WRITER’S NOTE: Minh is based on someone I met a very long time ago. Like Minh, she was a bit of an enigma – mixed signals and awkward conversations. To this day, I’m still not entirely sure what her mindset was, but for the record, nothing happened with her and I.

A week ago I was dragged out by some friends to go see a cover band at one of the local bars. I wasn’t really feeling it after a long week of work, but caved to the peer pressure and the fact that the bar was close by. Since I was dragging, I kept to the bar while the others mingled or danced to old eighties tunes.
During one of the breaks, I noticed my friend Lee talking to a couple that came in. I recognized the guy as one of Lee’s friends, but didn’t know him all that well. The girl with him was an unknown – she was tiny next to his six foot frame. They weren’t standing overly close to each other or holding hands, so I was guessing they were either friends or this was some kind of first date. Eventually, Lee and the couple made it back to the end of the bar we adopted as out space. Introductions went around – the guy’s name was Mark. He worked with Lee at her last job and they kept in touch. The girl was named Minh, one of Mark’s friends/coworkers. As they got drinks, we chatted for a while, the usual what you do for work, hobbies, where you been/who you know topics. Mark was deep into catching up with Lee, leaving Minh next to me nursing her vodka and cranberry.
There was something about Minh I couldn’t put my finger on. I think Mark was about the same age as I am give or take a year from 30. Minh seemed much younger, at least, she looked younger. She was as tiny as they come, with straight black hair that hung around her face like a mane and draped down over her shoulders and down to the small of her back. She was adorable, but I felt like I was eyeing a high schooler.
“So,” I said trying to break the ice, “You and Mark work together?”
Minh nodded, “Yeah, I’m an admin assistant on his project. We have to write and submit a lot of reports.”
“Sounds like fun.”
Minh rolled her eyes, “Yeah, it really isn’t. I’m trying to finish up my degree. Once that’s done, I want to look for better work.”
“Better?” I asked.
Minh shook her head. “Well, not ‘better,’ I guess…more with what I want to do, environmental work.”
“Nice. You usually hang out with him outside of work?”
She rolled her eyes again. “Honestly, I’m only here to get off the hook with him. He’s been flirting with me forever and started asking me out a few weeks ago. I ran out of excuses and figure I go out with him once, show him that I’m not into him, and we can both move on.”
I must’ve had a look on my face.
Minh shook her head, “He’s not a bad guy, just not my type and he won’t take no for an answer.”
I shook my head, “Got it.”
The noise from the band got loud enough that it was impossible to carry on a discussion. She and I stood side-by-side listening to the band until Mark nudged her to join him on the dance floor. As they headed off, Mark dropped his hand down to hers, but Minh turned her side away from him as she navigated around a few people. Admittedly, my attention wandered from the band, to people watching, and then back to Minh and Mark. He had done a fair job of getting himself buzzed and was doing his best arms-at-his-side hop dancing, at times leaning in toward Minh to dance with him. She stayed next to him while leaving a healthy amount of personal body space. He tried once or twice to say something to her, but Minh’s back was to me, so I couldn’t make out her reactions. After a few sets, the band opted for a slow tune, sending Minh like a bullet from the floor before Mark could finish his turn toward her. She planted herself on a stool next to mine and ordered another drink.
“You dodged that bullet, didn’t you?” I said.
Minh took a long pull of her drink. “He’s trying, but not getting the memo.”
“Think about who you’re dealing with,” I said, “Guys don’t do subtle well. You may need to hurl a brick at him.”
“Got one on you?” she asked with a wicked smile that was way too charming.
Mark had somehow moved into a crowd of people he was chatting with, and my crowd was all over the place, leaving Minh and I at the bar to fend for ourselves.
“What about you?” Minh asked.
“What about me?”
Minh crooked her head, more adorable. “You dating anyone?”
“Not really looking at the moment.” I said.
“Why not? I thought guys were always on the prowl.”
I shook my head. “I just moved into a new apartment, so I’m still getting settled, and I broke up with someone almost a year ago. I don’t really want to go back into anything right now.”
Minh squinted a little, her smile melted away. “A year ago…? Oh, okay…she broke your heart.”
I looked her in the eye as I finished my drink, and turned to hail the bartender for another.
Minh looked like she was going to ask something else, but stopped herself. Minh shifted the conversation to comparing notes about favorite shows and movies, finding more than a few in common. She was intuitive enough to understand that I didn’t want to discuss my romantic history. Eventually, Mark made his way back to us.
“C’mon, Minh,” he slurred a little. “Dance w’ me.”
Minh looked as if she would eventually climb over the bar behind her if it meant keeping her distance from Mark. “No, I’m good, Mark. I just want to finish my drink and go home.”
Mark’s shoulders dropped and the look on his face was one every guy knew too well. I tensed up for moment, wondering if he’d force the issue, be the jealous type since I was talking to her, or acquiesce and move on.
“’Kay…” he uttered, and grabbed his next beer before heading back to the dance floor.
“Well,” I said, “I think he just got the hint.”
Minh shrugged while checking her phone, “Problem is, he’s my ride and I don’t trust Uber.”
Despite all the time at the bar, I was still only on my second drink. “Listen, I’m pretty beat and was thinking of heading home. Can I give you a lift?”
“That,” Minh said and downed the last of her drink, “Would be awesome.”
I did a quick set of good byes to my circle of friends and Minh and I headed out. I noticed some of my crowd looking at us on the way out and felt my cell phone vibrate. I could already guess what they were texting me.
Minh didn’t live too far away, which was good because I was having trouble concentrating thanks to my exhaustion. As I pulled onto her street, she asked me to stop.
“Something wrong?”
Minh looked hesitant. “This is a little embarrassing – I’m 22 and still living with my parents.”
I shook my head, “No way, starting out is hard. I did the same thing. I take it they won’t take kindly to some strange guy dropping you off.”
Minh rolled those eyes. “You’ve never seen my Dad’s wrath, and you don’t want to.”
“No problem,” I said.
“Thanks for the ride. I’m still trying to figure out what to tell Mark when I see him on Monday.”
“He’s a big boy,” I said, “He’ll get over it.”
Minh stuck her hand out, and we shook hands. “Thanks for being my lifeboat tonight. I owe you.”
With that, she hopped out of my car and bolted down the block. I stayed long enough to make sure she go into her house safe, then drove home, brushed my teeth, stripped down naked and crashed in my bed.

The next week was fairly tame for me. Work was work and I was enjoying the down time at home, either web surfing about whatever, playing video games or watching far too many old movies. I’ll admit, Minh stuck in my mind a little, but not enough to send out a few feelers in hopes of connecting with her. Besides, I didn’t want to show up at one of Lee’s house parties with Minh and see Mark get all pissy with us.
That Thursday evening, I was watching a few Star Trek reruns and my phone buzzed. I had a Facebook alert so I checked it. To my genuine surprise, Minh messaged me through Facebook, explaining that she did a search for me since she didn’t have any of my contact information (which she’d have to go through Mark for). I wrote her back, offering my email and phone number. Not long after she was texting away with me, picking up our conversation about TV shows and movies, and asking some of the usual get-to-know-you questions. She wasn’t being very flirty, so I figured she was just excited about talking to someone new. Sometime after midnight, I was catching myself starting to fade, so I texted her saying as much and we’d chat later.
Friday morning, I was almost to work when I realized I had a new text. Minh sent me an early morning text asking what I was up to that weekend. As the morning moved on, I replied nothing special and she suggested going out to catch a movie and get something to eat. I accepted.

Minh was running a little late, but still showed up in time to grab a drink at the concession stand and catch the previews. She was wearing a skin-tight long sleeve shirt covered in anime characters, cargo pants and high tops. She greeted me with her trademark handshake and a smile. I noticed that she had on some make up, but either just enough for a night out or she was the minimalist type. Either way, I caught myself admiring how cute she was. The movie was some sequel in some action movie franchise with big names, big explosions and lots of bad puns. It was beyond stupid, but we found ourselves having way too much fun leaning toward one another, whispering catty jokes and comments about it.
As the movie rolled on and whenever we hit a low point in our jokes, I noticed that Minh remained leaning toward me, almost leaning on my arm and shoulder. I figured she was just a little comfortable and didn’t want to move. I forgot how good it felt to just have that kind of touch from someone, but I tried ignoring that thought, reminding myself that this was all casual.
Afterward, we staked out the corner of a bar at some chain restaurant, sipping on drinks, and eating whatever we could find that was bad for us.
“Did you ever have to throw that brick at Mark?” I asked.
Minh laughed. “Almost. He was harassing me all week. He’s asking to take me out again, give him a second chance.”
“I guess he doesn’t take no for an answer!”
Minh rolled her eyes again. It somehow was a cute expression for her. “God, I don’t need a guy like that! It’s bad enough we work together, I can’t go into another relationship with another man-child.”
“We all gotta be young and stupid once, y’ know.”
“I guess…been there, done that.” She said.
One of her legs dangled from the stool and was going back and forth like a pendulum, occasionally gently tapping my lower leg or foot. At first, I thought maybe she thought she was hitting the bar or part of my stool, so I shifted my leg over a little. As the conversation went on, her foot seemed to always find where my leg was and tap it intermittently.
We both drove, so we didn’t drink too much. A small crowd had come and gone while we were there, and the with the bar quieting down, we agreed to let the bartender close up early. I offered to walk her out to her car since it was dark out and soon enough found her little compact tucked away between a couple of giant SUVs.
“This was fun,” I said, holding my hand out for the expected handshake.
Instead, Minh pushed my arm out of the way and gave me a big hug. I could feel her curves against me thanks to the top she was wearing, I could smell her mix of shampoo and perfume. Surprised, I stood there for a moment, thinking that the hug was starting to become awkward in length, not sure what to do with my own arms as they hovered around her, then finally relaxing and hugging her back. My hand on her back didn’t feel any kind of bra strap, and that was yet another thought I tried to get out of my head as fast as I could.
When she finally ended the hug, she leaned up and gave me a peck on the cheek. “It was fun. We should hang out more.”
And with that, she got in her car and took off.
Once I got home, I poured myself another drink and sat on the couch, trying to figure out what the Hell had happened.

Over the next few days, Minh went through phases where she was very active with her text messages, and other times where most of the day would go by with barely any contact. She struck me as someone with a lot going on as an intentional habit, and while I was still convincing myself that making connections wasn’t in my best interest these days, tried not to read too much into it. Still, I caught myself seeing her face or remembering her laugh whenever my mind wandered.
I was working from home on Wednesday, mainly babysitting my work email since things were still slow. Out of the blue, my phone buzzed with a text message alert. Minh was getting out of work a little early and asked if I was free to meet up with her to hang out. I checked in with my boss to make sure I wasn’t missing anything (I wasn’t) and decided to stay on top of my emails at a coffee shop not too far from my place. I found a good corner table and set up only minutes before Minh walked in. She was still wearing her work clothes – a sensible black skirt that stopped mid-thigh, silk white top and a matching jacket. She spotted me in the corner and held up one finger as she ordered something, then eventually joined me at the table, sitting in the chair to the right of me, one leg crossed over the other’s knee.
“Fun day?” I asked.
She rolled her eyes again. God, that was still cute. “Ugh. No. In addition to my current work, they’re adding me to another project.”
“Doing what?”
“More of the same, helping write and prepare reports. I hate writing reports – they just say the same things over and over.”
“Hey, at least you’re needed.” I tried seeing the bright side.
Minh nodded as she took a gulp of her latte, “I know. I’m using it as motivation to finish school and move on.”
“How much longer do you have?” I asked.
Minh looked up for a moment, doing the math in her head. “If I keep my current pace, a year and a half. That’s two classes a semester. If I kill myself and do three classes next semester and over the summer, I might be done in a year.”
“That’s good though, you’re seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.”
Minh smiled, “Okay there, cheerleader.”
I held my hands up feigning innocence, “Just trying to be positive.”
She laughed. She also leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms out. As she did, her leg was still crossed over the other, and the angle gave me a view straight up her skirt. Trying my hardest not to stare or be blatantly obvious about the distraction, I couldn’t help but peek at the view. It was hard to miss the light blue panties she had on, with just the smallest hint of what was in them. It was warm in the shop, so she eventually took off her jacket. The silk shirt draped her upper body in ways I really couldn’t ignore. The shirt was sleeveless, and every now and then I could see the corner or strap of her black, lacey bra. Come on, man, get that out of your head. You don’t need the complication.
“So,” Minh asked, the look on her face a little more serious, “I want to ask you about something, but I’m getting that you don’t want to talk about it.”
I think I knew where she was going with this.
“What did that girl do to you?”
I sat back, trying to figure out how to encapsulate 18 months of drama. I don’t like airing my dirty laundry in general. I don’t like being vulnerable or having my faults analyzed. Something about Minh though, it wasn’t mere curiosity. Against my better instincts, something told me to trust her on this one.
“It wasn’t her. I screwed it up.”
Minh’s attention focused completely. “You did?”
I nodded. “We had a really strong connection – same interests, sense of humor. Things were a little awkward at first because we met through a personals site and didn’t really chat much before meeting. Once we got over some of the weirdness, I felt very comfortable with her.”
“So, what went wrong?”
Man, I really didn’t want to relive this.
I shrugged. “We starting hitting some bumps in the road. She was worried about losing her job, she’s from the West coast and her Dad was going through some health issues, and she wasn’t sure I was as supportive as I should’ve been. And she had a few issues she wasn’t being straight about.”
“Like what?”
“I told her I loved her, wanted something more with her.” I replied.
Minh’s expression was one of concern, not judgment. “Sounds like you were emotionally there.”
“No, I mean, I like to think I was. But it wasn’t that. She hinted about moving back West.”
“Oh,” Minh said, “You didn’t want to go.”
I shook my head, “I really didn’t. My life, my family is here. I don’t blame her for wanting to move back. She followed a guy here years ago, and I think she always regretted it.”
Minh frowned, “So that was it?”
“No, she hinted that staying here might look better to her if I took certain steps in the relationship – I’m talking engagement.”
“And you didn’t want to?”
“At that point, I thought a life with her could be a happy one, but there were other things. I want kids and she implied a few times that she didn’t. I also caught her texting or on the phone having some pretty serious conversations with a ‘friend’ that seemed like more than ‘a friend.’”
Minh sat forward, “She was cheating?”
“No,” I shook my head. “He was a previous boyfriend who she hadn’t totally settled things with. Things were starting to cool off in our relationship – less time together, less intimacy. We had a miserable beach trip where she spent most of the time crying. I finally confronted her about the ‘friend.’”
“And?”
“She admitted it was her ex from before me. He was asking for a second chance.”
“Ouch,” Minh said, putting her hand on mine.
“We spent our last weekend together non-stop arguing about everything. That Sunday afternoon, I told her I wanted marriage, but she needed to make up her damn mind about me or the ex. She said she needed to think – never a good thing to hear. Later that week, we met up for dinner at her place and had a really sad conversation. I was almost ready to do a Hail Mary and give things another chance, but that ex called in the middle of it and she answered the call.”
Minh’s eyes got wide.
“She was on the phone with him in her bedroom – door closed – for fifteen or twenty minutes. I was done. I knocked on the door, let myself in without her saying I could, and told her I was leaving. She didn’t even protest, just said ‘fine’ and got back on the phone. The next day I stopped by and dropped off all of her things she left at my place and told her I was done.”
Minh’s hand grew tighter on mine. “And you blame yourself for all that?”
“I don’t think of it as blame, more like both of us letting our issues take over the relationship. I sometimes wonder had I been more encouraging about my intentions with her, that might’ve made things different.”
Minh shook her head, “Or make them worse.”
“Yeah.” I paused, staring at my cup. Then refocused on the here and now. “Anyhow, that’s the last time I saw her. I haven’t even tried to call or email her. Hell, I haven’t even looked her up on Facebook. You gotta move on, right?”
Minh smiled a little, “Doesn’t sound like you have.”
I nodded, “I’ve been focused on myself a lot over the past few months. It feels ‘safer’ to be alone.”
“But not much fun.” Minh added.
“Yeah,” I said. “Not much has happened to grab my attention lately.
Minh smiled a little, her hand still on mine. “You never know when that will happen.”
And with that, Minh changed the subject to other things. An hour or two later, and a few cups of coffee in us made for a distracting afternoon. Minh was fun to talk to – good, positive energy, a nice laugh, and just as intuitive as she was the other night. Throughout the conversation, she shifted around, moving her legs about to be more comfortable while still sometimes sitting back. I figured it was just her habit and wasn’t aware of what she was showing me. There were a few times though, she had her feet propped up on the chair frame with her legs slightly spread apart, lifting her knees up a little higher. During two of those times, she leaned back but seemed to stay that way for longer than felt normal.
Damn it, those light blue panties.
Soon enough, the sun was going down.
“Okay, I said, “If I have another drop of coffee I won’t sleep for a week.”
Minh smiled as she got her jacket on and collected her things. “Same. Plus I have a busy end of the week.”
“Oh?”
She nodded, “I’m a bridesmaid in a friend of a friend’s wedding. I don’t want to do it, but the original bridesmaid is sick as a dog, so I’m the replacement.”
“Got the ugly dress and all?”
Minh rolled her eyes. “Ugh, it’s hideous. What are you up to?”
“I’m almost done unpacking the last of my things, and I still haven’t hung a single picture. It’ll be a low-key weekend – maybe do a hike at Great Falls if the weather isn’t bad.”
“I’ll try to send you a picture or two if I can for a laugh,” Minh said, and gave me a warm hug before getting in her car.

Minh was much more active with the text messages the rest of the week. She sent me a few pictures from the rehearsal dinner where she had clearly had one too many drinks.
That Saturday, I spent most of the day picking up and putting together some Ikea bookshelves and unpacking several boxes of books – the last of my stuff to see the light of day again. By late afternoon I was done and a hot mess of sweat, dust and tiny wood splinters and Styrofoam peanuts. I took a shower and stepped out to get a bite to eat at anywhere that had outdoor seating – it was a nice night to be out.
I sat there with just my phone, eating light and just a glass of wine. I either checked the news and Facebook too much, or spent some time people watching. A few families enjoying a night out. A mature married couple in provocative clothes quietly scanning the bar scene. A guy at the bar, his hand on one woman’s thigh, but his attention on the woman sitting next to them. Two what looked like first dates. A few girlfriends having dinner together. One other man sitting alone at a table, engrossed in whatever book he had with him.
My phone buzzed.
Minh sent me a few pictures from the wedding and reception. I thought the dress looked pretty good – it was a satiny cream color that fit her like a glove. Her make up made her almost unrecognizable, but she seemed to be having fun. By the time I got home, I was relaxed and on the couch, trying to watch a Lord of the Rings movie on HBO. Minh occasionally texting me about the reception. I drifted off.
I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing and seeing Frodo and Sam getting into the canoe at the end of the movie. Minh was calling me.
I fumbled with my phone, trying to sit up and wake up. “H – hey,” I said.
Minh was giggly. “Hey you!” She didn’t sound tipsy. “I just ducked out of the party.”
“How was it?”
I could see her rolling her eyes in my mind. “It was okay…I didn’t know anyone, the chicken was bland and rubbery, and the groomsman I was paired with tried to hit on me. How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s quiet here. I got my place together and was just relaxing.”
“Cool!” Minh said, “I want to see it.”
I paused for a moment. “I’m free tomorrow and – ”
“No! Can I come over now? It’s still early and I’m not ready to call it a night.”
I looked at the cable box – it was only 9:30. “Sure, I mean, there’s nothing going on though.”
“I don’t mind. Just gimme the address.”
Thirty minutes later, I heard a definitive knock at my door. I opened it and there was Minh, One arm propped up against the door frame, the other hand at her waist, holding her shoes by their straps. A big smile on her face.
I smiled back, “You’re right, that dress is hideous.”
“I know, right?”
I motioned for her to come in, and she wandered around the living area, taking it in. “Nice bachelor pad,” she said.
“Thanks,” I replied, “It’s a work in progress. Can I get you something?”
“I really need some water.”
A couple glasses of water in our hands, a quick tour around the apartment, and we were sitting on the couch. Minh looked like she was trying to get comfortable, but kept her arms crossed.
“I like the place,” she said. “Good space and nice – you aren’t up on like a tenth floor.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I was sharing a place before, so it’s nice to have the privacy. I walk around here naked anytime I want.”
Minh laughed. She still had a little alcohol in her. “God, that must be nice! I’m still living at home and can barely do anything without my parents eyeing it. Do you really walk around naked?”
I nodded, “Only in the morning – getting up and ready for work. I tried cooking naked once and got burned in a few places I don’t want to talk about.”
Minh seemed to perk up at that.
We chatted on and off for a little bit. The reception’s festive energy and her buzz seemed to be dying down, her arms were still crossed. Even when she excused herself to the bathroom, she came back out with her arms crossed. I noticed that she took her bag with her and removed at least some of the make-up. She sat down on the couch, this time almost right next to me instead of staying to the other end like before. She hiked her dress up so she could sit more comfortably, most of it tucked behind her, with just enough covering her upper thighs.
I had to ask.
“Are you okay?”
Minh looked a little anxious? Confused? Both? “What?”
I gestured at her crossed arms. “You’ve had your arms crossed the whole time you’ve been here. Is something wrong?”
Even through whatever was left of her make-up, I could see her blush.
“I…it’s a little chilly in here.”
“Why didn’t you say anything? I like it colder and have the AC up a little.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s okay – ”
“No, no problem” I said as I went over and dialed back the AC a little. “I have some blankets if you want.”
“No,” she replied, “I’ll be all right.”
We talked a little more, make a few Tolkien jokes with another movie playing on the muted TV. She still kept her arms crossed. I felt the room had warmed a little, so I wasn’t sure what the story was.
“You sure you’re okay?” I asked. “Is it warm enough?”
“I think so, I – uh…let’s just say I don’t want to put my arms down.”
I crooked my head like a confused puppy.
Minh paused, then rolled her eyes again. “Look, my ‘high beams’ are on and this dress is clinging to me like Saran Wrap.”
“Oh, got it.” I said with an amused smile. I looked at the cable box – nearly midnight. “How are you feeling?”
Minh looked tired, but still a little anxious. “I’m good…I didn’t drink that much, so I’m more tired than anything.”
“Do you want to head home? Don’t stay up on my account.”
Minh shook her head. “No! I’m fine. I – don’t want to go home just yet.”
“Okay,” I said with an awkward pause.
Minh’s expression seemed a little more serious. “Can I ask you something?”
I nodded.
“Have you dated anyone since your break up?”
“No,” I said. “I kind of kept myself busy with work to avoid dating.”
“What about…” she looked almost embarrassed. “What about, y’know…”
Oh, got it.
“I – well, it’s been uneventful on that front.”
Minh’s eyes got big. “Really?”
“Do I strike you as the ‘sleeps with anything that has a pulse’ type?” I said with a little bit of a smile.
She shook her head. “No, of course not. I uh, I can relate a little.”
“What?”
“I live with my parents who still treat me like I’m a teenager. I don’t want anyone over and don’t want to explain staying overnight somewhere else.”
“That’s gotta suck.” I said.
“It does at times,” Minh said, reclining a bit, her skirt sliding up her thighs, leaving just the tip of one fold between her legs, barely touching the seat cushion. We sat there for a moment. I wasn’t sure what to say next. Minh then closed her eyes and yawned a little, and stretched her arms, the first time she’d moved them all evening in front of me. There was no way not to glance at her chest and what the AC had done. When she finished, she laid her arms across the back of the couch, one arm part way behind me.
“See what I mean?” Minh asked.
I raised my eyebrows at her.
“The ‘high beams’ there.”
“I, yes.” I replied. “You sure you don’t need a blanket?”
“Really,” she said, “I’m fine.” She spread her right leg a little more, the edge of her skirt barely covering her front.
“Minh,” I asked, “What’s on your mind?”
She sat there, looking as if she wasn’t sure how to answer my question. Between the tightness of her dress and that skirt teasing me, I felt something going on with me.
“Fuck it,” Minh said and leaned forward, kissing me, her tongue diving into my mouth like it belonged there. At first, I resisted, thinking you don’t do this with a friend, but she felt wonderful, smelled wonderful, and it had been a long time since someone had touched me like that. She ran her fingers through my hair, the other felt my thigh. I wrapped my arms around her gently, still not entirely sure this was a good idea. She was a very direct kisser, less about technique and more about moving her tongue all over, exploring what it could. Her lips felt strong and hungry.
After I don’t know how long, she parted away from me.
“I’m sorry,” She said. “I really wanted to do that with you.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I replied, “I’m just surprised.”
“I figured maybe you might figure out on your own why I came by.”
“I told you, guys don’t always do subtle.” I said with a warm smile.
Minh smiled, “I took as one that can do that kind of math. A girl knows.”
“I think I get the message…”
Minh paused, “But you aren’t interested?”
“I – wouldn’t say that…just – ” I took a deep breath.
Minh started to get up, “This is awkward as fuck. I’ll – I’ll just go.”
I stood up in front of her, “No, don’t. I want you here.”
Minh suddenly had a serious look on her face. One I’d never seen before. “Prove it.”
I wrapped my arm around her waist, and with my other hand on the back of her head, gently nudged her toward me. We kissed again. No pretense, no hesitation. The same strong, hungry, forceful locking on each other. Her hands wandered up and down my back, waist and ass. I wasn’t as fast to feel her up, but for whatever reason, I noticed the dress zipper and pulled it down. Minh didn’t so much as protest as she let it happen, even when I slid my hands inside her dress. Her skin was absolutely smooth and warm. I felt her strapless bra and all the way down to what felt like a thong strap. Minh pulled my shorts off, letting them fall to the floor, and then ran her hands up my shirt. I tugged at her dress, eventually getting it to fall into a pile around Minh. As she stepped out of the dress and kicked it to the side I pulled my t-shirt off and tossed it somewhere.
We stood in front of each other, just looking at ourselves. She was flawless. Her breasts were small but with the perfect heft for their size. Her stomach was tight and so lean you could see her abs. What her thong didn’t cover revealed bare skin, not a single mark or speck. Her nearly unmarked skin was betrayed by a single rose tattoo on her hip. I gently touched it, thinking how I never would’ve thought of her being the type to have ink.
Minh took a half step toward me and we wrapped our arms around each other. Kissing like before, wondering what she thought about my hard cock pressing against her. I undid her bra, letting it fall to the floor. I could feel her nipples rubbing against my chest. I tugged on her and we sat down on the couch. We continued kissing, touching hands, touching each other. I ran my hand down her neck to her chest, gently fondling each breast. Minh moved her hand up my thigh, then hesitated before sliding the waistband down enough for my completely rigid cock to present itself.

She gently took me in her hand, slowly stroking, taking her time feeling it. I leaned over to kiss her again, moving my hand from her breast to her thong. She lifted herself up enough so I could pull it off and slide it down her thigh. She continued to stroke me as I dove my fingers down the bottom of her flat stomach and her bare pelvis. I felt like it took forever for me to finally feel her wet clit, then the lips part as my fingers moved back and forth across them. Sometimes we kissed as we felt each other, other times looked one another in the eye, and other times eyes closed, focusing on what we felt and each other’s moans. She had a little signature move of slightly gyrating her hips as I felt her and slid my fingers inside her. Minh would pause her stroking from time to time, using a fingertip to play with the precum on the tip of my cock, rubbing it around the head, then going back to stroking me again.

I leaned into her for another kiss, and she laid down on the couch with me, never losing a hold of my cock in her hand. We laid there, playing with each other. I kissed down her neck, her chest, and sucked on her nipples, then kissed up to her mouth again.
Minh spread her legs a little more as she rested a hand on top of mine. I pulled my hand away, still slick from her and tried moving on top of her, but stopped.
Minh slowly opened her eyes a little.
“I – I don’t have any condoms.”
She gently nodded. “You’ll figure it out.” And she spread her legs more.
I got on top, leaning on the couch and not her. With one hand, I guided my cock to her, first feeling it bump against the inside of her thigh, then her clit. At last, I felt her lips part around me and I moved myself in. She stretched her arms over her head and rested them across the arm of the couch, letting me slide all the way into her. As my pelvis met hers, I stopped and held myself inside her. I loved the warmth, the wetness, her sliding and rubbing against me inside. I ran a hand down over one of her breasts as I used the other to grab her leg and begin moving in and out of her. Minh gasped as I worked, moaned when I pulled out and hummed every time I moved back in. She played with a lock of hair as I continued going in and out, trying to gauge the right speed by her vocalizations.
After a while, I shifted her over a little, and she turned on her side. I moved behind her, holding a breast with one hand and hers on mind, and guiding my cock inside her from behind, her leg draped partially over mine. Feeling her warm, wet and quivering insides around me, I began moving in and out with a little more speed and energy. As I went in and out, I felt her fingertips against my shaft as she rubbed her clit. Her hips gyrated more as we got faster, her moans replaced more by gasps. She turned her head to kiss me,
her tongue just as strong and demanding as before. I felt her shaking around my cock, her moaning out loud, and the reflexive curling and relaxing of her whole body as she came. She grabbed my hip with her free hand, and I kept going in and out as fast as I could, feeling myself ready.
“Please,” she gasped out, “tell…me…you’re ready…oh, fuck…”

I barely said “Yeah” as I pulled out of her and stood over her. Minh laid out on the couch, arms and legs spread apart, ready and waiting as I stroked myself. At last, I felt the orgasm rise in me as I came hard, shooting myself across her stomach. I kept stroking long after I finished, Minh watching the slow drip of whatever was left in me form a long string from the tip of my cock to a small trail across her.

I leaned down and kissed her, and she returned the gesture. I stood back up.
“Don’t…don’t move,” I said.
I went to the bathroom and cleaned myself as quickly as I could. I grabbed a hand towel, soaked it in warm water, squeezed it out and brought it back out with me and helped Minh wipe up the mess I made on her. As I ran the soft towel over her, she put her hand on mind, we did it together.
We sat there for a while, quietly holding each other, not speaking. I felt her chest, her heartbeat was slowing down.
“It’s late,” I finally said. “Do you want to stay or…?”
Minh smiled, her eyes still closed. “I really want to stay.”
“Won’t you get into trouble?” I asked.
“We’re not done yet, and it’s worth it.”
I couldn’t agree more.
…and I’ll probably never be able to look Mark in the eye again.

To Be Continued