Edge of Love

by E. L. Todd

  Ryan shook his head. “I think Sean already knows that. As much as seeing you two together last week hurt him, he understands there’s nothing between you. If there were, you would have been with him instead.”

  “And if we do decide to have this wonderful double date, let’s wait until things are back to normal,” Cortland said. “I don’t think throwing us in an awkward situation is going to help. If anything, it will probably just make Sean mad. Give him space to deal with this.”

  I sighed. “I guess you’re right.”

  Ryan laughed. “Cortland just wants to avoid Sean as long as possible.”

  Cortland sighed. “He’ll come after me eventually. He knows where I live.”

  “Good thing you work out,” Ryan said.

  “So does Sean,” Cortland said.

  “Well, I guess you’re screwed, man.”

  Cortland laughed. “Thanks.”

  Ryan stepped toward Janice. “So, it’s the middle of the afternoon now.” He looked at his watch then back at her.

  She smiled and her cheeks started to blush. “We have company.”

  “So?” Ryan said. “This is my place. They can deal with it. Scarlet is the one infringing on our privacy and Cortland—well, he doesn’t care.”

  Janice smiled. “Ryan.”

  He leaned over and picked her up from the couch. “We’ll be back.”

  “Put me down,” Janice said with a giggle.

  “I will,” he said. “In a second.”

  They disappeared down the hallway, and I heard their bedroom door close. I started laughing. “They are ridiculous sometimes.”

  Cortland smiled. “Yeah.”

  “According to Janice, Ryan needs it three times a day like a schedule.”

  Cortland laughed. “I wish I got it three times a day. Monnique and I only do it twice.”

  “Is it on a schedule?”

  “No,” he said. “But we do it every morning and every night. When we both have the day off we mix it up. What about you and Sean?”

  I shrugged. “We’re all over the place. But we do have sex every night. Well—we did.”

  “You miss it?”

  “You have no idea.”

  “It’s nice having sex on a regular basis. When I was with Elizabeth, I was lucky to get it a few times a week.”

  I smiled. “I’m glad you’re happy with Monnique.”

  “I am too.”

  “Do you like living with her?”

  “I love it.”

  “When are you going to ask?”

  “I don’t know. I want to ask her now but I don’t know if she’s ready for it.”

  “If she’s living with you, I’m sure she is.”

  “I’m trying to figure out when Ryan is going to propose. I don’t want us all to be engaged at the same time. Girls are weird about that.”

  “I guess,” I said. “Why don’t you just ask Ryan when he’s going pop the question?”

  “I haven’t had the opportunity. He’s always with Janice. I could call him, but I don’t want to ask over the phone.”

  “Yeah. Well, I’ll ask him.”

  “I would just let it go. He might feel rushed if we start asking him. Has Janice said anything to you?”

  “No,” I said. “She hasn’t mentioned it.”

  “So, you don’t even know if she wants to get married?”

  “I’m sure she does, Cortland. She wouldn’t be living with him if she didn’t feel that way. And I know she’s in love with him.”

  “She must if she let’s him get it three times a day like clockwork.”

  I laughed. “Yeah. But he’s good in bed.”

  “She told you that?”

  “She says he makes her come almost every time.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “I know you guys are close, but isn’t it weird to talk about that with Janice?”

  I shook my head. “It doesn’t bother me.”

  “You guys are weird.”

  “I won’t argue with that.”

  “So, do you want to watch a movie?”

  “Sure,” I said as I grabbed the remote. I flipped through the channels until I found something on the television.

  “What are you doing way over there?” he asked from his spot on the other couch.

  I sat next to him and leaned my head back. We didn’t touch each other but I liked being close with him.

  He grabbed my engagement ring. “It’s nice, huh?”

  I smiled. “I love it.”

  “I picked out the band.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Janice picked the cut of the diamonds.”

  “That’s so sweet.”

  “We argued for a long time before we agreed on the perfect ring.”

  I felt the tears bubble under my eyes. “I miss him so much.”

  Cortland sighed. “I didn’t mean to upset you, Scarlet.” He pulled me close to his body and stroked my hair. “It will be back to normal before you know it.”

  “I hope so.”

  “It will.”

  I closed my eyes and fell asleep. My dreams were about Sean. We were sitting at Central Park eating ice cream. I held a baby in my arms while Sean watched me hold our son. I felt the sun on my skin, and I smelled the flowers in my hair.

  When I felt my body being carried, my dream was broken. I desperately wanted to return to paradise but now I was awake. Cortland laid me on the bed.

  “I’m sorry that I woke you,” he said.

  “It’s okay. I’m sorry I decided to sleep on you.”

  He laughed. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Okay.”

  He walked away and closed the door behind him. I rolled over on my side and hugged a pillow to my chest. Waking up from that beautiful dream made me depressed. I missed Sean and wanted him back in my life. I wanted to sleep beside him every night. I would do anything to be back to the way we were.

  My phone rang on the nightstand, and when I looked at it, I felt my heart accelerate. It was Sean.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey.”

  “I miss you,” I blurted. I was too emotional right now to keep the feelings back.

  “I miss you, too.”

  We sat on the phone in silence for a while. I didn’t mind not speaking. It was nice just to hear him breathe.

  “Is this another booty call?” I asked.

  He laughed. “No.”

  “Then what’s on your mind?”

  “Can we meet at Mega-Shake tomorrow?”

  I felt my heart fall. He wanted to meet at a public place to discuss something. That didn’t bode well. Why didn’t he invite me to his apartment? “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes. Can you be there?”

  “Yeah. What time?”

  “Noon?”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  He said nothing for a long time. “You doing okay?”

  “No.”

  “I’m not okay either.”

  I didn’t like the sound of that. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Come over.”

  He sighed. “I can’t.”

  “Please.”

  “No.”

  “I’m asking as a sexual request.”

  He was quiet for a moment. “Last time we fucked you cried.”

  “I was just scared you were going to leave me for that woman.”

  “Well, I’m not.”

  “I know,” I said. “And I know you’re still going to marry me so it doesn’t bother me. And I want to have sex, Sean.”

  He didn’t believe me. “You already sound sad, Scar.”

  “That’s because I’m not with you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Come over.”

  He didn’t say anything.

  “Please,” I said. “Do I have to beg you?”

  He laughed. “Definitely not.”

  “So, you’ll come?”

  “I’m on my
way.”

  I hung up the phone then brushed my hair and applied my makeup. I wore a red thong and matching bra. I received a text message minutes later from Sean. He was already here. When I opened the front door, he slipped inside then locked the door behind me. We walked to my bedroom silently then shut the door behind us.

  “What do we have here?” he whispered. He stared at my robe then untied it. His eyes widened at the sight. “Beautiful.” He pushed me back on the bed then pulled down my underwear. He started to finger me and I stared to shake. It always felt amazing when he did this. When I felt like I was about to explode, he removed his fingers then stripped off his own clothes. He came to the edge of the bed, and while standing, grabbed my hips and raised them off the bed. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, Scar.”

  My heart clenched at his words. I knew he meant them. I always thought he only thought of Penelope in that way. It made my eyes water.

  Sean caught the touched expression on my face. “Babe,” he whispered.

  “What?” I said with a shaky voice. I tried not to cry.

  He picked me up and placed me further on the bed then he lied next to me. He wrapped me in his arms and held me tightly. I tried to act like I was okay, but I wasn’t. I missed him so much. I hated myself because now he was going to leave me. I didn’t want him to go. I wish I had just kept my emotions under control.

  Sean ran his fingers through my hair then kissed my cheeks. “It’s okay.”

  I pressed my face against his and closed my eyes.

  He watched me for a long time. “Go to sleep, babe.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “You won’t be here when I wake up.”

  His eyes softened at my words. “I’ll be here.”

  My heart caught in my throat. “You will?”

  “Yes.”

  I felt my body relax at his words. We hadn’t slept together in so long. I missed it. “Are you sure?”

  “You need me right now, Scar. I’m not going to walk away from you.”

  “Make love to me.”

  He sighed. “I can’t do that.”

  I was disappointed, but I tried not to show it. I was just glad he was here with me. “We can still have sex.”

  He smiled. “It’s okay, Scar. I can wait.”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “I do.”

  “Now that I know you are staying here, I feel better.”

  He rubbed his nose against mine. “Scarlet, I’m fine just sleeping with you. You don’t need to do anything for me.”

  “But I want to have sex.”

  He sighed. “No.”

  I climbed on top of him and straddled his hips. His cock started to grow as I leaned over him and kissed his neck. I knew he could see the reflection of my ass in the closet mirror, and I knew the sight of my pussy would get him as hard as a rock. I reached down and began to stroke him aggressively. Within a moment, Sean was panting for me. His hips thrust up slightly, rocking his dick into my hand. Then I inserted his dick within me and slid him inside easily. Sean took a deep breath and moaned as he stretched me. My pussy had molded to him perfectly, but it was still a tight fit. I grabbed his hands and placed them over his head. Then I began to ride him gently. Sean stared at my breasts as they moved up and down, and he started to thrust his hips upwards. His breathing was deep and shallow and I knew he had an orgasm building inside him.

  “Scarlet, I’m not going to last much longer.”

  “Good,” I said. “I want to make you come.”

  “I want to make you come first.”

  I slowed down for a moment and allowed Sean to gather his bearings. Then, I increased the pace and squeezed his hands as I felt my orgasm build.

  “Ride me cowgirl,” Sean whispered.

  “Sean. I’m coming.”

  He started to breathe heavily. “I’m almost there.”

  “Sean,” I whispered. “Sean.” I felt the explosion inside my body. His body started to convulse as he came deep within me. A loud moan escaped his lips.

  “Babe.”

  I leaned over him and kissed his chest before I pulled him out of me. I lied beside him and wrapped my arms around him. My grip was so tight that you would need a crowbar to remove me. Sean understood my fear.

  “Babe, I’ll be here in the morning.”

  I moved closer to him and rested my head on his chest. “Thank you.”

  He kissed me on the forehead. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  25

  Sean

  When I woke up the next morning, Scarlet was already awake. She was lying on my chest with her hair lingering on my skin. She smelled like vanilla.

  When I moved to get up, she held me tighter. “Please don’t go.”

  I kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you soon.”

  “If we are both going to Mega-Shake can’t we just go together? Or can’t we just stay here and talk?”

  “I have an appointment this morning.” I stood from the bed and started to dress myself. I hated leaving her, but I knew I had to. I had to do this before our meeting today.

  “An appointment?” she asked.

  I kissed her on the forehead. “I’ll explain later.”

  She sighed. “Okay.”

  “I’ll see you soon.” I left her bedroom then walked down the hall. Ryan and Janice were sitting at the table when I walked by.

  Ryan raised an eyebrow. “Morning?”

  “Hey,” I said. I opened the door and walked out. Obviously, Ryan hadn’t heard us last night, thankfully. I left the building and hailed down a cab. Within a few minutes, I arrived at my destination.

  I walked into the building then approached the apartment. As soon as I saw Cortland’s face when he opened the door, I knew he already anticipated the occasion of my visit. He sighed then squared his shoulders, preparing for the punches that were going to be directed at him. There was nothing that I wanted more than to beat the shit out of this fucker, but I held it back.

  “Got a minute?” I asked.

  Cortland nodded. “Hold on.”

  He closed the door and disappeared for a few minutes. When he came outside, he was wearing his jacket. “Monnique is home.”

  I nodded. “So, she doesn’t know about you and Scarlet either, does she?”

  Cortland walked away from the door so our voices wouldn’t be overheard. “No.”

  “And she’s living with you? Don’t you think she should know that?”

  He shook his head. “My past has nothing to do with her. Sleeping with Scarlet has no effect on my relationship with her. The only reason why I haven’t told her is because I don’t want it to be awkward with Scarlet. She’s like a sister to me.”

  “A Greek sister.”

  Cortland sighed. “Just get it over with.”

  “What?”

  “You’re going to beat the shit out of me, right?”

  “I might. I haven’t decided yet.”

  Cortland stared at me. “Then what do you want?”

  “I want to know what happened between you two.”

  “Why don’t you ask Scarlet?”

  “I want to hear it from you.”

  He sighed. “When she came to Seattle, she was depressed and lonely. She and I started spending time together. I wanted to help her get back on her feet, because as soon as I met her, I knew I loved her.”

  I felt the jealousy course through my veins. The idea of him loving my Scarlet, fucking my Scarlet, made me shake.

  Cortland caught the look. “I don’t mean romantically. I mean in a friendship way. She and I just clicked immediately. She reminds me of Ryan.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Anyway, she and I talked about you a lot. She told me she loved you and couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. We started drinking one night and she came onto me. I tried to fight it but I couldn’t. We ended up sleeping together. I felt horrible for two reasons. One, Scarlet is my best friend�
��s sister. I knew he would be pissed. And two, I had a girlfriend.”

  I shook my head. “That’s fucked up.”

  Cortland ignored the insult. “She and I agreed that it couldn’t happen again. I needed to break up with my girlfriend and find someone to fall in love with. And she needed to get over you without sleeping around.”

  “So, you never had sex again?”

  Cortland sighed. “We had sex again at my place. That was the last time. Somehow we became closer because of those experiences and now she is one of my closest friends. There are things I tell her that I would never tell Ryan. I know that’s hard for you to believe, but it really was meaningless. We were both just trying to make ourselves feel better. In the end, it worked, albeit for different reasons.”

  I nodded. “So, you’ve never been in love with her?”

  “No, but I love her very much.” He put his hands in his pocket and looked at the ground. “And I know how much she loves you. Please don’t leave her, Sean. Give her another chance. The only reason why she didn’t tell you is because she loves the way our family is. Since she doesn’t have one of her own, she was afraid to destroy this one.” He sighed, “She didn’t want this to happen.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Cortland stared at me. “So, now are you going to beat the shit out of me?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  He sighed. “Well, let me know when you do.”

  “Did you wear a condom?”

  Cortland was quiet.

  “Answer me.”

  “No.”

  “Did you fuck her or make love to her?”

  Cortland looked uncomfortable with every question. “I fucked her.”

  “Did you take advantage of her when she was drunk?”

  Cortland looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know how to answer that.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “It’s a simple question.”

  “No.”

  “Why was that hard?”

  “She was the one throwing herself at me. You know how beautiful she is. I tried to resist but I couldn’t.”

  “And why was that difficult?”

  “I know the idea of her wanting someone else is difficult to hear. I know you love her.”

  I didn’t say anything.

  “So, are you going to do it now?”

  I ignored his question. “What did Ryan do?”

  “Scarlet and I both told him together. He was angry at me for a long time, but after he saw Scarlet and I together, he dropped his resentment. It was clear to him that Scarlet wasn’t hurt by our interaction. If anything, it made her stronger.”