by Katie Kyler
She rubbed me for a little while, through a rather boring argument between the male and female leads in the movie, an argument I couldn’t even focus on and had forgotten before it was even over. I gave myself to the gentle massage Allison was giving me. I wanted her and a million ideas raced through my mind of how I could take her, right then and there. Then, when I was just getting comfortable, she lowered her head to my lap.
“Holy sweet fuck,” I whispered, as her mouth engulfed me.
She rose up off of me for just long enough to say, “Shhh,” before lowering back down again.
“Oh god, Allison,” I moaned. It wasn’t going to take long before I exploded. My hips were involuntarily moving forward, trying to pump further into her.
She popped back up. “Did that feel good?”
My erection stood at attention, waiting for her return. The stretched skin felt cool with the air against its wetness. “Yeah,” I managed to say. “You’ve got to stop, we can’t, not here.”
She dropped her head again and instinctively I put my hand on the back of her neck, nudging her toward my lap again, but she just smiled and shook her head.
“I still haven’t gotten what I want,” she said.
I was throbbing, begging for release. “Anything,” I whispered. “I’ll give you anything.”
“Even a dinner date with Jess and Jeremy?” Her scheming face was illuminated by the movie.
I laughed quietly. “You are relentless, you know that?”
She ran a single finger up and down my shaft. Just enough stimulation to cause my hips to buck forward.
“Fine,” I said. “Okay, we’ll do it. I’ll go on the dinner date.”
She didn’t waste any time. Her mouth was back on me in a second, her tongue rolling around me in a swirl of warmth. Her throat gently squeezed me, and when I tensed, she squeezed me with her mouth. She pulled out everything I had and drank it down.
After waiting until I’d finished pulsing inside of her, she carefully tucked me back into my boxers and refastened my jeans.
Then she snuggled against my shoulder like this was some tame date and we were cuddling on a porch swing with a chaperone at the other end of it.
“Holy shit, Allison, did I just imagine all of that?”
She wrinkled her nose at me and smiled the cutest smile I’d ever seen. “Nope, darling.” She tapped the tip of my nose. “That really happened, and I’m sooooo looking forward to dinner with you and my friends.”
I laughed quietly and pulled her closer. “No woman has ever blackmailed me like that before.”
She giggled, and I tilted her face up for a kiss, tasting buttery popcorn and essence of Joshua on her lips. It didn’t take long before I was ready to go again, and this time, I would drive her wild enough to promise me anything.
I knew what I wanted, though, and it wasn’t to get out of that double date. I’d go on that date. I’d known all along that I would. The only thing I really wanted, was Allison.
Chapter 5
Allison
The marketing department’s empty meeting room was the perfect place to think. My cubicle had gotten overcrowded with files and notes, even illustrations, related to the Scintilla app, and I just needed a clear place to spread out only the relevant bits so I could go over the final paperwork.
It was after five, and the office was nearly empty. This was my favorite time to be here, when I knew it was just me and a few other die-hards in the building, working to make everything perfect. Especially because I could always count on one of those die-hards being Joshua. We’d walk out of the office together, talking about the work we’d gotten done that day, and either meet for happy hour or make plans for dinner.
I leaned forward, looking at the table. I’d put my notes, my lists, and the design illustrations in neat rows. Everything spread out there, in my view, each little pile representing weeks of work. I ran my fingers along the edges, aligning them just right.
The app was looking good. Or, as Joshua had said this morning, “damn good.” The designs were simple and user-friendly. People who had gotten “sparks” would be able to message each other directly through the app, without having to go through a site. Everything would be right there for them, at their fingertips. It was so convenient that a person looking for a romantic connection would be crazy not to use it.
Yes, it looked “damn good.” I hummed happily to myself, checking off boxes from my own personal list, making sure the software people had covered everything we’d asked for. It was just about ready to go.
I got that feeling between my shoulder blades that told me I wasn’t alone. Smiling, I turned, expecting Joshua.
It wasn’t Joshua. It was Jamie.
“Crap, Jamie, you scared me,” I said. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, trying to seem composed. I worked here, too.
“Marketing is the department I oversee,” Jamie said. His green eyes blazed, like I was challenging him with my very presence. “I have every right to be here.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize someone needed this room. I can leave. Just let me gather my things.” It was hard, but I managed to sound civil. I was still an employee here, and he was still co-owner. And even though I was certain Joshua would take my side in any sort of conflict, I really didn’t want trouble. “I didn’t mean to cause a problem.”
“That’s not my problem with you,” he said.
I stopped after gathering a stack of papers. I faced him. “Then would you please tell me what is? Because circling around each other like this is getting tedious.”
He laughed. “I just thought I knew you, is all. I never thought you’d be that kind of woman.”
“What kind of woman do you think I am, exactly?”
“The kind who sleeps her way to the top. The kind who uses someone for his money.”
I could feel my mouth drop open. My face felt so hot, I was sure it was blotchy. “I don’t do either of those things. First, I haven’t used anyone for their money. I don’t need Joshua’s money, and I don’t want it. I would still want to be with him if he was the poorest guy in Philadelphia, not the richest.”
Jamie rolled his eyes. I could feel tears gathering in my own. I hated that he was getting to me like this. But I wasn’t done.
“And second, I didn’t ‘sleep my way’ anywhere. I like your brother, Jamie. A lot. I might even love him, not that it’s any of your business. There was no sex involved in me coming up with that app idea. In fact, I remember after I told Joshua about it, he was pissed because technology was supposed to be one of your areas and you hadn’t thought it up. So it has nothing to do with sex, and everything to do with brains. Something you, apparently, still don’t understand.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “I understand ideas, and I’ve had thousands of them! Joshua hasn’t used a single one. You’ve ruined my life, Allison. Now he trusts you more than me. And he’s my brother!”
His face crumpled, and I reached out to him. Despite everything, I didn’t want to hurt him.
“Don’t touch me!” he yelled.
He straightened, towering over me, like he needed to reassert how tough he was. All I could think about was how he’d cornered me at that party, how hard it was for me to escape him. I took some deep breaths. Joshua was still around here somewhere. If I screamed, he’d come running. I didn’t want to have to punch his brother, but I put my hand in a fist, just in case.
“I’m really sorry I hurt you,” I say. “I never meant to do that. It must be really hard for you, and I can see why, now.”
He seemed to shrink a little at my words.
“I thought we were friends, Jamie. I’d never do anything on purpose that would hurt you. Ever. And I’m sorry about everything.” I took a deep breath. “Maybe…maybe you and I could have a meeting next week, just the two of us, and brainstorm some more ideas.”
“I don’t need your help,” he growled. He shoved the remaining stacks of paper from the table, all those lines and charts I�
�d spread out. They fluttered to the floor.
He watched them fall, and a look of regret passed over his face. He opened his mouth, maybe to apologize, maybe to insult me again.
I shook with anger. I didn’t care what the hell he did anymore, as long as it wasn’t around me.
Seeming to understand this, he turned and left.
Chapter 6
Joshua
Allison stepped into my office, her eyes shining and her face flushed. She dabbed at her cheeks, like she’d been crying.
I jumped up from my chair and pulled her into my arms. “Is something wrong? What is it? What can I do?”
It was physically paining me to see her so upset. I pulled her closer, rubbing her back through the soft silk of her blouse.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. “I just wanted to be close to someone.”
The fierceness of my desire to make things right surprised me. I’d do whatever it took to make this woman happy. It was this full feeling I had—a feeling I couldn’t remember ever having, of feeling light and full at the same time. I felt like I could just exist, like this with Allison in my arms, until the end of time. She made me think of contentment. She made me feel like I was the best possible version of myself, and she made me feel like I belonged.
Holy shit. I loved Allison. I loved her. I loved her in a way I had never loved anyone before. My heart pounded with the realization. When should I tell her? Obviously not now, when she was upset about something.
Something she didn’t want to tell me about. I thought of demanding answers, but that wasn’t what she needed, either.
“If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine,” I said. “But if there is anything I can do, tell me, okay?”
She nodded into my shoulder while I paused, thinking.
Still rubbing her back, I said, “I can beat someone up. I gave Calvin Marks a bloody nose in seventh grade. My dad had to give a huge donation to the school so they wouldn’t suspend me. Dad took it out of my allowance…but hitting that little shit Calvin was worth every penny.”
She laughed. “That was all I needed. Distraction.”
“Are you sure?” I asked. “I think everyone’s gone home. If you need some more distraction…” I patted the edge of my desk.
She raised her eyebrows. “You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you about this dream I had, right before we started dating. It involved you in this office, and me on this desk, and this crazy drum music.”
I grinned down at her. I could find some drum music on my computer somewhere, and this sounded like the best distraction possible. “I think your dream was prophetic.”
She gave me that saucy little smile I loved so much.
I covered her mouth with mine, hoping to kiss all of her troubles away. The entire time, my heart was pounding out the words, I love you. I love you.
Chapter 7
Allison
“This is so fucking good,” Jess said, taking another bite of her red coconut curry.
Jeremy nearly spit out his food, laughing. He leaned over and kissed her cheek, his dark curls blending with Jess’s dark wavy hair. They were so adorable together. It was no wonder I’d felt a bit jealous of them before I started dating Joshua. It was hard watching people who were so happy together, when I felt all alone.
“This is seriously the best Thai food I’ve ever had,” I said, already heaping another bite onto my fork. “I never want this meal to end. Maybe I’ll just live here.”
Joshua and Jeremy weren’t even pausing to talk, they just methodically shoveled in their meals. Finally Joshua stopped eating and took a swig of beer. He smiled at Jeremy. “We should pace ourselves, I guess. But this is so good, I don’t want to stop.”
The bistro Jess had wanted to try was the perfect place for our dinner date. Tiny lights twinkled along strings over the outdoor patio, making it look like the stars had come down closer to watch over us. Soft red candles gave each table an ethereal, romantic glow. And after the introductions and chitchat, Joshua had really hit it off with Jess and Jeremy. I could tell it wouldn’t take giving him head to bribe him into coming out with my friends again. He was really enjoying himself. I liked seeing him in this new light, social with other people, talking and laughing with my friends.
But maybe I’d give him head tonight, anyway, just to show him how much I was appreciating his effort. I grinned, and Joshua looked over at me in question. Reading the heat in my gaze, and in the way I squeezed his knee under the table, he grinned back.
He waved the waiter over and ordered another bottle of wine. He passed him a credit card along with the order.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said. “I’m sure we were all going to split the bill.”
“I know I don’t have to. I wanted to.”
“Wait, what?” Jess said, jumping into the discussion.
Joshua looked embarrassed. “I just wanted to treat you all tonight. New friends, you know?”
Jess and Jeremy looked like they were going to argue, but a commotion on the other side of the patio distracted us. Three men and a woman walked in, carrying instrument cases and an amp. “I didn’t know they did live music here,” Jess said.
We watched them set up on the other side of the patio. As they kept moving around, their faces started to look familiar.
“Uh,” Jess said, “I think that’s the Mad Dog Harmonics.”
I gasped, but Jeremy shook his head and said, “I’ve never heard of them.”
“They’re only the biggest bluegrass band in Pennsylvania,” I said.
Joshua was strangely quiet. I figured out why when the lead guitarist, Seth Overland, sauntered over and shook Joshua’s hand.
“Thanks for coming out here,” Joshua said.
“It’s a cool venue,” Seth said, looking around. “We might come back here again sometime. I like the atmosphere.”
Joshua introduced all of us, while Jess and I had our mouths open in shock.
Joshua tried to be quiet about it, but I heard him mutter to Seth, “I’ve taken care of everything for you guys—get whatever you want while you’re here.”
Seth grinned. “Don’t tell Mina,” he pointed to the red-head setting up the drums. “She’ll drink us under the table.”
When Joshua sat back down and the music started, I tugged on his arm. “Did you…did you arrange all of this?”
He smiled. “Didn’t you say this was Jess’s favorite group? I thought she’d be pleased.”
“Pleased?” I laughed. “She’s over there practically shitting herself!”
We swayed to the music. It was magical, but in a way I was wondering if it was too much. “You know you didn’t have to do all of this,” I whispered to Joshua. “My friends would like you no matter what.”
He shrugged. “I just wanted to be nice.”
“It’s very nice,” I said. “But…”
He looked at me in alarm.
“No, don’t worry,” I said. “I just…I like you for you. Not for all the extra things you can do or buy. We’d be having a good time without all of that, you know?”
He looked thoughtful. “Yeah, I get what you’re saying.”
I pointed at Jess, who was watching Seth and his band like she was mentally filming everything. “But she is never going to forget this for as long as she lives. So thank you for that.”
In between one of the sets, two leggy blondes approached the table with vicious smiles on their faces. I thought they were trying to look sweet, but they were failing.
“Trouble at three o’clock,” Jess muttered.
“Joshy,” one of them sing-songed. She batted her eyes in a way that she probably thought was sexy. I just wanted to hand her a tissue and ask if she needed help getting a bug out. “Are you going to introduce us?”
“This must be your sister, right?” The other pointed to me. The tone of her voice made it clear she thought I was substandard.
Joshua’s voice was cold. “No, this is my girlf
riend, Allison.”
They giggled. “Really?”
My cheeks felt hot with anger and humiliation. Jess reached for my hand across the table and glared at the two women. She opened her mouth to say something, to stick up for me, I guessed. But Joshua stood up, rising above the two blondes. He smiled in a way that said he enjoyed their little joke. I didn’t believe for a second that he actually wanted their attention, but the fact he was even talking to them on any level, hurt. I kept my eyes open wide, determined not to let any angry tears fall.
The women smiled up at him. One even touched his arm. He put his hand on top of hers, and I nearly lost my composure. I didn’t know if I wanted to cry or scream or hit something. The woman giggled.
But then he did something I’d never forget. He took her hand off of him and pushed it back. Not in a way that would cause her pain, but a clear gesture that told her just how disgusted he was.
“I’m sorry I can’t introduce you to my girlfriend,” he said, “but I don’t remember you at all. Please don’t insult me, or worse, my girlfriend. By all means feel free to continue insulting yourselves by behaving in this manner. Have a good evening.”
Their perfectly lipsticked mouths opened in shock. Then they linked arms and walked away, teetering on their stilettos.
Dinner was ruined. The twinkle lights and glow from the candles seemed blurry through my too-watery eyes. I felt so pathetic.
“Don’t pay them any attention,” Jess said.
“I’m so sorry, Allison,” Joshua whispered in my ear.
“It’s okay,” I squeaked. “Not your fault.”
He shook his head. “It’s my fault for being a total ass before I started dating you. I spent too much time with the kinds of people who substitute make-up for manners.”
Jess and Jeremy laughed, and I managed a weak smile.
“They were jealous of you, Allison,” Jeremy said. He flashed his bright smile my way. “I see this all the time in photo shoots. They have a plastic kind of beauty. I’m always approached by women like them—”
