Coulson's Lessons

by McIntyre, Anna J

  The night wore on, and several regular customers drifted into the bar. The lights from the kitchen flickered, signaling the dishwasher was finished and would be coming for his end-of-shift drink. Steve said his goodbyes and left for home. Twenty minutes later, Rosa said goodbye.

  Taylor quietly began breaking down the bar as he continued to observe Alex. She had come to the bar a good two hours earlier in high spirits. Her mood had shifted, and he noticed how quiet she’d become. The rum drink usually didn’t have a quieting effect on customers—just the opposite. He suspected she would be in no shape to drive herself home. He’d have to give her a lift when he closed, which would be soon, for the last employee and customer had already left.

  Alex studied Taylor over the empty glass as she played with her straw, nervously swishing an orange slice in the base of the glass. She let out a deep sigh. God, she was incredibly lonely! What she desperately wanted was to be held by a man. It was strange; she had never been in a situation where she didn’t have a man who was willing to hold her. She chuckled inwardly. It wasn’t as if there were no willing volunteers. Actually, she was amazed at the number of men, both single and married, who had been attempting to get her into bed. But that wasn’t exactly what she wanted. Or was it? No, none of the men who approached Alex had appealed to her. There had to be at least friendship. However, there was need, great need.

  Desire washed over her like warm seawater. She felt a tightening in her chest, a desire so keen and a need so profound that she found herself restlessly pushing her empty glass from one hand to another. Her eyes looked up into Taylor’s. He looked backed uncertainly.

  What in the world was she thinking? He wondered. She looked so… self-absorbed. Or maybe she was simply a little drunk. Taylor smiled. Alex returned his smile. He noticed a peculiar sparkle in her eyes and imagined she looked just a bit… passionate? Taylor shook the thought from his head. He was imagining things.

  Perhaps he was imagining things because of the feelings he occasionally had toward Alex. He hadn’t thought anyone noticed until Steve mentioned it. Steve would notice. He even went so far as to warn Taylor, quietly chiding him for the look he gave Alex. Fortunately, Steve had enough sense not to share his observations with anyone else. Given Taylor’s popularity with women and Alex’s underestimation of her own appeal, Taylor assumed she never suspected he secretly desired her.

  Last month, Steve had taken Taylor aside and warned him sternly. “She’s vulnerable, and she’s your boss. Don’t even think about it. I’d gladly throttle you!” Actually, Steve delivered the warning in a good-natured manner, yet Taylor felt offended that Steve would, for even a moment, think Taylor would take advantage of Alex.

  “Can I take your glass?” Taylor broke the silence.

  “Maybe I want another Mai Tai.” Alex smiled sweetly.

  “You’ve already had two.”

  “Are you cutting me off, Taylor?”

  “No, but you aren’t going to be fit to drive home.” Taylor began mixing the third drink.

  “I’m not fit now.” Alex leaned her elbows against the bar top and rested her chin in her outstretched palms.

  Taylor was a good-looking man, exceptionally sexy. It was something Alex had noticed when she first hired him. The women customers loved him, and who could blame them? She felt that tightening in her chest again. God, he had wonderfully full lips. Models paid a fortune to pump collagen into their lips to achieve the look Taylor was born with. Alex briefly wondered if his lips were as soft as they looked.

  Taylor set the drink before Alex. “I think I better give you a lift home when we close.”

  “Good idea.” Alex smiled.

  Evil thoughts danced in her head. Taylor’s only thought was getting his employer home safely.

  In silence, Taylor completed closing down the bar while Alex watched and sipped. Alex guessed Taylor was over six feet. He was neither bulky nor thin. His lean physique reminded her of a tennis player. Yet, she imagined his chest was finely toned, for she knew Taylor worked out at the gym every morning.

  Kate once noted that Taylor looked European. His dark, straight hair was combed back, barely reaching the base of his neck. Mentally, Alex summed up each of Taylor’s features. His eyes were dark, mesmerizing blue, framed by thick, dark lashes. The nose was especially nice, straight, simple, a bit noble looking. And those dimples! God, those dimples were dazzling.

  He wore simple clothes, denims and white T-shirts. With looks like Taylor’s, who needed fancy clothes?

  Alex had always liked Taylor. He was one of the few honest bartenders she had met. At least, she believed he was honest. She had always enjoyed their talks; they were candid and insightful. Yet, she knew that Taylor’s lifestyle was a world away from her own. She had no desire to live in his fast-paced world, nor did she have any desire to make him fit into her world.

  As Alex downed the last of the third Mai Tai, she knew she desperately needed a night of companionship, a break from reality. Her entire body vibrated from need. She could never be intimate with a stranger. It would have to be a friend. Her mind was a bit hazy but her purpose was clear.

  Alex knew Taylor was fond of her. She even suspected he desired her. He’d already offered to drive her home. Just how would she get him into her house? Alex pondered the thought as her finger gently rubbed the rim of her empty glass.

  A half-hour later, Alex discovered it wasn’t difficult to lure Taylor into her house. It was easy to convince him that she felt uncomfortable going into a dark residence; after all, Adam was away from home.

  Alex unlocked the door, entered the dark house, and Taylor followed her inside. Taylor was restless. He needed time to unwind. He hadn’t taken his end of shift drink, and now, alone with Alex, he wished he had something to take the edge off. Alex sensed his restlessness.

  “Why don’t you make yourself a drink? Stay a bit. I hate coming here alone.” Alex smiled sweetly. Taylor would have never guessed her dishonorable intentions. He thought it was simply loneliness. After agreeing to a quick one, Taylor was led to the small wet bar and was left alone while Alex excused herself.

  Fifteen minutes later, Taylor finished his drink and was still alone in Alex’s family room. He suspected her trip to the restroom had taken a detour and she was most likely passed out somewhere or worse, getting sick. Taylor decided he would check on her and if she were peacefully passed out, he’d quietly slip from the house.

  He walked down the hallway and noticed light coming from the bottom of one closed door. Gently opening the door, he walked into what appeared to be the master bedroom. It was dimly lit, and the large king-sized bed, covered in a pale blue satin comforter, dominated the room. Alex was nowhere in sight, yet there were sounds coming from the adjacent master bathroom.

  “Alex, are you all right?” Taylor called out hesitantly.

  Instead of a verbal reply, Alex entered the room. She wore a floor-length, white satin robe, tied at the waist. Her hair was wet and she pulled a wire brush through her shoulder-length locks. It was obvious that she had just taken a shower.

  “I thought maybe you crashed or something.” Taylor was startled by Alex’s appearance. She had just combed the last tangle from her straight, wet hair and tossed the brush to the dresser.

  “I just needed to wash the smoke from my hair,” Alex explained as she moved closer to Taylor.

  “Well.” Taylor swallowed nervously. “I’ll get going so you can go to bed.” He moved toward the door. Alex took several steps, put out her hand and gently but firmly grasped Taylor’s wrist.

  “Please don’t leave,” she whispered.

  Taylor stopped dead in his tracks. He turned and faced Alex, studying her expression. She met his gaze with one of pleading vulnerability. She couldn’t mean? No, he dismissed the thought. Yet, he only dismissed it for a moment when he found she had moved so very close, the tips of her breasts were just inches from his chest. He could feel her warmth, and damn, he could feel her need.

 
; “I better go,” Taylor reasserted, carefully taking a step backward.

  “Please, Taylor. Stay with me tonight. Just tonight.” Her hands lightly touched his wrists, urging him toward her.

  Without thought, Taylor gently brushed her cheek with the back of his right hand. Her skin was incredibly soft—the temptation was overwhelming, yet he knew it simply was not right. Alex nuzzled Taylor’s offered hand. He took a deep breath and took another step backward.

  “Alex, you’ve had too much to drink. You’re lonely and sad. And I won’t take advantage of you.”

  “Taylor, if you don’t desire me, tell me, and I won’t say another word.”

  Desire? God, is the woman blind? What did his desire have to do with anything?

  “Don’t be silly Alex. This has nothing to do with me wanting to make love to you.”

  “Do you want to make love with me?” Alex asked simply. Her eyes were bright, wide, questioning. She might be a bit intoxicated, but she would never throw herself at a man who didn’t want her.

  Taylor placed his hands on Alex’s shoulders and held her firmly in place. Damn, she kept moving toward him as if he were a magnet.

  “Alex, you’ve had too much to drink. You’d regret it in the morning.”

  “Just say it, Taylor.”

  “Say what?” He was growing impatient and frustrated. He could smell her inviting fragrance, and the way in which she continued to inch toward him did not help his composure.

  “Say you don’t want to make love to me.” Alex stopped moving toward him and looked him straight in the eyes.

  “Of course I want to make love with you. I’d have to be dead not to want to take you right here and now.” His voice grew raspy and strained.

  Alex stepped back from Taylor and stood very still. He took a deep breath and for a moment, imagined she must have regained her senses and had decided to no longer play this dangerous game. Yet, this thought vanished a second later when Alex calmly untied her robe, pulled it open, and allowed it to fall to a silky pile at her bare feet.

  Taylor’s sudden intake of breath sounded as if someone had hit him in the gullet. He twirled around, put his back to Alex and stomped the floor with one cowboy boot. His right hand shot up and slammed the wall as he shouted. “Damn it, Alex! I’m not a eunuch!”

  “I certainly hope not,” Alex purred softly, again moving closer to Taylor. Her arms wrapped around his waist and he could feel her nude body press up against his back.

  “Would it be so awful?” Alex whispered. “I’m only asking for this night, Taylor. I desperately need to be with someone. But I can’t be with just anyone. It has to be a friend and someone who I’m attracted to. Unfortunately for you, you are the only one who fits the bill.” Please don’t make me beg!

  Taylor opened his eyes and slowly turned around to face Alex. God, she was incredible! His hands moved to her bare shoulders and gently began caressing them. He looked deeply into her hazel eyes, searching. Did she truly want this? Steve would have the crew rip out his throat if he found out. But damn, he was no saint! There was not a trace of hesitancy in Alex’s expression. She was determined to have this night. Then by damn, it would be one hell of a night!

  Taylor’s arms slipped down her shoulders, around her back, pulling her close as his mouth claimed hers.

  He tasted of whiskey. Yet, it wasn’t offensive, for he was sober. He nibbled at the corner of her mouth, his tongue seductively tracing her lips.

  Sensual, Alex felt sensual and alive. Her body had been dormant for so long. Crazy passion, need, and want pulsated through her being. She couldn’t get enough of Taylor. As she suspected, he knew how to handle a woman, how to make her moan and open in desire. The heady sensations engulfed her.

  Taylor’s kisses began to move down Alex’s neck; she knew his destination. Taking each full breast in his palms, Taylor gently squeezed and fondled the full spheres as his thumbs encircled the hard nubs of her nipples. Alex began to squirm. Taylor captured one breast in his mouth, and he began to suckle it sensually as his other hand reached around to cup her buttocks, squeezing and rubbing provocatively. His fingers slipped between her buttock cheeks and began to explore and prod gently. Alex gasped and bucked wildly.

  Taylor chuckled and then quickly scooped Alex into his arms, lifting her briefly before he tossed her playfully on the bed. Taylor knew Alex was a good ten years older than he was. Experience, not age would dominate this night. He guessed Alex had only been with Ryan during the last twenty years, while he had been with many women.

  Alex sprawled across the bed, looking up into Taylor’s face; her own was incredibly flushed. Breathing heavily, she stared at Taylor as he intently gazed over her naked body while methodically removing his own clothing. Alex was mesmerized, fascinated. She knew she should be embarrassed. Her own behavior was outrageous. Yet, she didn’t care. She simply didn’t give a damn.

  She watched as he stripped off his white T-shirt, revealing sculptured muscles that rippled beautifully across his chest. Next went the cowboy boots, followed by the socks, then the denims were pushed down his muscular thighs.

  She had felt his hardness when they first kissed while standing. Now, as he stood before her wearing only his briefs, she could see the immense bulge straining for release. Neither had said a word since this began. Silence continued to hang heavy in the air. Alex watched, curious and excited. Taylor never took his eyes from Alex as he removed his last piece of clothing.

  Alex’s eyes widened, and she gasped softly. Taylor smiled; he liked her reaction. Knees first, Taylor climbed onto the bed and loomed over Alex.

  Holy shit! Alex swallowed nervously. Men really aren’t created equal, she thought. What have I gotten myself into? She began to scoot away. Taylor grabbed her ankle, sending her sprawling flat on her back.

  “You aren’t going anywhere,” Taylor growled softly. His tongue traced the outline of her knee then moved upward. Alex had brought her legs together securely, yet that did not deter Taylor. He gently nuzzled her upper thighs, easing her legs apart with his face as his tongue continued to explore. Alex gasped, and her legs began to part in welcoming. Again, Taylor chuckled. He planted himself between her open legs and brought his face to the damp, curly triangle. His tongue boldly explored and prodded as his hand reached for one soft breast. He was glad she hadn’t lost her ample breasts during her recent weight loss. His other hand pressed between the mattress and her bare buttock, seeking the soft cheeks of her rump.

  Alex squirmed and arched. His tongue pressed deeper, sending Alex into a frenzy, which inflamed his desire. She was hot. All he wanted to do was bury himself in her. He wanted her to beg first. Taylor smiled to himself; her body was already begging for his touch, but he wanted her to say it.

  Taylor lifted up and moved his mouth upward; his tongue encircled her taut nipples. Lifting up again, he looked into her flushed face, and his left hand swept the stray tendrils from her face. Alex’s eyes fluttered open and her gaze met his. He smiled wickedly, and then his right hand dipped below, where his mouth had been just moments before. His fingers touched the damp curls, then he plunged two fingers into Alex. She bucked in shocked response, yet he was persistent and began rhythmically stroking and reentering her core. Alex bucked wildly against his hand, wanting more. Her legs opened, beckoning.

  “Damn it, Taylor,” Alex muttered helplessly. Her body language shouted for him to enter her completely.

  “Say it, Alex,” Taylor whispered gruffly. “Not until you say it.”

  “Damn it, Taylor,” Alex muttered again, her eyes wide. Searching his face, she could see he also wanted completion. Yet, he was ready to wait, playing this torturing game.

  “Say it,” he demanded again.

  “I want you inside me. Damn it, Taylor, you are driving me crazy!” she rasped out breathlessly.

  Taylor sat up partially, moving to rest on his knees; he loomed over Alex as he placed his hands on each side of her hips. With a sudden and sure motion, he fl
ipped Alex onto her belly. She was unprepared for the action, and it left her momentarily stunned; her face nuzzled into the satin comforter. With another sure motion, Taylor pulled Alex to her hands and knees and positioned himself behind her. Before she could protest or question, he leaned his stomach against her bare bottom, his right hand reached around, searching for the soft feminine curls. He found his target and rubbed his fingers into her dampness, preparing his entrance. Alex found herself pressing her bare buttock against Taylor in invitation, her knees moved farther apart. Using his hand to guide his way, Taylor plunged deep into Alex; she bucked wildly. In a frenzy of overwhelming need, he repeatedly pumped his enormous length into her moist tightness. His hand continued to massage the nub hidden beneath the tight curls. This stimulation fueled Alex’s greeting of Taylor’s manhood. Her bottom rocked wildly; with each plunging motion, she drew him deeper inside her until she heard herself shouting in sexual release. With a violent thrust, Taylor shuddered in relief as Alex felt her entire body explode, tightening around Taylor and greedily holding onto the splintering waves that rocked her body.

  Together they collapsed on the bed. Taylor gently eased out of Alex, he breathed heavily. It had been incredible. Wanton. Without any reserve. He was too tired, too satisfied to consider consequences.

  Alex rolled onto her side. Her head felt a bit dizzy, cloudy, and hazy. Her body had been revived. She could feel the stickiness between her thighs. It felt good. It felt decadent. She felt alive. Alex closed her eyes and went fast asleep.

  When she awoke, she was alone. Last night, she had fallen asleep atop the comforter. This morning she was beneath the sheets. She sat up. Her head throbbed. Alex rubbed her forehead and winced. It all came back to her. Taylor, last night, oh shit! By reflex, her hand reached beneath the covers and touched her inner thighs. Damn! We didn’t use a condom, and this is the 90s! She felt like an idiot—not guilty, just a bit stupid.