by Tasha Fawkes
Her breath was warm on my lips, my senses alive and attuned to every nuance of her expression. The warmth of soft flesh beneath my fingertips. My burgeoning erection pressed against her mound. The scent of her skin.
Her gaze traveled over my face, looking for a hint of what I might do. Holding my gaze for a second, she lifted up on her toes and kissed me again, plunging her tongue into my mouth. Unless I stopped her, she would take it all the way. Perhaps she felt she had to prove the connection between us, the old rhythm, the sense of familiarity and comfort. I didn't care, not right now.
I abruptly broke off the kiss and reached for her hand.
She grasped mine with what almost felt like desperation.
If we didn’t have anything else, we definitely had sexual chemistry. That was very real when it came to our sex. Always had been.
I let her pull me to the bedroom, relishing the sight of that sculptured back, narrow waist, and ample ass. I could hardly wait to dip myself in.
The moment we stepped into her bedroom, she turned to me again, draping herself across my body as she melted into a kiss, pressing herself close.
My cock grew harder, longer against her upper thigh. Heat surged through me in ever-growing waves. I couldn't have stopped now if I'd tried.
She wanted more, and reaching for the bottom of my shirt, tugged it impatiently upward, her warm fingers brushing against my stomach, my abs clenching at her touch. I reached up to help her and tossed it to the floor.
She laid her hands on my smooth, hairless chest and looked her fill as I let her, my cock pulsing with desire. I felt her shiver, knew it was the heat of my skin sending waves of pleasure through her.
She pressed her lips to the center of my chest, her palms lightly skimming downward to my waist as her tongue teased my nipples, turning them into hard little pebbles. The groan that rumbled from deep within my chest prompted her to continue. Her tongue circled my nipple, her breath hot and fast against my chest as she ran the palms of her hands along my hips and back up, tracing the contours of my ribs. Then she wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me closer.
I groaned and wrapped my arms around her waist, then cupped her ass, pressing her groin closer to mine. My cock was full, aching to be inside her.
I slipped the skimpy outfit off her torso, exposing her gorgeous breasts to my admiration. I lifted one hand to gently cup a breast, squeezing softly, my thumb brushing across the tip of her nipple. It grew harder beneath my ministrations. I lowered my head and worshipped that nipple with a thoroughness that had her squirming in my arms, kissing and sucking until she sagged weakly against me, her head thrown back. She clung to my shoulders, her legs widening their stance for support. I nestled my thigh between them, pressing against her pussy. Her body instinctively began to move. I wanted my cock inside her, plunging deeply, eliciting sensations I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Our tongues played tag as my hand worshiped one breast while the other struggled to shove the scrap of cloth she wore down past her hips. Her breath grew faster, her chest rising and falling with barely contained passion. Her pussy was wet with desire when I slid my hand there, my thumb pressing gently against her clit. My fingers explored her lower lips until I finally delved one deep inside as she gasped. I wiggled my finger, curled it to that spot I remembered so well, and she groaned. Chuckling softly in my throat, I backed her toward the bed, removing my hand as she sat, spreading her legs for me.
I unbuttoned my pants as she tugged at them until I stepped out of them, my dick bouncing outward as it was freed from its constraints.
She wrapped her hand around the base of my cock, and then that hand slid gently upward as she took me into her mouth with practiced ease. Her tongue circled my glistening head before she tightened her lips and sucked, not too hard, but enough to pull a grunt of pleasure from my throat.
My legs slightly spread, my hands resting softly on her head, she looked up at me and then rolled her tongue along the length of my cock while her other hand traced my hips and cupped my ass.
Then that hand slid inside my legs, cupped my balls as if assessing their weight. They hardened beneath her touch, and she rolled them in her palm while her tongue continued to work its magic on my shaft. I saw the throbbing, thick veins along its length that her ministrations elicited and grasped a handful of her hair as she worked me to a near frenzy.
I grumbled with impatience when I remembered I hadn’t brought any protection. Fuck. In a quick move, I lifted her onto the bed, her hand still wrapped around my dick.
When she laid facing me, her breasts pressed together, one hand still wrapped around my shaft, the other caressing my balls, we kissed again. Our lips and tongues explored, darting, plunging, and then retreating, only to repeat the movements over and over until she uttered a soft scream of impatience.
I caressed her breasts, taking turns moving between each, tweaking and thumbing her nipples while I softly sucked on her tongue. Her skin felt hot and slick as my free hand trailed down her abdomen until it cupped her pussy again, my fingers dipping inside her slick center. I let the stroking of my fingers match her attention to my cock as her thumb slid over my head. I called and raised the stakes by rubbing my thumb against her clit.
She offered a soft cry and then rolled onto her back and spread her knees to offer me greater access. I took advantage as my finger retreated from her clit and teasingly traced the contours of her inner thigh. I ran my fingers back to her center and paused long enough to tease her nub, and then slid my finger deep inside while rubbing my palm against her mound. Then I repeated the process with her other thigh. Her hips began to rock with increasing insistence. Every time my fingers even came close to her slit, her hips moved upward, seeking my touch.
Her fingers tightened around my cock, stroking harder and faster. Every few strokes she rubbed her thumb over the top of my head, eliciting a surge of slick wetness. Her other hand continued to rhythmically squeeze my balls, then found the juncture where they connected to my body. I groaned as she massaged that area.
I reached my limit at the same time that her hips rocked faster, both of us impatient now to finish what we'd started. I knew this was only the beginning of what would likely be a long and pleasantly exhausting night.
I worked my magic with my fingers as she made small, desperate noises. My finger slid in faster, my thumb increasing the pressure on her clit while her hand pumped my cock. I felt the engorged veins along the shaft bulging, throbbing… and then the muscles along its length contracted even harder. The pumping motion of her hand met my own as I increased the speed of my finger plunging deep inside her, my lips sucking her tongue in measured time. She rocked her hips upward as her muscles tightened around my finger. I kept it nestled deep inside her, her mound thrusting against my palm. She succumbed to the pulsating waves of her climax, as I allowed myself release, burying my face in her neck as hot semen burst from me, surging onto her sweat-slicked abdomen.
We lay breathing heavily, unmoving for several moments before I shifted and rose from the bed, my dick still throbbing with the aftermath, heading for the bathroom to douse a washcloth with water.
Several rounds later, I lay flat on my back, exhausted, but at the same time more settled in my mind. I had the answer I'd been looking for. It wasn't just the mind-blowing sex that had convinced me to give her another try. It was my desire to have a family, to provide Ethan with a stable environment.
A child needed a father and a mother to have the best chance. I knew. Having grown up without my mom…
I pushed my mind away from that train of thought. I might be making a big mistake, but I’d decided to give Kelli another chance.
I knew that with Kelli back in my life, it would only be a matter of time before tongues started to wag and word got out. Not just about our reunion, but about Ethan. My son. I would have to tell everyone. That meant, sooner rather than later, I would have to tell my dad. I could add the news to the long list of disappointments my dad had
accrued against me over the years.
Two days later, I made that phone call. To say I was taken aback when my dad congratulated me would be a wild understatement. Was it the news that I was getting back with Kelli, whom he'd always liked, or was it the fact that I had given him a grandson? I didn't know, and I didn't ask.
The following week, Kelli moved back in.
When I’d given Sarah the news, the color drained from her face before she turned away to finish preparing Ethan's milk bottles. At first, I was confused by her reaction. After all, she was the one who convinced me to give Kelli another chance.
Then I realized. "You're worried I'm going to let you go, aren't you?" I watched her carefully, her hand trembling slightly as she tried to screw a nipple onto one of the bottles. She gave a small sniffle. "Look at me, Sarah," I said softly.
She offered a quick shake of her head and turned purposely to the kitchen window, looking outside.
I placed my hand on her shoulder and turned her gently to face me. I wasn't terribly surprised to find tears brimming in her eyes. I was touched by her love and devotion to Ethan. With Kelli back, she obviously believed that I was going to fire her.
"Don't worry, Sarah, I'm not going to let you go. Between Kelli's busy schedule and mine, we still need you. All right?"
She offered a nod and brusquely wiped a tear from her cheek. "I… I'm sorry, Joel, it's just that I've grown to love Ethan, and the thought of not being with him—"
At that moment, the front door slammed shut.
Ethan, napping in his room nearby, emitted a startled cry.
I frowned and turned toward the kitchen threshold just as Kelli swept in, stopping short when she saw us at the counter, my hand still on Sarah's shoulder. A look passed over her face but was gone immediately.
"I was just telling Sarah that she didn't have to worry about us letting her go," I said. "That Ethan still needs plenty of care with our busy schedules."
Kelli pasted a smile on her face, glanced at Sarah, then at me. "Of course." She focused her attention back on Sarah. "How are you at planning parties?"
"Parties?" Sarah asked, one hand still holding a bottle of milk. Ethan warbled another soft cry, and she glanced toward the nursery. "I… I'm good at organization," she mumbled, then gestured with the bottle. "If you'll excuse me, I'll go settle Ethan down." She paused to look back over her shoulder at Kelli. "I'll be glad to help you arrange your party or whatever else you need."
I wasn't sure about the look that passed between Kelli and Sarah. Of course, the two had known each other way longer than I had known Sarah.
Kelli turned to me, wrapped her arm around mine, and grinned. "I'm going to plan the biggest and best party you've ever seen, Joel. All our friends and families are going to celebrate not only our getting back together, but our baby. Sound good to you?"
I wasn't sure about a huge party announcing our reconciliation. Then again, perhaps it was better that we controlled the dissemination of information rather than allowing gossip to muddy the waters. I glanced at Sarah, but she was already moving quickly down the hall, offering soothing sounds to Ethan as she went.
I turned back to Kelli. "Sure," I said, her closeness once again stirring my desire. "Sounds good."
Seven
Sarah
I collapsed into the rocking chair close to Ethan's crib, where he slept peacefully. At this very second, I wanted to crawl into the crib, cuddle with him, and sleep just as deeply.
The past week had just about done me in. Kelli had recruited me to be her official party planner for the gathering. Which was tonight. Everything had to be just so.
Over the past few days, I'd either brought Ethan with me or left him with Joel as Kelli had me running errands, making phone calls to catering services, liquor stores, even florists.
You'd’ve thought she was managing an engagement or something. Maybe she was.
In private, the day after she moved in as we ran some errands, Ethan held securely in my arms, she told me that she would pay me extra for all my time and effort.
I gave it my best, trying to please her, keep up with her, and not spend one moment wondering what had attracted someone as shallow and vapid as Kelli Spencer to a computer geek like Joel Farrell. He was a good-looking guy, no doubt about it. Filthy rich too. Still, if he was a player, which I was finding incredibly more challenging to believe, why was Kelli so determined to get back with him? More importantly, what was going to happen when the truth came out? Or would it?
I wasn't about to leave without Ethan, but I couldn't leave with my baby without exposing Kelli's ploy and perhaps even face charges of kidnapping before the dust settled. I tried to talk to Kelli about it, but she waved me off, telling me that we would talk about it later. For now, the party was the only thing on her mind.
I stared at Ethan, sleeping so contentedly, and allowed myself a tired smile. Just then, there was a movement in the doorway, and I turned to find Joel leaning against the doorjamb, gazing at Ethan with a tender expression. My heart literally skipped a beat. He was taking in Ethan, perhaps even falling in love with my baby. Guilt and shame roiled in my stomach at the thought that I had allowed myself to become a pawn in this game Kelli played.
Joel might be a lot of things, but when it came to Ethan, he was everything I had ever hoped to find in a man. Even out of his element, he was game, willing to learn, willing to sacrifice, willing to go that extra mile to ensure that Ethan was well cared for, not only in material supplies, but emotionally. I was going to have to talk to Kelli, and soon. I had to tell her that Joel was growing increasingly attached to my son. I had not expected this to happen. I needed an exit strategy.
Exit strategy.
What a cold, callous way to think about it… but it was true. I’d saved just over ten thousand dollars in my bank account already. How long was this game going to go on? I had plenty of questions for Kelli, but they would have to wait until after the party. Tomorrow, maybe the next day at the latest. This couldn't go on forever.
Tonight, Joel would announce to friends and family that not only were he and Kelli reconciling, but they had a baby. I’d had plenty of opportunity in the past week to see how Joel and Kelli acted together as a couple. In my opinion, Kelli was trying a lot harder than Joel, who seemed a bit reticent about fully committing. He was maybe at seventy-five percent. I couldn't understand the hesitation. Wasn't he glad that Kelli had given him another chance? Wasn't he feeling grateful that she had apparently forgiven him for his indiscretion? Or was he already finagling ways to get Kelli back in his bed and continue his philandering at the same time?
None of my business. All I needed to focus on was—
"I want to thank you for all the help you've given Kelli with planning the party tonight," Joel said, speaking quietly so he didn't interrupt Ethan's slumber.
"My pleasure," I murmured softly, a lie. This past week, I'd witnessed a deeper glimpse into Kelli's character, and I didn't particularly care for what I saw—impatient, demanding, and arrogant. He cleared his throat, and I glanced at him, a look of discomfort in his expression. "What is it? Is something wrong?" I sat up straighter.
"No, it's just a little awkward…" He cleared his throat again and then continued. "Sarah, Kelli has requested that… well, she would feel better if while the party’s going on…"
My mind raced. What was he trying to say? Suddenly, I understood. I nodded and released him of the duty of informing me. "She wants me to keep in the background."
He sighed with relief and nodded.
"Fine with me," I said, meaning it. I didn't want to mingle with these people. Besides, we had to keep up appearances, didn't we? Kelli was supposed to be Ethan's mother, not me. It wouldn't do to have me holding him when the couple made their announcement.
"I'll stay in the kitchen area," I said as Joel's face colored. It was sweet of him to be embarrassed by the request, something I had not expected. "I can keep an eye on most of the gathering from the kitchen area, w
ith the windows overlooking the lanai and the pool… I can keep an eye on Ethan and take him if he gets fussy or needs a changing."
"You're a peach, you know that, Sarah?"
A peach? Who said that anymore? It was such an old-fashioned endearment, one that I’d often heard my dad saying to my mom.
I offered a tired smile. "Thanks. I guess this peach better change her clothes. You tell Kelli that if at any time she needs me, I'll be in the kitchen or in the nursery, all right?"
He nodded, gave a wink, and then turned and left.
That wink of his had me smiling with a tired sigh as I pushed myself up out of the rocking chair. This past week, I'd hardly had time to think, what with Kelli dragging me all over town to arrange the mother of all parties. Still, I knew that after the introductions and the probable noise of the party, Ethan would likely grow fussy–sooner rather than later. I couldn't imagine Kelli dealing with that. Soon enough, I would have my boy back in my arms, but until that moment, I would be hovering at the edge of the party, waiting.
Two hours later, I eyed the mixture of young and older faces gathered through the foyer, the living room, and spilling outside. A man with dark hair and a weatherworn face slowly approached Joel and Kelli. He gave Kelli a brief hug and then turned toward Joel, offering his hand. Joel seemed surprised, but clasped the man's hand in return and shook firmly. At that moment, Kelli turned and spotted me standing in the kitchen doorway, a tray of hors d'oeuvres in my hand. She nodded me into the room, and as I passed, she whispered in my ear.
"That's Joel's father. Hand off the tray to a caterer and bring out the baby."
I did as she requested, handing the tray to one of the uniformed caterers that we had arranged, and made my way back to the nursery.
I made sure Ethan was dry and smelling fresh before picking him up, hugging him to me, then taking a deep breath and stepping into the hall. I’d barely left the nursery with him in my arms when Kelli approached and took him. Ethan uttered a startled cry but settled down. The moment was here. The moment that felt so surreal as Kelli swept into the living room through the guests gathered around, causing a sudden murmuring to sweep through the crowd.
