Again and Again (Forever and Always #10)

by E. L. Todd

  She kissed me with equal desire. Her lips massaged mine, and she sucked my bottom lip. She was such an exceptional kisser. The chemistry between us was volatile and explosive. We combusted over and over.

  I kicked the door shut then guided her to the nearest bed. I couldn’t wait a second longer. I needed to be with her, to show her I wanted her for the rest of my life.

  We thudded against the wall on our trip. I grabbed her sweater and pulled it off so quickly I almost ripped it. My lips sought her neck as I grabbed her bottoms and pulled them off. She stood in her underwear and bra, looking perfect and heavenly.

  We migrated toward the bedroom, stumbling as we moved. She grasped my shirt and pulled it over my head. Her hands automatically touched my chest, feeling my racing heartbeat underneath the skin.

  I finally reached her bedroom then held her in the center of the room, my hand unclasping her bra. When it was loose, I pulled it off her shoulders. I pressed my head to hers and stared at her perfect body. The skin was flawless and warm. I kissed her shoulder then grabbed the fabric of her black thong. “You’re beautiful.” I pulled it off then pulled her to my chest. Her thin legs were so long, sculpted and toned. My hand graced her thigh and her stomach, feeling her softness.

  She unbuttoned my jeans then pulled them down, along with the briefs. I pressed my naked body against hers, feeling united with her. In the darkness of her bedroom, I could barely see anything. I guided her to the bed then moved on top of her.

  She automatically wrapped her legs around my waist and gripped my shoulders while she kissed me. We fell into the usual pattern we did when we made love. She breathed in my mouth then squeezed her thighs, telling me she was impatient to feel me inside her.

  I didn’t even consider wearing a condom with her. She was mine. I separated her legs and moved inside her. She was wet and smooth. I slid to the back then gasped. I hadn’t feel this good in so long. It felt right with her, it always had. She moaned loudly, biting her lip.

  “Cortland…”

  I put my weight on my arms then rocked into her, feeling myself pull in and out. She gasped and moaned quietly, clearly enjoying it. But there was no way she was enjoying it as much as I was.

  I moved my hand to her lower back then raised her off the bed. I pulled her onto my dick while I thrust into her, making the ride smooth and gently. Her knees were near her ribs because she was so flexible. She gave me plenty of room to move as far inside her as I could.

  Her hands gripped my forearms as she moaned loudly. “Hmm…”

  I loved her sex noises. They told me exactly what she liked and didn’t like. And I knew she loved this. Her nails dug into my skin and she suddenly became tight around me. I knew she was coming. I moved into her harder and faster, giving her all the pleasure I hadn’t for the past four months.

  “Cortland…” Her head rolled back while she rode her high. “Oh…”

  I couldn’t last any longer. I pressed my face to hers then released myself inside her. “Baby…I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  My body was covered in sweat and so was hers. But I liked seeing the moisture on her breasts. I kissed her skin and sucked her nipples. I didn’t want to pull out but I finally did.

  I lay beside her and pulled her into my arms. I never wanted to let her go. I didn’t care about why we broke up. I just wanted to have her in my life again. She clung to me like she never intended to let go. Her face was pressed in the crook of my neck, her hair sprawled across my chest. I listened to her light breathing, nothing the happy sighs she made. Her hand lay on my chest so I grabbed it with mine and interlaced our fingers. This was where I belonged and the woman I belonged with.

  16

  Cortland

  When I woke up the next morning, Monnique wasn’t there.

  I panicked and searched for her. She wasn’t in the bathroom or the laundry room. When I went into the kitchen, I found a note on the table.

  Went to work 5am. Didn’t want to wake you up.

  Monnique

  I was devastated she wasn’t there. I missed her. And we needed to talk. Last night was a dream. For the first time in months, I was actually happy. I loved having her in my arms. She never should have left.

  “You slept together?” Scarlet asked.

  Ryan was speechless. “How the hell did that happen?”

  We were getting pizza at the Shake Shack. It was a small hole-in-the-wall place we found near the office. It was tiny, but had awesome food. It wasn’t MegaShake but it was the closest thing we could find.

  “Honestly, I don’t know…” I finished my pizza then wiped my fingers with a napkin.

  “How do you not know?” Ryan asked incredulously.

  “After I found out she was seeing someone, I just wound up at her door. I walked in, kissed her, and then we headed to the bedroom.”

  “So you didn’t talk?” Scarlet asked.

  “No, not really.”

  “Was this just a booty call then?” Ryan asked.

  “No. We’re back together,” I said.

  Scarlet didn’t seem convinced. “Monnique has a boyfriend…”

  “I know.” I felt guilty for sleeping with someone’s girl, but she was my girl to begin with. “But she’ll break up with him.”

  “She said that?” Ryan asked.

  “Well, no…”

  Scarlet gave me a serious look. “Cortland, you need to talk to her. Don’t assume anything. For all you know, she may just given into the desire because she missed you. That may not mean she wants to get back together. She might love this new guy.”

  “Fuck.” I covered my face. “I hope I’m not too late.”

  Scarlet gave me a sad look. “I’m sorry. You have to be ready for the possibility.”

  “I’ll talk to her after work,” I said. “I just hope I don’t get jumped by her new boyfriend.”

  “Sean, Mike, and I got your back, man.”

  “Why?” Scarlet said. “Cortland did sleep with her.”

  “Thanks,” I said sarcastically.

  “I’m sorry,” Scarlet said. “But Monnique cheated. That’s what happened. And cheating is disgusting and wrong. You guys have a complicated path ahead of you. And if this guy is in love with her, you think he’s just going to bow out and let her go? Would you?

  “No…”

  “I just want you to be prepared, Cortland…”

  I took a breath. “I know.”

  “I’ll still help you beat the shit out of him,” Ryan said.

  “Or we could avoid the violence altogether,” Scarlet said firmly.

  “I’m ready to shed blood if I have to,” I said.

  Ryan eyed me. “Seriously, what’s changed between you? You’re acting just like her. As soon as she thought you were with someone, she came running back.”

  “I guess I’d rather work it out with her than let her end up with someone else. That’s not a route I’m willing to take.”

  Ryan sighed. “If you’re sure.”

  “I am,” I said firmly.

  I went back to her apartment at six because I was impatient to see her. I knocked on the door and waited for her to answer it.

  When she did, she was wearing a towel. It was wrapped around her body. Her hair and were makeup was done. “Hi.”

  I eyed her body and instantly got a boner. “Hey.”

  She grabbed the back of my neck and gave me a scorching kiss. I melted into a puddle at her feet. “I’ll be right back.” She walked across the room and headed to the hallway. I watched her ass until she was gone. She came back ten minutes later, dressed in shorts and a tank top. I liked seeing her skin.

  Her arms hooked around my neck and she kissed me again. I felt the burn of my lips when we touched. They were charred from the heat. My hands moved under her shirt and felt her lower back. Other than her gorgeous ass, it was my favorite feature. “I thought about you all day,” she said into my mouth.

  I wondered if she worked with her b
oyfriend. Was that awkward? I was jealous with just the idea of her seeing him. I broke our kiss and looked at her. “I thought about you too.”

  She grabbed my hand and led me toward the bedroom. “Let me show you what I was thinking about specifically.”

  That was tempting… But I stopped and pulled her back to me. “I think we should talk first.”

  “Okay,” she said with a sigh. She dropped her hands to her sides and didn’t touch me.

  “When are you going to break up with him?”

  “Who?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Victor. Am I going to have to threaten him to back off?”

  She stared at me with new eyes. “Cortland…there is no one named Victor.”

  Huh? “Sorry?”

  “I made him up. I’m not seeing anyone.”

  “What?” Now I was more confused. “Why would you lie?”

  “It was my last resort,” she said. “When I thought you moved on with someone else, I pulled my head out of my ass and got here as quick as I could. And you did the same thing…”

  She played me. I wanted to be mad but I couldn’t. “You never slept with anyone?”

  “No. You really think I could move on that quickly after I told you how much I loved you? I just told Ryan that because I knew he would tell you. He’s so predictable.”

  “So, there’s no one else but me?”

  “Of course not.” Her eyes softened.

  I smiled. “Well, I’m annoyed you tricked me, but that pales in comparison to how happy I am.”

  She cupped my face and kissed me. “You don’t have to fight anyone to keep me, except my stuffed animals.”

  “I’ll put them in their place,” I said with a laugh.

  “So manly,” she teased.

  I looked into her face, overjoyed we were back together. But there was something I needed to say. “Monnique, I want to be with you forever. But I…we’ll need to take this slow. We’ll get there eventually, but for now, I think we should take this relationship day by day.”

  “Babe, I’ve never had a problem with that. As long as we’re together, I don’t care. I’ll work my ass off to make up for what I did to you.”

  “Then, we don’t have problem.”

  She dragged me to her bedroom. “Now let me do nasty stuff to you.”

  17

  Mike

  I sat in my office and stared at my computer screen. The desktop was a picture and Cassandra and I. Now I was a pussy like my brother and had pictures of my girl everywhere. I was pussy-whipped. Big time.

  But I fucking loved it.

  I was the happiest guy in the world. I had a woman who loved me, and I loved her just as much.

  But things changed that week. Cassandra took a few days off work but never explained why. When I came to her apartment to check on her, she didn’t answer. When I called she said she was sick. But after a few days, she took more time off work. And when I came by her place to bring her soup and crackers, she refused to open the door.

  I never had a serious relationship before, but that didn’t sound right. If she was sick, I should be taking care of her at my place. I’d cook for her and make sure she was relaxed and comfortable. Isn’t that what boyfriends do? Why wouldn’t she let me? Should I be worried?

  Sean finally came back to work because Scarlet had recovered from her miscarriage. She was doing a lot better, but she had a depressed look on her face once in a while. I didn’t blame her. It was the hardest thing any impending mother had to go through.

  Sean walked into my office and dropped a folder on my desk. “No free porn today?” he asked like a smartass. He walked in on me and Cassandra too many times.

  “No.” I wasn’t in the mood.

  “Why did you cancel dinner with Mom and Dad? Mom is anxious to meet Cassandra.”

  “She’s sick—or something like that.”

  My brother studied me. “Everything alright, man?”

  “Yeah. No. I don’t know.”

  “Which is it?”

  I shrugged. “Cassandra is acting weird.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She called in sick all week.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “People get sick. It’s normal.”

  I sighed. “Shut up, smartass. She won’t let me come over, she barely takes any of my calls, and she won’t even open the door when I go to her apartment. She’s been weird all week. I’m starting to get freaked out.”

  Sean sat in the chair in front of my desk. “That is weird.”

  “Is she breaking up with me or something?” God, I couldn’t bare the thought. I’d finally fallen in love and she was about to ditch me.

  “Don’t jump to conclusions,” Sean said calmly.

  “What other explanation is there?” I snapped.

  “She could be hiding something.”

  “Oh,” I said sarcastically. “That’s so much better.”

  “If she was going to dump you, wouldn’t she have done it already?” Sean asked. “Why draw it out?”

  “I guess…”

  “My guess is she has something personal going on in her life and she really doesn’t want you to know about it.”

  “But we tell each other everything.” I couldn’t help but feel hurt. I thought I was her best friend.

  “From what I’ve seen of you two, she seems like she really cares about you. In fact, she seems pretty damn perfect for you. Don’t jump the gun and accuse her of foul play when you aren’t sure. That’s my best advice. And I’m a married man.”

  “Then what do I do?”

  “Keep trying to talk to her. That’s all you can do.”

  I sighed. “I really hope she isn’t leaving me.”

  Sean shrugged. “I couldn’t say. I don’t know her the way you know her.”

  “You better not,” I said under my breath.

  Sean rolled his eyes. “I slept with your girlfriend like twelve years ago. Stop being a girl and get over it.”

  I chuckled. “I just like to fuck with you. How’s Scarlet doing?”

  The light left his eyes. “She’s better. But, I have a feeling she’ll always be scarred.”

  I nodded.

  “And I know it’s my fault.”

  “Come on. Don’t do that, man.”

  “I stressed her out so much. I made her break down and ask for a divorce—which she took back later. I’ll always fucking hate myself.”

  I shook my head. “You have no possible way of knowing. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

  “You didn’t see her when she found out…” His eyes welled up.

  “I can imagine,” I said quietly. “But when she’s pregnant again, you’ll put her on bed rest and that will solve a problem. I’ll be a body guard and keep Mom away from her.”

  That made Sean smile. “I’m taking her to a cabin in the forest where no one can bother her.”

  “That’s a little extreme…”

  “I’m an extreme husband.”

  “You know what you should do?” I said.

  “Hmm?”

  “Go to a clinic and get checked out. They offer services like that. You know, to make sure everything is working properly.”

  Sean nodded. “When she’s ready to try again we intend to do that. If she is barren, I really don’t want to put her through that again.”

  “That would be best.”

  Sean stood up. “Talk to Cassandra and let me know how it goes.”

  “I will.”

  He waved then walked out the door. “And get to work, lazy ass.”

  I rolled my eyes and got to work.

  I went to Cassandra with the fifth cup of soup I’ve brought her. I knocked on the door, but of course, she didn’t answer. I sighed then called her. It rang and she didn’t answer. I tried to hide how scared I was. I was fucking terrified. I put the soup down and texted her.

  I don’t know what’s going on, Cassandra. But I don’t think you’re sick anymore. I’m not sure why you’re s
hutting me out. I just want to be there for you. Honestly, you are scaring me. If you want to end our relationship, you should just get it over with instead of drawing it out like this. You’re just hurting me more. Because I love you. I knew that was a long message but I had to say everything I wanted to say. Then I added something. I’m going to stand outside your door until ten every night until you talk to me. So I suggest you open the door. I put my phone in my pocket and waited.

  Finally, the door unlocked and cracked open. She didn’t open it all the way.

  I grabbed the soup and walked inside. Her back was to me. She wouldn’t show her face. “Baby, what’s wrong?” I put the soup and the spoon down.

  “I don’t want to break up,” she said. “I didn’t mean to make you think that.”

  “Then talk to me, baby. You’re scaring me.”

  She didn’t turn around.

  “Are you really sick?”

  “No…”

  “Then what is it?”

  She didn’t speak.

  “Whatever it is, we’ll get through it, alright? Please don’t hide anything from me.”

  “I’m scared…”

  Cassandra was never weak. She was always so strong all the time. I didn’t like hearing her voice shake. “Why?”

  “I’m scared of you.”

  “You never have to feel that way.” I never meant anything more in my life.

  “You say that now…”

  “Cassandra, please tell me. You’re really setting me on edge.” I came behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. My chin rested on her head. “I love you forever. I meant that when I said that. Now open up to me.”

  She sighed then slowly turned around. When she met my gaze, I saw the scars covering her face. Her left eye was bruised and purple. Her lip had a noticeable cut. Now it was a thick scab. Faint lines of scratches and bruises were scattered everywhere. I could tell they were old, but that scared me even more. I hated to imagine what they looked like when they were fresh.