Cursed Ecstasy (Cursed Series)

by t. h. snyder

  “Mmmmkay,” I respond, relaxing my body into his.

  “My family was anything but ordinary. We were very blue collar, middle class people that made do with what we had. I grew up a few miles away from Linc on the other side of town. Even though it was only a couple of minutes away, it was like we lived in different worlds. His family was wealthy and lived in a nice house, as for me…well, not so much. My dad worked at a factory and my mom stayed home with me. I didn’t have any brothers or sisters, so for the most part it was just me and Mom. I hated being in that house because I knew as soon as he’d get home, things would go to shit. No matter what I did, he was on my case about something. At first he would yell, scream, and throw things in my direction. As I got older, maybe five or six, he started hitting me. By the time I was seven, he was beating me with a belt or whatever else he could grab. My mom tried to stop him, but it was pointless; he’d hurt us both until he was too tired to keep going.”

  He pauses for a brief second, and I can feel the rapid beating of his heart through his chest. It hurts to hear the pain he went through as such a small child; no one should ever have to go through that agony.

  “One night Linc came over. I was surprised to see him considering it was the night of his father’s election. We went straight to my room and played video games so that we’d be out of the way when my dad got home. That night was one of the worst nights of my life.”

  Dault’s body starts to shake and I know exactly where this is going. Linc told me in detail the events that took place.

  Moving into a seated position, I pull Dault’s face into my hands. His skin is pale and I can tell he’s upset as he reflects on his memories.

  “Dault, you don’t have to do this. I can’t imagine how hard it is for you to relive these memories from your past.”

  Leaning his face into my hands, he closes his eyes.

  “I want to tell you, Etty, I want you to know it all. That night all but destroyed me. After hiding in the closet with Linc and hearing the sounds coming from the other room, I knew what we were going to find. The sight of Mama lying on the ground, covered in blood, was almost too much for me. In my mind, I knew he was going to eventually do it, but actually hearing and seeing it all tore me apart. I’d hoped that the memories would fade, that the sounds would eventually deteriorate, but they still find me in my sleep. My life changed so much after that night and I didn’t know how I’d recover. Police were everywhere, asking so many questions, but all I wanted was to be with Mama. They took her away from me and I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye.”

  The sorrow in his voice is killing me. I can’t imagine how hard it is for him to dredge up the memories of his past. No matter how badly he wants to share this with me, I can’t let him go on.

  “Okay, no more tonight. It’s been a rough day and I don’t want to end it on a sad note.”

  Nodding his head, he opens his eyes and leans forward, pressing his lips against my forehead.

  “Thank you, Etty.”

  “Don’t thank me, Dault, we’re in this together. When the time is right, we’ll talk more. For now, I just want you to hold on to me. I’ve wanted to be like this in your arms for so long, it almost doesn’t seem real.”

  For the next few moments, we hold one another as we sit on the couch. With my head on his chest, my eyes start to feel heavy and the weight of the day is pulling me closer to sleep.

  “You should get some sleep, Etty. You’ve had a long night and I know you couldn’t have gotten decent sleep last night lying on this couch.”

  Pulling myself off of him, I let out a long yawn and stretch my arms over my head.

  “I’m so sleepy.”

  “Then I suggest you head upstairs and get some rest. I’ll lock up before I head next door.”

  Shaking my head, I pull on his arms.

  “I don’t want you to go. Would you stay here with me tonight?”

  “On the couch?”

  Letting out a laugh, I lean forward, resting my forehead against his.

  “No, Dault, I want you here…with me…in my bed.”

  With two strong hands, Dault grabs on to my face.

  “Etty, I’m not saying I don’t want to stay with you, but….dear god, don’t judge me for this. I want to do this right. I don’t want you to be like the others.”

  Sitting back, I stare into his eyes. I’m in awe of this man. He’s trying so hard, doing so much to show me that he’s serious about us.

  A smile comes across my face as I lean into him, placing my lips against his.

  Holy shit, I think I just fell in love with the biggest womanizer on the planet.

  Chapter 21

  The sound of birds chirping and the sun beaming in through the room causes my eyes to open. I feel like I’m in a fucking Snow White movie for Christ’s sake.

  Unable to budge my arm, I look down to see my crazy blue-haired goddess lying against my body. Her legs are tangled with mine and her long hair is cascading down her back. She looks so peaceful. We’ve spent the last two nights wrapped in one another’s arms and I couldn’t be happier. Just having her near me again has made a huge difference in the way I feel. I could’ve lost out on something great if I hadn’t pulled my head out of my ass.

  For the first time in…ever…I feel my heart skip a beat. Two days ago I would have kicked anyone that told me this was going to happen. With all of the anger, resentment, and jealousy that I’ve been fighting through, I never figured Etty would be the one that would help me change who I am. I get that I have to want it for it to happen, but having her by my side is going to make things so much easier.

  Last night, I started to open up to her by sharing my memories of that night. I thought I was going to go back into panic mode but I didn’t. She was there, giving me the strength I needed to relive some of the most dreaded memories of my past.

  Even though it was unexpected, she’s become the rock I’ve needed for so long.

  In all of my adult years, I’ve never wanted to let anyone in; I was much better living life on my own. I was the man of the Cursed crew that could do as I wished and none of them judged me for the ways in which I acted. I was living a life of ink, sex, and more sex.

  Hell yeah, I still want the ink and the sex, just now it will be with one woman. One woman, who in a short time has shown me that I can change for the better. I can be the man Mama would be proud of and I won’t stop ‘til I know I can make Etty the happiest she’s ever been.

  Having Etty here with me, I now know that I don’t want to live life like I was before. I want so much more for me and for her. I don’t know how I hid my real feelings from her for so long. It just goes to show that hurt and anger can play tricks on one’s mind that no one can steer clear of until it’s smack dab in their faces.

  So long, asshat Dault, hello Mr. Romance.

  The thought alone makes me chuckle, and I don’t know how the hell I’m gonna do it…but I’ll die trying.

  Rolling onto my side, I sweep one arm under Etty’s warm body and the other along her side.

  Looking down at her, she’s still peacefully sleeping. I don’t want to wake her, so I just lie here, watching her as she sleeps.

  Fuck, I’m turning into a creeper.

  I’ve let her sleep long enough; it’s time to bring on the day and plan our first night out.

  Turning onto my stomach, I prop myself up on all fours and start to bounce on the bed. She turns as her small frame bounces along the center of the mattress.

  With wide eyes, she looks up at me, lets out a groan, and pulls the pillow over her face.

  “No way, gorgeous, it’s time to get up.”

  “No,” she mumbles from beneath the pillow.

  “Don’t make me wake you up. Believe me, you’ll be sorry.”

  “No, I want to sleep…go home,” she says with a giggle.

  “That’s it, you asked for it.”

  I continue to bounce on the bed, watching as she holds the pillow over her
face.

  Leaning over her body, I begin to tickle her until she can’t stand it anymore. She tosses the pillow from her face, giving me the sexiest smirk while narrowing her eyes at me.

  “Come on, baby, time to get up,” I say, falling onto my back.

  “What time is it?” she asks, moving herself to lie on my chest.

  Running my fingers up and down her back, she lets out a purring sound. If I could, I’d stay in bed with her all day, but I need to get up and head into the shop.

  “I don’t know, but the damn birds were chirping something fierce and it woke me up.”

  “Can’t we go back to bed, just for a little?”

  “Nope, I need to shower and go into the shop for a little. Then I’ll come back home and take you out.”

  “Mmm, that sounds good. Go home and take that shower so I can go back to sleep.”

  “You’re incorrigible, Etty.”

  “Yes, I know. That’s what you love about me.”

  Love…did she just say love? Do I love her? Shit…piss...fuck. I like her—a lot—but love isn’t something I’ve ever even considered before. I’m not the type of man to love another person, let alone a woman. I need to get out of here and think before my heart pounds out of my chest.

  “Umm, well I guess I’ll head home and get ready. Keep your phone on you and I’ll text you later.”

  “Okay, I’ll be here.”

  Sitting up and stepping off of the bed, I pull on my jeans and grab my cap. My legs feel weak as I run down the stairs and over to the other side of the house.

  Linc is sitting on the couch when I walk through the door.

  “Hey, man. Did you two have a nice sleepover again last night?” he asks before taking a sip of coffee from his Batman mug.

  “Not now, man,” I reply, walking through the living room and into the kitchen.

  I need my caffeine fix; that might be why I’m feeling the way I am right now. That has to be it…right?

  “What’s crawled up your ass and died? I get that you’re not a morning person, but seriously, what gives?”

  Shaking my head, I look to him and scowl.

  “Aww, did you wake up on the wrong side of the couch again?” Linc asks with a laugh.

  “Fucking hell, Linc, I said not now. What’s up with you pushing my shit lately?”

  Turning my back to him, I reach in the cabinet for a mug.

  “I’m just messing with you, Dault; you’re the one who’s been wound up so tight the past two days.”

  I hit the brew button on the Keurig and lean my elbows on the counter, waiting for my coffee.

  “Spill it, man, you need to get it out.”

  “Fine, but let me get some coffee in me first.”

  Pulling my mug to my mouth, I take a sip of the scalding hot liquid.

  “Fuck, that’s hot.”

  Linc lets out another laugh, “No shit, dickhead, you just brewed it. Now talk. I gotta get a shower and we don’t have much time ‘til we gotta go.”

  “I’m probably just overreacting; you gotta figure I’m clueless when it comes to this shit.”

  Looking at me like I’ve grown another head, he takes a seat at the table.

  “Go on,” he urges.

  “So we were lying in bed…”

  He raises his hand, mug to his mouth.

  “Wait, in bed…whoa, man, that’s a huge step from the couch.”

  Slamming my hand down on the counter, I give him the look of death.

  “You suck ass. Anywho, while we were lying there, Etty made a comment. It was about blah blah blah that’s what I love about her.”

  I pause for a moment and look to Linc for something, anything to let me know that I’m not going crazy.

  He falls to the floor in a fit of laughter. Acting like a goddamn idiot, he rolls around, continuing his hysterics.

  “You know, for a best friend, you’re really lousy at being there for me when I need you.”

  Rolling onto his back he looks at me and sits up.

  “Sorry, Dault, it’s all just too funny. Do I think you’re nuts…yes! Do I think you’re overreacting…yes! What she said is just a figure of speech, nothing to get your panties in a bunch.”

  Sitting down at the table, I let out a sigh of relief and take a sip of my coffee.

  “I feel like such a moron. All of this is a giant cluster fuck and I’m scared that I’m going to lose her before we’ve even started anything.”

  Moving from the floor, Linc takes a seat at the table across from me.

  “It’s not that hard, Dault, just go with it. Follow your gut and you’ll be fine. You two have a chemistry that I’ve never seen come out of you. There’s no doubt that you two could make this thing work, just give it time.”

  “Yeah, I know. Hey, by the way, I’m going to leave early tonight. I don’t have anyone set after my three o’clock appointment and I want to do something with her other than sit at her house and fall asleep.”

  “Sounds good, man. Steve and Cliff will cover the shop, no problem. I need to get this arm working again so that I can get back in my chair.”

  “Agreed, we need you back to work. Get your shit together and fix that arm.”

  Gulping down the rest of my coffee, I move back to the kitchen and toss the mug into the dishwasher.

  “I’m gonna hop in the shower real quick. I’ll meet you back down here and we’ll head out.”

  “Good plan. And hey, just chill with the whole moron thing. It’ll all work out.”

  Nodding my head in his direction, I make my way through the living room and upstairs.

  I feel better knowing that there’s nothing more to Etty’s words other than my own mind playing tricks on me.

  This shit is going to be harder than I thought. I’m so used to being the lead in my sexcapades and now I feel like I’m becoming the follow in my first ever real relationship.

  Hell no, no more of that. I want this and I told Etty I would do anything to make this work. Tonight, I’ll show her that I can be the guy she wants and needs.

  Now I just have to figure out what the hell we’re going to do.

  What do couples do in Birmingham? Do they go out to dinner? To a movie? Oh no, that’s what she just did with Christian. I can’t do that.

  Fuck me.

  I need to know this shit.

  Maybe I’ll ask the guys, not like they’ll be much help since none of them have girlfriends but Linc.

  Gahh, I’m not screwing this up. I will make this the best date night Etty has ever been on…somehow.

  Pulling my cell out of my pocket, I call Ashley; she’ll know what to do.

  Chapter 22

  I’ve been anxiously waiting for tonight all day, more so than I’ve ever wanted something before.

  I know that it’s just a night out, no big deal, right? Maybe it’s the fact that we’re actually going out in public as a couple. I mean, we’ve spent enough time together, it’s just been behind closed doors.

  I don’t know what to expect; Dault isn’t the kind of guy to wine and dine a girl. This is all new to him, so I have to figure that he has something up his sleeve; I just don’t know what it is.

  I can’t get over how much he’s putting into this. It’s adorable. I just hope he doesn’t put too much pressure on himself.

  Sitting on the couch, my legs start to bounce and my hands become clammy. This is ridiculous; I’ve been around Dault, so there’s no reason I should be feeling this way.

  I jump when a car door slams outside.

  Deep breaths, Etty, this is no big deal. It’s just a night out with Dault. It’s not like I’ve never gone out on a date before.

  A knock sounds at the door and I stand on wobbly legs.

  Smoothing my hands down my black skirt, I move to the door and turn the knob. Standing before me is my guy and he looks amazing in dark jeans that hang from his hips, a red Ominous t-shirt and hat with black Chucks.

  My eyes scan back up his body as he pulls a bo
uquet of flowers from behind his back. A smile creeps along my face as I gaze into his eyes.

  “Hi,” he says, taking a step forward and handing me the flowers.

  “Hi yourself, thank you for my flowers.”

  Coming into the house, he leans down and kisses my forehead. Butterflies fill my stomach as I turn from him and carry my bouquet into the kitchen.

  Opening up the cabinets, I search for something to put the flowers in…hmm, there’s nothing.

  “What are you looking for?” Dault asks, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.

  I lean my head back against his firm chest, closing my eyes as I relax into his body.

  “Etty?”

  My eyes open and I suddenly remember what I was doing. Shifting my body from his, I shut the cabinet and turn around to face him.

  “Umm, yeah, sorry, I was just looking for something to put these in,” I respond, holding up the flowers and then setting them down on the counter.

  A feeling starts to take over from my toes, through my body, and up into the hairs on my head. Our bodies are mere inches apart and I so badly want him to kiss me—not just peck me on the forehead, my nose, or my lips—I want a passionate kiss.

  He looks down at me, staring at my mouth while licking his lips. Blocking me in against the counter, he places both hands on either side of my body and leans in, pressing his lips to mine.

  Stepping up on my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck and open my lips to deepen the kiss.

  Bolts of electricity shoot through me as his tongue glides against mine. He pulls back to nip at my lip and a moan escapes me. Stepping back, our mouths still connected, he scoops his hands beneath my ass and lifts me onto the counter. Allowing him to move in closer, I spread my legs. He wraps his arms around me, our bodies now flush against the other. My hands run up the back of his shirt, my fingers touching every defined muscle.

  He pulls away for a second, both of us panting, wanting more. His piercing blue eyes stare into mine as his tongue sweeps out, licking the seam along his lips. An aching sensation begins to pull at my core. I want him so badly…is that wrong? At this fucking point, if it is, I really don’t care.