Mentor Meets Again

This is a fictional tale that takes place years after the mentor series was written. My first pieces of writing were not written well, nor did they end well. I wanted to try this again, so I did!

It was not a busy day at the local book store where Katie-Jane was doing her book signing. Not only was Kathryn-Jane a full time wife, mother, and educator, she had spent years receiving rejection letter after rejection letter for her novel. She desperately wanted to become a published author. Finally, about a year ago, she got her first acceptance letter. Since then she had done a few book signings in the Midwest not too far from her hometown, Chicago.

Just as many other book events, Katie-Jane's day started with her reading to a small group a chapter from her novel. She was not upset by the turnout, for she knew this was how novice writers began. She was thrilled that someone was reading her work even if it were just a limited number of people. After the reading and discussion, she sat at a table and wrote personal messages to those who were kind enough to give her a chance. After a while the crowd dissipated, and Katie-Jane found herself bored. Typically, she would bring a stack of grading with her, but it was summer time. She had a few months to enjoy the feeling of being an author and not a teacher.

After thirty minutes of no one stopping by, Katie-Jane pulled out her phone. As did millions of other people, she found herself engrossed in social media. She had not been on her account for a few days since she was busy, so enjoyed catching up on the randomness of people's lives and her adorable dog videos. She was chuckling at Teddy the Golden Retriever, so she did not notice the man who walked up to her table.

"So...how we doing?" She knew that voice anywhere. Katie-Jane snapped her head up.

"Holy. Shit." Katie-Jane said louder than she meant to. A few book goers gave her a dirty look. "My bad. My bad." She did her best apologetic smile.

"Is that a good holy shit. Or a bad holy shit?" That's when Jack smiled. His crooked front tooth. His neatly trimmed goatee that was more salt than pepper now. Jack. The same Jack who she had not talked to in over two years. Never one to be rude, Katie-Jane stood up and walked around the table and gave him a hug.

"I was just surprised to see you here. I didn't think before I spoke." The last time Jack gave Kathryn-Jane a hug in public, it was cold and detached. Full of fear. This time he held onto her. His hug was warm and familiar. How could a stranger's hug feel familiar and warm? She quickly pushed the thought from her mind and pulled away.

"What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"I live in Memphis, but maybe you forgot." Katie-Jane had not forgotten about Jack living in Memphis. In fact it was one of the first things she thought of when her publisher told her she had a book gig in the city.

Katie-Jane played it cool. "Oh. That is right. I remembered it was Tennessee, but I must've forgotten it was Memphis." What a total crock of shit. "Still...what a coincidence that you were in a bookstore at the exact same time I was in a bookstore."

Jack gave her one of his sly grins that made her melt. Had it really been two years since she had talked to this man? "I'll admit that it was not a total coincidence..."

"Oh really?"

"I've been following your career. I know when we were talking you were working so hard on your writing. I'm impressed that you got published, and now you're here...signing books. You're famous."

Katie-Jane laughed. "Hardly. But thank you for taking notice of my writing career...if you can call it that."

"You're far too modest, my dear. You are a talented writer. Always have been." Jack left it at that. "At any rate. Here you are. Here I am. Would you like to get a drink before you head back home? I was not sure what your schedule looked like, but I hated to think of us being in the same zip code and not saying hello."

For once Katie-Jane thought before she spoke. She had been angry with how things ended with Jack, but she also understood that he lived a much more complicated life than her. Two years was a long time, and her pain completely dissipated. Of course she thought about him, but she also had him to thank. Her life changed so much after their experience. Today, when she looked at this man, she only had positive feelings for him.

"You're lost in thought. No?" It was a question. "I apologize if my invitation was unexpected, and I completely understand if you decline."

"No. No. It's totally fine. I am actually here for a few more days, so a drink would be lovely."

"Really? A few more days? You're more famous than you give yourself credit for."

"Hardly. I agreed to visit a few different places...reading chapters...talking about my novel...my publisher said it's good for people to see me. Get to know me. Bla Bla Bla."

"You were always so modest. I see that even with success, nothing has changed."

"You're too kind. So...about that drink? Did you mean tonight?"

"If you are free?"

Katie-Jane looked around her table, and no one was even remotely interested in her presence, which did not bother her in the least. "Let me go tell the manager that I am packing it in for the night. Did you have a place in mind?"

"How about you go do your thing, and I will look at a few places while you are working."

"Sounds good," Katie-Jane replied. She could not believe that she was about to have a drink with Jack. The inside of her stomach was on fire. Her other body parts felt similar heat.

As the two of them sat at the bar, all of the hold feelings that Katie-Jane had for this man came rushing back. When he talked, he carried himself with the confidence of a leader. While he was much older than she, he had aged like a fine bourbon. He was still smooth and strong. She desperately wanted to touch him; she wanted to feel his warm body. His strong hands. She had only seen him nude once, but she knew what was under that sports coat and jeans. She had to pull herself away from the naughty thoughts and focus on the cordial conversation that they were having.

"What are you doing tomorrow night?" he asked out of nowhere? "Plans?"

Katie-Jane answered too eagerly. "Nope. Just a quiet night in my hotel room. You?" She scoffed at herself. She tried to play it cool, but she was having a hard time hiding her giddiness.

"Well I was hoping you would see me for dinner?"

"I'm sure I could manage that."

Jack placed his hand on Katie-Jane's wrist and said, "I've thought about you more than I should've these last few years. Can I say that?"

"Sure." Katie-Jane felt the same way, but she didn't want to come across as emotional as she had the last time they met. "That is kind of you to say." She smiled. Jack removed his hand. She noticed a slight twinge in the corner of his mouth. Was he hurt she didn't say more?

Jack coughed and took a sip of his Old Fashioned. "So...are you writing a second book?" He seemed to struggle with what to say next, and there was no way in hell Katie-Jane wanted to talk about her writing anymore, so she settled her hand on Jack's wrist this time.

"You have to know that I've thought of you as well." Now he smiled. Not a full smile-- that wasn't Jack's style. However, she saw the smirk she had been attracted to.

"Really? Do tell me more."

"Why do I have to tell you more?" She pulled back in a dramatic fashion as she gestured towards her drinking date. "Why don't you tell me more about your thoughts." Her smile went from ear-to-ear, and she had hoped Jack knew she was teasing him.

"Ladies always go first." Katie-Jane took a sip of her wine and laughed.

"That's bullshit," she scoffed but then smiled. "Besides, who said I was a lady?"

"Oh, I remember just how much of a lady you are," Jack said coolly. Katie-Jane's blood rushed to her face. She could feel the blush push through her skin. Not only did her face warm but so did her clit. How was this man able to turn her on with a freaking sentence? She swore it was his super power. He leaned forward and said, "Do you have any idea how badly I want to kiss you right now?"

Yep. No more blood in the head. It was all down south now. She went from mildly aroused, to hot in a matter of a few words.

"How do you do that?" Katie-Jane asked.

Jack looked at her with a tilt of his head. "Do what?"

"How can you say just a few words, and I lose all sense of the world around me? How the hell is that possible...still?"

"You are truly the only woman it works with. I have no other experience with melting, so I'll just have to take your word on it."

"I call bullshit," Katie-Jane joked. "But in all fairness, the feeling is mutual."

"So does that mean I can?"

"Here? You may know someone here. You are way too cautious to kiss me in public."

"Then take me upstairs." When Katie-Jane suggested just having a drink at her hotel bar, she didn't expect it to go any further. Did she allow fantasy to creep into her mind, of course. However, she didn't expect it to become a reality.

Jack's look told her that he was not kidding. "I'm not sleeping with you." Why the hell did she just say that? She wanted to slap herself in the head.

"Of course not. I merely asked for a kiss."

As they took the elevator to her room, Katie's excitement grew. She had never been so attracted to a man before, and even after all of this time, she could feel the fire burning inside of her. When they entered her room, Katie-Jane half expected some awkward silence. When she had first met Jack, he was pretty shy in person. Not so much over the phone, but in person his years of being in a passionless marriage was evident. However, this was not the case this time around. Katie-Jane no more than shut the door, and Jack was upon her. He pushed her up against the door-- not in a scary, forceful way, but more in a right-now-I-want-you way. He said nothing. His mouth met hers. At first his kisses were tender with no tongue, but after several moments, the intensity grew. Jack moved his hand up Katie-Jane's back until he reached the base of her neck. He rubbed her hairline while he continued to kiss her. His tongue entered her mouth, and she could taste the hint of bourbon. He then reached with his left arm and pulled her close. She could feel his erection through his jeans. She wanted nothing more than to feel it with her hands...her mouth...her womanhood, but she was stronger than her desires...well maybe she was.

Jack took a step back and caught his breath. "I apologize for that," he began. "I have imagined doing that on several occasions. I'm not sure what came over me, but that was quite a wonderful kiss. Thank you." Jack wiped the corners of his mouth and adjusted his blazer.

"I don't remember you kissing me like that the last time we met," Katie-Jane said breathlessly. "You've been practicing, I presume?"

"One would think. Passionate kisses are not common in my life, but no need to dwell on reality." Jack walked into the room giving Katie-Jane a moment to gather her wits. "You have a nice room here," he said as he mildly inspected it. Katie-Jane could tell he was stalling...or regretting...or thinking. She wasn't sure.

"Can I get you a drink?" she asked. "They have little bottles in the fridge...I think." She started to walk over the minifridge, but Jack caught her by the waist and pulled him close to her.

"Honestly, Kathryn-Jane, all I want to do is kiss you like that again. May I?"

"You may," Katie-Jane replied through her large, infectious grin. Jack pulled her close once more and kissed her deeply. His tongue found its way into her mouth again. His arms wrapped around her body-- pulling her close. The heat radiated off him. The two companions continued to stand in the middle of Katie-Jane's room and kiss as if they were sixteen year-olds before mom and dad got home. After several minutes, Jack's kisses went from her mouth to her chin to her cheek to her ear.

"You smell good," he said softly. "I could kiss you all night. Can we move this to the bed for just a bit? I promise to be good."

"Mmmmhmmm." Katie-Jane regretted the comment she made earlier about sleeping together, but she knew there were boundaries. For once she stopped worrying about what if and just enjoyed what was.

The two of them laid side by side on the bed continuing to kiss. Jack ran his hands up and down her legs, never going past the upper knee. Katie-Jane ran her fingers through his hair, stopping for a moment to look at the man next to her.

"I could do this all night long," Jack said. "I lose all sense of time when I feel your lips on mine." He moved closer, bit her bottom lip, and growled.

Katie-Jane erupted into laughter. "What was that, Mr. Caveman?"

"I have a 7 AM board meeting. I am not sure what dumbass scheduled that, but I need to be ready for that, and while I would much rather be here, we did agree just on a kiss."

"You are quite right." Thinking they were going to get out of bed, Jack surprised Katie-Jane and rolled on top of her, pinning her shoulders down.

"Let me see you tomorrow?" Katie-Jane couldn't tell if it were a question or a desperate request.

"Of course. Let's do dinner." Jack bent down kissing her hard, his tongue filling her mouth.

"Perfect," he finally said when he broke from the kiss.

The next morning, Katie-Jane woke up early. Before she headed to the gym, she called her husband to fill him in on last night's events. Most married couples would consider Katie-Jane's and Jack's makeout session some form of adultery, but she and Ryan were not most married couples. In fact, their marriage changed when Jack first came into their lives over two years ago. They did not become an open marriage where anything went, but they did evolve into a marriage where open communication and honestly allowed others to join.

"Woah! After all this time, he just shows up?" Ryan said over the phone after Katie-Jane filled him on last night's events. "And really? All you did was make out? That's hard to believe, my little minx." Ryan laughed over the phone. "In all seriousness, babe. You doing okay? The last time you saw this guy, he made you cry, and you know how I feel about guys who make you cry."

Katie-Jane loved how her husband was so protective of her-- regardless of the situation. "You know I'm not the same person I was two years ago. I'm totally fine. We're going to go to dinner tonight. You okay with that?" She knew her husband would be fine, but she always showed him respect by asking.

"Call me afterwards...or when he leaves your room. We both know it will be more than kissing tonight!"

"Hey! We do not," but her husband knew her better than she knew herself. There was a huge part of Katie-Jane who wanted to forget dinner and spend all day in bed with Jack. If his kissing had improved over the last two years, she wondered what other skills she had developed. Katie-Jane finished talking to her husband, reassuring him that she would be safe and keep him informed. She then did her typical morning workout routine and headed to the book shop for another day of signings, talkings, and readings.

That night Katie-Jane and Jack met at her hotel for dinner. Katie-Jane wore tight black slacks, a light purple blouse, and a blazer. Her brown hair was lightly curled and the gray streaks around her face gave her age away. She was decades younger than Jack, but her silver highlights she had accrued over the years closed their age gap. Her long, shapely legs were smooth and tan. Working out helped define her muscles, and she was proud of that. She arrived before Jack, which was rare, so she sat at the bar sipping a glass of wine. Once again Jack was able to sneak up on her, but this time he was not so shy. He wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her hair.

"How we be?" he asked, almost moaning into her.

Goose pimples spread across her skin, and at the moment everyone disappeared. She let a small sigh slip from her lips, and she felt Jack smile. "We are good. And yourself?"

Jack stood up and replied, "Famished."

"Well we better get to our seat and order you something to eat."

"That's not what I'm hungry for," Jack said matter-of-factly.

Blood left Katie-Jane's face, neck, arms, hands...it all went to one place. She was pulsating now. One simple sentence, and Jack could make this highly educated, successful, and mind you--happily married woman-- melt! He knew the effect he had on her. The corners up his mouth turned upright, and he said, "Maybe for dessert." Katie-Jane composed herself and made her way to the front of the restaurant. Jack had his hand placed on her lower back as if they were just another couple out for dinner. When they found their seat, Jack pulled out the chair like a total gentleman.

The sexual tension between the two was thick, but it was comfortable. They were able to eat and talk as if they were long-time friends catching up. At one point Jack commented, "I can't get over how easily it is to just fall back into conversation with you, Kathryn-Jane." He used her full name to stress his seriousness. "But I'm ready for dessert."

The pair arrived back at Katie-Jane's room, and she said, "I need a drink."

"Do I make you that nervous, Kathryn-Jane?"

"Not at all," she said as she made herself a gin and tonic. "Do I make you nervous?"

"I am surprised at how calm I am with you," he said as he moved closer to her. "You don't expect me to get all sappy do you? Profess some hidden love?"

Katie-Jane laughed. "Not at all. That's not what this is. It's about lust? Am I right? I mean, you are twenty years my senior. That has to be good for the ego."

"Ouch," he said and stepped back.

"No. Please do not take offense. That isn't an insult. I mean, it feels good to you, and it feels good to me. I guess we keep it at that."

"What feels good to you?" He took his blazer off and hung it over a chair. He sat down and pulled off his black cowboy boots. "I mean, how is this beneficial for you? You have a wonderful husband. A happy marriage. What could I possibly mean?" he asked. He wasn't fishing for compliments, Katie-Jane thought. He was genuinely curious. How could this man carry himself with an air of arrogance, and yet show her a vulnerable side?

"You are by far the sexiest man I've ever met," she replied as she sauntered to the bed, kicking off her shoes. "You are smart. Witty. In control at all times."

"Unless I'm with you," he interjected.

"Mmmm...well there is that," she said in a husky voice. She took off her blazer and tossed it on the chair and then unbuttoned her blouse as she stood in front of him. He looked up at her. "You want to come across like you have no real feelings. You are the boss. You take care of everyone. The Alpha." She let the blouse fall to the floor. "However, there is this secret side of you that you showed me. That scared the shit out of you, so you left." She unbuttoned her slacks. "I get it though. Big, powerful man who has to keep an image. Can't have a dirty secret -- me-- lurking in the shadows. I mean that would just make you a cliche, wouldn't it?" Her pants fell to the floor. Jack ran his hands up her legs and grabbed her ass.

"You are far from a cliche, my dear. Why else would I be here?"

"Your horny?" Katie-Jane said it playfully, but Jack didn't take it that way. He stood abruptly, pushing her to the side.

"Is that what you see me as? Just some horny, power hungry CEO?"

"Not at all. I was teasing you." Suddenly Katie-Jane felt incredibly naked standing there in her bra and panties.

"Do you have any idea how many times I wanted to send you a text message? Call you? Reach out via email? I have thought about you more than I want to admit, and when I saw that you were going to be in the same city as me, well, I couldn't let that pass me by. No, Kathryn-Jane, you are not some itch I want to scratch. I am not going to confess some undying love to you, but I am going to admit that you are something to me. That I can give you."