Gabriel
“So how do you feel about that Gabriel?”
I look over to my therapist, Neil Lockwood. Ever since getting traded to Miami when I was 21 years old, I've been a wreck. The endless supply of addictions within grasp of a young man would break any mere mortal. My therapist would say that's bullshit, it all stemmed from her.
“Well I mean, I'm happier, not really happy but happier than I was.”
I shrug my shoulders, exhaling.
“Well that's a good start. Have you been drinkin’?”
I shake my head.
“Nah, that's never been the problem though, we both know that.”
He smiles and writes something in his notebook.
“You're catchin’ on, it's nice to see.”
“Been doin’ this for four years, ‘bout time I finally did, don't ya think?”
He laughs.
“So now I wont see you for a couple of months. Excited about the new draft class?”
“Excited, yeah. Keeps me on my toes.”
“Well I'm proud of you Gabriel. You've come a long way. Take care of yourself and I'll see you in a couple of months. I'm always here if you need me sooner.”
We both stand and shake hands as we move towards the door to his office. I leave the building, putting my sunglasses on top of my head and walk towards my car.
Everytime I leave these sessions I feel like a lighter man, but also a more broken one at the same time. When will I ever feel content? Will I ever?
Getting drafted to the Houston Lonestars at 18 was my dream. What I did not account for in those dreams was falling in love and then shattering her, us.
I got traded to the Miami Stingrays at 21 and it all went downhill from there. A couple years later they traded me back to Houston but it didn't matter.
Put a tiger in the wild, he's a tiger. Put a tiger in a cage, he's still a tiger. Until of course four years ago, when the guilt I had for abandoning my sister outweighed my rational thinking. I should have been there for her all these years. She should have never married that piece of shit.
I've kept my distance from the people I love. They don't need my baggage, they're all better off without me, especially her. She's probably moved on now, anyway. She was too perfect for someone not to snatch her up and put her on the pedestal that she deserved, the pedestal I should have kept her on.
Enough of that, Gabriel, you have a new draft class to mold. Focus on something you can actually change.
I look out at the new faces on the field and exhale. Another year. Although I'm happy to still be surrounded by the game, every season I can't help shake the feeling that I'm missing something.
I'm 36 years old, a has been major league baseball pitcher and now I manage rookie ball. I'm not as bitter as I was about it a couple years ago, but it still doesn't make me feel fulfilled.
I hear whistles to my right, so I look over and zone in on our new pitcher. Lefty, Devin Daniels from Louisiana turned down a full ride to Louie State. Eighteen. Hothead. Reminds me of myself. I know I need to straighten this kid out because the tape on him is incredible. He could really be something, if he got his temper on the field under control. I watch him warm up and walk over to introduce myself.
“Daniels, I'm Gabriel--”
“Gavinwood, I know. People call me DJ. Devin John. I'd prefer that sir,” he says, extending his hand to shake mine.
Strong handshake, good job kid.
“John, huh? That's my middle name, too. Where'd you say you were from?”
“I didn't sir. I'm from Arnaudville, Louisiana.”
“I know it. Grew up there,” I say, eyeing the boy.
“I know sir. They retired your number up on the wall in the gym. I'm a big fan...well up until you went and--”
He stops talking and his eyes widen when he realizes he was about to criticize me.
I'm used to it though, so I slap him on the shoulder and nod for him to continue throwing.
Something about this kid seems familiar but I just can't place it.
I continue to watch him throw and his skills amaze me. I motion for our pitching coach to pull out the speed gun and tell DJ that I want to clock him, after he’s warmed up.
When he says he's ready to go, I set up the gun and tell him to let it rip.
He takes his stance and looks forward. He looks behind him and fiddles with the ball in his glove. His front knee goes up high, as his arm slings back and launches forward, sending the ball curling into the glove of my catcher. I look down at the gun. 101. Damn.
“Nice start kid, but we got alotta work ahead of us.”
He laughs and walks over to me, looking at the gun.
“101? Come on coach, that's fire right there,” he says smugly.
“Arrogance will get ya nowhere,” I grumble and walk towards my pitching coach.
“Got a little whiplash over there, deja vu going back and forth between the two of y'all, ” says Tony, our pitching coach
“I wasn't that bad. Kids already planning how he's gonna spend his first big league check, you can see it,” I say, shaking my head.
“Looks a lot like you and the attitude is about the same. You didn't think you were that bad because you weren't standing on my side of things,” he says laughing.
I look back over to DJ and he's laughing with a couple of the guys. Something inside me stirs and comes alive. This might be the most excited I've been about this job since I was sent down here four years ago. The potential this kid has is endless, and I get to be the one to teach him.
***
“Ya know, my mama was right about you,” says DJ, as I stand on the sidelines, watching him run suicides.
He decided to flamethrow all morning, after I told him he was done. Kid's gonna burn out his arm before he even hits double A or worse, injuries.
He's been a smartass for the past two months, showing off at every turn and I'm sick and tired of it.
“Oh yeah? How's that?”
“Said you were probably an asshole,” he says out of breath, continuing the sprints.
“She go to North High, too?”
“Older than you,” he says between breaths. “Never met you.”
“Well then, I guess she shouldn't judge a book by its cover,” I say smugly.
For some reason, his comment irks me. I wasn't always a dick. I thought I was pretty pleasant in HS. I had her. When I lost her, that's when all hell started to break loose.
“Wrap it up,” I say, twirling my finger in a circle.
“Listen, you need to start listenin’ to me. I'm only here to help you get better. If I say slow it down, slow it down. The last thing you need is Tommy John surgery, before you even hit the majors.”
He stops running and bends forward panting, his hands on his knees.
“Alright I get it.”
“Not major league shape yet, huh?”
“I've been trainin’ all spring with my mama. I'm ready I just...couldn't sleep last night, I'm tired,” he says, catching his breath.
“Why are you not gettin’ sleep?”
“Its nothin’. I'll be back to normal tomorrow.”
“DJ a big part of this team is communication. If we can't communicate we start to have problems. Whatever's got ya up at night is affectin’ your game, so we figure it out together, deal?”
He nods and exhales.
“I just...it's just me, my mama and my sister. Now it's just my mama, I guess...I just wanna make sure she's alright. She says she is, but I can tell by her voice, she ain't,” he says, shaking his head.
He straightens up and sits down on the grass, his arms draped over his knees.
“Where’d your sister go?” I ask curiously.
“Louie State. She plays softball and she's damn good,” he says proudly.
The hair on my arm stands at attention and my gaze snaps to his.
“Softball huh? Y'all are a ball family?”
“Yep. My mama was going to Louie on a full ride for softball but then...well she didn't. She says my dad was good at ball, too. Went to Louie State to play also but…sorry, I'm ramblin’,” he says laughing, looking up at me.
“No, it’s fine. What happened to your dad?”
“Took off when my mama was pregnant with me and my sister. Went to State and she never heard from him again, so I don't know,” he says, shaking his head.
“You and your sister. You're a…”
“Twin...yeah.”
“Let me ask ya somethin’, DJ. What's your mama's name? I might know her after all,” I say, as the pieces slowly start to fall into place and I panic.
“Charlotte, but some people call her Charlie,” he says, as the shock invades my body.
I still and stare at him. Daniels. Devin John Daniels. How the fuck did I miss that last name.
“And you're eighteen?” I ask, just needing to be sure, even though I know the reality.
“Yep. Be 19 in January, the 8th,” he answers.
I mentally do the math in my head. The memory comes smacking me in the face, because the reality is that Charlotte Daniels did have my baby. Both of them.
***
So, Mr. Prom King I have somethin’ to tell you,” she says, kissing my lips softly, as we sway to the music.
“What is that, Miss Prom Queen,” I say smiling, fixing her crown, so it is straight on her head.
“I...I don’t know how you’re goin’ to take it,” she says nervously.
“Charlie, whatever it is, you can tell me. I love you, you know, nothin’ can change that,” I say, pushing a stray hair away from her face.
“I...I think I’m pregnant. I haven’t gone to the doctor yet but I’m late, and I think I even missed a period in May too, and I took a test and...” she breaks off and I know she's searching my face for a reaction.
My arms go stiff against her body and I feel my face pale.
“Charlie...Jesus Christ,” I say, running my hands through my hair. “How…”
“How do you think, Gabe? We can’t keep our hands off each other, it was bound to happen. We were reckless and not always careful. I didn’t think anything of it, and I guess you didn’t either but...we’ll get through it though. Together, right?” she asks with hope in her voice, putting her hand on my cheek, smiling at me.
I look down at her and her smile falters.
“I...we have to take care of this Charlie, you know I can’t be a father right now.”
“Take care of it? Gabriel that's a sin we can't-”
“And havin’ a baby outta wedlock ain't? Your daddy would kill us both. Dammit, I need to think about this, but we have to...shit, I need some air,” I say, pulling away from her.
I can't do this right now. My future and my dream is so close, how could I have fucked this up so badly? We need to see if this is for real and if it is, we have to take care of it. We both have big plans for the future and neither one of them include a baby.
Charlotte
I type furiously on my computer with the two minutes I have until my first client meeting. I feel the sweat dripping down my back and try not to concentrate on the nervousness.
Mr. Antonio Chavez is the shortstop for the Atlanta Storm. He's 25, likes to party, getting into trouble and he needs to clean up his act before he is paying fines, bigger than his actual salary.
I hear my phone buzz and I jump. I reach to press for the intercom and the receptionist’s voice echos off my office walls.
“Mr. Chavez is here, Charlotte.”
“Sure, Tess send him back.”
I stand and straighten my skirt. I run a hand to smooth out the front of my shirt and play with my hair a couple of seconds. I want to look professional and presentable and not screw up the chance that Savannah gave me.
My door opens and a tall, tan and impeccably groomed man walks through the door. His olive skin is flawless, and his face is made of stone. His hair is styled without one strand out of place and his face is clean shaven. His smile is so white, it blinds me, and it's aimed right at me.
“When Coach told me about doing some PR work, I would have been less reluctant, if I knew I was going to be working with such beauty,” says the smooth voice, with a hint of a Spanish accent.
He closes the distance between us and my words are caught in my throat as he reaches for my hand and kisses the top. Is this guy for real?
“Uh Mr. Chavez, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Charlotte Daniels,” I say, politely smiling and pulling my hand away.
“Believe me, the pleasure is all mine,” he says, dropping his voice even lower.
I clear my throat and take a step back, turning to move around my desk and put some distance between us. The past eighteen years, I forgot what it's like for a man to look at me with a hunger in his eyes. Granted, I get the drunk fools at the pub hitting on me all the time but this is different. Chavez is sober and smooth, and I have to draw the line before he crosses it.
“So, I'm told you need some good press. Savannah has drawn up a plan and I just implement it with marketing strategies. How about we go over the two events we have lined up, I'll show you what we expect from you and we can bounce around any other ideas? Whatever we come up with, I'll send over to management on your end and y'all can discuss and come back to us. Sound good?”
“Your accent is adorable, Bonita,” Chavez says smiling. “What do you think of mine?”
His smile is meant to be seductive, but I look down and steel myself.
“Mr. Chavez, with all due respect, we should keep this relationship professional,” I say with conviction.
His smiles grows wider and winks.
“Of course, mi alma.”
I let out a frustrated breath and lean over the desk, to show Chavez the plans. I turn my computer screen so that he can see, but I'm well aware that his eyes are on my cleavage and he has no interest in the events Savannah has planned for him.
After I talk all about the marketing strategy that I plan to use to promote the meet and greet in two weeks, I look over to him and his gaze snaps up to mine.
“So, any feedback? Anything you wanna change?” I ask.
“Not at all. The brains and the beauty, I trust you,” he says, reaching out for my hand across the desk.
I keep it firm and shake his hand. He smiles, knowing exactly what I'm doing and walks slowly to the door. With his hand on the knob he turns around.
“I'll be in touch, linda.”
He walks out the door and I plop down in my seat. Savannah pokes her head in the door with a smile.
“How'd it go with Chavez?” she asks.
“He’s uh...smooth.”
“He hit on you, didn't he?” she says frustrated.
“Yeah…”
“Dammit. I'll straighten him out next time. It's tough bein’ a woman in this field. Keep your head up and don't take any shit. You'll be fine.”
“Yeah,” I say weakly.
“Oh Charlotte, please say you ain't lettin’ that asshole get to you. I swear I'll call him back here and we'll stomp his balls together.”
“No, it ain't that,” I say laughing. “It's just...I miss the kids. I'm so happy workin’ here but the house is quiet. I mean before the kids I was always by your house with Gabriel or he was by mine. I don't know how to be alone,” I say defeated.
I love being able to relax and sip a nice glass of wine as I cuddle with a good book, but I would be lying if I said I didn't miss the chaos.
“Let's go out tonight,” Savannah says, jumping up from her seat.
“I...I don't know Sav. I don't even think I have clothes to go out anymore and if I do, they probably don't fit.”
“Oh shut up! You look exactly the same as you did in high school. I swear, if you didn't tell me you had kids, I would have never guessed. You look as good as ever. Finish up the paperwork on Chavez and let's go!” she says, walking to the door.
I smile and roll my eyes.
“Fine. Gimme five minutes.”
We hail a cab outside the office and drive into downtown. We stop outside of a bar and Savannah throws cash to the cab driver.
“I got drinks,” I say, as she weaves her arm through mine.
“We’ll see,” she says, smiling devilishly.
We show our IDs to the security guard outside and walk in. The crowd is young, really young, and I immediately feel out of place. I follow Savannah towards the bar and she motions to the bartender.
“Two red wines, Malbec?” she asks, looking over to me. I nod.
The bartender grabs the bottle, sets our glasses down and pours the wine. We grab the glasses and clink them together.
“To new beginnings,” Savannah says.
I smile and nod.
“So, what do you think about the company so far? You enjoyin’ it?”
“I love it. You structured the company so well, it's a dream.”
“Thanks. I structured it the same way as my first company. It worked out well there so-”
“Savvy Gavinwood?”
I turn at the sound of a southern drawl and my heart stops in my chest. The face attached to the voice comes into view and I let out a breath. I look over at Savannah questioningly and her jaw is on the floor. Her eyes shamelessly roam down the man in front of us and I stifle a giggle.
“H..Hi Jax,” she stutters.
Oh. I need to know the story behind this.
“How ya been, Savvy?”
Her cheeks redden and the man notices, smirking.
“Great you?” she asks quickly.
“I'm good. In town for a game, headin- back out tomorrow. You want a drink?” he asks, nodding towards the bar.
Her gaze snaps to me and the man finally notices she's not alone.
“My mama would smack me, where are my manners? I'm Jackson Turner,” he says, putting his hand towards me.
I shake it and smile.
“Charlotte Daniels.”
His eyes widen slightly, but then his expression changes.
“Nice to meet you,” he says cooly.
He thinks I didn't notice that little slip up, but I did. I'll have to ask Savannah about that later.
“Can I get y'all drink?”
“We’re havin’ a girl's night, I’m sorry,” Savannah says. “It was great to see you, Jax.”
She grabs my hand and drags me away from the bar and Jackson.
“What was that about?” I ask.
“One of Gabriel's old friends from Houston.”
“Oh yeah? Looked more than that. He knew who I was, didn't he?”
“Gabriel probably talked about you, a lot but no, we never...it wasn't like that with us.”
“Hmm I'm not buyin’ it, but I'm also not in the mood to talk about men. Let's get drunk, I'm sleepin’ over,” I say laughing.
“Deal.”
She smiles at me and I feel our friendship starting to grow again. I know when I tell her about the twins, she is going to be hurt, but hopefully whatever we've been mending, can withstand it.
Charlotte
I park my truck and walk towards the facility and immediately see Devin. He's talking to another boy about his height and they are laughing. It's only been a few months, but his arms look more muscular and his upper body looks more filled out. I see some scruff on his face and I shake my head.
“Hey Daniels, they don't give you razors in rookie ball?” I yell to him.
He looks over and his face breaks into a smile. He runs towards me and picks me up, spinning me and I laugh.
“I've missed you Mama,” he whispers in my ear.
I hear the emotion he is trying to hide, and I push my own emotion deep down inside and lock it up.
“Baby, look at you,” I say, pulling back from our hug and grabbing his shoulders. “Where did these muscles come from?” I ask, smacking his chest.
He blushes and the boy he was talking to comes up next to him.
“Well, DJ told me he didn't have a girl, but apparently he's been holdin’ out on us. If he don't treat you right sweetie, you come on over to daddy Maclin,” says the boy, grabbing my hand and kissing the top of it.
I shake my head furiously.
“That's my mama, Mac,” Devin says through gritted teeth.
The boy's eyes widen, and he drops my hand quickly.
“S..so sorry ma'am,” he says stuttering.
I look down at my appearance and I guess I could pass for a teenager. My hair is pulled up high in a messy bun and I opted for my glasses today, rather than my contacts. I'm sporting a Louie State softball sweatshirt and I have on jeans and sneakers.
Considering I had the twins at eighteen years old, my only being 36 and having two eighteen year olds myself, always threw people for a loop. I laugh and shake my head.
“Nice to meet you, Maclin. You takin’ care of my baby, here?” I ask, winking at Devin.
“Y..yes ma'am,” he says, still shocked.
I pat Devin on the back and we start walking towards the building.
“Let's go meet this coach of yours. Y'all gettin’ along better or still buttin’ heads?” I ask curiously.
I feel Devin stiffen under my touch and pull his arm to stop him.
“I uh...you ain't gonna be happy when you meet him,” he says, looking down at the ground.
“Why's that?” I ask curiously.
“Let's just say you ain't a fan of his,” he says, continuing to walk and opens the door to let me walk through first.
“What's so bad about Tony Brighton? Grandpa Hank was a big fan of his back in the day. I can't wait to meet him.”
“Well yeah, that's my pitchin’ coach. Here let's get some food.”
He lightly pushes more towards the buffet line and I look around.
“Where's your sister? I thought she was hitchin’ a ride with her roommate yesterday?” I ask, grabbing a plate.
“We uh..went out last night. She's sleepin’ it off,” he says smirking.
“Devin Daniels, you're supposed to watch out for your sister, not corrupt her!” I scold him.
“She’s fine, I took care of her. She tried to keep up with the boys and me.”
“Well ain't you supposed to be playin, ball and not partyin’ it up like spring break?” I ask, admonishing him.
“Take it easy Mama, it wasn't like that. We all just went over to one of the guys places and had a good time. Nothin’, crazy, she's fine,” he says, putting a hand on my shoulder to reassure me.
The twins were never much of partiers in high school, but now that they're not at home, it makes me nervous that I have no idea what kinds of trouble they're getting into.
I shake my head and walk down the food line, grabbing some salad, a couple pieces of steak and a sandwich. I turn away from the line and run right into a hard body, spilling my food all over his t shirt.
My nostrils flare with the familiar scent and I freeze. I slowly look up the perfectly chiseled chest, up past a thick neck with a bobbing adam's apple, past some chin stubble and a hard set jaw. My eyes graze over thick lips, lips I've devoured for hours on end, lips that have feasted on every part of me. I look past the crooked nose that was broken back in HS defending my honor. I finally get to the eyes of the man I just spilled my whole lunch on, the bluest eyes, the eyes that I've looked into for the past eighteen years, my son's eyes, Gabriel's eyes, his father.
“Hi Charlie,” he says slowly, smiling.
The shock on my face isn't mirrored in his and my eyebrows pinch together.
“G..Gabriel,” I stutter.
“Mama, this is my coach Gabriel Gavinwood. Coach, this is my mama Char--”
“Charlie Daniels.”
He says my name sexily as his smile widens.
“How the hell are ya, Charlie?”
“So y'all do know each other?” Devin asks from next to us.
I shake my head to clear my gaze and my eyes snap to Gabriel's.
“Oh yeah, we know each other,” I say cooly.
Gabriel and I just stare at each other and Devin clears his throat.
“I uh...I'm gonna go grab us a table,” says Devin, walking away from us.
Gabriel's smile falters and he grabs my hand, dragging me down a corridor off to the side. He pulls us into a room and slams the door shut behind him.
“I knew it! I had all these suspicions when I met Devin and it all fell into place,” he says, turning on me.
He walks briskly towards me and I step back, bumping against the wall.
“You have some explainin’ to do Charlotte,” he says, lowering his voice.
“You knew? What, were you plannin’ on ambushin’ me like this?” I ask, pushing against his chest.
He doesn't move, and I huff out a breath.
“I had my suspicions the more he talked. From the same small town, lefty, the eyes, the attitude, he's a twin, Mama that was supposed to go play at Louie state, Devin John Daniels,” he spats.
“Congratulations Sherlock, you figured it out,” I say sarcastically. “Now let me go, so I can spend time with, my son,” I say, trying to move past him again.
He grabs my shoulder and pins me back against the wall, the spot where he touched me screaming for more attention. My body immediately comes alive and it's like no time has passed at all. It reaches out for Gabriel's touch, just like it always had.
Whenever we were together, there was always one part of our body that always had to be touching. I needed his touch to keep me alive. Whenever we were apart, it felt like a piece of me was missing. Half of my heart is sleeping off a hangover and the other half is in the next room, but I feel a small piece of my heart sliding into place at Gabriel's touch. A very small piece but a piece, nonetheless.
My breath hitches and I look down at the contact. Gabriel notices and pulls his hand away, as if it's been burnt.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you,” he says, shaking his head.
I don't know if he means right now or eighteen years ago, but I put my hand up to protest.
“We can talk, I owe you that much, but don't put your hands on me again. Let me have a day with my son,” I say, brushing past him.
“What do you need, Charlotte? At least tell me that.”
“I haven’t needed anything from you for eighteen years, Gabriel. I've handled things well on my own so far, I can handle the rest, thanks. If you haven’t noticed, no one has been bangin’ down your door for child support, they're eighteen now. We have it covered.”
“Charlie…” he says, his voice pleading.
Do not look into his eyes. Do. Not. Look. Into. His. Eyes. Don’t do it Charlotte. I swear to...dammit.
“Gabriel…”
I shake my head and close my eyes, silently pleading with him to not jerk me around.
He is so close, I can smell his cologne. The same scent. He wore the same cologne all these years later. I can't handle this. I thought I was stronger than this, but I’m not. I open my eyes and walk towards the door.
“Are you gonna tell him or should I?” he asks, stopping me in my tracks.
The moment is over and I wheel around, gritting my teeth.
“Don't you dare. You and I will have it out and we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. So help me God, Gabriel Gavinwood, if you tell my son behind my back, I will fuckin’ castrate you.”
“Always with that filthy mouth,” he says, his voice dripping with sex.
He puts his hand on the hem of his t shirt and pulls it up over his body, tossing it on the floor.
My God. The tall cut boy transformed into a man. Muscles on top of muscles coat his bare chest and arms and his veins pulse through his tan skin. What would it feel like to have all that power commanding my body?
“What...what the hell are ya doin’?” I shriek, my voice high and breathy.
“You dirtied my shirt, remember?”
He rummages around in his closet and I shake my head. I turn on my heels walking back towards the door, but he is in front of me, blocking the way out.
“Don't deny this chemistry, Charlotte. You still feel it.”
He smiles against my neck and kisses it. I don't know how long we stand there, but when I open my eyes, three things occur to me: he’s gone, my panties are wet and I am royally screwed.
“What was that about? I thought you said y'all didn't know each other?” Devin asks, eying me.
I pick through my food, looking down.
“Did I say that?” I feign confusion, still not making eye contact with him.
“I should have told you he was my coach, but I know you ain't a big fan of his, so I just...never said nothin’.”
“It's fine, Dev. How's trainin’ been?” I ask, changing the subject.
If I think too much more about Gabriel, I'll start to have thoughts that I shouldn't be having, while talking to my son.
“Good, tough. I'm learning a lot though. Coach is a douche, but he knows his stuff.”
“Good, I'm glad. I can't wait to watch your first game,” I say smiling, pinching his cheek.
He shakes my hand off and looks up and over my shoulder.
“She lives,” he smirks.
I turn around and see Bella walking towards us, her hair in a messy bun, glasses on and her Louie State sweatshirt, matching me.
“Shut up,” she snaps, sitting down next to me, giving Devin the stink eye.
“Bella Daniels, I thought I taught you better than that,” I say, shaking my head.
She grumbles and lets her head fall on the table.
“Stop talkin’ so loud Mama,” she says, her voice muffled by her sweatshirt sleeve.
“Get some food in you and go grab some water. Did you take anything?”
I run my hand up her back, trying to soothe her.
“Advil. I need more sleep.”
I sigh and shake my head as I move to get her a plate of some food. I pile on bread and bacon along with some eggs and grab her a water bottle.
As I walk back to the table, I feel eyes on me and look around. My gaze locks on Gabriel and I look away quickly. I walk over to the table and sit, sliding the plate over to Bella. I look up again and see Gabriel staring at Bella. His face softens, but then his eyes jump to mine and his expression is stone again.
***
“You want this Charlotte. I can smell how much you want this,” Gabriel says in a harsh whisper.
His breath is hot on my neck and my face heats.
“Yes,” I say, grabbing his face and pulling it down to mine. “I do, I want it. Give it to me, please,” I say, pulling my dress over my head and unsnapping my bra quickly.
He pulls my thong down my legs and lifts me up in the air, my legs immediately wrapping around his waist. The zipper of his jeans, brushes against my clit and I gasp.
“Look at you,” he says, his voice deep and dangerous. “All wanton and beggin’, naked against my body and I'm fully clothed. You want me so bad, baby cakes,” he says smirking.
“Don't be an ass,” I say, as I shamelessly grind myself against his zipper.
He curses and undoes the zipper in one swift motion and pulls his boxers down with his jeans. He fists his thick length in his hand and I look down, my mouth hanging open. I watch as my body slowly sucks him in, inch by inch.
“You're droolin’ on my cock, Charlotte.”
I snap my mouth shut and look up at him, pinching my brows together.
“You're so arrogant,” I pout, and that pout slowly turns into a moan, as he shoves the rest of himself inside me in one hard thrust.
I grab onto his shoulders, digging my nails into his skin, as he plants his feet firmly on the floor. His rough hands grip my thighs and he starts to hammer into me. His hands move down to my ass, as he squeezes and pulls me down to his body, with each thrust, pushing him deeper and deeper inside of me.
“You missed my cockiness, didn't ya baby cakes?” he says, emphasizing the cock in cockiness.
I nod my head because I can't speak. My throat is being choked at the hands of lust and I don't want this spell to be broken.
“Come for me Charlie. Give me everything,” he says, picking up his pace.
My back is thumping against the wall and I feel my inner walls start to constrict.
“Yes...so close...fuck Gabe...yes,” I say, as my body starts to explode.
I hear a ringing in my ear, but ignore it. I concentrate on the feel of him, moving in and out, his shaft running up against my clit as he moves feverishly, but I hear ringing again.
I bolt upright in bed and I'm soaked in sweat. I'm panting and I look over to the other bed. Thank God Bella is a deep sleeper because I don't seem to have woken her.
I remember that night like it was just last night. Gabriel went to his grandfather's house in Florida for the summer break before senior year and I went a whole summer without his touch. We couldn't even make it up to his bedroom, he took me against the front foyer wall, while his parents were out at dinner.
I clutch my chest and get out of bed, silencing the alarm on my phone. I search through my suitcase and bring clothes into the hotel bathroom to shower and change.
It is 6:30 and Devin is still at practice for another half hour. There's going to be a farewell family breakfast at 9 in the event hall and then Bella and I are headed back to Louisiana, me dropping her back to school, before heading home.
I turn the hot water on and step into the shower. I can't believe how my body still responds to Gabriel after all this time. One quick encounter and he's invading my dreams again.
During my pregnancy, I had frequent dreams. Very real dreams, that usually ended with me waking up in a sweat, with soaked panties and a throbbing clit. Having to deal with raging hormones from twins and mixing that with a body, that had a very healthy sex life, ripped away suddenly, did not help quell the horny eighteen year old me.
All the masturbation in the world couldn't quell my hunger, but once the twins came, luckily, it was a big enough distraction away from missing Gabriel and the passion we shared. My sex life since Gabriel has been non existent, except for that night with Brantley. It really shouldn't even count, because I barely remember it.
Being close to Gabriel again, my body remembers how amazing we were together, and it wants that bliss again. Sorry body, not happening.