Take My Breath Away

by Mia Ford

“I wanted you to know that this is more than a romp in my dorm. It has been for a while, but I don’t know how to define it.” He frowned and gazed up at the sky. “I just want the next few months with you until we both graduate. I wanted to make you feel like more than a fuck. You’re still one of my best friends.”

  “I feel the same way,” I said, unsure of what to say. He was one of my best friends, but I wanted so much more. I wanted what I’d never be able to have with Sterling. It was my fault for getting involved in the first place.

  We went back into the room and snuggled on the bed to watch TV, making love within the hour. We ordered some late-night snacks after we were done, still eating in bed wrapped in the robes that we put on when it was delivered. I loved being with him like this. We always got along well, spending hours together when we were kids. Now that we were adults, it was more of a mature relationship. At this point, it was a full-fledged adult relationship that was getting complicated quickly.

  We drank some wine and finished a movie in the dark room. Sterling watched the credits and slipped his hand over to loosen my robe.

  “Again?” I teased as his lips found my neck. He stroked my stomach, squeezing my breast as I moaned. I would want Sterling every damn time he reached for me. I craved him when we weren’t together. My body tingled, and my center ached for him as he pulled his face away.

  “Touch yourself, Rosie. Make yourself come so you get tight and I can be inside of you again.” His voice was hoarse, and I whimpered as he slid the cloth from my body. “You smell so fucking good.” I spread my legs and watched as he guided my hand between my legs. I was sensitive and slick, and our fingers stroked my folds.

  “Sterling,” I moaned as he moved his hand to my wrist. I kept moving my fingers, something I’d been doing in private every chance I got since hooking up with Sterling. He stroked my nipple as he watched me, and I reached over to pull his robe open.

  Sterling was sexy. He worked out a lot, and it showed in his lean stomach and muscled arms. I admired him for a second before gripping his cock in my small hand.

  “I want to come inside of you. Don’t finish me off,” he told me as he moved his hand to cover the one on his cock. We stroked it together, slowly as I found my clit with my finger. This was so much more than sex. It was something that I wouldn’t do with just anybody and the intimacy that I was feeling right now filled my chest with pressure. I moaned, and he urged me to keep touching my pussy. His words stirred me, and I moved faster as my other hand stopped moving over him. I felt his mouth on my nipple, drawing me into his mouth as I trembled. He sucked harder as I got closer, biting down as my fingers slipped inside of me. I cried out with the release and felt heat washing over my fingers as I felt his lips on my mouth. Sterling kissed me hard as I recovered, his tongue stroking mine eagerly.

  I was weak as he pushed me to my back, spreading my thighs wide before he slid inside of me. I groaned as he filled me, each time feeling like the first all over again. Why did the best sex of my life need to be with Sterling? Why was it so forbidden and more to the point why did we both follow the rules so much?

  Sterling brushed my lips with his as he jerked roughly into me. I cried out as he came, his heat shooting into me as he moaned my name.

  “Fuck me. You feel too good. I don’t know how I’m going to get through the week,” he breathed out as he dropped to his back, reminding me that I’d be on my own all week. With my family. My body was boneless, and I knew that I wasn’t going to be moving anymore tonight as we sipped water, settling in for the night.

  16

  Sterling

  I woke up with my arm wrapped around a warm body, blinking as I looked around the large room. It was a hotel room, and I inhaled the scent of citrus and sex as I smiled. I didn’t have to look to see who the woman beside me was. Rosie had a scent all her own, and I wanted to bottle it as I closed my eyes. I guessed from the darkness of the room that it was still very early and turned towards her to go back to sleep.

  I woke up when the room was bright to a mouth wrapped around my cock. I groaned, slipping my hand into her hair as Rosie moved slowly over me. I could wake up every day to this for the rest of my life. I looked down to see her under the blankets, her dark hair draped over my body.

  I needed to fuck her.

  “Get on your knees,” I told her as she jerked and looked up at me. “I need to make you think about me this week as much as I will you.”

  “I already will,” Rosie promised me, moving back, and turning her body around. I gripped her hips, feeling the loss of her mouth on me as I stared at her glistening pussy. I drove myself inside of her, holding her still as she cried out my name. “Sterling. Fuck me harder,” she begged as I moved deeper. The thrusts were rough, and I slammed into her every time I moved. I was going to fill her pussy with my release, longing for it to stay in there. I liked the idea of her carrying a part of me around today after we went back to the campus.

  “Rosie,” I breathed as I jerked, exploding inside of her. She pushed back, screaming my name as she arched her back against me. I gripped her around her stomach and stilled as she dropped her head to my shoulder.

  I knew that I was feeling more than friendship for her as I raised my hand to cup her breast. I’d never felt like this with a woman and never would again. I breathed in and out as I tried to calm myself down. I was shaky and damp with nerves, but I lied to myself. I told myself that it was from the hard sex.

  We showered after making some coffee, dressing in our wrinkled clothes to go get some breakfast. I knew that I was stalling my trip home. I enjoyed spending time with Rosie and didn’t want it to end.

  She tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear as I checked us out. It was probably evident what we did in there last night, but I didn’t care. I didn’t feel like any of the staff here would call my father about it. He was all for my sowing my oats as he called it. It was disturbing how much he encouraged me to enjoy life and women before I settled down.

  I spent time with a lot of women. I thought back as I opened the car door for her, breathing in the scent of her shampoo as she slipped past me. I wanted her again and stared down as she buckled her belt. I closed the door once she was settled and walked slowly to my side of the car. Rosie was sitting quietly in her seat as she looked at her phone, frowning.

  “What is it?” I asked as she scowled.

  “Mom’s pushing me to leave soon. “I don’t know why. It’s just Thanksgiving, and that isn’t even until Thursday.” She shoved it into her purse and sighed. “It’s going to be all about graduation there. I’ll be asked what my plans are, when I’m moving back home, and a whole host of other questions. I can’t deal with it.”

  “If you want to get away from everyone, send me a text. We can meet,” I offered as she gave me a dubious look. “I’m not tied to my house, Rosie. Neither are you.”

  “I feel like I am.” I watched as her shoulders slumped and wanted her to smile again. I wanted her to come again, but I’d settle for breakfast.

  “Let’s stall and go to that diner. You’re packed right?” I looked at her as she nodded.

  “My bag is waiting on Vi’s bed.” Her roommate left on Saturday for Texas and was coming back on Sunday night.

  “Okay then. We have time.” I started the engine and pulled out on the street as she shook her head. We got a table and ordered more coffee before scanning the menus. I ordered the biggest breakfast platter they offered, and she got a small plate of bacon and eggs. We chatted about school as we ate, avoiding any heavy topics on purpose. I wanted to talk about last night and what it meant to me. I let it go and sipped my coffee, looking around the room. It wasn’t crowded, but that wasn’t surprising given the day it was.

  We finished and stared at each other for a long moment before I paid the bill. We walked to the car as she smiled in my direction.

  “Thanks for everything last night.” I touched her back, and she ducked her head down. I knew Rosie. She was embarrassed ab
out what she did last night.

  “It was great,” I assured her as we reached the car. I pressed my lips to her cheek as she closed her eyes.

  We made it back to the dorms and sat in the car for a moment.

  “I guess this is it,” I said as she nodded. We got out, and I watched as she stared at her building before smiling at me.

  “Drive safe.” Her eyes were sincere as I stared at her, getting lost in their depth.

  “You, too. I meant what I said. Text me if you need a break.” I smiled as she nodded. Rosie walked to the front door of her dorm and disappeared inside as I watched her. I never felt so empty in my life.

  17

  Rosalind

  I walked into my dorm room and looked around for a moment. It was too quiet, and I sighed as I walked over to my window. I watched as Sterling walked to his own dorm sadly, playing back last night. It was so perfect and erotic, everything I wanted it to be for me. I just knew that it was over at least for this week. We might never have that kind of night again.

  I looked at my purple duffel bag and headed to my closet to change into something for the drive. I selected some thick black leggings and a big burgundy sweater, braiding my hair over my shoulder. My phone rang in my purse and I walked over to check the screen, seeing that it was Violet.

  “Hey, girl. How are you?” I asked as I sat down on the bed.

  “Good. I got a break from everybody and wanted to call you. Are you at home yet?” She asked in a concerned voice as I sighed.

  “No. I was leaving soon as much as I don’t want to,” I replied as I rolled my eyes. “Mom is pushing me to get there fast. God only knows what she has planned for me.”

  “Oh, no. Maybe she’s arranging your marriage after graduation,” Violet mused as I laughed.

  “Oh God. No way. I can’t even… it’s going to be a long week.”

  “Call me as much as you need to. Take a walk. Go have a drink at the bar,” Violet urged me as I laughed.

  “Sterling told me the same thing. Well, to call him for that.” I said as she went silent for a moment.

  “You’re not driving together?” She asked, and I smiled sadly.

  “No. No way. We need to pretend that we hate each other the same way our families hate each other.”

  “Did you spend the night together? The room was empty,” she reminded me as I closed my eyes.

  “Not here. We went to a hotel after dinner.” Violet sighed. “He made it romantic and perfect for me. I guess he just wanted to ease the pain of my visit.” I told her, waiting for her response.

  “That almost sounds like a real relationship. I guess you’re not going to tell your parents about that.” I let my mouth drop open.

  “No way. It’s business as usual at my house.” I assured her as she laughed. “I miss you. I can’t believe that you’re moving back there when school is over.”

  “You can always come with me,” she reminded me as I walked back over to the window. I loved Washington. I was raised here. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew that I couldn’t live here if I wasn’t with Sterling. Last night proved that to me because it was the best one of my entire life.

  “I know. I’ll see what happens.” We chatted for a few minutes and I promised to call her throughout the week. When we hung up, I stood and grabbed my duffel bag after slinging my purse over my shoulder. I walked into the hall, locking the door up

  It was empty around here. I didn’t see anyone as I walked to the front door of the building, heading across the parking lot to my two-year-old Porche SUV. I rarely drove it, but it was nice when I did. I unlocked it with the push of a button and loaded the bags into the back of the car. I glanced around to see that Sterling had already left, smiling weakly.

  I made the two-hour drive home listening to the radio, singing along to my favorite songs. My stomach was in knots as I pulled into the long driveway, seeing two more cars parked against the large garage. My brothers must be here. I eyed the vans slowly, turning off my engine and getting out of the car. The front door opened when I was pulling my bags out of the back and I glanced up to see Mom.

  “You’re here, sweetie.” I dropped the bags as she hugged me tightly, smiling for a moment. I liked when it was just my mom and me. We got along but when we were inside with Dad, Vince, and Michael; she was different. She catered to the strong personalities of the men in my family.

  “I am. It’s good to see you,” I told her warmly as we parted. I looked a lot like my beautiful mom while my brothers took after Dad with their dark blue eyes.

  “Come inside. It’s cold out here.” She grabbed my purse, and I took the duffel bag, I stared at the intimidating brick house as we walked to the front door, wondering what was waiting behind it, waiting for me.

  I got my things into my old room straight away, needing the moment alone so I could gather the courage to confront everyone. I heard the four kids under eight that were running all over the place as well as the booming voices of my brothers. I could smell the roast that mom was cooking in the oven.

  I hoped that she had some wine in the fridge.

  I freshened up in my attached bathroom and decided to face the music. I walked downstairs and into the living room with a big smile on my face. My brothers stood to hug me, and I asked how they were doing. I got an earful about the family company, the kids and how both of their wives were expecting another baby. It was exhausting.

  I greeted the kids next, getting on the floor for hugs but ending up with them crawling all over me. I loved my nieces and nephews, but they were so active. I looked around as Geneva wrapped her arms around my neck, searching the room for my dad. Nathan jumped on my back and I groaned lightly, feeling the muscles that were still sore from the previous night.

  “I’m making dinner. It will be ready in a couple of hours. Will Beth and Rachel be here by then?’ Mom asked as she looked around the room.

  “They will. They’re visiting their aunt since she’s not here very often.” My brothers married cousins. It was crazy sometimes, and they fought more than they got along on bad days. I liked both of my sisters-in-law but their giant personalities made me tired.

  “Where’s Dad?” I asked as I carried the five-year-old Geneva to the couch to sit down.

  “He’s at the office. There’s a thing with a new property. He’s fighting for it because it’s perfect for another farm.” Mom smiled as she spoke, and I asked myself how many properties the man needed. He was rich beyond belief already. “He should be home for dinner.” She asked me if I’d like a glass of wine and I accepted instantly.

  “Great. I can’t wait to see him.” I said as she walked into the kitchen. I was glad that the kids were the focus of the room right now, so I could get buzzed on some great wine. I was feeling a bit more relaxed when my father arrived home, walking through the garage door. He was talking to someone, and I glanced up at the sound of a male voice.

  “Rosalind. You’re here. Good.” He looked me over as I clutched my glass, stepping aside so Rich James could enter the huge kitchen. I downed my wine at the sight my ex-boyfriend from high school. I knew that he worked for my family but assumed they understood that anything between us was over. “You remember Rich.”

  “Of course. How are you?” I asked as I forced a smile on my face.

  “Very well. You look beautiful, Rosalind.” His dark eyes were sharp as he looked me over and I shivered. I knew that he was here for a specific reason with the way his eyes roved over me. I knew that it was going to be a terrible week as I shrank back on the couch. I wanted to call Sterling and tell him to come rescue me or buy a plane ticket to Texas.

  18

  Sterling

  I pulled up to the modern stone house and stared at all the windows. They did offer a great view of the hills, but the structure was just pretentious. I dropped my head back for a moment and thought about Rosie before I shut the engine off.

  I walked through the open garage, noting that Mom and my twin sisters were here b
ut not Dad. Of course not. He was probably trying to find a way to make more money. I walked into the chef’s kitchen and glanced around to see where everyone was. Molly and Callie were looking at something placed between them, laughing the way that only teenage girls can do. I dropped my bag quietly on the floor and walked up to them, waiting for them to notice me. They didn’t.

  “What are you looking at?” I asked loudly as they both jumped.

  “Sterling! You never change,” Callie told me as she glared at me.

  “Hi, sis. What’s up?” I asked as Molly looked at her twin and then at me.

  “Did I hear someone scream out here?” My elegant mother walked down the stairs, searching the rooms with her bright green eyes. “Sterling. You’re here!” She rushed over to me for a hug and I wrapped my arms around her. I loved my mom, but I wished that she’d stand up to Dad occasionally. He was so focused on work and never spent time with her, nor did he spend it with us when we were little.

  “I am. I was just saying hi to the girls,” I replied sarcastically as they both groaned.

  “Scaring us is more like it. Some things never change.” They leaned back and looked at the phone again.

  “Where’s Dan?” I asked, pulling away to look at Mom. I didn’t bother asking about Dad.

  “He’s driving right now. There was an emergency surgery at the hospital.” She smiled warmly as she spoke of my older brother. He was the star of the family as a top surgeon in Seattle. If he did anything better than working with Dad, it was being a surgeon.

  “Good. What are these two up to?” I asked, nodding at the twins.

  “Callie got her ultrasound today. First one.” Mom smiled, and I remembered that my sister was pregnant. Since her fiancé worked with Dad, it was wonderful news. I was happy for her since he was a nice man, but I hated the whole connection to this family. “I hope it’s a girl.”