Spice

by Jenna Jameson

  “Are you following me?” he asked in a low voice, aware of the people in line listening.

  Sabrina just shrugged. At least she was sober, her eyes clear and bright.

  “You could have called my cell phone.”

  “I wanted to see your face when I gave you this.” Sabrina handed him a folded piece of paper.

  Raising an eyebrow, he opened it.

  Next Saturday, 10 a.m. 45th and Lexington, Tower Hotel, Suite 2245. Bring STD results.

  “And this is?” Sean let a bunch of men go ahead of him so he could continue talking to Sabrina

  “Your debut. I vouched for you. If you can prove you’re clean, you’re in.”

  “In for what?”

  Sabrina framed her fingers and angled them toward his face. “You oughta be in pictures.”

  “I don’t believe this,” he said.

  “‘You want answers? You want the truth?’” She barked out her best Colonel Jessup impersonation from A Few Good Men. “You can’t handle the truth.”

  “I’ll be there,” he said, just to shut her up.

  There was no way in hell he was going to go through with it, but maybe he would go to the hotel and see for himself if they were handing out pills like M&Ms.

  “You better.” Sabrina got out of line and pulled the brim of her hat down over her head. “I put my neck out for you.”

  “Why?” he asked, following her back to the main part of the restaurant.

  “Desiree. She wouldn’t want you to be so tortured.”

  “I’m not tortured.” But he was talking to her back. She waggled her fingers at him over her shoulder but didn’t turn around.

  Chapter Nine

  Leaving Sean in her apartment while she walked Mrs. Ritter back home, Liz listened to her neighbor with half an ear.

  Jonathan was an angel.

  He went to bed right away without an argument.

  Yeah, right.

  Liz would bet her last nickel that when she went to check on him, he’d have a flashlight and a comic book under the covers. Still, tomorrow was Sunday. They could sleep in.

  She wondered if Sean would be staying.

  “Thanks again,” she said to Mrs. Ritter, standing guard at her door so none of the cats got out.

  “Any time, dear.” The older woman stifled a yawn behind her hand and Liz felt a little guilty they had gotten back so late.

  “Why don’t you come up for brunch tomorrow, around ten?” Liz asked.

  “That sounds lovely. Is there anything I can bring?”

  “Just yourself. Goodnight.”

  Liz ran a mental checklist through her head. She had enough to make Belgian waffles. She’d send Sean to get strawberries in the morning. Stopping at her own door, she wondered if she wanted to introduce her lover to her son this way. As soon as she introduced them, Mrs. Ritter started mentally measuring Sean for a wedding tux. What would she think when she saw him over Liz’s breakfast table? She sighed and opened the door.

  Sean was pacing. He had been distracted ever since he came back from the bathroom at the restaurant.

  “Are you okay?” she asked. “We don’t have to do this, if you don’t want. If you’re not in the mood. I don’t want to force anything.”

  “I got some disturbing news at dinner,” he said. “About my sister. My head’s all messed up. I’m afraid I’m not good company right now. I just don’t want you to think I’m bailing on you because your friends scared me off or something. They’re nice. I like them. They’re real protective of you.”

  “They liked you, too. Wait until you meet the rest of the bunch. It’s like one big crazy family.” Liz’s heart sunk. He was leaving.

  “I wish I wasn’t so torn up inside. She was my big sister. I looked up to her, and I can’t believe she’s dead. I feel like such a failure because she didn’t reach out to me for help if she was in trouble.”

  She walked over and took his hand. “When’s the last time you talked to her?”

  “About a few weeks before she died,” he said, looking down at their joined hands. Sean stroked his thumb across her knuckles.

  It did things to her, but she had to take a deep breath and concentrate. She’d jump his bones later. Right now, he needed a friend. “What did she say?”

  Sean shook his head. “Not much. The usual. She loved her job. She had a new roommate who she hated. I wanted to get together for lunch or dinner. She said sure. But we never nailed down plans.” He took a shuddering breath.

  “Come on, sit down with me. Why don’t I put on some coffee?”

  “I’m too jittery for coffee.” He pulled her into his arms for a back-cracking hug. “Things are happening. Things that I didn’t expect. I’ve got to tell you something, but I just can’t get the words out.”

  “You’re scaring me,” Liz said.

  He immediately released her. “I’m sorry. I’m in a bad place right now. I should go.”

  “Wait, let’s put on a movie and just relax on the couch. No emotional upheaval. No life or death situations. Just you and me and some alone time.”

  Some of his tension eased out of his shoulders. “I’d like that.”

  “Sit,” she pointed. “I’ll get a bottle of wine.”

  When she came back, he had kicked off his shoes and sat with his feet up on her frayed ottoman. He looked so natural there, so at home. The clinking of the wine glasses gave her presence away and he opened his eyes.

  “Sorry for freaking out.”

  “I’ve been there,” she said, setting up a TV table and putting the wine and glasses on it. “Are you hungry?”

  “God, no,” he said, rubbing his stomach. “I didn’t think vegetarian food would fill me up, but that was a great dinner.”

  “And healthy,” she added.

  “I still like meat.”

  “I understand.” Liz sat down next to him and clicked on the television. “What are you in the mood for?”

  He curled his arm around her shoulders. “You pick. I just like being here with you.”

  “Do you want to talk more about your sister?”

  “Liz, it’s the last thing I want to do.” His eyes were so soulful and apologetic, she kissed his forehead.

  “You got it.”

  She found an old comedy on one of the movie channels, something mindless and entertaining. Liz got the impression he was still lost in his thoughts during most of the movie, but he traced patterns on her shoulders, periodically kissing the top of her head. Liz was snuggled next to him, nuzzling his neck from time to time.

  Liz couldn’t remember who kissed who first, but she was soon wrapped in Sean’s arms and they were sucking face like teenagers. God, he can kiss. Cupping his face, she eased up on the deep, drugging, tongue kisses to look into his eyes.

  “I want to be your fantasy,” she purred.

  “You already are,” Sean said, bringing her down for another kiss.

  “We . . . should . . . take . . . this into the bedroom,” Liz gasped out between kisses.

  “Not tonight,” he said. “There’s not enough time.”

  “We can be quick,” she tugged his shirt loose from his pants. “Save the slow round for later. But if I don’t have you tonight, I will go insane.”

  He scooted away from her and knelt in front of the couch. Touching her knee, Sean smoothed his hand up her soft wool skirt. She had dressed with him in mind tonight. Everything from her baby blue cashmere thrift-store sweater to the short black skirt was made to be tossed off with minimal fuss.

  “Leave the boots on,” he begged, tugging on the corner of her panties.

  As long as he let her keep her shirt on, Liz thought.

  “These are the same ones you wore for me on Wednesday.”

  “You noticed the boots?”

  He licked up one until he came to the top and then he gently bit the inside of her thigh. Liz opened her knees to allow him to continue the nibbling trail. Fumbling with her skirt, she bunched it high on her waist to
give him more room.

  “Your panties are a little more sensible than the other night.” Of course, she wore a strip of fabric the other night. These were pink, delicate, and sexy as hell. He traced the lace edge with his tongue.

  “More comfortable too.” She ran her fingers through that glorious mess of dark hair.

  “You can’t be comfortable in these.” He ran his finger up the middle of them. “Sopping wet.” He took her panties in his hands and ripped them open.

  “Oh,” she cried. Moaning as Sean dipped his fingers inside her heat, Liz eased her head back. She raised her hips to accept the penetration as he slipped another finger inside her.

  “Keep looking at me like that,” Sean asked. “I want to see your pretty face when you start to come.”

  He kissed the side of her knee, darted his tongue over the back of it. She tried to force her legs closed against the delicious sensations he was causing, but Sean wouldn’t allow it. The slow press of his fingers wasn’t enough, and she rode them, trying to catch the elusive pinnacle, which was just out of reach.

  Sean thumbed over her soaked pearl, then leaned in and sucked on the hard bud. Liz clamped down on his fingers as her body shuddered to climax. Lapping up the wetness, he didn’t relent with his fingers.

  She gripped his head, forcing him to look up at her. “I thought you wanted to watch,” she panted.

  “Next time.” He grinned and went back to licking.

  Her fingers tangling in his hair, she watched him drench his face as his tongue continued to hit her sensitive spots. “If you don’t get up and take me to bed right now, I swear I will fuck you on the floor.”

  “Do something,” he mocked.

  He did not know who he was messing with.

  Liz tackled him back and they rolled on the floor laughing. They bumped into the table and the wine bottle just missed their heads by inches as it fell. The glasses fell to the carpet too, but luckily nothing broke.

  Liz made short work of his jeans and straddled him. His thick heat at last slid into her and she tightened her core around him. Pressing him flat on his back, she made sure to take her sweet time lowering herself up and down his thick hard length.

  “Finally,” she moaned.

  “Finally,” he gasped, his hands gripping her thighs.

  She watched the lazy satisfaction in his face turn to yearning hunger. He grasped her hips and held her to him while he lifted himself deeper. The hard slap of their bodies slamming together was loud in the apartment.

  Tossing her head, Liz rode him, using her leg and thigh muscles to give them both the best angle. His cock stretched her. He was nice and long, going deep when she sat astride him, holding still so she could just enjoy him being inside her. He held her there when she would have moved. Deep, so damned deep . . .

  “Stay there,” he whispered, reaching his fingers for her clit.

  She guided him to the correct spot and bounced on him again.

  Sean gritted his teeth. His body trembled below her and tensed.

  “That’s it, Sean. It’s your turn.”

  His fingers jerked out of rhythm. Warmth flooded her. His body sagged and a primal groan of satisfaction left him. Liz collapsed on top of him, eager for more of his kisses.

  “I warned you,” she said.

  “I never listen.” Sean held her tight. “I think I have rug burns on my ass.”

  “Better you than me.”

  She listened to the racing of his heartbeat and stayed clasped to him until it returned to a slower rhythm. She was getting a chill on her backside, but it was worth it for a few more of those kisses—and his fingers stroking her into another quick orgasm.

  “Are you ready for that shower?” he asked after she whimpered her release.

  “Not unless I can leave my top on,” she said, raising herself up on her elbow.

  “I Googled the pictures.”

  Liz looked away.

  “No, damn it.” Sean turned her chin back so she was facing him. “I wish I had been there to help you through the horrifying experience. But you are so fucking strong, you didn’t need me.”

  “I had a lot of help.”

  “Doesn’t lessen the fact that you are the most beautiful, most caring, bravest, and fiercest woman I have ever met. I want to kiss every inch of you. But not until you’re ready.”

  “Could be a while,” she said.

  “I’ve got time.” He smoothed his hand over her ass.

  “I think I’m going to get my nipples tattooed.”

  His hand stopped. “Um, what are you going to get? Stars? Hearts?”

  She thumped him in the chest. “I’m going to get nipples tattooed on the reconstructed breasts.”

  “Why?” he asked.

  “So they look normal.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know they did that.”

  “You didn’t look too hard at the mastectomy pictures, did you?” Liz kissed his cheek. “It explained all that.”

  “I’ll go back and do more research.”

  “I think you just like looking at boobs.”

  Sean shrugged. “I like the real thing better.”

  “I used to be the real thing,” she said. “Those puppies were natural. Now, not so much.”

  He lifted her up under the armpits so her chest was in his face.

  “What are you doing?” Liz started to struggle, then froze.

  Sean placed a chaste kiss through her sweater on each side of her chest. She didn’t feel it, not in the usual way. But she had to clench her jaw as tears threatened. He gently rolled her off him and stood up, fixing his pants. Offering her his hand, he said. “I’ve got to get going.”

  Liz stared at his hand and then reached out to take it. Didn’t he know that he completely knocked her world off its axis with those two sweet kisses? She let him pull her to her feet.

  “I wish I could stay here tonight.” He murmured into her temple.

  “You can.”

  “I’m going to be tossing and turning all night. I also don’t want Jonathan to meet me like that. Not the first time. Can you bring him by the gym this week? Wednesday?”

  “Sure,” she said. “I’m still not convinced about the boxing, but it’s a date. Know a good pizza place around there?”

  “Yeah, I’ll set it up.”

  He swooped her back for another kiss that lasted until her toes were tingling again. “We still need to have a long talk. Maybe tomorrow night. I know you probably won’t be able to get away, but we can talk on the phone.”

  “Or you can come here. Jonathan is asleep by nine.”

  Sean cupped her face in his hand. “I’d like that.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Liz walked him to the door.

  He crushed her to him one last time and left her breathless from the passion of his kiss.

  “What was that for?” She touched her lips, still throbbing from the pleasure of his mouth.

  “Just in case.” He kissed her forehead.

  Liz stared at the door a long time after he left. When she snapped out of it, she realized she hadn’t invited him to the FATE meeting on Monday.

  Chapter Ten

  After a quick trip to the market, Liz and Jonathan made up a batch of Belgian waffles with blueberries and served them to Mrs. Ritter along with some veggie sausages. It was a busy morning, but also a fun one. After brunch, she took Jonathan to the park and then they walked to the comic book store to pick up the newest Spiderman.

  While Jonathan loafed on the couch, Liz finished up some client work she had been putting off. She updated the taxidermist’s website and sent him an invoice. Feeling accomplished, she started to tackle the school’s Halloween fundraiser. Judith and Chloe were finally on the same page. Judith wanted the poster to be scary and Chloe wanted it tasteful. After much back and forth, they decided to have a skeleton holding a jack-o-lantern on one side and a kitty cat (Chloe’s words) wearing a black witch’s hat on the opposite side. Liz could work with that. She filled in the
dates and the times and the RSVP number for the dance and began to work on the skeleton. If she had been pressed for time, Liz would have gone for a stock photo.

  Part of the fun, though, was getting to be creative and practice her drawing skills. It was nice to use another part of her brain. She had picked up the Intro to Psychology textbook and it was a doozy. Maybe she could study with Sean. Liz would have to ask him about classes.

  “Baby?” she called out.

  “I’m not a baby,” came the aggravated answer.

  “Do you want a glass of almond milk?”

  “No,” Jonathan droned.

  “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

  “Sure,” he sighed loudly. With great theatrics, he put down his comic and came over to her desk. “I cleaned my room.”

  “Stuffing things under the bed isn’t cleaning, but that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”

  “Okay.” He snuggled up to her.

  She hugged him until he shimmied away. “That’s cool.” He pointed at her screen.

  “It’s for your school. They’re having a dance party on Halloween. I’ve got to design the raffle tickets too and then I’ll be all done.”

  And then I can get back to my paying gigs.

  Liz tried not to sigh at her inbox. She was a little backed up, but it beat the alternative. The design work came in waves, so she had to scurry like a hamster on the wheel so she could put food on the table when everyone was ordering through Vistaprint instead of with her.

  “Can I go back to my comic now?” Jonathan asked, shifting from one foot to the other.

  “Not just yet. I wanted to let you know that Mama has met someone.” Liz braced herself for the torrent of questions.

  “You meet a lot of people.” Jonathan yawned.

  So much for him making this easy on me.

  “I mean, I met someone I like very much. His name is Sean.” Liz wondered how much detail she should go into. Should she say, we’re dating? Or he’s my boyfriend? Or just stick with friend?

  “Okay,” Jonathan shrugged. He spotted one of his troll pencils sticking out of her cup. He snatched it and twirled the pencil until the little troll sitting on the eraser had fully experienced a bad hair day.