by Ivy Jordan
Soft flicks of his tongue teased my plump lips, spreading them apart gently as he glided between them and into my tight hole. My hips rocked slowly with a steady motion as he lapped up my arousal. I reached down, gripping his head, running my fingers through his short hair, and guiding his rhythm.
A single finger teased my entrance, wiggling back and forth until it worked itself inside my body. I moaned approvingly as he fucked me slowly, letting his mouth move to my clit. It was swollen and sensitive as he sucked it between his lips. Gentle tugs pulled it from my body, massaging it with an intensity that was bringing me closer and closer to climax.
My moans grew louder as his pace picked up, and my hips continued to rock but lost their sense of rhythm as my orgasm approached. My eyes closed, my head fell back, and I let the waves of pleasure rush through my body. The sweet tension pulsated through me, releasing a wild rush of excitement with each throb, until finally, my body let go.
“I’ve missed you,” Isaac whispered, wiping the glaze of my arousal from his mouth. He slid up my body, slowly and carefully as his cock traced along my thigh before settling between my legs.
My pussy was still throbbing, causing Isaac’s cock to twitch with anticipation. Our eyes locked together, as if speaking to each other’s hearts. I gasped as he slid into me, spreading my hips for his girth. His motion was slow, steady, and perfectly synchronized to my throbs.
I let my fingers trace the muscles in his arms, and then slowly roll to his backside. His ass was hard and muscular; tensing as he thrust slowly into me, and feeling his muscles flex as he filled me with his large muscle was working up my excitement again quickly.
My mouth lifted to his neck, sucking the delicate skin near his ear. He growled with pleasure, pushing harder into me. My tongue rolled down his neck, my lips closing on his chin, and then working their way to his mouth. I could taste my own sweet arousal on his tongue as it rolled around mine. My arms wrapped around him tighter, pulling him into me so I could feel the weight of his body against mine.
His arms flexed, their muscles bulging as he worked to hold himself from collapsing into me, crushing me into the mattress.
Our hips rocked into each other, our rhythm perfectly synched and picking up pace at the same rate. My moans turned into gasps as he plunged deep into me. My body was filled, but hungry for more.
“I love you,” I whispered in Isaac’s ear, immediately causing him to pick up his pace.
His cock plunged deep into my body, creating friction against my G-spot with each thrust. My pussy started to throb again, and this time my orgasm wasted no time on climax. I clenched around him, my muscles gripping him and releasing him with sporadic motions.
A low growl rolled from his lips. As I looked up at him, his eyes closed, his lips parted, and his body tensed with pleasure. I pulled him into me, letting his weight crush me into the mattress for a moment before he rolled to his side, pulling me with him.
I loved being in Isaac’s arms. It was safe. I was safe.
“I truly love you, Maddie,” he whispered in my ear.
I exhaled, letting the breath I held in go, and feeling the sweet release of all my tension. “I love you too.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Isaac
Maddie was beautiful lying there on her bed. Her perfect silhouette displayed beneath the thin sheet left me breathless. Her long hair flowed from the pillow, and she looked so relaxed, so peaceful. “Are you going to be okay here alone for a while?” I asked, knowing she would be just fine. Maddie Stewart was a strong woman, able to overcome anything in her life, and she’d proven that many times.
“Of course,” she purred, rolling over to face me.
I hated to leave, but my phone had rung off the hook all morning, and Beth had sent several texts about a client that needed my help. I was going to have to go back to Miami soon, but I hated to leave Maddie.
I leaned down, kissing Maddie on the forehead, and then headed out of her apartment. Once I was in my rental car and on my way back to the hotel, I called Beth. “What’s going on?” I asked.
Her voice was exhausted as she let out a sigh. “It’s Mr. Gallo. He’s demanding our attention right away, meaning your attention rather. He says his fiancée is planning something this weekend, and he’s insistent that she’s up to no good,” she explained. “When are you coming back?” Beth asked.
I stammered at her question. I hadn’t thought about going back so soon. I wanted to stay, to work things out with Maddie a bit further, and possibly plan our future, if there was to be one. “I take it you need me back there right now?” I asked.
“I’m so sorry. I know you want to stay and win Maddie back, but this is important. If we can’t do this for him, he’ll take his business elsewhere. He was adamant about that,” she apologized.
“Maddie and I are actually doing very well; that’s why I’d hate to leave,” I growled. “I’ll book a flight. Tell him I’ll be there this evening,” I spat.
I pulled up to the hotel and went inside and gathered my belongings. At the front desk, I turned in my keys and paid the bill. My hand clenched around my phone, not sure if I wanted to book the flight before talking to Maddie.
No, I have to talk to her first.
Maddie opened the door to her apartment and let me back inside. My heart ached as she wrapped her arms around me and showered me with a welcoming kiss. “What’s wrong?” she asked, obviously noting my tension.
“I have to go back to Miami,” I complained.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. I couldn’t tell what emotion she was feeling. “When?” she asked.
“Now. I have to book the next available flight,” I informed her with disappointment in my voice.
Her eyes saddened, and her bottom lip pushed out. “I understand,” she said softly. I watched as she moved into the kitchen. “Are you hungry?” she asked. I was starving. “I ordered pizza from the place by my gym. I wanted to taste it one last time.”
“Last time?” I questioned.
“I decided I’m not staying in Portland. There’s nothing here for me,” she said so casually it killed my soul. Where was she going? “I want to start fresh,” she added.
The thought of Maddie starting out fresh meant that she was leaving me behind as well. She was leaving everything behind to start a new life. Fuck. I was losing her all over again, and this time, probably for good.
I noticed three large suitcases by the couch in the living room as I followed her from the kitchen. She set the pizza box on the table and pulled a large slice from the pie, handing it to me. “Try this; you’ll love it,” she insisted.
I took a bite, but it was hard to swallow. My throat was closing shut and my chest tightening. “It’s delicious,” I muttered as I swallowed hard to get the piece down my closing throat.
We sat and ate in silence, until I couldn’t take it any longer. “Maddie, I know you’ve been through a lot. But, I don’t know if moving away from everything you know, from everyone you know, is the best idea right now,” I pleaded.
“I don’t have anyone here in Portland. The friends I had from school I’ve drifted apart from thanks to Rob’s jealousy, and the ones from college are spread out all over the globe now, and I’m not close with any of them. There is nothing here for me,” she explained, smiling in my direction.
She looked happy about her decision. I sure the hell wasn’t. “I’m really not ready to lose you again. I love you, and I know if you gave us a chance, you’d see that we are perfect for each other. We were so happy in Miami, you were so happy,” I continued to plead my case for her not to start completely fresh.
She didn’t speak, just smiled sweetly in my direction. I knew she didn’t want to hurt me. But this hurt like hell.
“You need to get your flight booked before it’s too late,” she insisted.
I watched her chewing on her pizza, her eyes bright and filled with excitement. She was happy. I couldn’t deny that. Maybe I was being self
ish by trying to keep her to myself. She deserved to live her life, even if it wasn’t with me.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I agreed, pulling my phone from my pocket.
My bag was already packed and loaded in my car. I knew when I came up here that I’d be leaving Maddie; I just didn’t imagine she’d be leaving as well, to only God knows where.
I scrolled through my phone until I found the airline’s number. I clicked the phone icon and waited as it rang. The message prompted me to push one for English, and then three to book a reservation. Finally, a woman answered, asking me how she could help.
“I need a ticket to Miami from Portland, today if possible,” I explained.
“There’s a flight leaving in two hours; can you make that?” she asked.
My eyes shifted to Maddie. Two hours didn’t give me much time to say goodbye, but I knew it was a long flight. If I left then, I’d arrive late that evening in Miami, giving me time to get briefed by Beth on what I needed to do for Mr. Gallo.
“Yes, that flight would be fine,” I said, the phone on speaker where Maddie could hear.
“How many tickets?” the woman asked.
“One,” I sighed.
“Two,” Maddie chimed in. “He needs two tickets.”
My heart jumped against my chest. Her eyes were wide and bright, and her smile smeared across her face so perfectly it took my breath away. “Two tickets,” I announced proudly.
The woman took my information and I quickly hung up. “Are you serious?” I asked Maddie, who was still smiling wide.
“Yes. A fresh start, with you,” she giggled. “You didn’t think I was just going to leave you, did you?” she laughed.
I did. That was exactly what I’d thought. I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her from the floor, and swung her around the room as my lips pressed into hers. I couldn’t wait for our fresh start.
Epilogue
Two Years Later - Maddie
It was my third Christmas in Miami, and I still couldn’t get used to the sunshine beaming in through the windows as I decorated with garland and white lights. The smell of the turkey roasting in the oven marinated the house as I moved to the white Christmas tree that Isaac selected and carefully placed the multi-colored candy canes on each branch.
My life had never been better, and I had Isaac to thank for that. I’d been taking cooking lessons for over a year and a half now and was ready to start my career as a private chef. Isaac still chuckled when he watch me in the kitchen. “Who knew getting hit by a car could make you a good cook?” he’d tease.
A lot of things in my life had changed since I was hit by that car. I had friends, a life of my own, and one I shared with an amazing man. Rob had gotten out of jail around Christmas the previous year, but as far as I knew, he never tried to contact me or Isaac.
I moved into the kitchen, almost floating on air as the aroma pulled me into the room. The turkey was perfectly roasted as I pulled it from the oven, trading places on the rack with a homemade apple pie.
The waves slapped at the shore behind me, soothing my soul as I stirred the gravy, and then added a few finishing touches to our holiday meal.
The doorbell rang as I finished icing the last cookie, causing me to rush to answer it. “Merry Christmas!” Beth exclaimed, wrapping her arms around me tightly. We’d become very close friends since I’d returned to Miami, so close that I considered her my best friend, aside from Isaac, of course.
“Merry Christmas, Maddie,” Elijah smiled, handing me a bottle of wine. Beth made a face, wrinkling her nose at his gift. “Man, I miss wine,” she complained. Her hands rested on her round belly, patting it gently as she smiled.
“Two more months, and then we’re celebrating,” I smiled, giving her baby bump a soft rub.
Her new husband, Marty, entered behind her, winded from running up the street. Parking was tight since everyone on the street seemed to be celebrating at home. He was tall, good-looking, and best of all, nice. He came with a son, baggage as Isaac had teased, but to Beth, who thought she couldn’t have kids after her abusive past, he was a dream come true.
I hated that I wasn’t right about Beth and Elijah. But, Marty made Beth happier than I’d ever seen her, and they made the perfect couple.
Marty’s son bounced into the room, rushing straight for the Christmas tree. He checked each box until he found his name. “Mine,” he grinned from ear to ear.
Beth had confided in me that she didn’t think she could have kids of her own, and being a part of Marty’s life, and his son’s, made her feel whole again. We couldn’t believe it when she announced her pregnancy, and even her doctors called it a miracle.
“It smells amazing in here,” Elijah noted, taking a big whiff as he gave me a side hug.
“Everything’s almost ready. We’re just waiting on Isaac,” I announced.
Almost as soon as I made the announcement, Isaac entered through the front door. His cheeks were flushed red from the cooler winds blasting through the tropical city, and his eyes filled with a strange excitement. “Merry Christmas,” I said, tippy-toed to reach his lips. His arms stretched out to wrap around me, and something fell from his pocket.
I leaned down, picking up the small black box from the floor. I gasped as I realized what it must hold inside. Isaac nervously took it from my hand, his eyes wide and filled with fear. “You weren’t supposed to see that yet,” he smirked.
“Then we’ll pretend I didn’t,” I said sweetly.
Beth’s eyes were all over me. She’d seen the box, and she knew what was inside; her expression gave that away instantly. “Let me help you in the kitchen,” she offered, pulling my arm as she drug me into the kitchen.
She let out a squeal of excitement once we were alone. “Was that a ring?” she asked.
I nodded, my cheeks starting to burn. I imagined that Isaac probably had something romantic planned, and me seeing it may have ruined his surprise. “Do you think he’ll ask you tonight?” she questioned, her excitement stirring my own to a level I almost couldn’t control.
“I hope so,” I screeched.
“It’s been two years, so it’s about damn time,” Beth insisted.
Isaac, Marty, and Elijah entered the kitchen, cutting our conversation short. They helped carry the dishes to the large dining room table where we’d all eat our Christmas meal with a perfect view of the sunny beach.
“So, Beth was telling me about your latest case,” Elijah questioned Isaac from across the table.
He finished carving the turkey and looked towards his friend. “Yes, its pro-bono case, but I think for a good cause,” he replied.
I loved that his heart was so pure, so giving. He’d told me about the case earlier that week. It was a young girl, pregnant, and already with two small children. Her husband was abusive, and she wanted away. He threatened her with lawsuits to take away her children, and with his money, she feared he could. Isaac knew she couldn’t get her hands on any money since her husband controlled everything, so he agreed to follow them for the next month, gathering all the proof she needed to fight him in court.
“We should start a Christmas program that supports abused women and children,” I chimed into the conversation.
Beth was immediately for it, being a survivor of abuse herself. “The police have a program in place already. We could use our contacts there to get something started,” Isaac mentioned.
I was about to burst with excitement. The discussion of the program, of Isaac’s case, was all a great distraction, but I still knew what was in his pocket, and I wanted it now.
“I think we should do presents before pie,” I announced as everyone finished their plates.
Beth grinned, knowing what I was pushing for. There was no better setting than this one for Isaac to propose. We were with our dearest friends, and they’d gone through so much with us, they deserved to be a part of this as well.
Isaac’s eyes glared into mine, his lips curling into a crooked smile. It was obv
ious he knew what I was up to.
Marty’s son was first, immediately running to get his box. “An X-box?” he exclaimed, jumping up and down with the present in his hand.
“That’s a little extravagant, isn’t it?” Beth sighed.
I giggled. “I can spoil my nephew if I want,” I sassed.
I didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so I knew nephews and nieces wouldn’t be a part of my life. Once we became so close with Beth and Marty as a couple, I decided right then and there that they were family, making me an aunt. A very proud aunt.
I handed Marty and Beth each their present, Beth getting two since she was carrying my little niece in her belly. Marty got a certificate to golf all year at the best club in town. Elijah got a gun he’d been wanting, a vintage one that he and Isaac talked about frequently, and Beth opened the baby’s first: a handmade quilt that my grandmother had made, carried down for generations. Her gift was a soft, fuzzy robe, slippers, and a soothing sounds machine for her labor. “Thank you,” they both said in unison while Marty’s son worked on hooking up the X-box he’d received.
Beth gave me a photo album, filled with pictures of our two years together. “New memories are the best memories,” she smirked. I agreed.
Marty handed me a large thin box. I opened the lid to find a gourmet set of knives, each carved with the initials ‘ML.’ He must’ve known I was about to lose my maiden name and take Lewis as my new one. I smirked and nodded in appreciation.
Elijah gave us an expensive bottle of Scotch that he planned to share with Isaac later, and me a small box that contained business cards for my new business, flyers he’d printed out, and a link to a website he’d created with a full five years of tech support and design assistance.
“That is so sweet; thank you,” I wrapped my arms around them both. I couldn’t be happier, or could I?
I looked at Isaac, his eyes nervously shifting back and forth. “Can we do ours now?” I asked, winking in his direction.
