by C. L. Roman
“And where do you plan on going?”
“My mother’s.” She closed her eyes and sighed heavily.
“You look ecstatic.”
She leered at me. “I’d be better off living in a crack house than with my mother, but right now I’m desperate and have no other place to go, nor do I have a job. Shit, I’m so screwed, Gabe. You can’t even imagine.”
More tears fell from her eyes. I wiped them dry.
“Try me.”
She glanced at me. “You know what? It goes both ways. If I’m willing to open up to you, please give me something in return. My heart is already aching. I don’t want to set myself up for more pain.”
This time I sighed heavily. “I’ll try my best not to hurt you.”
“And what if your best isn’t good enough?”
“That’s all I can offer.”
She shifted and we both faced forward, her head resting on my shoulder, our hands linked. “My sister, Irma, is sick. She’s had test after test for years and we still don’t have a firm diagnosis. She’s been receiving treatments based on what the doctors think is wrong with her. She’ll do better and we’ll get hopeful then she’ll relapse into sickness again. It’s mind-boggling. She’s currently undergoing an experimental treatment in a hospital out of town. That’s the mail you gave me that went to your mailbox. They were bills from the hospital.”
I swiped my hand through my hair, the magnitude of her situation worse than I’d imagined.
“Insurance doesn’t cover the treatments?”
“Sadly, it doesn’t cover experimental ones.”
“And let me guess, you took it upon yourself to pay for the treatments for your sister?”
She raised her shoulder, sneering. “Not really.”
“What do you mean?”
“My mother basically put the onus on me to come up with the funds.” She brushed her hand in front of her. “It’s fine. I love my sister dearly and want to help her in any way possible.”
“Sounds unfair for your mom to put the responsibility on you, though, don’t you think?”
“My mother isn’t the most rational person in the world. We have a strained relationship, but Irma deserves a chance, and if I’m the only one who can give to her, so be it.”
“That’s thoughtful of you. I admire your devotion to your sister, but do you think it’s fair to put yourself in harm’s way while also putting so much pressure on yourself without any help? How long are these treatments supposed to take? And what if they don’t work—then what?”
“I can’t do the what-ifs. When it comes to Irma, I pray each treatment she tries will cure her. She’s my family. She’s it for me, other than my grandma, who’s no longer with me physically. In spirit, yes.” She reached for the locket hanging around her neck and held it. She always had it on. I didn’t ask about it.
Abby had it tough. My heart broke for her and her situation.
“Where did you live before you moved next door?”
“After I graduated college, I made the stupid decision to move back home, at my mother’s request. I did so strictly for Irma’s benefit. My mother was overjoyed because it meant I paid half the rent and shared the responsibility for Irma’s care. My mom constantly complains about how she’s barely making ends meet without me living with them. I can only do so much. Everything I make is going to Irma’s treatments. I keep just enough to provide for my basic needs, and pay the minimum, if that, on my student loans.”
“Fuck, Abby.” I shook my head.
“Please don’t feel sorry for me. My life has always been this way. It’s all I know. When I was a teenager, I’d babysit the neighborhood kids. My mother would take half of my earnings. She felt if I lived under her roof, I should contribute to the household. Irma couldn’t work. She was either too sick or underdoing some type of therapy or treatment. She was home-schooled, because my mother didn’t want to take a chance of Irma being exposed to illnesses in a school setting. My sister went to church and doctor’s appointments. That’s it. It’s so sad. I have to get her out of that house and away from my demented mother.”
“And what about you? Sounds like you should to do the same.”
“Remember when I said in my case there are no options? I spoke the truth.”
This was insane. My father could probably buy the hospital her sister visited, and in a few months, I’d be able to as well. For now, though, my hands were tied.
“Why don’t you stay here until you sort everything out?”
She gawked. “I can’t do that. I didn’t tell you this to get pity. Like I said, I’ll figure it out.”
“I don’t pity you. You’re in a crap situation. It sucks that your entire family is putting the weight of the world on your shoulders. Its fucking selfish, if you ask me. I’d prefer you stay here, even if only temporarily, rather than going back to a home that sounds anything but loving.”
“I appreciate the offer, Gabe. I really do, and I’m humbled by your generosity, but I can’t accept the invitation. You barely know me. I’m not going to let my family’s drama drag you down too.”
“It won’t, and the invitation stands. If you’re not comfortable staying in my bedroom with me, I have a guest room I use as an office. I could easily convert it into a bedroom for you.”
“Without a job, I won’t be able to help with the rent, and I don’t know how long it will take me to find another one. Thank you, though. I mean it.”
“I’m not asking for a dime. I have no issue paying the rent. I have a lease and a budget in place.” Plus a salary that would go through the roof in a few months, something I didn’t want to fill her in on yet, not until I received my first paycheck from my father and things were set in stone.
“And what about when you go out on dates and bring them home? Don’t think I haven’t seen you in the hall with various women.”
She had me there, but at that moment, I couldn’t imagine being with another woman. Abby had so much going on and I wanted to help her. She had already sucked me into her web. She was a good person who had a loving heart. It was something that a week ago would have had me running the other way, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. Besides, she fed my sexual appetite better than any woman I had ever been with.
“That won’t be an issue.”
Her mouth fell open. “Excuse me? I’m not comfortable being in your apartment while you’re with other women in your bedroom, Gabe. I may have been an easy conquest for you, but that’s not who I am. For whatever reason, it felt right with you, so I let it happen.”
My heart did somersaults.
Being ever so careful to not touch her bruised cheek, I kissed her, hard, pouring my heart and soul into her mouth, filling her lungs with the strength she needed, worshipping her body with the love and affection it deserved.
Love?
Nah, way too soon for that.
Besides, we’d basically just met.
Then again, was it too soon? My parents had gotten married after being together for only two weeks.
And look how that turned out.
Nope, it couldn’t be love.
It might be.
Enough already! I mentally shouted at myself.
She pulled back. “Are you okay?”
Other than hyperventilating, feeling lightheaded, and a bit queasy, I felt fine and dandy.
“I’m good.” I brushed her hair behind her ear.
“I said before it has to go both ways—why did you tense up on me just now? Is it me?”
She had to stop doubting herself.
“No, it’s not you. As I told you this morning, it’s me.”
Abby signaled with her hand for me to elaborate.
This sucked. I had never engaged in a discussion about feelings with a woman before. That was what had ended my past relationship, and no other woman had deserved a conversation after fucking…until now.
“Remember when I said I wanted to keep things simple?”
She retreated. “Yes.”
“Don’t pull away.” I tugged her forward so we were face to face, sitting sideways on the couch. “I don’t do this.” I pointed back and forth between the two of us.
She frowned. “I haven’t asked anything of you, Gabe. You’re the one asking me to stay here. I don’t understand what you want from me, especially after I just told you I don’t want to get hurt. What you’re saying right now is hurtful.”
“I don’t think you’re understanding me. I’m not making myself clear.”
“No, you’ve made yourself perfectly clear.” She rose, tossing the ice pack on the couch.
“What are you doing?”
“Going next door to pack. I have my work cut out for me. May as well get started.”
I jumped up and blocked her. “Here’s the deal: I’m not good at the feelings thing, which is why I go to Hilltops and have hook-ups. There’s nothing involved. It’s simple.”
“Thank you for clarifying that for me. You can continue to have your simplicity. I never asked you not to. It’s been what, a few days at most? That hardly constitutes a relationship you don’t want to have anyway. It was a mistake for me to come to you tonight. I shouldn’t have. You’re easy to talk to, and I guess I feel safe with you. Forget it.” She stepped around me and wobbled toward the door.
What the fuck is happening? Why is she leaving? And why can’t I say what I feel?
“Abby!”
She flipped her hand in a brushoff move. “No worries, Gabe. It was fun while it lasted.”
Before she could open the door, I ran and stood in front of it.
“Please move. Don’t make this harder for me. I’ve had a long night.”
“Abby, I said I’m not good at the feelings thing and it’s true, but I want to try it, with you. Please, give me another chance to explain myself. I’m not so good with words in these types of situations.”
“You mean the blow-off type?”
Grrrr! This woman drove me mad.
“No. You’re being so thick-headed right now. I want you to stay here with me. I would never think to bring another woman to my apartment if you were staying here.”
She put her hand on her hip, jutting it out. “So you’d go to their place instead? And that’s supposed to make me feel better how?”
“Fuck. I didn’t mean it like that either. Please, come sit down with me.”
“I really have to get my things together.”
“Your things can wait. You wanted me to talk—I’m willing to talk. Please give me the opportunity.”
“Fine.” She began her limp back to the couch. I picked her up, and she protested. “I can walk. You don’t have to carry me.”
“Please, humor me. I know I don’t have to. I want to.”
“Where are we going?” She tried to free herself from my arms as I carried her into my bedroom. I placed her gently on my bed, but she immediately went to climb off it.
“Wait, I brought you in here because this is where I want you to be.”
“On your bed? How can you make this about sex right now? What the hell, Gabe?” She put her hand out in question.
“Oh my God! I brought you in here because I want you to stay in my room with me. I don’t want to be with any other woman right now, so me bringing one here or going to her place is a nonissue. Give me some credit. I admit I’ve behaved like a total asshole with women in the past, but I certainly hope that hasn’t been the case with you, at least I’ve tried not to act that way with you. That in itself speaks a thousand words. You’re the first woman that’s ever happened with. I can’t explain it. I don’t understand it. I’m trying like hell to fight feeling it, but I can’t stop myself. In the span of a few days, you’ve completely turned my world upside down and unraveled me.” I paced nervously back and forth in front of the bed, my body tightly wound, on edge.
She slid off the bed and pulled me into a tight embrace. “Ditto.”
Chapter Eleven
Abigail
“Here. Pile these shirts on top of the laundry basket.”
I did as Gabe requested, neatly stacking the garments he handed me on the already full basket.
He took the load next door to his apartment to empty it then came back to refill the basket with more clothing. I kept busy filling another one, this one with shoes. Gabe said we could pack the following day after he returned from work, but I didn’t want to chance Foley showing up with me in the apartment. So, there we were at almost midnight, gathering my things and taking loads next door. I’d sort my stuff later. At that moment, I just wanted it removed from the apartment.
“Ooh, I hit the goldmine.” Gabe raised his brows, holding up a black silky G-string. “I like what’s in this drawer.” He continued to put my underwear in his basket, wearing a huge smile. Something else got huge as well. “Are you wearing a pair of these right now?” He eyed me from across the room, his intention apparent.
“Maybe. Maybe not.” I shrugged, a hint of seduction in my voice. But no, I didn’t have a G-string on. I had intentionally worn bikini-style underwear on my date with Foley. Nothing sensual about them.
“A challenge…don’t tempt me. I’m all for challenges, babe.” He approached me. “I’d like to see for myself what you have on underneath this dress of yours.” He hiked the material up. “Not quite as sexy as the other ones but on this smoking hot body of yours, anything does the trick to get me hard.” The evidence was right in front of me. “I have to say, the idea of you staying with me is getting better by the minute. It means you’ll get to model all those sexy underpants for me.”
Now my cheeks warmed, as did the rest of me.
“Blushing—you’re so sweet. Do you know how sexy I find you?”
The warmth flowing through my veins turned red hot. I exhaled to let some of the steam out. I wished I saw the same woman in the mirror he claimed to see when he looked at me.
“Why don’t you sit on the bed, Abigail?”
Back to being called Abigail—some fun was going to be had for the first and last time in this apartment. Keeping pressure off my sore ankle, I went to the bed and sat on the edge of it, my dress falling back in place.
“Oh no. Dress up. Don’t hide your luscious body from me.”
His open manner of talking would take some getting used to, but I found I enjoyed when he spoke dirty to me. It turned me on to no end. I inched the fabric up.
“Higher. I want to see all of you, not just your lower half.”
The dress got caught on my head when I tried to remove it. How embarrassing. He took over, being careful not to pull my hair. He perused my body. My gosh. I sat in front of him wearing a bra and panties. I so wished I could climb into a shell and hide.
“Magnificent.” He skimmed his hands down my shoulders and over my arms. He stepped between my legs, nudging them farther apart. “You have bruises forming on your thighs—what gives?” He caressed the area Foley had been so rough with earlier. He eyed me. “Did that dick do this to you?”
I hated to admit the truth. “It’s okay. He’ll never touch me again.”
“Damn right he won’t. If he so much as comes near you, he’ll have to deal with me.”
“How about dealing with me instead? As in, now?”
His brows shot up. I didn’t want to give Foley any more air time. He’d already had enough.
“Sounds like a good plan to me. It’s seems we have a dilemma, though.”
A dilemma?
Nothing came to mind.
His lips curled down into a pout. “I didn’t come prepared with a condom.”
“As I told you, I’ve only been with one other man. That was years ago, and we never had unprotected sex. I didn’t trust him. I trust you, though, and I’m also on the pill, if that helps.”
Now his lips curled up. “Glad to hear that, especially the part about you trusting me enough to take you bare.”
It was crazy, but I did. I knew deep down Gabe would not put me at ris
k. He had already done too much to prove otherwise.
“I do.”
“Well I’ll be damned. Every time I think I can’t fall for you any more than I already have, you go ahead and say shit like that. I’ve never had unprotected sex either and would like nothing more than to see what all the fuss is about.”
“Problem solved.”
“I like the way you think.” I liked the way he did everything and couldn’t wait to experience this first with him.
With that stamp of approval, Gabe sprang into action, unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans at record speed. He dropped them to his ankles. I remembered wanting to touch him the night he said it was my turn. I wanted to give back since he had been beyond generous with my needs. I reached forward, outlining his rigid length through the cotton fabric covering him.
He sucked in a breath, his hand on my head. “Take me in your mouth, Abigail.”
“That’s exactly what I plan to do.”
This time I prayed giving a blow job was like riding a bike and I’d still remember my old technique, the one that had gotten my ex off in the blink of an eye.
He assisted in helping me remove his boxer briefs. Once they were gathered by his ankles, he kicked off his loafers and shook off the boxers and jeans.
I moistened my lips. He was stunning, erect and plentiful because of his desire for me. That was all the motivation I needed to get out of my head and back in the game. I leaned closer to sample the salty fluid oozing out of his mushroom tip, which in turn, made me hungrier for more.
Using my hand to grip the base, I brought my mouth down over him, hollowing out my cheeks, feeling the veiny ridges along his shaft as I swirled my tongue around and over it.
“That’s it, Abigail.”
With a pop, I released him. Tilting my head to the side, I licked a path south, down to his sac, cradling his soft flesh in my mouth.
“Fuck.”
Let’s hear it for me! I still had it in the BJ department.
“I’m not going to last if you keep this up.”
He withdrew from my mouth and pushed me flat on the bed. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear that you’ve only been with one other guy. I’d have preferred no others, but one’s a close second.”
