by Layne Harper
Everyone stands up and gives Clay a standing ovation as he takes the podium.
Clay’s speech is memorable because he jokes that he didn’t get the memo that is wasn’t a roast before he prepared his remarks.
He proceeds to deliver zingers and one-liners at everyone’s expense. However, at the end of his remarks he profusely thanks my dad for saving his career and allowing him to be able to still wrestle with his kids. He lets Colin know how much his friendship means to him and then teases that one day maybe Colin will have some jewels like his and flashes his championship ring at our table. He then threatens to break both of Colin’s kneecaps if he buys Marley a guitar. He concludes by thanking Janis for following him all over the country to support his career, for going to the kids’ school plays, games, and recitals when he couldn’t because he was chasing his dream and most of all for being his biggest fan and toughest critic.
I don’t think that there was a dry eye in the house when he was done.
The doors from the ballroom open and lead toward the reception room that has been turned into a dance club. The music is loud and the base is thumping. My dad gives me a look. I know that this isn’t his scene, and he’ll be heading out shortly. Sasha and Colin are in front of us. She grabs his hand and drags him excitedly toward the music.
I think, Damn! I know that he’s a good dancer, and so does she. She is going to occupy him all night.
By the time that we make it to the club, the dance floor is filling up. She leads Colin to the dance floor, and I watch the two of them begin to dance. It feels the same way as watching him make love to someone else. It sucks! As long as Colin and I were together, he never danced with anyone but me. I decide that I can spend the rest of the evening miserably watching them simulate their bedroom moves on the dance floor or I can take off my shoes and join in the dancing masses. I go to the bar and order a gin and tonic, and then head to the dance floor.
I start dancing by myself, but I am quickly spotted by JT. He walks toward me and starts falling into my moves. He’s a damn good dancer. This might not be so bad after all, I think.
I pointedly don’t look for Colin and Sasha. There is nothing that I can do about it, and I know that ultimately he is mine, so right now, I am just having fun. By the end of the second song, I’ve drained my gin and tonic. JT offers to refill it, and I let him. As soon as he walks off, another guy that I had met earlier but whose name I can’t remember, joins me. He is not as coordinated as JT, but I give him one dance.
I sit out the next song and take a moment to check my phone. There is a message from Colin.
Colin: Meet me by the restrooms in five minutes.
I check the time that it was sent and realize the five minutes is now. I throw my phone in my purse and head out of the converted club to the restrooms. I spot him standing by a water fountain. He is leaning against the wall and looks all kinds of sexy. His face is a little red. He must have gotten some sun on our confession run. It looks good on him. He really is a walking mission statement.
He flashes me his half smile when he sees me. I walk to him, and he plants a chaste kiss on my lips. When he does, I catch a whiff of scotch on his breath. He’s had more than one.
“Colin, how many drinks have you had?” I ask accusingly.
“Charlie, shut up and listen to me,” he orders. I’m shocked. He has never talked to me like this.
“I had the scotch so that one) I could better deal with tonight and two) so that I would have an excuse for not sleeping with Sasha.”
“I guess that’s good, Colin?” I ask, completely confused.
“Sasha knows that I do not drink – ever. She was quite shocked when she saw me have a few glasses of scotch,” he confesses.
I cut him off. “And frankly so was I.”
“Just listen,” he pleads. “I told her while we were dancing that I think I had a bit too much to drink and excused myself to the restroom. I am going to go back in there and tell her that the scotch has made me not feel well, and I am going to my room to sleep it off. I’ll tell her to enjoy the rest of the night, take a town car back to her place, and I’ll see her tomorrow. As much as this disgusts me, go dance three or four more songs with JT, and then come to my room. Do not change first,” he orders with a wicked glint in his eye.
“Sounds like you have this well planned,” I respond as I turn around to walk back into the club.
“Charlie,” he calls after me, “don’t let him touch you.”
Chapter 9
I WATCH as Colin delivers the news to Sasha. She looks worried. I can tell that she wants to leave with him. He shakes his no. She begins to plead with him. He shakes his head no again. I guess she finally gets the message because she throws her hands down by her side in a giving up motion. He gives her a peck on the cheek. She tries to take his mouth, but he makes a motion warning her off. After he leaves, and I am sure that she doesn’t follow, I find JT on the dance floor again.
I explain that I was in the restroom and thank him for my drink. We dance four more songs together. I am really having a great time. He’s good and hasn’t tried anything inappropriate one time. I start to wonder if Colin’s description of JT is incorrect. After the fifth song, I thank him for some great dancing but explain that I have an early flight out tomorrow, and I am exhausted.
He gives me a hug and tells me that he’ll call on Monday to make an appointment. I smile at him and tell him that I look forward to seeing him again, which I strangely really do.
Before I leave, I spot Sasha. She has picked up a new dance partner. He’s a very single, very hot defensive lineman who plays for Chicago. It makes my conscience feel better knowing that she didn’t run home when Colin left her. Maybe my impression of her strong feelings for Colin is wrong.
Once in the elevator, I eagerly select Colin’s floor and lean against the wall as the elevator doors close. I hope that I can talk him into a foot massage before the night is over because my feet are screaming at me.
I gently knock on Colin’s door. When he opens it, I am greeted by the sexist sight ever. My statement is in his tuxedo pants, no shirt, and barefoot. I can’t stop myself. I launch myself at him. He catches me and picks me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and attack his mouth. All of our frustrations at spending the night pretending we didn’t care are wrapped in this kiss. “God, I love your mouth,” I say as he starts nibbling on the special place on my neck. He carries me into the bedroom and tosses me on the bed. He pulls my dress up over my hips and rips my panties off in one fluid move. The look on his face makes me want to explode. He is looking at my body with appreciation and lust. He reaches down and runs two fingers over my slick opening. “This is mine,” he says.
“It’s all for you until infinity,” I breathe my reassurance.
He undoes his button on his pants and pulls down the zipper. He doesn’t even bother to pull the trousers down. Suddenly, he slams inside me. I cry out in shock, pleasure, and pain. He only gives me a quick moment to adjust to his presence before he starts thrusting into me.
“Charlie, this is how you make me feel when you pleasure yourself and don’t let me touch you,” he says, hammering into me.
“This is how you left me when I watched you come, but was denied mine,” he says with heat and passion in his voice.
I moan in pleasure. The assault feels perfect. This is what I had been craving all day. I need this level of rawness.
“I’ve been denied eight years with you. Don’t deny me again,” he orders.
“You have all of me Colin. Remember to infinity,” I promise while I writhe and groan in ecstasy.
That pushes him over the edge. We come together both greedily stealing each other’s pleasure.
When we’re done, he pulls out of me very gently and walks into the bathroom shutting the door behind him leaving me in a messed up state.
I lie there for a few minutes waiting for him to return. When he doesn’t, I stand up, reach around and undo my zipper letting
my dress fall to the floor. I pick it up and throw it over the chair in the room. It really is a gorgeous dress. I don’t want it ruined. I sit on the edge of the bed and remove my shoes. It feels almost orgasmic removing them from my poor abused feet.
I take off my strapless bra and feel gloriously naked. I walk into the suite and open the refrigerator. Just as I expected, it’s well stocked with bottled water. I open a bottle and walk to the bathroom to see what’s taking Colin so long. The door is closed and locked.
That’s odd, I think.
I knock. “Everything okay?” I ask.
“Give me a second,” he groans.
What’s wrong with him? “Colin, open this door. There is something wrong. Let me in,” I demand.
I wait a moment and nothing happens. “Colin, I am freaking out. Open this door or tell me what’s wrong,” I all but scream.
I hear the door lock click, and I quickly turn the knob and rush in. He is positioned over the toilet losing everything in his stomach. I rush to him and kneel down on the cold tile next him, rubbing his back. “What’s wrong, baby?” I plead.
He can’t answer me, so I just stay next to him doing what I can for him. He face is bright red. I check his pulse. It’s normal, thank God. I soak a washcloth in cold water and use it to mop his brow. I then lay it across his back. When he breaks into shivers, I remove the cold washcloth and cover him with a bathrobe from the behind the door. When he’s finished dry heaving, I hand him my water bottle and encourage him to drink. This reminds me of so many years ago when I took care of him in a similar manner.
“What’s going on, Colin? You didn’t drink near enough to be this ill.” I am beyond worried about him.
“I have an alcohol intolerance,” he explains. His voice is raw from being sick.
“What? I heard of it in medical school, but it’s usually a reaction to mixing medication with alcohol.”
“Well, I am one of the lucky few whose body can’t break down the grains in alcohol,” he says ruefully.
His face is still so red that he looks sunburned.
“I’ll drink about half this water and throw it up again. Then, I’ll be perfectly fine with slightly red cheeks.” He sounds so pitiful. His voice is raspy and weak. His face is twisted in a look of disgust. I know that this is not how Colin planned tonight going, or is it?
“Is there anything that I can do, or that you need?” I ask.
“You. I need you,” he says, looking at me with pleading eyes.
I watch the man that has consumed my life for ten years position himself back over the toilet and lose the remaining bit of scotch in his body and all the water that he just drank.
I run a bath for him in the giant whirlpool tub while he finishes. There really are benefits to upgrading to a suite, I think. The tub is awesome.
I grab him another bottle of water, and place it by the tub.
I get a fresh towel. Kneeling down in front of him I clean around his mouth. Then I bring him his toothbrush and toothpaste so he can get the taste of sick out of his mouth.
He stands up and walks to the bathtub. I unwrap the bathrobe from around him and help him remove his tuxedo pants and underwear. Even after getting sick, he has a semi-firm erection. Amazing! I encourage him to get into the bath.
I open his bottle of water and hand it to him. “Will you join me?” he asks, running his eyes up and down my naked body.
I nod my head yes and slide in the warm water and lay against his front. My body instantly responds to our contact.
I can feel his erection grow and poke me in the back.
He laughs in his raspy voice, “My dick doesn’t realize that you just watched me puke my guts up which puts a wet blanket on anyone’s libido.”
He is sounding more like his old self. That makes me happy. “Oh Colin! I think my libido is already back in business,” I reassure him.
I can tell that he’s still weak so I change the subject from sex. “Tell me how you discovered your intolerance.”
“Well, you see Doctor Collins,” he teases, playing with the chain of my infinity necklace. “You know that I rarely drank because I seemed to be so affected by it. Like, even in high school, a few beers would make me sick. After you left, I decided that Jack Daniels was my best friend. I was drinking shots of Jack one night with Clay, and he’s the one who pointed out that my reaction was far from normal. I wound up mentioning it to a doctor, and they confirmed the diagnosis. To my body alcohol is toxic. The guys on the team love it, because I am always the designated driver.”
“I bet they do,” I laugh.
“So why did you drink tonight?” I ask, knowing the answer but wanting to hear him say it.
“I did it so there would be no chance that I would have to have sex with Sasha,” he says sheepishly.
“That was really dumb, Colin. You purposely poisoned yourself. You have to deal with your relationship with her tomorrow, right?”
“Right,” he confirms.
“By the way, she danced the rest of the evening after you left with the defensive lineman from Chicago.” I just toss that little grenade out there. He can do what he wishes with it. “Also, I want you to promise me that you aren’t going to drink again. No matter how convenient it might be to avoid a bad situation.”
“Trust me, Charlie. The decision was not made lightly. No one likes to puke less than me. After I kissed her on the red carpet, I knew that I had to do it, or she would have made a beeline for my hotel room,” he explains.
The thought of him sleeping with her disgusts me, but I choose not to harp on it.
“By the way, that’s the last time that I have unprotected sex with you. We temporarily lost our minds. Let’s hope we don’t have a baby to show for it in nine months,” I state matter of factly.
“Would that really be so bad, Charlie?” he asks with a hint of desperation in his voice.
“Yes. It would, Colin.” The water is getting a little cold. I reach up with my foot and turn on the faucet adding more hot to the tub. “We have a lot of shit that we need to figure out. It would be nice to figure it out before we start trying to keep another human being alive.”
“Gosh, Charlie. I had forgotten what a romantic you are,” he teases, tickling me lightly on my sides.
I roll over on my stomach so I can see his face. He looks so much better. “Can I order you up some food?” I ask. “Anything sound good?”
“You. Naked. On my bed.” he says, flashing me his half smile.
“I’ll be naked on your bed with a box of condoms on the bedside table. How does that sound?” I ask in my best seductive voice.
“I’ll agree to you naked on my bed with a cheeseburger,” he counters.
“I will agree to the cheeseburger, but I am not negotiating on the condoms. However, I promise to make an appointment with my doctor as soon as I get home to go on the pill,” I smile sweetly and stand up to get out of the tub.
“Fine,” he says with a pout as he watches me dry myself off. I take an extra second or two to make sure my breasts are dry. His eyes grow dark with lust. “Charlie, don’t do that me again,” he warns.
“What, baby?” I fake innocence. “You don’t want me getting water everywhere, do you?”
I drop my towel, and I do my best model walk out of the bathroom. I can feel him fucking me with his eyes, and it is so exhilarating.
I hear him run some fresh water as I exit the bathroom. I walk over to the hotel phone on the bedside table. I call room service and order Colin a cheeseburger, fries, and Diet Coke. The Diet Coke is for me. I hang up the phone and yell at Colin, “Food will be here in forty-five minutes; whatever shall we do while we wait?”
“Give me five minutes, baby, and I’ll show you how we can occupy our time.” He is done pouting and back to jovial Colin.
I hear the water draining out of the tub and the bathroom sink running. Soon enough he emerges in nothing but his birthday suit, and a mighty fine suit it is. He starts walking to the bed li
ke he is stalking his prey.
I sit up and point toward the bathroom. “Go find them. You aren’t touching me until they are on the bedside table.”
“Come on, Charlie,” he pleads. “The damage is already done,” he reasons.
I am not giving in on this. “I don’t care, even if it is too late. However, you are wasting precious minutes by arguing with me when you could be enjoying some of this,” I say as I reach down and begin to touch myself.
“Not cool, Charlie,” he says as the stomps back into the bathroom.
About thirty seconds later, he emerges with the golden tickets for the rest of the night and tomorrow morning. He is in full sulk mode. He puts them on the table and flops down on the bed next to me.
Oh, this is ridiculous! I scoot next to him and start playing with his semi-erection. He quickly responds to me. “See! Isn’t this better than pouting?” I ask while I pump him up and down.
“Yes, I guess,” he acquiesces.
“Well, let’s see if you think this is better than pouting,” I say as I take his erection in my mouth. I take all of it in my mouth and suck as hard as I can.
“God, that feels good, Charlie. Much better than pouting,” he confirms.
I sheath my teeth in my lips and gently nibble and bite the head and then lick it tenderly catching the liquid on my tongue as it runs out.
