Chapter 18: Harbor

By the time I found a decent hotel I was soaked from the rain and had splashed in so many puddles that I had ruined my favorite shoes. It didn’t matter, Evan had bought them, and I didn’t want a damned thing from him.

I checked in and made my way upstairs hoping that Lucinda would keep her word and not tell him where she’d brought me. I needed time to think and to figure out what I was going to do and where I’d go next. It wasn’t like I could live in the hotel and I was sure that before long, he’d cut off my credit card he’d set up for me and I’d be left with what little money I had before, which wasn’t much.

When I got to my room, I closed the door and leaned back against it. The headache I had building was a killer, and I needed to sleep. I’d had a long day with the family, his family, and Blythe had worn me out. I felt horrible for leaving the way I did, and I hoped that she wouldn’t be too upset. I knew better. She was going to be just as devastated as I was, if not more. This wasn’t my doing though. It was her father’s. It was inevitable anyway. I’d just ripped off the bandage a little sooner.

I stripped off my clothes and shoes and tossed them in the corner of the bathroom, I only brought one change, and I let out a sigh when I realized I’d have to send for my things. Maybe Lucinda would help me out there as well. She’d been a good friend, and I really hoped that Evan wouldn’t take things out on her. He should thank her really, if he truly cares at least, Lucinda helped me out. I’d have left anyway, even if I had to walk and his home was miles from the hotel district.

I headed for the shower still thinking of Blythe. She would wake up and look for me. It was her usual routine since I’d come along and then I’d help her pick out her clothes for the day and brush her hair. Then we’d go downstairs and watch cartoons until time for Lucinda to come and take over while I headed to work and her father did whatever he did while on call at the hospital.

I thought of the other woman. She had claimed that they had been together in the time since our arrangement, but what stuck with me more than that was how she said that he’d played this game before. Was she another bargain? He’d introduced her as his former nanny, which means that she was the woman who’d lived there before Lucinda came months earlier. It was all still new and fresh, especially to Blythe. For someone who didn’t want to put his daughter through this kind of drama, who’s been so hesitant to let me in, he’d given in to my condition with a little push. I could look at that one of two ways, either he was really into me and didn’t know how to deal with it, or he didn’t really care about anything as long as he got his way.

I fell in love with him because he’d taken such good care of me and the two of us had fun together even outside of the bedroom. I saw us a perfectly happy family when we’d all go out together, and things seemed so normal you’d never think there was a deadline ahead, a stopping point that would take it all away. But each time I’d mention what we would do, he’d get upset and remind me of my words, of my commitment, and how I had wanted to make the contract and sign it. He hadn’t hesitated to agree and go along with it and the only reason I had been so adamant about having one was so he wouldn’t leave me in the end after uprooting my life to save his.

I stepped into the shower and hoped it would wash away the pain and stress of the day. I tried to focus on the task at hand and not think about it for a while, but I couldn’t stop seeing Blythe and Evan, him spinning her around and kissing her then reaching for me to pull me in close to them both. He’d done that the very day I’d met her and been so happy that we’d hit it off. How could not want that now? How could he throw it away to be with another woman?

I’d let him have control over our sexual escapades, mostly because it had always been so intense and amazing, but I couldn’t help wonder if I hadn’t been enough.

I was going to have to sleep if I wanted to rest my mind. As long as I was awake, I’d be worrying about everything and kicking myself for walking out on them. I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. After drying off and wrapping my hair in a towel, I wrapped another towel around me and headed for my bag which I’d left on the bed.

I didn’t see him until I caught a glimpse of someone behind me in the mirror. I gasped and turned around so fast I stumbled and nearly fell over my own feet. He sat in the chair blank-faced with the contract on his knee.

I crossed my arms and glared down at him. “Lucinda?”

“No, she’s with Blythe, but I found you all on my own.” He held up his cell phone, and I could see the GPS image. He’d tracked me. Dammit. I should have known.

“You don’t have to worry about the contract. I’m filing for the annulment this week, so you’re good to do whatever. Maybe you can find your girlfriend and work things out.” A large lump stuck in my throat as I imagined him with the other woman.

“Tana used to be my nanny. I had a fling with her long before we ever met, and I ended it then. I’ve not been with her. She likes to cause trouble.” He folded the paper that was across his knee and then ripped it in half. “I’m not interested in your contract, either. I wanted to come talk about you coming home before Blythe wakes up and you’re gone.”

“Graduation is a week away, and I’m going to be gone in June anyway. So, she’ll deal with it a tad earlier than you expected, at least you’ll get your way.” I lifted my chin defiantly, and he got to his feet and approached. I didn’t move. I wasn’t intimidated by him. If there was one thing I knew for certain, he’d never physically hurt me.

“You’re coming home. Like I said, I’m done with your fucking contract and prepared to deal. I can’t promise you a perfect relationship. I’m not sure what I want, other than you in my life. So, get your shit and let’s go.” He gestured toward my bag.

“No. I’m not going until you tell me what I can expect.” I crossed my arms and shifted on my feet, but he wasn’t having it. He stepped forward and grabbed my hand, pulling me off balance, so I fell into his arms.

“I want you home. It’s not open for negotiations. I need a bit more time and considering everything I don’t think that’s unreasonable.” His tone was soft and by the time he’d finished talking his lips were a breath from mine. He closed the short distance and kissed me. “We’ll work it out, but I need time, and I’m not going to want you away from me.”

“Then tell me you’re ready to commit!” The words snapped from my lips and his eyes widened, wild and feral.

Suddenly I was off my feet kicking and screaming, but then I was over his knee on the bed with my towel hiked up to display my bare ass. His hand came down hard against it, sending a delightful pleasure straight to my core. “That’s for not listening.” Then his voice was right in my ear as he leaned down. “I know you’re still hot for it. Tell me.”

I glanced away, but his hand came down hard once again. “Yes.”

“That’s a good girl. You’re going to behave and come home where you want to be, and I said we’d work it out, but only in my time.” I nodded, trying to keep the pout from my full lips.

I could feel his hard cock pressing into my side, and my core ached for him. It had only been about twelve hours since our last encounter, but it with our fight it felt like forever.

He lifted me up and then laid across the bed with me as he lay me back kissing me full and deep. He kissed me with hunger as if he’d never get enough of my lips and I spread my legs and wrapped them around his waist. I locked my ankles grinding against him. My towel fell open exposing my nudity. He feasted on my breasts, planting kisses on them and teasing my nipples with his tongue. Then he stood up, and I came forward and undid his pants. I couldn’t wait to get to what was inside, and as familiar as I was, it never ceased to amaze me. I couldn’t get enough of the sight of him or the feel.

I sprang his cock free, and instead of lying back to wait for it, I took it in my hand right then and there, kissing along his shaft and letting my tongue roll across his veiny flesh. As he stroked my hair, my tongue teased his tip, and then I closed my mouth around his head and took him to the back of my throat. I closed my eyes and moaned on his cock, the vibrations coaxing a bit of his nectar which hit my tongue. I swallowed it down, pulling his cock even farther down my throat as he started to pump his hips slowly.

I worked his balls, kneading them with my palm and then sucked his heavy sac into my mouth. He reached down and brushed his fingers against my folds, then he parted them and pushed a finger inside me, nice and deep. I stood up, crouching over to take his cock deeper, not yet prepared to pull off of it.

All too soon he pulled away and stroked his cock, staring me in the eyes. “Lay down.” I did what I was told, and he crawled up, stopping to feast on me. His tongue slipped softly into my lips, and then he tongued my little slit, poking me gently.

“I want inside of you.” He lifted up and hiked up my knees, then he pulled me closer to his cock and guided it in. I winced at the sudden intrusion, but I was so wet for him it felt amazing, especially when he kept working in and out of me building my pleasure.

I opened my eyes, and he was staring at me, his eyes filled with emotion. “You had me worried. You can’t leave like that again.” He thrust a bit harder to grind himself against me. “We’ll work it out, I promise. I’ll figure it out, baby.” I wanted to believe him so badly, but part of me wouldn’t ever be one hundred percent sure of anything.

I tilted my hips to give him better access, and as he thrust he moaned right along with me until my release had me crying out. Then he cheered me on. “That’s a girl, come for me, baby.” My walls clenched his thick cock as I coated him and then he picked me up and carried me to the wall where he leaned me back, pumping steadily in a perfect rhythm.

I cried out and clawed at his back, and he joined me in the blissful cry as his own release filled me up, soaking my core.

He pulled out and placed me on my feet, and I held as much of him in as possible. It wasn’t ever going to be easy to let him go.