For the first time since discovering her husband's duplicity Jess began to believe she wouldn't be alone for the rest of her life. Under Eric's influence it seemed like she'd smiled more in a week then she had the entire year before she'd met him. Bit by bit she let herself fall into a little bubble of infatuation with Eric. And she was happy.
It was awkward at first, like putting on old shoes that used to fit as if they were made for her feet but they'd warped from disuse. It would take time for them to be molded to her unique shape again. She just needed to be patient.
To his credit Eric let her find her way without exerting too much influence on her. With another woman there would have been extravagant gifts to impress her. But, thanks to the weeks of online banter between them, he knew she wasn't interested in those things. He didn't want to distract her from figuring out what he already knew. They fit together too well for it to be a fling. It was clear to him because all of the time they spent together just added to his craving to continue to be with her.
He'd wasn't one for daydreaming about a lover, not since his teens when he'd first discovered girls, but memories of her smile, her voice crying out with pleasure, her laugh, her touch invaded his thoughts constantly. It tested his resolve to not shower her with gifts everyday. The only concession he made were simple bouquets of brightly coloured daisies that would appear on her desk at work on random mornings. She would blush and text him a thank you while dodging questions from her co workers.
She refused to talk about him no matter how much they pried. He was her real life fantasy and since she'd decided to give it a chance she wasn't going to let anyone ruin it for her.
She'd made herself aware of his playboy past with a quick search online. As she'd studied the pictures of him with a myriad of different women she decided that Blake had been right. In the images he appeared distant, almost bored. Not at all the way he looked when he was with her.
When they were together his smile was brilliant and frequent. He was relaxed and affectionate. She'd never been loved so often, not even in the early days of her marriage, and she relished every second of it.
He couldn't enough of her, she made him feel things he'd never expected. When he woke to her naked body cuddled close to his he wanted to keep there, to protect her from the world. He would watch her sleep, knowing that he'd kept her up very late, and have to restrain himself from taking her again.
At times he would lose that inner battle and wake her gently. She would sigh happily, smiling as he touched her, and wiggle her butt against his lap, inviting him to take what he wanted. Her willingness never failed to amaze him. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her and for the first time in a very long time he was humbled.
He'd become so accustomed to being used by women, having them dole out sex as a reward or withholding it until they got what they wanted. Jess' unabashed desire for his touch was addictive.
He was busy thinking about how she had arched against his chest when he woke her that morning, titling her hips to take him deeper while Blake was trying to tell him something their friend Ryan had mentioned.
"Have you heard anything I said?" Blake asked with an arched eyebrow.
Eric smiled sheepishly as he came back to himself. "Sorry."
"Right," Blake said and smirked at his older brother. "I was trying to tell you that Ryan said Row is dying to meet Jess."
Eric's smile faltered slightly. They'd known Ryan since they were in junior high and his wife Row was kind of a momma bear when it came to the brothers. If she didn't like Jess it might effect his relationship with the couple because he wasn't about to give her up.
"We've only been together a month and a half. I don't know if she's ready for them yet."
"It's just Ryan and Row, Jess can handle it."
"Maybe, but can I?" Eric said with a laugh.
"Well find your balls man, Row's planning a barbecue for this Saturday. She's expecting the two of you."
"I'll ask her. If she's okay with it we'll go." He pulled out his phone. "Now get out of my office so I can get something done today."
"Sure." Blake stood. "I'll see you tonight anyway."
Eric shook his head again as he watched him walk out of his office. Due to Blake's frequent visits to Eric's condo Jess and he had developed a friendship. It was unlike Blake to get to know any of the women that Eric had been with but he'd latched onto Jess. In some ways Eric was almost jealous of how easily Blake seemed to have gained her trust. He put it down to Blake not having any romantic intentions towards her.
His eyes settled on the door as he thought about Blake. He was a good guy but he'd fallen into the same habits that Eric was determined to break away from. Perhaps seeing how happy Jess was making him would convince him to leave that life behind him and let something deeper in.
He looked down at his phone, trying to decide whether to ask Jess about the barbecue over text or wait till he saw her later that day.
Hi babe.
She responded quickly. Hi gorgeous.
I miss your smile.
Silly. You just saw it this morning.
He smiled as he typed. I can't wait to see it tonight.
Only a few more hours to go XO
You're going to my place after work?
Of course lol Get back to work slacker.
Yes ma'am ;-)
Eric set the phone down on his desk then pulled the keyboard sitting there a little closer, thinking how he'd rather it was Jess that he was pulling toward the edge of the desk.
Three hours later he had her pinned to his bed. She was squirming under his chest as he ground his naked hips against hers.
"We're going to be late," she said with a breathless laugh.
"Do you want me to stop?" His breath teased her ear.
"You're such a bad influence." Her hands pulled at his hips.
"Is that a no?" He smiled down at her.
"Don't stop." She arched up as he pushed into her.
****
Blake ended up waiting for the couple for forty five minutes, not that it bothered him. As the trio were led to their table by a thin young man he slid the bartender's number into his pocket, turned, and gave the stunning blonde a wink. She blushed as she turned to see to the customer that had taken the seat he'd vacated at the bar.
When he turned back to follow the group Jess was laughing at him. He gave her a wink then took his seat across the table from her.
"So, have you asked her yet?" Blake turned to Eric.
Eric's fingers smoothed a cloth napkin over his thigh. "We were a little busy," he murmured. Blake turned to Jess and smiled. She'd ducked her head to hide the blush staining her cheeks.
"Fine then I'll do it," Blake said as he sat back in his chair. "Ryan and his wife are having a barbecue this Saturday. Are you free?"
Jess looked at Eric. "I think so."
Eric reached over and took her hand in his. "You don't have to say yes."
She waved her other hand. "It's just a barbecue." His fingers squeezed as she smiled. "It'll be fun."
Eric returned her smile then let her hand go as the server appeared at the side of the table. He watched Jess look over the menu quickly then order a steak.
If Row scares her away I'll kill her. He thought as his eyes turned to the menu in front of him.
