Sunni
“Wake up, baby girl.”
Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.
“You’re going to be late for work.” Lips press into my forehead. “You have to open at the diner this morning.”
I moan and roll over on my belly, burying my face in the cloud soft pillow. Jag rolls onto my back, pressing his broad chest into me and kissing along the side of my neck.
“Quit your jobs,” he says between kisses.
I groan in protest.
“You came to my fight and moved in two weeks ago. I got my way, and now I’m telling you to quit your jobs.”
“Jag.” His name comes out in some foreign alien language with my mouth pushed into the pillow.
“I’ll get my way. You just watch.” He nips at my neck and then flips me over on my back.
I throw my arm over my eyes and wiggle underneath his overpowering body as he sneaks down, trailing kisses along my bared skin. His job is easy since the man demands I sleep naked every night. Jag’s tongue swirls around my belly button, forcing a small giggle from my grumpy lips.
He goes lower and lower until he’s seated between my legs. His tongue darts out teasing my core. My hips have a mind of their own, bucking up to meet his mouth. It only takes a matter of seconds before Jag loses all control. He devours me as if I’m the last piece of food on earth. The man can wind me up in a matter of seconds before I’m falling into deep, dark pools of ecstasy.
Jag plays his cat and mouse game, bringing me right to the edge and backing off. I know what he’s doing—making a point. He’ll drive me crazy until I give in and commit to quitting my job. It won’t be happening. Jag isn’t him. The guy who took every part of my life away and then strung me along like his puppet. I refuse to give in like that to someone again.
Jag grows frustrated when I don’t give in. It’s not over that fact, but more of the throbbing issue between his legs. He crawls right back up my body and eases himself into me.
“Mmmmmmm.” I clutch the back of his head. “God, I want to wake up like this every morning of my life.”
Jag stares down at me with nothing but love and admiration in his eyes. “I can make that happen, baby girl.”
“Jag, I’m not quitting my job.” My core clenches as he picks up his pace. “It’s a part of me I don’t want to be taken away.”
“I get it.” He winks. “But I had to give it a try. Having you here naked and barefoot all day and night in my house is a wet fucking dream.”
I laugh. The vibration echoes between our pressed chests. “Naked and barefoot? Isn’t that a given?”
He grunts. His cock throbs inside of me. He’s close, which shoves me with ferocity in the same direction.
“You make me dumb,” he grits out. “When I’m fucking, you make me dumb.”
He slams his mouth to mine as we both race to the same ending point. It’s magic every single time it happens. Jag and I erupt simultaneously then melt into a pool of limp bodies. Jag recovers first, plucking my body from the bed and carrying me to the shower. These tender moments where he takes care of me, I’ll cherish forever when I’m forced to run again.
***
“Um, Jag, what is this?” I holler in the bathroom.
The steam from the shower smacks me in the face. He washed every single one of my body parts, made love to me under the hot stream of water, cleaned me again, and then smacked my ass, ushering me out. Now he’s singing some damn song while finishing his shower.
“What, baby girl?” He pokes his head out.
I hold up the wrapped package and wave it at him. “This?”
“Looks like a present to me.” He quirks up an eyebrow.
“From Master Cock Ninja to The Pussy Goddess.” I tilt my head to the side.
“I’m not understanding why you’re confused.”
I toss a towel at his face, but he’s faster than me, ducking back in the shower. I shake my head and then rattle the box around. It doesn’t make any sound. I crack up at his chicken scratches on the package and the ludicrous names he’s given us. Only Jag.
I tear back the corners of the paper and then decide to wait until he’s out of the shower. I walk back out in the bedroom and place the package on the bed. I tuck in the horrendous polo shirt and slip on my shoes. The one downside to working at the diner is the uniform. I feel like a preppy school smurf in a royal blue polo and gag-worthy khakis.
“What did you think?” Jag struts out naked as the day he was born with water droplets dancing down his chest and valleys of muscle. He shakes his hair, sending water spraying everywhere. I cover my face in time, knowing it was coming. “Did you like it?”
His vision lands on the box next to me. The bed dips next to me. Jag’s thigh presses to mine. He nudges me in the side. I pluck the present from the bed and shred the wrapping paper to find a simple brown box. Half of me is nervous to open the box, and the other half is giddy, reminding me of Christmas mornings when I was a kid. Even in the foster system, those mornings were always the best.
He’s taped the shit out of the box, making it near impossible to open. Jag’s knee begins bouncing up and down waiting for me. Once the box is open, I pull out tissue paper and then finally another white box.
“A phone?” My jaw drops in shock.
“Yep, tired of not getting hold of my girlfriend.”
“Jag. This is too much.” I shake my head. “I don’t need one.”
“Yes, you do.” He pushes me back on the bed. “I want to sext you when I want and send as many dick pics as I please.”
His body covers mine. I shake my head but can’t help the laughter that escapes me. This man is crazy as hell. He thrusts his hips into my core.
“Fuck, I need you again,” he growls.
“Stop, Jag, I have to go.” My words don’t match my action as I loop an arm around his neck.
“The phone is all set up, baby. Be prepared for texts from your stud muffin.” Jag kisses the tip of my nose and jumps off me.
I have to make myself leave for work. This love stuff is ridiculous. I spend every single extra second with this man and still find it hard to leave him. It’s insane. The moment I shut the door and take two steps on the sidewalk, my new phone dings.
Monster Cock: What’s your favorite animal?
I smile like a lunatic at the message. This phone is going to be a major distraction.
Me: dogs.
Monster Cock: Was hoping you’d say squirrel.
Me: You’re odd.
Monster Cock: Ask me why, woman!
I bite the inside of my cheek and check my surroundings as I glance back down at my phone and continue walking the few blocks to the diner.
Me: Why?
Monster Cock: Because I want to bury my nuts in you.
I burst out laughing, getting some odd looks from strangers passing me on the sidewalk. I tuck my phone into my back pocket and pick up my pace, or I’ll be late. I make it just in time to serve the first customer. The morning passes without any hiccups. The breakfast crowd is always the best. The tips are hefty and the hours fly by. The only downside is I’m not a morning person.
Jill keeps a travel mug of coffee filled for me behind the counter. I’m so blessed to have her and Jerry in my life. I sneak into the bathroom during a lull in the rush. My phone beeps once again. My cheeks flush knowing it can only be one person. After washing my hands, I bring it back to life.
Monster Cock: Got a boo boo at the gym. Need a tit pic to make myself feel better.
Me: HaHa. No way. You can have the real things tonight.
Monster Cock: SUNNI…THIS ISN’T HOW IT WORKS!!! C’mon you need to be a team player here.
Me: Have to go back to work. Love you
Monster Cock: I gave Layla your number. She’ll fill you in, but there’s some fancy ball we have to go to tonight. Sorry for the late notice. It’s a sponsorship bullshit event, and you’re my date.
Butterflies flicker around in my belly. A giddy feeling takes over like I was just asked to the prom by my high school crush. My cheeks are flushed when I glance in the mirror. The rest of my shift goes by in a blur. I screw up a few orders since all I can think about is Jag wanting me by his side. I clock out and count up my tips from my shift. My savings are getting quite hefty since moving in with Jag.
I still can’t believe I did it. I could tell Jag was curious about my lack of personal items, but he never asked one question. He doesn’t push me, and that’s the only thing keeping me from a constant state of panic. The floor will fall out from underneath me. It’s inevitable. Until then I’m going to cherish every moment.
“Hey, Sunni!”
My heart stops when I hear my name. I look behind me to see Layla jogging up the sidewalk with Bella on her hip. I’d barely made it ten steps out of the diner.
“Hey.” Layla stops in front of me and places Bella down then hunches over, catching her breath. “I forgot to text you and was hoping I’d catch you.”
“Wunni!” Bella throws her little arms up. I don’t think twice before scooping her up, half shocked she knows my name. “Wag woves you.”
She pokes my cheek and giggles.
Layla rolls her eyes. “She loves playing on Jag’s phone. She looks at your pictures, and Jag tells her stories.”
“Oh.” I smile at the sweet, little girl. She could be one of the toddlers on commercials between her adorable features and larger than life personality.
“It’s a heck of a lot better than pics that used to be on his phone.” Layla begins walking, and I follow since I’m still clueless. “You’re the best thing that has ever happened to him. Never thought it would happen.”
“Never thought what would happen?” I ask, glancing over at Layla.
“He’d find a woman I approved of and fall in love with her.”
I shrug. “I’m the lucky one.”
“So, you know what’s going on here then?”
“Um, no. Jag texted me asking for a boob picture.”
“Boobies!” Bella squeals, pointing at her chest.
Layla purses her lips. “I swear one day revenge is going to be hell when Jag has kids.”
I don’t even have to ask. The happy gleam in Bella’s eyes and what she chirped has Jag written all over it. Layla rattles on about the ball and the sponsors hosting. Trick, Jag, Cruz, and Boss are VIPs at this event. It’s formal wear and one where lots of elbows will be rubbed and publicity will be plastered everywhere.
“You know a few months back when Cruz won his championship, Jag should’ve won his division. He got into his head, and then shit went downhill. Now with him winning again, the chatter is insane about his comeback.”
“He told me about his dad.”
Layla freezes. Shock plastered across her features as we walk into a quaint boutique off of Main Street. Bella squeals and wiggles around in my arms until I put her down. She races to the lady behind the counter with her arms up in the air.
“I spend way too much money here,” Layla leans in and whispers. “Bella is like the boutique's poster child. And I’m so happy Jag opened up to you about his dad. He’s going to need you there for him.”
I nod and fiddle with my fingers, pretending to admire the racks of clothes while she continues.
“I have a feeling his dad isn’t done messing with him. We will all be behind him when he comes.”
“Layla.” The store worker rounds the counter with Bella trailing behind her.
Bella has a lime green tutu on her head and doing her best to wiggle into it. Her grunts become louder as she tangles herself in it.
“Here, Bella.” I walk to her, crouching to her level. “I’ll help you.”
I take the tutu off her head and hold it in front of her. “You put your feet in first.”
“Choos. Choos.” She points at her blinged Chucks.
“Yes, it’s just fine. Watch me.” I stretch out the elastic and help her step in.
Her tongue darts out to the side as she concentrates on not tumbling over. I settle the elastic around her waist and fluff out the material.
Her arms shoot up in the air. Her tiny teeth light up her mouth as the highest pitch scream I’ve ever heard rolls off her tongue. She crashes into my chest, doing her best to wrap her arms around me. I kiss the top of her silky black hair and whisper, “Oh sweet Bella, I shouldn’t be around you. It hurts like hell to know with my past I’ll never be able to have children, especially when my history is revealed.”
Two hours later and two dresses purchased, the boutique looks like a tornado whipped through it. Bella tried on everything she could get her hands on and at one point was streaking through clothing racks only in a diaper. Marta, the store owner, was the sweetest lady I’d ever met.
The price tags on the fancy dresses were giving me hives. I’d been scratching my neck and tugging on my collar for the past thirty minutes. Marta, being a savvy saleswoman, picked up on that and informed me Jag left his credit card open and instructed her to make sure I got everything I needed. This didn’t help the itchy anxiety creeping over my skin. It, in fact, did the opposite. Between Marta and Layla, I ended up with a short elegant dress, heels, jewelry, and a clutch.
I pretended to watch Bella as she totaled my purchase and bagged all the items. The damn shopping bags were even classy with personalization on them. Now we’re on the sidewalk with handfuls of bags and sleeping Bella who passed out in my arms when her mom was checking out.
“I’m going to call Cruz to come get us. It will take me a year to walk back with her in my arms.” Layla digs in her oversized purse-diaper bag combo for her phone.
I sway back and forth, soaking in the sweet baby scent of Bella. Her chubby cheek presses into my shoulder. They’re rosy from her nonstop actions earlier. She’s a bundle of pure joy and peace.
I glance up in time to see a cop car creep by on the street. Out of instinct, I duck my head and turn quickly. My face and legal name are plastered on a list that cops track, and I’m holding a baby. Reality punches me in the gut. My knees grow weak, and my arms holding Bella quake in fear. This is going to all be ripped away from me in the blink of an eye. I’ve dragged innocent people into my life, and they’ll also be crushed when they learn the truth.
It’s my past. I chant over and over in my head. It’s my past. It’s not who I am. They’re old sins that rest on my soul. It’s not going to dictate my future. I’d convinced myself of all that right up until I met Jag. He brought me back to life, and now my secrets will destroy him and his friends.