This time was different. He focused on my pleasure before his. When he finally entered me again, I was reeling from the sensations.
After we were both exhausted, I laid on his chest while he softly slept. When
he woke, we dressed and silently returned to the garage. We had said everything
necessary and I let the silence wash over me.
Once we reached the gas station where we had met, Marcus helped me off the bike. “Thanks for the day, babe,” he said before giving me one last kiss.
“Will I see you again?” I asked.
His eyes filled with sadness. “A pretty girl like you doesn’t need an old man
like me. You need to find yourself someone who’ll treat you right and give you a
life. I’m going to remind that guy to stay away from you.
“Thank you.” I kissed Marcus. One last tender moment. One final goodbye.
“Thanks is not necessary, babe. Promise me you won’t go riding off with any
more loser bikers. The next time, you might not meet a gentleman like me.
I smiled. “I won’t.”
As he rode away, I wondered why he had been brought into my life. Several
weeks after, I considered going back to his house, but something inside me told
me to say goodbye, and I did.
Perhaps he was supposed to save me from Christopher? Maybe stop me from
the road to destruction I was on? Whatever he did, I had slept with my last stranger.
The Keeper?
By the time I met Peter, I wanted something real. A relationship, not just a fling.
Peter worked at the local organic grocery store. He was tall, lanky, and I fell
head over heels for him. His relaxed nature drew me in. I didn’t realize his college part-time job was his end game. I told myself that I could make him into
a respectable businessman. He just didn’t realize his potential.
After six months, I realized, if I continued with him, I would end up a single
mother, and my children would have a deadbeat dad. I knew he was not the right
man for me, but our power play was intoxicating. Every day, I planned to end it.
Each time, I told myself, ‘one more day.’ Every time, I found a reason to give him another chance.
At the start of summer vacation, I decided to skip classes over the break and
enjoy my time. I promised myself that, when school started again, I would tell Peter we were done.
One evening, I was working as a server at a business event my mother had
organized at a five-star hotel. Five hundred men, all eager to talk about their business connections and complain about their wives, attended. I had just passed
a plate of appetizers, and returned to the kitchen for another, when I found Peter waiting.
“When do you get out of here,” he asked.
“The night just began. I have at least four more hours.” I handed him one of
the finger sandwiches and watched him devour it. “I’ll come by your apartment
after.”
“Can you spot me some cash and I’ll pick up some beer?” He pushed himself
against me.
Spot you? I thought angrily. _You should be filled with polka dots for all the spotting I’ve done.
“Please, Caitlyn,” he whispered in my ear. “You know I am good for it.”
