It’s so weird to see Sven’s seat vacant, and I know no one will sit there for a while. I wonder how Missy feels with the seat beside her empty. Something kicks my foot and I shoot my eyes to Wyatt’s, he’s looking down as he spoons out mashed potatoes on his plate as Nolan talks to him, then flicks his eyes to mine. Also at this time, Evan, Smokey and Emily’s youngest comes in. Everyone greets him as he takes his seat on the other side of Wyatt. Evan doesn’t always come to dinner, but I don’t usually talk to him anyway. I don’t know why, but Evan’s a little too rough living for me. Growing up, he was always in trouble. I knew as he got older, the things he did got more severe. I’m actually surprised the guy isn’t in prison yet, to be honest. But apparently as of late, he’s been trying to turn himself around with working for The Plantain Construction company. Chatter begins at the table as everyone starts eating.
“Want to come over later?” I ask Irys.
“I don’t know, supposed to be seeing Rupert tonight,” she sighs.
“He still being shady?” I ask.
“No, it’s me. He only wants to- you know. I just don’t want to be a fuck toy, but you saw when we went out, it’s never just us. I want to put my foot down, no sex unless he wants a relationship,” she says.
My eyes flick up to Wyatt’s who’s listening to us, as Nolan and Evan speak to each other.
“I don’t want to marry the guy, but shit. I don’t want to be a whore, and only have sex with him when he wants to…I’m better than that-”
“There’s nothing wrong with a woman who only wants sex,” Wyatt tells her.
My head turns to him, his response unexpected.
“Uh, Wyatt, you’re a guy, of course there’s not. But no guy will marry a slut, he will fuck her to death but not be with her. She’ll always be the thirsty one, willing to take cock, while he goes home to someone else.”
“What’s that?” Dornan asks from down the table, his tone alerting us that he can hear us.
“Sorry Dad,” Irys says, then lowers her voice.
“So, those two girls you had a three-way with at that frat party last year, you’d marry one of them?” she asks Wyatt.
His jaw clenches as his eyes move from mine and shoot to hers.
“Fuck off, Irys,” he grumbles as he returns his attention to his plate.
“Anyway,” Irys shakes her head, looking at me. “When you finally lose your V card, you’ll know what I mean.”
I swallow and look down at my fork picking at my food. Was I like the girls Irys meant? Was I a slut who no guy would marry because I was too adventurous? I’d totally try a three-way with Wyatt, and a sinking feeling floods my chest, I feel…guilty.
“You’re a virgin?” Evan asks me, a grin on his lips.
My head pops up, red exploding on my cheeks.
“Shut up Evan, no one’s talking to anyone on that side of the table,” Irys says and raises a hand.
Evan gives me a wink and a smile, leaning forward onto the table with his elbows. “I can help you with that,” he tells me.
“Fuck off,” I sneer.
At the same moment, Nolan and Wyatt look at him and say, “Shut the fuck up,” and “Fuck off.”
“What is going on down there?” Dornan says loudly. “We still have little ones at the table,” he adds.
“Bad, bad,” Ruby exclaims.
“Sorry Dad,” Nolan says, and we all return our attention to our plates.
We remain quiet as we finish eating, Wyatt’s foot occasionally grazing mine, or knocking into my knee.
“Time for birthday presents,” Missy says once we’ve finished eating.
I come in from the kitchen after helping clear the table, and Maven pulls my chair out for me, bringing my hair over my shoulders and pressing a kiss to the back of my head. She places several wrapped presents on the table before me, and I start opening. I get mostly art stuff, paper, pencils, canvas, and a gift card to the local art supply store.
“So when do you register for classes?” Missy asks as we sit around the table, empty cake plates and coffee cups sitting on the table.
“Well, I’ve decided I’m deferring for a semester.”
You could’ve heard a pin drop as everyone stops talking and looks at me. I don’t want to look at my parents but can’t help it. Mom doesn’t seem surprised, but doesn’t look happy as she turns her attention to my dad, who appears down right pissed.
“Excuse me?” he asks.
“What?” Irys looks at me with hurt eyes.
“I’m not going to school this semester, I already spoke with admissions and they can hold my academic scholarship for a year.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Irys continues like it’s just the two of us in this conversation.
“What about your athletic scholarship?” Dad says loudly.
My dad looks like he’s about to blow a gasket, his hands squeezing tightly into fists as his face grows red. By my non-answer, he knows this means I won’t get it for next year. Which doesn’t even matter, the academic scholarship covers all expenses as is anyway.
“So, what will you do with your time off?” Katie asks, with a smile and trying to act like this is awesome.
“Not sure yet,” I shrug and look down at my hands.
I wasn’t planning on telling them like this, with all the shit that’s going on with Abbey, let alone in front of everyone. But maybe this will allow my dad some cool off time before we get home. Conversation slowly starts at the table about other things.
“Shit, way to drop a bomb, Daisy,” Irys says looking at me.
“Shut up Irys,” Wyatt says and my eyes fly to his.
“Oh excuse me Wyatt, who’s talking to you?” she retorts.
“I’m sorry,” I tell her.
“I had no idea you were even considering that, I’m such a shit friend. All I do is vent about my shit when here you are with bigger problems.”
“It’s ok, really,” I tell her even though I’m the one who feels like the shit friend.
“Forgive me?” she asks with puppy dog eyes.
“Just this once,” I play lifting my chin.
We smile at one another as she hugs me, looking over her shoulder at my dad as Mom tries to get his attention, but he gets up and leaves the table. I stand also, not to go after him, but I don’t know what to do with myself. Maven gets Ruby down from her chair at the same moment, and she runs toward me. I pick her up and grab the book I made and go out to the front porch, sitting with her on my lap and reading to her. The sun begins to set as I read it to her three times, and she falls asleep on me. I sit and rock with her, curled up against me and just think. I know I should’ve told my parents in private, but I’m sick of always doing what’s best for everyone else. I know they’re already at their wit’s end with my sister, but whatever, I had to tell them at some point. The screen door opens with a squeak and I turn to see Maven coming to retrieve her toddler. She smiles at us and helps maneuver Ruby off me and into her arms.
“You okay?” she whispers.
I nod and stand, ready to follow her inside.
“It’ll all be okay,” she tells me, and I know she’s right, once my dad calms down, I know I made the right decision for me.
But she keeps looking at me like she wants to say something more, and fuck. I would almost bet that she knows Wyatt and I are fucking. I give her a small smile, tucking hair behind my ear out of nervousness.
“What?” I ask.
She gives me a smile then shakes her head. “Nothing, sweetie.”
When we get inside, Maven hurries up the wood stairs to put Ruby and her bed, and Wyatt, Nolan, and Evan are standing by the door.
“I’ll drive,” Evan says.
“We gotta stay and help clean up, how about we just meet you there?” Nolan suggests.
Wyatt and I connect eyes before the three fist bump in turn, and I gather they’re going out for the night. Nolan and Evan move closer to the door, and Wyatt leans toward me, to tell me so
mething but I continue to walk as Irys approaches me.
“So, if Rupert’s being an ass, I’ll come over, cool?” she tells me.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Daisy,” Dad calls from the kitchen.
“Coming,” I reply
“Good luck,” Irys tells me quietly.
I grab my bag and I’m the last to the SUV, Abbey takes the middle, maybe she thinks Dad will send me walking like he did her. But as we begin to head home, I realize my dad’s going to torture me…with silence. No one talks, the radios not even on, you can feel the tension filling the car. When he parks in the driveway, we all exit and I don’t know if I should go into the house or the loft, deciding to go to the loft and see what happens. I’m not inside for more than a minute when I hear my dad’s bike engine roar to life, looking out the window to see him and mom heading out to the street. I let out a long breath and know I’m safe for now. My phone begins to beep with text alerts and I get it out of my bag, plopping my ass on the couch.
Wyatt: You okay?
Me: Yeah.
Wyatt: Is Irys coming over tonight?
Me: Not sure yet. You going out?
Wyatt: Yeah, got some business to take care of.
I know he made mine and Irys’ fake ID’s, but I didn’t know he was making them for other people, let alone making money off them.
Me: What are they used for?
Wyatt: I don’t know.
Wyatt: Want me to come by later? I made a promise to you about eating that pussy.
Instantly, I’m wet. But for some reason, maybe because of the talk with Irys about sluts, or just that my dad’s mad, I don’t think I want him over.
Me: I don’t know, Dad still hasn’t detonated the bomb yet.
Wyatt: Message me if you’re down.
Me: Will do.
I set my phone down and pull my hair up over the back of the couch cushion, bending my knees as I put my feet on the table. I exhale a long breath and then my phone beeps again.
Wyatt: Hey Daisy?
Me: Yes?
Wyatt: Fuck Irys. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about. You’re not a slut for liking to fuck me.
I can’t help but smile. I know he’s right, but I can’t help but feel like I’m degrading myself just for pleasure.
Me: Thank you.
9
DAISY
After my shower, I throw on an oversized t-shirt, sticking some cucumber eye pads on my under-eyes and pop my retainer in. Grabbing my sketchpad and charcoal pencil, I return to the couch and flip on the television. I check my phone and see a message from Irys, that she isn’t coming over tonight, but we can hang out tomorrow. I begin drawing, finding myself drawing a woman and man. He’s behind her, they’re both naked, and she’s small in his arms. It occurs to me that I draw how I picture myself and Wyatt, thinking about how he feels when he’s against me. There’s something powerful about giving up control, allowing someone to take what they want but also give you pleasure at the same time. I can’t explain it really, but I know now that since I’ve had a taste of this kind of sex, there’s no other way for me. I startle when someone taps on the door, it must be Irys, actually, she’d just come in. Even though my parents have a key to the door, they don’t normally just walk in, so it’s probably my dad. I stand and prepare myself for the onslaught of my dad’s wrath, and reach for the door knob. When I open it to see Wyatt, I’m taken aback. He moves inside quickly so my parents won’t see him.
“Sorry, can I come in?” he asks.
I close the door and turn toward him.
“Yeah, I thought you were busy tonight?” I asked with furrowed brows, lisping on the ‘s’ in busy.
“Finished early,” he says against my lips, as he cups my neck and kisses me.
My mouth opens for him as he kisses me wet and bitey. His thumbs run along my face, and one snags with the cucumber eye pad. I pull them off and wince, since you’re supposed to use water for removal, then feel his tongue slide over my retainer against the roof of my mouth. Stepping back, I turn my head and pop it out of my mouth, running a hand to clean away the spittle around my lips and setting the retainer on an end table. The fact that none of this stopped him from kissing me, well you know how it made me feel. His hands run down to my shoulders, one bare from the shirt pulling over to one side. My nipples protrude through the thin cotton and graze against his forearms, I feel like something needs to be said. Like I need to tell him, we should stop all this. But his hands feel so good, his breath caressing my face, the pull between my legs for him.
“I want to be with you,” he tells me.
My mind flip-flops between his meaning.
“Okay,” I breathe out, assuming he means sex.
“No, I mean, yes, I want to have sex right now with you…but I think I want to try to be with you beyond the summer.”
This is what I wanted right? Wasn’t it?
“Wait,” I shake my head and step out of his warmth.
“You said you wanted the summer, to fuck…so you just want to prolong the same deal?” I ask.
“No, I want everyone to know we’re together. I want your parents to see me coming and going, to hold your hand at Sunday dinner. There’s so much going on, but when we’re together and even when we’re not, you’re all I can think about.”
His eyes look so vulnerable, so raw with emotion. I move closer and take his hands, lifting them up to kiss his knuckles.
“You told me this before…then left my ass waiting for you at the diner,” I remind him. “I know these might be just words to you, but I trust you, Wyatt. I believed you before when you said you wanted me, and then you left me without a word and didn’t even have an ounce of heart to tell me to my face, hell, you didn’t even call me. I want to believe what you’re telling me, that you want more, but I don’t know what that means to you.”
He cups my cheeks, locking eyes with me.
“I thought maybe at first it was just lust, but now I know it’s more than that. Do you know how hard it was for me to leave after we hooked up? It gutted me when you were so cavalier about it, and it hurt me that you seemed fine with casual. I thought that I would be fine with it that way, but I’m not. The other day after the shower, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. To hear that you were feeling something, anything…I knew we had to try, this can’t be nothing Daisy.”
His words are shocking me, honestly flooring me. I thought I was being naïve about it when he seemed so cool with leaving me after sex, to know he was feeling it too, it’s amazing.
“When Irys was talking about sluts, I saw you took her words to heart and it fucking killed me to not be able to take you in my arms, comfort you. When you told everyone about your deferment, I was so proud of you, I wanted to kiss you. I know I left you, it was torture not being with you, but I knew I was depressed over Sven and I didn’t want you to be my babysitter. I want you, to be with you. And I know you feel for me, you’ve said as much. There’s so many things you make me feel, fuck, Daisy, you let me fuck you in the ass…meaningless relationships aren’t like that, not first times at least. We have something, I can’t explain it. But I can see us making things work after the summer, I want to…if you do too.”
I run my hand through my hair, my mind whirling, my thoughts and reactions to his words playing catch up with my heart.
“I want that too, but why don’t we just take this day by day,” I offer because I’m still not sure if he means this. I can’t let my guard down that we might start ‘dating’ and then he’ll realize he doesn’t like it and change his mind again.
“If you’re willing to even consider it, I’ll do anything you want,” he tells me.
Bringing my arms up to wrap around his shoulders, I lick my lips and take his mouth. His hands run under the hem of my shirt and underneath to palm my bare ass. I whimper and he groans, massaging the globes, I lift onto my tip toes to get closer to his lips, causing the muscles in his hands to flex.
“I love h
ow toned your body is,” he whispers.
Our lips and tongues become feistier, and then I’m being walked backward, my ass bumping against the kitchen table. He lifts me at the same time I move up onto the top and spread my legs around his middle. His hands on my hips, urge me further onto the wood surface, then he leans over me until my back’s on the table. He pushes up my shirt just above my breasts.
“Put your arms back,” he tells me.
So I do, assuming it’s to remove my shirt the rest of the way. But he pulls it up to my elbows and leaves it. My chest heaves as he looks down at me, the light over the table flicking on as he closes the curtains of the windows beside me.
“Stay like that,” he says before moving out of my line of sight, and I hear him ascending the staircase to my room.
I hear the sound of the backpack unzipping, then shuffling, before he returns to my side shirtless. He sets things on the table, before lifting the folded bandana to my face, and I lift my head so he can secure a knot in the back of my hair. Covered in darkness, my skin instantly feels alive, my ears searching for any sound. I feel the air shift and hear him pull the chair away from the table just above my head, and he stands. My legs shift, my knees rubbing together in anticipation. Then the soft gentleness of his fingertips begin to float over me. From my cheeks to my lips, then down my neck. I arch my head back to allow him more space and lick my lips. My breasts arch up in search, seeking the touch of him. A quick sigh bursts past my lips as he feathers over my nipples, back and forth, then around the swells of my tits. For having such rough big man hands, he’s being so delicate. He runs his knuckles along the space between my breasts and armpits, causing my arms to jerk in reflex to the tickles and he stops. Pulling my arms back, and curling my fingers over the lip of the table. When he leans back over me, I can feel his hard dick through his jeans against my knuckles. I want to touch him, but know he wants me to stay like this, so I don’t. Then he’s away from my hands and I feel his fingers on my torso, my ribs, my bellybutton. My skin covers in goose bumps, my body writhing as I search for more contact. He traces each one of my ribs, then down the center of me, circling my bellybutton, over and over soft as a breeze. His fingers run above my groin, where my panty line would be, and I whimper. My clit throbs with need and want, but he simply runs a spread out hand down to spread each of my legs open. His fingertips graze along my inner thighs, over my knees to my calves. He takes my ankles and spreads my feet apart, before he stops touching me. I hear something, after a few moments I recognize it’s the shutter from the camera on his phone, and I bite my lip. Knowing he likes to look back at photos to see me like this, fucking makes me wetter than before. I know I have all the power over him, he might have the physical power, but I’m the one that brings him to his knees.
Use Somebody: Plantain Series Book Four Page 12
