Convenience and Compatibility (37 page)

I want to collapse now – I’m spent. Greg’s
moves his hands to the railing and I notice they are white-knuckled
as he pumps into me, grunting like an animal. Is this my punishment
for being mad at him and leaving him last week? It’s wild, carnal,
totally dangerous and I love it.

Greg cries out and I’m sad that I can’t see
the look on his face as he spills into me. He pumps one more time
and then pulls out, leaving a trail of cum along my ass and on the
back of my nightie.

I steady myself on the railing, and put my
feel back onto the deck. That was intense.

He takes me by the hand and pulls me around
so my mouth is level with his neck. I let him envelop me in an
embrace before pulling away. “Let’s finish that champagne.”

We go inside and Greg turns on the fireplace
as we snuggle under a blanket watching the fire and drinking the
champagne. We don’t talk, only holding each other close and knowing
this is the end. Greg yawns and I look over at his profile. He is a
handsome man, in a rugged, very Greek way. He’s all testosterone
and masculine with a sweet loving side. How am I going to let him
go? How did we get here? Everyone has problems and no one is
perfect; we could have worked things out. I look back to the fire
and regret ever meeting Dean.

“Are you tired? Do you want to go to
bed?”

Greg nods and we go into the bedroom. We take
a quick shower, washing the come off of our bodies, and crawl into
bed. We lay facing each other in the dark, our arms and legs
wrapped around one another. I want to say something, to say how
sorry I am again, but I’ve already said that. There is no point. We
fall asleep in each other’s arms.

I’m awoken by Greg’s fervent
kisses on
my chest, trailing down my body – he’s hungry already for me. My
body automatically responds to his moaning and grabbing, more than
ready to have him. His mouth gets to my navel and he puts two
fingers inside me, moaning, I’m guessing at my wetness. My body
loves his touch.

Greg’s kisses make their way to my clit and
he attacks it with passion. I arch my back and grab at the sheets,
as my body tenses with the intensity. I’m panting by the time he
moves his mouth lower and fucks me with his tongue. Greg lifts his
head and watches my face as he places two fingers inside me. He
moves the tip of his fingers deep inside while massaging my clit
with his thumb, as his mouth finds mine. I glide a hand along the
side of his body, up to his dark hair and run my fingers through
the curls. My overstimulated clit can’t handle much more of this.
My toes curl as my orgasm takes over and I pull my mouth from
Greg’s. I cry out and arch my body to his, thrusting into him with
each rhythmic contraction.

My muscles go weak as I lay back on the bed,
exhausted. Greg sucks on my bottom lip when I feel him enter me,
slowly, filling me. My clit awakens again with his grinding and my
limbs come alive. Wrapping my legs around him, I put my mouth on
Greg’s neck and suck; wanting to leave him a reminder of me. Greg
groans and gets on his knees, taking me with him. He places his
hands under my ass and grinds me against him. I break my mouth away
from his neck and put my arms around his neck. Greg groans as I put
my mouth to his, finding his tongue I suck gently as his fingers
dig into my ass cheeks.

He sits back and lies down, keeping our
bodies moving together in perfect rhythm. It’s my turn to fuck him
now; grinding and rocking slightly back. Greg holds onto my hips
and pushes me deeper on the return. I close my eyes and steady
myself on his muscular arms. I can feel them tensing under my hands
and know that this will probably be the last time his hands touch
me like this for a long time – hopefully not forever. It’s at this
moment that I lose my Zen; my body doesn’t miss a beat, but my
heart is not in it. I feel tears start forming and am glad that
it’s dark that Greg can’t see them.

Greg’s breathing gets harder and I can feel
his muscles tense under me. He sits up and holds my back with one
hand and my ass to him with the other. We roll quickly so that he
is on top and I wrap myself around him. The sides of my face are
wet with my tears now. I’m barely aware that Greg is pumping into
me like crazy. He cries out, coming into me, and collapses on top
of me, calling my name.

Greg lies panting and I hug him close to me
still relishing him inside. I’m so mad at myself that I may never
get to experience this again. Greg rolls over and I scramble
towards the bathroom, hoping to erase all evidence of my tears
before he notices. I shut the door and turn on the shower; cleaning
myself off before I start the bath.

The room is mostly dark with just a hint of
light peeking in through the skylight, but I have no idea what time
it is. Part of me wants to miss my flight so I can be with Greg
longer. He lightly knocks on the door before coming in.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself. If I had a bigger tub I’d join
you.”

“Maybe you need to renovate,” I tease.

“Maybe, although I was thinking of getting a
bigger place soon.”

Oh? This is a surprise.

“Why’s that?”

Greg sits on the toilet next to me and puts
his hand in the water. I can only see the outline of his body,
slightly slumped over. I see him shrug.

“Adam is moving soon, and well, I’m ready to
stop doing the bachelor thing.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise even though
I know he can’t see them. This is news. My stomach feels sick.
“What time is it?” I’m afraid to know, not wanting this moment to
end, but at the same time ready for the pending grieving to begin
so I can start healing.

“Only eight.”

“I’d better get going soon. I need to drive
out to Edmonds and leave my car.”

“Do you want me to take you to the
airport?”

“No, that’s okay. I need to say goodbye to my
parents one last time.”

Greg looks down at the water. “Okay.”

I get out of the tub and Greg puts on his
shirt and pajama bottoms before sitting on the edge of the bed
while I get ready. I put on some jeans and T-shirt, very little
make-up and some ballet flats. Greg has been silent, watching me as
I get ready.

“Greg, what’s the matter?”

I walk over to him and he doesn’t move. I put
my hand on his head and stroke his hair. “Will you talk to me?”

“What’s there to say?”

I nod, knowing he is right.

“Please hug me, I need to go.”

Greg stands and puts his arms around me. He
holds tight, putting his head on mine and breathing me in.

“I’ll walk you out.”

Greg releases me and grabs my suitcase. We
walk silently to my car, his arm around my shoulders. I’m about to
lose it at any moment, hoping I can keep it together until I am
safely in my car driving away.

Greg puts my suitcase in the trunk and hugs
me once again. He kisses me on the cheek and then holds my head
with his hands. His eyes search my face, his expression
pleading.

“I love you so much. Please….” Greg closes
his eyes and doesn’t say anything more.

“What?” I ask quietly.

Greg shakes his head, then opens his eyes.
“Nothing. Have a safe flight.”

Then he kisses me swiftly on the lips and
walks away. I stand, dumbfounded, and watch him walk to the front
door and go in without even looking back.

I get into my car and drive to my parent’s
house in a daze. That was a very strange goodbye, but can I blame
him? I was the one who wanted this. I imagine how easy it would be
to turn the car around and change my mind. Spend the day making
love to Greg.

I grip the steering wheel, willing myself to
keep going; hitting each mental milestone until I reach my parent’s
house. I park on the side of the driveway and pull my suitcase out,
trying not to think about what if’s and instead put one foot in
front of the other.

I can do this.

Mom and Dad drive me to the airport. They
don’t ask why I’m so quiet and I’m grateful. I’m in a daze, almost
an out-of-body experience, as we say our goodbyes at the curb, I
check in, go through security and walk to my gate. The flight will
board in an hour and I walk to the bar.

I order a glass of champagne; I should be
celebrating, right? Putting my earbuds in my ears, I listen to some
music. I can do this. Anyways, it’s too late to turn back now.
Downing the glass of champagne I order another and watch the planes
taxiing outside. I wonder what Greg is doing now? Arghh. I down the
rest of the champagne and walk to the gate. I’m going to miss the
flight if I don’t pay better attention to the time.

The music stops and my phone starts ringing
in my ear. I hold it up and don’t recognize the number. What the
hell – I answer it.

“Hello?”

“Mallory, it’s Dean.”

Oh shit. I hesitate and consider hanging up
but I’m about to board an international flight, putting a lot of
distance between us, so what’s the harm.

“Hi Dean.”

“Um, could we get together and talk
sometime?”

“No Dean. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
I specifically omit the part that logistically that would not be
possible.

“I need to see you.”

Just then the attendant at the counter starts
announcing something. “Just a minute.” I pull the earbuds out of my
ears and try to listen to the announcement while I smother the
phone on my side, hoping that Dean can’t hear.

They are announcing my seat to board.

I put my phone back to my ear, “Gotta go
Dean.”

“Wait! What have you done! Mallory!”

Shit.

“Nothing Dean. I really have to go.”

“Mallory!” Dean screams as I take the phone
from my ear and press end.

I grab my belongings, walk to the gate and
board the plane.

I sit in my cramped economy seat and take
deep breaths. I did it. It’s over. I no longer have to make the
decision of staying versus leaving. This may be the easy way out,
but I try to be optimistic and think of my future and my impending
adventure.

I can do this.

The End

Recipes

Eleni’s Hummus Recipe

Soak 3 cups Garbanzo beans in salted water
overnight.

Simmer on stove until tender.

In batches blend in food processor or
blender:

Beans & ¼ cup cooking liquid.

½ cup Tahini or substitute Sesame Seeds if
blender is capable.

¾ cup Olive Oil.

½ cup lemon juice (more or less depending on
preference).

½ cup garlic (more or less depending on
preference).

Salt – season as needed.

Blend until creamy. Tastes better after
sitting for 24 hours. Eat with veggie plate of onions, tomatoes,
olives, cucumbers, sprinkled with lemon juice and Feta. Scoop with
Pita bread.

Eleni’s Pita Bread
Recipe

6 cups whole wheat flour.

2 tablespoons baking powder.

1 tablespoon salt.

Mix with dough hook in mixer until dough is
stringy and pliable. Break off small ball and roll out with minimal
flour. Cook on iron skillet on medium, both sides, and top with
butter.

Eat warm - heat up on skillet.

From the Author

Thank you for taking the time to read my
book. I started writing when my youngest was two months old.
Writing helped my postpartum issues – baby number three was
surprisingly difficult! I have never written anything before and
was surprised that I enjoyed the experience so much.

There will definitely be a sequel; I just
need to find the time to write with three kids and a husband. I’m
excited to see where Mallory will end up, and with whom, so the
writing will start soon.

Please leave a review wherever you obtained
this book. I would love to hear from you! You can also reach me at
[email protected].

Thank you again,

Emily