Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIX
TONI
“Jesus, Toni.” Audrey collapses onto the bed, her head at my feet.
“Was that satisfactory?” I ask.
Audrey laughs. “Um, yeah. Satisfactory. Definitely. Let’s go with that.”
We lie there for a while, chests heaving. The smell of sex hovers around us like a fog. It’s crazy intimate, the tips of our fingers tracing each other’s palms. We are sweaty and exhausted and sated. I am tender and sore in all the right places. I’m not sure I’m going to be able to walk tomorrow, to tell the truth. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been fucked so thoroughly. I want to do it again.
And again.
And again.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” I ask. “Or eat?”
Audrey smiles at me. “I’m still catching my breath.”
“You need a few minutes before round three starts, I guess.”
“As much as I would love to make you come for a fourth time…”
“Ah, you felt that last one, huh?”
“I did, and I’m very flattered. I wasn’t even touching you.”
“You were sitting on my face. That’s touching.”
Audrey laughs. “Right.”
“I love your laugh.”
Audrey’s expression softens. “Thank you for making me laugh.”
“You’re welcome. Thank you for fucking me so thoroughly I might not be able to function tomorrow. And for being the sexiest woman I’ve ever been with, hands down,” I say.
Audrey laughs. “I’m naked, in your bed. You don’t have to use a line on me.”
“Calling you sexy is no line. You’re amazing, Audrey. Your ex is a moron.”
“I was a little worried I’d forgotten how to, uh, do all that. Shae never let me top, and only rarely let me touch her. I haven’t touched a woman like I touched you in four years and I’ve never given a woman head like that.”
I sit up. Audrey’s fair skin is peeking back through the pink flush that has suffused her body for the last however many hours. I’ve lost track of time. “Seriously?”
Audrey nods.
I don’t judge anyone’s tastes or sexual proclivities, that’s not my place, but not wanting the woman you’re attracted to, the woman you love, to touch you is hard for me to get my brain around. But Audrey and Shae’s sex life is none of my business. How it made Audrey feel is none of my business. How Audrey feels in this moment , which must be an incredibly vulnerable one for her, is my business.
I caress her leg. “You were…” I swallow the lump in my throat. “Perfect. Confident but concerned that you were making me feel good, checking in to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable. That’s not as common as it should be, and I really appreciate it.”
Audrey smiles and squeezes my hand. “Thank you.”
“Also, I’m available anytime if you want to get some practice. Try new things.”
“Oh, you are?”
“I know, the sacrifices I make. But someone must do it.”
Audrey pinches my thigh, gently. “Maybe I’ll take you up on that one day. But I really should be going.”
I turn around and lie next to her. I run my fingers down the center of her chest, tracing her belly button, see goosebumps pop out on her smooth skin. “I need my fair ups,” I say.
“Your what?”
“You aren’t into sports, are you?”
“No, though I tried very hard to impress my seventh grade PE coach Ms. Bilderback. Boy could that woman fill out a tracksuit.”
“She sounds amazing.”
“She was. And she wore this stunning blue eyeshadow.” I suppose I make a weird face. Audrey chuckles and continues. “You had to be there.”
“Well, ‘fair ups’ mean I get to bat as many times as you. In this contest, I need to make you come at least two more times.”
“Need, or want?”
“One and the same.”
“You’re competitive, then?”
“Very.”
“And it’s killing you that I won.”
“Well, looking at it another way, I came four times, so I won, and I’m just giving you a chance to tie the score. So. Will you stay for a bit?” I’m desperate for her to stay, but I don’t know how to say that without scaring her off.
Audrey smiles, but her expression says no. “I really can’t. I am very late, and my sister is very nosy.”
“Yeah. OK. Sure. I respect a woman who sets boundaries. Can I call you this week? For our second date?”
Audrey’s gaze roams over my face, as if imprinting it in her memories. “Tonight was amazing, and if this was at any other time in my life, I would stay the night. But it’s not. It’s just not the right time for me to get involved with anyone.”
“Sure. Yeah. It’s a one-time thing. No harm, no foul.”
“Are you sure? Because you don’t look it.”
I inhale and get ready to lie. I cup Audrey’s cheek and swallow down the huge lump in my throat. “I’m fine. I promise.”
“OK.”
“Maybe we will see each other around.”
“We might.”
“Pretend we don’t know each other. Flirt a little.”
“Role-playing, huh?” Audrey’s eyes are dancing with mischief.
I shrug. “Could be fun.”
“Why do I suspect you’ve done this before?”
“The only difference this time is you would know I’m doing it.”
Audrey raises one eyebrow. It’s not much encouragement, but it’s enough for me to keep going.
“If you ever want to have a little fun, no pressure or strings, there’s a pub around the corner I go to from time to time. The Chicken Head.”
Audrey laughs. “What a name. What if you aren’t there?”
You could take my number , I think. But Audrey has set the boundary and the idea to exchange numbers, or even last names, needs to come from her.
“Well, that’s the chance you’ll just have to take, I guess.”
Audrey’s gaze moves to my lips, and I think she’s going to kiss me. Instead, she rises from bed and gets dressed. I put on my briefs and a tank and run my fingers through my hair for something, anything, to keep myself from begging her to stay. When she’s dressed, blazer on, hair pulled back into a ponytail again, she looks like a different woman.
“Well.”
“I’ll walk you out,” I offer.
We stand at the door, neither making a move to open it, but not looking at each other. I decide to be an adult, since I’m going to have to be one 24/7 starting Monday.
I take Audrey’s hand and meet her gaze. “I hope everything works out for you, Audrey. You’re amazing, and I’m not talking about the sex. Not just the sex, anyway. You’re an amazing person here”—I tap Audrey’s heart—“and here.” I tap her temple.
“You hardly know me.”
“The way you hardly know me?” I raise my eyebrows.
Audrey nods her head, and chuckles. “Yeah. OK.”
“Don’t let your ex worm her way back into your life. You deserve so much better. Take care of yourself. Good luck on Monday.” Audrey’s brows furrow. “Your new job?”
She smiles. “Right. Of course.” She crosses her fingers.
I open the door. Audrey leans forward and kisses me softly on the cheek. “Thank you,” she whispers.
“For what?” I say softly.
“Being you.” She caresses my cheek, and leaves.