Tussle

by Jacob Chance

  “So why here tonight? I kinda figured we'd be out celebrating after the night you just had.” Wyatt props his feet up on the small table between us and sits back with his arms behind his head and a puzzled look on his face.

  “Guess I'm just in the mood to chill.” I try to sound genuine.

  “Yeah right, and my dick at rest isn't twelve inches long,” Wyatt blurts out.

  “I'm sorry. What did you say?” I turn back to face him, trying to process what he just said.

  “I figure if you're telling lies I can too.”

  “Lies?”

  “Well if you can say that guess I just wanna chill bullshit, then I can tell a few lies too.”

  “Twelve inches huh?” I ask sarcastically.

  “At rest.” He winks and shoots down the rest of his drink. “You don't even wanna know what the beast tops out at awake and ready to play.” He grabs his crotch and stands up. “Seriously bud, just go over and hang with her…ya pussy.” Wyatt walks off and disappears into the crowd of patrons near the bar.

  The moment he's gone I'm up and heading in her direction. My eyes lock on her heart shaped ass as every step propels me closer. The black jersey material of her dress hugs her curves like race car tires hug the asphalt at high speeds. Sliding behind her, my hands land on her hips, fingers closing around them. “It’s just me,” I soothe when she jerks with surprise. Her head turns over her left shoulder to make sure it really is me. I wink and squeeze her hips reassuringly. “Relax and have fun. I just want to dance with you.”

  She nods and faces forward once more, resuming her sexy as fuck dancing as if I’m not even there. If I thought she looked good from my seat at the table, then seeing this display of rhythm up close and personal is a fucking mind-blowing treat.

  Pressing my chest to her back, I edge closer. She’s twisted her hair up on top of her head and her long, elegant neck is exposed; she’s never looked more tempting. If things come full circle, then it’s only fitting our night should end where we began - with my lips on her body. Lowering my face, I breathe in the scent of her perfume and the salty sweat beading along the nape of her neck. It’s an intoxicating combination and I can’t stop myself from sucking the moisture from her golden skin. Her heated flesh smolders under my tongue and lips. Blowing on it, I soothe the area, before sucking the tender patch between my lips again. She moans, sinking her fingernails into the skin on the back of my wrists.

  “Come back to the hotel with me,” I urge, spinning her around in my arms. Her hands land on my chest, palms rubbing over my pecs as her large green eyes lock onto mine seeking answers only she has. There’s an emotional tug of war going on behind those expressive irises as she battles with herself. Should she or shouldn’t she say yes? I know what answer she wants to give, but will she let herself take a chance? Or will she toe the line?

  Caressing the back of my fingers down her cheek, I reassure, “It’s okay to say no. I’m not going anywhere, Lilah. I think we both know it would only be a no for now.”

  Her pink tongue peeks out to lick her lips before she presses them together. “Let’s go.”

  My eyes grow wide with surprise. I didn’t expect to hear those words. “Are you sure?”

  She smiles. “I am.”

  I catch her hand and raise it, pressing my lips to the smooth skin. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”

  Once we’re inside her room, my hands are on her, roaming along the subtle curves of her hips and around to squeeze her round cheeks in my palms. Capturing her lips with mine, I swallow the moan she exhales as my fingertips trace a teasing line down the middle of her ass. Her fingers rise to grip my hair as our tongues rub and twist, both of us ravenous for more. She grinds her pussy on my thigh while my fingers pluck at the tie on her dress. Once the bow comes undone the material peels open like the wrapping on a much-anticipated present. Tearing my lips from hers, I lose my breath when I realize the small tie was all that kept her clothed. Spreading both sides wide open, I groan as my gaze drinks her in. She’s wearing a sheer black bra with matching panties and thigh high stockings. Fuck me. Stockings are one of my weaknesses. The lacy bands around her thighs accentuate the lean muscles in her legs. I can’t wait to peel them off. “You’re fucking perfect.” I shake my head, caught in the wonderment of her unveiling.

  Cupping her tits in my hands, my thumbs flick over her taut nipples. She trembles and grips the top of my shoulders with her fingertips, nails digging in. My lips begin a downward journey from her neck to her collarbone and all the way into the snug dark V between her tits.

  Thump, thump, thump.

  My head raises as someone pounds on the door. “Are you expecting anyone?”

  “No.” Her voice is a husky whisper.

  “Good. Where was I?” I flash a quick grin and lower my face to the pillow like softness of her tits once again.

  Thump. Thump. Thump.

  “What the fuck?” I growl. “I’ll get rid of whoever it is.” Her hands draw the two sides of her dress closed, covering her naked perfection. My teeth grind together in anger as I stalk the handful of steps to the door. Tugging it open, I bark “what?”

  “Jesse, my man,” Keith, Lilah’s ex-boyfriend calls out with a grin. He holds his hand out and my good manners take over. Before I know it, I’m shaking this bastard’s hand instead of kicking his ass for interrupting us.

  “This is a surprise,” I state with obvious sarcasm, which Keith doesn’t seem to pick up on.

  “Yeah, it’s great, right?” He steps through the door and my head swings around to make sure Lilah is decent once more.

  “Lilah, look who’s here,” I call out and she steps around the corner from where the two queen beds are. Her eyes bulge with surprise and I’m instantly certain she knew nothing about Keith’s late-night visit.

  “Keith? What are you doing here?” She smiles hesitantly, walking toward him.

  Dropping his duffle bag, he pulls her into his arms. “I missed you and since we haven’t had a chance to talk, I thought I’d take a couple days off and surprise you.”

  My fingers clench, fisting at the sight of his hands on her. Jealousy assails me, and I don’t know what to do with this still foreign emotion, although I should be getting used to it by now.

  “Wow. I’m definitely surprised.” She leans back in the circle of his arms while the daggers I glare at him go unnoticed. He’s too busy drooling over her.

  Does this guy have a death wish?

  “Lilah, can I talk to you for a minute?” I jerk my head toward the door letting her know to follow me out of the hotel room. Their voices are muffled as I move down the hallway placing some distance between me and Keith. Lilah joins me seconds later. “I’m sorry,” she blurts out, panicked. “I had no idea he was coming.”

  Catching her hand with mine, I rub my thumb over her soft skin. “I know you didn’t. But what are you planning on doing now that he’s here?”

  “Well, there’s not much I can do tonight. He’s going to crash with me in the extra bed and tomorrow we’ll have to figure out the rest.”

  “The hell he is.”

  “What?”

  “He’s not staying in your room with you.”

  She tugs her hand free from my hold and crosses her arms over her chest. “Why not?”

  “Because he’s not.”

  “Jesse, you need to do better than that.”

  “Lilah, he’s a guy who wants you and he’s not staying in your room.”

  “Isn’t that my decision to make, not yours?”

  “Well, considering I just had my mouth on your tits, I like to think I have a stake in what happens.”

  “Just because you had your mouth ‘on my tits’ as you so eloquently put it, doesn’t mean you get to tell me what to do. They’re not your tits, they’re mine.”

  I can feel my pulse hammering in my temples. I drag a deep breath in my lungs and remind myself to calm down. I’m acting like a Neanderthal and she’s responding accordingly.
“Lilah,” I begin more calmly. “Would it be okay with you if Keith roomed with me instead? While I know you’re an adult and can make your own decisions, it would give me peace of mind to know that he’s not climbing into your bed in the middle of the night.”

  She giggles. “Are you for real? He’s not going to slip into my bed when I’m asleep. He respects me too much to do that.”

  “Sure he does.”

  “Would you sneak into my bed?”

  “You better fucking believe it. I wouldn’t do anything you wouldn't want me to, but I’d sure as hell make the most of it.”

  “Okay, if it makes you feel better you can have him stay with you. But you need to understand that I don’t want anything from Keith, aside from friendship. I’m going to take advantage of his impromptu visit to tell him my decision about moving to North Carolina.”

  “And what’s your answer going to be?” I step closer and tug her into my arms. My chest squeezes nervously. I’m confident in what she’s about to say, but there’s still a small chance she might surprise me.

  “I’m gonna tell him we’re great friends and that’s all we’ll ever be.”

  “What changed your mind? Last time we talked about him, you weren’t sure.”

  “Let’s just say I’m interested in someone else.”

  “He must be pretty special.”

  “Meh, he’s okay. He’s hot as fuck so there’s that.”

  “You think he’s hot?” I grin knowingly.

  “I do. I also think he’s a little too cocky and arrogant, but I can work on teaching him some humility. I’m a patient person.”

  “How do you plan on doing that? Haven’t you heard the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’?”

  “I’m pretty persuasive when I want to be.”

  “You won’t hear any argument from me. I’m pretty sure you could get me to do just about anything you wanted.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Lilah

  Three phone calls to Keith have gone unanswered this morning and now it’s approaching noon. I'm starting to wonder if Jesse killed him and disposed of his body sometime last night. I tried calling Jesse and he didn’t answer either. Maybe they’ve gone out to grab a bite to eat? There’s only one way to find out.

  My flip flops slap against the bottom of my feet all the way down the long hall. I couldn’t sneak up on anyone while wearing them. It only took a few keystrokes on my laptop to figure out which room Jesse is in. I’m privy to all information regarding our employees.

  I knock on the door and wait for Jesse to answer. Knuckles rapping again, I stand there patiently, but he still doesn’t come to the door. I can hear deep male voices and laughter; I know they’re inside. I kick the door with the ball of my foot this time and call out, “open the damn door.” My patience doesn’t last when I’m being ignored. That seems to do the trick because only seconds later I’m staring at a grinning Wyatt.

  “Lilah, would you like to come in?” He steps back, bowing gallantly and gesturing for me to enter. He shakes his shoulder length, blond hair out of his brown eyes and grins charmingly. I don’t know Wyatt well, but what I do know about him I like. He’s always polite and professional.

  I smile. “Thank you.” Moving into the room, the delicious aroma of pizza assaults my nose. My stomach growls in reply as I notice the large stack of boxes on the table by the windows. Jesse’s reclined back against the headboard on one bed with a slice of pizza on a paper plate in his lap and Keith is perched in a chair. Both have Xbox controllers in their hands and childlike grins on their faces.

  “Take that you little fucker,” Jesse yells as his thumbs pound the buttons on the controller.

  “Not so fast,” Keith replies, clicking rapid fire. Both so involved in the game, they don’t notice me standing there with my hands on my hips.

  “They’ve been playing for two hours straight.” Wyatt smirks.

  “What? Did they only take a break to order pizza?”

  “Nope, not even then. I ordered the pizzas.”

  I roll my eyes. “Boys and their toys.”

  “There’s a serious bromance blooming here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your boy, Keith, he’s infatuated with Jesse and surprisingly the big guy doesn’t seem to mind.”

  “Really?” This surprises me. Although, would any wrestler be upset about being idolized?

  He nods, and we turn toward the two of them. They’re focused solely on the game taking place on the enormous wall mounted television. “I bet I can get their attention pretty quick.”

  Wyatt chuckles. “This should be entertaining.”

  Four steps across the carpet place me directly in front of the television. “Lilah,” they both shout. “Move out of the way,” Keith groans.

  “Down in front, babe,” Jesse yells.

  Ignoring them both, I remain standing, blocking their view of the screen. Crossing my arms over my chest, I show them I mean business. One of them finally pauses the game and they both place the controllers down.

  “Keith, I was hoping you and I could get out of here for a bit and talk.”

  “Can I take a rain check on that? I’m kind of in the middle of something here.”

  My eyes sway over to Jesse and find his own filled with humor. “You want to keep playing your game?” I inquire, once again watching Keith.

  “Yeah. I want to hang with Jesse and Wyatt. They gave me tickets to the show tonight too.”

  “I was thinking maybe you and I should talk. Don’t you think that should take precedence over a video game?”

  “Actually, we’re all set.”

  “What do you mean we’re all set?”

  “Jesse and I talked last night, and he helped me see I’m too young to tie myself down to one woman.”

  I arch a brow at Jesse. “Oh, he did, huh? How selfless of him.” While I had no intention of being more than friends with Keith, I certainly don’t need Jesse Gunn handling my business for me. I’m a big fucking girl. “Maybe Jesse should stick to Jesse and let you worry about what’s right for you? How long are you in town for? Will I get to spend any time with you or are you replacing me with your new friends?” My voice oozes with sarcasm.

  Jesse chuckles. “Don’t be jealous, Lilah. We’ll let you hang with us.” He pats the mattress beside his hip, directing his most charming grin my way. “You can even have some pizza.”

  “How can I resist an invitation like that?” I move away from the tv and to both their credits they don’t restart their game immediately.

  Jesse raises his slice of pizza to my lips. “Want a bite?”

  I snatch it out of his grasp and take a large bite as I settle beside him on the bed. “Mm, don’t mind if I do. Thank you very much.”

  He leans toward me. “Are you ready to see what a video game master I am?”

  “I don’t know if I can handle that. First your history geek side and now this.”

  “It’s a lot to take in, I know,” he jests in a solemn tone as his warm breath wafts across my lips. We’re only a few inches away from each other - away from the possibility of a kiss. If we were alone in this room, I’d be dropping the pizza and pressing my mouth to his...but we’re not. Instead, I take another bite and chew while he watches. “Show me what you got, Gunn.”

  I spend the next two hours sitting next to Jesse on his bed, eating pizza while watching him and Keith battle it out. Wyatt got restless and left after the first hour, but somehow, I find Jesse playing video games oddly exciting. Maybe it’s the deft way his large masculine hands handle the controller or how his fingers dexterously pulse the buttons that has me feeling all kinds of hot and bothered. I can’t help but imagine them on parts of my body he’s yet to touch - parts of my body he should never touch. But... never is a long time and he’s wearing me down just by being so... him.

  Jesse, doesn’t have to do anything other than be himself to impress me. The more I see of the real man behind the stage
presence, the more attractive he becomes.

  “Duuude that was sick. It was epic, and I can’t believe I got to see it all close up. You’re the man, those seats were the best in the arena,” Keith rambles excitedly as we make our way inside the hotel. His happiness can’t be contained.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it, but the night’s not over yet,” Jesse says, taking my hand.

  What’s he doing? I tug to loosen his hold, but he squeezes as if to say forget about it. I’m not letting you go.

  What is he going to do with me?

  A shiver runs down my spine at the thought of some knee quaking options. The possibilities are endless, and I’ve wondered about most of them. I’m still imagining them now and as a result my stomach is a flurry of anticipation. As much as I’ve beat the ‘keep things professional horse,’ it wouldn’t take much prodding on his part to get me underneath him… in his bed… or against the wall. I’d be open to whatever position he wanted. My resistance tank is down to fumes.

  Jesse leads me into the hotel bar and Keith follows. We move toward the back, it’s an unspoken rule that we situate ourselves away from the main bar area. Wrestlers are larger than life and loud, and sometimes that can be an irritant for some patrons or a draw to start trouble for others. The guys do their best to start the night on the right foot; how it ends might be another story depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.

  Jesse pulls out my chair and I murmur, “thank you,” as I sink down onto the seat. He takes the empty one beside me and Keith settles in across from us. Jesse introduces him to all the wrestlers at the table and he smiles so wide I think his mouth might never return to normal.

  The conversation around us continues, everyone accepts Keith into their ranks and he’s eager to talk to them all. Drink orders are taken and before I know it I have a Corona in front of me.

  Jesse drapes his thick arm over the back of my chair, and his fingertips rub circles on my shoulder through the fabric of my blouse. Such a simple touch has me tingling from head to toe.