Ain't No Sunshine

Our alone time doesn’t last long as partygoers trickle outside. I push Cory deeper into the corner of the patio, releasing her face before grabbing her by the legs and lifting her into the air. She wraps herself around my body, just like she has a million times before, and moans when her core meets my hardness.

My hips move instinctively as I squeeze Cory’s ass and try to pull her even closer. She grinds against me, matching my desperation with her own and then whispers in my ear. “We need privacy.” Fuck!

Despite the now packed patio, no one’s paying us attention as the fireworks and celebrations drown out everything else in the world. I rush us inside, to the first bathroom I can find, and lock the door behind us. When the light flicks on, I take in my surroundings and move towards the vanity, lowering Cory onto the counter.

The second her ass touches the cold surface; she pushes me away and jumps to her feet before spinning in my arms and leaning back against my chest. She rubs herself into my groin, working me until I’m at breaking point, and places her hands on the counter in front of her, arching her back to give me the most amazing view.

My hands move to the hem of her dress as I look up into the mirror. When my eyes catch hers in our reflection, her face flashes with a foreign expression. Something void of emotion. “I need you to be rough, Nate.” What? My brows furrow in confusion. ”I need you to forget who I am and lose control.” Again, what? That’s not happening. Ever.

Ignoring her words, I slide my fingers between her legs to distract her, but it doesn’t work. Shegrabs my hand and raises it to her neck, squeezing us both until I’m sure it must hurt her.

“Cory, stop!” I yell, ripping my hand away as I step back, my eyes widening in shock. “What the hell are you doing? This isn’t you.”

“No, but it’s you, right? That’s how you like it?” What the fuck?

“Liv told me everything… How you prefer rough sex, how you trash things when you’re angry,” she seethes, moving away from me like I’m going to hurt her.

I take a step toward her and reach out a hand. “Cory, I’d never—”

She slaps my hand away, cutting me off. “I didn’t believe her at first, given that I thought I knew everything about you. But then, by the pool, I saw it. You smashed that statue so easily, without even flinching. And just now, I could feel you holding back. Why would you keep those things secret, Nate?”

I stare at her in shock, taking in her words until she shakes her head and turns away.

“God, Cory. I don’t know. It rarely happens when I’m with you. I just didn’t think about it,” I cry out, gripping my shoulder with a grimace. “I’ve only been that angry twice since we met, and both times were when I thought I was going to lose you. And I was right. I lost you. Of course, I was angry. But Cory, I’d never hurt you. I’ve never taken that anger out on another person. Ever.” My voice breaks, and my chest tightens as tears prick my eyes. How could she think that about me? After all we’ve been through.

She’s silent for a moment but then mumbles something I can’t hear.

“Sorry, I didn’t get that,” I rasp, my voice full of emotion as it clogs my throat.

“What about the sex?” Huh? “Why don’t you ever let yourself go with me?”

“Despite what Liv may have told you, I don’t only like it rough. I’m not… I mean… Fuck!”

Running my hand through my hair, I growl in exasperation. How the fuck do I explain this?

My phone rings in my pocket, but I ignore it. Nothing is more important than this moment, right here.

“Cory, I don’t want—”

Fuck! My phone rings again, cutting me off. I rip it from my jeans and silence it before throwing it on the counter.

“Cory, I’ve never even wanted to be rough with you. The way we… our… making love to you is far better than any rough sex I’ve ever had. The sex Liv’s talking about is emotionless. When I lose all control and don’t even care. I could never be that way with you because I love you too much.” There! Finally…

She looks at me skeptically and opens her mouth to respond. From her expression, I’m not going to like what she says.

My phone lights up and vibrates on the laminate counter, drawing both our eyes. As soon as I see the name on the screen, I deflate. Of course, this would happen.

I expect Cory to get mad, maybe even storm out. What I don’t expect is for her to answer the call, put it on speaker, and then shove it in my face. I’m too shocked to talk until Liv’s voice whines in my ear.

“Are you ignoring me, babe?” I cringe at the term of endearment before clearing my throat. “I told you I was going to call you after midnight. Why’d it take so long for you to answer?” she continues.

I grunt by way of response; unsure of what else I can say.

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you talking? It doesn’t sound very loud there. I thought you’d head out and celebrate.”

Fuck! Why won’t she take a hint that I’m not interested in talking to her? “Happy New Year, Liv. I’ve got to go.” I need her off the phone, stat.

“Wait!” she calls, and for some stupid reason, I don’t hang up. Fuck my life. “I wanted to let you know I’m looking forward to seeing you over spring break. It will be good to have you home for more than two days.”