by Kat T. Masen
“It looks like you’ve had sex all over your apartment.”
“Well, we have had sex all over the apartment,” I remind her while trying to put my pants on.
“Why are you not panicking?”
“Because you’ll hide in my room, and all is well.”
“All is not well,” she cries, barely able to breathe. “My dad is coming, and you were just about to stick your dick in my ass.”
“Oh, so you have thought about it?”
“Will.” She places her hands on my chest with a serious expression. “I love you, but seriously, get changed because you’re freaking me out.”
The second the words register, a silence falls between us. The doorbell rings, leaving no time to dwell on the three words which escaped her lips in a moment of panic. I pull on my tee, closing the bedroom door and head outside.
The living room and kitchen don’t look that bad. Surely, she’s overreacting as most women do.
I open the front door, motioning for Lex to come in since it would be odd to have this discussion in the hall. That, alone, would raise suspicion.
Dressed in a pair of jeans, knitted sweater, and winter jacket, it’s easy to assume that coming here is out of desperation—his attire rather casual and unlike the normal business suit he wears.
“Did I interrupt anything?”
“No, not at all,” I say, suddenly conscious.
“I’ve forgotten all about bachelor life.” His eyes wander around the apartment, followed by a short chuckle. “Who sucked your dick this time? I hope it’s not that new girl you hired.”
I shake my head, oh the irony of the question. “No more mixing business with pleasure. Just a woman I met at a bar last night. Great set of tits.”
“Nice.” He smirks, removing his jacket. “You gonna call this one back?”
“Yeah, why not?” I say casually. “So, about Murphy, what’s the game plan with him?”
Lex speaks for almost an hour, and while he has some great ideas, my mind is completely elsewhere. I nod on occasion, throw in a couple of suggestions not to look like an idiot, but it doesn’t erase the fact that his oldest daughter is hiding inside my bathroom like a fugitive on the run.
“Listen, I’m going to head off. I’ve got a flight back to LA tonight but hoping to drive to New Haven to see Amelia for lunch.”
“New Haven? They’re predicting a storm, and the roads are icy. Are you sure it’s a good idea?”
Lex scratches his beard. “You’re right, I might just call her now and let her know I might skip this one.”
He dials her number, and I pray to all the gods above that her phone is on silent. Please Please. Please. My heart begins to palpitate, blood pressure rising to catastrophic levels. I pretend to stand here, bored, all the while freaking out that we’ll get caught because of something so stupid.
“Huh, no answer,” he cites, tucking his phone away. “I’m sure she’ll call me back. I want to let her know that her flights are booked to return home for Christmas. We had intended to come here, but Charlotte thinks it’s best for Amelia to come home.”
“Yeah, sure. Why not, right?”
“Hopefully, she won’t argue. If there’s someone in her life, I’ll pretty much know in the answer she gives me. I can bet a million dollars that if she says no to coming back home, it’s because of some boy she’s seeing behind our backs.”
“I’m sure you’ll soon find out,” is all I say.
Lex says goodbye, but not before reminding me of an email I need to send today. With the door closed behind me, I head back toward my room and knock my bathroom's locked door.
“Are you alive?” I call out.
“Barely.” The door opens, her face looking miserable. “You should keep food in the bathroom for emergencies such as this.”
“Hopefully, that doesn’t happen again. Look, it was awkward, but I believe he doesn’t suspect anything.”
Amelia nods silently. During the time locked inside, she styled her hair into an intricate braid. My hands itched to touch her hair, pull on it from behind as I fuck her senselessly.
“About before,” she mumbles, unable to look at me. “I didn’t mean it in that way. I meant…”
The I love you.
“It’s okay, I get it. No need to explain.”
“Right, thank you. But listen, I probably should get going before the storm hits. I’ve got an early class tomorrow too.”
I pull her into me, caressing her lips. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, why?”
“Well, if you’re okay like you say you are, I wonder how this sexy ass of yours is feeling?”
Placing her hands on my chest, a wicked smile escapes her. “I think we save it for next time, maybe against that window so everyone can see.”
My dick hardens at the very thought of taking her against the glass. “You’re a tease, and the only reason I’ll wait is because I want it to last all night. But for now…” I guide her to the bathroom, turning on the shower and stripping her bare. “Spread your legs apart. I want to taste you.”
And as her hands reach for the bottom of her blouse, pulling it over her head, she follows by removing her skirt and panties, allowing them to fall onto the floor.
Naked and completely mine to devour, I lick my lips in delight.
“Perfect,” I murmur, pulling my pants down and stroking my shaft. “Maybe better if you get down on your knees and suck my cock like the good girl you are.”
With passion burning in her eyes, I watch her slowly kneel. Her gaze shifts up, submissive to my demands. And just as I’m about to command her to take me all in, she runs her tongue along the tip of my cock, causing me to grunt.
“Eyes down, watch me,” she demands sternly. “You’re about to get the best fucking head of your life.”
Twenty-Two
Amelia
The familiar hustle of LAX is ten times worse during the holidays.
People are scurrying around, suitcases in tow. Children are running behind them, crying from being told to put their devices away with a warning that Santa will not deliver if they don’t behave.
Airport staff is extra rude, their patience wearing thin from the panicked passengers who have connecting flights canceled due to bad weather.
I sigh heavily with annoyance, pulling my phone out of my purse to send Will a text.
Me: People in airports are annoying. I’m this close to pulling the spoiled brat card and asking my Dad to buy a plane.
Will: Your dad wanted to buy a plane, but your mom said no. Something about the money going to better use like charities.
Me: That sounds like a fight they would have. I’ll text you later… if I get out of here alive.
Will: You better, gorgeous.
I smile at his text, but the smile quickly disappears when a woman’s suitcase knocks on my leg. Quickly, I turn around, rubbing where she knocked it to alleviate the pain, only to notice that she has sped off to the gate without an apology.
My jaw clenches, the urge to shout profanities, although she can’t hear me, becomes challenging to control. After traveling for almost the entire day, I want nothing more than to be isolated with zero people bothering me. A hot shower and proper meal wouldn’t hurt either.
What you want is to be in Will’s bed, naked.
I bow my head to gain some patience, reminding myself that it’s Christmas, and I’m supposed to be spending time with my family. It’s the season to be jolly, not fantasize about lying in a bed with my legs spread and a gorgeous man between them.
Grabbing the handle of my suitcase, I wheel it behind me and toward the exit where I’m supposed to meet Mom. I told her not to park in the parking lot nor bother trying to meet me at the gate, given the chaos.
Ten minutes later, the black Mercedes SUV pulls up to the curb, and Mom’s face lights up behind the windshield.
“Hey, Mom,” I greet, throwing my suitcase in the back while she jumps out of the car. Her arms wrap ar
ound me, the familiarity easing my momentary stress.
“I missed you, kid.”
“Missed you, too, Mom.”
We both get in the car, knowing that LAX’s traffic controllers are brutal if you linger around. Mom speeds through the traffic—peak hour, the usual pain in the ass in LA. As Mom converses, I take in the familiar sites—rows of palm trees, worn-out buildings, and bumper-to-bumper traffic—a far cry from the skyscrapers I’ve grown accustomed to in Manhattan and the leafy tree-lined streets in New Haven.
“Since we’re stuck in this jam, tell me how school is going?”
“Hard,” I respond with a yawn. “A lot of work. I mean, I knew it would be, but it’s different.”
“It’s still early days. You need to find your groove.”
“How did you find your groove?”
“Well, I had no life. So, studying was it. Rocky was relentless with parties. Nikki was a bit in between, but, of course, their world changed early on.”
It’s almost like I can never escape Will, even if I try. Or maybe, he was always there, but I’ve been oblivious. With only Mom here, I encourage the conversation involving Will, careful not to raise any suspicion.
“That must have been hard for them to welcome a child so early on. I can’t even imagine it.”
Mom purses her lips, letting out a small sigh. “It’s one of those moments in life where you lose all hope, but in the same breath, you’re blessed with unconditional love.”
It was an excellent way to put it. When I think of myself, Liesel, and my fellow classmates, we all seem too young to start a family. I can’t even imagine having that stress on my shoulders. And to think Aunt Nikki was only a year older than me when she had Will.
“But it worked out? Look at how amazing Will is.”
The moment I say it, my lips part with adoration. Shit. I follow with a small cough, then play aimlessly with my hair pretending to appear bored with the topic of Will.
“It worked out,” Mom agrees, knowingly. “But it wasn’t without its challenges. Nikki really struggled being a working mother and so young. It was a big decision to make, and one they almost decided not to go ahead with. In the end, what a beautiful son they made.”
I keep my smile fixed, not alluding to just how beautiful he really is, in and out of the bedroom.
“Tell me about you and your dating life. Anyone interesting?”
I absently fidget with my phone. “Uh, no. There’s no time. Plus, these college boys are all the same. Everyone is interested in sex, and the maturity is… let’s just say they lack exactly that.”
The more I hear myself speak, the more I come across as some snob. Just because I’m dating someone a lot older than me doesn’t make these men any less appealing. But the more I spent time with Will, the more juvenile college guys seem.
“God forbid your father ever hears this because if you could become a nun, he’d hand over every dollar of ours to make it so,” Mom jokes, her smile softening. “Just be open to life. Studying is important, but so is dating. It’s how you discover yourself.”
“You discover yourself through dating?”
“Yes.” Mom chuckles openly. “What you will or will not sacrifice. What you desire, how you enjoy spending your time… a lot can be said for dating.”
“So, did you date? I mean, I know parts of your story.”
“I tried,” she admits, followed by a sigh, “But no one compared to your father.”
“Ever?”
Mom hesitates, her lips pressing together in a slight grimace. It comes to mind what Ava told me about Uncle Julian. I wonder if Mom will take this opportunity to mention this, validating the so-called rumor.
“No one came close,” she simply replies.
We gain some momentum on the freeway, and I change the topic to my sisters. According to Mom, Ava is an even bigger headache now that she’s in her senior year. Addison wants to transfer to a boarding school, going through a Harry Potter phase, which my parents have said a big fat no to. Alexandra, being a sporty kid, is taking up most of their weekends with soccer games.
When we finally pull into the driveway, all the memories come flooding back, almost like I never left.
And it doesn’t take long to get settled into my old home life, though this time, it feels different and not at all like I assumed it would be. My sisters are relentless in wanting my attention. It’s somewhat of a good thing as it doesn’t give me time to dwell on Will.
My dad is busy with work, as usual. He flew to San Jose for the day, arriving home late when we finally caught up.
The day before Christmas, I decide I must go shopping given that I haven’t bought anyone presents. Ava, of course, insists she come despite my need to be alone. Going from a dorm room of just Liesel and me to a house full of family will take getting used to again. I have almost forgotten what it’s like to think about somebody else’s needs.
The first morning in my old bed, I woke up to the California sun seeping through my large bay window. My eyes, heavy and tired, feel like I haven’t slept at all. As I continue to lay here, I recall a vivid dream I had about Will. We were at some fancy party, and everyone was dressed in cocktail attire. I entered the room to find Will in the corner with a woman. She was beautiful, wearing a sequined red dress. As I tried to walk over to him, people stopped me. I’d reach out my arms, but the closer I got, the further away he moved. Then, my dad stands in front of me, arms crossed, and demands I go home, telling me that no kids are allowed at the party.
It was all I can remember, and the dream leaves me extremely unsettled. I close my eyes again, but this time when I sleep, my dream is more pleasant. I’m lying with Will in his bed, and he’s devouring my entire body. Just as I’m about to come, my eyes spring open to the sound of Ava shouting down the hallway to Addison.
The nerve of her.
Clenching my jaw, on the verge of yelling at her to shut the fuck up, I grab my phone and check the time, noting it’s already ten on the East Coast. My fingers type quickly, sending Will a text.
Me: I dreamed about you last night. It was… interesting.
The phone begins to buzz in my hands. I answer in a low voice so no one can hear me. Turning to my side, I tuck my hand underneath my face.
“You can’t just drop the word interesting and expect me to pretend like it’s nothing,” Will chastises, the sound of his smooth voice making me miss him more. “Was anyone naked?”
“Where are you?”
“In the office.”
I laugh softly. “Yes, there was nudity amongst other things.”
“Oh, do tell? I have a meeting in ten minutes but could probably get myself off in less than thirty seconds if you continue talking.”
“Lucky you,” I tell him with sarcasm. “Meanwhile, I’ll just continue to lie here desperate as fuck.”
“You paint such a vivid picture.”
“How’s work?”
“How’s work?” he repeats. “You can’t just go from telling me you had a dream about us fucking to how’s work? I pegged you for many things, but a cocktease isn’t one of them.”
“I’m regretting this call,” I mutter jokingly.
“No, you’re not. You miss me, just admit it.”
A smile plays on my lips. I hate that I miss him, wishing to be back on the East Coast. After my dad made it clear to Will that if I resisted coming home, it would be evident I had a male interest, I faked rather enthusiastically how much I wanted to spend Christmas in California.
“Maybe, I’ve somewhat grown fond of you.”
There’s a muffle in the background. “Listen, I have to go.”
“Of course, go work and bring in the money.”
“Hey,” he quips before I say goodbye. “Keep thinking the things you’re thinking, and if it helps at all, I miss you, too.”
My stomach begins to flutter, and with a heavy sigh, I say goodbye, sadness settling in at the thought of how far apart we are right now. I yearn to tou
ch his face and feel his lips on mine. Everything about him just becomes so much more than my head allows it to be, all in the few simple words he said.
He misses me.
I drag myself out of bed, left with no choice when Ava bangs on my door to hurry up.
With the change in time zones and turbulent sleep, I find myself less energetic and patient. I shower, change, head down for breakfast only to argue with Addison for finishing the rest of the milk. Dad is in the kitchen, amused by this and not saying a word.
“You know, coffee works wonders, Amelia.”
He was right. After my coffee, I do mellow out.
“What are your plans for today?”
“Unfortunately, shopping with Ava,” I complain, pouring myself another coffee. “What about you?”
“Trying to close a deal before the end of the day. Once people are in holiday mode, it’s hard to get any work out of them.”
“Has it ever occurred to you to maybe go into holiday mode too?”
Dad smirks. “Nice joke, Amelia. Say that in front of your mother, and I’m cutting you off.”
My shoulders fall up and down, chuckling at the thought of Mom’s reaction had she heard. My laughter slows down as Dad’s phone buzzes on the countertop.
“Will,” he answers quickly, placing the call on speaker. “What did Duncan have to say for himself?
“The usual, Lex. I say we cut him and let Anderson do the job,” Will responds with an angered tone.
“If that’s what you think, let’s do it. I don’t want him slowing us down.”
“Agreed.”
“Will, I’m here with Amelia. She’s trying to convince me to take a break.”
I almost spit out my coffee. This is getting awkward. I should’ve walked out instead of standing here like an idiot. “Hello, Will. How are things?”
