Stay With Me, Julia

by Elle Linder

  During the week, Luke stayed in her suite, and on the weekends, she stayed at his place. They had found their rhythm, their routine. The bonds between them were getting stronger with each intimate moment they shared. It had been the happiest time for them.

  Saturday morning, Julia was curled up next to him, her warm, naked body enveloped in his scent. The sight of her asleep roused him, but after another night of mind-blowing sex—of the carnal nature this time—he hated to wake her. Her stamina astonished him, and she matched him beat by beat. It was the first time sex wasn’t just about him and his desires. She made her own known, but it wasn’t all about her. She reciprocated in pleasuring him, and he had never been so sexually satisfied. But emotionally, she sent him into another dimension with her love and tenderness. He already knew he could never live without her.

  Luke’s phone vibrated, notifying him of a new text. Julia stirred, kicking her leg over his and shimmying her body against him. Then her breathing quieted. He grew hard, feeling her warm thigh against his. If it were the kids asking him to call them right now, he would have to disappoint them. There was nothing that could pull him away from the woman who held his heart in the palm of her hand. He reached for his phone, careful to not wake her. The instant he saw the sender, his jaw tensed. Renee. No way would she disrupt his life and relationship with Julia.

  Renee: Spring break, act surprised.

  Luke ignored the text. The woman never made sense. It was just after eight in the morning, and replying to her could wait. He snuggled Julia closer and ran his hand over her thigh. That was enough to get her humming. He rounded her ass and dipped down to test the waters. Sure enough, she responded to him. He rolled her onto her back and covered her with his body.

  “I love it when you wake me up this way,” she whispered.

  “I love waking you up this way.” He kissed down to her breasts as she stroked the top of his head, then drew in her nipple. Luke had mastered making her orgasm with his mouth. And after the first one, she could climax multiple times. He called her the Queen of Orgasms. She was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and how she liked it. It made their sex life very fulfilling.

  “Oh yes,” she purred, writhing on the bed.

  He made his way back up and reached for a condom while she kissed his chest, gyrating her hips beneath him. It was her way of begging him to enter her. With the package ripped open, he quickly rolled on the condom and slid right in, unhindered. Since the first time they’d made love, she took all of him in like she was made for him, no easing in or bumps along the way. He loved it.

  At this point, they had developed a routine of a quickie in the morning—which satisfied Luke’s morning erection—and then they would move into the shower, where he would give her hers.

  He pumped into her as she wrapped her legs around his thighs, drawing him in further. The look on her face spoke of love and ecstasy.

  “Yes, ooooh, Luke. Yes, yes…” She sang her building orgasm song, driving him wild with excitement. His speed picked up, and then—

  “Dad! We’re here! Surprise!” Brice hollered, running straight into Luke’s bedroom.

  Julia didn’t hear anything as she reached her peak. “Ooooh,” her voice carried.

  “Dad! You’re hurting her!”

  Julia’s head turned to see the little boy looking directly at her, the shock and offense in his innocent face a sight no woman would ever want to see. “Oh my God!” she cried, pulling the comforter over her head in complete mortification.

  “Brice, you didn’t wait for us!” Heather scowled. “Oh. Oh,” was all she said, seeing Luke breathing deeply while stunned atop something…or someone. “Brice, come on,” she guided as Renee came upon them.

  Renee stood with her arms crossed, staring Luke in the face. “This is you acting surprised? It’s worthy of an academy award.” She glared, putting her hands on her hips. “Go ahead and finish. We’ll be in the living room.” She pushed the kids back and slammed the door shut.

  “Fuck!” he growled. Then he remembered Julia. “Baby, they’re gone.” He pulled the comforter off her face.

  “She has a key to your house?” Her eyes were wide and ashamed. “Luke, he saw me. He heard me… Oh, God.” She covered her face again.

  “No, she doesn’t have a key, but they know where I keep the spare.” Her mouth gaped open. “It’s okay, he didn’t see much.”

  “Just you fucking my brains out! I need to go. Get off me!” She squirmed violently beneath him.

  Luke obeyed, setting her free. “Honey, it’ll be okay. This is a natural part of life. We weren’t doing anything wrong. We were surprised because we weren’t expecting them,” he said, trying to comfort her as she put clothes on.

  “Nuh-uh, this is bad. This is bad on so many levels.” She stopped and scanned the room. “My God, it looks like an orgy happened here.”

  “Yeah, I’d call what we did in here last night an orgy,” he teased, trying to calm her.

  “Don’t try to be funny right now! This is the most humiliating day of my life,” she shot back. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips to her forehead, holding her firmly in place. “I have to leave. Is the drop off the deck steep?”

  He laughed. “Yes, it’s steep. You’re not leaving. You need to meet my kids now that they know you’re here.”

  “No! They don’t know it’s me. Just say you were with a hooker or a skank or something, ’cause that’s what they’re going to think of me after this. Then one day, when they’re grown, I’ll meet them—after I dye my hair black, of course.” Every word spewing from her mouth was drenched in disgust.

  He squeezed her tighter. “I’m sorry this happened. Renee didn’t tell me she was bringing the kids.”

  “And she just shows up like this?”

  “Usually we discuss visits. She did send a text this morning, but it didn’t make sense, so I ignored it. Now I understand—she was letting me know they were coming.”

  “What? She sent you a text this morning and you blew it off! Luke, I can’t stay here.” She pouted, looking up at him. “I don’t know how to deal with this.”

  A soft knock on the door sent Julia into a panic. She buried her face in Luke’s chest.

  “Yes?” he called, kissing the top of Julia’s head.

  “Dad. We’re hungry, and you don’t have anything in your kitchen,” Heather said in a soft, awkward voice.

  “I’ll take you out to eat in a few minutes,” he answered.

  “Okay.”

  Luke furrowed his brow. “Renee did this on purpose.”

  “I don’t care why she did it. The kids need to eat. Take them, and I’ll have Calvin pick me up and take me back to the resort. I can’t have them seeing me like this, Luke.” Her eyes were pleading. “I look like a nympho with my hair messy and your scent all over me. All. Over. Me,” she stressed.

  “Julia—”

  “No, this isn’t up for discussion. Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, and take your kids to eat. You might as well take her too,” she ordered with her arms crossed over her chest.

  “I love this feisty side of you.” He went to kiss her, but she pulled back.

  “No, you need to leave. I’ll see you when they’re gone.”

  “Okay, I’m putting my foot down on that one. You will meet them tonight for dinner. We’ll go to The Peak, and they can meet my girlfriend…the woman I’m enamored with.”

  “Tonight? No way!” she protested. “The night before they leave. That would give them more time to forget this.” She flailed her hands in the air.

  “Baby, it’s going to be okay. Trust me.”

  “Fine. I’ll meet you there,” she grumbled.

  “Okay, deal. Now kiss me.” He leaned his head down, and her hand pressed against his chest, stopping him hard.

  “Wait, is she staying in your house?”

  He sighed. “In the past, yes. She stays in the loft with the kids.”

  Julia stared at him, shakin
g her head.

  “What if I stay with you at the resort? Or do you want her staying at the resort with you?” He winked.

  She arched her brow, pulling away from him.

  “I know, not funny. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not even in the ballpark of funny. Tonight, after The Peak, we’re having a serious talk. I can’t even believe this has happened.”

  “Kiss me,” Luke demanded, gripping her waist.

  “They’re waiting for you.”

  “Then make it quick but good.”

  ***

  After Luke left the room, Julia listened to the excitement from his kids through the door, and she felt shitty. Being the other woman in the picture came to mind. His poor kids had found him in bed with her. How could this have happened? If they’d had a little warning, they wouldn’t have been caught with their pants down, quite literally. That wasn’t entirely true though; Renee had sent a text, albeit an obscure one, according to Luke.

  Julia plopped down on his bed when she heard the front door close. A tear rolled down her cheek. A surprise visit was more than she could handle unprepared, and now she had to meet his kids for dinner…and his ex. She needed Lauren, but first, she had to clean up the remnants of their orgy party and put fresh linens on the bed.

  Daybreakers was a breakfast house located on the north side of town. Locals and tourists frequented the small establishment all year long. They were open from six a.m. to noon daily and were closed only on Christmas Day. The menu was small: eggs, potatoes, various breakfast meats, pancakes, French toast, and aebleskivers.

  Aebleskivers wasn’t the most requested item on the menu, but that didn’t matter to owner Freja Pedersen. She had told Luke once that her great-grandmother used to make them for her when she was a small child back in Denmark, and she wanted to honor her memory.

  Freja had brought the recipe with her when she moved to the states back in the eighties with her husband, Emil. It was the first item put on the menu when the restaurant opened, and Luke’s kids loved them. They were unique, cute little round pancake puffs dusted with powdered sugar and served with a dish of fried apples. Every time the kids came to visit, aebleskivers were the first thing they requested.

  Luke was seated in a booth next to Heather and directly across from Brice. He hadn’t made eye contact with Renee once, and that always drove her crazy. The silence among the four of them was deafening as they waited for the food.

  “I didn’t know you’d have a friend over,” Renee said, breaking the silence.

  “Julia is my girlfriend.”

  “That’s a pretty name,” Heather interrupted. “Will we get to meet her?”

  “Is she English? Julia sounds like a name from England,” Brice added, bringing a smile to Luke’s otherwise sour expression. “And from what I could see, she looked pretty like her name.” And there went Luke’s smile. Renee gave an offended gasp.

  “She’s not English, buddy. She’s from California.”

  “Yeah, where the Kardashians live. I bet she’s glamorous just like them, isn’t she, Dad?” Heather excitedly asked.

  Renee sighed heavily, peering out the window. Luke knew it was curiosity that had made her bring the kids to Idaho unannounced. And now he could see she was fired up listening to the kids grill him about his girlfriend.

  “Well, I thought she looked pretty. But I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.” Brice stared at him, perplexed. “And you have sleepovers with your girlfriend?”

  Renee cocked her head and glared at Luke, waiting for his answer. And like always, Heather came to his defense.

  “Of course he has sleepovers with his girlfriend, just like Mom has with her friends,” she answered, staring Renee in the eyes.

  “Heather, don’t be disrespectful,” Luke reprimanded. Although he appreciated her pointing out the fact that Renee had had men in her bedroom long before they’d gotten divorced. Still, Luke expected his kids to be respectful always.

  “Sorry,” she apologized. “Dad’s had a girlfriend since the last time he visited us in January.”

  “What?” Renee blurted.

  “Yeah, Julia and Dad were together back then,” Heather said.

  “We had just started to date back then,” Luke corrected.

  “But you said you liked her a lot.” Heather looked at him, confused.

  “You talked about your girlfriend when you were at the house?” Renee accused. “And you didn’t tell me anything?”

  Luke shook his head. How could she be pissed at him for mentioning Julia when she’d had men traipsing through his house for years? Just then the food arrived, and not a moment too soon. The kids dug right in, and the table was silent again, to Luke’s relief.

  Julia soaked in the tub, processing the kidlet-intrusion that had occurred not even an hour ago. She was so embarrassed. She’d lied to Calvin as to why she’d needed a ride back to the resort. Unfortunately, he hadn’t looked like he believed her story that Luke had needed to help a friend stranded on the side of the road. She never had been a good liar.

  The look on Brice’s face was burned into her memory—his shock, horror, and confusion. It was reminiscent of her own horrible childhood intrusion while her parents had been doing the deed. It was a memory she had hoped was long forgotten, but apparently, it was buried down deep in her psyche, because all those disgusting, heebie-jeebie feelings resurfaced. “Poor Brice.” She sulked.

  After her bath, she picked up the phone and called Lauren, hoping she wouldn’t die laughing at her expense.

  “Hi, babe! How are you?”

  “Not good, not good at all… I need my best friend.”

  “What happened?”

  “Luke’s son walked in on us having sex. Loud, vigorous sex.” Lauren stayed quiet—eerily quiet. It was not at all what Julia had expected.

  “I didn’t know his kids were visiting.” Lauren said, finally breaking the silence.

  “Me either. The little boy yelled, ‘surprise.’ And boy did they surprise us in a big way.”

  “Did you meet them?”

  “Lauren, this line of questioning isn’t what I had expected from you. I thought you’d be busting a gut laughing at the situation. Instead, you sound very serious.”

  “I don’t think the situation is funny at all. The poor kid, what is he, nine years old? And you’re his dad’s new girlfriend. I wouldn’t have wanted their first time meeting you to be with you in a compromised position.” She quietly snorted, which made Julia feel better. “Truthfully, I’m disappointed for you. You’re already at a disadvantage dating a divorced dad.”

  “I know,” Julia choked out as a few tears rolled down her face. “I can’t meet them now. They’ll never take me seriously. I’ll be the bimbo girlfriend who howls.”

  Lauren giggled.

  “Don’t laugh!” This time, Lauren’s laughter made her feel worse than before.

  “Sorry, babe. What did Luke say?”

  “He said it would be all right and that I had to meet them since they’re here.” She sniffled. “I can’t, Lauren. I’m so humiliated. And his ex is here… God, I want to crawl under a rock and never show my face again. I had hoped they’d like me, but instead, I scarred his little boy.” Her ragged voice made controlling her tears difficult.

  “Assuming his ex was present for the show, did she say anything?”

  “Show? Don’t be a jerk. Yes, she was present. She said, ‘Go ahead and finish. We’ll be in the living room,’ and then she slammed the door.”

  “Oh shit, she did?” That was awfully kind of her.” She giggled some more, but Julia didn’t join her. Her tears picked up. “Aww, come on, honey. It’s not the end of the world.”

  “It is for me. They’ll never take me seriously after today. And what about his ex? How would you feel if this happened to you?”

  “First of all, I would never go to my ex’s unannounced—ever. Secondly, who gives a fuck how she feels? She cheated on him, got pregnant with his best friend’s b
aby, and is a druggie. Already you’re a hundred times better than her. You weren’t doing anything wrong. Wear the medal proud. You have Luke and he loves you.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Oh yes I do. It was in his eyes every time he looked at you, and that was three weeks ago. By now, he likely has your name tattooed on his heart right next to his Always Faithful tattoo.”

  “How do you remember everything I tell you?” She sniffled, drying her eyes.

  “Because I love you. And you will make it through this. If anyone can come out with flying colors, it’s you.”

  “If I go, what do I say? How do I act?”

  “You walk in holding your head high and being your sweet, charming self. Just be you. They’ll love you, and Luke will love you even more.”

  “What about the ex? I have a feeling she’s a real bitch.”

  “Then you show her what a class act you are. Don’t forget where you come from and who you are. Stand proud. And besides that, you’ve dealt with a lot of assholes in your life. What’s one more.”

  “You always make me feel better. Except this asshole is the mother of Luke’s children. She has the power to turn them against me and make my life a living hell.” She sighed. “I don’t want her to hate me.”

  “Okay, I can see you’ve already given up. Are you going to send him a Dear John letter or a text? Either way, you’ll break his heart.”

  “Dammit. Do you have to side with him?”

  “I’m siding with you. I’m on your side, and you love him. Just admit it so I can prepare myself for when you move to Idaho permanently.”

  “What? I don’t…” She paused. “You’re right. I do love him. God, I love him so much.” Tears flowed like the love that surged in her heart for him, and it felt so good saying the L-word out loud.

  “Now don’t you feel better admitting it? I knew you couldn’t be with a man intimately for longer than a week if you weren’t in love with him. You’re so transparent. I’m happy for you. Now, get yourself prettied up, win over his children, and fuck the ex.”