Barely Breathing

by Ancelli

  She turned her head to look at him. “No, we don’t. Cara can share a room with her sister.”

  “This place is getting kind of crowded, don’t you think? I’ve been thinking of getting a bigger place anyways.”

  She snuggled into his side. “I like this place.”

  “We need something that’s our own.” He held her tight. “Oh, by the way, you’re going to a charity event with me.”

  “You’re not asking?”

  “Nope. I want to show off my girlfriend.” He kissed the top of her head.

  There was a soft knock on the door, surprising both of them. Sophia sat up and wrapped the sheets around her. “Baby, Johnny knows we are a couple, maybe even before we did.”

  “Yes.”

  “Daddy, I’m hungry!” Johnny yelled.

  Sophia slipped out of the bed. “Give me a minute, sweetie, I’m coming,” she said as she went into the bathroom.

  “Yes, you did, and very loud,” John whispered, and she threw the sheets at him, making him laugh.

  John’s cell phone rang. He picked it up off the nightstand and answered it. “Hello?”

  “John, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken out my frustration on you. It’s not your fault I had to stay late at work. I should’ve been more considerate of your time. Bye.” Amy hung up without giving him a chance to speak.

  Surprised by her apology, John placed his phone back on the table. Maybe they could manage to be cordial for Johnny’s sake.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Sophia waved down the waitress at the Columbian Cuisine restaurant. “The check, please.”

  “What’s the rush?” Kay asked, burping her goddaughter.

  “I want to make it home before John does.” She pulled out her credit card.

  “Jason sent me a text. They’re out celebrating, and that’s usually means he’ll be a little late coming home.”

  “I know. John called me, but I have a surprise for him and I want to be ready.”

  “What kind of surprise?” Kay asked.

  She gave her friend a mischievous smile. “The naughty kind.”

  “TMI, girl. I’ve never seen you smile like that before,” Kay said.

  “He makes me happy. I know you’re afraid for me, but I know what I’m getting into.” The waiter handed her the check. She looked over it, and gave the waiter her card.

  “What are you doing? How much was mine?”

  “I don’t know.” She chuckled. “It’s my turn to pay for dinner.”

  “As long as he doesn’t hurt you…but I see the way his eyes light up when you enter a room, and the way he can’t keep his hands off you.”

  The waiter came back, and she signed the paper. “Have a nice evening,” the waiter, said before excusing himself.

  “What are you guys doing?” Kay asked, but she apparently had seen the confusion in Sophia’s eyes. “I mean where are you going with the relationship? Is he taking you to meet his family?”

  She placed her card back in her wallet. “I want everything.” She looked away from her friend. “But I know he might never be ready for that, after what he went through.”

  “And are you willing to accept that?”

  “I don’t know where I stand with John, and what I mean to him, but Kay, I’m happy when I’m around him. I want to spend all my time with him.”

  “That’s called love.”

  She stared at her friend.

  “What about marriage?”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t you want to get married someday?”

  “Someday, but enough about that.” She stood and gently took her smiling baby out of Kay’s arms. “It’s time to go home,” she said, kissing Amber’s cheeks.

  ***

  Jimmy’s Bar

  “It’s been real, but I have to go home,” John said, paying his tab.

  Jason stared at him, surprised. “I can’t believe you’re leaving before me.”

  “I have someone waiting for me.” He placed his change in his pocket.

  “And you say I’m the one who’s sprung.” Jason chuckled.

  “But I admit it.” He took the last sip of his drink. “She has me head over heels.”

  “Damn, it’s like that. Do I hear wedding bells in the near future?” Jason asked, joking around.

  “What? No, the ink on my divorce papers is less than a year old.” He stood. “I enjoy what we have. I don’t want to ruin it with marriage.”

  “Have you told her that? Because she may think differently.” Jason pulled out his wallet and paid for his own tab. “Maybe you need to have a talk with her.”

  “Maybe.” He shook Jason’s hand. “See you on Monday.”

  ***

  When John walked into the front door, he realized Sophia and the baby weren’t home yet and was a bit disappointed. He flipped the lights on.

  All day at work, he couldn’t wait to come home and see his girls and his little boy. He placed his keys on the side table and sat on the sofa. He closed his eyes and thought of the journey he’d been through. He and Sophia had been through a lot together, and not once had she blamed or accused him, even when he deserved it. From the day of their accident, everything had changed. Everything happens for a reason. That day was a blessing.

  He was startled when he felt soft hands comb through his hair.

  “Welcome home,” she whispered in his ear. “What parts of you need cleaning?”

  He opened his eyes and looked at Sophia. She was wearing a skimpy maid outfit. The black little outfit stopped right at her ass, showing off her butt cheeks, and the V-cut in the front left nothing to the imagination.

  Over the last couple months they’d made love almost every day, anywhere, and in any position imaginable, and the sight of her still aroused him. She’d become his addiction. Though he’d never been into drugs, he kind of understood what it felt like to be addicted to something. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  He smiled broadly. “Oh, a lot of me needs cleaning,” he said, touching his already erect cock.

  She sat on his lap with one leg on each side, grinding on his bulge. “I can give you what you want—if you take a shower.”

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and gently pushed her down to the couch. “I’ll be right back.” He practically ran to their bedroom to take a shower.

  It was the quickest shower he remembered taking. He walked out to the living room with a towel wrapped around his waist, and there she was, standing with a duster in her hand, looking sexy as hell.

  “Sit,” she said, swinging the duster.

  He sat, opened his legs, and his cock rose at full attention under the towel.

  “I see something still needs to be cleaned,” she said, moving closer.

  John grabbed his cock and stroked it. “Look at that,” he said, showing her his pre-cum. “He’s very dirty. Do you think you can help me?” He stared at her full lips.

  Her lips curled up into a smile, and she kneeled in between his legs. “I think I can help.” She smacked his hands from his cock and placed her hands around it. Slowly, she began to stroke him up and down.

  Her soft hands got him more excited, leaking more pre-cum. “That’s not working,” he said between groans. “It’s getting dirtier…”

  She grabbed his cock and stuck out her tongue. She licked it, making him moan, and then in one fast move, she started sucking him, twirling her tongue in combination with taking him as far as she could with her throat.

  “Fuck,” he moaned, his toes curling. He closed his eyes and gently put his hands in her hair.

  She began slowing down, licking down the base of his cock, and sucking. “So-phia…” He didn’t want to come yet. He tugged on her hair, making her release his cock with a popping sound.

  She smiled, gazed into his eyes, and said between breaths. “Did that do the trick?”

  He pulled her up into his arms and passionately kissed her lips. “Oh, that did more than a trick.” He placed her on the co
uch, ripped her panties off, and threw them aside. He settled in between her thighs.

  He could see her chest thumping. Her breathing was already out of control and he hadn’t even started yet. He chuckled as he went in for the kill. He nipped her clit, and then tongue-kissed her pussy.

  “Oh God…” Sophia moaned, gripping the pillows on the couch.

  He used his hands to open her wider. Knowing everything that drove her wild, he used his nose to rub against her clit, while his tongue wiggled in her core. He released her tight grip on the pillows and she gripped his hair.

  “Yes…oh yes…John…” She pulled him closer. “Right…there…”

  He felt her pussy contract around his tongue. She slammed his mouth into her pussy and screamed his name. “John!”

  His chuckle was deep as he came up and sat next to her. “I hope you didn’t wake Amber?”

  Her eyes were barely open as she climbed on top of him and grabbed his cock. As she eased down, he could still feel the tiny tremors from her orgasm.

  “Baby…you feel so good.” He moaned, pulling down her top to expose her hard nipples. He sucked them, one by one, into his mouth.

  She bounced her ass up and down. He knew he wasn’t going to last long with her doing that. He smacked her on the ass, and she rode him hard, staring at him with all the passion she was feeling.

  “Fuck, Sophia, I’m going to come.” He could feel his balls tightening. He leaned forward and picked her up, moving her quickly to the bottom.

  She was moaning and saying things in Spanish he couldn’t understand, but it turned him on even more. He hammered into her, placing her legs over his shoulders and giving her long, fast strokes. He was going in so deep he lost his balance and they fell on the floor.

  They started laughing as she arranged herself on top of him again, but not once did he stop making love to her. She bent down and kissed him and in that moment they both lost it. She came; he could feel her juices on his cock, and he came deep into her core.

  “That was amazing,” he said between deep breaths, caressing her back.

  She kissed his chest and rubbed his stomach, but didn’t answer.

  “You should come by my office. It needs some cleaning, too.” Even as he chuckled, he wondered why she remained quiet. She usually had something to say afterward. “Sophia, what’s wrong?” he asked, regaining his strength.

  He felt tears on his chest. He leaned up and lifted her chin so she could look at him, and found her eyes filled with tears. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” she said, not looking at him.

  “Don’t lie to me. Did I do something?”

  She finally gazed at him. “What do you want from me?” she asked softly.

  He arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “You said you wanted a relationship. Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. Where is this coming from?”

  “Is this ever going to be more than us living together?” she asked, looking at him. “I mean in the future.”

  He remembered what Jason had said. “Are you asking me about marriage?”

  When she was about to the answer, the phone rang. Saved by the bell. He sighed when he saw who it was.

  “Yes, Amy?” He watched Sophia wrapping his towel around her.

  “John, Johnny has been crying non-stop.”

  “Why?”

  “He said he wants you. Can you please come over?”

  “It’s late.”

  “Please, John. I can’t get him to stop. I need to sleep too.”

  “I’ll be there soon.” He hung up.

  Sophia just glared at him.

  “Something is wrong with Johnny,” he said, staring at her.

  “I hope he’s okay.” She got up and walked to their bedroom.

  He followed her. “I won’t be long,” he said, stepping in to the bathroom to take a shower. “Are you mad at me?”

  “No,” she replied, wrapping her hair. “Your son should always come first.”

  “Thanks for understanding. Did you get your dress for the gala?” he asked.

  “No. I’m not sure I want to go.”

  “Why?” He encircled her waist with his hands. “I want everyone to see who’s been putting this big smile on my face.” He kissed her lips.

  His words always made her feel good. John knew how to make a girl feel special. “Well, since you put it that way, I guess I’ll surprise you.”

  “I like your surprises.” He smacked her on the ass as she stepped into the shower. “See you in a little bit.”

  ***

  John rang the doorbell. Amy opened the door dressed in see-through lingerie. He tried not to stare, but it was impossible. She looked down, smiling, and closed her robe.

  “Come in.” She let him by.

  He looked around the house he once lived in. She’d changed the décor since they’d been divorced.

  “Where is he?”

  She closed the door. “He’s in his room.”

  John didn’t have time for small talk. His plan was to check in on his son and get home and back in bed with his woman.

  When he walked into his son’s room, Johnny was sleeping with his teddy in his arms. He strolled over to his son’s bed and sat for a few minutes. He kissed his forehead, covered him, and walked out.

  Amy was sitting on the couch with her legs crossed, purposefully showing more than what he should have been seeing. “Did you calm him down?”

  “Johnny was asleep.” He stood near the door.

  She rubbed her face with her hand. “Oh. I guess he cried himself to sleep.”

  He turned the doorknob.

  “Wait. Can you stay for a minute?” She fluttered her eyelashes.

  He finished opening the door. “No.” He walked out, closing it firmly behind him.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  John stood next to the bar in the Velvet Ballroom at the charity event, thinking Sophia had stood him up. This was supposed to have been the night they showed the world they were a couple. He’d really been looking forward to having her in his arms. She told him she wanted to meet him there, maybe she got cold feet.

  “Relax. Sophia will be here,” Jason said, staring at his wife across the room. Kay looked stunning in a flowing, black dress that exposed her back.

  “Maybe I should call her,” John said, glaring around.

  Jason’s eyes sparkled when Kay walked up and kissed her husband on the lips.

  “She’s coming,” she said. “You know us. We’re always late.”

  “Not Sophia. She’s early for everything.”

  “She’ll be here. You’re the one person she’ll never let down.” The music started playing.

  Jason took her hands in his. “Come on, let’s dance. Show me what you got.” He lightly smacked her on the ass.

  They sashayed their way to the dance floor. John laughed as he watched them goof around. They knew how to have fun with each other.

  When he glanced toward the entrance, he saw Amy and Charles enter. He hated to admit it, but she looked beautiful in her long, sleeveless turquoise dress. He stared at her. Her brown hair was up in a fancy ’do. Their eyes met, and she smiled, but it didn’t affect him like it had before. He looked away at what he’d lost, but instead of feeling pain, he felt relief. He thought of leaving but remembered he was part of the bachelor’s auction to raise money for the Children’s Hospital.

  Amy and Charles strolled up to where he was standing at the bar. “Good evening, John,” Amy said, holding Charles’ hand.

  He glanced at her. “Good evening.”

  She looked around him. “No date, I see,” she said, smirking.

  He ignored her, taking the last gulp of his drink. When he looked up, his breath caught in his throat, and he couldn’t help but smile as Sophia stepped in to the ballroom.

  God, she’s gorgeous. He eyed her from head to toe. It was the first time he’d seen her hair so silky straight, and her makeup was flawless in natu
ral, gold colors. Her white gown, tied at the back of her neck, showed off her cleavage. As she walked, the high slit on the left showed off her powerful, toned leg. But the most exquisite items on her body were her million-dollar smile and the way her eyes sparkled when they met his.

  John placed his drink down. “Excuse me. My date just arrived.”

  Amy realized who he was staring at, and he saw her smile disappear.

  He took fast strides toward Sophia. When he reached her, he couldn’t resist. He placed his arms around her waist, feeling her bare back, and gently pulled her forward and whispered in her ear. “You look gorgeous.” He pulled back, and gave her a feathery kiss.

  She smiled against his lips. “Thanks. Kay helped.” She gazed into his eyes. “You are fine as hell in that tux.”

  “Remind me to thank her.” He took her hands in his and they strolled over to their assigned table.

  He pulled out a chair for her to sit, gently pushed it in, and then sat next to her. Even so, she was too far away and he inched his chair closer to hers.

  “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Morris.” They were Charles’ parents and John’s boss. They’d apologized a million times for their son’s behavior. “This is my girlfriend, Sophia Delgado,” he said with a grin he couldn’t suppress.

  Sophia hadn’t been prepared for him to introduce her as his girlfriend, but it felt so right. “Nice to meet you.” The gentleman shook her hand, and then the lady.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ms. Delgado,” Mr. Morris said. “You’ve been an inspiration to him. Because of you, he is a changed man. We can’t get him to stop smiling.”

  Sophia blushed. She didn’t know John had talked about her at work.

  “Hey, she’s already taken. Don’t make me tell Mary,” he joked, winking from across the table at his boss’ wife.

  Jason and Kay arrived and sat next to them.

  “Kay, you look gorgeous,” Sophia said.

  “Thanks, and as always, you look stunning.”