His Rebound Love

by Melissa Bender

  My mother and sister also seemed impressed that it wasn’t some run-down men’s brothel that stunk of feet and ass. It was clean, modern, and simple. Of course, it was also a hell of a lot smaller than the house I had been living in with Jasmine, but that didn’t matter. I honestly believed I was getting over her.

  She rarely came to my mind, and I had heard zilch from her since the day I left. The urge to call had faded with each growing day. I was close to deleting the photos even, but things take time.

  “I like it, but I’m not so sure…” Mum began, tapping her fingers together. “I’ve read about these sorts of bachelor pads.”

  Dad and I both looked at her like she has lost her mind.

  Lauren groaned. “Mum, it’s not a fuck pad. They have those just for screwing chicks, not to live in.”

  Did I just hear her right? “What the hell are you two on about?” Christ, what shit have they been reading? “Fuck pad? Jesus, I’m no Daddy Mac in a love pad. It’s just an apartment. Just a guy living on his own with his dog.”

  “Daddy Mac? Oh please, you’re not old enough to be...” Lauren narrowed her eyes, having an ah-ha moment. “Actually, I can see you being all bossy and moody. All right, enough talk about trashy novels and dominant men. Let’s keep looking around.” She walked past us. I was still cringing from the revelation of my mother reading horny women porn and my sister thinking I was some kink god.

  I may know how to fuck, and I fuck well. I just wasn’t into anything other than mutual pleasure. Sure, I gave some of my ex’s the odd hair pull and ass slaps, but that was about it. Not that they liked it. Well, it wasn’t anything out of the extraordinary, really. One girl wanted it in the ass, but I didn’t get off on that. The kinkiest thing I have ever done was… Actually, that’s a story for another time.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, distracting me. Reaching in, I pulled it out to read the name on the screen. Sienna. God! I smiled to myself and decided I would read that text once everyone had left, wanting to avoid all questions and interrogations at all cost. She was a great chick, a good friend. I liked her, but that was pretty much all I could offer her… friendship. I couldn’t do more, and I had a feeling that she may want more. Although she didn’t come right out and say it, she was more likely that type of girl.

  That was what made me feel like a dick. I didn’t want to hurt her.

  Lauren couldn’t go the whole day without having to mention the black LCD on the wall. “I’m impressed! They even have a television in here. Since yours was, you know… Rest in peace. The poor thing suffered a brutal death.”

  Yes, brutal was correct. “I should have sent her a bill for that.” I should have, but I didn’t want to see her again. “At least I have full custody of the Xbox.”

  Lauren giggled as she walked around the living area, checking out the view of the city as she passed the large floor to ceiling windows. “Wow, I think I might come spend the night with you once a week just for the view.”

  I smirked. “Paul can, when you get sick of him and kick him out.”

  “That was just once, and he was rotten drunk. I didn’t want to deal with him when he drinks that much.”

  “He’s a man. Let him be.” Now, please get out so I can enjoy my privacy.

  “Do you know your neighbours?” Mum asked. I had almost forgotten she was here. She was frighteningly quiet in the kitchen, busy putting away the dozen bags of groceries that she thought I needed. I didn’t know how to boil pasta, let alone whip up a meringue with the kitchen tools she had purchased. But I let her be. I think she needed it.

  She really needed a grandchild to fawn and fuss over. Lauren would help her out. Hopefully sooner as there would be none from me.

  As for neighbours… Hmm. “Yes, I haven’t met any yet. Kind of been busy.” I knew one woman living in here, but I wasn’t sure which floor she was on. I would find out soon.

  “Well, maybe you could go and introduce yourself? I could go and..” Oh god, no.

  “Ma, please. I don’t need you setting up a play date for me. I’ve got to unpack all this you brought for me and set the cable up.”

  “Just like your father.” She shook her head with a smile. “Ok, I get the hint. Lauren, come on. We’re leaving.”

  My sister came out from the balcony. Colt opened his eyes but soon closed them again, going back to sleep. He was already at home. “We’re going? But I want to stay.”

  “You can come back when I’ve figured out how to bake a cake.”

  A snort came from her mouth, and she picked up her coat. “Jack, please don’t make me fall over laughing. You cooking isn’t that likely.”

  She was right. I’d never learn it. It wasn’t in me to bake up a bunch of Donna Hay’s recipes no matter how good they looked. Maybe if I’m bored enough, I’ll figure one of them out. I would rather clean than cook anything.

  “Jackson, I left a little something in your bedside drawer. Just make sure you’re careful, ok?” she leant in, kissing my cheek.

  I frowned, gladly waving them goodbye with the promise of joining Mum for dinner next week. I closed the door and sighed. Silence followed. It was a welcoming sound for once.

  I went outside and sat in the chair as Colt stood up and followed suit, coming to lay at my feet. A few moments had passed before I remembered my phone and the text message. I pulled the iPhone back out of my pocket and clicked on her name. I felt like an eager kid who couldn’t wait.

  How did the move go? Your mum didn’t convince you to stay another week, did she?

  I smiled, laughing as I typed out a reply. Almost. Actually, I think she was happier when she found out I needed cookware. She went off and brought way more than I need. What the heck is the difference between a balloon whisk, gravy whisk, and a bell whisk?

  Aww, your mum sounds just like mine! I have no clue, but when you find out, please let me know.

  I’m on the 4th floor. You?

  Her reply was almost instant, but she didn’t answer my question. I wanted to know where she was. What are you doing now? she said.

  Sitting on the balcony, talking to you.

  You mean texting since we’re not actually speaking.

  Cheeky. Yes, texting. That’s what I am doing, what about you?

  I caught myself frowning when she didn’t reply. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I needed to cool things down and stop leading her on. Was I leading her on? I didn’t think so as I hadn’t flirted or made any sexual innuendos towards her. I wanted to, but I didn’t.

  There was a knock on my door, and I sat the phone down on the table. I would’ve bet anything that it was Mum or my sister. Those two really knew how to annoy the shit out of me. I was about to tell them to go away as I pulled open the door, but the sight in front of me stopped me from speaking.

  “So, I kind of took a wild guess that you lived in this apartment.” She smiled, standing there with no make-up on in a pair of yoga pants and a long tank. Her hair was down this time, long and straight, and my urges made me want to reach out and run my fingers through it. “Too bad if I was wrong. That’d be very awkward.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn’t know what to say. She damn well took my breath away.

  “Oh god, I’m sorry.” Her eyes widened, and she began to back away, stuttering over her words. “I should have asked before coming over. I just… I was going to surprise you.”

  She was leaving? No. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  I had to speak before she bolted off. “I am very surprised.” When she turned around with a key in her hand, I was oddly happy. “You live opposite me?” I rested my arm on the door frame watching. “You could have mentioned when you brought up the apartment.”

  “I could have, but that would have made it seem like I really was some stalker.” She opened her door, and Sammie came running out. “You ok with this? I don’t want you to move out or anything.”

  She was cute… all nervous, shy, and thinking I’d have a problem with he
r across the hall. The opposite was true. Strangely, I like it.

  There was no hesitation in her dog, as Sammie bypassed me and went straight outside to where Colt was. I looked back at Sienna, holding the door wider for her to come in. “I think those two dogs may enjoy this. Come in and check out my new place.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked, standing there looking reluctant.

  “Sienna, get over here before I walk out there and haul you over my shoulder.” And smack that pert ass.

  Those green eyes of hers widened, and her lips part. Her voice a mere whisper. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “Do you really want to find out?” I asked, raising a brow. I wouldn’t. Well, not unless I was taking her to my bedroom.

  In less than ten seconds, she was in my apartment and sitting down on the couch. “Oh, I forgot to mention. I overheard your mum talking to your dad that she’s going to come and stay with you for a few weeks.”

  My smile disappeared instantly, and the guard was up. “You’re kidding me. I’m not—” I realised I had just been had when she giggled. “Funny. You don’t even know what my parents look like.”

  “That’s what you think.” She taunted back, her laugh filling the room. “For all you know, I do.”

  “Liar.” I grinned back.

  She kept smiling, even as her laughter died down. “I only woke up not so long ago, anyway. Do they like your place?”

  “Mum freaked and thought it was some love pad,” I muttered dryly. I was still reeling over that.

  I had expected her to call me out on being a pig, but she laughed instead, rolling her eyes. “That’s funny. I guess it’s kind of what’s in those trashy novels. Do you have a cleaner also? Ooh, what about a cook? Come on Mr Grey, you must have some minions cleaning your room of pain.”

  “I’ll do my own housework. It will impress the ladies that much more.” Winking, I burst out laughing, falling back into the couch. “Room of pain?” Oh god, no. She read them too. “Fuck, Sienna. You’re kidding, right? You read those as well?”

  A blush blossomed on her cheeks. “Don’t judge. I’m a single girl, I must keep busy somehow. Oh god! No, I didn’t mean it like that.” She shook her head, mortified. “But please…” she paused, crossing her leg over the other as the blush faded, “feel free to come and clean for me.”

  “I’ll clean if you cook for me?” I bargained.

  “Deal. Hope you like Chinese and beer. That’s all I have time for these days.”

  Where did this woman come from? Beer? Fuck. She was ace. “You drink beer?” I had to ask, thinking I misheard what she said.

  “Sometimes, not often. Do you have milk and coffee here yet?” Her tongue swept out again. She and that tongue were the sole reason I had been whacking off so much this past week.

  I looked at her, taking the hint to offer a drink. My house guest skills were a low minimum. “How do you take your coffee?”

  “White and two, thanks.” She got up and followed me into the kitchen from behind. “You don’t have to make me one. I was only teasing.”

  I grabbed the two mugs from the top shelf, searching through the drawers for a spoon. “I’ll celebrate moving in with coffee. I think there’s even cake. God knows what Mum brought from the store. Check the pantry, and we’ll have cake, or maybe she put something in the fridge.”

  “You do have cake. This is such an awesome welcome party for you.” A loud voice came from inside the pantry. “Oh, my god!”

  I turned and looked up, assuming something was wrong. I wanted to tease her. “A mouse? Damn it, they told me there was none of those in here. Now, I need to move.”

  Her green eyes twinkled as she brought out the cake Mum brought. “No, it’s just.. this is my favourite kind of cake.”

  “The red one?” I grinned. Thanking my mother in my mind for going and buying a red velvet for me. I would send her flowers tomorrow. “Mine too. Don’t normally share those, but since you like them, I’ll give you a slither.” I winked teasingly.

  “Slither? Oh no, I want a decent chunk. I haven’t eaten yet, and cake for breakfast sounds awesome.” She reached over, her arm brushing against mine as she took the knife from the block. My groin awakened just from a single touch.

  This woman… The effect she had on me was unlike any other.

  Cutting a slice of cake, she held it out towards my mouth. I was in awe right now. Where has this girl come from? Her love of cake and infectious smile blew me away. “Welcome to your new home, Jax.”

  Never would I let anyone feed me, yet here I stood, letting her. “Thanks, Sienna.” I grinned, opening my mouth and trying not to laugh as she fed me a bite. I took the cake from her hands and swallowed the piece in my mouth. “Best cake ever. Your turn.” I was feeding her back for sure.

  “Don’t you guys usually celebrate with booze, women, and loud music?”

  “Not this guy.” I smiled, handing her the coffee. “Don’t blame me if it tastes like shit. I don’t make these often.”

  She took a small sip, and a soft moan escaped her throat. My cock stirred again. I would need to sit with a cushion over my lap if she kept that up.

  Her words were like air filling my lungs. “Coffee and cake… who’d have thought?” Not me, that’s for sure.

  We ate cake, drank coffee, talked, and finally settled on watching a movie. Strangely enough, I was more fixated on her. We were on opposite couches with our dogs on the floor, and I felt more at home than I had ever felt in a long time.

  It was the best moving in party I had ever had.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  There were only so many days that I could avoid my mates for, and unfortunately, my time was finally up. I had been dreading this night out. Honestly, I was fine with staying in and doing sweet fuck all. They weren’t having a bar of it.

  They were taking me out to get laid. Like I needed help with that.

  Well, I probably did. I wasn’t openly going around looking for women to sink my dick into. I had been busy with the move and work to be too worried about looking for a lay. It had to happen. I understood I needed to move on and get to it.

  I was a man after all. The urges were in us, and they needed to be sated.

  Looking in the mirror, I ran my fingers through my hair to give it that tousled ‘woke up like this’ look. Chicks seemed to love that. That, and the side part, but I already do that for work.

  The reality was I was only messing around with my hair to stall and to text Sienna. She was at work and filling me in on her adventures of drunken people high on something who cracked their heads open after running into a street sign. Yes, I wasn’t sure how that could happen either.

  I laughed as I typed out my reply. Seems like you’ve got an interesting night then. I’m heading off soon. Wish me luck.

  Strangely, her reply was short and not what I had been expecting. I didn’t know how I felt about it. Did I want her to say more? Yeah, I did.

  Have fun, she said.

  My reply was honest. I won’t.

  I thought she had sent another text when my phone vibrated once more. My heart tightened as I glanced down. It wasn’t her. The name Jasmine came up on my screen with the words under don’t answer this cheating bitch, courtesy of my sister. My thumb hovered over the green answer button, on the verge of pressing it. Almost. I was close to picking it up.

  The curious part of me wanted to. For a moment, I wanted to hear what she possibly had to call for.

  Maybe she wanted help installing a new TV.

  Maybe she missed me and wanted to get back together.

  Shit. Could she want me back?

  I didn’t call her back.

  Like a boss. I finished my hair, sprayed some Acqua Di Gio on, and left the bathroom. I was good to go in my jeans and white shirt. I headed out to the boys on the couch, picking up a can of Canadian Club on my way. They had been my mates since high school. We had gotten into a fair amount of shit growing up, messing about. They were both single, loved to
fuck, and hated anything serious.

  Yes, they are good for a night out with.

  The last place I wanted to be was in a bar downtown, not after my ex-girlfriend cheated on me in one. We ended up in one, though. I glanced around, wondering if this was the place where she did it. I doubted it. It was not classy enough for her.

  “You need to be back out there again,” Zack says, shaking his head as if he were disgusted. “Man, it’s been like what? Five months since you broke up?”

  “It’s been two.” Two fucking months.

  My phone vibrated on the table, and I picked it up to read before either of them notice I was texting her. They would have my balls.

  How’s the bar?

  I kept my head down, writing back. All right. How’s work going?

  Knock off soon. Finally! Do you know of any good takeout places?

  I looked across the road, smiling to myself. I shouldn’t have done it, but I did. Dynasty Chinese is good.

  Thanks. I’ll eat it all to myself and think of you.

  I couldn’t help myself. I had to ask. Do you think of me often?

  Enjoy your night out, Jax.

  I was taking that as a yes, a definite yes.

  Joining back in the conversation, I realised they were still going on about my need of getting laid. I needed to put an end to it. “I do just fine.”

  “Prove it.” Dylan scanned his eyes around the room. “There’s like hot chicks all over the place. Go over and talk to Tori. She’s into you.”

  “Out of all the people here, you randomly thought of her?” They knew she would be here. It was why they insisted on this bar. Not so smart these two.

  Dylan grinned, pointing past me and over to her. “She’s hot.”

  I looked over to where Tori and her friends were sitting, shaking my head. Yeah, she was alright to look at, but it was all made up. I looked back at my friends. “She works with Jasmine.”

  “Yes, but don’t they hate each other? What’s a better way to say ‘screw you, Jasmine,’ than to go fuck her?” Zack agreed. “You need to get out there, man. Fuck her. What’s the harm?”