Winter

"Okay, everyone, that's a wrap!" I said. I had some fancy streetwear locals pose in the park for me. I clicked through the stills on my iPad, sitting on the bench, feeling the warmth of the early spring sun kiss my sienna skin.

"Winter," a familiar voice echoed through the air, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see Sage striding over, his bald head gleaming under the sun. It had been a year since that fateful night at his exhibition, and his beard had grown out thicker, giving him a more mature look. "Hey, long time no see," I said with a forced smile.

He sat down next to me, his eyes lingering on the photos before he turned to me.

"You've been busy," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

"Yeah, I've had some projects keep me going," I replied, trying to keep the conversation light. But the heaviness of our shared history was a weight that neither of us could ignore.

"I've missed seeing you around," he said, his gaze intense. "How's married life treating you?"

"It's..." I paused, searching for the right words. "It's an experience," I said, smiling.

"You know you can talk to me," Sage said, his hand resting on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down my spine, but I knew I had to keep my emotions in check. "I know," I replied, my voice a little too high-pitched. "But Dontae and I are in a much better place."

"That's good," he said, his eyes searching mine. "You deserve to be happy."

I nodded, my throat tight. "Thanks, Sage."

It was clear that we both had so much we wanted to say, but the fear of ruining what we had kept us from speaking our minds.

"How about you?" I asked, changing the subject. "How's your art been?

"It's been...different," he said, his gaze drifting to the shattered pieces of the sculpture in the corner of the studio. "I've been focusing more on photography lately."

"I'm exclusively dating the Victorian Secret Model Shannon. I believe you met her at my studio."

"I remember, "I said with a smirk." I'm glad he threw that out there. He did it to let me know he's no longer pining over me, which is wonderful. Maybe we can move in the direction of a real friendship—one without pent-up tension and sexual attraction.

"How's that going?" I asked, genuinely curious about his relationship with Shannon. She was a stunning woman, but she could not match our connection.

Sage took a deep breath, his eyes flickering to the shattered sculpture. "It's complicated," he said, his voice tight. "But we're making it work."

I nodded, understanding the subtext. "That's all anyone can ask for, right?"

He looked at me, his gaze intense. "I missed you, Winter," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "But I respect your choice."

"Thank you," I whispered. "I missed you too."

We knew our paths had diverged, but the pull between us was still there, a magnetic force that neither could fully ignore.

As we sat there, the shadows grew longer, the sun sinking lower in the sky. It was time for me to go home to Dontae, to the life I'd chosen. But before I could stand up, Sage reached for my hand.

"Winter," he said, his voice thick with feeling. "I just want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

I squeezed his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. "I know," I said, my voice shaking. "And I'll always be here for you too."

We shared a lingering look, our eyes speaking volumes of our unspoken love. But we both knew that this was the end of a chapter, not the start of something new. With one final squeeze, I pulled my hand away, feeling the loss like a knife twisting in my gut.

"I should go," I said, standing up. Sage followed, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. As we made it to the street, the world was moving again. He hugged me tight and whispered, "If you ever need a side piece, I'm here."

We burst into a fit of chuckles, the moment's tension breaking like a dam. "You're terrible," I said, shaking my head. He threw his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm just being honest," he winked, walking in the other direction.

The chuckles faded into the distance as I watched him go, his broad shoulders disappearing around the corner. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words lingering in the air. "If you ever need a side piece, I'm here." The audacity. The thought was tempting, but I pushed it away.

I had made my choice, and I had to stick to it. But as I climbed into my car, his scent still lingering on my skin, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd made the right decision. Dontae had been my rock, my protector, my everything. But Sage was the spark that had ignited a fire within me that I hadn't felt in a long time.

The drive home was a blur of thoughts and emotions. I knew I couldn't let my guard down again. I had to be strong for Dontae, for our marriage. But the whispers of doubt grew louder with every passing mile. What if I was missing out on true love? What if Sage was the one who could make me whole?

Once I arrived at the grand entrance of our home, Thomas met me at the door, taking my bags with a warm smile. The familiar scent of leather and cigars wafted through the air, a reminder that my husband was home. I raced up the stairs, my heart pounding in anticipation. I found him in his game room, the walls lined with trophies and memorabilia from his storied football career. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the massive flat-screen TV playing footage from the latest game.

Dontae sat in his favorite chair, his eyes glued to the screen. He was dressed in a casual button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms. His voice was a booming crescendo as he yelled into the phone, his frustration with his coach palpable. "You've gotta be kidding me!" he roared, slapping the armrest.

I paused in the doorway, watching my love for him swelling in my chest. He looked up, his expression softening as he saw me. "Winter," he said, his voice dropping to a warm rumble. "You're back." He stood, crossing the room in a few swift strides to wrap me in his embrace. His arms felt like a fortress around me, a shield from the chaos of my thoughts.

"I've missed you," he murmured, his breath warm against my neck. "How was the trip to the city?"

I leaned into his embrace, my cheek resting against his chest. "It was good," I said, my voice muffled. "I saw some amazing art, and the shoot went well."

"Mitchell, I'll give you a ring later. My wife is in need of... assistance," he said, twirling me around and biting his lip. What sort of assistance?" I asked with a smirk, my heart racing. He didn't respond; instead, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me down the hall to our bedroom.

He laid me on the bed, his eyes raking over my body with a hunger that made me squirm. "Why do you have so many clothes on?" he asked, his voice low and husky. I giggled, feeling a rush of excitement. "Well, I thought we could start by taking some off," I teased, reaching up to kiss him.

Dontae's smile grew wolfish as he unbuttoned my shirt, his fingers deft and sure. "That's what I had in mind," he murmured, his breath hot against my skin. Each button released felt like a door opening to a secret garden of passion we hadn't explored.

He peeled back the fabric, revealing my lacy black bra. "Mm, much better," he said, his eyes darkening. He trailed kisses down my neck, his teeth grazing my skin lightly. I arched my back, my breath hitching as his mouth found my nipple, teasing it through the lace.

With a groan, he reached behind me and unclipped the bra, letting it fall away. His mouth closed over my breast, his tongue flicking and teasing as his hands roamed my stomach, his fingers dipping into my jeans. I moaned, my hips rising to meet his touch.

He undid the button of my jeans with a swift tug, sliding the zipper down with practiced ease. "Why so eager?" I gasped, my eyes locked on his. He grinned wickedly, his hand sliding into my panties. "Because you're mine," he growled, his fingers finding my wetness.

The world spun around me as he stroked me, his touch sending waves of pleasure through my body. I was lost in the sensation, my hands tangling in his hair as he kissed and licked his way down my torso.

He hooked his thumbs into the waistband of my jeans and tugged them down, his gaze never leaving mine. "And these," he said, his eyes dropping to my underwear. "They're in the way."

With a wicked grin, Dontae slid my panties aside, his eyes dark with desire as he took in the sight of my wetness. He slid a finger inside me, his movements slow and deliberate, making me whimper. His thumb circled my clit, and I bucked my hips, my nails digging into the bedspread.

"Dontae," I moaned, my voice thick with need. "I feel like getting fucked from behind," I told him, the words leaving my mouth before I could stop them. His eyes flashed with excitement, his finger stilling inside me for a brief moment before he pulled it out. he slid my panties off and tossed them somewhere.

He stood up, his pants tented with his own need. "Your wish is my command," he said, his voice gruff. He shed his clothes with the finesse of a man who knew how to please a woman, leaving his powerful frame bare to my gaze.

I rolled over onto my stomach, my heart racing as he positioned himself behind me. I felt the tip of his dick nudging against my entrance, and I spread my legs wider, arching my back to give him better access. He gripped my hips, his fingers digging into my skin as he pushed inside me.

The sensation was overwhelming, a mix of pain and pleasure that made me gasp. He began to move, his strokes deep and demanding. I could feel every inch of him stretching me, claiming me. His teeth grazed my ear as he whispered dirty words that sent shivers down my spine.

I pushed back into him, my body begging for more. His hand found my clit, his thumb flicking it in time with his thrusts.

"feels good," I whimpered, my voice a plea. He responded by thrusting into me harder, his grip on my hips tightening.

Suddenly, he pulled out, his dick slick with our combined juices. He flipped me onto my back, his eyes blazing with lust. "I need to see this beautiful face," he said, his voice a growl. "Well, let me taste you, Mr Briggs." "Okay, love, okay."

He positioned himself above me, his dick hovering over my mouth. He slapped my lips with his tip a few times. I took him in eagerly, my tongue swirling around the head before taking him deep. He groaned, his hand tangling in my hair as he began to fuck my mouth.

His hips pumped in a steady rhythm, his dick sliding in and out of my throat. I could feel the tension in his body, his muscles tightening as he approached climax. I sucked harder, my jaws hollowing and my eyes watering as I fought to take him all the way. "There you go, baby, suck this dick" He slowed his thrust down, "This shit is so sexy; look at those pretty ass lips." I hummed and cupped his balls, gently rolling them in my hand. I felt his muscles tense, his breath hitching.

Then, just as he was about to explode, his phone started to ring, the obnoxious tune cutting through the haze of passion like a siren. He grinned down at me, his eyes dark with amusement. "hold on, baby," he said, his voice thick with need. I nodded; he reached for his phone and answered it; I slowly started sucking him.

He groaned, the sound muffled as he talked into the phone. "What? No, I can't. I'm busy right now." I smirked around his dick, my eyes dancing with mischief. Dontae looked down at me, his teeth clenched, trying to maintain his composure. "yes, fine, put him on the phone" I kept sucking as he talked. His hips rocked gently. "Fuck!..no not you."

He chuckled and moved his phone away from his mouth. "It's an agent," he said with a wink, his hand moving to the back of my head to encourage me to continue.

I didn't miss a beat, my mouth working him as he talked business. His voice grew strained, his breathing heavier, his hand tightening in my hair. The juxtaposition of his professional tone and the raw desire in his eyes was intoxicating.

I felt his balls tightening. He was about to come. I eased my mouth off his dick, so he could come on my face, licking my lips seductively. "Mr. Briggs," the agent's voice was insistent through the phone. "This new player... I'm tellin' ya'- adding him to the roster will be explosive."

With a frustrated groan, Dontae's hand became a blur as he stroked himself, his eyes never leaving mine. "Fine, Make the deal," "Shiit!" he grunted into the phone, his voice high-pitched and tense. Send the paperwork over."

His hand movements grew erratic, his breath hitching as he approached the edge. With a final grunt, he let go, ropes of his thick cum spurt across my face and into my open mouth. I swallowed greedily, savoring his taste, my eyes never leaving his. "are you okay, Don?" the agent asked with concern. Dontae ended the call.

He watched me, his eyes glazed with passion, "You gonna get me fired, girl...fuck." I giggled.