Class Acts Volume 1

Chapter 4-2

“Seriously? What do you mean, I have to work on Sunday?” I said on the phone in the middle of Saturday afternoon as I was doing the laundry. I was so angry I could snap something in two…preferably my boss’s neck. Rapunzel had retired to the bedroom when I started yelling. I’d been losing my temper a lot lately.

“Two people up and quit yesterday and no one else is available to take the shifts on Sunday. Everybody’s busy, and Randy is working six hours, but I need you to cover the rest. You’ve done this before. Why is it a problem now?” Because I never had a hot date that I didn’t want to miss and was more important to me than keeping my f*****g job. Which should have made me pause, but I was past caring, it seemed.

“It’s always been a problem, Bob; I’ve just never complained about it before.” I ended the call. Cretin. I fumed for about five minutes before I called Simms.

“Hi,” I said, trying to sound calm.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, sounding concerned. His voice was soothing, though I was still pissed.

I sighed. “How did you know?”

“I could practically feel the bad vibes coming through. What’s going on, baby?” I could get used to him calling me that.

“I have to work fifteen hours tomorrow, starting at six in the morning.” Seriously, I hated my life right now.

“What the f**k?” That he sounded indignant on my behalf made me want to kiss him through the phone.

“Yeah. I’m sorry about our date. Okay if we do it next Sunday?”

“Sure. Hey, how about I bring over some barbecue and dessert tonight as soon as I’m done for the day. You have beer?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“Good. See you in a bit.” After he hung up, I decided I really couldn’t complain that he wanted to bring me food and spend some time with me. We might even cuddle on the couch, which prompted me to vacuum the cushions to get rid of insidious cat hair, remove squeaky balls and God knew what else.

I finished the laundry, swept, dusted, cleaned up the kitchen, freshened the bathroom. The sheets on the bed were changed, to my kitty’s satisfaction, apparently, since she promptly plopped down and purred her way to sleep. I dug out the outfit I’d planned to wear tomorrow, and after showering, dressed in a dark blue button-down shirt and pressed jeans, then walked barefoot across the carpet to the kitchen to make some coffee.

I was watching Luke Cage when I heard a knock on the door. I glanced at my cellphone and saw it was a little after six in the evening. I paused the show, and when I opened the door, Simms gave me a bone-melting smile and kissed me quick and hard before I stepped back to let him into the apartment.

“Don’t you look good,” he murmured, using a foot to kick the door shut and his free arm to drag me close and suck on my Adam’s apple. I loved the way his short beard felt on my skin, and I believe I whimpered, but don’t tell anyone.

“Thank you.” I took the bags he carried from him and led the way to the kitchen. “You’re not so bad yourself, as I’m sure you know.” I thought Simms could dress in a flour sack and still manage to look edible. All that muscle, everywhere, and tonight, it was on delicious display in a skin-tight, wine-red, long-sleeved spandex-style T-shirt, and snug leather pants. Everything was molded to his body from neck to ankles, and…were those biker boots? Have mercy.

“I dressed to impress you, and I do believe it’s working, by that charming flush on your face and neck.”

“I don’t like you,” I muttered, taking out plates and utensils to set the table while he took care of the contents of the bags, putting something in the fridge.

“I beg to differ,” he replied as I opened the fridge and took out two bottles of beer. “You didn’t have to work today, I take it?”

That just brought up our canceled date and ruined my mood. “No, so I suppose I should be thankful, but seriously? There was no one else to work tomorrow? Chaps my ass when they do that.”

“Does this happen often?” Simms asked.

I shrugged. “Often enough. I never have anything else going on, so I always say yes.”

“Sounds like you’re letting them take advantage of you,” was his comment as we sat at the table.

I knew he meant well, but…“You did warn me that you could be abrasive sometimes, but dude.”

“What? I didn’t say it wouldn’t be the truth. I call it like I see it. Did you at least give them an earful?”

I took a breath and let out my frustration. “Yeah. Still doesn’t make it fair.”

Simms grunted in agreement. “I’ve learned that not everything in life is fair. All I can do is roll with it.”

“Easier said than done,” I replied. We dug in. I practically moaned at the first bite. Damn, the food was good.

“What happened to my mother and me growing up wasn’t fair,” Simms said after a while. “All of my relationships ended because of my job, which isn’t fair. My partners couldn’t handle that I wasn’t around on a regular basis, to give them enough attention, or whatever. Lynn—my most recent ex—constantly argued with me about what ‘normal’ meant as a couple, and just couldn’t get past that. My hours are crap and Lynn wanted more than what I could give. And yeah, I understand the issue, but somewhere out there is someone who can live with it. And you know? I’m past forty. Life’s too short to worry about s**t like that anymore. Either the person in my life can deal, or not.”

I almost choked on my beer. “Past forty? No way are you older than me.”

He grinned. “Yes, I’m forty-two to your thirty-five. Think I’m robbing the cradle, do you?”

“Shut up,” I mumbled, willing myself not to turn red, and probably failing. “You just look—I didn’t realize—stop laughing at me,” I groused when he started cackling.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it.” Wiping the corners of his eyes as he calmed down, Simms said, “I can definitely handle you ogling me, though, if you don’t mind me doing some leering of my own.”

It still mystified me, his interest. “You really don’t…” I didn’t finish, but Simms seemed to know what I wanted to say.

“There’s nothing wrong with you. If you feel you need to lose weight or whatever, do it because it’s necessary for your wellbeing, not because of public opinion. Your job is difficult, you work long hours, and you sit around a lot. Not great odds when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight, but if you want to do something about it, I’ll be glad to help. I used to weigh three hundred and fifty pounds myself.”

I gasped. “No!”

“Oh, yeah. About five years ago, I was having all kinds of back issues and my health was declining. The doctor and I had a ‘come to Jesus’ conversation, and I realized I had to do something before I developed heart problems or worse. It took some work, but I’m doing a lot better now. I have to keep at it, though, because it’s easy to become complacent.”

“Well, whatever you’re doing, I heartily approve,” I said, laughing when Simms flexed his muscles and puffed out his chest.

When the meal was done, we cleaned up, and then he took two slices of chocolate cake from the fridge and followed me into the living room as I carried the bottles of beer.

Once we settled on the couch, I started the Luke Cage episode over again. I really liked the lead character, and he reminded me a little of Simms, who quickly finished his dessert before settling on the cushions with my head in his lap. It was comfortable, the two of us there, Rapunzel finding her own spot to be petted and spoiled.

We ended up watching two episodes, and when they were done, the cat had disappeared, and Simms was sitting up, with me straddling his lap. “I’m not too heavy for you, am I?”

“Nope. You’re just right, so stop worrying about it.” He kissed my nose. “I had a nice time this evening.”

Smiling, I said, “Thanks for coming over and bringing dinner.” I ran my fingers over his moustache and beard, loving the sensation from the texture.

Simms ran a hand through my hair and played with a few strands. “It was my pleasure. I wanted a chance to spend some time together before our date. I needed to see you and didn’t want to wait a week.”

“I’m glad you did,” I replied, and kissed him softly before laying my head on his shoulder. “This is nice. We should do this again, and s*x is optional, though not unwelcome.”

I felt Simms’s hand rubbing my back as he lay his head on top of mine. “As much as I want to f**k you into oblivion, it’s also nice to just cuddle.” We remained like that for a little while, breathing together until I realized how late it was from the clock on the small table next to the couch.

Reluctantly, I moved off his lap and stood, knees popping. “I’ve got to get some shut eye, and you probably need sleep, too, hmm?” He took my hand and I helped him up before escorting him to the door and opening it.

“I do. My place is a good hour from here, though. I’ll be exhausted by the time I get home.” He rubbed a hand down his face and sighed. “I’ll call or text you during the week when I can.” He reached out and yanked me closer before taking my mouth hostage in the best way possible. When my c**k was impossibly hard and I was ready to pound him into the floor, he stepped back.

“Don’t forget me, now, okay?” He winked at me and I swatted his firm, toned butt before he walked down the hall to the elevator, leaving me trying to catch my breath as I leaned against the doorjamb. This week couldn’t go by fast enough.