Cole (The Leaves) (23 page)

“Yes, Cole.” She moaned, “Please… do whatever you want. Take it. It’s yours. Everything, baby.”

She had mentioned anal sex to me a few times now. Sex between us was already amazing so really, I could take it or leave it. However, I began to tease her there; going a little deeper each time and without actually saying the words… she wanted it. I knew what she wanted, but this isn’t how I wanted our first time to be. She wasn’t some easy slut I picked up and brought back to my college apartment to defile. This was Anika, my reason for breathing and although I wanted to be the first man to give her that and share that intimacy, I didn’t want it to be in the shower with an hour to spare before she had to leave.

So, I compromised.

“Baby, I want you to relax.” I said in her ear, resting my chin on her shoulder so I could talk her through exactly what I was going to do. “You’re going to come, and you’re going to come hard. You’re already so fucking wet… I’m gonna leave your clit and work your ass, okay?”

She nodded as I slid my middle finger, slick with her juices and teased the tight little hole. I heard her gasp and tense as I entered her. Making sure she was ready, I began again whispering in her ear to breathe and relax… easing into her a little at a time, knowing as I did, she would trust all of me inside her. I knew the spot where the penetration becomes intense and desperate and just as I began to ease out, she thrust herself back against me, urging me in deeper. Hearing her sounds of pure pleasure, I knew she was close and as soon as I grazed her hard clit she fell apart on my hand coming harder than she ever had with me. I slowly took my finger from her, feeling the loss of our oneness as much as I was sure she did and began to clean us both. I’d exhausted her, my poor girl, two orgasms all before ten in the morning.

“No more showering together if I have to be somewhere. Or, maybe” she amended weakly, “maybe there should be a no appointments or commitments before noon policy.”

Her smile filled my heart. “Okay, baby. Whatever you say.”

“Whatever
I
say? No, no, no Cole. You play dirty. You could have told me to set myself on fire just then and I would have done whatever you asked. That was amazing. Not your first rodeo I presume?”

“I read a lot, remember?” I told her months ago when she asked how I found her g-spot that I read a book about it. I lied. I was not about to tell her it was purely from trial and error. More than that, I was very much in tune to her body. From the minute I touched her hands in the bar, the day she had that panic attack, the feelings… emotional and physical overwhelmed me and I knew she felt it too.

She smiled again, we dried off and I made myself look busy in the bedroom, but I was really watching her. So fucking thankful she took that chance and came home with me. Thankful her ex screwed up and gave me that chance.

I went downstairs and was just slipping my wallet into my jeans when she appeared; her hair falling loose around her shoulders, navy blue Chucks, dark denim jeans and a navy pea coat. I wasn’t kidding before when I told her it had been unseasonably cold. December would traditionally be winter, but the last few years in Southern California it had felt more like spring. Now the weather was threatening rain. The words, ‘cold snap’ were being thrown around and there was a distinct possibility that we would have snow up at the cabin.

“You look beautiful.”

“Thanks.” She smiled shyly.

“Are those your glass slippers in that bag?” I asked pointing at the bag with the bridal shop logo.

“Sure are. I know this is going to sound… well, really petty considering I’m holding a pair of…” she reached into the bag looking for something, “well, I think these shoes are around a thousand dollars, but I would like to one day walk into the actual shop in New York City and try a pair on. Not to buy, I mean, I can walk in high heels and these aren’t just any high heels, but did I mention they cost about a thousand dollars!”

Her grin was nervous and her fingers were holding the straps of the bridal shop bag so tight she was actually white-knuckled. I had an idea.

I began to pat the pockets of my jeans, “Have you seen my keys?”

“Aren’t they in the bowl?” She gestured toward the ceramic bowl next to the garage door.

“You know what? I think they’re in my coat in the bedroom closet… shit, I need to hurry. Can you look for me?” She hesitated on what to do with her purse and bag of shoes. “I’ll put your precious shoes here. My mom will wait.” I gave her a smile and lifted the bags from her hands. She was reluctant, but ran upstairs. I threw the keys that were of course in my pocket, under the dining table as if they’d dropped there and ran into the kitchen. I took out a notepad, wrote what I wanted to say, and went to her shoe box. I had no intention of ruining the surprise that would be her lovely foot in her lovely shoe, so I gingerly moved the lid to the side, slid the note in and secured it again.

I returned to the keys and yelled out, “Found ‘em.” Just as she rounded the corner.

Perfect.

“Where were they?”

“Just there.” I pointed. “They must’ve fallen out.”
Stop talking, you idiot
I tell myself. Anika is not stupid. “Here, baby. Don’t stress about anything. If my mom starts to get a little… overbearing… just call me.

She returned to her bags as if they held millions of dollars in treasure and she was the only person capable of protecting them, and took them back into her grip.

A swift knock came at the door and I knew it was either my friend, Olaf or my mother. “Before you go and before I open the door…” I leaned down and held her head in my hands, brushing my thumbs slowly along her jaw, “I love you so much.” I kissed her deeply, letting my tongue meet hers too briefly and pulled away. “We’ll never get out of here if I don’t stop.”

Her smile spoke volumes, but it was what she said next that gave me pause. “I think about that day all the time, Cole.” I didn’t answer, I just let her continue. “The possibility that it could have all gone so differently. We wouldn’t get our happily ever after.” I stood there, unable to move even as I tried to get my limbs to cooperate. Still smiling brighter than I could have hoped she said, “I’m getting my happily ever after, Cole. No one is going to stop us. No one.” She turned, her movements careful as not to disturb her precious cargo and went to the door. “Hi Trish!” She exclaimed.

“Cole dear, we’re running late. We’ll talk to you later… bye!” Her enthusiasm and my fiancé were whisked out the door and replaced by Olaf.

“Holy shit. I brought you an Americano.” He handed me a cup with a giant squid on the front. He removed the lid from his latte and took a sip. “I will never understand why a café would use a squid as their logo. I see it, I think fish… not the best damn coffee I have ever had.”

I laughed as he followed behind me and pulled out a seat at the dining table. “We missed you Christmas Eve.” I said knowingly.

“Have you ever heard the expression, breaking my balls? Cole, she is not only breaking them, they are broken. I am less one for your nuptials. If I have to breathe her perfume, see her fucking fake tan or listen to her high, shrill voice… I may need a lawyer. And not just any lawyer… a good lawyer, because the things I imagine doing to her are beyond what the average imagination can produce. Do you know what she did?”

I chuckled at the idea of Olaf murdering anyone. “What did she do, Olaf?”

“I cannot believe your mother didn’t tell you. She not only opened your wedding invitation after getting drunk and spending the night, after I specifically told her I did
not
want her to spend the night, then she filled in the reply card with her name and a little note at the bottom which said,” he cleared his throat, “My fiancé and I would love to attend.”

“Olaf, you’ve been dating for six months. That’s a long relationship for you. She knows you. She probably just assumed. I assumed.”

“I was very clear, Cole. The woman who wears my ring and wakes in my bed is a woman of Anika’s caliber… not Josephine.”

“You almost sound like a snob. That’s not like you, Olaf.”

He set his cup down purposefully and said, “Cole. We, meaning you and I, have money. A great deal of money. You do not care about that lifestyle and I respect that. However, I choose the public life. I like the parties, I enjoy the pussy that seems to throw itself at me, but what I do not like and will not abide is to be played. You have been played before; you know exactly what I’m talking about. She appeared to be the best of both worlds, hating the people but perfect walking amongst them.” He picked up his cup and took another sip. “If I see that fucking cunt at your wedding, I will drive a fork into her skull.”

“Olaf…” I asked cautiously. “What exactly did Josephine do?”

“Nothing specific aside from the fiancé stunt, but she’s just one in a long line of manipulative women.” I watched his face morph into something gentle, as if he was remembering something… or someone.

I smirked, tapping the tips of my fingers together in a prayer pose. “Who is she?”

He smiled. “No one. No one yet, anyway.”

“Okay, if you don’t want to tell me. Now be a pal and cheer the fuck up. Let’s go.”

I watched my friend, watched him thinking of her. Olaf… in love. That was going to be very interesting.

Anika

Trish and Aimes sat across from each other, both enjoying a tiny tray of sandwiches. More accurately, Aimes was devouring everything in sight.

“You got a little somethin’…” I teased, wiping cream cheese from the side of Aimes’ mouth.

“Shut the fuck up. Sorry, Trish.” She apologized.

“Oh, don’t mind me dear. It’s the smoked salmon and brie, isn’t it?” Trish took a delicate bite of another teeny tiny sandwich.

“How did you know? And please, please don’t tell Gus.”

“Come now, Amelia… you must know me better than that. There was a woman on the board for one of the charities I’m involved with who was pregnant. She went on and on about something called Listeria. Any time a menu was planned or we had a lunch meeting, she made a big announcement about not being able to eat soft cheese, cured meat, sushi… very dangerous, you know.” She laughed. “I swear the meeting notes must’ve have been about her complaining more than anything else. I never drank or smoked when I was pregnant with Cole, but I ate soft cheese and I could not get enough beef jerky.”

While they were having their moment, a thought occurred to me, I hadn’t had a period in a while. A long while. Cole and I had talked about it. Trish had made it clear she would be overjoyed at becoming a grandma. I glanced at Aimes and her belly, seeing how happy she was (even though Gus was keeping a close watch on her diet). I looked down at my own belly, careful not to give anything away. Really, I needed to start doing some math. So, I got the implant thingy before Gerry… October. Aimes and I went to that Halloween party. She hooked up with the guy dressed like Captain Jack Sparrow (not so hot without the dreads, hat, and eyeliner the next morning). I did shots in the kitchen with a guy dressed like a Jack in the Box who never took off his head. Sidetracked. Okay, so October…

“Ms. Redding, are you ready?” Rachel, the nice tattooed manager approached.

“Sorry, yeah, lots on my mind.” I smiled and popped up, grabbing the shoe bag as I went. “See you ladies in all my finery.” I gave a wave to Aimes and Trish who were beginning to move closer to the dressing room. Aimes reluctantly leaving food of any kind.

When the door closed behind us, Rachel took the bag from me and held out her arms, palms up, gesturing for my hands to see my fingernails. I did as she silently asked and watched her face explode in a smile. “Perfect.” I nodded, but couldn’t speak just in case I became a sobbing mess.

I was already wearing the lingerie I would be wearing on the day. “You came prepared. Well done.” She said unzipping the giant garment bag. “Now, step into the hoop.” She held my hands while I put each foot through the poufy skirt. The tulle was arranged and fanned out, then she carefully removed the dress.

The first part went on which was the main dress, and then the train/bustle was last. I felt her hooking each little button… until she got toward the top. “Can you suck it in a little for me? Too much Christmas cheer?” She joked.

“Oh. My. God.” I whispered.

“What? What’s wrong?” Rachel was full of concern. “Here.” She lifted all the layers so my lace clad butt was sitting on a bench. Obviously, not the first time she’d had to do it.

“Okay, so… October. Three years… now it’s December… oh… my… god.” I said in a panicked voice as teeny tiny as those damn finger sandwiches. “Oh my God.”

“Honey? What’s going on? I am the sole of discretion.” She knelt down in front of me and held my hands.

“Three years. I have one of those implant things. I should’ve been using a backup method since October. Oh my god! I got really, really drunk on Christmas Eve! Oh my god! My dress doesn’t fit!”

“It fits just fine. You only have a few more days, it’ll be just fine.” She squeezed my fingers. “How do you feel… otherwise?”

“I cry. I just want to cry all the fucking time… sorry.” I looked right at her apologetically, “Potty mouth.”

“Me too, I just keep it all inside when I’m at work. When I get in the car I let out a long drawn out ‘fuck’.”

“Thanks.” I was starting to breathe heavily.

“Talk to me, honey.” I think she could see my freak out before I knew it was happening.

“Can you get Trish… distract my friend Aimes with her maid of honor dress… or food.” I laughed awkwardly. “… and hurry.”

“Back in a jiff.”

The door was opened, closed and re-opened in seconds. I had never had a panic attack that wasn’t induced by my mother or Joe but here I was, totally freaking out.

“Anika, what is it?” Poor Trish, I was with it enough to see she was devastated. She probably thought I was getting cold feet.

“I’m not my mother, I know I’m gonna be great, really, but it’s too soon. Don’t you think it’s too soon?” I looked up at her, feeling like the dress was physically swallowing me.

“Too soon?” She looked confused.