This
is a work of fiction, loosely based on the character "Steve" from the
film "Breaking Up". I do not own the copyright on that character, but
only on the premise of this story.
A
LIFE LESS REGULAR
© by Whisperee
“Whew.
Finally, everyone’s gone.” Ree
latched the locks after the last guest had left.
Was it only
She
started collecting the cups and plates that had ended up all over the loft.
She felt comfort in the silence; the noise and bedlam of the day had
gotten on her nerves. Turning her
attention to the pile in the sink, she hummed to herself, swaying to the
imaginary music in her head.
“Yeah,
this place has some view,” came a familiar voice from behind.
Ree
jumped and turned. “Jesus, you
scared me,” she smiled as she saw who had spoken.
“Where’d you come from?”
“The
balcony– talking to
“All
this time? I didn’t see you out there.”
“I
was around the side – only place I could get reception on my cell.”
“Hope
nothing’s wrong – she’s still coming back tomorrow, right?”
Steve’s
eyes darkened, and he slumped against the couch. “Yes – it’s just whenever
she goes back to her folks’ and sees her old friends, she gets all sorts of
ideas about what I should be doing. Her
Dad has a job that would be perfect. Fuck.
Probably playing golf with a bunch of bozos.”
“Don’t
they know you already have a job?”
“That’s
not the point, is it? I gotta remember what my real job is.
Fuck it, I’m done talking about it today.”
He abruptly turned to bind up a trash bag that lay next to the couch.
He angrily tied the knot three times before stopping with sigh. “Shit,
I don’t mean to sound so – why do we have this type of conversation on the
phone when she’s coming back tomorrow, you know?”
“My
unsolicited advice is that your job is not the place to make such a compromise
– even for your wife. If you hate
what you do every day, you both end up miserable.”
Steve
looked up. “Speaking from personal
experience? Did that happen with you
and Greg – I thought you guys had the perfect marriage.”
“Oh
don’t – perfect marriage is an oxymoron.”
Ree turned quickly back to the sink.
“Well, if
He
held up a plate of half-eaten cheese and wrinkled his nose.
“I spent too long living in the city to make that mistake.”
“So
help – if you remember how. I know
you have people now that do that for you.”
“Let’s
see, this is for drying,” he said, picking up a sponge.
“And this is for scrubbing.” He picked up the oven mitt.
“Very
funny – here, you dry.” She
tossed him the dishtowel.
Steve
took his place next to Ree at the sink. “You could probably afford people now
too, with all the paintings you sold.”
“That
was amazing, wasn’t it? When Greg
marked the prices on them, I thought he was crazy, but he said dead artists sell
better, so we might as well go for it. Damned if he wasn’t right.”
They
fell silent and continued to work in tandem.
Ree washing and rinsing, Steve drying and putting away.
Steve put everything away without once asking Ree where things went.
How did he do that? He’d
only been to her place a couple of times.
“Hel-lo,
what’s this?” He bent down
looking into the fridge.
Oh
yeah. He was nosy.
“Did
you see this, Bev? It’s from Amy. Congratulations it says.” He put his
glasses on and read the label. “
“Well,
I happen to like Asti Spumanti, smartass.
Want
some? “
“Oh
well, Asti Spumanti is better than bad champagne,” he smiled.
“I’ll
get the glasses,” she said, answering his grin.
Steve
went to work on the bottle, gently peeling back the foil and slowly unwinding
the wire. Ree drew in her breath as she watched how sensuously he handled the
bottle. With his thumbs he slowly
urged up the cork. Pop! No spillage.
“That
was impressive.” Ree said, handing Steve the glasses.
She hoped he hadn’t noticed how much she had really admired that
display.
“A
toast – to a successful day!” Steve raised his glass.
“No
– to friends, for helping me get through it.”
They clinked glasses and studied each other as they took a first sip.
Steve made a face. “You have to get used to the common things in life,
Steve.”
“So
I learned some new things about you from your friends, Bev-er-ree.
I’m a little hurt that you never told me your nickname.” His pout was
betrayed by his twinkling eyes.
“Ok,
so I couldn’t say ’l’ as a kid. Greg
called me Ree, and the folks here at the co-op picked up on it.
It was a personal thing, I’ve never used that name at work.” Ree
looked down, embarrassed.
He
took a couple of steps toward her and moved her hair out of her face. “Now
that your work life and real life have collided, what do you want to do?
What do you want me to call you??”
She
slowly moved out of his reach and walked to the couch.
After a minute, she looked back at him and spoke quietly,
“Ree. You can call me Ree
if you want. ”
“All
right, Ree it is. It’s going to
take a bit to get used to it. Ree. Ree.
Ree. Tee Hee.
So am I part of the inner circle now, Ree?” he grinned, heading toward
her on the couch.
“Not
much of a circle, I’m afraid, but maybe that’s changing, thanks to you.”
She paused. “I feel like I’m always thanking you for something. Why do you
help me so much, Steve? I feel like
I haven’t done anything for you. But you were here with me for Open Studio,
pushed me to reconnect with my friends, supported me at work….”
“Nearly
killed you…”
“So
that’s why? You feel guilty for
knocking me off my bike? Maybe next
time I want your help, I’ll just point to a scar, like Danny Kaye in White
Christmas.” She pointed to her scalp, which still bore a two inch scar.
“Nah,
that was your own damn fault for riding so close to my car door.
No, I’ve been guided simply by self interest.
In two weeks, you’re going to blow people away with your work; I’ll
look like a fucking genius for picking your project, then I’ll be promoted and
get complete creative control of Imagitech.
Simple.”
“An
evil plan to take over Imagitech – I like it.
How does helping my personal life fit in?”
She sat down on the couch, curling her legs to the side.
“Management
101, my dear. A happy employee is a
productive employee.” He sat down
at the opposite end of the couch, still keeping his eyes on her.
“And
how far are you prepared to go with this management strategy?
I can think of lots of things that would make me happy. “ Ree shifted
her legs and unconsciously began to massage her feet.
“Name
one.”
“Um,
well, I need more to drink before telling you that.”
“Chicken Shit,” she
thought, filling her glass with more wine, “I’m
biologically incapable of flirting.”
Their
banter had run its course and they fell silent.
Steve watched intently as Ree continued rubbing her feet.
“Feet
sore?” he asked. She nodded.
He
reached out and stretched her feet out on the couch, lifting first one leg and
then another, bending the toes toward her body.
“Take a deep breath, breathe out.” Ree’s body tensed, then slowly
relaxed. “Just lie back,” he
said softly, stroking her lower legs.
“How’s
that?”
“Good.
Great. Thanks. “ She caught herself and shook her head.
“Thanks. Again.”
“You
want to know the real reason I help you, Ree?” He didn’t look at her –
just continued the massage of her feet and ankles.
“It’s because you LET me help you.”
“What
do you mean?” She leaned forward, giving him a quizzical look.
“You’re
so independent, you deal with everything yourself.
You work alone, you dealt with Greg’s illness alone, his death alone.
You shut your friends out, Ree.”
Ree
looked away. “What could they do? He
was dying. They couldn’t stop him
from dying.”
“But
you weren’t. They could have
helped you.” Steve continued to stroke her calves and feet. “Accepting
someone’s help is as much an act of friendship as is helping.”
“So,
you’re my friend because I let you help me? “ She cocked her head and looked
intently at him. “I did let you help
me, didn’t I?
“Yeah.
Now lay back again,” He gently pushed her back down and lifted her feet
into his lap.
Steve
took one leg at a time, and firmly stroked the calf, then ankle, then foot.
He alternated that with gentle fingertip touches that sent shivers down
Ree’s spine. “Ahh,
this is good.” Ree thought, stifling a small moan of pleasure.
Steve continued his ministrations, alternating between rough kneading and
soft strokes. Ree found herself make a low moan, then cough to hide it.
Had he noticed? Steve looked
up at her, but did not betray what he was thinking.
“Here’s
one of your scars.” Steve placed
his fingers on a small white scar on her knee. “I’m so sorry.”
He kissed his index and middle fingers and placed them on her scar.
“Oh
my,” she said to herself. Did he
know what he was doing to her? His
hands, his large hands, caressing her, going up and down her calves and feet.
Arching her back, she stretched her legs out deeper into his lap.
What was that under her feet? My God, was he hard?
A wave of elation crashed over her suddenly.
“Oh my God,” she exhaled.
“Did
you just…..?” Steve began.
Ree
jumped up, red faced, and ran to the other side of the room, covering her face
with her hands. “Oh God, I’m so
embarrassed.”
Steve
walked over to her, stood close, and stroked her hair.
“Ok, ok, that’s okay, babe.
You
don’t have to be embarrassed in front of me, not ever.”
“Then
why are you smiling like that?”
“I’m
not – I’m just intrigued. I only
touched your feet and legs.” He stepped in closer, making small circles at the
base of her back. “What happens if I do this?”
He wrapped his other hand around her neck and pulled her close, kissing
her.
They
kissed for a long time – long deep kisses, ravenous kisses.
“God,” she murmured low. Steven
matched her moans, which excited her more.
As
their passion mounted, their arms and legs began to grope, to entwine.
He brought his hands up her toned thighs, lifting her skirt and moving
under her panties. He lifted her by
her bottom, and pressed her against the wall, aligning her crotch with his
hardness.
She
moaned again, more urgently. He
ground his hips against her, and each movement elicited another moan.
“Are you going to come again?” he whispered hotly in her ear.
“Come for me, baby.” She
obliged with a huge sigh of release.
His
hands found their way under her top, and he covered her breasts with his large
hands, gently kneading. She began to
tug at his belt, then stopped, pushing herself away.
“Wait,”
she said, taking his face in her hands.
“Wait.
Are you sure?” she looked searchingly into his eyes, as if trying to
read the answer from his thoughts.
Steve
paused and looked up at the ceiling. After a beat or two, he decided.
“One night – let’s forget the world.
One night, Ree, for us.
Then
back to our regularly scheduled lives. Can we do that, Ree?”
“One
night. Yes,” she said breathlessly.
Steve
took her hand and led her into the bedroom.
He undressed her – skirt off, then shirt, then what was beneath.
“Mmmmmm,” Steve moaned,
softly caressing her breasts.
He
eased his own shirt off, lips locked together with hers.
She pulled on his belt again, slowly unwrapping his pants like a present.
His trapped member sprang out from his clothes, like a snake-in-a-can.
“Surprise!”
Steve giggled softly. Ree jumped, but sat back on the edge of the bed. Steve
moved to push her down, but she resisted.
“Wait.”
Ree said with urgency. “Could
I?” She placed her hand on his
warm sex. “I’m a little out of
practice, but…”
”It’s all good, Ree,” he responded.
“Do
whatever feels good to you.”
Ree
took his erection in her hands. “God,
you feel good.” She moaned, stroking him. She placed him between her breasts,
and moved it up and down between them. Steve squeezed the breasts together as he
moved his shaft across her soft skin.
He
moaned. Ree took his head into her
mouth, just a little bit to tease. It
felt so good, she took more, pressing him deep into her throat. Steve moaned
louder, she moaned back. “How could this feel so good?” she thought.
She moved her mouth up and down his shaft, pressing her lips tighter, her
tongue dancing around him eagerly.
“You
like this, baby?” Steve said, half in a moan.
Ree moaned in agreement, moving her hands to his buttocks, urging him to
thrust inside her. He followed her
lead, and began to move to the rhythm she began.
With each pulse, she moaned. The tempo became more urgent, and she took
his hand, and placed it on her head, urging him to grab her hair, increasing the
intensity of his thrusts. Then he erupted, filling her up. She could feel his
organ tremble and shake as he reached the peak of his release.
When
his shaking stopped, he fell on the bed, grabbing her up in his arms.
“Sweet
Jesus, Ree,” he said low, “sweet Jesus.”
“I
think I liked that as much as you did,” she said, laughing.
“There
is no way that’s possible.” He grinned, “let me show you. What do you
want? Steve whispered hotly in her ear, “another foot rub?”
“Surprise
me.”
“Don’t
forget – don’t be embarrassed about anything.”
“Mmm-huh”
she mumbled, arching her back as he stuck his tongue in her ear.
He
slowly made his way down her body, seeking out her pleasure spots, lingering
when he found a sensitive area. He alternated between her body and returning to
her mouth. He made his way down her
to her waiting mound, savoring her delicate curls. As he began his final feast,
Ree lifted herself up on her elbows. “Lay back, enjoy it.” He urged softly.
“I
want to watch.”
His
eyes smiled in response as he worked his tongue in between her folds, his
fingers penetrating her velvet core. The vision of him enjoying her sent her
into a deeper frenzy and she lay back on the bed as her tension mounted.
“Now,” she pleaded. “Come inside now.”
He
knelt, lifted her legs around him, and slid into her, trying to match the rhythm
of her pulsing hips. As he thrust deep within her, she felt that she was pushed
off the precipice of ecstasy, each push sustained her joy, like a balloon being
held aloft by gusts of wind. She
completed her descent of delight just as he reached his own climax; as he
dissolved in her, she felt tears welling in her eyes.
When
he picked up his head to look at her, he saw the tears.
“Are you crying?” he said with concern.
“I
never thought I would feel this way again,” she whispered.
He moved to slide himself out of her.
“No, stay for a while,” she said, squeezing him inside her.
“Mmmmm,
that’s nice,” he said, kissing her wet eyes and face.
“I’m
thirsty, are you thirsty?” Steve asked after they had rested for a few
minutes.
“Thirsty
– and hungry.”
“I
know just the thing. Wait here.”
“I’m
not going anywhere.” She settled in under the covers with a smile.
“Is this really happening? She thought to herself.
Several minutes later, when he still hadn’t returned, she began
wondering in earnest. He finally
appeared, balancing trays of drinks and food.
“You
were gone a long time. I was beginning to think I’d imagined that you were
here.” Ree said, taking one of the trays from his outstretched hand.
“Oh,
is that something you would usually imagine?”
Oops, he had caught her.
“I’ll
admit that a thought or two has crossed my mind once or twice.” Or a thousand.
“What a pretty picture,” Ree said, admiring the display he had made out of
the leftovers.
“Well,
I used to photograph food, so I know what I’m doing.” Steve said with pride
in his voice.
“I
was too nervous to eat all day – I’m starving!”
“That
was kind of obvious,” Steve said
with a dirty laugh.
They
laughed and settled in next to each other, quietly partaking of their bedroom
picnic.
“What
is it?” said Ree noticing Steve’s brow knit together.
He
paused before speaking, “Would you think I was a dick if I left Imagitech?”
“Yes,
because I don’t think you really want to do that.
Why would you? To play golf with your father-in-law?!”
“To
stop the arguments, to make
“What
about you? Follow your bliss, Steve. If
you don’t, you’ll never be happy – she’ll never be happy,”
“Did
Greg let you follow your bliss?”
“Until
he got sick, yeah, he was great about it.
But
then, nothing I did could make him happy. I worked too long hours, I didn’t
spend enough time with him. So I
fucked up at work, ditched my friends so that I could spend as much time with
him as possible. Then he hated the
fact that I was going to live and I was wasting my life. It’s taken 3 years to
get close to getting back to normal. Don’t
make that mistake, Steve,” she looked back up at him. “Talk to her; let her
know what you want.”
“What
if she doesn’t understand?”
“What
if she does?”
“What
if I don’t know what my ‘bliss’ is?”
“You
know – you just won’t commit to it.”
“Story
of my life, babe. I said I’d
forget the outside world tonight, didn’t I?”
He put the plates aside and inched closer to her. “I can think of some
bliss I’d like to follow.”
“Do
tell.” She moved facing him, so that they were straddling each other.
“How
strong are those cycling legs of yours?”
“Pretty
strong, I’d say,” she squeezed him hard with her thighs.
They
spent the rest of the evening following their bliss together.
Ree
was wakened by the midmorning sun shining thru her curtains.
Her head throbbed, her lips felt twice their normal size.
She startled when she saw the figure next to her.
“Oh,
it really happened!” she thought in wonder. Should she wake him?
She stopped and started herself from touching his shoulder.
But he stirred, and slowly opened his eyes and saw her.
“Hi,”
he said with a small smile.
“Hi
yourself.”
As
his eyes began to focus, he gently touched her lips and cheeks.
“Ree, are you OK – I didn’t hurt you did I?
“Just
a little chapped, I guess”, she winced as she touched her own lips.
“Not used to this much er… activity.”
Steve
smiled more broadly this time, and sat up on his elbows.
“Do you want to shower first?” Ree asked, getting out of bed and
putting on her terry robe. “I’ll get you some towels.”
“No,
if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go home to shower, I have to get to the
airport by
“Wait
– you can take a shower here. I
have an extra razor and toothbrush.”
“Okay
– have any extra clothes?” he asked forlornly, looking down at his wrinkled
clothes.
“Did
Steve
nodded and headed toward the bathroom, loudly looking for the extra toiletries.
“Look
over by the…” Never mind. He had found them, of course.
Ree
started the clothes in the dryer and went back to the bathroom, where she heard
more swearing.
“Fuck,
fucking shower! How does this fucking shower work?” Steve yelled in
frustration.
Ree
came around to see.
“Here,
you move the fucking lever this way, pull the fucking thing here, then open the
fucking faucet up like so. There you
go, a Fucking Shower!”
“C’mere
you.” Steve laughed as he grabbed Ree’s wrist, letting her robe fall to the
floor.
“Wait,
Steve, the time…”
“We’ll
be quick.”
Steve
took the soap and lathered up her back and shoulders.
Ree followed his lead, and lathered him thoroughly.
Then they took turns tenderly washing each other’s hair.
They rinsed silently under the showerhead, holding each other close,
After some minutes, Steve took Ree’s chin in his hands.
“Ree,
gotta go,” he whispered.
“Yeah,
you better go.”
Without
a sound, they gathered and pulled on their clothes.
Ree pulled a quick shot of espresso and handed it to Steve, who, after
nodding thanks, tossed it back like a swig of whiskey.
They
stood in the open doorway, searching for the right words of goodbye.
Finally,
Steve kissed her tenderly and said “I’m sorry things couldn’t be
different.”
“If
they were different, they wouldn’t be the same.”
Steve
chuckled. “You’re weird.
See you Monday, Bever-ree.”
Then he was gone.
Ree
picked up and dialed her phone. “Amy?
It’s Ree. Do you want to
come over for breakfast?
“Sure,”
said Amy on the other end of the line.
“Great
– and could you bring the breakfast? I’ll
make the coffee.” She laughed softly.
“See
you in a couple.”
Ree
pulled a shot of espresso for herself and sought out the warm comfort of the
sun-drenched balcony.
“Back
to our regularly scheduled lives,” she murmured to herself.
She’d go back to work as usual on Monday, and Steve would probably go
back to calling her
THE END
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