Chapter 5
I was pissed.Not only did I have a shit day at work, with a boss breathing down my neck all because one of our biggest accounts decided to move up their re-brand launch date by two weeks, pushing me up against a near-impossible deadline, but Peter had to throw a tantrum my way.
Every Thursday was Peter’s night to take the girls out for dinner. Whether he cooked for them or dined out, those details didn’t matter. We established this routine when we first separated and struggled to maintain it. Well, the struggle really fell in Peter’s court since, over the last year, he had consistently tried to switch the days on me whenever it felt inconvenient for him to commit to Thursday. And it wasn’t like he would give me a few days” notice to reschedule. No, that would be too generous of him. Instead, he’d try to rearrange the schedule several hours before. And while I had relented on a few occasions, tonight, there was no fucking way. When I pushed back on Peter’s request earlier today to move it to tomorrow night, I served him with a big fat, no. Of course, he whined and tried to pin me as the bad guy, but too fucking bad. According to our car ride to school, the girls were expecting to see him and were looking forward to it. There was no way I could deal with a double dose of disappointment after the day I endured. The only thing I asked of Peter lately was consistency regarding the kids. Yes, he was late on child support payments almost always, and yes, I paid alimony to him on time. I was sick of bending for him. So, I made it a point that he would see his children, and if that wasn’t going to pan out, then he’d simply have to wait to see the girls for the next scheduled visit.
I won.
Except, I always felt like the loser. I was just exhausted. Sometimes, I genuinely struggled. Not in the sense of being able to get out of bed. I was fine in that respect. I just wanted to feel normal again, and I had no idea when that would happen. If it ever would again.
There was so much adrenaline and pent-up energy coursing through my body I couldn’t bring myself to go home. I wanted to be out and use this unexpressed energy and burn it. Amelia was busy tonight with another boy toy, so I was left alone to decide what to do. My mind screamed to do something I hadn’t done in ages, but what?
I could go to the gym, but I had a treadmill for that at home. I could go out to eat alone, but did I feel like sitting in a restaurant at a table or at the bar with the risk of being approached? I wasn’t stupid. The few times I had eaten out solo, at least one poor guy tried to hit on me. I wasn’t ugly, but I didn’t feel worthy. It was hard to explain, but my divorce left me depleted from almost everything, and here I was, building back my walls one brick at a time.
So, with all this in mind, what did I want to do? After a hellish day, I peered out of my office, watching the final people stumble out of the building. One of the newbies walked by carrying a fresh bag of microwave popcorn, and the salty, buttery scent coated my nostrils. I breathed in the warm aroma, trying to recall the last time I had hot popcorn. And then it hit me. I would go to the movies, and I knew just the theater.
It had an open bar of real food to order in case popcorn and candy didn’t satiate my taste buds. An action movie seemed appropriate because watching anything soft certainly wouldn’t calm my buzzed nerves. Maybe I’d even order a cocktail.
Thirty minutes later, as I walked toward the theater, I could feel my body starting to relax. It was as though my muscles were finally letting go of all the stress and tension from earlier. Stepping inside the dimly lit lobby, I was hit with the sweet smell of buttery popcorn that floated above the chatter of movie-goers. With a smile, I went to the ticket counter and scanned the list of movies playing. After a moment of hesitation, I bought a ticket for an action flick and headed to the bar.
The bartender was young, probably not much older than Amelia”s current minute man. He looked at me with a friendly smile and asked what he could get me. ”Can I get a vodka tonic?” I said, trying not to sound like someone not used to ordering cocktails at a bar alone. The bartender offered a slight smile and prepared my drink with expert skill. He handed the clear cocktail to me; I tipped him and made my way to theater five. This was insane! I was going to watch a movie buzzed in public and didn’t need to sneak anything in. If this was how people saw movies these days, I fully supported it.
I found my seat, but something was off. A pair of mysterious yet familiar eyes watched me. I couldn’t quite pin them because of the darkened room. I wasn’t about to start staring at this stranger, especially when I realized we were the only people in the theater. Of course, I had to pick the movie no one wanted to see. Something about this man, though, seemed so familiar. I was about to turn around for a better look when the lights dipped to pitch black, with seconds passing before the previews commenced.
I couldn”t shake off the feeling of being watched as they played. I tried to focus on the upcoming movie, but my eyes darted to the stranger sitting a few rows behind me. I couldn”t identify his features, but this mysterious man intrigued me. Like I had already met him.
The movie started with a bang, and I lost myself in the thrilling action sequences. The drinks must have gone straight to my head because I cheered on the protagonist as he took down the bad guys.
About halfway through the movie, something shifted in me. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the film or the liquid courage, but all I wanted to focus on was the man a few rows back. My heart rate increased, and my senses elevated from a particular vanilla scent. The restraint seeped from my body, and I knew it was only a matter of time before the mystery lifted. The movie’s music swelled to its peak, and I turned around to finally get a good look at the man. Our eyes locked in an instant connection, leaving me breathless.
Holy fuck. It was the butcher boy…Brett.
He smiled at our mutual recognition, and I wondered. Did he know it was me all along? My cheeks reddened when I caught myself staring. I whipped my head away, the movie’s plot forgotten. My mind raced, trying to process what to do next. Some of me wanted to grab my stuff and bolt out of the theater, but another felt a strange pull—an attraction that I hadn’t felt in years. It wasn’t just physical, though. Something inside drew me to him, and I didn’t want it to stop.
A creak of a seat pierced the movie’s soundtrack, and a few thuds later, I felt his breath tickle the back of my neck. His sweet-spiced, masculine scent filled my nostrils, begging me to turn around, bury my nose into his neck, and breathe Brett in.
“I didn’t know you liked action movies,” Brett said. I didn’t see him smile, but his tone gave it away.
I turned around to face him, my pulse racing. ”I didn”t know you went to the movies alone,” I retorted, trying to mask the thrill in my voice. He chuckled, inching closer, making my heart skip a beat.
”I guess we both have our secrets,” he said, his breath still warm on my neck. His eyes searched for me in the dark, and chills rippled down my spine. An energy about him made me want to open up, let down my guard, and see where this attraction took us. He stood and pointed to the vacant seat next to mine. “Can I sit?”
My eyes darted to the chair, and I nodded. Brett sat beside me, and his body heat radiated onto my skin. The movie continued, but I couldn”t pay attention anymore. Brett’s proximity consumed my attention. His knee brushed against mine, setting my body on fire, a flood of heat coursing down my legs. I wanted to touch him, have his skin pressed to mine, and explore every inch of him. But my apprehension and insecurities deterred those urges. Also, I barely knew the guy.
“So, tell me. How did the burgers turn out? Did your girls like them?”
The way Brett casually referred to my daughters without the slightest trace of apprehension sent a strange surge of hope to my heart. “They weren’t thrilled with how I cooked them. I mean, I liked them.” My eyes scanned the theater again to confirm it was really just us.
“Don’t worry. It’s just us in here.” Brett’s eyes bore into me as if reading my thoughts. “Now, back to the burgers. What happened to them?”
“What do you mean what happened?” I couldn’t help but smile thinking about the burger night fiasco. “I cooked them, and while I didn’t mind the taste, the girls, on the other hand…” I trailed off, shrugging. “They didn’t care for the texture.”
“What did you do to them, Julia?” He forced a mocking, serious tone, making me laugh.
Ah, and how great it was to laugh. “I cooked them, that’s all.”
“How did you cook them?” Brett raised an eyebrow.
“Let’s go back to watching the movie.” I pointed to the screen, having a little too much fun. This was insane. How could Brett put my mind at ease and my heart on alert? My pulse quickened every time he gazed at me, sending jolts of electricity like this novel charge I hadn’t experienced. Not even with Peter.
“Did you throw them on the grill?”
“No, not the grill.” I chewed my inner cheek.
“Then where?” Brett leaned in, our mouths close. If I turned my head to the right, our lips would touch.
A hiss of oxygen left my nostrils as I braced myself. “I baked them in the oven.”
Brett threw his head back, smacking his large hands across his chest, clutching his heart, and instantly creating too much space between us. “You did not do that.”
“I did.” My smile spread like fire across my face.
“You baked the burgers? What do baked burgers even look like? What do they taste like?”
I laughed. “I really didn’t think they turned out bad. And they still looked like burgers.”
“You butchered my burgers.” Brett’s hands remained over his heart. “Did you take a picture of them?”
I rolled my eyes and leaned in closer to him. ”I didn”t butcher anything, Brett. Besides, it was the first time I had ever cooked burgers. I told you I don’t know how to grill. And no, I didn’t take a picture.” I couldn’t help but grin. Talking to Brett was so…easy.
He grinned back, his eyes shining with mischief. ”Well, I”ll have to teach you how to do it properly. Burgers are serious business.”
I laughed and reclined in my seat, ignoring the fluttering in my stomach. “You expect me to invite you to my house just like that?” I snapped my fingers, the quick sound bouncing off the walls.
“I don’t have to go into your house. I’ll be outside the entire time, I promise.” He held up a hand, sealing his words. I stared at Brett for a moment too long, soaking up his cuteness, but I caused him to shift. “Do you still have my number?”
I swallowed, picturing the paper tucked safely into my nightstand. “I do.”
“Where is it?” Brett finally removed his hand from his chest and placed it on the shared armrest between us, trapping my arm under his. He knew exactly what he was doing, while my body screamed from a rush of arousal sent straight to my sex. Whatever was happening to me, I needed it to continue. But I was also scared.
“It’s in my house.” My voice rose barely above a whisper.
“Where in your house?” It was more of a statement.
“In my bedroom.” I pressed my hand to my hot chest, struggling to steady my breath.
A slow growl rumbled from Brett, and his jaw clenched. “Why are you seeing a movie by yourself?”
“I had a bad day and needed a distraction. You?” My mind raced, trying to center my vibrating nerves.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you since we met, and I needed the distraction.” He licked those perfect fucking lips, a mouth I suddenly wanted to taste.
“Why can’t you stop thinking about me?” My eyes darted wildly.
“I’m trying to figure that out.” Brett snaked his fingers through mine on the armrest, and I didn’t fight him. The warmth of his skin sent shivers throughout my body, causing me to shift in my seat. “I’d like to get to know you better. How does that sound to you?”
I thought I had formed words but could only muster a silly nod. It was enough permission granted to Brett for him to make his next move as he wet his lips with what I’d imagine to be his velvet tongue. Without warning, Brett brushed his lips against mine. It all happened so fast. His kiss was gentle, soft, and sweet, and I melted into it. The electricity between us intensified every second, drowning in his heated touch. Any reservations I might have had about Brett, mainly his age, flew out the window, and for once, I allowed myself to fully enjoy the moment. Brett’s attention alone spoiled me and made me giddy. Alive again. He was my indulgence for the first time in five years, and I wouldn’t let it slip by.
As he deepened the kiss, I opened my mouth, inviting him. His tongue explored every inch of my mouth as his hands roamed over my body, but not sliding below my waistline, keeping the anticipation high. The heat between us was palpable, and I got wetter with each passing second. For a brief moment, I considered stopping this because overthinking had become second nature since the divorce. But then Brett kissed me again, and all rational thought disappeared. His kisses sent fiery shock waves to every bone in my body, and I hadn’t been this aroused…ever. Brett might have been younger than I was, and by how much, I didn’t know yet. But he knew how to kiss me.
My hands slid up his chest, finding comfort in the soft cotton of his shirt. Brett”s hands were in my hair, tangling in the strands as he deepened the kiss. His tongue explored every inch of my mouth, and I moaned against him, unable to resist the sensations he was creating within me. He ended the kiss with a thin trail of saliva connecting our mouths, his forehead pressed against mine as we chased our breaths. ”Julia,” he whispered, “you are fucking amazing.”
I shook my head no, but his strong hands stilled me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” My hands slid up and down his powerful corded forearms, relishing his velvet skin over pure muscle.
“Oh, yes, I do. And if it’s the last thing I do, I will teach you how to grill a proper burger.”
I burst out laughing, tossing my head back as Brett took the opportunity to trail feather-light kisses up my neck until our lips connected again. Whatever was happening, it felt surreal. And whoever said going to see a movie alone sounded lonely had no fucking clue what they were talking about.