Love on the Line

by Laura M. Baird

  That thought brought her around to her pending meeting with Mathias tomorrow. It was Friday morning, and tonight was the night she’d let him know she did indeed want to meet up at the balloon festival.

  The anticipation had been building little by little every night, and she felt simultaneously thrilled and petrified. His discussions were intelligent and humorous, and she never thought they’d run out of topics to talk about. But what if he was only five feet tall, bald, and buck-toothed? What if he was nothing like the perfect specimen she had conjured in her mind? Would she be that shallow to cut bait and run?

  What if she fell short of his expectations, preferring someone with more meat on her bones? Or with green eyes instead of blue, or auburn hair instead of blonde? What if it came down to appearances after all and they were both left disappointed and shattered?

  “Gah!” Her preoccupation caused her to stumble along the path as she was nearing the end of her run along the trails. “Focus, AJ,” she admonished herself. As she made her way through the park, ready to hit the sidewalks and return home, she slowed her jog into a walk and took a drink of her water. Glancing behind her at the beautiful sunrise peeking over the hills, she caught sight of a figure nearing the crest, ready to head out onto the trails. He was only a silhouette dancing in the brilliant light of the sun, but AJ knew without a doubt he was her gorgeous stranger.

  She was transfixed by his form, his movement, and sorely wanted to call out to him, just to get a glimpse of his handsome face. And then what? Stare like an idiot? Run after him like a crazed fan at a Kenny Chesney concert? “You’re for sure not gonna run again,” she mumbled to herself.

  AJ sighed and turned, eager to get home, and missed seeing the stranger turn as he stood atop the rise, watching her walk away.

  Several hours later, after showering, eating, and trying to get work completed, AJ was hopelessly distracted. And after a call from Jen in the afternoon, while it had been wildly entertaining, it only served to heighten her anticipation. Jen did her best to ease AJ’s anxiety by telling her any man would be damn lucky to have a woman like her, and if this Mathias couldn’t accept her for who she was, well then he wasn’t worth a spit. She also told AJ she could afford to be picky, and if Mathias wasn’t all she wanted, then make a break and move on.

  Yeah, as if it would be that simple. AJ felt as if she and Mathias were somehow invested in one another, as crazy as that seemed after only five nights. Their talks were something she had come to really look forward to, and if they were to end, well … she knew she’d be sad. There was safety in their conversations, without any concern for how she looked or what she wore.

  Suddenly, inspiration hit. Although she didn’t want to make it all about appearances, she couldn’t believe the idea that ran through her mind hadn’t come sooner. AJ chuckled to herself as she searched the internet for pictures and sought out shops to visit. With her game plan in place, she set out for an afternoon of fun. And by the time evening rolled around, her outfit was complete and she couldn’t suppress her triumphant glee.

  She knew for certain she was going to knock Mathias’s socks off. Laughing at the old cliché, she ate a hasty dinner before getting comfy on the couch with her Kindle as she waited for the man’s call.

  When her phone chimed, she eagerly reached for it, thinking it was him, but Kayli’s information came up. Trying not to be too disappointed, she answered.

  “Hey, girl, what’s up?”

  “Hey, AJ, just thought I’d call and chat, solidify our plans for tomorrow. I haven’t heard from you all week. How have things been?”

  AJ went on the have a quick chat with her friend. As much as she loved Kayli, she knew it was getting close to the time Mathias would call. Well, long-story-short, AJ ended up giving Kayli a rapid rundown of her week, and her conversations with Mathias. Kayli was thrilled for her and said she couldn’t wait to meet him tomorrow.

  “You sound wonderful, AJ. I really hope this works out.”

  “Me, too. It’s been crazy, but good, you know.”

  “Yeah. Okay, good luck. I’ll let you go and see you tomorrow. Love you, girl.”

  “Love you too, Kayli. Good night.”

  Just as she disconnected, her phone chimed again. She smiled at her screen as Mathias’s number popped up, along with the sketch AJ couldn’t stop herself from drawing a few days ago. One she assigned as his profile picture. It was a simple pencil sketch of a face that resembled Chris Hemsworth, only with darker hair, deep blue eyes, and cleft chin. Okay, so it looked more like the handsome jogger from the park, AJ conceded in her mind. So what?

  Well, hopefully I’m not setting myself up for disappointment.

  “Well, hey there, handsome,” AJ greeted.

  Mathias’s chuckle echoed through the air, causing AJ’s skin to tingle and a bigger smile to form on her face. “And how would you know I’m handsome? I could look like a toad.”

  AJ laughed. “Well, then I’d kiss you and turn you into my prince.”

  “Is that so?”

  “It is.”

  “Well, in order for you to kiss me, we’d have to meet.”

  “And we shall.”

  The joy in her voice was evident, yet Mathias didn’t comment right away. When he finally did, his voice was husky.

  “AJ, does that mean…?”

  “Yes, Mathias,” she began softly, “it means I want to meet you tomorrow. In the morning, as the sun begins to rise over the hills and the hot air balloons are coloring the sky. How does that sound?”

  “Like a scene right out of a romance novel.” He chuckled. “Sounds perfect.”

  Both remained silent for a moment.

  Mathias cleared his throat and said, “So, how was your day?”

  AJ laughed as she launched into discussion. She left out her preoccupation with him as well as her preparation for their meeting. Even when he asked where he should meet her and how would he know who she was, she didn’t reveal all the details.

  “Let’s meet at the small parking lot on the western edge of Ann Morrison Park, off of West Royal Boulevard. Say, around 7:00 AM? Does that sound okay to you?”

  “You are an early bird, aren’t you?”

  Originally, after talking with Jen, she had planned to ask Mathias to meet late in the afternoon when her friends could plan to be nearby. But she wanted this instead—just Mathias in the morning.

  AJ chuckled. “I have been. I’m finally getting back into a routine, and every morning this week I’ve been out at Camel’s Back to jog and walk the trails.”

  “Y-you have?” he sputtered.

  “Why does it sound as if you’re surprised by that? Do I not sound like someone who’d enjoy the activity?” she said lightly.

  “No, no, not at all. I mean, yes, yes, you’d probably enjoy the activity, given your adventurous spirit. Maybe I just figured you’d take advantage of sleeping in, given your reduced time at the office.”

  “Well, I plan on returning to my regular work schedule next week, so I figured I’d better start getting used to an early rise. Besides, the mornings have been beautiful, and I love the trails out there when there’s not too many out and about yet.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean.” He sounded almost wistful.

  “You do? Are you an early riser? Do you get out to the parks for your exercise?”

  “Uh, yeah, I take my bike out, especially up to Bogus Basin when the trails are dry. Then, when the snow comes, I head up for skiing.”

  “It’s been so long since I’ve been skiing. I miss it.”

  “Perhaps this season we could go together?” he asked hopefully.

  “Perhaps.”

  “So, back to our meeting. How will we know one another?”

  “You mean you haven’t already planned this out from night one? Had scenarios running around in your head? Where’s your creativity?”

  “Oh, believe me, I’ve had creative scenarios running around in my head, Amelia Jane.”

 
“Y-you have?” It was now her turn to sputter. Dare I ask?

  “Would you like me to share? I’ve had plenty of ammunition since reading Sam. Of course I don’t want to scare you off.”

  Damn, that sexy, deep voice of his was driving AJ crazy. “Oh, boy,” she squeaked out.

  He chuckled, sending a zing right through her that pulsed at her sex. AJ squirmed and felt moisture flood her panties. She couldn’t help the moan that drifted from her mouth.

  “God, AJ, those noises you make drive me crazy.”

  She snickered. “Well, then we’re even.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Do you want to know the first thing that went through my mind when you first spoke?”

  “I’m not sure. Do I?”

  “I thought, that’s definitely a voice made for phone sex, and then wondered if people even do that anymore. I mean, not that that was the purpose of our call. Considering I wasn’t even the one who called. Jeez.”

  “You sound a little flustered,” he teased.

  “You have no idea,” she mumbled.

  “Oh, I think I do. Every night I’ve imagined your voice whispering to me as your lips journey over my skin. It’s been nearly impossible not to imagine your eyes staring into mine. Or your hair feeling like silk in my hands.” AJ groaned as Mathias continued. “Or how your body would be more welcoming than my hand as I orgasm.”

  “Oh God, Mathias.”

  “I bet you’re wet and swollen, aren’t you, Amelia Jane?”

  “Yes,” she managed, imagining his perfectly muscled body atop her, slowly torturing her with his movements.

  “You’ve thought about me too, haven’t you?”

  “How could I not?” AJ was done holding back. Of course, maybe the boldness came from the security of anonymity, knowing she could do or say whatever she wanted because there were no preconceived notions between them. “Your voice is so sexy, and confidence oozes from you. I’ve imagined your large hands roaming my body, easily palming my breasts. I’ve imagined your warm mouth on my skin. I’ve imagined—”

  “Jesus, AJ, I’m ready to explode just listening to you.”

  “And I’m on the verge of climaxing, one flick across my clit and I’m sure I’d shatter.”

  “Fuck,” he groaned, his voice a rumble as he drew out the word.

  “Are you hard, Mathias? Is your hand wrapped around your cock, wishing it was my pussy swallowing you up?”

  “Fuck, I love those words coming out of your sweet mouth. Hell, I wish that mouth was wrapped around my hard cock, but tonight my hand will have to do. There’s no way this hard-on I’m about to fist will subside otherwise.”

  AJ whimpered and couldn’t stop her hand from slipping into her panties, feeling the slickness between her folds.

  “Tell me your hand is on your pussy. Tell me how wet and swollen you are,” he ground out.

  “So wet, so swollen,” she said breathlessly. “Stroke yourself and imagine being buried deep inside me. My juices bathe your cock and my pussy squeezes you tight. Fuck, I wish I had a vibrator. My fingers aren’t nearly enough to fill me.” Mathias nearly choked in her ear as AJ pulled her hand from her panties and hastily rid her lower body of her clothes. She had to spread her legs and open herself as wide as she could while she imagined Mathias’s body wedging itself in place.

  “Don’t stop talking, AJ, tell me what you’re doing.” His raspy voice spurred her on, eliciting delightfully naughty visions.

  “I had to take off my shorts and panties. I needed my legs spread wide. My fingers are in my pussy and I’m pumping my hips, imagining you th-thrusting inside me.” More whimpers and gasps escaped as her thumb scraped over her clit.

  “Yeah, I can feel your wet pussy bathe me, scorch me, squeeze the orgasm out of me. So close, AJ. Rub your clit, make yourself come. Fuck, I’m so close, I want to hear you scream when I come.”

  AJ removed her fingers from her pussy and furiously rubbed her clit. Gasps alternated with moans as she felt herself getting tighter and tighter, closer to falling apart.

  “Oh fuck, Mathias, fuck.”

  “That’s it, give it to me. Let me hear you. Tell me you wish I was there fucking you right now.”

  “Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, I wish your cock was fucking my pussy so hard right now.”

  Mathias grunted and groaned, low and steady, and there was no mistaking he was coming. “God, Amelia Jane, how I want you,” he ground out.

  “I … want you … too,” she panted. Then screamed as her orgasm ripped through her. She didn’t relent as she continued to press on her clit, extending her pleasure. Mathias’s plea of encouragement faded as the hand that held her phone fell away. Lethargy set in as her high sadly and all too quickly began to dissipate. AJ barely registered the tinny voice somewhere in the distance. She then realized Mathias was talking, asking repeatedly if she was okay.

  She quickly snapped the phone back to her ear. “Sorry, sorry.”

  He chuckled. “S’okay, post-climax haze,” he returned, his voice sounding sleepy.

  AJ couldn’t help her giggles that quickly turned into snorting laughter.

  “That funny, eh?”

  “I just can’t believe we did that. I … I’ve never done anything like that in my life.”

  “Neither have I, but I’m damn sure not gonna complain. It was the best orgasm I’ve had in years. Thanks to you.”

  “I wouldn’t dare compare you to my ex, but that was the best I’ve had in years as well.”

  “I’ll take that as the highest compliment.”

  After a moment of quiet, AJ timidly asked, “Mathias? Um, you don’t think I’m a freak, right? I mean, doing what I just did with a stranger?”

  “That’s a loaded question. I mean, I could be a creep and say no just to hear you do it again. And as much as I’d like to think we aren’t strangers, given all we’ve shared with one another, I realize we haven’t even met in person, so…”

  “I almost don’t want to meet you. I mean, this way, our relationship remains perfect, right?” She tried for laughter, but it came out choked. “I hope I don’t disappoint you,” she whispered. AJ hated that she couldn’t stop those words as old insecurities emerged.

  “Don’t, AJ. Don’t do that to yourself. I could easily say the same thing, because I think you deserve so much goodness in your life. And I’ll hope to be worthy of you.”

  AJ sniffled as she wiped the stray tears from her cheeks. “Me, too.”

  “Do you still want to talk, or would you rather we say good night?”

  “Neither?” When Mathias chuckled, she said, “I wish we could just cuddle.”

  “I think that can be arranged. Go to bed and get comfy while I, um, take care of a few things. I’ll be right back with you.”

  “Okay.” AJ grabbed her discarded clothes and padded up to her bedroom. After using the bathroom, she got naked and crawled beneath her covers. Didn’t matter that it was still early in the evening, she suddenly felt exhausted. Once settled, she put her phone back to her ear. “Mathias?”

  “Yes, AJ, I’m still here. Now, are you comfy?”

  “Comfy enough,” she said as she sighed. She put the phone on speaker and set it on the nightstand.

  “Close your eyes. Imagine you’ve just come off the slopes after a day of skiing. Your body feels alive and exhausted all at once. There’s a roaring fire and its warmth surrounds you as you burrow into your soft bed.” Mathias began to sing Charlie Puth’s “One Call Away.” His voice was soft, comforting, and perfect.

  AJ smiled into her pillow as the words continued. Contentment washed over her as the words became softer, dimmer. She had already fallen asleep by the time he finished, missing him wishing her good night.

  ****

  Darkness surrounded AJ as she startled awake. Sitting up in bed, the covers pooled at her waist as her eyes adjusted, and she caught sight of her phone on the stand. Looking at the time, she saw it was 5:00 AM and realized she had slept s
oundly through the night. Never had she slept straight through like that. She then blushed as the events from earlier flashed through her mind. Her skin grew warm in spite of the coolness in her room. AJ couldn’t help the smile that formed as she crawled out of bed. Looking once again at her phone, she noticed the low battery and plugged it in before making her way to the bathroom.

  AJ took her time in the shower, slowly washing her hair and body, and shaving herself smooth everywhere. She was excitedly nervous about meeting with Mathias this morning, and the anticipation made her aware of every detail in her preparation. After drying, she applied lotion to her body, dried her hair, and added curl. She then went to her room and carefully selected lacy lingerie that made her feel fabulous. She donned the outfit she had carefully pieced together yesterday, which consisted of a black fitted top with rhinestones spelling out Idaho Steelheads. It had their mountain and tree logo off to the side. She slipped on black booty shorts that barely covered her rear. They had a blue stripe on the sides that matched the team’s colors. Next came black socks and leg warmers, followed by black boots.

  Going to the bathroom, she began her makeup routine by adding light foundation, smoky gray eye shadow, and a touch of mascara. She pinned most of her hair up, allowing a few curls to frame her face. Pleased with her look, she grabbed her phone and went downstairs for a quick bite to eat. Once finished, she put a few items into a small shoulder bag, along with her phone, and added the final piece to her outfit—a white faux-fur coat that nearly reached her ankles.

  AJ couldn’t wait to see Mathias’s expression when she flung open the coat, revealing the outfit that resembled what she imagined an ice girl would wear—if the Steelheads had ice girls. She couldn’t help the little-girl giggle that escaped as she locked up the house, got in her car, and drove to the park where they planned to meet.

  During the drive, she began to wonder why she hadn’t asked him to wear something distinguishing. Did she imagine their meeting to be like a fairy tale—one look and they’d just know? AJ snorted at the thought. Maybe he’d take her hint and dress like Thor.