I know you were all hoping for part two of the last chapter. Sorry loves, that bit will be left to your imagination. But don't worry, there's more of this story to come.
Thank you ChelleLew, wwefanatic365, justkimmy, Tammy, DeeMarie426, IRENELOVE83, nikki1335, benova13 and princessreigns for reviewing! Mwah!
Sasha held her head in her hands, having just finished venting about the current dilemma she was facing. "I'm so screwed, Pam," she lamented.
Pam was silent, the woman staring dazedly at Sasha. Then, breaking out of her trance, she blinked and smiled widely. "I'm sorry...I'm still stuck on the part where he said he wants to fuck you senseless."
If it wasn't for Mia and the other kids dancing at the other end of the mirrored studio room, the mother-of-two would have openly smacked Pam upside the head. But she knew better than to make the other woman look like a chump in front of her students. "Is that all you heard, trick? You're supposed to be giving me advice!"
"And I've been trying to do that all this time, but you ain't been listening," Pam retorted, "I told you if he wanted sex, you jump his ass! But he all but spells it out for you and you don't take him up on the offer?" She remembered when Sasha introduced her to Joe, and Pam knew if he had come on to her the same way she would have fucked him on the very first day. Her best friend was made of sterner stuff, that was for sure. "Girl. We've talked about this. This is a mutually beneficial situation. He gets what he wants and you get what you need. And since he's going back on the road you don't have to see him again." Pam paused, peering closely at her friend's conflicted expression. "Unless...you do want to see him again."
Sasha sighed heavily. "I don't know," she replied truthfully. "On one hand I do but on the other, I'm not sure. All the traveling Joe's about to do; that's what his real life is like. This week off was a luxury. In reality, he's home only for about two months in the entire year because of his job. Even if we keep seeing each other, how often will it be? He's hardly going to be around, and that's not stable. I want stable, and I kinda like the stability I already have in my life."
"In other words, I'm content with my boring, sex-less life," Pam rolled her eyes, causing Sasha to frown at her. "You killin' me, Sash. He wants you. You want him. I don't see what the problem is."
"Right. He says he wants me but for all I care I'm just some kind of MILF experiment to him." It would break her heart if that was truly the case. "I don't know. I just feel like I've let him get too close too soon." She looked over at her daughter, who was laughing with a friend, wearing the Shield hoodie Joe had given her. Sasha recalled how he had made Mia laugh when she was sick. She thought about it; the sparks that flew between her and Joe, the attraction that was now too compelling to deny. The last time she harbored such strong feelings however, she winded up pregnant. Twice. And twice, she was abandoned. She didn't think her heart could handle it a third time.
Pam studied her friend. She knew firsthand of how proud a woman she was; accustomed to being on her own and fending for herself. Even when Pam wanted to help out, Sasha grumbled about it. So it must have chipped at her heart when Joe bought things for her. This was unfamiliar territory she was crossing, territory she wasn't comfortable with. And though it was understandable, Pam secretly wished she could let that go. "Look, I'm not going to tell you what to do-"
"Well that's a first," she quipped.
"Shut up. I'm just saying, I think you should give him a chance. He obviously cares about you. I don't know many men that would go through the trouble of coming to spend time with you and your kid when she's sick. And ain't no way he did all of that just to get some ass, because let's face it, he can just flip his hair back and girls will come a-runnin'," Pam pointed out, and Sasha thought of Danielle. "From what I've seen and what you've told me, he seems like a decent guy. Maybe you should talk to him?"
"Hell no!" Sasha shot back. "I'll just look desperate and clingy. Look, I don't even know why I'm stressing out okay? Like I said, I'm probably never going to see him again. I should let it go. He's a great guy, and we had fun. That's it."
"Then let it be," said Pam. "If you're that worried about getting attached, then him leaving should be good news." She checked her watch. The kids' break was over. Standing up, she patted Sasha's shoulder. "It's just a shame that you might be letting something good go."
It was almost eleven p.m. Sasha's eyes were just drifting shut when her phone vibrated, flashing a text message.
Hey baby girl. U awake?
A big smile spread across her face at the term of endearment. It was Joe. They barely communicated all day because he'd been so busy. She typed a reply.
Looks that way. Whats up?
Long ass day, n now I can't sleep, he replied. Hope I'm not buggin u, I know it's late.
No, it's fine. Anything I can help with?
Can I come over?
Her eyebrows shot up. Now?
Yeah. Several seconds passed before his next text came. I wanna see u.
Dread and excitement swooped in her stomach. Sure. Call me when u get here. I'll meet u outside.
Cool. See u soon. X
Sasha got off the bed and looked for something to wear. She settled for a fitting grey tank top and dark skinny jeans, in a bid to look nice but effortless at the same time. She fluffed her hair a little, smiling giddily to herself. No matter her clashing feelings, she knew she'd never turn down the chance to spend time with him. She checked that her children were asleep, safe and secure before leaving the apartment. She felt like a teenager again, sneaking out to meet with her crush.
Outside, she found Joe leaning against his SUV, looking at his phone. He was also dressed casually in a tank top, basketball shorts and flip flops, with his hair pulled back. Sensing her presence, he looked up and smiled. "Good evening, beautiful."
"Hi." Tucking her hands into her back pockets, Sasha approached him slowly, watching his eyes travel down her body, and she returned the favor. He was the beautiful one for sure. "Thought you got an early flight tomorrow," she said.
"I do. But I wasn't going to leave without seeing you." He opened the passenger's door for her. "You up for a drive?"
"Sure." Right now, she would go anywhere with him, especially if this was their last time together.
In the car they talked about each other's day, with soft rock music playing on the radio. They pulled up at an empty parking lot which overlooked the beach. As Joe killed the engine, Sasha stepped out of the Range Rover and was greeted with the saline breeze blowing on her face. Sitting on the hood of the car, which was warm but not uncomfortably so, Joe pulled her to sit between his legs, encircling her waist with his arms. Sasha leaned back against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body through the thin layers of clothing. Her hand brushed his, and Joe loosened his grip so that their fingers could intertwine. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her temple. They remained that way for a long time, looking out at the waves that crashed in and out of the shore.
"So you're off tomorrow, huh?" Sasha asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Yeah," She felt his massive body heave in a sigh. "Got our itinerary today. We're moving around the country non-stop for the next two weeks. Probably to make up for the break."
"You'll be fine," she assured him. "Ya know, I'm thinking of watching Raw on Monday." She craned her head to meet his eyes, and she could tell he was surprised by her statement. "Yeah?" he said.
Sasha shrugged, played it cool. "Yeah. It'll be nice to watch you and your boys live in action." Turning her body, she slid her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, feeling his arms wind back around her. His body was warm and he smelled really good. Her heart began to pound as his face nuzzled her hair while he stroked the small of her back, his hand lingering on the slope that segued to the curve of her butt before sneaking inside her top to touch her bare skin. His touch set the butterflies in her stomach loose, causing her to shiver.
"Are you cold?" Joe asked.
She shook her head. In a spontaneous act, she placed a kiss on his chest, right over his heart. She then went higher, brushing her lips over the crook of his neck, and smiled when he inhaled sharply. Tilting her head, she met his waiting lips, which captured hers in one sweep. His large hand splayed over her back, keeping her flush against him as he took possession of her mouth with bold strokes of his tongue. The taste of his unique, indescribable flavor had Sasha's head spinning once again. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he lifted her off the hood of the SUV, turned them around and sat her on it, their mouths still fused together. Stood between her legs, Joe's hands traveled over her body, leaving a trail of delicious warmth in their path. One thing Sasha had learned in the past few days was that she missed kissing, missed feeling a man's chest pressed against hers. She had missed the way it felt to have strong arms wrapped around her. With Joe's size and warmth, the feeling was more amazing. To know she may never get to experience it again saddened her.
Eventually they broke apart, still wrapped in each other's arms, and Sasha studied his beautiful face, awed by the way the nearby street light defined the angles of his jawline. She'd gotten to know him in the past week and was captivated. He was young and gorgeous and ambitious. He had an interesting life, so different from her own. He was a decent guy, a gentleman and very different from what she expected. Plus he was a goddamn fantastic kisser, and all of this made it harder to do what she had to do.
"I had a great time this week, Joe," she said, her hand gently stroking the side of his neck. "I won't forget it. Thank you."
A frown formed on his features. "You sound like this is the end or something."
A long, tense moment of silence passed. "Isn't it?"
He didn't need to think through his answer. "I don't want it to be," he admitted. "I had an amazing week too, Sasha. Truth is, I want to keep seeing you."
She was dumbfounded. "You're serious."
"Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" Why didn't he like the sudden change in her tone?
Shaking her head, she took her hands off him and crossed her arms defensively. It was time for the kiddie gloves to come off. "Come on, Joe. I'm nearly ten years older than you. I got two kids. I'm not exactly the kind of woman a guy like you dates. And your career is blowing up and you're going to be busy with all the traveling and you won't be home often. I just don't know how that's going to work. Aren't you better off with all them girls you work with?" She wasn't making excuses, she had told herself. She was stating facts, and the facts relating to her had put off previous suitors before. No matter the promises they made, they always walked away in the end. But she was determined to end it on her own terms if he eventually planned on joining that list. She would push him first instead of letting him jump.
Joe watched her, patiently waiting for her to finish before he spoke. "Is there anyone else?"
Sasha tilted her head, confused. "What do you mean?"
"Is there anyone else? Another guy, someone else. Maybe I got some competition you're not telling me about," he clarified, and Sasha's eyes widened.
"What? No," she shook her head. "There's no one. I'm not seeing anyone else," she replied, and she could clearly see the relief on his gorgeous features.
"Thank goodness. And there's no one else for me either," he said. "If I wanted to be with those girls, I would be already. But I don't, so I'm not. Second, age is just a number to me. I've told you that already. Once you're attracted to someone, you're attracted. And in case I haven't made it clear yet, I'm attracted to you." When she bit her lip, he reached up and gently tugged it back into place. He wouldn't be able to make his point if she kept doing that. "And if anything, you've amped up my respect for single mothers. Y'all are badasses, man," he finished with a grin, which Sasha returned, albeit reluctantly.
"Well, I appreciate your vote of confidence," she said, then looked away with a sigh. "It's just...I don't know...it's been so long since I did this dating thing, and I'm confused and I'm a mess."
He could see her mind working, worrying. "You know you're not the only one nervous about all of this, right?" he told her. "I'm just as afraid as you are."
That surprised her. "You are?"
"Hard to believe, but yeah." he chuckled, rolling his eyes. The mirth was short-lived as he gazed into the distance, deep in thought. "Sasha...my last serious relationship ended a few years ago, and it was a mess." Maybe one day he could bring himself to tell her the whole story. "After it happened, I lost all interest in dating, choosing to focus on making it into the WWE. And I got in, and The Shield blew up and I left that part of my life in the backburner. For a long time that's where it stayed. Until I met you."
Sasha gave a slight smile.
"I wish I could explain it," Joe went on. "It's like there was this switch inside me that was flipped back on. And now all I wanna do is talk to you and spend time with you and just be around you. And it freaks me out a little because I haven't felt like this in a long time. I know you think nothing should happen between us because of how different we are and my job schedule, and you're thinking about your kids, too. I get it. I want to agree with you. Heck, I should agree. But you know what's stopping me?" He gestured between them. "This thing between us. I feel it, and I know you do too. You can't fake a chemistry like ours, baby girl, or walk away from it. So I'm thinking...since you're scared, and I'm scared...maybe we could be scared together."
Sasha absorbed every word he said. Hearing it from him, it sounded good. Really good. But was it really that simple?
Her train of thought was broken when Joe gently framed her face with his hands and brought her gaze back to his. "Sasha, I like you. A lot," he said sincerely. "I've never met anyone like you before and I know a good thing when I see it. I want to see where this takes us. We can take it as slow as you want and figure it out together. I'll be the first to admit it's not going to be easy, but I want to try." He lifted her knuckles to his lips. "So what do you say? Can we try?"
Holding his warm, grey gaze for several long seconds, the mother of two could hear Pam's voice in her head, screaming at her not to fuck this up. Joe was a good guy, she'd said so herself. No matter how much skepticism she felt, the bottom line was that she liked him too. She owed it to herself to at least try. She only hoped she wouldn't regret it in the end. "Yes."
Writing this chapter was tough as heck. Kindly review to soothe my aching brain, lol. What did you think? Will it be smooth sailing for Joe and Sasha?