ROMANCE: The Bad Boy Meeting (54 page)

              Rebecca sighed softly and pushed her pasta around on her plate, staring at it blankly as her friend watched her from across the table. She and Sara worked together in the same high-end event planning firm. Sara did more of the administrative work but she was still pretty involved with the planning and organizing. In Sara’s opinion, it took a bit of OCD and a controlling nature to be a successful event planner but Rebecca took it to the extreme. She’d always been so manic before and now she just seemed to be completely out of gas.

              Sara somehow convinced Rebecca to take the rest of the day off (which was a miracle in and of itself) and they found themselves at a busy Italian bistro while the city bustled on around them.

              “Rebecca. What’s going on? You’ve been staring at that pasta like you want it to give you the answers to the universe.”

              “I’m kind of hoping it will.” She murmured, offering Sara a sad, weak smile.

              Sara shook her head and leaned forward, catching Rebecca’s tired gaze. “Are you still beating yourself up over Jimmy  ?”

              “I…I suppose I am.” She whispered, closing her eyes. “I miss him, Sara.”

              “It’s been a year, Rebecca. He was a loser and its time to let him go.”

              “People keep telling me that like I’m not aware of it, you know? I know he was a shitty husband and I know he wasn’t good for me but it’s not that easy to just let it go.”

              Sara reached out and took Rebecca’s hand, her shiny gold nail polish glittering in the sunlight. “I know it’s not easy, Rebecca. I really do. I’ve been there before; you know? Richard divorced me and left me for some hussy half my age. It sucks but you got to move on.”

              “I’m trying.”

              “Well, I’m going to help you try harder.” She said with a smile, pointing her fork in Rebecca’s direction as if to make a point.

              Rebecca loved Sara but sometimes she wanted to shake the woman. Sara had gone through a similar situation, yes, but that didn’t mean she understood how Rebecca was handling things. They coped with stuff in two completely different ways and Rebecca wished Sara would understand that. She knew Sara was just trying to be helpful, but in all honesty Rebecca didn’t want to put herself back in the dating pool.

              It took losing her ‘project’ for her to understand that the person she should have been working on this whole time was herself. Jimmy  a was a mess but that’s how he functioned best. He was a wild man who threw caution to the wind and preferred to let his live be controlled by chance. It’s just who he was. They would have never worked out and Rebecca could see that now. She wasn’t interested in a new boyfriend. She was interested in getting herself to a healthy mindset and getting her anxiety under control.

              Though she was interested in Sara’s plan to ‘help’ her. “And how do you intend on helping me?”

              She grinned and took a bite of her soup, eyes twinkling with what could only be described as mirth.

              “I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise and you’ll just have to trust me.”

              Surprise, huh? Rebecca wasn’t a fan of surprises, obviously. Surprises were terrifying and she much preferred someone just be straight forward and tell her want was going to happen but, like Jimmy  , Sara wasn’t that type of person. Sara loved surprises and didn’t understand how Rebecca could hate them so.

              “Is that why you begged me to take the day off?” She asked, glancing over towards one of the local parks, watching as children played and birds soared through the perfectly blue sky.

              “Ah. You caught me.” Sara said with the grin of a child who’d been caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

              “You’re not very good at being sneaky.”

              “It’s not in my nature to sneaky.”

              Rebecca rolled her eyes and looked at her friend with a little smile. “Is that so? Is that why you’re always ‘surprising’ me and ‘convincing’ me to do stuff?”

              “That’s not being sneaky! Plus, I have to do it with you or you’d never go anywhere with me.”

              “Does that say something about the places you’re always trying to bring me?”

              Sara frowned and puffed her cheeks out, crossing her slender arms over her flat chest. “That’s mean.”

              Even though Sara was older than Rebecca by almost a decade, she still looked like she was sixteen. At thirty-five, Sara still had a round face and a slim build with long fingers, bright green eyes and short blonde hair that made her look like a tomboy. A pair of thick rimmed glasses were perched on her nose, making her eyes seem even bigger than they actually were. Her full lips were always painted some bright color (today it was fuchsia) but the rest of her face was often left bare, showing off her perfect, youthful skin.

              “I’m not mean. I’m just making a point.” She said with a smile, taking the first bite of her pasta, just to appease Sara.

              Sara smiled and leaned back against her seat. “You’re going to regret being so catty with me when we get there, you know.”

              “So you’re taking me some place?”

              “I sure am.”

              “When are we going?”

              “As soon as you eat at least half of your food.”

              Sara had to remind Rebecca to eat her food more often than any adult should have to be reminded, but Rebecca was more or less unaware of her own body and it’s needs. It was the reason Sara kept such a close eye on her.

              Rebecca offered a small smile and dug into her pasta, taking a few large bites, her mind racing and trying to figure out where they might be going. Sara was as unpredictable as Rebecca was predictable and made it nearly impossible to figure out what the woman had planned. She could only pray that they weren’t going to end up in a dive bar or one of those strange dance clubs that were only open during the day.

Chapter Three

              After Rebecca had eaten enough of her lunch to satisfy Sara, they hopped in Sara's car and started driving through downtown. Rebecca leaned against the window, watching the world pass by. She may have seemed like she wasn't paying attention to anything but in reality she was taking in every little detail of the world that passed. She was never one to it by idly. Rebecca was always analyzing something. It only made sense to memorize the drive to this place. What if she liked it and wanted to go back?

              They turned into the French Quarter and drove until they came to a group of shops that had lofts over them. They parked in the public lot and Sara led Rebecca to one of the larger shops that had a simple black sign that read "Mystique". They wandered into the very upscale looking building and Rebecca’s cheeks flushed red.

              The walls were lined with racks that held gags, whips, paddles and everything else imaginable. The glass cases that were scattered about the room were filled with beautifully crafted dildos and plugs that were all made of glass, metal or lacquered wood.

              Rebecca turned to try and walk out but Sara caught her rest and pulled her back inside. The clicking sound of their heels on the expensive marble flooring alerted the shop keepers of their arrival.

A tall, lanky person with electric blue hair and eyes to match wandered out of the back room. Their facial features were delicate and feminine while their body was lean with a more masculine build.               Rebecca didn't realize he was a man until he spoke and a sweet, soothing baritone welcome drifted through the air.

              "Welcome to Mystique. Can I help you ladi-OH! Sara!” The man called, running to the edge of the tall counter, leaning over it with his long, pale arms outstretched.

              Sara laughed and walked over to the counter, standing on her toes and wrapping her arms around the man as best she could.

              “Hi, Rume! How are things at the shop?”

              “Busy as ever. The holiday season is right around the corner and you’d be surprised at how many people get butt plugs for Christmas.”

              Rebecca paled and blushed at the same time, looking away and rubbing the back of her neck. She didn’t escape Rume’s notice, however. He beamed and motioned towards the shy looking girl.

              “Who’s your friend, Sara?”

              “Oh! This is Rebecca!” She sang, pulling the pretty girl close.

              Rebecca blushed and waved, smiling weakly. “Hello.”

              Rume was looking her up and down, clearly examining her as if he had some kind of purpose for her. He finally smiled and held out his hand, shaking Rebecca’s with gusto.

              “Welcome to Mystique. I’m guessing you haven’t been in many sex shops?”

              “N-No.”

              “Well, this is a good place to start. We sell hand crafted pieces of art!” He ducked down behind the counter and pulled out a glass dildo that was made of pink glass and had lavender details that spiraled up the center.

              Rebecca blushed deeply but reached out to take the toy, the cold glass making her shiver as she took it into her hands. Her sex life had been a very boring one. She’d never really been all that attracted to Jimmy  and so sex wasn’t the main focus of their relationship. It was more of an obligation than anything and so there was very little exploring done. She’d certainly never bought toys.

              “Do you have any at home?” Rume asked, putting his chin in his hand.

              “Oh…Me? No…Um…It’s not really my thing.”

              “Nonsense. It’s everyone’s thing!” He sang with a smile.

              She was still staring at the glass toy, running her fingers along it for a moment. Rume smiled and tapped the glass with his long nails. “You like it. It suites you.”

              Rebecca seemed to be relaxing a little and smiled. “You think so?”

              “Mhmmm…” He said. “It suits you so well that I’ll offer you 50% off.” He said with a grin.

              It would still be pricey but…It was a good offer and it intrigued her. Maybe this was the answer to her boyfriend problems. Maybe it was a good place to start. She always said her problem was self-discovery. She chewed on her lip a little and ran her hands over it a few more times before finally nodding.

              “Okay. I’ll take it.”

              Sara grinned and patted her on the shoulder “Good girl! I knew you would come around!”

              Rebecca laughed nervously and walked over to the register, handing Rume her credit card. “Hey. I’m just buying it to get you off my back.” She said as the tall man put her new toy in a pretty black and pink box.

              He tied a ribbon on it and handed it over to her, smiling and waving. “Come back soon, okay?”

              Rebecca nodded as she left the story with Sara and got back in the car, looking over at her friend with a stern look as she clicked her seatbelt into place.

              “I ought to beat you for taking me there.”

              “You liked it, didn’t you?”

              Rebecca set her lips into a thin line, looking down at the heavy box in her lap, deciding the change the subject.

              “That man knew you.”

              “Of course he did. I go there almost every week. There’s a club downstairs that I frequent too.”

              “A club?”

              “Yeah…it’s a BDSM club…You go there, meet people…Maybe get put over a stranger’s lap and spanked in public.” She said wistfully.

              “Sara!” She gasped, blushing deeply and slightly ashamed at the warmth that spread through her at the thought.

              “What? My sex life with my ex-husband sucked.” She murmured. “After I got out I started exploring my own desires. I learned more in that club than I have in all the years I’ve been having sex.”

              Rebecca was still blushing, her gaze locked on the box. She was surprised that she didn’t find herself horrified at what her friend was telling her. The only thing she really felt was genuine curiosity.

              What would it be like to get thrown over a stranger’s knee and have her skirt pulled up so the whole world could see her bare bottom and-

              She shook her head quickly, swallowing and trying to ignore the very obvious heat that was building in the bottom of her belly. Rebecca couldn’t believe the things she was thinking but maybe…Just maybe it was a step in the right direction. Jimmy  held her back for so long…Maybe it was time for her to break free.

Chapter Four

              Jude pushed the door to Mystique open and the little bell attached the door gave a happy little twinkle, announcing his arrival. A short woman with flaming red hair stood behind the counter, her pale skin a stark contrast to her fiery locks. Rume was stocking a few of the shelves and looked over his shoulder to see who’d come in. He grinned at Jude and waved happily.

              “Good morning, Jude!”

              “Good morning, Rume. Get any new items in?”

              The red-head behind the counter smiled and stood up straight, placing her hands flat on the glass countertop, answering for Rume.

              “Actually, we got some new paddles in that I think you’ll be interested in.” She said, picking up a wide, leather covered paddle that had a few holes drilled into it.

              Jude walked over, smoothing out his expensive suit and leaning over the glass counter to inspect the item the woman, whose name was Red, had pulled out for him. He ran his hands over the smooth, black leather and brought it up to his nose, taking in the scent. It was a rich, oiled smell that led him to believe this paddle was made of the highest quality materials.

              “Antoine never skimps on quality, does he?”

              “Never.” Red confirmed with a grin.

              Jude and Antoine had been roommates in college and were now investing partners in a large firm that Jude ran. Their friendship seemed destined in the stars from day one and was only more solidified when they found out they had the same sexual proclivities. Antoine was far more invested in the lifestyle, however, and so he went on to build “The Woodshed” and “Mystique”. Even if Jude wasn’t interested in living the lifestyle, it was still nice to have the hook up to a good club and even better products.

              He took the paddle and slapped his thigh with it, hissing at the way it burned. Oh, this was wonderful. Jude pulled out his credit card and handed it over to Red, smirking a little.

              “You know me too well, Ma’am.”

              “It’s my job to know what all you dirty perverts want.” The busty woman said playfully.

              Rume gasped and dropped the item he was about to hang up, running over towards Jude and nearly bouncing up and down. “Jude!”

              Jude turned to face Rume, running a hand along his beard and into his sandy blonde hair. “What can I do for you, Rume?”

              “I met a girl I think you’d like to meet! She’s really pretty and seems like she could use someone like you.”

              When Rume said ‘someone like you’, Jude knew he was alluding to the fact that he was the type of guy who excelled and pulled women out of their shells. He helped the explore their own desires and wants, all while having fun. He was the type of wild fling women reminisced about years after it happened. He was only thirty-four but he’d had plenty of conquests thanks to his charming good looks and suave demeanor. Jude was the type of guy that women fantasized about when they read romance novels.

              “Oh?”

              “Yeah. She’s probably going to come back to the store soon. She seemed really interested. She’s a friend of Sara’s.”

              Jude knew Sara. They’d played together on occasion at the club, though never slept together. He hummed and stroked his beard again. Rume never steered him wrong. The tall man was good at setting people up and had an eye for romance like no one else.

              “Alright…I guess I’ll have to try and catch her then, won’t I?”

              “Do you want me to give her your number if she comes back and you aren’t here?”

              “I don’t want to scare her away. Remember how skittish Sara used to be? I think I’ll take my chances and leave it to fate.” He said with a grin.

              Rume nodded and went back to stocking the shelves as Red wrapped up his paddle. “She’ll be a good fit for you, Jude. Maybe she’ll finally make you settle down.”

              “Come on now, Red. You know it’s not in my nature to fall in love.”

              “That’s what they all say. Smooth criminals like you think they’re too good for love.” She said, clicking her tongue playfully as she tied a perfect bow around the box. “I used to think I’d never fall in love and then I met that goof ball.” She said, motioning to Rume, who stood up and smiled proudly.

              Jude chuckled and took the box from Red, shaking her hand and offering a tip, which she happily tucked into her bra.

              “I suppose if anyone was immune to love, it would be you, Red.”

              “Exactly. So don’t write this girl off yet. Rume says she needs you but I think it’s you that needs her.”

              Jude smiled thoughtfully and nodded before ducking out the shop, turning just in time to run smack dab into a tall woman with perfect midnight locks.