Guarded

by J. D. Rivera

  As we approached the door, I told her, “I had a really great time tonight, Vanessa. Thanks for agreeing to go out with me.” I inched closer to her and began stroking her cheek.

  “Me too. Do you want to come in?”

  I bent down and placed my lips on hers, giving her a gentle kiss. “I’d love to.”

  We sat down next to each other on the couch before I spoke. “I want you to know that I like you. Yes, you’re gorgeous but I really liked being with you a month ago. I also liked being with you tonight. With that being said, I really want to kiss you, but I don’t want you to think that’s all I’m here for. It’s not.”

  She leaned into me and placed her lips close to mine. “I feel the same way about you.”

  I took that as an invitation. I wasn’t as gentle this time and neither was she. She opened her mouth freely to me and I slid my tongue inside. Our lips and tongues tangled as I grabbed the back of her neck with one hand and her hip with the other. She put her hands in my hair and pulled. I slid her onto my lap and massaged her ass while I kissed her like I needed her kiss to survive. I wanted her. All of her. And I could tell she felt the same way about me.

  Vanessa

  KISSING HIM was amazing. For once in what seemed like a long time, I wasn’t thinking. I just felt. And it felt marvelous. When he pulled me onto his lap, I grabbed his hair and pulled his mouth harder against mine. His lips felt incredible and his tongue felt like silk.

  Before I could comprehend what I was doing, I began unbuttoning his shirt. I had wanted to touch his chest since the moment I’d rolled over after he had knocked me down a month ago. I quickly pushed his shirt off his shoulders and moved my hands to his chest. Suddenly, that didn’t feel like enough. I moved my lips from his mouth and kissed my way down his neck until I was kissing his chest.

  He quickly stood up and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He pulled my mouth to his and my entire body tingled with anticipation. I knew I hadn’t felt this way in a long time, maybe ever. I had never been this attracted to Shane. Jackson set my whole body on fire.

  We made our way to the bedroom where he flung open the door and walked us to my bed. He sat me down and traced his fingers all the way down my body until he found the bottom of my dress. I’d felt weird about wearing it that night but was grateful at that moment that I had. He began kissing my neck and massaging my thighs as he pulled it up and over my body.

  Flinging my dress onto the floor, he set back on his knees and took in every inch of my body.

  “God, you’re beautiful,” he told me.

  “So are you,” I answered before pulling him on top of me.

  He kissed me gently, then drew back, looking into my eyes. “We don’t have to do this. I don’t want you to think this is all I want.”

  I didn’t really want to talk, but I knew that we should. “What do you want, Jackson?”

  He laid down beside me and placed his hand on my cheek, propping himself up with the other. “I want this. But I also want to take you out on dates. I know it’s weird since we don’t know each other at all really, but I feel something other than just attraction for you. I can safely say I’ve never been like this with another woman.”

  I was stunned and scared and happy all at once after his declaration. “I have to be honest. I’ve been burned and I’ve felt like I needed to protect myself for a while now. I had no plan of ever dating again. But then you came along and I don’t know. I want to go out on dates too, but it’ll take a while before I can trust you.”

  “Just give me the chance to show you that I’m nothing like your ex,” he said before kissing me again.

  I kissed him back before asking, “Do you have a condom?”

  He grinned, reaching into the pocket of his jeans. “Just in case.”

  “Good,” I said and unzipped his jeans.

  I was able to get his jeans off in record time as he unhooked my bra and pulled my panties off quickly. He moved in between my legs. “Last chance,” he warned.

  I didn’t say anything; instead I pulled him in for a kiss. He kissed me back then moved his lips down to my neck. My hands immediately went to his back and I couldn’t touch him enough. He kissed and licked all around my neck before finding the spot below my ear. He gently nipped it then moved and bit my ear lobe. I moaned a little as his lips found mine again. He pushed inside of me and I could safely say I had never felt something so incredible in my life.

  I WOKE up the next morning with a warm, dark arm draped over me and the sound of snoring in my ear. The night before was so amazing; I couldn’t have ever dreamed something like that. I didn’t know that could happen. Shane had a lot to learn in the sexual department. The thought made me giggle.

  “What’s so funny this early?” Jackson asked, nibbling on my ear.

  I rolled over to face him and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “It’s ten thirty. It’s not very early.”

  He gave me a kiss then sucked my bottom lip into his mouth. He released it and then gave me another small kiss. “Sorry. Someone wore me out last night. What are your plans for the day?”

  “I don’t have any plans yet. I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  He began running his fingers through my hair. That simple act felt so nice. Shane had never treated me like this. “Are there any Puerto Rican restaurants around here?”

  “I have no idea. Maybe. Why?”

  “Because I’m craving it. Have you ever had any?”

  I thought about it. “Not that I can remember.”

  He laughed. “Shit. I’m taking you to Dallas with me. My grandma is one of the best cooks. For now, though, after I go work out, I’m going to make us some.”

  “You know how to cook?”

  “Only Puerto Rican food. Nothing else. Sometimes grilled cheese.”

  I leaned in and kissed him. He kissed me back and I couldn’t help but get lost in his kisses. He was made to kiss. We kissed each other for a while before he pulled back. “I really have to go work out. I promise, as soon as I’m done, I’ll call you and we can spend the day cooking, eating, and hanging out.”

  I pulled the covers off of us and got up. “Okay. I’ll look forward to it.”

  He smacked me on the butt. “Yeah, you will.”

  We both put on clothes and I walked him to the door where we kissed good-bye. After closing the door, I leaned my head back. I couldn’t believe that I had just spent the night having sex with Jackson Berrios. And he was really good at it. Maybe I could try to trust him and believe I could have a happily ever after, but I was still doubtful.

  I went back into my bedroom and decided I needed to go for a run. I found the outfit I’d been wearing the day I met Jackson and had to grin. That day was quickly becoming one of my favorite days. I felt like I had to be dreaming.

  After changing, I walked out to my car and climbed in. I was too scared to run in my neighborhood so I always went to the lake. I cranked up the radio and jammed out to some old school Prince.

  I arrived at the lake during the hottest part of the day and had to wonder if it was a smart idea. Then I remembered Jackson’s fit body and decided I needed to run. I set off at an easy pace and, for the first time in a while, my mind drifted to a happy place.

  Jackson

  AFTER FINISHING with my workout and practice, I acted completely out of character for myself and bought a new car. I wanted to believe that it was because every guy needed an SUV and a car but it wasn’t. I had left Vanessa’s apartment that morning and noticed her beat-up old car; I decided it would be good for her to have a backup since she had mentioned her car was having problems.

  I also dropped by the grocery store to pick up some plantains, rice, and other ingredients to make some Puerto Rican dishes. It wasn’t really on my diet plan but Vanessa had given me a pretty good workout the night before and I was on an intense workout schedule already.

  I walked out of the grocery store and called her.

  “Hello,” she answered.
>
  Her voice did something to me I didn’t quite understand but I loved it. “Hey, it’s me, Jackson.”

  “How was your workout and practice?”

  I threw the groceries into the backseat. “Good. It was a workout and practice, nothing special. What did you do today?”

  “I went for a run and cleaned my apartment.”

  “Where’d you go for a run?” I really hoped it wasn’t in her neighborhood. I was pretty sure I had heard gun shots the night before. If she said it was, I was moving her into my place regardless of how crazy that was.

  “The lake. That’s where I always go.”

  “Good. Don’t go in your neighborhood,” I said before hopping into the front seat and starting my Range Rover.

  “Don’t worry.”

  I put the car in gear. “I’m on my way home. Do you want to come over and help me cook and we can hang out?” I really hoped I didn’t sound desperate.

  “Sure. Give me about an hour?”

  “I’ll see you in an hour.” We hung up and I felt…happy. I’d dated a lot before but I hadn’t ever felt happy just to talk to a woman on the phone or gotten excited to know she was coming over to my place.

  I pulled into my garage a few minutes later, grabbing the groceries out of the back. I dropped them off in the kitchen before running upstairs to my bedroom. I wasn’t a slob but I was grateful that my cleaning lady had come by the day before. I quickly took my clothes off and climbed in the shower. I closed my eyes and my mind instantly started imagining what it would be like with me and Vanessa in the shower. I knew it would be amazing and I decided it would be happening that night.

  I found some cargo shorts and a Thunder T-shirt and pulled them on. I didn’t see a need to dress up when we were just spending the night at my place.

  As I was walking down the stairs, my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that it was Cynthia. I’d dated Cynthia Matthews very casually but gossip magazines had embellished the relationship and made it seem like it was more than it was. I silenced the phone, not really wanting to talk to her.

  Two seconds later it rang again. Shit.

  “Hello,” I answered harshly.

  “Well hello, Jackson,” she purred.

  “What do you need, Cynthia?”

  “You. I’m coming to Oklahoma City on Thursday and was hoping I could see you.”

  She was a nice girl, although she was annoying as hell, we were still friends. “Sure. I have practice and stuff but we can have dinner Thursday night if you want. Was that why you called twice in row?”

  “Great. My flight lands around six. Will you pick me up or should I have a car take me to your place?” She asked ignoring my question.

  I really needed to get off the phone. “I’ll pick you up. I’m kinda busy so just text me later with your flight details, okay?”

  “Okay, bye Jackson.” I disconnected the call without even telling her bye. I was expecting Vanessa any minute and needed to get the food ready to cook.

  A short time later, my doorbell rang. For the first time ever, I had butterflies. I opened the door and was greeted with the most beautiful sight ever. Vanessa was standing on the porch wearing a tight Thunder tank top and a short jean skirt.

  I took a step toward her. “Hey, you. You look beautiful,” I told her before kissing her.

  She pulled back. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”

  I pulled her into the living room toward the kitchen. “Do you want something to drink? I have wine or beer or water.”

  “By any chance would you have any Moscato?”

  I felt like she must’ve been made for me. I was grasping at straws but I liked having a few things in common. “That’s the only type of wine that I drink. I’m more of a beer guy.”

  I grabbed a bottle from the wine fridge and poured us each a glass. She took a sip. “That’s so good.”

  I smirked. “It’s like the cheapest stuff you can buy but I still think it’s good.” I walked over to the counter where I had the ingredients laid out. “Are you ready to eat some of the best food you’ll ever have?”

  She sat down on a barstool and smiled. “You should probably know that I don’t cook.”

  Laughing, I said, “That’s okay. This is all I can cook, remember?”

  I walked over to her and kissed her. I licked her bottom lip, making her open her mouth, and I pushed my tongue inside which caused her to moan. She tasted sweet and I couldn’t get enough. I tangled my fingers in her hair, forcing her closer to me. She returned by pulling on my hair and slipping her tongue in my mouth. We kissed each other until it became hard to breathe.

  Gasping, she pulled back. “We should…we should get back to cooking.”

  I took a deep breath before answering her. “You’re right. Let’s get started.” I walked back to the other side of the counter and got busy preparing the different ingredients for arroz con gandules and cutting the plantains to make tostones.

  AN HOUR later, we finished our meal and I removed our dessert from the refrigerator. “It’s not Puerto Rican but it’s my favorite. Strawberry shortcake and I didn’t make it.”

  “What did you just say?” She asked with a shocked expression.

  “I didn’t make it,” I said cautiously.

  “No. Did you say it’s your favorite?”

  “Yeah. Is that wrong?”

  A huge smile crept across her face, “No. It’s just that it’s my favorite too.”

  I put a piece of cake on the table between us with two forks. She picked up a fork and cut off a big piece. It made me grin knowing she wasn’t shy about eating in front of me. After she took her first bite, she made appreciative noises letting me know she liked it. I wanted to hear those noises again in the bedroom later that night.

  Vanessa

  MY WEEKEND with Jackson was great but Monday morning started off bad. I had tried and tried to get my car to start for half an hour before I gave up. I walked into my apartment and called Amanda.

  “Hey you,” she answered, sounding way too chipper for a Monday morning.

  “Hey, can you give me a ride to work? My car won’t start.”

  “Yeah. Give me a few and I’ll be over.”

  We disconnected and I tried to figure out what I was going to do about my car. I couldn’t afford to fix it and I couldn’t afford a rental while it was being fixed. I was pretty much screwed. I pushed the tears back. Amanda would be picking me up at any moment and I couldn’t have makeup smeared all over my face when I got to work.

  A few minutes later, Amanda knocked on my door. I unlocked the door and she was holding two Starbucks drinks. She handed one to me. “Your favorite. Caramel iced latte.”

  I took it from her, very grateful that she was so sweet. “Thank you. This helps make my morning better.”

  “I was at Starbucks when you called. I thought it might help.”

  I smiled and grabbed my work bag. “Let’s go.”

  MIDMORNING, I had just sent the students to music class when my phone buzzed with a text. I grabbed it off of my desk and smiled. It was Jackson.

  Jackson: How’s your morning?

  Me: I’ve had better but it’s okay. How’s yours?

  Jackson: Why have you had better?

  Me: My stupid car wouldn’t start.

  Jackson: I’m sorry. Can I help?

  Me: Are you a mechanic or know of one that works for free?

  Jackson: No but I have a car you can use.

  Me: Thanks but I’ll figure something out. I’ve got to get back to work.

  It was really sweet of him to offer his car but I didn’t feel right about it. Whatever was between us was so new that I felt weird borrowing his car. I graded some papers and tried to wrack my brain for a way to afford getting my car fixed.

  My alone time went by quickly and all too soon the students were piling back into their chairs from music. Looking at the clock, I was appreciative that I only had an hour before lunch. During my lunch period
, I planned on calling different mechanics.

  I CALLED five mechanics who all gave me a price range I couldn’t afford just to look at my car, not even to fix it. Fixing it brought on even more charges. I huffed and threw my microwave dinner in the microwave.

  “How was your weekend, Vanessa?” Carla, a snotty first grade teacher, asked me in a sing-song voice.

  I had no clue why she was asking me since we never, ever talked. “It was fine.”

  “I figured it would’ve been great if the way you ended your work day on Friday was a preview.”

  Flashes of Jackson and me kissing in the parking lot came back into my mind. “That’s none of your business.”

  She opened the fridge, “Then don’t make out with guys at your place of work. Who was that guy anyway?”

  Carla was the school slut. She had broken up more marriages than I could count and the way she walked around, I think she was proud of that fact. I was pretty sure she had this snippy attitude because she didn’t like the fact that someone besides her was getting some. And even if she just saw his backside, she knew he was hot. I also knew that if she had figured out exactly who I was making out with in the parking lot, she was extremely jealous.

  “I said it was none of your business.” I said, getting angrier with each word that came out of her mouth.

  “Fine, don’t tell me,” she said before sitting at a table with another teacher I couldn’t stand.

  I sat down with my microwaved meal and tried to figure out what I was going to do about a car. Maybe I would call and ask my parents if I could borrow some money.

  “…Oh my goodness, he is so fucking hot. I thought he was hot but seeing him in person? He is amazingly hot,” I heard Carla say. I didn’t even need to think about it. I knew she was talking about Jackson.

  “Is it bad that I stuck around in the gym just to watch him?” Missy, the other teacher, asked.

  “No. I stuck around after school to see if I could find him but couldn’t. Instead, I had to watch Vanessa and some guy.” Carla replied.

  I wanted to tell them exactly who I had been making out with and that he was taken, but he actually wasn’t. We had just spent a weekend together. An amazing weekend but that was all. I gathered up my meal, taking it to the trash, and leaving the room as quickly as possible.