by SE Hall
Stripe is waiting for me when I barge through the front door, purring and rubbing herself all over my legs, making me feel bad about not giving her enough attention as of late. Bending down, I scoop her up in my arms and proceed to give her a thorough petting and pampering, apologizing for being a shitty owner and promising to do better.
After I fill her food and water bowls, I realize I’ve still got over two hours until Alyssa is supposed to be here, so I opt for a quick, hot yoga session before I eat and get ready. A good mind clearing is never a bad thing.
An hour filled with planks, downward dogs, and child poses does nothing to reduce the urge to check my phone to see if Bryce has called or texted, but has done a helluva job in awakening my appetite and making me a sweaty mess. I throw together a chicken salad, preferring to eat light if I’m going to be dancing later, but not wanting to drink on an empty stomach either.
Once I’ve showered and shaved my legs, I style my long hair in a precisely tousled up-do and apply my makeup—heavy eyeliner and mascara on my version of ‘smoky eyes,’ Bordeaux lipstick and sparkly shimmer dusted all over. Pattering over to my closet naked, I pull out a short, champagne-colored dress from the very back—the clothes I never wear—and step into it.
The fabric molds to my figure perfectly, displaying each curve and contour of the body I’ve worked hard to achieve, but the best part is the back—there isn’t one. The nude dress I’d worn to work yesterday, for him, hinted at the tan skin of my posterior. This dress exposes it all, a tie around my neck and then nothing until all the way down to the two dimples adorning the top of my ass.
I buckle gold strappy sandals around my ankles and then spin around in the full-length mirror, more than pleased at the nearly unrecognizable reflection staring back at me. Tonight, I’m going to have fun, I vow to myself. The invisible emotional baggage of Bryce, Hunter, and all the shit at work is staying here.
A swift succession of raps on the door pulls me from my vanity, and based on the shocked expression on Alyssa’s face when I let her in, I know I look good.
Woody’s, a well-known gay club in the city, is not really what I had in mind for tonight’s destination, but I’m trusting my best friend knows what she’s doing.
“I promise, you’re gonna love this,” she explains as we show our IDs and walk into the club. “Most other clubs are closed on Wednesdays so there’ll be a lot of straight people here tonight too, wanting to dance and have a good time. Plus, while most of them bat for their own team, the eye-candy here is off the fucking charts. Do you know how sexy it is to watch two hot ass guys kiss?” She fans herself with one hand and grins mischievously. “Holy shit, girl, get ready.”
Much like when we went to Bump, the loud music thumps vivaciously throughout the room, a wide array of people dancing—on the actual dance floor, in the bar area, some even on top of tables— and the scent of seduction lingers heavy in the air. However, I immediately get a different vibe from this place; maybe it’s the openly gay couples we pass on our journey to the bar, or perhaps it’s because I haven’t been groped endlessly as I slink in between throngs of people, but there’s definitely a more chill ambiance pumping through the place.
“I want a couple of shots, no beer right now,” I call out to Lys as she slithers her way up to the bar. An acknowledging tip of the head and a few minutes later, three chilled shots of Patron are swimming in my belly, rapidly infiltrating my blood system, taking the edge off.
“You ready to shake your ass?” she asks, eyes sparkling, suckling on a lime wedge after her last shot.
“Let’s do this.”
Song after song, the two of us dance our little hearts out—shimmying, swaying, undulating, and vibrating—completely immersed in our own universe. The outside world and all of its worries and concerns melt away, thread by tiny thread, as one tune seamlessly rolls into another.
Biggest shocker of the night—Lys was right about seeing same-sex couples dance together and make-out, especially the guys that look like they just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren ad; it’s incredibly erotic and stimulating. The combination of the surrounding sensuality, our suggestive dance moves, and alcohol has my body buzzing with sexual energy.
I need Bryce.
The thought enters my mind before I can prevent it, and in a futile attempt to push it away, I grab Alyssa’s face and crash my lips down on hers. Apparently, she’s as much as a live wire as I am, because she doesn’t just not pull away, she seductively slides her tongue from her mouth into mine, deepening the kiss. Our bodies continue to move together as we break apart at the lips, and before I can apologize for my actions, someone grabs my arm from behind and yanks me clear off the dance floor.
“What the-?” I yell, jerking out of the strong grip once I’m steady on my feet.
With a fierce, piercing stare I turn my head to find myself looking straight in the eyes of a scowling Hunter. “What in the fuck are you doing here, Jocelyn?” he screams in my face, people nearby obviously aware of and gawking openly at our conversation. “My sister? Really? You dumped me for her? Have y’all been doing this all these years? That why you’ve stayed such great friends with such a bitch? I can’t fucking believe this,” he roars violently, eyes as big as saucers, chest puffed up.
My initial reaction is to cower to him, like I’ve always done, to let him belittle and disparage me, but then the new Jocelyn kicks in, remembering I don’t have to play his immature games any longer.
“No, Hunter, I didn’t leave you for your sister or anyone other than YOU, not that it’s any of your damn business,” I lash out angrily, pushing his hands off where they’re grasping my arms again. “I broke up with you because you’re a fucking asshole! You insult me, talk to me like a dog and oh,” I tip a finger to my chin and blink faster than a hummingbird, “cheat on me, because, as you put it, I’m a bad lay! No worries though, I can’t stand to be around you either. How’d you find me here anyway?”
Prior to him answering, Alyssa joins our scene, stepping in between the two of us. “You need to leave, now,” she warns, a menacing tone I’ve only ever heard her use with him. “As in right fucking now.”
“Wait a minute!” My buzz offering a moment of clarity that God if I’m right, I’ll fucking Riverdance right here. “Hunter, are you, I mean, you’re in a gay bar…” I beam, loud and proud.
He scoffs, rolling his eyes at me. “Please. I cheated on you with women.”
“Oh, well I feel better,” Lys snorts. “Now leave!”
“The only way I’m leaving is with Jocelyn,” he crosses his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes into evil slits.
“She’s not leaving with you.”
“Nor is she leaving with you. Just wait until mom and dad hear about this. And have fun finding a new job,” he barks at his sister.
Leaning forward, I whisper into Alyssa’s ear, knowing he won’t be able to hear with the loud music. “I’m really sorry about all of this and your job is safe. There’s taxis outside; I’m gonna catch one home, diffuse the situation some. I’ll text you when I’m home. Will you be okay? “
She nods in understanding. “Yeah, don’t worry about me.”
I look up at Hunter watching us and shake my head. “Don’t even think about following me or coming to my house. I’ll call the cops without hesitation. You can explain that to my dad.”
Shuffling my way back to the club entrance, I step outside and gulp in a breath of fresh air. It’s taking everything inside of me not to break down right here, the roller coaster of emotions over the last week too much for both my body and mind to deal with, but I need to keep moving, in case he’s following me despite my warnings.
A quick scan left, then right, then left again, I don’t see any waiting taxis outside the club, but I do see a very familiar pickup truck parked right across from where I’m standing.
Strong hands slide around my waist from behind, causing my heart to leap into my throat and my entire body to flinch. “Keep moving, b
abe, we need to get out of here now. I think he’s coming out,” Bryce’s protective commandeering in my ear instantly making everything alright, a balm all its own. “Don’t ask questions yet.”
Forgetting about my anger at him, I place my hand in his, wondering if I’m dreaming up all of this insanity, and allow him to lead me to the truck. We both hop in, no time for chivalrous door opening now, and in a matter of seconds, we’re pulling out of the parking lot and headed toward my house.
UNSURE OF HOW I’M GOING to explain knowing where she was, my mind’s reeling with an explanation, not wanting to lie to her, but not yet ready to tell her the truth about everything either.
I glance over at her, curled up in the corner, head resting on the window with her eyes closed; looking stunning as ever in the sparkly dress and heels with her dark locks swept up on top of her head. A pang of guilt thrums hard inside of me over how I’ve hurt her feeling the last few days; after the weekend we shared. It was my last intention, but so much has begun to unravel with the investigation.
“Are you going to talk to me, J?” I finally ask, cutting through the painful silence.
“I don’t really have much to say. I want to go home, go to bed, and wake up tomorrow hoping this has all been some whacked out dream,” she mumbles, keeping her eyes shut.
“Hoping isn’t going to make it happen, babe.”
That was apparently not the right thing to say. She shoots up in the seat, head swiveling around to face me, eyes full of anger and agony.
“No fucking shit, Bryce! As much as I hoped you would come over Monday night, that maybe you missed me the way I missed you, that didn’t happen. Then, on Tuesday, I hoped you wouldn’t answer your phone while we were sharing a romantic dinner, one you were already nearly an hour late for, but that didn’t happen either. And finally, today, I really hoped we would have the lunch together that you suggested, but yet again, all the hoping in the world didn’t make it so.”
The big crocodile tears sliding down her cheeks slice into me one by one, making me feel like the biggest piece of shit in the world. “J, please-” I begin as we park in front of her house.
“No! I’m not done, Bryce,” she unbuckles her seat belt, twisting her entire body toward me. “Tonight, I hoped to go out dancing with my friend, to forget about all of this shit, even if it was just for a little bit, but what happens? Hunter shows up, out of the fucking blue, and starts screaming at me, making a scene and ruining my night. I escape him and his craziness only to find you outside.” The tears now spill at a rapid pace from her big brown eyes, her voice cracking with every other word. “What in the fuck is going on? How did you even know I was there? How did he know I was there? I feel like I’m in the goddamn Twilight Zone, and I want out.”
Without another word, she jumps out of the truck and rushes up to her front door, grabbing a key from under the flower pot, and letting herself in. I’m not allowing her to end it like this; she means way too much to me to let her walk away without a fight. I’m also not telling her how I followed that bastard as he followed her, she’s had enough tonight. Exiting the truck damn quick myself, I jog up to her door. Attempting to open it, but finding it locked, I knock—hard and continuously until she finally opens it to me.
In one sweeping motion, I bound inside her house and scoop her into my arms, pausing briefly to shut and lock the door behind us. She says nothing, nor does she fight me, as I stalk down the hallway to her bedroom. Tossing her gently on the bed, I strip myself hastily, then her, hissing aloud when I lift her dress over her head and see her naked breasts and bare pussy, already swollen and glistening with desire.
I climb on top of her, pinning her to the bed with my stare as I line the head of my steeled cock up with her slick opening. “I told you not to give up on me, J,” I rumble, thrusting myself as deep inside her body as it will allow in one purposeful stroke. She gasps and lifts her hips, chest heaving, eyes dilated, but saying nothing.
I withdraw until only the tip is left in her, my eyes still glued to hers. “I asked you to trust me, to believe in me, and that I’d help you understand.” I drive back in hard and she moans, writhing with want. “You said okay,” I shunt in deeper, “were you lying?”
“I, I, you,” her panting, scattered syllables are fucking cute as hell, but stand down I won’t.
“What? Say it,” I curl my hips under, pushing back in to her, up, stroking spots that have her thrashing under me.
“You, I get, mad, hurt, I don’t, ahhhhhh” her eyes roll back in her head, but she’s told me what I knew—she’s just confused, I run as hot and cold with punctuality and thoughtful consistency as she does her calm understanding versus fits.
Retreating again, I lower my face until I’m a breath above hers, my voice softening. “I wasn’t expecting to find you, but I did, and I’m not letting go.” My dick plunges in yet again, but this time it doesn’t stop—over and over, her body wrapped around mine like second skin, my shaft dips into her sublime heat, my mouth suckling her neck, until we both shatter, finding our nirvana together.
Once sensible thought returns, I roll us over so she’s lying on top of me, my dick still snugly inside of her, our sweat-laden bodies pressed firmly together. Soothingly, I stroke her back with my fingertips and kiss the top of her head, drowning in the intensity I feel for this woman.
“I need you, J,” I whisper, scared to put myself out there knowing how upset she’s been with me, “like nothing or no one else ever before. Please be patient with me, and I guarantee you I’ll explain everything soon. You said you were with me, then this. Fucking you into cooperation works,” I smirk up at her, “but communication before you flip back and forth would be nice too.”
Lifting her head off my chest, she gazes down at me, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Answer me a couple of questions?”
“I’ll try.”
“Are you romantically involved with someone else?”
“No, absolutely not,” I reply adamantly. “I will never cheat on you.”
“Are you involved in something illegal?”
“I’m trying to prove someone else did something illegal.”
“How did you know where I was tonight?”
“A GPS tracker. I installed one on your phone because I was nervous you’d be in danger with what I’m working on. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but not sorry I did it.”
She takes a few minutes to process the information—all of it the honest truth—before continuing. “I don’t like that you’re doing something you can’t tell me about, and I’m nervous that it makes you so worried that you’d put a tracker on my phone, but I’m going to trust you.” Softly kissing my lips, she smiles at me. “I may ask other questions—please don’t lie to me, just say you will explain later or something.”
“Okay, boss lady,” I agree with a grin, tracing her jaw line with my thumb. “If that will keep you from freaking out and running around in gay bars, kissing girls, I’ll do that.”
She sucks in a sudden, short breath, obviously surprised I knew about the kiss. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry, Bryce. I don’t know what came over me,” she stammers. “I promise you we’ve never done that before. And I, I don’t-”
Chuckling, I cup her face and pull her lips back down to mine, nibbling on the lower one. “Actually, it was pretty fucking hot, J. I may be able to make some exceptions as long as I’m there to watch and get to be the only one to fuck you afterwards,” I tease.
She shakes her head, playfully rolling her eyes. “You’re such a pig. I don’t think I liked it, probably won’t be any repeats.”
“Sometimes,” I nibble and lick across her jawline, the vision of her kissing Alyssa causing my cock to stir again, “and I’m okay with that too. You’re hot enough all on your own. So hot, right now I want you to train with my light saber, my little Jedi.”
Thursday morning I wake up earlier than normal, needing to go home to change before work, and this time when I promise Jocelyn I’ll meet her
for lunch, I make sure it happens. Like two teenagers skipping school, we sneak off to grab a quick bite to eat and make out in my truck—which is by far the highlight of my day— until I show up back at her house that evening, this time with my overnight bag packed and a sack of groceries in hand.
Letting myself in with the not-so-well hidden key she leaves on the porch, I call out to her, not wanting to scare her to death, but still needing to make a point. “Jocelyn, babe, you here?”
“In my room, changing,” she yells back. “How did you get in?”
“Yeah, we need to talk about that,” I scuttle down the hall, hoping I catch a peek of her before she’s redressed. “No more spare key under the flower pot. That’s the first place the bad guys look, other than under the door mat and on top of the porch light. There’s gotta be a better place to keep this.”
She appears in her doorway, dressed only in her bra and panties, just as I reach her room. A big, genuine smile spreads across her beautiful face as I lift her into my arms and claim her lips in a passionate kiss.
“Mmmm,” she hums into my mouth, “I missed you too.”
My dick hardens on contact, but I refrain from bending her over the bed and having my way with her quite yet. I’ve got a couple of important things I need to discuss with her.
“You’ve got no idea, J,” I groan, sliding her down the front of my body until her feet are on the floor. “Change clothes, it’s my turn to cook you dinner, and I need to talk to you.”
“Uh oh,” she groans, “that doesn’t sound good.” Unclasping her bra, the lace fabric falls to the floor, leaving her bare-breasted as she shuffles through her drawers and my thoughts steer completely off-course.
I swat playfully at her ass as she scurries by, pulling a white baby-doll gown over her head—a scrap of material that’s very short and very see-through; she doesn’t play fair at all. “Nothing bad, babe, I promise,” I assure her, following her out of the room and into the kitchen.