by Darrien Lee
Back to reality, Sam took the envelope containing all the possessions taken away years back when the doors sealed away the outside world.
Walking away, the guard said, “Don’t let me see your ass back in here again, and try to stay out of trouble.”
Sam wasn’t hearing it. The first thing on the list was looking up Meridan St. John, so they could pick up where they’d left off. Now Nichole, she’d be handled with a special pair of gloves. While in prison, the internet had become a great tool for tracking down old classmates. With addresses in hand, Sam laughed out loud before climbing into a cab that was headed straight to the airport.
CHAPTER 24
Monday afternoon, William took Meridan and Keaton back to the airport. It was bittersweet for Meridan. It would probably be a while before she could come back for a visit.
William extended his hand. “Keaton, you’re welcome here anytime. I hope you enjoyed yourself this weekend and that my sister didn’t offend you.”
Keaton shook his hand. “I appreciate your offer, sir. I did have a wonderful weekend. Don’t worry about your sister; her flirting was harmless. She’s really a nice woman.”
“She has a few issues, but she is a very sweet woman. Well, you guys better get to your plane. I hate that I can’t walk to the gate with you. Keaton, take care of my baby.”
“I will, sir. Be safe driving home.”
William St. John turned to his daughter. Her eyes were filled with tears. Keaton gave them some privacy by stepping away to tend to their luggage.
“I’m going to miss you, Daddy. You should come up for a visit soon.”
Hugging her, he said, “I will, Meridan, and I’m going to miss you also.” He kissed her forehead. “You like him, don’t you?”
“Yes I do, Daddy. Very much.”
“Well, for what it’s worth, he likes you also.”
She leaned back to look at William and asked, “He told you?”
Laughing, he said, “He didn’t have to tell me. I like him. He’s a good kid. If you want to pursue a relationship with him, you know you have to be honest with him. Have you told him?”
“Daddy, you’re beginning to sound like Gwendolyn. She said the same thing. So did Jacob.”
“Jacob loves you, Meridan; in spite of the fact that you’re not in love with him. He’s a good kid also. Just not the one for you, I take it. I’ve always loved him like a son. He cares about you.”
“I know, Daddy, and I promise, I’ll tell Keaton when the time is right?”
“Okay. I love you, Meridan. Call me when you get in, and have a safe flight.”
“Tell Ms. Leona goodbye for me.”
“I will.”
Meridan joined Keaton and as they turned the corner in the terminal, they waved goodbye to Mr. St. John. On the plane they quickly found their seats and settled in for the long ride home. Meridan held onto Keaton’s arm and rested her head against his chest.
Once the plan leveled off, she dozed off listening to the rhythm of his heart.
Keaton and Meridan stepped off the plane and were met by Philadelphia’s chilly temperatures.
“Whew! You can tell we’re not in Mississippi anymore, huh?”
“Most definitely. Come on, Meridan, so we can get our bags and get out of here.”
Meridan held Keaton’s hand and they weeded their way through the crowded airport, after gathering their luggage, Keaton told Meridan to wait at the terminal while he went to get the car. She insisted on going with him; even though it was cold outside. They argued for a few minutes, until an airport shuttle came along to take them to the area they were parked.
He hugged her and said, “Meridan St. John, you’re a stubborn woman.”
“Thank you for noticing.”
He smiled at her and shook his head. She was sensational and he wanted her more than ever. They took their seats on the shuttle bus.
“Keaton, seriously, I appreciate you trying to protect me from the cold, but the truth is… I didn’t want to be separated from you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
They finally got to the car after about a ten-minute ride. Keaton started the engine and immediately turned up the heat. Meridan shivered in her seat while Keaton loaded their luggage into the trunk. He jumped in the car and started shivering also. The car had been sitting for a few days, so it was going to take a few minutes for the heat to kick on.
“No wonder Winston got Arnelle that SUV. This piece of junk has seen its last days.”
Trembling, she asked, “She doesn’t drive it anymore?”
“Not really. Come here,” he instructed her. Keaton wrapped his arms around Meridan and tried to warm her up faster with his body heat. “I’m surprised Winston hadn’t gotten rid of this piece of junk. I think they keep it around just for me.”
Meridan nuzzled his neck and softly said, “Keaton, I’m getting a little warm. Can we go now?”
He looked into her eyes and saw the warmth and sensuality she was feeling. He kissed her on the cheek and said, “You bet. We’re out of here.”
CHAPTER 25
The drive took about thirty-five minutes. It was around ten-thirty when they pulled into her driveway. Meridan activated the garage door and Keaton drove in out of the cold air. He turned the car off and Meridan lowered the door in silence.
He turned to her and asked, “You okay?”
“Yes, just tired. Come on in. I’ll make us some coffee.”
They exited the car and Keaton grabbed her luggage and followed her inside the house. Meridan turned on the lights and picked up the telephone to call her dad. While she waited for him to answer, Keaton started making coffee.
“Hello, Daddy?”
“Hello, Meridan. Are you home?”
“Yeah, I’m home.”
“Good. It really was good seeing you, sweetheart.”
Meridan smiled. “It was good seeing you also, Daddy. Well, I’m getting ready to let you go. It’s been a long day.”
“That it has. Give Keaton my regards,” he insisted.
“I will, Daddy. I love you, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Meridan. I love you, too.”
She hung up and leaned against the door frame. Keaton poured her a cup of hot coffee and approached her slowly. “Sugar?”
Playfully, Meridan closed her eyes and puckered her lips. Keaton took her up on her offer. He set the cup down, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her deeply.
A few moments later, she composed herself and said, “Damn!”
“I meant sugar in your coffee, Meridan, but that was much better.”
Picking the cup up, she said, “Ditto! Thanks for the coffee.”
They stood there sipping their coffee in silence.
“This really hits the spot. I can’t believe the differences in climate, but we are in the Northeast.”
“Yes, we are.”
They finished their coffee and Keaton said, “Well, it’s late. I guess I’d better get going, so you can get to bed.”
She cleared her throat. “I thought you were going to stay with me tonight?” His eyes gleamed and danced over her lovingly. “You do know what’ll happen if I stay, don’t you?”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and cuddled against his chest. Reminding him, she said, “Keaton, I meant what I said in Mississippi.”
He ran his hand down the curve of her back and over her hips. “I thought maybe you’d had a change of heart.”
She looked up at him. “I’m not going to lie. I am a little nervous, but I’ve never wanted anything more.”
He kissed her forehead. “Me too, babe. Me, too.”
She took him by the hand and they headed toward the stairs. He stopped and picked up her luggage, following her upstairs.
Upstairs, Meridan turned on the lamp on her night stand. Keaton sat her luggage down and shoved his hands in his pockets.
She turned and said, “Make yourself at hom
e, Keaton.”
“Your home is beautiful,” he said as he nervously admired her room.
“Thank you. Come on over and sit down,” she said, pointing to a nearby chair. Meridan went into the bathroom and made sure everything was in order. Nervousness had her stomach turning flips.
“I guess if I’m going to stay, I’ll need to get my luggage out of the car.”
She smiled.
He walked toward the hallway and said, “I’ll be right back, Doc.”
Keaton turned slowly and headed to the garage to retrieve his bags. He was unusually nervous and it surprised him. He knew he was in love with Meridan and had been for quite some time. This was unchartered territory for him and he was still trying to adjust to these unfamiliar emotions. He was so happy that Meridan expressed her feelings for him while they were in Mississippi. Had she not, he didn’t know how much longer he would be able to conceal his feelings for her.
By the time he returned to her room, she was already in the shower. He sat his luggage on the bed and opened it. He found himself breathing deeply to calm his nerves. He heard the water turn off and Meridan singing.
“Keaton!”
“Yes?”
“I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Well, I hope you saved some hot water for me.”
Giggling, she said, “I did, so don’t worry.”
He sat down in the chair and looked around the room. It was elegant and warm. The mauve and cream colors she decorated the room with matched her warm personality. She had a treadmill in the corner and her medical certificates in frames hanging next to the bed.
The door swung open and Meridan appeared in a short, emerald green nightgown. Keaton tried to swallow the lump in his throat, but it was difficult.
“Nice. Very nice,” he softly said as he stood slowly.
“I was hoping you’d like it. I got it especially for you.” She walked over to him and said, “The bathroom’s all yours. Everything you should need is in the linen closet. If not, just holler.”
“Meridan, are you sure about this?”
She interlocked her fingers with his. “I’ve never been clearer about anything in my life. Now, stop it before you make me even more nervous. Okay?”
Smiling, he said, “I’m sorry. I’ll be out in a minute.”
Keaton entered the bathroom and leaned against the door. Meridan had confirmed everything and there was no turning back now. He’d make love to her and hope he’d be able to return back to his life in Texas in a couple of weeks. The way his heart was beating against his chest, he realized that was unlikely.
After showering, he opened the door to the bedroom. Meridan was sitting on the bed, painting her toenails. She looked up and smiled at him. He stood there with his skin still glistening with water. He walked over with the towel still wrapped around his waist.
Looking down at her, he said, “Let me do that.”
“What?”
He sat down on the bed next to her and took the polish out of her hand. “I said, let me do that.”
“Are you sure?”
Grabbing her foot, he sat down on the bed and proceeded to paint her toe-nails.
This man is killing me!
Meridan was being seduced, just by the way he was blowing on her toes. He painted each toe methodically, making sure he didn’t make any mistakes.
“You’re good at this. You must have done this before?”
He looked up at her mischievously. “Not as much as you might think. MaLeah keeps me busy painting her little fingers and toes.”
“I’m talking about big girls, Keaton.”
“You’re the first big girl I’ve ever painted. Scout’s honor.”
Meridan couldn’t help but admire his handsome features. The silky hair on his chest had now dried. His skin was a beautiful bronze and his dark eyes were piercing. He wore his hair closely cropped and had a neatly trimmed goatee surrounded by dimples that surfaced with every smile.
“There! You’re all done. You have pretty feet.”
“Keaton, are you a foot man?”
Keaton put the top on the nail polish and said, “No, I’m just a man. I like everything about you, Meridan St. John, including your feet.”
They stared at each other for a moment. He looked down on the bed and noticed the bottle of lotion. She followed his eyes, then looked back up at him.
“May I?”
Handing the bottle to him, she said, “Help yourself.”
In her heart, she knew the moment his hands touched her she’d fall apart. Keaton poured some lotion in his hands.
“Ready?”
She swallowed and said, “As ready as I’m going to be.”
He rubbed his hands together to make sure they were warm. He started at her feet and worked his way up to her calves, massaging gently. He noticed that Meridan had started to squirm.
“Are you okay?”
Sucking in a breath, she said, “No! You’re killing me and you know it.”
Laughing, he stopped massaging her legs and leaned over her.
“Meridan… Kiss.”
His presence overpowered her, taking her breath. She touched his face lovingly and kissed him tenderly.
“You smell great.”
“So do you,” she admitted.
He kissed her neck. “Meridan, darling, I… I—”
Meridan ran her hands over his chest and around his neck, pulling him down to her. “Keaton, I want you so much.”
He slid his hands up her inner thigh. “Damn, Meridan!” he moaned.
She reached down and removed his towel. She wanted to see him. He watched her reaction of surprise when her eyes scanned him.
“Are you okay, Meridan?”
She sat there, blinking her eyes in amazement. He was unbelievable.
“Are you ready to run out of the room yet?”
“Not on your life,” she answered as she swallowed hard.
Keaton walked over to his bag and pulled out a foil packet. He rejoined her on the bed and saw her anxiety. She watched him open the packet and apply the condom.
He kissed her. “Last chance to back out.”
“Not on your life,” she assured him.
Keaton slid the lingerie over her head and what he saw was stunning. She immediately tried to cover herself, but he stopped her.
“Why are you doing that? You’re gorgeous,” he stressed.
“Because I’m—”
Pulling her toward him, he said, “I don’t want to hear it. Now kiss me.” She reluctantly kissed him and moisture pooled between her thighs. Releasing her, his eyes danced lovingly over every inch of her body. Chills ran down her spine as he ran his hand over sections of her body, as if he was studying it. He towered over her and kissed her greedily. Meridan felt the evidence of his desire and felt her body become inflamed. He gently ran his tongue over her cocoa skin with precision. She moaned as he kissed even lower to her navel.
“Keaton?”
She was worried he would question the scar on her lower abdomen.
He made eye contact with her and whispered, “Hold on, baby.”
He pushed his rigid body into hers and felt unexpected resistance. Meridan held onto him tightly and gritted her teeth.
Meridan moaned, “Damn!”
He pushed a little harder, then realized what was happening. He looked deep into her eyes and stopped.
“Meridan, baby, why didn’t you—”
Grabbing his hips, she pleaded, “Keaton, please don’t stop.”
Keaton tried his best not to hurt her. He couldn’t believe it. She was a virgin. But why, after all this time, did she choose him? With all these thoughts running through his head, it was becoming even more difficult for him to hold back. Nothing would make him happier than taking her on the ride of her life, but he couldn’t. Not yet. He had to settle for a slow, deep rhythm, which was still causing him to slowly lose control. She was glowing and her eyes were full of tears.
In a whi
sper, he asked, “Are you okay?”
Unable to speak, she nodded her head to acknowledge that she was fine.
She grabbed his hips tighter and finally began moving against him. She had no idea he would feel this heavenly. Yes, she lied. It did hurt at first, but what he was doing now was giving her sensational pleasure. It was obvious he was holding back from her, and she tried her best to get him to relax and let go.
Moments later, Meridan felt her body tremble and an overwhelming sensation rocked her body.
It was over and silence filled the room. The Meridan she had been all her life was no more. She had finally passed a milestone she never expected to. Sam had taken her dignity away and she was determined to get it back with Keaton.
Keaton rose up on his elbows and studied her expression. The tears that filled her eyes earlier had spilled out and were running down the side of her face. She met his gaze, which was filled with concern.
“Sweetheart, why didn’t—”
“Just hold me, Keaton. Please, I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
He kissed her and pulled her into his arms. She clung to his warm body as he pulled the linens over them. Meridan had never felt the love and peace she felt at that moment and it made her a little sad. Sad, because somewhere on the road to making Keaton her first sexual experience, she realized it could never be anything more than just that.
CHAPTER 26
A few hours later, Meridan awoke to find Keaton sound asleep. She slowly eased out of his embrace. He was sleeping so peacefully. She kissed him gently and eased out of the bed and into the shower. She closed the door and turned on the hot water, then climbed in. It was here, the reality of what she had experienced overtook her. She couldn’t remember exactly when she had fallen in love with Keaton, but she knew it was long before she had taken him home to meet her family. Tonight basically put everything into perspective for her. She stood in the shower in a daze, slowly rubbing the suds on her skin. The glass door suddenly opened and Keaton appeared in the door.
“Keaton!” She turned her back to him as he climbed in. “Keaton! What are you doing?”
He moved over and embraced her. He kissed her moist shoulder gently and asked, “Why do you keep hiding your body from me? You don’t have much that I haven’t seen, touched, or tasted tonight.”
