Tripped Up Love

by Farley, Julie

  Peter walked into the shower. Heather was glad he couldn’t see the color on her cheeks. When she saw him, all of him, she knew she was blushing. He was perfect, like the romantic hero in a Nicholas Sparks movie. His chest was without hair. His muscles looked as if they had been etched, giving him a perfect six-pack. Heather was afraid she might start drooling. Peter took her hands and helped her up. They stood under the rain shower and he rubbed something all over her. Something that smelled spicy and masculine and just like Peter. He took great care to wash every inch of her body that hadn’t been touched this way in years, maybe even ever. Peter emptied some shampoo into his hand and ran it through her hair. His shampoo smelled so much better than the boys’ Axe. Heather stood there, not moving a single muscle but enjoying every touch of his fingers.

  “Peter, I think I’m ready.”

  “Ready to go?”

  “No, ready to be with you.”

  “Are you sure? The shower wasn’t a ploy to change your mind. I just saw how excited you got while you were looking at it, and I couldn’t resist.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Peter quickly but thoroughly rinsed the shampoo out of Heather’s hair. Knowing the cast was a problem, Peter turned off the shower, wrapped Heather in his robe, wrapped himself in a towel and carried her to his bed. He moved her up on the pillows and opened her robe. Heather was freezing and not used to having someone examining her body so closely. Peter ran his fingers over her breasts. She was sure he wasn’t used to seeing breasts that sagged this much. Heather wondered if he had ever had sex with someone who had kids. She reminded herself to stop thinking and focused on his hands that were tickling her belly button and the lips that were leaving a trail of kisses right behind his fingers. Heather thought she might explode when his fingers entered her. He found that spot that made her legs twitch and she let out a giggle.

  Peter couldn’t wait any longer. He needed to be inside of her. She was so shy and so perfect. He wanted to drink in every ounce of her. The giggle put him over the edge.

  Peter stopped his kisses and looked at Heather. “Are you on the pill?”

  “I haven’t been on the pill since I was in college.”

  And with a dead husband, I’ve had no use for birth control over the last year and a half, thought Heather.

  Peter reached into his drawer for a condom. Heather took a deep breath while he put it on. Watching him put a condom on was awkward, almost as awkward as carrying a bag of dog crap into his car. It took her away from the moment and the anticipation she felt while he was kissing her stomach.

  Peter smiled and covered her lips, banishing all of the things she was thinking from her head. He helped her scoot her heavy cast over to make room for his body in between her legs. Heather gasped as Peter entered her. Every nerve in her lower body tingled and she found that I-want-more-right-now feeling again in a hurry. Heather realized everything worked just fine after an eighteen-month hiatus, as her whole body let out a shiver. Peter took his time, deftly bringing Heather to the point where she needed to grip the sheets underneath her and a crazy moan echoed from her throat as they both came together.

  Chapter 13

  Heather decided sex was not easy with a cast. But if it was that good with a cast, she knew she had a lot to look forward to. Peter saw her smiling.

  “I guess you’re satisfied?”

  “Holy orgasm, Batman! Yes, definitely. I guess I had somehow forgotten what I was missing.” There was not a chance in hell she would forget sex with Peter anytime soon. “But I was laughing at myself with this damn cast. I really can’t move around a whole lot.”

  “Something for us to look forward to - you moving around.”

  Most times Peter had sex, he rushed the pillow talk afterwards. He always wanted the person to go or at least go to sleep. But not this time. Peter was lying on his side tracing his fingers around Heather, knowing he didn’t want this moment to end anytime soon.

  “This isn’t the right time to ask, but would you mind getting my purse? I’m afraid of being out of touch from the kids.”

  Peter chuckled and got up in all his naked splendor. Heather couldn’t take her eyes off of him. His back was as perfectly chiseled as his front. He managed to stave off the beer belly so typical of 40-year-old men. Although, without a wife and kids he had time to keep his body in shape. When Peter came back in with her purse and two drinks, Heather got another view of the front. She started blushing. This time Peter could see her.

  “Like what you see?”

  “I guess you could say that,” Heather said as she pulled the sheet up around herself and scooted herself up to a seated position. “Thanks. I know it is so lame to check my phone right after we had sex.”

  “Pretty lame, but I will excuse it this time,” said Peter with a smile.

  Heather checked her phone. As she thought there would be, there was a text from Hayes.

  8:17 Hayes: Mom! Henry is driving me crazy and Nana isn’t doing anything about it.

  8:18 Hayes: Mom, where r u?

  8:25 Hayes: Mom!!! ANSWER UR TEXTS!

  8:43 Heather: Hey bud. Sorry I didn’t hear my phone in my purse. What’s up?

  8:44 Hayes: He keeps sticking his wet fingers in my ear whenever Nana and Papi turn their backs.

  8:44 Heather: Tell him no Sportscenter for a couple of days if he doesn’t stop.

  8:45 Hayes: K. Were u too busy with that guy to answer me before?

  8:46 Heather: I’m never too busy for u but I didn’t hear my phone. It’s loud in here.

  8:47 Heather: Luv u bud.

  8:48 Hayes: TTYL

  Heather felt terrible she hadn’t heard the texts, but there was no way she could have heard a phone that was in the living room while she was hooking up in the shower and having sex in the bedroom. She knew Hayes would be fine, and she needed to keep her guilt in check. It sometimes felt like it was his goal to make her feel guiltier than she already did. He was a smart almost teenager.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Peter asked as he moved the sheet away from her body.

  “Annoying little brother getting away with things with his grandparents. Older brothers don’t like wet willies.”

  “Hmmm,” laughed Peter. “Janie was the victim of many wet willies from me.”

  Peter was familiarizing himself with every inch of her body. And Heather was enjoying every second of it. She took a sip of the drink Peter brought in for her and gagged.

  “What in the hell is this?”

  “Scotch. It’s a sipping drink and I guess an acquired taste judging from the sound you just made.”

  Heather tried it again stifling all of the noises that her throat threatened to make. Peter’s hands were getting even more adventuresome and Heather began to realize they might be about to have sex again. TWICE? With the kids around, sex turned into a timed Olympic sport, and there was almost never a chance for another go around. But Peter’s plan was obvious now, as he seemed to taste every place he touched. Because Peter was not in a rush, his fingers and his mouth moved in a way that Heather was not familiar with. He was content on the journey and not focused on his end result.

  Peter devoured every inch of Heather with a respect worthy of a piece of art, not someone who had just burped during dinner. And he seemed to enjoy the second time more than the first. Heather felt like she was stuck in a pile of cement. It turned out the cast was not as easy as an Ugg would have been like Jenny had suggested. She couldn’t twist and turn or move like she wanted. But she could tell Peter was ok with all of it. Heather knew she could get used to this. The second time brought even more of a release, and she was sure all of her pent up frustration from the last 18 months was now spent.

  “Want to stay?”

  “I wish. I’d be too worried the kids would need me or they would come home early. Another time, next time.”

  Peter liked the sound of the words next time. He enjoyed this night more than any in his past. He could feel himself becoming addicted to
Heather.

  “Well, at least stay for a bit longer.”

  “That I can do.”

  Peter got up and picked her clothes off of the bathroom floor. He helped her dress and made sure everything was in the right place. Peter dressed, they sat in front of the fire, sipping scotch and eating chocolate covered strawberries. Heather asked him about sailing and about his place in Maine. She could hear the excitement in his answers. He talked about the rocky coast, his sailboat named Bleu and the porch that faced the ocean. Heather could not wait to go there with him sometime, which was a far cry from what she thought on the way to his apartment. Peter asked Heather about the beaches she frequented. She spent her childhood going to the beaches surrounding Wilmington, North Carolina. She talked about Emerald Isle and the truly green water. She talked about the wild ponies and miles of uninhabited land.

  As Heather talked, she started to get sleepy and knew it was time to go. She was spent and even fell asleep with Peter’s hand on her knee in the car on the way home. He walked her inside.

  “I hate leaving you here all by yourself.”

  “I’m not afraid anymore. I didn’t sleep much for the first six months, but now I have a series of night-lights that make me less afraid. And of course, now I’m used to it and sleep always wins out. Besides, after all of our activity I’ll fall asleep right away.”

  “Maybe we’ve found a new way for you to exercise,” said Peter. He kissed Heather and hugged her hoping to never let go. “Thank you for tonight. It was amazing, and I can’t wait to do it again.”

  “Thank you for being patient with me and thank you for helping me end my drought.”

  Peter couldn’t resist her smile. He was all over her again and had to tear himself away.

  “Good night. We’ll talk in the morning.”

  Heather locked the door behind him and dragged her foot up to bed. The smell of the lilies had permeated the rest of the house. Heather’s dreams would be sweet.

  Chapter 14

  Heather woke up the next morning when she heard Henry yelling her name from the family room. She got up as quickly as she could and hobbled to the staircase. Donna, Phil and the kids were standing in the family room looking for her.

  "I'm up here guys. Be right down," Heather said and made her way down the steps looking a bit disheveled in her sleep shorts and t-shirt with her I-just-got-out-of-bed-hair.

  "Did we wake you, sweetie?" asked Phil.

  "Yes. I can't believe I slept this late. It's been years since I slept past seven."

  "Well, I'm sure you needed it," said Donna.

  "I guess I did. Everything takes more energy with this cast on." Everything, like having sex twice in one evening.

  "Thanks for having them. I hope everyone behaved." Heather looked right at Henry.

  "What, Mom? I was awesome." Henry gave Heather a big hug. “Mom, you smell like a guy.”

  “Well, I haven’t showered yet, maybe that’s why.” Heather remembered the last shower she took involved Peter’s shower gel.

  "Henry was fine as soon as he stopped giving Hayes all those wet willies. He forgets I was little once and know all the tricks,” said Phil.

  "Gracie and I got to paint for a bit. I'll bring her painting over when it's dry later this week."

  "Thank you for everything. I can't tell you how much it means to me that you guys did this," said Heather, laying it on a little thick but meaning it sincerely.

  "It is our privilege," said Phil.

  "Hayes, go get ready for baseball. Victoria will be here at 10 to take you, and I’ll meet you at the field for the game."

  "K. Bye Nana and Papi. Glad you could take us so Mom could go out on her date."

  Donna spoke up immediately.

  "We didn't take you because your mom had a date. We are always happy to babysit for you, but this was planned first."

  Heather let it go, and Hayes made his way upstairs. Donna looked at Heather and went to give her a kiss.

  "Don't worry. I'm glad you’re finding happiness. Phil and I both are. Hayes is just a teenager...almost. It's a big change."

  "I'll talk to him soon," said Phil. Phil was the only male in Hayes' life, and Heather had to lean on him. He couldn't just be Grandpa since Hank died.

  "It doesn't get easier. It just gets different. Every day has a new challenge."

  "We'll let you go and get ready for the game. I'll give you a call in a few days."

  A chorus of love you’s followed, and Donna and Phil left. Gracie was anxious to hug her mom and Heather just wanted to curl up on the couch with her little guys. So they did. They talked about their night and what they did with Nana. Gracie and Henry were not anxious to go to the game, but Heather reminded them Grandma was going to meet them there too. That and a trip to Starbucks sweetened the deal just enough. Heather grabbed her phone to check her email and saw she had a text.

  8:15 Peter: Good morning. Last night was amazing.

  She smiled when she read the text. Heather agreed. Last night was amazing. Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough time to think about it because life as a single mother of three interfered. Victoria was punctual as usual to pick up Hayes. Heather realized that her late sleep, cuddle time with the little guys and getting Hayes out the door pushed her back so much a shower was no longer an option. It was just baseball. Heather threw on her yoga pants, t-shirt and baseball hat. They went through the Starbucks drive-thru and were on their way to the field.

  Victoria saved Heather a spot on the bleachers. Heather kept her broken ankle on the row in front of her and leaned back on the bleachers. Gracie and Henry found their 'baseball buddies' behind the bleachers and wreaked havoc until the coach shushed them. Heather's mom arrived a few minutes later and sat next to Victoria and Heather. Heather had told her mom she was going out with Peter the night before, but she hadn't told her about all of their little meetings during the week. Her mom very slyly asked how last night was in Victoria's earshot.

  "Did you go out with Peter Adamson again?" asked Victoria.

  "Yes."

  "Where'd you go?"

  "We had sushi," said Heather being vague.

  "Did you go to Wild Ginger?" asked Heather's mom.

  "No, we were downtown."

  "Did you go to the new place in Shockoe?"

  "No," said Heather, knowing they were going to pry until she told. "We ate at Peter's loft."

  “Wasn't that cozy," said Victoria.

  "How nice, sweetie," said Heather's mom.

  "Guess no one could take any pictures of you there," said Victoria.

  "No, they couldn’t.”

  Heather turned her attention to the game and noticed Hayes was on the bench. He looked back at Heather and shrugged and Heather wished there was something she could do.

  Heather's mom kept the little guys happy by taking them to the snack bar – twice – while Heather sat and listened to Victoria prattle on about all of her committees, her four children and the work she had to do for her husband's career. Snarky comments about Heather not having anything to do with her day were peppered throughout the conversation. Heather was used to those comments. Victoria had made them when Hank was alive and obviously had no intention of stopping now.

  The game ended with a loss for Hayes’ team. The boys settled into a huddle on the field to get the normal tongue lashing from the coach. Heather gathered up her things and Gracie and Henry. She was moving slowly as she was still tired from her busy night. The boys were finally released from their punishment after twenty pushups and three times around the bases.

  Heather, her mom, Hayes, Gracie and Henry walked at Heather's pace to the car. There were at least half a dozen fields to walk past before they got to the car. As they slowly passed one of the last fields, Heather saw a familiar figure in Doc Martens walking towards her coming from one of the other games. Part of her wanted to run, but she had the cast on her foot. Another part of her wanted to get him alone in one of the dugouts and relive their date. Instea
d, Heather stopped in her tracks and her mom and the kids looked towards the man she was facing. Whether Heather was ready for it or not, everyone was about to meet Peter.

  "Mom, is that the guy who picked you up off the street?" asked Hayes.

  "Um yeah...that's Mr. Adamson."

  "Look at his tattoos," said her mother.

  "Holy cow! Are they real?" asked Henry.

  Gracie grabbed a hold of Heather's hand as she watched Peter walk up.

  “I was sitting at my nephew’s game and saw you guys walking by. I had to come over and see you.” He shook Heather's mom’s hand.

  "Mrs. Nester, I suppose?"

  "Yes, please call me Diane."

  Peter turned and looked at the three children standing in front of him.

  "You must be Henry."

  "Yes. Are you my mom's date?"

  "Well, we have gone out. So, I guess the answer is yes." Peter and Henry shook hands.

  “Mom, this is who you smell like!” said Henry. Heather turned bright red announcing her guilt to her mother.

  Peter turned to Hayes. "You must be Hayes." Peter stuck out his hand to shake Hayes' hand, but Hayes didn't move. "Did you win today?" Hayes shook his head.

  "My nephew's team lost too. He has a double header though. Hoping he wins the next one. Tough day for the good guys, I suppose."

  Peter looked at Heather and placed his hand on her back. He said hello, giving away nothing, but his blue eyes blazed a hole through her eyes. And Heather suddenly realized, she hadn’t responded to Peter’s text. She was probably the first girl to have sex with him and then ignore his text.

  "And you must be Gracie," said Peter bending down to look into Gracie's eyes. "You are the image of your mom."

  Gracie smiled.

  “Can I help you guys to the car?” asked Peter.

  “We’re fine. I think.”