Текст книги "Saved"
Автор книги: Kelly Elliott
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SAVED
By Kelly Elliott
Copyright © 2013 by Kelly Elliott
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. IF you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you respecting the hard work of this author.
Copyright 2012 Kelly Elliott at Smashwords
Published by Kelly Elliott
www.authorkellyelliott.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/KellyElliottAuthor
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Name, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Cover photo take by Rutheah Rodehorst www.bluehousefotos.com
Cover design by Sarah Hansen www.okaycreations.net
Editor – Jovana Shirley www.unforeseenediting.com
ISBN– 13: 978-0-9887074-3-6 eBook
ISBN– 13: 978-0-988-707-4-3 Paperback
Thank you…
Arianna Niknejadi. You are not only being my BFF, but you have supported me and helped me so much along this journey. Thank you, Ari, for answering my endless questions in the beginning about Fragile X, thank you for sharing your personal stories with me, and most importantly…thank you for allowing me to share a piece of your precious Logan with the world. Thanks also for reading Saved and giving me your feedback. For yelling at me when I was on Facebook and should have been writing or doing edits. Thank you for helping me write the blurb when I was just stuck. You truly amaze me in all that you do…from being a wonderful friend, to an amazing mother. You rock you bitch!
Gary “Leo” Taylor –I swear I get at least ten messages a day saying how you are the perfect Gunner. You truly are…but you’re more than that. Your determination is awe inspiring, your heart is genuine, your smile is infectious, and you might have been told this before…but you take one hell of a good picture cowboy. You’re a friend who I admire and can count on. Thank you for just being you and always having my back and making me smile.
Molly McAdams – As I write this I’m having Molly withdraws ‘cause we haven’t had lunch in like…Two weeks! Thank you Molly for always making me laugh. You have no idea how much I look forward to our weekly lunches. You’re an amazing friend…a kick ass author…(Can I just say……oh my god I can’t wait for Stealing Harper BTW) and a beautiful person inside and out. Thank you for everyone! Love you girl! P.S. Gus, Rose, Fergie and Pumpkin want another sleep over!
Sarah Hansen – Thank you for another beautiful book cover. I’m so proud to say that you’ve done my book covers. You rock and are the best!
Rutheah Rodehorst – You are an amazing photographer. Your pictures have truly brought to life these books. Thank you for allowing me to share your work on the cover of my books.
Jovana Shirley – Girl…you amaze me! You did a fabulous job on editing Saved. You made me smile numerous times throughout. For that…I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Now on to Faithful we will go!
Kim Bias, Lisa Kane, and Denise Tung – Thank you girls SO MUCH for your support. It means more to mean than words could ever say.
Heather Davenport, Jemma Scarry, JoJo Belle, Rosa Saucedo – Thank you so so SO much for helping with Saved. I love you girls and I love how you have my back. I’m just so damn blessed to have you Friends. Rosa my photo pimp….LOL! I love you!
Amanda Orozco – I can thank Gary for bringing you into my world. I’m so glad we have become friends. Thank you so much for answering all of my questions about horse breeding. I love you girl and would do anything for ya! Keep sending me those couple pictures!
Sue Sunderlin – Girl you know I love you! Thank you for being there for me….your friendship means so much to me. Thank you for letting me use you and Mark as my inspirations for Ari’s parents.
Alexandra Louk – Thank you for sharing your story with me. Thank you for being my inspiration and teaching me that it just takes touching one person’s life to make a world of difference.
My street team, Kelly’s Most Wanted– Holy shit…I don’t even know what to say to y’all. Thank you will never be good enough. I wish I could name each of you but you know who you are. I’d be lost without you girls…please know that. I love each and every one of y’all.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my husband Darrin, my daughter Lauren, and my mother.
First I need to thank you Darrin…for reading your first ever book and making that book mine! I hope you see the bits and pieces of us together in these books and smile. Thank you so much for supporting me in this journey, even when it’s taken me so far away from you. (BTW I really am listening to you talk…it just looks like I’m not) Thank you for letting me share a bit of you also with the world. I love you more than life itself…always have….always will. Thank you for yet another star wish too! LOL! You are my true romancer Darrin. I love you more.
Lauren – Oh. My. God. You’re growing up before my eyes. I’m not gonna lie… some of our “adult” conversations on the way to and from school…yeah they freak me out just a little bit. You make me laugh, you make my cry, and you make me mad as hell sometimes…but I look forward to your smile every morning. Never change who you are to make someone else happy. You’re a beautiful person inside and out…stay that way. I love you so much Lauren and I am so proud of you.
Mom – I wish you were to see all of this. I hope you would be proud of who I am. I miss you.
***
In this story you will meet a young man named Matthew Peterson. Matthew is a very special little guy and is very near and dear to my heart…he has Fragile X Syndrome. Matt was based off of my best friend’s son, Logan Howard.
For those of you who don't know, Fragile X Syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes mental impairment, intellectual disability, poor eye contact, hand biting or flapping, learning and behavioral challenges, sensory processing disorders as well as anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. It also happens to be the most common known genetic cause of Autism.
Fragile X syndrome can range from moderate learning disabilities, typically seen in girls, to very sever intellectual disabilities typical found in boys but some girls as well. It can cause physical features such as a long face, velvet soft skin, large ears, hyper flexible joints, as well as connective tissue problems, and seizure disorders. Children and adults with Fragile X are visual learners and learn best from peer models. It's imperative that they are exposed to typical social situations to develop strategies for appropriate social interactions.
Fragile X syndrome is detective by a simple blood test, screening for this is strongly recommended as 1 out of 260 females and 1 out of 800 males carry the FMR1 permutation gene which can cause Fragile X syndrome. The genetic test is also strongly recommend to those who have received a diagnoses of autism.
Approximately 1 in 3600 males and approximately 1 in 4000 females are born with Fragile X.
Carriers of the Fragile X gene can experience Fragile X related disorders such as FXTAS (Fragile X –associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome). The tremors have similar symptoms as Parkinson Disease, FXPOI (Fragile X Primary Ovarian Insufficiency Prevalence), which can cause early menopause and failure to conceive.
The silver lining to all of this is that children and adults with Fragile X tend to be loving and empathetic with amazing senses of humor. They have a strong need to please others and can light up any room when they walk in. They are great with any visual technology such as tablets and smart boards. They love to sing, play and laugh just like everyone else. Never under estimate a child or an adult with Fragile X because they will surprise you at every turn…
For more information on Fragile X Syndrome:
Please contact the National Fragile Foundation
www.Fragilex.org
or
800-688-8765
PROLOGUE
ARI
10 Years Old
I couldn’t believe my parents were taking me away from all my friends. I’ll never forgive them for this…..ever! I’m never going to talk to them again. They totally ruined my life.
I’m just going to sit here and keep sighing.
“Arianna, you’ll make new friends, sweetheart. I know you will.” my mom said.
I rolled my eyes in the backseat because I knew my mom couldn’t see me.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me, Arianna!”
What? How does she do that?
“This is so not fair! You’re the worst mother ever! Why would you take me away from all my friends?”
My mother turned around and looked at me.
Oh, I think I went too far that time.
“First off, young lady, I’m not the one who is moving us to Austin for a new job. That would be your father sitting right here next to me.” Mom looked over at Daddy who was smiling.
“Second, if you ever talk to me like that again, you’ll be very sorry because I… I...”
Daddy looked over at Mom and waited for her to tell me what torture she would put me through. It seemed like he was enjoying all of this.
“To quote the great Katharine Hepburn, ‘I could peel you like a pear, and God Himself would see the justice in it.’ I’ll do it, too, young lady, if you keep pushing me!”
Daddy laughed, and I just stared at her.
What does that even mean? Why is she always quoting Katharine Hepburn? Oh no!
She was going to make me watch another one of her movies. Just great! Why can’t I learn to keep my mouth shut?
“I will never meet another friend like Katy, Mom. Never!” I closed my eyes and fought to keep the tears from falling. I will not cry!
Turning off the main road, we started to drive through our new neighborhood. It was cute, really cute. There were all kinds of houses in different sizes. Thank God! I hated our old neighborhood. All the girls were into English riding, and they teased me because I liked to barrel race. Ugh, and all the stupid tea parties I had to go to! Yuck!
As we drove by one simple looking house, with nothing extra special about it, I noticed a girl who looked to be around my age playing with an older boy out front. I sat up to get a better look. Oh, he’s cute!
“Mom, are we close to our house?” I asked.
I looked out the back window, watching the boy chase the girl around the yard. God, I hope that’s her brother.
“We’re a few blocks away sweetheart. We have twenty acres, so we’re at the end of the road.”
I turned back around and smiled. Perfect. I could ride my bike by their house. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad here after all. As I continued to think about that boy, I wondered about what I should wear for my first bike ride through the new neighborhood.
CHAPTER ONE
ARI
Jeff stood at the door of the hunter’s cabin, I could tell he’d been crying, and my heart broke at the sight of him. I couldn’t believe it, I just stood there and stared at him.
He came for me.
“Ari, I know you told me not to come tonight, but.”
I jumped into his arms, wrapped my legs around him, and kissed him like there was no tomorrow. I thought he was in a state of shock because it took him a few seconds to start kissing me back.
He pulled away from me with a confused look on his face. I didn’t care that some bitch could possibly be carrying my future husband’s baby. Okay, that’s bull shit. I do care.
Even if I might not be the one to give Jeff his first child, she was not taking him from me. I was going to fight with every goddamn ounce of energy I had to make sure she knew that he was mine.
That bitch wants a fight? Well, she’s got one!
“Ari, I just couldn’t let you walk away from me again. I love you too much to lose you again, baby.”
I smiled down at him. He’s mine. I wrapped my legs around him tighter.
“You came after me, Jeff. I love you so much. Now, get your ass in here and make mad, passionate love to me before I change my mind.”
Immediately, he smiled at me, but then it faded. I knew what he was thinking. I ran my hands through his beautiful, soft hair.
“We’ll worry about it Monday. Right now is only about you and me.”
Smiling again, he walked into the cabin and looked around.
“I wish I could have seen your face when you saw all of this.”
“It’s beautiful, Jeff; I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect. I love you baby, so much.”
“Oh god, Ari, I love you, too.”
Jeff kicked the door shut and then pushed me up against it. He started to kiss me with so much passion that I thought I was going to explode. I wanted him so much that I could practically feel myself willing him to do as I wished. I pushed my hips into him, trying to ease my need, and that was when I felt it.
The ring box! Oh shit!Is he still going to ask me to marry him? I started to feel like I couldn’t breathe. I pulled my lips away from his, and I just stared at him.
Do not cry, Arianna. Do not.
“Baby, I’m so sorry this night was ruined for you. I had it all planned out, and I’m so pissed right now!”
With my legs still wrapped around him, Jeff walked us over to the bed and then slowly sat me down onto it. He stood up, pushing his hands through his hair. I didn’t know what to say. For once in my life, I was…
Speechless. Holy hells bells.
“Um…” I stalled, still trying to figure out what to say.
Jeff looked around the room, and I noticed when he moved his hand up to his front pocket.
Just do it! I didn’t even care anymore about how he did it. Just fucking ask me to marry you!
Then, he did the one thing I’d been dreaming about since I was ten years old when first laid eyes on him. He reached into his pocket, took out the ring box, and got down on one knee.
His beautiful green eyes captured mine, and he smiled. My tears were falling like rain. I love this man with my whole being.
“Ari, I don’t even know where to begin to describe how much I love you. I can’t even tell you how long I’ve loved you. I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was sixteen years old. I always thought that I’d just get down on one knee and say ‘marry me,’ but, baby, that’s not what I wanted to do with you.”
He shook his head, and I could tell he was trying to keep from crying.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph he’s really asking me to marry him!
He cleared his throat and then started talking again.
“You’ve believed in me and stood by me through all the craziness that’s my life. I can’t live one single day of this life without your love, Ari. I was lost before you, and I would forever be completely and utterly lost without you. Your love saved me. I promise you, Arianna, with every ounce of my being, I’ll do nothing but love you and cherish you. I’ll do everything in my power to make you happy every day for the rest of our lives. Arianna Katherine Peterson, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Jefferson Michael Johnson?”
Jeff opened the ring box and took out the ring.
Oh.My.God. It was breathtaking.
“This ring, Ari this ring is a symbol of my love for you. I will always love you and only you.”
I just stared at it. It was a vintage-style platinum ring with a round-cut center diamond. Round baguette diamonds surrounded the center diamond. The band was amazing. Two bands extended out from the prongs holding the center diamond on both sides and then molded into one as the bands completed the circle. I’d never seen such a beautiful ring in my entire life.
I looked up at Jeff, who was staring at me.
I couldn’t talk. Holy shit! I can’t talk.
“Um, Ari I’m not really sure, but I think this is the part where you tell me yes.”
My dreams were about to come true. I’m going to be Mrs. Jefferson Johnson. All those years of practicing my signature on my school notebooks was finally going to pay off! As I felt a tear roll down my face, Jeff reached up and brushed it away.
“Jeff, I would be honored to be Mrs. Jefferson Michael Johnson.”
Jeff let a smile that stretched from ear to ear. He shook his head and started to laugh.
What the hell?
“Why the hell are you laughing, dickwad? Are you trying to ruin my perfect moment?”
Jeff threw his head back laughing harder. He stood up, reaching out for my hand, and then he pulled me up to him. The look in his eyes was enough to drive me crazy. Right now in this moment, I wanted nothing more than to be with him. I wanted to forget all about crazy-ass Rebecca and the child that she was carrying. I wanted Jeff to save me from the nightmare that my father threw at me tonight.
“Me ruin it? It took you long enough to answer me, Ari, I was starting to get worried.”
I giggled and reached up to kiss him. Placing his hand on the back of my neck, he pulled me in and deepened the kiss.
Holy hell! My head was spinning.
I was engaged to the man of my dreams. Sure, he was a pain in the ass, but fuck me, he sure could kiss.
Jeff barely pulled away from my lips as he smiled down at me.
“Ari?”
I could hardly talk.
“Yes?”
“Will you let me make love to you, baby?”
Oh. My. God. The Butterflies were taking off and going nuts in my stomach.
“Um sure. Why not?”
Jeff laughed against my lips. The heat from his mouth was driving me insane. I’d never get tired of being with him.
“Have I told you today how beautiful you looked? I had to catch my breath when I saw you walking down the aisle, baby.”
“That’s not what I heard from the preacher. All I know is that when the preacher pulled me to the side and to tell me that my boyfriend needs to come to service tomorrow, I had to wonder what the hell was going on up there with you and Gunner.”
Jeff laughed again. As he slowly pulled away from me, his eyes travel up and down my body. I swore that every time he looked at me, it was like he was seeing me for the first time. When his eyes landed on my mouth, I couldn’t help but lick my lips. He let out a small moan that traveled through my whole body.
I would do anything for this man. Anything.
CHAPTER TWO
JEFF
Holy shit! The moment Ari said yes, my heart started beating a mile a minute. It sure as shit wasn’t going to slow down anytime soon while I looked her body up and down. So fucking perfect. She’d always been perfect. Now, she was going to be truly mine.
When she licked her lips, I let out a moan. Shit. I wanted to be inside her, I wanted to forget the last few days ever happened. I just wanted to be alone with the only girl I would ever love.
“Ari…”
She smiled that damn smile of hers that could bring me to my knees and make me do anything she asked.
“Jeff…”
She slowly turned around and then looked back over her shoulder at me with those beautiful green eyes of hers. Damn! I started to unzip her dress, and I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking. I felt her body shiver the moment I touched her, and I swore that it felt like my knees were about to give out on me.
Holy shit, this girl is going to be the death of me.
Moving my hands slowly back up her body, I placed them on her shoulders and gently pushed off the dress, letting it drop to the floor at her feet. She stepped out and turned to face me.
Mother-fucker. I’d never seen anything so beautiful.
She was dressed in a pink lace bra with matching pink lace panties. I had to catch my breath from the sight of Ari in nothing but her lace underwear and cowboy boots. Taking a step back, I thought back to the first night we ever made love.
***
Brad and Amanda’s’ wedding
Four Months Earlier
“Holy shit!” Gunner and I said together.
Gunner turned to me at the same time I looked at him. I quickly glanced back down the aisle to see Ari walking toward me with a huge bouquet of roses. She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever laid eyes on. As she stepped closer, I got a better look at the dress she was wearing.
Mother fucker. Her breasts were practically falling out of it. Why the hell would Amanda have them wear that? Oh hell no! She was going to have to change or put on a jacket.
Thank God, Gunner was the best man because I didn’t hear any part of the ceremony. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Ari. My Ari. Tonight I would finally make her one-hundred percent mine.
I was still pissed at Gunner and his fucking romantic ways while they were at the hunter’s cabin. Ellie had told Ari all about it, and I had to listen for a week about how passionate Gunner was.
I turned to look at Gunner, and I gave him a fuck-off look. He just raised his eyebrows and then smiled. Bastard
“Jeff, what the hell is wrong with you tonight? Your mind is in another world for Christ’s sake.” Ari said while she danced in my arms.
I held her closer and took in a deep breath. Vanilla. She always smelled like vanilla.
I looked over at Jenny, who gave me a thumbs-up. I lifted my hand and returned one back to her.
Damn. I’d never met someone who worked as hard as she did. Gunner and Ellie were so happy with how Jenny had decorated the cabin the night he’d asked her to marry him.
Tonight was costing me a fortune, but making it a night Ari would never forget was worth it.
Pulling away, Ari looked up at me. Tilting her head, she slowly let that damn smile play across her face.
My god, I love her. I couldn’t believe that I’d almost let her go. What a stupid mother fucker I’d been. Tonight it was all going to change. I was going to make love to her for the first time.
Oh shit. I feel sick.
“Jeff? Are you okay? You look like you’re going to be sick!”
I smiled down at Ari, I lifted her chin up toward me and kissed her. She deepened the kiss and let out a small moan.
After a few seconds, she pulled away. “You want to get the hell out of here and go back to my place?” Ari asked as she wiggled her eyebrows up and down.
Oh shit…here we go.
“Um…actually, I had something else planned for us tonight.”
Ari looked at me and smiled.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yep, but it’s a surprise.”
Just then, Brad and Amanda walked up to us.
I slapped Brad on the back. “Congratulations y’all.”
“Thank you both for being in the wedding and helping out with so much. I couldn’t have done it without your help, Ari,” Amanda said.
She gave Ari a hug and then turned to hug me. Ari pulled up the top of her dress….again…. and smiled at Amanda. She’d been screwing with that damn dress all night. I almost got into it with three guys just for staring at her a little too long. Bastard pricks.
“You wait until I get married, you bitch. I’m so going to make you wear this same fucking dress. I can’t even breathe in this bitch.”
Amanda let out a laugh and hugged Ari again. “I love you, Ari! I hope that you have a wonderful evening. We’re heading out in a few minutes, so I just wanted to say thanks and good-bye.”
Ari and Amanda both got tears in their eyes. Brad and I looked at each other. Brad just shrugged his shoulders, and smiled.
After Brad and Amanda said their good-byes to everyone, Ari and I found Gunner and Ellie. They were talking to Heather and Josh.
“Oh my gosh, wasn’t that such a beautiful wedding?” Heather gushed.
Ari rolled her eyes and screwed around with her dress some more.
“It was beautiful. Amanda did a great job and I was surprised she was able to keep it on the small side with Brad’s mom so involved with the planning.” Ellie said as she looked over at me and winked.
Fucking Gunner! Can’t keep is goddamn mouth shut. I was sure he’d told Ellie what I had planned for tonight. I’m never telling him anything again.
“So, Josh and Heather….you two looked comfy on the dance floor tonight,” Ari said nudging Heather with her shoulder.
I thought Heather was going to kill Ari. I’d never seen that girl look so pissed-off in my life. Josh just smiled and leaned in to say something to Heather. She turned and glared at him.
Oh shit, that’s not a happy look.
“If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll be heading home. Now that Amanda and Brad are gone, I need to get out of this dress. And no…you cannot help me, Josh!”
Everyone let out a laugh except for Josh. Poor bastard had it bad for Heather, but he seemed to always say the wrong thing to her. Gunner and I had tried to tell him that she wasn’t like the bitches he’d slept around with and that he needed to take things slow with her to win her trust. Stupid bastard. He was always making sexual comments to her and all that did was push her further away.
Ellie and Gunner said they were taking off as well. As we all walked out to the main lobby of The Driskill Hotel, Gunner and I talked a bit about the ranch while Ari and Ellie talked about school.
“You okay, dude? You look like you’re going to hurl,” Gunner said as he threw his head back and laughed.
“Fuck you, asshole! If I remember right, you were a walking mess all Christmas day. Don’t even start with me.”
Gunner smiled and turned me away from Ari and Ellie.
“Jeff, dude, just relax. She’s gonna be surprised, and she’s going to love it. Ellie and I ran up to the room to take a peek after Jenny was done. It’s beautiful. Just…just take it slow. Remember that this is for her dude. Be honest, Jeff. Be real.”
Motherfucker. I’d never been with a virgin, and my hands were shaking already. What if I hurt her? What if she hated it? What if-
“Jeff, stop. I see the fucking wheels turning in your head, dude. It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“Yeah, take it slow…it’s her night….not about me. Holy shit Gunner. What if I hurt her? Do you know how long I’ve waited to be with this girl? What if I turn into a crazy man? Oh shit, maybe I should have waited longer. What if she’s not ready?”
“Jesus, Jeff. You know that she’s ready. She’s more than ready. I think if you wait any longer, she’s going to be the one to attack you. You won’t go crazy. I’m not going to lie though. It’ll be fucking hard to take it slow.”
“Fuck Gunner! You just gave me a damn visual. What did I say about that? I’m done talking to you.”
I turned and walked over to Ari and Ellie. I leaned down and kissed Ellie good night and told her that I loved her. While Ellie and Ari hugged and said their good-byes, Gunner handed me the key to the hotel room I’d booked.
I grabbed Ari’s hand and started walking towards the stairs.
“Wait, where are we going, Jeff? I’m so ready to just go home and get out of this dress.”
I stopped and turned her to face me. She had questioning look on her face.
I leaned close to ear and said very softly and slowly, “I need to show you your surprise, baby.”
Ari’s head snapped up, and she looked into my eyes. For a second, she looked scared. Then her eyes immediately softened, and she smiled.
She turned away and walked over to the stairs and started to head up them at a rather fast pace. I had to let out a laugh. Goddamn, I love this girl.
I slipped the room key through the slider and looked over at Ari who looked like I felt, sick to my stomach. I should have come up to the room first to make sure everything was okay.
“Jesus H. Christ, Jeff, just open the door!” Ari said stomping her foot.
Yep, I loved this girl. I was pretty sure that I was going to die and go to heaven tonight.
I opened the door, and Ari just about pushed me out of the way as she made her way into the room. She stopped dead in her tracks and let out a gasp. The room was filled with LED candles everywhere and Roses were covering every possible surface. The bed had petals spread all over it with one single red rose lying across the pillows.
Next to the bed was a huge plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne, Ari’s favorite.
Yep, Jenny was worth every damn dime I paid. Gunner was now forgiven.
Ari turned and looked at me.
Oh shit. Tears were running down her face. I walked over to her and wiped them away as I leaned down and kissed her.
“I love you, Ari. I love you more than anything in this world, baby.”
“Jeff….I don’t. I don’t even know what to say! It’s so beautiful. It’s….it’s perfect!”
Our room was on the historical side of the hotel facing 6th Street. Ari walked over to the balcony doors, threw them open and walked outside. I could hear music coming from a bar not far away. The song sounded like it was “Dirty Dancer” by Enrique Iglesias. I smiled when her hips started moving to the beat. Damn, the girl loves to dance.
I took off my tie and jacket, set them on a nearby chair, and made my way out to her. I wrapped my arms around her and felt her moving her hips as she pressed into me. Fuck me! Please don’t let me lose it like a damn sixteen year old boy.
As I moved my hips with hers, she threw her head back up against me and let out a small moan. I about lost it right then and there.
“Jeff?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I’m scared.”
Holy shit. I just about dropped to my knees. I’d never in the 9 years I’d known Ari, ever heard her utter those words. She was the strongest person I knew.
Gunner’s words came back into my head. Be honest, Jeff. Be real.
“I am, too, baby.”
Pulling away from me, Ari turned to face me with a shocked look on her face.
“What? Why would you be scared?” Ari practically shouted.
“I mean, why are you scared Jeff? For Christ’s sake, it’s not like you’ve never had sex before. I’ve never done this before. What if…what if I don’t….”
“Ari, stop. First off, baby, I’m scared because I’m going to be making love to you for the first time. I might have had sex, before Arianna, but I’ve never made love to anyone before. I’ve dreamed about this night with you for years. I just want this to be perfect for you, Ari, I want you to always remember this night.”
I watched as a tear rolled down her cheek. I brushed it away with my thumb and leaned down to kiss her. She stepped back away from me. I was confused by what she was doing until she turned and walked back into the room. I followed her in and shut the doors to the balcony.
She turned back to face me as she stepped backward until her legs touched the bed. I could hardly move my legs, but somehow, I managed to walk over to her. She looked at me with that smile.
