Take My Breath Away

by Mia Ford

  I considered his words. I loved sleeping with Sterling beside me. It always made me feel so safe, even when we were kids and I nodded off while we were stargazing.

  “Sure. It’s the weekend so we don’t need to be up for class,” I replied, hearing him let out a sigh of relief.

  We weren’t supposed to do this. I shouldn’t be doing it to begin with, but he felt so good. His skin was warm and body perfect against me as we moved into a spooning position. I thought about the holiday coming up. We’d have to hide this from our families. We would just do that to make things easier.

  I knew that I was going to fall for Sterling harder than I already had but it was too late now. I was already in deeper than I ever thought possible. He was like an addiction that I couldn’t knock, and I’d keep diving in for more.

  I stayed the night in his dorm every night we were together. We were lucky that we were never discovered. Violet was the one that eyed me every time I came back in our room in the morning if she happened to be awake. I think it was worse than being caught by the school.

  “So, is this little arrangement going to end soon?” I balked at her voice by the coffee stand, knowing that it was going to come at some point.

  “I’m sure it will. I just can’t help falling asleep over there.” I defended myself as we walked towards the building that housed our classes.

  “The sex must be great.” There was thick sarcasm in her tone and I shot Violet a dark look. “I understand that. I just prefer to come home and leave any attachment at the door. You know that he’s probably not going to sweep you away and make everything perfect.”

  “I am not waiting for that. This is just for now. It will and end we’ll all graduate. I think it was you that told me to live on the edge, wasn’t it?” I shot back at her. Violet chuckled.

  “Yeah but I didn’t mean with a friend figure. That is nothing but complicated.” She had a point.

  “Vi… I just like the way that he makes me feel. Why not enjoy it for the time that I have?” I asked her before we pushed through the heavy glass doors.

  “You’re going to end up hurt. He’s too much of a risk.” I sighed as she spoke, my eyes locking on Sterling talking to a girl with bright purple hair. She was laughing as he leaned against the wall beside her, looking utterly edible. I remembered how many times I tasted him over the last weekend and felt a bad taste in my mouth as I looked down.

  “Then there’s that issue,” she said softly as I turned sharply to the right.

  “I don’t want to hear it,” I whispered as I made my way to my classroom. The tears were threatening to slide down my cheeks, and I looked down as I walked into the noisy room. I didn’t think the pain would hit me this hard. I found a seat in the back and placed my loose sleeve over my face for a moment. I sipped the coffee, regaining my composure before the teacher came through the door right after the girl that Sterling was with.

  14

  Sterling

  I noticed that Rosie seemed to make herself scarce over the next few weeks. I knew the holiday was coming up and what that meant for us. We wouldn’t see each other at all during our visits home. It would cause too much trouble and everyone in our families were too meek to stand up against our fathers. I remembered a time when we were all friends, including our moms. It was just how it was when smaller kids were running from house to house.

  It was when both families started earning their fortune that things ended. Competition was thicker than friendship, or however that saying went.

  I hung out with Brinn when I was bored. She was an art student that was fun, and we were friends. I didn’t sleep with her as much as I used to. Thinking about Rosie was killing my mood these days, and I just kept it to hanging out. I knew what people were saying and suspected that Rosie saw me with her. I just needed to kill the time somehow until we left school for the week.

  I sent Rosie a message the weekend before everyone was set to leave. I wanted to see her before I went home.

  S: Hey, Rosie. How are you?

  The phone was quiet for a moment before something came back.

  R: Just getting ready to go home for Thanksgiving. You?

  S: The same. I was hoping that we could spend time together before we left. I’d ask you to drive with me, but we know how well that would work out.

  The idea made me smirk. Our families would shit if we arrived together.

  R: I guess we could. What are you doing tomorrow? Want to have lunch?

  I frowned as I read the message. Lunch. Sure, we went to lunch a lot, but I was thinking something more on the private side. I got an idea and grinned as I leaned back on my bed.

  S: I’ll pick you up at eleven.

  R: See you then.

  I pulled up a number and dialed, planning the next part of the afternoon. I was going to take her to her favorite pizza place to eat. I just wanted to see her for longer than a chatty lunch.

  I dressed in jeans and a thick blue thermal before I headed over to her dorm. When I approached the entrance, I watched as Rosie stepped outside in her skinny black jeans and a vibrant purple sweater. She tugged her white coat around her body as the wind picked up her hair, tangling it wound her face. I paused as I stared at her. Rosie was so fucking beautiful, and she took my breath away for a moment.

  I wondered if she was worth losing my family over. They were supporting me for now and good people, mostly. I would be on my own at some point. Was I willing to do that alone? No other girl got to me the way that Rosie did.

  She glanced up and met my eyes, making ice flow through my veins. It was followed by an intense warmth and I grinned as I stepped forward. I jogged up the steps to her, watching as something crossed her flawless face. Was it pain?

  “I was thinking pizza and salad for lunch. Maybe some wine to celebrate the fact that we’re almost done?” I asked as she nodded.

  “That sounds good.” We walked towards the shared parking lot and I opened the car door for her, watching as she slid inside. Rosie smelled like her traditional citrus scent today and I inhaled it lightly. It was a constant reminder of her every time I smelled freshly cut citrus fruit. I closed her door and walked around to my side, taking in the half-empty parking lot. Students that flew home left earlier to get every moment in back home that they could. Since I could drive and didn’t need that much time, I left at the beginning of the week. Rose did as well.

  The car was filled with her scent as I started the engine.

  “When are you leaving?” I asked her as she licked her plum lips.

  “Monday afternoon. I was going to wait but everyone in the family is coming this year. Mom insisted that I leave earlier.” There was a wistful tone to her voice, and I glanced at her at the stop light. “My great gran isn’t doing so well. This will be her last trip out of the home she’s in.”

  “How the hell is she still alive? She’s close to one hundred years old, isn’t she?” I asked, picturing the woman.

  “A week shy. She’s getting weaker, so Grandma is bringing her for a while to see everyone. I guess I was lucky to know her at all.” Rosie leaned back and stared at her long fingers.

  “That’s rare. You are lucky,” I agreed, thinking about my only living grandparent on my mom’s side. She was getting older as well. I never knew any of the great grandparents though I had about a million cousins. I drove through the green light to the restaurant, parking in the lot as I looked around. “I love coming here when the town is empty.”

  “The college keeps this place going,” Rosie joked as I opened my door. It wasn’t entirely true, but the students made up a large part of the revenue here. I got out and opened her door, guiding her to the restaurant with my hand on the small of her back. Rosie tensed, and I stared at her in confusion. Every other time I touched her, she practically jumped into my bed. What the hell was wrong with her?

  The owner greeted us as we walked inside, coming over to shake my hand and give Rosie a hug. He took us to a table by the fireplace and we got set
tled, ordering two glasses of the house wine. I drank beer and hard liquor around my friends, but here I liked to just relax. The wine here was excellent and inexpensive considering how good it was. The waitress brought them over, and we ordered our usual before she walked away to give the order to the kitchen. I looked at Rosie, taking in her smooth, pale skin that flushed as she met my eyes. I wanted to ask her where she’d been, but I chose to wait for later in the day. I knew Rosie well and being attacked was not a way to win her over. I suspected that it had a lot to do with her family. I’d seen Violet do it to her as well and the way that Rosie bristled was obvious every single time. I kept the conversation light and about school since I knew the looming visits were on both of our minds. Rosie expressed excitement over graduation and what was next for her, her eyes bright on me as she spoke. I was still looking at a few years if I went with my original plan.

  When we left, she buckled her seat belt and settled back. I was sure that she thought we were heading back to the dorms, but I turned left instead of right.

  “Where are we going?” Rosie asked as she looked over at me.

  “I have another surprise,” I told her as I looked ahead a few blocks. I’d called in a favor and hoped that she’d enjoy it. Rosie stayed silent, and I continued for about three blocks before pulling into the parking lot of The Brick. It was a five-star hotel here in the city, offering incredible views and privacy.

  “What did you do?” She asked as I grinned and parked.

  “I wanted to get out of the dorms for a change,” I told her as I opened my door. I walked around to the passenger side of the car and found her sitting still in the seat. When I opened the door, I stroked her cheek as she closed her eyes. “Come on, Rosie. I need to be with you again.” She turned to look at me and I leaned in to kiss her gently, hearing her breath out.

  I took her hand and pulled Rosie out of the car. We walked into the lobby and I checked in, sliding my credit card across the counter towards the woman behind the counter. She had me sign something and slid a card key to me, telling me that my top-level room was all ready for me. I walked with Rosie to the elevators, feeling her eyes on me. I pressed the button, and we waited for the car to come down. We rode it to the tenth story and exited into a hallway with cream carpeting and burgundy walls. I led the way to the room and unlocked it, allowing Rosie in first as she gasped.

  The room was lit softly with candles and dim lamps and there were a few vases of various colored tulips placed on the tables. I didn’t get a suite, but we were at the top floor with the best view.

  “What is this, Sterling?” She asked as she stepped into the middle of the room and spun around slowly.

  “I wanted to do something special for you,” I replied as I walked towards her. I reached out to grab her hand, pulling her against me as her dark eyes shimmered. I kissed her, gripping her hips as I slid a hand up her side. Rosie tilted her head as I deepened the kiss, our tongues dancing together. My hand tightened around her as she groaned against me. I missed her more than I realized, tasting the wine on her lips as our teeth crashed together.

  We stumbled over to the bed and she wrapped her arms around my neck as I dropped to the mattress. She straddled me as she sucked in my lips, making me hard and needy. I hadn’t slept with anyone since the last time with Rosie, stopping at heavy kissing with other girls. I didn’t want them like I wanted her. I reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled it over her head. Her jacket was already across the room from our first kiss. I dropped the soft materiel to the floor, running my hands over the lace cups. Her nipples were prominent as I touched her, and Rosie jerked against me.

  “Sterling,” she groaned as I twisted one hand into her hair and the other around her back, kissing her neck as I tilted her head to the left. I rocked up into her, feeling her heat between our clothes as I moaned. We stayed this way for a few minutes before I turned her around and she tugged off my shirt. I pulled her pants off and then stood to drop mine to the floor.

  We moved together in the center of the bed, kissing deeply before I moved down her body with my mouth. I sucked her nipple through the lace, using my teeth as she shuddered. I unhooked it from the back and pulled it down her body before cupping her with one hand and drawing her into my mouth again. I made my way down her soft stomach before pushing her to her back. I spread her thighs apart and pressed my mouth to her sweet pussy. She was drenched for me and I licked her slowly, pressing firmly against her. I teased her until she was gripping my hair tightly before I sucked her clit between my teeth.

  My arms gripped her thighs tightly as I tasted her, licking all around her folds. I teased her clit with my finger as I slid my tongue inside of her, fucking Rosie as she tried to writhe against me. When she came, her juices flowed into my mouth and down my chin. I sucked all of her in that I could, trying to imagine my life without this in it.

  In the beginning, I was sure that I made a mistake sleeping with Rosie. I still wasn’t certain I’d made the right choice, but I was in too deep at this point. I pulled away from her and breathed in deeply. I crawled over Rosie, moving between her legs as she kissed me hard. I found her with my cock, sliding in as she wrapped her legs around me. I buried myself inside of her, stilling to enjoy the tight heat wrapped around me. She moved against me as I started to rock with her, needing to feel her come around me.

  I knew that I was close as I jerked into her hard and fast. Rosie cried out as I shot deep inside of her, gripping my shoulders as she dropped her head back. I felt the orgasm all the way through my body, burying my head into her chest as I let it pulse through me. When I was finished, I breathed in deeply and caught the scent of the vanilla candles and our sex.

  15

  Rosalind

  My body felt boneless as Sterling collapsed on top of me. The air was thick with the scent of sex and I couldn’t breathe for a moment. He managed to roll to his side as I breathed in deeply, overwhelmed by the sensations in my body. I’d never felt like this with anybody and a part of me hated that it had to be with Sterling. While he was one of my closest friends with years of history, he was the most inaccessible person for me. I couldn’t date him. I couldn’t talk about him with my family. It was risky kissing out in public with him since everyone knew Sterling in the small college town. Everyone knew his father and all about his wealth. The same could be said about me in certain circles.

  This was a mess.

  Sterling stood and walked over to the fridge, pulling out waters for us. I pushed away the clothes as I opened mine, taking a healthy drink of the cold liquid. He had the money to pay for this room as well as water or even room service. If his dad saw the credit card bill, there might be some questions, but he’d talk his way out of it. From what I knew. Sterling’s father was quite the playboy in his younger days. There was talk that he was to this day, but I never asked Sterling about that. It was a sore subject for him. I assumed that his parents were adults and that his mom knew everything that everyone else did. She was a nice woman when I was allowed over there but I didn’t pay attention to the state of their marriage. We were just kids.

  We drank our water and relaxed on the bed as my mind raced with what just happened. It was just sex in a room other than his dorm or mine technically, but things were intensifying between us. I looked over at him and Sterling was sitting against the pillows as he stared at the wall. My heart plummeted as I wondered if he regretted tonight before I told myself it didn’t matter. We were both going home tomorrow and returning to our normal lives.

  We walked out onto the balcony and looked over the city once we were wrapped in robes. It was beautiful, and I looked slowly over the brightly lit buildings as I wondered what would happen after graduation. I loved living here. I should look for my own place and see what I could do about a job. I wasn’t sure how my parents would feel about that. If they disapproved, it would be easy for them to pull the plug on my money. They had the control of it even though my grandparents started a trust fund for me when I was
in middle school. I wouldn’t have my own access to it until I was thirty, which was ridiculous. I suppose that’s when they deemed me ready to have a family and settle down or some such shit.

  “You here?” Sterling asked as I blinked and glanced over at him.

  “Yeah. Sure. Just thinking about tomorrow,” I replied as he nodded solemnly.

  “Let’s stay here tonight.” I looked curiously at him as he grinned sheepishly. “We already have the room and the dorms are emptying out. We can order some food in a while and watch TV. Enjoy the amenities.” I glanced back, still seeing a few candles burning behind us. He’d certainly put a lot of effort into this.

  “That sounds great. The bed is so much bigger than either of ours.” I smiled as I looked at him, seeing something that looked like relief cross his face.

  “That it is.” His voice was low as I felt his hand on the small of my back.

  “Why did you do all of this? Not only the room and dinner, but the candles? The flowers?” I asked curiously as Sterling looked past me for a moment, forming an answer.

  “You mean a lot to me, Rosie. We’ve known each other for so long now and despite our families ongoing competition, we are still friends.”

  “Friends?” I blushed as he looked at me. He was being sincere, and I was trying to crack jokes.