“You coulda invited me back up to your room, lil mean girl.”
She looked at the text and laughed to herself. Little did he know that, had it not been for the console in between them that first night, she probably would’ve risked it all 2 mins into the tongue kissing session. “And you coulda invited me to your crib, lil rude boy,” she responded. “Touché,” he replied. She set the phone down and headed to shower, prepping to “nap” before hitting the road in about 6 hours. It had been a min since she was up til 5a, two days in row, but not a first. As she lied down, she took a quick glance at her phone, noticing another text had come thru.
“It’s cool because I’ma be coming to your house real soon.”
Hmph.
________
After two weeks of sporadic texting amidst life activities, she noticed he hadn’t mentioned visiting again. And while she’d never been the one to be pressed, she knew just enough about him to want to suggest that he make the quick trip, but not enough to do anything that seemed like asking. Men like that did what they wanted to do. If seeing her was on the list, he’d make it happen.
It was Friday, and adult night at the rink, which meant the usual crowd would likely be at Saints for the opportunity to skate without tripping over children and “non-rollers”. Her skate bag was by the door, her 10-yr old was with his dad for the weekend, and her calendar was starting to give her grace. So, close to 8p she grabbed her bag and headed to the shared garage, waving to Al, the janitor, as she pulled off. Turning into the lot of the skating rink, the message that flashed across the Apple Watch on her wrist about made her rear-end the black F150 in front of her.
“The drive wasn’t too bad at all. What you got going?”
The drive?! From his city? The contact name it was showing couldn’t be correct. She pulled into a spot and picked up her phone. It was correct. And it was him.
She took a deep breath, thankful that she’d instituted Friday afternoon pampering sessions, because the eyebrows (among other things) were not groomed for guests just this morning. Makeup wasn’t really her thing either way unless it was for an important event, so her natural beauty was able to be just that, natural. She didn’t enjoy pop ups, but at least she was cute enough for one.
“I feel like the warning text or pigeon carrying the message you were coming got lost,” she replied.
“And yet, you gon let me see you anyway,” he replied.
He was right. She couldn’t even front. She sent her location and headed into the rink. Another benefit of the 35+ session, music she could relate to. She was skating backwards, vibing to Motivation - T.I. when a feeling of being watched came over her. She looked over to the usual suspects, but the “Friday Flirters” were all preoccupied. She turned her head toward the door and her heart pretended it didn’t belong her chest. He was just inside the doorway, smirking as she locked eyes with him.
The entire room seemed to stop, figuratively and literally, as people began to take notice of a new face. She left the rink, suddenly self-conscious about how much of her vibing he might have seen before she felt his presence. He engulfed her in a bear hug and whispered in her ear, “That’s the face I was expecting. Why would I warn you and deprive myself of that?” He gently kissed her cheek as he released her, and she suddenly felt like she had done enough skating for the night. 30 mins was plenty.
_____
“And this, is my place,” she said, as they entered her loft. She had taken him on a tour of the building first, knowing he’d appreciate the art and aesthetic of the common areas. The rooftop was his favorite, though she noticed he had a bit more appreciation for the gym than the other friends and family who preceded him in the tour.
“I see you,” he exclaimed! “I know you see ME,” she retorted, “look at the space…” He eyeballed her before walking into her personal bubble and leaned in close as he said, “And we were doing good. I guess this is you telling me it’s time to start,” to which she replied, “I thought I couldn’t tell you what to do…”
And that’s what lead to play fighting on the couch. Which then lead to him having her pinned under him on the couch. Which then lead her mind completely astray. “Where did you go…?” he mumbled in her ear, noticing her far away gaze. She snapped back to reality, but words were not forming. His lips were trailing down her neck while his hands were coming up her sides. “Cat got ya tongue,” he asked, as his head moved lower and he shot her that soul piercing glare. He chuckled. “I woulda NEVER thought you could be speechless.”
That brought back her vocal cords and muscle reflexes. “Lawd,” she exclaimed while simultaneously pulling herself into a seated position and out from under his grasp. He sat back and frowned as she stood up and turned to look at him. His expression changed as he stated, “I’m not usually one to misread a situation either, Love. I thought we were on the same page but if you’re not…”
She cut him off. “You’re not misreading anything. We are. I just…I’ve had dates pick me up since living here, but I just realized I haven’t brought any man inside until now. I think this would be a good opportunity to christen my new bed.” A wave of understanding flushed over his face. Without a word, he stood and took her hand, allowing her to lead him upstairs.
Her room was a “girly” room as far as decor and plant life, but the grey four post bed in the center took his immediate focus. Yeah, he was the man for the job. She began to unbutton his jeans and he stopped her. Before even coming, he recalled a prior conversation about the enjoyment she got from BDSM, and besides, nothing about him said he didn’t know how to lead.
As he undressed her, she called out to her speaker to get an after hours music playlist started. A little motivational music, so to speak.
——