Page 16 of Justus
“Oh,do I have some stories for you!” Mom laughs, and begins to regale Justus withsome of my embarrassing childhood antics. Usually, I’d be ready to hide underthe table, but it breaks the somber atmosphere, so I bury my embarrassment andlaugh along with them.
Ihate lying to her like this, but now more than ever, I want her to believe Ihave the future she wants me to have. And I’m sure I will. I don’t doubt I’llmeet the right guy someday, but even if I don’t, I’m quite happy by myself.
Iknow she’s afraid of leaving me alone, but she shouldn’t be. I have greatfriends and a fulfilling career. The one to worry about is Doug. I really don’tknow how he’ll survive after she’s gone.
It’sthen I realize that I’ve begun to accept the fact she’s going to die. It’s beena long time coming, years of heart problems and close calls that landed her inthe hospital. Until now I’ve always assumed they’d find a way to cure her, thata heart would magically become available for her rare blood type. But that’sjust not going to happen. She’s going to die. One day soon, I’ll see her, talkto her for the last time.
Momexcuses herself to go to the restroom, and I watch as she makes her way acrossthe restaurant. Slowly. So damn slowly. “Hey,” Justus says, putting his hand onmy arm. “Are you okay?”
Igive him a quick nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. I really just want toget out of here and be alone. Looking doubtful, he signals the waiter and paysthe bill. “Your mom looks tired. We should get her back.”
Again,I give him a silent nod.
Momreturns from the bathroom, and I notice how dark the circles around her eyesare. I link her arm through mine and we start toward the exit. “Let’s go home.”
“Goodidea, hun. I’m getting tired.”
“Youshouldn’t wear yourself out, Mom. Today was too much.”
Herkind eyes meet mine. “No, today was lovely. I’ll rest this evening and tonight.Tomorrow, we’re hitting the mall. You need some pretty new clothes.”
“Isee where you get your obstinacy,” Justus says, sidling up on her other sideand taking her arm.
“Youjust watch it, there, pretty boy. Those looks won’t always get you off thehook.”
Justusflashes his can’t-resist-me grin, and Mom giggles like a teenager. “I standcorrected.”
Theride home cheers me up a bit. Justus and I volley good-natured insults back andforth, and Mom joins in as well. When we get back, she excuses herself andheads to bed.
“Thankyou,” I tell Justus, after we’ve taken turns showering and settled into bed.
“Forbeing so awesome, or for the orgasms I’m about to give you?”
Thethought of his lean, muscled body looming over me, driving into me, flashesthrough my brain and my voice is a few octaves too high as I respond, “For beingso good to my mother.” I pat his chest. “Nice try, though.”
Inan instant I’m on my back, and he’s on top of me, his hips pinning me down. Hishands grasp mine, stretching them above my head. Lust gleams in his eyes whenthey meet mine. “I don’t have to try. I can make you come until you can’t takeit anymore. And then I’ll make you come again.”
Ohfuck. Somebody help me, because my brain seems to have lost all desire toresist and my body is pleading for his touch. His lips press a light kiss on myneck before brushing my earlobe, and his husky voice sinks into me. “You’re sodamn beautiful it hurts to look at you. This is torture. You want me as much asI want you. Say yes.”
Apparently,my vagina has made her decision since I’m rubbing myself against him. I needsomething, a way to forget, something to dull the sadness that’s stealing back overme. “It has to be just sex, no strings attached,” I murmur. Which is aridiculous thing to say since this is the man who once faked a differentidentity to get laid. “And you can’t tell anyone.”
Amusementflickers across his face. “Are you ashamed of me?”
“I’mnot going to listen to you talk shit about me every time we’re around ourfriends. They can’t know.”
Hereleases my hands and runs his palm down my cheek. “I wouldn’t do that.”
“Noone can know,” I insist.
“Baby,you’re going to be shouting it through a megaphone to anyone who will listen.”His finger lands on my lips as I start to protest. “But no one will hear itfrom me. I promise.”
Fuckit. I haven’t had even decent sex in too long, and I don’t doubt for one secondthis man can deliver. We’re both single. We’re both adults. And any otherjustification I can think of right now because his mouth is on my neck and itfeels fantastic.
“Fine,”I reply, rolling us over suddenly until I’m sitting on top of him. He’sstronger than me, but I caught him off guard, and I am not the type to lie backand let him have his way. He wants me, I’m going to show him what he’s in for.
Awide smile spreads across his face as I gaze down at him, my palms pressed tohis chest. “Take your shirt off.”
“You’reso cute. Acting like you call the shots.” He sits up slowly and reaches hishand over his shoulder to grab his shirt, pulling it off in one fluid motion.How do guys do that? Why is it so damn hot?
