Essentialism (Bridgette & Troy's Story) (17 page)

My cell phone rings, interrupting my daydream, and I wipe the grease off of my hands before answering it. “Hello,” I say leaning up against my Jeep.

“Hey, Troy. It’s Alexa.”

“Oh, hey. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. Can you step away real quick?”

“I’m alone. Bridgette’s sleeping.”

“Really?”

“Uh-huh. Why?”

“Well, she just never naps. I mean she has
never
napped, even when we were kids.”

“Huh. Maybe it’s the altitude,”
or the mind-blowing sex,
I lie and hope she doesn’t question me any further.

“Maybe. So did you get a chance to talk to her about her birthday?”

“Not yet, but I will.”

“All right, will you text me as you soon as you have any ideas?”

“Yeah, for sure.”

“In the meantime, I’ll talk to Cara and Vince and see what we can come up with.”

“Sounds good.”

We hang up and I get back to work, removing the spare and dropping it to the ground. Then I get down and remove the flat, sad one. It’s just ridiculous, that this happened. I make quick work of swapping out the tires and once I have everything tightened up, I give the flat a good look over. There are no puncture marks and nothing is piercing the rubber. I’m going into that tire shop on Monday to give those pricks an earful.

Just as I finish cleaning everything up, Bridgette emerges from the house with a book in her hand and a smile on her face. “Hey, gorgeous. Did you have a nice nap?”

She walks down the stairs and says, “I did, thank you. I can’t remember the last time I was actually able to sleep in the middle of the day.”

“Good, baby.” I go to grab her face but she pulls away.

“You’re dirty.”

I look down at my hands and they’re not that bad. I reach for her but she runs off. “You wouldn’t,” she says and heads up to the top deck.

“I would.”

“Well, here’s a little advice for you – don’t.”

“Or what?”

“You don’t want to find out. Just let me read before we hit the road. I wanna enjoy the serenity up here one last time. It kills me that we have to leave today.”

“Fine,” I grumble walking away. “What are you reading?”

“It’s a new book by L. Sidon.”

“Huh. I didn’t know you liked to read.”

“Yeah, I always have.”

“Is it good?”

“Yeah. It’s pretty fucked up, but it’s a great story and there’s some hot sex in it.”

“Oh, sounds interesting. Do you have one of those reading thingies?” She laughs at me as I put the last of the tools in the Jeep and close it up. “What?”

“Troy, you can’t be serious.” She closes her book and I stalk towards her.

“You better stop laughing at me, if you know what’s good for you.”

She heaves over in her chair amused, clearly not taking me seriously. Once I reach her, I take the grease-covered rag that I just cleaned my hands with and grab her tit, squeezing it hard through her white tank top. She freezes and looks from my hand to my eyes. I smile and remove it, dragging the rag across her chest, leaving a trail of grease.

“Troy, I’m gonna kill you!” she yells, bolting out of her seat and running after me. I sprint into the house and she follows me.
Damn, she’s fast.
I throw the towel at her and fly up the stairs, heading straight for the bedroom. I know there’s a lock on that door. Just as I go to close it, she squeaks in. I put my hands up signaling defeat and slowly walk backwards. She marches towards me with irritation in her eyes.

I can’t help but smirk at her. “Do you see what you did to me?” she asks trying her hardest to maintain her composure.

“You were laughing at me,” I contend.

“Well, now you’re going to have to pay for it.”

She walks me all the way into the bathroom. I reach for her, but she skims out of my grasp and breezes past me, starting the shower. Taking her time, she slides out of her clothes and stands before me naked. My cock throbs, wanting her. I adjust my shorts and lean against the sink adoring the perfection that is her body.

“Don’t do this,” I plead.

“Don’t try and guilt me now, Troy. You did this.”

She steps into the shower and lets water cascade down her sweet body. Her nipples harden from the temperature change and she pinches them, pulling out and squeezing hard.
Goddamn it.
I lunge towards her and she puts her hand up, stopping me. I take a deep breath, pushing aside my frustration, and pull my shorts down, gripping my cock. If she’s going to make me watch this, I need relief. My dick is about to explode, so I move my hand up and down my length. She smirks at me and fills her hand with soap, drenching her body in it and washing away the grease.

She rinses clean and cups her sex. Her small hand finds her delectable cunt and the moment her fingers sink between those smooth folds – I lose it. I attack her, pinning her against the cold tile wall. She spreads her legs for me and I sink inside of her. She’s so ready; my cock slides in effortlessly. “Do you like to tease me?”

I begin to move and clasp her hands behind her back. She moans and moves her ass pushing against me. “Tell me. Do you find pleasure in teasing me?” Her words are inaudible. “I didn’t like that. I’m the only one who pleasures you, understand?”

“Mmmm.”

Letting go of her hands, I move mine around and touch her clit, rubbing it aggressively as I fuck her. Jesus, she’s something else. Her noises are so sexy and hot that they set me on fire. It’s still hard to comprehend how fast she pushes me to climax. No woman has ever done that before. She tightens around my shaft, pulling my orgasm to fruition. Releasing her hands, I bind my arms around her body holding her tightly. Then I close my eyes and explode, coming far inside of her. My noises tell her to let go and on cue she does, coming with me. I can’t help, but nip and suck her shoulder as we stand together. I just want this feeling – this moment – with her to last forever.

Looking over at Bridge, she’s fast asleep and it has to be one of the sweetest sights ever. I could watch her for an eternity. Unfortunately, I can’t. Work calls and it absolutely rakes my heart to leave her. Damn, I’m falling fast. Taking my hand, I sweep the hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear. This might be fast, but she’s totally worth it.

Pressing my lips to hers, I breathe her in. It’s about six in the morning. We had a late night so I won’t wake her. I leave a few kisses on her neck and shoulder, then cover her up and slide out the front door. I feel safe leaving her at my place. Although, I shouldn’t be worried – Vincent said the grounds security at Bridgette’s condo are keeping an extra eye on things. Plus, she was smart enough to not give David the gate code when he came over. I hate even thinking his name; it sickens me. Maybe I’ll get lucky enough to run into him alone and give him a taste of his own medicine. I would force my fist on him and see how he fucking likes it.

My knuckles are white on the steering wheel and I loosen my grip. She’s safe and in my bed. I pull into the parking lot of the station and all is quiet. Well, it’s early as hell. I park and walk up the stairs to the firehouse. A few of the guys are in the kitchen making breakfast, while the others are packing up to leave.

“Morning.”

“Hey, Troy,” they say and I walk to my bed, leaving my bag, and run smack dab into Abel.

“Hey, what’s up, man?” he says.

“Not much. How are you?”

“I’m good. How was your time off?”

“It was great, thanks for letting me have the extra day.”

“Oh, no problem, man. Nothing exciting happened here.”

“Good. How’s Cara?”

“She’s great. Did you hear we have a date to move into the new place?”

“Nah, man, I didn’t. When is it?”

“This weekend. You down to help?”

“Of course. If you can get me out of work.”

“Consider it done.”

“Are you getting excited?”

“Extremely, I never knew I would feel like this.”

“I know what you mean. Fucking Bridgette, dude, she’s something else.”

“Yeah?” he questions.

“Yeah, I think I’m falling for her.”

“That’s good, bro. She’s a good girl. Let it happen; don’t fight it.”

“Don’t you think it’s a little too soon?”

He punches my shoulder and says, “Not when you find the one, it’s not.”

He walks off and leaves me standing alone contemplating his words. Is she the one? No way. That is absolute crazy talk. We just met, but she does accept me and I know I don’t want anyone else. Thinking of not being with her makes me sick. I shake off the feeling as Abel calls us over for our morning meeting and let go of the whirlwind swirling through my mind.

“Morning, guys. I take it that everyone had a nice weekend?” We all agree and he continues. “Good, good. Well, it’s business as usual around here. Tom is going to be stopping by in the next few days, so make sure the trucks and the bays are in tip top shape. Also, Troy needs this weekend off; are there any volunteers to work his shifts?”

A few of the guys grumble. “He just had yesterday off,” Sam says under his breath.

“Yes, he did, Sam,” Abel says. “Thank you for pointing that out. He needs this weekend off to help me move. So unless any of you would rather help
both
Cara and I move, I suggest someone volunteers for him.”

“I’ll do it,” Matt says.

“Thanks, Matt,” I say.

“Yes, thank you,” Abel says. “You all know your duties, so unless anyone has anything else to add, this meeting is over.

As I walk down the stairs, the August sun is hot on my back. I pull my shirt off and walk into the bay. I notice myself paying extra attention to the bench where Bridgette sat not too long ago while I fixed her finger. Things were so innocent and cute then; now I would love to have my way with her on that bench. In fact, I would tie her to it.

“Earth to Troy? You gonna answer your phone, dude?” Matt asks.

I realize then that it’s ringing and pull it out of my pocket. There’s my girl on the screen, splayed across the bed this weekend with her mane of hair sprawled around her. “Hey, baby.”

“Hi,” she responds in a raspy voice.

“How are you?”

“Tired,” she yawns. “And wondering why I’m alone in your bed.”

I growl a little thinking of her, naked under the covers and alone. “Trust me, I didn’t want to leave you. There’s something about watching you sleep.”

“Mmmm,” she sighs heavily and asks, “Do you still wanna have lunch today?”

With a cocky ass grin on my face I say, “Of course.”

“Good, I’ll see you later then?”

“Yes, baby, you will.”

Neither of us wants to hang up. This is shit I did in high school. What am I doing it for now? I’m a grown ass man. Finally, we get off the phone and I walk over to help the guys clean the rig. It’s a shame it’s not lunchtime now. My filthy mind is missing my girl and her lips.

I pull my head out of the gutter and think about her birthday. Alexa is going to be calling soon and I need to have some good ideas. I can’t tell her that I want to tie Bridgette to my bed and stay inside her all day.

We finish washing the truck and I hop in the shower, before I go meet Bridge. I wanna be clean for her. I know she’ll want my cock; she always does.

I park in front of her work and check my phone as I walk up to the building. When I look up, I notice her and Alexa outside. They are seated on one of the benches and deep in conversation. I don’t want to interrupt them, but I glance at the time and it’s 11:58; I’m only a few minutes early. I think about waiting, until I see Bridgette brush tears off her cheek with the back of her hand. No way will I wait when I know my girl is upset. As I approach, they embrace one another. Bridge has her face towards me and I can see how deeply upset whatever they are talking about has made her.

“Hey,” I say. She looks up at me and Alexa releases her. I sit next to them and she turns, clinging to me. “What’s wrong?” I ask almost laughing with how tightly she grips on to me.

The moment I hear the sobs leave her throat, I know something is terribly wrong. The noise breaks my heart. “It’s all right, baby. I’m here.” Those are the only words that I speak, but I don’t even know if they are what she needs. For me, I need to fix this. I say them almost more for myself.

“Do you want me to tell him, sweetie, or would you rather?” Alexa asks.

Bridgette pulls away from the comfort of my arms and in that moment, I don’t give a fuck what’s wrong, I want her back in my hold. Seeing her tear-stained face is heart wrenching. It absolutely kills me. Her eyes are puffy and swollen, their normal clarity lacking. What were once bright green are now covered with a gloss of pain.

Finally, she speaks, “Lex, you tell him. You got the call and know more.”

I kiss the top of her head and she locks her arms around my body as her sister begins to speak. “I got a call this morning from our estranged father, Robert. Let’s just say I was shocked and wanted to slam the phone down. He begged me to hear him out; he said Bridgette and I are his only shot at surviving cancer.”

Bridgette clutches me more tightly when her sister says, “his only shot.” I grab her face and pull her lips to mine wanting to calm her hurt – her suffering – and take away her anxiety about the situation. I’ll do anything to make it go away. As I press her lips to mine she lets out a deep sigh and Alexa continues. “The cancer has spread through his entire system. In order for him to have a fighting chance, his whole immune system needs to be wiped out. Typically they would just take his healthy stem cells, but they are infected. He needs a transplant and asked if Bridgette and I would consider being tested to see if either of us is a match.”