Leo

  **********

  Jake closes his door and leads me to his living room area, pulls up a leather upholstered ottoman and pulls it in front of the couch and pulls me down to sit knee to knee with him. He takes both my hands in his. "First of all, I'm so sorry I made you feel badly for coming here. You can show up here anytime you want to. I never expected my mom to…" He sighs, "We're… estranged, things are not good between us, which I guess you could tell." He lets out something that sounds like a strangled laugh. "I had no idea she was coming here today. The last time I saw her I told her I didn't want anything to do with her, and I meant ever."

  "It's complicated, but, my mom has issues. Serious issues and she made my home life a living hell. She's the reason that I acted out the way I did when I was a teenager and she's the reason for the stilted relationship between me and my dad.

  "When I saw you standing there, I couldn't believe that you were even about to share her air. She's a ruthless bitch and she'll do or say anything that she thinks will further her own agenda. I wasn't mad that you were here, I was mad that you were even in the vicinity of that pit viper. And that was not your fault, but I lost it, and I'm so sorry." His eyes are pleading.

  "She only made that comment to you about being one of many because she was being vindictive since I was throwing her out. She doesn't even know you, Evie. And she sure as shit doesn't know anything important about me."

  "Jake," I say, squeezing his hands. "I feel like when you're talking about yourself, you're talking to me in code. I get the gist of what you're saying but you really haven't told me anything."

  He sighs, "I'll give you some examples, just give me some time, okay? This is stuff I've never talked about to anyone and it's hard for me to get into. I've spent so many years trying to pretend it doesn't exist. I know that's not the healthy thing to do. But just… trust me, okay? Can you do that?" He's looking at me desperately, like my answer means his life or death.

  I say the first thing that pops into my head. "Okay, Jake. I trust you." And despite all my doubts, I do, I honestly do, and that makes me happy as much as it scares the shit out of me. Nothing makes sense anymore.

  He's holding back. Questionable things keep coming up. I shouldn't feel safe with him. And yet, I do. I have to wonder about my own judgement.

  "Can you just tell me one thing, though? Why is she in town?"

  "Part of it is because my father changed his will in the hospital and left me the company and she's not happy about that. She's here in part to make an appeal to the board. It won't work, but she'll give it her best. Mostly, it's a way to control me and she's angry that she's lost that."

  We're both silent for several seconds before he continues. "Forgive me for talking to you like that, for making you feel that way? God, for that whole fucked up situation?" His looks at me sadly.

  I take a deep breath. "Yes, I forgive you. And you don't have to apologize for your mom, Jake. I know better than anyone you can't help who your parents are."

  He looks into my eyes and nods. "Thank you," he says, looking down at our hands and then bringing them up and kissing my knuckles one at a time. "I never want to do anything to hurt you, Evie. Everything I do, it's because my feelings are so strong for you… I … Christ, I'm so out of my element here and there are all these fucked up things… Just, be patient with me?" I wonder for a minute if he's going to tear up but he just looks at me sadly and finally, I do the only thing that feels right. I put my arms around him and hold him close.

  CHAPTER 22

  Jake grabs a menu from a chinese restaurant down the street and I look it over and then tell him what I want, chicken with broccoli and an egg roll.

  He calls in the order and I ask him if he'd mind if I took a quick shower before dinner. Cleaning hotel rooms all day doesn't exactly make me feel all fresh and clean.

  "Of course," he says, "You don't have to ask. My home is your home, okay?" He looks at me like it's really important to him that I understand that.

  "Okay, Jake."

  I take a quick shower and change into a light pink tank top with lace straps and a pair of white cotton shorts. I brush out my hair and leave it down.

  I walk back out into the kitchen/living area and don't see Jake. The door leading to the balcony is open though and so I go there and peek out. Jake is standing against the low wall with his hands on the ledge looking out to the city.

  I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, laying my head against his back. He takes my hands in his from the front and inhales a deep breath. As much as I’m rattled by my run in with his mom, I feel like he needs me more than I need him right now. I'm not new to feeling sorry for people for the parental hand they got dealt. I grew up in the foster care system. But I never expected that Jake's situation was so extreme that he had to kick his own mom out of his life, literally and figuratively.

  After a couple minutes, I give him a gentle squeeze and then slide my hands up the bottom of his shirt, leaning down and kissing the base of his back, and licking up his spine a little ways. I smile against his skin.

  As I start lifting the back of his shirt a little more, his body tenses and I pause, wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I realize quickly that I've never actually seen his back and I wonder briefly if maybe he has scars there too… but I don't remember feeling anything when we were in bed…

  Then the moment passes as he draws in air and turns around so that my face is now at his stomach, which I press my lips against. “Evie,” he breathes.

  He leans back against the half wall and I go down on my knees in front of him, unbuttoning the top of his jeans. I smile up at him and his eyes are dark and filled with need.

  Jake’s lips are parted and at the look of blatant lust on his face, I feel wetness between my legs. I press my thighs together, relishing the sensation.

  Along with the butterflies that take flight in my stomach are wisps of excitement, thrilling and heady. Am I really about to do this?

  I unzip his jeans and drag them down his legs, Next, I pull his boxers down and his beautiful cock springs free, rock hard. I look up at him and his arms are spread, braced on the wall as he leans back, resting his ass against the stone. I must look a little unsure because he says, “Put your mouth on me, please, Evie.”

  He's perfection, his body taut with desire, heavy with arousal and my mouth waters at the sight of him.

  I don’t know if I’m going to be any good at this but I decide to go for gusto. I’m so turned on that when I lick up the underside of his erection, I’m the one to moan. I breath in his scent, clean and woodsy but also something muskier down here. It’s all Jake and I love it.

  My lips stretch over the wide crown, sucking gently. I flutter my tongue across the underside, loving the feel of his soft skin. Jake rewards me with a loud moan, rolling his hips gently.

  I fist the base of him with one hand and draw him deeper into my mouth and start sucking rhythmically.

  “Oh, fuck! Evie… your mouth… Like that!” Jake grinds out. He pushes his hands into my hair, pulling at the roots. It should hurt but strangely, I love the feel of it and it spurs me on.

  I keep sucking and stroking him with my mouth while my hand jacks him from below, like he showed me.

  I feel him swell in my mouth and I let out another moan, as he starts thrusting his hips, fucking my mouth, directing my movement. I love that he's lost control. I love that I've done that to him.

  “Oh God! I’m gonna come, baby,” I keep sucking him though, working my lips and tongue hungrily, desperate to bring him to orgasm.

  I feel the first spurts of semen in my mouth, thick and salty and I swallow all of it, milking him with my mouth until his last shudder.

  "Holy fuck," his voice is still hoarse with passion.

  I tuck him back into his pants just as the buzzer from the front desk sounds. It’s our food.

  We both look at the door at the same time and burst out laughing, him running his hand through his hair and mutt
ering, “Holy shit. Seriously, unleashed a sex demon.”

  I giggle and he pulls me up, kissing me quickly on the lips and I follow him back into the condo.

  **********

  We eat our takeout on the floor in the living room. Jake has a game on t.v. but he’s not paying much attention. We laugh and share bites and he's sweet and flirty, my Jake again. The shadow of his mother’s visit seems to have faded. I guess a blow job can distract a man from some of life's most disturbing events. Noted.

  After dinner, Jake tells me he's going to take a quick shower. I bring the dishes into the kitchen and load the dishwasher. As I'm straightening his pile of mail, Jake comes up behind me and turns me around, lifting me easily onto the counter. His hand grips the back of my neck and my legs open for him, allowing him to press his body fully into me. He smiles and then kisses me slowly and deeply as my hands run up and down the hard muscles of his back.

  "Well, hello," I say, smiling, when he breaks the kiss. "How was your shower?"

  "Good," he says, nipping at my lip. "I missed you though."

  "We'll have to schedule a shower for the both of us then. I look forward to getting wet with you Jake Madsen," I smile my best saucy smile.

  A strange look passes over his face but he schools it quickly, smiling and saying, "Oh, I have a whole spreadsheet of things I plan to do with you."

  "A whole spreadsheet, huh?" I say smiling back, convincing myself that I imagined the strange look.

  "Mmm," he murmurs, rubbing his nose against mine. "Color coded and everything."

  "Well, by all means, then, let's start working our way through that," I grin down at him.

  He kisses me again, but now it's harder, more demanding. In minutes, we're panting and gripping at each other, hands everywhere.

  I feel lost, needy, my panties already drenched with arousal, my nipples pebbled against his hard chest.

  I let out a whimper as Jake pulls the strap of my tank top down one shoulder, looking at me with dark, hooded eyes. He licks his lips as he pulls the other strap down to bare my breasts and the throbbing between my legs intensifies. "Please, Jake," I whisper and I'm not even entirely sure what I'm asking him for.

  "What do you need, baby? Tell me."

  "More," I say simply and his slow, sexy smile has more moisture trickling down to my core.

  His hands cup my breasts and he brushes his thumbs over my nipples and I moan as they tighten even more, shooting a bolt of electricity between my legs, my sex clenching. My head falls back, my mouth opening as he takes turns at my nipples, sucking them and flicking them with his tongue expertly.

  Jake's mouth pops off my nipple and he steps back and I whimper at the loss of him, taking in his tented jeans and his lust filled eyes. He scoops me off the counter and throws me over his shoulder. I shriek, laughing as Jake strides to his bedroom. He throws me on the bed and now I let out another little scream, still laughing as he pounces on me, grinning.

  But then he leans up off of me and the look on his face becomes serious, "You are so beautiful, Evelyn Cruise."

  I smile up at him, thinking that I'm nowhere near as beautiful as he is right now, looking down at me, the moonlight shining in on him.

  My thighs open to accommodate him and I stare into his eyes, "Show me."

  He kisses my mouth, slow, sexy and tormenting at this point because I'm so turned on. My hips press upwards and Jake reaches down my shorts, between my legs and moans, "God, Evie, you're drenched."

  He stands up and I watch him strip off his t-shirt, followed by his jeans and boxers. I take in his hard, male perfection and then he grabs my hips and pulls me to the side of the bed so that my ass is right at the edge. He pulls my shorts and panties down my legs, and then does the same with my tank top which is still pulled down around my waist.

  The bed is the perfect height for him to remain standing and when I feel his throbbing cock at my entrance, I whimper with pleasure. He takes himself in his hand and uses his erection to rub against my clit and I think I might come right then and there. He circles his erection slowly against my sex, teasing and torturing me, bringing me close to the edge, but not giving me enough to tip me over.

  "Jake," I whine, desperate with need.

  He chuckles but then positions himself and surges inside of me. I gasp, my body gripping him, getting used to his size, before relaxing just as he starts moving. He groans loudly, "God, Evie, you're so tight, so hot, you feel amazing."

  He starts pumping into me and from this angle, every thrust causes his body to hit my clit.

  "Harder," I breathe, tilting my ass so that he can go deeper, giving greater access to his thrusts, completely lost in his possession.

  He groans, thrusting harder and I can feel pressure in my core building as he continues to pump into me over and over again. I sit up slightly and grab his contracting ass, amazed at the feeling of his muscles, hard as stone. Then he brings one hand down between my legs and presses his thumb against my clit and that's all it takes to take me spiraling into an orgasm, my sex pulsing around his cock.

  I come down slowly, Jake still pumping inside of me and then watch him dazedly as his own orgasm takes over and he rams into me, his eyes closing and his lips parting in pleasure, filling me with scalding heat. And I seriously feel aftershocks just at the expression on his face alone. I’ll never stop loving that look.

  Jake falls forward, shuddering as he plants his face into my neck. We both breathe hard for several long minutes until he pulls out of me and kisses me slowly and deeply. Then he rolls to the side so we’re lying next to each other.

  That was so amazing, I think I might die. For real.

  When I look over at him, he’s smiling up at the ceiling. “What’s that for?” I ask, smiling too.

  “I knew it’d be like this with us,” he says, smiling bigger.

  “You did, did you?”

  “Yup. Knew it the first time I kissed you.”

  I smile at him and lean up to kiss his lips gently. “I’m gonna go clean up. I’ll be right back.”

  When I finish in the bathroom, Jake is already under the covers, wearing his boxers and t-shirt. I snuggle in against him and we whisper and cuddle until both of us fall asleep.

  CHAPTER 23

  Evie is 14, Leo is 15

  I smile up at the sky as Leo makes his way to me on what I've come to think of as "our roof." I keep staring upwards as I say teasingly, "Hark, who goes there? Is it my lion or is it my boy?"

  "If I'm half of each then I can't be one or the other, I can only be both," he says with a smile in his voice.

  I ponder this for a minute. "True, I suppose. But just for the record, it wouldn't matter who showed up. I love both equally."

  "Aren't you afraid of the lion, just a little?"

  "Uh uh," I nod, no. "In fact, the lion is my favorite - he's the side that's fierce and strong. He's the one who fights for those he loves savagely, who is powerful. He's the one who shines through when I see that fire in your eyes."

  I look over at him now and there it is, that burning expression that makes my heart beat faster, in excitement and confusion both.

  He stares at me for a minute, his eyes wandering down to my mouth. Then he closes his eyes and turns his head to look up at the sky.

  He changes the subject. "I met with my new adoptive parents again today. Looks like I'll be moving in with them by the end of the month. Two weeks."

  I turn to him, resting my head on my hand, my elbow propped on the roof. "Yeah? You still like them as much as you thought?"

  "Yeah. They're… yeah, they seem real nice. He doesn't talk a whole lot but he seems like a nice guy. She's kind of nervous, but nice too. She touches me a lot, trying to be motherly. I don't think they've been around teenagers a whole lot."

  He's silent for a minute and then, "They also told me that it's a good possibility that he's going to take a new job in Southern California." He glances at me nervously. "It's not set in stone but… they say it's likely.
They went on and on about how fun it would be to live near the beach."

  I feel my heart plummet to my feet. "What?" I whisper.

  "Listen, it's not for sure, yet, okay? I just wanted to tell you now so that it won't come as a shock if it does happen. Listen, Evie, it might not be the worst thing in the world. I mean, one of us having a stable family… it will give us that much more of a chance for a successful start once you turn 18. We won't be so alone."

  "Yeah, but that's in four YEARS, Leo! We're going to be apart for four years?"

  He sighs, "I don't know. I hope not. But I'm trying to look on the bright side here, okay?"

  We both stare up at the sky for long minutes before he turns to me and says, "Do you know the quality all lions possess, above all else?"

  "No," I nod.

  "Loyalty," he says, smiling and showing me that adorable gap in his teeth. No matter how far apart we are. No matter the distance or time, I will never love anyone except you. Not ever."

  I nod at him sadly.

  He gets a teasing glint in his eyes, "Also? They really like to maul their women!" Then he play tackles me, rolling me and growling in my ears.

  I laugh and squeal but hiss, "Leo! You'll wake everyone else sleeping inside!" rolling away from him. But I laugh again when he gives me a vicious look, crossing his eyes.

  "You're crazy," I say, as we lie down next to each other again, holding hands. But I feel better. He's mine, and he always will be.

  CHAPTER 24

  The next couple of days are pretty uneventful. I stay at my own place Sunday and Monday, feeling like a little space in a new relationship is probably a good idea. Jake doesn't seem to agree but he doesn't push.

  He has to fly to the office in San Diego again for work and he leaves on Tuesday morning so he can be in the office for meetings all day. I feel slightly anxious about him leaving because of what happened on his last trip, but I put it out of my mind as best as I can.