Sprawled out across the smooth ivory carpeting that covered her living room floor, Jasmin munched on a piece of luscious homemade pepperoni pizza; one prepared by the man whose fine rear she unabashedly admired as he slipped a shiny disc into the multifunctional DVD player that topped their television.
“We might want to make this our last flick before we crash for the evening,” Joel grinned at her over his shoulder, “which would be fitting, since this is the last movie in Leslie Nielson’s immortal Naked Gun trilogy.”
“Indeed,” she nodded. “It’s been forever since we pulled an all-nighter-I just can’t think of anything more fun.”
Well actually, she mused, she could at least ponder one activity that would indeed be even more fun; an act she pondered even more seriously moments later, as Joel took his place beside her on the floor.
Wrapping his muscled arm around her shoulders, his crisp citrus tinged scent filled her senses as the silken strands of his ebony hair brushed against her chest.
“I’m so glad to be here with you tonight,” he whispered in her ear. “You’re such a good friend.”
Heaving a heavy, frustrated sigh, Jasmin relaxed in Joel’s arms and forced her gaze in the direction of the television screen.
***
The weeks that followed were busy ones for Jasmin, who threw herself into various marketing projects as she readjusted to the life of a single woman.
She found that on reflection that she didn’t really miss her deceptive, unfaithful ex-boyfriend-why, she reasoned, would she miss a man who wasn’t really what he seemed?
One thing she did miss was his intimate touch; the feel of a man’s hands all over her body, of a warm pair of masculine lips as they covered her mouth, her breasts…
“I need orgasms!” she declared now, quite loudly as a matter of fact.
Luckily she stood in the central aisle of a place where such declarations were not uncommon. Owned by one of her closest gal pals, Val’s Vibes was a bright, expansive store that sold all manner of sex toys and adult DVDs.
Despite her great familiarity with and affection for the bright, funny Val, she’d never visited this store alone; and the times that she did venture through its doors she usually came with Peter, she’d mostly cringed and covered her eyes in horror as she reviewed his choices in merchandise.
“No more copies of Dee Dee Does Denver or Busty Baby-Sitters!” She thrust a triumphant fist high in the air, greeting a laughing Val with a bright smile.
“You go Girl!” Val met her in a victorious high five, all the while bagging up her purchases for the day.
Jasmin grinned in spite of herself as she regarded the cover of the DVD, which boasted a photograph that likened the cover of a sensual romance novel; depicting a beautiful young couple kissing passionately and languishing in one another’s arms.
“They look like they’re having substantially more fun in life than I am,” she decided with a sigh. “Their movie, working in tandem with that delish looking jelly vibe, should help to tide me over until I dive back into the dating pool.”
Val, a slender blonde in a tank top and jeans, laughed.
“Have at it Kid,” she handed the bag to Jasmin, who took it firmly in hand before examining its contents.
Taking the sleek pink jelly vibe firmly in hand, she examined it with a girlish giggle that was echoed by a watching Val.
“It’s been a while since I’ve had one of these in my possession,” she laughed. “Hopefully I’ll remember how to use it. Do we still have to lie to people and say it’s a back scratcher?”
“Promise I won’t tell a soul, babe.”
Jasmin jumped as her senses were doused in the tones of a low, deep voice; one that, despite its undeniable sexiness, jarred her with its nearness.
She froze moments later as she turned to face its captivating source.
“Joel.” She felt her cheeks blush bright red as she regarded her smirking roommate; a man who currently stood behind her in line at Val’s Vibes.
He held in his hand his own selection of adult DVDs; his free hand clutched the fingers of a petite redhead who regarded her with pursed lips and raised eyebrows.
Grinning brightly, Jasmin thrust her own pink purchase high into the air between them.
“Hope you two have as much fun tonight as I do-orgasms all around!” she declared in a loud, unabashed tone. “Peace out!”
With a quick wave to Val she fled the premises.
***
“Well that was far from awkward.”
Late evening found Jasmin once again ensconced in her bedroom; this time staring with blank eyes at the toy that now seemed a useless purchase.
“Somehow I’m just not in the mood anymore.” She cringed in spite of herself as she recalled the embarrassing scene that had just transpired at Val’s Vibes.
She cringed again moments later, as she heard the door to her apartment open and close with a low, soft thud.
“Well it could be a crazed intruder-or it could be the roommate who just saw me buying porn and a sex toy.” She considered both possibilities with equal consternation.
Moments later the door to her bedroom flew open to reveal the roommate in question; a man who regarded her with wide, sad ebony eyes and a concerned frown.
“Jasmin, I’m so sorry about what happened at the store,” he advanced inward into her room, soon coming to stand beside her bed.
Jasmin shrugged.
“I certainly hope it didn’t bring an early end to your date,” she avoided his gaze. “That young lady was lovely.”
Joel sighed.
“Actually it did, but no worries,” he shook his head. “It was just a first date, and not a very successful one.”
Jasmin arched her eyebrows.
“Do you usually buy porn on a first date?” She stole a sly glance in her direction. “Of course you do. You’re Joel.”
The laughter she expected was replaced by a warm hug; one that encompassed her in Joel’s strong embrace.
“I couldn’t concentrate on her-all I could think about was you,” he told her, wrapping his strong arms around her back, drawing her in until her head rested on the surface of his hard, massive chest. “I was concerned about you.”
“I’m fine,” Jasmin answered, even as her betraying arms enclosed his trim waist.
Joel shook his head, leaning over to plant his lips on the surface of her forehead.
“If you need this stuff,” with this he gestured toward the toy and DVD that lined the surface of her bed, “then you are not fine Jasmin. Granted, you have shown amazing strength in the wake of your break up-you never cease to amaze me. Like everyone else, though, you have needs.”
His roommate froze.
“You-you’ve been such a big help to me, Joel,” her voice quavered above the sound of her pounding heart. “You’re so warm and nurturing…”
“Do you need more?” Joel asked her, his voice lowering to a sultry whisper. “Do you need me to do
