As soon as the car peacefully rolled to a stop, I pulled the door latch and climbed out, gently guiding her by the hand before closing the door behind us. She fought to hold back her tears as we made our way to the back of the car. I couldn't decide which was more painful to watch: her battling against tears she had every right to shed or watching her lose that battle.
"You don't want anyone to see you cry? Out here is as alone as you're going to get because I'm not leaving or ever letting you go. Not like this." At those words, she turned her back to me and broke down, her body shuddering with each heavy sob. Finally, she was letting it out; finally showing her pain. As she hunched her shoulders and tried to hide her face from the world, slowly sinking toward the asphalt, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her against me as I settled back against the trunk of the car.
Time passed, and tears sprang to my own eyes as memories of similar pain surfaced, creating a deep well of sympathy. I tightened my hold on her waist and rested my head on her shoulder, but it wasn't until I sniffled that she gently pulled away to face me.
"Why are you crying?"
"Would you believe me if I said for you?"
"Would you believe me if I said no?" she bounced back.
"Okay then," I said with a soft chuckle. She slowly reached up to wipe my tears, her hands lingering on my face as I straightened up against her instead of slouching against the car. When she finished drying my face, she stayed close while I wiped away her tears. Her sad puppy eyes searched mine before she buried her face in my chest, and I wrapped her tightly in my arms.
I hope I helped. I hope I did well... I'm sorry I can't take all of your pain away.
"I feel so much better," she said. I took a deep, shaky breath...
"I'm not quite better yet... Can we stay like this... just for a little longer?"
"Of course." She snuggled up to me while I once again leaned back against the trunk.
"Thank you," I whispered. She just wrapped her arms around me. I heard Julian step out and walk to the front of the car. The vehicle rocked slightly as he leaned against the hood, but I remained quiet.
My eyes wandered to the mountains in the distance. Though we were at a scenic lookout spot, my mind drifted elsewhere. The distinct sound of a lighter flicking to life broke the silence, followed by the familiar scent of cigarette smoke.
"I thought you quit."
"I said I'd try," he corrected.
"You're doing great, man..." I rolled my eyes.
"Last box."
"It'd better be." I looked down and softly tapped Ludo.
"Are you ready to go?" She responded with a simple nod as she slowly released me.
"Did that help?"
"Yeah, thank you." I managed a half-hearted smile.
"No problem."
"Do you remember the hotel you reserved?" I asked.
"Yeah, the Holiday Inn near the beach on the other side of the island."
"Ah, okay. So, dinner then ride home?"
"I'm down... Damn, where did the day go?"
"Time flies when you're having fun." She rolled her eyes at me and shook her head.
"Oh, definitely."
We went to her first choice of restaurant, and the evening was surprisingly enjoyable. That woman teased me mercilessly the whole time, but I survived. Afterward, we took a long private walk where she commandeered my phone, pulling me into several silly pictures. I saved every one and sent them to her as well. The drive to the hotel was peaceful, and while the check-in and walk to the room felt awkward, they were also sprinkled with light-hearted moments.
At her room, she tested the door lock to make sure she could manage it herself. As I turned to leave, wishing her goodnight and reminding her to call if she needed anything, she suddenly grabbed the front of my shirt, pulling me down to her eye level. My eyes instinctively closed as her lips grazed mine. Then she gently tied my tie around my neck and smiled. I couldn't help but return a genuine smile, cup her face, and slowly lean in, giving her plenty of time to pull away if she wanted to.
She didn't.
She just closed her eyes. So, I placed a sweet and gentle kiss on her lips and ended it sooner than I would have liked. I felt her hesitate when I told her to get some sleep, but I chose to ignore it and turned to make my way back to the car. All I heard was an "aww" from a couple entering the room beside Ludo's.
"Gray!" I paused and looked at her from my place in the hall.
"Yeah?" She said nothing until I re-approached her.
"D-do you have to go? Can't you stay with me just for a little while?" Her cheeks dusted pink as she averted her eyes.
My heart began going mach seven at these implications.
Wait... Wait, wait, wait, wait! She wants me to stay?
Ludo took hold of my arm, drawing my attention to her, her eyes pleading for a yes while she gently pulled me through the room's threshold.
Ahhh. Wait!!!
"Please?" My mind unraveled under her gaze.
Good lord, those puppy eyes, her gaze so hungry, and I have the right mind to give in and see where this goes... Fuck. You're gonna break me.
I couldn't think straight.
She closed the door behind us and pushed me against the wall, pressing herself against me, her eyes intense. I was no longer in control. My body switched to autopilot. I remember leaning down and kissing her hard, crashing my lips against hers while I scooped her up into my arms, spinning and pressing her against the room door. Our hips ground together, my lips trailing her jaw and neck, my teeth sinking into her shoulder while her manicured nails raked across my shirt.
Noooo...
I mentally whined. I was missing out on her nails marking my skin. I grew harder just thinking of the marks becoming my little badges of honor. We continued to kiss and grind, the sound of my thrusts against her making the door rock in its frame while I nibbled on her ear.
Mine.
Anyone passing by could tell what was happening on the other side of this door, and something about that excited me—and apparently, it excited Ludo too.
Finally.
At some point, Ludo had removed her dress, leaving herself in just her bikini. And fuck me, did I want to tear that off of her too, to feel her skin and see her completely bare. All while Ludo begged me to stay. She promised she would keep me entertained, swore she'd do anything for me to stay with her for the night.
Mine.
There was a loneliness in her phrasing, though... Like she was afraid she would wither away if I didn't touch her, or maybe she was worried I would be the one to disappear. Her desperation revealed something deeper than desire—a fear of abandonment that clung to her words like a shadow.
I marked and bit everywhere my lips touched her skin, claiming every kiss, every moan, every whimper. I fought to explain with each action and touch that I'd come crawling on my hands and knees with just a whisper of my name from her lips.
God, if only you knew what you do to me. If only you knew what I want to do to you! Fuck! Please, I'm already yours—why don't you see this?
My mind buzzed as I carried her over to the bed, laying her down gently, watching her chest rise and fall with each labored breath. Her skin flushed pink beneath my hungry gaze.
You're all. Fucking. Mine. But I need to slow down. I need her to control the pace, and at the rate things are going, I'm gonna lose control.
I stood up and walked to the room door, pausing with my hand on the doorknob as I composed myself, much to her vocal protest.
"Where are you going?" She sat up, breathing heavily and pouting, her eyes wide with confusion.
"Listen, Bunny, I want nothing more than to destroy you... to mark you all over and hear you make more of those pretty little sounds. But I think you should get your rest. You've had one hell of a first day. Behave and get some good sleep for me, okay?" Ludo pouted, her bottom lip jutting out.
I moved to leave the room, fighting every instinct to turn back and bury myself to the hilt.
"You meanie! No fair!" I smiled to myself and continued walking, her words following me down the hall.
The halls blurred together as I made my way out, my head fuzzy with the evening's events. I bumped into someone, muttered an apology, and kept moving, too distracted to even register who it was or what they said in response.
Outside, Julian waited by the car, a cigarette dangling between his fingers, smoke curling into the night air.
"Part of me is surprised you came out so soon."
"Why?"
"I thought that you would stay and... keep her company."
"I wanted to... but I can't do that to her."
"You saying that makes me think she's worth more of your time than you're allowing yourself to admit."
"Every second. Come on, let's go home." I walked past him toward the passenger seat.
"About time; today seemed... hectic for both of you." He took one final, long drag of his cigarette before tossing it aside and crushing the now-empty box.
"Yeah... Today was just a day of saving lives and confirming things I already knew."
"Gray, you're too patient with him." I frowned and cut him off.
"New subject."
"..."
"Please. Let me keep this high."
Let the warmth of her skin echo on mine for just a little longer.
"Sorry. I'll take the car for repairs tomorrow, and you have a meeting—well, a party with the company at one in the afternoon; please don't be late."
"I'll try."
Back home, I jumped straight into the shower, letting the day's events replay in my mind. Then it hit me... I wanted to spend more time with her, but I had no plans or ideas to get her to come out with me.
Shit.
I paced my room for hours in just a towel, trying to think of a good excuse. While browsing on my phone for ideas, a notification with her name flashed across the top of the screen. My heart jumped as I quickly swiped down, tapped the notification, and read her text.
Hey, I know it's super late, but I
was wondering if you want to go
hiking or maybe to a park
tomorrow?
I read this, and my heart exploded. Was she thinking of me this entire time? How long had she been contemplating what to do? What was she doing now? An image of her in oversized clothes flooded my mind, and I struggled to shake it away.
Yeah! Either one sounds good!
It'll be hot.
Well, I mean... It always is, but
maybe it'll be fun, ya know?
Just dress light. I don't want you
overheating, okay?
By the way, what are you still
doing up?
You're spamming... Relax.
I'm relaxing in the bath. Why?
Wanna see?
Oh! Uh, no, I'll leave you be.
Goodnight!
You're gonna be the death of me, bunny. Fuck.
XD XD XD I was just joking, but
yes, goodnight.
Oh! Well, you're mean lol...
see ya tomorrow.
XD see ya.
I turned off my phone and got up from the bed I don't remember sitting on, moving to lock my bedroom door while I got dressed. Images invaded my thoughts: her soft skin covered in soap, large clumps of suds gliding along her body... I shook away the thought, but it was quickly replaced by the sensation of her pressing against me, her hands running gently across my skin, sending shivers through my body. I felt my towel slip from my hips.
Every time I tried to clear my head, the thoughts returned more intense and... captivating. By the time I could think straight, I was hard, and my dick was in my hand.
I'm up shit's creek now.
My hand and arm moved on their own while I imagined being touched and held. I could see her hand stroking along my abs, tracing each one just barely with her fingertips, her face wearing an expression of wonder. In the back of my mind, I kept repeating:
What should I do? She needs a friend; I'm not a rebound. It sucks... it does, but I need to make sure she heals from what happened today before I... Wait. I never answered my own question.
I pondered this for a while, never reaching a definite conclusion. I was getting close, my heavy breathing filling the room as images flooded my mind: her riding me, her breasts bouncing with each downward thrust. I could almost hear her whimpers as I hit just the right spot over and over. Then the scene shifted to me taking control, my hands holding her legs up and apart as I drove into her repeatedly, her breasts moving with each thrust, her hips squirming as she whined and moaned my name. I could almost see the small tears in her eyes as I paused, her voice begging me to continue. I wondered how she would taste.
Scenes of our roles reversing had me racing toward an explosive finish, her sexy voice purring my praise as she took control, leaving me completely at her mercy. My heart pounded wildly... The thought of her weight pressing against me or her petite frame beneath mine as she directed my every move consumed me entirely.
God... The fantasy of her nails raking across my back drove my strokes faster, more desperate. Usually, when I gave myself a "hand," I kept it casual, but something about this had me breathless, each stroke more intense as I approached my peak. I fought the urge to drive to her hotel, imagining her bent over the bed, crying out my name, moving against me... My imagination ran wild, pushing me closer to the edge.
What finally broke me was picturing her hot mouth around my cock, her tongue teasing and flicking until I lost all control, thrusting deep as I came down her throat while she swallowed like the good girl I knew she could be.
The orgasm hit harder than expected. Most of it was caught in the towel that had slipped from my lap to the floor, though some splashed onto the wooden surface beneath me. I sat there panting, my cock still twitching as the last drops fell. After stumbling to the bathroom to clean up and wash my hands, I grabbed a tissue from my nightstand to wipe the spots on the hardwood. Once finished, I used the bathroom again. Exhausted and lost in thought, I collapsed on the edge of my bed, where it all happened, guilt washing over me.
What if this is just one-sided? Am I any better than those creeps putting her in these perverted scenarios just for my own pleasure? She's been through so much today... She's such a fucking badass... She's so fucking cool. I want to be her everything, keep her safe and happy... But will she let me?
My head clouded with desire and hunger for her. I couldn't tell if this was okay... or healthy... for either of us.
I want to be your happiness. I hope you allow me. 'Cause I'm in way over my head now.
I finally cleared my mind enough to throw some clothes on. After dressing, I unlocked my bedroom door, plugged my phone in across the room, and laid down on my bed. I closed my eyes and replayed the day's events, falling asleep almost instantly. Today was long... it was about time I got some rest.
Hours passed, and my phone chimed a few times before starting to ring.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. Calm down," I called out to my phone as if it were personally summoning me. I rubbed my eyes and squinted at the caller ID.
It was Ludo.
"Hello?" Her voice was hushed and small.
"Hey, Ludo, what's up? Need a sleeping buddy, Princess?" I teased.
"What? No, no, nothing like that..." Her voice trembled. "There are two guys knocking and banging on my door, and they're still there; I can hear them... They won't leave, and I don't know what to do. Please help; I already called the police, but they didn't catch them; they only left for a bit, and now they're back. I'm scared. Before they started covering the peephole, I saw one with glasses and the other one with a mustache." I connected the dots instantly; I knew exactly who she was describing, and my blood boiled.
"I'm on my way." The statement came out as a growl.
"Fernando was here too. But he left a long time ago. Do you think he would send these guys after me?"
"No, I don't think so. I'll be there in five minutes. Don't hang up and don't open the door until you hear me outside. Understand?" I dug through my nightstand for my wireless earbuds, then rushed out the door. I jumped into my Ford Mustang GT and gunned it over to her hotel. I parked, flashed a quick smile at the receptionist who welcomed me back, and stormed straight up to her room, where I found the two bastards still trying to peer through the peephole.
The first man, hunched over and clutching his crotch for some inexplicable reason, stood closest to me.
"What are you doing in front of my room?!" My growl echoed down the hall, disdain dripping from every syllable.
"It's you!" the first man spat. "If you bump into someone, fucking apologize."
The second man chuckled darkly.
"Your room? You mean you paid for a hotel for your fiancée but live in a condo? That's cold."
I heard Ludo mutter "fiancée" like an echo and start rummaging noisily through something through the earbud; I ignored her and continued toward the men.
"That's definitely none of your fucking business. Besides, there are no beds there yet. Why do you think I'm back?"
The fact that they know I don't sleep here is troubling... what's their game?
"Oh—is that so? You working on the house with the lights off?" His voice dripped with mockery.
"I don't have time to go back and forth with you. Now answer me this..." I grabbed the cocky man by the throat and slammed him against the wall, slowly lifting him as he clawed desperately at my grasp.
"What's stopping me from beating the both of you within an inch of your lives before calling the police and letting you rot in a cell?"
"An assault charge, Mr. C.E.O.," the first man answered smugly. I released the second man and paused while he gasped for air. Without hesitation, I smashed my fist into the first man's face and drove my other fist into the second man's stomach.
How do they know my title? This is definitely bad; they know more than they're letting on.
I studied the first man. He had a faux hawk, tan skin, gray eyes, and a weird-looking mustache that made him look like a creep... how fitting.
The second man had braids, lighter skin than his buddy, brown or hazel eyes, and stubble on his face, with black-framed glasses.
Now that I had them memorized...
"That was for stalking us and harassing my fiancée. Now fucking leave." I watched them intently as they stumbled down the hall, keeping my eyes fixed on them until they disappeared around the corner before I knocked on the door.
"It's me, Ludo, open up." The door instantly opened.
"Babe, you're back! How is work going at the house?" She leaped forward and planted a deep, passionate kiss on my lips. I returned it, of course, but when I pulled away, I guided her inside and started questioning her.
"What was that?" I couldn't fight the smirk on my face as she blushed.
"I thought they were still there. When I didn't see them, I decided to continue anyway, just in case they were nearby, ya know? I was just trying to play the part." She shuffled to her desk and ended the call we were still on. I pulled my earbud out, returned it to its case, and sat on her bed, still smirking.
"I even found a ring to put on, see?" She held out her hand as I examined the ring, noticing its gaudy appearance.
"That doesn't suit you."
"I know... I didn't buy it. He did." My jaw twitched.
"Give it to me," I ordered, the command coming out harsher than intended. I slid the patio door open and threw it as hard as I could.
"Well, then..." She smirked.
"Tomorrow, after our hike, we'll buy you one you like. I guess I'll now have to get one too."
"Sounds like a plan." She came out and sat on one of the two chairs. I slid the door closed behind me and took a seat as well. Her hand came to rest on my thigh, and I tried everything in my power to pretend like I didn't notice. She was fueling my desire, and it was really too early to even be thinking about it.
Friend. She needs a friend. Behave, please don't ruin this. Friend. She needs a friend. Behave, please don't ruin this. Just behave. Just behave.
Her hand shifted slightly higher, and my inner voice changed instantly.
Give her the relationship she's looking for. If she wants to date, just give her all the reasons to stay... You better fucking take care of her. I really want and need her. Shit, I don't want to lose her.