CHAPTER 18
I’m watching Ellen, and she’s up to her usual shenanigans. I laugh at something silly she says to her first guest, and graceless dork that I am, almost fall right off the treadmill.
Yeah, I’m on a treadmill. I even joined a gym. In fact, I lost ten pounds and feel fantastic. When I told Michael this, he made me promise not to lose any weight in my breasts. He doesn’t want them to shrink.
He’s a funny, funny guy.
But endearing in his own special way.
Tonight is my third date with Scott, and I have crazy nervous chills living in my stomach.
The third date is put out date, and I can’t wait.
I’m so hot for him.
It’s not like I’m lacking in the sex department. Michael keeps me busy. It’s just the thought of lying naked next to Scott, of him touching me everywhere, driving into me… relentlessly pounding…
Yeah, I’m going to fall flat on my ass on this treadmill if I keep up thoughts like that.
On our second date, we made out in his car for nearly half an hour. And when he finally slipped a hand under my shirt and bra, I’d been desperate for more, but held back.
I took his lead and finally got to touch his rippling muscles. Oh, my hands couldn’t get enough of him. I don’t know how I kept myself from ripping his shirt right off his body.
I got so wet. No, strike that. I got drenched.
I’m sure he knew.
The heady smell of my desire permeated the car. I hope he had to jerk himself off after he walked me to the door. The evidence of his own lust was clear as he pressed against my stomach while we kissed good night. It’s only fair after he’d gotten me so turned on.
Oh, how I just wanted to grab his hand and thrust it between my legs. Okay, let’s be honest. It wasn’t really his hand I wanted between my legs. It’s not like he didn’t try. He almost catapulted himself into my apartment, and I was like the ice hockey goalie, standing in the crease, defending the net, not letting him score.
He was dejected, sad, maybe even a little angry, but I held my ground. I have the most unconventional job, but I want my dating life to be as normal as possible. That means waiting until the third date. No matter how much I ache for him.
Michael’s touch is hard and relentless, and I love it, crave it, masturbate to the memory of it, but I can’t help wondering what it will be like with Scott. He’s such a gentleman. Will he be the same way in bed? Slow and exacting, bringing me moment by agonizing moment to pleasure that goes on and on?
Okay then, enough treadmill. Let’s see if I can do some time on the stationary bike without falling off. These thoughts are testing my balance as it is.
“Hot damn, Kim! Looking good!”
I smile as I settle myself on the bike and start pedaling. “Aw, thanks, Larry.”
“What happened? I thought we were treadmill buddies?”
He pouts, and it’s so cute. “Aw, sorry. I already did my time on that heinous machine. How about tomorrow?”
Larry is sweet. We often walk side by side to nowhere on the treadmill. He’s average looking and in fair shape and fun to talk to. I don’t feel any sort of spark, but the attention is so nice. And he even pointed out a couple of other guys who have been eying me.
Who have I become?
Am I now the one guys lust after at the gym?
Is it possible I deserve it?
My muscles ache but in that good after sex — I mean, after work out — way, and I smile as I arrive home, eager to get ready for my date.
There’s a message on my answering machine, and I press play as I walk by. I no longer care if it’s another job rejection, and I smile when I hear Jenn’s voice.
“Kim! Call me when you get this. Do you remember Gina, Lisa, and Sandra? We’re getting together tomorrow night, and they’re dying to see you. They want to know all about where you disappeared to and make you buy them drinks now that you’re back. Call me.”
Yeah, sure, I remember those girls. What I find remarkable is that they remember me.
I need to stop being so down on myself. It would appear that my self-perceptions are not aligned with other people’s.
Crazy, right? I know.
I call Jenn back and barely give her time to say hello before I’m bombarding her. “Tonight’s my third date with Scott, and you’re trying to distract me? What kind of evil monster are you?” I laugh as she bursts into mad cackles. I remember how much I always liked her as the days go by.
“Holy shit, Pond! You’re going to fuck Adonis! Girl, I’m going to need details. In fact, you need to get a picture of him, and all of us are going to need details tomorrow night. You’re coming, right?”
I’m smiling like an idiot. “Yes, yes, I’ll be there. When and where?”
Jenn gives me directions to a bar on Long Island I’m not familiar with, insists again that I get a picture of Scott for everyone to drool over, and then tells me that she has something intense to talk to me about. Of course, when I ask her what it is she says it’ll wait until tomorrow night.
“Jenn, you are an evil wench!” I laugh. “See you tomorrow.”