by Todd, E. L.
I laughed. “Pretty much.”
“And so did Cortland.”
Cortland approached us and took a drink of his beer. “Yeah, we’re boring now.”
“Dang,” Jason said sadly. “You guys were the best guys to pick up chicks with.”
Cortland raised an eyebrow. “Really? I’ve been in a relationship since I can remember.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “I meant Ryan. I was just trying to be nice.”
I laughed. “Well, that went right over his head.”
Jason looked at me. “I need my wingman back, man. Times are hard. It’s like the dustbowl now.”
“You don’t need me,” I said with a laugh. “You got all those girls on your own.”
“But we work well together. I need you.”
I shrugged. “I’m sorry. I’m off the market now.”
“You can still help me out,” Jason said.
“And how would I do that?” I asked.
“You can still be a wingman.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I can’t. If word got back to Janice, I would have a hard time explaining myself.”
He rolled his eyes. “You really are married.”
Cortland stared across the bar at the crowd of people. His mind seemed to be elsewhere. I knew he felt left out of the conversation. Cortland was a great guy and could get any girl he wanted, but he never slept around like I did. Well, except for my sister. He was too traditional for that. When he turned around quickly and hid his face, I knew something was wrong.
“What is it?” I asked.
He sighed. “Elizabeth is here with Cheyenne and Tanya.”
I looked across the room and spotted them. “This is the first time you’ve ran into her?”
“Since I started dating Monnique. I’m not sure how she feels about me living with her. I doubt she’s happy about it.”
Jason glanced at them. “Who cares? She’ll get over it.”
Cortland took another drink of his beer. “I hope so.”
I grabbed my beer from the table and took a drink. When I looked back across the bar, I saw Missy with a girlfriend. I groaned. I seriously couldn’t get away from this chick.
Cortland noticed my frown. “What?”
“Missy,” I said with a sigh.
Jason shook his head. “You guys have bad luck with women.”
“Tell me about it,” Cortland said.
Jason turned away from them. “Well, ignore them. If you don’t pay attention to them, they won’t pay attention to you.”
“You obviously don’t know women very well,” I said.
“Well, I know they have pussies and that’s all I need to know,” Jason said. “Now come on. I could use some wingmen to nail that chick in the red.”
I looked over at the girl. She wore a tight dress that highlighted her prominent breasts. She was beautiful with the right curves in the right places. She was sitting next to two girls who were equally attractive. Jason chose well.
“Let’s move,” he said. “You distract the other two while I move in for red.”
“I already said no,” I repeated.
“Grow a pair,” Jason said. “I didn’t say you have to sleep with them.”
I sighed. “Fine.”
We walked over to them and they looked up at our approach. One of the brunettes immediately looked at me. I already felt like I was cheating on Janice.
“Hey,” Jason said. “May we join you ladies for a moment?”
Red smiled at him but said nothing.
The brunette was staring at me hungrily. I felt awkward. “Uh, yeah. Hi.”
Jason raised an eyebrow as he looked at me. I definitely wasn’t on my game.
“I mean, hi,” I repeated.
“Hi,” she said as she twirled her hair.
“Hi.” Damn, I just said that.
Jason kicked me below the table. He started talking to the girl, striking up a conversation with her.
“I’m Stacy. Who are you?” she asked. She wore a tight dress with a silver bracelet and matching necklace. She was beautiful and that made me feel more awkward. I was wondering how Cortland was doing with the other woman.
“Cortland—I mean, Ryan,” I said quickly.
She nodded. “So, Cortland—Ryan—what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a tattoo artist.”
She smiled. “Do you have any tattoos?”
“No.”
“Do you not like them?”
“Uh, they just aren’t my thing.” I glanced at Jason, hoping his conversation was almost over. I was feeling guiltier by the second. I couldn’t do this while Janice was sitting at home waiting for me. Now that I had her in my life, I couldn’t even remember how to talk to women. It was like the knowledge fell out of my head. Janice had me wrapped around her finger.
“I’ve always wanted a tattoo.”
“Uh, cool.”
I looked at my watch. Time was moving so slow. I just wanted to get the fuck out of here. I shouldn’t have left Janice. I was depressed that my former life of fun and adventure was gone, but the life I had with Janice was much better than that. I didn’t realize how sad my life used to be until I started living in this new one—my life with Janice.
When I felt a tap on my shoulder, I sighed in relief. Hopefully it was a way out of this.
“You either lied about having a girlfriend or you have no problem cheating on her, so I’m tired of your excuses,” Missy said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
I sighed. Okay, maybe this was worse. “I’m tired of having this conversation with you.”
She looked past me and waved at the girl. “This one is mine.”
I glared at her. “No, I’m not.”
She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear as she looked at me. She wore a tight black dress that pushed her tits up. The tattoos that covered her body were very sexy on her, but I was immune to the sexual attraction between us. “Come on, Ryan. Don’t act like this is over.”
“Leave me alone, Missy. I mean it. And stop calling me. Do you really need to get laid that bad?”
“I told you the others aren’t as good as you.”
“Well, train them.”
“I don’t want to,” she said as she stepped closer to me.
I stepped back. “Knock it off. I’m in love with my girlfriend. I’ve said this so many times.”
“And I still don’t believe you.”
I never punched a girl in my life, and Missy was about to be my first. “If I slept with you she would never find out about it.”
She smiled. “No, she wouldn’t.”
“And I still don’t want to sleep with you. I think that’s pretty indicative. Now get the fuck away from me.”
Cortland looked at me when he heard me snap. He came over to us and stepped in between us. “Calm down.”
I didn’t look at him. “Get this whore away from me.”
She glared at me before she turned on her heel and walked away.
“What the hell was that?” Cortland asked.
“Stupid whore still wants to jump my bones.”
“So? You guys almost came to blows.”
“She called me three times last night. I don’t want Janice to find out.”
“That you slept with Missy?”
“No. That she still wants me. I don’t want to make Janice worry, and I definitely don’t want to scare her off.”
Cortland nodded. “I get it. I would be pissed if Monnique’s ex was still trying to sleep with her.”
“Exactly.”
“But I wouldn’t worry about it. It seems like she’s finally given up.”
“I hope so. Otherwise I’m going to ask Scarlet to beat her up.”
Cortland laughed. “Yeah right. I can’t see Scarlet in a fight.”
“If she was angry enough she might,” I said. “So how did your wingman act go?”
He shrugged. “I lost it, man. I was talking about different brands of t
oothpaste.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah,” he said. “How did you do?”
“Not much better.”
“Looks like those days are behind us.”
I took a drink of my beer. “I’m glad that they are.”
“Me too.”
I looked at Jason and saw him still talking to the girl. “Well, it looks like our plan worked.”
Cortland ignored me. “Shit.”
“What?”
“Elizabeth.”
I looked up. She was coming right toward us.
“Don’t leave,” Cortland whispered.
“Okay.”
She stopped in front of Cortland stared him down. “So, where’s your roommate?”
“Uh, she’s at home,” he said as he drank his beer. He tried to seem as indifferent as possible. I looked across the room and avoided eye contact with her.
“And you’re back to your old ways—being a cheater and a liar.”
He sighed. “It’s not how it looks.”
“I’m sure,” she said sarcastically. She looked at me. “Go away, Ryan.”
“It’s nice to see you too, Liz,” I snapped.
“Go,” she demanded.
I ignored her.
Cortland stepped away. “It was nice to you, Elizabeth.”
“What does she have that I don’t?” she said. “You never asked me to move in with you. We dated for two years.”
Cortland looked at the floor. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out between us. It was nothing personal. It—it just wasn’t there.”
I couldn’t believe how nice Cortland was being. She was a totally bitch even when they were together. She didn’t deserve this gentle response from him. It was wrong for him to cheat on her but he was honest about it. Cortland was a good guy.
“You’re a fucking liar and you know it, Cortland. Stop wasting my time. I feel bad for this new whore in your life. She doesn’t even see what’s coming.”
Cortland took a deep breath but said nothing. I knew the insult directed at Monnique made his skin boil.
“You’re worthless,” she continued.
Now I was just pissed. “Maybe he wouldn’t have cheated on you if you weren’t such a fucking bitch. Did you think of that?”
Cortland smiled but didn’t say anything.
She stared at me with a fire blazing in her eyes. “”Maybe if your sister kept her legs closed, he wouldn’t have fucked her.”
That set me off. I got in her face but didn’t raise my hands. I wanted to slap this bitch across the face but I kept it back. I kept my voice low but it was deadly. “I suggest you leave. I don’t think I can be a gentleman much longer.”
She glared at me. “Fuck off.” She marched back to the table where her friends were.
Cortland sighed. “Well, this has been a fun night.”
“Yeah.”
“I don’t miss Elizabeth and I don’t miss being single.”
“When did we get so old?” I asked.
“I don’t know. But I like being old.”
I laughed. “Yeah. I don’t think we belong here anymore.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think so either.”
“Let’s get out of here.”
When we turned to say bye to Jason, he was kissing the girl in the red dress. He had her pushed up against the wall. He was definitely going to score tonight.
“Should we say bye?” Cortland asked.
“Nah,” I said. “He’s already forgotten about our entire existence.”
We pressed through the crowd toward the front door. I saw Missy staring at me but I ignored her. I just wanted to get out of there. When we made it to the street, we got into Cortland’s car and he gave me a ride about to my apartment.
“Are you going to tell her?” Cortland asked.
I knew what he was asking. “No. Are you going to tell Monnique?”
“No.”
I nodded. “It’s not worth getting her worked up for nothing.”
“Yeah.”
When Cortland pulled over, I got out and made it to my front door. I took a deep breath before I walked inside, trying to hide my annoyance. When I felt calm, I walked inside. She was sitting at the kitchen table where I left her.
“You’re home early.”
I shrugged. “I would rather be home with you.”
She smiled. “I’ve made you into a pussy, huh?”
“Yeah,” I said with a smile. “But I love being a pussy—and I love your pussy.”
“I know you do.”
I tossed my keys on the counter then grabbed a beer from the fridge. “How was your night?”
“It was okay. I got some work done. Since Scarlet is in Connecticut, I know she hasn’t been working much.”
“Yeah, she’s definitely not working. I know she’s excited to come home tomorrow.”
“That bad?”
I nodded. “When I talked to her this morning she sounded pretty upset.”
She sighed. “Well, are her and Sean okay?”
“Yeah, they’re fine. I think they’re both frustrated.”
“Well, so much for not dealing with her shit anymore. She calls you at the first opportunity.”
“I know. Why doesn’t she call you? You’re her best friend.”
“Yes, but you’re her best, best friend.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How is that different?”
“You know exactly what I mean, Ryan. She’s your best friend too.”
I shrugged.
“So, did you have a good time?”
I took a drink from my beer. “Not really.”
“What happened?”
I was quiet for a moment. “I would just rather be home with you.”
Her eyes softened. “I’ve really made you settle down, huh?”
“You have no idea.” I took a seat next to her. “I didn’t realize how shitty my life was until you came into it. It was like it was raining all day, every day, and when you came along the sun finally came out for the first time. I thought my life was great beforehand but it really wasn’t. I final came out of Plato’s cave.”
She placed her hand on my arm. “Referring to Aristotle?”
“Yes,” I said as I rolled my eyes. “I’m not as dumb as my sister makes it sound.”
“I know you aren’t. I just think it’s sweet.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
She rubbed my back gently while she leaned close to me. “Let’s go to bed.”
I smiled. “You got a surprise for me?”
“I might,” she said as she kissed me. She pulled away then walked down the hall. Like a hound on the scent, I followed behind her until we reached the bedroom.
The room was dark. Only a single lamp was on.
“Sit,” she said.
I dropped into the chair. It was from the kitchen. I rubbed my hands together, practically giddy with glee. I’ve been to a few strip clubs—I admit it—but I knew watching Janice dance for me, and only for me, would be a million times better.
She walked into the closet and disappeared for a few minutes. I anxiously waited for her, imagining what she might be wearing. I started to shake my leg in anticipation. I drummed my hands on my thigh. “Come on, baby. You’re killing me.”
She revealed one leg from the closest. My heart started to accelerate. She showed herself from the enclosure and walked toward me. My mouth went dry at the site of her. She was wearing a see-through white dress that revealed her black push up bra and her matching thong underneath. She picked my favorite item that I bought. She grabbed the remote from the counter and pressed button. Music started to play.
She approached the pole then started to dance around it, not looking at me. She was lost in her movements. Her long blond hair cascaded everywhere and flew in the air as she turned. Her expertise didn’t indicate that she took a few classes—she looked like a master. I adjusted myself in my seat because my huge boner was making me uncomfortable
. She made me so horny that I thought I would explode.
She stopped spinning on the pole then stood next to it. She grabbed the dress then pulled it from her body, tossing it into my lap. A slight smile was on her lips as she looked at me.
“Baby,” I whispered.
She started to spin on the pole again. I leaned back and tried to keep my hands to myself. I wanted to pull her on the bed and fuck her brains out—now. I placed my hands behind my head as I watched her spin, sticking her ass in my face and pressing her breasts against the pole.
“You’re so fucking hot, baby.”
She smiled as she climbed off the pole then approached me. She unclasped her bra as she stared at me then tossed it at me. Her large tits were bare to me. They looked so fucking gorgeous.
“Baby, I’m going to come just watching you.”
She climbed on the pole then spun to the ground. I couldn’t believe I got to fuck her after this. I wasn’t sure how long this dance was going to last, but I wanted it to end. I wanted to be inside her now. My breathing had accelerated and I couldn’t control myself. I felt myself go crazy with longing. It suddenly felt like I hadn’t had sex in a week—even a year.
I pulled out my wallet and threw all the cash I had at her. “Give me a lap dance, baby.”
She smiled as she approached me. “No touching.”
I moaned.
She sat on my lap with her ass facing me, grinding against me. I kept my hands at my sides even though I wanted to touch her everywhere. She turned around then straddled my hips, moving against me.
“You’ve done this before?”
“No,” she whispered into my ear. “Just with you.”
I moaned. “Please fuck me, Janice. I can’t—I can’t wait any longer. You’re so fucking gorgeous. Goddamn.”
“Not yet.”
“Do I have to beg you?”
She rubbed her breasts against my chest, moving across the erection through my jeans. “I cost more than you can afford, honey.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want. Take my heart—it’s yours anyway.”
“I’ll think about it,” she said as she moved to her knees on the floor.
“Baby, you’re driving me crazy.”
“Good. You do this to me every day.”
“I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to come. I know it.”
She moved her breasts over my erection then kissed my cock through my jeans.
