Every Soul (20 page)

Taking my time, I slowly ease my way all the way in. Nestled in her to the hilt, she pulls away trying to get some friction. Who am I kidding? I can’t be inside of her without moving, so I appease her efforts and comply, but still only moving slowly. Being inside of her always sets me on fire, whether I am going as slow as this, or fucking her madly.

I need to take care of her, so I walk us to the bed and lie down with my feet still hanging off the edge. She keeps her eyes closed as her hair hits the mattress like a puff of wind. I lean up, taking one last look at what is the perfection of her body beneath mine, before I unleash the animal that’s inside. It’s been knocking at the door all day, watching her cheer me on. If it wasn’t for her, pushing me, I don’t know that I would have given basketball another try.

“God, Bain,” she cries gripping my forearms. Looking down, my muscles and tattoos tighten under her hold. My movements are now urgent. I have my weight braced above her, my hands balled into fists, allowing me to move effortlessly inside of her.

“Jesus, A, your cunt.”

She moans, locking her feet behind my back, the friction just as much her demise as it is mine, causing us to simultaneously combust together. The moment I let go, my orgasm is so intense, like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Hers is just as good. I can tell because as soon as I look at her, she is panting – struggling to catch her breath.

The pleasure fades away and I can’t help, but laugh at her with her nails still dug into my arms.

“You okay?” I ask.

“I’m more than okay.”

Leaning down, I leave a kiss on her salty chest and then hop off. She follows suit and we get into the shower together. She doesn’t bring up the fact that I asked her to move with me if I get drafted. I know she’s worried about her job, but there’s got to be a thousand Starbucks across the US that she could transfer to. Deep down, I know if I go, she’ll go, she has to. We can’t be apart.

Neither of us is a person of many words, but when they are needed, we express them. After our shower, I put on a pair of sweats I take from my duffel bag and watch her dry off. Lying on the bed, she’s observing my body and asks, “What made you get all these tattoos?”

“Life. I don’t know, I’ve always been into ink. You like them, don’t you?”

“A lot,” she responds, and leans down, kissing my hand then leaves a trail up one of my arms. My phone rings, interrupting our exchange, and she stops, knowing that I have to answer it.

“I’m sorry.”

She sits next to me as I grab it out of my shorts from the floor.

“Bain.” My father’s tone is panicked.

“What’s up, Dad?”

“Jesus Christ, Bain.” He’s sobbing, his words are barely coherent.

“Dad,” I shout into the receiver. “What’s wrong?”

“Are you okay?” he asks.

“Yeah, of course! Why?”

He tries to regain his composure. “The news, turn on the fucking news.”

I turn wildly in Arion’s room searching for the remote. Then, once it’s in my hand, I flip the TV on and search for a news station. The second I see the screen, everything I’ve worried about over the last eight months hits me like a ton of bricks.

The news reporter is standing in front of a seaside home and says, “The FBI made the arrest of Anthony Eldridge today.” They show a mid-twenties male with his head hung low being walked out of the home in handcuffs. I don’t recognize him at all. “He’s being charged with the kidnapping and first-degree murder of Kinsey Adams. She was a young student who passed away late last year. Her death was originally ruled as a suicide, however, since day one, that’s been a mystery to those closest to her. Her brother, Bain Adams, quoted her as ‘a loving free sprit that would never hurt a fly, much less herself.’” Hearing the reporter quote my words, which I barely remember saying, makes it feel like she left so long ago. “Detective Mark Eldridge, the accused’s uncle, was also arrested. He was the lead investigator on the case and is being held on felony menacing charges. Detective Eldridge is believed to have helped Anthony cover up the entire ordeal. It’s a tragic day for many in the great state of New Jersey. I’m Rebecca Zalapois, reporting for Channel 3 News.”

The phone is gone, I don’t know where it is. All I can see in that moment is Arion’s face and I say to her. “She didn’t do it, A. She didn’t fucking kill herself.”

She nods her head, as a mix of emotions rush through me. My heart is racing, and for the first time in God only knows how long, I can breathe. “Fuck, my dad.” Looking on the ground for the phone, I find it, picking it back up, asking, “Dad?”

“I’m here, son. You were right all along – she didn’t do it.”

He sounds a lot calmer than he did before. I think giving him some time to process the information helped. I’m not sure how finding out someone was murdered versus killing themselves could make a difference like this, but for us it does. In one way it doesn’t make a difference – she’s still not ever coming back. But knowing that she didn’t choose to leave us relieves a lot of the what-ifs.

“No, she didn’t. Do you recognize the guy?”

“No. Do you?” he asks me.

“Not at all, he doesn’t look one bit familiar.”

“Why would someone kill her?” I ask. It pains me to think someone could so heartlessly take her life.

“There are a lot of sick people in this world, son. Some of them we will never understand.”

“I guess you’re right. I knew all along that piece of shit detective was crooked.”

“I just don’t have a clue why in God’s name a man of his stature would cover up such a heinous crime.”

“Because they are family. It sickens me, Dad. I hope they throw the fucking book at him like the piece of shit he is.”

“I know, I hope so too,”

“Does Mom know yet?”

“No. I’m going to call up there now. Would you and Arion want to make a visit with me this weekend to see her? I’m sure after finding out, she could use some family time.”

“I’ll ask Arion if she has to work, but I’m sure we can make it happen. What about the FBI? Have they or anyone else contacted you?”

“No.” Just then I hear his doorbell ring. “Hang on. It’s them, son. I’ll call you later.”

“Are you sure? I can come over there now.”

“No, no.” The doorbell rings again. “I’m gonna run.”

We hang up and I look at Arion. She opens her arms to me and I lay my head on her lap, loving the strength she gives me. She runs those talented fingers through my hair and whispers, “Bain, I’m so sorry. I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am.”

“Just hold me for now.”

“Do you want to sit out back?”

“It’s freezing!” I slur, feeling the effects of the alcohol.

He hands me a blanket, not caring that I complained about the weather, and I snatch it out of his hand.

“I’ll start a fire in the pit. It will help keep you warm.”

I get up, agreeing to get some fresh air, ultimately hoping it will clear my mind. Anthony grabs my wine glass and we proceed outside. The view of the ocean is breathtaking and the sounds of the waves crashing in instantly consume me.

Sitting on the love seat, I pull my legs under me and put the soft blanket over my cold body. All of a sudden, the fire pit in front of me starts and I look at Anthony. He walks away from a panel of switches as the automatic covers on the sides of the patio are lowered. The lights dim, and soft music croons through the speakers. He hands me back my glass, which is already full, and I want to protest, but the wine is delicious. Staring into his eyes, he is delicious too. Taking the blanket, he lifts the corner and slides underneath it with me.

I cross one leg over the other turning my entire torso towards him. “You’re so gorgeous,” he whispers into my ear. I moan, not only at his words, but loving the attention. “Can I kiss you?” he asks.

“Please.”

The moment I speak the word, our mouths are connected. Hot, wet tongues, tangled kisses.

My wine glass is outstretched in my hand and he takes it from me. Then he leans me back, pressing our bodies together as we kiss. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or not, but I want him. He runs his hand up my body from my hip to my breast and massages it through the fabric of my clothing. His touch sends shivers through me. I want more. Spreading my legs, I wrap them around him. His erection is hard, and he grinds it into me, saying, “God, I want to feel you.”

Kissing him back, I want to feel him as well. Then a wave of dizziness takes over. I must have had too much wine. However, my vision blurs beyond the normal and as I go to move my arms, I can’t. I’m immobile beneath him. He looks down at me like he’s watching what is happening and says, “Yes, that’s it. Let it take you over, baby. I’m going to have fun with you tonight.”

My skin crawls at his words and I want to scream. But that is gone too; I can’t. My voice doesn’t work. Long blinks take over and then a very scary darkness…

This has been one of the craziest weeks of my life. First finding out that Bain’s sister was murdered, then the media got wind of that, and the fact that we were dating, put my face on TV. Now I’m on the way to meet his mom, while she’s in rehab of all places. It’s been a triple whammy, that’s for sure. Thankfully, Bain agreed that we both needed some time away, so we’re going to stay in Virginia for a few days after we see Renee. My eyes feel heavy on the drive and I let myself drift.

“We’re almost there, sleepyhead,” he whispers, rubbing my cheek with his thumb and forefinger.

I moan a little in protest. I swear I only closed my eyes for a minute, but it had to have been a lot longer. “I can keep driving if you’d rather.”

I shake my head and reach down to adjust my seat, letting it put me back into a seated position.

Glancing around us, I pull my bearings together, trying to figure out just where we are. Nothing looks familiar. The roads are skinny and lined with low trees. “Did you sleep well?” he asks me.

“I barely slept,” I protest.

“A, check the clock, babe. We left at seven this morning.” He started calling me “babe” last night and I like it. No one has ever called me that before. Nate always called me “A.” And other than those two, I’ve never let anyone into my heart. “Holy hell, I did sleep for a long time. Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the rest.”

“That’s such bullshit. I could see an hour, but Jesus Christ, Bain, it’s been five.”

He chuckles at my fit, cocking one eyebrow at me and says, “Are you done?”

“I guess.”

“Good. So my dad’s grabbing us lunch for our visit. Do you need anything before we get there?”

I shake my head, suddenly uneasy that I’m about to meet his mother. I mean, what if she hates me? Or says that I’m no good for his image or his career.

“Don’t worry, she’s gonna love you.” I look over at him, wondering how he knew what I was thinking. “When you get nervous, you start to pick at the ends of your hair. I know you’re not looking for anything in there, so it’s just nerves. Don’t worry, babe, we all have them. Before a game I get all clammy ’til I’m in my zone.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“Of course. Now come over and give me those lips, I’ve been staring at them for hours.”

“How about I give them to you here?” I ask, sliding my hand inside of his shorts.

“Not before you meet my mom.”

“I have gum,” I offer, pulling his slacked cock out of the soft fabric of his shorts. He hardens in my hold, arching his hips towards my mouth. Without another word, I take full control of him, twirling my tongue over the head and then licking his shaft before going down on him. He moans the moment my lips seal fully around his head and take him deep.

I feel the car turn onto what seems like a dirt road, then stop. He weaves his fingers into my hair and I want to make sure that we haven’t arrived. “Don’t stop; I only pulled over, baby.”

I whimper, sucking him. He holds my hair in a messy mound on the top of my head.
He tastes delicious.
So perfect and sweet, and smells like Bain. I let go of him with my hand and brace my weight above him to ensure that I have a good angle as I suck him like a maniac.