The next morning, I woke to my phone ringing.
“Hello?” I mumbled, still half asleep.
“Hey,” Steve said, and my lips twisted up slightly. “Did I wake you?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s okay. I have to get up anyway,” I said, finally opening my eyes, and looking at the clock.
“You sure?”
“Absolutely,” I assured him, and rolled to my back and stretched. “Besides, I love hearing your voice first thing in the morning.”
“I love hearing yours, too,” he said, and I could tell he was grinning into the phone.
“So, are you doing anything special today?” I asked, playing with my hair.
“Maybe,” he replied, coyly. “You?”
“Maybe,” I answered, being just as coy, and we both laughed.
“So, do you have classes today?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t checked since yesterday morning. Guess I probably should, huh?”
“Probably.” He chuckled.
Getting out of bed, I went over to the computer.
“So, are you going to help Derek figure out what’s wrong with his car?”
“Yeah.”
“I bet that’ll be interesting.”
“Probably.”
“Well, looks like I have another day to do nothing,” I said, looking at the homepage.
“No class?”
“No class.”
Just then, there was a knock on the door and Marisa peeked her head in.
“Hey, babe, I gotta go, but I’ll see you at five,” I told him, as Marisa came in.
“Okay, and remember jeans are fine.”
“Okay.”
“Have a good day.”
“You too, and have fun with the car.”
“Oh, I will,” he replied, sarcastically, and I giggled lightly. “Oh, and remember your swimsuit.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Sorry I interrupted,” Marisa apologized, when I closed my phone.
“Oh, it’s totally fine. I was expecting you.”
“Oh, okay. I was just wondering if you need me since there are no classes.”
“I actually don’t this morning, but I do this afternoon. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely.” She smiled. “I’m not doing anything today, anyway. Just come and find me.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“No problem.”
After eating breakfast, I spent most of the morning studying so I didn’t have to worry about it that evening. About one, I got a half-dozen red roses, and I couldn’t help but smile, especially when I read the card. Around two, I got a shower and Marisa helped me shave. Once I was dressed, she did my hair and makeup. By 4:50, I was completely ready. Since Steve told me jeans were fine, I paired them with a slightly dressy top and strappy, platform, dress wedges. My makeup was very subtle, with just a touch of eye shadow and lip gloss, and my hair was twisted up with a claw clip. Before she left, I showed her my new swimsuit.
“So, what do you think?”
“I think he’s going to die,” she said, taking it and holding it up, to get a better look, and I laughed lightly. “Where are you going anyway?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me. All he told me was to bring a swimsuit.”
“Well, wherever you’re going, you’re going to have fun,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
“Oh, I’m sure we will,” I replied, my lips quirking up.
“Well,” she said, as I handed her the bag for my swimsuit, “just make sure you’re careful.”
“I will be,” I assured her, with a genuine smile.
“Did he also tell you to bring some comfy clothes?” she asked, when she saw them in the bag.
“No, but if we do go swimming, I won’t want to put these back on.”
Just as she was about to answer, there was a knock on the door. Before opening it, I took one last look at myself in the mirror.
“Hey.” I grinned, broadly, before backing up to let Steve in.
He looked so good in dress-casual. Who was I kidding? The man could wear a trash bag and still look amazing.
“Hey.” He grinned back, as he walked in. “Oh, hey,” he added, noticing Marisa.
“Hey,” she replied, with a smile, before turning to me. “You need anything else?”
“No, I think I’m good.”
“Okay, well, have a good time tonight.” She winked at me.
“Okay.”
“Nice to see you again,” she told Steve.
“You too,” he replied as she left and shut the door behind her.
As soon as the door closed, he leaned in and kissed me deeply.
“God, I’ve wanted to do that all day,” he breathed, with his forehead against mine.
“Me too,” I answered, still trying to catch my breath as well.
After a few more seconds, he stood back up and went to get my jacket. As he helped me put it on, he slowly kissed the back of my neck and I couldn’t help but close my eyes.
“You know, we’re never going to leave if you keep doing that,” I said, with not much strength.
He laughed softly. “I know, but I just couldn’t help it,” he whispered, in my ear. “You’re beautiful.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I whispered back as I put my other arm through.
Once I was ready, he grabbed my bag off the bed and we left.
“So, where are we going?” I asked, as I continued to drive.
“Uh-uh, it’s a surprise. I’m not telling you.”
“Okay, fine,” I pouted.
He just chuckled.
We drove for about another half-hour and I was thankful that most of the roads were cleared off.
“Turn left up here.”
“Okay.”
After I turned, we hit a gravel road that was extremely bumpy.
“Sorry,” he apologized.
“It’s okay.”
“Okay, now, just before you get to the stop sign at the end of the road, turn right.”
“Okay.” As we neared the end of the road, I turned right.
He said, “Pull in.”
“Where are we?” I asked, putting the truck in park, and looking around.
“We’re here.”
“I got that,” I chuckled, “but where’s here?”
“Well, come on, and I’ll show you,” he told me, leaning in to kiss me before getting out.
As I followed him, I noticed just how much open land there was, and it was absolutely beautiful covered with snow.
“This way.” He grinned.
“Okay,” I said, still looking around.
As we made it up the pathway, I noticed the house. It was a two-story house, with no siding or paint, and had huge bay windows and a maroon colored front door. It also had a full-size wraparound porch, with a swing and some rocking chairs.
“Amazing isn’t it?”
“Uh-huh,” I answered, unable to say anything else.
When we got closer to the front steps, I noticed a ramp off to the right. Without saying a word, I headed that direction and Steve went up the stairs. By the time I made it to the front door, he already had it unlocked. When we went in, I rolled on the mat a few times, just to get the loose snow off, then started to take my jacket off and look around.
“Here, let me help you with that,” Steve said, after shutting the front door.
“Thanks.”
“I’ll be right back. I’m just going to go get our stuff. Oh, and the bathroom is down the hall, second door on the left, if you need it,” he let me know, after putting my jacket in the closet.
“Okay,” I replied, distractedly, looking around.
With a knowing laugh, he went back outside.
The house was even more amazing inside than it was on the outside. It was wide open and had hardwood floors and a cathedral ceiling. Like the outside of the house, the walls were natural wood, which made it even more beautiful. I noted the hallway Steve mentioned was to my left. Next to it was the kitchen, with a bar and stools. My gaze moved to the set of closed French doors in front of me, and I assumed the hot tub was on the other side of them. Along the wall facing the kitchen, were several pictures. In the center was a flat screen TV, and underneath it was a fireplace that had even more pictures on the mantle. In front of the fireplace, and diagonal from me, was the living room area, which had two leather couches in an upside down “L” shape and a coffee table. Moving my gaze a little to the right, I looked at the log staircase and noticed it started in the middle of the room and spiraled up to above the kitchen, where there was a balcony. Finally, my eyes fell on the dining room table, to my direct right, which had two white candles on it and several chairs around it.
“So, what do you think?” Steve asked, coming back in.
“It’s amazing,” I said, still looking around. “How did you know about this place?”
“It’s my family’s,” he said, putting the bags down and shutting the door.
“Really?” I asked, turning and looking at him.
“Yeah, my parents had it built, and we lived here ‘til my dad got transferred back to Indiana.”
“And they didn’t sell it?”
“They thought about it, but ultimately decided not to. They loved it too much,” he explained, taking off his shoes.
“I can see why.”
“So, you hungry?” he asked, walking toward the kitchen.
“Yeah, a little.” I followed him.
“Okay, well, what would you like? Your choice.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Okay, what is there?”
“Well, let’s see,” he replied, looking in the refrigerator.
After looking through everything, we decided on spaghetti.
“So, how often does somebody stay here?” I asked, as I put the noodles in the water.
“Not often. Usually just for the holidays, or when my parents just want to get away, but my brother’s been staying here until he can find another apartment.”
“Well, that would explain all the food.”
“Yeah,” he snorted, “but he won’t be here tonight.”
“You sure?”
“Positive,” he assured me, leaning over and kissing me.
“Okay.” I smiled. “How come you’re so positive?”
“Because he’s in Phoenix ‘til Friday.”
“Oh.”
Almost an hour later, the food was almost gone and I was sitting on his lap, crosswise, with my feet dangling.
“Oh, I’m full,” Steve said, finishing the last of his Coke.
“Me too.”
“You know what the best thing to do is right after eating?”
“No, what?”
“Relaxing in the hot tub.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, as I began kissing his neck.
“Yeah,” he responded, losing his concentration.
“I guess I’ll have to check that out.”
“You really should.”
“Okay then,” I said. I quickly got back in my chair and moved away before he realized it.
“Oh, you’re gonna get it,” he teased, getting up from his chair.
I just started laughing and headed down the hall. He almost caught me, but I went into the bathroom, shut the door and backed against it so he couldn’t open it.
“Fine, be that way, but I’ll remember this,” he pouted.
I just laughed harder. After a few minutes, I moved away from the door and opened it. I could hear water running, dishes, and I assumed he was clearing the table.
“Could you bring me my bag?”
“Why should I?” he asked, still pouting.
I giggled, quietly. “Pleeeease.”
I heard the water stop and I smiled to myself.
“Here.” He handed me the bag.
“Thank you.” I smiled.
“Yeah, yeah,” he replied, and walked back down the hall.
I just snickered and shut the door. After changing into my swimsuit, putting my hair in a messy bun, and wiping off my eye shadow, I checked myself one more time to make sure everything was okay and noticed the top of the head of my “baby angel” tattoo above my bottoms. With a grin, I went to look for Steve. Not seeing him, I said his name.
“I’m out here,” he called, from the room where the hot tub was, and I headed that way.
When I got to the doorway, I looked around. The room was huge and had several floor-to-ceiling windows. Like most of the house, it wasn’t painted and had a cathedral ceiling, with a chandelier.
When I saw Steve, he was bent down checking the water temperature, and I noticed we matched. When he stood up, to turn down the light, my mouth went dry. I could see every single muscle, and all I wanted to do was run my fingers over them.
“Hey,” I said, after I composed myself.
When he saw me, I could tell I was doing the same thing to him that he was doing to me. I was also pretty sure he noticed my tattoo. My lips turned up.
“Like what you see?” I asked going into the room, knowing the answer.
“Uh-huh,” he answered, coming over to me.
Without saying another word, he bent down, scooped me up, and walked over to the steps. As he slowly walked down, I could feel the water on my feet and it felt amazing. Sitting down, he sat me beside him and put his arm behind my back, but kept my legs across his lap.
“Comfortable?”
“Yep.”
As he rubbed my legs, I rubbed the back of his neck and looked out at the snow. “It’s beautiful,” I said, after a while.
“Definitely,” Steve agreed, looking at me.
I looked at him. “I was talking about the snow.”
“I know,” he said, kissing me.
As the kiss deepened, I wrapped my arm around his neck and he lifted me. I moved my legs to either side. Now straddling him, I wrapped both arms around his neck as I kissed him even more passionately. As I kissed his jaw, I began running my fingers over his muscles, while he slowly rubbed up my thighs, causing them to tingle, before stopping at my hips. His thumb started rubbing gently over the top of my pelvic bone. My lips twisted up. Yeah, he definitely saw my tattoo.
“You were right, this was a great idea,” I whispered, in his ear.
He moaned, softly, and, involuntarily, shivered.
Before I could continue down his neck, he turned and kissed me, causing me to moan.
“Do you know what you’re doing to me?” he whispered, in my ear.
“Oh, I think I have some idea,” I replied, feeling him react, then kissed him.
As our tongues tangled passionately, I wrapped my arms back around his neck, ran my fingers through his hair, and he began to run his hands up my back. When he reached the back of my top and began to untie it, I pulled back.
“You okay?” he asked, panting.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” I breathed. It’s just, um… I just wanted you to know, before this goes any further, we’ll still be protected, despite my latex allergy.” I waited to see if he understood.
After a few seconds, his eyes lit up in recognition. “Okay.” He leaned forward to kiss me again, but I stopped him.
“And as much as I want to continue,” I added, my eyes sparkling, “I don’t think we should do it here.”
“Oh,” he responded, with a grin, and got up.
I wrapped my legs around him. As we went up the steps, I shivered when the air hit my wet skin.
“It’s cold. Hang on just a sec.” Going over to my chair, he put a towel down on the seat and back, before helping me in.
“Thanks.” I smiled when he handed me anoth
er towel.
“You’re welcome,” he answered, wrapping a towel around his waist.
“I’ll be right back,” I said, heading to the bathroom.
“Okay. I have to shut everything down anyway, so...”
“Oh, okay.”
After going to the bathroom, I grabbed my shorts and my t-shirt out of my bag, as well as my bra and underwear. Before leaving, I let my hair down and put my swimsuit and the towels on the rack to dry. When I went back into the living room, I grabbed Steve’s gift before putting my bag by the door.
“You want something to drink?” he asked, when he heard me come in.
He had changed into a t-shirt and track pants.
“Sure.”
“You can go over to the couch, if you want, and I’ll bring it over.”
“Okay.”
Parking next to the coffee table, I transferred onto the couch that was facing the staircase, and tucked my legs to the right.
“Here you go.” Steve handed me my drink.
“Thanks,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, sitting down.
After taking a drink, I put my glass on the coffee table. “So, I hung my swimsuit with the towels so it could dry. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Okay, good. I brought another bag to put it in, but I just wanted it to dry a little first.”
“I understand.”
Putting his glass on the coffee table, he eyed the box in my chair.
“What’s that?” he asked, motioning to the box.
I grabbed the box and handed it to him.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” I smiled. “I hope you like it. The saleswoman said it was their most popular.”
When Steve opened the box, he started to laugh.
“Do you like it?” I asked, a little confused.
Looking up and seeing my face, he immediately kissed me.
“Yes, I love it,” he replied, when the kiss ended.
“Then what’s so funny?”
Without a word, he set the box on the table and went over to his bag.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said, handing me a small pink gift bag, and sat down.
I turned a little and put the bag down to see what was inside. Reaching in, I pulled out a small bottle of perfume, and I chuckled.
“I guess we had the same idea.”
“I guess so,” I said, taking the lid off and smelling it.
Something New & Unexpected Page 20