by Xavier Neal
“Now let's get goin'! J Money is spinning tonight too.” The excitement in her voice for him leads me back to the other question I wanna ask.
One who are you sleeping with question is probably enough huh?
Once my black heels are on my feet, Hayli opens her front door for me to walk through, a wide grin on her face. As soon as we're both on the other side she says, “You know Jo', I'm really glad that we're getting some girl time tonight.”
“Me too.” I loop my arm through hers. “I know things have been really busy for me with classes-”
“And Romeo.”
“And Romeo.” A giggle bounces between us. “But I'll always have time for you. You know that right?”
Tensing like she does whenever things get too emotional she says, “Duh. Just promise me you won't try to replace me at your snooty new art school.”
“Promise.”
“Good, because I hate the idea of your father having to arrest me for attempted murder.”
“Of me or my new friend?”
“Yes.” Hayli nods as she opens the taxi door for us.
All best friends are this crazy. They have to be.
At Olympus Hayli and I grab drinks before finding a table to linger at. For the first hour we took the dance floor on by storm, moving around non-stop. We grinded against each other, but when she some guy wanted to dance with her I would let her go and sway alone close by. Occasionally guys would join me to dance, but I did my best to keep my distance.
Nothing wrong with dancing. It's not like it's cheating.
Mid laugh a voice I recognize says in my ear, “Dance with me?”
Glancing over my shoulder at Tyler, I shake my head. “I'm good Tyler. Thanks anyway.”
“Just one dance Jovi,” he persists, arm stretched around the back of my chair. “That's all I'm asking for.”
I look over at a tipsy Hayli who has taken interest in one of Tyler's companions.
They're a different pair than the ones from the mall.
“They're gonna dance. You don't wanna sit alone, do you?”
My face frowns.
I don't.
When Hayli lets the one that looks like Ryan Gosling lead her to the lower level for dancing I put my drink down with a heavy sigh. “Fine. But just a dance. This doesn't mean I like you.”
“I know,” his smile looks soft and genuine.
Feels like a trap. The high amount of alcohol coursing my system is convincing me otherwise. Why are you looking at me like that? It's not that big of a deal. I don't like Tyler but at least I know what kind of scum he is versus some random dude dancing with me.
On the dance floor under the lights, Tyler presses a hand on my hip as we move to the music together. It's not firm, but enough to deliver the point he's the one dancing with me. Moving my body around to the music I let myself get closer to him as he leans over my shoulder. The feeling of his stubble on my neck causes me to try to draw my body back away from him, but he grips tighter.
Oh. Oh this was a bad idea.
I pull myself away from him, turn, and shake my head. “Dance over, Tyler.”
“Come on Jo'. I was just dancing.”
“And now you're done,” Merrick says over my shoulder. Prepared to ask him where he came from and explain it's not what it looks like, I'm stopped by him turning his cap around peering down at me. “How about you dance with me?”
Playing it cool, I nod. “I'd like that.”
“Seriously?” Tyler looks offended. “You'd rather dance with that?”
In a sassy tone, I snap, “Every day of the week.”
“Like to do things just to piss off Daddy don't you, Jo'?”
“According to you, I'm already banging guys like this, might as well make the gossip true.”
He rolls his eyes and stalks off towards the bar.
Sure he'll drink back his rejection in a beer.
Merrick takes me by my hand and pulls me into his body, leading us in a backwards rhythmic walk towards a slightly more secluded corner. Once we're there he turns me around, plants his hands on my hips, and growls in my ear, “Explain what the fuck I just watched.”
He saw that? All of that? Ugh.
Answering back I reply, “Dancing.”
“And you know how I feel Jovi.”
“You weren't sharing!”
“His hands,” the growl is more intense than before. “Were here.” Merrick's fingers softly stroke my skin right underneath the edge my black halter top. “This is my skin.” When I whimper his hands travel to give my ass a squeeze. “This is my ass to grip.” I softly moan at the same time his lips stroke the area Tyler just tried to. “Your body is like Bugatti Veyron baby. Rare. Exquisite. And so few made to this level of perfection. Some men die, their whole lives never experiencing anything close to it.” On his last note his hips rock harder against me, his hard on needing my attention.
God I wanna give it my attention.
My head falls back as Merrick sucks harder on my neck. “You. Me. My bed. Now.”
After whimpering I nod eagerly. With the smile that I couldn't resist the first time we met, he whisks me away barely giving me a moment to let Hayli know I'm bailing. She lets me know she's cool considering the fact Vinnie, Krissy, Shelby, and Ben are all close by if she needs anything.
When did they all get here? I mean....I think Merrick mentioned something about races but I don't remember him saying they were going clubbing afterwards. Not that I'm mad. He did just save me from the annoyance that is Tyler and now we get to engage in the sex I've been feigning for since last weekend. All in all, let's call this night, a win for everyone.
Merrick
Best way to remind your girl that she belongs to you? Fuck her til she can barely move. Hell, fuck her til you can barely move. That will prove to her you are the only person who should ever be on her mind. Ladies, if your man ain't doin' this for you, remind him he should.
On my way back from the bathroom, I replay the planned events for the night in my head. Romantic dinner at the place where I painted Cafe at Terrace. Then a slow drive in the Audi to where I first showed her my tagging on the top of the building. That's where I'll propose.
Beautiful game plan right?
Quietly closing the door behind me, I notice the sun light pushing through the black curtains. With a smile I follow the light that's slightly caressing her legs. Instead of being jealous this time, I push the curtain back, letting more light highlight her glorious body. For just a moment I let myself become deluged in her presence. The innocence of her face as she rests. Her hair feathered out across my white pillow, the darkness a gorgeous play on colors. The way the white sheet is tangled around her like Madonna waiting for her artist to get to work. Suddenly it feels like she's completely invaded my system. My soul.
Shit. Right now. I need to do this right now.
I move away to my bedside dresser where I open the top drawer and pull out the ring. On a deep breath I open the box and stare at the golden diamond rose that contains a lifetime of miracles in one little gem.
Jovi sweetly hums and rolls over onto her side, sleepily lifting herself to stare down at me. With a warm smile she says, “Morning Merrick.”
Loving the way she coos my name, I push the hair out of her face. “Morning baby.”
“Mmm, what are you doin' down there?” She stretches her body out, the erotic pose tempting my mind to change directions. “Come back to bed.”
Quietly I reply, “In a minute. I uh...I need to ask you something first.”
She lets out a long yawn and forces herself to sit up a bit more. As soon as her beautiful brown eyes are wide open she quickly asks, “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” I clear my throat. “It is as long as you're around.” When she smiles at me again I start. “Jovi Reese Carter, you are the most extraordinary person I have ever met in my entire life. When I'm with you, it's crazy. Nothing else seems to matter, but us. You make me wanna be a better man. A better person. You m
ake it alright to just be who I am and in my whole life you're the only person that's ever done that. I never wanna be without you. Van Gogh said, 'I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others.' And it's true. Loving you Jovi is the most beautiful art I could ever attempt. And if you let me, for the rest of my life, loving you will be my most amazing creation every day.” Placing the ring box on the bed, I ask, “Will you marry me?”
She sharply gasps and covers her mouth. Her eyes are swimming with so many emotions I'm not sure what she'll say.
I'm praying it's yes.
Breathlessly she answers, “Yes.” With a rapid nod she repeats, “Yes. Yes!”
That was close. No...I wasn't really worried...I wasn't!
Pulling the ring out of the box I slide it onto her left hand as she swoons, “It's a rose.”
“It is.”
On a small giggle she says, “A rose by any other name is just as sweet.”
“Isn't that-”
“Romeo and Juliet.” Jovi wiggles her fingers around staring at it. “Is that why you picked it? Because Hayli calls you Romeo?”
“Actually.” I slide on the bed beside her. “I searched and searched for the perfect ring. I wanted something with heart and character. And this ring...had a love story that withstood the test of time. A story of love and loyalty. A blessed ring. The man died clutching this...I like to think he thought he was clutching her hand. If I have to die holding anyone's hand Jovi, I need it to be yours.”
Excited she pounces my lips aggressively, knocking me back to my pillows as she climbs on top of me. Our tongues roll around, anxiously trying to prove to the other just how much we are willing to give.
Unexpectedly she pulls away from me, flushed cheeks making me desperate to pull her back down to me. “Is this crazy?”
On a sigh I ask, “You pumping the breaks before I get balls deep inside of you? Yeah.”
She chuckles a little and hits my chest. “No...this whole getting married thing. I mean we just met.”
“No.” I reach for her hand and plant a kiss on the back of it. “We met lifetimes ago. We just found each other again.” She whimpers at my words and I place another kiss on the inside of her wrist. “I love you, Jovi. And whether you marry me today, tomorrow or 50 years from now I don't care. As long you marry me. As long as I can spend the rest of my life with you.”
Aroused again she drops her tongue back into my mouth, kissing me wildly. On a groan I wrap my arms around her and roll us over. Instantly my hands gently run themselves all over her body, adoring every curve, every turn, every angle I can before having my tongue follow their path. In exchange for a job well done, Jovi wiggles out of my grasp, pushes me back over, and wraps her hot mouth around my dick, tip touching the back of her throat.
Fuck. When'd she learn to do that?
My body tenses, struggling not to explode on her tongue that's praising my cock with sucks and swirls that make keeping my eyes open not an option. Getting a good idea how close I am as pre come drips onto her tongue, that's inexorable on it's mission to make me come, I yank her off by her hair on a stifled roar.
“But-”
“No,” I deny her flipping her body over again. Tossing her legs over my shoulder, I immerse myself inside her soaking wet pussy. Her muscles welcome me with strong pulls, inviting me to stay however long I can hold on.
Goddamn with this kind of greeting it won't be long.
Vehemently her nails squeeze my biceps. “Yes...God yes...More.”
Not sure I can hold it back if I give her more, but not one to deny a woman in need, I thrust harder. With plunges so harsh my nuts are slapping her ass, the combination of sensations tears out an orgasm from both of us at the same time.
Struggling to gain air back in my lungs I rest my forehead against hers.
I've never felt anything that fucking amazing before. Ever.
I pull out slowly and roll over onto my back, pleased when Jovi relocates her head on my chest without help. With her arm stretched out across my stomach she wiggles her hand around again, admiring the latest addition.
In a faint voice she asks, “What about our families?”
“My family likes you.”
“Madden?”
“He'll get over it.”
“I wanna believe that...and you know, they may like me now, but they're not gonna like you being married to the daughter of the most hated officer in the city.”
Good point.
“I don't care,” I sigh. “I don't. What's between us, is between us. They'll cope.” After a brief pause I prod, “What about your father? He's...he's not willingly going to let you marry me.”
“Well he doesn't have a fucking choice,” she grumps, my hand still stroking her skin. “I have lived under his tyranny most of my life. I get to make choices and be happy too.” Suddenly she shoots up and turns to me. “What if we just get married where no one can stop us?”
“Like Vegas?”
“Like the courthouse,” she suggests. “Let's just go to the courthouse, get married, and then once we've already signed the papers and everything's legal, we figure out how to make our families get along later.”
“That's crazy...” My eyes search hers suddenly getting as excited as she is. “And a genius idea.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Sitting up I stroke her cheek. “When you get back from your college trip with Nadie. That Monday, we'll go to the courthouse and do it.”
She whines and I can't help but smile again. “Do we have to wait that long?”
“Yes. Because we may not be doing a big ceremony or party, but I at least wanna get a small honeymoon right.”
On a small snicker she wraps her arms around my neck. “You have a one track mind, you know that?”
“Yup.” I wet my lips. “It's Jovi McCoy...”
“Jovi McCoy,” she repeats her lips closer to mine. “I love that.”
Fuck me, I love it too. I didn't lie when I said I wanted to get the honeymoon right cause fuck the tux and all that crap. But I didn't completely tell her the truth. I needed a little more time for something else I'm working on. Something just as important as making her my wife.
Jovi
Late Friday afternoon, I'm walking around the university campus trying to hold back my excitement during the tour.
It's so cool!
“And over there.” Trey, the tour guide points. “Often professor Phillips likes to teach her students on that grassy knoll and paint their feelings.” He quickly adds, “Total hippie.”
I giggle and fold my hands together behind my back. “Not a bad thing.”
“Except she doesn't wear deodorant, so those days outside, whooooo,” he gags before chuckling.
Our walk continues around the path of the school that's quiet since most classes are in session. The university campus is remarkable. Large red bricked structures. Shaded paths with gorgeous green trees. Hang out areas for studying by fountains and ponds filled with ducks.
Trey leads me around introducing different buildings, his enthusiasm infectious. Rounding the corner closer towards the admissions office, he slows our walk down. “So...what's your major?”
“Art history,” I reply. “What's yours?”
“Music. I wanna teach music to middle school students.”
“Wow. That's...ambitious.”
“That's me.” Trey chuckles. “Pretty much make up my mind and go after what I want whether it's food or school or....women.”
He's not...he's not hitting on me is he? What do you mean of course he is? I'm not Hayli. That doesn't happen very often. Then again, maybe that was because of my father. He's nobody here. Hell, I'm nobody here. Just...Jovi.
“Do you have plans tonight?” He asks moving in closer. “I'd love to take you to this local pizza joint that's known for putting fried pickles on their pepperoni pizza.”
On a chortle I shake my head. “That's crazy!”
“Me taking you for dinner or
the pizza thing?”
“The pizza thing-”
“So that's yes to dinner?”
“No,” I correct him swiftly. “That's a polite no thank you.”
“Taken?”
“Happily.” My answer is followed by the chain around my neck that's home to my ring.
Took a little convincing but eventually Nadie and Hayli bought into the idea that it's just a ring made to act as a pendent. That Merrick loved it so much he slid it on a chain as a good luck at college gift. Lame, but it's for the best. Once we're married I'll take the ear chewing that's going to come from them both. Just not yet. I don't think Hayli would try to stop me, but I can't say the same for Nadie.
