An Exotic Journey

“You can’t run away from your fears, isn’t that what you’ve always told me?” Sarah said.

“I’m not running away from my fears, I just don’t want to get involved with anyone at the moment.”

“But, Jessica,” Pita interrupted, “You need to get your feet wet and on-line dating will help you, especially, the Millionaires Club.”

“You really think she should join a site for millionaires?” Sara asked.

“No, I think she should wait around for a loser to come along.”

“I appreciate what you two are trying to do, but I’m just not ready. It’s only been six months since my divorce from Jake."

“We’re going for a drink at the new place, Delfino’s. Why don’t you join us for a little fun?” Pita asked. “Hal is out of town this weekend, so it’s girl’s night out.”

“No,” I said before she could almost finish the question. I have too much to do here at the office. I’m going to finish up and head home for a nice long bubble bath.”

“If you change your mind, you know where to find us,” Pita said just as her cell phone rang.

“Hi, darling!” She smiled as she listened. “Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow. Have fun and be safe.”

“That was Andy. He’s going to the lake with some friends. I wish he would meet a nice girl.”

***
Walking to my car in the underground parking structure, I was astonished to see him sitting in the car parked next to mine since I thought he was going out with his friends tonight.

Self-consciously I reached up and tucked a lock of my hair behind my right ear. I was wearing a slim-fitting black dress and black high-heeled pumps with delicate straps that fit around my ankles.

I bit back a grin as he opened his door and stepped outside.
Sweet Lord, he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met.

“Ms. Sinclair, you have amazing legs.” His voice was soft, but it contained a savage note that caused all the hairs on my body to rise.

“Andy, what are you doing here at nine-thirty? I thought—“

“You’re burning yourself out, Jess. You need to have some fun.”

He reached out and pulled me close to him. The way his mouth caught mine, the firm damp articulation of each kiss, each succulent impact, was too insanely good to resist. The deeper he went, the more heavily I sagged against him, my entire body saturated with lust.

He gripped by dress, pulled roughly, and I gasped as I felt the air on my legs, cool against the torturous hot ache of my skin and nerves. He pried beneath the elastic of my panties, searching between my thighs, the humid flesh opening to the invasion of his fingers. He slipped a finger inside me, and another. I closed my eyes, going weak as his thumb skated tenderly over my clit, his fingers massaging deep and sure.

I fumbled with his zipper, opening his pants. I gripped him, the shape of him huge and rearing. Withdrawing his fingers, Andy tugged my underwear and dress out of the way. He lifted me with shocking ease. The realization of how strong he was sent a flood of anxious excitement through me.

He entered me, and I squirmed at the impossible thickness of him. “Relax, baby, I’ll take care of you.

He brought my full weight down until my toes grazed the garage floor, and the luscious force opened me inexorably. He set the steady upward-plunging cadence, and every time he went in, my muscles clenched on the pleasure of it. I was riding the heat, my limbs tightening around his big driving body until the sheer plentitude of feeling tipped me over into a rich, nearly unendurable orgasm. He took my choked cry into his mouth, muffling the sounds I made. He drove deep and held and shuddered, his breath breaking as he found his own release.

“We just did it in the parking garage,” I said weakly.

“I know, baby,” he whispered as he lifted me off. “Let’s go to my apartment and take a shower. I want you to spend the night with me,” his tone was urgent and low.

“I can’t.” The elevator doors opened with a ding, and I jumped at the sound. A man exited and went to his car. I waited until the car left the parking garage before I spoke again.

“You’ve got to give me some space. Right now I’ve reached the limits of what I can handle.”

“Jess, I love you. Why are you ashamed to be with me?”

My heart skipped a beat. “I would never be ashamed of you, but you’re twenty-three years old and I’m forty-three. And your mother, Pita, is my friend.”

“You’re a turn-on for anyone, Jess. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman, and I want more than having sex with you in hidden places. I want you in my bed so I can hold you in my arms all night.”

Frowning, I pushed a tangle of damp hair back from my face. “But I don’t see how the relationship could work because I lose everyone I care about, sooner or later.”

“I’m not your ex-husband, Jess. I’m not going to leave you.”

“I need some alone-time to think about it.”

“No, you don’t. Now, get in my car and let’s spend the weekend together. I want to take care of you.”

He kissed me, hard and sweet and long. “Don’t ever leave me, Jess. I need you. It’s you I’ve been waiting for. Sometimes when we’re not paying attention, relationships happen. There is no rule that requires two people in love to be exactly alike or the same age. Both of us can thrive on our differences, as long as we respect them.”

“It’s going to hurt bad when your mother finds out about us. Are you ready for that?”

“I’m ready,” he said as he reached for my hand.

I bit my lip as I took his hand. One step at a time, I told myself.


Word Count: 1014