by Drew Sera
It set off a chain reaction, and Sydney began her quiet moans, letting us know she too, was coming. And as she began moaning, I felt that ring of muscle contract and grip my cock.
With Anthony writhing under her still, helping her through her orgasm, I felt my own explode.
“Jesus! Fuck, baby!” I blurted out.
I kept very still as I shot my load of cum up her ass. My eyes remained closed as I focused on hanging onto her tightly to keep her weight off Anthony’s chest. My cock continued to spurt, and I began to move my hips ever so slowly in a gentle fucking motion. Her entrance was very dry, and I had hoped that as I slowly withdrew, that my own cum would lubricate her so it wouldn’t hurt her too much.
Anthony’s chest and abdomen were rising and falling rapidly, and his gaze was fixated on Sydney. When he released his grip on the top of the hood, I saw how red his hands were. He must have really been gripping it tightly. Lowering his arms, he gently placed his hands on the top of Sydney’s hands, which were still gripping his chest.
“Baby, I’m going to let go of your waist for a minute. Put your hands next to Anthony’s legs.”
I had to vocalize that rather than just let go. For one, I wanted Anthony to hear that I was letting go of her so he’d realize that he might feel some of her weight press down on him. Knowing how he has reacted to feeling any weight on his chest, I had to be extra aware of that. When Sydney’s hands landed on the hood near Anthony’s hips, Anthony reached down and tugged Sydney’s ass cheeks apart slightly to help me slowly inch out of her. She was tense, and I knew it stung and felt like she was tearing apart a little bit. Her body relaxed when I was out of her, and Anthony sat right up, wrapping his arms around her.
“That was fucking amazing. I love you so much, sunshine.”
My legs were a little tired, and I maneuvered around Anthony’s leg that dangled off the hood of my car, to sit next to him. Even though he had Sydney in a tight embrace, I still needed to touch her too. I reached over and stroked her cheek with my thumb as her head rested on Anthony’s shoulder. She was facing me and gave me a smile. I was in a slight daze and just wanted to fall asleep after that. First, I needed to get them taken care of, and then we’ll sleep.
Leaning over, I grabbed my suit pants and underwear and pulled them up as I stood. I shook the dirt from the garage floor off Anthony’s shirt that he had shed and guided Sydney’s arms into it.
“Come on, let’s get cleaned up and in bed,” I said while gathering articles of clothes.
I held the door open that led from the garage to the house while Anthony walked through, carrying Sydney. His back was bright red, and it made me laugh. We took a quick shower before we flopped into bed.
20
Tuesday, March 11th
Anthony
“Let’s go, Graves. I’ve been dying to see what you’re really made of.”
I bolted upright and grabbed for my chest as the bullet pierced my skin. Fuck. It was a dream. I reached for the glass of water on the nightstand as Paul’s venomous voice and the sound of the gun faded in my head.
Sydney and Colin slept soundly next to me. I couldn’t go back to sleep, but I promised them that I wouldn’t run anymore. I turned to lie on my side and faced Sydney’s back as she slept on Colin. Her hand was on his chest, and I longed for that to be my chest. My heart was pounding, and if there’s one thing that calms me down, it’s her soft, gentle hand resting on my chest.
She needed her rest. I couldn’t wake her.
Even though I was staring at the back of her head, all my mind could focus on was the gun going off, followed by all the blood. There was so much. It was everywhere; in my mouth, sprayed in my eyes and up my nose. He wasn’t even a human form after I got done with him.
Fuck.
I quickly went to the bathroom and threw up. While I stood at the sink brushing my teeth, I became aware that I was ice cold and shaking.
Get a fucking grip!
As I ran the toothbrush around in my mouth, I watched my stomach flex in the mirror. What the fuck is wrong with me?
I was irritated now, but still went back to bed and pulled the sheet up. I stared at the back of Sydney’s head but didn’t touch her. I couldn’t bring myself to touch her while Paul was still loose in my head.
Somewhere close to five in the morning, Sydney began to stir. I propped myself up on my elbow and watched her closely for a few minutes. When the area around her eyes flinched, and her head moved slightly, I knew she was having a nightmare. With my hand on her abdomen, I slowly rubbed, willing her to wake up.
“Sydney, sunshine…wake up…Sydney,” I said close to her ear.
Her eyes flew open, and I could see her trying to piece things together in terms of what she just woke from. She lifted her head and looked at me.
“It’s okay, sunshine. Just a dream…come here, sweetheart.”
Sydney sat up and wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Oh fuck, she felt good. I leaned against the headboard and Sydney sat sideways between my legs. She leaned against me with her body blanketing my chest and stomach. I held her close and stroked her hair.
“I have you, sunshine.”
I still felt a little off this morning while I got dressed for the golf game with Cheng and his team of people. Of course, I would have much rather have stayed home with Sydney, but this was Colin’s time to shine. He has worked for so many years on getting this contract, and now that he had it, we needed to care for it and make sure it grows. The easy thing about today was the fact that we were golfing right here on the course by the house. Sydney would feel better about this, as well as Colin and I.
We were on our way to meet Cheng’s team and Mitch at the clubhouse when Colin asked me about what I had wanted to talk to him about. Fuck, I didn’t know if this was the right time, but I also knew that I needed to quench any worries he may have.
“Look, we don’t have a ton of time to talk about it right now. But, I think I’m ready to start talking with Sydney…about some stuff.”
Since I was driving the golf cart, I wasn’t able to see his initial reaction, but he quickly spoke up.
“That’s wonderful, Anth. I completely support you.”
I nodded, and when I started to speak, my voice caught and a cough came out instead.
“I just wanted you to be aware, so you and I can keep an eye on her. I don’t want it to be too much for her.”
21
Wednesday, March 12th
Sydney
Gina came over after the guys went to work. It was nice to have some company, and it made me feel better knowing that someone was here. She was going to go home around lunchtime, and then I’d spend the afternoon here alone. We were at least going to attempt it this week. The guys were each going to check in with me throughout the afternoon to help give me peace of mind. I’m going to try my hardest to keep myself occupied with writing.
While Gina and I watched a bunch of T.V., I told her about the event tonight. Dinner wasn’t until 8:00 p.m., and then we were going to a nightclub. I had never been to the nightclub we were going to tonight, but Gina immediately starting talking about it. It sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun. Gina glanced down at her phone when she got a text.
“Matt’s on his way to pick me up.”
She and I walked toward the front door and watched out the window for him. Gina reminded me to text or call her this afternoon if I got nervous or afraid. I nodded. Matt’s SUV pulled into the driveway, and he walked to the door as we opened it.
“We saw you walking to the door,” Gina explained when his expression reflected that he was surprised we opened the door.
“Hi, Sydney. Gina and I are heading home, so we will be there in case you want to call. We don’t have any plans this afternoon either, so we can come back over too.”
“Ok, thank you.”
“What time are the guys coming home?”
“Um, different times. They each took separate cars today because Colin has to meet
with his legal team at 4:00. Anthony said he was leaving work at 4:00 and I imagine Colin will be closer to 5:00 or 5:30.”
Matt glanced at his watch and reminded me to call them if I needed anything. He was going to wait until I gave him the thumbs up through the window letting him know that the door was locked and the house alarm was set. As soon as I set the alarm I gave him the thumbs up. Gina and Matt both waved to me before they turned to leave.
I took a deep breath as I walked back to the great room. I was alone for a while. Nothing to worry about. While walking to the kitchen, my cell phone revved and made me smile.
AG: Hey, sunshine. Did Matt just leave?
SB: Yes, I disarmed the alarm to let Gina out and then armed it when they left. Matt and Gina waited until they knew I had the alarm armed again.
AG: Good. Did you have lunch yet?
SB: Not yet. I was just about to.
I was so happy that he was texting me. I set the phone on the counter and put some soup in the microwave. The phone was quiet while I made the soup. I kept my eyes on the text string while I ate, hoping I’d see the dots that would tell me if he’s typing.
AG: Let’s have lunch together.
SB: OK, how?
AG: Answer
Answer? I was about to ask him what the question was when my phone rang and the picture of him appeared on my screen.
“Hello,”
“Hi, sunshine. I just sat down in the courtyard with lunch.”
“You’re eating in today?”
“Yep. I told Colin I had an important meeting after lunch that I couldn’t be late for and that he and Mitch were on their own today with Cheng.”
“What time is your meeting?” I asked and turned to look at the clock on the microwave.
He was laughing and sounded so sexy. Anthony was so easy to listen to when he laughed.
“You’re my meeting, Sydney. I wanted to have lunch with you. Even if we can’t be right next to one another, I can still listen to you.”
Oh, my God! He’s so kind and good to me.
“I’d love that. I just sat down with my soup.”
“Your soup and?”
“My soup. I just made chicken noodle soup.”
“And?”
I glanced at the soup in front of me and turned my hand over, trying to figure out what I was forgetting.
“And my Coke.”
“And…Sydney, soup isn’t enough. What else are you going to have?”
Oh.
“Um,”
I turned to look at the counters and stood up when his gentle voice came through my phone.
“Sunshine, you said ‘um.’ I’m not angry, I just want you to eat a little more.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say ‘um’. I’m not nervous…”
“Sydney, it’s okay to be nervous. You don’t need to be, but it’s okay.”
I nodded and looked down. I was nervous, and he knew it. They say that when I say it, they know I’m nervous. Colin said it’s my nervous hitch.
“Sunshine, are you with me?”
“Yes, I’m here. Sor-”
I caught myself from apologizing. They’ve told me not to feel like I constantly have to apologize for everything. I took a deep breath and headed toward the pantry.
“I’m getting some crackers to go with the soup and a pear.”
“Good girl, Sydney. I’m having a sub sandwich and chips. So, what did you and Gina do this morning?”
While I ate my lunch, Anthony and I talked about Gina and tonight. He said that he had been to the nightclub before and that he thought I’d like it. It was so nice to have him on the phone.
“What are you going to do this afternoon?” he asked.
“I think I’m going to write for a little while.”
There was a pause, and at first, I thought the call dropped, but then his voice came through sounding different than it had. He was less playful and sounded more concerned.
“Okay, sunshine. I want you to take some breaks and go sit in our room when you do, okay?”
“Yes, Sir. I will.”
“Promise me, Sydney.”
“I promise, Sir.”
“Okay, sweetheart. I have to get going. Remember what I said about the breaks…I love you, Sydney.”
“I love you too, Sir.”
“Say my name.”
“Anthony…I love you, Anthony.”
His soft laugh echoed in my ear and made me smile.
“That’s my girl. I’ll text you later, but remember you can always call or text us whenever you want.”
I cleaned up my plate and loaded it in the dishwasher while I thought about my lunch call with Anthony. Maybe he was worried that I’d get overwhelmed while writing. I would be cautious.
I went upstairs to my writing room and sat down on the bright blue couch. With my notebook on my lap, I tugged my Batman and Robin toss pillows next to me and opened my notebook and re-read what I had written the other night.
Damn. I read it over and over, and suddenly, I didn’t have the desire to write anymore. I closed my notebook, tossed it to the side and glanced at the container of M&M’s on the coffee table. Something caught my eye as I leaned forward toward the M&M’s container. Under the Robin action figure was the journal that I gave to Anthony for his birthday. I wondered why it was in here. I picked it up to re-read the little message I had written for him, but found a little sticky note on top of the page, covering up my words.
Sunshine, we have to do this my way, please. I know it’s asking a lot, but please don’t ask me to vocalize any of this. I can’t yet. I realize that these pages are about to get very dark for you and I know that you will need an outlet. Colin knows of my plan, and he will be here for us. I trust you, as you trust me.
I swallowed hard and read his note again. My mind was racing. The other day he said he was ready to tell me some things, but that we had to do it his way. I think “his way” was going to be in this notebook. I tossed some M&M’s in my mouth and pulled the Robin pillow to my lap as I turned the page.
The nightmares are so vivid. I wake up smelling the blood or hearing the gun. Sometimes, I jerk awake from the jolt of the gun going off in my hand. I swear, I can feel the force of the gun reverberate through my arm.
I’m pretty sure that I’m having physical reactions to things that I think about.
Does that make sense, sunshine?
I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. While I wish you didn’t understand that notion, I think you grasp it well.
Please, make no mistake, I don’t regret doing it, and I’d do it again if I had to. I would do whatever was needed to keep you and Colin safe.
My eyes raced over his words several times before I turned to find the next page blank. I took a deep breath and thought about his words. Anthony’s dreams are as bad as mine.
I spent some time thinking about what to do. He said we needed to do this his way. His way meant not talking, but writing instead.
22
Wednesday, March 12th
Anthony
While Colin and Sydney finished getting dressed for our evening, I headed down the hall to Sydney’s writing room. From the doorway, I saw my journal on the coffee table. Instead of being under the Robin figure, it was under the M&M’s jar.
“Clever, girl.”
In the distance, I still heard Sydney’s hairdryer, and faintly, Colin’s razor. Convinced that I had a few minutes, I went in and picked up my journal. Under my written words, in her beautiful handwriting was a note that made a fucking lump in my throat form.
I will hold you until the quivers in your abdomen stop. You don’t even have to say anything, just nudge me awake, and I’ll know. I won’t ask you about the dream or push you to talk. I’ll just hang onto you.
I couldn’t do this. I set the journal down and sat down, looking at the ground. Why did I start this with her? It’s not healthy for her to worry about me or even see half the shit I could
write. I stood, ready to leave the room, but my feet wouldn’t move.
I was running again.
Enough.
I grabbed a pen, and under her note, I added one.
Thank you, sunshine.
Music filled the club as I leaned against the bar talking to Cheng and a few other people. When we got inside the club, I noticed all of the wives from Cheng’s team, didn’t accompany any of them into the club. The only women in our group now were Sydney and Mitch’s wife.
Sydney.
Colin had his arm wrapped around her, and he kissed her here and there. I wanted to taste her mouth and push that little tongue of hers around. It seemed like every time I looked up, Colin’s face was pressed against hers. I leaned against the bar and watched Sydney melt in Colin’s arms.
“Mr. Graves, would you like to join us for a drink?” one of Cheng’s guys asked me.
Oh fuck. I glanced back over at Colin and Sydney sitting on a velvet couch with Mitch and his wife. Across from them were Cheng and another woman…not his wife.
“Mr. Graves?”
The man motioned with his hand down a hallway where sheer white drapes flowed in the breeze from the patio. If I declined, it would be viewed as rude, which could impact Everett Gaming. If I accepted, God only fucking knew what was on the other side of the flowing drapes. Actually, I had a pretty good idea what was flowing on the other side, and I didn’t want to be near it.
“Just a quick drink,” I said and tried to sound chipper.
I followed him down the hall, past the bathrooms through the flowing drapes to the patio.
Just as I imagined, women were everywhere. I spotted James sitting on a couch with two of Cheng’s guys, watching women dance on the coffee table in front of them. James was gay and looked bored out of his fucking mind. I sat down near him, and he lifted his head to greet me. He slyly rolled his eyes at me, letting me know that he couldn’t believe this place. The gentleman that brought me back here sat on the other side of me. I didn’t even know his name. A naked woman came over and offered me a tray of glasses. No fucking way. I wasn’t touching anything on this tray.
