“Dude, are you trying to eat her?” Mark elbowed Sean in the side.
“Sorry, I can’t seem to stop when it comes to you,” Sean leaned in and pecked Melanie on the cheek.
Melanie blushed and tried to bury her face in Sean’s chest. She could hear the guys talking in hushed tones, but really didn’t know what it was about. Within a few moments though, Sean gave her arm a gentle tug and began leading her up the stairs of the house.
When they reached the top, there were several doors that lined the landing and hallway. Sean grinned, “It’s much better up here. More privacy.”
Melanie glanced around as fear and shyness began to take over. “What are we doing up here?” she asked.
“You’ll see,” he opened a door and led the two of them through it.
Once they entered the bedroom, he spun and closed the door pushing Melanie back against it. He pressed his body into hers and began peppering her face with kisses. As his hands began to roam her body, she shuddered with desire. Her brain was waging a war with her body. What Sean was doing felt so good, but she knew it was wrong and would only lead to trouble.
He reached down and gripped her behind the thighs, lifting and carrying her over to the bed in the center of the room. “Sean,” she gasped.
“Door’s locked,” he mumbled.
“No, that’s not what I mean,” she panted.
He continued to run his hands down her body and press his into it. “Sean,” she placed her hands on his chest and pushed against it as she turned her head to break the kiss. “Stop, we can’t!” she pleaded.
Still in a fog of desire, he groaned and rolled to the side, “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not going to do this. Not here, not now,” she pulled herself to a sitting position.
“Why not?” he huffed. “We’ve been going out for awhile. You like me, right?”
“That’s not it,” she shook her head. “I’m not doing this,” she waved her hand around, “with anyone.”
“Ever?” Sean’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.
“Well, when I get married I will,” she sighed. “I’m not going to join the convent or anything. I have enough going on in my life without adding the pressures of sex to it. I wanna wait. I want that part of me to be special for my husband.”
Sean slid until he was beside her. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m not changing my mind about this. I understand if this changes the way you feel about me,” she cautiously glanced in his direction.
“What are you talking about?” he ran his hands down his face. “This doesn’t change us, it just means that our wedding night will be that much more special.” He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look him in the eyes, “I love you Melanie Andrews, and I’ll wait as long as you need me to.”
August 2012
As Melanie began to come out of the memory, she sighed. That was the first time Sean had told her he loved her. Even then, he had known that they would one day get married. She shook her head slightly to bring herself back to the present. Katie was tapping her on the arm and talking, but she’d missed what was said.
“Mom? Where’ve you been? We’re here,” Katie cocked her head to the side.
“Oh, sorry honey. I was thinking about the first time your dad took me to a party,” Melanie blushed.
“Yeah, yeah mom,” Katie grinned “I’ve heard that one before. I already know the lesson behind that story. No letting him take me to a bedroom.”
Melanie shook her head and blushed a deeper shade of red. “Just be careful honey.”
Katie turned one last time as she climbed out of the car. “I will.”
“Now, make sure you have your phone, and if you need anything you call me, ok?”
“Yes, mom,” Katie droned on as she leaned through the window. “I’ll be careful. This isn’t like NYC.”
“Be home by midnight,” Melanie wagged her finger at her.
“Yes, mom,” Katie walked towards Anthony‘s house.
“Oh and Katie!” Melanie raised her brow.
Katie turned and slumped raising her brows in silent question.
“Have fun,” Melanie smiled.
“I will, thanks mom,” Katie turned and made her way towards the front door, glad that her mom was finally pulling away from the curb.
When she got closer, she noticed Zach was waiting on the front steps.
“It’s about time,” he joked. “I’ve been sitting out here forever waiting on you. Why didn’t you let me pick you up?”
“This isn’t a good start to our date if you’re hoping to impress me,” she rolled her eyes at him.
“Sorry,” he shrugged. He reached for her hand to led her into the house. “I’ll be better, I swear,” he made a cross over his heart and stuck out his bottom lip.
Katie laughed and rolled her eyes. When they got through the front door, a girl was taking coats to put in a side room.
“If the door’s not locked, the room is available. Drinks in the back,” she pointed over her shoulder. Katie’s shoulders tensed at the mention of rooms. She had no idea what Zach’s intentions were tonight, but she knew with him being a guy he would probably try to push the limits.
“That’s Melissa, Anthony’s cousin. She usually helps out at these things,” Zach whispered in Katie’s ear. “Let’s get something to drink.”
Zach led Katie into the kitchen where Hannah and Sam were already holding court.
“Hey, you made it!” Hannah shouted.
“Get this girl a drink,” Sam laughed.
“I don’t know guys, that’s really not my scene,” Katie blushed. She’d had beer before. She’d even been drunk before. It was not an experience that she wanted to repeat.
“Oh come on,” Hannah urged.
“We won’t let anything happen to you,” Sam begged.
“Well, maybe just one,” Katie shrugged.
“That’s my girl,” Zach hugged her.
Anthony mixed up some fruity concoction and handed it to her. It really didn’t taste bad at all. She smiled and slowly sipped. She knew she needed to be careful, she did want to remember this night.
Katie actually was enjoying the party. Zach had been a perfect gentleman. He’d stayed near her all night, kept unwanted advances away, gotten her drinks, and had given her his undivided attention. She began to wonder if any the things that she’d heard were true.
As the night wore on, she became more and more relaxed around him. Hannah and Sam had spent most of the night in the kitchen with her, laughing and joking.
Zach leaned over next to her ear, “Wanna dance?”
“Sure,” she smiled.
He led her into the living room where the furniture had been pushed to the sides. Anthony had the stereo cranked and a mass of sweaty bodies were grinding to the music. Zach grabbed her hand and pulled her to the center of the room. People moved out of the way creating a path for them.
“Wow, how’d you do that?” Katie yelled over the music.
“Do what?” Zach shouted back.
“Everyone just got out of your way?” she shrugged.
“I’m special like that,” he laughed.
Once they got to the center, he turned and placed his hands on her hips. They began to bounce and sway to the beat as she turned around and leaned her back against his chest. She was in a slight haze from the alcohol, but not enough to lose control. As she leaned back, she reached above her head and looped her hands around his neck. She could feel his hard muscled chest press against her.
He leaned in and whispered in her ear, “Did I tell you how hot you look tonight?”
She shivered as his breath tickled her neck and slowly shook her head no.
“Well, you do,” he was sliding his hands up and down her sides as they rubbed against each other.
She spun to face him as they continued to dance and sweat beaded across their bodies. Katie was soon asking herself why she was fighting this attraction to Zach. As l
ong as she was careful, this could work. He’d been nice tonight, and he was hot. What a body she told herself as she ran her hands over his chest. Even covered in the gray Henley she could see the definition of his chest and arms.
“Like what you see?” he laughed.
Katie blushed at being caught ogling, and she jerked her hands back and turned away.
“I don’t mind, you know,” he teased proudly.
She looked at the ground to cover her embarrassment.
“Hey, let’s go out on the deck to cool off. It’s getting hot in here,” he motioned for her to follow him outside.
Once they were out back, it was much quieter. The closed door muffled the music, and they could actually talk and not have to shout at one another.
Zach leaned against the railing, “So are you having a good time?”
“Sure, do I not seem like I’m having a good time?” she returned.
“Well, you seem to be enjoying yourself, but you’re a hard one to read. You act like you can’t stand me one minute, and then you’re nice to me the next. I’m having a hard time keeping up,” he shrugged.
“Well, maybe if I saw the real you more often, I’d be nice all the time,” she turned away from him.
“What do you mean?” he moved closer.
“Well, you act like such a player at school, and then you bring me here and act like a gentleman. Which one is the real you?” she glanced up at him.
“The one you’re talking to right now,” he moved behind her and placed his hands on the rail on each side of her, pinning her in. “You see through all the bullshit that most people can’t. I figure, I gotta be real with you.” He moved even closer pressing into her back. She tensed and turned slightly.
“Zach, if this is going to work,” she pointed her finger back and forth between them, “then you have to be real with me all the time. No more bullshit. Understand? That is, if you want there to be something here,” she turned fully to face him.
“Of course I do. I can’t believe you’d actually ask me that,” he leaned closer to her until he was mere inches from her face.
He leaned in and offered a soft kiss. When he pulled back, his eyes darted back and forth scanning hers, gauging whether she was ok with it. At first Katie stiffened. She’d been kissed before, but it was just a peck. When he noticed her lick her lips and nod slightly, he groaned lightly and leaned in to kiss her again. When their mouths came in contact with one another, he ran his tongue along her bottom lip and she relaxed and sighed slightly. He took this as an invitation and slipped it inside. Katie tried to actively participate, but she’d never done this before. He reached up and cupped her cheek as he pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.
“Wow,” she sighed.
“Yeah, wow,” he chuckled. “What time do you have to be home?”
“Midnight, why?” she asked slightly dazed.
“Because it’s 11:30. I’ll take you home. We’ll take the subway if you don’t want me driving,” he caressed her cheek as she thought for a minute.
“Ok,” she conceded.
The two said their goodbyes and collected their coats. After promising to call Sam in the morning to give her details, Katie slipped out the door hand in hand with Zach.
Once they arrived back at Katie’s house, Zach walked her to the door. “When can I take you out again? You know, on a real date. One where I can pick you up in my car,” he laughed.
“Call me and we’ll talk,” she smirked and turned towards the door.
“Wait,” he spun her around and crashed his mouth to hers leaving her breathless. “Until next time,” he gasped as he pulled away.
“See you Monday,” she sighed as she turned to open the door.
When she got inside, she found her mother asleep on the couch with a medical journal opened across her lap. She giggled and shook her head. Oh mom, you didn’t need to wait up for me. She jiggled Melanie’s arm, “I’m home. I’m going to bed.”
“Ok sweetie, did you have fun?” Melanie asked.
“Yes, I had a great time. We’ll talk in the morning. I‘m really tired,” Katie was fighting to hide the smile on her face as she trudged towards her bedroom, calling over her shoulder, “Goodnight.”
She walked down the hall to her room and flopped back on her bed.
Zach, you’re an amazing kisser. She giggled to herself. Ahhhh, what have I gotten myself into? she asked as she climbed into bed and passed out from exhaustion.
Chapter 8
The past week had gone well for both Melanie and Katie. Austin had called several times and even stopped by for lunch once. Melanie had been slowly warming up to the idea of him and was finally able to see a future without so much heartbreak. Katie had begun to trust Zach more, but still tried to keep him at arms length. She wasn’t sure how serious he was about having a relationship with her. He’d never mentioned dating her exclusively and she hadn’t asked. “He doesn’t date, he hooks up,” Hannah had told her. Katie was worried that the only reason that Zach wanted anything to do with her was because she kept turning him down. She had told Hannah that Zach was “barking up the wrong tree” if he thought that he was going to “hook up” with her.
As she was standing at her locker putting her books away, Hannah walked up.
“I’m having a small group over tonight for pizza and a movie. Wanna come?” she cocked her head at Katie.
“Do I get an invite to this “get together” too?” they heard from behind them. Just then Zach appeared and slung his arm around Katie’s shoulders.
Hannah glanced at Katie, then back at Zach, then back to Katie, “Sure. We’re meeting at my place at seven.” Hannah turned on her heel and marched off to class.
“So, another party, huh?” Zach smiled wickedly. “I liked the last one. This should be fun. Can I at least pick you up this time?”
Katie blushed and looked at the ground as she toed her shoe into the tile floor, “Whatever,” she huffed.
Zach put a finger under her chin and lifted her face so she was looking him in the eye. “I thought we were going to give this a shot? I mean...we are, aren’t we?”
“Yeah. Come get me at 6:30. I’ve gotta get to class,” she turned and walked away. What was that? she asked herself. Zach just asked you out on another date, he likes you. I mean really likes you. What’s wrong with you, you goof? She shook her head and was mumbling to herself as she walked into class and saw Hannah sitting on a desk talking to Sam.
“We’ll have a great time. See you tonight,” she heard her say.
OOOOOOO
Melanie was sitting at her desk going over a chart when her office phone chimed.
“Dr. Andrews,” she answered. “Yes, I’ll be right there.”
The reception desk had called to let her know she had a delivery downstairs. I wonder what that could be? I’m not expecting anything she mused. She got up and headed downstairs to the main desk. When she got there, there was a box sitting on top with a red ribbon tied around it.
“Who’s this from?” she asked the receptionist.
“I don’t know, but there should be a card somewhere. Maybe it’s inside?” the receptionist smiled. “Somebody fancies you.”
Melanie grabbed the box and walked back to the elevator to head back up to her office. When she got inside, she set the box on her desk and pulled the ribbon to open it, gasping when she lifted the lid. Inside were a dozen beautiful long stemmed red roses with a card lying on top.
It read… You’re beautiful. Join me? She shook her head. Join who, where? Just then her phone chimed again.
“Dr. Andrews,” she answered.
It was the receptionist calling to let her know there was another delivery. Not wishing to repeatedly stop what she was doing and go back downstairs again, she sighed, “Just send him up would you?” After a few minutes, there was a soft knock at her door.
“Come in,” she called.
“Delivery for Dr. Andrews,” the young man responded. He opene
d the door and came in – with another white box with a red ribbon.
“Thank you,” she took the box and placed it on the desk. She untied the ribbon and lifted the lid to find another dozen red roses and another card.
It read… tonight?
She shook her head and dug carefully in the box for another card. What’s going on here? She stuck her head out of her office door to look for the deliveryman. Something wasn’t right here. Who sends flowers with such cryptic messages? As she was pulling her head back in the door, she saw another deliveryman coming around the corner heading right for her. As he approached her, she held out her hand and raised an eyebrow.
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