The Bedtime Tales of Be287m

Friends and Benefits, Chapter Thirty-eight

I waited a while in the main room, before realizing it was going to be more than a little wait.  I tried to thumb through some of Sherri’s books, but my mind wasn’t on them.  In fact, my mind wasn’t anywhere.

Huh.  So much for overthinking.

It was hard to overthink, I realized, when there wasn’t much to think about.  The die had been cast.  I didn’t know if Tina’d want me after she asked whatever she’d wanted to ask, and I didn’t know if I’d still be friends with Sherri and Lisa.  But now there was nothing I could do.

Somehow, that thought was more relaxing than I would have expected.  My gut wasn’t churning and my heart wasn’t pounding.  The only real symptom was that I was distracted.  I couldn’t focus on the book in front of me.  I couldn’t simply sit and watch the door.  I was too edgy to pace, but too energetic to stay still.  So I waited.  And waited.  After about fifteen minutes I finally gave up and walked into the kitchen.  At least I could make coffee and have an excuse for being jittery.

I found the coffee, but someone had let the old pot get really scummy.  I went to wash it and found the remains of some lunch dishes in the sink.  What the heck.  I pushed in the stopper, found the dish soap, and started washing them all.

Scrubbing away, I didn’t hear them behind me until Lisa spoke.

“That’s the way I like him,” she teased.  “Hard at work in the kitchen.”

I turned, grinning, swallowing my retort that just hard would be good enough.  All three women stood in the doorway, smiling back at me.  I met Tina’s eyes first.

“You are one lucky man,” she said.

I snorted good-naturedly.  “Don’t I know it.”  I quickly glanced to Sherri who nodded slightly.  “Did you have a good talk?”

Tina nodded as her eyes darted toward Sherri and then Lisa, but she didn’t say anything, and neither did the other women.

“So what now?” I asked.

“We go home,” Tina said.

I nodded and glanced back toward the dishes.

“After you finish,” Tina added, her eyes flashing with amusement.  Then she turned to Sherri.  “You mentioned a book….”

“Yes,” Sherri said.  “I’ll get it.”

I turned back to the dishes as they headed down the hall.  As I did, I let out a deep breath.  I didn’t know what had happened, but I knew it would be okay.

Everything was going to be okay.

I finished up the last pot, drained the sink, dried my hands, and went looking for the women.  I found them chatting and laughing in the main room as Sherri handed Tina one book after another.  Tina’s eyes caught mine and she paused, and then pushed most of the books back into Sherri’s hands.

“I think I’ll only have time to read this one, this visit,” she said.

“That’s fine,” Sherri said, accepting the books. She looked at me and smiled.  “You two need to enjoy your time together.”

“I’m sure we will,” I said.

We said our goodbyes, collecting hugs all around, and Tina and I headed out to the car.

“Good talk?” I asked, once we were on the road.”

“Oh, yes.”

“Did you get your question answered?”

“I did.”

I paused, and then decided to ask.  “Care to share?”

“When we get home.”

I nodded, and we fell quiet.

We didn’t talk much more on the drive back to my apartment.  Tina seemed wrapped in her thoughts and I didn’t have much to say.

Everything was going to be okay.

That thought just kept running through my mind and it was all that mattered.

•  •  •

After we arrived home, we spend a few minutes dropping our coats and taking turns in the bathroom before settling onto the couch.  Tina met my eyes, but she seemed neither nervous nor worried.  Maybe it was just a reflection of my own calm.

“What hurt most last year,” she said, “was that you wanted sex with Sharon more than you wanted me.”

“I was obsessed,” I admitted.  “And I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re sorry, but I wanted to know you wouldn’t do it again.”

“I won’t.”

She pursed her lips, but her eyes were still smiling.  “I know, but I couldn’t just take your word for it.”

I nodded.  I probably wouldn’t take my word for it either.

“And while Sharon’s apparently out of your life,” she continued, “well… she’s not the only woman you could obsess over.”

I looked at her, confused for a moment, but then I got it.

“I’m not going to obsess over Sherri or Lisa either,” I said.

“I know.  That’s what they said.  And they wouldn’t let you, even if you started to.”

“Yeah, I know.”  I paused.  “They care for me.”

“They love you,” Tina said.  “Just not in a romantic way.”

My cheeks flushed a little.  “They do.”  I paused, picking my words, “but I only have romantic feelings for one woman,” I said, meeting Tina’s eyes.

It was her turn to blush, but she didn’t look away.  I extended my hand and waited.  She placed hers in mine and gave me a squeeze.  Our eyes met again, and I didn’t hesitate.  I pulled Tina into my arms and kissed her.

She returned the kiss, forcefully and hot.  We kissed for a few more endless moments before we both pulled back, panting.

Tina’s eyes smoldered.  “I want you.”

I blinked, but I hadn’t misheard her.  She waited expectantly.

I briefly considered pulling her toward the bedroom, but then a slow calm settled.  I don’t have to rush.  We could do this right.

“I want you too,” I said, “But later.  After dinner.”

It was her turn to raise her eyebrows in surprise.  But then they narrowed and her smile appeared as she got it.

“Let’s do it right,” I said.  “Starting with dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.”

“Maybe not too fancy,” she said with a smile.  “I didn’t bring anything nicer than this interview outfit.”

“That’ll do.”

She smiled.  “So what do we do until then?”

“Foreplay?” I joked.

“What??”

“Just kidding, “I reassured, as I touched her arm.  “Just kissing.”

She smiled.  “I’d like that.”

My answer was simple—I pulled her into my arms.

We kissed.  And we kissed.  We nuzzled and held each other and feathered each other with gentle lip prints and caresses.  Sometimes our kisses were passionate and heated, and sometimes just affectionate.  It didn’t matter.  All that mattered was who we were kissing.

We would have kissed all afternoon, if biology hadn’t required the occasional bathroom break or sore muscles hadn’t required us eventually rolling to the floor, and then shifting back to the couch, before finally taking yet another break for something to whet our throats. 

During one of those breaks to catch our breath, I made a few calls, hoping against odds for a last minute dinner reservation at one of the finer restaurants.  Unlike with the lottery ticket the night before, Lady Chance did not favor us this time, as a result, I decided we’d better chance it at Jaleo for tapas.  If we went early, we probably wouldn’t have to wait in the bar too long.  I suggested it to Tina, who liked the idea of tasting all of those small plates, but reminded me we still had some time before we had to leave.

So we kissed some more.

Eventually, though, it was time to go.  I decided I wanted a fresh shirt and a quick shower and invited Tina to join me.

“If we’re going to do it right,” she said with a devilish grin, “I have to decline.”

I chuckled.  “Hoisted by my own petard.”

She laughed.  “You know, I’m not sure I know exactly what a petard is.”

“Uh… I’m not sure I do either.  But I know it’s not going to help me get you in the shower.”

She nodded and turned toward her suitcase.  I took the hint and went to get ready myself.

When I returned from my shower and shave, in slacks and a shirt fresh from the dry cleaners, I did a doubletake.  Tina now wore a different blouse and skirt, over black hose.

“I brought a spare set in case I needed them for the interview,” she said once she saw my expression.

“Makes sense.  You look great in either one.”

She beamed at me, and, satisfied, I grabbed our coats and we headed out the door.

•  •  •

Jaleo’s bounced with energy—the pre-theatre crowd mingled with the younger yuppies making their first stop in an evening of party hopping.  We left our name and threaded our way to the bar.  Conversation quickly faded as we almost had to shout to hear each other.  Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long for a table; most of the bar inhabitants had no plans to stay for a meal.

Once settled, I ordered us a bottle of Rioja while Tina oohed over all the selections.  We decided to start with three small plates each, but still found narrowing our choices down to six to be a delightful but difficult task.

We picked well.  The spinach with pine nuts nearly melted in our mouths and I’d never had calamari so crisp and non-chewy.  Tina was surprised by the size of the portabella mushroom, marinated and cooked whole, but she enjoyed it nonetheless.  We laughed and flirted, taking the energetic vibe of the room and letting it buoy our own mood, building a buzz on top of the buzz from the wine.

“So do you think you’ll get in?” I asked, once the sound around us mellowed out.  “To Georgetown?”

She nodded.  “I think my chances are really good.”

“So is this your first choice?” I asked, feeling my nerves get a little edgy.

She grew more serious and nodded.  “I want to be with you.  I wasn’t entirely sure,” she said, “until after I talked to Sherri.  But I now I am.”

“I wasn’t sure you were,” I said, letting out some breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.  “I’d been hoping, but….”

She nodded.

“So, why?”

She paused, as if collecting her thoughts, though I knew it couldn’t be a new question.  Not with her father around.  But she still stared intently into space for a bit before looking at me.

“When we met,” she said, “I told you I wanted to explore.  I’ve done my exploration.  Or at least most of it.”

We shared a salacious grin.

“So,” she continued, “when I started thinking about what I really wanted, it wasn’t the adventure. It was the weekends together.”

I nodded.  “They were comfortable.”

“They were.  And we had fun.”

I nodded again.

She bit her lip for a moment, glancing away.  Then her eyes met mine again.

“I did go out with other guys,” she said.  “Some of it was good and some of it wasn’t, but none of it was like what we had.”

“It was good,” I said.  “And I apologize about being slow to realize it.”

She shrugged in dismissal.

“Well,” I said, “I hope you do get in.  But if you don’t, I’ll follow you to wherever you get in.”

Her eyes widened.

“I want to be with you,” I said simply.  “I love you.”

She sighed and smiled.  “I love you too.”

I raised my glass.  “So here’s to comfortable weekends.”

Tina clinked her glass against mine.  “With some adventure,” she said, her eyes dancing.

“Absolutely!”

We drank and then set our glasses down.

“Why don’t you get dessert menus while I visit the ladies room?” Tina said.

“Sure.”

She excused herself and I managed to catch our server’s eye.  I was perusing the menu when Tina returned, grinning.  She walked to my side of the table and dropped a small ball of fabric into my lap.  I didn’t have to guess what it was and looked at her in pleased shock.

“Surprise,” she said, grinning impishly.  She then crossed her legs, drawing my eyes to her nylon clad knees.

I made the connection.  “You’re wearing your garter belt.”

Her smile grew wider, confirming my guess.

I made the next connection.  “You were planning this before you came out.  You’d already decided you wanted to get back together.”

“Well… I’d decided something.  And since you wanted to wait….”

I let out a small groan.  “That may have been a mistake.”

She just shrugged, her impish expression unchanging.  “So what do you want for dessert?” she asked, picking up the menu.

“Screw dessert, we’re going home.”

Her eyes widened and then turned mock-innocent.  “But I was looking forward to chocolate.”

“I’ll feed you chocolate after.”  I caught the server’s eye and motioned for the check.

Except I didn’t wait until we got home.   In the parking garage, I pushed her up against the car and kissed her hard.  She gasped but heatedly returned my passion.  I dropped one hand to her thigh, sliding it up, questing.  I hadn’t quite found the top of her stocking when the click of heels on concrete alerted us to an approaching couple.  We smoothed ourselves out and did our best to not look too embarrassed as they walked by, giving up pointed stares.

I opened the car door and Tina slid into her seat.  After we’d pulled out of the garage, she leaned her seat back a notch and kicked her feet up on the dashboard.  She looked at me until a break in traffic allowed me to glance over.

“Remember the drive back from New Mexico?” she asked, her voice husky with desire.

“How could I forget?” I said, my eyes returning to the road.

“I’ve thought about it a lot.  Particularly when I’m alone… at night….”

“Did you play with yourself?”

“Like I’m doing now?”

My eyes darted to the side, but the shadows hid all but the fact that her skirt was around her waist and her hand was between her thighs.  She laughed lightly as I moaned in frustration and returned to my driving.

“So do you?” she asked.

I sighed and nodded.  “Yeah.”

“What else?”

“The Chi O Steps,” I said.  “Our first Valentine’s Day.  And the Grand Canyon.  Particularly taking the pictures.”

“Mmm.  I liked those too.”

“Yeah.”  My eyes darted back to the side to note that her eyes were half-lidded while her hand moved slightly in the dark.

“I liked posing,” she said.  “I loved the way you looked at me.”

“You were—are a goddess when you’re naked.”

She felt silent though I could almost hear her blushing.

“I want to keep taking photos of you,” I said.  “Wherever and however we can.”

“I’d like that.”

I grinned at the highway and didn’t mind that it didn’t grin back.

For better or worse, the drive back to my apartment was short.  Tina lowered her feet and smoothed her skirt back into place as we pulled into the parking lot.  We held hands, walking up the stairs, until after a bit of fumbling, I managed to fish the key out of my pocket and unlock the door.

Once inside, the door safely shut, the fumbling immediately ended.  I pushed Tina up against the wall and kissed her.  She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me even closer.  I immediately slid my hand under her skirt, finding her hot and already wet.

Then I pulled back.  “I can’t wait,” I said.

Wide eyed, she looked at me and nodded.

“I know we said we’d do this right…” I took her hand and led her to the side of the couch.  “but we can do it right the second round.”  I motioned toward the couch arm.  “Bend over.”

She raised her eyebrows, but didn’t say anything.  I started to turn her, and then she quickly complied, bending over the arm.  I flipped her skirt up, baring her ass.  I paused to admire it, framed by her garter straps.  She sighed as I caressed the globes of her flesh, and then slid my fingers lower, over her lower lips.  She moaned and spread her legs wider.

I stepped back, undid my belt, and shoved my pants and underwear down.  Shuffling forward, I lined my cock up with her entrance.

“Ready?” I asked.

“Oh, yes!”

I shoved my hips forward and slowly eased my cock into her.  She moaned and squirmed until I had sunk in as far as I could go.

“Oh, yes,” she panted.

That was enough to get my blood racing.  I began thrusting hard and fast.  Tina moaned and pushed back against me, her hands clutching at the couch.  All too soon, I could feel the pressure at the base of my balls, but I could tell from Tina’s moans and breathing that she was close too.  I managed to hold off just enough for her cries to begin before the pleasure overwhelmed me and washed through me.

With my orgasm, my legs gave out and I collapsed forward.  Too much weight on Tina.  I pulled back and stumbled, realizing that while I’d pulled my pants down, I hadn’t actually taken them off.  With as much dignity as I could muster, I fell to the carpet, and kicked my clothes off.  Moments later, Tina slid down beside me.

“Wow,” she said, her smile a little loopy.  “That wasn’t what I was expecting.”

“It wasn’t what I planned,” I admitted.  “But it seemed like the right thing to do.”

“I liked.”

I leaned over and kissed her.  She kissed me back, tenderly, but then the absurdity of our dishevel struck me.  I suggested we finish stripping off our clothes, to which Tina immediately agreed.  While I was disappointed to see her stockings go, there was something comforting about then lying skin to skin once we were done.  She nestled into my side as we lay on the carpet.

“I missed this,” she said.

“The sex?”

“Cuddling afterward.”

I chuckled.  “I know what you mean.  It’s almost better than the sex.”

“Mmm, hmm.  Sex isn’t as connecting.”

“Well,” I said, “it can be, done right.  It just usually isn’t.”

“Done right?”

“That’s what I wanted to do tonight,” I said.  “I’d planned for something special and more connecting.”

She ran her hand down my stomach, and lightly cupped my cock in her hand.  “We still can do it, right?”

“For round two?”

“Uh huh.”  She started deliberately stroking my cock.

I chuckled.  “I’m sure we can.”

I turned and kissed her, caressing her breasts with my free hand.  She never let go of my shaft, stroking me until I was hard again.  As we kissed, I slowly sat us up.

“I want you on my lap,” I murmured, as I shifted until I was sitting cross-legged.

Tina nodded and straddled me.  I leaned back, so she could hold herself above my cock.  With a little bit of shifting around, she lowered herself down, taking me deep inside her.

“Now look into my left eye,” I said.

“Your left?”

“It keeps the eye contact.”

She nodded.

I started breathing regularly, like Sherri had taught me, full and deep.  I was about to say something, but realized that Tina had unconsciously fallen into the same rhythm, breathing with me.

“I love you,” I said, before leaning in and lightly kissing her.

Tina sighed, a happy sigh, and smiled beatifically at me when we pulled apart.

We continued to smile and gaze at each other as I began to slowly thrust up.  I suggested Tina squeeze me as I did so, and she nodded and quickly found the rhythm.  The pleasure rose, in small waves, lapping up my spine and through my heart and muscles.

Time faded.  Somehow all that mattered was Tina’s eyes, meeting mine, and her pussy, wrapped around my cock.  In a brief flicker of thought, I realized I couldn’t quite tell whether she was squeezing or I was thrusting, as it just all felt good.  Our breath, rising and falling, rising and falling, became the metronome of all that mattered.

We built to our orgasms slowly, almost minutely, as if we were adding only a single stick to the fire at a time.  But when they arrived, Tina starting just a bit ahead of me, they were a bonfire.  The heat slid up from my balls and cock, pushing pleasure into my arms and legs and back.  I fell forward, my lips meeting Tina’s, and we kissed between our gasps and moans.  Finally, we just held each other as the final shudders coursed through us.

“Wow,” Tina said, once she’d caught her breath.

“Uh huh.”

“That was… so different.”

“Making love,” I said.  “Not just sex.”

“Yeah.”  She pulled back enough to look me in the eye.

“If you had done this last year,” she said, “instead of….”

“I don’t think I could have.  I… I just hadn’t grown up enough.”

“I’m glad you did.”  She kissed me tenderly, to emphasize her point.

I pulled her to me and held her tight, cuddling there until my legs began to feel stiff.  I suggested we unfold the sleeper sofa and she agreed.  Once we’d gotten the bed ready, I noticed Tina’s fatigue.

“Long day,” I said.

She nodded.  “Between the interview, and meeting Sherri….”

“Yeah.  We can have a more relaxed day tomorrow.  Why don’t we get some sleep?”

She nodded, and so we each rolled through the bathroom before meeting under the covers.  She snuggled next to me, and we whispered sweet nothings until she drifted off to sleep.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t so easy for me.  I lay there for quite a while.  My mind continued to race, thinking about all that had happened during the day, and in fact all that had happened over the past year.  I’d been right when I’d said I wouldn’t have been able to truly make love to Tina a year ago.  Not with how indecisive I’d been.  Not with my continued interest in Sharon.

I sighed, thinking of Sharon.  I’d lost a friend in the last year.  Someone who’d meant a lot to me, from when we’d just been friends to that first photo session, and even through my attempts to save the connection before Christmas.  I hoped she’d find happiness, though I suspected I’d never see her again.

‘Seeing’ her reminded me of the photos.  I still hadn’t pulled those from the album.  Gently sliding out from under the covers, I stole into the other room.  I carefully pulled the album from its shelf, sat at my desk, and began flipping through it.  Then I went back and began removing every one that had Sharon alone in it.  I paused at the ones of her and Tina together.

The sounds of movement from the other room penetrated my consciousness.  I turned to see Tina standing in the doorway, stifling a yawn.

“What’re you doing?” she asked.

I motioned toward the album.  “Getting rid of some old pictures.”

She padded up behind me and looked over my shoulder.  She glanced at the stack of discards and then the open page, which showed her and Sharon in just their stockings.

“I want to keep only the ones of you,” I said.

She nodded.  “We’ll need to take more.”

I smiled.  “I look forward to it.  I can think of all sorts of pictures I want to take.”

She grinned.  “Well, you’ll probably get to take them.”

“One of the benefits of being back together.”  I said with a leer.

She smiled back and put her hand on my shoulder.  “Come back to bed and make love to me again.”

I stood up and took her hand in mine.  “With pleasure, my love.  With pleasure.”

--Fin--

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Read the next chapter in this story: The Epilogue

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