Oh God! Just breathe, she thought. All she could do was stare, not knowing what to do next. She couldn’t believe he had gone that far.
“What the fuck, G?” Malachi’s explosive whisper snapped her out of her trance.
Placing hands on her stomach, she took a deep breath in to calm the rolling that had started once again. She could feel her eyes starting to water, and she shut them for a second to ward off the tears. Not in front of him, she thought. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
“Excuse me.” She hated herself for not being able to contain the sob that pushed forth, and she turned to leave the hall.
“Shit!”
She heard Gemariah’s outburst, but didn’t stop until she made it to the restroom and locked herself inside.
Placing both hands on the door, she bowed her head and concentrated on her breathing. It was either throw up or start crying, and she didn’t want to do either.
Breathe in…
Breathe out…
She took note of the nicely tiled floor and the expensive wood paneling on the walls. If there was ever a bathroom to lock oneself into this was it, she thought.
Breathe in…
Breathe out…
When she started to feel herself calming down, there was a slight knock that caused her to jump back from the door.
“Nicole?”
Not him. She could have taken anyone but him right then. “Go away,” she yelled. Shutting her eyes, she prayed he complied.
“Listen… I didn’t mean what I said.” There was a slight pause before Gemariah continued. “You just always seem to bring out the worst in me.”
“Oh what? Now it’s my fault?” she snapped at the door before thinking better of it. The break in her concentration was all it took, and she knew that she had to move quickly. “I can’t do this right now! Go away!” she yelled over her shoulder as she rushed to the toilet. Fortunately, she made it just in time to lose the wedding cake she had recently eaten.
“What’s going on in there?” He knocked harder on the door. “Are you okay?”
By the tone in his voice, she could almost think he was concerned. She wasn’t delusional enough to believe it, though. He didn’t care about anybody but himself. “Please go away!” She practically begged. “I’m fine.”
“Nicole…”
“Please!”
She waited, and after a few seconds of silence, she knew that he had finally walked away. Standing up, she slouched against the wall and dropped her head back to once again regulate her breathing.
She was so mad at herself. This wasn’t supposed to happen here! Her nausea had been getting so much better to where there were days that she had not even gotten sick. Placing her hands on each side of her head, she gently pushed. The small amount of pressure helped to ward off the insistent headache that seemed to come more frequently than not. What the hell was wrong with her?
Nicole didn’t put all the blame on herself, though. If it wasn’t for the six foot eight, blonde barbarian, her emotions would have never gone haywire. Therefore, she wouldn’t be stuck in this bathroom, waiting for her emotions, and her stomach to settle down.
Walking over to the sink, she observed herself in the mirror. She wet down a paper towel and gently patted it against her face, trying to rid herself of the flush that had appeared. When that was done, she took a sip of water to swoosh the bad taste from her mouth.
She then stood there and stared at herself in the mirror, as she worked to regain her composer. Knowing that she had to get back out there, for Trinity, she tried hard to shake it off.
Why did he always get to her? Or better yet, why did she let him? Her thoughts had returned back to Gemariah, and she became even angrier that she couldn’t forget about him.
Since day one, months ago, when she caught him picking on a child, she knew he was no good. Walking out of her favorite coffee shop, she witnessed this grown man shaking a young boy she knew. Yes, Jeremy can be a definite handful, but that was no excuse.
When she saw what was going on, her protective instincts kicked in, and she put herself between the two. After they exchanged words and went their separate ways, she didn’t think she would ever have to see him again. As luck would have it though, her best friend fell in love with his, and because of that, they are forced to endure each other’s company at times.
Not even two months ago was the worst encounter, and she remembered it like it was yesterday.
Trinity and Malachi decided to throw a barbeque so each other’s friends and family could meet and mingle. When Trinity ended up staying the night, she got the misfortune of getting a ride home from Gemariah.
The ride started out nice because they both stayed silent. He drove while she fiddled around with the radio. Anything to keep her mind off the argument she had just had with Trinity.
Nicole had blabbed stuff Trinity had wanted to keep a secret, and in front of Malachi no less. She still didn’t understand completely why she had done it. Yes, she was worried how fast Trinity was diving into her relationship, but maybe she had gone too far.
One thing was for sure. She did not do it to sabotage their relationship. She wanted her friend to be happy, but cautious as well. It was Trinity’s comment after the fact that had really gotten to her. “Misery loves company…” The statement kept repeating in her mind. She was not misery!
“Oh for crying out loud, would you just pick something to listen to? Your insistent flipping of stations is driving me insane!”
Gemariah snapping at her brought her, momentarily, out of her funk. “You said I could pick what we listened to.”
“That was when I thought you would actually pick something!” He reached over and hit a button on the radio and the noise was almost deafening.
Quickly, she pressed another button to change the music; if it could have even been called music. A nice, soft melody came out of the speakers and she leaned back in the seat to relax.
Not a minute later, she reached down to change the station, but before she could touch it, he hit her hand away and turned the God awful sound back on.
That was when it started. She got angry and said some things. Then he got angry and said things as well. By the time they got to her place, she couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. Unfortunately, he stepped out as well to walk her to the door.
“What do you think you’re doing? You can leave now!” Nicole snapped in his direction and waved her hand in a shooing motion.
“I told Malachi I would get you home safely, and that’s what I’m doing. Just start moving, so I can be on my way.” He had already walked around his truck and was quickly approaching her.
Turning, she marched to her door and fished for her keys in her purse as he stood back with his arms folded over his chest. Finally finding them, she fumbled to unlock her door. She tried one key and it didn’t fit, then another. Why do I have so many keys, she thought? Maybe she shouldn’t have had that last drink; then she wouldn’t have been in this situation.
She heard a grunt come from behind her before a large hand engulfed hers and removed the keys. Using his shoulder, he nudged her out of the way, and proceeded to unlock the door.
“Hey! Rude much?” If he wanted to help, he could have just asked.
He didn’t answer her. Instead, he finally found the right key, and opened the door. Standing to the side, he gave a mock bow and waved her in. “Your Majesty…”
Instead of walking in the house, she squared her shoulders and faced him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s just a proper title for the Ice Queen that you are.” He treated her to a grin that she wanted to smack off his face.
“You don’t know me.” She used his own words that he had told her numerous times, and threw them back in his face.
He looked her up and down. “Really? I think I got it spot on.” He took a step closer. “You’re always uptight, you hardly ever crack a smile, and you are always on everyone’s case. It’s
a wonder why Trinity’s put up with you for so long. I would have ditched your frigid ass years ago.”
That stupid grin was back, and she couldn’t take it anymore. Without much thought, she quickly raised her hand and slapped him across the face.
The crack was deafening and the world seemed to stand still afterwards. She stood there in shock, not believing she had actually hit him, but the sting in her hand told her otherwise.
As she stood there glaring back at him, she inwardly shook as she calculated her options. He was much larger than her, and if the angry expression on his face was any indication, she was in definite trouble. Running seemed like the best choice at the moment.
She remembered being in complete shock at what happened next. Before she could move, he leaned in, grabbed the back of her hair to pull her head back, and slammed his mouth down on hers.
She had never been kissed like that before. Sure, there had been the occasional awkward or shy one, but never that sensual. Once the initial shock wore off, she tentatively moved her mouth underneath his, and he became more aggressive.
He quickly pulled her flush against him, and the hands on his chest that were originally there to ward him off, were now holding on for dear life. It felt amazing! She could feel her heart start to race and her skin start to heat up. For the first time, she didn’t want it to stop.
She gasped into his mouth when she felt his hand cup her breast, and trembled when he used the pad of his thumb to run over her nipple. So caught up in the feelings he was evoking, she didn’t realize they had moved into the house until he shut the door behind them with his foot.
They made it a total of five feet from the door, before he had her pressed against a wall in her living room. He released her mouth but quickly moved his lips to her neck. It felt so delicious to be that close to someone, and she wrapped her arms around him to hold on. The moan he let out showed that he liked her response.
Suddenly, he pulled back and forcefully lifted up her shirt and yanked down her bra. Within moments, he had latched his mouth onto where his hand had just been. She yelled out at the unexpected action when it caused a pleasurable tightening sensation in her lower belly. She remembered thinking when she wound her fingers through his hair that if she had known this could be so pleasurable, she probably wouldn’t have stayed away from men for so long.
As his mouth lavished her breasts, he quickly moved his hand to the hem of her skirt and up between her legs. Wasting no time, he quickly moved her panties to the side and inserted a finger inside, successfully pulling another scream from her. The feeling was foreign, but incredibly intense at the same time.
Releasing her breast with his mouth, he made his way back to her neck, and began nibbling up to her ear. “You’re so wet already,” he murmured, sounding almost in awe.
She leaned her head to the side to give him better access, and then shut her eyes to marvel at the sensation.
His finger was moving in and out of her while the base of his palm pressed down on her clitoris. The simultaneous sensations were causing the feeling in her belly to expand until she didn’t think she could take much more. When he swiftly added another finger, she gasped as she felt herself stretching and quickly grabbed onto his shoulders for support. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he brought his mouth to hers for another passionate kiss.
Eventually, she felt her body starting to adjust as he successfully strummed it into submission. She couldn’t ever remember feeling this good. She was not frigid, nor was she “misery”; this and the emotions running through her proved it. Not wanting it to stop, she started to move her hips with his hand causing her to moan into his mouth.
When he hoisted her up, she didn’t think much of it, but when she felt something bigger than his hand at her opening, she knew what was about to happen. Automatically tensing, she pulled her mouth from his.
Looking into her eyes, he used the silky voice she loved to hate, and tried to calm her nerves. “Relax. I’ll take care of you.”
Staring into the depth of his baby blue eyes, she came to a conclusion. She wasn’t misery… she never wanted to be misery again, so she relaxed once more, and didn’t stop what was about to happen.
Without hesitation, he thrust completely inside her. Oh God! She changed her mind. He was too big, and it hurt too much. Digging her nails into his shoulders, she whimpered at the pain.
Oblivious to her inner turmoil, he brought his mouth down on top of hers, successfully muffling any sound. When he started to move slowly within her, she pulled at his clothing to try and adjust their position and relieve some of the pressure. She almost had it, but the moment his mouth pulled free, he pushed into her harder and she couldn’t hold back the scream that came forth.
“I know, baby,” he rasped in her ear. “You’re so fucking tight. It feels so good.”
Before she could respond, he started moving faster, and the pain started to slowly diminish.
“Shit! Ah fuck, baby!”
He gripped her hips tighter and started moving even faster. She had finally started to feel something other than pain, something that wasn’t entirely bad, when he thrust into her one last time and stopped.
He stood there unmoving, with his head buried in the crook of her neck, and she waited while he paused to catch his breath. Dropping her head back against the wall, she shut her eyes and tried to rid herself of the memory of the colossal mistake that had just happened. She felt miserable. All this time, she never had any desire to be intimate with a man. It just figured that a man she detested would be the first to make her lose her sanity and all inhibitions as well.
His chuckling brought her away from her thoughts and back to her current situation. She opened her eyes and looked into his smiling face.
“Okay, you win. I was wrong.” He must have seen the confusion on her face, because he went on to explain. “No Ice Queen could engulf my dick with that much heat. Well played, Tinker Bell.”
He pulled out, and swiftly set her down before making his way through her house.
“Where’s your bathroom?” he yelled, but before she could pull her thoughts together enough to answer, he hollered once more. “Never mind, I found it.”
He was so quick to walk away that he didn’t notice the look of horror upon her face. Talk about adding salt to an already open wound. Not only was she dumb enough to trust that he would take care of her, like he had said, but he thought it was all so she could prove a point. What have I done, she thought with horror?
Adjusting her clothing, she made sure everything was back in place. Once that was done, she wrapped her arms around her stomach and leaned against the wall. How had she stooped this low? Not only was she sore in unfamiliar places, she felt dirty as well. She had to get him out of there.
Glancing over when she heard a sound, she saw him saunter out of her bathroom, looking as if nothing had ever happened. Turning her head in the opposite direction, she cleared her throat before saying, “You need to leave.”
She felt a hand on her jaw trying to turn her head and she instinctively swatted it away. “Don’t touch me!” she snapped.
“Oh for fuck’s sake! What’s wrong now?”
As if he didn’t know! Glaring in his direction, she pointed toward the door. “Just get out of my house!”
Holding up his hands in surrender, he smiled and started to back away. “Oh I get it. Now I get to witness the re-freeze.”
“That’s it!” She walked towards him and started pushing him towards the door. “Get out before I call the police.”
He turned, and willingly walked out the door. Before she could get the door shut, he pivoted and placed his hand out to stop it. “You do know, this totally contradicts the point you just worked so hard to prove.”
“I did nothing of the sort. You kissed me first, you… you jerk!” With that last parting comment, she shoved the door shut and locked the dead bolt. Sinking down to the floor, she curled up right there and cried for the remainder of the night.
After that night, she swore to never shed another tear over that man again.
Obviously, it didn’t work so well since she was now in a bathroom, trying to ward off tears again because of something he said. Hopefully after the wedding, she wouldn’t have to see him as much anymore.
For now though, she had to shake it off and get back out there. To her knowledge, there was no reason she had to go near him anymore, so that was her plan; steer clear of him at all costs.
When she returned to the hall, she mingled with the best smile she could plaster on, but eventually found a corner where she could stand and watch everyone. She always hated being the center of attention, so the spot was a perfect place to lay low.
“You alright?”
The deep voice startled her out of her thoughts, and made her jump.
“Oh, shoot!” Placing a hand over her chest, she willed her heart to slow down. “Malachi, you startled me. Make some noise next time.” Laughing it off, she turned back to observe the room.
“I just wanted to make sure you were okay, after earlier…” He trailed off and didn’t finish what he was saying, he didn’t have to.
Nicole shrugged and tied to appear nonchalant. “I’m fine, no worries.” After a moment’s thought, she turned back around to look at him. “Don’t tell Trinity, okay?” she pleaded. “It’s her big day, and I don’t want to have it tainted for any reason.”
Malachi genuinely smiled down at her. “You’re a good friend. She’s lucky to have you, you know?”
She smiled, but wasn’t feeling it. “She doesn’t need me anymore. She has you.”
“Nonsense. She will always need you, just as you will always need her. That’s the good thing about sisters.” Placing his hands in his pockets, he looked towards the ground. “It’s a lot like Gemariah and me. I don’t know what gets into him sometimes, and I’ve told him to stay away from you tonight. I’m not going to make excuses for him. All I can say is that I know he’s a good person. You never get to see that side of him, though.”
The Divine Whisper Page 2
