by Amy Jarecki
“Come on, Matt.” Rebecca tugged again. “It’s not worth it.”
Casting one last glare at the taxi, he draped his arm around her and escorted her toward the doors to the sound of the cabbie’s growing curses. Once inside, the pleasant sound of the music playing in the foyer was a welcomed change to the hostile rant of the greedy driver.
Matt squeezed her shoulders as they headed to the elevator. “Sorry I let that guy get under my skin.”
***
The hotel had a “potty area” for dogs in the basement. Nearly every room had at least one dog and no place outside for them to relieve themselves. Every year the Pennsylvania paid a firm to place plastic sheeting down and bring in sawdust which was replaced three times daily. After dinner, Rebecca and Matt snapped on leashes and used the elevator to take the dogs down.
Rebecca also had set up an exercise pen lined with wee-wee pads and that was set atop plastic sheeting in the room, but she knew the hotel frowned on that practice, so she used the basement as much as possible.
Returning to the room, the dogs wanted to run and play and Rebecca let each have a turn in the exercise pen while she petted one and Matt the other. “It’s a lot harder to have dogs in a hotel than in the motor home.”
Matt shook his head. “I feel sorry for them having to stay in their crates all the time.”
“At least they don’t get stressed out in this quiet room. It will be harder to keep the stress down at the Garden.”
Matt looked up. “You want to use the bathroom first?”
Rebecca stiffened. This was it, the moment she’d feared since she discovered that the hotel double-booked her room. “You go first.”
Matt picked up his toilet kit and headed in. She could hear every sound. The toilet flushed, the water ran. She made a mental note to ensure the faucet was running when she had to widdle. He brushed his teeth, turning the faucet on and off. Silence. What was he doing? Flossing his teeth? Staring at his gorgeous reflection in the mirror? Rebecca could picture that clearly. She could hardly take her eyes off him at the restaurant. She only ate one piece of pizza because her stomach refused to stop performing back flips.
She jumped when the door unlatched. Matt emerged wearing a UCLA T-shirt that stretched taut across his well-muscled chest and a pair of blue nylon gym shorts. “All yours.”
Rebecca scooped up an armload of toiletries and her pajamas and slipped past, locking the door behind her. She flipped the fan on and ran the cold water while she used the toilet. Washing her hands, she regarded her reflection. Should I leave my makeup on? He’s never seen me without it, but then I’ll look like Dracula with black mascara smeared under my eyes in the morning. She washed her face and changed into a knee-length fuzzy pink nightgown, the only one she packed. Running a wide-toothed comb through her hair, she stared at the face in the mirror. She thought about putting eye makeup on, but settled for a little blush and lip gloss. Hopefully Matt wouldn’t be put off by her red eyelashes.
She glanced at his toilet bag and saw a black glasses case. Curiosity led her fingers to open it and peek inside. A pair of round, gold wire-rimmed spectacles rested on black velvet. She glanced down to see a small bottle of contact lens solution nestled in his bag. Hearing the television click on, she quickly slipped the case back in place.
When she popped her head out of the bathroom, Matt had the bed turned down while he rested against a pile of pillows, watching TV. He rolled over on his side and propped his head on his hand, smiling broadly. God, he was hot.
“You look like a teenaged beauty queen at a slumber party.” He reached out his arm and beckoned. “Come here.”
Rebecca slipped her clothes into her suitcase and sat on the bed across from him. Matt sat up and pulled her to a standing position between his legs. Her breath caught at his touch.
I should have left my makeup on.
“Look at your eyelashes. They’re red.”
Rebecca put a hand over her eyes. “I know. It makes me look pasty.”
He pulled her hand away, rubbing his thumb across her palm. “No. I think it’s beautiful—natural. You should go without makeup more often. It makes your eyes even more intense.”
Rebecca smiled and started to draw back, but Matt tightened his grip a little and pulled her into his embrace, the intensity of his gaze challenged her to respond. She stood between his legs but not touching. He closed his eyes and kissed her neck. His tongue swirled and tickled her with feathery kisses, up her jaw until he met her lips with soft caressing pecks. When she kissed him back, his tongue probed through her lips and teased.
A rush of desire ignited shocks of electricity across her skin, all pooling in Rebecca’s breasts. They screamed for her to press against him. Opposing her own will, her body leaned into him—first her breasts, followed by her hips. Every inch of Matt was hard, the most rigid part pressing against her mons. She glanced down. His shorts tented. Heat rushed between Rebecca’s hips, the tightness tugged at her insides with such raw desire that she had to open her legs. The back of her mind screamed for her to stop but her entire body ached for more. Swirling her tongue with his, her body won. Rebecca’s thighs trembled with the urgent need coiling between her legs. Matt followed her lead, his hands slipping to her buttocks, holding her against his erection.
Rebecca turned to molasses with the friction from his rigid cock. Matt gripped her tighter, his body molded against hers, their mouths inseparable.
He tugged her nightgown up. “Okay?”
Rebecca could deny herself no longer. Unable to speak, she nodded.
Matt gently pulled it over her head and cast it aside, his smile hungry. His breath stuttered when he saw her exposed breasts for the first time. He placed his hands upon her breasts and kneaded them, his mouth claiming her nipple. Rebecca shuddered, her need almost blinding.
She grabbed the bottom of his shirt and ripped it off in one frantic motion. Her heart stopped. How could a forty-year-old man be that buff? Every muscle rippled, his pectorals square like a body builder, his abdomen packed in six neat squares. Rebecca nearly burst. She had to have him in her “God, you’re more beautiful than my wildest imaginings.”
Matt let out a husky groan and reached for her. “I need you now.”
She pushed him back on the bed and tugged off his shorts. Oh God, his lower half even surpassed the top. Matt pulled her over him and clamped his mouth to her breast. Rebecca threw her head back and gave in to the desire suppressed for so long.
She reached her hand down and wrapped her fingers around him. His sharp inhale nearly scared her until she recognized the frenzied desire in his eyes.
His chest heaved. He grasped her shoulders and rolled atop her. “I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.” She could utter no more.
Rebecca knew she was ready. She’d been ready for months. In one move he slid into her. She nearly came but tried to hold on. Matt’s back arched and he clamped his hands on her hips. The tight coil of need driving her to the brink of madness.
Matt thrust deep. “I can’t stop.”
“Don’t you dare.” Rebecca latched her fingers onto his rock solid butt. “Faster!”
With a bone-shattering shudder, her spasm enveloped him just as a caveman roar burst from his lips.
Chapter Twenty-One
Matt watched Rebecca sleep, the peaceful panther rested her head on his shoulder. Once her passion had been unbridled, she’d turned into a wildcat. He had never waited so long to make love to a woman, but every second he devoted to this relationship proved to be worth it. Her naked body surpassed his imaginings. He admired her skin of satin and her full, pert breasts. Though she was a mother of two, her abdomen looked more like a virgin’s. The part he loved most was her round bottom, framed by hips that weren’t afraid to announce this was a real woman.
The red digital numbers on the alarm clicked to five o’clock. They had a lot of work to do before the show started but he wanted her, needed her just one more time. He tick
led her forehead with light kisses. When she did not stir, he propped himself up by his elbow tracing circular patterns around her breasts. His erection mounted as he watched her pink nipples stand proud.
He circled his fingers down her torso, leaning over to kiss her belly button. She moved her hips seductively and purred at his touch. He kneeled at her side and used both hands to tempt her, slowly, expertly working his kisses to her heavenly place. Rebecca’s eyelids peeked open to unveil her alluring indigo eyes. She reached for him, and pulled him over her.
Months of celibacy made it difficult for him to hold back. A husky moan erupted from the depths of his throat when her delicate fingers wrapped around him and stroked. He arched his back trying not to burst. “I need to be inside you. Now.”
Tilting her pelvis up, she led him into her with a gasp of ecstasy. The erotic movement of her hips tortured him, sending him to the point of no return.
“I’m going to come.”
“Me too.”
Her half cast gaze sent him over the top. Thrusting against her, he roared with his orgasm. Her fingernails dug into him as she mewled, driving with him, matching his pace, shuddering with her own release.
Rebecca’s mass of red curls sprawled over the pillow as she gazed into Matt’s eyes.
“I can’t decide if you’re more beautiful in the morning.”
“Thank you, but I must say you’re the nicest thing I’ve awakened to in a long time.”
Then her jaw tensed.
“What?” he asked.
She sighed. “I’m so weak. I knew if we shared a room it would come to this.”
Matt knit his brows. “Didn’t you want it? Am I not someone you want to be with?”
Rebecca sat up and shook her head. “No, it’s not that at all.”
“Then what is it? Amanda?”
A pained expression crossed her face. “Sure, the kids are part of it, but I’m damaged goods. I’ve been so afraid to even think about a man touching me since…”
“Come here.” He pulled her down to his embrace. “You deserve to be loved. In this life. Now.”
Rebecca nodded. “But I’ve been in a sea of misery for so long. It’s not fair for me to bring you down with me.”
Matt smiled. “Don’t you think I should decide my own path?”
Rebecca’s bottom lip trembled. “What if you decide you don’t like it? What will I do if I lose you? I just…I just couldn’t bear it.”
Matt rocked her while she buried her face in his shoulder. “I tell you what. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me since college football.”
Rebecca blurted a choking guffaw.
“No, I mean it. Being quarterback for UCLA was like being a celebrity. Everyone was your friend, everything was easy.” He hesitated and decided to omit the part about women falling at his feet. “I want you to know that I’m committed. I’ve thought about this.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and held her gaze. His tongue shot out and wet his lips. “I love you. I love everything about you—Mandy, Ryan, your dogs, your wild hair, your mom, even New Jersey—and I’m a California beach bum from way back.”
A thoughtful smile spread across her lips and she placed her supple hand on his cheek. “You are an angel from God. Can I dare to love again?”
“Yes, Rebecca, you can. And I am the one to show you how.”
Her arms flew around his neck and squeezed. The clock must have caught her eye because she sprang up and dashed for the bathroom. “Oh my goodness, we’ve got to get moving.”
***
Rebecca forgot to turn on the fan or run the water as she took care of business. She stared down at her naked body. Was last night a dream? She couldn’t believe that so much emotion had hibernated inside. Matt turned her into a wanton woman as she abandoned her reason and blindly allowed him to take her to a place of pure ecstasy.
She quickly showered, wrapped a towel around her body and started applying her makeup. Matt tapped on the door. “Do you mind if I come in?”
“Yes, sorry. I can finish up out there.”
“There’s no need for you to go but I should shower too.”
She smiled. “Yes, of course.” He kissed her cheek.
Rebecca sighed, relieved that she had given the dogs a bath before leaving the house. She could make up some time by skipping the baths and just spraying them down and blow drying. She also chose to rely on the wee-wee pads.
They stacked the crates for the toy dogs on her dolly, leaving all the non-toy client dogs in the room. Running late, Rebecca managed to find a shred of open space in the grooming area. Looking at the schedule in the show catalogue, she planned the day. Matt would show Patches and the Shih Tzu and she would show Bruno and Sara now that she had recovered from having puppies.
Hanging around her studio, Matt picked up on her grooming techniques and asked to groom the Shih Tzu. Rebecca watched him closely, leaning in, touching his shoulder. Matt grinned.
Jack and Alan stopped by with Barbara. “You got the movie?” Jack asked.
“Of course.” Rebecca nodded with a smile.
“We’re bringing food,” Alan said raising his eyebrows twice with a cheeky grin. Rebecca wondered what he was planning other than the usual popcorn.
“I’ve got a couple bottles of champagne on ice,” Barbara said.
Matt looked stricken. “Hey, why didn’t anyone tell me about this? I got nothin’.”
Jack patted his shoulder. “We forgive the newbies the first year. Anyway, we need someone to play Gerry Fleck and you’re perfect.”
Everyone laughed except Matt who looked confused. Rebecca waived a slicker brush in the air. “Since Matt’s playing Gerry, I planned to be Cookie.”
“Woo hoo! I never thought I’d see the day Miss tight-legs offers to play Cookie. You go, girl.” Alan shimmied his shoulders with a wicked grin.
“Just friends, huh?” was Barbara’s snide reply and Rebecca smiled.
As Rebecca’s cheeky but well-meaning friends meandered away, Matt leaned into her. “Who’s Gerry Fleck?”
She giggled. “I guess we should have watched Best In Show before we came. Gerry wins the show with Cookie’s Norwich Terrier, Winky.”
“Really? That doesn’t sound so bad.”
Rebecca couldn’t hold in an outburst of laughter. “No, of course not.”
“So who’s Cookie?”
“She’s Gerry’s wife.”
“Cool.”
“Yeah, but she has a past.”
Matt’s eyebrows flew up. “Now that sounds intriguing.”
Rebecca cleared her throat and turned her attention to the Shih Tzu’s top knot. She didn’t want to give too much away about the movie. Matt’s reaction would be much more fun the less she told him.
“Why don’t you get Patches ready?”
Matt pulled him out of his crate and ran a comb through his coat. He put a few drops of pet silk in his hands and smoothed the slippery conditioner across his fur. “You ready to go, buddy?” Patches wagged his tail. Matt looked at Rebecca. “Ring four, right?”
“Yep. I’ll be there in a jiff.”
***
Once ringside, Matt’s jaw dropped at the number of puppies entered. Rebecca said this was a popular dog show and that some breeders brought champions and puppies. All would be shown at the Toy Dog Show, giving the champion a chance to prepare for a prime performance at Westminster. The puppy classes were six to nine months, nine to twelve months and twelve to eighteen months and Matt lined up for the first class.
“Matt.” Rebecca hurried toward him. “You forgot your number.”
“Oh brother. I guess I’m not quite a pro yet.” He held out his arm and Rebecca slipped the number forty-two around it, fastening the paper in place with a rubber band. “What would I do without you?”
She chuckled. “Look like a dork I guess.”
He gave her a sideways hug and kissed the top of her head. Giddy, Matt wanted to forget the dog show and take her back
upstairs. The clean sandalwood scent of her hair drove him wild. He wanted to focus on one thing and that was her. Patches yipped. “Yeah, buddy, you’re playing second fiddle this weekend.” He leaned down and picked up his little dog to protect him from all the feet plodding through the crowded room.
The ring steward announced, “Smooth Coat Chihuahuas, six-to-nine- month-old puppy dogs in the ring.” She rattled off a list of numbers and Matt paraded into the ring on cue when he heard forty-two—last this time. Patches walked beside him, proudly holding his tail arced over his back. Though comfortable, a competitive edge ticked Matt’s nerves. He had the natural desire to win anything he participated in. He found that when in the ring, his sporting spirit took charge and his focus was on one thing—winning.
He faced more competition in this class than before and glanced around at his opponents, the cute, saucy-eyed dogs. Some were timid and looked like they’d never been in the ring before but others were as confident as Patches. Matt showcased his little guy while keeping an eye on the judge and those enemy puppies.
His time to shine came. He expertly lifted Patches onto the table while number forty-one executed a down-and-back with her dog. The judge glanced over and Matt instinctively flashed his grin.
“And how is this little pup today?” he asked.
“Ready to take on the world.”
“Down-and-back, please.”
Matt confidently took Patches down but a Poodle just outside the ring barked at the turn and Patches jerked back on his lead. Matt made a kissing noise and circled him around to regain composure. Heading back toward the judge, they finished with a nice stack, but Patches’ blunder had Matt riled. He’d practiced that move a hundred times.
“Take them around,” the judge cried. “Numbers thirty-two, thirty-five, forty and forty-two remain in the ring please.”
Relieved to still be in the game, Matt pulled Patches around to line up with the three other dogs that made the cut. He showcased Patches in a free stack like the other handlers while the judge walked down the line examining each dog. Matt’s breath quickened as beads of sweat formed across his brow.