by Marie Solka
We got situated in our usual spot, then I took off his sock and removed the bandage. The wound had definitely improved. I cleaned it up again and re-applied new gauze, then went about checking his blood pressure. I wanted to focus my complete attention on him and not goof anything up even though I was a bundle of nerves.
I heard Greg come in and my heart fluttered in my chest. I took a breath and did my best to remain outwardly composed. He snuck up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder, and when I turned, his face was close to mine. He grinned, looking mischievous. “Hey,” he said in a soft voice.
“Hey,” I said back. My self-confidence disappeared in an instant. Just like that. His soft lips combined with that smile and amazing scent was intoxicating.
He lingered for a few moments, noticing my reaction, and seemed pleased. “I’ll get out of your way so you can work,” he said. “I’m just going to put these groceries away.”
He sauntered off with his two bags, and when he was gone Mr. Varo looked at me and winked. I don’t blush easily, but my face turned bright red. “He’s been all happy like that for days,” he whispered. “He’s acting like a real live human being.”
I laughed. Greg began whistling in the background.
“See what I mean,” Mr. Varo chuckled.
I nodded, and as I did Greg walked past and ogled my bare legs on the way to his room. This would be tough, I thought, because I was easy prey that wanted to be captured.
When I finished Mr. Varo’s weekly tests, he rose and said, “Well, if we’re all done I’d better get going. I’m planning on winning money tonight.”
I didn’t want him to leave. He was my security blanket. Protector of my virtue. “You sure you want to go?” I asked. “You’re welcome to hang out with us.”
“That sounds tempting Sam. I appreciate the offer, but I’m about to take these guys for their social security checks. I can’t pass that up.”
I smiled. “Have fun then.”
My vulnerability increased with every step he took. He waved goodbye and shut the door. A moment later Greg appeared. “That’s a pretty dress,” he said.
He was observing me like a specimen again. I’d bet some women would find it creepy, but I found it titillating. “Thanks,” I said in an unsteady voice.
“Would you like something to drink?” he asked. “We’ve got beer, wine, soda…”
“I’ll stick with water tonight,” I said. He looked slightly disappointed. Perhaps he was counting on me being a little tipsy.
I followed him to the kitchen. He was wearing slim-fitting jeans that showed off his cute butt. I wondered if I’d found the only nanotechnologist nerd who was as concerned about fitness as he was about his robots. “I got us a bunch of snacks. Mini pizzas, veggies and dip, and I picked up some movies if you’re interested. I make great popcorn too, so save room for that.”
I smiled at him. “I’ll take a little bite of everything.”
He eyed me. His mind obviously went somewhere other than food. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll heat up the oven then. You sure you don’t want a glass of wine? I’ve got a bunch of decent bottles to choose from.”
“I’m sure. I don’t want to get too tipsy and be unable to drive home.”
Greg handed me a glass of water. “Yeah. Then you’d have to spend the night. You’ve figured out my evil plan.”
I giggled, then walked to the table to see which movies he’d chosen. They were all chick flicks. Evil plan indeed.
“Relax Sam. Take a seat on the couch. I’ll be over in a few.”
I nodded, my gaze lingering longer than usual, then tried to get comfortable. While I waited, I closed my eyes and considered my circumstance. Should I just go with whatever happens, with what I desperately wanted, or should I wait?
Greg set the veggies and dip on the coffee table. He lifted a glass of water as if acknowledging he’d decided to copy me. “Tired?” he asked.
“No. Just thinking.”
He looked like he was going to ask me what I was thinking about but decided against it. “So…what’s your movie of choice?” he asked.
“You pick one.”
He jumped up and grabbed the first one his hand landed on, then put it in the DVD player and pressed play. He lowered the lights and sat next to me, so close that his body touched mine. I felt his hip against my hip, his leg against my leg. My heart began racing as the previews played, and I caught him stealing glances at me out of the corner of my eye. I pretended not to notice.
When the movie started he feigned interest, but within a few minutes his hand found mine. My reaction to such a simple gesture was powerful. My breathing grew heavy and I found it impossible to concentrate. Greg responded by snuggling even closer and putting his arm around me. Then he began gently caressing my shoulder.
The bra I’d worn was thin, without padding, and I couldn’t hide my reaction. I turned to him and saw a look I’d always dreamed of seeing on his face: unbridled desire for me.
Within seconds our lips connected and his tongue found mine. I gave no thought to how things would turn out. I wanted to feel, not think, so I let go.
His hand dropped to my breast and cupped it. A delighted moan escaped my lungs, which only encouraged him to grope me more. Then his kisses grew more fervent. They traveled to my neck, and as he focused there I lost my mind. I was panting and ready and I couldn’t say no if I tried. I was his.
The sound of an alarm blaring startled us. Greg jumped up. “The pizza!” he said.
He rushed to the kitchen and turned off the oven. Then he hopped on a stepladder and poked the mounted device with a wooden stick so it would stop beeping. Once the room was silent he grabbed oven mitts and pulled the pizzas out. “Shit,” he said.
I came up beside him. “We could always order out,” I said. The pizzas in front of us resembled blackened hubcaps.
“How romantic would it have been if the fire department showed up?” he said, shaking his head. “That would’ve been memorable.” Then he reached into the drawer where he kept the menus and placed a call.
I smiled. I was thankful for the interruption. If the smoke alarm hadn’t gone off I might have been having sex with him right now. It wasn’t time. Not yet. I shook my head and thought of Mrs. Myszkowski.
“Tell me about your mom,” I said while we waited. I didn’t want to relapse into another make out session.
Greg sat down in a kitchen chair. “She was amazing,” he said. “A great mom. Smart, too. She was a high school science teacher.”
I took a seat opposite him. “Is that where you got your love for science?”
He nodded.
“How about your dad? Has he ever dated since your mom passed away?”
“Nah,” he said. “He’s too much of a romantic. I suppose that could sound contradictory, but it’s not. His romance was for one woman only. He also claims he’s old and doesn’t care, but sometimes I see a faraway look in his eyes and I suspect he’s not just missing Mom, but having someone to share life with in general.”
“He’s not old,” I said.
“No, he’s not.”
I began to wonder how often Greg dated, and if he was a romantic like his dad. Of course I’d seen hints of it in his awkward charm. But I suspected he was more pragmatic than anything else.
We talked about our jobs for a while until the pizza came. Then we ate heartily. Afterward I patted my belly and said, “I’m stuffed.”
“Me too,” he agreed. “You wanna start the movie over and actually watch it this time?”
“Sure.” I think he knew we wouldn’t go back to where we left off, and he seemed okay with that.
For the next hour and a half Greg and I sat next to each other on the sofa watching the movie. We held hands, and for me it was almost as exciting as what went on before, just in a different way.
I felt content, like I’d known him all my life.
After the credits rolled I checked my watch. It was late and we both had to work in t
he morning. I turned to him. “I guess I should be going home.”
He pouted. It was the most adorable expression I’d seen him make yet. “This was fun,” he said. “You sure you don’t want to have a sleepover?”
“You know I want to,” I said seductively, then leaned over and kissed his lips. “But not tonight.”
I stood and smoothed my dress that had managed to hike its way up to my thigh. Greg stood too, and we walked to the door.
“What are you doing this weekend?” he asked.
I tried to remember. “Friday night I’m taking my mom to dinner. The rest of the weekend I’m free.” I hesitated. “Do you want to come to my place Saturday night?”
He perked up again. “Yeah,” he said. “And Sam…”
“Yeah.”
“You still haven’t told me that secret.”
I blushed. “I know. I’ll tell you soon.”
Chapter 19
Friday night I swung by Mom’s house. I was really looking forward to seeing her and telling her all about Greg. Well, not all about him. But she’d been keen to know more and I was ready to share.
She opened the door when she saw me coming. “Hey honey. Come on in,” she said, after giving me a hug. My mom was a hugger. She held back on telling me things, but never held back on affection.
“You look slimmer. Have you been dieting?” I asked.
“Not dieting, just cutting down on carbs. And I’m finally using the treadmill.”
In the past it had been an expensive sweater hanger. Now it was dusted off with a set of gym shoes sitting next to it. “Cool. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. What about Dad? I thought you two were going to join a health club?”
“We were,” she sighed, “but they have a free one at his work. Management was pushing the employees to use it so he said why spend money when it’s free and we have the treadmill here for me?”
“Well at least you’re both working out,” I said. “Where do you want to eat tonight?”
“How about that new Asian place?”
“Okay.”
We drove to the restaurant and the hostess seated us. After looking at the menu I took a chance on a pear mojito and my mom chose a glass of wine.
“I saw Greg again,” I said. I was so thrilled I was giddy.
“And?”
“And I think I’m in love. No. I know I am.”
“Sweetie. That’s wonderful. I’ve never heard you say that before. Well, besides that time when you were in the fourth grade.” She smiled, but then began to look a little teary-eyed. “Tell me all about him.”
“I think I’ve told you he’s a scientist, right? A nanotechnologist. He’s involved in a team that builds robots so small they can be in the human bloodstream. They’re working on some that carry medicine that specifically attack cancer cells instead of hitting all the cells. He’s kind of a genius.” I grinned, realizing I could go on forever about him.
The waiter brought our cocktails, and after I’d taken an ample-sized gulp, I continued. “I told you I met him through work, right?”
Mom nodded.
“So you know his dad is one of my patients. Anyway, he’s twenty-eight, but lives at home to help out since his mom died.”
“Oh, that’s sad. What’d she die from?”
“Brain aneurysm. Guess it was right after Greg graduated high school. She was a high school science teacher, which explains why Greg is so smarty pants. His dad had a furniture upholstery business, but he recently sold it and retired.”
Mom looked like she was going to say something, but I was on a roll. “He’s soooo good-looking Mom. It’s off the charts.”
She smiled. “Do you have a picture of him?”
“No, I don’t.” I frowned, trying to remember if I’d seen any on the web. I didn’t recall seeing one in any of the articles he’d been quoted in. “Don’t worry,” I said. “If things keep going well you’ll see him soon enough.”
Our food arrived, and after we began eating I realized all I’d done is talk about myself. “So how are things with you and Dad?” I asked. “You seemed kind of annoyed before.”
She chewed her food, then took a sip of wine. “You know honey, when you’ve been married a long time there are bound to be ups and downs. It’s not always as exciting as in the beginning.”
I nodded and lifted another forkful of spicy noodles to my mouth. “Maybe you and Dad should take a vacation. Remember the psychic said you were going on a trip?”
“She said I would go on a trip with you and Tabby.”
“Maybe you should go with Dad instead. Go somewhere romantic.”
She shrugged, “I’ll bring it up.” I could tell by the way she said it she thought it was a waste of time.
I pushed my plate away. I could never finish the portions these restaurants served. They were enough for two people. “Speaking of Tabby, she’s been on the quiet side lately since she left early for school. How’s she doing?”
“Good. She’s setting up the apartment and is getting to know the neighborhood before classes begin,” Mom said. She spoke normally but wore a cagey expression. I knew that face. It meant something was up.
“It’s weird. She hasn’t returned my calls lately, and her texts are generic, like she doesn’t want to talk to me.”
Mom squirmed in her seat. She looked wary. “I didn’t want to tell you this because Tabby asked me not to, but…” She let out a deep sigh. “But Jack is back in the picture.”
“What?! How the hell is that possible?”
“I guess he has a friend who lives near the school, and after graduation he moved in with him and got a job at a pizza parlor.”
I felt my blood pressure spike. What the heck was my sister thinking? Jackass was an imbecile and they were incompatible on so many levels. She had so much going for her. I hoped he wasn’t going to screw it all up.
I shook my head in disgust. “I’ll try to give her a call this weekend. I’ve got a date with Greg tomorrow, so I’ll touch base with her on Sunday and see if I can talk some sense into her.”
“Would you dear? That would be wonderful. But make sure you get the story from her first. Remember, she asked me not to tell you. I don’t want her to get mad at me.”
Great, I thought. Two impossible tasks in one phone call. That should be fun.
After I got home I couldn’t stop thinking of Tabby. Why would she get involved with Jack after what he’d done? For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what she saw in him. She was beautiful, smart, and going places. He was none of those things.
I paced my apartment, then I finally broke down. “Hey Tab,” I said on her voicemail. “It’s Sam. Give me a call as soon as you can. I want to talk to you about Jack.”
I’d ditched the plan on trying to be stealthy. I figured screw it. We needed to chat as soon as possible.
My phone rang a few minutes later. “Hey Tab. Before you ask, Mom slipped up and told me.”
“Oh.” She didn’t sound surprised. It had happened throughout our lives so often it was to be expected. We’d tell Mom things in secret and soon after we’d know each other’s business. At least that’s how it was when it came to my sister and me. It should have pushed us apart, but instead, hearing the truth about how we felt just made us closer.
“I don’t want to tell you what to do Tab. I’m just looking out for you. I want you to be happy,” I said.
“I know you do. I want the same thing. It’s not like I invited him here. He just showed up. He’s trying to figure things out and could use a friend. We’re not dating, so don’t stress it Sam. I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d get upset.”
She knew me well. “Well if he’s looking for a friend he couldn’t ask for a better one.” I suspected there was more to this story, but if she wasn’t ready to tell me I wouldn’t push her on it.
“Thanks Sam. And don’t worry. I’m not going to let him manipulate me. My focus is on school. Soon I’ll have a lot of studying to do
. Miss you,” she said.
I relaxed. “I miss you too Tab.”
“So what’s new with you? Any news on that dream guy?”
My spirits lifted a little at the mention of him. “Yeah. Great news. I saw him earlier in the week and we have a date tomorrow night.”
“Awesome. That rocks!” she said. “Let me know how it goes.”
“I will. Thanks Tab, and sorry to be a psycho. And don’t get mad at Mom. I dragged it out of her.”
“I won’t,” she said. “Talk to you later.”
I hung up and began feeling a bit better. Tabitha was the best sister a person could ask for. I wanted only the best for her.
Chapter 20
After staring at the lingerie I’d recently bought, I chose the red lace push up bra with matching thong for tonight’s date. I’d also gone to the salon to have my hair styled in an updo like I’d seen in a magazine. I was going for a sophisticated look.
I’d spent a ton of time getting ready and was pleased with the result. Now all I had to do was wait for Greg to show. While I was waiting I realized we hadn’t made any specific plans. I had just asked him if he wanted to come over. I was well aware that a night with no plans meant a night of temptation. I decided that wasn’t such a bad thing.
I thought of the dream and compared the few real life encounters we had. I realized they had been way hotter while I was awake, magnified many times over in intensity, which surprised me. I had no idea it could be even better.
The doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it and was taken aback. Greg stood there holding a bouquet of pink tulips. He looked so adorable it was difficult not to drag him to my bedroom that instant.
“For you,” he said in a sweet voice. “I wanted to deviate from the norm since everyone gives roses.”
I reached for the bouquet. “Thank you. I like tulips more than roses. How’d you know?”
“I’m psychic. I know your every thought,” he teased. Then he purposely brushed past me so we’d touch.
That simple act sent a rush of heat through me.