That One Night (That One Series Book 1) (25 page)

It’s still dark out when I wake up. I guess I haven’t been asleep for that long. It takes me a moment to realize what roused me from my sleep, and when I do, I can’t stop the quiet moan from escaping my lips. Ben’s laying on his side, his mouth following the curve of my neck, gently kissing and nibbling while his hand is lazily caressing my inner thigh, teasing me.

“Ben, what are you doing?”

“If you really have to ask that, then I think we need to talk. When a man and a woman love each other....”

I slap his naked chest, making him shake with laughter.

“Fuck you,” I whisper in mock anger.

“Oh, I’d rather fuck you, Frankie.” He arches his eyebrow, looking totally lickable, and even if I wanted to argue further, the look on his face and his hand now between my legs make my panties melt and with it my brain.

“What about Archer?”

“He’s sleeping deeply and soundly,” he says before he tugs at my earlobe with his teeth, causing me to mewl quietly.

“You know how often I imagined having you in this bed, how often I jerked off to the thought?” He groans between kisses and licks, while his fingers dip into me without a warning. I’m already shamelessly wet, an effect his words and closeness have on me. The tiny bit of morals that he hasn’t melted yet, make me speak up.

“Ben, we’re at your parents’ house. They are sleeping across the hall. We can’t.”

Not stopping the slow thrusts of his fingers, he breathes into my ear, a smile in his voice.

“Frankie, I hate to break the news. I think they know we had sex—you know, seeing as there is Archer and all.”

I huff, trying hard to still my hips that seem to be rocking along with the thrust of his fingers all of their own accord.

“That doesn’t mean I want to give them first row seats.”

“Then you better be quiet.”

Before I can reply, his mouth is on mine, his fingers thrusting faster now, while his thumb is rubbing my clit in sync with his thrusts.

I close my eyes, giving into him, his earlier words replaying in my head. The thought of him jerking off in his room thinking about me somehow feels extremely powerful and intoxicating. His fingers seem to know exactly what I like, what my body likes, while his lips stifle my moans. The tension builds up so quickly it surprises me. All it takes to push me over the edge is a whisper against my lips.

“I love you, babe. More than you know.”

That’s all it takes and I’m falling. My pussy clenching around his fingers, my body writhing with ecstasy and pleasure. Once I’ve come down from my high, he pulls his fingers out of me, bringing them to his mouth and licking them off. I nearly come again at the sight of that.

“Babe, you taste so good,” he groans and I can feel how turned on he is by the erection against my thigh. “This was better than anything I came up with in my fantasies.” He smiles at me, and I give him a lazy smile back, already having an idea how to top his fantasies even further.

I sit up, pushing him onto his back as I go. I kiss my way down his body. When I’m at the edge of his boxer briefs, I look up at him with played innocence.

“Did you fantasize about this too?”

His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows hard. I don’t wait for a reply before I tug down the sexy, black briefs he’s wearing and without further teasing I take his hard cock into my mouth, all the way to the back of my throat. He bucks his hips, groaning loudly, his hand tangling into my hair.

I release him with a pop and lick my lips, relishing in the hungry look he’s giving me.

“You better be quiet,” I quote his warning from earlier, before slowly swirling my tongue around the head of his cock, loving the salty taste and the soft feel of his skin. I close my hand around the base while running my teeth up and down slowly, the noises he makes and the thrusts of his hips spurring me on. Just when I know he’s about to lose control, I take him into my mouth again, sucking and swirling my tongue, bopping my head up and down. His hand tugs at my hair, urging me closer. His cock twitches and his body tenses. It seems I’m not the only one that comes fast and hard tonight. I move my hand in unison with my mouth, squeezing him at the base every time his hips come up to meet my mouth.

Looking up at him, I see his eyes are closed, his head thrown back. His other hand is fisting the sheet. Knowing I have this kind of effect on him makes me groan, sending vibrations through his body. He tenses up.

“Fuck...babe...I’m gonna come.” It sounds like a warning, but I want to taste him. I want all of him. I keep on sucking harder, moving up and down faster until I feel his release filling my mouth. I swallow, before I continue sucking him, allowing him to ride out his orgasm. When his body relaxes and sinks into the bed, I release his cock and climb back up to lay by his side.

“Yeah, I fantasized about this too, but reality is way better,” he murmurs into my ear, drawing me closer so my head is resting on his chest, my leg draped over his hips.

“Thank you for making me come, Frankie.”

I lift my head, looking up at him in confusion. “You’re thanking me for blowing you?”

His laugh makes his body shake, right along with mine.

“No. Well yes, but no, I meant thanks for making me come here to see my parents. Thanks for not giving up on me.”

I kiss his chest. “Never. And you’re welcome for both.”

We both laugh before we snuggle closer and soon after we fall asleep. The exhaustion clearly has a hold on us because we don’t wake up until Archer starts crying angrily for being ignored for too long.

Before either of us can get up, there is a knock at the door, followed by Judith’s voice.

“Can I come in?”

I quickly shuffle over to the side of the bed and pull up the quilt over both of us, earning an amused look from Ben.

“Come in, Mom.” He still laughs, when she pokes her head through the door.

“I heard Archer complain and thought I take care of him so you two can sleep and rest some more. You both need it after everything.” She’s already at Archer’s crib, lifting him up. He immediately quiets down, happy that someone finally pays attention to him.

“Thanks, Judith. His bag is in the corner.” I point to where the diaper bag is standing. She grabs it, and with a smile in our direction beelines it out of the room, our son in tow.

I turn onto my side, thankful for a few more hours of sleep and snuggle further into the pillow.

Ben moves his body close to me, his hand sliding under the T-shirt I’m wearing.

“We could use the time to make a few more fantasies come true.”

“I’m going to be sleeping. But you and Miss Michigan go right ahead.” I squeeze the aforementioned hand to make a point, trying to stay serious as I hear the soft rumble of his laughter.

“Love you, Frankie.”

“Love you, too.”

Cocooned in his bed, holding each other close, we fall asleep. When I wake up a few hours later, he’s not in bed with me. After getting dressed, I make my way downstairs to find everybody in the living room, talking and playing with Archer. I can hear laughter, and it warms my heart to see Ben happy and at ease around his parents.

This makes me think about my own and I realize that I need to make some changes. We don’t have that familiarity anymore. When we interact with each other, it’s awkward and forced. It’s evident that we’re usually uncomfortable in each other’s presence, always walking a fine line that separates us from complete disaster. It’s not healthy for anyone.

I don’t realize that I’ve been lost in thought, until Ben’s voices brings me back to reality.

“You alright, Frankie?”

I nod, determination starting to bubble up inside of me.

“Yeah, I’ll be back in a bit. I think...no, I
know
I need to talk to my parents. Things can’t go on like this.”

We have talked about my relationship with my parents in the past—about how strained it is, and how it wears me down, their constant jabs making me hate every moment I’m in their presence.

“I agree. You want me to come with you?”

A part of me wants him to join me to give me strength. But I know this is between my parents and I, that’s why I have to do this on my own.

“No, it’s okay. You take care of Archer and spend time with your parents. I’ll be fine.”

I lift up on my toes to give him a kiss, before waving to his parents and Archer. I blow him a kiss. “Mommy will be right back.”

Putting on my jacket, I walk outside, making my way down to the house I grew up in. It’s only three houses down, not long enough for me to calm my trembling nerves and my scattered thoughts. Confronting my parents is scary. Even scarier is possibly severing the bond we have, no matter how frayed it might be—at the end of the day, they are still my parents. But it feels right to draw a line, to speak up for myself. I straighten my shoulders and lift my head defiantly, then I ring the doorbell instead of just walking in—it doesn’t feel like my home anymore.

My mom opens the door, a look of surprise on her face.

“Frankie, what are you doing here? Where is Archer? And Ben?”

She holds the door open and I step inside before I reply to her question.

“They are at Ben’s parents. We’re only here until tomorrow morning.”

By then, my dad has joined us in the hallway, looking just as puzzled. My mom opens her mouth, ready to fire questions at me, but I beat her to it.

“I’ve come over here ‘cause I got some things to get off my chest. All I ask is for both of you to listen.” I take a deep breath, steeling my nerves before I continue.

“I know you don’t agree with a lot of my decisions, and that’s okay. You don’t have to. I’m my own person, and I’m entitled to live my life my way. I don’t expect you to understand or support it, although that would be nice. But I need you to accept it. I don’t think of anything that I did, or anything that happened, as a mistake, but as a chance to learn. I’m a good person. You’d see that if you opened your eyes for a minute. I don’t understand how you can love Archer so much and hate me for getting pregnant at the same time. One doesn’t come without the other. I didn’t give up school or my job. I haven’t depended on you any more than before the pregnancy and yet, you’ve treated me like a pariah ever since.” I can feel my heart beating like a drum, my hands shaking slightly. I look into their faces, seeing a mix of irritation, confusion, and righteousness, but no understanding, or sympathy. I let out a sigh when I notice Dave at the top of the stairs.

“You have two kids that are making their own way in life. It’s a different way than you expected or wanted for us, but it’s not a bad one. I can’t comprehend how you would rather insist on your rules and morals than make your children feel loved and cherished the way they are. But that way, you’re the best teachers I could have wished for, because I know I’ll be doing the exact opposite with Archer. I don’t care what he does or who he becomes. As long as he’s a good person, I’m going to shower him with my love and support. I’m going to be his biggest fan. He’ll never have to question if I’m there for him, if I love him. He’ll never have to feel reluctant about coming home.”

My dad wants to say something, but I hold up my hand stopping him. I need to finish what I have to say before everything ends up in a shouting match.

“I don’t like doing this, but I don’t see another way. How can I expect my son to grow up respecting and loving me, knowing the value of family, when I let him witness the way you treat me? How can I teach him to stand up for himself when he sees his mother allowing others to walk all over her, treating her like dirt under their shoes? I can’t, and that isn’t okay. It’s not what I want him to grow up with. So until you manage to find it in you to treat me with respect, and as a part of this family, you won’t be able to see him again. At least until he’s old enough to decide for himself. Until then, I don’t want him in a toxic environment every time we are around each other. I’m not taking this lightly, and I’m sorry it has to go this way. But it’s my decision as his mother.”

Now, both of them have an incredulous look on their face, clearly shocked at my announcement. I use that to my advantage to say the rest.

“Before you say anything—I don’t care if you disown me or stop paying my tuition. I’ll manage somehow.” I turn around to leave and open the door. Before I step outside I look back.

“I don’t know why you hate me. And it would be a lie if I said it didn’t hurt. But I’m done trying to be someone I’m not. And I’m done letting you make me feel bad for it.”

I close the door behind me, taking a shaky breath. Despite the pain of cutting ties like this, I feel liberated. I don’t have to try so hard any longer. When the door opens behind me, for a second, the little girl inside me hopes it’s her parents who want to apologize and tell her they love her. But what do little girls know about life?

“Stinker, you just gave me goosebumps. You okay?”

I shrug at my brother, who’s looking at me with adoration and awe.

“No, but I will be. What about you?” I nudge him playfully in the side.

“Yeah. Who would have thought I could learn something from my little sister?” He snorts, nudging me back, making me nearly lose my balance. “Before I came out, I told them I’m not going back to college. And that I’m moving out.”

Hooking my arms through his, I’m genuinely excited for him.

“That’s awesome, Dave.”

“Glad you think so, Stinker. Got a spare room?”

I can’t help but laugh. I guess my makeshift family just gained one more member from my real family, that is, if the others are okay with it; although I honestly have no doubts about that.

“That depends...” I tease him, enjoying the question written all over his face.

“On what?”

“On how much you’re willing to beg.” Sticking my tongue out at him, I start running down the street, knowing damn well he’ll make me pay.

He catches up with me in no time, tackles me to the ground and gives me one hell of a noogie, until I squeal and squirm like a worm on a hook.

“Okay, okay. You got a room.” He lets me go, and I scramble to my feet, backing away.

“Unless you want to share one with Viv.”

He flips me off, but it doesn’t stop me from continuing with a laugh. “Dave and Viv sitting in the tree…” Before I can sing any further, he’s after me again, only stopping when we arrive at Ben’s house, and Judith opens the door with mock irritation and a wink in my direction.

“David, what are you doing to your sister?” He starts to come up with an excuse, clearly a little flabbergasted—probably remembering all the times when he was younger and she put him in his place. This only makes her laugh before she walks inside, putting her arm around me. I turn around to stick my tongue out at Dave, but he’s ready for that and has both middle fingers raised. It’s going to be interesting living with my brother again.

We spend the rest of the day with Ben’s family and Dave. The heaviness that seized Ben and me after his father’s attack isn’t gone by any stretch, but with the love and warmth of his parents, it manages to take a step back. When I go to bed that night, Ben stays up talking to his parents some more. Not that I mind; I want to give him the time he needs to sort through all that’s happened, and to reconnect with them.

***

When they drop us off at the airport the next morning, saying goodbye doesn’t come easy—especially for Ben and his mom. But his parents have already announced their visit for Easter, eager to see how we live and to meet the people we call our family. Dave will be driving out in the upcoming days, since I’ve called the gang and gotten their okay. My parents, on the other hand, haven’t reached out. I guess that means they made their decision.