by R. S. Owl
I sat surprised for a moment, but me being the outgoing person I am, commented. I have green eyes! <3
I never expected a response. Imagine my surprise when he commented back. Oh my, I just ran from my phone. xx
I played along. Hahaha. Green eyes are sooo under appreciated.
Ding. Simon responded. And very beautiful.
I couldn't resist the pull. Me or my eyes?
Ding. Both.
Thank you kindly, Sir. I replied.
I expected that to be the last of our exchanges, but I can't believe how wrong I was. Simon messaged me.
Simon: I meant every word of what I said. I'm not a stalker or going to send you dick pics. I'm not like that. I have a daughter and wouldn't want someone doing that to her. I'm very protective of ladies and children. Especially those close to me.
I was taken aback. Here was someone that appeared to be genuine and friendly on FriendBook. It's not often that that happens. Most people use it as a sounding board and complete drama fest. I tend to steer clear of that mayhem. I use it mostly to keep up with childhood friends and relatives across the country.
Brynn: Thank you. I appreciate your kind words Simon. I see we have been FriendBook friends for a while, but we have never actually talked. I'm Brynn. Very nice to meet you.
Simon: Hi, Brynn. I really enjoyed our banter. It was fun. How is your day?
Brynn: It has been amazingly average. Lol. How has yours been?
Simon: Much better since I started chatting with you. Where are you from?
Brynn: Illinois. Not all that exciting.
Simon: It’s exciting to me. I've never been there. I love traveling to new places.
Shit! I didn't FriendBook stalk him hard enough. I went to his profile and saw that he was from the U.K. My heart melted a little thinking about his sexy accent. Sigh. I'm a sucker for accents. Throw in Aussies and Brits chatting, and I'm in heaven.
Brynn: Do you read?
Simon: Yes I do. I like to read a little bit of everything. What do you enjoy?
Brynn: Everything. I like it all. Books transport me to a place unlike any other. They are my escape from everyday life.
Simon: Ah yes. I totally understand that feeling. I hate to do this, but I have to get to bed. I am six hours ahead of you. Talk soon!
Brynn: Ok. Goodnight.
I thought that was the end until I saw a status update from Simon. Goodnight Brynn. I had a lovely evening.
I was shocked. No one has ever had me on a status update before. I pondered this for a while. Maybe he is just being nice. They say sometimes you touch people without realizing it. The other snarky voice in my head piped up, “Maybe he is going to shatter you like all the other men in your life have.” I hate that snarky bitch voice. I mentally slapped her off her pedestal in my head. No. I believe he is genuine. Only time will tell. I can't keep living with walls up forever. Sometime I will have to take a chance and live. Live for me.
CHAPTER 3
Good morning, Brynn. How are you?
This was the message I awoke to on my screen. I felt giddy inside. I kind of had a soft spot for Simon. He intrigued me. He awakened something in my core.
I am well, thank you, Simon. How are you? I replied.
Our conversations would begin to become more and more detailed and involved as we shared so much of our lives. Messages turned into phone calls that lasted for hours. Our first phone call was nothing short of a comedy skit. Simon wanted me to keep talking. He loved my accent and said I had the voice of an angel. I wanted Simon to keep talking because his accent and soothing voice had me creaming my panties. If he only knew how much he affected me.
We chatted about anything and everything. No secrets. We even had our own secret hashtag for things shared between us.
We were so in sync with each other. Professionally, I understood the pressures of his career. He was a business owner, as was I. The only difference being that he employed several people and often felt the pressure to keep his business successful to keep his employees earning a living and feeding their families. He was very globally responsible.
My business was a one-woman operation, with the exception of volunteers. I sold marketing services. I employed friends around the world so someone would always be available to take calls. My friends were paid in Amazon gift cards and all the books they wanted. They were happy with the arrangement, as was I. I trusted my girls with my life.
Simon understood the pressures I felt in my day to day life. “It was non-stop working for me,” he said. How right he was.
He understood my struggles with depression and anxiety. He has been nothing short of amazing, talking me through things.
I felt so at home and safe since Simon entered my life. Home. That's not a word I would use to describe anyone or anything. I haven't felt at home with anyone for a very long time.
We communicated on this insane level of messages, phone calls and Web Cam for several weeks. Don't worry, we kept the Web Cam clean. It was just a chance to actually see each other since we were separated by the Atlantic Ocean; just a puddle in the way, he always said. A taxi ride. I always laughed when he said those things.
Oh and Simon? He is 5’8” to my 5’4” and in his mid-forties. He has a lot of yummy tattoos. I'm in my forties as well. Age is just a number though. I still feel like I'm in my twenties, although with a little more life experience and walls higher than Fort Knox.
Simon is slowly chipping away at my walls. He knows they are there. He just doesn't know why they are so high. I don't know if he will truly understand that when you have dealt with gaslighting, mental and financial abuse, and other crap, that you are never the same again. Years and years of therapy have helped me to not be quite so screwed up.
Everything that has happened in my past has shaped the woman I am today. I am strong. I am successful. But I am also still that scared woman who doesn't think she is worthy, good enough, pretty enough, skinny enough, or that I can do anything right. Self-doubt is a snarky, self-righteous bitch that always finds a way to sneak into my head. One day I will survive without her. I have to for my own sanity.
CHAPTER 4
Simon decided he was coming to Illinois from the U.K. I thought he was crazy. He soon proved how crazy he was.
“I'm coming for a month,” Simon casually informed me, as if it were no big deal.
“You are what?!” I stammered in disbelief.
“I'm coming for a month. It's no more than a taxi ride over. I consider a plane ride just a short taxi to get to see you,” he stated.
I totally did not understand this part of his thinking. I've never been around anyone so spontaneous. I was excited and scared at the same time. I couldn't wait to meet the man that had brought me back to life. However, I still had that little voice of self doubt that always tried to over shadow anything good. "Why would someone like him want you?” my inner judgy bitch screamed at me.
Somewhere along the way I threw caution to the wind and decided to live for me.
“We have been talking for several weeks, Brynn. This is the natural progression in a relationship. Going out on dates. Doing things together. Like real couples do. Am I wrong?” Simon asked.
“No, you're not. I really would like that, Simon,” I answered truthfully.
Simon decided he was coming the next month. That would give us another four weeks of keeping up this pace of getting to know one another.
Daily calls and messages kept us moving forward in our relationship. Distance really is a pain in the arse. The huge plus side to a long-distance relationship is the time you have to really get to know someone. The downside is not having that person right there to touch.
CHAPTER 5
Over the next month, Simon and I made all kinds of plans. The only one of importance to Simon, was spending time with me. He didn't care if it meant strolling at a festival to try new things or going to the theater. Just as long as we were experiencing life together. He just wanted the small town, every
day American lifestyle. I would have no problem providing that as he was coming to Illinois. Not Chicago, but downstate rural Illinois.
It was a mystery to me where Simon was staying. The only information he would give me was that he would text the address when he was ready for me to come. He had a huge surprise.
The waiting for Simon to arrive was killing me. I was an anxious mess. I constantly floated between excitement that my boyfriend was finally coming to see me, and anxiousness, worrying if he would still like me when he saw me in person. Simon always thought it was silly that I didn't think he would still like me the same. It's just the snarky bitch that lives inside my head. She always has to have her say.
Simon was supposed to fly and arrive on Wednesday. I picked out a very flattering red dress that hugged my curves. I looked like a million bucks. I tried to busy myself throughout the day so I wouldn't think about Simon flying, but I couldn't help myself. I was constantly looking at the clock. As minutes turned into hours, and still no Simon, my mind went wild. No emails. No texts. No FriendBook activity. Something was very wrong and I could feel it with every fiber of my being.
I messaged, texted and emailed him. Hopefully he would be able to get his email, if nothing else. I kept having this nagging feeling that something was not right. He wouldn't just abandon me. He would have a very good reason for not being here when he said. That's one thing that I have always liked about Simon. He always does what he says he will.
Thursday rolled around and still no word from Simon. Something was really wrong. We were supposed to leave for a weekend getaway in a log cabin along the river. He knew I had the reservation that I couldn't cancel.
As I packed my car with my suitcase and laptop, I figured if he wasn't here with me I could do some work at the very least. I checked my messages one last time and still, nothing. I hopped into my Toyota Highlander and began the two-hour drive to Grafton, Illinois.
As I drove along the highway, I watched all the farmers harvesting their corn and soybean fields. That's the beauty of living in the Midwest. Seeing the planting and harvest are something not everyone sees or even thinks about. It is quite something to see the huge tractors and combines working the fields. Almost majestic.
My thoughts were with Simon. This is something he wanted to see. I pulled over on the shoulder of the road and rolled down my passenger side window. I began taking pictures of what I was seeing with my phone. A combine cutting corn. It was such a beautiful sight. I had to take these pictures to show not only Simon, but so the world could see things through my eyes. After I took my pictures, I rolled up my window and carefully guided my SUV back onto the highway to continue my trip.
I finally made it to Tara Point Cottages in Grafton, sitting atop the bluff, overlooking the Mississippi River. After checking in at the main building, which doubles as the owner’s home, I was finally on my way to my cabin, R-2.
I unloaded my car and walked along the wooden decking to find my cabin. I ascended the four stairs to get to the door to my cabin. I unlocked the door and stepped inside. It was very homey. It had a fireplace in the living room, a kitchen, a bedroom with a built-in reading nook in the window and a huge bathroom, complete with a two-person whirlpool tub. There was also a porch on the front with seating for six. The view was breathtaking. I so wished Simon were here with me. Breathtakingly gorgeous views and a sunset to die for. Hues of oranges, purples, pinks and blues.
I finally heard from Simon Friday afternoon. He’d had an emergency at home and had to turn around as soon as he landed in New York. His phone was dead and he didn't have time to charge it. He got things squared away and contacted me.
Simon: Sorry darling. I've just now been able to contact you. I'm ok. Please don't worry babe.
Brynn: I’m just happy you are safe and ok. Call me when you can.
I received a phone call later that night. Simon explained everything that was going on. I wanted nothing more than to be there for him in his time of need. I knew our story was put on hold for a little longer.
CHAPTER 6
I woke up refreshed and ready to take on the world. As I went about my day to day life, Simon and I never missed an opportunity to talk. We continued to grow in our relationship. I knew he was the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life and I knew he felt the same.
He decided he wanted to move to the United States permanently, and had some friends in high places who got him an appointment at the Embassy in London. Simon went and talked to the officials about the business he wanted to start and why he wanted dual citizenship. I was skeptical of the process, but he walked out several hours later with a work visa, green card and paper work to begin the process of applying for dual citizenship. They were also able to secure him a business tax identification number with the Internal Revenue Service so he could start his business straight away when he arrived.
I was beyond thrilled he had done this on his own terms and made it happen. I will be honest and say I had very mixed emotions that he would make such a sacrifice to be with me. I loved that he wanted it as much as I did, but I was also sad because I knew he had a daughter and grandchildren. That someone would sacrifice everything to be with me meant the absolute world to me. I planned on making him the happiest man in the universe. There wasn't anything I wouldn't do for him. He was my universe and my destiny.
I never believed in soulmates until I met Simon. I truly believed with all my heart he was my soulmate. The missing piece of me. My other half. He made me want to be a better person every day. He knew me better than I knew myself sometimes. He could hear my thoughts. We just fit. A connection like no other before.
Ding. Text.
Simon: I’ve arrived safely, Brynn. I'll see you in a bit. Drive safely, Sweetheart.
Brynn: Yay! I can't wait to see you! <3
Simon: 1323 Whispering Willows Lane, Springfield ;)
Brynn: Give me an hour please. We can talk on my way there. I'm hands free.
Simon: I’ll call now.
I talked to Simon on my drive to Springfield. To say I was nervous and excited was an understatement. I had so many butterflies in my stomach. I was blissfully happy and I never wanted that to change.
As I turned the last corner onto Whispering Willows Lane, I started to get emotional. This was the first time I was going to meet Simon in the flesh. He made a trip halfway around the world for me. I always say actions speak louder than words, and he came through in a huge way. He told me once to believe in him, so I did. But this wasn't just a trip. He was moving his life here for me. To start our life together.
Our life.
That little phrase held so much promise for a glorious and blissful future.
I saw Simon peeking out of his window as I pulled into his driveway. I had the biggest smile on my face when I saw him in the window watching me. I hopped out of my car and bounded into his big, two story, beige house. As soon as I stepped through the doorway, Simon had me pinned up against the wall in a searing, passionate kiss. I moaned as his right hand made it up to my hair to pull while his left hand was holding my hand over my head.
My heart was racing. I had never had any man make me feel the way Simon did. He made every emotion come out whether I liked it or not. Our lips parted slightly as we breathed each other's breath. He then bent and whispered in my ear, “Soon, you will be mine forever, my love.” I moaned at the thought.
Simon rested his forehead against mine and we closed our eyes just savoring the moment. We stood like that for what felt like an eternity. One of those positions that feels so right.
He grabbed my hand and led me through his beautiful home. A home that I later found out he had purchased just to be close to me when he would come to the states.
We stopped briefly in his spacious living room, only to commence kissing and groping again.
"Baby, you're so fucking hot. I can't control myself anymore. I want you now. Bedroom or living room couch? I'll bend you over the arm of the couch and fuck you like I ha
te you or we can go to my bedroom and I'll make passionate love to you. Your call, sweetness." Simon was panting now.
The primal animal instinct took over my brain and I said, “Fuck me like you hate me.”
“Fuck me like you hate me, what, Kitten?” he inquired.
His question caught me off guard. I cleared the brain fog enough to comprehend what he meant. He was a fucking Dom. How did I miss that small fact?
“Please fuck me like you hate me, Sir,” I whimpered.
“Gorgeous, Kitten. I would be happy to oblige.” Simon proceeded to back me up until the back of my calves hit the couch.
“Sit like a good girl,” he ordered. I did as he commanded with my head down waiting for his next command.
“Oh, Kitten. We are going to have so much fun. You are so sexy and obedient. I like this very much.” He kneeled down in front of me and placed his fingers under my chin. He gently raised my head to meet his gaze.
“Kitten. I will do whatever it takes to protect you and keep you safe always. I have connections all over the world and I can be anywhere you need me to be. Just say the words. YOU are MY priority now. Understand?” he implored with his deep chocolate gaze.
“Yes, Sir. I am your priority now. You will always protect and keep me safe, Sir. Thank you, Sir.” I dutifully repeated back.