Footprints In The Sand

by Michelle Horst

  I put it on and then join Lacey on the bed where she’s already waiting for me. I take hold of her knees and open her legs. I move between them and lean down to kiss her breasts. They are slick with water. Her whole body is slick from the shower and it’s stunningly beautiful.

  I take hold of my hard length and press against her core. I only press in a little and then pull out again. I do it again and again, until her legs wrap around me and she lifts herself against me. I slam into her and I can see the same pleasure I’m feeling, reflecting on her face.

  She keeps her legs wrapped around me and raises her arms over her head, grabbing hold of a pillow. I raise myself above her by placing my hands next to her shoulders and I use my legs and hips to thrust into her. I look down and watch as I slip in and out of her. Her back arches off the bed with pleasure and I increase my pace, thrusting hard into her.

  I feel her spasm and she grabs the pillow hard, crying into it. I feel her convulse around me and then I empty myself with a groan.

  Making love to her - to her body - is the most erotic experience ever. I’m addicted to her. I’ll never get enough.

  ~*~

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Lacey~

  My body is numb with pleasure. After a few minutes Seth gets up and I watch as he starts to get dressed.

  When he starts with the buttons of his shirt, he looks at me and he says, “I’m not going to run that café by myself forever. It’s your baby, too.”

  I frown and push myself from the bed. “You want me to work there?”

  “Lacey, you’re part owner. Didn’t you get a letter from the lawyer?”

  I shake my head. I don’t have a clue what he’s talking about. “What letter?”

  “Aunt Janice left half the café and half of this apartment to you. The other half is mine,” he says and then a huge smile spreads over his face. “You think she wanted us to meet up again, that she was planning it all along? I mean,” he comes to sit on the bed and takes hold of my hand, “why else would she leave half to me? I think it was her plan all along.”

  Happiness floods my chest. Even though it’s tinged by the loss of Jan, it’s still the happiest I’ve been in my entire life. “I always thought of her as my guardian angel. She saved me. She was my best friend. I’ll always be grateful for having her in my life.”

  Seth’s face darkens a bit. “She saved you when I couldn’t.”

  I sit up and scoot closer to him. I take his hand and press it over my heart. “And then you saved me when she couldn’t anymore.” I smile up at him and continue, “But I think it’s time I save myself.”

  A warm light fills his eyes. “That sounds good, but I’ll always be there to catch you.”

  ~*~

  How is it possible that life can change so quickly? The one moment it’s dark and hopeless and the next it’s happy and bright.

  It’s been a week since I moved in with Seth and returned to the café. It’s been a whole week that I’ve slept without the light on.

  I’m alone in the café today. Seth had to sign some paperwork. He sold the house and we’ve decided to make the apartment our home. That apartment holds too many special memories, to let go of it. It’s where I found myself. It’s where I found Seth. It’s where we made love for the first time. It’s our little slice of heaven. It’s home.

  My phone rings and I see Seth’s name. A huge smile splits over my face. “Hello Mr. Harper.”

  “Miss Johnson, I’m calling to tell you that I finished early. I stopped by your parents place and they invited us for dinner this Friday. I said yes, I hope you’re cool with that?”

  I still can’t believe he kept contact with my parents. I love him so much for looking out for them! “It’s perfect. I’ll give my mom a call to see if we can bring anything.”

  After the call from Seth I phone Mom. She would like to have dinner at the diner, that way not one of us has to cook and we can just catch up.

  Friday can’t come soon enough. I’m excited to spend time with Seth and my parents. We have a lot of catching up to do.

  ~*~

  I’ve just gotten home when there’s a knock at the door.

  When I open it and see Candice, my stomach drops. I’m not in the mood for this woman!

  Her smile fades to a cold scowl when she sees me instead of Seth. She tries to look around me into the apartment and I step to my right to block her view.

  “Wow,” she says with a bite in her voice, “from resident ghost to call girl? That’s quite the leap for you, Lacey. When Seth tires of you, won’t you be a darling and tell him I’m waiting.”

  I raise an eyebrow. Seriously? She did not just say that to me. I take a threatening step forward, forcing her to take one back. I’m about to let her have it, when this weird calmness settles over me. I’ve survived so much in my life that this woman is nothing. I smile at her and then in my sweetest voice I say, “I think it’s going to be a while before he tires of me. Right now we make love easily four to five times a day. Let’s say it goes down to three times a day a month from now, because you know a man has to have a good breakfast, lunch and supper. After a year we might go down to twice a day, and after ten years or so we might go down to once a day. But it will never be less than that because I’ll always make sure my man eats at home. Seth is a little picky and likes to only eat five star meals, so you can take your one star menu and shove it up your ass.” I smile again. “I hope you have a nice evening.”

  I walk back into the apartment and close the door on a stunned Candice. I do a little happy dance, knowing I put her on her place. It felt so good!

  ~*~

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Seth~

  We go by the RV to pick up Sophia and Nate, and then we all drive together to the diner. I haven’t eaten there in years. I’m looking forward to it.

  As we walk in I look around. The place hasn’t changed one bit. We grab a booth by the window, looking out over the ocean. The view is awesome. I take a minute to appreciate it before I glance over the menu.

  Lacey nudges me with her elbow. “What are you having?”

  Sophia pipes up, “The boy will have a Spiderman burger with cheesy fries and a coke. It’s all he ever had when he came in.”

  I grin happily, “You still remember that?”

  “Of course I remember, you were always one of my favorite customers.” Sophia reaches across the table and gives my hand an affectionate squeeze.

  A girl clears her throat next to the table and I look up to place the order, but the words get stuck. This is not going to go down well!

  Her eyes widen as she looks at me, and then her eyes dart around the table and land on Lacey. “Lacey? You haven’t changed one bit! It’s so good to see you! How are you?” She drips of fake excitement as her eyes jump between me and Lacey.

  I glance at Lacey to see how she’s handling this. “Natalie? Wow, it’s been so long.” Lacey’s eyes drop to Natalie’s very pregnant stomach. “You’re expecting! That’s so awesome.”

  Natalie glances down at her swollen belly. “Yeah, almost time to pop.”

  “It’s Natalie’s last week here. She’s getting married this weekend,” Sophia says and obviously she’d know, because she works with Natalie.

  “You’re getting married. I’m so happy for you!” Lacey exclaims.

  “Yes, Momma wants us married before the baby comes. You know my momma,” Natalie laughs nervously.

  “Who’s the lucky man? Do I know him?” Lacey asks.

  I already know who it is. Marcus told me the other day, but I want Natalie to say it. I know it’s wrong of me to enjoy this moment, but Natalie dropped Lacey when she needed her most.

  “Oh,” Natalie starts to fidget with the pen and notepad, “It’s Hayden. You remember Hayden from school?”

  It goes silent. I think Lacey stopped breathing there for a second. “You’re marrying Hayden? He’s the father of your child?” Lacey asks, and I can hear the unbelief in her voice
, and some pity.

  “Yes,” Natalie nods and forces a smile to her face, “he comes from such a good family. Momma is so happy.”

  “Are you happy?” Lacey asks.

  Natalie lifts her chin and I knew it wouldn’t last. “Not everyone has to move to the city to be happy. I’m going to be a wonderful wife and mother. It’s all I ever wanted.”

  “That’s not what I meant,” Lacey says, her voice calm. I look at her, admiring her so much in this moment. “I know you’ll make a good wife and great mother. I’m asking if you’re happy. Is Hayden going to make you happy?”

  The mask slips from Natalie’s face and her voice trembles as she says, “That’s what momma wants. You know how my momma can get.” Natalie sighs and suddenly she looks years older. She forces another smile and asks, “So what can I get y’all?”

  ~*~

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  Lacey~

  My eyes almost popped from my head when I saw a very pregnant Natalie come our way. I can’t believe she’s marrying Hayden! He’ll never be able to make anyone happy, he can’t even make himself happy.

  I’m also very aware that the conservative Natalie, that threw our friendship away when I needed her most, is pregnant. She definitely doesn’t practice what she preaches.

  I know I’m no saint, but I don’t pretend to be a saint, judging others. I feel sorry for Natalie. It’s going to be a hard life being married to Hayden.

  She takes our orders and waddles back to the counter.

  Dad clears his throat and I look at him. “So, your mother and I have decided it’s time to pack up the RV and head east. There are still so many places we want to see. We’ve been here long enough.”

  I’ll miss them so much but I smile, knowing that traveling makes them so happy. “That’s great news, Dad. I’m so happy you’ve decided to travel again.”

  Dad looks at Seth. “Maybe you could come east for Thanksgiving?”

  Seth smiles at Dad and says, “I’m sure we can make a plan.”

  ~*~

  When we get home Seth takes my hand and pulls me to the spare bedroom. He opens the window and waits for me to climb through first before he follows.

  I flip the switch for the fairy lights to go on. My eyes take in the garden, drinking in the beauty.

  Suddenly the lights go off and Seth says, “You can see the stars better with the lights off.” His arms come around me from behind. “Look up, someone once told me they reminded her of fireflies.”

  I look up, my heart warming. I can’t believe he remembered that.

  We stand together watching the flickering lights up above for a while, and then Seth turns me around in his arms. He palms my face with his hands and places a kiss to my forehead. “So you’re not upset about Natalie?”

  “No,” I whisper and bring my arms around his neck. “Every person is responsible for their own happiness. We’re given this one life to live, just one chance to experience it all. I’m not going to waste my life worrying about other people, because that will take time away from me being happy with you. This, what we have right now, is all that matters.”

  “I love you so much, Lacey Johnson,” he whispers and then his lips crush mine and I feel loved standing in his arms.

  The kiss grows urgent and then I pull away. I take his hand and pull him to a bench in the shadows. I reach into his pocket and when I find his wallet, I smile. I pull it out and whisper, “Sit.” I’m glad when he listens. I take a condom from his wallet and then climb onto his lap, straddling him. I kiss his jaw, then his chin, then his lips, all the while undoing his belt and zipper. I take the condom from the package and let my hand move up and down his hard length once before I roll it on.

  I lift my dress, move my underwear aside, and then lower myself onto him. A low groan escapes his throat and his hands find my hips. He helps me set a pace that he likes, never taking his eyes away from mine.

  When I’m close to coming, I press my forehead against his and suck in his racing breaths. I’ll never get enough of this man.

  ~*~

  Chapter Fifty

  Seth~

  I’m aware of the fact that this is the first time Lacey is initiating sex between us, and I love it.

  She makes love, the way she lives life – intensely.

  Feeling her thrust down on me, watching her lips part and her eyes grow cloudy with passion and watching her take what she wants, is beautiful.

  When we both reach our release, I pull her against me, just holding her and savoring our post-orgasmic bliss.

  Her breaths start to even out and then she whispers, “Marry me.” She pulls back and her eyes are filled with such love, it makes me hard for her all over again. “Not because Natalie is getting married, but because I don’t want to be without you ever again. You’ve always been a dream to me, Seth. Now I want to live that dream with you. You’re the first man I made love to, and I want you to be the last.”

  Nothing could ever make me happier than I am in this moment. I start to move under her, making sure she feels me. “Yes, Lacey. I’ll marry you, not because you asked so nicely, but because I want to keep losing myself in you, until there is nothing left of me, and nothing left of you, until there is only an US left.”

  She smiles as a tear slips over her cheek. I catch the tear with a kiss and continue to make love to her.

  ~*~

  Chapter Fifty-One

  (Ten years later…)

  Lacey~

  I wake up to kisses all over my face. “Happy anniversary, Sweetheart.”

  My eyes fly open. Shit, I forgot again! I groan and roll over onto my side. I told Seth that I’m bad at remembering dates. He on the other hand, never forgets.

  “I got you something,” he says all happily and then holds a cup of coffee closer to my face. The smell of coffee is divine. I sit up and take the cup. Seth makes the best coffee and he knows it’s my weakness. “Now don’t say I never give you something.”

  I laugh at his silliness. Six years ago we stopped with the huge Christmas, birthdays and anniversary presents. It was the year Laura was born. We don’t want her growing up thinking that those days are only about presents. We want her to appreciate the people she spends those days with. Sure we get her gifts, but we contain ourselves so we don’t spoil her with material things. Love on the other hand, she gets plenty of.

  We want our daughter to see and appreciate the little things in life, because they make life worth living.

  The End…

  Playlist For Footprints In The Sand

  Girl Crush – Little Big Town

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZMT8otKdI&index=2&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df

  Fireflies - Leona Lewis

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5W-NkFxS-Y&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df&index=4

  Everytime – Britney Spears

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-UJQGwzyxo&index=1&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df

  I know you care – Ellie Goulding

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BRdY0NR08g&index=6&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df

  Footprints In The Sand – Leona Lewis

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCsZNalcaXM&index=5&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df

  When I look at you – Miley Cyrus

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIqimoNyEBQ&index=3&list=PLozgU9txh6PXxyHp8LE46YAYyBeDmF9Df

  Coming Next by Michelle Horst…

  INSENSATE

  Book 1 in The Dissolute Trilogy

  Chapter One

  “It’s time.” Dad offers me a stiff smile. Today is hard on him too. I take one last look at myself in the mirror, making sure everything is in place.

  My ash blonde hair is clipped back with Mom’s butterfly clips. They’re tiny and brown in color, not pretty like some of the other girls’ clips are, but they’re special to me. It’s my way of honoring Mom, remembering that she stood up to the Emissaries to try and stay with us.


  My new shirt fits just right, not too tight. Earlier this year when my other shirts got too small, I got excited. Our neighbor, Mrs. Noah, said I shouldn’t worry, that I would fill out nicely like the other girls. Nearing twenty, I’m starting to get worried, though. When you look like a child people treat you like a child. My body developed a little, but not nearly enough, not enough to be taken seriously as an adult or to be wanted as a wife.

  Eighteen was supposed to be my big passage to adulthood, but it turned out to be just another number. Mom was taken from us two years ago, and my eighteenth birthday came with pitiful glances and awkward smiles.

  At twenty we get married and it’s at times like this I hate the Virtuous way. Mom won’t be here to help me. She won’t be here to see who will be chosen for me.

  I have the same green eyes as Mom and I’m on the shorter side, built small just like her. No amount of growth spurts are going to help with my length, at least, I don’t think so. I wish I had her dark hair it’s the one thing I didn’t get from her. She was beautiful.

  I sigh and shove the memories away, tucking them deep in my heart. In just a few more months I’ll be married. I hope that will finally make the people realize I’m not ‘little Jai’ anymore.

  I pull at my collar. The fabric is still hard from not being worn. I kept it especially for today, the seventh day of the seventh month, the day the bus comes around to pick up seven of us. It’s time for us to go wait outside like the rest of our neighbors, to wait and see who will be given the honor of becoming a Crusader. They call it an honor to be chosen, but I’m not so sure about that.

  Dad is safe from being chosen, and so am I. We know we won’t be chosen. Mom was already chosen from our family. Only one per family, they said.