Before I knew it, I was laid back on his couch with his body covering mine. Our lips were fused as my hands ran through the thick strands of his hair. I had no idea who'd made the first move, but it didn't matter. Not when our tongues were tangling and our breaths mingled in shared passion. He pried his lips from mine and placed them against the wild, beating pulse of my neck.
"Fuck, Maria. You're so beautiful." His tongue licked my throat, tasting my skin. His groan vibrated through me, soaking my panties. I closed my eyes as I gave in to the feel of his soft lips against me. It had been so long since someone had just…kissed me. Savored me. There were times when men refused even to kiss me, claiming it was too intimate. Yet they had no problem sticking their dick in my ass.
I already had a taste of his kiss after our lunch date at Roman's. It had been passionate and unrestrained—a precursor for a more carnal act that I’d been tempted to give into. I'd driven home unsatisfied yet thoroughly sated from that one kiss.
And, unfortunately, I was also going to go unsatisfied tonight.
When Brian's hard cock came up between my legs, brushing and rubbing against my pussy, I immediately knew it was time to call a halt. How easy would it be to keep rubbing until he pulled the material of my panties aside and took what I would freely give him? So easy.
I pushed gently against his chest. There was no hesitation as he pulled back at my signal, his breathing still harsh. Another way he was different from other men. Usually, it would take afew hard pushes until they reluctantly pulled away, only to sulk and plead until I gave in.
Brian helped me up before smoothing his ruffled hair and fixing me with a rueful smile. I cupped his cheek, letting him know I was okay and not offended by our burst of passion. I didn't want to be treated like a frightened virgin, but I also didn't want to set a standard. Just because we agreed to be exclusive didn't mean I had to jump into bed with him straightaway, no matter how tempting. I had men promise me the world for the chance between my thighs. It wasn't that I didn't trust him; I didn't know him fully to make that call. Trust in a relationship had to be earned—from both parties.
Brian kept his arm around my shoulder as he walked me to my car. With a soft kiss on my forehead, he opened my door and saw me safely inside. I rolled my eyes playfully when he reminded me to drive carefully. He didn't like that I was driving so late at night, even though I could drive home in ten minutes and not pass one car.
With one last wave, I drove off. This time, I had my music on full blast.
Chapter 37
Maria
"And what about the way she did those choppy, long bangs? I can't wait to try them out."
"I've been wanting to have bangs for ages. Do you think I'd suit them?"
My mouth curved as Charli tilted Gail's chin up, tilting her face this way and that with a concentrated brow. They didn't care that the crowd behind them had to part like the Red Sea around them, so I wrapped an arm around their shoulders.
"Yes, you would both suit bangs," I told them. "I'm happy to do them for you." I guided them a few feet away so we weren't in anyone's path.
We'd just left the seminar, and Gail and Charli had not shut up since we'd risen from our seats. They weren't the only ones, though. We were part of a crowd of men and women flooding out of the venue, their enthused voices gushing at a high cadence about what they had learned over the last ninety minutes.
I tried to attend as many seminars as possible, but with the strain of running a salon, I couldn't always make them in person. When they started selling online links to watch later, it was a no-brainer to utilize that option instead. Nothing was better than sitting in my PJs with green gunk on my face as I watched an immaculately dressed man demonstrate how to do a wolf cut.
But being here today reminded me of how exhilarating a live talk and demonstration could be. Being able to scan the eager faces of people just starting out in the industry or seasoned professionals who wanted to keep up with the current trends. Today's seminar hadn't taught me anything new, but I still loved seeing Charli and Gail soak everything up, their pens flying across their notepads as they took notes. Seeing the passion and enthusiasm helped keep mine alive, too.
"Shall we get some lunch?" Charli asked as she continued to brush out Gail's hair.
"You guys go ahead," I insisted. "I've got dinner with an old friend tonight, so I'm going back to the hotel to rest."
We said our farewells and promised to meet for breakfast the following morning. It was a two-day seminar, but I wouldn't be attending tomorrow with the girls. Instead, I decided to take a day for myself. Maybe I'd take a long afternoon nap or explore new parts of New York I hadn't discovered yet. We were then going to meet up for dinner before we drove back to New Haven in the morning. It was my perfect vacation. A little bit of work and some downtime just on my own.
As soon as Gail and Charli turned a corner, I strolled across the street, heading opposite our hotel. I didn't say I was going back to the hotelnowto rest. I was familiar enough with the city, so I walked a short block over, ending up in Bryant Park.
Unsurprising, the square was packed with locals and tourists. There were people doing yoga, having picnics, or enjoying the sidewalk cafes. I loved the hustle and bustle of the city. Thenoise, the traffic, the different scents of international foods lined up side by side. The blend of different cultures and languages.
I liked my hometown well enough, despite not having the best memories, but I always thought I belonged in a bigger city. Dr. Anna mentioned that perhaps I found the constant presence and noise of people comforting after being alone for most of my life. I wasn't sure about that, but it tracked with my need to feel wanted and loved.
I was in a much better place now, emotionally and physically. I had friends I'd come to trust and was learning to feel comfortable confiding in them. I had a business that was more successful than it had ever been.
And Brian.
I had Brian.
Being in New York reminded me of him. This was where he was born and raised. I imagined him weaving through the crowds of people, his gait cocky and sure; he knew where he was going and how to get there. I pictured him on the subway, drowning out the sound of buskers who hopped on and off the trains to make a quick buck. I wondered if he avoided Times Square and places like Bryant Park because they were too "touristy." I bet he knew all the local hot spots off the beaten track.
I lifted my face towards the sun, which warmed me despite the cold breeze tickling my nose. On a whim, I took out my phone and snapped a selfie before uploading it onto my personal social media page. I had already posted pictures of Charli, Gail, and me at the seminar on our business page. I also did a story throughout the morning of us walking to the seminar and excitedly smiling in our seats. It was nice to do something just for me on this trip.
My phone dinged and I checked my notifications.
