Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(52)

For some reason I felt like this encounter had to somehow go above and beyond the others. It was as if I wanted to prove I could be all he ever needed. What struck me as odd was the fact that I knew he wasn’t leaving me to go back to his wife or be with another woman. He was leaving for one of the most unselfish reasons possible. Chad was a father before anything else. My respect for him was endless, but with that came the brutal truth of knowing he wouldn’t be coming back to me, at least not for a long time.

There were some things better left unsaid. While he continued leaving a trail of kisses down between my legs, I battled my inner demons. At any second I knew I’d be in a puddle of tears. The room would be quiet, and Chad would be gone.

My emotions were unhinged. I longed for resolution, coming up with only a million reason why I couldn’t beg him to change his mind.

Chad didn’t stop lapping my * until I cried out, filling the room, and possibly my neighbors with a euphoric bellow.

Chad waited a few seconds before bringing his lips to mine. He held me close, our hot bodies sticking together. I don’t remember the moment he slipped inside of me. One minute he was pressed at my opening, and the next moving at a slow pace. We rocked together, making passionate love. We were soaked with sweat, switching positions so each of us could have a turn resting. With Chad’s first load spent, he was able to withstand our love making without having to take long breaks. As the sun began to rise outside, we lay together, him still inside of me from an hour before. The ceiling fan was our only air, keeping our bodies at a comfortable temperature. I knew we couldn’t stay like this forever, but at least we were cherishing what time we had left.

With no sleep for either of us, it was obvious we both weren’t in any condition to have a heart to heart. My senses, tired, yet still heightened, begged me to leave well enough alone. This wasn’t goodbye forever. Neither of us were going to let that happen. If I had to wait the whole nine months before I felt his touch again I knew it would be worth it.

The inevitable was about to happen. As soon as Chad got up to use the bathroom I knew he was preparing to leave. I followed him, turning on the shower and stepping inside, keeping the glass door open for him to join me. When I turned back to glance in his direction he was already a few feet away. “If you keep this up I’m never going to go.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought my hungry lips to his. “I’d like that.”

“I know you would. If there was a way, Rach.”

“Don’t talk, Chad. Just hold me here for a little while longer.”

He separated us, forcing me to look into his eyes. “I can’t do this. I need to be able to talk to you, to see and touch you. Veronica can’t keep us apart.”

“Do what she says for now. Keep her content until we can figure out a way for you to have everything you want. I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I’ll wait for as long as it takes. I might be an old lady when you come back, and you might not even want me anymore, but my heart will remain yours. Until then, we’ll talk, we’ll call, we can even video chat. This isn’t the end. I know it feels like it is, but you and I can’t end. I think we’ve determined it’s impossible.”

He wiped the falling tears from my cheeks. “Nothing, Rach. Nothing will keep me from coming back to you.”

I never expected Chad to step out of the shower. I knew better than to race after him. He was losing it and didn’t want me to see. While I collapsed onto the shower floor, I listened for the sound my front door made. It didn’t take him long, or maybe my emotions wouldn’t let me keep track of time. All I knew was that he was gone and I was left wondering if and when I’d ever hear from him again.



I didn’t bother washing, or even putting clothes on. I climbed right back in the bed we’d made love in and wept for hours on end.

A full day went by with no messages from Chad. Unbeknownst to me, I did have a call from Charles’ attorney regarding the reading of his will. Apparently he’d left something to me. I couldn’t think of anything else he’d want me to have, but appreciated the sentiment.

What worried me was having to sit in a room with Chad and his wife and pretend I wasn’t falling apart.

That night I got my first message from Chad. It was an unknown number with a Maryland area code. The text came through on my phone, but since I was praying for some kind of contact from him, I opened it immediately.



This number is just for you. Call me whenever you want. If I’m available I’ll answer. I miss you. I love you. – Chad



I’m going nuts already. Don’t worry about missing me. You’ll see me in the morning at the attorney’s office. – Rachel



What? My grandfather left you something. I’m not surprised. You’re highly lovable. I wish I could hold you in my arms. It’s going to be hard to fight from touching you. – Chad



Same. Maybe we could both take a bathroom break at the same time. – Rachel



That’s a terrible idea, but I’ll do it if you will. – Chad



Let’s try to behave. – Rachel



How are you, Rach? I’m worried about you. I wanted to call yesterday, but the girls were around all day. I ordered this phone and had it delivered to Gracie’s house. Veronica doesn’t know about it, and she’s not going to. She can’t keep us apart. – Chad