Chapter 7
A few days later, I was out mowing my yard and saw Erik. He told me he and Kyle could babysit Embry sometime if I liked. How cool is that? I immediately thought about Charleigh and smiled to myself.
The next day at the office, I pick up my cell phone off my desk, pull out the card from my wallet, taking a deep breath, and dial.
“Hello?”
It sounds as if she was asleep.
“Charleigh? It’s Greer. Did I catch you at a bad time?” Of course you did, idiot! She was sleeping!
“Oh. Greer. No I…. I was just getting up for work.” I hear the unmistakable sound of a yawn. Shuffling. Walking. Another yawn. Fuck! Talk!
“Oh. Okay. Well, I….” Out with it, man! Pretend you’re in court. A big case! Go for the win! “I was wondering if you worked or had plans Friday night?” You’re failing. Step up your game! “I’d love to see you again.”
“Friday? No, I don’t work. I would – like that. Very much. But do you have Embry?”
I let out a breath of relief. “I’ve got a neighbor who’ll watch her. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock.”
“Great. Where are we going? How should I dress?” Good question.
“I’ll text you later this week.” Good save. I think.
“Perfect.” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“It was good talking to you, Charleigh.”
“You too, Greer. See you soon.”
Yes. Yes you will.
The week dragged. Anticipation and nervousness about overwhelmed me. The day arrived, and I couldn’t concentrate on anything. At least I won in court yesterday and the next one isn’t for a couple of weeks. I can do this. By five thirty, my hands were sweating and my heart raced as I got into my car to pick up my date. With Charleigh. So I’ll be a little early. When I reach the parking lot of her apartment complex, I find a spot in front of her building. It’s not in the best of shape but not in the worst part of town. I don’t like it. Thinking of her living here – alone. It’s not safe. She’s a big girl, Greer. Get a grip. Now I feel all kinds of protectiveness. We’ll have to talk about this – later. By the time I’ve finished my internal monologue, it’s six o’clock on the nose. Taking a few deep breaths, I walk into her building, finding her door easily behind the stairs on the left. Raising my fist, I knock, hearing sounds within. The door opens and instantly my breath escapes me. She’s more than beautiful wearing a light blue dress, which makes the blue in her eyes stand out, low cut, exposing the swell of her abundant breasts.
“Greer. You’re right on time.” If she only knew.
“I’d never leave a beautiful woman waiting.”
A light blush spreads across her cheeks as she lowers her head shyly. “Thank you.”
Lifting up my arm, I smile. “Shall we?” Her arm moves through mine, her small hand rests on my forearm. We walk to my car and I open her door, watching her slide gracefully onto the seat. I feel strangely calm as I walk to the other side and get in.
“Where are we going?”
When I texted her yesterday, I simply told her to dress up but casual. Her dress is simple yet beautiful. “You’ll see.”
Her smile is wide as I drive across town, pulling into the parking lot of my favorite seafood restaurant, right on a pier. “Have you eaten here before?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I’ve always wanted to.”
“Good.” I smile then get out of the car. I feel elated as I walk over and open her door, holding out my hand. She puts hers in mine and I continue to hold it as I open the door of the restaurant and we walk inside. As we follow the hostess, she seats us at a table for two in the corner, with a window next to us overlooking the ocean. I suddenly want to show her everything.
“Would you care for some wine with dinner?” Smiling she nods. “Give me your best bottle of Pinot Noir and shrimp cocktails for appetizers, please.” The waitress smiles and walks away. I stare at Charleigh, looking out the window, a light blush on her cheeks. With the sun beginning its descent, a warm glow covers her skin. “I might have missed telling you how beautiful you look tonight.” Her eyes move to mine. Soft. Blue like the ocean water. “You do you know.”
“Thank you,” she whispers.
Our wine arrives and I taste the small amount poured in my glass, moving it around in my mouth and taking in the flavor. I nod to the waitress and she pours each of us a glass, leaving the bottle.
“I’m not used to this.” Charleigh speaks after taking a sip. I give her a questioning look. Her hand moves around the table. “Fine dining. A wonderful, handsome man complimenting me. All of this.”
I smile. “How old are you, Charleigh? I know it’s not proper to ask, but I’m curious. You’re working two jobs, taking college courses, yet you seem to know what you want to do already.” The blush on her cheeks darkens. “It’s difficult for you to receive compliments.” It’s not a question but a fact. “Tell me about you.”
“There’s not that much to tell.” She begins. “Came from a broken home. No support so I moved out at an early age. Had to do things the hard way but I think it made me a better person. Made me more determined to make something out of my life.” She smiles, sadly. “I’ve been saving, what I can, and will start out with a teaching job at a preschool until I can have one of my own – once I graduate. Until then, I’ll continue how I am.” Her smile brightens. “I’m twenty-two.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.
We sit there in comfortable silence, drinking our wine, but our eyes never leave each other’s. “I admire you. The dedication and perseverance you have.” That blush I’m growing to love makes an appearance once again. “It is an admirable quality.”
She sets down her glass. “Okay. Turn around is fair play. You look very handsome tonight. Now, tell me about you.” This is the part I’d been dreading, yet if I am going to give us a chance, I will not have any secrets between us. Just as I open my mouth to confess everything, the waitress appears asking for our orders.
“Would you mind if I order for both of us?” I ask Charleigh. She nods and I proceed to give the waitress our orders. The same thing for both of us. Lobster, steak, with all the fixings of vegetables, and a baked potato. Salad to begin.
“Okay now. Please, don’t let the interruption stop you from telling me about yourself.” She smiles then takes a drink. A small part of me was hoping she’d forgotten.
I tell her everything. From my college days, meeting Gianna, to the evening at the bar when I met her. It was easier than I’d imagined. I felt as if I could tell her anything. She made me feel comfortable with only her presence. I fell deeper for her.
We talked the night away. About everything. Down to our favorite books, movies, and ice cream flavor. She made my first date in so long easy and memorable. I took her home after we walked along the beach. Once at her front door, she unlocked it and stepped inside, holding onto the doorframe. “I’d like to kiss you,” I whisper.
“I’d like that.”
Just like my daydream, I reach up and push my hand through her soft long hair and cup the back of her neck, pulling her close. Her lips are warm, soft, as I cover them with mine. My free hand wants to cover her breast, my cock pushing against my dress pants wanting to be inside her. Instead I release her mouth, look into her eyes and smile. “Goodnight, Charleigh. Thank you for a lovely evening. May I take you out again?” I watch her head move, and her throat as she swallows hard. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.”
Leaving her standing there with swollen lips and that light blush was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, but I forced myself. It wouldn’t have taken much for me to follow her inside, tear off her clothes, and lift her into my arms. I wouldn’t have hesitated to carry her to her room, lay her on her bed, and make passionate love to her. God knows, my cock was more than eager as was my heart. I’ll not make this out to be a one night stand. I won’t do that to her. She deserves more. She’s better than that and so am I. So, I got in my car, drove home, and walked into my nearly empty house thanking all things that are holy that Emily was already in her bedroom. Immediately, I went into my room, stripped, and got into the shower, taking the soap and my hardened cock in my hand, getting the relief I needed. Fuck, I’ve not done that in a long time. Never needed to take things into my own hands – or hand, if you will. Yet I had no choice. It was the only way I could imagine Charleigh, down on her knees, taking me into that sweet mouth.
Fuck! Now, I’m hard again.
After taking care of myself again, I went over and picked up Embry from Erik’s, thanking them profusely. I carried my sleeping princess back home and tucked her in.
The next few weeks have been the happiest I’ve had in a long time. Something I never thought would happen after what I’d been through. I never knew there would be someone who could make me feel this way again. That you could give your heart to someone else. Oh, I knew from a parent’s perspective. Embry took my heart the second she came into this world. But to be able to have such strong feelings for another woman? Didn’t think that was possible. Thank fuck it is.
We’ve been out on several dates. My heart swells every time I see her, hear her voice. I’ve not taken it farther than kissing and some fondling, not wanting to go too fast. It’s not that I don’t desire her. Hell, I wanted to make love to her after our first date. Am I hesitant? Yeah, a bit. My heart can’t take too much more destruction and I have to think about how everything would affect Embry. Is she the one? Possibly. It’s too early to know for sure, but I’m more than willing to take the time to be sure. Am I guarding my heart? You bet your sweet ass I am, yet there’s something about Charleigh that draws me in. She intrigues me. Gives me a hard-on instantly. But, she’s so much more. I love to hear her talk about her plans to open a preschool. How excited she becomes when she animatedly tells me all about how she wants it set up, what she wants to provide children while teaching them.
Still, in her younger age, I love to watch her learn things. Two months later, we were sitting at her place, just finished with dinner, and she was studying for one of her courses. Suddenly, she screamed about something she feels will help create an exciting way to teach children.
“Can you imagine the possibilities?”
She waves her hands around, her face glowing with excitement. Reaching over the table, I grab her wrist, her laughter sweet as I pull her out of her chair and onto my lap. Her head bows back as her laughter continues, her legs straddling my already eager cock. Reaching up, I cup her face, her sweet sounds dying as we stare into each other’s eyes. “You’re so beautiful,” I whisper. Her breathing is heavy. Her chest rising and falling. My eyes never leave hers as I pull her down, covering her mouth with mine. I deepen the kiss, my hand fondling her breasts as our tongues play a game of tag. My breathing rapidly increases as my hardened cock swells even more. “I want you,” I whisper. “So badly.” I’ve tried to be a gentleman, tried to take things slow, but I’ve reached my limit.
Her lips release mine, leaving me wanting. Quickly, my heart speeds up even more as she begins kissing the side of my neck. My hand acts on its own, squeezing her ample breast. Her luscious mouth moves up until she nips my earlobe. “I want you too. Please….” The warmth of her breath fills my ear. Her hips buck, spurring on my more than eager cock.
Rubbing my cheek against hers, I reach down and grab her firm bottom with my hands. “I’m not sure I can stop.” My words come out choppy, along with my breathing.
“Don’t…. stop….” She moans as I squeeze her bottom.
Lifting her, effortlessly, my mouth latching onto hers, I carry her into her bedroom, her legs wrapping around me as I lay her on her bed. Our kissing started out sweet, almost innocent, but soared into a fiery need and want quickly. “Not kissing you is like telling me not to breathe,” I whisper, kissing all over her face until I begin kissing her neck. “Not touching you is like cutting off my hands.” Leaning up, I grab the hem of her shirt, pulling it up. She sits up, long enough for me to pull it over her head. Quickly, I unsnap her bra as she lies down. I kiss each shoulder as I lower the straps, and it elicits a soft moan from her gorgeous mouth. Removing it completely, I throw it over my shoulder as my mouth covers a rosy perk nipple. Her hips buck as her head bows into the mattress.
“God! Greer!”
Her moans make me want to go faster, give relief to us both, but I push my needs aside and pay homage to her body. Kissing the underneath of her breast, I move to the other as I begin pulling down her yoga pants. I’m not used to these type of pants and love the easiness of them. My mouth reaches the Promised Land. She squirms as I drink from the Fountain of Youth. Her youth. Her sweetness.
Okay. Let’s stop right here – some guys, who talk big, say it tastes sweet. Um, really? There is a uniqueness about it, that’s true. Not saying I don’t love it, but let’s be real, okay? It doesn’t taste sweet. No. Doesn’t make it less appealing. Doesn’t make us not crave it. It’s – sexy. Okay, I digress.
I’d come prepared. Pulled a condom from my wallet as I removed my pants. Didn’t ask her if she was on some kind of birth control. Didn’t care. This is to protect both of us. Personally, I’d love to have more children – someday – but made with love. Besides, it’s not my decision to make.
“Ungh!” I slide into her, moving deeper yet not fully inside yet. Until….
“Um. Charleigh?” Her eyes open lazily. “Are you a virgin?” Dear Lord! I’d not thought that she could be a virgin. Now, there’s something about taking a v-card. Every man on the planet wants – no, dreams – of doing that. It’s like a fantasy, to some. I’ve only experienced that once, and I have to say, it was the best sex ever. But again, this is not my decision. Oh, she’s willing. Yet I need to make sure this isn’t due to the heat of the moment. That she really wants this. This – is special. It’s a one-time only thing. It should be done with someone who you have deep feelings for. Maybe even love. She nods – slightly. Fuck me. I don’t move. I can’t. Slowly, I reach up and cup her face and smile. “Charleigh. Are you absolutely sure? I don’t want to do anything you don’t want to do. I can wait.” No. I can’t. But I will.
She smiles, putting her hand on mine. “I want this, Greer. Truly.”
It takes me a moment before I can move. Staring into her eyes, I want her to be sure. Leaning up, she kisses me, hard. Then I felt something I haven’t in years. Her small hand wraps around my cock, the part that didn’t make it inside her. I gasp as I close my eyes. Fuck that feels so good. “Greer, I’m sure. Please….” She didn’t need to ask again. Feeling the loss of her hand, I push inside her swiftly. “God!” My eyes snap open. A fleeting moment of pain washes across her face.
“Fuck! Are you okay?” I hadn’t thought about what that would feel like to her. Idiot! Selfish! Stupid! She answers by relaxing then moving her hips, pushing me in deeper. Closing my eyes, the loudest, deepest moan escapes me. I begin to move, and I look down to find her eyes staring into mine. Her hands grip my arms as she moves in sync. Fuck! I’ve never felt anything close to this before. Is this what I’ve been missing? As my desire grows, which I hadn’t thought possible, we move faster and harder. The only sounds in the room are of our skin slapping against each other’s and our heavy pants. Leaning down, I kiss her fiercely, trying to keep my arms from collapsing and falling on top of her as I muffle my yell against her mouth. Finally, not able to hold myself up any longer, I fall onto the mattress beside her, my arm lying across her. Both of us have a slight sheen of sweat, our breathing irregular.
“That was…. amazing. Incredible.”
Turning my head, I smile. Her face is glowing, but I’m sure she didn’t have an orgasm. Most women don’t the first time. Or so I’ve heard. “You’re being too kind. I’m sure it wasn’t….”
She rolls over onto her side facing me, my arm moving around her more. “No, I’m not. It really was.” She gives me the cutest smirk. Moving onto my side, I pull her close and kiss her.
“Was that a smirk?” I tease.
She looks up as if thinking, then back at me. “Maybe?” She lets out a shriek when suddenly I’m on top of her, tickling her everywhere I can while she tries to push me away. “Stop! Stop!” Her laughter is loud and infectious. “I give!” She thrashes around beneath me, laughing so hard there’s no sound. I stop and just look at her, pushing some of her long hair away from her face.
“You’re so incredibly beautiful,” I whisper.
As she begins to sit up, I start to lean back, her mouth pressing against mine. By the time I open my eyes, she’s on top of me, and my more than eager cock is back inside her.
“Wow! Greer! I’m so excited for you!”
The next day, after no sleep and a ton of extracurricular activity, I make the mistake of telling Emily. Not all the details. I’m not a girl.
“What? You don’t look happy.” I am.
I look down at my folded hands then back up at her. “I am. It’s just….”
“You’re afraid of getting hurt.” Fuck! Now that sounds like I am a girl. But it’s true. “Greer. Everyone stands a chance of getting hurt. It’s perfectly normal to feel that way.” It is?
“She’s just – everything. You know?” Emily nods and smiles. “I never knew it could be this way.” I sigh.
“You didn’t feel the same with Gianna?” She leans over, resting her arms on her legs, listening intently.
Sadly, I shake my head. “I mean, I thought I loved Gianna. Maybe I did. At one time. But it didn’t feel like this. It’s – different.” I shake my head again. “It’s difficult to explain.”
“Well, I’m not much help after my breakup with Jeremy.” She laughs. “I kind of know what you mean. I think. Everyone we meet, we feeling differently about them. Some more than others. You loved Gianna, but maybe it wasn’t strong enough. Maybe what you’re feeling for Charleigh is leading to a more purposeful relationship. Even after everything you and I have been through, I believe if it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”
Reaching out, I flick her nose. “How’d you get to be so smart?”
She laughs. “Obviously, I’m not that smart. I’m single, aren’t I?” Smiling I let out a laugh. “Oh! I got a job at the emergency clinic today! Soon I’ll be able to find a place and get out of your hair.”
“No hurry. I kind of like having you here.” We sit in silence for a moment. “Should I call her? I mean, do I wait a couple of days or is calling her the day after too soon? She’ll think I’m too eager. No. I should wait. She’ll think I’m overbearing.”
“Greer. Um….” She smiles but I can tell she’s trying not to laugh. It’s not funny. “Don’t think like the generalization of man.” Huh? “If you had a good time, which I can tell you did – call her. Don’t be like a loon and make her wait, wondering if you’re gonna call. Sheesh. Let her know you appreciate her. Let her know what you did mattered. She’s not gonna think you’re overeager, she’s gonna think you like her.”
Standing, I clap my hands. I’m way overthinking things and acting like I’m in high school. Again. “You’re right. I’m going to go call her.”
I saw her eyes roll as I walked by. Let her think I’m weird.
“This is Charleigh. Sorry I can’t get to the phone right now. Please leave me a message and I’ll think about calling you back.”
Great. Maybe I should go to the bar. No. She’s working.
Beep.
“Uh, Charleigh. It’s me. Greer.” Stop sounding like an idiot. “Look. I’m sure you’re at work. I meant to call you earlier.” Fuck. “I had an amazing time last night. I can’t wait to see you again. I’ll try to call you again tomorrow.”
That wasn’t so bad.
That was so lame.
That night, I had an extremely difficult time going to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, Charleigh’s face appeared. Finally giving up, I sat up with a start and grabbed my phone from the nightstand. The light from the screen about blinded me, but I managed to find her contact.
“Hello? Greer?” I look at my alarm clock. Shit! It’s two fifteen! “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Everything’s fine. I’m sorry if I woke you.” Idiot! I smack my forehead.
“No! It’s fine. I’ve only been home from work for about a half an hour. I’m just getting some studying in before I go to bed.”
“Do you ever sleep?” I laugh.
I can hear the shyness in her voice. “Well, I didn’t last night.” My heart might have skipped a beat – or two. “So worth it.”
“It so was,” I reply. “What’s your schedule like? I’d love to see you again.”
LOVE? No. No. No! You don’t ever use the “L” word too soon! Way to put thoughts in her beautiful head. She’s going to think you’re some creeper that falls in love with the drop of a hat any time you meet a woman.
“I’d love that too.” Wait! What? “I had an amazing time as well. I’m off tomorrow night. I’ll be trying to get some studying done during the day.”
A light bulb goes off. “I’ll pick you up at eleven. Bring your books or computer or whatever you need. Dress casual.”
“What? Really? Okay.”
“See you tomorrow, Charleigh.”
Setting my phone back on the nightstand, I get comfortable in bed and look up at the ceiling. Now my mind is racing with everything I need to do tomorrow before I pick her up.