Kiss Kiss

by Various Authors

  A desperate moan escaped her, driving him to run his hands up her thighs and underneath her skirt. A year of pent-up sexual frustration overtook his senses and he lifted her up and placed her onto her back. He wanted to watch her face, to burn her features into his memory. He flipped up her skirt and slid aside her panties. Having used up every last ounce of his restraint, he entered her roughly, making her cry out.

  He shuddered as the sensation of being inside her stunned him. He stilled himself, staring down at her glistening skin and her parted lips, wet and begging to be kissed again. He leaned down, brushing them tenderly with his and sighed in her ear, “I should have fought for you.”

  As he met her eyes again, a single tear rolled down her cheek. Her legs wrapped possessively around him and he groaned. Digging into his shoulders with her nails, she met every one of his powerful thrusts with her own.

  Avery leaned on the balcony railing, taking in the famous landscape of Monument Valley. She’d watched many westerns with her dad and knowing he’d love to see it, she snapped a quick picture of it for him with her phone.

  Shilah had been silent the entire drive to their hotel. Once they’d checked in, he went for a walk. Though Avery wanted to barrage him with questions, it was obvious that he needed some time alone.

  He came back an hour later and went directly into the bathroom. Hearing the shower, she walked into the bathroom. She stood leaning against the doorway, watching Shilah's every move through the glass. As she removed her clothes, he leaned his head under the shower faucet, and water streamed down his face. Avery raised an eyebrow and then walked to the shower door, opening it slowly.

  “Need someone to wash your back?” She purred and entered the shower. Shilah smiled gently then handed her the soap. He turned and placed his hands on the wall. Avery squeezed a generous amount of the body wash on the loofah, lathered it and began washing him. She leaned in close and rubbed herself against him.

  “Feels good,” Shilah mumbled. He took the loofah from her and began washing her breasts. Enjoying the feeling of his hands on her, her eyes opened as he began to speak.

  “He wasn’t always like that,” he offered. “He used to have a major role in the Navajo community.”

  Avery watched his face for clues on his emotional state. He seemed to have trouble meeting her eyes.

  “When Mom and Dad met, I’m told there was much love between them. Certain members of the council started treating him differently for marrying a non-Dine. When I came along, their issues escalated. Even though my dad tried to involve me and instill the traditions in me, I wasn’t as into it as he wanted me to be. He started drinking and was gone a lot. He eventually lost all clout with the powers that be, due to his own negligence. Then he took it out on me, so Mom took me and left. I was twelve.”

  Avery reached up and pushed his hair back from his face and kissed his cheek.

  “Everyone you meet likes you Shilah. How can your own flesh and blood treat you like that?”

  She kissed him tenderly and he embraced her.

  “Is he why you brought me here?”

  “Yes. He’s a part of me and I wanted to share that with you. No matter how much a pain in the ass family can be, they’re still family.”

  “I’m sorry you grew up with a dad that made you feel like you didn’t belong. At least your family issues were out in the open.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She paused. “It’s really not my story to tell.”

  Avery turned from him.

  “Hey, I wasn't done.” Shilah chuckled.

  Shilah ran a finger between Avery's breasts making her shiver. She didn't want him to stop. Avery felt Shilah's skillful mouth on her neck. He reached behind her and shut the shower off.

  She grabbed a towel and dried off, watching Shilah’s reflection in the mirror. Aware that he was trying to connect with her on a deeper level, fear threatened to consume her. He stopped and stared at her. He came up behind her and she turned to greet him with her lips. He entwined his fingers with hers and dropped his towel. He pulled her to him and led her to the bed.

  “Oh Avery,” he moaned in her ear. He pushed her towel back and took her in with his dark brown eyes. Reaching onto the bedside table, he grabbed a condom. Avery wrapped herself around him as he took his time, entering her slowly.

  “I love you,” he whispered in her ear. Avery was too stunned and couldn't reciprocate. She opened her mouth, wanting to tell him the same, but the words clung to her throat.

  Nicole woke with a start to the sound of someone pounding on her door. Though they'd broken a few things along the way, she and Aaron had managed to relocate to the bed during the wee hours of the morning. He looked amazing sprawled across her side of the bed. He rolled over and pulled her to him with a contented, guttural purr. The pounding persisted.

  “Aaron, wake up.” She gently, but firmly, slapped his face in order to get him to release her. His green eyes reluctantly blinked open and as he stretched, she was distracted by the way the sheets nearly exposed him.

  “Someone's at the door.” She forced herself out of the bed and realizing that she was nude, searched the room frantically for some article of clothing. Avoiding the shards of glass from her ill-fated lamp, she threw on her robe. Racing down the stairs, she pulled open the door. Jules stood on her porch, a coffee carrier with two coffees in her hand. She raised an eyebrow, her dour expression etched firmly in place.

  “Hey.” Nicole greeted her, never so surprised to see anyone in her life.

  “Morning.” Jules forced the coffees at her. “Peace offering from Lauren. She wanted to come herself, but she's a chicken shit.”

  “Oh.” Nicole took the coffees with a furrowed brow. One had 'Nic' written on the side in Sharpie. The other said 'Boy Toy.'

  “And I'm supposed to tell Aaron, and I quote, 'drink your coffee and move your effing truck out of the center of Main.'“

  Jules left the porch before Nicole's groggy brain had time to register the implications of her statement. When she finally did, she covered both of her eyes with her free hand. She heard Aaron trudging down the stairs and snorted when she heard him hit his head on her low ceiling again. She met him in the kitchen and handed him his coffee. He smiled at her slyly, those dimples dazzling her in the morning sunlight.

  “I hope you didn't go to CoffeeSmith’s dressed like that.” His naughty tone made her bite the inside of her lip to keep from grinning like a fool.

  “I didn't need to go. It was a special delivery. Lauren thinks you should move your truck.” He nearly spit out the coffee and she visualized the light bulb turning on over his head. He rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his mussed hair.

  “Shit. Well, that's one way to mark my territory, I suppose.”

  “You think?” She sipped her coffee. It was her drink of choice. A visit to Lauren was in order.

  “Let me see if I can find my clothes.” As he walked out of the kitchen and into the living room, she noticed she'd left claw marks on his back, shoulders, and even saw some peeking out of the top of his boxers.

  Someone needs a manicure.

  She giggled to herself softly like a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. He stopped and turned, raising an eyebrow.

  “What's so funny, doll face?”

  “Oh, nothing ... just you calling me your territory.” Nicole smirked sassily, trying to look unimpressed. He moved so fast she was taken off guard and as he pinned her to the side of the fridge, Nicole squealed as she nearly spilled her coffee.

  “Mine.” He growled like a caveman and though Nicole knew she was singlehandedly setting the feminist movement back sixty years, she nearly swooned. His large hands were on the lapels of her robe, and he began to push it open and over her shoulders when she gave him a scolding look.

  “Truck,” she ordered.

  “Damn,” he grumbled, then released her and was off to retrieve his jeans.

  Nicole grabbed a towel and jumped in the shower. She knew sh
e should be concerned about the gossip, but Aaron was all she could think about. Her entire body hummed at the mere thought of him in her house waiting on her. It was the fastest shower of her life.

  Aaron was humming a tune and cooking breakfast when she exited the restroom.

  “Did anybody see you?” She perched on a stool to watch him work.

  “Only the mayor.” He cracked an egg and grinned at her slyly. “He didn't look happy.”

  Later at the dining room table, Nicole was feeding Aaron her toast (which he attacked in an animalistic manner) when they heard Ike outside jabbering excitedly about Mommy. Aaron and Nicole froze and exchanged complex looks. Nicole had rationalized her relationship with Colin and her friendship with Aaron to death, but hadn’t had time to process the situation she now found herself in. Mitch was banging on the door.

  “Knock-knock,” he called. Nicole tightened the belt of her robe and waved for Aaron to go into another room.

  His expression serious, Aaron nodded and vanished into the kitchen. Nicole took a deep breath and opened the door.

  “Mommy! Firsty!” Ike yelled as he clung to her legs. Mitch greeted her with a smile. Ike ran for the kitchen and Nicole braced herself. Ike screeched in surprise and ran back out. Mitch’s expression quickly shifted to one of shock when Aaron appeared in the kitchen doorway, his hands in his pockets. His jaw clenched, and Nicole couldn’t remember Aaron ever looking so sheepish. He was fully dressed, but his face spoke volumes.

  I guess we’re doing this on Ike’s timeline.

  “Hey, Mitchel.” Aaron stuck his hand out to Mitch. Mitch slowly shook Aaron hand and his eyes darted around the room nervously. Nicole watched as he connected the dots. Her face burned as she picked Ike up and quickly surveyed the room for anything too incriminating. Ike stared at Aaron and popped his thumb in his mouth.

  “So was he good for you?” Nicole attempted to add a sense of normalcy to the incredibly awkward exchange.

  “He was great. Well, I think I’d better hit the road. It’s still slick in some spots. See ya.” Mitch practically tripped over his own feet as he attempted to hurry off the porch.

  “Bye. Thank you! Drive safely,” Nicole called after him. She knew that she and Aaron had approximately an hour before the phone calls started rolling in. She shut the door and snuggled Ike close.

  “Train,” Ike yelled and wriggled in her arms, pointing to his toys. She sat him down and struggled with him, removing his coat and shoes before allowing him to bolt for the toy box. She hung up his coat and turned to Aaron, her face serious.

  “So I suppose we ought to talk.”

  Aaron pulled a chair out for her, which she accepted with a sigh.

  “Yeah. Most people might have discussed a few things … first.”

  “Well, you know. Few people can talk around things like we can.” He took the seat next to her.

  Nicole nodded as butterflies commenced a fight club in her stomach.

  “When you’re right, you’re right.”

  “How do you want to do this?” Aaron took her hand.

  “I’m thinking about Ike.” Nicole’s mind raced. She didn’t give a damn about her reputation, but Ike had to grow up here and he was a Harper.

  “Nicki, I know you two are a package deal.”

  “This is a lot to process, Aaron. I just need some time to think.” Nicole pulled her hand from his and ran both of her hands through her hair. Dread consumed her as she anticipated the upcoming conversation with her in-laws. Aaron leaned in toward her and placed his fingers under her chin, turning her face to his.

  “Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Avery fidgeted in her seat and chewed her nails. They’d landed an hour ago and were approaching his hotel.

  “Are you okay? You seem freaked out.” Shilah raised an eyebrow at Avery. As they approached town, he maneuvered the icy roads carefully in the darkness.

  Avery took a deep breath.

  “I was just thinking it’s stupid that you’re paying for a hotel room when you spend most of your nights at my place.”

  “Oh yeah?” He gave her a side glance, and Avery saw his lips curve in a sexy little smile.

  “Yeah. But I might have to charge you rent.”

  “Will you take it out in trade?”

  “I could use someone to take out the garbage and shovel my walk.”

  “So that’s what the kids are calling it these days.”

  She chuckled at him.

  Avery’s phone chimed a text alert. The text was from Lauren and had been delayed when she had her phone in airplane mode. It was from 11:00 A.M.

  Lauren: OMG! Aaron finally grew a pair! He spent the night at Nic’s.

  Avery cackled and Shilah broke into a huge grin.

  “What’s going on?” he asked with laugh.

  “I have mad matchmaking skills. Aaron and Nic hooked up.”

  “Right on.”

  They pulled into the parking lot. Shilah parked the car. He reached over and placed his hand on her thigh.

  “Do you want me to get all my stuff tonight and check out?”

  Avery placed her hand on his and squeezed. “Yes.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He vanished into the lobby. She began typing a text.

  Avery: OMG!!! When was this!?!

  As Avery waited for her reply, she glanced around the parking lot. She watched as an older man left a hotel room nearby and climbed into a truck. Her phone chimed.

  Lauren: Last night! Everyone in town knows. He’s really sneaky. His truck blocked most of Main this morning and it was still in her driveway when I closed up.

  Avery laughed as Shilah opened the car door.

  “Okay, I just have to grab the rest of my stuff.”

  “Do you need a hand?”

  “It’s not much, I’ve got it.” He closed the door and went into the hotel through the side entrance.

  Avery: Here’s some more shocking news: took a surprise trip to meet Shilah’s fam. He’s moving in tonight.

  Lauren response was swift.

  Lauren: LOL! Woohoo! Slut!

  Avery was taking a swig of water and almost choked on it. She looked up and saw Shilah come out of the side door with two garment bags, a suitcase, and a duffle bag. He was hurrying, but she saw him slow his pace, and his weird expression caused her to whip her head in the direction he was looking. Avery saw her mother exiting the same hotel room she had seen the man leave no more than five minutes before. Nausea gripped her instantly, and she opened her door and heaved, but nothing came out. Shilah hurried over to the car and flung his stuff into the backseat. He rushed around the car to her side.

  “Avery…”

  “Was that my mom?” Her voice sounded far away.

  “Yes.” He took her hand and touched her face. Tremors overtook her, and she felt the color drain from her face.

  “Please take me home.”

  Avery sat on the far side of the couch with pillows surrounding her. Shilah sat munching on popcorn at the opposite end. They were watching a romantic comedy, though Avery felt neither romantic, nor did she have the urge to laugh. She’d tossed and turned every night of the three weeks since Shilah had moved in, and her lack of sleep was catching up with her. Things had been awkward since seeing her mother at the hotel room, and Avery had clammed up on the drive home. Seeing her parents’ relationship in this new light was a one-two punch coming on the heels of Ryan and Nicole. To Avery, these two relationships had always been what she hoped for in her own life, and the reality that they were a lie was a slap in the face. Now all she could think was that happiness seemed fleeting and not maintainable. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and texted Nicole.

  Avery: I need a Wonderland.

  Avery knew Nicole would need no explanation. They’d been having “Wonderlands” since the first time Ryan broke up with Nic. The annoying song was on the radio constantly at that time. When Aaron made the mistake of playing the CD with them in the car,
Nicole had ejected it, violently yanked it from the player, and hurled it into traffic. Aaron had to pull the car over because he was laughing too hard to drive. Since that day, whenever either of them had the urge to kill, they’d begun a tradition of eating junk, watching shitty movies (one romance, one horror), and basically hashing it all out in one night. Usually something got broken or burned in the process.

  Nicole: you read my mind. Your sister is a total bitch.

  Avery: I’m bringing the Ben & Jerry’s and cheese puffs.

  Nicole: I already have the movies.

  Avery stood and walked into her room, quickly throwing her things into a bag. She left the room and passed Shilah, calling to him on her way out the door.

  “See you tomorrow. I’m going to Nic’s.”

  Thirty minutes later, she pulled into Nic’s driveway. Her phone chimed with a text from Aaron.

  Aaron: Cock blocker!!!

  She appeared at Nic’s door. Nicole flung the door open with such enthusiasm Avery jumped. Then Avery held out her phone so Nicole could read Aaron’s text. Nicole nodded.

  “Angela informed me that I am going to H-E-L-L for S-E-X ‘out of wedlock.’ Oh, and she chewed me out for not having Ike baptized. And that is the only thing I have heard from anyone in your family.”

  Avery glanced to Nicole’s right and saw Ike standing there. “Well, my mom is probably too busy at the hotel doing her Ryan impersonation,” Avery replied.

  “Huh?”

  “Yeah, my mom’s a cheating W-H-O-R-E.” She watched Nicole as this information sunk in.

  “Did you bring Cherry Garcia?” Nicole looked amused.

  “Duh.”

  They started watching the sappy love story first, while gorging Ike with junk food. Once he fell asleep, Nicole turned to Avery.

  “So why do you need a Wonderland?” Nicole asked after she returned from tucking Ike into bed.

  “Shilah is so pulled together.” Avery sighed and took a swig of Diet Rock Star.