Author: Teresa Mummert

He pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it across the room as he sat up long enough to pull his over his head. The lights from the television danced off his bare chest. He fell back on top of me, his hand finding my right breast and gently caressing it as he deepened our kiss. His fingers pinched my nipple and pulled it.

“Fuck the movie,” I breathed, and he smiled as he began to unbutton my jeans and slide them down my legs. He backed his way off the couch as he removed them fully, along with my panties.

He stood looking down at me as he slowly undid his belt and shoved down his pants and boxers.

“Stand up,” he commanded. I slowly pushed myself off the couch to stand in front of him. He grabbed my hips and spun me around.

“Put your knees on the couch and hold on to the back.”

As I did, he grabbed my hips and pulled me back to him. He nudged my legs apart. “Wider.”

He positioned himself at my entrance from behind. I glanced over my shoulder at him, chewing on my lip.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you.” He kissed my cheek and gently slid inside my throbbing folds from behind.

“God, you’re so fucking wet for me.” His breath on my ear made me melt. His fingers gripped tighter on my hips as he slowly picked up his pace. I pushed my backside into him as I held on tight to the back of the couch. One of his hands slid up my spine and wrapped in my hair. He made a fist and pulled my head back as his bucked harder. He leaned over me.

“You like it when I’m rough with you?” His lips hovered next to mine. I tried to turn to him, to kiss him, but he held my hair firm in his grip.

“Yes,” I moaned. The hand on his hip slipped in front of me, rubbing small circles over my mound. “Oh…”

My walls began to tighten around him and his hand stopped moving. I was so close. His strokes became longer and slower, waiting for my body to relax. When it did, his pace resumed and his fingers found that magic spot again.

I pushed my ass back against him with each thrust.

“Come for me, Emma,” he whispered and my body unraveled around him. I cried out as I felt him let go and come inside of me. I collapsed over the back of the couch, his sweat slicked chest falling onto my back.

“I love you,” he said as he pushed the hair off my forehead. He pulled out of me and sat back onto the couch. “Come on, you’re going to the miss the part where he gets caught.” He smirked and slapped me hard on the ass.

I yelped and spun around to sit next to him. I grabbed a few pieces of popcorn that had fallen on the blanket and popped them in my mouth as I settled into his side.

We watched the rest of the movie and then settled on some TV before falling asleep in each other’s arms on the couch. I loved it when he held me tight against him. I felt safe.

Chapter Twelve

The funeral was held in the small cemetery on the edge of town. Nothing stood out about the place. The stones were all small and plain. A few big trees dotted the edge of the property. The last time I had been to a funeral was for my parents. The thought made me cringe. I had no one left now. No one but William.

I glanced over in his direction. His face was hard. His jaw muscles flexed below his skin as he stared off in the distance. I swallowed back the lump in my throat. He reached over and placed his hand on my knee, giving it a firm squeeze. His eyes never glanced in my direction. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me and to tell me everything was going to be okay, but he was lost in his own thoughts. I placed my hand on top of his and rubbed the back of it gently.

He looked down at them and then finally let his eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry.”

I nodded, unable to form any words. I blew out the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My aunt and I had never really gotten along, but I never realized just how much I loved her.

Tears began to trickle down my cheeks. William gave one last gentle squeeze and exited the car. He made his way to my side and opened my door, holding out his hand for me. I took it and he pulled me into his arms, holding me while I quietly broke down in his arms.

The sky was overcast, and the world had a dingy hue. It seemed fitting on a day that you buried someone. I smoothed out my skirt and took a long deep breath before nodding to William that I was ready.

My heels sank into the dampened grass and I silently cursed myself for not wearing sensible shoes. I wanted to break down and cry over my stupid choice of footwear. I glanced up at the small crowd of people ahead.

“Do you know them?” William asked, leaning into me so no one would hear our conversation. I narrowed my eyes and looked ahead. The only people I ever saw with my aunt were the men that came in and out of our house at all hours of the night. I shook my head no and looked to the ground as we approached.

Sad smiles and teary eyes greeted us. Several women shook my hand and offered me condolences along with looks of pity. I would never escape those looks.

I smiled weakly at the minister who returned the gesture. I wanted this to be a distant memory as soon as possible. He began speaking as the small crowd formed a semi-circle around the large wooden box in front of us. William positioned himself behind me, his hand placed gently on my lower back. Several more people filed around as the man spoke sweet words about a woman he had never even met. I found that even more depressing. His words flew over my head and I wasn’t able to focus on anything he said.

As the service ended, I began the awkward phase of greeting and thanking everyone who had taken the time to say goodbye to my aunt. It was like having an out of body experience. My brain wasn’t registering anything that was said.

The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was William’s hand leaving my back. I glanced over my shoulder and watched him make his way through the small crowd, following a woman in a sleek black dress. Panic washed over me as I wondered if it was someone who worked at Kippling with him. My thoughts flashed to Angela but I quickly pushed her out of my mind.

I turned back to face the grieving woman in front of me as my stomach twisted in knots. My feet felt like they were stuck in cement. I was too scared to go to him. Would he leave me too? Leave me with nothing? I was terrified and I almost breathed a sigh of relief as the woman finished giving me her condolences. I glanced back over my shoulder, searching the cemetery for William.

I spotted him under a large elm tree. William looked angry as he leaned in closely to speak to the woman. Her fingers were tracing the button line of William’s shirt and he reached up to grab her hands, angrily pushing them away. It was an oddly intimate moment. His face was close to hers and cocked to the side. Her body leaned in toward him.

My heart stopped beating. His eyes met mine and I tried unsuccessfully to erase the look of sheer horror on my face.

My feet began to move swiftly as if they had a mind of their own. My mind raced with the thought of William and another woman. I tried to shake the idea. I was upset and I wasn’t thinking clearly. The fear kept me going. I needed to know who that woman was and why she was at my aunt’s funeral. Nothing made sense. Hot tears stung at my eyes and the vision of them became a blur. I saw them separate, stepping unnaturally far apart for something innocent.

I didn’t care. I was at a funeral. There was nothing out of place about someone grieving. As I reached them, my knees became weak and I struggled to stand on my own accord.

“Emma.” William didn’t sound like his normal calm and in control self. There was something else in his voice, fear maybe?

I wiped at my face to dash away the tears. The woman before me had her arms crossed over her chest. She was a stunning brunette. I looked her up and down before looking back at William, hoping she didn’t mean anything to him. I never once considered that there was anyone else. I suddenly felt foolish and… jealous. All of the anger and sadness I had been trying desperately to suppress came bubbling to the surface.

“This is…” He gestured to the leggy brunette. She took a step forward, hand extended.

“Allison.” She smiled and I wanted to attack. Instead, I ignored her hand and turned back to William. “I should probably go.”

I gave Allison a look of disgust and watched her turn and head for her car. I folded my arms over my chest and prepared for an all-out battle.

“Who is she?” I asked, my teeth grinding together painfully hard.

“She is no one.” His voice was stern and he glanced around making sure no one was listening to our conversation. The last few people had made their way to their cars.

“Fuck them.” My words came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I had nothing left to lose. Nothing but him. My heart was breaking.

“Let me take you back to my place.” He stepped forward and placed his hands on my arms, rubbing them. I pulled back from him, planting myself against the large tree.

“Did you…” I couldn’t get the words to pass my lips. I searched him with my eyes. He clenched his jaw and his hands balled into fists at his sides.

“Don’t do this here.” His words were cold.

“I’ll do whatever the fuck I want.”

The look of shock on his face was priceless. He took a second to regain his composure and stepped closer to me, his body hovering over mine.

“She is nobody.” His eyes locked onto mine.

I leaned closer to him. “Was she your girlfriend?” I searched his face for answers.

“It’s not like that. We met at a club she… works at.”

“Did you fuck her?”

He moved back slightly, but didn’t respond. My entire world crashed down around me in his silence. I pushed against him to free myself from my position. He grabbed my shoulder, forcing me back against the tree. The bark bit into my back.

“Let me explain.” He placed a hand on either side of me on the tree, keeping me pinned.

“It’s a yes or no question.” I pushed against his chest with both hands but he didn’t move. I glanced around the cemetery. The few people that had attended the funeral had left. We were alone. William’s heart raced under my fingertips.

“Please, fucking listen to me.”

“Why was she here?” Tears continued to pour down my face. He looked down and didn’t answer. “Why was she here?” I repeated bitterly.

He grabbed my wrists and pinned them to my sides, putting his body flush against mine.

“Get off of me!” I fought against him, but he was too strong. He growled as he struggled to keep me there. I was emotionally and physically exhausted. I sagged against the tree, sobbing.

“No one before you matters.” He nuzzled my neck, relaxing into me.

“Don’t,” I choked out. I wanted to run away from what was left of my life.

“Please.” His words were desperate. His lips moved over my neck, leaving a tiny trail of kisses. I flinched and pulled back from him. His breathing grew heavy and his chest pushed against mine. “Emma, don’t leave me,” his words barely a whisper but the desperation could be heard for miles.

I closed my eyes, trying to stop the flow of tears.

“Tell me you love me.” He tried to look in my eyes but I turned my head away from him. He let go of my wrists and moved his hands to either side of my face, forcing me to look in his direction.

“I don’t want to,” I whispered.

His eyes widened and he pushed his lips against mine. I wanted to slap him, but my body betrayed me.

My mouth began to move against his. My lips parted slightly and he slipped the tip of his tongue inside. I pushed back against it with my own. He moaned into my mouth and ground his hips into mine. I gasped. One of his hands traveled down my side and gripped my hip, pulling me tighter against him. I pulled my head back, breaking the kiss, and taking a moment to catch my breath.

“I can’t. I can’t do this.” I shook my head forcing myself to be strong.

William’s thumbs brushed over my cheek, wiping away my tears.