Holding a Hero

by Layne, Lyssa

  “I enjoy gardening.” he explained. “I can wake up in the morning, do some weeding, catch some rays while I take a little nap outside and feel great before I go to work. It’s how I relax.”

  A man that enjoys nurturing. I thought to myself. Very unexpected. “I think it’s great. I love to garden too but mine isn’t quite as nice.”

  He looked at me surprised. “You like to garden too?”

  “Yes, but my corn isn’t doing that great and my watermelons have crossed with my pumpkins and I don’t think that’s a good thing.” I grinned.

  “No, probably not.” he laughed. “Did you have a particular place where you’d like to eat tonight?”

  He caught me off guard and I stumbled for an answer. I had been hoping we would get some carry out, rent some movies and have some nice one-on-one time but hadn’t figured out a tactful way of suggesting alone time. I wanted to figure out the Sean mystery and public places wouldn’t cut it.

  “Um, no, I hadn’t really thought about it.” I lied.

  He smiled and nodded. “I made reservations at a place I’m hoping you like.”

  I felt my heart sink a little. A public place. “Sure. Sounds great.” I forced a smile.

  We made our way outside and he stopped. “Which vehicle do you want to take?”

  I smiled sheepishly. “Do you mind if we take mine? It’s a little hot outside still and I’d hate to have my make-up melt off.”

  “I don’t mind at all. A/C would be nice.” he laughed.

  We climbed into my truck and I flushed with pride as he commented on how nice it was. I thanked him without gushing about how much I loved my truck. Truth was it was the first new truck I had specially ordered for me. I had waited a long time to have it delivered. My truck was my pride and joy, mechanically speaking.

  He gave me directions into town and we pulled up in front of a nice Cantonese restaurant. I eyed him for a moment and he shrugged. “I heard you say that Asian food was your favorite.”

  “It is. Thank you!” I beamed. This was going to be alright.

  We walked in and I felt my jaw drop. This was not one of the all-you-can-eat type places I usually went to. The deep mahogany tables and chairs gleamed and crystal vases with flowers were meticulously placed at each table. We sat down and a waiter with a white shirt and black bow tie asked for our drink orders.

  Sean looked over at me. “White Zin?” When I nodded he glanced at the waiter. “Two glasses of White Zin, please.”

  We glanced over the menus and placed our orders, sipping on the cool sweet wine, making small talk.

  “So what would you like to do tonight?” he asked.

  I felt myself blush as images of ravishing his body flashed through my mind. “I’m up for anything. What would you like to do?”

  “Anything as long as it’s with you.”

  I was pleased when I saw him blush as he said this. Maybe I wasn’t the only one who wanted some alone time. Feeling brave with the wine warming my core, I made my move. “I know City Park is full already so we’d have a heck of a time finding a place to sit and I really don’t want to fight the crowds with the drunks and all. How about we go rent some movies and go back to your place? Unless you’d like to see the fireworks.”

  I was relieved to see him smile and nod. “Renting movies sounds great. I can handle that. I can miss the fireworks this year.”

  I suddenly felt as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. “Awesome! Then it’s a plan.”

  We ate our delicious meals but I’ll admit I was so engrossed in how I was going to seduce him that I didn’t eat much and ended up getting a to-go box. He paid for our meal and we jumped in the truck and headed to the movie store. After picking out three movies and some popcorn, headed back to his place. After unloading our purchases, I put my leftovers in the fridge and grabbed a couple of beers. We made ourselves comfortable on the couch, each taking a cushion with a respectable distance between us. The first movie was an exciting, action paced show about illegal car racing and I felt my heart match the thrill. I moved closer but he still didn’t make a move. As the movie ended, a tall, gorgeous blonde fluttered in the front door.

  “Hi guys! Don’t mind me. I’m just getting some clean clothes and heading out the door!” she said as she disappeared down the hallway.

  Sean nodded in her direction. “That’s Abby, one of my roommates.”

  When she flitted back out, Sean introduced us.

  “Hi Celeste! Nice to meet you. Gotta go though, have fun!”

  Before I could say a word she was gone again. We put the next movie in and began watching it. This one was more of a thriller and I used the excuse of being startled to grab his hand and hold it. He smiled at me and moved closer on the couch. Finally! My mind screamed. The warmth of the beer I was drinking was making me bolder and as I leaned into him to have our first kiss, the front door flew open and his other roommate came through the door.

  “Hi guys! What'cha doing?” she asked.

  “Just watching a movie.” Sean answered. “Nina, this is Celeste, from work.” he offered.

  “Oh yeah! Hi Celeste! How are you doing?” she smiled sweetly.

  “Good, how are you doing, Nina?” I smiled back. Her timing sucked but she was so nice.

  “I’m just here for a bit before I have to meet Rick.”

  “There’s beer in the fridge.” Sean offered.

  “No thanks. I've got to freshen up but I may watch some of the movie with you.” she called as she made her way to the bathroom.

  I heard the door close then felt Sean pull my head towards him. “Let’s get this out of our way.” He kissed me, sweet and sensuous, tentative at first then his tongue swept my lips. I felt myself melt as he pulled away the same moment I heard the bathroom door open. Dammit! My entire body was on fire and throbbing at the same time.

  “So what’s going on?” she asked as she plopped her ninety-five pound frame in the chair.

  Sean explained the movie had just started and what had transpired so far. She snuggled into the chair, oblivious to us and became absorbed with the movie. Feeling restless and completely distracted by his kiss, I excused myself to go to the restroom. Once I closed the door I glared at myself in the bathroom mirror. Why was I acting like a hormonal teenager when I was a thirty-two year old woman? I had better get myself under control. I used the restroom, washed my hands and went back out to the living room. I went to sit down at the far end of the couch but Sean pulled me closer, grabbing my hand and snuggling next to me. Oh my, he smelled good!

  During the movie he would squeeze my hand which would drive me insane. When was she going to leave? My frustration built as every few minutes she would ask what was going to happen. I wanted to scream that we didn’t know because we were watching the same movie. To chill out, I got up and grabbed everyone a beer, trying to remind myself it was no big deal. He was only going to be a one-night stand and we would get there soon enough.

  The movie began to wrap up, the threads and storylines neatly coming together when Nina jumped up and announced she had to leave. I smiled politely, told her to have fun and that I hoped to see her again. What a horrible person I was! After tonight, I would probably never see her again except at work. She left the house and Sean turned on me.

  “Now where were we?”

  Ah, this is what I was familiar with. The “man moves”, getting down to business and taking care of the needs I so badly needed taken care of. He began kissing me, deep, sensuously. I felt my need deepen and I climbed on top of his lap.

  “What is it you’re wanting?” I asked teasingly.

  “You. I want you.” He kissed and nipped, moving down to my throat. I moaned as he hit the sweet spot below my ear lobe. He massaged my breast through my silky shirts and I pulled my blouse off, leaving the tank on underneath.

  Suddenly he flipped me over and I was underneath him on the couch. He gazed down at me, taking in the details of my face. “How did I get so lucky?”

 
I blinked rapidly, looking into his eyes. “What do you mean?”

  “How did I get so lucky as to get you?”

  I felt my stomach lurch but didn’t move. He wasn’t supposed to say such sweet, heart-tugging things. He was supposed to take what he wanted then turn into a jerk and never see me again. Then it hit me. I was being played.

  “You’re a player, aren’t you?”

  He blinked and pulled back a bit. “I’m not a player.”

  I pulled him in for a quick kiss, not wanting to ruin what was going on but wanting to let him know I knew his game. “Yes, you are. You’re a player.” I decided to reverse the roles. “How else do you explain a gorgeous man, thirty-two years old, never married, no kids, and who can kiss like that.”

  “I was waiting for you.”

  He was so serious and I should have started laughing but I was caught up in his scent and what he did to me. I lost my breath and pulled him to me. I was going to keep my cool but I was going to have this man. He was incredible and I was out of my league but I was determined to keep my heart. I pulled him on top of me and kissed him with no abandon.

  NINE

  I stood at my truck, numb with passion, confusion and a lot of happiness. Sean and I had a hard make-out session but it had stopped, both of us fully clothed. I have no idea who had stopped it or why but here I was, saying good night to him. I climbed into my truck and drove home, excited and worked up over what we had and hadn’t done. My mind whirled trying to figure out why we hadn’t ended up in bed but looking forward to when we would. There were no phone calls that night to my sister to dissect my date. Only hot dreams of what Sean and I had done to each other.

  I woke excited to go to work that next day and I was careful with my make-up. I wasn’t sure how he would act at work so I got there thirty-minutes early to see. He showed up with Nina five minutes before our shift started so he was rushed and we didn’t get to talk. Feeling disappointed I went to my station.

  Player. My mind yelled at me as I put my ear buds on and went to work. I was surprised when he tapped me on the shoulder an hour later and asked if we could have lunch together. Knowing lunch was in four hours at two a.m. I agreed. I listened to my music and it gave me strength knowing he was going to blow me off. He was just a player, after all, and this was his way of letting me down.

  Lunchtime came and he asked if I’d go for a walk. I can be civil. Sure. No problem. He began walking along paths from work and stopped in front of a large pond.

  “I know how much you like water and didn’t know if you knew these were here or not. I wanted to show them to you in the moonlight.’

  I felt my heart lurch as I looked over the moonlit waters.

  “No, I didn’t. It’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as you.” he pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

  I’d like to say I didn’t melt into him but I did. This tall, gorgeous man, who paid attention to my favorite flowers, my favorite foods and took note that I loved water, was kissing me. If he was a player I was going to play right along with him. We eventually made it back to work, trying to be professional but after work it was a hands on make-out session against my truck. These sessions continued nightly after work, delaying our departure for our homes. We ignored the catcalls and comments to ‘get a room’ until that Friday, when my blunt, tactless sister joined us for lunch and informed us that we were driving everyone nuts and that we should just rent a hotel room for the night.

  Sean and I looked at each other, grinned, and both said in unison. “Okay!”

  She shook her head and walked away and we began making plans for our “date”. Knowing my Dad lived with me and his roommates were in and out, we decided to literally “get a room”. Sean said he would make all of the arrangements and let me know Saturday morning. Dad already knew I was pretty hot for Sean and having walked me down the aisle for my first wedding, knew I was no angel. He agreed to take care of the critters when I told him about my plans with Sean and he told me to have safe fun.

  Crap! Safe fun! I had been single for five years so I wasn’t on any birth control. I called my doc but they couldn’t get me in until the next week. Condoms, they suggested. I didn’t have any clue about condoms so I decided Sean and I could pick them up that night.

  He called me late Saturday morning and told me to meet him at the Hilton in Farris at four p.m. I threw my stuff into the truck, fed the animals, kissed Dad goodbye and made my way into town. He was already waiting at the registration desk when I arrived. I won’t lie and say that I didn’t feel embarrassed when we checked in, believing that everyone knew why we were checking in. He got our card key and we went up to our room. He opened the door and I felt my jaw drop as a suite opened up before me. The room was huge and as I walked in, I saw a large bouquet of my favorite flowers sitting on the nightstand along with a chilling bottle of white zinfandel and a box with something sparkly and bright sitting in it. I dropped my bags and moved closer, my head spinning as I saw it was an open jewelry box with a diamond encrusted heart shaped necklace. It twinkled from the velvet box.

  “Oh my god!” I exclaimed.

  “Do you like it?” he asked nervously.

  “It’s gorgeous! You didn’t have to do this!”

  “I wanted our first night to be special.” he explained.

  “It is! It’s going to be! You didn’t have to do this!”

  “I know, I wanted to.”

  I pulled it gently out of the box and he put it around my neck. He placed a kiss on the side of my neck and I turned in his arms. “Thank you.” I whispered as pulled his face down to kiss him. His touch was so tender, so sweet that he took my breath away. I wanted to stay there all night.

  He pulled away and grinned at me. “Let’s get something to eat.”

  “Now?” I asked incredulously.

  “Yes, you’re going to need your strength tonight.” he flashed a devilish grin that had me blushing.

  I’m such an odd duck because I can go through the motions and physically act on what I want to happen (sometimes) but to actually communicate what I’m feeling, what I want, with the opposite sex, I become mute. I know my ex suffered for it because I never told him what I wanted or craved. Because Sean was only going to be a one-night stand, I thought it would be different but here I was, silent and blushing at his comment.

  He led me out to the front of the hotel and made his way to my truck. The fact he automatically led me to my truck, knowing I’d want to drive, was another check in his favor. I loved to drive, being a motor head, and it drove most guys crazy because they wanted to be the one in control. Sean was showing me a different side to men.

  We went to Austin’s restaurant downtown and chose to sit on the patio. It faced the street and downtown which allowed us to people watch and we made easy conversation. Our meals came quickly and we enjoyed the scenery, the food and a couple of beers. After paying our bill, we wandered around Old Town, hand in hand, blending in with the other couples, enjoying the summer evening. After about an hour we decided to head back to the room and enjoy a couple of nightcaps with the wine chilling in our room.

  Once there, he poured us a couple of glasses and we sat on the couch, trying to ignore the elephant in the room, the bed. We made more small conversation before he commented on how beautiful the heart necklace was on me. I smiled and thanked him again, telling him he shouldn’t have bought it.

  “Something beautiful for a beautiful lady.”

  “Well, let me thank you again for it.” I smiled and pulled him in for a kiss. The kiss was again tender and gentle and I felt myself begin to melt. When he deepened the kiss, I felt the pent-up butterflies release and pulled his head closer to match the passion I felt. He moved to the sweet spot on my neck and I gasped and grabbed onto his arm, shoving his short sleeved shirt up higher. I wanted to feel his skin, his heat. I felt my head spin slightly and I wasn’t sure if it was from the wine or my hormones so I opened my eyes to get my bearings. A flash of colo
r caught my eye and grabbed my attention. A tattoo! I have never dated a guy who had a tattoo. He was a player and I was unexpectedly turned on more. I pulled away and exclaimed, “You have a tattoo!”

  He pulled back, slightly alarmed and pulled his shirt sleeve down gently. “I do. It’s stupid. Something I did when I was down in Texas.”

  I pushed his sleeve up so I could look at it better. “It’s cool. I’ve never dated someone who’s had one. Did it hurt?”

  “No, I got it when I was young and doing some drugs and stuff. My buddy did it when I was drunk so it didn’t hurt.”

  I looked at him wide-eyed. “You did drugs?” Oh my god, I had never dated anyone who had done drugs either! Suddenly I felt way out of my league, or my comfort zone. I hadn’t done anything stronger than alcohol or cigarettes! “Do you still do them? Drugs, I mean?”

  “Oh no! Just in my early twenties. I experimented with them but never did needles. I gave it all up when I moved back home.”

  I felt relieved that he wasn’t still doing them. “Oh, okay.” I didn’t know what else to say because I hadn’t been in a situation like this before.

  “And I don’t have any diseases. Had to be tested when I went into the National Guard, so I’m clean.”

  “You were in the National Guard?” Again I was stunned and bewildered by his confession. He was definitely different from anyone I had ever dated!

  “Yes, went through boot camp before I was honorably discharged.”

  I must have been looking at him oddly because he pulled back a little. “Is that okay?”

  I nodded. “Yes, just threw me off a little. You are not like any of the guys I usually date.”

  He leaned in and kissed me, nipping my bottom lip. “Hopefully a good different.”

  The tingles and heat shot through my body and I nodded. “A good different.”