He watched her sputter as her mouth turned into a mulish angle. Even still, she moved her queen forward, leaving him two moves from check.
"Yes, and what about it?"
"It just boggles the mind, you are smart and sexy. Why hasn't some lucky slob snapped you up?"
"Riordan, most men don't want a fat virgin, really a fat anything."
"That doesn't matter, there are men out there who have no problem with a little extra."
"I hate to burst your bubble, but I had more than a little extra and not many men interested in it."
"So, there are some very sexy plus sized ladies. I've met my fair share of them. Believe me when I say, confidence means a lot. Few men will see a woman if she doesn't have an air of self-assurance. It’s almost a perfume that a draws the eye."
Jennifer believed him, the look in his eye telling her the truth of it.
"Okay, I will give you that, but I didn't make for an attractive big girl."
"Why not? You are lovely and not just on the outside. There is much more to somebody than what they look like. Think about it this way, would you want to be with someone who would leave you if the worst happened? If you ended up with cancer, or in a terrible accident? No one is guaranteed tomorrow, not me or you. Let alone that we will always be beautiful, as everyone gets old eventually. I'd much rather enjoy having a good woman by my side that would love me through thick and thin, and not this." He used both hands to point towards himself. "Wouldn't you?"
Jennifer had to see he was right. Any man who cared more about her looks than her was not someone she should give the time of day to, let alone her virtue. Only took a moment, but Riordan saw she understood what he meant when she nodded in agreement.
Since she was able to give him the point in their verbal match, he could be generous enough to give her the victory on the physical battlefield. He decided to be graceful about the loss, admitted he was bested by laid his king on its side and conceded the victory to his opponent. Jennifer smiled then squealed when Riordan slid the board away from them. Several pawns slid across the carpet and landed in front of the left over china, tinkled chimes against the platters before the marble clinked to a halt.
Riordan looked at Jennifer and asked without words for her mouth. She gave it, leaning closer and closer still, until her lips were flush against his hungry mouth as he sought out all of her. His tongue dueled along hers where their mingled flesh darted and tasted. He found her delicious as always and grunted slightly. Jennifer squirmed enough to the point she fitted her hips to his naturally. His erection dug into her thigh only scant inches away from pressing against her mound.
He knew she was dangerously wet from the heat that radiated from her and she multiplied his desire with each pass of his tongue over hers. Even with the need that sizzled between them, the kiss grew languid with steamy hot puffs of breath to mark time and a slow burn of desire to keep their lust at a simmer. The only thing he was able to do was fist his hands in her hair and all she was good for was to echo his need back into his waiting mouth. The lusty groans she made were eaten with delight when Riordan reined in his desire and ended their lavish licks over the seam of lips. Moments later, he pulled back and kissed her chastely against her expectant pout.
Long minutes later, he still gazed into her eyes, the molten chocolate pools attempted to pull him back for another kiss. She still panted between each hitched breath and mewled sounds of need when the front door opened and banged shut.
Jennifer: GNL
"Hey girl, I'm here!" Oh my god, Jen thought.
It was her best friend. Jennifer heard Tresha’s keys hit the table in the hall with a jumble of clacks and clinks just as she bounced upright. Riordan was left in the dust, one moment he held a soft woman and in the next thin air.
"Sorry I'm..." The words droned off as the newcomer apparently strode into sight of the intimate scene she disturbed.
Jennifer had completely forgotten tonight was supposed to be a girls night lite. Privately termed GNL, it was an evening spent drinking top-shelf liquor and watching a movie, always midweek. Hence the lite. Usually it was once a month and just a gab session with her, Tresha, and some random movie. The details varied. Sometimes they watched a D-list horror flick or other nights, a sappy two-tissue box romance. Depending on the season, drink options changed, as they would serve eggnog in December or Tequila with lime for Cinco de Mayo. The only constant was it was just the two of them as it had been for the last ten years.
Tresha was a plain Jane, but made up for it with her smile, which transformed an ordinary face into a woman worthy of another look. Bright and wide, Tresha's smile now eclipsed the sun as she digested the view before her. She was GNL approved, wearing a pair of grey cotton leggings, and an off shoulder purple tee shirt. The look on her face was priceless, a look of stunned stupor that quickly turned into a mischievous grin. So it was no surprise that Tresha was shocked, her best friend deserved the moment. But her home-girl was a trooper and walked over to the man who just peeled himself off the floor nonchalantly.
"Hi, since my best friend Jen has lost her mind, I mean manners, my name is Tresha Barnes."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Riordan Jamison." He stuck his hand out, offering it in greeting, and the beaming woman accepted.
"Sorry Tresha, I forgot it was GNL."
"That’s okay, I had something else I needed to do anyway." Apparently, Tresha wanted her friend to pick up from where she had interrupted them. And she was even willing to leave their girl’s night to ensure it.
"No don't go, we just finished eating and you made that long drive up here. Just let me grab the drinks." Tresha lived with her grandmother, took care of the aging woman as she was unable to care for herself. Her grandmother lived quite a while away just outside Burgaw, North Carolina. There was no way she could in good conscious allow her friend make the long trip here in vain, not for a man.
Jennifer had already packed the remaining food into Tupperware earlier and he put the handful of tubs in the fridge. Tresha tried to be as inconspicuous as possible, tucked away on the couch. She pretended to ponder which of the rental DVD's to pop in the player, but Jen could tell she was keeping an ear out.
"Jennifer, I'm going to call it a night. You can call me later if you aren't busy." Riordan fitted their mouths together one more time in the privacy of the kitchen and the hunger of his kiss spoke for him. Jennifer walked him to the door after he excused his departure with Tresha and watched him back the Jeep down the driveway.
Jennifer knew she was about to get the business, as her best friend sat, legs crossed and Tresha’s knees bobbed in excitement.
"So who’s the hunk?" Tresha was in rare form tonight from the looks of it.
"He is a guy I met at work."
"I knew it! But what happened to the old philosophy of don't shit where you eat?" Dang, Tresha was bold as brass and nowhere near ready to let go.
"He doesn't work with me, he works for a software vendor, the trainer I mentioned yesterday."
"Mmm... you didn't say he looked like that girl. You had me thinking of some pencil neck, pocket protector wearing nerd. Not that."
"I know, but he just..."
"Girl, are gonna give him the goodies? And you better not say anything other than yes."
"I-- yes, I am. Not right now, but eventually I will."
"Hell yeah! That’s my girl! He looks like he knows his way around a woman, I think you made a good choice. Wish my first time could have been nicer, instead of in the backseat of my date's car at prom."
"Yeah that sounds like it wouldn't be much."
"Exactly and in more than one way Jen." They laughed at the ribald entande, and rifled through the kitchen. The ladies popped two bags of kettle corn and unearthed a bottle of rum as they prepped a small pitcher of rum runners. The movie choices were eighties themed, Teen Witch, The Breakfast Club and a personal favorite, The Last Dragon. The pair bickered about the merits of each, finally opting for Bruce Leroy instea
d of witches and Molly Ringwald.
Tresha: Nerd-A-Liscious
"Sho-nuff!!" The pair cried out laughing, it had been at least five years since either of them watched the classic. Laughter was par for the course on GNL nights and this one was no different, despite how it started. Tresha tried hard to not embarrass her friend as she let the matter drop for the moment, and let the movie do its job of entertaining them.
But all bets were off when the movie ended, and Tresha was poised to strike, she wanted the goods. The ladies had indulged in two of the rum-laden drinks apiece and while not stumbling, they were each over a bit tipsy. Jennifer went to the bathroom and made the mistake of leaving her friend alone. Out of nowhere, the cell phone on the table sang Nina Simone's Feeling Good. Tresha picked up the cell phone and when she saw a text pop up with the name of the man she just met, opened it.
How is girls night going
The text was simple and innocent, but Tresha couldn't resist responding to him, even though she knew she was wrong for doing it.
It was wonderful as usual how did you enjoy dinner
He responded. You know I enjoy every minute I spend with you this was no different
Tresha knew that if she had to, her best friend was going to give in to him, even if she had to tie Jen to the bed to get it.
She giggled even as she replied back. I'm glad you liked it
Not it, you
Tresha smiled, this was going to be easier than taking candy from a baby. Then while she was at it, she may as well be selfish while on errands of love and mercy.
My friend asked if you have any brothers she can say hello to
Kendrick is dating somebody right now but its casual
Tresha shook her head, of course that would be her luck. Either way this wasn't about her even if she wished she could see what this Kendrick looked like. If it was anything like his brother... woo... woo...
It’s time to play fairy godmother, Tresha thought before she told Riordan the truth about what her friend really felt.
I think I like you but just a little bit
His reply was quick as if he were incensed and enthralled all at once.
Wow that’s the way to a man’s heart
She couldn’t resist a tiny dig.
That’s on the table already?
You know it is
She was thrilled. It was high time somebody was able to give her best friend a run for her money. But she only responded coyly.
As I don't read minds how would I know that
Your lips tell me you know and reciprocate
Tresha dropped the phone. She was smart enough to know she was over her head in this instance. The conversation at hand was too intense for her and best left for her friend to choose the direction her path with Nerd-a-liscious took. Jennifer was going to flip the script when she saw what had been discussed between them as is. But that would get the pair started as Jennifer tended to play her cards close to her chest, so hopefully this would open up the floodgates so to speak. The exchange only took a few minutes and she frowned when she thought about how she needed to go to the bathroom herself. She was in the middle of said bathroom visit when she heard Jennifer screech and all she could do was laugh. And wipe downstairs, because Jennifer was going to-
No sooner than Tresha had the thought, Jennifer flung open the door and the heavy knob smacked the wall. That’s how she knew she was in hot water. Jen loved her house, and took care of every nook and cranny with care.
"What the hell! Why did you send him those messages?"
"It's what you were thinking right?"
Jennifer was silent for a minute, and Tresha knew she was right. Not that Jen would have sent him the messages.
"So that doesn't mean I was going to say it."
"Girl those messages say he knows, may as well be honest."
"You done pissed me off girl, killed my buzz for real. I just met him a handful of days ago, there's no way I want to tell him about how I feel yet. Shoot I don't know! So how's them apples?"
"Stop lying to yourself Jen, you on that man like white on rice. Now calm your nerves and let your best friend get you on the path to love. Or at least heavy lust and a lot of like, that’s a start."
Jennifer chuckled at that.
"Shoot, I need to lay it down. I got to be home by eight tomorrow. That's when the night nurse gets off duty." Tresha was tired as hell, these last months of forty hours a week at the day job and nights spent at her nana’s side told on her when she was still and silent.
"You know where everything is, you is not company anymore boo." Both ladies giggled at that, they knew the other's homes just as well, if not better than, their own.
"Did you respond to his last message?"
"Nope, and I'm not planning on it either."
"Liar, liar, panties on fire." Tresha sauntered past her muttering friend and went to the spare room for the night.
Jennifer: Ghost Written
Jennifer shook her head and went back to her room, found a nightgown and pulled together an outfit for the following day. When she took her shower, Riordan was on her mind, hard. She imagined his hands following the path she washed with a sponge lathered with her favorite Philosophy body wash. The subtle scent of the soft soap finished what the kisses and drinks started, relaxed then aroused her all over again. But she wanted more than her own hands and she was left to ache pitifully when the shower ended.
When she finally lay down for the night the burning lust ate at her. She reluctantly pulled the phone down from her night stand and re-read the by play of messages that she didn't send. Her hands moved of their own volition and she replied to the last message from Riordan, even though she told herself and Tresha that she wouldn’t.
They do and I just can't help it
He must have been waiting for her to respond, as his reply was near instantaneous.
You know we have something, just admit it
No way was she admitting to anything.
Maybe maybe not
He wasn’t having that, as his response was simple and left no room for doubt as to where he stood.
Liar
Damn him for calling her on the blatant denial, but she swiped back.
Am not
You don't seem to be the type to lie to yourself
And she wasn’t the type of person to delude herself, but he didn’t know her that well.
I don't. That’s why
He didn’t get it and she wasn’t able to make him understand the vagaries of her mind without a real conversation. There was no way she could do that and his next message rebuked her.
Well then stop
It wasn’t her. Didn’t he get that yet? You stop
He was a horrible texter. There was a fine art to using the hundred forty characters given in a SMS. But even though she was better at messaging, his retorts were better. Case in point his next remark.
God knows you do something to me woman otherwise I wouldn't take your crap
No he didn’t! She thought, even as she felt a thrill chase her body from head to toes. But she was determined to play it cool and clicked the QWERTY keypad to advise him. You are not going to worry me to death tonight
Believe me it won't be my worrying that'll slay you
Jennifer shuddered, did he mean? She asked, even as she knew there was a can of worms being opened that she wasn’t going to be able to seal away.
Only because she had to know she stupidly asked. What will then
He did mean what he alluded to as his next message showed. You know what I mean don't make me spell it out
I think you already know I'm not a mind reader Riordan
You don't have to be to know what I meant.
Jennifer had to let the conversation go after he sent that, she couldn't deal with much more of Riordan tonight. The hours before dawn were spent in fitful sleep and she tossed and turned. She was awake by six and made breakfast, exhausted but alert. Jennifer woke Tresha a half-hour late
r and gave her friend enough time to eat and get dressed. The Friday followed the pattern of the previous days, lunch with Riordan during the day and a private dinner at Jennifer's by night.
That weekend, Riordan offered to stay in town until Sunday, so they could have more time together. After a long discussion and some compromise, they agreed Jennifer would visit him at his home outside Raleigh the following weekend.
They had been visiting each other on weekends until more than eight weeks later, Jennifer was more than ready to take the final step with Riordan, wanted him to make her a real woman, rebirthed in passion. Several of her traitorous friends practically begged her to give her V card to Riordan. When any of them got the chance to meet him, she considered herself lucky if they would take her to the side to cuss her out for not giving him the kitty. Case in point, Tresha reamed Jen an extra asshole at their last GNL night.
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