Shadows (10 page)

"Fuck. Babe, you'll make me come. Let me take
care of you first." Pulling out he rocks back into my pussy and I
clench around him again. His cock feels so hard inside me. It's
hitting everywhere I need it to. He begins a punishing rhythm. I
squeeze my thighs around him. We are both breathing hard and he
captures my lips again. I moan into his mouth and he bites my
bottom lip. He slides his hands down to cup my ass as his fingers
dig into me tightening their grip.

"Oh, yes! Please, Theron please!"

"You want to come, baby? Are you
begging?"

"Yes, please, I need to come."

"Then come!" He slams forcefully into me. He's
absolutely relentless. My walls clench, tightening around him. He
leans his head down pulling my nipple into his mouth. With a flick
of his tongue and a soft nip of his teeth, he has me coming
undone.

"Theron!" My pussy spasms around him. My
thighs are digging into his hips and my hands are clasped tight
around his neck. This is so intense. My body has nowhere to go as
he continues his fierce rhythm slamming into me. I drop my head and
sink my teeth into his shoulder.

"Ahh, Eve!" He thrusts into me and I can feel
his release. He buries his head in my neck. I whimper as he pulls
out of me placing his hands on the wall behind me. I lower my feet
back to the floor. We stand there under the hot water streaming
down on us unable to move. Kissing my neck, he straightens his
body. "Babe, that wasn't my intention when I got in the
shower."

"No, but it was mine." Leaning up on my toes,
I softly kiss him. "The water is getting cold, babe."

He reaches over and turns off the water. When
he opens the shower door the steam and warmth escape. Grabbing a
towel off the warmer, he wraps it around his waist. He holds the
other one open and wraps me up as I step into it. He dries me off
and attempts to towel dry my hair. It's way too long for that, but
I think its sweet he's trying to take care of me so I don't stop
him. Once he's satisfied he dries himself off. I start to get
dressed and he stops me. He grabs my hand and I follow him out of
the bathroom in just my panties.

"I think I could get used to that."

"What, me joining you in the
shower?"

"Well, yes, I could get used to that, but
that's not what I meant."

"Oh?"

"You called me babe." Oh, that. I could get
used to calling him that too. He pulls me towards the bed and we
both fall on it. He wraps me in his arms. "What time do you have to
leave?"

"I'm supposed to meet them at Emmerson's
funeral home. She said three o'clock, so I should probably leave
here about two fifteen or so. I don't want to be late. What time is
it now?"

"It's almost noon. I didn't want to wake you.
Would you like me to come with you?"

"No, I'll be fine. I think Kayla really needs
me right now. I think it would be best if I showed up sans my
handsome follower."

"Follower? What am I some kind of Eve groupie?
Surely, I could have a better title than that." He kisses the top
of my head and I sigh.

"What kind of title do you want?" Taking a
lock of my hair he winds it around his finger. He's quiet and it
makes me nervous. What does he think of me as? Are we just friends
with benefits?

"I was hoping for handsome boyfriend, but we
can leave the handsome part out if you want." I blush and suddenly
I'm glad my back is to his front. Boyfriend? I wonder if it's too
soon for that. We've just met.

"Do you think we are rushing
things?"

Letting out a deep breath, he drops the piece
of hair he was playing with. "I thought we were on the same page. I
told you there was no going back. I am keeping you. What's
bothering you about the term boyfriend?"

"I'm not saying I'm bothered. I just don't
want you to feel rushed. I don't want to force you into
anything."

"Who gets to say what's rushed? I go with what
feels right and this feels right to me.” I hold onto his hands
wrapped around my waist. I'm so afraid he will let go.

"Are you sure, Theron? I'm a mess right now.
I've just lost one of my best friends. I keep freaking out on you.
My emotions are all over the place. My face is swollen and raw from
crying so much. I'm not sure you are prepared for the mess that is
Evelyn Davidson. I'm not sure how to calm myself down. Normally Ben
& Jerry's does it for me, but not this time. I feel so frantic,
but then you touch me and I instantly calm. I feel like I can't
breathe without you right now. Are you ready for all of this?" I
lay everything I have on the table. I hope I'm not risking it
all.

"Beautiful, I'll be whatever you want me to
be. I want to be your boyfriend, but I'll follow you if you want me
to. I want to protect you. I want to help you get through this.
It's up to you, babe.” He starts twirling my hair again. I decide
to go with what feels right.

"Okay."

"Okay? Is that a yes?" Biting my bottom lip, I
nod my head. I must have said what he wanted to hear. The next
thing I know is I'm on my back and he is spread out on top of me.
He kisses my forehead. I breathe in his highly addicting scent. He
sits back and doesn't say anything, but he gives me a huge Cheshire
cat grin. What is going through that head of his?

"Come on, beautiful. I have two hours with you
and we need to spend them wisely. First, the coffee and then the
kissing." He pulls me with him as he hops off the bed. I'm
laughing, his happiness is incredibly contagious. I realize I feel
happy, and it catches me off guard. I finish getting dressed and
decide to pull my hair back into a braid. I don't feel like taking
the time to dry it today. I want to get back to Theron. The thought
of Matt and what his family must be going through right now drifts
into my mind, taking it down a sad road as I get ready.

I walk out into the kitchen and take a seat at
the island. Theron has a cup of coffee waiting for me. I take a sip
and it's exactly how I like it. I notice him standing next to the
window by the fireplace. He's so perfectly still. I assume he's
lost in thought. I decide that neither of us should be alone and I
really want to feel his skin again. I wrap my arms around him from
behind, gently brushing my hands under his shirt so I can feel his
hot skin. He drops his head and I wonder if maybe he's having
second thoughts. I start to pull my hands away and he grabs my
wrists.

"Don't"

"Don't what, babe?"

"Don't let go. I was enjoying you."

"Oh. I only thought…well you dropped your head
so I thought…never mind." I hold tight on to him absorbing the
warmth of his skin under my fingers. He runs his hands over my
arms.

"Thought what?"

"I just thought maybe you were having second
thoughts already. You dropped your head. I thought I had made you
sad." His hands still over mine and I hear him take a deep breath.
He lets go of my hands and my arms drop to my side.

"Not at all. I know you are going to have a
rough couple of days ahead of you. I just wish I could be there for
you. I could sit in a corner and be really quiet. I promise I won't
get in the way. I'm so afraid you'll break and I want to be there
if you do."

Now, I understand the problem. However sweet
his offer may sound, I know I can't take him up on it. Kayla needs
me. She's my best friend, my only one I have left now. I can't
shove Theron in her face again. She doesn't understand my need for
him and I don't want to push her away. I sit on the couch and pat
the cushion beside me. Theron looks at me and I can tell he knows
what I want to say. He sits and runs his hands through his hair.
The one lock betrays him and I smile reaching up to wind it around
my finger before I push it back.

"Kayla needs me there with her today. To be
honest, I need her. We've always been there for each other. Matt
is, was our best friend. It was just us three for the past six
years. I need to do this alone. I need to do this for Kayla and
Matt." Tears fall from my eyes with the mention of his name. I wipe
them away with my sleeve. I hope I didn't offend him, but I know I
am right about this.

"Beautiful, I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset
you. I didn’t have anyone when my mom passed and I remember the
feeling of not wanting to be alone. I just want to make this easier
for you. "

"I get it. I really do, but Kayla doesn't
understand my draw to you. We've only just met and she won't
understand my need to have you there. I've been on dates before,
but besides my boyfriend in high school I've really never been in a
relationship. Suddenly, I’m with you. I've always wanted fireworks,
but I can't explain that to her. She won't understand because, she
can't feel what I do."

"I'm your fireworks, beautiful?" He lifts my
chin, looking deep into my eyes. He has that lopsided grin on his
face, which I find incredibly sexy.

"Is that okay?"

He places a soft kiss on my lips and another
on the tip of my nose. "It's more than okay, Eve." He looks at me
like he wants to say something more, but he just shakes his head.
Pulling me into his lap, we spend the next hour kissing.

I'm lying on the couch with Theron and I see
him check the time on his watch. "Eve, it's almost time for you to
get ready to go. Would you like a snack or a sandwich before you
leave? I was a little sidetracked this afternoon and forgot about
lunch." I shake my head at him. The thought of having to meet Kayla
at the funeral home has my stomach in knots. "At least eat a banana
or something. You're going to start to waste away if you don't. Eat
something for me, please?" Standing up, I roll my eyes at him. "A
banana, Eve, that's all I'm asking.

"Fine, I’ll grab a banana. Theron?"

"Yes, beautiful,"

"Thank you for the shower." Giving me a wicked
grin, he proceeds to smack me on my ass as I walk past him. "Ouch!
What was that for?"

"Because I wanted to. I like your ass. Are you
going to hold it against me?"

"No"

"Really? Because I wish you would." I let out
a little laugh as I roll my eyes at him. Grabbing a banana, I head
to the bedroom to collect my purse and shoes.

I'm standing in front of the mirror tucking a
couple stray hairs back into my braid. I guess I look okay. The
redness has faded some, but I have dark circles under my eyes. I
take a couple deep breaths in through my nose and out through my
mouth. I can do this. Slipping on my flats, I grab my purse and
head into the kitchen.

Theron is sitting at the island. "You
ready?"

"I guess so."

He takes my hand, softly placing a kiss on
back of it, and I follow him to the car.

I hate funeral homes. The flowers arrangements
and plants do nothing soften the pain of losing a loved one. If
anything they are just a reminder that all things die because, even
they will wilt and die eventually. I walk into the door marked
office. Kayla and Michael are already sitting in dark brown leather
chairs in front of a big oak desk. Taking my seat next to Michael,
I grab his hand. I can't imagine the pain he must be feeling. The
man across from us introduces himself, but I don't hear his name.
I'm too focused on the people beside me.

The meeting only lasts an hour. Everything is
planned according to Michael's wishes. Matt's obituary will run in
tomorrow’s paper. Michael has already got in touch with his family
and Matt's brother has posted a copy online. Thanks to social
media, I will only need to let my parents and Anne know the
details. I give Michael a hug and let him know if he needs anything
to call me. Kayla is already outside sitting on bench near the
front doors. She looks exhausted and I feel the same.

"Kayla, how are you doing with all of this?"
Taking a seat next to her, I squeeze her hand.

"I don't know. It's just so unreal, you
know?"

"I know." I lay my head on her shoulder. It's
going to be so strange not having Matt around. I take a deep
breath. "So, Michael asked me to talk to you about the
apartment."

"I don't want to live there anymore, Eve. I'm
sorry, but I can't"

"I figured as much. I feel the same way.
Michael said he took care of April's rent for us. He let the
landlord know the situation and he was very understanding. We have
until April fifteenth to move our stuff out. Michael is going to
pack up Matt's stuff next week." I sniffle and Kayla puts her arm
around me.

"Your mom swears this will get easier. She
asked me to stay with her, but I told her Paul offered the
same."

"Are you moving in with him, then?"

"I guess so. I mean we have been dating for
close to a year now. It seems like the right choice."

"But do you want to? Is this what you want,
Kayla?" She rubs my shoulder. We sit in silence for a few moments.
"I really want to. I love him." She kisses the side of my head. I'm
happy for her. "What about you?"

"I don't know. I haven't really thought about
it. I know I don't want to go back to the apartment. Robert is in
town for a couple weeks. I might just ask him and my dad to pack my
things. I guess I could stay with my parents for a little while
until I find something."