𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙖𝙣
⊱ ─────────── ⊰

"Again, I'm so sorry, we just won't be needing it anymore." I talk on the phone.

"We usually don't accept refunds, but given the circumstance." The customer service representative's voice trails off.

"I know." I shamefully reply.

"Follow the instructions on the email we sent to the one on file. Thank you, have a good day."

I don't bother with niceities because she just ends the call anyway.

After packing up the wedding dress that's been hanging in my closet, I swallow hard. I feel both relief and overwhelming sadness.

That's the last of the wedding remains, everything else has been sent back and returned. As for any earlier gifts given to my ex and I, it's all in storage. That's where I'm heading next.

It's late in the afternoon. The August sun is starting to show mercy and cool down.

I struggle with a couple of things in my hands— okay, a lot of things in my hands— as I walk to my newly acquired storage unit. Chris and I had one together, but since the break, I've put things away instead of crowding the suite or common spaces.

"Do you need a hand, ma'am?" A man's voice booms from behind me.

"No, I don't. Thanks." I respond, blowing the hair out of my face.

A phone call makes me drop everything safely and see who needs me.

It's Mary.

Send to voicemail.

I don't mean to keep doing this to her, but I know she'll reprimand me for breaking things off with her soon. I don't even know if this is a permanent split, but it feels like it, so I don't want her badgering me or campaigning for me to get back together with her son.

Heavy-hearted, I release a big sigh and bend down to pick up my packages and tote full of irrelevant items.

"You should really lift with your legs." The same male voice from before creeps up on me.

Feeling a pair of hands at my hips, I elbow the stranger in the gut and then turn to identify them.

"I was just trying to help." He chokes.

I cover my mouth in shock and embarrassment, seeing it's only Ben.

"Ben, what the hell!" I scold him for making me do that.

He stands upright when he can, and laughs at me.

"Your boney ass elbow hurts."

I push the hair behind my ear and look up at him at no taller than six-foot-one.

"You scared me. What do you want?"

"Well hi to you, too, sweetheart."

I arch one eyebrow, curiously. "What are you doing?" I ask with my arms crossed over my chest that he already has ogled three times now. That's my mistake for wearing this Lululemon 'Align' v-neck sports bra as a shirt.

"Hi, Ben. Where's your little gang?"

"If you mean Tate and Jake, I don't know."

"Oh, you're allowed to do things without them?" I give him a hard time as I bend to retrieve my belongings.

Ben gives me a hand, following me to my unit that's right next to the one I share with Christopher.

Ben laughs at me giving him a hard time. "You're such a joy, you know that?"

I snatch my lamp from him and throw it in the corner.

"What, you moving in here?" He asks me through this Alabama accent.

I roll my eyes so hard. "Why are you asking me questions?"

"You don't like me, do you?" He asks, raking his fingers through his mullet.

I thought the hairdo was out of style, but he doesn't make it look so terrible.

Ben actually is a nice looking guy, it's the fact that he always acts like Tate's shadow that gives me the ick.

He wouldn't be so bad if being in a frat during his time at Bama or having a trust fund weren't his only personality traits.

"You've been working out?" I change the subject, randomly noticing his bulging biceps for the first time.

Ben, in his muscle tank, flexes. He pops his eyebrows at me like some sort of ladies man, and chuckles.

My eyes roll back in my head again and I walk past his body, out of the container.

He makes his height and strength useful and pulls down the door for me so I can lock up.

"Thanks for your help, however will I repay you?" I hope my sarcasm isn't lost on him.

Ben looks me up and down then rubs his hands together. "Don't mention it."

"You're so weird. Bye." I mumble, walking ahead.

"Wait!" He exclaims, getting in front of me so he can walk backwards.

"Where's Chris, we can all do lunch?"

I stop and blink slowly. "That's your friend, shouldn't you know?"

"Ooo, trouble in paradise?" Ben's full lower lip pulls down into a mocking pout.

I regret saying anything because I don't know if Chris has told anyone about our breakup.

"I'm not going to lunch with you."

"It's not like a date. How about to a movie? Or the park? To get ice cream?"

I continue to stare at him like he's an idiot. He is an idiot.

"W-what are you getting at here? Did Chris or Tate put you up to this?"

"Why are you so moody, I thought Chris said you were sweet?"

"I have a lot going on."

"So do I, we can compare over coffee?" Ben smiles big to convince me and I drop my head, groaning.

✕

Noodle Nirvana is a sushi restaurant that I've never tried before but Ben swears this shit could cure cancer.

He's established himself as a regular here and I quickly pick up on that from the spectacular service they provide him with the best seat in the house at such a busy evening hour, to the way he asks for something that's not even on the menu.

I stare at Ben with a million questions, and ask them once the chef walks away after their fluent Japanese conversation.

"What?" Ben laughs, wondering why I'm looking at him how I am.

I flutter my eyelashes. "Why do you speak Japanese?"

The Adam's Apple raises in his throat as he laughs.

"Um," he swallows a drink of tea before continuing to talk, "I watched a lot of anime growing up, kind of just wanted to know, so I learned when I got to Bama."

"You're so interesting." I deadpan, sipping my tea.

"You like the place?" He asks me.

I have a look around with my hands under my thighs now, and nod my head.

"What, you own the place, or something?" I joke.

Ben's amused, he grins and then says, "No, but my father and stepmother do."

I flail my arms. "Have you been to space before, too?"

Ben finds me funny as he has the whole hour and a half I've been stuck with him, and cracks up.

"Not yet." Is his cheeky answer.

"Mhm." I vocalize, putting my chin in the palm of my hand.

"What did he say to you?" I wonder.

"The chef?" Ben asks, narrowing his brown eyes on me.

I nod to answer his question.

"He said that you're pretty, and asked if he should bring you something special." Ben says, clearing his throat.

"Oh," I perk up. "I hope you said yes."

"If this was a date, I would've, but it's not, so..." he comedically cuts himself off and makes a wincing face at me.

I drop my jaw and throw my straw wrapper at him.

"That's messed up!" I giggle, lifting my bra.

Ben gulps hard, his eyes returning to staring at my cleavage but I stopped caring. Men will be men, I guess. I can tell that he thinks he's being respectful, looking away whenever I catch him.

"I just didn't want him to think we're together." Ben says firmly, a burdened tone lacing his voice.

I understand.

"Why don't you have a girlfriend?" I question him.

"Too many to choose from." He clearly lies.

I don't mean to, but I laugh in his face. "No offense, but you don't seem like that guy."

"No? What guy do I seem like, then?"

"I don't know, yet, but I will say you're completely different than I thought."

"Yeah?" Ben blusters, his face coming alive.

I let myself smile as I nod. "Yeah."

"What did you think of me before?" He leans in to inquire.

"That you were another incel who Tate pays off to do anything for him."

Ben mouths "wow" and then pushes the brown wavy locs out of his face.

"Thank you, Minato." Ben compliments the chef who's personally waited on us.

I smile at the jolly Japanese man before he bows and walks away.

Minutes pass by and it's silent. I can't take it, feeling like I've offended Ben.

"Maybe incel was a stretch." I admit, trying to apologize.

He laughs with a sushi roll in his mouth.

"Don't worry about it, I know how it looks being up Tate's ass, but he's not a bad guy."

"I never said he was." I whisper.

That's a lie, I have called Tate everything from an asshole to the devil himself, but Ben doesn't know that.

"Tate does a lot for us, he's trying to help Chris, too, you know?"

"With what, his golf swing?"

Ben chuckles. "That, and other things."

I put my elbows on the table, leaning in curiously. "K, like what?"

Ben withdrawals. "I can't tell you."

"Why not, is it the Illuminati?" I joke, tasting the sushi.

Again, Ben satisfies me with his laughter.

"No," he says, chewing. "but something like that."

I watch him blink away and then curse under his breath.

Confused, I just laugh it off.

"You're so weird." I say, helping myself to one of his sushi rolls.

"Hey!" He exclaims, taking one of mine in exchange.

✕

9:45pm

I dance into the house and am greeted by Stevie, Duke, and Piper, all with wagging tails and broad, toothy smiles.

"Hi, babies!" I squeak, rubbing each one of them.

"What?" Asks Chris, walking past the foyer.

"What?" I'm confused.

"I thought you said 'hey, baby?'" He's mistaken.

I laugh at the accident and play it off.

"Well, you too."

He smiles but not for long. "Hey." Says Chris, going to the kitchen.

I follow him, humming and spinning.

"You're in a good mood?" He wonders.

I nod my head as I raid the kitchen for a dessert.

Ah, red velvet cupcakes!

I take a fork and open the box of a dozen cupcakes.

Helping myself, I dig in and melt at the first taste. So good!

"What— uhh— how was your day?" Asks Chris, eyes glued to his iPad.

I shrug. "Do you really care?"

"Yes, Morgan, you know I don't do small talk." He grumbles, locking the screen to his iPad to listen to me intently.

I form a smile and then lick the icing from my fingers slowly, eyes locked on him.

"I had a good day."

"What was so good about it?" He wonders, leaning forward.

I shrug again, eyeing the moist cupcake.

"How was your day, what'd you do?"

"Work, mostly. I went for a run, cleaned the pool."

"Finally." I remark, earning a side eye.

Chris laughs. "Well, someone had to do it."

"I'm just a girl, don't look at me."

He laughs again and then stares at me. "You're glowing."

"Am I?" I ask, my voice going up an octave.

I go to look at myself in a mirror off the kitchen, and then realize what he may be talking about.

"Hm." I sound, going upstairs being that I was done talking to Chris.

✕

It's hard to sleep at night, that part hasn't gotten easier. How do you go from cuddling every night in a California king to waking up to back pain and the other side of the full bed cold and still made?

Sitting up, I look at the time.

12:15am

Hell.

Thirsty, I reach for the glass I usually have filled on my stand but it's empty. So, I leave the in-law suite I've claimed, and start down the hall.

The house is extremely dark but I know my way around so I don't make a peep or turn on any lights.

Nearing the family room, I pass Chris's study and see a light still on.

I shake my head. He works too much. At this rate, he won't get his eight hours tonight.

Figuring he must be so deep into designing that he lost track of time, I decided to go tell him he should go to bed.

The door is cracked but I don't just barge in. Instead, I get ready to knock but a series of panting and broken breaths make me stop.

I put my head to the door and see Chris at his desk. At first, it's nothing to be suspicious of, then I see the calendar I made for him for our last anniversary- the one we spent in Bird Valley. He's flipped to the month of May - that's the shoot with the orange bikini, another one of his favorites.

I watch Chris battle with himself, he's frustrated physically and mentally.

He pushes his weight from the desk and stands.

I try to scurry away but I'm too late.

"Morgan?" Asks Chris in his gruff voice. Ugh, I could melt.

I chew my lip and turn to face him, my cheeks burning.

"I was coming to look for you." I make up.

"I was looking for you, too."

"You were?" I ask, tilting my head with confusion.

Chris nods and lunges forward to grab me by my shirt and pull me inside his office.

His eyes get lost on my lips but I don't let him kiss me, that would be too romantic, I'd get carried away. I only want to please him, he needs the relief.

I push Chris onto the couch and he's stunned at my control.

I fall victim to the lure of his eyes and find myself reminiscing. Except this can't be like times before, I only want to taste him.

I drop to my knees, one of his large hands palming my face.

I kiss his hand and then get him out of his pants.

Chris shudders as I pull his briefs down and stare at his cock. It's been too long.

I smile proudly at what once was mine and start to tease him like I used to, but not for long.

He's ready, cock dripping already.

Feeling myself grow more aroused, I moan against Chris's thighs, indulging in the masculine scent of his skin.

He runs a hand through my hair, pulling my lips to the tip.

I part my lips and gulp hard, my throat's gone dry.

Dragging my tongue from the base to the tip, I watch Chris react, cursing under his breath.

"Shit." He mutters sharply, gripping my hair tighter.

Oh, how I missed this.

His body jerks under my touch and I smile wickedly, rewarding him with my fingers wrapping around his length.

I suck only the tip into my mouth and Chris lets out a moan.

I get closer to avoid more pulling and he slips further into my mouth, easing in and out.

To Chris's rapture, I gag as he hits the back of my throat, my eyes watering from discomfort, but I keep going.

I look up at Chris, eyes closing tight, and open my mouth wider as he thrusts into my mouth so hard that I gag and have to pull away. Salvia dribbles across my chest and I wipe the corners of my mouth.

Chris regains his strength and brings me to his lips.

I didn't want to, but I couldn't help myself.

I love him, I'm weak for him. My body is not only mine, it's his.

I'm sat on his lap and Chris lifts my blue split hem cami nightdress, pleased to see I'm naked underneath.

"I can't stay away from you." Chris whispers in my ear as he caresses my head and loses himself in my wild hair.

"Don't." I tell him, staring between his eyes and lips.

Chris kisses me hard and starts to slip his fingers over my wet pussy.

I moan into his mouth and this turns him on.

He didn't dare look away from my eyes, I thanked him with a quick kiss.

Chris holds me tight in his arms like he'd die if I let go and we lost this moment.

I toss my head back, his teeth biting my nipple.

He begins to lick and suck the sting away, making me purr.

"Mmm." I whimper, sliding my pussy over his thick, veined dick.

"Fuck." Chris says as I repeat the motion and get lost in it.

I can't help myself, just rocking my body and rolling my hips.

Chris announces that he's about to finish and at the same time, we do.

"I needed that." Chris utters, kissing my from my neck to my shoulders and chest.

I help myself off of Chris's lap and leave the office without another word.