Beyond the scare

After sex when we got back home to his place, I immediately took my birth control and then a morning-after pill. Vince quickly got dressed and headed to the store, returning with an absurd number of home pregnancy tests. When he brought them home, I thought there were enough to last an eternity and started using one every other day, well aware that implantation can take two to six weeks.

We continued to have sex often, but during that first week, I made sure to take a morning-after pill afterwards though I continued to take my birth control in the mornings. I knew that after a full week, the birth control would be effective, and we wouldn’t need backup protection. As the weeks slowly passed, the nagging uncertainty weighed on me. Although I didn't think I was having any of the similar symptoms of pregnancy like I had in the past, I was nauseous and couldn’t eat. I wasn't sure if it was just the stress or if I was, in fact, pregnant. We'd been home for three weeks at this point, and for a definite answer, I decided to get a blood test at the doctor's office.

The very next day, a nurse called. "You are not pregnant," she said, her voice clear and kind.

A wave of immense relief washed over me. I thanked her, my voice light with genuine gratitude, then went straight to find Vince.

When I told him, I saw a fleeting look of disappointment in his eyes—he's always wanted kids, a whole bustling house filled with them. But he knows I hate children, with the sole exception of my nieces and nephews. So, seeing the relief that lit up my expression, his own smile broadened. He pulled me into a tight hug, pressing a soft kiss to my hair. "That's fantastic, babe," he murmured. "I'm so happy you got the answer you were hoping for." His understanding of my strong feelings clearly overshadowed his own silent hopes.

To celebrate this relief, we chose our favorite place, Siam Orchid. From the outside, it presented a modest facade, tucked almost shyly between a bustling dry cleaner and a charming little bookstore. Its only real adornment was a simple, elegant sign: a stylized lotus flower etched in gold on dark, polished wood, hinting at the beauty within. Stepping inside was like entering another world entirely. The lighting was soft and warm, casting a gentle glow on the rich crimson walls. These walls, in turn, were adorned with exquisite golden tapestries, meticulously woven with intricate patterns depicting graceful figures from Thai history and serene ancient temples, creating an atmosphere of exotic luxury. The air was a delicate blend of comforting aromas—the bright zest of lemongrass, the creamy sweetness of coconut milk, and a faint, tantalizing whisper of something spicy—while soft, traditional Thai melodies drifted lazily from unseen speakers, effortlessly transporting us far from our everyday lives.

Our favorite server, Mai, a woman with a perpetually kind smile and eyes that crinkled at the corners when she laughed, approached our table. "What wonderful occasion brings you two in tonight?" she asked, her voice melodious, clearly trying to figure out if it was a birthday,  anniversary or other special celebration, as she handed us our menus.

I grinned, still bubbling with relief. "We're celebrating that I'm not pregnant. We did have a scare but we're thankful it didn't come to fruition."

Vince raised his eyebrow playfully. "A cause for celebration, indeed." He chuckled, his thumb gently caressing my thigh near my hip under the table - a familiar and comforting gesture.

We started with their perfectly crispy spring rolls, their delicate, golden-brown wrappers crackling satisfyingly with each bite.

"These are always perfect," I said, dipping one into the sweet chili sauce.

"Seriously, how do they get them so crispy without being greasy?" Vince nodded, already reaching for another.

"It's the magic touch, I guess. You know, I was actually thinking about that new true crime podcast today. Have you listened to the one about the cold case in Norway?" I shook my head, popping another spring roll into my mouth.

 "Not yet, but it's on my list. Tonight, though, my brain needs something lighter. I swear, the last three weeks of waiting felt like an eternity." Vince reached across the table, taking my hand. "I know, babe. It was rough for us – mostly you - but as long as you're happy, then I am as well. But it's over now. What do you think about that new Thai place on Elm Street? We should try it next week."

I squeezed his hand. "Maybe. This place just has my heart, though. And this Pad See Ew..."

For our main courses, I chose my usual: the rich and flavorful Pad See Ew with tender slices of chicken, its wide rice noodles perfectly caramelized and swimming in a savory sauce. Vince, ever the one for a challenge, opted for the Penang Curry with extra spice, his forehead already beading faintly with the pleasant anticipation of its fiery kick.

"Think you can handle it tonight?" I teased, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Only one way to find out," he retorted, his eyes sparkling.

We raised our tall glasses of Singha beer, the cold, crisp lager a welcome contrast to the spice, and clinked them together in a silent, shared toast to freedom and the exciting, open future stretching before us.

"To us," Vince murmured, his gaze warm.

"To not having to buy any more pregnancy tests," I added, taking a long sip. "And to you, always knowing exactly what I want without even asking."

Later that night, back in the familiar, quiet comfort of our bedroom, the celebration took a much more intimate turn. The lingering euphoria from the day, combined with the shared warmth of the celebratory dinner and the sheer relief that permeated the air, ignited a primal current between us. As soon as the door clicked shut, Vince's gaze locked onto mine, dark with a raw, potent hunger. He didn't pull me close for a gentle hug, but rather gripped my hips, pulling me hard against him. As his lips descended, demanding, devouring mine in a fierce, open-mouthed kiss that tasted of spice and beer and pure desire, his hands went to my skirt, hiking it up around my waist, bunching the fabric there. My fingers instantly tangled in his hair, pulling, urging him closer as the kiss deepened, becoming a breathless, insatiable consumption.

He backed me against the wall, his hand slipping under my shirt. He pulled my shirt up and over my head, tossing it aside. He looks a little surprised that I wasn’t wearing a bra. His fingers spread wide over my bare belly, then raked upward, tracing the curve of my ribs to my breast. He paused, his thumb circling my nipple. "Fuck, you're perfect," he rasped, his voice thick with unfulfilled desire. He squeezed gently, his thumb and forefinger teasing my hardened nipple, then leaned down, taking my aching peak into his mouth, drawing a sharp gasp from my lips. His other hand went to the button of my miniskirt, unzipping it with a quick, practiced motion. I reciprocated with equal intent, smoothly undoing his belt, our movements fluid, driven by an urgent need. My mini skirt, already bunched around my waist, was then pulled down and kicked aside. Clothing became an immediate nuisance, swiftly discarded in a frantic flurry, leaving us skin on skin.

The contact was electric, a jolt of pure sensation. He nuzzled into my neck, biting gently, trailing hot kisses down to my collarbone, his tongue swirling around the sensitive peaks of my breasts, sending shivers of pure lust through me. My hands roamed over his back, feeling the hard line of muscle, the warmth of his skin, digging my nails in just slightly as a wave of intense need washed over me. "You want this as much as I do?" he murmured, his voice a low growl, his breath hot against my ear. "Tell me what you crave, baby."

"Every inch of you," I gasped back, my voice raw, my hips already pressing against his. "I need you inside me, now. Don't wait. Please." He lifted me without a word, and carried me to the bed, dropping me onto the cool sheets with a controlled force that was both thrilling and utterly possessive.

The next moments blurred into a symphony of raw touch and uninhibited sound. His body was a heavy, welcomed weight on mine. We moved together, a primal rhythm building with each powerful thrust, each guttural groan. My hips rose to meet his, demanding more, faster.

"God, you feel incredible, so wet for me," he breathed, his voice ragged, as he drove into me with an insatiable hunger, cumming deep inside me.

I couldn't hold back, a sharp, ragged moan escaping my lips, quickly turning into a guttural scream as he buried himself deeper. The air grew thick with our shared gasps, the slap of skin, the desperate sounds of pure pleasure.

“Yes, Vince!" I pleaded, my nails scoring his shoulders, my body arching fiercely to meet every powerful stroke.

Each push, each pull, was deeper, more consuming, until the tension coiled impossibly tight, shattering in a blinding, explosive climax that left us both trembling, tangled in the sheets, utterly spent and completely satisfied.

And it didn't end there. As soon as our breathing steadied, the embers of desire reignited, pulling us back to each other. We shifted, limbs tangling, finding new angles, new pressures. His hand found my inner thigh, tracing a path that made me arch into him.

"You ready for more?" he whispered, his fingers dipping lower, making me gasp.

"More than ready," I managed, my voice breathless.

He answered by pinning my wrists above my head, his mouth claiming mine once more, a long, deep kiss that stole my breath.

"Tell me what you're begging for," he growled against my lips, his hips already starting to move against mine again.

“I want you to fill me, Vince," I panted, my body aching for him. "Don't ever stop."

We found each other again and again through the night, a relentless cycle of craving and satisfaction, our bodies becoming intimately familiar with every curve and hollow, every rise and fall, every gasp and raw scream, him cumming inside me each time. We explored every inch, every sensation, pushing boundaries, shifting positions, until our limbs ached and our voices were hoarse. The moon dipped below the horizon, and the first hint of dawn began to paint the sky, a faint grey light filtering through the blinds, before we finally collapsed, utterly depleted and completely satiated after a night consumed by raw, unbridled passion.

As I was wrapped in Vince's arms, he kissed me softly but passionately, then told me that he loves me. "I love you too," I whispered back, my voice thick with emotion. He pulled back slightly, his eyes shining. "This is something I've been waiting to hear you say for a long time!" he murmured. His mouth claimed mine in an open-mouthed kiss. He rolled me onto my back, spread my legs, mounted me and rode me until we both climaxed and he drained himself in me.