The One I Love

“I don’t think it’s going to end anytime soon. He’s been to eat with us and the family a few times now and Dad told me that he wants to take us all to dinner. I won’t even point out the way that he looks at you.” She smiled at me. “I’m jealous. Nate is great and all but that older man vibe is so sexy. I’ll bet he lasts longer.” I was turning on the ovens and laughed loudly as I shot her a look.

“Oh, my God. Noel, you’re insane,” I told her as she giggled and started pouring her batter. I didn’t answer her question, not quite certain that I was ready for those kinds of details. I was still feeling shy about the way that I acted with him, and my skin heated up as I remembered the look in his eyes when I was on top of him.

“I wouldn’t turn a brother away if you were to offer one.” She raised both eyebrows and I shook my head.

“He does but he’s a police officer in Philadelphia,” I replied as she exaggerated a pout on her face. “I am going to get this place ready to open. Are you good back here?”

“I’ll be out front in a bit to load up,” Noel told me in a sing song voice as I smiled at her. Today was shaping up to be a great one, with the progress with Robert and the idea that I might be getting a car later today. I suddenly wanted the freedom of that, so I could just pick up and go. It didn’t mean that I would see Noel any less, just that I could drive when we went out. It meant that Robert wouldn’t have to drag himself out of a warm bed to get me here every day though I’d seen the look in his beautiful eyes when I said that.

Lance was controlling when it suited him, but never for my own protection. He got jealous about any guy that looked at me and now I know it was because he had others on the side. He probably did that the entire time that we were dating. Robert was different. I saw in his eyes and the way that he set his jaw that he was concerned about me driving alone out there. It was dark and while we met the police every morning, anything could happen on a dark day. Our town was small and it felt so safe, but I’d seen enough of the Discovery channel to understand that wasn’t always the case. We’d hash that out later, since I wanted a car of my own, regardless. The one I was looking at was a pretty shimmering forest green color and so cute inside.

The shift passed slowly in between customers and I cleaned up when I had some time, looking to get out of there as early as possible. Keith was getting off work early to pick me up, so I didn’t want to make him wait. It would be nice to be home for dinner and show off my new vehicle before I drove it over to Robert’s.

My thighs ached as I thought about him. I was slightly sore from the night, but I wanted him again. There was so much that he needed to teach me about sex and pleasure, with the new inner slut in me wanting to know it all. I knew that there was a darker part of him that still made me a little wary, but so far, he’d been nothing but caring, I just saw a look in his eyes from time to time that suggested he had some trauma of his own.

I started getting butterflies in my stomach when it came time to close, and Noel urged me to leave when we saw her dad in his pick-up truck parked out front. She could close. I grabbed my purse and walked out, locking the door behind me so she would be safe. When I walked out to the truck, I smiled at Keith and thanked him again for doing this for me. “It’s no problem. Just one town over and I haven’t seen Jim in a while.”

We hit the road and I envisioned the SUV in my mind to get the naughty thoughts out of my head. That didn’t seem right to do with Keith beside me and I blushed as an image slipped into my mind. “Robert wants to take us to a new place by the dealership Friday. Maybe you can drive us.” His voice was light and I smiled at him.

“I’d love to,” I replied as he stopped at a light and looked at me.

“It seems serious with him.” Keith’s voice was soft and I glanced over at him, nodding. “I have watched Noel date a lot, good guys and bad and it’s been hard. Seeing you do it after coming here scared of shadows is even worse. Is he good to you?” Keith asked as I realized that I wasn’t hiding the past as well as I should be.

“Very much so. He’s made me feel comfortable and Robert is very caring,” I assured him as we moved forward.

“I talked to him about that and he seems honest about himself. He’s a good man but I know that with an age difference, things can get complicated sometimes.” Keith shook his head. “I just want you happy and since I am your local parental figure, I take that seriously.”

“I am always watching out for myself,” I said sincerely as we took the two-lane freeway to the town, pulling into a small lot a few minutes later. My eyes looked over the selection, seeing some cute cars. My gaze rested on the beefy SUV as I grinned widely.

Jim showed us the Four Runner and we went for a test drive in it as the men analyzed the engine noises and mileage. To me, it was perfect. It had comfortable black cloth seats, a decent radio, air conditioning and it seemed to purr. I didn’t know how to break down every sound a car made and chuckled as they kept talking. When we arrived back at the lot, Keith voiced his approval and I stared at him. We went into the office and paid cash at a great discounted price before I signed my life away.

“You have yourself a new car,” Jim told me, embracing me before handing me the key on a small chain. I took it with a smile and looked at Keith as he nodded his approval.

“It’s a good vehicle, Molly. It will be good for all the weather that we have here, like Noel’s Jeep.” I grew up in this state and was aware of the weather, but not a fan of driving in it so much. “Want me to drive it back?"

“No! I have some radio stations to set.” I grinned as he laughed and shook Jim’s hand, thanking him for helping us. I said my goodbyes and scampered over to the truck, getting in, and looking all around. It was gorgeous and all mine. I sent Robert a text saying that I got it before doing the same for Noel and asking what was planned for dinner. She responded telling me that Keith said he’d pick up an order from the BBQ place in the town we were leaving.

Robert had sent back a message by this time and I asked him if he wanted to join us for dinner, offering to get whatever he wanted on the way home. He declined, telling me to have a good time and to stop by to show me the car later. He didn’t want to send me too much out of my way, and I pouted.

I knew that the fact that we’d slept together and that he wasn’t coming over had nothing to do with each other. Not at all. Robert was a nice guy and he would want me to get home safely without having to stop for him. That’s all it was though insecurity filled me as I started the engine of my new car. It sounded amazing and I found the local radio station that I listened to before pulling out onto the main street. The windows were down to let some fresh air in and I squealed with joy as I let it sink in that I was in my own car.

I thoroughly enjoyed the drive home. I hadn’t driven since I left Malad City as everything was so close to the campus at college. After that, Noel had the Jeep and we spent most of our time together, anyway. It worked out but now I could have a little freedom and I sang along to the radio as I headed towards the house. Things were going to be different now for me, making me think that everything was falling into place. I liked the idea of staying with Robert but he might not live here for too long. He was in a job that moved him around and I knew that going in. I knew that when I gave myself to him last night, but I couldn’t resist him any longer. I couldn’t make myself wait and I would never regret that choice. I smiled as I saw Keith parked on the hill and Marta standing there with Noel as I pulled around. They came over to look the truck over and Marta loved it. She had a bigger SUV and swore that her life would be nothing without all the room. Noel claimed that she was jealous but I knew how much she adored her newer Jeep.

“Is Robert coming over for dinner?” Marta asked as I locked my car and headed towards the house.

“He said that he already fixed something but to stop by later to show him,” I feigned a smile as I led the way inside, feeling her eyes on me. I could tell Marta anything as if she were my own mother, but I was embarrassed. We went to the table and Keith helped his wife unload the food as we sat down to eat.

“Are you driving to work tomorrow?” Marta asked me as I looked at Noel, who was smiling. Marta didn’t necessarily know that I was staying at Robert’s place so much, given our early hours.

“That might be fun.” I said as Noel smirked at me. I didn’t have to spend the night with him. I could go over, spend as much time in his bed as possible and then come home.

“I have been thinking about the cafe, too.” Marta and Keith looked at their daughter. “We are working there every day right now, early in the morning. I know that business is strong, but what do you think about us being closed one day a week? It would be nice to sleep in once a week.” Noel shrugged. “We could hire a couple of people as well but I am a control freak in the kitchen.”

“It really has taken off. It’s a lot of work for the two of you,” Marta said thoughtfully as she got a forkful of coleslaw. “I think that being closed on Monday would be the best day. Maybe you could go in that afternoon, stay closed and then just bake. You could get caught up in a couple of hours if you worked together. I could even help out.”

I kind of tuned out during the last half of the conversation, full and tired as I thought about Robert. I wanted to go over there and crawl into his bed, letting him ravage me. I didn’t know what was wrong with me thinking this way.

I concluded that Marta was going to help with the baking part time and that we’d close on Mondays. We got too much business on the weekends to do it then, but a day off with Robert would be amazing. He worked Mondays.