by Conn, Claudy
“I’d love to.”
“Okay. Why don’t I buy you lunch, and we can plan out where we wanna go, and then you can head back to your hotel?”
We stop at a quaint lunch spot and grab a bite to eat.
He leans across the table, tapping the top of my hand. “When you walked into the meeting, you looked pretty rough,” he muses in a snarky tone.
Resisting a sarcastic comeback, which I’m pretty famous for, I opt for a more passive response, raising my palm. “Don’t even go there.”
“Roger on that.”
Over dinner, we talk mostly about our educations and how we came to be in the professions we’ve chosen. He started out in mergers and acquisitions after obtaining an MBA from Columbia Business School. I ask why he got out of the business and how he became involved in health and fitness.
Placing his arms on the table, he takes one of his forks and repeatedly turns it over, nervously. He notices me watching and puts his hand over the fork, as if telling himself to stop. I nod and smile, placing my hands over his and encourage him to continue talking.
“It’s two-fold, I suppose. Working in New York in capital and private equity is very stressful and time consuming. It’s a cutthroat business, and if you have no balance in your life, you burn out very quickly.” The tone of his voice goes from matter-of-fact to somber, as he lowers his head. “I had no balance. I was invincible, or so I thought. I made a butt load of money, but was spiraling downward and on the verge of a breakdown.” He picks up the fork again, turning the tines onto the table in a stabbing motion, then turns it straight up on end, startling me. “My marriage failed, and I promised myself after that, I wouldn’t accept defeat. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”
I sit back in my chair and clasp my hands. “Wow. I’m sorry.”
He sits back in his chair and laughs, seemingly amused by my comment. “Sorry about my marriage or my mental health?”
“Both, I guess,” I answer, wondering why I said something so stupid.
“Well, it was all for the good. I wasn’t cut out for corporate America, and it took me almost twenty years to realize that. Obviously, I wasn’t cut out for marriage either.”
I wonder what makes him think he wasn’t cut out for marriage, but I don’t want to pry, because that would lead him to pry into my life, which I’m not prepared to share with him yet. With each conversation, I’m beginning to like him more and more. His friendship, coupled with his sincere interest in talking, forces me to abstain from prodding.
Instead, I opt to ask about his becoming involved in health clubs. He’s almost giddy with enthusiasm as he leans across the table with his arms crossed. It’s as if he is talking about his child.
With a huge smile and a wink, he asks, “Well, for starters, what would you say if I told you I once weighed over three hundred pounds?”
I cock my neck in disbelief. “I’d say, no way, Jose.”
He lifts his head, and with raised eyebrows, he questions, “Really? Why?”
“Because. You’re so …”
Seemingly charmed by how I might answer, he retorts, “Hot?”
Not wanting to give him a big head, or the pleasure of a compliment, I banter back, “Pfft. Is that how you see yourself?”
Looking disheartened, he lowers his head. “Not really. But I’d love it if you thought I was hot.”
Picking up my own fork, mocking his exercise, I reveal, “Okay, yes you’re hot, but what I was going to say, is that you’re in such good shape. I mean, you look like you really take care of your body.”
“I do. And I swore, when my wife left me after demeaning me almost daily about the extra baggage I’d packed on over the course of our marriage, that I was going to learn to like myself again. I hated what I had become. I felt her disgust while looking at my body, which unfortunately, made me resort to eating even more to drown my sorrows.” He clasps his hands and places two fingers at his lips. “But enough about that. It’s the past, and I’ll never go back to the old Leon.” He leans forward, crossing his arms with confidence.
“I know the feeling,” I sheepishly whisper.
“So, you’re not happy with your body?” He looks at me compassionately, as if he understands. “You’re beautiful just the way you are, Noel.”
Suddenly, I become angered for no good reason and become combative and defensive. “I’m not beautiful, okay? And I don’t want to talk about it.”
Tapping his fingers with a puzzled look on his face, he comments, “Gee, sounds like I hit a nerve, and that wasn’t my intention. You kind of brought this up, and I’m sorry if it’s a touchy subject, but you’re a very pretty woman, inside as well as outside—at least as far as I can tell.”
I feel awful for lambasting him and lower my shoulders, ashamed for my outburst. “Look, I apologize. I’ve just got some major shit going on in my life right now, body image being part of it. It’s something I’ve suffered with for a long, long time.”
“You seem to have a lot of complex layers sequestered inside you.” He takes my hand and kisses it sweetly. “Let’s talk about something else. Are you ready for Christmas?”
“No. I hate Christmas,” I retort immediately and without thinking.
“Oh man, nobody hates Christmas,” he says with a puppy dog look on his face. He leans across the table, pointing his finger in a friendly gesture. “You need to let me take you to look at Christmas lights, and then, in the next few days, while I’m here, you need to let me take you on a winery tour. Ever been on one?”
“In California? No. As for looking at Christmas lights, I don’t think that’s gonna help. Alcohol, yes, but Christmas decorations? Bah Humbug.” I wave my hand dismissively.
“Okay, Debbie Downer, just give me a chance. I’ll pull ya out of your funk. I’m an expert at funk removal.”
I ask how he maintains such a positive attitude and he holds his hands up. “It’s easy. When I went through my dark period, as I call it, I swore that for every insecurity and self-loathing feeling I had about myself, I’d come up with a positive, you know? A reason to get out of my New York, self-pitying, state of mind. Simple as that. It’s actually how I came into opening my gyms.”
“Okay, I’m interested. Go on,” I urge him. My mood suddenly perks up, and I smile.
He grins, turning his head to the side. “Well, there you go. I got you to smile.” He seems pleased with himself and puts his hand on my shoulder. “Tell ya what, let’s ditch this place and go on a walk. I’ll take you to see the Circle of Palms, guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit and tell you all about it. It’s awesome.”
Chapter 9
We walk on the streets of downtown San Jose. It’s chilly, and he offers me his jacket, which I eagerly accept. The lights are fantastic, and I’m actually starting to feel the spirit. Something about Leon Hallas tells me he is a standup guy and what harm could our friendship cause? Opening up about myself is something I don’t normally do. I’m a very private person, but he makes me feel so comfortable. I’m still not clear why he’s taken up with me, but for now, I’m going to enjoy the time we’re spending together. Who knows, maybe he’ll inspire me to make a change that will get my life back on track.
We walk past the many shops, all decorated for the holidays, and he starts singing “Silver Bells”. I hook my arm through his, and he nuzzles into me. “Feel free to sing along, Miss Scrooge.”
We stop in one of the many stores that are open late. From behind, with his hands on my shoulders, playfully pinching them, he pushes me into the store. “Get into the spirit! I want you to find a Christmas ornament.”
I turn around to look at him reluctantly, and he urges me, “Go on.”
After perusing the whole store, I finally stop at a little, white tree, bearing San Jose, commemorative ornaments. I run my fingers over several and finally, I smile as one stands out and speaks to me. It’s a white, ceramic circle, bearing simple, hand painted, script in red and green, “Merry Christmas
2015 San Jose, California”. As we take it to the cashier, he brushes my cheek and says, “Noel, I’m glad you got your Christmas cheer. Hang it on your tree when you get home, and you’ll always remember me.”
I place my hand over his, leaning my cheek towards him. “Thanks for being you. You call me Scrooge, and truly I am, but I appreciate you. I’ll always remember you.”
When we reach his car, he places his hand at the small of my back, which gives me chills, and I giggle. “What’s so funny?” he asks.
I tell him the story I concocted in my mind the night I first met him, when I thought Corry was his girlfriend.
Amused, he backs me up to the door of his black Mercedes, holding my hands at my side. “Why don’t we change out the female character? Let’s say her name is … Noel. So, what happens next? Something like this?” He plants a sweet kiss on my lips.
I close my eyes and nod my head, my breathing labored. “No. It was more. A makeout-type kiss.”
He takes my face into his hands, and kisses me passionately with his tongue swirling in my mouth, and my breath hitches. Something about his hands on my face, his woodsy scent, and his sensual lips is driving me wild. At this moment, he has total control over me.
“Like this?” he whispers, seductively.
“Umm. Just like that.” I throw my head back, and the tingling sensation south of my belly once again surfaces. I feel wetness between my legs, and I need to release.
He softly laughs, as he parts my legs with his knees. “Umm … I’m not a writer, but I think I could definitely direct and produce this scene.” My body responds as he playfully traces his finger around my décolletage. The bulge in his pants perfectly meets with my crotch, and I sigh. He grinds into me as I grip the door handle, maintaining my balance. My body is on fire, and he backs off, teasingly. “So, you wanna tell me what comes next?”
Breathily, I softly murmur, “Your finger. It ... it runs ...inside my, my bra and … and ...”
He pushes my sweater up and gently squeezes my breasts through the fabric of my bra.
I hear footsteps on the pavement and panic. “Leon, someone’s coming. We have to stop.”
I adjust my sweater, and he opens the door to the car, helping me inside. “No worries, I think this just means we’re ready for the next scene. You know, the one where the sexy female character goes for the goods.”
He starts the car, and once we’re on the road, he takes my hand, kissing it lightly. “I like this story so far.” Rubbing his chin, he turns, enticing me to continue. “So, if my memory serves me right, this is where Noel reaches over and ...”
I place my hand on his erection, nestled inside his pants, and he moans pleasurably. I slowly unzip his jeans, reaching inside, and I take him into my hand, gushing, “So, I guess I don’t have to ask if you wear tighty whities or boxers.”
Beaming proudly, he winks at me. “Nope. Captain Commando.”
I’ve never given a hand job in a car, and I have to say that Leon’s concentration on the road has me wondering if we will get back to the hotel safely. My skills bring him to a satisfying climax. Without missing a beat, he pulls a small towel from the glove box so I can clean my hands.
Smiling, as we pull up at the hotel, he removes the towel from my hand, and tosses it in the back seat. “Good thing I keep these things in the car, I guess.”
He walks me to the elevator, grabbing both of my hands, kissing them. “Want me to see you up?”
I shake my head and smile, while running my finger down his neck. “Uh, yeah I think we have another scene to write.”
Excitedly looking into my eyes, our lips meet. I feel the warmth of his breath, and he smells divine. My body becomes weak with desire, and I accept his kiss, knowing full well that I’m less than five minutes from surrendering myself to him.
As soon as I put my key in the door, turning the handle, Leon kicks it open, backing me into the room, and he’s removing his clothes while his lips are still on mine.
He pulls my sweater over my head, lowering me onto the bed, and I’m panting with desire. “I’ll be right back,” he says, gasping. “Hold that thought.”
I remove the rest of my clothes, turn off the light, and pull the covers securely over me. The sound of Leon stumbling in the dark, trying to find the bed, makes me laugh. I hear him hit the nightstand.
“Ouch! What’s up with the darkness?” He chuckles as he fumbles for the light switch, and the lamp comes on.
He takes one look at me shrouded in the covers and crawls into bed, next to me. He playfully tugs at my covers and shakes his head. “Babe, this ain’t gonna happen with white knuckles holding that damn blanket over you.”
My insecurities kick in, and I nod left, towards the light. “Off, please.”
He looks at me, stunned, while propped up on his elbow. “Lights off ?”
I nod. “Please.”
“Oh, Noel, why baby? I wanna see you.”
I close my eyes, and shake my head, gripping the covers for dear life.
He brushes my cheek, tenderly, and kisses me. “Baby, why don’t you want me to see you?” He looks totally confused.
“I just … I wanna do this with the lights off. Please?”
He pulls the covers off of him, revealing his to-die-for body and his incredible package while grinning provocatively. “So, you’re saying you want this in the dark?”
My eyes go straight to his cock, the head glistening with drops of what’s to come. While it’s not Texas sized, the width compensates for the length. Oh my, this is such a turn on. I just wish I had the confidence to get my lights fucked out with the room lit, but it’s not gonna happen.
“Yes ... dark.” I pant.
He obliges and pushes the button, leaving the room nearly pitch black, except for the moonlight shining in through the sheer curtains. Parting my legs with his knee, he scoots down the bed, blowing along my belly line, making my back arch with a pleasurable reflex. His tongue salaciously moves between my legs, and my body tingles.
“Oh my.” I spread my legs ever so slightly, panting deeply, while fisting the sheets, wishing I had the nerve to watch what he’s doing to me.
Instinctively, I guide his head with my hands, and he obliges.
“You drive baby, put me where you want me,” he says, with a moan.
I don’t think I’ve ever had an orgasm as intense as the one that is erupting. The lower half of my body is shaking as I grab Leon’s shoulders, thrusting my hips upward in an abyss of ecstasy. From this oral delight, he slithers on top of me, guiding himself between the folds of my throbbing core, and I’m more than willing to accept everything he has. Once inside me, I experience multiple orgasms, which are coming like fireworks. Never have I ever felt this type of pleasure from sex.
His fingers lightly dance between my legs as he withdraws. “You’re so wet babe, but I don’t want to come. Not just yet. I want you to go down on me, will you do that?”
Writhing in pleasure, I gasp and say, “Yes. Oh Yes!”
He reaches for the lamp, turns it on and rolls onto his back, parting his legs. The sight of his naked, muscular body makes me forget all my inhibitions, and right now, all I want is to have him in my mouth. Tempting me by gyrating his hips, he groans softly. “I wanna watch you with the lights on, baby.”
His eager eyes follow me as I make my descent down his trail, giving soft kisses, and teasing him all the way. He exhales, leaning his head back against the headboard blissfully while adjusting his hips. “Am I enough for you, babe?”
I lick my lips and smile. “Umm … You’re a perfect fit.”
Getting my lights fucked out has definitely moved to first on my list, and I want more and more. Mind-blowing sex, where have you been all my life?
During the night, I hear the sound of keys jingling, so I turn over and switch on the light.
Leon bends down to kiss me. “I gotta go, babe. I don’t have any clothes here, so I guess I’ll see you in a few hours. Go back to slee
p, beautiful. I’ll see myself out.” I hear the heavy door close, and I nestle under the covers, turning on my side. I move my hand down between my legs and tingle as I feel the wetness of last night still present. I’m sore, but it’s a feeling that makes me feel so complete, so connected to Leon.
Chapter 10
My face lights up when I see Leon walk into the meeting. I flirtatiously lick my lips as he winks, stopping by my chair, to whisper in my ear, “Dinner tonight? We need to finish that story.”
He texts me during the meeting, and it’s all I can do to keep from laughing out loud as I read and respond. “I’ve got a boner.” He looks down at his crotch then over at me with a provocative smirk.
I giggle as I imagine what’s popped up between his legs and I type, “I can fix that.”
With a raised eyebrow, he mouths the words, “You’re on.” Then I get another text. “I’ll pick you up at seven. Lights on.”
“On?” I mouth.
“Yeah, gotta see how the story ends.”
I take a long, hot, luxurious bath, immersed in the expensive, citrus-scented bath salts provided by the hotel. Soft music is playing, and exhilaration sets in as I think about my handsome, silver fox making love to me tonight. The jets of the whirlpool act as an aphrodisiac as my hand moves between my legs. Squeezing them together, my hips move to accommodate my wandering fingers as I fantasize about our upcoming tryst and having sex with the lights on. My release comes all too soon, and I scream out in pleasure, hoping the walls of this room will hold my secret and that no one in the adjacent room has heard.
At six-fifty, I get a text from Leon, “ETA 10 minutes.”
I text back, “I’ll be in the lobby.”
While anxiously waiting, my heart stops when I see a familiar figure walk into the hotel. He smiles at me, and all the blood rushes from my head. It can’t be.
It is!
“Dave, what are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?” I choke on my words.
Smiling, setting his suitcase down, he laughs. “Well, hello, to you too, Noel. Paige told me where you were staying.”
