by Azure Boone
Joe laughed once and raised his brows. “Yeah, true.”
John jumped on the bandwagon. “No, it’s not good to leave your kids untrained. They have to learn authority from an early age.”
I took another sip of coffee, hiding my smirk. Here comes a sermon on the mount. “I’ll be back,” I muttered, setting my coffee down.
John didn’t notice as he was on stage at the moment. Good. Hoped he really got high up on his horse for a solid thirty minutes. I didn’t bother going to the bathroom, I went straight to my room and opened the laptop.
I clicked Morgan’s box.
“You there?”
I waited around for five minutes.
Morgan: In a meeting. Meet me in an hour? Please?
Did he mean literally?
Tasha: On here?
Morgan: Don’t you need anything from Wal-Mart or something?
My heart thundered at the possibility of meeting him.
Tasha: I can maybe make arrangements for something like that tomorrow. But not tonight, too spur of the moment.
“Hey, you in there?” John called from outside the door.
Shit! I shut the laptop. “Yeah, changing my shirt. Spilt on it.”
“Okay, well try and hurry.”
I didn’t answer as I put on another shirt and shoved my clean one back in the drawer.
“Mom, when are they leaving?” Trevor whispered on my way to the kitchen.
“I don’t know, just keep everybody busy in the back room, I’ll let you know when the parties over.”
Trevor rolled his eyes. “I hate this. Dad always—”
I grabbed his shoulders. “I know. Believe me. Now just go, I’ll help in the clean-up of his little animals.”
I arrived back in the kitchen to silence.
“I was just telling Joe about how you love to write,” John said.
Oh brother, not that shit. “Oh really?” I put my coffee in the microwave to heat. “Yeah, love me some writing.”
“She’s having a hard time balancing priorities with it, but she’s working on that.”
My jaw hardened. Surely he did not.
“What are you writing?” Joe’s wife asked.
That holy hippie bastard. Fucking priorities?
“You know,” Joe began, “I wrote a story once—”
“I’m working on a ménage scene.” I turned with my heated coffee, speaking loud enough for ole Joe to hear over his conceited crowing. “I’ve been really struggling with it.” I flopped my left hand out. “Should Betty Lou let Larry do her up the poop shoot while David watches?” I flopped out my right hand. “Or should David do Betty while Larry plays with his ding-a-ling?” I grinned like you do at the punch line of a joke then waved a hand at their looks of shock. “Good Lord, I’m kidding!” This with a guffaw of laughter. “As if I’d write that kind of stuff! I’m Christian!” I gave them my most holier than thou look.
“We shouldn’t talk that way in front of company.”
I regarded John’s stern admonishment with a light laugh. “Oh come on Jed, it was just a joke, I didn’t use any bad words.”
“Natasha. We don’t talk that way in mixed company.”
I shrugged off the derogative reiteration and hid my snicker behind my cup. “Fine by me, I know you like keeping stuff like that private. I’ll go check on my kids, yall don’t forget about these ones in here.”
I hurried to the back and hid with the rest of the crew for the final stretch of visit. If John had a problem with my absence, he’d have to answer why he was allowed to be a social asshole and I wasn’t.
Well that was fun.
Chapter Nine
I sat in the Wal-Mart parking lot, waiting for Morgan. I screamed at the sharp knock on the passenger window. Oh God, it was him. I hit the door lock and he got in. The smell of his cologne hit me between the legs, as did his smile. “You made it.”
I nodded. “Yeah. Sam is with the kids.”
“How’s his baseball coming?”
“Oh, very good, he loves it.” I gripped the steering wheel and chewed my lip.
He studied me until my heart raced. “You look beautiful.” He reached and slid a finger over my nipple, drawing a whimper.
“Mmm, you did as I said.” His gaze lowered to my legs where my skirt stopped. “Panties?”
I shook my head, trying to calm down.
“Put your back against the door.”
Looking around, I did as he said.
“Show me.”
The parking lot light ten feet away cast darkness on the entire right side of his face. I opened my legs and he angled his head.
He leaned and caressed my aching folds, then stroked the slit between, letting his finger barely dip in. “You’re wet.”
My light moan came on a breath at hearing his satisfied, knowing tone.
He sucked his middle finger and returned to carefully work it inside me. The fullness between my legs intensified at hearing the sound his finger teasing its way in. Morgan let out a low hiss, looking from my face to my pussy, as though wanting to see how hot I was.
Very hot. I gripped the steering wheel with one hand and the seat with the other.
“Play with your nipples for me now. I want you to make them hard and tall, make it hot in your clit.”
Feeling drunk with desire, I pulled the elastic top down just below my breasts and began rolling my nipples, until they hardened. My clit throbbed with heat now, my moans incessant and desperate for more.
He turned in his seat and reached with his other hand. He nudged his index finger between my lips and found my throbbing clit.
“Yes, yes.” I wiggled my ass on the seat.
“Mmm, you want it?”
“Yes. I want it. Please make it hot.”
He groaned, wiggling his other finger deep before pulling it out and driving it back in. I threw my head back and gasped. So good.
“I like fingering you this way. Your pussy is so wet.” He moved his finger in and out of me rapidly, moaning at the noises it made.
“Pretend my tongue is right here.” He tickled his finger over my clit.
God, yes, I could do that.
“Damn, you look nice like this. Squeezing my finger so tight.” He thrust in deep and flicked.
My head lolled against the driver window, my breath coming faster.
He scooted closer and claimed a nipple with his mouth, turning the heat up in my clit.
I arched into his mouth, feeling my orgasm. “I’m going to come,” I cried.
“Do it.” He sucked my nipple firmly, let it pop from his lips then strobe licked it. “I want to kiss you while you come,” he breathed, jabbing his finger rapidly in and out of me.
“I’m coming…Morgan, I’m…oh yes.”
“Kiss me,” he demanded.
I latched a hand on his neck and jerked his lips to mine, pumping into his hand while the orgasm rocked me. I cried out in his mouth, while he moaned his encouragement, nipping and sucking my lips until the electrical storm subsided to whimpers.
I held his face with both hands and feasted on his lips. “I missed you.”
He slid his finger out of me, making sure to hit my clit on the way up. “Me too baby.”
Baby. I loved that term of endearment from him.
Morgan held my neck, his thumbs stroking. “Come home with me. For one hour. Please.”
“You know I can’t.” I kissed his lips tenderly. “Let me do you.”
“Do me?” He laughed softly, stroking my face. “Do you know that I love you?”
My heart ached. Like the words hurt worse when I couldn’t really have them.
“Marry me Tasha. Please.”
His sweet desperation made my chest tighten. “Morgan…I want to.”
“Then do it.” His voice softened with his kisses. “I can’t live without you, I can’t stand to think you’re there with a man who doesn’t appreciate you.”
Me either. I couldn’t stand to see J
ohn in fact. It was like the more in love I fell with Morgan, the more I needed to be away from John. But the kids…
“Listen,” Morgan pulled away a little, taking my hand with him, “Let me rent you that place. Tell John you want time away from him. That a friend is helping you out with a place while you think things through. Tell the kids to think of it like a short vacation. I know a place with a pool, near a park. Yes, I’ve been shopping.” He raised one of my hands and kissed my palm.
Wow. He made everything sound so…possible.
A short vacation…time away to get my head right…I could actually do things with the kids too… “Okay.” Oh my God. Had I just said that?
Morgan went still long enough to make me worry. “Thank you.” His tone echoed several unfamiliar emotions. Relief…and…something else. “When?”
I scanned the parking lot then shook my head a little. “Not sure I’m…I’m kinda scared.”
“Of what?”
I nibbled my lower lip and shrugged a shoulder. “John is…unpredictable sometimes.”
“What? What are you saying Tasha? You’re worried he’ll hurt you?”
“I just don’t know and I don’t like not knowing, I mean--”
“Then get one of your friends to be there. Or just leave a note and call him!”
A thrill shot through me at the idea of not having to face him for this. He scared me at times. He’d gotten better with his temper but there were times he seemed a hair’s breadth away from snapping and doing only God knew what. And what would he do if I left and he thought I was taking his kids, like his first wife did?
I’d just make sure he knew I’d never do that. “Leaving with a note sounds good. And calling him later.”
“And just tell the kids it’s just for a little while, that you need a break from daddy. Surely they understand by now what you put up with, I mean the ones old enough to be upset about you doing this.”
I nodded, thinking of Sam. He knew, even though he never said anything. He surely knew. I’d just convince them it was temporary. Maybe they’d enjoy the arrangement enough to be okay with leaving it that way. I’d just see Morgan at his home or when they were with their father. It could work. Until they got to know Morgan really well. “Okay.” I looked at him. “I’ll figure a way to pay you back—”
Morgan silenced me with his tongue in my mouth and his hand cupping my breast. “My wife doesn’t pay for anything.” He broke the kiss and moved to my neck, sounding suddenly starved.
Butterflies tickled my stomach at the idea of being his wife. Thoughts of all the wonderful sex and the intimacy? Seemed insane. And after all these miserable years of marriage, how could I still long for something so much?
Morgan’s hand sliding my skirt up made me forget everything. He nudged at my inner thighs with an open pressure and I happily obliged. He yanked my shirt down and sucked greedily at my breast while his finger stroked along my still wet center. Without warning, he plunged his finger in deep, groaning on my nipple when I gave a sharp gasp.
“Rub yourself for me.”
His hot breath on my nipple sent shivers through me as I buried my middle and ring finger between my lips and began to rub circles over my clit. He fingered me mercilessly, changing from deep and flicking to rapid plunges, making me dizzy. His lips were suddenly at my mouth, kissing and whispering. “You like when I finger you like that baby?”
“Oh God, yes.” I swirled my fingers and pumped my hips.
“Mmm, you want to fuck, don’t you, you love when I fuck you?”
“Yes, yes.”
“I love nothing more than ramming my cock into you. I want to fuck you while you lay on your stomach with your legs opened wide and your arms pinned down. You’d like that?”
“Oh God, yes, I’m coming, I’m coming.”
Morgan kissed me while the mind-blowing orgasm shook me, his tongue and lips devouring my cries of ecstasy until there was nothing but breathless whimpers and silky moans.
“I love you Tasha,” he whispered, stroking my face. “I can’t wait to make you the happiest woman.”
I held his face and kissed him. “You already have.”
“Oh baby, you’re crying? Please don’t.”
“Of course I’m crying, that’s all I know how to do around you it seems.”
“Soon, you won’t have to cry anymore.”
“I need to do you.” My voice wailed.
“No, you don’t. You need to go home now.” He stroked the hair along my face. “Start working on that goodbye note? The house can be ready at the end of this week. Why don’t we plan for you to come then? When John is away on one of his many business trips and you don’t have to worry about confrontations. Okay?”
I nodded, trying hard to stop crying. “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, I’m like blubbering all over you.”
“You’re my sweetheart.” He kissed my cheek. “And soon, you’ll be my wife.”
Chapter Ten
Lois: Oh my God, you’re LEAVING?
Gloria: are you sure this is a good idea? You don’t really know him that well, think about it. You’re doing the exact thing police say don’t do online.
Tasha: I’ve already done the worst thing, I’ve met him. And I know he’s sincere.
Sheri: Just remember serial killers are trained for that kind of conning. Be very careful.
Morgan was no serial killer. That much I knew. And he wasn’t faking his feelings.
Tasha: Warning heeded.
Lois: I’m glad to be onest.
Lois: *honest
Gloria: I just want you to be happy. You know that.
Tasha: yes, I know, thank you Gloria, I love you.
Sheri: Well, one thing I know the man is good at is fucking, I mean you had the entire hotel on edge with all those orgasms he gave you.
Heat flooded my body at the memory.
Tasha: lol, how true, I’m so embarrassed about that
Lois: there’s no shame in a good fucking honey. James did oral on me on the kitchen counter, haha, it was so damn good.
Sheri: what’d you do for him?
Gloria: returned the favor I’m sure. I’m not a big orient person. Just the taste. Maybe if I had like Ritz crackers while doing it.
Gloria: oral! Stupid phone
Tasha: lmfao! Gloria, I love you! Ritz! Priceless
Lois: LOL, well, I did return the favor. Made him get on the counter the same way, spread his legs wide and ate that gorgeous man till he came everywhere.
Gloria: WOW. In your mouth?
Lois: mmhm. No crackers, lol
Tasha: lmao
Sheri: excuse me while I go screw my husband, you girls need to quit lighting fires.
Tasha: I have to go.
Lois: yes, go write your goodbye letter, good riddance, I’m glad, I can’t lie.
Sheri: ttyl I have to go grocery shopping, see you gals tonight
Gloria: bye Tasha
Tasha: bye
****
I loaded the final bag in my mother’s car. Of course she was thrilled I was leaving. There wasn’t a family member that wouldn’t be, knowing what I put up with. The oddest realization hit me. I could actually celebrate Christmas this year. Oh my God, how amazing that would be. I would make sure to keep everything Christ focused, just like I’d always dreamed. I could have the kid’s friends over, let them stay up later than eleven on weekends. They’d love that. We could decorate for every holiday. Just needed to sell more books and increase my income. I could do it. John would be so irate though. May even try to take the kids.
Fear slithered up my spine. Then I imagined the courtroom scenario. So you think she’s unfit because she wants to celebrate Christmas? Arrest this man.
Haha.
“How far is it?” Rebekah asked.
“Not far. Get your seat belt on. Hey, get that from your sister before she gouges somebody’s eyes out. Abigail, give it to Sam, right now.”
“You little creaton,” Sam muttere
d, finally managing to take the pencil from her.
“Sam, why do you insist on using Jiu-jitsu on your two year old sister?”
“Hey, it works.”
“You better not accidentally hurt her, I’ll kill you.”
“Mom, you can’t kill a ninja,” Rebekah said, seriously.
“Oh yes I can.” I faced forward.
My mom put the car in gear. “Ya’ll ready?”
The car erupted with yes and she laughed. “They sound like a professional choir.”
“Yeah, they’re excited. Go left out the driveway and hang a right at the first light.”
The agreement was, I give her directions as we go so that none of the kids remembered how we got where we went. At least for now. Once John got my notes, it didn’t matter. I’d written one for the front door, telling him there was a note in the kitchen, which led to the letter in his drawer. I put them up as I left, not wanting Sam to go hunting that third one.
I couldn’t believe I was doing this, and yet had never been more excited in my entire life. It was like leaving a twenty year old nightmare behind.
****
Tasha: I can’t believe you paid for such a fancy place.
Morgan: That’s not fancy, you’re worth much more.
Tasha: Well, it’s fancy for me. Four bedrooms? Like a dream come true and my own private bath, wow.
Morgan: Mmm, tell me when you take one.
I swear that man had to only say one word to light my fire.
Morgan: Still no word from John?
Tasha: Not yet. And I’m getting worried.
Morgan: Why
Tasha: Just…what if he’s not taking it well, or what if he somehow finds out where I am?
Morgan: I doubt that second one.
Tasha: I mean…what if he hurts himself or something.
Morgan: You think he’s that kind of guy?
Tasha: I just don’t know. He keeps everything bottled up. Doesn’t talk to me about anything hardly, except what I need to do and how I need to do it. But I know stuff bothers him.
Morgan: why do you think he’s like that?
Tasha: cause he thinks that’s what a husband is supposed to do. Protect his wife from stress so that she’s not a bad mother.
Morgan: Always for somebody besides you.
Pain twisted my gut at that hard truth.
