I'll Be Seeing You

  The trust transferred into my name when I turned twenty-one, so at the age of twenty-four, I bought my first home.

  After I moved into the apartment, Brian installed the equipment in my home office while Laura and I shopped for new furniture. That was the most fun part for me. Listening as Laura, a buyer at a major fashion chain, did what she did best — bargained and bartered. The impressive part is she was successful at getting me the best for less along with free delivery.

  The sound of the door opening unexpectedly, interrupts my reverie and my body stiffens.

  "I thought this would be a nice quiet place to talk. Do you want to start first?" Laura says, startling me out of my dreamy thoughts.

  I lay still and quiet, wondering if I should say anything. They've needed this time for so long, I hate to interrupt it.

  "Well, it's been so good between us these past few days, Laura, I don't know if I want to start something that could end up badly."

  "Yeah, they have been good, haven't they? I would like to know why, Jessie? Why you did what you did," she asks, cutting to the chase. "I thought you were a better person than that. You let me down and disappointed me."

  "Fuck, I don't know, Laura. I guess it's just the way I am … um … was. I don't want to be that way with you anymore. I haven't met anyone until now that I wanted to change for," he says, letting out a deep sigh.

  "Were you fucking other women while you were with me?"

  I really should let them know I'm here, but I really want to hear this.

  "I won't lie to you, Laura, but … yes. I know it won't help, but it was only once," he finally says after a long pause. "It was just after we met, and I wasn't even sure if you and I were anything more than just friends with benefits, you know? I didn't realize, until recently, that my feelings for you had changed."

  "Have you been tested? I swear to God, Jessie, if you give me a disease, I will cut your dick off at the quick, and no one will be able to tell you even had one." I bring the blanket to my face to stifle a giggle.

  "No, I'm clean. I swear. I cover up every time, Laura, you know that. Matthew and I get tested all the time at the clinic." At the mention of Matthew's name, my ears perk up.

  "Is Matthew like this, too? Is he sleeping around on Joy?" Laura asks, concern and shock in her voice. My body freezes, and I can't move to save my life.

  "Matthew was very … active … before he met Joy, but he's totally in love with her. He would never cheat on her." I breathe a sigh of relief, praying they don’t hear me.

  "Laura, I swear to you, I will never hurt you again. You own me, body and soul. I don't want anyone else. I promise you with everything that I am," he confesses.

  "I don't know, Jessie. I thought that I could trust you."

  You tell him, Laura.

  "I swear to you,” he begs again. “I’m in this one hundred percent. I don't want anyone else. You are it for me,” he pleads. “I know that if I was to fuck this up, I would lose everything, and that is something I never want to happen. Ask Matthew, he didn't even want to hang around with me anymore because I wasn't the same without you."

  Wait. What? Are they kissing? Oh, God.

  "I don't know what else to say or do to prove it to you, babe. I need that second chance to show you … to prove it to you. I promise, you won't be disappointed," Jessie says sadly. I actually feel sorry for him.

  I don't hear anything other than what sounds like Laura pacing and then she abruptly stops.

  "You hurt me."

  "Yes, and I'm truly sorry for that. I'm sure I will fuck up somewhere down the road again and piss you off even more, but I promise you, I will never break your heart again."

  "I don't know. I just don't know," she says, sounding unsure.

  "I won't hurt you again, babe. I promise. You have my word on it. Please say you forgive me. I need to hear you say it."

  She starts pacing again. I know this is a big deal for her. She's afraid to forgive him for fear he will do it again. "Throw him a bone, Laura," I silently shout out to her.

  "I'll forgive you, Jessie," she says softly.

  "Oh, thank God. Thank you so much, baby. I'm so sorry. You'll never know how sorry I am. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I put you through this."

  Oh, shit, they're kissing again. How do I get out of here? Should I jump up, say boo and then walk out?

  "Oh, babe, I need you so bad," Jessie growls, eliciting a moan from her.

  That does it … I cough.

  "What the … Joy Marie Johnson!" she barks in her pretend stern voice. I bet she has her hands on her hips, too.

  "Um, you will never guess." I fake a giggle. "I was lying here, just taking a nap when you guys walked in and started talking. I didn't want to interrupt him saying sorry especially as you were about to forgive him but then you started kissing, and I thought you wouldn't want me to hear that. Not that you wanted me to hear what I already heard I guess, but … and … can I just leave now?" I ask, taking a deep breath. I’m totally mortified they caught me and just as I am about to get up, Matthew enters the room.

  "Hey, baby, you're awake.”

  "Looks like your little girlfriend has been eavesdropping on Laura and me, Matthew," Jessie says, sternly.

  "Hey, now," I say in my defense. "I was in this room first, Mister. I was here, minding my own business, when you came in to grovel. Matthew, would you take me to the kitchen, please?" I ask, holding out my hand. When he takes it, he wraps his arm around my waist, escorting me out of the room.

  "What the hell was that all about?" he asks, quietly.

  "Oh, God, it's so embarrassing." I can feel my cheeks get warm. "They chose the library to discuss their problem. I was on the couch, as you know, and when they started to get frisky, I had to let them know I was there. So, in essence … I got caught," I say, smiling up at him.

  "So, they worked it out all right then?" Matthew asks, his arm squeezing my waist.

  "Yes, I think so. At least it sounds like it. Jessie did a pretty convincing job at begging. You would have been proud of him."

  "And Laura forgave him?"

  "Yes. He made her say it, too. I'm happy for them. He better not mess this up or … or … oh, I don't know what I'll do, but I'll think of something."

  "Come on, let's get a pill inside you and we’ll ask everyone what they want for dinner, okay?"

  "Okay," I say, thinking how sweet it is that he never forgets to give me my medicine. "Why don't we just have shish kabobs? We can make some with shrimp and some with beef," I suggest.

  "That sounds really good."

  Once we get everything out of the refrigerator, we cut, slice, and dice everything we want on the kabobs and then yell for everyone to come in to build their own.

  "Come here, Joy," Brian says, taking me by my waist and bending me backward. "Let's dance." He spins me around just as Maroon 5's, ’Wake Up Call’ comes on the radio.

  I've always enjoyed dancing with Brian; he really has some sexy moves. I haven't danced in so long, I almost forget how. As the song ends, Brian dips me, kisses my neck, and then deposits me back in Matthew's arms.

  Matthew wraps his arms around me, pulling me close and whispers in my ear, "You have no idea how fucking sexy you look dancing, baby." He starts to rock us back and forth, and I feel him hard against me.

  "Keep it up and everyone will know how sexy you think I am," I say as I press my hips into his.

  "Where are Jessie and Laura? I’m starving," Maddie asks. "I'll go look for them."

  "No!" Matthew and I yell at the same time. "Um, they'll be along shortly," I say, trying to recover from our panic. Nothing like having Maddie walk into the library to find them sprawled out on the pool table.

  "Matthew, will you get the grill started?" I ask, placing the bamboo skewers into a pan of water.

  "I'll make a salad," Maddie volunteers.

  "Okay, I'll get the plates and flatware ready," I say setting out to perform my tasks.

  I prepare a loading
station of sorts, where everyone gets their plate and silverware. Matthew has arranged a section on the counter where we will build our own individual kabobs.

  "Okay, the grill’s started, and I let Conrad out for bit. He sure likes to run, doesn't he?" Matthew asks, walking up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist again. I shiver when he grazes his warm tongue along the shell of my ear. God, I love that.

  "Sorry we're late, guys. Do you need any help, Joy?" Laura asks as she and Jessie enter the kitchen.

  "No, we managed without you," Brian says. "What the fuck, Laura? What's that blue stuff all over your ass?" he bellows, laughing at her.

  "What is it, Matthew?" I whisper to him.

  "I don't know, but she's going around in circles trying to see what's on her butt, though. It's freaking hilarious. She looks like a hamster caught in a wheel, only standing up," he explains. I can't help but laugh at what that must look like.

  "What is it, Laura?" I ask.

  "It's … it's cue chalk," Maddie announces, laughing so hard she snorts, which makes us all laugh in turn.

  "Did you sink the eight ball, Jessie?" Brian snickers. "Or was it your two balls?"

  "Did you call her pocket first?" Matthew joins in the banter, laughing all the while.

  "Did you shoot in her center pocket?" Brian chuckles, clearly on a roll.

  "Did you chalk your cue first?” Maddie barely got out. I had to laugh at that one. “Everyone should chalk their cue before shooting, you know.”

  "Did you powder your stick before shooting your ball?" I added, laughing at my own joke.

  "Good one, baby," Matthew whispers, squeezing my shoulder.

  "Did you rack his balls, Laura?" Maddie giggles, clapping her hands. I think I heard her jumping up and down.

  "All right, you can all shut the fuck up now," Laura says, giggling. "I'm going to change, and I'll be down to help."

  "Yeah, you can quit picking on my girl, now." Jessie says. Everyone in the room went silent.

  "Yes, yes, we kissed and made up, big deal," he confirmed sheepishly.

  "Congratulations, I'm glad to hear it," Matthew says.

  "I guess I don't have to tell you what I'll do if you fuck this up again, Jessie," Brian threatens … loudly. "And you won't be shooting pool for a while, that's for damn sure." We all burst out laughing.

  "No, those days are over for me. Laura's got it goin' on, and she's it for me," Jessie says confidently.

  "Okay, then, let's make some kabobs," I say, and everyone scurries to build their own. I have to admit, I had a lot of fun. By time we're all done, we have a mixed variety of flavors and textures.

  After dinner, Laura, Maddie, and I volunteer to take the first shift doing the dishes, saying the guys get tomorrow's dish duty. They all agree, heading for the living room and turning on one of the sports channels.

  After we’re done in the kitchen, I head for the stairs. "Matthew, I want to take a hot bath, care to join me?"

  "Absolutely," he answers. I know he’s running toward me, and throws me over his shoulder on his way up the stairs.

  "Night, guys. Breakfast is at eight," I say, waving to everyone then wrapping my arms around his waist as he starts to climb the stairs.

  Once we are in the sanctuary of our room, Matthew throws me on the bed and then crawls over me, kissing me.

  "You want a bath, huh?"

  "Yes, please. Will you start it for me while I get undressed?"

  "Sure thing," he says before leaving the room.

  Removing my pink angora sweater and pink bra, I have on gray corduroy jeans that get stuck around my calves. I can feel him watching me.

  "Matthew, I know you’re watching and laughing at my expense, so would you please quit it and help me?" I demand, sitting on the edge of the bed with my pants pulled down around my legs.

  "I wasn't laughing, babe," he says with a chuckle.

  "Fucking liar," I mumble under my breath.

  "What did you just say?" he says, getting closer to me.

  "Nothing." I can feel the blush rise in my cheeks.

  "What did you just say, Ms. Johnson?"

  "Nothing," I say again, hanging my head, talking to my lap.

  "Did you call me a 'fucking liar'?"

  "No." I lie, failing miserably at sounding honest.

  "And who's the liar now?" he asks, removing my pants.

  As soon as he gets them off, he stands me in front of him, his hands cupping my breasts. I get goose flesh when his hands graze down my waist. He tugs at my panties, pulling them down my legs and I’m completely startled when, in a flash, he lays me across his lap. I giggle as my head hangs over his legs and touches the floor near his feet. I feel his warm hand as he ghosts it over my bare bottom.

  "I said, ‘who's the liar now’, Joy?" he demands before his hand lands firmly across the exposed flesh of my ass.

  "What the … Matthew?" I shout, my back arching in an attempt to get up. Then I feel another smack land across my ass.

  "Matthew, baby, stop it. That hurts," I fake a whine.

  "Does it? I like the beautiful shade of pink you have on your beautiful bottom. It matches the sweater you were wearing today." Then he lands another one on my other cheek. "You called me a fucking liar and then turned around and lied yourself." He spanks me again, only harder.

  "Dammit, Matthew."

  "Did that hurt, baby?" he coos as he gently rubs my cheeks.

  "No … yes … maybe not," I giggle. He stands me up, then turns me around and kisses the warm spots on my butt.

  "That was fun. Let's go take a bath," he says, picking me up in his arms again. It is just now that I notice he's naked. I love the feel of his skin against mine.

  "Matthew, why must you carry me around like this all the time?" I whine, wrapping my arms around him, tucking my face into the curve of his neck.

  "Because I can."

  He steps into the tub first, helping me in after him and once he sits, he helps me down in front of him. Straddling his lap, I sit facing him, scooting as close to him as I possibly can. After wrapping my legs around his waist, I run my wet hands through his thick hair, massaging his scalp. I can’t help but giggle when I feel his erection moving around in the water as it brushes against me.

  "Lie back, baby," I say, pushing back on his shoulders. As soon as he does, I lay down across his chest, relaxing against him. With soapy hands, he massages up and down my back. I release a moan when his hands lower down over my bottom then between my legs. If he was looking for a reaction from me, he got one.

  "Do you like that?" he whispers. When he touches me again, my hips involuntarily move to feel more.

  "Mmhm," I moan. Feeling his hardness against my center, I move my hips seeking it. He grasps my hips and moves them for me, grinding my sex along his length.

  "I need to be inside you," he says in a strained voice, pushing me hard against him. His hands tighten on my hips as he slowly glides me up and down against his rigid cock. I nearly come from the erotic sensation of it. Using his shoulders as an anchor, I lift my body up as he easily slides inside me.

  "Ah, Joy," he growls against my neck. Circling my hips over him, he clamps his hands on my bottom to steady me. "If you don’t stop that, I'm going to come. You feel so fucking good," he groans, taking my face in his hands and covering my lips with his.

  While his mouth is plundering mine, I can't resist and begin to grind over him.

  Moving my hips in a slow forward and backward motion, I ride his entire length as I move. When his movements match my own, I know I’m not going to last either. As our motions begin to quicken, he holds me tight to him.

  "Matthew, I'm … oh hell," I cry into his chest. He thrusts up harder then withdraws very slowly. When he thrusts into me again, I can feel the goose bumps form over my skin, loving it when he does that.

  "Come, baby," he begs, holding my chest tight to him as he drives into me even harder, deeper, and faster causing water to splash out of the tub. My hips continue
moving in a circular motion, and I feel him explode his release inside me.

  Hearing Matthew's guttural sounds of pleasure is so sexy to me. I love feeling him cling to me as if I could save him, when it's actually him saving me. Knowing that I do this to him, and knowing I’m giving him this exquisite pleasure, pleases me very much.

  "God, what you do to me," he purrs, stroking my hair.

  "I can't move, Matthew." I giggle. "I'm a noodle. I'm a wet noodle."

  "Come on. Let's take a shower, okay?"

  "Okay, but I don't think I can stand after that one. I’m drained."

  Matthew sets me back off his lap and gets out of the tub before helping me out. As soon as I'm able to keep my balance, he cradles me in his arms and carries me to the shower, setting me on the seat inside. Turning on the shower heads, he stands me under the gentle warmth and bathes me from head to toe. Once he washes himself, with no help from me, mind you, he dries us, and then carries me to bed. After I hear the click of the lamp, he snuggles close behind me.

  "I love you, Joy," he says sleepily.

  "Mmm too," I barely say before I’m out.

  ~.~

  As usual, my internal alarm clock wakes me just like every other morning. I reach for my cell to check the time — six thirty exactly. Today, I'm glad to wake up early because I promised breakfast at eight o'clock sharp.

  "Good morning, beautiful," Matthew says in his sleepy voice.

  "Good morning, handsome," I return, rolling over into his arms.

  "Did you sleep well?"

  "I slept hard. You are good for my sleepy time," I mutter, wanting to go back to bed. Feeling him slip between my legs, rubbing against me, I respond by parting my thighs for him, wanting him. A whimper escapes me because, frankly, it just feels good. When I begin to move my hips in concert with his, I feel his smile against my neck.