by Unknown
“What are you smiling about over there?”
“I was thinking about something that’s all.”
“Want to tell me about it?” Collin chuckled as she shook her head no. “All right, you don’t have to tell me about it unless you want to.”
It seemed like it was taking forever for them to get to their destination but soon they arrived in Westburg, which was a small quaint town about ten miles away. Mainly made up restaurants, boutiques and thrift stores, it was a place that Regina and Maxine had been to once or twice when they had the means to do some shopping. They pulled up to the Greenland’s, a place Regina had never heard of but knew it was going to be fancy. The valet opened her door and helped her out. She walked around the front to Collin’s side and he took her by the hand. Walking inside, Regina saw that the place was just a quaint little restaurant that wasn’t all that big, probably seated about fifty people or so but that night it wasn’t so crowded. There were only a handful of people inside eating dinner that evening.
“Hello there, how may I help you two this evening?” asked the maître de with a smile as he grabbed two menus.
“I have reservations for two, Noonan,” Collin told him with a wink.
“Ah yes, Mr. Noonan, please follow me.”
Walking down the aisle of tables, they turned toward a door that had a small gold plaque next to it that said, The Couple’s Room in cursive writing. When the man opened the door, Regina saw a table with two chairs on either side that was made just for them. Candles illuminated the room while orchids, roses and lilies fragranced the air with their beautiful aromas. Walking inside, the maître de pulled out the chair for Regina. She joyfully sat while still marveling at the room as Collin took the seat opposite her. “Your waiter for this evening will be Michael and he’ll be in here shortly Enjoy,” he told them with a smile as he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“I can’t believe this, this place is amazing. You did this all for me tonight?” Regina asked as he grabbed a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket.
“Of course, I told you I wanted to make our first date a special one and I meant that. You deserve to be treated nicely,” Collin said as he popped the cork and quickly grabbed a glass while some champagne spilled out. Once he poured hers, he handed it to her and poured himself a glass as well. “All right, I like to propose a toast, to new friendships and hopefully new beginnings for us both.” Clinking glasses together, they took a sip as the waiter came inside the room to get their order for the evening.
Once they finished eating their dinner and dessert, they decided to leave the car at the restaurant and walk along the square into the middle of town. Regina held onto his arm while they walked and thought how wonderful being together felt. It was a feeling that she had always wanted to have with a man and now she was experiencing it with Collin Noonan of all men.
They heard music playing from at a club called The Hole in the Wall. When they got closer the front door, Regina realized it was a blues bar. They were listening to rhythm and blues music, some of her favorite. “Let’s go inside!” Regina exclaimed as she pulled his arm to go inside.
The place was dark except for a few lights here and there and a bunch of people were talking over at the bar as they walked more into the depth of the club. The music was blaring from speakers towering on either side of the stage where a band was playing while the crowd in front of them were either shouting or dancing.
“I haven’t heard a live blues band in ages. Do you like the blues?” Regina asked while she tried to find them a seat somewhere.
“I don’t listen to much blues, more into a little bit of everything else.”
She smiled back at him before spotting a table in a dark corner of the room. Squeezing through some people, they made their way over to the table and sat down. “I love the blues. My dad used to play it all the time when he worked at his shop, he was a carpenter. He always had his little radio playing some blues music and sometimes we would dance around. It was so much fun.” They continued sitting there while the band played on and once they had finished their song, the club erupted with applause.
“Thank you everybody for coming out tonight. Right now we want to bring out our soulful siren on the microphone to slow it down for us this evening and get everybody in the mood, so welcome to the stage, Ms. Lona Hill,” said the man who had finished his set. Again the crowd started to shout and applaud while an older looking lady in a sequined red dress came over and gave the man a hug and peck on the cheek, then smiled at the crowd as she grabbed the microphone.
“Thank you ladies and gentleman, I want to thank you for having me here tonight at the Hole in the Wall. Now, I want everybody to get on the dance floor with your special someone and let me take you on a romantic trip that will set your spirits free.” And with that she started to sing as some of the patrons grabbed someone and started to sway.
Collin got up and took her hand to her surprise and led her toward the floor. He quickly pulled her in his arms and at that moment, Regina knew that she was in love with this man. There was no denying it whatsoever, she thought while his hand rested on the curve of her back. His fingers entwined with hers and she found herself gulping when she looked up into those green eyes of his that stared down at her, searching her face. Regina wondered what he might have been thinking as he looked at her. Honestly she didn’t want to know, all that mattered to her was the fact that she was out with an amazingly handsome man.
He nuzzled against her ever so softly. God, he felt so good holding her, so strong yet warm and inviting as Regina inhaled his cologne. Never in a million years did she think she would have feelings like this for a man, especially a man like Collin Noonan. He was basically every woman’s dream, attractive, successful and yet here she was being held by such a man. Regina didn’t want to know why she was so lucky, she was just going to close her eyes and enjoy the moment as the songstress sang her song. They swayed softly together on that old wooden floor until closing time.
When they got outside, the midnight air was chilly and the shawl Regina had along her shoulders wasn’t much help. “Here, take my jacket,” Collin told her as he took it off and wrapped it around her shoulders.
“Thank you,” Regina replied softly as he continued to hold his jacket around her shoulders as they walked back to the restaurant parking lot before the valet left. They got into his car and drove home.
After they pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex, Collin got out of the car, opened her door and helped her out. As she rummaged through her purse fumbling for her keys, she still wore his jacket, and honestly, she didn’t want to take it off. Before she unlocked her door, Regina turned to see him standing right in front of her. They were so close; she found her heart racing fast within her chest. “Well, I want to thank you for a lovely evening Collin, this was probably the best first date I’ve ever had and I know it’s something I won’t forget anytime soon.”
It was so quiet for that moment, she couldn’t anticipate what he would do or say next, but then he smiled. “I’m glad you enjoyed it Regina, I’m happy to have made your dreams come true this evening. I know I had a lot of fun being with you as well. Now I think I better end this evening properly for you, my dear, with a kiss.” Collin smiled as he pulled her toward him and she found herself being kissed. She didn’t know what in the world to do as he started to deepen their caress and tightened his hold on her.
Regina didn’t want their contact to end as he hungrily nibbled on her lips as well as her tongue causing her panties to get wetter by his touch. She had never experienced anything like this before. As she circled her arms around his neck bringing her almost to her tippy toes, she felt his strong hands grab a hold of her ass and yelped.
The sounds outside her door could have been misinterpreted for something other than what was going on. Heaving breathing and panting between kisses and nibbles as they clawed and held onto one another against the door. Regina ran her fingers alon
g the front of his shirt as she felt his touch cause heat to race along her own body. What was he doing to her? She prayed to God that this moment would never end. But soon the kissing slowly stopped as Collin pulled away from her. When she looked up at him, Regina started to laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“You have lipstick smeared all over your lips,” she said while trying not to snort as he started laughing himself.
“Well, I couldn’t help it. You have some of the most luscious lips I’ve ever had the privilege to kiss. Can I ask you a question Regina? Please be honest with me if you give me your answer and I hope not to offend you.”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Do you mind if I kiss you when we come back from lunch from now on?”
Regina laughed a bit as she told him, “Sure, I don’t mind you kissing me Collin.”
Collin kissed her once more, this time with more force almost to the point of him bruising her lips. His kiss was so powerful, she thought as he moaned deeply. Soon they stopped, both out of breathe from kissing and he whispered, “I better let you go and get some rest. I’ll see you on Monday my dear.” Taking his coat from her shoulders, he kissed her forehead and waved goodbye, leaving Regina weak in the knees from her first real kiss.
Chapter Three
“Regina! Regina are you there, do you hear me talking to you?” Maxine said over the phone the following day.
However, Regina was completely in another world. She lay in bed still relishing how wonderful her date had been with Collin last night. She couldn’t stop smiling and giggling like a little school girl.
“Did you get laid last night Gina?”
“No, I didn’t get laid last night Max, but I did get an amazing kiss. Oh Max, it was wonderful. I have never been pampered like that in my entire life, let alone by a man. We went to dinner at this beautiful restaurant where we were in a room just for couples. Flowers and candles took up every available space and we drank champagne. Then we went to a blues bar down the street and listened to some music and slow danced the rest of the night away. I honestly don’t know how I ended up getting so lucky Max, it’s so weird,” Regina told her still smiling.
“So, I see the outfit worked huh?” Maxine laughed and she started laughing as well.
“Yeah, the look on his face was absolutely priceless. I was kind of shocked myself when I saw my reflection in the mirror. But I want to thank you for helping me with getting that outfit, you’re a wonderful friend to me.”
“You know I would do anything for you Gina, we’ve been best friends forever and we will still be friends till the day we are old and sitting in rocking chairs together on a porch somewhere.” Both giggled at her comment before Regina let out a contented sigh. “So what are your plans for today?”
“I’ll probably go back to sleep for a little while longer, then straighten up a bit and go to the store and pick up a couple of things I need. What about you?”
“I have a date with David. He’s taking me out of town till Sunday. I just wanted to know what you had planned so that at least you will know where I am.”
“I hope you have lots of fun. Well hell, we both know you will, just be careful all right,” Regina reminded her.
“I promise I will, I’ll check you when I get back, love you girlfriend,” Maxine told her before they both hung up the phone and Regina settled back into her bed to take a nap.
* * * *
Collin on the other hand was busy working in his office, dealing with paperwork he had forgot to do while at work. He decided to get things done early because he was going to play golf with his brother Randall. Licking his lips, he smiled as his mind wander to the memory of kissing Regina last night again. He hadn’t been able to get any sleep after they had kissed; just the thought of it gave him a raging hard-on that he ended up handling before he could get any rest. Collin could only imagine if she kissed that good, how good she would be in bed. The fantasies that ran through his mind were endless but he had to get his mind off her and continue with his work.
When he met up with Randall at the golf course that afternoon, he had to laugh. “What in the hell are you wearing?” His brother stood before him dressed in a pair of rainbow plaid golf pants, a lavender shirt and a pair of white golf shoes. Collin couldn’t stop laughing at his brother, who was oblivious to his amusement.
“What the hell you mean what am I wearing? I’m wearing my golfing outfit man,” Randall said as he gave his brother a hug before they walked inside.
“You look like a clown in that. Don’t you have anything else to wear, at least some different pants or something,” Collin asked on the way to the locker rooms so he could change into his clothes.
“No brother, I don’t have any other pants, now hurry up and get your stuff on cause I want to beat you.”
Usually he would get the chance during the weekend to meet up with his brothers to just make sure they were all right. With the exception of Mackenzie and Bobby who went back to Ireland, his brothers were closely spaced out but always managed to keep in contact with one another.
“So what’s been going on with you lately?” Randall asked as he took his swing. The ball went up into the air and quickly came back down onto the green a couple of yards away.
“Been doing pretty good, been working as always. How are Candace and the kids doing?” said Collin while putting his ball on the tee.
“Candace is doing well and the kids are always asking for you and the guys. What about you, have you met anybody yet?”
“I’ve been talking with someone, but I don’t think it will last for long though.” And with a big swing, the ball went sailing into the air.
“That’s great, how long?”
“Just a couple of days now, she’s from my office.”
And that’s when his brother stopped him in his tracks, asking, “Don’t tell me you guys are still playing the game?”
“Come on Randall, it’s just for fun and that’s that.” They started walking toward where the balls had landed, but his brother wasn’t through with the subject.
“I swear I don’t understand. Even the guys at my job love playing that damn game. Do you know one girl found out she’d been used and ended up almost committing suicide? She’s been in some psych ward for the past six months because the man she thought loved and cared for her made her look like an idiot in front of every man at our office. Before you get too involved with this woman Collin, you’ve got to stop so you don’t end up hurting her,” Randall warned him.
Collin thought about what his brother was telling him. But he knew what he was doing though. He had treated his women well in the past and he knew how to handle Regina now.
After beating his brother at golf for the fifteenth time in a row, Collin decided to head back home to get relaxed but his mind the entire time was on Regina. He couldn’t get what his brother had been telling him off his mind. He knew that he should have gone with his instinct and never told Randall about Regina. Was Collin Noonan having regret now?
He shook the ridiculous thought out of his head when he pulled into his condo building.
“How was the golf game Mr. Noonan?” asked Dave, one of the maintenance guys, when he was going into the freight elevator.
“I bet my brother again, and won.” Collin chuckled remembering just how goofy he looked.
The doors opened to the eighth floor. “Check you later Mr. Noonan, have a good evening.”
“Same to you Dave, have a good one.” The doors immediately closed afterwards taking Collin to his floor.
After he got to his place and put up his stuff, he plopped down on the couch, running his fingers through his hair while letting out an exasperated sigh.
Now he was completely bored.
Looking over at the clock, he realized it would be dinner time soon. That’s when a clever idea popped into his head. He headed back to his room to grab a shower and fresh clothes.
* * * *
Regina had debated wh
at to eat for dinner but ended up plopping on the couch with a bag of red grapes. Grabbing one of the small globes, she popped it into her mouth, relishing the sweetness of it. That’s when thoughts of last night came into her head. Honestly she had been thinking about the entire evening to the point where she didn’t get much sleep. Where loneliness once filled her heart joy and giddiness now replaced it. A smile had permanently replaced the meek expression that used to take up residence on her face. She was a changed woman now all because of a handsome redhead named Collin.
She kept replaying the fiery kiss they shared last night in her mind. It felt like every part of her body was going to explode. Never in a million years had she been kissed like that by anybody. A smirk played about her lips as she wondered how it would be with him in bed. Would he be gentle or would he be like an animal? How many times would they make love their first go around?
“God I honestly need to stop thinking like that,” she said to herself, throwing down her remote. She got up to look through her vast DVD collection to find a movie to watch. After looking through them for a while, even though most of them she had seen a dozen or so times, she finally decided to watch one of her favorites, Freaks. Popping the DVD into the player, she went back to the couch and pressed the button on the remote to begin the movie.
Midway into the movie, she realized all of the grapes were gone when she put her hand in the bag. Damn, I’m still hungry.
That is when the doorbell rang which shocked her because she wasn’t expecting anyone. She peeked through the little peephole to see who it was. However, whoever it was had decided to obstruct her view because all she saw was what looked like flowers.
“Who is it?”
“I have a delivery ma’am.”
“A delivery you say, who is it from?”
“All I know ma’am is that it says C on here.” The man’s voice sounded so corny it was laughable. Quickly, she opened the door realizing that delivery guy was Collin himself. All she could do was laugh as he chuckled, standing there with a bouquet of wild flowers and a bag in one hand. In his other he held a large pizza box, the aroma quickly making her stomach growl.