Chailyn sat on the patio staring out at the rising sun. This was her favorite time of day when everything was fresh and new. When the world seemed to have endless possibilities with a new day. It didn’t get rid of any issues or concerns but for a moment it made you want to take a moment.

“There you are.” Payne spoke behind her. “Love this time of day.”

He came into view. Payne sat beside her on the loveseat. She leaned her head against his shoulder then placed her hand along his, on his leg. He laced his fingers with hers and lifted it to his lips. Then he turned and kissed her. Chailyn turned to him and she rose moving her robe up her hips. Payne helped her and he shoved down his boxers. She took a condom from the pocket of her robe then put it on him. After she straddled him and lifted up. Payne guided her then she sank down onto him. Chailyn moaned as he filled her.

She lifted up then lowered onto him again. Payne leaned back and watched her his lids partially lowered.  She stared into his eyes and moved over him. Each glide made her want even more. In slow motions she took him. Placing her hands on his shoulders she lowered her head and kissed him. Payne sucked in her tongue and lazily moved his with hers. She clenched and his breath caught.

“Chailyn.” He moaned.

The look in his eyes was one she didn’t recognize. Payne gripped her hips and tugged her closer. At the change of angle she gasped then moved. The sensation made her shiver. Payne nuzzled at the robe. She pulled it open. Payne nuzzled into her chest and then suckled her nipple. She held his head and moaned.

“Payne.” She whimpered.

He worried the nipple with his teeth and then sucked it deep. Then Payne went to the other and did the same. Chailyn clenched and arched into him. Payne’s hold on her hips got stronger as he countered her movements. She held him and shuddered as he thrusts in time with each suckle of her breast. Chailyn moved quicker as her pleasure rose. Her lower belly tightened and she rotated her hips and then she moaned.

“Payne.”

“Chailyn.” He echoed as he moved into her.

She held him as she came. Payne kissed her. He continued to move under her then shook as he too came. She looked into his eyes, as they went glazed, as he shook with his release. Payne lowered his lids and breathed deeply. Chailyn leaned against him and listened to him breath. Payne rubbed his hands along the back of her robe.

“Now, that is what I call a great way to start a morning.” Payne chuckled.

“Yes.” Chailyn snuggled into him. “Same place tomorrow.”

“Or maybe we can at your place.” Payne said. “Same result different setting.”

“Yes. We can so do that.” Chailyn agreed.

“Good.” Payne lifted her head and stared into her eyes. “This is the way I would love to start every morning.”

If only that was true and this would last. She pushed that thought away deciding to enjoy the moment. What happened in the future was beyond her control. For now she would just take what she could get with him. Knowing how he was, eventually he would be bored, and then he’d have one of these blunt conversations with her. Like he did with all the other women he dated.

 

* * * * *

Chailyn stared at the files before her and didn’t understand any of it. She was unfocused, ever since the night weeks ago, when she and Payne had sex the first time then the morning after. Since then they had been spending all their time together. They had many dates and all were fun and made them get to know each other better. Their intimacy had also grown with each time they were together. She was enjoying all the time with him and even their friends and family mentioned how good they seemed together. All the time made them closer than ever yet she was waiting for things to go wrong.

And they would. It was just a matter of time before he became bored and went onto someone else. Someone who wouldn’t be her. Chailyn had thought of walking away for weeks but still hadn’t been able too. She was just waiting for him to decide to move on. 

“Why am I waiting for that?” 

“No idea.” A man said. “If you can give me more to go on, maybe I can help you figure it out.”

“Atkins.” Chailyn rose.

“No need to get up.” Atkins waved her back to her seat.

He came to her and around her desk. Chailyn sat and watched him. Atkins sat on the edge of her desk. Chailyn wondered what he was doing there.

“I came to see what’s wrong with you.”

She silently cursed herself. She didn’t think anyone had noticed. None of them has mentioned anything. With Atkins saying something, she knew it was only a matter of time before someone else did too. She hoped that Raina and Morgan didn’t notice. Those two would not let up if they did and asked her what was wrong. Thankfully they weren’t here and Atkins was. She went for the don’t know first.  

“What do you mean?” Chailyn leaned back in her chair.

Atkins looked as if he didn’t believe her. But unlike the others he wouldn’t push her for an answer.

“Don’t use that tone on me.” Atkins studied her.

“I’m not using a tone.” Chailyn crossed her arms over her chest.

She heard it but didn’t know it would have come out like that. Chailyn knew she had to do better or even Atkins who wouldn’t usually push would.

“And now crossing your arms.” Atkins rolled his eyes. “Now I know there is something really bugging you.”

“Nothi…”

“Don’t.” Atkins shook his head. “Just don’t. I know something is wrong. So let’s just say that we went back and forth between each other then you decided to finally tell me. Cut out the middle man.”

Chailyn sighed and lowered her arms. She stared at her brother. They were close and shared when they had problems. Yet she wasn’t sure if she could do that with this. It concerned his friend and she remembered how he was with it. Payne hadn’t said if things were still strained between him and Atkins. When they had gotten together with the others and Atkins was there, she hadn’t noticed anything.  Yet she hadn’t either when it was happening before. Now she wanted to makes sure she wasn’t the reason that the friends had problems between each other.

“You can tell me anything.” Atkins said. “I know I was a little wonky a few weeks ago about you and Payne, but I worked that out. So talk to me.”

Chailyn thought about it then. “I’m fine. Just work related.”

She wasn’t about to tell him. If she did, then she knew she would need to do something about walking away. And although she knew there would be a time that would happen, for now she didn’t want to. She would keep enjoying their time together.

Atkins stared at her then sighed. “Ok. So this is gonna have to be the hard way.  Come on lets go.”

She knew what that meant and she wasn’t about to go with him although she was tempted since it would be fun. “I have work. Appointments to do.”

“I had your assistant clear your calendar for the rest of the day.”

“What?” She frowned. “How’d you know I wouldn’t talk to you?”

“Stubborn just as I am.” Atkins rose. “So the alternate. Hard way.”

“Admit it you just want someone who would go along with your crazy.” Chailyn rose.

Atkins laughed and walked away. She followed shaking her head at him.

 

 

Two hours later Chailyn did a spin and lifted her hands as she went faster and faster. She came out of the spin and struck a pose.

“Brava.” Atkins said. He skated up to her and stopped.

“Come on show me what you got.” Chailyn beckoned to Atkins.

He lifted his head and flicked his hair back.

“Hump. You can’t handle this.” He shimmied and rolled his hips.

“My eyes oh god my eyes.” Chailyn teased.

“And I can’t believe mine.” A woman spoke.

Chailyn looked toward the side from where they were skating. Sawyer stood by the low wall and by her side was Payne. He smiled. Chailyn blew out a breath and smiled in return.

“I texted Sawyer and Payne to join us.” Atkins said.

She looked at him. He looked uncomfortable. Chailyn smiled at it. She figured what he was doing.

“We can have sort of a double date.” Atkins lifted his shoulders to his ears and ducked his head. “I’m really good with you and Payne dating. Even if you decide to have ummm…you know.”
Chailyn laughed. “Atkins that is so sweet.” She moved closer. “You do know we are you know right. That I have been you know for a long time with people before.”

She couldn’t help but tease him. It was such a sweet thing for him to do. That was Atkins, when he cared about someone, he would do things to help them even if they didn’t realize they needed it.

“For the love of god. I don’t need to know that.” Atkins skated away.

Chailyn laughed. She looked at the two by the side and noticed they had sat down to put on their ice skates. She skated around the rink and caught up with Atkins. They skated beside each other. Atkins held out his hand and she took it. He spun her into him and they skated together. She smiled remembering when they had learned to skate as kids. Atkins had only gone along to get girls. But he’d ended up liking it. And it also helped him with his football. Atkins when he went pro with the Miami Thunder had shared the ice skating with his friends on the team. From what he had told her, they had when they could, used it to unwind. The team hadn’t liked it since it could cause injuries, but they had made sure to send people with them when they went to ensure they didn’t do anything reckless. Atkins led her around the ice then he spun her away from him. She lifted her hand and started when firm fingers caught hers. Lifting her head she looked at Payne.

Payne pulled her into him. He kissed her and she returned it. He looked into her eyes.

“Hey. When I got Atkins text, I was surprised you decided to play hooky.” Payne watched her. “I thought you had a lot of work.”

“I do. I had my assistant take some work by my place so I can do it later.” She looked at him. “I’ll need to work a little when we go to my place.”

“Ok. I’m getting used to you having to work sometimes.” Payne led them along the ice. “Let’s skate.”

“Let’s.” She held his hands.

Sawyer and Atkins skated before them. The two moved together and it was so comfortable. Atkins pulled Sawyer closer and he lowered his head and kissed her softly. She didn’t need to see Atkins face to know how he was looking at Sawyer—like she was his world.

I want that. I want someone to look at me like that.

She looked at Payne and he was staring at her with an expression she couldn’t define. Her breath caught and she for a moment wondered. She dismissed it as being silly and looked toward the other couple. Finding the one that was for you didn’t happen to everyone.

 

 

Payne wondered what made Chailyn look so sad. For the last few weeks although they had grown closer intimately, there was still a distance between them. One he couldn’t seem to bridge and didn’t know what to do. He skated with her and held her. Chailyn leaned against him, yet there was still a tension in her body. One that shouldn’t be.

What is going on with you Chailyn?

 

 

Later that night, he sat on the floor watching TV, as Chailyn worked. He looked at her. Her brow was furrowed and she had a pen clamped between her teeth. The sight was one he was getting used to and enjoyed. Just spending time with her was something he looked forward too. Chailyn looked up at him and smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes and she still seemed sad. He went over to her and knelt by her chair. Chailyn looked at him questioningly.

“What’s wrong Chailyn?”

“I’m fine.” She smiled. “Just need to get a little more work done, and then you are all mine.”

“Are you really mine?” Payne leaned back on his heels. “There is this distance you keep between us.”

“I…” She inhaled. “I don’t mean too.”

“Then tell me what is wrong.” Payne said.

“What does it matter? It’s not like we’re going to be together much longer.”

“Wait. What?” Payne frowned.

“Come on Payne. Where do you really see this going?” Chailyn leaned forward.

“Let me hear what you think first.” Payne waited.

Chailyn stared at him a while and didn’t say anything. Then she smiled and this time it was in her eyes.

“I thought you would eventually get bored and then we would part ways.”

“Chailyn, I already told you I wouldn’t get bored.” Payne didn’t understand why she still had that in her head.

“I know. I know but I still had it in my head.” Chailyn stared at him. “Until now. Now I see what I have been missing. You love me.”

“Of course.” Payne rolled his eyes. “Why do you think I waited to come to you when I was ready? Ready for you to be mine.”

“I didn’t know that was what you meant. I thought…” She paused then. “It doesn’t matter what I thought. Now I see it. Why did you never tell me you loved me?”

“Because I didn’t know if you would believe me.” Payne frowned. “And I was right since you believe I would get bored with you. That I would walk away from you. Don’t you get it Chailyn. I love you and won’t be walking away. Ever.”

The joy on her face made his breath catch. Chailyn slid off the couch and leaned before him.

“Payne.” She blinked her eyes glassy. “I love you. Oh I love you so much.”

Payne put his hand over his chest. His heart pounded and all he wanted was before him. Chailyn cupped his cheek and the love in her eyes was one he had waited for so many years to see.

“I love you, Chailyn.”

“I know.” She laughed. “And I’m going to hold you to not walking away.”

Payne nodded. “Of course. And you won’t be walking away either.”

“Yes.” Chailyn smiled. “Now come let’s celebrate.”

Payne kissed her. He lowered her to the floor beneath him. When he had finally dared to approach her, she had been surprised he had, and he knew she would eventually get used to the idea of them. Yet when she finally realized he loved her the same shock was there. He knew that many years to come, he would enjoy stunning her.

 

THE END