He Loves Me Not

by Matt Coolomon

  “Don’t hang up, Julie. Stay on with me. Is he still there?”

  “No... He left when my phone rang.”

  “Okay. You’re safe, baby. Ghosts can’t actually hurt you, you know.”

  “He wanted to.”

  “He can want it, but he can’t do it. If you don’t let him, he has no power over you. I’m at your building now. No, listen...” he was talking to someone else. His voice became hollow as he moved the phone away from his mouth. “It’s an emergency. I’m not taking the time. Write me up if you want. I don’t care. Julie, are you still there?”

  “Yuh.. yeah....” she muttered.

  “Okay. I’m taking the elevator. Is your door open?”

  “No.”

  There was a loud ding on the phone. “Open the door for me, baby. Let me in.”

  Even though she was talking to him, his knock scared her and she shrieked. She was having trouble focusing.

  “Julie, come on, baby. Open the door. Let me in.”

  She tried. Really she did. But she was stuck, unable to move, to process thought rationally.

  Theo sighed into the phone. He wrenched the door handle hard and the flimsy lock broke. Then he strode into the room. For all that he only stood about 5’10, he looked like a tower of strength to Jules. The phone slipped from her limp fingers. He crossed to her in three long strides and knelt, pulling her into his arms.

  She hid her face against his shoulder, sobbing. He petted her hair. “It’s okay, honey. I’m here. You’re safe. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” His gentle soothing voice broke through her trembling shock, but she still felt awfully fragmented. How had they gone from kneeling to sitting, with her on his lap? She wasn’t sure, but this was exactly where she wanted to be... wait, no it wasn’t.

  “Get me out of here, Theo,” she pleaded, her voice muffled in the shoulder of his jacket.

  “Yes, of course. Get what you need and let’s go.”

  Need? What would she need? She lifted her face and gave him a questioning look.

  “Clothes, Julie, and your toothbrush. Your keys.”

  She rose unsteadily and nearly fell, her legs were shaking so hard. Theo wrapped his arm around her waist and scooped up her backpack, which rested beside them on the floor. Dropping it on the bed, he pulled the zipper. There was a tiny bit of space on top of her books. She tried to reach for the drawer, and almost fell again. Theo pressed her down on the bed.

  “Just breathe, honey, and try to calm down,” he said, “I’ll take care of it. She watched in sort of a stupor as he opened the top drawer of her dresser and removed a black lace thong and matching bra. The second drawer gave up to him a purple tunic sweater. The track pants she was wearing could double as sleep wear and daily use, so he moved to the bathroom.

  “Which toothbrush is yours?” he asked.

  “The blue one,” she replied, and was glad to hear that her voice sounded steadier. He emerged holding it and dropped it into the bag. The last item was her purse, which he barely fitted in on top before closing the zipper.

  Jules attempted to stand, and succeeded. She pulled on her leather jacket then slid her arms through the straps of the backpack. He grabbed her chain of keys and charms from the dresser and hung it around her neck before wrapping his arm around her waist and leading her to the elevator. She was definitely steadier, but it felt good to lean on Theo, so she did. His warmth helped dispel the icy terror that had engulfed her when the ghost breathed his rancid breath over her face.

  In the elevator he turned her so they could hug again, and that was even better. But with only two floors to go, it was a brief cuddle, then he walked her over to the desk.

  “Julie is coming with me tonight,” he told the clerk. “She had a... a hard day and I don’t want to leave her alone.”

  The allergy-ridden sophomore leered at them, but Jules ignored it. Let her make of it what she will. Jules didn’t care. Right now getting out of there was her only priority.

  “See you around, Jules,” the clerk said, and Jules nodded in acknowledgement before letting Theo steer her out the door to his scooter.

  “Are you going to be able to hold on?” he asked her, picking up a black and pink helmet and setting it over her.

  “I think so,” she replied.

  “Don’t let go,” he reminded her. “Concentrate on holding on to me.”

  “Okay,” she said. He straddled the little seat and she swung her leg on behind him. It was scary when they started moving, so she tightened her arms around his chest and closed her eyes.

  Exposed as they were, the brief ride had her shaking again, but with the cold this time. Snow in November was possible, and the sharply scented tang in the air suggested they might be on the verge of some.

  Theo parked in front of a snazzy-looking motor home. Jules climbed down from the scooter with some relief and watched as he chained it. Then he took her hand and led her up a clanking metal step into the blessedly warm interior. She dropped her jacket on the floor.

  Jules had been in motor homes before, mostly cruddy ‘70s and ‘80s models with the outdated color schemes to match. This one was quite... nice. Spacious and well appointed, with a little table whose bench was upholstered in brown leather. There was a tiny kitchenette with a white counter, a little stove, a half-refrigerator and a few cabinets. In the front, two seats were covered with matching leather. At the back a huge bed waited invitingly. She liked it. Especially the blue and green cover. It looked thick and warm. She wanted to snuggle under it. She was still trembling a bit, she realized, whether from fear or cold or some combination of the two. Her backpack slid to the floor and she brought her hands up over her face.

  Theo had his arms around her in a second. He cuddled her close, kissing her forehead.

  “Poor Julie. You had a bad scare. Come on, sweet girl.” He tugged her to the bed and pulled back the covers. She stretched out comfortably and reached for him. He settled beside her and covered them both. Safe in his arms, it was the most natural thing in the world for Jules to lean forward and capture Theo’s lips in a tender kiss.

  “You saved me. You’re my hero,” she told him, giving him soft mellow eyes.

  “You never were in any real danger,” he reminded her.

  “I felt like I was in danger,” she insisted. “And you were there. I’ll never forget that.”

  “Julie, I’ll be anywhere you need me to be, any time.”

  She smiled. “I need you with me. That’s all.”

  “Easiest promise I ever made.”

  Jules plucked the glasses from his face and reached past him, setting them on the little built-in shelf beside the bed. Then she took his face in her hands and urged his lips back against hers. He didn’t protest. She hadn’t expected he would. He quickly got into the spirit of the moment, opening her mouth with his tongue for a long and thorough French kiss that made her toes curl and her belly clench. The other night had ended too abruptly. Tonight she wanted more. She wanted it all, all of Theo.

  She leaned slightly towards her back, pulling him over her. His weight had felt lovely on the wall. Here, on his soft comfortable bed, it was even better. He caressed her cheek and stroked her hair, spreading it over the pillow.

  “You’re so beautiful, Julie.” Fire sparkled in his dark eyes. He leaned down and touched his lips to hers again, his hand cupping her cheek. They opened together, deepening the kiss again. Jules finally began to relax in the heat of the passion Theo was arousing in her.

  It was time for more. She had been obsessing for days about the sweet sensation of Theo’s hands on her breasts, his fingers toying with her nipples. Just the thought caused the little peaks to rise as if in anticipation.

  “Touch me, baby,” she urged against his lips, taking his hand and placing it on the modest swell.

  “Oh yeah,” he groaned. “I like that.” He caressed and squeezed her gently, setting her on fire. Her back arched involuntarily, her body offering itself to him. Theo ground his sex against h
er.

  “Take it easy on that, baby,” she reminded him.

  “Oh yeah,” he stilled his movement. “It just feels so good.”

  “But, Theo, if you end this too quickly, it’s over. We can’t... continue.”

  “Is that what you want, Julie?” his eyes searched her face.

  “Isn’t it what you want, Theo?”

  He shook his head. “When it comes to sex, it has to be the lady’s choice. Do you want more, Julie?”

  She nodded. “Yes, Theo. I want this. I want you.”

  His eyes lit up, then narrowed a bit. “Why, Julie?”

  “Hey, isn’t it my job to question everything?” she teased.

  “You’re a bad influence,” he replied. “But seriously. Why do you want to give me your virginity, baby?”

  “Because... well...” this time it was Jules whose words failed her. “Because I think I... I think I kinda love you, Theo.”

  “You do?” His dark eyes widened. She nodded, touching his cheek with gentle fingertips.

  “Well, Julie, I think I kinda love you too,” he echoed.

  After that, there was nothing more to be said, really. Julie opened the buttons on Theo’s shirt. Underneath, she was delighted to discover a nicely toned chest, lightly covered with brown curls. She slid her fingers over him and he squirmed.

  “Ticklish?”

  “Uh huh.”

  Jules grinned and touched her lips to his flesh over and over, licking and nipping. She found one of his nipples and caught it gently between her teeth. Theo reacted sharply, pulling back.

  “Too much?” she asked contritely. She hadn’t meant to hurt him.

  “No, too exciting,” he replied. “Let’s get you out of this.” He slid his hands under her black tee shirt and skimmed upwards, peeling the garment from her pale torso.

  “Oh yeah,” he sighed at the sight. Then he cupped her breasts, one in each hand, and pressed them together, nuzzling between. He pulled back and looked down at her. He wanted her so badly. She could see it in his eyes. And then he lowered his mouth and kissed one nipple. Jules’ breathing turned ragged at the delicious stimulation. Heat shot through her body, pooling in her groin. Then she recalled what was coming and a little sizzle of nerves overtook her.

  Theo sucked the sensitive erect peak into his mouth and Jules forgot to be nervous. He tugged and suckled her and caressed the other nipple with his fingers until all conscious thought was driven from her head and pure desire took her over.

  Jules laced her fingers into his hair and urged him on. He released her and moved to the other side. She looked down at him. What a sight. Was this really her, spread out under a man, one nipple glistening after being so thoroughly tended, the other hidden from view inside his mouth? How could it be?

  “More, Theo,” she urged. She wormed one hand between their bodies and untied the drawstring of her track pants. He released her and gently tugged the garment from her body. Oddly, she felt no embarrassment at being naked in front of him. It was lovely, actually. Theo rose up on his knees to take in the whole view, then, as though unable to resist, he kissed her abdomen, nipping her soft flesh and teasing her belly ring with the tip of his tongue.

  “Come on, baby,” she said, “you’re wearing too much.”

  Theo gulped visibly. Then he unbuckled his belt, opened the button on his jeans. Jules reached up and pulled down the zipper.

  He stripped awkwardly, more interested in speed than sexiness. Jules drew in a deep breath at the sight of his rigid, hugely swollen erection. Now it was her turn to gulp. She squashed down another wave of nerves and gamely extended her hand again, this time trailing her fingertips over his throbbing shaft. It twitched.

  She stroked. Theo grasped her wrist gently. “Stop, Jules. I can’t let you touch me right now. I’m way too close. Next time, okay?”

  She nodded. He stretched out on top of her, kissing her mouth again. Her thighs fell open and he rubbed gently through the neatly trimmed black curls. She hooked one leg around his back, urging him on.

  “Oh no!” Theo moaned. “Stop, Julie. We have to stop. We can’t do this tonight.”

  “What? Why?” Oh no, how will we ever get this moment back?

  “I’m not prepared. I don’t have any protection. I wasn’t expecting this tonight. I don’t want to get you pregnant, Julie. Not right now. We’ll have to finish this some other way and pick up what we need tomorrow.”

  Jules closed her eyes in relief. “It’s okay, Theo. I have some.”

  “You do?” A thunderstruck expression appeared on his face.

  “Yes. I stole three from Keller the other day. They’re in my purse. I figure, as much as I’ve had to put up with from her, she owed me that at least.”

  “Julie, you amaze me,” Theo said. He crossed to her backpack and opened the zipper. Inside, her purse still sat on top. Jules leaned up on her elbow so she could watch his sexy backside as he walked around the room. He turned, coming back towards her, a little foil square in his hand.

  “You do know how to use that, right?” she asked.

  “Yes, Julie. I took health class in high school. I’ve been subjected to the awkward banana practice.”

  She grinned, but that faded as he tore open the packet. Kneeling on the bed, Theo rolled the condom over his erection.

  Now Jules was feeling really nervous. She still wanted to be with Theo, but the intense passion of the moment had been shattered, and now she was fully aware of what was about to happen. It was daunting.

  Her fear must have shown because Theo said, “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  She nodded. “Yes, Theo. I’m just a little nervous is all.”

  “Me too,” he admitted. “Are you sure, Julie? It’s not going to be magical. As close as I am, it’s going to go really fast.”

  “Maybe that’s for the best,” she reasoned, trying to ignore how her heart was pounding. “It’s supposed to hurt. It’s good, maybe, if it doesn’t go on too long.”

  He nodded slowly.

  “For now, Theo, let’s just get it done. We can work on magical later.” She reached for him, parting her thighs deliberately and urging him between. He followed her lead, stretching out over her body.

  Aligning the head of his penis at her entrance, he pressed just a bit. Her body accepted him easily. Oh good.

  “I’m so glad to have you,” she told him as he slipped into her yielding flesh, babbling with relief because it didn’t hurt. “I never imagined someone like you... Ow!” The sharp sting faded quickly.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t too bad. Keep going.”

  Theo kissed Jules’ mouth, distracting her from her discomfort. She clung to his shoulders as he slid deeper and deeper into her. At last he was fully seated and Jules took a deep breath. She opened her eyes and met his intense gaze. There seemed to be a question lingering there, and she nodded, accepting whatever he needed. He pulled back and pushed once in a gentle thrust, and then moaned softly.

  Jules stroked his shoulders and pressed her lips softly to his temple. It had been like she expected. Uncomfortable, but blessedly brief. She didn’t think it would be like this forever. First times always had issues. And she wasn’t sorry. Theo was absolutely the right person to be her first, and, with the way she felt about him, only lover.

  “Are you feeling good now, baby?” she asked him.

  “Oh yeah,” he replied, gently withdrawing his softening sex from her. “Thank you for sharing that with me, Julie.”

  She smiled. “I’ll share with you anytime, Theo.”

  He pressed one last kiss on her mouth and then reached over and extinguished the lamp, dropping the condom in a little waste basket beside the bed. Then he snuggled up against her.

  “I love you,” he told her. “Good night.”

  “Love you too.”

  Relaxed and content, Jules closed her eyes.

  ***Chapter 9***

  Pale November sunlight woke
Jules. When had her dorm room ever been so comfortably warm? She opened her eyes and for a brief, disorienting minute, she didn’t know why she was staring at a wall papered in shiny white, with a window overlooking a huge, leafless tree.

  A soft snore at her back reminded her. Theo. Her boyfriend. Her lover. She smiled. No regrets. Not much privacy either. She needed to pee. She slipped from his embrace and entered the bathroom. It was nice by motor home standards, with gleaming white fixtures and neatly laid vinyl flooring in shades of white and tan. But the little shower, the toilet, and the sink were all plastic. It did detract a bit from the classiness of the room. But it was a motor home. One couldn’t expect too much.

  She took the opportunity to brush her teeth and wash her face while she was in there. In her hurry to escape the ghost last night, she had neglected to bring any makeup. Oh well. After all that had happened, letting Theo see her naked face was no big problem. The ache between her thighs was of greater concern. She wanted to get used to making love, but not until she felt better. She hoped Theo would be patient. How long did the soreness last?

  She didn’t know, so she slipped from the room. It felt bizarre to be walking around naked, but her clothing was strewn all over the bed. She didn’t go after it. Only pulled her clean garments from her backpack and dressed hurriedly. Bra, panties, tee shirt. Where were her pants? She didn’t know. They were not visible among the crumpled covers. Oh well, she was warm enough for the moment. She was also starving. A quick search of the cabinets revealed cereal, a bowl, and a glass. The mini-fridge yielded half a gallon of milk, which she splashed on her corn flakes, and orange juice. This was a better breakfast than she normally got. When she sat, the leather bench clung to her naked thighs. Ignoring the sticky material, she ate quickly.

  Apparently her crunching was too noisy. Theo stirred, sat up. He saw her and smiled, a little shyly. She smiled back and felt heat flare in her cheeks. Had she really rolled around naked with him last night? She had. Bad, bad Jules.

  “Good morning,” he told her.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  Theo stretched and rose from the bed, nonchalant in his nakedness, and strolled into the bathroom.