His Rebound Love

by Melissa Bender

  “Ugh, so not funny.” She smiled, poking her tongue out as she left the bedroom in a pair of shorts and a thin top, singing out. “Stop banging, or you’ll wake the neighbours up, Mum.”

  “I texted you an hour ago, what have you been doing since?” her voice said, calling back.

  I held my tongue. It was not the time for a smart-ass reply. Once dressed, I was not sure what to do, but I made sure to leave no trace of a morning well spent in bed naked. I gave the bed duvet a smooth brush down, rearranging the pillows and tossing on the extras that were there for decoration purposes only. Why women bother with those, are beyond me. It was like the rope basket in her bathroom. It was just sitting there, and at first, I had assumed it was for her laundry. No, it was just there to look good, and that was it. Nothing more.

  Spitting out the mouthwash I was gargling in the sink, I could hear Sienna and her mother talking in the kitchen and her mother asking why there was another dog in the living room. I looked a riot mess, half-asleep and not the way I would have liked to meet my potential in-law for the first time. I knew Sienna’s mother was important to her with her being the only parent in her life who had raised her.

  This was important. It was a huge deal to her.

  That and, being the first guy she has ever dated or brought home.

  The talking slowed to a halt as I appeared around the corner, my palms slightly sweaty as the woman sitting on the bar stool did a double take over her shoulder at me. Her mouth seemed to stop moving as she just stared.

  She wasn’t an older version of her daughter; instead, her hair was a light brown, the greying coming through, and her eyes are a deep blue. She was slim, short, and just like the photographs hanging on the wall behind their glass frames. I was assuming Sienna got her father’s looks.

  Don’t fuck this up.

  “Miss Dalton, it’s lovely to finally meet you.” I walked over, bending down and kissing her cheek. Pulling away, I made my way to my girlfriend who looked more than nervous and placed a kiss on her forehead. I took the coffee cup from her hands, bringing it to my lips and taking a mouthful. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

  “Sienna…. You didn’t mention you had company,” was her mother’s tight-lipped response.

  “You never asked, Mum,” she replied, sounding calmer than I had expected. Given her panic attack in the bedroom, I had assumed she would lie and say I was just a figment of her imagination. Reaching for her cup back, she smiled. “This is Jackson, my boyfriend.”

  Boyfriend. I smiled at being called that while I filled my cup with boiling water, watching the coffee dissolve as I sweated over her mother’s response. “He spends the night? How long have you been dating for?”

  “We’re both adults,” Sienna answered coolly.

  “Three weeks,” I answered. I should have kept my mouth shut.

  With my ass leaning against the kitchen counter, I watched her mother stand, making her way back over towards us. “You might be an adult dear, but…” she paused, her shoulders sagging. “You missed your cousin’s baby shower. It would have been so lovely to see you there.”

  “Mum, seriously.” Sienna sighed, dragging her fingers through her hair as she untangled her thick mane of curls. “I was working yesterday and didn’t finish until late.”

  “You had time to go out and find yourself a boyfriend. I just assumed you’d make time for your family.”

  I realised one thing about Sienna’s mother and my own. They both played the guilt card well. “I live across the hall, practically impossible to resist bumping into each other.”

  “Not helping,” Sienna murmured under her breath, shooting me a scowl. “Mum, I love you, but my work is important to me, and like I said before, Annie has had plenty of baby showers. I doubt I was even missed.”

  “How did you two meet?” She ignored her daughter, her eyes back to me. I felt as if I were being picked apart or about to be. “How old are you? And cut the Miss Dalton crap out. Don’t suck up.”

  I liked her already. “Not sucking up. I’m just a believer of being polite and showing respect. I only called you Miss Dalton as I know you’re not married and have no clue of your first name.”

  “It’s Lydia.”

  “Well then, Lydia, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” I offered her my hand, and she took it. “I’m Jackson, twenty-six and from across the hall. I met your daughter at the park. I’m sure you can see we both own the same breed of dog, which started our conversation. We became friends first until I asked your daughter out, to which she thankfully agreed.” She did not intimidate me. There was no need to. “If you want to know more, ask, and I’ll be happy to answer.”

  She eyed me suspiciously, nodding sharply and rubbing her chin, then picked up her coffee once again. “Sienna is my world, Jackson. If you hurt her, I will hurt you.”

  “I’d expect nothing less.”

  There was a silence in the room. Her mother and I had a stare down. I had quite a height on her, and I wasn’t going to back down. I felt Sienna’s hand on my back as she rested her head against my arm, asking through a muffled yawn. “How long are you staying for?”

  “A couple of days. I thought we could spend the day shopping?” She looked at her with hopeful eyes. “We haven’t had a girl’s day in so long.”

  I felt tense and looked down, frowning. Was I missing something?

  “Mum, Jackson and I had plans.”

  Our plans to spend the Sunday fucking and sleeping were long gone. “Spend time with your mother. I can catch up on some work and take the dogs to the park,” I said in spite of myself.

  “Are you sure?” I could see that she was begging me to help her out, but I had no clue why.

  “I’m sure.” I placed another kiss on her forehead, smelling a scent of vanilla that had been freshly sprayed to mask the smell of sex that oozed from her skin. Not that I minded. The vanilla reminded me of a bakery. “How about we go out for dinner, the three of us?” My hand was under her chin as I tilted her head back, gazing into her eyes. “I’ll book somewhere. How about Stillwater?” We had lunch there a week back. They had great food and offered exceptionally great company.

  I needed to win her mother over some more before she left town.

  Sienna’s eyes lit up. “Oh, yes. That would be amazing.” She turned to her mother. “You’ll love it. The food is so good.”

  “You two go. I don’t want to be a burden.” She glanced away, shrugging with a sigh. “I just wish I had known that you were going to be busy. I might have not driven all this way.”

  “You’re an hour away.” Sienna rolled her eyes. “Stop being dramatic. We’ll all go out for dinner, and I guess I’ll need a new outfit, so we can go shopping too.”

  “Oh, yes.” Her mother smiled, standing back up. Polishing off her glass of water, she rinsed the glass in the sink and left it to air dry. She hadn’t turned around to face either of us as her posture suddenly changed. “Dear, can you please give me a few minutes alone with Jackson?”

  “Why?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’re not going to scare him away or be mean, are you?”

  Be mean? Please, the woman was barely a threat. “Sienna, it’s ok. Go outside and tell me if it’s warm or cold, so I know whether to wear shorts or trousers,” I said.

  I watched her reluctantly leave. She was not impressed, and that wasn’t left unnoticed. She glared at us both through the glass sliding door before turning and staring down to the city, her hair lightly blowing in the breeze.

  Lydia moved around the small dining table towards me as I stood by the couch next to Colt. “I’m not sure what your intentions are with my daughter. You look like the kind of man who breaks hearts and leaves women in tears.”

  I wasn’t going to tolerate this shit. “You’re judging me based on my looks. Yes, you think I’m a playboy because I’m attractive, fit, and—”

  “Conceited much.” She rolled her eyes. She was a tough one.

  I chose to ignore h
er. “No. I’m just aware that people expect me to fuck around with women and use them. You’ll have to know that’s not my intention with Sienna.”

  “And what are they? She’s never dated before, and suddenly you’re both shacked up and acting in love.” Acting in love? “She is a good girl. Don’t go hurting her.”

  “I’m going to marry her.” My words rushed from my mouth. They were instant, surprising and shocking me. Yet, it didn’t terrify me.

  Her mother shook her head. “You’re what?” Her smile was growing. “You’re thinking about marriage? What about babies?”

  I grinned, shaking my head. “You’re just like my own mother. Yes, I want a family someday, but when we’re both ready.” A week more and we would know for sure if I had indeed knocked her up. The week couldn’t pass by fast enough. “I’m the man who gets cheated on, so if you don’t mind, stop judging me and see that your daughter is truly a wonderful woman. She makes me happy, and I’ll continue to do everything to make her feel that way too. If our relationship ends, then it won’t be from my doing and I’ll do everything I can to try to win her back.”

  “I like you, Jackson. Now please go away and let me enjoy some rare time with my daughter. I’ll see you for dinner tonight.” She smiled, and I knew I had the approval I needed from her.

  Sienna came back inside, eyeing us both, but I’d never tell her what we spoke about. I had pretty much told her mother that I was planning to ask her to marry me when the timing was right. We walked in silence to the door and over to mine.

  “Will you tell me what you spoke about?”

  “No.” Not yet, anyway. “Give me a kiss. I want to taste you in my mouth until I see you later tonight.”

  “Mmm.” She slightly moaned, her tits pushing out through the black fabric top as she reached up for a hug. “Help me. Don’t go.”

  As I bent in to kiss her goodbye, I couldn’t help but laugh. I hugged her tighter. I didn’t want to go. “Don’t pout, baby. You’ll see me again later.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re probably all uncomfortable. We don’t have to do dinner.” She was nervous. It was cute that she worried I would be put out by her mother showing up. I wasn’t in the slightest bit.

  I kissed her, my tongue forcing its way into her mouth as I pulled her by the waist, feeling her body against mine. My cock grew and pressed against her stomach as she slipped a hand down, stroking me through my sweats. I groaned, tasting the peppermint mouthwash on her mouth. Reluctantly, I pulled back and took her hand from me. “If you start, I’m going to drag you into my apartment and fuck you hard.”

  “I want you.” She groaned, trying to reach for me once more. I let her until I really was tempted to do what I have said. I just had to pry her away from me.

  Resting my forehead against hers, I whisper. “I’ll see you tonight, sweetheart.” I went to close the door, but then I remembered my question earlier. I pulled her into my apartment, pressing her against the door frame. “Why don’t you like shopping? Don’t most women shop for sport?” My sister sure loved to shop. Apparently, she could sniff out a sale anywhere. I think she just lied and told Paul it was on sale to get away with it.

  Her hands fumbled together, her gaze lowering as she shrugged. “I didn’t say I don’t like it.”

  “Ok, then. I will rephrase. Why don’t you want to go shopping with your mother? Look at me when you answer, please.” I liked to see her face. I want to learn every expression, every little thing about her. I wanted to know and see her.

  She sighed, lifting her head back up and slumping her back against the wall. Her pink tongue swept out, licking her dry lips. “She’s going to pry and ask about you.” Too late, sweetheart. She’d just done that.

  “Does that matter? She’s met me. Let her ask the questions.” That wasn’t everything. “Now, the truth.”

  “Because I hate shopping, alright?” She looked away again, almost looking ashamed. Her voice was wavering, and for a moment, I thought she was about to cry. “My mum wants to go and try everything on me, and I hate it. I’m not skinny, and staring into a mirror as I try to squeeze my fat ass and thighs into a pair of jeans or dress isn’t my idea of fun.”

  I looked at her, really looked at her. The girl I met and fell for wasn’t shy or insecure. “Look at me.” My voice was firm, harsher than intended. When she did, I narrowed my eyes, keeping my voice low as I assumed her mother was trying to listen in. “I won’t tolerate that shit from you. Fat? Fuck off, you are. You’re sexy as fuck. I like your curves, and I damn sure like your ass and thighs. I love your stomach, and I love your tits.” I wouldn’t stand there and listen to her ridicule herself in front of me. “You’ve been naked in front of me plenty of times by now to know that my cock gets stiff at the sight of you. Jesus, you were a virgin, yet you’ll suck my cock and ride my dick like a sexy vixen, but then you draw the line at shopping?” I reached into my back pocket, pulling out my leather wallet and drawing out four hundred-dollar notes. I took her hand and placed them in her open palm, forcing her hand shut. “I want you to go out, buy a dress, whatever it is you need with that. Then I want you to go and buy a matching set of lingerie, something you’d never consider wearing but want to.”

  “What? No, I can’t.” She tried giving the money back, but I wouldn’t take it. She frowned. “Jack, I won’t take it.”

  “It’s not up for discussion, Sienna. I want to sit there at dinner tonight, imagining what you’re wearing underneath the dress. If you can’t choose, then I will gladly join you on your shopping trip and pick something out for you. I’ll watch you change into everything I choose.” My gaze softened, reaching back up with my other hand and stroking her cheek. “You’re beautiful. I don’t know why you would ever think you’re nothing less than.” Something or someone must have made her this way. “When are you going to realise that I find you incredibly sexy?”

  I could see a faint smile beginning to appear. “I’m just worried. I’m scared that one day you’re going to wake up and see you could do so much better than me.”

  “No, sweetheart.” I objected, shaking my head as my forehead rested against hers. Her warm breath was fanning my skin, and I closed my eyes. I inhaled, slowly opening my eyes back, wanting her to see how truly open and vulnerable I was to her. “I’m the one who’s scared that you’ll see me for who I am and leave.” It terrified the shit out of me that she would want someone more.

  They’ll all eventually want more.

  “I don’t want anyone but you,” she whispered, her arms tightly wrapping around my back, pulling me flush against her. “There’s no one else I can imagine being with. It’s just you.”

  “Please enjoy shopping with your mum. She’s excited and looking forward to spending time with you,” I said. My hold on her was loosening. I had to let her go now; otherwise, I never would.

  “Ok, I’ll miss you and our lazy day we had planned together.”

  “We’ve got plenty more Sundays to spend together, baby.” A lifetime of them.

  She nodded, nuzzling her nose against mine. I felt her lips over my skin and kissed her back. I really didn’t want her to go. She smiled into the kiss, nipping my bottom lip before pulling back. Her voice had a huskiness to it. My innocent vixen was aroused. I raised a brow, wondering what she was thinking. “Tell me what your favourite colour is so I can choose something sexy you’ll definitely like to rip off of me... We’re definitely getting it on tonight.”

  I smirked, knowing exactly what I wanted to see her in, exactly what I wanted to rip off her. I put my lips against her ear, feeling her shudder beneath my breath as the warmth hit her ear with each word I spoke. “I want to see you wearing…”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  SIENNA

  I stared at the reflection in the mirror. Oh god, I look hideous. My cheeks were flamed in embarrassment. My face pretty much matched the shade of my hair, almost.

  Why did I ever think I could pull off that sexy model lingerie? I didn’t want to bu
y it, and yet I did. I was both scared and aroused at the thought of Jackson seeing me wearing this, something so revealing, so sexy. I wasn’t a thong girl, and a thin strap of material up my ass wasn’t all that appealing. I stuck with a pair of panties that were more my style, yet more revealing than I would normally wear. Given that the name of panties was ‘Strap my Booty,’ I don’t think I could get anything more revealing.

  You couldn’t tell by looking at the front. It was just red satin. Then I turned, internally groaning as I glanced down to the bottom end of me. There was nothing other than black straps covering my ass, looking like the outline of a butterfly spreading its wings. Of course, there was a red satin bow at the top.

  Jesus, am I really about to buy these?

  I was practically saying, unwrap and have at my ass. My cheeks flamed at the thought.

  The matching red bra gave the illusion I had just had a boob job. It made them look high and perky. I had already decided to buy that since my boobs looked amazing in it. I wanted to cover my midsection but decided against it. I was not a suspenders and garter girl. I just could not. Knowing my luck, it would be on so tight I would go to sit and the strap will snap and whip him in the face.

  My phone buzzed in my handbag. Bending down, I shuffled through my bag to retrieve it. A text from Jackson! I smiled, unlocking and reading it.

  Made a reservation for seven. Picked a dress yet?

  A dress? If he knew how much trouble I went through trying to find a dress for that first date, he would know I hadn’t found one to wear tonight. Not yet. I’m in lingerie at the moment, I replied.

  His text was instant, and I had to cover my mouth as I giggled. He did not send any words, just two emojis—an eggplant and spurts of water.

  “Everything all right in there, dear?”

  Shoot, I had forgotten my mother was looking for a bra as well. I had snuck these in with the black and pale pink babydoll sleepwear I planned to buy. I had chosen that only because it looked pretty. I didn’t dare look at the price. The thought of spending his money on lingerie wasn’t my idea, but like he said, I was buying these for him, so it was really buying him a gift with his own money.