by T. R. Lykins
Alexia finally turns back to see me watching her and tells me that this is the best first date ever and it just only began. I tell her all about how I use to love it here when I was little and that she is the only person I have ever brought here. That this was a place that I grew up in with my family and now I wanted to share this special place with her. I let Alexia know that I am under her spell that she magically has me captured. I kiss the palm of her hand, and it starts to feel so intimate, but I really don’t want to stop. Fortunately, the waiter comes and takes our order before things get to heated, between us.
Alexia starts asking questions to learn more about me and I start telling her everything about me that she asks. It is about time we learn more about one another since we are already dating. I know we have been doing everything differently, but I like how we have ended up together. This makes us a unique couple. We soon find out that we both live in the same city, and I like that. I wished I had met her sooner, before everything turned bad for me after my brother’s death. I went into a darkness for a while, and I believe Alexia could have helped me with that pain. I was angry at the world after my brother died. I made everyone around me unhappy, and even got into trouble at school because I didn’t care about my grades. If I was unhappy about life than everyone around me at the time should be unhappy too. I hated waking up and not having my brother in my life. Maybe I had to overcome that period in my life just so I could be here with Alexia now.
We keep talking about our pasts, and I find out that Alexia was sick her sophomore year with some kind of viral infection and had to take that year off. I want to ask more about what kind of viral infection she had, but she seems so sad just to mention it. I will ask more about it later. I don’t want her to be sad tonight. The waiter brings our food. Time to get our moods back to now and our special place.
She loves the food and says the same things about it that my brother used to say. I tell her this and she smiles her beautiful smile at me. We talk more about the things we like and her love of the ocean and the beach. She makes this warm feeling come over me. This stunning woman sitting here with me is mine and I would have loved for my brother to have had met her only because they both have this love of the beach.
I tell Alexia that tomorrow is Saturday so we should spend the day at the beach. I even try to convince her to let me teach her how to surf. She seems to be afraid to try it. I won’t push it on her. I will show her how it is done and how much fun it can be. My brother taught me how to surf and I have never taught anyone. I would be fun to teach Alexia. Maybe the next time she will be on a board beside me in the ocean. I find out that she doesn’t mind sitting on the beach and watching me surf. How lucky am I with my girl?
The waiter comes back to see if we need dessert, but we both are too full. I get the check and start to pay. Alexia asks if she needed to pay for her part. I let her know fast that that isn’t going to happen. She says that she should at least pay for food sometimes and I reminded her that my parents have me well taken care of for food. It won’t be necessary for her to use her money. My parents used the money they got from the insurance company to finish paying off the condo and the rest went into a fund for my school and other needs I may have. I don’t tell her this.
We get up to leave and I ask her if she wants to go back to do homework so we are free to spend the day at the beach tomorrow. She says that she wants to take a walk on the beach first. I think this will be perfect before we start working on the assignment. I see the moon out so we have a perfectly clear night for a walk. This first date is much more than I could have ever dreamed of and now I hope, I don’t mess things up with Alexia in the future. Sure hope Megan isn’t having another one of her parties tonight. If she is, we will go the other way. Megan seems to always be having parties lately.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alexia
The drive back to Phillip’s place is quicker because the traffic is less hectic at this time of the night. We pull up to his condo building and I ask him if we can go in so I can use the restroom before our walk. He tells me, “There is a restroom on the first floor unless you want to go up first.”
“No, this restroom will be fine, and then we can get on the beach faster.” I smile and go to the restroom.
I hurry and freshen up while I’m inside. I look in the mirror and see a glow on my face I have never had before, and I wonder if being around Phillip has this effect on me. If it does then I really like being with him even more. I didn’t even know it that could be possible to like a person more. He said that I have him under a spell. I believe he has me under his spell as well.
I am smiling as I come out the restroom and see Phillip talking to the security guy. He sees me and smiles back “Are you ready for our walk? Mark is taking up our things to the condo so we can head straight out to the beach.”
“Yes, I am ready and can’t wait.” He grabs my hand and we head out the door. “That is nice of Mark to take our things up. I didn’t know security workers did that.”
“Mark is like security and a doorman all wrapped up into one person. The condo association pays him well to do both. I think he is really nice guy and does things like that more than he has too.”
Phillip never lets go of my hand as we walk to the beach. I am happy that the moon is going to be out and bright over the ocean tonight. It may not be a full moon yet, but it lights everything up over the usually dark water. When we get close to the sand, I take off my shoes. I have to put my toes in the sand when I’m on the beach, and the warmth from the day has the sand still warm. I have to let go of Phillip’s hand so he can take off his shoes. As soon as my hand has leaves his, I feel lost without it. There is a connection when we touch, which makes me tingle through my whole body and without his touch I seem desperate to get it back.
“So you are like me and have to have bare feet in the sand?” Phillip asks.
“I’ve loved to have my feet in the sand ever since I was a little girl. I would play all day on the beach and make sandcastles. I wasn’t very good at making them when I was small. I really didn’t care what they looked like. I wanted to play and pretend I was a princess in my castle waiting on my Prince Charming to come. I know that was silly. I was about eight when I use to be a princess, and don’t laugh at me for telling that story.”
“Why would I laugh at your story? I think it is cute just like you are. Keeping telling me more of your stories please.” He smiles so wide that his dimples appear and melt my heart. How could I resist that face?
“Okay, I will tell you another one as we walk. Then we need to get back to do the homework that is waiting on us. I remember another time my parents brought me here for summer vacation. I guess I was about eleven and I started noticing boys. I was enjoying a nice sunny day when this boy came over to where I was. We hit it off really quick and started building a huge sandcastle. This castle was bigger and better than the ones I use to make by myself. We even made a moat around it and collected shells to decorate the castle. I can’t remember the boy’s name. Every day that summer we played on the beach. I think I might have had a little crush on him. I knew he didn’t feel the same, because he was a bit older than me. That was a really great summer and I hated that I had to leave. It was always hard for me to leave this place and go back home. I guess we need to hit those books.” I notice that we’ve walked a different way than toward Megan’s house and I’m glad. It looks like that girl has parties every night. Her parents must neglect her or something, because she seems like she needs to have people around her every night. Who knows she might just be lonely.
Phillip gazes at what I am looking at, and I believe he might have just read my mind, “Megan must be at it again. I wonder how she gets away with so many parties. I think she has had one every night since school started. I hope Tyler and Jacob haven’t ended up at her party again. They told me they were going to the football game.”
We ended up back at the condo and Phillip looks a bit worried. I try comforting him
. He must be thinking about his friends.
“I’m sure they went to the game. Who could party every night? It has to be rough on the body.”
“Jacob could party every night and that scares me. I hope he never drinks and drives. If that happened, something bad could happen either to him or others.”
“Why don’t you give your friends a call and see what they are doing? That way you won’t worry while we are studying.”
“How did you get so smart, my girl? You wouldn’t mind if I called first, would you?”
“No. Go ahead and while you are on the phone, I’ll get in the shower, if that is okay with you.”
“That would be fine by me. If you need some help, let me know I will be gladly to help out.” He winks at me as I head to the shower.
I giggle. “I think I can manage, but I will keep you in mind if I happen to need some help.” Smiling at him, I close the door.
Wow, I now remembered, how hard tonight will be. I hurry and shower. I want to spend every minute I can with Phillip. By the time I finish, I head back out to the living room and see Phillip sitting outside on the balcony. He looks like he must have showered and changed into comfortable clothes. I walk out on the balcony to join him. It feels so natural being here with Phillip, and I know how fortunate I am to be here.
“Did you talk to your friends?”
“Yes, and they are fine. They knew about the party but stayed away tonight. Jacob even surprised Tyler with not drinking or wanting to go partying. That surprised me too. I’m glad he has taken a break tonight. I want to spend every minute with you and not be a designated driver for my friends. Don’t get me wrong I would go pick them up anytime. I want to be selfish and spent the rest of our first date together without interruptions though.”
As soon as he says this, he pulls me down onto his lap. Phillip reaches up with his hand and caresses my face. He gently pulls my face close to his and kisses me. The kiss is passionate and intimate. I’m glad that I’m sitting while he is kissing me or I would have been on the floor. Can you say weak-in-the-knees kind of kiss?
We finally come up for air and we both are having difficulty breathing. He looks into my eyes and I can see desire in his beautiful brown eyes. This makes me melt into his arms and kiss him again. He interrupts us because we are getting too excited and our hands have been roaming in places they should go unless we want to go further. Tonight we are not going there.
“Alexia, my beautiful girl, if you want to keep tonight a PG rating we need to stop now,” he says, barely breathing, and I notice that I’m barely breathing too.
“I’m sorry. I got carried away and couldn’t help myself. I do want to make love to you, but not tonight. I think we should wait until we get to know each other better and I am new at this. I should get off your lap, so we don’t get carried away.” I try to get up, but he doesn’t let go of me.
“It is my fault as much as yours. Don’t be sorry. I truly enjoyed myself, and when the time is right, we will make love when you are ready. I will wait as long as it takes. I don’t want to rush our relationship. You are too special to me not to wait. Take as long as you want. I will be right here when you’re ready, and no pressure.” He kisses me softly this time and I know he meant what he said. I hope my hormones don’t get the best of me and I can wait until I am truly ready. Being close to Phillip makes it so hard.
“Thank you for understanding. You are special to me, and I want our relationship based on getting to know each other first, not about sex. We can’t rush this. So far we are off to a great start in our relationship, although we have been doing things backwards. Making love is a big step and I have to truly know you and know how you really feel about me before that happens. I have been saving myself for that one person who loves me the way I want to be loved, and that is with all of his heart. That no matter what, he will take care of me and be there for me when I need him to be.” I look into his eyes, and I believe he understands me.
“You deserve all that and more, my sweet girl. I plan on being everything I can be for you. To show you that kind of love. And I will be there for you as long as I am able. Hopefully my liver will last a lifetime. I need to prove to you my feelings and earn yours so we have to wait for this before the next big step. Now lets see if we can work on that homework we planned.” He gets up and goes grabs our books.
I notice that he seemed a little sad when he talked about his liver. Hopefully it will keep him alive for a long time. I know I have to tell him soon about my heart, and maybe he will accept me the way I do with him. We may not have perfect bodies, but we can live for the now and enjoy each other while we can.
We study for a while and get a lot done. I start yawning before too long and Phillip says that we’ve done enough. We head to the bedroom like a real couple does and get ready for bed. Wait. We are a real couple. This sets in that this sexy guy I am going to bed with is mine. Yeah, I’m thankful. Who knew five years ago when I was on my last heartbeat that I would be here with Phillip?
Phillip sees me smiling. “What is that beautiful smile all about?”
“I am thankful to be here with you. It is crazy that it has been just been a week since we met. Now I am your girlfriend and going to bed with you, even if it is to sleep. Maybe we’ll kiss for a while and snuggle before sleep.” I smile and bite my lip after saying that.
“Well I’m thankful too. I have made out the best in this deal. Look how beautiful and sexy you are. Every guy will be envious of me. Even getting you in our bed for your kisses and snuggling will be my dream come true. You know, if you bite that lip again and you may get more than what you bargained for. That is hot, and it makes me want to lose control. I want to throw you on our bed and kiss you all over, so you better stop biting your lip.” He gives me his sexy smile that shows off his dimples.
I wonder if he is telling me the truth. Yeah, I am biting my lip and smiling at him, daring him to do it.
“I warned you, Alexia. Now be prepared to be kissed,” he growls and grabs me. We fall on the bed.
Wait. Did he call this bed our bed? Maybe I heard that wrong. He looks into my eyes smiling and starts kissing me all over my face before he starts moving to my neck. I really like this too much and never want him to stop. He keeps going down to my shoulder, and I shiver with each kiss. I feel his kisses it all the way to my toes. This makes me wonder how it will feel if he keeps kissing me farther down, and I welcome it because I want to know the feeling. He knows what he is doing that is for sure.
He starts to pull my shirt down around my chest to kiss me there and I am so into it that I almost forgot about my ugly scar. I quickly jump up from him and pull my shirt back up. I hope he didn’t notice my scar. Tonight I am not ready to tell him how I got it.
“Sorry, Phillip, I got carried away and I shouldn’t have let that happen. You make me want to do things I’ve never even thought about before. Please forgive me for teasing you like that. I will try not to do it again.” I look at him with a little smile, hoping he really didn’t see my ugly scar.
“You have nothing to be forgiven for. I was as into you as you were me. We will have to stop now before I won’t be able to stop. Let’s get in bed and snuggle. It is getting late and we do have a beach date tomorrow. I need to go to the bathroom. I will be right back to snuggle.” He gets up and heads to the bathroom.
While his is in there, I go to the other one and wash my face to cool down. I look in the mirror and pull my shirt down to where he was last kissing me. Oh no! He had to have seen my scar. I hope he doesn’t ask about it tonight. When I get done, I head back to the bedroom and Phillip is already waiting on me. He gets under the covers and pats a spot for me with a smile on his face.
I smile at him and get in the bed. Then I snuggle up to him. “Goodnight Phillip. You have given me the perfect date today. Thank you for this amazing day.” I smile and kiss him.
“Goodnight, my sweet girl. I hope to make everyone of your days better than this one. Thank you f
or being you and for being mine. Now go to sleep and dream of me.” He laughs.
“Why would I dream of you when I have you already in my arms. My dreams have already come true.” I really think I have found my Prince Charming. I kiss him once more and fall into a deep sleep curled up next to Phillip
Chapter Twenty-Two
Phillip
I’m so glad the traffic is much lighter than before we left. I really want to get back to my place so we can spend more time together and take a walk on the beach. Since the moon is out, it will be a spectacular view of Alexia when it shines on her. I can only imagine what she will look like, and I bet it isn’t even as close to how beautiful she will actually be.
We arrive in no time, and Alexia is in need of the restroom. I let her know there is one on the first floor. She decides to use that one instead of heading up to the condo first. While she is inside, I walk over to see Mark.
“Hey, Mark. How is everything going out on the beach tonight? We plan on taking a walk and I wanted to make sure nothing wild is going on.”
“Everything is clear out on the beach around the condo area. I took a walk outside right before you got here. I did see a party at one of the private beach houses and it seems a bit loud. I wouldn’t head that way if you want privacy. Is that the girl you had me to put on your list the other day?” Mark smiles at me.
“Yes, she is that girl, and her name is Alexia. I asked her to be my girlfriend and I got lucky when she said yes. You will be seeing her around a lot more, I hope. I am going to take up these bags before Alexia gets finished. If she beats me, will you tell her where I am?”
“Looks like you did get lucky with that girl. She sure is pretty and you better be good to her or she will drop you fast. I will take up your bags for you so you can be here when she comes out. I don’t mind. You can head out for that walk while the moon is still bright,” Mark says. He is such a really good guy.