Love Delayed

The best!

It was magical, the things he did to me. His ability to make me feel so reverenced and valued. I floated above earth. Felt stronger than I had in a long time. In that moment, I collided with the clarity of my future. Felt like the old Zoey. The one that could take on the world.

Then I needed to see him. Experience his eyes. When I settled my sight below I wasn’t prepared for what I saw.

“Holy mother of—! Stenton!” I yelped.

Licking his lips, he smiled. “It’s okay. You’re good.”

“No! Nooooo!” I straightened and covered my breasts. “I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t sweat it. It’s all good, Zo,” he assured as he wiped my breast milk from his face.

Stenton’s teeth were on full display as he smiled. His eyes were tight from his recent ascent and his tongue wouldn’t stop swiping his mouth. I shuffled off his body, wincing at the disconnect, leaped into the bathroom, turning on the shower and barely felt the ice cold water against my still hyper-sensitive skin.

“Zo… Heeey…” Stenton soothed as he entered the shower and wrapped me against his hot hard frame, a stark contrast in temperatures, making my body jerk. He lowered his mouth to the side of my face. “Calm the hell down.”

“I d-don’t think I’ve ever f-felt so mortified,” I attempted through chattering teeth, I was freezing.

I felt Stenton steel behind me. He cupped my chin so that I could meet his eyes. While his face was wrinkled, there was a comforting smile playing on his heart-shaped lips.

“Zo, this is me here. I’m no stranger. That milk feeds my son.” It took a few seconds for me to calm, but I eventually nodded, willing myself to believe he was okay with having my breast milk splattered over his face. Slowly, I turned to face him. I mean, it was Stenton and no random one-night-stand. My arms rounded his waist and I placed my head on his chest. “Besides, I’m not new to your bodily fluids. Remember, I’m the one who proved you can enjoy sex even when you’re menstruating.”

I cocked a brow. “You’re the only man I’ve had sex with while menstruating. You’re the man who took my virginity.” I made sure to include cynicism in my tone.

Stenton angled his head, “Ummmm…I didn’t take anything. I was actually forced to catch it if memory serves me correctly.”

I slapped his chest. “Stenton! Is that what you tell people?”

“Yup. Everyone who interviews me. And I make sure to include how perky your tits were the first time I saw them.” As I laughed he cupped my cheeks from behind, pushing me into him. He rubbed his nose against mine as he whispered, “You look even better now with the weight. You’re incredibly sexy, Zoey. Don’t doubt for a moment you’re less than what you were before Jordan. You’re even more attractive now.”

I believed him. It was easy to. There was no way Stenton was lying to me when I considered the gleam in his eyes as he spoke to me and held me to his frame. We were so close that I could detect the rhythm of his heartbeat. I took him at the sides of his face and kissed him tenderly. In that moment, I knew there was no other man who could love me or enrich my spirit the way Stenton did.

A few hours later, I couldn’t find my way to sleep, so I stayed up with the television on at a low volume while on my laptop. I joined a few chat rooms for my upcoming classes. I wanted to know who I’d be spending my semester with. I was happy to be able to hook up with a few old friends.

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