Page 11 of Now & Forever
Chapter 4
James
He lay in bed, yawning and attempting to fall asleep before theFriendsrerun ended on TV. The shower in the master bathroom continued to lull him into a doze, but he couldn’t sleep. Not with so much always on his mind.
James had heard a rumor on the grapevine that his lovely Gwenny had flipped off the Welshes after running into them at lunch.That’s my girl.It was that kind of spunk that attracted him to her. A drop-dead gorgeous woman with a mouth like fire and heels that weren’t afraid to castrate a man who got in her way? Clearly, Gwen Mitchell had no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to go home with James one late night in their early twenties.
Still, it was going to be a “thing,” wasn’t it? The only reason James heard about it was because one of his old frat buddies wanted towarnhim that the grapevine was giving people whiplash after that display. If a man had come up to him to whisper in his ear that Gwen had caused a minor scene, then it was going to be big. Eventually.
Not that James really cared. Gwen had simply done what he hadn’t been able to get away with recently.
Not gonna lie, it turns me on.Like the thought of Gwen naked in the shower right now turned him on. Damn. How long had it been since he joined her for some naked time in the shower? Months?A year?James slung his arm across his face and tugged on the collar of his T-shirt.Whew.He knew he and Gwen weren’t in the best of ways recently, but did that mean he couldn’t enjoy the thought of making love to her right now?
If they hadn’t had much sex recently, what did that mean about the kinky side of their relationship? Used to be they were two of the biggest rabble-rousers in the local kink scene. God knew they were the most established couple, thanks in part to James’s affable humor and Gwen’s ability to talk toanyone.That bartender magic had pulled in so many tips and lovers before she met James. He knew. He loved making her talk about it.She must’ve been the best in the business if I decided I wanted her the first night I hung out at that place.The drinks weren’t great, and the atmosphere was okay, but Gwen? The lead bartender who practically ran the place when no one else was around? James had gone every chance he had, so he could talk to her and butter her up for at least one night together.
I mean… we fucked against the wall in her break room. That’s a good sign, right?
James propped himself up in bed in time for Gwen to march out in her baggy T-shirt and a toothbrush stuck in her mouth. She ignored him in favor of Ross and Rachel in yet another situation in New York. Gwen was the one who first pondered,“How do these people have shitty jobs and afford apartments like that in New York?”and made James wonder how the other side truly lived. (He had regretted asking that after Gwen took him to her hometown in rural Pennsylvania.)
“Gwenny,” James said with the voice she used to die for. “How about you come get in bed with me after you finish making your breath nice and pretty.”
Used to be she would give him a big, silly smile, complete with toothpaste foam spilling from the corners of her mouth and dripping down the front of her shirt. Tonight, however, Gwen turned and went back into the bathroom like a robot with instructions to follow.
James slipped down his pillow with a sigh. He made sure the TV was off before Gwen came back into the bedroom.
“Can I say that you have the best taste in T-shirts?” James didn’t know where this big, baggy gray thing came from, but he adored the way it draped on Gwen’s lean body. It accentuated her breasts, her ass, and thosehipshe loved more than the hair on her head. Bonus points if it were cold enough to make her nipples poke through the fabric. Tonight, however, James was not so blessed. “Not as good as mine, of course. Then again… wait. That’s one of my shirts, right?” For some reason, that cheered him up.
“Is it?” Gwen pushed herself beneath the covers, tossing her hair into a messy bun that may or may not survive the night. It didn’t matter what she did – her hair would always be a giant tangle in the morning,andshe would always be beyond beautiful, bags beneath her eyes and all. James had been a bit shocked to see what she looked like without makeup, but they had been together for seven years, so he must have gotten used to it. “Maybe. I never noticed.”
“You stole it from me years ago.” James slipped his arm across her chest. When he wasn’t rebuffed, he nibbled on her ear and continued, “I let you keep it because you’re so cute.”
She chuckled. “Flatterer.”
Oh, good! This was going well!I can’t believe I’m now so excited when she’s open to me flirting with her, let alone in bed.Well, James wasalwaysexcited to flirt with his domestic partner, but granted Gwen’s mood over the past year, it was more like relief than excitement. That little thrill wasn’t about possibly getting laid for the first time in two months. It was 100% hoping that Gwen was finally coming around to the new changes in their collective life.
“You know me.” He wrapped both arms around her and held her close to his chest.With any luck, I won’t… damnit. There it goes.His brain said to hold off on arousal, but his cock had other ideas. The ornery thing was anxious to get this party started for the first time in… how long ago had it been when she helped him get to sleep after an anxious night?A handjob. That’s what I’m longing after right now? Kill me. Just kill me, Gwenny.
“Yes, I know you quite well, Mr. Merange.” The way that jumbled name slipped off Gwen’s tongue was as good as sex. “Like how you’re buttering me up right now to get some.”
“Get some what?”
“You know what.”
“Nah. Not me. No idea. You gotta use small words to make me understand.”
He could feel her roll her eyes. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Saaaaay it. Saysexxxxx.”
“Ew!” Gwen playfully pushed against his chest as she giggled her way out of the bed. “You got spit all over my ear!”
“Not the only place I can put some spit, if you know what I mean.”
She was halfway out the bed, shirt riding up her back and showing off her complete lack of underwear. “I’m on my period.”
He raised his eyebrows, because after seven years together, James had seen his fair share of period happenings.I know you just got out of the shower, dear, but I can clearly see your pussy and it’s very much not aiding and abetting Aunt Flo.
“Liar.”
