Rebound (26 page)

“
I know, Alice.” I stroked
her back, offering some comfort. “I will support you in whatever
you need. I love you and Ross, but you have to take care of
yourself.” We hugged, and I gently stroked her back. “Go home.” I
whispered. We pulled away from each other. “If you need someone to
take a shift, I have Saturday free.”

“
You’re a doll, but Jake
didn’t work Saturdays. The shifts are covered. Besides, that is
your only day off and I want you to enjoy it.”

“
I was going to ask for a
favor, but I don’t want to put you out . . . I’ve met someone.” I
informed her as I logged into the computer.

“
You did?” She asked
excitedly. I smiled sheepishly.

“
A doctor. Last week, I
went to the orthopedic surgeon’s office for my hip pain, and he was
the doctor. We connected the night of Chelz’s bachelorette party.
We’ve been inseparable since.”

“
Perla, you didn’t sleep
with him?” She asked horrified.

“
I’m not going to respond
to that because a lady doesn’t kiss and tell . . . Yes, of course I
slept with him. I had to break this post-divorce chastity and who
better than with a doctor, of all people.” I gushed.

“
Okay. Tell me more about
this fella.”

“
He’s very handsome, Alice
and so kind. He bought me a tablet so we can video chat while he’s
working in Spain these next few days.”

“
Don’t do all that sexting
the kids are doing nowadays. You could get in trouble.”

“
Alice, I would never.”
Heck, I hadn’t even thought about that. I think I have a little
more self-control than that. I dismissed the thought and decided to
let her know my request. “Here is where my favor comes in. I’d like
to take Sunday off and spend the day cooking for him. He returns in
the late afternoon, which would be when I’m supposed to be here. Do
you think someone else would could cover my shift?”

“
Honey. I’m happy for you.
I’ll see if Kylie will do it. She likes working evenings, and
because you usually have two days in the evenings, she can’t take
on more. I’ll call her tomorrow.” I saw her making a
note.

“
Alice, I can do that. I
can look up the staff numbers and call Kylie about my shift. Please
slow down. I know that’s virtually impossible, but let me help
while I’m here and where I can. Let me see your list.” I asked,
practically ripping the list from her hands. I scanned the list for
things that I could take over, and wrote my own list to do. I also
planned on writing a memo for Kylie to work on while she works
evenings.

“
I’d love for you to take
over the Inn, Perla. You’re like a daughter to me.” She said while
watching me work through her list.

I smiled. “And you’re like my Mom. I
owe you everything. Because of you and Ross, I’ve had a great next
phase of my life, Alice. You put back the pieces when they were
broken. I will always remember that. And I wish I could do more.
But you know how crazy my life is.” I said solemnly. If I weren’t
living paycheck to paycheck, I’d be here working with Alice and
making this Inn more prominent. I have a lot of ideas for
introducing a younger crowd, but Alice wanted to maintain the old
Boston charm, and I have to respect her decision. “Okay. Go home.
Rest. I will let you know if Kylie will do the shift and I hope I
get to spend time with my hunk.” I smiled.

“
Perla. A word of advice,
slow it down as best you can. Get to know him. You’re covered in a
haze of euphoria, but you may be surprised when the fog lifts and
you’re left with what’s in front of you.” An ominous feeling went
over me. I pondered if she was warning me about Matt or if she was
telling me about her and Ross.

“
I promise that I’ll be
strong. Because of you, I’m a lot stronger than I was two years
ago. I know that I’m in charge of my own happiness. I’m willing to
walk away and move on if this doesn’t work out. I love you, Alice.”
I took her in my arms. She felt thinner and frailer than before.
The doctors didn’t give her very long to live, but she has proven
them wrong many times over. Once she decided to stop all
treatments, we’ve been awaiting her passing at any point in time.
“Will you be okay getting home?”

“
Yes, honey. I’m going to
take a cab.”

“
Okay. I’ll call you one.”
I grabbed the phone and proceeded to dial the local company. Once I
hung up, I went to help her get ready for her ride. She slipped on
her overcoat, the size and weight of it made her look even smaller,
and seemed to shrink her already diminutive size. Tears collected
in my eyes. Her frailty reminded me of my mother. We talked about
the Inn while waiting for the cab. When the cab honked its arrival,
I walked her out and helped her into the cab. I gave her a kiss and
a hug goodbye. I felt rather cold and alone when she left, a chill
that took me back about a decade when my mother was passing. I knew
it was soon a possibility with Alice, but I wasn’t ready to
experience that again. I thought to talk to Matt and see if
anything could be done for Alice.

I went home after my shift and felt so
lonely. I was surprised by how quickly I felt ‘uncoupled’ without
Matt. It took me a while to stop missing Ben, rather I had to get
used to not being alone. Once I got comfortable with being with
myself, I soon came to love it. With Matt gone, I spent Thursday
and Friday night hating being alone. I became more aware of how
small my studio was, even just for me. I couldn’t wait for Matt to
return.

Matt video chatted with me on Friday
morning during a break. He looked so handsome, and I couldn’t wait
to kiss his beautiful face. True to my word to Alice, I didn’t do
anything spicy, although he tried to get me to give him a peek of
my breasts. I told him ladies don’t do such things and that once he
gets home he will get his fill and then some. I knew that the
send-off I left him with would do the trick and he would be hot and
bothered by the time he came back home. I spent Saturday afternoon
preparing for Matt’s return. I sent him a text message saying that
I was spending the night in his apartment because I had a surprise
for him when he returns on Sunday. He didn’t respond, but I figured
he was busy with finishing up his patient’s treatment.

I felt a little awkward being in his
apartment on Saturday without him, but strangely, I felt at home.
I’d spent nearly every day in his home since the first night we
connected. He also gave me full access to his things. I was curious
and felt an urge to rifle through his things, but I didn’t dare. I
didn’t use his computer as he offered.

Being so high up and having no way to
open the windows, it was eerily quiet. Being at the top level of a
third story apartment in a house in a city makes for round the
clock noise. I’m used to the sounds of life outside of my little
universe, and knowing that I’m in the heart of the city, but not
hearing anything was unnerving.

After prepping and refrigerating
tomorrow’s meal, I decided to take a nice bath in his large tub.
The stitches on the leg had dissolved and the wound was healing
nicely. I’d protected it with waterproof tape when I bathed. I’ve
also been putting on vitamin E, hoping to reduce the scar. It’s
small, but I’ve always been vain about my shapely, muscular legs.
I’ve taken good care of them over the years because of dance and
mostly my affinity for skirts and dresses to show them off. My hip
was much better. I had a theory that sex helped loosen the tight
muscles.

The bath was relaxing and made me
drowsy. I prepped myself for bed, putting on lotion over my body,
brushing my teeth and flossing, and putting on my nightgown. I
decided to read from the tablet. Matt set up an account for me to
purchase applications and books. I purchased a contemporary erotica
novel, which is my favorite genre. I love a good love story with
great sex, and a bit of drama to keep it spicy. However, I’d rather
not have any drama in real life relationships. I’ve had enough to
last me a lifetime.

My wish for a normal relationship with
a hot man who keeps me happy in bed and everywhere else seemed to
be coming true. I’m getting to an age that I need to decide whether
to start a family, or hang up the notion of a monogamous
relationship and live freely from man to man. I always thought I
was a one man woman, but through reading these books, I’m not
against exploring my options; as long as I stayed safe. I turned
off the light and read from the tablet until I fell
asleep.

Early Sunday morning, while sleeping in Matt’s
bed, I felt the bed dip with the weight of another person. In my
sleepy state, I was slow to process Matt’s arm pulling me to his
body.

“
Baby, I’m home.” He
whispered as he gave me gentle kisses on my neck. My body
immediately responded by shuddering under his hold. My nipples
puckered, and I grew moist between my folds. I moaned my delight
because words failed me as I slowly regained consciousness. I felt
his large hands slide up and down my body, feeling the silky fabric
of my nightie get warm then cool with the presence and abandonment
of his hands. He squeezed and gripped every inch of me as he
touched me.

When I felt his hands cup my breast,
his thumb sliding over my beaded nipple, I called out his name,
“Matt.” He turned me onto my back and rose over me, slipping in
between my thighs, and kissed me with an eagerness that I’d missed
since he left for his business trip. His mouth kissed and suckled
on my neck. He found my mouth again, tongue darting in my mouth,
wrestling with my tongue. We reacquainted ourselves with each
other’s mouths, holding on to each other, leaving no space or air
between us.

“
I’ve missed you. I need
you so bad.” He panted, laying kisses on my neck and ground his
erect penis into my tender cut. I moaned in
appreciation.

“
What are you doing here?
I thought you were arriving this afternoon?” I asked hoarsely, my
legs wrapping themselves around his waist and my arms wrapped
around his neck, my awareness fully returned.

“
I tagged along on a
private jet with the executives from the soccer team. I wanted to
see you before you have to go off to work.” He continued kissing me
as he started pulling off my nightie, my body instinctively lifting
and arching for him to easily remove the flimsy fabric. After he
got it over my arm and head, I pulled my other arm away from the
strap of the nightie and he tossed it beside him. “I like you naked
in bed, but that was nice and soft.” He returned to his deep
kisses. I melted at his licks and kisses.

I pulled away from his deep kiss. “I’m
not going to work. I took the day off. I planned a special meal for
you.”

“
No gym?” He sucked and
bit my jaw.

“
No gym.” I
moaned.

“
No Inn?” He nibbled on my
neck.

“
No Inn. Don’t mark me,
Matt. I’m staying with you today. Unless you have other plans?” And
with that response, his affection was more vigorous. He rose up to
his knees and pulled down my panties over my hips and
thighs.

“
The only plans I have is
to be buried inside of you all day and night.”

“
I do have to cook.” I
pulled at his t-shirt and lifted it over his abdomen. I trailed my
fingers over his tight, sculpted stomach as Matt pulled the shirt
over his head. He shuddered under my gentle touch of his
nipples.

“
I’ll allow you to cook,
but the rest of the time you’ll be naked in bed. We have a lot of
catching up to do. I want you so bad, Baby. I want to taste you. I
want your mouth on me. I want to be inside you. I don’t know what
to do first. I missed you so much.” He dipped to kiss me. We
groaned simultaneously, he because of his need for me and I because
of his words, as he ground into my clit with his tight jeans. He
rose up on his palms, grinding into me, and I heard a growl escape
his mouth.

“
If I’m going to be naked,
so do you.” I pulled at his jeans. He unbuckled his belt with a big
grin on his perfect mouth. I reached to unbutton and unzip his
jeans. “You’re so slow. Lie on your back.” I prompted. A sly smile
appeared on his face, confirming that he liked when I took over and
commanded him into satisfaction.

Once he was on his back, I knelt over
him. I grabbed at the waistband on each side of his hip, feeling
his skin on the back of my fingers, he shivered from my touch. I
proceeded to pull down his jeans along with his underwear over the
mound of his buttocks, and carefully releasing his erect cock. I
managed to pull them down to his knees, and he helped by gently
kicking them down his calves. Once off his feet, I threw his jeans
and underwear toward the opposite wall.

I lay over his body, feeling his warm
skin on my skin. His arms wrapped around me, holding me tight as we
kissed passionately. I pulled away to kiss around his jaw, feeling
the bristles of his beard. I pressed my cheek to his as I nibbled
on his ear. The hair prickled and aroused me further, thinking
about how his beard felt between my legs. He smelled so sweet and
manly. I didn’t realize how much I missed his particular smell. I
was comforted by his touch, smell, and feel, and I couldn’t get
enough. In an instant, I could understand why his wife had such
difficulties with his traveling. He was so intoxicating while
present you’re unaware of the pain of withdrawal until he returns
and you want to consume all of him . . . to the last
drop.