by Kimi Flores
You sound like a chick, focus on tonight, he reminded himself.
Now that both of their plates were empty, he grabbed their wine glasses and headed toward the couch. Leah picked up the dishes and put them in the sink. Joining him, she tucked her feet under herself in the corner of the sofa.
Something caught his eye on the window ledge above the couch. Peering behind them, he found a plastic flower with red petals. It was attached to a green stem and two leaves that looked like they were supposed to be arms sprouting out of a red flower pot base.
Noticing where his eyes roamed, Leah explained, “One of the kids gave that to me. It dances when the sun hits the solar panel.” She smiled warmly. “She said it reminded her of me.”
“It’s really sweet that you kept it.” Leah is sitting way too far from me. He scooted closer, then brushed his knuckles on her cheeks.
Gulping loudly, she replied, “I save everything my kids give me.” She touched her mouth, unable to contain her grin. “It’s those little things that can brighten even my worst days.” She was practically glowing.
Leaning in, he handed her the glass of wine. “Thanks for dinner.” The clinking sound of their glasses echoed through the apartment before they each took a sip.
“My pleasure.” She took a sip of wine while running her fingertips up her thigh.
The way Leah enunciated the words ignited a fire within him. Slowly, he moved toward her, taking the wine-goblet from her hand. He reached over to the side table and sat their glasses next to each other. Watching her suck in a sharp breath encouraged him.
Stefen could see the same excitement building in her eyes, inviting him to inch even closer until their lips met.
She was exquisite, her body responding to his every touch, melting into his caresses. He reached behind her head and gently pulled the band out of her hair. Her shiny black locks cascaded down her back, a handful of strands falling in front of her shoulders.
He inhaled the floral scent from her shampoo, enjoying the flavor of her kiss, intoxicated by her presence. She lifted onto her knees, wrapping her hands around his shoulders while her soft lips slowly moved against his. With as much restraint as he could muster, he placed his palms around her waist, gently pulling their bodies down onto the couch until she was lying on top of him.
He rubbed slow circles on her lower back, traveling down to cup the ass he’d been admiring for weeks. She tensed for a moment, then relaxed into his caresses.
Her hands found their way into his hair and kneaded the back of his head as she quietly moaned. Hungrily, she sucked on his lips as she parted her knees to straddle him. There was no need to talk her into anything—she was raring.
Groaning, his restraint faded as he thought, I’ve got to get her in the other room. Now.
Removing his lips from hers, he meant to whisper into her ear, but her mouth made its way to his neck. He loved having soft lips against his neck.
She nipped on his skin, and he groaned, “How about we move to your bedroom?”
She froze like she’d been doused with a bucket of ice water. Biting her bottom lip, she spoke softly, “Stefen, I don’t usually have sex with guys I haven’t known that long. To be honest,” she fiddled nervously with her fingers, “I’ve only been with one other guy before, and that was back in college.”
Propping himself up with his elbows, he never broke eye contact, running a comforting hand down her thigh. “Leah, please tell me you don’t think of me as some random guy you just met. I know you feel what I feel. To be honest, this is kind of new for me.” He hadn’t planned on sharing that, but it was, in fact, the truth.
He brushed a hand across her cheek. “I need to feel all of you. Please say yes.” His fingertips dragged along her arms, needing the contact of his skin on hers. Now that he’d had a taste, he was desperate for more.
Her breath hitched, and he felt the pounding of her pulse on her inner thighs that were pressing against his hips. Relishing in the sensation, he was starting to lose it.
She continued, “Wanting you is not the problem, Stefen. We still haven’t even discussed what happened yesterday.”
Tenderly, he placed his index finger on her mouth. “Shh. It’s over. I don’t want to talk about that again.” With her nestled on his lap, he sat up and cupped her face, covering her mouth once more with his own. It was his turn to kiss her neck. Biting and licking his way down, his lips landed on the very edge of her shirt.
She moaned breathlessly, “Okay, let me get freshened up first.”
Fuck yeah! “Only if you do me a favor.” He placed one final kiss on the exposed skin on her chest before bringing his forehead to hers. “Put on your red dress.”
“You want me to get dressed, just to get undressed?” She moved her fingertips over the skin he’d just kissed.
Stefen lowered his voice as a slow smile built on his lips. “Yes. I enjoy unwrapping my gifts, slowly.” His fingertip lightly stroked her arm.
She trembled and bit her lip. The blaze in her eyes nearly made him come undone.
He missed her body’s warmth the moment she got up. Laying back on the couch, he rested his hands behind his head, watching every stride of her hips as they swayed back and forth until she reached the doorframe. Glancing over her shoulder, she said the words he’d been waiting to hear from her.
“I’ll be ready in a few.”
Stefen inched his way out of bed, trying his best not to disturb Leah. They’d just had a marathon night of the best sex he’d ever had. Leah wasn’t lying when she said that she’d only been with one other guy before. She was inexperienced, but also a quick learner. Once their bodies became one, they moved in unison as though they were made for each other. At a loss, he didn’t know what to do at this point. They’d crossed that line. Now they could never go back.
He went in search of his boxer briefs that had been thrown haphazardly on the floor, then shut himself in the bathroom. Looking at himself in the mirror, he saw a man that had just been unconditionally loved. A man that didn’t deserve what was given to him.
“You’re a bastard.” He shook his head, mildly disgusted with himself.
It was already late, and he had to get out of her place. Spending the entire night and doing the whole ‘morning after’ thing was not an option. Splashing some water on his face, he tried to tame his bed head, then he turned off the light and quietly opened the door.
He crept around the room, found his clothes, and threw them on. Feeling around in the dark, he picked up all of the wrappers he could find on the floor and tucked them into his back pockets. The least he could do was throw them away.
The overpowering need to get one final kiss consumed him as he leaned over and placed his lips on his sleeping beauty. Leah stirred, then opened her eyes.
Damn. I should’ve left without my kiss.
“Hey,” she said groggily, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?”
He stood up straight, putting his hands in his front pockets. “Just after three in the morning.”
Sitting up, she leaned against the headboard, pulling the sheets up to cover her bare chest. “How long did I sleep?”
“About a half hour.”
Baffled, she held on tighter to the sheet. “Why are you dressed already?”
This was it—the moment he dreaded. “I have to get going.” He narrowed his eyes, pursing his lips.
She jutted her jaw out as she shook her head. “So that’s it?” Her hand flew up and smacked the bed. “You’re done, and now you’re leaving? Unbelievable.”
“Leah, I don’t ever stay after it’s over. You know this is who I am.” He kept his hands in his pocket as he looked down at her.
Her eyes went wide and wild, her chest rising up and down angrily. “Did you seriously just say that? After everything we just did? I don’t expect you to propose, but I also didn’t think you were a coward.” Squeezing her eyelids shut, she balled her hands into fists. “Shit! I knew it. Why the hell did I let myself ge
t sucked into your bullshit?”
Taking a chance, he sat down beside her, but her instant glare had him popping back up. “Don’t be upset. I wish it was different for us. I meant it when I told you I’ve never felt this way before, but it’s not who I am.” He placed his hand on his pounding chest. Fuck, am I having a heart attack?
He tried to reason with her. “Leah, I leave in a few days. A long distance thing would never work.”
His heart beat so hard, he thought it was going to explode. Time to switch this around. This shit hurts. “You even said it yourself, I’m just looking for my next piece of ass.”
He knew that was harsh, but he decided he would rather her hate him when he left. If she didn’t despise him, he would probably do stupid shit like crawl back into bed with her and that was not what he was about.
She held the sheet with one hand and pointed to her living room with the other. “Get the hell out of my house, puto!”
Stefen couldn’t recall much from college Spanish, but he was pretty sure this was not a term of endearment.
Tears flowed down her cheeks, and her bottom lip quivered. He hated hurting her, and he hated himself more for it. “Please, let’s not leave like this. Maybe we can work something out. I can come back periodically, or pay for you to come visit me.” What am I saying? He needed to end this now, but her pain was making his chest tighten even more.
She gave him the dirtiest look he’d ever seen. “I will not be your fuck buddy. That’s not who I am. I deserve better.” Wrapping herself with the thin sheet, she struggled a bit, but managed to make it off of the bed. Storming to the front door, she flung it opened and yelled out to him, “I’m not asking you again. Get. Out!”
This was not how he pictured the night ending at all. Surprised, he gathered his things and staggered toward her. Guilt overflowed his veins when she wouldn’t even look at him. Wanting to comfort her, he reached out, but she slapped his hand away before he got too close.
The door slammed shut when he was only half through, smacking him in the ass. Outside, the chilled air filled him with a deep emptiness. He momentarily leaned his head against the door when he heard a loud slamming sound and Leah shouting something in Spanish. Again, he couldn’t translate.
He’d screwed up. Big time. But she had to have known how it would end...Right?
Suddenly, a not so distant memory came crashing into him—Caleb’s warning. Shit.
Caleb was right. Leah deserved a man that could make all of her dreams come true. Stefen would never be that man. Now, not only did he have to live each day, knowing he'd hurt a girl he could possibly…Possibly what?
The question stumped him.
But there was something there. Something stronger than he’d ever felt before. Now he’d have to deal with his cousin’s wrath as well.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
Leah woke up, barely able to open her eyes. They were practically swollen shut from crying all night. There was no way she was going to make it into work today, so she called her assistant, Melissa, to fill in. She wouldn't have to worry about tomorrow since it was the fourth of July, and the shop would be closed anyway.
Wandering into the bathroom, she winced at her horrid reflection. The broken woman that stared back almost sent her into another fit of tears. It didn’t matter what she looked like, though. Her best friend was coming home in a few hours, and Leah didn’t want her to have to prepare dinner for everyone.
Placing a cold washcloth on her eyes, she laid down on the bed. Abby had sent a text right before they boarded the plane, saying she couldn’t wait to see her. That would have to wait. In the wake of Stefen’s abandonment, Leah decided she wouldn’t tell Abby. There was no good reason to drag her best friend into this shitty situation. Abby just got married, and Leah wasn’t about to add tension to her brand new life.
Forcing herself out of bed, she went into the bathroom again to clean up. After tossing the washcloth into the sink, she threw on some yoga pants, a t-shirt, and her flip flops. The quicker she got ready, the sooner she would be in and out of Abby’s house, then safely back home. She struggled a bit, carrying the Pyrex dishes down the stairs and into her van, but she managed.
Maybe I don’t need a man after all, she thought as she slammed the door shut a little harder than necessary.
Driving down the road closer toward him, her stomach began to tighten.
How did I fall for him? I knew what kind of guy he was.
Tears clouded her vision again as she looked down at the lasagnas. If only she knew which piece would be Stefen’s. Then a small evil grin broke out when she thought about spitting on the piece that jerk-face was going to eat. Unless she served him herself, it would never work.
Apprehensively, she pulled up to the house. Caleb's Range Rover was parked next to the one he’d given Abby after their engagement party. It was fairly early, and Leah hoped to be able to sneak in and out without seeing Stefen.
She kept her sunglasses on to hide her puffy eyes as she cautiously opened the front door. Naturally, it had to creek. She left her shoes at the door to avoid any flip-flopping.
Tiptoeing into the kitchen, she opened the refrigerator. Thankfully, it no longer smelled like a rotting carcass. She set the lasagnas on the middle shelf with a note on top, then closed the door. As she rounded the kitchen entrance, something caught her eye. Hesitantly, she looked to her side and there he was, at the bottom of the stairs, with wet hair. Wearing only a towel around his waist.
“Shit!” she mumbled, pressing a hand to her wildly beating heart. Then with her head held high, she strode toward the front door, acting as if she didn’t care that he was standing right there.
“Aren't you going to say ‘hi’?” Stefen slurred before taking a drink of the amber liquid from the glass he held.
A bit early to be drinking. But she couldn’t care less. He didn’t give a damn about her, and she didn’t give a damn about him.
“Nope.” She got to the door, hastily putting her shoes back on, but the left one wouldn't cooperate. It turned to the side then flipped over, while her foot scooted on the wood floor to slip it on.
Dammit!
He watched her botched escape attempt, unamused. “What the hell did you do to me?” He took another swig of liquor, mumbling something about his parents and being a ‘no relationships’ guy. He looked broken, tormented.
Her nostrils flared. To hell with him. She couldn’t fix him. He’d made his choice.
Muttering curses, she finally picked up the damn flip flop and scurried out the door as he yelled after her, “You ruined everything! Everything!”
I’m definitely better off without that prick in my life.
Jumping into her car, she slammed the door and burst into tears—again.
As she peeled out, she noticed him leaning haphazardly against the doorframe…shirtless.
Can’t that jackass ever wear a damn shirt?
Leah’s eyes popped open at the sound of her ring tone blaring through the dark bedroom.
“Hello?” Her voice was hoarse and sore from the additional crying after she’d climbed back into bed.
Abby spoke over a squealing Madison in the background. “Hey, sweetie. We just got home and found the food. Thank you so much. I’m exhausted. I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” It took everything she had not to fall apart while her closest friend in the world listened on the other end.
“Are you all right? You don’t sound so good.”
As wonderful as it was to hear Abby's voice, it was also challenging. This was her best friend, and she couldn't share her own heartache. She simply couldn’t put Abby in the middle. Two more days, and Stefen will be gone. Out of my life forever. Hopefully, at least.
“I’m just sick.” She forced a bogus cough and sniffed. “I’m so glad you’re home, though. I want to catch up with you, but I need to go back to sleep.” The lump in her throat nearly choked her. It was time to cut this conversation short befo
re she totally lost it.
“Oh, let me come over and check on you. Do you want some soup or something?” Abby’s concerned, soothing voice made Leah feel so damn guilty.
“No!” she cried out, then took a breath. “I'm sorry, I mean, you just got back from your honeymoon, and I’m probably contagious. Give me a day or so, and I'll come see you.” She hoped Abby wouldn't come over. There was no way she could hide this face to face.
Exaggerating her sigh, Abby spoke matter-of-factly, “I’m a teacher, Leah. I’m used to germs, but I’ll let you be. Tonight. Please let me know if you need anything? Drink plenty of fluids.”
“I will. I just need to sleep for now.” Lots and lots of sleep.
Once they said their good byes, Leah held her stomach, filled with remorse. All she wanted was for sleep to claim her, so she didn’t have to think anymore. After a while of tossing and turning, she got her wish.
Until the next morning when Abby called to check up on her.
Stefen stumbled into the kitchen after the aroma of sizzling bacon beckoned him from his restless sleep. Abby, the vegetarian in the family, was standing at the stove in a fuzzy pink bathrobe, cooking, and Stefen couldn’t help but wonder what kind of meat she had in the pan.
With any luck, it wasn’t some sort of bacon-flavored tofu. Leah had told him that she teased Abby, calling her imposter bacon, ‘fakon’. He had no interest in eating fake-anything.
“Good morning.” Grabbing a mug, Abby poured him some coffee, half-smiling as she handed it to him.
Something was off, then he realized she was on the phone.
“I'm so sorry, Leah. Sounds like you’ve had a rough couple of days. I'm gonna miss you. This will be the first Fourth of July that we won’t spend together.” She pointed to where the vanilla creamer and sugar sat.
Giving her the thumbs up, he sipped it right away. Coffee was meant to be drank black, and this mugful needed to get rid of his raging headache. He held his breath as he listened in, wondering what Leah had told her.
