Chapter 36
Eri pulled away from the house as Avian settled in the passenger seat. They were headed to brunch, and she’d volunteered to drive the two of them.
“I’m surprised you weren’t running late,” Eri teased, remembering the last time they’d gone to brunch, her friend had gotten preoccupied with her husband, and they’d been forty-five minutes late meeting Nesiah. “Marco kept his hands to himself this morning, I see.”
“You aren’t one to talk. I’m surprised you were on time,” Avian jested back.
“Why wouldn’t I be? Elias and I don’t live together, so the chances of my being late are far slimmer than yours.”
“You might as well. You’re at each other’s places at least four times a week.”
She had a point. They spent the night at each other’s house several times a week, to the point they each had things at the other’s place, but Eri still enjoyed her days alone, where she could be by herself, and she was sure he did, too.
They made their way through traffic to their favorite brunch spot.
When they pulled into the parking lot, they spotted Nesiah’s car and pulled into a space a few down from it.
They met the other woman at the front of the restaurant and decided to wait outside for Romi to arrive.
When she approached them a few minutes later, Eri introduced her to Nesiah, and the four entered the restaurant.
Once they were seated, Avian ordered two pitchers of mimosas, and they looked at their menus while they waited. The server returned with their pitchers and glasses and took their orders. When they were left alone again, Eri filled everyone’s glasses while Romi struck up a conversation.
“So, Avian, what sort of dances are you teaching this coming week, and is it too late for me to join the class?”
“This week’s routines are more about cardio. Still sexy, but a bit of a workout, and they’re all full. But next week I’m teaching another prop class since they enjoyed the last one so much, and I have a few spots left open.”
“Prop class?” Romi asked.
“When you use an object, or in the case of the upcoming class, a person as a prop,” Avian explained.
“Ooh! That sounds exciting. Sign me up,” Romi replied. “And how’s married life treating you?”
“It’s good. Better than good. I never pictured myself getting married this soon in life. Then again, my life was mapped out for me at first, but now, I wouldn’t change anything. I’m enjoying my life, and he makes me extremely happy.”
“Doesn’t hurt that he looks like mythical gods crafted him,” Romi teased.
Avian laughed. “A definite plus.”
“Nesiah, Eri said you’re a tattoo artist, too. That’s cool. How’d that come about?” Romi asked.
Eri took a sip of her drink as Nesiah contemplated the question.
If Eri had learned anything in her time knowing Romi, it was that the other woman could hold a conversation with just about anyone, and she always seemed genuinely interested when speaking to someone.
It was how the two of them became friends during Eri’s freshman year.
“Honestly, I wanted to do something that allowed me to work when I wanted to and express my creativity. It was a plus that it seemed to irritate my dad,” Nesiah said.
“I admire those who are creative and can draw,” Romi responded.
“You’re creative,” Eri pointed out. They wouldn’t be successful in their chosen career paths if they weren’t.
“True, but if I ever had to draw anything, it would look like something from a toddler that my mom should put on the fridge.” The table shared a laugh before Romi continued.
“But being a tattoo artist means someone is skilled with their hands.” She looked between Eri and Avian.
“You two are lucky ladies,” she informed, wiggling her eyebrows.
“Yes, we are,” Eri agreed.
“Nesiah’s boyfriend is also a tattoo artist,” Avian pointed out.
“For real?” Romi asked, and Nesiah nodded. “No way. That’s not fair. I suppose sky daddy really has favorites.” She sighed, her eyes moving back to Eri’s. “And you’re sure that—”
“Gargantuan project,” Eri cut her off.
“Fine,” Romi acquiesced.
“What are we missing?” Avian asked.
“I asked Eri if her boyfriend and your husband had another relative, and she told me they did, but he was a huge project. Once I met Elias, I still considered it.”
Nesiah snorted. “More like a lost cause. Don’t do it. Run.”
“Yeah. Vince isn’t someone you want to have any dealings with. Just looking at him might be too much,” Avian added.
“He’s that bad?” Romi inquired.
“Probably worse if we’re being honest. He’s got this complex about trying to outdo his cousins, and he’s insufferable,” Avian informed.
“He also did not get whatever genes Marco and Elias got. Whatever was in their home cooking, Vince did not receive,” Nesiah said before taking a drink from her glass. “Not that looks matter, but since his personality is shit, he has no redeeming qualities.”
“Shame,” Romi replied, as the server came with their food.
For the next couple of hours, they enjoyed their food and mimosas, adding another pitcher to the mix. They even took part in karaoke, which started an hour after they had arrived. By the time they were ready to go, they were all a bit tipsy.
“Hang on. Let me call my husband. He said if we got too tipsy, he’d come pick us up,” Avian said.
“Same,” Eri replied, taking out her phone to text Elias.
Eri: Had too much to drink. Avian is calling Marco to come get us. Will you bring me back later to get my car?
Elias: No need. We’re together. We’ll be there in a minute.
“He’s on his way,” Avian said when she got off the phone.
“Elias told me they’re together, so he’ll drive me home.”
“Javier and Ricardo are with them, too,” Nesiah informed. “If you drove Romi, I’m sure Ricardo wouldn’t mind driving you and your car home. Javier and I can follow him.”
“You sure? I don’t want to impose on anyone. I can call my mom and see if she can pick me up. I don’t mind leaving my car as long as the restaurant doesn’t mind.”
Nesiah waved her off. “It’ll be fine.”
They went outside to wait and take in the fresh air. There were benches on either side of the door, and they took a seat on one. Eri was the first to see Avian’s car as it pulled into the parking lot. It made more sense for Marco to drive it since his was only a two-door.
“They’re here,” Eri announced as they parked. A minute later, the four men stood in front of them.
“Guys, this is Romi. Romi, that’s Javier, Ricardo, Marco, and you already met Elias,” Nesiah introduced, and greetings went around. “Cardo, would you mind driving Romi and her car home? Javi and I can follow you.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” Ricardo agreed.
“Thank you,” Romi replied. She turned to the three of them. “This was fun. I will see you ladies next time. Avian, text me the website or what I need to do to sign up for that class.”
The four women hugged each other before going their separate ways. Eri handed her keys to Elias as he opened the passenger door for her.
“Did you have fun, Amate?”
“I did. We probably shouldn’t have drunk as much as we did, but none of us has to work tomorrow. Well, except for Nesiah, but she said it wasn’t until later in the afternoon. Did you drive to Marco’s?”
“I rode my bike, but it’s fine there for the day. Where are we heading?”
“To your house. I want some after-brunch dick,” Eri responded.
Elias chuckled as he made a left turn. “Who am I to tell you no?”
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
“Elias,” Eri whined, and it had become one of his favorite sounds. He slowly pushed back into her, and she released a sound that was a mix of a moan and frustration. “Stop teasing me.”
“Mm, I thought you were supposed to be practicing patience, Amate.”
“Why would I want to do that when you could be fucking me and giving me what I want?”
“I am fucking you.”
“No, you’re playing with me,” she countered.
He nipped her lower lip. “I thought you liked it when I played with you.”
“Elias.” She ran her thumb behind his ear. “Give me what I want.” She ran her tongue along his lips. “I’m not asking.”
He pulled out as slowly as he’d thrust in, dick dragging along her walls, and pulled another moan from her. “Such a bossy brat.” He jutted his hips, giving her a hard thrust. “Is this what you wanted?” he asked, pulling out, then snapping his hips and giving her another hard thrust.
“Yeesss,” Eri moaned. “Just like that.”
Elias continued to give her deep thrusts as he grabbed a pillow and put it under her, angling her. He gripped her waist and pulled her to meet each thrust, her moans filling the room, and it wasn’t long before he felt her tighten around him.
“That’s it, Amate. Cum for me. Let me feel it.”
A few more thrusts had his name tumbling from her lips as she came. He fucked her through it. His hips never faltered, and when she placed her hand on his abdomen a minute later to try to halt him, he raised a brow at her.
“Nah. This was what you wanted, baby. So take it like a good girl.”
Eri removed her hand, locked her legs around him, and pulled him down. “Then don’t stop,” she replied before kissing him, and he would give her exactly what she wanted.
Elias stood at his kitchen counter a couple of hours later, slicing fruit and putting it into the bowl. He’d just finished adding the strawberries when Eri entered the kitchen in one of his T-shirts. She walked behind him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and laid her head on his back.
“I’m going to regret all those drinks in a few hours. Too bad orgasms don’t act as hangover preventatives.”
Elias chuckled. “They don’t, but hydration and food help,” he replied, turning in her hold. He dropped a kiss on her lips. “Fruit and electrolytes now, and I’ll make you food in a few hours.”
She nodded, releasing him as she went to the refrigerator. He finished adding the rest of the fruit to the bowl and handed it to her when she emerged from the fridge with a sports drink.
“Go choose something for us to watch, and I’ll be there in a minute,” he instructed.
Eri left the kitchen, and Elias threw the strawberry stems away, then cleaned the cutting board and knife before deciding what he wanted to make for dinner in a few hours. Since it needed to be something that would help in the event she had a hangover, it didn’t take him long to choose.
He exited the kitchen, turning the light out, and joined her in the living room. There was a movie queued on the screen, and she draped her legs over his lap while she hit play.
“The description sounded good,” she told him as it started.
They were barely twenty minutes into the movie when he realized that whatever the description said had been a lie. The computer graphics were horrible, and the acting wasn’t much better.
“This sucks,” Eri stated, popping the last piece of fruit into her mouth. “But I’m weirdly intrigued. Part of me wants to know if it continues consistently being this bad or if it gets worse, because I highly doubt it’s going to get better.”
“That’s an hour and a half of our time we can’t get back, but if you’re that curious, we can keep watching it.”
Elias watched her think about it briefly.
“Nah, you’re right. Let’s watch something else.” She put the bowl on the table and passed him the remote. “You pick this time.”
He skimmed through the movies for a minute before stopping at a psychological thriller. Eri nudged him with her foot.
“You just want to see me scared.”
He smirked. “You mean pretend to be scared?” he teased. He rearranged them on the couch, sitting with his back against the arm and her between his legs. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I know you will,” she replied, placing her hands on top of his as they settled in for the movie.