The hand around my arm isn’t gentle, in fact, I know I’ll find a bruise there tomorrow. “I don’t remember telling you you’ve given me the best blow job I’ve ever had, because as good as you are, it’s not the best I’ve ever had.”
Outrage at his words brings me around as I hear his zipper open, and fuck me, I’m wet at the sound. His grip tightens as he pushes me to my knees. “I’ll give you a chance now to try and beat out the other women.”
Winding a woman up and sending her to your cock might not have been the smartest thing he could’ve done. Or it might have been the smartest thing he’s ever done. Desperate to make him forget any woman who’s come before me, I use everything I have ever learned to please him. As I do, I remember how, not long ago, I never would have done this for someone else. No matter how often Frank pleaded, I never gave in.
This man, and only this man, has made me want and need things I never thought I would. It didn’t matter how I got here, I wouldn’t change any of those things. When I allow Grant to come, swallowing the essence of him, he tells me he loves me again. I’m full now, full of him, his love, his care. When he picks me up and takes me to bed I wonder if love might not be such a scary thing after all.
Chapter Thirteen
I’m late to our squash game, with a smile on my face. Marshall laughs, “I take it this week was a good week.”
“Hell, yes.” I’m not ready to share the fact I’m in love with Anne yet. She still hasn’t said she feels the same. I bring him up to date on our latest fight instead.
“Man, you have to be careful with these women. Are you sure paying for her school is a good idea? I mean sending Northwestern a fifty thousand dollar check for a campus visit. How much did you pay to guarantee her spot in the Art Institute?”
I shrug, “Two hundred and fifty thousand. What, man? Don’t look at me like that, it’s a fucking pittance. I get to call it a donation, it’s a write-off, same with Northwestern. All of it is worth it if it makes Anne happy.”
“You are putting me in a tough place here man. On one hand you’re over here running all over the city to please her, getting out and shit, which thrills the fuck out of me. Except it’s with a chick you are paying to suck your cock. Do you not see where I’m coming from here, as your best friend?”
“Actually, I’m not paying her to suck my cock. When we started it was no-go for her. If she can change, then I can change. If you’re having a hard time saying stop, then maybe now is the time to make up your mind.
“I bought a jet for her, well not in her name or anything, but it’s to travel because she wants to travel. It’s being modified to my specifications as we speak. Delivery is expected next week. Once I get it, we’re out of the city. Rome first, then I’ll take a look at some other places she might want to go.”
Marshall stops and stares at me. “Are you fucking kidding me, man? You bought a jet? You are going to Rome? Do you even have a passport anymore?”
I serve, point. “Yes, I have a passport. I get it renewed every seven years.”
“Jesus, oh man, say it isn’t so. You love her, man. You went and fell in love with her. Are you fucking crazy?”
I nod, “Maybe I am crazy. She loves me, too. She just has no fucking idea she does.”
“What? Then I’m sorry bro, she doesn’t, chicks know. Chicks fall in love like that.” He snaps his fingers. “If she loved you she’d be hinting and falling all over herself to tell you she did.”
“Anne is different, man. I told you she was raised all fucked up.” I hadn’t told Marshall about the escort thing and I never will.
“Her husband did a number on her, taking off like he did with her and a sick kid. She reads everything from memoirs to westerns but won’t read romance novels or watch romantic movies, she laughs at all of it. She wouldn’t know love if it slapped her in the face. It’s all there, I know, because I recognize her every, ‘oh fucking no’ moment for one I had of my own.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want her fucking you up.”
“Positive, not a doubt in my mind.”
Marshall nods, “All right then. Am I going to get to meet this chick before you get married, at least?”
“No fucking way. I don’t need you scaring the shit out of her with the, don’t hurt my bro speech, you want to give her. I know you’re looking out for me, but no, she startles too easily. Once I get the ring on her, maybe.”
“You got her a ring? You did! You’d better lock your shit down with an airtight prenup, holy shit. Hell has frozen over and pigs are flying. Have you told her about your parents yet? Might go a little way to showing her what a huge jump this is for you.”
Shaking my head, I grab my neck. “No, you know I don’t like talking about my parents.”
“So, what? She’s an open book and you get to stay closed? Not for nothing man, if she doesn’t know what’s made you into who you are, how can you expect her to really feel like she knows you?”
It doesn’t help he’s right. I still don’t want to talk about my parents. I serve, point. Marshall gives me a look. “Are we playing or not?”
“Not if you’re going to be an asshole. Has she asked about your parents?”
“Kind of, not really. She asked me about getting into computers and I told her, and let it go at that. Anne doesn’t ask many questions.”
“Maybe because she doesn’t feel like she can. We both know you’ve asked her everything down to her first fuck. Chicks don’t feel safe if they don’t feel like they can ask questions.