by Harmon, AJ
“Wow,” whispered Katy. “That was beautiful.”
Janie nodded, “Yeah, it was. Thanks for keeping it for me Katy.”
“You’re welcome. Are you okay?”
“I think I am. I really think I am.”
“Is Matt the one? Is he someone special?”
“Oh Katy. I’m only here for another week and then I fly three thousand miles back home. We are from two very different worlds. I don’t fit anywhere in his life. And he told me he just wanted to be friends.”
“Friends don’t do what you guys did last night!” she scoffed. “You don’t know what he wants!”
“Katy, I highly doubt that the first man I sleep with will turn out to be the man of my dreams! Life just doesn’t work like that. And besides, I told you, this will never work. Our two worlds are like oil and vinegar, apples and oranges. But yes, he is someone special.”
“Just don’t close any doors. Leave your options open, k?”
“Options are all open,” Janie smiled.
8.
Matt had managed to score two tickets for the Broadway musical ‘The Lion King’ for that evening. Janie was thrilled when he called to tell her and when he picked her up she was waiting anxiously in the lobby.
They drove to the Theater District and when Ray let them off in front of the theater, Janie whipped out her phone to take a picture. Matt laughed and helped her play tourist, taking her picture not only in front of the marquis, but also in front of the ticket office, the official ‘Lion King’ poster, and holding the playbill in the lobby.
They found their seats and Janie was mesmerized from start to finish. She even sang along quietly during some of the songs, recalling her boys watching the DVD over and over again when they were little. Matt hadn’t seen the musical before and he hadn’t even seen the movie. Janie was astonished! But he seemed to really enjoy it, almost as much as she did!
As always, Ray appeared with the BMW not twenty seconds after they stepped out of the theater. Janie laughed.
Matt looked at her and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Janie climbed into the car and, once again, Matt slid in right behind her. “I wondered if you had some kind of bat signal you used to make Ray magically appear at just the right moment.”
Ray laughed a low rumbling laugh. “Does that make me Batman or Alfred?”
“Well I’m certainly not Alfred,” exclaimed Matt and they all laughed.
Janie had worn black linen trousers to the theater so she had been able to slide all the way across the back seat of the car this time.
“I liked it better when you sat here,” he drawled and patted the leather between them.
“It’s safer over here,” grinned Janie.
“Probably, but not nearly as much fun.”
They rode in silence the rest of the way and Janie felt relaxed and happy. As she gazed out the window, she tried to remember the last time she felt happy, truly happy. She had to go back a long time, to before Robert got sick, three years ago. Robert. I love you Robert. Thank you.
*****
Matt held her hand as they walked down the hall to her room. Once again, Janie removed her room key from her purse and handed it to him, brazenly, silently, giving him permission.
They went in and Janie clicked on the light, put down her purse and kicked off her shoes. She turned to Matt and he was watching her, his head slightly tilted to one side. “Can we talk?” he asked.
Oh shit! Here it comes, she thought. The brush off! “Sure! Do we need to sit?” Janie moved towards the sofa and tucked herself into the corner, protecting herself with her body language.
Matt followed and sat next to her, just leaving a couple of inches between them. He picked up her hand and held it in both of his. He was fondling her fingers, his touch was soft and gentle.
Janie watched her hand in his, waiting for the ‘It’s been fun, but…’ speech. Katy had told her all about the ‘It’s not you. It’s me’ and ‘Let’s just be friends’. She had never thought she would have the opportunity to hear it, but here it was her turn. She turned her head to look at him. “What is it Matt?” she whispered, saddened by the thought of not seeing him again.
*****
Matt’s social interaction with women was superficial. None of them had captured his interest for more than a couple of dates. And after screwing them, he was ready to move on. He wasn’t proud, but he knew who he was and what he wanted, and what he didn’t want. And, he had been satisfied with that. But Janie had upset his pattern and that had messed up his MO. First off, she wasn’t his usual type. Everything about her was different, from her shape to her personality, and, she was a widow and a mother.
Then there was the sex. She was a little shy, a bit naïve, timid even, but that had turned him on even more. He couldn’t get enough of her; the feel of her, the taste of her. He couldn’t just fuck her, roll over, and let his mind go back to the latest real estate project. He wanted to cuddle and then fuck her again. It was all very different than the norm.
He had found himself sitting in a meeting and wondering where she was and what she was doing. He thought about how he could find reasons to see her again without making himself look like a panting puppy dog, desperate for attention.
He hated to admit it but his mom was right. He liked her. And when he had seen her crumpled in the shower, he had wanted to hold her, to comfort her, to fix whatever was wrong. Yeah, he liked her. So that’s why he needed to talk to her.
“Janie.” My sweet Janie! “I have enjoyed the past few days, with you. I enjoy spending time with you. But I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.” He paused to make she was listening. “You are here for, what, another week, right?” She nodded. “And you said this morning that you had come to New York as a way to start your new life, right?”She nodded again. “Well I don’t want to mess with that. I don’t want you to look back and have any regrets.”
“You’re not a regret,” she smiled, shaking her head.
“Good. I’m glad.” He was relieved. “But I do want you to have your ‘trip of a lifetime’, and I thought that maybe I could be a part of it.” He lifter her hand to his lips and kissed it, then gently placed it on her knee.
She looked at him, her eyes questioning what he was saying.
He continued, “I would like to keep seeing you till you leave. No strings, just enjoy our time together. And then when you go home, there won’t be any awkwardness, you won’t have to feel bad about dumping me.” He chuckled, trying to lighten the words.
“You want to see me again?”
“Yes, I do.” She really was the sweetest thing. “And then, when it’s time, I will take you to the airport and carry your two bags for you and say goodbye and we can still be friends. And you can leave with no regrets.”
She smiled. I will take anything you offer. Then she offered her hand. He took it and she quietly said, “Deal.”
*****
He wants to see me again! Janie was relieved and happy. She really did have fun with Matt and the thought of having another week with him made her tummy do little jumps for joy.
He shook her hand and the deal was struck.
Matt twisted his body so he was facing her and reached for her. His finger traced her cheek bone and a small gasp escaped her lips. He leaned in to her, his eyes locked with hers, and whispered, “Seal it with a kiss.” His lips touched hers and Janie closed her eyes and responded willingly.
He let go of her hand and held her head in his hands, his fingers entwined in her hair, and deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth, and dancing with hers. She moaned and placed her hands tentatively on his thighs. They were hard, muscular, and she felt them flex at her touch.
Matt pulled back and in a flash, he had hoisted her onto his lap, her legs straddling him. She was stunned, speechless, amazed at how he moved her like she weighed no more than a feather, and he smiled his wicked grin and pulled her head back to him, kissing her hard. His hands mov
ed down to her shoulders and he caressed her back, rubbing up and down and settling on her behind. He pulled her into him, his hard erection sitting between her legs.
Janie’s mind was still trying to grasp the idea that he wanted her physically. ‘Plain Jane’ is how she had always thought of herself and this beautiful, rich, powerful man desired her. It baffled her, but it also excited her.
She was pulled from her thoughts, back to in to the moment when Matt reached up and cupped her breasts in his hands. He squeezed and released, and squeezed again, and Janie stopped breathing, her body responding to the pleasure.
“Do you know what you do to me, Janie Anderson?” Matt murmured against her lips. His hands grabbed the bottom of her blouse and pulled it out of her slacks. His hands slipped underneath the silk and caressed her skin. Janie shuddered as his fingers stroked her flesh and Matt chuckled, pulling his head back to look at her.
“You are so soft,” he whispered. “I love the feel of your skin.”
Janie sat up straighter, now acutely aware of the little roll of fat under his hands. A slight wrinkle appeared on her forehead and she chewed the inside of her cheek.
“What is it?” he asked. “What are you thinking?”
Janie tried to slide off his lap, but Matt’s grip tightened and he wouldn’t let her move.
“What is it?” he asked again.
Janie let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes. “I’m just embarrassed.” Her head dropped and her cheeks blushed pink.
“Of what?” Matt couldn’t fathom what she was talking about.
“Of this!” she sighed and placed her hand across her not-so-flat stomach.
“What? Why?”
“I am sure this isn’t what you’re used to,” she whispered. “I’ve seen your ex-wife and she doesn’t have an ounce of fat anywhere!”
“My ex-wife spends 4 hours a day in the gym! She is obsessed, and it irritated the hell out of me. You do not have anything to be embarrassed about. You’re beautiful.” He grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. “Do you understand me?”
“But…..”
“No!” His voice was firm. “Your body is amazing. You look like a woman, a real woman. You’re soft and desirable, and round in all the right places,” he said as he cupped her breasts with his hands.
Janie blushed again and a tiny smile began to appear. “Thank you.”
“Why could you possibly think otherwise?” Matt was serious.
“When I went shopping for a dress for Sunday, the sales girl took me to the BIG sizes! In the back of the store! And my stomach just never went back after the boys were born and, I don’t know, I don’t look anything like the magazine pictures.”
Matt shook his head and sighed. “Oh Janie. Those women don’t eat, EVER! I know; I’ve seen them not eat. Plus, with the amount of airbrushing that happens, it’s a surprise they even look remotely familiar. And I don’t want a girl from a magazine. I like you! I like that you have curves. I like how you feel when I hold you, when you’re under me. Please believe me?”
She nodded.
“Good,” he smiled. And he pulled her to him and kissed her, a kiss that was filled with desire and longing, a kiss that curled Janie’s toes. After what felt like an eternity, Matt pulled back and lifted Janie’s blouse up an over her head, discarding it on the floor. Then he unhooked her bra and slipped it off her shoulders and tossed it aside. He took a nipple in his mouth and sucked gently and Janie threw her head back and moaned, as desire pooled in the pit of her stomach. He took her other nipple in his mouth and gently nipped with his teeth and Janie’s excitement grew.
Feeling much braver after his declaration of desire, Janie scrambled off Matt’s lap and stood, pulling him up with her. “Take your clothes off,” she ordered.
Matt grinned, “Yes Ma’am!” and began doing as he was told. Janie stood, entranced at the sight. First he bared his chest and then he removed his shoes and socks.
“You have nice feet” she giggled.
“Do I?”
“Mmmm, you do.”
“Nobody has ever told me that before.” Matt undid his belt and then his pants and Janie was mesmerized as he slowly removed them. He paused and looked at Janie. “These too?” he asked flicking the band of his briefs.
Janie nodded, unable to speak as he slowly lowered them and flipped them aside with his foot. She drank in the sight of him; his perfectly chiseled face, broad strong shoulders, flat six-pack abs, slim hips, muscular thighs, nice feet, and a massive erection, all ready to give her intense pleasure.
She stepped towards him, her eyes catching his, and reached out her hand and touched the head of his penis. It was soft, wet and she slid her hand around his shaft and squeezed. She watched his eyes close slowly as he took in a deep breath and as he opened them she could see the lust there.
Janie squeezed again and ran her fingers up the length of him. He was hard as rock, but his skin was velvet soft. She squeezed again and moved her hand up and down, up and down. Matt’s eyes closed and he gritted his teeth, and Janie was overwhelmed with the thought of giving him pleasure. She took half a step back and knelt down, his dick the perfect height as she pulled him toward her mouth. She gently kissed the tip, the bead of moisture now on her lips. She licked them and tasted him and tilted her head up to Matt. He was looking down at her, his eyes half closed, his mouth open and his breathing shallow. With her hand at his base she pulled him into her mouth, and sucked him in further and further till she could feel him at the back of her throat.
Janie removed her hand and grabbed his hips and held on as she pulled out and then back in, her lips and teeth sliding up and down the length of him. Her tongue swirled around the tip and she created a steady rhythm of in and out.
Matt’s hands grabbed at her hair and he said in a raspy voice, “Stop now or I’m gonna go!”
Janie ignored his words and maintained the rhythm, thrilled that she had turned him on, and that she was incredibly turned on too. Matt’s grip on her hair tightened and he held her head still, his legs going rigid and his head thrown back, “Arghhh………” he groaned. Janie felt his powerful orgasm and her mouth filled with salty liquid.
“Janie, ahhhh,” Matt moaned, his body loosening and his hands relaxing. “That was incredible.”
Janie swallowed and slowly eased back, her body now desperate for relief. Matt helped her stand and fumbled with the button on her pants. Janie took over and speedily removed them and her panties. Matt turned her and pushed her down on the sofa and knelt in front of her. Her breathing was ragged and he smiled that smile and Janie was wrung with intense need. He kissed her hard, his tongue pushing into her mouth, urgent and strong. He grabbed her nipples with both hands and pinched and pulled and twisted and Janie thought she would die if she didn’t come.
Matt released her suddenly and grabbed her hips, pulled her to the edge of the cushion, shoved her legs apart and buried his face in her pubic hair. His tongue licked and explored and parted her lips, finding her clitoris.
Janie ran her fingers through his hair and bucked her hips to him, and he licked with his exquisite tongue, droving her mad. Then she felt his finger in her and then two fingers and she cried out as the world shattered and the most amazing orgasm washed over her. Her body quivered and shook and then slowly stilled, as Matt laid his head on her belly.
*****
Sunshine streamed through the window and Janie’s eyes fluttered open. Matt was lying on his stomach and his arm was draped across her, his hand cupped her breast. His breathing was steady and she reveled in another perfect moment.
They had made love again in the middle of the night; Matt crawling on top of her as she slept. She had awoken in the middle of what she thought was a most erotic dream, only to discover it was real, that Matt was on top of her driving into her hard and fast. And then they had fallen asleep again, bodies entwined, blissfully tired.
Janie smiled. She couldn’t help it. She was happy. This truly was tur
ning out to be a trip of a lifetime. She turned her head to look at Matt and studied his features, committing them to memory. She wanted to be able to close her eyes and see him, his smile, his eyes. She would miss him when she went home. There were six more days till she had to go and the prospect of spending them with Matt thrilled her. She also knew that in six days they would say goodbye. He would go on with his life in New York; a life filled with work, and other women, and she would go back to Portland. Go back to what?
Robert’s letter had given her permission to move on, permission she didn’t know she needed until she heard Katy read his letter. But now she could start over. She knew she was ready to start over. But how? What would she do?
Matt stirred and his eyes slowly opened. A leisurely grin appeared on his face. “Morning beautiful. This is a very nice way to start the day.”
Janie laughed.
“Do you have plans today?” he queried.
“Well, I still have several things on my list, and I only have six days left to do it all.”
Matt’s expression sobered. “Six days, huh? That’s gone by fast.”
“It always takes so long for the day to leave for vacation to arrive, and then before you know it, it’s over.”
“Well, I wish I could spend the day with you, but I can’t. Work is waiting.”
Janie felt a pang of disappointment. She hadn’t expected to spend the day with him, but knowing that he wanted to made it all the more sad.
“But,” he added, “I had Angela clear the whole weekend, so if you want, we could spend it doing anything you wanted to.”
Janie’s heart fluttered and she couldn’t hide her enthusiasm at the idea. “Really?”
Matt smiled, “Really! In fact, why don’t you let me plan out the entire weekend?”
Janie’s eyes got big.
He continued, “Yeah, I’ll pick you up this evening and I’ll be your personal tour guide till Monday morning. I’ll show you my New York. What d’ya think?”
“That sounds pretty good to me. I’d be a fool to turn down an offer like that,” she grinned from ear to ear.