You Belong With Me

by M. R. Joseph

  "Yea. Oh yea. That's it. Oh God." He moved his hips forward pushing himself deeper into her mouth. His head was spinning and beads of sweat began to trace his upper lip. He glanced down at her and she looked up at him with hooded eyes and for a moment, no a micro second, he saw the woman he loved and adored. He saw Casey's face and he imagined it was her mouth upon him. It was image of her smiling up at him and thats when he shook his head and rubbed his eyes. Carter pulled back in shock and stopped the woman from her actions.

  He grabbed her hand to still her and gripped her wrist and pulled her up from her position. Carter swung her around and pushed her towards the chez lounge. Her ass was now in front of him and he began to circle it with his erection. She moaned and began rubbing her ass on him. They got into a heavy rhythm of grinding. He leaned a little more forward and pulled her long hair to one side. He licked her ear and breathed hot air into it. He moved his hand up her skirt until he found the juncture of her thighs. He discovered her sweet spot over her stockings. He circled over it and she threw her head back in appreciation and he sucked and licked her exposed neck. He began pulling her stockings down not caring if they ripped and reached his hand inside her black lace panties. He found his way inside and stuck his fingers through her wetness. She shuttered. The woman stayed still. Her long legs still wearing the high heeled black Louboutins. It was sexy as hell.

  "Should I fuck you this way, bent over with your sweet little ass in the air, or should I lay you down, climb on top of you and fuck the holy hell out of you that way? Your choice."

  She panted and spoke, "Just hurry up and do it." She pushed her ass into him."Like this, now." He stripped down the rest of her undergarments and undid his jeans He grabbed a condom from his pocket and stuck it on with readiness. He dipped the head of his cock into her and she cried out, "Oh God, fuck me now."

  He didn't bother to give her a warning he just impaled her. He closed his eyes and he pumped in and out of her. He gripped her hair and thrusted hard and relentlessly. He felt dizzy from the heat and when he opened his eyes he was woozy. His head snapped up to take a look at the three mirrors that surrounded them. The woman in front of him was pushing back onto his cock and and she was making all kinds of wailing sounds. He looked at their images in the mirrors. He looked to the mirror to his left and his vision became cloudy. He shook his head and closed his eyes. When he opened them and looked in the mirror again he was startled by what he saw. Carter saw Casey's face again in the woman he was inside of. Then he looked to the mirror to the right of him. The same image came into play. Casey's face was there. Her blonde waves bouncing from each thrust. She licked her lips and smiled at him. Then she closed her eyes. He started to panic and closed his eyes again. He opened them to look at the larger of the three mirrors in front of him and all he could see was the top of the woman's head. He felt relief and continued to pound into her. Just then the woman raised her head, looked up and straight into the mirror. Right into his eyes. Looking back at him were Casey's bright blue eyes. She spoke in a whisper.

  "Keep going, Carter. Don't stop, baby. Fuck me harder. I'm yours. Don't worry." He swore it was Casey's voice because he never even told the sales woman his name. It was like a mirage and Casey was the water who would quench his thirst.

  Carter jumped back and fell against the wall in a panic. The woman turned around and Casey's face disappeared. He saw the sales woman.

  "What the fuck is your problem?" She spatted.

  He pulled up his pants, threw off the suit jacket, slipped on his shoes and headed for the door. He turned to the woman whose skirt was still up around her waist.

  "I'm so sorry. Uh...thanks for the help." He ran for his life or at least thats what it felt like. What just happened? He saw Casey in his mirage of lust. This cannot happen again. Will he always think of her when he has sex? Carter was a hot mess. He wiped his brow and ran his hands through his short hair as he exited the store. He breathed heavily and thought about how it was just a day dream. He still could not shake what he saw out of his head. He then swore to himself he would stop thinking with his dick and turn all his energy towards Casey. He had no other choice than to ignore all other woman so he could concentrate on winning the heart of the one who belonged to him.

  He checked his phone to see if their were any missed calls. He only saw one text from Casey. His stomach suddenly went into knots and he blushed when he thought about what had just transpired in the dressing room. The text read:

  Car, tell everyone hi for me and give Haley a kiss from Auntie Case see u @ home later xxx

  He felt a pain in his chest and he placed his hand over his heart when he read it. The woman was going to be the death of him one way or another. She would either fall madly in love with him or crush his heart in a million tiny pieces.

  The warm Florida sun beat down on Carter as he walked down the main shopping district in Clearwater towards the restaurant where he was meeting his family. When he made his way to the restaurant, which was on the waterfront, several people recognized him and shook his hand, a few girls asked if they could get his autograph and take a picture with him. Although his head was spinning from the events that took place earlier, he obliged and was more than happy to. Luminosity's adoring fans were the second best thing in his life. The woman who ruled his heart was first.

  A few pictures were snapped and Carter signed their cocktail napkins and the restaurant became a buzz that a local celebrity was in their presence. When all the hoopla was through he spotted his extra tall brother waving his hand at him from one of the outdoor tables. He thanked the admirers and made his way to the table. They all stood up to greet him. He grabbed his mom Jane in a fierce hug and lifted her off the ground.

  "Oh God, Carter!" She yelped." My baby is home finally." She was so glad to see him even though she had flown out to Vegas with a friend of hers to see one of his shows a few months ago.

  "Good to be home, ma." He smiled at her as she takes in the sight of him. Eva and Domenic make their way towards him and Carter's niece Haley is in Eva's arms. Dom gives Carter a bro hug and Eva gives him a big hug and kiss on the cheek. Haley holds out her arms for him.

  "Uncky Car!" She squeals. He plucks her form Eva's arms.

  "Get over here you little monkey!" He holds her in a huge bear hug and rocks her back and forth. "I missed you, monkey girl."

  "I missed you too Uncky."

  She was such a beautiful child. Ringlet blonde hair and bright blue eyes, always put a smile on his face. She was the sweetest three year old in the world to him. Their waitress came up to the table and obviously recognized Carter. She blushed as she began to speak.

  "Oh my God! You're Carter London from Luminosity, right?" She was no more than nineteen.

  Domenic rolled his eyes and his mom and Eva smirked at him.

  "Well, yes, I am and you are?" he glanced at her name tag. "Britney. Nice to meet you."

  She was flustered and dropped her pencil. Carter bent down and picked it up for her.

  "Would you like me to sign something for you?"

  Her jaw dropped and she nodded and tore out a piece a paper from her check book. She handed it to him with shaky hands.

  He took it, signed it, and gave it back to her.

  "Thank you so much, Mr. London."

  "Please. No formalities Britney, I'm Carter."

  She blushed again and stammered for words.

  "Um.. Oh, what um, can I get you all to drink."

  They placed the order with the star struck waitress.

  "So where is Casey, sweetie pie?" Jane asked.

  "Shopping, I believe. We were invited to a dinner party at her..." Carter stopped talking.

  Jane and the rest of them looked at him waiting for him to finish his sentence.

  "Car?" Eva asked. " Her what?"

  He ran his hand through his buzz and blew out air from his lungs. "Her boyfriend. The almighty, rich and powerful Jordan Reid."

  All their mouths hung open.

&nb
sp; "Like as in Jordan Reid of Reid Yachts and Commodities? He's a freaking millionaire dude," Domenic screeched.

  "That's the one and thanks. Don't you think I know that. Oh and try his father is a billionaire. We were invite to their house this Friday for a dinner party."

  "Honey, I talked to Casey at least once a week while you were gone and she never mentioned a boyfriend," Jane said.

  "I know, mom. Me too. We video chatted once a week and talked everyday, and she never said a word. It was a surprise for me as well. She said she wanted to see where it was going before she introduced him to the most important people in her life."

  Britney came back with their drinks and Carter grabbed his Corona and downed half the bottle. He really wanted a shot of whiskey to calm his nerves but it was one o'clock in the freaking afternoon.

  "I have to get a tux. The party is ultra formal and that's why Case is out buying a dress with his Neiman's card."

  "Oh lord, she may be there all day." Eva chimed in. "Carter, Reid is one of Florida's most eligible bachelors. Did you see the recent article in the paper about him? And the picture? Holy hell, he's a hottie."

  Domenic looked at Eva and let out an aggravated puff of air from his lungs.

  "Oh God, whatever." Domenic spat out.

  Jane laughed at his remark and Carter shook his head in frustration.

  "Yea so, he's a pretty boy. I get it. I see the appeal and I'm a heterosexual male. He's rich, good looking, and well...you can tell he's crazy about her." Carter had trouble getting that last part out. He didn't want to admit it but it was the obvious.

  "I'm guessing you have met him honey?" Jane asked.

  "Yes. Last night. Then he asked me if I would go to the stupid party and his stupid parents house and wear a stupid tux. I don't wanna, mommy." He pouted like a five year old and crossed his arms. Jane reached over and patted his arm.

  "Aw, what's the matter son? You don't want to dress up and go to the big mansion and eat grown up food? Big baby. Suck it up my youngest, put on your big boy pants and deal."

  Carter smiled at his mother and she winked at him.

  "You’re right. It's just that the freaking guy is perfect and I... I hate it."

  Carter knew that admittance was worded wrong. His mom looked at him with a worried look. Haley began to fuss and started pointing to the dock that was behind them.

  "I wanna go see the fishies, daddy. Pweeze?"

  Domenic and Eva scooped her up and started walking towards the dock. Domenic said over his shoulder, " We will be right back. Just order us both burgers well done and chicken nuggets for this one." He pointed at Haley.

  Once they weren't in ear shot Jane reached over and placed her hand onto Carter's forearm.

  "So, all these years later and you are still in love with her, aren't you?"

  Carter choked on his beer and he began to cough. "Jesus Christ mom. What are you talking about?" He said while trying to clear his throat.

  "Don't take the Lords name in vain son and you know exactly what I mean. I know you have been in love with Casey since you first introduced me to her at Beach Bums all those years ago. You looked at her as though she had this illuminating light around her and you were drawn to it. It's obvious by way you are around her. How attentive you are with her, when she is with you. I just have one question for you son. Why aren't you fighting for her? What has stopped you all these years?"

  Carter rubbed his eyes with the palms of his hands and scratched the stubble on his chin.

  "It's that obvious?" He asked her.

  "Honey I gave birth to you. I know everything there is to know about you. I know when you are happy, I know when you are sad, I know when you're frustrated and dear God I know when my child is in love."

  Carter sat back in his chair and just looked at his mother. The all knowing, ever wise Jane London saw right through him.

  "Forever, mom." He said quietly.

  "Forever, what son?"

  "I've loved her, forever. Or at least it seems that way."

  "Then why haven't you told her all this time. Why put yourself through this torture, Carter?"

  He didn't want to say it. This was his mother and the sun rose and set with him. How could he tell her that he thought with his dick instead of his heart on most occasions? He was twenty eight years old. A man, a musician, an adult.

  "You really want to know mom?" She nodded yes.

  "Because of two things. First thing is, I think with what's between my legs and second." He paused. "And second, I'm not good enough for her. Jordan Reid can give her the world. All I can give her is a few months out of the year that I'm not on tour or in the studio."

  She gave him a closed smile and shook her head. "Oh Carter, you were always good enough for Casey. Can't you see that? You just never had enough confidence to prove yourself wrong. You. Are. Good. Enough." She paused after each word in order to make her point.

  "Life is all about taking chances. Some go our way, some don't, but you will never know unless you take a leap of faith."

  "I have a confession, mom. I did a lot of thinking on the road and I had decided that when I came back I was going to tell her how I felt. I would tell her I loved her and always had and that I wanted to spend my life with her. I wanted to tell her she belonged to me, with me. When I got back, that's when she told me about Jordan. I decided to back off because she looked so happy."

  "And what about you son? What about your happiness? It matters you know?"

  Carter pondered her words. Domenic, Eva, and Haley made their way back with someone else in tow.

  "Look who we found on our way back from the docks." Behind them stood Tommy.

  "Boo!" He jumped from Domenic's back and surprised Jane.

  "My third son!" She exclaimed. He went over to her embracing her in a tight hug.

  "Hi mom. You look great!"

  "And you look tired, my boy," She answered. She touched his cheek and smiled at him.

  "It's because of the lack of dietary sufficiency on the road. Nothing to be concerned about." He grabbed Haley out of Eva's arms and started to tickle her.

  "And how's my favorite girl doing, Hale Hale."

  "Tommy, you nook funny. I don't nike your nails." Haley said shaking her head.

  "You don't like the color, Hale? Maybe you can paint them for me tomorrow, whatever color you want."

  The little blonde haired angel wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed him. Jane kept looking Tommy over and he smiled as he embraced Haley. It was a look of concern. She had known this boy's troubles in the past and did whatever she could to protect and watch him since his parents were killed. He lived with Jane and Carter after that and made sure she performed the duties a mother would. Keeping him away from the drugs was a tough one, but she tried her best as though he was her own flesh and blood.

  "Tommy, where are you staying?" Jane asked.

  "With a few of the roadies from the tour in St. Pete's. Then me and Lond are going to find a place after the East Coast tour. Right, Lond?"

  Carter and Tommy talked about buying or renting a house somewhere near Indian Shores, close to Jane and close to Casey. Carter's intention was to tell Tommy that he wasn't going down that path once he came home and told Casey how he felt. He fantasied that Casey would jump into his arms and profess her love of him as well, they would live in her townhouse until Luminosity won their first Grammy, then they would buy a house right on the Gulf, and live happily ever after. That dream was flushed down the toilet as soon as the name Jordan Reid was spoken.

  Carter answered him softly, "That's the plan."

  "Well, I can't stay. I have some things to do downtown. I just wanted to stop and say hi and I promise I'll come for dinner one night, mom." Tommy stood up and gave Jane a quick peck on the cheek.

  "Wait, how did you even know we were here?" Carter asked.

  "I called Casey and she told me you were in Clearwater and I figured you were here because we always come here with mom." He smiled and
bent down to kiss Haley and Eva and shake Domenic's hand.

  "Lond, I will see you at rehearsal for the reunion on Thursday, right?"

  "Yep, I'll be there. Hey, did you talk to Lyla?"

  Tommy raised one side of his mouth in a smirk and chuckled.

  "Nope. She hates me but then again who can blame her. I'll kiss the hate right out of her one of these days." He winked at Jane, gave them all a wave and left the restaurant.

  "Carter, he doesn't look good. I'm worried. He is pale and too thin. You don't think he's up to no good again, do you?" Carter lied right to his mother's face.

  "No, mom. He's great. He's just tired from the tour. We have only been home for a few days. Let him rest." Jane dropped the conversation and Carter was glad. He tend to be transparent when lying. He was worried about Tommy since the other night at Beach Bums. He hoped it was a short lived weakness and it wouldn't happen again. He would keep a close eye on him for the next few weeks.

  After lunch, Carter headed back to Casey's house to practice a few new songs on the keyboard. He had no idea what time she was going to be home, but he remembered she had to work a twelve hour shifts the next few days. He remembered her saying she had a lot of laundry to do. He went to her room and retrieved her dirty laundry, and used towels from the bathroom. He made his way to the kitchen where her double decker washer and dryer were behind a billfold door. He began the laundry then looked around to see if there was anything else he could do to help her out. She worked long, tiring hours at the hospital. He went under the kitchen sink to grab some cleaning products and began going around the house dusting and polishing the furniture and cleaned up in the kitchen. By the time he was finished, the first load of laundry was done. He put it in the dryer and put the dirty towels in to be washed. He made his way to the second floor to clean the bathroom and then went to Casey's room to dust and polish. When he went into it the smell of Magnolias came into his brain. He could have stayed in that room forever. He went to her bed and ran his hand across her pillow. He thought about her laying her sweet head down at night and how she breathed as she slept. He could almost hear her in his head. He needed to get out of that room before another piece of his heart broke.