by Rye Hart
“I was, but I didn’t bring it with me. It’s been two days. It wasn’t like I expected any of this to happen so I didn’t think I needed it.”
I looked up at him and could have sworn that I saw something that looked like hope cross his face, but it was gone as quickly as it had come. What was that about?
“Listen Bella,” he started. “I know you didn’t expect this, and neither did I, but is it really that awful? I mean, if I’m being honest, I want more with you.”
I sat up and looked at him, the reminder of what we’d just done spilling down my leg. “More?” I asked. “I don’t know how that would even work, Reed. We live thousands of miles apart and have totally different lives. Plus, you know I just got out of an engagement. I’m not sure I’m ready for more.”
The truth was, however, that my emotions were at war inside me. Part of me knew that it was way too soon to consider committing myself to anyone. Another part of me, though, felt that Reed was different, and wanted to know if we could be more. The confusion was almost too much to bear.
CHAPTER TWELVE - REED
Bella and I had talked for almost an hour after our last encounter and I could actually see her internal struggle. I felt she wanted to be with me as much as I wanted to be with her, and all I needed was a little time to convince her that I wasn’t Gavin. I’d tell her all about the inheritance and the stipulation as soon as possible, but first, I’d solidify our relationship. I didn’t have time to do things the other way around. Time was too precious, too valuable. If I hadn’t been certain I’d have not gambled with her, but I’d never lost a bet before, and I was betting on us.
Or maybe I wouldn’t have to tell her anything at all. I realized now that I was starting to fall for this woman. What had started as a means to an end to get at my father’s money was turning into something else completely. Even if I wasn’t starting to have real feelings for her, I would have taken care of her and any baby anyway, but now I was starting to actually see a future here. I could see Bella with our child and us actually being happy. I could have the best of both worlds, and I was starting to think that I wanted just that.
What the fuck was happening to me?
She fell asleep in my arms and my gaze wandered down her body, nice and slowly, to her perfect breasts and down to her flat little tummy that I would make big and round with my child, and then below to the perfect little cleft. I loved that she kept it completely bare and my tongue and cock appreciated how slippery her little pussy was because of it.
I wondered if she kept it that way for her last lover and decided to keep encouraging it. It was perfect. She was perfect. Everything was happening so fast, that it almost seemed like fate had intervened.
I ran my hand through her soft hair to pull it away from her face, and then sometime after fell asleep.
I woke in the morning with her gone from the bed. I got up and heard water trickling in the bathroom. The door was open, so I walked over and peeked inside. She was in the tub, with the water on and bubbles all around, her hair bundled up high with tiny tendrils hanging down. Her bright eyes widened even more as she saw me standing there.
“Door was open.”
“I’ve always wanted a claw foot tub. I figured I better enjoy it while I can, but the water keeps getting cold, and my bubbles are dying too quickly.”
“You have to agitate the water.” I put my hand in and swished it around, creating a few subs.
“If I keep doing that I’ll never relax.” She lay back and bent her knees. I leaned over for a kiss, and she met my eyes as if she had a lot on her mind. “I’m going to walk around and take some photographs of your yard today.”
That meant that she wasn’t planning on running out of here like she had been yesterday. I was pleased.
“It’s a mess with the storm and all, but make yourself at home. I’d like us to go out to the concert tonight. We’ve missed a few of the events, but this is supposed to be the biggest night.”
“Sounds good. I’d like to spend a little time with Kayla if you don’t mind.” She gave me an apologetic look, but I reassured her with another kiss.
“I’ll be downstairs if you need me. Take your time.” I dressed and headed out just in time for Rick and Kayla to show up. Kayla wasted no time running up to see Bella, and I wondered if they’d talk about what we’d all been up to and just how detailed they’d get. Rick walked the property with me as I assessed the damage and though it wasn’t too bad, I wondered why Bella would want to photograph it in this condition.
“So, how’re things with you and Bella? Did you talk to her about the inheritance situation?”
“No, I haven’t, I need a little time. I didn’t want to scare her off, but yeah, I think she’s one.”
“You better work fast, my friend. Kayla said she’s just broken up with some asshole, and she’s scared you’re catching her on the rebound. You better make sure she’s solid before you get too involved. She even made me promise that if the two of you implode, that it won’t wreck our relationship.”
“You didn’t tell Kayla about the will did you?” I didn’t need the two girls talking about things before I had a chance to explain.
“Just that you had some money coming. I didn’t say anything about the clause. I wouldn’t. It’s not my place.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the house with the girls, and they spent a lot of time walking the property and taking photographs, while Rick and I got the tree out front taken care of. Bella would only let me do it after she’d taken pictures and she’d even tried to slip a few of me into the mix, but then she was annoyed that I didn’t smile.
At the concert, I felt like I was on a real date, especially when she stood close and held my hand. I hadn’t ever really had that with anyone I cared about and it felt kind of nice.
We went for a late dinner after and then came back to the house, Rick and Kayla opting to use the same room as before.
Bella had joined me in my room. “I got some good pictures today. I’ve got a whole new collection in mind.” She smiled brightly as she slipped off her clothes.
“I’m glad that my home could be an inspiration.”
“It’s the beautiful disaster, like the cancer photos of my mother. Something as beautiful as your house after the storm, I thought it would make a great story.”
“You’re so creative and talented. It’s very sexy.” I stripped off my pants, letting them fall from my hips to a puddle at my feet, and moved toward the bed. Bella climbed across it and crawled her way over to me on all fours, and without any ado, she took my cock into her mouth and sucked it nice and slow.
“Very creative,” I whispered. She giggled with a mouthful and then she pulled away.
“It was right there in my face; I had to give it a taste.” She sat up and shrugged, but I gripped my cock and held it out as an offering.
“Don’t stop on my account.” She leaned over and continued, but then I picked her up and had her lay back against the bed with her legs spread wide, ready to rest on my shoulders.
I pumped my cock a few times and centered it at her opening, still slick from her spit. “Do you have a condom?” She gave me an apologetic look, and even though I had a box of them inside my nightstand drawer, I shook my head.
“No, I’m fresh out. I’ll be careful.”
“It’s okay. Just pull out this time.” She gave me a wicked smile. “I want you to come on my tits.”
I knew I was going to have to deceive her and for that, I felt like a piece of shit, but it wasn’t like I was going to keep it from her forever. I justified my actions by the fact that I was falling hard for her. “Okay. Are you ready for it?” I wagged my cock at her, and she nodded. I pressed it into her and slowly inched my way in until my balls were pressed hard against her ass. She’d not been able to take me as deep the first time, but now it was as if her pussy was made specifically to fit me. I slowly rocked in and out wondering how I she was going feel when I came inside her any
way.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN - BELLA
I’d talked to Kayla about the sex with Reed and how he’d come in me twice already. She thought I might be okay, but warned me about risking it again. I wasn’t going to let it get in the way of our fun, but as long as agreed to pull out, I felt okay about it. If we really did decide to do this long-distance thing, I’d get my pills filled when I got home and then whenever Reed and I got together, I’d be all set.
His cock felt amazing inside me, as if the two of us had been made to fit together. And his size made him perfect for stroking my G-spot. Every thrust with my hips tilted at the perfect angle had him hitting it, and I came twice before he lifted me up and brought me to the shower.
“Face the wall.” He used his demanding tone, and it sent chills down my spine that shot straight to my little slit, causing my walls to tighten in anticipation.
I faced the wall like a good girl and tilted my ass up as I spread my legs. “Like this?” I gave him a look over my shoulder, and he slapped my ass and then gripped my cheeks in his hands to part them.
“Perfect. You’re fucking perfect, Bella.”
“Be careful, Reed.”
“I know, I will be.” He kissed my shoulder and then his cock slipped between my legs from behind, rubbing against my folds and nudging against my entrance. “Do you want it hard or nice and slow?” His voice sent chills down my back and across my ass where he spanked me again. “Tell me.”
“Hard and fast.” I knew that when he fucked me that way, I’d come multiple times and lose myself in the moment. Not that slow wasn’t good too, but right now my slit was aching for him to pound it.
“That’s my girl. I’m going fuck you hard and fast just how you want it, and I’ll put my load all over your ass.” He didn’t wait for me to respond before driving his cock into my depths in one hard thrust. I cried out, and he gripped my hands holding my arms high up over my head by the wrists.
The warm water rushed down my back, pooling around our feet and splashing between us as he thrust hard and fast as promised. The slapping of flesh against flesh filled my ears, and it was so loud I wondered if anyone else in the house could hear it.
Suddenly he stiffened and then he pulled back a bit, “I’ve got to be careful.” Then he worked back deep and continued slowly. He picked up the pace a bit and then I came, my orgasm so heavy that I splashed out around his cock, soaking his balls more than I’d expected.
“You’re so wet, baby. I’m going come soon.” He thrust hard and fast and suddenly pulled out and slid his cock into my ass crack and under the stream of the shower. I could barely feel him spill, but he rubbed his hand against the mess and washed it away.
“God, you make me come so hard,” he whispered from behind me, then he kissed my neck, and we made out until the water ran cold.
He carried me to the bed and tucked me in nice and tight, and I hated that a whole week had already passed. I knew all too soon I’d have to return to Phoenix, to work, and to the possibility of Gavin making life harder. It made me cherish my time with him even more.
I fell fast asleep, safe in his arms and certain that I was doing the right thing by giving him a chance. My talk with Kayla had convinced me of that. We don’t always get to choose the timing in life, but if we pass things up because they don’t fall into our timeline, then we could miss out on too much.
Kayla and Rick were out on the patio when Reed and I joined them downstairs later. I could tell that they were arguing through the glass and Rick, who caught a glimpse of us standing in the adjoining room, grabbed her arm and motioned for her to keep it down. The two were fighting again, and I felt horrible for Kayla who had said only the day before that they had been getting along perfectly.
Reed pulled me away from the door and put his arm around me to lead me into the kitchen when the door opened behind us, and Kayla stormed into the room. She kept her head down as she hurried upstairs and I took off after her.
“Wait, Bella. Give her some time.” Rick practically pled with me to leave her alone, but she was my best friend, and he could go to hell.
I found her pacing in the hall with big tears in her eyes. “Kayla, talk to me.”
“I should have listened to that first woman, the one at the club. She was right all along.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I saw his phone this morning. There was a call from another girl. I asked him about it, and he tried to tell me it was nothing.” She raked her hand through her long hair, and I stepped up and put my arm around her.
“It’s okay. Are you sure he’s messing around with her? You have to give him the benefit of the doubt. She could be someone trying to start trouble, or she could be someone who just wants him back.”
“He said he hardly knew her, but she had his number. Her picture was on his phone too, and I know she’s called before. I looked at the log.”
“I’m so sorry, Kayla. What do you want to do?”
“I’m going home. I want to leave as soon as possible.”
I thought about Reed, and my heart broke. I didn’t want to leave him, and I surely didn’t want to cut my vacation short and go back to where Gavin was. But I had to go with her. She was not a good flyer, and she needed me to see her home.
“Okay, I’ll tell Reed and gather my things. Get your bags together. But make sure you’re sure you want to leave, Kayla. This is a big decision. Make sure it’s what you really want before you go.”
“I need to go home. I’m not going to sit around and let him talk to other women right under my nose.”
Rick and Reed came up the stairs, and Reed walked over and put his arm around me as Rick tried to talk to Kayla. She, in turn, locked herself in the bathroom. Rick glanced back at Reed who nodded like something had been communicated between them.
Then Rick turned around and popped the lock on the door and pushed it open. I started forward to protest him going in on her, but Reed tugged my hand. “Stay out of it, trust me.”
“She needs her space!” I felt his arm tighten around me.
“She needs to listen to him. He’s not seeing anyone else. I’d know. He’s head over heels for her. Besides, if she leaves, what are you going to do?”
“I’m going where she goes. I’m not letting her go home all alone. She was with me when I ended things with Gavin, I owe it to her to be there.”
“So, you’re just going to leave and go back home? What about us? I have a company to look after. You could take her home and come back. Maybe you could stay here with me from now on.”
“I have a job back home, and friends. I wasn’t planning on relocating my entire life.”
“Bella. Tell me you’ll stay.” He wasn’t asking. He was demanding that I give him his way, and now that I think about it, it was how he’d managed to get me to do everything he’d wanted. Staying with him, sleeping with him, and now he was doing it again.
“No, Reed. If she leaves, I’m going with her. I’m sorry.”
He turned and stormed away, and Kayla came out and left Rick standing in the doorway.
“I swear it, Kayla. I love you!” She stopped, her back him as she faced me and her eyes sparkled with tears.
“I want to believe that, Rick. If it’s true, you’ll let me go. You’ll realize I need some space to figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. I love you, and we have another whole week together. Don’t go!”
I turned to see Reed in the doorway, his eyes pleading with mine. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN - REED
Rick was my best friend, and I knew him better than I’d known anyone in my life, so I took some time to talk to Kayla to try and convince her to give him another chance.
“I’m not leaving him for good, Reed. Things have been amazing, but I want to be his only. I need him to give me a little time is all. And I understand that you don’t want Bella to leave. I’ve tried to convince her to stay, but she’s dead
set on going with me. For that I’m sorry, but I’m not staying.”
She’d been adamant about their departure, and I was reluctant to ride to the airport with them because I didn’t want to be around for any emotional goodbyes.
I kept a dark expression the entire time, but Bella took my hand for a final goodbye. “I’ll call you the minute I land, and since I’m going back to work, I’ll still have an extra week off. We’ll make plans, I promise.” I leaned in and kissed her, and Kayla turned around and gave me a sad expression.
“I’m sorry, guys. I hope you don’t hate me, Reed. I know that this was a bit sudden.” I didn’t hate Kayla, but I wished that she’d been able to trust Rick for who he was and not what she was afraid of him being.
“It’s okay, I’ll add it to the list of things you owe me for.” I gave her a wink, and she turned around and faced the front as Rick gave me a dirty look in the rearview mirror.
He’d asked that I not torment her, but I think I’d earned a bit of teasing for the damage she’d done to my car.
We got to the airport in plenty of time for them to board, and we made our goodbyes quick and painless. Bella and I promised that we’d get together for a weekend the following month and as soon as she stepped on the plane I had my secretary book a few weekend flights for her.
Rick and I finally had a bit of time alone for the first time in a week without the girl’s around to talk for an extended time. “You got lucky meeting Bella. I’m glad Kayla brought her along.” He headed toward the freeway, and I eased back in my seat and glanced out the window.
“Yeah, it was the one thing Kayla did right. You think the two of you are going to be okay?”
He let out a whistle. “I hope so. I erased all my contacts and blocked the ones that I thought might try to contact me on a whim. I showed Kayla. Hell, she helped me, but I couldn’t convince her to stay. She said it was all too serious for her. Too much too soon.”
“I wonder if that’s why Bella went along with her. Even though she didn’t want to say, I think she needed some space. She’d just left that asshole to come here, and then here we go. I know it was a lot and that’s why I didn’t protest too much.”
