“Mia, don’t go anywhere. We have a lot to talk about.” Emma conveys with a raised brow.
“Luke, can you do something to shut her up?”
“With pleasure.” Before I know it, he tightly wraps his arms around her while whispering messages of love in her ear. Lost in their own little world, their lips lock and the two lovebirds only have eyes for each other. Finally – an escape.
As I’m walking away, I just know Luke’s proposing soon. If I were a gambler, I’d bet he has a very special night planned for her this evening. Why do I know this? There it is again. Those visions keep popping up in my head all the time. Wish I knew what’s in store for my future. What am I saying? No – no I don’t!
Making my way to the patio, I’m delighted to find a cold beer, a comfortable chair, and a moment to gather my thoughts. Isaac has been overly attentive tonight, behavior I’m sure everyone has noticed. Ten minutes ago I made it perfectly clear with just a sinister look to tone it down. I told him exactly what I wanted from him on Thanksgiving. We agreed friends with benefits worked for both of us. He needs to get it through his thick head that our secret affair needs to stay exactly that – top secret.
“Anyone up for a game tonight?” Katie asks while wrapping her arms around her husband.
“Just not Pictionary . . . apparently I suck at that game!” Emma laughs.
“Sweetheart, I saw right through that terrible drawing of a ‘Smart car’ last year which led me directly to your gorgeous self. You all can play Pictionary because I’m taking my woman home early tonight.” Luke coos while gazing at Emma. Damn – there it is again. He’s proposing tonight. I know it!
“I think we should find a new game anyway. Luke has the upper hand in Pictionary, and he cheats, too. What other games do you have, Katie?” Isaac suggests while winking at me. When we meet later, after he gives me three orgasms, I’m gonna kill him.
“What about ‘Battle of the Sexes’? What do you think ladies? Let’s divide into teams and kick some guy ass!” My best friend, Julia, hollers from her perch next to the keg of Yuengling.
Just like last year, Katie and Shane lead everyone back inside to avoid the heat and looming thunderstorm heading our way. It’s clear from the moment we head back inside that avoiding Isaac isn’t going to be easy. Every time I look his way, I’m on the receiving end of a smile, a wink, or a look that soaks my panties. His stare from those gorgeous marble eyes is enough to cause me to lose my resolve and let the cat out of the bag. Before I can find a seat with the girls, my phone signals a text.
Isaac: Answer your phone and then go outside.
Me: What?
Isaac: Mia! Answer the phone and go outside.
As soon as the message flashes on my screen, I see Isaac turn and head into the kitchen as my phone begins to ring. “Sorry guys, my sitter is calling and I need to check up on the kids. I’ll be right back.” Darting outside, Isaac is on the line and directs me to the walkway on the side of the house.
“Isaac, what are you up to? Emma’s already suspicious. If we’re missing at the same time, she’s gonna give one of us the third degree . . . and it will probably be me.” I seethe into my phone.
“Don’t panic, just reboot the computer.” The guy is steady as a rock. All. The. Time.
“What? Isaac, what am I doing out here?” allowing my inner bitch to emerge.
“You’re not a patient person, are you? Let me talk you through it.” I hear a door slam, and before I know it, Isaac is stalking toward me from the front of the house.
“Isaac, are you crazy? Everyone in there is gonna start asking – “ And before I can finish my thought, his mouth is on mine, and his hands are lifting the hem of my dress. Kissing me deep and hard, my breathing rockets out-of-control and I feel that roller-coaster dip in my belly. One hand skates over my breasts as I arch my back in need. Pulling back and trying to regain my senses, I whisper, “Isaac, what the hell are you doing to me?”
“I hope giving you the first of many orgasms today. I have to know. Do you want me the way I want you? Because I’ve been thinking about being inside you multiple times today,” he asks as his hand finds a better location between my thighs.
“You are crazy! How the hell am I supposed to go back in there? Oh God!”
“Damn, Mia, you’re fucking soaked for me!” Completely mindless now, it’s all I can do to urge him closer. “We’re out of here in an hour. Figure out an excuse. I’ll duck out in the next few minutes with a work emergency. Meet me at my place by six. And Mia, don’t bail on me again. Cause I’ll come find you and drag you to my car, and I won’t care who sees or knows about us. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
All I can do is nod while biting his lower lip, completely thrown by his moving fingers and caveman antics.
“Mia? I need words, beautiful.”
“I’ll make an excuse and check in with my sitter and my mom. I’ll meet you at your place by six,” I whisper in a daze.
“Good girl.” And then his tongue is back in my mouth reminding me why I would agree to almost anything he suggests. “I’ll call you again. You go back in first. Try to play along this time and not look at me like you’d like to kill me! That’s why Emma is suspicious.”
Massaging my hand over his rock hard erection I whisper, “Emma’s suspicious because you’ve been giggling like a nervous school girl all day. Her words, not mine.”
“Careful, beautiful. I may just have to spank you tonight.” Looking directly into my wide eyes, my hips jerk as he slips two fingers inside me. “We’ll make this quick. I can’t let you go back in there unsatisfied.” Whimpering, all I can do is moan. “You think about this all the time, don’t you, Mia?” Nodding and jerking my hips toward his fingers, I hear, “Answer me, Mia.”
“Yes, all the time. Damn you!” Feeling a smile on his lips and a growl at my neck, I know Isaac is as turned on as I am. The lust in the air and one long, firm push against my inner walls sends my body over the edge quickly, “Oh, God, Isaac, don’t stop! Do. Not. Stop!” The overwhelming sensation sends my body spiraling out of control, and it will be a miracle if no one heard me. While I work to catch my breath and slow my racing heart, I feel Isaac use something soft to clean up the moisture traveling down my legs. Giving him a quick look of concern, I stop his sweet gesture to send him back inside. I’m such a bitch. “We’ve been gone a long time. Better get back in there, handsome. I’ll say thank you in a big way later tonight,” I mumble while offering him a sincere smile.
“Answer your phone. Walk back to the patio and pretend you’re talking to the sitter, and for God’s sake don’t make eye contact with me when I come in the front door. I’m gonna have to stay outside for a while in order to face everyone in there,” he mutters while attempting to straighten his pants.
“See you inside,” I mutter from drooped eyelids. “Got a prediction for who might win ‘Battle of the Sexes’?”
“Yeah, me. I’m definitely spanking you tonight,” Isaac growls through a pained look. “I’m never making it back inside if you continue to taunt me. Go! Now!”
Laughing lightly, I begin to straighten my sundress and smooth my loose curls that have fallen from my once neat ponytail. “See you inside, handsome.” As my phone begins to ring, I decide to ignore the first few rings, and wait for the fourth ring before I pick up. My mood just went from mediocre to exemplary in a matter of minutes. I spend a moment or two pacing the patio with the phone to my ear before walking back inside. “You listen to Alexa, honey. I’ll see you in about an hour.” I walk inside from the patio and find all the girls have gathered in the kitchen.
“Everything okay, Mia?” Emma questions while studying my expression carefully as she steps away from the group making her way to the sliding glass doors.
“Yeah, the kids were just wondering when I’m coming home. Alexa is the best babysitter ever! I’m so glad she’s made herself available this summer and that the girls love her so much. She’s also really great with
my mom. I know her parents are happy I’ll be keeping her busy over our summer break,” I answer while wrapping an arm around my friend.
“I’m just glad we were able to help her out this year, and negotiate a truce between her and Ashley. Alexa almost seems like herself again.” Stepping aside to make my way to the kitchen, Emma halts my movement abruptly. Leaning in she whispers right at my ear, “By the way, I’m not buying this little act you’re staging. For the record, Isaac is a good man and he deserves the love of a good woman. You can keep denying it all you want, but I don’t need a vision to know there’s some major pull between you two. Six months ago I gave him a big speech about treating you right. Now it’s your turn. I don’t know what’s going on with you, Mia. He likes you a lot. Don’t mess this up.”
Looking up I find one of my best friends with genuine concern in her caring expression. “Emma, I love you. You’re one of my closest friends, but you have this all wrong. I’m not looking for a knight in shining armor. I’m a bitch. A busy bitch at that.” Unable to reel my emotions in, the stresses of single parenthood begin to flow like a powerful waterfall. “Some days motherhood just sucks! Sarah and Sophie are fighting like alley cats all the time, and my mom’s sight is deteriorating rapidly. The Medicare social worker is trying to push back her three-month immersion program at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind to mid-June, so I can finish the school year. I’m completely out of sick days and I’m under water, Emma. I don’t have time for a happily ever after.” I explain while offering a pleading look to let this go.
“All right Mia, I’ll let it go . . . for now,” she offers with a loving smile while guiding our path into the kitchen. “What can we do to help?” She asks loud enough for the rest of our friends to hear.
Rebecca’s head pops up from the girls’ conversation, “What’s going on, Mia? Talk to us. If you can’t talk to the four us, who can you talk to?” Rebecca’s question brings me a moment of peace, and the realization how much I really need my friends. Shaking my head, I look up to find Emma, Katie, Julia, and Rebecca all studying my expression with warm smiles. They’ve moved us into a tight circle as I feel Emma grasp my hand. The five of us are as close as five women can be. We’re more than co-workers, more than friends . . . we’re sisters of the heart.
“Mia, I don’t know how I would have functioned the last two years without all of you. We’re not just friends, we’re a family. We are the people we choose to be a part of our lives. You’re struggling, Mia. We love you, and all we want to do is help,” Emma croons as her grip tightens around my hand.
“Yeah, pal, I’m not working this summer so I have tons of time to hang out and help with the girls,” Katie responds with a smile and wink. “Besides, I need some mommy-on-the-job-training!”
Keeping my game face in check, I offer the girls a wide smile as Isaac returns via the front door. Watching him adjust his jeans one last time causes a bubble of laughter to spill over my lips. “I love you guys! There’s just so much to do, I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I could use some help packing to get ready for my big move. The girls and I have lived in the condo for five years. There’s so much stuff. I only have the month of June to transfer my entire life to my mom’s place.” As I look up I see Luke, Shane and Isaac have joined the circle and are watching me with concern.
“No need to hire movers, Mia. With three trucks, the three of us can move all your stuff. Your mom’s place is right around the corner from you, right?” Shane offers.
“And my dad will help as well. He needs something to do besides popping in on Emma and me!” Luke laughs. “My dad can move your mom over to St. Augustine next week. That way, you keep things on track according to the schedule the doctor gave you, and you and the girls can finish the school year peacefully.” Luke suggests while wrapping his arms around Emma.
“Luke, that’s an incredible offer. I know my mom and Charlie developed a great friendship this past year over their love of gardening and playing bridge, but that’s way too much to ask.” I laugh while shaking my head. This is overwhelming. I will not cry.
“Nonsense. Besides it gets him out of our hair for a few days,” Luke chides.
“I’ll organize the moving weekend! Everyone pull your phones out and look at your calendars.” Julia hollers to everyone as I grab my purse feeling completely overwhelmed. When I look up, everyone is scrolling through their phones and I have a small pocket calendar in my hands.
“What is that?” Rebecca asks while laughing. “Mia, are you ever going to use all the extras your phone has to offer?
“Nope! I like my paper calendar. I always have, and I always will. I despise technology!” I answer through clenched teeth. “And no one better say a thing about it!” With that, everyone begins discussing dates as I cross into the kitchen barely able to breathe.
“Take a breath, beautiful,” I hear Isaac whisper. “You’ve got a room full of people who only want the best for you and your family. They’re just trying to help you. Let them.” Isaac demands through hooded eyes. Pulling me aside, he continues, “Luke’s dad is great. He saved me from myself many years ago, and that’s a story I’ll share with you someday. Let him drive your mom to St. Augustine and get her settled. I’ll take you over there this summer once she’s established her routine, and we’ll spend the weekend there. And before you start delivering your typical rant about not needing anyone’s help, know that my offer is purely selfish. I’ve had dreams about you waking me up with your mouth –”
Pulling us from our private moment, Julia screeches from across the room, “Mia? How’s the first Saturday after school’s out for the official move? Everyone is free, but this only works if you’re free as well.” Before I have a moment to even think or react, everything is arranged. Luke’s dad, Charlie, will be driving my mom over to St. Augustine next weekend; Katie and Rebecca have offered to watch the girls so I can check in with my mom a few weeks later; and the move has been completely orchestrated by Julia. Holy hell, I just agreed to go away for an entire weekend with Isaac. I think I’m gonna pass out.
Bringing me out of my panic attack, I feel Emma’s arm come around my waist as her hand gently strokes up and down my back. “I know. Sometimes all this love is a bit overwhelming, and maybe unbelievable. But Mia, we do love you and want what’s best for you, your mom, and your girls. It’s really that simple.” Everything about this moment makes me want to run away from all these people and cry for days, or grab on to each one of them and never let go.
“I know. Someday, someday I might trust you enough to share my entire story, so you’ll understand why this is so difficult for me. I made a big decision a long time ago to only rely on my own strengths. My entire life has been full of so many let-downs, it’s almost impossible for me to trust anyone. But I think I trust you. I want to believe everyone here is for real. I’m just not completely there yet.” Finishing my monologue, I’m pulled back into Emma’s embrace and my eyes well up with tears.
Sensing how uncomfortable I am, Emma pulls back and shouts, “Are we gonna play ‘Battle of the Sexes’ and kick some ass, girls, or just stand around all day?”
In a matter of seconds, the mood easily shifts back to party atmosphere, and I can’t help but smile at this group of people who somehow managed to crack open my heart and pour in a little love. A vibrating phone in my pocket reminds me that the tall, muscular, green-eyed cop, who nearly brought me to my knees an hour ago, still expects me in his bed tonight.
Isaac: My bed. Two hours. I owe you three more.
Me: Only three?
Isaac: Do you want me to drag you out of here in front of them?
Me: I’ll be there.
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Tagged For Life by Sam Destiny
Copyright © 2015 Sam Destiny
Al
l rights reserved.
No part of this book may be copied or reproduced without written consent of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events, places or people, living or dead, is coincidental.
Dedication
Sometimes you just gotta let yourself fall and not be afraid.
In the end you’ll fly.
To the brave people that fall hard and fly high:
You are brave.
Stay that way.
Prologue
29th Nov. 2014
Tessa,
My beautiful, amazing Tessa.
It's kind of scary knowing that you are close to me and yet so far away. But then, close is always a question of definition, isn't it?
I've had a lot of time to think over the last couple of days, and frankly, all I really worried and wondered about was how to start this letter. 'Hey' doesn't seem to cut it. 'My love' might scare you off, right? And everything else wouldn't be enough. I figured your name was the best thing to express what I wanted to convey. I can still feel it on my tongue. I can remember the way it would roll off and how it always filled me with such warmth.
That moment before you’d look up at me, was always filled with anticipation because I had a feeling every time you raised your eyes to mine, you were more amazing and I was falling just a little bit more for you.
I know what is between us in the sense of distance and trouble, but I won't lie, when I think of you I feel tall enough so I can look over it all and see you.
There's nothing I want more than to tell you I hope you flying back home hasn't changed any of the things you felt for me. You just... Remember? We both know how that sentence should have ended. You just love me. I can't wait to hear the words from your lips. You keep me going right now. Do you even realize that?
Forever Marked (Marked Series Book 1) Page 24
