Page 9 of Chasing Storm

Gabe lets out a whistle breath. “That’s going to be tough. House rentals are snatched up immediately, especially by the ocean.” Joey glances over at me, and Gabe holds his hand up. “But let me look into it. There are some homes a couple of miles out. Would you be willing to move farther from the beach?”

“Yes,” we say in unison and laugh.

“Good. Let’s get some information from you, and I’ll start my search.”

Joey gives him our names and his number, how much we’re willing to spend, which isn’t much, and asks if there is a hotel we can stay at. Gabe points us to one across the street and a bed and breakfast five blocks down the road.

We say our goodbyes, and out of earshot, I ask Joey, “Why can’t we spend more than what you told him?”

He kisses the back of my hand he’s holding and responds, “Because it would raise suspicion. Two young people coming into town and laying down thousands won’t go unnoticed. We need to find jobs…” A smile smears across his face, when he says, “And I’ve always wanted to drive a boat,” pointing at a boat rental hut down a ways from where we stand.

“Do you know how to drive one?”

He shrugs and says, “It can’t be that hard.”

Joey treats me to some gelato after we check in at the B&B since the hotel is full. We walk along the beach, holding hands, stealing kisses. It’s a day of sighing in relief after the tumultuous four days we’ve been on the run. The wind has calmed from earlier as the sun sets, cascading a sherbet sky. I’m shivering, gripping my coat tighter. But I can deal with the cold for this easement of freedom, even if it lasts only for today. Right now, it’s Joey and me. Nothing else exists. Nothing else matters. With this thought, I hug my body into his arm. The tide sneaks up onto the shore and the air smells of salt. My eyes close, letting Joey guide me back to the B&B.

It's been a week in this little seaside town. Instead of a house, we’re renting a first floor two-bedroom apartment. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s ours and we’ve christened every room. Joey is insatiable when it comes to sex. He gives new meaning to the phraseman cave, reserving the space between my thighs on a daily basis. But I’m not complaining. It helps us forget why we’re here. Brings us peace for the time being…and so much pleasure.

Jobs are scarce this time of year, so Joey helps the local carpenter with odd jobs fixing rental houses or anything else that needs fixing around town. I couldn’t find any work other than taking care of Joey. Every day, I pack a lunch for him before he leaves for work, and I have a warm dinner ready for when he gets home.

This morning, I’m woken up by Joey’s hands spreading my thighs and his mouth over my pussy. My eyes roll back, releasing a moan that could wake the dead. His tongue does amazing things. It’s as if it’s wired to my core, knowing when to lick, suck, and plunge inside. Joey’s hands slide underneath my ass, angling my pelvis upwards for full access. He dives his fingers into my pussy. In and out. Curling. In and out. I’m panting, chanting his name. His tongue is back, while he soaks a finger in my wetness and circles my backside. I tense, squeezing my butt cheeks together.

Joey kisses my thighs, pussy, flattens his tongue and swipes upward. This causes me to forget about his finger, and he pushes a bit into my backside. Paying attention to my clit, he slightly wiggles his finger in my ass, which has me whimpering. The feeling is foreign, yet the sensation heightens everything else. I relax, letting him explore. It’s not long before I explode onto his tongue. My limbs twitch out of control. Joey waits until I come down from my high before removing his finger.

He climbs up my body, slipping his hands under my head and kisses me. “Happy Birthday, Tea.”

A surprised smile pops on my face. “How did you know?”

“Uh, because it’s November fifth.”

“Yeah.”

“And it’s my birthday, too.” He rubs his nose against mine. “Did you forget we share a birthday? We found out when I was recovering from James’ smack down.”

My arms and legs wrap around him, pulling him closer. I gaze into his Fiji eyes. So much depth to them. An endless abyss embedded in pain, abuse, but more recently, happiness. Unfortunately, Joey’s suffered most of his life. Caged by a man who should have protected him. James tried to break Joey. To reduce him to nothing more than an obedient slave, taking orders without question. Doing James’ dirty work. Instead, Joey found a way to escape his prison and save his mother. It even warms my heart to think he stole money from James over the years. He’s smarter than I ever gave him credit for.

I kiss him. “Happy birthday, Husband.”

Joey’s sexy smile can melt Mount Everest. “I like that. Say it again.”

“Husband.”

We speak to each other through our gazes. Amazed at how we got here. Thankful for finding love through a grim situation. It’s still grim, although we’re not at odds anymore.

Joey buries his face in the crook of my neck and inhales. “I don’t have any work today.”

A smile creeps onto my face as my hands smooth over his back. “Really? And what do you suppose we should do on your day off and for our birthdays?” I laugh at the rumble coming from his chest, vibrating against my body. “Haven’t we already been doing that? We haven’t left any of the apartment rooms untouched.”

His head lifts with a devious grin. “Yes, but there are some areas onyouuntouched.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You fingered my ass. What more do you want?”

He cocoons me underneath his body. Our eyes are level. “I want every part of you. Every physical part. Every emotional part. And your life’s breath. I want you to live and breathe, Joey.” I laugh even though his face is serious. “You’re my everything, and I want to be yours.”

My hands break free from under him. I take his face and respond, “Joey, I love you. You think I’m your everything, but there are things we haven’t experienced yet. We’re only twenty-three years old.” His Adam’s apple dips low as if I’ve taken his thirst away. I move my face closer to his, rub our noses together and add, “I’m not diminishing the way we feel about each other, because it’s deep and raw.”

He lifts up and moves away from me, sitting on the edge of the bed, and a part of me feels abandoned. Is this what he means by being my everything? Not whole without him? My legs straddle him from behind, arms wrapping around his torso, and I rest my head against his back. It’s easier for me to say this without looking at him.

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