I straightened my back as Walter stirred awake. He rubbed his eyes and grinned.

"Oh good morning, Jaylenn. You're already up and ready." He sat up. "You should have woken me." He pulled the covers back, but I reached out and gently touched his arm.

"Walter." I smiled sadly as I moved and sat next to him.

"Is everything alright?" He asked. "Did I do something wrong last night?" His eyes widened in concern.

I shook my head and took his hand in mine. Walter looked down at our hands.

"I slept with my ex-boyfriend last night, Walter." I whispered

He lifted his head up to me in surprise.

My heart pang at the hurt in those pretty brown eyes.

"I...am....not a good person." I whispered. "Your wife cheated on you, and I...didn't even hesitate." I squeezed his hand and bit down on my bottom lip. "You do not deserve that." I took a deep breath. Not realizing how emotional I was going to get.

"We both know what it feels like to get cheated on. You out of all people do not deserve that." I whispered and released his hand. "I am so sorry." I lowered my eyes in shame and exhaled. "I'm sorry." I inhaled deeply and looked around the hotel room. "I uhm...I'm packed and I'm going to go on ahead." I turned back to him with a small smile. "I'll get myself an Uber."

Walter's eyes widened. "But we're an hour and a half away from home. That would be ridiculously expensive."

I chuckled in surprise at his concern. And it hurt even more that I'd hurt him. "You're sweet." I whispered rubbing the top of his hand before getting off the bed. I turned and walked to my bag.

"Uh...Jaylenn?"

I turned around to the man who'd pulled the covers back and climbed out of bed. His cotton pajama pants pulled up almost to his waist made my mouth twitch in a smile.

Walter took a deep breath and shrugged. "He was a very handsome young man...that...Craig guy."

My eyes widened. "Craig..." I whispered back. I tried to find if it was worth the logic of clarifying this small misunderstanding.

Walter chuckled as he rubbed his arm. "I mean I was not under any illusion that you were in love with me."

My shoulders dropped.

"I mean you're young and attractive."

"I'm not that much younger than you Walter." I whispered back with a small laugh.

He chuckled. "You make me feel young. Younger. Alive." He took a deep breath. "You make me feel confident Jaylenn." He smiled, nervously rubbing his hand. "I haven't...hadn't felt that in quite a bit of time." He chuckled. "I still can't believe I even walked up to talk to you that day."

"Very ballsy." I nodded.

Walter grinned proudly and chuckled. "I uhm....well...I guess what I'm saying is...do you...are you two getting back together?"

I shifted on my feet as my heart ached. "I can't be with him Walter." I whispered.

Walter nodded as if he understood. He shrugged slowly and looked up at me. "I guess we're just, two broken people trying to find comfort." He whispered.

I put my hand over my heart at the pain. "Oh Walter." I whispered walking back to him. I took his hands in mine. "Trust me... when I say, you deserve so much better than me." I smiled at him and squeezed his hands. "You're an awesome person. With a kind heart----"

"So are you, Jaylenn." He responded. To my surprise he gently pulled me down to sit next to him on the bed. "I enjoy your company."

I smiled. "I enjoy yours as well Walter." I acknowledged, nudging his arm.

Walter chuckled.

We both turned our attention to the pretty drapes before us for a couple seconds of silence.

"So last night...."

I shifted my gaze to him.

His neck grew red from embarrassment. "When we were...when we....well...you...that was an actual real female orgasm huh?"

My lips slowly parted as I stared at him sadly.

Walter chuckled. "I think I'm slowly coming to see why I'm divorced." He sighed.

"Oh Walter." I pouted and put my arms around him. Walter leaned into me, resting his head on my shoulder.

"In these last 5 years, I can't remember the last time I've had my ex-wife give the face you gave me last night." He explained and chuckled sadly. "Go figure, you were thinking of someone else."

"Hey." I rubbed his back. "You're not that bad. Trust me." I nudged him. "You have a very good tongue." I whispered.

Walter blushed. "I do like doing that." He chuckled. "Well to be fair, that's the only time she wouldn't complain." He admitted.

I giggled. Walter turned to me and smiled. His eyes drifted down to my lips and then he looked shyly away. "If you don't want to stay for the rest of the weekend we can go." He replied somberly.

"You want me to stay?" I whispered.

He reached out and squeezed my hand. "I would like you to."

I lifted my hand and brushed his graying hair back. "I would be honored to." I whispered.

**

"Nahlia..." Erasmo put his arms out in greeting. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Nahlia tossed her long single braid to the side and smirked as her 6-inch heels stepped into his office. "Hello, charmer." She walked straight up to his desk and tapped it with her long red fingernail. "I need Jaylenn's address."

Erasmo cocked his head to the side. "I don't." He shrugged. "I don't have Jaylenn's address."

Nahlia sighed and waved her hand. "Come on, cut the bullshit. Craig told me you fucked each other's brains out this weekend."

Erasmo resisted the urge to groan and roll his eyes. "Since when are you and Craig best friends?" He asked in wonderment.

Nahlia shrugged. "Craig is everybody's best friend. Besides Craig's a legit amazing trainer." She stuck her leg out so Erasmo could see the nicely toned thigh and calf beneath her black mini skirt. She turned back to Erasmo and snapped her fingers at him impatiently. "So, give me her address." She reached into her purse and pulled out her phone.

"I don't have Jay's address." Erasmo replied. "And it was just a coincidence that we met up at that hotel."

Nahlia sucked her teeth at the white boy before her that was clearly wasting her time. She groaned. "Look," she rolled her eyes in annoyance, before telling him the reason why. "Okay, I'm going to propose to Ari amongst intimate friends, and I did maybe a cute ..." she cleared her throat and pulled out an invitation and dropped it on his desk. She crossed her arms over her chest. "Stupid invitation dinner, that Jay goes dramatic for."

Erasmo picked up the invitation slowly and was surprised that it was actually for him. There was his name written in beautiful black calligraphy across the middle of the envelope.

"So, I'm not telling her over the phone...it ruins the whole package thing...can you just give me my best friend's address?" Nahlia demanded. She nodded at him. "Oh yeah, that one is for you. You're invited. You're an intimate friend now. You can bring a plus one or just fuck Jay if you ever give me her fucking address to give her the stupid invite."

Erasmo parted his mouth in protest. His hand waving away her comment. "Nahlia that is amazing." He said calmly. "And I am rooting for you....but." He shrugged. "I don't know where Jay is. She changed her number, she changed her whatever, I don't know." He shrugged again.

Nahlia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes. "Sorry, I'm a little bit over the place.....but I know you know where she is."

"You're proposing?" Erasmo asked in surprise.

Nahlia sighed.

"I thought Jaylenn told me that you didn't believe in the lies that is marriage." Erasmo smirked as he sat back.

"First of all you and Jaylenn can lick my balls and secondly so you see why this has to go perfect!" She groaned.

Erasmo hesitated as he chewed on his bottom lip. He sighed and leaned forward. "Nahlia...I wish I could help. But I really don't know where she lives."

Nahlia cocked her head to the side in surprise and then chuckled softly. She turned and grabbed one of the chairs, scraping it again the floor as she pushed it to his desk.

Erasmo watched her, an eyebrow arched.

She turned and sat across from him and crossed her legs. She tapped his desk. "Okay so, you're good, my friend" Her Nigerian accent coming forth. ". But listen up." she offered with a sweet smile. "If you don't give me Jaylenn's address..." She spoke slowly, switching back to her American accent, so he wouldn't mishear. "I'll go tell her parents...that Jaylenn is in fact not living with me and I'm worried." Nahlia paused for a moment so it could sink in for him.

"And the Campbells, will in fact find Jaylenn in a jiffy." Nahlia nodded. "And they will bring her back home and try to fix her like some fragile doll...."

Erasmo leaned back in his seat, head tilted slightly, interest piqued.

"Until Jaylenn is once more the perfect zombie daughter...and you will never see her again."

He slowly chewed on his bottom lip as he watched her. Weighing his options and the consequences. Be Jaylenn's good little boy and deny hiring private investigator Bobby Earl to find her....and lose her. Or own up, endure Jay's rant for about a day and keep her...while he figures out how to charm her parents.

Nahlia leaned forward as if to tell him a secret. "You think Jaylenn's tough?" She whispered. "Wait until you meet Marlene and Larry Campbell."

The handsome Italian before her took a deep breath and slowly released it. His right foot tapping the floor impatiently.

Nahlia smiled and leaned back. "Either way, my best friend will be at my proposal. I don't care if it's on the Campbell farm." She arched an eyebrow. "At least they know me."

He ran his thumb over his bottom lip.

"So do you now know where Jaylenn lives?" Nahlia asked innocently.

Erasmo leaned forward and sighed. "If I tell you where she lives....she's going to hate me." He replied. "She'll know I was checking up on her and followed her----"

Nahlia rolled her eyes. "Jaylenn already knows you did a background check on her." Nahlia tapped his desk. "Aye, my son, stop wasting my time." She groaned. "I know Jaylenn. You know Jaylenn. Jaylenn knows you know Jaylenn. Are we on the same page. Come on pekin."

Erasmo sighed and pulled out his phone.

"Okay, now we talking..." She sucked her teeth and waited for him to give her the address. "Wasting people's time. You are a stalker." she nodded at him. "Own up to the fact and go about your way. Two peas in a fucking pod." Nahlia shook her head. "Give me the address." she ordered.

Erasmo chuckled and gave her the address as she typed it in her notes.

"Thank you." Nahlia grinned and stood up. "Oh, and the party is this Saturday." She beamed at him. "See you then."

Erasmo nodded at her as she walked to the door.

"Hey Rasso----oh sorry."

"Oh my apologies--"

Lola and Nahlia both paused as they looked each other over. Both eyes lingering a second longer than necessary. Without saying a word, Nahlia passed through the door and walked out. After a couple steps she looked back, to the gorgeous auburn hair lady still watching her before turning back around and walking down the corridor.

"Who's that?"

"Somebody I need on my side, so stop staring at her." Erasmo replied.

Lola gave the sexy stranger a final glance before turning her focus back to her cousin and stepping inside his office. "So ,Craig told me, you hooked up with your ex-girlfriend."

"Fucking Craig." Erasmo stood up in annoyance. "Craig!" He called out walking past his cousin to his door. "Craig! Craig...Get...Get over here."

Craig grimaced as he pulled himself from talking with Louis.

He walked up to Erasmo and gave him a big grin.

Erasmo frowned. "Seriously?" He demanded.

"She grabbed my balls." Craig protested and put his hands out. "Literally grabbed them. And squeezed." He replied painfully.

"And Nahlia?" Erasmo asked.

Craig gave him an innocent smile. "That was work-out gossip."

Erasmo clenched his teeth and muttered under his breath at his friend.

"I love you too." Craig replied sweetly.

Lola smirked. "You see this is why I love Craig." She stared in amusement at Erasmo's death glare to him. "You love Craig and tell him everything, and Craig here doesn't know how to keep a secret."

Craig leaned into Erasmo and nudged his arm. "I know how to keep the important ones." he winked at him mischievously.

Erasmo groaned and turned around.

"Aww come on you know I'm team Jayrasmo." Craig protested as Erasmo walked back into his office. "I want you guys to get back together." He stuck his head in seeing that Erasmo had really just walked away. "We're still on for dinner tonight right?" He whispered. "You promised you'll make me your nana's lasagna."

Erasmo grabbed the stress ball on his desk and threw it at his door. Craig, being athletic caught it. "7:00 o'clock?" He offered up and beamed.

"Get out."

"And Veronica's coming, so do you want to do their garlic bread thing they like? They've been kind of sad lately." Craig added.

Lola took a deep breath and leaned slowly against Erasmo's desk.

"If you don't get out of my office----"

"Thanks. I love you. You're the best." Craig whispered as he closed the door carefully. They saw him scuttle joyfully back to Louis' desk.

Erasmo shook his head and sat down. "If you're here to give me a lecture...don't."

"You've never gone back to an ex." Lola stated. "Once you've broken up." She crossed her arms and turned to him. "Regardless on, who did the breaking up."

Erasmo leaned back in his chair.

"So maybe...this one is different." she added softly.

Their eyes met.

She shrugged. "So....good luck with this okay."

"Okay, why the fuck are you being so nice?" Erasmo demanded.

"I want to step down." She replied, knowing this might be her only opening.

"What the fuck!" Erasmo shot up out of his seat.

"What?!" Lola yelled back at him. "Can't I take a sabbatical?"

"No, you fucking can't!" Erasmo replied.

"I need it." Lola whispered urgently.

"I can't take care of this----"

"I need it!"

Erasmo froze at his usually collected, unemotional cousin, panting before him. She swallowed hard and adjusted her pencil skirt and smoothed down her hair.

He slowly sat back down. "Lola Bella." He whispered her family nickname. "cosa sta succedendo?"

Lola Peters closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. "I think only one of us is allowed to have a breakdown at a. time." She whispered, her voice shaking slightly. "I think it's....it's my turn."

Erasmo waited for her to elaborate. "Did anything happen?" He asked carefully.

Lola sighed and sat at the chair by his desk. "I don't----I don't know----" she tried to find words. "What I want." she whispered. "I'm so......empty." she looked around their office building with tears in her eyes.

"Rasso, you always knew what you wanted. Ever since we were little." she whispered. "You went for it. Plunged. Head first." she chuckled. "Even if it fucked you up."

Lola shook her head and looked down at his desk in despair. "I wasn't joking when I said I was envious of your ability to love so hard, unrestrained."

His cousin sat back in her seat. "I'm so...empty." she chuckled sadly. "I am owner of the most successful app of the 21st century, providing people with their heart's deepest desire at the tip of their fingers...." she whispered. "Yet...I'm so empty."

Erasmo reached out and took her hand in his. "Lola." He whispered bending his head and kissing her hand, like she forced them to do when they were just kids, and she was queen and him the servant.

Lola put her hand over her cousin's and bowed her head. Her hair framing her face, hiding it from view. But it couldn't hide the tear that fell on her white skirt. "Fuck." she whispered sniffling. "This is Versace."

Erasmo chuckled and patted her hand. "I'll get you more Versace, Lola Bella."

Lola lifted her head and pouted, trying not to cry. She squeezed her cousin's hand and stared at him. Lola leaned forward and parted her lips as she aimed for his mouth.

"You are so fucking disgusting." Erasmo whispered shaking his head as he watched her inch closer.

His older cousin chuckled and quickly pecked his lips before he could pull away. "I love you Rasso." she whispered honestly.

Erasmo grinned and grabbed his cousin's face. Kissing her cheek hard. "I'm here okay." He whispered against her ear.

Lola nodded and pulled away. "Okay, enough." she stood up and straightened herself out, flipping her hair back. "Please don't burn this place to the ground when I'm gone."

"If you thought I would do that, you wouldn't have trusted me with your tears and incestuous display of affection." Her cousin replied.

Lola grinned and turned around.

Erasmo watched her walk away, hating to see his pillar of a cousin, so troubled. His eyes drifted down to Nahlia's invitation.

Lola loved any occasion to show off her grand wardrobe.

Smiling he leaned forward and grabbed the envelope. "Hey Lola."

Lola turned around.

"Wanna be my plus one?" He shrugged. "It's a proposal dinner, nothing big. Just some friends... ,but you can pick out a pretty dress."

Lola smiled and shook her head at Erasmo's obvious attempt to make her feel good. "Sure, whatever. I'm not doing anything."

**

"You know Walter." I said adjusting his new blazer. "Women like men oozing with confidence." I grinned and patted his chest. "You look sexy, act like you know it."

Walter turned to look at himself in the glass door. "I do---I do look dapper." He whispered in shock.

I laughed and hooked my arm through his as we walked into the next store.

**

"You're not---just----hold still---hold still." I laughed as I carefully pulled the tweezer up his nose caught a hair and pulled.

"Oh my god! Jaylenn." He cried covering his nose as tears welled up in the corner of his eyes.

"Pain is beauty." I commanded. "Come on, take your hand down. Just a couple more. Come on...don't be a baby." I shoved his hand down and picked the outrageously long hair. "Okay I'm going to count to three. Will that be better."

Walter nodded stiffly.

I nodded. "Okay...3."

"Oh my god! Jaylenn!"

I tried to hold in my laughter. What the fuck was wrong with me?

**

"Okay but foreplay is about taking your time." I whispered over our bottle of wine. "Make sure the woman wants you even before the clothes come off." I giggled as I passed him the joint.

Walter nodded and took a small hit. His eyes already red.

"You have to have fucked her with your eyes before you remove a single article of clothing."

Walter passed back the joint and poured us a bit more wine. "That sounds impossible."

I laughed and inhaled. "Yeah." I admitted. "Very few people can master that."

Walter smiled sadly as he looked at me.

"What?" I asked, taking a sip of my wine.

"You really love him." He whispered softly. He looked down at his steak and cut it carefully.

I chuckled. "It's not love, it's obsession, it's craziness...turbulence...it's insanity wrapped in the body of a Greek god...it's...." I sighed. "It's dangerous."

Walter smiled as he chewed his steak. "Your words don't match your actions, Jaylenn."

I shrugged at him as I ate an asparagus off my fork. "What do you mean?"

"You talk and act so confident, but yet hide from the man you love." He responded.

I chuckled. "It's a little more complicated than that."

"Is it?" Walter asked. "Or are you just scared."

"Walter Smith, keep this up and you're not getting any tonight." I warned.

He chuckled and dug into his potatoes. "I will just shut up now."

I laughed softly and looked away. You see. I could do this. I looked back at Walter cutting his steak. "I am absolutely terrified." I whispered.

Walter put down his fork and nodded solemnly. "Aren't we all?"

We both nodded and lifted our wine glasses. We each took a nice long sip before putting the glass back down.

**

I tied my robe as I slipped into my slippers. Being careful not to wake Walter up, I made my way out the bedroom to the living room.

I grabbed the joint off the mantel along with a lighter. I picked up my phone and went to the balcony. I sat in the uncomfortable chair and lit my joint. Inhaling deeply as I scrolled on my phone.

My finger twitched as I looked up the Dream App on the playstore. Without thinking twice, I redownloaded it. My foot anxiously tapped the chair as it loaded. The beautiful blue screen with the moving clouds appeared and I gave a sigh of relief as the Dreams logo materialized on the screen.

Wait.

My heart raced as I saw the login page. I had deleted my account. I sighed and chewed on my bottom lip. What am I doing? No, not a good idea. Don't....do it. I groaned and looked up at the night sky. There were a lot of visible stars. How pretty. I sighed and looked back down at the app. Maybe it's like Instagram. Never really deleting. Information is forever.

I typed in my unsername and password.

Welcome Jaylenn Campbell. You have 5 dream requests available.

My mouth dropped open. Did he---did he not delete my account? A small smile spread across my face.

I almost jumped at the soft ping indicating that I had a text message. I looked at the number. I had a new phone and literally less than 10 people had this number. I read the message in the notification panel.

Erasmo

I blinked in surprise. I stared at my phone for a couple seconds mouth parted, before I stared at the night sky. I log in to the dream app and right away get a text from Erasmo. I looked down when my phone vibrated indicating a phone call from the same number. I answered.

"Yes?"

"Wow, mark me astonished you picked up." Erasmo's smooth low voice flooded my ear canal.

I smiled stupidly. "How did you get this number?"

He sighed. My smile grew as I settled into the chair.

"Let's just pretend you gave it to me."

I tried not to laugh. "I see. And why would I be giving you my number?"

"Because you miss me." He replied. "You can't stop thinking about me. You want to hear the sound of my voice. You know stupid things hopeless romantic want to hear."

I chuckled. "Are you calling yourself a hopeless romantic?" I asked.

"Depends. Are you saying those words to me?"

I laughed but didn't answer. I absently twirled the belt of my robe around my finger. "Anyways, why are you calling me?"

"You logged back on the app."

"You know, I'm pretty sure stalking is illegal." I chuckled. "And creepy and very frowned upon young man."

I heard his soft laugh on the other side. "Do you have a dream request?" He whispered.

"No." I sighed back. "Just...curious...to see what was going on...I guess."

"Because you missed me?" I could practically see his grin over the phone. "You can't stop thinking about me? You wanted to hear the sound of my voice?"

"Yo, I think you might just be a narcissist at this point." I replied.

Erasmo laughed and I smiled into the phone.

The silence that engulfed us....was strangely not awkward. Sitting on the phone, knowing he was on the other line. Yet neither of us talking, created a flicker of inner peace. Another minute passed and we still hadn't spoken. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing as me. Or was he thinking that I'm the craziest person he'd ever met.

"I miss you." I whispered so low, the words seemed to vibrate off my chest.

"I know you do." He whispered back calmly.

I looked down and sighed. Rubbing my temple, I groaned and snuggled with myself on the couch. "Can you see the stars?"

"No...not really...wait...nope must be an airplane." He whispered. "It moved."

I chuckled as I admired the night sky. "I can see the stars here."

"Describe them to me." His soft words felt melodic in my ear.

I looked up at the dots of light amidst the dark navy sky. "Beautiful....mesmerizing... so far out of reach..." I whispered. "Like you..."

"I don't have to be." He whispered.

I bit down on my bottom lip as I held my phone closer to my ear.

"Say the word...and I can be wherever you need me to be." Erasmo continued.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Could we------NO! NO! No of course not. No. I groaned. Opening my mouth the speak, Erasmo cut me off.

"And before you say, we can't...we can't...just....try." He whispered the last word. "Let's try and if it works great...if it doesn't well....at least we tried."

I sighed. "Erasmo we tried-----"

"No...not Dreamer and....Dream Provider tried." Erasmo spoke. "Not some pretend fairytale...but...like actually try..."

I swallowed hard.

"Where it's Jaylenn and Erasmo...the real Jaylenn and real Erasmo...." Erasmo continued. "Where we don't have to pretend...I'll just be you and me..."

I looked back up at the stars in the sky.

"And I won't let you accidentally kill me." Erasmo added.

"Are you going to kill me?" I whispered into the phone.

Erasmo chuckled lightly. "I'm not a murderer."

"Yeah, but you told me even though you didn't kill her husband, you had somebody else do it. AND! You said you'll kill Walter. Sounds like murdering words to me." I informed him.

He chuckled again. "Oh, poor little Walter."

"Stop laughing." I ordered him. "As far as I'm concerned your track record is longer than mine."

"Jaylenn, I would kill myself, before I ever hurt you." Erasmo spoke seriously. "I just want to love you." His voice softened. "I just want you to love me."

I chewed on my bottom lip.

"I just want you to trust me." He continued. There was a much longer pause than before and I almost spoke up when he whispered his last sentence. "And I want to trust you."

I inhaled deeply as I pressed my fist against my mouth. He had no idea huh? He had absolutely no idea that I was ridiculously in love with him and those words were not helping the matter. They were not helping.

"Jaylenn?"

Not helping at all.

"Jay...."

I groaned and pressed my hand over my face. "I---I just have to sort some things out---"

"....Jay..." His voice went up.

My heart rose along with it.

"Look, let's....we still need a safe word---"

"Anything." Erasmo added quickly. "Whatever you want."

"That way if either of us feels like we're in way over our heads that we can just go----"

"Yes---"

"Give each other space---"

"Pamplemousse---"

I laughed. "Really? Pamplemousse again...great pamplesmousse..."

"Pamplesmousse." Erasmo whispered back.

I nodded. "Yep. Let's try."

"Fuck, I'm so hard." Erasmo whispered. "I really want to suck on your nipples."

"Oh okay...there he is...that did not...that did not take you long." I tried not to laugh as I shook my head at his comment.

Erasmo chuckled. "I miss cuddling with you." He whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah okay, because you don't have hundreds of available cuddle buddies at your disposal."

"I didn't say I didn't." Erasmo responded. "I said I miss cuddling with you...."

I chewed on my top lip.

"I don't care about all those hundreds or whatever....they're not you----"

"Oh spoken like a true player." I cut him off. "Words, I've never heard before. Oh how original."

I swallowed hard as a second passed before us and then another. My heart beating faster and faster at each addition to the silence. What was I doing? Why was I getting on him.

"Jaylenn..." Erasmo spoke slowly and carefully as if talking with a child.

"What?" I asked impatiently.

"Do you not want me to be a dream provider?"

I inhaled sharpley.

"Hey, is everything okay—"

I turned to Walter sticking his sleep head out on to the balcony.

"Couldn't sleep."

"Uhm..." I chuckled. "Yeah...just...uhm..." I put my phone on my chest. "Just talking to my friend."

"Oh well, don't disturb your sleep schedule too much..." Walter offered up. "I'm going to go sleep in my apartment, so I don't wake you when I get ready for work."

"Perfect." I grinned at him.

"Oh—oh—okay---thanks." I blinked at the surprised kissed from Walter that I received on my cheek before he turned and walked back inside. "Okay bye..yep..bye..." I waited to hear his footsteps further away.

I took a deep breath and brought the phone back to my ear. "Hello?"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Erasmo's response didn't miss a single beat.

**

"Oh my god, how'd I look?"

"You look beautiful." I whispered smoothing out Nahlia's dark blue dress. "And sexy." I arched an eyebrow at the skintight article of clothing. It enhanced all her curves before splitting just below the hips to allow glimpses of Nahlia's long dark legs, to be topped in dark blue diamond studded 6 inch heels.

"Ari is going to remember this birthday for the rest of her life." I kissed Nahlia's cheek and noticed my best friend staring at herself solemnly in the mirror when just seconds ago she seemed ecstatic.

"What's up?" I made eye contact with her through the mirror.

Nahlia's smile returned and she shook her head.

"Nahlia...." I nudged her.

My best friend sighed. "I'm so happy Jay...and I know she is too...."

I slowly leaned my head forward. "But....."

"But, I don't know...I don't know. I'm scared." Nahlia turned around and shrugged. "I'm scared that I'm going to fuck it up."

"Hey...." I rubbed her shoulders. "If you're this nervous during the engagement, how are you going to be at your wedding?" I fixed her curls. "Which I'm still so surprised that you're finally settling down."

"I shouldn't?" She whispered.

I stared in confusion. "No, that's a good thing...no, I'm saying like I'm surprised...pleasantly surprised...wait you don't want to?"

I locked eyes with my best friend who stared back at me.

"Of course I do." Nahlia whispered. She smiled and grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's get this cute evening started. Everybody's probably wondering if you ran away again." Nahlia teased. "God, I hope Walter makes it tonight..."

I turned to Nahlia in confusion.

"Your lover boy's death glare when you and Walter came in."

I groaned. "I know. And the thing is Walter thought Craig was my ex, so he was completely caught off guard by Erasmo being an asshole."

Nahlia grinned. "Oh, I think it's hot." She shook her shoulders. "He's really in touch with his alpha side tonight it seems like."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm the alpha in this relationship." I teased mischievously.

"Not tonight..." Nahlia whispered as she stopped and looked at our VIP table in the back of the restaurant. Leaning against the wall, staring at us was Erasmo with his hands in his pockets. He straightened up and left the VIP room to walk towards us.

"Ooohhh." Nahlia giggled. "Damn...he looks like a daddy...he gonna spank you..."

"Shut-up." I whispered quickly as he got nearer. "Hey."

"Hey." Erasmo smiled back politely. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I looked at Nahlia who wiggled her eyebrows at me knowingly. I wanted to roll my eyes but turned my attention back to Erasmo. Yes he was given off a certain...energy...but I couldn't really read it. I mean he didn't look mad. Besides Erasmo like being spanked...not giving out spankings.

"Yeah, sure." I crossed my arms and smiled back at him. "What is?"

Erasmo gently grabbed my arm, just above my elbow. I could see Nahlia from my peripheral view widen her eyes in excitement and quickly turn to head towards the VIP room.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Erasmo reached out to the nearest waiter. "Hi, do you have a waiting room? Sitting room, just somewhere where she can sit, she feels like she's about to pass out---"

The waiter turned to me in alarm and nodded. "Of course sir, uhm yes, we have a couple rooms to our right."

I turned to Erasmo in confusion but he wasn't paying attention to me, just guiding me as he followed the waiter under false pretense that I was sick.

"What's going on?" I whispered to him.

"Thank you." Erasmo reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. He pulled out a $50 placed it in his palm and shook the waiter's hand. The waiter nodded, his eyes wide with excitement. "Make sure nobody comes in here."

My mouth dropped open as I heard Erasmo's next words. Uhm...excuse me what?

The young waiter looked at me, his eyes widening, there was no mistaken the sexual tone n Erasmo's voice.

"Oh course...no problem, you two have a great time. Won't be bothered...won't." He grinned brightly at me as Erasmo pulled me forward.

"What was that?" I whispered as he pulled me into the room and released me.

Erasmo turned around and immediately locked the door.

"What are you doing?" I put my hands out. "And where are we?" I turned around. Oh this place was cute. A nice reading area, with a relaxing sofa and coffee table. Must be a break room. I turned my focus back to Erasmo. "What's going on?"

"Why did you bring Walter?" Erasmo asked as he slowly walked towards me.

I shrugged. "Nahlia said bring a plus one and so I thought of Walter."

"You thought of Walter?" Erasmo repeated.

"Okay, don't start your repeating of certain words thing you do..." I put my hands up.

"You brought Walter to make me jealous." He stated as he stood in front of me.

I scoffed.

Erasmo didn't look away. His hands in his pocket, he leaned even closer.

I sighed and put my hands up. "I didn't bring Walter to make you jealous."

"Oh Walter....Oh Walter....so funny Walter...Walter won't you try this..." He imitated in a horribly high pitched female voice.

I laughed out loud and shook my head. "One, I don't sound like that and two, leave Walter alone."

"Leave Walter alone?" He repeated slowly.

"You see at this point, you're just waiting to find something to justify your stupid hatred towards Walter----"

"Stupid hatred?" Erasmo exclaimed. "He's fucking my girlfriend."

My mouth dropped.

Erasmo pointed to the door. "Why are you still fucking Walter?"

"Walter Is not...it's not like that...we're company...we keep each other company..."

"Company?" Erasmo whispered. "Do you bring company to your best friend's engagement dinner? No you bring somebody really important to you."

"You're being ridiculous." I shrugged. "Fine, I like Walter. And sometimes I like fucking him, because...it's nice...it's fucking...it...." My voice trailed off as all expression faded from Erasmo's face. "What...why are you looking at me like that?"

Erasmo straightened up. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back. Without any word he turned around and headed for the door.

Wait---what.

"Wh---wha---wait...what are you doing? What are you doing?" I asked jumping in front of Erasmo and the door. I put my arms out to stop him. "Where are you going?"

"I need to go outside." Erasmo replied calmly. He nodded. "I need to step out."

"Are you okay?" I asked cautiously. "You sound okay, you look okay but I'm getting really bad vibes---"

"Jaylenn....move." Erasmo ordered.

"Are you going to hurt Walter?---"

"What is it with you and this Walter!" Erasmo demanded. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose at the outburst. "I'm not going to hurt Walter." He responded before opening his eyes and reaching for the door.

"You still seem----"

"Jaylenn..." Erasmo whispered through clenched teeth. He grabbed my shoulders tightly and my heart jumped. His heavy breathing, showing me that he was trying to get himself under control. He cupped my face almost angrily and let go just as abruptly.

He turned around and took a deep breath before turning back to me. He ran his hand over his mouth and exhaled.

"I brought Walter because I wanted him to have a nice time and also because I kind of maybe wanted to make you a little jealous." I admitted in a rushed whisper.

Erasmo clenched down on his jaw and stared at the floor. He put his hands in his pockets, before looking up at me. His hazel eyes dark with lust. "I want to tie you up."

"Que?"

"I want to control you..." Erasmo whispered.

I chuckled. "What?"

Erasmo turned around and took a couple steps towards the center of the room. His hands still in his pocket, he slowly turned around.

"Come here, Jaylenn." His voice was smooth controlled and did not hint at anything other than an order.

My mouth parted and I tilted my head to the side. "Uhm....what are you doing?"

"I told you to come."

My feet moved on it's own accord. I frowned and made my way to stand in front of him. My arms crossed over my chest. What was going on and why was I...aroused?

"You brought Walter to make me jealous?" He whispered leaning his head close, our lips almost brushing. "That wasn't very nice was it?"

I shook my head. "Look, I'm---"

"Oh no sweetheart." Erasmo spread his hand on my jaw, pressing his thumb against my lips to shut me up as his fingers caressed my neck. "You don't talk, until I say so." He brought his other hand up and cupped the other side of my face. "I don't like being jealous Jay." He trailed his fingers slowly down my neck. He leaned in closer so I could feel the warmth of his breath on my ear. "It makes me possessive." He whispered before bending his head and using the tip of his tongue, to slowly lick up my neck.

I moaned at the sensation. Erasmo lifted his head abruptly and straightened up. He watched me carefully. But I could feel the weight of his gaze, like I wanted to....do something for him. Anything.

Erasmo's eyes flicked behind us and I turned to see his gaze on the sofa. I turned my attention back to him.

Knowing I was watching him, he slowly walked over to the sofa, sat in the middle casually, arms outstretched on the cushions, his legs parted as if in invitation.

"Come here."

I turned and walked to him, curious as to what was going on.

Erasmo leaned forward on the couch, his elbows resting on his knees as he looked up at me. "Take off your dress."

I chuckled. "What?" I asked nervously. This was not a suggestion. It wasn't a request, it was an order. An order that was causing my heart to palpitate faster than necessary.

"Do you really want me to repeat myself?" Erasmo asked calmly as he pressed his right thumb against the palm of left hand as if massaging it.

No. But..."We're at Nahlia's engagement dinner....my best friend is going to propose in like 15 minutes."

Erasmo shrugged. "So take off your dress?"

"We can't play one of your games right now." I told him.

"Does it look like I'm playing?" Erasmo asked.

No. Immediate gut reaction.

"You scared?"

A little.

"We still have the safe word." He replied nonchalantly. Erasmo wiped his thumb over his bottom lip, before setting back comfortably once more. Waiting for me to make the same move.

What the fuck was I doing? What if he did something completely crazy and I was into it? How much more fucked up would I be....but....damn this energy....this energy literally had my entire body tingling. I was so...into this...

"Jaylenn go." Erasmo spoke up and sighed. He looked past me at the bookshelf. "I'll join you guys in 5 minutes."

I took a deep breath and lifted my hands, carefully slipping down one skinny strap. Erasmo turned his gaze back to me. I met his eyes before dropping the other strap on my dress. I watched as the handsome Italian man before me shifted so he faced me fully. His arms by his side.

I wiggled a bit, decideing to make a show of it as I slipped the burnt-orange colored silk dress down the rest of my body. It pooled on the floor. But I didn't watch that, I watched him. The way his eyes followed my dress to the floor. The way it made it's way back, taking in the skin tone-brown 4 inch heels I wore, up my legs and thighs. Lingering on my black lace thong and resting on my perky dark brown nipples. The dress for tonight hadn't warranted a bra and I've never felt more proud. I pray everybody gets a man to look at them the way Erasmo was currently taking me in. Though he remained almost perfectly still, there were a range of light playing tricks on his eyes. Because how can a person go from a loving expression to one filled with the hunger of a ravenous beast.

Uhm...maybe I'd made a mistake.

Erasmo closed his eyes. His jaw clenched. I waited. A second passed...and then another. I stood before him for 10 full seconds in my heels and thong until he finally opened his eyes. "Do you trust me?"

I nodded.

"And I can take out my anger, on your body right now?" He asked cautiously. "You can say no."

I nodded. Fuck, fuck...what was going on...what was I going to do.

"You'll use the safe word if it's too much?"

I nodded again, taking slow controlled breaths. Was it possible to be completely turned on and still terrified? What was wrong with me?

Erasmo leaned back and patted his thigh. "Come sit."

I did just that, sitting on his right thigh. His arm around me as he held me. His eyes focused on mine. "I have to punish you." He whispered trailing smooth fingers up my back.

I bit down a moan.

"Do you know why?" He whispered, moving his hand softly over my body, leaving heat wherever he left.

"Walter?" I offered up.

"You like how he fucks you?" Erasmo whispered grabbing my chin. "You like it."

"Sometimes..." I whispered teasingly.

Erasmo's hand slid across my neck. His thumb caressing the muscle just enough so I found it just a little more difficult to breathe. And then he stopped, watching for my reaction. He must have liked the look I was giving him because he slid his hand down my neck and over my chest. Caressing my breasts that ached with need at his touch.

"He makes you feel good huh?" Erasmo questioned as he twirled my nipple with his thumb.

I bit down on my bottom lip and leaned into his touch.

Erasmo leaned down and I closed my eyes in anticipation, feeling his warmth breath on my nipple, his wet tongue, how he enclosed his mouth against the pebbled tip and sucked it. I moaned as he pulled the nipple harder and then bit it.

"Owww..." I pulled back at the shock and jolt to my pussy.

Erasmo lifted his head and met my eyes. Without saying a word, he bent down and simply blew on the nipple, the cold air, causing my pussy to tingle with need. He reached up and slowly rubbed my nipple with his tongue.

His mouth pressed against my neck as he now squeezed my right nipple. I grimaced and closed my eyes.

"Does it hurt?"

I nodded.

He immediately released my nipple and bent down, taking it in his mouth and sucking on I gently. I sighed and my body relaxed into the pleasure until he bit it again hard.

"Oww---" Erasmo clamped his hand over my mouth and sucked on my nipple, softly, allowing the saliva to accumulate, blowing fresh air on it, perking it back up before biting on it again. this time the pain caused me to lean more into his mouth rather than away from it.

And just when I'd gotten used to this new sensation, he pulled away, roughly pulling me down across his lap, ass up as he rubbed it gently. Taking his time to remember the curves and dips of my ass. His hands travelled up my back, and down my thighs. I closed my eyes, biting my lips at his touch. I wanted him so much, my pussy was throbbing.

My mouth dropped open at the loud smack and the  feeling of my left ass cheek vibrating. I stared in shock across the room. Erasmo ran his palm over the recently smacked ass gently.

"I hate Walter."

I took a deep breath as his caressed stopped and he smacked my ass again. I almost jolted. Like he was truly spanking me.

"I hate that you like Walter." He smoothed his hands over my ass. Grabbing and massaging the glutes.

I shifted on his lap as his caresses turned pleasurable. I wanted him to continue.

"I hate that he fucked you."

I cried out at the hard smack I just received. Jesus Christ! Was it sick that I could feel my wetness trailing down my thighs.

"I hate that you're still fucking him." Another intense smack on the other cheek, had me reminiscing to one of those rare occasions during my childhood oh when I got spanked with my mother's house slipper after breaking her vase.

Fuck. I am fucked in the head.

Erasmo bent down and kissed my ass, biting and kissing it as he massaged the now hot and tinted cheeks. He brought his head up and slid his fingers through my nether lips and groaned.

"You're so wet." He dug his fingers in purposefully as he watched my body squirm on his lap.

Fuck. What was this? I pushed my ass up.

Erasmo smacked my ass again, and again. His words controlled, his hit hard, his kisses sweet, his tough gentle. His spanks still stinging.

And when he smacked me again, causing a couple tears that I had been holding to roll down my cheeks. I knew deep inside it was over for him. He wasn't going...anywhere. Till death do us part.

**

I cried out as I rode his face, my hands gripping the back of the couch in a death grip. Erasmo's eager tongue and slurping beneath me. He aided my ass up and down his face. Gripping each cheek posisively. Nose and tongue digging inside me.

How we got here? He spanked me a couple more times. Each seemingly more painful than the last. But the next one bringing more pleasure than the previous. And so he grabbed me and slid me up, assaulting my pussy with a vengeance, in which I would never disagree with.

If this was his way of showing me he owned my body? Well he did a marvelous job. Here. It's yours. All yours. And the fucking icing on the cake was that he was still completely fucking dressed as my juices trailed down his chin and he brought me to the third and last orgasm or I wouldn't be able to walk back into the dinner.

**

"Careful..."

"Shut-up." I whispered, stumbling against him for the second time as we neared the engagement party.

"Hey, we were wondering where you were." Ari grinned. Craig, Walter, Ari's big brother, her cousin and his girlfriend all turned to look at us.

I tried to straighten up and smiled at them. My hair was fine, so was my makeup. My dress was back in order. I had triple checked everything before we came out. And I had made sure that Erasmo's suit was proper and no buttons out of place. They shouldn't be able to suspect anything.

But everybody at the table stared at us for a couple more seconds. Feeling embarrassed and pressure, I rushed to my seat. Erasmo followed me, ironically catching me just as I was about to trip over my seat.

"Careful, your legs are a little weak---"

"Shut-up. Shut-up." I whispered at him through clenched teeth as I pushed him away. I smiled at the table and sat down, jumping slightly cause my ass still stung. I met Craig's eyes across the table, one chair over from me. His eyes were wide and filled with excitement.

"Are you alright?" Walter asked me.

"Yep.yep..yep." I nodded and quickly grabbed my wine, drinking as much as I could in one gulp.

Erasmo took his time and sat back down at the table. Leaning back in the chair and watching me as I sat directly across from him.

I lowered my gaze to not make eye contact or see that stupid smirk on his face. I turned to Walter and smiled guiltily. Fuck I'm such a bad person. Such a bad person.

"Care for more wine Walter?" Erasmo asked politely as he took the bottle and refilled Walter's glass.

"Uhm....thank you." Walter replied.

Erasmo beamed at him. "No...thank you."

I moved my leg and hit him under the table, unfortunately I hit part of the table also and everybody looked down at the shaken plates.

"Uhm where's Nahlia?"

"I was wondering the same thing." Ari said. "It's almost time for the cake and she's been bragging about the designer since forever."

Erasmo looked to his left and then turned to Craig. "Where's Lola?"

"She had a phone call." Craig whispered back.

Erasmo nodded.

"Oh and...." Craig leaned back to whisper to his best friend. "You're wrong for having her come back looking so thoroughly fucked."

Erasmo smirked as he stared at Jaylenn and Walter across from him. The later who met his eyes. Erasmo lifted his wine to him and nodded before drinking. Neither man blinking.

"You know..I'm gonna..."

"No...no..." I said standing up. "You sit, it's your birthday. I'll go get her."

"Are you sure?" Ari asked. "I really don't mind."

"Sit, birthday girl. Sit. I'll be back." I grinned. If only to get away from the fact that the teasing looks and smiles I was getting, could only mean that everybody knew for a fact that we'd just hooked up. I needed air.

"Oh, would you like me to com---"

"Why don't you have a seat Mr. Smith." Erasmo stood up with a polite smile. "We wouldn't want you to mess up those hips."

I glared at Erasmo wanting to punch him.

"Oh you have bad hips?" Craig asked Walter. "Oh I can work with you on that. I can come up with a nice routine."

"No thank you Walter. I'll be quick." I tapped his shoulder and left the table without looking back.

Sure enough after a couple seconds, I felt a familiar touch against my lower back. I turned around. "Don't do that." I whispered urgently.

He chuckled.

"I'm serious."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll apologize to your precious Walter."

I mocked him, knowing he wasn't going to do any such thing.

"You like knowing, everybody knew you came." He whispered kissing the back of my neck.

I smiled softly.

He gently pulled me to him. "Thank you." He whispered softly.

"For what?"

He gently slid his hands down to my ass and held it as he kissed my cheek. "Letting me take my anger out."

I smiled.

"Come back with me tonight." He whispered.

I sighed.

"You have to." He whispered. "The aftercare is the best part." Erasmo bent his head and kissed me gently. "I love you."

Fucking hell. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his neck. "I love you too."

We smiled at each other and relunctantly pulled away because we were still at the front of the restaurant and were gathering a couple stares. In fact the waiter who'd found us the room passed by us with the biggest stupidest grin on his face as he nodded at us.

I shook my head and headed for the bathroom.

"Wait...Lola stepped outside really quick. Let me tell her to come in for the cake."

I nodded and slipped my hand in his as we stepped out of the restaurant. We looked around until we saw the short shimmery Givency dress, long tan legs  and auburn hair.

Erasmo called out. "Hey Lola, we're getting ready for the----"

Lola whirled around guiltily. My eyes widened as Nahlia stepped from the pillar. Panting hard, her eyes opened wide as she stared at me sheepishly.

"I uhm..." Nahlia swallowed hard.

"I had a phone call." Lola spoke quickly and stepped away from Nahlia. But her red lipstick was smudged and it didn't help that she tried to wipe it quickly.

"This isn't what it looks like." Nahlia whispered pleadingly. "Please...Jay...."

I nodded speechless. I don't think I've ever truly been speechless before. But I was now. Absolutely no words came to mind to be spoken. "Yeah...uhm...the cake, we're...are you still...are we doing the cake?"

"We're doing the cake." Nahlia nodded. Without a glance in Lola's direction she marched forward and passed me. Her hand shaking, she took my hand in hers and pulled me with her.

I looked at Erasmo in concern and he stared at me guiltily. "I'm sorry." He whispered painfully. I quickly gave Lola another glance before allowing my best friend to drag me back inside to complete her engagement dinner.

"It just happened." Lola whispered cautiously.

Erasmo whirled around, his hands in fists as he groaned at his older cousin. "If you fuck this up for me, I will kill you." He threatened. "I will kill you."

"It just happened." Lola whispered pleading. "We were just talking."

"You were supposed to come to support me. Make me look good to Jaylenn. Not fuck her best friend!" He whispered passionately. He turned and pointed frantically at the restaurant. "Whose about to be fucking engaged."

"It just happened." Lola repeated. She covered her face in despair. "Rasso...it was an accident."

Erasmo groaned and looked back inside the restaurant at Jaylenn and Nahlia laughing as they arrived at the table. But he could see Jaylenn's nervous stance, the way her smile shook, the way she looked around the restaurant almost desperately.

Erasmo turned back to his cousin. "Fuck!" He put his hands on his head.