by Mia Ford
The room was large and open. They had taken the inside of what used to be a factory and finished it to hold the sound of the music inside. There was one large bar in the middle of the room and another on the right near the dance floor. To the left of the bigger bar, there were some pool tables and TVs that were playing sports. It was nice here, and I followed them to the big bar to order the one beer that I was planning to nurse. We caught up on each other’s lives and what I planned after graduation, happy to hear that I was intending to attend law school. My friends knew how my dad was with me. My house was not the one that we hung out at unless he was on a rare business trip and my Mom cooked us gluttonous amounts of food. We watched a game and yelled at the TV as I pretended that the house was always this way.
I missed those days as they talked about jobs and girlfriends. Everything was serious now, and it made me a little sad. A lot of my thoughts revolved around Rosie and our past as friends and present as lovers. I sipped the beer and looked around absently as the music pulsed through the club, seeing a lot of pretty girls but none that compared to Rosie.
What the fuck was happening to me?
Tom said something to me and I glanced at him as a dark haired walked into the bar, surrounded by a few friends. My eyes took Rosie in her clingy red dress and heels as she looked around nervously. Her lips were the same color of the dress and I knew that she applied that after she left the house.
“Sterling. What the fuck?” Tom asked me as I blinked at him. He repeated the question about the party on the weekend and I nodded as I looked back at her. My cock was hard as I watched her walk to another part of the bar, ready to follow her and take her right then and there. It had only been a few days, but I missed her. I could feel the eyes of others on me, but I was only watching Rosie.
“I’ll be right back,” I told the guys as I walked her way, planning a way to get her alone. Her friends noticed me before she did, and their gazes were hot as they nudged each other. I shook my head and caught her gaze as Rosie’s mouth dropped open. “Hey, you.” I told her as I moved beside her on the bar.
“What are you doing here?” Rosie asked as she turned to face me with wide eyes.
“Tom asked me if I wanted to get out. I never expected you to be here.” I knew that her dad wasn’t into clubs and bars where Rosie was concerned.
“I went out shopping and to get dinner with the girls. They are the ones that did this to me.” I looked her over, seeing her curved in the tight, flowing dress. It was short and showed off her perfect legs.
“They did a fantastic job. You look gorgeous,” I assured her as she blushed. “How long can you stay out?” It was absurd that they gave her a time to be home at her age.
“They love Lila. It doesn’t matter tonight.” I raised an eyebrow at her words as ideas ran through my mind.
21
Rosalind
I was shocked to see Sterling sidle up to me. I had been thinking about him constantly during this trip and this was a welcome relief. His eyes darkened when I told him I could stay out late tonight, making my body heat up. I knew what he was thinking. I knew what I was thinking.
He asked me to take a walk with him and I followed Sterling to the back of the bar. He reached for my hand as we reached a dark hallway, pulling into it as I crashed against his body. I laughed with the adrenaline that came with touching him.
“I am so fucking glad to see you.” Sterling kissed me, his mouth hungry against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned the sentiment, feeling my nipples harden against my bra. He turned me around, pressing me against the dark wall and moving one thigh between my legs.
“Sterling,” I moaned against him as he pulled away for a fleeting moment. It occurred to me that I used his full name now. I didn’t call him the childhood nickname. I felt him suck my lip between his teeth and clung to him, wondering if we were going to get it on right here and now. I wasn’t against the idea but imagined something different in my mind.
“I want to get out of here,” his voice was low, and I felt him pull back.
“Where do you want to go?” I asked as he kissed my neck.
“It’s a surprise.” He whispered as I groaned. Sterling pulled back reluctantly, licking his lips in the dim light from the main room. His mouth was a mess of red lipstick and I gasped as I reached up to wipe at it.
“You’re a mess,” I told him as he chuckled.
“I’m sure there’s a back door. We don’t have to see our friends,” Sterling assured me, his eyes dark on me. He pulled out his phone and tapped out a message before shoving it into his pocket. “Did they drive here?” I nodded. “Tell them that you’re taking off for a while. You’ll be back.”
I reached for my clutch and slipped my phone out, telling Carly that I was going to leave with a friend for a while. They didn’t know Sterling, and I hadn’t told them anything about him. They also knew how my family was and wouldn’t rat me out. He glanced over and pulled me out of the hallway after wiping at his face. There was a door leading to a small courtyard in the back. Sterling led us through the tables and we exited a small gate to the sidewalk. He dragged me to his car, opening the passenger door on the dark street before he kissed me hungrily. I fell inside as he pulled back and Sterling made sure that I was settled before running around to his side.
He started the car and pulled out to the main road. Turning right, I watched as Sterling drove to the water away from the city. I wasn’t as into going to the club as my friends were. They liked the crowds and the music where I was more of an introvert. Leaving like this was perfect as I shivered, anticipating what was to come.
Hopefully me.
We drove around a windy road before Sterling slowed down to turn right. I frowned as I watched the car drive down a dim road, parking in a tiny lot before he shut the engine off.
“Where are we?” I asked as he took a deep breath.
“I used to come here when I was having a bad day, or night. It was private and peaceful, and I got away from everyone.” He looked at me in the light of the moon. “I’ve never brought anyone here before, Rosie.”
I looked out over the water, taking it all in. Sterling reached for my hand and pulled it towards him as I met his gaze. We moved together to kiss eagerly as I tried to crawl into his lap. He laughed through the kiss as he slipped a hand into my hair.
“There’s not enough room in here, Rosie. I have a blanket in the back.” He told me as I looked back through the windshield. “It’s fine, baby. It’s perfect here.”
Sterling got out of the car and walked around to the back, pulling something out. He carried a dark blanket to my door before opening it, letting me out. I followed him to a grassy area in front of the car, seeing an open space near the water. All I heard were crickets and wind out here as he paused and glanced around. He spread a blanket down as I realized that he had another one over his arm.
“It’s a little chilly but I’m going to keep you warm.” Sterling promised before he kissed me again. We moved down to the heavy blanket on the grass and I straddled him shamelessly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and felt him between my legs where I was wet and needy for him. His hands slide down to cup my ass, lifting my hem up so he could touch my bare skin. With one hand, he pulled the other blanket over us and protected us from the wind.
We kissed slowly as we undressed, moving under the blanket as he kissed down my neck. His chest was warm and bare against my nipples as I moaned, losing myself in him.
I never thought I’d see him this week much less be here doing this. It felt perfect as he sucked one nipple into his mouth, making me moan. His fingers pushed my underwear aside, stroking my needy clit as I gripped his hair. I felt his teeth against my skin and my pussy ached for him.
“Sterling. I need you,” I told him as he slipped a finger inside of me, making me arch against him. Sterling fucked me slowly as I rocked with him, his lips finding mine.
“I need to taste you first. I’ve missed this pu
ssy,” he told me, pushing me to the back as his head moved under the blanket. I clutched it in my hand, covering my body up to my neck. Sterling made his way down my stomach with his mouth as I felt his hands spread my thighs. I was going to come the moment that his tongue touched me just from the feeling alone. I knew I needed the release mentally as well. He pressed his mouth to me, tonguing my folds as I moaned his name. Once he found my swollen clit, I bucked and knew that it was over for me.
“Oh. God. Sterling.” I cried out as he sucked my juices into his mouth. He pulled away, and I gasped as I relaxed against the thick material under me. I felt him moving over me and sliding inside as he kissed me softly. I knew that I was all over him, but I loved it. Sterling rocked into me as we clung to each other, our skin slapping together. It was the best feeling that I would ever feel as he filled me, hard and slow. Since I’d already had an orgasm, I had a few moments to enjoy this as he moved closer to his own.
“Fuck. You feel so good,” Sterling told me as he pressed closer to me. He moved harder and grunted into my neck as I stroked his back. I knew he was close when he swelled inside of me, slowing for a moment before filling me with his come as I dropped over the edge again. He moved beside me, holding me in his arms as I sighed happily.
“I wish we could take the week and just stay in a hotel,” he murmured as we listened to the wind.
“Me, too.” I agreed as I closed my eyes. I wanted a soft mattress under us and a room that we could call our own for a few days. “Why were you driving away from your house that fast the other night?”
Sterling was silent for a moment.
“You saw that?” He asked as I whispered that I did. “Dad was being… Dad. I needed a break on the first fucking night.”
“Sounds about right,” I replied as I stroked his shoulder.
“How is it at your place?” Sterling asked as I considered my answer.
“Not great. They want me to move home and work for the business. As usual. Dad brought Rich home for dinner the first night.” I felt him stiffen.
“As in your ex?” He queried, and I told him yes. “What the fuck for?”
“I guess he was playing matchmaker. It’s the perfect arrangement for the family, you know.” I told him bitterly as I felt his lips against my neck.
“Fuck that,” he muttered as I leaned my head over to allow him more room. He moved closer to me, kissing me again as my body melted for him. We made love again as he moved to his back and I rode him. I knew how he liked it now and I rocked over him hard and fast. Sterling gripped my hips and thrust up inside of me as we both moaned, ready to come for each other again.
I didn’t want to leave this spot. I didn’t want to go home to my family away from Sterling. We remained by what I found out was a pond for another hour before dressing to leave. I looked in the mirror to see a hot mess as I groaned. My other clothes were over at Lila’s, so I sent her a message to ask where they were. She responded by saying they were headed back to her apartment and I asked Sterling to take me over there.
He stopped at the curb, turning the car off as we sat in silence. I knew that this was probably it for this trip as I gazed at him.
22
Sterling
I kissed Rosie goodbye before I watched her walk into the lobby of the apartment. I told her to tell me that she was safely inside and waited for that text. I hated driving away from Rosie, but we couldn’t spend the night together. We had to take what we could get.
I headed home, seeing that it was late, and I should get in without anybody bothering me. I parked in the driveway and walked into the kitchen quietly, jumping when I saw someone at the fridge.
“Sterling,” Dad said as I took a deep breath. He looked at me as he grabbed a bottle of water, dressed in a robe. “Did you have a good time?” There was a curiosity to his voice, and I realized that I looked like a freshly fucked man.
“Yeah. Catching up with a friend,” I chuckled, playing it off as a one-night stand. I knew that he wanted me to play the field even as he suggested meeting a woman at his office. It made me hate him again. “Why are you up?”
“I’m working on some numbers,” he replied as I looked at the clock above the stove. It was after one in the morning.
“It’s late. Don’t you work tomorrow?” I asked as he stared at me.
“You have to sacrifice to make it in this world,” he reminded me as I stood quietly against the counter. He made his way to the office as I watched, muttering that people need sleep as well. I grabbed my keys and headed upstairs, hating myself for having to lie about Rosie.
I slept in late the following afternoon, turning, and opening my eyes to stare at the ceiling. It was bright in here and I knew that it was late. I needed the sleep. After my night with Rosie, I had trouble sleeping. I hoped that she got home okay, and it killed me that she was just a few houses away from me.
Fuck. I hated this situation.
I stayed in bed for a few minutes, finally rising to dress and get some water. I found Mom down in the kitchen looking over a recipe as she glanced over at me.
“I was wondering if you were ever going to get up,” she said warmly as I laughed weakly.
“Late night,” I replied as she nodded.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yeah. I just hung out with the guys. It was nice to catch up.” I reminded myself to tell them to go with that story, just in case. I doubted they’d see my family at all this week.
“I’m glad,” Mom said as she went to open the pantry to look inside.
“Dad was up when I got home. Does he do that a lot?” I asked as she stilled.
“If he has work to do, yes. You know your father. He’s a workaholic.” Mom shrugged, and I watched her closely. She walked back to the counter and jotted something down as I glanced over at the coffee pot. It was one of those one cup ones and I walked over to take a better look. There was already water in it and I grabbed a mug. Mom showed me where the variety of cups were, and I chose something strong and popped it into the machine. I needed to wake up and snap back into the moment. I didn’t know what to say to Mom about something she’d been dealing with for years.
She spoke about dinner and how aunts, uncles, and cousins were coming over. She liked noise on the holidays and a lot of people. Mom wanted kids around and I knew that next year she would be in heaven with a baby to spoil. I told her that it sounded great as I sat at the breakfast bar, nibbling on some toast as I tried to focus on her words. Mom glanced at me several times with a worried look on her face.
“Are you okay, Sterling?” She asked as I blinked at her.
“Yeah. I’m just waking up. That’s all.”
Dan showed up in about an hour and Callie followed him into the house. She was on the phone giggling, and I nodded my head at them. I assumed that she was talking to her boyfriend as Dan took a seat next to me. We made small talk as Mom decided what to make for dinner. Molly came home and helped with the chicken and veggies that Mom decided on as Dan turned on a hockey game in the living room.
Dad didn’t come home until late that night. It was the day before Thanksgiving tomorrow and he was working late at the office. Or he wasn’t. Whatever. We ate and laughed around the table before playing games together for several hours. I went up to my bedroom after midnight and gazed out the window down to the house where Rosie was likely sleeping. I wanted her here with me, whispering and making love.
That would never fucking happen.
I slept late the following day as well, rising to the sound of voices downstairs. I showered and pulled on jeans and a Henley, walking down the stairs in bare feet. Three of my aunts were already here, laughing, and prepping food with my mom. They saw me and hugged me before going back to work and I looked into the living room to see cousins watching TV. I joined them, asking how they were doing. I only saw them on holidays and during the summer now, so it was nice to catch up.
We decided on pizza for dinner since everyone was home in addition
to my three uncles. I offered to go and pick it up as my cousin Nathan asked if he could come. He was a good ten years younger than I was and looked up to me in a way. I agreed, and we left, driving past Rosie’s house as I stared longingly at it for a moment. The pizza place was a couple of blocks away and I appreciated the company as the clerk handed us ten boxes with a smile. Nathan and I split the boxes, struggling with the extra-large pies inside. I was laughing when we had them in the back of the car and driving home.
“As much food as that is, it will probably be gone tonight,” I noted as I glanced at Nathan at a stoplight. He nodded, and I frowned. “Are you okay, Nate?”
“I have a girlfriend,” he said slowly as I raised an eyebrow. He was just thirteen but, in this day, and age, that was older than my version of thirteen.
“What’s she like?” I asked as he stared outside of the window for a moment.
“She’s pretty with blonde hair and these bright green eyes. Her name is Hope.” He looked at me.
“Sounds good to me. How long has it been?” I asked as he smiled.
“Two months,” Nathan bragged as I whistled.
“That sounds serious.” I thought back to thirteen when I was still hanging around with Rosie in public. I dated girls casually back then and hadn’t slept with any yet. I didn’t know that I liked her then. “Treat her good, buddy. Be a good man.”
“I am,” he told me solemnly as I pulled into the driveway. I sensed that there was more as I gazed at him. There was a commotion in the garage and people came out to help carry the food into the house. When I entered the kitchen with the last box, I noticed that there were bowls of salad on the counter.
