Unexpected

Chapter 10

Dawn was just breaking when Brian woke. He was laying on his back, Melanie next to him. She was laying on her side facing him, curled up in a ball. She looked so small. He watched as her body rose and fell with each breath.

He loved watching her. There was something about her that he just couldn't put his finger on. He didn't want to get involved with a woman again. He just didn't have the patience for it. Didn't have time for all the bullshit. Was tired of all the head games. Why did women have to be so damn complicated?

Despite those feelings, the longer he was with her, he couldn't help feeling that he wanted to spend every minute with her. She seemed different. Less complicated somehow. He knew she had baggage. She had already told him that she had been hurt in a past relationship. They shared that in common. But it didn't seem to define her.

He was startled out of his thoughts by a cat jumping on the bed. Benjamin slinked up to him, meowing for attention. He pet the cat and it immediately started to purr. Benjamin climbed onto Brian's chest and sprawled out. Normally Brian loved this, but with Melanie next to him he really wanted to reach out and pull her to him. He didn't want to wake her but he wanted to feel her skin on his.

He pushed Benjamin off of him and shooed him to the end of the bed. He turned on his side to face Melanie and caressed her upper arm with his fingertips. Her skin was so soft. He reached up and ran a hand through her hair. He loved the feel of it between his fingers.

She stirred at this, her arm reaching out to him. He covered her hand with his and she moved close to him. He kissed her forehead and she almost seemed to purr. He sighed deeply and fell back asleep.

The next time he woke the room was engulfed in daylight. The sun wasn't out but the room was bright. He got up and looked out the window. It was snowing, and looked like it had been for a while. There was at least a couple of inches already on the ground. He went to the bathroom and when he returned he found Melanie awake.

"Good morning," she said as he slid back beneath the covers.

"Good morning," he replied, sliding up next to her and kissing her lightly. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. Your bed is really comfortable. Plus I was drunk so..."

He chuckled. "Yeah, so was I. But I had a great time last night."

"Me too," she smiled, kissing him. "I should probably get going."

"Why?"

"I'm sure you have stuff to do. And I need to do laundry. I don't even know what time it is."

"Neither do I," he said. "Didn't even look at the clock when I was up. You don't have to go on my account. I don't have anything going on today. And it's snowing. You can at least stay until it stops." He put out his arm and pulled her to him. She was so warm, having not left the bed.

"Is it really snowing? Ugh. How much?"

"Probably 2-3 inches. Please stay."

"Well, I guess if your going to twist my arm... What are you going to do to entertain me?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"Oh, I don't know, but I'm sure I can think of something."

He leaned in and kissed her deeply. She put a hand on his face and gently caressed his skin.

"Are you hungry? he asked when their lips parted.

"Kind of. Can we just lay here for a little bit? I don't feel like getting up yet. It's so warm."

"We can do whatever you want," he smiled at her, kissing her forehead.

She snuggled close to him and he wrapped his arms around her. She felt so content, just being there with him. She felt like she could have stayed in this position forever.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything," he replied.

"When is the last time you were with a woman?"

"Oooof...it's been months."

"Really? A famous tv star? I'd think you were getting it all the time."

He laughed. "A famous tv star?! I'm on basic cable! Hardly a 'star'."

"Well your show seems to be popular," she said. "Everyone I've mentioned it to has either heard of it or seen it."

"So you've been talking about me?"

"No, I said I was talking about your show. You seem to have quite the ego for a basic cable star," she said, looking at him with a smirk. He started to speak but she cut him off. "I'm kidding. But seriously, don't you have women fawning over you constantly?"

"No. I mean, sometimes. At the meet & greets we do after the shows sometimes the girls (women actually) get a little brazen. I've had my ass grabbed and I've been given hotel room keys, but I never act on it."

"Why not? I'm sure some of them are really hot."

"Yeah, sure, and sometimes it's tempting," he said, "but it's too complicated. In the early days of the tv show I dabbled with female fans, and I quickly learned that they couldn't keep a secret. I don't need the world knowing my personal business. Not a lot more personal than who you're fucking. I just don't need the headache."

"So you're celibate then?"

"Well, I wouldn't say that. I mean, I jerk off just about every day."

"Wow, so even you can't keep your hands off you," she laughed.

"Hey, it has to be done. For the sake of my sanity. It reduces stress."

"Oh, ok then. You keep telling yourself that."

"It does! Are you telling me you never do it?"

"I didn't say that," she said, shifting beside him.

"How many times a week?" he asked, looking at her.

"I don't know. I don't keep track. Just whenever the mood strikes."

"Are there toys involved?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" he scoffed. "That's a yes. No denial means yes. What kind of toys?"

"I'm not telling you that."

"Why? Probably nothing I haven't seen before. Or used for that matter."

"Oh yeah? Got a lot of experience with adult toys do you?"

"I've played with a toy or two in my day. At the ladies' request."

"Only if they request it?" she asked. "Never surprised a woman with one?"

"That may have happened, but they've never been used without consent. I'm not just gonna ram a dildo in a woman's ass while we're fucking."

"Is that what we're doing? Just fucking?"

Her question caught him off guard and he didn't know how to answer. It had started off that way, sure, but after spending the night with her again he wasn't sure he didn't want more.

"I...I don't know. I mean, what do you think? What do you WANT?"

"No complications," she said, matter of factly. "I mean, we're having fun, right? Can't we just keep having fun?"

He was relieved that she didn't say she was looking for a commitment right then and there. He didn't know what he wanted and he was happy to just be spending time with her.

"No complications sounds great," he finally said. He leaned down and kissed her. "Now let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."