Chalk by Lily J. Adams

Chapter Fourteen: For Old Times’ Sake

 

Lucinda

 

“Mom, you live here all by yourself. Aren’t you lonely sometimes?” Sarah put her little hand on my leg as her golden curls bobbed up and down in time with her ever-moving legs.

“Only when you leave.” I snuggled her as we tucked under the blanket I had.

“Dad misses you. You talk to him lots now. Why don’t you just stay here? You can bring all your plants there!” Sarah looked at me with her adorable blue eyes she’d inherited from Chalk.

“Right now, I’m going to be living here. And you know what’s special about that?”

“What, Mom?”

“You have two places to live. Two special places where both Mommy and Daddy love you.”

“I like the two places, but I think I would like one better.” Sarah folded her arms over her chest in defiance.

My daughter was full of these little nuances that made me love her even more. The way she said it so objectively tickled me a bit. I smirked a little and took her small hand in mine. “You never know, but for right now you have two homes to visit.”

“Okay, Mom. Two homes it is. I should leave my toothbrush here.” She got up, stomped to her bag and pulled out her purple toothbrush.

“Your toothbrush, why only your toothbrush?” Befuddled, I gave her a funny look.

“Because Mom, in the movie, the guy said she can leave her toothbrush!” She put her little hands up and danced with her toothbrush in her hand.

I gasped in shock at her knowledge. She was absorbing way too much too early. “Where did you get that from? What movie?” I chuckled.

“Aunty Teresa was watching it,” she said matter-of-factly. “Can I leave it here?”

I put my hand on top of her head. “Yes, you can sweetie. You can leave it here, but you’re only here for a few hours. I don’t understand?”

“I have to leave a toothbrush!”

I chuckled as I opened the refrigerator door and surfed around for lunch items for us.

Sarah came running back with her hands dripping wet. “Mom, I’m hungry, what can I eat?” she asked with hopeful eyes.

“How about you munch on some apple slices while I get lunch ready? You can tell me about school and how it’s going for you.”

She climbed onto the stool with her golden curls swirling around her face. “School is good. I like music class, it’s fun and I get to play the recorder. Singing is fun too.”

I raised my brows as I handed the freshly cut apple slices to Sarah. “You like to sing? I didn’t know that, can I hear some of it?”

Her hands covered her face and she snuffled into them. “No, Mom. I don’t sing in public. I only sing when there’s no other people.”

I leaned across the table to look at her closely. “You can sing to me. It’s just us in the room. I won’t tell anybody if you won’t.”

“Okay, but only if you sing with me and then I’m not singing alone. Do you sing, Mom?”

“Only in the shower, honey. You don’t want to hear Mom sing – trust me.” I chuckled.

Sarah picked a song and we sang out of tune at the top of our lungs before we ate lunch. We played puzzles together later on. By the time we’d completed our full day of activities, both of us were beat. Sarah was nuzzled into my shoulder dozing off, and my phone was sitting on the edge of the couch. I looked down at the message which was visible without unlocking it.

Miss both of you. Take you for a ride next week? Chalk. Stay safe.

Unhinging from my little tree monkey I texted him back. Can’t wait. Chalk and I were right where we needed to be, but I didn’t understand for the life of me, why he didn’t think I was safe.

 

 

“I’m so nervous. How do you do this strap up? I’m floundering.” My fingers were fumbling around the bottom of the helmet strap as Chalk came to my rescue. I found myself being glad that he was so close to my face. He had these sexy little freckles – just a couple that sat across the bridge of his nose, framing his blue eyes just perfectly.

“Here, let me help you with that.” Chalk grinned, but before he helped with the helmet he leaned forward for a quick kiss. His long lashes drifted softly over my face. He undid the strappy mess I got myself into and set me straight. Today we were riding, and Sarah was at her friend's house having a playdate.

“That’s much better, thank you,” I praised.

Chalk set himself on his bike.

I found myself turned on looking at his strong, powerful thighs straddled over the bike. I slipped on behind him, putting my feet on the bars. He patted his abs to show me where to put my hands and I slid them right into place. I knew exhilaration was written on my face in the form of a wide grin. We were going on a ride on his bike! This was the first time I’d felt this level of freedom in my life and it probably showed.

A rumbling roar burst from his bike as he cranked her engine and we took off. We ducked and weaved through the streets of Holbeck. Seeing people from the back of a bike versus in the car was a new experience and I loved it.

My teeth were a little rattled because the wind was passing through them, but I didn’t care one little bit. Lost in time with the man of my dreams, it couldn’t get better than this. We stopped off at a little diner right outside of town. Not many people were inside, but it was air conditioned and a welcome pit stop.

Sliding into the booth, Chalk ordered thick shakes and burgers for us both as he took my hands. “How was that? You like being on the back of the bike?”

“It was a thrill. I don’t know why I never rode with you, when we were together,” I admitted.

Chalk scoffed as he took a bite of his burger. “I can’t believe you got on today. You’ve always had this danger clause with bikes. You never wanted to ride, but I don’t know. You’re a different person now. I feel like I’m getting to see someone new.”

Sucking on the cold thickness of my shake, I contemplated. “I guess I am. Even eating this burger is a change. I’ve come to love and accept myself so I can eat this now without the guilt. Turns out, I actually really love junk food! I’m way happier now,” I admitted cheerfully with a chuckle.

“You’ve really done it for yourself. I think you’re an incredible human being, and we’re on the right track…” Chalk confessed.

I studied his bright blue eyes. “I think so too. We are navigating this co-parenting thing not too badly. Our daughter is quite the character. She picks up a lot of information, by the way. She talked about leaving a toothbrush at my place for next time.”

Chalk burst out laughing, “She what? Teresa and her do watch a lot of movies together. I have to ask her about that.” He tried to frown in concern, but ended up in fits of laughter again.

“How are things at the club?” I ventured.

“We have a plan, it’s a good one. It’s going to be just fine. That Road Warrior won’t know what hit him.”

“Does this involve any form of violent acts? Please tell me it doesn’t…”

Chalk’s facial expression did not change. “No, I hope not. I won’t lie to you and tell you that the incident might not incite it. He’s going to be exposed in the newspaper and I do want you to get that security system ASAP.”

The sense of urgency in Chalk’s tone made me feel as if something was dreadfully wrong. He was starting to freak me out with it and this man sounded a lot like a serious threat. “Chalk, you’re holding back. Why don’t you tell me? You’re not good at lying to me. You never have been,” I accused.

“I would have thought that’s a good trait to have, but I can see that it’s not today,” Chalk muttered under his breath. “Rocky is the guy’s name, and he’s been suspected of murder. Mia said he was questioned previously about a murder, but no evidence was found, so he was let go.”

“That’s scary! Is that the reason you’re asking me to get the alarm? I do feel better now that I’ve met the Rebels for myself. I know you’re in the club and there’s an element of danger. I’m not naive…I trust you, but you’re starting to freak me out a little bit. Is there anything else?” I was panicking slightly.

Chalk perceived my anxiety and rounded the table to sit beside me. “I’m taking precautions for all of us. Comes with the territory. I’m not taking no for an answer. I can install the alarms very easily.” His eyes were laser focused. His jaw ticking.

He meant business, and now the funny, tight feeling in my stomach wouldn’t leave. “I’m leasing and I need to check with the real estate office first. I’m sure they won’t be upset that you’re adding security, but I still have to check,” I added, biting my bottom lip.

Chalk saw the worry sitting on my face and reached over to take my hand. “Hey. Wanna come to my place for a while? I didn’t mean to scare you with it all. Just something I have to do right now.” He slid his arm around the back of the diner seat bobbing his eyebrows up and down.

I looked at him as if he’d gone crazy.

“Sorry, not working,” he stated. “I’m trying to lighten the mood from murder talk. Trust me.”

Chalk’s hypnotic voice and perfect blue eyes took my anxiety away as our body heat intermingled and his lips found mine. He eased my lips apart, sliding in his tongue as the beat of my heart thumped inside my chest. His hot breath on my face and the slight pant rising from his lips made me feel very aroused.

“Should we go?” I asked, but it was more an inquiry for something else to happen between us.

“We can go now,” Chalk replied with a sensual undercurrent to his words.

We stayed at the diner only long enough to finish our burgers and rode home. The thrill of the ride was making my head a little light, but I loved it. When the engine came to a standstill, I found myself wanting to get back on the bike. I rubbed my hands over the leather of the seat.

“You’ve got the motorcycle bug. Does that to you.” Chalk grinned as he checked the length of the street.

Something is going on. Why does he keep looking down the street like that?

I pushed my messy up hair off my face and moved inside, him holding my hand. A tiny flutter flooded in my stomach because I knew I wasn’t going home. Evening breached Holbeck with its tangerine sunset and umber stripes as Chalk peeled off his motorcycle jacket. The leather creaked. The pads of my fingers were a little sweaty, and the nape of my neck was afflicted as well.

When we got inside, he draped his jacket over the chair. His eyes drilled into me, spelling out, ‘I want you’ without speaking.

Temptation was calling to both of us. I could hear my own heartbeat ringing through my ears.

Chalk closed the gap, putting his large hands on either side of my head and kissing my hair tenderly. He inhaled it with a long, deep breath. Pulling away, he took my hand. He walked in front of me with his broad, full shoulders, perfectly shaped butt and now bare feet. As we entered his room with the tangerine sun entering the room, he took my hands, lifting them to his mouth and kissing my fingers. The cool wetness lingered on them as the provocative move sent fire running through my body.

Chalk pulled his grey shirt over his head, his washboard abs on display.

My eyes drifted over his body.

“Touch me, Lucy. Come to me. We can take our time. Nice and slow. We’ve got time and I’m going to need every minute with you.”

The sultry command coming from his lips set my world on fire, causing me to let out a little whimper of delight. My fingers reached, snaking their own wicked trail down his carved, tanned body as Chalk’s eyes closed in the revelry of my touch. I watched his body shiver in response and it gave me immense pleasure to witness the feelings I induced in him.

One stroke, my breathing got heavy with anticipation. Two strokes, my destination in sight. The man was perfect to touch. I ran my hands across his colourful, adorned skin. He had a full sleeve tattoo on one arm and a cue ball on the other, with a few more tattoos scattered across his abdominals.

His dark, sensual gaze and raw vulnerability made me feel so loved. He felt like home – I’d been here before. His lips were as comfortable as a favorite blanket, but now there was new fabric that had been added. New textures, new layers to his tongue. We panted into one another’s mouths as my skin perspired from the fireball of energy we were creating.

Chalk discarded my top and unbuttoned my jeans.

I felt so exposed; it was the first time I’d been naked in front of a man for a while.

“So beautiful,” he whispered.

The husk in his voice made me melt as he removed the final layers, leaving me naked before him. No words came from my lips because I couldn’t speak, there was too much emotion inside of me.

He groaned loudly while soaking in my body as I took the opportunity to unzip his jeans and pull them down. All of my senses were alive, heightened, waiting for more of the thrill of him. We stood not moving, staring at one another’s bodies. Captivated and enamored. All of this time passed and we were still attracted, still wanting one another like the first time we ever made love.

Chalk’s large bulge in his form-fitting underwear gave me a glimpse of the future as the ache inside my core grew stronger and stronger. He laid me back on the cool, softness of the sheets and began making his oral voyage down my sensitive flesh with his mouth. Now I could run my fingers through his cropped blonde hair. As he reached the door to my pleasure zone, my legs splayed for him.

His mouth centered on my silken folds as he brought me to a quaking orgasm, weaving through all the years of lovemaking we had together and winding us back to the present. As I cried out in ecstasy, my body quivering, his voyage continued along the landscape of my body. He was straddled over me, ready to enter. His chest rose and fell with the exertion as he inserted himself neatly into me. We were closing the chapter of the past and opening a new one.

Single beads of sweat rolled from him as my fingers played in between the ripples of his abdominals. He rocked back and forth in a wave-like motion as I felt his internal pressure building, his grunts getting louder and his eyes widening as I matched the thrust of his wild hips. He broke free to climax, groaning loudly. He pulled out of me and laid beside me on the bed with his chest heaving.

“For old times’ sake.” I grinned at him as I reached out to hold his hand.

He took it, rolled over onto me and put the sheets over our head, so we were underneath it together.

A sound of the front door clicking made us both panic; no time for the post-coital glow. The thumping of little feet ran along the corridor to Chalk’s room as we scrambled to pick up our underwear and things from the floor.

“It’s Sarah! She’s here. Quick! Here you go. Here’s your underwear,” Chalk hissed as he threw my panties across the room.

I slinked into them quickly and almost tripped over trying to get into them. I kept giggling because the situation was hilarious.

Chalk puffed out his cheeks, trying not to laugh.

Luckily, I got my shirt on and Chalk managed to wrangle his jeans on.

Sarah rushed into the room, her curls bouncing every which way.

I opened the window to alleviate the smell of sex from the room. My eyes widened at Chalk as he ushered Sarah out of the room.

“What are you two doing in the room together? Mom! Are you coming to live here?” she screamed.

“No – well, I might be here sometimes,” I called out as I came face to face with Teresa for the first time since I’d arrived back in Holbeck.

Teresa’s mouth opened and then closed again.

“Heyy…” I gasped.

“Oh. Well, hi.” Teresa said in a sing-songy tone as her eyes went wide.

The shirt that Chalk had in his hand went on over his head. “Hey sis,” he said cheerfully, as if we hadn’t just been busted.

“Hello to you too.” She wiggled her eyebrows at us both.

Sarah stood in front of her, staring at us with a little cheesy grin on her cherub face. She didn’t even know what she’d walked in on.

“You two are busted,” Teresa added.

“Yeah, you two are busted! Mom is coming to live here. Did you know that?” Sarah closed one eye and pointed her finger like a wand at us.

“Oh well honey, that’s not what’s happening right… now,” I stammered.

Sarah just giggled and started a little happy dance.

Chuckling, Teresa tried to keep her in place.

Chalk grinned then gave me a cute wink.

“Life is unpredictable.” I shrugged with a smile.