Marquita Valentine - Not Over You

He sucked in his stomach and she laughed a little, but the sound was sweet.

Her warm hands encircled him, down low at the base of his cock. She stroked him, plunged her tongue into his mouth, and had him groaning with need.

“You’re not wet enough,” he said, falling to his knees and worshipping her with his mouth, tongue, and teeth. Only joy and passion existed when he licked her, made her cry out his name and whimper. He reveled in her taste, closing his eyes and drinking her down. Her scent was as intoxicating as her taste.

Then she was digging her nails into his shoulder as her body bowed into him. He used his shoulders to spread her thighs wider, and she began to chant his name.

Suddenly her hands were on his arms, urging him up, and somehow she managed to impale herself on him. He eased out of her, and then drove deep, making her body jolt.

Her head fell back, pale hair spilling everywhere like a waterfall. He licked the tops of her breasts, the side of her throat, and nibbled on her ear.

He rolled his hips, and she wound her legs tight around him. “Keep moving,” she gasped.

Barely able to speak, he looked to where they were joined, watching as he disappeared inside of her.

“Amazing how we fit together,” he said.

“Faster,” she said and he slowed his thrusts.

“I want to savor you, savor this moment.”

She let her head fall on his shoulder, wrapping her body around his. The movement sent him even deeper, but he didn’t succumb to the biting need to go faster. Instead, he made his strokes long and precise. He moved inside of her, firmly, consistently until he had to grit his teeth from coming. Her body flushed, a sign she was close. Hard nipples scraped his chest, and he groaned.

No more savoring. He had to move, he had to give her what she wanted. So, he picked up the pace, bracing his arms on the table, and plunged inside of her until the table began to move across the floor.

“I have to… I need,” she panted as she slid a hand between them. “Watch me. Watch me.”

He did, and the sight of her fingers sliding over her pink flesh and over his made his hips jerk. He felt his orgasm bear down on him and when her inner muscles tightened around him, he let go, coming inside of her in white-hot spurts that had him growling her name.

Only a few heartbeats behind him, she said the one thing he’d been longing to hear for years. “Oh, Angel… my Gabriel… I love you.”

He smoothed back her hair, searching her face. “Please don’t take it back.”

“I can’t take it back, even if I wanted to,” she said softly.

Lifting her from the table, he carried her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Once steam began to billow from the top, he stepped inside and lowered her feet to the floor.

She kissed him again. Sweet little kisses that made him hug her to him. “I’ve decided not sue for custody of Ivy,” she said.

“Oh sweetheart, I know that wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I’m so proud of you,” he said.

She blinked up at him, her lashes wet, and her lips trembling. “It still hurts.”

“I’m here for you. Whatever you need.”

“I don’t deserve you.” She hugged him tighter, the water seeping between their bodies. “I really don’t, not after all I’ve put you through over the years.”

“Utter nonsense.” He threaded his fingers through her wet hair and kissed her.

Summer didn’t bother going to Carolina Dreams the next day. Rose would most likely be at the store, and she did not want to face her right now. Instead, she met with Ms. Foster, informed the woman of her plans, and then walked out again.

She trudged up the street, not wanting to notice the blue sky or the bright sun. She certainly didn’t want to smell the flowers.

She was in no mood for any of it.

There was no reason for her to stay in Holland Springs any longer. Her purpose for coming back was no longer a goal. She had no purpose, much less a goal.

She had no job, no place to live, and no car, because she refused to take Gabriel’s thoughtful gift with her.

Her only choice was to clean out her checking account, and purchase a bus ticket to the other side of the country. This time, she would make herself stay away. She would give Gabriel the divorce he deserved, so he could be with a woman who deserved him.

She swallowed a sob, then another, until she had to sit down on the nearest bench. Breathing deeply, she tried to get her emotions under control. It wouldn’t do for anyone to see her like this.

Not that anyone would care to see her like this.

Well, Jemma Leigh would care and Gabriel, maybe even Gabriel’s family.

Out of the corner of her eye, a flash of red caught her attention. She turned, watching in disbelief as Gabriel practically danced through the park. He didn’t see her. She stood, shrinking back into the shadows and behind a tree.

He looked so happy, so pleased with life, that she couldn’t help but smile with him. A tear trickled down her face.

Suddenly, Elise appeared, bumping into Gabriel, and Summer’s heart leapt into her throat.

Gabriel turned around, looking sheepish and apologetic. Elise burst into tears, and Gabriel’s arms automatically went around her, pulling her closer. He said something to his ex-girlfriend, most likely words of comfort, because that’s just who he was.

A watery smile appeared on Elise’s face.

Summer couldn’t take anymore. She had to leave, and not because she thought Gabriel was wrong or he would cheat, but because Elise was the woman he deserved.

The faster she left town, the better it would be for everyone.

She marched out of her hiding place, not bothering to answer when Gabriel called out her name, even as her heart screamed at her to stop.

Tears ran down her face, but she didn’t bother to scrub them away. She wanted to remember this moment, this decision to be selfless for the third time, and let the one she loved have a better life. Without her.

“Hey you!” Jemma Leigh called from their usual table at Muffin Top.

“I really can’t, Jemma Leigh,” Summer said, trying in vain to keep the blonde from seeing her tears. Jemma Leigh would be nice and concerned, and make Summer feel a million times worse.

She’d miss Jemma Leigh, and the knowledge hurt almost as bad as leaving Gabriel to Elise.

“What in the world happened?” Jemma Leigh said, quickly catching up with her.

“I’m leaving.” Summer stopped walking, and Jemma Leigh did the same.

Jemma Leigh pursed her lips, nodding. “I see that.”

“It’s for the best.”

“That darn Bernice. I told her I didn’t believe a word she was saying about you and Jeremy.” Jemma Leigh tossed her head. “As if my best friend would ever mess with my husband.”

Summer’s eyes grew huge. “Someone told you I was messing around with Jeremy?”

“Just Bernice, but no one ever takes her seriously,” Jemma Leigh said. “She wears white after Labor Day and thinks college football is boring.”

Summer laid her hand on Jemma Leigh’s arm. “I would never, ever sleep with your husband, or anyone’s husband, for that matter.”

Jemma Leigh rolled her eyes and huffed. “Silly woman. I know. We had an entire conversation about it. Gosh, I didn’t fall off the turnip truck last night. You’re my best friend, Summer Jean Holland Edwards, and nothing’s more sacred a bond between women.”

Summer threw her arms around the taller woman. “I love you, Jemma Leigh Stratford, and you’re the best friend a woman could ever have.” Then she let go of her and did what she did best.

Summer ran away.

After lunch with Carlos, Gabriel strolled through the park with a smile on his face and lightness in his step. He wanted to sing and dance, and give praise. He felt like King David, when he’d brought home the ark, and his joy couldn’t be contained, so he’d stripped down and led all his people into rejoicing.

Only he wasn’t King David, he didn’t have any people, and he was pretty sure he’d be arrested for stripping in the middle of the park.

Still…

Summer Holland loved him. She loved him. Wait. Make that Summer Holland Edwards loved him.

Had the sun ever been any brighter? Had the sky ever been as blue? Had the flowers ever smelled so sweet?

The answer to all his questions was a big, resounding no.

Whistling, he did a little shuffle dance by a tree and almost bumped into another person.

“I’m so sorry,” he began, turning around and finding Elise there. “What’s wrong?”

Tears streaked her face. “I’ve made a mistake, but now it’s too late, because I know—I know...” She burst into tears.

Immediately, he hugged Elise. She looked so lost and forlorn that he couldn’t help himself. “It’s okay. Tell me what I can do.”

“I need a friend, someone to talk to,” she sniffed and he got a funny feeling in his stomach. “Can we go somewhere private?”

That funny feeling turned right back into the off feeling he’d had when they had been a couple. But he didn’t want to hurt her feelings, not when she was obviously hurting again. “There’s hardly anyone in the park,” he said into her hair. He lifted his head and set her away from him, gently smiling. “Why don’t we sit down on the nearest bench and talk?”

Elise looked at the bench, and then at him. “Summer’s cheating on you.”

Gabriel clenched his jaw. “Oh really?”

“Yes. I have it on good authority that she’s cheating with some man named Jeremy Stratford.” Elise dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. She looked sincere enough, but Gabriel didn’t care.

What he did care about—people running their mouths about Summer.

“My wife is sleeping with her best friend’s husband?” he asked tightly.

“Yes, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have broken up with you like I did, because then you wouldn’t be in this mess.” She blew her nose. “Everyone is talking about it.”

His stomach dropped. “Everyone?” Oh crap. He had to warn Summer.

A familiar flash of pale hair had him reeling. Summer’s brown-eyed gaze met his. She looked heartbroken while he felt like his heart was breaking. She must have heard the rumor, and now she thought he believed it, when that was the furthest thing from the truth.

Summer spun away, dashing in the opposite direction. He shouted her name and went after her.

“Why are you going to her?”

“Because she needs me,” he tossed over his shoulder, and that’s when he almost stopped in his tracks. He really did have a need to save people, to be needed, and save the day. Hadn’t he automatically comforted Elise, ready to help her in whatever she needed?

Summer crossed the street, and a large moving van went by, obscuring his view of her for only a minute, but it was enough time for her to disappear.

Gritting his teeth, he kept himself from roaring her name. She didn’t need any more attention drawn to her, and if he acted like some jealous husband (though he wasn’t), shouting at her in the middle of town, then it would only serve to make the gossips happy.

As cars passed, more than a few drivers waved at him. He waved back, heading to the parking lot where his truck and Summer’s bright green VW Bug was parked, arriving in record time.

It wasn’t there.

He smacked the roof of his truck and then dug into his pocket for his keys. He unlocked the door and started to get inside when another woman yelled his name.

“Bella,” he groaned. “I have to get to Summer.”

“It’ll only take a minute,” Isabella pleaded.

He didn’t have a minute, but this was his sister. “You have one minute.”

Isabella nodded, her normally tan skin pale. “I’m asking you to wait until I’m done before you get upset.”

“Good grief, Bella. I don’t want to hear about Summer and Jeremy.”

Isabella wrinkled her nose. “They’re planning a birthday party for Jemma Leigh. It’s supposed to be a surprise.”

Oh God. His wife was actually trying to do a good deed, and this was how she was paid back. “Fine. I’ll be sure not to spill the beans.”

“I’m pregnant.”

Gabriel blinked, his grip loosening on his truck. He actually felt light-headed. “What did you say?”

“I’m pregnant, and I don’t know what to do.”

Gabriel saw red. “I’ll kill Peter, that rat bast—”

“You don’t know the rat bastard,” Isabella said, her cheeks flushing. “The father isn’t from around here.”