33. Veronica

Chapter 33

Veronica

I swung Eli’s hand in mine as we left the oncologist’s office. He smiled back at me, squeezing my hand in his.

“That was good news,” I said, unable to keep the grin off my face.

“Yeah, it was. The best news.” He bent over to kiss me quickly before we continued down the hall. I know I couldn’t wait to get out of there, and I’m sure he felt the same. I was free for another year.

I’d gotten lucky with this check-up. According to all the scans and lab results, I was still in remission. My oncologist had given me the stamp of approval. Today was a good day.

The clinic corridor echoed around us, and people gave us a wide berth—the heavily muscled man in a dark leather jacket and the pale girl beside him. We didn’t fit in, but I learned early on that you never knew what people in hospitals or doctor’s offices were experiencing. You should check your assumptions at the door. Disease and illness came for everyone, no matter what size, color, or age.

Eli radiated good health, and I noticed a few residents who hurried by, casting him admiring glances. Little did they know that other challenges brewed beneath the surface. Eli’s trauma wasn’t visible. He still suffered from nightmares.

Both Eli and I had suffered our own experiences with horrors in our past, and we were determined to cherish every moment together for however long we could. I gripped Eli’s hand tighter. I was so lucky and thankful. That was enough for me.

“Ready for the ride back, my little daredevil?”

“Absolutely.” Lowering my voice, I added,” Don’t forget your promise.” I was already soaking wet just thinking about what I’d gotten him to agree to. One of my fantasies had been to ride on the back of his bike. He’d agreed that since today might have been a shitty day that we could bring the bike for a ride. Already, it had exceeded my expectations. He drove so fast, weaving back and forth through traffic. To me, it felt like we were on the edge of death every time he gunned it and dodged between lanes and cars. I was scared shitless and loved it.

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten.” He walked a little quicker, so quick that I almost had to run to keep up with him down the hallway.

Before long, Eli had me back on his bike, sliding the helmet over my hair. Latching onto him, we rocketed off through the city, Eli managing to maintain that razor’s edge that always had me guessing if he was riding with more skill or reckless abandon.

I was more excited this time about what was about to happen than the ride, although it still thrilled me. It felt like we could crash any second, and the aspect of danger did something to me. Something was genuinely wrong with me that this turned me on so much. Eli pulled the bike off the freeway and down into what looked like a not-so-nice section of town — abandoned. He absently rubbed my thigh with one hand as he angled the bike through the narrow alleys.

It was quiet, not a soul in sight, the buildings high enough that they blocked the light as he pulled the bike to a stop, put his feet down, and drew off his helmet and then mine, hooking them to the handlebars. I knew what came next — or I hoped I did .

He pulled his fingers through his hair, turning his eyes towards me. He looked hungry, as if he were going to devour me whole. I couldn’t wait.

“So my dirty girl wanted to be fucked is that right?” I bobbed my head against his shoulder.

He picked me up and spun me around to face him. “You said you wanted to fuck outside on the bike. Is that right?” I nodded. That was exactly right. I wanted him to take me on the bike. It probably wasn’t practical, but he’d been working with me to make a bucket list. Leukemia might come back, or my lungs could get worse. Either way, I wanted to experience things.

He lay me back against the tank, anchoring me tightly against his hips. “I’m not even going to take your pants all the way off to fuck this pussy.” He rubbed his thumb between my legs hard, making me moan. “I’ll bet you’re so wet right now. Not wet enough. It’s going to burn taking my cock this way. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

“Yes. I want it. Give it to me.” I wanted it all. I wanted all of him — rough, gentle, and dirty.

He wiggled my pants off and pushed them toward my chest, and released his cock from his jeans, pre-cum already leaking down the tip. We both knew I was soaking wet. There was never a time that I wasn’t. For some reason, Eli turned me on all the time. Without a preamble, he thrust into me, making me throw my head against the tank as he worked back and forth into my pussy.

“Fuck,” he growled. “You’re just going to let me use this little cunt of yours? Does my little slut need to come? Is that it?” he rocked up into me, placing one hand under my ass and one hand on my pussy, rubbing firmly on my clit. “I love you like this.” His teeth found my neck and took a slight nip, sending a zing straight to my crotch.

“Yes,” I groaned. My body strained as the orgasm swept through me in a blaze, and I threw my head back as I came looking up at the sky.

He grasped me to him. “I love you, Veronica. Don’t ever doubt it. It’s you and me, angel girl. Forever.”

“I love you too, Eli. You and me.”

He pulled his cock out, and I almost protested. It was hurting to hold my legs like this, but he pumped his cock hard in his hand and came right onto my pussy with a groan. Easing my legs down, he watched me momentarily while he rubbed a hand over my chest.

“You okay? ”

“Yeah.” I nodded happily. It hadn’t been the best position for me as far as breathing went, but it had been a hell of an orgasm, and I’d gotten what I’d asked for. Bucket list item checked.

Helping me off the bike to get dressed and put on our helmets, he bent for a minute and picked up a small rock. Eli was still leaving me presents every few days. I had a small bucket of them now. I wondered if I would have an entire rock garden as the years went by. He handed me his choice, which I took and slid into my pocket.

“So why the rocks?” I asked. Eli’s eyes widened with surprise his hands stilling for a moment.

“I thought you knew.” Then his lips tipped up in a sheepish grin. “There was a book that I’d borrowed from the library. I was just a kid, and I was still learning about stuff. It was about penguins. I thought they were so funny looking.” His eyes glazed over as he remembered when he had been trying to learn stuff on his own. It made my heart break for him.

“I like penguins,” I volunteered, and Eli rewarded me with an approving nod as he helped me fasten my helmet.

“Well, penguin males are smart. They give rocks to females that they hope to mate with, you see? The rocks are to cover the ground where the nest is supposed to go. I thought it was hilarious the first time I read about it … because penguins don’t have hands. Then I realized the commitment that they had.” He looked at me earnestly. “To carry each rock one at a time in their beaks. It was crazy to me.”

“I do see,” I said solemnly. It all made perfect sense to me. The stone was snug in my pocket, and I’d make sure it was with the rest. Eli had been giving me gifts to me to build a life. I understood now. One stone at a time, he’d been showing his commitment.