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For the past thirty minutes, if Beth says she’s been inspecting inch by inch of her kitchen, living room, all the little and big drawers her needy paws could reach to find those goddamn Oreos -the ones Dean used to hide in various places behind her back months ago- isn’t an exaggeration. And baking is not even a considerable thought cause that's how miserable she feels. And it’s not like she could leave the house looking like a hot mess; it’s simply not socially acceptable, especially for a councilwoman! So, she really needs to find those Oreos!
She wants to call Dean out of desperation to get a confession out of him but thinks twice about it. He’s been even more contentious since their divorce had finalized.
Ever since she’d changed her birth control to that tortures copper IUD, her cramps have been excruciating. To top everything off with a cherry, she’s all out of pain medication. Cause, of course!
With a groan, she drags herself to the cabinet under her kitchen sink –for the second time– on all fours, not losing hope. She closes her eyes, asking the Oreo gods for a miracle before opening the cabinet doors. And nothing.
That’s when she loses it. She lies on her back in the middle of the kitchen floor and cries while holding her lower belly tight to subside her cramps. She must look insane right now, but she couldn’t get herself to give a single fuck.
Moaning and crying when she feels her phone vibrate in her pj’s pocket. She grunts, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands before reaching for her phone.
Cursing under her breath, she drags her sleeve over her snotty nose, sniffling before answering the phone.
“What do you want?”
“What day is it today?” Rio drawls.
“Maybe next time try your calendar!” she says with as much venom as she could muster. Her voice is hoarse and stuffy.
“Aw, don’t be like that, Elizabeth.” he says with mocked charm. “Where my cut at?” this time he doesn’t bother to seal his annoyance.
Her breath stutters from forcing herself to sound normal as if she wasn’t crying over Oreos forty seconds ago, “I really don’t have time for this right now!” Wiping her nose so she doesn’t have to sniff.
“Mhmm” as if he’s molding her answer in his head. Then he’s quiet for a few seconds, “What you doin’ right now?”
“What do you mean?” she damn sure knows what he means but refuses to acknowledge it.
“Elizabeth,” he says with impatience, “I can hear you snifflin’”
That’s it, she’s going to burst in 1, 2,… “I just can’t find the damn Oreos and it really hurts, and I can’t move!” she’s sobbing shamelessly.
“What the hell are you talkin’ ‘bout?” she hears the annoyance and confusion waving in his voice.
Beth tries to answer between her hiccups, moans, and sobs, but what comes out of her mouth is a bunch of indecipherable words.
“Darlin’, what hurts?” his voice is soft now, even concerned if she says so herself.
That’s just not helpful. As each word leaves Rio’s mouth, Beth’s sobs get even louder. Why does he have to talk to her like that?
Rio waits her out. Once convinced that getting any coherent answer is futile, he lets out an unsatisfied breath and says, “Talk to you later then, yeah?” and he ends the call.
Beth doesn’t even bother to get off the floor or even move. Just throws her phone somewhere within reach and tries to count her breaths as tears quietly fall from her eyes. This is absolutely ridiculous.
She has no idea how long she’s been lying there in a fetal position with her arms wrapped around her middle. At least her eyes are finally dry now, and her thoughts are blank.
She’s staring at the wooden floor when a soft thud startles her. She raises her head, meeting with Rio’s figure standing by her kitchen island with a paper bag on top of it.
Staring at his eyes for a few seconds and decides she couldn’t care less before lowering her head back to the original position. Taking a deep breath.
After a few seconds of him staring at her in amusement, Rio chuckles.
She can hear him digging inside the paper bag, and then she hears something sounding like plastic being taped open.
Beth shuts her eyes, listening to the familiar sound. And then he puts a damn Oreo box next to her face on the floor.
“Wasn’t sure what kind you like, so I got a few different ones,” Rio says nonchalantly as if this’s normal.
Beth sneaks in a few fingers inside the packet, grabs a couple of cookies and shoves an entire one in her mouth before mumbling a lame ‘thanks’.
She sees Rio’s legs going towards the fridge; hearing him garb a water bottle, the crackle of the bottle and its cap forcing open is an indication before he kneels by her, “C’mon mama, just sit up, yeah?” pushing away the cookies to create room before helping her sit up and lean against the cabinet behind her.
Rio grabs her hand, facing her palm up to put a couple of pills in it and gestures for her to take them; patiently waiting to pass her the bottle right after.
Normally Beth would fight him and refuse to let him tell her what to do, but at this stage in her life she’ll settle for anything. So, she brings the pills to her mouth, lazily shoves them in and snatches the bottle off his hand spilling water everywhere with the sudden movement. Swallowing the pills with a grimace.
Rio shakes his head, still amused by the image in front of him. He lifts a hand to tilt her chin up with his forefinger and thumb forcing her to look at him, “Better?” his stupid voice is still soft. He is beyond infuriating!
Trying to seem grateful, she spares him a small nod while her right arm extends to blindly reach for the Oreos.
“Let’s go sit on the couch, darlin’. I’ll brin’ you the cookies. Does that sound good?” giving her chin a small pinch before letting go.
He’s talking to her as if she’s a child and he’s trying to keep her happy to avoid a tantrum.
Beth nods again and moves to get up. Rio’s by her side in case she needs help.
She drags herself –or whatever is left of her and her dignity– to the couch and drops down ungracefully.
“You want cream or jus’ cookies?” Rio shouts from the kitchen.
Her ears perk up at the words coming out of his glorious mouth, “CREAM!”
“Wanna dip ‘em in?” he says as he moves around the kitchen.
“Yuh!” softly moaning as she massages her lower belly.
A minute later, Rio’s back with a glass of milk, a spoon, and three different types of Oreos.
Pushing away all manners, she reaches out for the double-stuffed Oreos, grabs a handful, and forces them into the glass of milk, smushing them down with the spoon just to create room for more cookies.
Rio drapes his arm on the back of the couch, resting his chin in his palm, watching her, waiting her out.
Beth’s finally happy with her handy work, settling onto the couch and taking a big bite as she moans in satisfaction absentmindedly.
Halfway done with her mushy cookies, she gives him a glance from the corner of her eyes, “What are you doing here?”
Rio drags a finger over his chin and bottom lip, eyes scanning her from top to bottom before settling on her eyes, “Ain’t it obvious?”
She lets out a dry scuff, taking another spoonful, “I don’t have your cut right now,” another bite.
Nodding his head in faux seriousness, “Yeah, I got that.” as he openly smirks at her. He must have a death wish, she thinks to herself.
All teasing leaves his face when he asks, “Less pain?”
She gives him a look that she hopes is appreciative and nods her head in confirmation.
“Good. Wanna take a shower?” already getting up to put the cookies and her empty glass aside.
She mumbles a ‘yeah’ as she makes her way to her ensuite. Peeling her clothes off and throwing them into the hamper. Unsure what he’ll do; would he wait for her, or would he just leave?
Not letting herself overthink it, she turns on the shower, staring at the water pouring from the shower head until she feels the warm steam embracing her. She takes out her bloody tampon before getting under the comforting water. God, she needed this–all of it.
As she washes her hair, she can’t help but think about all the times she was in misery because of her period –sometimes even during her pregnancies– and how Dean never bothered to lend her a hand around the house. Take care of her, be there for her. Always told her, “It is what is,” “Poor Bethie,” or reassuring her that it’ll be over soon enough. He’d barely even touched her. Starved her from real affection even when her cramps were so bad to the point of crying. Always watched her from a few feet away as if she was contagious. There had been times when the blood seeped through her pad and transferred onto their bed sheets; he didn’t even bother to disguise his disgust and shamed her, making her feel bad about the accident.
On the contrary, she’s not even that shocked by Rio’s earlier gestures. No matter how much of a jackass he could be when it came to business, but when it came down to just him and her –to them– he was gentle, caring, considerate, open… She’s seen it many times in the past few years. Felt it. It’s something sacred just between the two of them. She's grown not to question it anymore.
Shutting off the water, she gets out, wraps a clean towel around herself and goes to grab a fresh tampon to shove into her abusive vagina.
“I hate men,” she mumbles under her breath as she pulls out the plastic part of the tampon to throw away.
She washes her hands before putting some lotion on her face and makes her way towards the dresser to put on some panties and an oversized t-shirt not bothering with a bra or pants. She towel-dries her hair to the best of her ability, throwing the wet fabric on the floor on her way to her bed, feeling exhausted.
Not worrying about where Rio is, she closes her eyes in contentment as she buries herself deeper under her blanket. She’s just relaxing when she hears the bedroom door opening and closing. Hears Rio’s soft steps rounding the bed to sit on the edge next to her.
“We tired already?” running a finger from her temple to the side of her face, his dark eyes caressing her at the same time.
Beth gives him a small smile, nods her head slowly and makes a sound in confirmation.
They stay like that for a minute, he keeps caressing her face and she’s staring at his chest covered by his black t-shirt, moving with each motion of his arm.
She musters all the courage and energy left in her, “Could you stay?” her voice’s small as she meets his eyes.
Rio stops his demonstration, resting his elbows on his knees and clears his throat, “Here?”
She knows what he’s asking. ‘here’ as in here, in her bed. With her. They haven’t crossed that lane yet.
Beth remains eye contact as she nods her head against the pillow. Waiting, allowing him to make a decision.
“Yeah mama, I can stay.” as he gets up to go to the other side of the bed.
She hears him taking off his shoes and putting his gun and keys on the nightstand before lifting the covers to get under them. As he settles, he moves closer and carefully spoons her from behind, draping his arm around her waist while leaving a small space between their bodies.
Enjoying the closeness, she scoots towards him so her back is flushed against his chest, sinking deep into his embrace. With that, Rio squeezes her hip gently.
They lay like that for a while. She keeps dozing in and out of sleep the whole time, hyper-aware of his proximity and scent. She focuses on his hand rubbing small circular motion on her lower stomach, right where she felt the cramps.
Beth can feel his rough jeans against her bare thighs. Can feel him being affected by her closeness. Drowned in the affection she feels for him and her throbbing clit, she wiggles her ass impossibly closer to his crotch, arching her back just to test the waters, especially with the given circumstances.
Rio stiffens for half a second, his hand stops circling against her, and instead he presses his palm flat on her stomach above her pubic bone. He brings his face closer to nuzzle into her neck to leave a small kiss there, “Hey, mama,” whispers in her ear.
She lets out a soft breath and gives him better access to her neck.
He plasters a few open-mouthed kisses on the exposed skin as he murmurs, “This what you want?” cupping her through her panties.
She moans and squeezes her thighs together, trapping his hand, making him chuckle softly, “Yeah?”
“Yes. But…I…you know…” she stutters, hoping he’d understand what she means.
“ ‘S okay, baby. I gottchu.” kissing her neck one more time as he slowly moves his hand passed her panties to play with the strip of hair.
“Are you okay with…the mess?” she asks as she pushes her pussy against his hand. Flushing head to toe.
“ ‘Course I am. But this just for you, yeah? Close your eyes.” Rio whispers. He removes his hand from her panties to push her legs apart, putting her top leg on top of his own to open her up.
He pushes her panties aside and runs a finger against her slit.
She can feel her tampon string dragging against his finger as he does that and wishes the earth would swallow her whole. Shoving more than half of her face into the pillow with an embarrassed groan.
“You don’t have to…” she muffles through her half-buried mouth.
“Sshh, non’a that,” and he casually moves the string aside as if it’s nothing. That gives her reassurance, and she allows herself to relax against him.
He brings his hand to his mouth; she hears him sucking his fingers, making them wet before rubbing them against her clit.
At the first contact of his wet digits she jolts and lets out soft moan.
He moves his other arm under and around her to palm her breast over her shirt, pinching her nipple.
She lets out a small scream from the sensation and pulls away.
“It’s sensitive,” still grinding her pussy on his hand.
“What? This?” he gently rubs the tip of his finger against her nipple.
She nods. Rio hums in understanding, moving his hand to rest against her throat instead.
She can feel his engorged cock trapped in his jeans against her ass. So, she tries her best to give him as much pressure as she can by rubbing herself against it, making him growl in her ear as he sucks on her neck.
He is working her clit, putting firm pressure as he circles around it. Reading her body every time she twitches against him from pleasure, stopping each time she gets close to drag out her orgasm. Edging her.
She is moaning softly, her arm around his neck pulling him in, demanding more of him.
She’s getting close. Her moans are louder, breathier, faster as he encourages her to reach her orgasm.
“Yeah, just like that,” murmuring into her ear as he speeds up, circling her clit, pulling her closer to rub his cock against her, “See what you do to me? You feel it?” Rio growls.
“Yes!” she cries.
“That’s it, c’mon. Almost there.”
He’s squeezing her throat just enough to slightly close her airway, hearing her moans getting more erratic and desperate.
“Good girl,” bringing his fingers to his mouth to make them wetter with his saliva before returning them just as fast to continue his demonstration.
Her moans are load and her body is vibrating with pleasure. His hand leaves her throat to pull her hair in order to tilt her head towards himself.
“Yeah, lemme see your face when you come for me,” pulling her hair tighter.
She nods her head as she comes. Mouth open, eyes closed as she rides her orgasm. It’s euphoric.
“Fuck!” Rio says with a strained voice as he watches her reaction.
She’s going slack against him, trying to catch her breath, unable to open her eyes.
Rio kisses her lips softly before letting go of her hair to deposit her wobbly head back on the pillow. Moving the hand that’s palming her entire pussy to fix her panties, wiping his fingers against her t-shirt.
He rearranges her hair so it’s not all over his face, “You need’a go clean up?” he asks softly, leaving a kiss behind her neck.
“No.” Beth exhales her answer in contentment. Wiggling closer to him.
“Hold on, sweetheart,” as he pulls away to sit on the bed.
“Nooo!” she whines in protest.
“I ain’t goin’ nowhere, baby. C’mere.” lifting her upper body to take her shirt off.
She lets him willingly as she watches him doing the same and throwing both of their shirts on the ground.
“Wanna feel you,” whispering as he gets under the covers taking her with him.
Rio pulls her impossibly closer and tightens his grip around her waist, breathing her in.
Beth reaches behind her to gently caress his head. Dragging her fingers to his neck and ear, “Thank you.”
“Sleep, Elizabeth.”
His face’s buried in her hair, their breaths in-synced, his solid chest against her back wrapping himself around her. It’s moments like this that make it all worth it. The good, the bad, the ugly. She’s never felt safer, nourished, and l… . Yeah, never has.