I Found You

by Erica Marselas

  “Well, we could always sneak out to the pool house or your old room,” I suggest, needing him as much as he does me.

  “Oh, I think it can be arranged, baby. You know, anything for you.” He grabs my hand and rushes us off the dance floor. On the way out of the tent, we pass Brody. “Cover for us, I need to be alone with my wife.”

  “I always do. Go.” Brody dismissively waves us off.

  We rush out of the tent and across the lawn to the pool house. Once inside, our clothes go flying off in every direction, and Cooper bends me over the couch, plunging deep into me. All the tension rolls off my body with each of his powerful thrusts.

  It’s not long before I’m screaming his name so loud, I’m sure they hear me in the tent over the drunken rendition of “Y.M.C.A.”

  But I don’t care, what better way to say ‘fuck you’ to Evelyn and that bitchy Ainsley girl.

  Cooper pulls out of me, while I’m still a shaky mess, my hand moving to my clit, needing to extend my orgasm.

  “I want you to ride me,” he growls, twisting me around and lifting me up in his arm. He falls to sit on the couch, and I straddle his lap, sliding down his waiting shaft. I bounce on his dick, each bounce filling me to the hilt. His mouth locks around one nipple, suckling it ‘till it’s long and hard before moving to the next one. The musky smell of our lovemaking fills my nose. I inhale deeply.

  God, our arousals smell good mixed together.

  With my nails digging into his shoulders, I bounce faster, feeling every ripple of his cock as it bangs inside of me, my pussy begging for the ache it will feel when we're done.

  “Damn, baby…” Cooper hisses through his teeth, his hands gripping my ass so hard, I’m sure he’s going to leave bruised fingerprints in their wake. “You feel so fucking good. I love you so much, Ace,” he says through strangled breaths.

  “I love you too,” I pant.

  Cooper's large hand moves behind my head, pulling me forward. Our tongues dance to the music from outside. My whole body tightens, my orgasm hanging on a thread.

  “Ah, fuck…” Cooper groans, his mouth releasing from mine. He grabs a hold of my hips and pulls me down hard on his cock. He does it once more and we both explode together.

  *~*~*~*

  After we catch our breath, we lie down on the couch, and I cuddle myself on top of him. This brings back so many memories of when we used to sneak in here to fool around.

  Cooper’s arm lazily moves up and down my body, his fingers occasionally rubbing over my tattoo of his name. The party is still going on, and I'm sure everyone is unaware the honorary guests are missing.

  “Can I ask you something?” His voice comes out in a hoarse whisper. I’m instantly worried about what's on his mind.

  “Of course.” My head pops up to look him in the eye.

  He scrubs his hand down his face, and I can see the internal conflict in his eyes. “Do you wish that we were still each other’s one and only?”

  Okay. Not what I was expecting him to ask.

  “What do you mean?” My eyebrows knit together, not sure what he’s really trying to ask me. But I have a sick feeling swirling in my belly it has to with the trashy one night stand outside.

  “The four years we were separated, do you have any regrets about sleeping with other people? I mean if I could, I would take it all back. Especially Ainsley.” He cringes.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose, annoyed, thinking he couldn’t have been this disgusted when he was balls deep inside of her. The thought alone makes me want to heave. I want to say, ‘I wish you didn't sleep with that bitch either,’ but I refrain. There’s nothing I can do about it now. It's in the past. We did what we did to keep moving forward with life.

  “We had no idea we would see each other again, Cooper. I can’t blame you for trying to move on, especially since you thought I did. I just wish you had more faith in me. But I get why now.” I sigh and lay my head back down in the crook of his neck. I don't want to talk or think about this.

  “I’m sorry,” he says, the soft tone of his voice laced in pain. My head pops up again and I press a kiss on his lips, conveying to him it's alright.

  “It’s okay. It’s in the past.” We both grow silent as we stare into each other’s eyes.

  I see the wheels turning in his head, the next words he blurts out take me by surprise. “How many have there been since me?”

  Why is he trying to kick himself down, and kick me down by asking such a stupid question? I'm pissed and move off his body.

  “Are you going to tell me how many you’ve been with? I mean you are a big star now, I can imagine it’s more than both hands can count,” I snap, and bend down to find my underwear.

  “Vi…” He stands up, reaching for me, but I take a step back.

  No, since he wants to be stupid, let’s get this over with now. Let's shatter each other’s hearts because it's the only way to go forward now without it continually circling around us like a vulture.

  I had waited over two years before I tried again. I had gone on a blind date and couldn’t enjoy my time because he was all I thought of. I eventually found someone to try and have something with, but it could never be more because it hadn’t been him.

  “You really want to know?” I pull my dress over my head and straighten it out.

  “Yeah,” he says softly.

  You’re an idiot, Reid. Well, fine here you go.

  “Three…happy now?”

  “No,” he mutters and drops his head.

  Yeah, that’s what I thought.

  “And what about you hot shot? What's your number because we know it's bigger than mine. Thirty? Forty? One-hundred?” I roar out the last number so loud it causes my throat to ache and my abs to hurt.

  Is he like the guy from KISS who slept with all those women?

  Gross!

  “Violet…” he reaches for my hand and I pull it back.

  I'm not ready for him to touch me. He should've known this is what this question was going to do to us.

  “Is it more than that? Who are you, Gene Simmons?” I hiss.

  “No, Vi…” His voice cracks and my eyes close, needing to calm myself.

  The question is now deep rooted in my brain. He needs to answer me so we can put it to rest. But I’m fearful of the number that might roll off his tongue.

  “Then how many?” My voice softens, but I refuse to look at him. “You had to know, then so do I, right?”

  “Ten,” he mumbles.

  The number hits me like a slap in the face but it’s not even close to the number I was imagining. Though, the bitch’s nasally voice echoes in my ear about a girl in every state. So, did he fuck these girls every time he saw them? Does it matter?

  “Including, the crazy chick out there?” My finger points towards the tents.

  “Yes.”

  “And are we going to run into any of these women on tour hoping to suck your dick again?”

  Better prepare myself for the extra crazy ones I'm sure are going to go after my blood and my man’s dick.

  “They were all one-night stands. They meant nothing to me, and you won't run into them. I promise. Well, besides Ainsley.”

  “It wouldn’t matter if you had relationships with all of them, but it was better to stay naive.” My body sags, exhaustion washing over me. “I want to go back to the party or go home.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I brought it up. It’s just sometimes I wish I went after you, kept you as only mine. The jealousy gets to me sometimes because it should've always been me loving you and not someone else.” He approaches me cautiously wearing his signature pout. His arms open wide around me and I allow him to engulf me.

  There’s no doubt I feel the same way too.

  But it’s done and over with. Can’t fix it now.

  “I get it, Coop, I do. The thought of other girls with you destroys me. Especially, when I meet them. But right now, I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Like I said, it’s in
the past and I want to leave it there.”

  “I should've come after you,” he murmurs into my hair.

  “You can't beat yourself up over it. Sometimes everything happens for a reason.”

  There’s a loud synchronized knock on the door, and we know right away it's Brody. It was his code for letting us know his mom and dad were close by.

  I give Cooper a quick kiss on the lips and step out of his arms. “I like what we have now and it's all that matters. Come dance with me again after you get dressed. I'm going to go see what Brody wants.”

  I walk away from him to the door, still trying to wrap my mind around what just transpired. I'm surprised he didn't ask how many guys shared my air.

  The jealous ape of a man, but I wouldn't have him any other way.

  I open the door, to greet Brody’s sly smirk. I step out of the pool house, and close the door behind me. Nobody gets to see Cooper’s bare ass but me from now on.

  “Thank you for the lookout, Brody.”

  “It’s what big brothers are for. Mom was looking for you both. She wants you to cut the cake.”

  “Really? I didn’t know we got a cake.”

  The cake might make this all worth it. Though, what are the chances Evelyn poisoned my piece?

  “She wants you to have your dream wedding. She can’t believe her little boy would elope; he needs to have his big wedding. I mean he is The Cooper Reid.” He impersonates his mother with a high-pitched voice and fluttery eyes.

  “Doesn’t she know we would have eloped four years ago if we were still together?” I pinch my nose, “Gotta love how supportive she is of him now.”

  “I know. I don’t get it. Anyways, wait ‘till she finds out she’s not going to the Grammys and he’s taking you.”

  “The Grammys?”

  “Yeah. It’s a lot of fun. It’s in two weeks.”

  How come I know nothing about it? And what the heck do you wear to that type of event?

  “I know nothing about it…” I trail off when I hear Cooper coming up behind us.

  “That’s because I haven’t had a chance to ask you.” He slings his arm around my waist and looks down at me with all seriousness in his eyes. “So, Ace will you be my date to the Grammys?”

  I tap my finger with my chin. “Hmm, well, I can’t have you go with your mommy. She’s embarrassing enough as is. So, sure, why not?”

  “That was one year. One. Louie thought it would be good for my image since I never brought a date to one of those things. They thought if I brought mom it would bring out this soft side of me. I guess girls dig that type of thing.”

  “Sure, with other mothers,” I grumble and both brothers laugh.

  “Brody agreed with him.”

  “Oh, I know, but I agreed because I knew it would be torture for you.” Brody slaps him on the back. “Now let’s get you two back before she sends out a search party.”

  The three of us walk back to the lavish affair, and we’re not even a foot inside the tent when Evelyn demands that we cut the cake. Now. Cooper and I are led to the center of the room where a three-tier wedding cake is presented to us. It’s covered in white icing, with purple and pink flowers draped down the tiers. A plastic bride and groom stand on top holding hands, with painted on happy smiles. I’m surprised Evelyn didn’t get the one of the bride dragging the groom to the altar by his collar. I mean, it’s what she thinks I did.

  Cooper is handed the knife and my hand lays over his and we pose for pictures. Sinking the knife into the bottom layer together, we each cut a slice and place them on a plate. I’m expecting to see something vile flavored, like lemon or a rum cake, but it’s chocolate.

  Thank god.

  Someone calls out from the crowd to feed each other and I glance down at the plate with an idea. An idea sure to ruin my hair, makeup, and dress.

  But you only live once.

  I pick up my slice of cake holding it out for him to take a bite. He opens his mouth and I smash the whole slice into his face. Icing and crumbs hang from his chiseled chin and nose. I break out laughing so hard I snort. The cameras click away at the pop star covered in cake.

  He swipes his finger across his face, looking like he’s about to eat it when he runs it across my cheeks. Seconds later his slice is smashed into my face.

  “How dare you?” I tease in mock outrage.

  “Me? You started it.” There’s a twinkle in his eye, telling me he’s up to no good, much like myself. I lick my lips seductively, tasting the vanilla icing, and to keep him focused on my mouth while my hand reaches for more the cake. I manage to pull off a piece and smoosh it into the side of his face.

  “You little…” he growls and does the same thing.

  Soon, both of us are covered in cake, spreading it around each other’s faces. Some guests are laughing with us, watching our display, while others gasp in disgust.

  Well, you can’t please everyone.

  “Did you two really have to do that?” Evelyn scoffs. She glares at me, and I bite down on my cheek to keep myself from falling over in hysterics.

  It’s just a little food fight, mom, I muse inwardly.

  “Here clean up.” She waves a couple of rags at us.

  “I have a better way to do that.” Cooper winks at me, grabs my face, and runs his tongue over my cheek to lick up the icing. “Mmm. I think it tastes better coming off you.” He gives my right cheek a slow lick before his tongue is entwined with mine.

  “Cooper!” Evelyn barks sternly, “that’s enough.” We don’t stop though and I’m vaguely aware of Andrew’s voice telling her to leave us alone.

  “Evelyn, let them be,” Grandpa Bud agrees. “They’re newlyweds. This is what they’re supposed to do.”

  We should be naked doing this.

  Cooper finally pulls away from me, with one final lick to my chin. “Delicious. Best cake I’ve ever had.”

  I’m glad no one can see how red I am under this icing.

  After we clean as much icing as we can out of our hair and clothes, Cooper and I return to the dance floor.

  “I want to take you somewhere for a couple of days. A mini honeymoon,” he says, his forehead pressed to mine. “Then maybe later, we can really go on one, anywhere you want.”

  “I’ll be happy with whatever you give me, Coop. Plus, I get to go around the world with you on tour. I’m with you, which is all I care about.”

  “What do you say we blow this joint?”

  “I’d say, I would like that very much.” My feet are achy and I still have some icing in my hair I need to wash out.

  “Cooper, honey,” Evelyn’s voice interrupts our conversation. She’s another reason I want to get the hell out of here.

  “Yes, mother?” he smiles through clenched teeth.

  “I was hoping you and Violet would join us for brunch tomorrow morning.”

  Why, so you can insult me more? No thanks.

  “We can’t. Vi and I will be going on a little honeymoon.” Coop kisses my forehead and I sigh in relief.

  Thank God.

  “Oh? Where are you going?”

  “It’s a surprise for Vi, mom.”

  “Yes, of course. How sweet.” She gives us a fake, toothy smile, but inside I know she’s boiling, like a tea kettle ready to blow.

  I bury my head in my husband’s chest, wanting to avoid her gaze now.

  “Are you sure you two won’t consider redoing your vows?” she asks for the millionth time tonight. “I know everyone would be so happy to see you exchange them.”

  “And I’ve already told you, mom, Violet and I are more than happy with how we got married and the vows we made,” he says sternly, and his body tenses up.

  “Very, well.” She brushes it off, but I know she’s mad that her baby boy didn’t have a huge wedding that included her. Hell, who am I kidding? It’s because he married me, and has nothing to do with eloping or with an Elvis impersonator officiating our wedding.

  “I think we are going to head out, than
k you again for the party.”

  “Oh, it was a pleasure, sweetheart.” Evelyn pushes me aside to hug her son. Thankfully Andrew and Grandpa Bud come over and give me a hug goodbye, telling me they enjoyed seeing me again.

  At least someone likes me.

  SEVEN

  August 5th, 2000

  Cooper

  V iolet and I are in San Diego visiting her father for the weekend. This is the third time I’ve met him since Vi and I started dating and he seems to like me.

  I mean, the man is allowing me to borrow his boat to take his daughter out, alone. He trusts me not to wreck the boat or lose his daughter in the middle of the bay. Okay, so when I called him I had to work him over a bit; give a blood sample, sacrifice my left kidney, listen to a long lecture on responsibility, and had to fax over a copy of my boat license.

  All but two of those is true, but it felt like I gave a piece of me away for the keys.

  My dad, on the other hand, told me there was no way in hell I was taking his boat out by myself, and to keep dreaming. Though my dad’s boat is a huge yacht, worth triple to Ron’s, but the point is Ron trusts me and my dad doesn’t.

  But dad has an onboard cabin, so I will keep dreaming.

  “Now, not only am I trusting you today with my daughter, but also my other pride in joy,” Ron says, dangling the keys to his jet around his finger. Taunting me.

  “Gee, glad to know I’m above a boat, dad.” Violet rolls her eyes.

  “Only some days…” Ron chuckles, and I bite my tongue trying not to laugh as well.

  “Humph.” Miss smarty pants crosses her arms and stomps her foot. I can’t hold it in and snort my laughter out. She turns her head, glaring at me, playfully. “Don’t encourage him.”

  “As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,” he squints at Violet, “you take good care of it. I don’t want to see a scratch on her.”

  “Yeah, no scratching me, Coop.” Violet nudges me.

  It’ll be you who is scratching me, baby.