by Melanie Ting
“I’m so, so sorry about the craziness you walked in on,” Jackie said as we drove away.
“Why do you keep apologizing?” I asked. “It’s your home, and I don’t mind the chaos.”
“Really?” She sounded shocked. “I guess I was used to Brent coming home and complaining that he couldn’t relax. He liked everything to be nice.”
“You forget. I grew up in a family of six. Chaos was a way of life for me.” I loved seeing Charlotte in the midst of the action, she was getting braver and bolder.
“But your place is so neat and organized,” she protested.
“Neatness does not equal being solitary. I’m tidy, but I enjoy people. Obviously, or I couldn’t be part of a team.” I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Please, stop apologizing. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me and Charlotte this summer. Why would I care about a bit of green when you’re all having fun?”
“Wow. Sometimes I wonder if you’re for real or if there’s a factory in Quebec that churns out perfect men.”
I laughed. “Not perfect, that’s for sure. How is the world’s ugliest kitten getting on?”
Jackie’s eyes widened and then she laughed. “You don’t say that to Charlotte, do you? She thinks that Mao is the sweetest cat on the planet. But I’ll admit I was surprised when you brought him home. I’m sure he’ll look better once he fattens up.”
Hannah, Charlotte, and I had gone to a bleak cement bunker in East Vancouver that turned out to be a cat rescue operation. Mao was a scrawny white cat with a variety of ailments, which meant he could not be adopted until he was healthy. He came with a full assortment of medications which he disliked taking, and I had the tiny scratches on my hands to prove it.
“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway. Once he’s better, I can take him back to the shelter, and he’ll get adopted by a real family.”
Jackie snort-laughed at that.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing. He and Minx have stopped fighting anyway.”
“Yes, Hannah assured me that she knew how to make the cats get along.” Since Mao needed various medications at different times, it was clear he’d have to commute from my place to Jackie’s. Once we knew none of his ailments were contagious, Hannah offered to train the cats to get along.
“Hannah has an honorary degree in cat behaviour that comes from watching every single episode of My Cat From Hell,” Jackie joked. “Oh, did you forget something at home?”
We had parked in my underground spot.
“Come up with me,” I said, taking her hand. Inside my place, a table was already set with flowers and candles. I switched on some music and dimmed the lights.
“We’re having a romantic dinner at home,” I told her.
“How adorable. Did you cook?” Jackie smiled at all my preparations.
“More good news, I bought everything already prepared.” A guy had to know his limits.
She giggled. “That’s something they’ll have to work on at the perfect man factory in Quebec.”
“Nonsense. Men and women should be different. That’s why we combine so well.”
Jackie moved closer to me and ran her hands down my chest. “Speaking of combining, am I right to think that one of the benefits of this dinner is the privacy?”
“You are right, my little MILF.” I swung Jackie into my arms and kissed her. Really kissed her, not those polite kisses she preferred in front of the kids, but a deep kiss with my tongue exploring her sweet mouth and her body pressed tight against mine. I cupped her ass and brought her even closer.
She leaned her head back and took a deep breath. “Did you call me a MILF? Leo!”
I laughed. Jackie didn’t understand how attractive she was—because she was a loving mother, a person who made a home special, a giver.
“But you are. Any woman can look good for a date, but a hot mom like you manages a house full of kids and cats all day and then looks like this at night?” I cupped her breasts in her silky shirt and raised them up until her gold chain disappeared into her cleavage.
“God, Leo. I need you so bad,” she grunted.
I grabbed her by the hand and led her to the bedroom. I kissed her and unbuttoned her shirt and black pants. She was undressing me as well, pulling down my zipper and yanking at my jeans. I pushed her onto the bed, stepped out of my pants and pulled off my polo shirt.
She was lying on the bed in a lacy lingerie, looking beautiful and vulnerable. No matter how much I reassured her, Jackie was still self-conscious about her body. I pulled down her panties and kissed the white scar on her tummy, running my tongue along the pale ridge.
“Why do you do that?” Jackie’s voice was half-aroused and half-irritated.
“Because it’s all the little imperfections that make you unique and beautiful to me,” I told her.
And then she relaxed. She sighed and spread her body out, her arms and legs open. I pushed up her bra and nuzzled on her dark nipples until they were pointed nibs. I kissed up and down her body. We saw each other every day, but it was the nights I’d missed. To see this other side of Jackie, splayed, near-naked, and as eager for sex as I was.
I rummaged for a condom, rolled it on, and mounted her.
“Oh God, your cock feels so good. I wanted this so bad,” she grunted. She wrapped her legs around my waist and pulled me in tighter to her. I thrust in and out. I’d wanted to do this so much, for so long.
“Fuck. I’m not gonna last too long,” I groaned. I reached down for her little clit to make sure she got off too. Jackie jerked up like I had electrified her when I pressed down on her little button. That was fun, so I kept doing it. All I had to do was make sure I stayed inside her and the friction of her motions felt great.
“Unnnh, mmmm, ooooh.” Jackie couldn’t even form words as she came hard. I exploded too, and we fell apart.
I lay there for a moment, feeling the sweat cool on my body. Then I got up and went to the bathroom to get rid of the condom. Jackie was still lying on the bed exactly as I’d left her: naked, legs spread, and hair mussed.
I lay back beside her. “Have you thought about getting on birth control? Condoms are a pain.”
Her eyes popped open. “If you want, you don’t have to use them. I can’t get pregnant.”
“Oh, you’re already on birth control.” Why hadn’t she mentioned this before?
“No. I can’t ever get pregnant again,” she said. And suddenly, her eyes filled with tears.
“Jackie. What’s wrong?” I pulled her into my arms and held her.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s stupid. I mean, I’m getting too old to get pregnant anyway.”
“Tell me,” I urged her.
She spoke, her voice halting and soft. “Brent thought two kids were enough. No, that’s not fair, we both agreed. But he hated medical procedures, so I got my tubes tied.” She paused. “I never thought it was a big deal, but once he left... it wasn’t fair. I feel like I’m less now. He was the one who didn’t want more kids, and he can still have them. But I can’t.”
“Do you want more kids, Jackie?”
“I don’t know. It’s too late, and Hannah’s almost a teenager. But I love kids....” Her voice trailed off.
“I used to want a son,” I confessed. “But I don’t have enough time for Charlotte as it is. So, I’m happy with the way things are.” I laughed. “Besides, I feel like I’m the father of twenty-three teenagers during the hockey season.”
She smiled at me. “Ugh. I’ve wrecked the mood here.”
“Don’t worry. It’s fine. You have two great kids, you should be happy.”
Her tears were all gone now. “I am happy. Can we start again and forget I got all weepy?”
“Sure. And I’m grateful that I don’t have to use condoms anymore. You’re gonna feel really good inside, I’m sure of that.”
Jackie sat up and pulled off her bra completely. She bent down and kissed me. “You are the sweetest man, Leo Gauthier.”
/> She reached into the drawer and pulled out the lube. She applied some to herself, which was a pretty sight indeed. Then she massaged lube onto me pulling and jerking until my cock was erect and ready again. Without further delay, she pushed me onto my back and mounted me. She felt wonderfully soft, warm, and wet inside. She winced briefly as she settled around the width of my cock, and then she began to move. It was so fucking good, that I relaxed and let her ride me to an incredible climax.
26
Put A Ring On It
Leo
“Remind me again why we’re invited to this party?” Jackie asked as we drove towards the west side of Vancouver.
“Greg Richardson is the president of the team, and it’s his engagement party.” From what I’d seen so far, Lucky and Amanda ran the team and Greg only worked part-time. But as long as things ran smoothly, who cared. I heard he wasn’t taking a big salary for his work.
“An engagement party? Are we back in the fifties? Who has an engagement party these days?”
“I thought you’d know. Isn’t the Richardson family some kind of big deal in Vancouver?”
“Oh. Is it that Richardson family? They are old Vancouver royalty.” Her forehead wrinkled up. “All this time, I’ve been talking to Amanda like she’s just another girlfriend. I should have known, all her clothes are designer. Oh dear.”
“I think that’s exactly what Amanda likes. She’s very down-to-earth, and she’d hate to have you treat her differently because she has money.”
Jackie nodded. “It’s too late now. I really like her, and we’ve already discussed her new apartment. I never thanked you for promoting me at that first dinner.”
“And I never thanked you for being the perfect date that night.”
She laughed. “Moi?”
“You were so different that night, so sophisticated. It was intriguing to see that side of you.”
Jackie sighed. “That was my life before. Being a corporate wife and charming all Brent’s business associates. Maybe it brings out the actress in me.”
“I like all the sides of you.” I patted Jackie’s knee and pushed up the hem of her dress so I could touch her warm skin. Even being alone in the car with her was making me hard. While I loved having Charlotte here, I missed getting private time with Jackie. But eventually things would get back to normal.
“Pretty fancy place,” I commented as we pulled up. There was lots of parking on the wide winding street, and we got out.
“It’s the nicest neighbourhood in Vancouver,” she replied. “I hope I’m dressed up enough.”
“You look perfect to me.” She was wearing a pretty summer dress that showed off her tanned legs. “I like those high heels.”
Jackie laughed. “I’ll bet you do. Why does everything you say to me sound a little dirty?”
I wrapped my arm around her waist and squeezed her soft body into mine. “Because it is. What are the chances of you and I ending up alone somewhere after this party?”
“Very, very good,” she said with a smile. “Brent has the kids this weekend.”
“Are you serious? Why did we even come to this shindig?” I pulled her even closer and kissed her neck.
“Because it’s your boss?” Jackie pushed me away with a giggle. “Behave—for now.”
“Oui, madame.” We held hands instead as I calculated the minimum time before we could leave the party.
There was a stone wall around the property and two people at the iron gate who were vetting guests before allowing us in.
“Holy smoke,” Jackie whispered to me. “It’s like something out of a movie.”
“Guess you have to be careful when you’re doling out free champagne.”
It wasn’t the kind of do I would have associated with Amanda or Greg. Perhaps it was their mother who wanted a formal event with security. The place was already packed. The whole yard was decked out with striped canopies, and there was a string quartet playing. Aproned staff was circulating with food and drinks. Someone came by immediately and offered us champagne.
“Oh yes, please.” Jackie took a flute, but I asked if there was any beer.
“Of course, sir. Is there a brand you prefer?”
“Molson Canadian’s good,” I replied.
Jackie smiled at me. “You’re so down-to-earth. I like that about you.”
“I don’t even know what I did to earn that, but I’ll take it.” I put my hand on her bare shoulder and stroked the skin with my thumb. She shivered.
“Jackie?” A man’s voice came from behind us. Tension rippled through her back, and she pulled away from my touch.
“Brent?” Her voice was different now, higher and tensed.
Brent? Was this Jackie’s ex-husband? She seldom said anything negative about him, and their shared custody worked smoothly. But there was tension between them. How could there not be? He was dark-haired, tall, and a little overweight. Maybe he was an athlete once, but he wasn’t staying in shape. The expression on his face was shock, either because she was here or because she was here with me. He was overdressed in a suit. The middle-aged woman in a pale pants suit beside him must be his boss or something.
“What on earth are you doing here?” he asked. Hell, I hardly knew this guy, but I could read the subtext. It was like he was saying she didn’t belong in such a nice crowd. Peripherally, I could see Jackie wilting a little. She nervously smoothed out her dress.
“I’m here with Leo,” she said. “He, uh, works with Greg Richardson.”
I held out my hand. “Hi there, I’m Leo Gauthier.”
His handshake was too firm, one of those show-offs who try to show you how strong they are. But I could take him easily. “Brent Wagner. So, you work for Gregory?”
“Yeah, I’m the head coach of the Vancouver Vice.” Since he wasn’t bothering, I turned to his companion and introduced myself.
“I’m Margaret Whittaker,” she said, but didn’t explain why she and Brent were here together.
Brent gave Jackie a mocking smile. “Before you get on my case, the kids are at my parents’ place. They’re having a great time.”
Jackie shook her head. “I didn’t say a word. And I know they love your folks.”
“Well, it’s sure interesting to see what you get up to on your kid-free weekends. You keep saying that all you do is paint.”
He gave me a once-over. There was an awkward silence until Jackie commented on how lucky the Richardsons were that the weather was so nice for the party.
“Although they could easily fit all these people inside,” Margaret said. “Have you been here before, Jackie?”
“No, never. I’d love to get a peep in the house. It looks gorgeous.”
“I think they’re keeping the riffraff out here,” Brent said. He made it sound like a joke, but I couldn’t help seeing this as another dig at Jackie. I felt an urge to punch the guy in the face and flexed my hand.
“Oh, you made it! So lovely to see you.” Amanda’s voice broke into our strained conversation, and she hugged Jackie and me. Then she noticed Margaret. “Peggy! It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. How are your parents?”
Margaret’s smile seemed forced. “Oh, they’re fine, Amanda. Still living in Phoenix.” She turned towards Brent. “Amanda, this is my fiancé, Brent Wagner.”
Fiancé? No frigging way. What kind of guy went from someone like Jackie to Margaret? It wasn’t just about looks—even though that was like trading in your Maserati for a Volvo—but more how boring and bland Margaret appeared. Then I noticed Jackie’s face. It was like someone had slapped her. Clearly, she had no idea they were engaged either.
Brent was in full suck-up mode, complimenting Amanda on her house and the “tastefulness” of the whole event. She smiled politely, but as soon as he paused for breath, she interrupted, “If it’s okay, I’m going to steal Leo and Jackie from you. My mother is dying to meet him, but she’s holding court in the living room.” Then she whisked us away.
“Leo, I’m sure
you know this, but Mummy is also a shareholder in the Vice. She’s heard so much about you from Gregory and me. Sorry to mix work with your weekend.” Amanda laughed. “Although I know full well that if you weren’t here, you’d probably be working. Am I right, Jackie?”
When Jackie didn’t answer, we both looked over at her. Her eyes were wide and liquid, and it looked like she was battling back tears. She hadn’t even heard Amanda. Her social poise had completely fallen away.
“Are you okay?” I put my arm around her shoulder.
“Oh, sorry. I was—” She put her hands up to her face and leaned against me. “I’m in shock.”
Amanda patted Jackie on the arm. “What’s wrong? Can I do anything to help?”
“No, I’m being dumb. Please don’t let me spoil this party.”
I scowled and told Amanda in a low voice. “Brent is Jackie’s ex-husband. And I’m pretty sure he hadn’t bothered to tell her he was engaged until this very moment.”
Jackie scoffed. “Really, it’s not a big deal. After all, we’ve been divorced for over a year.”
“Oh good grief, of course it’s a big deal. And to find out in public, at a party.” Amanda was indignant. “Okay, Jackie, this is what we’re going to do. I’m going to take Leo in to meet my mother and leave him there. Then you and I will grab a bottle of champagne and retreat to my old bedroom. You can complain about your ex and if you like, I can tell you horrible stories about Peggy.”
Jackie smiled weakly. “It’s okay. I don’t mind her. It was more finding out like that.”
“That’s a relief. I don’t think I know any horrible stories about Peggy anyway. She’s so—urr, nondescript. The only negative is what her father did.”
“What was that?” I asked.
“It was more of a bonehead move. Both our families were partners in a big forest products company called Richardson-Whittaker. Our fathers were the second generation running the company. Gerald Whittaker didn’t agree with my father’s corporate strategy, and said that Rich-Whitty was going to be run into the ground. He demanded that his half of the company be bought out. Then to add insult to injury, Gerald refused to take shares. Having to come up with all that money handcuffed the whole operation for several years.” Amanda smiled. “But my father was right. By the time they sold the company, it was worth billions.”
