His Rebound Love

by Melissa Bender

  From the corner of my eye, I could see her leaning over the centre console, and her lips pressed against my cheek. My eyes closed for a moment. This was happiness. She sat back and squeezed my hand beneath hers. “Oh no, you’re the best lover I’ve ever had.”

  “I’m your only lover.” I reminded. A silence fell through the car, and I could only assume what she was thinking. All women stew over things half the time, over ex’s and things of the past. “Stop it,” I told her, my foot easing back to the accelerator.

  She glanced over. “Stop what?” Her voice was slightly higher, a tell-tale sign that something was up.

  “Stop thinking about it. I’m with you.” I lifted my hand from hers, taking the wheel and remaining straight-faced.

  “I’m a girl. We think about these things.” I knew it. Of course, they do.

  My hands clenched into fists as I curled them around the leather wheel, gripping tighter. We obviously were heading for one of those talks I really didn’t care for. I did however know this would be a one-sided conversation. Unlike Jasmine, Sienna had not slept with anyone before. I had told Jasmine I didn’t care to hear about her past, and she didn’t care for mine. It was not an issue.

  Sienna, on the other hand… She was going to want to talk and discuss, which was fine, to a point. I didn’t care for it.

  “I’ve never fucked a woman on her period before. That’s why I said you felt so wet.” It was the truth.

  I had never been with a woman who wanted period sex. Period sex with Sienna, though? Fuck, yes. She became increasingly hornier, so I noticed. So yeah, we fucked still, mostly in the shower or with a towel over the bed. The blood didn’t scare me. I wasn’t a boy. I am a man and know women have periods. Christ, the amount of times I had teased my sister with tampons was uncountable.

  Sienna wasn’t too embarrassed. At first, she had tried shoving me off her. She freaked more than me. I had followed her into the shower, got down on my knees, and washed her clean of blood and semen, showing her that I hadn’t been put off at all.

  Finally, she was convinced enough to give me another round that night.

  It was a win, win. She got to have an orgasm when she felt her worst, and I still got laid. Except, she would not let me go down on her, not even in the shower. That was where the line was drawn. Her ass was another line that wouldn’t be crossed. There was plenty time to change her mind with that last one though.

  “Have you been with many women?”

  “Are we really discussing this on the way to my parents?” Of all the things to talk about, she chose previous lovers.

  “I’m curious. I mean, you know my list of lovers. I want to know yours.” She squeezed my thigh, trying to reassure me she was okay with it. I, however, could see this ending in two ways. First, she would be okay with it, and then the other, she would lose her shit and want a list of everything I have ever done. We would end up ignoring each other through dinner, and my parents would know we were in some argument. My sister would assume I had fucked up somehow, and my mother would be in my old room, placing a mint on the pillow to welcome me home. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.

  I could lie and tell her a number that I knew she would like. But I wasn’t going to lie to her. “Four.”

  “Really?” She didn’t believe me, judging by that scoff she made.

  I nodded. “You’re the fourth. I’m almost twenty-seven. I lost my virginity to a girl in grade ten which made me sixteen. I fucked around a couple times at parties, so I think four women in eleven years is pretty good, and no, they weren’t fuck friends. I told you I don’t do that.”

  “So, you dated them all?” she asked, clearly grilling me. I kept telling myself that she just wanted to know. It was not a big deal… until you fuck a virgin and they want to know about your past.

  “I had relationships with two of them. The rest were just an unfortunate body for me to use when puberty hit. I fucked them once, and that’s it.” I could have gone out like my mates and taken a different woman home each night, but what would that accomplish? I would feel good for an hour or so, then that was it. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever come inside of, who I’ve never used a condom with.”

  Her brows raised. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know she liked that. “That’s a relief. I noticed you enjoy slapping my ass. Is that something you’ve always done?”

  I felt very uncomfortable right now with really discussing the details. “Uh, honestly? I had done it once, and she turned around and slapped me across the face then got up and left the room.” Not my finest moment. “Being young, I thought all women loved a hard slap or two there. Obviously not.”

  She began to giggle. “Why do you do it with me then?”

  “Because if you saw your ass from my view, you’d know it’s impossible not to spank, bite, and kiss them.”

  “I like when you do it.” The frown went back, and she chewed her lower lip. “The other girl in the relationship, did you date for long?” My girl was jealous. She had no reason to be.

  I kept my eyes ahead. “Not really. Roughly four weeks, actually.”

  She nodded again, mumbling quietly. “Oh.”

  A smile broke out across my face. My hand went back to hers, and I lifted them, bringing her knuckles to my lips, softly kissing them. “Sweetheart, I’m talking about you. You’re the second relationship that I’ve ever been in.”

  “Really?” She didn’t believe me.

  “Yes, really. Well, school ones don’t count, considering they last a day and that’s it. You know that I was with Jasmine for around two years. The sex was far in between, rarely often and boring. Probably why she went out and cheated on me.”

  “Her loss.”

  “Are you okay?”

  Her eyes resumed back ahead, and she sighed. “Have you… I mean, do you keep in contact with any of the women you used to, you know, sleep with?”

  By now, we were pulling down the familiar street to my parent’s house. “No, I haven’t spoken to any of them. I don’t think about them either.”

  “Do you think about Jasmine?” She was referring to the calls again. I needed to put a stop to this before things turned sour.

  “I don’t want to talk about her.” It came out harsher, almost a grumble. I could see from the way her body sagged that I had said the wrong thing.

  Parking the car behind my sister’s red SUV, I stayed silent for a moment, unsure how to respond. I needed to choose my words carefully. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt her. I unclipped my belt, shifted in my seat, and turned to face her, cupping both cheeks in a firm hold. She leant in automatically, and her hands ran up my arms and held my wrists, her thumb tracing up and down my skin. I was aware my sister and mother were probably squishing their face against the window, possibly trying to lip read my words.

  “Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” she spoke as I caressed my thumb over her lip.

  “When you and I are together, there’s no need to think about anyone else. When we kiss, it’s just you and I. You make me not think. All my worries and thoughts disappear, and it’s just you and I.” I held her gaze. She drew me in, and I hadn’t a clue what she had done to me. “What Jasmine and I had, or any other woman, wasn’t what we have. It wasn’t like this, what we have. Nothing compares to what you and I share together.” Not even close. “I don’t mind your questions, baby. Just know that my past is just that, a past, and I don’t dwell over it or think about it. Yes, Jasmine hurt me… and from time to time, I’ll think about how much I loathe her, but that’s it. You’re the one I think about. Even when we’re together, I’m thinking about you.”

  “I hate that I get jealous.” I could see that she was ashamed. She had no need to be.

  Oh, baby. If she only knew. I get jealous too, sweetheart. “You got the best of me, Sienna.”

  My mother was in the kitchen when we walked inside. Dad was on the couch opposite Paul, and my sister sat in the dining room, talking to Mum as she watch
ed her cook. She got her hand stuck in a bag of caramel popcorn when we walked in. Sienna was walking in front of me, and my hands were on her hips, leading her the way. I preferred to be behind her right now with that black cotton t-shirt dress she was wearing. It ended just above her knees, hugging her ass and showing off her long, lean legs. She had incredible legs. The scent of mixed wild berries filled my nostrils as her hair swayed, flowing down her back.

  We walked into the open plan kitchen, and another scent filled the room. Homemade patty burgers. When Ma cooks them, you’d know she was putting on a show.

  “Hey, something smells good.” I grinned. My mother jumped, turning on her heels.

  “You’re early!” She fretted, waving her hand about, looking from one thing to another. “I haven’t made the salad yet.” I looked over, noticing three other salads already made. She was going all out.

  “At least we showed up. Sienna wanted me to fake a sickie.” Throwing her under the bus and easing her into this was my plan.

  Sienna spun around, scoffing. “Liar. You tried to get me to cancel by offering to do my housework for a week.” She smiled. “I’ve seen your apartment. No, thanks.”

  I raised a questioning look towards her. “I wash your dishes.”

  “Don’t you mean load them into my dishwasher?” She was in her playful mood, not the ounce of shyness about. “I cook your dinner most nights.”

  My mouth hung open for a brief moment, trying to think of something else I did for her. Making her come didn’t seem appropriate to mention. She caught onto my smirk, and her eyes danced with threat. She knew what I was thinking, warning me not to even mention it. “I make your bed. You’ve never complained.”

  “That’s because you’ve never noticed me remaking it.” She shot back, poking her tongue out. “Don’t worry. You’re pretty good at other things.”

  Laughing, I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her against my hip. Her hand goes flat across my chest, her other on the lower of my back. “Everyone, this is Sienna.”

  I had expected this kind of welcome towards Jasmine. Complete silence. They were all just staring, the sound of a footy game the only source of noise. Sienna smiled. My hand was on the curve of her ass as she looked around, giving a slight wave. “Hey, Jax’s family. Nice to meet you.”

  “Oh, god! You weren’t lying,” Lauren whispered, pulling her hand from the popcorn packet and wiping it down on her green top. She glanced at Mum, who was just smiling at us. “I assumed you were exaggerating, but wow… They’re like, full-on cute.”

  I frowned. “Excuse me? Cute?” No.

  “Are you kidding me?” Lauren made her way over, giving my girlfriend a once over. When her eyes landed back on her face, she smiled. “I’m Lauren, Jackson’s big sister. You look familiar. Have we met before?”

  “Um, I don’t think…” She was barely able to get the words out before my father appeared and she was cut off, to which Sienna stated boldly, “I gave you mouth to mouth.”

  He froze, and all of us looked at them, bewildered. “What?” I had to make sure I heard her right.

  Dad took a moment before his frown disappeared into a familiar smile. “By bloody hell! It is you… Sandy!” he called out. His fingers clasped around Sienna’s wrist as she pointed towards her with her free hand. “The paramedic I told you about. This is her.”

  “You’re the one who saved Troy’s life?” My mum was letting the realisation sink in. “It is, too. I can’t believe I didn’t notice her before.”

  “Can someone fill us in please?” Lauren asked, looking from me, to Sienna, to Dad, and then back to Sienna once again. “You were the one who drove my dad to the hospital after his fall?”

  ***

  “I didn’t fix him much. The ambulance was being filled with petrol when he collapsed. I had to think quick and find a pulse, then you were breathing on your own. Archer had everything ready to put you in the back. I just drove.”

  Ahh, yes, her trusty good pal and work partner, Archie.

  Hated the guy. I had never met him, but I hated him.

  My sister’s eyes lit up. She gave her a wink and held her hand over her mouth, blocking Paul from seeing her mouth ‘he’s a hottie’ to me. I glared at her.

  “I was the one who called your family. I spoke with your son since you were—” Her words came to a stop as her hand flicked out and hit my arm. “We’ve met before! I knew it! I thought you looked familiar.”

  Hold on, what? “I think I’d remember meeting you.”

  Sienna’s eyes rolled. “I had my hair pulled back, wearing blue overalls. You arrived, and I walked you to the ER to wait for the surgeon.”

  That was when it all came flooding back to me.

  I joined the men in the living room. My sister and mother had taken Sienna hostage into the kitchen. All we could hear was laughter, talking, wine bottles being popped, and more laughter until dinner was served. Mum really went all out, and my parents loved Sienna even more when they realised she had saved our dad’s life.

  “We have some news. We’re trying for a baby.”

  My brows shot up in surprise. Both Mum and Dad looked equally as surprised as myself. Paul picked up his fork and just kept eating. I didn’t dare look at Sienna, not after we have had our own pregnancy scare. I was, however, genuinely happy for my sister and Paul.

  “Congrats.” I mustered up a smile. “Didn’t need to hear the finer details, but I am glad you’re getting laid”—I winked at Paul—“before it all dries up once a screaming kid is around.”

  He grinned, giving a nod back. “I’m surprised if it happens. First time all year and boom, she’ll be pregnant.”

  Dad and I both burst out laughing, joining him. Lauren rolled her eyes, and Mum pretended not to hear. The last thing I would ever want to discuss was my sister’s love life, let alone sex life.

  “So, tell us about yourself, Sienna. You’re a medic still, yes?” Dad had changed the conversation back to Sienna. All eyes on her, she blushed. “No need to be shy, dear. Are your parents around here too? What’s your father do?”

  We all heard the thump Mum gave as she kicked him beneath the table. Her wild glare shot him down.

  “Mum lives at Devonport. It’s just her and I. My cousins all live back in my hometown, and it’s just me up here, which I like. I’m a bit of a hermit at times.” She smiled. I rubbed her leg, brushing her inner thigh where the dress had ridden up. “And yes, still a medic. I know it’s not a doctor, but I like it.” She had ignored the question about her father. It was enough to know that was off limits.

  “Is the food okay, dear? Jackson told me you don’t eat seafood. Have you had a bad experience with it before?”

  Where’s my mother? Who was this polite woman who has possessed her?

  “Food’s incredible, and no, not really. I’ve never tried seafood.”

  “And you’ve just decided you didn’t like it?” Paul spoke up, looking at her like crazy.

  “Yep.” She smiled, her thighs clamping around my hand. “Maybe one day, I’ll try it.”

  The conversation was kept light. Sienna insisted on helping with the dishes as Mum began to clean up. My sister took the opportunity to come bother me.

  “Can I help you?” I asked. I had been discussing work with Dad. He was looking to retire soon, and I told him to buy a caravan and travel like he has always wanted to do. The man worked hard. He deserved it.

  “Nope. I just warned your lovely girlfriend if she hurts you, I’ll hurt her back.”

  I almost choked on my beer, coughing and spluttering as I got my breath back. “I hope you didn’t.”

  “After Jasmine, you can bet your fat arse I did. I won’t have another woman hurting you, going around and screwing someone else. I made that clear too.” She was a great sister, but she really annoyed the shit out of me at times.

  I shook my head, standing up and downing the beer. “Listen, Sienna isn’t like Jasmine, okay? She’s completely different.”
<
br />   She went to say something but closed her mouth and simply nodded. “I like her. She’s in your room. I told her this is where you spent a week depressed and drunk after your breakup. I want her to know how broken your heart was. Are you over her?”

  My glare cut through her. I lowered my voice because the last thing I wanted was for Sienna to hear any of this. “Keep your fucking voice down. What’s wrong with you? Jealous the conversation wasn’t all about you and your baby-making tonight?” It was a low blow, but she was acting crazy. “Fuck, of course I’m over Jasmine.”

  Her look was a deer in headlights. “Yeah, actually, I am jealous. Jealous that my husband couldn’t give a shit if I fall pregnant or not and that my little brother has barely called because he’s shacked up with a girl.”

  “I spoke to you four days ago.” I reminded her. “I call you every week, and I have a life. I’m busy with work. Since when have you called me first?” I was shaking my head at her. “Stop threatening my girlfriend. I hope Mum annoys the hell out of you, asking about your trying-to-get-pregnant positions.”

  Not waiting for her reply, I took off to my room, finding her at the dresser staring at herself into the mirror. I closed the door, walking up behind her and sliding my arms around her waist. My hands gathered up her hair, pulling it all aside as I lowered my mouth, placing a kiss against the nape of her neck.

  Her voice was soft, quiet. “So this is where you had healed a broken heart, huh?”

  “No, this is where I jerked myself off over you after meeting you at the park.” That was how I was going to remember this room. “The broken heart I had healed when I looked at you for the first time.”

  “Not the first time.” She pointed out. “I can’t believe we’d spoken before. How crazy is that?”

  It’s now or never. “I jerked off to you. It felt real, but it wasn’t. Fuck, I sound crazy. It was before I knew who you was.”

  Her brows creased together, and her nose scrunched in confusion. “What? That makes no sense.”

  “I mean, there was one time, a few months back before Jasmine and I broke up… I was in the shower, and—”