“I don’t know, Lenny. Don’t you feel like we’ve been doing things backward and fast?”
“No, we’re doing things our way. There’re no rules on how to date, and why not bend them when we can.”
“I’m usually not a rule bender.”
“I am, so you’re in good hands,” I say as I gesture for her to stand and take my hand. I promised her the full tour, and that’s just what I plan to do.
“You’ve already seen the kitchen, so let me show you the upstairs,” I explain as we take the stairs up to the hallway. “Over here is the spare bedroom that never gets used; it has its own smaller en-suite.”
Jules looks around. “I like it,” she says, her tone flat.
“Come, there’s more. Here is the master bedroom, and the real treasure is right through that door.”
Jules enters my space. My private living quarters that I don’t usually share with other people. Yes, over the years I’ve had women in my life, but this has always been my space that I didn’t bring them back to. I’ve learned that some like to just show up out of the blue.
Jules retreats through the double doors, and I wait. “Oh my God, Lenny. Have you seen your bathroom?”
I walk in and close the space between us. “Yes, I see it every morning.”
“This might be the best room in the whole house,” she says, running her hand along the edge of the clawfoot tub.
“If you agree to stay, I might just let you try it out. Take it for a spin to see if it lives up to its standards.”
“Geez, that’s a hard choice to make. How will I ever make the right decision?” She playfully places her finger on her chin, tapping it as she shifts her mouth in the opposite direction.
“I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll come up with the right answer.”
“Is there a right answer to this one, Lenny? What are we doing here?”
“Getting to know each other, that’s how this thing works. Well, that’s what I’ve been told,” I explain as I snake my arm around her waist and drag her closer to me. Just as she falls into my embrace, I feel the heat roll off her body. There’s no longer a chill in the room—the temperature has risen but not from the fireplace or the heat. It’s the connection that we have when we touch.
“I guess I could stay,” she whispers against my neck, and that’s the only confirmation that I need. It might be a guess, but the way the words slipped from her lips was promise. A promise of her tonight in my house, in my bed, and most of all in my arms.
I pull away, placing space between us so I can focus on the plan here. If I stay intertwined in her arms any longer, we won’t make it to the tub.
Bending down to look under the cabinet of the sink, I pray I have enough bath shit to put in this massive tub. Locating the bottle that my mother—yes, my mother—gave me when I moved in, I lift it up like I’ve just won a race. Jules misses the proud look spread over my face but doesn’t miss the second I walk over to the tub and turn the water on. As the water streams down into the porcelain, I open the bottle letting the smell of jasmine filter through the room. My eyes strain on Jules as she stands before me, slowly stripping from her clothes. It doesn’t take long before every piece of clothing is resting on the tile at her feet. My eyes scan the length of her, taking in the canvas that she’s put on display for me. I’ve seen Jules naked and underneath me before, but here…in my bathroom, she’s even more amazing than she was that night spread out on her conference room table.
“Do you realize how breathtaking you are?” I ask as I close the distance between us.
“I’m pretty sure you need glasses.” Jules brushes my comment off, and I take her in my arms, spinning her around so she can see herself in the mirror. With one arm snaked around her waist, I take my free hand up to her chin, gently raising it so she can see what I see in the mirror.
“This right here, they're soft, and when you’re overthinking, you slide the bottom lip in through your teeth,” I say as I move past her lips to the dip of her shoulder where I explain, “Here, this is the place I love to press my lips. It’s the spot that causes you to release a low moan, just from the pressure of my mouth on you.” I don’t stop, I continue explaining my favorite parts of her body. Cupping her breasts in my hands, I say, “Your breasts—they’re perfect—not too small and not too big. They fit in my hands as if I made them just for me. When I slide your nipples through my teeth, they grow harder begging for more.” Letting her breasts go, I slide my fingers down the curve of her waist, stopping on her hip. “Here is the perfect structure to grip while I’m buried deep inside you.” I allow my fingers to grip her flesh before releasing and sliding toward her folds. I don’t break eye contact with Jules in the mirror. I want her to look deep into my eyes, knowing that the words that I’m saying are for her and her only. Satisfied with where I’ve positioned my fingers, I explain, “Here, Jules, I want more of. I want to watch you come undone when I press my tongue to the most sensitive part of your body. I crave you in a way that I’ve never craved another person in my life. No matter what you wear to hide this body from me, I know what’s underneath it all. Don’t ever shy away from me, don’t ever cover yourself up. Everything that you have, I want in more ways than I ever imagined.”
Jules clears her throat. “How do you do this?”
“Do what, Jules?”
“Make me feel like I’m the only woman you ever want to look at again?”
I hesitate for a moment, swallowing a little louder than I intend. “You captured me in a way that I never thought another person could again. I just hope you’re feeling the same thing I do when we’re together.”
“More than I feel comfortable admitting, Lenny.”
“What do you say, should we give this a go?”
“I want to, and then I want to protect my heart and not fall for the first guy I’m with after my leaving my husband.”
“I promise to do what I can to not break your heart or make you sad. I don’t have a roadmap to do relationships, but if you trust me, I’d like to learn.”
“The water’s still running,” she says, making me turn back toward the tub where the water is close to overflowing. Reluctantly, I let go of Jules, praying she doesn’t run from me as I turn the water off. I thrust a hand down to the drain plug, letting some of the water out before gesturing to Jules to get in. Once she’s seated, I pull my shirt over my head, and just as quickly, kick my shoes off so I can remove the remainder of my clothing. I sweep the pile of clothes away from the bathtub while eyeing the inviting scene in front of me.
With a burning desire to be closer to her, I don’t waste another second before sliding in behind her letting the extra water slosh to the floor. Jules grabs my hands, wrapping them around her before I squeeze her tightly. No words are spoken for what seems like an hour. I must admit that I’m not sure what to say. I can’t reassure her on all the doubts that she has, but I can surely try to show her that I mean them. Before I can say anything, Jules moves her body around in the tub. Facing me, I notice the evil glimpse that’s twinkling in her eyes
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing. What are you doing?”
“Jules, don’t make me ask you again.”
“Doing something out of my norm,” she tells me as she positions her body closer to me. Before I ask again, her mouth is claiming mine. Wrapping her hands through the back of my hair, she takes me in her mouth like she needs me to breathe. Not breaking our connection, Jules bends one leg at a time over my lap. Positioning herself just above my already swollen cock, I mumble through our kiss, “Jules.”
She gazes at me with her beautiful eyes, silently questioning my pause. I reach outside of the bathtub and grab ahold of my pants to retrieve a condom from my back pocket. As I return to the moment I put on hold, I skate my lips down the side of her neck with soft kisses while slipping the condom on.
“Let me have this moment,” she says after pulling away just enough to slide me in. Giving her a side
ways smile is the only response that she needs to fuel her determination. I raise up, giving Jules enough room to wrap her legs around my waist. The more she moves, the tighter her hold on me gets. I pull my face away so I’m able to watch Jules as she takes what she wants from me. The last time I took what I wanted. It’s only fair for her to get what she not only needs but wants. I’m not sure how long we stay in this position until I break us apart. Standing, I carefully step out of the tub with her legs still wrapped around my waist. She clings to me with her arms wrapped around my neck as I walk us through the bathroom and toward my bedroom where I lay her down on top of the comforter. Hovering over her, I realize that I want more from her. I want it all. I want everything that Jules is willing to give me. If she gives me her heart, I’ll protect it. If she can only give me this, I’ll take her when I can. She’s protective—not only of her heart, but of her life, and I get that. There’s more than just her, there’s her daughter, Sophia, too in the mix. I never thought I’d want a family. Even though Sophia isn’t mine, she’s got a special place in my heart right next to her mother.
Dipping down to the bed, I caress the side of Jules' face memorizing every inch of it. Lowering my mouth more, I capture her lips with mine as I slide inside. The more I move, the louder Jules’ moans become, fueling me thrust for thrust as we both reach our climax at the same time.
Kissing the side of her neck, I ask, “Will you stay tonight?”
“Yes,” Jules says in a daze, and that’s all I need to hear before we move up and into the bed.
21
Jules
The sun filters through the curtains, waking me sooner than I’d like. Lying next to Lenny with his arms wrapped around me, I’m torn with emotions. Last night was probably one of the best nights of my life. Never in all the years have I felt worshiped like that, nor have I ever been so adventurous to take charge like I did in the tub. Lenny has this spell on me. It makes me lose myself, creating this alter ego of a person that I’m not sure who she is when we are together. I try to slide out from underneath his arm, but every time I pull away, he tightens his grip and pulls me back to him. Instead of fighting it, I lay here and think of the past and the future. My past isn’t as complicated as it was a week ago now that David is granting me the divorce. The future is the part that looks complicated. My mind races with thoughts and ideas on what our relationship would be like. Lenny hasn’t settled down since Rachel, and I’m not even sure that’s what he wants. This is just fun to him. A way to spend his nights while bored and lonely. There’s no way he would want to build a life with my daughter and me. I couldn’t ask him to do that. Take that kind of responsibility on when it’s not his to take. It’s now that I wonder what Sophia is thinking about this. Am I setting a good example when it comes to dating? Should I have kept him hidden longer than I did?
Technically I don’t need my teenage daughter’s permission, but my actions affect her life just like her father’s affect her. I always thought that over the years I was prepping her for a life where the grass is green, and roses never die. Though, grass does die and roses wilt, but as a mother, I want to create a world where Sophia gets what she wishes for. I want the fairytale for her—the prince who climbs to the top of the tower to rescue the girl who’s been locked away for years. When I look at Lenny, I wonder if he’s my prince. Was he placed in my life to rescue me from the past that almost destroyed me? Is my tower my company? The longer I lay here, the more my mind races with wild thoughts and dreams that can’t become a reality. I’ve been down this road once before, and when I left David, I said I’d never get married again. I’d never fall in love again and take a chance at ruining my heart for good. Do I love Lenny? Why am I wrapped in his arms questioning myself about love? This isn’t that. This is sex, and I mean really good sex. Mind blowing, tilt your world sex, you can’t think straight kind of sex. The kind that I dreamt about when I was younger. The kind that I fanaticized about while I was married. You know the kind where you’re in the kitchen before you started a family and the moment he comes home from work he takes you right then and there? That kind of exciting sex.
Lenny might not be my prince charming nor the marrying kind, but I could date him and have a little fun, right? Sure… That’s what this is.
Fun.
Hot.
Sex.
Where wishes and dreams aren’t clouded by fantasies.
“Morning,” Lenny’s sleepy voice, that’s even more raspier in the morning, filters from behind me.
“Morning,” I say as I turn in his arms to face him.
“I like this,” he says, and I want to admit that I do too, but I can’t. I offer a gentle smile in return, hoping he doesn’t pry for more.
“What’s on your agenda today?” I ask as I try to change the subject.
“What’s today, Saturday? I don’t have anything until tonight. Dinner with the family at their house. Want to join me?”
Letting a low laugh out, I respond, “Don’t you think that’s a little much?”
“No, we’re adults, and there’s nothing wrong with me inviting my girlfriend to dinner.”
“You mean girlfriend like I’m a girl and a friend, or you mean the other way?”
“How about let’s not put a label on it.” Lenny recovers the conversation quickly. I know this trick as he’s trying to avoid me freaking out or him freaking out.
“I’m not sure, I need to see what Sophia’s doing. She’s still technically grounded, but I think I might have lost that battle already.”
“Bring her, my mother would love a full house.”
“Maybe.” I shrug as I’m not sure the correct way to answer this.
“It’s just dinner, Jules.”
“Maybe, I have to see what’s going on, okay? I also have this new boss that I have to impress with some new designs.” I try to make a joke out of it as I don’t need to panic when it’s not needed.
“Come on, I need coffee, and I’ll make us breakfast,” he says as he untangles us from the sheets. I ogle him as his naked body stands. My eyes follow his every step as he slides on a pair of sweatpants with no briefs and a t-shirt covers his torso. It’s then that I realize I only have the clothes that I had on last night. They're not the greatest to make breakfast in, maybe a little fancy for this time of the day. It’s almost like Lenny was reading my mind as he comes to me with a pair of sweatpants and a shirt with his company’s logo on it. Handing it over to me he says, “I’ll give you some space; come down when you’re ready.”
“Thanks.” I return a soft smile and wait for him to exit before I get out of the bed and head to the bathroom. Instead of just dressing and heading down, I decide a quick, hot shower is what I need this morning. The steam from the water will help de-clutter my brain. Turning the faucet all the way over to hot, I wait for the steam to roll out from the top of the glass. Knowing it’ll be too hot for my skin, I turn it down a little before stepping in. The moment the pressure hits my sore body, I’m awake and more focused than I was just moments ago. My eyes glance around the shower stall, searching for shampoo and conditioner. The second I find it, I laugh at the fact that Lenny might use the craziest hair products that I’ve seen. I take his OGX citrus mint for men and lather up my long red hair. Repeating before conditioner, I lather up my body and finish up before he comes to search for me.
I step out of the shower after I dry off, wrap the towel around my body and move over to his vanity cabinet. Opening the door, I search the contents for an unused toothbrush. I have to say I’m surprised to find a few resting in the back corner. I’m not sure why this revelation shocks me. Lenny’s been single for a while, so of course, he’d have stock in products for the morning after. “Get out of your head, Jules,” I say, running my fingers through my hair. After slipping my clothes on, I toss my towel in the hamper and head out to the hallway in search of Lenny.
“Coffee?” he asks the moment I enter the space.
“Yes, please,” I say, taking the mu
g from his hands and stepping around him for the creamer. This is the part I hate. This is why I should’ve left last night and not have agreed to spend the night.
“You know, I just remembered that I need to meet my mother for something this morning. I’m just going to call an Uber,” I say as I step away from him but not as quick as I wanted. Lenny grabs me by the waist and pulls me back to his chest.
“Jules, you and I both know that’s a load of shit. You don’t have plans, you’re in that pretty head of yours. Now, sit down. Breakfast will be ready in a moment.”
“I really should go, Lenny…” Before I can say anymore, his lips are shutting me up and I forget what I’m trying to say to him. Breaking away, I catch my breath and move toward the stools on the other side of the bar.
“That’s better,” he says, turning around to focus on the eggs that he’s cooking.
I take the time to look around the kitchen, noticing the old blueprints of a house that are framed. “Are those for this house or someplace else?”
“Yeah, I had them recreated when I did the remodel and framed them.”
“That’s cool,” I say and scrunch my face up at my choice of words. I’m thirty-nine and just described blueprints as being cool.
“Lenny, what are we doing?” I ask the second a plate is put down in front of me.
“Having breakfast, what else should we be doing?”
“Last night, this,” I say, motioning between us. “You’re inviting me to dinner at your parents, and… this.”
“Jules, I like you, and I’m pretty sure you like me from the way you called my name last night. Let’s not put a tag on it; just go with the flow and see what happens.”
“I can’t do that.”
“You can, you just have to stop thinking. Let us flow, and in the end, we are both adults and can figure it all out.”
“You make it sound so easy. How do you do it?”
“It’s not that easy, Jules. As much as I might seem to have it all figured out, I don’t. I want to give this a try, but I need you to stop overthinking it. I need for us both to agree right now to give this a shot or we need to walk away from each other.”
Forty Candles: A Standalone Romantic Comedy Page 13