by Anna Heskin
Jenna seemed to want to avoid the difficult conversation and talked about the dogs, the pets she had growing up, and the shows she binged that week.
After we wrapped up the walk and returned the dogs, I stopped her in the lobby on the way out. “Jenna, I’m telling you again—I want to be your man.”
“How am I going to handle my mother if I see you?”
“Jenna, you’re the first woman who has given me the slightest inclination to stick around one area. Right before I met you, I started making plans to move to L.A. because there are a lot more high-dollar cars I can work on there.” Jenna’s face fell the more I continued to talk. “If you would rather make your mother happy than becoming my queen, I can’t stop you.”
Jenna stood speechless for a moment, then looked me in the eyes. “Don’t leave. I’ll get this worked out.”
“It’s simple,” I said. “I want you. You have to want it just as bad.”
I felt like a dick for issuing an ultimatum but if she couldn’t get out from her mother’s thumb and accept everything I wanted to give her, I’d have to move on. I wouldn’t give up on my dream woman right away but I couldn’t put my life on hold forever.
9
Jenna
Sunday brought a lot of missing Noah and self-reflection. I was so close to telling my mother, but I couldn’t pull the trigger yet. Something still held me back from living my authentic life and risking the rejection of a parent.
On Monday, my twenty-sixth birthday started with a dentist appointment. Rather than a birthday cake, I received a lecture about steering clear of excess sugar after the dentist found one cavity. The dental assistant confided in me it barely qualified as a cavity; it was so small.
I left the dentist's office with a sparkling clean mouth, wishing Noah could be around to make it dirty. The simple act of starting my car reminded me of my big, strong hero.
I was only ninety minutes late to work after my appointment. The library management respected our work/life balance and didn’t mind us taking care of personal items during the week.
Dawn greeted me the instant I walked into the library. “Girl, you weren’t joking about how hot your mechanic is.”
I cocked my head to the side. “Huh? How would you know?”
“Your man stopped in here looking for you,” Dawn said.
“How’d he know which branch I work at?”
Dawn laughed. “Poor dude said this was the third location he checked. He almost didn’t come up to the desk when he didn’t see you around.”
“So he was looking for me? What did he say?” My body tingled knowing he had been in this space.
“I told him you’d be in after your appointment. He left this envelope for you.” Dawn pulled a plain white package from under the front desk.
“Is that all he said?” I asked.
“Yes. But he didn’t leave right away. He rifled through the free magazines on the rack near the front door.”
Before opening the envelope, I went to the racks to see what he’d been so interested in. I filled the spaces with the newest free periodicals Friday before I left. I recalled putting out twenty of each. The only ones that appeared to be missing were the realtor home listings.
“Is he the only one you’ve noticed taking the free magazines this morning?” I asked.
“He’s the only person who has visited the library at all so far. It’s been very slow,” Dawn said.
“He took listings for homes,” I said out loud, to myself.
“So?” Dawn asked.
“He was planning to move to Los Angeles. But maybe he’s thinking about staying.”
“Girl, you need to give in to him already,” Dawn said.
I tore into the envelope to see what Noah left for me. The card I pulled out featured a cheesy dog wishing me a happy birthday. He signed the inside and drew an event invitation that read:
You are invited to dine this evening at Les Anchois. Meet me there at 7:00.
“What is it?” Dawn asked.
“He’s invited me to dinner tonight at the fanciest restaurant in the city.”
“You’re going, right?”
I shrugged.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. The caller ID said the call came from the nearest hospital. “Hold on, I think I have a wrong number here,” I said to Dawn before picking up the call.
“Is this Ms. Williams?” a female voice asked.
“Yes,” I said.
“Ms. Williams, there’s been an incident and your mother is here at the hospital.”
The urge to puke nearly overcame me. “Is she going to be okay?”
“Yes, she’s in fair condition but she’ll be here for at least two days.”
“Okay. I’ll come down to visit her,” I said before hanging up.
“What’s wrong?” Dawn asked.
“My mother checked in to the hospital. The nurse didn’t tell me what happened but she’ll be there a day or two.”
Our manager, Claire, walked up and caught the end of the conversation. “Jenna, your mother is in the hospital?”
“Yeah,” I said.
“Take off early today to go see her,” Claire said.
“Thank you,” I said.
What a fine birthday—a minor cavity, a dinner invitation from a forbidden man, and my mother landed herself in the hospital.
10
Noah
I rarely had occasion to dress up, but the restaurant had a casual elegant code. As all men should, I owned a dark suit, which I wore, hoping to see Jenna that evening.
I’d never been to that steakhouse, but it ranked the highest for a romantic dinner. The dim lighting and soft music soothed my nerves as I waited up front. I was ten minutes early for the reservation and didn’t want to get seated yet in case Jenna showed up.
“Sir, we can only hold the reservation for fifteen minutes,” the hostess said when the time came and went.
“Okay, then. Looks like I’ll be dining alone,” I said.
The hostess showed me to my table. “Would you like the second plate setting left here?”
I nodded. “Hopefully, my date will join me at some point.”
I tried to look at the situation as a win-win. If Jenna and I got together, it would be amazing. But I’d never lived in L.A. and a lot of exciting prospects awaited there. My heart wanted Jenna.
The menu made picking an entrée one of the harder decisions of my life. I splurged on the filet mignon and ordered a dry red wine to go with it. Dining alone meant the check wouldn’t be outrageous. Not that it mattered, since the rich clients I had on the side bolstered my bank account.
What normally would’ve been one of the best meals of my life only tasted ho-hum since Jenna wasn’t there. The soft steak that melted in my mouth couldn’t compare to Jenna’s warm body in my mouth.
After I finished dinner, my server returned once again. “Would you like to see the dessert menu, sir?”
“No thanks,” I said. I didn’t feel like extending the Jenna-less date any further.
“Noah, hey,” a sweet voice rang out from behind me.
I turned and saw the most gorgeous version of Jenna. She wore a sexy black dress and her hair and makeup were captivating.
Jenna turned to the server. “We’ll share the tarte tatin.”
My heart raced as Jenna joined me at the table. “You made it,” I said in disbelief.
“Sorry I’m so late. A lot happened with my mother today.”
It figured, her mother had to take the spotlight off her daughter’s birthday. “What did she do today?” I asked. I wondered if Lisa knew her daughter was eating with me.
“She’s in the hospital.”
A slight twinge of guilt surged through my stomach. Only slight. “What happened?” I asked.
“She went to the emergency room with sharp pains in her abdomen and nausea. They removed her gall bladder. That was all early this morning. I didn’t get called until she was already in recovery.”
<
br /> “Wow,” I said. “I’m glad she’ll be fine.”
“Well, things got more interesting when I talked to her right before coming here,” Jenna said.
I raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
The server returned with our dessert. I let Jenna dig in first since she didn’t have dinner.
“I grew a pair of balls and told her I was going to see you.”
My eyes grew wide. “Really?”
“Well, not a literal pair,” Jenna laughed.
I faked a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I’m happy with your parts the way they are.”
“Anyhow,” Jenna continued. “I told her I’m all grown up and will live my life and not care what anybody else thought. There were lots of tears, but she admitted to hanging on to her little girl too long. She only wants to see me happy.”
“Wow, that’s quite the one-eighty she did,” I said.
“Getting sick humbled her a few notches. I told her I’m going to date you, and it was a huge burden off my shoulders to stand up for myself.”
I pulled Jenna in for a deep kiss. The taste of pastry and apples lit up my senses as her soft tongue caressed mine.
“Are you going to finish that?” I asked, pointing at the dessert.
“No. Let’s get out of here.”
After settling the check, we left, hand-in-hand. “I don’t see your car here,” I said.
“I jumped in a taxi in front of the hospital, wanting to save at least three minutes over finding my car in the lot and navigating here myself.”
I laughed. “Let’s get in my car.”
“Where are we going?” Jenna asked.
“We’re getting you out of that dress and making things official,” I said.
11
Jenna
My birthday was turning out to be one of my favorite days ever. I had proclaimed my independence from my mother and ended up in the arms of the man who made me feel safer than anything in the world.
The drive to Noah’s condo went past in a blur. We both fondled each other, stoking the fires of desire as we sped toward privacy.
The neighborhood and condo property confirmed that Noah did make good money. Even though it was dark, I could tell his rent was high dollar.
Noah didn’t wait a second longer after getting me inside to tear off my dress. His expert hands were gentle when needed and rough when I wanted.
“I’ve dreamed of someone like you my whole life,” Noah said.
“I’m here for good,” I said, grabbing at his suit. The outfit was handsome but needed to be thrown aside.
I yanked his suit pants down to his ankles, followed by his underwear. After spitting all over his cock, I used both hands to alternate strokes as it hardened. A drop of pre-cum already oozed out as I teased his head with my tongue.
“That’s so good, Jenna,” Noah moaned. “But it’s your birthday.”
“I know,” I said. “I have the best gift in my mouth.”
“Your birthday means you need spanked.”
An extra wave of heat built up between my legs. “I think you’re right,” I said. “I’ve been a naughty girl this year.”
Noah kicked all our clothes aside and sat in a leather chair. “Get over here and lay across my lap.”
I ran over to where Noah sat and spread myself across his thighs. “Are you giving me twenty-six spanks?”
Noah grinned. “You know it.” He had to hold his arm out wide to get out of the way of his long cock that pointed upward. The first strike with his palm made a sting on my big ass.
“Harder,” I begged.
Noah connected with a smack that made my eyes water and pussy tingle. His strong palms grasped and shook my ass cheeks. “This ass is mine,” Noah said.
“Yeah it is,” I moaned.
After spank number twenty-six, my tender ass had enough. Noah rubbed his hands all over, then moved his fingers down to my slit. “You’re soaking wet already.”
He slid a finger inside. “Noah, take me now,” I said, not wanting to wait any longer.
He leaned back in the chair. “Ride me.”
The chair wasn’t big enough for me to get up there and straddle him so I reversed direction and spread myself wide as I lowered myself. His shaft slid in with ease as we both moaned.
“Your ass feel okay?” Noah asked.
“Yeah,” I whispered.
“This hot ass is mine,” Noah said as he watched himself going in and out.
“And only yours,” I said.
“I want to look into your eyes,” Noah said. “Get off a sec.” I stood, wondering what Noah wanted to do next.
“Get down there on the rug,” Noah pointed to the floor. He assumed a crab-like pose. I aligned my legs on each side of him and leaned back on my hands.
Noah held his cock as I pushed my hips back down onto it. We began a slow, rocking rhythm while looking each other in the eyes. The connection felt more intense than anything I’d ever experienced.
“You’re threatening to tame me,” Noah said as the tension built between my legs. The heat between our locked bodies could’ve lit the rug on fire.
“This is the best birthday ever,” I moaned as Noah reached down and rubbed my clit. The energy between us exploded. We looked each other deep in the eyes as we both began to come at the same time.
Not a word was spoken as the spasms rocked between our legs. After our orgasms subsided, Noah embraced me and we shared a deep kiss as his strong arms held me close.
We didn’t bother putting clothes back on that night. After a late-night snack, we made love again in his bed. I fell asleep with my head on his chest.
He had to be at work earlier than me in the morning, so his alarm went off sooner than I’d like. I rolled over and sucked him awake, then he took me from behind for a morning quickie.
I wore an old t-shirt and shorts from Noah’s closet when he took me to get my car. It seemed funny to drive away from the hospital parking lot with my mother still in a room there but it was too early for visiting hours.
Later that day, I picked up my mother from the hospital and set her up at home, making sure she had everything needed. There was no air of stress or disapproval between us. At the same time that I found unconditional love from Noah, my mother started showing me the same.
Epilogue
Noah
One year later
One year had passed since Jenna and I became a couple on her birthday. For her twenty-seventh birthday, I needed to top the one before. It seemed impossible to keep up the pattern the rest of our lives, but for the time being, I wanted to step it up.
The birthday celebration began as a collaboration between Lisa and myself. Jenna took the day off from the library and I picked her up at her apartment after I left work early around noon. We’d discussed moving in together but decided to wait until her lease expired later in the summer.
“Hey, where are you taking me? Lunch?” Jenna asked as she climbed into my car.
“We’re having lunch with your mother. But first, we have another stop,” I said.
“Oh, I love the mystery,” Jenna said.
We pulled up to the same tattoo shop where I’d gotten some touch-ups the month before. “This won’t take long,” I said.
“Noah, I’m hungry. You want me to sit in there while you get more work done?”
“Not exactly. Follow me.”
Jenna hesitated, then got out of my car and followed me into the shop. Her mouth dropped when she saw her mother sitting in a chair, her wrist getting prepared by the artist.
“Mom?!”
I laughed as we walked over to where Lisa sat. “Don’t shit yourself, sweetheart,” I said.
“Hi, you two,” Lisa said.
“You’re getting a tattoo?” Jenna asked.
Lisa nodded. “Yes, a Celtic mother/daughter knot on my wrist. It symbolizes the enduring love between us.”
A tear formed at the corner of Jenna’s eye. “I would’ve never seen
this in a million years.”
In the past year, Lisa continued to relinquish control over Jenna’s life. As she relaxed, their bond grew stronger as they accepted each other for who they were.
The tattoo only took thirty minutes. Afterward, we enjoyed burgers and fries at the best joint in the Rockies.
Lisa went on home while I continued the birthday celebration with Jenna. “This has been a perfect day so far,” Jenna said.
“You’ve seen nothing yet,” I said, kissing her forehead.
We went out for sushi at dinner. It became my favorite food when I lived in New York and I had Jenna hooked on it too.
After eating, I drove her back to her apartment complex. “What are we doing here? I thought we’d go out tonight,” Jenna said.
“I have something for you,” I said, leading her to a parking space on the opposite side away from her building.
“What is this?” Jenna asked as I stood her in front of a bright yellow, classic 1982 Mercedes.
“This is your birthday gift from me. I found out from your friend Dawn that you like these old cars. It’s all fixed up, with a new engine and transmission.”
Jenna jumped into my arms. “Thank you, thank you, I love you so much.”
“Love you too,” I said. “I do have to apologize, there is one modern accessory in the car that isn’t original.”
“What’s that?” Jenna asked as I opened the driver’s door so she could slide inside.
I handed the key to her. “I installed a stereo receiver with a big display, navigation, reverse camera, the works. Go ahead, turn it on.”
Jenna turned the key to the accessory setting and looked at the display. Her finger froze mid-air, failing to hit the screen. When she turned her head back to me, I was on one knee outside her car, holding a ring.
The screen in her car had read “Jenna- will you marry me?” I had a buddy at the shop who knew how to hack the messages.
“Yes!” Jenna screamed and jumped out of the car, nearly slamming my head backward as we embraced.
Instead of going out for any more activities that night, we made love in her apartment. The only break we took was for Jenna to call her mother and give her the news. Lisa, of course, approved of the union.
