Kaysen*

It had been a crazy night, calming down enough for me to take a break at one o’clock. Tanner had been waiting for me at the bar, sipping on nothing but water. It seemed odd considering we were in a strip-club. I couldn’t help but wonder if something was up with him. After all, it’s not common for a man to go to a bar just to drink water. 

“Come with me, Tanner.” Clutching his hand, I pulled him along as we made our way towards one of the private rooms available here at the club. I slam the door shut, lock it, and turn to face him. 

“So I was thinking… “

I cut him off by shoving my fingers through his hair and crashing my lips into his. “Don’t think. Let’s just be. Hmm… “ Smirking seductively, I unbutton and unzip his pants.

His demeanor changes from serious to lustful. “I want you so bad, baby. Damn, baby, I want to make it to where you have my seed dripping from your pussy for the rest of the night. I want you to be mine, and only mine,” Tanner growls in my ear and pushes me up against the wall.

“We have to make this quick. I only have fifteen minutes.” 

He chuckles as he yanks my shorts and thong down, discarding them to the side. “As you wish, Kaysen.” 

He propels me from behind, gliding into the depths of my being, relentlessly thrusting. With a firm grip, he clasps my throat, sending shivers down my spine, while his other hand stimulates my sensitive bud. Every fiber of my being pulsated with an insatiable desire for release as I struggle to maintain my balance against the wall. My senses heighten, overwhelming me. The sound of my heartbeat resonates in my ears. Intense heat courses through my veins, and I can feel my body reaching its peak. 

“Tanner, I’m about to!”

“I know, baby. Me too, cum on my cock, baby. Take all I offer you, Kaysen.” 

Tanner’s deep growl reverberates in the air as he latches onto my shoulder, leaving a passionate love bite. The surge of electricity intensifies, coursing through my veins, making my senses come alive. Each suck and bite he delivers carries a contradicting sensation; a mixture of pain and undeniable pleasure. Tanner’s relentless assault continues, building up a crescendo of sensations until we both reach a climactic, rapturous release that leaves us both breathless and euphoric. 

“Yes, baby, take all of me, every drop, Kaysen.” 

Tanner’s low, primal growls reverberate in my ear as the walls embrace him. With each rhythmic movement, a symphony of pleasure echoes through my body. The passionate intensity of our connection consumes me, igniting a crescendo of ecstasy that escapes my lips in unrestrained cries. With every encounter, the intensity of our intimacy intensifies, and I revel in it. This moment, a blissful escape from the turmoil of the morning and the chaotic night that preceded it, is exactly what I needed. 

“Will you come home with me again?” 

His rod softens, falling from me within me. He positions himself on the floor as a gush of our combined pleasure splashes onto the floor. Did I just pee myself or what? What the heck just happened? Whatever it was, it was phenomenal? 

His nonchalant demeanor in the face of what just occurred rattles me, prompting me to pause and collect myself. “Um…” Blinking away the euphoric bliss, I turn to face him, getting memorized by his hooded gaze. “I can, but I have to go home tonight. I can’t stay like I did last night.” 

My moment of clarity dissipates as he inserts two fingers into me, causing my legs to tremble. I clutch his hair, unleashing a joyous scream as he stimulates me. Once again, I reach a climax, my pleasure flowing down to the ground as it did before. “That’s it, baby. The captivating sight of you unraveling in front of me is something I will never tire of,” he whispers. “Now, get dressed and return before Hector comes searching for you.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean. But I would rather stay here with you, Tanner.” 

“I want you to be mine, Kaysen. Only mine,” Tanner says, then crashes his lips to mine.

Pulling away, I shake my head and move past him to collect my discarded clothes from the floor. “Tanner, you and I both know you don’t do relationships. You and I would never work.”

He walks towards me, his eyes gleaming as if he were about to cry, and caresses my cheeks with his thumbs. “I want to try, Kaysen.”

“We will discuss this more when we arrive at your place. I’m late getting back out there, and Hector isn’t fond of us messing around.”

TANNER*

I stood there, watching Kaysen leave me once again. Although I knew it wasn’t permanent, I couldn’t deny the unsettling feeling it gave me. My thoughts are a jumbled mess ever since Kaysen entered my life. I can’t help but question my actions. I shouldn’t be here right now. The right thing to do would be to let Kaysen go, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Bailey and I had spent years together. She was my best friend, yet losing her didn’t devastate me as much as the thought of losing Kaysen does. I’m questioning what is happening to me. It’s crucial that I see my therapist as soon as possible. The anxiety is overwhelming, especially considering that I hardly know this woman. 

I made my way to the employee parking lot, where my truck was waiting for me. There is no alcohol in my system. Although a part of me longed for some liquid courage, I knew it was important to be clear-headed. Last night’s hazy, half-drunken state was not something I wanted to repeat. Tonight, I wanted to experience being with Kaysen without the numbing effects of alcohol. I yearned to cherish every moment, every feeling, and etch them into my memory, just in case tonight turned out to be our last together. With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I toyed with the thought of leaving now and never looking back.

The recent events were nothing short of astounding. Each moment spent with Kaysen sent my heart racing with palpitations. It felt like shooting stars flashing before my eyes. Being in her presence, and the intimate moments we shared, made me feel like I was floating on air. Instead of departing, I climb into my truck and wait for Kaysen to get off work.

***

An hour and a half later, Kaysen came out of the double doors, followed by Hector and Roberta like they had done last night. I descend from my truck and stroll up to them.

“I’ve got her, Hector. You and Roberta head home to your children and have a good night,” I said, flinging my arm over Kaysen’s shoulders. Just like last night, Hector glared at me before walking off with Roberta.

As I assisted Kaysen into her car, I stated that Hector and I were once good friends, but I felt he wasn’t liking me at the present moment.

“Hector is like a brother to me, Tanner. He knows my background, and he means well. He’s overprotective for a good reason. I like the fact that he keeps men away from me.” 

Kissing her forehead, I grin at her and give her my signature wink. “Maybe that could be my job now.”

“This is just sex, Tanner. Let’s get going, and we will talk more once we have arrived at your place.”

Closing her door with a smile, my demeanor changes as I stalk towards my truck. I huffed with anxiety as I jumped inside. “This is just sex, Tanner, get your shit together! Fuck!”

KAYSEN*

Tanner and I have established that our relationship is solely based on sex. And I am determined not to let my heart get broken by him. However, deep down, I hope we could work things out and become more than just casual partners. But there’s another factor to consider - my mom’s advice. I have to admit she’s right. Cora is what truly matters, above all things. I have a feeling that Tanner may not be the type of person who is ready to take on the responsibilities of fatherhood. We haven't even mentioned Cora yet, and I fear he may run away once he finds out. Tonight, I will gather the courage to tell him about her. But then I wonder, what if Tanner is alright with me having Cora? What if we decide to take our relationship to the next level? And what if he becomes a part of Cora’s life, she grows attached to him, and then he decides he can’t handle the situation and leaves us? These thoughts swirl in my mind as I follow Tanner to his loft apartment. Despite the risks, I feel compelled to take this chance. I park my car, and Tanner is waiting for me. He offers me his hand, and we walk together towards his apartment. He opens the door and his eyes remain fixed on me as I stroll inside.

“Let’s take a seat in the living room,” Tanner says, clapping to make the lights come on.

Did he do that last night? Or was I so lust drunk, I didn’t notice? “Um… Okay… Yeah…” Giving him a funny look, I walk towards his sofa and plop down. He sits next to me and flings his arm over my shoulders. To say that I’m nervous right now would be an understatement. 

“Would you like something to drink?” Tanner asks, running his fingers through my hair, his gaze piercing into my soul.

“Um… No, I’m fine for now, thank you.” 

He’s sincerely trying to make an effort. He wants to talk and have a serious conversation. Just like he was doing at the club tonight before I took charge and pounced on him. This is dangerous, but he deserves a chance to speak his mind. 

“I want to be with you, Kaysen. It feels like there is something more than just sex between us. Will you give me a chance and let me take you on a date? No sex, genuine conversation and getting to know each other?” 

He caresses my cheek with his free hand. Electric shocks shoot his fingers, sending a raging inferno through my body. Breathe, Kaysen. Closing my eyes, I relish in the sensual feeling of his coarse fingertips grazing my cheeks. Then shake my head to come back to reality. 

“Well, I have something to tell you first before I decide. If we do this, you must know that I have a two-year-old daughter waiting for me at home. Michael died three months before she was born. We are living with my parents. Which is why I freaked out so bad this morning. My mother is… “

As I break eye contact with him, my gaze wanders around his living room. Surprisingly, my revelation about having a two-year-old doesn’t seem to faze him at all. It’s mind-blowing. His hands cup my cheeks, demanding my complete attention to his words. “I have a niece around her age. She would love to have a playmate. Boys surround Adelaide, including her cousins and twin brother, which drives her insane. I noticed the pink car seat in your car. And figured you had a toddler girl. Just so you know, I have no desire to have children of my own. However, the fact of you having a child won’t discourage me from wanting to be with you.”

He’s acting a bit too perfect for my liking. No man talks like that. Tanner, what are you trying to achieve? You already know that I’m a sure thing. So why are you being so weird? It’s confusing me right now, and I’m not sure how to handle it. But, I’ll go along with it. “Adelaide is a wonderful name. But you understand what I mean, don’t you? If you ever meet my mother, you’ll see. But that’s not the main issue here. Cora will be with us most of the time. She never leaves my side unless I’m at work. I take her everywhere with me. And for now, until I can find my place, we’re living with my parents. You and I wouldn’t have much alone time. Could you handle that, Tanner?” 

Tanner contemplates the matter for a few moments as he caresses my cheek and runs his fingers through my hair. Admiration and a hint of sadness cross his features. “For you, I am willing to try if you will let me.” 

“What’s wrong, Tanner? Talk to me. I know we’re close to being strangers, but I’m here for you. Something is going on with you, and I want you to be honest with me.”

Tears welled up in his eyes, cascading down his cheeks. He took a sharp breath and averted his gaze from me. “I’ve always felt damaged, Kaysen. It started when I was just eight years old, when my mother left my brother and me. She struggled with manic-depressive bipolar disorder, and whenever she was off her medication, she would experience severe nervous breakdowns. During those episodes, she became delusional. And she lacked any parental instincts. I witnessed most of her breakdowns firsthand. Despite my father’s efforts to help her, she abandoned us. After she left, my father seemed to fade away as well. Nannies, as well as our uncle and aunt, took care of my brother and me after she left.”

As he stares over my shoulder, his gaze remains fixed, as if he vividly remembers the events in his mind. He opens up about his struggles with relationships, attributing it to his mother leaving. He recounts his longest relationship, lasting nine years from junior high to college, only to be shattered when his partner got pregnant by someone else and left him for the father. Recently, he ended a three-year relationship because his partner wanted marriage and children, something he couldn’t commit to. The scars left by Bailey, his ex of nine years, still haunt him, so he asks me for patience. He makes it clear from the start that marriage and having children are not in his plans. However, he will be a supportive father figure to Cora, as he loves other people’s kids, just not wanting his own.

As a stray tear rolled down his cheek, I brushed it away. My heart aches for him, feeling his anguish as if it were my own. Although I have experienced loss, it cannot compare to the magnitude of what he has gone through. How can I make things better for him?

“Tanner, I am so sorry for the pain caused by your mother leaving and your ex’s actions,” I expressed sincerely. “However, I must be honest with you. I don’t think I will ever want to be married again. But please know, if we pursue this relationship, I will never betray your trust. I will never cheat on you, ever. That is not who I am. Regarding Cora, let’s not rush into you assuming a father figure role just yet,” I suggested with a smile, leaning in to kiss his forehead.

“I slept the best I had slept in over half a year last night, with you by my side. Will you stay with me until I fall asleep, and then you could sneak out if you wanted?”

Oh, my...