A Subtle Tenderness (6 page)

Ophelia’s
ass felt like a heated vice grip around his cock pulsing and trembling seductively.  Then he finally began to move slowly in her working in tandem with his plunging fingers. The innate animal that dwelled in most males roared with satisfaction in him as she submitted to him.  Deep in that place of ultimate calm he knew he would never let Ophelia go, she was his.  Ophelia’s cries of passion, her smiles, her mouth, breasts, pussy, and ass were his; claimed for his taking in this moment. 

Perhaps it was a territorial lust that filled him
with need for Ophelia, but he knew with each stroke into her he wanted to give it back to her, all the pleasure she could experience.  He wanted to give to Ophelia all of the passion she inspired in him.  His body tensed with arousal and he writhed in exultation when she came.  Womb clinching and trembling in complement with her anal channel that clamped down so tightly on his cock Heath grunted in pain and pleasure as he exploded deep inside her channel.  Later he would be amazed at how he was able to gently cleanse the sweat from her body and enfold them in a blanket before drifting off to sleep.  

Ophelia watched Heath laugh and talk to her older brother Kenny.  Her family took to him with an easy manner, making him feel welcomed and part of the family. Even her Dad seem approving of him.  Which surprised her because when he met Darnell to say there was no love lost was being nice.   Her mother was full a questions when they finally were alone, most of them about Heath.  Then she asked if rushing into another relationship really the best thing to do right now.  Ophelia assured her mother that she was fine and amazingly this was the easiest friendship she ever had. 

What she didn’t tell her mother was that she hadn’t really talked to Heath about her failed engagement or that statu
s of their relationship.  They were lovers, definitely friends and extremely close and intimate on most levels. They were practically cohabitating with each other, but she couldn’t bring herself to talk about Darnell, and not because she still had feelings for him. 

Darnell was a deep
personal failure for her.  Ophelia knew he wasn’t good for her or the love of her life, but she stayed with him for years.  She was trying to come to terms as why she was so desperate to stay with a man who was clearly all wrong for her and it was obvious like the bright light of day. 

There was a slight moment of surprise and trepidation when she first introduce
d Heath to her family, her brother smoothed it over quickly by shaking Heath’s hand and inviting him for a cool beer. Perhaps more trepidation set in when she’d gotten really nervous just before her brother came to the door.  Ophelia really wanted her family to like Heath. 

He
ath mattered to her, more than she realized up to that moment. This was the second time in her life that if her family didn’t really like the man she was dating, it would hurt but, she’d keep right on going with her the relationship.  The first was Darnell.  That had been a bad call on her part.

They made it in time for brunch and as her family congregated
in the kitchen.  She watched and absorbed the scene unfolding.  Heath answered questions from her family admirably.  He connected with her niece and nephew, who seem just as curious about him as their parents.  Her father appeared to be impressed with his military career and retirement at such a young age and the fact that he could actually build things by hand.  Heath got major kudos for that.  Her father was a tinkerer and liked to take on projects around the house.

“Careful Heath, my husband will rope you in to help him with one of his home improvement projects.”  Ophelia’s mother said teasingly.

“I love working with my hands and improving on something.”

“My wife doesn’t see the potential in
some of my projects she just wants me to get something new.”

“Not true Solomon, I just like thing to be done in a timely manner.”

“Well, if you really want to put your heart and soul into something you love,” Heath said as he looked at Ophelia,   “it takes time.  It took me years to build my cabin and it may take several more months for me to finish my parent’s home.  I’d certainly love for you and Mr. Dean to come and visit and see my handing work.” 

Their time with her family wa
s promising.  It was a typical Fourth of July function with all of her family and friends giving Heath their undivided attention but he won them over simply by being himself.  Ophelia really believed he didn’t care what anyone thought of him except for herself.   Each evening he found a reason for them to take a walk in the neighborhood or steal her away from her family. 

She was aware that for Heath geography had not changed how
loving he was toward her even when they were around her family.  He caressed and kissed her whenever the mood struck him.  He proudly displayed his affections toward her and teased her privately about throwing her over his shoulder and having his way with her.  Heath was the perfect gentleman around her family and an absolute unrestrained cad when they were in private. 

He
ath constantly tried to talk her panties off and when that failed he would kiss her until she was just as frustrated with arousal as he was. It was during those times when her flesh was weak with the need for the obscenely large bulge in Heath’s pants.  She often imagined herself as Golem from Lord of the Rings desperate to possess the ‘precious’.

They did the usual site seeing but it seemed different with Heath.
They met some of her highs-school friends. They went bowling with her brother’s family and her parents.  Heath was a good fit with her family and friends.  The overall visit to her family was a success that made her happy. 

Just before they left to go back to Notch, the family had dinner at her brother’s home.  They got to do some sibling talk while Heath and her dad manned the grille and entertained her niece and nephew. 

“So you went the total opposite direction from Darnell…Military Ken?” 

“Okay smartass…that wasn’t my intention and to be truthful Heath’s more like mountain man Ken
, Kenny.  I really like him and you could say I crashed into him literally.   He’s a good man in spite of his lack of pigment.”

“Hey
lil’ sis you’ll get no argument from me.  You look happy… much happier than I’ve seen you in a long time.  As long as he puts a smile on your face...that’s all that matters to me.  Have you asked yourself where do you see this…going?”

“Not this time…this time I’m along for the ride,”
Ophelia said suddenly seriously.

“There’s a funny thing about riding, sis, you can’t decide the speed or direction of the path you’re being taken and sometimes not even where you want to get off.”

Ophelia watched her brother join the men at the barbeque pit and caught Heath’s eye.  Her heart beat faster as he smiled at her. She was in awe of just how handsome he was and how much she thrilled in the knowledge that for time being he was hers. 

*******

              They made one stop on their way back home and had dinner with one of Heath’s old military buddies.  Ophelia appeared to like Victor Sanchez and his wife Gita.  Heath caught her watching him on and off throughout the evening laughing at his exploits about him and his friends.  He hoped it didn’t give her the wrong impression of him. Heath cared about how she perceived him, because he cared for her.

             
“Mission control to Heath, where were you, buddy?”  Victor teased as he handed Heath a bottle of beer.

             
“Just thinking about where my path has been and where it’s going.”

From the corner of his eye he saw Victor look at him and then at Ophelia.

“It’s amazing how the love of a good woman can change your frame of mind.  It looks good on you.”

“What looks good on me?”  Heath looked at him slightly perplexed.

“Being in love, man, you got it bad for your woman,” he said it with a slight laugh in his voice.

“It’s that obvious.”  Victor’s look was speculative.  “
Well, at least I’m not denying it.  Forever doesn’t look as mundane as it once did.”

“Forever is a long time Heath.”

“If it’s spent with the right woman, it’s a lot shorter than you think.”  His eyes were on Ophelia as she laughed at something Gita had said.  ‘Forever wouldn’t be nearly enough for him.’

Their ride home the next morning was quiet
. They both seemed to be in deep thought.  Heath’s mind kept going back to the secluded meeting he had with Ophelia’s father and brother.  He was prepared and had expected it to go a lot harder than it actually did. 

“What are your intentions toward my daughter, Heathcliff?
” Mr. Dean asked the second the door was closed.

“I’m ready for a family of my own in the next chapter in my life Mr. Dean and if Ophelia
’s ready and she’ll have me…I’d like to start one with her.”  He answered honestly. 

“I would tell you that your relationship will have its struggles but I’ve begun to realize that you’re a man who might not care about what others think or believe.
  That’s a good thing in your favor.”  He said as he sat down indicating for Heath to do the same. “I see that you’ve intuited that Ophelia isn’t ready for that next step.”

             
Heath looked from Mr. Dean to his son Kenny who was lounging on the edge of the couch and nodded.  “I didn’t make it through twenty years in the military by being dense.  Ophelia is a smart woman with a good career and life in Chicago and suddenly decides to move to the hills of Notch Ga.  I knew there was a man or a bad relationship behind that move.  I knew she was healing or hiding or maybe both.  I know a little bit about that myself.”

             
“So she hasn’t shared her story with you yet?”  Kenny looked slightly surprised when Heath shook his head no.

“
It’s her story to tell son, but if it’s any comfort to you I like the happiness and joy I saw in her this weekend.  I’ll be rooting for you both.   Now if you’ll follow me outside there’s a project… I’ve been thinking about upgrading the gazebo.”   Heath stood up and followed Mr. Dean as Kenny nudged his shoulder on his way out and laughed.

“Welcome to my world,” Kenny said and closed the door.

Heath silently glanced at Ophelia’s sleeping form and wondered how long it would take her to tell him her story.   He was a patient man.  Heath honestly didn’t care so much why Ophelia came to Notch, he was more grateful that she did and he was loath to have her leave his life.  He enjoyed everything about Ophelia and having met her family and friends understood her a little better.  Ophelia Richelle Dean was a keeper and his parents didn’t raise a fool.

The wind teased the nape of her neck as Ophelia and Heath walked around the ship on the dinner cruise they were taking on Lake Michigan.  She leaned into his warmth as he pulled her close and they looked at the lights of the city.  Ophelia was at home within Heath’s arms.  She has lured him to Chicago with her while she went to some business editorial meetings.  Her life had drastically changed in the last four months and all for the better.  Their home life was uncomplicated and fulfilling.  Ophelia was content with Heath in her life and heart. 

What she loved most about him was that
Heath was all about her and he didn’t care about the occasional odd looks they got.  Heath put her first and she felt cherished when she was with him.  This week had been magical for her, Ophelia got to share her friends and favorite places with him.  They shopped and went to her favorite entertainment spots and restaurants.  Ophelia couldn’t wait to get out of the meetings and join him each day.  She never wondered where she stood with Heath.  He was so direct and he told her with words, his actions and nightly he showed her by loving her so thoroughly with his body.

“What’s on your
mind, Lia?”

“I’m j
ust really grateful to experience this week with you.”  Ophelia looked into his eyes as he bent to kiss her.  She never really got used to the passion she felt each time their lips made contact.  The fluttering of arousal washed over her as he deepened the kiss.  She gave a groan of protest when he broke contact.  

“We were about to be tonight’s entertainment,” he said as he held her close.  “Remember we have to make it to your friend’s party tonight.” 

“We can always cancel.”

“I’m not going to have your friend Corliss angry with me.  We leave in a couple of days
and you only have so much time to spend with your friends.  You have me forever.”   Ophelia couldn’t help the stiffening in her stance when he said that, so she laid her head on his chest to cover her reaction.

She still hadn’t discussed Darnell with Heath and she really didn’t care to.  Darnell meant nothing to her and he was
a part of her past that she was not proud of.  What she had with Heath was good.  Almost too good, but each day and night she thanked her maker for bringing him into her life. 

They arrived at Corliss’ home when the p
arty was in full swing.  It was good seeing her old gang and her girls Corliss and Gena had quickly whisked her away to grill her about Heath. 

“Where did you
find his fine ass?”  Corliss quizzed as she gave her a glass of wine. “I mean we thought you were going to the hills of Georgia to heal and get over ‘he should not be named’ just to find out your playing hide the sausage with Matt Damon.”

“He’s finer than Matt Damon, Corliss,”
Gena stated as she ogled Heath.

“I found him on the side of a mountain.”

“Well give us the goods,” Corliss eyed her with intent.             

“He’s retired military, great with his hands.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere…How great?”  Gena  teased

“I mean he can build things, fix things.” 

“Uhh huh, looks like he fixed you alright,” Corliss interjected.

“So does he make the kitty go
wooo wooo?”  Gena looked at her with interest.

“More like ‘
ooooohhh fucking weeeee’.”  All three women burst into laughter.

“It’s about damn time Ophelia you been
in need of ‘ooohhh wweee’ for years now,” Corliss nudged her shoulder playfully. “Besides we all knew Darnell never deserved you and Sonja that tramp has been getting the cold shoulder from your true friends.  They’re not together anymore if it’s any consolation to you.”

“They’ve been on and off again for the last few months.  Just like our favorite Twilight couple Rob and Kristen,”
Gena added knowing the three women shared a love for the fictitious teenage books and movies.  “That famous relationship is finally over and the infamous one here is too.”

“That’s Edward Cullen
bitch! Who in their right mind would leave Rob Pattinson?” Corliss exclaimed.

“Yeah he has a pretty mouth and face,” Ophelia added and they all
thoughtfully took a sip of their wine.  “Well I hate that it’s over for Darnell and Sonja.  I thought they deserved each other.”

“Enough about them, it’s you we want to know more about.  We missed you
and we were hoping you’d be coming back soon but from the looks of it you’re not going to leave your man or your small town,” Gena motioned toward Heath as she was speaking.

“I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss you guys but it’s a slower pace of life that I want now and I have someone I enjoy to share it with. Besides, I can always catch a plane and come hang out for a few days. 
You both are invited to my little piece of heaven in Georgia whenever you want to get away.   I’ll even help set up your tent.”

Both women looked at her with such looks of disgust Ophelia had to laugh.   “I’m just kidding I’ve got a bedroom with all the amenities for each of you.  You can come down for a few days rest and then we can go to Atlanta if you like and hangout in the city for a day or two.”

“So what did your family think of Heath?”

“He passed the family inspection with flying colors…I thin
k they liked him much better than Darnell.”

“Well if you love him,” Corliss started.  “Then we like him,” both women finished in unison.  

For the next hour Heath and Ophelia where entertained by Corliss and her husband Joaquin and his friends.  Music played and although Heath didn’t dance with Ophelia he watched as she shook her grove-thang on the dance floor with her girls when their old-school favorites came up.  Glasses were filled and jokes were bantered about until a last minute quest came on a scene.  Gena walked over to Ophelia and whispered discreetly that Darnell had shown up and Joaquin was trying to get him to leave.   

“It’s time
we were leaving anyway; we’ve had a long day for us.”

“Don’t let that ass make you leave,
he should leave.  It’s been fun hanging out with you and your new man.  Don’t make me have to cut Darnell for ruining our get together.”

“Put you
r knife aside.   Come have brunch with us tomorrow.  You and Corliss, but it really is time for us to go.”  She made eye contact with Heath who immediately came to her side.  “You ready to head out big guy.”

“I’m ready whenever you are sweetheart,” he said and held her firmly around the waist. 

She turned to Gena and gave her a heartfelt hug as did Heath, and she looked for Corliss as she made her way to the front door.  Corliss hugged her as they said their goodbyes and then she heard a voice calling her name she thought she never wanted to hear again.

“I heard you
were back to town and I knew I’d find you here, Ophelia.” Ophelia turned toward the voice and the man that she thought she loved so long ago.

“Hello Darnell,” she said simply.

“Damn Baby that fresh Georgia air has done wonders for you.   You’re looking fine tonight.”  Ophelia reached for Heath’s hand and found that its warm hardened texture steadied her. She couldn’t believe that she even liked his ass.  Moreover she didn’t want Heath knowing she could have ever been with a man like Darnell.  Hoping to spare herself and Heath a scene she opened her mouth to say.. ‘Nice to see you again’ but she couldn’t even utter that lie.  So she turned to leave not wanting to meet Heath’s eyes when Darnel interrupted her exit.

“So, you
ain’t gonna introduce me to your new man, Baby girl.  Yeah I heard you had a new vanilla favorite.”  Darnell’s tone was full of concentrated acid. Shame and rage filled her at once.

“No, I have no intention of introducing you
.  I only want him to meet my friends. Friendship is something you know nothing about.”  She looked up into Heath’s angry gaze and for the first time she was truly sorry she had never told him about Darnell.  She should have prepared him just in case this scenario had happened. 

“I’m so sorry Heath that you have to witness this encounter,” she tightened her grip on h
is hand as she whispered to him and as if sensing her need for his strength he held firm to her hand.  When Darnell spoke again however he released her hand and firmly put himself between her and Darnell.

“
Sorry?  What, you sorry for me? Bitch, you are sorry, that’s why I never really wanted to marry your sorry ass.”

“Darnell, I’m not asking you to leave my house I’m telling you,” Joaquin grabbed for Darnell but he threw him off.

“What you gonna do Vanilla, try to defend your new girl.  She was mine until I got tired of that fat ass.  Don’t get too cocky Vanilla you step to me and you might get embarrassed in front of all her friends.”  Darnell became bolder as Heath watched him and didn’t say a word. “Tell me something Vanilla; do you know what to do with all that ass she go...?”  

Heath moved so fast it happened in a blur
. He punched Darnell twice before he brought him to his knees and held his arm and fingers at angle that had to hurt.  She was frightened for Darnell.  Ophelia had never seen Heath so deathly calm it was scary when next he spoke with very little inflection.

“What I do with my woman is my business.  I
promise you, I know what to do with your hand.” Darnell screamed in pain when Heath mentioned his hand. “I will break every finger on this hand if you don’t apologize to Ophelia.  And you better make me believe that you really are sorry for insulting her.

“
Fuck  y..”  Darnell never finished the last word but howled in anquish as Heath put pressure on his pinky finger but didn’t break it.

“Heath man you need to take it easy,” Joaquin counseled put kept his
distance.

“Let’
s try this again.  You need to apologize to Ophelia for insulting her.

“Heath it’s not necessary, I could care less about anything he says or thinks about me.”  Ophelia pleaded with Heath and met his hard unwavering gaze.

“But I care Ophelia, I care! So, let’s try this again shall we, Darnell.” Perhaps Darnell heard the absolute finality in Heath’s voice and after several tense moments relented.

“I’m sorry Ophelia for the insults.”  Heath released him immediately and went to her enclosing her in arms of steel.  He turned to Joaquin and Corliss and apologized.

“I’m sorry for ending a scene like this but I couldn’t stomach another moment of his insults.”

“Man, I’m just glad you didn’t hurt him that bad,” Joaquin said with earnest relief.

“Just his pride was hurt tonight.  Corliss it has been pleasure meeting and spending time with you. I hope I’m invited back again.”

Corliss
went to Heath’s side and gave him another hug and whispered in his ear. “I’ve wanted to do that very same thing to him for a while now.  You’re my hero Heath.  Take care of my girl.”  She kissed him on the cheek before stepping out of his embrace. 

“See you tomorrow Ophelia.”  Ophelia nodded but was silent as Heath led her out to their rental car. 
The ride was quiet on the way back to the hotel.  Not one word was said while Heath undressed until Ophelia broke the silence.

“I
’m really sorry that happened.”

“You didn’t do anything Ophelia.”
  His answer was terse and for the first time in their short relationship she knew Heath was angry with her.  Ophelia walked over to him and touched his shoulder and leaned her head on his back.

“I’m sorry for not telling you about him sooner.
Sorry for not sharing my greatest mistake.”  He turned to face her with his hard blue-black gaze.

“I knew there was a man
Lia, and I knew you’d tell me when you were ready.  Are you still in love with him?”

              “No, hell no,” she shrank back in disgust. “Why would you think that after meeting him?”

             
“You took so long to share this with me.  What was I supposed to think?”

Ophelia star
ed at the hurt in his eyes and knew she should have explained it all sooner.  She never wanted to hurt this man.  Ophelia never wanted to be hurt by another man again.  To tell how gullible and desperate she had been was embarrassing and she didn’t want Heath to see that side of her.  Ophelia only wanted to share the good stuff with him. 

P
ulling his arm, Ophelia motioned for them to sit down.  She began to tell him the whole sordid affair.  Her weakness, naiveté and the shame of staying in a relationship with someone she knew wasn’t right for her.  When the tears started to fall, she assured Heath they weren’t for anyone but the loss of her pride.  Ophelia opened her soul to him in those moments and told him of things she had only shared with the Lord in prayers.

“I was ashamed of whom I was at that time, of what I had nearly gone through and I only wanted you to see the best in me.  Heath I don’t think I was ever in love with Darnell…I was in love with
the fantasy of loving him.”  Heath gently wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her with a purity that penetrated deep in her heart.