Among the Echoes(63)

"My parents died in a car accident. They were both killed instantly, but when I was young, I childishly thought, if they had had better doctors, they would have lived." She shrugs.

"Christ," I whisper.

"No, it’s not as bad as it sounds. I was really young. I barely remember them at all. I was just a little girl who dreamed of having a perfect mom and dad and the whole fairytale life. Anyway, it just kind of stuck with me. I remember when my first patient was rushed in from a car accident. It validated me. I felt like all my dreams had come true in just that moment. That’s why I chose emergency medicine. It’s not always fun or exciting, but at the end of the day, I felt like I accomplished something. Some little girl’s parents lived because I was there. I miss it." She swallows hard and looks up at me, barely hiding the tears sparkling in her blue eyes.

"We’ll get you back there." It’s not a lie, but it’s definitely not a promise. I don’t know that she will ever be able to practice medicine again. She seems to know that too because she give me patronizing nod and squeezes me tight.

"Can we stop talking? I just want to feel you." She slides her hand under the waistband of my boxers, gripping my swelling cock.

I’d love nothing more than to feel her too, but not tonight. I reach down, removing her hand. I’ve never rejected her before—and probably won’t ever again—but I can’t do this now.

"Not tonight, beautiful," I say before kissing her forehead.

She blinks at me for a minute then begins nervously chewing on her lip. "Oh. Yeah. Um, it’s been a crazy night. You’ve learned a lot of new things about me and I’m sure you need time to process." She suddenly rolls away from me.

Most nights, we sleep like this, so it takes a few seconds for me to realize that she isn’t just settling in for the night. It’s only when I feel the tiniest of shakes from her back that I realize that she is either crying or desperately fighting it.

"What’s going on, Erica?" I roll her back over.

She doesn’t try to fight me, but she covers her face with her hands. "It’s already different."

"What is?"

"You and me." She sniffs, trying to collect herself. "I hate that you know now. It’s already changing us."

"Yes, it is changing us, and thank Christ for that." Her eyes fly to mine. "For the first time since I met you, we have something real. No more lies or secrets. It’s just us now. And tonight, I don’t want to have sex because I don’t want that real to even be in the same headspace of all that other bullshit you told me earlier." She looks away, and I realize that may not have been the best choice of words. "Look at me, beautiful. Tomorrow, we start over as Slate and Erica. And tomorrow, I’m stripping you naked and having my way with you for the very first time. So I suggest you get some sleep." I wink and her eyes flare.

"Slate, I’ll understand if you need more time. I know this has to change the way you look at me at least a little."

"Oh it really does. Because tomorrow I’m going to be looking up at you from between your legs. Totally different view."

"Jesus, Slate."

"Nothing changes. So get that out of your head. I still want you just as much, if not more than I did before." I grab her ass and grind my hard-on against her just to prove it.

"Now that’s just mean." She throws a leg over my hips and grinds right back against me. I let out a groan and rethink this whole waiting thing, but it’s for the best.

"Go to sleep, Erica."

"Slate," she whispers just as I close my eyes.

"Sleep."

"Thank you."

I don’t respond. I don't need to.





"Erica," Slate whispers into my neck.

For the brief second before I open my eyes, I imagine that I’m back in my small apartment before that horrible night. Perhaps I’m tired from a long shift at the hospital instead of last night’s emotional upheaval. But the one thing I take with me from reality into this fantasy world is Slate.

"Wake up, beautiful."

I feel the covers slide down my chest and his warm mouth latch onto my breast. Without opening my eyes, I play with his hair as his tongue circles my nipple.

"Mmm," I moan, arching my back off the bed.

Never pulling away from my breast, he shifts his body to lie between my legs. There is a sheet dividing us, but it does nothing to stop his hard cock from sliding against my clit. I lift my hips as he rolls his, making for the most amazing spark only Slate can bring me.