by Chloe Maddox
“I don’t want to impose or anything–”
My stomach chose that moment to interrupt us with a loud gurgling noise that sounded like a whale’s mating call.
I blanched as I stared down at my stomach, mentally cursing it as I looked back up sheepishly.
“Sorry,” I mumbled.
“Don’t be. I like a woman with an appetite.” Sean waved my protest away as he gave me an easy smile. “Let’s go to the kitchen, and see what we can rustle up.”
I trailed behind him, taking the time to appreciate his apartment in an unhurried way unlike before when I was caught in my own bubble. It really was a nice place. Clean, cozy, and it had a quirky sense of style.
“Have you lived here long?” I asked.
“Not really, just a few months, but it did need a new fresh coat of paint, and some sprucing up which I enjoyed doing,” he called out over his shoulder as he stepped into the kitchen.
I hopped onto the chair and let my legs perch as I watched the easy way he moved around the kitchen. Leia slept in a bed off to the side, happily snoring, and Sean stopped for a minute to scratch her ears.
It was heartwarming to see the gentle way he interacted with the little pup who’d taken to him as if she’d chosen him all along.
“Well, what do you feel like eating?” Sean leaned forward on the counter, an excited smile on his lips.
I thought for a moment before I answered, “Mac ’N’ cheese.”
Sean raised an eyebrow. “You have a chef standing before you offering to make you a variety of things, delicious things I might add, and you want to ask for Mac ’N’ cheese. I feel like I should be insulted that you don’t trust my cooking abilities.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “It’s not that. I just really like Mac ’N’ cheese, and I really don’t feel like anything heavy, you know.”
Sean nodded. “Alright, well, can I at least make you a salad next to it?”
“Sure.”
We conversed easily as I watched him move around the kitchen with an effortless ease that I wished I possessed. To be honest, I was terrible in the kitchen, and I was happy to have someone else cook because most days I went for frozen dinners, or something like canned tuna.
It had been a while since someone had fixed a home cooked meal for me, and the fact that he was easy on the eyes didn’t hurt either.
I wasn’t aware that I was hungrily watching till he spun around and pinned me with his gaze. “If you keep trailing off and looking at me like that, I’m not going to be able to finish cooking.”
“Who said I want you to finish cooking?” I said, dropping my voice, so that it was suggestive. If Sean was surprised, he didn’t show it. He just switched off the stove and walked over to me.
I was on my feet before he got there, and we both collided at the same, our mouths and hands everywhere all at once.
We walked backwards to his room, shedding every item of clothing on our way until nothing remained but his boxers. Impatiently, I tugged on them, but Sean gently grasped my hand in his and shook his head.
Confused, I dropped it until we both fell in a tangled heap onto the bed. He pressed his mouth to the base of my neck and sucked as his body gyrated on top of me. My hands began to claw at his back as my hips held him together.
I moaned when he took my nipple between his teeth and began to suck. My breathing came out in short pants when he began to do that to the other nipple as well. I was soaking wet by the time his hand reached down to play with me.
He pressed his mouth to mine, and simultaneously plunged his fingers in, so that he swallowed back my moan. He made quick work, moving back and forth then left and right till I quickly came undone beneath him.
“I can’t wait anymore. I need to be inside of you,” he growled as he hovered over me, his eyes asking for permission.
I spread my legs open. “What are you waiting for?”
He didn’t need any further encouragement because in one swift movement, he kicked off his boxers, and his erection sprang free.
It was huge.
And it glistened and pulsed under the overhead lights as he lowered himself on top of me. He shifted, so that he was positioned in front of me. He thrust inside, and I cried out at the contact as I waited for my body to relax against his.
He held himself very still as he waited for me to expand to fit him. He leaned forward and kissed me soundly causing me to make a little humming noise in the back of my mind in response.
His own chest vibrated with a guttural sound that had my ears perking in delight. That was definitely a sexy sound that I wanted to hear more of.
My hands played with the hair on the nape of his neck as I lowered his head to mine for a sweet kiss. I moved my hips slightly, and that was all he needed to start thrusting. The pace was slow and steady at first as we grew accustomed to each other.
Our bodies were desperate for more though after spending a week and a half building up to it. It wasn’t that long but given the sexual tension that existed since day one, it was a lot.
My body seemed to mold into his quite seamlessly, and he seemed to know exactly what to do to make it feel good. I let my instincts lead me as I ran my hands over his back, down his legs, and I dug my nails into his hips.
He seemed to enjoy all of this if the sounds he was making were any indication, and they were primal animal sounds.
I was surprised to find myself letting loose and making noises as well given that it wasn’t really my thing. Soon, he picked up the pace, and I could hear the sound of our flesh slapping against each other as he buried himself deeper within me.
No matter how far he went, it didn’t seem to be enough as I clenched around him and pushed myself even closer, eager for their not to be an inch of space between us.
He began to nibble on my earlobe as a groan escaped his lips. He pressed his forehead to mine, and we both moved in sync, taking and receiving in equal measure.
I let out a long breathy moan as my body began to convulse around his. Sean followed soon after, and we lay like that for a while, our chests rising and falling unevenly, our naked bodies glistening.
Finally, Sean pulled out and rolled over next to me. He tucked his arm underneath me and tucked me into his side, and I placed my head in the crook of his neck.
I threw one leg over him as my entire body tingled with pleasure.
“Wow,” he breathed as his grip tightened around me.
“Yeah? That’s good because it was wow for me too,” I said, hoarsely.
“I could tell. You’re very vocal,” he teased.
“Hey, so are you,” I said, defensively.
“I know I am, but I was pleasantly surprised that you are too,” Sean revealed. “I am definitely breaking all the rules with you.”
I craned my neck to look at him. “What rule are we breaking now?”
“I don’t usually cuddle after sex. It tends to confuse things. I mean, usually they’re welcome to use the shower and take a quick nap if they want, but I leave right after.”
“Oh,” I said in a quiet voice.
“But you, you should stay right here,” he murmured into my hair.
A little thrill of delight went through me as I placed a kiss on his neck. Sean rolled over, so that he was on top of me again.
“Round 2?” he asked, hopefully.
I laughed as I threw my arms around him. “What am I going to do with you?”
He gave me a smirk before he lowered his lips to mine.
Chapter 6
The incessant sound of shrill ringing came from somewhere in the room, and I couldn’t figure out the source.
I groaned as I rolled over on my side and smashed my face into the pillow. It still wasn’t help with the noise, so I wrapped the pillow around myself, so it would act like a muffler. The ringing continued, growing louder by the second until I finally lifted my head and scowled in the general direction of the noise.
My eyes were blurry and unfocused as I
tried to remember where I was. Confusion flooded me as I realized that I wasn’t in my bedroom, and this place wasn’t familiar. I inhaled the scent left behind on the pillow as I scratched my head and waited for the fog of sleep to clear.
Sean.
It was starting to come back to me.
Fragments of the previous night, in no particular order, they were just random images bombarding me till I had the full picture.
I made a noise in the back of my throat as I recalled how I all but threw myself at Sean who was trying to do right by me, but I didn’t want him to.
Gingerly, I shifted my legs as I realized how sore they were.
Sean felt as good as he looked, so there was that at least.
And he knew exactly how to move.
Speeding up when I needed him to and slowing down when he wanted to be tease. Whatever he did, he could do no wrong in that department.
I was mind blown.
Through bleary eyes, I glanced around the room as my hands reached across the cold space behind me only to find that Sean wasn’t in the bed. I tried to keep my heart from plummeting in disappointment.
I mean, what did I expect? The very thing he told me not to do, I went ahead and did it. I’m not sure what kind of person did that, and I wanted to regret it.
However, I didn’t feel the slightest ounce of remorse for making him break those nonsensical rules for me. If anything I felt liberated, and lighter than I felt in years.
More than that, I felt satisfied.
My entire body was humming with energy, and I was ashamed to admit that it had been too long since I’d allowed myself to feel this way. I had no idea how I’d held out for that long, convincing myself that it didn’t matter.
Sure, sex wasn’t the most important thing, but when it came right down to it, it was pretty vital to keep a relationship sexy. Desire was important too.
Most people tended to forget that, or they settled for less.
I was one of those people, but I didn’t want to be anymore.
I had no idea what was going to happen with Sean, but either way, regardless of the outcome. I knew I didn’t want to go back.
The shrill ringing continued, and I blinked as I realized it was my phone. I groped around for it in the darkness, and my hand connected with something solid.
I cried out in pain as I realized that I’d just punched a wooden drawer. I cradled my hand in my arm for a second before I grit my teeth and fumbled around.
I finally found my phone and looked down at the screen.
It was Jessica.
Why was she calling right now?
“Isabel,” Jessica’s relieved voice came in through the speakers. “I’m so glad you finally picked up.”
“Finally?” I leaned back into the soft pillows, resting my head against the backboard as I slithered in and sniffed the sheets.
“I called 3 times, texted, emailed, and I was starting to panic. Are you okay?” Jessica asked, her voice colored with concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I assured her. “How’s London?”
“It’s mostly nice, but too proper for my taste.”
I snorted as I crossed my legs over each other. “Everything is too proper for you, Jess. You can make anything dirty.”
“It’s a talent,” Jessica said with false modesty. “Couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Hey, no. None of that. Don’t drag my name into the middle of this,” I warned, jokingly.
“I listened to your voicemail,” Jessica said after a while.
“I don’t remember leaving you…” I trailed off as images of the previous day flashed in quick succession in my mind’s eye.
Oh.
I did recollect now.
“I remember now,” I confessed. “I was really upset, Jess, so do remember that before you go using it as blackmail tomorrow.”
“I won’t,” Jess promised. “I wouldn’t even joke about this. You sounded really upset. I didn’t understand what happened though because the words were jumbled together.”
“One of my patients, this sweet dog that I treated a few times before came in last week to check on a bite. I worked my magic and sent them back home. Obviously, I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why?’ Jessica asked, sympathy dripping with every word.
“He came back in yesterday because of an infection. It was meant to be a routine surgery, but there was nothing more I could do. I tried everything to save his life.”
“I’m so sorry, Izzy, but from what you said, it sounds like there was nothing you could’ve done to save him. There’s only so much you can do in these situations,” Jessica responded.
“Anyways, I was really upset and needed someone to talk to, but I forgot that you were probably busy with the conferences.”
“Never mind that. I still would’ve been there for you.”
“Well, in any case, don’t worry. I sorted it out.”
“With whom?”
Jessica sounded surprised. I didn’t have any close friends aside from Jessica, but other than that, everyone moved on with different things, but I was here.
“Please don’t kill me when I tell you.” My eyes fluttered closed, and I began to massage my temple.
“I will not kill you,” Jessica said, confidently.
“I sought out Sean,” I revealed, quietly.
I heard the sound of her hacking as someone punched her on her back. After that, it was quiet.
Had the shock of the news killed her?
“Er, Jessica?” I called out after a while, wincing as I pulled my phone away from my ear as a litany of curse words began and didn’t stop for another minute or so. I kept the phone away, enough so that I would be able to hear when she stopped, but not so I could hear the details of what she was saying.
It wasn’t anything good though.
I mean, I wasn’t expecting her to be overjoyed or anything. I knew that Sean and I hardly knew each other and seeking him out when I was in such a vulnerable state was maybe not the smartest decision I’d ever made.
But it was still my decision.
And I got to make it.
Wrong or otherwise.
And it didn’t feel wrong to me.
It was many things, but seeking out Sean didn’t feel like a mistake.
“Are you even listening to me?” Jessica questioned, sullenly as she suddenly went quiet.
“Of course, I heard you, but can you listen to me now?” I asked, cautiously as I held the phone lightly as if she might somehow jump out and wring my ears for this.
“By all means, since you seem to think you know what you’re doing,” Jessica said, sarcastically.
“Jess, you weren’t here, and I was really upset. Who else was I supposed to call?”
Jessica took a beat.
She knew I had her there.
I couldn’t call my mom because she wouldn’t be able to get it. She was great and all, but this was one of those things that just went right over her head.
Even though mom and I were generally close, she just didn’t understand my decision to become a vet. Oh, she’d been thrilled when I announced I wanted to be a doctor, but the dazzling smile dimmed when I announced I wanted to be a vet.
An animal doctor she uttered with confusion and slight disdain.
She couldn’t brag to her friends about that in the beginning though she did mean well. All parents did.
They often did crazy things and said harsh things in the name of love. Because they wanted what was ‘best’.
My mom and Dad were no different. My Dad simply nodded, but showed no real interest in my career unlike my mom who was obsessed to a fault because of her desire to see me marry.
She adored David.
She thought he walked on water, and she wasn’t happy when we spoke last week, and I told her we were over. She started lecturing me about the importance of finding a good man, but the talk went in one ear, and out the other.
“Well, I,—” Sh
e stammered, and I could almost see the thoughts playing out across her face. Her confused expression as she took her bottom lip between her teeth. “Still, even if that’s true. That’s not an excuse to call him. I know you’re in a fragile state right now, Izzy, so what if he tries to take advantage of that?”
“He didn’t actually,” I corrected her. “I wouldn’t have called him otherwise. I knew he wouldn’t, and it was nice to have that confirmed. Not all men are like that, you know.”
“Izzy, please think about this,” Jessica reasoned. “You hardly know the man, and you just got out of a serious relationship. Is it the best time to be exploring whatever it is you two might have?”
“So the timing is not ideal, so what?” I countered, my voice sounding slightly whiny.
I sounded like a spoiled brat who wasn’t getting her way, so I tried again. “Trust me, Jess. He isn’t at all like I thought he was. He was understanding and quiet as I poured my heart out.”
Jessica sighed deeply, and I could almost see the tension in her shoulders. “Just be careful, Izzy. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I won’t–” I began.
“Hey, I thought I heard your voice,” Sean interrupted as the door swung open slightly, and Sean padded in. He was wearing a pair of shorts and just like yesterday, he was shirtless.
He was sporting an easy smile as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Who’s that?” Jessica asked, sharply. “Is that a man?”
I covered the mouthpiece with my hand as I gave Sean a sleepy smile. “Morning.”
“Morning,” he responded, softly. “Did you sleep well?”
I nodded eagerly. “Like a baby. You?”
“Same.”
I removed my hand. “Sorry, Jess. What did you say?”
“Isabel Marie Lewis, are you with Sean right now?” Jessica asked, sternly, the disapproval ringing in her tone.
“Maybe,” I hedged as I sunk deeper into the covers and patted the space next to me. Sean immediately strode forward and crawled next to me. The bed shifted and creaked beneath his weight until he settled and loosely wrapped an arm around me.
“What are you doing there so early?” Jessica asked before she gasped in surprise. “You’re not there early, you spent the night.”
