by ANDREA SMITH
“Okay,” she said, circling the two appointments that she’d have to reschedule. “I’ll see you at one then.”
“Oh—not here,” he replied. “Bonnie is here on Fridays. Get us a room at the Fairfax Motel. I’ll be there at one, so be watching for my car. For obvious reasons, this has to be kept discrete, Gloria.”
She held the receiver several moments after Avery had hung up.
A motel? She had to pay for a motel room?
A slow grin spread over her lips. Avery Dawson wasn’t giving in to her demands for Wednesday, but he sure as hell was trying to make it up to her. She was fairly certain after today Avery would be giving her Wednesdays again.
“Vicky,” she called out, “can you please reschedule my 12:30 and 1:15? I have an emergency. As soon as I finish with Bea’s perm, I’m out of here until 2:30.”
Gloria was not all that familiar with the Fairfax Motel that was located out on the old highway. She knew where it was, and she knew that they rented rooms by the hour, but she’d never had an occasion to be a guest there. Jesus Christ, she hoped the sheets were at least clean.
When she pulled her car into the motel parking lot, she saw a scattering of cars. She immediately recognized Avery’s that was parked off to the back of the lot. She hurried inside the office and thanked her lucky stars the snaggletoothed man at the desk was no one she knew. Gloria was too embarrassed to ask for the hourly rate, instead booking the room for the night. She paid him the twenty-six dollars, and registered under the name of Sally Johnson.
Three minutes later, she had the key to Room 18. She walked outside and was relieved to see that the room was at the far end of the long brick building.
She unlocked the door and left it ajar. The room smelled rank. A mixture of booze and cigarettes. The carpet was worn and stained in places. There was no way that she would allow her bare feet to touch it.
The drapes were dark and worn but they were closed, which would provide the privacy they needed for their counseling session she supposed.
She switched the television on for some noise, and adjusted the volume down a bit. The sound of the door closing behind her caused her to whirl around and see Avery standing there, taking in the room with a distasteful look, the same way that she had only moments before.
“Pretty rank, isn’t it?”
“Have you been here before?” he asked.
She bristled at his implication. “No, why have you? Are there better rooms here than this one?”
“I’m not a man to find amusement in sarcasm, Gloria. I meant no disrespect with my question, I assure you. Have you considered the possibility that your quick wit just may be emasculating to your husband?”
There was no way Gloria was going to allow him to chastise her for her remark. “Why are we here, Avery? We have one hour. If you want to spend that hour berating me, then hand over my twenty-six bucks and I’m out of this flea-infested hell hole.”
She watched as his face turned to stone. But what would he do about it?
She quickly learned exactly what he would do as he pulled her roughly up against him, and crashed his mouth to hers in an almost violent, ravaging kiss. She held her own, kissing and biting his lip as they each busied themselves with tearing their clothes off, breaking apart only to lower this, or step out of that.
He was totally naked as was she when they pulled back to catch their breaths.
His erection was bold and it took every bit of restraint for her not to reach out and take it in her hand. If she didn’t play it right, she’d be on the receiving end of his mean thrusting—doggie style, which offered her no real pleasure. Avery had to be in control, she knew that much, and while she enjoyed sparring with him, she knew that if the sex was going to be good, she needed to play the submissive to his dominant.
“I’m, I’m sorry for my disrespect, Avery,” she said. “I guess I was still out of sorts about your counseling Stella Martin. I saw her name on your schedule that day, and it hasn’t sat right with me since then.”
She saw some of the tenseness leave Avery’s body, and Gloria knew that she had done the right thing by coming clean with him about Stella.
“You realize that, as a minister, I have the obligation to tend to all of my flock as they require, Gloria. I don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing who I help.”
Gloria nodded, turning to pull the bedspread back to check and see if the sheets were clean. They appeared to be so. “I understand that part,” she replied. “It’s just that I know that your counseling with her involves the same type of therapy I required—that’s what I can’t get past,” she finished, sitting down on the bed, and reclining back. She pulled one of her legs up, resting her foot on the bottom sheet. She observed that Avery’s erection grew as his gaze locked on the v between her legs.
He sat on the bed next to her. “And how do you know what my counseling consists of with Stella Martin?” he asked carefully. “Has Stella been discussing this with members of the congregation—or the community?”
He was concerned about his reputation, she saw that immediately. Part of her wanted to lie to him. To tell him that yes, Stella Martin was talking out of school about their sessions, but if she did that, she would be putting herself at risk too.
“No, I didn’t hear it from her, Avery. I heard it outside your office last Wednesday. I was there. Outside of your office window. I…I heard you with her.”
She expected him to explode in anger at her admission. Anyone would be appalled that she had done what she did. Even Gloria didn’t understand it herself.
“You were listening?” he asked, furrowing a brow. “What in the world compelled you to do that, Gloria?”
“I’ve wondered that same thing, Avery. The only thing I can come up with is that when I saw you had her on your schedule for my time slot, I guess I was curious…and maybe even a bit jealous. I wanted to see if she pleased you more than I did…” she broke off meekly. She realized just how juvenile that sounded.
Avery placed his hand on her knee, and massaged it gently, almost affectionately, which surprised her. “And at what conclusion did you arrive?”
Now Gloria was plain embarrassed. She’d never expected he’d question her about her covert activities. “I…uh, I noticed that you let her talk dirty to you, and you talked dirty back to her. You’ve never done that with me.”
“I see. So, did that make you think I enjoyed relations with Stella more than I did with you?”
“I suppose so,” she replied truthfully.
“Well if you would stop to consider the fact that Stella’s issues are different than yours, therefore my treatment has to be tailored to her specific needs, then you might understand the difference. We don’t need to incorporate the dirty talk into our therapy. In fact, I prefer that we don’t. You are above the trash talk, my dear. Stella Martin is borderline frigid, which is why I allow more latitude in our therapy. And the fact that I’ve just shared this with you goes against my self-imposed confidentiality. We really shouldn’t be discussing her.”
“I know, but you wanted me to be honest, didn’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Then you need to know it still bothers me. I can’t get that session out of my mind. When you—and she were ready to climax I did something really, really stupid.”
He quirked a brow and remained silent.
“I ran and found a rock. I hurled it against the side of the building,” she admitted sheepishly. She couldn’t look at his face after the words were delivered.
“Ah, so that was what that loud bang was,” he replied, his hand now moving up along the side of her bare thigh. “Well, it is good of you to admit your jealousy and the ramifications of it, but I’m sorry to say it didn’t stop either one of us from climaxing.”
She tossed him a dirty look, “Well, I’m sorry to hear that.”
And Avery did a rare thing. He laughed. And it sounded like a genuine laugh at that. “My vixen, Gloria. What should I do wit
h you for trying to sabotage one of my counseling sessions?”
She rubbed a bare toe against his calf and gave him a coquettish smile. “Tell me you won’t counsel Stella anymore and the problem is solved. Tell her to let her pig farmer husband between her legs and then I won’t have to hide in the bushes to make sure she doesn’t pleasure you more than I do. It really is important to my therapy, Avery.”
His eyes locked with hers and she held a breath, not sure if she’d crossed a line with him or not. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Gloria. I’m committed to helping her overcome her fear of sex. How about if I allow you to observe without letting Stella know?”
“What are you saying?” Gloria asked, her eyes widening.
“I’m sure you’ll be more comfortable inside the room than crouching outside in the bushes. There’s a closet across from the sofa. I’m sure you’ll get a bird’s eye view from there if you are dead set on knowing how much Stella does or does not please me.”
Was he serious?
“You mean like a voyeur?”
“Or a witness, if you prefer. I will make a special allowance for you since this thing with Stella seems to overly concern you and is hindering our progress.”
“I’ll think about it,” Gloria replied, moving her toes up his leg, and caressing his muscular thigh.
He pushed her back so that she was lying flat on the bed now. She could see just how bold his erection had grown during their discussion, and Gloria could feel the wetness between her legs.
She crooked an arm behind her head, and watched as his right thigh moved between her legs, spreading them further apart.
“Are you ready for me?” he asked huskily.
“Oh yes,” she replied, watching as his hand gripped his engorged shaft and he guided it inside of her with one quick, deep thrust.
He filled her and she moved against him loving the feel of having him inside of her. He was hers right now. This moment belonged only to her—not Stella, not Donna, and not anyone else that was on the receiving end of Avery Dawson’s counseling therapy.
He pushed into her again, and she moaned her pleasure. He was hers. Nobody could take this pleasure from her that he was so freely giving. He rocked in and out of her, and the wetness of their lovemaking was making the most delicious and sensual sounds she’d ever heard.
“Mmm, yes,” she crooned as his hips bucked up against her in a perfect rhythm. He pulled himself from her and then plunged back inside, going even deeper.
“Do you like that, Gloria?” he asked, his breathing now ragged from his continued exertion in thrusting in and out of her skillfully. “Does Eddie make you feel like this?”
“I love it, Avery,” she replied, the pleasure dripping from her words. “Eddie doesn’t come close to this.”
“It will take time and patience for you to show him what you like, and what feels good. You do want to have relations with him in the future, don’t you? A wife needs to see to her husband’s needs. It’s in the Bible.”
He pulled from her again, and then slammed back inside, causing her to moan loudly. She wrapped her legs even tighter around his hips, not want him to back out of her again because his tip was hitting that spot deep within her that swelled in pleasure.
“Yes, Avery. I do want to see to Eddie’s needs. We want to have a baby together, but I’m not sure when we’ll be ready.”
He rotated his hips in a circular motion, and Gloria thrust her pelvis against him again and again as she was on the threshold of her climax.
Avery’s groans told her he was right there with her. Her mouth found his and they kissed amongst the moans of their mutual release. Once Avery stilled, she felt throbbing and wet release as he emptied his orgasm inside of her.
He shuddered when he finished, and immediately rolled off of her. She was still lost in the glow of her orgasm and wondered how he was able to recover so quickly. She made a mental note to see if he was the same way with Stella.
And then she quickly realized that her decision had been made. She would be there on Wednesday to observe their interaction firsthand. It was the only way she could continue to allow Avery to counsel her. She had to know that she was more responsive and pleasuring to him than the younger Stella Martin.
After cleaning up in the bathroom, Avery shrugged on his boxers, followed by his black trousers.
“So, please wait until I’ve been gone for at least five minutes before leaving the room. I will see you on Thursday, right?”
Gloria sat up and pulled the top sheet up to cover her naked breasts. “You will see me on Wednesday first. I’ve decided to take you up on your offer to let me witness.”
“I see,” he replied, now sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling up his dark socks. “That is a one-time only occurrence, Gloria. It is only for the purpose of assuaging any of your concerns, and if you feel as though you can’t deal with my counseling others, than I believe we should terminate our sessions. I cannot allow you to have misguided feelings or emotions involved in our work here.”
“I understand, Avery,” she said, grabbing the blouse he’d tossed on the bed. “What time shall I arrive?”
“No later than four forty-five,” he replied. “And don’t make me regret making this allowance for you, is that understood?”
“Yes,” she replied meekly. “Understood.”
Chapter 20
We’d been pigging out in the family room at Gina’s house, waiting for Rene to finally show after her date.
“I don’t get what she sees in Randy,” Robin said, grabbing another slice of pizza. “I mean shit, they have to go Dutch on most of their dates, and he even has a part-time job.”
“Why doesn’t he pay?” I asked, taking a bite of my slice of pizza.
“Duh,” Robin replied, giving me an eye roll as if I should have known the answer to that one, “it’s called spending most of your money on pot.”
“Yeah, he’s a stoner for sure,” Gina piped up, grabbing a cigarette from her purse and stepping outside of the sliding glass doors that led to the patio. She wasn’t allowed to smoke inside. My mother would have a fit if I smoked at all. Ever since she’d given it up for Avery, she preached to everyone else about the evils of smoking.
“Hey,” Gina said from outside, “is your mom helping Avery at the Bingo thing tonight?”
“No, I don’t think so. When I left the house to walk over here, she was in her nightgown, watching something on T.V. Avery was already gone.”
“My mother and father aren’t going,” Robin said, picking at her teeth. “Mom says Avery is trying to take revenue from Sacred Heart. They have Bingo once a month and he damn well knows it. He’s trying to steal their parishioners.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him,” I replied. “Anything that has to do with Avery or that church makes me want to puke.”
“Wow—that’s pretty strong coming from you,” Robin replied. “What’s the asshole done now?”
“He doesn’t have to do anything,” I replied, “I just can’t stand him, that’s all.”
“Well, all I can say is as far as Eddie and—”
“I don’t want to hear it again, Gina. Please?”
“Sorry,” she said, inhaling her cigarette on the patio. “Let’s change the subject.”
“Let’s do,” I replied.
The doorbell rang just then.
“It’s about damn time,” Robin said, getting up from the floor to answer the door.
Five minutes later, Rene was seated on the floor in Gina’s family room and I started opening the pile of gifts in front of me.
Gina bought me a kick-ass sweater that I absolutely loved. Rene gave me a bottle of Chanel N° 5, Robin gave me the record album I’d been wanting from a fairly new rock group, Van Halen, and a poster of the front man for the group, David Lee Roth.
“Oh my God,” I squealed. “He is so fucking far out I can’t believe it!”
“Dig on his hair,” Gina said, helping me unroll the poster.
“Dig on that bulge in the crotch,” Rene said, laughing and sticking her tongue out, flicking it.
“Ewww,” Robin chimed in, “you’ve done it with Randy, haven’t you?” she accused.
“It’s none of your damn business. Like I said before, I don’t screw and tell.”
“Whoa, what’s this?” Gina asked, scooting over to grab a handful of popcorn from the bowl on the coffee table. “Are we keeping secrets now?”
I had to laugh and give her a severe eye roll. “Come on Gina, who besides you has anything juicy to keep secret?”
“Now, now,” Rene piped up, “just because I don’t spill my secrets like Gina, doesn’t mean I haven’t experienced some of the same things.”
“Shut up,” Robin yelled, kicking her twin’s leg. “It’s all too gross so please, keep it to yourself.”
“Well, since Rene is closed mouth, let me fill y’all in on my recent escapades.”
“Are you trading your East Coast style for a southern drawl now?” I asked. “What’s up with the Y’ALL?”
“Cram it clown,” Gina said laughing. “Is nobody gonna ask me about my first date with Craig last night?”
“What all do you want to tell us?” Rene asked, giggling. “Do we get a blowjob by blowjob description?”
“Fuck you, twinsie,” Gina said, laughing. “Just for that, I’m not going to tell you a damn thing.”
“Aww,” I said, feigning disappointment, “just as we were all preparing to live our sex lives vicariously through you,” I remarked.
“And fuck you, too,” she said, flipping me off. “But, for the record? Yeah—there was no sex. I’m not a fucking ho for crying out loud bitches!”
We stayed up chatting, eating and, finally, Gina filled us in on her date with Craig. Apparently, she had behaved herself and, in fact, she seemed quite smitten with him. He had a job doing construction in Millersburg for now. He was clearly trying to clean his act up before enlisting, and was scheduled to take his GED in a few weeks.