Love Love

by Beth Michele

  My skin tingles all over. We may not make it out of my apartment. But we have to, so I pull away. “So, where are going?” I ask with a smile larger than life.

  “I can’t tell you that.” He shakes his head and taps his finger against his temple.

  I put my hand on my hip, my hair bouncing off my shoulders. “I have ways of finding these things out, you know.”

  “Tell me more,” he encourages, winking. “I might be persuaded.”

  Brad has a habit of keeping me in the dark, and I kind of like it. I’ve loved surprises since I was a kid. But surprises with Brad far surpass any of those childhood memories.

  We take the subway to our destination. Typically, I’m grossed out being on here. Dirt-filled seats, the smell of urine and booze wafting through the air, and endless stares from strangers when all you want to do is look away. Tonight though, nothing bothers me. Brad pulls me close beside him, and I lay my head in the crook of his neck, relishing his warmth and breathing in his scent.

  We make it to street level, strolling hand in hand. Brad swings my arm as we walk and I feel very much like a teenager on a first date; excited and just a little terrified. We don’t go far before I see a gleam in his eye, and realize we must be getting closer. I feel the excitement rippling off of him in waves and rolling straight on to me. Our fingers toy with each other’s and Brad gives me little squeezes periodically. I marvel at the soft, gentle quality of his hands. I love when he touches me.

  The horse-drawn carriage sitting near the path to Central Park comes into view. I immediately let out a squeal and jump into his arms. “This is on my list, too!” I shout.

  “I remember,” he says as he kisses my earlobe, sending little shocks to my toes. There’s a glow in his eyes. “Do you have any idea how adorable you are when you’re excited?”

  I can barely contain myself. “I can’t believe we’re doing this!”

  Brad raises my chin to meet his gaze. “I love seeing you happy.”

  All I can do is sigh. He’s so freaking thoughtful and sweet, and funny, and let’s not forget, cuter than a beagle. Fortunately for him, I’m a sucker for a puppy.

  He helps me up into the carriage, climbs in, and snuggles close. The driver takes off almost as soon as he’s seated. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves, mixed with the night’s quiet bathes us in a sweet tranquility. I lean against Brad’s shoulder and he softly kisses my hair. Bringing my hand to his chest, I feel the rapid beat of his heart.

  He inches closer and whispers, “Do you feel that? That’s what you do to me.” His hand moves to the back of my neck before he brings my lips to meet his. He gently strokes my tongue with his and we taste each other’s sweetness with each tender flick. His breath heats my skin while his scent hovers in the night air, intoxicating me.

  This moment with Brad in this carriage, surrounded by the stars dancing in the sky and the brilliance of the moon, is just perfect. I’m discovering that every moment I spend with him is nothing less than perfect. It’s almost too good to be true. I just hope it’s not.

  We talk quietly amidst the steady clip-clop. “So, how’s your brother doing?”

  “He’s great. I spoke with him the other day and he’s coming in for a visit in a couple of months. I want you to meet him.”

  I’m excited to meet Matt. I know he’s the only family Brad has, aside from his dad, of course, who doesn’t speak to him. That tears at my heart, but he never seems sad; maybe he hides it well.

  He’s grinning widely. “I’ve mentioned you to Matt a couple of times.”

  I stick my bottom lip out in a pout. “Just a couple of times?”

  “Yup,” he says.

  My excessive curiosity gets the best of me. “So what kind of honorable mentions did I get?”

  “Who said they were honorable?”

  I bump him with my hip and give him my most intimidating glare.

  “Hmmm…let’s see. Well, I told him how witty you are, and adorable, and I couldn’t leave out feisty.”

  I smack him on his shoulder.

  “See, I told you…feisty.”

  “Oh, I’ll show you feisty.” I grab him and kiss him furiously, something he didn’t see coming. I have a few surprises up my sleeve, too. I pull away. “How’s that for feisty?” I whisper.

  He smiles and holds his hands out in front of him, palms up. “I’d like more of that, please.”

  And then I punch him again.

  He continues the conversation, unruffled. “Oh, by the way, I passed by Parsons The New School of Design today and it made me think of you. I’m not sure if you’ve ever considered it, but they have a really great Master of Fine Arts program. Matt got his master’s there in architecture and it’s a really good school.”

  “I’ve heard about the school, but never thought about it before.”

  He kisses me on the nose. “Well, it might be worth checking out. I know you’re hoping to stay in interior design.”

  I lay my head back onto his shoulder and smile at our linked fingers. It’s quiet again, except for the clip-clop of the horses. I lean up and his lips meet mine. This carriage ride with Brad doesn’t begin to compare to my dreams. It’s a million times better.

  When we hop off the carriage, I take his hand and kiss it softly. “Thank you for adding something magical to my list.”

  Brad’s shy smile is back again; the one that makes my insides melt. I just sigh; it’s all I can do.

  We walk for a while until Brad stops short. “Are you hungry? I’m kind of in the mood for some Double Chocolate Brownie ice cream.”

  “Oh no,” I say incredulously. “You’re more of a Monkey Ripple kind of a guy.”

  “I’ve decided I like your flavor better,” he declares with a cocky grin.

  We walk for a while until we hit Liana’s Ice Cream Shop and make our way inside. There aren’t too many people tonight, so we don’t have to wait. We both order Double Chocolate Brownie except I get whipped cream and he orders hot fudge. I’m in heaven, because besides coffee and candy, chocolate is my other secret addition. I crave it and can’t go a day without it. Hmmm…there’s something else I’m starting to crave daily.

  Brad sees me smirk. “What’s going on inside that pretty little head of yours?”

  My eyelashes flutter. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  He leans over and licks some chocolate from the corner of my mouth. “You know, I wanted to do that when we came here last time.”

  “Do what?” I ask innocently.

  “Lick chocolate off of those pouty lips of yours,” he replies with a sexy smile, and I want to freaking jump his bones right here.

  That dimple is driving me crazy. I divert my attention elsewhere. “So I was thinking maybe next weekend we could spend some time with Fran and Kyle. Fran wants to get to know you better.”

  “She does, does she?”

  “Yeah. I gave you a couple of honorable mentions too.”

  “Well, if she’s important to you, then I definitely want to get to know her,” he says sweetly.

  As we’re finishing our ice cream, I stifle a yawn and Brad notices. “You’re tired; do you want me to take you home?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Then what do you want to do now?” he asks.

  “I don’t know. What would you like to do?” I ask coyly.

  Brad seems to be deep in thought before he decides to speak. “Well…we would go back to my apartment? I could give you the grand tour and you could give me your unbiased professional opinion on the overall design scheme.”

  With a little too much eagerness, I agree. “I’m interested to see how a superhero lives.”

  We’re both carrying around these ridiculous smiles as we head back to Brad’s apartment. I can’t deny I’m a bit nervous. I’m not sure what to expect, but I know my heart is finally open.

  Brad lives in a one bedroom apartment in Central Park North. It’s a nice location. Certainly a bit different from mine, as his pl
ace lacks the delightful view of the back alley. He ushers me through the door and I’m instantly taken aback by what I see. It’s not the typical bachelor pad I expected. It’s incredibly neat and he has real furniture. Tasteful artwork fills the walls accompanied by framed landscape photographs.

  “I’m impressed,” I blurt out.

  “Really…why is that? Were you expecting empty beer cans and clothes all over the floor?”

  “Maybe.” I grin. “This really is a great place. In fact, I don’t think there’s much I could do here to improve it.”

  “You just being here improves it.” He throws his keys on the kitchen counter and gently reaches up to cup my face, his gaze moving intently from my eyes to my lips. Pulling me in, he wraps his hands around the base of my neck, my smooth skin settling underneath his fingers and causing tiny shivers to run through me.

  I grab handfuls of his hair, drawing him in so close that his warm mouth layers mine. His soft breath teases the sensitive space between my lips, causing me to open and take in the wetness of his tongue. It feels like heaven inside and stirs my need for his touch, my desire to touch him.

  I slowly let my hands roam from his waist to the thin cotton of his shirt and ease my palms underneath to feel his smooth, supple skin. Bursts of air float from his lips and land on the nape of my neck, making me feel lightheaded. My toes curl, and my knees weaken.

  I stop and look up at him. “Brad?” I whisper.

  “What, baby?” he says as he continues nibbling on my neck.

  “It’s yours...” I say breathlessly.

  He pauses and looks up. “What is?”

  I gaze into his brown hazy eyes. “My heart.”

  He immediately lifts me up and carries me until I feel the texture of the plush green sofa beneath us. Brad’s lips find mine again as he slowly unbuttons my blouse and I willingly help him slide it down my heated skin. He pulls me close and dips his tongue into my mouth, licking every space he can find. He leaves me and rains hot kisses down the curve of my neck, easing lower. My breathing accelerates, and my arms prickle with goosebumps. He pinches the front snap of my blue lace bra and it pops open. His tongue brushes the curve of my breast as his wet lips surround my nipple and a tiny whimper slips from my mouth. Brad drags his hands over every inch of my body, setting off fireworks, my body crackling and popping in response. I feel his hands reach the edge of my jeans and he waits, for my approval, I think, before he eagerly pulls them off, then propels them into the air without a care as to where they land.

  “Touch me,” I whisper.

  He exhales loudly. His fingers scrape the lacy edge of my panties and a soft mewl escapes my lips. When I feel the fabric tickling my legs, I arch my head back in anticipation as his hand slides between my thighs, the warmth of his fingers meeting with the damp folds of my skin. More moans fall aimlessly from my lips as his touch sends me to another place; one I can’t wait to go to. My body trembles when his fingers begin massaging that moist spot within me. I latch onto him with a quiet desperation, blending our bodies together, clawing at him so I can climb into his heart like he’s climbed inside mine. My breathing grows heavy as I dig my nails into his muscular shoulders. My body is climbing and my mind is lost. His sweet scent, mixed with the feel of his skin against mine, intensifies my need to release the rapture building inside of me.

  He pauses as if to speak. His eyes look deeply into mine and I try to slow my breathing as I wait for his words. “Gabby, I need you to know something. You make me feel things inside, things I’ve never felt…”

  I quiet him with my mouth. His words are my undoing and my insides quiver with the feel of his fingers sliding in and out of my wetness and the sound of his heavy breaths. I let go, moaning against his lips, vaguely aware of his hoarse voice.

  “God, baby, you’re so beautiful.”

  As I float back down and my breathing slows, I become intensely aware of Brad’s aching hardness through his jeans, pressing against my inner thigh. I unzip them and tug, hoping for a little help. He slides them down and I glide my hands across the muscles of his chest as my fingertips graze the trail of hair that leads to the elastic of his boxer shorts. Pausing until his eyes meet mine, I place my hand over my heart. “I want to touch you, the way that you touch me.”

  He lets out a gasp of air at my words and I reach in and grab hold of him. I’m amazed at the softness of his skin as I stroke his hard length and moans of pleasure pour from his lips. I caress him tenderly at first, then more fervently, his hot breath blowing on my neck as his pants become more intense. The sweat beads off his brow and I watch his beautiful face contort with the oncoming contentment of his release. He lets go, calling out my name, then pulls me close and tenderly strokes my mouth with his tongue.

  As we calm, my fingers wander aimlessly across Brad’s muscular back, lazily drawing invisible doodles over his smooth skin.

  He lifts his head to mine with utter sincerity in his eyes. “Are you okay, baby?”

  “Never better,” I respond happily. “You?”

  “I think you know the answer to that.”

  “Yeah, I do.”

  He reaches behind the sofa and grabs a soft flannel blanket, tucking us in under the warmth that we’ve already created. We didn't make love tonight, but it doesn’t matter. Brad has officially climbed into another corner of my heart, curled up into a ball, and settled there.

  When I wake up in the morning, I feel disoriented until my blue eyes open to brown ones, a sunken dimple, and lips that call to me. I lift my fingers to Brad’s cheek. His skin is soft and flawless. He really is beautiful.

  His eyelids flutter and when he opens them, they’re filled with wonder. “Hi, beautiful,” he says in that deep throaty voice that makes my insides churn.

  “Hi, yourself.”

  “Some host I am, I didn’t even offer you my bed.” He rubs the back of his neck and drops a kiss on my nose.

  Smiling contentedly, I move some stray hairs away from his face and kiss his pink lips. “That’s okay. I like what you offered.”

  Brad watches my mouth and then his lips land on mine. Even with morning breath, he tastes divine.

  My face goes flat. “Ugh, I forgot to tell you that my mom’s coming next weekend.”

  “You don’t look that happy about it. Are you looking forward to seeing her at all?”

  A small groan forces its way out. “Not really. She’s not even coming to see me, she’s coming in for Fashion Week.” Brad lifts his fingers to my cheek and I let out a resigned sigh. “It’s okay. It is what it is.”

  ***

  Today, my grin and good mood are because Brad and I are going to the beach, my absolute most favorite place in the whole world.

  We’re headed out of the city to Fire Island. It’s a place Brad suggested, and while I’ve never been there, I’ve heard it’s quite beautiful. Excitement bubbles up inside of me. I can already smell the salty water, feel the yellow sunshine warming my back and the wind blowing through my silky hair, and hear the rhythmic sound of the waves lulling my soul into peace.

  One day, I want to live in a house by the ocean. I can’t imagine anything better than starting and ending my day with the splendor of the sea. Breathing in the ocean air, feeling alive and exhilarated, yet relaxed and at peace; it’s the best. It takes all of your troubles and whisks them away, sweeping them out with the tide, never to be heard from again. Come to think of it, that’s what Brad has done for me.

  I’m dancing around my room singing “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer as I gather things up for our trip. I dig into the back of my closet to find my blue and white flowery bikini, the one I haven’t worn in years. I’m hoping it still fits me. Thankfully, I pull it on and it does! The blue shorts and white tank top still fit, too. I pull my hair into a messy ponytail and strap on my white sandals. I need to let out one more squeal of excitement, so I do. Brad plus the beach! I’m not sure what could be better.

  Brad picks me up early and we head o
ut. It’s a glorious day. The temperature is about eighty degrees, the sun is beaming brightly, and there isn’t a cloud in the clear blue sky. The sunroof is down, the windows are open, and the voice of Van Morrison is cradling us in the moment. Brad takes my hand in his and tells me he wants to learn everything about me during our drive. He’s too darn cute to refuse.

  “So, favorite color?”

  “Purple.”

  “Favorite food? Wait, never mind…chocolate.”

  “Yup.”

  “Favorite band I already know…Lifehouse.”

  “Ahhh…”

  “Alright, alright...I know how you feel about Jason Wade.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Maybe a bit. If only I could sing.” He grins. “I do have other talents, though.”

  I play with his fingers. “Well, that remains to be seen.”

  “Is that a challenge?”

  “Why, do you think you can rise to it?” I manage to ask with a straight face.

  “Baby, they don’t call me a superhero for nothing.”

  Then I burst out laughing. This is going to be a great trip.

  When we finally arrive at Fire Island, I’m completely mesmerized. The water is crystal blue and the sand is smooth with hints of seashells buried throughout. There’s a smattering of boats in the distance, drifting on the water, floating free in the greatness of the ocean.

  We unload the car and plant ourselves fairly close to the water. Brad is all smiles and he looks radiant. Especially when he takes his shirt off and I get a good look at those golden brown abs. Dear Lord. He looks over at me as I admire the view. It’s becoming my favorite one.

  “Am I the only one taking anything off, or are you planning on swimming with your clothes on?”

  I think I’ll have a little fun. “Actually, I swim in the nude.”

  Brad’s eyes grow wide. “Baby, I hope you’re kidding. I really don’t feel like sharing you with anyone else.”

  “Of course I’m kidding.”

  His eyes grow even larger as I remove my shorts and tank top and reveal my relatively skimpy blue and white flowery string bikini. In fact, I didn’t realize how skimpy it was until just now. I’ve been feeling more and more comfortable in my body lately; but I haven’t worn a bikini in years. Perhaps I should’ve chosen something a little less revealing. Although, since Brad looks like he wants to devour me, I think I made the right choice after all.