His Rebound Love

by Melissa Bender

  It was probably why I left the room in the end. That, and I was sick of staring at the ceiling.

  Mum was doting on me like crazy, and it reminded me why I moved out in the first place. I knew she was trying to help, but I didn’t need my underwear folded and put away. I wouldn’t admit the only reason I didn’t want her touching my clothes was due to a ring hidden away that I knew she would find. So, I told her I was a grown man who knew how to do his own laundry. I had been doing it for the past six years; I wasn’t going to slack off now that I was back at home and single.

  Single. I was single, all right. I guess the only difference was that I no longer had to fork out money to pay for her. As for the sex… well, I barely got laid as it were. Being single didn’t make a damn difference.

  I hadn’t heard from Jasmine, nor did I want to. Lauren was right. There was no way I could forgive her, and I still hadn’t. I knew if I went back to her, all I would think about was another man touching her, being inside her, and her loving it. It fucking made my skin crawl.

  In my mind, she was a cheating whore who could go to hell and screw everyone she wanted to. I was a bitter and angry man, all thanks to her. I couldn’t give a damn if she lay in bed crying; it was what she deserved.

  Today, when I woke up, I felt different. I felt kind of normal… oddly enough.

  It was going to be a good day. It better be. It had to be.

  Walking out into the living room, I grabbed my Adidas sneakers and sat down, ignoring Mum’s stare as I began to put them on. It was a wonder she hadn’t thrown a party the moment I left the bedroom.

  Finally, she gave up on being silent and went to speak, but I beat her to it. “Going to take Colt out for a walk,” I said, glancing up at her. “I’ll grab lunch too. Don’t make me anything.”

  She looked at me surprised, probably because I hadn’t gone anywhere except work. I had taken one week from work and then went back as if nothing had happened. “You are? How long will you be gone? Which park?” Oh, god. Did she need to know every detail of my bloody life?

  I shrugged, tying up a lace. “No idea. It’s Saturday, and it’s warm out. Might just walk around for a bit or run. I’ll be back later, though.” With a wink, I added, “In time for that roast dinner you’ve got cooking.”

  “Yes, I thought you might like a nice, hot meal other than that garbage you’re always eating.” She scolded me, shaking her head. I’ve been eating pizza instead of her cooking. I knew that bothered her. “You seem to look better than yesterday. Feeling positive?”

  I flashed her a smile. Of course I do. I just rubbed one out in the shower. “I feel better. I might look for an apartment soon. I need to get back out on my own and start moving on. Can’t live here forever.”

  “Well, there’s no hurry for that. You can stay if you need to stay.” I had to laugh at her. Of course, she would want me to stay here. The nest was empty, and dad didn’t like her fussing over him the way she did us kids. She has been putting all the attention on her son.

  I leant over and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mum. I’ll see you later, ok.”

  “Ok, dear. Just be safe and watch the road for cars,” she called out, which in turn made me stop dead in my tracks.

  Smother, that’s what she did best. God, if only I didn’t love her like crazy. She may be overbearing and tend to coddle us a little too much, but she was always going to be the only woman in my life who didn’t fuck me over. My mother was a force to be reckoned with, and although I’ll never admit it to her, or anyone else for that matter, she was amazing.

  If there was a woman around who took care of me the way she had done, I would be on my knees with a ring immediately.

  With a chuckle, I called out as I began to close the door. “Later, Mum.” Colt was already running to the gate eagerly with his tongue wagging.

  At the park, Colt has been running around. Well, trying to. I kept him on the lead as he tried chasing the birds. With the kids and other people around, taking the lead off wasn’t an option. I sat down on the grass bank, him bouncing around excitedly as he kneeled beside me.

  “Good boy.” I combed his fur and rubbed his tummy. I have had Colt for almost five years, a big white and brown Saint Bernard who loved to give sloppy kisses and play around. He wasn’t much of a guard dog, but he had always been constant and placid.

  Loyal. Unlike someone else.

  The park was busy. It always had been. Families with their kids are over in the big play area where they were either taking photos of them or standing around looking ready to leave. A small Thomas the Tank Engine train drove around the grounds. It was not a real train but made to look like one. Kids beg their parents for a couple of dollars so they could get on it. The park was huge, for the town, anyway.

  People usually jog here. There are even odd weddings now and then. It was a good place, and I had missed coming here. At the opposite end, there was an enclosed area where they kept monkeys.

  Yes, monkeys with red asses and looking as if they were infected with rabies or some contagious disease. Throw a coin in their swimming area, and you make a wish. That was what my mum always told me. I never did wish for much, though. I asked for a new bike and an icy pole. They came all true.

  ***

  I had heard it before I had seen it. Another dog was coming up behind me and licking the side of my face with a slobbering, wagging tongue. I jumped slightly and stood quickly but laughed it off because, I’m not going to lie, it scared the shit out of me. I was not a huge fan of random dogs licking me.

  It was like that with kids, and I hated them. I couldn’t stand them, but the thought of having my own delighted me. I was a goner with the idea. Being called dad? I think that would be damn awesome.

  “Oh, god! I am so sorry!” I looked around, hearing a sweet, high-pitched voice, and saw her running over. “She’s never done that before to anyone,” she added. Her eyes are wide, and her cheeks are flushed pink. She looked mortified. “Are you mad?”

  Mad? No way. I looked at the women who was now blushing furiously as she put her dog back on its lead and smiled at her. “It’s ok. Luckily, I’m used to the wet kisses. They’re a bit like that. Tend to be over loving at times.”

  “Sorry again. I’m so embarrassed. She literally freed herself.” She silently groaned as she said that, bending and clipping up the lead. When she stood upright, I couldn’t help but notice her eyes. They were big, bright, and green.

  I felt dazed, strangely frozen. That was when I felt it, that pounding inside my chest. It wasn’t from fear or hurt, but from the realisation that those eyes were the ones looking up at me while my dick was being sucked. Metaphorically speaking, of course. The shower, that vivid blowjob… it was just a dream, but why did these eyes make it feel real?

  I must have looked like an idiot standing and just staring at her.

  Clearing my throat, I stepped back a bit and offered a smile. “Don’t apologise. Like I said, it’s ok.” I nodded towards Colt. “He used to hate being on a lead, but got used to it after a month or so.”

  She smiled again, and that smile stabbed me in the chest. Jesus, is this what being single and not having sex does? I turn hard for every woman who flashes me a smile. “You have the same kind of dog. I must be insane to buy one, but they’re just so friendly.”

  “They are.” I looked down at mine and then over to hers. “Why don’t you sit down with her? Might help with keeping her close and on the lead still.” I suggested. Why I asked that? I had no friggin clue.

  “You wouldn’t mind? I don’t want to bother you,” she said, suddenly sounding nervous once more. I wasn’t that scary. I didn’t think I was. What was she so nervous for?

  I shook my head, trying to assure her that it was okay. I wasn’t going to eat her or anything. Well… the thought had crossed my mind somewhat. Not that I would admit it to her.

  She probably carried a case of pepper spray, and I was not looking for an eye-lashing of that. “I’m in no hurry to le
ave. Plus, I think Colt’s found a new friend.” I chuckled as he sniffed at her dog.

  I bent back down and sat on a green patch of grass. She sat down beside me. “I’m Sienna, by the way.”

  Sienna. Oh, how I’d love to say that while… Clearing my mind from the perverted thoughts of her in my bed, underneath me and around me, I smiled. “Jackson.”

  “Do you come here often?” She then giggled, a sound I didn’t think I had heard from a woman in a very long time. “Sorry, that sounds like a cheesy pickup line.”

  I laughed. “True, but to answer your question, no, I don’t come here often. It’s the first time in a while.” I smiled at her again. My cheeks were starting to hurt from all the smiling. “How long have you had her for?” I asked, nodding towards the dogs.

  “Almost a year. I live alone and that kind of freaks me out. I thought getting a big dog would scare any intruder’s away. Not that I’ve had any, and she’s as much as a scaredy cat as I am.”

  The laugh came out freely once more. They weren’t much of a guard dog at all. “I know what you mean. They’re more friendly than scary. I don’t think Colt would attack anyone.” Apart from Jasmine, I thought to myself, and half chuckled. She was probably the only person he didn’t like, and she didn’t like him either.

  She made a humming sound, agreeing to what I just said. “I’ve never met anyone who has the same dog as me. This is like a scene from 101 Dalmatians.”

  I had to laugh at the irony in this. “You’re probably right. I haven’t watched that movie, so I can’t agree.”

  “You’re kidding? Oh, you definitely need to watch it. It’s great.”

  I looked back up at her, taking her appearance in more closely. I won’t deny it. She was beautiful, yet she wasn’t trying to be pretty or covered in makeup. She was just in shorts and a hoodie. Her light reddish hair was tied up messily. She was out in public and not a bit of her was done up. It was refreshing to see someone looking so hot, and it wasn’t from face paint.

  Jasmine would never be caught dead without makeup on. She wore it daily and never took it off. Even if she was at the house, she always had to be dolled up. Except in the shower. It was like being in a KISS concert with all the black stuff covering her cheeks. She would get mad when I teased her about it, breaking down and rocking the air guitar.

  My gaze was fixed on her plump lips, and I quickly looked away when she caught me staring again. Fuck. I felt like a dickhead. “What’s her name?” I tried diverting the conversation, trying not to creep her out any more than I probably have already done.

  “Sammie. So Jax…”

  “Jax?” I questioned.

  “Oh, yeah, Jax Teller from Sons Of Anarchy. He’s like a total babe.”

  “Oh?” I raised a brow. “I’m sorry I don’t ride a bike. Would you have come for a ride?”

  I notice her cheeks turning pinkish again. She scrunched her nose. “Don’t tease. And no, I wouldn’t. I like men in suits more than biker boys.”

  Now that was interesting to know. “I’ll keep that for future references.”

  “So, what is it that you do?” she asked. Somehow, I was relieved that she didn’t find a reason to take off. I don’t know why, but I wanted to keep talking to her.

  I bent backwards, leaning on my elbows with my legs out straight. “I’m in finance, a mortgage broker for a small company in town.”

  Fixing her gaze on me, she looked interested in what I did for a living. It sunk in, and her eyes brightened with excitement. “Wait… You wear a suit, don’t you?”

  Her eagerness had me smiling yet again. “I do indeed. I’m in a suit most of the time.”

  She let out a sigh, and I now realised it must be a fantasy women have. “That’s interesting! Do you enjoy it, sitting at a desk all day? Some people loathe that kind of profession.”

  Jasmine hated it. She always thought I should do something more interesting. Fuck. Why am I thinking about her right now?

  I gave her a small nod. “I do. What about you? What keeps you busy, Sienna?” Her name on my tongue flows like sweet honey. Oh, yes. I could get used to saying that.

  “Paramedic. I do shift work a lot, and this weekend, I finally have off. I love my job, but the days where I can do nothing are a favourite.” She smiled, and I admit that took me by surprise.

  Not once did Jasmine like to spend days off doing nothing.

  I wanted to punch myself in the face. Jasmine. I hated thinking about her. I hated that she crept into my mind when I didn’t want her to. She was still messing with my head.

  It was strange making small talk with a woman I have never met before but someone I had imagined when I jerked off in the shower… in a park, of all places. I usually made friends on a night out, and that was a rare occurrence. I had my usual mates, and we would all go to a local pub for a few now and then. I needed a night out, they say. They heard about the breakup and were itching on getting me out for an all-night binger.

  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. I just knew they would be trying to get me laid or set me up with someone. It hadn’t crossed my mind when I was going to go out and fuck another woman. There wasn’t a need to right now. I couldn’t just use someone.

  This year sucked. I felt like I had to start over again. We had friends in the same group, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it had been one of my mates that had fucked her. Were they all thinking the same thing? That it was a given she would do this? Or, that I was the fool for believing we could live that happy ever after?

  Fairy tales suck. There is no happily ever after.

  Sienna kept talking, and I sat here listening to every word she said. My palms were sweating. I felt nervous, and I rarely felt nervous. I wanted to listen. She had me intrigued, but part of me was cautious. There was no way she could be single. Not with a smile like hers, and not with a body like that.

  “Do you come here on your days off?” I asked, wanting to know more about her. “Also, I think your job is way more interesting than mine. Paramedic. You’re pretty much savings lives, whereas I’m sending people into debt.” I had to point that out, simply because I had expected her to say a teacher or maybe receptionist.

  Glancing around, her eyes dropped down to the dogs laying out in front of us, and she relaxed. “Sometimes, although this is the first day in a long time I have been able to come out and walk around without my pager on me.” Her eyes meet mine. “It’s amazing.”

  “The park, or your job?” I eyed her, my eyes darting to her lips again as she swept her tongue out.

  “Both, I really like what I do. I’m mostly on call in the ambulance.” She smiled again, and I swear it took my breath away each time. We kept talking about our jobs and the dogs, keeping it casual and light. Glancing down at my watch, I was surprised to see we had been talking for almost an hour. Her words came to a standstill as she noticed me checking the time. “I didn’t realise we’d been here for that long. I’m sorry. I’ve been blabbing away for ages.”

  “It’s all good. I didn’t realise the time either.”

  Her smile faded, and she was quiet for a moment before speaking up. “I should let you go. Sorry for taking up your morning.”

  It was either head home or stay here. I didn’t want to head home yet. All right, man up, and just fucking ask her. “Do you want to take the dogs for a bit of a walk?” Lifting my arm, I pointed to a path that led past the pond area and down to the café closer to the monkeys.

  Standing up beside me, the top of her head reached around my armpits, and I realised just how much shorter she was than myself. Her shorts hitched up as she turned to pick up the dog leash, giving me a nice look at her creamy thighs and round, pert ass. Damn.

  Gorgeous. She was gorgeous. Not in an ‘I’d love to fuck her’ way, though. Well yes, I’d love to fuck her, but she was just simply beautiful. There was nothing made up about her, and I was really struggling to take my eyes from her.

  With a smile on her lips, something flickered th
rough her green eyes. Hesitation, probably. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I couldn’t deny I was damn happy with her answer. “Sure. Let’s go for a walk.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  SIENNA

  Oh, my goodness! Where did this guy come from?

  Not only was he freaking hot, but he was funny, and did I mention hot? Well, he was utterly gorgeous. He was tall and has dark hair and blue eyes that I wanted to just swim in. His arms, they were huge. Muscles are bursting to escape his white shirt. I wanted to feel them. I bet he had a six pack, too. He looked like the type who worked out.

  I wondered if he had chest hair also. Major turn on!

  Wow, I needed to get a life.

  I was trying so hard to stop staring at him. I felt like a school girl, all gooey eyed and giddy. Those eyes of his and that smile are irresistible. Who knew dimples were so damn sexy on a man? But it was when he stared at me like he was eating into my soul that I was done in. That stargazing look… Wowsers, it was intimidating in a very sexy way.

  Part of me felt as if I should be bowing my head in submission, but the other part didn’t want to look away.

  Jax was looking at me, awaiting my answer. Shoot! What was the question again? I was too busy trying not to get caught perving on him. Ogling him was more like it. I obviously failed miserably since he caught me doing so.

  Why did he had to tell me that he wore a suit to work? That was the killer. I loved a man in a suit.

  “Boyfriend?” he asked. “I mean, I’m not going to get my arse kicked for taking a walk with you, am I?”

  I blushed hard. He probably thought I had Rosacea, a medical condition which I didn’t have.