No matter how hard of a front I was able to put up in Bryson’s presence, that didn’t stop my real feelings from surfacing when I was alone. Like now, when I wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in a pair of strong arms as I dozed off to a movie while snuggled up on the couch.
Landon’s arms are pretty strong, Kennedy.
But my eyes were locked on the TV as I stared at Bryson’s arms that were squeezing against the sleeves of his blazer, the blazer that I had picked out for him. In fact, Bryson looked good in just about everything I dressed him in which made my job slightly easier.
Landon dresses well too, Kennedy.
I continued watching the interview and comparing the two though I knew there was really no comparison. While Bryson was all hot, and sexy, and thrill, Landon was sweet. Landon was comfortable. Landon was home.
There wasn’t a decision for me to make.
It was already made the second I said, “Yes”.
I turned the TV off, pouring the last of the wine into my glass before taking it and the couple bites of Talenti I had left with me to the bedroom. I almost left my phone until it began buzzing against the coffee table. I doubled back, taking a peek at the screen and immediately rolling my eyes at the message.
My flight gets in at 9. I’ll need you to come by around 10 to fit me for the game. -B$
I thought about ignoring it, pretending like I had already fallen asleep when it came, but I had to remind myself that he was my boss.
Kennedy: I’ll be there.
Miss you, Kenn. Can’t wait to see you in the morning. ;) -B$
I chugged my wine, not even saving a sip to savor. I mean, what was I supposed to say to that?
How could I logically reply to something so simple yet so… ugh.
Bryson knew exactly what he was doing, knew exactly how to get under my skin, and had to know I’d be vulnerable on a night like tonight when I was just slightly past the point of tipsy. I typed and deleted a bunch of stupid responses before I came up with one that I could live with in the morning.
Kennedy: See you then, boss.
&
“You and your man should come to the game tonight.”
Bryson spoke of the idea so casually as if it was even possible that I’d subject myself to such torture. It was already plenty for me to be looking at his forever shirtless frame as he packed his duffle bag. The last thing I needed to be doing was seeing him all sweaty in live action.
“We can’t. We already have plans,” I lied as I diverted my eyes elsewhere.
He stopped, peeking up at me with a smile as he said, “No plans are bigger than courtside seats.” Courtside? “Matter of fact, why don’t you call your man right now and tell him the news.” I thought it over, knowing Landon would probably kill me for turning down the tickets. But I had to stay strong.
“Our plans are pretty important.”
Non-existently important.
He eyed me again before he walked over to where I was standing and snatched my phone from my hand. I didn’t budge, knowing he wouldn’t be able to access anything without… “What’s your passcode?”
I crossed my arms over my chest as I protested, “I’m not telling you.”
He stepped closer, his bare, tattooed chest only a few inches from mine as he asked, “Kennedy, do you want me to tickle it out of you? Kiss it out of you? Lick it out of…”
I put my hand up to stop him, “Fine! It’s 0315.”
He laughed in victory, typing it in and surely scrolling to my call log. “What is that anyway? The day ol’ boy proposed to you?”
It was a shame that I didn’t even remember that exact date, but I quickly answered him. “No. It’s my birthday.”
He stopped scrolling the second he realized what I had said. “Wait a minute. 0315. March 15th. That’s today! Kennedy, it’s your birthday and you didn’t tell anybody?”
I brushed him off, knowing it wasn’t as big of a deal as he was making it. “Who tells people it’s their birthday? Like… you really thought I was just gonna come in here and announce something like that? That’d be weird.”
He still didn’t look satisfied as he asked, “How old are you?”
“Twenty… five.” I cringed saying it out loud. Surely I was engaged, had a great job with benefits, a decent place to lay my head at night, and a savings account; but I hardly felt like I had my shit together enough to already be hitting this particular milestone.
To make matters even worse, Bryson replied, “I thought you were older than that.”
I couldn’t help but to be offended. “What?! Why?”
He only shrugged, going back to his packing as he said, “I don’t know. You’re just so… mature. Responsible. Uptight.”
My attitude remained. “Uptight? I am not uptight.”
He disappeared into the closet, grabbing a pair of tennis shoes, before he spoke again. “Kennedy, let’s be real here. You’re not exactly a thrill seeker. You play it safe. You calculate your moves. You’re thorough. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just not very… twenty-fiveish.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, feeling the need to defend my morals. “It is when you’re not making millions. Not all of us can throw our lives away at the expense of fast cars and faster women.”
Now he was the offended one, biting the inside of his cheek before he piped out, “That’s what you think I do?”
I challenged him, “That’s what I know you do.”
He took a few steps closer to me as he asked, “What about my charities? Annual events in the community? Community service partnerships?”
I brushed off the name dropping. “For every one of those, there’s probably three whores you’ve left in each city you’ve visited. I know your type, Bryson. I’m no fool.”
He knew I was right, but I was surprised when he responded, “Kennedy, I’m young. I’m single. Of course I indulge. But what’s your excuse?”
“My excuse? My excuse for what?”
He covered the little space left between us, getting right in my face to ask, “Your excuse for being twenty-five, and responsible, but still wanting to risk it all for a chance with irresponsible, reckless ass me?”
I refused to back down. “What are you talking about, Bryson?”
His hands were around my waist before I could move away. “Kennedy, I’m being real with you. So keep that in mind when I tell you we might as well get this over with so we can resume our normal lives.”
I still didn’t move. “Get what over with?”
“This… exploration. Sexually. Me and you. And don’t say you’re not curious cause it’s been written all over your face for awhile now.”
Now I had to pull away.
“My God. You can’t possibly be this full of yourself all the time.”
He smirked, finding my wrist to pull me back but not completely as he said, “Not all the time. Just long enough to get the attention of pretty women like yourself.”
Since he liked to get in my face to prove his point, I stood on my tippy-toes to do the same. “I don’t wanna have sex with you, Bryson. So just let it go, alright?”
Somehow his hands ended up back on my waist like he just owned the damn place.
His voice was low and gentle as he teased, “You don’t, huh? You sure about that?”
My feet fell flat as I answered, “I’m… I’m positive.”
Don’t you start fumbling over your words now, Kennedy!
He eyed me, licking his lips in a way he just knew would send my lower half into a frenzy. “Well why are you breathing all funny, huh? Can’t stand for me to be this close? Can’t stand for me to… tease you?”
I tipped my head back to meet his eyes. “Bryson, I don’t want you.”
His face quickly hovered over mine, our lips so close that if I were to get on my tippy-toes again we’d definitely be kissing. “You’re lying. You already told me you wanted me. And I want you too. So let me have you, Kennedy. Let me…” My phone b
egan to ring in Bryson’s pocket, cutting him off. He didn’t step away, just pulled it out and pressed the green button to answer it before putting it to my ear so that I could catch it against my shoulder.
“Hey birthday girl. What are you up to?”
I was just getting ready to answer Landon’s question when Bryson dropped to his knees in front of me, sliding the edge of my dress up against my tights. “I’m at… I’m at work, babe. What’s up?” I tried to shoo Bryson away, but he locked both of my hands with one of his as he continued to push my dress up with the other.
“Nothing much, just making sure you’re having a good day. We gonna do dinner tonight? Maybe a movie? I mean, it’s totally up to you since it’s your day and all.”
I was trying to pay attention, but Bryson stuck his face right in the crotch of my leggings causing me to yelp, “Yes! I mean… actually, Bryson gave me… gave us courtside tickets to the game. For my birthday.” I looked down at Bryson with wide eyes and he only smirked as he tugged on my leggings that I knew he wouldn’t be able to pull off with one hand.
“What?! You’re kidding me! That’s dope, Kennedy! So what time should I meet you at home?”
I felt a rush of cold air against my thighs, looking back down to find that Bryson had indeed figured it out.
How the hell did he…?
“Six! I mean… how’s 6 o’ clock sound?”
God, please forgive me.
“I should be able to make it by then. Well I’m excited. Make sure you’re extra nice to Bryson today for that sweet gift,” he said with a laugh that just about made me explode. Well it was either that or the fact that Bryson’s lips were grazing my inner thigh.
“I… I will. See you at 6.” I waited until I heard him end the call since I couldn’t do it myself. Then I dropped the phone so that it would land right on Bryson’s head.
He let my hands go as he yelled, “Ouch! What the fuck, Kenn?!”
I stepped away, pulling my leggings up as quickly as I could before sliding my dress back down. “What the fuck you, Bryson?! I was on the phone with my damn fiancé and you were getting ready to…” I couldn’t even say it out loud.
“Well Kennedy. I’m afraid to break it to you, but uhh… I’m not the only bad guy here.” Then he stood up, heading back to his closet as he casually tossed out, “The tickets will be at will call.”
Bryson
The game was over and won with hardly any help of mine. Anytime there was a break in game action, my eyes were on Kennedy and her fiancé as they shared drinks, fed each other popcorn, wiped excess food off of each other’s faces and did all that other cute shit only couples could do. I suppose it was my fault for extending the tickets in the first place, but now that I had gotten a sample of Kennedy - even if it was just a kiss against her thigh and a whiff of her sweet womanly scent - I was craving a full dose.
So when I looked Landon in his eyes and shook his hand, I already felt guilty.
“It’s so good to meet you, man. I’ve been following your career since your college days at the University of California.”
“Oh really? That’s what’s up. It’s always cool to meet a loyal fan.” My eyes went to Kennedy just as she put her head down. “So, what do you two have planned for the rest of the evening?” Knowing Kennedy, she’d probably be going home to knit a sweater or some shit.
Landon smirked, damn near blushing as he said, “We’re actually getting ready to… Kennedy, why don’t you tell him?”
Kennedy rolled her eyes as she announced with zero enthusiasm, “We’re going to the strip club. So my boring twenty-five-year-old ass can throw some one’s on some not so boring ass. For my birthday.” My eyebrow shot up on its own.
Kennedy?
At a strip club?
Now that I’d have to see to believe. I mean, I had seen her at the regular club once before, but she hardly seemed to be enjoying it then.
“I’d love to join you guys. If you don’t mind.”
Landon lit up like a kid on Christmas.
“You serious?! Hell yeah you can join us! My uncle is the owner and he’s a huge Philly fan, so I know for a fact he’ll give you nothing but the best.” I looked over to Kennedy for approval and of courseshe refused to give me her eyes. But her little attitude wasn’t enough to stop me from coming.
So I gave Landon a smile as I told him, “Sounds good, bro. I’ll meet ya’ll there.”
&
I arrived at the strip club way later than I anticipated. I could only hope that Kennedy and Landon were still there, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Kennedy had already called it a night.
Instead of coming through the front door and causing a scene, I had one of my teammates, Wes, coordinate our entrance through the back. I wasn’t inside the building for more than a minute before I saw Landon waving us over, “Bryson! Wes! Over here.”
Since Wes hadn’t met Landon, he looked back at me with a confused expression. But I gave him the nod to let him know it was cool. We headed his way, but my eyes were scanning the crowd as I tried to find Kennedy.
I know her ass didn’t really go home already...
“Yo, I didn’t know you were bringing guests too! What’s up, Wes?”
Wes looked Landon up and down before asking him, “And you are…”
I could tell he was a little embarrassed so I answered for him, “This is Landon. His girl works for me.” Wes instantly busted out laughing.
“Bruh, you trust this man working with your woman?! Do you know who he is?!”
Landon let out a laugh of his own as he replied, “I don’t have to trust him. I trust Kennedy. She would never betray me; especially for a guy like this dude.” Little do you know... “There she goes now.”
I followed his gaze to the door and my jaw hit the ground once I laid eyes on her. Kennedy was looking like… fuck. Hardly like the Kennedy I had become familiar with. Even though it was still pretty cold outside, she was showing as much skin as legally allowed; her boobs refusing to be contained by the thin lace fabric of her white crop top. She complimented it with a white mini skirt that squeezed her thighs and ass in all the right places. Even Wes was impressed as he let out a low, “Damn.”
I looked behind her and saw she had arrived with a friend, the same one from before. But before I could even think to address her, she brushed past me and went straight to Landon, falling into his arms for a hug.
“There’s my birthday girl. You good, babe?” She served him a flirty smile as she nodded her head yes.
I could tell something was off about her, but I couldn’t put my finger on it right away until her friend announced, “Landon, I told her to drink some water but she refused.”
Ahh that’s what it is.
Kennedy’s already drunk.
This ought to be good.
Kennedy shrugged them both off as she shouted, “It’s my birthday! Drinking water kinda defeats the point.” Landon looked like he wanted to say something, but quickly decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
“Happy Birthday, Kennedy. I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m Wes.” He stuck his hand out and she gave him the same flirty smile that she gave Landon as she returned the gesture.
Damn, she’s really on one.
Her voice was syrupy sweet as she told him, “Thank you, Wes. And thanks for coming to celebrate with me.”
He still hadn’t let her hand go, giving it a little kiss before he replied, “Don’t thank me. Thank Bryson for dragging me out with him.”
Her eyes went to mine, her smile never faltering as she said in a low, sexy tone, “Thank you, Bryson.”
I could hardly speak looking at her dressed like this, and smelling like this, and… shit.
This was a bad idea.
Kennedy
The music was too loud.
My head was too hazy.
I couldn’t… I couldn’t even think straight, so I knew I had gone too far.
Everyone around me was having a good time, i
ncluding Landon who at first glance looked just as drunk as I was while he talked to his Uncle and Wes. Bryson, on the other hand, had his eyes fixated on the stage as a girl I knew as Brandy glided her way down the pole under the name Sapphire. Brandy was definitely one of the more athletic strippers, climbing all 9 feet of the pole before cascading down using only her thighs to hang on with.
Bryson stood up and headed to the stage, throwing a stacks of ones in the air to land on her. She smiled before she headed his way, bending over right in front of him to give him a personal show for his contribution. And I felt…
“Kennedy, it’s almost time for your birthday dance!” Chloe’s voice cut my daze short.
But then I realized what she had said and asked, “Birthday dance?”
“Yes, girl! And you’re the only birthday girl in the building so you’ll get to keep all the money!” I could tell her excitement was solely for that fact as if she was gonna get a cut of it.
I took a quick sip from the birthday flask she had gifted me before I told her, “Chloe, I am not getting on that stage.” Sure I was drunk, but I wasn’t that damn drunk.
“You have to, Kennedy! It’s your birthday, you’re already here, and it’s not like you have to take your clothes off. Just stand up there and shake ya ass a little bit, use the pole if you want to; live a little!” Something about that final statement struck me.
Live a little.
Would it really be that bad to let my hair down a little more than it already was tonight?
Like she said, it was my birthday and I was here to have fun. And my man was here, so it wasn’t like I was just out here being crazy without his approval. Hell, if he could look at and enjoy the other girls, then he would certainly enjoy looking at me.
“We got a birthday girl in the house! Ya’ll show some love to Kennedy!”
Before I could think twice - which was a pain to do anyway - I headed to the stage under the watchful eye of Bryson. My eyes flashed over to Landon who looked even more impressed to see me up there. And then the song came on and something powerful came over me. It was one of my favorites, Quickie by Miguel, so naturally my body responded with every little sensual move I would do if I was listening to the song on my own.
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