Page 95 of Beneath the Blue Moon
***Casey***
Everything’ll be fine.The first time he told methat, I believed him; I felt it in my bones.Not this time.This time, I knownothing will ever be “fine” again.He loves me.I love him.According to hismother, that doesn’t matter because I’m not good enough for him.Well, tonightI am.Tonight, I am his and he is mine.Tonight.Just for tonight.
I unbuckle my belt then reach behind me to unzip my dress.When I slide the straps down my arms, he sits up, wraps his arms around me, andburies his face in my bosom.As I run my fingers through his hair, he stares upat me with sad eyes.He wants to fix the situation, but can it be fixed?Helenawas clear about her intentions… crystal clear.A mother knows best—that’s whatMom used to tell me.Helena’s right; he deserves better.Time for me to stopbeing selfish.Again.I hope he’ll understand.
Why did I tell him I love him?It’s only going to make walkingaway harder.But I do love him.I guess having to choose has made me realizewhat my feelings are.I love him and I’m going to show him how much.If youlove something, let it go, right?Maybe I jinxed myself with that song.Maybe Ishould have knocked harder on that wood.
Removing my bra, I toss it aside.As he takes my nipple intohis mouth, his mother’s words echo in my head.
Blinded by you and your tits.
I tug his shirt over his head then push him back against thepillows.I run my fingers up his chest, cradling his face as I lean in for akiss.Reaching between us, he slips his fingers beneath the waistband of mypanties.The strange tingling in my tummy intensifies.With a roll, he placesme on the bed beneath him.He leaves my lips to plant soft kisses down my neck,across my chest, and down to my breasts.Brushing the pad of his thumb againstthe right, he pulls my left nipple into his mouth.
“Ethan….”
He moans, moving down to my stomach, trailing wet kisseswhile pulling my dress down.His lips skate over my thighs, following the pathof my dress.With my clothes discarded, he removes his jeans and boxers.Istare at his magnificent physique, trying to memorize every inch of skin.Hekneels between my legs, gazing down at me, so much love in his eyes.It justbreaks my heart.
“I promise I won’t let anyone hurt you.I can’t help you ifyou won’t talk to me, Casey.”
“Youarehelping.”
I hook my thumbs in my panties, pushing them over my hips.He pulls them the rest of the way down, dropping them on the floor.I bend myknees, as he positions himself above me.
“Are you sure you’re up for this?”he asks.
“Yes.I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.I know I hurt you.”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Ethan… Please.”
Staring into my eyes, he pushes inside me, slowly andcarefully.He’s watching for my reaction, so I do my best to hide the pain.Iwrap my legs around him, pulling him to me to distract him.He moans, buryinghis face in my neck as he begins to move.This is the last time I’ll have himlike this, so I hold him close.
“I love you, Casey.”
I love you, Ethan.
***Ethan***
“Where is she?”Michael asks.
“She’s asleep… finally.”
“What happened?”
“I don’t know.She won’t tell me.”My brothers, Charlie, andBrick all came back to check on her.I wish I had good news to give them, but Ican’t even figure out what’s going on.“Someone said or did something to her,and when I find him, he’s dead.”
Josh stares at me, a calm understanding now visible on hisface.“It reallyisher, isn’t it?”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell everybody.”
They all move closer to me in a show of support.
“We’re here for you.Anything you need, you can count on us,”Andy says.
