Finally (8 page)

I sat up and moved faster on him, grinding my clit against him. “That’s it, baby,” he murmured to me as he continued to cup my breasts. “Ride me.”

A whimper escaped my lips, his hands on my hips now, guiding my movement on top of him. “God, Lauren, you’re so sexy,” he said, his breathing uneven now.

I couldn’t help but smile; he was at my mercy now. I was the one in charge this time. I loved how dominant Marcus was in the bedroom, but it was fun to be the one calling the shots once in awhile.

I pressed down on him again, my breasts crushed against his chest. I nibbled his neck, moving up to his lips. “I want you to remember me, to want to come back to me,” I whispered before covering his mouth with mine in a deep kiss, my tongue invading his mouth, teasing his.

As I sat back up, riding him faster now as my orgasm approached, he groaned, “Trust me baby, I won’t forget you. I’m already trying to figure out the next time I can get you in bed.”

I laughed softly. “Good.”

He closed his eyes. “Baby, I’m going to come soon. I want you to come with me,” he said as he moved his thumb to the sensitive spot between my legs. My head fell back with a sigh as he teased my swollen nub. I slid my hands up my body, cupping my breasts, teasing the nipples.

“Fuck yes, Lauren, touch yourself, just like that,” he growled at me as his thumb moved faster.

My whimpers turned into moans as I felt my orgasm build. “That’s it baby, come with me,” he muttered.

At this point all I could do was nod; I felt like I was going to explode.

He pinched my clit between his fingers and I cried out his name as I tumbled over the edge, my orgasm radiating from deep in my belly to my toes. He grabbed my hips and held me as he thrust up into me, crying out my name harshly as he came inside me.

I collapsed on his chest, planting tiny kisses all over him. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close.

“I’m going to miss you in my bed,” he said quietly into my hair, running his hand up and down my back, tickling me softly.

I sighed and looked into his eyes. “I know, me too.”

He gave me that smile that made my stomach do a flip-flop. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s not too long,” he said as he ran a finger along the side of my face.

I missed him already and he wasn’t even gone.

Chapter Fourteen – Marcus

I eventually made my way to the shower. I tried to convince her to join me, but she wouldn’t; she knew she’d distract me there and I’d never make my flight.
Would that be so bad
?

As I washed my hair, I thought about how easy it was to be with Lauren. She was easy to talk to, funny, and crazy fun in bed. I would be a fool not to try to make this work.

I finished up my shower and got dressed, packing up the last of my things from around her bedroom. For a second I thought about taking a few more days to stay with her but it was time to get back into the real world.

I walked into the kitchen to find her pouring us each a cup of coffee. She had her hair back in a ponytail, wearing black yoga pants and a simple gray t-shirt. I was overcome with the urge to gather her up in my arms and take her back to bed.

She smiled and slid a cup of coffee across the counter to me as I sat down. “I figured you could use this,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but my ass is dragging. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I’ll probably be out the minute I get on the plane,” I said. I took a sip of my coffee, watching her over the edge of the cup. “But it was worth it.”

Her cheeks reddened slightly as she nodded. “Yes, it was,” she said quietly. She set her coffee cup down. “When do you think we’ll see each other again? Do you think you can make it here for my birthday in a few weeks?” she asked me as she walked over to me. “Amanda always throws each of us a party at her bar and I’d love for you to be there.”

“That’s the plan,” I said and pulled her down onto my lap. “She told me the party the other night and I wouldn’t miss your birthday.” I planted a soft kiss on her neck. She was going to have to wear her hair in a ponytail more often; I loved having such easy access to her neck.

“Good,” she said as she tilted her head to the side and leaned back into me.

Her phone rang suddenly, interrupting the moment. “Are you going to answer that?” I asked, my lips against her skin.

“Nah, if it’s important they’ll leave a message,” she said.

I groaned and moved her away from me as I stood up. “Baby, I gotta get going anyway or I’ll miss my flight.”

I glanced at the phone as it still rang and noticed Kyle’s name on the screen. She bit her lip and hit the ignore button quickly.

“Kyle?” I asked her. I thought she was done seeing him. Why was he calling her?

She nodded. “He’s been calling me for the past few days. I haven’t answered and he hasn’t left a message. Who knows what he wants. I’m hoping if I ignore him enough, he’ll get the picture and stop calling.”

My blood started to boil as I clenched my fists slightly. I didn’t really want to leave her knowing her ex was trying to get back in touch with her. What if he realized what an ass he’d been and wanted her back? How could I compete with him when I was in Denver and he was here?

“Maybe you should just talk to him and see what he wants,” I said, trying to sound casual. I didn’t want her to talk to him ever again, but I didn’t want to seem like a crazy jealous boyfriend.

She shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t really want to. If it’s urgent, he’ll leave a message. Until then, I don’t have time for his bullshit,” she said and I felt instantly better. She didn’t want to talk to him anymore than I wanted her to talk to him.

She wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my chest. “I don’t want to talk about him right now,” she said softly.

“Me either,” I said as I tightened my arms around her. I closed my eyes and lowered my head, breathing in her scent, committing it to memory.

I didn’t want to let her go, but it was time. “Baby,” I whispered. “I have to go.”

“I know,” she said, her words muffled by my t-shirt.

I pulled back slightly, cupping her face in her hands. “We’ll talk all the time and there’s video chat. I’ll be back in just a few weeks, ok?” I said, my eyes looking into hers.

She bit her lip. “I know, I know,” she said with a laugh. “I’m being silly.” She swiped a tear from her eye quickly with a nervous laugh.

I shook my head and wiped a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “No, you aren’t. I don’t want to go either,” I said, and then I kissed her slowly, reminding her of all of the passion we shared over the past few days.

I broke free with a grin. “Good lord, woman, what you do to me,” I groaned and laughed as I walked over to get my suitcase.

She grinned at me. “Likewise,” she said as she walked me to the door.

I bent down to kiss her softly again. “Goodbye, Lauren. Thanks for an amazing few days,” I said as she opened the door.

“No, thank you,” she said, leaning on the door.

“I’ll call you later,” I said. We’d decided it didn’t pay for her to battle traffic to come with me to the airport. She couldn’t really wait with me anyway and I’d rather remember here at her home.

“Travel safe,” she said, closing the door as I started walking down the hall.

I was full of so many emotions right now I was having trouble sorting them out. I was happy that Lauren and I had made such a great connection and that we were going to see what was in store for us in the future. I was sad to be leaving her. And I was a little worried and jealous that Kyle was trying to contact her.

When I got out to the street, I caught a cab to the airport, playing over the events of the past few days in my head. After checking in and going through security, I bought a paper to read while I waited. The first thing I did was turn to the classifieds. It didn’t hurt to look, did it?

Chapter Fifteen – Lauren

Thankfully I managed to keep busy the next few weeks, not even having the time to miss Marcus. Work was nuts as usual and I was working long hours, going into the office before seven AM and not getting home until almost seven PM.

Kyle eventually stopped calling. Marcus probably asked me every other day if I talked to him. He tried to sound nonchalant, but I knew he was jealous by the edge in his voice. Some girls complained about jealous boyfriends, but I thought it was sexy he was so possessive of me.

Marcus and I settled into a simple routine after he left. I would go to the gym after leaving work and then talk to Marcus for at least an hour each night. Sometimes we chatted on the phone and sometimes we’d video chat. I missed him like crazy, but I’d see him again soon for my birthday party.

Amanda loved birthdays and always planned a party for each of us at the bar she worked at. It was always a good time and I was especially looking forward to this one since Marcus would be there.

A few days before the party, Marcus gave me some bad news. We were talking on the phone as I was lying in bed, totally spent from another long day at the office.

“Baby, I gotta tell you something,” he said quietly.

“What’s up?” I asked. He sounded so serious and I was a little worried what he had to say.

“Something came up and I can’t make it this weekend,” he said.

My heart dropped. “Really? Not at all?” I asked, fighting back the tears.

“No, something came up with work and then a family thing,” he said. “Things have gotten crazy so I’m not sure when I can even make it there at all.”

“Ok,” I said, not sure what else to say. I didn’t want to get all crazy psycho girlfriend on him, but I was pretty disappointed I wouldn’t see him for my birthday. Add to that the fact he wasn’t even sure when I would even see him, and I was ready to cry.

“I’m sorry, babe,” he said.

“It’s ok, I understand,” I said with a sigh. “Listen, I’m tired. I gotta go or tomorrow’s going to be a really long day.”

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Yep,” I said halfheartedly. “Good night, Marcus.”

I hung up the phone before I lost it. I was not going to be
that
girl. Tears stung my eyes as I set my phone on the nightstand. I couldn’t help it; I was so upset he wouldn’t be there this weekend. Maybe this long distance thing wouldn’t work so well after all.

***

The days leading up to my birthday were hectic and I manage to avoid talking to Marcus altogether. We exchanged a few text messages and emails, but other than that, I’d hardly talked to him. I wasn’t mad he wasn’t coming, but I couldn’t help but be majorly disappointed.

I arrived at the bar early the night of the party to help Amanda get ready. I was ready way before I needed to be and couldn’t stand being alone in my apartment any longer.

“What’re you doing here already?” she asked me from her perch behind the bar. “You’re the guest of honor, you don’t need to help set up.”

I shrugged. “I was sick of sitting at home,” I said. “I thought maybe you could use some help.”

“Silly girl,” she said, shaking her head. “Happy birthday, girlie.” She came over to me from behind the bar and gave me a hug. “I know you’re sad Marcus won’t be here, but try to have some fun, ok?”

I nodded and smiled. She was right. It was my party and I wasn’t going to let a man wreck my good time.

“Good,” she said, walking back behind bar. I followed her and sat down on a stool. “You look smokin’ hot,” she said, nodding to me.

I looked down at my black, strapless dress and matching black heels. My hair was in a high ponytail on my head and I was wearing my favorite silver hoop earrings. “Thanks, so do you,” I said.

Amanda always looked hot. She had a knack for making even jeans and a t-shirt look sexy. Tonight she had a jean skirt that was almost too short and a purple tank top. She’d left her hair down and wild around her heart shaped face.

She snorted at my compliment. “Thanks,” she said. “Maybe I can find some hot young stud to take home tonight. It’s been awhile.”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Amanda was always looking for a good time. She didn’t date men; she slept with them, and usually never more than once. “Some day, Mandy, I’m telling you,” I said with a shake of my head. “Some day, some guy is going to sweep you off your feet and you won’t know what hit you.”

“Not likely,” she said as she poured me a drink. She stopped and looked at me seriously. “Lauren, I forgot to tell you. I ran into Kyle this morning.”

“That reminds me, did I tell you he’s been calling me? I never answered the phone and he never left me a message. Must not have been all that important.”

“Yeah, well, about that. He asked about you. And if you were seeing anyone,” she said nervously.

“And?” I asked. I didn’t really care if he knew that I was seeing someone. It really wasn’t any of his business, but I still didn’t care if he knew about Marcus.

“I didn’t mention Marcus, but he mentioned your birthday and I might’ve let it slip that your party was tonight,” she said sheepishly.

“Mandy!” I said, sitting up high in my stool, surprised at her admission

“I know! I’m sorry, Lauren,” she said, wiping her hands on her towel. “I was running late and he caught me off guard. It slipped before I had a chance. He probably won’t show up though. You guys have been over for months. He’d have to have a lot of nerve to come here.”

“Let’s hope not, but it sounds like something stupid he’d do. I’m already bummed Marcus won’t be here, I don’t need to see Kyle,” I said.

“Don’t worry; if he does show up, I’ll take care of it,” Amanda assured me.

I couldn’t help but grin. Most people didn’t mess with Amanda. If they did, they usually ended up being sorry.

“Happy Birthday, Lauren!”

My friend Madison came bounding into the bar, carrying balloons, presents, and what looked to be a cake. I laughed and got up off the bar stool to help her. I was going to push both Marcus and Kyle out of my head for tonight and enjoy my friends. There was no way I was going to let either of them ruin it.

Chapter Sixteen – Marcus