Page 59 of Signed, SEALed, Delivered

I refused to let this moment go and allow the harshness of the outside world fill it with negativity. Instead, I removed the cap from the bottle of tea and, in the most unlady like fashion, began to gulp it. Between Zach's warmth and the chill from the dripping condensation, two worlds provided me comfort in completely different arenas. The only noise in the room was provided by a group of passing children, singing a song both of us had heard many times. I turned in Zach's direction and placed the now empty bottle on the side table. I found strength in his eyes, his strong fingers, and his gentle smile. All were features I prayed our children would inherit.

"I need to cancel dinner with you." My fingers fumbled with the hem of his shirt, where the ink of his most recent tattoo peeked out. I was told it was a Latin proverb.

"All right," Zach conceded, releasing me and crossing his arms, making his massive biceps bulge. "What are we doing instead of eating? Because you're crazy if you think you're taking care of whatever is bothering you on your own."

So I told him, every detail I had been given. How I couldn't believe my mother could treat my father and my sister this way. She had betrayed her daughter, the one who followed her at every turn.

"Kennedy, you do know who your dad was seeing, correct?" His fingers touched the tip of my chin, bringing my face up to align with his, his eyes searching mine.

"That's different, he wasn't..." I didn't get to finish as Zach placed a firm kiss to my lips, his arms stopping any body movement, and my rambling as well.

"It doesn't matter." His breath brushed against my lips, calming me to the core. "What are you going to do about helping her?"

While sitting on the floor of the room I had been painting that afternoon—surrounded by paint cans and drop cloths, pizza from a delivery guy and beer left behind after my father had moved out—I told Zach about the internal war going on inside me. I felt this sense of duty to do everything to protect my mother, and yet, felt my mother needed to solve her own issues. Zach gave his attorney a call, insisting every man deserved their day in court, regardless of how guilty they may be. They both agreed a night in jail may be a good reality check for Claudia.

***

It was nearly seven the next morning when Zach held my hand as he drove me to the address I was given to post bail for my mother. The single story, brick building held nothing special in its appearance. Patrol cars were parked in neat vertical lines as Zach pulled his truck into a space just outside the main doors. With my hand firmly encased in his, he opened the door to the station and we made our way to the information desk. Once we had spoken with the polite woman who was manning the desk, we were asked to have a seat while the paperwork was gathered for Claudia's release.

While we waited in the plastic chairs, we listened to the sounds of phones ringing in the distance, fax machines sending information, and various conversations going on around us. It was one particular conversation, between the man standing at the end of the elongated desk and the receptionist, captured my attention. His uniform gave me the impression that he was a firefighter. I couldn't help but overhear his conversation with the kind woman who had taken our information earlier.

"So how soon before you have to be out?"

"Less than a month, and the wedding is next weekend." The fireman responded. He went on to say the news was not easy to deliver to his future bride. It seemed she had lost her mother last year in a car accident and they already had to postpone the wedding due to the funeral. Now it appeared the apartment they had been living in was sold and the new owners weren't interested in keeping the current tenants. I heard his confession of having no place to live and no hopes of finding one, as all of their funds were tied up in their wedding and honeymoon.

I placed three quick taps to Zach's thigh; causing him to release my shoulders he had been holding while sitting beside me and rose from the chair. With a deep breath and a tiny prayer, I approached the man.

"I'm terribly sorry to have been eavesdropping, but your conversation was carrying over to where I was sitting." I pointed over my shoulder to where Zach remained seated. "My name is Kennedy Forrester." Extending my hand, I placed a smile on my face, hoping it would be returned by the man before me. "I think I can help with your housing situation."

For the next thirty minutes, the fireman, whose name is Cole, and I discussed how I was willing to rent my childhood home to him and his future wife, Melanie, in exchange for the remaining repairs being completed. I would have my father write up an agreement for the couple to lease the house for the next twelve months, any work done to the house would be deducted from the monthly rent payment.

Before we finalized the agreement, a commotion arose from the back. I quickly excused myself, but not before Cole apologized to Zach as he hugged me in a gesture of thanks.

"Sorry, man, you have yourself an angel." Cole's voice was full of grateful emotion. The hug was pure gratitude as was the handshake he shared with a laughing Zach.

"It's about goddamn time you got here!" A disheveled Claudia stood rubbing her wrists. Her hair looked like she had gone a few rounds with a rabid squirrel. Given the events of the last few months, Claudia's words did not surprise me, or Zach for that matter. What was surprising however, was the fifty dollars I took from my back pocket and placed on the counter in front of my mother.

"Take a cab, catch a city bus or hitch hike, I don't care! You have learned nothing and I feel sorry for you. If you don't wise up real quick and change who you are, you’re going to wake up one morning with nothing and no one in your life."

I didn't wait for a response as I shook Cole’s hand one last time and confirmed the meeting time to sign the lease. I took Zach's hand and exited through same door I had entered, Claudia yelling my name and other choice words as the door closed behind me.

As Zach revved the engine, he placed his hand on my inner thigh and squeezed the jean-covered skin with a wink. "That was fucking hot, Baby."

"Oh, yeah? Just wait until we get home."

***

"Let me." His voice was ragged with want, as he crossed over to me, replacing my hands with his own. "You're driving me crazy over here."

I allowed my hands to fall away, groaning as his callused fingers resumed what mine had started. Our eyes met and I could see the fire growing behind his dark orbs. Full of the passion I created and couldn't wait to unleash, appreciate, and enjoy.

"Come here." Zach took over, his hands leaving my nipples to wrap around my naked back, lowering me to the softness the cushions provided. His mouth was warm and eager, his tongue commanding my lips and taking my tongue by surprise. I wanted this, I wanted it so bad. To be free and choose for myself, to give this to him on my terms and not when it's socially acceptable to do so.

His lips moved to my throat, but not for long before he rapidly descended to my navel, causing my breath to catch in my throat and my eyes to shoot open. This wasn't the first time he had explored that area, the place my grandmother told me to keep boys away from. But Zach isn't a boy, he is a full grown man. A man who has just ripped away the last piece of clothing separating my core from him. His thumb is already buried knuckle deep inside me as his teeth hold my clit prisoner.

He plays my body like a fiddle, knowing exactly where to touch and the quickest way to make me come. Several nips later his goal is achieved and my body is jerking from the overwhelming sensations. He doesn’t stop though, as his tongue replaced his thumb, his hands finding my breasts once again. Zach's large hands engulf them, squeezing them as his tongue darts inside me over and over. I should have felt embarrassed, as my fingers thread into his hair holding him as my orgasm draws closer, but I don't. I will never feel anything but love when I'm with Zach.

"We can stop here." He looks up at me, his chin is wet from my orgasm, and his eyes pitch black with desire.

Pulling him up to me, I cover his lips with my own, silencing him and answering his unspoken question. My tongue finds his and I taste myself on him; it’s tangy but not horrible. He never questions me when I don't object after each time we have done this. It's not enough to stop me from doing what I want more than anything.

There is nothing between us, no layer of latex or fear of repercussions. Zach had to be tested recently for a life insurance policy his lawyer told him to take out. With my limited number of partners, there was no need. I gasped slightly as I lower myself over him, pressing the head of his cock past my exterior lips. Zach was a big man, bigger than any other man I had seen. I knew I was ready for him, ready to take this step, as I continued to lower myself, reveling in the feeling of fullness.

I stop briefly, but Zach never pushed, not moving or trying to move me. He's patient and understanding. I lower myself a little more, moaning as the pressure increases. A throaty sound comes from deep within Zach’s chest, he feels this, enjoys it.

I placed my second hand around his neck and continue my tortuous descent over his shaft. Zach's face never falters, but I can see his eyes dilate as I descend further and further. Two things happen when I have him fully inside me. First, I can feel his pelvis against my clit, it's a nice feeling, creating a stirring in my belly. Second, Zach’s fingers digging into the sides of my hips, stopping me, holding me in place.

Zach turns us over, his cock never leaving me. His rhythm is slow at first—in and out, in and out. I watched as his eyes close and he changes his strokes, adding a sweep that rubs my clit with each downward motion. I can't stop the moans coming out of me, causing Zach's eyes to open and his thrusts to increase. I can feel the head of his cock getting bigger, slicker with the lubrication my arousal is producing.

I want to come, to cry out his name and live the Hollywood fantasy where our bodies are slick with sweat and we finish together. But we are far from a movie couple, this is real. This is the man who will see me at my worst and, thank God, my absolute best. It's that realization and serenity which causes the tingling in my pelvis to rise to the top. With quicker thrusts from my end, my back arches and my breath quickens. This is so much more than a physical act, more than a move toward independence. This is our pledge that when things are good, and even when they're bad, we can come together and share the intimacy and pleasure we bring one another.

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