Jennifer and Vaughn were on their first official date. They chose one of the new cafes a few blocks from Jennifer’s apartment and got a sidewalk table. They were there for appetizers, wine, and conversation. A prelude to what they both knew was going to happen.
So the appetizers and wine were just that—foreplay. The street was lively because it was summer; a new art gallery was opening, and some street performers were hanging out, playing music for tips.
Quite a festive evening.
And out of the merrymakers stepped one person Jennifer and Vaughn knew, and another one they didn’t.
“Well, look who it is,” Garson said smugly.
Vaughn immediately got an angry look on his face, muscles tensed.
“Down, boy,” Garson said. “I have a new fiancé.”
“Jennifer, I’d like you to meet your replacement, Heather.”
Garson finished the introductions. “Heather, this is my old girlfriend and her new love interest, a guy who tends bar at the Ascot.”
Heather, oblivious to the situation, waved a polite hello.
“Oh God,” thought Jennifer, “she stands for everything I don’t want to be.”
Heather was wearing a sweater set, a skirt down to her knees, and flattering, sensible shoes. Understated earrings, perfectly straight hair, and an overpriced signature purse completed her look.
“Honey, show Jennifer what I gave you,” Garson said.
Jennifer held out her hand to show off a stunning one-carat diamond engagement ring.
Jennifer was speechless. Vaughn was waiting for Jennifer to say something.
Finally, Jennifer couldn’t repress a giggle at the whole situation.
Then she started, chuckling at first, then laughing hysterically.
“Is this a joke? Is this supposed to make me jealous?” She kept laughing until she almost started crying.
“Oh, my God,” Jennifer stopped to catch her breath and wipe a tear from her face.
Jennifer could speak again, barely. “I don’t know what Garson said to make you want to marry him so quickly, Heather, but good luck with that.”
Once again, Jennifer was in hysterics, pointing and laughing.
Vaughn sat in his chair, not moving. Then he got the giggles, and then he started laughing out loud.
Garson turned red with anger. He was so furious, he couldn’t speak.
Then he sputtered out, “C’mon, Heather, let’s go to a place where they don’t serve garbage on the sidewalk.”
Heather gave a sweet hand-wave as she walked off.
That made Vaughn and Jennifer laugh so hard they had to hold onto the table to stop from falling out of their chairs.
The other diners were looking at them curiously. One woman said, “I’ll have what she’s having,” and the scene was over.
A few more involuntary giggles, and Vaughn and Jennifer recovered.
“Who does he think he is?” Jennifer said. “Could you honestly see me as that girl?”
“No.” Vaughn smiled at Jennifer. “Hey Jennifer, can I tell you something? I have never been so turned on by a girl as I am right now.”
Then Vaughn got a different look in his eye. Animalistic. Shameless. An insatiable look that made Jennifer hot.
“Check, please,” Jennifer said.
As soon as they got back to Jennifer’s apartment and shut the door, Vaughn pulled Jennifer’s dress over her head and kissed her hard, forcing his tongue into her open mouth.
He ripped his shirt off and moved Jennifer back to the bedroom, never breaking the kiss. He landed Jennifer on the bed, and Jennifer took off her bra while he lowered his pants and stepped out of them.
He climbed on Jennifer and held down her arms on the bed while he explored her breasts with his hot, wet, and hungry mouth.
He released her arms and ran his mouth down her torso with heated kisses.
Then he eased a hand under the waistband of her briefs and into her wetness.
Jennifer moaned in pleasure as Vaughn fingered her pussy.
He pulled down her briefs and stood to take off his boxers. He was on top of Jennifer again, dominant and aggressive, taking Jennifer and making her his own.
“Please,” Jennifer sighed, “I’m begging you to go ahead and fuck me.”
Vaughn eased his rock-hard cock into Jennifer’s slit and teased her with it.
“Fuck me hard now, Vaughn.” It had been so long for Jennifer that she couldn’t take it.
Vaughn obliged and fully entered Jennifer. He kissed her hard on the mouth while he took her, hitting her sweet spot over and over with his throbbing erection.
Vaughn pounded Jennifer with his cock, using the strength from his muscular legs to make it harder than it needed to be. He gave Jennifer a flash of his beautiful smile. He couldn’t hide his complete and utter satisfaction with his lovemaking skills.
“Oh my God, where have you been all my life, Vaughn?” Jennifer thought.
Jennifer cupped her breasts in her hands and tilted her head back while she closed her eyes and moaned in pure ecstasy. She opened them and looked Vaughn in the eye again, her expression one of dreamy satisfaction.
Vaughn smiled and picked up the pace. He knew what she needed.
Jennifer was breathing hard and making little cries as the first wave of her orgasm released. She was coming, and she shuddered involuntarily.
Who was this wonderful man?
It was Vaughn’s turn now. A few more moments of heavy pumping, and his whole body quaked; he growled like the animal he was.
The two of them lay there for a while, recovering. There was no need to speak. Their deep desire had been satisfied. The itch had been scratched.
Jennifer rose from the bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Vaughn just lay there and smiled.
Jennifer got back into bed. “You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you? Taking women like that and knowing you’ve completely satisfied them.”
“Yeah,” Vaughn replied.
Jennifer lay her head on his chest and sighed. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Besides enjoying my company?”
“No, I mean, is this a one-time thing? If that’s the case, it’s fine. But I would like to see you again, maybe.”
Vaughn sat up. “What do you mean, maybe? I really like you.”
“Don’t get all worked up. I know you date around, a girl every night from the bar, why should I be special? I know what the game is and I accept it.”
“Maybe I like you more than that. Maybe I’m ready to be a one-woman man.”
“Don’t flatter yourself, Vaughn. A leopard doesn’t change its spots. But it's sweet that you think you can. Really.”
“You don’t think I can settle down? I mean, I’m not going to give you a goddamn engagement ring. But I think I can keep it in my pants long enough to have a relationship for a while.”
Vaughn’s tone was half-defensive, half-challenging, but there was a doubt in his voice that Jennifer picked up on.
She propped herself up on one elbow and looked at him. “What do you mean, keep it in your pants for a while? What’s a while?”
Vaughn took a deep breath and exhaled as he rubbed a hand over his face. “You’ve made me sound like a selfish jackass. Let me start over. I don’t do the forever thing. But I can be faithful if I like someone. When it’s over, though, I move on. But while I’m there, I’m there.”
Jennifer considered that.
“I don’t need forever,” she said. “I just don’t want to be lied to. I want to be treated respectfully. And I still want to laugh with you.
“That sounds like a boyfriend,” Vaughn said. “And I don’t want to play games like that.”
“I don’t want to play games either, Vaughn. So where does that leave us?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “But the one thing I think we have is trust. I felt it the moment I met you.”
Jennifer lay back down, resting her head against his chest again. “Then let’s agree on something,” she said. “No promises we can’t keep. No pretending this is something it’s not.”
“Then what is it?” Vaughn asked.
“We’re two people who enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “We’re kindred spirits who found each other by chance and want to see where this goes.
“I can handle that.”
“Good,” Jennifer said. “Because tomorrow, I have to go back to work, and I don’t want to have to overthink this.”
“And I will go back to tending bar,” he said. “Shamelessly flirting for tips.”
“Of course you will. That’s what you do.”
“And what about your jealousy?”
“My jealousy? Tonight was enough for me. You answered so many questions. You can share your wisdom with other women. They could use it.”
"So, Vaughn,” Jennifer said, “I know this is heavy, but what do you want to do with your life? I mean, you can’t tend bar forever. Can you?”
Vaughn didn’t answer right away. He stared at the ceiling, avoiding the question. His larger-than-life personality was gone.
“That,” he said, “is the question I usually dodge.”
“I’m not asking that to pin you down,” she said. “You know all about me. Now it’s your turn.”
“That's fair.”
“I’m in school for hospitality management,” he said. “It sounds boring, but it’s not. They teach you how to run a restaurant or a hotel. There’s a secret to running a place everyone wants to go back to, and they teach you the science behind it.”
“That’s cool,” Jennifer said. “And you’re so good at it already. I could see you running a bar.”
“You’d be surprised how many people think bartending is the end of the road. For me, it’s a job to earn money for college.”
“So what’s the goal?”
“I want my own place someday,” he said. “Not a dive. Some place where the ‘it’ people go. Low-key, good music, and a top-notch chef.”
“You sound serious when you say that.”
“I am,” he said. “That’s the weird part. People think I can’t commit to anything, but that’s not true. I know exactly where I’m going. I just don’t tell people.”
“Why not?”
“Because when you tell people you want something, they start asking when you’re going to get it. Or why you haven’t got it yet.”
Jennifer knew exactly what he was talking about.
“I guess it’s hard to work at a bar and have a steady relationship, even if you are the owner.”
“That’s where things get tricky,” he admitted. “I want to have someone in my life, but if I get too bored or too pussy-whipped, I bolt.”
“Fair enough,” Jennifer said.
“I’m not scared of commitment,” he added. “I’m tired of women thinking a one-night stand with a bartender constitutes a relationship. They know where I am, and they keep coming back. Take a hint, why would you start a relationship with someone whom you met while you were drunk at a bar?”
“We met at a bar. I flirted with you, and you picked me up.”
“That’s not true.” Vaughn was offended. “I didn’t pick you up when you were drunk. We went for coffee and talked about our feelings before we did anything. I get points for that.”
“You’re right,” Jennifer said, “I forgot about that. You’re a good listener. And I like that you have a dream for the future.”
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. “I do,” he said. “It’s just not mapped out yet.”