Chapter 23
23
Anais
We all pile into the theater room and grab our snacks that Viv, CeCe, Cami, Cat and I set up this morning. Only for the men to come along and completely destroy it. Trays are piled with popcorn and everyone’s favorite candy, and we all balance sodas as we walk to find a seat.
Viv and Uncle Nix immediately sit in the front row. Across from them sits CeCe and Luca. In the second row, Vaughan sits closest to the wall and Cami sinks down into the middle seat, while Cat sits directly to her right. That leaves Bishop, Hayes and I to sit in the final row of chairs.
“Do you mind if I sit in the middle?” I ask them.
“Not at all, darling. Bish, slide that beastly body of yours in there. I need to sit at the end. Potty breaks,” Hayes says with a wink and a smile.
Bishop sighs and moves to the end of the row. I promptly follow behind him and situate myself to sit between the two men. Once we’ve all settled with our drink and snacks, Viv starts the movie and we all grow silent .
Lights from the screen flash across the room, and the speakers boom with every action scene. I eat a few of my snacks and soda and decide I’ve had enough for now.
I start to stand from my seat when Hayes notices and jumps before me. “I got it. You sit. I need to make my first visit to the little cowboys room, anyway.”
I chuckle and hand him my tray with a thank you. He winks –Lord, those green eyes are really something– and I settle back down. I rub my arms when a chill spreads across me, and I’m really wishing I would’ve changed into my sweats before coming in here.
“Are you cold?” Bishop whispers in my ear, amplifying the chill bumps popping up on my skin.
I nod, “A little.”
He stands and walks past me, returning a moment later with a blanket and pillow. He hands me the pillow and drapes the blanket over me before returning to his seat.
“Thank you,” I tell him in a hushed voice.
Hayes returns and we go back to watching the movie. I grow restless, seeing the other ladies cozied up with their men, and I wish I could do the same with Bishop. I get an idea and readjust myself to be more centered in my seat.
I stretch my arm out until I can slyly tap on Bishop’s thigh. He looks down and I splay my hand open wide, palm up. His eyes flick to mine and I give him a bite of my lip and begin to pull my hand back under the blanket. He looks around at everyone, but they are fully engulfed in the movie. With a quick glance at Hayes, he slowly and carefully moves his hand to meet mine under the blanket, our fingers entwining with each other.
I fold my lips between my teeth to hide my smile. Bishop’s thumb grazes across my hand. Back and forth, the callused skin of his fingertips scratches my smooth skin with every pass. I release his hand and let my fingernails gently scrape up and down the inside of his arm. His eyes close and I hear a faint groan as I continue to glide.
We spend the rest of the movie just like that, but quickly separate before the lights come back on .
Everyone stands and stretches and Viv makes an announcement.
“Alright everyone. Time to go off to your respective rooms. Ladies, we’ll be in my bedroom.” Phoenix throws her a look and she rolls her eyes. “Correction. Mine and Phoenix’s room. Fellas, you’re off to the guest bedrooms. You can split however you like, or y’all can pile up in the living room with blanket palettes. Up to you.”
“What?” Vaughan cries. “No one told me about separate sleeping arrangements. I don’t like this.”
“Babe, relax. It’s one night. I think you’ll manage. Plus, if we coupled off into room, that leaves four singles out and that wouldn’t be fair,” Cami tells him, trying to calm his sudden panic.
“Vaughan, you weren’t around for our sleepovers, but us girls always shared a room and that’s how it is now,” Viv explains.
“Woah. Wait a minute. Bishop attended some of those sleepovers. Where did he sleep?” Hayes wonders.
All eyes focus on Bishop who grows uncomfortable under the stares.
“I slept in the, uh, same room. But it was different,” he tries to defend.
“What?”
“Nuh uh.”
“Cazzo.”
Three of the men cry out with their dislike but unless he was sleeping, like sex sleeping with them, then I don’t see what the big deal is.
“Were you having sex with all the girls?” I ask and like the sound of brakes before crashing head on into a brick wall, the room comes to a screeching halt. “What? If he wasn’t having sex with them, I don’t see what the problem is.”
The shocked stares turn from me to Bishop, silently asking him the same as I just did.
He throws his hands up in front of them and says, “Hell no, I didn’t have sex with them. That’d be like sleeping with a sister. C’mon guys. You know me better. ”
“Yeah. You jerks,” Vivian punches Uncle Nix in the stomach and he folds. “Let’s go. Everyone to bed.”
She grabs CeCe’s hand who grabs Cat’s hand who grabs Cami’s hand who grabs mine. And like an unbreakable chain, I follow the ladies out of the theater room and off into the master suite.
Pillows and blankets are set up all over the room, and we all break off into separate parts to change into our pj’s and prepare for bed. CeCe wears an elegant black nightgown, the silky fabric cascading over her round belly. Cami has on a simple satin set with cream colored pants and matching top. Vivian is drowning in an oversized Wranglers t-shirt that I assume is Nix’s along with a sleep mask that reads ‘ Only wake for sex ’ propped on her forehead. And Cat has on cute fluffy sleep pants covered in calculators and a top that says ‘ Silently Creating a Spreadsheet ’.
I laugh at the extreme differences between these ladies' choice of sleepwear then look down at myself. Sleep shorts with purple butterflies, rolled at the waist so that they just barely cover my ass, a cropped t-shirt that hangs off one shoulder, and knee high socks that have three purple stripes at the top cuff. I look up from where I stand and find the four of them staring at me.
“I think you forgot the other half of your outfit, Ana,” Cat jokes.
“Oh hush. Don’t you remember what it was like to have a perfect body and high metabolism?” Cami asks.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“What do you mean remember? Bitch, I still look fabulous.” Vivian tosses her long red hair over her shoulder and smiles. “Okay everyone, find a place. The two preggos are sleeping on the bed.”
Cami and CeCe climb up on the bed and sit at the end, pillows propping them up, and the rest of us grab a comfy pillow and blanket setup.
“Gossip time. Who has something juicy?” Cat sits criss-cross on her blankets and rubs her hands together.
“Oooh. Me.” Cami’s hand shoots up. “So the other day at the ranch, I heard Hayes talking on the phone. He was being super secretive so naturally, I had to e avesdrop. I heard him say something like, ‘ I want to see you again too. I miss your sweet’ and then I sprinted off because I did not want to hear my brother-in-law say what I thought he was about to say.”
CeCe gasps and says, “Do you think he has a girlfriend? Or boyfriend, no judgment.”
Cami nods her head. “Oh, I think he definitely has a girl he’s keeping secret. But don’t worry, my super sleuthing skills will get to the bottom of it.”
“Sooo,” Vivian diverts. “Ana. Any boys on campus catch your eye?”
“Oh. Uh,” I my bottom lip and my eyes jut from face to face.
They all look at me very curiously. Except Cami. She brings her fingers to her mouth and starts chewing on her nails, like she’s trying to hold back a secret. The pit of my stomach turns sour and I know she knows.
“There’s a few guys here and there, but none are really catching my attention.”
“Didn’t you leave with Phoenix’s teammate Cole last weekend?” Vivian’s eyebrows dance on her forehead, disappearing and reappearing from underneath her mask.
“Yeah, but I just dropped him off. I think he’ll be a good friend, but I don’t know that there is anything there,” I lie.
There could’ve been a lot there. But in order for that to happen, I would have to put Bishop out of my head and that is just not possible.
We carry on with talking and laughing until yawns start rippling from our mouths. We decide to call it a night and we all break off into our beds.
It isn’t long before I hear snoring coming from close by. I prop up on my elbows and let my eyes adjust to the dark, searching for the grizzly bear who has found its way into our girls' den. I don’t find a bear, but I do see Vivian with her mouth hanging wide open and an ungodly sound spilling from it. The other ladies must be well acquainted with her chainsawing because they don’t flinch. I, on the other hand, can’t seem to block out the sound.
I carefully crawl out of m y blankets and move on my hands and knees and make my way over to where I know my phone sits plugged into the wall. I bring the screen to life and immediately lower the brightness. I type out a text then click the silent button on my phone, waiting for a response.
??: Shouldn’t you be asleep?
I smile wide when I see the symbol I have changed his initial to, thankful he’s still awake.
Me: I should, but Vivian is sawing logs. Meet me in the kitchen.
??: I don’t think that’s a good idea.
Me: Pleeeeeeasee? pleading emoji
The dots dance on and off and finally get the reply I’m wanting.
I do a little happy dance and crawl my way to the door. I carefully turn the knob and open it just enough for me to squeeze through the crack, then close it just as quietly.
I stand and follow the faint lights that are randomly lit in the house until I reach the kitchen. My eyes search for Bishop but it seems I’ve made it down before him. I step further into the space when I feel a hand cover my mouth and a large arm wrap me up from behind.
“Shh. Just me, baby girl.” I spin around to find Bishop looking down at me, shrouded by darkness. “Come this way.”
We tiptoe through the kitchen and to a closed door that I know is the laundry room. I move to turn on the light but Bishop stops me.
“No. Leave it off.” I nod and he picks me up and sets me down on the long counter. “Hi,” he whispers.
“Hi.” My fingers scratch at his scruffy beard. “How’s the sleepover going?”
“About as well as yours. Nix sounds like he’s blowing a horn. No wonder he doesn’t noti ce Viv’s snoring.” I chuckle and he holds a finger over my lips. “We have to be quiet. I don’t want someone to wake up.”
I purse my lips at him. “Big guy, the door is closed and the rooms aren’t even close. Plus, with Viv and Uncle Nix competing to see who’s the loudest, I doubt anyone would hear if a marching band came through.”
He shrugs as if to say true , and I scoot to the edge of the counter, wrapping my arms and legs around him.
“Plus, I can think of a few things we can do that don’t require talking,” I tell him.
“Oh yeah? What’s that, my little butterfly?”
I lean in and softly kiss his lips. He slides his hands from my back to my hair, and parts his lips, letting me in. Our tongues twist and I can taste the mintyness of his toothpaste.
I feel myself grow damp between my legs and take one of his hands in mine, and shove them down my shorts.
“Fuuuck, Anais.” He rubs slow circles over my clit before plunging two thick fingers inside of me.
My mouth pops when I release him, and my head falls back. I swallow the moan that so desperately wants to cry out and roll my hips to meet his rhythm.
I slide my hand into his sleep pants and grip his cock that throbs for release. I stroke him, up and down a few times, and feel the vibrations of his moan when his lips clamp onto my neck.
“Bishop. Fuck me. Please,” I beg.
He shakes his head and says, “No condom.”
I rip my hand from his pants and pull him from my neck.
“Just once. Please? I promise I’m on the pill and I’ve never missed a day. I’m not trying to trick you, I just really need to feel your cock deep inside of me.”
The rumble of his chest is low and ominous and all I see are the blacks of his eyes. He lifts me by the waist, one arm banded tightly around me, and rips my shorts and underwear off in one swift move.
I’m spun around and he walks until my back hits the wall .
“Be very quiet, baby girl,” he warns, and I nod my head.
Bishop slides his pants down just enough to free his massive cock and runs the head up and down my seam. My eyes close and I long to call out for him.
He pushes slowly inside of me and I feel fuller than ever before.
“Oh god,” I hush. “Your dick is so big. You feel so good, Bishop.”
He buries his head into the crook of my neck and begins to rock in and out of me. My back slinks up and down the wall and I grip him tighter. Around his neck, waist and dick.
He hisses and starts pumping faster. My breaths are falling heavy and I’m feeling the weightlessness start to come in. He connects with my clit and I grind my hips for more friction.
“Like that. More,” I plead.
One of his giant hands slips under my shirt and up to my breast. He tweaks my nipple and it sends a shock straight to my pussy.
I fall into oblivion and whine with pleasure.
“Shh,” he shushes in my ear, then clamps a tight hand around my mouth.
I let my voice free now that the sound is muffled, and moan and mewl. His accuracy at hitting my perfect spot over and over draws out my orgasm until I feel like I may pass out from lack of oxygen. It’s either the orgasm or the fact that his hand is clamped so tightly on my mouth and part of my nose that barely a wisp of air can pass.
My eyes fly open when I reach the pinnacle then let them fall shut again when I climb down.
Bishop’s body begins to jerk and his thrusts dive deeper. “I’m going to pull out.”
“No,” I tell him, though it’s mumbled. He drops his grip on my mouth and I beg, “No please. I need you to come in me. Let me feel you.”
His eyes lock on mine as he continues fucking me. I see and feel the moment he reaches his peak. His body goes tense and his cock throbs inside of me until I feel his hot cum pouring out.
He groans and bites my neck. I suffocate the scream with my hand until his hold o n me relaxes. His forehead rests against mine and our chests rise and fall at the same rapid pace.
“I’m sorry. Was I too rough, baby girl?” he pants.
“No. I want more of it.”
He grins, sated and happy. “Not tonight. Next time. We better get back to our rooms before someone wakes up and notices us missing.”
He sets me down carefully then grabs my shorts while tucking himself in. He kneels at my feet, holding open my shorts for me to step in.
“I need my panties,” I insist.
“Nuh uh. They’re mine now.” He opens his mouth and clamps his teeth onto the lace, letting the panties hang from his mouth.
I laugh at him and step into my shorts, adjusting them when they sit on my hips. With the stealthiness of a spy, he opens the door, peeks out, then quickly ushers me out. We stop at the bottom of the stairs where he kisses me once more then smacks my butt.
“Off you go. Sweet dreams my little butterfly.”
“ ‘Night big guy.” I wink at him and pad softly to the room. As I near it I see the door open and I freeze in my tracks.
A shadowed figure steps out and when she moves into the dim glow of the nightlight, I see Cami’s face with the same look as earlier and approach her with much more caution than I normally would.
I meet her in front of the door and chew on my lip as my fingers twist nervously together. Cami reaches out and pushes my wild curls from my face and gives me a tilted grin.
“Be careful, okay?”
“I don’t–” I try to deny, but it’s useless.
“I talked with Bish, so there’s no use in trying to tell me you were getting a drink of water.” My lip trembles and my eyes fill with tears.
For as cool as Cami is, I doubt she’ll hide something this big from my uncle.
“I’m not going to tell Phoenix. As long as you two come clean after the series. Okay?”
I breathe a sigh of relief and nod my head. “We will. I promise. Thank you, Cami.” I re ach out and hug her, taking care not to squish her belly.
She hugs me back and says, “Now I’m off to find a snack. This kid decided he’s hungry and wants pickles. I know. Weird two a.m. cravings.”
My eyes light up and I ask, “It’s a boy?”
“I don’t know. I just feel like it is. Seems a little weird to say this, but I feel like someone is coming back into my life in a new way.” I watch her eyes glisten before she bats away the tears. “Good night.”
“Good night, Cami.” She moves past me and I watch as he walks out of sight.
I slide the door open and crawl back to my spot where I sleep like a baby.