My Good Girl

This is reposting of story I wrote a while ago under another name.

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Tari glanced at the man across from her. He was 6 foot 4, tanned, with broad shoulders and a bright smile. Cheeky green eyes twinkled as he cracked a joke, making the blonde woman next to him giggle into his shoulder, as women often did when they wanted an excuse to touch their date. He paused when she did but said nothing, merely glancing at Tari - his eyes looking right at her as his fingers crept forward, inching towards her only to grab the stem of his wine glass for a sip; holding her attention as he gazed at her over the rim of the glass.

She picked up her own glass and sipped the last of her iced tea - the bitter refreshing taste distracting her momentarily. The ice cubes chimed dully against the glass as she drained it.

"Would you like another glass, k- Tari?" 'Jules' asked as he looked around for the waiter that served their section.

Tari bit the inside of her cheek, pulling her eyes away and throwing her gaze to the outside of the little restaurant. She caught her own reflection on the shiny metallic glass curled within Jules's fingers.

Compared to Jules and his date, Tari was tiny; barely five feet tall in heels. They made people 'fun-sized' where she came from, her friend joked once. The same friend that was now hanging on to every word this man was saying, placing a graceful hand on his chest which he didn't object to. Tari brushed her dark hair out of her eyes, small deft fingers with short nails painted a rich shade of burgundy. She took a deep breath and sipped her drink. " No, thanks. I really should go," she said suddenly, cutting through the tension at the table. "I hate being the third leg on a date."

The blonde sat up, her little black dress hanging like artwork on her athletic frame. "Oh, no... no, I'm so sorry," Debbie pulled away from her date. "Please stay. We've got tickets for the movie and everything. Just because Zach got sick doesn't mean you can't still have a good time with Jules and me."

Tari tried not to narrow her eyes at that, keeping her face carefully relaxed and cheerful. "Nah... you guys have a good time. And honestly, I just feel like I'm intruding."

Jules, or Julian or whatever the fuck he was calling himself now -- she couldn't remember - put down his wine glass and nodded his head. "At least stay for the movie, Tari. You did suggest it and it's a solid choice." Her name rolled off his tongue so easily. The long 'aah' falling sensually from that cruelly delicious mouth.

Her pulse raced at that voice -- a mix of steel and silk, deep and sonorous, that made her skin shiver. He was a bull of a man - imposing when he wanted to be but gentle when the occasion called for it. She found him devastatingly handsome, and those large hands, that white button-down shirt, dark brown hair, slightly hairy chest... her thoughts wandered before she corralled them back in line. "I did," she finally replied simply, keeping her replies to him short.

"Then just stay," Debbie pleaded, her head resting on Julian's shoulder, cheeks flushed. "Pleeeeasseee?"

Oh God, was she drunk already? Tari tried not to ruin the mood. If Debbie was on the road to inebriation, it would be bad form to just leave her friend. Debbie's mood swings were unpredictable when she got drunk. Like it or not, she was this drunk bimbo's designated driver. "I suppose I could stay for the movie."

Julian smiled, his eyes lighting up at her words. "Great," he replied and settled the bill, walking out of the restaurant with Debbie holding on to him on his left as Tari took to his right, her hands firmly in the pockets of her jeans. The sound of her shoes commanded him to look at her feet. She still walked with purpose, striding briskly in red high heels that matched her lipstick, standing in bright contrast to her sensible cobalt silk blouse. That dainty neck and that face... which held those beautiful, darkly-lined almond eyes that he had not quite forgotten.

Those same eyes that stared up at him from between his legs on those humid summer nights in Japan so many years ago.

The Mentari he met was a workaholic who loved to wear glasses as she laid naked on the bed, barely covered by a thin blanket as she caught up on the news even while they were on holiday. She felt light and playful when he pulled her from the floor of the hostel room then- an hourglass figure with that mole she had on the underside of her left breast, right at the spot before the curve began.

How Tari giggled when he kissed her there, flicking his tongue to both taste and tickle her. The little nymph, he smiled. The wonderful names she called him when he was deep within her. How she took the time to find the right one that summoned him from the depths. How that term had never quite felt the same way coming from another's lips.

What were the chances of running into her again?

"Hey you... I asked if you wanted to get some snacks?" Debbie motioned to the counter of overpriced goodies.

Tari was already there, red lips wrapped around a thin ribbon of sour green apple gummy, her pink masterful tongue gathering the last of it into her sensuous little mouth as she chewed, smiling playfully at the cashier. One hand on her hip as she made fast friends with him before she leaned across the counter, her feet going on their tiptoes, bent over the display as she laughed at something the cashier showed her on his phone. It was only for a second but she held Julian's gaze before she returned her glance back to what the cashier was showing her. The little minx-

"Julian? Are you listening to me?"

"Sorry. I just remembered something I needed to get back to."

"Is it work?" Debbie asked concernedly.

"Yeah, sort of. It's just something I thought was settled but maybe not. I'm sorry. I really should be concentrating on you," he smiled, shaking his head and blinking away the memories as he smiled down at Debbie. "I'm good. You?"

"I just thought you might have wanted some gummy, seeing how you stared at the candies like that."

He opened his mouth to answer but found Tari walking back with a pack of candy and a satisfied grin. "That's a lot of candy for one person."

"I'm not sharing," Tari replied simply before walking off.

They found themselves a row near the back of the theater. Debbie took the innermost seat, much to Tari's secret annoyance, and left her placed next to Julian as darkness descended and the advertisements began to play. She crossed her legs and tried not to look at Julian, the glow of the images casting their hues on his shirt and onto his face, lighting up the features she had once traced with her fingers as he laid his head on her bare thigh, chin glistening with juices one happy sake-infused night many months ago.

Well, actually, more than one night, she corrected herself. His room was a mere formality throughout their two-week vacation. Her chest was his pillow, his head tucked under her chin as he slept, something she hadn't minded in the least. Even when that sharp, wide jaw jabbed her ribs. And then there was the time she got her period and thoughtful Julian put a hot water bottle he bought from Don Don Donki on her lower abdomen, stayed behind and rubbed her back while they watched Die Hard. Tari turned away and shook her head, banishing the memory back to the edges of her mind.

What were the chances of running into him, here and in this situation of all things?

Debbie stood up suddenly and declared, "I need to pee."

"I'll go with you," Tari and Julian both said at the same time.

"No, I'm fine, really," Debbie assured them, stifling a yawn. "Besides, the bathroom's just back there."

"Got your phone?" Tari added, picking at another candy ribbon.

"Yes, mom."

"Don't piss all over yourself," Tari laughed, rolling her eyes but smiling at her friend as she watched her leave. She thanked the gods that she had the good sense to not wear a dress. The silk did little to warm her in the cold theatre but it showed her frame beautifully, cobalt waves rising and falling with each deep calming breath she took to steady herself. Tari allowed the noise of the adverts to fill the space between Julian and her, sighing inaudibly in the dark as she folded her arms; finally letting the friendly mask slip.

He glanced at her, her pretty doll-like face hardening into a stubborn, impenetrable expression. He supposed there was no better time than now to address the elephant in the room. "Didn't think I was going to run into you again, Tari."

"Mmmm," she chewed and swallowed before speaking, her voice so soft that he barely heard it above the loud sounds. "It's bad form to talk during the movie... Jules, Julian - whatever your name is."

"Are you mad at me?" he raised an eyebrow at her.

She shook her head, licking her lips. "I don't know," she bit back on her words. "My apologies. It's just a bit of a shock to see you. When Debbie said, 'hey, come on a blind date with me, it'll be fun!', I wasn't expecting to see you. I mean, Tokyo was something but... that was so long ago-" She turned to face him for the first time in the evening.

He felt his mouth water as she did, her beautiful face and golden skin cast in the light and shadows of the dark movie theatre as patrons still shuffled in. She was so close... the memory of that red lipstick smeared across their skin making the pit of his stomach stir.

"-and Debbie really likes you. She hasn't stopped talking about you for weeks now." Tari shook her head recalling the way Debbie gushed. "'Omg Tari, you need to come meet him... he's so cute! Aaand he runs his own business selling cakes.'" She clasped her hands under her chin, eyes growing wide and vapid before she shuddered and straightened up.

"Technically, I work as an accountant for my family's bakery but okay. She's a terrible tour guide, by the way. I was hoping you'd step in."

"-she's a model. It's not her job to know every historical fact behind every building we passed. I'm not going to steal her thunder."

"And you're supposed to be a quiet librarian. That didn't stop you from talking my ear off about the Heian Shrine and distracting me from every other girl at the hostel."

"What can I say? I use my wit and rhetoric to stun people into liking me."

"Stop flattering yourself. How much do you think that worked?" He ran a nail across the skin of her wrist that sat on the armrest between them only for her to pull away sharply even as she sucked in her breath in surprise, her skin breaking into goosebumps; the fine hairs of her neck standing.

"Pretty damn well since you're still talking to me."

"Ki-"

"Don't you dare," her words were every bit as sharp as her stern look, even as her skin flushed warm and pink at the endearment almost mentioned. Her eyes widened and tinged with yearning, flashing an odd green in the light of the adverts. "She really likes you-"

"I've only talked to her on the plane-"

"-and I don't even know your name!"

"Julian," he confirmed. "Jules is a pet name."

"That's not the point but it does explain a few things," Tari shook her head, her voice thicker with desire before she asserted herself again. "Anyway, I can't do this to Debbie. Let's just get through this evening."

He opened his mouth to reply but Debbie was now yawning her way back to her seat, effectively cutting their conversation short. She settled back into the cushions, curling up against him as Tari concentrated on the movie that had begun to play.

While Debbie giggled and cuddled Julian's arm, Tari simply chewed her sour candy stoically for an agonizing two hours. It wasn't too long after the movie ended that they were all on the sidewalk with Debbie blissfully falling asleep on her feet as Julian held her up. An unspoken, tacit agreement reached between them as Tari took the keys to the car from Debbie's purse and watched as Julian carefully loaded Debbie into the backseat.

"She's a real lightweight," he said as he tucked Debbie's legs safely in the car.

"She was nervous about your date so she was already drinking like half a bottle of wine before we left the house," Tari rolled her eyes. "Anyway, it's good she's asleep. Drunk Debbie has the worst mood swings." She stifled her surprise when Julian shut the door to the backseat and joined her in front. The car ride was blessedly silent as they drove back to the little apartment she and Debbie rented. As much as she hated to admit it, not having to haul a tall leggy blonde from the car and to her room was a relief.

Julian laid Debbie as gently as he could on the bed as Tari took off her shoes and pulled the covers over her. Debbie stirred, putting her hands around his neck. "You smell really good..." she murmured, licking her lips.

He gently pulled her arms from him as Tari tucked her in. "Thanks," he chuckled as she pouted. "Get some rest."

Debbie whinged a little as she turned on her front, "Tari, he's so hot."

"Mmm," Tari nodded, the mood swings were starting to get worse.

"He's such a stud. Do you think he likes me?" Debbie's voice took on a mildly alarmed note. "I don't think he likes me."

Tari glanced at Julian before smiling down at her friend, still dressed and still drunk. "You're pretty and you're sweet. Of course, he likes you."

"Then why does he keep looking at you?"

"...I had candy. Goodnight, Debs. I'll be in my room if you need anything." Tari ushered Julian out before silently closing the door behind her. "Thanks for helping with her," she said, ignoring Debbie's last words as she walked to the kitchen. "I'm making myself some tea. Would you like some?"

"Sure. What are we having?"

"I have some ginger and lemon."

"That's not tea."

"Would you rather have some horrible bean juice?" she shrugged, referring to his hatred of coffee.

"Ginger and lemon sounds great, thanks."

She busied herself, trying not to look at him even as he did, admiring her little form before she came to him with two large steaming mugs. "It's really late," she said, not meeting his eyes as he took one from her. "Do you want me to call you an Uber?"

He sipped his drink, shaking his head as they settled on the couch. "Maybe in a bit," he swallowed the warm drink gratefully before setting the mug down. Leaning back on the couch as he looked at her, her brows knitted as she glanced at the time, the floor, the rug, her fingernails, the door to Debbie's room - anywhere but him. "So how have you been?"

She finally met his eyes and shrugged. "I've been all right. Busy."

"So you obviously quit your job and ended up here," he smiled slightly.

Tari cocked her head to the side and smiled at the memory of her crying over a beer over how much she hated her boss. "That I did. Took your advice."

"If you stay in a horrible situation-"

"Chances are, you only have yourself to blame."

"'Chances are'....You added a prerequisite."

"Not everyone is as fortunate to up and leave, J." She cupped her mug and took a sip. "What about you? Debbie's your vacation girl?"

"Sort of," he said. "I kinda met her on the flight here and she seemed nice."

"Mmm," Tari laughed softly. "I had to put up with weeks of Jules being so hot etc etc..."

"Did you talk to her about Julian?" he sipped his tea too, appreciating the hot liquid that sank into his chest, warming him from the inside out.

"I suppose we're even on that note," she sighed and moved a little further away from him.

"What did you tell her about me?"

"Not much. I did meet her only after moving here." She met his eyes over the rim of her mug. "Just that I had a really good time with you.... I mean, Julian. He was a fun ride."

"You were the best."

"Sure."

"What else?"

"I was very fond of you." Her toes curled into the cushion as she drew her knees closer to her, careful not to brush him.

"Yes, 'fond' of me. You told me that."

"Mmm."

"I haven't slept with her if that's what you're curious about."

Tari shook her head. "That's none of my business." She pursed her lips. "But after Japan, there was that trip to Chile, right?" When he nodded, she went on, "And you slept with that girl - the brunette on Instagram?"

He raised an eyebrow at that, realising what she meant. "That was ages ago. And I never told you that."

Her eyebrow mirrored his. "I sort of figured it out. Call it a sixth sense."

"Okay, yes I did-"

"I regret asking you," she shook her head. "What's the point? Took you a while to realise who I was talking about."

"Not like I remember every single person I sleep with. Do you?"

"Please tell me you got tested before and after." She took another long sip. "Least you could do."

"Always. I'm... what was that term you used.... an ethical slut," he shrugged even as she shook her head and laughed. Saying little, he pulled her mug from her and took her hands, putting it to his face. "Tari..." he kissed her palm and then the spot where he had scratched her earlier, before pulling her to him, one large arm encircling her waist. "Mentari... I didn't forget you."

"Liar," she laughed. "We barely know each other."

"So we may have fucked it up by-"

"-having really great sex from the start?"

"... yes and then... we didn't know how to handle it... but I never forgot you." His voice trailed as he curled his fingers around the back of her head, a thumb on her cheekbone as he looked at her, shaking his head as if to concentrate on what was more pertinent at the moment.

His words floated through Tari amid memories of riding him on the couch, whimpering, going farther than she wanted.

"But we only had less than two weeks... and we lived half a world apart from each other. If it makes you feel any better, I really regretted getting my own bed in that hostel. I should've just moved into your room and saved myself some spending money."

"So it was just the sex?" she frowned, "Never mind. Of course it was.

'Of course, it wasn't,' her brain shot back at her. 'Stupid girl,' she admonished herself. 'He found out things about you that you didn't even know were there. He made you laugh too. Even when he was filling and stretching you to the limits of pleasure. So what if you never asked all the questions you had in your head? You were too busy creaming and shuddering over this bull. The point is you never forgot.'

Julian noted how her brows furrowed lightly, the way it did when she was trying to figure out the Tokyo subway map without help. Yet, just as he did back then, he decided maybe it was best not to ask his questions either. "Well, you were amazing. The best kitten I could have ever imagined having on my lap but you know it's more than that. You're smart, sharp as a tack... didn't cut me any slack. And you made really good tea."

"Why did you ask me to visit you in Lucerne?"

"I wanted more time with you."

"And if you knew I didn't want a relationship then... and you didn't see us as a long-term thing... Why did you insist on introducing me to your mother?"

He winced. "All right. That was my bad."

"I said no three times but you insisted!" Tari felt her cheeks flush as he pulled her even closer still, her bottom now firmly on his lap.

"Yes, well... Okay, I don't know why I asked you to go meet my mom."

"Bullshit. You expect me to believe you were that socially clueless? Okay, let's say you are... What about the bit where you insisted we spend the night at Frederick's spare room in Zurich?" she raised an eyebrow at him, remembering the time he insisted she meet his best friend from college and his wife.

"Frederick's smart. I thought you'd want to meet a board game inventor."

"Whatever. And after all that, you said there was nothing serious." Tari rubbed her eyes. "So what was I supposed to do? I just chalked it up to 'cultural differences' and got over it. It was easy - Chile, Paraguay, Mexico... your entire South American tour. I was just your Tokyo fuck bunny and I was okay with that. You didn't have to get my hopes up."