Alicia

My legs tingle.

Every nerve is on fire.

Gabe fucks me up against the wall, my legs wrapped tight around his waist. I cry out as my orgasm crashes through me, his hot mouth attached to my neck.

We’ve christened every surface in his townhouse. Gabe’s appetite is insatiable. As soon as I think we’re gonna rest for a few and catch our breaths, he’s in between my legs, licking me to another orgasm, his cock growing hard yet again.

Then he lifts me and carries me to wherever he feels, his thick cock slipping inside me.

It’s heaven. It’s sweaty and dirty.

It’s hot as hell.

He lifts me up like I weigh nothing, his strong arms rippling underneath all his gorgeous ink. How does this fucking beautiful, sexy as fuck man want me? He worships me, his mouth exploring every inch of my body.

He makes me feel like a goddess, and he feasts on me like he’s addicted.

If he’s a drug, I want to be an addict. I want to be so addicted I never get enough.

I want him to consume me, never being satisfied and always wanting more.

More, more, more.

He answers my wish and eats me alive. Swallows me whole.

All night long. Until the morning light breaks and we collapse in his bed, sleep finally winning.

* * *

I sip on my soup, my mom eyeing me from across the kitchen table. She’s looking healthier now that she moved past that infection and got her strength back. Her arm still sits in a sling for a couple more weeks, but the pain is a lot better.

She smiles, bringing her coffee mug to her lips. “Ready for your big weekend away?”

“Yes, I’m done packing. Can’t wait to see Ruby and her life in the big city.”

My mom’s smile fades, and her eyes dim, but she reaches over, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. She’s upset I won’t pack up and move, but she’s stopped bugging me at least. She won’t let me do as much and keeps shooing me off, telling me to relax or go out with Gabe.

Gabe.

The past two weeks have been, well, quite frankly, blissful. Gabe and I have spent a few nights together, along with a few fun dates.

One night he took me to a dinner theater where we ate a delicious meal while watching a comedy show. Another time he drove an hour to take me to a planetarium where we got a private tour and got to spend an hour under the stars alone.

Our time together has been the most fun I’ve ever had. The conversation flows and when it doesn’t, the silence is comfortable and warm. He’s sweet; he always holds my hand, opens my doors, and puts me first before himself.

We love to tease each other and sometimes when my feisty side comes out, he shuts me up with his mouth or his cock.

We haven’t discussed work or the shelter.

His green-eyed monster loves to rear his ugly head more than I care for. Like he’s afraid of losing me. We’ve never defined our relationship, but I know there are real feelings there.

At least there are for me anyway, but I ignore them. I need to.

It won’t get me anywhere to focus on my feelings. He’s not here to stay and I need to shield myself for the hurt that’s coming.

It’s inevitable. The hurt will come.

I’m already in too far. Too far to go back.

It’s going to hurt badly.

Real fucking badly.

“Do you guys have any plans?” Mom adjusts her sling.

“Ruby said she has lots planned. She wants to show me where she works, where she parties, and some touristy stuff. I hope we can cover it all in the four days I’m there.” I laugh thinking of Ruby’s plans. She listed everything on a sheet of paper, numbered from most important to least important. Half of our FaceTime session last night was her describing the entire list.

I’m excited to see her and see the city. The city I’ve dreamed about for so long. My mom took me once when I was younger, in my teens, and I drank in everything I possibly could. I’ve been obsessed with the Big Apple ever since.

“That girl is full of energy. She must love the city that never sleeps. It’s perfect for her.” Mom finishes her coffee.

“It is. She’s having a ball.” I think about how it would be to live there with her.

“That’s why you should go, A. I’ll be fine here with Mel.”

I shake my head and stand, bringing my soup dish to the sink. “No, we aren’t having this conversation any longer. Ready for our walk?” I tuck a few pieces of chocolate in my pocket for later.

She sighs and hands me her coffee mug. “Okay, but please think about it, A. I know you’re going to love it down there.”

* * *

I’m boarding the train when my phone beeps.

<I’ll miss u. Stay out of trouble. My feisty spitfire.>

My heart rate picks up speed, and my stomach somersaults.

He’ll miss me.

Did he really say he’d miss me? I grin at my phone like a goof while I find my seat. I stuff my bag beneath me and settle in for the long ride.

I text Gabe back.

<Me? Get in trouble? Never. I’ll miss you, too. Be good and give Luna some kisses from me.>

It beeps back in less than a minute, several heart emojis coming over the screen. I grin again.

<Any kisses for me? Or just Luna?>

I send a bunch of kiss emojis, and he sends them back.

Man, I’m so in over my head.

But I’m loving every minute of it.

Sliding my headphones on, I turn on my latest audio book, while digging into my bag of Hershey kisses. Gabe thinks my obsession with chocolate is hilarious, but he wasn’t laughing when I covered his dick in melted chocolate and licked it off.

Damn, that was a fun night. Never knew food sex could be so fun. And hot. Very fucking hot.

I close my eyes and get lost in the book. Next thing I know, the train has stopped and I’ve arrived. Excitement bursts through me at the thought of seeing Ruby in just mere minutes. I can’t wait.

I get off the train and follow the signs for the pick-up area.

“Ahhhh! A!” I hear the scream before I see her. Her bright red hair flies through the sea of people, and she crashes into me, her arms wrapping me in a big hug. “I’ve missed you so much.” She hugs me harder.

I drop my bag at my feet, my own arms flying around her. I breathe in her familiar scent of raspberry vanilla, and my eyes grow wet. I’ve missed her more than I thought, and being here in the flesh has my emotions taking over.

When we break apart, both of us have tears slipping down our cheeks. Ruby smiles through hers and grabs my bag and my hand. I follow her outside, the cool April air greeting us. It’s early afternoon and the sun is still shining.

“I live a few blocks away. I have margaritas waiting for us in the freezer. Thirsty, A?”

“You know it, chick. Let’s go.”

We make it to her apartment ten minutes later, talking nonstop the entire way. She takes me up to the fifth floor, to her apartment down the hall in the corner. As soon as we enter, it has Ruby written all over it.

It’s open and spacious, the gold and burgundy color scheme warm and inviting. All of Ruby’s furniture is here, every piece she owned back in Buffalo.

I walk over to the huge living room windows, excited to see the view in person. It’s not much different than on the computer, but seeing it this close is breathtaking.

Ruby gives me the full tour. There are lots of room for a one-bedroom with a good size eat-in kitchen that has a big island in the middle with bar stools surrounding it. Her bathroom is a decent size with the washer and dryer in it and next to her big bedroom.

“It’s gorgeous, Rubs. Just like you.” I wink at her as she pours our margaritas. Frozen watermelon ones with sugar rims. My favorites.

“I do love it. So glad I scored it. I heard there’s a two-bedroom opening up soon.” She grins as she hands me my margarita. We sit at the kitchen island, a bowl of sliced watermelon between us and extra sugar for our drinks.

“Really? I fucking wish.” I sip my drink and grab a watermelon slice.

“Bring your mom here, A. I know you don’t want to leave her, so bring her.”

I shake my head, licking some sugar off the rim. “It’s too much for her. And what about the house? It’s all so complicated.”

Ruby sighs. “I know, A. I’m sorry. I’m here for you, girl, you know that.”

I nod. “And I you. Now what’s on the agenda for tonight?”

It’s Thursday and I’m here until Monday afternoon. I can’t wait to go explore the city.

Ruby wags her finger at me. “Oh no, not yet, girl. First, spill.”

“Spill what?” I fake an innocent look. I know she wants the juicy deets on Gabe. I’ve given her a lot already, but like she says about everything, it’s better in person.

Ruby glares at me. “You’re fucking a fine piece of ass and I want all the details. I mean all the dirty fucking details. Don’t hold back.”

I laugh. We refill our drinks and settle in for a night of storytelling and catching up.

* * *

The biggest stack of pancakes I’ve ever seen lands in front of me, their sweet buttery scent making my mouth water. My stomach growls in anticipation.

Being hungover has left me starving and in between all of the sightseeing, partying, and shopping, I’ve been nonstop drinking and eating. Rubs and I must’ve gained at least twenty pounds this past weekend.

I dig into the syrupy goodness, stuffing a huge forkful in my mouth.

“Hungry?” Ruby raises her eyebrows as she sips her coffee.

“Fuck yeah, girl,” I say around a mouthful. “We burned a lot of calories last night.”

Ruby giggles. “We sure did. I must’ve sweated out at least ten pounds.”

“Dancing is a great workout. Just like sex.”

Ruby spreads butter on her toast. “Ain’t that the truth. I’ve been seriously missing out.”

“Time to find a studmuffin. Come on, there have to be hotties in this city of hundreds of thousands of people.”

“I’m sure there are. None that hold my attention. I want a man, not a game-playing, cheating boy. I’m not settling until I find him. If that means no sex, so be it. I’m best friends with my vibrator, anyway.” Ruby throws me a wink, biting into her toast.

I chuckle, digging deeper into my stack of pancakes. “I don’t want to leave, Rubs. This weekend was amazing.”

“I don’t want you to leave, either.”

I sigh and look away. I squish my eyebrows together as I think. I want to say something, but the words won’t form.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” Ruby reaches over and rubs my arm. When my eyes meet hers, she’s smiling through tears. “I’m being selfish when I tell you how bad I want you here. It’s been our dream for so long…” She pauses and sips her coffee before wiping her tears with a napkin. “Your mom is an amazing person whom I know you love dearly. Hell, she’s been a mother to me on many occasions, and it’s hurting me to see you both going through this. You do what you need to do, A. Whatever that may be. I know I say things, but I’ll always understand and be here for you.”

No words are needed. Instead, I reach over the table, risking our pancakes and coffee, and pull her in for a tight hug.

I don’t know what’ll happen. At least I have her support.

“Let’s plan our next weekend together, okay?” I smile at her, and she whips out her notebook from her purse, turning to a blank sheet to start our list.

“Yes, let’s do it. How about a male review show?”

I laugh loudly and nod. God, I love her.