If I Told You

by Jennifer Domenico

  “What?”

  “Love.”

  I crinkle my brow. “But you said you weren’t in love with me.”

  “I wasn’t.” He smiles. “But I think I wanted to be. I hoped it would happen. I wanted you to be the one.”

  “Why?”

  “I’ve been having such a great time building this amazing life I have. I sleep with anyone I want. You were a conquest for me. A stunning rare gem that I wanted. I planned to take you out a couple of times and you know, just take what I wanted, but you didn’t let me. You made me work for it, and I enjoyed it. The knowledge that I could lose you at any moment only made me want you more.”

  I nod.

  “The more time we spent together, I realize now how much I liked having one consistent person in my life. I began to trust, to open up, and to want more than just sex. I felt like I did when I was with Meg. Why else would I invite you to Florida and suggest you move in with me?”

  Nodding, I answer. “I wondered.”

  “The truth is, I’m lonely, Brooklyn. I just didn’t know I was.”

  I tilt my head and make a sad face. “Oh, Rhys.”

  “I see now I need more in my life than just casual hook ups with beautiful women. I need another rare gem, but I want to keep her this time. I want a relationship. Being with you, I finally saw the value in getting to know someone, in learning about a person, in talking and laughing, and just hanging out.” He smiles, walking toward me again. “I’m thankful you came into my life. I don’t know how long it would’ve taken me to get to this place.”

  I smile not sure what to say.

  “I think I could’ve fallen in love with you, but you would never be able to return those feelings. I admit, it’s been a very humbling experience.”

  “I hope you know I never meant to lead you on. I was just confused.”

  “I do know. You understand now that you’ve always been in love with Flynn?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I want you to be happy even if it’s not with me.” He extends his arms for a hug, and I walk into them, holding him tightly. “I know he understands how special you are, and he’ll be good to you.”

  “I want you to be happy, too.”

  “I am. This has been an incredible experience for me. The next woman I date will benefit from it.” He kisses the top of my head, then lets me go. “I’m gonna head out now. I decided to take a week off and go visit my family in Connecticut. Then I have a bunch of new restaurants to review when I get back.”

  “I’ll be reading.”

  He pinches my chin gently. “I’ll be happy knowing that.”

  We both turn to the door when we hear a slight knock. Flynn walks in carrying two coffees from Java. He looks back and forth between me and Rhys as his jaw twitches.

  Rhys smiles. “I was just leaving.” Approaching Flynn, he extends his hand. Flynn sets the coffee down and shakes it. “I’m really happy for you. As you know, she’s great.”

  Flynn nods. “Thanks, man. Sorry about how things went down.”

  “You couldn’t help it.” He leans close and whispers something I can’t hear, then turns back to me. “Take care of each other.”

  “Hey,” Flynn says before Rhys leaves. “You’re welcome at Flynn’s anytime. There’s always a seat for you.”

  Rhys smiles. “I’ll take you up on that. You’ve got the best panna cotta in the city.”

  After he leaves, Flynn looks back at me. “What was that about?”

  “Just closure and making peace with everything.” I take a coffee. “What did he whisper to you?”

  Flynn smiles. “He said he concedes defeat.”

  I tilt my head. “Why would he say that?”

  “I mentioned how he came to see me a long time ago at the restaurant right when you two started dating. He confronted me on our relationship and before he left, he said may the best man win.”

  “Ah. I see.”

  “So I guess I did.”

  “I didn’t know it was a battle.”

  “Neither did I.” He pulls me close. “I denied having feelings for you, but he knew. It seems everyone did but us. I guess we just didn’t want to see it.”

  “True.”

  “And now here we are.”

  “Yep.”

  Flynn grins, takes the coffee out of my hand, and puts it on the desk. “Here we are, all alone in your office.”

  Grinning, I wrap my arms around his neck. “And?”

  “And I’ve always wanted to bend you over this desk. Whaddya say?”

  “Do you even need to ask?”

  Flynn locks the door, then turning back to me, he grins. “Pull your pants down for me, Brooks. Let me see what you got.”

  “This?” I ask as I tug down my yoga pants. “You want this?”

  “Mm hmm, I do.”

  “You didn’t get enough this morning?”

  “Nope. Did you?”

  “Never.”

  Grabbing me around the waist, he pulls me into him, and I rub his cock through his jeans. “Do you know how crazy it makes me that you never wear panties?”

  “You like that about me?”

  “I do.” He slides his hand between my legs causing me to sigh.

  “What else do you like?”

  “The way you taste.” Lifting his fingers to our mouths, he licks them, then I do the same, flicking my tongue over them. “You are so hot, baby.”

  I unzip his jeans and release his dick from the constraints of his boxers. “I need you.”

  He slides into me and begins moving deep within me. He has the best cock ever. The best.

  “I always knew…” he murmurs.

  “Knew what, baby?”

  “That we’d be perfect together. Sexually compatible.”

  I smile. “Enough talking now, Flynn. Make me scream.”

  “With pleasure.”

  Being inside Brooklyn is like nothing else. I’ve been with so many women, so many I can’t count, but none of them have ever felt as perfect as this one. Gazing down at her smiling face, I grope her tits, the ones I’ve craved for years, as I pound into her, living the dream I’ve had since I first laid eyes on her. I just didn’t know that I could fall in love, that it would be with her, that she could love me back.

  As her head falls back, all that pretty blonde hair of hers tumbles onto the desk. She’s so fucking beautiful. More than beautiful. She’s phenomenal. She’s everything. Her legs wrap around my waist, pulling me in deeper and she moans. It’s the best sound I’ve ever heard, her moans caused by me. I finally got her.

  “Ooh, Flynn, baby, you feel so good.”

  That’s all the encouragement I need. “Hold on to the desk.”

  She grips the edge, and I unleash on her, driving my dick in her as deep as possible. My eyes follow the motion, in, out, in out, that beautiful pussy gripping my cock with each thrust.

  “Jesus, you’re perfect, Brooks.” I release into her, closing my eyes as she milks every drop from me. Leaning forward, I hold her close, nuzzling her neck and kissing her softly. She strokes my hair with her arms wrapped around my neck.

  “So are you,” she whispers.

  I pull out slowly, watching as cum drips out of her. She looks down, grinning and dragging her finger through it.

  “Stop that.”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t take it.” Without thinking I drop to my knees and bury my face in her pussy, not knowing what the fuck has gotten into me. When I look up, Brooklyn is watching me, biting her bottom lip, with a devious smile on her lips.

  “Mmm,” she murmurs. “You’re the best, Flynn. No one eats pussy like you.”

  Digging my fingers into her thighs, I suck her clit, causing her to squirm. I slide several fingers inside her wet pussy and pump and suck until I feel her clench around me.

  “Fuuuck…” She moans, grinding into my hand. A minute later, she falls back on the desk, breathing heavy. Hovering over her, I watch as she opens her eyes. �
��Kiss me.”

  Our mouths come together, tasting of each other, as we press together on her desk. After a moment, she opens her eyes, softly running her fingers down the back of my neck.

  “Can I say something weird?” she asks.

  “Hit me.”

  “I’ve had a lot of sex in my life. You know this.”

  “I do.”

  “I can honestly say it’s never been this good. Never.”

  “You know why, right?”

  She nods her head. “Because your dick is massive?”

  I laugh softly. “Because neither of us have ever had sex with emotion before. This is the shit people talk about that I never understood until now. Now I get it.”

  “Oh yeah. That must be it.” I help her upright, then pull my jeans up as she wipes herself with tissues and gets her clothes back on. “You ever do that before?”

  “Do what?”

  “Go down on a girl you just came in.”

  “I’ve never come in a girl before.”

  “Huh?” She tilts her head. “Oh. Condoms. Got it.”

  “Always.”

  “But not with me?”

  “Why would I? I know you. I know how you are about that shit.”

  “Yeah. I think the last time I had sex without one I was sixteen.”

  “Right. So we’re good.”

  “Yeah. We’re good.”

  “Besides, I don’t give a damn anyway. I’m yours for life.” I step closer, rubbing her cheek. “So no, I’ve never done that, but I fucking liked it. I like exploring everything with you. I like that sex feels new again.” I grin, moving between her knees. “You were so wet and soft and now you’ll be at work all day with me on you and in you. Nothing could possibly turn me on more than that.”

  “Me too, Flynn.”

  I kiss her softly before backing away. “I have to go. Dinner tonight?”

  “Every night.”

  The next day, I’m just finishing the inventory order when Melissa walks in my office.

  “Hey, Chef.”

  I look up from my paperwork. “Hey, kiddo. What’s up?”

  “You busy?”

  “Just finishing up.”

  She walks in front of my desk. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah. I’m great. Thanks for asking.”

  “Good.” She pulls up her skirt, revealing the fact that she isn’t wearing any panties. I’m staring at her bare pussy, actually bare, with not a strand of hair in sight. Shit.

  “Interested?”

  “That’s nice, but, uh—”

  “I want you to fuck me, Chef. Please.”

  “Oh shit.” I stand, running my fingers through my hair. “Put your skirt down. I can’t do that.”

  “Why not? I’ll do whatever you want.”

  “I appreciate the offer, it’s just that I’m not available anymore.”

  Melissa tilts her head, furrowing her brow. “You’re with someone?”

  “I am. I’m with Brooklyn.”

  “What?”

  “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. We need to talk about what happened between us. I broke a huge rule of mine with you, and this is exactly the reason why I don’t mess around with people that work for me.”

  “Brooklyn?”

  “Mel, what we did was wrong, and I need to—”

  “Oh God!” She gasps. “Don’t say it. I’ll do it for you. I quit.” She turns around and runs out of my office.

  Dammit.

  Opening the door to Flynn’s, I walk inside wondering why no one is at the front desk. I peer behind the wall to see Melissa and Flynn engaged in what looks like a heated argument. I wonder for a moment if I should leave, but then I remember, Flynn is mine now, so I take a deep breath and walk forward. He looks up at me and shakes his head. Melissa turns around, and when she sees me her eyes open wide.

  “Can I just go now?” she asks Flynn.

  “For God’s sake, Mel. Would you just hear me out?”

  “What’s going on?” I ask.

  “I’m quitting,” Mel says. “Trying to, but Flynn won’t let me.”

  “Why do you want to quit?”

  She puts her hands on her hips. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, seriously.”

  She looks around the empty restaurant for a minute. “I don’t want to get fired.”

  I look at Flynn. “Am I missing something here?”

  Melissa rolls her eyes. “You know what happened. You saw it with your own eyes.”

  “Okay. So?”

  “So? You don’t hate me? You’re not mad?”

  “Why would I be?”

  “Because he’s your boyfriend now and…” she sighs, shaking her head, and I get it now.

  “Flynn, can you let me talk to Melissa please? Alone.” Flynn nods leaving us. “Come on, Mel. Let’s sit for a minute.” She sits, staring down at the table. “What happened with you and Flynn doesn’t matter to me.”

  “How is that possible?” she asks, glancing up at me. “I don’t want to cause problems, and then you’ll tell him to get rid of me and then—”

  “Stop, Mel. You won’t cause problems. Flynn and I weren’t together when that happened.”

  “I know, but if I work here then, I don’t know, it just feels disrespectful to you.”

  “Look at me.” She looks up and I smile. “Flynn and I have a unique thing for sure. It’s not weird for me, and I’m sure Flynn’s fine with it, too. I hope you can move past it because you’re really valuable to Flynn’s. You’re very good at what you do and customers love you. I know Flynn doesn’t want you to go.”

  “But you’re not, I don’t know, worried or jealous that I’ll hit on him again? I mean, I won’t now that I know, but doesn’t that bother you?”

  “No.” I pat her hand. “Here’s the thing. Flynn is incredible. He’s one of the hottest chefs in New York right now and women have always and will always throw themselves on him. I knew it as his friend, and I know it as his girlfriend.” I pause for a moment to reflect on that term. Girlfriend. “I have to believe, and I do, that Flynn’s affection for me outweighs any possible temptation that comes his way. I know he respects me way too much to do anything with anyone else.” I smile. “And I don’t want to be an asshole, but personally speaking he didn’t care about you that way. Professionally speaking, you’re important to him.”

  She nods. “I know.”

  “Besides, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not exactly chopped liver. My confidence is tight.”

  Mel finally laughs. “Good point. Who could compete with you?”

  “Glad I made you laugh. It’s not a competition though. Flynn is one thousand percent mine, and there’s not another woman on this planet that could take him from me. I know this because, well, because I know Flynn. You even said so yourself that once we decided to be together nothing would come between that. Remember?”

  She nods, then after a moment asks, “So, you’re okay if I stay?”

  “Absolutely. I hope you will.”

  “I’d like to. I love my job.”

  “Good.” I smile, patting her back. “Let’s go tell Flynn the news.”

  “Okay.” We stand and she throws her arms around me. Surprised, I return the hug. “I’m actually super happy for you guys.” She steps back, smiling. “I always knew it was you. I’m glad you both realized it.”

  “Thanks, Mel.” I look past her at Flynn who lingers behind us. “I am too.”

  After telling Flynn she’s staying, Melissa resumes her position up front and Flynn walks over to me.

  “Settled now?” he asks.

  “It’s all good. Guess she thought I’d be mad or jealous or something because of what happened with you guys.”

  He shakes his head. “Chicks, sometimes.”

  I laugh. “Right?”

  “I was trying to apologize to her for how I treated her, and she just freaked out. I guess she thought I was gonna fire her.”

  �
�Yeah, she basically thought I would demand it. I told her I didn’t give a shit. It was in the past when we weren’t together, and I had no concerns regarding your faithfulness. None.”

  Grinning, he grips my waist and pulls me close. “You’re right. I never need to look again, or wonder what’s out there. I’m holding my dream woman.”

  “Took us long enough.”

  “I guess we needed the time.” Leaning close, he kisses me softly. “You know what’s really awesome about us?”

  “What?”

  “We don’t have to do all that getting to know you bullshit that new couples do. We don’t have to think about what secrets we should keep or wonder how long we’ll want the other person around. We don’t have to worry about dumb shit. We can just live and love and be ourselves.”

  “That is awesome about us.”

  “Hell, we don’t even need to decide when we want to move in together.”

  “Nope.”

  “All we have to decide is what’s next for us.”

  “This is good. Just like it is.”

  He nods, searching my eyes. “Maybe we’ll want more someday.”

  I tilt my head, grinning. “More? Like what?”

  Flynn shrugs. “Just more. For me, Brooks, you and me, this is forever. You’re it.”

  “It’s the same for me.”

  “I know. It makes me feel good imagining us years from now and what our lives might be like. Do you think about that?”

  I shake my head softly. “I haven’t yet.” Rising on my toes, I kiss his lips. “I guess I don’t need to. I just always knew you’d be there, in my future, right beside me. It’s just a little different now.”

  “Yeah. Better.”

  “Much.”

  “I love you.” He chuckles. “I never thought I would say that so freely and mean it like I do.”

  “You’ve told me you loved me a thousand times over the years. It’s funny how those three words have such a different meaning now.”

  “I’ll tell you a thousand more times.”

  “Good.”

  Flynn smiles. “I’ll tell you something else.”

  “What?”

  “You know the way you kiss me, the way you have for years, just that sweet little peck on the mouth?”