and bouncing up and down on his long and thick dick.
“Oh, fuck. Baby, I’ve missed being inside you so much. You feel so fucking good,” he moans, reaching up and squeezing my breasts. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“You’re so fucking big and deep. God, I’ve missed you being inside me.”
Suddenly, he sits up and wraps his lips around my nipple, rolling his tongue around it and gently nibbling on it. His hands slide down my back to my ass and helps lift me up and down on his dick, him sinking deeper each time until we both collide with the wall of pleasure and eupho
ria. Panting, neither of us able to catch our breaths, I collapse on top of him, taking deep breaths with my face buried in the nape of his neck. Just then, he rolls us onto our sides and wraps his arms around my middle, pulling me flush against him.
“Are you alright?” he questions, his lips on my shoulder.
“That was … breathtaking,” I manage to say between breaths. I’ve just made love to the man I love—the love of my life—after several long months, and I don’t regret it, not even for one second.
He cradles me in his arms. “I love you, Tabitha. I love you so much, and I promise to never stop doing whatever I have to, to earn your trust back.”
Turning around in his arms, I kiss his lips, then his chest. “I love you too.”
Present
Jeremiah
(18)
Finally, the priest comes out and asks everyone to stand. It’s finally time! All eyes will soon be on my beautiful bride. The flower girl lines the path with white rose petals as the music starts. She takes two steps out before her parents greet her. They escort her down the aisle to me, which seems like the longest walk in the world. The guests start taking pictures of her, waving at her, smiling. One thing was for sure, though. … No one makes a sound. Me, I just continue staring at her, Tabitha, my future wife, the love of my life, my everything. She’s more beautiful today than she was yesterday. She’s just so goddamn beautiful. Every day since I’ve proposed to her for the second time, I’ve asked God what I did to deserve such a beautiful, kind, and forgiving woman like Tabitha. She’s perfect. As she moves further down the aisle, she never looks away from me, and I notice her eyes are filled with tears as our song starts playing.
I can’t believe my fantasy has finally come true.
God must have smiled upon me the day I met you.
You are the most beautiful in every way.
Everything you do and everything you say.
If I was ever frozen in time,
It wouldn’t matter how, when, or why it would be,
As long as I knew that you were next to me,
