Chapter 18 – Trying to Set Boundaries

The next morning Elizabeth comes to a bit groggy. Her vision slightly blurred, and her head continues to spin.

"I hope he got the license plate to that bus. Oh, what a night!" She mumbles to herself but then flips out and rushes out the door when she notices that the bedroom isn't her own.

"Hey, good morning! Slept well, I'm going to venture to guess." Matt calls out from the kitchen.

From where she stands, the aroma of breakfast whiffs up her nose, allowing Elizabeth to shut her eyes and relax. The pleasant moment of bliss crashes and burns when she gets inside of her mind.

"Oh, my goodness, we didn't, did we?" She asks, approaching Matthew in the kitchen.

"No! You passed out in the truck, and after the movie, I brought you here and let you sleep in my bed. I crashed on the couch and got up early to get my kids. I'm making breakfast while they play in their rooms."

A huge wave of relief falls over her mind, but not her body. Taking a seat at the oversized island, Elizabeth takes a mug and pours herself a cup of coffee.

"Want some cream for that?" Matthew offers, scooting the container over.

"Read my mind, and I am so sorry that I fell asleep on you but thank you for a wonderful time. It's been years since I had that much fun."

Unable to turn his attention away from the eggs on the stove, Matthew keeps his body turned away from Elizabeth.

"I had a blast, and it was wonderful, getting to reconnect with you. It was a tad bit unorthodox, but I want to do it again, Ellie. Things won't ever be like it was when we were younger, but maybe a fresh start with reminders of what was might be the ticket."

Caught up in the thought of it all, Elizabeth scoots from the chair and wraps her arms around Matthew's midsection.

"Matt, I loved last night and what it represented. After years of feeling unwanted and virtually unloved, it's going to take some time to trust myself with a man. Not saying I don't want this because I do. More than anything in the world, but I am a mess. I still need to find a place for me, M.J. and Katie. If we are going to do this, then let's take it slow. You have two kids to think about too."

His response totally catches her off guard.

"I agree wholeheartedly. Listen, I want slow too. I know you went through hell. You let some things out in private that I won't ever tell a soul. After we kissed last night in the truck, I felt my heart come back to life. Like you, I have to make sure this is right for not just me but all the kids."

He pauses to make one final statement.

"Which one final thought before I scoot you back, so I don't burn the eggs. 'M.J.' doesn't care to be called that anymore. I address him as Mike, and that makes him feel accepted as an adult."

That's when it dawns on her that she made the right decision to give him another chance.

"I never thought about that, and you're right. Mike deserves to be treated as an adult more now than ever."

"That's my unofficial girl!" Matthew says, lifting the pan and scooping the eggs out and into an old-fashioned ceramic-colored bowl.

Killing the gas burner after setting the pan down and before he can pick up anything from the counter, Elizabeth twirls Matthew around and plants another kiss on him. It isn't until she pulls back that she gives him a subtle but sex-crazed look.

"It's not unofficial, just new and slow." She whispers with soft words.

Refusing to open his eyes for the moment to end, Matthew turns his head and calls out to his kids.

"Willow, Banyan breakfast is ready!"

Elizabeth takes a few steps back to keep the kids from getting the wrong idea. She returns to the spot sitting at the island and watches as Matthew goes into daddy mode to make sure his kids eat.

"Hey, Ellie, you get over here and get you some food. In this house, if you're here and there's a meal ready, you eat!" He expresses to enforce his rule preached to the children.

"Scrambled eggs, fruit, bacon, and fresh toast don't mind if I do."

On her feet, she picks up the extra plate Matthew placed on the counter just for her. Elizabeth feels some eyes locked on her as she goes around the table, picking up a couple of bites of each item.

"Daddy, she's pretty!" Willow whispers to her daddy.

"I know, she's an old friend of mine. That's Katie's mommy; remember Katie from the horse show we were at not long ago."

She quickly remembers the competition and giggles.

Elizabeth feels a little out of place at first, but when she notices Willow giggling and staring at her, it settles her nerves. The last thing Elizabeth wants to do is feel like she's going to get in the way of Matthew and his children.

The moment ends when a knock comes from the front door. Uncertain of who's waiting, Matthew gets to his feet and heads for the door. He props it open to see Mike and Kaitlin standing there.

"Morning, boss figured I would stop by to see what you needed today."

"I came by to watch the kids, so you and my mom could have some time together this morning." Kaitlin offers with a board game in her hands.

Their offer stuns him in a way he never expected. Mike's dedication to keeping his word and Kaitlin's willingness to give up part of her day allow him and Elizabeth to spend time together.

"I'm touched I truly am, and yes, come inside. We were just finishing up breakfast. Mike, take the day off to relax. You've earned it as hard as I pushed you this week. Kaitlin, I'd hate for you to waste time from training or feel like you have to watch my kids." Matthew explains after they make their way towards the kitchen.

"I don't mind at all. If I can give you and mom some time together, I'll help out with the little ones," Kaitlin says.

Matthew offers them a seat, and Mike doesn't waste time finishing off the food leftover. Kaitlin takes the kids from the table and into the living room, where she lays out the game and keeps the kids distracted. While Matthew stands there, seeing everything run like clockwork, Elizabeth gets from the seat and cleans the plates before she washes them and puts them in the dish strainer.

"I got this, mom, head on out," Mike states, getting the pans to wash them, and put everything away in the dish cabinet. He hangs up the pans over the stove.

"C'mon, I wanna go and talk." She orders Matthew, taking his hand heading for the door.

"Where are we going?" He wonders out loud.

"To Lucy's where I can get cleaned up, and we can finish talking about boundaries."

With keys in hand and destination set, they walk out the door. Like the night before, Matthew opens the door and helps Elizabeth into the truck. It doesn't take them long to reach Lucinda's, and when they pull to the top of the driveway, they notice they're alone.

"Well, at least we don't have to hide to talk in private," Matthew states the obvious.

"First things first, I need a shower!"

They walk through the front door, and Matthew watches as Elizabeth gets her clothes and strips down to her bra and panties. She then tosses her clothes from the night before into the hamper in her room. She catches Matthew trying not to stare, but blushing gives him away.

"It's not like you ain't seen me naked before, Matt. Come on. You can talk to me while I get cleaned up."

Not feeling uneasy about the request, he gets to his feet and follows her into the shower, where he leans against the door while she finishes undressing and gets under the water after closing the shower curtain.

"Ah, this feels amazing! Matt, get in here and feel how good this water feels." Elizabeth calls out.

"Um..." He stammers, being a bit shocked at her words.

"Get in here right now!" She shouts, poking her head out from the shower curtain.

He speedily strips down and climbs into the shower without wasting any more time feeling uneasy since they just discussed taking things slow.

"Ain't this a bit much or fast?" He questions, coming up behind her trying to keep some distance so she doesn't feel his erection.

"You complaining? I know, I know I said slow, but after last night and seeing how things fell into place a little bit ago, I can't help it. I fucking want you, and I want you right now!" Elizabeth expresses, turning around to pull him in tight under the water embraced in another kiss.

Matthew's and Elizabeth's sexual attraction and desire kick in harder than ever. Matthew takes his hands, running them down along the curves of Elizabeth's body until he reaches the back of her thighs. He leans down, lifting her into the air. She instinctively wraps her legs around his waist, locking her body onto his without breaking the kiss.

Matthew takes a couple of steps forward, pushing Elizabeth's body against the wall, which breaks the kiss.

"Do it, please!" She orders him in a hushed tone into his ear then begins to nibble on it.

She positions herself to where Matthew can use his hand to insert his penis into her body. Once she feels him inserted, she takes it upon herself to push down to slide his entire shaft into her body.

"Matt..." Elizabeth stutters as her body takes control with a slight grind.

He doesn't hesitate to pick up the pace and reengage in another kiss. His grip stiffens on Elizabeth's thighs, and her grip wrapped around his waist tightens the closer she draws to her first climax.

"Ellie, he calls out when he breaks the kiss and continues to thrust harder.

"Don't stop. Please, God, don't stop! Harder!" She demands, feeling her body about to explode.

The water rushes over them both, and Elizabeth begins to pant heavily with deep breaths. Her desire to orgasm is pushed over the edge when she bucks one good time when she feels Matthew use his strength to keep her against the shower wall.

"MATT!" She screams as her body releases in pleasure, which causes her hands to dig into his back.

While her pussy convulses around his thick hardened shaft. Matthew doesn't slow his pace during orgasm. He picks up the pace beginning to heave with force as deep as he can shove into her body until he can't hold back any longer, and pushes their bodies firmly against the wall even more.

"Ellie, ah fuck..." He lets out, feeling his body slightly jerk with each pulse of semen into her womb.

"Yes, Matt, yes baby, oh God yes!"

Once the moment comes to an end and reality strikes, they realize their actions and how good they feel.

"That was amazing!" Elizabeth says with her legs feeling like rubber.

"I'm sorry I broke your rule on slow." He proclaims, still nearly out of breath.

"Don't be, I'm not, and I won't regret it. I haven't felt anything like that before."

To continue to ease his worries, Elizabeth brings up another point.

"Also, don't worry about not using protection. I had my tubes burnt after Katie and the complications I had with her."

"I wasn't worried, but thanks for the update. Ellie, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I still love you."

"I love you too."

Before he gets out of the shower, Matthew stands there, making sure she's not going to fall. He comes in for one more kiss and fights the urge to pick her up again for round two in the shower.

"If I don't get out of here, I'm doing that again." He says gently into her ear with a light kiss and a heavy, gentle hot breath.

"Fuck me again then. I can handle it!" She remarks, putting her arms around his neck.

Not wasting the opportunity, he reaches behind, shutting off the water, and picks her up. He carries her back into the bedroom without drying off, where they lay on the bed and continue to round two.

"You're sure?" He questions

"If I weren't, I would have said so by now. Make love to me, Matt!"

Without missing a beat, he scoots their bodies to the middle of the bed. Water-soaked they kiss as Matthew once again inserts himself into Elizabeth's pussy.

Once they break from the kiss, he puts his weight on his elbows and stares into her eyes. She's deadlocked into his eyes, and the intensity between them creates a sensation that they both can't ignore.

Unlike the shower, this round swells in passion rather than heated pent-up aggression. Matthew slides in and out ever so slowly to give Elizabeth's body the chance to grip his dick tighter than it did in the shower. She matches his thrust with her hips dipping and elevating to help work him up to a second ejaculation in time.

"Matt...yes, God, you feel so wonderful!" Elizabeth says, finally closing her eyes as her body nears its next orgasm.

He doesn't say anything but continues to stare. He groans, then leans in, kissing Elizabeth's neck, and works his way to her left ear. He can feel her body reacting to his touch and slow pace. When he feels the shift around his shaft squeezing, she thrusts three times with full force and shoves his entire cock into her causing her to release her juices and scream until her body recollects itself.

"I felt you get off with me during that." She declares with her breathing erratic.

"Tell me you love me and mean it." He says, running his hand through her hair.

"Matt, of course, I love you! I love you to the moon and back!" Elizabeth clarifies, resting her hand on his soft beard.

He rolls off her and gets to his feet. To be the nice guy, he gets her towel and clothes before he picks up his.

"I couldn't have pictured this any other way. I know we rushed this, Ellie, but I don't care either. I haven't felt this good in ages. Having you back in my life has made me happy. Other than the day the doctor handed me my kids, the day they were born, I haven't been this happy."

All she does is smile and get to her feet to give him a kiss and smile.

"I'm not going anywhere this time. I may miss the California fast pace life at times, but I'd rather be here right now with you than be someone lost in the rush of life."

A hug says it all, and then Matthew pulls himself from her naked body and gets dressed. Elizabeth follows suit, but she allows her hair to air dry and shows off the natural curls.

They spend some time together in the living room in silence as they enjoy a movie. It isn't until Logan and Lucinda arrive that Matthew makes his departure to relieve the babysitters. Once Matthew is out of sight, Lucinda begins to dig, noticing the glow coming from her sister.

"I see things went well."

"Lucy, don't go there, but yes, things went very well. What happened stays with Matt and me."

Her sister's mouth drops, and Logan takes his leave heading back outside. The last thing he wants to know is about his sister-in-law's sex life with one of his best friends in hopes it doesn't end badly. Logan has heard Matthew's view of what happened in the past and hopes things will be different this time.

Back inside, the sisters chat about things.

"You know, I hope to one day call Mattie part of the family. Not saying it must be soon, but you know he's earned daddy's respect, and Logan is his best friend."

Elizabeth breaks things down when she responds.

"Listen, Lucy. We just had our best moment ever together. The last thing I want to do is rush things. Yes, we did rush a little bit ago, but we're adults, and it was the best without going into details. I still love that man immensely, but today was something that we couldn't help. Things will go slow from now on, with the occasional time to do what we did. Other than that, I'm not screwing things up with him again. I can't say I regret the past because I wouldn't have Mike and Katie, and he wouldn't have Banyan and Willow."

"I get that, Ellie, but don't string him along either. Matt is the best man you could find in this town. He doesn't tell anyone this, but he had a chance to play arena football and passed on it and wanted a simpler life after you broke his heart. Matt came back here after trying out and went to work. His family's farm and then working in the General Store until he bought it. He works with the folks around town, and he's fair. If momma were here, she would tell you to do it right and make it work."

"I know, and we will. Lord knows I've had enough go wrong in my life. The kids, all of them, deserve better, and if we rush it, we'll mess it up. I am back with Matt, and I am so happy. I still need my place and get my own house in order before I open another door."

From there, the sisters hug and wait on the kids to return. Together they head out of town to enjoy the rest of the day. After the short time of being back together, things settle into place, and in the back of Elizabeth's mind, she wonders when it will come crashing down.

While she's enjoying the new high of life, Michael Sr. isn't fairing as well. The economy continues to freefall, and he's lost nearly forty percent of his clientele. Even with favors, he's bled through money and doesn't know which way is up. He's noticed without Elizabeth there as a backup income, things have become difficult. Now he's beginning to regret his mistake as his finances spiral out of control.