Rebound

by Rosemary Rey

  “We’re all at table seven. There may be another four to six people sitting with us.” Rubi offered in confirmation. We walked together with the crowd of guests into the dining hall and found our table, which was close to the Bride and Groom’s table. I was happy to spend time with Matt, even if we didn’t get a chance to talk about the happenings while we were apart.

  Matt did triple duty and pulled the chairs out for Rubi and Papa. Then he came over to me and pulled out my chair and helped me settle in. He never failed to amaze me with his attentiveness. I couldn’t wait to thank him later.

  “How was your trip?” I asked, hoping to get some time to connect with him.

  “It would’ve been better had you come with me like I asked.” He took a sip of water.

  “You were working. It wouldn’t have been a vacation, if I’m just waiting for you to come home after surgery or rounds with your patients, not to mention your meetings. You know I would’ve been anxious about not working or losing money as I sat around another continent.” I countered softly. I didn’t want to get into a fight about this, considering he thinks I work too much.

  I leaned in to hold his hand and stroke his covered forearm. He’s so strong. I loved feeling the soft fabric of his suit. His hands were warm.

  “Next trip, you’re coming with me. No objections. I’m scheduling it. You clear your calendar and pack. That will be your only task.” He said gruffly.

  “Oh, really? When’s the next trip?”

  “I don’t know. No hurt athlete, yet. You’ve been advised, though.” He said with a grin.

  “Well then, I must update my passport.” I leaned in to give him a kiss.

  He recoiled, “Your father told you to stop kissing me. There’s plenty of time for that when he isn’t sitting right next to us.” He said seriously. I pouted and turned to eat my salad. He leaned in and asked, “How long has he been limping like that?”

  “Years. He was a mechanic, always under and over a car. Both knees are shot. He basically needs a double knee replacement.”

  “Why hasn’t he gotten it done?”

  “Papa is stubborn. He’s not emotionally prepared to go under the knife. I gave him your contact information a while ago. It’s really up to him to make the decision. I think he’s afraid of doctors, like I am, because of my mother’s illness and death.” I looked into his eyes and I saw understanding and compassion.

  The rest of the evening went without a hitch. We ate. We danced. We spent time talking with our table mates and my family. I was so happy that he could see me with my family and friends, just like I experienced with his loved ones. Rubi and my father left around ten because they had a longer drive. My father gets tired easily. Matt stepped out at one point to retrieve a phone call. When he returned, he and I danced and kissed.

  I was in heaven.

  ***

  Around one in the morning, Matt and I decided to call it a night. I said my goodbyes to my friends. The party was still going pretty strong and wouldn’t end until two in the morning. I was exhausted and wished I were a little girl that could be carried. Matt had all the strength in the world, but he was tired too. I slipped off my heels, which couldn’t be put back on because they were swollen from walking and dancing.

  “I have my suitcase at the bell hop. Is your car parked close?” I asked.

  Matt pulled out a hotel key card from his jacket pocket. “We’re staying here tonight.”

  “What?” I looked at the card and then at him. “Matt, we don’t have to. This place is expensive.”

  “Shut up.” He kissed me. I would’ve argued, but I was exhausted. He picked up my luggage and tipped the bell hop. He led me to the elevator. One was waiting at the lobby.

  When we arrived at the top floor, Matt wheeled my luggage toward the room. He unlocked the door and asked, “Wait for one second?” I was puzzled. He stepped inside. Annoyance crept in. I was cranky because I was so tired from the events of the day. I just wanted to get in and have lazy ‘you’re back’ sex and sleep. He opened the door wide and let me walk in to see the entire room glowing with flickering candle light, dozens upon dozens of candles of various sizes. My eyes widened at the spectacular sights in the room. Upon further scrutiny, the candles were simulated candles made of plastic that flickered like real candles. I wondered when and how he managed to set this all up.

  “How? When did you do this?” I asked, my eyes welling up with tears. “This is beautiful.” I said as I walked further in and looked around. I tossed my shoes by the wall, and walked to him. My hands slid from his chest up to his shoulders. “Thank you.” A tear streamed down my cheek, which he wiped away with his thumb. He stooped down to kiss me, gathering my dress from mid-thigh. My body quivered under his touch. A full week of being apart was too long. Video chats weren’t the same as feeling him, smelling him, being held, and I wanted him inside of me.

  He pulled my dress over my head, revealing the white lace bra and panties that I wore underneath. “I missed them.” He said as he cupped my breasts, kneading them together and pulling my bra under my breasts. He lowered down to take a nipple in his mouth. My back arched to offer him what he needed. I felt my desire collecting in my folds. I slid my hands down to Matt’s shirt buttons and unbuttoned his shirt wanting to feel his warm skin on mine.

  He stepped back to watch me undress him. I unbuckled his belt, undid his pants and lowered the zipper. I loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, flinging them onto a chair, He pulled off his undershirt, his muscles rippled underneath. I brought my mouth to his nipples, licking and blowing warm air to harden them before nipping it and taking it into my mouth. Matt growled and pressed my bottom toward his hardened penis. I pulled down his pants with his underwear, gently freeing his cock. I knelt down and pulled the rest of his clothes from his lower body.

  Because of my lowered position, I was strategically placed in front of his cock. I licked the head, and it twitched under my touch. I took an inch of his shaft into my mouth, and he groaned. I looked up to him and he watched me as I took him all the way, my lips reaching the root. I held him with my hand and stroked him as I suckled. Matt thrust his hips into my mouth, syncing up with my bobbing mouth and hand. His fingers stroked my scalp, guiding the pace and depth of my intake.

  I heard him say, “Stop, baby. I want to come inside of you.” I braced myself on his thighs, and stood up with his hands gripping my arms, pulling me up. He pulled us toward the bed and he sat down at the foot of the bed.

  Matt’s fingers traced over the curve of my belly, touching the lace of my panties. His hands massaged my hips, sliding his hands over my ass. As his hands slid down, he pulled my panties down my hips with his thumbs. He kissed my stomach and trailed kisses down to my pussy. He breathed in deeply, “I’ve missed your smell . . . your taste.” I felt a lick on my cut. I arched back, inviting him to do more.

  He let my panties drop and slid his hands up to the back of my bra. He unhooked my bra and pulled them down my arms, tossing it to the floor. He pulled me to his body and we reclined onto the bed. He kissed my chest and neck, licking and sucking, as his hands massaged my buttocks. He turned our bodies and tucked me under him. We kissed slowly, pressing our bodies into one another, reconnecting in the only way our bodies knew how. I wriggled underneath him, signaling that I needed him inside of me.

  He rose up and put his foot off of the bed. “Where are you going?”

  “Condom.” He replied.

  “No . . . please. I’m ready.” I whispered, holding on to his wrist. He paused and smiled. He glowed more than the flickering candles. I reached for him, pulling him to return to me.

  “Are you sure?” He asked with a mixture of surprise, happiness, and concern. I nodded and lifted up to kiss him deeply. “I’ve been waiting for this moment, me inside of you, feeling how wet you get. I don’t know if I’ll last long, baby.” He resumed his deep kisses. He lay over me and reared back, wriggling until his cock found my entrance. My channel opened to receive h
im. His cock entered slowly, taking pleasure in my wetness and heat. I gasped at the feel of him. He drove slowly into me and groaned with the pleasure, which was delayed by time and distance. I watched as he bit his lip and moaned. “There’s so much I want to tell you.”

  “What?” I asked, worry crept in. I stroked his chest with my hands, feeling the soft, short chest hair on his strong torso. I touched his shoulders and squeezed the solid muscles. “What’s wrong?” He continued to pump deep, barely retracting from my cut. I arched and writhed upwards to meet his prodding, receiving him as deeply as he could go.

  “This isn’t the time to say it.” He took a deep breath, and stroked deeper.

  I pulled him down to me. He laid over me to my left side his head resting between my shoulder and upper arm, slowly pumping into me. I stroked his hair.

  “Look at me!” I commanded. His eyes opened. By the dim light of the room, we stared longingly into each other’s eyes. Our bodies didn’t skip a beat with him driving into me and my writhing up to meet him. I lowered my left leg and stroked his upper calf with my foot. My arm massaged his back, kneading down to his buttock, I asked, “Is there something wrong?”

  “There’s nothing wrong. It’s just the opposite. Everything’s right. I haven’t felt like this in a long time. You make me feel out of control. You hold me in your hands. You hold my heart in your hands.” He closed his eyes and started thrusting faster and harder, trying to take control back. I squeezed his buttock and dug my nails firmly to get his attention.

  “Tell me. What are you saying, Matt?” He rose up onto his arms. My legs rose to his sides, as he plunged in and out. I couldn’t focus on the pleasure he was giving me.

  “You’re so wet. I love feeling how wet you are for me. You feel so good. I missed you so fucking much.” He groaned. He stroked faster, our core slapping against each other. His words and his movements filled my loins with delicious pressure, the tiny waves of an impending orgasm were cresting.

  He withdrew from me. I looked at him. His eyes were lidded. On his knees, he opened his knees slightly, cupping my left buttock and turned me to my side. He rested my left leg on his left shoulder and entered me again. The slight change in position concentrated the pleasure in a new part of my pussy. I moaned as he rhythmically drove into me. He kissed my leg. My eyes closed, concentrating on his motions. I sought to touch him, to keep connected. My pleasure soared again. Just when I thought I would come, feeling him slightly quake as if he were reaching his own climax, he withdrew.

  “Hmm. Babe? What are you doing?” I asked with baited breath. He pushed my leg down, turning me with his other strong hand until I rested on my stomach. He straddled my thighs, and lifted my hips up. He rubbed the tip of his penis on my labia. I parted my legs slightly, opening for him to enter me. The hand that remained on my hip moved to the front of my pelvis and his long fingers reached to press on my clit with circular motions. His finger made its way to my cut as he teased the head of his penis into me. I instinctively arched into him, wanting him to remain inside of me, releasing me from the ache in my loins.

  We moaned in unison as he plunged into me with quick movements. He entered me deep, and I could feel the pressure climbing as my clit was rubbed by his lingering fingers. One last thrust and we both came. He continued driving into me to get the last morsel of pleasure until the exhaustion overcame him and he laid down on me. His muscular chest to my back and his head beside mine, his breathing labored against my cheek. I could feel his heart beating as fast as mine. He was still inside me when he whispered in my ear, “I love you.” I couldn’t believe my ears.

  His erection withered as his breathing regulated, and his weight became heavier on me. Just like our first time together, he fell asleep on me after he came, but this time, I didn’t push him off or retract from his body. I stayed. I wanted to be in this moment forever.

  Eventually, he stirred and turned in his sleep, seeking a comfortable position in his sleep. I watched him for a moment and thought about his declaration, ‘I love you’. He loves me. I got up and turned off most of the battery powered, simulated candle lights. I smiled at each one, searing the romantic gesture in my memory. I left a few of the large candles on because they were scattered about the large dark room, giving off a very soft light. I went into the bathroom to relieve myself and clean up after our lovemaking because we didn’t use a condom. When I returned to the room, he was awake.

  “Are you okay?” He asked.

  “Yes. I’m fine.” I walked toward the bed where he was already under the covers. He pulled the covers over for me to enter the bed. He covered me, holding me within the curve of his body, his broad chest on my back and the warmth of his groin on my buttocks. He wrapped me in his arms, and I summoned the courage to talk, “You told me that you love me.” I awaited a response. The pregnant pause made me question if he had fallen back to sleep.

  “I do. I love you.” He pulled me even closer, if that was even possible. “I don’t expect you to say the same. I know I caught you off guard. It isn’t always the best to say it for the first time during sex.”

  I cut him off, “But it wasn’t just sex was it? We were making love, weren’t we?” I turned to face him. There was barely any light to see his face.

  “It wasn’t just sex. It hasn’t been for some time for me. I wasn’t sure how you felt for me until tonight. When you didn’t want to use the condom, I knew your feelings for me were stronger. At the very least, I was assured that you trust me.”

  “I’ve loved you since the Sunday you picked me up at five in the morning to take me to work. I wasn’t sure when it would be appropriate to tell you that I love you. I wanted to tell you the night I met your sister and her family, especially when I saw you with Leona.” I confessed. He squeezed me tighter and gave me a kiss on the neck. The only sounds filling the room was the sound of our breathing.

  “Matt?” I whispered.

  “Hmm.” He responded sleepily.

  “Now that we’ve declared our love for each other, can I still ask you to fuck me?” I leaned my face into his, seeking his mouth. He kissed me longingly, pulling me on top of his body. His soft chest hair excited my breasts. I could feel his arousal, hard on my pubic mound. My legs instantly straddled him. His hands set on my buttocks, grinding me into him.

  Oh yeah, we can still fuck.

  FIFTEEN

  For the month after Chelsea’s wedding, I was living under the euphoria of our love. So many changes had taken place. I was let go from the Inn. I was disappointed that I lost that job, but was relieved that I could devote more time to Matt. Ross told me that he was planning to sell the Inn because he was spending more time with Alice while she was preparing to pass on. Her health worsened, and I visited her a few times for less than an hour. She’d get tired or I’d become too emotionally unstable to remain by her side. She looked like my mom, lying down in bed, covered with quilts. Her head wrapped in a scarf to stay warm. Ross took great care of her. Their extended families took care of the little things. All I wanted to do was give Alice a bit of normalcy.

  I talked about Matt and our relationship. She’d expressed her hope that we would marry and have lots of babies. She made me promise to work on pursuing the career that I’m most passionate about because she feared I would flounder from job to job with no direction. She’d expressed her regret of not continuing with her parents’ love and care of the Inn. Alice understood that it was time to let her dream go because it wasn’t fair to Ross to continue living someone else’s dream. She was at peace with the sale of the Inn. Ross would be financially secure for the rest of his life.

  I thought more about what Alice advised about the future. I needed to prepare for my future. My debts were making it impossible for me to live comfortably. Matt had money and properties. I had a studio and debt, which I couldn’t climb out of. I’d lost my ambition. The lesson I learned from Alice’s illness and the passing of my mother is that life is short, and I needed to make a plan to implem
ent stability.

  Matt and I would spend a few evenings a week together. I’d spend Friday evening to Tuesday morning at his place and give myself a few weekday evenings of alone time at my place. He’d argue that we could have individual quiet time in his apartment, which was big enough for the two of us. We’d also drive to his house up north and spend the night. I still maintained my morning shift on Sundays, but I was considering dropping that from my schedule too. Money wasn’t as tight because Matt picked up the expense of food and commute. He also purchased my toiletries when we’d shop for food together. I’d allowed him to buy me a few gifts of clothing. I had to stop him from buying out the store on one occasion.

  On Thursday afternoon before my shift in the sales office ended, a knock on the door startled me because I was engrossed in my work and was lulled by the sounds of the activity in the main workout room. I looked up to find Eric standing at the door with a smile that wasn’t his normal teeth baring grin.

  “Hi, Eric. How’ve you been?” I smiled, genuinely missing our repartee.

  “Hey, Perla. Can I talk to you privately for a moment?” He asked tentatively.

  “Sure.” I motioned for him to take a seat. He shut the door behind him. I got nervous, but tried to mask it when I asked, “What’s up?”

  “I really shouldn’t be telling you what I need to tell you.” He paused gathering his thoughts as to how to start his revelation. “I’m working for a company here in Boston. It’s a huge corporation. I’m one of the IT security people on staff at their headquarters.”

  “Okay?” I prodded.

  “The company name is Pentagon Group. Have you heard of them?” I thought about the name. Nothing rang a bell. I thought it was an odd name because the United States has the ‘Pentagon’, which is a military installation in the Nation’s capital.

  I shook my head, “No. Should I?”