by Lila Younger
“You came to me,” my sister says, sipping her drink, “because you know that this is my specialty. When it comes to matters of the heart, Jenna, I’m the expert.”
She’s right about that. I bite my lip, but finally I agree. I mean, my other alternative is to stay home, watching Netflix. At least the street market promises to be interesting.
********
Ten minutes into the ‘double date’ as my sister calls it, and I already know it’s going to be a bust. The four of us meet at the entrance, and I’m the last to arrive. As soon as I show up, I see the disappointment on Louis’ face that I’ve seen more than a few times in my life. Everyone thinks that because Janine looks like a supermodel, her sister must too. But I’m not. I’m shorter, and curvier, and I’ve got my mom’s raven black hair. Our only similarities are our eyes, which are both blue. I shouldn’t have felt hurt by his reaction after it’s happened so many times, but it still stings.
Janine and Trev are already clinging together like limpets, kissing and giggling and putting hands where hands really shouldn’t be in public. I’m all for showing someone you love them, but there’s really a time and a place for some of the stuff they’re doing, and it’s not on an open, busy street. It also makes Louis and me super awkward just watching them go for it while we’re waiting in line to get in.
The street market has taken over a city park and closed off the streets surrounding it. There are food trucks, stalls for people to sell stuff, and even a stage for a band at the very center. It actually looks and smells amazing, and I think it could have been a really fun time if not for my sister and her boyfriend. I really thought that maybe they’d sort of help facilitate conversation between the two of us, but nope, Janine’s just thrown us into the deep end. Louis is handsome, sort of the same way I know that Justin Bieber is handsome (even though I don’t like him myself). In fact, he’s got dark hair like Lachlan does too. But I’m not feeling the butterflies, and my heart isn’t skipping a beat, the way I am when I’m with Lachlan. And the personality differences are pretty big too. I’m a pretty shy person to begin with, but it seems like Louis has me beat.
“So how are you and Trevor friends?” I venture to ask.
“School,” Louis says with a shrug.
He mumbles something else that I can’t hear over the loud music.
“What’s that?” I ask again, trying to be polite.
I hear something about computers? Maybe? But that’s it. I turn to my sister for help, but it doesn’t look like the two of them are coming up for air anytime soon.
“At least it’s not raining,” I say lamely.
You know that it’s bad when you have to fall back on the weather. Louis seems to have given up on our conversation too, because he doesn’t even bother replying. Instead, he pulls out his phone and puts on his ear buds.
“Great,” I say to myself. “Maybe I should have stayed home.”
It doesn’t get much better when he heads inside, though my sister and her boyfriend finally start talking to us, and it sort of evens out. It doesn’t beat curling up with Netflix and takeout sushi though, especially since Louis and I maintain a three feet gap while my sister drapes herself over her boyfriend. I’m wondering where the charm my sister promised has gone to.
I stick it out for an hour, which I think is pretty generous all things considered, before trying to leave. Janine and Trev want to hit up one of the bars along the street, but I’m pretty much done. My feet pinch from the heels I put on, and there’s only so much I can take being around someone who clearly doesn’t want to be around me.
“Oh come on,” Janine says, peering longingly inside. “Aren’t you thirsty?”
“I’m actually not feeling too well,” I tell them. “I think maybe the grilled calamari isn’t agreeing with me.”
“You shouldn’t go home alone,” she says. “It’s sort of getting dark out.”
She gives a significant glance at Louis, whose eyes shift away. Not that I want him to escort me home either. I’m just about to let him off the hook when I hear a familiar voice call out behind me.
“Jenna?”
We all turn around and see Lachlan and another guy walking out of the sports bar. He looks different in his button down and jeans. More relaxed maybe, but just as confident. His chin’s even got some stubble, which somehow makes him even hotter than usual if that was possible. My whole body perks up and responds to his presence, my thighs tightening with lust, my pulse racing as he approaches. My breath catches as I take in everything about him, because no matter how much I look at him, his sexiness always catches me off guard. Even Janine straightens up a little in his presence.
“Mr. Buchanan? What are you doing here?”
“Enjoying the market, just like you,” he replies. “This is my best friend Ollie. Ollie, this is Jenna. She’s going to be taking over for Lacy when she goes on maternity leave.”
I can’t stop looking at him. Thinking about him. Having him here is making my body feels things I shouldn’t be feeling about my boss. Naughty things. Bad things.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I squeak out as I shake his hand.
There’s a pause, and then I remember enough to make introductions too. My heart sinks when I introduce Louis. It’s pretty clear we’re on a double date, and it’s not like he knows how terribly it’s going. I don’t know what to say to him. Not in front of my sister. Everything feels forced, not like the easygoing banter we usually have. Everything in me wants to go to him, but I know that I can’t.
“We’re just about to go in for a drink,” Janine says. “But Jenna’s not feeling it.”
“Street food,” I try to explain. “It’s not agreeing with me.”
“I don’t want you trying to find your way home in the dark,” my sister says with concern. “I mean, there’s a few rough areas around here. And the bus is so terrible…”
Louis looks uncomfortable at the hint, and so do I. Lachlan’s gray eyes flicker over the two of us.
“Where do you live?” he asks me.
I tell him my address.
“That’s right by Ollie’s place. I can drop both of you off,” he says easily. I’m surprised. After the way things unraveled, I thought for sure he wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
My sister looks disappointed, and begins to open her mouth to protest, but I cut in quickly.
“Thanks,” I say. “I’d appreciate that.”
“Of course,” Lachlan replies with an easy smile. “Your sister’s right. I can be dangerous here at night sometimes. Especially on a weekend.”
“Then it’s settled,” Louis says with so much relief that it takes everything in me not to glare daggers at the guy. “See you.”
Janine wavers for a moment, but then she must have decided that my boss would be the last person to try anything. She squeezes my hand, makes me promise to text her when I get home, and waves goodbye.
“Thanks for doing this,” I tell Lachlan as we head towards the exit.
“Don’t worry about it,” he says, but there’s a look in his eye that makes me wonder if there’s another reason that he’s doing this. “Let’s go.”
Jenna
If Ollie found it weird that Lachlan would drive his employee home, he didn’t say so, which was a relief. Although I’m sure that they’ll be talking about it afterward. I mean, I know that guys think they don’t gossip, but they do like to talk about their sexual conquests. That much I know.
Although you’re kind of getting ahead of yourself if you think he’s going to sleep with you Jenna. And then brag about it. I mean, have you forgotten what you are?
I shake myself out of my own thoughts. Lachlan and Ollie are talking about the game, so I try to follow along. It’s no use though. I’m just not the kind of person who playing sports, much less watching other people play them. Instead I spend my time wondering what, if anything, is going to happen.
We’ve only been on the road for ten minutes when we pull to a stop
in front of an apartment building.
“Nice meeting you,” he says to me, before saying goodbye to Lachlan.
“Do you want to come sit up front?” he asks when Ollie makes it inside.
“Oh, yeah,” I say. I guess it would be pretty weird if I stay in the back.
I get out of the car and quickly hop into the front seat, smoothing down the front of my dress over my thighs. There’s at least another fifteen minutes before we get to my place.
“You have a nice car,” I say lamely.
It’s a BMW, and even I know that that means it’s expensive. It’s got buttery soft leather seats, and gorgeous finished wood paneling. Its engine purrs quietly, a complete opposite to my old clunker.
“It was a gift to myself the first year I managed to get in the black,” Lachlan says, smiling fondly. “When I was little, I was convinced that only successful businessmen drive BMW’s. I know better now, but I didn’t feel like I had made it until I got one myself.”
“Did you know that recycling materials was going to be such a big thing?”
“No, not at all,” he replies as he shifts gears. “Honestly, I never saw myself going into this business. I thought I’d do something with real estate or something equally glamorous.”
“So why the change?” I ask curiously.
“A buddy of mine wanted to hike the PCT. That’s the Pacific Crest Trail. It starts here in California and goes all the way up to Washington. I thought it would be a breeze. It wasn’t. What it was was one of the most beautiful, breathtaking journeys I’ve ever taken. I’ve traveled to all fifty states in our great country, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything come close to what I saw on the PCT. Well, except for the Grand Canyon maybe. I came back re-energized, changed. I became committed to protecting and preserving that pristine wilderness, and what better way than reducing our mark upon the earth by changing all that plastic into something useful? It seemed like a crazy idea at the time. Nobody would back me. The only reason I got started was because I convinced my dad to give me a shot.”
“Now it seems like a genius move,” I say. “At least, that’s what it seems like.”
Lachlan laughs, a rich sound that vibrates me to the core.
“It was a complete chance. That’s half of it in business: being at the right place at the right time. The other half is how much you’re willing to put into the business itself to make it succeed.”
We drive past a Sonic, the one I always swing by when I come home late from a study session at the library. We’re getting close to my home, but I’m not ready to go. There’s so much I still want to ask him, but I don’t know how to say it. It takes me a few seconds to realize that Lachlan’s asked me a question.
“What was that?” I ask.
“I said, ‘was that your boyfriend?’”
I turn towards him, and his eyes are dark and stormy.
“No,” I say truthfully. “Just my sister’s friend. I’ve never met him before today.”
Something passes through his features, something an awful lot like desire and wanting and hunger… for me. I feel weak all of a sudden, and I’m sure as hell glad that we’re sitting in the car. I can see my building, and the car is completely quiet as Lachlan finds a spot near the front and pulls in. He puts the car in park and shifts to face me.
“Jenna,” he says, in a husky voice that leaves my jumping.
“Yes?” I say quietly. My hands are sweaty all of a sudden, and I clench them tightly.
“About the kiss…” He pauses, shakes his head.
“What about it?” I ask. I don’t want to hear the answer, and at the same time, I desperately do.
“I’m sorry that it happened.”
The words fall on me like a weight. I feel like crying, but at the same time, I know it’s totally stupid to be so emotional. It was just one kiss. It wasn’t like he promised me anything.
“I shouldn’t have done it,” he continues, and each word cuts me a little deeper. “I’m too old for you, and worse, I’m your boss. I’m your father’s boss. What do you think would happen if he found out that I wanted his daughter?”
I can see he’s trying to be gentle.
“You want me too? I thought maybe you found someone else. Or maybe the kiss was lame.”
“What? No,” he says confused. “Why would there be anyone else?”
“Someone told me you like to sleep with your female employees,” I mumble.
He frowns.
“No,” he says again, firmer this time. “I definitely haven’t done this before. You’re the only one I want. As soon as I saw you with that idiot, I had to get him away from you.”
I can see the anger flashing again, his jawline working as he tries to suppress his anger.
“Well, you’ve got me now,” I say softly. My heart is pounding right out of my chest.
We’re out of the car in the blink of an eye. I fumble with the keys, and then flying up the stairs. My body is singing with joy and nervousness, but there’s no time to think. As soon as I open my door, I’m up against a wall, and I vaguely hear the door close as Lachlan’s lips descend on mine. My heart flutters, and I can feel that lifting feeling in my tummy again, from a hundred butterflies. My arms go around him, and he grabs my waist. Our lips come together, hard, again and again. I feel like I’m burning up with desire, and when Lachlan lifts me up, pushing his cock against my cleft, I’m done for. Lust races through me, stronger than a hurricane. I’m practically swimming in it, the level rising higher with every grind of his hips. His fingers tangle in my hair, drawing my head back, exposing my sensitive spot to him. His lips kiss along my jaw, the pulse of my neck, before ripping my wrap dress open, exposing my breasts. He hovers, his breath hot over the stiff peaks. They’re hard, begging to be sucked and licked.
I whimper his name, begging him to stop torturing me already. My body trembles as his hands knead my breast, play with my tight, aching nipple. His mouth descends on my other one, sending zips of pleasure through my body. I arch up off the wall, pushing myself towards him even more. His hand descends down to my skirt, pushes up the hem, towards my convulsing pussy. I’m soaked, probably right through my panties and his jeans. For whatever reason, I’ve always been this way, embarrassingly wet whenever I’m turned on. The tiny strip of material clings to my pussy, outlining the engorged lips, the patch of liquid making the fabric translucent. I’m panting with need, almost out of my mind with desire.
When his fingers push my panties and slide inside, I sigh at last. My pussy stretches around him, gratefully taking him inside of me.
“Jesus you’re wet,” Lachlan murmurs against my skin.
I rock against his fingers, I buck my hips against his hand, trying to satisfy the need that seems just out of reach every time. I want to tumble over the edge already, and Lachlan is more than happy to make it happen. His fingers dive deeper, rubbing that perfect spot inside of me. I close my eyes, heedless of everything except for his fingers, trying to increase the pressure. I’m sobbing his name, head thrashing, as he pinches my nipple one more time. His thumb circles my clit, massaging the hard button, sends tendrils of pleasure through me. This is better than anything I could imagine, and I’m pushed closer to the edge.
“Come on my hand,” he says, his voice rough with lust. “Do it.”
He slips a third finger past my plump lips, kneading my clit, the sensations building up on top of one another until I detonate, ecstasy pulsing through me like shockwaves one after another. I come apart in his arms, breaking from the intense pleasure, screaming his name. The sensations are everything to me, my whole world opening up. I feel my vision light up with white, stars flashing over me as I suck in lungfuls of air. My whole body quakes as he moves his fingers, my tunnel contracting against his digits in waves. My cream drips down his arm in rivulets, gushing down uncontrollably.
When I open my eyes, Lachlan’s licking his fingers one by one.
“You taste like sugar,” he tells me, his
eyes never leaving my face.
“I- we never even made it to the bed,” I whisper, embarrassed at all the attention.
“Don’t worry Jenna, we have all night,” he says.
His voice is hoarse, ragged with lust. He picks me up and carries me through my tiny apartment to the bed. It’s a single, and I have no idea how the two of us are supposed to fit. I shrug out of my dress, unrolling my panties, my legs crossing to cover my tight little pussy. I’ve never shown myself to anybody, and I feel tingly as his hungry eyes rake over every inch of me. There’s nowhere to hide from Lachlan now. I watch as he removes everything, revealing tanned muscles and a powerful frame. He’s huge, his cock swinging between his legs, a battering ram about to tear me open. Droplets of cum leak from the bulbous head. Even wearing nothing he’s commanding. He rolls on a condom, and moves on top of me, pushing my legs apart so he can look at my steaming little cunt. I close them again immediately, wanting to hide it still despite everything.
“There’s no need to be shy,” he says, grinning. “You’re acting like some kind of virgin.”
I freeze in that moment. I was hoping that we’d be able to somehow skip past that part, that maybe he wouldn’t notice that I have no idea what I’m doing.
His smile drops when he sees my sudden change in emotion.
“Jenna,” he says slowly. “Are you…?”
“Maybe,” I say, wishing I could turn back the time so none of this happened.
When I look up, his face is unreadable.
“We don’t have to if you don’t want to,” I say quickly. “I don’t want you to have a terrible time or anything…”
“Whoa,” he says. “Who said anything about a terrible time? I’m here because I want you, Jenna, and that hasn’t changed. Unless I missed something in the past minute, you want me too, don’t you?”
I nod feverishly. He gently opens up my legs again, settling his cock right up against my hot cunt. Leaning down, he kisses me, a slow deep kiss that drained all the tension right out of my body.
“You’re so beautiful, Jenna,” he says to me. His arms are on either side of me, his forehead pressed against mine.
