Between the Lines

by Jane Charles

  Ellen bites her bottom lip and then slides her arms out of the straps and under the silk. I pull it over her head and she’s naked before me, thighs open, and hands covering her breasts.

  I place my hands on hers, but she won’t move and looks down, her face getting red. Her pussy is right there, open and I could plunge and she doesn’t want me to see her boobs?

  “Please?” I hate to plead, but I don’t get it. She’s fucking beautiful and hot.

  “I’m embarrassed by them.”

  Seriously?

  But, it isn’t a ploy for a compliment. She’s actually embarrassed by her tits. “What if I think they’re perfect?”

  “They’re small.”

  Is that why she’s worried? “Haven’t you heard that old saying?”

  “What?” She eyes me with suspicion.

  “More than a mouthful’s a waste.”

  “You’re making that up.” She laughs.

  “I swear. I heard my uncle say it to my dad once after he made a derogatory comment about my aunt.” I lean in close. “And, it’s true.”

  This time she lets me move her hands away. The dark nipples are erect, just waiting for me to taste them and I can’t wait. Leaning forward, the take the hardened bud in my mouth and roll my tongue around it before I gently bite.

  Ellen’s head falls back and she groans.

  “See! I told you so.” I taste the other one. Her thighs relax and open further. I could thrust into her so easily, but I want to take my time, and savor her. “And before you say anything else deprecating about your body, I think it is fucking perfect. Every last inch of it.”

  I sink to the floor, ignoring the pain in my knee, feasting on her, one breast and then the other. They are perfect in how they fit into my hand and filling my palm. She spreads her legs further as I kiss my way down her stomach and to her practically shaved pussy. She’s wet and ready. I part the folds, her scent of anticipation engulfs me, igniting a need that probably dates back to the time of cavemen. Leaning forward, I taste. She groans and falls back on the bed. I sink a finger inside and find her clit with my tongue.

  Ellen

  There isn’t a damn thing I can do but let Gabe do what he wants. His words feed me in ways I didn’t think possible. I’d been so afraid he’d find me lacking, but his eyes were full of lust and need, as if he were worshipping me.

  His hands slip beneath my butt, lifting me as he devours me. Pleasure washes over me, building inside, tightening like a coil. All I can do is ride the waves of pleasure as they wash over me. It’s there. I want it to reach for it, to explode in a glorious orgasm, but I want to delay it too. I’ve never felt anything so powerfully wonderful in my life.

  Just as I get close, Gabe eases back, as if he knows and I almost cry out in frustration. Then I feel him inside me, stretching. One finger, then two as he blows on my clit.

  I’m panting as if I’ve just run a long race and can’t help it, and I know it isn’t over yet.

  His tongue returns to my clit. One lick, two licks. He presses deeper and licks a third time. The muscles in my thighs contract, my legs stiffen and I can hear my scream as if they are coming from a distance as the most powerful orgasm in my life bursts through my body.

  I’m floating back as if this was just one hell of an out of body experience as he lowers my butt to the bed again and stands. I open my eyes and try to lift my head, but I can’t. I’m not even sure it’s possible to move right now.

  Gabe pushes his boxers past his hips and to the floor, his cock proud and large before him. My mouth goes dry and my pussy starts to ache all over again. How the hell is that even possible after what it just experienced?

  He tears the foil away from the condom and then rolls it over the swollen head. All I can do is watch.

  Gabe gently grasps my hips, lifts them again, pulling me forward, then thrusts, filling me.

  His head goes back as he groans. The muscles in his chest and arms tightening as if he’s using his strength to keep control.

  Gabe glances back at me. I can’t even touch him from this position, not that I think it makes a difference to him. I’m flat on my back but my hips are lifted and I curl my legs around him. He’s standing, looking down at me. Our eyes lock and he thrusts, over and over, filling me again and again.

  My clit aches and I almost touch myself, but Gabe has his fingers there before I can move. Gently massaging my juices around the nub, slow and easy, as if he knows how sensitive I already am. The tightening, coiling of spring begins and then bursts again just as he groans and thrusts as deep as anyone can possibly go.

  A moment later he’s falling on the bed beside me, breathing hard.

  “Oh. My. God.” I finally say when I catch my breath.

  “Wow!” He’s breathing as hard as I am. I glance over. Gabe’s grin matches my own and I roll into him, resting my head on his shoulder, not sure if I’ll ever recover.

  Gabe – 14

  The light in the room is bright and I turn my head away. I’m relaxed, completely sated and not sure I want to leave this bed anytime in the near future. Last night we fucked two more times. The last time, she rode me. I was so right about those muscular thighs. Damn they had control. Taking me to the brink, easing off, and taking me right back. I’d already come twice and she managed to drain me completely.

  Just remembering has me hard. Hell, I didn’t think I’d be hard for a week after last night. But where Ellen is concerned, my cock needs little recovery time. I roll to my side and reach for her, but she’s not there. Coming up on my elbows I look around. The bathroom door is open and I can’t see her reflection in the mirror.

  Getting out of bed I grab my boxer and put them on. She’s probably in the kitchen or living room. A smile pulls at my lips. Maybe she’s at the barre in the living room, though how she has the energy to dance after last night is beyond me.

  I find her in the living room wearing the nightie I pulled from her body last night and my dick comes to attention even more. Her back is to me and she’s standing at the window looking out. She’s talking to someone on the phone. But her phone is on the coffee table. She has two?

  “I know, Scott,” she says quietly.

  Who the hell is Scott?

  “I can’t leave right now,” she hisses into the phone.

  “Because I have a friend with me.”

  Whoa, we crossed that line of friendship hours ago and I thought it was far behind us.

  “I won’t tell him where I’m going or why, so don’t lecture me.”

  The blood runs cold and my cock starts to relax.

  “Fine!” she snaps. “I’ll be there shortly. But, this has to be quick. I can’t be gone long. And, bring another damn phone. This is the only one I have with me.”

  I hurry back down the hall, cursing my leg because I can’t move as quickly as I want, and jump in the bed and close my eyes as she’s ending her call.

  I sense Ellen come into the room, but don’t react. She’s rummaging in the closet, then the dresser, and finally, the bathroom door quickly clicks shut.

  Do I confront her? Ask her who Scott is? What’s so fucking secret? Is she seeing him? If so, she sure as hell should have told me before last night. Is she fucking him too? I didn’t expect her to be a virgin, but I sure as hell don’t share.

  We just had a fantastic night and now she’s running off to meet some guy behind my back. What the fuck?

  I could ask, but do I really want to know? Besides, what would keep her from lying to me and I’m not sure I could stand it if she did. Not right now at least. Scott’s name certainly didn’t come up in conversation before, and she has a special phone, just for him.

  I hear the shower, but I can’t lay here anymore. This is eating at me. I get out of bed and get dressed before going to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee.

  She comes into the kitchen, dressed for the day and a tight smile on her lips.

  “Morning.” I get up and go to her. Bending, I try to kiss her
on the lips, but she turns and my lips land on her cheek.

  I had hoped I was just letting my imagination get the best of me, but apparently not.

  “Anything wrong?”

  “No, nothing.” She’s shaking her head and plops her purse on the counter. “But I need to run out for a bit.”

  “I can come with you. Where do you need to go?”

  Ellen pushes her fingers through her hair and shakes her head. “No. You stay here. It’s just a quick meeting.”

  I take her hands in mine. They’re shaking. “What’s wrong?” She’s clearly agitated and her face is pale. Maybe I have it all wrong.

  “Nothing.” She pulls away. “My lawyer just needs to see me right away.”

  “Lawyer?” Scott is a lawyer?

  “I shouldn’t be long.”

  She’s lying to me. Scott is no fucking lawyer. “Okay. I’ll see you when you get back.”

  “Here’s another key if you want to get out of here and maybe go get something to eat, or something.”

  Perfect, now I have a way in and out. All I need is my leg to hold up and hope she isn’t going too far so I can follow her.

  Ellen

  Why now? These last few days have been perfect and then Scott has to call. He won’t even tell me what it’s about, but I can guess. Shit.

  Hell, I hadn’t even heard from Scott in three years. Not until a few days ago.

  How come when everything starts to go good in my life, the past rears its ugly head, ruining it?

  Scott is waiting in front of the Alma Mater statue in front of the library. He greets me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek, but this is far from a friendly visit.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Did you get my message?”

  “Yes. Was I supposed to call back?” I’ve never had to before, unless specifically instructed to. The less we talked on the phone the safer I was. “Why are you here?”

  “I decided I’d better check on you.”

  “Well, you did. I’m fine.” Scott has always been the good guy in my corner, and I shouldn’t take out my anger on him. But I just lied to Gabe about why I had to leave. Actually, it wasn’t a lie. Everything I said was the truth. I just didn’t tell him everything.

  I just had the best night of my life. I woke with a smile and cuddled against Gabe. Happy for the first time in a very long time, until I realized it was the burner phone that woke me. Thank goodness it didn’t wake Gabe.

  I’ve been on edge and tense since. Afraid of what Scott is going to tell me.

  “The judge has taken the petitions and motions under advisement, but there’s a good chance he may require you to appear in person and testify.”

  That’s practically the same message he left before. Why the hell did he have to track me down and ruin what promised to be a perfectly great day - that may or may not have required me leaving bed? “Why can’t they use my old testimony? It was good enough before.” My heartbeat is racing and my chest is tightening up.

  My anger had kept the anxiety away, but it’s pushing through. Scott’s a great guy, but his presence and the need to talk to me only produces feelings of anxiousness.

  “You were a kid. They would’ve looked like bullies hauling you into court. They didn’t need anything more negative associated with them.”

  “They can’t make me go back to Nevada, can they? Isn’t there a jurisdictional issue or something?”

  “This is a federal case involving human trafficking and prostitution, Ellen. You were a key witness.”

  “I don’t even remember anymore,” I cry.

  “I sure hope the hell you do, or he’ll walk.”

  I swallow against my closing throat.

  I’m going to be sick.

  Scott pulls me close, rubbing my arms, like he used to do when I was younger. “We can protect you. Just come with me. We’ll get you into a safe house until the judge decides what he’s going to do.”

  My body is shaking and I can’t seem to control it.

  This time, he wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses my forehead. Of all the agents I had to deal with, Scott was the best at getting me to relax. Like a concerned father. And it worked. Before. Not so much today.

  “Breathe, Ellen.” He says into my hair. “These are precautions to keep you safe. You’ve been through this before.”

  Not since the trial, before I got the hell out of Nevada. I’d forgotten what it was like to be scared. To want to disappear. I’d gotten comfortable in my life, and I really like it now. I really like Gabe, but everything is suddenly going to hell.

  “If they can get the judge to force you to testify, we’re afraid they’ll make sure you can’t.”

  I pull back and look up at him. “What?” This is worse. I’m having anxiety over returning to Nevada and testifying. Now I have to worry about someone trying to kill me again? “But they can still use my testimony from before.”

  “Not if they get the judge to rule it inadmissible before he orders you to appear.”

  This cannot be happening. Not now. My life is good. No, it’s fantastic now that I’ve met Gabe. I’m not going to give that up. I’m not going to go into hiding.

  But, I don’t want to die either.

  Too much has happened. I need to think. To figure things out. I could be worrying for nothing. The judge could tell Krestyanov to go to hell and use my earlier testimony and then this would be for nothing. And, how much to tell Gabe? He knew something was off this morning. “I need to think about this.”

  “Don’t take too long.”

  I look up, meeting Scott’s kind green eyes. “I’ve met someone.”

  “I know.”

  I pull back. “How?”

  “I traced your phone, the real one, and saw you at the museum yesterday.”

  “You’ve followed me? For how long?” I hope to hell he isn’t recording me, or worse, have cameras somewhere like my apartment. It wouldn’t be the first time they feds decided to keep a very close eye on me.

  “It isn’t like that.” Scott’s shaking his head. “I wanted to meet with you without using a burner, but you two never left each other’s side.” He smiles. “You never stopped touching.” Scott leans in and smiles. “Want me to do a background check, you know, just to make sure he’s a good guy and all.”

  He’s joking of course, but he’d do it if I asked. “Of course not.”

  Scott sobers. “You can’t tell him anything, Ellen.”

  I knew he was going to say that, but I was really hoping he would say it was okay.

  “It puts him in as too much danger.”

  “How?”

  “If they think you care for him, they can use him to get to you.”

  “Oh, God.” My hand goes to my throat. It’s closing again. “I never thought…considered…”

  “Don’t panic. Remember, I’m the worst case scenario guy?”

  That’s what I used to call Scott, back when all of this started. Also known as the doom and gloom guy.

  But, he does give me something to think about. As much as I don’t want to give up Gabe, I sure as hell don’t want to put him in danger either. Because of me, I no longer see my family. I told Gabe they were in Nevada, but I have no idea where my mother, brother or sister are. They opted for witness protection even though I didn’t. Dad’s in prison, for the rest of his life. The rest have new lives and I just wanted to live mine in peace. Even if my family hadn’t gone in, they’d probably never speak to me again anyway, so it’s not like that made much of a difference.

  “I’ll decide when the judge has a ruling,” I finally say because I just need time to figure all of this out. “Besides, we don’t even know if Krestyanov knows my new name or even where to find me.”

  Scott frowns, as if he’s not happy with my answer. “How do you know they’ll even wait until then to come after you?”

  “If I die before that, they’ll never get the judge to suppress my earlier testimony.”

  He nods h
is head but Scott’s reluctant.

  “Let’s see what happens. I’ve been fine for years.” I’m not sure if I’m trying to convince him or myself that I don’t need to worry just yet.

  He studies me, and then finally nods his head before taking a phone out of his pocket and presses it into my hand. “Have it your way, but be careful and watch your back.”

  I give him the used one to dispose of. “Don’t call until there’s a ruling.”

  “Fine.” He turns and walks away and I walk over to the steps and sink down onto them.

  Just when things are going great, this happens.

  I will not go back and testify. I will not let my asshat of a father and his business partner continue ruining my life. I’ve met a great guy and I’m not about to just disappear. I’ll fight this with everything I have.

  Unless, it can get Gabe killed too.

  Slowly, it all sinks in and I just want to curl up and cry. This is so fucking unfair. I didn’t do anything wrong, but, if I don’t put distance between me and people I care about, I’ll put them in danger. Should I call Paige? No, she’s on tour, and has been for months. There’s no guarantee I’ve even been found or they know who is important to me.

  Why the hell did I open up to Gabe? Why did I allow myself to start feeling?

  I’d be better off if I’d just ignored him, blew him off and came to New York alone. Then I wouldn’t have memories that make me wish for what I can’t have.

  Gabe – 15

  After she leaves, I wait at the door for her to get on the elevator, then lock the apartment and take the next one, but she’s out of the building before I get to the lobby. I nod to the front desk clerk as I leave and stepped outside, just in time to see her crossing the street.

  I’m still debating on if I’ll pretend I didn’t follow her to see what she says, or just confront her about it when she enters the campus of Columbia University. It’s easy enough to keep my distance. She’s walking quickly and my leg, though much better than yesterday, won’t let me keep up with her. But, I can still see her clearly enough.