by L. B. Reyes
Without waiting for her reply, I walked toward my grandmother's bedroom. It still looked the same as that fateful morning. Being in her bedroom was the hardest part.
Ignoring the feeling of sadness that threatened to overwhelm me, I started looking through every folder and piece of paper I could find. If Nana had left a power of attorney it was likely she'd also left a will of some sort to let us know what would happen with her belongings. She wasn't the type of person to leave things unprepared.
No matter where I looked, I wasn't able to find anything.
An hour later, I was looking through one of the smaller rooms in the house with no luck. I groaned in frustration, sitting on the floor and placing my head in my hands.
“You need to relax.” Deborah's voice came from the door.
“I can't,” I said, shaking my head. “I need to find something, anything before my parents get to it. They'll mess up whatever her last wishes were.”
The woman leaned by the doorway, arms crossed over her chest like a mother about to scold her child. I swallowed, unable to break her gaze.
“You also need to learn how to ask for help, dear.” I opened my mouth to contradict her but didn't get the chance. A single raised eyebrow told me it wasn't my turn to speak. “I understand what you're trying to do and I admire it, but you can't do it on your own.” She walked over, taking a seat in a chair that was by the window, crossing her legs, her light brown hair falling over her shoulders. “I think you know I had cancer, right?” I nodded slowly. “Nathan was desperately trying to earn money, trying to find money no matter the costs. Have you seen where that got him?”
“I don't understand.”
“Let me explain,” she said with a small smile. “My son decided he'd do things on his own, try to solve the problem without asking anyone else. As a consequence, he got stuck in a loveless marriage which now he is desperately trying to get out of. He could have asked for advice, searched for help in a different way but this was his choice. This was what he decided.”
“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, getting frustrated. “It almost sounds as if you're glad he's having trouble.”
“No.” Deborah shook her head with a laugh. “The fact that he's my son doesn't prevent me from seeing his mistakes. He's learning the hard way now because that divorce won't be easy, but he met you. He's happy, despite the circumstances. But you, dear, need to realize that the family to which you are born doesn't have to be your only family.”
Her scrutinizing gaze forced me to look away.
“You lost your grandmother and I understand that it hurts and that you're angry because your family have been no help whatsoever, but for whatever it's worth, you have my support. You can come to me for help. If you're not comfortable with us, or hell, even Nathan, you still have old man Carter. He's hurting too. Don't forget there are others. Don't turn into your mother, heartless and cruel, or as ambitious as your sister. And fine, stand up for what your grandmother believed in, but don't lose yourself in the process, dear. If you're half the person my son says you are, you can't forget it, especially because your grandmother wouldn't have liked it.”
“Is this what it's like? To have someone actually care?” I asked, admiring her for calling me out despite not knowing much about me.
She shrugged, a smug smile on her face. “My mom used to always tell me things as they were. I've learned to do the same.”
I nodded, returning the smile before standing back up.
“Now,” she said, looking around the room, “tell me what you're looking for so I can help you.”
I explained what had occurred in the morning and let her know what my parents and sister were planning. Deborah listened intently, paying attention to everything I had to say and to my reasoning as far as what to do to stop that from happening.
“Have you tried to talk to the notary who did your grandmother's power of attorney?”
My eyes widened. How had I not thought about that earlier?
Deborah gave me a pointed look. “See? Two minds work better than one.”
***
Deborah and I didn't arrive back at the house until later. She made the effort to keep me out of that place as much as possible and for that I was thankful. Once we arrived though, I knew I wouldn't be able to hide out forever. My parents were still there and I knew that they'd likely want to discuss earlier events.
To my relief, Nathan and his father were already back. As we walked up to the house, Deborah gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze, a gesture that meant more to me than words could explain.
“Where have you been, Evelyn?” came my mother's voice. I rolled my eyes, thanking Deborah so she didn't have to witness the chaos. However, she didn't leave.
My mom's eyes landed on the woman beside me, disbelief etching across her desires while she took in the image of us together.
“She seemed to be having a hard time,” Deborah said with a smile. “I took her out so she could distract herself. I hope you don't mind. It wouldn't be very motherly if you were to get mad at her for still needing some space to grieve. As mothers, we always want what's best for our kids…don't we?”
My mom was biting her tongue. Hannah stood behind her, her jaw working while staring at her mother-in-law.
“Of course,” my mother replied, forcing a smile. With suspicion, she took a step forward, extending her hand to my face and caressing my cheek. It was anything but sincere. “We can talk later.”
I nodded for the hell of it. There was no way that I was discussing anything with her, not without knowing what I was going to say.
Instead, I played along. “Sure, mom.”
I thanked Deborah before heading upstairs to my bedroom. Nathan was probably out in his studio and as much as I wanted to see him, I realized he probably needed some time alone as well.
After changing into an oversized shirt and getting comfortable for bed, I laid down, closing my eyes to try to relax. I was restless yet so tired at the same time.
Carter.
I searched for my phone frantically, calling him as soon as I found him. It had been a day or so since I saw him and now that Nana wasn't here anymore, I wasn't sure whether my family would let him keep his job.
“Evelyn,” he said as soon as he picked up.
I sighed, relieved.
“How are you, Carter?” I asked, laying back down and closing my eyes. He was a part of Nana that still lived and breathed.
He chuckled softly. “A bit bored, I would say, but nothing a good crossword puzzle won't solve.” I heard the rustling of papers in the background and then a curse when something fell down.
“Watch your language, Carter.”
“Ah, of course,” he laughed. “How are you, dear?”
Considering the circumstances I was okay. I was alive and though I didn't have the support of my parents I realized I wasn't alone at all. “I'm fine, Carter. I just wanted to know that you were okay too.”
He sighed. “Day by day, dear. That's all I can say. You have to take everything day by day.”
With that advice, we ended the call, agreeing to meet in the following days. I could still hear movement downstairs, so I knew there were people still up, but I didn't bother checking.
All I wanted to do was sleep and now it looked like it was evading me, as well.
CHAPTER 24
Nathan
I paced outside her bedroom, running my hands through my hair, the events of the past few days replaying through my mind. Fully aware that Hannah was in the room right across the hall, I couldn't bring myself to actually care. My marriage had been over for a long time, over before it even started. What happened with Evelyn had opened my eyes. She was a beautiful woman with an even more beautiful soul.
Sighing, I opened the door to her bedroom, closing and locking it quietly behind me. She shifted on the bed, pulling the sheets up to her neck, her pretty doe eyes meeting mine. Standing there I waited for her to tell me to leave, anything, a sign of h
er not wanting me close to her.
I got nothing.
After spending all day away from her, I yearned for her company. The conversation I’d had with Hannah about the divorce left me little hope; it wouldn't be easy.
I pulled my shirt over my head, watching how she bit her lip nervously. She was so innocent and I wanted to corrupt her in every way possible. I went on to remove the rest of my clothes until I was naked in front of her, my cock already hard and aching for her. Evelyn gasped quietly when I walked up to her, crawling on top of her on the bed.
She wore nothing but a flimsy white shirt, her perked-up nipples visible through the thin material. Evelyn was so inexperienced she had no clue what just the sight of her lying beneath me so eager and willing caused. I placed my arms on each side of her head, taking a strand of hair and placing it behind her ear. Evelyn gave me a small smile; the one that had done me over, the one that could cause my heart to stop.
I leaned down, grazing her lips while her hands went to my hair, pulling me closer to her, the distance between us disappearing. She kissed me, her lips eagerly parting and allowing my tongue entrance. A soft moan left her lips at the contact, making me shudder at just the thought of what we were about to do.
All resolve was lost, every ounce of consideration for the woman sleeping just a few doors away was gone. I should have felt guilty, should have perhaps regretted this, but the thing was I'd never felt so sure about anything, or anyone other than Evelyn.
She was intoxicating, messing with my senses, invading every pore of my body. She fucking owned me. I brought my lips to her jaw, feeling the goosebumps that coated her skin, another moan left her lips as I sucked on her skin while her legs opened up, inviting me in.
I pulled the shirt up and over her head, leaving it over her eyes so that she couldn't see. A startled gasp left her lips when she realized what I was doing, but she didn't protest. Instead, she relaxed into the bed. I took a moment to admire her, full breasts, nipples eager for attention…her face flushed even in the dark. I flicked my tongue over a nipple, watching her reaction. Her back arched and I groaned, taking it all in my mouth, teasing the tender bud with my teeth while I brought a hand to her mouth, quieting down her moans.
Kissing down her body, memorizing every curve and crevice was becoming my addiction. I wanted nothing more than to pleasure her in every way possible, make her feel like she was the most amazing woman in the world because to me she was.
Never once in that time that I had been married did I ever consider cheating, with anyone, until she came back. The first time we'd kissed I knew there was no turning back. I thought I could fight it, but it was a fight that was lost before it even began.
I nipped at her hips, lowering her panties and sliding them off her legs; legs that opened up for me so readily, so needy. Her labored breathing told me that she was barely holding on and when I finally brought my mouth to her slick flesh, her hips bucking against my mouth, I knew that her inhibitions were long gone.
“You taste so fucking sweet,” I rasped. I gave her what she wanted, sucking on her skin, taking her swollen clit in my mouth as I pushed two fingers inside of her. She let out an audible gasp, clearly not able to contain her moans of pleasure as she came.
I should have been worried, but I reveled in the fact that I'd made her lose control.
I got on my knees, watched her heaving chest and its erratic up and down movement, the way that she held on to the pillow over her head.
“What do you want?” I asked her.
Evelyn's full lips parted, her hips rising from the bed slightly. I gripped them, holding her down, letting my cock just touch her slick entrance. I ignored the painful twitch, teasing her further.
“Tell me, Evelyn. What do you want?”
“I need…I need you.” A slow smile crept on my face at the desperation in her voice. She was far too shy to say the words that I knew she wanted to say.
Whimpering softly, she lifted her hips again. This time I held them, pushing inside her with one swift thrust. She gasped as soon as I filled her up while I paused, letting her get used to my size, her walls clenching around me almost immediately.
I began moving, pushing in and out of her, coaxing her walls into taking me in, watching the way her back arched, the way her breasts moved with every thrust. Far too beautiful, far too hypnotizing…I knew I would never feel that way about anyone else.
The moonlight perfectly illuminated her body; I could see every reaction she had to me, the way she tried to contain herself while all I wanted was to see her let go. I leaned down, pressing my body against her soft one and kissed her. Our tongues mated just like our bodies, my mouth swallowing up her throaty moans.
I moved the shirt away from her eyes, relief flooding them as soon as she saw me. I had wanted to prolong the moment, the feel of her underneath me, the feeling of our bodies pressing together until she whispered a single word:
“More.”
Fuck.
I kissed her as I slowed down my thrusts until she whimpered in protest. Her nails clawed down my back, trying to get me to move.
“Turn around,” I murmured. Eyes clouded with lust met my own.
“What?”
“On your stomach, baby.” I gave the soft skin of her ass a gentle squeeze and she swallowed, doing as I told her when I pulled out of her.
I lifted her hips, not before admiring her curves, the way her back dipped so seductively. Leaning over, I pressed a kiss between her shoulder blades, gripping her chin and turning her face around to kiss her while I pushed into her.
Her hands squeezed the pillows beside her and she moaned, the sound muffled by my mouth. I knew this felt different for her.
“Be quiet,” I said and she nodded, biting her lip.
Her warmth enveloped me, gripping on to me like a vise. I made sure the thrusts were painfully slow, that she felt every inch of me inside of her. That she felt the intensity of our connection. She shuddered beneath, her back arching as she neared her orgasm.
She breathed in short little pants and began meeting my thrusts eagerly, pushing back against me as the headboard began banging against the wall. I pulled her hair back, tugging gently and kissing her once again.
I wanted her with me, only with me.
Perhaps I'd made selfish decisions before, but now, everything that I wanted to do was for her.
“Only I can touch you like this,” I commanded, bringing a hand between her thighs, searching out her swollen clit. She bucked in my hands, whimpering, her eyes pleading for the release I kept depriving her of. “And only I can be inside you like this,” I said, punctuating what I meant by grinding against her, hitting the spot I knew would make her scream with pleasure.
“Say it,” I demanded, pounding into her roughly now, nipping at her shoulder, my fingers digging into her hips.
“I'm…yours,” she whimpered breathlessly, squeezing her eyes shut. “Oh fuck.” She cried out then, throwing her head back as her walls tightened around me. I quieted down her moans, kissing her, ravishing her with my tongue and not being able to hold back, I let go inside of her with a grunt, thrusting into her erratically.
Our passionate kiss slowed down, our labored breathing the only noise that filled the quiet room.
Evie kept her eyes closed as I peppered kisses on her glistening back, her body relaxing with the gentle caress.
She bit the inside of her cheek as she tried to regain her breath. “I can't believe that just happened.”
I smirked, lying down next to her and pulling her into my arms. Her swollen lips parted, a small smile playing on her features. She sighed, content and satisfied while I placed a kiss at the top of her head.
Her sister, my wife, was just around the corner and here I was, in bed with another woman. My marriage had been over a long time ago, and maybe I should have gone about things differently, but having Evelyn with me was all that mattered. My fingers traced her back absentmindedly as she started to fall asleep.<
br />
“I'm meeting with the lawyer tomorrow,” I said, taking in the scent of her hair. She was intoxicating.
“What?” she breathed, looking back at me.
I leaned down, pressing a small kiss on her lips. “I should have done it a long time ago,” I said. “But I contacted Jenna's mom today. She said her husband would be more than willing to help out with the divorce.”
“Jenna's family has always been so lovely,” Evelyn said, closing her eyes. I didn't miss the longing in her voice. She used to spend a lot of time at her house when she was younger and now I realized it was because they put a lot of priority on family. She'd always longed for that.
Though my mother wasn't fond of the idea of her son cheating on the woman that was still legally my wife, she couldn't help but notice the differences between Hannah and Evelyn. She liked her, that much I knew. In the time she'd spent with Evelyn, my mom had gotten to know her more than her own parents and I was thankful for that. No one would replace her grandmother, but someone could take up that role that her mom had neglected.
You're more of a match with Evelyn than you ever were with Hannah.
Maybe I had been meant to be with Evelyn the whole time. Maybe no matter what we would have ended up like this anyway. I pressed a kiss on her forehead, feeling how she relaxed further in my arms, her face nuzzling my neck.
She was still so sad over Nana's death, I could see it in the way she behaved, that spark that she typically had was dimmed.
“I like being with you,” she said softly, running her fingers down my chest.
“I do too, Evie.”
Her breathing soon evened out with her sleep. She's beautiful, she's everything and yet I knew that when the time came, heads would roll. It would hurt her because try as she might, she cared about her family, about her parents. That's what made her different. She loved and she loved with all her heart.
I meant what I had said. I'd be filing for a divorce. I would no longer be held a prisoner in a loveless marriage. Not when I had gotten a glimpse at what true happiness was.
