by Ginny Lynn
“Hey, honey. I only have a second, but I wanted to see if you were picking up the Jeep today.”
“No, I got it covered. Thanks for calling.”
I went to hang up, but I heard him yell out and mistakenly put it back to my ear.
“Yes?”
“You don’t have to go so quickly, can’t I talk to you for a second?” He whined.
“We’re both pretty busy, so I’ll let you go. Thanks for calling.”
I hung up with him still trying to talk to me. Just the part of him calling me honey had my teeth on edge. Putting it out of my mind, I got back to work.
At five fifteen I was headed home to get some laundry done. An hour into laundry I decided to check in with Chaz.
“Chaz, how are things with Parker? Have you gotten him to actually spend the night yet?” I inquired.
“No. How did you know I was battling with that?” She sounded kind of perturbed.
“I haven’t heard any tales of all night sex, so I figured something was up.”
We talked about it a bit and I gave her my opinion on the issues, without ratting on Parker. We ended up laughing about it and I got off the line with her so I could call Felicia.
Felicia was sending out closing documents on a condo she was selling and had a minute to talk. I went over the conversation with Chastity to her and she couldn’t stop laughing.
“The barracuda is caught in a net! I knew I would live to see this one day.”
“Yes, she’s definitely caught and it is amazing to see this take place. I told her to make it into a game and winning would be the motivation.”
Felicia ended the phone call with laughter at the image it provided. I was glad to have helped one friend and gave a reason to laugh to another.
Raven was unpacking from her latest shoot and needed some serious sleep. I explained both calls to her and she was very quietly laughing at both pieces of news.
“So, how is it that you can help poor little Chastity, and yet you can’t help yourself?” Raven asked.
I was taken back by this and started stammering.
“Sweetheart, you know I love you, but I still think you need a bit of Chaz in your daily love diet. How long do you think you can hold on to Conrad when you can only play slap and tickle? He’s going to get as bored with that as Parker would with a controlling woman. You need to think of a little game for yourself and see who really finishes first.”
“What do you mean by that, exactly?”
“Don’t take it wrong. It’s just like you telling Chaz to make it into a game of sorts. What do you have rolling with Conrad, hun?”
That was a good question and crazy how we could be so tuned into each other’s relationships and still be clueless in our own.
“Okay, spell it out for me.”
“You have a great white knight that has saved you a couple of times, right? Well, what if that’s the way he likes it, what will you do when you don’t need saving anymore? Have you talked about any of this? Where is this relationship going? Is he here for you or just a hunky rebound? You need to think this out and be fair to yourselves.”
“We have been taking this day to day. I don’t want to push anything on him at this time. I don’t think of him as a rebound. I see him as an attractive, strong man who seems to be in serious like with me. I hope that’s how he feels. All this crap going on with Jason is keeping me from pressuring him or myself. As soon as the dust has settled, he and I can talk it all out if he’s still with me.”
“Okay, I’m glad you have that much together. I have a feeling that he could be ‘the one’ and would hate for you to lose out. Forgive me. I’m tired and just want you to be happy. So, what’s the latest news on Jason?”
I had forgotten about him calling the last two days and knew the girls were clueless as to what had occurred with my vehicle.
“I haven’t told you all what has happened this week. Got a minute?”
I let the story out in a rush and hoped she was too tired to berate me. I told her about the phone calls and remembered that Montrose hadn’t called me back.
She would repeat the information to the rest of the gang and hoped Jason wouldn’t call me again. I agreed and wished her a good night.
I stripped to get into the shower. I hated going to bed with wet hair, so I pinned it up before dousing off the layer of dust I had on my skin. As I was toweling off, I heard the phone ring and ran for it. I was breathless as I picked up the phone.
“I’m here all alone and you’re at home sounding breathless. What’s wrong with this picture?” Conrad asked mischievously.
“I just got out of the shower and I ran to pick up the phone, silly. What are you up to?” I asked as I slid on a camisole.
“All I know is that I’m picturing you naked and moist next to a soft bed. Please tell me you’re wearing some avocado on your face while wearing some ugly flannel gown.”
Laughing huskily I answered, “Almost correct. I am moist and next to a soft bed putting on flannel shorts.”
I thought the truth would be nicer than fiction.
“Oh, don’t do this to me.”
“I’m sorry. You asked and it happens to be the truth.”
“How come you can sound sexy wearing flannel? Did I luck out or what?”
“I know how you got this lucky and that was from me being unlucky.”
“Yeah, I guess it is, but we’ll find out when I can actually bag the prize.”
“Well, there are no bags here to be had. Will I do?”
“I’ll be there in five minutes,” and he hung up.
What! Was he serious? Had I led him on that quickly?
Then the phone rang again. I picked it up and heard nothing except laughter.
“Young man, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I am giving as good as I get, young lady. How do you feel about that? Is your heart racing or were you too stunned to move off the bed?”
“I’m glad to provide entertainment for you.”
Turning off the light, I set my alarm and crawled into bed with the phone.
“It’s not the kind of entertainment I would really want right now, although it does fill a void. This is where I ask how your day was in order to avoid thinking of sex again.”
“And this is where I would tell you it went by pretty fast and I filled you in on some things.”
I went over the conversation I had with Chastity. He said he would love to see how it turned out. He didn’t take my advice to her personally.
“I thought that kind of thing would piss you off as a guy.”
“I’m definitely a guy, however, I do realize that you have to work at any relationship. This is just one form of it that you don’t see very often. Now, if she was trying to program him to be her type, then I would be offended. I’m no saint and have pulled a few tricks in relationships before. Haven’t you?”
“Nope. I am what I am, as Chastity would say. She and I both believe you should be yourself. If that works out, great. That brings me to another subject. When do you think people should have a serious talk about their feelings?” I inquired with bated breath.
“Hmm, that depends on the people involved. Like in Chastity’s case, she should talk to Parker about each other’s needs and see where the chips fall.”
“Umm, what about us?” I asked him cautiously.
He was silent for a moment.
“Do you want to have this discussion with me or are you just making conversation?”
Gulping, I said, “I’m asking for your input on what we have together.”
“Okay. I need to know what kind of questions you have. I’d rather discuss this in person. Tell me what you’re concerned about. I’ll do the best I can, and we’ll have to talk about it in more detail later. Okay?”
“Alright. I know how I feel about you and you seem to feel the same about me. I know we entered into this with a crazy ex in tow and we’ve been catching up since then. We’ve also discussed takin
g sex slowly because of the turmoil going on. I’m fine with all of this, but I need to know if you see us still together after Jason has been installed in a mental institution. Is it too soon to ask that?”
“I’m fine with you asking, although I’d like to know why are you concerned? We’re taking things a step at a time, aren’t we?”
“Yes, we agreed to take things slow. I don’t want either of us to feel pressure, so we can table this for the time being,” I smacked myself in the head.
“No, you have questions. I’ll do my best to make you feel better. Now, are you worried that this is a fling or that I’m only here for the excitement? Let me tell you now that that’s not how I feel. I’m glad I was there for you when you needed someone, and know that I’m here for who you are.”
“Okay, that’s reassuring.”
I stopped myself from smacking my head again.
“Don’t beat yourself up for this. I want to know what started this insecure feeling you are having.”
“I was talking to Raven about the advice I gave to Chastity and she mentioned that I may need a little help of my own. She was worried that I was rebounding. She meant well, but it struck a cord in me as to what you feel. I’m stupid and I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
He chuckled, “I’m glad you mentioned it and want you to know that I have no ulterior motives. I’m in this for as long as we can take it. Is there anything else you need to know? And please tell me I’m not your rebound. That would truly break my heart.”
“I want you for who you are and not some silly fairy tale reason.”
“I don’t have any issues with these thoughts coming up. I want you to understand that anytime you have a question, silly or not, please ask me.”
“Okay, but I still feel stupid. I’ll beat my head against the head board when I hang up.”
“It sounded like you already did that. Please don’t do it again. If there’s a bruise on that gorgeous head, I’ll be upset.”
“No more beatings tonight. Now let me gracefully get off the phone so I don’t embarrass myself any further.”
“Okay. I meant what I said. Don’t let anyone get in between us and speak up when you have something on your mind. We’d be just chasing our tales if we never discussed any issues.”
“Thank you and good night, sweet prince.”
He laughed at my play on words and whispered good night before hanging up.
I still wanted to smack my head, although I took his advice before causing myself a huge headache.
* * * *
Thursday was a repeat of the workload from Wednesday, but without the crazy phone calls. My mechanic called an hour before quitting time to tell me the Jeep was ready. He had washed it down and even put gas in the tank. He was another fine man to depend on, like Conrad. I thanked him profusely and immediately called Conrad.
He was happy that I was getting my vehicle back even though he liked knowing he was helping. He told me to pick him up at the office when I got off work and we would go back to the shop to get my Jeep. He could strap the motorcycle down in the back of the truck and take it back home with him. I agreed and I couldn’t pass up his offer to cook me dinner. I told him I’d buy the ingredients if he cooked.
I said good-bye to Parker and rushed over to Conrad’s shop. I caught him cleaning up. The vision of it was worth the ride over.
He was stripped to the waist and rubbing his body down with a black towel by the utility sink. My jaw must have dropped because he smiled before coming over to run a finger over my chin.
“Yeah, it’s nice seeing you too.”
He placed a feather soft kiss on my waiting lips. I groaned a little.
“Is that all I get for making it here in record time?”
“Yes, if you want your vehicle tonight and dinner afterward, you get nothing out of me. Now move out of here you vixen, before I can weld without equipment.”
He swatted me on the butt with his towel. I brazenly turned, swishing my tush on the way to the front of the shop. He laughed as I went.
When he was done, Conrad slid his arms around me and said, “Let’s go.”
I happily threw him the keys as I headed for the door. We crossed the street to the little grocery store across from his work and bought food before piling back into the truck. I was excited to get my vehicle back. I was bouncing.
When we pulled up to the mechanics, I bounded out of the truck and headed in to see what the bill would run me. Fortunately, it was within my budget. I slid him my credit card without a second thought.
Getting back in my vehicle was like putting on your favorite pair of jeans, a comfort that fit like a glove. I cranked up a blues CD as I pulled out of the driveway and followed Conrad to his place.
I parked under the tree by his front door and jumped out with my bag. I grabbed one of the grocery bags from him and unloaded it when I reached the kitchen. His phone started ringing so I waved him away as I took over the unloading.
Conrad came back as I finished up. I made glasses of tea for us and started prepping dinner. I didn’t know where his grill was, so I marinated the chicken and tossed the salad before he hung up the phone. He plopped the potatoes in the convection oven while he told me about his phone call.
“That was Blake. He has another project that he needs me to help him with. It’s out of town, but for a good cause. An Autism Center has a design from their kids and they want a sculpture put up in the courtyard of the building. He already has the grounds designed, so the statue is for the kids.”
“That sounds great. Do you leave soon?” I put the salad in the fridge.
“I might have to head out next week. It’s in Miami, so I’d be driving most of the first day. Blake has to be there tomorrow night and will call me afterward to give me details.”
He got out matches and utensils and nodded for me to follow him. The grill was inside the shed next to the workshop. He explained the sculpture as he lit the grill. Then we went back inside to talk while the coals heated up.
We settled into the couch as he continued his description of the work to be done. I realized how much I loved to listen to his husky voice and started to fantasize.
“Hello, are you in there?” He asked as he waved a hand in front of my face.
I was embarrassed that he’d caught me day dreaming.
“Were you bored with me or preoccupied?”
“Well, I was so mesmerized by your voice that I went into another dimension. I’m sorry, that was rude of me.”
“What’s so wonderful that you tuned me out?”
I looked up into his eyes and the words disappeared. I immediately saw him taking me right then and there on that very spot.
My mouth was open, but nothing came out. I was brain dead.
“Now what could’ve gone on in that pretty little mind to get you so flustered?”
He looked deep into my eyes. I just sat there with my mouth open.
“Here, let me help you with that”
He reached over to shut my mouth, lightly caressed it while doing so. I just closed my eyes and went back to what I was thinking. I felt his body hanging over mine and held my face up for the searing kiss he bestowed upon me. Moaning into his mouth, I reached for him. Grasping his shirt, I pulled him over as I fell backward. He was awkwardly lying across the sofa, but didn’t seem to care. His lips stayed on mine.
It went on forever. The kiss seemed endless and I wondered if I could ever get tired of this. I felt him shift as he circled me into his arms and placed his knee between both of mine. I knew if he had seen the images in my head, we would already be naked.
I unbuttoned his shirt and slid it down his shoulders. Liking that I had his arms pinned to me, I went into attack mode. I reached up and bit him on the neck before running my tongue over the bite marks. He gritted his teeth. I placed little love bites all the way across his shoulder. He groaned against my neck as I followed the path down his sinewy arm before stopping at the inside of his elbow. Ther
e I ran my tongue in a circular path as he gasped against my throat.
I needed no more encouragement as I did the same to the other arm. The response I got was his teeth biting into my collarbone as he retaliated. I let him push my back into the cushions as I bent my neck for him to have more access. It was so animalistic that I couldn’t help the sounds escaping from my throat.
His nose nuzzled in the valley between my breasts and his hands slid down to my waistline. I ran my tongue over the path I had created with my love bites and ended up at his neck again. His hands spanned my stomach with his fingers curved over my hip bones.
He gasped again as I traced a wet path just below his ear lobe and then I decided to see how sensitive his ear was. I bit on the tender lobe, his fingers shot up to cup the sides of my breasts. Even with my bra on, I was turned on enough to feel the heat of his hands through the fabric and wires. As usual, I wanted to be naked and grinding under him. I wasn’t shocked at that thought anymore. We would inevitably be joined sexually. I knew it was only a matter of time.
He moaned and kneaded my chest until I felt the coil of heat run up my core. I knew I had to stop this soon or give in heart, body and soul. I pulled my mouth away and put my wet lips into the hollow of his throat.
We were both breathing long pulls of air. Neither of us moved. I wondered if I had gone too far. I bit my lip and waited for any sign of his feelings. He shifted his weight to lie mostly on my side, up against the back of the sofa. I snuggled closer and breathed in his heady male scent.
We lay like that for a while, eventually he rolled off of me and offered his hand to me. I took it and he pulled me up into a big hug. I smiled and wondered what he was thinking.
Then, I heard a whisper in my ear, “I think my coals are hot now.”
He chuckled as he spun away from me and into the kitchen to grab up his grill items before heading out to the grill. Sure enough, the grill was smoking away. I laughed.
“I guess we’re having smoked chicken instead of grilled, right?”
“Whatever it is, I can tell you it’s not as hot as we are. This just happens to be more edible.”