If I Told You

by Jennifer Domenico

  “But you want that other stuff? Marriage and kids?”

  He gazes down at the bread basket, then picks up a breadstick. “Honestly, I can’t imagine it. I guess on some level, someday, I’d like a kid. I’d like to believe there’s a woman out there that would make me want to be with just her forever.” He smiles. “But I don’t think there is. Not when I can have any one I want.”

  “I’m sure you get a lot of offers.”

  “Yeah. Even married women.” He sips his wine. “It’s good to be me.”

  I nod, sipping my wine. I don’t believe his stories of being satisfied. There’s too much underlying sadness. I don’t believe him at all. I don’t care though. As long as it’s not me he plans to tie down. I learned from my mother’s disastrous love life that placing all your hopes and needs in one man is the dumbest thing you can do. Once he knows he has control, you don’t matter anymore. Letting a man dictate how I live my life? No way.

  Looking across the table at Rhys, I smile and sip my wine. Never gonna happen.

  Grabbing her arm, I drag Melissa to my office and shut the door, locking it behind us. Quickly, I unbutton my pants and pull my dick out. Without a word, Melissa drops to her knees and starts working on me. Leaning back against my desk, I close my eyes and imagine Brooklyn’s mouth instead as I bury my hands in Melissa’s hair. It feels good, and I only feel slightly guilty using her like this, but this is what I do.

  “Oh fuck, yeah,” I grunt a few minutes later as I release my load in Mel’s mouth. I watch as she milks every drop, swallowing it all. She looks up at me, smiling and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She plants a kiss on the head of my dick then stands up. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure,” she says. “Truly. I’ve wanted to do that since the minute I met you.”

  I nod. “I can’t give you more than that.”

  “I know. I don’t expect more.” She pats my chest. “But if you ever want me to do it again, just say the word. I’m yours to use however you want.”

  “You deserve better than that, Mel. You’re a sweet girl.”

  “Obviously, Chef, I’m not that sweet.” She turns and walks out of my office, leaving me alone to reflect on what I just allowed to happen. I shake my head to snap out of it. I have a job to do.

  Back in the kitchen, I inspect the grilled salmon Tim prepared, making sure it meets my standards. “Where’s the gratin?”

  “Coming, Chef,” Louise says, carrying a sauté pan over to me. I watch as she carefully arranges the mushroom and potato mixture around the fish.

  “Beautiful. Sauce?” Tim returns, drizzling the glaze around the entire meal. “Perfect.”

  Tony, their server for the night, waits while I inspect the plates. I nod, and he lifts both plates, carrying them out to Rhys and Brooklyn. From my vantage point, I can see him nuzzling her neck and it makes my blood boil, even though I have no fucking right to be jealous after what I just did. When Brooklyn looks up at Tony, her cheeks are flushed and I’m dying to know why, but I know I can’t stand to hear the details. I saw what he did to her last time. I walk out to describe the dish.

  “Ah, Chef,” Rhys says when he sees me. “What is this delightful sauce on the fish?”

  “It’s a lemon prosecco glaze,” I say. “You also have a potato and porcini mushroom gratin. The earthiness of the mushrooms balances the rich fattiness of the fish. Enjoy.”

  Rhys leans forward inhaling the aroma of his dish. “Smells incredible. Doesn’t it, Brooklyn?”

  “It does,” she says. “Everything Flynn makes does though.”

  “What a treat to be able to eat his food on a regular basis,” Rhys says, and I believe he’s being genuine. “I wouldn’t mind being your roommate either.”

  I laugh. “I appreciate that.”

  After excusing myself, I walk back to the kitchen where I chug a large glass of ice water. The sooner he’s out of my restaurant the better.

  After Flynn leaves, Rhys reaches out and plays with a lock of my hair.

  “Maybe that’s why you excite me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re different. Because you don’t want me for all that other stuff. Because you’re honest. You just tell it like it is.”

  “That’s how I like things.”

  “I appreciate it. I feel like I know exactly where I stand.”

  “I don’t like games. I’m clear about what I want and what I’ll give.”

  “What will you give me, Brooklyn? Tell me.”

  I pierce a piece of potato with my fork. “My body.”

  “That’s it?”

  “Yep.” I smile. “That’s all you want anyway.”

  “I enjoy you though.”

  “I know, but it’s just because you want to be with me.”

  “I do want to be with you.” He brushes his fingers across my cheek. “So much so that I’d push everything off this table and invade your body in front of everyone. Do you know why?”

  “Because you’re an animal?”

  “No, because I want everyone to know that I had you. I’m the lucky son of bitch that got to feel you, taste you, be inside of you. I want everyone to know.”

  “You want Flynn to know.”

  He chuckles, laughing softly. “On some level.”

  “He doesn’t care. You’re not the only son of bitch that’s had me. I tell him about all of it. Every detail.”

  “Really? Why?”

  “Because that’s what friends do.”

  “Does he tell you about his women?”

  “Yep.”

  “Does it turn you on?”

  “Yep.”

  “Are you turned on right now?”

  Putting my fork down, I smile, lowering my voice. “I sure am, Rhys. What do you think I should do about it?”

  “Let me help you.”

  I nod. “Let’s go.”

  Rhys motions for our server. After paying our tab, I wait behind Rhys as he congratulates Flynn on another successful meal, even though we barely ate. Flynn’s eyes question me and I wink, letting him know my plans. As we walk up front, Melissa passes me and strangely averts her eyes. She’s always so friendly I wonder what’s gotten into her.

  Once inside the limo, Rhys and I go at it, making out like teenagers. He gropes my breasts through my dress, and I grab his crotch. God, I can’t wait to get it out. I need it.

  We kiss all the way there, all the way inside, up the elevator, and into my apartment, falling on the couch. I know we should go to my room, but Flynn won’t be home for hours.

  “I love how you don’t wear panties,” Rhys whispers against my mouth.

  “I hate them.”

  “Mmm,” he murmurs as he pulls my dress up. Running his fingers over my bare pussy, he grins. “Now, dessert time.”

  I sigh as he buries his face between my legs, sucking and swirling his tongue around my clit. He slides in a finger, then another, then one more, causing me to moan loudly. Oooh, I needed this so much.

  Throwing my head back, I massage my breasts, lost in the pure pleasure of his mouth. “Ooh, baby, so good.”

  “Yes,” he murmurs in between licks. “So good. You taste amazing.”

  I nod as he continues. “Mmm, oooh, I’m gonna come.”

  “Yeah, baby, give it to me.”

  As my orgasm hits, I buck against his tongue, muttering nonsense while pure ecstasy washes over me. “Oooh, yes, oh, Flynn.”

  “What did you fucking say?”

  I open my eyes to see a pissed off Rhys hovering over me. “What?”

  “You said Flynn.”

  “No I didn’t.” I shake my head. I didn’t, right?

  “You did, Brooklyn. Jesus.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If I said it, it was just an accident. I wasn’t thinking about him.”

  “Really?”

  “I swear. I wasn’t thinking about anything except how good that felt.” I sit up, putting my arms around Rhys’s n
eck. “I swear, Rhys.” Leaning forward, I kiss his mouth trying to distract him. “It’s your turn now.”

  He sighs, but he still looks pissed. “I think that’s enough for tonight.”

  “No, come on. I want to give you something, too.”

  “Forgive me, but it seems my dick lost interest when it heard another man’s name.”

  I lower my head. “I’m sorry.”

  Rhys climbs off of me and sits down, shoving his dick back in his pants. “Listen, Brooklyn. I like you. A lot. I think we could have fun together. I can’t control what you think about, and maybe you can’t either, but I do have some pride.”

  “I didn’t mean it. I swear I was focused on you.”

  He stands, picking up his coat off the chair. “I’d like to say that I don’t want to see you again. I wish I could tell you to be with Flynn, but the truth is, it’s not true and I can’t. I still want you. I’ll still call.”

  “I want to see you again, too.”

  He nods. “Good. I guess all I can ask for is a chance to replace him in your mind.”

  “It’s not like that, Rhys. It was an accident.”

  Leaning down, he kisses my mouth softly. “I’ll call you soon.”

  “Okay.”

  I watch as he lets himself out, then fall back against the couch, rubbing my forehead. Fuck.

  Unlocking the door to the apartment, I enter carefully not knowing if I’ll be met with Rhys and Brooklyn on the couch again. It’s silent. Throwing my coat on the chair, I look around for a minute, then walk down the hall to Brooklyn’s room. The door is open, and I see her in bed, sound asleep.

  “Brooks?” I whisper. She doesn’t answer. I walk closer, watching her, wondering if she’s been made love to tonight, wondering why he’s not still here. She rolls over, facing me, but still asleep. I sit on the edge of the bed, wishing I could tug the blanket down to reveal her tits. They are fucking spectacular. Everything about her is. I want to touch her. Kiss her. Uncover her. Enter her. I don’t seem to be able to get her out of my head. I close my eyes and lower my head, running my fingers through my hair.

  “You okay?” she whispers.

  I turn back. “Yeah. Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

  “It’s okay.” She sits up, holding the blanket to her. “Do you need to talk?”

  Trying to pull my eyes away from her, I shake my head no. “I’m good.”

  She rubs my back. “I’m here if you need me.”

  I need her. Desperately. “I know.”

  “Do you want to lie with me for a while?”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “Yeah.” She plays with my hair. “I do.”

  “Okay. For a little while.” I climb in bed next to her, all too aware she’s naked under those blankets. We lie side by side, staring at the ceiling, while I wish for so much more.

  “Rhys didn’t stay?”

  She shakes her head. “No.”

  “Everything okay with you guys?”

  “I think so. Just a misunderstanding.”

  She scoots closer, and I put my arm around her, pulling her even closer. Why does this feel so good? Why can we do this, but we can’t do more? Why do I want to so much?

  “Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

  “No.”

  “Okay.”

  “I just want to lie with you.”

  Closing my eyes, I imagine for a moment what it would be like to hold her every night. A smile creeps across my lips. It would be heaven.

  A few days later, back at work, I’m in my office doing payroll. Looking up when I hear the knock on my door, I see Melissa standing there. I haven’t seen her since the situation in my office.

  “Hey, Mel. What’s up?”

  “Rhys Camden is here to see you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep, he’s up front.”

  “Uh, okay.” I follow her to see Rhys studying my wine collection. “Rhys?”

  “Oh, hey, Flynn. Got a minute?”

  “Sure. What can I do for you?”

  “Can we speak privately?” he asks as his eyes shift to Mel.

  “Yeah. We can go in my office.”

  “Great.”

  I lead Rhys to my office wondering what he could possibly want to talk to me about. Once inside, I shut the door and offer him a chair. He sits, leaning back and crossing his legs. I wait for him to speak as I take my own seat.

  “I’ll just get to the point,” he says. “Is there something going on with you and Brooklyn?”

  I pull my head back. “Not at all. Why would you ask that?”

  “I sense some tension between you two, and I just need to know if I’m being played here. She denies it, but I thought maybe man to man you’d be honest with me.”

  “Sorry, man, nothing to report. We’re honestly just friends. Nothing’s ever happened between us.” Mostly.

  “I see.” He adjusts the cuffs on his shirt. “It’s just that the other night when I was eating her out, she said your name.” His eyes shift up to mine. “I have to say it’s the first time in my life that’s happened to me.”

  I fight back a grin. “She did?”

  “She did. Imagine your face buried between the legs of your dream woman and she utters another man’s name. Think I took a bruise to the ego on that one. As difficult as it is to admit it to you, I’m more interested in why she was thinking of you.”

  “No clue. It’s a surprise to me.”

  He nods. “You haven’t fucked her?”

  “No.”

  “Do you want to?”

  I smile. “Why would I tell you that? We’re not friends.”

  “I just want to know who my competition is.”

  “Your competition is you, Rhys. Brooklyn is her own woman and isn’t easily claimed by any man. Not me or anyone else. If she’s holding back, she’s doing it on her own. I have nothing to do with it.”

  “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  “I have some women I spend time with.”

  Rhys leans forward. “Does it bother you that I’m fucking Brooklyn?”

  I roll my eyes. “It wouldn’t if you were, but you’re not. She tells me everything, Rhys.”

  “Does she? So you know how many times I made her come with my tongue on Wednesday night?”

  He’s pushing my buttons and I know it. “As a matter of fact she did,” I lie. “She said you were good, but… I shouldn’t say.”

  I can see him try to play it cool, but his curiosity won’t stand for it. “But what?”

  “She’s had better.”

  Rhys guffaws. “I don’t believe you. I know what I’m doing when it comes to that. There’s no way she said that.”

  I shrug. “Guess you’ll have to wonder. Oh, but didn’t you say she said my name during it?”

  He glares at me as I offer a smug grin.

  “I think you want her,” he says.

  “I think you’re threatened by me.”

  Rhys stands up, straightening his jacket. “Here’s the thing, Flynn. You had your chance before she met me. If you want her you should’ve made your move because now that I’m here, I’m not giving up easily.”

  “Good for you, Rhys. I don’t give a damn, and if I were you, I’d be more worried about why she’s saying my name while she’s with you. Maybe you need to up your game.” I lean across the desk. “Brooklyn is my best friend, and if she wants to spend her time with you that’s fine with me. Just don’t make the mistake of hurting her or you’ll have to deal with my less than reasonable side.”

  “Fair enough.” He extends his hand. “I believe you, and on some level, I even admire you Flynn. You obviously value your friendship more than anything else you could have with her.”

  I shake his hand, slightly perplexed at his odd compliment.

  “Maybe if you’re ever up for it…” he shakes his head. “Never mind.”

  “What?”

  “We could double date some time.” He smiles. “Sin
ce you’re just friends.”

  “Sure. Maybe we can do that.”

  “Great. Thanks for your time today. I’ll see myself out.”

  “Yeah. Okay.”

  “Oh, but just in case you’re not being entirely truthful, let me just say this. I want her all for myself. If I have to compete with you then I must say, may the best man win.”

  Shaking my head, I reply. “You’ve got it all wrong.”

  “I’d like to be wrong.”

  Once he’s gone, I slouch back in my chair. I don’t know what that was about. Staking his claim on Brooks? I rub my forehead, as a grin spreads across my face. She said my name while he was eating her out? That’s fucking awesome. Picking up my phone, I fire off a quick text to her.

  Pizza and beer tonight? You and me? Or do you have a date with the food critic?

  A few minutes later she responds.

  No date. Pizza and beer sounds great. Love you.

  Before I answer, I stare at her message for several minutes wishing it meant something different than it does.

  Love you too, Brooks.

  A few hours later, I walk inside the apartment and hear music playing. After looking around for a minute, I pull off my coat, throw it on the chair, and walk down the hall to Brooklyn’s room. When I see her, I lean against the doorframe, watching as she dances around her bedroom, oblivious to my presence. Her normally wild mane of hair is piled on top of her head in a bun and she’s wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. Her ass is literally perfect, but I guess it should be with all the hours she spends working out.

  As she wiggles that perfection, I chuckle, catching her attention. She twists around, gasping in surprise.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I live here.”

  She laughs. “I know. I just thought it would be later.”

  “Surprise.”

  Brooklyn shakes her head, turning the music down. “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Long enough.”

  “Awesome.” She laughs. “How was your day?”

  “Good. Got a lot shit done. I’m gonna take a shower then we can eat?”

  “Perfect.”

  Like your ass, I want to tell her. Oh, and those perky tits staring me in the face. Her erect nipples press against the fabric of her tank, making me want to tear it off. Brooklyn is the hottest chick in New York, and I can’t touch her.