by PK Corey
It was a horrible week. Jenny missed Cal: she missed cooking for him, talking to him and even cleaning his house. He’d checked in, mostly by text, but that couldn’t make up for his absence.
By Wednesday Jenny was bored and lonely. Cal hadn’t even texted that day and by six that evening she’d had enough of feeling ignored.
Jenny didn’t know what she wanted. She really missed Cal. Would it always be this way if they ever got together? Him always working and her sitting around lonely waiting for him. Why the hell was she waiting on him? They weren’t dating, they weren’t a couple. She was free and single, and sick and tired of panting after someone who obviously didn’t care about her the way she cared about him.
“I’m tired of being ignored,” Jenny said aloud to herself. “Screw this.” Grabbing up her phone she texted Kyle. You want to take me out tonight?
Well I do love a woman who takes charge, his answer came back quickly. I’d love to. Where am I taking you?
I don’t care I just want to have fun and not worry about papers, exams, and what other people think.
I have the perfect place, I’ll come get you in about an hour.
Jenny went down to wait. She didn’t feel like discussing the whole thing with Megan even thought she was the only one who knew how Jenny felt about Cal. Soon Kyle was parking in the no parking zone right in front of the dorm.
Jenny came out laughing, “Why am I not surprised you have a Porsche? What a spoiled, rich kid you are.”
“It’s Dad’s old one. Don’t call me spoiled until I get a brand new one for graduation. Get in, let’s go play.” Jenny’s head rocketed back as Kyle floored it on the quiet college street.
“Slow down, you idiot! You’re going to kill somebody.”
“People need to learn to get out of my way,” Kyle told her. “Don’t worry she handles like a dream.”
Jenny laughed nervously. They were out on the highway now and the speed was exciting. “Where are you taking me?
“You said you wanted to have fun, we’re heading to Bounce Palace.”
“Where?”
“Don’t worry. You’ll love it.”
Jenny did love it. The place was covered end to end with trampolines. They bounced, they twirled, they swung on ropes into the foam pit, they put on Velcro suits and bounced as high as they could on the Velcro wall. They laughed the whole evening and Jenny knew this was exactly what she’d needed.
Kyle bought a couple of Cokes and joined her on the observation platform when they finally took a break. “This has been great! Thank you for bringing me here. I think I’m quitting school and moving in here. No stress, no worries and they have pizza whenever I need it.” Impulsively Jenny reached over to give Kyle a kiss.
“Do that again,” he asked.
Jenny hesitated a minute then kissed him again. “I like that. You ready to go?” Holding hands, they walked to the car. They were quiet as they headed home. When they reached campus Kyle parked at his dorm.
“I think I better head on back,” Jenny replied uncertainly.
“I want to talk. Come in with me. I promise nothing’s going to happen unless you want it to,” Kyle urged her.
Jenny followed him around back and was puzzled to see him reaching into a knot hole in a tree. Heading back to his window Kyle ran the magnet he’d retrieved across the window frame.
Jenny heard a distinctive click then Kyle reached down to pull open the large window. “My own invention,” Kyle told her. “You’re one of the few who now know where my ‘key’ is hidden. But please, you feel free to crawl in my window anytime.”
“You’re obviously an evil genius. If only you’d use your powers for good,” Jenny teased him.
Kyle gave her one of his lazy smiles. He walked to his fridge, “You want a beer?”
Jenny’s mind flew back to Cal. She thought of being across his lap as he’d spanked her for getting drunk the last time she’d been here. The spanking had hurt like hell and she remembered shouting promises to Cal that she wouldn’t drink again until she was twenty-one.
“No, I’m good,” Jenny told him, squirming slightly.
“Suit yourself,” Kyle told her, handing her a coke as he twisted open a beer for himself. “But I think someone has your thinking all twisted. Is it the same person you don’t know if you’re going out with or not?”
Jenny laughed, “I don’t know what we’re doing. He’s older and he’s helping me with my school work and stuff,” she finished lamely.
“I can just picture him,” Kyle began. “Upstanding, hardworking, by-the-book kind of guy, right? Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, stay in school, bring up those grades. Is my description accurate?”
You could add do my laundry and be sure you scrub the bathroom, Jenny thought, but aloud she said, “He’s a nice guy. I like him.”
“You sleeping with him?”
“That’s none of your business. But, no,” Jenny admitted. “I think I want to, but…”
“But it wouldn’t be appropriate,” Kyle mimicked in a deep voice. “Listen to me Jenny, you need to get rid of this guy. He’s messing up your thinking. All that advice is fine for the normal people, but you’re rich. Sure it may not be politically correct to bring it up. But you know it’s the truth. Are you planning to have a nine to five career when you graduate? You know you aren’t. You’re going to marry and be thought of as a wonderful hostess. If you want to do more, a fat donation will get you on the board of most foundations.
“But we can have so much fun together right now. My parents would approve of you, your parents would approve of me. We could go to all the family holidays and not put up with all that ‘when are you going to fine someone nice to settle down with’ crap people throw at us. And Jen, not to be bragging or anything, but I’m great in bed. I guarantee I can have you begging for more.”
“Oh no, you wouldn’t brag. Don’t think much of yourself, do you?” Jenny sputtered.
“How ‘bout you give me the chance to back up what I’m telling you?” Kyle asked her in a smooth voice.
Jenny looked intently at Kyle as her mind raced. Why the hell not. It had been so long since she’d had sex and she really did like Kyle. She didn’t resist as he leaned in for a kiss. Closing her eyes, she let herself relax and let her mind go blank. Kyle’s kisses became more insistent and Jenny felt her body responding.
It was when Kyle wrapped his arms about her and pulled her to him that her mind snapped back. He felt skinny, scrawny, the smell was wrong—everything was wrong.
Jenny pulled back, “Kyle, stop. I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”
Kyle fell back on the couch with his eyes closed and let out a small groan. He stayed that way for nearly a minute before opening one eye and looking at Jenny. “This guy has you screwed up about sex too, hasn’t he?” Kyle asked.
“We’ve never even talked about sex,” Jenny snapped. “I just don’t feel like it tonight. I’m sorry, don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad Jenny. It’s just sex. I’ve got girls to call who would come right over if that was all I wanted. I really like you. Like I said, we’d be good together. Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
Jenny was quiet as they exited through the window. She wasn’t sure how she felt as they walked the short distance to her dorm. Should she feel insulted, disappointed? Kyle’s attitude puzzled her.
“Are you sure you’re not mad?” Jenny asked again.
Kyle grinned. “Jenny, like I said, it’s just sex. A wonderful activity people share like tennis or canoeing. Don’t put more importance on it than there should be. If you backed out of a tennis date with me I’d be disappointed, but I’d either get over it or find another partner for the day. Don’t make everything so deep and serious. Life is to be enjoyed. And, by the way,” he told her with a smirk, “I’m way better at sex than most people are at tennis. How about this, the offer is always there, when you get ready you can just let me know. But I’d still like to spend some time wit
h you. You okay with that?”
“Yeah, that’d be okay.” They had reached Jenny’s dorm. “I had a good time tonight,” she told him. “Maybe you can help me get things sorted out and get my head straight, that is if you don’t mind taking things kind of slow.”
“What ever speed you like. It’s all good. And I have a feeling you’ll come around.” Kyle gave her a light kiss on the lips. “Later, baby,” he said with a lousy gangster accent.
What an arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Still, she couldn’t help laughing. She really did like Kyle, but Cal filled enough of her mind that all she was really sure about was that she was confused.
Chapter 13
Jenny’s week dragged on. Cal was constantly on her mind. Thinking of Cal’s hugs brought peace to her mind. They made her feel protected and cared for in a way she’d never experienced before and she often had thoughts of throwing the man down and having her way with him. But at times her thoughts made her angry. His reasons for spanking were unfair and really none of his business. Well, okay the break-in had been his business, but being late for class and missing the exam hadn’t been all her fault. He was way too picky about some things.
But late at night, when she was in bed, the anger faded. She’d think about it all in detail: being over Cal’s lap, his firm grip, the knowledge that he cared what happened to her and that he wanted her to make good choices, the overall hardness of his body, the hardness… Jenny gave up thinking as her vibrator hummed away into the night.
Yet as Jenny’s week dragged on she never seemed to find time to work on the paper. As Saturday approached Jenny’s mood improved dramatically.
Early Saturday morning Jenny sent Cal a text, Your week of forced labor should be done. How about taking me to the festival today. They’ll be funnel cakes and BBQ and music. What’d you say?
His reply came quickly. I say I’d love to, but I can’t. I’m through with overtime but this is my regular weekend to work. Plan on staying for supper Monday night— I’ll cook.
Damn it! Damn his ‘always do the right thing’ attitude. He could take off one fucking day to spend with her.
She sent back a terse, “Fine.” But reality was coming to her slowly. He didn’t care that much. He was the sheriff and she was his do-good project. He wasn’t a date, he wasn’t a boyfriend, he was the damn sheriff and to hell with him.
Her phone buzzed and she grabbed it eagerly. Had he changed his mind?
It was from Kyle. You awake? I’m bored, come to the festival with me this afternoon. Meet me at the food tent at one.
Jenny stared at the ceiling. She’d thought a lot about Kyle the last few days. She did like him. Kyle was cute and he knew how to relax and have a good time. She didn’t know where any of this might lead, but for today Kyle just might be the distraction she needed, but she didn’t want to sound too eager. It wouldn’t hurt him to wait for once.
Sounds good, but I really should work on my research paper this afternoon, she texted back.
Bullshit, came the reply. I told you, you’re in college to have fun and go out with handsome men like me. Be there at one.
Okay if you’ll buy my lunch, she answered. She did have a few hours. She could work on the paper some. Then again another hour or so of sleep sounded better as she sank back down on her pillow.
Kyle was late. It was nearly one thirty before he strolled by with a few friends. “You made it,” he said as if he’d been waiting.
“You’re late,” she told him.
“Jenny-poo, you’re always hung up on the wrong things. Come late, stay late. What does it matter? You need to relax and have some fun.”
Wow, talk about a study in contrast. Cal and Kyle couldn’t be more different in their view of life. So where did she fit on this wide scale?
Kyle skirted the line to have a friend behind the counter hand him a couple of sandwiches, some chips and a couple of drinks.
“Let’s eat,” Kyle said leading her to the picnic tables outside the beer and wine tent. Jenny decided to stop thinking where she belonged and enjoy her day.
“Check him out,” Kyle commented, “the guy in the hat.
Jenny looked over and grinned. He wasn’t only wearing a hat, but a neat suit, including a vest and a bow tie. “Friend of yours?” Jenny asked.
“Yeah right, but what do you think his story is?” Jenny gave Kyle a puzzled look. “I know he owns a nudist colony! That’s got to be it. He’s overcompensating. At home he and all his friends run around buck naked playing volley ball,” Kyle volunteered.
Jenny laughed picking up on the game. “I got this one,” Jenny said as a woman of about twenty-five hurried into the tent glancing over her shoulder. “She’s the mother of six, she asked her husband to watch the kids just for a minute while she went to the bathroom. She’s not coming out for a while.”
“Perfect,” Kyle agree.
“What about them?” Jenny asked as two older, well dressed women headed in.
“Hm…” Kyle thought. “I say they’re a couple of old lesbians out on the town. What do you think?”
“Nah… I don’t think so. I bet they’re couple of old madams. They probably run the town whore house.”
“Absolutely,” Kyle agreed.
They continued to come up with stories for everyone coming and going. As they finished lunch a good-looking man who looked to be in his sixties headed into the tent and right to the old ladies. Jenny heard him laugh and say, “I should have known I’d find you two here.”
Jenny dug her elbow into Kyle’s rib to be sure he was listening.
“Good grief, Tom, we’ve only been here a minute,” one of the women insisted. Jenny grinned knowing they’d been there at least forty-five minutes and had finished off a couple of glasses of wine each.
The man shook his head and said, “I’m sure. Come on, it’s time to go.” And the women left the tent with him.
“I was wrong!” Jenny exclaimed. “They’re not the madams, they’re still working girls. He’s the pimp. They’re heading home for a three way!”
Kyle nearly choked on his drink. “Perfect! You win, or the old guy does I guess. Come on, lets find some more fun around here.”
They did have fun. From the petting zoo, to the bouncy house where Kyle had conned the guy in charge into letting them in to play. They rode the little train circling the square, posed to have their picture taken in period costumes and even competed in the three legged race. They had fallen half way through, and Kyle had taken the opportunity to kiss her as they lay there together. He kissed her several times that afternoon. It was nice, but with no real spark. Twice she’d seen Cal walking in the crowd. She waved once, but he totally ignored her. Screw him. She gave her attention back to Kyle.
“You still got the hots for the old guy helping you with your grades?”
“He’s not old, just older than me,” she snapped. “And he’s helped with a lot of things. Just shut up about him.”
“But you’re not sleeping with him. He’s not making you squirm in ecstasy. He’s not causing you to scream out his name as you rake your nails down his back. Just a few of the activities we could be doing a little later if you’d get your mind off this nerdy, bookworm.”
Kyle was standing close whispering these things into Jenny’s ear. Jenny felt herself blushing, but it wasn’t caused by Kyle’s words. She had just spotted Cal walking on the far side of the street. He was staring right into her eyes before he turned and headed into another part of the festival.
Jenny followed his back until he disappeared into the crowd. Kyle was still talking. He’d moved onto another topic. Jenny shook her head and tried to focus on what he was saying.
“I think you’re looking at college all wrong. You were so torn up about missing that exam a while back and you keep griping about a paper you have to write. Look, you’re not here on a scholarship or anything. Your folks are paying this place a butt load of money to teach you, not to make you work your ass off. The way I see it I’m p
aying for the information they can teach me in class. I’ll go and I’ll listen. I’m not here to work for them. Screw the papers. The professors don’t even read them. Same with tests. I pay them to teach, not to waste my time proving I’ve learned it,” Kyle explained.
“And exactly how do you get away with that? I mean you have to jump through their hoops to get a passing grade or you have to take the course again,” Jenny pointed out.
Kyle grinned lazily, “Not really. My dad made a donation to the school on the contingency that I graduate on time with nothing lower than a B. I’m on track to graduate next year.”
“Are you kidding? What a cheat! Why didn’t daddy just buy you the diploma and you could have spent four years backpacking through Europe?” Jenny could just imagine what Cal would think of this deal.
“I’m not cheating,” Kyle emphasized. “I go to all my classes. I do want to learn what they’re teaching about business. I usually take the tests and I do well on them. But I’m not wasting my time on papers and projects. College is supposed to be the best time of your life and I intend to see that it is.”
“Still seems like cheating to me,” Jenny told him seriously.
“That’s because this mentor of yours has your head all screwed up. Listen to me and you’ll have a much better college experience, I promise.”
As dusk fell they headed back to Kyle’s Porsche to watch the fireworks. Kyle spread a blanket out beside the car and pulled Jenny down to sit with him. “You’re beautiful Jenny. I can’t look at you without wanting to kiss you. If I promise to keep my hands above the waist can we do a little more exploring?” Kyle asked her, laughing.
Jenny’s eyes scanned the crowd once more. She spotted Cal, he was staring their way. “Sure, exploring might be fun.” As Kyle came in for a kiss Jenny turned slightly keeping Cal in her line of sight. Just before Kyle lay her back on the blanket she saw Cal turn and walk in the other direction. She tried to let the pain she felt wash away in the passion of Kyle’s kisses, but the pain didn’t go. It seemed to settle around her heart.
