Inconsolable (17 page)

“You taste so damn sweet, Anna.  I want to taste you.”  Oh god, did he really just say taste me? As in down there?  Oh God!  No!  He possibly can’t be serious.  Only he is.  He’s dropped to his knees on the shower floor and has grabbed my leg, pulling it up onto his shoulder.  Now I’m thankful Mary-Beth talked me into getting waxed down there two years ago.  I’ve been keeping it up since then because it is just way easier than shaving. 

“Blake, you don’t um… yeah, you don’t have…” I stop when he puts a finger up to my face as I feel his hot breath on my sex.  I gasp as his tongue parts the tender flesh and slides up to my clit.  My body shakes from the pleasure as his tongue laps at the juices flowing.  My hand goes to his head as I try to push myself closer to him.  I need him to get deeper.  His left hand slides up my thigh wrapping around my hip and grabbing my ass.  He pulls me closer to him, his tongue on my clit as his other hand slides up my inner thigh.  He slides a finger into my pussy and I am screaming his name as my world comes apart, yet again.  I gasp as my chest heaves, trying to fill my lungs with air. 

“You taste delicious. I could do that all damn day,” he smiles as he gets off his knees and grabs the shampoo. He washes his own hair, then lathers mine. I’m going to ask him something that will probably break this moment, but I need it almost as much as I need my next breath.

“Stay with me?” I feel him go rigid, but then he relaxes.

“Okay.” He kisses my shoulder before stepping out of the shower and wrapping a towel around his waist. “I brought a bag,” he shrugs as if it’s no big deal.

“You planned on staying before I asked?”  I respond, shocked.  I’m sure my mouth is wide enough to catch flies, at least that’s what my Grandmamma always said. 

“I did.  You’ve already seen what I can be like.  It’s nothing you haven’t seen.  I just hope it doesn’t frighten you too badly,” he gives me a sad smile and I walk over in all my naked glory, wrapping my naked body up to his half covered one. 

“I love you, Blake,” I reply and kiss over his heart.  “I don’t think you can ever frighten me that badly.  You’re too damn perfect.” 

“I’m far from that, but I love you, too.” He declares as he wraps me in a towel and kisses my forehead. I can hear my phone ringing from the other room and he looks at me curiously.

“It’s Mary-Beth.”

“Oh, you’re speaking again?”

“In my defense, she is my best friend and my boyfriend went AWOL.”  I say as I walk into the room and grab the phone.  After a few yeses and uh-huhs I look over at Blake, sliding my hand over the phone “Mary-Beth wants to know if we will go to dinner and a movie with her and Garrett tonight.”  I give him a look as if you say, I went with your best friend.

“Sure, I need to restore some energy.” He replies and I just about die.  I talk to Mary-Beth a bit longer as I watch Blake put mousse in his hair.  I find that funny because I’m pretty sure that white or red cap he always wears backwards on his head is going to make an appearance.  I walk into the bedroom
to my dresser and pull out a hot pink lace bra and matching thong. I slide them on, then walk into the closet, grabbing some black skinny jeans and a red top. I slide on a pair of flats before walking into the bathroom again.

Blake is wearing a pair of light wash jeans that fit in all the right places.  I bite back a moan as I watch him slide the sleeves up on his gray button up shirt.  Damn, my man is fine.  “Like what you see?”  I blush as he catches me yet again ogling his sexiness.  I just nod my head, walking over to the vanity.  I brush my teeth and apply my makeup while he watches me.  I never thought I would be comfortable doing this with a man.
I mean it is kind of private, but with Blake it seems right. 

“Are you ready to go, Sunshine?”

“Yes Sir.  Let me grab my clutch and we can go.  Mary-Beth said something about driving to Baton Rouge.  I think she wants to go to Olive Garden.” 

“Sounds great. I’ve been there a few times with family. Let’s go,
beautiful.”

“Blake.”

“Yeah?”

“You are the most amazing thing to come along.”

“I could say the same for you. Now,
let’s go before I change my mind and take you back to bed.” 

“Oh,” I bite my lip thinking about whether or not I’d prefer that. I did promise Mary-Beth though
and I like Garrett.  I just hope that she doesn’t mess him up like she did Jameson.  I am glad Jameson has Sam now, but I’m afraid after Brooklyn, Garrett wouldn’t survive Mary-Beth. 

An hour later we are pulling up at Olive Garden to meet Mary-Beth and Garrett.  I see them standing outside, waiting on the bench. Mary-Beth is wearing a little black dress and Garrett has on his traditional Garrett clothes. He has on a
black t-shirt and his worn jeans. That’s something I love about him, he doesn’t try to be something he’s not. The funny thing is, he acts like he doesn’t come from money. His family is old school money, the kind that sends their kids to prestigious schools. I know his brother, Alex, got locked up for something, but it’s really been hush, hush. I was told he raped someone while under the influence of Cocaine, but you can’t always believe what you hear.

“Hey ya’ll,” I say as I hug Mary-Beth. She wraps me in a hug before hugging Blake.

“You look good, Blake,” she says as she introduces him to Garrett. 

“Nice to meet you, man,” Garrett says as Blake shakes his hand.

“You too.”  Blake replies as the buzzer in Mary-Beth’s hand goes off.

“Well, you two are right on time,” she says as she turns to walk into the restaurant. We all sit down and talk over dinner. It is actually a really fun time
and I can see Garrett and Blake being good friends. They seem to have a lot in common and are hitting it off great. Which works out for me because I hope we can all be friends in the long run. After dinner we climb into our cars, making our way to the movie theatre. We watch some comedy about a woman that steals a man’s identity and it cracks me up. I see Blake smiling and I love being able to have him smile like that. After the movie, we all part ways with a reassurance
that this will happen at least twice a month. I am glad that things are working out. I have my best friend back and my boyfriend,
as well.  Things are looking up for me and tonight is the first night I’ll actually have a man stay the night with me. 

I wake up the next morning with Anna’s head on my chest. I say a silent prayer to God as I realize that I didn’t have a nightmare
and that Anna wasn’t hurt by my thrashing around like a lunatic. I stroke her hair softly, just watching her sleep,
peacefully. I know she needs to get to work
and I need to get back home, but I really want to just freeze time,
stay just like this. After a few more minutes,
I nudge her with my hand.  She stirs as her eyelids flutter open.  I kiss her nose and she smiles.

“Morning handsome.”

“Good morning, beautiful.”

“Sleep well?”

“I did. You may just be my saving grace,” I reply as I kiss her on the temple.

“Mmm, well can your saving grace go and brush her teeth. She wouldn’t want to kill you with her morning breath.”

“Oh, I’ve been in worse conditions,” I say as I wrap my hands in her hair, pulling her lips to mine, branding them.  I want everyone to know this woman is mine. “I better go.  You have to be at work in thirty minutes.” 

She jumps out of bed quickly, throwing on a black tank top and one of those skirts that flow down her body. She watches me laying on the bed
and I am tempted to reach under the sheet and stroke if it meant she’d climb back inside it with me.  I know she needs to be at work, so I decide not to tempt her.  I get up and walk into the bathroom, doing my morning routine.  I come back out as Anna is getting ready to leave.

“You can stay here, if you want.  I’ll be back later.” 

“I have to go to work, but I’ll come stay this weekend with you, if that’s okay?”

“Of course it is. I’d love that.” I give her a reassuring smile
and walk her to her car.  I open the door for her and kiss her.  “I’ll call you later.”

“Okay.  Be safe.” 

“Yes ma’am. You too, Sunshine.” I close her door, watch her pull away and then climb into my own vehicle. Time to make the trek to Adams
and maybe tell Dad I need to get a job around here. 

I walk into the office of Johnson Law Firm
and am immediately greeted by Bonnie.  “Good Morning, Blake.  You look lovely today,” the older woman says.  I smile and thank her, she’s known me since I was in diapers.  I’m sure she has seen every embarrassing thing I have ever done.  She’s been an amazing person to have in my life.

“Well, Mrs. Bonnie, you look lovely, as well. How’s Mr. Clark?”

“He’s great. Your father is finishing up a call. You can go on in.”

“Thanks.” I walk into Dad’s office and sit on the leather chair in front of the desk.

“Well, look at my long lost son.” 

“Hey Dad,” I reply as I cross my ankle over my leg. 

“So, what’s brought you in here?”

“Well, first I want to say thank you. I know we aren’t really that close, but Uncle Trey told me you were the one that made him get help. So thanks for making me. Secondly, do you think you can get me a job closer to Anna?” I wince when he lets out a scowl.

“Well, I was hoping maybe you’d bring Anna here to meet your mother and me, but that hasn’t happened.
I’m sure I can put in a good word for you with Hank over at Lawson & Sons.”

“Thanks Dad.  I’ll make sure to bring Anna over one day soon so you and Mom can meet her,” I respond as I get up.

“Son, I love you.”

“I love you too, Dad.” I smile as I walk out of the office. Even though he wasn’t always there for me growing up I know that he was always there when it mattered. Mom told me all those times he stood in the back of the stadium during a track meet because he didn’t want me to know he was there
or the times he watched from a distance during my chess meets and spelling bees.  I will always love my father, even if the memories we share are few and far between. 

After my meeting with Dad, I go about my normal routine at work.  I check all the software to make sure it’s working properly and do some routine maintenance on the server.  I text Anna throughout the day and love that we banter back and forth with each other.  It tends to make the day go by faster.  I finish up my day at work and make my way back to my apartment.  I decide to stop by Moms and spend a few hours with her.  It’s been a while since I have just hung out with mom. 

I pull into the driveway
and make my way into the house. I can smell the scent of roast cooking in the kitchen. It’s my favorite meal. “Momma! You weren’t gonna tell me you were cooking my favorite?” I walk into the kitchen to see her stirring up some mashed potatoes.

“Your daddy called, said you may be coming by here.”

“Hmmm, he’s pretty damn perceptive.”

“Wanna talk about it?”  She smiles, as she continues to stir.  I don’t know how she always knows what’s going on with me.  I take a good look at my mother and as I do I can notice the wrinkles forming around her eyes.  I wonder if I’m the reason behind them.  I realize she is waiting for me to answer her.

“Momma, I’m in love.  I have problems I am trying to work out though, but the thing is…” I say as I run my fingers through my hair.  “…Anna, well… she makes me want to be a better person.” 

Mom walks over to me and puts her hand on my shoulder, leaning in and kissing my cheek.  “You know son, you remind me a lot of a man I knew,” she winks and walks back to the stove.  “Your father is more like you than he lets on.  I was pregnant when we got married and he hadn’t planned to be a lawyer.  He wanted to play football, but you came.” She smiles as she goes back down memory lane and I just stand there. “Now, your father was over the moon about you. He just wanted the best for us all
and, in reality, what was best for us all would have been having him around more.”  She sniffles a bit as a tear falls.  “I’m glad you have found Anna.
I can see how she affects you, Blake.  I’d like to meet her.” 

“Yes Momma, how about next weekend?”  I say as she starts to fix three plates.  I walk over, grab the pot of potatoes and start to load the plates with them.  “Dad coming home?”

“Right here.” I hear from the front door
and Mom’s eyes light up.  I hope I have this kind of love from Anna, the kind that is never-ending and full of fulfillment.  We all sit at the table and for once have a pleasant dinner.  We make plans to have Anna come in the next few weeks and after dinner I make my way back to my apartment.  

I shower, send Anna a text saying goodnight
as I slide in between my sheets.  I am asleep within minutes.  I feel the turmoil happening before I can see it.  I am trapped in a nightmare, one I have relived far more times than I’d like. 

Kyle is in front of me, acting as a protector, as we walk down the street toward the men we are supposed to be fighting against.  I have this feeling something isn’t right, but I can’t put my finger on it.  Jackson is walking farther ahead with Miller and Andrews on the sides of him.  I hear Carter scream before the world is shaken.  I feel the wind knocked out of me as Carter lands on top of me.