Get Closer by Alyssa Turner

Chapter 2

Russel

There’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot. How did I get here? Gazing at the army of skyscrapers through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my executive office, I thought about what it took to turn a Junior Civil Engineering post into my current position as Vice President of Operations for the Northeast Territory of Hunter Railways. Long title, huge salary, a fucking empty bed to go with them both. How did I get here? I sniffed and recounted some of the key choices I’d made along the way, and as always, those thoughts circled back to her. Five years earlier…

I got the job. It was a simple text with a complicated meaning. I pressed send and waited for Chloe to respond, kind of secretly wishing she would say she’d hoped I could find something closer to her. A week ago I was a nomad, open to settling down wherever I found the best career opportunity. As it happened, the best opportunity was in Miami and now all I wanted to do was fly back to Chicago, so I could take her out on a proper date.

That’s great! The text came back quickly. Then eons passed as three dots danced and paused on my screen. Finally, another message. Can you talk?

The motel bed looked inviting as I loosened my tie and kicked off my shoes. I dialed her number, already feeling my cock twitch and remembering the time we spent together a week ago in a similar-looking room.

“Hi.” She sounded…I think the best word for how she sounded was pleased.

“Hey.” It was the first time we’d spoken since I kissed her goodbye, but I’d been thinking about her non-stop.

“I’m really happy for you,” she said.

“Thanks.” I paused. “Are you at work?”

I heard the creak of a chair and then the click-clack of high heels on the floor. A door closed. “I am, but it’s private.”

There was an awkward silence for a moment, and it felt like neither of us knew where to start.

“So when’s your first day?” Chloe asked finally.

“Tomorrow, believe it or not. I’m going to have to spend the weekend looking for an apartment.” I crossed my fingers. “Maybe I can fly up to see you next weekend.”

“Oh, I would really like that.” She sighed. “But they’re sending me to London for a conference. It’s the first time I’ve been invited to go.”

“Wow, sounds like a big deal.”

“I guess it is.” She paused. “It’s good to hear your voice.”

Oh fuck, it was good to hear hers. “Is your door locked?”

“Now it is.”

“Tell me what you’re wearing.” I pulled at my belt. “Do you have on another one of those tight skirts?”

She giggled. “It isn’t tight. It’s fitted…and yes, I do.”

I smiled, my hand already snaking down for my cock. I toyed with myself, palming the hardening flesh through the fabric. “Pull it up to your waist and sit down in your desk chair.”

“Are you hard, Russel?”

“You’ve got me so hard, sweetheart,” I whispered through the line, licking my lips and sighing as I slowly unbuttoned my pants. “I’ve been thinking about that sweet pussy of yours all week.”

Not a lie. Though I’d never been the type to want things I couldn’t have—my thoughts lingered on her. I was in Miami. Beautiful women grew on trees and everyone knows long-distance things are fucked. But then again, Chloe was no ordinary woman. That was for sure.

She breathed out a slow puff of air through the phone. “Are you rubbing yourself right now for me, Russel?”

God, I loved the way she said my name. “Yeah,” I practically moaned the word as I took out my dick and gave it a few good strokes.

Chloe chuckled. “I’m wet, too. I was thinking about you when you texted me.”

I closed my eyes, imagining her sitting in the chair in front of me, sliding her hands against her black pencil skirt, her legs parted with her head tossed back.

“I’m stroking my clit now.”

I really moaned then, touching the sweet, sensitive spot right under the head of my dick before sliding my thumb over the slit.

“Wish you were here so I could taste your cock.”

“I like the way you think,” I breathed.

“And I like sucking you off hard, and dipping my tongue into your slit so I can taste your cum.”

I moaned, tossing my head back on the pillow. “Am I getting you off or are you getting me off?” I slowed my strokes, already feeling myself beginning to swerve off the edge. Keep it cool, Russel. Ladies first.

Chloe let out a husky laugh and I could picture her soft lips pursed ever so slightly. “I learned from the best.”

I held the base of my cock, no longer stroking, trying to take deep breaths in order to calm myself of the practically pubescent flutters in my chest. “Wish I was there,” I said, looking around at the drab room with my clothes spilling out from the suitcase and last night’s pizza box on the floor next to it. “Wish I was there between your legs to lick that delicious nectar dripping from you and then suck on your clit.”

I smiled at her gasps, my hand resuming its slow rhythm. Pre-cum gathered at the tip. I spread it out with my thumb, slicking my dick and then I gave it a few more pumps.

“How hard are you, Russel?”

“So fucking hard, baby.”

“If I were with you…”

“Yeah?”

“If I were there with you, I’d tell you I want you to fuck me now. Will you, Russel? Will you fuck me hard on top of my desk?”

“I will press your knees back until they practically touch your shoulders and open you up so wide for me. Then I’m going to push right into your luscious pussy. You’re so hot Chloe…so…hot.”

“I love it when you spread me open like that.”

“Mmm…fuck.” I was so close, on the edge, about to fall. “When you are a beautiful panting mess with wild eyes, and that pretty mouth is rounded in a perfect O, I’m going to push all the way in and come deep inside you.”

“I’m coming with you.”

With a hiss and a low grunt, I did come, remembering how good she’d felt in real life and how truly gorgeous she’d looked riding her orgasm to the very end. Then there was a moment of nothing but heavy breaths and pounding heartbeats between us.

“That…was amazing,” she said on the line.

“It was perfect.” I bit my lip, wanting to ask, But, when can I see you again?

Chloe took a deep breath. “Well, handsome, I have to get back to work,” she said and paused a moment. “Uh…Good luck with your new job.”

“Thank you.” I shook my head, wishing I could think of something else to say.

“I…hope to talk to you soon.”

“Yeah, me too. Have fun in London.”

There were words in the air that neither of us could seem to grasp.

“I’ll try,” she said. “Bye, Russel.”

“Goodbye, beautiful,” I said, knowing those weren’t the words I was looking for.

It was almost six months until I spoke to Chloe again.

I was at the gym, working out with my college buddy Martell. He was in the middle of complaining about his job and the relationship with his co-worker that had gone to shit that past week.

“Workplace hookups are never a good idea,” I told him, glancing at my vibrating phone. When I saw her name appear I practically jumped off the treadmill. “I gotta take this.”

Jogging over to the bathroom, I opened the call. “Hello?” I said a little out of breath and smiling like a fool. My cock was already becoming hard.

“I’m lying in your bed, ass up,” I heard Chloe say on the other line. “What do you do?”

I closed and locked the bathroom door and felt like a fucking schoolboy as I checked the stalls. Pulling my joggers loose, with the phone wedged between my neck and my shoulder, I settled against the closed door of one of the stalls. “I pull out the new toy I bought for you and drive it into your sopping wet pussy.” My smile widened at her moans. God, it had been too long since we’d done this. I was too needy. I didn’t think I would last that long. “I flick on the vibrator and shove the dildo in and out of you until you are so wet, my fingers are soaked too.”

“Russel,” she whispered.

“I use your juices to slick up my dick.” I stroked myself faster. “And then I shove my cock right into that tight little asshole of yours as the rabbit vibrates against your clit.”

“Oh, Russel,” Chloe gasped.

“You love the way two cocks feel inside you, don’t you, Chloe?”

“Oh, fuck.” Her voice fluttered and my dick surged at that sound.

“I love the way you feel gripping me, you’re so hot there.”

I bit back my moans as my cock thrust into my hand, already spurting cum. I grabbed at the toilet paper dispenser and cursed as the whole thing fell and made a racket when it hit the floor.

“That was incredible, Russel.”

I smiled, dabbing at the cum with some tissue in one hand as I held the phone close to my face. “How have you been, Chloe? Long time no…call?” I cringed. What was wrong with me?

“I’m sorry, it’s been crazy.” She paused. “I was taking a break from prepping for my big meeting tomorrow because…well…I couldn’t concentrate. I kept daydreaming.”

I shrugged. “Did this help?”

“You have no idea…the stress I’m under is killing me. But, the promotion will be worth it.”

“I hear you on that. Go hard or go home, right?”

“How are things for you?” she asked.

“Good,” I said straightening myself out. “Aced my first review and I think I’m going to get moved to a larger division.” Someone pounded on the bathroom door and I sighed. “You know you can call me any time.” Ask her if you can meet up. I opened my mouth, but quickly closed it. She’d just said how busy she was. “It was great hearing from you, Chloe.”

“You too, Russel.”

There were maybe three or four more of those calls over the next year. I was ecstatic when I found out we were going to be within driving distance of each other for a few weeks while she consulted for a transportation logistics firm in Fort Lauderdale. But just my luck, the week before I was offered a transfer to Colorado, where I’d be groomed to replace the retiring Senior Engineer. We had one more call that week, but it really seemed like the fates were against us ever getting together again.

Now four more years later and there I was, at the top floor of the Hunter Railways National Headquarters in New York, staring down at my phone contacts. Chloe’s name and number stared back and I wondered if I pressed send would she pick up. Really, it was no one’s fault we let that whatever-it-was-they-had thing dissolve into nothing. But it had been something once, and it could have been something more.

I sighed and turned off my phone screen. What I really should have been thinking about was my agenda for the day. I looked at my tablet, glaring at it as if it were the enemy. All it had to offer was my enormous to-do list and my calendar, and I kind of wished it would catch fire.

As if the tablet knew I was wishing it a painful and untimely death, it dinged. I groaned. Another email. Great.

I looked at my phone again. Maybe I should give Chloe a call. Just to see if she’s in the area or to catch up on life. I’m sure she’d like to hear from me. Hopefully…maybe.

Ugh. Why did I always chicken out? I wasn’t the kind of guy who was afraid to do shit, or maybe he simply disappeared the moment I traded ripped jeans for a suit.

Every time we spoke it was like a gasoline explosion, fucking earth-shattering. And forget about the one chance I’d had to actually touch her, to be inside her. I was still recovering. How the hell did I let that fizzle out?

We were busy. Crazily, impossibly, busy.

Well, that’s what happens when you become a Vice President of Operations in five years, I told myself with a sigh, hearing a knock at my door.

I rubbed my temples. That better not be my assistant with another call from the CEO. I was at my limit with appointments. Wasn’t the whole point of becoming a Vice President getting more pay for less work?

“Come in,” I called, pasting on a smile I hoped didn’t appear too fake.

Martell, now my Senior Project Manager, popped his head inside. His smiling eyes and bright, toothy grin cheered me up instantly.

“How’s it hanging?” he asked, kicking the door shut behind him and throwing himself onto the chair across me.

“Fine,” I said, feeling myself relax.

I had known Martell Washington since we were on the same college football team and ever since, we’d been inseparable. Back then it was all about going to keg parties, wing-manning for each other, and at times sharing a girl or two. Now we play golf and work out. I listen to his dating escapades and he tries to get me on Tinder. Martell was and would forever be my best friend.

Martell was also bisexual and though he’d never hit on me, not even once, I couldn’t shake this new feeling I had growing towards him. I liked women, naturally, but Martell always made me feel…comfortable. I could tell him anything and basically, I did. He was quick to tell me to get over the chick from the plane. I never told him her name when I shared the story of what happened. It seemed a lot like kissing and telling to reveal anything about her identity. I was always discreet, prided myself on it in fact.

When he came out to me senior year in college I stood by his side, met his boyfriend, helped him through the big break-up from said boyfriend. Any asshole who had shit to say, I was there to help kick some ass if necessary. No, there weren’t any secrets between us.

Except lately, I’d caught myself staring at him while we lifted weights or as he passed me in the hallway after his shower. Oh, yeah, did I mention? Martell moved in with me about a month ago, while his house in the Bronx went under renovations. I was treated to a shirtless Martell Washington on the regular.

Maybe I needed to get laid. That was probably it. I never wanted a man before, so why now? I was so fucking horny I was losing my mind.

Standing in my office now, I couldn’t deny I was happy to see him. And the way he ran his hands over his abs, smoothing his shirt, and those dimples in his cheeks…a part of me wanted to know what it would be like. Just one time, I wanted to test the spark I sensed. I wanted to see if the one person I could count on might fill that empty place inside of me I didn’t like to acknowledge. Is that why I’d been thinking about Chloe? Maybe I wasn’t just horny. Maybe what I needed was something more.

It really didn’t help that currently he was with me practically twenty-four/seven, and at the same time I was so glad to have him there. I hired Martell the moment I got promoted and never regretted it one single day.

Martell pulled a piece of chocolate from the gift basket on my desk. “You still up for the game tonight?”

“Game?” I froze, trying to think of anything but him shirtless in the kitchen that morning, yet my mind was drawing a blank.

He broke off a piece of chocolate and popped it into his mouth. “You know,” Martell said, shaking his head with a coy smile. “You, me…” He licked his full lips and chewed slowly, the jaw muscles working under his smooth brown skin. “Giants game, with some beer and wings.” Then he placed a finger at his lips and chased a bit of melted chocolate there with his tongue.

“Oh…yeah,” I said, finally remembering. I rubbed the back of my head, feeling unusually hot. I really hoped my face wasn’t flushed. “Sure. I think I can have all this done in time. What time is the game?”

“Eight.”

“Okay, sure.”

He stood up to grab a tissue from the box on my desk. I dipped my head to my lap and, fuck me I was getting a boner.

“You alright, man?” Martell asked. He reached forward and lifted my chin.

A gang of tingles rushed over me and if it wouldn’t have alarmed Martell even further I would have slapped myself. “What do you mean?” I managed to ask with a calm voice.

“You seem distracted these days.”

I scoffed, pushing his hand away. It slid from my skin, stroking my stubble. “I’m fine. Just…busy…as usual.”

“You asked for it,” Martell said. Then he sat back down. “Wishing for the days when all you had to do was make a few calls?”

I shook my head and laughed. “The phone sex business was kind of a dead-end job.” I glanced at my phone. “But it’s crossed my mind lately…sort of.”

“Oh, the great Vice President Russel of Hunter Railways,” said Martell, standing and bending low into a mock bow. “Please get me off with that sexy tongue of yours.”

My gaze lingered on him for a moment, with a devilish thought swirling around in my dirty mind: What could I say to get you off, Martell?

His gaze held mine for what seemed longer than necessary and I quickly looked away, scrolling through my tablet. I chuckled. “It’s been years. That ship has sailed.”

“Man, I really should have thought of that setup,” Martell said, planting his hands on my desk and leaning forward. Was it me or was he gazing at my lips? “I have quite a sexy tongue myself, you know.”

My head shot up from my screen to find him licking those luscious lips once again.

“Maybe we should have a showdown one of these days. See whose skill wins all.”

I rolled my eyes despite the throbbing in my pants. “Sure, Martell.” I returned to scrolling through the screen and found my calendar.

“Alright, I’ll see you back at home,” Martell said, striding towards the door. “And thanks again for allowing me to stay with you while my house is being renovated. It means a lot to me.”

“Sure thing, Martell.” I smiled, watching him leave before opening my email and groaning with remorse.