A Change for the Good

by Melanie Jayne

  Zoe pulled up in her green SUV, he noted that she glanced around as she walked to the diner’s entrance. Her almost black hair was wilder than when she had entered the gym and she had changed into black knit pants and a long red sweater. She looked casual yet sophisticated. He stood as she entered and she located him immediately. Smiling warmly, she made her way to the table as Tony pulled out her chair.

  The waitress approached at that moment and Tony took control. “I hope you are hungry. I’m always ready to eat, especially after a workout.” Handing Zoe a menu, he ordered the special.

  Zoe couldn’t have a clue about what was on the menu but she said, “Make it two and I would like water with lemon if you can.”

  “You don’t even know what the special is, do you?”

  “No, but I bet it will be good if you selected it.”

  Reading Zoe’s body language Tony guessed that she had an agenda but he was going to make her work to take control. “That makes it simple. How’s your day going?”

  Reaching into her bag, Zoe continued. “Oh, so far so good, this invitation was unexpected, but nice. Thanks for the music. It did help.” She placed the player in his hand.

  “I hope you found something to listen to.”

  “You might be surprised to learn that we have similar tastes.”

  Immediately he wondered what she liked sexually. Would Zoe volunteer to suck his cock and swallow his cum instead of spitting it out? Maybe she liked fucking to be a little rough? Her full ass was made for a few swats with his open hand. His eyes searched her face for a clue and then traveled to her full bottom lip. He wanted to reach across the table to bite it. The realization that Zoe was talking about music hit him and he raised his eyes. She had a light pink blush staining her cheeks. His stare must have been obvious. God bless her pale complexion, it was a sure giveaway as to what she was thinking and feeling.

  ****

  This conversation wasn’t going as planned. She hoped to force Tony to clarify his intentions. Clearly she didn’t have control, especially after Tony gazed hungrily at her mouth and her body’s pulsing response. “I was curious about your age. I am guessing around thirty.” She was certain that when he learned hers that he would back off. She liked him, however, she had to be cautious. His continued attentions didn’t make any sense, she wasn’t rushing into his bed.

  “I am too much of a gentleman to ask a lady’s age, but I will tell you, I just turned thirty-three.” His tone reproving, clearly he knew where Zoe was steering this topic.

  “Well I am quite a bit older than you. I have enjoyed your flirting very much, although I am too old for you to play with. I just want you to know that as much as my ego appreciates your attention, I am not up for a Cougar Challenge.” There, I said it, now he knows. Maybe we can end up being friends since I’m not going to be a conquest.

  Tony laughed. “Zoe, I am a grown man and I have decided that I find you very interesting and attractive. Better brace yourself, baby, I plan to pursue you. I don’t mean just for sex, I mean to date. Your age is just a number and that is not going to deter me.”

  Zoe sputtered trying to recover. “What if I insist that I am not interested?” Ha ha, take that, Mr. Pushy.

  Tony’s voice lowered. “Then I would have to call you a liar. I’m a good judge of character and you are interested. I can see that you are uncomfortable with that. I get it, but to be clear, the interest is there and it is mutual.”

  Zoe searched his face for a hint of a joke, but she found none. He was serious. She could see the determination in his eyes. After watching him for a few moments, she said softly, “No, I don’t want to be a liar. However, I don’t want to be used by a young stud and made out to be a fool either.”

  “I promise you that my intentions are good. Give me a chance to prove it. I want more time with you, on the phone and in person. How about you give me that?” Tony was using that stare again. He had softened it but he was imploring her to say yes.

  Zoe took a deep breath and nodded yes. She wasn’t sure that there was enough air in her lungs to breathe let alone speak. The answer felt right, the band around her chest loosened.

  She was rewarded with an approving nod. “By the way, I haven’t been a stud in years, but I’ll keep that in mind, that you see me like that.” Tony switched gears. “So how was work last night?”

  “I don’t know what was going on. The few kids that came in were loud and out of control. Running instead of walking, giggling, shoving one another. I know they were just being kids, but it got on my nerves.”

  “I know what you mean. I stopped by Geno’s and his son wouldn’t lower the volume on his video game. We were in the middle of discussing a case and I couldn’t concentrate with the sound of gunfire in the background.”

  “Is it a full moon? Maybe that would account for this behavior. I don’t have the patience some days that I should. I get just as frustrated with the parents as I do with the kids. If there isn’t an opening soon on the adult side, I’m thinking about quitting. This just isn’t a good fit for me.”

  “I can see why you feel that way. I love my niece and nephew, but I wouldn’t want to be around kids all of the time,” Tony stated.

  “No burning desire to imprint yourself on the next generation?”

  “Won’t happen. I caught the mumps when I was seventeen. I’m a statistic. A kid’s disease made me sterile.”

  Zoe was unsure how to respond. Fumbling for words she offered, “I imagine that was hard for you and your family.”

  “I’m okay with it. I never pictured myself as a dad.” He clearly didn’t want pity.

  “I feel the same way, well as a mom. When I was at Brooks, the school in Denver, I started to dread dealing with the kids. I liked the administrative work, so I focused on that part and let the counselors address the kids’ needs. I have come to the conclusion that I am better for acknowledging my true nature instead of turning out to be a lousy parent.”

  Tony held her gaze for a moment and tipped his glass to her in a toast, then took a drink. “I agree, plus I am too selfish to share my woman with anyone else. It sounds harsh, but I like the thought of having all of the attention of the one I love focused on me.”

  Zoe was startled by his statement. Tony certainly seemed to know himself. He had made several declarations that she would have to think about tonight. He was a man, who was very clear on what he wanted from the woman in his life. She should have been terrified of his stated needs. Instead she was humming with excitement.

  Tony walked her to the SUV, at her door, he leaned closer saying, “We will do this again, Zoe. Expect to hear from me.” Without any hesitation, he kissed her hungrily. His tongue probed her lips and she opened them willingly.

  She circled his neck with her arms to pull him to her body. The kiss deepened and Zoe felt her nipples strain against her sweater. She wanted his hands on her body. When she felt light-headed, she slowly pushed away from Tony’s body. Her hands lingered on his hard chest. “I liked that.” Her voice sounded rough to her own ears.

  Tony flashed a smile and his eyes were soft as they watched her.

  “What?” She felt her cheeks heat. It was then she realized that she was still leaning against Tony’s chest.

  “I like it, too. In fact, I’m going to kiss you again.”

  She whispered, “Okay”, as his lips moved closer.

  Zoe was drained, she had been asked to stay over for training on the Adult Circulation Desk, and it had been a crazy day. She tried not to think about the feel of Tony’s body next to hers and how much she enjoyed his kisses. Driving home her mind was going in a hundred different directions between work and Tony. While stopped at a red light a car slammed on its brakes behind her. The screeching sound made her jump and she quickly checked her mirrors, scanning the area around her. The car had come out of nowhere. As Zoe watched, the driver opened his door and got out. He was stalking towards her car and he held something in his hand. Thankfully the light turned gre
en and she surged forward. The turnoff for home was just ahead and she continued to check the mirrors, searching for the crazy driver. As she turned into the complex she noticed that a vehicle was approaching quickly from behind. She kept looking in her rearview mirror, trying to see if it was the same car. She pulled into a space in front of her apartment and killed her lights. Deciding not to get out the vehicle, she watched as the car fishtailed the turn and then passed slowly by her parked SUV. It turned at the end of the row and continued on.

  This is getting weird. I don’t know why that guy would get out of his car, I wasn’t doing anything except sitting at the light. Why would anyone want to follow me? That had to be somebody playing a trick.

  Thankfully the next few days passed without any more odd incidents. She had run into Tony twice, not that she was counting. They met at the juice bar for drinks after their workouts. They talked that night on the phone, finding a shared a love of action films. The cheesier the better, making plans for a movie night soon.

  Waking mid-morning Zoe was frazzled. She had endured a rough night of sleep with dreams that would wake her with a start, her body coated in a film of sweat and legs tangled in the soft sheets. Deciding to skip the gym, Zoe hoped some shopping therapy would soothe her nerves. She needed to buy more casual clothes for this new lifestyle. No more business suits and silk blouses for her. She felt a moment of doubt about her schedule change because she would not see Tony.

  Wandering the mall was relaxing and uneventful with no feelings of being watched or followed, which came as a huge relief. Entering her apartment, she walked around the corner to put her purse on the kitchen counter and froze. It felt wrong, as if she wasn’t alone in her own home. Her heart pounded wildly and her breathing was rushed. She tried to listen intently but heard nothing out of the ordinary. She grasped her cell in hand and started walking to the steps that led upstairs.

  The first stop was the second bedroom that she used as an office. A few papers had been moved, she was sure of it. She kept her unpaid bills on the left hand side of the desk and now they were in the center. Walking carefully down the hallway she entered her bedroom, noting a few of her dresser drawers were not closed completely. Surely that wasn’t the way she had left them this morning. Plus, why would she have so many drawers open? Had someone searched through her things? Feeling uneasy, she went back downstairs to check the sliding glass patio door. It was slightly ajar. She was absolutely certain she had not left it open or unlocked. She had started checking the locks two and three times before she went to bed.

  After calling 911, she reviewed what to tell the police when they arrived. She had been told by the dispatcher that the wait could be several hours, since she felt there was no immediate danger. She perched on the edge of her sofa keeping the patio and front door in sight. Waiting and watching.

  Chapter Four

  Tony was concerned, it had been three days and he had heard nothing from Zoe. He left a voicemail after getting no new texts or responses. Although he was sticking to his plan of a slow pursuit, he had enjoyed the passionate kisses that they shared and had hoped to spend more time with her in person. As he exited the locker room, he saw Zoe standing in the reception area. Clearly there was something wrong. She had dark circles under her eyes and watched him warily as he approached.

  “Zoe.”

  “Hi.” She was nervous.

  “What’s going on?”

  “It’s nothing, really.” She glanced away, not meeting his eyes.

  “Zoe,” his voice held a hint of frustration as he grasped her elbow. “I can tell something has you upset. What is it?”

  She spoke rapidly, “There was a break-in at my apartment a few days ago.”

  “What? Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Look, I don’t want to talk about it.” She looked pleadingly into his eyes.

  “No, we will talk about this now. “ Tony led her out the door and in the direction of his truck. On the inside, he was shaking with anger. She should have called him if she was in danger or afraid.

  “Get in my truck.” His tone left no room for discussion.

  Zoe didn’t argue and climbed in.

  He stalked around to the driver’s side and slammed the door closed. “Damn it, Zoe, you should have called me.” Tony let frustration seep into his tone. He was feeling protective of this woman.

  “I know that.” As Zoe finished the short recitation of the past events she added, “I would have called you, but the policemen made me feel so stupid, I was too embarrassed to bother you.”

  “Bullshit. You should have called me. That’s what friends do.” His hands were gripping the steering wheel in frustration.

  “The officers asked me questions and half-way convinced me that I had left my patio door open, which I know I didn’t do. They told me that I lived off a busy highway and of course there would be cars turning into the complex at the same time. All of that makes sense, but I keep getting these creepy feelings. It seems like it’s happening almost every time I’m out at night.”

  “Did you get the officers’ names and business cards? Did they say if they were going to follow-up?”

  “Yes, I have their cards. I didn’t get the feeling that they were going to go out of their way to do any follow up. They didn’t even look for fingerprints. I felt like they labeled me a hysterical woman who lives alone and is afraid of my own shadow.”

  Tony struggled to control his reaction. Inside he was seething, he wanted to appear calm and in control when he spoke. He didn’t want to upset her more. He could see that Zoe was anxious, her poise had slipped. She was rambling and her hands were fidgeting with her purse strap.

  Zoe looked down at her hands and let out a loud sigh. “I should have called. I’m sorry that I waited and that makes this next part more difficult because I can see that you are angry.”

  “Babe, I’m pissed that this happened to you. That’s all.”

  “I want to ask a favor, but you don’t have to say yes.”

  “Zoe, just ask.”

  She turned in her seat to face him, making eye contact. “I know that you have training and skills. Can you tell me what more I can do to be safe? Could you come by my apartment and see if it can be made more secure? I spoke with the manager and I can make upgrades as long as I pay for them.”

  Tony saw how difficult it was for Zoe to ask. “Slow down. I was going to suggest that I check things out. I can look at the windows and doors, maybe talk about an alarm system if you want to spend the money.”

  “I have to feel safe in my own home. I jump at every sound and I can’t stay asleep at night.”

  “I will help you. As far as the cops go, since nothing was damaged or stolen, they probably won’t do anything. So it will be up to us to keep you safe.”

  She sighed and sank back into the seat with a look of relief on her face. “I know it makes me sound crazy, but I swear something isn’t right. I don’t know why these things are happening to me.” A few tears escaped her eyes and travelled down her cheeks.

  Tony wiped the tears from her cheeks. He gently cupped her chin. “Hey, it’s going to get better. I’m going to help. I’m supposed to meet my brother this afternoon to talk about a job, but I can be to your place around six.”

  She gave a nod. A few moments later she added, “I’ll order the pizza and it can be a party.” It was an attempt to lighten the mood.

  Tony dropped his hand to cover hers that was still playing with the strap of her purse. “You have no idea about how much these upgrades are going to cost, so you might need a few beers after you hear my ideas and review the pricing estimate.” He gave her a mock-stern look.

  “Thanks. I mean it.”

  “Zoe, I am happy that you asked for my help.” He leaned in to lightly brush his lips over hers.

  “I guess I had better let you go so you can meet with your brother.” Zoe added in a soft voice.

  “I’ll walk you back to the gym.”

  “I’ve changed my mi
nd. I don’t feel like working out today. I really only stopped by in hopes of running into you. I think I’ll go back home and take a nap.”

  By her SUV, he pulled her into a tight embrace, his hands massaging the tense muscles in her back. He lightly brushed his lips on her forehead and then whispered in her ear, “Call me for anything. Don’t hesitate.”

  Tony spent the drive to Zoe’s apartment going over his game plan. Go in with a business-like attitude and then if she needs comforting, comfort the hell out of her. He had to respect that she was in a delicate state. She had invited him over to do a job.

  She felt so good in his arms, her soft curves pressed against his body. He was thankful that she didn’t notice his hard cock. One of her alluring traits was that she seemed to have no idea how desirable she was and the effect she had on him. He spent hours thinking about her breasts. They were big, significantly more than a handful. Would she suck her nipples while he fucked her doggie style? A favorite fantasy was of her riding him while he watched her pinch her nipples and he rubbed her clit. He would bet that she had never explored the deeply sexual part of her nature. Bigger woman had been brainwashed to feel embarrassed about their bodies, wanting to have sex in the dark and never letting their lover explore their body. Tony wanted to worship Zoe for hours.

  She answered the door in jeans, barefoot, and wearing a soft blue t-shirt with a low cut neckline that did great things for her cleavage. She tried to appear casual, although Tony could tell she had taken the time to put on make-up to accentuate her blue eyes. She gave him a quick tour of the apartment and then asked him to suggest a pizza place to order from.

  When the doorbell rang, Zoe waived off his attempt to pull out his wallet and returned to the living room with three large pizzas.

  “Three? Are you expecting others?” Tony asked while he pushed his clipboard aside.

  “No, it’s just that I love pizza and since moving here I haven’t ordered from this place so I wanted to try different pies. Maybe I got a little carried away, but now you can take some with you and I will have leftovers. So it’s a win-win for both of us.”