Casual Sext

by Lisa Lace

  James makes a face. “Freaking Chad. Can’t get a word in edgewise without his Fitbit bleeping. He must have some shark in him—if he stops moving, he dies.” He beckons us to follow him into the living room. “Can I get you guys a drink?”

  “Got any rosé?”

  “You’ll have to check with the boss.”

  I grin. “I’ll go find her. You boys sit. I’ll bring out a couple of beers.”

  In James’ friendly company, Cole looks a little more at ease. I leave them to get to know each other while I track down Lena in the kitchen.

  When I find her, she’s kneeling down in front of the oven in a pair of expensive-looking black parachute pants with a silk tie at the waist and a smart wraparound pink blouse with a colorful elephant design. The oven light is off, and Lena’s banging her palm against the glass of the door. “Fucking thing. Raw goddamn chicken.”

  “Can I help?”

  Lena looks up and nods. She beckons me over, standing up and brushing off her knees. She gestures furiously to the oven. “Can you figure it out? It won’t start.”

  I laugh. “Are you serious, Lena? It hasn’t been that long since you’ve cooked.”

  “I’m more of a microwave girl.”

  “You have the stovetop instead of the main oven on. There’s your problem.”

  Lena leans against the counter and takes a swig from a glass of wine. She brushes her bangs back out of her flushed face. “Well, I hope you guys aren’t starving, because it’s going to be a while now.”

  “Not starving so much as worried about winning you over.”

  She raises her eyebrows. “I’m not that much of a tyrant.”

  “I know you don’t think much of Cole, but I really appreciate the invite tonight. He’s really changed—you’ll see.”

  “When you first said you’d run into each other, I wasn’t sure what to think. Knowing Cole, I expected him to stick around for a one-night-stand, then take off. Two weeks later, and he’s still in the picture, and you’re all loved-up. Makes me think that maybe it’s not going to just blow over, and whether I like him or not, I need to suck it up and get on with it.”

  “Honestly, give him a chance, and you won’t feel like you’ve got to ‘suck it up.’ You’ll see how much he’s grown up.”

  “For your sake, Soph, I hope so. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for another heartbreak.” She swigs down the last of her wine and lifts the bottle to refill it. “Rosé?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Lena pours me a separate glass and hands it to me. I grab a couple of cold ones out of the fridge before we head back into the living room, where the men are deep in conversation about football.

  James and Cole are sitting side by side on the sofa, which leaves the two armchairs for Lena and me. I feel like I’m a long distance away from Cole. Lena is staring daggers at him. His and James’ conversation dries up, and Cole leans back into the sofa like he’s trying to get away from Lena’s intense glare.

  “Long time, no see, Cole.”

  “It’s been a while,” Cole agrees.

  “Cole bought you some flowers,” I offer.

  James picks up the bunch from the coffee table to show her. “Aren’t they lovely, sweetheart?”

  “Lovely.” Lena’s voice is dry and unimpressed. She smiles and sits back like she’s relaxed, but you could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

  “Some music, maybe?” James suggests. He picks up the remote and tunes the TV into some radio station, playing chart hits. “That’s better.”

  Lena crosses one leg over the other and leans forward. Her eyes are fixed wholly on Cole. “So, Sophie tells me that you’re a wedding photographer now?”

  Cole clears his throat and nods, setting his half-empty bottle down on the table.

  “—Coaster?”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “You were saying?”

  “Yes. That’s right. Wedding photography.”

  “Quite a change in direction for you.”

  “It is. Unfortunately, I was injured on a shoot in Haiti, and it took me out of the game just long enough to make it a bitch to get back into.”

  James' eyebrows shoot up, and he twists on his seat with interest. “Haiti?”

  “You know that Cole was a photojournalist. It took him all around the world.”

  “Yes,” Lena says. “Even when he was newly married.”

  I shoot Lena an annoyed glance. “You promised.”

  “I’m sorry. Go on, Cole.”

  “A building collapsed. I broke my arm pretty badly, among other things.”

  “Must have been tough,” James sympathizes.

  “It was, but you know what they say.” He glances at me with a smile. “Everything happens for a reason.”

  I see Lena rolling her eyes. It reminds me of childhood, the way she used to pretend to puke behind our parents’ backs when they kissed.

  James is less cynical. He smiles. “Sophie seems happy.”

  “I am happy.”

  “Where are you living now, Cole?” Lena asks.

  “Midtown.”

  “Uh-huh.” Lena’s tone of voice is disapproving, although there’s no reason for it to be. I get the feeling that no matter what Cole says, Lena will let him know she’s not impressed.

  “Anywhere near the college? One of the colleges that Sophie was going to look at was in Midtown.”

  “Lena!” I scold. “Stop it.”

  “Stop what?”

  “You know what you’re doing. Come on—please.”

  Cole holds up his hand to stop my protests and leans forward with his elbows on his knees to hold Lena’s gaze. “I know why you have a problem with me, Lena, and I don’t blame you. As a young man, I was selfish—but I was young. My priorities are different now. Sophie is first on my list.”

  Lena bristles, but her expression softens slightly. “I really hope so. I don’t think you understand the damage you did the last time.”

  Cole reaches across the distance between us to take my hand. I can see the regret and guilt in his eyes. It’s sincere. “You’re right, but I promise I’ll never do that to her again. I know how lucky I am to have a second chance.”

  When dinner is ready, I go out to the kitchen to help Lena serve. “So? What do you think? He’s changed, right?”

  Lena lets out a long breath and lifts up her hands helplessly. “What can I say, Sophie? Cole’s saying all the right things, but actions speak louder than words. Only time will tell whether he’s really changed. It’s one thing to spit out mushy promises and speeches, and completely another to follow through.”

  I lay my palm on her forearm and meet her eyes. “I know it’s hard to trust him again, but I do. I believe that enough has changed for this to really work this time.”

  “And I trust you, Sophie. I’ll try to cut out the hard-ass big sister act. For you.”

  “Thanks. I love you.”

  She offers a small smile. “I love you, too.”

  Cole enters my apartment and flops down onto the sofa. He lets out a long breath. “Jesus, that was an ordeal.”

  I laugh and straddle him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Thank you for coming. I know it wasn’t the easiest thing in the world.”

  “Lena hates me.”

  “She doesn’t hate you. She’s protective of me. There’s a difference.”

  “I don’t know that I’m ever going to be able to make her like me.”

  “It’s easy. There’s only one thing you’ve got to do.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Carry on making me happy.”

  He grins. “It’s as easy as that?”

  “It’s that simple.”

  I slide my arms around Cole’s neck and look up at him with adoration. Even though the night didn’t go as well as I had hoped, I knew it would work out eventually. And if it didn’t, I was happy with him.

  “How would you like a hot bath?”

  “Oooo. You sure k
now how to treat a lady. Wine her, dine her, and bathe her. How could I say no?” I smile up at him, my head unsteady from the wine.

  “It’s all a ploy to take advantage of you.”

  “Is it? Don’t tell me you’re a player.”

  “Oh, yes. Very much so.” He grabs my ass and jerks me into him. “Although for you, I’m a one-woman man.”

  “Mmmm.” I feel him harden against my pubic bone and a familiar tingle returns between my legs. “Take me, baby.” I fall into his arms and feel him pick me up to carry me into the bedroom. He lays me on the bed and peels my dress up over my head. He trails kisses across my stomach as I close my eyes and settle into the mattress, enjoying his touch. I vaguely hear the sound of water fill the bathtub before my thoughts and desires are stolen from me, and I drift off to sleep.

  I awaken to the sound of the shower, and I look around my room. A blanket covers my body, and I’m still in my bra and underwear. I push the blanket off and walk to the bathroom, steam gathering up close to the ceiling. I can see the outline of Cole’s body through the curtain as he glides his hands over his chest, the water falling on him. The sight makes me hungry for him, and I walk closer, removing my bra and underwear.

  I peek at him, his back to me. I can’t help but admire the contours of his body, his muscles and the way they flex when he moves. His ass is perfect, and when he turns around, the sight of his manhood instantaneously makes my body respond.

  He jumps when he sees me, slipping in the tub but recovering before he falls. “What the hell?”

  I stifle a chuckle, covering my mouth. “I’m sorry. I was going to say something, but watching you was irresistible.”

  “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough to see something I want.”

  “Join me. Maybe we can get that for you.” His tone drips with seduction. I step into the shower, cozying myself into the warm water cascading over his body.

  He scoops up the soap and slides it up my back, the soap lathering along my skin. I feel his hard body against mine, the warm water penetrating my skin, his hands covering me, his member growing harder. He turns me around, his hands gliding up over my breasts. He kisses my neck and pushes me forward.

  I lean away from him, supporting myself with my hands on the wall as he lathers my skin. He presses himself against my butt, rubbing up and down, caressing every inch until I tingle from my knees to my nipples. He slides inside me, holding his body there while he cleanses my shoulders, my arms, my breasts. His hands grab my shoulders, and he thrusts into me, jarring me forward repeatedly. I feel his hands on my hips as he fucks me harder, our bodies slapping together in the water. As he grips me harder and slams into me faster, the soap slippery between us, his orgasm beckons.

  “Sophie.” He grunts.

  I try to respond, but he has me breathless, my body begging to be fucked harder.

  “Sophie.” He grunts louder. “I’m gonna—I’m gonna cum!” He leans forward, wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulls me into him hard, a loud throaty growl escaping him. His body slams into me, and he holds me there, his body jerking before letting me go.

  He leans forward, gripping the wall as his body comes down from his high. I try to control my hunger, but my body still craves him. He notices.

  “Come here, gorgeous.” He pulls me to him, kissing me deep and extinguishing any doubt that he wasn’t going to satisfy me. “Your turn,” he growls, pushing me against the wall. The water cascades over his head when he kneels in front of me, pushing my leg up the side of the tub. I take in a shaky breath, my foot finding a hold on the side as his fingers begin to explore me.

  He kisses my inner thigh while his thumb circles my clitoris. A wave of pleasure threatens but quickly buries itself deep again. He kisses closer, his fingers disappearing inside me. He pulls them out and kisses my lips. His tongue jets out and teases my button as he slides his fingers back in again. The threat of that wave of pleasure peeks out again and dances around my insides.

  “I can’t take it anymore. Make it stop. Oh, right there. Don’t stop.”

  He has my pleasure on overdrive. I look down in time to see the determination in his eyes as he looks up at me, and it’s all I can take. Like a bubble, a wave of ecstasy blows up inside me, pushes through me and spills over my body. He lets me go and stands up, wrapping his arms around me as the water loses the heat and turns cold.

  Cole

  It’s my turn to reintroduce Sophie to my relatives. Unlike me, she has no qualms about knocking and then stepping forward to give my dad a big kiss on the cheek when he opens the door. “Michael!” She beams. “It’s been so long.”

  Dad’s face lights up when he sees her, and he can’t hurry her in quickly enough. “Sophie—I’m so glad to see you again. Cole finally pulled his socks up, hmm?”

  “He was always a bit slow, but he usually gets there in the end.”

  Sophie and Dad laugh like old friends while I wait patiently for my father to say “hello” to me. Instead, he waves me toward the kettle. “Make us some coffee, will you, Cole? Or would you prefer lemonade, my dear?”

  “Lemonade would be lovely.”

  “Lemonade, Cole!”

  Dad has ushered Sophie into the living room, which is open plan to the kitchen. She looks over her shoulder at me and grins. There’s a sparkle of mischief in her eyes, almost smugness.

  “You look wonderful,” Dad gushes, putting on his glasses to get a better look at Sophie. “You haven’t changed a bit. If anything, you’re even more beautiful. Almost out of this one’s league, I’d say.” He jerks a thumb backward in my direction.

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Look at her, Cole! She could still be twenty years old.”

  Sophie blushes and laughs. “Michael—still the charmer!”

  “What are you doing with yourself these days, sweetheart?”

  “I’m still working at the bank.”

  “Do you enjoy it?”

  “Actually, I do.”

  “Then that’s all that matters now, isn’t it?”

  “Absolutely.”

  I enter the living room with a pitcher of lemonade and three plastic tumblers. I pour each of us a drink and sit down beside Sophie on the wicker-and-floral furniture that Dad has had since forever.

  “I wish Anna could see you now.”

  A pang of regret courses through me. My mother had adored Sophie and had been thrilled when I’d brought a fiancée home. I think she’d been hoping that Sophie would keep me in the States—close to home, and close to Mom.

  When I left Sophie, I left them, too.

  “I heard she passed—I’m so sorry.”

  “It seemed too soon, but I guess the time comes for us all.”

  Silence envelops the room. I decide to break it. “I saw Sophie’s sister last night.”

  “Lena! How is she?”

  “She’s not my biggest fan.”

  Sophie laughs lightly. “Lena has a very one-sided perspective on our relationship, but things are never that simple, are they? There are always two sides to every story. Cole had his dreams, and I had mine.”

  “You two are back together,” Dad says. “That’s what matters now.”

  Sophie grins. “I think so.”

  “I couldn’t believe it when Cole said you’d run into each other again. He said you’d met on the cellphone. On an app, he said. What was it called again, Cole?”

  “Tinder. And that’s not how we got back in touch, Dad. You’re getting a bit confused.”

  “Cole was playing the field,” Sophie explains, casting me a cheeky glance. “He met a woman called Sophia on Tinder and messaged me by mistake when he tried to contact her on his cell.”

  Dad holds his hands up in the air and makes a face. “It’s bunk, all this technology. Back in my day, you met in real life. I met Cole’s mother when we worked at a chip factory. She salted the chips, and I loaded the vans.”

  Sophie and I exchange amused glan
ces. Even in the short time that Sophie and I were together in the US, she had the chance to hear this story at least a dozen times.

  “It’s a very sweet story.”

  “Better than Cole sending a text to the wrong woman! My son; hardly Romeo. You know, I had to court Anna for months. I used to take her to the flicks on a Saturday afternoon. Her brother came with us the first three times because she was only fifteen.”

  “And you asked her father before you took her to a local dance,” I finish. “Things have come a long way since then.”

  “How are your parents, Sophie?”

  “Well.” Sophie nods. “Thank you. They’re both doing really well.”

  “What do they make of all this Tinder business, and you and Cole?”

  Sophie looks down at her lemonade with a guilty laugh. “I haven’t told them yet. I’m not sure how they’d take it. My mom, in particular, was against the marriage in the first place.”

  “I remember. Anna and I were thrilled. We both believed that Cole needed a down-to-earth girl to get his feet planted back on solid ground.”

  “You make it sound like I was some listless dreamer,” I object. “I won awards, you know.”

  Dad scoffs and gestures to Sophie. “And look at what you lost.”

  Sophie’s cheeks flame, and she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear shyly. “Cole’s very talented, Michael. I never resented him for that—I simply wasn’t ready for how far it would take him. His success came on very suddenly, and I wasn’t prepared.”

  Dad pats the back of Sophie’s hand. “You’re a very sweet girl.” He turns to me. “She believes in you, you know.”

  “I know. She always did.”

  I catch Sophie’s eye and feel another swell of regret. Although Sophie never wanted me to leave her to pursue my own ambition, she never doubted for a second that I’d make it. My parents had always thought photography was a pipe dream, but Sophie had proclaimed my talent to everyone who would listen from day one. She loved and supported my career one-hundred percent until she started to feel it taking me away from her. Even now that I’m a washed-up once-was, she’s full of praise for me. She’s the most loyal woman I know.

  “What’s for you two now?”