Tinder Ella: A Modern Day Single Dad Fairy-Tale Read online

  “I had a bad dream about Hampy again.” She rubs her eyes and blinks toward the door. “Who’s that?” She points at Ella.

  “That’s a friend of mine,” I answer.

  “Hi.” Chloe waves. “I’m Chloe. What’s your name?” she repeats the introduction I’ve taught her for when she meets new people.

  “Hi, Chloe, I’m Ella.”

  “Hey, remember I told you Hampy isn’t real, right? You don’t have to worry about him. It’s not a real spider, it’s just a bad dream.” I try to reason with her, but a four-year-old isn’t always the most reasonable creature.

  “No, it is real,” she insists. “I saw him. He was over on my window and he smiled at me, but it was like a creepo smile, like this.” She gives me a sinister look that makes it all too clear why they always use little kids in horror movies.

  “Whoa! That is a creepy smile.” I pretend to jump back and Chloe giggles. “I’ll tell you what. Would you like a glass of water? That might make you feel better.”

  “No, I’m not thirsty, Daddy,” she explains like I’m the child. “I’m scared.”

  “You know, where I grew up there were loads of spiders,” Ella speaks from the door.

  I almost forgot she was even standing there.

  “Really?” Chloe’s eyes lock onto her, sizing her up.

  “Yup, it’s true. And I was really scared of them too.” Ella walks into the room and kneels down at the side of Chloe’s bed so they’re at eye level when she talks to her.

  “So, what did you do?” If Chloe is freaked out by me having an unfamiliar woman in the house, she isn’t showing it. She’s almost acting like she’s totally forgotten about me, focusing solely on Ella.

  “I didn’t know what to do, but my mom did. She used to sing a special song that made all the spiders go away. Not many people know it, but I do. Would you like me to sing it for you?”

  “Yes!” Chloe flops back in her bed, her head crashing into her pillow, as she smiles. “Can you sing it now, Ella?”

  “I’d love to, but just know once I sing this song all the spiders are going to be scared away. So Hampy won’t be back tonight. Did you want to say goodbye to him first?” She smiles down at my daughter and I can’t help the warmth that wraps around my heart.

  “No way! See ya later, stink spider!” Chloe giggles and then goes back to being serious, waiting for her song.

  For a moment, the room is silent as Ella seems to try to recall the words. Just when I think maybe there isn’t a real song to be sung, she opens her mouth and in a beautiful voice she begins to sing in Spanish:

  “Arrorró mi niño,

  arrorró mi sol,

  arrorró pedazo,

  de mi corazón.

  Este niño lindo

  ya quiere dormir;

  háganle la cuna

  de rosa y jazmín.”

  Chloe yawns wide and settles into her pillow, her eyelids fluttering closed like Ella just cast some kind of magic spell on her. I’ve never seen her fall asleep so peacefully after having one of her spider dreams.

  “Sweet dreams, child,” Ella whispers and stands back up, softly padding her feet across the floor over to me.

  “That was incredible.” I pull her into me and run my hand through her long, flowing hair. “You’re going to have to teach me that witchcraft,” I tease her.

  “It’s just a Colombian lullaby.” She smiles up at me, her face so beautiful, her spirit so amazing, her body so perfect, I just can’t resist the temptation anymore.

  “Well, you can sing me to sleep anytime.” I grab her hands and walk backward as I lead her down the hall to my room.

  Ella looks uncertain, but she follows me as I open my bedroom door and flick on the light. “Why would I sing you to sleep?” She giggles and I shut the door behind us.

  “You’re right.” I smirk. “Why sing me to sleep? I can think of much more fun ways to tire each other out.”

  19

  Ella

  My feet are floating above the floor, letting Jackson guide me into his room. My mind is firing off with a million thoughts per second.

  Am I ready for this? What time is it? Do I have to head back soon? Should I tell him I’m a virgin? Am I going to be terrible at this? Should I check my phone and see if Sylvia has been trying to get a hold of me? Are my fingers shaking? How do I stop them from doing that? Why is my mouth so dry?

  “Are you all right?” Jackson’s eyes travel over my face and his fingertips brush the fallen strands of hair from my forehead. “You look a little tense.” He softly drags the pads of his fingers down the edge of my jaw and tilts up my chin until I’m facing him. He won’t let me hide behind my curtain of hair. It’s touching to see that he’s so concerned about me. It’s clear to see that from the flat line of his lips and the slight lines across his forehead.

  “I’m just a little worried about the time, that’s all.” I can’t face the intensity of his eyes. I don’t know how to tell him that part of me is nervous about the hours getting away from me. However, the bigger part, the part that’s fighting the slight tremor in my limbs, is nervous about the fact that I’ve never done this before. I’ve never even been in a man’s room before.

  “The time?” The tension eases from his face and he nods over to the alarm clock next to his bed. “It’s not that late. Eight-fifty-three,” he reads out the red numbers to me. “What are you so worried about? Are you going to turn into a pumpkin if you stay out too late?” He chuckles and threads his fingers through my hair, pulling me into him tight with his other arm.

  I breathe him in, my body reacting instinctively as my nipples grow taut and heat kisses my skin. I might not know what I’m doing, but I definitely know what feels right. This. Being next to him. In his arms. Under his control. This is more right than anything I’ve ever known. Jackson leans into me, hovering his lips just over mine until there’s a tingle between us without even touching. I ache for his kiss. My eyelids flutter closed and a soft moan escapes my lips as he finally blankets my mouth with his.

  His kiss is tender and sweet, like the fresh honey I used to buy at the market in Colombia. But, as he pulls me in closer, our lips part and his tongue finds mine. His hips grind forward and his rigid, thick erection presses into me. The kiss goes from sweet honey to the smoky, deep heat of Aji Picante.

  Jackson walks me backward toward the bed and the mattress hits me unexpectedly behind the knees, making me plop down. I look up at him, breathing in rapid, shallow breaths. My eyes grow wide as I glance down at the shameless bulge in his pants. I want to run my hand over it. I want to open his jeans and rub my palm against his shaft as I wrap my fingers around it. I want to know the power women can experience, the pleasure I can give him, with only my hand. Or my mouth. Or my body.

  “Ella, you’re so fucking sexy. I need you.” Jackson’s voice is raspy as he leans over me, placing an arm on either side of me.

  I fall back onto the bed as he pins me beneath him. I shimmy back, moving up the mattress as my thoughts fight with my longing in a blurry haze. Jackson crawls up from the bottom of the bed, slowly, like a tiger stalking its prey. His thick, ropy muscles flex in his arms as he firmly places one on each side of me and presses himself between my legs.

  A long, involuntary shudder travels through me. Tiny, tantalizing shivers splinter off inside me, traveling out from my spine and through my limbs. A small current of pleasure reaches the tender, swollen spot between my legs and I grind up against Jackson, inviting him to touch me there.

  Jackson kisses a trail down my neck and I push my hands up under the back of his shirt, clinging onto his shoulders as his lips carry on down to my collarbone. His fingers slip up under my sweater, tugging it up until my pink bra is revealed. My breasts are almost spilling out of the lacey cups and he runs his thumb over the edge before kissing a line over the full flesh. His hands push under my back and find the clasp of my bra. He easily undoes the little clips and tugs my sweater up over my head as I raise my
arms up for him. My bra slides down my shoulders and Jackson tosses it down over the edge of the bed.

  Before I have a chance to say a word, his warm lips are surrounding the untouched tip of my nipple. “Ohhh.” The word comes out like a song as I arch my back and enjoy the shivers of bliss each lap of my nipple sends shuddering through me. Jackson cups my heavy breast in his hand and thrashes his tongue around each nipple like he’s marking me as his.

  “You’re so fucking beautiful,” he whispers before tugging slightly on my pebbled peak. Any shyness I felt evaporates as the pleasure shoots out through my body, making me feel beautifully raw. Like every cell inside me has been stirred alive.

  His hand slides down my ribs and into the hollow of my waist before flaring back out over the curve of my hip. Jackson’s fingers ease under the edge of my pants, then my panties until the heat of his hand is directly on my pussy. I gasp, realizing this is really happening, and all the nerves that had momentarily floated away come crashing back as I grab his hand and my eyes spring open wide.

  “What’s going on?” His brows are drawn in confusion and he pulls his hand back.

  “I, well, I don’t know how to say this,” I stumble on my words, wishing there was a less embarrassing way to make this confession. It’s not that I want to ruin this moment or stop, but he has a right to know the reason I’m a trembling ball of nerves.

  “Hey, you can tell me anything.” Jackson runs the backs of his fingers over my cheek and I look into his gray eyes, wishing he could just know what I’m trying to say without speaking a word.

  “I’ve never done this before,” I finally manage to make my tongue confess.

  “You’ve never…” Jackson seems to think about what I’m saying, like he’s not sure he can understand it. “Are you saying you’re a virgin?”

  I nod as intense heat rushes over my cheeks and I avert my gaze.

  “Ella, don’t be embarrassed.” He soothes me, leaning back up on his arms so there is a little distance between us. He looks down on me tenderly. “Do you want to stop?” He searches my face intently.

  I bite my lip, already craving the heat that’s missing between us now that he’s pulled back from me. “No, not at all,” I admit. “I just wanted you to know. I’m not really sure what I’m doing.” My words are barely a whisper.

  “Don’t worry about that. I know what I’m doing.” He smirks and I pull him back down to me. “I’ll make sure I go slow, okay?”

  I nod, and Jackson quickly kisses my nipples again before dragging his tongue down over my belly. He flicks my belly button, making me squirm for a second, and then keeps going. His fingers quickly undo my jeans and I lift my hips, breathing in sharply with anticipation as he tugs them and my panties down, exposing my pussy. I kick off my pants and Jackson runs his thumb over my lips. My juices coat his flesh and he sucks it off.

  “Mmmm, you taste amazing, Ella. I can’t wait to lick your sweet peach.” His voice is thick with desire.

  Uneasiness washes over me as I worry about him kissing me down there. Will it feel good? Do I really taste good? I don’t have time to overthink it, though, because Jackson spreads my thighs wide and dives his tongue into my pussy, giving me a long, sensual lick. I wiggle, my belly full over nerves and anticipation.

  “Relax. I’ll make sure you feel good.” He smiles up my body and I lie back. His fingers pinch into the meat of my legs and he buries his face down below. I suck the air in through my teeth as his tongue meets my clit, twirling over it gently at first and then flickering against it passionately. I grab the blanket in both of my hands and twist it up in my fingers as the sensation overwhelms me. It’s so intense. So intimate. I’ve never experienced anything like it. To have his mouth down there, his tongue thrashing against a part of me I’ve never let anyone else touch, it’s exhilarating.

  Jackson moans and his mouth vibrates around my clit as he tugs it into his mouth slightly. His tongue laps and licks over my sensitive nub as the feeling inside me builds up like the first rumblings of a volcano warning the villagers of what’s to come. His fingers circle up around my hips, holding me tight in his grasp, and his lips vibrate against me as his tongue relentlessly flutters. Suddenly, my muscles tighten. My fingers twist into the fabric of his blanket and I throw my head back as the volcano explodes inside me, sending pure ecstasy through my entire body and my suppressed moans to escape my lips.

  My hips shudder against him as he gives my pussy a quick kiss and pulls back. I’m sprawled out on his bed, with Jackson still fully clothed, under the bright light, and I couldn’t care less. All my inhibitions have been freed from my body, chased away by the powerful orgasm he just gave me.

  Jackson gives my hip a little nibble, sending a tingling shock through me before joining me on his pillow. “How was that?” His mouth is quirked into a smug grin, like he knows exactly what he’s reduced me to. My throat is dry as I search for the words I don’t have to describe that feeling.

  “Amazing,” I finally answer.

  “Do you have any second thoughts?” His broad palm travels over me like an artist painting on a canvas. “Are you sure you want to keep going?”

  My eyebrows pinch together as I consider his words. I do want this. More than anything, I want him inside me. I want our bodies to be as close as two people can possibly be. Somehow, I want them to be even closer.

  “Yes,” I answer firmly. “Please, Jackson, keep going,” I plead, hoping he hasn’t decided that taking my virginity isn’t something he wants to take on.

  He kneels on the bed, peeling his shirt up over his head, and exposes his tight, chiseled abs to me as his muscles flex with his movements. If he ever had a moment of hesitation, I’d never know from how quickly he removes his pants and underwear, stripping down completely and shamelessly naked. Not that it’s hard to see why he has no shame. With every inch of his body tight and rippling with strength. With each and every inch of his thick cock pulsing with need. My mouth drops open as I try to imagine how on earth I’ll be able to take that inside of me. It looks like more than any woman’s body can handle, let alone a virgin.

  “Oh my God,” I breathe out, and my hand hovers over his shaft in disbelief.

  “Here.” He cups his hand over mine, pushing my palm down over his thick member. “You don’t have to be nervous. You won’t hurt me.”

  I try to circle my fingers around him, but I can’t touch my thumb on the other side. Eyes wide, I look at him curiously. “Can I… is it okay if I put it in my mouth?” I wait for his approval.

  “You definitely don’t need to ask.” He leans back and I maneuver so my head is over his lap. I study the rigid lines and veins traveling down the length of his shaft, running my hand over it like he’s made of glass before opening my mouth wide and sinking him inside. My jaw is open as far as it can go and it still feels like I’m stretching to fit him in. I push my head down, sliding him in farther, and wrap both of my hands around the lower part of his cock. Bobbing my head, I shield my lips from his skin as I inch him in.

  I pop my lips back off, a little disappointed with how little of him I was able to take. If Jackson minds, he doesn’t show it.

  “Lie down.” He kisses me urgently.

  I do as he says and he slips out of the bed, opening the drawer in his nightstand and picking up a foil packet inside. He takes a second to adjust the condom down over his cock, and then his weight sinks the mattress around me as he joins me back on the bed. He kneels between my legs, rubbing my pussy with his thumb and looking down at me like I’m the most stunning woman he’s ever seen.

  “Are you ready?” He holds the base of his cock with his fist and lines it up at my entrance, waiting for me to answer.

  “Yes.” I swallow hard, not sure if I really am or not.

  “It’s going to hurt a bit, okay? But I’ll try to be gentle with you.” He eases the tip of his cock inside and even though he’s barely in, my walls stretch to make room for him. Jackson grunts, “Fuck, you’re so ti
ght.” He moves forward, leaning on one hand by my side as he guides his shaft inside my virgin pussy.

  “Oh.” I breathe in sharply, twisting my head to the side so he won’t see the grimace crossing my face as he sinks farther down. The burning sensation is unpleasant, but the way my body fits around him, like I was designed for his cock, is pretty amazing.

  “Shhh, the hard part is almost over.” He kisses me.

  I grab onto his shoulders and lift my head so I’m tucked into him tight. I’m less shaky when I hold on to him like this. Jackson grabs the headboard and thrusts into me slowly but steadily as my body painfully stretches to make room for him. There’s an intense pinch inside followed by a stinging sensation, but the worst part is over as he sinks into my pussy, burying himself the entire way.

  “Oh, that feels, ahhh.” My pained cries turn to ones of pleasure as Jackson eases back and thrusts into me deep again, and again, and again. Each time he does, it goes easier. Until there is no sting at all anymore, just that incredible building pleasure.

  “Ella, you’re perfect, you know that?” Jackson grabs my hands and thrusts them over my head, pinning me to the bed, making me his as he fucks me harder, less concerned with being gentle now. “You’re perfectly naughty and perfectly sweet,” he murmurs, “and perfectly mine.” He sinks his cock all the way into me, making me cry out his name to the ceiling as he holds me tight in his grip. His balls slap up against me as he’s buried to the hilt, still stretching me out. Claiming me.

  “Harder,” I whisper in his ear and his grip on my wrists tightens. He stops taking his time with me, toying with me, and fucks me fast. His hips beat against my thighs as I lock my legs behind his back. He leans over me, roughly taking a nipple into his mouth. He thrusts into me relentlessly. The sensation of being held down, of his cock stretching me to my limit, of my nipple being sucked and nibbled on, it’s all too much. I twist and squirm under him as another orgasm shreds through me.