Terry - Friction

“I swear I didn’t know she was coming,” he stood tying his bow tie, staring at her slender back.

“Okay,” she wouldn’t look him in the eye, couldn’t, as she fought the tears that threatened to fall.

“You won’t even have to see her,” he wanted to say anything to make her feel better, knowing he was failing miserably.

                She stood, smoothing the skirt of her black and white Wes Gordon gown. As her hands glided over the material, brushing away several small pieces of lint, she wished the sense of dread that roiled in the pit of her stomach would disappear as well. The night was a chance for them to be out together, to go on a date, with no one any the wiser, but instead she would spend the entire evening avoiding the hard stares and smug grins of his wife. He was hers in all ways except the one that really mattered. He never made her feel like his mistress and she never considered herself as such until an hour earlier when he broke the news that his wife had shown up unexpectedly to accompany him to the White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

“This was supposed to be our chance to be out in public together,” Kerry still didn’t look at him, instead closely inspecting the still life that hung on the wall of the suite.

“It’s just a few hours, we’ll do our best to get through it then we can come back here and I can take you out of that dress,” he slid his arms around her waist, pulling her back flush against him and kissing her neck lightly.

“We should go.” Kerry stepped away, gathering her clutch and walking towards the door.

“Come on, Ker, don’t be mad. I really didn’t know she was coming. You have to believe me,” he pleaded, following behind her. She scurried down the hallway, determined to put the thought of Tony and his wife out of her mind.

                Tony watched the elevator doors close as he approached, Kerry disappearing and he knew by the time he reached the lobby she would be gone.

“Damn it,” he muttered, bracing his hand on the wall and pressing the elevator call button. The elevator arrived and Tony resigned himself to an evening spent pretending again with Jane. Before he reached the lobby he pulled his cell phone from his jacket pocket and sent Kerry a quick text message, I love you. He knew her well enough not to expect a reply but he wanted to assure her again that his wife’s presence didn’t change the way he felt.

                Kerry felt physically ill at the sight of Tony next to Jane even though they weren’t touching. She had smiled in spite of herself when she read Tony’s text but reality intruded when she saw Tony and his wife chatting with a group of people, both laughing, Jane smiling brightly. Kerry looked down at her left hand, her bare ring finger taunting her.  She excused herself, rushing to the ladies room to compose herself before facing the rest of the evening.

                Emerging several minutes later she felt much better, reasoning that it was only a few hours and as long as she kept herself occupied, she wouldn’t need to suffer through seeing Tony and his wife enjoying their evening.

“Are you okay?” she jumped, startled by the voice behind her.

“I’m fine,” she pasted on her most convincing false smile when she turned to look at Tony, “Shouldn’t you be getting back to your wife. It looked like you were having a wonderful time.”

“Don’t do that,” Tony reached to touch her arm, somewhat softening the edge in his tone.

“Do what? You looked like you were enjoying yourself. She certainly seemed to be having a good time.” Kerry knew she sounded jealous but she truthfully didn’t care.

“I’d much rather be standing next to you,” Tony felt trapped. They had looked forward to the chance to be out together but he had no recourse when Jane called out of the blue to tell him that she would be attending as his guest.

“Go back to your wife,” Kerry forced herself to send him away even though his words were beginning to crumble her defenses.

“Come take a picture with me?” he implored.

“You go first, we’ll make it look like we just ran into one another,” she couldn’t believe she was agreeing but she wanted a few more minutes close to him. Tony lay a hand on her waist, leaning in to kiss her jaw.

“I love you so much,” he whispered. Kerry simply smiled in response, unable to return his sentiment. Tony’s hand fell to his side and he turned to walk away leaving her alone with her thoughts. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before striding confidently back to the party. She spotted Tony across the room, his eyes fixed on her despite his proximity to Jane, and she smiled to no one in particular as they meandered closer to one another.

“Kerry, Tony how about a picture?”

“Sure,” Tony enthused slipping his arm around Kerry as he moved into her then whispered under his breath, “God, you’re gorgeous.”

“Stop,” she blushed as flash bulbs went off then turned her head slightly in his direction catching a glimpse of Jane standing a mere five feet from them, “You better behave. Your wife is right behind you.”

                He leaned down to kiss her cheek, “I’d rather be behind you.”

“Tony…” she gasped, “Go back to your wife.”

                Tony spent the rest of the night pretending to enjoy his wife’s company while watching Kerry laugh and smile with a variety of people. He felt a twinge of jealousy when he watched her stand close to Kevin Ware for a photo and lean into Larry Hackett with a laugh. He breathed a sigh of relief when it was finally time to leave. He no longer had to deal with the charade of playing happy husband and he hoped to have Kerry in his arms shortly.

X-X

                Kerry let out a deep sigh as she arrived back at her suite, sliding the keycard into the lock and quickly closing the door behind her as if it signaled the end to the unbearably awkward evening. She unzipped her dress and changed into the La Perla baby doll she had planned to surprise Tony with, continuing into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth before climbing under the soft sheets of the room’s king size bed.

                She had just climbed into bed, deciding to sleep in the middle of the large bed since she was sleeping alone, when her cell phone rang. She considered answering then thought better and sent the call the voicemail. She settled her head against the pillow waiting for the inevitable voicemail. She listened to Tony’s message then set the phone on the bedside table without returning his call. As much as she cared for him she needed time and space to think.

                Tony stepped from the elevator, a mark of determination in his stride as he approached the door and knocked. When there was no answer he knocked a second time, a little louder. Looking both ways down the hallway to ensure no one would see or hear him, he knocked a third time, this time followed by, “Ker? Sweetheart, let me in.”

                She lay staring at the ceiling, listening to him on the other side of the door, reminding herself of all the reasons she shouldn’t open the door. After a third call to her cell phone and it sounding like he was going to pound his way into the room, she relented and walked to the door.

“Go away,” she said through the thick stile and rail door.

“I just want to talk to you,” Tony was nearly pleading.

“Then talk,” maintaining her boundaries was becoming more difficult.

“You really want me to announce to everyone in earshot how I feel about you?” he knew the things she was worried about, chief among them being viewed as a home wrecker. Just as he expected, the deadbolt clicked and she opened the door enough to look at him.

“It’s late, I’m tired. Can’t we talk tomorrow?” she wondered, not attempting to hide the exasperation in her voice.

“No, I’m not letting you run away from me,” he pushed the door further open and stepped inside, catching his first glimpse of her in satin and lace that left very little to the imagination.

“Well, talk,” she sounded exasperated as the door closed and he engaged the deadbolt, “then you can go back to your room.”

                She walked back towards the bed, taking a seat on the edge, Tony following close behind.

“I don’t have a room,” he explained, “but you know that.”

                He was still attempting to regain his faculties when she crossed her right leg over her left causing the hem of her nightie to glide ever further up her perfect thigh. Tony swallowed hard, shifting on his feet, every piece of clothing suddenly constraining.

“I’m sure they could get you one if you asked nicely,” she wasn’t going to give in easily after the torture of watching him with Jane all evening, “Just flash that smile of yours, you seem to always get your way when you do that.”

“Kerry,” he took a few steps towards her, fighting the urge to trace the hem of her baby doll, “that’s not fair.”

“It’s most certainly not fair,” she agreed feeling her anger rise once more, “It’s not fair that I was left to feel like the other woman tonight. It’s not fair that you tell me you love me and you’re married to another woman. It’s not fair that I didn’t get the night out with you that we have been looking forward to for months. It is epically unfair.”

“Then let me make it up to you,” he gave her a lopsided grin, his fingers tracing the strap of her nightgown.

“No thank you,” She replied sliding further onto the mattress and slipping her legs beneath the covers, “I’m really tired.”

                Tony ran his hand over his face in frustration. He knew things wouldn’t go as planned with their evening after Jane decided to attend the event but he never dreamed he would be facing a night sleeping on the suite’s couch. He loosened his tie, allowing it to hang around his neck while he slowly unbuttoned his shirt and unbuckled his pants. When he was wearing only his boxer briefs he made his way to the bathroom to brush his teeth, all the while trying to figure out how to get Kerry to forgive him.

                He quietly returned to the bed, sliding in beside her but not yet touching her, “You’re the only woman I want Kerry.”

“Just go to sleep, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Can I hold you?” he wanted nothing more than to feel her warmth against him, her head on his chest as she drifted into sleep. Kerry didn’t answer but didn’t pull away when he scooted closer and gathered her in his arms.

“I will spend as long as I need to convince you that I only have eyes for you,” he brushed the hair from her neck, “and lips,” he chanced a small kiss to the curve of her neck.

“Stop,” he could hear a mix of annoyance, obstinacy, and arousal in her voice but she still didn’t move away.

                Tony reached beneath the pillow, producing a small box and placing it in front of her, “I know it isn’t much but I had planned to give this to you tonight.”

“Can we talk about this tomorrow?” she needed rest and hoped that with the dawn of a new day would come a sense of peace about their situation.

“Just open it and then we can sleep.”

“Fine,” she relented taking the box and pulling gingerly on the pink ribbon. When she opened the box she felt her breath catch at the sight of the most exquisite citrine cannetille bracelet, “Oh Tony, it’s gorgeous.”

“You like it?” he wondered looking over her shoulder.

“I love it. It’s beautiful. It even looks old,” she marveled.

“It is old,” he smiled, “It was my mother’s. I always thought I would give it to one of the girls but I want you to have it. From the woman who used to be the most important in my life to the woman who will be the most important in my life until I take my last breath.”

                Kerry didn’t speak, just stared at the bracelet, tears stinging her eyes and dampening her cheeks. She ran her fingers over the stones, recognizing the importance of the gift, then closed the lid of the box before placing it on the night stand. He lay his head back onto the pillow and turned to his back cursing himself for not waiting to give her the bracelet, it was too much, she didn’t like it.

                She rolled over to face him allowing her fingers to wander over his chest and abdomen. His eyes were still closed when she bent her lips to touch his. He relaxed beneath her, letting himself be kissed, finally allowing his hands to move beneath the thin lace and over her warm skin.

                When he needed more contact he pushed her onto her back, hands running along her sides.

“You still aren’t forgiven,” she muttered between kisses.

“I know,” he grinned against her lips before working a trail along her jaw, neck, and shoulder.

“I hated seeing you with her,” her voice was breathy.

“I know,” his mouth was now between her breasts, warm breath over cool satin and lace.

                He pushed the nightie up exposing her stomach and breasts before continuing his journey along her sweet curves.

“You make it really hard to stay mad at you,” she grinned, eyes closed, while his mouth blazed over her hipbone.

“I know,” his voice had grown husky and deep.

                She opened her mouth to reply to his smug comment but the contact of his lips with her mound left her mute and she squirmed beneath him.

“I’m not letting you run away,” he hummed against the inside of her thigh and his fingers pressed into her skin.

“Tony….” She couldn’t find any other words.

“Mmm….” came his reply against her clit, “So sweet…”

                His tongue swirled along her folds, dipping into her teasingly. She pressed into him, surrendering herself to the indulgence of his mouth worshipping her. He varied between deep slow strokes and short rapid lashes. Just as she thought she had grown accustomed to whatever he was doing he would change it enough to make her feel the rise of craving from deep in her belly anew.

“Fuck….don’t stop Tony,” she moved her hands to his curls, the harder she gripped the faster his mouth moved against her until her grip on the sheets left her knuckles white. Deciding she needed to feel more of him, she slithered her palm across his flexed abs, her fingers gliding over his thickness just as he caught her wrist with a growl.

                He pulled his mouth from her, lips and chin glistening with her essence, drunk on her, “Uh-uh, this is only for you.” Her arm fell limp against the mattress and she watched him again descend between her thighs, arching instinctively when his tongue ran the length of her slit finally sinking into her slickness.

                Tony teased his tongue in and out, captivated by the whimpers and moans only he could elicit from Kerry. He had learned the meaning of every sigh and every moan, quiet like a purr when his tongue dipped into her then sharp and pleading when his teeth grazed her pearl.  Over and over he brought her to the brink, her body trembling, then he would pull back to watch her face or nibble along her silky thigh, just enough for the tide of her orgasm to ebb.

                Finally, she was sure she couldn’t take anymore, “Tony, please,” she begged.

“Please what?” the note in his baritone told her he was enjoying her torture.

“I want….I need…..” her words were lost as his finger slid into her wetness, immediately finding the spot that pushed her impossibly higher.

“What do you want?” he nipped lightly at her folds, one large hand keeping her captive to his mouth.

“I want….” She tried again to find the words she searched for, “Tony….I…..”

                Deciding to end her torment, he slid a second finger into her and sucked hard on her clit. Her vision blurred and she suddenly couldn’t breathe when the heat that had been brewing in the depths of her core exploded in a body shattering orgasm. Even as wave after wave of her orgasm overtook her he didn’t relent, continuing his assault on her body until she lay limp and whimpering in his arms.

                He scooted up to the pillow beside her, laying on his side, watching her breathing slow. For several minutes they just lay in silence, Kerry collecting herself, Tony marveling at the beautiful woman beside him. When she felt composed she rolled to her side, her thin fingers running along the curve of his jaw. His eyes were that perfect shade of blue she only saw after they had made love and she wished that was their reality.

                Tony licked his lips, still able to taste her, the smell of her juices still filling his nostrils, “What are you thinking pretty girl?”

“How I wish this was real,” she averted her eyes, suddenly enthralled in the curve of his bicep.

                He sighed, “Ker, this is real,” he tilted her chin to meet his eyes, “I love you. What do I have to do to convince you?” He kissed her lips lightly.

“I love you too. Tonight was just…”

“I told you I was sorry, I really didn’t know. Soon enough we will be able to be together all the time,” he assured.

“I can’t wait,” she grinned, cupping his cheek.

“I’ll get to make love to you every night….” That crooked grin she loved, and he licked his lips again, “taste you whenever I want….”

                Kerry laughed entwining her legs with his, “Kiss me whenever you want,” their lips met in a deep kiss and he pulled her beneath him, her giggle making him unbelievably hard.

                He managed a growl before lifting her hips and surging into her sweetness. Hours later they finally drifted off into the deep, bone tired sleep of post-coital bliss.