Utterly Forgettable Read online

  Once the ice was broken we talked about everything. I told her about losing the hotels and she talked about how her stepmom couldn’t keep a secret. I talked about purchasing Riverbend, and the months I had to manage the apartment and the bar at the same time, and she told me about her douche of a manager who wanted in her pants. We talked well into the afternoon and I finally got my cup of coffee.

  I was disappointed when Cathryn stood and announced she had to go. I wanted to learn more about her. What I wanted, however, was irrelevant. This was my best friend’s sister and my employee. No matter how much I may want her, I could never have her. So I curtly thanked her and told her I would see her at nine in the morning. Hurt flashed in her eyes and I almost called her back. As I stared at her empty space on the foot of my bed, I felt lost. I missed her company.

  The next morning I met Cathryn downstairs at nine on the dot and, once again, we were impolite strangers. It really was better this way. Too bad it felt like shit.

  Three Days Later…

  “You have been in such a bad mood, boss, what’s up?”

  Sally and I were deep in the trenches tonight. Ever since we started having two dollar drafts on Thursdays we had been raking it in. However, with the money came the need to manage a crowd, and tonight we had a big one.

  “I’m fine,” I snapped.

  “Oh, yeah, I can see that.” Her sarcastic tone pissed me off. Then again, everything pissed me off these days. “Someone needs to get laid,” she sang.

  Sally was in Dragonfly one night when I stopped in to see Dillon. She and Dillon’s wife, Isabella, were childhood friends and roommates before Dillon married her. The weekend after we met, Sally turned up at Whisky’s. For weeks she came in and hung around the bar. I knew she wanted in my pants but I wasn’t interested. With her rainbow colored hair, multiple piercings and tattoos, she was cute in a little sister sort of way. One night she followed me into my office. I was exhausted and tired of fighting her off. In a moment of weakness, I gave in. As it turned out, sex with Sally was one wild ride. The girl had no reservations and held nothing back. That first night in my office I laid it out for her. I don’t do relationships. She seemed cool with it. A few weeks later she asked if I wanted to meet after work at her apartment. I nailed her too many times to count that night. When she asked me to stay afterwards, I knew the fun was over. Not long after she was fired from her job and I took her on as an extra bartender. I hadn’t slept with her in the five months she’d been working for me. Maybe it was time to remedy that.

  “Are you doing the honors?” I asked.

  She slowly licked her lips. “Sure, I could use a little recreational activity.”

  I wasn’t sure Sally was the correct remedy but I needed to get Cathryn off my mind. “How late do you work?”

  “Blake gave me the early shift. I’m off at ten,” she answered.

  “Meet me at my place at eleven,” I told her.

  On her way out, Sally stopped by to make sure we were still on for eleven. I almost told her no but quickly changed my mind. She was offering and clearly I needed to get my head back in the game.

  Fifteen minutes before the appointed time I pulled into my parking space. I stared over at Cathryn’s car parked in her usual spot and wondered what she was doing. I’ll tell you what she’s not doing. She’s not sitting alone in a parked car thinking twice about getting laid tonight.

  Banging my forehead on my steering wheel, I let out a growl of disgust. “Stop thinking about Cathryn, Zane. You are seconds away from being balls deep in Sally. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  I threw open my car door and headed inside. I knew good and well what was wrong with me, I just couldn’t do anything about it. I b-lined straight to the liquor cabinet and threw back two shots of tequila. Sally showed up in time for shot three. By the fifth shot we were stripping off each other’s clothes.

  We were down to our underwear when Sally grabbed my hands and started pulling me toward the stairs. “I assume your bedroom is upstairs,” she rasped. There was no way in hell I was taking her to my bed, not tonight, not ever.

  “Come,” I said, and steered her through my office and out the sliding glass door to the pool.

  “Killer pool,” she murmured.

  I stripped off my boxer briefs and watched her pull off her panties. I should be taking them off with my teeth. I should be touching her all over, I thought. My head screamed for me to do something. So I did. I dove head first into the pool and waited for her to join me there. Sally squealed as she jumped. Then she let out another loud shriek when she surfaced.

  “Sal, you can’t be loud. Otherwise we will have company. Trust me, that is the last thing we want right now,” I explained. The pool was off limits to the tenants unless given permission by me. Sally defiantly cocked her head and it reminded me of Cathryn. When Sally did it, though, it wasn’t cute. It was bitchy.

  “What has you in such a bad mood, Zane? You know you can talk to me,” she coaxed.

  Nope, not gonna happen, I thought, and went under water. I surfaced right in front of her. She opened her mouth and I shut her up with my tongue.

  When we came up for air I told her to wrap her legs around my waist. Without batting an eye she did as I asked and I rewarded her with two fingers in her tight, very wet pussy. Her groan of pleasure reverberated down my throat. My half-mast cock was starting to piss me off. Of all the problems I’d had in my life, erectile dysfunction was not one of them.

  “Jack me,” I told her.

  She slipped her hand between our bodies and wrapped her fingers around my cock. Thankfully it started to rise. Both of us worked each other over for a minute. Then I walked her over to the side of the pool and lifted her up onto the ledge.

  “Whatcha doing?” she playfully asked.

  “Lay back,” I told her. She immediately complied and I dropped my mouth to her pussy and began licking. Within minutes I had her writhing beneath me and shouting her release.

  I pulled back to let her sit up and she smiled. “My turn.” Once again my dick was lagging. Maybe I should have it checked out? What if that stomach virus was more than just a virus? “Mouth or pussy?” she crudely asked.

  It took me a second to follow, and I knew I didn’t want to be inside her tonight. “Mouth,” I told her.

  Sally pointed to the opposite side of the pool. “Meet me over there.” I started to ask why but decided I didn’t care why. I was going to get my dick sucked and that’s all that mattered. I swam across the pool and waited for her to walk around. When she reached me, she said, “Ass up on the side.” I pulled myself up and flipped around to a seated position. Again, I wondered what she was doing. Then I spotted the large step directly below where I was sitting and understood. Placing her hands on either side of my legs, she put her knees on the step and pulled herself up to where I was sitting. I spread my legs so she could slide between them. Lowering her head, she dropped her lips to my cock and ran her tongue from tip to balls. Leaning back on my hands I gave her better access and she rewarded me by burying her face in my nuts. When Sally sucked dick, she did not mess around. It took a second longer than usual for me to get completely hard but finally, I relaxed and began to enjoy it. When she moaned and started getting sloppy, I began to lose it, again. That’s when I glanced up and saw her.

  Cathryn.

  How could I forget Cathryn’s bedroom window faced the pool? Suddenly my lackluster cock was hard as a rock. As I stared up into her gorgeous blue eyes, I placed my hand on Sally’s head to slow her down. Imagining it was Cathryn’s lips on my dick, I began to pump my hips. Eyes locked on her face, I slowly thrust in and out of Sally’s mouth. Cathryn’s hand fluttered to her throat and I groaned. Thinking the groan was for her, Sally sped up her pace. Cathryn’s mouth opened and I could see her breath pick up. Oh God, I was going to cum. I tried to slow Sally back down but it was too late. I closed my eyes and let out a loud grunt as I shot an obscene amount of semen down Sally’s throat.

/>   When I opened my eyes back up, Cathryn was gone. I dropped my head back and sighed. I’d fucked up again.

  Chapter Eleven

  Cathryn

  ‡

  Jerking away from the window, I flattened my back against the adjacent wall and panted. Oh God, he saw me! I mean really saw me. I played the scene back in my head a few more times before it finally sank in. I just got busted watching my boss get a blow job. Zane’s expression as he was orgasming was now forever seared in my brain. I fanned my flaming face with my hand.

  “Move over Peeping Tom, there’s a new voyeur in town called Peeping Tina,” I announced. Then I broke into a fit of nervous giggles. “Holy shitballs, this is so not a laughing matter, Cat,” I whispered out loud. I thought about who Zane was with. Sally. I so called that. A million questions ran through my head.

  Wondering if they were still there, I risked another peek out the window. All that remained was the faint imprint of Zane’s butt on the side of the pool. I thought about Sally and wondered what he saw in her. Was it her wild hair, piercings and tattoos? I always wanted a tattoo. I pulled up my shirt and stared at my less than flat stomach. Maybe I should get that bellybutton piercing I’m always thinking about. When I realized what I was doing I blew out a frustrated breath. I need to get a life. For now I would have to settle for Oreos.

  After fifteen episodes of Flip or Flop and half a tin of Oreos, I finally fell asleep on the sofa.

  A knock on my door woke me the next morning. I had to pee like a racehorse. Hoping it was nothing serious I stumbled across the room and opened the door. By the time I realized I hadn’t looked through the peep hole, it was too late. A tall woman with dark red, very curly hair stood there staring at me.

  “You Cathryn?” she asked.

  I wasn’t sure what I had done but by the unhappy expression on this woman’s face, it wasn’t good. “Ummmm, yes?”

  Her eyes narrowed in on me and I tried not to flinch. This lady was scary and apparently very angry with me. “My name is Danielle,” she said.

  “Uh, okay. How can I help you, Danielle?”

  “You have no idea who I am, do you?”

  “Not really?” I hedged. If I didn’t hurry this along, I was going to pee my pants.

  “Richard Brass is my husband.”

  Dumbfounded by her confession, all I could manage in return was to repeat what she’d said. “Mr. Brass is your husband?”

  She leaned forward and I jerked back. “He’s also a diabetic,” she hissed.

  Oh God. I’d made her diabetic husband cookies and banana bread. Of course she was angry. “I wasn’t aware he had a wife!” I exclaimed. Realizing the stupidity of my comment, I continued, “He told me your, uh, daughter used to make him chocolate chip cookies.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Our son can’t bake to save his life.”

  “Your son?” I screeched.

  She shook her head back and forth. “Rich and I have a twenty-one year old son.”

  The situation started to sink in. “But, what about your daughter?” I asked.

  She folded her arms over her chest and sighed. “I swear I am going to kill that man. What did he tell you?”

  “He told me his dead daughter used to make him chocolate chip cookies and that his Great Aunt Bula, who was hit by a bus, baked the best chocolate chip banana bread he’d ever had.”

  A look of horror appeared on her face. “He told you our daughter died?” she hissed. Afraid to speak, I nodded yes. “And that his Great Aunt who was hit by a bus?”

  “Bula,” I clarified.

  “Who the fuck names their child Bula?” she shouted. I jumped and tried not to pee my pants. Before I could answer, she threw up her hands and screamed, “I am going to kill him!” Then she stormed off down the hall. Right as she hit the stairs, she shouted, “Nice to meet you Cathryn!”

  “Call me Cat!” I shouted back. Then I slammed the door and ran for the toilet.

  Mr. Brass is going to get it. I tried not to laugh but when I thought about it, I couldn’t help myself. It was seriously funny.

  By the time I made it down to Zane’s apartment I was five minutes late. I was also freaked out. He saw me last night. What if he calls me out on it? What am I supposed to say? Yes, boss, I really enjoyed the sex show, I only wish I had been the star instead of her? What if I pretend it didn’t happen? I think that’s what I’ll do. I’ll play dumb. As it turned out, I didn’t have to worry about it. Zane wasn’t even there.

  While I was somewhat relieved, I found I was also a little disappointed.

  Chapter Twelve

  Zane

  ‡

  How do I get myself into these ridiculous situations? First Beth, and now Cathryn. What the hell is wrong with me?

  The second I blew my load last night, I knew I’d fucked up. Sally kept asking if I was okay. Hell no, I wasn’t okay. The woman I had been trying not to want just watched me get blown by a woman I had no business being with. Using Sally was not cool but Cathryn watching? I shook my head. What do I do now? What am I supposed to say to Cathryn? “Sorry about last night?” How about, “I wish it was your lips wrapped around my cock instead of hers, babe?” I let out a laugh of disgust. This was the messed up thing about the entire situation. I wish it had been Cathryn instead of Sally. I also owed Sally an apology. I panicked, and then I wanted her gone. I shouldn’t have had her there in the first place. Still, the way I hustled her out of my apartment was beyond rude. Taking a sip of my bitter coffee, I stared out at the pool and wondered what the hell I was doing. My office phone rang and I was happy to have something other than my fucked up situation to focus on.

  “Zane Mitchell,” I answered.

  “Zane, it’s George Marks,” my attorney said, “Listen, I received a call a few moments ago from a Dwight Ellerman.” Dwight Ellerman owned the Mitchell Hotel in Winston-Salem. A few weeks ago I sent him a friendly email asking if he was ready to sell me back my hotel. He never responded.

  “And?” I asked.

  “It appears he is looking to sell.”

  This got my attention. My heartrate shot through the roof. “Are you sure?” I asked.

  “That’s what he said. If you’re interested, he wants a meeting.”

  I was definitely interested. “How soon can we meet?” I asked.

  “First thing tomorrow if you’d like.”

  “Can you or Allen attend?”

  “I can clear my schedule. How soon do you want to leave?”

  “I need to get some paperwork done at Whisky’s this morning. Let’s head out around four this afternoon. I’ll take care of travel arrangements.”

  Normally I would have Cathryn deal with reservations. However, since I was avoiding her this morning I would have to do it myself. I hung up with George and jotted Cathryn a quick note telling her I would be gone until sometime tomorrow. Then I rushed upstairs to pack a bag. I called the hotel in Winston-Salem on the way to Whisky’s and booked two rooms for the night. This trip would give me a chance to get a little distance and clear my head. If I purchased a hotel in the process, then all the better.

  That night I had dinner with George and we talked strategy. After a few after dinner drinks we called it a night. The next morning I woke up early and decided to go for a run to clear my head. Around mile two I relaxed into the run. By the time I returned for a quick shower, I was pumped up and ready to get my hotel back.

  The meeting with Ellerman went better than expected. As George suspected, the man was in a financial bind. His initial asking price was a joke and after two hours of negotiation I was done. I laid my final offer on the table. Then I stood and walked out the door. The man would be a fool not to take it.

  I’d successfully managed to put thoughts of Cathryn and last night on the back burner, but as soon as I was back in the car, she was once again on my mind. I wanted to see her. I had no idea what I was going to say, but I needed to know if what happened last night had changed anything between us. Why didn�
��t I say no to Sally? Because you can’t have what you want, ghosted through my mind. I hoped that my actions hadn’t hurt Cathryn. That’s the last thing I wanted.

  Luckily, Cathryn’s car was in the front lot when I arrived home. Before heading up to her place I dropped my bags off in my apartment. As I lifted my hand to knock on her apartment door, I was bowled over by a wave of self-doubt. What if she’s really angry and doesn’t want to see me? Get a grip, Zane, I told myself. With a frustrated growl, I Iet my fist fly….Bang…Bang…Bang.

  “Hang on!” I heard her shout. A few seconds later the door swung open and there she stood.

  Cathryn.

  Her face flushed red the second she saw me.

  “Hi,” I said.

  “Hi,” she quietly replied. She raised her hand to her throat, just as she’d done in the window last night, and I tried not to groan out loud and embarrass the hell out of myself. What is it about this woman that gets to me? She had on a simple white t-shirt and baggy blue leggings. Her blonde hair was messily piled on top of her head. She had on no makeup and was wearing funky looking glasses. Nothing about her stands out but everything about her calls to me.

  “I just wanted to make sure things ran smoothly here today,” I lied.

  “Oh, yes, today was fine. Are you okay?”

  I wasn’t okay. In fact, I was bursting at the seams and wanted her to be the first to know. “You remember me telling you about my father’s hotels and how my mother sold them out from under me?”

  “I do,” she answered.

  “Well, if all goes well, I just bought one of them back.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “Really?” she whispered.

  “I think so.”

  “Oh Zane, that’s awesome!” She threw her arms around my neck and I pulled her close. I relished how good she felt pressed against me, but then a timer dinged from somewhere in her apartment and her body stiffened. I quickly pulled back. She glanced over her shoulder and muttered something about bad timing. “Ummm, I need to get that real quick. Have you had dinner yet?” she asked. The delicious aroma of garlic and onions wafted through my nostrils and my stomach growled. “I take it that’s a no,” she laughed.