“I’ll be right back.” I heard the water run in the bathroom and I assumed Stay was cleaning his cock.
When he came back, he said, “Damn, Lainie. You continue to surprise me.”
“Me?” I muttered.
“Yes you,” he said, moving me onto his chest.
“What did you mean?” I said softly.
“When?” He tickled down my back.
“Never knew? And you said something else.” I breathed out a contented sigh.
“Never hoped.” He gathered my hair and draped over my shoulder.
“Yes, that. What did you mean?”
“I’ve never met anyone who suited me as well as you do and I’ve never been so sexually satisfied.” He hugged me to him, breathing against my hair.
“I’m at a loss.”
“I know, OC, but you’ll get there.” He kissed my head.
“Why are you so sure?” I asked, peering up.
“There are so many reasons but you’re not ready to hear them.”
“I hope you’re right.” And I meant it.
“Me too.”
As much as I enjoyed my time with Stayman, I didn’t know if I could love him. I adored him as friend, and as a lover he rocked my world but when it came to love, it was another beast entirely.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Mmmhmm,” I said into his chest.
“You’re not moving.”
“I’m too comfortable,” I said, snuggling in tighter.
He stroked my hair and said, “Thank you.”
“I’m positive I should be thanking you. That was ... I don’t even know how to put it in words.”
“It was for me too. Will you submit again?”
I folded my arms on his chest and rested my chin on top. “Are you worried I might decline?”
“Or run away, yes.”
“No, I won’t.”
“Submit?”
“No. Run away, I won’t. Submit? Whenever you take me again.”
“Jesus, woman.” His cock hardened next to my thigh.
“You’re insatiable.”
“I promise you, I’ve never been like this before,” he said, looking dead serious.
“I call bullshit. You’re a very sexual man. I don’t believe you.”
“You’ll get there,” he said again.
We noshed on left over pizza and crashed soon thereafter.
When we woke in the morning, I checked the clock and screamed, “Shit.”
“What?” Stay asked, groggily.
“I’m late. The store opens in forty-five minutes. I’m getting into the shower and we have to leave right after.”
“Okay. Breakfast?” He got out of bed and pulled on sweats and a T-shirt.
“No time,” I said heading into the bathroom.
“I’ll throw something together for you.”
“Thanks.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Use Me
by Bill Withers
After frantically rushing to shower, gathering my stuff, and impatiently waiting as Stay drove me to work, I still had fifteen minutes to spare before I had to open Bella Boutique.
Once we arrived at the shop, Stay handed me a paper bag and kissed me goodbye. “Thanks again for last night,” he said.
I paused and took a deep breath. I took a minute to take in the wonderful man in front of me. With my hand, I brushed over his hair and along his cheek where his bristle had started to grow. “You are a truly great person. I’m grateful to have you in my life.”
We hugged and rocked together for a moment, and I allowed myself to thoroughly enjoy it. I took in his smell and carried it with me to work. I waved goodbye as he drove away.
In the office, I opened the bag Stay had given to me. Inside I found a vanilla yogurt, the very brand I ate, and a banana. Damn him for being so amazing.
Halfway through the day I received a text from him.
Stayman: I miss your body next to mine. Thank you for spending the night. I’ll miss you until tomorrow.
Me: I miss you too. What time on Saturday?
Stayman: Are you driving or should I come get you?
Me: I’m flexible.
Stayman: I’ll be at your condo at two o’clock.
Me: See you then.
When I got home from work that night, the menagerie of thoughts left me mildly nauseous. Collecting my journal and pen, I sat on the balcony and lit a cigarette.
Do people really expect me to just turn off all my feelings for Mason? I truly wish it were that easy. Screw the faucet tightly off. I know if Mason wasn’t a married man no one would have that expectation of me.
How do I grieve and let him go like Dad said I should? Mason and I had gotten to the absolute best place in our relationship. With one hundred percent of my being I believed he loved me. That’s why seeing him in love with his wife hurt so much. How could he love us both? He hasn’t texted or called again. Maybe I wasn’t as important to him as I thought I was, or maybe he believed me when I said I never ever wanted to hear from him again.
I’m battling myself constantly not to text him and the only thing keeping me from doing so is Stay. Is it fair that Stay is my stalwart support against reaching out to the man I love. I don’t care what anyone else says, I know I’m using Stay. I also know we both are having a lot of fun with it but that leaves me feeling no less guilty. It would be so easy if I could let go of Mason. I can see it. I’m not an idiot. Part of me even wants to. I love him. I still love him. I need him and want him too.
Parting in anger didn’t come close to the closure I need. I want to hear from him. I need to know it wasn’t all in my imagination. DON’T DO IT, LAINIE.
I went inside and picked up my phone. I did something worse than texting Mason. I texted Stay instead.
Me: Whatcha doing?
Stayman: Waiting for you to breakdown and text me.
Me: You know I’m not being nice.
Stayman: And you know I don’t care. I can be there in fifteen minutes.
Me: Want to go for a swim?
Stayman: Amongst other things. Am I spending the night?
Me: Why?
Stayman: So I know what to pack.
Me: This was a bad idea. I was feeling...
Stayman: Lonely and missing Mason.
My eyes filled with tears.
Me: I’m sorry, yes.
Stayman: I’m sending you an MP3. Listen to it and text me back.
Stayman: UseMe.mp3 download media content
I downloaded the familiar Bill Wither’s song and listened. The words caused me to laugh. Stay wanted me to use him up.
Me: For a smart man, I have to say, you don’t make great decisions for yourself.
Stayman: I’m perfectly fine with you reaching out to me instead of Mason.
Me: How do you do that?
Stayman: What did you call it? Voodoo, tantric magic? It’s simply a connection between us. Use me, OCDC, I can take it.
Me: Geez Louise! What am I going to do with you?
Stayman: Eight more minutes and we’ll find out.
Me: Damn you!
I laughed, giddy for the distraction in the form of a very sexy man. Hurriedly I scanned around the apartment and put everything in order. I dumped the ashtray and rinsed it out. In the bathroom I gargled and brushed my teeth. I changed into my sexy, black, one-piece bathing suit, and tied a wrap around my waist. Then I settled on the couch as if I was casually waiting. My heart pounded from all the rushing around and the relief from my angst. I popped up and unlocked the latch and then sat back down.
A knock sounded on the door shortly after and I said, “Come in.”
He walked in and kicked off his shoes. In his hands he carried a shirt and pants on hangers and a black overnight bag. “I’ll put these in the bedroom.”
I watched his cute ass stroll down the hall. “I hope you brought a bathing suit.”
“Got it,” he called from my room. When he came o
ut, he had on swimming trunks that hung down to mid-thigh. He was already hard, the bulge apparent. He saw me looking. “Since you texted me.” He pulled me to my feet and held my hair back on either side of head. “I’ve missed you.” His eyes searched my face as if he was committing each detail to memory.
Overwhelmed with need and the passion he inspired in me, I crashed my body against him. We grinded into one another as our lips locked. I hooked my right foot around his calf, trying to get closer.
When we broke apart, he said, “If you keep that up, we won’t make it to the pool.” His smooth, tan chest rose and fell.
“I invited you over for a swim,” I said, trying to gather my wits about me.
“Yes you did.”
“Can I smell you before we get all chlorinated?” I asked.
“Jesus, Lainie, you make it hard to keep a modicum of control.” He tugged his shorts down and step forward as I knelt before him.
I buried my face against his cock, breathing in his heady masculine scent.
He stroked my hair as I kissed around his shaft and balls. “You’re testing my resolve, woman.”
“Pre-cum? I’m sorry, I can’t resist.” I lapped the tip of his cock and sucked gently on the head. “You smell too good,” I said.
“We can shower after the pool.”
“Yes, I realize that but then you’ll smell like soap.” I ran my fingers up the length of him.
“How do I smell now?”
“Oh so uniquely you Stay: masculine ... salty ... musky, and it drives me crazy.”
“My favorite is when your pussy juices are covering it.”
After unknotting the wrap I wore, I stood, bent over the side of the couch and pulled the bottom of my suit to the side. “Let’s see.”
He groaned and moved in behind me. His cock filled me, knocking out any anxiety I held over my relationships.
I reveled in the firm grip on my shoulders and the velocity of his aggression. My pussy clutched, so close to be driven over the edge.
“You’re already so close. Shall I make you wait?” he asked, not slowing in the least.
“No. Harder please. Just don’t come.”
He obliged me, letting me surge into a freefall.
“Ohhh ... I’m ... yesss,” I cried out. My orgasm shattered around his cock giving me the high I so craved.
He held himself tightly against me as I slowly recovered.
I negotiated myself on shaky legs over to sit on the couch, my wrap under me. “Come,” I beckoned.
His erection still stood at attention. He stepped forward, holding his cock out.
I twirled my tongue around the head, riding the rim. “You and me together, I have to agree. Yummy.” With one hand I caressed his balls and swallowed his cock as deeply as I could. I moved to kneel in front of him, using my fist on the lower half of his shaft and my mouth on the upper.
He twisted his nipples as he gazed down on me, looking so sexy.
“That feels incredible. Are you ready for me to fill your mouth?”
I nodded.
His balls tightened up in my hand and his warm, creamy come fired into my mouth shot after shot. “Jesus,” he grunted, bucking his hips in and out. He held my head as his eyes bored into my eyes.
I struggled to keep up with the volume, swallowing several times. The contortions of pleasure that flashed across his face turned me on even more. I licked my lips and lapped up the last drops from his flared head.
He yanked up his shorts and collapsed on the couch, pulling me along with him. In his arms, I rested my head on his chest, hearing the pounding of his heart. He mumbled against my head, “I thought you invited me over for a swim.”
“So did I, but...”
“But?”
“Well it’s your fault,” I said, sitting up on his lap.
He made a sound that could have been both a choke and a laugh, then said, “Come again?”
“Maybe later.”
“Huh? Oh, very funny. How is it my fault?”
“Who asked you to walk around with a hard on all the time?”
“My silly sweetheart, that’s entirely your fault. Once you stop being so damn sexy, which I’m certain will never happen, then my cock will behave. Otherwise, it’s a cross we both must bear and I don’t mind it a bit. It keeps my creative juices flowing...” He twitched his eyebrows.
I smacked his arm and said, “Let’s go swimming. I’ll get the towels.”
Once at the pool, Stay dove into the deep end. We had the place to ourselves. I worked my way into the pool from the shallow end steps.
I thought about the one other time Stay and I were in a pool together. It was at Red’s house one night when we all decided to go skinny-dipping. I had consumed a few drinks, which made exposing my body to the group far easier. Stay may have noticed me, but he wasn’t yet in my sphere of attention.
“You ignored me that night,” he said when he swam up to me.
I shoved off the bottom step and began to swim away.
He caught me by my calf and turned me over, cradling me in his arms. Back and forth he swayed me in the water as if orchestrating a dance.
It was so relaxing and I drifted in the comfort of his arms, staring up in the stars above. Addressing his earlier statement, I said, “I told you before, I was otherwise occupied.”
“You were flirting your ass off with Dawg.”
“I was mad,” I said, stretching my arms out wide
“Oh, I think I see. Well you could have taken it out on me.”
“I didn’t really know you then.” The direction of the conversation drained away my loose state.
“And you knew Dawg?” he asked, pausing the water waltz.
“Well no, but I knew enough to know he wouldn’t confuse sex with anything else. Jacqs was completely against it and I quickly changed my mind anyway.”
“Why?” He started moving me around again.
“I was hurt, and angry, and that’s a really bad time to have sex with—oh fuck.” I kicked out of his hold and went to sit on the top step. I folded my arms across my chest.
“Stop it, OC.”
“Everything is like this crazy mine field. I get it, I get it, I get it! You can decide for yourself. It doesn’t stop me from feeling like it’s wrong half the time. I don’t want to talk about it again. Everyone keeps telling me to let you decide, but they’re all hoping for something I’m not sure I’m capable of.”
“What’s wrong with what we have now? It’s all still so new and we need time. Both of us. You were willing not the think about the future with Mason, give me the same consideration.”
I cocked my head and contemplated his words. I had known there was no future with Mason, but it didn’t keep me from falling in love with him, enjoying the time we had. Not that I had planned to fall in love with Stayman, but I couldn’t ignore he had a point. “You’re right,” I said. “I won’t mention it again.”
“Good. The wind’s picking up out here. Want to go in and snuggle up to the movie you slept through?”
“I’d love too.”
We watched Dogma late into the night. Once in bed, Stay spooned me to sleep and I slept soundly.
Sometime in the morning I felt a shake on my shoulder that woke me.
“It’s supposed to be another hot one today,” Stay said, sitting on the edge of the bed beside me. “Let’s eat breakfast and then do the first part of the date early. We can reconvene at my place later for the rest of the date.”
“That’s too much for my brain to take in first thing in the morning.”
He reached over to my nightstand and held out a cup of coffee.
I smiled and yawned, stretching my arms above my head. “Thank you,” I said as I took the mug from him. I drank a sip. “Perfect. Did you shower?”
“Yes, I’ve been up for a while,” he said as he caressed my leg.
“Where are we going? What shall I wear? I have a new dress—” My body began to respond to his touch
. “If you keep doing that we won’t get out of the house.”
“Sorry, it’s hard for me to keep my hands to myself. Wear shorts, a T-shirt, and comfortable shoes. The place is a surprise. I’m certain you’ll love it.”
“It’s already ten-thirty? Give me twenty minutes and I’ll be ready.”
“Okay. I cut up the fruit in the fridge and there’s yogurt and cottage cheese.” He gave me room to get up.
“Great,” I pushed myself out of bed and gathered the clothes I needed. “I love surprises,” I said over my shoulder on the way to the bathroom.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Blue Skies
by Noah & The Whale
In Stayman’s convertible, my ponytail waved in the wind. I turned on the stereo and we sang along with the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Scar Tissue. My body hummed with what felt strikingly similar to joy. Without censoring myself I said, “I like you Stay.”
He flashed me his adorable smile and said, “I like you too, OC. You’re a lot of fun to be around.”
Me fun? I’ve thought of myself in many different ways, but fun never topped the list. I liked that he thought so. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“No,” he said with his devious expression.
“How much longer?” I asked.
“Not much.”
I couldn’t imagine what he might have in store.
He drove north on I-95 and exited the highway onto Sample Road. We traveled west until we reached Tradewinds Park. After driving for a bit, he parked near a sign that read Butterfly World in orange.
“Have you ever been?” he asked as he helped me out of the car. He retrieved a Nikon 3000 digital camera from the trunk and hung it around his neck.
“No.”
“Awesome,” he said, taking my hand. The ultra-modern entrance had palm trees and flowering bushes on either side. We entered a roped off line where Stay paid for us. We strolled through the butterfly farm and then the museum. Through two large doors we entered an open-air hallway. On the right wall hung pinned butterflies.
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