Winning Appeal
Page 10

He leaned in, and at first, our lips met softly, and then again, and again, just a taste to whet the appetite. His arms tightened around me, and he increased the pressure, urging me to open and invite him in. I demonstrated how inviting I could be, and his tongue swept into my mouth, making it clear that as long as I wasn’t resisting, he wasn’t going to hesitate to take what he wanted. I had heard that he was a force to be reckoned with in a courtroom, so it made sense he would be that way in the bedroom. Trust me, I had no problem with that. I liked forces to be reckoned with in the bedroom.
He tasted good, like coffee and mint, and he kissed as well as he danced. He moved his lips against mine, and made delicious little thrusts and flicks with his tongue, teasing and tantalizing. Meanwhile, he also pressed me tightly against him, and stroked my back, in the most incredibly sensual way. Kissing him was a full-body experience, and I was tingling from head to toe. Eventually, he pulled away and I felt so boneless that I took a big step back… right into the entry table, knocking over a vase. He grabbed it just in time. He had quick reflexes.
“Sorry about that,” I said, dizzily.
“It’s okay. It’s your vase,” he answered, with a husky laugh. He placed it back on the table, and turned around, taking a step forward… just as I was opening the door, which hit him right in the face.
“Oh my God! Are you okay? Do you need some more ice?”
“No, I’m okay,” he said rubbing his face. “I’ll talk to you soon.”
He left, and I stood there and watched him go. Then I closed the door behind me and leaned against it trying to steady my breath. I hoped I hadn’t injured him too badly.
Chapter Six
Mark
My head was still spinning as the elevator started moving and I don’t think it was because I just got hit with a door. That kiss was incredible. I started out worried about moving too fast, but she was so eager and willing. I loved how she pressed up against me, and that tongue….
Okay, don’t think about her tongue too much. Oh fuck, too late. Well, the answer was that I could get even harder. I adjusted myself. It was going to be an uncomfortable ride home. I was going to have to check out these injuries too. I reached up and rubbed the knot on my forehead. When I finally got her there, I might have to tie her to the bed for my own protection. Oh don’t picture that, Mark.
The elevator doors slid open and my car Heidi was waiting. I got in and put on my seatbelt. Before I hit the ignition, though, I just sat there for a minute and I thought about how Beth had just melted against me when I rubbed her back. And I thought about how adorably dazed she looked after we kissed. Even just dancing with her had been great. She said we fit together well. I smiled. Don’t think about it, Mark.
Let’s face it, I wanted her and I was going to go insane if I didn’t have her. For the first time, though, I felt something, more than just turned on. I felt warm, like I wanted to hold her all night, even if I didn’t fuck her. Well, okay, I would rather fuck her and then hold her all night. I adjusted myself again. Okay, Mark, Hallmark moment over. Time to go home and get rid of this problem.
Later, after I had jerked off, and showered, and jerked off again, I lay in bed thinking again. I was a regular Descartes these days. I couldn’t believe my luck. What were the chances I would run into a former hook-up? Well, the chances might not be that bad, I had hooked up a lot, but what were the chances Beth would know her? Beth had been so classy about it though. She let it roll of her back and she didn’t judge either one of us.
So, why had I been so defensive? I didn’t feel like I had to apologize for being a single guy who didn’t lead women on, but I couldn’t shut up about it. The answer was that I didn’t want her thinking I had some kind of weird commitment issues. I cared what she thought. Oh man, this was uncharted territory. I was finally going down… dressed like Jay Gatsby.
Sunday 7:00 PM
Sunday nights, Adam, Braden, Cam and I always got together to watch whatever sport was in season, eat pizza and drink beer. We called it Game Night, and it was a long-standing tradition. As soon as I walked in the door of Braden’s place I knew I was in for it.
“So, Mark, jaywalking on the Ben Franklin Parkway, huh?” Adam started.
“I took a shot to the eye. I was wounded and disoriented.”
“I appreciated your effort to help Beth,” Braden said, sounding sincere. “And I also thought it looked like the two of you pulled it together really well afterward. At least in the pictures.”
“Did you have fun?” Cam asked.
“Actually, I did. It wasn’t bad at all. There was this really good orchestra that played Big Band music…”
“Did you dance?” Adam cut in with a smile. This was another one of those moments when I wanted to beat the shit out of him. He was still getting back at me for yanking his chain when he was dating Lily.
“Yes, we did, and she asked me if I wanted to go with her next week. There’s this Great Gatsby party.” No sense delaying the inevitable.
“The Great Gatsby! Ah, the Roaring 20’s. You’re going to wear a costume, aren’t you?” Adam looked so happy.
“I believe it is a costume event, yes,” I replied through gritted teeth.
“So, how was Friday night?” Braden asked. Adam had obviously waited to share the news.
“I didn’t see anyone who interested me, and I was kind of tired…”
“And the last man goes down!” Cam laughed.
“You didn’t hook up?” Braden asked, looking happy.
“No. I didn’t hook up. And, I didn’t last night either; I assure you. My one month streak is undisturbed.” I shot Adam a resigned look.
“Have you said anything to Beth?” Braden asked.
“We haven’t discussed it in detail, but we did, I think, acknowledge the fact that we were interested in dating.” Our tongues in each other’s mouths, and the fact that we decided it was a date, were a dead giveaway.
“Okay.” He nodded, looking like he was processing that information. “No pressure. I mean you’re just dating. That’s all. We all understand that. Look at Cam; he and Jess have been together almost a year and he’s not engaged yet.”
“They do live together, Braden,” Adam pointed out.
“And, well, um, I am planning to pop the question soon,” Cam replied.
“You are?” Braden asked. “That’s great! Gabrielle will be thrilled.”