I don’t know how long I rail into him, but it’s long enough for me to grow frustrated and worried that I’m hurting or boring him. Right when I’m about to give up, the pressure builds again. I chase the sensation and try to find a fantasy in my memory banks, one that’s a little taboo to push me over that edge.
Then I come into the condom.Fucking finally. The relief is almost palpable. The last thing I want is to appear as if I have some erectile dysfunction issues. Jesus, what the fuck’s wrong with me?
When I’m finished, I pinch the condom and pull out. I tie it off, climb out of bed, and toss it into the bathroom garbage. After I wash my hands, I return with a towel to lay over the wet spot.
Instead of finding a satiated man, I see a weeping one. He keeps his face turned away from me, but he’s sniffling.
Christ. I breathe out a quiet sigh, sit on the edge of the bed, and rest my hand on his back. Jason rolls over, sits up, wraps his arms around me, and cries into my neck.
My brow shoots to my hairline, and my arms are spread away from me. I don’t want to hold him. It’s not that I’m some cold bastard, but it’s triggering me. It reminds me of the day I kicked my ex out of my life after ten years together because I learned he was a serial cheater. I’m still fucking salty over it, even after four years. And I’d cried just like Jason, but I had no one to hold on to.
“I’m so sorry,” he says between gasps. “I’m aware of how bad this looks. It’s not you, I swear. The sex was really good.”
“I know it’s not. I understand what it’s like to be abandoned by someone you love.”
When he sits up and wipes his face, I head back to the bathroom to grab him the complimentary box of tissues the hotel provides. He takes a few when I offer them and blows his nose. “God, I feel like an idiot, and you’re so understanding.”
“You’re fine.”
Not gonna lie, I’m incredibly uncomfortable. A fuck has turned into a therapy session. And I hate being reminded ofhim, my fucking ex. But I’m not about to be a dick about it either, not to someone so raw and exposed.
“Well, if you ever see your ex again, you can tell him you had the best rebound with the sexiest older man ever, and that he missed out on something great,” I say and wink at him.
He snorts a wet laugh and blows his nose again. “That’s funny. Thanks for this. I just might do that.”
He wads up the tissue, pads to the bathroom to piss, and comes out, standing there awkwardly and still naked. He really is beautiful; his body is stunning.
“Uhm, can I stay? I know this is a… one-night thing, but…”
“That’s why I got the room. I may do one-night stands, but I don’t kick them to the curb right after we do the deed,” I smirk at him, trying to keep things lighter. “I’ll at least make you some coffee.”
He gnawed on a plump bottom lip and climbed into bed. “Can I ask another favor?”
“You canask.”
“I’m starving. I didn’t eat much because of… well, you know.”
“Let’s order some room service. I could use a bite to eat myself.”
“Thanks, you’re… so nice.”
I’m not. Not really. But something in him calls to me beyond his looks. Too bad there won’t be more with him. There will never be more with anyone. Not anymore.
Chapter 2
Seth
Chasingaferaltoddleris not for the faint of heart. I swear to god, she’s trying to make my heart fail. Once, Emily ran out into the street as a car was heading right for her. Her brother, Harrison, was there and pulled her out of the way just in time. I almost hauled my butt to the ER to make sure I wasn’t about to die.
This time, she’s running out of the bathroom naked after her bath, about to tumble down the stairs, before I catch her.
“Oh, no, you don’t, missy,” I say, lifting her into my arms with the towel and bringing her into the bathroom to dry off. She fights me as she’s prone to. The girl wants to be a wild animal, doing whatever she wants. I don’t look forward to the days when she’s driving or dating.
After she’s dressed in her PJs, I sit her on the closed toilet lid and try to brush her blonde tangles.
She screams at me, “No, daddy! No hair!”
She hates having her hair brushed. I’d shave it off if I wouldn’t get in trouble with weird parents or people I don’t know. God forbid a little girl has short hair. Emily would love nothing better.
