“I just want to find a man who appreciates me and expects no roles to be played out in the name of traditional love. Just love and want Zoey.”
My eyes scrape up his body, passing his acute erection and up his chest to land on his eyes. They got locked there for what felt like minutes long until I was able to pull them away. I dried my hands and lifted the tub to dump in the powder room. When I returned, I lotioned Stenton’s feet in silence. I could feel the burn of his gape, but refused to acknowledge it. We’d already crossed so many lines. When I stood to gather the bottles I’d used, Stenton’s big hands clamped on to my lower arm. I glanced up at him, confused by the move.
“You ever met that time in your life where you have this short period of insanity? That small stretch of time where you can do whatever crazy things you want without considering the consequences? It’s because you know you’ll likely never get the opportunity again. You may never feel the euphoria again, so you just go for it.”
My breath caught in my chest at the reference. I could have sworn he recited my words from five years ago. I was dazed. Trying to discern the significance in his recollection and regurgitation, I was lost in the moment. And when Stenton inched closer and closer, nearing my frozen face, I couldn’t breathe. All I could think about was the desire in the maneuver. How the way Jae made me feel so menial and paltry the night before didn’t matter in that moment because without effort, Stenton could allay it all with just a simple gesture. He’s really close now. So close I can almost taste the tequila on his breath. Then he slowed, then stopped. It was as if he was giving me an opportunity to deny him, or myself, of this forbidden embrace.
Did I want it? Heck, yes! Would it be wrong? Well, yeah! Was it good for me? That one was debatable. But I wanted Stenton. At this point, being able to feel the cool air from his nostrils hit my face, there was no area of my body that wouldn’t welcome his hands or mouth. And apparently, not even my mouth wanted to turn him away as it parted of its own will. That must have been his invitation because he moved closer to the point of touch, and—
Bang. Bang.
There was an urgent knock at the door. Both our heads swung erect at the sound. Stenton glanced behind him, in the area of the sound although the living room was closed off to the foyer.
He turned back to me. “Were you expecting someone?”
My face wrinkled. “I don’t get unannounced guests. Kind of too isolated for that occurrence.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Stenton jumped to his feet, slipping into his house shoes and headed out of the room and to the door. I was a few steps behind him from clearing the bottles from the floor to make room.
My steps were halted when I heard him nearly screech. “What the hell are you doing here?”
From that screech, I knew who it was immediately. I have no idea why. It wasn’t like I was accustomed to having his world spill over into my life. It wasn’t even a mild possibility that crept into my head over the past few days. Perhaps because it felt like déjà vu. But I knew it was Stenton’s girlfriend, Jenna at my door.
“What. The. Hell. Are. You. Doing. At. My. Son’s. Home?” Stenton’s tone was frightening. My eyes ballooned.
“I-I,” Jenna’s voice sounded delicate. Cautioned. “…heard about your friend Quincy while away and jumped on the next plane. I tried calling, emailing, and texting, but you didn’t respond.”
“How did you know I was here? How do you even know where my child lives?”
“Srey told me.”
“She’s not authorized to give the address of my son’s home.” He exhaled, visibly frustrated, from my anterior view.
She’s your girlfriend, idiot!
“Stenton, I am…” she sounded off clinically. “We are together. Why would she withhold this type of information, especially under the circumstances?”