Mark still did not respond and Curtis was just not in the mood to coddle him. Grabbing his beer and the deli sandwich he bought from the grocery store he shut himself up in his room. He plopped on the bed and heard Mark crank the television up louder. He was being childish and Curtis could not say he was surprised.
Curtis pulled out his phone, kicked off his shoes and laid on his bed. He twirled the phone is his hand and thought of freckles and the bubbly laugh of his ‘grocery girl’. He wanted to text her. However, he knew that the text would not set him apart. He knew there was something about her that he just wanted to know better. He jumped up, took a deep breath and decided he wanted to stand out, and to be honest he wanted to get to know her.
“Hey Jessica? It’s, um, Curt from—the parking lot,” Curtis said, laughing nervously, “Just wanted to make sure you got home safe. Um, do you have a sec to talk?”
*****
Jessica
Jessica yawned as she dragged herself to the coffee shop for her morning pick-me-up. She almost fell asleep in yoga this morning. She would usually go to bed at 10:00pm like clockwork, but to her surprise Curtis had called her. Called her! It was such an unexpected and pleasant surprise. No one called anymore. It was all email and text messages. She had to admit, she liked him. He was warm and funny and charming and she had already seen him face-to-face so she knew he was extremely attractive. In fact, the only reason she was going to coffee was to be polite and tell Mark that she was not interested.
When she got to the double glass doors and saw him sitting in a corner wearing his blue fireman’s uniform, which seemed to fit his broad shoulders and biceps like a glove, her stomach sank. He looked gorgeous. It was like her body was evolutionarily drawn to him and all of her hormones were suddenly going crazy. To her surprise he had two cups of coffee at the table.
“Hey you,” Jessica said, smiling shyly at him.
“Hey,” he said, smiling warmly and rising from the seat.
She gave him a big hug and he smelled woodsy and masculine.
“So can I get your name now?” he asked, pointing at the seat.
Jessica laughed and sat across from him.
“Sure, I guess so. I’m Jessica. Is this for me?” Jessica asked, pointing at the coffee cup.
“Um, yeah. I took a shot. I remembered that you had a green tea latte when I met you so I figured I would surprise you.”
Jessica was sure her eyes were about to fall out of her head. Her brute was actually being nice.
“Look, Jessica, I’m not the most… um… sensitive guy and I was just trying to do something—”
“Mark, it’s fine. It’s my favorite drink. You should try it sometime. You might like it.”
He made a face and shook his head. It made Jessica smile.
“I like my coffee black, but I’ll take your word for it.”
“You’re missing out. So how have you been since I last saw you?”
“Nothing but thinking about you. Looks, like you got prettier since I last saw you.”
“Does that really work for you?”
“Sometimes.”
“Yeah? Well, I’m not a one-liner type of girl.”
He leaned back in the chair and appraised her up and down.
“And yet you’re here with me.”
“Nice try, Romeo. I would be here anyway.”
“I had to try. What type of girl are you then?”
“That’s a loaded question, but I like working out obviously. I’m really into the outdoors so when I’m not going to yoga, I bike.”
“You bike? Really? Like spin? Because that doesn’t count.”
Jessica laughed and slapped his shoulders playfully.
“No, I actually hate spin. My roommate loves it though.”
“God, I learned early group activities are not for me.”
“Oh yeah? Why is that?”
“I like my own company too much.”
“Interesting. Then why are you having coffee with me?”
Mark shrugged and leaned his elbows on the table.
“To be honest, Jessica, I’m still trying to figure that out. I mean you’re clearly beautiful, but I’ve got to be honest, I don’t even do the girlfriend thing but I was shaking when I saw you coming through those doors.”
Jessica bit her bottom lip, trying to remain impassive. She could not tell if this was a line or not and she had every intention of leaving but she was curious.
“Is that another line then?” Jessica asked, leaning back on her chair and crossing her arms.
“Nope. I had a pretty serious talk with my roommate last night and it had me thinking.”
“About? And please tell me roommate is not code for wife.”
Mark laughed a deep throaty laugh that made Jessica smile and drop her guard a little.
“You have a lot of spunk. I like it, and no I’m not married.”
“Well, that’s a relief.”
“Oh yeah? So you like me then?”
“I don’t know you.”
“You don’t have to know me to like me. You have to like me to like me.”
“How poetic.”
“We should go for a bike ride. Show me what you’re made of.”
Jessica tilted her head to the side, trying to get a read on him. She had never had a date outside before. It was always dinner, a movie or a combination of the two.
“Is that a date?”
“Of course.”
“Why of course?”
“’Cause I like you.”
“Just like that, huh? What makes you think I’ll say yes, Mark?”
“I don’t know that you’ll say yes. I just know I think I would enjoy lapping you.”
Jessica laughed loudly. This man was really something else. Usually her complaint was men never saying what was on their mind. Now she had a man in front of her that said everything that was on his mind. She could not tell if it was refreshing or terrifying.
“Where exactly did you plan on lapping me?”
“There are trails north of here. It’s pretty flat. Good for racing.”
“Oh, you mean Apopka South? I love those trails. Wait a sec, who says I need flat trails?”
“Um, you just said you liked those trails,” Mark said, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow at her.
“True, but I don’t like them just because they’re easy.”
“I would not dream of accusing you of that, Jessica.”
He flashed her the sexiest smile she had ever seen. It was warm and yet full of mischief. She kind of liked it.
“Should I plan on eating before?”
“Hint taken. I will bring food. It will be a picnic.”
“I’m sorry. I’m having trouble picturing the tough guy firefighter planning a picnic.”
“Well, I’m more than a tough guy firefighter. I also have no problem lapping you in mountain bike race.”
“You’re on. What happens if I win?”
He looked her up and down and she could tell his mind was in the same dark place as hers.
“Let’s just say you can bring the picnic blanket, Jess, and I’ll follow your lead.”
*****
Curtis
His dinner date with Jessica could not come fast enough. They had talked everyday leading up to the date and everything reminded him of her. She had the greatest sense of humor and he found himself laughing periodically though the day thinking about something she said or text messaged him. Curtis had barely noticed that he and Mark were barely on speaking terms. It seemed they both were completely engrossed in their girls and could care less about the other person. This was not what Curtis wanted. He wanted a smooth transition, just two adults coming to a rational conclusion that roommates should be reserved for college days and cheesy sitcoms.
They were back at the loft and after hours of silence in the truck, Curtis was enduring mind-numbing silence at home.
“Hey man,” Curtis said to Mark, grabbing his car keys, “I know
you’re just gonna ignore me, but I’m headed out on my date. If all goes well I’d really like you to meet her, man.”
Mark looked up from the television and proffered a weak nod.
“Have fun,” Mark said in a low voice.
“He speaks!”
Mark rolled his eyes and stared down at his phone.
“You never told me how coffee girl went.”
“She has a name, man.”
Curtis held up his hands in mock surrender.
“Sorry, just making conversation. How was it?”
“It was cool. We’re going mountain biking and maybe—a picnic.”
Curtis was sure his jaw hit the floor.
“Wait, like a date? Jesus, I’ve got to meet her.”
“See? This is why I didn’t tell you, man. You blow everything out of proportion.”
“Um, no way I’m feeling bad about this one. I’ve seen three girls walk out of your bedroom half naked on a weekday so I think I’ve earned the right to be a bit shocked to hear you talk about picnics.”
“Whatever.”
“Look, I’ve got to get going to beat traffic. At least tell me her name.”
Mark stiffened his shoulders and kept typing on his phone.
“Mark, hello? I’m talking to you, asshole.”
“Hang on, I’m texting her now. What’d you say?”
“Never mind. Well, maybe we can double date then. I’ll see you later.”
“If you do it right I’ll see you in the morning,” Mark said, winking at Curtis.
“It’s a first date.”
“First date, first fuck same difference. Bring a condom.”
Curtis ignored him and walked out to his truck. He had a condom. No shame in being prepared.
At the restaurant, salsa music was blaring and delicious spices were wafting through the air. The restaurant was packed but he could see Jessica as soon as she walked in. She was wearing a green, halter maxi dress that clung to her curves like a glove, her straight red hair was piled on top of her head in a messy bun with wispy tendrils framing her pretty face.
“You look beautiful,” Curtis said, kissing her cheek.
“You missed,” Jessica said, grinning up at him.
He smiled and leaned down, kissing her softly on her lips. She tasted like strawberries and if it was not for the crowd, he would have his hand under the dress and her spread eagle on the table.
“That was better,” Jessica said, smiling brightly at him.
“Easy, I’m trying to be a gentleman. You really do look great.”
“You mean you don’t prefer my dress with tire marks and boot prints,” Jessica said with a cheeky smile.
This is why he liked her. She was funny and seemed not to take life too seriously. The rest of the conversation was just as fluid. The more he looked at her, the more he could feel himself falling for her. He was drawn to her in a way that felt magnetic, and even after appetizers, entrees and wine, he could still taste her on his lips. To make it even more intense, she had been dragging her heels up his ankles. It was sending a wave of electricity right to his groin.
“You’re playing with fire teasing me like that,” Curtis said, stealing a bite of her dessert.
“Oh yeah? Well, what are you going to do about it?”
“I really am trying to be a gentleman, Jess,” Curtis said, dragging his thumb over full pink lips.
“Too bad. I’m still thinking about that kiss,” Jessica said, winking at him.
Curtis dropped two fifties on the table and rose to his feet. He extended his hand to Jessica and she took it with a bright smile. With his free hand he shot a simple text message to Mark: Need the apartment.
Mark texted him a winky face emoji and Curtis hoped that meant that Mark would leave immediately. It seemed a bit early in the relationship to spring for sex in his truck, and Curtis had washed his sheets just in case.
“Want to come over to my place for a bit?” Curtis asked, stroking her knuckles with his thumb.
She nodded and bit her bottom lip. It seemed everything was finally falling into place. Jessica, so far, really was panning out to be the girl of his dreams and everything felt so right with her.
“Will your roommate mind?” Jessica asked, as Curtis opened his truck door for her.
“Nope, he was just leaving. Knowing him, he’s in some other woman’s bed.”
“Sounds like a character,” Jessica said, laughing.
“Oh, you have no idea.”
*****
Jessica
To Jessica’s surprise, Curtis’s place was quite cozy. It was a loft on the second story in the business district with brick accents. It was surprisingly clean which made her a bit nervous since she could be a bit untidy. Cynthia was the clean one in their roommate arrangement.
“Where’s your roommate?” Jessica asked, scanning the dimly lit living room.
“I told you, he’s out, probably with some girl,” Curtis said, kissing her cheek. “Can I get you something to drink. I have beer and some whiskey.”
“I’m fine thanks,” Jessica said, throwing her arms around his neck.
She knew Curtis was really too much of a gentleman to make the first move so she would have to nudge him.
“Yes you are,” Curtis said, leaning down and kissing her.
She moaned as his hands ran down her exposed back and started untying the knot holding her dress up in the back. Her fingers were tangled in his hair as she felt his tongue move in her mouth. Her gentleman was a very good kisser and not just on her lips. He kissed her neck and pulled the dress down, dragging his lips across her shoulder blades.
“God, you taste good,” Curtis said, squeezing her hips and ass.
“You sure we’re alone?” Jessica said in a low whisper.
“Mmhmm. Trust me if Mark was here, you would know. Let’s get you comfortable,” Curtis said, interlocking his fingers with hers.
He really was sexy in a “Leave It to Beaver” sort of way, but she liked him. Even though it was a bit odd that his roommate had the same name as her coffee shop guy, but she ignored it as Curtis lit a couple candles around the room.
“So you already expected I would come over, huh?” Jessica asked, sitting on the bed.
“Like I said, just trying to be a gentleman,” he said, blowing out the match.
She sat on the edge of the bed and he kneeled in front of her, pulling her dress down until it pooled at her feet.
“Now what do you want to do with me?” Jessica asked, stroking his cheek.
“Open your legs.”
Jessica obeyed and he kissed her neck, running his fingers up her thighs in agonizing slowness. She leaned into his kiss as he pulled her thong to the side and slowly stroked her pussy. Jessica was soaking and every move Curtis made seeming precise, like he was completely in tune with her body. He pulled down her bra straps one by one with his free hand while still stroking her clit. Jessica could hear her own breaths get ragged as he sucked her breasts, swirling his tongue slowly over each nipple. Her legs were shaking. She really was about to come in front of a man who was still fully clothed. He had unraveled her.
“Oh God,” Jessica moaned as she came hard on his hand.
Curtis smiled at her and was out of his jeans and polo in seconds, holding a hard, long thick cock in his hands.
“Now you see why I needed you so wet. Lay down, beautiful.”
She obeyed and he crawled between her legs, kissing her thighs as he pulled off her panties. He dragged his tongue between her breasts and down her stomach before sinking his tongue deep into her pussy. Jessica arched her back, grinding against his lips. Right as she felt herself about to dive over the edge, his dick slammed into her.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ll go slow.”
Jessica held his neck as his dick dove deeper and deeper inside of her. He was stretching, filling her until she felt like her eyes would roll in the back of her head. He pulled her legs onto his shoulders so she could take h
im even deeper, and she cried out in pleasure as the full weight of his cock massaged her clit. She was soaking and for the first time actually screaming a man’s name. It was not the compulsory moans just to get sex over with. It was raw, carnal, back arching sex. She could not believe that Curtis had this is him.
“Oh shit. I’m gonna come, baby,” Curtis said, grinding into her.
She pulled him into a deep kiss as he came hard inside of her.
“I knew we should have skipped desert,” Jessica said, kissing him again. “That was so worth it though.”
“Yeah? Well, there’s more where that came from if you want to stay the night,” Curtis said, combing her hair back behind her ears.
Jessica felt a pang of guilt and not just because it was a school night. She was texting Mark right before she came on this date and was probably going to call him before going to bed. She still had not told either of them about the other, and had a sinking feeling in her stomach that it was about that time to make a choice.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea, Curt.”
“You sure? Is everything okay?”
“Oh yes, of course. I had a great time. I just—I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
“You mean because we slept together? Jessica, I do like you. I swear it’s not just sex to me.”
“I know. Me neither. I like you too. I just have some lesson plans to get together and I had such a good time I don’t want to ruin it.”
Curtis’s face seemed to fall and she wanted to perk him up. She did not want to discourage him at all. Her head was just in an orgasm-induced fog and to make matters worse she had a date with Mark in two days. Should she just call it off now and see where things go with Curtis, or keep going? All she could think were selfish thoughts like if Curtis could blow her mind like this, what tricks was Mark hiding?
*****
Curtis
Mark had left for the day for his mountain biking trip and all Curtis could think about was Jessica. They had talked since they had slept together, but something was different. She seemed distant and distracted. He could not tell what he did wrong. Curtis wanted to talk to Mark about it but he was too caught up in his new girl, so it was just Curtis and his what-ifs alone in the loft. Curtis jumped when a flash of lightening burst into the room, followed by a boom of thunder.
In Time to Love Page 41
