Anything But Mine

by Justice, Barbara

  While it boosted his ego that women were more than happy to sleep with him, Vince recognized that ultimately what they all wanted was his money, and not him. It’s been years since I’ve had to chase after someone, he said to himself, as he thought about the previous few hours with Jennifer, and how refreshing it was that she didn’t fall all over herself trying to get him into bed.

  The gears in his mind turned as he plotted his next move, knowing he couldn’t come on too strong, not wanting to scare away the shy, reserved Jennifer. She’s everything I ever wanted in a woman, Vince thought, already feeling possessive of her, even though they had only been on one date. Don’t fall into your old habits, he thought, berating himself for letting his controlling nature once again rear its ugly head, the way it had when he was in college and didn’t understand the meaning of the word “no”. It took years of therapy for me to realize that I acted that way in college because I had so little when I was young, and that was why I became possessive of things and people in my life, especially the women I wanted. Although he tried to bury his old compulsion, and remind himself not to relentlessly pursue Jennifer, those ideations kept bubbling to the surface, and he had only one thought: I have to make her mine.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The next morning, as she was getting ready to go running, the intercom rang in Jen’s apartment, and when she answered it, the doorman announced that she had a flower delivery. Moments later, a delivery man arrived at her door holding a large crystal vase filled with enormous red roses. Opening the envelope attached to the cellophane wrapping, she smiled as she read the card, “Had a great time last night. Hope we can do it again soon. Vince.”

  Jen removed the cellophane and, closing her eyes, inhaled the sweet scent of the roses. Carrying the card with her into the living room, she sat down on the sofa, picked up the phone, and called her agent.

  “So…how was last night?”

  “Nice. Surprisingly nice. Do you know how to contact Vince? He sent me roses, and I want to thank him.”

  “Hang on, and I’ll get his info for you.” A few minutes later Mike was back on the line, explaining, “Sorry about that. I had to call his assistant to get his cell phone number and e-mail address.”

  After ending her phone call with Mike, Jen pondered whether to call or e-mail Vince to thank him for the flowers, and decided to send him a short e-mail before going out for her run. After she clicked the “send” button, Jen slipped her sweatshirt over her head, but had not yet gotten out the door when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but answered it anyway.

  “Hello?”

  “Jennifer? Vince Moscolo.”

  Shocked, she asked, “How did you get my cell phone number?”

  “I had my assistant get it from your agent earlier in the week, just in case something came up and I had to break our date at the last minute,” Vince explained. “I hope you don’t mind that I called.”

  “Of course not, it’s fine,” she replied. “Thanks again for the roses. They’re beautiful.”

  “My pleasure,” he said, as he turned to look out his office window and across the East River towards Brooklyn Heights. “I enjoyed getting to know you last night, and would like to get together again. Can I take you out to dinner next Saturday night?”

  “Umm…”

  Sensing her reluctance, Vince pressed his case. “Jennifer, your entire dating history consists of your going out with a frat boy, then a jock who cheated on you. And I’ll bet neither of them treated you the way you deserve to be treated. Why not let me take you out on another date, and show you a good time? Let me spoil you a little.”

  “Umm…,” Jen repeated, biding her time as she opened her calendar and aimlessly flipped through the pages, noting that the only entries in it were for photo shoots and other work-related items. “Okay, I guess,” she said, unenthusiastically. Why not? It’s not like I have anything better to do.

  The following Saturday night, Jen slipped into a black, boat neck cashmere dress, and looked in the mirror as she ran a hand over her exposed shoulders and clavicles. She pulled her hair back into a low chignon, which helped accentuate her long neck, and fastened a pair of simple pearl earrings onto her ears. Taking a deep breath, she thought, I guess I’m ready.

  At exactly 7:15, the doorman announced Vince’s arrival, and Jen met him in the lobby. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, and ushered her into his waiting limousine, where they made small talk on the short ride to The River Café, a restaurant on a barge docked next to the Brooklyn Bridge.

  Once inside, Jen removed her black cashmere coat, and she caught Vince’s eyes traveling up and down her body. “You look absolutely beautiful tonight, Jennifer,” he said. “Simply exquisite.”

  They were seated next to a window, and Jen looked out across the East River, taking in the view of the Manhattan skyline, the lights of the city reflecting on the water like sparkling diamonds. “Such a magnificent view,” Vince said. “Have you ever been here before?”

  “Just once, a couple of years ago, for my mom’s birthday,” Jen said, somewhat distracted, as she continued to look out the window, thinking about how much Drew loved the skyline, before shaking her head to try to rid herself of any memory of him.

  Vince wrinkled his brows, and asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “No, nothing,” Jen replied, with a forced smile. “I was just thinking back to the last time I was here,” she said, not wanting Vince to know that she was thinking of another man.

  “Have you ever thought of moving into Manhattan?”

  Jen was taken aback by Vince’s question. “Actually, no, I never have. I love living here in Brooklyn,” she said. “I enjoy the view of the city, but don’t think I’d ever want to live there.”

  But you will, one day, Vince thought. One day soon, you will be living in the city with me.

  Over the next few weeks, Vince continued to ask Jen out on dates, and each time he asked, Jen agreed to go out with him. At the end of each date, he walked her to the door of her apartment building, and kissed her on the lips before saying goodnight, leaving her puzzled as to why he hadn’t attempted to advance their relationship physically.

  I know he’s attracted to me, she thought while lying in bed alone after a night out with Vince. He told me that on our first date, and he’s shown me by the way he looks at me and kisses me. But if he’s as interested in me as I think he is, why does he treat me like a fragile piece of crystal that might shatter if he held me too tightly? It’s so confusing. He’s so different from anyone I’ve ever dated before, so much older than me, and so formal. She rolled over and hugged her pillow. I’ve felt so empty lately, without someone to hold me and love me, she thought with a sigh. I wonder what it would be like to spend the night with him.

  The following week, after she returned home from an out of town photo shoot, Jen invited Vince for dinner at her apartment. He’s so reserved all the time, she thought. Maybe a more casual meal at home will get him to relax. “I’d really like to make you a home-cooked meal to reciprocate for all the fancy dinners you’ve treated me to,” she said, the next time she spoke with him. “How about dinner at my apartment on Friday night?”

  “It’s a date,” Vince replied, as he stared out his office window at Jennifer’s apartment building across the East River. “I’m looking forward to it.” I’ll finally get to make my move. After Friday night, you will be mine.

  When Jen opened her apartment door to Vince, she felt more comfortable, and somewhat more in control of their relationship, than at any point since their first meeting, as she welcomed him with a warm embrace and soft, deep, lingering kiss on his lips. Finally, a real kiss, she thought.

  As she took Vince’s coat, she noticed that he seemed much more relaxed than he had at any time before. Noticing that he had dressed casually in jeans and a navy blue v-neck cashmere sweater over a white t-shirt, she c
omplimented him. “You look great in jeans,” she said. “You should really wear them more often.”

  Jen’s compliment brought a smile to his face and, in response, Vince admired her turquoise knit halter top. “I love your top, Jennifer. You look gorgeous tonight,” he said, as his eyes wandered from the hint of cleavage showing through her knit top, to her slender waist and her faded, low-slung jeans at the curve of her hips, and down to her bare feet.

  “Thanks, Vince,” Jen replied. “I just finished knitting it the other day.”

  Vince raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You’re very talented. Did you knit it from a pattern, or did you design it yourself?”

  “I designed it myself.”

  “That’s very impressive, Jennifer. You could go into the design business,” he said, causing her to blush. Noting her discomfort, Vince changed the subject and inhaled deeply. “Something smells delicious. What are you making for dinner?”

  “We’re going to start with a cold poached asparagus salad with a lemon vinaigrette dressing and chopped hard-boiled egg, and then we’re having a seafood stew with shrimp, clams, scallops and lobster tails. I hope it’s okay – I observe the ‘no meat on Fridays’ rule during Lent,” Jen said, as she took Vince by the arm and escorted him into the living room, where she had set out an appetizer of homemade smoked salmon spread with toasted baguette rounds.

  My good, Catholic girl, Vince thought, as he looked around her cozy living room, tastefully decorated in shades of pale pink, light gray and white. He wandered over to the window and looked out at the Manhattan skyline. “Great view, Jennifer,” he remarked. “It’s even better than the view from The River Café, because you’re on a high floor.”

  “Thank you,” Jen said, pleased that Vince liked her apartment. She offered him a glass of champagne from the bottle that had been chilling in an ice bucket on the coffee table.

  He accepted the glass and touched it to hers, as he made a toast, “To you, my sweet Jennifer, and to the beginning of what I hope will be a happy relationship.”

  As they sat side by side on the sofa, Jen observed Vince’s eyes traveled up and down her body, lingering on her cleavage and mostly-bare back. I wonder if I made a mistake by wearing a halter top without a bra, she thought. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.

  Once they sat down side by side at Jen’s small round dining room table and were eating the poached asparagus salad, Vince asked, “Do you have any travel plans in the works for the upcoming weeks?”

  “I have a number of photo shoots booked, including one in Miami next week. I’m looking forward to a few days in warm weather.”

  “What about next weekend? Will you be back in town?”

  “Yes, I’m flying back on Friday afternoon.”

  “Why don’t I fly down and meet you there instead. We could spend the weekend together there, or hop down to the Caribbean. I could use a little getaway,” he said.

  “That sounds like fun, and I wish I could, but I have to go to an engagement party on Saturday night.”

  “Who is getting married?”

  “My friend Catherine. We met when I took my last two college classes here in New York, after I moved back home. I’m a bridesmaid, so I really have to be there,” Jen said, resignedly.

  “You don’t sound too enthusiastic about it.”

  Jen sighed. “It’s not that—I’m really happy for her and her fiancé, Luke—but I’m a little nervous about going to the party.

  “Why?”

  “Well,” Jen hesitated, before continuing, “Someone will be at the party that I don’t want to see.”

  “Who is that?”

  “Chris, my former boyfriend, the one who cheated on me, will be there. He’s in the wedding party too. It’s going to be awkward, to say the least.”

  “Would you feel better if you had a date for the party?” Going with you would let me protect you, and play the role of the hero, Vince thought.

  Jen sat back in her chair and smiled at Vince. “It depends. Are you offering to go with me?”

  “Sure. Why not?” When she lowered her eyes and stared at her lap, not answering his question, Vince continued, “Jennifer, we’ve been dating for well over a month now. Of course we’ll go to the party together, and if you want to leave early, I can be your excuse. We can always go out after the party, just the two of us, if you want.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  Vince took her hand in his and, lifting it to his lips, softly kissed her. “Why wouldn’t I do that for you? In case you haven’t noticed, I enjoy being with you.” He leaned in towards her, releasing her hand and kissing her again, this time on the lips. Gesturing towards his empty plate, he said “This was delicious. I can’t wait to try to the seafood stew.”

  When they finished eating, Vince complimented Jen on the meal. “You told me you liked to cook, but I had no idea how talented you are in the kitchen. Everything was amazing.”

  “Thanks,” Jen said, smiling, as she stood up to clear the table. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  Vince helped Jen carry the dishes into the kitchen and place them in the dishwasher. He reached for her, and as he pulled her towards him, he placed his lips next to her ear and whispered, “It’s so nice to finally be alone with you, Jennifer.”

  Feeling Vince’s strong hands on the exposed skin on her back caused Jen to involuntarily shiver as he leaned in close to her, whispering her name as he kissed her. Jen returned his kiss, and as she did, he backed her against the countertop and pressed his body into hers so she could feel his erection through his jeans.

  Jen felt her stomach do flip flops as Vince ran his fingers lightly down her neck, pausing at her shoulder, then down the deep v-neck of her halter top. When Vince slipped his fingers inside her top and began to caress her breasts, she was surprised, and squirmed, uncomfortably.

  “Is something wrong?” Vince asked, as he loosened his grip on her body. I’ve played the waiting game for far too long, Jennifer, he thought. I have to have you, and it has to be tonight.

  Noting his serious tone, Jen became nervous, and she began to tremble. “No, nothing is wrong, nothing really,” she said. Diverting her eyes from his, she stumbled over her words, “It’s just that, um…well, I’m a lot younger than you are, and I don’t have the, um, experience you have.” When she saw Vince’s expression soften, she continued, in a hushed tone, “I’m just afraid I might disappoint you.”

  Relief washed over Vince, as he realized that she wasn’t going to reject him. “Jennifer,” he said, pulling her back into a tight embrace, “my sweet Jennifer, you could never disappoint me.” He again pressed his body into hers, keeping her trapped between his body and the kitchen counter, and kissed her deeply. Tentatively, he again allowed his hands to roam her body and, this time, she didn’t stop him when he reached inside her halter top.

  “Oooh,” Jen exhaled, feeling weak in the knees as Vince’s fingers massaged her breasts. “That feels good.”

  “I can tell,” he whispered, as he nibbled at her earlobe, fanning the flame of her desire. “It feels good to me too,” he continued, as he began to grind his hips against hers. “I want to make love to you, Jennifer,” he said. “I need you. I need to be with you.”

  The events of the last few months flashed before Jen’s eyes, as she recalled walking in on Chris in bed with Vicky, then nearly consummating her relationship with Drew before he received the phone call that changed everything. That’s all in the past, now, she thought. I promised myself I’d get on with my life after Drew, and I’m going to do just that.

  She heard Vince repeat her name as he clutched her tightly, bringing her back to the moment. “I need you too, Vince,” she whispered, as she hungrily sought out his lips, allowing his tongue to explore her mouth, and his hands to again explore her body.

  When he couldn’t take it anymore, Vin
ce begged, “I can’t wait much longer, Jennifer. I need you, now.”

  Overcome with passion, Jen said, “Come with me,” as she took Vince’s hand and guided him down the hallway to her bedroom.

  Once inside her bedroom, Vince grasped Jen around the waist and buried his head against her neck, teasing her with his tongue. His hands traveled down from her waist and underneath the top of her jeans, causing Jen to gasp with pleasure, as he brought his hands around to the front of her jeans and unbuttoned the button, pulling the zipper down, and pushing them off her hips.