“What?” I mumbled around a mouthful of cheesecake.
“I think you’re a blubbering fool, Jayson, and you need to grow a pair of balls!”
“Mom!” Sara exclaimed, obviously embarrassed. Again. Mellie’s husband chuckled as he stuffed his mouth with his dessert, quiet as usual. I could probably learn a few lessons from that man.
Mellie waved her hand at Sara and continued, “Do you love Abby?”
“Yes. More than anything.” I nodded.
“Then you need to tell her, son. Girls like to know they’re not alone in their feelings. My guess is that she’s afraid. Your job—and you’re failing quite miserably if I do say so myself—is to make her feel secure in this relationship.” She sipped her coffee. “And the best way to do that is tell her you love her.” She nodded. “Now go on.” She shooed me with her hand and went back to enjoying her coffee with a smile on her face, obviously proud of herself.
I left the table, walking with a newfound determination, ready to fight for the woman I loved, and thankful for the little old woman who managed to set me straight every step of the way. I took the stairs two at a time until I reached the deck where our cabins were located. I barely saw the people as I passed through the hallway, finally stopping outside Abby’s door.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked and waited. When the door swung open, I did my best to remember what I was going to say as I was momentarily distracted by the thin tank top and short boxer shorts that Abby was wearing. She was obviously ready for bed and not expecting company.
“What do you want, Jay?” Her eyes were red, and I could see that she had been crying.
“Can I come in?” I asked, thankful when she stepped into her room farther so I could get in and shut the door. “Abby?”
“What do you want from me, Jay?” she asked with her back to me.
“Everything.”
She turned, frowning. “What do you mean? What does that even mean?” She swung her arms out in frustration.
I stepped forward, stopping mere inches from her and taking her face in my hands. “Everything, Abby. I want every one of your smiles, every one of your tears. I want to be there when you wake in the morning, and I want to be the last thing you see at night. I want to share in your successes and comfort you when you fail. I want it all, Abby.”
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know how much I have left to give, Jay.”
“Then I’ll take what’s left, Abby, and it will be enough as long as I have you. I lost you once, baby, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to let it happen again. I love you too damn much for that.” I didn’t give her time to object, leaning in and covering her mouth with mine, feeding on the sweetness, savoring the feel of her lips, absorbing the soft moans as my tongue explored, tasted.
Everything about Abby felt right—the way she melted into me, the way she leaned into my touch. This woman was made for me; there was no doubt in my mind. There had never been any doubt.
“Jay?” she moaned, pulling away.
“Don’t, Abby. God, please don’t ask me to stop,” I begged, keeping my eyes closed, afraid to open them and see her pulling away from me again.
“Jay, look at me.” I opened my eyes, gasping as Abby reached down and pulled her tank top over her head. “I love you too.”
“Holy fuck, Abby,” I groaned. “You’re so fucking beautiful.” I stepped forward, cupping her magnificently formed breasts in my hands, gently kneading and stroking them before leaning in and taking a nipple into my mouth, tasting and teasing until it was erect, before doing the same to the other one.
Abby’s head was back, lips slightly parted, eyes closed, and I felt myself grow unbelievably hard just from seeing that look on her face and knowing that I put it there. I slid my hands under the waistband of her shorts, slowly pushing them down, groaning when I realized that she wasn’t wearing anything else. She stepped out of the shorts as I ran my hands over her smooth legs and up her soft, curvy hips, pulling her to me, pressing my cheek against her stomach.
“Please, Jay,” she whimpered.
“What do you want, Abby?”
“You. God, help me, I just want you.”
“You have me, Abby, you always have.” I eased her back to the bed, settling her on the edge and parting her legs. Leaning in, I tasted her, trailing my tongue through her folds, licking and sucking her until she was moaning uncontrollably. This was something we had never done together. We had explored each other with such innocence back then, and although Abby was still very innocent, I was about to show her how good it could get. I wanted to make her soar.
“Oh my God, Jay! Don’t stop, please don’t stop.” Abby begged as she fisted the bedding, her legs shaking, signaling how close she was to crashing over the edge. I had no intention of stopping, moving my tongue over her slick opening and back up, making her moan more with each pass. I could feel her muscles contracting as I slipped a finger inside, curling it up. I suckled once more on her clit as she screamed my name in shuddering, clenching spasms.
Crawling up next to her, I wrapped her in my arms as she came down from her climax, still breathing hard and trembling. “My God, Abby, you are so beautiful.” I placed soft kisses on her shoulder and neck as her breathing slowed. I could do that forever if it meant I got to see her come apart like that.
“Don’t you think you’re wearing too many clothes, Jay?” she whispered. I looked down, realizing for the first time that I was still fully clothed, and began laughing.
Chapter 11
Abby
I watched as Jay stood, following each of his movements with my eyes as he stripped off his clothes. His eyes never left mine, and as naked and exposed as I was right then, nothing had ever felt more perfect. I had never felt so loved.
My eyes trailed over his body as the last bit of clothing was shed, marveling at the muscles of his chest, the tightness of his abdomen. His legs were long and lean, and his entire physique was nothing short of utter perfection. My memories had not done him justice. Looking down, I gasped. His muscles had not been the only things to grow, and I felt the sudden pull in my stomach, both from nerves and excitement.
“Abby?” He moved to the bed, leaning forward, urging me backward at the same time, and leaning over me. “Have you ... I mean, was there anyone...” He struggled to get the words out.
“Only you, Jay. It’s only ever been you.” I smiled at his obvious relief.
“Good.” He smiled before covering my mouth with his, pressing his tongue inside more urgently than before. I could taste myself on him and found it unbelievably erotic. I ran my hands over his back, loving the feel of his muscles beneath my hands, the way they contracted, the feel of his hot skin on mine. It was everything I remembered and more as we searched and explored each other until we couldn’t wait any longer.
“Please tell me you have a condom, Jay,” I begged, pulling back from him. He shuffled off the bed, searching in the pocket of his pants until he found his wallet.
“Please don’t be expired, please don’t be expired,” he chanted as he fumbled with the small foil square, flipping it over until he found what he was looking for. “Thank God!” he exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air in victory, and I couldn’t help but laugh as he scrambled back onto the bed, grinning.
I reached up, taking a hold of his hair and pulled him down, kissing him again, needing to feel his body against mine. He moved only slightly, giving himself enough room to roll the condom on before settling himself back down between my opened legs. His hardness pressed against my opening, making me want him even more. “Are you sure?” he asked, waiting until I nodded before pressing gently, yet firmly, at my opening until he slid in all the way.
“Oh fuck, Abby! So fucking tight,” he groaned, holding still, probably a bit for the both of us, but for very different reasons. After a few seconds, he began to move slowly, pulling out a little at a time before pushing back in until he felt me relax. He propped his elbows next to
my head, stroking my hair softly as we moved together, never taking is eyes off mine. I could feel the movements increase in intensity as I arched into him, tipping my hips to meet each thrust of his. I felt the familiar pull in my belly, and knew I was getting close again.
Jay closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, I saw all of the love he had for me in just his look. “You’re mine, Abby. Please say you’re mine,” he whispered gently.
“I always have been, Jay.” And with those words we abandoned ourselves to each other, and I knew that I would never give him up again.
***
I awoke to an empty bed, stretching, deciding a shower was in order before setting out to find out where Jay had gone off to. I let the hot water cascade over my body, soothing the blissful soreness, courtesy of last night’s events. A smile spread across my face as I remembered the loving words we’d shared, wrapped in each other’s arms.
I heard the movement of feet outside the small bathroom when I turned off the water. Drying and wrapping a towel around myself, I opened the door to find Jay showered and fully dressed with a tray of food and steaming cups of coffee. “Oh my God, now I really do love you even more,” I groaned as my stomach grumbled.
“Eat up, Abby. You’re going to need your strength.” He grinned, handing me my favorite danish and a cup of coffee as I sat on the edge of the bed.
“Don’t tell me you have another excursion planned,” I groaned before taking a bite. I couldn’t imagine doing anything that required physical exertion today ... well, maybe one thing.
“You know you liked my excursions.” He laughed and threw a napkin at me.
“I did actually. Thank you. You really made this an incredible experience, in so many ways.” I sipped my coffee. “So why would I need my strength then?” I asked, blushing almost as soon as the words left my mouth as the reason dawned on me. The idea of spending the day in this room with Jay—kissing, exploring each other, and making love—it would be heaven.
“Exactly.” He grinned, pulling a box of condoms out of a small paper bag that he had set on the dressing table, waving them and chuckling.
“Wow, you’ve been a busy boy today,” I joked, finishing the last bite of my breakfast.
“Well, we have already seen all there is to see on the ship. How else are we going to spend our last day at sea?” He took my plate and set it aside before flopping down on the bed and pulling me next to him, dislodging my towel in the process, and holding me in his arms.
“I want you, Jay,” I whispered as I felt his growing arousal against my back, wanting to feel him in me again, sure I would never get enough of him.
“I’ve got you, Abby, and I’ll take care of you.” Jay shifted, pulling his shirt over his head and then shoving his pants off until he was naked, and we were pressed together—warm skin to warm skin, exactly how we should be. I closed my eyes and opened my mouth, taking Jay’s kisses, his moans, knowing he would do exactly what he said he would. Knowing he would take care of me. I was tied to Jay in ways that could never be broken—not by distance or time or people—and as he slid into me, I knew he was right there with me, holding onto our new beginnings and loving pasts, but finally shedding the hurt and pain in between after all of these years.
Chapter 12
Jay
“Can you believe the five days are over?” I asked as we sat in the dining room, our small carry-on luggage at our feet as we enjoyed what would be our last breakfast at what had become our table. The ship was in the process of docking, and people were milling around, trying to strategically place themselves in the best position to exit the ship quickly when it was time. Fortunately, Abby didn’t seem to be in any hurry to get off, so we just sat and enjoyed our breakfast. I had gotten a ticket on the same plane back to D.C.—thanks to more weaseled information from her mom—and we didn’t leave for several more hours, so we had the luxury of taking our time.
I watched as she devoured the second danish I had sat in front of her. I was going to have to find out where I could get them so she could look this happy every morning. That thought led me to my next question, and I hoped like hell that she wouldn’t think I was completely crazy, that it was too fast.
“Where are you going to live, Abby?” I leaned back, crossing my arms and waited for her answer.
She set the pastry down and licked her fingers before answering. “Well, for now at my parents’ house, until I find my own place.” She shrugged, wiping her hands on the small napkin.
“What if I told you that you already had a place to live?” I was hoping she couldn’t tell how nervous I was.
“What are you saying, Jay?” She tilted her head, studying me.
I took a deep breath. “I want you to live with me, Abby. I have a two-bedroom condo with plenty of room, and it would be silly for you to get a place when you won’t be there much anyway.” I grinned at that thought. “It would be close to your work, and...”
“Don’t you think this is pretty sudden?” she interrupted.
“Seriously, Abby? This,” I motioned between us, “has been a long time coming. I’m not ever letting you go again. You do know that, right?” I waited to see what she would say, but she just sat there, thinking it over for a minute before smiling.
“You’re right.” She reached out her hand and covered mine. “I would love to move in with you.” I knew she was scared. Hell, I was scared too. We had so much in our past, but more than the pain, we had something solid—a love and friendship like no other. I had no doubt that we could make it this time.
“Good, then it’s settled.” I went to cover her hand with my other one when I noticed what was on her finger. “Holy shit, Abby! You still have my ring?” I picked up her hand, examining the gold ring with the large, smooth stone. I had never once let anyone wear it before giving it to Abby that night on the dock. That ring had meant a lot to me, and even though girls I’d dated in high school all but begged to wear it, I refused. I always knew there was only one girl I would ever give it to, and it was crazy how much it meant to me to see that she had kept it after all of these years.
“Of course.” She giggled as I kissed her finger right above where the ring sat. “I never would have gotten rid of it, Jay. It was the one part of you that I could still physically hold. Every other part was only a memory.”
“I’m so sorry for everything. We should have never been apart all this time, Abby.”
“Jay, it was my fault for being so damn stubborn. I was young, overwhelmed, and hurt, and I let it consume me. I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore. We can’t go back and change what happened, but now we can have a new beginning. We are here together, and that is all that matters.” The horn blew, signaling that we were able to disembark now. We watched as everyone crowded at the door, shuffling like cattle going to the stockyard.
When the crowd thinned, I stood, taking Abby’s hand in mine, and grabbed our bags, moving slowly toward the doors with everyone else. When I looked across the dining room, I saw Mellie, smiling as her husband took her hand and kissed her on the cheek. It was almost as if she sensed me watching her, because she looked over her shoulder right at me and gave me a wink and a thumbs up. I mouthed “Thank you” to her before she moved through the door, watching as my guardian angel—in the form of a little gray-haired old woman with no verbal filter—walked out of my life. I would forever be grateful for her help in getting Abby back. She was the swift kick in the butt that I had needed.
“I’m kind of sad that our journey is coming to an end,” Abby said as we moved through the doors and onto the ramp to exit the ship, my hand possessively against the small of her back.
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong, my sweet Abby. This is where our journey begins.” I leaned down, placing a kiss on her lips, knowing that throughout life there would always be pain, and sometimes even at the hands of someone you love, but the most important thing was finding that special person who was w
orth suffering for, and this girl was it for me.
She always had been.
Epilogue
Abby
“I can’t believe it’s been ten years.” Jay came up behind me, taking the necklace from my hands and fastening it around my neck before kissing me softly below my ear, sending shivers through my body.
“Are you sure you want to go to our reunion, Abby?” He squeezed my hand, spinning me around so I was facing him, and settled his hands on my hips. His thumbs rubbed small circles on the soft fabric of my dress. “You never really even liked high school.”
He was right. I had a handful of friends who I really cared about, but other than Jay, I had lost track of everyone else. Jay had always been the popular one. I was just his quiet, nerdy friend. Just then, the door to the bedroom swung open and two giggling four-year-old girls ran in, throwing themselves onto our bed.
“Oooh, Mommy wooks purty.” Laura covered her mouth as Mellie nodded.
“She sure does, doesn’t she?” Jay grinned as he swung each of them into an arm. “Let’s get you two in bed.” I watched as he walked across the hall to their room, the babysitter frantically apologizing as she followed. Putting my earrings on, and a spray of perfume, I walked out of our room, closing the door behind me. I slipped in the girls’ room and kissed them goodnight before making my way to the stairs.
The pictures on the wall caught my attention. They each told a specific story, and all but a handful of pictures—of Matt and his husband Luke with their adopted son—were of Jay and me and the life we created together. There were pictures of us when we first met, the summer he moved next door, through high school, and finally a framed photo of us together on the cruise that had brought him back into my life. As I climbed down the stairs, I looked over our wedding pictures that were taken almost a year to the day of that cruise. A year and a half later, the twins were born, and the picture at the bottom of the stairs was a collage of their recent fourth birthday party.
An Unexpected Journey: A Second Chance Novella Page 5
