by Mj Fields
“You’ll find someone who will --.”
“Don’t give me dating advice Frankie.” He opened his eyes slowly.
“Sorry, I just--.”
“Want me to be happy,” he huffed.
“Don’t be a dick Joel. You cheated on me remember? So--.”
“You telling me you weren’t fucking Irons--.”
“Okay were is this getting us? I want you to be happy okay? I will look into Mimi--.”
“Stay the hell away from her,” he warned.
The way he said it was odd. “Did you dance with her Joel?”
His jaw tightened.
“Oh my God, you fucked her.”
Again he didn’t answer me.
“So I’m supposed to stay away from her but you banged her?” I laughed.
“I was fucked up. She was talking shit about a girl who I am pretty pissed at.”
“So that’s really why you came here. Feeling guilty? You don’t even have to worry about it.”
“No. I came because the girl is a fucked up mess. She acted all badass. I put her in her place then we went out to her car. No conversation, no nothing. We fucked. When we were done she just stared at me. She grabbed a bowl out of her glove box and sparked it up. I passed but she got fucked up and just kept going on and on about Jaxson, a secret, Will dying, her parents, a cousin, all sorts of shit Frankie. It was pretty damn crazy. Then she started crying and carrying on about what she had done and how she can’t stand to look at you.”
“I’ve never even met her.” I was confused.
“Yeah, well when I took her keys and told her I’d give her a lift she said she’d find a ride home. Got all cold and to be honest, I thought I was just gonna fuck some angry bitch who might like it a little,” he paused, “rough.” When I didn’t respond he continued. “She called someone to come get her. Frankie, black car, tinted windows, I swear it was the same damn car we tried to chase down the night you got jumped. I took a picture.” He pulled out his phone and showed me. “I didn’t want to message it to you and freak you out. That’s why I’m here. We didn’t see plates that night. Now I’m not so sure. This plate is black, says something on it. I’m messaging it to you. Do what you want with it.”
My head was swimming in a sea of questions and confusion.
“You okay?” he asked with true concern in his voice.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
“Frankie, instead of sinking grab for the fucking life preserver.”
“Meaning?”
“Let someone in. Let someone help you.”
“I’ll take that into consideration.”
He laughed and turned around, “Stubborn mule.”
“Yeah well, you know.”
I walked him to his car and he turned around, “I’m here still--.”
“I can’t--.”
“We were friends first.”
“For what two weeks?” I forced a laugh.
He opened the door and got in then looked up, “Best two weeks of my life.”
His voice, his eyes, his face was so sincere. Right now Joel was the boy who took his time with me. Was patient and gentle the first time I ever had sex. The boy whose chest I fell asleep against the night Will died, the boy who I pushed so hard that our relationship became toxic. I knew he wasn’t forever but that didn’t excuse what I did to him.
I smiled sadly and waved as he pulled out of the driveway.
Chapter 2
Firefly
Jax
It was going to be a late night. I had left the base and driven straight to Canada without letting anyone know my exact destination. I missed the hell out of Frankie but I knew she was safe. I had someone watching her.
My sleepless nights weren’t all because of her though. The little girl who Mimi gave birthday to, my little girl was haunting me. I knew she was safe and loved, Mimi had told me that. I agreed with Mimi, all children deserved that. I wouldn’t take her away but I sure as hell couldn’t seem to shake the need to see her with my own eyes.
I had done some digging and found out that she lived just outside of the Niagara Falls area in Canada and I didn’t care if it took all weekend I was going to see her. Just look at her. I knew it would ease the worry I had about her safety, her happiness.
God, I hadn’t even seen this little girl and I was already so messed up about her.
I drove over the Friendship Bridge and into Canada. I handed the customs official a fake passport. It was good. I knew it wouldn’t be questioned. Then I crept through traffic and headed east.
It was ten o’clock at night and I was sitting across the street from a two story colonial home with a nicely landscaped and lit up lawn. There was a home security sign staked in the lawn and two vehicles in the driveway.
I sat and watched a woman with light color hair walk past the front window and the only light in the house turned out. I sat back and tried to get comfortable, knowing this would be a long night.
I woke with the sun and sat waiting. Finally, I see a tall slender woman hurrying a little girl out of the house carrying a pink bag. Firefly, she had long brown ringlets and a pink tutu on. I didn’t see her face but with my window down, and on the quiet street I heard her laugh. She laughed out loud, from the pit of her stomach and it made my entire body tense.
I gripped the steering wheel and watched as the blue minivan’s sliding door closed shielding my view of the girl. The woman who was smiling got in the vehicle and backed out.
Frozen, I watched as they drove slowly past my vehicle and that was when my eyes met hers. She was still smiling. Seconds, mere seconds and I had already memorized her face. A face that was happy, that seemed to be safe, and – loved.
I watched in the rearview mirror as they took a left hand turn at the end of the street then I pulled out and did a U-turn to follow them. Fuck this was insane but I couldn’t stop now, I just couldn’t.
I followed a safe distance behind. About three blocks away the minivan pulled into a parking lot behind a building that’s sign said Downtown Dance Studio. I pulled over and parked a few feet from the building and watched as they entered. Then I waited. My body didn’t relax and my hearts drumming never slowed or became less painful.
When they reappeared an hour later, Firefly was still lit with a smile as she held her mother’s hand and walked behind the building. When they pulled out, I followed them until they stopped at a park full of people and playground equipment.
Unable to see her I got out and pulled my ball cap down to cover my eyes and walked over to a bench and took a seat. I watched her swing, then slide down the slide and laugh. Her mother was sitting with another woman talking as she and a little friend tossed a Frisbee around. When the Frisbee was thrown over her head and landed at my feet I bent down and picked it up. She smiled as she ran towards me. Her brown curls bounced as she laughed and stopped at my feet.
I reached out and handed it to her, she took it and said, ‘Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“I should’ve caught it,” she scrunched up her little nose
She had a dimple on her left cheek and light brown eyes.
“It was over your head. I’m much taller than you and I’m sure I would have missed it too.” I had to force myself to smile and calm my nerves.
She smiled again, “My name’s Lily.”
“That’s a very nice name.”
“What’s yours?” she asked as she started to turn away.
I swallowed hard, “Will.”
“Thank you, Will.” And she ran back to her friend.
I saw her mother look at me. I stood up and walked towards my vehicle.
Once inside I was still for a few minutes and tried to stop my hands from shaking, calm my racing heart, and swallow down the lump rising in my throat.
I watched in the rear view mirror as she continued to play and I noticed her mother looking towards the vehicle. I started it up and drove away.
~
The trip was long enough for me to think of a hundred different excuses as to why I would just show up un-announced after such a long absence but I didn’t care. My head wasn’t on right and for the very first time ever it didn’t bother me one damn bit.
Both the Cruz’s vehicles were in the driveway and I knew Frankie wasn’t home, I checked in with Shadows who was taking care of shit for me when I was away. He had talked to Johnny, one of the men I had employed to watch over the situation, and she was shopping.
I pulled up the driveway, got out of the car and stretched. I looked up as both Mr. and Mrs. Cruz were walking out onto the front porch.
“What a pleasant surprise.”
“It’s been a while,” I said as I walked up the stairs and hugged her.
“Yes, it has.” Mr. Cruz shook my hand.
“Do you two have a few minutes?” I asked.
“For you, Jaxson, of course we do.”
I followed them in the house and kicked off my boots, something Will always did before leaving the entry and walking into the living room.
I sat on the couch and took a deep breath. I loved the way this home smelled. Every time I walked in, I could smell the aroma of fresh baked snacks. Mr. Cruz sat in his recliner and Mrs. Cruz left the room and returned quickly with a tray of brownies and a pitcher of sweet tea.
“So,” she said as she poured a glass of tea and handed it to me. “How is everything?”
“Thank you. Good, really good,” I said and took a drink. “How are things here?”
They both looked at one another and her mother looked down.
“We miss him everyday, but there’s not a damn thing we can do about it.” He cleared his throat. “Francesca is another story.”
“Is she alright?” I asked trying not to sound too concerned.
“Well, the first couple weeks she seemed to be, but this past week she’s, well she is--.” His voice didn’t carry the same even tone it always had.
“Did she seem alright to you? When she was in Norfolk she was happy right? I mean, we thought things were getting better and then she started hiding out in her room again, not eating and when Joel stopped by--.”
“Joel?” I interrupted her.
“Her boyfriend--.”
“Ex-boyfriend,” I interrupted yet again.
They both stopped talking and looked at me. Only then did I realize I had crushed the brownie in my hand.
The front door shut and I turned just in time to see Frankie, walking into the room.
I stood and started towards her. Her eyes widened and I froze. I didn’t know what the hell she was thinking but I’d had enough of this shit. I continued over to her and she smiled, “Hey Jax, what brings you here?”
I gave her a hug, she laughed and tried to step back after a very brief moment. I held tighter and I whispered, “Things need to change.”
She laughed again and stepped back, “Jax told me back in Virginia he would take me out to dinner. Promised he’d come up here.” She walked over and hugged her parents. “We’ll see you later?”
She walked by me and out the door.
I turned around and looked at two confused people, “We’ll be back later.”
“Of course,” Mr. Cruz nodded.
I walked out the front door just as Frankie was getting in my car. I still had the crushed brownie in my hand so I walked around the side of the house and threw it in the garbage container before going to the vehicle.
I sat inside the car and went to reach for her, “Not here.”
“Francesca--.”
“Take me somewhere right now Jaxson Irons.” I looked at her. She looked down and whispered. “Now.”
I started the car and pulled out of the driveway. I did ten miles in five minutes, to the closest hotel I could find and it was nothing great but fuck if I could go five more minutes listening to her taking in slow deep breaths purposely trying to keeping herself calm.
I parked the car, got out, walked around the car, and opened the door for her. As soon as I took her hand I heard a purr vibrate in her throat. I didn’t look at her as I dragged her behind me into the lobby of the hotel.
I checked us in, the front desk receptionist handed me the room key, I thanked her. I turned to Frankie. Her head was bowed and her black hair covered her face. I lifted her chin so she was looking at me and her cheeks were pink.
“You ready?”
She nodded and let out a slow held breath.
The elevator door shut behind us and that was all the privacy I needed. I turned into her and her back hit the wall. I took both hands and held them above her head and crushed my lips against hers. A loud whimper escaped as her mouth opened to me and I ravaged her hot sweet mouth with my tongue.
“So fucking good.”
I stroked her tongue with mine and then sucked on it. I couldn’t wait to taste her pussy. The elevator came to a stop and the door opened.
I pulled away and pulled her in front of me, wrapped my arms around her, pulled her tight against me, and walked us down the hall to room 212 with my mouth on her neck the entire way.
I slid the key card through the lock and pushed the door open. Once the door was closed, she tried to turn around but I held her in place with one hand, sliding it down the waistband of her shorts while unbuckling my belt and un-buttoning my pants. Once my pants were shoved down and I was free, I reached between her legs and she was fucking soaked.
“Sweet Jesus,” I said as I unbuttoned her and shoved her shorts and panties down.
I maneuvered us toward the desk, pushed the black leather chair out of the way and pushed her forward. She was lying over the desk as I stepped back and knelt behind her, I pushed her shirt up, my tongue moved from the base of her back down the crack of her hot little ass, until I was on my knees pulling her feet out of her shorts. I spread her wide and sucked on her swollen wet lips before plunging my tongue deep inside of her.
“Oh god, Jax. Stop,” her guttural plea was interrupted by a pleasure filled moan as her knees buckled. “Oh god, don’t stop.”
And I didn’t until my face was soaked with her sweet juices and her knees were shaking. I kissed my way up and stood looking at her reflection, “Say it Frankie.”
“I love you,” she purred.
I grabbed my cock, rubbed it up and down her slit and lined myself up. I reached around her and held her by the waist and rammed my dick inside her as far as I could go.
She screamed out and I stilled, “I haven’t gone this long without sex in years Frankie and because it’s you, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about the loss of control.”
She nodded her head up and down and bit her lip.
“Fuck,” I roared as I pounded into her over and over again until she came and I did right after.
She lay against the desk panting as I gripped her hips, “Why did he come to you?”
“What?” she whimpered.
“Joel.” I hated that son-of-a-bitch.
“Jax, please not now.” She tried to stand and I held my hand between her shoulder blades keeping her still.
“Did you--” I couldn’t even say the fucking words.
“Of course not!”
My dick wasn’t getting any fucking softer and I wanted her to remember who her pussy belonged to.
“Say it again, damn it.” I hissed as I pushed deeper inside.
“I love you,” she moaned.
“No one else,” I slammed into her again.
“Not ever Jaxson,” she cried out.
“This pussy belongs to me.” I rammed into her.
“And you belong to me,” she said as she gripped the edges of the desk and looked up into the mirror at me.
“That’s fucking right.”
Her eyes were blazing and she rocked back into me. “It’s yours.”
“Mine,” I groaned and held her hips.
“Take me again, Jax.”
“I intend to.”
I pulled out and whirled her around so she was facing me. I lifted her up, sat her on the desk and rubbed my cock against her before kissing her and pushing inside again.
I fucked her slowly, deeply and kissed her hard. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders and I pulled her up onto me and she rode my cock.
I walked us to the shower and turned it on. I stepped under it and we never broke our connection until both of us came again.
When we were finished I held her before I walked out, grabbed a towel, slung it around my waist, and held one up for her.
“My tank top is soaked,” she said as she pulled it over her head and dropped it on the ground.
I wrapped her up then we walked out and lay on the bed holding each other. When she seemed relaxed I got out of bed, “Give me a second.”
I grabbed my jeans and pulled out a black velvet box and climbed on the bed. I grabbed her hand and pulled her to a seated position while I stayed on my knees before her.
“I love you Francesca Cruz with everything I am. I am not much closer to figuring out what the hell is going on around us but I swear another week away from you will kill me. Marry me,” I opened the box and pulled out the ring.
I expected a fight but that was not what I got, “Yes, oh, Jax, yes.” And tears started flowing down her cheeks.
“Really?” I asked again as I wiped them away.
“Yes,” she laughed and sat up on her knees, “Yes, yes, yes.” She hugged me and I laughed as I squeezed her tighter against me. “I love you Jaxson.”
“You’ll never stop?” I kissed her neck.
“No, never.”
Chapter 3
Frankie
Together
We had only been in the room for a little over an hour and I was exhausted. I lay in his arms as he held my hand to his lips, kissing it and the ring that now shined on my finger.
He let go of my hand and pulled me on top of him. He was hard as stone again.
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