When I walked into the office the next day, there was a package waiting for me. It had been overnighted. I hadn’t ordered anything and when I did, I never paid extra for overnight delivery.
I shook the box. It sounded like books. I took it back to my desk and opened it.
Oh! My! Gosh! He didn’t!
Eric had sent a box of black-and-white film classics. Citizen Kane, Casablanca, Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, Dr Strangelove, To Kill a Mockingbird, It’s a Wonderful Life, and others.
I texted him immediately. Got the movies. Thank you so much!
He immediately texted back. Glad you liked the surprise. I love making you happy.
We’ll have to watch one next weekend when you visit.
Definitely! Have a great day!
You, too!
I felt as if I were a helium balloon floating skyward, buoyed by the wind, leaving all my worries and cares behind. I never expected when Eric and I first texted a month ago that I’d feel this way so quickly, but I did.
I told Jackie about the surprise after exercise class that night. She clutched her heart. ‘He’s so romantic.’
I opened my locker. ‘I know, right? Sometimes I think it’s all a dream and I’m going to wake up and he won’t be there.’
Jackie grabbed her things out of her locker. ‘Doesn’t sound like you have to worry about that.’
‘I can’t wait for you to meet him,’ I said as we walked out of the gym.
We walked to our cars and came to mine first. I hugged Jackie. ‘Thanks for always being there. I love you.’
‘I love you, too. See you later.’
That night, after I talked to Eric for an hour, I watched one of the movies he sent: It’s A Wonderful Life. Every year at Christmas, Grandma and I used to watch it together. It always brought tears to my eyes. So many memorable characters, memorable lines and memorable moments. I especially loved the end when George Bailey realizes that he’s not a failure but rich beyond his wildest dreams thanks to great friends and family. That night as I snuggled in bed with Izzy by my side, I felt rich.
The week buzzed by and when Saturday arrived I was ready to relax. I woke up early to run to the grocery store. I wanted to pick up some items for lunch and maybe some cheese and olives to snack on later. Eric had texted that he was on his way and would be at my apartment by eleven.
When I got home, I jumped in the shower and shaved. I was glad my nail technician could fit me in at the last minute on Friday. I wanted to look my best for Eric.
The doorbell rang and I expected it to be Eric, but it was a young boy selling candy bars for a school fundraiser. I ran to get money to buy two but when I returned, the boy was gone and Eric was holding a bouquet of sunflowers and the entire box of candy.
‘Where’d the boy go?’
Eric handed me the box. ‘I bought all of his candy.’
My eyes widened. ‘But there must have been fifty bars in that box.’
Eric picked up his satchel and overnight bag. ‘Take them to the office for your co-workers to enjoy.’
‘You’re too much!’
Eric followed me into the kitchen and watched as I put the flowers in a vase. ‘I think I’ve received more flowers from you in the short time we’ve known each other than I have my entire life. You really don’t have to bring me flowers every time I see you.’
He kissed the back of my neck making me dizzy with desire. ‘But I like buying you flowers.’
I twisted my neck. ‘Eric, stop. Let me finish arranging these flowers.’
‘But I’ve waited so long to be with you again.’ He continued to plant soft kisses on my neck.
I put the last sunflower into the vase. ‘It’s only been six days.’
I held up the vase. ‘Done. What do you think?’
‘I think I want to devour every inch of your body.’
I set the vase down. The truth was, I’d been counting the minutes until we’d be together again, too. He scooped me up and carried me to my bedroom and laid me down. I started to remove my shirt.
‘No,’ he said. ‘Let me do it.’
I lay on the bed, and he slowly undressed me. My insides squirmed in anticipation, which, from the smile on his face, he seemed to enjoy. He slowly removed each piece of clothing as if he were unwrapping a gift and wanted to prolong the surprise for as long as he could. He kissed every area of my body: My neck, my breasts, my belly button, my inner thigh. I thought I was going to die I wanted him so much.
‘Please, Eric.’
‘Do you want me?’
‘Are you mine?’
‘Yes.’
‘Say that you’re mine.’
I moaned. ‘I’m yours.’
‘You belong to me?’
‘Yes, I belong to you. I think I love you.’
‘Say it again.’
‘I love you.’
‘Oh, Shelly, I love you, too!’
And with that Eric undressed and completely consumed me. I thought our love making last weekend was great, but today had topped that. I’d never been with someone so skilled in knowing how to please me and love me. I knew then that I’d never want to live without him.
‘Who do you belong to?’ Eric asked afterwards.
‘You.’
‘Say it.’
‘I belong to you.’