by Mia Carson
“Hi.” I managed to smile back.
He stared at me for another few seconds. “You look stunning,” he said finally.
“Um, thanks,” I stammered. Way to go, idiot, stammering already! I scolded myself in my head. How long had it been since I had received a compliment from a man, let alone one as handsome as this one? He held the door open for me, and I stepped in. The car was as plush inside as it was outside. “Nice car,” I said as he slid into the driver’s seat.
He chuckled. “I felt like splurging.”
As soon as he sat in his seat and closed the door, the atmosphere in the car changed. The tension felt so real it seemed to suck up all the air. The temperature was mild, yet I had goosebumps on my arms and legs. Unconsciously, my mind drifted to the memory of his lips on mine last night, and my insides melted.
Get yourself together, I scolded myself again. This was not good. Not even five minutes together, and I had already felt the need to reprimand myself twice. And who was this hormonal maniac I morphed into as soon as this man showed up? I wished I had put on something more sensible—like a pair of jeans and a shirt with long sleeves. I was weirdly conscious that he might notice the goose bumps on my limbs.
He looked very much at ease beside me. For a second, I resented it. Hard to believe this was the same guy who had lost all control last time we had been together.
He looked at me. “You look… confused,” he said. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course. I was… I was just thinking about whether or not I turned off the lights in my room before leaving.” Lame, I knew, but it was the only bogus excuse that came to mind.
He chuckled. “Really? Do you worry about that sort of thing regularly?”
“No, not really.” My face reddened. “But I like to think I care about the environment and preserving resources, that sort of thing.” Goosebumps and now a tomato-red face. Thank God he was driving and couldn’t stare at me.
“I admire that. I respect people who care about that sort of thing,” he said.
“So, where are we going?” I asked, eager to change the subject.
“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.” His eyes crinkled, and he looked so unbelievably handsome that my body automatically relaxed.
“Let’s see, then.” I felt the corners of my mouth turn up and realized that for some reason, smiling came easily again.
***
Half an hour later, we parked outside an early twentieth-century warehouse in the Depot District. Despite having spent all of my life in Richmond, I had never seen this place before. A vintage, red brick building with square windows would instantly appeal to visitors. Over brown wooden doors with old-fashioned lamps, the board out front read Ghyslain, and underneath it, Chocolates, Bistro, Pastries, Gelato. My excitement bubbled up and made me feel warm inside; the delight had to be plain on my face.
Neal watched me closely for my reaction. As soon as I smiled, his features relaxed into a grin. “I had a feeling you have a bit of a sweet tooth, especially for chocolate,” he said, “and I didn’t want to do something too extravagant, like fly you to Zurich, for fear you might get offended. Which, from our text conversation, I figured you easily do.”
“No, this is perfect. And I’m not easily offended. Most of the time,” I said with a smile. The place was perfect. A combination of vintage, homey, sweet, and down-to-earth… Lord knows, I did hate extravaganza!
“It is one of my favorite places in Indiana,” Neal continued, “but wait until you’re actually inside. You’re going to love this.”
I knew what he was talking about as soon as we walked in through the wooden doors. This place was a haven for chocolate lovers—how had I not known about it all this time?! There were rows and rows of handcrafted, gourmet chocolates on display in the counters, pastries and chocolates that were works of arts, all of them perfect miniature sculptures. From eight-pointed, marbled stars to Santa’s sleigh—complete with reindeers and presents—to baby pianos, violins, animals with their young, and models of historical monuments. I gazed at all of it in awe like an entranced child, oblivious to the amused expression on Neal’s face. This was now my favorite place in this city!
We walked out of Ghyslain a couple of hours later. The wind tugged a few strands of hair loose from my bun and whipped them around my face as soon as we walked out of the warm, chocolate-scented café. I tried, without much luck, to tuck them behind my ears, feeling warm and happy. Neal reached out a hand to help me with my hair but caught himself halfway through. I couldn’t decide whether I was happy or unhappy that he’d held back.
“There is one more place I’d like to show you tonight, if you’d like to go,” he said when we were safely back in the car.
“Mmm?” I was still brooding over his efforts at self-control and good behavior today.
“Did you want to go home now?” he asked, looking slightly puzzled at my sudden distraction.
“No, no. I’d love to see whatever it is,” I murmured, trying to sound more carefree.
He drove for a little over half an hour until we were well outside the city. The sun had set and night was falling rapidly. We were having a good time, laughing and talking about some of our favorite artists. I had to admit, he knew how to keep the atmosphere light. If I were out with anyone except him, I would probably be a little jumpy by now. In his presence, I felt safe. This thought left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
The sky outside the city was a deeper shade of blue, and stars were beginning to come out when he finally stopped at the entrance to what looked like a vast soccer stadium. I was stunned. What was a soccer stadium doing in the middle of nowhere, and what were we doing at the soccer stadium in the middle of nowhere?
He noticed the bewildered expression on my face and chuckled. “It’s all right,” he said slowly. “I own this place and wanted to show it to you.”
We parked near a staff entrance, and Neal hit a series of numbers on a keypad outside the door. After a click, Neal pulled on the door, which opened easily, and he gestured for me to enter before him. Inside was a control room of some sort; Neal flipped a switch and walked to a panel. He flicked a few more switches, and the entire stadium lit up.
The place was huge. I was not really a sports fan and had never been to a stadium before, but I was pretty certain the emptiness made the place look even more gigantic than it really was. The vast ground was surrounded by rows and rows of seats on all sides. Fascinated by the enormity of the place, I gazed in awe until he spoke.
“Would you like to go to center field? The best view is from there,” Neal asked me. I nodded and let him lead me down the flight of steps to a gate. We walked to the center of the stadium, and I spun in circles, looking at everything.
“My father had it built for me when I was fourteen,” Neal explained. “I used to complain about there not being a nice place to play soccer with my friends in the city. He had builders come over from Emirates, and they finished this place within a year. That, however, is not why I wanted to bring you here.” He looked at her. “Will you stay here for a moment?”
I stood in the center as Neal ran back up and turned off all the lights. The stadium was engulfed in darkness, but before long, the starry night began to make its presence known. As my eyes adjusted, I started to see the ground and the giant structure all around bathed in the dim light of the stars. I looked up and was speechless. I had never seen such a clear night sky or dazzling stars before in my life.
Neal walked back to me. “You’re not scared, are you?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.
“Not at all. I’m spellbound,” I breathed, my voice so quiet he leaned closer to hear me.
He took my hand and pulled me down to sit on the grass. I laughed at the silliness of it and the pure playful feeling it brought.
“I didn’t play here much when I was growing up,” he began softly. “I used to be away from Richmond most of the time—first boarding school and then college. However, on nig
hts I needed to get away from my family and clear my head, I would come here. I’d lie down, right where we’re sitting now, and stare at the skies for hours. It used to calm and inspire me at the same time.”
I laid back a little, leaning on my elbows while listening to him talk. He did the same.
“I haven’t come down here much in the last few years, though,” he continued. “New York City wraps you up and engulfs you.” He rolled over and looked at me, his head resting on his palm. “I’ve never felt like sharing this with anyone before. This is my space, these starry nights my refuge… But the moment I met you, I knew I had met the person I would like to bring here and share these nights with.”
I was surprised by his words. He had been so restrained, so careful with me this evening. Was I ready for this? My discomfort with him had disappeared when he introduced me to his private world and shared with me the magic of this place. The stadium was no longer a stadium to me, either.
I moved a little closer and slid my hand into his. His hand was considerably warmer than mine. As he curled his fingers safely around mine, I tightened my hold. Next to me, I felt his resolve loosen. All the caution and careful restraint he had shown during the evening melted; I could feel it happening. My hand was in his, and it was as if we were suddenly one, channeling each other’s thoughts. He leaned close to me. His lips hovered over mine for an instant before he kissed me.
The memory of the kiss in the car from last night and again later in the Callaway house came flooding back, along with every sensation associated with it. My teeth sank into his delicious lower lip, and I moaned with excitement.
He slipped his tongue into my mouth, and I sucked it urgently. After a moment’s hesitation, he brought his left hand forward and cupped one of my breasts. The reaction was instantaneous. My nipples hardened, and I felt goose bumps erupt all over my body.
I wanted him. I needed him. This was insane.
Both of his hands were on my breasts now, cupping them tenderly. After a few seconds, as my hard nipples pushed against my thin, chiffon dress, his fingers made contact with them. He stroked them, then took the right one between his thumb and forefinger and pulled at it. As another moan escaped my lips, I felt wetness pool between my legs.
As I moaned, he slid one shoulder strap of my dress down. I tried to help him by yanking them off myself, but he held my hand and proceeded to do it slowly, caressing my neck and my shoulder with his lips as he went.
I was weak and trembling with desire. He took his time pulling my dress down. His mouth found my breasts. Gently trailing kisses down the right one, he took the nipple between his lips. I felt his tongue stroking, playing, and teasing the sensitive flesh. As I gasped—beside myself with a rush of strange, wonderful sensations—I heard a growl emerge from his throat.
His teeth grazed my areola, and I moaned. “Neal,” I breathed. “Neal, please.”
He put his hand between my legs, testing the wetness with his fingers. My body responded to his touch like he’d released an electric shock. He slid a finger inside me.
I was beyond myself. I had never felt anything like this before. I had forgotten everything around me. Only the two of us existed here, in this moment, the world around us a blur, and everything so nerve-achingly intense. I felt like my body might shatter into a thousand little fragments, and I would welcome it.
He pushed his finger deeper inside me, and instinctively, I opened my legs wider, inviting him in. As a second finger slid inside and he moved both in small, practiced movements, my whole body shook with desire. Breathing was strangely difficult. I whispered his name. “Please, Neal, please… Let me have you.”
He removed his fingers, and I climbed on top of him. I could feel him hard against me… hard as a rock. I could not contain it any longer. I had to have him.
I began unbuttoning his pants, but it was almost impossible with my shaking fingers. Neal took over and did it for me, yanking them open. His cock stood straight up, and at the mere sight of it, I felt the moisture between my thighs increase.
Neal put his hand between my legs, opening them wider. I was slick with anticipation, and his lightest touch sent little static waves rippling through my body. I obliged, opening my legs wider and making space for him. I wanted him so badly that my mind had lost all reason and coherent thought.
He entered my pussy from beneath, his thrust made easier by my slickness. I could feel his cock swell even more as he entered me. He began to move in low thrusts, going deeper inside me with each thrust. Initially, he moved slowly, his movement focused but intense. But as he began to ease into me, his movement became more ruthless.
On top of him, I moved with him, my body relishing in the feeling of him inside me. I bent and we kissed hard, his teeth sinking into my lower lip and pulling. Our movements coordinated and became more rhythmic. Slowly, I began to feel a pressure build up inside me.
My body began to tremble and quiver, my back arching with the force of it. Beneath me, I could feel Neal breaking out into a sweat, the drops glistening on his wide, beautiful chest.
We came at the same time, my body shattering around him as I climaxed at the exact moment I felt him release inside me. The universe seemed to have exploded into a million little pieces, fragments of the deep black sky above us splintering and slowly, slowly, falling back into place—rejoining to make a perfect starry night, a perfect universe once again.
Neal
It was still dark when I woke up. The blue of the sky had a lighter quality to it than the deep, inky blue of earlier, however. Tia was asleep, tucked under my arm on the ground.
I looked at her, and my heart filled with warmth in a way I had never experienced before. She looked so small and pretty in her sleep, her lips parted a little, her hair loose, stray tendrils falling on her face, making her look so unbelievably pretty that my heart ached.
My heart ached.
What had happened last night was not good. It was not fair, not to her. She deserved so much more, so much better. And, shockingly, I wanted to give her those things. But I didn’t know if she would let me. I was immersed in these thoughts when she stirred. I watched as she opened her eyes, blinked a few times, and looked around.
“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” I said with a smile.
In that instant, as she looked at me, I saw something shift deep in her eyes. Like a flame that had always been present. Then, suddenly, as she registered something, it went out.
“Neal…” She spoke hesitantly and fell silent.
“Tia,” I said, not so sure myself.
“Take me home.” She spoke in the same, small voice.
Her voice had a singsong quality to it that made me wish she would keep talking so I could listen to her forever. But her words and the way she said those words made my heart ache again. I had never experienced such bittersweet anguish in my life. I wanted to cup her face in my hands and kiss her and ask her—beg her—to stay with me, but I could not. I had to do what she asked. I had to respect what she wanted.
“Whatever you want, Tia,” I replied solemnly before kissing her forehead and standing up. I offered her my hand, but she did not take it. She stood up on her own, and together, in absolute silence, we walked toward the gates.
The birds were beginning to sing, and their incessant chirping hardly registered through the heavy silence between us. Once we were in the car, however, there were no more sounds of nature to distract us from the silence that sat between us like a gigantic white elephant. I reversed the car and pulled out. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Tia pulling at the hem of her dress, as if trying to cover more of her legs. The anguish I had felt became frustration. I bit the inside of my cheek and kept driving.
Neither of us spoke during the drive. The road back to the city was completely empty at the crack of dawn, and the city itself was still asleep when we reached it. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, and even the early morning joggers had not appeared on the streets yet. Tia faced
the side window throughout the drive, and I looked straight ahead. When I pulled up outside her apartment building, I turned to look at her.
She looked up at me through her long lashes for a split second before looking down again. “Well, I’ll…um…see you.” Her voice was soft, like earlier. She opened the door and climbed out of the car.
I watched her, unable to speak, both confused and outraged at the same time. Part of me wanted to stop her, pull her back in the car, and demand to know what she was thinking, while another part of me wanted to let her walk away because she had not cared enough to tell me. As she walked through the doors, she didn’t even bother to turn back to look back at me.
Tia
I had fucked up. Damn! I had fucked up big time.
I realized this the moment I woke up on the wet, grassy earth under an open sky in Neal’s arms. Maybe the realization had been there as I slept, although I cannot say much about that. If I was being honest with myself, out there on the cold, wet grass, I’d had the best sleep I’d had in weeks, maybe months. Being with him had felt so right, and I had felt a hundred percent certain of myself. Only after I had woken up had I been hit by a terrible realization.
Something—everything—had gone wrong.
This was our second—first official—date. We were just beginning to know each other, and I had fucked everything up by sleeping with him.
I took a deep breath, my head buried deep in a pillow on my bed.
For a person with his reputation, it should have taken many more than two dates to change my perception of him. Before I even thought about doing what we had done, I should have been certain of him in every way. I had to know how he really felt about me, what his intentions were.
Well, his intentions had revealed themselves clearly.