I met his gaze as he let go and pulled away from me. I immediately felt empty and cold, and I pushed that feeling away as he rolled off the condom and discard it in the adjacent bathroom.
My gaze followed him as he dressed, and he turned to face me. “I'll go downstairs and get you some clothes.”
“Thank you,” I said softly as he walked away.
I felt exposed now that there was space between us. I stood up. I stood up and reached for the robe at the back of the door. Ivan returned just as I was wrapping it around my stomach. I grabbed my clothes from him and dash into the bathroom to change.
As I was removing my stockings, my hands tremble. What did I do? Doing with the same person twice is a major rule violation. It's only for one night. It has to be that way or else those pesky little strings will appear. They will bind you to the other person and...
I took a long, deep breath. Realistically, I knew my chances of ever seeing Ivan again were slim. I can tell Sheila that I was uneasy with his solo shooting style, and she will not book me with him again. And if I happen to see him on the street, I can just pretend I don't know him.
“Brenda? Are you okay?”
“Yep. Two seconds.” I pulled a hairband from the pocket of my jeans and gathered my hair into a ponytail before I opened the door. “What should I do with the underwear?”
“Give it to me. I’ll see it gets back to the right place tomorrow.”
“Okay.” I gave it to him.
What do I do now? It’s not like I can just say, “Well, thanks for the fvck. Bye!”
I stood by the door awkwardly as he packed away his camera. “Well, bye,” I said lamely.
Ivan looked up. “Do you need me to call you a cab?”
“No, I will drive, Thanks though.” I smiled and turned away.
“Hang on.” He crossed the room and pulled me into him, pressing his lips against mine. “One for the road,” he whispered with a smile.
I blinked at him and turned away without another word. Somehow, I made it down the stairs without running or falling, and I didn't breathe again until I was in my car.
I turned the radio up to drown out the mass of thoughts in my head as I drove away from the cottage, but it didn't work.
All I could think of is the way my lips are still tingling after his last kiss.
Easy breathing, easy stretching, calming thoughts. I haven’t done any yoga in a while, but the urge overcame me this morning to get out my mat and do it. A coping method I pull out when things get a little murky. When that addiction nudges at the back of my mind.We a
“I just… Where am I going to find anyone able to cater for us at short notice?”She groans and clicks at her laptop. “No, no, no!” She drops her head to the bar. “Why is this so hard for them to get right? Champagne and ivory are not the same color. The seat sashes ar
“I know him already,” I mumbled it out.Dayton tilted her head to the side, looking at me blankly. “Well, I suppose that will make everything easier. Maid of honor and best man. You guys have to get along.”
The problem with best friends is that they know everything about you. Dayton knows everything about me, about every last one of my rotting skeletons I keep locked away in a foolproof safe.But as she and Aaron discovered, skeletons don’t stay buried for long.
I turned and looked at her. Aaron was standing behind her, his hand on her back, staring at Ivan. Dayton’s eyes were flicking between us.“It’s fine,” I answered, grabbing my keys from the bar. “Let’s go before I change my mind.”He watched me the whole time. Like he’s a predator stalking his prey, his eyes were fixated on me. They follow my every move, studying me, evaluating me…memorizing me.It’s unnerving. But it’s not uncomfortable. It’s not a sinister look or even remotely bad. It’s casual. Intense, but casual. No different than the way you watch the characters move across the stage at the theater.If only there weren’t something…in his gaze that set off a herd of butterflies in my stomach so strong that I can barely eat a thing. Most of my dinner is pushed around my plate, untouched except for the gentle prodding of my fork.Aaron asked for the
“Oh, that parts. Still not believing you.” He released one of my wrists and dived his hand into my hair. “It came to my attention during dinner that you’re rather mouthy.”“I’m an independent woman. Being a sarcastic, mouthy bitch is an occupational hazard.”His laugh is low, and the way it shaked his body made his thigh rub against my core. I bite my lip again. Holy crap.“Ah, yes. The independent woman.” Ivan dropped his face and brushed a kiss against my jaw. “Vibrator and all.”My cheeks flushed. Why, oh why, did I have to mention the vibrator?He kissed his way down my jaw, his fingers flexing at both my wrist and the back of my head.“Ivan, get the fuck off of me.” Before I spontaneously combust because it’s getting damn hot out here.“Mouthy,” he whispered.He pressed his lips to mine before I could do anything about it,
Cake. There were cake everywhere. Every-fucking-where. Normal cake, Chocolate cake, Cheesecake, Red velvet cake, Ooh, Red velvet cake… yummy. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. We are in a bakery, after all, but just the sight of all the cake is making me feel a little sick. I haven’t tasted a thing yet, but I’d bet I’ll be ready to vomit pretty damn soon if the platter in front of me is anything to go by. I eyed it warily, and Dayton nudged me. “It’s just cake.” “It’s a lot of cake. I mean, how many different types of cake are there?” She looked around the bakery. “A lot, evidently.” “Why do we have to try them all?” I picked up a chocolate cake sample and looked at the label. “Chocolate fudge cake! Well, we both know what that tastes like.” She grabbed my wrist before I could put it down. “Brenda, humor me, please?” I turned my face toward her. “Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha.” She tried to put an annoyed look, but the twitch of her
I hanged my coat in the back room and relieved Jeanie of her shift. She waved goodbye with a thankful expression, and I knew instantly that Old Jack was in the bar.Old Jack, or Jack Brice, is one of the loveliest old men I’ve ever met. When he’s sober. When he’s had a few ales, he turns into a humorous old lad with a roving eye over all the bar girls.This happened on a regular basis, given that my boss was a bit of a pig who insisted on only having young people behind his bar. Young girls bring in the guys and young guys bring in the girls.Tonight, Jeanie had brought in Old Jack and kindly left him for me. And judging by the grin on his face, he’s not totally hammered. Yet.“Brenda,” he crooned my name like he’s a ‘country singer. I’ve heard on radio.“Jack.” I looked at him my best smile. “How are you this evening?”“Better for seeing you, darlin’.