Lunchtime Chronicles: Fire Roasted

by L. Loren

  “They may not be able to see all of your face, but the smile translates through your eyes, darling. All those years of watching ANTM and you didn’t learn to smize? Really?”

  She was right. If Tyra taught me anything it was smiling with my eyes was a great way to silently communicate. I tried to force a smile, but those eyes were burning a hole in my skin. Then I looked up and my knees dipped. I am not even kidding. Mama had to catch me. It was the man from my dreams. Gryphon Long was there and he was looking at me with fire in his eyes. He smiled at me and that was all it took. You couldn’t wipe the grin off my face. I was cheesing from ear to ear.

  “Pilar, get a hold of yourself. Stand up straight. How many times do I have to tell you? Now, I see a few people I need to speak to. Gotta make the rounds, you know. I want you to mingle. Don’t just stand here all alone. Go do what young people do at these things.”

  With that word of advice, Mama took off towards the ladies in her chess club. They were some of the most brilliant minds I have ever met, but they all seemed to succumb to the power of misogyny. All they could think about was men, marriage and how to get their daughters hitched. If they had sons, they conspired to set their children up on dates. It really was sad. With all that brain power, they could change the world, yet they chose to dumb themselves down.

  Before I could complete that thought, Mama had left, and Gryphon made his approach. He looked stunning in his standard black tux with a white shirt and black bowtie. Sexy was not strong enough to describe the man. He was magnanimous.

  “Hey there, Pia. How are you tonight?”

  “Hi!” Shit, that came out all high pitched. I cleared my throat and tried again. “Hi Gryphon. I’m much better than the last time you saw me. I never got a chance to say thank you for helping me. You saved my life.”

  “It comes with the job. I’m just glad I was able to help. I hate to think if you were trapped, and I wasn’t able to get to you in time. How are you feeling? I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come see you, but your mother wouldn’t allow any visitors.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know that. I wish she would have allowed you in. It would have been nice to see you. I am feeling much better. My injuries weren’t as bad as they could have been given the situation. I walked away with horrible scars from the fire.”

  “The scars aren’t important. As far as I can see, you are still as beautiful as you always were. At least you were able to walk away. Believe me, I have seen plenty of people who couldn’t.”

  “I really never thought about it like that. I guess I should stay positive and be thankful that I am still here.”

  “Well, I for one, am thankful for that. I’m also thankful for that dress, because let me tell you, Pia, you are wearing the hell out of that dress.”

  If I could turn red, I would be the same shade as my dress. The way Gryphon was looking at me gave me the confidence to be in that room with all my former friends. I say former because none of them had bothered to call or come by to check on me. Apparently, nobody wanted to be in the same room as the freak show. No one except maybe Gryphon.

  We chatted about things we had done in the time since we last saw each other. Gryphon was an amazing man.

  “So Gryph, how did you become a firefighter?”

  “After I graduated college, I realized the corporate world was not for me, so I called my parents and asked to come home. I moved back here and met back up with Doc. You remember him from school?”

  “Yeah, I do remember him. You guys were friends, right?”

  “Besides you, he was my only friend. Anyway, he was a firefighter and made it sound so badass. He convinced me that we would be like brothers on the team together. I thought about it. Did some research and decided to join him. I discovered I was pretty good at it and helping others made me happy.”

  “That is exactly why I went into hospital administration. I wanted to help people, but I had no desire to become a doctor or nurse. I love the job, but of course my mom hates it. She thinks I should stop working and live off my trust fund until I find a husband to take care of me.”

  He shook his head at me as I spilled my guts about my mom’s wishes for me. His green eyes gleamed with humor and his full lips tilted up into a smile. It was easy talking to Gryphon. It always had been. He made me feel powerful and desired. It had been a long while since I felt this good about myself.

  “And is that what you’re looking for? A husband to take care of you?”

  “Absolutely not. I have nothing against marriage, but I don’t subscribe to the idea that a man should take care of his woman while she has no career. Just sit at home popping out babies and planning parties like some of these ladies around town. It’s great if that’s what they want, but that lifestyle is not for me.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. I absolutely believe a woman should have a career if she wants one.”

  We were so caught up in our conversation that we almost missed the announcement for Gryph to head up on the stage to get ready for the auction. Good thing Sia was around to remind him.

  “Oh, Gryphon, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. It’s time for the auction. I need you up on the stage.”

  Sia wrapped her long fingers around Gryphon’s muscular arm and attempted to herd him toward the stage. He immediately extricated himself from her grip. He leaned down and whispered in my ear.

  “I have to go get sold to the highest bidder, but I want you to wait for me because I will be back. We’re not finished with our conversation. Promise me you’ll be here when I return.”

  I smiled up at him and nodded my head in agreement. “Okay, yeah. I promise.”

  The heated look he gave me ensured that I would do anything for that man. I watched as his tall frame strolled away from me. I couldn’t see his butt, however those thighs of his were undeniably thick. They were stretching out those tuxedo pants quite nicely. I already knew he had a lot of upper body strength from the way he carried me out of that burning car. I was looking forward to the day when I would see the entire package at once.

  “Don’t get your hopes up for that one. Every woman in this room is bidding on Gryphon tonight. You and your scarred face don’t stand a chance.”

  I had forgotten Sia was even standing there. I guess she had her hopes up that she would be the one winning the bid at auction. Her attempt to shade me went in one ear and out the other. If she wasn’t careful, she would get a taste of my foot and it would not be going in her ear. Besides, I saw how Gryph reacted to her touching him. He wanted no part of it. I was the one he asked to wait for him. Apparently, he didn’t mind disfigured faces.

  I walked away leaving Sia stewing in her own juices. I couldn’t care less if she was still talking. Whatever she was spewing from her nasty mouth was of no consequence to me. I decided to do a lap around the room. Several people passed me as I walked, most of them smiling. However there were a few rude assholes who stared at my burns.

  I ran across the table on the left side of the stage that held the silent auctions. It had never been my thing to bid openly on a man, not even for charity. However, the silent auctions were my jam. I saw one in particular that caught my eye and I placed a nice sized bid. Hopefully, I will win. I had plans for that prize that involved Gryphon and me.

  Eight

  Gryphon

  Standing on that damnable stage, I could see the entire room of posers. They made my skin crawl. The entire room, with one exception was full of fake people trying to impress each other with their money. It was like being on the outside of a snow globe watching the action right before you shake that shit up.

  The auction began and I couldn’t stand still. It was as if I had ants in my pants. I couldn’t care less about the auction itself. No, I was consumed with thoughts of Pia and I needed to get back to her as soon as possible. I had plans for that woman and they involved her coming out of the red dress.

  The first bachelor was up for bid and the women were going crazy. The man was a doctor
, so apparently, he was high value real estate. I heard shouting and screeching when the poor guy stepped onstage. The noise level elevated and I couldn’t resist laughing as two women got into a bidding war that turned physical. One woman pushed the other. That prompted that lady to grab the aggressor’s hair. It took ten minutes to pull those banshees apart. The room was a mess, but the funniest thing was neither of the women ended up winning the bid. What had I gotten myself into?

  My eyes sought out Pilar who was just as amused as I was. She stood near the back of the room surveying the craziness. Her eyes lit up when the MC called my name. Please let her bid on me so I can get off this stage and take her home.

  “Please welcome to the stage our resident hero. He’s a firefighter who blazes across the town to keep us all safe. Let’s make this one hot ladies. We’ll start the bidding at $500.”

  “$500!” Sia screamed.

  Oh, God! Please no. Come on Pilar. Outbid this woman. Don’t let me down, baby.

  “$550”

  I was relieved that someone else was bidding until I recognized the woman behind the mask. Eek! It was Mrs. Princeton, the resident cougar who loved to stalk the younger men in town. The woman had to be at least seventy. No way in hell. She was worse than Sia.

  “$600,” Sia countered.

  The two women went back and forth driving the bid up to over $3000. They were both stubborn, digging their heels in. They each had deep pockets so this could go on all night. In the meanwhile, I stood there like a beefy slab of meat sweating my ass off. Looking up, I made eye contact with Pilar. She was clearly amused, but she made no effort to get into the fight. Eventually, one woman gave up and I was sold for $8550. Not too shabby for a gruff firefighter from the wrong side of the tracks.

  You would have thought the devil was on my ass the way I hightailed it off that stage. No way was I going to let old Mrs. Princeton get her claws into me tonight. She could have her date that she paid for, but tonight was Pilar’s.

  I found her standing at the table where the silent auctions took place. It looked as if she was bidding on a vacation weekend. I walked up behind her and rested my hands on her hips. I pressed my body as close as I could get without being arrested for lude actions.

  “What are you bidding on?”

  “I heard about that new bed and breakfast up the mountain called Bohemian Outlaw. It sounds like a really nice place for a romantic weekend. I thought I would put my hat in the ring just in case I find someone to go with me.”

  “I hope you win. I doubt you’ll have a problem finding someone to go with you. In fact, I’m sure of it.”

  “Oh really? Well, looks like you have your hands full with your date from the auction.”

  “Speaking of which, why didn’t you save me. Pretty lady?”

  “There was no way I was getting in the was of Mrs. Princeton and her cub. That woman is scary.”

  We both began to laugh at her comment. She was right. When Mrs. Princeton was determined, it was like watching a soldier in action.

  “That may be true, but you didn’t even put in one bid. Why not?”

  “Gryphon, I don’t believe in paying for a man’s time and attention. If he’s interested, he will come to me.”

  “Well, here I am. Interested as hell. I’m all yours. Now what are you gonna do with me?”

  “I don’t know Mr. Long. What do you think I should do with you?”

  The time for talking was over. I couldn’t take it any longer. That red dress, her plump lips and the flirting all combined to flip a switch in my brain. I needed her right then and there. I had to find somewhere discreet to take what I wanted. That’s when I remembered a rumor from back in the day. People talked about a little alcove on the patio of the ballroom that allowed for a bit of privacy.

  Snagging her hand, I pulled Pilar out onto the patio. Thank goodness no one was out there. I guided Pilar to the little area where we would be safe from prying eyes. I was so relieved that it was empty. I needed to kiss those lips, but that damn mask was in the way. Reaching out tentatively, I touched the silver butterfly and looked her in the eyes.

  “Take this off. Let me see you.”

  “Gryphon.”

  “Don’t make me ask you again. Take it off, Pia.”

  She hesitated, but then did as I asked. Her hand reached for the back of the mask and untied the ribbon, while the other one held it in place. Slowly she lowered the mask and revealed herself to me. She was breathtaking. The burns were there, but they were in an intricate pattern that made her face very interesting. I couldn’t help myself. My lips crushed down to hers before I could think.

  Devouring her mouth was the only thing I could think of at the moment. It had been such a long time coming. Remembering the missed opportunity from when we were teens, I poured my entire heart into that kiss. Pilar’s moans only fueled my desire for her. I was overjoyed that she wanted this as much as I did. I deepened the kiss, and my body went ablaze. There was no controlling my fervor for this woman. I had waited a lifetime for this moment and refused to wait any longer. I had to feel her wrapped around me.

  My hands had a mind of their own. One caressed her breasts, while the other slid up her thick thigh. When my fingers brushed the heat between her legs, she jolted like I had shot her with a stun gun.

  “It’s been a while,” she whispered as if she was embarrassed.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll get you ready for me.”

  I dropped to my knees so I could worship the woman I have wanted my entire life. Opening that devilish spilt in her dress, I ducked my head under the material and slid her panties to the side. The first taste of heaven brought a tear to my eyes. My god, she was delicious. I had never tasted anything like it. Her flavor was unique and addicting. I lapped her core like a man desperate for more. Oh, who was I kidding? All I wanted was more of her.

  Licking and sucking on Pilar’s pussy was the best thing I had done in my life. The way she writhed and moaned on my face boosted my ego. She was a beautiful sight to see. I wish I could see all of her with her head back, mouth open and legs dangling over my shoulders. Fuck! I can only imagine the sight of that.

  I could tell she was close to her peak because she couldn’t be still. It was like she was chasing the damn thing. I decided to help her get there by reaching up to flick her clit with my fingers as I continued to fuck her with my tongue. That did the trick.

  “Oh fuck! Gryphon. That’s it right there. Yes! Oh, God, I’m coming.”

  She grabbed my head and began grinding her pussy all over my face as she offered me the best drink I had all night. My cock was straining to get out of my pants, so much so that it was painful. I stood and lifted Pilar up against the wall. She wrapped those gorgeous legs around my waist and kissed me with so much passion I almost spilled right there in my pants.

  “Fuck Pilar. I need to be inside you right now. Can I have you? All of you?”

  “Yes! God, yes. Fuck me Gryph. I’ve been waiting for this for so long.”

  Damn it! Those were the magic words. I near about ripped my zipper off my pants trying to free my throbbing hardness. It was all I could do to snag a condom form my wallet and sheath myself before entering my woman. I knew she would feel good, but I wasn’t prepared for the tightness that enveloped me. She was wet and snug and felt just like home. It was a place I never wanted to leave.

  I plunged as deep as I could go before pulling back. I had to close my eyes because the sensation was too much. Seeing her beautiful face in the throes of ecstasy was too much for me.

  “Pilar, you feel so fucking good, baby.”

  “Oh, Gryph!”

  Pilar panted out my name through a series of moans and it was the best sound on the world. I continued to pump in and out of her, unable to slow my pace. She seemed to love the pace because she kept coming on my dick. The way she was squeezing me I was amazed that I hadn’t emptied into her. I just couldn’t get enough of her. My desire to prolong our love making was strong, but I
remembered where we were. I didn’t want to take the chance that we would get caught. It wouldn’t matter to me, but I knew Pilar would be humiliated, especially with her mom in attendance.

  Lifting her, I took all her weight and bounced her up and down on my cock. The sensation was different at that angle, and she immediately began panting and grabbing for me shoulders. When she exploded this time, I came with her. My fucking legs gave out and we tumbled to the ground. I made sure she landed safely on my body.

  “Oh my fucking god! Woman you just about killed me. So fucking good.”

  Nine

  Pilar

  Jesus, take the wheel! How in the world did this man make me feel so damn good? My body was still convulsing from the many times he made me come. That last one when he was bouncing me on his dick, I thought I had died, and he revived me by giving me the most amazing orgasm of my life. I had waited over ten years for this and let me just say it was worth every agonizing second. There was no way I was letting this man get away from me. I can’t believe he saw my face and still wanted me so passionately.

  He helped me stand and then began licking me clean. No man had ever done that before and it was hot as hell. If his manhood gave even a twitch that it was ready for round two, he was in trouble. Before I got too worked up, he pulled away and smiled up at me. After planting a sweet kiss on my lady lips, he stood up, removed the condom and tied it off so the contents didn’t leak everywhere.

  “Here, use this.”

  I pulled a plastic bag from my purse that previously held snacks. It was not empty. I handed him the bag and a baby wipe from the pack I always kept handy in my purse.

  “Thanks. You came prepared for everything.”

  He chuckled as he turned his back to clean up before zipping up. While he was taking care of his business, I attempted to straighten my dress and look for the panties that had been removed without me even noticing. When I located them, they were torn. He smirked, grabbed the red rag, and tucked it into his pocket along with the bagged condom and wipe.