by Croft, Rose
“Yeah, thanks for the heads up. I’m going to get a refill. Do you need anything?”
“No. I’m good.”
As I stood over by the drink dispenser, filling my cup, Alex strolled over to our table. He laid his hand on Rose’s shoulder and traced her tattoo exposed by her strappy dress. Then, he showed her his arm where he had a tattoo. It was a replica of hers. She eyed it wistfully running her hand over the design.
“Shit!” I felt water rushing over my hand as I damn near crushed my cup watching this intense joker hitting on my girl. I set the cup aside and stalked over to the table while they gazed at each other like no one else existed in a serious conversation.
When they finally acknowledged my presence, Alex crossed his arms. “How do you like the food?”
“Not as much as you seem to like my girlfriend.” I stepped closer wanting to introduce my fist and his five friends to Alex’s face. Who the fuck did this guy think he was?
Alex raised his eyebrows and lifted his hands trying to calm me down. “Nah, man, it ain’t like that.”
Rose glared at me. “I already told you that. What’s wrong with you?”
What was wrong with me? My blood boiled, I was about to have an altercation in public forgetting this place was packed full of people with phones who could point and click at any moment. Regardless, I was still raging inside, but I tried to lower my voice. “You two have matching tattoos and seem to be very familiar with each other. What the fuck is going on?” I side-glanced around me hoping no one was paying attention. I should’ve taken this outside. Actually, I shouldn’t have said anything, but my brain didn’t plan that far ahead. This behavior was new to me, and I couldn’t seem to control it.
Alex eyed Rose in question. “You haven’t told him?”
“No. I was going to when the time was right,” Rose said frowning.
What the hell was going on? Was this some kind of reality TV reveal? I was losing patience quickly. Yeah, the patience ship sailed out about five minutes ago. “Tell me now, or I’m walking out of here,” I ground out.
“Alex is Carlos’ brother,” she said quietly staring at the wall.
Okay. That didn’t really explain anything.
“My brother, Carlos committed suicide several years ago,” Alex filled in somberly. “Rose was his fiancée.”
Jesus Christ! That was what Rose had been dealing with. I dropped my head. I felt like the biggest ass getting so angry over what I thought was going on. I took a deep breath and ran my hand over my face, ashamed that I’d jumped to conclusions. “I’m sorry, man, I didn’t know.”
His eyes still held that never-ending stare, blank, but his voice was almost pleasant and he lifted a shoulder. “Hey, it’s all good. I would’ve been angry, too.” He looked down at Rose. “Rose is like my little sister.”
I watched Rose, who was gazing like a lost little girl, down at the table. She wouldn’t look at me. Fuck! I couldn’t have her withdraw from me again.
“Hey, Alex, could we get a bag to go for our tacos? I’m so sorry for acting like a jerk. The food was great.”
“Yeah, no problem. Come back again if you’re in town.”
“I will, and I’ll recommend this place to all my friends.” We fist bumped.
I knelt down beside Rose and took her folded hands in mine. “Rose, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Please look at me.”
Moments ticked by before she lifted her eyes. Her lips quivered. “No worries.” She was worried big time, but Rose was willing herself to keep it together. I was becoming more and more familiar with her personality.
Alex came back with a sack for our food. “Thanks.” I put her remaining taco and my three in the bag and alerted the driver we were leaving.
As we stood up, Rose and Alex spoke briefly about his family. Then, they hugged. I was still annoyed with myself for being so illogical. I shook Alex’s hand again, thanking him profusely as Rose walked to the door.
I started to the door, but felt a hand on my shoulder. I paused.
Alex’s dark eyes pierce me. His facial expression never wavered. “I was serious when I said Rose was like my little sister. You better not fuck her over, man. That girl is the best, and it almost destroyed her when my brother killed himself.” His voice was low, even, but it sounded like a threat.
“I know. I would never hurt her.”
The car was out front as soon as we were out the door. She was standing in the parking lot gazing around with her arms wrapped around her stomach.
I gently touched her back and felt her tense. “Hey, we still have a few hours. Would you like to go shopping?” I said the only thing that came to mind. I wanted to spend more time with her. I wanted to obliterate that damn wall she kept up.
“Yeah, whatever, if that’s what you want to do.” She didn’t really seem enthused about the idea.
I opened the door for her and scooted in beside her once she was settled. I told the driver to take us to the Galleria. I grabbed her hand from her lap and just held it. She let me. “Did you ever think about what the loser has to do?” I asked trying to keep the conversation light.
“No.”
She was staring out the window. I was wondering what was going through her head. Was she thinking about Carlos? I couldn’t imagine how devastating that would have been for her. Alex said it almost destroyed her. How long ago did this happen? Questions were swirling around in my head like a tornado, but I knew I would push her away if I pressed.
When we were dropped off, I pulled Rose into my arms and held her. I kissed the top of her head. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
I cupped her chin guiding her eyes to mine. “I’m sorry for getting so angry back there. I was crazy jealous. You know that right? Sometimes I can’t think rationally when it comes to you.”
“I already said it was fine.” Her eyes closed and she sighed.
“Don’t push me away Rose, please.”
“I’m not trying to. I just need time. I wasn’t prepared to talk about this today. I’m getting better about it though—much better,” she said honestly.
I rubbed her cheek. “Hey, I’m here for you, always. I’ll be here whenever you’re ready to talk about it.” I meant that. I wasn’t going anywhere. “Look, we don’t have much time. Can we just let go and have some fun?”
She smiled. Finally, she genuinely smiled. “Okay. Also, I figured out what the loser can do.”
“What?”
“Buy me a Chanel bag.”
I followed Rose’s eyes as they studied the larger than life Chanel ad on the concrete wall behind me. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
She laughed and eyed me as though I were crazy. “You know those are very expensive, like, thousands of dollars. I’m kidding.”
“I don’t mind. I want to buy you something.” I didn’t want to brag about how much money I made, but I could afford it fairly easily.
She shook her head as we walked to the entrance. We were holding hands as we passed by the stores. Since it was early, it wasn’t too packed. There were a couple of families with kids, that probably played little league baseball, approach me for pictures and autographs.
Of all of the fans, nothing made me happier than to talk to the kids and see their excitement. I remembered being a boy who was huge fan of baseball growing up, and my dad would always take me to the stadium early so I could get autographs. I would never forget those moments.
As I stood and visited with the families, more people came up wanting to take pictures. The fans were more family-oriented which made everything less stressful. I glanced at Rose, and she was smiling patiently engaging with some of the kids, too. I could get used to this.
Finally, I politely apologized and said I had to leave because if I didn’t then this would be what I would be doing the rest of my free time. I probably should’ve thought this whole going to the mall thing through. We were running out of time.
“You really like kids, don�
�t you?” Rose beamed. I could get used to this, too. Rose looking at me like I was some kind of superhero.
“Yeah, I feel like I need to be a good role model for them. I remember how important my favorite baseball players were to me.” I leaned into her. “You seemed to enjoy interacting with kids.”
“Well, I am a teacher. Of course, the kids I deal with are usually older, but they’re still kids. They still need positive mentors in their lives.”
“You know what Rose, you’re exactly right. Your job is probably one of the most important jobs in the world, because you are shaping minds and preparing kids for the future. I truly admire that. Besides parents, teachers are undoubtedly the next biggest role models to kids.”
“So, I’m more than just a hot teacher?” She teased leaning into me.
“You are definitely that and so much more.” I kissed her on the temple.
When I saw the Chanel store, I stopped and pulled her inside.
“What? You can’t be serious John. I would feel guilty spending this kind of money on a bet,” she said, but was eying everything in sight in silent desperation.
I held her hands in mine. “Please, you won the bet. You know I honor my bets, hence the Elsa tattoo. And, I would be extremely upset if I couldn’t do this for you.”
She nodded reluctantly, and set off looking around. After a few passes around the store, Rose stood in front of a purse she’d paused and caressed earlier. She stayed poised before it for several minutes like she’d discovered the Holy Grail. I thought eventually she might kneel down before it.
She never spoke. She wasn’t going to ask either, apparently. “That’s pretty. Do you want it?”
“It’s $3,000.” Oh, the girl doth speak.
“I told you it’s okay. Get it.” I knew she wanted it since she stared at it like I did food. I pointed to a rack off to the side. “Why don’t you try that black dress on?” Shit, what was I, a personal shopper? Sure as hell sounded like it.
Finally, the salesperson came over, and she seemed to be put out by us. She probably thought I wasn’t a serious buyer in a t-shirt and athletic shorts. “She wants that.” I gestured to the purse and had our less-than excited clerk take the dress to the dressing room. I swear that girl rolled her eyes before heading to the back, but she seemed to be the only one working here at the moment. And, I didn’t want to waste time calling her out. “Rose is there anything else you want to try on?”
She blushed obviously embarrassed. “No.”
I wanted to buy a lot of things for her. Hell, I’d buy her the world to see her smile, but we really were short on time. “Okay, go try that dress on and let me see it, since we have to leave soon.” I sounded like an overbearing dickhead who had money. Like every fucking cliché in a stupid rom com. Yeah, I’d watched a few—not by choice. Rose seemed to be okay with me though. God. Everything out of my mouth sounded so fucking stupid to my ears. But, at least she seemed to be humoring me.
She made her way to the dressing room, and I followed waiting outside the door. After a few minutes, she stuck her head out.
“What’s wrong?”
“Umm, it zips in the back, and I can’t zip it up all the way. Can you get the salesperson?” She had a palm flattened over her chest, holding the flimsy fabric in place.
Get the salesperson, John. Don’t go in the dressing room alone with her, John. The only sexual relationship you’ve had for the past two months was with your hand, John. You might not be able to control yourself in a confined space with her. If I couldn’t control myself then I needed an intervention. Said the idiot who beat off after seeing her tits. I stepped in the dressing room with her and closed the door. “I can help you, silly girl.” Then I saw her facing the mirror. Fuck! That dress appeared fairly modest on the hanger, but on her it looked ridiculously sexy. Maybe I should’ve asked for the salesperson. Yeah, you should’ve, jackass.
I slid her hair over one shoulder, and my fingers wavered as I touched her skin zipping it up passing over her bra strap. Once zipped, I stared, no ogled like a creeper at her in the mirror. The strapless dress fit snuggly over her tits. The black fabric hugged her body and stopped at her upper thigh with a strip of black lace at the hem. She was watching me, studying my reaction, and I could hear her breathing shallow. Was she nervous or did she want to have sex? Mmmm. I voted for the latter—wishful thinking and all.
My hands were on her shoulders, fingers pressed into her skin trying to keep them from ripping the dress off. Controlling myself, I bent over and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “You look so breathtakingly beautiful Rose.” Good. The gentleman in me was still there. Before I stepped back, she pressed her lips to mine and engaged me in a deep hot kiss. My eyes widened before my brain switched to fuck mode as I gave in and explored her mouth. She tasted like strawberries, a faint touch of breakfast taco and every other savory food I wanted as my last meal.
Not breaking the kiss, Rose twisted around and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. She bit and sucked on my lip. I drove my tongue in tasting, desperate, wanting to ruin this mouth for any other man. Then ruin my brain for thinking about Rose with anyone else. I wanted to devour her face, but that was an improbability. And, weird. Anyway, I hadn’t ripped her dress off by now which proved to myself that I didn’t need to attend any perverts anonymous meetings. Thank God.
Instead, I felt the metal of the zipper at her back and yanked until the fabric was slack, slipping down to her waist. Her lips paused and trembled against mine. “Do you want me to stop?” I cradled her face in my hands. I sounded like an asthmatic who needed an inhaler.
She chewed on her full bottom lip and slowly shook her head. The hint of a smile materialized. I kissed her again. The kiss quickly turned into some intense mouth-foreplay. I caught her moan in my mouth sucking it in wanting every sound, every breath she took. Soon, her bra fell away; I guess I undid it. My hands were on autopilot. My common sense had taken the first bus out of town when our lips touched. And, the fucking animal in me was clawing at my insides threatening to get out. I’d never wanted a woman as much as I wanted her.
I gripped her ass, lifting her up against my erection. Then pressed into her, backing her against the mirror. I heard the rip of fabric when I jerked her leg around me. I didn’t give a shit. Of course, I’d pay for it. I’ll buy her a new wardrobe if she wanted it.
“John,” Rose gasped but wrapped her legs tighter digging her heels into my ass.
I needed to respond. Say something smooth like “Forget about the dress. I’ll buy you a million new dresses.” Instead, this came out of my mouth. “You feel how hard I am, baby?” Then, thrust against her like my dick was the exclamation point although I’d asked a question. Regardless, it was—a huge one. The exclamation point in my shorts.
“Is that dress working?” I heard the bored voice outside the door and paused mid-push, briefly remembering where I was. Remembering that I sounded like a fucking moron. Hoping Rose didn’t slap me in the face for saying the last comment.
“Yes,” Rose squeaked out and moved against me. I was surprised she didn’t stop me. And, no slap. I was kind of shocked I didn’t stop either, knowing someone was right next to the door. And, the clerk had to know what was going on. We weren’t exactly quiet. Then, again, she seemed to have a very blasé attitude so maybe she didn’t care. Good. Play on.
“Do you know how many times I’ve fantasized about you? You’re all I think about.” That sounded less pervy, but I kept dry humping her like the horn dog I was. “Do you feel what you do to me?” A better rephrasing of what I’d said earlier. She nodded and her head fell back with eyes closed. Her glasses were slightly skewed which made her even hotter like she was coming undone. She was coming…undone.
I palmed her inner thigh and strummed her clit with my thumb. She was soaked through the lace. Her breathing grew more erratic, and she whimpered. I put my mouth over hers to stifle her sounds as I stroked and thrust. I pressed harder feeling the friction, kn
owing that I was dripping in my underwear. This wasn’t a fucking trail of tears. It was a trail of happiness. Actually, maybe somewhere in between because I wanted to be inside her. However, she was humping me back, so that was a good thing. Progress.
“John…please.” My beautiful girl was so polite when she was working on an orgasm. I strummed faster, pushed harder. She was there. I knew she was. I was, too. And, me, a multi-million dollar baseball player was about to spew in his shorts in a public dressing room. I was on another level of creepy pervert. But, it was worth it. I’d take what I could get with this girl. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Rose moaned and jerked. She had me wrapped in a death grip as she clenched. I felt the wetness seep through her panties. I wanted to rip them off and eat them. That was the beast in me talking. But, I couldn’t stop dry-fucking to do that. Just a few more pushes and I was there. My cock was so full and tight that it might snap from the resistance.
So close, so fucking close. Rose was mewling and sucking my neck as she came down, while I felt suspended in air about to growl like the king of the jungle, or the king of the mall and let my underwear bear the load…
Two sharp knocks sounded behind me and a “Hey, are you done in there because it’s almost my lunch break. I’d like to wrap up this sale.” Smashed my dreams to shit. What the fuck? This damn unenthusiastic lady who posed as a salesperson was a cock-killer. How the hell did she get a job here?
I tried to ignore it, but Rose pulled away. “Um…yeah…give me a minute.” Rose’s voice was shaky and her pale skin flushed. She was so damn hot. I groaned and ground my hips into to her again.
“John, we need to stop. You heard her.” She dropped one of her legs around me to the floor while I still held the other one. Her thick lashes framed her cheeks behind her glasses. Was she embarrassed? Yeah, probably. Rose didn’t seem like the type who did dressing room sex on the daily.
“Who the fuck cares what she said? If she wants this sale, she better get an attitude adjustment, immediately.” I slowly released her leg knowing that the moment was lost. Forget blue balls, my balls were red, swollen, and furious.