CHAPTER TEN
Anya
I wake up to the sound of the roosters making their morning calls. It has been two days since my car was vandalized. With the help of Jacob and Tom, it was towed and fixed the very next day. However, I have been struggling to sleep for the past two nights. Not just because of the stalker but because today is the day I have been dreading for weeks. I can feel the weight of it crushing my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Saying goodbye to Jacob feels like a physical pain, one that has been building up since the day he told me he was leaving. My mind is filled with images of my parents, the stalker, and now Jacob, all intertwined in a jumbled mess. But I have to be strong for him, that’s what he asked of me. The thought of him possibly worrying about me while he’s supposed to be focusing on his training makes my stomach churn with guilt. He has been my rock, my safe haven in this chaotic storm of life. And now I have to watch him go, not being able to see him until after Thanksgiving. It’s not a deployment, but it feels just as painful.
But I steel myself and put on a brave face, I’ll show him that I can handle this. I won’t cry in front of him, no matter how much my heart is breaking inside. That moment will come later, when he’s gone and the reality sets in that he won’t be here to help me.
I roll over onto my side and find Jacob lying next to me. Typically, his mother would not approve of us sleeping in the same room unless we were married; my Nana is the same way. However, with everything that has happened and Jacob leaving today, his mother made an exception.
“Good morning beautiful,” he greets me with a sweet smile.
“Good morning.”
“How did you sleep last night?” he asks, concern evident in his voice.
“To be honest, it could have been better. My mind was racing and I couldn’t fully relax,” I reply.
He pulls me close and plants a tender kiss on my forehead. “I know what you mean,” he says softly.
I rest my head on his chest, cherishing the warmth of his embrace. “I don’t want you to leave,” I say with a heavy heart.
“I know, baby. But I’ll be back before Christmas,” he reassures me.
I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I know...it’s just that with everything going on, I wish I had you by my side.”
“Me too, Anya. But you are one of the strongest women I know. You’ve faced so many challenges and yet here you are, still standing. This is just another bump in the road of life, but you have people who love and support you,” he says while gently stroking my hair. He looks into my eyes and adds, “Anya, you are not alone.”
Jacob’s words echoed in my mind as we lay intertwined in a moment that felt all too fleeting. His departure lingered like an impending storm on the horizon, casting a shadow over our shared solitude. I tried to memorize the curve of his jaw, the rise and fall of his chest with each breath, committing every detail to memory to sustain me in the lonely days ahead.
The sun filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across the room as if nature itself sought to infuse warmth into our bittersweet farewell. I traced invisible patterns on his skin, mapping out the contours of a love that anchored me in turbulent waters. But beneath the surface calm of our embrace, turmoil churned like a tempest threatening to pull us apart.
“I wish I could freeze this moment,” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath, afraid that speaking louder would break the fragile peace enveloping us.
Jacob’s gaze softened, a silent understanding passing between us like a shared secret. “Me too, Anya,” he murmured, his eyes reflecting a mix of love and regret. “But we will get through this, and before we know it, I’ll be back, right here with you.”
His words hung in the quiet between us, a reminder that change was inevitable and that I’d need to be strong enough to handle it. I held onto him tighter, finding comfort in his warmth, knowing that soon he’d have to leave, and I’d feel the emptiness of his absence all over again.
After a moment of shared silence, Jacob shifted to gaze at me earnestly, his eyes searching mine as if etching my features into his memory. “Anya, promise me that you’ll take care of yourself. I may not be physically here, but my heart will always be with you,” he implored.
Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over despite my efforts to hold them back. I nodded wordlessly, unable to voice the myriad emotions swirling within me.
We lay side by side, our fingers still intertwined and our breaths in sync. A soft knock on the door breaks our peaceful moment. His mother enters, her eyes red and swollen from crying. She must have been up all night, dreading this moment of saying goodbye to her son. “Good morning, my dear,” she says with a trembling smile that doesn’t quite reach her sad eyes. She sets two cups of steaming hot coffee onthe nightstand and turns to leave quickly. But before she goes, she turns back and adds, “Jacob, make sure you’re all packed and ready to go when we leave.” It’s evident that she’s trying to keep a brave face, but her voice cracks as she speaks.
As she left, a heavy silence settled in the room, punctuated only by the ticking of the old clock on the wall.
Jacob shifted slightly, his eyes conveying a mixture of resolve and reluctance. “I should start getting ready,” he said quietly, his voice tinged with a hint of sorrow.
I nodded, understanding the weight of the impending farewell that loomed over us like a shadow. “Okay, I’ll get dressed too,” I whispered, my words carrying a promise of unwavering support.
Jacob slowly extricated himself from our embrace, his absence creating a physical void that sent a shiver down my spine. I watched him move around the room, gathering his belongings with practiced efficiency, each movement a testament to the impending separation. The room felt emptier with every item he packed as if the walls themselves mourned his departure.
As he zipped up his bag, Jacob turned to face me, his expression a blend of determination and longing. “Ready to eat breakfast?” he says, voice tinged with sadness. I slowly nod and he holds my hand as we make our way to the kitchen.
Marissa and Tom join us at the table, where an abundance of food awaits. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, bacon, bread, and a bowl of mixed fruits fill the plates before us. “Mom, you didn’t have to make all this,” Jacob says with a hint of guilt in his voice. “I know, but I wanted to make sure you were well-fed before we leave,” she replies with a touch of sadness in her eyes. Jacob and I exchange a knowing look; we both understand that cooking for us is her way of keeping herself occupied.
As we finished breakfast, Jacob’s eyes locked onto mine with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine. He grabbed my hand and pulled me forcefully towards his room, as if nothing else in the world mattered but this moment. Confused and breathless, I asked him what was going on, but before I could get an answer, his lips crashed against mine. The taste of him consumed me as our tongues tangled and his hands roamed over my body, igniting every nerve with electric sparks. I felt his arousal pressing against me, and it only fueled the fire burning between us. In a swift move, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms and carried me to the bed where he laid me down with urgency, his hands exploring every inch of my skin with a possessive need. And in that moment, there was nothing else but us, lost in each other’s embrace.
Jacob’s tongue explored my mouth with a hungry intensity as he deepened the kiss. His hands roamed over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. Heat emanated from his touch, scorching me from the inside out. My fingers dug into his shoulders as I tightened my grip on him, unable to get enough of his taste, his touch.
Our lips parted briefly for air before crashing together once more, our tongues tangling in an erotic dance that seemed to last an eternity. Jacob’s hands slid under my shirt, exploring the soft skin of my stomach before reaching up to cup my breasts through the thin fabric of my bra. His thumbs circled my nipples, eliciting moans from deep within me.
I arched my back, needing more of his touch as he continued to caress my body with a near-desperate fervor. My heart raced in anticipation as he broke away from my mouth for air once more. His chest rose and fell rapidly against mine as he panted heavily beside me. “Anya,” he murmured against my skin, causing goosebumps to rise on my flesh where his warm breath fanned across it.
His lips moved downward along myjawline until they reached the hollow of my neck, leaving soft kisses and gentle nips that made me squirm beneath him. A shiver ran through me as I felt him undressing me slowly; each button popping from its hole and sliding across the fabric of my shirt sent tingles down my spine.
My hands gripped his hair tightly, pulling him closer as I groaned into his mouth. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, and it was intoxicating. I wanted him more than ever before, and I knew that this was our last chance to be together before he left.
I couldn’t help but think about how much I would miss him when he was gone. Every moment we spent together felt like a precious treasure, and I didn’t want to let go of it. But as he touched me, I realized that our love was strong enough to weather any storm. He continues to roam over me with his hands, sending waves of pleasure all through my body.
Every fiber of my being is quivering with frantic longing as his hands trail lower, sending electric shocks through me. In a flash, he strips off my jeans and pulls them down, his lips crashing onto mine in a hungry kiss. My body arches involuntarily as he trails kisses down to my neck, then deftly lifts my shirt and bra to reveal my aching breasts. His mouth latches onto one nipple, nibbling and sucking until I’m gasping for air. “Jacob,” I moan helplessly as he pulls my panties aside and expertly flicks a finger over my sensitive clit. Waves of pleasure crash over me, but I try to stifle my cries by covering my mouth with my hand. With a wicked smirk, Jacob pushes a finger inside me and I suck in a sharp breath, overwhelmed by the intensity of sensations coursing through me.
His eyes never leave mine as he continues exploring every inch of my body, causing tremors deep within me. I grip onto his shoulders tightly, trying to hold onto the sensation of his skin beneath my fingers as he pleasures me. My heart racing, body trembling, and breaths erratic, I can feel myself getting closer to the edge. I know that if I let go, the orgasm will take me over like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and weak in his arms.
“Jacob,” I whisper. “I want you inside me.”
With a devious grin, he pulls back slightly, and I feel the head of his erection pressing against me. I swallow hard, nerves jittering as I prepare myself for the pleasure that is about to come. Jacob enters me slowly, his patience and love evident in every small movement as he penetrates deeper into me.
“Oh, God,” I gasp, my muscles clenching around him, drawing him in deeper still. It feels like home, like safety, like everything I’ve ever longed for in one single moment of connection.
Jacob groans softly, his eyes locked on mine as he withdraws slightly and thrusts forward again. Each movement is deliberate and passionate, marking a rhythm that pulses through my entire body. I cling to him, our sweaty bodies tangled together in a dance of love and desire.
I can feel the start of his release building within him, and I want nothing more than to experience it with him. With a desperate cry, I urge him on, my body begging for the release that is so close yet still just beyond my grasp.
And then, it happens. The orgasm hits me like a freight train, shattering any doubts or fears that have plagued me for weeks now. Jacob’s breath hitches, and he thrusts hard into me, joining me in that moment of pure, unadulterated joy.
We collapse onto the bed, lungs heaving, hearts racing, skin slick with sweat. Our bodies still connected, heartbeats synced as we lay there, basking in the afterglow of our lovemaking.
“I love you, Jacob,” I whisper, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.
He pushes a strand of hair from my face, traces his fingers down the curve of my cheek. “And I love you, Anya. Now and always.
We lie there for what seems like an eternity, wrapped in each other’s arms, cherishing the warmth of his embrace. The weight of his body on top of mine feels comforting, grounding, a reminder that even amidst the chaos of our lives, we have each other.
As the intensity of the moment fades, reality starts to creep back into our minds. I gaze at him and know that this is it – our final moments together before he leaves for training. The thought brings a pang to my heart, but I push it aside and focus on the present. “You know, even though I’m leaving, I’ll still be with you,” Jacob whispers tenderly as his lips graze my forehead. “Yeah, I know. I’m just gonna miss you,” I reply, feeling a lump form in my throat.
Suddenly, we hear a knock on the door and Marissa’s voice calling out that it’s time to go. We reluctantly get up and start getting dressed. My chest tightens as the time draws closer. We hold hands as we walk towards the car, and he doesn’t let go during the entire 40-minute drive to the military processing center.
As we step out of the car, I can feel tears starting to form in my eyes, but I fight them back. Jacob goes inside, and I feel myself choking up. Marissa wraps her arm around me and rubs my arm in comfort. We wait anxiously as a bus pulls up and the harsh reality hits me like a punch to the gut. Jacob comes back out and leads us into the building where he will take his oath. As Jacob stands with the other recruits about to take the oath, I stand surrounded by Marissa and their mom holding onto my hands tightly. This is all going so fast and my heart is beating a million miles a minute. However, there’s a small sense of pride and admiration for Jacob as he embarks on his military service, but it can’t hide the overwhelming longing and sadness knowing that I won’t be able to touch or hold him for such a long time.
As the ceremony ends, we all step outside and the moment I’ve been dreading is upon me – I have to say goodbye. Tears start to fall as a storm of emotions rages inside me. Jacob reaches out and wipes them away with his thumb, then leans in to kiss me. “Jacob,” my voice cracks, “I don’t know if I can do this without you.” He leans down and places his head on mine. “You can, my love,” he whispers, “just remember what I told you – you are stronger than you realize. I love you Anya, and I promise to write as soon as I can.” With that, he lets go of me and boards the bus. Standing there with his family, tears streaming down my face, it feels like my world is crumbling. The bus departs 10 minutes later, taking a piece of me with it. Marissa puts her hand on my shoulder, signaling it’s time for us to leave too. My body moves on autopilot as we walk back to the car; I don’t say a single word during the entire ride, lost in my thoughts.
We arrive back at the farm and enter the house. Everywhere I look, there are reminders of Jacob – memories of our time together here, his scent lingering in the air, even his family members who have become so dear to me. It’s too much to bear. I can’t stay here anymore, it hurts too much. I snap out of my emotional haze and announce that I’m going back home. I expect everyone to try and convince me to stay but instead, all I see is understanding in their eyes. I bid them farewell and promise to keep in touch before leaving.