Pieces of Us

Chapter 37 Opening

Amity

As I sit in the cabana by the infinity pool overlooking the ocean, I take a moment to sit with myself in silence. My mind casts back to our first kiss all those years ago at another of our dads’ openings.

When my mind is busy, I’m usually quietened by the sea, however, this time I am about to jump out of my skin in anticipation of tonight.

Tonight is Lincoln’s first opening of a home he’s designed from scratch. I know he was feeling somewhat melancholic about it because he had hoped I’d be here. Little does he know, I am. I shifted so many things in my schedule to accommodate the trip home, knowing how important this milestone is for him. I already missed out on seeing him graduate high school, opting to leave without walking across the stage, and I wasn’t there for any of his time at uni. When he started at our dads’ company, I didn’t even know until it was accidentally dropped randomly in conversation six months later with Dad.

Having those few days with Lincoln in Los Angeles was magical, but they weren’t nearly enough. When he left my body was satiated, but my heart sore that we’d be parted again. To make up for our physical inability to be together, we spent an exorbitant amount of time on FaceTime having filthy phone sex. The way he commanded my body and demanded I do things I’ve never tried—like sitting on a suction dildo and riding it like a cowboy out on my balcony—was thrilling, but it wasn’t as dirty as when he requested I take off the underwear I had been wearing all day and express post them to him. The next time I saw them was when he sniffed them before rubbing them on his cock and coming all over them. I craved the nights we spent together on the phone falling asleep to one another coming undone.

Like when we were in each other’s arms back in high school, our pillow talk was deep and meaningful. We spoke about both our jobs, our friends, our families and even made new goals for what we wanted in our future. He made a choking sound when I told him my long-term goal was to eventually settle in the Gold Coast. I didn’t let on it would be probably because of us, instead telling him I missed my friends and family too much.

We never really circled around moving past whatever stage we are in now. I guess for me, I was feeling content that things were going well and there wasn’t a lot of stress on either end. Eventually, I wanted to have the conversation with him over us, maybe making us official, but I needed to spend more physical time with him.

The heat was stifling the closer we got to Christmas. Despite it being seven P.M. we were still sweltering in forty-degree heat. I was missing Thanksgiving this year, a holiday I’d become quite fond of. If I wasn’t with Jagger and his family, I was with my team feasting on festive foods that included a huge baked dinner finished off my warm spice pumpkin pie. I was always ravenous for this weekend of food, but not as much as I was ravenous for Linc.

So, here I am, intentionally staying away from the crowd of people inside the home, which includes both our families and friends, along with more of his work colleagues and an array of media and industry experts. If I am spotted too early then word could get back to Lincoln that I am here, ruining the surprise. I flew in only a couple of hours ago and didn’t have much time to get ready. My hair is slicked in a low bun, while my make-up is light and minimal. I coated my lips in some shimmery gloss, but apart from a lick of mascara and dab of blush, I left it quite natural.

My dress is slightly wrinkled from the flight over, but I’m sure the steaming temperature will iron those out. I chose to wear my highest Louboutin stilettos and a slinky black strappy silk dress. The neckline is tempting and low, showing the top of my breasts, but it’s sophisticated and classy enough for a monumental evening like tonight.

‘He’s coming, honey,’ Dad says, ducking his head out the glass window. Teetering on my heels, I make my way back inside. It’s as if the Red Sea is parting for Jesus the way the room separates to let me walk in. I am used to the stares, but honestly, I just want to feel normal tonight, and let Lincoln shine for his monumental achievement. He’s coming in with Uncle Jacob, who helped me tee up the surprise. Mum is talking to Lily, Rome and Jas. She picked me up from the airport and we were practically inseparable all afternoon. I am beyond thrilled she’s here. Her and Dad look good together. I can’t help but root for them. They’re both my favourite people and have a lot of love for each other. I plan to interrogate both of them while I’m here.

To my delight, Ella is here too. I assume the rest of her colleagues are, but she isn’t standing with them. She’s talking to my friends and family. When she spots me, she breaks away from the mini group and comes over for a hug. I’ve missed her effervescent personality, squeezing her to me.

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ she swoons, with a dreaminess in her eyes as if this is the most romantic gesture she’s ever witnessed. I laugh at how over the top she is. I hope the light is never snuffed out of her because I loved how she still believes in love.

‘How’s the marketing world going?’ She shrugs.

‘So, so.’ She rolls her eyes. ‘I think my boss is trying to get with Lincoln’s dad.’ I don’t miss how slightly annoyed she is.

‘Oh?’ After losing Lincoln’s mum, he’s never been quite the same. He’s caring and nurturing with us kids, but when it comes to women, I’d say they’re somewhat disposable to him. Of course, we’re always shielded from that part of his life, but rumours are rumours, and we’ve heard them all.

‘Yeah, whatever.’ I snort at her obvious irritation. I think—no, I know—she has a crush on Uncle Jacob, and as much as I think she’s a delicious little fairy, I also don’t want her getting involved with someone whose heart is unavailable. ‘She’s not his type anyway.’ Her folded arms across her chest reek defensiveness.

‘Oh?’ I am baiting her, watching her become more and more worked up over him. ‘What’s his type?’

‘Not her.’ I laugh. ‘Does someone have a little crush on Uncle Jakey?’ I side hug her.

‘Ew, don’t call him that. It’s weird.’ I giggle harder.

‘I’m used to girls going all starry eyed over him and Dad. This is nothing new.’ She slightly stiffens under my touch.

‘Like lots of girls?’ Her crestfallen face tells me she’s saddened by what I’ve said. I don’t want to be the one who wipes the smile off her face, so I backtrack and try to downplay it.

‘A few chicks in high school. No one to worry about.’ This brings the shine back to her eyes.

‘I can’t wait for the tour. Everything looks amazing.’ My eyes wander around the open foyer that we’re standing in, and even without seeing the rest of the home, this structure is definitely the pièce de résistance.

When the door clicks open, I catch my breath. I’m in the front of the pack, so there’s no way he can miss me. As he strolls in, he’s not really paying attention to the people milling around. For him, this is just another work event.

His attention is rapt on his dad, who is holding onto a stack of folders. Both of them exude power. I can tell by looking at Linc, that he’s the face of the future for this company, and it’s clear everyone knows it by how talented he is.

While Uncle Jake is in a light grey suit, with a pale blue shirt, Lincoln is the complete opposite in a black suit. Instead of a tie, he’s opened the top couple of buttons of his crisp white shirt. It makes me smile fondly, remembering what a rule breaker he was at school with his disdain for ties. He said they choked him, but often made suggestive comments about better uses for them when we were dating, like tying me up with it, blindfolding me, or gagging me. It’s a damn shame he isn’t wearing one tonight to enact some of those fantasies.

A raucous applause rings around the room, my own hands joining in. It’s only then that he glances up, quickly scanning the room. I see his gaze pass over me and then straight away land back on mine as he does a double take. It takes a couple of seconds for him to really register that I’m here.

Without saying a word, he strides forward and snatches me up, swallowing my mouth whole. My arms automatically wrap around his neck as I eagerly return his kiss. It’s like I’ve been wandering the desert for days and it’s only now I’m quenching my thirst. Holding my waist tight, I feel both of us pouring every bit of love and affection for each other into our passionate embrace.

There’s faint wolf whistles and laughs around us, which we ignore. What we don’t ignore is the clearing of two throats beside us. We both fly apart remembering both our parents are here. Mum is smirking while both Dad and Uncle Mark are scowling in disapproval.

‘Real professional, son,’ he grumbles. ‘You have your speech to make, the tour, and a few interviews, then she’s all yours.’ Uncle Jacob tears me away from Linc, pulling me into a hug. ‘How is my girl?’ he asks, kissing my forehead.

I pout. ‘A little disappointed you pulled me away from your son, but I’ll forgive you if you tell me that my home is nearly ready?’ Before I left, the draft plans were approved, and we were beginning to transfer them over to Dad’s team for building.

‘Firstly, that’s your dad’s territory, and secondly, give us a moment to get used to the both of you…doing what you were doing. You were just kids the last time, and in our minds it was wholly innocent. I don’t want to imagine anything has changed.’

I giggle at how protective and uncomfortable he is, going up on my tippy toes to give his cheek a kiss.

‘I’ll be back soon, Hart.’ Linc reluctantly leaves to do his thing. I can see how completely in his element he is, so assured and knowledgeable in what he’s created around him. His speech almost brings me to tears when he thanks our fathers for believing in him and encouraging him. Then he steals my breath with his next confession.

‘There’s one last person I need to thank for making me who I am today. It’s someone I’m sure everyone is familiar with. She’s known to the world as Amity Hartford, but to me, she’s always been my Hart. If it wasn’t for you, baby, who knows where I’d be? Not many people know this, but the first home I drew was our future home, when we were just teenagers. I sketched it on the back of a napkin at one of the open homes our dads dragged us to.’ This elicits a few laughs around us, but my heart is pounding in my chest, and I couldn’t speak or move if I wanted to. ‘It was the first home I fell in love with. It ignited that itch in my soul to create homes that would make people’s dreams come true, and it encouraged me to never give up on creating perfection. Every time I wanted to give up, I looked at that napkin that sits inside the photo frame on my desk, and it centred me. Having you here tonight feels like my life has come full circle. It means so much that you’re here.’ My sight becomes foggy as tears cover my eyes. It’s such a sweet declaration that he didn’t need to do on his night, but he did. He made me a part of this special evening for him.

Once all the formalities are over, everyone follows him as he takes us on a tour. I am bewildered by his talent. The roster of amenities are endless, but highlighting my top features is the 40m infinity pool that I’ve had the pleasure of already seeing and the seven bedrooms, each one more spectacular than the last. He saves the best for last—the master bedroom, featuring an oversized walk-in closet, and a marble-clad bathroom. There is also access to a secluded outdoor spa. Images of us fucking in there infiltrate my mind, but I have to remember this wasn’t our home.

Eventually, he sits down with industry experts and the media to answer any technical questions about the home.

‘So, things are going well then?’ I am squished between Mum and Dad, which is so rare, considering the very few times in my life we are altogether.

‘Yeah.’ I blush at how well they’ve been going. Mum winks while Dad groans.

‘We don’t need the details,’ he grits.

‘We’ll chat later,’ Mum whispers. I nod giddy at both of them. I’m extremely close with Dad, but it’s nice having Mum back, she’s more like an older sister.

‘And you’ve worked through the past?’ Dad queries. My health and safety is always his number one priority.

‘We’ve discussed it at length between us, and with April, I’m still…’ I think about what I want to say, or am feeling. ‘I’m grieving our past, but I have hope for our future. I feel like I understand everything so much more clearly now, but I’m also blind as we move forward. We know where we want to go, but we’re taking it slow.’

Dad side hugs me, kissing my head, while Mum places her hand on my thigh.

‘And what about how you feel about yourself and your health? How is him being back in your life affecting your mental health?’

‘I don’t ever think he was a trigger. I know I said he was, but I think my own issues encroached and exacerbated my situation. It has been unfair on him all this time to call him that. When he was in LA with me, April made me see that. He’s also made it very clear that what I used to think was so far off base of what he was actually thinking. I feel much more in control about who I am, and I love that he’s been joining my sessions with April, so he can understand what can cause me to fly off the handle. I haven’t had an episode in a while, and I think it’s because I feel happy.’

‘You weren’t happy before?’ Mum asks.

‘I was happy, but I think missing Linc all this time made me realise there was a gaping hole inside me. Now that he’s back in my life, I feel really grounded again. Even without taking our relationship to the next level, it was always our friendship and how he was my soulmate that I was missing.’

‘So where do you go from here?’ Dad, being a typical dad asks.

‘I don’t know if you’ll like the answer,’ I joke, avoiding giving him a serious answer. He gags, pushing me away from him before momentarily enclosing me in a hug. ‘You’re the most important person in my life, sweetheart. I never want to see you lose yourself again. I just want the best for you, and if that’s Linc, then that’s all I want for you. I love you, baby girl.’

I love this man so much. I idolise him. In my heart, I know Linc, being raised by Uncle Jacob and dad, will be just as amazing when he’s a father. How could he not when he’s had the best example?

‘I love you, Daddy.’

‘Me too, baby girl.’

Time flies by while Linc is answering questions. As I sip on vodka and soda, occasionally eating the assortment of canapes, I catch up with Jas and find out she’s seeing a boy from her class. She also got an A on the assignment she did on me, which makes me so proud. Lily hasn’t been her usual sassy self. Actually, she looks quite sullen as the night drags on. She tells me it’s just work stuff, but I have an inkling it’s something more. Rome is pumped for his trip to see Jagger. Jag was filling me in last time, saying that he’s managed to score them an invite to an exclusive club that he assures me I don’t want to know the details of, but ensures that Rome will leave a very happy man. I can only imagine. Those two are trouble when they’re together. Ella flits back and forth between her work colleagues and our little group, but it’s her heated conversation with Uncle Jacob in the corner that captures my attention. She doesn’t seem too thrilled with him, and there is fire burning in her eyes. His temper, of course, is in check, and while I can’t hear their conversation, he says something that makes her storm off. The party starts to die down and people dwindle off.

‘Can I steal her now?’ Linc asks, removing his jacket and placing it over the lounge. My eyes roam over his. There’s a gleam in his naughty eyes. I can almost see the golden twinkle streaking his honey-coloured irises.

‘Want to head home?’ Mum asks Dad. He nods gingerly, but not as enthusiastically as I thought he would. Lily makes arrangements to leave with Jas, while Rome exited a while back with one of Ella’s colleagues. I didn’t see Ella after she stormed off before, and Uncle Jacob has disappeared as well with some of the other board members.

‘Take care of her, son,’ Dad warns. ‘I’m proud of you.’ He gives him a hug. Mum and Dad both kiss me, but have different advice for tonight. ‘Have fun,’ Mum says, while Dad frowns.

‘Don’t be too late.’

Mum responds, laughing, ‘Don’t listen to him. If we don’t see you later, we’ll see you tomorrow.’ She’s insinuating something will be happening with Linc and I, and she’s spot on.

‘I’ll see you both tomorrow,’ I confirm, taking Linc’s hand as we walk them through to the door.

I have no idea if we’re staying or going, but I anticipate Linc doesn’t want us to leave at the same time as it will just confirm that we’re going back to his to have wild, dirty sex all night long.

We wave them off and walk back inside.

Pressing me against the closed door, he nuzzles my neck, inhaling my scent. I’m wearing some expensive perfume, which I know lasts for hours. ‘Tonight was torture,’ he groans, as his teeth skate over my pulse, before his lips fasten around my skin and suck. I moan into the pleasure of the pain. I don’t respond, lost in what he’s doing to my body. ‘I just wanted everyone to leave, so I could be inside you.’ His hands trail up and down the satin-feel of my dress, cinching it up ever so slowly. ‘This dress. Your shoes. You. Everything about your being drives me wild.’ More kisses are pressed to my skin. I need him to kiss me urgently. Springing into action, I direct his mouth to mine and moan.

‘Tell me we’re staying here tonight?’ If he says no, I will be physically incapable of leaving here without fucking him.

‘We sure are, baby. The owners don’t move in for another month, and the cleaners will be coming tomorrow afternoon, so we have all night and all morning to take advantage.’

I know the house has been staged for this evening, so I don’t feel a shred of guilt fucking in the bed.

Tugging me securely to his side, he leads us back into the living space. ‘Before I fuck your brains out, I want to just sit with you for a moment and take in the fact that you’re here.’

He curls his arm around my neck as we sit and look out towards the ocean. My shoes have been haphazardly kicked off and are resting on the lounge, while I lean into him.

‘It means so much that you’re here, baby.’

‘I wouldn’t have missed this for the world,’ I murmur, touched by how much me being here actually affects him.

‘How did you manage to get time off?’

‘It was a jigsaw puzzle that caused a lot of upheaval, but I wanted to make sure you knew what a priority you are to me.’ Joan’s head nearly exploded when I dropped this anvil on her.

‘How long are you here for?’

‘Not long enough, but let’s worry about that all tomorrow?’

‘I think tonight went well.’ Stroking my arm, he speaks about various parts of the evening he thought stood out. I listen eagerly as he gets excited over how some of the industry’s leading experts praised him.

‘You were a super star, baby.’

We chat some more, moving the conversation towards his dad and Ella. He shuts down any notion that his dad could be remotely interested in one of his employees, let alone one young enough to be his daughter. I point out that she’s a few years older than us, but he doesn’t seem to be thrilled at the prospect. He’s also still shattered over the loss of his mum. I’ve always known a gaping hole existed when she died, and no one has been able to replace that special part of him that he lost. Uncle Jacob has always made it very clear he lost the love of his life, and anyone after would be just temporary fulfilment. I think Lincoln has clung onto that and still believes his dad feels that way. I don’t.

As I curl into him, I feel the scorching sizzle between us. It’s hotter than a Bunning sausage sizzle on a Saturday. As much as I love these moments with him, I need us to be naked. He feels the same way judging by the erection tenting between his slacks.

‘Time to fuck?’ he asks, reading my mind. Such a dirty mouth. I nod. ‘Where should I destroy your cunt first? The pool? The spa? The bedroom? In the kitchen where the wooden spoon is? Or right here?’ He’s presented me with so many options, and my body wants them all.

‘Let me relax you first,’ I say as I slide to my knees on the floor. With careful precision, I palm his hardened cock over her pants before lowering the zipper and pulling it out. I swear it has gotten larger, or is it that I’m just smaller? Either way, I love the feel of his skin. The base prickles as I reach the hair growing back on his balls. Making sure my grip is firm, I concentrate on stroking him from root to tip.

‘Jesus, Hart,’ he breathes, banging his head back on the couch before returning his molten eyes to mine. He’s managed to unbutton his shirt, giving me a complete show of his sculpted chest. The way his body is all strong and manly is a sight to behold. I’m glad he’s not a lifeguard or something. I don’t think I could handle other women ogling him. ‘Pull your tits out, baby.’ Doing as I’m told, I lower my dress under my breasts, freeing them for him to see. I love the swell of my boobs and how his cock looks between my cleavage. They’re big enough to caress his dick entirely.

He’s not just a snack, he’s a whole meal. I look at his delicious stiffness and know that I need to taste him. With a tentative lick, I circle his tip. ‘I love the way you taste,’ I hum, running my tongue underneath before licking his purple head again. When I suck him into my mouth, he groans, his hand gripping my hair. When it’s at the back of my throat hitting my tonsils, I vacuum seal my lips around him. ‘That’s it, baby. Suck my cock.’ I gag around him, but ignore it as I swallow him further. I continue to move my mouth up and down on his member while my left hand grips him at the base so I can fondle his balls. With a tight grip on my neck, he roughly pulls me off and spits down my chest. A string of saliva slithers down my cleavage. ‘Put me in between your tits, Hart.’ With his other hand, he plucks both my pert nipples. I’m wild for him in probably what is considered an unhealthy way. As I slide his cock between my cleavage, bobbing up and down to add delicious friction, I see the tortured agony on his face.

‘I’m not going to last with your titties fucking me like that, baby. Open your mouth for my come.’ I willingly open like a slut needing her cum fix, staring up as he lets out a guttural groan as his warm salty release squirts in my mouth. As his thighs shake beneath me, more cum shoots on my upper lip and again my cheek. I lean over his dick and suck his tip, making sure there’s nothing left. When he rests back into the lounge, I work on licking his cum off my face. I go to sit back on my heels, but he grips me under my armpits before I get the chance. Sitting astride his now softening member, I feel the heat against my sopping slit. I know it won’t take long for him to get hard again, which I’m grateful for because I want his cock inside me for the rest of the night. He pulls my head to him, kissing me with fervent passion as his tongue tangles with mine.

‘My cum tastes so good in your mouth.’ He continues to kiss me, his lips touching mine as he holds me tighter. ‘I fucking love you,’ he rasps against my mouth. I feel all warm and gooey inside. He’s said it more than once over the past couple of months, but I haven’t reciprocated. Yet. I know I do. I know I am in love with every part of him. I’m close, but I’m still holding back.

‘Time to fuck in the spa?’ he cheekily asks, slapping my ass cheeks.

I thought the spa would be a trigger for me with our past, but it seems my hormones have taken over and I’m more than ready to help him create new ones. With me.

‘Think you can keep up?’ I jump off him and try to run away, but he catches me.

A trail of discarded clothes are left like breadcrumbs on our way to the said spa.

What I think will be fast and ravenous is actually slow and sensual.

We make out until I’m sure I’m filled with more of his saliva than mine, his hands doing ungodly things to my pussy. As I come over and over, I make a mental note to tell him to tell the staff to add more salt and chlorine to eradicate any of our cum that gets left in here.

‘Turn around, Hart, and lean up on the edge.’ My warm, slippery body obliges as I lean on my elbows. The moon hangs low tonight, illuminating a slight glow on both of us. He positions me so my pussy is in line with the jets, and again starts worshipping my body. His thumb dips in and out of my puckered ass, before he reigns slaps down on my cheeks. I cry out, hearing them reverberate around us. I know the cheeks are reddening under his twitchy palm, and the sting of the tepid water only heightens the flush. ‘This ass is mine to destroy and decorate, isn’t it, baby?’ I mumble something incoherent that may or may not resemble a ‘yes’. When I think he’s done marking me, he switches tactics, first biting prints into my ass, and then soothing his assault with licks of his tongue and gentle kisses. He peppers more kisses up my spine, making goosebumps erupt on every surface of my body. Leaning my head back, I give him access to my neck where he cherishes me with kisses. I’ll be bruised tomorrow and it’ll take a shitload of cover up to hide the hickeys on camera, but I don’t give a shit when his lips are on mine.

It’s lucky i am on birth control, because I’d be pregnant by now, the way he has been ruthlessly fucking me.

Biting my shoulder, he enters me in one powerful thrust. Between the jets, his cock and his bruising grip on my hips, I shout out a shattered scream. Picking up his speed, I feel everything. It’s fucking, but it’s desperate lovemaking too. When he’s deep inside me, he covers my back with his chest, our heads turning into a searing kiss. ‘I missed you. I miss every second you’re not with me. I missed you so much over the past seven years that I thought some days it would kill me. This. Right here. With you. It keeps me alive. You’re my purpose, baby. My Hart.’ His thrusts deepen as a tear rolls down my cheek at his confession. I’m overwhelmed by just how perfect this moment is.

His teeth graze over my earlobe before he bites my shoulder. Everything inside me begins to vibrate as he thrusts in and out, slowly and deeply. I can feel him everywhere.

‘I’m coming, baby. I’m coming.’ An out of this world sound rips from my throat as I erupt around him. Shuddering and spasming, my sobs continue. It doesn’t take much longer for him to explode either, stilling himself inside me so not a drop escapes.

For the rest of the night, his cock doesn’t leave my body, whether it’s in my pussy, my ass, or I’m suckling it in my mouth. By the morning, there isn’t a muscle in my body that doesn’t burn from the workout—especially my jaw from stretching around his thickness.