Exercises in semantics

HEY IT’S BEEN A WHILE

-VINCENT

I stared at the message in disbelief. Didn’t he ghost me three years ago? Why do guys always do this? I turned off the treadmill and texted Josh to have him bring some sense into me, before I do anything stupid. My head was spinning from the cardio and I wasn’t thinking clearly.

Vincent was a hook-up I had seen a few times, several years ago, after my last long term relationship ended and I was on a binge to try and fill the void. The wrong one apparently, but it took me several years to learn. I actually liked spending time with him back then. He was a photographer in his mid 30s, with a full head of sun-bleached curls, and this unmistakeably French I-m-better-than-you aura. But he was well read, well-travelled, and we shared a love for rugby and cooking.

Back then, when I had no idea what I wanted, or what I was doing, we’d sometimes make dinner together, watch a game, or spy on the neighbours, have witty conversations, do the deed, and in the morning, I would leave. I thought this was what a booty call was. Or a fuck buddy. All I knew was that we kept it simple and casual.

We saw each other for several weeks, both on a rebound, until one day he never answered my messages. I remember that morning, he asked to see the pictures I took in Spain with an expired film that he was curious about, which I promptly sent to him as soon as I got back home. He never opened it. It hurt me for a bit, until I moved on to the next guy, and the next, and the next…

In recent months I’d see him pop up on my socials, sometimes reacting to my pictures. But to have the nerve to hit me up after all this time? I had to admit that I was looking for something casual, since I was focusing on the small business I opened last year with Josh, my friend and voice of reason. The voice of reason who was too busy to pick up apparently. But I wasn’t that desperate.

Vincent was at the door within an hour. He still had the charming smile and tiny gold earrings that pointed out his eyes. Thank god I wasn’t into drugs or smoking, since I had a terribly weak character. He said a court hello and scanned me intently. I became self aware suddenly. My hair was still wet from the shower and I didn’t want to try too hard so I just had a kimono on. This is just a booty call.

He walked around my apartment, taking in the details. This was very unusual, come to think of it now, he never saw where I lived, it was always me who would come over. Huh.

“Can I get you a drink?” I asked as he sat on the shabby sofa.

“Just water is fine, thank you”

Psycho. Who drinks water when visiting? I headed over to the kitchen and opened up a bottle of a Rhone valley red, his home region. Seems fitting for the occasion.

“How have you been doing? I wasn’t sure if you were still in the city” he asked, with that faint hint of an accent. The French thing didn’t work on me, thankfully he spoke English exceptionally well.

“You could have called earlier to check, for example? Why now, what do you want?”

“The same thing as you”

“Meaning?”

“Well I’m here aren’t I?” he said with a smirk, and in an instant he pulled me into his lap, started kissing my neck, grabbing my hair in one hand and hugging me in place with the other. I let out a small moan against my will. Every hair on my body was standing upright, like I touched a live wire. I forgot he had that effect on me.

“I do have to be honest with you about one thing” he sad into my neck. Alright, there it is, I knew there was a catch. “I am in a very happy, open relationship. I hope that’s alright with you” he continued carefully articulating his words.

Turning around, I started laughing trying not to laugh into his face. He looked confused. Good, the bastard thought he had the upper hand. It was always the subtle power play mind games with him.

“You should’ve told me that before trying to seduce me into saying yes” I toyed with him, taking a big sip of my wine, mixing the glass lightly in my hand.

“Guilty as charged” he said looking at me with that same smirk again, directly in the eye. But he didn’t move or say anything else, he was expecting my next move. He called the bluff.

“I have been poly for several years you know” I replied.

“So you are poly...and single?” he teased raising an eyebrow. I saw the corner of his lips quiver as if he was trying his best not to laugh.

“I’m not looking for a relationship right now, I’m focusing on my business”

“That’s what I thought, that you weren’t looking for anything serious...with me”

“Well you made sure of that after that vanishing act”

“You dated that football player before, I was intimidated”

It wasn’t an apology, but it was unexpected. I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Still, admitting his own insecurity was a good start.

“As if. And no, I don’t mind your relationship, that’s you business”

“I remembered that we had a good time before, you are hot, funny and smart, so here I am”

“Flattery won’t work, but it’s not discouraged” I said putting my glass down on the table and turning my back and exposed neck to him. He continued leaving a trail of kisses down my neck, undoing my belt and pulling the kimono off my shoulders, kissing now along my spine. With one arm he pinned me against his torso, cupping my exposed breasts, his other hand holding me tightly by the waist.

The French guys were annoying, but damn they were sensual. I melted into his grip, resting my head on his shoulder and caressing his hair and arms. His skin was soft and taught over his muscular arms.

The hand around my waist was sliding down now, between my legs. He teased me for a bit, caressing my thighs painfully close to my core, until I moaned in his ear. I could feel him smile against my neck and he lightly touched the fabric of my panties. It was soaking wet at this point, and his finger glided across the lace with ease. He groaned when he felt the dampness.

“I have been fantasising about this all day” he whispered, still caressing me.

“Why didn’t you call earlier then?” I sad but it was already getting difficult to speak.

“I was trying to resist the urge” he said and slid his fingers underneath my panties, now gently teasing my exposed flesh that was aching for him inside of me.

As if reading my mind, he picked me up and brought me over to the sofa, and hovered above me while getting my underwear off and taking his clothes off. I didn’t remember him being that muscular the last time, and admired his statuesque shoulders and abs, and his strong legs.

He had more ink than before but I had no time to take in all the details because he leaned over me again, finally slid a finger into me, kissing my all the way. My head felt light. How could he get me this aroused and...relaxed at the same time? I squirmed underneath him, grabbing his arms, back, anything I could get a hold of.

I was feeling the orgasm in me rising and I urged him to continue. He curled his fingers inside of me, rubbing my bud gently and teasingly with his thumb. It was heaven. Just as I was about to orgasm he bit my neck and it sent me over the edge, I felt my muscles tightening around his fingers, and I thanked him with a long kiss. He continued caressing my whole body while I rolled over him, pinning him to the couch. It was my turn now.

I took his length in my hand using my wetness as lube, stroked him firmly but gently. He arched his back and his pretty face was in ecstasy, his eyes closed and mouth half opened, cheeks flushing red.

“Oh putain (Oh fuck)” he moaned, caressing my back absently. I got him where I wanted him, at my will. I increased the pace, with both hands now, his beautiful cock in its full glory dripping with pre cum already, twitching at the slightest touch. I stopped suddenly, and he opened his eyes in a haze. He would never beg, but his eyes were. I glided only one finger up and down his length, enjoying the twitches and moans he made. He was tense as a string, and I played this instrument masterfully.

I finally gave him the release he needed, his hot cum falling on my hands and his flexed abs. His eyes were still closed, and we both lay next to each other, covered in juices, heavy breathing and caressing the other’s back and shoulders. After a few stretched out minutes, he planted a kiss on my lips before raising his head slightly to look at me.

“So, you’re fine with this? With this arrangement?”

I nodded, still too mellow to move.

“Good” he smiled self satisfactory, before getting up and asking for the shower. I handed him a towel and while I was waiting I looked up my phone.

PLEASE DON’T TELL ME YOU ARE GONNA SEE THAT FUCKBOI AGAIN LIZ

It was Josh. A little too late for that. I sent him the details before Vincent re-emerged with a towel wrapped around his hips, steam coming out of the bathroom door.

“Well I’m sorry to chase you out but I have to finish work before tomorrow” I said pointing at my laptop. That was true, but I also couldn’t deal with his presence after the deed was done. I was not in a chatty mood.

“With that bottle of Cotes du Rhone?” he laughed while getting dressed.

“Probably, it’s a decent year”

“It’s alright, I have a meeting early tomorrow with my agency I can’t stay anyway. Thanks for having me and tell me when you’re up for doing this again” he winked and put on his coat, before disappearing behind the door. I called Josh as soon as I heard the elevator bell ring.

“I knew it. Are you OK?”

“I am amazing babe, I forgot he was that good”

“I’m guessing this will become a usual thing? I mean as long as you’re having fun I guess, you are smarter now”

I was smarter and I knew what I wanted, unlike the wreck I was few years ago. Until I got a message an hour later.

I FEEL SOOTHED. THANK YOU

-VINCENTŒ