Page 23 of Where You Are
“So, what you said a before about not spending the night together… and wanting to look forward to it?”
“That’s been my sentiment the last few weeks,” he nods with a sly smile. “And Ihavebeen looking forward to it.”
Good God, we’re talking about having sex without even touching each other. It’s a little unconventional and weird, but also kind of hot.
“And now you want to bedonelooking forward to it?” I tilt my head and quirk an eyebrow, trying to cover for my nerves.
He sucks in a deep breath and lets it out in a sigh that tells me he’s as nervous as I am. “If you’re okay with it… yes. I want to be done looking forward to it.” Both his gaze and his words are cautious and steady, like he’s trying to proceed carefully. “I want to make love with you.”
And then he drops that bomb, causing an insane electrical storm to take place in my insides. All of sudden there’s a softball in my throat, and while I’ve lost my ability to form words, I do not take my eyes from his. When I can’t seem to form a response he adds, “And I have a good feeling that our time together there will give usmoreto look forward to.”
“Melanie,” he nudges, bringing me back to Earth. “That’s not going to happen unless we’re both on board. I just want to get away for a few days alone with you and see if this is something that’s going to be long-term, if there’s a future. You don’t have to say yes to the second part, but will you please come away with me for a few days? I’d like to leave Thursday morning and come back Sunday evening.” He reaches across the counter and takes my hand in his, his thumb sweeping comfortingly across my knuckles.
“Yes,” I say after taking a fortifying breath. “To both.” His eyebrows go up slightly.
He chuckles into his fist when he brings it up to his mouth.
“What?” I ask, giving him a skeptical smile.
“Nothing. You, uh, just kind of made something happen by telling me yes,” he answers and casts his eyes downwards. I can’t help but let out a hearty laugh.
“Well you started it you know,” I jab.
“Fair enough,” he nods, composing himself. “Since we’re talking about it…”
There’s more?
“I know this is always an uncomfortable conversation to have, but I figure now is better than in the heat of the moment.”
“Ohhh,” I smile and close my eyes. He’s right; it is uncomfortable, but here we are, talking and planning on sleeping together in a couple of days. Might as well get passed it now so that we can just enjoy the moment when it comes and not have to interrupt it to have ‘the talk’. “I had a complete wellness check when I got back, including getting a new IUD,” I inform him.
“That’s good. And I get checked out every three months Em, so we’re safe.”
Whew. Now that that’s done…
“So do you think you can finish your work by tomorrow night so that I can pick you up Thursday morning?” he asks, still holding my hand, and stepping around to my side of the counter.
“Yep, no problem,” I tell him, craning my neck back to look up in his eyes.
“Good,” he whispers, smoothing the top of my hair down as he smiles warmly down at me. “I can’t wait.” He gives me a long kiss, before backing away. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
MATT
While I’m excited to get to the lake, I’m enjoying this short little road trip with Mel. It’s roughly an hour drive, and it’s been so relaxing and easy. I’ve got the top on the Jeep but we’ve opted for windows down and radio up for the drive, and we’re jamming out to music while we talk easily. Her warm light is glowing extra bright as she leans an elbow on the door and lazily twirls a strand of her hair that’s come loose from her ball cap around her delicate finger.
The conversation is light, but I’m like a duck on a pond, with my thoughts running a mile a minute beneath the surface. These last few weeks have been crucial in getting to know her, and in a way, they’ve also been like foreplay. I’ve learned not only how she likes to be kissed and touched, but also how to turn her on mentally. Fortunately, the latter doesn’t seem to take much effort passed simply being myself, treating her well, and making sure she knows I’m interested.
I’m ready to take this to the next level. Hell, I’ve been ready, but these next few days I intend to form a bubble around the two of us that no one else can even get close to.
I’ll admit a small part, deep inside of me, is nervous. Forgive the machismo, but I can’t help but wonder what Melanie’s experience level is. Obviously she’s a grown woman that I’m not going to have to handle with kid gloves, and beyond that, she’s spent the last two years around the globe. I haven’t asked, but I would find it hard to believe that she went that long without being at least hit on by countless guys. Countlessforeignguys. Withaccents. And I’d pass no judgement if she took one up on their offer every now and then, because hell, even when you’re not looking for anything permanent, that’s a long time to go without making a physical connection. Nevertheless, I feel this prominent need to make it unforgettable, which means rocking more than just her body. I’ll have to dig down deep to her soul, to shake her core.
I try to remind myself to let it be natural when it happens, and with the connection we have, it will be amazing. I shake out of my brief moment of insecurity and get back in the moment with her, bringing my hand over to rest on her leg for the rest of the drive.
As we get closer to the little lakeside town, we find a small grocery store to grab some things to stock the fridge with for making easy meals for the next few days. It’s still early in the day, and I’m eager to get on the boat pretty quickly when we reach the cabin, so we also grab some ready-made sandwiches, chips, and plenty of beers.
We’re back in the car and haven’t driven very far when Mel lets out an excited gasp at something she sees out her window.
“Ooh! An Asian market! Pull over!”