Can't Go Home (Oasis Waterfall) (29 page)

“Holy crap, this is the junk that soap operas are made of,” Kathryn states, incredulously. “And they told you all of this?”

“Tristan and I went out one night, drank a few too many, and he told me everything—what he remembers of it anyway.” I confess. “My parents were frigging ballistic when they realized I knew. They were more pissed at Tristan for telling me, their bleeding-heart son, than they were with the fact that their son fucking raped some innocent woman.”

“My God, so what happened? What’d you do?” she asks, her face full of wonder and worry.

“This is what I never wanted you to know, Pebbles,” I admit, knowing that whatever positive light she’s seen me in was now going to darken drastically. “Nothing,” I admit, pausing to let the fucking truth sink in, penetrate her mind, break her heart.

“My fucking brother raped a girl. My asshole parents paid for her silence, and I did nothing,” I confess, hating myself. Running my hands over my face, trying to hide from the reality of my cowardice decision, I finally say, “I got mad, began to loathe everything my about my entire family, and just up and moved the fuck away, leaving them to deal with all their inner demons on their own.”

“God, I’m no better than any of them,” I continue, not being able to look Kathryn in the eyes. “My heart can bleed all it wants, but my actions speak louder than my words and wants. I did nothing. I’m a yellow-bellied coward, who easily could’ve wronged a right but chose to look away and get the fuck out.”

Silence fills the room; it’s deafening and shattering at the same time. I want her to speak, to tell me how disgusted she is with me. How my lack of courage proves that Tristan and I are more alike than I would ever like to admit.

“So what’re you going to do about it?” she asks finally, patiently awaiting my answer.

“What can I do? What’s done; is done,” I respond. By the reaction on her face, it’s far from the response she was hoping for.

“Uh, no, not a chance, Dre,” Kathryn states, crossing her arms over her chest, shaking her head. “You’re seriously considering letting let him get away with that crap? Even worse, you’re gonna let that poor woman suffer, never getting redemption for what he did to her? No way … not gonna happen, Dre. Not on my watch.”

“I don’t want to sound like a dick here or anything, but it’s not my fight. I washed my hands of the whole thing a long time ago,” I argue, hoping she’ll see my side of this. “Plus, Leah got all she wanted,” I add.

“Okay, let’s start with Leah, do you think she’s really over the abhorrent violation that she endured? Do you Dre?” she asks, not really wanting an answer, but obviously making a strong case. Continuing, she says, “Do you really think that money, any amount, can be compensation enough for that kind of victimization?”

“God Kathryn, you know I don’t. That’s why I’ve been living in a fucking tent for over a year. What the fuck am I supposed to do?” I question. “Like I said, it’s not my fight.”

“Oh Dre, you couldn’t be more wrong. That’s what’s wrong with the damn world today. Nobody wants to take a stand against the bullies,” Kathryn pleads, her face contorting in frustration.

“Why let Tristan win? Why do the bad guys always get to win? People like you, like me, we have to fight against the cruelties in the world, help the underdog … otherwise nothing ever changes,” she argues.

Kathryn groans in frustration and anger. “When the weak can’t fight for themselves, we absolutely have to fight for them.”

“I know. Stop. Jesus Christ, I know. This is exactly what I’ve been telling myself for that past year,” I say, caving to the inner battle I’ve been having with myself every day. “What am I supposed to do? Call the police. Narc on my own brother? Turn my parents in? What?”

“Ummm … that … I don’t know,” Kathryn admits, crawling over to me, lying her head down in my lap. “I know what’s right … just like you do … but I don’t really know how to go about it.”

“Neither do I … neither do I,” I mumble.

I’m shocked that she’s touching me, holding me. It doesn’t make sense why someone as compassionate and kind as Kathryn Howell is still snuggling up against me after learning who I really am and what I really am—a coward.

I run my fingers through her long, dark hair. “Well Pebbles, that’s everything. There are no more hidden skeletons in the Adrian O’Donnell closet of lies, “ I joke feebly, still playing with her hair.

“Should I book you on the next flight back to Charleston?” I ask quietly. The question’s out, but I didn’t realize how anxious waiting for her answer would make me. My stomach ties in knots as what seems like an interminable about of time passes.

“Not unless you’re going with me,” Kathryn says, reaching up and stroking my cheek. “Dre, I think you’ve been dealt a crappy hand, a horrifying one … but I understand your torment. You love them, but hate them too … for being the immoral jerks they are. I’d worry more and wonder more about you if you
weren’t
so torn and confused. They’re your family. Like it or not.”

“Not,” I groan, banging my head back on the headboard.

Sitting up, Kathryn leans in and begins kissing my neck. “We’re gonna solve this dilemma … together.” She strokes my cheek again.

Smiling, “But first, I need a long, hot shower,” she explains. “My body aches and it’s been a long day. If we’re being totally honest, a little soap and shampoo would do me some good.”

“Alright Babe, I’ll clean up the food and mess. You go take a shower.”

“Man, sometimes you really are off your game,” Kathryn complains. “Let’s try this again … I’m going to take off all my clothes, get completely naked, and stand in the hot stream of water, while it beats down on my wet, hot, naked body,” she describes perfectly, staring deeply into my eyes. “Then, I’m going to soap up my hands and wash every inch of my body with my lathered up and wet—”

Shedding my shirt and pants, before she finishes, “I say, “Race ya.” Kathryn laughs, scrambling to get off the bed, kicking the pizza box to the floor.

By the time she gets to the bathroom, I’m naked and already have the water running. “It’s too cold still,” I explain, leaning on the wall, drinking in her beauty. Aroused, I watch intensely as she removes her shirt and bra, tossing them aside.

Walking over to Kathryn, I draw her nearer, tugging on the top of her jeans. Not taking my eyes from her hers, I unbutton her pants, running my hands along the inside of her jeans until they begin to lower off of her hips. Kathryn wiggles her hips, forcing the jeans to fall faster to the floor. Still wearing her hot pink panties from last night, Kathryn wriggles out of them quickly. Her body is breathtaking; the sight of her womanly curves fuel the fire inside me, sending heat and need straight to my groin. Just looking at her, wanting her, being near her, washes away the pain, fear, and worry of the day’s events.

“Fucking exquisite,” I moan, wanting to bury myself deep inside her. “Come here.”

Confidently, Kathryn approaches me, her eyes directly on my arousal. She reaches for me, enclosing both of her hands around my erection, slowly sliding her hands up and down its length, willing it to grow and strain. “It should be ready now.”

“It’s been ready—always ready for you, Pebbles,” I reply, my breath catching.

Giggling, Kathryn smiles and says, “The shower … the water should be hot enough.”

Chuckling, I pick her up as she wraps her legs around my waist and step into the stall. The feel of her body pressing hard on mine stirs and heightens my desire. “You’re all that I crave,” I murmur into her ear, sliding the tip of my tongue along the collarbone.

Water splashes and drenches my shoulders and back. Kathryn looks more tantalizing and tempting as stray droplets fall down her hair and face. I turn her into the direct stream. She throws her head back, arching her back, as the water washes over her face and hair. I get lost in her magnificence as I bend my head and take her nipple into my mouth.

Moaning, Kathryn grinds her hips against me, generating a slow, rhythmic friction between us. I squeeze her ass, holding her closer, gyrating my pelvis with hers. Backing her up against the wall, I tangle my hands in her long, wet hair, tugging her head back, giving me more access to her neck and mouth. The taste of her skin coupled with the water has all my nerve endings screaming.

Kathryn unwraps her legs from my waist, and slides, slowly down my body. Reaching for the soap, she removes the plastic from around the tiny, hotel bar soap. “Fits perfectly in my hand,” she grins wickedly, and begins caressing my body with her hands and the soap. The mixture of her hands and the soapy lather traveling along my skin, my body, and my length is the equal epitome of torture and pleasure.

I want nothing more than to pound away deep inside her, pushing her roughly against the wall with each thrust and grind. But, I don’t. I’m taking it slow, allowing her to sexily explore my body.

Kathryn’s tender touch, combined with her irresistible body, selfless heart, forgiving nature, and intelligent wit make her the answer to my prayers, the reality to my dreams, and the only sanity in my psychotic and crazy world.

Hungrily, I kiss her delicious lips, devouring her tongue, holding her slippery, wet body secured tightly against mine. “Baby, I need you now.”

“Not yet, Dre,” she whispers, “not yet.”

I moan in defeat, knowing Kathryn’s taken control, control that I don’t want to regain. Her exploration of my body has my insides on the edge, ready to react and explode at any minute.

Finishing, her seductive cleansing of every inch of my body and hair, Kathryn glides her hands over my body as the water rinses the foamy suds. Kathryn’s lips, tongue, and teeth follow her hands’ lead, trailing all over my body, sending me to the brink.

Kneeling, Kathryn closes her eyes as the water beats down on her face and breasts. She runs her hands along her breasts, pushing them together, kneading the water-soaked flesh. My hands replace hers as I revel in the vision below me. I’m captivated and rendered speechless by her sensuality.

Bending my knees slightly, I slide my erection between her breasts as she stares up at me, mischievously. Her tongue flicks out, greeting me as I rotate upward toward her mouth. Kathryn’s hands find me, pumping rhythmically. In one quick motion, she engulfs me, taking me all the way into her mouth.

“Oh … fuck,” I groan, trying to maintain balance and control. I just want to drill into her, pound away at her tight little body. “Jesus—” Holding back, I slow my hips not wanting this to end.

Pulling back, “Dre, you need to let go … go ahead and finish,” Kathryn urges, still expertly controlling me with her hands and breasts.

“I wanna … be … inside you,” I moan, breathlessly.

“Condoms and showers don’t get along too well, Sweetheart,” Kathryn reminds me. “You get me all night in that king-sized bed. Let’s worry about you for now.” Kathryn is perfection. Every last thing about her is what every man has ever wanted and yearned for—especially me.

Kathryn guides me back into her mouth, willing me to surrender to my desires. Her hands grip tightly on my ass, urging me further in. As she hums softly, the vibrations put every nerve ending in my body on alert. The pressure builds, climbs, filling me with pleasure and frustration. The sensation is bliss; I rock my hips, preparing for release as I try to pull back.

“Babe, I’m … gonna …” I warn between pants.

Nodding, Kathryn doesn’t retract, but continues faster and harder, hitting the back of her throat with each thrust and pump. Kathryn wants this, wants me, wants all of me. This is her conquest, her way of owning me. I’m hers. Every last part of me belongs to her. The thought empowers me, warms me, overtakes me, it’s what sends me over the edge of euphoric ecstasy.

Regaining my strength and balance, I pull her up, kissing her softly. After our lips part, I grab the soap, lathering my hands with soapy bubbles. My hands travel her body, cleansing her skin in soft, sensual strokes. Her lips part; her tongue glides over her upper lip. I watch, mesmerized by her reactions to my touch. When Kathryn’s chest heaves, offering itself to me, I accept, exploring her breasts with my hands and mouth.

When her breathing quickens and her body weakens, I slow my movements, paying attention to the task at hand. After rinsing her body completely, I fill my hands with shampoo. Turning her back to me, Kathryn lets her head fall back into my hands as I massage the shampoo into her hair, caressing her scalp.

“Feels so good,” Kathryn murmurs, rubbing her head against my palms.

“Pebbles, I’m just washing your hair,” I explain, grinning at the effect I have on her.

“It doesn’t matter how you’re touching me, it’s pure erotic magic,” she coos. I chuckle at her words. “I’m serious, Dre,” she says turning toward me as the water washes over us. “I’ve never experienced such pleasure before. When I’m with you … it’s … it’s everything.”

Placing my lips on hers, I whisper into her mouth, “Everything.”

“My God, Dre, that … that … was incredible,” Kathryn pants breathlessly, lying on her back, staring glassy-eyed at the ceiling. “I’m mean, I’ve had some good sex before … mainly with you … but that … that was … unbelievable.” Just the thought of her having sex with someone else tenses my muscles, making my heart constrict.