Page 52 of Tainted Love

His lips find their way to my neck, leaving hot trails of desire and a deep masculine growl. Pressing myself back into him, I hear him release another primal groan from deep within his throat. He responds by pushing against me harder, his hand tightening and flexing on my hip as his hard cock rubs between my ass checks.

I’m testing him, teasing him, pushing the limits to see how far he’ll take this dangerous game we’re playing. And at this moment, I’m not sure what I want from it—until his hand grips the satin fabric of my underwear tightly, pulling them taut against my center and sending sparks of pleasure coursing through my body, making me squirm uncontrollably.

The sensation of his hot breath fanning across the back of my neck sends shivers down my spine. His deep chuckle mocks me as he releases my panties and slips his hand underneath from behind. With one hand gripping my throat firmly, he uses the other to explore my soaking-wet slit.

I’m completely at his mercy, and the smug satisfaction I picture on his face only fuels my desire. He teases me relentlessly, running his fingers up and down, up and down, until they find their way to my throbbing clit.

Instantly, my body is set ablaze with pleasure. Sweat beads on my upper lip as I struggle to catch my breath, my desire for him growing more intense by the second. As he flicks and rubs at my swollen bundles of nerves, I can feel myself getting closer to the edge.

But just as I am about to tip over, he stops and centers his middle finger at my entrance, a silent command for me to take control and ride it. Without hesitation, I shamelessly rock my hips back and forth, eager for more of his touch. He adds a second finger, and soon his two fingers are pumping inside of me while his index finger continues its relentless assault on my clit.

The sound of our heavy breathing fills the room as I surrender to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through me. And finally, with a burst of intensity that leaves me seeing stars behind closed eyes, I explode on his hand.

For a brief moment, I’m lost in a warm and content bliss before he gets up from the bed and leaves me alone, bringing me back to reality with a jolt. The click of the door closing echoes in my ears as I struggle to come down from the high of pure ecstasy he has given me.

I draw my knees close to my chest and curl into a tight ball, feeling the cool sheets against my skin. My mind is a jumbled mess, struggling to process what just happened.

In the midst of my confusion, Michael returns to the room. Despite the chaos in my head, a small part of me still longs for his touch, his comfort. But after what we just experienced, can I allow myself to be so vulnerable again? What kind of relationship are we creating here?

My thoughts are interrupted as he crawls into bed, still wearing only his loose sweatpants. Quickly, I excuse myself and slip out of bed, needing some space to collect my thoughts.

I take a few deep breaths in the bathroom before cleaning myself up. The cold water on my face brings me back to reality, and I stare at my reflection in the mirror. My green eyes seem to hold all the questions and uncertainties plaguing my mind. But I’m too physically and emotionally drained to dwell on them for long. I make my way back to bed, where Michael is peacefully sleeping.

As I cautiously slide under the covers, not wanting to disturb him, he instinctively pulls me closer until our bodies are pressed together. Despite my inner turmoil, the warmth of his embrace helps me relax and eventually drift off into a peaceful sleep. Or perhaps the release of tension from earlier aided in my slumber. Either way, I am content being wrapped in his arms for now.

Chapter 22

“Love My Way”

Taz - Age 18, 1988

The air buzzes with excitement for the talent show tonight. We’re all standing backstage in our New Kids on the Block costumes, ready to bring the house down. Knowing he's been dreading this performance, I shoot Landry a mischievous grin.

I can’t resist teasing him further, “How about you, Chewbacca? Ready to unleash your inner dancer?” Landry’s stern glare silences me before I can continue, warning me not to provoke him, so I take a step behind Delzy for protection.

I know he’s still seething from our prank of toilet-papering his house the other night. He said he spent the entire morning cleaning every last piece, even climbing on a ladder to reach the highest spots. He reported that retribution would be swift and well-deserved.

I suspect some of his mood also concerns Kerri, the hottie little farmgirl he’s crushing on. We can’t quite figure her out yet. She’s kind, beautiful, authentically adorable, and guarded—not unlike someone else I know.

Kerri likes Landry, and it’s obvious to anyone with eyes, but she’s determined to keep him friend-zoned. I’m sure he’s frustrated. I know how difficult it is to want to be close to a girl who pushes you away. I feel for him. But I also don’t want to get hurled off the stage, WWF-style, so I’ll give him a wide berth.

Stepping onto the dimly lit stage, we prepare to dazzle the audience with our funky-fresh moves. I am the lone natural dancer in our group, but my friends have agreed to join me to make the girls laugh and spend precious time together before graduating high school.

In just a few short weeks, everything will come to a halt. It’s astonishing how quickly this year has flown by. We avoid acknowledging it, but the reality is looming over us.

Delzy will be off to Boston soon, a detail he has yet to share with his girlfriend. I can understand why— Ivy’s not like everyone else. She’s more tied to this small town than the rest of us since she lost so much of her childhood here. She may not be ready for the changes ahead.

I got every piece of my childhood, and it was a constant string of shitty experiences. I can’t wait to escape this place. This town offers me nothing but Gram and Sascha’s family.

My plan is to breeze through college as quickly as possible and then go pro. It doesn’t matter where I play as long as I can bring Gram.

Leaving Sascha behind will be tough. We’ve grown closer than ever in these past few weeks and I hope we can continue on this path for a while longer. But I’m also realistic. I know long-distance relationships are difficult for her, and it’s unlikely we’ll be able to keep things going once I leave. That’s okay, though. I’m more of a “live in the moment” guy.

The talent show was perfect. With my killer choreography, it’s no surprise that we won the trophy. The energy was high, and everyone was in great spirits afterward, basking in our victory.

Delzy dedicated the victory to Ivy, and then they kissed in front of a chorus of cheers from the excited crowd. I wouldn’t have thought so, but I almost wish I could do the same with Sash. She’d never allow it, of course. Whatever we do under the cover of night is never discussed in the sunlight, but holding her hand in public might feel good. I guess I’m getting soft. Who knew?

I’m waiting for Sascha to get out of the shower so I can jump in, and I must have fallen asleep on my bed because minutes later, I’m startled by the sound of my bedroom door opening and clicking shut.