Always Us

by C C Monroe

  “Fuck, you’re my damn savior. Come here.” Pulling her to me, she envelops me, drowning me with her intoxicating smell and silky skin. We spend the next three hours talking about our future and our past. That’s the best thing about being with Shayla, we have a future, but we’ll always have our past to bind us.

  Shayla

  THE SUN IS WARM AND enticing, heating me to the bones just right. The waves are crashing, making noise in the background. It’s the perfect companion to me and my novel. Today, I’ve done nothing but laze away on the beach with Trey.

  Looking up, I see him coming out of the water, his new, darkened tan looking similar to mine. The water helps the sun reflect off all the rugged and deep grooves of his muscles. His sandy blond hair and blue eyes tempting me to crawl back in bed—with my kryptonite. Dang, I can’t wait to marry him.

  His swim trunks hang low on his hips. So low I could tug an inch or two and see his glorious cock. The need for him filling me and causing the empty feeling between my legs to start up again. Making love with him all night still didn’t sedate me. It only awoke me. Last night felt like foreplay, I’m that needy.

  “Whatcha reading, sexy?” Grabbing his towel, he wipes some of the water from his skin before lying down next to me. His hand finds my stomach immediately.

  “Just a romance novel. It’s called Surviving For Us, by Lauren Nicole. She’s my favorite. You interrupted a sex scene, but I’ll forgive you,” I tease. I watch as his eyebrows lift, smirking.

  “I hate that, you know. The guys in those books aren’t real. Honestly. No one looks that good or is luckily that rich.” I set my book down and lift my glasses a smidgen to look at him.

  “Really. Because you are super sexy, you are making some decent money, and your dick is huge, so maybe you need to reassess your philosophy.” Smiling, I chuckle at the expression laid out on his face; he looks pleased.

  “Do you get turned on when you read those books? Do you picture me?” He leans into me, and I take in the smell of salt and what’s left of his cologne. His open lips kiss my shoulder, where he leans over my body.

  “I can’t get turned on when I read them.”

  “Why not?” he asks, licking up the back of my ear. I shudder, my skin breaking out with tiny little bumps. I close my eyes, my teeth catching my lip while a gentle moan vibrates in my throat.

  “Because no one compares to you. I’ve never been able to get turned on by anything or anyone but you.” His sexy, devilish snicker hums through me.

  “You’re damn right. I’m the only one that can make you feel good, baby.”

  “No one else.”

  “Then marry me the minute we get home.” I break from the fog he just hypnotized me with and laugh on a choke.

  “Like elope?”

  “That’ll do.” He looks completely stoic, no traces of humor.

  “Trey, we need to plan one, my dad and Kingston wouldn’t be happy if I married you without them there. Not to mention how hurt Kathy would be.” He huffs. I can see him debating a list in his head to convince me otherwise. But he eventually agrees with my answer. Which I’m glad, because I won’t budge on this. Our friends and family need to be there. Everyone but my mom, actually, is it bad I can see my wedding without her?

  “Fine, but don’t make me wait. What about April?”

  I think of the timeline, it’s February now. I think we can make that work.

  “Okay.” I shrug.

  “Really! Just like that?” Sitting straight up, he straddles my waist and grabs my book, tossing it over his shoulder. Before raining kisses all over my face, neck, and chest. Not caring that there are joggers and other beachgoers who’ve started to stare.

  “Yes, just like that. Ah! Trey, stop, that tickles.” I laugh against the three-day-old stubble on his chin as it rubs against my stomach. Grabbing at his hair, I try to stop his innocent torture on my breasts and upper stomach. I love us like this. Finally giving me mercy, he stands up and grabs my hand, lifting me from the ground in one swift pull.

  “Come on, I’m taking you for a swim.”

  The rest of our vacation is nothing but lovemaking, sun, salt, water, and sand. Planning the wedding will commence the second I get home, until then the world can wait.

  “LET ME SEE IT, BITCH!” My hand is pulled from the clothing rack abruptly. I drop the shirt and hanger and a joyous smirk spreads on my face.

  “Good morning, L,” I say sarcastically.

  “Good morning my ass. Holy fuck, this ring is fucking stunning!” She’s lucky we haven’t opened yet; her profanities would really make our customers comfortable.

  “I know, he really did amazing, right? I have to tell you how it all happened!” A glimpse of the ocean and setting sun as our backdrop when he proposed comes to mind, as we walk toward the sitting area by the dressing room. Telling her in great detail what happened, I watch her give the same reaction I thought she would. Tears, language, and lots of enthusiasm.

  “Holy shit, he’s good! God, is there anything wrong with our big guy—Trey?” Rolling my eyes, I wave her off with the flick of my hand.

  “So, I’m taking it you guys really got to reconnect this weekend?” She wiggles her brows, like the pervert she is. Once again, if Kingston and Lana were in the dictionary, their names would be side by side with the same meaning.

  “Yes, we did. And no, I didn’t tell him.” I knew that question was going to come up, so I answered it for her. I haven’t had the nerve to crush his heart and tell him about my condition.

  “Shayla, he deserves to know that. Did you talk to the doctor?”

  “Yes, I have an appointment next week and they will do another CT scan and see what the tumors look like and if they’ve reduced in size.” I don’t know how women do this sort of thing. Face the fact that they may never have children. It creates a deep pit in my heart knowing that’s there’s a void that may never be filled.

  “I’m going with you, Shay,” she states, and I don’t even want to tell her no, because truth is, I’m scared, too.

  “Okay.”

  “Good. I think Trey needs to whisk you away more often, you’re much more agreeable these days.” She winks and squeezes my shoulder to leave me for a second. The day drags on slowly, my heart racing with anticipation for dinner with Gwen tonight. By the time I get home, it’s nearing five, and I start cooking right away.

  “Mmmmm, baby, it smells fucking good!” I hear Trey’s voice bellow out from the entryway of my apartment. His voice carrying to the kitchen where I’m slaving away over the stove.

  “I’m making your favorite.” I smile, adding butter to the sautéed veggies.

  I turn and meet his approaching figure. He looks so damn good and…healthy. I can see he’s slowly letting time heal his heart, while I lick his wounds from his father’s death. The Trey I fell in love with and adored for nearly my entire life is coming back to life.

  “You’re my favorite dish, so I hope you’re not the one simmering on that stove.” He grabs my hips and lifts me up on the island, pulling me away from the stovetop. I yelp when my ass and thighs hit the cold counter. The soft cotton of the green dress I’m wearing rides up when I’m seated on the counter. One of the thin straps that are tied on the top of my shoulder slides down my arm. Spreading my legs with his hands, he takes his spot between them. Immediately finding my neck, he starts assaulting it.

  “You smell like fucking cherries.” He breathes hot air onto my cool neck.

  “It’s a new body wash,” I say with my head back and my mouth slightly agape. Trey’s hair is a little longer, tickling the underside of my jaw.

  “You had a great day, I take it?” I ask, running my hands over the rise and fall of his broad shoulders.

  “I did. We finished recording with this local band then Kingston and I got to have lunch with your dad. He was fucking thrilled to see me, telling me how lucky I am and all this shit that I couldn’t agree more with. Then I come home to my future little housewife cook
ing her man dinner.” He pauses and nips my lip with his teeth. “To top it off, you’re trying so hard to accept a relationship with Gwen. How could I not be in a good mood?” I smile when I see the lust die in his eyes, gracing me with his vulnerable side.

  “I would move mountains to make you happy,” I confess. I really would for this man; he doesn’t know what having his love means to me. Even more so, I never want to go through what we recently did when Pops died. If I have to pretend to deal with his piece of shit mother, then that’s what I’ll do.

  “I know you would, you’re perfect.” Falling quiet, our lips touch, a tangle of desire and tongues. His rough hands move up my thighs slowly, finding the lace edge of my panties. Curling his finger around the material against my core, he lets his knuckle barely touch my pussy. He growls into my mouth, his other hand reaching up to squeeze my breast. The sensations feel amazing, his control over me intoxicating.

  I whimper into his mouth when he pinches my nipple. Arching my back, our lips part and I moan. Taking the chance, he drops his face to my exposed core. Moving the fabric aside, his tongue lashes against my clit, and I unleash a soft scream.

  Just as he starts to eat me with a hunger, I tangle my hands in his hair, unashamedly grinding my pussy against his face. I feel extra horny, more turned on than I have before. I’m not sure if it’s just the turn of events in our life, the engagement, or my constant worry that we may have a setback.

  I curse under my breath when we’re interrupted. “My phone.” I try to stop him when I hear the faint sound of my phone ringing incessantly in the background.

  “They can fuck off.” He leans back in and reaches his hand up, finding my breasts and giving them each a gentle but forceful squeeze.

  I want to let him have his way, but I need to answer that and get back to the food before it burns. What the hell is wrong with me?

  “The food will burn and your mom is due any second.” His tongue ceases and I mewl. Looking down at him, he hangs his head and growls.

  “I’m not done with you. Got it?” Letting up, he steps back, giving me space to jump down. Fixing my dress, I do my best to find my equilibrium again. Trey smacks my ass then rounds the counter to sit on the stool at our bar top.

  I see “Mom” flashing on the screen, making my great mood vanish and sobering me up real quick.

  “Shit.” It goes to voicemail, only starting back up in a matter of seconds.

  “Who is it?”

  I look over my shoulder and see Trey digging into the fruit tray I have on the island. “It’s my mom, I haven’t told her yet but this would be the only reason she would call,” I tell him, holding up my ring finger to stress my point.

  “You don’t need to tell her, baby,” he says around the strawberry in his mouth.

  “Yes, I do. She may be a bitch but she’s still my mom.” He nods his head in understanding. I tap accept and plaster on my practiced to perfection, overly enthusiastic voice.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “‘Hey, Mom’? That’s right, I’m your mother, and once again I have to find out about your life on social media! Why do you treat me so horribly?”

  I roll my eyes at her desperate attempt to sound offended. Cut the dang dramatics, Mom.

  “I was going to call you when we got back from vacation, which was late yesterday, and I had work today—”

  “Your dad was informed.”

  “I know, because Trey asked him for permission, Mom.” I’m trying to stay calm, but she is grinding my gears just seconds into this conversation.

  “Well, I think I should’ve been asked for permission too, don’t you think?” She huffs out along with her fake sob. Literally, kill me.

  “Mom, you would’ve said no, so why does it matter? I would’ve said yes with or without anyone’s permission.” I hear him before I feel him. Grabbing my arm, Trey spins me and huddles me into him before snatching my phone.

  Placing it to his ear, he rips into her, “Oh, Erica. I would say it’s nice hearing from you after all these years, but then I’d just be lying to you.” He tilts his head and his lips draw down into a sarcastic frown. “I don’t like the tone or the shit that you’re giving my fiancée right now. Oh, that sounds good, don’t it? Fiancée. Say it with me now, Erica. FI-AN-CÉE. Now that I got your attention, you need to chill out. Because if you keep this crap up with Shay, I won’t let you within a hundred feet of our wedding. Capeesh?”

  My eyes widen in horror, I can’t believe he’s defending me like this. I’m undoubtedly screwed. I can hear every couple of words she’s saying, but can’t get the full gist. I watch his face go from angry to satisfied within seconds. I hide my face in his chest.

  “No more bullshit, I mean it,” he warns before handing me the phone. Reluctantly, I take it, prepared for utter chaos.

  “Mom?” I ask, Trey still glued to my side, gauging my every reaction.

  “I’ll be there tomorrow and we will all sit and talk about this.” Her voice is razor sharp, and even the sound of the call ending is icy. I look up at Trey and swallow, now more scared than ever to see my mother.

  “Trey. That’s my mom, you can’t just go off on her.” Putting a little space between us, he looks at me in disbelief.

  “Like hell I can’t. She never talks to you and then when she finally fucking does, she makes everything about her. She should be happy for you but instead she’s making you feel like shit.” He turns and walks to the fridge to grab a beer, giving me the telltale sign that he doesn’t care to talk about this. I know Trey’s right, she needs to not make this about her, but he needs to respect her, too.

  “I understand that, but she’s my mom. I don’t need her hating you more and trying to give us even more crap.” Leaning against the counter opposite me, he crosses his legs at the ankles, looking unaffected and smug. God, he looks so hot when he’s cocky.

  Stay focused, Shayla.

  “I don’t give a fuck what she tries. My little woman needs me to defend her so that’s what I’m doing. So deal with it.”

  “Deal with it!” He’s being an asshole right now and no amount of his attractiveness can cover that up. Sassy Shayla is out and ready to dominate.

  “Yeah, you heard me, now finish cooking me food so we can get this dinner over with and you can take your anger out on me in bed.” He winks and takes a quick sip of his beer.

  “You can’t smooth this over with sex, Trey!” I’m seeing red, is he serious right now? Has he learned nothing? “I’m respecting you and trying to be okay with your mother, you need to do the same and let me handle mine.” I cross my arms and exhale an exasperated breath. I’m frustrated that he felt he needed to do that. I could have calmed her down eventually and now she’s more mad than she was before.

  “I’m not trying to fix it with sex. Yes, I love when you are mad and fuck the anger out of your system.” He winks again, making my palms twitch. “But I will respect your mother when she respects you. You’re not her doormat.” He walks up to me with slow purpose, and I anxiously await his touch. My skin is hot, my mind angry, but I still crave his touch.

  “I’ll let you handle her when she can talk to you like a human being. I will not, however, let her take your happiness and crush it. Got it?” His hands wrap around my neck and connect on the nape, his thumbs running up and down the column of my throat. His opinion showing me he really is the alpha who’s just protecting me. I take a few calming breaths, breathing in serenity and releasing red-hot anger.

  “Okay, agreed. Just try and be more gentle next time. She’s a pill; don’t add to it. And if you ever tell me to cook you food then fuck you like I’m some fifties housewife again, I will slap you, Trey.”

  “Fine, but you know you like it when I get all hot-headed and fucking horny,” he teases and I roll my eyes, untangling myself from his hold on my neck and turning toward the stove.

  “I do, but not when it sounds demeaning…”

  “Bullshit!” he hollers, slapping my ass. I turn the o
ven down a notch and stir the veggies, looking at him over my shoulder, stunned. No idea why he called bullshit.

  “What?” I ask, lifting my brows. Watching him until my body fully turns to face him. Eyeing my body up and down, he bites his lip and my core tightens. With a deep rumble, his voice lowers and he speaks slowly.

  “Remember in California, when I was fucking you in the hot tub?” The image comes rolling in like hot lava and I nod, biting my lip.

  “Mhmm, so?” I play dumb, while hiding my arousal; I know where he’s going with this.

  “Well…” Grabbing my hips he digs his fingers in, the pressure spiking my arousal. “Remember you asked me to pull your hair?” I nod, recalling that clearly.

  “What about this…do you remember begging me to call you my dirty slut, like the bad girl you are?” I gulp and blush, heat breaking out over my body and warming me from the inside out. Holy shit, I can’t believe he’s bringing it up. I was super turned on that night, a hankering desire to be ravished. I never thought that kind of talk would turn me on, but it so freaking does when it’s coming from Trey.

  “Trey…” I blush, gripping the fabric of his shirt in my hands, looking down between us.

  “You blushing?” He gently places his hands under my chin, lifting it back to him. Knowing damn well I’m blushing, he smirks when he confirms his inquisition.

  “I don’t know what came over me that night, honestly, I prayed you’d forget. I know it was weird.” He scoffs, his eyes glazing over, heat penetrating me with his look.

  “Don’t ever try and forget the shit we do together, who we are and what we desire in the bedroom is beautiful—sexy—fucking amazing. Never be ashamed,” he assures, bending until his face is inches from mine. Trey bands his arm around my waist while his other hand reaches around to get a grip full of my butt, pulling me up on my tiptoes and flush against his hard frame. I stumble a little, planting my palms flat against his chest to balance myself. I feel so small in his arms, so womanly next to my tall, encompassing lover. His words roll around in my brain, through my veins, like the blood pumping through them.