Page 33 of Four Times Taken

Lily

Sleep wore on me as I moved about the house. But my reasons for losing sleep last night and this morning were worth it. My body was still humming. I even caught myself humming as I cleaned up the mess in the bathroom I made after bathing my mother. I'd made peace with the idea that Eric was most likely on a plane at that very moment. And that last night was just about a man and woman indulging their carnal urges. I hadn't allowed myself to want anything more, to dwell on the past or what this reunion could've been.

There's nothing I could offer him anyway; my time was all tied up in my mother. And I didn't think there's anything he could offer me; our lifestyles didn't align. I'm glad we got to talk, and I don't even resent him for lying to me about loving me. I've slept with enough men to understand that many of them profess love in the throes of pleasure. I'd be a fool to think any of them meant it. Eric might be one of a kind, but he's still a man. I'd be a fool to run away with his confessions as well.

Did I wish I could call him up tonight again, to eat my pussy with that glorious mouth of his, after a long day? A thousand times, yes. But that's about it, so when my doorbell rang, and I answered it to find Eric and all his friends standing there, I'm more than a bit thrown.

"Uh, hey, guys?" I swiped the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand after pulling my gloves off.

"Hey." Eric smiled at me. My nether regions fluttered in response. He leaned forward to kiss me, but I stepped away."Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you." I grinned, uncomfortably."I was just cleaning the bathroom. I'll have to take a shower after this."

His eyes darkened at that. All their eyes darkened at that. For a moment, my mind flashed with images of all four of them on top of me, inside me, devouring me from the inside out. I blushed.

"Oh, I'll wait." Eric smiled.

"Uh... Why? Wha... what are you guys all doing here?" I stuttered.

"Eric's got some news to share with you," one of his handsome friends said. The one with the blue eyes, short hair, and fewer muscles.

Eric chuckled."What Matt is trying to say is that I've decided not to leave Durham. I don't want to leave again without giving us another chance."

He dropped the bomb. A bomb that could detonate my whole life."What are you suggesting? A relationship?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why not? If you'll have me." He shrugged.

Looking at his friends behind him in confusion and not wanting to embarrass him in front of them, I stepped aside."You better come in while I get myself freshened up."

On my way to the bathroom, my head was a mess. A relationship? I couldn't dare let myself hope for that with Eric. No way. Fool me once and all that shit. But he's offering me what I should be happy about. Why aren't I?

Locking the bathroom door tight, I stripped down in a daze. As soon as my fingers brushed against my nakedness, however, he's with me again. The memory of his touch and kisses heated me up as I stepped into the shower. I'm so hot, I could make love to myself.

We've changed so much in the past decade that I doubt we have anything in common anymore. But he's Eric. The man I've held on to all this time. He's here, asking me to try this relationship thing.

Before this week, I didn't think I'd see him again. For anyone who believes in fairytales, this should be a dream come true. I never did. Believe in fairytales, I mean. Probably why I'm having such a hard time with this.

Arousal made way for panic as cool water blasted me from the shower, reminding me of the weight of his question. I wouldn'I didn't know where to begin with a relationship. I hadn't had good examples. Weren't there expectations in a relationship? Did I want him to think he owned me or that I owned him?

Sure, I had forgiven him enough to fuck him last night, but I'm still not sure I trust him anymore. Not the way I used to. I was naive and gullible back then. The truth is that I wonder whether or not I still am. Wrapping my towel tight around me, I exited the pale-blue walls of the bathroom and headed into the cream walls of my bare bedroom, shivering from the recognition that I wanted this more than I'm willing to admit.

Glancing at the clock on my bedside table, I'm reminded that my mother hasn't been fed yet. Just like that, the truth of my reality came flooding back to me. I don't have the space in my head or heart for anything else but my mother's care. Also, am I to just pretend Ryan doesn't exist?

Chapter 24

Eric

Our eyes made brief contact as she came out of her bedroom and made her way into the kitchen. She said nothing. But her rigidity told me she's on edge.

"So, are you interested in us starting over? Or?" I asked, coming up on her in the kitchen.

"Excuse me," she muttered before opening the fridge door and sticking her head inside. She poured pureed food into a bowl and popped it in the microwave. She looked behind her at my friends, then back at me, before lowering her voice. "I don't think that's a good idea. Last night was fun." She paused and looked behind her again in confusion. "Besides, did you have to bring them all over here to tell me this?"

I grinned.

"What's funny?" she scowled. "Look, Eric. I forgive you for the past, okay? But we should move on."

To say I didn't expect this would be a lie. That's why I came prepared, bringing my friends along for the ride.

"I'd like to take you on a date." I approached her.

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