Who Gets the Friends? Page 8
He paid for it, then rejoined the traffic. He slowed when he saw Rashida approaching with a large bag draped over her arm. She smiled when she saw him.
“Hey, stranger,” she said before hugging him. “Didn’t expect to find you here. How’ve you been?”
“Good. Yourself?”
“Pretty good. Doing your last minute shopping?”
“Uh-huh. I’m guessing you are, too.”
She groaned. “Thought I had it all done, then someone decided to do Secret Santa at work, so here I am.” She paused. “How come I haven’t seen you around the gym lately?”
“No excuses besides being busy. Would you like to get some coffee?”
“Love to. I could use a break.”
He escorted her to the food court. They found an empty table and took seats.
“How’s the massage business?” he asked.
“Not bad. I’ve been selling a ton of gift cards so I know I’ll be busy after the holidays.” She took a sip. “Aren’t you about due for your monthly tune-up?”
Tom laughed. “I could always use it.”
She gave him a sly look. “Then why haven’t you called for an appointment?”
He drank some coffee. How far do I want to go with this? “Again, no excuses.”
Rashida gave him a curious look, then rested her hand on his. “Hey, baby, I’m not talkin’ about anything serious, just a little fun between friends.”
He squeezed her hand. “I know.” He hesitated. “But maybe I am talking about something more serious.”
She slowly nodded. “I understand. You found someone and you’d like to see where it goes.”
“Looks like you got me. Upset with me?”
She chuckled. “No, I’m not upset. I told you I didn’t want anything like that right now.” She brought his hand to her full lips, then kissed it. “But I wouldn’t mind bein’ your little secret on the side.”
Tom smiled. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
* * * *
Jessica stood in the long line at the bookstore, patiently waiting her turn. She looked again at the books she had chosen and smiled when she got to the one she had picked out for Tom. I hope he likes this. It’s tough figuring out what to get someone you don’t know real well, and I don’t like gift cards. Too impersonal.
She was surprised by a woman’s voice. “Hi, Jessica.”
She turned and came eye to eye with Susan Walters, her late boyfriend’s sister. Jessica suddenly felt awkward and dreaded what was about to come next.
“Hello, Susan.”
“This is a pleasant surprise. I haven’t seen you since the funeral. How have you been?”
“Good. Yourself?”
“Doing all right. Mom said she invited you to stop by for Christmas.”
“She did but I’ve already made plans. Sorry.”
“I understand. So how are things going?”
Jessica paused. “Pretty good. I don’t want this to come as a shock, but I recently met a guy.”
Her eyebrows arched. “Wow, that’s pretty sudden.”
“Susan, it’s been a long time. I needed to move on.”
Susan gave her a curious look. “I would’ve thought that Brad meant more to you than that.”
Jessica slowly exhaled in an effort to keep your tongue in check. “What do you want me to say? Yes, Brad meant the world to me, but I couldn’t barricade myself forever.” She paused. “I know the holidays are going to be tough for you and the family, but they aren’t going to be easy for me, either. I just hope you can understand that.”
Susan nodded. “I suppose you’re right. Do you like this new guy you met?”
Jessica felt a smile overtake her face. “Yeah, I do. He’s pretty nice. We’re still friends?”
Susan hugged her. “Like sisters. After the holidays, why don’t we get together for lunch? We can catch up.”
“I’d like that.”
Jessica watched her walk away. Maybe this won’t be so tough, after all.
Chapter Twelve
Tom checked the wine in the ‘fridge to ensure that it was properly chilled, then looked around the apartment. He lit a candle, then turned off the table lamp, leaving the living room illuminated by the candle and the lights from the Christmas tree. He adjusted the volume on the stereo, turning the Christmas music down to a soft level. I haven’t felt this excited about Christmas in years. No big fancy spread or lavish gifts, just spending time with someone I really like. It’s a nice feeling.
He answered the door and let Jessica in. Tom pulled her close but before he could kiss her she held up a sprig of mistletoe.
“Bet you thought I’d forget, huh?”
Tom gave her a deep kiss. “Merry Christmas.”
“And a Merry Christmas to you.”
He brought two glasses of wine from the kitchen. They sat on the sofa.
“How was work?” he began.
“Okay. How was your visit with your folks?”
“Good. We had a nice time.” He picked up a plate of cookies from the coffee table. “Homemade cookies, courtesy of my mom.”
She took one. “I really shouldn’t. Everyone brought treats in to work today.” She took a bite. “Very good.”
Tom sat back, then sipped his wine. “Did you talk to your family today?”
“I called my folks this morning. I’m going down there this weekend.” She looked at the tree. “The tree looks better with the other lights off. Really puts me in the Christmas spirit.”
“Thank you.”
She sipped her wine, then looked into his eyes. “This is the way I like to spend Christmas, just being alone with someone special.”
Tom ran his hand along her neck under her hair. “I was thinking the same thing. Holidays can get so jammed up with things that sometimes it’s nice to have a quiet evening.”
They sat back on the couch and Tom placed his arm around her shoulder.
“This is nice,” Jessica commented, “but I still wish you had a fireplace.”
“Yeah, that would add the perfect touch.”
She reached for the bag she’d brought in with her, withdrew a wrapped package and handed it to Tom. “Merry Christmas.”
Tom smiled. “You shouldn’t have.” He unwrapped the coffee table book it contained, devoted to the black-and-white photography of Ansel Adams. “Thank you. This is really nice.”
“You’re welcome. Thought it might inspire you.”
Tom crossed to the tree to retrieve a small wrapped box, then handed it to her. Jessica eagerly opened it, then gasped at the snow globe filled with an angel.
“Tom, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“You can never have too many angels looking over you.”
She kissed him, then ran her palm along his cheek. “I think this is the best Christmas ever.”
He peered into her eyes. “I think so, too.” He hesitated. “Jessica, you may not realize it, but you’ve given me the best present I could’ve asked for.”
“What?”
He caressed her cheek. “A true friend.”
She smiled shyly. “And you didn’t even find me under your tree.”
“That’s too bad, because it would’ve been fun to unwrap you.”
She gave a lusty chuckle. “You still can.”
Tom pulled her close, then tenderly kissed her. She ran her hand along the back of his neck, getting more into his passionate embrace. Tom’s fingers drifted through her long mane of hair, then caressed her cheek. Jessica slipped her tongue into his mouth, fencing with his in an erotic duel.
Tom eased her onto her back on the couch and continued devouring her mouth, enjoying her smooth supple lips and the taste of her cherry-flavored lipstick. He took in a sharp breath when he felt Jessica’s hand massaging his ass. He placed one hand on her breast, feeling her nipple harden under his touch.
“Damn, Tom, you’ve got me hot again,” she whispered.
“And that’s not a gun in my pocket, either,” he
teased.
She giggled. “You’re such a nut.” She ran her fingers along his cheek. “Want to unwrap your gift now?”
Tom sat up, then pulled her sweater up over her chest. Jessica took it off, then unhooked and removed her bra. Tom quickly pulled his sweater and t-shirt over his head. Jessica ran her hands along his chest, fondling his nipples. Tom felt his arousal kicking in and massaged her breasts, tweaking her nipples to attention.
He stood, took Jessica’s hand, then led her to the tree. Kissing and fondling, they finished undressing and sank to the floor. Jessica pushed Tom onto his back, then took him into her mouth, lovingly sucking him into complete hardness. She flicked her tongue over the tip, and he jerked involuntarily. Jessica’s smooth hand stroked him while she sucked, making him alive with desire.
She lay beside him, then kissed him while stroking his cock. Tom ran his hands along her back, then lingered when he reached her ass, squeezing her firm flesh. His hand slipped between her legs to rub her pussy, which was already wet. Jessica kissed him with more fire, her tongue exploring his mouth while her hand kept him hard. Tom slipped two fingers inside her, playing with her, making her wetter.
Jessica got onto her knees, then bent forward, her ass in the air. Tom took his place, then slowly inserted his cock into her from behind, causing her to gasp when he bottomed out inside her.
“Damn, it’s hard,” she panted.
Tom placed his hands on her hips, then slid in and out, enjoying her tightness. He rubbed and squeezed Jessica’s butt while making love to her. She placed a finger on her clit and rubbed it while he increased the speed of his hips.
“Jessica, you feel so good,” he said. “I could make love to you forever.”
“Mmm, you feel great, too. I like you taking me this way. You go so deep.” She took in a quick rush of breath. “I’m coming!”
She rubbed her clit through her climax, tightening around him when she came. Tom felt his own orgasm building and thrust in and out harder and faster.
“Jessica, I’m coming, too.”
His cock swelled and exploded. Jessica rocked her hips against him through wave after wave of pleasure, bringing herself off a second time. When their passions had subsided Jessica eased herself flat onto her stomach. Tom moved with her while staying imbedded inside her. He planted kisses on the back of her neck.
Jessica wiggled her butt against him. “I think you like my ass.”
“What gave it away?”
“I like yours, too.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. You have a great butt.”
Tom chuckled. “No one’s ever told me that before.”
He went to the bedroom to get a comforter. Tom wrapped them in it, then cuddled Jessica while they looked at the tree.
“Jessica, you’re an incredible lover.”
She lightly raked her fingertips along his sweaty cheek. “So are you. You make me feel so good.”
They sat silently for a few minutes before Tom spoke again. “Do you know what my biggest fear was when I went out on my own again?”
“Not having any friends?”
He gave her a curious look. “How did you know?”
“Because I went through the same thing. It seems that our so-called mutuals didn’t feel comfortable around me any longer.”
“That’s what I’ve discovered, too. Know what else I figured out?”
“What?”
“If that’s how they’re going to act, maybe they weren’t friends to begin with.” He peered into her eyes. “You’ve taught me something very important. Starting over again isn’t as tough as I thought it would be.”
Jessica giggled. “You’re going to be all right. You’d be surprised by how many friends you really have. They just haven’t let you know it.”
He kissed her. “But none of them are as special as you.”
“You’re sweet. You’re pretty special, too.” She paused. “Think we could make a go of this?”
“As friends?”
She caressed his cheek. “Very special friends.”
Epilogue
And so the young man found a new princess to lavish his attentions on, one who would hopefully not ask him for the moon and the stars. More importantly, he made a greater discovery—friends aren’t community property to be divided equally. His ex-wife could have her friends, because now he had friends of his own.
About the Author
Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website is www.timsmithauthor.com.
Table of Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Epilogue
About the Author