Chapter Ten
Nick
The alarm on my phone went off at six but Kelly didn’t stir at all as I reached to the nightstand and silenced it. She was on her stomach next to me with one leg and one arm draped over my body. Before meeting her almost twelve months before, it had been years since I’d slept all night in bed with a woman. I should have known she was different the first time I woke up in her bed last fall. Cuddling with Kelly was something I could definitely get used to.
I slowly extracted myself from her limbs and pulled on my navy blue pants and the matching t-shirt. I brushed my teeth, ran a comb through my hair, and walked back to the bed. I brushed the hair off of Kelly’s face so I could press a kiss to her cheek. She shifted slightly but didn’t wake and I left her in bed to head out to the living room with my backpack.
Owens was sitting at the kitchen table with a muffin and a cup of coffee as he smiled. I couldn’t see Megan but I could hear her and knew that’s who he was smiling at. He was dressed in the exact same clothes I was and he nodded his head when he caught sight of me.
“Hey.”
“Morning,” I replied as I moved into the kitchen area. Megan was leaning against the cupboard in a pair of blue scrubs and with a coffee mug in her hands. She smiled when she saw me.
“Good morning, Nick. Have some coffee and a muffin.”
“Thanks, Gold.” Once I had both, I sat across from Owens at the table and ate in silence while the two of them spoke.
“I forgot to tell you, the check engine light came on yesterday in my car,” Megan said very nonchalantly, but Owens groaned.
“I don’t know how you do it, babe. I don’t.” He stood and put his coffee mug in the dishwasher before pinning Megan to the counter with his body. “I’ll come get it tomorrow while you’re at work and see if I can figure out what the problem is.”
“Thanks, Si.”
When they started kissing, I averted my gaze and stuffed the rest of my muffin in my mouth. Once my mug was put away, I waved at them both and went out to my car. I beat Owens to the station by about ten minutes and checked my gear before dropping my shit in my bunkroom.
“If Owens gives me fucking bathroom duty again, I’m going to punch him in his smug face,” Hughes grumbled as he walked in the bunkroom and dropped his bag. “I hate that fucker.”
I didn’t reply. The Owens/Hughes feud had put me squarely in the middle. Hughes and I had been friends since he started five years before and roommates for almost as long. Owens and I had become friends instantly when I’d joined the 21st Company at nineteen and he’d transitioned into my closest friend somewhere along the way. It was a shitty place to be.
Captain Stevenson’s voice came over the PA, calling us down to the garage, and I followed Hughes out of the room. We all crowded in a small circle and Cap informed us that we had a shit ton of fire inspections to do for the day. Owens stepped forward after that and announced that it was time for our yearly physicals. A doctor would be coming by over the next few weeks to examine each of us, which was no surprise to anyone. After that, he handed out assignments. I pulled laundry duty and Hughes ended up with kitchen clean-up but still muttered under his breath.
“What the fuck is that on your hand, Christos?” The captain barked when I reached up to scratch my shoulder. Everyone turned their heads to look at me and Owens just smiled. I glanced at my ring before looking back at the captain.
“I got married.”
No one said anything for a minute but it was Dickerson who finally spoke up first.
“You? The guy who screws at least one new girl a week?”
I rolled my eyes as I nodded. “That’s an exaggeration but I don’t need anyone but my wife.”
“Who the fuck did you marry?” Hughes asked with a confused look on his face and I cleared my throat.
“Kelly Gold.”
“Are you kidding me?” Jones asked from where she was standing with her arms crossed, fury on her face. “You and Kelly got married?”
“Is that why you smell like fruit?” Trujillo laughed as he leaned in and made a show of sniffing my hair.
“Okay. That’s enough. Go do your shit and then you can continue busting Christos’ balls.” The captain waved everyone away but said my name before I could move. “My office.”
Owens chuckled while he walked away and I just sighed as I followed our boss. He immediately sat behind his desk and started digging around in his drawer.
“I don’t know Kelly as well as I know Megan,” Captain said quietly after I’d taken a seat. “But I know that both girls are extraordinary and deserve everything available in life. Owens swears he can offer that to Megan but can you offer that to Kelly?”
No, probably not. I would offer her everything I could while I could, though.
“I’m going to try,” I replied quietly and the captain nodded.
“Start by filling this shit out. Get her on your health insurance and make sure she’s your beneficiary for your life insurance and pension. Got it?”
“Yes, sir.” I took the packet he handed me and felt completely overwhelmed. “I’ll sit down with her tomorrow night and get it done.”
The captain leveled me with a hard look. “If I catch you putting your dick into anyone else while you’re married to this young lady, I will end you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” I repeated with a nod. We just stared at each other for a moment and he eventually gestured to the door.
“Get out.”
I did as he said and took the stairs two at a time so I could drop the paperwork in my bunkroom. Hughes walked in as I was shoving it into my backpack and shook his head.
“You seriously married her? I knew you guys were hanging out, maybe fucking, but why the hell would you marry her?”
I straightened up and looked at him. “Because I love her.”
“Bullshit,” he replied with a scoff. “She’s hot but so much drama. I don’t think anyone could love that.”
“Don’t talk shit about Kelly.” My voice was a warning and he just rolled his eyes.
“Whatever. You made a mistake, dude.”
I watched as my roommate turned and walked out of the room. Married or not, he knew that Kelly and I were close and I really wanted to kick his ass. Kelly actually was pretty low-key drama wise. The shit with her douche bag boyfriend hadn’t been her fault and she’d handled it really well. She was a cool chick and I was fucking lucky to call her my friend. And my wife.
I went through all the bunkrooms and stripped the sheets, blankets, and pillow cases before remaking each bed. After that, I took the linens, towels, and other random laundry down to the garage and stuck it all in our washing machines. An hour later, those of us on engine duty went to the grocery store and started our inspections. Kelly and I texted each other throughout the day but that wasn’t anything new. The texts were just random conversation about how our days were going but they had been the best part of my days for months.
Jones cornered me at one point and threatened my balls if I hurt Kelly. Unlike the others, she didn’t look fooled one bit when I tried to say that we married for love. She just continued to threaten me and muttered different obscenities under her breath.
The shift was long but all of the calls were medical emergencies, vehicles accidents, and other random alerts. The fire alarm hadn’t gone off once by the time we disbursed to head to our vehicles on Thursday morning. I went home and crashed for a few hours before waking up and going to Kelly’s place. I joined her at the gym later that afternoon and we spent the evening watching TV while she tried to catch up on her work. I ended up falling asleep first and when her alarm went off Friday morning, she was pressed up to me as she slept.
After the girls had gone to work, I hung out with Owens while we changed the oil and brake pads in Megan’s car. He'd already managed to get the check engine light off when he tightened her gas cap for her the day before.
“I swear,” he said as he closed the hood once we were done. “I didn't believe her dad when he said she was a magnet for car trouble, but she really is.”
I chuckled and wiped my hands on a towel. “Maybe it's the car.”
“Apparently this has spanned ten years and two or three cars.”
I helped him put all of his tools in the back of his truck and he sighed.
“This shit would be easier with a garage.”
I took a drink of the lukewarm water that I'd brought out two hours before. “Is there a point where you think you and Megan would move into a house?”
“Honestly, I'd like to do it before the year’s over,” he replied with a nod. We began walking towards the apartment and he glanced over at me. “Megan doesn't want to leave Kelly, though. If she knows that her sister isn't going to be alone then I can probably make it happen.”
I looked at my feet and hated myself. If they moved out, Kelly would be alone at that very point the following year. Maybe if that happened, I could move in and take Megan's old room for a while. Fuck.
Owens left shortly after that to go pick up Megan from work since she only worked a half day and he had her car. I made myself a sandwich and hung out in Kelly’s room for the rest of the afternoon.
My mother had called to double check that Kelly and I were coming for dinner on Sunday. Kelly had been able to talk her parents into lunch that day so we were truly getting a double dose of parents. When I mentioned to my mom that Kelly was a vegetarian, she paused for a moment but then continued speaking as if I hadn’t said anything.
When my doctor’s office called to let me know that I was perfectly healthy and free of any sexually transmitted shit, I released a happy sigh. I wasn’t sure if I was more relieved that I was STI free or more relieved that I could have sex with Kelly. It was a pretty solid tie. I pulled out my phone to text her and the reply was almost instant.
Me: Do you remember how it feels when I’m buried deep inside of you, Kelly?
Kelly: Are we sexting now? I’m kind of an awkward sexter, to be honest.
Me: Do you?
Kelly: It’s been ten months but I think I vaguely remember.
Me: Plan on being reminded tonight.
Kelly: Yeah? Does that mean that none of your skanky exploits gave you the clap then?
Me: Keep sassing. It’s turning me on.
Kelly: I can do many amazing things with this mouth, Nicky. Sassing is just one of them. My client’s here. See you in a bit.
I groaned as I let the phone drop to my chest. That last line really had turned me on. She had such a spunky attitude that she owned. Some girls tried to be feisty but it was usually so halfheartedly done. Kelly took it all the way and maybe even further sometimes.
After the longest three hours of my life, the front door opened and I could hear Kelly greeting Owens and Megan who had been home for over an hour. She appeared in the doorway a minute later but leaned against it rather than coming in.
“Hey.”
I sat up from where I had been laying on the bed. “Hey. Work okay?”
“It was fine.” A small smirk ghosted on her lips as she folded her arms across her chest. “Megan’s making spaghetti for dinner.”
The small talk was killing me and she knew it. I just stared at her rather than responding and after a moment, a smile overtook her face.
“Am I making you crazy?”
“You always make me crazy, Kelly,” I replied honestly as my own smile flit to my lips.
We continued our stare down for another few moments before Kelly finally stepped into the room and shut the door behind her. She took several steps forward and paused at the foot of the bed.
“Take off your clothes.”
I didn’t even hesitate. My shirt came off first and I stood so I could pull off my shorts and underwear at the same time. I stayed on my feet and started to take a step towards her, but Kelly shook her head as her eyes ran down my naked body appreciatively.
“Lay back on the bed. In the middle.”
I did. I put my hands behind my head so I could watch her from my spot and she raised her eyebrows.
“Already ready, huh?”
“Beyond ready, Kel.” And I was. My dick was so hard that it almost hurt. I wasn’t sure what turned me on more… Just the thought of being with her or her bossy tone.
She slowly removed her shoes and socks before tugging her shirt up over her head. The sight of her white bra did more for me than it probably should have and my breathing immediately picked up. Her fingers hooked in the waistband of her sports shorts and she pushed them until they fell to her ankles, leaving her standing in just her bra and a pair of red underwear that barely covered her.
I swallowed before moving so I was propped up on my elbows. “This is the best and worst torture I’ve ever been subjected to.”
Kelly didn’t reply but instead reached back to unhook her bra. Her magnificent breasts bounced slightly as they were freed from their restraints and her pert nipples made my mouth water. She reached back and pulled the hair tie from her ponytail, allowing her long, brown hair to tumble down to the tops of her breasts. The underwear was dragged down her legs and Kelly was finally naked before me with her hands on her hips. Her dark eyes stared at me with lust and determination. I loved the way her chest heaved because it proved that she was just as turned on as I was.
“The nightstand on your left has condoms in it. Get one and put it on.”
“Fuck,” I murmured, loving her commanding tone as I reached over to do as I was told. I ripped the package open as quickly as I could before rolling the rubber down my throbbing erection. I dropped my head back to the pillow and watched as she slowly got on the bed. Her pace was like a snail as she moved over my body on her hands and knees.
After what felt like an hour, she was straddling my waist as she leaned down to press a kiss to my neck. I couldn’t handle it, though. I gripped a handful of her hair and slammed our mouths together. I was kissing her so hard that I was sure I was bruising her lips, but she didn’t complain. Her tongue flicked against mine and I used my free hand to grip her thigh.
When she pulled her mouth from mine, she tried to straighten up and I released my grip on her hair. I followed the action with my head and sucked one of her nipples into my mouth as my fingers pinched the other. Kelly’s gasp just spurred me on and she let out several moans while her fingers dug into my shoulders.
One of her hands left my shoulder and she reached between us so she could grip my dick. In one swift movement, she moved her hips and sunk down on top of me. The sensation felt so amazing that I released her nipples and let my head drop back to the pillow.
I’d had sex with a lot of women, more than I cared to admit to, but Kelly and I fit. Her body felt like it was made just for me and mine just for her. Every nerve inside of me hummed and she hadn’t even moved.
Kelly’s lips turned up into a cocky smile as she stared down at me. She braced one hand on my chest and began to move her hips. She lifted herself up and slammed back down onto me with every slow movement, and I groaned as I ran my hands all over her body. She sped up her thrusts and I watched as her eyelids started to flutter. Seeing Kelly use my body for her pleasure was hot as fuck. When her eyes met mine, she nodded her head.
“I’m going to… Nick… I’m going…” Her words transformed to moans as her body tensed everywhere and she tipped her face to the ceiling. It took everything I had not to give in to my own release as she tightened everywhere. When her orgasm started to ebb, I wrapped my arms around her back and rolled us so that I was thrusting as I hovered over her. My movements were fast and punishing as my own climax took over my body.
“God, Kelly,” I whispered as I dropped my face into her chest. “You’re amazing.”
She sucked in several deep breaths and nodded her head as her arms wrapped around me.
“I know.”
I pressed a kiss to her bare skin and chuckled as I rolled off of her. “Why did we ever stop doing that?”
“Reasons,” she huffed before rolling onto her side, too. “Stupid reasons.”
I didn’t even care what those reasons were. I just pulled her to my chest and was happy to hold her in my arms.
“Shit,” she whispered under her breath when we pulled in front of a red brick home on Sunday afternoon. “Shit.”
I put the car into park and reached over to grab her hand. She immediately squeezed mine and gave me a panicked look. I shook my head and brought our hands to my lips so I could kiss her knuckles.
“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart.” I held her deep blue gaze with my own. “It’s going to be all right.”
She nodded and inhaled a deep breath. “Maybe Megan can announce she’s pregnant or something and take the spotlight off of us.”
I laughed for so long that Kelly joined in, too. After a couple of minutes, the laughter tapered off and she pushed open her door. I walked around the car and our hands immediately joined together as we walked up to the front door. She didn’t bother knocking as she pushed it open quietly. Voices could be heard from the back of the house, including Owens’ deep laugh, and Kelly straightened her shoulders before leading me back there.
Owens was sitting at the table with an older man who had dark hair like Megan. My brand new sister-in-law was standing in the kitchen chopping vegetables and an older woman was laughing next to her. The woman looked so much like Kelly that it was kind of eerie. They had the same hair, eyes, smile, and even nose. It was like a peek into the future because I knew that’s how Kelly would look when she was older. Her mom was beautiful and had a very classic look about her.
Everyone looked up when we appeared in the kitchen and Kelly immediately moved to her father. She pressed a kiss to his cheek as he embraced her.
“Hi, Daddy.”
He just gave her an adoring smile when she pulled back and she did the same with her mom. Once she’d greeted both of her parents, she walked back to where I was standing awkwardly and rejoined our hands.
“Nick, this is my mom, Renee, and my father, James. Mom, Dad, this is Nick Christos.” She paused and I saw the corners of Megan’s lip twitch while she waited for it. “My husband.”
No one spoke. Kelly’s mother stared at us, wide-eyed and with her jaw dropped. Her father’s face had gone pale but it was slowly morphing into anger. Owens sat in his chair with an amused look on his face as his eyes darted between everyone. Megan continued with the vegetables, looking as amused as her boyfriend, and the chopping sounds filled the otherwise silent kitchen.
I wasn’t sure Kelly was breathing. Her hand was cutting off the blood supply to my fingers but I didn’t care. I wasn’t sure what to do so, after a moment, I cleared my throat.
“Mr. and Mrs. Gold, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
That unfroze both parents and her father stood from his chair.
“Husband?”
“Yes, sir,” I replied at the same time Kelly said, “Yes.”
Her father shook his head and I watched his hands ball into fists. “Please, tell me this is joke.”
“Daddy…”
“Kelly Renee, we need to speak to you outside,” her mother said as she suddenly moved forward. “Now.”
Kelly nodded and squeezed my hand once more before letting go and following her parents out the back door. I watched the door shut and turned to look at Owens and Megan.
“That went well.”