Best Friends Forever

by L. A. Thompson

  “Well, when I got tenure a few months ago, I started to think about the fact that I’ll probably be teaching at the college for the rest of my career. I can’t see myself renting an apartment that long. So, I thought I’d like to buy a house, something with a backyard maybe. And I know how you hate living in this tiny apartment. So…” She took a sip of her beer. Her tongue flicked out, licking a drop of beer from her upper lip and all my blood went south. “So?” She asked, a small smile on her lips. “So I thought maybe you’d like to go in with me on a house. Between the two of us we could come up with a decent down payment to keep the mortgage payments down. And we practically live together now.” She didn’t say anything and I realized how nervous I was. This was all part of my plan to win her heart so I prayed she didn’t shoot me down before she gave it some serious thought.

  “So, what do you think, babe?” Her head tilted to one side and I saw a small smile on her lips. “I think it sounds…interesting…but I’d like to give it some serious thought.” I gave a sigh of relief. She didn’t say no right away. “That’s all I’m asking.” I grinned and teased, “You know you want to.” She laughed and smacked me playfully on the arm. “We’ll see.” We made small talk while we finished the pizza and then I cleaned up and grabbed two more beers from the fridge while Meri set up the DVD. Turning off all but a small light in the corner of the living room, we settled down next to one another on the sofa as the opening credits began. By the halfway point in the movie, Meri was cuddled up against my side with my arm around her. Every time something scary happened on the screen, she gave a small squeal of fright and buried her face in my shoulder. I’m loving this. By the time the final credits rolled, I had to admit this is one scary movie. Meri was sitting on my lap and our arms were tightly wrapped around one another. When the evil bad guy grabbed the heroine after brutally slashing the hero, we both buried our faces in one another’s necks. As the movie ended, Meri raised her head and grinned at me. “Good movie, huh?” I chuckled. “That’s the last time I let you pick a movie. I think I’m terrified of the dark, now.”

  Her laughter reminded me of wind chimes tinkling in a warm, soft breeze and made my desire for her physically obvious. She slid off my lap before my painfully hard erection made itself known to her. I patted her on the knee. “You want some ice cream?” I asked as I stood and headed into her kitchen. She moaned. “Ooh, I’d love some but you’re not going to find any. That’s the one thing we forgot to pick up.” I gave her a wink before opening her freezer. “Nope. Not even close, babe.” Pulling out a carton of ice cream, I dug in a drawer for her scoop. “You bought ice cream?” She joined me in the kitchen. “Rocky Road!” She squealed in delight. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she pulled me down and planted a noisy kiss on my cheek. “Ooh, baby, I love you.” Before I could respond, she released me to grab bowls and spoons.

  Taking our ice cream into the living room, we settled next to one another on the sofa. I was nervous, thinking about the conversation we’re about to have. What if she says it was a joke? What if she isn’t the least bit curious about BDSM? What if, after I spill my guts and tell her the only secret I’ve ever kept from her, she’s repulsed and wants nothing to do with me ever again? What if I lose my Meri forever? I lost all interest in eating and just sat there, stirring my ice cream into a melted mush. Meri seemed to notice my distress because she asked, “What’s wrong, hon?” I shrugged. “Nothing really. Just thinking.” She placed her half eaten bowl of ice cream on the coffee table. Taking my bowl of mush from me, she placed it next to hers. Scooting closer to me, she took my hands in hers. “Grant Thomas, I know you well enough to know when something’s bothering you. Now, out with it.” I sighed deeply. The next few minutes could start the ball rolling to make me the happiest man in the world. Or, the next few minutes could destroy our relationship. Here we go.

  “Okay. Last night...did you mean it? Or was it a joke?” I spoke really fast in an effort to get it out. Meri looked confused. “What? I don’t know...” I could tell the split second she realized what I was asking. “Oh. Oh...um...you...did I really mean...” I took a deep breath. Meeting her eyes, I asked again, “Did you mean it when you said you wondered what it would be like to be tied up and...and spanked. Were you serious or was it all a joke?” She bit her lower lip, drawing my gaze to her luscious mouth. She closed her eyes and my heart sunk. Opening her eyes, her gaze was full of confusion, curiosity, and...desire? “Yes.” She raised her chin defiantly. “Yes, I meant it. I mean...I saw a book one of the students accidentally left in the library. It was on BDSM...do you know what that stands for?” I smiled slowly. “Yeah, I do. Tell me about this book.”

  Meri’s beautiful face flushed and she bit her lower lip again. My erection was practically doing a happy dance by then. “It had pictures of blindfolds, special restraints, paddles and floggers, as well as things I’d never heard of…like nipple rings and ball gags. The book talked about these special clubs where people go and...some people enjoy tying others up and doing different...things...to them. And some people like being the ones who are tied up.” She twisted her hands together and began to fidget nervously. “I...I started wondering what it would be like to be one of the ones who gets tied up and then I wondered what it would be like to be...” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You know...spanked.” Just hearing her talk about blindfolds and restrains, not to mention the other items, made my mouth go dry and my erection painfully hard. Could it be that she would let me do such things to her succulent body? I licked my parched lips and finally asked, “Would you like to find out?” She looked at me suspiciously. “What do you know about stuff like that?”

  A large lump settled in the pit of my stomach. The time had come to confess my deepest, darkest secret to my best friend, the woman I loved and adored with all my heart. I could only say a silent prayer that she wouldn’t hate me for what I was about to reveal. “Meri...there’s something I’ve never told anyone, not even you. I’ve kept it a secret for so long because I was afraid you’d hate me for it. But, now...please hear me out before you kick me out of your life forever.” “Grant, you’re scaring me. What could possibly be so terrible that I’d want to kick you out of my life?” “When...when we were in college, particularly our junior and senior years, do you remember how our relationship was?” She nodded sadly. “You distanced yourself from me and I thought I’d lost my best friend forever. Whenever I tried to talk to you, you always seemed to have a date with some girl, a lot of girls.”

  I could see her eyes begin to fill with tears. I threaded my fingers through her beautiful, thick curls and grasped the back of her neck. Pressing my forehead to hers, I closed my eyes against the pain in hers and whispered, “I’m sorry. I’m…so…sorry.” She sighed softly. “But, you came back to me. You came back to me.” “During the months we were apart, I discovered a dark side that I didn’t know I had. I...I was afraid that if I exposed that dark side to my beautiful, bright, ray of sunshine, I’d lose you forever. Eventually, I managed to close off that darkness inside of me and I came back...to you.” “But what...” I met her eyes and took a deep breath. “During those months, I discovered the very clubs that book you found talks about.” She pulled away, a shocked look on her face and my heart broke. She’s disgusted by me and will kick me out of her life any minute now. “I’m sorry, Boo.” I kissed her softly on the mouth and stood, ready to walk out of her life forever. “Where do you think you’re going?” My little wildcat asked sternly and my heart began to hope. Maybe...

  “I...I thought that you wanted me to leave?” I looked at her, uncertain as to what she was thinking. “Sit down, Grant.” Her voice was gentle. I sat next to her and she smiled at me. “The only thing that would make me want you to leave is you wanting to go. Do you want to go?” Her lips quivered and my heart melted. “Never,” I whispered. She closed her eyes for a short moment, relief evident in her face. Opening her eyes, she met mine. “Now, tell me how what you did in the past has to do with my ne
wly awakened curiosity.” Taking her hands, I gazed at her solemnly. “Do you trust me?” “Of course I trust you, Grant.” “I know someone...if he’s still here in the area...who may be willing to help us with your curiosity. But first, I need to know. Do you truly want to explore that curiosity, to find out what it’s really like?” Her gaze was equally solemn but I saw something...primal, hungry...in her beautiful eyes. Her mouth tilted up in a small, seductive smile. “Yes, I would very much like to explore my curiosity, if you’re willing to be my guide.”

  Astonished and aroused, I managed to choke out, “I wouldn’t have it any other way, babe.” She grinned, an excited sparkle in her eye. “So what do we do first?” I couldn’t help but mirror her infectious grin. “First, I make a phone call to see if my friend is still around and if he’s willing to loan us one of his special rooms.” She tilted her head and looked intrigued. “Exactly who is this friend?” “He runs...or at least he did seven years ago...a club just outside of town for clients who are into BDSM. He’s very discrete.” She raised one shapely eyebrow. “And just what are his special rooms?” I had to chuckle. “His special rooms are rooms where couples or even small groups can go for more privacy. Each room is specially equipped with various toys like the ones you saw in that book.” “Small groups?” She asked nervously. I gently brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry, babe. No one else is allowed in unless you invite them.” “So…you’ll be the one who…” I leaned in and brushed my lips gently across hers. “If anyone is going to paddle your sweet little ass, it’s going to be me.”

  Unable to stop myself, I crushed my mouth down over hers. Tugging gently on her silky curls, I pulled her closer and wrapped my arms around her. My tongue outlined her succulent lips as I nibbled gently at the corner of her mouth. She gave a sexy little gasp, parting her lips and allowing my tongue to slip inside. She tasted of chocolate and Meri, decadent and sweet. Her tongue dueled with mine, sliding slickly, sensuously in that age-old dance of love and want. I groaned deep in my throat and pulled her even closer. Her hands roamed over my neck, my shoulders, my chest, lighting a fire deep inside me. “Grant,” she moaned into my mouth. “Please…I need…” I dragged my mouth from hers and spread tiny kisses along her jaw to her ear. “Tell me, baby. What do you need?” “You. I need you.”

  My hands roamed down her back, caressing her spine, before they slipped under the hem of her tank top. Caressing her bare skin, I slowly moved my hands up her ribcage until I could cup her beautiful breasts through her lacy bra. I flicked my thumbs across her nipples and she jerked in my arms, gasping my name. She grabbed almost frantically at the hem of my t-shirt, raising it. I helped her pull it over my head and off as her tiny hands danced over my bare chest, fueling the fire inside me. She brushed her fingers across my nipples and I gasped, pulling her impossibly closer. Shifting positions, Meri threw one leg across my legs, straddling my lap, her hot core pressed tight against my raging erection. If not for her yoga pants and my sweats, I could have slipped deep inside her, something I’ve dreamed of for so long.

  My hands left her beautiful breasts, curling around her back. Sliding my hands down the back of her pants, I cupped her sweet, full bottom and squeezed, making her moan and rock her hips against mine. In the distance, I could hear the ringing of a telephone. Pulling back, she looked at me and groaned. “That’s my cell phone.” “Let it ring,” I practically begged. She rested her forehead on mine, her eyes still glazed with lust and need. “I can’t. No one would call this late unless it was an emergency. I need to answer.” Sliding off my lap, she grabbed her phone off the small table by the door. “Hello?” Listening, I saw her body go stiff with shock. Something’s wrong. “Are…are you sure? Who would do such a thing?” Standing, I wrapped my arms around her from behind. “What’s wrong, babe?” I whispered quietly. She grasped my hand tightly while listening to the person on the other end. “I’ll be right there.” Hanging up the phone, she turned to me, tears glistening in her eyes.

  Meredith

  My heart was beating so hard, I felt as if it would burst out of my chest. Finally. I was in Grant’s arms the way I’d always wanted to be. I straddled his lap, my hot, wet sex pressed tight against his very hard and…sizeable…erection. If not for our clothing, he could have slid deep inside me, just like I’d always dreamed. He slid his large hands down the back of my yoga pants and cupped my bottom, squeezing, and I couldn’t hold back a throaty moan. I rocked my hips against his and he groaned in response. Damn. My cell phone rang. “Let it ring,” he practically begged. Oh, how I want to. I rested my forehead on his and knew he could see the need in my eyes. “I can’t. No one would call this late unless it was an emergency. I need to answer.”

  Sliding off his lap, I grabbed my phone off the small table by the door. “Hello?” I couldn’t believe what I heard from the person on the other end, my body going stiff with shock. “Are…are you sure? Who would do such a thing?” Grant wrapped his arms around me from behind and I leaned into him, seeking comfort from his strength and warmth. “What’s wrong, babe?” he whispered in my ear and I grasped his hand, holding on tight. I barely heard the person on the other end of phone. “I’ll be right there.” Hanging up the phone, I turned to him, my eyes tearing up. “That was campus security. Someone broke into the library and vandalized it.”

  Chapter Five

  Meredith

  “What? Oh, babe, I’m so sorry. Did they say how bad the damage is?” I wiped a tear away. “It sounds pretty bad. I have to go. I have to get down there and assess the damage. Oh my god, all my books,” I sobbed as he gathered me into his arms. “I’m going with you. You’re in no shape to drive.” I nodded. “Thank you. I don’t think I can do this alone.” He cupped my chin and forced me to meet his eyes. “You will never have to do anything alone again unless you want to. I’m not going anywhere. Now go get some shoes on.” I stepped back and couldn’t help but grin. “Only if you put a shirt on. We wouldn’t want some co-ed drooling on you.” “Funny girl.” Grant swatted me on my ample behind as I headed to my bedroom to grab shoes and my purse. He chuckled when I squealed and rub my bottom.

  Ten minutes later, Grant pulled into a parking space in front of the college library, my second home for the past several years. It looked as if the place was open, with nearly every light on in the building, but we knew it was after hours. Jumping out of the car, we both raced up the steps to the front door where a security guard was waiting. I recognized him as the guard who checked on my safety when I worked alone late at night. “Bobby! What happened? How bad is it?” He reached out and tightly gripped my shoulders. “Meri, I think you need to prepare yourself before going inside.” I felt Grant tense as his long arm wrapped around my waist and he pulled me to his side and away from Bobby. Is he jealous of Bobby? Ooh, I love this new macho possessiveness he’s showing.

  Shaking my head to clear it, I asked, “It’s really bad, isn’t it?” Glancing curiously at Grant, Bobby nodded solemnly. “Yeah, it’s pretty bad.” “What the hell happened?” Grant asked gruffly. Bobby suddenly chose that moment to act like the security guard he was. Meeting Grant’s gaze head on, he demanded, “And you are, sir?” I started. Where are my manners? “Oh, I’m sorry. Grant, this is Bobby Shaw, one of the campus security officers. Bobby, this is Professor Grant Thomas, my…” When I hesitated, Grant stuck out his hand. “Meri’s boyfriend,” he finished for me and the butterflies in my stomach were suddenly all aflutter. Bobby looked Grant up and down before shaking his hand. “Grant? That explains some of the vandalism we found.”

  “What…what do you mean, Bobby?” My voice was shaky and Grant hugged me tighter. “Perhaps you’d better start at the beginning, Shaw.” Bobby nodded. “The library’s silent alarm was triggered at approximately twenty-three hundred. That’s eleven p.m.” he explained when we looked confused. The shift supervisor and I responded and we found this.” He pointed to the large broken window. From the large trash can just inside and all the broken
glass, it was obvious that someone had thrown the trash can through the window. I gasped at the mess. “It’s worse inside, I’m afraid. When we entered the library, we found…I think you need to see for yourself what we found. We managed to catch one of the vandals but at least one got away.”

  “There was more than one?” I gasped. “We think there were at least two. If you’re ready, we should go inside so you can see the damage. But…brace yourselves. It’s a mess in there.” Bobby held the door for me and Grant. As we stepped inside, he cautioned me. “You can’t touch anything just yet. The shift supervisor felt this was important enough to call in the local cops. They cleared it for you to come in but don’t want you touching anything until the crime scene techs finish.” In shock, I nodded like a marionette. Grant rubbed my shoulders and kissed me softly on the temple. “Do they have any idea why someone would do something like this?” he asked Bobby. Bobby nodded. “From what was spray painted in several areas, I’d say it has something to do with you.”

  “Me?” Grant asked, shock in his voice, at the same time I exclaimed, “Grant? What could this have to do with Grant?” Bobby sighed. “Maybe I better show you. Come with me.” The security guard led us through the library, where I gasped in shock. Everywhere I looked, books were scattered all over the floors, chairs and tables were overturned, lamps were broken. “Oh. My. God.” Grant cursed under his breath while I was nearly speechless. Anyone who really knows me knows that I’ve always got something to say. But now…I’ve got nothing. My library…my beautiful library was in complete shambles. Bobby pointed out one of the walls next to the reception desk. There, in large red letters, someone had spray painted the vilest words. My breath caught as I read…BITCH…WHORE…STAY AWAY FROM GRANT!