Traditional Love

by Alta Hensley

  I chose not to call him. I just crawled in bed and tried to push out the world. My phone rang, and I knew it was Caine. He knew I would be home by now and was probably worried as to why I didn’t call. I ignored the ring. He called several times, with me ignoring each one.

  After several hours I finally decided to answer the phone.

  “Neely? Are you all right? Why haven’t you answered my calls?” Caine demanded. I could hear the panic in his voice.

  “I’m fine. I just didn’t feel like talking,” I answered.

  “What? Why? Jesus Christ, Neely! You had me worried out of my mind!” Caine shouted.

  “I’m sorry,” I weakly apologized. “I need to go.”

  “Wait… Neely,” Caine said.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “I love you,” Caine said barely above a whisper.

  I simply hung up the phone. I closed my eyes and allowed sleep to take over. I heard Caine come in later that night, and I pretended to be asleep. I could tell that Caine was staring at me, but I didn’t want to talk. Even after how poorly I had treated him, he still leaned in and softly kissed me on the forehead.

  I wiped the tears away as I remembered last night. Staring at my mother’s grave all alone made me long for Caine. I was pushing him away, but I so desperately needed him. I hung up the phone last night and didn’t even say good-bye. I didn’t tell him that I loved him too.

  “It hurts mama. I know it’s been three years, but it hurts.” The tears began to flow. “I’m pushing him away, mama. I’m going to mess this up, just like I did with my last marriage. I’m going to lose him too. What’s wrong with me?” I asked the grave before me.

  “I love him, mama so much. I just hope I haven’t pushed him away. I hope he loves me after how I acted,” I cried.

  I felt someone come up behind me and place a hand on my shoulder.

  “He will always love you.”

  I turned startled to find Caine standing behind me with a bouquet of flowers in his hands. He smiled at me with nothing but love in his eyes.

  “Caine! How did you know I would be here?” I asked confused. I had gotten out of bed early, careful not to wake Caine when I left.

  “I figured you would come here today,” he answered.

  I stood up, standing in front of him. “You knew?”

  Caine nodded. “I knew.” He moved to place the flowers on my mother’s grave.

  He turned towards me and wrapped his arms around my waist. “I knew you were struggling with this day coming. I knew you had to deal with it in your own way. It killed me that I couldn’t take your pain away.” He kissed me on the forehead, stroking my hair. “I love you, Neely. You haven’t pushed me away. You could never push me away.”

  “I’m so sorry Caine. I don’t know why I shut down like this. It isn’t fair,” I apologized.

  “Don’t apologize Neely. We all deal with death and grieving differently. You handle it the way you have to.” He kissed me tenderly on the lips. “There is nothing wrong with you. You haven’t failed at anything. Your marriage wasn’t right. It wasn’t meant to be.” He paused for several moments allowing me to listen to the soothing beat of his heart. “You don’t have to be, or act like anyone else. I love you for who you are. I love all the good and all the bad.”

  I looked into Caine’s eyes and felt my heart melt. “My mama would have loved that we’re getting married. I know she’s happy knowing I’m safe, cared for, and in love with you,” I whispered.

  “I agree.” Caine smiled. “Your mother was there for me after my parents died. She gave me a lot of advice on how to finish raising Coley. There were times that I couldn’t have made it without her. I owe her a lot,” Caine admitted.

  I turned my head so I could see her grave but not moving from Caine’s embrace. Having him hold me helped ease my pain. I had always felt so alone before. Now I had Caine. His strong arms never letting me go.

  “I’m ready to go home,” I confessed.

  Caine simply turned me towards the truck. He said nothing, but his silence was welcomed. I didn’t need advice, or consoling. I just needed to know I had someone there for me. I just needed him to stand by my side. If I didn’t know Caine was the man for me before, I knew without a doubt now.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “I promise, Caine. I’ll call as soon as I’m ready to be picked up. You don’t need to worry,” I said as I tried to kiss good-bye.

  Caine kissed me lightly. “I mean it Neely. This better not be another repeat of the last ‘Girls Night Out’,” Caine warned.

  I nodded in agreement. “I know, I know. Trust me, I don’t either.” I winked as I slid out the truck door.

  “And Neely, remember to keep our secret until tomorrow,” Caine reminded with a wide grin.

  I smiled. “You remember too!” I added.

  Caine had insisted on dropping me off to meet the girls before he met up with his guy friends for a beer. I knew that if I allowed for myself to get as drunk as last time, there would be a price to pay. I not only wanted to avoid his hand on my rear, but an evening full of vomit didn’t sound pleasant either.

  I walked into the familiar bar and found Rebecca sitting by herself. She seemed so unhappy and had visibly lost a lot of weight. Her pending divorce was obviously taking a toll on her.

  “Hey good looking, are you here by yourself?” I teased.

  She looked up and smiled. “Love looks good on you, Neely,” Rebecca complimented.

  “Thank you. It feels good, too,” I added.

  There was a moment of awkward silence before I asked, “I haven’t wanted to bring this up before, but how are you doing with the separation?”

  Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. “Not good. I guess I had hopes that he would hop on his white horse and save our marriage. I really thought he’d be able to save us. He always had been my hero,” she stated as tears formed.

  I reached for her hand and gave a light squeeze. “I wish I had good advice, or even had the right thing to say. Just know that you are strong and powerful, and you will survive this,” I encouraged.

  She squeezed my hand back. “Thanks. I just hope I can be as happy as you are right now.” She signaled for the waitress. “Let’s talk about happier things. I’m really tired of my pity party.”

  Coley arrived moments later looking like an excited child on Christmas morning.

  “You guys are not going to believe this! Kendall isn’t meeting us tonight. Do you want to know why?” she asked, leaving us hanging.

  “Why?” I asked.

  “She’s with Matt! I’m not sure of all the details, but he put his foot down and isn’t allowing her to drink anymore. But the best part is that she is letting him! Kendall and Matt are together!” Coley exclaimed.

  “It’s not like we didn’t see this coming,” Rebecca replied.

  “Good for them and good for her. She needed someone like Matt to help deal with her demons,” I stated. I truly believed that Kendall needed guidance by a strong man like Matt. She needed to be loved.

  Rebecca dug in her purse and pulled out some money. She placed the bills on the table and stood up. “I’m sorry guys. I don’t feel very well tonight. I’ll catch up with you later.”

  “What? Are you sure? We can leave with you,” Coley offered.

  Rebecca shook her head. “No, it’s fine really. I’ll be all right,” she stated before she headed for the door.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow, right?” I called after her.

  Rebecca didn’t turn around but called over her shoulder, “See you then.”

  Coley looked at me confused. “Was it something I said?”

  I shook my head. “Rebecca is having a hard time with the separation. I don’t think she really wants it,” I explained.

  “Oh. I feel so bad for her. She really loved him.” Coley reached for my hand and squeezed tight. “Tell me. How are you and Caine doing?”

  I could feel my heart speed up just thinking about him. “We a
re absolutely perfect! Your brother makes me so happy!” I gushed. I wanted so desperately to tell her about the engagement. But Caine and I had promised to each other to wait until the party. I didn’t realize it would be this hard.

  “He isn’t driving you crazy with his bossy ways?” Coley asked with a slight snicker.

  “No. It’s sexy. He’s everything I need,” I answered, feeling myself get warm inside.

  Coley looked around the bar. “Well hell! Our ‘Girls Night Out’ has become a bust. How about you and I crash the ‘Boys Night Out’?” Coley suggested.

  The idea seemed wonderful. I already missed Caine and couldn’t wait to see him. “That sounds great! Let’s go.”

  We walked into the sports bar and found the guys sitting at the bar with their backs to us. I liked that we would be able to sneak up without them seeing us. Spotting Caine across the room caused my stomach to flip in anticipation. I still couldn’t believe that the gorgeous man casually leaning on the bar belonged to me.

  I slowly walked up behind Caine and whispered in his ear, “What’s a handsome man like you doing alone?”

  He turned in surprise and quickly wrapped his arms around me. “Hey baby! What a surprise!” He suddenly looked worried and scanned my body and then quickly looked at Coley. “What’s wrong? Is everything all right?” Caine asked concerned.

  “Everything’s fine. We just thought we’d have more fun with you guys,” I reassured. “And I missed you.”

  His eyes lit up. “I’m happy that you did.”

  He nuzzled his face into my neck and started to place little kisses, working his way towards my mouth. He pressed his tongue past my lips and danced his with mine. His hands lowered until they were both wrapped around my ass. I became dizzy with his passionate display of affection.

  “Caine, we’re in public! Your friends are watching!” I murmured against his forceful kiss.

  He raised his hands back to my waist and pulled me even closer. “Let them watch,” he growled as he continued to kiss me with fervor.

  “All right you two, I don’t want to watch you have sex right on that bar stool,” Coley chastised.

  Caine stopped kissing and pulled me to sit on his lap. We turned to Coley and the rest of the guys. Coley was perched on a stool with one of Caine’s friends. I faintly remembered his name as Vance, and he was extremely good looking. Coley was obviously flirting a little bit.

  “Where are the rest of the girls?” Caine asked. He lifted the hair off of my shoulder and placed small kisses in just the right places. Sitting on his lap and receiving his tender attention was heavenly.

  “Rebecca wasn’t feeling up to hanging out…” I explained.

  Coley interrupted, “And Matt and Kendall are together!” She clapped her hands excitedly. “Isn’t that great?”

  I could feel Caine tense up slightly. I knew he didn’t particularly like hearing the news. I turned to kiss him lightly on the cheek. Hopefully I was calming his tension. Looking around and hearing the rest of his friends, they seemed to expect it, but they also had the same look of concern on their faces as Caine.

  Coley could see that not everyone thought it was good news. “What? I think it’s great! Why do you guys look like it’s a bad idea or something?”

  Caine was the first to speak. “Kendall isn’t the type of girl Matt usually falls for.”

  “So? I wasn’t the type of girl you normally fell for either,” I added.

  Vance spoke up. “There’s no secret what Matt believes in.”

  “And there is no secret what Caine believes in. And Neely and Caine are doing just fine,” Coley pointed out.

  Caine looked at his buddies with a knowing look. “No use arguing with the ladies. We’ll never win,” Caine teased.

  He brushed his thumb along my jaw line and whispered in my ear, “I want you now!” I could feel his hard cock pressing into my ass.

  “I can see that,” I teased.

  He used his thumb along my jaw to turn my face to his. He pressed his lips to mine, slightly nipping my bottom lip with his teeth. He kissed me so hard and with such passion, I could barely breathe.

  “Go home you two. It’s obvious that you would much rather be doing something other than hanging out at a bar,” Coley suggested.

  I pulled away enough to look at Coley smiling at us. “Are you sure, Coley? I don’t want to leave you alone,” I asked with trepidation.

  Coley pushed her brother off the stool. “I’ll be fine. Go!” She directed.

  Caine stopped his kissing assault long enough to look at his friend Vance. “You mind making sure my sister gets home all right?”

  Vance nodded and placed his hand protectively on Coley’s shoulder. “No problem.”

  Coley blushed slightly. I suddenly realized that Vance was the same man who had wrapped his arms around Coley at the party to keep her from attacking Sara. Obviously there was more to Vance and Coley than I knew.

  I winked at Coley, and she winked back. My dear friend had a secret crush. A tall, muscular and handsome, secret crush!

  “All right, we’ll see you guys tomorrow night,” Caine reminded.

  Caine wrapped an arm around my shoulder and guided me out of the bar. He opened the truck door for me and helped me inside. He got into the driver’s seat and took a moment to stare at me.

  “I can’t even be away from you for an hour. You’re all I thought about. You have me hooked, Neely girl,” Caine confessed.

  “You have me hooked too,” I admitted.

  Caine reached across me to put on my seatbelt. He paused long enough to press his lips to mine. His kiss was soft and gentle. He let out a deep moan and moved his hands under my shirt to cup my breast.

  “I need you now!” He demanded.

  He pushed the fabric of my bra away revealing my erect nipples. Caine lowered his mouth and sucked hard, lightly biting at the flesh.

  Moisture pooled in my panties, and I began panting in anticipation. Never had I had sex in public. My heart started to beat faster. I was nervous, but I didn’t want him to stop. I wanted him just as bad, and I didn’t want to wait any longer.

  “Fuck me, Caine. Fuck me right now,” I breathlessly commanded.

  Caine flipped me over on to all fours before I could even take a breath. He raised my skirt and lowered my panties to my knees. He erotically slapped my ass, sending electricity through my body.

  “I told you no swearing,” Caine growled as he slapped my bottom again.

  I moaned loudly. I lost all sense of place. The only thing I could focus on was Caine pressing himself against me. I heard his zipper and his pants being lowered.

  “Bend forward baby. Show me that ass of yours,” Caine commanded as he pressed his hand between my shoulder blades.

  Suddenly I felt his cock impale me from behind. Caine pushed hard and fast, driving his cock in and out at a rapid speed.

  “Come for me, Neely. Scream my name,” Caine grunted.

  As if his words were all I needed, I felt the orgasm coming. It was building stronger and stronger as it approached.

  “Yes Caine, YES!” I screamed as he thrust his cock harder and harder.

  He reached around and found my clit. He pressed his finger from side to side, and then front to back, his finger driving my orgasm to the next level. My pussy clenched around his driving cock, milking him closer to completion.

  “Yeah Baby! Your pussy’s so tight, it feels so good,” Caine moaned.

  He grabbed my hips and pulled me into him as he fucked me harder. Each thrust was full of innate lust. Suddenly I felt his body tense, and his loud moan blend with mine. He collapsed on my body pushing my stomach to the seat.

  We spent several minutes catching our breath. I opened my eyes, reminded of the fact that we were in his truck in the middle of a parking lot. The sex was so fast and furious, and so absolutely mind blowing that I had actually forgotten where we were.

  Caine sat up, pulled my panties in place, and lowered my dress. I lean
ed my head against the seat and stared at him while he pulled on his pants. He smiled at me as he zipped them up.

  “You look gorgeous right now,” Caine complimented.

  I blushed slightly, unsure of how exactly I looked. I was still gasping, and my body was flushed.

  Caine placed his hand on the back of my head and pulled me in for a quick kiss.

  “That was amazing. Seeing you on all fours like that set me on fire,” Caine admitted.

  I snuggled up close to him and placed my hand on his still erect cock. I stroked him lightly over his jeans.

  “Hmmm let’s go home for more,” I requested.

  Caine laughed. “Anything you want sweetheart.” He started the truck and looked over his shoulder to back up.

  “I want you now, again!” I declared.

  I unbuttoned his pants and lowered his zipper. His erect cock popped out of its confinement yearning for more. I wrapped my hand around him and guided his cock to my hungry mouth. I licked my tongue from the tip all the way to the base, tasting my pussy on him, smelling our sex.

  Caine took in a deep breath. “Neely girl, we’re driving,” he informed. “We could get in an accident.”

  I ignored him by moving my mouth harder and tighter than I thought possible. The suction made my jaw ache, but I was determined to give Caine the best blow job of his life.

  I could feel the truck bounce as Caine drove home. I could hear Caine swear under his breath, but only thrust his hips into my needy mouth.

  “God, Neely, you need to stop,” he begged.

  I only moaned in response as I continued to suck up and down the length of his shaft. My body swayed with the movement of the truck as I worked his cock deeper than I had ever had him before. I circled my tongue around his cock, exploring each and every inch. My pussy clenched with every groan, longing for his possession. Signs of my arousal were mixed with his completion, still fresh between the folds of my pussy, ravenous for more. I sensed that we were almost home, and I shuddered with the thought of having him buried deep inside of me, filling me fully.