Page 16 of Trials of a One Night Stand
A one-night stand.
My first.
And knowing me, probably my last.
But I’m glad it was with Nathaniel. He’s nothing like Colton, nothing at all. It’s just…
I’m not upset per se, I’m just disappointed because last night was so good. I feel like I’ve been missing out on how good sex could be, and I might be missing out on something similar in the future if I don’t keep in touch with Nathaniel, except…
We agreed.
One night.
That’s all.
I’m a skilled negotiator and follow the rules. That means I need to stick to that no matter what my body wants—even if it wants more of him.
Two rounds with a little oral wasn’t enough to satiate my desire for him. Nor was it enough after he fulfilled his promise of fucking my tits and coming all over them. He washed me off after that with a warm washcloth, but I think he missed a spot based on how I feel a little sticky.
I smile.
All that and I slept for three and a half hours, which is plenty for me. I thrive on limited sleep and lots of coffee. Part of my job requirement.
I have no regrets other than the fact we won’t see each other again. I enjoy Nathaniel’s company—he seems like a good guy—but just not the good guy for me right now.
I need to pee, and I wonder if I can get out of bed without disturbing him. He’s sleeping with one arm under his pillow and the other resting over my stomach. I can lift his arm and get out, but getting back in bed the same way might be a challenge. Worth it, though. It’s a Saturday, and only 5:30 a.m. if the clock on the nightstand is correct. Not only do I want to lounge between the luxurious sheets, but maybe if I stick around until Nathaniel wakes, we can have a last round of sex before we say goodbye.
After peeing and drinking some water, I pad toward the bed. I’m about to crawl back in when I see my phone on the floor next to my purse. It must have fallen out last night. The screen is lit up, so I snatch up the phone and read the message, surprised to see it’s from my boss.
Jason: I know it’s Saturday and early for a weekend, and I’m sorry, but I need you to come into the office ASAP. We’ve been given a huge case since McBride stepped down. This is an immense opportunity for us, and you’re in the chair.
My heart beats wildly. A few potential clients have chosen a competitor of ours, McBride Associates, over us. I have no idea why that firm would step down in this case, but I don’t care. I finally get to be the main lawyer in a huge case.
Me.
Not my asshole ex.
Could this be karma for what he did to me? Or is this a right place, right time situation? Either way, this could be my big break, what I’ve been dreaming about for the past decade. Who am I kidding? It’s been my dream since I received my acceptance to law school when I was twenty-two and a senior in college.
This case might be exactly what gets me the partnership I thought would be mine—the one I deserve—that went to my asshole ex after he screwed me over, literally. He took my promotion, broke my heart, and kicked me out of his house. Yes, he even made me homeless. While he stayed at the Spokane office, I was transferred. Given the lies he told the partners about me, I’m grateful to still have a job despite my now precarious living situation. That’s why since our breakup, I’ve been working at various locations of the firm, which sucks if I’m being honest
Maybe if I’m promoted, I’ll be able to stay in Seattle permanently. That way I could be closer to Lottie. My cousin is expecting a marriage proposal soon, and I can’t wait for that to happen. She is one half of the perfect couple; the kind people say #relationshipgoals about. I doubt they’ll wait to start having kids since they’ve been together since high school, so more than ten years of dating. They’ve been each other’s first everything, which I find wholesome and am a bit envious of. It’ll be fun to babysit my second cousins, or would Lottie’s kids be my first cousins once removed? I never can remember how that works.
I glance at the handsome man sleeping in the bed. I’d love to crawl next to him and have one for the road, but my future awaits me. Anticipation makes tingles dance across my skin like just like they did last night wanting to be with Nathaniel, but this morning, they’re from excitement for whatever case they want me to take on. Forget sex. Leaving him sleeping is for the best. Besides, I hate goodbyes, and this will avoid that awkwardness we touched on last night before we came to the hotel.
Decision made, I dress quickly, trying to make as little noise as possible. I search for a pen to no avail and eventually pull my lipstick out of my purse to write on the bathroom mirror. Once I’m finished, I read the scarlet words: Thanks for last night. It was amazing. So are you! Have a great life! xoxo
Quietly, I slip out the door. As the latch catches, a heaviness settles in the center of my chest. What a shame to leave the man’s bed. Yet I know it’s the right call.
My ex told me he wasn’t interested in anything long-term, but I stayed and stayed and stayed. Each time I brought up the future—our future—he dangled the right words in front of me like the ultimate carrot. I fell for it each time even though I should have listened to him from the start. He must’ve realized I was his only competition for partner in Spokane as soon as I joined the firm after law school and played the long game to get what he wanted, which hadn’t been me.
Stop thinking about the prick.
I’d much rather focus on something better—like the orgasms Nathaniel gave me last night.
On my way to the elevator, a smile returns to my face as I pull up my ride share app. Fortunately, I won’t have to wait long, which means I should be able to get to work within an hour.
I arrive at the office fifty-six minutes later, and the place feels more like a Monday than a Saturday. The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, which is the same as on weekdays. I’m tired from lack of sleep, and the soreness remains, though it’s a good kind of ache. My hangover is doing better after I took pain relievers. Now to find out what was so important it required a call at the crack of dawn.
