Three Rivers (A Gateway to Love Novel)

by Barlow, Chloe T.

  "I love this spot so much," she whispered, breaking his own reverie for a moment. "Jack brought me here when he wanted to persuade me to move to Pittsburgh with him after I graduated."

  "I believe it. We used to come down along the river and hang out. But we would go to a much less public place and..."

  "I'm guessing there was beer and girls involved?" she asked with a laugh.

  "It's my turn to take the Fifth," he said with a squeeze. "So, what did you think when he brought you here?"

  "I knew nothing about the city, just the old cliché that it was a polluted steel town. As soon as I saw the city for myself I knew that was wrong. When we came, he took me on the incline up Mt. Washington. I looked at this point, where the rivers meet and this beautiful fountain and I thought it was so pretty...but now, it’s more."

  Griffen held her tighter, sensing her new tension. "How so?"

  She sighed. "I don't know, it’s depressing. Maybe we should talk about something else." She looked back at the rivers.

  "Althea, I am here to make your life happy for a couple weeks, right? If part of that is talking about things that aren't really pleasant, then that's what I want to hear."

  "Are you too good to be true, Griffen?" she asked, looking back into his eyes.

  "I'm not that good a guy, but I'm trying to be for you, if only for a few days. Does it help to talk about it?" he answered, kissing her lightly.

  "It feels good, yes," Althea said softly.

  "Then go on, gorgeous."

  "Okay." She took a breath. "This is where I would come after Jack died when I started to feel really lost and alone. I would watch the rivers meet each other and flow right on forward for hours."

  "What would you think about?"

  "Anything and everything. Memories sometimes, other days I would just think about how scared I was to do all this by myself. Losing someone you loved so much, so young...I was totally isolated. It wasn't like I was Great-Aunt Gertrude in the retirement community in Boca with twenty other widows. No, I was completely alone, with a baby growing in my belly." He could see tears falling down her cheeks and he gently collected them with his hand, cupping her cheek. The touch of his hand made her stop.

  "And..."

  "Thing is, even through this grief. This missing him. I do whatever I can so as not to think about him. It just hurts too much. How messed up is that? But coming here and seeing these rivers move along, this is where I would let myself think about him and that would make me feel calm again. These rivers took him from me, but they also give me peace."

  Griffen hugged her closer and marveled at how much she'd suffered through alone. He quietly hoped that his short time with her could help her deal with the sadness some.

  "Why do you think it helped?" he asked softly into her neck, trying to make her get all of this out. "Please go on, it's okay."

  "Here is where I would think about death. Death means nothing to these rivers. It's just death, it doesn't affect the currents. The rivers just keep on moving. The pain and aftermath of the loss of one little life doesn't change that."

  Griffen looked forward at the rivers, as if he were seeing them for the first time. This time through her eyes.

  "Death be not proud," Griffen said against her neck.

  Althea spun around and looked at him, eyebrow raised. "That's a lofty quote, quite impressive."

  Griffen shrugged and gave her a half-smile. "Hey, I mean I am a writer. Give me some credit."

  "I didn't know John Donne wrote a lot of explosion scenes in Afghan caves."

  "Yup, it was in his later lesser-known sonnets," he said with a wink and a squeeze of her waist. "Besides, that's not all that my books are about, college girl."

  "Yeah, from the book jacket, there's a lot of sex, too," she said nudging him.

  "Write what you know, right?" Griffen winked, thrilled he could lighten her dark mood. "Hey gorgeous," his voice came out surprisingly scratchy. "How about I feed you dessert in bed?"

  "That sounds perfect," she said with a soft smile.

  They were lucky enough to get an empty elevator. Althea felt a thrill when Griffen placed his hand at the small of her back and gently led her in. The doors shut quietly behind them and he slipped his hand down across the curve of Althea's bottom burying his face in her neck as he scanned his key card for his floor. Althea arched into his crotch and gasped at how hard he was against her and hot to the touch even through her tight skirt. Everything became unbearably silent except for her panting breaths as he squeezed the globes of her ass with one hand and started to stroke her over her blouse with the other.

  "You aren't still nervous around me are you, Althea?" he murmured against the point where her skin peeked through the gray silk of her half unbuttoned top. His tongue flicked against her and she thought she would go insane.

  How can he do this to me? Every time he touches me, no matter where we are, he drives me completely out of control.

  "No. I'm just wondering when the nooner can start," she answered, her voice was husky sounding even to her own ears. She reached behind him and started to pull his shirt out of his jeans, sneaking a hand under the waistband.

  He ran his tongue back down between her breasts and looked up at her with hooded eyes. The way his dark hair was falling across his bright blue eyes was such a contrast she couldn't look away, even if she wanted to. "We make the rules here, gorgeous. I will start whenever you want. Wherever you want."

  "We haven't started yet?" she said on a gasp as he slowly pulled her skirt up inch by inch with his hand until the point where the top of her stockings met her garters was revealed. He groaned and smiled against her skin.

  "Hardly."

  Just when she started to think she could do something crazy in an elevator she heard - ding!

  Griffen's face was at her waist now. He smiled and smoothed her skirt down, stepping aside to let her out. Althea was wobbly on her feet, trying to walk normally when all she could do was pay attention to the heat between her legs. She stepped in the hall and began walking toward his room, making sure to let her hips sway lasciviously, knowing he was staring at her from behind.

  "To hell with this," she heard him mutter, right before he grabbed her waist, spun her on her toes and threw her over his shoulder, like he was rescuing her from a burning building.

  "Griffen, stop that," she yelled, pounding on his back as she bounced up and down on his shoulder with each of his quick trotting steps.

  "Sorry, gorgeous. You're killing me. I can't wait anymore."

  "If you tell me you're doing this because there's a fire in your pants, I'm leaving," she spluttered out through giggles and the pressure of his shoulder against her belly.

  "Good one. Wish I'd thought of it. But, nope, I'm on the clock here. I don't have you much longer, so there's no time to waste." She wriggled against him as he slowed to a halt in front of the door and fussed with the key. He swatted her butt. Hard.

  "Ow! Hey!"

  "Stop squirming."

  "You can put me down now, we're here," she said beating against his back. The door opened and she felt his rough hand slide under her skirt, between her legs. She was squirming now for a different reason.

  "With pleasure." He stalked across the room, still stroking her thigh and between her legs with his free hand. Once he reached the bed he threw her on it so that she bounced up and down a couple times comically. He stopped and stood at the foot of the bed looking at her from head to toe.

  She knew she must have been a sight. Legs bent at the knees, skirt pulled up around her thighs revealing the garters she'd worn to make the most of how sexy he made her feel. Her gray silk blouse unbuttoned so low the edges of her push up bra were revealed, as well as the cleavage it had created.

  He was breathing heavily and she was thrilled to see the large bulge in the crotch of his jeans.

  "Take down your hair," he said.

  She licked her lips and he groaned a
s she reached up and undid the barrette that held up her massive amount of hair. It fell heavily against her shoulders. Althea unbuttoned her top and took it off, her eyes never leaving his. She then got up on her knees in front of him. Reaching behind her, making sure her breasts pushed forward on the movement, she slowly unzipped the back of her skirt and slid it down, revealing the stunning sheer lace and cream silk panties that completed the bra, panty, and garter set she'd bought three years ago in New York on a depressed whim during a lonely business trip, yet had never worn.

  His eyes flamed with desire and she knew it was because of each of her calculated moves. She really knew nothing of seduction, but she sensed she drove him just as crazy as he did her and damned if she wasn't going to enjoy that. There she was, on her knees in the most provocative underwear she owned, feeling sexy and powerful in front of the most stunning man she could imagine.

  Althea arched her back to let the curve of her ass press against the flimsy silk and draw his eye. He ran his hand down her arm, over her back until it rested on that piece of round flesh she'd teased him with just moments before. Griffen squeezed her ass and she moaned, closing her eyes at the pressure of his hand, his long fingers reaching under the silk band to stroke her bare bottom, then moving lower, touching her wet slit and pressing into her ever so slightly.

  Althea looked into his eyes and shook her hair so it fell more perfectly in waves down her back. She'd never felt so on display and she loved it. Without a sound she moved her hands slowly up the edge of his jeans and reached up, gathering the material of his shirt into each palm until it was free of his pants. She pulled up the soft cotton shirt slowly, loving the flesh and smattering of dark hair that appeared like a prize with each motion of her hands. Rubbing her fingers against the ripples of his muscular flesh she ran her tongue along each warm, hard spot her hands had just enjoyed.

  His hands were still touching her, exploring her body inside and out until she thought she couldn't take it anymore. Quickly, she unbuttoned his jeans and lowered the zipper. It was the first sound in the room other than their breathing and it seemed like a sensual shout against the silence. He was so hard, the head of his penis was peeking out of his boxer briefs and she had to taste it. He groaned loudly and squeezed her ass with both hands, clearly using all of his self-control not to disturb the control she was so enjoying over his body.

  When she took him into her mouth, his answering moan made her feel heady with power. The salty drop on her tongue let her know he enjoyed being with her — Althea. Touching her body. No one else's. In this moment, he belonged to her.

  She took him more fully in her mouth and with each swipe of her tongue across his head and down his length she felt so close to peace and so far from loneliness, that she had to force herself not to think about what that could mean.

  She pulled his jeans down and ran her nails against his thighs, over his muscular ass, until suddenly, her mouth was empty and he'd pulled her away. The sense of loss was so great that tears threatened, making her feel stupid and embarrassed. Althea had to look away, but he grabbed her chin and pulled her face to look at him. "Stop."

  "What?" she whispered, averting her eyes from his, but he pulled her right back and leaned forward, his lips only inches from hers.

  "Thinking something awful. That was incredible. Fucking amazing, but you're driving me nuts. This outfit, your face, your hair, your fucking tongue," he groaned and closed his eyes a moment before opening them and staring at her, his sapphire eyes full of fire.

  The panties tied with ribbons on both sides. Griffen fingered the bows and whispered, "I like this design, very convenient," as he slowly undid each tie until the silk fell quietly off her body onto the bed. "I have to be inside you Althea. Now."

  She smiled, feeling so wonderful just from his words and the effect she had on him. She straightened her back and with all the confidence she had in that moment asked, "Then what are you waiting for stud?"

  He grunted out what may have been a tortured laugh. She couldn't determine what because in a moment he'd picked her up off her knees and threw her down on her back on the bed. In an instant, he had a condom on and was inside her, his boxer briefs pulled down just to his thighs. His desperation caused her to feel beyond aroused. The stroking of his flesh inside hers was smooth and deep, yet harsh all at once. His mouth was everywhere. If she'd been seducing, he was simply taking. Possessing her body with every inch of his.

  His hands moved up her body until they rested on her throat, his thumbs pressing up on her chin. "Look at me, Althea."

  She opened her eyes and their gaze locked as he pressed so deeply in her she didn't know where he ended and she began. He moved one hand down her throat, over her breasts, until it found its way under her ass and he tilted her in such a way that he was even deeper and stroked fire with each thrust.

  Althea heard screaming and it took a moment to realize it was her own voice, shouting Griffen's name. The pleasure was so intense it was almost painful but she never wanted it to end. They were still looking in each other's eyes, but he was as crazed as she was. He thrust again and stars shot across her vision. In the distance she heard his own shout of completion, but she could focus on nothing but the pulsing of her body around his, the warmth of joy and sensuality through her veins.

  He pulled back, kissing every inch of her face, her shoulders, her breasts, muttering sweet words against her skin about how beautiful she was, how much he wanted her and she couldn't help but smile. He finally rested his head in her neck and she was sure he could feel her heart racing against him. Then she heard chuckling, the vibrations jostling her belly.

  "What is it?" she asked confused.

  "I should probably continue getting undressed." She looked up and laughed. Other than his half-lifted shirt and his jeans and boxers pulled down around his thighs, he was completely clothed. He stood, disposed of the condom, and gave her the best strip tease any woman could hope for simply by removing his shirt, jeans and boxers. "What?" he asked as she stared at him from the bed, unknowingly licking her lips.

  "You really are a stud. I like watching you strip."

  "I'll keep that in mind. Any time you like, gorgeous, you just have to ask. Though you do make me pretty wild. Maybe I should just never wear clothes again so we don't slow down you having your way with me."

  "Hmm, I like that idea. You okay with being my kept man?"

  He climbed on the bed to lie beside her. "Hell no, I don't mind. Is there an application or do you feel pretty sure I'll get the position?"

  She laughed and straddled him so that her warm pussy was rubbing against him as she slowly moved back and forth. "I'm pretty sure I'll get you in every position."

  He laughed and flipped her over so he was fully on top of her. He suddenly got serious, and she couldn't place the emotion she saw in his eyes. It quickly flashed away and back was the cocky man she was so used to seeing.

  He cleared his throat, "Now, I believe I promised you dessert."

  She squeezed his butt playfully, "I thought you just gave me my dessert."

  He laughed and stood, walking in his naked beauty across the room to a lovely little kitchenette and returned with a saran wrapped covered plate full of chocolate mousse and fresh berries. He flopped down and without a word began to spoon a morsel for her. "Open your mouth."

  She obliged, tasting it and closing her eyes on a groan. "You spoil me, Griffen Tate."

  "I thought that was the idea," he said.

  "I like the sound of that, though I suspect you're trying to fatten me up before you leave." She said it teasingly but her heart jumped when she saw sadness cross his eyes so quickly she thought she imagined it. "Griffen...?"

  Before she could say anything more he kissed her until there was no room in her mind for questions — only thoughts of how good he made her feel.

  Althea had left and Griffen groaned at the thought that he wouldn't see her again for several hours.

&nbs
p; They'd made love again, it wasn't as frenzied as before, but still more rushed than he would've liked. She was so perfect in every way that he wanted to take his time tasting her and enjoying her body, but she'd had to get back to work.

  It surprised him how thrilled he was to have her ask him to her house for dinner and to stay the night after Johnny went to sleep.

  He suspected she didn't want to risk going out with him in public because of her crazy obsession with keeping their time together secret, but he was getting to spend time with her and would simply have to take what she would give him. Maybe it was better this way anyway. She was already getting deeper under his skin than anyone had before.

  He pulled himself out of bed and took a shower. He'd been half-tempted to simply let the smell of her body and their lovemaking stay on his skin all day, but he knew it was better to appear half human when he showed up at her house.

  As he walked out of the shower drying his hair roughly with a towel, his laptop caught his eye. He sat down and pulled up Jack's flash drive file. Nope, the security was still beyond him. He’d packed up the flash drive for the courier to pick up, but he was quickly restless again and couldn't figure out what to do with himself.

  As he was about to put the computer to sleep, his finger instead hovered over the Word icon. He opened a blank document and for the hell of it typed out "Chapter One." Then he wrote a couple lines about the day he met Jack, back when he was five, so shy and scared of the world, living in a world of terror and Jack was there with a football and asked if he wanted to play.

  Then the strangest thing happened. Griffen kept on writing and couldn't stop. He released everything inside him onto the keyboard, from his guilt over Jack's death, to his passion for Althea to the mysterious contents of the flash drive. It wasn't until he looked at the clock on the bottom right of the screen to see it was almost time to meet Althea after work that he realized a new book had begun.