When was the last time someone opened a door for me and actually waited for me to be comfortable?
Never.
I always read about the southern gentleman or the good guy, but never experienced it. Inside it makes my insides turn to mush. I’ve always been someone to focus on the little things and now is no different.
The night carries on with much the same from Wendol. He opens every door, doesn’t sit down until I sat. He didn’t even eat the first bite until my meal was in front of me and I began eating. The conversation flowed and the night passed quickly with my face a little sore from smiling so much.
Back at my apartment, he unlocks the front door for me and opens it. Anticipation fills me. I want him to come inside.
I’m hyper aware of every move he makes as his hands come to my face cupping each of my cheeks. While his thumbs trace my cheekbones he smiles at me.
“Had a great time, Jess.”
I rest my hands on his sides. “Me too.”
“Wanna take you out again.”
I feel my face automatically smile huge and while I feel stupid seeing Wendol smile just as big, I quickly let the butterflies win. “I would like that. You wanna come in for coffee?” I invite to which Wendol leans in and presses his lips to my forehead.
“There’s nothing more in this world I want than to come inside with you, but if I do things might not stay slow. Had a taste of you once, Jess. I get another, I’m not letting go. Trying to give you time here to get to normal after the change in job. Tryin’ not to push my luck, baby.”
This is Wendol. Always the gentleman and always so sweet.
His lips press to mine. My eyes close as I open to him. Stars, fireworks, everything colorful dances in my mind as he kisses me. Only when we are both fully consumed does he pull away.
“See you tomorrow, Jess. Gonna let me take you out again after work?”
“I would like that, Wendol.”
“It’s a date,” he releases me and steps back. “Goodnight.”
He starts to walk away and then looks over his shoulder at me, “Jess, wear them boots from the bar the other night too, would ya?”
I bite my bottom lip to stifle a laugh. “Be sure to.” I reply while my mind is in this happy place with thoughts of Wendol and going out again.
As I enter my apartment and shut the door behind me only one thought continues over and over …
He is magical. Tonight was magical. This is exactly what I’ve always been looking for.
Chapter Seven
~Wendol~
One Week Later
She is going to be the death of me. Watching her workout, especially when she teaches yoga class. Suddenly stretching is hot as fuck and I think I’m a damn gymnast.
Jessika working here is a bad idea. When we’re both working I find myself focused on her, when she’s not working, I find myself focused on her. Everything is her.
It’s driving me crazy.
I crave her like my last meal.
I’m sitting at my desk looking at my checkbook trying to sort out how much I can safely give House of Hope when in comes Heath.
“I should kick your fucking ass!”
I look up to see the fury in his eyes. Knowing he’s pissed about something but would never actually fight me, I lean back in my chair.
“What do I owe that honor?”
“You fucking took a fight at The Lottery and didn’t tell me!”
I nod my head because I did. I also won, barely, and believe it or not the fight took place in the gym Jessika used to work at. Apparently, one of the people in the core of The Lottery has a dummy corporation that bought out the facility. They’ve decided to regularly hold fights there. Personally, I don’t think it’s smart, but all the moving around is too hard for them to keep finding locations. I guess they feel this is a way to have more control.
“You had a concussion. That shit takes weeks to heal. I wasn’t risking you.”
He throws up his hands in frustration. “That doesn’t mean you go in there.”
I blow out a breath. “Gotta get real man. This shit ain’t good for either of us. House of Hope needs the funds so I gotta sort something.”
Heath sits in the chair across from me. “All of the savings gone?”
I nod.
“Too many women need help. Mom’s not turning anyone away and I wouldn’t want her to.”
I see his concern which mirrors my own.
“Fuckin’ scumbags puttin’ these women in these situations. Damn man.”
I look at the picture of me and my sister that sits on my desk. “The hell they live, without House of Hope where does that put them?”
“We’ll figure something out.”
“Not your problem man.” I try to let him off the hook.
He stands again and this time the rage is back. I stand as well while he lets me have it. “Don’t fuckin’ say that shit to me! Shayla wasn’t just yours, dammit!”
The door to my office opens as Jessika and LoraLeigh enter the space making it even smaller.
“Y’all are being loud,” LoraLeigh says to Heath.
“Well, this fucker cut me out of the family just like that.” He snaps his fingers.
I slam my fist on my desk. “Heath, it’s not fuckin’ like that. You got a woman who needs your ass. I got shit except me and this gym. I can’t keep asking my best friend to give everything extra to a charity. None of this shit brings Shayla back anyway.”
Jessika comes to stand beside me placing her hand tenderly on my back.
“Shayla was like my sister too. House of Hope is everything to me just as much as you. We’ll keep the doors open, man. But don’t you fuckin’ shut me out.”
“House of Hope is struggling?” LoraLeigh asks.
I nod. Jessika leans in giving me a side hug and I drape my arm over her shoulder.
“Then we charge for the self-defense classes. For those in financial need we will have forms for them to get free classes, but everyone else donates to the center.” LoraLeigh pipes up about the class she has taken over since coming here. “We’ll make it work. I know what Shayla and House of Hope mean to you both.”
“We’ll figure it out, together,” Jessika adds. “Just no more yelling in the office where the clients can hear, boys.”
“I got your back, brother,” Heath says with his eyes locked to mine. “No more doing that shit alone, yeah?”
I nod without getting into details. LoraLeigh knows about the fights. I don’t know what Kenzy has or has not shared with Jessika so I decide to keep my mouth shut.
“Why don’t you take the night off? LoraLeigh and I’ll close the place.” Heath suggests.
I feel all the pressure of House of Hope and what happens if we stop fighting weigh down on me. Maybe a night off is what I need.
“Alright. I’ll finish here and head home.”
Jessika looks up at me. “I’m done with my stuff for the day, I would love to get a personal tour of House of Hope if you feel up to it.”
I smile. “Are you asking me on a date, Jessika Phillips?”
She grins back. “Yes, I do believe I am.”
Heath laughs. “Jess, you should know Wendol doesn’t kiss on the first date.”
She smirks propping her hand on her hip. “Good thing for us I do and it’s not our first date it’s our second.”
LoraLeigh gasps while Heath winks at me. “Have fun kids. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
“That leaves us to do everything because there is nothing you wouldn’t do.” I joke back and just like that all the tension and stress is gone.
Heath and LoraLeigh go back to work the gym floor while Jessika went to get her purse from her office. We head out and pass by her car to notice all four tires have been slashed. She gasps and tears form in her eyes. I wrap my arms around her holding her close.
“It’s gonna be okay, Jess.” I tell her while the rage builds inside me. Who the fuck would slash her tires? Whoever
it is will soon find out how much they fucked up when I beat the hell out of them.
So much for going to House of Hope.
The cops come and going through the video footage, Jessika recognizes who did it. We are left in my office with the blinking of the monitor for my security system after the police made copies of the night. I can feel her tension, fear, and it gnaws as me.
“Come home with me.” I say more as a statement than an offer. I see her eyes go wide. “Not gonna try anything, just need to know you’re safe. You want me to sleep on the couch so be it. You rather stay at your place okay, I’ll crash on the couch or sleep in my truck, but you don’t get left alone.”
She moves to me and I wrap my arms around her. I feel her relax in my embrace. This is peace to know I can give her comfort it what has to be a difficult time in her mind.
“Thank you Wendol. You always seem to be right here when I need you.”
“And I always will be,” I vow.
I mean every damn word of it too.
Chapter Eight
~Jessika~
For the last two nights, I have slept at Wendol’s. Every moment with him is a reminder of the shitheads I’ve been dating all these years. He’s attentive, kind, caring, and sexy. He hasn’t pushed me for more than a kiss here and there. Each day he makes sure I have what I need from my place without me going in alone.
Seeing Paul on video slashing my tires was crazy. He was the last person I expected. The man is maybe five-feet-five-inches tall. He was the janitor at the gym I used to work at. Paul is just Paul. Sure, he asked me out more than once and more than once I told him we worked together and that it wasn’t a good idea.
He was fired two months ago for going into the women’s locker room while it was occupied. While he claimed to be cleaning the facilities, there were strict rules and he broke them. I haven’t seen or heard from him since the day after when he called and asked me out. Again, I declined only I couldn’t use the we worked together excuse. I didn’t think anything of it until my tires were slashed and he was caught on camera doing it.
Wendol had to go to House of Hope this morning so I told him I would open the gym. I haven’t really had time alone since the incident. Wendol won’t be long so I’m not worried. In fact, not having him here gives me a chance to clear my head from my Wendol swooning fog.
Is it possible to fall in love with someone you are barely dating? It’s crazy the way he makes me feel. It’s overwhelming and wonderful at the same time.
I open the gym and go about turning on lights and plugging in equipment. In the ladies locker room, I check behind the cleaning crew that come in at night to make sure everything is stocked from toilet paper to towels. I’m in the back shower area when the lights go out.
“Hello,” I yell wondering if someone flipped the switch. I don’t get a reply but I hear the door shut.
My chest feels heavy. The pit of my stomach rolls in revolt as the adrenaline kicks up and I feel on edge. There is a lump in my throat just as a shadow moves near me. I ready for a fight but I’m too late as the cold metal of a blade quickly presses to my neck as an arm snakes around my waist guiding me to the wall. I’m stuck with my face against a locker and a man behind me in the darkness. My fight or flight mode is broken as the fear swallows me whole.
“Tease,” he whispers and I smell the alcohol come off him in waves. The man behind me is my height maybe a little shorter.
Paul.
“You fuckin’ walk around in those tight pants and doing those stretches. I watched you shower, the way you washed that cunt. I wanted a chance, Jessika. One chance and you wouldn’t give it to me.”
I’m frozen in fear. He moves the knife from my neck and traces it up my workout pants slicing them. The cold air hits my skin and I shiver. I can’t speak. The lump in my throat is closing my air way. I feel dizzy. The pain in my chest is too much. It’s like a thousand elephants are standing on me and I can’t do anything.
I hear a noise but it’s faint over the roaring sound in my ears.
“Get your fuckin’ hands off her you son-of-a-bitch.” Wendol states calmly.
Paul turns releasing me. Wendol goes straight at him. I can’t catch my breath. I can’t breathe. I need to tell him he has a knife but it’s too much, the room spins as I pant for air.
Wendol grunts as he takes Paul down. I can’t see what they’re doing but I hear Paul cry out in pain. It’s a few moments before they stand with Wendol guiding Paul in a headlock.
“You okay, Jess?” Wendol asks and I can’t answer. I’m fighting the panic attack that has consumed me.
The lights flip on and LoraLeigh rushes to us. “I heard noises.” She explains as she makes me stand straight up and puts both my hands on top of my head. “Eyes on me Jess, you’re okay.”
I look to Wendol with tears in my eyes. “Promise you, Jess, I’ll keep you safe.” He has a cut running down his arm but Paul has a bloody nose and by the way he’s trying to catch his breath probably a cracked rib or two.
“There’s EMS and cops on their way.” LoraLeigh explains. “Gotta breathe, Jessika.”
I focus on Wendol’s eyes which haven’t left mine. “I’m sorry,” he says and my heart hurts because this isn’t his fault at all.
“Not on you,” I finally manage to choke out. “Wendol this isn’t your fault. You saved me.”
“Yeah loverboy,” Paul says on a gasp. “You saved her from me having that cunt.”
Wendol moves to put him in a sleeper hold and the man chokes out quickly. “Sick fuck, I’ll end you in court.” Wendol says, dropping an unconscious Paul to the floor.
He moves to me in a whoosh wrapping me in his arms. Normally, this would make the panic worse, but in Wendol I find strength. I let all the fear out and the tears fall as his strong arms hold me, console me, and for once I don’t feel like I’m taking on the world alone.
Wendol Branch has given me peace in the chaos.
Chapter Nine
~Wendol~
One week later
We pull up to my house. I hate the fear Jessika has had to endure over that fucker. He’s been charged with assaulting her and the damage to her car. Since the attack she’s been staying with me and I find I like it. I definitely don’t like the reason behind her being here, but having her around all the time feels like how it’s supposed to be.
We just finished dinner and it’s been a long damn day. I’m looking forward to our usual chill on the couch for a bit before falling into bed where she happily tangles herself around my body every single night.
Stepping inside, I lock the door behind us and I’m surprised when I turn around to find Jess shucking off her boots, dropping her purse, and turning to me. Reaching up her hands cup my face. Rolling up on tiptoes, she presses her lips to mine. “One night. I wanna throw caution to the wind for one night. I know you’re a gentleman and trying to do this slow. Wendol, you aren’t Conner or James or Paul or anyone else I know. You are all things amazing. You have taken me on dates, you make me feel important and treasured. I want to know if what we shared five years ago is as good today as it was then.” She winks.
“Is that a challenge?” A slow smile builds across my face. “Glad to know this while you’re sober. Wondered if you remembered it as good as I did.”
“Why don’t we find out if the memory is better than the real thing?”
Without a second to think about anything else, I reach out pulling her to me. With my hands firmly behind her neck, I devour her mouth. There is no moment to slow down as her hands tug at my shirt pulling up at it. We break apart for me to take it off and shuck off my own shoes.
Jessika boldly takes me by the hand and leads me to the living room before she turns and pulls her shirt off.
Her body is a masterpiece. She is toned but not overly bulky.
In moments, we’re both naked with her over me on the couch. My cock is long, hard, and thick. My mouth waters to taste her, but first I circle my tongue around her
nipple before blowing cool air, sending her reeling in sensations.
She wraps her legs around my hips, straddling me. In a delicate torture, my cock rocks against her pussy as she rides me without letting me enter her tight, wet heat.
I kiss the spot just behind her ear. “So fuckin’ beautiful, Jessika,” I whisper, the heat from my breath only making her need more. “You sure about this?”
“Yes,” the single word comes out in a pant.
I trail kisses down her collarbone. Lifting her up, I kiss down her stomach as her wet pussy rests on my chest. “Crave you, baby.” I mutter before sliding down where her pussy is over my mouth.
Her hands go into my hair as I devour her mound like I do her mouth.
I slide one finger inside her just as my tongue hits her clit. Her pussy walls tighten around my digit while her thighs grip my head as her orgasm builds. I tease her slowly while my cock throbs to be inside her. Adding a second finger while pressing my tongue against her clit she comes and she comes hard crying out my name.
She pushes off me and without giving me a chance to think, she slides over my shaft taking me all the way inside her in one swift movement. I almost come on contact. Gripping her hips, I control her movements keeping it slow until I can will my cock not to shoot my load.
I still her realizing I’m not sheathed. “Condom,” I grunt.
“I’m on the pill and clean.” She pants rocking her hips.
“Fuck, yes!” I groan releasing her hips to let her work us both. There is a song from some pop singer that LoraLeigh likes to play during her classes about the hips don’t lie. The way she is grinding on me, her hips don’t lie, we fit well together.
Needing more, I grab her ass using it to lift her up and slam her down on me hard and fast over and over again. Her tits bounce happily over me as she arches her back and rides me. Up and down, I keep climbing higher and higher. Moving my hand, I press her clit with my thumb easily sending her into her orgasm with my own following right behind.
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