by Lily Foster
I could see the girls next to me, mouths agape.
I whispered in his ear, “You know, I hate having to listen to random girls on the sidelines talking about how good you are in the sack. It makes me want to punch you in the gonads.”
Tom’s whole body shook with laughter and he could barely get his words out, “I, I’m sorry but you crack me up, Darce.”
“Glad I amuse you.”
He still held onto me but leaned back so we were eye to eye and although the smile didn’t entirely leave his face, his look turned more serious. “I am sorry, Darcy. I’m crazy about you and no one else, alright?”
I kissed him to let him know we were good. Everything was better than good.
Tom meant it when he said he wanted to take his time with me. Although I felt more than ready it meant something to me that Tom wanted things with us to be different than it had been with the others. And it’s not like he was keeping his hands off me entirely—not even close. We were moving at a slow pace but as time passed and we became closer, we went further. He explored every inch of me and what he could do, just with his touch, his kisses, with his mouth—I’d just never experienced this before. My body was crazy responsive to him. And I wanted to please him too. That first night I went down on him I was a little nervous, probably because I knew I was about to go where many had gone before me and I wasn’t quite sure how I’d measure up.
I knew girls went down on guys they’d just met like it was no big deal but I couldn’t understand that. To me, literally and figuratively being on your knees, servicing a guy you weren’t close to, was degrading. To do that with someone who didn’t care about you? I’m sure girls regretted it after the fact. With Tom it was different. Because I knew he cared about me, if not loved me, it was different. And I really wanted to take him that way because I loved him and wanted to make him feel good.
Maybe in the past he had experienced some fancy tricks from other girls in this department but from his reaction when I first moved down his body swirled my tongue along his tip and took him in my hands, I figured I was doing just fine. His groans, the way he fisted his hands in my hair, and rocked his hips into me let me know he was loving it. Just before he came he pulled me up to him, pressed me hard to his body, and kissed me deep as his hot release spread across my stomach. He whispered my name as he placed soft kisses at the base of my neck and nestled his face into my hair. “Tom, I’m so ready.”
He lightly stroked my center and practically hummed, “You are ready, Darcy. You’re so sweet and you’re mine.”
That wasn’t exactly what I was getting at but he made me feel so good that I just went with it. He knew what set me off and worked me over until I was biting my lip bloody to keep myself from screaming out. As I lay across the smooth, hard planes of his body after, I went on, “Tom, when I said I was ready before I meant that I don’t want to wait anymore. I want to be with you. I want to feel you inside me.”
“I want that too, Darcy.” He cleared his throat and shifted me so that he was looking directly at me. “You know I love you, Darcy, right? I mean, love you in a way…just stronger than I’ve felt for anyone else before.”
I felt a tear roll down my face. I could die of happiness hearing him say those words to me. “I love you too, Tom. I can’t stand the thought of not being with you.”
“Soon, Darcy, I’m going to make you mine.” He kissed me tenderly and then cradled me against him as we fell asleep together.
It was taking me at least ten minutes longer to get ready every time I left the house. I felt like it was going to happen any day now and I was making sure that I was wearing cute, lacy things everywhere I went; I was not getting caught in a sports bra and the undies I went running in. I was in this constant state of anticipation, tingling. I wanted to be the most desirable person he had ever laid eyes on when we were finally together.
I could be ready at any moment. I had been on the pill to regulate my cycle for a while now so I was prepared. Tom had, bit-by-bit, filled me in on the good, the bad and the ugly of his past. It was hard to hear, especially when he told me that even though he’d mostly reformed himself, he’d been drunk and out of control as recently as a few months ago. I mean, I was away and he wasn’t dating me or anyone else, but I have to admit, the fact that he could let himself be so reckless with someone he didn’t know bothered me. I know it bothered him too and it took a lot for him to admit it to me. He assured me he’d been tested and had not been with anyone since last May. “I don’t want to keep any secrets from you, Darcy.”
That following weekend we were at a party with our whole crowd. Beer pong, music blasting and everyone was dancing. Midterms were over and everyone was letting loose. It was still early when Tom came up behind me and pulled me into him. He leaned in close to my ear and said, “I played this song. It makes me think of you.”
Tom swayed to the music, holding my body against his—the boy could move—and sang the chorus to me, some words about wanting to get married and run away. I looked back up at him, surprised, and he had a loopy grin on his face. I wanted to melt.
Chris practically spit his beer out laughing, “Holy crap, you’re whipped.”
“Guilty as charged.” Then Tom whispered in my ear, “Let’s get out of here.”
We were only a few doors down from his. He had my hand in his and moved as if he was on a mission. When we walked in, he lifted me over his shoulder and we both laughed as he took the stairs two at a time holding onto me like a brute.
Once in his room, he slowly slid me down the length of his body. We weren’t laughing anymore. We were both quiet until he said, “You don’t know what you do to me, Darcy. That song really does make me think of you. The thought of being with you, marrying you, damn, even thinking of you carrying my baby fills me with this crazy happiness. I hope I’m not freaking you out.”
“Those are the sweetest words I’ve ever heard.” I kissed him and he parted his lips, deepening the kiss. He ran his hands over the curve of my waist, resting on my hips. I moved my palms along his stomach, raising his shirt as I went. He took the shirt off and tossed it aside. He went to take my shirt off but I shook my head. He looked confused for a second but then he ran his hands through my hair as I unbuttoned his jeans and moved them and his boxers down his hips. He shucked them off and when he did, I looked him up and down for a moment, admiring how strong and truly beautiful he was. I gently put my hands on his shoulders and guided him to sit on the edge of the bed. I don’t know where the urge or the courage came from but I wanted to undress while he watched.
I tossed my hair to one side and just that alone forced a low growl from him. Then I undid each button on my shirt, looking up at him as I went. I took it off and tossed it with his. I looked at him as I undid my jeans and shifted my hips as I moved them down my legs. He was huge and rock hard. He took in a ragged breath as I stood before him in my lacy bra and panties.
“You are perfect, Darcy.”
I felt shy all of a sudden and my hands shook a little as I undid the front clasp of my bra and slid the straps down my arms. I shimmied slowly out of my panties. I heard his sharp intake of breath. I leaned in and told him I loved him and I meant it with all my heart. I had never been so sure of anything in my life.
Tom
The sight of her, so beautiful, so pure to me; I would never get tired of looking at this woman. Watching her undress for me was the most erotic experience I’d ever had and when she came to me and straddled me, I was worried for a second this might be over before it started. Her hair fell across my chest as she moved her body closer into me. The smell of her, the feel of her pressing against me as she moved her hips in slow, achingly slow circles, was overwhelming.
I nestled kisses into her neck and slowly traced my fingers along her skin. I could feel her shiver at my touch. She arched her body up as I took her breast in my mouth and teased the tip of the other with my fingers. She moaned and ground her hips into my cock with more force.
I was going to lay her on the bed but then the thought of her riding me was too tempting and kept me in the same position. As I took the tip of her other breast in my mouth and slid a finger into her, she whimpered my name in the sweetest way. I slid another finger into her so she would be ready for me and she kissed me hard in return. I kept up the pressure until I could feel her tighten around me as she gasped and her head fell back. She looked up at me then with heavy eyes and a sweet, shy smile. “Are you sure, Darcy?”
She nodded. “Please, I want you, Tom.”
She gave me a second to grab a condom and then positioned herself and guided me into her. I held her hips and moved into her slowly, trying to control myself. She was so tight and so wet for me that it was hard not to lose it and move into her with force but I wanted to make sure this was good for her, not painful. I eased in some more and she breathed in deeply as her body adjusted to me. As I sent my entire length in, I saw her eyes clench tight and then, after a moment, she started to slowly rock her hips. Watching her lips part as she began to move with me as I thrust into her was so hot. The way her full breasts moved as she rode me had me holding back with every ounce of strength I had. I knew she was coming closer as her movements quickened and when I cupped her ass and moved my fingertips close to her center she broke apart around me and she cried out. With a few more deep thrusts I came harder than I ever had. The feeling of being inside her was intense and I didn’t want her to move off of me. When she tried to shift I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her in place. We were both quiet and after a moment I felt wetness on her face. She met my eyes with a look of adoration, “That was…”
I wiped the stray tear from her cheek, “That was the best fucking moment of my life, Darcy.”
Waking up with her curled into me the next morning was just about as perfect as life could get. She looked so peaceful and seeing her in my shirt stirred something inside of me like true love does.
Maybe it makes me sound like a caveman but there was something different. I felt different. There was something primal, like I’d claimed Darcy as my own. I’d felt protective of her since I met her but now I had this feeling that was fierce; like I’d kill for her.
Chapter Six
Darcy
Getting ready to leave for Thanksgiving weekend took so much longer than usual. I packed, then unpacked, and packed again. Even though I’d already met Tom’s parents, it was different going home with him as his girlfriend; I was a little nervous.
Tuesday evening we were heading to Connecticut and I would stay with the Farrells until early Thursday morning, when Tom would take me down to the city. The plan was that Tom would spend Thanksgiving with his family and then head back down to New York Friday night and stay with us until we went back Sunday. Caleb had arranged for Tom to play with his team in a rugby tournament that Saturday.
I love Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite holidays. I love fall in Central Park, the city starting to gear up for Christmas, and I loved being at home with my family. This year was so much more special because we were all anxiously awaiting a new family member and I was excited to have Tom meet the rest of my family. Even though Matt had spent a lot of time at my house, this felt different. I felt like this was the first time I was bringing a real boyfriend home with me.
I think Tom felt the same way I did. He seemed excited and happy as we made the drive to his house and then he smiled and squeezed my hand as we drove up the long driveway. Tom’s house was big and surrounded by giant trees whose leaves were every color—so New England. And it totally looked like a bunch of boys lived there. There were soccer nets on one side of the lawn, a basketball hoop above the garage, lacrosse sticks strewn on the grass, and so many bikes. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Does your family own a sporting goods store or a bike repair business or something?”
“Looks like Brendan and Terrence have friends over. They’re probably here to check you out.”
“Are you trying to make me freak out? I’m nervous as it is!”
As we got out of his truck he grabbed both of our duffels in one hand. With his free hand he took my hand, pressed it to his lips and then held it against his chest. He always touched me in a way that made me feel cherished. And since that night together when we had taken things to the next level, there was something different between us; we were just so much closer.
As we walked in the door, the smell of Mrs. Farrell’s cooking and the sound of lots of voices made me feel at ease. This was a home like mine; nothing stuffy, nothing pretentious. Mrs. Farrell took me in a tight embrace as soon as she laid eyes on us.
“Hey, Mom, don’t I get a hug? Darcy’s not even family.”
“I’m getting to you! Darcy, it’s so good to see you again.”
Then she gave Tom a big hug and kiss. Behind her I saw one clone of Tom and another, slightly older boy with dark brown hair and blue eyes come bounding up the stairs from the basement practically climbing over one another as they made their way up. They were all smiles and seemingly as confident as their older brother as they made their way over. “Hi, Darcy, I’m Brendan,” the older one said and then, as he pushed his hand square into the younger one’s face he went on, “and this turd is Terrence.”
Terrence shrugged him off¸ came right over and hugged me tight, which startled me for the briefest moment. “Nice to meet you, Darcy.”
Before I could get out a “hello” I was laughing, as they had practically tackled Tom like he was a giant they both wanted to take down. Mrs. Farrell pulled me into the kitchen with her away from the mayhem. “So Darcy, first things first, do you want tea?”
We sat together and drank tea as we caught up. I told her all about Spain, my side trips, and part of the summer that I’d spent in Greece. She was easy to talk to. Some mothers could be so formal. I remember Matt’s mom was kind of stiff; I always felt like I was on trial when she was drilling me with questions.
Sure enough, the boys’ friends seemed to be coming up from the basement one by one to say hello to Tom and were then peering into the kitchen on their way back downstairs. Mrs. Farrell said wistfully, “Oh Darcy, you’re making me wish I was twenty again. I think I need to go back to Paris.”
Tom came back into the kitchen, out of breath from wrestling, with his father in tow. He also grabbed me into a big bear hug. “Hello, Darcy, we’re so glad you’re here!” The Farrells were huggers!
“Hi, Mr. Farrell, it’s good to see you again too.”
“Ted, Darcy was just telling me all about her trip. You need to take me to Europe.”
Mr. Farrell laughed and threw his hands up in surrender. “Whatever you want, Clare. Book it!”
Tom told his parents we were spending tonight in with them and then were going to a big party tomorrow night at his friend Dylan’s house. I knew Ben would be there so I’d have at least two people to hang out with. I wondered if Amy was going to be there; I would actually love to have a face to go with that story.
We had a really nice dinner together. Brendan and Terrence were adorable. They seemed so happy to have their big brother home. They both had a half-day of school the next day and were begging to skip so they could hang out with Tom. Tom promised them he would pick them up after school and was theirs for the day. I told Mrs. Farrell I’d stay back with her and help her get some cooking done. “That would be great. I usually have no help in the kitchen beyond peeling potatoes. I wish you were staying for Thanksgiving, Darcy. We have a total of twelve more coming to join us and from the way Tom raves about your cooking, I would have just let you take over!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. I think Tom just thinks my cooking is good because he’s comparing it to the cafeteria.”
“No, I think his exact words were something along the lines of that he loved me but your meatballs are hands-down better.”
I looked at Tom, “I’m gonna kill you!”
He just laughed. “But I also told her she makes better gravy than you do, Darce. I’m just an h
onest fella.”
Tom
When you love someone there’s no nicer feeling than knowing your family loves them too. I sat there thinking just that as I watched Darcy whip Brendan, then Terrance, and then my dad in ping pong.
When I’d gone upstairs to give my mom the rest of the desert dishes she looked to see if anyone was around first and then said, “She’s so lovely and you seem very happy, baby.”
“I am, Mom.”
I knew, for my mother, seeing me happy was the best present I could give her. I had told Darcy a lot about Charlie, about the years he was sick and the dark year or so after he died. After Charlie died I wanted to spend all of my time at home with the boys and my parents. I’d go to school and come home, nothing else. Friends would call and I’d blow them off. I was always an athlete but freshman year I didn’t want to go out for any of the high school teams. I knew after a while my parents were worried sick.
The summer before my sophomore year my dad took me to this spot by the river where Charlie loved to go. It was a beautiful day, sun bouncing off the water and all. We spent a long time there that day, talking about Charlie, remembering how he loved this spot. We used to fish there together. Charlie loved fishing, loved being out in nature, and loved life. Something clicked that day, which I’m sure was my father’s intention. I realized that Charlie wouldn’t want me sitting home, broken and unhappy.
The day I told my parents I needed new gear for football try-outs, I could tell I’d lifted a weight off of them. And the looks on the faces of Ben, Dylan, and the other friends I’d all but dropped in middle school, told me how long I’d been in my funk. They looked like they’d seen a ghost when I first walked onto the field but Ben and Dylan, truer friends I’ll never know, took me right back in like I’d never left. I felt like the sun finally started to shine again that year.
