I Need You: A Valentine's Anthology (4 page)

No preferential treatment. No casual requests to grab a cup of coffee together. No secret signals for a morning blow job underneath his desk. No codes for a hot BDSM scene while he was on a call.

Instead, everything boiled down to a friendly ‘hello’ and sometimes a ‘goodbye’. Sometimes. Mariana was lucky if she even saw Scott leave for the day. When he traveled for business meetings, Mariana stalked her cell phone to see if he would send a text letting her know that he’d arrived safely, or if he would complain about how bored he was during a meeting and was playing with an app on his phone instead, pretending to look busy.

She had to wait in the background and watch several of her colleagues try their best to fulfill the role that she left, though really, she was pushed out by Scott. Everything about Caprina was old news and her name wasn’t even mentioned any more. She mistakenly thought that would be the signal for Scott to return to her, to make things right with her, with them. That they would finally get married and
she’d have his babies.

Then
, nothing happened. Then,
everything
happened.

Over the years, Mariana couldn't remember what she did on her birthdays. It all seemed to blend in with each other. But last year’s birthday, she would never forget, despite how much she wished she would.

Her fling with Bernard turned into a full-blown relationship. Scott moved on to a woman that Mariana was neither impressed with nor intimidated by and had the most peculiar name she’d ever heard.

She wanted to hate him. She tried very hard to hate him. She couldn’t and she wouldn’t. Mariana hated that her brain loathed Scott but her heart was still in love with him.

Why couldn’t she hate her ex like other normal women? “Why do you ask?”

Linda grabbed her jacket and purse. “When I asked you about Bernard, your eyes had an empty look to them. When I just asked you about Scott, they lit up like a puppy
that hasn’t seen its owner in a long time.”

“I’m over Scott, Mom,” Mariana explained, for probably the umpteenth time
, to her mother. It didn’t matter that Mariana didn’t quite believe she was over Scott; she was trying to prove a point to her mother. “I’m with Bernard and that’s that. Besides, you even admitted that Bernard was more suitable for me.”

“I said Bernard would
probably
be a better fit; not that he is one.” Linda smiled. “I saw how you and Scott were at family gatherings. I saw how he made you feel like you were the only woman in the world and all he did was send a text message. I saw how big your smile became when you spoke about him and the things he was teaching you. Besides, with the way you’re speaking right now, I know everything I need to know about your relationship with Bernard.”

“Oh?” Mariana didn’t want to entertain her mother’s nosiness but even she was curious. “Which is what?”

“When I asked you about Bernard, instead of saying why he makes you happy and why you’re with him, you gave me generics. Me thinks you’re trying to convince yourself about Bernard, and not me.”

Two

Every thrust, it seemed, Scott’s cock fed her hungry sex. He took care of her desire, he listened to her needs. His mouth assaulted her neck as she rode him faster, her swollen nub rubbing against his cock. She wanted to feel him deeper, buried so deep inside her. Her body was pressed against his and Mariana wanted to get closer and closer to him. She moved faster against his cock, wanting to get to the orgasm which seemed so far away.

Under the stars, their bodies became one. There was no him or her
... it was just them. They rocked in unison, feeding and begging each other with their lips, tongues, and bodies. Every thrust was a new level of intimacy, of love, of commitment they had for each other.

When Mariana finally came, her head was thrown back and her body became stiff. The orgasm shot straight through her body from her toes
, to her back, to her head. Oh, how wonderful and delicious it felt at the same time. “Oh, fuck, honey...” she moaned as she began the descent to reality. “Oh, fuck...”

“You okay, Mari?” B. rubbed her back.

Mariana quickly blinked and the memory faded into the background. “Yeah. Why?”

“You kept mumbling ‘oh fuck’ so I was wondering if it was something I did?” He asked.

“Oh,” Mariana felt embarrassed that her memories were intersecting the present, “I didn’t realize I was saying that out loud. I was just appreciating the view.”

Mariana would’ve appreciated the mountainside view if she hadn’t been on that particular canyon before. She had only been there once and that one time she was there, she and Scott made love on the back of his Harley.

She remembered that night fondly and quite frequently, often using it as a backdrop for frequent masturbation sessions. The way the moonlight shone on them both as their bodies moved in unison, slapping against each other above her hushed moans and whispers. Scott encouraged her to let go and when she did, the orgasm coursed through her body and she stilled, feeling like she was floating amongst the clouds.

She’d had outdoor sex before but it was that particular time that seemed to solidify their relationship. Things moved at a rapid pace and before she knew it, they were living together. Memorable family visits to hers at Thanksgiving and his at Christmas, with an unforgettable ring-shopping excursion when they returned to California.

Then they suddenly split two months later. Mariana began dating B. just a few weeks later and she wondered if that was a good idea. B. was everything that wasn’t Scott and that’s what she thought she wanted.

Boring.

B. was exciting in his own right. He was a very popular local DJ and played many festivals, with Mariana riding shotgun to wherever he played. He was well-read and enlightened Mariana on a flurry of topics, which she found interesting.

The sex between them was good, too. B. wasn’t dull in the bedroom and had no trouble bringing Mariana to climax many times. But B. was vanilla.
Very
vanilla. Mariana wanted kink and a lot of it.

There was something about B. that Mariana just couldn’t put her finger on. He was intelligent, confident, and affable. But he didn’t have
... IT.

Swagger.
Arrogance. Sex appeal.

Everything that was Scott.

She loved B. but wasn’t
in love
with him and she knew the difference. Scott was dangerous, exciting and often unpredictable; B. was
safe
and
comfortable
.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” B. stood next to her and admired the view.

“Honey, this is amazing.”

“I thought you would like it. I know how much you love nature and being out in the open so I wanted to bring you here.” Scott stood beside her.
“Something different from what we usually do.”

“No man has ever brought me up here before,” Mariana quietly spoke, “it’s just so beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it,” Scott smiled at her.

“I love it,” Mariana lightly sighed, “I really do.”

Scott walked behind Mariana and wrapped his arms around her waist. She leaned into his chest and sighed. She was with her man and everything was perfect. All of the tension and stress between them disappeared. It was them, nature, and God.

The memory once again faded into the background and Mariana lightly sighed. She put a hand over her heart and could’ve sworn it was tugging. “It is.”

“There’s a reason why I brought you up here tonight, Mari,” B. began.

“Oh?” She turned to him. “What is it, baby?”

“You know I’ve really enjoyed being with you the past year and I really feel like we have a great connection,” B. turned her to face him, “and I just wanted to say thank you for putting up with me with my busy schedule and always on-the-go. I know it must be hard for you and I really appreciate it.”

“I know how passionate you are about music and I fully support you.” Mariana smiled.

“That’s why what I’m about to say is so important,” B. reached into his pocket and got down on one knee.

Oh my God
... no, no, no!
Mariana maintained her cool. “Yes?”

B. pulled out a house key and presented it to his girlfriend. “Now, it’s not an invitation to move in because I’m not quite ready for that
, but it is an invite for you to come over any time you want and stay for as long as you like—as long you go home at some time.”

Whew!
Mariana could handle an “invite” to stay over at B.’s home and eventually moving in with him. She didn’t think she could handle an engagement. “I don’t understand,” Mariana was confused, “I don’t really need a key to your home, so why now?”

“Well, I’m about to go on tour overseas and I’ll be doing some gigs over there for a few months. I wanted you to look
after the house while I’m gone and maybe...
maybe
... we can test the waters of us potentially moving in together. So Mariana Harlow, would you do me the honor to stay at my home and kick it sometime?”

“Overseas?” Mariana was surprised by the new development. “I didn’t realize things were happening so fast for you!”

“Well, word of mouth spread about how good I am.” B. smiled as he stood up, “and I owe a lot of it to Scott. He really pushed for my name to get out there and had many connections overseas to make it happen. Of course, it’ll be up to me to see how successful I am but he played a major role in setting it all up.”

Mariana’s elation dissipated into skepticism. It was already an eggshell situation with Scott being her boyfriend’s boss as well as hers. She knew there was something more to Scott being generous with B.’s career and music ambitions.

Oh, Scott wanted B. to be successful, all right—successfully far and away as possible from Mariana. One day, Mariana determined, she was going to stop underestimating Scott Reed. “How nice of him,” she feigned enthusiasm.

“We’ll talk more about it over dinner. We need to make our reservation,” B. led them back to his
car, “you never did give me an answer, by the way.”

“I do,” Mariana stated with a newfound confidence and assurance. She was going to prove to Scott that his little plan was not going to work. “I want to be
your wifey.”

“I like that,” B. wrapped his arms around her, “
Wifey. I like that.”

Three

Mariana and B. arrived at the Sentiment restaurant just in time for their reservation. As they arrived, a Maserati with a loud, rumbling engine approached the restaurant. Mariana had to still her breath as she watched the car pull up to the valet. In a shade that was a fitting money-green, the car exuded power and success.

Scott
, her heart thumped against the walls of her chest.

He exited the vehicle wearing an open collar white shirt and black blazer and slacks. His hair was gelled back and he walked with an air of confidence as if he owned the world. Mariana was enjoying her small fantasy of him until he walked around to the passenger’s side and stuck his hand out through the open car door. A dainty tattooed hand grabbed his and the rest of the woman soon appeared in Mariana’s view.

Dove.

She wore a slinky black dress and had her hair in an up-do. The dress Dove was in had no room for a bra apparently
, and Mariana could tell how cold the woman was in the February night.

“Mariana!”
Dove rushed over to her and gave her air kisses and a big hug. “It’s so great to see you! I didn’t know you were going to be here tonight!”

“Yeah, Valentine’s Day.”
Mariana planted a smile on her lips and forced it to remain put. “It seems every couple is out tonight.”

“I know, right?” Dove laughed as Scott joined her.

“Bernard,” Scott greeted him with a bro hug, “my main man.”

“The man with a plan!”
Bernard hugged back. “Yo, I just want to say thank you for hooking up that overseas deal. I really appreciate it.”

“No biggies. I know great talent when I see it.” Scott then turned his attention to his ex-girlfriend. She wore a short
, tight, red dress that accentuated her long legs along with every other body part. She was breathtakingly beautiful. “Mariana, you look absolutely ravishing tonight.”

Ravishing.
Scott could’ve just said lovely or nice. He could’ve remained silent. Instead he chose
ravishing
, a descriptive word that instantly made Mariana’s panties wet with
need
. “Thank you,” she cleared her throat, “you look very nice yourself tonight. You both do.”

Dove gushed. “Thank you! I hope you enjoy your evening tonight!
Happy Valentine’s Day!” Scott then led her inside.

Mariana carefully watched as Scott wrapped his arm around Dove’s waist
and his hands casually slid down to her ass, lightly tapping it. He held her as if he was silently saying,
this is my woman,
and Mariana reminisced on how he would treat her the same way.

“Yeah,” Mariana’s forced smile dissipated into the night,
and it was replaced with a look of contempt that she hoped wasn’t too obvious, “you, too.”