She places kisses along my jaw, then my neck and then on my chest. I love feeling her mouth on me. I’ve never felt something like this. It’s always been a cold and harsh, an act of violence – not like this – an act of passion, lust and adoration.

Our hands keep moving together and I can feel the orgasm starting to build. Her other hand takes hold of my thigh and she lifts my leg until it’s pressing against her pussy. I can feel how wet she is through her shorts and it makes me even more turned on. Her hips start to move in sync with mine and as she rides my leg, our hands work together on my cock.

I like this so much. I’ve never felt this kind of pleasure before. Our breathing picks up and she buries her face in my chest, her hips moving faster.

I quickly let go off my cock and press her hand to me. She doesn’t hesitate and she wraps her fingers around me. A moan slips from me. It feels so good to feel her hand around me. She continues the fast pace, stoking me hard. I unbutton her shorts and push my hand in. When I slip my fingers between her folds, and then into her, she throws her head back moaning with pleasure.

“Jack.” She grinds herself against my palm and then her breathing hitches and she lets out a soft hiss as she comes. Her hand tightens around me, and the pressure is perfect, making me come.

My hips jerk against her and a long groan tears from my throat as pleasure sets my body alive. I arch into her and thrust a few more times, making the pleasure last as long as I can.

When the last bliss fades away River gets up and goes to the bathroom. I don’t think I can walk right now. I hear water running and then she comes out with a towel around her. She comes to me and that’s when I see the cloth in her hand. She pulls my boxers off and gently cleans me. When she moves to get up, I grab her hand and pull her back against me.

I take hold of the towel and pull it from her body. “I just want to feel you.”

I wrap my arms around her and press our naked bodies together. I bury my face in her hair and whisper, “When I’m with you, I find myself. Thank you for giving that piece of myself back to me.”

She presses a kiss to my neck. “I’ll do anything for you.”

I lie awake for long thinking of what we just shared. Now I understand what made the moments between Christopher and Maddie look so different, because I just felt it for myself and I want to feel it again.

~*~

Chapter Eighteen

River~

Adam and I decide to treat everyone to a barbeque. I’ve chased Miss Ella out of the kitchen and the last I saw of her was when she was walking down to the river with Jack.

Sophia is helping me fix some salads and butter the rolls. When we’re done with it all, we carry the bowls outside to a table Adam placed under a tree. We do a few trips up and down, bringing out sodas and everything else we might need.

“Thank you, Sophia.” The woman has become a younger version of Miss Ella. She’s a quick learner and loves spending time with Miss Ella when she’s not with Adam.

“It’s my pleasure,” she says, a bright smile lighting up her face.

I’m glad we’re all spending some time together today. Weeks can pass where we all just live right by each other. We try to get together at least once a month, but with Jack and Sophia joining us, time just slipped by.

I follow Sophia to where Adam and Tristan are grilling some steaks and burgers. Adam places his arm around Sophia and holds her close to his side while he’s flipping the burgers.

The meat smells delicious. “We’re ready. It went so quick with Sophia’s help. I’m going to go call everyone so long.”

“The meat should be ready soon,” Tristan says and then his eyes dart over my head. I glance over my shoulder to see what he’s looking at and then grin. Diane and Lizzie are walking towards us. Diane looks at Tristan and then she quickly looks back at Lizzie. There’s definitely something brewing between Tristan and Diane. The girl is so shy.

I glance up at Tristan and whisper, “Be careful with Diane, she’s fragile.”

He frowns at me and then huffs, “There’s nothing going on between us. Besides, she’s way too young for me.”

I chuckle under my breath. “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that.”

I quickly go back inside and find a small group of the girls in the living room, where they’re busy reading. “Y’all wanna join us outside? The food is almost ready.”

It takes me a good few minutes to find everyone in the huge house and then I walk towards the river to get Miss Ella and Jack.

I find them sitting on one of the benches, their heads huddled close.

“I’d like some lilies and lavender.” Miss Ella points to their right. “I’m sure you can fit them in there. They would go so nice with the others.”

Jack stares hard at the spot Miss Ella pointed out. “You really think so? I was thinking of putting in more roses.”

“You already have roses.” Miss Ella is so patient with him.

“I’d like to plant more,” Jack whispers, sounding a little sad.

“Why roses?” Nothing gets past Miss Ella, she heard the sadness too.

“Momma loved them. They remind me of her.”

My heart shrivels up. “What was she like?” Miss Ella asks.

“She had the prettiest smile it always made me feel safe.”

“You must’ve gotten your smile from her, because you light up a room with yours.”

“I do … you really think so?” I can hear the emotions flooding his voice. My sweet Jack. I want to hide him from this cruel world.

“I do, Jack.” Miss Ella cups his cheek and I can hear the emotion making her voice shaky. “Just because your momma has gone to a better place, it doesn’t mean she’s not with you.”

Jack leans his head on her shoulder and hugs her. He looks so innocent right now. I don’t know how this side of Jack managed to stay whole through all the hell he’s been through.

“Momma use to pat my head,” he whispers. “Actually, she played with my hair, until I would fall asleep.”

Miss Ella hugs Jack back. “I use to love it so much, but then Mistress Westbrook started to pat me on the head, as if I was a dog. She took something nice Momma used to do and she made it ugly.” I can hear the heartache and loss in his voice.

Miss Ella’s hand trembles as she caresses Jack’s hair. “Oh, my precious boy,” she sniffles and holds him tighter. “Miss Ella is here now. Don’t let them take your memories of your momma away from you. Bad things happen to all of us, but it’s what we do with them that make a real difference in our lives. Let your past make you stronger.”

I walk back to the barbeque, leaving Jack with Miss Ella. He needs her right now.

~*~

When I get back, it’s just in time as everyone is sitting down to eat. I grab two plates and load them with food for Jack and Miss Ella, and then I get some for myself.

I listen as everyone talks and laughs, and then I spot Christopher taking a plate of food to Maddie.

I walk over to them and make sure that I sit a safe distance from Maddie. Because of her past I let the men handle her. I don’t want to upset her. I just want to know if she’s okay.

“How are you, Maddie?”

Her eyes jump from me to Christopher, who’s taking a seat next to her. He smiles at her and it seems to give her courage. “I’m great.” She twirls her fork in her plate and then suddenly looks up. “Thank you for bringing me here. I know I don’t talk to you a lot and it might come across as being rude, but I want you to know how thankful I am to you and Adam for saving me.”

“Oh, Lovely, I’m so glad you’ve found your little space here and it’s only our pleasure.” I look from Christopher to Maddie and I can clearly see their love for each other. “So … it’s obvious that the two of you are serious. I noticed you moved out of the house, Maddie. I’m guessing that the two of you now live together?”