Bittersweet Deceit

by Blakely Bennett

  “They were delivered. Who’s MM?” Samantha said with an assessing look that reminded me of Jacqs.

  The multicolored, gerbera daisy bouquet filled a clear rounded vase. I plucked the envelope off the plastic holder and opened it.

  Lainie,

  I hope you’re feeling better.

  I need to see you tonight.

  Call me.

  MM

  A mix of conflicting emotions took hold. I wanted to see him and I loved the flowers. Gerbera daisies had always been my favorite. However, at that moment I was in an awkward position with Sam. She stared at me and I had no idea how to respond. Instead I said, “I have to make a call. I’ll be in the back.”

  I pulled in air and pushed it out with force. Be happy, I told myself. You’re going to have him in your bed tonight. At least for a little while, anyway. I dialed his number and held my breath as it rang through. No answer. I shook my head at myself and began to stand. The phone rang in my hand.

  “Hey, baby, I’ve been waiting for your call. I had to step out of the office.”

  “Hi, Mason. The flowers are gorgeous. Thank you.”

  “Not nearly as gorgeous as you. I have to have you in my arms ... under me ... right away. I’m getting hard just thinking about it.”

  When he said things like that a line of fire hit squarely on my clit. How could I fight against that? “You have a way with words.”

  “Just with you, love. Your condo at six?”

  “I have to close tonight. I can’t be there until—”

  “Have Samantha close.”

  “No, I can’t. She opened for me this morning and I’m not going to take her away from her daughter in the morning and at night.”

  He sighed. “I’ll meet you at your place at seven.”

  “I won’t be there until seven-thirty at the earliest. The store closes at seven.”

  “That won’t give us much time.” He sounded frustrated.

  “It’ll have to do.”

  “I miss you.”

  His declaration warmed my heart. “I miss you too.”

  “Are you feeling better?”

  “Much. Thanks for asking.”

  “I’m sorry yesterday was such a clusterfuck. I really wanted to be there with you.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “I know it’s not, but I promise to make it up to you.”

  “The flowers were a nice touch. I have no idea what to say to Sam about them.”

  “Secret admirer?”

  “I don’t feel comfortable lying to her or sharing the truth.” Stay crashed to the fore in my mind and I recalled what he’d said about lying. “I’ll sort it out.”

  “Baby?”

  “Yes?”

  “You know I love you, don’t you.”

  “Yes, Mason, I do.” I love you too, I said silently.

  “I have to get back in there. See you tonight.”

  “Okay.”

  Back out front, Sam had opened the box and started to hang up a very attractive beach maxi dress in black and white. The sleeveless top had broad horizontal strips and a little above the waist the stripes went vertical to the floor.

  “Oh, I hope that’s one of the dresses that come in my size,” I said as I approached.

  She sorted through the dresses she had hung and asked, “Extra large or 1X?”

  “I’ll start with the 1X. I want to make sure it’s long enough for me.”

  She handed it over and then said, “I’m not going to mess in your business, but from my experience if you have to keep a relationship hidden it’s not a good sign.”

  “Do you know this from experience?”

  “Too many of them.”

  “It’s still new.”

  “Is it?” It didn’t sound like she believed me and I didn’t know if I even believed myself.

  “I’m going to try this on.”

  “I’ll go check on the customers in the front and see if they’ve decided on anything.”

  “Thanks Sam.”

  She looked back at me, and then walked off.

  I went into the changing room and tried on the dress. When I came out, Sam stood back at the counter.

  “What do you think?” I asked as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. “Do you think it makes my hips look large?”

  She approached me and said, “Not at all. The vertical lines going down are very slimming. And it’s long enough.”

  My cell phone rang. I picked it up and saw a number I didn’t recognize. “Lainie Simmons speaking.”

  “Hi, Lane,” Stay said and I felt my heart start to race. “How are you feeling?”

  “Hey Stay. I’m feeling okay other than a little sleepy. You?” In my free hand, I fingered the bottom of my braid.

  “I’m feeling great. It’s hard to feel otherwise on such a beautiful day. How’s Sam doing?”

  “She seems fine and no worse for the wear.” I leaned against the checkout counter, trying to suppress my grin.

  Sam helped a new customer toward the front of the shop and sent me an inquisitive look.

  “I know I’ve already said this,” I said, “but I can’t tell you how much I appreciate last night.”

  “Of course you can. Give it shot.”

  It took me a second to realize what he had said, and then I laughed.

  “Glad to add some humor to your day. I wanted to let you know that the restaurant we’re going to tomorrow night is a bit upscale. I plan to bring a change of clothing for the concert.”

  “Thank you for checking in on me and letting me know.”

  “See you tomorrow?”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Me too.”

  “Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I saved Stay’s number into the phonebook on my cell.

  As soon as Sam made it back to me she asked, “MM?”

  I shook my head.

  “Oh really? Aren’t we the popular one?”

  “It was just Stay checking to see how we were doing.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Cut it out,” I said, shoving her shoulder.

  She stared down to where I touched her and then looked back up at me with a huge smile. “Should I call in lunch?”

  “No, Mexican food.”

  “Yeah, that’s off my list for a while too.”

  I let Samantha leave at four and had the shop to myself for most of the evening. After closing out the register and locking up, I picked up two chicken Caesar salads on the way home.

  Climbing up the stairs to my apartment, I found Mason sitting on the top step.

  “I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” I said.

  He held out his hand to me and I pulled him up. His lips immediately touched mine and I sighed against him. Once we broke apart from a steamy kiss he took the bag of food and held my hand as we walked to my place.

  “I like your hair like this,” he said. He let go of my hand and flipped the bottom of my braid.

  “Thank you.” I smiled. As I unlocked the door, I asked, “How’s the new client working out?”

  “He’s a stubborn one, but I’m used to dealing with that.”

  “How so?” I asked as I slipped my shoes off by the door and Mason followed suit.

  “He’s paying me big bucks to help get his business to the next level, but he thinks he’s the expert,” he said, placing the bag of food on the island. “I have to keep reminding him of why he called me in. CEO’s tend to be alpha men that don’t like to follow the ideas of others. I finally got his buy in to try a few of my suggestions. I guess we will see how it goes.”

  “That sounds frustrating.”

  “It’s better when they’re more desperate than he is.” He sat down on the edge of the couch and watched me pour him a glass of red wine.

  “How so?” I asked, coming around to hand him his drink.

  He took the glass and wrapped both arms around my waist, pulling me to him. Speaking against my stoma
ch he said, “They listen far better when they’re desperate and are open to new ideas.”

  “I see.” I took his head into my hands and closed my eyes. “Food first or—”

  “Bed, definitely.”

  “I should shower first.”

  “No way. I love your natural smell.” He placed the wine glass on the end table and pulled up on my blouse, unbuttoning it from the bottom. He stood to finish. The blouse fell open and he pushed it off my shoulders, letting fall to the ground. He unfastened my jeans and pulled them down around my full hips.

  I stepped on the bottom hem of the opposite leg of the pants and pulled one side off and then the other. Fortunately, I wore to work a matching set of a white, lace bra and panties.

  “Let’s get you in bed,” he said, tugging me along.

  I quickly picked up my shirt and jeans with my free hand, tossed them over the couch, and then followed him in. I turned my iPod station on and set it to my favorite list. Jericho by Weekend Players started to play.

  He hurriedly stripped off his clothes and had me lay down with my bra and underwear still on.

  “Damn, baby, you are a sight for sore eyes.” He climbed onto the bed, his cock already straining to fullness.

  Having a man like Mason being turned on by my body changed my perception of myself. How could it not? I no longer felt like hiding in the dark during sex. Missionary had always been the most comfortable position because my body lay covered under my partner. For once in my life, I didn’t feel like my lover sacrificed to be with me.

  He further illustrated this when he lowered his head and kissed my belly. “This is my favorite part,” he said, kissing me there again. “Other than your tight pussy, of course.”

  “Of course,” I said, joy infusing my words.

  I spread my arms out wide as he smelled and nipped his way up my body, finally tickling my neck with his wet kisses.

  “Stop squirming you silly woman.”

  “Then stop making me!” I laughed.

  “That’s the most wonderful sound in the world,” he said, just before he swallowed the chuckle with his kiss. With his body on top of me, his tongue wooed me as his hard cock swelled against my stomach. Using his arm to prop himself up, he stared down into my soul. “I live for the time I get to spend with you, Lainie. I wish it could be every day.”

  “So do I,” I said and I meant it. I dreamt about it constantly, what it might be like if we lived together.

  Mason rolled to the side and trailed his hand down my neck, just like he described on the phone. He loved to tease me while I still wore my bra and panties. He pulled on the strap, fingered the side of the bra, slipping in but not yet touching my nipple. Then he brushed over it, the cloth separating the heat of his hand from my skin. My nipples became erect as he played, which also sent a throbbing to my pussy. He loved when my wetness saturated my bottoms, knowing how badly I craved his penetration.

  Oh Home by Cathy Battistessa swirled around us, wrapping us in sensual music.

  Through the bra, he clasped my right nipple, rubbing and twisting until my tiny bud stuck out, yearning for his warm, wet mouth. He gave the other side the same treatment, just before he lowered the straps and gifted me with his kisses between my cleavage.

  “Oh, you smell so good,” he moaned. He licked his way around my areola and I strained up, wanting, needing him to suck my tit into his mouth. He knew what I wanted, but made me wait. He slowly pulled the straps down my arms and lowered the cups of the bra. His eyes met mine, just before he lowered his mouth and sucked on my nipple.

  “Ohhh,” I moaned, my hips rising up.

  “Not yet,” he said, breathing out against my reddened peak. He moved to the other side, flicking his tongue and tugging and sucking with his mouth just hard enough to make me yelp.

  It felt so damn good.

  As he continued to draw me into his mouth, his hand tracked down my belly, his fingers teasing the elastic waist of my panties. Then he strayed down the side between my thighs, keeping my right nipple in a constant state of arousal.

  My hips bucked beyond my control. So turned on, my clit poked out for attention from under cover.

  On the side of my panties the tip of his finger found its way under the elastic, and discovered just what he hoped: a pool of wetness. “Damn, Lainie.” His cock twitched against my leg. Two fingers wiggled their way toward my labia, dipping into my natural juices. He groaned and that turned me on even more.

  By that point, all I wanted was his cock deep in me.

  He apparently felt the same. He removed his hand and unexpectedly flipped me on top of him.

  I couldn’t wait any longer. Not taking the time to rid myself of my panties, I pulled them to the side, and positioned my cleft above Mason’s mushroom headed cock.

  He took hold of my hips and lowered me down onto him.

  Nothing in my life ever felt better. Down I sunk until he filled me not just with his cock, but his love too. His eyes told me there was no other place he’d rather be. All the disappointments washed away in the pleasure of our coupling.

  We moved in unison, first slowly as I rocked my hips back and forth. I spread my legs wider, hitching my hips forward and gliding in a circular motion.

  “Oh, baby, that feels so good.” He relinquished his hold on my waist and tugged on my nipples.

  I arched my back as he thrust into me from below. My braid swung back and forth as we increased the pace, crashing into each other in our frantic pursuit to merge our bodies. I no longer heard the music playing, so lost in love. The place we occupied together felt transcendent. Back and forth we danced to our own song.

  “Mason,” I whispered just before my climax fired. In the ecstasy of our love making, all the problems in our relationship no longer existed. “Ahhh,” I cried out, tears pooling in my eyes from the intensity. I dropped my upper body against him as my pussy continued to squeeze against his cock.

  He wrapped his arms around my back and waited for me to recover.

  The music flowed back into my consciousness and I laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “The song. It’s by Texas called Inner Smile. It just seems very appropriate.”

  We listened to the words for a bit and then he smiled up to me. “You are totally right. Ready to go again?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Good girl.” He took the tie off the bottom of my braid and slowly unfurled my hair as he sensuously pulsed his hips under me.

  “So good,” I moaned.

  He held me against him, with one arm wrapped around my back, perspiration building between us. With his other hand he gathered my hair in his fist and raised my head up to him. I felt captured and controlled in such a delicious way. We kissed deeply as he sashayed under me, holding on tight.

  His erection grew thicker and harder and I knew it wouldn’t be much longer. “How close,” he muttered.

  “Take me.”

  He groaned into my mouth and I grunted back as we climaxed together.

  Breathing heavily, we lay in each other’s arms, gazing at each other.

  “That was amazing,” he said, running his fingers through my hair.

  “Beyond,” I said, snuggling against his neck. I started to doze and he shook me awake.

  “I don’t have much more time.”

  My eyes blinked rapidly. “Shall we eat?” I asked.

  “I really should get going soon. Let’s dress and talk for a bit.”

  “Okay,” I said lazily. Pushing myself up, I stood and retrieved my clothes from the living room. I walked to the bathroom and deposited them into the laundry basket along with my bra and underwear. After using the toilet, I threw my robe around me and waited for Mason on the couch.

  He looked a bit sad when he settled next to me. “I hate to leave you, especially knowing you’re going out tomorrow night. I would like to see you on Saturday.” He paused for a moment and then said, “Will you be available?”

  “I wo
uld love to. What time are you thinking?”

  “I usually tee off at nine. Are you sure you’ll be home.”

  “Of course I will be, where else would I be.”

  He tilted his head down and looked up at me through his pale eyelashes.

  I got the gist. I shrugged my shoulders.

  “I have a new game in mind.”

  “Oh?”

  “Bra, garters, stockings, and a trench coat. Along with the highest heels you have. All black.”

  “Trench coat in black too? I have a gray one.”

  “That’s perfect. I really need to go. I don’t want to give Victoria a reason to give me a hard time about golfing Saturday.” He pulled me onto his lap and hugged me close. He kissed my head and rocked me. “Thank you for tonight. I really needed it.”

  “Me too,” I said and stood up.

  “Love you babe.”

  “See you Saturday.”

  He kissed me briefly and then left.

  My heart sunk as it always did when he closed the door. I shook it off and went into the kitchen. I transferred my salad into a bowl and place the other in the refrigerator. Taking water and my food, I sat down in front of the TV and watched The Big Bang Theory while I ate.

  I cleaned up the kitchen and swept by the front door. Even though people took their shoes off, dirt still managed to be tracked in. In the bathroom, I got ready for bed.

  Exhaustion had set in, but my mind continued to race. In bed, I pulled my journal onto my lap and clicked my pen.

  Mason seemed different tonight. The sex was otherworldly and we were more connected than ever, but it was almost as if he is afraid of losing me. Saturday will be the fourth time in a week that I’ll be seeing him, and that has never happened before. I am lucky if I get to see him twice a week and when he travels even less.

  I don’t even know what to write about Stay. He seems like a good guy but I’m not interested in the push and pull Jacqs put herself through being sandwiched between two men. It was painful just to watch it from the sidelines. I sure hope Bond isn’t back to his usual ways or if he is, he is upfront and allows Jacqs to be free. She and Red seem to be the perfect couple and I could see her marrying and having a family once Bond lets go.