The Lily (The Flowering Series Book 1) (3 page)

The weekend was nothing short of phenomenal. We hung out at the beach during the day with his family, slipping away each night to skinny-dip and make love under the moonlit sky. Anyone could see how crazy we were for each other. It was becoming more and more obvious to everyone, including me that Jake and I were meant to be together and our love was the kind you could spend several lifetimes trying to find.

Of course I also spent time with Clair, Jake’s mom, and Lily that holiday weekend. We went shopping, had a girl’s night at the movies and even spent an afternoon at the spa. It was such a strange experience forming a positive and loving relationship with Claire. I was convinced that my own mother never knew what the definition of fun was let alone how to incorporate it into a loving relationship.

Before we knew it Monday had arrived and it was time for me to head back to campus. I could feel the weight Jake was carrying and I knew that I was also burdened by the sadness of our upcoming summer apart.  In true Jake form he made sure that the ride back to campus was long, scenic and utterly romantic.

It was about halfway home that I had the stark realization that I may very well not be able to function without seeing Jake or feeling his arms around me for several months. I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks as I realized my greatest fear was upon me. I was Jake’s and I did not know if I was strong enough to be without him.

As we neared the sorority house you could feel the dread pouring off both of us in waves. I was trying to stay strong but the tears would not stop coming and I could see the pain in Jake’s eyes. He pulled me into his arms, holding me for hours. The sun was beginning to set and he finally decided to stay the night and head back to the shore the following morning. Just one more night was all we were asking for.

That night we reached for each other out of loving, a strong need to enjoy each and every moment we had with one another. Slowly we both explored each other’s bodies memorizing every curve and freckle. We fought sleep, afraid to lose even a second of our time together.

Jake was an amazing kisser, his lips were soft and full and he knew exactly where to use them to drive me wild. He started at my toes, kissing inch by inch up to my knees tickling me mericilessly. As his kisses neared my inner thighs my heartbeat sped up and my hands tangled in his hair.

True to his nature Jake only teased my center making sure to blow hot air on my clit as he continued up my body to spend time worshipping my nipples. I was on fire, moaning his name and digging my nails into his back. When his lips finally made their way to mine I was certain he was planning on dragging out the main event and I was entirely too turned on to let that happen. I wrapped my leg around his quickly trying to leverage my body to flip him over so I could take control.

Before I had a chance to enact my plan Jake attached his lips to my right nipple and pushed two fingers inside me. I instantly came apart underneath him. As the waves of my orgasm continued he chuckled then continued on with his sweet torture until finally he decided I had been patient enough.

As our bodies came together I felt the fear that I had fallen so quick and deep in love prick at the back of my mind. At the very same time I knew that this man was made for me and I could trust him with my heart. It was a tug-of-war between my heart and my head but since my heart ruled my body it had a definite advantage.

The dawn came early and it was not a hard decision for Jake as he decided to stay with me until I had to go to work that evening. We spent the day teaching each other new ways to love and peppered with conversations about our dreams.

As it came time for me to head to work Jake decided to stay one more night. We were not ready to say goodbye yet and although I had been steeling myself for his departure, when he told me he needed one more night I melted into him.

I rushed through work to find Jake waiting for me in the parking lot after my shift. I remember thinking that seeing his charming smile after a long day was exactly how I wanted to spend the rest of my life.

We were both exhausted, as being in love and lack of sleep tend to make you, but Jake had planned something to relax us both. While I was at work he bought some delicious vanilla bath oil and my favorite red wine. As I undressed out of my work uniform he ran the water and added some bath oil.

I poured us a few glasses of wine and we sank into the tub together breathing each other’s strength and peace to relax. Being young and in love though turned an innocent bath quickly passionate and we spent the rest of the night making sure we were both satisfied. We could not get enough of each other and every time Jake’s eyes met mine I fell in love all over again.

The sun came up and again we were faced with the expectation Jake’s family had that he would be back to the shore house to spend the rest of the summer. As much as I wanted to convince Jake to stay I knew that in order to believe he really wanted to be there I would need him to take the initiative to make it happen.

After we ate a quiet breakfast I started to prepare myself for the worst. As I was cleaning up the dishes I heard Jake on the phone with his mom pleading with her to stay closer to me for the summer. I tried to remain calm but my I felt like my insides were in a whirlwind with Jake at the center. This man was choosing of his own free will to stay with me. I was the luckiest girl on earth.

I felt guilty listening in so I snuck into the shower but not before catching Jake’s eye and smiling from my heart. Never had I thought there would be someone, let alone someone as incredible as Jake, in my life. The petals of the flower had ended on ‘he loves me’ and I made the decision to never let him regret his decision.

I finished my shower and found Jake in the living room just hanging up the phone. The pure look of happiness was enough to tell me that we would not have to spend a day apart this summer.

Jake explained that his mom had remembered what it was like to be young and in love and she could clearly see how happy Jake was with me. Unfortunately his dad was not as understanding.

His dad had worked very hard to be as successful as he was and all he wanted was for his children to have more than he did and not have to work as hard to get it. He was also very old fashioned and had seen to it that his wife never had to work outside the home. This meant that he had replaced the memories of his early love of Claire with memories of responsibilities.

Our saving grace came when Lily, who was evidently eavesdropping on the conversation, suggested that Jake take some summer classes, which would allow him to spend the summer on campus near me. Even Jake’s dad could not argue with furthering his education. He finally caved and agreed to pay for an apartment for Jake during the summer that Lily could move into once the school year began.

Once his dad gave the thumbs up we did not waste any time in registering Jake for a few general electives he needed and combing the newspaper for available apartments. Jake being able to have his own apartment was the perfect way for us to ensure that we spent every night of the summer together without the prying eyes of our sorority or fraternity sisters and brothers.

The apartment Jake finally decided on was in walking distance of Greek row and had a fantastic claw foot bathtub I was already planning on pulling Jake into the first chance that I got. He did not have much in the way of stuff to move in so by the next afternoon he was settled. I brought a good portion of my clothing and such over to Jake’s but I maintained my place at the house for appearances sake.

We spent the rest of the summer playing house. I was living at Jake’s apartment, unbeknownst to his parents, and we spent every day in stupid, crazy love. Making love in the kitchen while cooking breakfast, walking each other to work and class and long baths followed by gentle loving filled our days. While passionate, often tear your clothes off sex filled our nights.

It was almost too much for me. On one hand I was ecstatic and full of love for Jake and our promising future. I could not describe how Jake made me feel. He touched me and I was instantly on fire and when he looked at me I felt my heart open fully to him.

On the other hand I was still harboring my childhood fears of abandonment and rejection. Jake was wonderful at easing these concerns but my scars ran deep and most of the time I only pushed my feelings into the recesses of my mind instead of finally letting them go. I knew it was a Band-Aid and that someday I would have to actually deal with my past, but at that time I chose to be in love.

Summer’s end was closing in and the Petrillo final Labor Day weekend bash at the shore was looming. Jake’s parents had personally invited me and this time around so I did not hesitate. There was no possible way I was letting Jake out of my sight for even the weekend.

Before we left we had to determine the living situation for the upcoming school year. Since Jake was the President at OX he was supposed to live at the fraternity house but as long as he kept a room there and attended all the house functions it was an unwritten rule that the President could actually reside elsewhere.

Lily was thinking about living in the dorms but she knew her father had rented the apartment for her to move into once Jake’s summer classes were over. I was scheduled to stay at the sorority house. It ended that after much discussion Lily and Jake would keep the apartment but Lily would actually be living in my room at the sorority house and Jake and I would spend most of our time at the apartment.

Jake even used his Presidency at OX to pass a resolution that allowed me to become the ‘little sister’ of the fraternity, which meant I could live in the house when he needed to be away from the apartment. Even though his parents were technically unaware of the situation I think maybe they suspected as much.

To make the most of the end of summer we took road trips up and down the east coast often stopping in Gloucester, Massachusetts at a bed and breakfast. It was a special spot and it obvious that owners were even invested in our love. We had the kind of relationship that the lovelorn hope exists.

This was the first time I could ever remember being happy

Chapter 4:

The next two years were almost like a dream and before we could blink it was time for Jake to graduate. He was busy interviewing for jobs and he was determined to stay close to me with every intention of marriage and children in the near future.

I was on board for both of those things but I also held strongly to my desire to have my own career and success so that I never had a chance of becoming my mother. I would never be a slave to anyone.

Jake was offered his dream job in Japan and the plan was after graduation to travel together to explore the amazing adventure that awaited us. Fear of the foreign language and culture was real but an opportunity like that was only given once in a lifetime so there was no doubt Jake had to seize it.

So much was going on Jake’s senior year that we barely saw each other except for to kiss goodnight and fall immediately asleep. By Spring Break we had decided enough was enough and to get some alone time we headed secretly to Las Vegas.

It was a vacation to end all vacations. We never took vacations in my family so the most I had seen was a historical sight or a museum on a class trip. Jake’s family was well travelled and had even been internationally, so he was more than prepared for showing me the ropes.

We stayed at The Sands and our room looked out over the strip full of neon lights and excitement. Las Vegas was like it’s very own country. There were people from all over the world and sometimes I had a hard time believing we were still on planet earth.

To be completely honest I thought this kind of intense onslaught to my senses would overwhelm me. So when it had the polar opposite effect I was stunned. Every ding of the slot machine, glow of a neon light and mini-view into another world inspired me.

Being poor college students, we gambled very little, made love a lot and sang ridiculous karaoke to every Motown classic there was in a bar built to be a café in Paris. I was in heaven and Jake was the one who was taking me there.

Our Las Vegas vacation re-invigorated our desire for one another and the alone time had been very needed. Being in Las Vegas, the city of excess, also allowed us to go out of our comfort zone sexually. My favoriate memory involves the floor to ceiling windows that gave us a perfect view of the Strip.