by Kylie Keene
Wow, I totally overreacted last night. Jessica was only at his place a few minutes and in my head I had the two of them already planning their wedding.
“Morgan, you didn’t think she and I were—”
“No.” I glance down at the table and line up my forks, which are already aligned. “Of course not.”
“Morgan.” He puts his hand on my arm and I look up. “Is that why you took off last night instead of sticking around?”
“Okay. Yeah. I thought you were getting back together with her.”
He slips his hand around mine. “If something like that ever happens again, you need to talk to me. Don’t go running off making up some story.”
“Happens again? Do you have any other ex-fiancés I should know about?”
He laughs. “Yeah. Tons of them. And I’ve got a couple ex-wives, too.”
The dinner is perfect. The restaurant is quiet with dim lighting. We both have steaks and split a bottle of wine.
When we get back to my apartment, I’m completely relaxed. It’s such a different experience than going out with Grant, coming home stressed from all the noise and chaos of the restaurants he picked.
“Should we watch a movie?” Brad takes off his suit jacket and tie and undoes the top button of his shirt. He puts his arm up behind me on the couch and I move closer to him.
“A movie? Don’t you want to do something else?” I unbutton more of his shirt and kiss him.
He kisses me back, sparking a wave of sensation to ripple through my core. I’ve never had a simple kiss get me so turned on. Does he have some magic spell he puts on women? Is that why he was so popular with the girls at my high school?
I know it’s only been one official date but I think I might be ready to go all the way with him. Technically, if you count Boston, we’ve been on several dates. I don’t see the need to wait anymore.
I lie back on the couch and he follows, not breaking our kiss. His body presses into mine and I can feel him. He’s more than ready to take this farther.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” I whisper over his lips.
“Not tonight.”
“Why?” He can’t possibly be turning me down again. It’s not like he’s got a mechanical problem. He’s ready to go.
His kisses stop and he sits back on the couch.
“What’s wrong?”
“I can’t do this with you. Not yet.”
Not yet? Is he another born-again virgin? Is this some new trend I don’t know about? How many of them are there? And why do I keep dating them?
“Why? I don’t understand.”
“Morgan, I know you’re a virgin.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
25
I sit up straight, adjusting my dress. “Virgin? Who told you that?”
“Nobody told me. I can tell.”
He can tell? How is that possible? Do I give off some virgin vibe? Or is he such a sex expert from his high school days that he can sniff virgins out of a crowd?
“How you could possibly tell?”
“Only virgins are that nervous and embarrassed about buying condoms.”
“You looked in the sack?” I feel my face getting hot. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I didn’t want to embarrass you.”
“Well, I’m embarrassed now.”
“Don’t be. It’s no big deal.” He smiles and reaches over to hold my hand. “By the way, who were those condoms for?”
“You.” I look down. I’m sure my face is beet red. “You were going to be my first.”
He lifts my chin up. “You really thought I was worthy of that? Can I ask why?”
“I felt comfortable with you. And you were nice to me. You took me out to buy underwear and clothes late at night even though you had plans to go out with your friends. And you invited me to that Irish bar with all your coworkers and didn’t ignore me all night. I was drunk and you made sure I got back safely to my room and you didn’t try to take advantage of me. Then you took me to dinner at the Italian place when you could’ve asked someone else to go.”
“I wanted to spend time with you. Get to know you better. I wasn’t expecting sex. I hope I didn’t give you that impression.”
“No, but you do have kind of a reputation.”
“That was high school, Morgan. I’m not that same horny teenage boy anymore.” He pauses. “Okay, maybe I’m still horny, but I’m not a teenage boy. I can control it now.”
“Truthfully, I just wanted to lose my virginity. I wanted to get it over with and I was going to use you to do it.”
He laughs. “So you were using me? You were tricking me that whole time? I can’t believe this. You only went out with me for sex!” He pretends to be offended.
It makes me laugh. “Yes. I admit it. I was hoping to use you for sex. But you turned me down.”
He gets serious again. “You don’t really want to have sex with someone just to get it over with, do you?”
“No. Well, not now. I just got caught up in thinking I had to keep up with everyone else. And then Kayla swears that every guy expects sex on the third date. I was afraid to date anyone being so inexperienced. I thought they’d be able to tell. But apparently they can tell just by looking at me because you knew right away. Is it written on my forehead or something?”
“The condom thing was a dead giveaway.”
“So now what? You’re afraid to do it with me? You don’t want to be my first?”
“I’d be happy to be your first, but I don’t want you to rush into it. And I don’t want to do it on our first date.” He cups my cheek, his eyes on mine. “Listen, Morgan. You’re incredibly beautiful and incredibly sexy and it’s taking every ounce of self control I have to keep this from happening. I definitely want this. It’s just not the right time.”
“But I’m ready, Brad. I don’t need more time.”
“This is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. After the first, the other times just kind of blur together. And do you really want your first time to be on a Tuesday night after work?”
I consider it. “No, but there’s never going to be some magical time.”
“There will be. And when it is, you’ll know.” He leans in and softly kisses me, then smiles. “I just hope it’s not a year from now because I don’t think I can wait that long.”
“I can’t believe you’re willing to wait. You’re not at all who I thought you were. I’m really glad you chased me down that night in Boston.”
“I’ve been chasing you since high school. I just didn’t think I’d ever catch you.”
He gives me another kiss, then wraps his strong arms around me and pulls me into his chest and we lie on the couch and watch TV.
It’s the best first date I’ve ever had, even with the embarrassing virgin discussion. Brad couldn’t have been nicer about it. I feel closer to him than I’ve ever felt with a guy. I’m starting to think Paige’s love meter is right. I might actually be falling in love with Brad.
***
The next day I can’t stop smiling. I think my skin even has a rosy glow. I’m sure it will wear off in a week or so, but for now, I’m enjoying this early relationship euphoria.
Wednesday night Brad and I have dinner together and then he goes to his cousin’s house to put a new faucet on her bathroom sink. I love that he helps her out like that. And I think it’s kind of hot that he knows how to fix stuff. Most guys his age don’t know how to fix anything.
On Thursday we have dinner with my dad and Sophie who are back in town for the wedding. My dad seems to really like Brad, although he admits to me later that he had some concerns about his daughter dating “that Fletcher boy.” But he can see Brad’s grown up a lot since his high school days.
On Friday, Brad and I go to the rehearsal dinner, which is at a fancy restaurant downtown St. Paul. Afterward we go back to his place and enjoy some intimate activities on his bed—as intimate as you can get without having sex.
We’ve
been making out like this all week and it’s getting harder to stop before going all the way. The chemistry between is intense. I finally got a look at what was under all those clothes and Brad is pure muscle with six-pack abs. He totally turns me on and I seem to have the same affect on him. When things get too hot, he always backs away a little. And he keeps his boxers on because he says if he didn’t, it’d be too tempting to keep going and he doesn’t want to rush me.
But I don’t feel rushed. I actually feel like I’m ready. I know Brad and I haven’t dated that long, but I feel like I’ve known him forever. And in a way I have, because he grew up in my neighborhood. But it’s more than that. We have something between us, a familiarity and a closeness, that makes me feel like we’ve been friends for years.
Maybe that’s why I don’t get nervous when I’m making out with him. I was always nervous with other guys, even Grant. But with Brad, I’m not nervous at all. In fact, our make-out sessions have been amazing. Brad knows his way around a woman’s body. He knows exactly what to do and tonight is no different. By the time he’s done with me, I’m so relaxed I almost fall asleep.
I notice the clock by his bed says it’s 11 and I get up to leave.
“Where are you going?” He takes hold of my hand as I stand by the bed.
“I have to get up early tomorrow.”
“Stay here tonight. I’ll set the alarm.”
“I don’t know, Brad.” I lean down and give him a kiss. “It’s kind of soon for me to stay overnight.”
“You were trying to have sex with me on our first date. You didn’t think that was too soon.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s true.”
“Come on. You can sleep in one of my t-shirts. Maybe I’ll even let you have one.”
The other day I told Brad I was going to steal all of his t-shirts because he has the softest t-shirts I’ve ever felt. I don’t know where he buys them but they’re so soft I can’t help but run my hands all over his chest whenever he wears them.
I pretend to consider it. “Hmm. I do love those t-shirts. So you’ll give me one? And all I have to do is sleep over here?” I pause. “Okay, it’s a deal.” I hold out my hand for an official handshake and after we shake, I say, “For the record, I would’ve agreed to spend the night even without the t-shirt.”
“Get over here.” He grabs me and playfully tosses me on the bed. “And for the record,” he says mimicking me, “I would’ve just given you a t-shirt if you’d asked.”
He goes to kiss me but I stop him. “If I stay here, we have to get some sleep. I have a lot to do tomorrow.”
“I know.” He gets up and grabs a t-shirt from the closet and tosses it to me. I slip the t-shirt on. It’s so soft. Why don’t they make girl t-shirts this soft? If they did, I’d have one in every color.
I watch as he changes into his pajama pants. He’s wearing gray boxer briefs that show off his tight ass. Even though he wouldn’t take them off, I still felt what he’s got going on under those boxers and it’s impressive. Very impressive. Now I know why so many girls were lining up to be with him. It wasn’t because of his skills on the football field.
He meets me in the bed, positioning one arm under my pillow and the over my waist.
“See?” He kisses me. “Isn’t this better than sleeping alone?”
“Yeah. Way better.”
I snuggle in, pressing my back against his bare chest.
I definitely didn’t need the t-shirt bribe. I love falling asleep in his arms. I would gladly do this again.
***
On Saturday, the day of the wedding, I help Sophie with all the last minute details. Being a real estate agent, Sophie knows a lot of people, so her idea of a small wedding is 150 people. Unlike most brides, Sophie is very calm, even when she learns the cake is going to be late getting to the reception hall.
“You’re taking everything really well,” I say to her after we get the cake news. “You don’t even seem stressed.”
“I want this day to be fun. And if things end up not working as planned, that’s okay. A wedding is about two people starting a new life together. It’s not about cakes and flowers. I won’t remember any of these little details tomorrow or the next day or all the days after that. In fact, I could’ve skipped all of this and just had a civil ceremony but your father insisted we go the traditional route since I’ve never been married. And it is nice to celebrate with friends and family.”
“Why didn’t you get married before now?” I realize after I say it that it sounds kind of rude, but she doesn’t seem offended.
“I just got too wrapped up with work. I didn’t have time to date, let alone be in a committed relationship. I didn’t feel any urge to have children so there was no rush. I never felt pressure to get married the way some women do. And I was starting to think I would never get married.” She smiles. “But then I met your father and I had no choice but to marry him.”
“I’m glad you two found each other. I haven’t seen my dad this happy in years.”
She winks at me. “I haven’t seen you this happy either, Morgan. Brad must have really swept you off your feet.”
“It’s just that early stage in a relationship when everything is fresh and new. I’m sure it will wear off in a few weeks.”
“It might not.” She smiles. “I feel the same way about your father as I did when we first started dating. He still makes my heart skip a beat when he enters the room. And he’s always on my mind, even on my busiest days. I think when you’re in love, those things that made you fall in love with the person still remain, even years later.”
I smile back at her. I really like Sophie. For years, I worried my dad would marry someone I didn’t like. But he picked one of the nicest women I’ve ever met. And she’s fun to hang out with, too.
After everything’s done, we go back to her apartment where my dad is waiting for us. “Where have you girls been? You were supposed to be home an hour ago.”
Sophie gives him a quick hug. That’s another reason I like her. She limits the PDA with my dad when I’m around. “Just getting some things straightened out with the cake. But everything’s fine. We’re all set. Morgan needs to leave to get dressed.”
“I’ll see you tonight, Dad.” I give him a hug, then head out.
By 5, I’m dressed and ready to go. Sophie’s best friend is her maid of honor and I’m a bridesmaid along with another one of her friends. Luckily, Sophie didn’t make us wear hideous dresses. She picked out dark blue evening gowns that don’t look like the typical bridesmaid dress. These dresses are elegant and you could actually wear them again.
When Brad appears at my door, he looks me up and down. “Wow. You look gorgeous. And hot. Really hot. This is going to be a tough night.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, innocently.
“You know what I mean. Trying to keep my hands off you? And fight the other men off? It’s not going to be easy.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” He’s wearing his best suit with a tie that matches my dress. “And you just have to wear that cologne that drives me wild.” I lean in and kiss him in a way I know will get him going.
He reluctantly breaks away. “I think we better get out of here.”
He helps me put on my coat, then takes my hand and leads me out the door.
We get to the church just in time for photos. Sophie looks beautiful, wearing a simple but elegant cream-colored evening gown as her wedding dress. Dad’s in a tuxedo. It’s the first time I’ve seen him wear one, other than in my parents’ wedding photos.
“You look great, Dad,” I say, giving him a hug.
He doesn’t seem nervous at all. He stands back to see my dress. “So do you. You look beautiful, honey.” He smiles at me. “And thanks for helping Sophie today. She really appreciated it.”
“I liked helping her. We had fun. You picked a good one, Dad.”
He gazes over at her. “I didn’t think I’d ever get this lucky again.”
The
photographer motions us to line up for photos. After that, the wedding guests arrive and the ceremony begins. It starts with the minister giving a short speech about love and marriage. Then it’s time for the vows. My dad and Sophie wrote their own and Sophie has tears running down her face as my dad recites his. She almost has me crying, too. She loves my dad so much. I feel good knowing he has someone like her to spend the rest of his life with. I finally feel like I can stop worrying about him and focus on my own life.
After the ceremony, everyone goes to a historic hotel downtown where the reception is being held. Sophie and I, along with some of her friends, spent the morning decorating the ballroom. It looks really nice. Sparkly blue and white lights line the head table and for centerpieces, we put white floating candles in bowls of blue water. For the music, they hired a band and in place of a traditional plated meal, the dinner is an appetizer buffet and a bar serving cocktails and wine.
I sit at the head table for dinner and Brad sits with his mom and some of my dad’s friends. Dad probably planted them there so his friends could interview Brad and make sure he’s good enough for me. Every time I glance over there, Brad’s talking and laughing and entertaining the entire table of strangers. I’m sure he’s winning them over like he tends to do with everyone he meets.
After the first dance, Brad comes over to me. “I’m a friend of the groom’s and I’ve been admiring you since I got here. Would you like to dance?”
He holds his hand out and I take it. “I usually don’t dance with strangers, but if you’re a friend of the groom’s, then yes. I’d love to.”
The dance floor is filling up but we find a quiet spot off to the side. I’ve only danced a few times in my entire life, which is obvious because I stand there not sure what to do. Brad guides my arms up around his shoulders, then places his hands around my waist, smiling. “I’m guessing you didn’t go to many school dances.”
“No. I skipped out on those.”
“Homecoming? Winter formal? Prom? You didn’t go to any of them?”