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Making It Work Ch. 02

By: cassandraharper



So maybe I should have explained things in the first chapter, sorry about that. MIT is fashioned after a script (the first time I've ever done something like this). There won't be too many descriptions because I want the conversation and the emotions between the two characters to be the main focus of the story. Therefore, I leave clues in brackets to let you know what short-term actions have been done. If however the brackets continue to pose a problem, send me a message telling me whether or not you like them (with viable explanations) and according to what the majority has deemed, I shall either keep them or discontinue the idea and transform MIT from script to an actually novella.

Italics are thoughts and I'll start putting a dash before David's commentary if the two characters are communicating within said thoughts without actual dialogue. And as you know, dialogues are in quotes so no explanation needed. Now that you have a somewhat better idea of the story flow, I hope that you enjoy it. And please, don't send me any negative comments pertaining to my character or my writing abilities. I'm not in the mood to read idiotic messages.

Thank you for giving my story your time. J Cassandra

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I did. I dreamt about what could have been and woke up in a cold sweat. It's been this way for the past two and a half weeks. My heart aches inside of my chest to the point where I scheduled a doctor's appointment. He diagnosed me with heartbreak syndrome. It actually exists and is called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It's when you experienced something very traumatic that triggers the brain into releasing chemicals that weaken the lining of the heart tissue. He prescribed me beta and calcium channel blockers for the next two months and wrote me a work slip which stated that I could work only half the day in a stress less environment until my next checkup. My boss did me one better and gave me a two months paid vacation. We're pretty close and she thinks of me as family. She told me to keep in touch and don't come back until I'm feeling better.

My parents insisted that I stayed with them instead of keeping myself shut in at home. I said why not in the beginning, now I'm preparing to make a break for it. I can't take it anymore. My parents are adorable, they won't allow me to lift a finger; my siblings are great, whenever they come over to visit they treat me with care; but I'm about to go crazy! I need to do something. My mother won't even allow me to knit. She keeps telling me to eat and take frequent naps and whenever my dad suggests that we go out for a light stroll, she eyes me as if I'll have a heart attack as soon as I step over the threshold.

At least back in my own place I can have a heart attack in peace without being reminded every three hours that I should take a thirty minute nap. I'm not a baby anymore!

"Ana, have you finished your nap?"

Do you see what I mean? [throws pillow over head] I shouldn't be this way. I know. My parents are only worried about me. I'm the only girl and I'm the youngest of six so no matter what I do, no matter where I go, no matter what I have accomplished in life, I'll forever be the baby of the family.

"Ananda?" [motherly caresses]

"Hi Mom."

"How did you sleep? Are you feeling well?"

[nods head]

"Do you want to come downstairs? I made your favorite cookies."

I'm a selfish bitch. I admit it and I also admit that I'm wrong. "I'm sorry, Mom." I hug her close, resting my head on her chest as tears stream down my cheeks.

"I know that you're not happy being trapped here with me and your old man while your brothers enjoy their freedom, but if one of them were in your shoes, they would be going through the same thing. You know that, right?" [head nods again] "Mommy loves you, baby."

"I love you too." We make my bed together and I follow her down the stairs, the welcoming smell of banana chocolate chip cookies causing my stomach to growl. I'm actually hungry. I haven't had much of an appetite, but for some reason I want to eat.

Oh Lord, what is he doing here? I don't feel like seeing David. I'm not ready to see him. I'm afraid that he'll take one look at my face and know why I'm going through this hell right now. It's his fault. No, it's our fault.

[A quick wave] "What are you doing here?"

"I called your parents and told them that I was coming to see you. Your mom made cookies for us."

[Exchanged smiles] "Okay. Do you want milk with your cookies?" I follow behind my mother using her as an excuse to not really focus all of my attention upon him. I hate seeing the concern in his eyes and I feel awkward right now which I hope is not apparent by my choppy movement.

"Milk would be great."

He's standing a little too close behind me. I can feel his body heat and my hands start to shake. This is ridiculous.

"Why don't you two go out in the living room and watch some television? There should be something on the tv."

Sometimes I think that my mother looks at us and still sees us at the same age as when we were in middle school. We vacate the kitchen to sit on the couch in uncomfortable silence. [Clears throat simultaneously]

"So what's going on with you? Are you sick?"

"I don't know, David. Let's see, I went to the doctor, he prescribed me some meds, and now I'm off from work and staying with my parents for two months. What do you think?"

[Aggravated sigh] "You know what, forget that I even asked. I don't know why I wasted my time coming here to check on you when all you're going to do is show your ass." [Stands to leave]

"Wait! I'm sorry. I'm just cranky from my nap." Did I just say that?

-Yeah, you just did.

[Side eye]

"So what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing!" That was a very quick rebuttal. I hope that he's not offended by it. I don't want to tell him why.

"Ananda..."

"David, I'm fine."

"Who wants cookies?" I wish you guys could see how cute my mom is. She has this pink and white checkered apron on with a large tray of cookies and milk that she's setting down before us. She gives David chocolate milk (his favorite) and me regular, then she pinches our cheeks and shuffles away after turning on the television for us. I use the interruption in our conversation to change the subject.

"My mom still makes the best cookies."

"You got that right. These are so delicious." [Groans of appreciation] "She should really consider opening up a bakery."

"Really?" My mom does like to bake.

"Yeah, it could be a family business. She could do the baking, your dad could keep everything in order since he's the big chief; your brother, Frederick could be in charge of the new hires because he's always bossing someone around and thinks that he knows everything; Eddie could help with the pastry designs being a chef and all; Derek, could be the manager; Cleveland could be the interior designer; Barrett could be the supplier because he runs his own produce warehouse; and you could be the accountant."

"You've got this all figured out, don't you?" I couldn't deny that it had a nice ring to it. My mom does spend an awful amount of time baking. She's the baker and my dad is the cook. Plus both of my parents don't have much to do since their retirement, not that they're old or anything. They have both worked hard enough to take care of six children, put us all through college, and make sure that we made something of ourselves. We, as their children, decided that they should never have to worry about anything for the rest of their lives. We kind of bullied them to retire and just relax. We pay their bills, if they need something, they don't even have to ask. That's what good children should do: take care of their parents.

David had planted a seed in my brain. And on the bright side, if my parents become occupied with the management of a family business, they won't have enough time to meddle in my love life. I'm liking this idea more and more.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you or will you change the subject again?"

[Chokes on milk] "Thanks for the napkin." He's staring bullets into my face right now and the awkwardness has returned. "Okay, all right, just stop your glaring. You know that I hate that. It makes me uncomfortable."

[Impatient throat clearing]

"I was just experiencing a little bit of chest pain, but the doctor has given me medicine to take and he told me that everything should be copacetic after two months."

"Two months?" [Quick pacing] "What type of chest pain are we talking here? Heart attack? Stroke? Irregular heart beat?"

"David, calm down. This is one of the reasons that I didn't want to say anything to you. You're going overboard." My head is starting to hurt from him patrolling around the living room, but I will admit that he looks sexy doing it.

-I look sexy pacing around in concern? What is this woman thinking? Ananda is one of the healthiest people that I know. I have never even seen her get the flu in all the years that we've been friends. Does this mean that she's going to die? Is she dying?

Fool, I'm not dying!

"What type of chest pain? Was it on the right side or the left? Did you experience numbing and tingling? Did—"

"David, cut it out. You're starting to freak me out. Just sit down and finish your cookies before you make me toss mine."

-My stomach hurts. I'm not hungry anymore. How could I possibly eat knowing that something is ailing her? Look at her just sitting there and picking out the chocolate chips like she has no care in the world. This woman...

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Nope. If it was truly serious then I would have, but there's nothing to worry about. My parents are taking great care of me."

-My parents are taking great care of me....sure. Why didn't she tell me sooner? I know that I'm in the middle of constructing another gym over on Beltline, but she could have taken the time out to tell me. I would have been there for her.

-I don't know what to do with her. Why am I the only one seriously concerned?

I don't know, but all this unnecessary stress is not good for your heart.

-You think this is funny—

I do.

-She doesn't have to worry about that chest pain putting her in a body bag. I'll do it for her.

Yeah right.

"Tell me!"

"No, David, I think that you're getting way too worked up. Are you going to finish those cookies? I'm really hungry."

"You're going to ruin your dinner."

"That's another five hours. I'll be well and ready by the time it comes around."

-Fine, she doesn't want to say anything so I won't force her. I'll just ask her parents.

"Do you want some more milk? I'm going to get some." I don't wait for her response; I get up and head straight for the kitchen. Mrs. Lewis is working on dinner rolls. They smell delicious. Mr. Lewis is cutting up chicken to be washed and seasoned. Eddie definitely learned a great deal about cooking from his old man.

"Wow, setting up for dinner already?"

"Only the preparations, nothing big. Would you like to stay? Barrett is bringing home his girlfriend, for the weekend, and I'm sure that Ananda would appreciate the company tonight. " [Large motherly smile] "I get to have my two babies with me. I can still remember dragging them out of each other's cribs." Ananda and Barrett are ten months apart. They are the closest out of all the others, enough so that we used to call them twins.

"Sure, Mrs. Lewis, I would love to stay for dinner."

"David, we've been over this several times. My name is Stacy and this..." [points to husband] "is Quentin. You're an adult now. You can address us as such."

"Okay, Stacy." That feels strange calling the man and woman whom I consider to be my second parents by their first names. That's like me calling my dad Seongbin. He'd probably backhand me even now for thinking about it.

"So how are the clients? I bet you stay busy."

"Clients? Oh no, Mr. Lew—Quentin, I don't have clients anymore. I focus mainly on the management of the gym facilities, acquiring sponsors for our fitness merchandise, and the hiring of personnel. You know, the boring stuff. My days as a personal trainer are over."

"I feel you. Ever since those kids of ours had us retire, Stacy and I have been twiddling our thumbs. It's a godsend that Ananda is back home for two months. We've really missed having children around the house." No wonder they were pressuring their kids to settle down. They were lonely. Not that they didn't have each other. After all these years of marriage even a fool could see that they were still deeply in love, but there's something that the happiness of a child brings that no one else can provide. I understand them perfectly.

"Speaking of Ananda, she refuses to tell me what's wrong with her." They stop their preparations and I hear a unanimous sigh.

"Her doctor said that she's suffering from Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. She likes to call it heart break syndrome because it's more romantic, but in a nutshell, if Quentin and I understood his explanation correctly, Ananda has been through something traumatic that is causing her physical pain. When we asked the doctor what it was specifically, he told us that she's experiencing transient apical ballooning syndrome. It causes abnormal ventricular wall motion."

"What?!"

"He assured us that it's nothing serious that rest and medicine can't handle. He also said that it'll be helpful if she discussed whatever it is that's causing her pain, but you know how Ananda can be. I swear she's as stubborn as her father. The both of them are hard headed donkeys."

"Hey woman!"

"Well, it's the truth. If I were you, I would go in there and demand that Ananda tells us what's wrong with her. Our baby is hurting!"

"Stacy, would you just calm down. You are being too emotional. As long as Ana is kicking and breathing she's fine. She knows that she can come to either of us if she ever wants to talk. The more that we pressure her is the more she'll clam up. You know this."

"Anyway, David, it's nothing too serious and we're just going to take it one day at a time. She's on sick leave from work and we have her here relaxing in a stress free environment. That's all that matters."

"Yeah." Something is hurting her? What could it possibly be? Could it be me or something that I've done? She would have told me.

"Let me get you some more milk."

I hand the empty glass over unaware that I was walking away until Stacy touches my shoulder to hand it back to me. I'm back in the living room with Ananda who, has eaten all of the cookies except one, is watching "Scary Movie 2." She's beautiful. So damn beautiful that it pains me to know that she's hurting yet refuses to open up about it.

"I saved you a cookie. I figured I should be nice instead of eating all of it."

"Thanks."

"What?"

I sit down staring blankly at the television screen. The motion picture is playing out however it passes by unnoticed as I continue to ponder Ana's situation.

"David, you're freaking me out. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. How are you feeling?"

[Eye roll] "Fine, I promise that if something is wrong I'll let you know. What are my parents up to?"

"Dinner."

"Already?"

"I guess it's either keep themselves from fussing over you or fussing over you. Which one do you prefer?"

"The latter. Are you sure that you're all right?"

"Why because we're not arguing you think that something is amiss?" She sits back in the chair and bundles a pillow up on her lap.

"No, sorry, you just seem distracted. Is it work?"

[Shakes head]

"Are you going to tell me?"

"Nope, let's just watch the movie." I pull her close as we settle back into the couch and watch the ghost fool around with Tori Spelling. My curiosity is beyond piqued, but her parents are right. If I force Ana to open up, she'll only shut right down. Not even fifteen minutes have passed since I sat down and she's sleeping. I'll just let her rest.

"Would you look at that, aren't they adorable?"

"Barrett, let them sleep."

"I'm not sleeping, she is."

"No, I'm not." [several big yawns] "I was merely resting my eyes." My brother Barrett has arrived with his girlfriend. She's cute, but she seems to be shy. I sit up straight pretending not to see the big glob of drool on David's shirt. He has got to feel that.

"Resting my eyes my ass."

[Smile] "Sorry about that. Why did you let me fall asleep?"

"You were tired."

[Stretching] That was a great nap. I wonder how long I've been out. The clock reads seven-forty-five. It's practically dinner time. I slept the entire afternoon. From the redness of David's eyes so did he. "You still look exhausted."

"I'm fine."

He's greeting Barrett and his girlfriend while I continue to stretch like a cat. I always had trouble getting up after a good rest. Eventually I join them and learn that her name is Marie. She is very soft spoken and smiles a lot. She reminds me of an adorable china doll. Fragile and beautiful. Our parents announce that dinner is ready and I, being the fat kid that I am, waste no time in heading to the kitchen. My mom always asks me how I eat so much yet remain in such good shape. Well, being the only girl and the youngest, aside from my childhood years where I wasn't allowed to dress myself, I didn't wear my first dress until my Junior prom, which is code for: I dedicated my life to being a tomboy until I miraculously discovered boys. I was a late bloomer, but it was well worth it.

Not that being a tomboy didn't have its perks. I learned all the tricks from my older brothers so that I wouldn't be duped by older boys. They even taught me how to beat a guy at his own game. Their advice has come in handy many times for me, particularly when I was a freshman in college. The upperclassmen swore that we all had "fresh meat" written on our foreheads.

"So when did you get here?"

"Marie and I have been here for the past couple of hours. You two were snoring like there was no tomorrow."

"Well, next time you should awaken us in a more timely fashion."

[Snort] "Yes, your majesty!"

I pinch his cheeks until he calls out for Mom then pretend as if I hadn't touched him. I set the table, take my medicine before my mom felt the need to remind me (which would have been embarrassing in front of Marie), then sat down to join everyone for supper. Everything is mouthwatering. Mom had made dinner honey butter rolls and most likely the apple pie that I smell. Dad handled the rest. Pressure cooked chicken marinated in his famous secret sauce that he refuses to share with any of us, but I've practically pieced most of the ingredients together: pine apple juice, honey, a dash of cinnamon, cloves, a pinch of salt, and a drop of either teriyaki or soy sauce. I'm not too sure, but it's close. Every time I ask him if I'm right he just smiles and shrugs.

Then there's white rice in which he adds a little of rice vinegar and sugar (tastes delicious!) and green beans sautéed in garlic butter. My dad should have been a cook instead of a cop. "Daddy this looks great. And Mom, I can't wait to try your rolls. My stomach is already growling." [laughter]

"Marie, I should warn you that my sister is a bottomless pit. We used to have food eating competitions and she would beat me."

Barrett winks at me and I wink back. He's being way too modest. He's beat me a couple of times. We bless the food then commence dinner, there's about ten minutes of agreeable silence before my father breaks it.


Making It Work Ch. 02



A few nights later after a lot more talking, Jen found Darren's card in her purse and dialed his number. She put her hair behind her ear and brought the phone to her ear. "Hi Darren, it's me, Jen."

Mike moved closed and Jen tilted her iPhone so he could hear. They talked and laughed for a while. Mike saw a potential connection between them. He felt jealous, but excited too. One of his biggest fantasies was to see Jen with a well hung black man. Also, despite what happened with Ricky and Scott, it was more exciting for him if she had some emotional connection with her lover, but not head over heels like those other two.

"So ... are ya still up for hooking up?" Jen asked.

"Yeah babe, you name the time and place," Darren said.

"I need to tell you something," Jen said. "My husband Mike, he lets me sleep with other men. So he'll be there."

Darren laughed. "No worries, I know guys like your husband."

The next Saturday Mike and Jen met Darren at a bar for drinks. Darren shook Mike's hand. Jen let him kiss her on the cheek. Jen sat next to Mike, with Darren across from them. They talked, and it was clear Jen enjoyed Darren's company. But whenever Mike started feeling like a third wheel, Jen hugged his arm and brought him into the conversation. Mike could tell Jen was trying to not repeat the same mistakes of Ricky and Scott.

Mike and Jen took a cab to their loft apartment, and Darren followed in another cab. Jen snuggled into Mike's arms in the cab.

In their apartment Mike put on some slow music. He danced with Jen, and then she danced with Darren. They danced close together, and soon they were making out and fondling each other.

They broke apart, panting. Jen gave Darren a kiss and softly said "I'll meet you in the bedroom."

Once Darren was gone Jen sat close next to Mike. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," Mike said, although while excited he felt anxious and jealous, but it was a vicious circle as that increased his excitement.

Jen straddled his legs and kissed him. They made out. They got up and walked to the bedroom, Jen holding Mike's hand.

Jen's eyes went wide seeing Darren. He'd undressed. His body was muscular and jet black. He had tattoos on his arms and chest. But it was his cock that really drew her attention. It seriously had to be close to a foot long, and thick. "Fuck," Jen said under her breath, dropping Mike's hand and walking to the bed as if mesmerized.

"Like what you see babe?" Darren said with a confident grin.

"My god," Jen said awestruck looking at is cock.

"Not used to something so big?" Darren said grinning at Mike.

"No freaking way," Jen said, crawling onto the bed and taking his cock in her hands. It took both her hands to hold him.

"No so fast," Darren said. He pulled her to him and they made out. 

Mike sat in a chair, his cock tenting his pants. 

Darren stopped kissing Jen and said to Mike, "So Mike, tell me where your girl likes to be touched."

Mike hesitated, then said, "Her neck is really sensitive."

Darren smiled at Mike. He kissed Jen on the mouth again, and then kissed down her neck. Jen moaned rolling her head back, and Darren kissed down her throat, making her nipples rock hard.

After a while Darren broke the kiss. "Strip," he ordered Jen. On her knees on the bed, she reached behind her and unzipped her dress, and then pulled it off. She reached behind herself and unsnapped her bra. She took the bra off, leaving her in just her thong panties, stockings and high heel pumps. The panties were pink satin with lace edging. Her stockings were sheer nude, and shiny. The pumps were shiny black patent leather with 4 inch stiletto heels.

Not taking his eyes off Jen's body, Darren asked Mike, "What else does she like?"

"The back of her thighs, just below her ass," Mike said. "And her nipples."

Darren sneered at Mike, as if saying "Are you really going to tell me all your girl's secrets?" Then he caressed Jen just below her ass, making her moan. He cupped her tits and rubbed her nipples with his fingers. She moaned again, her head rolling back. He looked at Mike and chuckled. "Pretty soon I'll know your girl's body better than you."

Abruptly Darren grabbed Jen's hair and pulled hard, mushing her face against cock. He laughed when Jen yelped. "Let's see what you can do," he said pulling her hair again to move her lips to his cockhead.

Jen knew she was good at giving head, but she'd never had anyone as big as Darren before. She licked his shaft up and down to get him wet. Then, while holding his shaft with both hands, she took him into her mouth. He was so thick she could only swallow about 3 inches. She bobbed up and down, her head and hands moving in sync.

"Yeah, that's it slut, suck it," Darren said. "You like black cock, don't you slut?"

Jen looked up at Darren with heavy lidded bedroom eyes, her lips wet, and said "Yeah."

She sucked him more, managing to get another inch into her mouth.

"Not bad," Darren said. "But you can do better than that." With his fingers gripping her silky blonde hair, he pushed her face down, forcing more cock into her mouth and down her throat. He moved her face up and down, stuffing more of his cock into her mouth with each downward thrust, making her gag. Her saliva ran down her chin and neck as he fucked her face. 

After one downward thrust he held her head tight, lodging his thick cock in her mouth and down her throat. Jen flailed her arms as she couldn't breathe. Mike was about to come to her aid when Darren lifted her head up, Jen gasping for air. Her face was covered with spit and his pre-cum. 

Darren pointed Jen's face at a mirror. "What do you see?" he asked her.

"I look like a slut," Jen said, her face dripping with spit. Darren laughed.

Then he moved Jen's face so she was looking at Mike. "Look what I've done to your wife's pretty face," he said laughing. "Wait til you see what I do to her pussy."

Then Darren pushed her head down again, shoving his cock back down her throat.

He fucked her face more. Then he threw her down on the bed and got between her legs. He threw off her heels and stockings. "Bitch, don't wear this shit, I wanna to see your white skin!" he growled. He ripped off her panties and then he slapped her ass hard, once and then twice. Jen yelped with pain. 

"I know you like it slut!" he yelled, slapping her ass again and again. Jen cried in pain but she had her cum face on.

Then he got between Jen's open legs. He rubbed his big cockhead between her pussy lips. They were swollen and glistened from excitement. Supporting his weight on an elbow he held his shaft with his other hand, the big bulbous cock head positioned at the entrance of Jen's pussy. 

As he pushed in, Jen said, "Wait Darren -- condom."

Darren scoffed. "Come on babe, you ain't gonna make me wear a rubber."

"You have to," Jen said.

Darren motioned to Mike. "Mike doesn't want me to use a rubber." He smiled smugly seeing the uncontrolled lust in Mike's face. "You want my black cock bareback inside your pretty wife, don't you Mike? You want me to pump my black baby juice into her white pussy, don't you?"

Mike hesitated, his lust overwhelming his good sense. Darren laughed.

Jen reached into the nightstand and got a condom. Sitting up, she said to Darren, "I'll put it on for you." He scowled but didn't protest anymore. 

She tore the foil with her teeth. Using both hands she rolled the thin protective sheath over Darren's cock. It barely fit, stretching to capacity, and it only went half way down his shaft. But there was some empty space at the tip to hold his cum.

Jen put her arms around him. They kissed and made out. She rubbed his chest and whispered into his ear, low enough so Mike couldn't hear, "I don't want to use it either. But we have too." They kissed again.

Mike watched the tender moment and his jealousy and anxiety spiked. 

Darren got on top of Jen. "You ready for it?" he said to her, and she nodded eagerly, her cum face on. Supporting himself on his elbows, Darren pushed in applying steady pressure. "Ugh god!" Jen groaned as his fat cock head pushed into her. Her nostrils flared. "So fucking big!"

Jen gritted her teeth as Darren pushed more in. He took his time, steadily pushing more and more into her pussy. Finally he was in balls deep.

"God you fill me up!" Jen gasped.

For a while Darren didn't move, letting her get used to his size. Then slowly he stroked back and forth. "Oh god! It feels like you're tearing me apart!" Jen cried. She quickly added, "Don't stop! It feels freaking amazing!"

Darren marveled at the feel of Jen's pussy. It felt so good! So smooth, tight yet soft. He wondered if she knew how good her pussy felt compared to other girls.

Darren fucked her faster and harder. He put her legs over his shoulders. He dug his feet into the bed for added leverage and really banged her. Soon Jen's moans were continuous, "Oh god oh god oh god ..." 

"You like that bitch?" he taunted her. "You like fucking a black man?" 

"Yes! God! I love fucking you!" Jen moaned as her orgasm neared.

Jen's back arched and she cried out as her orgasm hit. Darren didn't stop. He pounded her relentlessly through her climax, and that made her orgasm go on and on. She made sounds Mike had never heard before, not with Ricky or Scott, certainly not with him. She clawed into his back as if imploring him not to stop.

Then he slowed down, slowly deep stroking her. "God you feel so good inside me," Jen gushed looking into his eyes. "I've never cum like that before."

"Whiteys can't compare to black boys," he said grinning. "And I'm just getting started."

"Well I'm ready for more," she giggled, beaming back into his eyes.

"Yeah? I guess your white pussy likes my black cock, huh?"

"God yeah you're freaking amazing!" Jen gushed.

They kissed, his large black hands entwined in her silky blonde hair, her arms around his muscular neck. "Who owns your pussy Jen?" he said between kisses.

"You so do Darren," she said with a giggle and smiling into his eyes.

Darren turned to Mike. "Hear that Mike? Her pussy's mine already." he said laughing. Jen looked at Mike too. She didn't laugh, but she had a delighted smile on her face.

Darren turned Jen around onto her hands and knees, and then their fucking turned torrid again. He fucked Jen so hard and fast the bed was in danger of breaking. As he slammed her he reached under her and fondled and rubbed her nipples. Suddenly Jen's body convulsed on his cock with another orgasm. It was a huge orgasm too, her entire body shaking uncontrollably and she let out a long soulful moan.

After she recovered Darren turned her onto her back, and they kissed. Darren continued to fuck her with long slow strokes. 

"No man has ever made me cum like that before!" she gushed.

"You shouldn't have waited so long for black cock," Darren teased.

"I guess so!" Jen giggled.

"You're my white bitch now right?" he said smiling.

"Darren, I am SOOOO your white bitch," she said smiling back. They both laughed, and looked in Mike's direction. There was a delighted twinkle in Jen's eye as she looked at her husband.

Turning back to each other, they kissed and whispered. At one point Darren whispered something to Jen, and she turned and looked at Mike, a mischievous smile on her face. Mike had his cock out and was stroking himself. His cock was small; it barely extended beyond his hand. Jen giggled and they whispered to each other. With a laugh Jen said "I don't think so!"  Darren laughed back, and they kissed and made out again.

Their fucking picked up again, this time missionary. Jen ran her hands over his ripped chest, his six pack, his muscular arms. With fascination she traced the tats on his arms and chest.

"You like my black body bitch?" he hissed.

"You've got an awesome body," Jen purred, continuing to caress him.

"Say black body!" Darren ordered.

"Your black body is really hot," Jen said.

"Better than Mike's?"

Jen looked at her husband. She looked up and down over his soft body. "I think you probably work out more than him," she said with a giggle.

Their fucking started up again, and soon reached a fevered pitch. "Who do you belong to bitch?!" he hissed banging her so hard the headboard slammed against the wall.

"You! I'm your white bitch!" Jen cried as Darren fucked the shit out of her.

Darren's huge muscular body tensed. "I'm cumming slut!" he growled. "I'm cumming!

"Yeah yeah, cum in me, cum in me!" Jen urged him.

Darren lunged over and over into Jen, his body shaking with orgasm. After he was done he lay on top of her, his cock still buried deep inside her. 

After about a minute Jen stroked his back and said, "Um, Darren?" 

He reluctantly pulled out. Jen said "Careful okay?"

Darren held the condom as he pulled out. There was a ton of cum in the reservoir. To his horror Mike saw milky cream at the base of his cock. Darren had cum so much the condom couldn't hold it all. Mike worried some of Darren's cum was inside his wife.

Mike had cum while they fucked, and now the post-orgasm depression and anxiety he always felt at times like this hit him like a ton of bricks. Jen snuggled into Darren's arms and they kissed and whispered to each other. She didn't even look his way. That was the part that hurt most. Not able to watch anymore, he got up and left the bedroom. Jen didn't look up as he left.

Mike sat on the sofa. He knew what would happen now. They'd kiss and whisper sweet nothings, and then they'd fuck again. They'd fuck all night long, and then she'd fall asleep in his arms. Just like Scott, like Ricky. It was starting all over again.

Why had he agreed to this? No, not agreed – pushed Jen to do this. Whatever happened to his promise to himself never to let another man touch her? He knew how Jen fell for guys, became infatuated with them. Sooner or later she'd meet a guy where the infatuation wouldn't wear off, where she'd fall in love for real.

To his surprise, about 10 minutes later the bedroom door opened and Jen stepped out. She wore her favorite fluffy cotton robe. She sat on the sofa next to him and leaned into him. His feelings were too raw to put his arm around her, but he didn't push her away. She held his arm, putting her head on his shoulder.

Darren came out a few minutes later, fully dressed. Jen looked at him but didn't let go Mike's arm. 

"I had a great time," Darren said.

"Me too," Jen said smiling at him. 

"Let's do this again," Darren said.

"We'll see," Jen said noncommittally, but she gave him a warm smile. Then he left.

Jen put her head on Mike's shoulder again. "Are you okay baby?" she asked.

"That was intense," Mike said after a few moments.

"Yeah." She paused, then admitted, "I got out of control again."

"Yeah," Mike said.

She hugged him. "You know I didn't mean what I said."

"I know," Mike said. Then after a moment he added, "It's just hard hearing you say it."

"It got you kinda excited though, didn't it?" she asked after a pause.

"Yeah ... but ..."

"What?" Jen asked.

Mike didn't answer at first. He didn't want to come across even more pathetic. But finally he said, "Seeing you with guys like Ricky and Scott, and now Darren ... I mean, how can you possibly get any pleasure from sex with me?"

"Mike, I love sex with you" she said reassuringly. Seeing his doubt, she said "You give me love, no one else does that."

He chuckled wryly, but without any humor. Her answer wasn't satisfying. But what else could she say? He decided not to push it. Instead he said "Do you want to see him again?"

"We'll see," she said, her head on his shoulder again.

"I can tell you like him. There's a connection."

"We'll see," she said again with a shrug. "He's okay I guess. Maybe some time." She snuggled into Mike's arm.

They spent the rest of the weekend together, just them. Jen gave Mike her exclusive attention and he began feeling better. When they made love Jen definitely felt looser, but by Sunday night her pussy started feeling normal again. Jen never mentioned Darren or getting together with him again. 

On Monday Jen found it hard to concentrate. Darren HAD rocked her world. He treated her like a worthless slut and fucked her rough. She didn't get that from Mike. To be fair, she didn't want him to treat her that way.

She'd always had a submissive streak. That was part of why she was attracted to confident (borderline arrogant) aggressive men like Ricky and Scott. Darren upped the ante on aggressiveness, and it scared her how turned on he'd gotten her.

Left to herself she might've been tempted to get together with him again right away. But she was determined to do it differently this time. She didn't want to lose herself again, and she certainly didn't want to hurt Mike. A little hurt was okay – he'd told her jealousy increased his excitement – but too much hurt lead to bad things. 

But she couldn't stop thinking about Darren. She'd never been interested in black guys before. He was a lawyer in London but it looked like he was in New York a lot (he'd gone to Harvard law; she'd Googled him). She liked how he went from sophisticated to ghetto.

She went to his Facebook page and looked at his pictures. There were a lot of pictures of him with pretty girls, most of them white. She smiled. He was so a player. There were pictures of him at the beach, in a bathing suit. His body was incredible and some of his European bathing suits left little to the imagination. She realized she was stroking her inner thigh as she looked at his pictures, and her pussy throbbed. "Get control of yourself!" she chided herself with a giggle. She exited Facebook, straightened her skirt, and tried to concentrate on work.

Later that afternoon Sophie, an old high school friend called. "Jen, you're coming to my baby shower right?"

Shit, she'd forgotten! Sophie was pregnant with her first child. "Definitely, I wouldn't miss it," Jen said. After she got off the phone she rummaged in her purse and found the invitation. The shower was in a couple of weeks. 

Jen worked out after work. Scott was there. He flirted and hit on her. She laughed and talked with him, but didn't flirt back (not too much). Her pussy still tingled from earlier. The memory of Scott fucking her in the alley flashed through her mind. She knew he'd be more than willing to take care of the itch in her pussy, not caring it'd been another man (Darren) who'd gotten her hot.  

But it was a fleeting thought. It was over with Scott, it had to be.

Mike greeted her at the door when she got home. He'd made dinner and there were wine and candles on the table. "Oops," she thought to herself. She should've known Mike would want to talk about Darren. She should have come home instead of working out first. Here she was in a sweaty sports bra and tights, her hair in a ponytail.

"Give me a minute," she told him with a kiss. She showered quickly, brushed her hair, and put on a little makeup and lipstick. She put on a tight crop top (no bra) and low rise skinny jeans, showing off a lot of her flat sexy tummy. Underneath she had on a red lacy thong, knowing Mike thought it was super sexy if it peaked above her ass. Under the jeans she also put on black cable knit knee high socks, knowing how Mike loved them.

They had a quiet dinner and then sat on the sofa. Jen gave him a lot of openings to talk about the weekend but didn't push. She knew he was conflicted about it and needed to go at his own pace.

She put her feet in his lap. He rubbed her feet and she felt a tingle in her pussy. She liked her feet rubbed and he was good at it. 

"About the other night," he began. "It got pretty insane."

"Yeah," she agreed.

"Thanks for making Darren wear a condom."

"You don't have to thank me baby," she said squeezing his hand. "It's SOP."




Making It Work Ch. 02



"I meant ... I mean, you said you lost control ... I lost control too," he said, trying to tell her he'd been that close to letting the black man fuck her bareback.

Jen understood. She squeezed his hand again. "I get that baby."

"It was so hot," Mike gushed. "Seeing him kissing you, his black skin against yours ..."

"You liked that?"

"Yes!" Mike said, the one syllable coming out like a moan. With her feet still in his crotch, she knew he was hard.

"What else did you like?"

"How did he feel inside you?" Mike asked.

"Freaking amazing," Jen said. "He's SOOO big."

"You came big time on his cock," Mike said. 

She nodded, smiling.

"How many times?"

Jen thought about it, and then said "It was kinda like one long orgasm."

"Wow," Mike said. "You said no one's ever done that to you before?"

Jen heard excitement in her husband's voice, but anxiety too. She moved closer to him. "Are you okay baby?" she asked rubbing his arm.

"You said you belonged to him."

Jen softly rubbed Mike's erection over his pants. "Are we playing the game baby?" she asked.

"Yeah ... I think so."

"Only think so?"

"You said your pussy belonged to him ..."

She unzipped him and took out his hard cock. "Did you get upset when I said that?"

"Yeah."

"Bad upset?" she asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Remember, you're the one who told him where to touch me."

"Yeah," Mike admitted.

Jen straddled Mike and they kissed and made out. Mike's hands moved to Jen's pants. She got up and together they pulled off her tight jeans and panties. She got back on his lap and they kissed again. 

Then Mike moved her onto her back and got between her legs. Her pussy looked normal again. The lips glistened with excitement, but they were tight instead of gaping like after she'd fucked Darren. Mike went down on her and did his magic. 

"God yes I so need this!" Jen thought to herself. As he ate her out she fantasized about Darren fucking her. When Mike went lower and licked and tongued her asshole, she moaned and imagined it was Darren with his head down there. But Darren was too much of an alpha male to lick a girl's asshole. So in her fantasy she imagined Mike licking her asshole as Darren had his cock deep in her pussy, fucking her. With that thought in mind, her body shuddered with a powerful orgasm.

"God baby you're so freaking amazing at that," she gushed, pulling him up and kissing him.

Mike gave his wife a moment to recover, then he asked "Did you fantasize about Darren?"

"Yeah," she sheepishly admitted. She didn't describe her fantasy; she knew that would be crossing the line. But she saw lust in Mike's face. She took off his shirt and pants.

She ran her fingers along his chest. "He has a better body than you," she said.

"Darren?"

"Yeah. His body is so hard and tight."

"I'm not?"

"No," she said kissing Mike's chest. "We're playing the game, right Mike?"

"Yeah," Mike said.

Jen slid onto her knees. Mike sat up. Jen opened his legs and she got between them, taking his cock in her hand. "His cock is a lot bigger than yours," she said.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. A lot bigger." She lowered her head and licked Mike's shaft, then bobbed on him for a few moments.

"Want me to tell you something?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you sure?" she said. "It's really bad."

"Yeah, tell me."

She licked Mike's shaft. "He wanted me to tell you to sit on the bed next to him. I'd take turns going down on you and him. That way I'd really see how big he is, and how small you are."

Mike's heart pounded and his head spun. He felt ready to burst. "Why didn't you?"

"I don't know," she said kissing the tip of his cock. "Would it turn you on if I did that next time?"

"There's going to be a next time with Darren?"

"I don't know," she said kissing his cock again. Then she straddled his legs and they kissed and made out.

"He came a lot," Mike said. "The condom didn't hold it all."

"I know," Jen said reaching down and guiding him into her. She slowly moved up and down, her arms around Mike's neck, kissing him.

"Some of his sperm may have gotten into you," Mike said.

"I think some did," she said, moving up and down on his cock. She pulled Mike close so her lips touched his ear. "You know he was really deep inside me when he came, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. He pushed all the way in. Even with the condom I felt him cum."

"Okay," Mike panted.

"So the sperm that leaked out got really deep inside me."

"Jen ..." Mike groaned. 

"Mike ... the pill doesn't always work," Jen said. "I might be pregnant with his black baby right now."

"God Jeeeeeeen!" Mike cried as he came. 

Later in bed they were on their sides, looking at each other. "You know I was just playing the game, right?"

"Yeah," Mike said. 

"All those things I said about him owning me," she said. "It was kinda like stuff in stories, you know, the ones you show me on Literotica?"

"So you didn't mean it?"

"Of course not," she said kissing him. "Are you okay?" 

"Yeah." 

Jen rolled over and Mike spooned her. She thought about earlier that day when she stalked Darren's Facebook page, how she desired him. She thought about how she'd been tempted by Scott. She thought about how she'd fantasize about Mike licking her ass while Darren fucked her. Suddenly she started crying. She loved Mike, yet treated him like shit. Why couldn't she control herself?

Hearing her cry, Mike hugged Jen closer. "What's wrong baby?" he asked.

Jen didn't answer, still softly sobbing. Mike kissed his wife's neck, trying to comfort her. She eventually cried herself to sleep. Mike couldn't sleep though. He wondered if he was doing the right thing, pushing her to be with other men. Jen had a big sex drive. He couldn't keep her satisfied, he knew that. With the game they did it together, instead of behind his back. And he got off on it too, big time. 

Darren made him nervous. It'd been so intense, and clearly he'd rocked Jen's world. 

The things he'd said. Wanting to own her. Demeaning him in front of her. Had that been just a game, role playing? Or maybe Darren got off stealing away white wives? 

Ironically, Mike had stalked Darren's Facebook page too. He'd see the same pretty white girls Jen had seen. Unlike Jen, Mike hacked Facebook and went to the pages of some of the girls. Most were single. 

But many were married. And of those, more than a few were divorced. Of course, maybe those girls had hooked up with Darren after their divorces. Then again, maybe Darren was the reason for the divorces. Did Darren get off breaking up white marriages? 

Mike decided to avoid mentioning Darren again. 

On Friday Jen's team planned to go to happy hour. "How does happy hour sound?" she said to Mike on the phone. 

"I don't think I can make it, we have a major report on Sapphire to get out tonight," he told her.

"I probably should make an appearance," she said.

"That's okay, you go, I'll meet you at home," Mike said. 

"I won't be too late," she assured him. After hanging up with Mike, her iPhone rang. Her pussy started tingling when she saw the caller ID. It was Darren.

"Hey you," she said into the phone, pushing her blonde hair behind her ear.

"I had a great time the other night," Darren said.

"Me too," Jen said.

"Hope I wasn't too rough."

"No, I ...," Jen blushed embarrassed. "I kinda like that." She could hear him smile as if he knew. 

"You're gorgeous, you know that?" Darren gushed. "You have an amazing body."

"Thanks!" Jen said thrilled at his compliment. "You do too."

"Your pussy is amazing," he gushed. "I've never felt a better one."

"Um, thanks," she said glancing nervously out her office door. Although she was on her cell, she closed the door. Now that no one could possibly hear, she said "No one's ever filled me like you."

"Not Mike, that's for sure," Darren said with a chuckle, having seen Mike's small penis.

"Um ... no," Jen giggled.

"Let's get together again," Darren said.

"I'd like to, but I can't," Jen said.

"Why not?"

"Darren, remember, I'm married," Jen said.

Darren shook his head. "I don't get it, what's the deal with you and Mike?"

"It's complicated," she said with a giggle.

"I've been with other white couples before," he said.

"You have?" Jen said playing dumb, but of course she'd seen Darren's Facebook page.

"Yeah, I've fucked a lot of white wives," he said. "No one as pretty as you," he added.

"Oh, that's soooo nice to hear," Jen said sarcastically. They shared a laugh.

"But I've met cucks like Mike before," he said.

"Please don't call him that," Jen said.

"Okay, whatever," he said with a shrug. "I'm just saying, I get what's inside his head. I bet he loved watching us, didn't he?"

"Sorta," Jen said. "I told you, it's complicated."

"So when can we get together again?"

"We'll see," Jen said. "Maybe a few weeks."

"How about lunch? I'm in New York this week. We'll just talk."

"Yeah right," Jen laughed.

Darren laughed back. "Seriously, just lunch. I'd like to get to know you better."

Jen was tempted, but ... "Darren, that's not a good idea," she said.

"Okay," he said with a shrug. "But tell me something Jen."

"What?"

"Who owns your pussy?" he said playful mischief in his voice.

"Did you really just ask me that?" Jen said with a laugh.

"I know you Jen," Darren said, his voice now hard and serious. "You're a slut for black cocks. So who owns your pussy?"

"Darren --."

He cut her off. "Are you a slut?"

"Darren, come on --."

"Shut up bitch and answer me!" he growled. "Or next time I'll whip your ass! Whip your ass good! Now answer me, are you a slut?"

Jen hesitated, then said "Yes."

"You're a slut for my black cock. Say it Jen."

"I'm a slut for your black cock," Jen said as if mesmerized.

"So who owns your pussy Jen?"

Breathing hard, her pussy burning, Jen said "You do Darren."

Jen was distracted at happy hour. She felt guilty about her conversation with Darren. If Mike heard it he'd be terribly upset, and he'd have a right to be. She should've just said "I can't see you again Darren" and hung up. Instead she'd been disloyal to Mike and said terrible things. Again! 

"Why am I like this?" she thought. "Why can't I control myself?" Maybe her mom was right, she was a fuckup. 

To Mike's surprise, the Sapphire report was easy to prepare. It was only 730. He decided to go to the happy hour. Maybe Jen could leave early and they could have dinner together. 

Scott sidled up to Jen. She'd kept her distance from him, but she was distracted and anyway it didn't matter since Mike wasn't there. As usual, Scott was the center of attention, but she was only half listening. She was still thinking about her earlier call with Darren, chiding herself for acting so foolish.

"Jen did you hear me?" Scott asked.

"Sorry, what?" she said, distracted by her thoughts.

He held a lit cigarette. "Want one?" he asked.

Jen was a social smoker. She didn't often smoke because Mike didn't like it (cancer ran in his family; his brother had cancer but thankfully it was in remission; he had an aunt and uncle who died of lung cancer). But a cigarette sounded really good, it would help with her frazzled nerves. "That sounds good," she said smiling.

Scott put the cigarette in his mouth and pulled out the pack for another one. It was empty. "Sorry, you're out of luck," he said.

Jen gave him a WTF grin. "You offer me one and you're out?" she said mischief in her voice.

"Tough luck babe," Scott said with a chuckle.

With a crooked smile on her face, Jen swiped the cigarette from Scott's lips. "Your tough luck BABE," Jen said laughing.

"At least share it," he said laughing.

"Okay," she said. She took a long drag then gave it back to him. She'd at least mostly comply with Mike's wish that she not smoke. 

The bar was crowded but Mike finally found Jen. She was about 20 feet away. She was with a group of people but she was off to the side, talking to Scott. They were laughing and talking, like they were the only two people in the world. He watched as Jen took Scott's cigarette from his lips and took a long drag. Then she gave it back to him. The way a boyfriend and girlfriend would share a cigarette. 

A flood of emotions filled Mike. Jealousy, anger, hurt, insecurity. Had Jen lied to him about breaking it off with Scott?

At that moment Jen turned and saw Mike. Her heart leaped at seeing her husband and a big smile came to her face. But then she saw the dark expression on his face. For a moment she feared Darren had recorded their call and emailed it to Mike, like Scott had done with the video. But Darren wouldn't do that, not if he ever wanted to see her again.

She rushed to Mike and gave him a kiss and hug. "What a surprise baby!" she said. She rubbed his arm looking into his face. "Are you okay?"

Mike glared passed Jen at Scott. Jen followed his eyes and saw Scott smoking. She played back in her mind what Mike had seen. "Oh shit," she thought.

"Okay, I know what you saw, but I wasn't flirting with him," she said. She grabbed his arm and moved him towards the exit. She wanted him alone so she could explain. The last she needed is Scott coming over and doing an alpha male move on Mike. "Let's get out of here baby."

They went to their favorite bistro, down the street from their Soho loft. "It was a dumb thing," she explained. "He offered me a cigarette – I'm sorry honey but I had a rough day – and then he was a jerk and told me he didn't have any. So I took his from him." She squeezed his hand. "I gave it back though, I didn't smoke all of it."

"Okay," Mike said feeling foolish.

"Do you believe me?" Jen asked.

"Yeah," he said, squeezing Jen's hand. Later that night they made love. Mike made sure she came with his tongue, and then they fucked as they kissed and held each other.

That Saturday Jen had to go to Sophie's baby shower. She got up early and packed. "I'll be home tomorrow night," she said kissing Mike goodbye. 

In their apartment, Mike watched the video again, stroking himself. He paused a moment looking at the naked Allie. She was really hot, her big natural tits so different from Jen's tiny ones, and her legs were almost as shapely as Jen's. But he skipped to where Scott fucked Jen bareback. He came as Scott shot his cum inside her.

As he recovered, he felt so pathetic and conflicted. He couldn't stand to see Jen talking to Scott, yet he beat off to him fucking his wife bareback. "I'm so fucked up," he thought to himself.

Jen took the Acela train north to a small town outside Boston, where she grew up. She arrived a little after lunch and her mom picked her up. The dreaded interrogation began immediately.

Mom: I thought Mike was coming.

Jen: It's a baby shower, he'd hate it.

Mom: He could've stayed with me and your father while you went to the shower.

Jen: Mom, really?

Mom: You look like you've lost weight. Are you eating?

Jen: I'm fine mom.

Mom: You need to take care of yourself to have a healthy baby.

Jen: I know mom.

Mom: Are you and Mike trying?

Jen: I'm only 26 and he's 29. We have a lot of time.

Mom: There's nothing better than a baby to make sure a man stays with you.

Jen: I don't need a baby for that mom!

Mom: Mike's a really sweet boy, he takes good care of you. You better be good to him.

Jen: I am Mom!

Sophie picked Jen up on her way to the shower.

"God I need a drink!" Jen said after spending the last 3 hours with her parents.

"Wish I could have one," the very pregnant Sophie said.

"Don't worry I'll drink yours," Jen said.

The shower passed slowly. Jen looked at her old high school friends (8 years after graduation). Almost everyone was married, many were pregnant or already had children. Everyone looked happy. She wondered if any were fucking other men with her husband's permission (and encouragement), as she was doing. She strongly doubted it. Once again she felt like a slut and wondered what was wrong with her.

More than a few complimented her on her looks. "God Jen you haven't aged a day," Cathy said.

"You look younger now than when we graduated," gushed Mary.

"How do you stay so thin?" Kylie said with more than a little envy.

After the shower ended Jen helped Sophie pack the presents into the car. "How's Mike?" Sophie asked. "I heard about his Sapphire thing."

"Really?" Jen said surprised.

"My dad heard about it," Sophie explained. "You know how he's into investing. He wanted me to ask if he could invest."

"I'll ask Mike," Jen said flattered. She knew Sophie's dad was stinking rich. In fact, Sophie had always been the richest kid in school, by far.

"Um ... Colin asked about you," Sophie said hesitantly. "He said he might stop by."

"Oh Sophie ..." Jen sighed. 

Jen had dated Colin in high school, in fact he'd been her first love. He'd been the star quarterback and she'd been a cheerleader and the homecoming queen. He took her virginity, and with him she discovered how much she loved sex. They both went to Penn State. Everyone assumed they'd marry (except Jen's mom, who didn't like Colin).  He got a football scholarship and even got drafted into the NFL (he only lasted a couple of years, but still). But he cheated on her their freshman year at Penn State, and then she found out he'd cheated on her in high school. She broke up with him with a broken heart. Then she met Allie and went kinda boy crazy.

"I know Jen," Sophie said feeling really bad. "I'm sorry, he sorta tricked me into telling him about the shower and you coming."

Just then Colin walked him. "Hey Jenny," he said kissing her on the cheek. "How about a drink to catch up?"

"I really can't Colin," Jen said.

"Come on, we haven't seen each other in years," Colin insisted. That was true. She hadn't seen Colin since college, although that last meeting had been unpleasant. Still, she reluctantly agreed to have a drink with him.

"You look amazing!" he gushed.

"Thanks," she said. He did too, although she didn't say that. He was older but still gorgeous, and the years only enhanced his charm. From the way his clothes fit, he still had his lean muscular football body. Also, she was well aware of the impressive package he had in his pants. He wasn't huge like Darren, Scott or Ricky, but he'd never failed to make her cum (even the first time when he took her virginity).

They talked and laughed, gossiping about common friends and reliving shared memories. She found herself having a good time and one drink lead to another. Pretty soon she was buzzed.

"Are you married?" she asked.

"Divorced twice," he said. He shrugged. "I guess I'm comparing everyone else to you."

"I'm sorry to hear about your divorces, but I'm sure that's not true," Jen said. "I think the last time I saw you I'd just found out about – what was her name? Mandy?"

"Mindy," he said. Jen had gotten back together with Colin more than once, and each time he cheated on her again.

"I'm sorry about those girls Jen," he said. "What can I say? I was the starting Penn State quarterback, girls were always hitting on me. You know what I'm talking about.  I'm sure guys hit on you all the time, you're so beautiful."

"Yeah, well, I'm happily married now," she said, holding up her left hand.

"Really?" he said looking skeptical. "I've heard you're not happy with Mike."

"Who told you that?" Jen snapped.

"Just rumors," he said. "You know this is a small town, people hear things. Something like you left Mike and moved in with a guy. Ricky I think?"

Jen frowned. "Well it's not true," she said. It bothered her rumors had made it all the way here, and how close the rumors touched on the truth. No wonder her mother had been giving her a hard time earlier.

Colin drove Jen home. "Wanna come to my place for a night cap?" he asked.




Making It Work Ch. 02



"I don't think so," Jen said with a laugh.

He put his hand on Jen's knee. "I've always thought you had the best legs," he said.

She pushed his hand off. "Mike thinks so too," she said coldly.

"Jenny--."

"I go by Jen now," she said coldly.

"Come on, you'll always be my Jenny," Colin said putting on all his charm.

Colin parked in front of her house. 

"It was nice seeing you again Colin," she said politely. 

"Wait," Colin said holding her arm. "It's early, let's talk some more."

"I don't think you want to talk," Jen said scornfully, moving to open the door.

"Wait, can you just stay a minute?" he said sounding almost desperate. "We were together a lot of years Jenny, can you give me just 5 more minutes?"

She sat back down and they were silent, both looking out the front window. 

"Remember how we used to drive out of town and park with the top down, looking at the stars?" Colin said. "We used to dream about our future, you and me. Whatever happened to those dreams Jenny?"

"We grew up Colin," Jen said.

"Yeah, grew up," he said with a bitter laugh. "I thought I'd be an NFL quarterback. You know Belichick was grooming me to take over after Brady retires? Then I blow out my knee and just like that, NFL dreams over. Now I'm selling used cars. God what a caricature I've become."

"Come on Colin, you own 5 car dealerships and I've seen your house, it's a freaking mansion, you're doing fine."

Colin looked at Jen and smiled. "You always made me feel good about myself," he said. He brushed her cheek. "I can't believe I let you get away."

"I better go Colin ..."

"Do you ever think about me?" Colin asked.

"I mean, yeah Colin, sometimes, we were together for a long time."

"We had some good times huh?" Colin said brushing his hand across Jen's cheek again, this time his fingers trailing down her neck, touching her just as he remembered she liked being touched.

"Yeah, a lot of good times," Jen said, looking into his eyes. 

"God Jenny you haven't changed," he gushed his fingers caressing her neck, "You're as beautiful as ever, more beautiful even."

"Colin, I ..."

Colin pressed his lips against Jen's. She resisted but he held her tight. He was a good kisser and remembered how Jen liked it, just the right amount of pressure, just the right amount of tongue. He caressed Jen's neck as he kissed her. Eventually he felt her kiss him back, meeting his tongue with hers.

He trailed his hand down Jen's neck, along her shoulder, and then down her side. He caressed small circles on her side, just barely touching the side of her breasts. His lips moved from her lips to her neck, kissing and nuzzling her, just as he remembered she liked it.

"Colin no we can't do this," Jen moaned, her eyes closed and her head rolling back. Next to Mike, Colin knew her body better than anyone in the world.

Colin bit and sucked at Jen's neck, right where it met her shoulder, and as he did he moved his hand to her breasts. He cupped her breasts, rubbing her nipples through her blouse and bra. Colin's fingers moved to the buttons of her blouse. He unbuttoned them one by one.

"No Colin stop," Jen groaned. Then Colin's hand was inside her blouse. He pushed up the lacy bra, and then his hand was on her naked breasts. He fondled her roughly, his thumb rubbing her hard nipple. Then he lowered his head and sucked a nipple into his mouth. "Oh god!" Jen moaned arching her back.

He moved his hand down her flat stomach to her skirt, moving to the hem. With both hands he tugged her short skirt up around her waist.

"No Colin we can't do this!" Jen said alarmed trying to wiggle away. But Colin was much stronger and he held her. He kissed her again to shut her up, his hand caressing her breast again, touching all her erogenous zones. He moved his hand to her leg again. He caressed her thigh, and when his fingers trailed to her inner thighs he felt her legs part slightly. 

Inside Colin laughed. This was too easy. All it'd taken was a sob story, and now he was moments away from sinking his cock into Jenny Johnson's married pussy (Johnson was Jen's maiden name).  Jenny was the same stupid blonde, the same horny slut she'd always been. 

He thought back to high school and college when they were dating. He had pretty naive Jenny around his finger even as he fucked tons of girls behind her back. She eventually found out, but she always forgave him, always opened her legs for him. In truth he was still attracted to her, she was still stunning and smoking hot. But he had his choice of high quality pussy now. Really, he just wanted to see if he could still get into her married pussy after all these years. So far things were looking good.

He moved his hand up Jen's leg, caressing her inner thigh. He stopped when he felt her stocking top. "That's something new," he thought to himself, pleased with Jenny's new choice in hosiery. He moved up her thigh, feeling the bare skin above the stockings. Then he reached her panties. She was soaking wet. Again Colin inwardly chuckled. What a slut! This was too easy.

He curved a finger in Jen's lacy pink panties and tugged it down her long legs. 

"No, no, no," Jen protested squeezing her thighs closed, but Colin laughed and ripped the panties off. She heard him undo his belt buckle and zipper, and then he was on top of her. He moved between her legs, forcing them open, and then she felt his hard cock pressing against her pussy. "THIS CANNOT BE HAPPENING!" she screamed to herself. She felt him pressing into her. "HE'S NOT EVEN WEARING A CONDOM!" 

Suddenly there was a loud bang at the window. "What the hell is going on!" Jen's mom yelled from outside the car.

"Oh shit!" Jen said. "Colin get off me!" she yelled pushing him off. She hurriedly buttoned her blouse and pulled down her skirt, and then ran from the car into the house. She ran into her bedroom and threw herself onto the bed, curling into a ball and sobbing.

A few minutes later her mom walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "Please mom, I know I'm a fuckup, just leave me alone okay?" Jen said crying.

Jen felt her mom tenderly brush her hair with her hand.  "My little Jenny ... it's okay, it's okay," she said soothingly, hugging her.

After a few minutes with her mother's calming, Jen stopped crying. "Don't feel so bad," her mom said. "Colin's a predator."

"I have to tell Mike what happened," Jen sobbed.

"Yes you will. Colin likes to talk. Mike's bound to hear eventually." Her mom touched her neck. "Especially ..."

Jen looked in the mirror. Colin had marked her with a hickey. "Fuck," she said under her breath.

Her mom brushed her hair again and she smiled, but without humor. "I always said you were too pretty for your own good." She paused, and then tentatively asked "Jenny, I've heard rumors about you and a boy – Ricky?"

Jen looked down, shamefaced. "Another Colin ..." she said. "It's over though."

"Mike forgave you?"

"Yeah but ..." Jen said. She thought passed Ricky, to Scott and Darren. She thought of the game. "It's complicated."

"Men like Colin and this Ricky – they might look nice, but they don't stay around. They won't take care of you," her mom said. Her eyes looked sad. She had personal experience of this.

"I know," Jen said. She looked down. "It's just ..."

"I know," her mom said, understanding in her eyes. "I'm the same way. I'm attracted to men like that."  She smiled, but there was only sadness. "Why do you think I'm still with your father?"

"Oh mom ..." Jen said, her words almost a sob. She loved her father, but he was such a shit!

"Don't worry about me," her mom said wiping away a tear. "I just want you to be happy. Mike's a good boy. You have to hold onto him, even if you don't love him."

"I do love him!" Jen insisted.

Her mom looked puzzled. "Then why do you do this?"

Jen put her head in her hands and cried. "I don't know!" she sobbed.

The next day Jen called Mike after boarding the train home. "You'll be at the train station?" she said. She had a desperate need to be in his arms, to confess everything and hear him forgive her.

Her anxiety increased the closer they got to NYC. Mike hated Colin. There was history there. In college after she got serious with Mike, Colin tried to take her back. They'd been a terrible confrontation. Even now, years later, Jen couldn't bare thinking about it. 

Colin had been THE worst person to hook up with. Well, maybe second worse, after Scott. Jen put her face in her hands. "I am such a fuckup" she scolded herself.

Mike and Jen hugged and kissed in the train station, and again when they got home. Mike was clearly horny (having watched the video more than once). "I really missed you," he said.

Mike had made a light dinner. They ate and then went to the sofa, kissing and making out again. Jen decided to tell him right then, to get it over with. She straddled his legs and hugged him. She wanted to be touching him when she told him.

"I need to tell you something," she said kissing him. 

"Okay," he said his arms around her.

"You're not going to like it," she said trying to prepare him.

"Is it about Scott?" he said his eyes narrowing.

"No, that's totally over," she said quickly. Then she added hesitantly "But you might think this is just as bad. Even worse."

"Okay," he said warily.

She wanted to hide somewhere. But she'd already started, she couldn't stop now. "I saw Colin last night," she said.

Mike's back stiffened and he glared at Jen. "What happened?"

Jen told him the story, about Colin showing up at the shower, her getting a drink with him, and then the drive home. 

"What happened then?" Mike said glaring at her.

She looked away, not able to stand the glare of his eyes. She hugged him. "Please don't get mad. You have a right to be mad, but please --."

"WHAT HAPPENED JEN?" Mike practically yelled.

Jen's eyes watered and a tear fell down her cheek. She'd worn a turtle neck to hide the hickey. Now she took it off. Mike's eyes went right to the hickey on her neck.

Then Jen reached back and unsnapped her bra. She took it off, shamefaced. Colin had left a hickey on her breast too.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Jen said sobbing, hugging him tight.

"Did he fuck you?" Mike asked angrily, pushing her away.

"No!" she said, and through her tears she told Mike the rest of the story. She said Colin forced himself on her. She admitted though he'd gotten her wet.

Mike was angry and hurt, but he was also aroused. He pulled Jen to him and kissed her, even as tears fell down her cheeks. He pushed her onto her back and pushed up her skirt, and then he tugged down her tights and panties.

He got between her legs and took out his cock and then he rammed balls deep in one thrust. Jen wasn't wet and it hurt, but she didn't care, she wanted it to hurt, she deserved whatever punishment Mike wanted to give.

"You wanted to fuck him didn't you?" Mike hissed pounding his wife.

"No, no!" Jen cried.

"Yes you did! You just told me! He got you wet!" Mike growled fucking Jen hard.

"But I didn't want him!" Jen insisted.

"Yes you did! At least tell me the truth! You wanted him to fuck you! You wanted to feel him inside you! GOD JEN AT LEAST TELL ME THE TRUTH!" Mike screamed. Now tears were falling down his face too.

"Okay, you're right, I did want him to fuck me, I wanted him!" Jen confessed.

Mike lurched and came. They lay intertwined, both of them crying.

Eventually they moved to the bed. They spooned as darkness fell.

"I'm such a slut," Jen said with a sob. "I can't control myself. I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Just tell me this," Mike said. "Do you still love him?"

"God no Mike!" Jen said immediately, turning around and pleading into Mike's face. "I can't stand him! What's wrong with me? I let a guy I can't stand almost fuck me!" She started crying again.

Mike let her cry herself out. He kissed the back of her neck and shoulders. They were quiet for a long time, 30 minutes, just hugging each other.

Then Mike said, "Remember the other day, when I told you how I stalked you after meeting you in the record store?"

"Yeah."

"I learned about your on-again off-again relationship with Colin. And I heard about how you went out with a lot of guys."

"You mean how I was an easy lay and fucked around a lot," she said belittling herself.

"That's not how I saw it," Mike said firmly, kissing her again. "I saw a bubbly girl, full of life. A girl who knew what she wanted and took it. You intimidated the hell out of me. I mean, you had everything. Beautiful, smart, great personality. Believe it or not, it actually made me feel better you slept with a lot guys, but didn't' really date any of them. It meant you saw through them and didn't like what you saw. It gave me hope. Because I thought maybe you'd see the real me and, you know, you'd like what you saw."

Jen looked into Mike's face. "How is it freaking possible you can make me feel good about being a slut?" she said amazed. She giggled, and they shared a laugh. They kissed and hugged.

"You wanna know something else?" Mike said.

"What?"

"It actually turns me on you slept around," Mike admitted. 

"It doesn't bother you I'm a skanky slut?" Jen said with a self-reproachful laugh.

"I don't think you're a slut," Mike said reassuringly. "You have a big sex drive," he said with a laugh, "But you're too sweet and wholesome to be anything close to a slut."

"God Mike you put me on this pedestal ..."

"Sorry --."

Jen interrupted him, "That's okay, I like being up there." They shared another laugh.

She snuggled into Mike's arms. "Will you always think I'm your goddess?"

"Always," he said truthfully, kissing her.

"Even when I do stupid stuff like this weekend?" she asked.

"Yes," he repeated. "Just tell me about it okay?" He kissed her. "Like you did."

"All I have to do is tell you?" she asked. "You'll always forgive me? You promise?"

Mike nodded. "Just don't fall in love with anyone else, okay?" 

"Okay," Jen agreed kissing him. "That seriously won't be a problem."

"Okay."

"Hold me tonight okay?" Jen said.

"I will."

"Don't let go," Jen said.

"I won't," Mike assured her.

They held each other and fell asleep.



Making It Work Ch. 02



"So Marie, why exactly are you interested in my knuckle head son? You can do so much better." [more laughter]

"Well, he's a gentleman and they're very hard to find."

Her voice is adorable! But does she really talk like that or is she nervous. You sort of have to concentrate in order to hear her.

"She's a cute one."

Good sign. My dad accepts her. I glance at Mom and she has a nice smile on her face. The dinner goes very smoothly until I bring up David's suggestion about opening a family bakery. The bakery wasn't the source of dissension, our parents were all for it and I think that we'll actually start putting it on paper; it was one of the tangent conversations afterwards that did. The dreaded discussion about children. No one forced the topic it just sort of happened and maybe it shouldn't have.

"So you don't want children?" My mom sounds very disappointed. Although he's just bringing her home to meet the family, Barrett and Marie have been dating for an entire year. That's pretty serious if I do say so myself.

"No."

"Oh, but why?"

"Mom."

"I'm just curious."

"I think what Marie means to say is that she doesn't want children now, however maybe in the future once everything is more stable, they'll become an option."

[Unanimous head nods]

"No, Barrett, I don't want children. They require too much attention and I would like to focus upon my career."

"Oh." Just about everybody said that even David who has been quiet during the entire dinner. Now, if you know my brother Barrett well, or any of my brothers well, you'd know that they want children and not just one or two, but about three or four at least. Our parents were only children therefore they instilled within us the importance of family ties so we pretty much want a bigger family. Besides, the more the merrier, right? Right?

"But what about after we're married and you have a stable career. Would children be an option then?"

"Of course not. They require too much attention and upkeep and besides, they'll ruin my figure."

"Oh."

"What?!"

"Damn." Excuse my French, Mom and Dad.

"Dang."

"Who wants dessert? I made apple pie and homemade vanilla bean ice cream." Nice save, Mom!

"I would love to taste your dessert, Mrs. Le—Stacy."

"I'll help you serve it, dear."

"David and I will clear the table." I've never seen a group of people so eager to volunteer before. I glance at my brother and he looks ready to explode, but he's doing a good job of keeping his temper under wraps.

"What do you mean that they'll ruin your figure?"

"Look at my mom, you've seen how much she's blown up after having me and I'm an only child. No thank you. Moreover, it's completely selfish to want to continue populating the earth when there are millions of homeless and orphaned children all over the world. Adoption is a better choice."

I can understand her argument, but it's a man's rite to sow his royal oats and leave offspring. It's everyone's desire. I don't have anything against adoption. If I ever learned that I could never have children, I would adopt a child in a heartbeat. Even now, with the ability to have a child, if the urge to adopt struck me, I would still adopt and give birth afterwards. Why should it be an either/or type of deal?

"Then would you consider adoption?" Barrett sounds very hopeful. It makes me feel sad. I know that a few seconds ago we all volunteered to move and give them privacy, but for some reason we still have our backsides glued to our seats. Maybe we're waiting on a cue.

"Absolutely not. Why should I raise someone else's child when their own parents didn't even want it?"

It? Did she just call another human being it?

"WHAT!"

Oh shit, that was the signal. David and I are clamoring for dishes and utensils, Mom and Dad have disappeared into the kitchen, and I accidentally stabbed myself with a fork in my hurry, but I'm not bothered. Just as long as I can get out of that dining room before the bomb really goes off.

"We forgot the knives."

"Screw the knives, David; do you not hear the war going on in there?" My brother is letting Marie have it.

"Marie, I can't believe how shallow you're being right now. And in front of my family of all people!"

"That Asian guy doesn't look like family." Home girl may look shy but she has a mouth on her. And yes, that's her real voice.

"That Asian guy. That Asian guy! His name is David! I can't believe you right now."

"What can't you believe? I told you in the beginning that I never wanted children. I thought that you were all right with that."

"No, Marie, what you said, because I remember it very clearly, was that you were too young for kids however if you found the right guy, you would reconsider. Am I not the right guy?"

"Barrett..."

"I'm not?"

"Stop being ridiculous."

"I'm the one being ridiculous when you can't even answer a simple question. Are you even in love with me?"

"Seriously, are you going to sit there and bitch at me for not wanting kids?"

Wow she just cursed. I never pegged her for the type. She looks so gentle and mild-mannered that you would never believe she could be capable of uttering profanity.

"You didn't answer my question. Why are you avoiding a simple yes or no question? Either it's a yes, you love me or a no, you don't love me. Which is it because we can work this out? You don't want children, that's fine, we'll find another alternative. We can get a dog—"

"I hate dogs."

"Or a fucking cat!"

"I'm allergic. And I don't really like animals."

"Then why the hell did we meet at a petting zoo if you don't like animals?! Which person in their right mind goes to the very place that they hate?! My mind is boggled right now."

"Would you stop over exaggerating and lower your voice before they hear us."

"Let me get this straight. You don't want to have kids, you detest animals, and you don't want to adopt a child. Then what do you want from me? Why are we together?"

"Because..."

"Because of what, love? You have yet to respond to my previous question pertaining to the clarification of your sentiments towards me."

-Damn, you know shit's serious when he starts speaking philosophically.

I know right.

"Do you love me?"

[Silence]

"All you have to do is answer, Marie. We can rectify this disagreement if you would only provide me with a refutation or a confirmation. The choice is yours. Do. You. Love. Me."

[More silence]

"I don't know."

"You don't know? We've been together for a year and fifteen days yet you haven't the slightest inkling as to whether you possess feelings one would quantify as love or not?"

"I don't know."

I can imagine that Barrett is shaking his head right now in disbelief. We hear a chair draw back. Maybe he's pacing now.

-Maybe? A man is asking the woman that he loves whether or not she reciprocates his feelings and you think that maybe Barrett is pacing around? It's more like he's on the prowl looking for answers.

Well, I don't know what my brother does in situations where he's about to get his heart ripped out, David! Thank you. I think that one of us should interrupt.

-Why?

If we allow it to go any further, someone is going to get hurt.

-Ana, as much as you want to protect that man, he needs to know the truth. Sit your little ass right there and don't even think about moving.

Watch your damn mouth!

"All this time I questioned the profoundness of your feelings for me. I was the one constantly attempting to appease you and make you content. I was the one who believed that we should know each other on a deeper level. I was the one bending over backwards for you. Hell, to get you here to meet my parents took five months of persuasion. I should have known..."

"You should have known what?"

"That you are egotistical and self-centered, and that you will never change. It was idiotic of me to assume that perhaps I could make you have a heart. I was mistaken. Marie, I think we made a grave error. You need to leave. I'll arrange for hotel accommodations, but you sure as hell are not remaining another minute under my parents' roof."

My heart goes out to Barrett. Twelve and a half months of a relationship just washed down the drain all because the topic of repopulating the earth came up. I somewhat feel responsible having brought up the discussion of the bakery.

-You really shouldn't. At least Barrett sees Marie for who she truly is now instead of finding out after the honeymoon.

Is this your attempt at making me feel better?

-There's no winning for losing with you.

"I guess that no one will be eating dessert, huh?" Poor Mom.

"We can always have it for breakfast." We stay in the kitchen, straightening everything up, too afraid to leave the safe enclosure of steel and black tile. Sooner or later we look at the time and realize that it's getting late. We hear the telltale sign of the front door closing and a taxi driving off. Marie is gone. Should I say good riddance? I actually liked her before the no baby business.

"I thought that you guys were getting stuff ready for dessert?"

"Barrett, I'm so sorry. It was my fault. Me and my big mouth!"

"No, it was my fault. I was only curious."

"No it's not, Mom, Ana, the signs were always there. I just refused to see them. Anyway, let's not ruin the rest of the evening by talking about that horrid ordeal. Let's focus on the bakery." We all gather around to eat the apple pie and ice cream out of their respectful containers like a family. It felt so natural. A part of me however still wanted to talk to my brother just to make sure that he was doing all right, but Barrett springs back quickly. He's been that way since we were children. The gleam of sadness in his eyes informs me that he really did love Marie and that he would have done anything in his power to make it work, but a relationship is a two way street. And my brother isn't cut out for unrequited love. He deserves much better.

That night we saw David off and then I bunked down with my brother like we used to do when we were younger. We talked into the wee hours of the morning and finally fell asleep when the early bird began to chirp.

We wake up to the smell of breakfast and pig out. It's delicious as usual. I really have to commend David for the bakery idea because it's all that we talk about. Our parents are really excited about it so we called up our older brothers and ran it by them. Frederick, sometimes being the stick in the mud, wasn't up for it in the beginning until Barrett and I explained how much Mom and Dad were looking forward to feeling useful again. The other three were easy to convince. Fred is coming up with the business plan. We decided to start putting aside funds for the bakery with each paycheck so that we could eventually purchase a store.

We thought about starting small, but with our parents' skills, that wouldn't be doing them justice. Barrett and I will take care of finding the perfect location; David actually called us with several prospects involving snack companies. Remember that banana chocolate chip cookie that I saved him? Well, he took it home and shared piece with a friend who wouldn't stop bragging about it. His dad owns a snack company and he wants to talk to my mom. She's ecstatic. Things are coming along much faster than I anticipated.

"So I hear that Mom and Dad have been sending you on blind dates again."

"Who blabbed?"

"Derek and Eddie. Frederick and Cleveland are the only two exempt because Freddy is married and Cleveland is engaged. I was excused too until last night. How did your date go?"

"It went just not really far."

I watch him sit back on the sofa. We decided to play a game of Scrabble while our parents attacked the yard work. We offered to help, but they shot us down several times especially me.

"You should just tell them that you're not ready to settle down yet."

"Don't you think that I've tried? You know your parents are stubborn."

"What about you and David?"

"What about me and David?" I know what he's asking still I don't want to divulge. It makes my heart squeeze.

"Have you two ever considered giving it another try?"

[Shoulder shrug] "Another try probably isn't the best of ideas. You know how the two of us can get. We're like oil and vinegar."

[Snort] "More like vinegar and water. You two should cut the bullshit and make it happen."

"Barrett!"

"I saw the way you two were cuddled up on the couch with my own eyes. There's still love there. Why are you suppressing it? That shit doesn't work."

I'm absentmindedly rubbing my chest. "It's just complicated, B."

"Only because you two want it to be."

"Love isn't as simple as it appears. You should know this from what happened last night."

"Ouch. Low blow, baby sis. Low blow." [chuckles]

"I'm serious. David and I still have our shit to work out and neither of us has made the move to sort through it. I guess that it's best that we don't. We barely stayed in touch the first time. Could you imagine if we dredged everything back up now?"

"So what's wrong with you?"

"Just minor chest pain."

"Indigestion? Heart burn?"

"Nah, it's nothing serious."

"Mom and Dad are handling you with child gloves and it's nothing serious? I'd hate to see what they would be doing if it was."

I'm glad that he let the issue concerning David and me drop. I've thought several times about it and I'm not sure if I'm ready to lay it all out on the table and bare my soul. "I've been diagnosed with heart ache. It's not going to kill me now that it's being treated hence the reason I said that it's not serious."

"Heart ache? You mean Takotsubo cardiomyopathy? That's pretty sweet."

"You think that it's cool that I'm suffering from heart break syndrome over bull that occurred soon to be four years ago?"

"That's only because you want to, Ana. Life doesn't come with free handouts. You have to work for what you want. Even if you and David don't get back together, I still believe that it'll be healthy to at least talk about whatever happened just to clear the air. Then you two can move on."

"Damn it, Barrett, I hate the fact that you're always right. You're becoming more like Frederick every day."

"I know that you mean it with love."

What Barrett said was right. So right that I dialed David's number after giving a lame excuse of needing to use the bathroom to get away from my ogling brother. He already knows what I'm up to. And I'm pretty sure that he knows that I know that he knows. I let the phone ring twice before hanging up. I'm such a chicken shit. The thought of confronting David has my heart pounding out of my chest. I'll wait until my two months are up. That way I won't be digging my own grave. Yeah, I'll wait.

[Phone vibrations]

Crap! It's David! I should have called from a blocked number. What should I do? If I don't answer he will only continue to call and then probably pop up. But if I answer it, I'll have to tell him why I called. Or do I?

"Hello?" [horrible nonchalant voice]

"Hey Ana, did you just call and hang up?"

"No."

"No? So it wasn't your number that I saw in the missed calls?"

"What I mean to say is that if I called you I had no intention of doing so."

"Really now?"

"Yeah, you see, I was sitting on my phone and I guess that my butt somehow dialed your number by mistake. It happens all the time."

"Let me get this straight, you ass dial other people's phones on a regular basis?"

"I don't appreciate your sarcasm, David."

"I'm just trying to understand how your ass could individually press the buttons on your iPhone, which needs a passcode, by the way, to call me. Or did it dial the passcode then find me on speed dial?"

What do I do? What do I do? I'll never tell him the truth. NEVER!

"Hey David, actually my knuckle headed sister called you because I wanted to invite you to ball. I heard you just refurbished your basketball courts in the gym and I'm in need of a good workout."

Thank you, Barrett, I love you! He's giving me the side eye. I think he just heard my thoughts.

"Really? Why didn't you just call me from your phone?"

"I'm feeling too lazy to get up and get it from out of my bedroom. So are you down?"

"Hell yeah. Do you want me to pick you up?"

"Sure, I get to save on gas money."

[Loud laughter over the phone] "Okay. I'll see you in twenty?"

"Sounds good, my man. I'll be ready."

He hangs up the phone and hands it to me with a raised eyebrow as if to say "uh huh."

"You're still a horrible liar."

[Sigh of defeat] "I know."

"But it took courage to dial his number. I commend you for your effort."

[Bright smile] "See, I did try."

[Laughter] "Yeah, you did. Now come on let me finish kicking your butt in Scrabble before David gets here."

And he actually did win. My brothers are great at board games. Each of them has their own specialty. Barrett, for example, is good with any word game because he loves books and reading. Cleveland is good with speed games, I don't know why, but his brain just runs a mile a minute. Derek is really good with sports games because he is competitive as hell, otherwise he's a sweetheart. Eddie is really good with mystery games because he likes to over analyze everything. It drives his fiancée up the wall sometimes. And Frederick is very good with quiz games because he's a know-it-all. And me? I'm good with money games. To this day everyone in my family refuses to play Monopoly with me. They swear that I cheat. I just like to handle money and I'm damn good at doing it.

Anyway, the moral of my random tangent is that I stood no chance against Barrett because he always kicks my butt. We finish up our game right before David's arrival and luckily I didn't have to see him since it was my nap time and my mother keeps me on a strict schedule. Thank goodness or I would have done something stupid like starting an argument to cover up my embarrassment. I'm just going to wait out these two months then I'll attack—yeah right.



Making It Work Ch. 03



To the Anon who suggested the monikers, thank you very much. I don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place.

******

[Incessant knocking]

Ananda: [looks at clock] Eight thirty in the morning? I don't think so. "Go away!"

David: "No, get up."

I stare at him in disbelief. What is he doing here?

Ananda: "It's too early for all of this. Go away."

David: [Crosses arms and leans against door] "I already told you no."

Ananda: "What are you even doing here? Don't you have a life to live?"

David: "Your parents called me up last night and asked me to take you to your doctor's appointment. They had an early meeting to attend and would probably be out all day afterwards."

Ananda: "So?"

He rolls his eyes as if I'm a moron or something. I'm not stupid. What does my parents being gone have to do with him being here? I can take care of myself. What? Did they think I would have a heart attack in the car on the way to the doctor?

David: "I'm babysitting you. You don't have a choice. Now get up."

I think not. When he learns to be more respectful I'll consider dragging my lazy ass out of bed. Until then I'm staying nice and warm and he can kiss my black ass. People can be so rude sometimes. Ugh!

[cricks neck]

Ananda: Uh-oh. I hate when he does that. "Don't you it." He does it. "Get off of me, David! I'm not leaving this bed until you apologize for being a jackass! Let go of my leg!"

David: "Dammit woman, you're so stubborn! Get out of bed right now! Your appointment is in an hour!" [grabs ankle again]

Ananda: "There's still plenty of time."

David: [drops ankle] "No there isn't, you dummy. It takes thirty minutes to get to the doctor's office, you still haven't even had breakfast or brushed your teeth yet. Now get up or I swear I—"

He has a valid point, but my bed is so damn warm and he's still a jackass.

Ananda: "Alright! Why didn't you just say so in the first place? You know that I'm not a morning person."

He's glowering at me and probably still deciding whether he should drag me out of bed or not. He's so sexy right now all worked up with those flushed cheeks. Sometimes I argue with him just to get this reaction. I'm mean, aren't I?

David: "Your damn breakfast is ready. Get dressed."

[slams door and stomps off]

Ananda: "Don't be slamming these damn doors! This ain't your house!"

David: "What was that?"

How the hell did he come back so quickly?

Ananda: [looks around nervously, picks lint off of blanket] "Nothing. I'm gonna get ready." Sneaky bastard.

This time there are no snide remarks. I'm panicking a bit. Why does David have to come with me? I'm still not over the incident with that horrible phone call and my sorry excuse of an explanation. My parents should have told me...then again, they probably knew that I would sneak out in the middle of the night. I'm just not ready for this, y'all. Come on ladies, am I being a pussy or am I right? Sometimes there are things that no matter how badly you want to say them just never come out.

I wish Barrett was here right now. He always knows what to do.

David: "Ana move your ass!"

Ananda: "All right damn it! Stop rushing me!"

I swear. I can't even say my own private thoughts in peace. I drag myself out of bed and get dressed. I'll just have to take a shower when I get back. It usually helps me with the waking up process, but David saw to that. I return to my room to make my bed then meet him downstairs.

Ananda: "What's this?"

David: "Breakfast. What does it look like?"

Ananda: "Too much healthy food, not enough sugar." He rolls his eyes and hands me a plate full of sliced fruits, a whole grain muffin, and something that smells like turkey bacon. I know what it smells like because my father loves the stuff. Me? Not so much. I prefer the real deal.

David: "Stop frowning like a spoiled brat and eat up. You're going for your one month check-up so it's wise to eat healthy beforehand. We leave in ten minutes."

[sigh of defeat]

Ananda: "Aren't you eating?"

David: [shakes head] "I'm not too hungry."

I eat all of the fruits, eat the muffin, drink some orange juice and give David the two slices of turkey bacon.

Ananda: "Happy birthday."

David: "You're an asshole."

He has the same look on his face as an older brother who's ready to beat the crap out of his younger sibling, but he takes the plate and eats the "bacon" strips. I blow him a kiss and proceed to put on my shoes and coat. David is right behind me without me having to tell him that I'm ready. His hand rests lightly on the small of my back, guiding me out the door before locking it.

David: "It's a bit chilly out today. Are you dressed warm enough?"

Ananda: [rolls eyes] "It's an early spring morning, David. It's going to be slightly cold. The temperature will heat up later."

Ever the gentleman, he opens the door for me and revs the engine only after my seatbelt is buckled. I sneak glances of his side profile wondering what he's thinking about. Sometimes I feel as if I don't know him as well as I think I do. The distance spent between us after our horrible breakup did create somewhat of a rift that we haven't yet repaired. I don't know how. Do you have any advice for me?

David: "Are you going to keep staring at me or will you tell me what's on your mind."

Ananda: "I love you." It came out unexpectedly on a wispy breath, but now that the truth has slipped, I might as well keep moving forward.

David: "What? I didn't hear you. Any other time you'd be yelling at me and now you choose to whisper?"

He makes a left turn, briefly taking his eyes off of the road to look at me. My heart is pounding in my chest, I want to give up however I've been replaying Barrett's advice and I don't want to be afraid anymore.

Ananda: What are we doing, David?"

David: "We're on the way to the doctor's."

Ananda: "No, I mean us. What is this?"

He's tapping his finger on the steering wheel and once more I'm left wondering what's on his mind.

David: You're probably going to think that I'm pulling your leg, but I need you to expound upon whatever it is you're trying to tell me."

Ananda: "What are we doing? How hard is that to understand? One minute we're fucking and the next we're biting each other's heads off! What the hell is going on?! That's all I want to know, David! That's it! What is there not to understand?! Are we seeing each other? Are we friends with benefits? Are we even friends because sometimes I feel as if you can't stand to be around me?"

David: "You've got to be fucking kidding me. Ana—"

Ananda: "Don't try to blow things over like you always do. You want to know why I'm fucked up right now? It's because of you! I can't look at you without hurting. Every time I feel a stab in my heart and you don't seem to give a damn! You selfish bastard!"

David: "Ana."

I don't know where all of this is suddenly coming from. I don't know why I'm yelling at him. Why am I so angry? Why are there tears in my eyes? Why won't he say something more than my name? I should have kept quiet. [sobs] He slams on brakes and puts the car in park. We're at the doctor's office.

David: "Now Ananda, listen to me...Ananda!"

I'm a hypocrite. I just asked for an explanation yet I'm running. [slams car door]

David: "Hey damn it, I'm talking to you. You can't just act like some hysterical woman having a nervous breakdown then leave me confused."

Ananda: "Let go of me." My entire body shivers when he touches my face. I can't breathe. "LET GO OF ME!"

"Is there a problem, ma'am? Is this man bothering you?"

I need to calm down. I didn't notice that I had drawn a crowd. There's a very daunting security guard standing behind us, but David isn't threatened. He wipes my tears away ever so calmly although his eyes inform me that this conversation isn't over.

David: "Everything is perfectly fine. The lady and I are together. We were having a relational dispute. That's all."

The guard looks at me for confirmation and I nod my head in agreement. His brown eyes glare holes into David's hand on my waist and he looks at me as if to say "another sistah done strayed from the flock." I can literally see him shaking his head in disgust in my mind's eye.

Security guard: "Well, just keep it down."

He stalks off back into the building leaving us alone. I wrench away from David and follow behind him, checking in for my appointment. David takes his seat right next to me while I feign ignorance to his presence. I wish that he wasn't here. I shouldn't have opened the can of worms.

David: "Ananda, stop trying to avoid me. You're upset, I get it. Nevertheless, we need to talk. You started this so now you finish it. What you said in the car, was it true? Am I the reason why you're ill?"

Ananda: "David—"

David: "Answer me."

Ananda: "Yes, all right. Are you happy now?"

David: [balls hands into fists] "No, I'm not happy. Talk to me."

Nurse: "Ms. Ananda Lewis? The doctor will see you now."

Thank God for interruptions. I expected him to remain seated, but David gets up with me and follows me to the back. I shrug his hand off of me, smiling at the nurse when she turns about to direct us to my doctor's room. I know the procedure so I go ahead and unbutton my blouse, still ignoring David's unbreakable stare. For some reason inexplicable to me my heart is racing. I feel as if I'm undressing for him. As if at any moment his big hands will grab me and caress all over my body. [whimper]

David: "Are you okay? Do you need me to tell the doctor to hurry up?"

Ananda: "I'm fine."

Because it's only a check-up to see if my condition has improved, I don't don the gown sitting on the table for me. I sit down in only my bra and jeans waiting for my doctor to come inside and join us.

David: "Ana, I—"

Ananda: "We'll talk about it, but just not now, please. For once don't argue with me."

David: "Fine. I'll drop it for now." She looks relieved even if it's only temporary. What she said earlier is still ringing in my ears. I need to talk to her and clear the air. I've dreaded the day when we would finally breech this subject. What are we? Definitely more than lovers; she's my best friend, my confidant, my Ana. And I don't hate her in spite of what she believes. If I did, I wouldn't drive myself crazy so much trying to maintain a reasonable distance from her. It's difficult. Lord knows I've tried to stay away, but with us living in such close proximity, it's nearly impossible. We talk almost every day—unless we're arguing. We see each other every other week except for our regular movie nights. We're close. Sometimes too close which actually doesn't work out in our favor when we're trying to get our feelings situated. We'll talk about it then I'll keep my distance.

Her doctor arrives to do her check-up and he seems worried about something.

Ananda: "What is it, Dr. James?"

Dr. James: "Well, your blood pressure is high and your heart rate is unstable. Is something the matter?"

Her eyes glance in my direction before she tells him that we argued before her visit and that she was still upset with me which is the reason why her levels are so elevated. He's nodding then kindly asks me to wait in the waiting room until Ana's examination is over. I wanted to say no, but that would have been rude so I leave. I'm left sitting for about twenty minutes before Ananda joins me. I pay her bill beforehand, giving her her jacket when we're ready to exit the building. The security guard doesn't like me. He's been scowling at me from the moment we walked in. I don't care, as long as he doesn't open his mouth with some sort of nonsense. I'm not in the mood.

David: "What did Dr. James say?"

Ananda: "That all is going accordingly. I'm fine."

David: "Then let's get to business. What you said earlier really has me in a foul mood. First of all, I don't hate you. You damn well know that. I can't believe you would even dare to utter such gibberish. On the other hand, you're right about us. The lines between love and friendship are blurred, but what do you expect when we're always up under each other?"

Ananda: "Is that such a bad thing?"

David: "Of course not, I enjoy spending time with you. We've been in each other's company since we were eleven, it'll seem strange if we don't see each other."

Ananda: "And the sex?"

Sex is a known complication. Once you get intimate it's impossible to go back to the way things used to be. Ana and I didn't have sex until college, but I had been in love with her long before then. Remember, I told you about that ass? I lusted after her because of it and eventually as I began to know her and respect her, that lust transformed into desire and then love. I used to lay awake at night wishing that she would pay me some kind of attention. I loved when I was sick because she would rush home afterschool with my homework and spend the afternoon in my room.

We would talk about anything, plan to do everything, there were no limits to our friendship. Then she found out what it meant to have a crush and began to forget about us. I despised all of her boyfriends. I loathed the fact that they were seeing another side to her that I probably would never know. I became angry, always in a fight, always arguing with Ana because I didn't know how to express myself. And then one day I just couldn't take it anymore and I kissed her. It was accidental. We were arguing as usual, but unlike the other million times I had the strong urge to grab her and shake some sense into her, only the shaking was quickly replaced with the thought of kissing and after that incident neither of us was able to deny that there was an attraction between us.

Ananda: "Do you even love me, David?"

David: "How could you even ask such a question? Of course I do. You know that I do."

[shakes head]

I don't know why she doesn't believe me. I do love her. I love her so much that it hurts. My stomach feels jumbled and I can't think straight when she enters a room. I love her so much that I go out of my way to argue with her if only to have a small fraction of her attention. I love her so much that it's been hard to truly let her go.

Ananda: "No, I don't doubt that you do, but it's not the same way that I love you. So we still have sex, there are lots of people who still find their ex attractive even if there isn't any real emotions left."

David: "Wait a minute."

Ananda: "Just let me finish. I've been bottling this all up inside that I'm afraid that if I don't let it out now I'll never do it again. What I feel for you is the exact same thing I felt the first time I saw you in Chemistry class as if the lights finally came on and I could see clearly after looking through smudged glasses. How I feel for you is like the time you took me to Carowinds and you forced me to ride that damn roller coaster. It was exhilarating and frightening all at the same time and when the coaster ride finally ended, all I could think about was how much I wanted to do it again. Even though it made me cry, even though I screamed until my lungs got hoarse, I wanted to do it all over again and I would continuously even if it meant I would die."

"Why I feel for you goes back to the night that my dog died. You sat outside with me at his grave until our mothers had to drag us in the house and we got into trouble for sitting outside without a coat and catching a cold. I've never stopped looking at you, but sometimes you don't seem to even notice me. It hurts knowing that I love you more than I can express with words, David. Yet no matter how much I love you, will it ever be enough to open you up to me? You're always giving me a half of yourself. Always hiding away as if I could never understand you. I need clarification and I need closure. It's either we're going to be together or we're going to draw the line, but I can't stay in between. Not when it hurts so much, David."

[voice breaks] "I can't be the only one in love alone while you're taking a stroll on Easy Street. It hurts. I need to know and you're the only one who can tell me."

What should I say in response? The truth of the matter is that I can't give her a clear answer. I refuse to say something that isn't truthful only to appease her. I owe Ana more than that. I can hear her quiet sobs and all I can say is that it's tearing me up. She hates crying and she hates it even more when I see her cry. I don't really know how to cheer her up so I do the first thing that comes to mind. I bring her to my gym for a spa day. She can relax and release stress while getting pampered. This in no way means that I'm avoiding our discussion. I need to get my mind right before.

Ananda: "What are we doing here?"

David: "I have a few things to take care of and you can spend time at the spa until I've finished. Is that okay?"

[nods head]

I leave her downstairs on the first floor with instructions to see to her every need then I escape to my office. My desk is so cluttered that I want to go back home instead of working. I have a little too much on my plate, but seeing as how my assistant is on maternity leave I'll just have to make do.

"David, ever the diligent worker."

David: "Doors are made for knocking, Tommy. What's up?"

Tommy: "Just informing you that the new ad for the gym is ready. The interns are working on advertising for the power bars. AND the new office in Washington has called for the twentieth time this morning."

David: "Oh no."

Tommy: "Davy, they need you man. You're the only one who knows our vision on our expansion."

David: [swivels about in chair] "Don't call me Davy and what about the new gym on Beltline? Who's going to see to its completion if I'm gone for five years?"

Tommy: "Isn't that why we're partners? I'll stay here and man the fort while you set up another headquarter in Washington."

[shakes head]

Tommy: "Come on Davy, you know that I'm not good with all that architecture mumbo jumbo. You're the brains and I'm the beauty."

David: "I thought I was both?"

Tommy: [false laughter] "Funny smart ass. Just think it over. They've been asking for you."

David: "Five years is a long time for me to be away from my father. He's old and he needs me."

Tommy: [chortles] "Are you talking about the old man who beat the crap out of that kid hitting on the waitress in Olive Garden the other night when he couldn't take no for an answer? He'll be fine. I'll be here to take care of him...and apparently so will Ananda. Damn that woman is gorgeous. What is she doing here?"

David: [walks to office window] "I brought her to get some pampering. She's on sick leave, I figured she could use it."

Tommy: "Is she still single? I've been wanting to take her out since junior year when we played against Clemson. Unless it's her boyfriend she's on the phone with right now."

David: "Tommy."

Tommy: "Stop growling, I was only teasing you. I wouldn't lay a hand on her no matter how hard it becomes during your five year absence. Is that why you're hesitant? Davy, think about it, if the schedule proceeds faster than we anticipate, you could be back in three and a half years tops. One and a half in Washington and another year and a half in Georgia, it'll all be over before you know it."

David: "Stop calling me Davy! I hate that fucking name. You know that. I've been telling you since sophomore year."

Tommy: [sigh of contentment] "Speaking of our college days, we're still on for tomorrow night right? Jason has something that he wants to tell us. We all have to be there. You're coming right?"




Making It Work Ch. 03



"Just got a call from Google," Johnny said a few weeks later. "You need to get out to Vegas this weekend. Another big trade show. Bring Allie and Scott, you need to impress."

"Our pitch isn't ready," Jen objected.

"This isn't about the pitch," Johnny said. "They want to meet the team. You need to impress, or we don't get a chance to make the pitch."

"Okay," Jen said. She didn't want to go to Vegas with Scott. She knew she wouldn't do anything, but she didn't want to upset Mike. "Johnny, I've been thinking Scott might not be the best person for my team."

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "Is this about the rumors?"

"Rumors?" Jen said blank faced, playing dumb.

Johnny laughed. "Jen, don't worry about it. This is advertising, not Washington DC. No one cares if you screw around. Hell, with your looks, people would think something's wrong with you if you didn't screw around. Listen, you can dump Scott later if you want. Frankly I think he got too much credit for Kelloggs, you did all the heavy lifting. But he makes a good impression with women and Keri O'Reilly is leading the Google side."

"Keri O'Reilly?" Jen said awestruck. Keri was a legend in advertising. She was credited with inventing many of Google's most profitable online advertising techniques. She was a VP at Google and a lot of people said she'd be CEO someday, and she wasn't even 40 yet.

"Yes, Keri fucking O'Reilly," Johnny said, "So organize your team and get your cute fanny out to Vegas."

"Okay," Jen said. She decided it was the right time to talk to Johnny about something. "I need someone to help with online video."

"I thought you use that storyboard artist, what's his name, Tom?" Johnny said.

"Yeah, but he's a contractor, I need someone here," Jen said. "I'm thinking of hiring Calvin."

Johnny raised an eyebrow. "You just fired him -- now you want to give him a promotion? Come on Jen, he fucked up, we almost lost Kelloggs over it." 

"He was on my team, I'm the boss, I'm the one who fucked up," Jen insisted.

"Fine, whatever, do what you want," Johnny said, but he gave his prodigy an approving look, as if saying "good call, nice to see you're growing up."

That night Jen told Mike about Keri O'Reilly and Vegas. "She's a legend Mike. We studied her in college. I can't believe I'm going to meet her," Jen said excitedly. 

"Scott will be in Vegas too?" Mike asked, excited for Jen but anxious too.

"Yeah but ... you trust me right?" Jen said hugging him. "I'm so over him." 

That night they made love, but she could tell Mike was bothered. She swore to herself she wouldn't lose control in Vegas. She would not fall under Scott's spell. She -- would -- not. 

"Nervous?" Allie said the next Thursday as they waited in a conference room of the Wynn in Vegas. A series of meetings with Keri were planned for that weekend, and they were waiting for her to arrive for this kickoff meeting.

"I can't believe we're about to meet Keri O'Reilly," Jen said butterflies in her stomach.

"Me too," Allie said. She was just as excited and nervous as Jen. Scott was excited too but he didn't show it, trying to look cool.

Allie got close to Jen. "I'm hooking up with Scott tonight," she whispered in Jen's ear. "Wanna join us?"

"No," Jen said firmly.

"Okay, your loss," Allie said with a laugh.

Then the door opened and a group of people walked in, Keri O'Reilly and her main staff. Her staff was in their late 20s/early 30s. At 26, Jen was the youngest person in the room (Allie was older by a few months, and Scott was 29). 

Keri O'Reilly was gorgeous at 39. She had a thick luxurious mane of long brown hair with just the right amount of red highlights. She was taller than Jen by a few inches and had a large bust, flat stomach and long shapely legs. She had 2 adopted children but had never given birth, keeping her body tight. 

She always dressed to the 9s. Today she wore an elegant yet sexy (and very expensive) dress, shiny black hose and black high heel sandals. The dress had a scoop top that showed the soft swell of her large breasts. She looked tanned, confident, so together. Jen felt incredibly intimidated. 

Jen nervously approached and started to introduce herself when Keri held up her hand. "You're the team leader?" she asked coldly.

"Um ... yes," Jen said unsure where Keri was going with this.

"Wait here," Keri said. She left the room and called Johnny. She and Johnny went way back.

"Johnny, why are you wasting my time?" Keri said angrily. "You sent me a little girl? She's your team leader?"

"Keri, hold on, you started young too," Johnny said.

"Fuck Johnny is she even out of college yet?" Keri snapped. 

"Keri she led our Kelloggs team," Johnny said. "You told me you were impressed by that."

"Wait," Keri said, startled. "That young girl is Jennifer Andrews?" 

"Yes, Jennifer Andrews, our team lead."

Keri considered. Yes, she'd been impressed by Kelloggs, so impressed she assumed the team leader would be much older. "Okay Johnny, I'll call you later," she said.

Keri went into the conference room. She sat down and without introductions said "Tell me about your Kelloggs campaign."

Jen and her team described what they'd done for Kelloggs. Keri let her team do the grilling. She listened and watched. 

Keri was impressed by Jennifer Andrews. She knew when to let her team speak, and when to take control. It was clear immediately Jen was more polished and talented than either Allie or Scott.

Keri took a dislike to Scott, even despite his obvious charms; it seemed he took credit for ideas that were clearly Jen's. Interestingly, Jen let Scott get away with it but it was a good move as it helped build confidence in her entire team, and it was the team she was selling, not just her. 

Allie was impressive in her own way, but unfocused. But Jen managed to turn Allie's shortcomings into advantages. 

Keri was very impressed. Jen did an excellent job selling her team, which was critical to prove her ability to put together an effective advertising campaign for Google.

"That's enough," Keri said after 30 minutes. She stood and everyone else did too. Jen, Allie and Scott anxiously looked at her. She could tell them to go home right now if she wanted, and they'd know they'd missed the cut. But instead she said "Good meeting, we'll see you tomorrow." Jen, Allie and Scott wore big relieved smiles as they left.

Jen, Allie and Scott had a drink to celebrate their successful first day. "Joining us for dinner?" Scott said with a lecherous grin. Under the table he squeezed Jen's knee. Allie had a mischievous delighted smile on her face.

Jen pushed his hand away. "You two go ahead, I need to prep for tomorrow," she said, getting up and leaving. 

She went up to her room. She stepped out of her high heels and undressed, taking off her dress, bra and thigh high stockings. She took off her thong too and put on comfy VS pink cotton panties with lace trim. She put on black leggings and Mike's old fraternity t-shirt. Then she took out her contacts as they were bothering her.

Feeling comfortable now, she called Mike and told him about her great day. He told her how proud he was of her and that made her feel good. 

After hanging up, she spread the papers on the bed. Sitting cross-legged and putting on her glasses, she studied everything to get ready for tomorrow's meeting with Keri and her staff.

After a couple hours she heard activity in the room next door. By bad luck, Allie had gotten the room next door. Jen heard laughing and horsing around, and then she heard the unmistakable sounds of raw passionate sex. She heard Allie and Scott's grunts and moans through the paper thin walls, and then she heard slam-slam-slam as Scott fucked Allie so hard the bed rammed the wall with each thrust.

She covered her head with the pillow but it was no use, she still heard them. She felt flushed and a tingling in her pussy. "I've gotta get out of here," she told herself. She decided to go to the casino. She put her bra back on -- a white lacy silk bra with unlined cups that snapped in the back -- and a cute pink v-neck top that buttoned up the front. 

She decided to leave the leggings on, but she didn't like how the panties underneath looked (she hated panty lines). She took off the leggings, then the cotton panties, then put the black leggings back on. She noticed the panties were moist. "God I'm such a nympho," she silently chastised herself.

The black lycra leggings ended a little above her ankles. She put on black flats that had thin ankle straps. The flats were thin and she liked them because it almost felt like she was walking barefoot, which she loved. They showed off the beginnings of her toes (Mike called it toe cleavage).

She brushed her hair and put it in a high pony tail, then she put on a little lipstick. She wasn't planning to meet or talk to anyone, but she was the kind of person who couldn't be around people without looking a little presentable. She kept her glasses on, not bothering to put her contacts back in.

She took the elevator down to the Wynn casino. It was 11pm and just getting crowded. She wasn't a gambler so it took a few moments to figure out how things worked. Soon though she had a plastic card with $20 credit on it. Then she sat down at a quarter slot machine away from the crowds. 

She played and frowned at first. Why were the machines so complicated, what happened to just hearts and cherries? 

"Trying to figure out how it works?" said a voice behind her.

Jen turned and saw a good looking guy, smiling at her. "I'm Dylan," he said, "let me explain." Dylan explained the different symbols and combinations of the slot machine. As he spoke he moved closer to Jen until his shoulder touched hers.

"Thanks," Jen said, politely moving away. She couldn't help noticing how good looking and fit he looked. 

"Want one?" he said offering a cigarette.

Jen had the urge for one, and Mike would never know. "Sure, thanks," she said and he gave her one and lit it.

They chatted and laughed as they smoked and played the slots. She couldn't help flirting, it came natural. Dylan invited her for a drink but she begged off, and he reluctantly left.

A waitressed approached as Dylan walked away. "He's a cutie," the waitress said smiling.

"Yeah, but ..." Jen said, smiling and holding up her left hand.

"Me too," the waitress said, holding up her left hand. "Doesn't mean we can't look, right?"

"Yeah," Jen said and they shared a laugh.

"Can I see your ring? It's beautiful," the waitress gushed.

"Thanks," Jen said smiling. The 3 carat diamond ring was actually her "second engagement" ring. Her original had a sapphire, her favorite stone (also her birthstone). Mike always felt bad the sapphire was small (he didn't have much money at the time), so when he got his first big bonus check after their wedding he bought her the much more expensive diamond ring. Jen loved her original engagement ring, but of course no girl says no to a diamond ring.

Nowadays she switched between wearing her first and second engagement rings (always wearing her wedding ring too of course). She probably wore the diamond more, not because it cost more, but because she was afraid the soft sapphire of her original engagement ring would chip. She always kept both rings with her though. The sapphire ring was in her suitcase upstairs.

Thinking about her original engagement ring, she thought about Mike's sapphire project. She wondered why he called it "sapphire," even though the project was jokingly named after making money. "Emerald" would have been a more apt name. Mike joking said the project was named "sapphire" because it was about "red hot money." But she wondered if Mike had named the project for her. She smiled thinking that.

"I'm Jen," she said with a smile.

"Emily," the waitress said smiling back.

"My husband would love your outfit," Jen said with a grin, looking Emily up and down.

"I know, right?" Emily laughed. She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Sometimes my husband does me in it!" They laughed.

Emily wore a brownish form fitting halter dress that barely covered her ass and had slits up the sides. The dress was backless. There was no way Emily could be wearing a bra, although the dress had beads running from Emily's neck to below her breasts that hid her nipples. The dress was slinky and practically see-through. Underneath Emily wore shiny nude opaque pantyhose and ankle strap high heels. (Author's note: For an idea of Emily's outfit, see my Photobucket album: http://s876.photobucket.com/user/xleglover2/library/Wynn%20cocktail%20waitress%20outfit?sort=3&page=1)

"Don't tell anyone I told you that!" Emily giggled, and they shared another laugh. "You know, they sell a dress like this at Fendi at Ceasar's Forum shoppes." She touched Jen's ring and added with a giggle "It's ungodly expensive but you can probably afford it."

Jen laughed, looking down embarrassed. She looked at Emily's outfit again. Kinda like the Chanel dress, but only half the material -- which was scary. Mike would definitely love it.

Emily left and Jen turned back to the slot machine. After a few minutes a cute guy sat at the slot machine right next to her, even though the entire row was empty. "Hey I'm Kenley," he said after a few minutes.

Jen smiled politely and said "Jen."

"Any luck so far?" Kenley asked.

"Um ... I don't think so," Jen laugh, looking at the display and seeing she was down to seven dollars.

"Let me show you a trick," Kenley said reaching over and pressing a few buttons. 

Jen tried it and immediately won 2 out of 3, pushing her credit back to $10. "I'm rolling now," she said laughing.

"Almost enough to buy a drink," Kenley said laughing back. "Speaking of a drink, wanna get one? You look like a wine aficionado. They have a great wine bar here."

"I do like wine," Jen said with a smile. She held up her left hand. "So does my husband."

Undeterred, Kenley asked, "He's here?"

"Nope. But --."

"What's the harm in a glass of wine?" Kenley said, giving her a charming boyish smile.

"I'm happy just hanging here," she said.

Kenley gave her a playful hurt look. "This is a brush off, right?"

"Sorry," Jen said with a polite smile and shrug.

Just then Emily returned, giving Kenley a serious up and down look as he walked away. "You do attract the cuties huh?" she teased. She handed Jen a glass of red wine. "On the house."

"Thanks!" Jen said.

Emily had a glass too and they toasted, then both took a sip.

"Here on pleasure?" Emily asked.

"Business," Jen said.

"Well hey," Emily said, "I'm getting off and my girlfriends and I are going out. Wanna come with us?" 

"Me?" Jen said flattered and surprised.

"Sure, you're nice," Emily grinned. "And it's always more fun going clubbing with a boy magnet like you."

"I don't know about that!" Jen laughed. "What about your husband?"

"He doesn't mind," Emily said. "This is Vegas, right?" They shared another laugh.

"I kinda have to get up early tomorrow," Jen said begging off.

"Okay, no worries," Emily said cheerfully. "I work most nights so maybe I'll see you again."

A little later Jen got hit on again. She went up to her room feeling as flushed as before. Getting hit on by three cute guys hadn't exactly made the longing in her pussy go away.

Worse, Allie and Scott were still going at it in the room next door. She kicked off her flats and gulped down another glass of wine. She took off her blouse and bra and got into bed. Then she peeled off her tights. The crotch was moist.

She gave into it and rubbed herself. She fantasized about being taken by Dylan, Kenley and Brad, all at the same time. They were all really cute. She rubbed her clit and squeezed her breasts thinking about Dylan in her pussy, Kenley in her ass and Brad in her mouth, all of them treating her rough and dirty and calling her nasty names. Scott drifted into her fantasy, so did Ricky, even Colin. They had their hard cocks out, slowly stroking themselves as they waited their turn with her, calling her nasty names, egging the other guys to fuck her harder and finish so they could have their turn.

Then her mind drifted to Darren. At first her fantasy involved all the men, but then the white boys drifted away, intimidated by Darren's powerful jet black body and glorious cock. 

She imagined Darren at the casino, forcing her down on her knees to blow him while Emily watched. "God Jen you're such a slut" Emily said watching Darren fuck her face, the saliva and Darren's pre-cum spilling from her mouth over her chin and down her neck.

Mike drifted into her fantasy. He was naked like Darren and playing with himself. His dick was so much smaller than the black man's. 

Darren laughed seeing Mike's small penis. "Do something useful cuck, lick my ass as your pretty wife blows me," he ordered.

Mike hesitated. 

"Do it Mike," Jen insisted with an intrigued delighted smile.

Looking defeated, Mike got on his knees and stuck his nose in Darren's black crack. Darren growled feeling Mike's tongue rubbing back and forth over his puckered asshole. "Yeah white boy that feels good," he said. 

He yanked Jen's hair, pulling her off his cock and making her look at Mike with his nose pressed deep in his black crack. "What do you think of your husband now Jenny girl?" he said laughing.

"God Mike ...," Jen said with a disbelieving smile. 

Darren grabbed Mike and roughly forced him around, so he was staring right at his big black cock. "What do you want your husband to do Jenny?" the black man asked with an evil grin.

Jen grinned back with a wicked excited smile. "Go down on him Mike," she urged her husband.

Her eyes squeezed closed, Jen moaned and arched her back as she came. "God you're so perverted," she thought to herself as she caught her breath. She shivered. Where had THAT fantasy come from? She gulped down another glass of wine. 

Scott and Allie were still going at it. But with the release of her orgasm and the glasses of wine, she was able to fall asleep.

She woke up early the next morning -- she was on east coast time -- and called Mike. She told him about the night before and getting hit on by three cute guys (she didn't mention her fantasy). As expected, he got really excited. 

"What were you wearing?" he asked excitedly.

"Just tights and flats," she said feigning innocence.

"So they saw your ass and legs!" he said laughing.

A little later he asked, "What are you up to this morning?" 

"Probably gonna work out," she said. "My meeting doesn't start until 2."

"Maybe the guys will be there," Mike said mischievously. "Don't wear a bra to the gym."

"Mike-you-are-crazy!" she said, exasperated and playful at the same time.

Later she hesitantly said "Allie and Scott are in the next room." 

"Oh," he said his voice suddenly wary.

"They're doing their thing, I'm doing mine," she assured him.

"Okay," Mike said.

After hanging up she got ready for the gym. She put on a thong and the black tights from last night. She was about to put on a sports bar but then thought of Mike. Feeling weird about the fantasy, she tossed the bra back into her suitcase and put on a crop top that exposed a few inches of her flat tummy. 

She put on sneakers and then brushed her hair, putting it into a ponytail. 

Then she took a selfie and emailed the picture to Mike. Her nipples were clearly outlined in the stretchy material of the crop top. She teasingly typed in "Think Kenley will like?" She'd told him Kenley was the cutest of the three, and the most charming.

There was a mirror in the elevator and she looked at her chest, turning this way and that. Not only did her nipples dent the material, you could just make out the dark of her nipples and areola through the material. God Mike ....




Making It Work Ch. 03



Fortunately the gym was mostly empty. She put in her buds and got on an elliptical machine, working out to her latest favorite mix.

She was 30 minutes into her workout when Dylan walked up. Great, she thought. With the sweat of working out, her top was like a wet t-shirt, molded around her braless tits. They talked about 5 minutes. The entire time he couldn't keep his eyes off her chest. 

She went another 30 minutes. Then Kenley walked up, having finished a run. He invited her to join their group that night at Tao, at the Venetian. She begged off, saying she'd probably have to work. They chatted some more, his eyes alternating between her mouth and breasts.

"You don't always wear glasses?" Kenley said.

"Contacts," Jen said.

Kenley gave her a charming smile. "You look really cute in glasses."

"Oh, um, thanks," Jen said feeling awkward.

Later in her room she called Mike and told him what happened, playfully chastising him. He laughed. 

After hanging up, she put on her old Penn State sweat shirt and walked over to the Ceasar Palace Forum Shoppes. At Fendi she found the dress Emily described. If anything the skirt was shorter and even more backless than Emily's! And it was ungodly expensive! She bought it anyway, knowing Mike would love it.

At Victoria Secrets she bought two pairs of shiny, almost opaque nude pantyhose, like Emily's.

Then she went to Christian Louboutin. She bought black 4 inch stiletto heels to go with the outfit. She already had more than a few black pumps, but she loved shoes, and she especially loved the sexy Louboutin red bottoms.

The total bill was outrageously expensive. With a crooked smile and a glint in her eye, she decided to make Mike pay. He deserved it after making her go braless working out. Anyway she knew he'd love the new outfit, and with his new partner salary and all the Sapphire bonuses he wouldn't mind.

In his office, Mike was beside himself with lust thinking of Jen getting hit on last night and at the gym. He felt so lucky to have such a stunning wife. She got hit on all the time and it never failed to excite him. Having Scott there fueled his desires more. 

He despised Scott and felt incredibly threatened by him, but Scott pushed a lot of cuck buttons for him. He locked his office door, then went to his computer and opened up the video. 

There were so many hot scenes. Jen and Allie kissing. Undressing each other. Seeing Allie's incredible body, her big beautiful natural tits, tight ass and long shapely legs. Jen and Allie sharing Scott's cock. Scott fucking Allie and making her cum. Jen and Allie going down on each other.

But those weren't Mike's favorite parts. He had those bookmarked. As he watched them his cuckold fantasies took over, the scenes morphing in his head.

1: Scott: "Would you do this for Mike?"

Jen laughing derisively: "Mike? Are you kidding? No freaking way!" 

2: Jen fondling Allie's big tits: "Someday I want to feel a big cock fucking my tits."

Scott: "Mike's?" 

Jen wrapping her arms around his neck: "No, he's way too small. I'd want your beautiful cock Scott." 

3: Scott: "Would you put on this show for Mike?" 

Jen: "No -- I don't want to think about him okay?" 

4: Jen opening her lips and letting Scott spit into her mouth. After swallowing, she says looking into his eyes, "I'll do anything for you."

5: Scott stroking Jen's tiny blonde bush. "I'm gonna shave it off, okay Jen?"

Jen: "Yeah yeah, go ahead, shave it off, make me bare like Allie."

Scott: "What about Mike?" 

Jen: "Stop talking about him! Do anything you want to me!"

6: Scott penetrating Jen bareback, fucking her. "You know I'm not wearing a condom, right?" 

Jen: "Yeah I know! God it feels SOOOOO fucking good!"

Scott: "You've wanted it this way, huh?" 

Jen: "Yes! I've ALWAYS wanted you to fuck me this way!"

Scott: "What about Mike!"

Jen: "Forget about him! I'll never make you wear a condom again, ever!"

7: Scott caressing Jen's new tramp stamp as he fucked her: "Your new bullseye is so fucking sexy!"

Jen giggling: "You better like it, YOU picked it out!"

Scott: "You got it for me right?"

Jen beaming into his eyes: "You know I did!"

Scott: "Next time I'll tattoo my name into your back."

Jen laughing: "God you're so bad!"

8: Jen: "Scott cum inside me baby! I want to feel you shoot your cum inside me!" 

Scott: "You're on the pill right?"

Jen: "No but I don't care, just cum inside me!"

Scott: "You want my baby?"

Jen as Scott cums inside her: "Yeah Scott, I love you! I want your baby!"

9: Jen wrapping her arms around Scott's neck, bliss on her face. "God Scott you've freaking amazing, the best lover ever!"

Scott: "Just lover?"

Jen (giggling): "Okay, the best everything!" 

Scott: "You love me right?"

Jen wrapping her arms around him and beaming into his eyes: "You know it!"

As always, Mike came quickly after only watching two of his favorite scenes. Afterwards he felt sick, a pathetic loser, worried about Scott making moves on Jen. 

He tried to concentrate on work. He opened a new email from Eric. He frowned seeing it included an intense schedule of interviews with the media.

He called Eric. "I don't have time for these interviews," Mike said. 

Eric shook his head. He'd known Mike would object. Anyone else would jump at all the public attention, but he hated it. "How many are you willing to do?" Eric asked.

"I don't know," Mike said. "Two or three."

"Three?" Eric said frustrated. "There must be 30 on the list, and more reporters are calling every day. Come on Mike, publicity makes a lot of money."

"You know I'm working on version 2 of Sapphire," Mike said. "That'll make us a lot more money."

Whatever, Eric thought after hanging up. He pulled up the interview list and started crossing off names.

Back in Vegas, Keri sat in her room, thinking about yesterday's meeting and the meeting planned for that afternoon. Making a decision she called Byron, one of her younger aides. He was also an occasional lover. He arrived a few minutes later.

Keri stood up and walked to him. She dropped her robe. She wore only high heeled sandals.

"God Keri," the 27 year old Byron gushed, feasting on his boss's still very sexy 39 year old body. 

"Like what you see?" Keri said. She looked at the rapidly forming tent in Byron's pants and smiled. She moved closer and cupped his crotch.

Byron moaned. "I thought Jim was here," he said.

"Playing golf," Keri said. She got on her knees and unzipped his pants. "Besides, you know he doesn't mind." She took Byron into her mouth.

Later in bed, they smoked as they watched CNN. To the side was a room service cart with their half-eaten lunch. Both were naked, although Keri still wore the high heels.

"I've got to get ready for the meeting," Keri said getting up.

"Want company in the shower?" Byron said patting Keri's shapely ass.

"You've got to get ready too," Keri said laughing. "I need you to do something for me."

"What?"

"Look into this Jennifer Andrews," Keri said. "Make some calls and get others on this. I want to know everything there is to know about her."



Making It Work Ch. 03



David: "Yes, I've told you a thousand times that I'll be there at that new club over on Hard Scrabble at ten sharp. Why am I the only one getting harassed?"

Tommy: "The club is called Vibes and you're the only one getting hounded because you always try to bail on us at the last minute. Harry is already here from Winsboro, Mike is arriving tonight, and Jason is not going to miss his own night."

David: "Well I'm not going to bail. Now go away. Sometimes you make me regret being your business partner."

Tommy: "You say that every time I get on your nerves. I figured after the thirtieth time that you don't really mean it. I gotta get back to work. Don't be late for tomorrow night."

Washington. What would life be like out there away from family and friends? I've traveled out of the states, I've been all over, but I've never lived elsewhere for more than three months. Five years? [looks down at Ananda] Perhaps it won't be too bad. I don't know. There are too many things that I need to think over. I need to get work done as well.

I get about half of my work load done before Ananda is rummaging through my office. She looks refreshed and probably hungry since she's searching through my drawers.

Ananda: "No snacks?"

[opens side cabinet]

Ananda: "I knew that you pigged out sometimes."

David: [chuckles] "Those snacks are for the interns. If I leave them in the staff room they wouldn't survive the night."

She sits down across from me eating a fruit rollup. Her eyes are slightly puffy from all of the crying she's done because of me, nonetheless she's radiant.

Ananda: "Despite the arguments, I had a nice time. Thanks."

[nods]

Ananda: "I'm hungry though. Do you think that we could get back to the house?"

I take her back home, stopping for a late lunch on the way then relaxing on the sofa with her in the living room. We're watching a National Lampoon movie. Ananda loves all of their films.

Ananda: "I have a date tomorrow night."

David: "What?" I don't like the sound of that. What should I say? "Do you know this guy?"

Ananda: "Yes, we had a date a while back and I decided to call him. He was interesting therefore it's only fair that I should get to know him better."

David: "You called him?"

Ananda: "Yes."

David: "Then what was all of that in the car?"

She bundles up on the sofa and stares at the screen as if she's watching the movie. I know that she isn't. She just doesn't want to look at me.

Ananda: "I meant every word that I said, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to sit around allowing myself to be strung along like an idiot. My life needs to start moving forward whether it's with or without you. Don't hate me, David. I'm only trying to survive."

David: "Yeah, you're right. Good luck on your date." [stands up]

Ananda: "Wait, are you leaving?"

David: "Yes, I have a few things I forgot to handle back at the office. Your parents should be back soon. If you take a nap now, you should awaken at their arrival."

Ananda: "Okay. Thanks for everything."

[door closes]



Making It Work Ch. 04



I'm seething. That's a word that I never thought I would ever use outside of an English class, but here I am using it. When Ananda told me about her little date yesterday I wanted to snatch up her phone, press redial, and tell that dick wad that she was no longer interested. But I refrained from doing so because I don't have the right. And from everything that we've been through and the things that I've put her through, she deserves to be happy. I just never imagined that her happiness would be found without me.

David: [phone rings] "Hello?"

"I've been watching you sit in your car for the past ten minutes. Are you joining us or what?"

David: [Looks around parking lot] "Mike, did Tommy tell you to call and harass me?"

Mike: [chuckles] "How'd you know?"

David: "He hasn't stop leaving me messages since last night. I'll be right out."

Mike: "Don't bother coming to the door, we're heading in your direction."

David: "Why? Sudden change of plans?"

[ruckus in background]

Tommy: "Nope, we decided to grab a bite across the street. Wild Wings is always a great place to pregame."

David: "It's also a place teeming with under aged college brats."

Tommy: [gasp] "We were all once an under aged college brat, Davy. "

David: [snatches phone and hangs up] "Stop calling me Davy. Harry, what's going on my man!" [bear hugs and slaps on the back].

Harry: Nothing much, just starved. Thomas and Michael had me out all day without a decent meal."

David: [shakes head in disappointment] "Those bastards. Where's Jay? I thought tonight was his night?"

Tommy: "He's already inside waiting on us. You know how things can get packed in Wild Wings so he found us a table."

David: "That's why Jason was always my favorite. Aside from Harry, he's the other logical one."

Mike: [snorts] "Yeah, only when it comes to food."

[crosses street and enters restaurant]

Jason: "Holy cow look at you pieces of shit!"

[Unanimous greeting] "Jason!" [more back slaps and bear hugs]

David: "You should have told me that you were back in the country, I would have looked you up long ago."

Jason: "Spies have to be secretive. It's vital to our survival."

Harry: "When did you become a spy? I thought you were a reporter?"

Tommy: "Oh, he leveled up in his fantasy world inside of that piece of shit he calls a brain!"

[boisterous laughter]

David: "Good one." [exchanges high fives].

Jason: "Because I'm in a great mood, I'm not going to bust anyone's balls. I've already ordered so the food should be out in another ten minutes."

Mike: "What'd you get?"

Jason: "The same shit we used to eat in college: 20 spicy barbeque, 20 hot and spicy, 20 spicy teriyaki and 30 brain aneurysms."

Harry: "For Christ's sake, Jay, do you want us to actually dance on the dance floor or shit on it? We're not as young as we used to be."

Jason: "All of these years spent apart have made me forget about how much of a pussy you can be. Live a little, man! It's rare when all five of us can be together. It's bad enough that we're missing our wingman."

In case you're wondering who our wingman is it's Ana. We used to go to house parties together and she would scope out the hot girls for the rest of the pack. She's really good at making friends and she knew practically everyone on campus even though she was a social recluse during exam times. Ana has the ability to judge someone within the first five seconds of meeting them and most of the girls that she tried hooking them up with were good girls wanting to break the good girl image or just party freaks looking for a good time.

Jason: "Why couldn't Andy make it?"

Mike: "You know she'll kick you in the balls if she hears you calling her that."

Jason: [snorts in doubt] "Please, Ana loves me. Why else would she have watered my plants for the past two months while I was out of the country?"

David: "So that she can eat all of your food."

Jason: "Which is great because it would have all gone to waste."

Harry: "Ananda could key your car, rob you blind, and poison you and you still wouldn't hate her."

Jason: "That's because she's the sister that I never had. You pieces of shits know that I was a twin before birth except she died in the womb. I love Ana as if she were my own flesh and blood."

That's true. Jason's parents were so hurt by the loss of Jason's twin sister that they never attempted to have children again. They spoiled the shit out of Jason, if you can't tell, but he grew up to be well rounded especially after meeting Ana. She didn't put up with his bullshit from the start and he respected her for that.

[Food arrived. Unanimous smiles and winks from the men. Waitress blushes]

Jason: "Is anyone going to tell me why she couldn't come tonight?"

David: "She had other plans."

Jason: "Not involving you?"

David: "What's that supposed to mean?"

Mike: "That you two are fucking Siamese twins."

David: [throws a packet of wet wipes]

Mike: [dodges with a smile]

David: "Anyway, why are we all here?"

Tommy: "Changing the subject, are we, Davy?"

David: "Go to hell, Thomas."

Jason: [chokes on drink from laughter] "You two still bicker like bitches."

David: "Whatever. What are we here for?"

Jason: "You are all here because you four are my best pals and I have awesome news to share with you."

Tommy: [talks with mouth full] "What's that?"

David: "You're making me lose my appetite."

Tommy: "Sorry, man, I'm starving. I've been trying to eat more vegetables, but it leaves me feeling like Hungry Man or something."

Jason: [blurts out] "I'm getting married."

Mike: "Hungry Man, those meals are delicious."

Harry: "I can't picture you eating nothing but vegetables. You like meat too much."

Jason: "Did you guys not hear what I just said?"

David: "Sorry, what?"

Jason: "Fucker." [throws clean chicken bone] "I'm engaged to be married."

David: "Oh, no, I heard you the first time, but I thought it was a joke."

Harry: "Why?"

Jason: "Why what?"

Harry: "Why are you getting married?"

Jason: "What do you mean why?"

Mike: "Weren't you the one who vowed never to get hitched unless it's to a cement brick pulling you under the ocean?"

Jason was the playboy. With his Euro-Brazilian features, he could bat his hazel blue eyes and have any woman swoon over him. It helps that he's fluent in Portuguese and French, is a pro at samba and salsa, and is well-built and over six feet. He's got me by one inch. Fucker.

Jason: [waves away loud chatter] "I know what I said, but I think I've met the one."

Ugh...I think he's googly eyed. I've never seen him like this before. If he sighs and stares off into the distance, I'll slap that teriyaki wing out his mouth so fast he'll doubt whether he was chewing on something or not.

Tommy: "This seems pretty serious. When did you meet her?"

Jason: "Last month while traveling in France. I was on assignment and stopped by to visit my grandparents in Paris. I saw her under the Eiffel Tower, thought she was a hot Parisian and started talking to her in French. She told me she didn't understand what I was saying and that if I was hitting on her then we could grab a coffee and see what happened afterwards. We've been together ever since. Man, I'm in love."

I think he is too. I don't know if I could meet someone and fall in love with them in a month or so, but who am I to say how long love should take to be established. If he made her happy and she did the same to him, what's the problem? He's my boy. I'll support him.

David: "Congratulations."

Mike: "Yeah, I'm just surprised that you'll be the first out of us to get married willingly. I always imagined myself attending your shotgun wedding."

Jason: "Fuck off, Mikey."

[laughter and rounds of congrats followed by two shots of Tequila]

Jason: "So now that the secret is out, let's go meet her."

Harry: "What? She's here tonight?"

[Pays the tab]

Jason [nods head] "We're going to her club." [Back in the night air] "You guys would love her, especially Ana, she's really down to earth." [walks past bouncer to VIP]

"There you are! I was wondering what happened to you."

His fiancée is a hot little number and when I say little, I mean little. I think Ananda towers over her and she's average height. She has bright red hair and freckles on her olive complexioned face so I'm thinking that she's a mutt like me and Jason. She's definitely down to earth. Within the first five minutes of greeting us she had given us genuine warm hugs and ushered us to our table. We're enjoying small talk right now. Well, Tommy is hounding her about why she accepted Jason's proposal and of course she knows that he's only teasing her so she laughs it off. Jason's right. Ananda would have hit it off very well with her. What's her name again?

Jason: "Michelle, let's have a dance and leave the sausage fest by themselves."

Michelle. Her name is Michelle.

Michelle: "If you're worried about someone messing with your drinks, don't. I have security guards all over this place and no one gets in or out unless personally invited up."

With that said we're all on the dance floor and I'm surprised that the DJ is bumping good tunes. Usually it would be house music, but it's hip hop, classic R&B, booty shaking, and contemporary music. The blend is refreshing. Right now I have a sweet little number grinding on me and although my john is enjoying the attention, my mind isn't there. The only reason I decided to accept her invitation on the floor was because Tommy shoved me in her direction and I couldn't play it off without looking like an idiot.

To be honest, my thoughts are on Ananda. I'm curious about her date and if she's having a nice time. I plan on going to finish our discussion tonight. I've already sent her a message asking if she would have time for me later on, but she has yet to respond. If she's still upset about yesterday then I won't harass her with more texts. When she wants me to come to her she'll let me know.

Harry: "Wow, look at that ass."

If you can't tell, Harry is black. He loves a woman with curves and the one he has his eyes glued on must be built like a brick house to keep his attention.

Tommy: "What ass?"

David: "Would you stop acting like a teenage boy with your hand down your pants and just gracefully survey your surroundings."

Yeah, mystery lady's ass is nice. I'm an ass man myself. From the way her dance partner's fingers are itching to stretch a little lower, I'd say that so was he. She has on a dress to kill, it's a green and cream striped halter top, but flows down to her feet making her elegant and sexy all at the same time. The material isn't too clingy, but you can still see that her body is nice...her body...is that...

Mike: "Is that Ananda?"

I stop dancing completely forgetting about my needy partner when I get a side glimpse of her face. That's Ana and she seems to be having a great time with her date. She's doing what any flirty woman would do: giggling as he intentionally talks into her ear (using the loud music as an excuse), touching his bicep, smiling coyly. I feel sick. I walk off back to the table to down the rest of my Jack and Coke. My heart is racing from seeing her with another man. It hurts like hell, but she did warn me. I sit out the next several songs, finishing off the bottle then slapping a hundred on the table as I stand to leave.

Jason: "David, where are you going? Guess who I found downstairs on the dance floor?"

Ananda and her date steps around him and I courteously greet them, giving her a nod and him a quick firm handshake.

David: "Hey Ana."

Ananda: "Hey David."

[Awkward silence]

David: "Well, I was just on my way out."

Jason: "I don't think so. Get your ass back in that booth and let's hang out like the old days now that the entire pack is here."

I don't feel like sticking around. In fact, I feel like shit. I don't usually drink alcohol and now the effect is starting to take over. I haven't felt this way since my college days. I hate it; not being able to control my motor functions, potentially blacking out—what the hell was I thinking? Then again I wasn't.

Ananda: "Are you feeling okay?"

David: "I'm fine."

I stalk my way back to the booth and plop down wordlessly. I engage in the chit chat learning that Michelle is very funny and she and Ananda are having a time exchanging jokes. I look at her date and I feel disgust. I'm not sure if it's the alcohol or my genuine sentiments towards him, but the way he's looking at her makes me want to hurl myself in his direction and strangle the life out of him. Every once in a while he'll lean in to whisper in her ear and share a secret joke and Ana will press into him and laugh.

It's official: I'm jealous.

Tommy: "Davy, where are you going?"

David: "Stop calling me fucking Davy."

I go back on the dance floor where I don't have to witness their flirting and just how happy what's his name is making her. There's an unpretentious attraction going on between them and I don't want to interfere which is exactly what I'll do if I stay there. I lean against the railing looking down on the second dance floor and feel hands caress my back. For a fraction of a second I thought that perhaps it was Ananda coming to see about me, however it was the overzealous chick I had been dancing with when I first spotted Ana with her date.

She gives me a flirty smile and I barely return one. To be honest, at this point I'm on autopilot. I don't have any idea what I'm doing, but I surmise from my wobbling legs that I'm dancing...oh and taking another shot. I dance with Ms. Thirsty until I'm bored then head for the stairs. I'm ready to get out of here.

Ananda: "Where do you think that you're going in that condition?"

David: "I don't know. How about home?"

Ananda: [shakes head negatively] "No, you're not."

David: [steps very close] "Then am I going back home with you and your little date? What? Will we have a threesome where I get to teach him every little button to push that turns you on?"

Ananda: "David."

David: "Get out of my face, Ana. I don't have time to deal with you. Why don't you go back to your new man before he realizes that you're missing?"

Ananda: [Grabs his arm firmly] "I'm serious, David. No amount of shit talking coming out of your mouth will make me allow you to get in your car and drive inebriated. What were you thinking? The last time you had a decent drink was junior year at Mike's birthday party and we all know how that turned out. You butt ass naked running around campus with campus police on your tail."

David: "You know what, Ana, fuck you and your damn concern. I don't need this. Did I ask you to come over here and meddle in my life? Did I ever snoop around you and your new boyfriend giving you the impression that you can give a fuck about what I do and where I go?" [SLAP!]

Ananda: [glaring daggers]

David: "What the hell, Ananda!"

Harry: "I think you should let us take care of him, Ana. He's getting out of control."

Ananda: [crosses arms over chest] "No, Harry, I'll be just fine. However, seeing as how I'm not strong enough to fight him, I'd like you to retrieve his car keys for me. I'm taking him home."

Tommy: "We can do that, Ana if—"

Ananda: "His car keys please." I didn't mean to cause a scene still I'll be damned if David thinks that he can talk to me any kind of way without getting a positive or negative reaction. He deserved the shit being slapped out of him and taking it from his new found silence, he agrees. Eventually the fellas realize that I wasn't backing down and Mike gets the keys for me. They take David to the entrance while I give my excuses to my date.

Ananda: "Look, Murphy, I'm sorry to cut our date short, but I have to get that knuckle head home."

Murphy: "Would you like me to accompany you? I can take you back to your place afterwards."

Ananda: [shakes head] "No thank you, I don't trust leaving him by himself in his condition. I'm going to stay with him and make sure that he doesn't choke on his vomit."

Shit. I can tell that Murphy is disappointed. I would be too if I was him. Here we are on our second date and I'm practically ditching him to take care of my ex-boyfriend who just disrespected me. I'll definitely make it up to him.

Ananda: "I'll call you sometime tomorrow and maybe we can make plans for next weekend. How about that?"

Murphy: [bright smile] "That sounds like a deal."

He catches me off guard by pulling me close and kissing me on the cheek and we exchange smiles as I walk off. I congratulate Jason again, make a lunch date with Michelle, and tell the boys that I'd call them as soon as David and I made it back to his place. They help me get him back to his car and strapped in while he babbles away on how he can't believe that I slapped him. I told him that I would do it again if he didn't shut the hell up. Well, it's safe to say that he's sitting in his passenger's seat pouting...in silence.

We pull up to his condominium and this fool calls himself trying to leave the car without assistance. I barely catch him from face planting on the pavement. I "carry" him, more like drag his dead weight, to the entrance where his doorman helps me get him in the elevator and to his door before I thank him and bid him goodnight. As much as I'm pissed off at David right now, I can't help the butterflies in the pit of my belly every time his deep voice resounds in my ear.

David: "I'm home, you can go now."

Ananda: "Shut up."

He actually does. I fight with his body weight and getting the key in the lock like a sixteen year old virgin fumbles with a bra. David is absolutely no help. He's caressing my back and telling me how beautiful I looked tonight. He's also divulging very naughty details that I'm not going to share.

David: "I love when you wear your hair like this. It makes me want to snatch it down and just make you dirty."

He's talking about my chignon. I decided that wearing my hair in a bun was the best style to go with this dress. From the amount of male attention I received tonight, it was a good idea.

David: "You're so damn beautiful and sexy, Ana. I don't deserve you, but I love you so fucking much."

I don't know if he's aware of what he's saying. I doubt that he'll even remember that we had this conversation in the morning. His words are becoming more slurred and his weight is bearing down even harder. I barely make it to his bedroom and undress him before he's out like a light. I sit with him for about two hours just watching him sleep, after calling the guys and informing them that all was well, and making sure that if he does regurgitate anything it wouldn't cause him to choke to death. I give in to sleep, kissing him goodnight on the cheek, and permitting myself access to his wardrobe for a night shirt. I remember to leave a trashcan by both sides of his bed then find his recycling bin to leave at the foot of his bed just in case. He'll definitely trip in the morning, but at least he won't have to worry about cleaning up puke.

My slumber is restless at best. Every single sound that came from David's room had me off of the couch and checking on him. He's mumbling incoherently in his sleep, his eyebrows knitted together, but after a while he calms down and the silence returns. I have a bad feeling of foreboding in the pit of my stomach and I can't sleep over the dread in my belly. By the time my body is fatigued enough to rest David is groaning himself awake.

I get up and go to his kitchen to get him a glass of orange juice then locate a pack of Advil to give to him. He takes them silently and we sit down in each other's company for a few minutes before he speaks.




Making It Work Ch. 04



Jen met Allie and Scott for lunch, to prep for their second meeting with Keri O'Reilly and her team.

Smiling gleefully, Allie whispered "Sorry we were so loud last night."

"I didn't notice," Jen deadpanned.

"Yeah right," Allie said laughing.

The meeting began at 2. After an hour Keri ended the meeting, even more impressed with Jennifer Andrews than yesterday. 

Yesterday Jen sold her team. Today she outlined her ideas for the Google ad campaigned. From Kelloggs, Keri knew Jen was gifted with oodles of out-of-the-box creativity, and she displayed that today. Keri announced they would reconvene tomorrow for a working lunch.

Later in the early evening, Byron came to Keri's room and handed her a thick file. It was labeled "Jennifer Andrews." Keri thanked Byron, poured herself a glass of wine and started to read.

The file was comprehensive. It covered Jen's academic background -- average -- and her work since graduating from college -- very impressive.

It described Jen's childhood. Difficult, with a barely-there womanizing father who constantly cheated, a sad and bitter mother, and an older sister (Emma), a pretty girl who partied and fucked around and eventually got pregnant. Emma dropped out of college and married the father. Now their marriage was on the rocks and divorce looked inevitable. With no college degree, a small child and a no-good husband, Emma's prospects looked bleak.

The file described Jen, always the prettiest girl in the room, well liked and popular. She'd been class president and a cheerleader. She competed in gymnastics making States her sophomore, junior and senior years (balance beam was her best event), and took dance classes outside school winning a number of awards. She struggled academically thought and got only middling SAT scores, but she worked hard going to summer school to get her grades up to a solid B. With her extracurricular activities she made it into Penn State, her dream school (because she loved their football team).

The file described her relationship with Colin, her first real romance. Their relationship started in high school and continued into college. Keri looked at a picture of Colin. Very handsome and charming. He was the star high school quarterback and got a full boat scholarship from Penn State. Colin red-shirted his freshman year and then started the next four years. He was a 3 year All-American and was in the running for the Heisman his senior year. He was drafted in the second round by the Patriots.

But Colin was a womanizer, seemingly cut from the same cloth as Jen's father. He cheated on Jen throughout their relationship. 

Jen finally broke it off with Colin. Then she had a series of meaningless one-night stands. Her grades suffered and she'd been seriously close to academic suspension.

It seemed Jen was going the same direction as her mother and sister. Certain to get pregnant, drop out of college, end up in a loveless unfaithful marriage. All her promise and potential destroyed. 

But then she met Mike, and her life changed.

The file had a picture of Mike. Cute but nothing special to look at, Keri thought. The file described Mike. Shy, reserved, dry sense of humor, smart, ultra loyal to Jen. The file described Sapphire. "He's THAT Mike Andrews?" Keri thought to herself, a little awed.

Mike and Jen quickly became inseparable. He seemed a good influence on her. Her grades soared, going from a C/D student to A/B.

After graduation, they moved to New York City and moved in together. They found a converted warehouse loft apartment in trendy Soho and eventually bought it. They married after a few years of living together.

Mike did well, becoming the youngest partner ever at his prestigious Wall Street firm. Although given his stellar academic record, Mike's success was never really in doubt, more "when" rather than "if." 

It was Jen who was a surprise. She blossomed in NYC, one impressive success after another. Already she was considered one of the brightest marketing stars on the east coast, and her growing reputation was quickly spreading to the west. 

An interesting side nugget was her loyalty to her best friend Allie. While talented, Allie wasn't in Jen's class. Still, Jen always positioned Allie for success, and the two rose together lock-step on the corporate ladder.

Then the file got really interesting. It described Jen's affairs with Ricky and Scott. The file included pictures of both. She'd already seen Scott -- gorgeous! -- and Ricky was just as good looking. 

The file included profiles on both Ricky and Scott. They were just like Colin, very good looking and extremely attractive to women, charming and charismatic. But all were unfaithful men who took what they wanted from pretty girls while giving nothing in return, other than good sex. Just like Jen's father.

Keri wasn't a psychologist, but she suspected Jen's tendency towards hunky yet no-good men stemmed from her relationship with her father. After all, Colin, Ricky and Scott were just like Jen's father. She shook her head, amazed at how a father could screw up a daughter's head.

Keri wasn't surprised by Jen's affairs. Extramarital flings were common in the high pressure, dress to impress world of advertising. But her relationships with other men seemed to go beyond mere fuck-buddies. Keri wondered how committed Jen was to her marriage.

The file had two DVDs. A sticky note said "From Mike's computer." She smiled. Leave it to Byron to hack Mike's computer. They were Google after all.

She picked the DVD with the more recent timestamp. It began with Scott saying "Hey bro, you're gonna love what Jen's giving me for my birthday." Then Jen and Allie walked into the picture. Keri's eyes went wide as she watched.

Keri took a big gulp of wine as the action developed. Then she couldn't stand it anymore, she pulled up her skirt and rubbed herself, her eyes locked on the screen. She came twice before the end of the video, where Scott said, "Hey asshole -- so you don't want me fucking her bareback, huh? Well, guess what? Your pretty wife took my load and loved it! Think she'll ever make me use a condom again? Maybe I even knocked her up tonight. She'll get fat with my baby. What do you think of that shit head?"

She played the second DVD. Her eyes went even wider seeing Jen in her wedding dress. Keri heard Jen say "Oh my god, I can't believe we're really going to do this!"

On the screen, there was a knock on the door and Jen grabbed Mike's hand (he was wearing a tuxedo). "Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked.

Mike said excitedly "Yes, and I know you want to do it too!"

Keri watched as Mike opened the door and Ricky walked in. "I get it," Keri thought to herself. "Mike likes to see Jen with other men." Keri wasn't shocked, not given her own experiences.

Keri played with herself as the action developed. Within the first five minutes she came again. Three times! She couldn't remember the last time she'd cum so much in so short a time. And her lust quickly returned as the action continued.

In the midst of her fourth orgasm her husband Jim walked in. "What's this?" he said with a smile, seeing his beautiful wife with her dress up around her waist, fingering herself. 

Keri got up and smiled. "You've got to see this," she said excitedly. She put the first DVD back in. She sat Jim down, poured him a big glass of scotch, and then got on her knees between his legs. "There are 2 videos, this one happened a couple months ago." She took out his cock and hit play. "You're going to love this," she said with a sexy grin. She played with her husband as he sipped his scotch and watched the video.

"Who's the pretty blonde girl?" Jim said his eyes going wide. "She's adorable!"

"Her name's Jennifer Andrews," Keri said her husband's cock half in her mouth. She excitedly added, "She's only 26." With one eye on the video and Jim's cock in her mouth, Keri also reached down and rubbed her clit.

Even with the beautiful and busty Allie there, Jen was the star of the show. With her long blonde hair, blue eyes, sweet face and almost flat chest, she looked much younger than her 26 years. Having such an innocent, pretty young girl involved in the threesome made the wickedness on the screen that much more naughty and exciting.

After just a few minutes Jim came in his wife's mouth. Keri came too moments later.

"She's fantastic!" Jim gushed. "You said her name's Jennifer?"

"Yes," Keri said. Then she added with a delighted giggle, "Would you like to meet her?"

In her room Jen smashed the pillow against her face, but it didn't drown out the sounds of sex coming from the other side of the wall. Allie and Scott had been going at it non-stop for over 2 hours. Allie repeatedly texted her to come over and join the fun. 

Jen called Mike. "Do you want to join them?" he asked anxiously.

"No Mike I don't," she said frustrated. "It's just ..."

Mike knew his wife was wearing her cum face. Bad things happened when she got that horny. "You could change rooms."

"I've tried that, the hotel's booked, all of Vegas is booked because of this Google trade show."

Thinking about it, Mike said "You could hook up with someone. One of the guys from last night. Kenley."

"Mike ...."

"You're not a slut baby," Mike assured her. "Not if I want you to, and I do." He smiled. "Besides this way you'll have a great story to tell me when you get home."

"I don't know ...."

"I packed something for you," Mike said.

"What?"

"Look in your suitcase and call me back."

Puzzled, Jen looked in her suitcase. Her suitcase had two compartments, and she usually only used one. She opened the other one and found a big manila envelope. On the outside in magic marker she recognized Mike's handwriting: "Open in case of emergency"

Smiling, she opened the envelope. Inside was her daring Chanel dress, a garter belt, black stockings, and black stiletto high heels. There were also a half dozen XL Magnum condoms.

"You're so bad," she told him on the phone. "Are you really okay with this?"

"Yeah, I want you to," Mike assured her.

Jen decided to do it. She was horny and desperately needed laid! Black or white, young or old, she didn't care as long as he had a big hard cock. She knew she was being slutty but the fact Mike was okay with it made all the difference.

She got ready and took the elevator to the lobby. She watched people go into Tryst, including a lot of hunky guys. But Kenley said he'd be at Tao at the Venetian. She walked to the bell desk to get a cab.

Just then her cell rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Keri.

"Hello Jennifer," Keri said. "Sorry to bother you, but could you meet me in Surrender?" Surrender was another night club in the Wynn.

So much for her plans, Jen thought.

"Um, sure, can you give me 30 minutes?" Jen said. She wanted to change into a more conservative outfit.

"No, I need to talk to you now, please come immediately," Keri said and she hung up.

Jen sighed. Oh well it was Vegas, people dressed to impress here. 

Jen found Keri at the bar. To her surprise, Keri's dress was just as daring as hers. While Jen's dress plunged in the back, Keri's plunged in the front revealing a lot of shapely breasts. Keri wore her hair up, showing off her elegant neck.

"That's a beautiful dress," Keri said with a smile. "Chanel?"

"Um, yes," Jen said, impressed Keri could tell with just a brief look.

"Mine is Chanel too, do you like?" Keri asked. Jen looked. She noticed how Keri's nipples dented the dress. Clearly she wasn't wearing a bra. Jen wasn't either, but Keri's breasts were so much larger.

"It's beautiful," Jen said.

"Where are Scott and Allie?" Keri asked.

"Out partying I guess," Jen said with a laugh.

"You don't party with them?" Keri asked with a knowing smile.

"Um, no," Jen said awkwardly. "You know, they're single and I'm married."

"Ah okay," Keri said, still smiling. 

Just then a tall distinguish man walked up. "Jennifer this is my husband Jim."

Jen knew all about Jim of course, her team had researched the couple to prepare for the meeting. Jim was mid-40s (a few years older than Keri), a self-made billionaire. He was a minority owner of the 49ers and the famous Manchester United soccer team in England. He wasn't a hunk and probably never had been, but he was tall and distinguished, had kind eyes, and was attractive in a college professor sort of way.

"Pleased to meet you Mr. O'Reilly," Jen said.

"The pleasure's mine, but call me Jim or you'll make me feel older than I am," Jim said with a kind smile.

"Okay Jim," Jen said joining him in a laugh.

"Jennifer -- by the way, do you go by Jennifer, Jen, Jenny?" Keri asked.

"Most people call me Jen," Jen said.

"Okay," Keri said. "Well Jen, I wanted to tell you I'm very impressed. We haven't decided who we're going to hire, but you're definitely on our short list."

"Keri that's such good news, thank you!" Jen gushed.

"Don't thank me, you've earned it," Keri said smiling. "So you know, I think Allie is rough but has potential. Scott's the same. My point being, you're the reason your firm is on the short list. I've called Johnny and told him this."

"Keri I don't know what to say," Jen said taken aback and flattered.

"Now that business is out of the way, can I talk to you about something personal?" Keri asked.

"Of course."

"I think I'll take my leave," Jim said with a smile to both Keri and Jen. "It was lovely meeting you Jen," he said and gave her a quick peek on the cheek. "See you in the room later love?" he said to Keri, and they kissed on the lips.

They ordered drinks. "At work I have to be dragon lady," Keri said. "I hope outside work we can be ourselves."

"I'd like that," Jen said and they clinked martini glasses.

"Can I tell you a personal story?" Keri asked.

"Of course," Jen said.

"Jim's my second husband. I met him about a year after my divorce. When Jim and I got serious, my friends asked why I was going with him," Keri said. "He was poor then, barely able to make his rent. It wasn't until later he became successful. He's cute but not like the really handsome guys I dated after my divorce. But I saw something in him. Can you relate to what I'm saying Jen?"

"Yes," Jen said, thinking about her and Mike.

"We got married and it was rough at first, money-wise. But we were in love and happy, and then he became really successful. I don't have to work now. I do this Google thing just to have something interesting to do."

"Okay," Jen said, not knowing where Keri was going.

Keri shrugged. "When you have a lot of money the challenges go away. Jim got bored, I got bored. Our marriage was in trouble. It was ironic. We still loved each other, but we were this close to getting a divorce."

"I'm sorry," Jen said.

"That's okay, it worked out," Keri said with a smile. "I need to tell you something so don't be alarmed, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'm bi," Keri said. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, I mean, I have some bi and gay friends," Jen said.

"Good," Keri said with a smile. "Jim and I were going through a particularly bad time. We both were traveling a lot. Well, I met a girl in a bar and we had sex. It was just a one night stand. I don't even remember her name."

"Oh," Jen said.

"I confessed to Jim. He got mad of course. I mean, he knew I'm bi but I'd cheated on him. About a week later, I came home and found him in bed with his secretary Alice."

"Wow," Jen said.

"The funny thing was, I was really good friends with Alice, I still am," Keri said. "She started crying when I caught them. So here I was, after catching my husband cheating, with my arm around the woman he cheated with. Looking back it's funny."

"Yeah, I guess."

"You probably know where this is going, right?" Keri said. "Somehow Alice and I started kissing, and then Jim joined us. That was our first threesome." Keri paused as if in self-reflection. Then she continued, "So we started swinging. I'm not sure if it saved our marriage. I'd like to think we would have made it in any case. But our marriage became exciting again. Even though we had sex with other people, it made us closer."

We finished our drinks and ordered another round. We clinked glasses again when they arrived.

"Usually it's another girl," Keri went on. "Sometimes we play with a couple, but we both prefer just a girl." Keri hesitated, and then said "I need to tell you something else."

"Okay," Jen said, more than a little wary by this point.

"We ran a report on you. It's SOP on a major project like this, you being the project leader. You probably ran a report on me, right?"

"Yes," Jen admitted.

"Our research is pretty extensive. We're Google right?" They shared a laughed. "We found out a lot. About Ricky and Scott. We even found the video Scott emailed to Mike, and your wedding video with Ricky."

Jen's eyes narrowed. "Who's seen this report?" she said coldly.

"Just me and Jim, no one else will see it," Keri assured her.

"I want to see it," Jen demanded.

"I'll give it to you tomorrow," Keri promised.

Jen took a long sip, finishing her Cosmo. "Okay," she said, calming herself down. "So why are you telling me all this?"

"You know why, don't you Jen?" Keri said with a smile. "Jim and I want you to join us in bed."

Jen laughed, but it was out of nervousness and to buy time, not humor. "You should ask Allie, she's wilder than me," Jen joked, but was half serious.

"Jim likes tall brunettes with big boobs, like me and Allie. I'm not letting her get within a mile of him," she said with a laugh. "Besides, I like being friends with girls I share Jim with. I like you Jen. You're interesting and really talented. And I'm not just saying that to get into your pants." Keri laughed again.

"I don't know," Jen said. "When were you thinking of doing this?"

"How does tonight sound?" Keri said smiling.

"Tonight?"

"Come on Jen," Keri said with a knowing smile. "You're not dressed like that to see Barry Manilow."

"I'm not bi," Jen said as if apologizing.

"That's okay, I know," Keri said. "But I saw the video. You enjoyed yourself with Allie, I could tell. You like to experiment, don't you?"

Jen's cheeks reddened with embarrassment. She said "I need to call Mike."

"Of course you do," Keri said. She pressed a key into Jen's hand. "We're in the penthouse suite. It has a private elevator. Use that if you decide to join us. I hope you do. So does Jim."

Jen left Surrender and found a quiet corner off the Wynn lobby. She called Mike and told him Keri's story. 

"Do you want to do it?" Mike said. He was obviously excited about the idea.

"I don't know," Jen said. "It's kind of weird. They're older, and if we get the Google gig she'd be my boss."

"That's kinda hot," Mike said.

"Yeah it is," Jen agreed with a giggle.

"I think you should do it," Mike said.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You have to call me right after it's over. And make him use a condom, okay?"

"I will," Jen promised.

Jen nervously rode the elevator up to the penthouse. She was awestruck when the doors opened. The penthouse looked like a palace.

"I'm glad you decided to join us," Jim said handing a glass of Dom Perignon to Jen. He gave her a peek on the cheek.

"Hi honey," Keri said, giving Jen a hug. Jen couldn't help noticing how big Keri's breasts felt. "Come on," she said leading Jen into the bedroom.

Keri showed Jen a bottle of pills. Ecstasy. "Want one?" she asked.

"Um, I don't think so," Jen said unsure.

"Okay, just let me know," Keri said. She took one and so did Jim.

"Jim's going to watch at first, okay?" Keri said. Jim sat in a chair next to the bed.

"Okay," Jen said nervously, gulping down the expensive champagne and handing the glass to Jim.

"You look like a sweet princess, an Alice in Wonderland, you know that?" Keri said stroking Jen's face. "Come here," she said guiding Jen to the bed. They sat on the edge, facing Jim.




Making It Work Ch. 04



Keri lightly kissed Jen's lips. "You like that?" Keri softly said.

"Yeah," Jen said nervously.

Keri kissed Jen again, still soft but longer this time. "How was that, okay?" Keri said.

"Yeah," Jen said still nervous. Sex with Allie had been easier since they were so close. It was harder with Keri, who she knew hardly at all.

They kissed again, and this time Keri slipped her tongue into Jen's mouth. 

Jen broke away still looking unsure. But she was excited enough to want to continue. "Um, can I have one now?" she asked nervously.

Keri smiled and gave Jen an Ecstasy, and Jim gave her a full glass of Dom. Jen swallowed the pill by gulping down the champagne. As she did, Keri and Jim shared a delighted excited smile.

Almost immediately Jen felt more relaxed. Keri approached and kissed the younger girl again. This time Jen kissed back and they made out. When they stopped both were panting. 

Keri ran her hand gently down Jen's cheek and neck. "Can I take off your dress?" she asked.

"Okay," Jen said feeling relaxed, almost like floating on air.

Keri whispered into Jen's ear, "Stand up okay? This will drive Jim crazy."

Jen stood up and Keri turned her to face Jim. "Are you ready to see our new princess darling?" Keri said to her husband. Jim nodded, he was panting too. Keri unzipped Jen's dress and slowly pushed it off her shoulders. It fell into a bundle around her high heeled feet.

Keri looked at Jen in the mirror behind her husband. She reached around and put her hands under Jen's breasts, lifting them slightly. "Darling, you like our princess's tiny tits?"

"She's adorable!" Jim gushed.

Keri reached back and unzipped her own dress. Now both girls were just in their stockings and heels (Jen had a garter belt on too, Keri didn't). Keri turned Jen to face her, so they were sideways to Jim. She pushed her large natural 40DDs against Jen's small 32Bs. "Do you like what you see?" Keri asked her husband.

"Incredible!" he panted.

Keri took Jen's hand and led her back to the bed. "Did that bother you?" Keri whispered into Jen's ear. "He likes that."

"No. I wish mine were as large as yours," Jen said.

"Yours are perfect," Keri said.

"Really?"

"Yes," Keri said, and she kissed Jen. Again Jen was tentative first, but soon she was kissing back. They made out, their tongues dancing in their mouths. 

Keri instinctively knew Jen's sensitive parts, caressing her neck, just below her ass, the side of her breasts. Soon Jen was moaning and rolling her head back.

Keri broke away, leaving Jen panting and feeling disappointed. "Wait here honey," she said, and then went to her husband.

Keri straddled Jim's legs, kissing him. "I like her," Keri said.

"I like her too," Jim agreed. They kissed some more, and then Keri undressed Jim. 

Jim didn't have a "beach body." He was thin and pale. He had the start of a beer gut (or maybe a foie gras and champagne gut), and his arms and chest had little muscular definition. But Keri treated him like he was the sexiest man alive.

Keri returned to the bed, and she and Jen were on their knees on the bed, facing each other. Jim was to their side, inches from them. Keri kissed Jen. "Jim likes you," Keri said. 

Jen looked at Jim and smiled. "I like him."

Keri said "I like you too," and the two girls kissed.

Keri broke away from Jen long enough to say "Play with her breasts darling," then she kissed Jen again. Jen moaned into Keri's mouth as her husband joined them on the bed and eagerly fondled Jen's small breasts and sucked her nipples.

Jen kissed Keri's neck. "I like your hair like this," Jen said.

"Jim likes it when I wear it up," Keri said, and they kissed again. Then she turned to her husband. "Lay down honey," she said gently pressing her husband down onto his back. 

Keri gave Jen an excited smile. "Go down on him Jen."

Jen looked into Jim's eyes. Then she pulled her long blonde hair to the side, lowered her head, and took Jim's cock into her mouth.

Jim's head rolled back as he felt Jen's tongue twirl around his cock. "She's really good," he gasped to his wife.

Jen had no problem swallowing all of Jim. He was only a little bigger than Mike, nothing like Scott or Ricky and certainly not Darren. She knew she gave good head, and Jim's moans confirmed it.

She felt Keri pull her hair, and she wasn't gentle about it either. "That's enough," she said with a thin smile. She pushed Jen onto her back. "Now it's your turn."

Keri went down on Jen. Mike was good at eating her out, but Keri was better. Or maybe just different, how a girl would do it instead of a guy. She brought her close to an orgasm multiple times but never let her go over the edge. Jen writhed under the sexy woman's tongue, Keri was driving her crazy.

Abruptly she stopped. "Jim's gonna fuck you now," Keri said.

"Okay," Jen said eagerly, wanting Jim's cock -- any cock -- inside her.

Jim positioned himself. Jen said "Do you have a condom?"

"You're on the pill, right?" Keri asked. 

"Yeah but ... I promised Mike."

"I get it," Keri said. She got a condom and rolled it on her husband's cock.

Jim positioned his cock at Jen's pussy and then pushed hard, penetrating her balls deep. He stroked back and forth. "God she's so tight," he groaned. "And her pussy feels so good, smooth like silk."

Keri pressed her body against Jen's, and they kissed as Jim fucked her. Keri pushed Jen's hand down, and Jen fingered her as they kissed. Keri moaned into Jen's mouth.

Keri kissed down Jen's body, her breasts, over her flat stomach, and then she licked Jen's clit as her husband fucked her. Jen arched her back and moaned, not used to so much stimulation and pleasure. In moments she came. "Oh fuck!" she cried her feet arching out of her high heels.

Keri and Jim gave Jen a moment to recover. Then Jim pulled out of Jen. He took off the condom. Then Jim mounted his wife in the missionary position. 

Instinctively Jen kissed Keri and fondled her breasts as her husband fucked her. As Keri got close to orgasm, Jen moved her mouth to Keri's hard nipples, sucking and twirling her tongue over them.

"Oh god I'm cumming!" Keri cried pulling Jen tight against her bosom. They stayed that way for long moments, Keri hugging Jen as she came down from her orgasm.

Jim hadn't cum yet. He wanted to be inside Jen's young tight pussy again.

He rolled Jen onto her back and got between her legs. Jen had her cum face on, this threesome had her so turned on. But she retained enough of her good sense to push again Jim's chest as his cockhead pressed between her pussy lips. "Jim, condom ..."

"Come on Jen," he urged her, pushing harder, his face covered in lust.

Jen grunted as Jim's unsheathed cockhead popped into her pussy. "Jim ..." she protested.

Just then Keri rolled Jen's hard nipple between her thumb and finger and flicked her tongue in her ear. "It's okay honey, he's clean I swear."

Jim pushed more of his cock into her. Skin on skin felt sooo good! It was sooo much better that way! Fuck it, Jen thought, her promise to Mike a distant memory. She opened her legs wider and raised her pelvis to meet his thrust, inviting his bare cock into her.

Jim groaned as he sunk his cock balls deep into her. Her pussy felt so good, so tight and smooth, and bareback felt even better. He fucked her hard and fast. They kissed as they fucked, and Keri continued to fondle her breasts and rub her nipples. Jen arched her back and came again.

"God I'm cumming!" Jim shouted.

Jen didn't even consider telling Jim to pull out. With her own orgasm peaking, Jen hugged him tight and cried, "Don't stop Jim! Fuck me hard! Cum inside me!"

Jim cried out as he came, shooting this cum into Jen's pussy. Jen was surprised at the force of his ejaculation, feeling the streams of his fertile sperm hitting against her walls.

Jen called Mike as soon as she got to her room. "How was it?" he asked excitedly.

"Freaking amazing!" Jen gushed. Mike came twice as she told him the story. He got particularly excited (and a little jealous) when Jen told him she'd cum on Jim's cock -- twice! -- even though he wasn't much larger than Mike.

Jen decided not to tell Mike about letting Jim fuck her bareback, not wanting to ruin the mood. She felt guilty about breaking her promise, but deep down she thought his rule was a little silly. She was on the pill after all and Jim was safe, she trusted him and Keri. And bareback felt so much better. She'd tell Mike later.

"You'll see them again tomorrow?" Mike asked. 

"I'll see Keri, we have a meeting," Jen said. "I'm not sure about Jim."

"It's okay with me if you want to see them again, or just Keri," Mike said. "I guess I'd rather you not see Jim alone."

Jen heard the anxiety in her husband's voice. She was glad she hadn't told him Jim had fucked her bareback, and cum inside her.

The next morning Jen got a call from Byron. "No need for a group meeting today, you guys are on the short list, congrats," Byron said. "Keri would like you to join her for lunch at Botero to discuss next steps."

Allie and Scott were thrilled to hear they'd made the short list! AND they had a free day in Vegas! They'd been fucking when Jen called. 

"He's ruining my pussy for other men," Allie whispered with a giggle. "Sure you don't want to join us?"

"No thanks," Jen laughed on the phone. "Anyway I have a 1-on-1 with Keri to talk about next steps."

"Too bad boss-lady," Allie teased. She hung up the phone and then went back to sucking Scott's cock.

Jen frowned as she hung up the phone. She hated to admit it, but she was a little envious of Allie. Scott was a jerk, but he had a great body and was a great fuck. Last night with Keri and Jim had been good, but she knew the excitement was mostly due to her pent up horniness and naughtiness of the threesome, rather than physical attraction to Jim. 

Keri gave Jen a kiss on the cheek in the restaurant. "We had a lot of fun last night," she said.

"I did too," Jen said, although she felt a little awkward. A waiter arrived and poured champagne for the 2 girls.

Keri handed Jen a large file. "Here it is," she said.

Jen read the file, her cheeks going red at times. She sipped the champagne as she read, the waiter twice refilling her glass. Jen noticed the 2 DVDs. "Who watched these?" she asked.

"Just me and Jim," Keri assured her. Then she admitted, "Maybe Byron. He's very discreet."

Jen frowned thinking of Byron watching her on the videos. She'd noticed him. It'd been impossible not to, he was really good looking. 

She handed the thick file back to Keri. 

"You can keep it," Keri said. "There aren't any copies."

"Okay," Jen said. "Thanks." She put the file in her large Gucci bag.

They talked business for a while. They finished the champagne and the waiter brought another bottle. Then Keri said "Did you tell Mike about last night? Is he alright?"

Jen nodded. "It got him so excited. I think he's a little jealous of Jim though since he made me cum. He's kinda sensitive about that."

"Well, you can tell Mike Jim had some help," Keri laughed.

"That's true!" Jen said laughing back. She felt tipsy, the champagne definitely hitting her.

"Does Mike make you cum?" Keri asked.

Jen hesitated. Her sex life was private, and she didn't know Keri that well. But she was tipsy from the champagne, and they'd obviously shared a lot the night before. "Not always," she finally said. "That's what bothers him."

"Let me guess, Ricky and Scott always make you cum?"

"Pretty much, but it's over with both of them," Jen said.

Keri nodded. "It got too intense for Mike?"

Jen nodded. "I guess I got attached to them and Mike got hurt."

Keri nodded back, understanding. 

Jen added, "Mike's hard to understand sometimes, because a little hurt is part of his fantasy."

"How did the two of you get into this?" Keri asked.

After yesterday, Jen found it easy to talk to Keri. "It started in college, with Ricky," she began. They shared more expensive champagne as Jen told Keri the whole story.

Keri was silent for a long time after Jen finished. Despite the wine, she was stone cold sober, so entranced had she been by the story. "Jen, I'm sorry for all the hurt you both went through," she said, "But that's the hottest story I've ever heard." She giggled. "Can I tell Jim?"

"I guess," Jen giggled embarrassed, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"You're really lucky. Mike must love you a lot to let you have sex with men like Ricky and Scott," Keri said. "I mean, he gets off on it too, but still."

"I've met a new guy too, he's freaking amazing," Jen gushed. She told Keri about Darren. 

"Are you going to see him again?" Keri asked her eyes sparkling with delighted interest.

"I don't know," Jen said. "Mike wants me to."

Keri raised an eyebrow. "What are you waiting for then?"

"I'm taking it slow," Jen explained. "I don't want to hurt Mike again."

Keri nodded, although didn't quite understand. She said, "I've been with black men before."

"Do you only play when Jim's there?" Jen asked.

"No, I play whenever I want," Keri said. She joked, "I have my harem of hunky men and sexy girls all over the country. Sometimes a girl just needs laid, you know?" She laughed.

"I SOOO know what you're saying!" Jen said and they shared another laugh.

"Pretty girls like us, we deserve it!" Keri said.

"I guess!" Jen said with another laugh.

"I mean it," Keri said. She was smiling, but serious too. "We're beautiful, sexy, successful, we deserve hot men like your Scott and Darren."

"They're not mine!" Jen laughed shaking her head. 

"You know what I mean," Keri said with a smile.

"Jim doesn't mind?"

"I keep him happy," Keri said giving Jen a knowing smile. "Like last night."

"Yeah," Jen agreed with a nervous giggle, her cheeks going red with awkward embarrassment. "Does he play too?"

Keri shrugged. "He can if he wants," she said unconcerned. "I know he can't find anyone more exciting than me."

Looking at the beautiful successful woman sitting across from her, Jen knew she was right. At best, Jim was ordinary looking. He was a good man and rich, but he'd have a hard time finding another woman as beautiful, exciting and sexy as Keri.

Keri smiled and asked, "Are you wearing a garter belt like last night?"

Jen was about to answer but then she smiled mischievously. She pulled Keri's hand to her thigh. "What do you think?" Jen asked with a sly grin.

"God you are SUCH a tease!" Keri said laughing. She caressed Jen's thigh under the table. "Interested in another threesome?" 

"Jim's waiting in your penthouse?" Jen asked. To be honest she wasn't interested in being with them again, at least not so soon after last night. She wasn't bi, and she wasn't attracted to Jim. But she didn't want to offend.

"Not Jim," Keri said. She giggled. "He's with his true mistress, his golf clubs."

Jen tilted her head inquiringly, not understanding.

"I invited Byron to join us," Keri said with a wicked grin. "Believe me. He's as -- gifted -- as your Scott and Ricky."

Jen's eyes grew wide with surprise, and she was instantly intrigued. She suspected Byron was indeed hard and well-endowed. Her inner slut was tempted. But her head told her to take things slow. This trip had already been too exciting. "I better not," she told Keri, who gave her a "your loss" smile and shrug. A little later they hugged goodbye, and Jen returned to her room to pack.

Making It Work -- Part 5

Mike met Jen at the airport. He practically raped her in the terminal.

"Wait until we get home," she giggled.

"I can't wait that long!" Mike said.

They necked in the taxi home but managed to control themselves otherwise. Mike had made dinner and it was warming in the oven, but Jen said "I'm not hungry."

"Neither am I!" and he pulled her giggling into bed.

"Does Keri eat you out better than me?" Mike asked as he slowly fucked his wife in the missionary position.

"No," Jen said having thought about it. "She's good but you're the best." Mike couldn't hide his smile, feeling pleased.

"Did Jim feel good inside you?"

"He felt okay."

"Better than me?"

"No," she said.

"He's bigger than me?"

"Maybe a little longer," Jen said. 

"Thicker?"

"About the same," Jen said. "You feel better than him."

"But he made you cum on his cock?"

"Yeah."

"Twice?"

"Yeah."

"Was Keri licking your clit the second time too?"

"No, we were kissing."

"So Jim made you cum on his cock just by himself?"

"I guess ..." Jen said. "You do too you know."

"But he did it both times he fucked you."

"He's just new that's all," Jen said reassuringly.

"Are you attracted to him?"

"Not really."

"You wouldn't date him?"

"No."

"If he asked you wouldn't go out with him?"

"I guess I might. He's nice. But I'm not attracted to him."

After Mike came, they snuggled. "Are you okay baby?" she asked.

"Yeah," Mike said. The idea of Jen with Keri and Jim was thrilling, but the fact Jen wasn't attracted to Jim dulled the excitement. Mike felt secure, but disappointed too. To be honest, he wished she'd hooked up with one of the alpha guys who'd hit on her, like Kenley.

Later that week Darren called. "Hey sexy white bitch," he said in a playful ghetto voice.

"Hi Darren," she said with a laugh. 

"Been thinking about me?" he asked.

"Been kinda busy," Jen said with another laugh.

"Let's get together this weekend."

"Mike and I are busy," she said immediately, not remembering whether they had plans or not. "Maybe some other time."

"You're not just stringing me along are you?"

"No," Jen said with another laugh.

"So I should keep calling?" he asked.

Jen knew she could end it right then with Darren, probably should end it. All she had to do was say "no." But Darren pushed buttons that excited and frightened her. The threesome with Keri and Jim hadn't diminished those urges. Jen found herself saying, "Absolutely."

A week later Jen and Allie were taking a caffeine break when a guy in a motorcycle parked at their building. "Nice," Allie said admiring the biker. He wore a leather jack over a t-shirt that showed off his well-defined chest. His worn jeans fit really nice too, and he wore cool biker boots. 

Jen was surprised when he took off his helmet. It was Tom, her storyboard artist. 

"Hi there," she said to him giving him a hello hug. "You remember Allie, right?"

"Yeah, hey Allie," Tom said giving her a peck on the cheek. 

"What are you up to?" Jen asked.

"Showing the latest Google mock-up to Calvin," Tom answered motioning to the portfolio under his arm. "Maybe we can catch up later."

"Sounds good," Jen said smiling.

"Is there something going on with you and Tom?" Allie asked later at the Starbucks. She gave Jen a wicked smile. "Playing your game with him?"

"No! God Allie, he has a wife and baby!" Jen said laughing.

"I've seen you making eyes at each other," Allie teased with an inquisitive tilt of her head.

"It's just harmless flirting," Jen said.

Later Tom popped his head into Jen's office. "How about you buy me lunch?" he said with a grin.

"It's nice to see chivalry isn't dead," Jen teased.

"You're the one with the expense account," Tom said, and they shared a laugh.

At the restaurant Tom walked Jen through his latest mock-up, and they talked business for a while. Jen felt Tom looking down her blouse as she studied the storyboards. She was glad she'd worn a filmy unlined bra with lace trimming. As she studied one of the pages, she leaned over giving him a better view of her cleavage.

With work done, they chatted as the waiter served their entrees. They'd always gotten along, that was a big reason Jen liked working with him. As they talked and laughed, Jen casually crossed and re-crossed her legs. Each time her skirt inched a little higher. She pretended not to notice as Tom sneaked glances at her legs. 




Making It Work Ch. 04



About a week later Allie bopped into Jen's office and fell into a chair. "How's bubble boy these days?" she asked stealing M&Ms from a bowl on Jen's desk.

"He's really good," Jen said brightly. And he WAS good. THEY were good. They were really close, really really close. Their sex life was awesome. They had sex almost every day. And of course they had the excitement of occasionally playing with other people. 

Her pussy tingled thinking of Darren and Keri/Jim (she thought of them as one person). But since she had both of them to think about, she didn't feel herself losing control with either. Mike was excited all the time and staying well within good hurt territory. It seemed like they'd found a way to make the game work.

Two Fridays later, Jen's office decided to go to happy hour. As a social butterfly she wanted to go, but only if Mike did too. She called him and he enthusiastically agreed to go. 

She doubted he was really that much into going. She knew he didn't feel comfortable around her friends, they were too much the "populars" while he was kinda the geeky shy math guy. Of course, things were changing now because of Sapphire. His geekiness was definitely becoming cool.

Jen's heart sank as they walked into the club. "Fuck," she thought. It was a karaoke club. 

She saw Scott looking at her and smiling. "Shit move Scott," she said scowling at him.

"Why Jen? We had so much fun last time," he said acting innocent. He whispered into her ear. "Feel like a Vampire shot?" he said. He put his hand on her ass and squeezed.

She sneered at him and dug her high heel into his ankle. He yelled "ouch" and pulled his hand away, but he was laughing.

Mike arrived and Jen sat next to him. "Sorry about this, I know it's not your thing," she said.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Mike said, but he looked nervous. "I'll get us a drink," he said and went to the bar.

"Look over there, it's Jasmine Kelly," Lenny said. They all turned and saw a gorgeous young blonde sitting a few tables away.

"Who's she?" Jen asked.

"She took over at ESPN when Erin Andrews left," Lenny said. "She's what, 23? Erin's like 35. Erin saw the writing on the wall and bolted for Fox. Funny thing, Jasmine left ESPN too, she's at CNN now."

"Speaking of Erin Andrews, have you seen the video of her, what a body!" Scott gushed.

Jen gave him a WTF look. "A stalker took that video!"

"So what? I'm not supposed to look?" Scott said laughing.

Jen scowled at him. "You could at least feel guilty about it."

"Yeah right," Scott said dismissively with another laugh. He reached under the table and caressed Jen's knee. "I'd take you over Erin any day," he whispered into her ear.

"Fuck you," Jen hissed pushing his hand away.

"Fine with me," he said laughing.

Mike came back with a Cosmo for Jen and a scotch for himself. Jen motioned across the room. "Do you know who that is?" Jen whispered.

Mike looked. "Oh yeah, Jasmine something, she's at ESPN."

"She's at CNN now," Jen said.

"Oh, okay," Mike said. 

Everyone began putting their names on the karaoke list. To her surprise, Mike moved to get up. Jen held his arm. "You don't have to do this," she whispered to him.

"I want to," Mike said. He got up and put his name on the list. 

Jen sang Love Story by Taylor Swift. It was so beautiful everyone gave her a standing ovation.

Scott got up and did a rousing version of Hot Legs by Rod Stewart. Jen tried to be aloof, but in the end she ended up laughing and clapping with everyone else, and got up with everyone else to give him a standing ovation. She hugged Mike's arm afterwards. "He's an ass, but he can sing," she said almost apologetically.

Through bad luck, the two people ahead of Mike canceled, so he had to go on right after Scott. He got up feeling nervous. "Hey dude what song do ya want?" the DJ said. 

"I'm thinking something different," Mike said, and he explained the idea. "Do you think it's stupid?"

"It's your song dude," the DJ said with a shrug.

Mike nervously went to the microphone. He hated being in front of people. But even if he bombed he'd get some participation credit, and all he wanted was to show Jen he wasn't a party pooper.

Jen and everyone else watched, waiting for the music to start. But then, without any music, Mike started reciting the lyrics to Thunder Road. At first Jen and everyone else thought he was singing it a cappella, but then realized he was reciting it like a poem.

People listened politely, and there was scattered applause when he finished. 

As he sat down, Jen gave him an encouraging smile. She gave him a hug and kiss. 

As the next song started, Mike went to the bar to get more drinks. "Really? A poetry reading?" Scott said derisively, laughing after Mike had gone. Others around the table laughed too, but most held back laughter out of respect for Jen.

"Shut up Scott okay?" Jen said, crossing her arms defensively. She felt kinda embarrassed, and felt guilty for feeling embarrassed.

Seeing Jen's obvious embarrassment only made Scott laugh louder. Coming to the rescue, Allie chided, "Give Mike a break, okay Scott? It was original."

During a break in the karaoke Jasmine Kelly approached their table. She went up to Mike. "I'm Jasmine Kelly of CNN," she said offering her hand to Mike. "You're Mike Andrews right? We had an interview scheduled for next week and your office canceled."

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that," Mike said shaking her hand. He'd seen her countless times on ESPN. She was even more gorgeous in person. He realized he was staring and motioned to Jen. "This is my wife Jen."

Jen and Jasmine looked the other up and down the way girls do.

Jasmine turned back to Mike. "Mike, I just got this gig at CNN and to be honest it's not going too well," she explained with disarming candor. She stepped closer so they almost touched. "It's hard going from sports to real news. You'd be doing me a major favor with an interview."

Mike flushed. Jasmine was so close her ample chest almost touched his arm, and her blue eyes looked so large and beautiful. "I guess so ..." he stammered.

"Thanks!" Jasmine gushed giving Mike a brief hug. "I so owe you one!"

Jen frowned as Jasmine walked away, not liking the way she practically threw herself at Mike. But she was proud the press was so interested in her husband. She gave Mike a hug, and enjoyed seeing the scowl on Scott's face.

The next week Jasmine Kelley and her crew arrived at Mike's office for the interview. Mike had done a few interviews by that point but he still felt nervous. He didn't like being on stage, and with the reporter and cameras bearing down on him he definitely felt like he was on stage.

On the other hand, Jasmine was confident and charming. Seeing him nervous, she chatted and laughed with Mike as her crew set up, to help relax him for the interview.

The interview lasted about15 minutes. Mike came across as modest, self-reflective, trustworthy and brilliant. Jasmine couldn't help liking him.

"Do you have time for coffee?" Jasmine asked. She motioned to her crew. "They'll take a while to pack up."

They went to Starbucks down from his office. Jasmine got a skinny latte and Mike a double expresso. Jasmine crossed her legs as she sat down, and Mike couldn't help stealing a glance at her. She had wonderful legs, long and shapely, and she wore silk stockings with a seam running down the back, and fuck-me pumps. In fact, everything about Jasmine was sexy and beautiful, her long blonde hair, gorgeous face, large bust and slim waist. Mike had to make a conscious effort to avoid staring at her.

Jasmine smiled inside, pretending not to notice Mike checking her out. She was used to men ogling her of course. At least Mike wasn't one of those guys who constantly stared at her breasts or lips (instead of her face) while talking to her. 

She found herself drawn to Mike. She liked geeky shy guys, and Mike certainly fit that bill. He wasn't the best looking guy and she could tell he didn't have a "beach body," but he was cute and his modesty and kindness made him borderline adorable. Also, he was brilliant, the youngest ever to make partner in his prestigious Wall Street firm, and on the way to being a kazillionaire. All those things certainly didn't hurt his appeal. She wouldn't mind being on the arm of a guy like him.

They parted after the coffee. Mike didn't make a move on her. It disappointed her, but made her respect him more.



Making It Work Ch. 04



David: "You didn't have to stay."

Ananda: "I did because I wanted to. How are you feeling?"

David: "Like shit ran over twice."

Ananda: "Well, at least you're still alive. That counts for something, right?"

David: [shifts on the bed] "Yeah. I owe you a big thank you."

Ananda: [shrugs] "You do." [Climbs into bed and falls asleep]

I don't remember half of what happened last night, but I knew that Ananda had taken care of me when I regained consciousness. What I do recall is me hating her date's guts for absolutely no reason. He was only doing what I refuse to do: make Ananda happy. I'm watching her sleep because I know that this will be the last time. I decided somewhere during my binge drinking that I would let her go. She deserves better. She doesn't need a man afraid of communication and commitment to hold her down and cage her. Besides I've always known that putting some distance between us would help us to clear our heads and see the light. [heavy sigh] I have work to do.

Ananda: "What are you doing?"

David: "Packing."

Ananda: "No shit."

David: [stops to look at her] "Then why did you ask if you were going to give me sarcasm?"

Damn she looks so beautiful draped in my button down. It's as if that shirt was made for her. Even her bed head can't take away from how amazing she looks after a refreshing rest.

Ananda: "Fine, let me rephrase myself. Why are you packing?"

David: [resumes filling box] "I'm moving to Washington."

Ananda: [breathless] "What?"

David: "I'm moving to Washington, you know, the capital of the United States of America."

Ananda: "Stop being a smart alack and tell me why."

David: "The gym is expanding and they need me to see about the new headquarters." [closes box and begins a new one].

Ananda: [stumbles over words] "When were you going to tell me?"

David: "I've only just made the decision myself so don't think that I've been keeping this from you."

Ananda: [crosses arms] "How long have you known about it?"

David: "About four months now."

Ananda: "Then you did keep it from me!"

David: [jumps to feet and throws trinkets in box] "Why are you jumping down my throat, Ana? "

Ananda: "Because..."

David: "What?"

Ananda: [closes eyes and shakes head] "You know what, David, you are a selfish son of a bitch." [walks away]

David: [stalks after her] "I'm selfish? I'm selfish?!"

Ananda: "Get out of my face" [shoves his chest] "And yeah, you're selfish. I'm your best friend, David. Why would you keep something so important as you relocating across the country to yourself? I feel as if everything that we've ever shared has counted for nothing because you are continuously shitting on me and my feelings for you!"

David: "I'm doing this for you!"

Ananda: "What? Don't come at me with that bullshit!"

David: "I am. You think that this is easy for me, telling you goodbye?"

Ananda: "This is some goodbye, David. You ripping out my heart doesn't count as goodbye."

Damn it I can't take it when she cries, but I can't go back now. I've already faxed over my information and my arrival date to the new office. They'll be expecting me in less than two weeks.

David: "I'm giving you what you want, Ana. You don't have to worry about me getting in the way of your relationship."

Ananda: "What relationship, David?!"

David: "I saw the way you two were together and even though it kills me to admit it, you two looked good. What do you need to hold on to the past for when you have a bright and budding future? You told me yourself that you weren't going to wait around. So I'm telling you not to. I'm leaving. You don't ever have to worry about your conflicting feelings for me. I won't interfere in your life anymore. It's over—whatever this bullshit is that's going on between us."

Ananda: "David, you're only running because you're scared."

David: "You're right. I am scared that one day you'll wake up and realize how much you hate me for having held you back all these years." [grabs her chin] "I saw the way you looked at him. I'm not an idiot."

Ananda: "Yes, you are."

David: "This is what you asked for and I'm giving it to you in full. You can take it or you can leave it, but either way I won't be here.

Ananda: "I hate you. I fucking hate you!"

Damn that hurts like hell to hear her say that, but if she does despise me, she won't waste her life thinking about me and what could have been. Who knows what will happen in the future. If we're meant to be together then we'll find our way back to one another, if not, I hope that she'll be happy with someone who will know how to love her right. Because the state in which I'm in now hinders me from doing so. I need to get my shit together before even considering seriously being with this amazing woman.

David: "Good maybe that will be your incentive to not contact me, to not look me up, to not—" [SLAP!]

Ananda: "Go to hell, David." [shoves away from him]

David: "What did you expect me to do, Ana? Did you want me to pretend to be some knight in shining armor ready to rescue you and tell you that I love you with all of my heart and that—"

Ananda: "Just get away from me."

David: "No, I'm telling you the truth."

Ananda: "I don't want to hear it!"

David: "All right. If you're hungry you can grab a bite to eat. Otherwise you know where to find the door."

She dresses angrily, shedding silent tears as I feign interest in my packing. I never meant for us to have this blow out argument. I wanted to tell her that I would be gone for five years, I would get my head right, and if she was still single and willing to take me back I would spend the rest of my life making it up to her. I want her to go out into the world and see what else it has to offer without me anchoring her down. Of course, being headstrong as she is, Ananda doesn't realize my motives. She probably doesn't even want to hear them. So in order to make sure that I'm not hindering her in my absence I guess it's a good thing that we argued and that she hates me. This way she'll be able to open her heart to someone who will cherish it. She's heading towards the door very slowly, waiting for me to stop her, but I won't. She needs to leave.

David: "Oh, and don't see me off when it's time for me to go."

Ananda: [turns around in disbelief] "Why are you doing this? Why are you forcing me away from you?"

David: [drops full box] "If I don't, I know that you won't move on. I want you to try living your life without me, Ana. You said that you loved me so much that at times you're not certain as to whether I reciprocate your feelings or not. Well, this is my reciprocation. I've always been looking at you too, sweetheart. My eyes never ceased following you for as long as I can remember. I love you so much that I have to let you go because at this very moment we're not healthy for each other. We wouldn't last a year together and we'd end up hating one another all over again. You understand?"

Ananda: [nods head. Goes back to him] "I still hate you." [Wraps arms about his neck and shares a kiss].

David: [pleading] "Don't do this, Ana, you know that I could never say no to you. Please, just go."

She kisses me one last time before storming out of my life. The hole she left behind is ginormous and I don't know how I'll ever fill it or if I'll even have the time to do so. A part of me wants it to stay an open cavern of pain and regret to remind me of how far the two of us have come. I have to keep repeating to myself that it's the best for the both of us. I want to chase after her and tell her to wait for me or even ask her to come with me. I finish packing instead, using the excess frustration to get work done. That's the story of my entire weekend and my last two weeks in South Carolina: packing and regretting having to pack.

[knocks on door]

David: "Come in, Tommy."

Tommy: "Hey, are you sure you don't want me to round up the fellas for one last night out on the town before you leave?"

David: "Nah, I'll only be gone for five years not a lifetime. Besides, you bastards better come and visit me."

Tommy: "Of course." [glances around empty office] "Man, you stripped this place bare. It's as if you were never here."

David: [shrugs] "I wasn't sure what I would need so I packed everything. What's in the sack?"

Tommy: "Left over cake from your Dad's birthday party. It was delicious."

David: [nods in agreement] "It was."

Tommy: "Do you know what else was looking delectable? Ananda. I could have eaten that cherry red dress right off of her."

[No response from David]

Tommy: "You two did have a fight, didn't you? You would have knocked my head off by now if you weren't."

David: "Stop being nosy."

Tommy: "All right. Will she be at the airport tomorrow?"

David: "No, I told her not to come. Don't ask why."

Tommy: [leans against wall] "Usually when someone says not to ask why it has the opposite effect. It makes me more curious."

David: "Curiosity killed the cat, Tommy."

Tommy: "Good thing I'm a dog." [Flashes blond hair with a smirk] "Well, I'll let you go back to your brooding. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning at the airport."

David: "Okay."

I watch him leave and sigh in relieve. Tommy has a way of nagging information out of people. Sometimes he doesn't even have to say anything. I look around at my barren office and turn off the lights.

David: "See you in five years."

I spend the rest of my evening with my father and his girlfriend. They cook me a goodbye meal and make me program my new office and home number into all of their house phones. They have cellular devices, but prefer the landline more. I have a great time with them and return home around midnight. I get six hours of sleep at best before having to arise early for my flight. I've never been one to relate to films, but at that very moment I felt as if I was the only person moving in slow motion as everyone else hustled and bustled about the terminal. My fingers itch to call Ananda and tell her goodbye, but I don't. I leave my phone turned off in my carry-on and spend my final twenty minutes in the south saying farewell to everyone.

I just hope that she'll be happier without me.



Making It Work Ch. 05



Sorry everyone, I started my internship and I have even less time than before to write. I've had this chapter almost completed for a month now and I've finally found the opportunity to finish it. Enjoy.

Cassandra

*******

I counted down the hours to David's departure. It was hell knowing that I might never see him again yet I couldn't see him off properly. I'm so angry and hurt. At least now I can say that I have closure. He decided to let it go and I willingly let him instead of fighting for us. I know that we can be good together. Still I can't deny that most of his words rung clearly with truth. A part of me knows that if we didn't work this time, I would hate the both of us. I would blame myself and I would definitely blame him.

I officially give up. I'm washing my hands of it and leaving it in God's hands. If David and I are meant to be together, we'll find a way. If not we've had our good run and it's time to give someone else a try.

A part of me wondered if he thought that I was using Murphy to make him jealous. I wasn't. How in the world was I supposed to know that David and the fellas would be there much less that Jason's fiancée was the owner and operator of the nightclub? I knew they were having a boys night out, but I never asked where. If I had known that we would have met up, I would have used foresight and asked ahead of time to avoid the awkwardness. It was purely coincidental that David was there. When Jason had informed me of his presence, I almost shat bricks. I wanted to drag Murphy out of the door as quickly as possible so that David wouldn't see us. In the end I stood there faking a smile and introducing him to my date. That's not the way I envisioned the two of them meeting.

For the rest of the night I felt awkward, but for Murphy's sake I pretended that everything was well. I was torn. A part of me wanted to continue getting to know Murphy and the other part of me that's deeply in love with David told me to get away from him. But how would that have looked to the poor guy: one minute we're vibing and hitting it off and the next I'm giving him the cold shoulder and acting brand new? I'm sorry, but I couldn't do that.

After that night Murphy and I had an honest discussion about what occurred and I told him the truth about my complicated situation with David. He asked me if there were still deep feelings and I abdicated that yes, my sentiments towards David were very profound however I felt that he and I still had a chance in spite of what transpired between David and me that night. I assured him that I wasn't toying with his feelings and that I never would. I also told him that if he felt as if he was taking a risk with me, we should stop where we were before our budding relationship became too intense.

Murphy accepted my apology and we've continued seeing each other. I'm stopping by his job today before having lunch with Michelle. We really hit it off and I can say that she's the girlfriend that I've been looking for. She doesn't hide her opinion. If she doesn't like something, you'll know right off of the bat. Her honesty is just what Jason needs after frequenting shady women during the majority of our college and post college years. At first I thought that his engagement was a bit hasty, but I can see that they're good for each other.

I dress casually since technically I'm still on medical leave for another week therefore I'll be lazying about for the rest of the day. I descend the steps to find my parents in the garden. They've been politely avoiding me since David's departure. I appreciate them giving me my space and I guess they felt that I needed it after I bawled my eyes out for two days straight afterwards.

"Where are you off to?"

My mother is planting perennials. She has soil all over her hands and I know that she'll be complaining later tonight about the amount of dirt under her nails, but she'll do it with a smile. Concerning the family bakery, it's coming along nice and slow which is good because if people started popping up out of the woodwork wanting to sign contracts, I would get paranoid and wonder if they're trying to rip off my parents.

Ananda: "I'm going to give Murphy a visit at work then grab a bite to eat with Michelle."

She dusts the earth from her soiled hands and sits up on her knees. She's scrutinizing me like a mother uncertain if she should allow her daughter to leave the house with short shorts on.

Ananda: "What?" I'm starting to feel self-conscious under her inspection. Is there a stain on my dress or something? Is it too short? What's wrong? Do I smell?

Stacy: "You look beautiful, sweetheart. How are you feeling? Have you taken your medicine?"

Ananda: "Whoa, Mom, slow down. You're shooting those questions at me faster than I can reply." [giggles] She rolls her eyes and smiles at me. "Thank you for the compliment, yes I'm feeling absolutely fabulous," I say and do a spin to show her my ensemble. "And I have already taken my medication because I know that if I don't you'll ride me until I do."

Stacy: "Smart alack. It's good to see you out and about instead of moping around. You should have went to the airport with us—"

Ananda: "Mother!!!"

Stacy: She waves at me and gets back to digging. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. Go on before I make you late with my yapping."

I take her advice, gladly scurrying away from her David commentary. Even I know that I should have said goodbye to him in person. Anyway, I don't feel like thinking about him. The day is still early and I have a lot on my plate. I drive to Murphy's office and waited patiently in the reception area for him to see me. He's in one of his snazzy outfits, three piece as usual and he makes it look so damn good. I must admit that he's great eye candy.

Murphy: "Hello gorgeous, I'm surprised that you dropped by."

Ananda: I smile while leaning in for a kiss on the lips but land on his firm cheek. "Well, I was in the neighborhood and I wanted to see you AND to ask if you had plans for tonight. I was thinking that we could have dinner together at the new Japanese restaurant on Two Notch."

He's looking about his office as if he's worried he'll be chastised for fraternizing with his girlfriend while on the clock. One thing about Murphy that will take some getting used to is his dislike of PDA. He's a very private, conservative person which is different for me—not that my life is an open book or anything. It's just that I've never dated someone like Murphy.

Murphy: "That's fantastic, sweetheart, but couldn't you have called me ahead of time? I have a lot of work to do and I don't like being interrupted."

Well damn!

Ananda: "Oh, I'm sorry. I assumed and made an ass out of you and me. I figured that since we discussed me visiting you once that it would be okay to drop in. You're right though, I should have called and told you that I was on my way."

I feel like a child having to excuse myself like this. In a way it borderlines groveling in my mind. My mood is bummed. At first I was excited to see him and now I'm ready for that lunch date with Michelle.

Murphy: "No, I'm taking things out of proportion. About dinner—"

Ananda: "Actually, don't worry about tonight. I forgot that I made plans with my folks." That's a damn lie, but my pride is slightly blistered. I'll go ahead and take my parents to dinner so that I won't be seen as a liar.

Murphy: "What?"

I nod my head "remorsefully" and shrug my shoulders. I however maintain eye contact because I know that avoiding it is a telltale sign that one is lying.

Ananda: "We'll reschedule for next time. I should get going. I'm having lunch with Michelle." I kiss him once more on the cheek and turn to leave, turning back to face him when his hand touches my elbow.

Murphy: "How about you come over my place and we watch a movie together after you finish having dinner with your folks?"

Ananda: "That would be great. Send me the directions and I'll be over afterwards." I wave goodbye and exit his office. What an embarrassment. I got all dolled up only to get shot down. At least I'm learning from my mistake and will take the necessary precautions for the next attempt.

I avoid making eye contact with his secretary who has witnessed our entire exchange. She's looking at me sympathetically and I shrug my eyebrows in response. I make it back to my car and snatch the door open. Seriously, what was I thinking going to his job and expecting him to welcome me with open arms?

[Slams door shut] I'm such a loser. I take the interstate to get downtown meeting Michelle at Outback Steak House like we agreed upon a few nights ago. I'm earlier than expected since Murphy kind of shot down my advances. I expected to be inside of his office, sitting on his desk, and chatting away for several minutes before kissing him goodbye and coming here. Instead I was shamed. I don't know why Murphy's rejection hurts my pride so much, but I'm feeling as if I'm at a very low place right now. I guess I need someone to show me a little attention so that I'd feel beautiful and wanted. We all have days like that, men and women included.

"Hey Ananda, how long have you been here?"

Ananda: [Jumps in surprise] "Michelle, how long have you been here?" She must be a ninja because I didn't even see her walk up to me. Why haven't I found us a waiter? I'm really out of it. I've been standing in front of the restaurant's door for the past fifteen minutes waiting.

Michelle: "I just arrived."

Michelle gives me a bright smile that quickens my spirits. She's so tiny I have to fight the urge to bundle her in a hug and lift her off of her feet.

Michelle: "I know what you're thinking."

Ananda: [Giggles] "I can't help it. You look so adorable. How tall are you again?" The look on her face is hilarious, but I fight my bubbling laughter. We enter the restaurant together and are immediately seated at a table for two.

Michelle: "How've you been?"

Ananda: [roll eyes in exasperation] "You and Jason, and everyone on the planet have been asking me that. Do I look to be in distress?" I fumble with the table setting to avoid eye contact. Sometimes I get the feeling that Michelle can see right through me.

Michelle: "If you'd only answer us truthfully, we'd stop asking. We all know that you miss David. You two are so stubborn."

Ananda: "What's that supposed to mean?" We're briefly interrupted by our waiter taking our drink and meal orders. Michelle asks for appetizers and we watch him trot away before continuing our conversation.

Michelle: "It means that Jason and I have been in constant contact with David and you're drowning deeper in denial than he is."

Ananda: [Head snaps up] "You've spoken to David?"

She nods her head. I feel like shit. I didn't want to believe that he was serious when he told me not to contact him. I took his advice out of fear of him telling me off and slamming the phone down in my ear. I figured that after a couple days, or even weeks, he would be the one to make first contact. It's been two weeks since his departure and I've yet to hear anything from him.

Michelle: "I'm sorry."

Ananda: "What's there to be sorry about?"

Michelle: "I know that it's none of my business since I'm an outsider, but Jason told me about what happened between you two."

What?! How could he do something like that? It wasn't his business to tell. I can't believe that Jason would do that to me—to us!

Michelle: "I'm sorry, but I thought it was strange that David was so nonchalant at your absence and I was pissed and I wanted to give him a piece of my mind when Jason said it was complicated. I know that it wasn't his place, but after you didn't show up at the airport I sort of nagged him until he spilled the beans. I'm really—"

Ananda: [waves hand] "It's fine. It's not as if our history is some big mystery. You would have found out either way." The appetizers and drinks arrive and I make myself eat, my hunger has been stayed from our heavy discussion. I can feel the anxiety seeping back inside of me. I don't want to think about how much it hurts to be abandoned by him, but, damn it, it hurts so badly.

Michelle: "Ana, I'm terribly sorry, please don't cry."

Cry? Am I crying? I touch my face, moisture taints my fingers. I take a deep breath and shake my head pathetically. I thought that I would be able to control my emotions a little bit better by now. The truth is that I'm worried. I don't know if he's doing well, if he's eating, if he's making friends—if he's lonely like I am. I'm angry with him for leaving even though I understand why he felt as if he had to. It's just not fair.

Ananda: "It's okay, I'm okay. Don't apologize for something that isn't your fault." There's a heavy silence infiltrating our atmosphere that neither of us really knows how to break. Eventually, Michelle finds a way.

Michelle: "We're going to see him next month—Jason and I. You should come along."

Ananda: [snorts and shakes head in refusal] "David would send my ass back in first class. When he makes up his mind, not even the devil can change it. This—whatever is happening between us right now—should have taken place long ago. It just hurts to go through losing him all over again. I have to forget all of the emotions that we invested in each other. I have to forget about how close we used to be: how we used to have sleep overs in my backyard on pretend camping trips, how we used to play pranks on my older brothers when they were making out with their girlfriends, everything."

Michelle: [gently takes Ana's hand] "You don't have to forget every single thing, do you?"

Ananda: [shrugs helplessly] "If I don't I won't stop loving him. This isn't something that happened over night, Michelle. I've been in love with David from the very beginning. I might have been too young to understand what I was experiencing, but maturity has rectified that. He was my first love—my first everything. How do you let that go without ripping out a part of you? How do I make this easier on myself?"

I hate myself for the ache that I'm putting my heart through. I haven't truly contemplated the meaning of David's departure. I didn't want to because I didn't want to break. I feel as if I'm crumbling into pieces. In a sense, the currently tense situation between David and me reminds me of the aftermath of our miscarriage. I'm losing him all over again and there's nothing that I can do to hold on to him. There's no longer a connecting factor between us to establish a bond. He has broken it, completely destroyed all of my efforts to love him.

Michelle: "A broken heart is never easy to mend, but you'll gather that with time it heals itself. I can't empathize with you because I've never been in your shoes. Yes, I've loved and lost, but never to your extent. I do however sympathize with your feelings. You're lost and uncertain, searching for stability that's difficult to ascertain, trying to redefine yourself and who you are—it's difficult, but you'll open your eyes one day and realize that you've made it all on your own."

Would it be weird to tell her that I love her because that's how I really feel? I'm in love with this woman—in a purely platonic, why-have-I-never-found-a-true-female-best-friend-like-you kind of way.

Michelle: "I can tell you to stop crying all I want to in an effort to appease my emotional anguish that witnessing your distress is submitting me to; however I also feel that you should cry and cry like hell. I think you should scream and let it all out. Don't bottle that shit up. It'll be like poison and you will start hating yourself and everyone around you. Get it out and then you will finally start to heal."

Ananda: "You're right, thank you, Michelle." She made me see that I don't have to force myself to forget every aspect of our history. I only have to learn to do what I didn't in the beginning: loving him as a friend. "Anyway, enough about me and my drama. We should eat these cheese sticks before they get frozen."

Michelle: [giggles] "Yeah, that shit was heavy. I almost bursted into tears. So how are things with you and the new beau?"

Please don't get me started. I almost didn't tell her, but it feels good to express a little intimacy with someone other than with a group of guys who will snort, grunt, then give opinions that I don't really care for.

Ananda: [sighs] "I completely embarrassed myself today."

Michelle: "How?"

Ananda: [rolls eyes] I found myself attempting to surprise him with a visit and a dinner proposition, but wound up with chastisement."

Michelle: "Ouch! My pride would have been blistered."

Ananda: "Believe me it was. I ended up telling him that I forgot I had dinner plans with my parents and that I would call him."

Michelle: [chortles with laughter] "You liar."

I'm laughing too because I'm still somewhat embarrassed even though the self-righteous part of me feels justified. I love that I don't have to hide who I am with Michelle. She accepts me for everything even my faults and that feels good. 

Ananda: [groans] "I know, HOWEVER in my defense I plan to take my parents out for a long overdue dinner. They've been taking care of me since I've been on rest and I want to thank them."

Michelle: "Where are you taking them?"

Ananda: "California Dreaming."

Michelle: "Nice, I heard that they have great seafood dishes there."

Ananda: "Really? That's great because none of us has ever been and my parents are obsessed with seafood."

Michelle: "All's well that ends well."

Ananda: "Speaking of ending well, Murphy did sort of gain some points—after publicly embarrassing me—by inviting me over after dinner for a movie."

Michelle: "Oh shucks, someone is trying to get laid."

Ananda: "What?!" I nearly spit out my drink and I guffaw with laughter. It never crossed my mind that Murphy would want a little nooky. We barely kiss and for the most part we hold hands and cuddle. I'm not complaining though because he told me that he wanted to take things slowly. I just don't see him pouncing on me in the near future. "I don't think so. He's harmless."

Michelle [snorts] "Ana, Murphy is a man and what do men do when they see a beautiful woman? They fantasize about her. And if that beautiful woman is his, he'll jump deep inside of that punani."

Ananda: "Punani?"

Michelle: "Sorry, my mom is Irish-Jamaican. She speaks a lot of patois."

That's pretty sweet. I've never known a West Indian before—or at least someone with West Indian heritage. I want to make stereotypical demands like most Americans: Speak Jamaican! Hahahaha. I know full well that the national language is patois and the spoken language is English so I won't be that ignorant. I'm still curious though.

Michelle: "Mi no wan fi do dis, but yo make it difficult wit di way yo ah look pun mi."

Ananda [laughing hysterically] "I freaking love you!"

Michelle: [rolls her eyes and waves Ananda away] "That's what they all say before asking me if I grew up smoking ganja. Not all Jamaicans smoke weed; yes, we love the Dance Hall but we don't all bust out with Dance Hall moves in the night club; and no, we're not crazy—unless you hurt our family or disrespect us. Otherwise, Jamaicans are awesome people. I mean, just look at Bolt, Blake, and Warren. Enough said."

Ananda: "So cocky! I like it. You don't have to worry about me asking you ignorant questions, I'm mature and wise enough to differentiate between what I see on television and what I know in reality."




Making It Work Ch. 05



Mike went down on Jen. She panted and clutched at the sheets as he brought her to orgasm.

Jen got on top of Mike and put him inside her. They made love and he came inside her.

They showered together, then Mike packed. He had meetings in London about Sapphire, starting with a dinner meeting that night. Jen saw him off, still in her fluffy cotton robe.

Jen got back into bed, hugging her robe around her. She felt something was missing. Her body ached to be filled with a big cock and fucked really hard, fucked and treated like a cheap slut. She felt ashamed of these desires but couldn't help it. 

The threesome in Vegas with Keri and Jim had been two weeks ago. That had been exciting, but Jim couldn't give her what she needed. If anything, Jim was a lot like Mike. And her sex with Mike was, well ....

Sex with Mike was always gentle and caring and she loved that. But sometimes she didn't want to make love, she wanted fucked really hard and treated like a whore. It didn't help Allie gave her almost daily reports about how Scott and his big cock were rocking her world.

She opened the robe and stretched out on the bed. With one hand she played with her clit, with the other she rubbed her nipples. She closed her eyes and fantasized about Scott fucking her really hard like a slutty whore. She fantasized about Scott ramming her in the ass, and then pulling out and making her go down on him without cleaning himself. 

In her fantasy Scott asked, "Would you do this for Mike?" 

Jen: "No way."

Scott: "Who fucks you better?"

Jen: "Who do you think?"

Scott: "I saw you looking at my crotch when I sang Hot Legs."

Jen (nodding): "I sooo wanted to fuck your brains out."

Jen came thinking of Scott sucking hard on her neck as he ruined her pussy with his big thick cock, cumming inside her. Afterwards she hugged the robe around her, feeling guilty.

Mike's dinner in London ended around 10. He called Jen to check in, and then watched TV. He felt edgy. Mike's fantasies involved Jen with well-hung arrogant men, bulls. Jim didn't fit that at all. Also for Mike, a big part of the thrill was Jen developing feelings for her lover, but she wasn't interested in Jim, and would never betray Keri anyway. 

Someday Mike would like to see Jen with Keri. That would be thrilling, but he knew it wasn't what he really desired.

Impulsively he decided to go out. He checked a few cuckold sites for meat markets in London. He found a hot wife bar called Allure that was famous (notorious) for young guys picking up married cougars. There were posting about how Allure had swapping key parties, where husbands put their car keys in a hat. They went home with wives who picked out their keys. But Mike didn't want to swing. Instead he wanted to see some married girls get picked up by horny guys. He'd done this before, going to clubs like this to watch.

The club was crowded. It was mostly a meat market of single guys picking up single girls. But he saw a few married couples. Mike watched the husbands, not the wives. He focused his attention on couples where the husband paid more attention to the guys walking around than the wife.

There were a few couples like that. Mike focused on one white couple in particular. They looked to be late 30s / early 40s, both professionals. He looked like an accountant. She was beautiful with an alluring hourglass figure. What drew Mike's attention was the person sitting with them, a large fit black man. It looked like the black man was flirting with the woman while her husband watched (almost salivating). Mike watched with interest, his cock hard, as the black man hit on the white man's wife.

After a few minutes the black man turned, as if sensing he was being watched. Mike's heart lurched. The black man was Darren! Their eyes locked and Darren smiled, recognizing Mike. He whispered something to the woman and got up, walking over to Mike.

"How are you Mike?" Darren said with his British accent.

They shook hands. "I didn't know you lived in London," Mike said.

"I split between my firm's London and New York offices," Darren explained. He smiled. "How's your pretty wife Jen?" 

"She's fine," Mike said.

"When are we getting together again?"

"We'll see," Mike said noncommittally.

Suddenly Darren's British accent disappeared and he took on his hard ghetto persona. "Listen man, I know you want my black cock in your wife's pussy again, so don't bullshit me."

Mike almost recoiled by his sudden ferocity, feeling like he'd been attacked. "It's up to her," he said managing to stay calm.

Darren frowned. Then he smiled and motioned over his shoulder. "That's Barb and Todd, tonight's their 25th wedding anniversary. I'm fucking Barb tonight."

Mike's cock leaped in his pants. Darren saw it in his face and smiled knowingly. "White dudes wanna see their wives fucked by big black cocks." He paused then added with an arrogant smile "Ring a bell?"

"How often do you do it?" Mike asked, trying to keep his voice sounding normal. 

He shrugged. "Whenever I want. I could have white married pussy every night if I wanted, but I'm selective." He nudged Mike in the side. "You remember what Jen said? Her pussy's mine. Her body's mine. And that's after just one fuck." He laughed. "Give me a week and your sweet Jen will be all mine, heart and soul."

"You're crazy," Mike said, amazed he was able to keep his voice level. "She just said that, she didn't mean it."

"Yeah, you believe that," Darren scoffed sarcastically. "Did she tell you I called and she told me again she was my white bitch and her pussy belonged to me?"

Had Jen said that? Mike thought. She'd told him they'd talked, but hadn't provided details other than she brushed him off.

Darren smiled seeing the doubt in Mike's face. "You ask her, she'll tell you," he said confidently. "Then you call me." He dismissively flipped his card at Mike's face. He got up and went back to Todd and his wife Barb. 

Mike had a hard time concentrating, but his meetings that week went okay. He flew back Wednesday and Jen met him at the airport. On the way home (in the firm's limo), Jen said "Is something wrong?"

Mike raised the privacy screen so the driver couldn't hear. "I ran into Darren in London," he said.

"You did?" Jen said surprised.

Mike had already decided to come clean. "I went to a bar to watch black guys pick up white wives," he said. "Sorry about that ... I was pretty horny. I only went to watch."

"That's okay honey," she said squeezing Mike's hand. His urges were nothing like hers. If anything, his minor indiscretion made her feel less guilty about her recent fantasies.

"Darren said he called you," he continued in an unemotional voice. "You told him your pussy belonged to him."

Jen squeezed his hand tighter and pressed up against him. "It was right after we hooked up," she explained, "It didn't mean anything."

"He said you'd be his, heart and soul, if he got together with you again."

"Oh my god Mike that's total bullshit," she said with an incredulous laugh.

Then Jen noticed the look on Mike's face. He was beyond excited. He was keeping his voice unemotional to hold in his lust.

"Would you like me to see Darren again?" she asked.

Mike didn't answer, but Jen could practically hear his heart pounding wildly in his chest. Her heart pounded too. The thought of being with Darren again made her shiver. Her pussy ached for a big cock like his!

She put her hand on his thigh and moved up to his crotch. He was rock hard. "Would you like to see Darren try to make me all his?" she ask rubbing his cock.

"Jen ..." Mike groaned.

In their apartment they quickly undressed. Mike got between Jen's legs and went down on her. Jen rolled her head back, she so needed this. Mike worked his magic and soon she arched her back in orgasm.

Panting, she pulled her husband to her. "I need you inside me," she said urgently. Mike was rock hard and he pushed into her.

"You want to see Darren again don't you?" Mike growled.

"Yes!" she admitted. 

"You want his big black cock don't you?"

"Yes!"

"My cock isn't big enough, I'm not strong enough, you need bigger cocks, stronger guys, don't you, don't you?"

"Mike ..." she said. She couldn't tell if he was playing the game, if he was hurt or not.

"Tell me!" he growled, grabbing her wrists and pinning her arms above her head. "Tell me the truth! You need bigger cocks don't you?! You need better men who can fuck you hard? Don't you? Admit it!"

"Yes I do!" she admitted. "I'm a slut! I'm sorry, I can't help it!"

Mike covered Jen's lips with his and fucked her hard, and moments later he lurched and came.

They took the next Friday off. They made a picnic and walked to Central Park. They held hands walking through the zoo, laughing and talking and holding each other. It started raining and they ran to a tree, holding hands and laughing like little kids. They kissed and hugged under the tree and then held each other as they watched the rain come down. 

They opened their picnic box. Simple food, just some cheese, fruit, bread and wine. They talked about their dreams, starting a family and moving out of the city, maybe someday getting out of the rat race and living a simpler life, maybe moving to a beach somewhere and opening up a bed and breakfast. A life something like today, with long walks and picnics and running through the rain. That night they kissed, but didn't have sex. 

Saturday morning they lazed around. They went to their favorite little bistro for lunch. When they got back they took a nap, again abstaining from sex. Later Jen got ready. They were seeing Darren that night.

Darren arrived at 8, a knock at the door. Mike saw the nervousness and excitement in Jen's face. He opened the door and Darren walked passed him like he owned the place.

"Looking good Jen," Darren admired, eating Jen with his eyes. She wore an off-the-shoulder top and the mini-skirt. She wore black stockings and high heels.

"Come here bitch," he commanded, putting his hand behind her head and pulling her into a kiss. He kissed her long and hard, forcing his tongue down her throat. When he finally let go she panted for breath. 

Darren roughly pushed Jen down onto her knees. He pulled out his cock. He was only half hard but still it looked like a large black python. "Suck it slut!" he ordered.

Jen looked uncertainly at Mike. Both were surprised at how fast this was happening, no conversation first, no drinks, right to fucking. Jen looked nervous and uncertain, but she had her cum face on. Mike nodded at her.

Darren laughed seeing Mike's surrender. He pressed his cock against her lips. "Come on sugar, show me what you can do."

Jen opened her lips and took Darren into her mouth. He was so thick she could swallow only his cock head and a little of his shaft. She wrapped her hands around his shaft and she stroked him, her head and hands bobbing back and forth on his cock. 

"Pathetic," Darren ridiculed her. "That's the best you can do?"

Jen took him out of her mouth. "Fuck you," she said defiantly.

"You don't say that shit to me!" Darren roared angrily. Suddenly he grabbed her blonde hair and yanked her up to her feet, making Jen yelp in pain. Then he roughly threw her face first onto the sofa.

"Jen?" Mike said moving to her.

Darren pushed Jen hard against the sofa. Once again he grabbed her hair and yanked her head back. "What did you say to me?" he hissed.

"Fuck you asshole," Jen said through clenched teeth.

"FUCK YOU BITCH!" he growled. Darren yanked the skirt up around her waist and ripped off her panties. "Cheap whore like you needs to learn her place," he said in his ghetto voice. 

Then he took off his belt. Holding the belt in one hand, Darren ran his other hand over Jen's firm shapely behind, the skin perfectly smooth and unblemished. He grinned menacingly at Mike. "Your wife's fine ass ain't gonna be as pretty when I get done with her." 

"Stop!" Mike yelled leaping from the chair. As he did Darren whipped Jen's ass with the belt!

Jen cried out in pain. 

"Jen!" Mike cried moving to her.

Darren grabbed Jen's hair and yanked her head to look at Mike. "Tell your cuck husband to sit down!" he growled.

Jen held her hand to Mike, stopping him. "It's okay," she said to Mike, tears of pain rolling down her cheek.

"That's right Mike, sit down like a good cuck," Darren said taunting him. He squeezed Jen's ass. "Who owes your ass slut?"

"You do," Jen said.

"Yeah, I own this fine ass," Darren said caressing her. Then suddenly he whipped Jen's ass again with the belt. Jen screamed in pain.

"You deserve this whipping don't you slut?" Darren growled.

"No," Jen whined.

"Beg me to hit you again!"

"Don't make me," she sobbed.

"Beg me!"

"Oh god," Jen said, grimacing for the pain to cum, "Please Darren, please whip me again."

Darren whipped her again, and then again. Her ass was red with whip marks. 

"Who owns your ass?" Darren shouted whipping her again.

"You!" Jen yelled grimacing. 

"Who do you belong to?" Darren yelled with another whip.

"You! I belong to you!" Jen cried.

"Not Mike?"

"No, I belong to you!"

Darren tenderly caressed her ass. He looked at Mike and smiled, looking triumphant. "See? She's mine, and I haven't even fucked her yet."

Darren roughly pushed Jen onto the floor, onto her knees, and he sat on the sofa, his legs spread wide. "Suck me," he commanded her. As she lowered her head, Darren roughly pulled her hair to look at him. "Do it better this time bitch!"

"I will," Jen promised, fear in her voice.

Jen lowered her head. As her lips touched his cockhead Darren grabbed her hair and violently shoved her face down, stuffing his long thick cock into her mouth and down her throat. Jen flailed her arms and gagged. Darren held her head down, then after almost a minute he let her head up. She gasped for air, her spittle running down and off her chin. Then he shoved her head down again. This time he lifted his hips to force more of his cock down her throat. She gasped again when he let her up, her chin, neck and front of her blouse wet with her spit. 

"Enough!" Mike shouted.

"I'm fucking sick of you man!" Darren yelled. He yanked Jen's head to look at Mike. "Tell this cuck to shut up!" he ordered.

"Mike ..." Jen said.

"No bitch!" Darren screamed. "Say 'cuck shut up'!" When Jen hesitated, he shouted "Say it bitch! 'Cuck shut up!' Say it!"

"Cuck shut up," Jen said looking down, not able to look into Mike's eyes.

Darren laughed at Mike. "Hear that Mike, your pretty wife knows you're a cuckold." He jerked Jen's head forcing her to look at Mike. "Tell him bitch, tell him he's a cucky boy."

Her eyes downcast, Jen said "You're a cucky boy."

"Mike, when I'm done she ain't gonna have no respect for you!" Darren said laughing. He pushed Jen away. "Strip bitch!" he yelled.

Jen stood up and quickly took off all her clothes. 

"Nice," Darren said, admiring Jen in just black stockings and black high heels. He took her into his arms and they kissed. He fondled her as they made out. When he pulled away Jen was panting, her chest heaving, her nipples rock hard.

Darren pushed Jen onto her back, on the floor next to Mike. Jen flinched as her abused ass was pushed onto the floor. Darren uncaringly threw Jen's legs apart and pressed his monster black cock against her pussy lips.

"Put on a condom," Mike said.

"Fuck that," Darren said.

"Put on a condom or get out," Mike insisted.

"Fuck you man!" Darren yelled. "I did it once but I ain't gonna do it again!" He got up as if to leave. "Fuck this shit!"

"No wait!" Jen said grabbing the black man's arm. "You don't have to wear a condom," she said pulling Darren back to her.

"Jen!" Mike yelled.

"Mike please!" she pleaded. "Just sit there and watch, okay?"

Darren smiled smugly at Mike. "I told you, she's mine," he said triumphantly.

"Tell him Jen," Darren continued. "Tell your pathetic husband he's nothing, you belong to me."

"I belong to Darren Mike," Jen said.

"Tell your pathetic husband he's nothing," Darren insisted.

"You're pathetic Mike, you're nothing to me," Jen said obediently.

Darren laughed derisively at Mike. "Now do you understand Mike? She's mine now. You should never have let me be with her again. She's all mine." 

Darren looked back down at Jen. On her back, her long blonde hair tussled around her pretty face, she wore only stockings, her legs spread wide, her heels flat on the floor. Darren was between her legs, his thick black cock rock hard and barely an inch from her bare pussy lips.

"Take my cock, guide me into you babe," he said.

Jen reached between their bodies and took his rod, guiding him into her. 

"Oh yeah," Darren grunted, pushing into Jen. "Your white pussy is so tight!"

"Ugh god!" Jen groaned. It felt like he was splitting her in two, but it felt so good!

Darren fucked Jen hard and fast. His stamina was amazing. She came at least twice, both orgasms soulful and mind blowing.

Finally Darren's muscular body tensed and he cried, "Fuck I'm cumming!" He bore down on Jen, pushing even deeper inside, and then he shot his virile black baby sperm deep into her fertile womb. "I'm gonna make you fat with my black baby!" 

"Yeah yeah, cum in me! Make me pregnant with your black baby!" Jen cried wrapping her long legs around him.

Darren left soon after, grinning and slamming Mike on the back as he left. As always Mike felt hurt and disoriented after his wife's coupling with another man. He treated her gently though, bathing her and then gently rubbing lotion on her raw ass. Her ass was red but otherwise not marked; Darren had used only a fraction of his strength whipping her.

Jen was too sore for intercourse that night, but she knew Mike needed release, and reassurance. Lying on her side (not her sore ass), she kissed him and stroked his cock. "I didn't mean what I said," she said

"It sounded like you did," Mike said.

"It was just play, you know that right?" she said. "I think that's Darren's thing, he role plays. I was just playing along."

Mike smiled. Darren's act had been so outrageously BBC, it could only have been role playing. "So your pussy doesn't belong to him?"

"No, and I'm not gonna have his black baby," Jen joked, giggling.

"But the sex was good," Mike said.

"Well hello!" Jen said rolling her eyes. "It was freaking amazing!" They both laughed.

On Monday Mike had to go to work early. Jen got up and looked at her ass in the mirror. It looked normal again, smooth and unblemished, the red marks gone. Darren's whipping hadn't left a mark. She hadn't thought it would, his whipping stung but even as it was happening she could tell he wasn't hitting her too hard. But it was a relief to see no marks. She was proud of her ass, she worked hard to keep it looking perfect.

Keri was in town and invited Jen to lunch. Keri ordered a bottle of expensive champagne. "I really shouldn't," Jen said.

"Believe me, Johnny won't mind if you get a little buzzed at lunch with a potential big account," Keri assured her. 

Keri reached under the table and squeezed Jen's thigh where a garter strap would be. "Just checking," she said with a smile. Jen laughed. She'd worn thigh high stockings but not a garter belt.

They laughed and talked like old friends. "Are you here with Jim?" Jen asked.

"No," Keri said. "Byron's with me."

"Oh," Jen said embarrassed.

"We don't always hook up," Keri said laughing. "He's a good aide you know."

"Oh, okay," Jen said sheepishly, feeling even more embarrassed.

"So how's your friend Darren?" Keri asked with an excited glint in her eye.

Jen smiled back, feeling like schoolgirls trading kissing stories. "I saw him this weekend," she began, and told Keri the story.




Making It Work Ch. 05



To Jen's surprise, Keri wore a frown as she finished the story. "What's wrong?" Jen asked.

"Nothing," Keri said.

"I can tell something's wrong, tell me," Jen insisted.

"I don't know," Keri said with a shrug. "I get the submissive thing, I like that too. There's nothing better than a confident man knowing what he wants, and taking it. But the big black cock thing doesn't do anything for me. It's so trite, so fake."

"I know," Jen quickly agreed. She so looked up to Keri, she wanted her approval. "Mike and I said just that, Darren was role playing."

"But why role play with Darren?" Keri said. "Wouldn't you enjoy the sex more if your lover acted natural?"

"I guess -- I mean -- I don't know," Jen stammered. "I guess because Mike's into that, and I want him to enjoy it too."

Keri shook her head, frowning.

"What?" Jen said.

Keri leaned towards Jen and whispered, "We're sexy and beautiful, honey. Look around, how they're looking at us. Every man in here would sell their souls for a night with you or me."

"I don't understand."

"It's what I said before," Keri explained. "You're young, sexy, successful. You deserve hot men like Darren and Scott. You're entitled. And you do it for yourself, not them. Sure, they'll enjoy it, and that's a turn-on too, because there's nothing more thrilling than the power to give pleasure. But you're doing it for you, not them, not even your husband. Believe me, Mike will worship you even more."

"I don't know ..." Jen said, uncertain.

"Look at it this way," Keri said, "Mike likes to watch right? He's into the cuckold, humiliation thing?" She quickly added, "I'm not judging him, I'm just asking."

"Yeah, I guess," Jen said still uncertain.

"Don't you think it would be more exciting for Mike if it was real, instead of make believe?"

"I don't know," Jen said cautiously. "That's how we got into trouble with Ricky and Scott."

"Did you enjoy your time with them?" Keri asked.

"Well, yeah ..."

"Did Mike get off on it?"

"Yeah, but ..."

"No buts honey," Keri insisted. "Mike adores you. He worships the ground you walk on. Do you really think he would have left you? I don't think so. And he didn't, did he? You're still together, more in love than ever."

Seeing the uncertainty in Jen's face, Keri reached over and squeezed her young friend's hand. "Just think about it. Remember I told you how things got boring and Jim and I almost broke up? I don't want that to happen to you and Mike."

Later that week Jen was at a bar with Allie. Mike was traveling again, this time in San Francisco.

She noticed guys looking at her. She wore a dress that hugged her curves, stockings and high heels. It was a sexy outfit, yet normal work attire for her, in advertising it started with selling yourself. Allie was dressed just as alluringly, although her outfits tended to emphasize her breasts while Jen's showed off her legs.

Jen was used to guys checking her out, but tonight she paid more attention, no doubt because of her conversation with Keri. Was Keri right, that she was entitled to as many hard bodies and big cocks as she wanted? Looking across the table at her best friend, she knew Allie lived according to that philosophy. 

Since the Scott fiasco she'd held back on the game, despite Mike's efforts to get her to play. Jim and Darren had been safe lovers, Jim because she wasn't physically attracted to him, and Darren because she could never become emotionally involved with him despite his physical charms. Even her near hookup in Vegas with Kenley had been safe, because he didn't live in New York.

Her mind wandered as Allie chatted on about her latest lovers (she had more men in her harem than Scott). If she took the plunge, who would it be with? Ricky and Scott were out for obvious reasons. So was Colin; to Mike, he would be even worse than Ricky and Scott.

Looking across the bar, Jen was startled to see Tom, her storyboard artist. She didn't see Adria, his wife. Instead, he looked to be flirting with a pretty blonde who couldn't be older than 21 or 22, at least 10 years his junior. 

"Gotta go girlfriend," Allie said, finishing her Cosmo. "I'm meeting Byron."

"Byron?" Jen said surprised. "From Google?"

Allie gave Jen a WTF look. "Haven't you been listening? I ran into him a couple of weeks ago and we hooked up." Seeing Jen's look of shock, Allie said, "Don't look at me like that, you're the one fucking Keri and her husband." Jen had of course told Allie about what happened in Vegas.

"Okay, okay," Jen said in surrender. She watched Allie leave the bar. Seeing her alone, more than a few guys prepared to make their move on Jen. Not up for mindless flirting, Jen finished her white wine and prepared to go.

"Hi," Tom said walking up to her.

"Hi there," Jen said smiling, happy to see him. "What are you up to?"

"Just a drink before heading home," Tom said. "You?"

Jen motioned towards Allie's receding figure. "The sad male faces you see all around are all the broken hearts Allie just left behind," she joked.

Tom grinned and raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure you've broken your share of hearts."

Jen batted her eyelashes. "Who, me?" she said innocently.

Tom laughed. "Another drink?" he said motioning to her empty glass.

Jen shook her head. "I better get home."

"Mike's waiting?"

"No, he's traveling. But --."

"Let me give you a ride home then," Tom said as the finished their drinks.

"Well, okay," Jen said.

They left the bar and walked two blocks. Tom stopped in front of a motorcycle.

"Oh," Jen said surprised.

"Don't worry, I've got a spare helmet." Seeing the look of concern on Jen's face, he asked, "You don't like bikes?"

"No, I think they're way cool," she said. "Mike's not wild about them though. He doesn't think they're safe."

"I've never had an accident," Tom said shrugging. Then he gave Jen a boyish smile. "Mike's not here, right?"

"That's true," Jen said with a laugh, charmed by his cute smile. She took the helmet from him. "Okay, let's go."

Mounting the bike, it was impossible for Jen's dress to not hike up her legs. She pushed her dress down but still her lacy stocking tops showed. Tom noticed but pretended not to.

"You better put your arms around me," he said, pulling her arms around his chest. "You haven't rode a bike before?"

"Not since high school," she admitted. Colin had a motorcycle and she loved riding it. That was one reason Mike didn't like motorcycles, in addition to the safety factor. But she missed riding on bikes, and it's not like Mike would ever know.

Jen thrilled to the wind blowing in her face as Tom expertly navigated through the streets of New York. She squealed when he took some of the turns sharp, it was like riding a roller coaster, which she loved. She clutched his chest to hold on, and couldn't help noticing how hard and well defined he felt.

All too soon they arrived at her apartment. Tom held her hand as she dismounted. Her skirt had ridden up so high her bare thighs showed above her stocking tops. This time Tom couldn't help looking. Jen blushed and pulled her dress down.

"Well, thanks for the ride," she said, both of them feeling awkward facing each other.

"Any time," he said.

The idea of inviting him up and seducing him passed through her mind. He was gorgeous and had a great body, she liked him, and he had a dangerous edge that attracted her. She knew Mike would be thrilled if she had a one night stand. She also remembered Keri's advice, "you're entitled." But Tom was married and had a child, and she didn't want to be any part of a husband cheating on his wife.

"See ya then," she finally said. She moved forward to give him a friendly hug goodbye. To her surprise, Tom hugged her tight, pressing his crotch against her. He was hard.

"Um okay, see ya," Jen said pulling away. She didn't look back as she left him. But she remembered what she'd felt. His cock felt huge! 

Two weeks later the big day finally arrived. Jen and her team made their official pitch to Google. As bad luck would have it, Mike was traveling again, but he would get home later that night.

Jen led the presentation, and she was brilliant. Allie and Scott, prepped by Jen, were also impressive. Tom was there too, and his storyboard mockups (also edited and re- edited by Jen) dazzled. After the presentation, Keri on-the-spot awarded the project to Jen and her team. 

Johnny, Jen's boss, popped champagne, and a number of partners showed up for the celebration. Mr. Winters made a speech, congratulating the entire team and gushing about Jen, saying she was the brightest young marketing star on the east coast, maybe the entire country.

As the champagne poured freely, a tipsy Keri pulled Jen aside and gushed, "You're brilliant, every bit as good as me."

Jen, also tipsy, gave her a mischievous smile and whispered, "So I didn't get the gig cause I fucked you good?"

Keri broke into a bigger smile. "God you're such a tease!" she whispered back. 

Tom approached Jen and congratulated her. "You're amazing!" he gushed, tipsy like everyone else.

"You are too!" Jen said smiling and beaming into his eyes. They hugged, a little longer than normal. When they finally broke apart they both felt awkward.

Soon after Keri led her Google team away. Jen and her team deserved to continue their celebration without the client there. As she left, Keri whispered into Jen's ear, "Remember, you're young, beautiful and successful, you're entitled."

The celebration moved to a local bar, and the alcohol continued to flow. Jen's team moved to the private back bar. Some team members snorted coke. Jen laid off the hard stuff, but she took long drags of weed when offered.

Scott cornered Jen. He stuck his tongue down her throat and groped her tits. By that time, Jen was well pass wasted. She kissed him back, snaking her hand down his body and rubbing his hard-on. The rest of the team politely looked the other way, but they all knew about Jen's affair with Scott, it was a well known secret.

Allie pulled Jen away. "Are you really sure you want to start this again?" she asked. 

"You're the one trying to get me to open my legs for him," Jen shot back.

"I've just been messing with you," Allie said laughing.

Jen stared daggers into Allie. "All I know is, I need fucked," she drunkenly said. "Where is Tony-Tony when you need him?"

"Oh my god, I haven't thought about him in years!" Allie said laughing. "God that man could fuck!"

"I never fucked him," Jen said regretfully.

"That's what you get for getting married," Allie said with an "I told you so" smile.

"Mike would love it if I fucked Tony-Tony, I wish I'd known that back then," Jen said.

"God you are so drunk!" Allie said laughing. "Anyway, I don't think Mike would like seeing you sucking face with Scott."

"Then who?" Jen said. "I need fucked, and after today I'm entitled."

"Mike will be home soon, right?" Allie offered.

Jen rolled her eyes. "I need a big one," she said.

Allie broke out laughing. "Oh my god, you are sooo going to regret tonight! You know I'm never going to let you live this down, right?" Then Allie looked over to the bartender. "You want a big one, huh? There you go. His name's Jason."

Jen looked at the bartender. She'd notice him before. He was very young (still in college), very good looking, and he'd hit on her more than once. "Is he good?"

"Honestly I haven't been able to snag him yet," Allie admitted. "Can you believe it? To him I'm a horny cougar."

"So when I get him into my bed he'll be another hot guy I fucked before you," Jen teased, referring to their adventures in college (before she met Mike).

"Bitch!" Allie said laughing again.

Mike's plane landed late. He tried texting and calling Jen, but she didn't answer. He hurried home, anxious to hear how her Google pitch went.

Their apartment was quiet when he entered. He immediately saw Jen's blouse on the floor. Then, listening closer, he heard moans coming from their bedroom.

He silently walked to their bedroom, his heart pounding. The door was open, and he looked in. Jen was on her knees, between a man's open legs. Her blouse was off, but otherwise she was fully clothed.

Mike didn't know the man. His pants were off, and his head was rolled back. Jen's long blonde hair shielded Mike's view, but he could tell what she was doing by how her head bobbed up and down in his lap.

Mike walked into the room. Jen felt his presence and raised her head, looking at him. She looked high and drunk, but horny too with her cum face on, her lips glistening with saliva and the man's precum.

She smiled drunkenly and said "Hey baby, I bagged Google today."

"That's good," Mike said, his throat dry.

Jen stroked Jason's long thick shaft. "This is Jason, I bagged him too," she drunkenly giggled. "Sit here baby," she said motioning next to Jason. "Take off your clothes," she told him.

Mike took off his clothes and sat next to Jason on the bed. Jen had her hand wrapped around Jason's cock, and now she wrapped her other hand around Mike's hard cock. 

"He's so much bigger than you Mike," Jen said, stroking both of them. 

Mike looked down and saw Jason was both longer and wider than his own penis. "Yeah," he breathed.

Jen released Mike's cock and went back down on Jason. Mike watched as his wife bobbed on the younger man's much larger cock.

"You're gonna make me cum," Jason warned.

Jen immediately let Jason fall from her mouth. "Not yet," she told him. "Not yet." She got up and straddled Jason's legs, and they made out. 

Jason ran his hands over Jen's body. He reached back and unsnapped her bra. "Here," she said pulling away and pulling off her bra. Jason's eyes ogled her tits. 

"You like what you see?" Jen teased him with a smile.

"I've wanted to see these for a long time," Jason said.

"Yeah?" Jen breathed. "How about touching them?" she asked pulling his hands so he cupped them.

"You have a nice touch," Jen said as he rolled her nipples between his thumbs and fingers. "God," she moaned rolling her head back as he sucked one of her nipples into his mouth.

With an effort Jen pulled away from Jason. Her heart pounded and she was panting. She looked at Mike. She'd been ignoring him and he looked hurt. But she remembered Keri's advice: "you're entitled." She looked away from Mike as if he wasn't even there and turned all her attention back to Jason.

She smiled at him. "What else have you wanted to see?" she asked.

"You've got incredible legs!" Jason gushed.

"You think so huh?" Jen teased. She got off his lap and slowly unzipped her skirt. Then she slowly pushed the skirt down her long legs. 

"What do you think?" Jen said with a sly smile to Jason, doing a pirouette in her high heels in front of him.

"God you're incredible!" he gushed. "I've always wondered if you wore stockings or pantyhose."

"Well now you know," Jen said moving closer to him so his face almost touched her flat stomach. "I always wear stockings."

"Now it's your turn," she said unbuttoning his shirt. "I want to see you."

Jason had an impressive chest, well defined and hard. "Nice," she admired tracing his pecs and abs with the tips of her nails. She glanced over at Mike, looking her husband up and down. His body was soft, nothing like Jason's hard athletic body. Mike flushed under his wife's critical appraisal.

Jason pulled Jen towards him and they made out. Not able to resist, Mike reached over and caressed his wife's ass and legs. His hand inadvertently brushed against Jason's thigh, and the younger man flinched. Sensing this and not wanting to ruin the mood, Jen snapped, "Just watch Mike, you'll get your turn okay?" 

Mike recoiled at Jen's rebuke. She went back to kissing Jason.

Jen reached between their bodies and gently squeezed Jason's cockhead. "I want this inside me," she said. She flicked her tongue in Jason's ear. "Rip my panties off."

"Like this?" Jason said effortlessly ripping the filmy lacy material off her.

"Yeah, like that," Jen giggled delightedly.

Jason aggressively stuck his tongue down Jen's throat, then he abruptly rolled her over. He pushed her down onto the bed and roughly threw open her legs. "You like it rough, is that it?" he said.

"If that's what you want," Jen said coyly, but she liked the way he took charge.

"This is what you want?" he said rubbing his thick cockhead between her pussy lips.

"God yes, give it to me!"

"Beg me for it," Jason said with an evil arrogant grin.

"Please, fuck me Jason!" she urged him.

"Jen wait," Mike said. He reached into the nightstand and handed her a condom.

Jason looked disappointed. Jen felt disappointed, she wanted to feel this impressive specimen of a man inside her without anything between them. Remembering Keri's advice, "you're entitled," she pushed Mike's hand away. "I want him this way," she told him dismissively.

"Jen!" Mike said.

Jen ignored Mike and turned her attention back to Jason. "Come on fuck me," she urged him. "Don't worry about him, he won't bother us."

Jason looked warily at Mike. When Mike made no motion to intervene, Jason smiled smugly and turned back to Jen. He leaned down and pressed his cock into the folds of her pussy. They both grunted as his cock penetrated her. 

"Your pussy feels good," Jason groaned. 

"Yeah? You like how I feel?"

"Fucking right," Jason said as he slowly pushed his cock balls deep into Jen's tight pussy. 

Soon Jen and her new lover were fucking wildly. Disheartened and emasculated, Mike moved to the chair across from the bed. He watched as Jason fucked Jen's brains out. He watched as she wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him, and he watched as she moaned into her young lover's mouth as he made her cum. Despite being hurt he was painfully hard. He took out his cock and played with himself as he watched Jason continue to fuck her.

"I'm cumming!" Jason warned. "Where do you want it?"

"Cum inside me baby!" Jen urged him, hugging him tighter. Jason's young muscular body tensed and he loudly groaned as he deposited a huge load of his sperm inside Jen's womb.

Jason held Jen for long moments, hugging and kissing her. When she didn't say anything, he looked at her face. She'd passed out.

Jason pulled out and then dressed. He glanced at Mike, who stared at his wife, his hand wet with his own cum. Jason awkwardly left, not saying anything to Mike.

Mike felt numb. Jen's legs were partially open. Her pussy lips gaped open, and thick milky sperm seeped out. Mike finally got up and wiped his hand on a towel. He pulled the covers over Jen, then kissed and hugged her. Although asleep, she automatically rolled over into his arms. Mike fell asleep.

The next day was Saturday, which was good for Jen because she was in no condition to work. She woke up terribly hung over, and twice got sick. Mike nursed her and wiped her face, giving her Advil and lots of water. He helped her back to bed where she passed out again. She woke up again around noon. Her head pounded and her stomach felt queasy. Mike tenderly gave her more water and Advil.

"God baby I'm so sorry about last night," she said. She didn't remember everything but she remembered enough.

"We'll talk about it later," Mike said. He felt hurt and confused, but also very horny. Last night with her passed out, he had taken off her high heels and rolled off her stockings, and dressed her in his old college t-shirt and cotton VS panties. Now, he pulled off the panties and pushed the t-shirt over her tits. 

He opened her legs, and she didn't resist. Still hung over, the last thing she wanted was sex, but she owed him this. 

Mike looked down at his wife's pussy. Jason's dried cum was evident around her pussy lips, in her trimmed landing strip, and upper thighs. The sight inflamed him even more. But she was bone dry. He spit on his hand and rubbed the lubrication between Jen's folds. Then he pushed in. She felt looser than normal. Jason has stretched her, and her pussy hadn't fully recovered yet. But she still felt wonderful, and knowing the reason for her looseness made him lightheaded with lust. He came after only a few thrusts, a fantastic orgasm.




Making It Work Ch. 05



"I love you baby," Jen said kissing Mike, and then she fell asleep again.

When Jen finally woke up for good, it was almost dark. Her headache was down to a mild throb. She was starving, but her stomach still felt queasy. Anticipating this, Mike had cooked bacon and eggs. There was nothing better than grease to offset a hangover! Jen hungrily ate the food and started feeling normal again. 

Mike got a warm wet towel and wiped the splotches of Jason's dried cum from Jen's body. Evidence of their fucking remained, with a hickey on her neck and bite marks on her breasts. The sight upset Mike, but he was rock hard again. Jen went down on her husband, the bobbing on his cock only slightly making her head feel bad.

Later that night they lay on their sides, looking into the other's face and talking. "I don't know what came over me," Jen explained. "I guess it was the excitement of getting the Google account."

"You made it happen baby," Mike assured her. He joked, "You deserved a good fucking."

Jen smiled, thinking how Mike's statement echoed Keri's advice. She asked, "You're not mad?" 

He shook his head no. "You know I love it when you play the game," he assured her. "Was Jason good?"

"Um ... I think so, I can't remember," she said with an embarrassed laugh. "God, I'm a drunk and a slut!" They laughed. Then she hesitantly asked, "You're not upset?" She didn't remember everything, but she remembered enough of how she'd treated him.

"I'm okay," Mike said, although he was still coming to grips with how she'd been so dismissive of him. He said, "You know, you let him fuck you without a condom."

"Yeah," Jen said looking down. She remembered that part. She'd already decided how she was going to handle this topic. "Baby, honey, don't you think the condom rule is kinda silly? I mean, I'm on the pill --."

"The pill doesn't always work," Mike interrupted.

"It mostly does," Jen insisted. "Who do you know who's gotten pregnant on the pill?"

"There's STDs."

"Yeah, but as long as I play with people I know ..." Jen said.

"You know Jason?"

"Well, sorta," Jen said. "Allie knows him."

Mike tried to explain his feelings. "It's just ... when a guy's in you bareback, and cums in you, that's really intimate," he said.

Jen rolled her eyes and laughed. "Mike, come on, how is that any more intimate than when I suck and fuck him?"

Mike frowned at Jen's rebuke. She could tell she'd hurt his feelings, but she wasn't going to back down on this one. His condom rule was silly, and it detracted from her pleasure. She liked feeling a man bare in her, she liked feeling him cum in her. Honestly she thought his rule silly and controlling. After talking with Keri, and all her success at work with Kellogg and now Google, she felt empowered.

Despite his hurt feelings, he was hard as a rock. She wrapped her hand around his shaft and stroked him. "Maybe I should put a condom on you to let you see how it feels," she teased him. She meant it as a joke, but his cock jerked at her words. She suppressed a smile, thinking of what Keri had said: "Mike likes to watch right? He's into the cuckold, humiliation thing?" 

Jen got on top of her husband and put him inside her. "Don't worry baby, I'd never make you wear a condom," she said.

"Did Jason feel better than me, inside you?" he groaned.

"You know I like big ones," she said. "But you feel good too," she quickly added.

"He's bigger than me?"

"Well --- yeah!" she said with a laugh as if saying "hello?!" 

"Are you going to see him again?"

"Maybe. You'd like that, huh?"

"Are you going to date him?"

Jen smiled coyly. "That's what you want, for me to have a boyfriend?"

Mike hesitated, then hissed, "Yes!"

"What about what happened with Ricky and Scott?"

"We can handle it better now," he assured her.

"That's what you said after Ricky," she said giggling. "You're incorrigible Mike." She kissed him.

"Will you do it? Find a new boyfriend?"

"Not Jason," Jen said. "I don't like him enough."

"Another guy then?"

"We'll see," Jen said noncommittally. But Mike noticed she hadn't said no, and looked like she was considering it. With that thought he came. 

Jen spent Monday morning apologizing to her team for drinking too much. She wore a scarf to hide the hickey Jason left on her neck.

She needn't have worried. There were 15 people on her Google team, including Allie and Scott, her top lieutenants. They all adored her. Her projects were always winners, and everyone on the team got bonuses and raises. Also, she shared credit with everyone, never taking credit for another's work, and mentored and nurtured her team members. Being drop dead gorgeous with a friendly bubbly personality didn't hurt either.

Jen pulled Allie aside. "Did people see me leaving with Jason?" she asked worriedly. 

"Probably," Allie said. She laughed seeing Jen's worried expression. "Don't worry, we all sleep around, this is advertising!"

"But I'm married!" Jen insisted.

"You don't think everyone knows about you and Scott? No one cares Jen," Allie assured her. She smiled. "How was Jason? Up to Tony-Tony standards?"

"Maybe not that much," Jen said with a giggle. "But big enough."

"And bubble boy was okay with it?"

Jen shrugged, looking confident. "I'm entitled."

Allie gave her friend an admiring look. "You go girlfriend!" She hugged her best friend. "It's so great to have Jenny back!"

"Seriously?" Jen said at the mention of her schoolgirl name.

"I am being serious!" Allie said with a delighted smile. "You've been the boring wifey Jen for so long, it's great to see the fun loving Jenny again!"

"Whatever," Jen said with a laugh. She paused, then said, "Did Tom see me leave with Jason?"

"I don't think so, he had a babysitter so he left," Allie said. Then she smiled "Is something going on with you two?"

"I told you, he's married," Jen insisted.

"He's not wearing a wedding ring," Allie observed.

Jen had noticed that too. "That doesn't mean anything, a lot of married guys don't wear wedding rings."

Allie smiled knowingly. "I know for a fact he and his wife split up."

"Tom told you?" Jen said. She was surprised, but she wasn't. She knew Tom and Adria had a rocky marriage.

"No, Calvin," Allie said. Calvin was Jen's team member who directly managed Tom's work. Jen fell silent, looking thoughtful.

Jen's admin approached. "Jen, Keri's on the line."

"Gotta go," Jen told Allie. 

"Okay, see ya Jenny," Allie teased.

Allie watched her friend as she walked away. She wondered if Mike had any clue of what was happening. She thought bubble boy was an okay guy. Not her type, but he treated her best friend like a princess, and that's all that mattered to her. Her respect for him grew with the Sapphire thing. But clearly he didn't satisfy Jen sexually. Allie could never be with a man who couldn't give her what she needed, no matter how much money he made. She knew Jen's sexual urges were just as strong as hers, and the fact Jen repeatedly slept around proved that. She wondered if Mike would last, especially now that Jen was having so much success in her career. What did she need him for? Especially with hunks like Tom and Scott on the wings, all wanting Jen for their own.



Making It Work Ch. 05



We enjoy smooth easy conversation and gratefully thank the waiter when our lunches arrive. He returns for our refills then leaves us in peace to eat. The food is delicious.

Michelle: "So...I had an ulterior motive for inviting you out to lunch and before you say anything just hear me out."

I wipe my mouth with my napkin and wait patiently for her to continue as she nervously toys with her steak.

Michelle: "This might appear to be crazy, but then again my entire history with Jason could be deemed in the same light. I wanted to know if you would give me the privilege of being my matron of honor."

Ananda [sputters] "What?!"

Michelle: "I've thought about it a lot and I don't see a better person to fill the position except you. I know that we've only known each other for two weeks, one day, two and a half hours—"

Ananda: "But what about your sister?" I didn't mean to cut off her rambling, but I don't want her to think that I'm bothered by her request. On the contrary, I'm actually pleased.

Michelle: "I love her and all, but we're not as close as sisters should be. We also have very different tastes and she's too opinionated for my liking. It'll be a handful planning my wedding with someone that I can't even agree to disagree with. Besides, I feel really close to you and we just seem to fit. I know that I'm being forward, but I really like you and you're the sister that Jason has never had. Therefore, not only would it be important to me that you are a major part of our wedding, but it would mean the world to Jason."

Jason. He's like my sixth brother. He's been there the entire way between all the bull with David and not once has he judged either of us. I would do anything for him.

Ananda: "What the hell."

Michelle [squeals and wiggles about] "Is that a yes?" I nod my head and she's practically about to fall out of her chair with excitement. "Thank you so much, Ana, you won't regret this and we'll have a blast together. I just know it!"

She makes me giddy. I'm grinning from ear to ear and I'm happy that I can make her this excited. I remember how stressful it was for my brother, Freddy's, wedding. She'll need all of the help she can get.

Ananda: "When do we start? Have you decided on the wedding date?"

Michelle: "Well, I wanted it to be timely, however my father is nitpicking and my mother is bawling her eyes out about losing her little girl so suddenly. Jason and I decided that perhaps next year would be a great idea. Since we met in Paris during the summer, we sort of want to make it a really romantic summer wedding. We're debating whether to have the ceremony in France or in the states. His grandparents are a little too old to travel and I'm worried that the flight would be too much for them."

Ananda: "It looks like you've already made a decision."

Michelle: "I guess you're right."

Ananda: "What about the cost of flying out so many people?"

Michelle: "My dad is covering the charges of my wedding. He insists. I think it's another way for him to "make up" to me for not being involved in my life until adulthood. My mom says that I should let him do it or he'll nag us. I'd like to come up with an overall budget and I don't want to do anything too fancy. I hate taking money from my father."

Ananda: [shrugs] "I don't see the issue. It seems to me that he has realized his mistake in not being an important part of your childhood and is willing to do anything to make up for it. However, that being said his presentation is somewhat lacking. He won't be able to get to know you if you keep pushing him away. Meet your dad half way. I'm sure that he has hurt you, but if you forgive him you can move on together."

Michelle: "You're right. I guess I'm still angry with him for having a mistress right after his divorce from Mom. It's as if he just forgot about us and felt that his money could replace his absence."

Ananda: "Help him to be more involved in your life. You'll notice the difference in no time."

Michelle: "I think I'll take your advice."

We terminate a very good lunch and we make plans to start going over wedding theme ideas. I make my way home and relax in the living room with my parents. I notice a contract on the coffee table and curiously reach for it. It's a business proposition for Randal Snack & Co. According to the contract they want to market my mother's snacks. I don't like it so I'll have Mike look over it. He's a big shot lawyer and he won't mind doing me a favor.

Quentin: "So what do you think?"

Ananda: "I don't know, Daddy, I've read over it, but it doesn't feel right. You remember Michael Jonahson, don't you?"

Quentin: "Like I could forget about that group of knuckleheads you and David used to bring home on school break."

Ananda: "Well, he's a lawyer, remember? I'll have him look over the contract, but I can't guarantee that he'll agree with some of these terms."

He gives me a nod of agreement then drops his heavy leg on my lap. I look at him and he's smiling and I can't help but to laugh.

Ananda: "Why don't you and Mom have dinner with me tonight, my treat."

Quentin: "Really? Where did you want to go?"

Stacy: "I don't know, Quentin. I think that she should get some rest."

Ananda: "Mom! Jeez, I'm not a baby anymore." She gives me the mother look that says she's not changing her mind. I modify my tactic. "Fine, I will take a two hour nap if you promise to come out to dinner with me and Dad. I promise. Pleaassee!!!"

Stacy: "All right just stop whining. I guess I can be a little lenient."

Ananda: "Yay, I love you Mommy!"

Stacy [huffs] "Now I'm Mommy? What are you up to?"

Ananda [mouth opens in shock] "There's nothing up my sleeve. I would like to spend time with my parents to express my gratitude for loving me unconditionally yet you repay my attempt of appreciation with doubt and disbelief? Mother, you injure my tender feelings." I dramatically throw a hand over my heart and pretend to swoon. My mom is trying not to laugh, nevertheless she's smiling.

Stacy: "You should have become an actress instead of an accountant. Okay, nap time."

Ananda: "Already?"

Stacy: "You said a two hour nap. If you take it now, you'll wake up with enough time to shower and dress."

By golly the woman has a point. I head upstairs after kissing them on the cheek and to my surprise I'm sleeping as soon as my head hits the pillow. The nap lasted longer than I expected and I had a difficult time waking up. We all get dressed and head out to the restaurant. It is packed. We waited fifteen minutes for a table, but when we were finally seated we received great service. I love the lively atmosphere however the portion sizes could have been a little smaller. We could have fed three additional people with the amount of food left on our plates.

Stacy: "Sweetheart, this was wonderful. Thank you for bringing us here."

Ananda: "What kind of daughter would I be if I didn't treat my parents every once in a while?"

Quentin: "We should come back again."

Ananda: "Nah, I think we should go elsewhere to keep things fresh."

We ixnay on the dessert and pay the bill before I take them home. They eye me suspiciously when I inform them of my movie date with Murphy. It was that "you're going to get some" look. If only. I shoo them inside and let Murphy know that I was on my way. He sends me his address which I punch into my GPS. It was smooth sailing after that.

Ananda: [phone rings] "Yello?"

Who still says that nowadays?

Ananda: "Bite me Jason. What do you want?"

Jason: "Your agreement to come out with me and the fellas for a night of debauchery."

Ananda: [giggles] "I don't know..." [Makes left turn onto interstate]

Jason: "What do you mean you don't know? You have to be there. David is already gone, don't bail on us too. Whatever happened to us being best friends?"

Ananda: "Are you trying to make me feel guilty?"

Jason: "Yes, is it working?"

Ananda: [grumbles under breath] "Okay, okay, when should I expect this evening out?"

Jason: [celebrates under his breath] "It's a night out and probably in three weeks after Mike and Harry's move."

Ananda: [squeals] "What?! I didn't know that they were moving back to Columbia! It'll be like back in college all over again. Yeah buddy!"

Jason: [laughs over the phone] "Except we won't get into much trouble now that we're more mature."

Ananda: "Where are they moving to?"

Jason: "They'll be less than ten minutes away on Clemson Road. They found a nice two bedroom in some upscale housing community. You'll practically be neighbors."

Ananda: [exits off interstate] "Cool, then I guess I'll be helping them out with the unpacking. Look, Jay, I have to get going."

Jason: "All right, I'll call you back when I further details. Just remember to have a date ready."

Ananda: "Will do."

I'm pretty excited that the gang will be back together again. Sometimes I feel ashamed that I live so close to Tommy and Jason yet I don't make time for them. I'm working on changing it. So...I'm at Murphy's house. I'm not too sure if I should be preparing myself for round two. His front door opens as soon as my feet are out of the car. He looks really nice in laid back attire: black slacks and a flannel shirt. I'm taking it that his house shoes are preventing him from crossing the threshold to greet me. I lock up the car and join him at the door where he kisses my cheek.

Murphy: "You look beautiful as always."

Ananda: "Thanks. You don't look too shabby yourself." We take our small talk into his house and it's really neat. Everything had its place and if it didn't, Murphy would find one. I'd hate to see what he would do with dust mites.

Murphy: "Here." [hands over new set of house shoes] "I have this thing about not bringing in dirt from outside.

Ananda: [changes shoes awkwardly] "So what movie did you have in mind?"

Murphy: [clasps her hand] "Saving Private Ryan"

Nooooo!!!! I absolutely despise war movies. I can't handle the violence. Do you know how hard it is to not already have seen it or any other film of its caliber with five older brothers, a cop father, and a male best friend? Why am I being punished? I'm a comedy type of gal. Romantic comedies even, though I do find them incredibly cheesy and unreal at times. Hell, I'd rather watch documentary marathons than a war movie.

Ananda: [with feigned enthusiasm] "Great...this'll be fun..."

Murphy: "You don't sound very amused."

Ananda: "All right the jig is up. I can't stand violent movie. I'm squeamish."

Murphy: "Really? It's not that bad in comparison to some of the other films I've seen. Have you ever watched it?"

Ananda: "No." And I don't want to.

Murphy: [guides her into living room] "Then how about we give it a try and if it's too much, we'll choose something else?"

I look at his collection and there's not much else that I'd want to watch. It was however a man's fantasy DVD collection. It made me miss my own back at my apartment. I can't wait to go home once I'm all better.

Murphy: "Would you like anything to drink?"

Ananda: "Water will be fine. I had a big dinner and I'm not so sure that anything else will fit."

He returns with two glasses of water and some popcorn. Once the movie is started we cuddle up together and wait out the previews instead of skipping them.

Murphy: "Are you ready for this?"

Ananda: "Am I ever..."

********

Washington, Washington, Washington. Where do I begin? Today marks the third week I've been here. I'm still transitioning, but all is well. I have so much work to keep me occupied that I don't have time to worry about not getting accustomed to the difference. My new apartment is empty even though it's nicely furbished. Something is missing.

Not that I've spent more than an hour inside its confinement. I've been ripping and running. As a matter of fact, I'm about to head out to grab a bite to eat with a friend. Her name is Leleti Pierterse . I met her sometime last week after I got lost downtown and she was nice enough to take me under her wing and show me around. She told me that I reminded her of how hopeless she was when she first arrived from Arkansas with her parents as a kid.

It's good to know that I'm not really alone out here. I think that I can grow to like it. Aside from the difference in climates, Washington seems like a nice place. I'm still using my GPS to get around though. Give me another couple of days and I'll know this city like the back of my hand.

As for back home, I've stayed in touch with everyone—except Ana. It's been hard not contacting her, but that's why I've been keeping myself busy. Besides everyone talks about her enough for me to know that she's doing fine. Apparently, she's Michelle's matron of honor. I'm happy for her.

I get in the car and let my navigator guide me to Leleti. I notice her right away in the restaurant. Her curly sandy blond hair is hard not to notice. She's a beautiful woman, gorgeous smile with dimpled cheeks, big bright brown eyes, nicely arched eyebrows, and the most delectable butterscotch skin that I've ever seen. She's tall, her head reaching my jaw, but when she wears small heels we're eye to eye. In spite of her girlish appearance she possesses a husky cinnamon voice that is all woman.

Leleti: "Dave, I thought that you had gotten lost again."

Yea, she calls me Dave. Nicknames are something I've never favored for myself, but what the hell; I'm in a new state. I'll go with the flow.

David: [greets Leleti with a hug] "I used my GPS this time. How long have you been here?"

Leleti: [pushes hair out of face] "Just made it myself. I ordered us drinks. I hope that you don't mind."

David: "Not at all. What did you get me?"

Leleti: "Pineapple juice. You don't look like a soda man."

David: [chuckles] "Nah. Not unless it's Ginger Ale or Canada Dry—any beverage with ginger is pretty much my favorite."

Leleti: "How was your day?"

David: "It's going well. This morning I went to the building site and I must commend the contractors. The new gym is coming along nicely. I've started looking for an interior designer."

Leleti: "Why? You've already shown me the designs."

David: "I know, but I want to make sure that it doesn't clash. It's easy to please men. You give them weights, towels, and free beverages and powers bars and they'll be happy; women, on the other hand, need to be pampered."

Leleti: "No, we don't."

David: "I once had a client complaint because the beige towels in the peach colored spa was offensive to her eyes. I had to change them to cream because she would come to me every day with the same b.s."

Leleti: "Maybe some women are hard to please, but not me. I'm a tomboy at heart."

Sometimes she'll say things that reminds me of Ananda. They look nothing alike yet their personalities are somewhat similar. Perhaps that's why we get along so well. The waitress arrives. I order a roast beef and provolone sandwich with a baked potato. Leleti gets a nacho salad with extra spicy hot sauce. She tells me that her mother is from Ghana and her father South African so they eat spices like they drink water. That's cool with me. My dad uses so much pepper that you'll wonder if you're eating beef with spices or spices with beef. You get used to it.

Leleti: "Any way you look at it, you're going faster ahead of schedule than the contractors. They've barely finished the actual foundation."

David: "Yeah, I'm Asian, I like to plan ahead, thanks."

Leleti: [giggles] "I see. Won't you get bored if you do everything all at once?"

David: [shrugs] "Not really. There's always something I can find to occupy myself. I still have to go through the five hundred stacks of resumes in my apartment and office. What about you? Aren't you busy being an environmental engineer? Shouldn't you be saving trees on your free time instead of eating?"

Leleti: "Funny. Just because I'm trying to save the environment doesn't mean that I kill myself in the process."

David: "How's your project coming?"

Leleti is currently trying to design some fancy schmancy generator thing that works off of solar energy...or is it wind? As you can see, certain science subjects weren't my best areas in school. I preferred math, art, anatomy and physiology—if you know what I mean—even history and literature. When you start talking about quantum physics and all that other stuff—you've lost my attention, but Leleti makes her work sound exciting. I also like to learn new things.

Leleti: "Don't even start me up. My grant was denied so now I have to go back and recalibrate my solar..."

She just lost me after recalibrate. Sometimes she gets so excited that she speaks in science jargon that sounds like a foreign language. Aside from English, Tagalog, and intermediate Spanish, I don't speak much else.

Leleti: "Sorry, I didn't mean to get so worked up. Long story short, I have to redo my proposal and recalculate my figures before I can get my grant."

David: "It's so nice to hear English again."

Leleti: "I thought I was speaking your language of romance?"

David: "Maybe that's why I'm still single."

[Food arrives]

Leleti: "I see." [mumbles] "That's good to know."

David: "What was that?"

Leleti: "Huh?"

David: "I thought you said something."

Leleti: "I did, I was wondering if you'd like to go to an orchestra concert with me? My dad got the tickets from a friend, but he and my mother can't make it. She has a neurosurgeon conference in Michigan and he hates when she travels alone."

David: "Am I your last resort?"

Leleti: "How did you know?

David: "Lucky guess."

As we finish up lunch and I'm preparing to return to work I receive a message that my two o'clock is canceled. I have nothing else planned for the rest of the day.

Leleti: "What's wrong?"

David: "My meeting is cancelled. I got all dressed up for nothing." [Fights with tie]

Leleti: "Well, I can show you the Lincoln Memorial like I promised since we both have nothing to do."

David: "Really? I can go home and change first?"

Leleti: "You can do whatever you want. You're a big boy now."

We head back to my place in two separate vehicles and I give her the grand tour, which isn't much except for a huge living room and a master bedroom. My motion detector lights up my lap top and someone is calling me to video chat. It's Jason and Michelle.

David: "Stalking me again?"

Jason: "David, my man!"

Michelle: "Hey David!!!!"

Michelle makes me giddy. I don't know why she's always so hyper, but I feel energized. She's adorable.

Jason: "I'm surprised that you're home. We normally don't get you on the first try."

David: "My meeting was canceled so you two got lucky."

Michelle: "What are you doing today then?"

David: "My friend Leleti is taking me around. Let me stop being rude and introduce you guys." [Grabs Leleti's hand and pulls toward computer] "Leleti, this one of my best friend's Jason and his gorgeous fiancée Michelle. Guys this is Leleti. She's the first, real friend I've made out here."

Jason and Michelle: "Nice to meet you."

David: "You both even talk in unison. That's freaky."

Michelle: [waves David away with a smile] "I hope he's not being a handful."

Leleti: "Not at all. He's great to hang out with. It gives me free time from my work."

Jason: "What do you do?"

Leleti: "I'm an environmental engineer."

Jason: "Damn! You automatically earned my respect. Anyone who is an engineer merits some props."

David: "That's because you're too stupid to understand what two plus two equals."




Making It Work Ch. 05



Jason: "Screw you, David. I'm far better in science than you are. Who do you think tutored you in organic chemistry when you risked to not play in the end of season football game sophomore year?"

David: "Likewise, you douche, I tutored you in Calculus. I've been doing Calculus since I came out the womb."

Jason: "Screw you."

Michelle: "You'll get used to this, Leleti."

"Who are you guys chatting with?"

My stomach tingles. It's Ananda. I haven't seen her in almost a month yet the mere sound of her voice causes my body to react.

Jason: "Ana, you're here early."

Ananda: "I know. My meeting with Mike ended a lot sooner than expected. He said that my parents should just forget about that contract. Who is this?" [Points at the screen]

Michelle: "This is David's friend, Leleti. Leleti this is Jason and David's other best friend Ananda."

I see an array of emotions cloud her face before she raises her hand in greeting with a wavering smile on her lips. I could have spent the remainder of my day just watching her greedily, but her eyes finally reach me. There's a little bit of everything in her brown souls: anger, hurt, pain, relief, and fear.

David: "Hi Ana."

Ananda: "Hi David."

The silence is more than awkward. I don't know what to say to her and I'm pretty certain that she doesn't want to look at me. Her eyes revert from Leleti back to me and I think she's trying to establish what kind of relationship we really have.

David: "How've you been?"

Ananda: "Fine, um, I'm gonna go and...water the...stuff."

I knew she wouldn't want to see me still it hurts to see her running away. I deserve it though.

Jason: "Well, since Ana is here, we're gonna head on out. We'll call you later, all right?"

David: "Yeah, that's fine. See you later."

We end the call, I change, and now Leleti and I are making our way to honest Abe. The ride is silent and we don't speak until we're standing right before our sixteenth president.

Leleti: "You two aren't just friends were you?"

David: "She's my best friend...at least was before I left."

Leleti: "There's definitely more than that."

David: "If you must know things are complicated."

Leleti: "I take it that's as much as I'm getting out of you."

David: "Yup. Will you take a picture of me for my dad, please? He likes to live vicariously through me."

Leleti: [laughs] "Fly him out here and he can see it for himself."

David: "I've been trying to talk him into it for the past three weeks. He's as stubborn as a mule."

Leleti: "So that's where you get it from!"

David: "You're using all your big guns already."

Leleti: [grins]

Leleti and I hang out for a little longer until she has to stop procrastinating and get back to work. I lie around in my bed, after talking with my father, wondering about Ananda. He told me that she stops by at least once a week to check on him and then he chastised me for not marrying her—or anyone in general—and settling down to give him grandkids. I hate those speeches. One thing is for sure however, Ananda will be stuck in my mind for the rest of the night.



Making It Work Ch. 06



"Come on, David, just jump before we get caught."

"Ana, are you crazy? You know that if anyone finds out about this we're both dead."

"We're not even completely naked. And what's the use of breaking into the school's swimming pool if we're not going to take advantage of it? Are you being a chicken?"

"No."

"Then get your ass in the pool, David."

"My dad is going to kill me if he ever finds out."

"He won't now come on."

"You know, Ana, when I suggested that we do something exciting, this wasn't a part of the plan."

"I know, but isn't that the reason why you love me? I'm spontaneous."

"I never said I loved you."

"I already know that you do."

*Beep**Beep**Beep*

My heart is aching. Ever since I saw Ana two weeks ago I haven't stopped dreaming about her. It's as if everything is coming back to me little by little and I'm overcome with emotion. The dreams all end the same way: her face smiling at me with love and trust—something I've lost since my departure.

If I could turn my brain off then I would. I don't want to pass my days seeing her sitting on my desk in my office or hearing her infectious laughter. I don't want her greeting me at the door in one of my button ups and a pair of my boxers. I don't want to fall asleep with the phantom imprint of her soft cheek against my chest. And I definitely don't want to awaken with her soft voice attempting to sing in my ear. Shit, I swear that I'm starting to lose it.

I don't know if I can experience another week this torturous. What am I supposed to do? I can't go back. I refuse to bring confusion back into her life and expect her to accept it with open arms. I do know that I miss her like crazy and that I love her like hell. Now I know how my father felt when my mother passed. Sometimes I would walk through the door to find him staring listlessly off into space with a smile upon his lips. He would say that my mother just gave him a visit. During that time I was concerned for him. He was so out of it that I had to feed him or he wouldn't eat a scratch. I was worried about losing him too.

Now here I am with a waning appetite for the past week. I've continued repressing my emotions through the guise of work, but even that has its limits. How do I focus when Ananda is talking over my shoulder or tracing awkward imaginary circles all over my blue prints when I should be paying attention while the super intendant gives me updates on the building's progress? I can't live like this. I want to talk to her.

With much effort I drag myself out of bed. I'm usually an early bird but I feel the pressure of my pent up sentiments weighing me down. Sometimes it's just easier for me to remain in bed than to deal with all of this bullshit. I can honestly say that I'm experiencing withdrawals. I'm so fucking bent right now that I watched Austin Powers and nearly tore up when Ananda's favorite part, where Austin is embarrassed about his dental hygiene, came on. She would make me rewind the DVD while she laughed until her eyes watered.

David: There's a part of me that's missing. I have to admit it and live with the ramifications of my actions. "I'm doing this for us." Not even my reflection believes me though it's the truth.

I shave and take a blistering shower. It's the only thing that seems to get me back into my right state of mind. Jason suggested that I get out more. He told me that staying locked away in my apartment will make matters worse. Tom thinks my issue will be solved by bedding some random chick on the street. The guys are the only ones I've told about what I'm going through. My father doesn't even know and he makes it a habit to call me every week to stick his nose in my business.

He tends to call when I'm at my best then leave me low by bringing up questions and concerns about Ana. I can't seem to get away from her. I wish that I could just tell everyone to shut up about her, but deep down I look forward to the updates even if they consist of news concerning her and her new boyfriend.

"You should wear the green tie. It makes your eyes sparkle."

"Ana, I don't need sparkling eyes. What man do you know wants to walk around with sparkling eyes like some kind of fairy?"

"Wear the damn tie. I got it for your birthday and I've yet to see you put it on."

I hold up the olive green diamond patterned tie and smile. I never told her that it's one of my favorites. I'm not a suit and tie kind of guy, but Ana has nice taste in fashion. I make it a habit to always use the gifts she offers me. Today however I don't want a hanging reminder of her on my person. I sit on my unkempt bed already exhausted though I've only been awake for an hour.

*Ring**Ring*

David: "Hello?"

"Hi David?"

David: [whispers] "Ana?"

Leleti: "It's Leleti, I know it's early, but I just realized that you left your fancy schmancy mac book in my car with all of your important appointments. I was worried that you would need it."

Shit. I can't believe I just did that. Luckily, she didn't hear me. Next time I need to check the damn caller I.D.

David: "Hey Leleti, thanks a bunch for the call. Where are you?" I can hear car horns in the background and a muffled hum on the other end.

Leleti: "I'm in my car, duh! Just kidding. I was on the way to work when I saw your little friend glowing eerily on my passenger seat. Note-to-self, open garage door before sitting in your car and getting the shit scared out of you."

David: [laughs] "Sorry about that. I didn't even know that it was missing. How about I drop by your office to pick it up?"

Leleti: "That sounds lovely and bring a blue berry muffin as compensation while you're at it."

David: [chuckles softly] "I guess I do owe you."

Leleti: "You do. See you soon."

I end the call with my spirits slightly lifted. I'm always in a good mood after interacting with Leleti. Perhaps Jason is on to something. I need to get out more and make new friends. I'm pretty sure that Leleti isn't going to want to spend every waking hour with me. And to be honest, she's a great gal, but I would feel smothered too if I saw her every single day. I've only felt the contrary with one woman: Ananda. We used to lounge around reading comics and munching on Cheez-Itz all day until we decided it was time to leave our cavern and reintegrate with society.

I'm finally dressed and heading out the door. I know that I'll be early to my board meeting, but I prefer to be preoccupied with the gym than sitting in my apartment staring at the box of picture albums and other paraphernalia that will remind me of Ana. It's been sitting in the corner of my living room since the move and even Leleti is starting to get curious whenever she comes over. She's eyeing it more than my dad eyes turtles in the market. I keep reminding him that in America they're domesticated pets. He sees them as lunch and perhaps even dinner.

I find my closest coffee shop, purposefully avoiding Starbucks because of the creepy, middle-aged manager with the bad highlights who always stares at me and smiles that disgusting yellow colored smile whenever I walk through the door, and stop at a quaint coffee shop that the average person would drive by because they don't have a huge green and white sign with that weird mermaid, princess looking woman as the logo. I could never figure out what that thing was supposed to be.

My barista looks to be about seventeen. I had to take a double look for verification. I don't know what they're putting in the water, but Asian girls are starting to fill out quite nicely, if I do say so myself—not that I'm ogling jailbait. I will admit nonetheless that when she does come of age, and removes the braces, she'll have many suitors at her door.

"Hello, my name is Amiee. What can I get for you?

David: "Hi Amiee, how are your muffins?"

Amiee: "Excuse me?!"

I realize the way that sounded and laughed. If I was on "Dateline's To Catch A Predator," I'd be on my way to jail right now. It didn't help that I was looking at her nametag while wondering exactly how many ways one could spell the name Amy. I was caught off guard by its orthography. Seriously. I'll confess right now that nothing does it more for me than a beautiful black woman with glowing chocolate skin. The darker the berry the better. Amiee has nothing on Ana.

David: "I'm sorry, let me rephrase that before you call the cops—that's a unique way to write your name, by the way. I'm here to purchase blue berry muffins—and two Frappuccino's." I add the drinks as an afterthought thanks to my raging guilt and her suspicious stare.

Amiee: "What size?"

David: "Two mediums, please."

Amiee: "And the muffins?"

David: "Medium as well?" She steps aside and I see why she asked. There lie the biggest muffins I've ever seen in my life. They're bigger than the ones you find in Sam's (aka Costco for those who don't live in the South). I can't help but laughing imagining someone with small hands and a small mouth eating them. "As a matter of fact, will you give me one medium and one gigantor, please?"

I wait for my drinks to be made then pay for my purchase before exiting the shop with a creepy grin on my lips. I can never show my face here again—unless Amiee isn't on duty. I like the place. It seemed nice and cozy. Ana would have enjoyed a coffee within its confinements while we laugh at how ridiculously large this damn muffin is. It would probably take two days to eat. Okay, so I'm exaggerating, but seriously you wouldn't need to eat lunch or finish your dinner if you took this bad boy on.

I navigate through traffic until I reach Leleti's building then ride the elevator up to her floor. I've only been here about twice, but the personnel seem nice.

Secretary: "Ms. Pierterse is currently on a business call, but since it's you I'll let you in anyway."

David: "Thanks Nate." I can feel him watching my ass as I walk by. That guy couldn't hide his homosexuality to save his life. The first time I met him he blew kisses at me and pretended to be a tiger. I was afraid. Leleti says he's harmless then again he's not staring at her crotch with hungry eyes thus she has no reason to worry.

I enter her office, sitting down in front of her desk and ignoring the clutter of documents on top. She holds up a finger at me with an apologetic frown on her face and I good naturedly wave her off. I unpack our breakfast and start in on my muffin while she finishes up with her call.

David: "What? You asked for a blue berry muffin, didn't you?"

Leleti: "Do I look like a hungry nation? How am I supposed to finish this?"

She holds up the large muffin in both of her hands and I lose it. I break out into a fit of laughter while she gives me the 'you're a jackass' look. I push her cup of Frappuccino towards her and smile.

Leleti: "There's no way I can finish this."

David: "I'm not expecting you to, but I advise you to save the rest for tomorrow morning. It's delicious if you were wondering."

Leleti: "What am I supposed to do with you?"

Love me. That's what Ananda would have said if I had asked her that question.

Leleti: "You look nice. You should wear a suit more often."

I fight with my tie in discomfort, taking a sip of my lukewarm drink to wash away the memories.

David: "You should see me out of one." What? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with my brain today? First the barista and now Leleti. Luckily she's laughing at my slipup. My embarrassment is obvious from the red tinge of my cheeks. "That sounded much better in my head. Let's pretend I never said anything."

Leleti: "It's too late. Besides, I know you'd look better without one."

There's an awkward pause as I attempt to digest her statement. Was that a compliment or was she flirting with me?

Leleti: "In case you were wondering, I was flirting."

David: "Oh."

Leleti: "Just oh?"

David: "I guess. I wasn't expecting that."

She looks down at her untouched muffin nervously, toying with the wrapper and slowly peeling it away before our eyes reconnect. Her face is slightly pink, a telltale sign that she is embarrassed.

Leleti: "I'm not usually this forward, but I'm attracted to you."

I shift in my seat as her brown eyes gaze into my own. I should definitely say something before things get even more uncomfortable. My mind is drawing a blank for the first time in my life. Here I am with a beautiful woman sitting across from me, hitting on me, and I'm speechless.

David: '"I—uh—"

Leleti: "I know that you're still confused about Ananda and after deep reflection my gut tells me that she is your ex. I don't want to rush you however neither am I looking to play the sidelines of the friend zone. I'm just throwing my interest out there so that when you're ready to move on you'll know that I'm here."

David: "Fair enough. Still, I can't make any promises."

Leleti: "I'm not looking for any. We're still in the getting to know you phase."

A tranquil calm returns to the atmosphere as I sit back in my seat. It took a lot of guts for her to confess to me the way she did. Most women would have sat around expecting men to read their minds. I'll tell you one thing for sure: I'm not psychic and I don't even believe that psychics are psychic. My eye wanders to the perfectly intact muffin and Leleti and I share a smile.

Leleti: "I already know what you're thinking and I refuse to take one bite out of this thing until you're out of my office. You just want to laugh at my expense."

David: "I do. Fortunately for you, I can't stay much longer. I have a meeting to attend. I didn't expect to still be here."

She reaches into her desk and pulls out my Mac which I appreciatively accept as I stand to my feet. She nods her head towards the door and I take the hint.

Leleti: "Dave?"

David: I'll never get used to nicknames. It feels weird answering to a moniker I never use. "Yeah?"

Leleti: "Don't forget that we're going to the movies Friday night, okay?"

David: "Gotcha chief. Later." I make it back to my car stretching out in the driver's seat instead of revving the engine. What am I supposed to do about Leleti? She's funny, she's intelligent, she's beautiful, and she's great to be around, but that's the extent of my admiration for her. I don't want to lead her on. I don't plan to. I should nevertheless inform her of my feelings—or the lack thereof. I'm just not ready to start another relationship or even to contemplating getting involved in another.

For years, no matter what I did or who I was with, all roads led back to Ana. She's out of the picture now yet even so my heart still isn't in it. I grab my Mac book to check my schedule for the day and guffaw at the picture of Leleti's smiling face. Her curly hair somewhat blocks her vision yet it's a lovely photo of her. I shake my head, check my schedule, and finally leave the parking lot to head in to work.

The meeting was a bore and I regret not sending Tommy's ass out here instead of my own. At least then I wouldn't have had to sit through an hour and a half of "concerns" that are in fact paltry issues when it comes to the management of the new gym. Even with the success of our chain in the south, there are naysayers on our own damn director's board. If I didn't need the investors I would have told them to go to hell and let me do my job. It's my gym—well, our gym— and I'm more than capable of handling the responsibilities expected of me. What they really want me and Tommy to do is let them have their way and run our gym into the ground. Over my dead body.

It's a bad idea to open a gym in Washington. Who asked for your opinion? Just give me your damn money, watch me triple your investment, and leave me the hell alone. I'm seriously considering funding the next gym in Atlanta from my own pocket. I've already passed it by Tommy, but he's worried about the financial strain. It's not like we're broke. In fact, we're both making bank now that we've made a name for ourselves. Nevertheless, we would have to take out a couple of bank loans for backing. They would have been repaid within two years tops, but Tommy is paranoid when it comes to spending money. He would probably hire about thirty risk analysts before taking the leap.

I go to my office and with the help of my secretary make several callbacks and establish interview dates. The gym may not be anywhere near completion, but that doesn't mean that we can't find and train our staff. For the next three months I'm booked with interviews. By the end of my work day I have a huge migraine. Instead of going home and relaxing to get rid of it, I change into running gear and hit the pavement. I get in a good hour and a half. My mind is willing but my body is feeling too weak to continue. I get home and take a hot shower. I skip dinner realizing that I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. I'm not hungry.

My computer chimes right when I'm about to fall on my bed. I already know it's Jason. I open up the video chat and smile when I see Michelle's hand waving vigorously before his face. I have yet to learn where she gets all of that energy. 

David: "Hello stalker."

Michelle: "Stalker? How dare you!"

Jason: "David, you know that we're your only source of entertainment. Don't front."

David: "I was talking about Jason, Michelle. How are you this fine evening?"

Michelle: "Great! Guess what?"

Her enthusiasm makes me chuckle as I shrug my shoulders. I have no idea what they could possibly be up to.

Michelle: "Come on. Guess."

David: "You've realized what an idiot Jason is and have decided to call off the engagement?"

Jason: "In your wildest dreams, dick face."

Michelle: "Ananda has talked your father into coming out to see you, BUT since he doesn't want to go alone Jason and I have volunteered our services. WE'RE COMING TO VISIT YOU IN WASHINGTON!!!! YAY!!!"

David: "What?"

Jason: "We, as in Michelle, your father, and I, will be coming to see you in Washington. I hope you have enough room for us because we're mooching off of you for the week."

My brain is spinning in my skull. How in the world did Ana manage to talk my, stubborn as a mule, old man into flying out to see me? The last time we went back to the Philippines together, he complained the entire flight, he nagged everyone while we were there, and then when we made it back on U.S. soil he complained about not spending enough time with his family. My father can be hard to please at times.

I'm even more surprised that she would be so considerate of me since we haven't spoken. I want to call her and talk to her. Her voice alone will suffice even if it's to tell me to stop calling. Why isn't this any easier for me? I told her that she shouldn't call, but under these circumstances I'm obligated to thank her.

Jason: "Are you even paying attention?"

David: [head snaps to attention] "I'm sorry, what?"

Jason: "I said that we'll be there sometime next month which will give you time to prepare for our visit. That works right?"

David: "Yeah, that's perfect. Is anyone else coming with you guys?"

Michelle: "You mean Ana?"

David: [scoffs] "What? No, more like Jodie or one of the fellas."

Jason: [snorts] "Jodie and the fellas my ass. Your dad's girlfriend is not coming with us. Do you want us to tell Ana to come?"

David: "NO!" [clears throat then tries again more calmly]. "No."

Michelle: "You kind of owe her a big thank you."

David: "I know. I'm going to call her as soon as I can."

Michelle: "Then we'll leave you to it. We just wanted to give you some good news. Have a good night."




Making It Work Ch. 06



"Hi Keri," Jen said into the phone.

"Hi honey," Keri said. "I need you in Vegas this weekend, to talk over our plans. Just you. You can brief the rest of your team later."

Later that week, Mike watched as Jen packed. "Are you going to hook up with Keri and Jim?" he asked.

"I don't think Jim will be there," Jen said.

"With Keri then? Or a guy you meet in the casino?"

Jen laughed. "I don't know Mike. God you're insatiable!"

"You know I'm okay with it," he said hugging her.

"I know, but ..."

"What?" Mike asked.

"I know you're okay with it, you've made that very clear," she said with another laugh. "But it's more fun for me if you don't always talk about it. If I do it, I'll do it. I don't need your permission, you know?"

Mike pulled away, surprised. "That's right, you don't need my permission," he agreed. "You can do whatever you want."

"Yes I can," Jen said, "So stop talking about it all the time, okay?" She smiled and gave him a kiss to take the sting out of the rebuke. 

After Jen left, Mike poured himself a scotch and sat in the chair, looking at the NY skyline. Jen was changing. She was becoming more confident and assertive, probably because of her success at work. He sipped the scotch, wondering if that was good or bad. 

Sitting in the plane, Jen knew she'd hurt Mike's feelings. But at some level it irked her he felt she needed his permission to fuck other men. If they were going to play the game -- which they'd decided to do -- she could fuck whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted. It was her body after all, her choice. She loved Mike, but the game wasn't all about him.

Jen arrived late in Vegas. She checked into her room and then called Keri.

"We're meeting in my room," Keri said, and told Jen her room number. Once again it was the penthouse.

Jen went up the private elevator. When she arrived, she saw Keri was in a silk robe, black stockings and high heels. Byron sat in a chair, naked except for boxers. "Um, maybe I'll come back later," Jen said awkwardly.

Keri walked to Jen. She looked drunk and high. "Come here," she said taking Jen's hand and pulling her over to Byron. He looked high too.

"Here," Keri said handling Jen a pill and a glass of vodka. Jen knew it was Ecstasy or some other mind altering drug that reduce inhibitions and increase passion.

"Keri ..." Jen protested.

"Swallow it," Keri ordered. Reluctantly Jen swallowed the pill and washed it down with the vodka. She immediately felt the euphoria of the sex drug.

Keri grabbed Jen's hair and roughly pulled her down, to her knees in front of Byron. She wore an excited smile. "Go down on Byron," Keri ordered Jen.

Jen looked at Byron. He was her age, just a few years older. His face was gorgeous, and his chest very impressive. So was his hard-on, that tented his shorts. He wore excitement on his face too, but his smile was friendly. "She gets like this sometimes," he said with a grin that said, "just go with it, it'll be fun."

Keri smiled mischievously at Jen. "Just cause you won Google fair and square doesn't mean you're not my sex toy," she said with a wicked smile.

"I'm your sex toy huh?" Jen asked. Now she was smiling too, at both Keri and Byron. She unbuttoned her blouse, taking it off. Then she reached behind her and unsnapped her bra, then took that off too. She looked at Byron. He was practically panting, his eyes locked on her small perfect breasts. Jen pulled her long blonde hair to the side, then went down on him.

Later Jen and Keri lay in bed, sipping champagne. Both of them were full of Byron's cum. He'd been dismissed by Keri and was now playing craps (on his Google expense account, with Keri's blessing).

"Want one?" Keri asked offering Jen a cigarette.

"Yeah," Jen said dreamily, taking one from Keri and taking a long drag. She still felt aglow from the orgasms she'd gotten from Keri and Byron, especially Byron.

"God, Byron's amazing!" Jen gushed.

"I told you so," Keri said smiling. "You need a regular lover on your team. A great stress reliever!"

"I wish!" Jen said with a laugh. "There's no one like Byron on my team."

"What about Scott?"

"I don't think Mike would like that!" Jen said with another laugh.

"Are you sure? Scott seems harmless to me. A thoughtless ass, but that's part of his appeal, right?"

"Yeah, but still ..." Jen said unsure.

"What about Tom then, he's hot," Keri said. 

"He's married," Jen said immediately.

"So are you," Keri said. "So am I. This is high stakes advertising. No one cares about meaningless, pleasurable hookups. Do you know Byron's engaged? I'm even one of his fiancee's bridesmaids."

"You're kidding? Does she know?"

"Not yet, but I can't wait for Byron to tell her," Keri said with an excited grin. "She's hot, I'd love to get into her pants."

"Oh my god you are so bad!" Jen said giggling.

"So what about Tom?" Keri pressed. "I thought I saw something between you two."

"I don't know," Jen said honestly. "We've had this flirtation thing going on for a while."

"And?" Keri prompted.

"And, well, I guess I've had a crush on him for like forever. I know he likes me. And, Mike wants me to date, have a steady boyfriend."

"And Tom is boyfriend material?"

"He's sooo boyfriend material!" Jen said laughing. "But you know what happened with Ricky and Scott, all that drama with Mike. And Tom is married."

"Okay, let's break it down like the advertising geniuses we are," Keri said. "Issue 1, this is about you, not Mike. Remember, you're the hot chick with the legs that go on forever. If that means Mike has to share you with another man you've fallen in love with, then he has to deal. Even if you fall in love with Tom, Mike will still have you more time than him."

"I don't think Mike will go for that," Jen said with a laugh.

"Jen honey, think back. I know you went through some tough times with Mike, but how hard was it really for you to get him back? I'm guessing not too hard. Honey, as long as you wear short skirts and high heels, you'll have Mike wrapped around your little pinky."

"Okay, whatever," Jen said laughing. "Go on to issue 2, you all-knowing Yoda you."

Keri gave Jen a knowing smile. "Issue 2, I heard Tom and his wife are separated, getting a divorce."

"Who told you that, Allie?" Jen said immediately.

"I'm Yoda, I know everything," Keri said laughing.

"I don't know about this, even if Tom is available," Jen said. "There's still issue 1."

"Jen, do you know Jim is worth over a billion dollars, but all I have to do is wiggle my toes and he'll get down on his knees and give me a pedicure? And that's after I've been with a pretty girl, or a hunky man for that matter."

"Really?" Jen said surprised.

"That's what I'm saying honey," Keri said. "Mike is addicted to your pretty face, your cute tiny tits, your tight ass, your long legs. He's not going anywhere, believe me."

Jen shrugged. "I'm not always going to look this good."

"Yeah, but by then you'll have everything he owns in your name," Keri said with a laugh.

"God you're a bitch," Jen said a smile.

"You know it," Keri said, and the girls clinked champagne glasses. 

The rest of the weekend, Jen, Keri and Byron got a lot of work done, although there was a lot of friendly sexual banter and teasing going on.

Mike was beside himself with lust when Jen told him about her hook up with Keri and Byron. He especially liked how Keri forced Jen onto her knees and ordered her to go down on Byron. He almost came as Jen gushed about how gorgeous Byron was, and how great a body he had. For days later, Mike was in a constant state of arousal, and couldn't keep his hands off of his wife. 

One evening while looking through mail, Mike asked "Why does Keri always like to meet in Vegas?"

"Oh, she explained that," Jen said. "She and Jim really like Vegas. Sin City and all that, I guess." Jen giggled. "They actually own that penthouse."

"They own it?" Mike gasped. "It must have cost millions!"

"Yeah, I guess. Keri told me Jim's a part owner of the Venetian."

"Wow," Mike said awed. "I can't imagine having that much money."

Jen looked at their bank statement, bulging because of Mike's partner salary and Sapphire bonuses. She was impressed. "Don't look now baby, but you're pretty rich too."

Mike smiled and pulled her to him. "Does rich turn you on?" he said with a playful, lecherous smile.

"You know it," she said smiling, and they made out. Power and money were a turn on, and Mike was certainly on his way there. Still, sexually Jen preferred a well-toned athletic body and a big hard cock, assets Mike didn't have. It was a measure of her new found confidence and sexuality that she thought this without feeling slutty or guilty.

The next week Tom stopped by Jen's office. "Hey you, what's up?" she asked smiling, glad to see him.

"Dropping off new storyboards with Calvin," he said. "How about lunch?"

Jen grimaced, gesturing at the pile of papers on her desk. "Don't think I can get away."

"Let me help you out," Tom said, and he mischievously shoved the papers to the side. "See? Clean desk."

Jen gawked, but with a smile. "Did you really just do that?"

Tom laughed. He playfully grabbed her arm and pulled her up. "Come on, I bet you haven't gotten out since the Google pitch. You deserve an afternoon out."

Jen opened her arms in surrender. "Okay, okay let's go," she said with a laugh.

"Anything to drink?" the waiter said at the restaurant.

"Yeah, she'll have a Cosmo, and I'll take a whiskey and coke," Tom said.

Jen laughed. "Liquid lunch?"

"With cherries," Tom said to the waiter. He deadpanned to Jen, "Fruit appetizers."

"Yeah, right," she said sarcastically, smiling.

As they finished their first round and ordered another, Jen hesitantly asked, "I heard you and Adria broke up?" She'd noticed again the absence of a wedding ring.

Tom nodded. "We separated a while ago," he explained. "We pretended we were still together for Tommy Jr., but we haven't lived together for over a year."

"God Tom I'm sorry." 

"Don't be, really," he said with a sincere smile. He laughed, "Believe me, Adria's a lot happier without me!"

"I don't know about that, but, well, okay," Jen said feeling awkward.

Tom's phone rang and he looked at caller id. "It's the nanny, I'll be right back." Jen watched him walk away, admiring his ass. She couldn't help smiling. This changed everything!

They finished their second round as the waiter cleared the dishes. "Let's have one more," Tom said.

"I've got to get some work done today," Jen said with a laugh.

"Just one more," he said, motioning to the waiter.

"Well okay, twist my arm," Jen said with another laugh. She was definitely tipsy.

"How'd you get into advertising?" she asked as their new drinks arrived.

"In college I was pre-med," he said.

"You're kidding."

"Seriously. My parents loved the idea, so did Adria."

"You knew her then?"

"Yeah, we met in college, started dating when we were sophomores."

"How do you go from pre-med to artist?" Jen asked skeptically.

"Hey, I was pretty good at pre-med," he insisted with playful indignation. "Do you know there're over 100 bones in the wrist?" 

"I'm sooo glad you told me that, my life is now complete," Jen teased.

"Shut up bitch," he joked. "I'll show you." He took her hand. "This is the radius, and this is the ulna," he said moving his fingertips along Jen's wrist. "This is the scaphoid, this is the triquetral, the pisiform." He took his time, listing more bones, slowly and lightly moving his fingertips over her wrist. 

Jen's wrist was really sensitive. Her pussy tingled. Was he intentionally turning her on?

"I've got to get back," Jen said.

"Finish your drink first," Tom said, now tracing circles on Jen's wrist and palm.

She let him touch her, enjoying the sensations, looking into his eyes. Then abruptly she pulled her hand away and stood up. "I'll see you later," she said, feeling unsteady on her legs, from the alcohol and something else.

She didn't tell Mike about Tom. If she did he'd nag her about him and she didn't want to deal with that. 

That night they had sex. Mike's lovemaking was tender and loving, but physically she was left wanting more. Mike always made sure she came with his tongue or fingers, but she craved a hard fucking from a long thick cock, especially after ... what? After an afternoon with the hunky and gorgeous -- and single -- Tom, where he fed her drinks and tried to seduce her?

She liked Tom. She knew he liked her. They'd been flirting forever, and she often caught him looking. Now he was available. He was kinda bossy, but she liked that. Maybe Keri was right, she needed a regular lover on her team.

The next week she stopped by Calvin's office. "Hi Calvin," she said. "Did you get my revisions on Tom's latest storyboards?"

"Yep, here they are," Calvin said holding up a portfolio. "I'm planning to see him tomorrow."

"Don't bother," Jen said taking the portfolio from him. "I have another meeting in his neighborhood, I'll drop them off."

"Sounds good," Calvin said.

Jen went into her private washroom. She stared into the mirror. "Are you really going to do this?" she asked herself, remembering all the trouble she'd gotten into with Ricky and Scott. "This is about you, not Mike," Keri had said. "And really, how hard was it to get Mike back?" 

Making a decision, she took off her blouse and bra. Then she put the blouse back on. She brushed her hair and touched up her makeup. She put on a jacket, then caught a cab to Tom's home studio.

"What a surprise!" Tom said opening the door and seeing Jen.

Butterflies in her stomach, she held up the portfolio. "Just wanted to drop this off."

Tom invited her in. "I thought Calvin was dropping them off tomorrow."

"I was in the neighborhood, so thought I'd save Calvin the trip."

"Okay, cool beans," Tom said. Just then Tom Jr. barreled into the room. He was a burst of energy, running circles around the adults.

"He's adorable!" Jen said delightedly. She pulled Tommy into her arms. "Do you know how cute you are?" she gushed to the young toddler, hugging him. Jen knelt on the floor and played with Tommy. Tom smiled seeing his son laugh delightedly playing with Jen. Tommy had always liked Jen.

An older plump Mexican woman came in and scooped Tommy into her arms. "Come on Tommy, your papa is working, and we need to see mama." Tommy hugged Jen and then went with Maria.

"That's Maria, Tommy's nanny," Tom explained to Jen. "It's Adria's night with Tommy. Come on, show me your edits."

"Okay," Jen said, and they sat down on the sofa. She crossed her legs, and wasn't too careful as her skirt hiked up her thighs. Tom noticed of course. Her legs were incredible! He searched for signs of stocking tops -- he'd seen them before and suspected she regularly wore thigh high stockings instead of pantyhose -- and saw a hint of black lace just below the skirt's hem. Jen noticed him noticing, but pretended not to. 

As she went over her comments, Tom leaned in closer until they almost touched. After about 30 minutes, she casually unbuttoned her jacket, as if warm. She felt his eyes on her chest. He couldn't see much with her jacket still on, but he could see enough with the jacket unbuttoned. Hints of her nipples denting the silky fabric. Again she pretended not to notice his stares, but a surreptitious glance at his lap told her he was hard.

Finally Jen got up. "Thanks for taking so much time to hear my comments," she said. They'd worked late, it was dark outside.

"My pleasure," he said smiling. "How about a drink?"

"I probably should get home," Jen said, playing hard to get.

Tom nodded. "You husband's waiting?" 

"No, I'm a single girl tonight, Mike's in London." He'd left the day before.

"You can't eat alone," he said. "Come on, there's a great sushi place down the street."

"I adore sushi!" Jen said delightedly. "Mike's more of a meat and potatoes guy." She smiled inside. She liked being pursued, it was part of the fun.

"Great Jenny, I'll get my keys," Tom said. 

Jen took a step back. "What did you call me?"

"Jenny," he said. "I heard Allie calling you that."

"No one's called me Jenny since college."

"To me, you're more Jenny than Jen."

"You think so huh?" she teased with a crooked smile. God he was presumptuous! "It's no big deal. You can call me Jenny if you want."

At the restaurant over sushi and sake, they talked and flirted, laughed and flirted some more. They'd always gotten along, had fun together, been physically attracted to each other, but now there was a serious sexual tension in the air. 

After a while Jen decided to take the plunge. She took off the jacket. Tom's suspicions that she was braless were immediately confirmed. While the blouse was dark and almost opaque, her hard nipples clearly dented the thin silky fabric. 

"I think you forgot something when you got dressed this morning," he joked, staring at her braless chest. His cock was getting uncomfortably hard.

"I think you need manners," Jen chastised him, but with a smile. She was pleased he couldn't take his eyes off her chest. She put a finger under his chin and raised his head. "Hello, I'm up here," she teased.

"You go out like that and expect guys not to look?" he laughed.

"Not my problem," she said with a shrug.

Tom liked her self-confidence, but she needed to be brought down a rung or two. She was his boss at work, but not here. "You've got quite a reputation at work," he said with a knowing smile.

In the past she might have gotten evasive or defensive, but now she didn't care, especially after multiple rounds of strong sake. She was entitled. "What reputation is that?" she said with a smile.

Tom couldn't help smiling admiringly at her. What a ball buster! She definitely needed to be put in her place! 

"For one, you're a control freak," Tom said.

"I'm the boss, I have to be," she said.

"I'm not talking about work."

"What do you mean?"

"You tease a guy, fuck him, go on dates, and then dump him without any warning."

Jen's jaw dropped. "Did you really just say that to me?"

Tom smiled. "You asked."

"You know I'm married," she said suddenly annoyed.

"I'm not judging you Jenny. I'm just saying --."

"Call me Jen, okay?" she snapped.

"Whatever," Tom said with an annoyed shrug. Soon after they left and Tom drove Jen home on his bike. 

They stood awkwardly in front of her apartment. Finally Jen asked, "Wanna come up?" Tom smiled inside. He knew he'd won.

In the apartment, Jen poured two glasses of wine and handed one to Tom. Instead of taking it, Tom cupped her braless breast and rubbed her hard nipple through the sheer blouse.

"You've got a lot of nerve," Jen said, holding both glasses as he groped her tits.

"I don't hear you saying stop."

"Stop," Jen said.

Tom laughed. He took the offered wine glass and sat on the sofa, looking at Jen.

He drank the wine and then put the glass aside. "Come here," he ordered.

"Why?"

"Come here," he ordered again.

Jen looked away and scowled, as if irritated with him. But she put the wine glass on the table and walked over to him. "What?" she asked irritably.

Tom wore a smug, confident smile. He reached up to her shoulder and roughly pulled her down to her knees between his spread legs. When she gave him a what-the-fuck look, he said "You know what to do."

"Are you fucking out of your mind?" she said indignantly, but she didn't get up even after he took his hand away. "I'm your boss, I can fire your ass!"

"You're not going to fire me Jenny," he said confidently. 

Jen glared at him. But her heart pounded in her chest, and her pussy throbbed. She definitely had her cum face on.

Thinking she needed a little more encouragement, Tom took her hand and put it over his hard-on. He moved her hand over the full length of his shaft, to give her an idea of how hard, how long, and how thick he was. "You know what to do," he repeated.




Making It Work Ch. 06



He took his hand away, but she kept rubbing him. He felt huge! He was an ass, but she so wanted him!

Fuck it! she thought. She undid his pants and pulled out his cock. Holding his shaft (he was so long and thick she needed both hands), she looked at his face. He smugly smiled triumphantly at her. He'd won. But she didn't care. She'd use his body for her own pleasure, then kick his ass out.

She lowered her head and took him into her mouth. He was so thick she had to open wide. But by now she was an expert on going down on big guys. Soon he was rolling his head back and moaning.

After just moments Tom grabbed her hair and pulled her off his cock. He didn't want to cum in her mouth, he had better plans. 

Jen gave him a sly smile. She knew what would happen next. They'd undress and fondle, exploring the other's great body. He'd go down on her and work hard to prove how good he was. Maybe she'd suck him a little more, maybe 69 him. He'd ask if he needed to wear a condom. She'd tell him no ... or maybe she'd make him wear one, to punish him for earlier. Either way she'd enjoy a great fucking, he certainly had the muscular body and big hard cock to give her what she wanted.

Suddenly, Tom pulled her up and threw her face first onto the sofa. In what seemed like a single motion, he yanked up her skirt and ripped off her panties! Before she could react, he positioned his hard cock at her pussy and rammed his cock balls deep into her!

Jen yelped at the sudden penetration. She was soaking wet, but he was huge, both long and thick. With his hand on the back of her head, he pushed her face into the cushion, stifling any protest. 

He fucked her rough and hard! He had amazing stamina, ramming her over and over, long and hard thrusts! Not able to do anything, Jen gave into the moment, especially since his fucking was rapidly turning from pain to pleasure. She groaned into the cushion and shuddered as her orgasm hit. Eventually Tom came, cumming inside her, but not before bringing her to orgasm again.

They stayed connected, panting. Finally Jen coldly said, "Get off me."

Tom got off Jen and sat on the sofa. Bent over the sofa, Jen slowly got up. 

She pulled down her skirt. "Get out," she ordered, her voice weak from the fucking and orgasms.

"Sorry," Tom said. "But you deserved that."

"Get out," she said again. He left.

She had a hard time concentrating the next day at work. She'd been with a lot of confident, aggressive guys. In fact, other than Mike, every man she'd ever dated fit that bill. But despite being aggressive jerks, those guys had been considerate lovers, worked hard to satisfy her, as if each guy was competing with her past lovers to give her more pleasure.

Tom hadn't been considerate at all. Yes he'd made her cum, but he hadn't tried to do that. Her orgasms had been unintended side effects of his hard relentless fucking. 

It hadn't been rape. She'd gone down on him, she'd wanted him to fuck her. But she'd been completely out of control. He took what he wanted. 

She shivered. 

She'd liked it.

That afternoon Tom stopped by her office. 

"What do you want?" Jen said coldly. 

"So that's how you're playing it?" he asked with a smile, closing her door. "Indignant lover?"

"I'm not your lover. It was a one-night stand, a mistake."

"Don't tell me you didn't love it Jenny," he said with a smug smile. "How many times did you cum? Two, three times?"

Jen's jaw drop. "I thought you were nice, but I was wrong. You need to leave. And stop calling me Jenny."

Tom confidently walked around her desk and pulled her out of her chair. Just like last night, before she could do anything, he violently yanked up her skirt and ripped off her panties, and then he was inside her. He fucked her hard and fast on her desk. She arched her back in orgasm, and he came moments later.

He pulled out, fixed his pants and left, abruptly leaving her on the desk, her legs spread, his cum spilling from her pussy.

That night Mike got home and Jen told him about Tom. He got incredibly excited and immediately fucked her.

Mike sensed a shadow over his wife. "Do you like him?" he asked. "Are you friends?"

"I guess we're still friends. I've seen another side of him."

"You do like the aggressive asshole type," Mike joked.

"Yeah," she said with a laugh. "I don't know ... he was really aggressive. Like Darren, but Tom wasn't role playing, it was real."

"You liked it though," Mike said.

Jen looked surprised. "How did you know?"

Mike shrugged. "If you didn't like it you wouldn't be agonizing about it now."

"I'm not agonizing about it," Jen said with a laugh, but Mike could tell she was being evasive.

"I think you should see him again," Mike said.

"Really? Tom's not exactly boyfriend material."

"I'm not so sure," Mike said smiling. "You said you like him. How you liked Scott."

"Yeah, but ..." Jen said doubtfully. Tom and Scott were different. Scott was boisterous and larger than life, easy to like. Tom was more reserved and clearly had a darker side. She might be friends with Tom but she didn't feel like she'd ever be buds with him the way she'd been with Scott.

The next Saturday, with Mike's encouragement, she called Tom and they agreed to meet. As he opened the door to his row house, she half expected him to slam her against the wall and fuck her brains out. But instead he wore a friendly smile, holding little Tommy. 

Tommy gleefully squealed, delighted to see Jen. She took him from Tom and they played and laughed. Tom joined them on the floor and the 3 played board games, joking and laughing the entire time.

Maria came to take Tommy over to Adria's apartment, she had him through Monday. Tommy insisted Jen read him stories before he would go.

Afterwards, Tom and Jen soberly sat on the sofa. There was an awkward silence. Finally Jen said "Are you always so rough?" When he didn't answer, she said, "It's like, you have so much anger inside."

He shrugged. "You'd be angry too if you'd lived with Adria as long as me." He laughed like it was a joke, but his eyes were serious. Then he added "You liked it though, right?" His smile wasn't smug or arrogant, but boyish and teasing, disarming even.

"Okay, yeah, I liked it," Jen admitted with a laugh. "I guess I'm trying to figure you out." She motioned to the toys on the floor. "With Tommy you're so gentle."

Tom move closer and put his hand behind Jen's head. "I can be gentle in bed too."

"Yeah?" she said looking into his eyes.

"Yeah," he said, and he kissed her.

"God that was amazing!" Jen gushed some time later, panting as they finished. Tom, his athletic body covered in sweat, lit a cigarette and handed her one. They smoked as they recovered from their orgasms, both of them nude lying next to each other, Jen's pussy full of his cream.

"So what's the deal with you and Mike?" Tom asked. He'd heard rumors at the office. "You have an open marriage?"

"Something like that," she said, not wanting to get into it.

"He knows you're with me?"

"Yes."

"You had a thing with Scott, right?"

Jen took a drag of the cigarette. "I don't want to talk about that, okay?"

"Whatever," Tom said, suddenly irritated. "So what am I, the flavor of the month?"

She looked at him, and then tenderly rubbed his chest. "We're having fun, right?" 

"What is this?" he asked, motioning at the air but talking about their relationship.

"What do you want it to be?" Jen replied still rubbing his chest.

Tom liked Jen. Although he'd married a brunette, he had a thing for blondes, and Jen was a very pretty blonde. He preferred busty girls, but Jen's small ones were perky and very shapely, and her ass and legs were incredible. She had a charming, engaging personality. The fact she was his boss and such a rising star made her even more appealing.

She was clearly offering herself to him. He didn't like the idea of a relationship with a married woman -- where was the future in that? But looking down her sexy body, the idea of spending time with this incredibly girl was very tempting. 

Tom gave Jen a crooked grin. "I'm not always the nicest guy."

"I've figured that out," Jen said with a laugh.

"You're okay with that?"

She grinned slyly. "Maybe I'm not looking for a nice guy." 

Her fingers trailed down Tom's chest, tracing the hard ripples of his six pack. His cock stirred back to life. She lowered her head and went down on him.

Early the next week Tom called. "So how does this work, I ask you out like we're dating?" he asked.

"I guess you could text me," she teased.

He smiled. "You want to go out after work?"

"Okay."

"You don't have to check with Mike?"

"Let me worry about that," she said.

As she expected, Mike was thrilled she was going out on a date with Tom. He told her he'd wait up.

Jen met Tom at a restaurant near his house. They talked and laughed, flirted, and got to know each other better, enjoying each other's company.

At one point Tom called her Jenny. "Sorry, going to rip me a new one now?" he joked.

"You can call me Jenny," she said with a laugh, squeezing his hand.

They'd known each other for years, but didn't really know much about the other. Their conversation was lively and affectionate, at times even tender.

There was no tenderness in their sex later. Tom fucked Jen violently, relentlessly pounding her from behind like a slutty dog, then roughly flipping her over and fucking her even harder with her ankles at her ears. He pounded her hard, abused her pussy, for almost 20 minutes, and at the end he stuffed his cock down her throat making her gag, and then pulled out and came all over her face.

Later at home, Jen told Mike, "It's like he's fighting a war in bed. He has so much anger inside."

"He made you cum though, right?" Mike asked. "You liked it?"

"Yeah," she admitted with a sheepish smile. "But ..." she looked off, thoughtful.

"What?" Mike prompted.

"He can be so tender and kind too, especially around Tommy," she said. She also remembered their tender lovemaking, although that had been just one time. "I think Adria really messed up his head."

"So ... is his cock big?" Mike asked.

Jen looked back at her husband. She realized she'd been thinking about Tom instead of paying attention to him. Switching gears, she gave him a sexy teasing smile. "Really big," she said wrapping her hand around Mike's shaft. "A lot bigger than you."

"Does he fuck you better than me?" Mike asked breathing hard.

She shrugged noncommittally. "He made me cum twice tonight."

"Both times on his cock?"

"Yeah," Jen admitted. She knew whether she came on a man's cock or his tongue was a big deal to Mike. To her an orgasm was an orgasm, but to be truthful the best orgasms of her life probably came from hard fucking on a long thick cock. "Are you okay baby" she asked looking into his eyes.

"Does he fuck better than Scott?"

She thought. "Kinda different. Scott was a fuck buddy, we were buds."

"You had a crush on him," Mike said.

"Maybe, but never more than that," Jen quickly said, wanting to keep Mike in good hurt territory.

"I bet you think about fucking Scott again," Mike said.

"No, not really," Jen lied. She wasn't ever going to fuck Scott again, so what was the point of telling Mike the truth about her fantasies and hurting him?

"What about Tom? Are you going to keep seeing him?"

"You'd like that I bet!" Jen said with a laugh.

She got on top of Mike and guided him inside her. She leaned down and they kissed as she rocked back and forth. "Tom came in my face, my hair, can you smell him?" She moved her lips to his ear so her long blonde hair draped over her husband's face. "He came so much he soaked my hair. Can you smell him?"

Mike could smell the musty scent of cum in his wife's hair. It was exhilarating! "Ugh god Jen!" he cried cumming.

Tom asked Jen out the next weekend. Mike was traveling to London again. They'd just released the new international version of Sapphire and it was going gang busters in Europe. There was huge demand from potential (and very rich) investors for briefings by Mike. 

"I'm going out with Tom on Saturday," Jen told Mike as he packed. While she didn't feel the need for Mike's permission, she did feel she needed to tell him, he was her husband after all and this was their game.

"Okay," Mike said hesitantly. The doubts and angst were creeping in -- they'd spent a lot of time together lately -- but he knew this was part of the excitement for him. 

In London Mike's cell rang. It was Darren! 

"Hey Mike, I hear you're in London," Darren said. "Wonder if you can do me a big favor and meet with some of my clients about Sapphire."

"You're kidding," Mike said disbelievingly, remembering how the black man had tried to humiliate him in front of Jen.

Darren chuckled, knowing what Mike was thinking. "Come on Mike, we all had fun, right? How about it? I could use the favor, man."

Darren's candor was disarming. Mike inwardly shrugged. "My only opening is late tomorrow."

"That's perfect, I'll set it up," Darren said immediately.

The next day, the meeting went well. Darren's clients fawned over Mike and practically begged him to let them invest in the Sapphire portfolio. They were ecstatic when Mike said he'd do what he could to get them into Sapphire, if only as minority investors. 

Mike saw Darren's bosses lavishing praise on the young black attorney. Darren smiled and looked grateful and relieved. Mike realized this meeting was a big deal for Darren.

Afterwards Darren took Mike out for a drink. "Thanks Mike, you're the man!" Darren gushed.

Mike laughed at the irony of Darren's remark, thinking of the big black man fucking Jen with his monster cock while he sat in a chair pathetically stroking his own much smaller penis. Darren read Mike's mind and they both laughed.

Just then a beautiful curvy blonde approached. "Mike! What a surprise to see you here!"

Mike looked up, surprised. It was Jasmine Kelly. He introduced her to Darren and invited her to join them for a drink. 

"I'm working on a story here, the PM's meeting with the North Korea delegation, real news!" Jasmine explained excitedly. She reached over and squeezed Mike's hand. "Thanks again for the interview, it's opened doors for me, like this assignment." Her pretty hand lingered over Mike's. She subtlety caressed his hand. Mike awkwardly pulled his hand away. Warding off the awkward moment, Jasmine asked Darren what he did.

"How long are you in London?" Darren asked.

"Through the weekend," she said glancing at Mike.

"Must get lonely traveling," Darren said.

"Yeah, dinner by yourself gets old real fast," she said with a laugh, again looking at Mike.

A man with a camera stepped up. "Hello Mr. Andrews, Miss Kelly, I'm with the London Times, may I take a picture?" the man said with a rich British accent.

Mike was stunned to be recognized by a reporter. Jasmine, used to requests like this, moved closer to Mike and gave a dazzling smile into the camera. 

After the photographer left, when Mike didn't say anything, Jasmine finished her drink. "I've got to bolt," she said getting up. "Maybe I'll see you in New York Mike. By the way, I liked your Thunder Road."

"Oh, ah, thanks," Mike said shyly. 

"Man, she's hot!" Darren gushed watching Jasmine walk away. "She used to work for ESPN right?"

"Yeah," Mike said, also watching the young beauty walk away. Like every other man in the bar, he felt his cock stir. Breaking his eyes away, he said to Darren, "I was surprised you didn't ask her out."

Darren laughed. "Mike, you're fucking clueless. She's interested in you, not me."

"No she's not," Mike said.

"Okay buddy, whatever," he said with another laugh. "I get it. If I had my pick of Jen and Jasmine, I'd pick Jen too." He slapped Mike on the back good naturedly. "But Jasmine would be a fun way to pass the evening." 

Darren got up and shook Mike's hand. "Thanks again for the meeting Mike, it was a big deal, I owe you one. If you ever need a favor, you call me."

Jasmine was interested in him? Up to that point on this London trip, Mike had been worrying about Jen with Tom. Now he was less concerned. If a beautiful girl like Jasmine was interested in him, then surely Jen also saw his virtues. Maybe he didn't have the best body or the biggest cock, but he had other qualities. He decided to not worry so much about Jen, but instead enjoy her relationship with Tom.

Tom picked Jen up at her apartment on his motorcycle. Jen felt nervous, not wanting her neighbors to see. To most of the world she was a faithful wife. It was only at work that her extramarital activities were be a well-known secret. But it was dark, and Tom said it would be easier to pick her up.

"Where are we going?" she asked getting on his bike. She'd worn skinny jeans, a snug top, and cowboy boots.

"It's a surprise," he said smiling. He looked her up and down, liking what he saw.

They rode out of New York, and Jen saw lights approaching. "A country fair!" she squealed excitedly. She loved fairs and amusement parks.

They walked through the fair, laughing and joking. At some point Tom took Jen's hand, and they spent the rest of the evening holding hands.

Tom told Jen he visited this fair every year. "What's the scariest ride?" she asked with an excited childlike smile. Tom led Jen to the haunted hay ride, and she spent the entire ride squealing and clutching his arm as headless ghosts and crazies with chainsaws jumped out of the shadows.

Tom won Jen a furry stuff toy at the baseball throw game, and then took her on the Ferris wheel. The ride got stuck while they were at the top, and they laughed and flirted for 20 minutes as they had the best view of the fair, the entire time with Tom's arm around Jen.

"This is so much fun!" Jen said later melting into his arms. They kissed and people around them smiled at the young couple.

"Johnny's with Adria tonight," Tom said as they mounted his bike. "Spend the night with me."

"I can't, it's one of our rules," she explained. Seeing his annoyance, she hugged his arm. "Come to my place."

Tom fucked Jen violently, taking out his annoyance and anger on her body. She loved it and he gave her an amazing toe curling orgasm, but the difference between this "angry man" and the tender one from the fair mystified her.

Afterwards he pulled out his cigarettes. "Smoke?" he asked.

"Um, wait," she said opening up the bedroom windows. "Mike hates cigarette smoke," she explained getting back into bed. He lit one for her, and then one for himself. 

"Mike has a lot of rules," Tom said.

"Don't start, okay?" she said gently, rubbing his arm. "Are you hungry?" she asked with a smile, wanting to change the subject.

"Starving!" he said grinning back.

"I can't cook, but we can order pizza or Chinese," she said smiling holding up the phone.

"Let's see what's in your kitchen," Tom said laughing. He made herb omelets, and they washed it down with a bottle of red wine. 

"This is so good!" she gushed gobbling down the omelet. Sex always made her ravenous!

"What's that you're wearing?" he asked.

"It's Mike's old fraternity shirt," she said. She always wore it hanging around and to sleep. Seeing Tom frown, she whipped it off. "Better?" she asked smiling.

"Much!" he said and he attacked her tits.

"Stop I'm still eating!" she laughed playfully hitting him on the head.

"I've got something better you can swallow," he said putting her over his shoulder and carrying her back to bed. She squealed and playfully hit him on the back.

He threw her onto the bed, and she saw the "angry man" in his face. "Wait, wait," she softly said, brushing her hand across his cheek. "Make love to me this time."

"I'm not sure I know how to do that," he said suddenly looking uncertain. His vulnerability melted her heart.




Making It Work Ch. 06



"I'll help you," she said pulling him to her, and they kissed. Soon they were seriously making out, passionately but not violently. 

She gently ran her nails up and down his back, caressing him from his neck to below his ass. He moaned. "You like that?" she whispered looking into his eyes.

"Yeah," he moaned.

"Touch me like that," she encouraged him. He did and she was soon moaning too.

She reached between their bodies and took hold of his shaft. She guided him into her. "Make love to me Tom," she whispered.

He pushed into her, but unlike before he took his time. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Soon he was balls deep in her, and she continued to kiss him. Their fucking turned fervent, but they continued to kiss, moaning into the other's mouth.

He rotated his hips, increasing her pleasure. "That feels good," she breathed into his mouth. 

"You like that?" he said, his lips not leaving hers.

"Yeah, it feels amazing, don't stop," she urged him, her eyes clenched as her orgasm neared. Other guys had the same moves, but every guy was different, and Tom felt so good. He kept rotating his hips as he moved back and forth, and soon Jen arched her back and groaned as her orgasm hit, intense pleasure flooding through her body. Tom fucked her through her orgasm, but then for the first time he held back after, letting her recover.

"God that was so good, thank you," Jen gushed, panting.

"You don't have to thank me," Tom smiled sheepishly.

"I know, it was just sooo good," Jen gushed looking into his eyes and brushing her hand across his cheek. "Let me on top." 

He hesitated, a frown crossing his brow. Instinctively she said, "I won't be like Adria."

Almost reluctantly he let her on top. Jen smiled and ran her hands over his chest. "You've got such a great body," she gushed. She moved up and down on his cock. "You feel so good inside me."

Tom tried to take control, to flip her onto her back, but she leaned down and held his arms to the side. "Let me," she said gently, kissing him as she moved back and forth on his shaft.

She squeezed her pussy muscles as she moved up, and then squeezed again moving down. He was already tight inside her -- his cock was so gloriously thick! -- but it was like her soft smooth pussy was enticingly caressing his shaft. He moaned into Jen's mouth, his orgasm nearing.

Wanting to return the pleasure, Tom raised his muscular ass on her downward thrusts, rotating his hips. Pleasure shot through Jen's body! From this angle, his rotating-the-hips thing felt even better! She quickly felt another orgasm approach.

They fucked like that for long minutes, the sweat making their bodies glisten, their lips never parting. Finally Tom held his breath, and then he groaned as his orgasm hit. He pumped in and out, shooting streams of hot cum into Jen's pussy. The sensations of Tom's ejaculation pushed Jen over the edge, and her body shook and shuddered as pleasure exploded in her body.

Jen collapsed on Tom, both of them panting. Even as his cock softened their bodies remained connected, that's how long he was. Jen liked the feeling, lying on his muscular chest, his strong arms around her, his half hard cock still filling her up. She felt content and aglow inside.

"That was sooo freaking good!" Jen gushed, giggling. She got up, still straddling him, his cock still inside her. She beamed into his eyes.

He was smiling too. He reached up and cupped her breasts, his caresses more affectionate than sexual. He'd always preferred big breasted girls like Adria, but he was quickly getting to like Jen's small ones. They were perky and shapely and her nipples were like erasers, and they so fit her slender ballerina's body. The fact Adria's big 38DD tits had begun to sag in recent years (especially after breast feeding Tommy) made Jen's small breasts look even more perfect.

Tom ran his hands from her tits down her taut stomach, to her firm thighs. He marveled at how her body was so firm yet so shapely and soft.

Jen smiled as he explored her body. Then she leaned down and kissed him. "You better go," she said gently. 

There was Mike's no sleeping over rule, and it was almost 4am. "We can do it again. It's not sleeping over if we stay up all night," he joked.

"Um, I'm not sure it works that way," she giggled. Finally she got off him, his long python-like cock seeming to take forever to slide out of her. "You're amazing," she gushed looking into his eyes and rubbing his chest. "But I've got to work tomorrow, so I need to sleep a little."

Tom felt disappointed, but he was on a physical and emotional high and didn't want to spoil the moment. He smiled and kissed Jen, then he dressed. Jen held his arm and hand to the door. Before he left she got on her tip toes and gave him a long kiss. "I had so much fun tonight," she said smiling and beaming into his eyes.

Jen got back into bed, the room smelling like sex and cigarette smoke. She'd clean it later. 

She didn't really have to work Sunday, but there was Mike's no sleeping over rule. More importantly, warning bells were going off in her head. She'd had the best time at the fair, and their sex had been nothing short of spectacular. She felt feelings growing for Tom. She knew Mike wanted that, but she was gun-shy after Ricky and Scott. She could easily go head-over-heels for Tom. She wasn't sure that was a good idea, no matter Keri's advice about being entitled.

She smiled seeing the stuffed animal Tom had won her. She got up and put it in the box in her closet where she kept Ricky's high school ring, Scott's pink bustier and Colin's love letters to her from high school. She kept these mementos because she couldn't help having some lingering feelings for guys she'd been so close to, emotionally and physically, if only for a little while. She suspected Mike knew she kept these keepsakes, but he never mentioned it. She wondered if he kept tokens of his past girlfriends. Although, as far as she knew, she was his only serious relationship.

A few days later Mike got home from London. She described her date with Tom, stroking him and then getting on top and guiding him into her. "This is how you fucked him?" Mike said excitedly.

"Yeah, like this," she said squeezing her pussy muscles.

"God it feels so good!" Mike gushed. Jen had done that with him before and he loved it.

"He came so hard," Jen said.

"You came too?"

"Yeah, it was really good."

Mike grunted and came, his body lurching upwards. 

They hugged afterwards. "You didn't cum?" Mike asked, knowing she hadn't.

"That's okay, I had my share with Tom," Jen giggled. "It felt good though," she quickly added snuggling into his arms.

Mike knew his wife often didn't cum when they had intercourse, but almost always came on the thick shafts of her well-endowed muscular lovers. With his passion sated, he felt jealous and inadequate. But he knew those dark feelings would pass, and he didn't want to upset her. That would be unfair, as they'd both made the decision to play the game again, and the whole point of the game was her lovers' better sexual abilities. Also, he was still aglow from the ego boost of his meeting with Jasmine Kelly.

"Did you have fun with Tom?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Are you going to see him again?" 

"I guess ... maybe," she answered. She rested her chin on Mike's chest and looked into his eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this again?"

"It's exciting for both of us right?" he said. "We won't be young forever, we'll start a family soon, so this is the time to have fun."

"It's not always fun," she said kissing his chest. 

Mike knew she was referring to the dark times with Ricky and Scott. "We know a lot more now," he assured her. 

Also, Sapphire was going great and he had pretty girls like Jasmine Kelly interested in him. His confidence and self-esteem were at all-time highs. He felt sure he could deal with Jen in a heavy relationship with another man. It would be exciting for both of them. And, he was confident Jen would eventually tire of Tom, just as she had with Ricky and Scott.

"He wanted me to spend the night," Jen said. She quickly added, "I said no of course."

Without thinking, Mike said "You could have if you wanted."

"Really?" she said surprised. "You'd be okay with that?"

"Yeah, I mean, I wasn't here anyway," Mike said. 

Jen studied her husband. "Okay, good to know," she said, laying her head back on his chest.



Making It Work Ch. 06



They end the call and I feel my stomach begin to twist into knots. I didn't expect them to throw me out there like that without a lifeline. If I don't call Ana, they're going to kill me. I reach for my cell phone, my finger hovers over her speed dial and my gut lurches. It's been so long since we've spoken that it's strange finding myself wanting to call her. I ignore the nervousness in the pit of my belly and push the button, holding the phone up to my ear before I lost my gumption. It felt as if the phone rang for an eternity before she answered. I sighed in relief.

Ananda: "Hello?"

David: "Hi Ana."

Ananda: "David."

My bated breath slowly seeps from between my lips at the sound of her voice. I don't know what to say to her. I can feel tension over the phone line. In my mind I envision her resting in her bed on her stomach with her feet up. She's probably gnawing on her bottom lip and waiting just as anxiously for me to utter my next word. She clears her throat informing me that the silence is unbearable. I speak.

David: "I just wanted to call and thank you for what you did. Jason and Michelle told me about you convincing my dad to come out."

Ananda: "It's no big deal."

David: "I've been trying for the longest."

Ananda: "You're not the persuasive type, David. You never have been."

David: "Then what type am I?"

Ananda: "The type to tell the other person what to do and expect it to be done. It works for you."

I smile. For the briefest of moments it felt as if things were normal between us. No heavy words or unspoken emotions are clouding our connection, but this reprieve doesn't last for long.

Ananda: "Well, if that's all..."

David: "Um."

Ananda: [hurriedly] "Unless there's something else you needed to tell me."

David: "No, that's pretty much it." Fuck, no it's not! I miss you like hell. How are you? Can you do me a favor and call me a jack ass for telling you to stay away? Will you forgive me? I need you.

Everything jumbled on the tip of my tongue that I wish to say remain tucked away in the recesses of my mind as I feel her disappointment wash over me.

Ananda: "Okay, well it was nice talking to you, David. Goodbye."

Don't say goodbye, please. Don't go.

David: "Okay." [Line goes dead]. I get out of bed and end my night with a series of pushups.

*****

I shouldn't be feeling like this. Longing. I recognized it as soon as I heard his voice. A pang of guilt is ricocheting through my chest after speaking with David. What am I doing? I have a boyfriend who makes me happy. Yea, he's a little too perfect, but isn't that what women want? I don't believe in perfect relationships whether it's with family, friends, or loved ones. But recently I've started to get comfortable.

My head hurts. I recently coaxed myself into ridding my mind of thoughts with David and that beautiful woman he was with two weeks ago. What was her name again? Lacy? Lotti? I can't remember, but she seemed like a really nice person.

I cried for about two hours afterwards. I shouldn't have, but it all became so real to me that he's moving on. As if I should let that fact affect me. I'm in the process of moving on yet for some inexplicable reason, my world seems to be standing still. What should I do? I'm finally back to work which helps a great deal or I would stay at home pondering the reasons why I shouldn't spontaneously purchase a plane ticket, fly out to Washington, and give David a piece of my mind.

I'm finally grieving and my emotions aren't able to cope with it. I think it's safe to say that I'm coming out of the anger stage right now. Every thought of David pisses me off. What makes me even more upset is that I can't help except to care about him. I visit his father religiously and take him and Jodie out to dinner, I'm forced to smile as they talk about David's life, and then I return home and cry.

I find myself conversing with his pictures and telling him that things will be different if he only gave us a chance then I get angry and throw it across the room. Sometimes I feel bipolar. I'll go to bed and dream about him then wake up with tears in my eyes before falling back asleep and finding myself smiling awake in the morning.

[Plops face into pillow] Don't even ask what all of this stress is doing to my poor heart. I haven't been back to my doctor yet and I don't plan to until I've calmed down. This feeling will pass. I know it will. This isn't the first time that I feel so torn about David and me. I just never expected him to call. I almost didn't respond when I didn't notice the number. If curiosity hadn't gotten the best of me, I would have missed this opportunity—more like this moment of torture. I should get some shut eye. I have to be at work early tomorrow morning.

"Ana, wake up. Come on before our parents get up."

"What? What's going on?"

"Grab your bag. We're going to Myrtle Beach."

"But they said that we couldn't go without Barrett."

"He's already left without us. If you don't want your folks to know that he's not playing babysitter, you have to get up."

"Just give me five more minutes."

"Ana!"

"Okay, but you owe me for getting us in trouble this time."

"It'll be worth it. Hey, Ana?"

"Hmm?"

"Kiss me."

I didn't sleep for long. I haven't thought about our impromptu trip to the beach since our parents grounded us for the remainder of our junior year. Even as seniors in high school they watched us warily. It a while to get out of the dog house because of our prank. If Barrett hadn't vouched for us, we would have spent the remainder of our high school careers volunteering in shelters as punishment.

I miss those moments of impulsiveness where David and I would be reckless. Murphy is more grounded, more mature, and definitely not adventurous. Even after the amount of times I've been to his place, he has yet to make a move. My lips are aching to be kissed. I know that being physically involved with another man won't wash away David's memories, but knowing that I'm desired by the man I'm dating would help in a lot of ways.

At times I wonder what runs through his mind when he looks at me. I've caught him staring at my breasts and my thighs several times which informs me that he is a healthy red-blooded male. Nevertheless I wait for him to make a move and there's nothing. I'll have to endure it.

[Looks at the clock] I still have another three and a half hours before I have to go to work. This is ridiculous. Maybe if I huddle beneath the covers I'll fall back to sleep. I'm not sure if it will work. Thinking about kissing has led my thoughts astray. My body is craving attention. I should definitely look into getting laid.

"You taste amazing, Ana."

[Breathless] "It's my new lip gloss."

"No, it's you. " [Traces tongue down throat.] "It's unquestionably you."

"David, you've been so patient with me...I think I'm ready."

"For what?"

"To have sex."

[Shakes head.]

"You don't want to?"

"We can have sex any other time, Ana, but for your first time I want to make love to you. Stay with me tonight."

"Okay."

I wake up to the blaring of my alarm clock and my fingers buried deep within my pussy. One of my fondest memories is the first time David and I consummated our feelings. It was so strong and unbelievable. Even now I can remember how gentle his kisses felt against my skin. He tasted every part of me as if I were a decadent sweet. He was attentive to my body. I can still feel his warm breath hovering over my nipples as if it were yesterday.

His mouth was soft, his tongue wet and hard. My belly shook every time he softly bit down on them and my toes curled. I remember asking myself how something that felt so good could make you ache so badly. My friends used to tell me that sex was amazing, but I was skeptical. David took away all of my doubts from that night forward. He did things to me that took me years to duplicate. His thick fingers were everywhere: trailing down my side, gripping my thighs, fondling my slit.

He had my body absolutely feverish before he even did anything serious. And when his lips finally made contact with my pussy I was already gone. He had to hold my hips down to keep me still. I wanted to run and get away from the intensity of his tongue and his unbreakable gaze. Our eyes never broke contact except when I closed my own. He exacerbated my orgasms with only a stare. I cried his name until I went limp and afterwards his mouth suckled the recesses of my body that I never would have imagined could be erotic.

He held me lovingly in his arms, caressing my breasts and down my belly, smiling when my respiration caught between my teeth. When I had calmed enough, his fingers went back to work claiming the remainder of my body his lips had yet to touch. He taught me how to stroke him and I loved the look of desire in his eyes when my brown hand wrapped around his hard cock. He bites his pink lips. The top means that it feels good, but when he bites the bottom he's about to come. I memorized all of his likes that night because I wanted to keep pleasing him and to become even better at it.

He made my resisting body accept him with ease. He coaxed me into begging him to continue. When the head of his dick pushed into my tight pussy, I was afraid at first from his sheer length and thickness until I saw the look in his eyes that told me he would treasure me and this moment forever. My nails sunk into him snuggling into his back as he imbedded himself inside of me and afterwards we rocked gently. I can still feel his pelvis grinding against my clit.

I know that I shouldn't be touching myself at the recollection of my ex-lover, but I can't make myself stop. I'll spontaneously combust if I try. There's an unquenchable fire which sprouts to life every time David interrupts my thoughts. I don't want to respond to him this way and in spite of the other relationships I've had and the other men that I've bedded, no one has held a candle to him.

My hips are energetically bucking. I'm so close. All that I need is for David to join me. I want to look into his light changeling eyes as we climax together. At first his eye contact had me self-conscious. Now it's normal. I can't imagine myself making love to him without staring into his eyes. It's as if we're silently communicating with each other, as if our souls are becoming one, as if the world no longer exists as we stay wrapped in our own little cocoon.

I orgasm with tears in my eyes. I miss him. Nevertheless, guilt overrides my physical satisfaction. I'm a cheater. I'm mentally cheating on my boyfriend with the ghost of my ex. How am I supposed to look at him now? I wish for this all to end.

[Leaves the bed angrily.] David is gone and he'll be gone. It's high time that I get my head out of the clouds and face reality. It's over! So why am I continuously torturing myself? He has a beautiful, new girlfriend on his arm. I have an amazing, handsome man who warrants my time. From now on I need to focus on my life, my family and friends, and Murphy. Why should I allow a man who walked away from me to rule my every thought?

I take a long shower, longer than I normally would if I want to be on time. I don't care about my tardiness. I'm rarely ever late anyhow. I'm angry all over again and now I'm taking out my frustrations on my poor bed. I toss the blankets around until they're neat then beat the hell out of my pillows until they're nice and fluffed. I have to do this or I'll burst into tears.

My nonsensical reminiscence has been rampant for far too long. I need to reign in my emotions before it's too late. I want to make things work with Murphy because he deserves it and I do too. I merit a man in my life who is going to love me unconditionally, who won't hide from his own emotions, who is ready for what I have to offer. I have so much love suppressed inside of me that I need to share with someone worthy. I don't want to be alone neither do I want to be with a man just for the hell of it.

I guess if I'm honest with myself, I'm ready to settle down. I know that a few months ago I was doubtful of whether this feat was possible for me, but now I know it is. The ache and emptiness in my heart isn't only present because of David's abandonment. It's been there long before he left, long before I was willing to admit to myself that my nights are lonely. All of those dates I went on were unfulfilling. I want to wake up in the arms of someone who loves me. I want to kiss my man awake and hear him moan and grumble about it being too damn early in the morning for this shit then make love to me anyway.

I want to fall asleep on top of him and listen to the gentle thundering of his heart in my eardrums. I want to wake up with his big, hot hands all over my body showering me with affection. I want to feel him inside of me making me feel desirable, loved, and needed. I want to argue with him until I can't understand my own reasoning anymore. I want to be infuriated so much that I question the stability of our bond then realize that only the person I love can ever make me feel so unhinged yet secure all at the same time!

GOD, I WANT DAVID! DAMN IT!

[Shatters hand held mirror against the wall then balls up on the floor to cry.]

Tell me what I'm supposed to do? Somebody help me. Anybody.

*****

Voice mail: "Hello, you've reached Ananda Lewis. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to answer you call, but if you'd leave me your name, number, and a brief message I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you."

"Nandy! Ananda, it's your boss, Caroline. I noticed that you didn't come in today either and I'm really worried about you. If you're not feeling well just call me and I'll come see about you. I know this is the tenth message I've left in three days, but please call me. I'm worried."

[Banging on the door]

Barrett: "Ananda! Are you in there? Ana?"

I haven't gone to work in three days. I haven't even left my apartment. I'm disgusted with myself and I don't want anyone to see me this way.

Barrett: "Ana, I know you're there because you're not at Mom and Dad's, you're not at Jason's, and the guys said that they haven't seen you all week. Either you open this door or Frederick and I will kick it down."

Crap. Barrett I can handle on my own, but not when they tag team me. I hate when my brothers do that. I stumble out of the empty boxes of granola bars and open the door. My eyes cringe at the intrusion of light which only expands as my two brothers push their way inside of my apartment.

Frederick: "Damn, Ana, what the hell have you been doing in here? It smells like stale food and death."

Ananda: "Hello Freddy, I didn't know that you were around."

Barrett: "This has gone on long enough. We're getting you out of this apartment and in the company of human beings."

I shield my eyes as he opens all of my blinds while Frederick replays the numerous messages on my answering machine. Even though at times I can't stand him, Freddy is always there when I need him.

Frederick: "You look like shit."

Ananda: "Thanks Freddy, that's exactly what I needed to hear."

He ignores me, snatching up my phone to make several phone calls. He's reassuring everyone that I am indeed still alive and he even calls my boss and informs her that all is well and that I would be going to work Monda morning. He told her that I had the stomach flu and that I was at our parents' house under quarantine thus unable to respond to or return any calls.

Barrett busies himself with straightening up the place then grabs my hand and pulls me into the bathroom before slamming the door shut in my face. If Frederick is here then they must really be angry and worried. Freddy is the type to act like he only cares about himself. He can be harsh at times, but when he cares he truly cares. I take my first shower since the day my depression kicked in and actually feel somewhat human again. I wash my hair and brush my teeth knowing that I needed to look my best if I wanted to get rid of two of my meddling brothers. At least the other three weren't here. I would have been in a world of trouble.

I exit the bathroom and dress eventually mustering enough courage to go into my living room to find them both sitting on my couch anticipating my appearance. Frederick wastes no time in laying into me.

Frederick: "You are acting like a selfish brat. Do you know how worried Mom and Dad are about you? Do you know how many times we tried contacting you? What were you thinking, Ananda? Should I be treating you like a child instead of an adult?"

As old as I am, my eyes water. One of the reasons Frederick and I never saw eye to eye is because he frightens me. He's authoritative and he always reminded me of a second father. I was always anxious to gain his approval. I didn't know why it was so important, but it's because I respected him and wanted him to love me instead of seeing me as his bratty baby sister.

Ananda: "I'm sorry."

Frederick: [Grabs her in a gruff hug] "You should be. Stop crying. Tears won't solve anything. You have to tell people when something is wrong, Ana. We can't guess."

Barrett: "I can. I think it has to do with David."

My increased sobs verify his assumption and both of them are silent. They let me cry it out before dragging me out the house to get breakfast. They watch me eat diligently, both daring me not to put the food in my mouth then relax when my plate is more than half empty.

Barrett: "Damn it, Ana, why didn't you just talk to someone about this if you were having such a hard time? Why didn't you call David and tell him?"

Ananda: "He told me not to contact him."

Frederick: "That prick."

Barrett: "He's an idiot not a prick, Freddy. I guess in his warped mind he thinks this is for the best. I'm going to call him and give him a piece of my mind."

Ananda: "No, Barrett, don't do that."

Frederick: "If he doesn't then I will. Got me driving five hours down here to see about you. You're an adult now, Ana. I should be visiting on Christmas and Thanksgiving or when you're getting married or about to have a baby. Or even when I'm on vacation not because Mom called me bawling her eyes out because she can't get in touch with you."

Ananda: "I'm sorry. I'll call her and Daddy as soon as possible."

Frederick: "Damn right you will and while you're at it give Eddie, Cleveland, and Derek a ring too.

Ananda: "Okay. I will."

Frederick: "As a matter of fact, we're going to see Mom and Dad later."

I can't remember the last time Freddy chewed me out this badly. This is worse than the time he spanked me when I was in elementary school for biting my classmate when she refused to share her crayons with me. He always makes me feel as if I'm five years old all over again.

Barrett: "Will you tell us what's going on?"

Ananda: "I'm just working some things out."

Barrett: "Like what?"

Ananda: "Depression."

Frederick: "That's not funny."

Ananda: "I know. Look, I didn't realize it at the time, but I really needed this. Thank you for dragging me out of my apartment."

Barrett: "It's our duty as your older brothers to make you do things that you don't want to."

Ananda: "Thanks. I'm going to the bathroom. Don't order dessert without me."

Frederick: [Watches her walk off] "Are you calling David or am I?"

Barrett: "I think that I can handle talking to him by myself."

Frederick: "Let me rephrase myself. Call David and give me the phone."

Barrett: [grumbles] "I'm getting real tired of your shit, Freddy."




Making It Work Ch. 06



Frederick: "What was that?"

Barrett: "The phone's ringing."

David: "Hey B, what's going on!"

Frederick: "Hello David."

David: "Is this Fred?"

Frederick: "You're as receptive as ever, my man. How's Washington treating you?"

David: [Clears throat] "Okay so far. How've you been?"

Frederick: "Good. I'm currently in Columbia with Barrett and we're visiting Ana."

David: "Oh."

Frederick: "She's doing well if you were wondering." [Awkward pause in conversation]. "What's going on between you two?"

David: "That was very forward."

Frederick: "You know that I don't give a damn especially when it comes to my baby sister. Now, David, I know that you know that I don't just let any Tom, Dick, and Harry around Ananda."

David: "I know."

Frederick: "As a matter of fact, let me tell you a little story. For the first seven years of my life I was an only child. Then at the age of seven Edward was born which placed upon me the responsibility of being his protector. Having survived outside of the womb for seven years, I vowed that I would do my best to make sure that he and any other siblings born to my parents would remain out of harm's way. Four years later Derek came, three years later there was Cleveland, another two years and here comes Barrett, then less than a year later Ananda. Do you know what that means, David?"

David: "Nope, I don't."

Frederick: "It means that I was seventeen when Ananda was born. I was there when she took her first steps. I listened to her babble on about me being Daddy and to be honest, since in today's standards I could have been her father, I practically raised her as if she were my little one. That hasn't changed even into adulthood. I'm just as protective over my younger siblings today as I was at the age of seven, do you understand?"

David: "I do."

Frederick: "Now, when I first met you, I thought you were some lanky punk trying to squeeze in on my little sister, but I saw qualities in you that assured me that Ana would be safe with you. Has that changed?"

David: [Runs hand through hair] "No, it hasn't."

Frederick: [nods] "I'm not going to ask you the specificities between you two because it's none of my business, but when it starts to affect my family then it is. I don't know what exactly it is that you're up to, but let me remind you that Ananda is a damn good woman and when you find yourself a woman like that, you don't allow any other bastard to take the opportunity away from you. How do you think I got my wife?" [Chuckles]

David: [Chuckles awkwardly].

Frederick: "All I'm saying is that you need to get your shit together. The Ana that I'm looking at is a woman about to move on and when a woman let's go, there's nothing in the entire world that you could ever do to make her love you again. I like you, David, maybe not in the beginning, but I respect you like hell. Nevertheless, I'm going to be straight up with you and tell you to drop it if you're not serious because if you keep hurting her, I'll have to come and hurt you. Every relationship has its pain, but I can't sit and watch my sister in anguish. You understand?"

David: "I do."

Frederick: "Good. I'll stop busting your balls. I have to go."

David: "Freddy!"

Frederick: "Yeah?"

David: "I would die for Ana. You know that."

Frederick: "I do."

David: "Then you should know that if by the time I come back and there's even a drop of feelings left in her heart for me, I'm not letting her go ever again. But right now we need this time apart to figure out our emotions and get back on the right track.

Frederick: [Huge grin on his face]. "Welcome to your manhood, David. I'm proud of you."

David: [genuine laugh] "Thanks, I guess."

Frederick: "Have a good one and don't be a stranger. Mom and Dad talk about you all the time. They're proud of you too."

David: "Thanks. If you're ever in Washington, drop by." [Call ends]

Ananda: "I'm back. Did you miss me?"

Barrett: "What took you so long?"

Frederick: "She was probably making room for the dessert."

Ananda: "Funny, one of the toilets was clogged and the other was occupied with a mother and her two kids."

Barrett: "Lies!"

Ananda: [Laughing] "Shut up. What's for dessert?"

I haven't felt this alive in what feels like forever. After our meal my brothers took me back to my apartment to finish cleaning up then we spent the remainder of our day with Mom and Dad. We regretted having such a big brunch because they stuffed us royally. I'm still lying on the couch with a full stomach after having a large snack and a humongous dinner. I wish I could sleep like Barrett and Frederick, but my stomach is too full. I'll pop if I drink a drop of water.

My parents, even though it was written all over their faces, didn't ask any questions. They gave me big hugs and then we all chatted. I stayed with them until my brothers left Sunday and then I went home and prepared for work the next day.

I expected my boss to chew me out, instead she greeted me with a warm hug and I bawled. I broke down and told her everything. She was very understanding and she confessed that she was having marital issues herself. We've been close before, but I felt as if we had gotten even closer. I guess I could think of her as a friend instead of an employer now. I was always afraid of crossing the line of professionalism.

Caroline: "So what are you going to do?"

Ananda: "I've been thinking about taking a trip. I need to get out of here for a while."

Caroline: "For how long?"

Ananda: "I don't know. I still have to talk it over with my boyfriend and let my family know so that they won't freak out. What about you?"

Caroline: [Leans back in her chair] "I've actually put in my resignation. I leave in two and a half months."

Ananda: "What?"

Caroline has been my mentor since the day I arrived. I can't believe that she's leaving. I guess this change will be good for her and all seeing as how she and her husband are separating. I hope that everything will work out between them. They have three kids together and her husband isn't such a bad guy. If I understood correctly, their situation is just a case of spousal negligence. They're both working hard to provide for their family all the while forgetting to pay attention to each other.

Caroline: "Yeah."

Ananda: "Why?"

Caroline: [shrugs] "I've been feeling imprisoned. I've decided to open up my own accounting firm...and I would like you to be my partner."

Ananda: "Huh?"

Caroline: "Ananda, I've noticed your initiative, drive, and determination since day one. I can't see myself being partners with anyone else. We'd make a great team."

My heart is pounding out of my chest from excitement. I can't believe that Caroline would want me to go into a business venture with her. I'm like the oddball who finally gets chosen in gym class. It feels amazing knowing that someone thinks so highly of you and wants to take such a risk with you.

Caroline: "I won't force you—"

Ananda: "Yes! I'll do it."

Caroline: "Really? I thought I would have to stalk you until you agreed."

[They both laugh]

Ananda: "I never pass up a good opportunity when I see one. I've idolized you since my interview process and now you're sitting here asking me to take a leap of faith with you. I'd be a fool to let it slip through my fingers."

Caroline: "I don't know what to say."

Ananda: "Sometimes words aren't necessary. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to prepare for my resignation. Carrie, why don't we have lunch and talk about the rest of this plan?"

Caroline: "Great idea. I've been contemplating this decision for a while. I already have the perfect location picked out. I'll show you at lunch."

Ananda: "All right. I'll see you at noon."

I'm giddy, not only on the inside but on the outside too. Things are starting to look up now that I've stop dwelling on the negative. The burden that once restrained me has been lifted. I thought that I was going through hell, but finally I can breathe again. Last night I had another dream about David, but I didn't wake up in tears. Yes, my heart still tugs whenever he comes to mind, but it's bearable. I'll always love him. He was my first and my everything. Now it's time to live in the present and my relationship with Murphy has no room for his ghost.

Murphy. I haven't spoken to him since I slipped into depression. I wanted to see him face to face and let him know that David and I are officially over. That's something I shouldn't convey over the phone. He deserves much better than that. I also need to contact Jason and apologize for skipping out on our night out.

*Ring**Ring**Ring*

Ananda: "Hello, this is Ananda Lewis speaking."

Jason: "So she lives."

Ananda: [Excited] "This is crazy. I was just thinking about you!"

Jason: "Now I know that you've always had feelings for me, but I'm an engaged man. I love my fiancée."

Ananda: "Bite me, Jason."

Jason: "If it wasn't to fawn all over my sexiness, why were you thinking about me?"

Ananda: [Rolls her eyes] "Jason, I've never fawned over anything about you. I wanted to reschedule last weekend's dinner date with the guys."

Jason: "No worries. When it looked like you wouldn't show we made it for this weekend. You are still expected to come with a date."

Ananda: "Aw, you guys did that for me?"

Jason: "Of course, it wouldn't be the same if both you and David were gone."

Ananda: "That's sweet of you. Plus I never did ask Murphy if he wanted to go."

Jason: "Now you can. So how are you holding up?"

Ananda: "Great. You know that I bounce back quickly."

Jason: "Good. Well, I just called to tell your ass to be there."

Ananda: "And if I'm not?"

Jason: "I'll drag your feisty ass out the house, throw you over my shoulder, and make you come."

Ananda: "I don't know if Michelle would like that."

Jason: "You know what I mean, damn you."

Ananda: [chuckles] "I do. I'll be there."

I work on a few accounts for the remainder of the morning. My thoughts aren't focused upon anything serious except my resignation. I had it typed up in less than ten minutes including spell check. I'll turn it in at the end of the day when the CEO is here. I would pass it on to his secretary, but this is something I would prefer to do face to face. It's like breaking up with someone. You wouldn't tell a friend to do it for you, would you? If you do, you're chicken shit.

Caroline and I have a nice lunch and she brings me by our new office. It once belonged to a dentist who changed cities. We plan to have it remodeled with more of a feminine touch and not so white. It's sort of blinding and makes me think I'm in a mental institution. I like the location, however, because it's in the heart of downtown surrounded by big businesses which means there is a lot of opportunity awaiting us.

Caroline asked me how I felt about traveling part-time. She says that since I'm younger and I have more time on my hands, she would like for me to handle our overseas clients. I didn't know that she wanted to make our accounting firm international. I'm excited, apprehensive, and scared, but I know that I can do it. I've decided to sign myself up for online language courses. I really want this to work for us.

I told her that our first client would be my parents. They insist on me taking care of their books from the moment we started talking about their bakery and they have already sent several of their friends my way. I can't wait to get started. Since the remodeling isn't so great we should be reared to go at the end of two months. Even so, Caroline thinks it's best that we both take a vacation before delving into a sea of numbers. Seeing as how my resignation will be effective next month, I don't mind taking an extra-long vacation. I'm grateful that Caroline gave me the push I needed to get out of that place—not that I hate it, I'm just ready to move on.

Caroline: "Your hair is getting longer."

Ananda: [tugs on several strands] "Really? Should I get a haircut?"

Caroline: "Long hair suits you, but I think you'd look good with any style."

Ananda: [drinks some water] "Funny you should say that, I was thinking of cutting it."

Caroline: "Really? I would die if I cut my hair. Jeremy always loved it long."

Ananda: "Your hair is beautiful just the way it is. Don't change it. And since my hair grows back very quickly, I wanted to try something more edgy like a slanted bob. I'm going to make a hair appointment."

Caroline: "It's a shame."

Ananda: "How so?"

Caroline: "You hair is almost long enough to donate."

I look down at my thick strands and realize that she's right. I've never thought of that before, but she's right. I should put it to good use. I'll wait and get it done next month and afterwards instead of a bob, I'll get a pixie cut. I've never had my hair that short before and my mother might bawl, but the more I mull it over is the more I like it. Everything in my life is moving forward, my image should be no different.

I can't stop staring at my hair. When did it get so long? Before now my life was on standstill only revolving around David. Now that he's gone I'm forced to focus more on me. It's an odd feeling when you fall out of love with someone. It's like a water bottle with a small hole that slowly leaks out the liquid. You don't know that it's dripping because it's not obvious, but when you do take notice the bottle is practically empty.

Caroline: "If you're going to make that face, trying thinking about what makes you happy when you were with him."

Ananda: "Huh?"

Caroline: "I thought that you were thinking about David. You suddenly became sad."

Ananda: [embarrassed smile] "You caught me. Ready to head back to work?"

Caroline: "Yeah."

I've turned in my resignation. The CEO wasn't happy to hear about me leaving, but after we discussed my decision he said that he understood and that he would help me with future references if possible. He even offered to keep my spot open in case I changed my mind. I assured him that though the gesture was well appreciated, I was ready to try something new. It didn't turn out as badly as I thought it would. So in a month I'll be officially leaving the job that provided me with my big break, in a month I'll be making the big chop, and in a month I'll be traveling and going places I've never been before. It's all so overwhelming, but I'm ready. For once in my life I'm ready. 



Making It Work Ch. 07



It's been ages since I've update. I haven't had the time and I won't have the time in the future because of work and life, I'm sorry; therefore, it is with regret that I inform you all, my loyal readers, that upon the completion of MIT and Unleashed I will no longer be writing for Literotica. Thank you so much for all of your support and for enjoying my works. I really appreciated the encouragement I received and even the negative comments. Everything has made me stronger.

Cassandra

~~~~~~~~~~

Last week

Ananda: "And that's what happened. Murphy, I'm so sorry. Can you find it inside of your heart to forgive me?"

Murphy: "Yea."

Really? I was expecting so much more. Out of all that I've said, not once did he make a retort or even show a lick of anger. Is it really that simple?

Ananda: "You don't have any questions about David and me?"

Murphy: "What's there to ask? You've told me everything, haven't you?"

Ananda: [nods head readily] "Of course."

Murphy: "And you're getting him out of your system, right?"

Ananda: [nods head once more] "Yes, I'm a hundred percent better and I want to make this work with you. So if you're angry or—"

Murphy: "Why would I be angry?"

What was that? It was strange, the look in his eyes. I felt a sliver of fear trickle throughout my limbs. Maybe I was imagining things. But I would have sworn that he was giving me a murderous look a second ago. My imagination must be overworking itself.

Murphy: "Are you hungry?"

Ananda: "Yeah, wanna grab a bite?"

Murphy: "I was thinking we could cook something together. How does that sound?"

Ananda: "Great. Murphy, are you sure that everything is fine?"

Murphy: [shakes head slowly in agreement] "Why wouldn't it be?"

I lift myself on tiptoes to kiss him, but he turns his head simultaneously. I'm not sure if it was planned or purely accidental since he's retreating for the remote to turn off the television. When he looks back at me I can hardly reach his eyes. I'm feeling ashamed of my prior actions and guilty for all that I've been putting him through. Murphy, I'm so sorry.

The rest of the night is awkward. Is it my guilt or am I the one holding back because I don't feel any intimacy between us right now? Our dinner is a silent one and afterwards we watched a movie. Normally, I would cuddle against him, but I barely even allowed my body hair to graze against him. Murphy seems all the more oblivious to it all. At one point I feel his eyes upon me and when I turn to smile, his own brown irises appeared to be black. I nearly pissed my pants, but he smiled at me and the look was gone. I ended up going home early and saying that I would let him know that I got home safely. I didn't call until the next day.

Now

Love isn't supposed to be this complicated. At least it never is in the movies. I want a love like that: strong, passionate, never ending. Where must I go and who must I be with to find it? If it truly exists that is. A week has passed since my depression and I had to have the talk with Murphy. He was furious, to say the least, at least I'd like to think so, but we sort of worked it out. He even agreed to accompany me tonight with the fellows. I don't know. I expected him to say something, to ask questions, and to throw out accusations. The only thing he did was nod his head and remain silent. It was a slow, meticulous nod that made me wonder about what was going through his head at the time.

The look in his eyes however was much worse. It makes me shudder just thinking about it. It's as if they turned completely black with unexpressed rage. I was momentarily shaken, but just as quickly as I saw it, the look vanished. I don't think that I will ever forget though. It was such a violent regard. It made my blood run cold. Murphy isn't as expressive as I thought he would be. I've started to reconsider our relationship...not that I'm ready to call it quits. I just want to be able to accommodate him and be useful. So far everything has been one sided. I want to start pulling my own weight, but I don't know how.

Murphy: "Are you ready?"

Ananda: [nods head] "Yeah." I turn to him for a kiss and I get his jawline. I shouldn't have initiated it so unexpectedly. I'm embarrassed. Very embarrassed. Is there something about me that he doesn't like?

Murphy: "So, where are we going?"

Ananda: [lifts purse] "You'll see when we get there." [Starts walking to the door]

Murphy: [grabs her elbow] "Ananda, you know that I hate surprises. Where are we going?"

Ananda: "To a restaurant and a lounge afterwards to have some drinks and listen to poetry."

Murphy: [releases elbow] "Okay."

Our relationship has been painfully awkward since our Tuesday morning talk. I'm walking on egg shells mingled with shards of glass. I don't know whether he's holding it all in or if he's already forgiven me. How does one interpret a nod? [deep, heavy sigh], I drive even though it's Murphy's car and I park, sitting in the conductor's seat with my hands gripping the wheel. I can't ignore this tension between us anymore.

Ananda: "Murphy, I feel as if we have some unfinished business to discuss. Can we talk?"

Murphy: "Right now when we're getting ready to have dinner and drinks with your friends? Wouldn't it be rude to keep them waiting?"

Ananda: He's right, but I need us to clear the air. "Yes, but—"

Murphy: "Then it can wait."

He exits the car then opens my door. His big brown hand squeezes my right hand as he pulls me along after him and I'm somewhat relieved for the skin to skin contact. We enter into the restaurant to see that our group was just being seated. We greet them and I make the big introductions, but already I know someone who isn't happy. Tommy. He makes no qualms with expressing his dislike of Murphy off the bat. They shake hands cordially, but Tommy's beguiling eyes clearly state that he saw Murphy as an imposter trying to infringe upon David's place and property. I gave him a death stare and watched him grunt and walk off to our table.

Ananda: "It's been forever, guys."

Harry: "It wouldn't have seemed that way if you hadn't bailed on us last weekend."

Ananda: "I know, I'm sorry. A lot of stuff has been happening lately."

Tommy: "Oh yeah, like what?"

Ananda: "Well, for one...I turned in my resignation."

Michelle: "What?! You never told me that you were going to quit your firm? I thought you were happy?"

Ananda: "I was, but my boss kind of sort of asked me to go into business with her. We already have the perfect location. And before you all start to naysay, don't. I'm excited over this."

Mike: "Then that's all that matters. Let me know if you need any clients. I know a lot of people."

Ananda: "Thanks Mikey, I appreciate that."

We order drinks and appetizers and converse yet I had the feeling that Murphy wasn't enjoying himself. He participated in the dialogue and we made sure to always include him in the discussion even when it involved our inside jokes, but he wasn't there. The dinner was strained for me, just as strained as my nerves. Michelle, God bless her heart, is as bubbly as ever. She knows how to break an awkward mood. We all appreciated her presence.

We head for the lounge after dinner and by now it's practically impossible for me to ignore the pink elephant. It might as well be painted neon green, it was glowing so brightly between Murphy and me.

Ananda: "Talk to me." I took advantage of a moment of distraction to gain his attention and I hold onto his hand while the others listened intently to a vulgar, but very eloquently spoken poet. They were all jeering and jiving as his poem intricately wove a web of Mother Nature being whored out by humanity. His message was powerful, but I could only invest half of my attention.

Murphy: "What about?"

Ananda: "Everything."

Murphy: "And if there's nothing?"

Ananda: "I never pegged you for a liar, Murphy."

Murphy: "Can't this wait?" He drinks water from his glass and sets it back down upon a coaster with careful precision. The guys hounded him for ordering water in a lounge, but it was only light teasing. I don't think that Murphy enjoyed it too much.

Ananda: "Till when?"

Tommy: "Leave him and let him pout. If it's attention that he's looking for, it's obviously not the right kind."

I don't know how Tommy heard our whispered conversation over such a lively crowd, nonetheless his remark brought the attention of our group back around.

Jason: "Tommy, man, don't start."

Tommy: "Don't start what? I'm ashamed that I'm the only one out of all of us who is willing to speak up for Ana. This guy comes in here with his three piece suit, his posh attitude, and his unwillingness to communicate and we should welcome him with open arms while kissing his ass? I don't think so."

Ananda: "Tommy, you never liked him from the moment we stepped foot inside of the restaurant. I think we all know why that is."

Tommy: "This has nothing to do with David, Ana."

Ananda: "Really now?"

Tommy: [downs his tonic] "Yeah."

Ananda: "Then what's it about?"

Michelle: "Guys should we really be getting into this right now?"

Harry: "I agree. This is a conversation that shouldn't even involve any of us."

Murphy: "Why not? You guys are so close and tight. Excuse me to think that I could infringe on such a close knit click."

Finally he speaks.

Murphy: "You remind me more of a bunch of high school brats than adults. I correct myself, middle school."

Tommy: "What the heck are you trying to say?"

Murphy: "Take it like you want to, I don't care."

Ananda: "Guys, let's just stop while we're all ahead."

Murphy: "Yeah, you've been on a roll since we started dating."

Ananda: "Excuse me?"

Jason: "Wow, you're not going to be sitting in front of us and disrespecting Ana that way."

Harry: "Hell no."

Mike: [cracks knuckles]

Tommy: "Didn't I tell you that he was looking down on us. Ana, you think I don't like him because he's not Davy, but this dick is a prick. He's pompous and you can do much better." [Turns to Murphy] "I saw the way you looked at all of us when Ana introduced us. You had already made up in your mind that we weren't worth it. How dare you snare at us as if we're some bottom feeders trying to suck the life out of you? You were disrespectful and I don't tolerate disrespect."

Murphy: [laughs humorlessly]. "I'll tell you what I see sitting in front of me: [points to Mike and Harry] two down low, wanabes ashamed to confess that they're screwing each other in the ass. [points to Jason] An idiot who only knows how to smile and has no real sense in his brain. [Points to Tommy] And a pompous asshole who doesn't know how to keep his nose out of other folk's business. [Points to Ana] And a lying, cheating woman still in love with her ex."

My heart drops. I was wrong. Murphy is more than expressive. Underneath his gentle mannerisms is one hell of a temper. I'm so stunned that I can't speak. Everyone is arguing now and I'm shell shocked. If he still felt this way, he should have said so the very day we discussed everything. I asked him and he denied it. Why is he bringing it back up?

Ananda: "I'm not in love with my ex."

Murphy: "So you say, but I saw the way you looked whenever his name was mentioned. Why would you still want to be with the bastard that abandoned you?"

That hurt. I threw my drink in his face and sat watching it drip down onto his clean white shirt turning it a dull red. I wish I could have felt some sort of satisfaction from this act, but I didn't. I wanted to hit him.

Ananda: "It's so easy to place the blame on someone else instead of where it really needs to be."

Murphy: "Don't act as if I've been neglecting you, Ananda. I do everything for you. I cater to you. I treat you the way you need to be treated."

Ananda: "You do, but tell me why you've never once attempted to kiss me? Why haven't you tried anything? Do you even have real feelings for me? Is this a joke to you because if it is we can end it here? But I'll remind you that you pursued me not the other way around."

Murphy: [rolls eyes] "You're upset because I wasn't shoving my tongue all down your throat? Are you that easy?" [Grabs Ananda and kisses her forcefully before Tommy snatches him off and punches him].

Michelle: "Tommy, no!"

Murphy: "Are you all upset because I'm giving her what she's been asking for like some loose trollop?" [Wipes blood from corner of mouth].

Jason: "You need to get the hell out of here before all four of us break our feet off in your ass."

I watch Murphy get up off of the ground and dust off his pants before eyeing me. I hand him his keys and he storms out of the lounge with several curious eyes staring after him. I wasn't expecting any of this to happen.

Tommy: "I'm sorry, Ana, but I'd like to say good riddance."

Harry: "Tommy, you and your mouth. You shouldn't have said anything. She would have figured it out on her own."

Ananda: "Figured what out?" My mind is so confused that I can barely follow the conversation.

Mike: "I'm not going to down talk him, but he is rude. His standards are way too high. What he's looking for is a Stepford wife just as ice cold and fake as he is. Smiling all the time like an idiot. You don't need that Ana."

Ananda: "But we were getting along so well."

Jason: "You saw how he just treated you. He called you a whore in so many words. I'm a good judge of character, Ananda, that type of guy is not the kind you want to be with. He's nice and sweet on the exterior, but on the inside he's malicious and a coward."

Michelle: "Does anyone want to order more drinks?"

Jason: "Baby, now is not the time to change the subject. We're telling Ana the truth because we love her and she's like family to us."

Ananda: "I knew that he was upset, but I figured we could work it out after we had an in depth discussion. He's not that bad of a guy. We just need to talk about David and he'll feel better."

Tommy: "Don't tell me that you're still going to give that dick a chance?"

Ananda: "We were all a little heated tonight. I'm going to give him time to calm down and when Murphy and I do speak, we'll figure out where things will go from here. I just...I've never seen him act like this before."

Tommy: "Whatever. Let him show his face around me and I'll give him another taste of my fist."

The night ended filled with tension. It was difficult to calm Tommy down. He's a nice guy, but his temper can be unruly. I went home after promising to make up tonight with everyone. They adamantly agreed and told me to leave Murphy at home. I figured it was a great idea since I didn't want to talk to him much less see him, but after the weekend passed and he didn't contact me, I took it upon myself to reach out to him. I called his phones on more than one occasion and when he never responded, I went by his office. He had taken the day off so I went to his house.

He didn't answer the door until I knocked incessantly and when he opened it, he wasn't too happy to see me. We stared at each other for several minutes before he finally stood back and allowed me entrance. I sat in his earth tone decorated kitchen, drawing circles on the once clean, transparent glass of his table now smudged with my finger prints. I had never seen Murphy in anything less than a suit. But his bare upper body made it impossible for me to keep my eyes focused upon his own. He was nicely toned. Not like David who was mixed with a blessing of natural genetics and an obsession with sports. Murphy had to put in work for his rips and cuts. He was still nice though.

Murphy: "Did you come to stare at me or will we talk?"

Ananda: "Hi Murphy, it's nice to see you too."

I watch him roll his brown eyes and fold his arms across his chest. I stand up and lean against the counter beside him staring at his bare feet. I didn't want to argue with him. I only wanted us to clear the air so that he would understand that I was serious when I told him that I have released David. Of course, there would always be a place for him in my heart. He was my best friend. But the love that is now in my heart is platonic. Right? I mean, of course it is. It's definitely platonic.

Ananda: "You said some very hurtful things the other night and I would like an apology."

Murphy: [snorts] "I was only telling the truth."

Ananda: "Fine, in that case, I guess I do owe you this." [turns and slaps Murphy in the face] "Goodbye."

Murphy: "You come to my house and assault me and think that you can just leave?"

Ananda: "Yes, because you earned that."

His eyes are doing it again, turning black and eerie. I never realized how big his hands are until he snatches me up. My heart skips a beat, but I'll be damned if I show him how shaken I am.

Ananda: "Get your hands off of me."

Murphy: "Get my hands off of you? Do you know how much I've put up with from you?"

Ananda: "I said to get your hands off of me!"

Murphy: "Why? You didn't like when I told you the truth? Why are you even trying to play house with me when you're feening after some other man?"

Ananda: "What are you talking about playing house? You're the one handling me with quarantine gloves and then you blame me? I've only been honest with you. I know that it was wrong of me to drag you into a relationship when I was still in love with my ex, but I told you the truth about everything. I never lied to you about David and me? You have no right to be angry—"

Murphy: "You still love him!"

Ananda: "No, I don't!"

Murphy: "Yes, you do Ananda. For heaven's sake, you call his name out every night in your sleep. Every time you come over to watch a movie and you fall asleep I have to hear you call for some other man; then you wonder why I won't touch you? I don't want David's sloppy seconds."

I don't know what to say. I know that consciously I've been making an effort to forget David and it has been working, but how do I handle it on a subconscious level? I can't tell myself to stop while I'm asleep. I can't control the dreams in my mind. How am I supposed to do it?

Murphy: "You don't want me."

I realized that his anger was stemming from hurt and rejection. No matter what he says, I do want him. I want to be closer to him. I want him to know how I feel, that in spite of our differences we can make this work. I want more with him.

Ananda: [gently touches his cheek] "Murphy, I do want you."

Murphy: "No, you don't."

Ananda: "Don't tell me what—"

His kiss was so sudden that I stumbled backwards. If it wasn't for his arms lifting me up against him, I would have fallen. His grip is so tight and unbreakable. I feel as if I'll be crush under the weight of his lips. He's forcing me to react to him, to accept his embrace and I can't fight him. I can't fight the gasp that escapes my lips when he drops me onto the kitchen table. The coolness of the glass infiltrates my thin blouse causing my back to arch up as Murphy's mouth trails down my neck. A part of me was afraid of what is taking place, but this is what I wanted. I would truly have to push David completely out of my life now. I would be Murphy's woman. Was I ready for that?

His hot mouth is on my stomach and I moan as tingles trickle up my belly. I bite my lip to suppress the tremors coursing through my body. I'm so afraid, of what will happen next, but this is natural. I just never expected it to be so sudden. He spreads my legs and they quake as I squeeze my eyes shut and release myself to feel the sensations he was evoking from me. I can do this. I know I can. Then why do I keep seeing David's changeling eyes smiling at me as he leaves hickeys on my inner thighs? No, I want Murphy. Murphy can give me something that David never could.




Making It Work Ch. 07



The next week Jen opened her lingerie draw, getting ready for work. She saw her birth control pills. She kept them there to remind her to take them, as she opened that draw at least once every day. But the pink round dispenser had become hidden under some bras and panties. "Shit," she thought to herself, seeing she'd missed some days. She punched out one of the pink pills and swallowed it.

At work Jen went with Allie for a mid-morning coffee break. Holding their Starbuck cups, they stopped so Allie could smoke. "Can I have one?" Jen asked. 

Allie handed Jen a cigarette. "Smoking again?" she asked. 

"Tom smokes," Jen said as explanation, enjoying a drag of the cigarette. She'd smoked in college. She stopped though at Mike's urging. His brother was a cancer survivor, and he disliked smoking. 

"So you're hot and heavy with Tom now?" Allie asked with an interested smile. "I don't blame you, he's hot! I bet he's great in bed."

"Freaking amazing!" Jen smiled grinning back. 

"Better than Scott?" Allie asked with a raised eyebrow.

Jen rolled her eyes delightedly. "He screws like he's gonna smash me through the wall. He does this thing with his hips. He's a little thicker and --."

"Stop!" Allie squealed, grabbing Jen's arm. "You're making me wet." Both girls giggled like giddy school girls.

"Bubble boy's okay with it?" Allie asked.

"You know Mike," Jen said. "He wants me to see Tom more, even spend the night."

"High five to that!" Allie said, holding up her hand. "Not that you'll get any sleep, I know you!" They laughed.

"I don't know, Mike says that then gets upset," Jen said grimacing at the thought. 

"He's such a drama queen," Allie said derisively. "Can't he make up his mind?"

"I'm getting tired of it," Jen said. "If he does it again ..."

"What?" Allie prompted.

"I don't know," Jen said shrugging. "It'll make me mad though."

Tom asked Jen out Saturday night. She met him at his house. He opened the door with Tommy holding his leg. "Sorry, Maria couldn't babysit tonight," he said.

"Jenny!" Tommy squealed delightedly.

"Hi Tommy!" Jen said picking the toddler up. She smiled at Tom, "That's okay, we'll have fun here."

They played games and read books with Tommy, talking and laughing and having a great time. As dinner time approached, Tommy yelled, "Let's go to Pizza A-Go-Go!" 

"It's down the street," Tom said smiling.

"Sounds good," Jen said returning his smile.

As they got ready to go, Tom pulled Jen aside. He touched her left hand. "Would you mind taking these off? We might see my neighbors there, and --."

"I get it," Jen said immediately. She took off her wedding and engagement rings and put them into her purse. It felt strange without her rings, but she'd done the same thing when she was going with Ricky.

Pizza A-Go-Go was indeed full of people Tom knew, both his neighbors and from Tommy's pre-school. They sat at a big table with the adults at one end and the kids the other. It was clear Tom's friends were very interested in his new girlfriend.

"How long have you two been dating Jenny?" Carly -- one of the wives -- asked Jen.

"Um, just a little while," Jen said. She was getting used to being called Jenny again (that's how Tom introduced her). "But we've known each other for years."

"Oh, okay," Carly said. "So you know Adria?"

"Just a little," Jen said, being careful since Carly might be good friends with Adria.

"You're divorced?" another wife Megan asked. Seeing Jen's startled expression, Megan touched Jen's ring finger. "I don't mean to pry, I just noticed the tan." Jen's ring finger was lighter where her wedding and engagement rings normally were.

"Um, separated," Jen lied.

"How long were you married?" Carly asked.

"Three years," Jen said, feeling beyond awkward. She wanted this conversation to end. Finally Tom saved her by changing the subject and talking about the country fair.

"Sorry about that," Tom said later at home, after Tommy went down. 

"It's not your fault," Jen said with an awkward laugh. "I'll have to work on a better story for next time." 

She reached into her purse for her rings. Tom stopped her with a hand over hers. "Do you mind not wearing them, when you're with me?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah, sure," Jen agreed. 

Later in bed after kissing and heavy petting, Jen lowered her head and took Tom into her mouth. He stroked her ass as she went down on him. When he felt his orgasm approaching, he pulled her off and rolled her onto her back. 

"Wait baby," Jen said and reached into her purse. She pulled out a condom. Seeing his surprise and disappointment, she explained, "I forgot to take my birth control a few days. I'm probably safe, but --."

"I get it," Tom said immediately, reaching for the condom.

His immediate reaction made her laugh. "Don't want another Tommy Jr.?" she teased.

"No," he said grinning. "I love Tommy but one is more than enough." 

He reached for the condom again but she playfully slapped his hand away. "I'll put it on you," she said. She ripped the foil with her teeth and took out the condom. Looking into his eyes with a sexy smile, she put the condom in her mouth and lowered her head.

He groaned. "If I have to wear a rubber, this is the way to do it," he joked.

She giggled and had to start over. "You're ruining my mojo," she playfully whined, and they both laughed.

Their sex was again spectacular. They fucked twice, and each time got better. It was after 2am, and Tom said, "You should sleep over. I know Mike's rule, but come on, it's late."

Jen thought about it. Before she could say anything, Tom added, "Come on Jenny, it's a stupid rule. It's --."

Jen put a finger to Tom's lips. She debated in her head. Mike said it was okay, but if she slept over he might still get upset, it'd happened before. But the reality was, she wasn't ready to go home, she wanted to spend more time with Tom. Fuck it, Mike will just have to deal.

"I'll call him, okay?" she said, giving Tom a quick kiss on the lips.

She got out of bed, walking to the other side of the bedroom. Facing the window, she pulled her hair to the side and called Mike. "Hi baby," she said as he answered. "Yeah, I'm having fun. Yeah. Hey baby, Tom asked me to sleep over."

Tom walked over and ran his hand down Jen's back. Jen turned around and smiled at him, putting a finger to his lips. "Yeah, I know, I just wanted to check," she said. She took Tom's hand and kissed his fingertips while she listened to her husband's reply. "You're sure it's okay?" Tom ran his fingers down the swell of her breasts and around her nipples. Jen pulled away. Smiling at him, she mouthed "stop." "Okay baby, I'll see you tomorrow morning. Um, I guess after breakfast but before lunch, is that okay? I love you, bye." 

"So you're mine tonight?" Tom asked as she hung up.

"I'm staying over," she corrected him with a laugh. "You're so bad!" she laughed again, and they playfully fell back into bed.

After more glorious sex, Jen said "Mike wanted me to ask if he could watch us sometime."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding?"

Jen shrugged. "You know that's what he gets out of this."

Tom scoffed, thinking about it. He lit a cigarette for Jen and then for himself. "I don't get it. He gets off on you fucking other guys?"

Jen laughed. "You're only now figuring that out?" she teased.

He grinned. "It was an abstract concept until this moment."

"Okay, I get that," she laughed. "I know it's kinda strange --."

"Kinda?" Tom said sarcastically, and they laughed again.

"So what should I tell him?" 

Tom shrugged. "Tell him I'm thinking about it."

"Okay," Jen said with another laugh.

They fucked again. They slept a few hours, then in the morning they woke and fucked again. Jen showered and dressed, both of them knowing she should leave before Tommy woke up. Also, Jen wanted to live up to her promise and return home to Mike well before noon.

"I'm going," Jen said brushing up against Tom.

Tom, feeling melancholy, saw the rings back on her finger. "So you're his again."

Jen pushed against Tom again. "I'm always his Tom," she said gently. "He's my husband. Okay?"

When Tom didn't answer, she pushed against him again and repeated with a smile, "Okay?"

"Okay," Tom said with a resigned grin. 

The next Saturday night Jen was in the shower when her iPhone rang. Mike reached into her purse to answer for her. When he did he found a half empty pack of Virginia Slims menthol lights.

"Allie called," Mike said holding up the phone as Jen emerged from the shower. In his other hand he held up the cigarettes. "You're smoking again?" he asked wearing a frown.

"Just socially baby," she lied, taking the phone and cigarettes from him. "What did Allie want?" she asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Does Tom smoke?" Mike asked, his question like an accusation.

"Don't get upset, okay?" she said gently, rubbing his arm.

"Does he?" Mike pressed.

"Yes," she admitted. "But it doesn't matter." She threw the cigarettes into the trash. "I just bought them so I'm not always bumming off Allie."

Mike felt foolish. "Okay," he said. He took the cigarettes out of the trash and put them back into her purse. "Sorry. I just care about you. I don't want to be a jerk."

"You're not baby," she assured him, hugging him. She kissed him, then shooed him out of the room. "I need to get ready."

An hour later, dressed and looking incredible, Jen hugged Mike. "You're ready for this?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said with an excited grin.

"Remember, sometimes I go crazy," she cautioned him. "I can't help myself. It doesn't mean anything."

"I know," Mike said.

"He might want to start alone," she said.

"I get it, that's okay."

Jen kissed her husband. Then the doorbell rang. It was Tom.

Mike and Tom shook hands. Mike's cock stirred as Tom and Jen kissed hello. He raised an eyebrow when Tom called Jen "Jenny," but didn't say anything. 

Mike served drinks, and they sat with Jen between the boys. There was awkward small talk. Finally Jen whispered something to Tom, and he got up and went into the bed room.

"You're okay?" she asked Mike, taking both his hands.

"Yeah," Mike said, feeling both excited and jealous. "He calls you Jenny?"

Jen shrugged. "Allie started it at work. It's no big deal." She squeezed his hands. "Join us in a bit. Maybe 15 minutes. Don't worry, we won't start without you."

"Okay."

"I love you," Jen said to Mike. She squeezed his hands again and then joined Tom in the bedroom.

Jen mostly closed the door, but not all the way so Mike was able to hear, although he couldn't make out words. He heard talking at first, easy going and lighthearted with giggles and laughter. Then the talking turned serious, with more whispers. Then he heard kissing, and then soft moans. 

He watched the clock, and at exactly 15 minutes he went into the bedroom. True to Jen's promise they hadn't started other than kissing and petting. They were sitting on the bed, both still fully dressed. They were making out and touching each other.

Jen sensed Mike enter the room and broke the kiss. Her lips glistened with Tom's and her own spit, her lipstick already gone. "Hi baby," she said with a smile. She had her cum face on. She motioned to the chair next to the bed. "Sit there okay?" Jen didn't want Mike on the bed. Tom was already weirded out by this, and she didn't want Mike to accidentally touch him as he caressed her.

Tom avoided looking at Mike, trying to pretend he wasn't there. He reached behind Jen and unzipped her dress. He'd tried to do that before but to his annoyance she'd stopped him, saying they had to wait for Mike.

Tom undressed Jen to her lingerie, bra, panties, stockings and high heels. His cocked leaped at seeing Jen also wearing a garter belt. "I like this," he whispered, running his fingertips across the lacy garter straps.

"I'll wear it again for you," she whispered back, their lips barely parting.

Jen undressed Tom. She made a production of unbuckling his pants, making sure Mike got a good look of the big tent in Tom's shorts. She slowly pulled off Tom's shorts, giving Mike a sly smile, playing up Tom's big cock to Mike. She knew Mike was loving this, and wasn't surprised to see his face covered in barely controlled lust.

Jen wrapped both hands around Tom's long thick shaft. Still smiling slyly, she said to Mike "take off your pants honey." Mike did, and he held his hard cock with his right hand. Jen continued to look into Mike's eyes, and they were both thinking the same thing. Jen could barely hold Tom's cock even with both hands, yet Mike could easily hold his own with a single hand. Tom was so much bigger than Mike, there was no comparison. Mike felt ready to burst.

Tom couldn't help noticing Mike's small dick, after all the dude was sitting just a couple of feet away. At some level, he reveled in his much bigger cock and more muscular body. He knew of course Mike was the husband and he just the boyfriend. Still, he enjoyed the favorable comparison and the implicit "fuck you" to Mike. 

But he didn't like the way Jen was paying so much attention to Mike. He'd agreed Mike could watch, but she was fucking HIM, not Mike.

"Come here," Tom said pulling Jen up to him. They kissed again. He fondled her tits and she continued to stroke his cock. Jen kissed and licked down his muscular chest and over his well-defined six pack, and then went down on him.

As Tom enjoyed the feeling of his cock in Jen's soft hot mouth, he glanced at Mike. Mike's eyes were glazed over with lust, and he was slowly stroking his pathetically small dick. What a pervert!

Jen's lips and tongue moved to the underside of Tom's balls, and he rolled his head back. He quickly forgot Mike was there. Jen was really good at giving head, way better than Adria. Jen didn't mind swallowing cum -- liked it even. She liked it when he sprayed her face too. She had the youthful, pretty face of an innocent coed, but had a slutty side to her, and he found the combination incredibly sexy and irresistible.

Mike watched as Tom pulled Jen off his cock and rolled her onto her back. Jen opened her legs, her cum face on. She reached down and guided Tom into her pussy. She grunted as the thick cockhead penetrated her.

Jen grimaced as Tom pushed into her. He was so thick it hurt, but he took his time, pushing in slow. It surprised her, usually he rammed himself in, but she didn't say anything because going slow felt good, she liked it better that way.

He got all the way in. He leaned down and they kissed. For the next 30 minutes their lips never parted except for scattered whispers.

He slowly pumped back and forth, taking long slow strokes. "That's good," Jen moaned. He fucked her that way for a long time, long and slow. It was like a slow burn, her orgasm slowly building, fleeting, there but not there. She almost told him to fuck her harder and faster, to finish her off, but it felt so good, the slow build up, like an ocean wave getting bigger and bigger and not knowing when it would crash down. 

As they fucked and kissed, Tom held Jen's hands to her side. He felt the rings on her left hand. He pressed his finger against the rings and whispered "you're mine right now."

Her eyes were closed, her brow creased, she was so close. "Not now" she said, not wanting to deal with macho alpha guy stuff at that moment, not with her body on the brink of this massive orgasm.

Suddenly the orgasmic wave crashed! She groaned and her back arched, her toes curled in her high heels, and wave after wave of intense orgasmic pleasure cascaded through her body. 

As the waves finally settled down, she panted "where did you freaking learn to do that?"

"Must be getting my mojo back," he joked, and they laughed at their inside joke. Then Jen wrapped her arms around Tom's neck and they kissed.

Tom gave Jen time to recover, then he began moving inside her again. She expected him to do the angry man thing and roughly fuck her brains out -- more macho alpha guy thing -- but instead he was considerate although relentless. He fucked her hard and fast, but not angry. It was like he channeled all that anger and other dark emotions into giving her pleasure. He was definitely getting his mojo back, and he was rocking her world! Then he started doing the rotating-the-hips thing, driving her out of her mind! He made her cum again, and the orgasm while not as intense as last time never seemed to stop! She moaned and screamed and clawed his back and arms, completely out of control. Finally he shouted he was cumming, and she hugged him tight and begged him to cum inside her.

Their bodies were covered in sweat and still connected, his softening cock still deep inside her. They panted and looked into the other's eyes, as if both amazed such intense pleasure was even possible. She glanced at the clock and saw they'd been fucking for 30 minutes. "Wow," Jen thought, marveling at Tom's strength and stamina.

Suddenly Jen remembered Mike! She looked over at the chair. It was empty. "God not again," she thought, worried but also annoyed. Hadn't Mike asked to watch them? Hadn't she cautioned this might happen?

"Let me up," Jen said pushing against Tom's chest. Tom reluctantly pulled out. Immediately creamy cum spilled from her pussy. She wiped herself with a towel. She stepped out of her high heels and put on a robe. "Wait here, okay?" she said to Tom. She gave him a quick kiss, then she went out.

Mike was on the sofa sipping a scotch.

"Hey you," she said hiding her annoyance. "You disappeared."

"I'm okay, I just needed some air," Mike said with a forced smile. Mike had left halfway through, there was only so much he could take. But he wasn't going to give Jen a hard time about it. This was their game and he knew her, he knew she lost control, she'd even warned him. 

"You're okay then?" she asked sitting on his lap, feeling relieved.

"Yeah."

"I can tell Tom he needs to go," she said. She didn't want Tom to go, but if Mike was upset ...

"No, he can stay," Mike said. They'd earlier agreed Tom would spend the night.

"Are you coming back in?" she asked.

"I will, after I finish this," Mike said jiggling the ice in the glass.

"Okay," Jen said, rubbing his chest. She hesitantly said, "It's probably best if you sit in the chair, not the bed. Tom's kinda weirded out --."

"I get it," Mike said immediately. He felt like a third wheel. But that was part of his fantasy too.

"I'll take care of this if you want," Jen said reaching down and cupping Mike's cock. He was hard again.

Mike sense she wanted to get back to Tom. "That's okay, I'm good."

Jen felt relieved, she DID want to get back to Tom. But that made her feel guilty. Wanting to make sure Mike was enjoying this too, she took his hand and put it on her stocking top. "He came a lot in me," she said with a sexy smile.

"Yeah," Mike said hoarsely, his hand caressing the lace wet with Tom's cum. "Good thing you're on the pill, or you'd be pregnant right now."

Jen smiled inside, knowing her husband's darkest sexual fantasies. "Hmmm, I think I'm safe, you know how I forget to take the pill sometimes." Feeling Mike's cock jerk under her, she teased him more. "If he gets me pregnant I'll have to have his baby, you know I'm a good catholic girl."

"God Jen," Mike moaned.

She giggled and gave him a quick kiss. "Join us when you're ready," she said getting up.

Jen went back into the bedroom, again closing the door almost all the way. She took off the robe. She wore only the garter belt and stockings. She stepped back into the black high heels. At some point Tom had taken off her bra and panties. Being sweaty the stockings felt uncomfortable, but she knew both her men would want her to keep them on so she did.

She got back into bed with Tom. "I half expected you to tell me to leave," he said.




Making It Work Ch. 07



"Nope," she said kissing him. 

"Did you jerk Mike off?" he asked. A hand job would've been all she could do, she'd been gone only 5 minutes.

"Shhhh," she hushed him, not wanting him to talk about Mike. She whispered into Tom's ear so there was no chance Mike could hear, "I wanna talk about you." She giggled and joked "where did you learn to fuck like that?"

"Not with Adria," he joked back.

"It got really that bad with her?" Jen asked. Tom had never explained their breakup.

"It was like a war, in everything, including sex," he said. "Still is." He quickly added, "Not the sex part -- we stopped having sex a long time ago."

Jen laughed. "Don't worry Tom I'm not the jealous type." 

"I'm just saying, towards the end, when we fucked it was like two alley cats clawing each other," he said.

She nodded. She was getting a better understanding of where his pent up anger was coming from.

Tom grinned and motioned to her rings. "You said you wouldn't wear those with me," he said, part joking, part serious.

Jen gave him a what-the-fuck laugh. "I can't take them off with Mike here."

He laughed and pulled her to him, kissing her. "Okay, then admit you were mine when we were fucking."

She rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"

"Come on, give me something," he laughed.

"Okay okay," she said with a laugh. Whatever. She looked at the door. Seeing no sign of Mike, she whispered "when you're fucking me, you're the only man I'm thinking about."

He smiled, clearly pleased. "That makes me feel good."

"You should be flattered," she joked. Then she got serious and whispered. "You can never tell Mike I said that. Or anything I say about him. It would be real shitty."

"I think he knows, that's why he left," Tom said smugly. "He doesn't know what he wants, does he?"

"Don't judge him okay? He's a complicated person."

Tom frowned. "I just don't get why you're together. You're so different."

Jen put a finger over his lips. "Don't go there, okay?"

Tom scowled and gave her a whatever shrug. 

Jen smiled. "Do you want to fight or fuck?"

Tom grinned back. She squealed as he pulled her into his arms.

Later, Mike felt soft lips on his cheek. He opened his eyes and saw Jen's pretty smiling face.

"Hi sleepy head," she said smiling. "I thought you were coming back into the bedroom."

Mike glanced at the clock. It was 3am, he'd dozed on the sofa for a couple of hours. "I did," he said. "But after a while I came out here. You know ..."

"Yeah," she said understanding, affectionately brushing her hand through his hair. The hot wife fantasy turned Mike on beyond belief, but if he saw too much it hurt. "Come to bed," she said pulling him up.

"Where's Tom?" Mike asked in their bedroom. The sheets were soiled with sex juices and the room reeked of sex. It got Mike hot.

"Guest room," Jen answered, kissing Mike.

"You smell like him, he's all over you," Mike said excitedly.

"He's inside me too," Jen said. "My pussy and my mouth." She pressed her lips against Mike's, pushing her tongue into his mouth.

They got on the bed and Mike hurriedly got between Jen's open legs. "I won't last long," he said.

"That's okay," she assured him, taking his shaft and guiding him into her. He came after just a few frantic strokes.

Melancholy hit him. "I wish I could fuck you better," he lamented.

Jen hugged him. "You know I love making love to you," she assured him.

"I hardly ever made you cum."

"Yes you do," she assured him. In fact, he could make her cum with his mouth, but usually not his cock, not when she was in a relationship with a well-endowed guy like Tom who knew how to fuck. 

"I wish I had a bigger cock."

Jen giggled, but not in a hurtful way.

"What?"

She affectionately squeezed his penis. "Sometimes I think you like your little thing, because it fuels your fantasies."

Mike couldn't help smiling. "You know me too well," he joked, and they both laughed. "So I have a "little thing" huh?"

"You said it, not me," Jen said acting innocent. They fell asleep spooning.

Jen woke up with the sun. Mike was still asleep. She got out of bed, careful not to wake Mike. She quietly crept to the guest room.

She kissed Tom's cheek, and he slowly opened his eyes. "Hey you," she said affectionately, kissing him again. They kissed and were soon seriously making out and petting.

Jen reluctantly broke away. "You better get going." She knew it would be better if Tom left before Mike woke up.

"Okay," Tom said disappointed, reaching for his pants. Jen stopped him. 

She kissed him and smiled into his eyes. "I wouldn't make you leave without taking care of this" she said rubbing his hard cock. Then she went down on him, doing her magic until he came in her mouth. 

They emerge from the guest room an hour later, Tom fully dressed. Tom had taken a while to cum -- enjoying every second of Jen's talented mouth, tongue and hands! -- and then they'd snuggled and whispered in bed. 

Jen glanced at the master bedroom. Mike still seemed asleep. She walked Tom to the door, holding his arm and hand. "I had a great time," she said kissing him. "You fuck me so good," she added with a giggle. Her pussy longed now for Tom's cock, her body longed for his lips and hands. She wanted to jump his bones and fuck him right there in the foyer. But she knew it would be best if he was gone when Mike woke up.

Tom kissed her back. "I'll see you later this week?"

"You bet mister," Jen said smiling and beaming into his eyes, and they kissed again.

When Jen returned to the master bedroom Mike was awake. "Hey baby," she said. "Tom just left." She went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth.

"You just went down on him?" Mike asked when she got back into bed.

"I couldn't send him away with blue balls," she joked. He looked upset. She rubbed his arm. "You're okay, right?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah?" she asked to make sure. She knew the signs, and sensed he was jealous and hurt. With the temptation of Tom now gone, it was easier for her to focus on Mike's needs. She admitted, "I know I paid a lot attention to him --."

"That's the whole point though," he assured her with a forced smile. "I'm okay, really. You know how I get. But I liked it."

"You did?" she asked rubbing his arm.

"Yeah I did, really, I love watching you."

She smiled. She saw he was hard. She brushed her hair to the side and lowered her head, taking his cock into her mouth. She was tired and her jaw ached -- Tom had taken forever to cum -- but Mike was a lot smaller and she knew he wouldn't last long. She briefly thought of getting on top and pulling him into her. But at that moment she was more interested in quickly getting Mike off and then going back to sleep.

A little later, Mike watched his wife sleep. He'd cum in her mouth 15 minutes ago, and she'd quickly drifted to sleep.

She was so pretty. Even after being together and married for years, he still couldn't believe she was his. Why would such a pretty girl marry a math geek like him?

A girl like her should be with a man's man like Tom or Ricky, or even that asshole Scott. Okay, maybe not Scott. And definitely not Colin. But Tom seemed like an okay guy. And he'd been friends with Ricky in college. Why would a stunningly beautiful girl like Jen pick him over guys like them?

Then again, why was he so into sharing her with other men? He asked himself this question all the time. Sometimes he wondered if he was gay. But outside the context of guys fucking his wife, he had no sexual interest in men. So that wasn't it.

He was insecure, especially about Jen. Maybe giving her away to other men, and then having her come back to him helped ease his insecurities. 

Maybe it was love. He knew Jen had a huge sexual appetite, and he knew he wasn't a great lover. So maybe he let Jen play with other men to satisfy her sexual needs, because he loved her so much.

He didn't know why. All he knew was, since they'd opened Pandora's Box that first time with Ricky in college, he'd been obsessed with Jen with other men. And sex with other men wasn't enough. He craved the emotions too. He wanted her to date another man, develop feelings for him. In his darkest fantasies, he wanted her to fall in love with her boyfriend. In his MOST extreme fantasies, she'd spend all her time with her boyfriend, leave him and move in with her boyfriend, let her boyfriend get her pregnant. 

These extreme fantasies scared him. What if they really happened? What if in a bout of perverted lustful insanity he encouraged Jen, even pleaded with her, to leave him for another man, or have another man's baby? Then he'd lose her forever. 

The more he thought about it, the more scared he got. But the more excited he got too. 

He let Jen sleep for a few hours. But then he couldn't stand it anymore. He woke her up with kisses, and fondled her body, her perfect slim dancer's body. Then he went down on her. He wasn't into creampies. But he needed to make her cum, to prove he could still give her pleasure. 

Then, after she came, he entered her. It felt so good! Her pussy was so perfect, even after fucking Tom all night long. His orgasm was wonderful, but it wasn't the physical pleasure he really needed. He needed the soulful contentment of his body connected with hers, of his seed shooting into her body. Because that connection made his lustful demons go away, it grounded him.

After sex they snuggled and finally got up. They took a walk and held hands. It was a sunny, lazy Sunday and they window shopped, enjoying the spectacle of New York City. They stopped and watched the ice skaters at Rockefeller Center. 

"Feel like skating before grabbing lunch?" Mike asked smiling.

Jen was momentarily distracted. One of the skaters resembled Tom, and she looked closely at him. Then she realized it wasn't Tom. "What honey?" she asked looking back at Mike.

"Do you feel like skating?" Mike said gesturing at the ice rink, still smiling. 

"Oh, yeah, that sounds like fun," she said brightly giving him a dazzling smile. 

Just then Jen heard her someone yell "Jenny!" She turned around -- it was Carly and Megan, Tom's friends she met at Pizza A-Go-Go.

Luckily at that moment she wasn't holding Mike's hand. Thinking fast, she put her hands behind her back and inconspicuously took off her wedding rings. She put the rings in her pocket and then gave Carly and Megan a hug and kiss hello.

Thinking they were Jen's work friends, Mike introduced himself as her husband.

"Husband?" Carly asked. She and Megan were frowning.

"My ex-husband," Jen quickly said. "We were, ah, just taking about some things."

"At least you're talking, my ex-husband and I fought like cats and dogs over the divorce," Carly said with a laugh. She took Jen's arm, the inconsequential ex-husband already forgotten. "Jenny, we're all going to Pizza A-Go-Go, you should come," she said. 

"Yes, come with us," Megan insisted taking hold of Jen's other arm.

"Oh um thanks but I really can't," she said glancing worriedly at Mike. He was playing the divorced husband, standing off to the side. In the end, Carly and Megan wouldn't take no for an answer so Jen reluctantly agreed. 

"I just need to talk to Mike for a sec," Jen said to them.

"Sorry about this," she whispered to him when they were away from the 2 wives. She saw anger and hurt on his face.

"You told them we were divorced?" he spat at her. 

"We ran into them at dinner and they saw the tan line of my rings," Jen explained. "I got flustered."

"You don't wear your wedding rings when you're with him?" he said his jealousy and hurt growing.

"No Mike, I mean, come on," she said.

"You pretend like you're single?" he asked accusingly. 

"Mike, put yourself in Tom's place," she said reasonably. "He doesn't want his friends to think he's dating a married girl. Remember? I did the same thing with Ricky." She glanced over at Carly and Megan, who were carefully watching. "I should go," she said to Mike. "I'll be home right after lunch." Then she tentatively added. "We probably shouldn't kiss." She gave Mike a brief hug like he was a distant relative.

"Sorry for being so pushy, but I knew you'd want us to save you," Megan said holding Jen's arm as they walked to the subway.

"I know right?" Carly said cheerfully. "Who'd want to spend a Sunday afternoon with their ex?"

Tom was pleasantly shocked to see Jen walk into the restaurant with Megan and Carly. Tommy squealed and immediately jumped into her arms. "I'll tell you later," Jen said smiling to Tom as he raised an inquiring eyebrow. They were clearly happy to see each other.

"I missed you," he said taking her into his arms.

"Me too," Jen said looking into his eyes, and they kissed.

After lunch Jen said "I should get back."

Tom curled a finger in the back pocket of her tight jeans and pulled her to him. He was hard. "Do you have time to ...?"

Jen was horny and wet. He'd caressed her leg under the table all during lunch. She said "If we're fast --." 

Tom asked Maria to take Tommy to a movie, and they practically ran to his house a few blocks down the road. They tore off each other's clothes. Tom fucked her against the wall in the foyer.

"God you fuck me so good!" Jen said dreamily in the crook of his arm, laying in his bed, her body glistening with sweat and her pussy full of his cream. "I've got to go though," she said getting up. It was already 3.

"Come on, stay a while," he said pulling her back.

"I can't Tom," she giggled wiggling out of his arms.

"Give me a minute and I'll be ready to go again," he said.

"Is that a threat or a promise?" she teased.

"Does that mean you're staying?" he said, running his finger along the slope of her breasts. His fingertips circled her nipples, and they started getting hard again.

"That's not fair," she said with a giggle. He rubbed one of her hardening nipples with this thumb and finger. "Tom, come on, I've got to get home to Mike."

He leaned in and kissed her, softly just how she liked it, with just the right amount of tongue. He'd become an expert with her body, and his lips moved over her neck. He flicked his tongue in her ear.

"Oh god," she groaned.

He trailed his hand down her breasts and over her flat stomach, then to her pussy. He ran his fingertips around and over her clit. Her clit was still sensitive from her last orgasm, but he applied just the right amount of pressure.

"God Tom," she moaned.

He moved on top of her and she opened her legs. He was hard again, he couldn't get enough of her tight perfect body. "Still need to go home to Mike?" he teased as he pushed inside her.

"Just go fast okay," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing her.

When Jen finally got home, Mike was sitting in the dark, a glass of scotch in his hand. 

"I'm sorry," she said getting on her knees in front of him. When he didn't say anything, she put her head in his lap and said again, "I'm so sorry."

"How many times did he fuck you?" Mike said, like an accusation. When she didn't answer, he said "How many?"

"Twice," she finally admitted. She felt his hard-on but she knew he was not interested in pillow talk right then.

"You can't do that to me Jen," he said, angry and hurt. 

"I know," she said. "It was a fluke, it won't happen again." She got up and sat on the sofa, hugging him. 

"I understand you lose control," he said. "But if this is going to work, there's got to be boundaries. You can't disappear for hours."

"I know, I know, it wouldn't happen again," she promised. "How can I make it up to you?" She cupped his hard-on. "Do you want to ...?"

"No," he said pushing her hand off. 

"You're upset, I get it," she said, hugging him and putting her head on his chest. 

Her long blonde hair was right below his nose, and he could smell Tom all over her. He knew Tom was inside her, probably leaking out and soaking her panties and the crotch of her jeans. Jen read his thoughts and said, "Do you want me to clean up?"

"No," he said. He put his arm around her. Despite everything, it turned him on to smell Tom all over her. He felt raw, but his demons were coming out.

They held each other. A little later Mike made a simple dinner while Jen played bartender and make drinks. They ate a quiet dinner, then snuggled on the sofa and watched a movie on Netflix. They both began feeling better, the tension easing out. 

"Can I tell ya something?" she said gently in a soft voice. "Today wasn't all my fault. Getting hijacked by Carly and Megan wasn't my fault. You want me to date Tom. How can I do that if his friends know I'm married? You can't get mad at me baby, it's not fair. And the wedding ring thing is the same thing. How can I wear my rings when I'm out on dates with him?"

Mike didn't answer immediately. Finally he said "You were gone a long time."

"That was wrong," she admitted. "But can you at least say it wasn't all my fault? You make me feel so bad."

"I know it's not all your fault," he concedd. "It's just ... you were with me, we were doing stuff, and suddenly you're gone, for hours."

"But I'm here now," she said squeezing his arm. "I feel gross and wanna take a shower, but I haven't cause I know you like him all over me." She gave him a crooked grin. "But instead of fucking my brains out you're upset with me."

Mike couldn't help smiling. "He messed you up huh?" he asked grinning.

"Ah ... yeah!" she laughed, holding her arms out as if his cum was dripping down her body. "He cums gallons, sometimes I feel like he's hosing me down!" She saw the tent in his pants. She cupped him and grinned. "Wanna play now? We haven't even talked about last night yet."

"You must be sore," he said. She been fucking non-stop for almost 24 hours.

"Sorta," she admitted. "But we can still have fun."

In bed Mike was naked, lying on his back. Jen sat next to him cross-legged, stroking his cock. She still wore her bra and panties.

"He fucked you twice?" Mike asked. She'd told him earlier, but now they were playing the game.

"Yeah, I'm sorry, it's --."

"Once you start it's hard to stop," Mike said finishing her sentence. 

"Yeah," she admitted. 

"You like Tom a lot?"

"I like him."

"A lot?"

"I guess."

"You can admit it," Mike said laughing.

"I don't know," she said laughing back. "You ask me that all the time. I wouldn't be dating him if I didn't like him." She shrugged. "I guess I like him a lot."

"Okay," Mike said. He reached over and touched a hickey on her neck. Tom had marked her.

"He did that last night," she said. "Do you want me to tell him to be more careful?"

"It's okay," he said running his finger over the hickey, as if studying it.

She reached back and unsnapped her bra, pulling it off her arms. There were bite marks on her breasts. "He gets kinda rough," she said.

"You like it though huh?" Mike asked.

"Yeah," she admitted. 

Mike tenderly ran his finger along the bite marks on her breasts, and then over dried cum flaking on her baby soft skin. 

"I told you he cums a lot," she giggled. 

"Most guys like cumming inside you."

"He does that too." She got on her knees and pulled off her panties. "See?" she said. Her tiny landing strip was matted with dried cum. "We have the weirdest conversations," she said giggling as Mike ran his finger over the dried cum flaking on her pussy lips.

"I doubt Emma Watson talks about this with her boyfriend," Mike joked.

"I doubt Allie talks about this with her boyfriend," Jen joked back.

"Does she have a boyfriend?" he said absently, continuing to trace his finger through her landing strip and around her pussy lips.

"You know Allie, she only has fuck buddies."

"He made you cum, on his cock?" Mike asked abruptly changing the subject.

"Yeah," she admitted. "I cum on your cock too."




Making It Work Ch. 07



"Don't lie," he said. "You hardly ever do, I can tell."

She didn't deny it. Instead she lamented, "That's so important to you."

He shrugged and gave her a look that said "of course it's important, how can it not be important?"

"I'm not lying when I say I love making love to you," she said wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. She straddled his lap. "Are you ready?" she asked kissing him again. She reached between their bodies and guided him to her pussy. "I'm kinda tired, and I dying for a shower."

"Yeah," he said hoarsely. He moaned as she lowered herself on his lap and he entered her.

"Tell me how he makes you cum so much," Mike said.

"I don't know," she said. "I guess size does kinda matter."

"Okay," he said, his face filled with lust, but also jealousy and hurt.

As she moved up and down, she put her arms around his neck, and they hugged. "You know, sex isn't the same as love," she said.

"I know."

"Just remember that," she said kissing him.



Making It Work Ch. 07



Cold air accosts my sex and I involuntarily buck my hips. This was really going to happen. I prepare myself for his entrance, waiting for the pressure that would invade me and fill me uncomfortably until it transformed into pleasure. His heavy body aligns on top of me, but instead of entering me, he holds me.

Murphy: "I'm sorry, Ananda. Please, don't cry."

A broken sob confirms his statement. I move to wipe my tears away, but he does it for me. We stare at each other until I look away too guilty to hold his gaze.

Murphy: "I was wrong. I shouldn't have acted like such a prick to you and your friends. And I shouldn't be forcing you to forget about David. The heart doesn't do what you tell it to do. It has a mind of its own. As much as I want you, Ananda, there is no room for me in your heart right now."

Ananda: "Murphy, I—"

Murphy: "Even if we slept together right now, who would you be thinking about? Who would you really want inside of you? I'm not stupid, Ananda. I can't compete with the history that you share with that man. And I don't want to or I'll turn bitter and you'll hate me." [pushes her hair out of her face] "I don't doubt that you want us to work. You've put forth a lot of effort, but you're not ready and I'm not sure if you ever will be. Fix yourself up, you should head home."

He pulls away from me and walks away while I quietly sob. I do want Murphy. I don't want things between us to end. Why is this so hard?

Ananda: "Stupid, get over him. He's gone."

I loathed myself for the intense relief flooding my system. It's as if my body saw Murphy's affection as a threat and now that he's gone, it can breathe easily. I fix my apparel, sliding from the table in time for Murphy's return. I shrug helplessly as he approaches me. He pulls me closer into a hug and kisses my forehead as his hand rubs my back.

Murphy: "Whenever you're ready, I'll be here. Otherwise, I don't see why we can't be friends. How about that? Should we start off as friends and see where that takes us?"

I nod into his chest and hold him tighter. This man is too good for me.

Ananda: "I would like that."

I leave shortly after with a movie date for next week. I'm surprised that he would want to see me so soon after what just took place between us. He apologized once more for his behavior on Friday, although he told me that he was being sincere about everything he said concerning my friends. He didn't like them and didn't want to see them again. I laughed and told him that I wouldn't force him to repeat it. I think the both of us knew the real reason why he couldn't stand them. They reminded him of David. Even in his absence, his presence was impeding our progress.

David. I need to talk to him. I want to hear his voice. He is still my best friend, after all. But I know that I can't face him. I'm too weak right now and I refuse to break down and tell him how much of a hard time I'm having with his absence. I can get through this without him.

*******

David: "Tommy. Tom. Thomas! I thought that you called for us to discuss the gym's progress."

Tommy: "I did."

David: "Then why are you still griping about what happened between you and that Murphy guy? Let it go. Frankly, I'm getting tired of hearing about it. This is the third time that you're recounting this story not to mention Jason, Michael, and Harry."

Tommy: "I just don't like him, okay. And if I can't vent to my best friend, who else am I supposed to vent to?"

David: "Don't you have four other best friends and a best friend to be?"

Tommy: "Hardy-har-har. Mike, Harry, and Ananda are finishing up with their move, and Jason and Michelle are preparing to visit you. You should see all the junk food they're bringing for you. It's like they're going to feed a pack of famished teenagers."

David: "I don't eat junk food."

Tommy: [laughs] "They told me that you look like a chiseled skeleton."

David: [stacks paperwork on cluttered desk] "What in the world does that mean?"

Tommy: "It means that you have more muscle on your bones than meat. And before you start getting technical, you know what I mean, so can it. Michelle is worried about you. You need to stop working out so much and eat...and sleep...and get a life...and get laid."

David: "Alright, Tommy, I get the picture. You can be such a pain."

Tommy: "Even Ana is taking care of herself. You should see how beautiful she's becoming. I never thought that it was possible for her to get any prettier."

David: [whispers brokenly] "Why are you doing this?"

Tommy: "Doing what? All I want you to do is call her. Talk to her. She misses you just as much as you miss her."

David: "Thomas, need I remind you that you're part of the reason that I'm here?"

Tommy: "And the other part?"

David: [grumbles] "Mind your own damn business."

Tommy: [chuckles] "Stop running away."

David: "I'm not running from anything."

Tommy: "Yes, you are. You're being an idiot. Talk to Ananda, Davy. You still love her and frankly, I'm jumping on the worrying bandwagon with everybody else. You can't keep going on like this."

David: "What do you really want, Tommy, because I'm busy." [Checks watch]

Tommy: "Alright, okay, I get it. I'll drop it, sheesh."

[Long pause]

David: "Don't you think that I want to see her too? I just needed time to understand my feelings."

Tommy: "And?"

David: "I want her in my life as more than a friend, but I'm terrified." [releases a heavy sigh]

Tommy: "Of what?"

David: "Of screwing everything up again. The reason I haven't reached out to her isn't because I'm afraid of what she has to say. It's because I know that if I lose her again, because of something stupid that I did, I would never forgive myself. I wouldn't make it a third time. I can't lose her a third time, Tommy."

Tommy: [nods head] "I get it."

David: "Besides, Ana's with Murphy now. I'm not going to sabotage their relationship." [Casually looks at watch].

Tommy: "Well, you kno—"

David: "Shit, Tommy, I have to get out of here. I'm late for a meeting. Look, I'll fax over the charts like you asked and the reports should be done by tomorrow afternoon. I have to go."

Tommy: "Wait, David!" [Phone line goes dead] "They broke up. I guess it's not my place to tell you anyway."

I was more than happy to get off the phone with Tommy. I have a lot to do and I think he called more so to gossip than to get actual work done. I'm trying to put in some over time since my dad is arriving soon. I want to show him around and just spend most of my extra time with him. I'm quite excited. Jason and Michelle can sort of kind of fend for themselves. Don't get me wrong, I want to hang out with them as well, but I also don't want to infringe on their couple time. I'd be the cock blocking third wheel.

I make it across town arriving five minutes late to my meeting, but I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one. The meeting. What to say? Absolutely nothing because I barely paid attention, but taking the nods of approval into consideration I think I said what was necessary when called upon. I head to two others before feeling exhausted and only wanting to tackle my mattress for the rest of the night. I answer my ringing phone before starting the engine and letting it sit idle.

David: "Hey Leleti, what can I do for you?"

Leleti: "Dave, what are you doing tonight?"

David: "Well—"

Leleti: "Get dressed. We're going out and we're going to have a good time. Are you comfortable surrounded by women?"

David: "I'd like to think I am."

Leleti: "Okay, I'll come and pick you up around nine."

David: "How about I meet you there?"

Leleti: "No way, I know you by now, Dave. You just want to drive so that you'll be able to leave after the first five minutes. And neither can you pick me up because I'm introducing you to my lovely friends and you don't get to escape."

David: "Drats. You caught me, Leleti." She really had caught me. I was planning on being polite and staying at least ten minutes before calling it a night. I feel exhausted.

Leleti: "Of course I did. Why wouldn't I?" Her voice has taken on a gentle, intimate tone that I haven't heard for a while. I'm slightly unsettled. I can even imagine her with a soft smile on her pretty face.

David: "I guess I'll see you later."

Leleti: "Yup, don't hate me if I'm a bit early. I'm actually close to your house. My cousin lives nearby and she's joining us tonight."

David: "No problem. See you soon." I drive home slowly in spite of my fatigue then get in three reps of pushups and sit ups before hitting the shower. I nearly fall asleep inside and ixnay getting dressed right away. I fall asleep on my bed butt naked, snoring and all. I can always tell when I'm snoring because sometimes I'll snort and startle myself awake. I think I sleep for about forty-five minutes before I hear my doorbell. Crap. Leleti is already here and I don't even have on a towel. I grab it from off of the side of the bed and wrap it around my waist before snatching the door open completely forgetting about her cousin.

"Well, hello there."

David: "Hi." My voice sounds way too husky for my liking. I clear my throat and try again, but my brain is still groggy from sleep, so it still came out flirty.

Leleti: "It's a good thing I came early or you'd still be asleep. Hi."

David: "Hey." Leleti lifts up and kisses me on the cheek, her hand rests on my abdomen and I'd be a liar if I didn't say that I felt a tingle. I'm human and the last I checked I haven't touched a woman since I last left Ananda. I clear my throat again and redirect my eyes back to her cousin. The woman is beautiful. Where Leleti is light, her cousin is dark and smooth. Her skin appears firm and flawless. Her lips are full and plump, her cheekbones high and defined. Her hair is close cropped to her head and the hair cut looks great on her. It brings out her feminine shoulders and elegant, graceful form in spite of her tall height. We meet each other eye to eye. She's just as gorgeous as her cousin.

Leleti: "This is my cousin, Cleopatra Aina Ajambo Mvula, but you can call her Cleo."

David: "A beautiful name for a beautiful lady." [exchange smiles]

Cleo: "Thank you."

David: "May I ask what it means?"

Cleo: "Sure you can. Cleopatra, as I undoubtedly know that you're familiar with, means glory of the father. Aina means grace and favor. Ajambo means born in the evening. Mvula means stormy weather. "

David: "So you were born in the evening of a stormy day?"

Cleo: [nods head] "Yup and the rest speaks for itself" [Turns about gracefully with a beautiful smile on her face]. "Now, it's not that I'm not enjoying your delicious washboard abs, but you should be getting chilly right about now."

I can feel heat rising to my cheeks as I remember that I'm more or less naked. I invite the women in and hustle back to my room to get dressed. I can hear giggles and whispers. I do a quick look over of my appearance and shrug. One thing is for sure, I feel a lot more awake than before. I wear a black muscle shirt, jean shorts, and Timberland boots hoping that we're going somewhere casual. My vanity would like to say that I've barely dressed so I can show off to the ladies, but I'll be frank. I'm too damn lazy and too damn tired to care about what I'm wearing tonight. I leave my room to meet whistles of approval. That's a good sign.

Leleti: "You look nice."

Cleo: "She's being polite, David. You look delicious. You must work out."

David: "Yeah." I can tell you one thing, Cleopatra is a natural flirt. So far she has officially made me blush once and had me on the verge of a repeat within fifteen minutes of knowing each other. She has a carefree spirit that most men love and she knows how to handle her sexuality.

Leleti: "Ready to go?"

David: "Yeah, let me just grab my house keys." The cousins head for the door while I search for my ever invisible keys. I really should hang up a key holder like Michelle suggested. Every time we chat she watches me spend at least thirty minutes looking for them. I find them under my couch. How the hell did they get under my couch? Did my sleep ridden mind just say 'fuck it, let's make him look like a dick for keeping me awake for the past sixteen hours?' Sometimes I can't understand myself.

I go to lock the door and smile at Cleopatra who smiles back gently. She leaves behind her cousin whispering how good I smell. Men, women are dangerous creatures. I'm an avid believer that they know exactly what they do to us men. From the flirty looks, the soft smiles, the shy eyes...they know exactly what they're doing.

I don't even ask where exactly we're going. In a sense I'm happy to be getting out although I could use some more sleep. They take me out to a food fair that I didn't even know about. Stands surround the outside of the building and I stop to sample a mini sandwich before we head inside. The air conditioner welcomes us as we start to walk about searching for the rest of Leleti's friends. They're waiting for us near the entrance at a beer stand and as soon as they see us and look at me, the cat calls commence. My smile makes a semi-permanent appearance as we make introductions and I get very flirty compliments from the women, all of them beautiful, by the way.

Leleti: "You must forgive them, David, it seems they have forgotten their manners at home."

David: [shrugs shoulders] "It's all right. What man doesn't want gorgeous women fawning all over him?"

Leleti: "So you like the attention?" [Raises eyebrow in amusement]

David: "I'm guilty." I wait until her friends have finished their brew then we all walk around the fair snacking and tasting until we find a restaurant that appeals to us. It's a Cajun restaurant and what really got me was the scent of the jambalaya. It literally slapped me in the face. I had to have some. That and their seafood mystery monster which according to their menu was the portal to Davy Jones' Locker. Adorable advertising, but it worked obviously since we're sitting down chatting after having ordered.

Cleo: So, David, Leti tells me that you own a chain of gyms and that you're building one. How is that working out for you?"

David: "Yeah, I moved to Washington because my business partner and I have decided to expand instead of remaining primarily in the south. So far it's going well."

Cleo: [snorts] "From what I've seen on tv they can use the exercise...."

Leleti: "Cleo!"

Cleo: "I'm just saying."

I enjoy a good laugh actually nodding my head in agreement. But not everyone can be fit and trim. Sometimes it's genetics which predisposes us to being what society deems as abnormal. There's nothing wrong with that, but what I don't like are individuals who complain about being overweight, after having put themselves in that position with bad eating behavior, yet continue to practice horrible eating habits. That really grinds my gears. Otherwise, I don't judge. It's not my place.

"So, you're single, right?"

Crap, what's her name again? Amar? Atara? It's Abrarre!

David: "Yes, I am single. [answers hesitantly]

Abrarre: "What? I'm not going to bite. I'm only curious. Besides, Leti has obviously put her stamp on you."

Leleti chokes on her Coca Cola as her face flushes bright red. She doesn't even speak only glaring at her friend in embarrassment. I smile like an idiot. I enjoy watching their group dynamic. It was evident that they're a close group of friends.

David: "Stamp? What stamp?"

Abrarre: "You know what stamp I'm talking about."

David: [continues to feign ignorance] "Really now?"

Abrarre: "Yeah. Every man knows when a woman has put her stamp of approval on him thus marking him off limits to any other competition."

David: [Turns playfully to Leleti] "Is that so?"

Leleti: "Shut up."

Cleo: "So what about you, David?"

David: "What about me?"

Cleo: "You're single, handsome, and successful. Aren't you tired of being lonely?"

David: [slowly stirs drink with straw] "Yeah, I am."

Cleo: "Then—"

David: "Unfortunately for me, the woman that I want to be with is back home and is involved with someone who will treat her right. He's giving her something that I should have found the time and the balls to give her."

Cleo: "Damn."

I can see that they're all shocked by my honesty; nevertheless, I'm proud of what I said. I knew what they were up to, eventually trying to play matchmaker for Leleti and me, therefore I wanted them to clearly see my position: I'm not ready to be with anyone unless that person is Anna. I look up from my glass to meet eyes with Katie? I think her name is Katie or is it Catherine?

"Do you miss her?"

Abrarre: "Kate, seriously, can't you tell from the atmosphere that the man is depressed over her? Why are you digging into the wound?"

I wasn't far off. I just can't peg her as a Kate. She looks more like a Diana to me. She has an air of gracefulness that is comparable, but not equal to Cleopatra's.

David: "No, it's okay. I'm all right with talking about her. Yes, I miss her like I would miss water in a desert. We grew up together. She's my best friend."

Cleo: "Damn. Well, Leti, sometimes you just have to know when to call it quits."

Leleti: "I'm going to strangle each and every one of you after David leaves tonight."

Cleo: "I'm just saying."

Abrarre: "We're only looking out for you. You're young, gorgeous, very successful, intelligent, but also single. You need a man to knock off those cobwebs."

Leleti: [mouth gaps open and closed like a fish] "I do....not....I do not have cobwebs, thank you."

Kate: "When was the last time you were laid?"

David: [follows conversation with amusement]

Leleti: "Must we really have this conversation right now? [side eyes David]

Abrarre: "Oh please, he's not a stranger anymore. Even Marcy will start spouting off her secrets once she quits having eye sex with the waiter in the next restaurant stall. Should I call your fiancé?"

Marcy was definitely having some strong eye sex. I'm surprised her straw is still intact from the way she was biting all over it. Her lipstick stains cover about half its length. She amuses me too.

Marcy: "Geez, I'm only flirting. I never said that I would have sex with the man. What's so wrong with that? And yes, Leti, it's been awhile...a very very very long while."

Our food arrives which I thought would put an end to the discussion, but as soon as the waitress leaves, the girls start back in. At first I couldn't see the difference between Leleti and Ana personality wise, but where Leleti is sitting quietly and trying to make a commentary, Ananda would have already given everyone a tongue lashing. I keep my mouth shut and just smile the entire time. For once it's great to not be the center of attention. I know when my dad arrives I'll have to put up with this. We finish up dinner and head to a small carnival hidden behind the food fair. Leleti and I sit together on the ferris wheel and I take the opportunity to finally address her.

David: "I like your friends. I think they're kind of awesome."

Leleti: [snorts] "Yeah if you say so. I'm going to strangle them each one by one."

David: [laughs]

Leleti: "You laugh, but I'm serious. I want to apologize for their behavior."

David: "No need. I'm having a good time."

Leleti: "And you finally met some new people."

David: "Yes."

Leleti: "I still hope that they didn't make you feel uncomfortable with their questions."

David: "Not at all. I deal with that on a daily basis from everyone back home."

Leleti: "I guess that means that they really want you two to get back together, huh?"




Making It Work Ch. 07



David: "If anything, they want me to get my crap together."

Leleti: "You often think about her, don't you?"

David: "I don't know if we should be having this conversation" [shifts uncomfortably in seat]

Leleti: "Really? You weren't so bothered when my friends asked you."

David: "Your friends aren't harboring feelings for me that I can't reciprocate."

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, me looking at her, her observing the night sky. I don't know what she's thinking, but I hope that I haven't hurt her feelings in my endeavors to be honest and open with her.

Leleti: "You're very, brutally honest. I think that's what I appreciate about you the most. All the same, I'd like to know if it's not too personal."

David: "Then yes, I think about Ananda every single day and night from the moment I wake up until the moment I fall asleep. At times I even dream about her. I know it sounds obsessive, but it's something that I can't seem to turn off on my own no matter how hard I try."

Leleti: [nods and folds arms] "Well, I'm not known for giving up so easily so don't expect me to."

David: [laughs somewhat nervously] "As long as you were forewarned. I'm actually a very loyal person."

Leleti: "I've noticed, but I'm still not giving up."

David: "Okay."

We finish up our ride and our time at the carnival before I'm brought back home. It's nearly midnight and for once I can't sleep even though that's exactly what I want to do. What am I supposed to do now? [reaches for phone]. Screw it, I'm going to call her.

[Phone rings] I didn't think that she was going to answer. I was losing hope, ready to hang up when I hear her sleep heavy voice.

Ananda: "Hello?"

David: "Ana? I'm sorry that I woke you up."

Ananda: "No, I was taking a nap...that I shouldn't even be taking." [several minutes of silence] "Are you okay?"

David: "Yeah, you?"

Ananda: "Yeah, I'm fine. David—"

David: "Ana, look—"

Ananda: "What?"

David: "No, you were saying something?"

Ananda: "No, I was just...I"

I can feel the nervousness between the both of us. I wish I had held my tongue because now I want to know exactly what she was planning to tell me.

David: "I think—"

Ananda: "I'm leaving the country. I wanted to tell you because despite what has been going on between us, you're still my best friend and I miss you."

David: "I miss you too."

Ananda: "Well, now that you know..."

David: "How long will you be gone for?"

Ananda: "I don't know. I haven't quite decided. I'm just happy that I'll be leaving soon."

David: "And your job?"

Ananda: "I've quit. Well, I handed in my resignation. I don't want you to think I went to my boss throwing chairs and desks and stuff."

David: "Oh." My mind is blown. There are so many questions I would like to ask, but I don't want to overstep my boundaries. The fact that she told me anything at all is well appreciated. I can't deny the stir of anxiety in the pit of my belly. What if Ana doesn't want to come back? What if I can't speak to her anymore or see her anymore? What about Murphy? Is he okay with her leaving with an indefinite return date? I would ask, but I don't really want to hear about their relationship.

Ananda: "David? You're really quiet."

David: "I'm sorry about what I said before I left. I shouldn't have told you to stay away. I was a dick and will you forgive me?"

Ananda: "Of course. You know that I could never stay mad at you."

David: [sighs in relief] "When are you leaving?"

Ananda: "In about three weeks or so. It depends on how much my mom cries. You know she has separation anxiety."

David: [chuckles] "Yeah. She bawled her eyes out the day I left."

Ananda: "That definitely sounds like my mom. But I assured her that we could still Skype. I even downloaded the app to my phone."

David: "Well, I'm happy for you."

Ananda: "Thank you. I really appreciate that. David, I'm happy to hear from you. I've really been wanting to talk to you. I want you to know that I'm not upset with you anymore for leaving. I understand why you did what you did and I hope that you're happy...and that you'll find someone who will make you happy."

David: "Yeah." [stares up at the ceiling in remorse] "Anyway, I have to get to bed now."

Ananda: "Okay, have a good night."

[Hangs up phone]

I hung up the phone somewhat reluctantly. I didn't expect to hear the disappoint I did in David's voice. I guess I shouldn't have wished him good luck? I just want him to be happy with his gorgeous girlfriend. It hurts thinking about him with someone else. All the same I know that I need to start putting things into perspective. I need to move on and reminding myself that David already has will help me from remaining stuck in the past. Besides, he's never been serious when it came to the two of us. So either way I can't hold onto something unstable and nonexistent.

I get up despite the late hour and continue ordering my affairs. I have so much old paperwork from my desk that I need to get rid of, it's not even funny. I look at my bed and my boxes and decide to go back to sleep. The next couple of days are spent with me buying things for David that I made Michelle and Jason promise not to tell him I bought. I see them off at the airport, waving like a maniac as they leave to board the plane. I make sure that Papou, my nickname for David's father, will be on his best behavior and give him a big kiss on the cheek before he boards the plane. I return home feeling empty. I know it's because I want to go with them and see David with my own eyes.

I also know that if I do go and see him, I wouldn't want to return anytime soon. There's so much that I want to say to him and the shameful part of me would admit that there's a lot more that I want to do to him. I head to my parents' house instead of back to my apartment. It was a last minute decision, so last minute that I literally had my key in the lock when I changed my mind and went back down the elevator to go to their place. My dad is napping on the couch and mom is busy in the garden so, like I used to do when I was younger, I laid on top of my father and laid my head on his chest. His deep breathing slowly turns into a chuckle as his large hand caresses the back of my head.

Quentin: "Hey baby."

Ananda: "Hi Daddy."

Quentin: "You came to take a nap with your old man?"

Ananda: [nods head against his chest] "Shhh...let's go back to sleep." We actually do and we don't wake up until my mom nudges us awake to try some new cookie recipes she's working on. It's cranberry, pistachio, and orange cookies. I never thought that orange and cranberries would taste good together, but I really like it. I would have eaten several more if she hadn't slapped my hand and told me that they were for her sample boxes she was passing out to the nearby grocery stores. But she allows me to taste her banana, maple, and nutmeg cookies. They were crisp and brittle yet melted in your mouth. I could definitely get fat from being Mom's taste tester.

Stacy: "How are they? Would you buy those cookies?"

Ananda: "Mom, both of them are amazing. Are you sure you don't want to save some for me?" [Gives big adorable smile]

Stacy: [waves her daughter off] "Nope, next thing you know you'll get diabetes and I'll feel responsible."

Ananda: "So you'd rather give other people's children diabetes, but not your own?"

Stacy: "Yup. And don't even try giving me that puppy dog face because it only works on your father....and your brothers....and David."

You can't blame a girl for trying. I stay with them and we go over more plans for the bakery. I didn't tell them yet, but my brothers and I tapped into our savings accounts to go ahead and buy their building. It's not big yet definitely not small. It's nice and cozy just like Mom likes it and it's downtown around all the action just like Daddy loves. I told them about me preparing to travel so we decided that we'd hire a construction crew, to speed up the process, to work on a few changes and we'd see to the remodeling before handing over the keys to them. Mike and Harry have put me in contact with several interested clients. Two of them would like my parents' to sign a four year contract after having, secretly, sampled products thanks to moi.

So far the six of us, me and my brothers, have kept our mouths shut even though it has been hard at times for me. I give our parents the contracts we've been discussing for the past several days and I explain everything to them, double and triple checking to make sure that they understood the terms. When I was one hundred percent sure that they had comprehended, they signed their names on the dotted line. I personally go to Mike and Harry's to deliver the contracts. I run into Tommy at the door and the four of us sit down for cold beers and idle talk after I hand over the paperwork. I know that they're in great hands because I trust these men with my life therefore I didn't have any qualms or worries about moving too fast.

Ananda: "What happened to the curtains I put up the last time I was here?"

Tommy: "I took that shit down. Ana, this is a man cave not Martha Stewart's house."

Ananda: "Thomas!"

Mike: "It does make us look a bit gay."

Ananda: "No, you two staying closed off in here all the time doing God knows what is what would be gay. Curtains make your house more welcoming and it shields you from sunlight."

Harry: "As do blinds."

Ananda: "Traitor! I thought you liked those curtains?"

Harry: "You asked if I liked curtains and I said yea, but I didn't know you had plans of putting them up."

Ananda: "And you, Mikey?"

Mike: "Nope, leave me out of this. I have learned from living with nothing but women that when you're wrong you're wrong. And even if you're right, you're still wrong. I'm staying neutral."

Harry: "Pussy."

Tommy: "There is nothing wrong with men having curtains, but it can't be that frilly stuff you had hanging on the windows. That's something my grandmother would use. You have to get manly curtains. This is a bachelor pad. There are two very heterosexual bachelors living here. Women would think that at least one of them is homosexual."

Harry: "And that we aren't."

Ananda: "Whatever chumps."

Mike: "We still love you though, Ana."

Tommy: "Yea."

Harry: "Definitely."

Ananda: "Chumps and brownnosers, handsome brownnosers. I'm hungry. Who's is in the mood for pizza?"

Tommy: "Who's paying?"

Ananda: "One of you guys."

Tommy: "Fine, just make the call."

Ananda: [Big smile] "Yay! Thanks." [Gives Tommy a big kiss on the cheek]

Tommy: [smiles] "Spoiled brat."

We talk late into the night although we all needed to get up early the next day. I spend the night on the couch while Tommy sprawls out on the floor. In the morning I make us coffee and a quick breakfast of scrambled eyes, sautéed onions, mushrooms and green peppers and buttered toast. Mike and Harry really need to do some grocery shopping. I would volunteer, but they might accuse me of buying emasculated food. We eat together, sharing laughs and crazy college stories like we used to do after pulling an all-night frat party once exams were over. I wish that Jason and David, and Michelle, were here to enjoy this moment with us.

I head into my office to finish up the paperwork that has been piled on my desk for the last month and a half and let the rest of the day run its course. I really wish that David was here with me. I've kept in constant contact with Michelle since they left to visit him and she told me that I should definitely fly out to see him. He has taken them around Washington and even introduced them to some of his own, recently acclaimed, hangout spots. I fight the urge to ask and I make sure to always keep myself on the move in order to think of David less. It works and with me putting my affairs in order to leave my current firm, preparing my new one with Caroline, fixing up my parents' new bakery, and getting ready for my own trip I haven't had time to do much reflection upon our failed relationship.

Before I know it I've completely cleared out my office and the work crew we hired for the bakery put the finishing touches on the building. My brothers and I spend a week to paint and fine tune thanks to Frederick being anal about details and Cleveland supporting him a hundred percent. It takes us three extra days because of them, but to watch the look of shock and awe on our parents' faces when I led them to the building was well worth it. I convinced our parents to have dinner with me since they had yet to know that all of their children were actually in the same city for once. Mom was tired and Daddy didn't really want to force her, but I can be pretty persuasive especially when I do the puppy dog face thing she's always accusing me of doing. They were like putty in my hands.

We arrived at the building and of course the lights were off because I didn't want to clue them in on anything. I told them that I wanted to show them the new building for my firm and they readily agreed. My father, ever the protector, took the keys and opened the door cautiously. He's sweeping the room with his eyes as if he actually has a gun on his waist just in case there's foul play. I gently guide Mom inside and close the door and then someone, I have no idea which brother, turned on the lights for them to see the interior of the bakery. My mother instantly tears up when she sees my brothers all together, and even Frederick's wife and Cleveland's fiancée had lent a helping hand.

We all hugged her and kissed her happily when she cried tears of joy because of our reunion. Then when she finally calmed down and looked around the bakery and happened upon her name etched in cursive on the counter in big, bold, cursive letters, she cried all over again. Daddy was proud. The kitchen was just like he always envisioned it and we all had come together to buy purchase all of the supplies. All I can say is that after this trip I'm getting ready to take, I won't be going anywhere for a while especially with Caroline and I needing to focus our energy upon our own building.

Eddie had prepared dinner for us and the entire time Mom just tore up and cried. We were happy because we could see that both of our parents really loved the surprise, but we also felt bad because we had kept them cornered away at home because we didn't want them to over work themselves. Our parents love serving others and feeling needed.

Ananda: [Whispers] "Do you like it, Mom?"

Stacy: [wipes red eyes] "Your father and I love it. We love you all so much" [starts to cry again]

Ananda: [eyes water] "Mommy, stop crying or you'll make me tear up too. Come here, I want to show you something." I let her kiss my cheek, smearing her lipstick all over them until she stands up and allows me to take her hand. I led her upstairs to a renovated apartment that we all decided would be a nice break room. Being that it was once a studio apartment, we bought new furniture and widened the kitchen area to accommodate a table big enough for five people. Cleveland had the construction workers elongate the counters and install gas burners. Mom isn't a fan of electric for some reason. I personally painted the room with Mom in mind, the colors were delicate and refreshing. Soft yellows, mellow pinks, and pale greens. It's obvious that in my mind a majority of the employees would be females.

Stacy: "This is all so beautiful. I swear you children spoil us. Why didn't you tell us that your brothers were in town?"

Ananda: "It wouldn't have been a surprise, now would it?"

Stacy: [pouts] "But now we don't get to spend any time with them."

I think I got my pouty face from my mother because even my heart was moved. She's good.

Ananda: "Since the summer has started they're staying the month of July to help pick out employers and attend the business meetings with you, you know, we have to scare the big clients so they'll know not to try anything. So, you'll get a whole month to spend with all five of your babies."

Stacy: "While you run off all alone in Europe."

Ananda: "I'll be fine, Mom, and I'll be working as well meeting with some potential clients for the firm. So, don't imagine me partying my head off. I'm all business, young lady."

Stacy: [snorts] "Young lady? I haven't been young in ages."

Ananda: "You're a young, beautiful, and amazing woman. I love you, Mommy." [Kisses her cheek affectionately]

Stacy: [tears up again] "I love you too, baby. I love you so much."

She spent the rest of the night kissing all of us even my sisters and hugging us. We're very proud of what we've done for them. We hand them each a key of the shop which we have named "Chubby Lew" because my brothers and I are certain that patrons would enter in with six packs and leave with a little piggy belly after having eaten our parents' cooking. Plus, if they don't like the name, Mom and Dad can change it. So far they like the design especially since there are six little piglets, representing my brothers and me, surrounding their chubby parents with happy smiles on their faces as they wait for dessert to be served. That night I'm pretty sure that all of us went to bed with smiles on our faces.

The following week I familiarize myself with the potential clients I'll be meeting on my trip. I'm going to spend about two weeks in England just to take a breather then I'll be heading to Paris to meet our first "client." There will be two more in Madrid and Rome. I'm pretty excited although I'm apprehensive because I don't speak a lick of Italian, but Caroline assured me that there would be translators just in case.

Caroline: "Did you hand in those files you've been battling with?"

Ananda: "Yup and I've never felt more free in my life."

We had a business meeting and now Caroline is taking me to her personal hair stylist to do my big chop. I wanted to wash my hair just to make sure that it was one hundred percent clean, but Caroline told me that they preferred to take care of everything themselves. That reassures them that the hair being donated isn't damaged. I'm nervous, but I'm ready for the change. I only hope this woman doesn't jack my head straight up. Normally, I would take care of my own hair. When I was seventeen I made the mistake of going to get my ends trimmed and the stylist cut off more than she could chew. I cried for two weeks and I never went back to another hair salon. I quickly learned to take care of my own hair and it grew much better under my own supervision, anyhow.

Caroline: "Are you nervous about the cut?"

Ananda: "Of course I am, but I trust your judgment that this hairdresser of yours won't make me look like who did it and why."

Caroline: [laughs while turning into the parking lot] "Don't worry, she won't. Besides, it's too late to turn back now. We're already here."

I longingly look back at the open road before taking a deep breath and exiting the car. We walk into the salon together and I notice Caroline's stylist from the large smile on her face when she sees us. She reminds me of an old time country singer because of her heavy make-up and big, booming hair. She lacks the deep country accent, but her voice is nonetheless pleasant to the ear. She ushers us back to her station where she personally, not her assistant, washes and treats my hair. She trims what little split ends she could find then she gave me one last look as if to ask if I was sure. I nod my consent, and the chopping commences. I never knew how loud the sound of scissors could reverberate in one's ear drums. She placed my hair in one ponytail and measures the length even though she's already cut an inch off, but there's no issue. My hair is definitely long enough. Then she cut two inches above the hair bow and holds up the separated hair tail for me to see.




Making It Work Ch. 07



I almost cried when I saw all the hair that I had chopped off, but I'm happy that it will be going to someone who truly needs it. Afterwards, she got to work on my hair and gave me a gorgeous pixie cut that definitely made the delicate angles of my jawline standout. I felt so feminine and vulnerable without my hair to hide me. Caroline whistles her approval and if I was lighter, she would have seen that I had blushed. I wait until my neck is brushed off and the hair protector removed before leaving the chair. I guess they realized how uncomfortable I am about the new chop because they genuinely complimented me on the new look until I was smiling with confidence.

Caroline: "How are you feeling?"

Ananda: "Naked. I feel so naked."

Caroline: "I know what you mean. You get used it though. But believe me when I say that you look amazing. Did you see how many men were eyeing you on our way back to the car?"

Ananda: [involuntarily rubs the side of her neck] "No."

Caroline: "You should have. I was afraid I would have to beat them off with a stick. They were practically drooling."

Ananda: "Whatever."

Caroline: "Don't you whatever me. I bet if you sent David a picture of your new look he'd be on the first flight back to Columbia to fight those guys off you. He probably wouldn't even go back to Washington." [Raises eyebrows insinuatingly]

Ananda: "I spoke to him about two or so weeks ago if that's what you're silently asking. And I guess he's doing well."

Caroline: "It's good that you two are talking again."

Ananda: "Yeah."

Caroline: "Did you tell him that you're leaving soon?"

Ananda: "He knows."

Caroline: "Did you tell him when you were coming back?"

Ananda: "No."

Caroline: "Ana, I know that you're trying to protect yourself, but don't push David out. You love him. Just be honest and the both of you can work this out."

Ananda: "What's there to work out? He's in a relationship. I saw his girlfriend once and she's beautiful."

Caroline: "That sucks. You and Murphy aren't together anymore and David is in a relationship. Life's a bitch, ain't she?"

Ananda: "It's fine. It is what it is. I've washed my hands and frankly I'm tired of all of this back and forth between us. I'm glad that he's moving on. I want him to be happy even if we're not together. Right now, at least for me, we're in the awkward stage where we don't want to step on each other's toes and ask questions that we shouldn't. It's hard to talk to him because there's so much I want to say, but at the same time I don't know what to say. It's nerve wrecking."

Caroline: "It'll get better, I promise. Jeremy and I have started talking again and we've decided to go to counseling. Even if we don't reunite at least we'll have solved our issues."

Ananda: "I'm happy for you. I hope the two of you work it out."

Caroline: "Thanks. I'm pretty sure that you and David will get your act together too."

Ananda: "Sometimes I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that so many people are rooting for us. That means either we're idiots who can't see what everyone else does or....I don't know."

Caroline: "I just know that you love him and from the very few occasions when he came to see you at work, I'm sure that he loves you too, and when two people love each other, they can't deny the chemistry. At the end of the day, you both realize that in spite of all the b.s. you're just man and woman looking for what brought the two of you together in the first place: love. As long as it's there, you can endure years of separation and see each other after a decade and it'll feel like not even one day lapsed since the last time that you spoke."

I nod my head in understanding as my belly flutters. How would I react once I see David again after four and a half months of separation? At least I think it's four months. Perhaps it's been more. I don't want to think about it because I'll be sad. I do know however, that we'll see each other thanks to Michelle and Jason's engagement party that they've pushed back until August. By then I should be back from my travels in Europe.

Caroline and I head to our new firm location and inspect the work that has been done thus far. I like the color selection: black painted walls with gray trimmings, and light gray tiled floors to accentuate the gray boarders and windowsills. The decoration will be more festive. Caroline likes to contrast light with darks so I'm pretty sure I'll like whatever she comes up with. We plan out the office spacing in accordance with the floor plan then we call it a day. I go straight to my parents' house where I give everyone a heart attack with my hair cut. They were all shocked, but when I told them that it was donated to make wigs for cancer patients, they changed the tune of their song and were more accepting of me "being bald."

Stacy: "You look beautiful, but I wished you would have warned us. You're so spontaneous lately."

Ananda: "Am I?"

Eddie: "Yeah, but I thinks that's exactly what you need right now. Keep doing you, Ana, I think you're going to find what you're looking so hard for."

I can see Frederick perfectly mimicking Daddy's frown. They never said that they disliked the haircut, however neither did they express their approval. I heard them grumbling to themselves about men trying to take advantage of me in Europe because I look too innocent. My mom did say that I looked much younger and vulnerable without all of my hair. Who would have thought? All the same, I'll be leaving within the next week and a half so it's too late for regrets.

After spending the afternoon with my family and reflecting upon what Caroline told me, I made the first move and called David. I'm still not sure what I'll say to him, but I do want to hear his deep voice. If I was brave enough, I would Skype with him, but I'm not certain if I'm ready to make that next step. A phone call will have to suffice for now.

David: "Ana, what's going on? What's wrong?"

Ananda: "Nothing, does something have to be amiss for me to call you? Or does it make you uncomfortable? Maybe we're not ready to talk on a normal basis again, huh?"

David: "No, I just...I just woke up from a bizarre dream and I'm spouting off at the mouth. How are you?"

Ananda: "I'm fine. How are you doing?"

David: "I'll be lying if I didn't say that I'm missing my father right now."

Ananda: "I'm sorry. I hope that he was on his best behavior."

David: "Yeah, you know my old man, he complains about everything, but this time he had both Jason and Michelle on his side. They ganged up on me."

Ananda: [chuckles] "Something sounds fishy. What aren't you telling me?"

David: [smiles] "Nothing. So paranoid"

His amused tone makes me smile too. I wish that I could see his lips painted with that familiar grin of his.

Ananda: "Yeah, yeah, you're just avoiding my question."

David: "They seem to think that I'm not taking care of myself for some odd reason."

Ananda: "Then you should eat more, and you should try to get more rest."

David: "What?"

Ananda: "David, I know you. When something is bothering you, you won't eat, you'll hardly sleep or you'll try to oversleep, and you'll go into this exercise frenzy. Promise me that you'll take better care of yourself."

I can hear him sigh in frustration on the other line. He moves about before the background noise quiets down.

David: "I don't want you worrying about me."

Ananda: "Whether you tell me to or not, I always do. Anyway, I don't want to keep you too long, so..."

David: "I'm not really doing much right now. You don't have to worry, but from the sound of it you must be busy."

Ananda: [inadvertently rubs neck] "Yeah, we are sort of having an impromptu family reunion. We, my brothers and I, have officially completed the renovation of the bakery. We found the building and secretly worked on it and then we surprised Mom and Dad with dinner on the inside. Mom was so happy that she cried the entire night. I wish that you were here to see it."

David: "Me too. Tell them I said congratulations."

Ananda: "I will."

David: "I won't hold you much longer. Thank you for calling, Ana. I really appreciate it."

Ananda: [rubs neck again] "I wanted to talk to you, so you don't need to thank me."

[Silence]

David: "Okay, well, have a great afternoon."

Ananda: "You too."

I didn't want to hang up if it wasn't already obvious. I feel more longing after having conversed with him than before. I feel incomplete and unsatisfied. Nevertheless, a sense of ease is taking over me in knowing that David and I are making progress. Slow as it may appear to be, it is progress nonetheless. And that's all I'm asking for.



Making It Work Ch. 08



There's something about a phenomenal movie combined with a beautiful song that makes your insides clench. I took the chance and saw "The Great Gatsby." It's a book that I read in high school and I loved it so much that I refused to watch the film. Somehow Michelle talked me into going with her to the cinema and I heard one of the most riveting songs that have had me bawling my eyes out while staring at photos of David and me: "Young and Beautiful." I'm not a Lana Del Rey fan; I find her quite depressing though she does possess talent. But when I heard that song, my heart stilled. It reawakened the ache inside of me that habitually called David's name. So here I am, instead of spending the rest of my time with my family and friends, I'm eating a pint of cookie dough ice cream, flipping through my photo albums, and wiping away errant tears that flow.

My flight for England leaves in two days, everything is packed and ready except my emotions. Right now they're wishing they could be in Washington with David. Fuck this shit. I'm calling him and if he agrees, I'll go and see him. I reach for my cellphone and decide to ixnay it. I want to see him, to read his face and his reaction when I put my proposition forward. With frozen, shaky fingers I boot my computer and wait for Skype to automatically sign me in. He's online! I click on his name and listen as the call goes through. He answers.

Ananda: "David, I—hello."

Leleti: "Oh, hello Ananda, how are you?"

Ananda: "I'm fine." I wasn't expecting his girlfriend to answer the call. This is awkward. We stare at each other in silence for several minutes. Is she expecting me to say something? I should, shouldn't I since I called?

Leleti: "So..."

Ananda: "May I speak to David?"

Leleti: "Actually he's in the shower right now. We're about to head out."

Ananda: "Oh okay."

Leleti: "I could keep you company until he gets out."

Ananda: "No—um, actually I'm kind of tired. I don't even know why I called him."

Leleti: "Would you like me to take a message?"

Ananda: "No, no thank you. Have a good night."

She barely has the time to say goodbye before I disconnect the call and turn off my computer. I feel ridiculous. I expected him to be home alone not with his beautiful woman. It serves me right for assuming that I'm still the center of his universe. I can see what he sees in her though. She's beautiful, she looks smart, and most likely she's funny with a little spunk and no attitude. She's just what he needs to move on.

In a sense I feel like Gatsby—minus the illegal money and mansion—waiting on my lover to realize how much I love him, willing to sacrifice my very soul just to have a moment with him again, waiting like a moron for him to turn around and love me even for a little while. I'm rather pathetic, aren't I? What happened to me? Where did I go? Where has Ananda gone and who is this wretched individual she has left behind in a shell of her existence?

I really can't take this anymore. I'm starting to feel as if I'm suffocating, as if someone is holding a pillow against my face or smothering me with a plastic bag and I'm too weak to fight against the pressure. This ordeal with David is literally draining the life out of me yet I can't leave him alone. I'm a sucker for punishment.

Ouch, my chest feels so tight and my heart is pounding out of my chest. I should probably take my medicine. My doctor prescribed me with pills he advised me to take for moments like these, but instead I curl up on my bed with a quilt draped over my balled up body in spite of the hot summer night. I let the pain sink in and wonder if there'll be a day when I stop feeling like shit. Why am I still the only one suffering?

*******

That shower was amazing. After spending the entire day swamped in paperwork, I'm starting to feel human again. I have Leleti waiting out in the living room to grab a bite to eat. We've officially made Thursday our hangout nights. Even after all this time Fridays are uniquely reserved for Ana. I brush my hair out of my face and frown; I usually keep it long, but never past the shoulders. It makes me feel like a wannabe model or playboy. I need to get it cut. I open my bathroom door to find Leleti lying on my bed. I don't mind that she's made herself at home, I feel as if we're close enough for her to do just that, but I still feel awkward having a towel for the only barrier between us. This doesn't feel right to me. 

David: "You should go home if you're tired."

Leleti: "I'm not sleeping."

David: "I never said that you were. What are you doing on my bed? Should I be concerned about my virtue?" [pulls towel tighter around waist].

Leleti: [sits up in bed and eyes David's body] "Don't worry, I'll be gentle."

David: "Funny"

Leleti: "That's cute."

David: "What?"

Leleti: "That squinty eye thing you just did in the name of sarcasm. You should do it more often—yup, there it is again."

David: [still squinting eyes] "Yeah, whatever. How about you leave so that I can get dressed?"

Leleti: "Why don't you just do it like how we do? We keep the towel on and get dressed over it."

David: [folds arms across chest] "I'm not a woman."

Leleti: "Fine, I guess you don't want to know the important information I have for you..." [strolls towards the bedroom door].

David: "What?"

Leleti: [turns around with a small smile on her face] "Ananda called."

David: "What? You answered my phone?"

Leleti: "No, I'm not that crazy. She called you on Skype and I picked up. I'm sorry, but I figured you'd want to talk to her. She hung up before you came out of the shower."

Ana called? On Skype? Why was I in the shower? The fact that she called me is a big step in our mending relationship.

David: "What did she say? Did she ask about me? Did she look healthy? Was she—"

Leleti: "Whoa there, Bessie, slow down. I would be highly offended if it wasn't so endearing. She looks amazing, but a little tired."

David: "How come you didn't call me?"

Leleti: "She told me not to. I guess she didn't want to bother you. I'm sorry."

David: [exhales a deep breath] "No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be attacking you right now. I'll just call her back."

I wanted to Skype with her and see her face to face, to know that she was doing well, sleeping well, eating well. She's no longer online which is highly disappointing for me. I call her cellphone and there's no response. If she's sleeping, she's already out for the night. 

David: "Hey, Ana, it's me, David. Leti told me that you called. I just...wanted to...um. Just call me back when you get this message. I hope that all is well." 

I'll call her tomorrow.

My night with Leleti is...long. I'm taking it that she's figured out that my attention is elsewhere. I really want to talk to Ana. I want to know the reason why she called.

Leleti: "David, I've been talking to you for the past five minutes and you haven't been listening to a word I've said. If you're not having a good time, we can call it a night."

David: "Shit, Leti, I'm sorry. I'm being a prick."

Leleti: "You're thinking about Ananda, aren't you?"

David: "Yup."

Leleti: "Do you want to talk about it?"

David: "No thanks."

We've been wandering around the city for some time now and all I recall is how quiet the city seems right now. Maybe it has to do with the chaos in my mind or perhaps it's because I'm restless.

Leleti: "You know, David, if you want to move on, you're going to have to start letting go. Even if you're not interested in me, there are plenty of other women out there willing to give an arm and a leg to have a date with you."

David: "If I have to listen to another one of these talks—"

Leleti: "You'll come to your senses and move on. For all you know, Ananda could very well be in a relationship."

David: "She is in another relationship."  Ouch. Admitting that out loud felt like a blow to the stomach. 

Leleti: "Then what are you waiting for?" [Places a hand on his arm to stop his walking] "I'm standing right here in front of you asking you for a chance. I can give you everything that you'll ever desire. Take a chance on me."

David: [clears throat in discomfort] "Leleti."

Leleti: "You don't have to give me your response right now. I won't pressure you and I'll give you the time to make up your own mind. I'll wait for you."

I don't need time to think about it. I already know what I want—or should I say who I want. I'm not willing to settle for anything else. It may have taken me a while to get to this conclusion, but I'm never going to deviate from it. I remain silent because I don't want to expound on the many reasons why I don't want to be with Leleti. She'll want to sit down and dissect every single word I say and I'm not in the mood to have a heart to heart.

David: "Let's just go roller skating before the rink gets packed."

I'm assuming that she takes my change in subject as a positive response because she's smiling from ear to ear. We spend a couple of hours reenacting our teenage years as we skate to Motown and classic R&B. Leleti doesn't rehash the subject of us dating for the remainder of the night and I'm quite relieved. We make it to our respective homes and I fall face first onto the bed. My fingers reach for my phone and I push Ana's speed dial. The hour isn't too late to give her a ring and I hope that she's really not asleep yet.

She doesn't answer. I want to hear her voice. I really miss her. I don't know when she leaves, I know that it's soon however, but if it's not too late, I'll hop on the next flight and see her. Forget it, I'm tired of playing it by the book and I'm definitely tired of keeping my distance. I get up off of my bed and look for my passport. By the time I ask myself what I'm doing, I'm already at the airport. I buy the first ticket out of Washington to South Carolina. I fidget throughout the entire flight wondering what I'm going to say to Ana. My brain is too wired to sleep. I'm glad when I'm finally off the plane. I rent a car and eat up the miles, well aware that I am speeding and that I should be careful.

It's early morning when I arrive at Ananda's apartment. I restrain myself from pounding on her door and knock respectfully. I patiently wait only to be disappointed. She's not home. I call her phone just in case yet there's still no response. I wait a few more minutes before calling it quits and heading to Tommy's house.

Tommy: "David, what the heck are you doing here?"

David: "Long story. Will you let me in, I'm beat." He steps aside to give me entrance, but I can see the question in his eyes. He followed me like a loyal dog until I caved and confessed that I came spontaneously to see Ana.

Tommy: "Are you serious? You finally got off of your ass to see Ana?"

David: "Tommy, don't start. She's not home anyway."

Tommy: "Yeah because she's about to leave for Europe. She stayed at her parents' house since her flight is today."

David: "What?"

Tommy: "Yeah. We gave her a going away party last night and then she went home with them."

David: "Is she still there?"

Tommy: [looks at the clock] "It's already ten o'clock now. She might be boarding the plane by now."

I can't believe this. This is bullshit! Why is this happening? The only international airport is located in Charlotte, NC—the same damn airport I drove two hours to get from to come home. I'm getting upset. I feel like breaking something right now.

Tommy: "Calm down man."

David: "I am calm."

Tommy: "Seriously, you look like you're about to tear up my shit."

David: [heaves a sigh] "What should I do?"

Tommy: "There's not much that you can do unless you're Superman and you can travel faster than a speeding bullet. If you had called me—or anyone—and asked, I would have told you what you needed to know."

David: "Do you really think that I thought this through? All I know is that I wanted to see her and I got on the first plane out of Washington. Sue me for not using my brain for once!"

Tommy: "Okay, stop worrying."

David: [pacing to and fro] "I'm not worrying. I'm starting to realize that everything happens for a reason."

Tommy: [sits on his couch after a big yawn] "That's what failure sounds like..."

David: "Then what the hell am I supposed to do! You've been riding my back to come see her and the minute I make up my mind to do just that she's on her fucking way out of the country! By the time I get back to the airport, she'll be gone."

Tommy: "Okay, I'm sorry. Look, we can call her parents and ask them if—"

David: "Forget it. I need to get some sleep."

Tommy: "David, she's going to come back. There's always Jason and Michelle's engagement party and I don't think that she'll miss it for the world. If you want to, I'll handle things in Washington and you can always go after her."

David: "No, she's leaving for a reason. I'll call her when I can. Is this discussion over or will I have to sleep on the plane?"

Tommy: "I get it. We'll drop it. Let me set up the guest bedroom."

David: "No, don't bother yourself. Just grab me a pillow and a blanket and I'll sleep on the couch."

I'm physically and mentally exhausted right now. I have a fitful slumber. I wake up more drained than when I went to sleep. I hang out briefly with the guys and visit my dad before I stop by the Lewis's to have a chat. I avoid any discussion concerning Ana and before the evening ends I'm back on the next flight to Washington. I reenter my apartment and drag my feet to my bedroom. It feels empty. I feel empty.

"It took you long enough to get here."

"Ana, what are you doing here?"

"What? Just because it's finals doesn't mean that I'm going to hide away in my room studying."

"Isn't that what you usually do?"

"David, do you want me here or not? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're beautiful. Get over here and get naked."

"I'll take that as you want me here."

"I've been thinking about you all day. Are you going to get over here or not?"

"If you ask nicely, I just might."

"Ananda, will you please get your sexy ass over here? You're driving me crazy."

"You're actually adorable when you're being a good boy."

"Shut up and kiss me."

"David! Is that how you ask?"

"Ana..."

"Why don't you strip first?"

"Well then, since we're making requests..."

"Okay, but just know that I'm going to make you work for it."

"Yes ma'am."

"Don't smile at me like that. This isn't fun and games, Mr. Romero. It's time to study some anatomy."

"Yes, Ms. Lewis. Whatever you say, Ms. Lewis."

"Good because that's what I like to hear. Now, tell me you love me."

"I love you, baby. Get over here."

I wake up reaching for Ana in my sleep filled haze. Of course she's not there, but I need her to be. In spite of the international rates, I want to call Ananda to make sure that she's made it to Europe safely. I reconsider for the moment out of consideration. Perhaps she'll be jet lagged. She'll need her rest and I don't want to disturb her too much.

My mind keeps demanding an explanation for why she called me the night before. What did she want to talk about? I realize that she was busy celebrating and probably wasn't paying attention to her phone, therefore I won't fault her. But she has got to see the amount of times that I called back. I'll have to be patient—just as patient as she's been with me over the years. I won't rush her, however, I've made up in my mind that I'm ready to be with Ana, if she'll take me back.

I want to be there for her and give her time to be ready to love me again. If it means that I have to wait months or years, I'll do it. Ananda is the only woman I can envision myself with. Perhaps from the outside, you guys are thinking that I'm not even trying to see what's out there. Let's not be skeptical. I don't open up to just anyone, so you haven't heard of my previous exploits...and you never will. I'm definitely not trying to make myself appear to be innocent. I've done my share of dirt and I've received a lot of it, but at the end of the day your heart knows what it wants and no one can convince me otherwise.

You're probably asking me, what about Leleti? I've already told her where we stand. Perhaps, she's not ready or willing to accept what I've said. Nevertheless, my decision has been made. I'll try to put some distance between us to ensure that she understands everything. I value Leleti's friendship a lot. She is a kind, charming, intelligent person, but I just can't see myself falling in love with her. I know with every fiber in my being that Ananda is my soul mate.

I just have to remind myself to be patient. Very patient.

******

I am so tired. It was probably a bad idea to wander around London after an almost eight hour flight not to mention that my phone is dead. I should have went straight to my hotel, charge it, sleep, and then contact my parents and friends. Instead I decided to see a few sights and got lost for a few hours. Thank God that each street corner housed a map or I would have been sleeping outside tonight. Why didn't I just hail a cab? I'm too darn stubborn.

David always told me that my stubbornness would one day do me in. Why did I just think about him? Perhaps it's guilt that has called him back to attention. I ignored his phone call after the Skype incident. I was confused and, yes, I'm ashamed to admit this, but I was also angry. I had screwed up, forgetting for an instant that David isn't mine anymore. Knowing about his girlfriend is one thing, but seeing her is a completely different subject.

I didn't expect her to be so nice and jovial. Her smile was blinding. For the first time in a very long time—since junior high— I felt insecure. So, yeah, I ignored David's call and spent way too long thinking about what they would talk about, whether he had fallen in love with her, whether they had already made love...

I couldn't take it. I directed all of my energy to my going away party and putting on a brave face for my family and friends. I've never traveled outside of the U.S. I was nervous, yet I refused to let them see my agitation. I pretty much ignored my poor phone for the remainder of the night and focused on making new happy memories. From the way we all celebrated, one would think that I was moving to Timbuktu or something. Afterwards, I went back to my parents' place and hung out with the family until we were forced to go to bed out of fear that I might miss my flight.

I thought about David the entire trip. I thought about that fateful call. Just seconds before I was ready to go to him. Even now, here, lying on my hotel bed in exhaustion, I'm still ready. Does that make me a bad person? It probably does. Still, I guess that I should do the right thing and call him back.

I reach for my phone and turn it on now that the big green battery symbol is shining up at me. I'm shocked to see how many missed calls I have from my parents, from Caroline, and definitely from David. I become worried; nonetheless, I leave his phone call for last. Butterflies are in my belly just thinking about what he has to say to me. I call my parents, my friends, the damn gendarmerie to tell everybody that I'm completely okay. The only thing I had to deal with was jetlag and exhaustion. I talk myself into taking a relaxing shower and finally gain enough nerves to call David. My heart is pounding out of my chest as the phone rings.

What am I supposed to say to him? How should I explain why I refused to answer his phone calls? What if he's with her? I hate to say her, but I can't remember her name.

"Hello?"




Making It Work Ch. 08



Part 8 -- Interlude

Author's note: I got this thoughtful email via Hotmail:

I don't want to be a pest, but as a person who wants to be a fan of yours I have to send you my opinion. If it is worth anything to you use it. If not, I understand and wish you the best. I feel that as a reader it is becoming frustrating to read a story and not see an end in sight. Your first story of this series was phenomenal. You did such a great job with the pain and the angst that Mike and Jen were going through as they traveled this journey. I do not normally get into cuckolding stories, but I felt Mike's pain and I was overjoyed when he and Jen made it work. The thing that made that series so great was the journey and the progress that was made. They had ups and downs, but at the end both of the characters grew. The story with Scott as the antagonist was truly great until the end. Once again, I felt Mike's pain. I felt his pain the greatest as he watched the tape. That was truly the climax of the story. Then you ended that story really abruptly, leaving the audience dissatisfied. But we gave you a pass because you said that you were going to round everything up with the next series. Now we start reading this series, thinking that we were going to get what we were robbed of in the series with Scott, which is growth, lessoned learned, and a true ending. 

Yet here we are again, right at the same place that we were in the last series. Three stories later, and we are in the same exact place that we were at in the beginning of the first story with Ricky. Mike is the same person that he was when Ricky fucked Jen. She is the same person that she was. In your defense, she has grown a little bit in her confidence. I will give that to you. But that confidence isn't making her any wiser. It is just making her more selfish. You are losing your fan base because the fundamental element that makes this story work is eroding. Though they have an unorthodox relationship, they truly love each other. That element makes us want them to make it. However, the longer this drags on the more that element erodes away. There is only two ways that this path can go. They can grow closer together, or further apart. It seems that you have chosen to remain on the fence and keep them in the same exact place. I know this is fantasy, but a good story reflects some truth about real life. Without it, we the audience can't relate to it. Real life moves forward. A relationship stuck in one place is going to fail. It can't last that way.

Now, I understand that you have an attachment to these characters. If not, you would have ended this by now. But all good things must come to an end. I understand not bending to what the majority wants, but a part of you must care what your audience thinks. If not, why post your story on a website? I'm not tell you how to end your story. But I feel that you are in danger of losing us if you don't end it in some way. I do have ideas about what would be a great ending that is true to the characters, but I am not the author. If you want suggestions, email me and let me know. Good luck with the story. With the exception of not knowing when to let a story go, you are a good writer. Keep up the good work!

****************

I don't usually respond to comments -- it's like explaining a joke, kinda ruins it -- but this series has been going on for a while, so I thought I'd provide some commentary for the kind folks who have been hanging in there. 

My stories are fiction but based on real life. The scene with Ricky at the start of "He Fucked My Girl" really happened my sophomore year in college. His name was Ricky too, and the way I've described him is accurate, as I saw him. He didn't fuck my girlfriend -- it wasn't Jen -- but I was in the next room and heard all about it the next day (and weeks after -- major scandal).

My hot wife/obsession developed from there. Or maybe it started earlier, who knows. I met the real Jen years later, after college. Yes, we're really Mike and Jen, we're married, and Jen looks like I describe. Most people in my stories are completely made up though. Ricky is real, and Allie is real. (Allie has mellowed over the years, not as wild; we put up with each other because of Jen.) I don't use real names of course.

Jen and I have had a few real life adventures, but we've never gone "all the way" with another guy. To my relief, and regret. I've told the real life Jen before we die I want to see her fuck another man. She rolls her eyes.

I use these stories to explore what could have happened. What if it HAD been my Jen who Ricky fucked in that dorm room? What would happen then? That kinda thing.

I'm fascinated by the hotwife/cuckold fantasy. I read a lot of stories and blogs, and one thing I CANNOT understand is how a guy can see the woman he loves fuck another guy, and not get jealous and hurt. How can that happen? You mix in the fantasy of your wife fucking a more handsome guy, a more confident guy, a guy with a better body and bigger cock, and that just adds fuel to the fire. How can the husband not feel threatened? This is something I'm always exploring in my stories. I guess there are guys who are so secure they don't get threatened no matter what, but that's not me.

I was going to leave "He Fucked My Girl" alone, but then I read Reluctant Cuckold (you can get it on Amazon). If you're into cuckold you'll enjoy this book, I hope the writer does a Part 2. Reluctant Cuckold was written from the point of view of the husband, and captured all his angst. I decided I wanted to try that. So that's how All In My Head came about. 

People say All In My Head ended abruptly. You're right, it did. I got to the point in AIMH where I wanted to talk about what Jen was thinking. Because here's another thing that fascinates me about the cuckold fantasy. How is the wife's head affected by her husband's fantasy? A man is supposed to protect his woman. That's conventional thinking, right? But with the cuckold fantasy, the husband GIVES his wife to other men, and not just any men, but bigger, stronger, more handsome men. The wife's head -- her emotions, the way she sees her husband -- must be affected by that, right? So that's another topic I'm exploring in this story.

So, you can think of All In My Head as Mike's story, and Making It Work as Jen's. (By the way, I was kinda disappointed by the reaction to the 2nd epilogue of All In My Head. Not many people liked it. To me though, it's the best thing I've ever written. I guess it was a personal thing. It was fiction, but I tried to capture the spirit of how the real life Jen picked me. Here's a hot chick who's always dated hot guys. But they always treat her like shit, so she finally decides to give the shy math geek a chance.)

I've said this series is really a love story, and that's how I think of it. Mike and Jen love each other. But they both have extreme sexual desires. Mike is obsessed with the hot wife/cuckold fantasy. Jen has an insatiable sex drive, and let's herself get swept away in Mike's fantasy. Their fantasies take them to exciting places, and the more they play the more they want -- it's like a drug. But it also takes them to dark, bad places. How can it not? How can you live this lifestyle and not have strong emotions, both good and bad?

This is a wild lifestyle, and they're making mistakes. There's no user manual. Fun loving Allie, while harmless, is not helping. Neither is Keri. Scott is a predator. 

People have said it's repetitive. That's a fair criticism. But to me, I think it takes a while for people to change. In my past stories I skipped scenes and did more summaries. I'd write something like "Within 3 months, Jen had gone from seeing Scott one night a week to 3 or even 4 nights a week."

Here, I'm going slower. I'm kinda playing it out week by week, sometimes day by day. I'm exploring the themes I mentioned earlier, and I think it takes time or else emotionally it doesn't work. Also, I think it takes a while for people to grow. Mike and Jen have flaws. He gets jealous and upset, and she goes head-over-heels at the start of relationships. They're making mistakes, big time. They're growing because of work. How does this all play out? Can they make this lifestyle work? I think it takes time to develop all that.

But the end is in sight. The last chapter is Part 12. So if you just want to see how things turn out, wait a while and just read (or skim, as you like) Part 12. 



Making It Work Ch. 08



Ananda: [chokes] "David!"

David: "Yeah, Ana?"

Ananda: "Yeah, it's me. Hi."

David: "Hi, I see that you made it safely."

Ananda: "Yeah, I did. So far I've learned that London is foggy and a bit chilly."

David: "London, huh?"

Ananda: "Yup."

[Silence]

Ananda: "I saw that you called me."

David: "I did."

Ananda: "Look, I'm sorry that I'm just now calling you back. What's up?"

David: [sighs] "Nothing really. I was just calling you back because Leleti told me that you tried to contact me. I left you a message."

My heart cringes at her name, but I swallow the bitterness and try to smile so that he would hear it over the phone.

Ananda: "Oh those things? I haven't even listened to them yet."

David: "You sound tired."

Ananda: "I am. I roamed around a bit and got lost. I finally made it back to my hotel about an hour ago. I'm so beat right now."

David: "I bet. Ana, I know that you told me you were leaving, but why didn't you tell me the date? I would have gone to the airport to see you off."

Ananda: "Really?"

David: "Yea, in fact, I just had an impromptu visit to South Carolina. By the time I got there, you were already gone."

Ananda: [voice wavers] "What?

David came home? Why? Why did he come home? Why didn't he tell me? Damn it, maybe that's why he called me so many times. I'm an idiot! I could have seen him. We could have spoken face to face. I'm kicking myself in the ass right now. I can feel my eyes tearing up.

David: "Yea, I was in Columbia."

Ananda: [hopefully asks] "Were you visiting Papatou?"

David: "No, I actually went to see you. I wanted to see you."

By now my hand is clamped over my mouth in a vain effort to stifle my tears. Why is he telling me this when his girlfriend, Leleti because he just said her name, is waiting for him?

Ananda: "Why are you doing this, David? Why are you saying all of these things?"

David: "I'm only being honest with you, Ana. I'm being selfish, I'm sorry, but if anything I want to be just a bit truthful with you. Please, don't cry."

Ananda: "I'm not cry."

David: "Ana, I know you better than that. I can hear it in your voice. Talk to me."

Ananda: "I should go."

David: "Ana, just talk to me, please."

I hear something in his voice that I haven't heard since we were teenagers—vulnerability. There's so many thoughts dashing through my brain. I can't focus. This isn't a conversation that I want to be having on the phone while I'm supposed to be on vacation.

Ananda: "Damn it, David, I'm hurting and I don't want to talk to you right now."

David: "What did I do?"

Ananda: "It's not you, I'm just confused. I don't know what to think. Why were you coming to see me? Why are you sitting there making me feel special when you've moved on?"

David: "Baby, calm down and talk to me."

I hang up. Baby. He called me baby. The only endearing moniker that David usually and, for the most part, always uses with me is Ana. But whenever he says baby, I know that he's definitely serious. One hundred percent serious. It means that he's open and he wants me to know it. What am I supposed to do? Have I just become the other woman? Did I just put a wrench in his relationship with his girl—with Leleti? Am I a home wrecker?

I'm too wired to sleep. I'm frantically wiping away tears that won't stop. What is going on? I'm also silently praying that he won't call me back—he does. I ignore his calls and go the extra mile to turn off my phone. I was going to use it for my alarm, but I'll just ask the front desk to give me a wakeup call. I can feel myself slipping into slumber. My body feels heavy, my eyes are burning, and eventually I'm snoring. I want to talk to David and hear his side of the story, but I'm scared. Why did he have to call me baby?

I also need time to clear my mind. I'm on vacation to get away from all of the stress and hassle of my life. I planned on returning home relaxed with a steady head on my shoulders. I don't want to go back with wavering emotions and indecisive thoughts. I want to be able to hold my head high when I meet David face to face and smile like I'm not hurting because I'd no longer be hurting on the inside.

This little chat with him has screwed me up. I'm starting to second guess everything. I'm starting to doubt the very day that I let him walk away. Why didn't I just confess that I had called him because I missed him and because I wanted to go and see him? Why couldn't I have been straightforward with him moments ago as he was brutally honest with me? 

I didn't want him to give me the "I'm in a relationship and you need to let it go" talk. I didn't want to eventually meet Leleti and feel guilty for trying to steal her man either. I'll be gone for a month or so. I'm going to take advantage of this opportunity. Although this is the first of many, I don't want to waste it.

It's safe to say that the next morning I awoke very late. It's already three in the afternoon, but I decide to venture out with the help of a trusty map, I request from the desk staff, and the metro. I idle around Covent Garden, eating, shopping for souvenirs, and listening to the street performers. The English are so nice, and contrary to what I've seen or read in books about them, their men are rather flirty individuals. The next day I decide to start my touristic journey. I visit Big Ben, the Ferris Wheel, the Aquarium, and I grab a movie at the IMAX theater. 

I took lots of pictures which I sent to my parents via e-mail and they loved it. I even went to the M&Ms store and posed next to the life size figurines. I sent pictures to Caroline so that her nieces and nephews will have something to look forward to. I had promised her, before my departure, that I would bring a few gifts back for them from the store. She told me a few days ago that they're a bit too ecstatic about my return. 

After spending a week roaming England, I travel three days in Ireland and four in Scotland, eating away the miles and getting to really familiarize myself with the culture before I hop on a plane to meet our first client in France. One thing that I can say about the French is that they dress very nicely, but they smoke like ashtrays. I got several looks when I entered the café dressed rather...American...to say the least. These women are decked out as if they're next stop is the runway. Now, I'm not badly dressed, but they make me feel as if what I have on is shabby.

I try not to pay attention to the flirty looks coming my way and the free coffees, but a girl has got to blush when the stereotypical Frenchman approaches her with his heavily accented English to ask her out on a date. I take the cautious route and politely decline just in time for our client to arrive. We talk business for roughly two hours and agree to meet the next day. His name is Robespierre like the famous author. He offered to platonically take me out and show me Paris. I was skeptical until I noted the wedding band on his thick ring finger.

I'm not disappointed when he and his wife accompany me the next day. We continue our business meeting on his yacht in the South of France. I worked on my tan and ended up signing an additional client. I doubt that Lucas's heart was in the right place from the way he was staring at "mon cul" the French way of saying "my ass." I, however, nipped it in the butt and told him that I was only there on business purposes despite my sexy two piece bikini I had chosen for the outing. Lucas was disappointed; nevertheless, he decided that his company would remain with Caroline and me. 

For some reason the French don't think that they can trust many Americans, according to several drunks I've conversed with we're pompous, way too patriotic, and sort of kind of selfish. Lies! Anyway, I ensured them that as long as their companies are on American soil and they won't take their business elsewhere, they could count on me and Caroline to not screw them over. I just realized how fishy that sounded, but you guys know what I meant. Caroline and I are honest people. Very honest.

My week in France ended prematurely, in my opinion. I stocked up on a few more souvenirs—that's the bad thing about having so many friends and family members. I decided to send them home by mail instead of attempting to stuff everything in my poor suitcase and fail miserably. So far there are no problems, aside from my parents bragging to my siblings about their gifts and me having to listen to complaints about when they would be receiving their own.

Even though I've kept my distance from David after our first conversation upon my arrival in Europe, I still plan on getting him a present. These three weeks have truly allowed me to let go of any remorseful sentiments lulling about in my head and my heart. I have no idea what I'll say to him, as usual, but I still want him to know that I've been thinking about him. Just in case, I even plan on purchasing something for Leleti so that she doesn't feel as if I'm luring her man away. 

My next trip is by train—because I'm too tired of flying—to Madrid. Did I ever tell you guys that I have a think for men who speak Spanish? Talk about being in heaven.

*****

Three weeks. It's been three weeks, or twenty-one days however you want to put it, since I've spoken to Ana. Our last conversation has been replaying continuously through my mind. I tried calling her back, but after two days of no reply I got the message loud and clear that she didn't want to talk to me. I don't blame her. She probably feels as if I'm dicking around with her emotions again. I'm not. I'm serious. I'll give her space like I promised myself that I would and then I'll wait and see where we go upon her return.

The construction of the gym is coming along very smoothly. Our personnel have been chosen and Tommy has even flown out here to personally meet them and to take a look around. He has been talking nonstop about Jason and Michelle's engagement party and threatening me to make an appearance. I wouldn't miss it for anything, but he's assuming that since Ana will be there that I won't show my face. I have no reason to hide from her. On the contrary, I want to see her and confront her. That way I know that it'll be more difficult for her to hide or run away from me.

I'm anticipating a reunion. In spite of the reason why I came to Washington, I'm actually enjoying my stay here. With the cooperative weather and the friendly contracting staff, the construction is moving along progressively and I can't complain. I've even ignored the board members instead of allowing them to stress me out with their nitpicking. As for Leleti, well, I have been putting more distance between us. She doesn't like it, of course. Neither does Tommy, for that matter.

The minute I introduced them I saw his predatory eyes go wide and innocent. He must have been slapped by her beauty. Then I brought him around her friends and he told me that he understood my reason for staying in Washington. I told him to kiss my ass. He knows how I feel about Ananda. He wants me to set him up on a date with Leti. I told him that I couldn't make any promises, but I think that I'll bring her with me to Jason's engagement party so that he can have her on our turf and show her a little bit of Columbia magic—not that Columbia has any to offer.

Now, you're probably thinking that I'm only using Tommy as a means to get rid of Leleti. I'm not. I'm not some kind of coward. Not once have I ever gone back on my word with her about my feelings transforming into anything past the platonic level. She understands that. Besides, Tommy genuinely likes her. He hasn't stopped talking about her since they met, and if you know anything about Tommy, you'll know that after two days he loses interest. It's been three and a half weeks since they've met. I've brought him around her a total of two and a half times, that half being when I briefly stopped by her office to return her "Pulp Fiction" DVD she had loaned me a while back.

And even though Tommy would never admit it, I think that he's ready to settle down. Leleti is a good woman. She'll know how to take care of him. She just has to open up her eyes and think about it. I told him that I would probably invite her because I don't want to get his hopes up just in case she declines my offer. I'll be back in South Caroline for a month. The rest will be up to him because to be blunt, I won't have time for either of them with the war I'm preparing to wage with Ana. I know that she's going to make me fight like hell in order to get her back. I've always loved a good challenge. 

I just have to make her see that this time I'm fighting for keeps. I know that we're now in different states and a long distance relationship can be straining, but I'm willing to go the distance if she gives me another chance to love her again. In two weeks I'll be standing in the same room as her. I want time to speed up just for us. I do what I do best by keeping myself occupied with work. Right now I'm on my way to visit Leleti at her place for poker night with her and her friends.

This will be the fifth time that I've ever gone to her place. I pull into the parking lot of her condo and ring the bell. Cleo greets me with her flirty eyes and a huge smile. She introduces me to her new beau, who in my opinion isn't worth it, and I greet everyone ready to start the night off. We play several rounds and I'm pretty proud that Leleti isn't as bad as I thought she would be. So far I've lost two hands and Cleo has won a good majority of our money, but Leti is still putting up a fight. Our last game ends at three in the morning.

Luckily, it's the weekend so we don't have to worry about getting up early for work the next day. I take the opportunity to invite Leleti back home with me when everyone starts to clear out.

David: "So, I've been thinking for a while and I figured now is a great time to ask you if you'd like to accompany me back home to my best friend's engagement party."

Leleti: "Really? You want me to go with you?"

David: "Yeah, why not? I trust you enough to introduce you to my rowdy friends and family—and not to mention Tommy has been hounding me to see you again. He looks like a playboy, but he has a good heart."

Leleti: "Oh."

I can hear disappointment in her voice when I mention Tommy. For a faint second hurt reflects on her face, but she shakes it off and grins at me with a beautiful smile.

Leleti: "Okay. Can I bring Cleo along so that I won't be too lonely? You know, since I won't know anyone..."

David: "Of course. The more the merrier."

Leleti: "When do we leave?"

David: "Two weeks from now. Since I sort of, kind of, already purchased our tickets because I just knew that you'd be awesome and say yes, you don't have to ask me about that. I've got it covered. We can stay at my Dad's place, but I'll be honest with you, he's kind of special and egocentric. You might not like it. So, I'm having Tommy and our other friends open my new apartment."

Leleti: "I thought you told me that you rented it out when you moved here?"

David: "I did until the building owner called me and complained about the muck the tenants were running. I gave them a two weeks eviction notice and decided to purchase it instead of paying rent. You'll like it, I think. I haven't even seen it yet. It's in a new location."

I bought a penthouse apartment because I'm tired of paying rent. At least now I own my own property. It's my incentive to return to Columbia just in case Ana tells me to get lost. The guys have furnished it. I just hope that it's not anything crazy.

Leleti: "Well, I'll leave you to procuring that extra ticket. I won't be too picky, but I like the window seat."

I laugh and nod my head as I walk towards the door. I return home to silence. My thoughts assault me as I reassure myself that once I see Ananda everything would be alright. This simple thought calms my busy mind and I'm able to find a few hours of rest. I wake up the next morning ready to get on my grind. I take an hour run and head in to deal with the usual, board meetings, training sessions, and construction verification. In the meantime, I'm preparing for my month long vacation I'll be taking.

I call my father and somehow he talks me into coming home a week early. I don't know how he does it, but he uses his funky Asian persuasion to get to me. If you don't know what it is, basically, he starts to use this decrepit old voice and whooping cough as if to say that he's not getting any younger, he's old and near his death bed, and he'd like to see his only child since he'll be dying anytime soon. I can hear his girlfriend in the background tsking as him for bullying me home.

I call Leleti and inform her that I'll be leaving a week in advance. I wasn't expecting her to agree to accompany me nor to take a two week vacation to spend some time getting to know my loved ones, but in my mind I'm cheering for Tommy. Hopefully, if he plays his cards right, he'll actually get Leleti's number this time around. I know that it appears a bit coldhearted to talk so nonchalantly about my best friend hooking up with the woman who has a thing for me, but—I don't know. I guess I am cold hearted.

I don't pretend to know what's best for everyone; however I know what's best for me. I'm not giving up on Ana and me. I shake my head clear and change our tickets. Afterwards I continue on with my day, but in spite of how busy my schedule appears to be, time feels at a standstill. Nothing seems to be moving forward though the days are passing. Minutes feel like hours and hours feel like years. By the time the weekend comes, I'm jumping in excitement as Leleti, Cleo, and I get on the plane.

I push my hair out of my face and frown. I was supposed to cut it a long time ago, but never got around to it. I'll need to get it done eventually. I didn't realize just how long it had gotten until I had to put it up in a ponytail. I never wanted to be one of those hair swishing guys, but low and behold I am. I fall asleep during the flight and wake up when I hear the pilot's voice over the intercom. We debark and grab our luggage then head towards the exit. My father is waiting for us with Jason and Michelle. I give them all a big hug and ignore my father's bickering about my hair.

I introduce him to Leleti and her cousin instead and appease him with 'yeas' and 'I knows' until he lets me off the hook. He, being very stingy, surprised me by taking us all out to lunch. I can feel his dark brown eyes piercing into me as he looks at me then inspects Leleti. He met her once before when he came to visit me in Washington, but he didn't say much. However, now I can sense a bit of disapproval. It takes a while for my father to warm up to anyone. When I first met Ananda, he said that she would distract me from my studies and tried to forbid me from spending too much time with her. Then when he realized she was the reason my grades were improving, he changed the sound of his tune and invited her over so often that I thought that we were all living together.

Even with the guys, my father bickered and blamed them for my partying habit. He eventually got to know them one by one and figure they helped me balance my crazy college life. With athletics, taking a full load of courses, and having a part time job, I didn't get out much. Anyway, long story short, my dad adopted the four of them and started to nag and nitpick over their lives as much as he did my own. The only one who truly has a soft spot in his heart, however is Ana.

My father leaves us after lunch to spend time with his lovely lady friend. I told them that I would come around tomorrow and visit them. I take Leti and Cleo back to my new apartment once we part ways with Jason and Michelle. The décor is impeccable, with Tommy being involved I figured there would be tits and ass everywhere. I know without a doubt that Michelle had a big part to play or I would be embarrassed upon walking through the door.




Making It Work Ch. 08



Now I know y'all are expecting me to describe everything—nope. Just know that it's one of those penthouses you can find in a catalog. Think dark brown leather furniture, and a black and forest green color palate for the rest and you've got the picture. I give the ladies both rooms and opt for the couch even though they're both insisting they can share the guest room. The penthouse has three rooms, but I had requested that one be turned into an office. So, we bunker down for the remainder of the evening and sleep off the jetlag.

During the week, I take Leleti and Cleo to all of my favorite spots and even introduce them to Mike and Harry. We all hang out as a group and when it was time for us to prepare for the engagement party, the cousins decide to lend a helping hand in spite of being told to sit back and relax. They helped anyway which was amusing for all of us watching Cleo and Leleti butt heads on balloon positioning and napkin folding techniques. It's obvious that they're close.

"You and I need to have a talk."

I turn around to see Mr. Quentin standing behind me. I nod my head, my gut twisting in anticipation. Although I've known him for years, this man still has the ability to make me feel like some punk teenager.

Quentin: "I'm not going to deny that I'm enjoying the fact that you're home. You've been gone for far too long."

David: [fidgets with fingers] "You're right. I'm going to put in more of an effort to come and visit everyone."

Quentin: "Good because the last time you came I literally blinked my eyes and you were gone."

David: [chortles] "Sorry about that. It was just as unexpected to me as it was for you."

Quentin: "You know, I spoke to Ana recently. She's having a great time in Europe."

David: "Really?" My throat feels tight. I've been starting to wonder when I would see her again.

Quentin: "Yeah, she told me that she's contemplating extending her stay overseas."

David: [panicked] "What!?"

Quentin: [shrugs] "These days she's quite spontaneous."

I nearly snort. If only Mr. Lewis really knew how spontaneous his little girl could be, he'd think she was a completely different person. In the eyes of her parents, Ana is an angel: perfect grades, rarely ever got in trouble aside from the usual teenage mishaps, and also mature and responsible. To this day they still haven't heard of some of the exploits their angel has dragged me into. 

David: "What about the engagement party?"

Quentin: "Son, I can't answer that. You know, David, when life gives you an opportunity, seize the moment for you never know when or if you'll ever get another."

He pats my shoulder before walking back to Mrs. Lewis as he leaves me to ponder his cryptic message. Seize the moment. Will there be another? The unexpected news of the possibility that Ana might not be coming back makes my stomach churn. I feel as if I'll be sick. The engagement party is in thirty-eight hours. I'm starting to doubt the likelihood of Ana making an appearance.

Shit I can't breathe.

Jason: [slaps hand on David's shoulder and frightens him] "Are you okay, man?"

David: "What the hell, Jay. You nearly scared me to death."

Jason: "You look pale. I just came to check on you."

David: [nods head] "Thanks, but I'm good."

Jason: "Just making sure."

We walk back to our group of friends to find Cleo telling Tommy that he would make a better pair with someone else other than Leleti. Apparently, she was privy to his interests.

Tommy: "David, will you tell this woman that no one can deny the Spencer charm."

David: [snorts] "If you say so."

Cleo: "I know right. Look, Thomas—"

Tommy: "Tommy. Only my parents call me Thomas."

Cleo: "Tommy, I know my cousin, all right. She is an only child which means that she spent a lot of time at my house growing up. We're pretty close. And I know that she's not interested in you."

Tommy: [turns to a laughing Jason and David] "You see what I'm talking about?"

David: "Maybe Cleopatra has a point."

Cleo: "Thank you, David. Like I was saying, Leti is not the least bit interested in you. What a cocky little white boy like you need is someone to put you in your place. Now I have two options for you, I have a crazy Spanish best friend or you can deal with my spicy older sister. The only catch is that she has a kid and she doesn't take lightly to anyone foul talking her son. She'll give you just what you're looking for. You'll help her to re-blossom, and I think that the two of you would make a nice match."

David: "You never told me that you had an older sister."

Cleo: "That's because she lives in Philly. I've been trying to convince her to move back home to Washington, but she hates her ex-husband. She refuses to do it. She doesn't want him anywhere near their son.

Jason: "What happened, if you don't mind my asking?"

Cleo: "He was an abusive alcoholic who would beat her brutally. My sister used to be very bright, outspoken and happy, but now she's timid. She's spunky though and, Tommy, I assure you that she'll give you a run for your money; you just have to break her out of that shell her bastard of an ex has put her in. She's 29 and even though she had my little nephew, her figure has stayed on point."

Tommy: [rolls eyes] "I'll take my chances."

Cleo: [to David] "Why is he so stubborn?"

David: "He has to fail before he'll change his mind. Try again once Leti shoots him down."

Tommy: "Do you see my good looks? She won't be able to."

Cleo: [mumbles] "If you say so." [pulls out a picture from her wallet] "This is my sister."

Jason: [whistles] "This woman is a beauty."

David: "That's an understatement. Her son is adorable."

Cleo: [smiling with pride] "Thank you. He's only three. What do you think, Tommy?"

Jason: "He likes her."

David: "If it has tits and walks on two legs, he'll like it."

Tommy: "I don't appreciate you two dickheads standing there talking about me as if I'm not present. I'm serious, all right. I'm tired of the different women at night, and I'm reaching the point where I'm ready to settle down. So, no, I won't screw anything with tits and I won't chase anything on two legs. All right!" [storms off]

Jason: "Holy cow."

Harry: "What? What did Mike and I miss?"

David: "Tommy is looking for a wife."

Mike: [guffaws] "Like that will ever happen. Jason and Tommy were the whores in the group."

Jason: "Hey, I would like to profess my objection to that statement."

Mike: "Objection denied. You're not a lawyer."

David: "We're serious though. He just stormed out because Jason and I were messing around with him.

Harry: "I can't believe he's serious."

Cleo: "I'm going to find my cousin. I'll see you guys late—who is that?"

I look in the direction that now occupies Cleopatra's attention and smile. There's got to be something in the Lewis blood. The way her eyes tracked Barrett could only be explained as feral. The timing is just right seeing as how she dropped her new beau right before our trip. Turns out he was a big creep.

David: "That's Barrett, one of the older brothers of our best friend Ana."

Cleo: [sighs] "Oh. Will he be at the engagement dinner as well?"

Jason: "Of course."

Cleo: [smiles coyly] "That's good to know. See you guys later."

Jason: "Our engagement party must be a match making session or something, or is it just me? Why is everybody hooking up?"

Harry: "Because we're all getting closer to our thirties and nobody wants to sleep alone for the rest of their lives."

David: "Nice."

Mike: "You got a point."

Jason: "True...true..."

If Jason and Michelle's engagement celebration truly is a match making session, I hope that a little favor will shine down on Ananda and me. I'm not one to believe in luck. I know that hard work and intelligence, not to mention heavenly direction, has gotten me to where I am today. But these days, I'd even believe in seven being a lucky number if it'll bring Ana into my arms again. Thirty-eight hours feels like a death sentence for someone who has been waiting so patiently. That's like putting a bowl of candy in front of a child and telling them not to touch it, then walking out of the room and expecting to return with the bowl still full. I'm an adult and I would even take a few pieces.

I decide to go after Tommy to excuse myself. He's on his way back in to the reception hall with his arms full of table cloths. I take several off of his hands and walk with him in silence. I sneak glances at him until he abruptly stopped.

Tommy: "What? Why do you keep staring at me?"

David: "I was waiting for you to say something."

Tommy: "Like what? Should I express how my best friends undermine my feelings and portray me as a man who would even sleep with a bitch in heat—"

[Hears footsteps as Jason, Mike, and Harry appear]

David: "Okay, Tommy, I get it. We get it and we're sorry. It's just that we all know how you are. You'd rather smile and play it off rather than opening up to us. We really are sorry that we belittled your feelings."

Jason: "Seriously, man, we are. We just have to get used to the thought of you being a big boy now. You want to stomp with the big dogs. I'm quite proud of you."

Harry: "We'll make it up to you."

Mike: "I'll even let you drive my new corvette and you know I don't even let my own mother touch it."

Tommy: [quirks mouth to the side] "All right, you all can stop kissing my ass now. It's pretty clean. And I expect a free round of beer from all of you sons of bitches."

David: "Damn, I'm broke."

Tommy: "Screw you, Davy!" [raucous laughter erupts in the hallway.]

Harry: "We saw the picture of Cleo's sister. You've got to admit that she's beautiful, man."

Tommy: "That's a damn understatement."

[More raucous ruckus]

David: "I like Leleti though. She and Tommy could be great together."

Jason: "Washington has warped your brain, man. Even I can see that Leleti only has eyes for you. She's never gonna want Tommy."

Tommy: "Thanks douche bag."

Jason: "I'm only telling the truth. Nefertiti is hot and she looks like a catch."

Tommy: "Nefertiti?"

Jason: "Cleopatra's sister, I asked her after you two left. Seriously, two women with queenly names..."

Mike: "Enough said."

David: "Now that you mention it, Cleo is a couple's consultant."

Harry: "Aka a match maker which means that she knows what she's talking about."

David: "And her friends tell me that she has a ninety-nine point nine percent success rate."

Tommy: "What about that point one percent?"

Jason: [slaps Tommy on the back of his head] "Stop being so damn picky."

[Silence as the cousins walk pass with a smile]

Tommy: "Are y'all telling me to give up on that?"

Everyone except David: "YES!"

David: "I don't know, man."

Mike: "David, shut up. You need to take care of your own shit before fixing somebody else's shit."

David: "Touché damn, didn't have to call me out like that though. Believe me, it'll be taken care of as soon as Ananda gets back. If she doesn't come back, I'm going after her. So, get off of me."

Tommy: "Now you know how I feel."

Jason: "Nefertiti is beautiful and if she's anything like her sister, you'll like her. Don't get me wrong, Leleti is an amazing woman, but she doesn't have the challenge that you're looking for."

Tommy: "Are you telling me that an abused woman is a worthy challenge? What the hell kind of reasoning is that?"

Jason: "No, I'm saying that in spite of your cocky, rich boy attitude, you're looking for someone to love, protect, and take care of. This woman was with an asshole for six years. She needs a reminder that there are still good men out there. Stop chasing after women who will only placate you for a few months. I see the way you've been staring at her picture."

Harry: "And we've all seen the way Leleti has been staring at Mr. Casanova, here."

Mike: "Besides, we sort of kind of talked to Cleo for you and asked her for her sister's number. It's on the back of the picture. You should call her."

Tommy: "Hell no! How would that look? The last thing she wants is for some random guy to contact her out of the blue."

Mike: "Cleo said she can introduce the both of you. She'll be going up to Philly for a visit and she said that you can tag along if you'd like."

Tommy: "I don't know..."

Jason: "David, talk some sense into this dude."

David: "I'm staying out of this. I like Leleti."

Harry: "Forget him. In fact, David is not even here right now. Just listen to us and talk to Cleo about Nefertiti. You might like Leleti, but she's not ready to give up on David just yet. Maybe Ana will have a fight on her hands."

David: [mimicks Harry's last sentence] "Funny. There will be no fight because I've already made myself clear to Leleti. She knows that nothing will happen between us because I love Ana."

[A round of Oh's echo in the hall]

Jason: "Oh shit, little Davy is serious!"

David: [blushes bright red because of the teasing] "Shut up."

Michelle: "What's going on out here? If I didn't know any better, I'd say that there was a group of rambunctious teenagers in the vicinity."

Jason: "Nothing sweetheart."

Michelle: "Who is that?" [points at Nefertiti's picture in Tommy's hand] "Your new girlfriend? She seems much better than the other girls I've met. You should introduce us. I like her and her son is adorable. Gotta go, just came to tell you guys to keep it down." [kisses Jason then leaves]

Jason: "See! Michelle has no idea what we were just talking about and she agrees with us. You know that women are a great judge of character."

Tommy: "Fine, I'll talk to Cleo. Just stop harassing me or we'll never finish up today."

David: "I'm just saying—"

Jason: "Nobody cares."

What did I tell you? I don't pretend to know what's best for anyone. You all just witnessed it firsthand; however, I did keep my word by bringing Leti with me on Tommy's behalf. But love sometimes appears from the most unexpected situations. I was too busy spending time with my friends and family, and contemplating what I'd do when Ana returns rather than paying attention to my best friend's love life. We pass the rest of the evening and the next day preparing the reception hall for the engagement party.

As the time approaches for the gathering, a tightness I've yet to experience before squeezes my abdomen. Will I be seeing Ana tonight or not? They say that only time can tell. Well, Father Time, I need you to say something because I'm waiting.

*************

My trip was too short. I can't believe that I just sat through a twelve hour flight on my way back to the states. I stare at Barrett and I can see him smiling at me.

Barrett: "Stop being so grumpy. Everyone has missed you and I know that your return will be a great welcome."

Ananda: "Yea, well if it wasn't for Michelle threatening me about not attending her engagement party, I would still be traveling through Italy right now."

Barrett: "I'm glad that you decided to come home. I miss bickering with my little sister. Mom and Dad are ecstatic about your return. They haven't stopped showing off your souvenirs."

Ananda: "Do you like yours?"

Barrett: "Of course I do. You could give me a rock covered in dirt and I'd like it."

Ananda: [laughs] "I'll keep that in mind next time."

Barrett: [pinches her side] "Don't get any ideas."

Ananda: "Just keep your eyes on the road, Mister."

We drive home eating the miles with pleasant chit chat. I wanted to return home a day earlier, but I got a little too swept up in the Roman country side. A friend of my Italian client wanted to whisk me away to Greece for a week. His name is Stephano and he is an Adonis. He made me nervous, but in a good way. When he looked at me I melted. I wasn't even bothered that the majority of the time we spoke was through a translator or broken Italian and English via dictionary. He was something new and I wanted to know more about him.

When Stephano spoke to me, his smoldering eyes always dropped to my lips as if he was mere seconds away from kissing me. I'll admit that I wanted him too, but he never did. A small part of me regrets it simply for the fact that it's every woman's dream to be whirled away in a foreign romance. We search for it in romance novels or films. We talk about it secretly with our girlfriends. We even dream about it. I was dreaming about it, living it, until reality came back into the picture. I'm home again with no love life, no romantic whisking away, nothing.

Barrett takes me back to my apartment where the both of us shower and get ready for the engagement party. He drives me there and the first people I see are our parents. I greet them with a big squeeze and sloppy cheek kisses. My mother refuses to release me until a few guests reach their catering table to ask about a several recipes. I blow them kisses as I make my way to the head of the room, nervously adjusting my appearance as I take my seat next to David at the honorary head table with our other best friends. I feel his bold eyes on my face and body. I'm afraid to look in his direction even though he's literally right beside me.

His cologne makes me dizzy. From my periphery I greedily eat up his physique. He's gotten more muscular and skinny. He barely even had any body fat in the beginning. His hair is long, much longer than I've ever seen before, well past his broad shoulders. It makes him even more mysterious than usual. I'm trembling and I can hardly focus on what's going on. I can see David standing and giving a toast to the lovely couple. Applause accompanies the end of his speech and then it's my turn.

I stand nervously to my feet, smoothing down my pale red dress that hugs my curves nicely. It was a last minute decision to wear this dress. The first one I had chosen seemed a bit too formal and I figured that since I'd be with my best friends, we'd be acting up. I was right. I glance around the room and raise my glass to Jason and Michelle then I commence my speech. I notice several familiar faces that I haven't seen since our Game Cock days.

I don't know how I did it, but I got everyone riled up. I told a few stories from our wild younger days and gain several bouts of laughter and awes. And by the time I've finished, everyone from our university was proudly and loudly singing our alma mater.

Ananda: "To the two most amazing people in my life, I'm happy for the both of you. Let's toast to that. Hip hip!"

Crowd: "Hooray!"

Ananda: "Hip hip!"

Crowd: "Hooray!"

Everyone's head falls back as we all simultaneously down our flutes of champagne and cheer one last time. I'm glad that they saved my speech for last because, let's just admit it here, mine was the best. Afterwards we all hit the dance floor and I quickly scurry to the safe arms of my father when I notice David was coming in my direction. During the entire night I've been thwarting his efforts of getting me alone. I can see impatience in his eyes, but I can't face him just yet.

Quentin: "What are you running from, baby cakes? Or should I say who?"

Ananda: "Daddy..."

Quentin: "Did I tell you that you look beautiful tonight?"

Ananda: "Did I tell you that you and Mom did a great job on the catering? I think I gained ten pounds in the last three hours."

Quentin: "Good. You look like you done lost twenty. It'll put some meat on your thin bones. You need to eat some more."

Ananda: [smiles and rolls her eyes] "Yes Father, I shall eat more food. So much more that you'll have to roll me around like a butterball."

Quentin: "Just like when you were my little baby. You were so chubby and adorable..."

Ananda: "Daddy."

Quentin: "Okay, sugar, I have to get back to your mother. Plus, I think there's someone else who'd like to step in."




Making It Work Ch. 08



I smelled his cologne before my body was pressed into his own. My entire body begins to shake when his large hand claims the small of my back. My head is against his defined chin as we slowly dance. I was not ready for this.

David: "I'm glad to see that you came home."

Ananda: "Yeah. You know, I got you a souvenir. I'll get it to you before you leave."

I attempt to pull away from him, trying to downplay our reunion, but David wouldn't allow me to.

David: "We need to talk."

Ananda: "I—"

He doesn't give me the option of refusing him. He clasps my hand and pulls me out of the reception hall into the corridor to speak. I noticed his girlfriend watching us. There's a hurt expression on her face that I can't shake and I'm instantly burdened with guilt. What am I going to do?

Ananda: "David, I don't think that now is a very good time."

David: "Tell me when and we can reschedule it."

He's waiting expectantly for an answer; I can only stare at him with a gaping mouth. This David standing before me is different. He's more aggressive and more honest with himself and his emotions. It would be a turn on if my throat didn't feel as if I'd swallowed a wad of cotton.

Ananda: "I don't know."

David: "I don't think that I can accept that. I was surprised that you even came back home. The last I heard you were contemplating an extension of your stay. So, stop running from me and let's talk about us."

Ananda: "About what?"

David: "Our last conversation."

Ananda: [breathlessly] "Oh."

David: "I'm not upset with you for hanging up on me. I just need you to tell me what I did wrong to push you away. How did I confuse you, Ana? Why did you call?"

Ananda: "Wow, you're not wasting any time, are you? Fine, you want to be brutally honest, let's be honest."

David: "Okay."

Ananda: "That night when I called you I had decided that, if you were willing and would allow me to come and see you that I would because I missed you." My throat tightens up on me and I can barely get the words out, but it's too late to go back now. "But then I came back to my senses when your girlfriend answered and realized what a huge mistake I was making."

David: "What? What are you talking about?"

Ananda: "Please, don't act like you have no idea—"

David: "Baby—"

Ananda: "Don't call me baby. I'm not your baby!"

David: [grabs her hand when she tries to leave] "Yes, you are because Leleti and I are and never were dating. She's just a friend."

Ananda: "Huh?"

David: "Yes, she has feelings for you, but I told her from the very start that I can't have feelings for her because I still love you. I'm never going to stop, Ana."

Ananda: "No..."

David: "Ana, baby, I love you. I miss you and I need you."

Ananda: "Where is all of this coming from, David?"

David: "My heart."

Ananda: "Oh dear."

I need to sit down. My legs feel weak. This is what I've been dying to hear since forever and now that I have what I want, I'm stunned. I never expected David to be so forthcoming with his feelings. My mind is telling me this could possibly be a trick. My heart is telling me to be on guard, but when I look into his slanted, light brown eyes I recognize the truth. He's vulnerable and waiting on me to either accept or reject his confession.

David: "I kept my distance because I was stupid and I thought that it was what we needed. I forced myself to believe that it was what I needed. But what I really need is to have you in my life. Ana, I haven't stopped thinking about you or dreaming about you since the day I left. I swear that I can feel you touch me when I'm alone at night and I can smell you. You were everywhere just driving me insane. But when I saw that you were dating Murphy I told myself that it was for the best, but I hated his guts, Ana and I'm sorry. I wanted you to move on, but I didn't want you to be with him. I knew that I didn't have the right to be selfish so I left you alone. But I've never dated one woman or even looked at anyone in a romantic manner because all I could do was compare them to you, and they never passed the test."

I stepped forward to him and David steps back shaking his head.

Ananda: "Was that so difficult for you to admit? You dragged this on for how many years now?"

David: "It is difficult. Ana, you know how I am. I don't like being open especially with about my feelings, but you just see right through me. You always have. I don't want us to extend this fiasco. You're home right now and you belong in my arms, not Murphy's. Do you love him?"

Ananda: [shakes head] "Murphy and I broke up because he realized that I never stopped loving you, David. But do you expect me to just run into your arms and tell you that I've missed you and that we'll just pick back up from where we left off? You think that I'll let you kiss me and pretend that you didn't just run across the country to get away from me? That shit hurt, David."

David: "I know. I hurt you and because of my stupidity I also hurt myself. I'm sorry. Even though I want to kiss you right now because you look so damn beautiful especially with your new haircut, I won't touch you unless you give me permission. I don't expect you to run into my arms like some damsel in distress, we can start over or do whatever you want. I'm not going to pressure you about anything. From the very beginning you've been following my lead and now it's time for me to follow yours. When you're ready, I know that you'll let me know."

I didn't think that he would say that to me. I feel torn. Here is the man I love opening his heart to me and all I want to do is exactly what I said I wouldn't. I want to jump into his arms and plant kisses all over him. I shamelessly want to make love to him to satisfy the aching in my core that hasn't receded since his departure. But my brain is telling me to make him wait. Truth is, I've already forgiven him. My vacation in Europe saw to that. I successfully got rid of any residual anger and hurt inside of me. Now, I just want my man back.

We can't pretend as if nothing has happened, however we can at least learn from the past and move on from there. Even still, we're faced with another issue: the long distance. What are we supposed to do about that?

David: "Ana?"

Ananda: "Let's go back inside of the reception before everyone starts to wonder where we went off to."

David: "Okay."

I watched him stuff his big hands into his pockets after pushing his hair out of his face. Damn he looks so sexy. I couldn't help myself. I lean in, my greedy right hand cupping the back of his head as I lift on tiptoes to kiss him. His lips feel so damn soft. I can't stop myself from seeking another and another as my fingers lace into his thick, silky locks. I can feel the tears running down my cheeks as relief washes over me. My world is going to be all right again. We'll definitely need to work towards not making the same mistakes as we did in the beginning, but everything is all right.

David: "Thank you, Ana, for forgiving me."

Ananda: "I did a long time ago. You know that I could never stay upset with you."

I can tell that he wants to kiss me again from the way his eyes keep fleeting down to my mouth and I kiss him softly. He holds me tightly in his strong, muscular arms and I feel whole again.

Ananda: "I never did tell you how much I like your new look, but you have to put some weight back on. You do look like a skeleton. A well-toned, chiseled skeleton."

*********

Her soft hand touches my hard cheek and I sigh. I'm complete again now that Ana is back in my life. How could I have ever tried denying how much I love this woman? I'm an idiot. I never expected her to forgive me so quickly. Although we just kissed, I know not to anticipate too much from her at the moment. She still hasn't made the boundaries of our relationship known. I told her that I wouldn't pressure her and I won't. I'll take what I can get until she's ready for more.

I'm still reeling from the fact that she's back. Just when I was about to be disheartened, I watched her strut into the room in that gorgeous red dress and my heart stopped. I felt relieve, joy, nervousness, and a great sense of peace in spite of my inner turmoil. I knew that she was trying to avoid me. At first I gave her her space, but I figured that she could go all night. I decided to nip it in the butt and be proactive. I'm happy that I was.

Laying my feelings out on the table has been an amazing experience and I'm kicking myself for not doing so sooner. I'll be more honest and forward with everything from now on. I want this woman in my life until the end of our days.

Ananda: "Your hair has gotten so long. It's really sexy. It makes you look edgy."

David: "Really? I was toying with the idea of cutting it."

Ananda: "I think you should leave it. I like the way it feels between my fingers."

David: [blushes] "Your cut makes you look like a vixen. You're so beautiful." I take her hand and we walk back into the party straight for the dance floor. I held her warm body close and swayed with her every so often I kiss her temple and we continued that way until Jason and the others interrupted our quiet time. We all talked about her trip and watch as she scurries out of the room then returns with presents that she happily hands out to each of us. I'm shocked that she even had one for Leti. 

Their official introduction was awkward. Both women stared at each other, but Cleo and Michelle dissipated the tension. Cleo, well, she took superbly to Barrett and kept him on his toes. I caught them kissing a few times when they thought no one was looking. I'm happy for Barrett. Tommy took Jason's advice and talked to Cleo about her sister. He's supposed to be accompanying her to Philadelphia to meet Nefertiti. He's uncertain, but we gave him a pep talk to boost his confidence. Every once in a while we catch him looking off in Leleti's direction.

His expression wasn't one of longing, but of sympathy. From time to time I felt her eyes on me, nevertheless I was a great host. I kept her and Cleo entertained as I should while giving them time on their own to make a few friends and have a little freedom. The party ends well and we stay behind to clean up then head for a Waffle House to have a late night meal. Afterwards we all either section off or go home. Mike left with a cheerleader he used to woo back in college, Harry goes home to his mystery woman, Michelle and Jason quickly leave for a late night romp, Barrett and Cleo take off on their own, Tommy ushers Leti off and promises to get her back to my apartment safely, and I take Ana to Finley Park to sit by the small waterfall and gaze at the stars.

Ananda: "So, when are you returning to Washington?"

David: "In two weeks."

Ananda: "Oh. Will you take me home, please?"

David: "All right."

I don't question the reason she wants to leave, I assume that it's due to her previous inquiry. I take her home and walk her to her door watching as she opens the apartment and looks back at me.

David: "Good night."

Ananda: "No."

She grabs me by the tie and gently pulls me towards her. I try to give her a chaste kiss and leave, but she tugs harder until I'm inside of her apartment. I watch her with hungry eyes as she pushes the door shut then locks it. She steps out of her heels and slowly disrobes before me. I sharply inhale as her full breasts are bared to me. The slinky dress hugs her hips. I lick my lips as she pulls it down and let it fall in a puddle around her feet.

David: "Ana, we don't have to do anything tonight. I don't want you to think that I just want sex from you."

Ananda: Well, I do want sex from you. What's a gal to do?"

I can feel a smile forming on my lips as her naked body presses into me. I groan with longing when she thrusts her hips into me. I gently place my hand on her waist and look into her big brown eyes.

David: "Are you sure about this?"

Ananda: "You don't want me?"

David: "Hell yea, I want you, but we don't have to do this tonight. There's no rush." [groans]

She squeezes my cock and I forget my own name. It's been so long since I've been with a woman. So long since I've touched Ana and felt her body so close to mine. She kisses me and that's all the confirmation I need as I grab her, unintentionally rough, and carry her off into her bedroom. I place her softly on the bed and start to undress as my eyes roam over her body. She's restlessly touching her body in anticipation. I'll blow prematurely if she doesn't stop.

Finally naked, I cover her body with my own, the heat of our flesh meeting makes my erection drip with pre-cum. I want to make love to her, but I know I won't last too long. I set out to pleasure her, tracing my lips over every single inch of her body, pausing when the anticipation becomes too much for me. I turn Ana over on her stomach and gently bite her shoulder. Her whimpers sound beautiful. Using my hand, I lay it flat against her smooth stomach and lift her hips before tasting her sweet pussy.

I forgot how addictive Ana could be. I hold her hips in place as she frantically bucks against my face. I stop briefly to lap up her streaming juices flowing down the inside of her thighs then I take up where I left off. I hear her scream my name and feel her body shake as her orgasm washes over her. She collapses on her mattress, barely able to breathe and I continue my assault, rolling her over onto her back and spreading her legs as I lock my arms around her waist and dive back in while inserting two thick fingers inside of her.

Ananda: "Fuck, David, why?"

I nearly laugh when she sounds so genuinely confused. What does she mean by why? I 'come hither' inside of her with my fingers until she's exploding once more. I suck off my fingers and climb back up her body to kiss her. Her arms encircle my neck as she holds me tightly against her.

David: "Baby, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere."

I gently push inside of her and her clenching walls hug me like a tightly balled fist. Her sex is so hot, so tight, so wet...I'm not going to last too long. I give her several long, steady strokes before the urge for release tingles in my balls. I turn her back over onto her stomach and squeeze my hand between her supple body and the mattress to massage her clitoris as I assault her from behind.

Ananda: "David, I'm coming."

David: "Come on, baby, come for me." 

She screams my name again and burst into tears as I pull out and release my load on her back. I ignore the mess of our bodily fluids and hold her close as we slip into slumber. I sleep angelically for the first time since my move to Washington. Having the real Ananda beside me is much better than conjuring her up in a dream. The next morning I awaken peacefully. I peel our bodies apart and go to the bathroom to retrieve a warm soapy rag to clean us both up. 

I pull her into my arms kissing along her neck and slowly stirring her awake to make love. This time I last much longer than last night. I smile when she runs her fingers through my hair. She wasn't lying when she told me how much she liked it. She tugged on it incessantly, and although it hurt, I enjoyed it. I think I'll keep it long just for her.

*********

Ananda: "Good morning."

David: "Now you tell me good morning?"

Ananda: [smiles then kisses him] "It's your fault. So, do you want to have breakfast with me?"

David: [looks at alarm clock] "Sorry, I should be heading back to Leleti and Cleo. I don't want to be a bad host."

Ananda: "Okay."

I'm going to admit that I'm disappointed. Somewhere along the way I completely forget about Leleti's existence. I'm still high off of the incredible sex David and I just shared the prior night and this morning. Now I feel slightly guilty as I recall the look of longing in Leleti's eyes as she watched David and I walk off together. I shake it off and exit the bed in order to take a shower. David grabs my hand and pulls me back to him.

David: "Don't be upset. You know that I would stay with you if I could."

Ananda: "I know. I'm not blaming you. Let's take a shower before you go."




We take a nice shower together and I wave goodbye, hiding my disappointment. I allow myself to finally recuperate from my long flight and last night's dinner. I reawaken around five in the evening to a message from David: "You. Me. Dinner. Tonight." My smile is unending as I reply with a simple "all right." Since he leaves in two weeks, I'm not going to waste a single minute that I could be spending with David. We'll take it slow, but definitely not too slow.



Making It Work Ch. 09



Making It Work -- Part 10

The kick-off of the Google campaign was less than a month away. Keri ordered a big team meeting at the Venetian in Vegas, to finalize the campaign.

"You're bringing Tom?" Mike asked as he watched Jen pack.

"Yeah, his part of the campaign is really important," she said. "I'm bringing a buncha other people too, not just Allie and Scott." She hesitantly asked, "You're okay if I hang with him?"

"Yeah, he's your boyfriend right?" Mike joked.

Jen pressed her body against his. "Is this working for you?" she asked, putting her arms around his neck.

"Yeah," he said putting his arms around her waist. "I think it's working this time. What do you think?"

"I think so too," she said affectionately tussling his hair. "Maybe we've figured out how to make it work."

The next day when Jen arrived at the Venetian, Keri called and said "Come to my penthouse for a pre-meeting."

"Hi Keri," Jen said stepping out of the private elevator.

"Come here," Keri ordered pulling Jen into the bedroom. She threw Jen onto the bed. She pulled up her slim pencil skirt and straddled Jen's face. Keri wasn't wearing panties, and her pussy lips glistened with excitement. 

Keri rubbed her hairless pussy against Jen's face. "Make me cum sex toy," Keri ordered. Giggling, Jen licked Keri and got her friend and mentor off.

Later Keri and Jen sat in bed, naked and drinking champagne, gossiping and giggling like school girls. After Jen had made the sexy older woman cum with her tongue, Keri had returned the favor with a dildo and vibrator.

"I can't believe all the sex I'm getting!" Jen gushed, laughing.

"Are you getting enough?" Keri asked smiling.

"Never!" Jen joked.

Keri stroked down Jen's flat tummy to her pussy. "Your pussy is so pretty, like a high schooler's."

"God Keri!" Jen laughed.

"I'm not kidding, the lips are so thin and tight."

"Keri!"

"Really," Keri teased. "I wish I had a cock to fuck you."

"Oh my god!" Jen laughed. "I need a cigarette after that," she said reaching for the Virginia Slims in her purse.

Jen lit 2, and they both enjoyed a long drag. "Tom's your lover now?" Keri asked with a delighted smile, blowing out smoke. "He's a cutie."

Jen nodded. "More like my boyfriend if you ask Mike," she said with a laugh.

"Mike's dealing with it better this time?" 

"I think so," Jen said. 

"Tom's here this trip?" Keri asked.

Jen nodded. "I've got to run too, he's waiting for me." She got out of bed and hurriedly dressed. Keri was fun, but she wanted Tom's big cock.

Keri thought about asking Jen for a threesome. But while Jen might share her own body, she didn't like sharing her men. Keri was okay with that. She liked Jen a lot, and anyway Keri had her choice of hunky men (and pretty girls too).

Keri took a shower and got into PJs. Then she pulled out her files to prep for tomorrow. Fun was over, this was going to be a long week.

The meeting lasted a week, grueling 12 hour days. But when they weren't working, Jen and Tom were fucking. Tom had his own room in the Venetian, but he spent most of his time in Jen's room and eventually started sleeping there too. 

During the meetings Jen was all business, in charge, super prepared and brilliant. Keri, also all business in the meetings, was very pleased with the progress of Jen and her team, and felt they were ready for the launch.

Outside the meetings, Jen let her hair down. For her, it was great to have so much time with Tom. It was constant fun and partying. Jen's team maintained some decorum by partying separately from Keri's Google team, but otherwise it was like a never ending happy hour.

In addition to Tom, Jen had brought Allie, Scott, Calvin, and 5 other team members for the meeting. When the team was together, Jen played it cool with Tom. But everyone knew she and Tom had a thing going, it was a well-known secret. It was pretty obvious they were together. They didn't make out or hold hands, but they were always together, always sitting next to each other, always talking and laughing, and Jen seemed to hang on Tom's every word. You'd have to be blind to not see they were a couple.

As team leader, Jen spent an obligatory amount of time socializing with her team, but otherwise left the team to their own partying. Of course, whenever Jen wasn't there, neither was Tom.

Jen and Tom weren't gamblers, so they spent their alone time on other Vegas attractions. They fucked a lot of course. A lot! But they did the things couples do in Vegas, like going to shows, eating at great restaurants, exploring the Strip. They rode the fake gondola at the Venetian, the roller coaster at New York-New York and went to the fun but not-so-sexy Zumanity show. Away from the rest of the team, they held hands constantly and kissed a lot. Jen left her wedding rings in her purse. Whenever Tom put his arm around her she melted into him.

Jen knew she was falling hard for Tom. She decided to let it happen, to let herself be carried away with it. She loved the thrill and excitement of a new romance, all that NRE! She was having a ball with him, and he rocked her world sexually! He was freaking amazing in bed! She also felt good helping him get over his bad marriage with Adria, and she adored little Tommy.

She tried not to feel guilty or concerned about Mike. To be honest, other than calling him once a day in the morning (as she'd promised), she didn't think of him too often. For one, she was too busy with the meetings. For another, she was too infatuated with Tom and having too much fun.

Tom and Jen were in bed. They'd just had another mind-blowing fuck session, and Jen was on her stomach beside him, sleeping. She was working way harder than everyone else -- impressing everyone, including him -- and when not working they were playing and fucking non-stop. Exhaustion had finally overtook her and she dozed peacefully next to him. 

Her face was turned towards him. God she was so pretty! With her blonde locks falling around her face, she looked like an innocent angel. He carefully pulled the sheet from her body. Although he'd just cum, he felt his cock stir at the sight of her. She had a fantastic body! So tight and firm, yet soft and shapely in all the right places. Her ass and legs were amazing, even her feet were pretty. 

He was beginning to appreciate the virtues of tiny tits. Sure, he couldn't tit fuck Jen like he could Adria. But Adria's had begun to seriously sag, and the last time he'd seen them (over a year ago), they didn't look nearly as nice as when they started dating over a decade ago. Part of that was due to breast feeding Tommy, but a lot of it was due to gravity. Tom had a feeling Jen's small shapely breasts would look as perky and perfect for a very long time, even after she started having babies (if that ever happened).

He gently ran his finger along the slope of her tight shapely ass. She'd be even more perfect if she had some ink. "Something right here," he though running his finger tip on her lower back just above her ass. He was a biker at heart, and he liked tattoos, he had a few on his arms. He'd convinced Adria to get a tramp stamp, and one on her ankle. That's exactly what Jen needed, a black tribal right above her fine ass.

Tom was fully hard now, and thinking of waking Jen up for more sex. Just then her phone rang. The caller ID said it was her husband Mike. He debated whether to answer. Finally he shrugged and answered.

"Yeah?" he said.

Mike hesitated, and then asked "Is this Tom?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Where's Jen?" Mike asked.

Tom looked at the swell of Jen's tight shapely ass. "She's sleeping."

"Oh," Mike said. "You're with her?"

"Of course I'm with her dumb shit, I've got her phone don't I, what a stupid-ass question," Tom thought. He had no respect for Mike. What man would allow his wife -- especially a wife as stunning as Jen -- have sex with other men? He didn't care how smart Mike was, how rich he was, Tom had no respect for Mike, he was a pathetic loser.

But Tom didn't want to start trouble, as that might get back to Jen. So instead he simply said, "Yeah."

"Ask her to call me, okay?" Mike said.

"Sure," Tom said and hung up.

Jen stirred. "Baby who was that?" she said sleepily.

Tom handed her the phone. "Mike, he wants you to call."

"Okay," Jen said taking the phone. Somewhere in her sleepy head Jen realized she'd forgotten to call Mike that morning. But she was exhausted. "I'll call him later," she said, then fell back to sleep.

Tom was annoyed as he looked at the blonde beauty lying next to him. Yeah, Mike was a pathetic loser, a pathetic cuckold. But Mike was her husband. She was his. Tom was temporary, he only had Jen on loan. Even worse, it was the cuckold Mike doing the loaning. The thought frustrated and angered him.

They had some time before dinner. He decided to get a drink, so he dressed and went down to the bar. He was on his second beer when Scott sat next to him.

"Trouble in paradise?" Scott asked, motioning to the bartender for a beer. Scott of course knew Tom was Jen's new lover. At first Scott had been pissed about getting dumped. But fucking the gorgeous Allie was a decent consolation prize. 

Tom knew Scott and Jen had a thing in the past. He asked, "What's the deal with Jen and Mike?"

Scott shrugged. "He likes to watch her fuck other guys. Frankly I think he's a closet homo."

Tom laughed. "Did he ever come on to you?"

"No," Scott admitted. "But he was always looking at my dick. His pecker's so small, no wonder Jen fucks around."

"I don't get why she's with him."

"Never figured that one out either," Scott said. "He's got a lot of money."

"Yeah, Scott, but he's a perv," Tom said. "What guy lets his wife fuck other guys?"

"Hey man, you're preaching to the choir," Scott said, clinking bottles with Tom. "To me, Mike's a loser. I don't know what she sees in him."

Tom nodded. "So, do you think she's gonna dump him?"

"I don't know man," Scott said shrugging. "You'd think so. She wouldn't fuck around so much if she was happy with him." He looked at his watch. "Gotta bolt, I'm meeting up with Allie."

"That's some nice ass," Tom said grinning.

"Yep," Scott agreed. "Good pussy too." But he envied Tom, because he'd rather be fucking Jen. 

When Tom returned to the room Jen was up and getting ready for dinner. They kissed. Tasting the alcohol on his breath, she joked "started without me?"

She'd showed and done her hair and makeup, and was in a bra, panties, garter belt, stockings and heels. She looked good enough to eat! Seeing the lust in his eyes, Jen giggled "don't even try, we're meeting everyone in 30 minutes, you need to get in the shower."

Ignoring her, Tom picked her up and threw her on the bed. Jen squealed but didn't fight, she'd woken up horny. They fucked and by the time Tom came (20 minutes and 2 orgasms for Jen later), her hair and makeup were a mess. They both needed showers! They decided to stay in and order room service. They picked a romantic comedy to watch on the TV, and Jen snuggled into Tom's arms. They fucked again after the movie ended, and they fell asleep, with Tom spooning her as she slept on her side (her favorite position).

Jen completely forgot about calling Mike back.

The next morning Jen slowly rode Tom's cock. She'd woken up feeling Tom's erection pressing against her ass. He was still asleep, but like most guys he got a morning boner. Tom's was very impressive. In fact, everything about him was impressive, his gorgeous looks, his hard well defined body, his beautiful penis, his intense personality, his wonderful son Tommy. 

She gently rolled him onto his back, and went down on him. Tom woke up to the wonderful feeling of his cock in Jen's soft hot mouth.

"Hey sleepy head," she said to him with bedroom eyes, her blonde hair tossed around her pretty face, his cockhead pressing against her lips.

"You look good," he said grinning.

From this angle, Jen saw his long thick cock, his wash board abs, his well-defined chest, his ruggedly handsome face. "You do too," she gushed, and went back down on him. 

She wanted him inside her, and they didn't have a lot of time. She got on top and guided him into her. She rocked back and forth. He rubbed her nipples, and she rolled her head back with pleasure. "I'm cumming," she groaned, and her body tensed and then shuddered as another intense orgasm washed over her.

Tom rolled her over and fucked her hard. He no longer fuck her angry, but he still fucked her good. Jen didn't cum again -- she'd already had so many orgasms that week -- but it felt soulful being pounded so hard and relentlessly.

They quickly showered (together) and dressed, and made it to the meeting on time. Jen briefly thought of Mike. She hadn't called him in two days. She vowed to call him at the first break, but she forgot when Keri pulled her aside to talk about the marketing segmentations. 

The day flew by, and then Jen and her team went to happy hour. Jen and Tom discreetly broke away, as they had tickets to the Blue Man Group. Afterwards they had dinner at the trendy Social House for sushi and sake. 

They reconnected with the team for drinks and dancing at Tryst at the Wynn. By then everyone was beyond tipsy, so Jen and Tom were more touchy than normal. After Tryst they took a cab back to the Venetian. They sucked face and Jen was so horny by then she half hoped Tom would take her in the cab. Finally in their room, they had a long glorious fuck. 

It was 3am in Vegas, 6am in NYC when Jen's iPhone rang. It was Mike. Jen was riding Tom's glorious cock. She answered the phone, panting, and said "Not now Mike, I'll call you later." She hit "end" and then leaned down and stuck her tongue down Tom's throat. They passed out after cumming. 

The next morning they flew home. Jen and Tom woke up and had a quickie. They showered together, and Tom got hard as Jen soaped his body. He fucked her again smashed against the tile shower wall. 

Jen knew Mike was probably mad and upset, but there was nothing she could do about it until she got home. She decided not to think about it until she had to. She and Tom flirted and laughed the entire flight. Jen worried about Mike, but she tried to put it out of her mind. She and Tom held hands or he had his arm around her. At one point, the flight attendant smiled and asked "Newlyweds?"

After landing, Jen held Tom's hand as they walked towards baggage claim. 

"Do me a favor," Jen said to Tom. "Let me go first. It'll be worse if Mike sees us walk out together."

"I don't get it," Tom said frustrated. "I thought he was okay with us together."

"I promised to call him."

"So you missed a couple of days," he said contemptuously. "Is he that insecure?"

"It's more complicated than that," Jen said. "Just let me go first okay?" She reached on her tip toes and kissed him. "I'll see you, okay?"

Jen hurried away. She stopped, reached into her purse and put her wedding and engagement rings back on. She'd not worn them in Vegas. If people had noticed , they'd not said anything.

She saw Mike as soon as she entered baggage claim. A dark cloud was over his face. "Hey baby," she said kissing him.

"Hi," he said. He took her bag and they walked out, not talking. He didn't say anything in the cab home.

Finally at home he said sarcastically, "What happened, your cell phone run out of power?"

"Mike, I'm sorry, we were really busy," Jen said.

"Yeah, you were working really hard when I called last night," he mocked.

"I'm sorry Mike, it was our last night together," she said.

"I get that," he said angrily. "I get you were busy. I get you were having fun. But you said you'd call once a day. Is that too much to ask?"

"I missed two days," Jen said frustrated and getting angry herself. "Two days." Remembering what Tom had said, she lashed out, "Really Mike, are you so insecure you can't live without talking to me for two days?" 

She regretted it as soon as she said it. She reached for his hand, saying "Mike --."

"I got it," Mike said, pulling his hand away. "I got it." He walked away.

"Mike ..."

"You're right, forget it," Mike said. "I told you to hang with him. I'm fine, forget it."

Jen knew Mike was anything but fine, but she didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted to hug him. But part of her wanted him to get over it, after all, he HAD been okay with it, and it HAD been only TWO days. What did he think, she and Tom weren't going to have fun together?

That night they didn't have sex. Neither tried to start their usual pillow talk. In bed they slept apart, not touching. They were separated by only a foot, but it seemed like miles.

Jen couldn't sleep. She didn't like arguing with Mike, or going to bed angry. She felt terrible, this "entitled" thing wasn't all it seemed to be. She wanted to make it up to him, but she didn't know what to do. 

All her life, she'd gotten out of trouble relying on her pretty looks. So, as the sun rose, she reached into Mike's shorts and pulled out his penis. She lowered her head and swallowed him. As with Tom the other day, Mike woke up with the wonderful feeling of his cock in his wife's sweet mouth.

Mike still felt raw, and tried to push Jen away. "I want to," she said, and went down on him again. Having not had any physical contact with Jen for a week, Mike gave into it. In moments he came in her mouth.

"I'm sorry," Jen said later. "I was wrong, I should have called."

"You need to understand. I want this, it turns me on, but I need to connect with you," Mike said trying to explain. "If I don't talk to you ... I guess I am insecure."

"No you're not, I get it," she assured him. She knew his fantasy was almost an obsession, but emotionally it took him to dark bad places too. She couldn't judge him harshly; her fantasies and desires were just as strong. 

She kissed him. "I love you Mike. I'm lucky you let me do this."

Mike gave her a reluctant grin. "You had fun?"

"Yeah," she said cautiously. "Do you want me to tell you about it?"

"I've got a meeting this morning," Mike said. "Can we talk tonight?"

"It's a date!" Jen said smiling.

Later at work Tom stopped by her office. "Everything okay?" he asked closing the door.

"I guess," Jen said with a shrug. 

"Wanna get together tonight?" he asked smiling.

"Probably not a good idea."

"Later this week?" he asked.

"Maybe this weekend, okay?"

Tom looked disappointed. He'd had her all to himself for an entire week, and he was already seriously missing being with her. "You're going to happy hour Wednesday, right?"

"Yeah but ..." She rubbed his arm. "I probably won't be able to go with you after."

He scowled. "All this because you forgot to call twice?" he said scornfully.

"Come on, don't be mean," she said gently. She gave him a crooked smile. "That doesn't mean we can't have fun." She got on her knees in front of him.

Jen invited Mike to happy hour on Wednesday. He felt awkward. Surely her co-workers must know she and Tom were having an affair. But after not seeing her all last week, he didn't want another evening without her. So not going wasn't an option.

When Mike arrived Jen was laughing and talking with Tom. They were in a group of about 6 people, but clearly Jen's attention was on Tom. When he approached Jen immediately went to him and took his hand, pulling him into the group. It was awkward though, as people had gotten used to Jen and Tom together, so Mike felt like an outsider even as Jen held his hand.

Being considerate to Mike, Jen sat them as far away from Tom as possible. 

Bars in New York were non-smoking. Many were lax and let people smoke inside, despite the law. This bar was strict thought, and people had to go outside to smoke. "Anyone feel like a smoke?" Tom asked after a while, getting up. A few people got up. 




Making It Work Ch. 09



"Do you mind?" Jen asked Mike. He shook his head and Jen joined Tom and the others.

Mike made small talk with a few people he knew. He glanced at the door. The smokers came back in twos and threes. Allie and Scott returned, smiling and glancing at Mike. They sat down and others who didn't smoke approached them as if wanting the scoop. People whispered and laughed. They repeatedly glanced at Mike, at least that's how he felt. 

Jen and Tom were still gone. Five minutes stretched to ten, and then 15. What were they doing? Was she blowing him? Was he fucking her in the alley, against the brick wall?

At 30 minutes they finally returned. "Sorry," Jen whispered to him as she sat, squeezing his hand under the table. Mike felt like everyone was looking at him. Coming here had been a mistake.

Sometime later Tom got up and announced he had to get home, babysitter issues. Jen smiled and waved goodbye to Tom. Mike sensed she wanted to walk him to the door, probably to give him a hug and kiss goodbye. "Go ahead if you want," he whispered bitterly to Jen.

Knowing he was upset, Jen hugged Mike's arm and squeezed his hand. She realized she'd spent too much time outside with Tom. After spending so much time in Vegas together, she missed him as much as he missed her. Yes they'd kissed and petted a little, but mostly they talked and laughed, flirted, held hands. Jen had been shocked and alarmed when she realized 30 minutes had passed.

"I'm sorry," Jen said again in the taxi.

"Why'd you even invite me?" Mike asked angrily.

"Mike --."

"If you wanted to be with him tonight, why'd you invite me?" he asked again, his anger rising.

She squeezed his arm. "Mike --."

Suddenly he was on top of her, smashing his lips against hers, pushing his tongue down her throat. He clumsily opened her blouse and pushed her bra up, and then he mauled her tits.

"Mike, stop," she said. He'd never been so wild, so out of control. She glanced at the driver. He wasn't complaining. He adjusted the mirror and their eyes met. Then his eyes traveled down to her exposed breasts. She tried to close her blouse but Mike wouldn't let her.

She felt Mike yank up her skirt. "Stop Mike he's looking," she whispered, trying to push her skirt back down. 

Mike roughly pulled off her panties. He pushed her down on the seat and threw open her legs, and then he pulled down his zipper. She'd never seen him like this. 

Then he was inside her. He entered easily, she was wet from making out with Tom earlier. The taxi driver adjusted the mirror again, to watch. Jen decided to go with it, and stopped struggling.

The driver turned down an alley and stopped. He wanted to watch. The alley had a light that dimly lit the inside of the car. From the way Mike had her, Jen couldn't help looking directly into the driver's face. He was Mexican, about 40, his skin oily and marred from ache. He was panting, and his eyes were full of lust.

Mike had thrown her legs open, so one leg rested on the top of the driver's seat. The driver caressed her stockinged leg as he watched. Jen wanted to pull her leg back but with Mike on top of her, in such close confides, there was nothing she could do. The driver caressed her leg from her ankle all the way to her bare thigh, above her stocking top. She cringed at his touch, especially when he touched her bare thigh. "He's touching me Mike," she said, but Mike kept fucking her. 

The driver had his other hand out of sight. Jen had no doubt what he was doing with it. The driver's eyes never left her, moving from her face to her breasts to her stocking clad legs, caressing her, beating off. The scene was so lewd, her half-dressed, Mike wildly fucking her, the oily Mexican driver feeling her up. Suddenly her body shuddered and she came. It was a small orgasm, but still she was embarrassed the way her body reacted to this lewd scene.

Finally Mike grunted and came. Soon after the driver's eyes rolled up into his head, he grunted and his body lurched.

"Are you finished?" Jen said coldly to Mike. She pushed him off. Mike tried to help button her blouse but she angrily pushed his hands away. She fixed her bra, buttoned her blouse and pulled her skirt down. She got out of the taxi and stomped away. Mike sullenly followed. The driver didn't complain about not getting his fare.

They rode another taxi home in silence. Both of them were hurt, angry and embarrassed. At home Jen jabbed her finger at the guest room. "You're not sleeping with me tonight!" she hissed angrily. In the master bedroom, she immediately got into the shower, feeling soiled and used. 

She couldn't sleep. She'd gone over the line, she knew that. She'd paid too much attention to Tom. Mike had a right to be upset. But wasn't that his fantasy? For her to go head-over-heels for another man?

She thought about how he'd gone crazy in the cab. Then she thought ... maybe he HAD gotten excited at happy hour, with her paying so much attention to Tom. Hurt yes, but crazy excited.

She thought again about what had happened. The driver was a creep. But at some level it had turned her on. She'd never told anyone -- not even Mike -- but deep down she had a rape fantasy. She'd never want it to happen of course. But with Mike on top of her in the close confides of the back seat, it was like she was captive, out of control. With the creepy oily driver fondling her with his pudgy fingers. That's why she'd cum. But still ... she shuddered at the memory.

Her nipples were hard, her pussy wet. She rubbed herself, thinking of the taxi driver, touching her, running his hands over her knees, passed her stocking tops to her bare thighs. In her fantasy she imagined the driver climbing into the back seat, kissing her and groping her tits, his tongue violating her mouth, his foul breath making her gag. 

But then her fantasy morphed and it was Tom, not the driver. Tom shoved Mike away, his small cock jiggling as it popped from her pussy, and then Tom was between her legs, pushing his glorious huge cock into her.

In her fantasy Mike said "I wish my cock was as big as his."

"I wish it was too," Jen said. She moaned as Tom pushed more of himself inside her. "You never make me feel this good," she said to Mike.

She grabbed Mike's hair and pulled his face to her pussy. "Do something useful, lick my clit as Tom fucks me," she said meanly.

Mike licked her clit. As Tom moved in and out, his thick shaft slid over the flat of Mike's tongue. "Your cuck husband is blowing me!" Tom laughed derisively.

"You can do better than that Mike," Jen said with an evil grin. She pulled Tom out of her and then she pushed against the back of Mike's head, forcing her husband to swallow her lover's cock.

Grinning and getting into it, Tom held Mike's head tight with both hands and fucked his face hard. Mike gagged as Tom pushed his cock down his throat. Jen got on her knees and wrapped her arms around Tom. They made out as Tom fucked Mike's face.

"I'm gonna fucking cum!" Tom groaned into Jen's mouth.

"Cum all over his face!" Jen squealed gleefully. She smiled delightedly as Tom shot thick ropes of his sperm all over Mike's face and hair.

"My god," Jen thought to herself as she recovered from her orgasm. She'd had wild fantasies lately, where she treated Mike really mean. She wondered why. Because of the game? Maybe deep down her sub-conscious was reacting to Mike's desire for her to have sex with other men. Not only have sex, but date and have feelings for other men. Marriage was supposed to be exclusive, her heart and body reserved only for her husband. Their marriage was anything but that. Maybe Mike's desire for her to date and sleep with other men -- and not just any men, but confident gorgeous men with great bodies -- was affecting her psyche for him.

She felt guilty. She went into the guest bedroom. Moonlight shone into the room and she could tell Mike was awake. She crawled into bed, under the covers. He turned onto his side towards her, and they looked into the other's eyes.

"Sorry," he said.

"Sorry too," she said. She did feel sorry. But she was tired of Mike's back-and-forth, wanting her to play the game, but then getting upset at the consequences.

She said gently, "You can't get upset if I pay attention to Tom. You promised you'd handle it better this time."

"You don't have to flaunt it in my face," he said. 

"You want me to stop seeing Tom?" she asked.

"What do you want?"

"I want you to stop pushing me into things, and then getting upset," she said frustrated.

After a long silence, Mike said "Maybe that's how it works."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You know those sites I go to? Ourhotwives and stuff like that? People in this lifestyle make it sound like they never get jealous or upset. I don't see how a husband can see his wife fucking another guy and not get jealous."

"Yeah but ... emotions are a big thing for you, right?" she asked. "I mean, just physical isn't enough. You want me to date Tom, have feelings for him."

"Yeah," he agreed resignedly. "They are for you too, though, right? You get all giddy when you're going with a new guy."

"But then you get upset," Jen said. "Like Vegas. Like tonight."

He shrugged. "I probably shouldn't have gone tonight, not if you were going to spend so much time with him."

She sighed. "I didn't plan it that way, it just happened." She shrugged and said "Maybe you shouldn't have come." She wasn't going to apologize, not again, not after he pushed her to date Tom. She could tell her words stung. To soften the blow, she added with a laugh, "It got you hot though."

He smiled sheepishly. Seeing him smile, she joked "You could've waited until we got home. That creep was touching me."

"It probably got you hot," he said with a knowing grin. He understood his wife better than she knew.

"Jerk!" she said hitting his arm, looking embarrassed.

"I felt you cum," he said.

"No I didn't," she lied.

"Whatever," he laughed. "You know what would've made tonight a lot better?" he asked.

"What?"

"If I would've been in the crowd watching you and Tom, instead of in the group feeling like a loser with all the populars."

"You're not a loser Mike," she assured him. "God, you make more than everyone there combined. Twice, three times more."

"Money doesn't make a person popular," Mike said with a shrug.

"Mike, wanna know something?" Jen said looking into his eyes. "I fell in love with you because you're not one of those popular people."

"Okay," Mike said grinning.

"I'm not kidding."

"Okay," he said again. "What did you and Tom do outside?"

"We kissed a little, but mostly just talked."

"You like him a lot, huh?" Mike asked.

"I like him enough," she said.

"Are you going to see him this weekend?"

"I didn't think you'd want me to," Jen said surprised.

"I can tell you want to see him."

"I do kinda," she admitted.

Tom picked Jen up Saturday afternoon. "A motorcycle?" Mike asked looking out the window, frowning. He didn't like motorcycles, they weren't safe, especially driving through a congested city like New York.

"It's okay baby, he's a safe driver," Jen said, wearing a leather jacket, skinny jeans and pointy toe cowboy boots. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said giving Mike a quick kiss.

Looking out the window, Mike watched Jen put on a helmet and get on the bike behind Tom. If neighbors were looking, they might think Jen was going for a ride with a platonic guy friend. But as they started off, Tom reached back and put his hand possessively on Jen's thigh, like she was his. Jen didn't make him take his hand away. 

Mike jerked off, cumming at the memory of Tom putting his hand on Jen's thigh. Melancholy swept over him after cumming.

He decided to go out. He showered and dressed, then he walked aimlessly around the city. He found himself in front of Bar Americain, one of his favorite restaurants. He headed to the bar, knowing they served the full menu there. He was surprised to see the owner / celebrity chef, Bobby Flay. He was sitting with a beautiful blonde girl. It was Jasmine Kelly.

Jasmine jumped up smiling when she saw Mike. She gave him a hug and kiss hello. Mike couldn't help noticing how curvy and soft she felt as they hugged. She insisted he join them. 

Bobby had a drink with them, and then excused himself to go back to the kitchen. As soon as Bobby left, Jasmine scooted her chair closer to Mike's. She insisted on buying him dinner, to thank him for the interview. As they ate, a photographer from the New York Times Magazine asked to take their picture, having first recognized Jasmine, and then also Mike. Mike smiled awkwardly, still not used to so much attention. Jasmine moved closer to Mike, put her arm through his, and gave the photographer a dazzling smile. Mike forgot his anxieties about Jen as he spent an enjoyable evening with the enchanting Jasmine.

Tom and Jen rode back to his place. Tommy squealed and jumped into Jen's arms. Maria left, it was her day off. Tom had a babysitter coming later.

Jen played with Tommy and read books while Tom made dinner for Tommy. Tommy ran upstairs to his bedroom to get more toys. Jen took the opportunity to take off her wedding and engagement rings and put them in her purse.

The babysitter arrived, Dawn, a pretty brunette high school junior. She was bubbly and had a great cheerleader's body and showed it off in skinny jeans and a tight sweater. Dawn fawned over Tom. It was clear she had a crush on him. Tom seemed to like the attention from the pretty teen cheerleader.

"Dawn's kinda young for you, isn't she?" Jen joked later as they walked to the neighborhood restaurant, her arm in his.

"Sorry about that, she's had a crush on me forever," Tom said.

"Don't worry, I'm not the jealous type," Jen laughed. "Just don't get horny and do something stupid, she's definitely jail bait."

He pulled her into his arms. "I've got you when I get horny," he said grinning. 

"You think so huh?" she teased, laughing again.

They went to the sushi place. Hanging out again in his neighborhood, Jen was prepared this time with a story about her and Tom if they ran into people he knew. To her surprise (and horror!), they ran into people SHE knew. Her neighbors Jeremy and Alicia were eating there. Jen immediately pulled her hand from Tom's, but not before Alicia saw them holding hands.

Jeremy and Alicia had just gotten there too, so they invited Jen and Tom to join them. Jen introduced Tom as an old friend. 

"Where's Mike?" Alicia asked suspiciously.

"Oh, um, he's drowning in work," Jen stammered. "You know, his Sapphire thing."

"Yeah ..." Alicia said. She doubted Jen's story, especially when she looked down and saw Jen without her wedding ring.

Under the table, Tom put his hand on Jen's thigh. She pushed his hand away and gave him a look.

As they talked, Tom leaned towards Jen. It was subtle, but Alicia noticed. "How long have you known each other?" she asked suspiciously.

"Oh, a while," Jen stammered. "Back in college."

"Did you date?" Alicia pressed.

Jen said "No," but at the same instant Tom said "Yes."

Flushed, Jen said "We dated for a while."

"Oh okay," Alicia said. "I guess then you met Mike."

"Yeah, we dated before I met Mike," Jen stammered.

After dinner as they walked to their car, Jeremy asked "Do you think she's cheating on Mike?"

"I'm sure she is!" Alicia said gleefully. This gossip was too good! She couldn't wait to get home to tell her friends.

"God, I can't believe that happened," Jen lamented after dinner when they got back to Tom's place. Dawn had left a few minutes earlier and Tommy was asleep.

"They believed you," Tom said.

"I don't think so," Jen said doubtfully. "You didn't help."

He shrugged. "Just come clean, tell people you have an open marriage. It'd be a lot easier." She frowned at him. He pulled her into his arms. "Come on, don't let it ruin the evening," he said.

"Okay," Jen said with a smile, and they kissed. They fucked in his bedroom. Their sex got better and better. Jen pulled a pillow over her head when her orgasm hit, not wanting to wake up Tommy.

After, Jen brushed her hair, put on lipstick and wiggled into a sexy baby doll nightie. She knew it was silly to put on lipstick to go to bed, but she was really into Tom and wanted to be pretty for him.

"You look really good," Tom admired.

"Thanks, so do you," she said eyeing his bare well-defined chest. He only wore boxers to bed, and she liked that. She liked looking at his tanned, ripped body.

"You know, sometimes at night Tommy climbs into bed," he said.

"Oh," Jen said. She hadn't thought of that. The flimsy almost see-through nightie would not be cool if Tommy saw her.

Tom reached over into his dresser and pulled out his old college football jersey. "You could wear this," he said handing it to her.

"I didn't know you played for Michigan State," Jen said. She ran her finger along his last name stitched into the jersey, "Mason." "I don't think I can wear this, I hate Michigan State," she joked. Penn State and Michigan State were bitter rivals.

"It's soft though," she observed. She took off the nightie and put on his jersey. "Comfy," she said smiling into his eyes. Tom had on the biggest smile. 

Jen knew he took it as another sign she was his, like the wedding ring thing. But she WAS his during their dates, right? She wondered if this was crossing the line, whether Mike would get hurt. Well, he was the one who wanted her to date Tom, not just have a sexual relationship. And it's not like she had to tell him about it. Also, truthfully, she liked wearing Tom's jersey.

The jersey soon came off as they fucked again. But before she fell asleep she put it back on.

Jen got home just before dinner the next day. She'd spent the day with Tom and Tommy, doing fun things for Tommy like going to the Central Park zoo and seeing the latest Disney movie. It was fun and felt good holding Tommy's hand as they walked through the zoo, and to hold him in her lap during the movie. 

Tommy liked seeing his dad holding hands with Jenny. More than once he asked, "Jenny, are you my daddy's girl friend?"

Each time Jen would share a delighted smile with Tom and say "Yes I am."

Tom fucked Jen twice before going home to Mike, once when they got up Sunday morning, and again later while Tommy napped. Before she left, Jen gave Tom a blowjob as Tommy played with wood blocks downstairs.

Later that night, in bed, Jen said, "Something happened." She told Mike how she'd run into Jeremy and Alicia, who lived just two doors down and were in their neighborhood social circle.

"I guess it was bound to happen," Mike said.

"Yeah, but what do we do? Tom said we should tell people we have an open marriage."

Mike frowned. Not only didn't he like the idea, he didn't like Tom's gall of even suggesting it. He was her lover, temporary boyfriend, that was it, he had no say in their marriage.

But Mike didn't want to get angry and ruin the evening. Staying calm, he said "I don't like that idea. It's better if we let people think you've having an affair. The open marriage thing is too hard to explain. Everyone gets cheating."

She grimaced. "It makes me look like a slutty cheating bitch," she said.

"It makes me look like a husband who can't satisfy his wife," Mike said. "But when we stop playing the game, people will think we worked it out. We won't have to explain anything." 

There were a lot of things Jen hated about the idea. But this way she could play innocent, the same thing she was doing now. Let people think what they wanted to think.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"I guess ...," she said tentatively.

Mike pulled her to him. After being with Tom, she wasn't in the mood. But she went with it. He was her husband after all, so she moved her body the right way under him, and moaned at appropriate times. As usual, he came fast. "Sorry," he said after he finished. 




Making It Work Ch. 09



"Don't apologize baby, I loved it," she lied. Well, not a complete lie. She liked feeling him in her, even if she got little physical pleasure. As she drifted to sleep, her last thought was of Tom.

The following Friday Jen called Mike. "I'm going to happy hour tonight," she said. Her team had been working non-stop preparing for the Google launch, and they needed to blow off steam.

Mike noticed she hadn't invited him. Letting her off the hook, he said "You go ahead and have fun. I've got some work to do."

"Okay," Jen said, feeling both relieved and guilty.

"Are you hooking up with Tom after?" he asked.

"I was thinking about it," she said. "Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah," he said. "Why don't you come here?" He wanted to watch them.

"Um ... Tom got kinda weirded out last time," she said hesitantly.

"Oh ..."

Jen heard the disappointment in Mike's voice. "I talk to him about it, okay?" Then she added hesitantly, "He might feel more comfortable if he doesn't see you. Would it be terrible if you hung out in the guest room?"

"I guess that's okay," Mike said, hiding his sullenness. 

"Let's bolt," Allie whispered to Jen. They'd been at happy hour a couple of hours. Allie eyed Scott, and Jen eyed Tom, and the four said their goodbyes. Tom left 10 minutes after Jen, but everyone knew they were hooking up.

Jen gave Tom a discreet brief hug when he caught up; they were waiting for him around the corner. They taxied to Aqua Blue for dinner.

"What's bubble boy doing tonight?" Allie asked with an interested smile.

"Who cares, as long as he's not here," Scott laughed derisively. He despised Mike.

"Why do you call him bubble boy?" Tom asked.

"Long story," Jen said with a laugh, sharing an inside-joke smile with Allie. "Let's not talk about him okay?"

"Fine with me," Tom said smiling. He leaned in to kiss her on the lips. She turned her head so he kissed her cheek. "Need to be a little discreet," she cautioned. She laughed light-heartedly, but glanced around to see if she knew anyone.

"Yeah Tom, if you wanna suck face take her outside," the happy-go-lucky Allie joked with a delighted sparkle in her eyes.

Jen frowned at Allie, but she wasn't mad. It was fun going on a double date with Allie, her BFF. Other than happy hours she hardly ever socialized anymore with Allie, she and Mike didn't get along. She could have lived without Scott, but he was Allie's current steady.

"Sounds like an idea, how about a smoke?" Tom asked Jen.

"Ummm, sounds good," Jen agreed. They got up and walked to the exit. They didn't hold hands, but they walked close together so their bodies almost touched.

Scott watched Jen walk out with Tom. Allie watched Scott watching. Scott looked envious. "Wish that was you walking out with pretty blonde Jen?" she teased.

Scott shrugged. "If she was gonna keep fucking around, why not me?"

"Because you were a dumb ass and sent Mike that video," Allie said with a laugh.

He scoffed. "He probably jerks off to that."

"Probably," Allie said laughing again.

Scott shook his head. "I don't see why she's with that pathetic loser," he derided. 

"One of the mysteries of the world," Allie said with another laugh.

Tom guided Jen to privacy on the side of the building. Cigarettes forgotten, he pressed her against the brick wall. "Hi," he said.

"Hi," she said back, looking into his gorgeous blue eyes. They kissed. Soon they were seriously making out and petting each other. Tom pushed down on Jen's shoulders.

"Forget it," she laughed. "That's for later."

"Let's dump those guys," he urged her.

"No way, Allie's my friend," Jen said. 

"Scott?" Tom asked.

She gave him a "whatever" shrug. There was history there. She playfully punched him and smiled. "You can wait til after dinner." 

She affectionately played with the buttons of his shirt. "Hey, speaking of that, let's go to my place after," she said.

Tom scowled. "Mike's there?" he asked disdainfully.

"You won't see him, he promised to hang out mostly in the guest room," she assured him. "Come on, that's what he gets out of this."

"I don't know, it freaks me out," Tom said doubtfully. "He stares at my cock. Like he's thinking about blowing me."

"He's not thinking that!" Jen said laughing. Although her mind flashed back to her fantasy from the other night.

"I don't get it Jenny, how can you respect a guy like that?" Tom mocked. "Real men don't let other guys fuck their wives. Real men don't stare at other guys' bodies and cocks."

"Don't be mean Tom," she said. "Mike's a real man, okay? He's just different. Besides, you're benefiting from it."

"Fine, whatever," he said shrugging.

Later, Jen unlocked the door to her apartment. Inside it was dark and quiet. Tom pressed her against the wall. They embraced and kissed. "Come on," Jen said smiling into his eyes, and she hugged his arm as they walked to the master bedroom. 

She left the door cracked open and turned on the light next to the bed. "Really?" Tom said scornfully.

"Just don't think about it," she said kissing him. They undressed each other. Tom unsnapped and pulled off her bra, leaving her in just a garter belt, stockings and high heels. Since college Jen had grown to like thigh highs, but didn't like the clumsiness of garter belts. She rarely wore them. But she wore them whenever she was with Tom, he thought they were super sexy.

She missed his body. She gloried at the deliciousness of his cock entering her, stretching her. Their sex kept getting better and better!

"Take these off," he said tugging off her rings. He didn't like the reminder of Mike. 

Fine whatever, Jen thought, wanting Tom to keep pounding her. She took off her wedding and engagement rings and put them on the side table. In her hurry they fell off the table and scattered under the bed.

She thought she saw Mike briefly once or twice in the doorway, but she wasn't sure. All her attention was on Tom and the wonderful things he was doing to her body. 

Tom fucked her three times, his stamina even more impressive tonight than usual. Jen thought it might be an alpha guy thing, proving to Mike once again he was the better fuck. 

Between sex sessions they talked and laughed, flirted and snuggled. She didn't see Mike during these interludes, but she assumed he was listening. She mostly whispered, because even though she had Mike's blessing to be with Tom, there were things she didn't think he'd want to hear his wife say to her lover.

She mostly didn't think about Mike, that's how in to Tom she was. Although, when Tom pulled out cigarettes, she told him not to light up. Finally, after their third session of mind-blowing sex, they fell asleep from exhaustion. 

Hearing the apartment quiet, Mike looked into the master bedroom. The room reeked of sex. Jen and Tom were asleep and naked. His arm was around her. Her head lay on his chest, her arm around him, her long shapely leg draped over his. Their sleeping like that felt more intimate than when they fucked. He felt hurt, insecure and jealous. His cock was rock hard though. He jerked off looking at them sleeping intertwined like that. 

Mike woke to moans and the bed squeaking in the master bedroom. He approached warily, and peeked into the room. Jen was on top of Tom, slowly riding him. 

Tom saw Mike and scowled. Feeling his body tense, Jen looked back and saw her husband. "We're almost done Mike, okay?" she panted, moving up and down on Tom's long thick shaft. Mike went back into the guest bedroom.

Mike listened to the sounds of their fucking, the throes of their orgasms. He heard them get into the shower, and then heard more sounds of sex. He heard Tom get dressed, and Jen walking him to the door. He heard whispered goodbyes and kissing. 

Jen finally came into the guest bedroom. She sat on the bed, wearing a robe. She saw hurt in his eyes, but she was used to that by now. "Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said. 

Mike's hard cock tented his shorts. She ran a soft hand down his boxers, grasping his shaft. "I just cheated on you," she teased.

"I know," he said. He moaned as she stroked him up and down.

"I've got to go to work today," she said. It was Saturday but the Google launch was right around the corner. Her entire team was coming in. Work hard and play hard was their mantra. "I'm really tired."

"You should take a nap before you go in," he said. He adjusted to make room for her on the bed.

"Wait, I'll take care of this first," she giggled, still stroking him. "I'm kinda sore. Do you mind --."

"No, I like this," he said.

"Okay," she said. She got her husband off with her hand, and then she curled into his arms and fell asleep.

By 10am she was sitting behind her desk. Her team members met with her in twos and threes, tweaking their parts of the campaign, getting her suggestions, orders and approvals. By 8pm she was exhausted and ready to go home. She had another full day tomorrow, they were going 24/7 until launch.

Tom stepped in. "Wanna come over?" he asked.

"God Tom you're insatiable," she joked. 

"And that's a bad thing?" he deadpanned.

She laughed. "I can't. You wore me out last night, and I've got a long day tomorrow too."

"We'll just sleep tonight," he promised

"Yeah right!" she laughed.

"I'll go easy on you," he said grinning. "I give a great massage. You'll get a lot of rest, I promised."

"Ummmm, that sounds good," she said smiling. "But I should spend time with Mike. I AM married you know," she said with a laugh.



Making It Work Ch. 10



Keri met with Jen in NYC for an update. Launch was only a few days away. Four hours later, pleased with the progress of Jen's team, she dragged her young friend to a bar for a drink.

"How are things with you and Tom?" she asked with a delighted smile. "Still wonderful?"

"Freaking wonderful!" Jen gushed.

"And Mike is happy?" she asked.

"I think so," Jen said. 

"So ... is Tom different from other guys you've known?" Keri asked. 

Jen knew she was referring to Scott, Rickey and Colin. "I don't know," she said. Physically Tom was similar. Tall, handsome, great body, fantastic in bed. Like the others, Tom was confident, almost arrogant. She was attracted to guys like that, she couldn't help it. She liked it when a guy took control, a leader not a follower.

"He has a son Tommy, he's adorable," Jen said. That's what made Tom different. He was tender and kind around Tommy. She liked that, a really confident guy with a sensitive tender side.

"It's working this time for Mike?" Keri asked again.

"He has his ups and downs," Jen said with a shrug. "But even the downs aren't too bad this time. Like, the other day we went to happy hour and I paid a lot of attention to Tom -- but Mike practically raped me in the taxi home."

"In the taxi?" Keri asked wide-eyed.

"I know, right?" Jen giggled rolling her eyes. 

"I guess Mike's really into the cuckold/humiliation fantasy," Keri said. 

"I guess," Jen said. She thought of her recent fantasies. "Maybe I'm getting into it too."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know," Jen said truthfully. She didn't want to say anything more.

Keri gave her younger friend a long, intrigued look. Finally she said, "I think I know something Mike would like." She did a quick search on her Android and handed Jen the phone.

Jen's eyes grew wide as she watched the video. "I'd have to be really mad at Mike to do that to him," she said laughing.

"I bet he'd like it," Keri said a sparkle in her eyes.

"Would you do that to Jim?" 

"No way he'd kill me," Keri said immediately.

"Okay then," Jen said with another laugh.

Jen and her team worked non-stop, and then finally their Google campaigned launched, going out in print, internet, TV, radio, all forms of media. This initial campaign targeted Google's new Android operating system, the new release of Chrome and new products like Google Glass. 

Advertising critics, commentators and reviewers immediately touted the campaign as pioneering, innovative and cutting edge. A week later, ecstatic with the early returns, Keri threw a big party, renting out the exclusive NYC restaurant Per Se.

Everyone would be there, not just Jen's team, but all the partners; this was their company's biggest project in years. Lots of Google VIPs would be there too. For Jen it was like a coming out ball, she was being hailed as one of the brightest young marketing stars in the country. 

Mike was invited and of course he went, this was Jen's big day. Keri immediately gave him a hug and kiss hello. "We finally meet," she said warmly, "I feel like I already know you." She took his arm and led him through the crowd. "Let's go find your lovely wife."

Jen was surrounded by all the bigwigs, everyone congratulating her. "Look who I found wandering around," Keri said to Jen.

Jen hugged and kissed Mike, and held his arm as she introduced him. Suddenly, everyone's attention focused on Mike. He was bombarded with questions about Sapphire, many about whether the fund was going to re-open soon for new inventors.

A little later Keri returned holding her husband Jim's arm and introduced him around. Mike and Jen were grateful for the opportunity to step away from the limelight. "I'm so proud of you," Mike gushed.

"I'm proud of you mister," Jen said beaming into his eyes.

"I can't wait until Cabo," Mike said. They'd decided to go to Cabo after the launch for a few days, to get away from it all and re-energize.

"Me too!" she agreed.

Keri approached and took Jen's arm. "Still a lot of mingling to do," she told Jen, smiling. She led Jen back into the fray, working the crowd.

Keri's husband Jim approached Mike and introduced himself. "How about a drink?" Jim said. Mike was happy to get away from the crowd, and sensed Jim wanted that too. Advertising people certainly knew how to throw a party, but this was a madhouse. 

They found a semi-quiet table, away from the big party. Both ordered single malt scotch. "I've wanted to talk to you," Jim said. "Your wife is very lovely. I hope I'm not being too forward."

"No, that's okay," Mike said. Jim had fucked Jen after all, in a threesome with Keri. It was awkward to sit here and talk about it, but Jim wasn't coming on too strong. He reminded Mike of a good natured college professor. "Keri is beautiful too."

"Yes," Jim agreed, and gave Mike a knowing look. "It's a worn saying, but it's difficult to be married to such a beautiful girl."

"You have an open marriage?" Mike asked.

"I guess Jen told you our story?" Jim asked.

"Yeah ... hope that's okay," Mike said, feeling like he was prying.

"No worries," Jim laughed. "I know about your marriage too, I read Jen's file."

"The file?" Mike said confused.

"You know, the file Keri put together on Jen when she was being vetted for the project," Jim said.

"Oh yeah, that file," Mike said. Jen had never told him about any file, but he didn't want Jim to know that. He hesitantly asked, "How does your open marriage work?"

"Sometimes another person joins us, usually a girl," Jim said. "Like that time with Jen." He quickly added, "Does it bother you to talk about it?"

"No, that's okay," Mike said. Then he laughed, thinking how strange it was to have this conversation with a guy he just met.

Jim read Mike's mind and he laughed too. They ordered a re-fill on their scotch. Then Jim continued. "Mostly though, we play on our own. Keri travels a lot. She has a regular lover on her team, Byron. She has lovers around the country too. I do too. I know that sounds hedonistic ..."

"I'd be the last person to judge someone else," Mike joked, laughing.

"I guess so," Jim laughed back.

"Can I ask you something?" Mike said. "Don't you get jealous? Upset if Keri spends too much time with other guys?"

"Yes, I guess," Jim said with a shrug. "Like I said, it's hard to be married to someone so beautiful, Keri has a lot more suitors than me." He laughed. "But if I get lonely, I call one of my lovers, or find a new lover." Mike knew Jim would have no trouble doing that. While not the best looking guy, Jim was rich and powerful, both strong aphrodisiacs. 

"Keri's with her lovers more than I'm with mine," Jim said with a laugh. "I think our wives are both insatiable. But it works for us, we're happy, and our sex life is always exciting."

"That's good," Mike said, nodding and thinking.

"Jen doesn't want you to sleep with other girls?" Jim asked. "If you don't mind me saying, that seems unfair."

"I really don't want anyone else," Mike said with a shrug. 

"Still ... look, I like Jen, but she seems a little spoiled," Jim said.

"Just a little?" Mike said with a laugh, knowing Jen better than anyone, including her flaws. "I hear what you're saying. But I'm okay with the way things are."

"You've gone through some tough times?" Jim asked. He'd read Jen's file, so knew the answer was yes.

"Yeah," Mike admitted. "But it's better this time. I don't expect you to understand. No offense, but you either get it or don't. To be honest, I pushed her into this, and she's never done anything I didn't want, not really. It hurts sometimes, but that's part of it for me. I feel like we're closer now than ever."

Back in the main part of the restaurant, Jen managed to break away from Keri and was momentarily alone with Tom. "Hi," he said.

"Hey you," she said. She inconspicuously gave his hand a quick squeeze.

"Sure we can't get together tonight?" he asked with a raised inquiring eyebrow.

"You know that's not possible," she said. They'd talked about it earlier. She missed him, wanted him ... it'd been over a week, they'd been so busy with the launch. Her infatuation with him hadn't ended. But she had to spend tonight with Mike.

"This weekend then," Tom said.

"I can't, remember?" she said gently. "Mike and I are going to Cabo tomorrow."

"Jeez Jen," he said frustrated. "Then why not tonight? We can even go to your place, so Mike can watch."

Jen shook her head. "Try to understand Tom. This is a big day for me. Mike will want me to celebrate it with him."

"What do you want?"

"Don't go there, okay?" she said gently.

"So it's all about him?" he said bitterly.

"Tom, come on," she said. "He's my husband."

"Did I tell you how proud I am of you?" Mike said later at home, hugging and kissing Jen.

"Thanks," she said hugging him back. "I saw you with Jim. What'd you talk about?"

"Oh yeah," Mike said, pretending like he just remembered. He asked nonchalantly, "Keri ran a report on you?"

"Um yeah," Jen stammered. "You know, SOP stuff."

"Can I see it?" Mike asked. "Jim said it mentioned me and had a section on our marriage."

"Oh yeah sure, I think it's at work, I'll look for it," she lied. In fact, she had the thick report in her closet not 15 feet away. There were parts of the report she didn't want Mike to see, like its description of her no good dad and his effect on her, and how fucked up she was just before meeting him. He knew her history of course, but she didn't think he'd connected the dots on how close to the edge she'd been before meeting him. She knew her husband thought she was the best thing since slice bread, and was embarrassed he might find out how much of a fuck up she'd been before meeting him.

Later in bed, Jen moaned as she came on Mike's tongue. Yet even as the pleasure rippled through her body, she longed for Tom's long thick cock inside her. A few minutes later as she opened her legs and Mike entered her, she definitely missed the wonderful sensations of feeling completely full. 

The next day Jen rolled her suitcase into the office. "I thought you and bubble boy were going to Cabo," Allie said. "We've got everything under control boss lady," she assured her.

"I just wanted to check on some things," Jen said. Allie left and she picked up the phone. She called Tom. During the early stages of the launch he was working in the office instead of his home studio. "Can you stop by?" she asked.

"What's up?" he said a few minutes later. He looked annoy and angry. 

Jen locked the door. "Don't be mad," she said getting up on her tiptoes and kissing him. "I came in to see you, that's something right?" She rubbed his chest and kissed him again.

"Where's Mike?" he asked, bitterness still in his voice.

"I'm meeting him at the airport," she said rubbing his chest. "I don't have much time."

"What, you can't go off with your limp dick husband without a good fuck first?" he derided contemptuously.

"Don't be like that," she said kissing him again on her tiptoes. "I wanted to see you." She pressed her body against his. Despite his anger he was hard. He couldn't help it, he was just as infatuated with her as she was with him.

Fuck it, he thought. He'd have the satisfaction of sending her to Cabo with her pussy full of his cum. He shoved her onto the desk and yanked up her skirt. She wasn't wearing panties. Despite being wet, she grimaced as he rammed his cock in. 

He fucked her angry, the way he used to. Jen groaned and her eyes rolled back into her head, loving every second! God she so needed this!

He ripped open her blouse, buttons flying everywhere. She wasn't wearing a bra either. He roughly groped her tiny tits, rubbing her nipples hard, making her writhe and moan. 

He kissed her, then moved to her neck, sucking hard where her neck met her shoulder. He wanted to mark her, so her pathetic husband would see his mark all week in Cabo as she sat on the beach in a bikini.

Jen came, and he came soon after, filling her womb with his thick milky seed. They lay on top of her desk, panting, their bodies still connected.

"I'm gonna miss you," he said sad.

"I'm gonna miss you too," she said tussling his hair.

"Will Mike want you to play this "game" of yours in Cabo?" he asked, barely able to keep contempt out of his voice.

"I don't know," she said. "Maybe." He scowled. She brushed his hair again, and said gently, "You have to remember --."

"Yeah, I know, he's your husband," he said bitterly.

"Well ... he is," Jen said.

"So what am I, just a good fuck?" 

"No Tom, you're way more than that, you know I care about you," she assured him.

"Then you've gotta do something for me," he said.

"What?"

"Don't play Mike's pathetic game," he said. "I don't wanna think about you in Cabo fucking other guys. Your cuckold husband might like that, but I don't. Believe me Jen, real men don't want their girls fucking other guys."

"Mike's a real man, Tom," Jen insisted, although gently.

"Yeah right," he said contemptuously. 

"I'll think about it, okay?" she said softly, then reached up and kissed him.

Tom pulled out and helped Jen to her feet. She pulled her skirt down. She tried to button her blouse but Tom had ripped off too many buttons. "I'm not sure what I'm gonna do about this," she said with a laugh, looking down at the open blouse.

"Sorry about that," he said sheepishly.

"That's okay, I've got a jacket," she said with another laugh.

He reached into her open blouse and ran a finger between her breasts. "No bra? No panties?" he asked with a crooked grin.

She stepped to him and moved his hands so they cupped her small perfect breasts. "Just wanna remind you how sexy I am, so you'll think twice before hooking up with a cheap floozy while I'm away."

"A cheap floozy?" he said with a laugh.

"I'm just kidding," Jen said laughing back. "You know I'm not jealous."

Tom's cock showed signs of renewed life. Jen got on her knees and went down on him. She worked her oral magic on him, and soon he was cumming. She pulled him out just as he ejaculated, so a jet of his jism splattered her face and hair, and then she put him back into her mouth as he finished. After he was done, she took him out of her mouth. Smiling with her eyes, she opened her mouth and showed him all his cum. He grinned, looking down at her cum splattered face as she used her tongue to swirl his cum in her mouth.

Watching her finally swallow his cum, he said admiringly, "You are one dirty girl."

"You like your going away present?" she teased with a crooked smile.

Two hours later in LaGuardia, Mike watched annoyed as his wife hurriedly approached the gate. 

"Where have you been?" he said impatiently. "The plane's already boarding."

"I'm sorry, traffic was horrendous," Jen explained following her husband onto the plane.

They settled into their first class seats. "Ma'am, would you like me to take your jacket?" the flight attendant asked Jen.

"Thanks, but I'll keep it," Jen said.

Mike eyed his wife's chest. "Why'd you go to the office anyway?" he asked irritated. "I thought Allie could handle everything for a few days."

Jen didn't notice the irritation in her husband's voice. Grinning teasingly, she said, "I wanted to see Tom."

Mike's eyes narrowed. "You wanted to see him before our vacation?" he said disbelievingly. "Open your jacket" he told her. Despite keeping his voice low people were turning to look.

"I better not do that," Jen said looking around to see if people were looking.

"Do it!" he hissed.

Jen unbuttoned the jacket. She opened it slightly. While only Mike could see, it was clear buttons were missing from her blouse, and she wasn't wearing a bra underneath. He frowned seeing the hickey on her neck.

"You just fucked him?" he whispered disbelievingly. 

She nodded. Still not sensing his irritation, she crossed her legs. It caused her skirt to hike up, and she reached down to pull it up a tad more. Her lacy stocking tops came into view. They were soaking with Tom's jism. She gave him a teasing smile.

"God Jen, before our vacation?" Mike said, as if saying "how could you?" Hurt and anger were in his eyes.

Jen's smile disappeared. Finally she saw his irritation and anger. But she didn't understand it. Yes she'd wanted Tom. But she'd thought it would turn Mike on, push his cuckold buttons, if she fucked him right before their trip. 

She re-buttoned the jacket (she looked obscene with it open), and laid her head on Mike's chest. "I thought you'd like it," she said feeling like she fucked up, but also annoyed. Once again she felt confused, not knowing where her husband's fantasies began and ended. Mike was coldly silent, but at least he didn't push her away.

Jen's lush blonde hair was just below his nose. She'd cleaned up after Tom's facial, but his musky scent remained in her hair. Mike's cock had been hard since realizing she'd been with Tom. Smelling him in her hair pushed his angst into the background, his lust taking over.

"You didn't clean up?" he whispered.

She heard the excitement in his voice. She rose up off his chest and looked at him. She shook her hair. "I thought you'd want me that way," she whispered back.

"He came in your mouth too?" he whispered.

"Yes," she admitted.

Suddenly Mike pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips against hers, urgently thrusting his tongue into her mouth. He passionately kissed her like a man out of control, which at that moment he was. He reached into her jacket and blouse and squeezed her tit. The flight attendant politely coughed. Mortified, Jen pushed against Mike and he finally let her go.

Now it was Jen's turn to be annoyed. "You don't know what you want, do you?" she derided, feeling embarrassed as people stared at them. 

The flight and taxi to their hotel were chilly. But it helped them both calm down.

"Sorry about that," Mike apologized in their hotel room. "I told Jim just last night I was getting better ..."

"I should have told you before I did it," Jen admitted. "I thought it would excite you --."

"Yeah, like you didn't enjoy it," Mike said playfully with a crooked grin.

"I did enjoy it," she admitted. "But it wasn't all about me and Tom. I was thinking about you too. That's what the game is about, right?"

"Yeah," Mike said eyes downcast, feeling bad.

Jen took his face in her hands, making him look at her. "Mike, do you want to keep playing the game?" she asked.

"Yes," he said immediately.

"Then you have to stop getting upset," she scolded him. "I mean, Mike, you're pissing me off." She took his head in her hands again. "That doesn't mean I don't love you. Okay?"

"Okay, okay, I get it," he said.

"And you have to control yourself," she said. "I thought they were going to kick us off the plane." She continued to scowl at him, but finally she gave him a crooked grin. "Okay then," she said. "Come on, we need to get ready for dinner, I'm starving."

She took off her jacket, revealing the ruined blouse underneath. "Tom was rough?" he asked rubbing her back and feeling the lack of a bra strap, his erection growing.

"Forget it," she laughed incredulously, pushing his hand away. "You might get some later -- maybe! -- but not now." She was no longer mad at him, but she still felt annoyed and the way he'd groped her in the plane had been sooo embarrassing.

She pulled off the blouse. Then she moved her hands to the side and unzipped her skirt, pushing it down her long legs. This left her in just stockings and high heels. Mike stared at her landing strip, matted from Tom's cum. He was practically salivating.

She saw him looking. Fuck it, she thought. He was her husband after all, she loved him, and they were on vacation. Looking at him with a crooked smile, she pushed him onto the bed. She pulled off his pants and straddled his crotch, then guided him into her.




Making It Work Ch. 10



"You went braless?" Mike moaned.

She nodded with a mischievous grin. "Commando too," she said.

"Why?"

"Easier access," she joked.

"No, really."

"I wanted to be extra sexy for him," she admitted.

"Because you wouldn't see him for a week?" he asked panting.

"Yeah," she said, leaning down and kissing her husband. He grunted and came.

After sex they showered. After putting on a lacy thong panty, Jen was putting on a bra.

"Go braless," Mike said with a smile.

"Pervert," she said, but tossed the bra onto the bed.

Heads turned as they walked into the restaurant. Jen wore a thin spaghetti strap sundress. It ended way above her knees, and with high heeled sandals, her slim shapely legs seemed to go on forever. 

The waiter tried looking down Jen's dress as they ordered. Mike smiled and glanced around the room. More than a few guys were looking at Jen, especially her legs. He smiled slyly. "Any one catch your eye?"

"Seriously? After what happened today?" she said incredulously. Mike was smart enough to let it go.

A little later Jen asked, "What else did you and Jim talk about last night?" 

"Keri has fuck buddies all over the world," Mike said with a laugh.

"I knew that," Jen said laughing back. "What else?"

"I asked Jim if he ever gets upset," Mike said with a shrug.

"And?" Jen said with a raised eyebrow.

"He said whenever that happens he calls up one of his lovers," Mike said with a laugh.

Jen put down her folk and crossed her arms on her chest. "Is that what you want Michael? A pretty blonde fuck buddy to call when you get upset?"

She was smiling, but her eyes were not. Mike said, "I've told you before, I'm not looking for that." 

"Just admit it Mike, if that's what you want," she pressed.

He suddenly got annoyed. It was such a one way street with her! "You know Jen, if that's what I wanted, I would have done it already," he said with more anger than he intended. 

"Okay, whatever," she said. The rest of dinner they were mostly silent.

Back in their room, Jen brushed her hair, wearing Mike's old fraternity shirt. "So what else did you and Jim talk about."

"He thinks you're spoiled," Mike said still annoyed.

"And Keri's not?" Jen said sarcastically.

Mike shrugged, not wanting to say anything more after what happened at dinner. Jen could tell he was holding back.

"Tell me, what?" she insisted.

Mike sighed. He said, "He thinks it's unfair, only you messing around." Seeing Jen frown, he added "Look Jen, I only want you, okay? But lately you've had this attitude, and it's annoying."

Jen knew what he was talking about. Keri's advice, that she was "entitled." Mike had noticed, and he was calling her on it. 

She put down the brush and walked up to him. He was sitting on the edge of the bed. She affectionately pressed her flat tummy against his face. "Okay, you're right, I'm sorry," she said softly. She put her arms around his neck. "I guess I've been out of control lately." She smiled sheepishly and admitted, "This Google thing has gotten to my head."

Her apology seemed to release the tension from the room. He pulled her onto the bed, and they made love.

Afterwards Jen snuggled in Mike's arms. She said, "I know it's unfair, that only I play with other people. You're really okay with that?"

"Jen -- yes," Mike said exasperated. "If I wasn't I would have told you by now. You know how I am. I'm not interested in other girls. It's you with other guys that turn me on."

Jen got up on an elbow and looked into his face. "Sometimes I don't get that."

"What do you mean?"

"Doesn't it bother you when I'm with someone?" she asked.

"That's part of it for me," Mike said, not understanding where she was going. "I've told you that."

"I know, you have," she said, struggling to explain. "I know it gets you hot. But doesn't it bother you?" She remembered what Tom had said, 'real men don't let other guys fuck their wives.' She laughed to keep their conversation light, and said "I mean, husbands are supposed to protect and take care of their wives. They're not supposed to give their wives to other men." 

"I protect you Jen," Mike said immediately, suddenly defensive. "I take care of you. You don't think so?"

"Of course I do," she said immediately. "Forget I said anything."

Mike was bothered by this. "Taking care of you and the Game are completely different things," he insisted.

"I know that," she assured him. She hugged him. "You take good care of me baby. Just forget I mentioned it, okay?"

Mike frowned, but he let it go.

They spent the next day lounging by the pool. Wearing a string bikini, Tom's hickey was clearly visible on her neck. The first time he rubbed it she pushed him away and said sarcastically "So you like it now huh?" But she knew she was being a bitch, they'd both made mistakes and were even now. After that first time, whenever he rubbed it she smiled and didn't stop him if he wanted to kiss or make love.

As they relaxed in the sun, Mike noticed Jen take off her rings. Seeing his look, she said "I don't want to get lotion on them." Then she admitted, "It'll be easier if I don't come home with a tan line."

"I get it," Mike said. Jen could tell he was bothered (although he tried not to show it). She made sure to put her rings back on at night.

Jen attracted even more male attention the next night. They went to a nightclub after dinner and a buncha guys asked her to dance. She politely turned them down. 

"It's okay with me if you want to dance," Mike said, a lustful glint in his eye. He loved watching his wife dance with other men.

"I know," she said. She shrugged. "I'm not feeling it tonight honey. I'm happy to just hang and listen to the music."

Mike eyed her. "You don't feel like playing?"

"I kinda don't want to," she said.

Suddenly suspicious, he asked "Is this about Tom? Did he say something?"

"He mentioned it," she hesitantly admitted.

"What did he say?"

"It's not what he said," she said avoiding his question. "He's supposed to be my boyfriend, right? I know it sounds weird, but I'd feel like I'd be cheating on him." She added jokingly, "God we have the strangest conversations!"

When Mike didn't say anything, she asked "Are you okay?"

"What you said last night," Mike said. "You must think Tom protects you and I don't."

"I don't think that," she assured him. "It's just, Tom's not into what you're into. That's all."

"Yeah, but I'm your husband," Mike said getting angry. "You're picking what he wants over what I want?"

"I'm not picking him over you," she said. "It's my body Mike. Sometimes I just don't want to." She squeezed his hand to soften her words.

"Okay, okay," he relented, knowing he couldn't argue with that.

Jen got back to the office the following week. "So how was the vacay?" Allie asked falling into Jen's comfy sofa.

"I got a good tan," Jen said.

Allie tilted her head. "The first thing you mention is your tan? Not long romantic moonlit walks on the beach holding bubble boy's hand?"

"You're just jealous of my tan," Jen joked.

"What happened?" Allie said stealing M&Ms from the bowl on Jen's desk. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Allie," Jen said. "We had fun. A lot of sun, the water was beautiful, I read two books. A lot of good R&R."

"Sounds boring," Allie said. 

Jen laughed. "We've been together for years, our vacations don't have to be adventures or fireworks," she said.

"How was the sex?" Allie asked.

"Fine Allie," Jen said with another laugh.

"I bet," Allie said doubtfully. "So when do you see Tom?"

"Tonight," Jen said an excited sparkle in her eye.

Tom attacked Jen as soon as she walked in, pushing her against the wall. "Tommy?" Jen asked between kisses.

"Maria took him to the mall, we have a couple of hours," he said running his hands over her body.

"Oh god, then hurry," she urged him, unbuckling his pants.

"God I so needed that," Jen gushed afterwards in Tom's bed, aglow in post-orgasmic bliss. He'd given her two intense orgasms before cumming himself.

"I needed this too," she giggled as he handed her a cigarette. She'd deferred to Mike's wishes and not smoked in Cabo.

"I missed you," Tom said kissing her.

"I missed you too," she said beaming into his eyes and kissing him back.

"So how was your sex in Cabo?" he asked with a knowing grin. By know he knew she liked muscular guys with big cocks. He had both, Mike had neither.

"It was fine you jerk," she said with a laugh, hitting him. 

"So you played Mike's game?"

"It's OUR game," she corrected him. "And no, we didn't play."

"Thanks, I really appreciate that," he said kissing her.

"I wasn't feeling it in Cabo," she explained. "I'm not promising I'll never play the game again."

"I guess you're playing your game right now, with me," he said.

She laughed. "I meant with another guy."

"I still don't get how Mike can let you fuck other men," he said.

"Sometimes I don't get it either, but you benefit from it, right?" she said putting her arms around his neck and kissing him. 

They showered and dressed. Soon after Maria got back with Tommy. Jen had a great time playing with the toddler. She even made him his favorite dinner (hot dogs and mac and cheese from a box, putting her cooking skills to the test).

After Tommy went down, Tom fucked Jen again, giving her another intense toe-curling orgasm. "I better get going," Jen said getting dressed. 

"I thought you were spending the night," Tom said disappointed.

"I really can't, we just got back," she said kissing him. Sleeping over with Tom was tempting, but she didn't want Mike to think she couldn't wait to get back from Cabo to spend the night with her lover. Just like Mike was trying to get better, she was trying to get better too. 

Cabo had been relaxing, but not the romantic getaway they'd both hoped for. But was a romantic getaway with Mike really possible since she was still in the infatuation phase with Tom? Especially given the drama at the beginning? Okay, she shouldn't have hooked up with Tom right before the flight without talking to Mike first. But if that had been so wrong, Mike sure had a funny way of showing it. He wanted to play the game the very next day! Sometimes she didn't know about him ...

*

(Author's note: In the Interlude I said the story would end with Part 12, but it looks like it will take a few more chapters. Chapter 14 should be the last chapter.)



Making It Work Ch. 11



A couple of Saturdays later, Mike was at home trying to keep himself busy. Jen was sleeping over with Tom. In the past, Mike would have spent the entire evening fantasizing and jerking off. But then he'd get upset and depressed after cumming. He no longer did that. Now, he kept himself busy, trying not to think about Jen and what she was doing with Tom. The sexual tension was always there in the background, and it kept him perpetually hot and hard. But by not masturbating, his lust pushed his hurt and jealousy into the background, keeping him from getting into bad hurt territory. He knew his back-and-forth moods were driving Jen crazy. He was trying to get better.

Cabo had been a disappointment. He'd hoped they'd play the game. Nothing too intense. A little dancing with a guy who caught her eye, some flirting, maybe even some kissing and petting. It didn't have to include sex, although he certainly wouldn't have objected if Jen wanted to. He wanted this because it excited him. But also because he wanted distance between her and Tom. Jen's dating and having a boyfriend were fine, he got off on that, but he was hoping she'd move on from Tom and find a new guy.

Their conversation in Cabo bothered him. How could she use the game as a measuring stick of how well he took care of her, protected her? Yes, he let her fuck other guys, encouraged her even. But that had nothing to do with his caring and protection of her. He treated her like a goddess! Jim was right, she WAS spoiled, but a lot of it was because HE spoiled her. He gave her anything she wanted. ANYTHING! 

And it was more than just being a good provider. He thought of that time in college, just after they started going out, when Colin made trouble. He shook his head. How could she not think he took care of her, protected her, do anything for her?

He found himself getting annoyed with his wife. While he'd always been clumsy around girls, especially pretty blondes like Jen, he had a quiet resolute confidence about his smarts and talents. The success of Sapphire proved that. A lot of people were paying attention to him now, including a lot of pretty girls like Jasmine Kelly. Mike understood himself better now. He was less willing to put up with Jen's drama. Yes, she was still the prettiest, hottest girl who ever walked the earth (in his opinion). But if this was going to work, she had to get better too, it wasn't all on him.

The phone rang. It was Mike's mom. When he answered it sounded like she was crying. "Mike, honey," his mom said. "Joe's had a relapse."

Damn!, Mike thought hanging up the phone. Joe, his older brother, was a cancer survivor. But now the cancer was back.

He called Jen. No answer. Her cell was probably out of power again. Jen often forgot to plug it in – she called it her blonde moments – but he couldn't blame her really, iPhones were notorious for running dry.

He took a taxi to Tom's brownstone. Approaching the front door, he looked in the window. It was dark outside so he had a clear view of the inside. 

Jen sat on a sofa, between Tom and a young boy, no doubt Tom's son Tommy. Well-used board games were on the coffee table, but at that moment Jen was reading a book to Tommy. Tom had his arm around Jen, a big smile on his face as she read to his son. 

Anyone looking at them would assume they were a happily married couple spending an enjoyable evening with their young son. In fact, Tommy had blonde hair, so he could easily pass for Jen's son.

Jen got up to get another book from the bookcase. She wore a long shirt and cute fluffy ankle socks. She reached on her tiptoes for the book, and once again Mike admired his wife's long, perfect legs, now tanned as if airbrushed from their Cabo vacation

As Jen turned, Mike saw the shirt she wore was a Michigan State football jersey. The back said "Mason," Tom's last name. Mike realized she was wearing Tom's old football jersey.

His head spinning, Mike knocked on the door. As the door opened, he heard talking and laughing inside. "A young happy family," he thought to himself.

Tom's smile disappeared when he saw Mike. Sensing the sudden tension, Jen appeared in the doorway, Tommy in her arms. 

Jen's smile disappeared too. "Mike, what?" she said.

Tommy, unaware of the sudden awkwardness, gleefully said, "I'm Tommy, what's your name?" He tugged his father's jersey, the one Jen wore. "This is Jenny, my daddy's girlfriend."

Mike smiled. "Hi Tommy, I'm Mike." He tussled the boy's hair; the toddler WAS really cute. Then he looked at Jen. "Your daddy's girlfriend is really pretty."

Tom asked Maria to put Tommy down. Tommy insisted on a hug and kiss from Jen before he would go.

"What's wrong?" Jen asked Mike. Tom stood off to the side, giving them some space, but close enough to hear.

"Joe's had a relapse," Mike said.

"Oh god no," Jen said her hand going to her mouth. She hugged Mike.

"Mom and Dad are taking him to Mayo Clinic," he said. "I'm flying up tonight. I'm just going to say hi, you know? I'll be back tomorrow. You don't need to go. I just wanted to let you know."

"Of course I'm going," Jen said. She hurried upstairs to get dressed.

Tom followed her upstairs. "You don't need to go," he said. "Mike said that."

"Tom, he's my brother," Jen said on the verge of tears.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he said holding her. "I'm gonna miss you."

"I'll miss you too," she said hugging him back. Feeling like he deserved more of an explanation, she said, "Joe's more than my brother. He's my friend."

"I get it," Tom said. They hugged again and kissed. Tom couldn't keep his hands from roaming her body. She felt herself getting wet, and his renewed erection pressed against her stomach. 

She reluctantly broke away. "I've gotta go." Walking back down the stairs, she put her wedding rings back on.

"Are you okay?" Jen asked holding Mike's hand in the plane.

"Yeah, I'm good," Mike said. But he wasn't. Seeing them in the window acting like a happy family bothered him. And she'd been flushed and her nipples hard coming down the stairs. And of course he was worried about Joe.

Jen could tell he wasn't okay, and she knew it wasn't all about Joe. By now she could read his mind. She said "I wear his jersey when I sleep over," she said, part explanation, part admission. She joked, "He's my boyfriend, right?" When he didn't smile, she squeezed his hand and said "You want it that way."

"You want it too, I can tell."

"I guess so," she admitted. "I like him. That's the point, right?" She could tell this conversation wasn't helping. She hugged his arm. "You're upset about Joe. Let's talk about this later."

They arrived at the hospital. There were tears and hugs all around. Mike broke down and hugged his big brother. Mike had always looked up to Joe. Joe was his protector, mentor, best friend. He'd been his best man at their wedding.

Fortunately, they'd caught the cancer in time. The doctors were confident Joe would make a full recovery, like last time.

With great relief, the family went to dinner to celebrate. Jen sat between Mike and Joe, giving Mike's brother a lot of hugs. 

Later in their hotel room, Jen snuggled into Mike's arms. She'd always liked Joe, and she cried tears of relief as Mike held her. After she was cried out, she asked "are you okay?"

"Yeah. Joe should be okay." Mike's voice was filled with relief, but Jen could tell he was still bothered.

She wiped away the last tears and sat up, sitting cross-legged next to Mike on the bed. "We should talk about earlier."

"I'm okay Jen," Mike insisted. He was trying to get his jealousy under control. 

"No you're not, I can tell," she said. "You're mad I wear his jersey." She saw his hard-on and cupped his cock over his boxers. "Mad and turned on," she said with a giggle.

"You know me," he said with a sheepish smile. "It was weird seeing you with Tom and his son."

"Tommy's a sweet boy," she said. 

"I can see that," Mike agreed. "Tom must be a good father."

"Yeah, he really is," Jen said.

Mike didn't say anything. Finally Jen added, "Just cause Tom's a good father doesn't mean I'm falling in love with him. I like him, we have fun, that's all."

Mike didn't answer immediately. Finally he said, "Jen, just cause I like seeing you with other men doesn't mean I don't protect you."

"Is that still bothering you?" she asked. "Baby, I didn't mean anything. I know you protect me."

"I'd do anything for you."

"I know that," she assured him, snuggling back into his arm. They were silent for a few minutes, just hugging.

"Sorry I pulled you away tonight," he said.

"That's okay," she said. "This is way more important."

"Did you guys have a chance to ...?"

"Once," Jen said. "When I got there. Tommy was taking a nap."

"Do you guys usually do it again?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, usually, after Tommy goes down for the night."

"You two blow away that thing about sex ending after kids," Mike joked.

"Yeah, I guess," Jen said laughing back.

"Do you always wear his jersey to bed?" Mike asked hesitantly.

Jen saw he was hard. She reached into his boxers and wrapped her hand around his shaft. "Yeah, he likes when I wear it," she said, kissing his chest and stroking his cock.

"Does he spoon you when you sleep?"

"Yeah, or I snuggle into his arm," she said. "You know me, I like that."

"Yeah," Mike said.

"What else do you want to know?" she asked with another kiss on his chest, continuing to stroke him.

"Do you guys really sleep?" Mike joked with a laugh.

"We sleep a little," she said. "Not a lot, you know how tired I am when I get home."

"Are you sore now?" Mike asked.

"No," she said still stroking him. "Do you want it that way?"

"No, that's okay, this feels good," he said. "You probably wouldn't cum anyway," he added, half question, half statement.

Jen said honestly "probably not, not now." As Mike was about to say something, she put her fingers on his lips. "Don't go there, okay?" she said gently in a soft voice. "You make me cum all the time when you're inside me."

After a moment she giggled and said "God you're so obsessed with that."

"You're obsessed with orgasms too," he joked.

"I guess I am," she conceded with a laugh.

"What does it feel like to have a big cock inside you?"

"It feels good," she admitted. "Tom has these two big veins that run up his thing. He stretches me so much I can actually feel them."

"Does my cock stretch you like that?" Mike asked. He knew the answer, but liked hearing his wife say it.

"Not so much baby," she said gently, kissing him on the chest. "Wanna know another thing that feels good?"

"What?"

"He cums really hard. His cock jerks around inside me, and when he cums I can feel it, like jets hitting inside me."

"That's really hot," Mike said, panting now. He was close to cumming. "He always fucks you bareback?"

"Yeah ... I mean, we talked about that right?"

"Yeah ... I'm just asking."

"One time I made him wear a condom," she said remembering. "I'd forgotten to take my birth control pills a few days."

"God Jen, he could have gotten you pregnant!" Mike said alarmed.

"I was probably safe anyway ..." she said, continuing to stroke him with her soft delicate hand. 

"Jen?" he said on the verge of cumming.

"Yeah?"

"Next time ... don't make him wear a condom," Mike said, his words coming out like a moan.

"That's what you want?" She moved his hand to her flat tummy. "You want me to grow big with Tom's baby?"

"Ugh god!" Mike yelled as he came, his cum covering Jen's hand and shooting onto his chest.

A few weeks later at Tom's house, after another great fuck, Tom said "I'm taking a few days off, taking Tommy to the beach."

"Sounds fun," Jen said.

"Why don't you come with us? I'm renting a 3 bedroom condo and taking Maria to babysit at night, so we'll have a great time with Tommy and have a lot of alone time too."

"Hmmm, I just got back you know," she said uncertainly.

"You're the boss lady right?" he said grinning. "You can do anything."

"Doesn't exactly work that way," Jen said smiling back. 

"You know Mike will be okay with it, 4 days of his wife fucking another man," Tom joked.

"You might be right," Jen said grinning.

"Just make sure you call him once a day," he teased her.

"Be nice!" she said playfully hitting his chest. "Okay, I'll ask Mike."

Jen told Mike the next morning, after she got home from Tom's. He looked bothered.

"It's only 4 days," she said. "We went away a week last month," she added referring to Cabo.

"We're married!" Mike said, not believing she just said that.

"That's not what I meant," she said conciliatorily, rubbing his arm. "I'm just saying it's not that long." In the end, Mike reluctantly agreed. Jen left with Tom and Tommy two weekends later.

During the day they played on the beach with Tommy. The toddler loved making sand castles with Jen. He loved stepping into the waves, with his dad and Jen on either side holding his hands. During Tommy's afternoon naps, Maria babysat as Tom and Jen got some alone time. The first day they fucked. But the rest of the trip they used the afternoon free time to take long walks on the beach, their heads close together, holding hands. 

They left the beach in the late afternoon and played board games and read books with Tommy. After an early dinner, Tommy insisted Jen read him more books. Jen didn't mind, in fact it was a highlight of her day. She loved it when Tommy fell asleep in her arms, it felt so good to cuddle the toddler as he slept.

Tommy went down early, so Jen and Tom had the entire evening for alone time (with Maria at the condo babysitting the toddler). They had the best time at the trendiest restaurants and night clubs. Afterwards they fucked late into the night, and into the early morning. Twice they sat on the beach snuggling under a blanket, watching the sun rise. Fortunately they were able to catch catnaps on the beach, with Maria watching Tommy.

At dinner the first night, Tom said, "You and Mike are so different."

"Opposites attract I guess," Jen said.

"How'd you get together?"

"I met him in college ...," Jen said, her voice trailing off.

"And?" Tom prompted.

"I'd gone through a bad breakup," Jen explained uncomfortably, not liking thinking back to her time with Colin. "My grades sucked, they pulled my scholarship. My parents had no money. I had drop-out written all over me. It was bad." She grimaced remembering the low point of her life. "Mike saved me. He tutored me in math, in everything. He paid my tuition until I got my scholarship back. I worked summers and eventually paid him back, but still ... he helped me get my act together." She laughed remembering. "My grades went up so fast my teachers thought I was cheating." 

"So you married him," Tom said.

"Yeah," she said. "Don't go there Tom, okay? I love him."

"Do you love him because you love him?" he asked. "Or do you love him because he saved you?"

Jen frowned. "Isn't it the same thing?"

The second night at dinner, Tom held Jen's hands. "Tommy really loves you," he said kissing her hands.

"I love Tommy too, he's adorable," Jen gushed.

Tom squeezed Jen's hands and looked into her eyes. "I think I love you too," he said.

Jen flushed and looked down. Finally she looked back at him. "Let's not go there, okay?" she said. 

Jen called Mike each morning. "Having fun?" Mike asked the next morning.

"Yeah, the weather's perfect. Tommy's so adorable."

"How's Tom?"

"He's good," Jen said hesitantly.

Mike heard something in his wife's voice. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She was bothered by Tom's use of the L word. She always talked to Mike about stuff that bothered her. He was her best friend in addition to being her husband. But she knew telling Mike over the phone would be a bad move. "Everything's good," she finally said.

That night Jen and Tom avoided any heavy talk at dinner. They decided to go for an evening swim. 

During the day Jen wore sexy but not outrageous bikinis. But now she put on a tiny bikini she'd bought for the trip. The string top had tiny triangles that covered her nipples and areolas but not much else. The bottom was just as revealing. It had a small patch of cloth that barely covered her pussy and small landing strip above, and her ass cheeks were completely exposed with a string snug in her crack. It was definitely a bedroom only suit and she'd never wear it in public, but at night with the beach mostly deserted, she decided to give Tom a treat.

Jen stood on the beach and gazed at the moonlight reflecting off the ocean, which at that moment was smooth like a lake. Behind her, Tom admired the view. She looked achingly beautiful, the revealing string bikini somehow making her even more sexy than if she had been nude.

He walked up and ran his hand down her back, lingering just above her ass. "You need some ink right here," he said caressing her lower back. She'd admired the tats on his arms, so he knew she was into tattoos.

"Maybe someday," she said smiling, turning to him and putting her arms around his neck. They kissed and were soon making out, and then they were on the sand, the bikini thrown to the side, his hard cock inside her.

They'd fucked twice already today, but they were still hot for each other. They were so sexually compatible, it was like they were addicted to the other's body. They fucked sitting up, moving slowly but urgently back and forth, his long thick cock deep inside her. They hugged as they fucked, their lips close, looking into the other's eyes. 

Jen felt a massive orgasm building, like a tidal wave peaking. Tom said, "I love you Jenny."

Then her orgasm hit, the tidal wave of pleasure and release breaking and crashed down. "I love you too Tom!" she moaned urgently as pleasure flooded her body. 

Later in bed, Jen looked out the window as Tom softly snored, spooning her. "Fuck," she lamented under her breath.

The forth night at dinner – their last night – Tom said "We need to talk about last night."

"Do we have to?" Jen asked with a nervous laugh. "Tom – listen – I like you a lot. But I'm married."

"You said you loved me," he insisted.

"Tom, honey, think about when I said it," she said gently. "I do care for you, I like you a lot, but let's not use the L word. Let's not go there, okay?"

"Jenny, Adria and I met in college, opposites just like you and Mike," he said. "Most times it doesn't work out when you get married that young. The thing about opposites attract is bullshit, it wears off."

"Tom, stop okay?" she said. "What do you want? We're having fun --."

"Fun's not enough," he said. "I've got Tommy --."

"You know I adore Tommy," Jen said.

"I know that, and he loves you too," Tom said. He tried to gather his thoughts. "I'm just saying ... I want ... I'm asking you to give us a chance."

"What do you mean? I'm here with you."

"That's not enough," he said frustrated. "I need to know you're gonna be there. I can't do that seeing you only two nights a week. I need to see you more."

"Tom ... I'm married."

"You said you cared for me."

"I do," Jen insisted reaching over and squeezing his hand.

"Give us a chance Jenny," he urged her, squeezing her hand back. "I get Mike helped you in college. I admire him for that. But you can't stay with him out of a sense of obligation."

"It's more than that Tom," Jen said.

"Spend more time with me Jenny," he urged her. "With me and Tommy. Then make your decision. That's all I'm asking."

Despite their heavy conversation, they had sex that night. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. But their love making, although still pleasurable, was sober and less frantic than usual.

Jen was exhausted the next day when she got home, both physically and emotionally. They fucked as she told her husband the sexual highlights. Mike especially liked the sex on the beach story and insisted she model the string bikini for him. He almost came from the sight of the dried cum caked on the string of the bikini bottom. 




Making It Work Ch. 11



She didn't mention their heavy dinner conversations. She wasn't ready to talk to Mike about that. She had to figure it out for herself before she could deal with Mike.

Mike could tell something was wrong. Their sex had been half-hearted on her part, as if she did it only because she had to. It bothered him. She'd been with Tom for days, and now it seemed like she was still with him, still thinking about him. He felt jealous and hurt, and angry too.

The next day Jen sought out Allie. "So Tom laid it on heavy huh?" Allie asked after Jen recounted their conversations. "I'm not surprised. You two act like love birds." Then she added with a laugh, "Love birds in heat."

Jen grimaced. "I lose control sometimes," she said as if chastising herself.

Allie tilted her head, studying her friend. "No, it's different this time," she said.

"How?" Jen asked surprised.

"I'm not sure," Allie said with a shrug. "So, do you love Tom?"

"I don't know," Jen said. "I like him a lot. I care about him. I don't wanna hurt him, or Tommy." She put her head in her hands. "I really don't want to hurt Tommy, he's only two years old." She felt so stupid.

"What if you made it more permanent with Tom?" Allie suggested.

"What?"

"Tom and Adria have joint custody, right?" Allie said, thinking out loud. "What if you shacked up with Tom when he had Tommy?" 

"You mean, live with Tom half time?" Jen asked.

"Yeah, that's what he wants right?"

"I guess, but --."

"It'll probably turn bubble boy on," Allie said, warming to the idea. "You living with Tom, taking care of another man's baby, that pushes a lot of Mike's cucky buttons doesn't it?"

"Allie, you know, sometimes I think you hate Mike," Jen said.

"I don't, really. He's kinda grown on me," she said laughing. "I'm just saying ... Talk to Mike about it, I bet he'll like it."

Jen shook her head. She didn't think so. 

Saturday night Tom asked "Have you thought about what we talked about?"

"Yes," Jen said with a nervous laugh.

"Have you talked to Mike?"

"No," she said with another laugh.

"Why not?" he pressed.

"I need time Tom."

"Do you want me to talk to Mike?" Tom asked.

"Don't you dare," Jen said with another nervous laugh.

Mike forced the issue the next week. Jen had been distracted since getting back from her vacation with Tom. Even when she was there she wasn't there. She seemed to be thinking about Tom all the time. Getting more hurt and jealous, Mike finally asked "Do you love him?"

Jen didn't answer for a long time. She was confused, with Tom pushing her, with Allie's idea of living part time with Tom, with worrying about hurting little Tommy. Finally she said, "I don't know. I like him. I care about him."

Strangely, with the issue out in the open, Mike grew calm. He said reasonably, "I guess that's natural." She and Tom had been dating a while now, months. He'd wanted her to develop feelings for him. That was part of his fantasy. He said cautiously, "You felt that way with Ricky and Scott too."

"Yeah, I guess," Jen said. She remembered Allie's words "it's different this time."

"Eventually you got over them," Mike said. He hoped she'd say she was getting over Tom, thinking about breaking up with him. Yes, he wanted her to date and develop feelings for Tom, but now he wanted it over. They could take a break for a few months, and then play the game again with someone new who caught Jen's eye. That's how the game was supposed to work.

After a long pause, Jen tentatively asked, "Mike ... what if I never get over Tom?" After Mike didn't say anything, she added, "I mean ... what if I keep going with him?" Jen waited for Mike to say something. 

"I guess I never thought of it that way," Mike finally said. His voice carried emotion, but he wasn't emotional. She'd later tell Allie their conversation was like a postmortem meeting at work after a project cratered, when they talked about what went wrong, what they should've done different. 

"I figured you'd develop feelings for him, that's part of it for me," Mike continued. "But eventually get over him, like what happened with Ricky and Scott. I don't want to share you with another man, not permanently." 

"I get it," she said nodding.

"He said he loved you?" Mike guessed. 

"Yes," she said.

He asked "You said you loved him?"

Jen warily nodded. She quickly added, "Just once." Seeing the cloud come over his face, she explained, "We were having sex." 

After a moment, she squeezed his arm and assured him, "You wouldn't be sharing me Mike. I'd still be your wife."

"But he'd be your boyfriend, right?" Mike said bitterly.

Jen shrugged. "He's that now, right?" 

"Jen, he's your boyfriend in the game, not real life," Mike said exasperation creeping into his voice. How could she not get this?

"This isn't acceptable to me Jen," he added. "I won't agree to you having a permanent relationship with another guy." He was drawing a clear line in the sand. With the success of Sapphire, becoming the youngest partner at his firm, attention from the press, and attention from pretty girls like Jasmine Kelly, he felt more confident, more secure in himself. He loved playing the game, in some ways he was addicted to it. But there were limits.

"I get it," she said. She squeezed his arm. "I didn't mean it'd be permanent."

"Then what did you mean?" he said getting angry. 

She didn't know what she'd meant. She was unsure, confused. Tom was different from Rickey and Scott. Little Tommy made it different. 

She saw Mike was hard. He couldn't help getting aroused by this talk, despite the emotional turmoil. She got on her knees, between his legs. She took him out and went down on him. 

"Wait," Mike said as he got close to cumming. He laid her on her back and pushed up her skirt. He pulled down her panties. 

"You don't have to," she said as Mike lowered his face to her pussy. 

"I want to," he said. Before going down on her, he looked at her pussy. It still looked perfect, like a sweet teenager's, despite all the hard relentless fucking by Tom's long thick cock.

Jen gripped the sheets as Mike ate her. He was so good at this, knew exactly where to touch her, the perfect pressure and pacing. She realized Tom never went down on her. But then, she'd never asked him to, always wanting his cock inside her. 

After Jen came, Mike moved up her body. "Can I?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said. She moved her hand between their bodies and guided him into her.

But Mike couldn't stay hard. He went soft, and his limp cock fell out of her. Suddenly emotions overtook them, and tears formed in their eyes.

Jen was distracted the next morning. She dressed almost like a robot, her mind elsewhere, trying to sort out the situation with Tom, replaying her conversation with Mike last night. Then she remembered she had an early meeting with her team, and hurriedly finished dressing and rushed out of the apartment.

Left untouched and forgotten, at the bottom of her lingerie drawer, was her container of birth control pills.



Making It Work Ch. 12



Jen went over to Tom's later that week. "Hey you," she said.

"Hi," he said back, and they kissed.

It was Adria's night with Tommy and Maria was off, so they had the house to themselves. Over dinner, Tom said "Thinking about it?"

"Yes, it's been on my mind a little bit," Jen said making it sound like a lighthearted joke. But it was anything but.

"Talk to Mike yet?" Tom said pressing.

"Don't push me Tom," she warned. "This is hard for me."

"You're still having sex with him?" Tom asked.

"Yes!" Jen said exasperated. "God Tom, what a question! I'm still having sex with you too!"

"Okay, okay," he said his hands up in surrender.

Later in his bedroom, they were making out and petting. Both were panting as they hurriedly undressed each other. Jen rolled her head back, closing her eyes, as he sucked and nibbled her neck and nipples. She slowly stroked his long thick cock as he eased his hand over her flat stomach and fingered her clit.

He moved between her legs, getting ready to mount her. Just as he pressed his cock against her excited pussy lips, she thought of her birth control pills. Had she taken one this morning? When was the last time she took one? She couldn't remember.

She gently pushed against his chest. "Tom, we should use a condom," she said.

"I don't have any," he said.

"I think I have one in my purse," she said. "It's downstairs."

A thought struck Tom. If he got her pregnant, that would push her off the fence. She'd be his! He knew her religious convictions against abortion. He didn't want another child, one was enough for him. But if that's what it took to break up her marriage and make her his, it'd be worth it.

He leaned down and kissed Jen, at the same time pressing his cockhead between her pussy lips. "Come on Jenny, I hate condoms," he said between kisses. "I'll pull out."

Jen didn't like condoms either, and her pussy was so ready for his cock. Her purse downstairs seemed so far away. "You promise you'll pull out?" she said.

"Yeah," he lied, kissing her again.

"Okay then," she said, reaching between their bodies and guiding his bare cock into her unprotected pussy.

He fucked her hard and deep, he rotated his hips, he did everything she loved. He knew her body well by now, so he kept her from cumming, kept her right on the edge. Whenever she got close, he eased up. Soon she crazy with lust, her body writhing under him, desperate for the release and pleasure of an orgasm.

He neared his own orgasm. She sensed this, and said, "remember to pull out Tom."

"I will," he lied. Even as his own orgasm neared, he worked her body, pushing all her buttons, working all her erogenous zones. He wanted them to cum at the same time.

"Oh god oh god," she panted, her orgasm about to hit. "Remember to pull out Tom," she managed to remind him again.

He responded by pressing his lips over hers, thrusting his tongue down her throat. Then, both their bodies exploded in orgasms! He buried his cock deep into her and ejaculated ropes of his fertile seed into her unprotected fertile womb!

They panted into the other's face as they recovered from their orgasms. "Oh fuck!" Jen cried realizing what just happened. "Get off me Tom!" she said pushing against his chest. "You said you'd pull out!" She ran into the bathroom and cleaned up as best she could.

"I'm sorry, I meant to pull out," he lied as she came out with a towel around her.

"God Tom," she said resignedly, sitting down on the bed. She felt so stupid. There was a condom in her purse, why hadn't she gotten it?

"Come on, don't be upset," he said pulling her into his arms. He joked "People aren't rabbits, you're probably fine."

She got up, avoiding his arms. "I've to go," she said gathering her clothes and quickly dressing.

He stood up and hugged her. "I want you to know, I'll be there for you no matter what," he assured her, kissing her.

She laughed but without any humor. "I doubt that'll make Mike feel better," she said with a grimace.

"Jenny, honey, that's my point," he said stroking her long blonde hair. "I love you. I think you love me too. It doesn't matter what Mike thinks, does it?"

After she left, Tom wondered if he'd gotten Jen pregnant. He hoped so. Part of him felt bad over what he'd done. But he did what he had to do to get the woman he loved.

The next day, a distraught Jen said to Allie, "Tom wants me to leave Mike."

"Seems like a clear choice to me," Allie said with a shrug. To her life was simple. Seeing Jen's frown, Allie scowled. "Don't look at me like that. I know what you want. So do you. You need to tell him, Jen."

"It's not that easy Allie," Jen said. "It's complicated."

"Just tell him," Allie said again. "Get it over with."

Later while surfing the Internet, Allie discovered a couple of interesting pictures. She emailed the links to Jen.

At her desk, Jen opened the pictures. Her eyes narrowed and she got angry. She printed them, then went home.

Mike was surprised to see Jen at home before him. Usually she worked out before coming home.

She sat at the table. There were two color 8x11s in front of her. She pointed at them. "What's this?" she asked angrily.

They were pictures of Mike with Jasmine Kelly, from the society pages of the London Times and the New York Times. In both they sat close together, Jasmine leaning towards Mike, her arm through his. The caption in the New York Times read "Mike Andrews of Sapphire fame with CNN's Jasmine Kelley. The Big Apple's new power couple?"

"Well?" Jen said anger in her voice.

Mike shrugged. He was tired of her double standard. Especially after their conversation the other night. "What does it look like?" he shot back.

"That's what this has been about?!" she yelled angrily. "So you can fuck this slut?!!"

"What, you think you're the only pretty girl in the world who might be interested in me?"

Jen's eyes went wide with shock. "You know what I think?" she hissed, hurling the pictures at Mike's face. "I think you're a cheating shit!"

Jen stormed out of the apartment, slamming the door behind her. She angrily called Allie. "Why did you send me those pictures?!"

"To get you off your ass," Allie said, a smile in her voice.

"Fuck you Allie!" Jen screamed and slammed the phone back into her purse.

Having nowhere else to go, Jen went to her office. On her sofa she hugged her knees, crying. Despite everything, she cared for him. But Allie was right, she had to get it over with, it would be better that way.

The next morning, she made two calls. In the first call, she said in a soft voice, "Will you be there in a little bit? I need to see you. Yeah, I'm going to tell him. Yeah. Right now. I'll be over right after, okay? Be there, okay? I ... I love you."

In the second call, she said tersely, "We need to talk. Just stay there, okay? I'll be right over."



Making It Work Ch. 13



The door opened. Jen forced a smile. "Hi," she said.

"Hi," Tom said with a big grin. He moved to the side of the doorway, inviting her in. Jen heard Tommy in the background.

Jen took a step back. "Can we talk out here?"

"Why?" Tom said still smiling. "Come on in Jenny, Tommy will want to see you."

Jen didn't want to see Tommy, not at that moment. She took another step back. "Please Tom," she said.

Tom's smile disappeared. He stepped out and closed the door. 

"I can't see you anymore Tom," Jen said, getting right to the point.

"Jenny, come on," he said looking alarmed. "Let's talk about this." He moved to hug her.

Jen stepped back. "No Tom. I'm sorry. I like you. But I love Mike." 

"Okay, okay, forget what I said," Tom said. "We'll go back to the way it was."

"We can't Tom," Jen said. "After what you said – we can't go back after that. And I need to work things out with Mike." 

"So it's always about Mike, right?" Tom said bitterly.

"Tom, he's my husband," she said. "You knew that when we started this."

"Come on Jenny, we're great together," he said pulling her close to him.

She stepped out of his arms. "Sex isn't love Tom," she said. "I'm sorry. We had fun, but it's over now."

"I get it, you lead me on, then dump me," he said bitterly.

"I didn't lead you on," Jen insisted. "We both had fun. But it was only a game, you knew that. It wasn't permanent. I kept reminding you. Remember? I kept telling you not to go there."

"What about Tommy? He loves you."

"I'm sorry Tom," she said painfully. "The last thing I want to do is hurt him."

"You WILL hurt him!" he said bitterly. "Did you think about that?"

"What can I do?" she said spreading her arms.

"Stay with me Jenny," he pleaded. "Give us another chance."

"I can't Tom," she said, taking another step back. "I can't stay with you, just for Tommy."

At home, Mike sat on the sofa. Jen walked up to him, stopping just a foot away. They both felt raw, a mix of emotions, anger, hurt, jealousy, love.

"I broke it off with Tom," she said.

Mike nodded.

"I should have ended it at the beach, when it got heavy," she explained. "I guess I got mixed up about Tommy. You know, Tom's son? I got close to him."

"I get it," Mike said.

Jen sat down next to Mike. Suddenly she started crying. "Mike, I really messed up," she sobbed.

"What?" he asked, automatically putting his arm around her. "Tommy? I'm sure he'll be okay."

"Not Tommy," she sobbed leaning into him and shaking her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. 

"Then what?" he asked. When she didn't answer, he said gently "Tell me what's wrong."

"Tom might've ... I might be pregnant," she finally admitted. "I'm sorry Mike!" she wept into his chest.

When Mike didn't say anything, she raised up and looked pleadingly into his face. "Mike?" she asked looking like an afraid little girl.

"Tell me what happened," he demanded.

Jen told him. At the end, she said "I think he did it on purpose."

"Tried to get you pregnant?" Mike asked.

"I think so," she said.

"To make you his?" Mike said.

Jen clutched her husband's hands. "I swear Mike, the baby's yours, no matter what," she promised. 

Mike brushed Jen's long blonde hair from her pretty face. Then suddenly, he was on top of her, yanking up her skirt, ripping off her panties, jerking her legs apart! He was out of control, a madman, as he'd been in the taxi and plane, frantically ramming himself inside, wildly fucking her. This time though, she welcomed him inside her, wrapping her arms and legs around him, hugging him tight, kissing him, urging him to take her, to take what was his. He came moments later, filling her up with his seed, and she hugged him even tighter, holding him inside her, not letting him go. 

"I'm sorry Mike, I'm so sorry!" Jen sobbed into his chest. "Please don't leave me!"

Mike unbuttoned her blouse and pushed up her bra, revealing her small perfect breasts. He cupped her tits and then ran his hands over her firm flat tummy. 

Surprisingly, he got hard again. He pressed his lips against hers, urgently pushing his tongue down her throat.  He fucked her again.

The next day Jen went into Allie's office and closed the door. "Thanks for sending the photos," she said, only part sarcastically.

"I had to do something to get you off your ass," Allie said with a knowing smile. "Mike's a demented geek, but he's the right guy for you." She knew Jen's history. Tom was just another Colin, another Scott. They weren't good for her. She knew Mike was the best thing that ever happened to Jen.

"Yeah," Jen agreed. She couldn't help smiling. "I'll tell Mike you said that."

"Don't," Allie said immediately. She grinned. "It's more fun if he thinks I hate him."

"God Allie," Jen said with a laugh. Then her face turned sad. "Tommy --."

"You should never have gotten close to him," Allie chastised.

"Yeah ..." Jen agreed, her voice filled with melancholy.

"Sometimes you're a dumb blonde," Allie teased with a laugh. "But don't worry about it. Tommy's young, he'll get over it."

"Yeah," Jen agreed. She knew her friend was right.

Allie studied her best friend. "What's wrong?" she asked, sensing something amiss. "You made up with bubble boy, right?"

Jen shrugged slightly, looking uncertain. 

"Is it that Jasmine chick?" Allie asked. "Does Mike have something going on with her?"

"I don't know," Jen said. "I don't think so."

"You didn't ask?" Allie said incredulously. "You didn't kick his ass about the pictures?"

Jen shook her head, looking scared.

"What's wrong Jen?" Allie asked again. She was seriously getting worried.

After a few moments, Jen said "Tom and I ... the last time we did it ..."

"Oh my god!" Allie groaned looking up into the air. "Let me guess, you forgot to take the pill again. How long?"

"I don't remember" Jen admitted.

"God Jen!" Allie said, slapping her hand against her forehead. "And you're ovulating, right?"

Jen nodded hesitantly.

"You really ARE a dumb blonde sometimes!" Allie said scornfully. "What did Mike say?"

"If I'm pregnant, it could be his, we had sex right after Tom," Jen hurriedly said. 

"You'd need a blood test to know for sure," Allie said.

"I'd never do that, it's Mike's no matter what," Jen insisted. "I'm sure it's Mike's," she added, as if trying to convince herself.

"This just happened?" Allie said. "So you can do a test next week." 

"Yeah," Jen said her eyes downcast.

Allie studied her friend again. "But you know, right?" she said. "You think you're pregnant?"

Jen took a long time to respond. Finally she nodded and said "I think so."

"God Jen," Allie said shaking her head. She sat down next to Jen and hugged her. Jen began to cry.

~~ The End ~~

(Jen and Mike's story continues in "Consequences")