by Alice Ward
“I have,” Talen laughed. “Many times. But he’s my dad, you know? You can’t just turn your back on family.”
I nodded and looked down at the table. Our waitress was walking over with our food, and I was grateful for the distraction. Talen’s words made me think of my mother. There were so many times when I wanted to run away from her dementia, but I always stayed. Talen was right. You could never really walk away from your family.
“I’m sorry about your mom,” Talen said softly while we ate. “You said she has dementia?”
“Yeah. It’s been… rough. I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s just been really, really rough.”
“I can’t even imagine,” Talen said and shook his head sadly. “I’m so sorry.”
I smiled. “Don’t be. She’s my mother. Just like yours, she’s my best friend in the world. After my dad died, it was just the two of us. We’ve always been in this together, you know?”
“Yeah,” Talen said, smiling. “I do.”
We finished our dinner and walked back to Talen’s place. I was surprised by how easy our conversation was. Talking to him about my mom wasn’t nearly as awkward as I thought it would be. He seemed to understand my feelings better than anyone else, even Madison. While we walked back, we once again fell completely silent. It was odd, but I loved walking in silence with Talen almost as much as I loved talking to him.
“I’m gonna take a bath,” I said when we stepped inside. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Talen smiled, and I felt him watch me walk away. I went straight to the bathroom and drew myself a bath. I still had paint on my skin from earlier, and I was eager to wash it off. When I stepped into the warm water, I sighed and sank down deep in the tub, going all the way under. It felt so warm and peaceful that I didn’t want to resurface.
When I did, my mind wandered to Talen, as it always seemed to do. I rested my head on the pillow as I replayed our evening in my mind. I wasn’t even surprised when the door opened and the man I was thinking of stepped inside. Without a word, he undressed and joined me in the bathtub. His eyes were locked on mine every second.
We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to. Talen settled into the bathtub across from me and reached out to take my hands. He pulled me toward him, my legs wrapping around him as our lips met, his fingers sinking into my hair. The kiss was soft at first, gentle and deep. His tongue teased my lips, and I moaned softly. I would never admit it out loud, but I’d been dreaming of this moment.
While we kissed, I reached through the water until my hand found his cock. He was already hard for me. I stroked the length of him, feeling him twitch and pulse beneath my fingers. He was so hard, and the water made my hands slide over him easily. He groaned and clawed at my hips. I wrapped around him tighter, his erection nudging me open. Our kiss grew frantic, desperate.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Talen
As I pulled Dani onto my lap, the water around us swished, adding a soundtrack to our passion. Dani’s legs wrapped tightly around my waist while our lips worked furiously against each other’s. I was suddenly thankful for the size of my guest bathtub. If it had been any smaller, we would never have been able to be this close. I leaned back against the tub with Dani wrapped around me. She ground onto my cock while we kissed, and my fingernails dug into her scalp.
The harder she moved against me, the more I wanted to be inside of her. I knew if we continued this way, I wouldn’t be able to resist. I gently pushed her off me, letting her lay back while I rose onto my knees in the water. Her eyes were locked on mine while I moved, and I could see my own desire reflected in them. She looked at me hungrily while I slid my hand between her legs. Even in the water, I could feel how slick and wet she was for me. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her.
“Talen,” she breathed when I slid a finger inside of her. My thumb circled her clit while I pushed my finger deeper.
She moaned and writhed as I moved my finger harder, deeper, finding the spot that caused her eyes to roll back in her head. She was trembling, making the water around us sway with every movement. I’d never been with a woman in a bathtub before. I suddenly realized just how much I’d been missing. Every move she made radiated throughout the water, making my own desire peak.
“God, you’re sexy as hell,” I muttered against her mouth.
“I’m so close,” she whimpered. “So close.”
“Come for me,” I said, watching her face. “Come for me.”
She did, like an explosion searing through her and into me, and I watched her face contort with the agony of pleasure. She was mine, and I needed her now. More than I’d ever needed anything in my life. My lips found hers, and I kissed her with a passion I didn’t know I possessed. My tongue tasted her lips and her mouth hungrily. I couldn’t wait another second.
“Come here,” I said, sitting back down and pulling her along with me, the water sloshing over the rim and onto the floor. Trembling from the orgasm, Dani straddled me, positioning herself over my cock. Her breasts rubbed against my face as she lowered herself onto me. I took her nipple in my mouth, sucking deep and hard. My hands guided her hips, going slow, when all I wanted was to impale her onto me. When I was finally inside of her, I could already feel the shock of ecstasy rolling through me. She was so wet, so tight. I could barely breathe when she started to rock her hips back and forth.
“Oh god,” I breathed into her perfect breasts.
“You like that?” she asked, lowering her lips to whisper in my ear. She tugged at my earlobe with her teeth, tangling her hands in my hair, taking control.
I let her.
With each sway of her hips, her rock-hard nipples pressed themselves against my face. I groaned and dug my fingers into her hips, never wanting to let her go.
She rode me harder, lifting herself up, then slamming herself back down onto me. She moved faster, her breathing becoming more ragged by the second. I could tell she was close to her second orgasm, but I wasn’t ready for the moment to end. Her smooth skin, made slippery by the water, rubbed against my body in the most sensual way possible. I held her to me, my hands sliding down her back as I continued to taunt and tease her breasts with my teeth and tongue.
“That’s right, baby. Fuck me. Ride me.”
She did. Mewling sounds came from her throat as she road me to the edge of ecstasy, taking me with her. The water formed waves around us, but neither of us cared. All that mattered was us. This. My desire was intense, my body on fire. I could feel my own legs beginning to shake as Dani rode me harder still.
She held onto my shoulders with her hands. Her back arched, giving me the perfect view of her bouncing body. Her eyes were slightly closed, and her mouth hung open. She moaned and panted. My own grunts matched hers, and I knew I was close. Just the sight of her above me was enough to do me in.
When she screamed out in pleasure and her body clenched around my cock, I knew it was over. I came so hard that I jerked up in the water and grabbed onto her body for support. I held her tightly while the waves of pleasure rocked through me. She trembled, and it only made my orgasm last longer.
When it was finally over, I knew it was time to move, but I wasn’t ready. She felt so good with her arms wrapped around my neck and her warm folds enveloping me. I never wanted to pull out of her.
When the water cooled, Dani sat up and pushed herself back against the tub. She grinned at me wickedly and leaned her head back. Her naked body still taunted me. I reached forward and stroked her skin with my fingers. Her eyes closed sleepily, and she smiled at my touch.
I knew I needed to get out of the bathtub before I let my desire get the best of me again. I already wanted to bury myself inside of her at least one more time. I knew if I continued to sit there with her, I wouldn’t be able to control myself. Reluctantly, I pulled my hand away and climbed out of the tub. Grabbing a towel, I dried myself off. I moved slowly, my body still sensitive from the sex. Every inch of me felt weak and exhausted, in the best p
ossible way.
“You have an amazing butt,” Dani commented from behind me. I turned around to face her, surprised by her words. She giggled a soft, joyous sound. “What? You do.”
“Thank you.” I laughed. “You have an amazing… everything.”
My eyes trailed over her body while I spoke. I meant it. I couldn’t pick just one body part to compliment. Every inch of her was pure perfection. No one had ever looked so good naked.
She blushed. “Thank you. I guess I should get out too.”
She stood up, and I watched the water trail down her body. It trickled over her breasts and down her stomach to her legs. My eyes followed each drop all the way down, unable to tear themselves away from her. God, I felt pathetic as I stood there, but I couldn’t help it. She was glorious.
Reaching behind me, I grabbed a fresh towel. Handing it to her, I watched while she dried her glowing skin and wrapped the towel loosely around herself. She stepped out of the tub and leaned over to let the water drain. When she did, the towel rode up just enough that I could see the curve of her ass. My breath quickened, and I quickly turned around. I couldn’t look at her without wanting to take her again. Right there and then.
“I’m exhausted,” she said and yawned widely to emphasize the words.
“Yeah. Me too.”
We both just stood there, gazing at each other.
Dani licked her lips. “I guess we should head to bed.”
I nodded and glanced at the hallway behind me. The second we stepped out of the bathroom, Dani would go her way, and I would go mine. She would sleep in her bed and I would sleep in mine. I knew it was the smart thing to do, and yet, I couldn’t make my feet move. Dani was still there, standing in front of me, her eyes focused on my face. I wanted nothing more than to pull her to my room with me. We would tangle ourselves in my bedsheets and hold on to each other all night long.
The thought was almost too good to pass up, but I knew I couldn’t. I shouldn’t. My desires were stronger than ever, but it wasn’t about sex anymore. I just wanted to sleep next to her, to feel her smooth skin pressed against mine through the night.
“Do you want…” I began but quickly stopped myself. It wasn’t right. It would be a mistake to cross that boundary. With a long exhale, I pushed my hands through my hair to stop from reaching for her. “Goodnight, Dani. Sleep well.”
“You too,” she said. She smiled and turned, walking the few feet toward the guest room. When she disappeared inside, I closed my eyes and let myself feel the regret. It was a few seconds before I could make myself move. It wasn’t until I made it to my bedroom that my body began to feel normal again. I grabbed a pair of underwear out of my dresser drawer and pulled them on. After that, I fell onto my bed and tucked myself beneath the covers.
I was instantly warm and comfortable, but I was miserable. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about Dani so close. I wondered if she was thinking about me too. Or if she was already dreaming about something completely different. Did she fall into bed wishing I was there beside her? Did she want to come to bed with me? Was she wishing I would have invited her to sleep beside me tonight? What was she thinking as we climbed out of the bathtub? Did she enjoy herself as much as I did?
These questions and more occupied my mind throughout the entire night. Even when I managed to drift off to sleep, I dreamed of her face. Her eyes haunted me, and her beautiful smile made my stomach clench into painful knots. I wanted her beside me. When I would wake from a dream, I would roll over and reach for her. The other side of the bed was empty though, and Dani was across the apartment, far out of my reach. More than once, I considered letting myself into her room and holding her, but I knew I shouldn’t. It wouldn’t have been right.
I finally fell asleep that night wondering what was wrong with me. Dani was beautiful and sexy as hell. She could captivate me entirely with a single look. She was smart and talented. She could challenge me in ways no one else ever had before. There were so many reasons why she was perfect for me, but I couldn’t let myself believe that. Having feelings for Dani wasn’t an option. She was my wife only for a couple more weeks. Once our arrangement ended, I didn’t know if I would ever see her again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Dani
The next week passed quickly, with me either spending time with Mom or painting in Talen’s apartment. I tried to keep busy in an attempt to not overanalyze what happened between Talen and me in the bathtub, but my mind wouldn’t cooperate with my wishes. I thought about it endlessly, but even when we were together for our obligatory social dinners and outings, we didn’t speak of it.
By the time the following Wednesday arrived, I was desperate for some peace of mind. That morning, I loaded all my new paintings into Talen’s Land Rover and drove to my apartment. My show was coming up soon, and I needed to decide which pieces to show and which ones to leave out. Plus, I needed to coordinate with the gallery owner and make sure everything was in order.
Once all my paintings were laid out neatly, I began looking them over. I was certain that I only wanted to show new pieces. Some of my old stuff was good, great even, but it didn’t feel like me anymore. When I looked at them, I felt like someone else had painted them, like they were from a completely different life. My new work filled me with a sense of pride and accomplishment that I hadn’t felt in years. When I looked at those, I wanted to show them off to the world.
The only one I had second thoughts about was the one of Talen. My collection already held paintings of the view from his apartment, the Gaston Pharmaceuticals office building, and a distorted image of the chapel where we were married. I wasn’t sure throwing in a painting of Talen would be smart. What if he actually came to the show? What would he think if he saw how I viewed him? I felt certain it would scare him and freak him out. Still, my eyes kept falling on it, and I couldn’t help but think it was my best piece. There was something heartbreakingly real about it, something that made me question my decision.
That entire morning, I went back and forth about it. One second, I was sure I wanted to include it. It was so beautiful and showed my talent well. Then, the next second, I was just as sure that I didn’t want to show it. It could be awkward, embarrassing. Making the decision seemed impossible, so I forced myself not to worry about it for a while. I brewed a pot of coffee and made a list of all the paintings I was sure I wanted to include in the show.
When the list was finished, I called the gallery and asked to speak with the owner, hoping to work out the details before the big day snuck up on us all.
“Dani!” Amanda said. “How are you? I’ve been waiting to hear from you!”
“I know.” Guilt wiggled inside me like a worm. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but I just finished up my list for the show.”
“Oh, wonderful.” I could hear Amanda moving papers around on her desk. “How many pieces will you be showing this time?”
“Fourteen, maybe fifteen,” I said, my eyes once again falling on the painting of Talen. “I’m still unsure about one of the pieces.”
“Well, without seeing it, I say you should include it,” Amanda said firmly. “I’ve had a ton of people asking about your next show. The more pieces, the better.”
“Really?” I asked. I was surprised and flattered, especially since I’d felt like a failure after selling so few.
“Yes. It’s amazing really. They can’t wait.”
“Do you think I should bring a few of my old pieces too?” I asked. “I’m primarily focusing my attention on new work, but if you don’t think fourteen pieces will be enough.”
“Make it twenty,” Amanda said with confidence. “I’m telling you, people want to see the work. I really think you’ll sell a lot more this time around.”
“That’s fantastic news,” I said with a grin. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. People were excited to see my work, my work. It felt surreal.
“It really is,” Amanda said. “All of us here at the gall
ery can’t wait for the show. It’s going to be wonderful, Dani, just wonderful.”
“Thank you,” I said brightly. “Is there anything else you need from me?”
“Nope. Just make sure you bring the art the night before like always. We’ll have guys there to help you unload. Other than that, we’ll see you at the show.”
“Thanks so much, Amanda.”
We hung up, and I couldn’t stop smiling. I’d been nervous about the show before, but now I felt suddenly confident. My new stuff was going to sell. I just knew it. I couldn’t believe how lucky I felt.
Maybe, just maybe, everything was falling into place for me.
***
Later that afternoon, I stopped by my mom’s house for a visit. She seemed happy and alert when I arrived. Her eyes lit up as I stepped through the front door, but I could tell she was tired. I wondered if she’d been sleeping well, but I knew better than to ask. My mother was sensitive about her condition and hated when people pitied her. I did my best to keep her dignity intact, but it was my job to take care of her. If I didn’t watch out for her health, then no one would. She was my responsibility.
“Have you had lunch?” I asked. “Because I’m starving.”
“I thought about ordering a pizza. I haven’t had a good pie in ages.”
“Okay. Pizza it is. I’ll order it.”
I ordered the food and then sat down on the couch beside her. She was watching some television show I didn’t know. She seemed completely absorbed in it, and I didn’t want to interrupt her focus, but I also wanted to talk to her. There was so much I wanted to tell her, about my show and about my life.
She beat me to it. “Are you ready for your show?”
I blinked in surprise. “What?”
“Your show,” she repeated patiently. “It’s coming up soon, isn’t it?”
“It is.” I couldn’t believe she remembered. Lately, I had to remind her about my show every time I saw her. It was amazing that she actually remembered it without prompting. More than that, she asked me about it.
