She was lying in the twin bed in her brother’s guest bedroom and staring at the ceiling. Despite Janka and Elsie calling her all kinds of names about going home alone, she had done exactly that. She hadn’t been sure she was ready but as she lay there thinking of him, she was proverbially kicking herself in the butt.
It was after midnight on a Friday night, and she was in bed with her brother’s cat sleeping by her feet. She was supposed to be a divorcee with the world at her feet and instead she was a spinster sleeping with animals. For the hundredth time she kicked herself for not going home with him.
She rolled over and lifted her phone and stared at it. She cautiously typed a text message thanking him for coming to her show and making her laugh for the first time in a very long time. She jumped when the phone rang in her hand, and she immediately attempted to turn down the volume in case it woke her brother and his wife sleeping across the hall or her niece in the room next to her.
“Hello?”
“Hi. You’re still awake? Is it the excitement of the successful evening keeping you up or the regret of not being here with me in my huge bed? I’m betting it’s regret.”
She laughed at his bold questions. “You know, one would think you have an ego to match the giant bed.”
“I didn’t get where I am from lack of pride.”
“Yes, but, Mr. Machado, I’d like to remind you, as much as I am alone tonight, so are you.”
“Neither of us need be.”
“You used me to piss of my ex-in-laws,” she grunted as she stared at her ceiling. “I could be in your bed tonight and on the curb in the morning and the only reason you were doing any of it was to, what did you call it?” she paused, “get his goat?”
“I told you already. I want you for you, not for them.”
“I’m not the trusting sort. I don’t know if you know this but my husband of five years, together for eight, was having sex with my sister for the last year or so. My trust barometer is malfunctioning.”
“Then don’t trust me.” He said simply. “It will come in time. You are also using me, are you not? You bribed me.”
“I did and I am,” she admitted quietly. “Why are you so easy to talk to?”
“I don’t know but I said the same thing to my mother when I took her home earlier. I find myself far more comfortable with you than anyone I’ve ever met. I think it’s because I know what I’m getting. Your honesty is refreshing, and I don’t feel the need to look for ulterior motives.”
“What if the sex is bad?”
“There isn’t a man alive who has ever had bad sex, even alone. For men, an orgasm is an orgasm.”
She squealed and clamped her hand over her mouth worried she’d wake her family in the nearby rooms. She giggled as his husky laugh filled her ear.
“If you’re worried about your end of the bargain, I promise to let you finish first.”
“Why are you so naughty?”
“Why aren’t you?”
“I’m shy.”
“You’re not shy. You’ve been repressed. It’s time to let the real Liesl shine. Come out of your cocoon little butterfly. Spread your wings,” his words were velvety smooth, “or your legs, right here in my bed. I can pick you up. Say the word.”
She blinked at herself incredulously as she responded “come.” She immediately wanted to retract the invite.
“That will be my command. I’m on my way. Twenty minutes. Wait for me at the front door.”
The distinct noise of him getting up from where he was, and walking had her gasping. He was still talking.
“Don’t bother getting all dressed up either. I don’t need lingerie, shaved legs or make up. I just want you, in my bed, screaming my name for hours.”
“Okay.”
“I’m hanging up because if we keep talking while I’m driving, I’m probably going to come on my dashboard. I’ll see you soon.”
She hung up on his filthy phrasing and then called Janka.
“Girl, it’s midnight.”
“Isaias is coming to pick me up.”
“No shit,” Janka squealed. “I told you it was a good idea when we did the spa thing today to get waxed. He’s going to make a meal of you.”
“What if he kicks me to the curb by dawn?”
“What if he wants to put a ring on it?”
“Unlikely.”
“Okay, remember the time the three of us got really drunk when Merlin was out of town. You complained every time you had sex, he had to take a Viagra because the stress of work was impacting his performance, but you really wanted him to get done because he kept doing the same movements over and over and you had to buy lube to stay wet? I don’t think this guy has the same problems.”
“I was drunk and should not have complained about my married sex life.”
“Your married sex life was boring. Just because he fucked for three hours doesn’t mean it was good. Missionary position is still missionary position.”
“He said it was the most intimate way to express our love.”
“He lacks creativity, and your sister is the one who must deal with his blue-pills blues. You on the other hand are no longer confined by the stick up a man’s ass. Blow him in the car. Fuck him in his doorway. Ride him on his stairs if he has stairs and do every single dirty thing you have ever thought about in your life. Leave no stone unturned. Regret nothing. When it’s done, if he doesn’t call you again, at least you’ll have had the night of your life.”
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
“I do,” Janka said bluntly. “You were so desperate to have Merlin’s love, you became a version of you we barely know. You used to crack dirty jokes and laugh until you peed yourself. Do you remember the time we were at a bar and the bartender asked you to draw him naked and you ended up blowing him in the stock room? Be that girl. I missed her and I’m so glad she’s back. Live, Liesl. Live.”
“I’ve never had no-strings sex though. I might have blown the guy in the bar, but we got interrupted before anything else happened. I’ve been with one guy and all I know is to lay on my back or to get on all fours and put my face in the pillow. Though Merlin said he didn’t like the position very much because he could see my anus.”
“I bet Isaias Machado would lick it, stick a finger in it and ride you into oblivion.”
“Oh my god!” she shrieked loudly and then worried she’d wake up her niece.
“I want all the details in the morning.”
“We’re bulldozing the house in the morning,” she said quietly.
“I’ll be there. Nine, sharp.” Janka promised. “You better be walking crooked too.”
She giggled, “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Goodnight. Be bad. Love you.”
Janka hung up on her and she rolled out of bed and looked down at herself. She was not meeting Isaias for a booty call wearing Daisy Duck pjs. She changed quickly before racing down the stairs and nervously waited for the lights to come up the driveway. She was tapping her toe when a hand touched her shoulder. She jumped and spun to see her brother grinning like a fool.
“Sneaking out?”
“Maybe?”
“Good,” he grinned. “Isaias.” When she nodded his smile got bigger, “I had a good chat with him tonight at the show. He likes you. Use protection.” He kissed her cheek and grinned with the light swung around the room as Isaias’ car pulled into the yard. “Love you. Be safe.” He pushed her out the door waving to the man getting out of the car.
She shook her head, blushing as Isaias appeared confused.
“I got busted sneaking out of the house. He told me to make sure we use protection.”
Isaias laughed as he held her car door open for her, “no worries there. I’ll keep you safe.”
She was about to get into the car when he spun her back and pressed his mouth to hers. His tongue immediately slipped between her lips, and he was devouring her. His breath short, his nose rubbing hers as he twisted and turned his head to suck and lick her mouth. He pulled away leaving her breathless. “I’ve been wanting to do that all night.”
As he bundled her into the car, Liesl considered his level of passion was not one she was accustomed to, and she was never more ready to try something new.
