He didn’t miss a beat; he leaned in and gave me a kiss. A light and none pressuring kiss, but a kiss none the less. I hadn’t really expected him to do that. The reality was I was half teasing half serious but mentally I wasn’t exactly ready to experience the butterflies in my stomach that hit the moment his lips touched mine. It only lasted two point two seconds but it felt like a lifetime of happiness rolled up into one quick moment.
“Well?” He said to me.
“Well what?” I looked at him in a daze; I was sure my eyes looked glossed over and as if I was off in la-la land.
“Is the payment still acceptable?”
It took me what felt like a full minute to realize that he was referencing the whole chain of events that I started about eighty seconds ago. “Oh yes, of course it works!” My face was flushing and I was thoroughly embarrassed when I saw the grin plastered on Jessie’s face.
“You liked it.” He said grinning.
“Shut up.” I snipped back at him.
Turning my back to him I walked across the room giving him a wide birth of space so he could venture into my sanctuary. What was going on in my head, this was so ridiculous, and Jessie shouldn’t be making me this tied up.
“Hey?”
I jumped out of my skin as I heard his voice and then looked at him smiling, “I think I am losing my mind.”
His voice even as a laugh was so smooth and peaceful to hear. “No you’re just shaken up. It’s to be expected.”
Jessie walked over to my bed and sat on it, like he belonged there. It was the same bed I just realized that I had in high school. The same one we… My thoughts trailed off as I shook my head slightly back and forth.
“You know I have a chair right here you could sit in.” I lifted my arm and pointed to the dark blue chair towards my right.
“This is more comfy. You have to agree.”
“Yes but it is rude to just sit on someone’s bed uninvited.”
It was his turn to grin a silly smirk at me, “Oh I was invited don’t you remember our phone call?”
“Somehow I don’t remember saying ‘Oh Jessie come over and make me crazy by sitting on my bed.’ Now did I?”
His pearly white teeth shown with his now wide smile, “I’m driving you crazy?”
“Yes.” I stated flatly.
“I like that.” He looked anxious and that he was thinking about something important. Then he stood up and walked towards me. I took two steps backwards and hit the wall, stuck in place.
“Merewyn…” He said in a low deep voice.
“Jessie,” I said breathlessly.
“You know what’s happening right?”
I nodded, “Yes, I told you that you’re driving me crazy.”
“It was just a matter of time and fate stepped in, you need me.”
My head was shaking itself no but my heart was screaming yes in its beats, “Jessie I don’t think this is a good idea. I am literally just broken up.”
“Did I ask you to marry me?” He was inches away from my face now, his body smelled so good. All I did was shake my head.
“Did I ask you to go out with me?” Somehow between two seconds ago and now his head had moved closer and now his lips were hovering just over my neck. I was sure he could hear my heart beating through my chest.
“No…” I said slowly. But a large part of me was hoping he would.
“This is just, comfort.” His lips felt to my skin and this time the kiss was no payment kiss. It was soft, tender and, perfect.
I felt my nipples perk up, my palms were sweaty, and I didn’t know what to do with this development. My mind said no no no but my body said shut up and go with it. “Jessie please.”
“Please continue, okay.” He murmured into my skin as his kisses trailed up and down my neck, slowly and tenderly.
Somehow my hands made it to his hips and my two fore fingers were teasing with his shirt, lifting it up and running the tip of the two fingers against his skin. It was soft and smooth. Between the kisses, his smell and the touch of his skin I was going to lose my mind. The feel of his hand on the small of my back made me jump, jump right into him. He now had an arm wrapped around me and pressed against the wall. Except now his lips were hovering above mine.
“Remember when we were kids?” He asked.
I nodded.
“Well I’ve improved since I was a kid.” His lips covered mine and his tongue was exploring my mouth. I could hardly move my own tongue because I felt like my whole body was paralyzed.
There was a knock on the door and that made both of us freeze.
“Merewyn, are you okay dear? Aunt Cathy is gone.” My mom’s voice carried through the door and I nodded my head. Then I realized that she couldn’t see my head movements.
“Yeah Mom I’m okay.” My voice was so shaky I was sure she would know something was going on.
“You sure? You sound like you’re upset. Let me come in we will talk about it.”
Jessie’s face was nothing but trouble and he made me want to laugh. “No Mom really I’m fine, I’m on the phone with Jessie he’s cheering me up. I promise I’m okay.”
“Well okay sweetie. Let me know if you need anything.” Her tone was light and happy. It made me think she believed me.
We waited until we were sure that my mom was no longer behind the door that was only twelve inches away from where we were standing. I knew I was holding my breath and the moment I felt safe I let out my breath of air and lowered my head to his chest.
“That was super close.” I said out loud.
“It wouldn’t be the first time she caught us in here.” Jessie grinned at me.
“She hasn’t found you in my room in what eight years?”
He let out a low laugh and brought his hand to my chin. He pushed my face up and then lowered a soft kiss onto my lips. “Do you want to come over to my place, we can continue without fear of mothers…” He kissed me again and his hand that was still on my back slowly traveled down the curves of my rear.
“I don’t want to leave,” I admitted out loud. My leg pushed off against the wall and walked him to the bed. When the back of his legs hit the side he sat down and took me with him. He forced me to straddle him, holding his arm still around my waste. I let my hands run through his hair and his free hand found my breast.
“So hard,” He said as he rubbed his thumb over my nipple.
My shirt somehow quickly came off and was now on the floor. Thank God I had a cute lace bra on and I knew I had the matching panties on.
That last thought pulled my head out of the moment and instantly moved off of his lap and stood up. “Jessie no, come on this isn’t smart. I need to slow down.”
“Okay, okay we can. I just, I’ve missed you and well,” he let out a sly grin, “I wanted you.”
“Well I think it is obvious I want you too but I don’t think this is smart. It hasn’t been but a handful of days since I was engaged. I can’t just jump into bed with you.”
“You really could. You could use me to let out your anger.”
I gave Jessie a look that made him laugh, “You’re just horny.”
“Right this moment yes, but, I didn’t come over here because of that. I came over because I do want to be a friend and I do want to be there for you. This,” he moved his hand back and forth between our two bodies, “was just a happy plus.”
“It’s just too fast for me. Or maybe it’s this room. I keep thinking that I lost my virginity to you, in this room, on this bed. I feel like I am sneaking around.”
“That is because you are darling. And you like it.”
He was right I did like that; I knew I was smiling and I had no excuse or rebuttal. “Maybe we should have gone to your house.”
“Glad you see it my way, let’s go tell your mom goodbye and I’ll take you over there.” He stood up and started walking to the door.
“Wait you can’t go out there we will get caught.”
With his hand on the door knob he turned around laughing. “I saw your dad when I pulled up, he knew I was coming in through the back window. I told him I was going to comfort and cheer you up.”
“You did what!” My voice was elevated more than I had intended and I knew my whole chest area up to my eye brows were turning shades of red. “My mom knew you were in here! Jessie!”
He laughed loud and opened the bedroom door and walked out into the hallway, shutting the door behind him.
I couldn’t handle the mortification level I was feeling right this moment. I leaned over and picked my shirt up off of the floor and pulled it on over my head. Then I walked to the window and shut and locked the panes. He was such an ass, how could he have done that to me. I was going to kill him.
But dad let him come in, I suddenly realized. Could he have possibly known what was going to happen?
I took a few deep breaths and grabbed my purse then made my way out of my bedroom and into the hallway and stopped when I heard my mom laughing.
“You know we miss you around here Jessie. You’re so good for our Merewyn.” I heard my mother say.
“Or at least you were in high school,” Dad said.
They are such traitors! I stood there listening for a few more moments.
“I never really got over her you know. I mean I did but, I always compare everyone I date to Merewyn. I don’t think she will ever take me back but I really do just want to be there for her during this time.”
That was my sweet Jessie, always my hero. Wait what was that, my sweet Jessie? I let out an audible sigh and took a few steps into the living room.
“Okay Jessie time to stop sucking up, I’m hungry I think you promised me dinner.”
“It’s only two I could get you a snack,” Mom said and started walking towards the kitchen.
“I think the kids want some alone time, don’t you Jessie?” Dad said laughing out loud.
This was all too much, I waved and yelled “Bye” and raced out of the room and then out the front door. I will never be able to face my parents again that was for sure.
Jessie came out of the front door and walked across the grass to his truck where I was waiting for him. He had the biggest shit eating grin on his face and when he stopped right in front of me I punched him in the shoulder.
“What the hell!” I shouted
“Hey now don’t be upset, okay, it’s all good. You really hungry? I could eat.” He reached across me and opened the truck door so I could climb inside.
“Yes I’m hungry but I’m not eating with a man who makes it very well known to my folks that I almost slept with him in their own house!”
I watched him laugh as he shut the truck door and walked around to the other side. He looked so good. He made me feel good. When Jessie got into the truck he didn’t say a word, he just slipped the key into the ignition and cranked the engine. As he pulled off of my street he drove us in silence for a few blocks.
“Your dad text me earlier.” Jessie said quietly.
“What did he want?”
“He told me he was worried about you and asked if you and I were going to reunite. So to speak.”
“Let me read the convo.” I said.
“Nope.”
“Yes. It’s my dad let me read it.” I insisted.
He was shaking his head back and forth, “Nope it’s between me and him. Can’t share.”
“I didn’t even know my dad text people outside of Mom and me.”
“I didn’t know he had my number, color me surprised.” Jessie chuckled and then pulled into a Mexican restaurant parking lot.
“Look, it isn’t a big deal. They want us to get back together I want us to be friends, and more. Seriously let’s just go get food and have a relaxing time okay?”
I sat there for a solid minute thinking before I unbuckled my seatbelt. “Okay, but pull that crap again and I’m gonna put you in a friend timeout for at least twenty four hours!”
“Haha, okay deal.” Jessie got out of the truck and walked around to my side. He was always such a gentleman.
“My lady,” He said with his hand extended out as he waited for me to leave the trucks passenger seat.
“You don’t have to do all this you know; I already know you’re a great guy.”
“I know but I am trying to show you how men should be treating you that way for the next guy you will know when they are a loser from date number one.”
I looked up at the restaurant and then back at the sexy man standing next to me who was driving me crazy. “Gotcha. Well Jessie how about we get drunk.”
“Lead the way.” He placed his hand on the small of my back and ushered me across the parking lot and into the restaurant. We waited for the hostess to address us.
“Table for two?” The lady asked.
“Yes ma’am, outside patio please.” Jessie responded politely.
We followed her to the patio and she put us in one of the back corner tables.
“Can I get you two anything to start with?” The hostess asked.
“Margarita for me.” I replied.
“I’ll have a Corona.” Jessie commented.
“No problem I’ll let your server know and she will be here shortly to take your orders.”
We looked over the menu and I placed mine down on the table after making my selection. I looked out at the cars passing and started drifting my thoughts out to something less stressful than thinking of relationships.
“I was married.” Jessie said suddenly.
“What?” I think the shock on my face couldn’t have been more obvious if I tried.
“Yeah,” he nodded, “it lasted no joke one week. Spring break in Vegas.”
“We never went to Vegas for spring break.” I responded with a puzzled look.
“It wasn’t our spring break, it was just spring break. I was out there for work and so was this hot chick from California.”
“What on earth were you thinking?” I said laughing. “Tell me the whole thing and leave no details out!”
The waitress came up just before Jessie started talking placing our drinks in front of us. We gave our orders and she left us alone to finish our conversation.
“You see I was drinking some scotch,” he paused.
“Isn’t that how all good stories start.” I teased
Jessie laughed, “Probably. Anyway, I was drinking and gambling and this hottie, Tiffany, came up to me.”
“I bet she was a blonde too.” I took a sip of my drink smiling at him.
“Hey now don’t ruin the fun of me telling you about her.” His Corona was turned up and he took his first drink.
“My bad keep going.” I motioned for him to continue.
“Anyway, I was playing craps and I was doing awesome. On the last round I made a bet that if I nailed this last one then she would go with me to the chapel. I can’t even tell you how much alcohol we had drunk but I was up six grand.”
“Wow, didn’t know you were such a spender.”
“Neither did I.” He took another drink and continued, “So naturally I nailed the final one and cashed out. We walked arm in arm carrying our winnings and said ‘I do.’ It was the dumbest thing I ever did. Well second dumbest.”
“What was the first?”
His only response was a look that said I was his first dumb thing and that made me give him a smile.
“Anyway, it sucked she spent three grand and then some. I spent some too. It was very much the worst hangover I ever had. I was there a week thus I say I had a wife for a week. You know my sister? She gave me hell over this for a solid year. She just finally stopped bringing it up.”
I took a couple more drinks processing all of this and then asked, “So why tell me this?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know just to show you I’ve made mistakes too and that the mistakes don’t have to define you. Just makes for a story.”
“Yeah but I can’t start this story with “So one time I was drinking …” I laughed. “This time it is, ‘One time I fell in love and then was crushed,’ so I appreciate it but kinda different.” I started to play with my straw and drink from the tequila mix slowly not looking at him.
“Sorry I didn’t mean it like that.” Jessie looked like he felt bad and I shouldn’t do that to him. He meant well.
“I know, don’t worry Jessie the story did help and I know you were only meaning well.” I had finished the margarita and now wanted a second one. Our food came right then and that helped ease the mood. I ordered a second drink and began eating the large enchilada that was calling my name.