by L. A. Boruff
My jaw dropped.
The hospitals were turning people away. How was that even possible? Could they do that? Wouldn’t it start a riot?
Shit. Was Natalie safe?
I nearly chucked the phone across the room when I couldn’t reach her after another thirty minutes. Snatching up my car keys, I stomped toward the front door and flung it open the same moment I saw my girl leaning against the doorframe, her eyes half closed in fatigue.
“Nat!” I exclaimed as I rushed forward and scooped her up into my arms. “Baby, tell me you’re alright.”
Fuck!
“I’m fine,” she whispered, her head dropping forward into my neck. The heat of her breath nearly scorched my skin. “Just tired, Zeke. Promise. I’m not sick.”
I’m not sick.
Three words were never as terrifyingly important.
Pressing my lips to her forehead, I walked swiftly into our room and settled her down on our bed. She was asleep before I could finish undressing her and slide a nightshirt over her head. Instead of disturbing her I left her naked under the covers and placed a bottle of water next to her phone where I left it to charge. The damn thing was totally dead. No battery life at all. No wonder I couldn’t reach her earlier.
Once she was awake, I’d make her promise not to let it die like that again.
We needed to be able to keep in contact at all times. If shit went down, I had to be able to reach Nat. The worst feeling of unease settled into my gut.
Things were rapidly going to shit, and I had to keep her safe.
Hours later I was pacing the living room floor as I waited for her to wake up. Out of habit I turned on the television and instantly regretted it. The news media did nothing but cover the flu outbreak and multiple theories about how it began. It was tiresome.
An alert blared as breaking news flashed across the screen, a reporter staring at the camera with a nervous smile. “We have breaking news. You’re hearing this first . . .”
Shit. What now?
“Bottled water has been linked to the deadly virus outbreak as confirmed sources say the strand was purposely added to bottled water in specific facilities and then distributed to zip codes around the city.”
Fuck!
A gasp from behind me confirmed Nat was awake and had heard the broadcast.
“Tell me you haven’t been drinking any bottled water,” I whispered, suddenly frightened of the thought that she would be exposed and contaminated at the hospital.
“No,” she gulped, “I use the fridge here to fill my bottle with ice and water and then usually grab a Gatorade or something at work. It’s pricey and you know I hate to pay for water when its free.”
A dry laugh tumbled from my lips. “I’m glad you’re so cheap.”
She smiled but I could tell the thought terrified her as she blinked a few times and tried to process what the news disclosed. “All those people . . . sick because of bottled water? This doesn’t make sense.”
“It does if you’re the elite in society and you want to eradicate those considered beneath you.”
She visibly blanched at my words. “That’s impossible, right? We live in a free democratic country. Things like that don’t happen in the United States.”
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the world we knew was changing. It was painfully obvious a new regime had come to power and the rules we thought governed our life were no longer in place. If there was a plan to control and dominate certain undesirable people or demographics what was to stop it from continuing? Who would decide the worth or value of each human life?
“I don’t know, babe,” I finally answered as I walked forward and tugged her into my arms, tucking her in closer as I rested my chin on the top of her head. “We need to stay close to one another. I’ll drop you off and pick you up from work from now on. Alright?” I asked her for permission, but it was lip service. I’d be doing it whether she agreed or not.
“You’re lucky you work from home. If I had more vacation time, I’d use it.”
“Take some unpaid leave,” I suggested. “I make more than enough to pay the bills alone. I don’t mind keeping you here between the sheets as much as possible.” Making light of the situation was my defense mechanism. When life got hard, I usually turned to humor. My brother Ty was the same. We both took after my father. My old man served twenty years for his country and was a hardass, but he loved his family and knew that life was worth the small moments that made up the whole experience. He’d said that many times over the years all the way up to the day he died nearly eighteen months ago.
“You’re gonna end up knocking me up,” she joked.
“It’s not like I don’t intend to marry you soon,” I quipped as her head snapped up in shock. Cradling her face in my hands, I kissed her softly on the lips, nibbling with my teeth as I was tempted to devour her right here on the living room floor. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Nat. You’re it for me. I’ve known since our first date when you spilled wine all over your lap and laughed at my stupid jokes. It takes a special woman to put up with my shit.”
Tears filled her eyes and were quickly blinked back. “Are you asking or telling me?”
Grinning like a fool I answered honestly, “probably a bit of both.” I jumped away from her and darted into our bedroom, reaching inside the top drawer of my dresser. Inside was a little black box I’d bought over two months prior. I’d hidden it until our anniversary on the fourth of July, but this seemed like the perfect moment. Dropping to one knee, I confessed my undying love and said all the sappy stuff in my heart I’d been secretly rehearsing for weeks. Every word was true. “Will you marry me, Natalie?”
She gasped at the diamond engagement ring and nodded, clearly surprised which is exactly how I wanted this to happen. “Yes, Zeke, I’ll marry you.”
Leaping to my feet, I snatched her up into my arms and tossed her down on our bed. “You have five seconds to get naked and expose your sweet pussy or I’m going to rip those clothes from your body.”
Natalie shivered and that look that I loved – the one that said come claim me – was visible in her sexy cobalt blue eyes. They’d electrified me since our first date and still remained as hypnotizing. She had this power over me, a level of control that I’d never given any woman before her and certainly would never give another after since she was destined to be mine. I’d mentioned this to her often enough I think she believed me now.
In the time it took to process these thoughts she’d stripped down to nothing but her red lace thong and bra and I held up a hand – because fuck, yes! – and admired the view. My girl had curves in all the right places, soft and warm with smooth skin that my palms itched to touch as I glided my hands across every exposed inch.
To look at her, you’d think she was a punk rock chick. Nat’s hair was a white blonde with dyed pieces of dark red woven in like highlights. Short along the sides but much longer on top, the strands spiked up and backward in this sensual way that gave her appearance a reckless edge. She reminded me of the artist P!nk. Nat had her own look though and I loved her individuality. Who knew I’d be so turned on by her triple pierced ears and diamond nose stud along with her Converse Chuck Taylor shoes and medical scrubs?
Me? The guy who wore sweatpants and gym clothes most of the time? I lived in athletic gear and never missed my daily workouts. When I left home it was in a suit for long boring finance meetings. Of course, I wasn’t a health food nut like her. Give me beer and cheeseburgers any day. The differences just made her all the more endearing.
My gaze roamed over her succulent ass and curvy hips as she rolled over on her stomach and lifted in the air, pausing to peek over her shoulder.
“Want me this way?”
Fuck. If I wasn’t hard before I was ready to burst through my jeans now.
“Thank you, Jesus,” I whispered, admiring the way her rounded cheeks jiggled just a little with her giggle.
“Did you just thank God or something
?”
“I did,” I admitted. “An ass that sexy needs credit.”
“You make me so wet.”
Groaning, I began tossing clothing all over the room until I was naked, gliding forward to give her ass a definitive slap. I smoothed my palm along her spine and pressed soft kisses all the way down her spine as she arched her back in response. My thumbs hooked into her thong and pulled it down as I looked at those sweet pretty lips exposed for my viewing pleasure. I knew her tight wet pussy was waiting for my tongue, but I wasn’t going to rush my time with her.
Nat sensed my mood as I pulled the thong off. Her legs widened as she spread herself wide and I shivered, my cock hard enough to pound inside her for hours. We weren’t leaving this bedroom until I had her every way I wanted, exactly as much as I wanted. Lucky for me my girl was as ravenous as I was in the bedroom.
My hand cupped her mound from behind and I leaned down, nipping her ass cheek with my teeth. “Mine.”
“Always, Zeke,” she purred, a soft moan leaving her lips.
“You’ll really marry me?” I asked, grazing her intimate area with my tongue.
“Oh,” she gasped, “yes, Zeke.”
“Yes, to what?” I asked as I swiped upward and then plunged inside her heat.
“Both. Everything. All of it!” She began to move her hips as I sank a finger and then two to join the flick of my tongue.
I pumped slowly in and out and curled my fingers, so I reached that sweet spot. Nat jolted in my arms. I withdrew as she whimpered and flipped her onto her stomach as I tugged her ass to the end of the bed. On my knees I leaned in and resumed my feast, licking and sucking and nibbling at her clit as her cries grew louder.
“Zeke, I’m going to come soon.”
I was a greedy bastard. She always came more than once. It was my master plan to keep her with me forever. “Then come, baby. Come for me.”
She trembled and moaned until I felt her release and her limbs quaked as her juices flooded her channel and coated my chin. Fuck. There was nothing better than her taste.
I slid inside her in one swift thrust and began to move slowly, gliding in and almost all the way out before I plunged inside her again. Lifting her legs up and over my shoulders continued the movements as I kissed her sensual lips. Nat’s fingers trailed my chest and upward before tangling into my hair.
“I love you,” she moaned as I stroked her clit and increased my speed, pounding into her relentlessly as I sheathed my dick completely. Nat was always so tight and warm, her body wet and responding to mine without effort. We were made for one another.
“Roll over,” I commanded as I pulled out and slapped her ass twice. “Next time I’m going to tie you up.”
“God, Zeke. Yes!”
Smirking, I tugged her ass back into my hips as I stroked my dick and smacked the tip against her pussy. “You want this?”
“Nungh,” she mumbled, unable to pronounce her words. I’d robbed her of coherent thought.
I loved it when she was this turned on. She’d gush all over my cock soon.
“Say it, baby.”
“I want your dick!”
A light chuckle left my lips. “Fuck yeah, Natalie. I love you, too.” The words had barely left my lips when I thrust into her hard and fast, pumping wildly as I slid my hand around her throat. My hips pumped as I growled and slammed into her over and over again. Her climax came on so quickly I barely realized she was going to come seconds before she released and soaked my cock to the point that her juices ran down her sexy thighs and coated us both. I roared as I spurted deep inside her and held onto her hips, gripping her flesh tightly as I fought to remain upright.
Natalie collapsed and I slipped from her swollen core to scoop her up into my arms. We lay on the bed together as our eyes closed and I stroked her cheek with affection. Natalie was the best part of my life and I couldn’t wait to see what the future had in store for us.
3
Natalie
July 3rd, 2052
“We’re never going to make it on time to Red, White, and Boom if you can’t get your cute ass moving.”
Zeke’s tone was filled with humor, but I knew he was right. Central Ohio’s biggest fireworks display was an annual event I looked forward to attending every year since I was a kid. Zeke and I met at Red, White, and Boom three years ago and it held a special place in my heart. We never missed the chance to go each year and celebrate with friends.
“I’m almost done with my shift. I’ve got a few charts to finish but I should be done in thirty minutes.”
He sighed dramatically over the phone and I giggled. “I wanted time for a quickie.”
A loud laugh launched from my throat as a few of my coworkers and friends smiled. They loved Zeke. He was sweet and treated me like a queen. My friends adored him even more after I showed up with my new engagement ring and recounted our passionate night together.
“You’ll have to wait until tonight,” I teased, “but don’t worry. I’ll make it worth it.”
“Damn. Now I’m sporting a hard-on and you’re too far away.”
“I’ll take care of you, Z!”
My best friend was a pain in the ass, but I loved her craziness. I turned toward the leggy brunette and flipped her off. “Shut up, Tara.”
Zeke’s laughter echoed in my ear. “Tell Tara I’m unavailable.”
“Shit, he can share me. I’ll do you both.” She winked and slapped her hand down on the counter. “Let’s finish up. I want to get out of here before sunset.”
“We’re finishing up, babe. I’ll see you soon. Save me a seat!”
“A seat and a kiss,” he promised. “Don’t make me wait too long. All I have for company is my drunk ass brother and a bunch of guys who smell like an Axe commercial. My dick is shriveling.”
“You’re crazy, you know that?” I burst out, hardly able to contain my humor.
“Tell my soon to be sister-in-law to get her cute ass here as fast as possible and bring Tara.” Zeke’s brother Ty was as much a handful as my fiancé.
“I heard that!” Tara yelled. “You couldn’t handle me, Ty!”
There was a scuffle and Ty’s voice could be heard as he responded, “I’m game if you are, baby.”
He wasn’t talking to me.
Tara winked as I shook my head, hoping Zeke could hear me over Ty’s drunken singing since he’d burst into spontaneous song in the background. “Bye, babe. See you soon!”
“Hey,” Zeke called out as I was about to end the call.
“Yeah?”
“I love you, Nat.”
“I love you, too.”
Tara chucked a pen in my direction as I moved out of the line of fire. “You two are nauseatingly cute.”
Zeke ended the call and I rushed Tara, nearly knocking her over as we both laughed.
“Listen, those charts aren’t going anywhere. We can finish tomorrow. Let’s go change so we can leave here on time for once.”
I didn’t have to be asked twice. Several nurses were making rounds and there was plenty of coverage at the station in case a patient needed something or pressed their call button. Tara and I grabbed our bags and headed into the employee lounge in our wing, a luxury we appreciated on a day like today. Once we had changed our outfits and were rid of the scrubs, we made our way into the bathroom to freshen up.
“Do you have that liquid black eyeliner with you?” Tara was lining her lips with a dark red lipstick and pouted into the mirror before she blotted her mouth on a paper towel.
“Yeah, here.” I handed it over as I finished my smoky eye look and admired the finished product. Zeke was going to love my bare midriff and sexy new top. Maybe we could find someplace private as the fireworks started. It wouldn’t be the first time we had sex during the light show.
Tara snapped her fingers and I smiled. “Hey, quit daydreaming about your hot fiancé,” she teased.
“At least he has an equally hot brother.”
“Damn. That’s th
e truth.”
We were just closing up the zippers and bags with all of our products when a loud bang startled us both. It sounded like the metal door on one of the bathroom stalls.
“Hey, did you hear that?” I asked, wondering if another small animal had made its way into the hospital. It wouldn’t be the first time we spotted a rat or raccoon.
“Yeah. I thought we were alone in here. It’s been so quiet.” Tara moved down the row of stalls and peeked along the bottom, probably looking for shoes. “There’s someone in the second to last one.” She pointed at the white nursing shoes that were clearly planted on the floor.
How did we miss another person was in here?
Clearing my throat, I tapped on the door. “Hey, are you alright in there? Need some TP?” I’d run out a time or two myself in the past. Luckily, I could count on Tara to rush in with another roll.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when another loud bang hit the center of the door.
Tara frowned. “That’s not a normal response.”
No shit.
“Should we try to help her?”
Tara glared my way. “Do you think she wants us to peek over the door and catch her with her panties down?”
Her sarcasm was duly noted but I wasn’t sure what to do. “Okay, fine, you have a point.”
There was another bang on the door and this time we heard the slight scuffle of feet on the linoleum floor. An odd scraping sound followed and made me wince as Tara tugged on my arm.
“There’s blood on the floor.”
Shocked, I immediately looked at the ground and saw the crimson droplets plopping onto the floor. A few splashes could be seen on the once pristine white shoes as the feet moved and rolled at an odd angle. Terrified of the cause of the blood I remained immobile as Tara darted forward into the stall directly to the left and jumped up on the toilet seat, gripping the top of the metal wall separation as she leaned over.
“Holy fuck!” she shouted, seconds before the door crashed open and Tara fell down, scrambling to her feet as she barreled straight into me knocking us both to the hard-slippery tiles. We screamed as the crazed and bloody nurse from the stall snapped her jaw and lunged forward. Her fingers were covered in blood as if she had been clawing at the door in an effort to escape.
