by Amy Baker
Had someone asked me if I could lodge two of my ‘fuck me’ boots in my mouth simultaneously, I would have said no. Yet here I was with both lodged all the way back to my tonsils.
“A lot of windows,” he repeated flatly. Holy crap I was a bad liar.
So I tried to cover up the hot mess I created as best I could. “Hugh, you said that it’s too bright in the apartment and the woman across the way was watching you. I assumed it was because there was a lot of windows,” I shrugged as if he could see me.
“Oh,” he seemed to be taking my excuse at face value. “Good guess. The carpet is beige and there are a lot of windows.”
“Oh! Well, what do ya know?” I sort of accepted his compliment. “So are you going to go with white then?”
“Hmm,” he answered sounding a little unconvinced. I was beginning to think I had shot myself in the booted foot. “I guess so. But they are really, really white. Almost too white. They’re almost…blinding,” he confessed. “No pun intended.” Obviously he was still staring at them and his evasive response was because he was still trying to decide. Maybe my verbal blunder had gone unnoticed.
Then it began to occur to me that I was going to have to live with Hugh’s choice. Maybe it was time to weigh in on the window coverings decision. “Don’t they have the wood ones where you are?”
“Junior, there are three options here. Beige, black or glaring white. That’s it. There’s no wood. These are…aluminum, maybe?” Then I heard that snapping sound that aluminum blinds make when they are manhandled. “At least I think these are aluminum. Maybe they’re really thin plastic.”
Leave it up to a guy. He was probably in a dollar store picking out blinds. There was no way that I was going to let Hugh decorate what was supposed to be our apartment with blinding white blinds. So I did what I thought was best at the moment. “Hugh. Blinds are supposed to diffuse the light not burn holes in your retinas. Turn away from the crunchy reflective blinds and go to the linens department. Buy some plain sheets and a couple of curtain rods,” I cleared my throat before I added to my lie. “When I come home next week I will take you to a store that has more than three options of blinds. The sheets should suffice for now.”
I heard Hugh sigh loudly. “Thank you, Junior. You just made my life so much easier,” I could hear the relief in his voice. Obviously the task of picking out blinds was more taxing than the idea had first presented. “I’ve been waiting for you to come home so we could pick stuff out together,” he admitted.
Aw! He was the sweetest man ever!
“Now I have to head over to the gym and get myself signed up. And, since I have no one waiting at home for me I might as well get in a good work out as well. I wish you were here,” he whispered. “Call you later, Babe,” Hugh hung up the phone and left me with my mouth hanging open.
Damn. I was hoping he would come straight home after his errand. Trying to look at the bright side, I placed my phone on the counter and started to examine Hugh’s apartment with a finer toothcomb. The lighting fixture that hung in the middle of the kitchen was blah. It looked like it came from the same dollar store where he was searching for blinds. It had one job to do and that was light the room. And, that was all it did. It wasn’t cool, pretty, attractive or inviting. That would need to be changed. I opened the cabinets trying to get a lay of the land. Four plates, four bowls, four mugs, four glasses.
No champagne flutes.
No surprise.
I moved to the refrigerator and placed the bottle of champagne on the empty top shelf. Actually the entire refrigerator was fairly vacant. What the hell was he doing? Was he waiting for me to buy food as well? There was a half empty container of milk, orange juice, cream cheese and a loaf of bread. I closed the door to the fridge and went straight for my coat. I threw it on and hurried to the elevator to go see my new buddy, Richard. When I stepped off the elevator Richard took one look at me and turned red. I guess I shouldn’t have flashed my half naked body at him so soon.
“Um, hey, Richard?” I called him in a way that hopefully conveyed that I hadn’t noticed him blushing. “I wanted to order some food. Any suggestions where I should call? I’ve never lived on the West Side. I sure could use some suggestions,” my voice pitched higher hoping he wouldn’t blow me off.
“Mr. Rowen seems to enjoy Van’s. It’s an American Bistro a couple of blocks over,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Oh! Great! Thanks, Richard. I mean, thank you for your suggestion. Would you happen to have a phone number for that establishment?” I pressed uncomfortably.
“Just tell me what you would like and I will call it in for you, Miss,” Richard still hadn’t looked at me. I was guessing it would be that way for a while.
“Okay. I guess if you could get two Club Sandwiches and French Fries that would work,” having never seen the menu to Van’s I was guessing this order was fairly universal and easy to fill.
“Yes, Miss,” Richard scribbled down the order. “I’ll have them send it over at once,” he nodded still averting his eyes.
“You know? It’s not what you think, Richard,” I stated out of nowhere. “I have been in love with him my entire life.”
I watched as Richard’s mouth twisted. His facial expression contorted and it appeared as though Richard was trying to contain a smirk. I immediately knew the conversation was about to enter territory that Richard found uncomfortable. “Me and the Mrs. have been married for 48 years. We were childhood sweethearts,” he shared. Finally Richard’s eyes briefly hit mine. He smiled a lopsided smile and looked back at his notepad.
I smirked in response and nodded once understanding what that expression combined with his confession just told me. “So, I guess mine is the second half naked body you’ve ever seen?” I continued to slowly nod already knowing the answer.
Richard didn’t answer my rhetorical question. “I’ll ring you when the food arrives, Miss Delilah.”
I swallowed loudly before I turned to go back upstairs. “Okay. Um, thanks,” I stammered. What else could I say?
Chapter 25
The food arrived. The champagne was poured. The table was set. I pressed my lips together scanning the room I had so carefully staged. Everything looked perfect. Now. There was only one thing left to do. Wait for Hugh. I looked back at the couch and an image took root in my mind. Wouldn’t it be awesome if I surprised him in a sexy pose on the couch? I squealed my excitement and scampered to it with a gleam in my eye. I splayed my body across the length of the couch crossing my black, ‘fuck me’ boots, which were essential in any attempt at seduction. Bending my left knee, I slid my left leg up so it dipped in front of my right thigh. I stretched my right arm over my head draping it over the one side of the couch. I remained frozen in that position, willing Hugh to walk through the door any second.
After about forty minutes, my neck muscles were straining, my hand that dangled over the side was numb and my calves were cramping from being immobile for so long.
Where the heck was he?
I jerkily unknotted my body and rolled up to standing. A wave of dizziness washed over me from the prolonged state of inertia. It had been over an hour since Hugh said he was going to the gym and he still wasn’t home. I couldn’t call him again. He would definitely know something was up. The champagne had been opened, poured and consumed twice. I wasn’t sure if champagne went ‘flat’ like soda and there was no way I was letting it go to waste. So, I was long four glasses of champagne, getting quite tipsy and there was still no sign of Hugh.
Another hour passed and the wind was officially out of my sails. I now sat in a slouched position on the couch in my sexy new undergarment with my boots long gone, my feet stretched out, my legs spread wide, my belly full and my chin tucked into my chest.
So much for a sexy pose. I looked like a beached whale caught in fishnet stockings.
My eyes meandered over to the table where two more flutes of champagne fizzled and the other half of the club sandwich I had already consumed
was quickly going stale. I was fairly certain the smudge on my nightie was mayonnaise although it could have been drool from when I had nodded off for about fifteen food comatose minutes. But even more upsetting than the mystery stain was that I still hadn’t seen Hugh. Just as I was about to burst into tears, I heard the key in the lock. There was no time to react. Hugh swung the door open and froze at the sight of me. There I was on his couch looking like a drunken, disheveled, not-so-hot mess. And of course Hugh’s reaction was to do a full on shoulder jerking chuckle.
Not good.
My body stayed still as my eyes lifted to his. He stepped inside, swung the door closed and pressed his lips together trying to contain his laughter.
“Surprise,” I murmured with leaden emotion.
“I’ll say,” Hugh stepped closer to the couch. “Nice outfit,” his eyes slowly took in all of me. Sadly, minus the ‘fuck me’ boots cause those were the shit.
“Thanks,” I whispered with tears still threatening. “I was trying to surprise you but as you can see…it didn’t really work out,” I twisted my mouth to bite the inside of my cheek.
Hugh approached with softened eyes. He stepped over my right leg and kneeled in between my thighs. He held his hands out so I would place mine in his. I pressed my lips together unsure if I could muster up the energy. Hugh flexed his fingers encouraging me to try. “Come on,” he whispered.
I lifted my arms, which were now dead weight and slapped both my hands in his. I’m sure Hugh found my spot on impersonation of a rag doll quite impressive. He pulled me up and forward so we were face to face. Somehow I found it in me to produce a half smile so Hugh would know that I was happy to see him. Then my eyes fell to his beautiful lips. Hugh inched closer and placed those lips on mine. “God, I missed you, Baby,” he whispered against them just before he kissed me harder.
Okay. So maybe things weren’t as bad as I thought. Hugh pulled me to standing and turned me away from the couch. He placed his hands on my hips guiding me from behind. He herded me past the table so he could grab the champagne. I saw him eye it curiously assessing its almost empty status. Then he walked me into the bedroom. He took a swig from the bottle and then held it out offering some to me. I shook my head since I had already had my fill. I saw him smirk his knowing look that I had had enough. He placed the bottle on the nightstand and walked me back until the back of my legs hit the bed. As I started to fall, Hugh ran his hands down my sides and to my ass so my bottom landed on his hands. His head tilted slightly so he could get a better view. So far he hadn’t seemed to notice the stain on my new nightie. Either that or he knew calling me out on it would push me over the edge. My hands went to his shoulders as he leaned forward so I would fall back on the bed. His hands still cupping my behind, he lifted my ass so I had to wrap my legs around him. God he was good. His mouth crushed down on mine kissing me long and deep. Groaning his pleasure in my mouth, every fiber of my body began to hum. “You like the apartment?” he asked tearing his lips from mine.
“Mmhm. It’s really nice,” I answered when his mouth moved to my neck.
“Oh good,” he breathed. “You should get to know the neighbors,” he sucked the skin on my neck causing me to hiss through my teeth.
“Okay,” I breathed.
“You can start right now by waving to the woman across the street,” he breathed the heat he was generating into my neck as he dropped the strap on my nightie. As I raised my hand to absently wave to the woman whom I was guessing had her binoculars trained on us, Hugh pulled the nightie over my head.
“Do you really think she’s watching?” I whispered as pleasure from Hugh’s mouth continued to course through me.
“Mmhm,” he answered trailing his tongue down my neck.
Hugh had me so jacked up I didn’t care if we were on 34th street in Macy’s window. “Well, that’s okay. Richard already got an eye full,” I answered.
I felt Hugh pause momentarily and then smile against my neck. “Making quite a first impression, aren’t you, Junior?” he murmured.
“You know it,” I breathed as my hands pulled his shirt over his head.
Fuck the Empire State Building. Home was lying in Hugh’s bed with Hugh’s body blanketing mine. I was lying on my back and Hugh was taking his time kissing every square inch of sensitized skin on my body. I turned to look at the nightstand and saw that it was only 7:30pm. Hugh hadn’t eaten and I wanted to shower. I lifted his face with my finger under his chin. “You hungry?”
“I could eat,” he answered dropping his lips to my belly. I smiled at the sensation and dropped my head back to the pillow.
“I need to shower,” I continued in no hurry to move from underneath him.
“Okay,” he moved his lips a little lower.
I figured he was almost done but then he moved even lower. “Uh, Hugh, what are you doing?” I asked bending my elbow so my right hand could hit my mouth and I could bite the side of my finger.
“You asked if I was hungry,” he answered moving even further south.
I closed my eyes unsure if I was ready for what he was really saying. Suddenly the thought of the Peeping Thomasina watching from across the street had me even more uncomfortable. “I meant for food,” I responded deciding it was not the right time.
“Oh,” he sounded disappointed. “Well,” he rolled off of me and onto his back, “I saw the bag from Vans. What did you order? I know you ate already.” And the way he said it I knew he saw the stain after all. I wasn’t surprised. He didn’t miss much. He rolled throwing his legs over his side of the bed. He reached for his jeans, shoved his legs inside and then stood not bothering to button them. I watched in awe as he walked around to my side of the bed. He really was beautiful. He leaned toward me in an overbearing way and kissed me sweetly. “I’ll get you a towel,” he kissed me again and walked to a closet. I saw him reaching and when he turned his hands were full. “Here’s a towel, robe and nice warm slippers. I’ll leave them in the bathroom.”
“Thanks, Babe,” I whispered still in awe of him.
He winked at me and then disappeared from the room.
The shower was hot, steamy and relaxing. I was halfway through my routine when Hugh’s voice stopped my scouring hands mid scrub. I could tell he was chewing. I was guessing on the other half of the club sandwich I had already eaten.
“When do you head back?” The crinkle of the wax paper that had been wrapped around the sandwich confirmed my suspicion.
I realized as soon as he asked his question I still hadn’t revealed my plans of staying. I wasn’t sure how he was going to react but I had to tell him the truth. “Well. I, um, don’t…head back,” I sort of giggled. “Surprise,” I sang.
There was a long pause of silence. Since the shower curtain was closed I was guessing Hugh was swallowing. Either that or panicking as the realization of our impending cohabitation became a terrifying reality.
“You don’t?” He said with his mouth still compromised. I didn’t hear any more crinkling which made me wonder if he had stilled because he was hopeful he heard me correctly or sorry he had ever extended the offer. “Care to explain?” He spoke with his mouth still full.
“Steven called me. My assistant told him Stacey set me up. He asked me to come in tomorrow morning. I’m hoping that means I’m getting my old job back,” I tilted my face back to rinse the conditioner from my locks while listening intently for any peculiar sounds, which would indicate how Hugh was receiving this news.
I didn’t have to wait long. I got my answer rather quickly. The shower curtain snapped back making my body jump reflexively at the sound of the decorative rings scraping along the metal bar. Crossing my arms strategically in front of my private parts, I blinked through the droplets of water, which had taken up residence on my lashes. I waited breathlessly trying to ascertain if Hugh was upset or happy with this news.
“You’re staying in New York?” he asked genuinely surprised and miraculously unencumbered by any food.
I n
odded licking the moisture from my lips.
I had never been tackled in a shower before. But Hugh had me pressed up against the white subway tiled wall faster than I could have imagined. “You just made my day, Junior,” he kissed me lifting me up at the same time so he could press his torso into mine. So I was guessing he was happy with my recent confession. I wrapped my legs around his jeans as the water rained down on our conjoined forms, mine naked, Hugh’s half clothed. He tasted like a combination of smokey bacon and creamy mayonnaise (even more delicious than usual.) I felt Hugh’s one hand working between us. Heat instantly pooled knowing his manhood would be freed momentarily. As soon as he accomplished this task he didn’t waste any time. Both hands laced with mine as he stared into my eyes looking for my soul. “Welcome home, Junior. You ready?”
Hugh wasn’t referring to our impending physical union. He meant something far more profound. I nodded modestly before my breath shuttered against his lips. “Twelve years is a long time to wait.”
Hugh held my stare a moment before he answered. “That’s for damn sure.” Hugh slowly and purposefully introduced himself to me, his eyes never leaving mine. “I love you, Junior.”
“I love you, too, Hugh,” I managed breathlessly.
And the added bonus was this time, Thomasina, or so I had nicknamed her, didn’t have front row seats for the show.
Chapter 26
I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous. I approached the Premiere headquarters with my heart pounding so hard the throbbing gallop reverberated in my throat. I couldn’t be sure if I was getting my old job back. Yes, Logan said I was back and Stacey was gone. But there was only so much credibility I could bestow on Logan.