Chapter Seven
Tasha
The moment I opened my eyes, I felt the terrible throbbing of a hangover. Groaning, I was reminded of why I always stayed clear of bars. Besides, partying like that wasn’t good for my job.
As I struggled to climb out of bed and to clear my head, the memories of last night suddenly flashed in my mind. I couldn’t help smiling as I thought of Stryder and how much fun we had. I guess the hangover was worth it, after all. But I must learn to control my drinking if I was going to another bar again—which was quite likely if I’ll be hanging out more with Stryder and his buddies.
“Did he just tuck me in to bed or was that my fucking imagination?” I muttered to myself after washing my face and brushing my teeth. I noticed, though, that I was still wearing the same clothes, but without the jacket.
My stomach grumbled. I was damn hungry.
Just as I was about to make myself a cup of coffee, I heard my front door open. Curious, I stood up to look.
To my utmost surprise, Stryder came in, looking freshly showered and smelling really good. He was holding two packed meals and a carton container with two cups of coffee dangling from it.
“Hello, Tasha,” he greeted nonchalantly, as if nothing was amiss. “Good morning.”
“Hey, good morning,” I said in a sleepy voice, though I was still puzzled.
“You should see the look on your face,” he said, chuckling as he set down the food and drinks on the dining table. “Here, we should eat first before I jog your memory.”
“Okay,” I said, still bewildered. I was starving, though, so the bagels with cream cheese and the pancakes with bacon and eggs looked very inviting. “Thank you,” I said sincerely, leaning over to give him a kiss on the cheek.
“You’re welcome,” he said with his stunning smile, which seemed to melt my heart even more.
Over breakfast, we talked about the game and the celebration at the bar, and even our disastrous karaoke challenge. Laughing, I totally embraced his presence and felt like we really belonged together. It was odd and even funny, but I could sense our strong connection moving another notch higher.
“So you mean you stayed for the night?” I asked incredulously.
“Yes,” he said. “I hope that’s okay.”
“It is,” I said, gazing at him with my heart beating extra fast. “Real sweet of you, actually.”
“Hhmm… thanks, I guess. I’m rarely described as ‘sweet’.”
I laughed. “Well, you are… in your own way…”
Suddenly, my cellphone began ringing loudly, interrupting our conversation. When I saw that it was Mom, I suddenly went into panic mode because I just remembered we had this family thing tonight that I had not prepared for yet.
“Mom, what’s up?” I said casually, signaling for Stryder to stay quiet.
After greeting me and asking how I was, she went straight to asking what time I was planning to come home for dinner. Mom’s sister and her husband had just arrived with their kids from Australia where they had migrated to years ago.
“Uhmm…” I began hesitantly, feeling another wave of headache coming. “I’m not feeling so well, Mom.”
“Oh, please, please, you can’t back out now!” my foster mother cried out.
“Okay…” I said uneasily, not wanting to disappoint her. “I’ll just rest some more and perhaps get there before dinnertime.”
“That’s great, sweetheart,” Mom said with relief. “Pop will be very happy to see you!”
She sounded so excited so I really couldn’t let her down. Because I had been busy lately, I hadn’t had the time to visit them. Besides, I also wanted to check on Pop and make sure he was alright.
“Okay, I’ll see you later,” I said before ending the call.
“Your mom?” Stryder guessed.
I nodded. “Her sister had just arrived from Australia so she’s throwing a small dinner party tonight.”
“Where is home again?” he asked.
“Green Meadows,” I said, referring to my hometown in the suburbs.
“That’s even farther than Burchnell, Alex’s hometown,” Stryder remarked, narrowing his eyes. “You can’t drive for more than four straight hours in your condition.”
“I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “I just need some meds to relieve this headache.”
“Let me drive for you,” he suddenly offered, to my amazement.
I wanted to ask if he was sure, but I didn’t want him to change his mind. This was too good to be true, considering how I had been doubting his intentions lately. Perhaps this would help us grow closer, and he’d finally let his guard down just enough for me to step in for a real relationship.
Without realizing it, I fell asleep on the couch as we were watching TV. When I opened my eyes again, he had meds ready for me along with Chinese takeout lunch.
“This is too much,” I said as I stretched and sat up. My heart was soaring as I gazed up at the man it was beating for.
“Complaining already?” he joked.
I threw my hands up in the air, laughing. “Definitely not! But beware, I might get used to this.”
He grinned, but there was a look of uncertainty in his eyes. Or perhaps I just imagined it. I decided to just let it go, though, rather focusing on the happy moment.
After we ate and I took the medication he bought, I felt a lot better. “Thanks so much, Stryder,” I said from the bottom of my heart, squeezing his hand.
“You’re welcome,” he answered, looking into my eyes as his other hand covered mine. “I’m glad you’re okay now.”
A tingling sensation ran down my spine, but I chose to ignore it. There was a voice within me that kept asking what we were to each other now and where our relationship was headed. However, I was afraid to speak out and risk ruining the bubbling joy in my heart.
He plopped down beside me on the couch and took me in his arms. Grinning widely with a mischievous glint in his eye, he softly growled, “Now it’s time for you to pay me back…”
“Really now?!” I exclaimed, laughing. My heart was beginning to pump harder just as I felt a damp sensation between my legs.
Without another word, he leaned forward to kiss me. Our lips met in a passionate, delicious kiss. We fell back on the couch with hands groping one another and our legs intertwining. I could feel him growing above me, making me even more aroused.
Pieces of our garments were strewn across the floor as we both stripped naked in a hurry, eager to feel each other’s bodies, the heat within us blending together in fiery ecstasy.
He sat up gently, pulling me up with him and leading me to the bathroom where we showered and had wild sex under the warm running water.
Time seemed to hang suspended in the air, as if the entire morning hadn’t gone by yet. I felt like I was frozen in a romantic movie in which the next scene was totally unpredictable. It was both exciting and terrifying.
In the afternoon, Stryder helped me pack my things for a two-night stay. Then we dropped by his house so he could pick up his stuff.
I suddenly remembered him mentioning about his photography hobby. “Hey, why don’t you bring your camera?” I quipped. “I promise you’re going to love our house by the lake, the forest and the mountains, all the wonderful scenery…”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, hesitation clear on his face. Then before I could urge him once more, he simply shrugged and grabbed his camera.
I didn’t prod because he always appeared to hide behind invisible curtains when we talked about this supposed hobby of his. It was like a taboo subject, so unlike how he opened up about football.
“You sure you’re willing to stay there for two nights?” I asked him when we were heading back to the parking area.
He shrugged. “I’ve got nothing better to do, so I guess I’ll have to settle with spending more nights with you.”
I made a face at him, but eventually laughed.
“That’s if it’s fine with your parents,” he added as we got into the car.
“Don’t worry, they’re cool folks,” I assured him. “Ever since I graduated from college, they just sort of let me do my own thing. They really gave me a lot of freedom.”
“That’s amazing,” he said, looking really surprised. “Wish mine were that cool.”
“What do you mean? Are your parents strict?” I wondered.
He began to drive as I peeked at him curiously. His facial expression was unreadable.
“My dad’s a pain in the ass about football,” was all he said, his eyes fixed on the road. I noticed his jaw tightening and the muscle on his arm becoming rigid as his grip on the wheel tensed. I’m guessing this was a painful and uncomfortable topic for him, so I decided not to push further. I knew he’d open up once he was ready.