Matched

by S. E. Lund

  "Men, right?" Marina shovels some popcorn into her mouth. "Can’t live with them. Can't live without them."

  "You do," I say and sit back, wondering what Jon will say about Blaine being back in town and that he wanted to see me.

  I'm horrified that Jon will be in Washington thinking of me being alone with Blaine. That's the last thing I want. I don't want Jon to even imagine I'm interested in Blaine. For a while after Blaine left, I was sad that things didn’t work out. Jon used to give me pep talks –most of them about how I was better off without Blaine and that he was a first-class jerk who didn’t realize what a gem he’d had in me.

  I set my alarm on my cell for nine forty-five so I can remember to call Jon and let him know that I'm not alone. We'll have to put off doing a Facetime sex session until another night. I hope he's not too upset. I know he's looking forward to it.

  Marina and I watch a movie on Netflix and I almost forget about the time. Luckily, my cell chimes to notify me of an upcoming event and so I excuse myself and go to the bathroom. I have to be careful not to alert Marina that I'm texting Jon.

  I hate the deception. One of these days, when I feel more secure about Jon and my relationship, I will tell her. But right now?

  I'm trying to avoid confrontation.

  I slip to the bathroom and take my cell with me, having tucked it into my hoodie pocket. Once I'm alone with the door closed, I take out my cell and open Facetime.

  Jon comes on the screen. I can see his hotel room in the background – the typical art above his bed, the headboard and the row of throw pillows. He's sitting on the end and smiles when he sees me.

  "There you are," he says. His expression is unreadable. Not happy, but not angry.

  "I can't talk now," I say in a half-whisper. "Marina's over."

  "Hmm…" he says, and raises his eyebrows. "Marina?"

  "Yeah. She invited herself over and brought popcorn and Twizzlers. I guess she felt bad about me being all alone on a Saturday night."

  "She texted me something about Blaine being in town. What's up?"

  I shrug. "Nothing. He's in town to open an office in San Francisco. He popped by earlier. He left and now Marina's here."

  "Are you okay?"

  "I'm fine. Look, I'm sorry about this but I better go. Marina will wonder what's taking me so long."

  Jon frowns. "Are you sure everything's okay? You’re not having second thoughts, are you?"

  I shake my head. "Why would you think that?"

  "Well, you did ask Chris about cashing in your shares, and Blaine is back so..."

  "No," I reply, trying not to raise my voice. "It's just I don't want a confrontation with Marina to top off a rather bad day overall."

  "Okay. I'll hit the sack earlier than I planned. Maybe we can do some Facetime fun tomorrow night." Then his eyes brighten. "Send me a pic of your tits and pussy. I'll choke the chicken while looking at you."

  "Jon!"

  "Do it now. While I watch. Show me your stuff, babe."

  I take in a deep breath and then lift my pajama top and show him my breasts. I hear a soft groan and I close my eyes, embarrassed to be doing this.

  "Now your pussy," he says and I can hear the desire in his voice.

  "I can't believe I'm doing this," I mutter and stand up, pulling down my pajama bottoms and holding the cell low enough so he can see.

  "Spread yourself for me," comes his voice.

  "Jon!"

  "Do it," he commands. "I want to see your clit."

  I do, cringing but smiling at the same time.

  "That's it, Jon. Call me tomorrow night. I'll make a point of staying home all evening. Alone." I raise my eyebrows meaningfully.

  "Deal. Talk later," he says and then blows me a kiss. I blow one back and then our call ends. I imagine him leaning back and taking his erection in hand, beating off – choking the chicken – while he looks at our video feed.

  I adjust my pajamas and take in a deep breath, running the water to fake Marina out. When I finally get back to the living room, Marina shoots me a glare over her bucket of popcorn.

  "What happened? I was going to send in a search and rescue team."

  "My stomach's a bit off," I say, and, as much as I want the popcorn, I push the bucket away to stay in character. "I'll just have a few Twizzlers."

  She turns back to the screen and together, we spend the next couple of hours watching Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

  Don't ask me why. It was Marina's pick.

  Chapter 20

  JON

  I sit on the edge of my bed, hand pumping my cock, and replay India's video feed. I stop it so I can look at her spread pussy while I finish, groaning while I spill, wishing I was buried deep in her body instead of in my hand.

  I recover, clean up all the evidence of my solitary confinement, and then lie back on the bed and watch some late news before I turn off the flat screen.

  When I finally can't keep my eyes open, I switch the TV off and lie in the darkness, wondering what India's doing and expecting that Marina will be staying until at least three o'clock my time. I have to get up early and meet Chris for a run before the final session at the convention. Otherwise, I might consider calling her back once I think she's alone.

  Instead, I fall asleep soon after the light goes out and wake up to my alarm.

  When I do finally open my eyes, the sun is streaming in from the cracks between the curtains and I can see motes of dust floating in the air. I roll over and wonder what India's doing now.

  When Marina texted me to ask if I was coming to the party, I was shocked to learn that Blaine was back in town.

  I read over our texts from earlier.

  MARINA: Why would he locate an office in San Francisco of all cities? It must be because of India. I think he still has a thing for her and realized it after being separated from her this past year.

  JON: Or it might be because he wants access to Silicon Valley's finest techies?

  MARINA: I have it on good authority that the first thing he did was go to Pacifica's office to see India. I think she was the reason he came back. I think he's going to make a play for her.

  JON: Well, he broke her heart so I don’t think she'll take him back.

  MARINA: That was her choice. She could have gone with him, but she didn't because she knew he couldn’t commit to the relationship. She didn't want to go all the way across the country with a man who couldn't say the word, let alone commit to it.

  JON: Exclusive?

  MARINA: Yep. It's India's bottom line with men. Exclusive or nothing. I had a great choice for her tonight but she turned it down. I wonder if she wasn't hoping to hook up with Blaine again and that's why she turned her MATCHED date down.

  JON: Maybe she thought your latest match was a wash. Like the other three…

  MARINA: Maybe she's hoping Blaine will see the light this time. To come all the way back to San Francisco to open an office to be closer to her… That's a pretty big commitment.

  JON: You’re reading too much into it. There's no proof he came back because of her.

  MARINA: There's more proof that he did.

  JON: Whatever. I gotta go. Meeting some colleagues for drinks. Later.

  MARINA: Have fun with your buds. I'm sure India is having fun with Blaine. He said he was going over to her place for a visit.

  JON: He's going to India's place?

  MARINA: Yeah, he said that's where he's going now.

  JON: Okay. Talk later.

  MARINA: Later.

  I don't want to think Blaine returned to San Francisco because of India. If she truly isn't over him, she might be tempted to think things could work out between them. Marina seems pretty convinced that Blaine wants her back.

  The bastard...

  I sit in my chair at the desk in my hotel room and debate with myself whether to stay in Washington for the rest of the day and return home tomorrow as planned, or whether I should just catch the next flight out. Being out here while Blaine is t
here with India is going to drive me crazy.

  I check out the available flights to San Francisco and decide to pack up and go back today. I know I wouldn't enjoy myself, thinking of India and not being able to be with her. It's probably stupid of me, but it's taken years for the two of us to get together. I don’t want to blow it by playing paintball with some old Army buddies I haven't seen for years when I should be with India.

  I send a text to my buds indicating there's a personal emergency back in San Francisco that I have to deal with and I have to take a raincheck on the day. They send their regrets and hope that everything works out, without asking for any details. They'll have a great time without me anyway.

  I quickly pack up and take an Uber to Dulles airport, go to the ticket counter at Virgin to get my ticket changed. I'm able to get a first-class ticket to San Francisco. There's a non-stop flight leaving in an hour so I'm good to go.

  I sit in the lounge and wait for my flight, reading some news headlines and eating breakfast while I wait for my flight.

  When it's just about time to leave, I send India a text, just to check in.

  JON: Hey, how are you today?

  There's no response and so I figure she's in the bathroom or maybe still asleep. It's only six a.m. back in San Francisco. While she's an early riser like me, she probably stayed up late last night with Marina watching movies.

  I give up waiting and collect my bags and head to the departure gate when our flight is announced. I'm one of the first people on the flight and get set up in my seat, which is nice, a window seat. There's a screen and remote, plus ports for computers and phone charging. I'll be able to focus on work for five hours straight and keep my mind off India and what's happening with Blaine, and hopefully get up to speed on a few projects Pacifica's working on.

  I don’t get a text from India during the flight and wonder what's up. The time passes slowly, but finally, our flight lands and we disembark and I catch a taxi to Pacifica's offices. It's now almost one o'clock and when I climb the stairs to the office, I expect to find someone there, but it’s not who I expected.

  India and Blaine are in her office. The door's open, so it's not like they were trying to hide or anything, but I get a total shock to see him there, standing in front of her desk. She's sitting behind it, her laptop open.

  When she sees me, she looks totally shocked. Of course, I didn't text her to let her know. I felt a bit stupid for coming back early because of my concerns.

  "Jon," she says, frowning. "You're here."

  "I am," I say and lean into her office, giving Blaine a nod when what I'd really like to do is punch his lights out. "I came back early. We've got that meeting on Tuesday with Baker and his group. I wanted to make sure I was prepared."

  She nods, but the expression on her face suggests she doesn't believe my story, which I made up on the spot. I'm totally prepared for our meeting with Baker and his group. I've been ready for two weeks and India knows it.

  "Hey, Blaine," I say and nod again in his direction. "What brings you to San Francisco?"

  "Setting up an office just down the block, actually. I missed San Francisco."

  "Are you moving back?"

  He shakes his head. "Part time. I'll spend half my time here, half in Manhattan until things get set up."

  "Cool. Good to see you." I point down the hall. " I got some work to do." I raise my eyebrows at India. "Come to my office when you’re free."

  She nods and then turns to Blaine. "Blaine was just leaving."

  "Don't leave on my account, if you two want to catch up." I don't mean it, of course, but I want to appear charitable even if I want to kick his ass down the stairs and out of the building.

  Then I walk across the hall to my office and put my things down, then sit behind my desk, opening my laptop so I at least appear to be working. In the corner of my eye, I keep track of India's office and see her stand up and talk to Blaine. He stands close to her, his arms folded, and talks to her. She's standing with a frown on her face and I wonder if she’s mad that I've turned up unexpectedly.

  Was she planning on getting some afternoon delight with Blaine in the office? There's no one else here, so they could have been fucking like bunnies. She didn’t expect me to show up – that's for sure.

  Something like jealousy roils in my stomach. It's the first time I felt like this since… since the night at the convention when Marina invited a date to our team function.

  I'm jealous.

  I hate the idea that India might consider getting back with Blaine.

  I want her to myself. All of her for me and me alone.

  I don't want to even think about her with someone else.

  Finally, Blaine leaves and India comes into my office. I remain seated behind my desk and let her lead the way.

  "So, why are you back?" she asks and sits at the chair across from me.

  "Disappointed?" I can’t help but say, my tone a bit too acid.

  "Why would you say that?" She frowns, crossing her arms.

  "Well, you and Blaine were…"

  "We were what?"

  "Alone in the office. On a Sunday. With me out of town…"

  She stands and I wonder if I've gone too far.

  "Are you insinuating that there's anything happening between Blaine and me?"

  "Not insinuating. Asking."

  "There's nothing between us except ill-will on my part and arrogant assumption on his."

  That makes me feel better. It also makes me feel like a bit of a heel.

  I lean back, exhaling, not realizing that I was holding my breath and was so tense.

  "So, you're not happy to see him?"

  She shakes her head. "Not even a bit. In case you forgot, he left me."

  "He asked you to come."

  "As a business partner. And a fuckbuddy. Nothing more. It wasn't good enough for me."

  I nod. I already knew that. I wanted to hear her say it.

  "I came back because I was worried that you were getting back with him."

  "What on Earth gave you that idea?"

  "Marina said—"

  "What did Marina say?"

  I take in a deep breath. "Marina said that she thought Blaine realized what he lost when he left you. I figured if you still felt the same way about him, you might want to get back together with him."

  "You figured wrong. I despise him."

  I get up from behind my desk and go over to where she's standing, clearly upset that I would consider the idea.

  "I'm sorry. I felt insecure because you asked Chris about cashing in. Then Blaine shows up and I was worried that you were planning on leaving Pacifica and going with him instead."

  She sighs audibly. "I wanted to know what would happen if we did this thing and it ended badly. That's all."

  "It's not going to end badly, India. This is what both of us have wanted for years."

  She frowns, so I pull her against me, my arms around her waist. She rests her hands on my chest and looks up into my eyes.

  "Is this what you've wanted all these years?" she asks, her voice soft.

  "It is. I just didn't know it. I didn’t know if it was possible. I always wanted you. But I wanted Pacifica to succeed and I was afraid that if I pushed you, you and I would end badly and both the relationship and the business would suffer. Now, I'm not worried anymore. We've known each other for five years, India. I feel like I know your mind."

  "And yet you worried that I might get back with Blaine?"

  "That's just natural male jealousy."

  She shakes her head and plays with my collar. "I don’t want Blaine. He couldn't commit to me but he expected me to be his fuckbuddy and business partner and upend my life for him and his business plans." She looks into my eyes. "I'm willing to give you and us a chance. I've already given my all to Pacifica."

  "You have. We've both given our all to Pacifica. The thought of losing you to Blaine—"

  "Was a fantasy all of your own concocting."

 
"And Marina's doing," I say. "The thought of losing you to Blaine made me realize that I couldn’t stand it. I want you, India. I've wanted you for years. I'm sorry I've been such a dick and have never told you how much. And I'm not going to make the same mistake that Blaine did and not commit to you."

  I bend down and kiss her, and the kiss is passionate from the start and only gets more intense.

  My body responds to the feel of hers against me, the soft mounds of her breasts, her belly and her buttocks beneath my hands.

  I break the kiss, because I have more to say.

  "I know I've been hesitant to say the word ‘exclusive,’ but I'm not any longer. I realize I don’t want you to look at anyone else, be with anyone else, or even think of anyone else. I want you and you alone. I love you. I want us to be exclusive."

  She smiles, and there's moisture in her eyes. "I love you."

  We kiss again, her arms slipping around my neck. I feel a swell of emotion, realizing that this is what I really wanted all along, but didn’t want her to say no to me. If we did nothing, and just kept imagining being with each other, what we have wouldn’t be put to the test.

  Now, we're willing to put it to the test and I know what I want – I want it to work. More than anything.

  If she needs me to say the word, I can say it with no hesitation.

  We break our kiss and she pulls out of my arms, and I'm surprised, but I wait for whatever it is she's going to do. She goes to the door and closes it then turns the lock.

  When she comes back to me, my body is ready for her, and I know what she wants by the expression in her eyes.

  She wants me and I want her.

  Of course, it's at that moment that India's cell rings. It's in the pocket of her hoodie and she pulls away from me and groans when she pulls it out and checks the caller ID.

  "Marina," she says, her voice exasperated.

  "Man, she has the absolute worst timing."

  "Should I answer it?" she asks, holding the phone to show me.

  "Go ahead, answer her. That way we can get back to our regularly scheduled programming."

  India grins. "I was thinking what's happening is more like a special Breaking News report. India and Jon love each other."