As I got dressed and freshened up, I thought about what to tell him. The truth is best, I told myself. Even if he wants nothing to do with you after it. But what is the truth about my feelings?
I told myself I was only going over to his apartment to talk and explain my actions the other night, but I wore my special red panties just in case things got heated. With a man like him, how could they not?
In the cab on the way over, I sat with my legs pressed firmly together, wondering if the skirt I’d chosen was too short. He probably already thought I was using him for sex.
Did he think that’s why I was coming over? The questions spun in my brain, causing me to become even more nervous. Ever since losing my job as a freelance journalist, I lacked the confidence I once had.
My father had said I was crazy and needed to work harder, but after not even a week in Afghanistan, my life had changed dramatically, one thing crashing after another. And Cooper was connected to that.
Was that why I wanted to see him again so desperately? A hope he would have answers I’d not been able to find on my own? Only one way to tell. He’s either going to understand or be an asshole.
The cab arrived at his apartment. I paid the driver then got out, the wind whipping up and sending my hair in every direction. I rushed to his front door where a man in a nice blue uniform opened it.
“Welcome to Rosary Tower,” he said. “Are you here to see someone?”
He held a tablet in his left hand.
“I’m here to see Mr. Anderson. He’s expecting me.”
“Hold on a minute,” he said, scanning the tablet screen. “I don’t see your name.”
“Can you call him? I just talked to him half-an-hour ago.”
“Sure. Hold on.”
I watched nervously as he walked over to a desk and picked up a phone. Maybe I should just go. Like that night in Afghanistan and the other night, this is yet another bad idea.
He walked back over with a smile on his face.
“Sorry about that, ma’am. I’ll walk you to the elevators.”
“Thank you,” I said. “What room is he in?”
“He’s got the entire top floor. Mr. Anderson is the king of the tenants here.”
I nodded.
“That’s right. I get so confused.”
He smiled politely, stopping as we reached two elevator doors.
“Here you go, ma’am. You have a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you again,” I said then walked into the elevator.
After the door closed, I took a deep breath. It was too late to turn back. Or was it? Mixed emotions made me dizzy as the elevator car rose toward the top of the three-story building.
When the elevator door opened, I stepped off into a small foyer. A door opened, and Cooper walked out, a smile on his face and a robe covering his body.
“I stayed in the hot tub too long. Come in.”
“Hot tub, huh?”
He nodded, putting his hand on my back and leading me inside his opulent apartment.
“Nice place,” I said, glancing around.
“Thanks. After I came back from Afghanistan, I treated myself.”
“Mission accomplished.”
“Let’s go to the balcony and talk. You want to get in the hot tub?”
“No, that’s not a good idea. And I didn’t bring a suit.”
“Suddenly so modest?” He grinned. “Not a problem. We can enjoy the fresh air.”
I followed him across a grand living room toward a balcony bigger than my bedroom. “Wow, that’s quite a view.”
“I love waking up to this scene every morning.”
“I bet. It’s incredible.”
As I scanned the skyline in the distance, I wondered how much he was paying for such a nice place. Thoughts of the smuggling operation, the story that had ruined my career, came rushing back.
We stood next to each other near the marble railing surrounding the balcony. He had his hand on the small of my back, making me feel safe and at ease despite all my nervousness.
“I’m sorry about kicking you out,” I said, looking at the street below.
“It’s okay.”
His hand slipped to my ass and squeezed it before moving back up. I turned to face him.
“Is that the only reason you want me? My body?”
I stared into his eyes, wanting the truth. He didn’t look away, meeting my gaze with the same intensity.
“It’s one of the things,” he said then kissed me, ending any further discussion on the matter.
Here we go again.
We kissed as if we had been together for a lifetime. He knew exactly how to move his tongue and hold me while he did it.
I pulled back, not wanting to rush into things and end up the same way we did last time.
“Wait,” I said, putting a hand to my breast. “We should talk.”
“Talk about what?” he asked, walking over to a metal table in middle of the balcony.
I followed and sat down across from him.
“Everything?” I offered, not sure myself. “I’m so confused. After I got back from Afghanistan, everything in my life fell apart.”
“And you weren’t even a soldier or there for long.”
“Right. I mean, I like you, a lot, but I don’t want to bring you down.” I glanced inside. “It seems you’re doing well for yourself.”
“It means nothing without someone to share it with. Besides…”
His voice trailed off.
Is he hiding something?
“Go on,” I said, reaching across the table and putting my hand over his. “I can be a good listener.”
“You’re working on another story, aren’t you?” he asked then chuckled.
I shook my head.
“No. I care about you, Cooper.”
He took a deep breath, looking out at the night sky, his brow furrowed. What has got him so tense? My old journalistic traits took over for a moment.
“It’s in my past,” he said, looking into my eyes. “We all have checkered pasts. They make us who we are.”
“And who are you?”
“A man looking for a woman like you.”
“Just for fun? Fucking only?”
“Not only, but it’s a good place to start.”
Under the table, I felt his bare foot running up my pantyhose.
“Mr. Anderson!” I said with faux shock.
He grinned, moving his foot to my thigh. I sighed, unable to fight what my body wanted. We would talk after. Words hadn’t gotten me anywhere in life in the past. It was time to have fun and experience what it had to offer.
I scooted my chair back, the metal legs scraping against the cement. As I stood, I kept my eyes transfixed on his, mentally ripping that robe open. He got to his feet and closed the gap between us in an instant.
With his strong arms around me, holding me close, he forcefully kissed me on the lips. I gave up trying to fight, giving in to my body’s wants and needs – him throbbing deep inside me. This will be the last time.
He backed up and took my hand, leading me inside the massive living room decorated in a modern style with lots of white. It looked clean, almost unused, opulent beyond words. The room made me feel safe.
We passed through the living room, me following a step or two behind him, his huge hand holding my dainty one. I stared at his ass, which looked marvelous even under the white robe.
In his bedroom, he stopped and turned, throwing his arms around me again. I reached into his robe, feeling he had no underwear as I wrapped my fingers around his thick cock.
This increased the intensity of his kiss immediately. He moves his fingers to my blouse, unbuttoning it as fast as he could manage while still kissing me. I stroked and tugged, loving every feeling.
After taking off my blouse, he stepped back and threw his robe open all the way. I glanced down at his half-hard cock. It twitched a few times as I reached around to undo my bra strap.
When the fabr
ic fell away, he stepped forward and bent slightly, sucking on one nipple while holding the breast with his hand. I ran my fingers through his hair, pressing him closer.
“Yes,” I said, so sure I wanted what was about to happen.
He moved to my other breast, leaving nothing unexplored. I undid my skirt and let it fall to the floor. A moment later, he rubbed his hand against the outside of my panties.
I moaned, loving the way he made me feel both inside and out. My body responded to his every touch, but my heart also fell for him beyond what was physical.
His kisses moved lower on my body. I felt his hands moving to my hips, pulling my pussy to his face as he got on his knees in front of me.
“Yes,” I hissed as he leaned back and pulled my panties down.
I stepped out of them, spreading my legs. He licked my outer pussy lips as his hand squeezed my ass, pulling me toward him. I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation.
He teased me another minute or two, making me want to tell him all my secret thoughts. The more he licked, the wetter I became and the more I wanted him inside me.
I put both hands on his shoulders and pulled. He understood immediately, standing in front of me, his hard cock bobbing and weaving back and forth.
Before he made another move, I got to my knees, wanting to make love to that masterpiece with my mouth. While I rarely enjoyed sucking a guy’s dick, this was different.
I couldn’t explain it, but I didn’t care as I wrapped my lips around his thick shaft, taking as much of him in as possible. At the same time, I looked up at his face.
He stared down at me, this look of ecstasy and appreciation I’d never seen on a man before. With his hands on his hips, he looked like a Roman Gladiator or a Greek god of perfection.
While sucking him, I stroked the shaft with my right hand, really getting him worked up. I loved the expression of pure joy on his face as I ran my tongue over the sensitive spot under his head.
“Come here,” he said in a gruff voice, stepping back and bending to help me up.
Once on my feet, he led me to his bed.
“Bend over the edge.”
I did as he told me, feeling so dirty and horny at the same time. He slapped my left ass cheek, causing it to sting with a perfect blend of pain and pleasure.
“Oh,” I said.
“You like that, don’t you?”
“Yes. Don’t stop.”
He slapped the other cheek as I stood with my breasts pressed against his mattress. I felt his hands from my ass up my back to my shoulders then back again.
I moaned, spreading my legs a few more inches, wanting him to have all the access necessary. Put it in me, I thought, unable to wait any longer.
“You’re so fucking hot,” he said, rubbing his dick on my pussy but not putting it in.
“Oh, yes. Fuck me…”
“You want this?”
“Yes, I do.”
When the first inch or so of his cock slid into me, I knew I wouldn’t last long. My body already tingled everywhere as he slowly pushed all nine wonderful inches into my wet and willing pussy.
I pushed back against him, wishing it would go even deeper. He pulled out just as slowly, enjoying every single moment. Once out almost all the way, he started again, this time faster.
Gradually, he found a rhythm, working up the pace, pounding me harder and faster. I never wanted him to stop. His cock felt like it belonged inside me. Waves of pleasure washed over my body.
All my doubts and worries floated away as he fucked me like a real man, taking everything he wanted while making sure I felt the same.
I thought I would come when he reached under and rubbed my clitoris with his fingers while pumping in and out of me. The world faded around me.
That cock moving in and out of my body was all that mattered in that moment. I stared at his face, so full of concentration and bliss.
He fucked me like it was our last time together, as if he was heading off to war again. I concentrated on the feeling of his thick cock sliding in and out, never having felt this level of pleasure before.
He pushed me to the edge. My mind went blank when my orgasm hit. His cock kept fucking me as my body shook.
“Turn around,” he said. “I want to see your beautiful face.”
After he pulled out, I flipped over and sat on the bed. He crawled onto the mattress as I scooted back, spreading my legs apart as wide as was comfortable.
I stopped. He slipped his dick back inside me. My only thought was to make him feel at least as good as he had made me feel moments before.
The look on his face told me I wasn’t far off from my goal. His forehead wrinkled, he stared at me intently, his thrusts coming faster. I ran my hands down his strong back, digging my fingers into his flesh, and pulling him closer.
“Yes, baby…”
In that moment, the intimacy level went through the roof. A dull, pleasurable sensation ran through my body as we connected on some deep level.
He grunted, his thrusts slowing. When he came, I saw it in his eyes, the most marvelous sight I’d ever seen in my life. His face relaxed and his body stopped.
With his cock still inside my pussy, he stared into my eyes, working on catching his breath. I did not look away, soaking in every visual detail of the moment.
“Fuck,” he muttered, pulling out.
“Fuck indeed.”
He laid on his back next to me, still breathing heavily. I rolled over and threw my arm over his rock-hard stomach as I cuddled against his quivering body.
“Fuck,” he repeated.
Had he lost the power of speech?
I giggled.
He turned with a smile on his face.
“You’re something else, Jade.”
“At least I can’t kick you out this time. You’re not going to make me leave now, are you?”
“I don’t want you to leave, never,” he said, brushing a strand of hair out of my eyes with his fingers.
“Do you mean it? We don’t know each other well, but I feel so connected to you.”
“Still?” he said with a grin.
I squeezed him briefly, smiling myself. Joy radiated out of us, bounced against the ceiling and walls, and came back, smothering both of us with tremendous positive energy.
“I’m serious, though…” I whispered, wondering if I was pushing him too much.
“I know what you mean. I’ve been wandering aimlessly since Afghanistan.”
Will he ever tell me what really happened over there?
I kept my questions to myself, enjoying the afterglow. We cleaned up a few minutes later, sharing a huge bowl of ice cream before calling it a night and crawling into bed together.
EIGHTEEN
Jade
I woke up before him the next morning. As I laid next to him, his bare back rising and falling as he breathed. I smiled to myself. It hadn’t all been a dream.
Had I finally found a man worthy of my time? Two years after meeting him in Afghanistan? Our story would be so fun to tell around the dinner table.
Carefully, I slipped from under the covers and got out of bed, trying not to wake him. He groaned and rolled over, but he appeared to be a heavy sleeper.
Was he a morning person or super grumpy before he had coffee and breakfast? As I grabbed his white robe from the top of his dresser, I realized how little I knew about him.
At the same time, none of the mystery mattered. It made our blossoming relationship that much better. In the kitchen, spotlessly clean, I started a pot of coffee in his fancy machine.
While it brewed, I returned to the bedroom where I found him still asleep. I gathered up my clothes and got dressed quickly because I needed to go home to change and shower before work.
I hated to go into work, but I needed the money. A little time and space between Cooper and I wouldn’t hurt anything. I needed to think everything through. It all seemed to move so fast.
Before I left, I wrote a quick note telling him I�
��d gone to work and would call him later that evening. He had a set of banana magnets on his refrigerator, so I used one of those.
Outside his door, in the small foyer with the elevator, I saw a door leading to a set of stairs. A quick three flights would help me wake up, I figured as I opened it and started down.
By the time I reached the lobby on the first floor, I realized I had to get in shape. The doorman, same person as the night before, smiled and nodded his head as I passed in a hurry.
I hailed a cab when I got outside Cooper’s apartment building. The driver yammered on about some festival happening in Brooklyn later that night. I nodded politely but said nothing.
When the cab driver made it to my building about ten minutes later, I paid him before getting out. I saw Max leaning against the brick wall next to the front door.
Ugh. I don’t need this now, I thought, wondering if I should just walk away and go to work in yesterday’s clothes. My workmates wouldn’t mind. Before I decided, he spotted me.
He smiled as we walked over. Everything about him was broad, his shoulders, his gait, even his thinking. The latter was the main reason I wasn’t interested in dating him anymore.
“Hey, girl,” he said, stopping in front of me.
“Hey, Max. I’m in a hurry.”
“You weren’t home last night.”
I tilted my head to the side and studied his face.
“How do you know that?”
“Oh, let’s just say I’m a protective person.”
“That’s creepy,” I said, walking around him. “I need to go.”
“Hold on,” he said, grabbing my arm.
I looked at it then up to his eyes, showing him my anger with my face. He let go.
“You still haven’t confirmed our second date.”
“I’ve been busy, Max. And, to be honest, I’m not interested.”
“You got someone else?”
“No,” I lied. “But even if I did, it wouldn’t be any of your business.”
The two men had known each other in Afghanistan, but I was sure they didn’t talk anymore. As long as I didn’t tell either about the other man, I would be fine. Cooper was the one I wanted.
“Damn. When did you grow so cold?”
“That’s not helping your case. Like I said, I’ve got to go.”
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