Winning Appeal (4 page)

“It’s okay, Mark…”

“It’s just that I hadn’t met anyone who I wanted to commit to in the past.”

“Really, it’s okay, you don’t owe me an explanation.”

“I just wanted you to know. It’s not because I have any emotional baggage and it’s not because I don’t respect women. I mean, I could commit.”

“Mark, as Braden so helpfully pointed out, I’m not exactly an expert on commitment. I’ve dated plenty of guys. I mean, not
plenty
plenty! I’m not like, prolific, or anything.” We stared at each other, and after a beat, we both laughed.

“So, while this conversation is incredibly awkward, this event isn’t too bad,” he said casually. “Well, I mean the parts after the car. Actually, I wouldn’t mind going with you to one of these things again.”

“Really? You wouldn’t? Well, next Saturday night, I’m going to a Great Gatsby party for a foundation at the home of that guy you just met,” I said, hesitantly.

“Great Gatsby? Would I have to wear a costume?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He sighed. “I’ve done it before.”

“Actually, he’s also the person hosting the mystery weekend. It benefits the public library. He’s very involved with local causes.”

“Can we make Adam dress up for that one?” he asked with a smile.

Things got much better after that, although admittedly, it wasn’t a really high bar. Dinner was quite good, though, and the entertainment was even better. A modern film star gave a great tribute to movie stars of a bygone era, and then later, a Big Band orchestra began to play. Nothing, however, compared to the dancing.

It’s true that when he initially took me into his arms, I winced. But he figured out a way to hold me that avoided the ribs that were bruised. And I, in turn, made sure that I avoided the swollen eye. Mark was a really good dancer, and he led me expertly. I loved the feeling of being pressed up against him and having those strong arms wrapped around me. Not to mention the fact that he smelled wonderful again. Who would have thought that this night could have gone from Hell to Heaven?

“There’s a lot to be said for lined up parts,” he whispered in my ear, as he held me close and spun me around the floor to Benny Goodman’s
String of Pearls
.

“We fit together well,” I answered and he breathed in deeply and pulled me against him even more tightly. As corny as it may sound, I felt like I was floating on air, and it crossed my mind that I could definitely get used to this.

I was tempted several times to try to lure Mark off somewhere alone with me. After all, I knew this museum well, and I had to admit that the thought of a quick, secretive tryst excited me. I knew that in reality, though, I would probably knock him down a flight of stairs or something. I didn’t want to literally become a femme fatale.

Later, when he took me home, he walked me up to my apartment and I invited him in, not really knowing if anything would happen. Something did happen, something that didn’t involve pain. It didn’t involve sex either, but it was still good. He stayed for coffee and we talked for hours.

We discussed our families and discovered we had some things in common. He and I shared a passion for helping the underdog largely because of our moms. His mom was a social worker and my mom had always brought me with her to do volunteer work.

We talked about our college experiences and he told me some funny stories from law school about my brother. From there, we wound up talking about all kinds of things, books, music, movies, even art, and I discovered that being with him came easily when we were relaxed. It was the first, real, in-depth, grown up conversation that we had ever had. Time flew by and before we knew it, it was 2 AM.

“Wow, it’s late,” he said looking at his watch.

“Yeah,” I said regretfully. It really had turned out to be a great evening, even with the injuries, and even without a fun sexy tryst.

Standing up, he walked over to the door. When I came over to let him out, he turned, looking deeply into my eyes. “I have one more question for you. Was this a date?” My pulse shot through the roof and I got goose bumps on my arms.

“Did you want it to be one?” I asked breathlessly.

“Yeah. Does that mean I can kiss you goodnight?”

I nodded, not really trusting my voice not to come out like a squeak. As he stepped closer to me, the butterflies in my tummy took off and my heart started pounding like a sledgehammer in my chest. He smiled that flirty smile, and put his hands on my hips, pulling me up against him gently. He paused for just a beat, to gauge my reaction I think, and when I wrapped my arms around his neck, he seemed to relax.

He leaned in, and at first, our lips met softly, and then again, and again, just a taste to whet the appetite. His arms tightened around me, and he increased the pressure, urging me to open and invite him in. I demonstrated how inviting I could be, and his tongue swept into my mouth, making it clear that as long as I wasn’t resisting, he wasn’t going to hesitate to take what he wanted. I had heard that he was a force to be reckoned with in a courtroom, so it made sense he would be that way in the bedroom. Trust me, I had no problem with that. I liked forces to be reckoned with in the bedroom.

He tasted good, like coffee and mint, and he kissed as well as he danced. He moved his lips against mine, and made delicious little thrusts and flicks with his tongue, teasing and tantalizing. Meanwhile, he also pressed me tightly against him, and stroked my back, in the most incredibly sensual way. Kissing him was a full-body experience, and I was tingling from head to toe. Eventually, he pulled away and I felt so boneless that I took a big step back… right into the entry table, knocking over a vase. He grabbed it just in time. He had quick reflexes.

“Sorry about that,” I said, dizzily.

“It’s okay. It’s your vase,” he answered, with a husky laugh. He placed it back on the table, and turned around, taking a step forward… just as I was opening the door, which hit him right in the face.

“Oh my God! Are you okay? Do you need some more ice?”

“No, I’m okay,” he said rubbing his face. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

He left, and I stood there and watched him go. Then I closed the door behind me and leaned against it trying to steady my breath. I hoped I hadn’t injured him too badly.

Mark

My head was still spinning as the elevator started moving and I don’t think it was because I just got hit with a door. That kiss was incredible. I started out worried about moving too fast, but she was so eager and willing. I loved how she pressed up against me, and that tongue….

Okay, don’t think about her tongue too much. Oh fuck, too late. Well, the answer was that I
could
get even harder. I adjusted myself. It was going to be an uncomfortable ride home. I was going to have to check out these injuries too. I reached up and rubbed the knot on my forehead. When I finally got her there, I might have to tie her to the bed for my own protection. Oh don’t picture
that
, Mark.

The elevator doors slid open and my car Heidi was waiting. I got in and put on my seatbelt. Before I hit the ignition, though, I just sat there for a minute and I thought about how Beth had just melted against me when I rubbed her back. And I thought about how adorably dazed she looked after we kissed. Even just dancing with her had been great. She said we fit together well. I smiled. Don’t
think
about it, Mark.

Let’s face it, I wanted her and I was going to go insane if I didn’t have her. For the first time, though, I felt something, more than just turned on. I felt warm, like I wanted to hold her all night, even if I didn’t fuck her. Well, okay, I would rather fuck her and
then
hold her all night. I adjusted myself again. Okay, Mark, Hallmark moment over. Time to go home and get rid of this problem.

Later, after I had jerked off, and showered, and jerked off again, I lay in bed thinking again. I was a regular Descartes these days. I couldn’t believe my luck. What were the chances I would run into a former hook-up? Well, the chances might not be that bad, I had hooked up a lot, but what were the chances Beth would know her? Beth had been so classy about it though. She let it roll of her back and she didn’t judge either one of us.

So, why had I been so defensive? I didn’t feel like I had to apologize for being a single guy who didn’t lead women on, but I couldn’t shut up about it. The answer was that I didn’t want her thinking I had some kind of weird commitment issues. I cared what she thought. Oh man, this was uncharted territory. I was finally going down… dressed like Jay Gatsby.

Sunday 7:00 PM

Sunday nights, Adam, Braden, Cam and I always got together to watch whatever sport was in season, eat pizza and drink beer. We called it Game Night, and it was a long-standing tradition. As soon as I walked in the door of Braden’s place I knew I was in for it.

“So, Mark, jaywalking on the Ben Franklin Parkway, huh?” Adam started.

“I took a shot to the eye. I was wounded and disoriented.”

“I appreciated your effort to help Beth,” Braden said, sounding sincere. “And I also thought it looked like the two of you pulled it together really well afterward. At least in the pictures.”

“Did you have fun?” Cam asked.

“Actually, I did. It wasn’t bad at all. There was this really good orchestra that played Big Band music…”

“Did you dance?” Adam cut in with a smile. This was another one of those moments when I wanted to beat the shit out of him. He was still getting back at me for yanking his chain when he was dating Lily.

“Yes, we did, and she asked me if I wanted to go with her next week. There’s this Great Gatsby party.” No sense delaying the inevitable.

“The Great Gatsby! Ah, the Roaring 20’s. You’re going to wear a costume, aren’t you?” Adam looked so happy.

“I believe it is a costume event, yes,” I replied through gritted teeth.

“So, how was
Friday
night?” Braden asked. Adam had obviously waited to share the news.

“I didn’t see anyone who interested me, and I was kind of tired…”

“And the last man goes down!” Cam laughed.

“You didn’t hook up?” Braden asked, looking happy.

“No. I didn’t hook up. And, I didn’t last night either; I assure you. My one month streak is undisturbed.” I shot Adam a resigned look.

“Have you said anything to Beth?” Braden asked.

“We haven’t discussed it in detail, but we did, I think, acknowledge the fact that we were interested in dating.” Our tongues in each other’s mouths, and the fact that we decided it was a date, were a dead giveaway.

“Okay.” He nodded, looking like he was processing that information. “No pressure. I mean you’re just dating. That’s all. We all understand that. Look at Cam; he and Jess have been together almost a year and he’s not engaged yet.”

“They do live together, Braden,” Adam pointed out.

“And, well, um, I am planning to pop the question soon,” Cam replied.

“You are?” Braden asked. “That’s great! Gabrielle will be thrilled.”

“Hopefully, Jessica will be too,” Adam added.

“Congratulations, Cameron, and we’ll have to celebrate, but back to the part where you give me your blessing, Braden,” I broke in.

“This is definitely a monogamous relationship?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“And you’ll take her out to nice places, and let her bring you home to talk to my parents, and all the stuff that I’m sure she’ll want to do eventually?”

“Yes,” I repeated.

“And you’ll make sure you don’t let her get caught up in anything that could create gossip or put her in danger?”

“Like what?” I asked, not sure I knew what he meant.

“Like anything Braden’s wife might put her up to,” Adam piped up.

“No underground sex parties, or digging through garbage cans, or following call girls around town,” Cam put in.

“No cocktail parties for gangsters, or breaking into people’s apartments,” Adam went on.

“Or visits to UFO landing sites,” Cam added. “You’re a very patient man, by the way, Braden.”

“You went right along with Gabrielle on every one of her little
I Love Lucy
adventures, Cameron,” Braden said smiling at his cousin.

“That’s because Jessica went along on every one of those adventures,” Cameron shot back. “Fred and Ethel are officially retired now.”

“No crazy shit,” I agreed.

“Well, then as long as you two don’t get caught messing around while you’re representing The Justice Project, I’m happy. So no playing around at work or at the fundraisers.” I breathed a sigh of relief. “Wait, is this going to affect your work relationship?” he went on, knitting his brows.

“Braden, the only people in the office not involved with someone
else
in the office, are Liz who’s married to an accountant, Bruce who’s married to a guy, and the cleaning lady, Conchita, who doesn’t speak much English,” Adam pointed out.

“What about April, the receptionist?” Cam asked.

“She’s dating the security guy that works the desk downstairs. He checks our offices at night. That counts,” Adam replied.

“Okay, but all of us keep our couple-like behavior out of the office,” he responded. “Just promise me you won’t get too intimate there.” I saw Adam take a sudden interest in a bookcase. I strongly suspected that he and Lily had christened his desk.

“It’s not an issue, Braden,” I assured him. “Your sister and I will not be having intimate relations at our place of work, or at the fundraisers that we may attend together.” Remember that I said that.