Rebound

by Rosemary Rey

  “I hate to ask, but I would never ask Matt. Do you know what happened to their marriage?”

  “I don’t know much. All I know is she didn’t like how much he traveled outside of the country. He’d ask her to go with him because they didn’t have children and she didn’t have a job.” She was a housewife with no children? How did she spend her day, especially when he was away?

  As if answering my thoughts, Jenna continued, “She’d shop, go to lunch with her friends and pay for the entire meal, go on her own trips with her girlfriends. Basically, she spent her time spending his money. Thankfully, he had a pre-nup or she would’ve taken half of all that he’s built. Kevin had one of his associates write it, and she signed it, but she still contested the pre-nup, and tried to get more of the share she’d agreed to. In the end he was very generous, just to get out of the marriage, it had become so bitter. Their divorce made everyone on edge. They were concerned that their business would suffer financially from the divorce, but Matt had the sense of having her sign an ironclad pre-nup. It not only protected him, but the rest of the guys.” Jenna made many revelations in the short span of time. It sounded like they were all in business together. I wondered if they were conducting business right now as they met. I dared not look at the time for fear of appearing disinterested.

  Jenna was a chatterbox, giving me more information than I ever expected. I no longer feared Sonia was a threat to our relationship.

  “Matt is a great guy. I’m sorry that he suffered so much in his marriage. I guess it can’t always be a fairy tale ending . . . Jenna, don’t let our divorces give you pause in your own relationship. I’m sure Matt taught everyone a lesson through his own experience. Marriage is hard, but with the right person it’s worth the work. Does that make sense?”

  “It does make sense. I hope I didn’t frighten you with Matt’s history. He seems happy with you. He’s told Zipper how much he’s grown close to you in such a short time. Fair warning, the others may be concerned that you’re a gold digger, just because of Matt’s previous choice. Zipper knows you’re nothing like Sonia. Goodness, I’m revealing so much.” She took a pause and looked around. “Matt told Zipper that he’s really serious about you, but he’s concerned that you’re too independent for him.” Oh, really? I never considered that I’d be too independent.

  “He’s struggling with how he likes that you work for a living and have multiple jobs in fact. However, he’s afraid that you won’t slow down to spend time with him. He would like for you to be more available. He’d prefer to be with a woman that would sacrifice her career to be the wife and mother to the children of a doctor.” She must have seen my eyes widen in response to the thought that Matt may consider me to be his future wife and mother of his children. “I’m sorry. It’s too much. I just want this for him. He’s such a great guy. I think you’re great for him, but it really isn’t any of my business.”

  “Jenna, no, I’m okay talking about this. I just haven’t thought so far into the future of being a wife and mother. I’m not saying I wouldn’t want to, but I’m not putting myself in that mind-frame, yet. Can we change the subject? Tell me about his friends. What’s up with these monthly meetings?”

  “They’ve been friends for years . . .” Jenna was interrupted by the women getting seated at the table. When they took their places, we saw that the men had entered the room. Each man walked over to his date and took an empty seat beside her.

  Matt walked over to me and sat at the seat beside me. His legs were wide open to keep me close to his body. “Hi, babe. Are you okay?” He whispered.

  “Yes, of course. I was just chatting with Jenna. She kept me company.”

  “Did you talk to the other girls?”

  “No. We sort of set off into our own groups and chatted, but I’m very comfortable. Did you have a good meeting?”

  “Yeah. Not a big deal. Are you hungry?” He’s always so attentive.

  “A little. I didn’t get to try any of the appetizers over there.”

  “Let me get you something before we order. I’ll be right back.”

  I turned to Jenna and Zipper. “I’m really happy to meet you, Perla. Matt speaks highly of you.” I smiled.

  “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too. Matt said you’re nothing but trouble and that I should stay away from you.” I said with a mischievous grin. And the three of us laughed. “He said you’re a great friend, a brother, and I’m honored to meet you. And Jenna is such a lovely lady. She embraced me and made me feel comfortable.” I smiled at Jenna and she grabbed my hand.

  Matt returned to the table with a plate of assorted appetizers, which he set before me. I gave him a peck on the lips, thanking him for his care of me. I took a piece of shrimp and dipped it in the aioli sauce. He and Zipper pulled their chairs out and talked for a bit behind me and Jenna. I offered Jenna the plate of appetizers to share. We chatted about various interests, and found out we were both dancers. She stopped dancing in high school, and she sounded awed that I attended the Conservatory for two years. She offered to take us to the ballet. Apparently, Zipper funds various artistic programs around Boston, and he has season tickets to the Boston Ballet.

  A clinking glass stopped the chatter around the room. I looked to my right and Brady who was seated beside Matt stood and called the group to order. “Good evening everyone. The waiter will be going around to take your order. The condensed menu is on your plate before you. The chef has prepared a special menu for us tonight. We hope everyone gets to enjoy our time together. Please eat and drink in friendship. Salud.” Everyone raised their drink in toast and answered ‘salud’ in response.

  I took the menu in hand and read through the choice of entre. I decided on the monkfish over the pearled barley with vegetables. Matt ordered the short ribs over polenta. As he spoke to Zipper, he held me at my waist. While I loved his need to keep bodily contact, his choice in body part was discomfiting. I felt insecure in a room filled with waifs; even Jenna was tall and slender.

  After several more minutes of conversation, our first course was brought in. There was a petit plate of a savory dish. I ate slowly, even though I could’ve inhaled in one bite. Matt talked to Brady, while Zipper talked to Lark. Jenna and I ate quietly, chatting about contemporary culture. The unanswered question that I asked about the connection between these five men lingered in the air.

  I heard a question, however I was unsure if it was directed at me. Matt touched my wrist. I looked to him. Matt said, “Babe, Brady asked you a question.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” I smiled after wiping my lips.

  “I asked if you were having a good night.”

  “I am. Thank you. This is a lovely place and the food so far is incredible. The place looks new. Had you eaten here before?”

  “I own the restaurant. One of many. Maybe you’ve gone to one of them.” He sounded like a cocky son of a bitch.

  “I’m sure it will continue to be very successful. I can’t say that I’ve been to any restaurants lately, other than Cocorico for a friend’s bridal shower, but it’s owned by a family member of a friend.”

  “Cocorico approached me to invest when they first started. They have great food. Who knew Chinese Caribbean food would be a great fusion?”

  “Right? Well, I’ll have to get a list of your other restaurants and check out the cuisine.” I smiled and made sure my smile reached my eyes, knowingly having no intention of patronizing any other place he owns unless I’m dragged by Matt. Brady stared into me. I could tell I wasn’t his type based on his blonde bombshell beside him, but I was slightly creeped out by his intense glare.

  “Well, Matt knows all the places. I’m sure he’ll take you.” He patted Matt on the back, and I gave Matt a genuine smile. I felt Brady continue to stare lasers into me. I caught him looking at me from my face to my breasts. His tongue stuck out of his mouth slightly, licking the bottom of his lip. I was relieved to have the waiter cut off Brady’s sight line with the second course.

  I
looked down at a bowl of root vegetable soup with crème fraiche and dotted with a truffle oil. I proceeded to scoop out the dollop of crème. Matt put his hand up to signal the waiter. When the waiter approached, Matt asked him, “Can you bring the lady a fresh bowl of soup without the crème, please.” The waiter obliged and removed the old bowl.

  “Something wrong?” Asked Brady.

  “I’m sensitive to milk, and the crème isn’t good for me.”

  “Please let us know if there is anything we need to remove or substitute.” He offered, still taking long looks into my eyes. I thanked him.

  “Thank you, Matt” I whispered, taking his hand in appreciation of his care and attentiveness. The soup arrived and was placed before me. I took a tentative mouthful. It was delicious.

  I must’ve moaned upon tasting it because Matt leaned in and whispered in my ear, “I hope I can elicit such a response from you tonight.” I know I blushed at his bawdy statement. I smiled up at him. He kissed my cheek in the spot where I felt the most heat. I looked over and saw Brady staring at us. Our eyes locked and his face became serious. His jaw muscles looked tense and rigid from seemingly grinding his teeth together. He didn’t seem pleased at our display of affection. My smile faltered slowly and I brought my attention back to my soup. You could hear chatting and clinking of silverware on dishware throughout the room.

  Thankfully, Jenna and Zipper took attention away from Brady with conversations about food and how they love to go out to eat, especially while on vacation. I envied Matt and his friends for their ability to travel. I suppressed my envy, and continued to smile and talk to everyone as if I were on their social-economic level when I clearly wasn’t.

  The plates were cleared and our main courses were brought in soon after. My fish was fantastic. I shared a piece of fish with Matt and he did the same with his ribs. Ben never shared his food with me whenever we went out to eat. If I wanted to try a bite, he would tell me to order it next time, which was kinda ‘asshole-ish’. I swallowed hard at the bitter memory.

  For as much as I wanted dessert and coffee, I declined. I was too full. Honestly, I wanted to be comfortable for any activity that Matt and I would undertake at his place. Matt yawned and rubbed his eyes. I leaned in, “Are you tired?”

  “Yeah. I’d like to call it a night, but it would be rude to eat and run.” I stroked his thigh as a sign of empathy. “Don’t do that.” He stilled my hand.

  I tried to pull my hand away, “Sorry.” He held tight.

  He whispered, “I just want you so bad and you touching me will make me take you to a private spot and fuck you. I just don’t think you’re ready for that.” His beard grazed my cheek and sent a jolt of electricity to my core.

  I looked into his sparkling eyes, “Try me?” I whispered seductively.

  He nuzzled my ear with his nose. “Take your clutch and follow me.” I became all tingly. I was only flirting and he called me out on it. I didn’t actually think he would take me up on it, but I wouldn’t turn him away. He stood and I followed. “We’ll be right back. I want to show Perla around.” He took my hand and led me out of the private room. The restaurant was completely filled with chattering customers.

  Because of the open concept where part of the kitchen was open to the dining room, there was a bustle of cooks, wait staff and hostesses walking around the loud room. Music blared overhead. Fires shot up around the grill, with people “oohing” and “ahhing”. It was a lively spot, more scenic than I ever anticipated.

  Matt held my hand as he walked me toward a narrow passageway. He pushed the door open and walked me up the stairs to a door on the right. He opened the door and led me into an office and locked the door. He leapt at me, picking me up into his body. My dress rose over my hips as my legs wound around his waist. We kissed feverishly, moaning into each other’s mouths. I pulled away concerned that we were doing the wrong thing. “Maybe we should wait till we get back to your place?” I panted.

  “Can you really wait till we get home?” He jerked into me as he pulled my groin into him.

  I moaned, restraining myself from digging my hands into his hair. “No, baby.” I said. He set me on the large wooden desk. The nerves hit me again. “What if there are cameras in here?” I asked as I nervously scanned the room while he kissed and sucked on my neck. I released my clutch and laid it beside me on the desk, clamping my fingers on the desk’s edge.

  “There are no cameras in here, Perla.” He tugged my panties to the side, and dipped down to taste me. I watched him as he licked my moist folds, and gasped at the flick of his tongue. He pulled up my legs and placed them over his shoulders. His strong arms pulled my bottom closer to the edge of the wooden desk, I gasped. His tongue and finger darted inside my cut as my back arched, widening my legs for access. Just like at my studio, I restrained myself from making any sounds.

  When I came close to the brink, I commanded him, “Inside me now!” He peered up at me and grinned. My legs slid off his shoulders as he stood up from his kneeling position. As he unbuckled and unzipped his pants, I pulled out a condom from my clutch.

  “You’re prepared tonight.” He said with raised eyebrow. I reached out for his cock and gently stroked him to ensure he was sufficiently erect. He leaned forward and kissed me, biting my lip. I could smell my arousal and taste my juices on his mouth. I released him from my grip to remove the condom from the foil, and slipped it over his hard shaft. I slid my hands over his chest toward his shoulder and slipped his jacket off his broad shoulders. The jacket fell from his arms and puddled to the floor.

  I guided his cock into my opening, the tip nestled at my folds. He pushed forward slowly. My fear and arousal made me tight. “God, you’re so tight. Relax, baby. You’re okay here. I’ll take care of you.” I took a few deep breathes, and with each exhalation, he held me at the hips and thrust further in. With my lower legs, I pulled Matt’s pelvis closer to me. We both moaned as he plunged deep to the root. I could feel his balls on my ass. He slowly thrust in and out, finding a rhythm that propelled us closer to orgasm.

  For as deep as he already was, I wanted him deeper. I couldn’t believe how much I could already take of him. I reclined slightly, ensuring not to touch items on the desk, which was surprisingly neat and free of clutter. Mustering all the flexibility that I regained since starting work, I picked up my legs and placed them on his chest. My heel clad feet on either side of his head. The change in position made me tighter and had him exclaim, “You’re so fucking hot. Shit, you’re sexy. You’re mine.” I gasped with each sentiment. As Matt grasped my upper thighs, kneading my flesh as he picked up the pace of his thrusts.

  His beautiful face was wild with desire, his lids heavy as he concentrated on the tempo and depth of his drives. I loved watching him fuck me. I got off on just watching him possess my body. While our coupling was tremendously satisfying, I mostly enjoyed the fact that he wanted me; average, curvy, frizzy curled haired me. I couldn’t believe that I could affect a man such as Matt, and I reveled in his need for me. I felt desired and powerful.

  “Come for me, baby. I want to feel you come around me.” He groaned when I lowered my legs and brought my hand to stimulate my clitoris. “Fuck.” He dipped down to kiss me, his tongue fucking my mouth at the same time his cock fucked my pussy. It was this realization that broke the gates and I flooded over him. Soon after, Matt came with a hard thrust in which he held me to his groin, and ground us into each other until he was completely spent.

  I wish we could’ve stayed in that moment forever. We needed to get back to his friends. “That was a longer quickie than I expected.” He laughed, and pulled out of me. I winced at his pulling out. He moved away from my body. I adjusted my panties back to normal and pulled down the bottom of my dress. I spotted a box of tissues on a side table. I went over and handed a few tissues for him to clean up and discard the condom. I wiped down the desk and put the trash in my clutch. Matt fixed his shirt and pants, and shrugged on his jacket. I adjusted his collar and smo
othed him out, relishing in the feel of his muscular body underneath my hands.

  He took my hand in his and walked me to the door, and unlocked it. We exited to the hallway and walked down the stairs. When we neared the restrooms, I kissed him and said, “I’m going to the rest room to clean up. I suggest you do the same because you smell like pussy.”

  “Maybe, I want to smell like your pussy.” He grinned mischievously.

  I gave him a kiss and we parted ways. “You’re awful.”

  “That’s not what you said seconds ago.” He retorted. I groaned, as he laughed.

  I went to the bathroom and entered a stall to clean myself up. I heard voices from the common area of the bathroom. One of the voices dominated the conversation, “I told him that I wasn’t going to waste my time getting to know her. You know he’s out of her league. She does too; I can see her insecurity. How couldn’t she? If you would’ve met his ex-wife, you would know that this one is so hood. Did you see what she was wearing?” I peered through the crevices of the stall, but couldn’t see the speaker. It was indisputable that I was the target of the verbal attack.

  I kept listening, “Don’t expect to see her at the next dinner. She won’t last. He’s just using her. The sooner he gets what he needs, the sooner he can move onto someone of his own status.” I realized that the speaker was very tipsy, taking deep breaths and slurring words. I wasn’t brave enough to exit the stall and confront the speaker when she was in that state, but the jabs were connecting with all the sore spots. Not even in high school did I get verbally assailed like this. “I’m sure Brady could hook him up with someone better. What the hell do they have in common?”

  My suspicions were confirmed that the speaker was Brigit. I don’t have to be her friend just because Matt is best friends with her boyfriend. I was going to go out there, freshen up and get myself back to Matt. I flushed the toilet, and exited the stall with my clutch in hand. They were sitting at a chaise when they saw me, they’re eyes were wide as saucers, and they uneasily looked down at their hands. I went to the sink and washed my hands. With the paper towel, I dried my hands and wiped at my mouth and chin. I reached into my clutch and pulled out my lipstick, as they whispered to each other. I slowly put on the deep red color, inspecting my teeth when I was done applying it. Once I was done applying the color, I turned around and gave them a broad smile. I walked toward the exit and stopped before them.