by Lisa Shelby
As I read my texts, I realize I am the luckiest girl on the planet to have the friends I have.
Cami: Sorry, chica. We’re at the spa in Laguna and are just now seeing your text. Don’t panic, you can wear anything of mine that you want. Not that he will care what you have on, have you seen the way he looks at you?
Steph: She’s right. He’ll just be thinking about taking whatever you wear off of you. Don’t sweat it, you’re beautiful no matter what you wear.
Cami: Wear your hair down!
Sam: I have the perfect dress for you. It’s hanging in our closet, light gray, sleeveless with a little flared skirt. Simple, yet nice enough for an upscale restaurant.
Sam: I know you’re thinking you can’t but you can and you will. Take the dress and Steph says you can borrow her heels that are almost the same color as the dress. It will be perfect!!!!!!!
Steph: Yes, wear the shoes! Have fun and be good . . . but not too good. ;)
Me: Thank you both! You are the best and I will make it up to you!
Steph: Just have a great time and call if you need anything. Oh and I agree with Cam, wear your hair down.
Cami sends me a private text that reads:
Cami: Don’t stress . . . have fun . . . give him a chance . . . you deserve it . . . let me know if you need anything.
Me: I know and I promise to do all of those things.
Me: He’s amazing. Why did I have to meet him now?
Cami: Life doesn’t always seem fair but things happen for a reason.
Cami: What do we always say? Repeat after me . . . No regrets, live today like it’s your last and along the way kick some ass!!!!! Got it?
Me: Yes. Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.
Cami: I do, you would sit at home on your ass and read your naughty little romance novels and never leave the house! I am saving you from a house full of cats! Gotta go . . . time for my mani/pedi. Wish you were here but I’m glad you’re not.
I now have two hours to get ready so I head to the bathroom and start a bath. Taking a nice, hot, relaxing bubble bath is a rare thing when living the college life with roommates. While I wait for the water to fill the tub, I text Alex an update and I go and find the dress and shoes that I have been instructed to wear. I try them on really quick to make sure they’ll work and they fit like a glove, even though the dress is a bit longer on my 5’7” frame than it is on Sam’s 5’10” frame. It’s still plenty short but not slutty at all. I love it.
The water is finally ready and I climb in to the steaming water. I lean back in the tub and think back to my hike with Jonathan and that kiss. Just thinking about the moment he finally kissed me fills me with a feeling I have never known. I can feel everything again as I relive the moment in my head. A moment that I never wanted to end. His hands, his lips, his tongue and the bulge that I felt pressed into me as he held me against him. I wanted to rub my hands all over his hard body but I was holding on for dear life around his neck, afraid that if I let go and moved at all we might lose our connection. When he did finally stop the kiss I felt an instant feeling of loss. I know I’ll never be able to get enough of his kisses.
If only we had met in another lifetime . . .
After our kiss we leave our flagpole, our view, and our mailbox and continue on our hike. My body has never felt so alive and this was from just a kiss. I’m scared to think what might happen to me if we were to ever make love? I’m not sure that I could ever come back from that and it would probably ruin me for all other men. I know without a doubt I will never be kissed again, like I was today, not by any other man. If I’m being honest with myself, I may already be ruined for all other men.
Holding his hand the rest of the hike scares me almost more than the kiss. It feels as if he’s claiming me, and as much as I want him to claim me, I also don’t want to lead him on. I’ve been upfront with him and he says he knows it’s just for a week, but I just want to be sure that we stay on the same page.
Along the way there’s another bench and Jonathan veers us towards it, and we both take a seat.
“I had brought a blanket to spread out and have a break, but after seeing your reaction to our friend, the snake, earlier I think it may be better if we stay off the ground. Let’s just settle for this bench, sound good?” he asks with a smirk.
“I think that’s the best idea you’ve had all day,” I giggle. “Well, maybe the second best.”
He stops mid-motion with his hand in his ruck sack (Apparently, Marines don’t carry backpacks they carry ruck sacks, who knew?) and stares into my eyes looking like he is at a loss for words. But in true Jonathan form, he says just the right thing.
“That kiss was the best decision I have ever made, and I can’t wait to do it again but right now, I need to feed you and make sure you stay hydrated. I only get a week and I don’t want you under nourished or dehydrated. We don’t have time for any of that now, do we?”
I watch as he unpacks the nourishment he referred to and he wasn’t kidding. He’s prepared with apples, trail mix, protein bars, little bags of carrots and Goldfish crackers.
“I got a little bit of everything here, we don’t have to eat it all since the trail is almost over and we’ll be done soon. We can save what we don’t eat for later,” he says as he opens the Goldfish crackers.
“So, how old are you again?”
He looks at me with confusion and says, “Twenty-three, why?”
“I just don’t know too many grown men who still eat Goldfish. I mean I know a lot of two to five year olds that do, but not too many twenty-three year olds. No judgement, though.”
“Oh, darlin’ if you let age stop you from enjoying the finer things in life you’ll be missing out on so much. Goldfish crackers are the shit! I can’t live without them and have no shame in admitting it. My mom already promised to send me shipments of them while we’re in Afghanistan. I did tell you she’s the best mom ever, right?”
“Yes, you did and maybe you’re right. It’s been a while. Maybe I should try them again,” I say reaching for the bag but he pulls it away.
“Open.”
I look at him with suspicion in my eyes when he says, “Open,” again.
I decide to trust him and open my mouth and he lobs a fish into my mouth on the first try!
“Nicely done!” I say as I lift my hand in the air for him to high five.
He doesn’t leave me hanging and slaps my hand.
“You sure do love the good, old, classic high five, don’t ya?”
With a puff of my chest and a lift of my chin I say, “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. Just like you and your Goldfish, I have no shame in that and believe that some of the classics are keepers and shouldn’t be forgotten. I know it’s dorky but I don’t care because some things just need to be celebrated with a high five. You landing that Goldfish, on the first try, was a worthy event if you ask me.”
Jonathan throws his head back and out comes that infectious laugh of his. It wraps around me like a warm hug to know that I can make him feel so comfortable and happy. It is so sexy to watch a man just throw his head back and laugh with everything he’s got. He’s hot, his laugh is hot and his kiss was scorching.
“You. Are. Adorable.” He says catching his breath.
We sit on our little bench and talk for what seems like forever. We share more of our favorite foods, music, movies and childhood stories. I wish I could find a word to describe how I feel just hanging out and talking with him. I don’t think there is a word out there to describe somebody that feels like an old friend that you just met. That is what Jonathan feels like to me, an old friend but I would like to be so much more.
I have no idea how long we sit there. Hours, days, I have no concept of time when I’m around him, but when I reach up to scratch the back of my neck I know it’s been too long.
“Ouch, I think we have been in the sun a bit too long and I forgot to put sunblock on. Maybe we should get going?” I say as I stand to take the ho
odie tied around my waist off so that I can actually wear it and cover my top half.
“Shit! I am so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. I packed SPF and everything,” he says as he reaches in his bag and pull out the tube of sun-block.
“Of course you did.” I laugh. “I feel like I’m on a hike with a boy scout.”
“Sorry to disappoint, but no boy scouts here. Just a United States Marine Corps grunt. Now, turn around and let me put some of this on you. It may be too late but it might make it feel better.”
I turn so my back is facing him and I feel the heat of his breathe just moments before I feel his lips on the back of my neck. His left hand comes around my hip and splays out on my stomach to pull me back to him. All too soon his lips are gone, but I am relieved when I feel them start a trail of kisses that start from that spot just behind my ear all the way down to my shoulder. On instinct I tilt my head to the side to give him more of my neck to work with. The heat of my sunburn is nothing compared to the fire that has started burning inside me from the soft touches of his lips.
Just as I’m about to turn to face him, and take his kisses a little further, his kisses stop. He lets go of me, and he starts to rub the sun block into my shoulders and neck. He hands me the bottle and says, “Here I’ll get the back and you get the front.” There was nothing sexual in his words but to me they sounded as though they were dripping in sex.
I’m not sure how I manage to do anything while his hands are on me but I silently rub the lotion onto my chest and face and hand the bottle back to him. He packs everything back into his camouflage ruck sack, grabs my hand and we finish our hike and head back to the jeep.
The ride back to the suite is a comfortable silence and he only lets go of my hand if there is a real need, like shifting the jeep into gear or other driving essentials. I love the fact that we’re both okay with not talking, and that it doesn’t get awkward in those moments.
When we get to the hotel he jumps out of the driver’s seat and is around the front of the jeep in a flash to open my door. I don’t want to get out because I don’t want this to end, but I know that I must so I grab his hand and hop out. He shuts the door behind me and says, “I had an amazing day, Gracie, and I would love to show you my gratitude by taking you out to dinner tonight. Just you and me. Does that sound okay?”
I answer with just a nod of my head. He has my back pressed against the jeep door while he holds on to the bar above my head. He’s so close to me that if I just lean forward an inch or two my lips would touch his. But I don’t and for now I just take in his warmth while his amazing smell surrounds me. Yes, he still smells amazing after a long, sweaty hike. He smells like the manliest of men, but still like Jonathan.
“Good answer,” he says so low I almost don’t hear him say it as he leans in for a slow, sweet kiss that almost feels as if it is happening in slow motion.
A low growl comes from deep in his chest as he pushes himself off the jeep and away from me. At the same time a pitiful whimper comes from me as I feel the loss of his soft lips on mine. He puts his hands in his pockets as if to force himself to keep his hands off me.
“I’ll pick you up at six o’clock if that works for you?”
“Sure, that works. What should I wear?” I ask.
“You could wear anything and look beautiful but let’s dress it up a little tonight. Let’s continue this weeklong adventure with a bang and do it right. What do ya say?” he asks with a lifting of his handsome brow.
“Let’s do it.” I walk away from him and to the doors of the hotel. “I’ll see you at six o’clock, Georgia. Don’t be late!” I yell over my shoulder to him with a huge smile on my face. The smile I get in return just makes mine grow even larger—if that is even possible!
Waiting for the elevator to arrive I check my reflection in the stainless steel doors in front of me and I must admit I clean up nicely. I took my time on my hair and make-up which is not the norm for me but Jonathan said we were gonna do this right and get dressed up, so I made the effort. My hair comes to the middle of my back when it’s down so to blow it out and add some curls to my natural wave takes some time, but it was worth it. I can’t remember the last time I didn’t just throw my hair up and be done with it.
The elevator finally arrives and I step inside. I’m only going down one floor but I was just too nervous in these heels to start the night off with a flight of stairs, so the elevator it is. At least I’ll have a big strong Marine to hold on to all night if things get shaky. And just as that thought crosses my mind the elevator doors open and there he is waiting for me. Damn, this man is fine. He looks like he jumped off a magazine cover in his white button down shirt with his sleeves rolled up, dark jeans, dress shoes and a beautiful watch. The shirt and watch look amazing against his tan skin, but the smile that he gives me when he sees me is what nearly knocks me off my feet. He is staggering.
He’s holding his left hand behind his back when he brings his right hand up and places it over his heart and says, “You are breathtaking, Miss Emily Grace.”
He takes my hand and spins me around and once my eyes are back to him he says, “I love your hair down like this,” and then leaning into my ear he whispers, “Very sexy.”
Just as I start to feel the heat of my blush rush to my face he pulls a pink birthday cake flavored cake pop out from behind his back and I can’t stop the smile spreading across my face.
“You remembered?”
“When the girl you’re trying to get to know tells you she would rather have a bouquet of cake pops over roses, you listen. I know it’s only one, but I figured you wouldn’t have room for dinner if I brought you the full dozen. We’ll save that for another occasion.” He places a kiss on my cheek and hands me the cake pop.
“Thank you so much, Jonathan, it means a lot. Not because they’re my favorite but because it means you were really listening. I have never known a guy who actually wants to talk and get to know me, so thank you, truly.”
He doesn’t say anything, just gives me a small nod of his head. I lift up to my tip toes to lean in and once I’m right by his ear I whisper, “Wanna bite?”
“Oh I wanna bite, sweetheart, but a bite of a cake pop isn’t what’s going through my mind with you standing in front of me in that dress.” He lifts just one eyebrow in a cocky little show of a side of him I haven’t seen yet. It’s not the Jonathan I’ve come to know, but I like it just the same.
“Fine, you don’t know what you’re missing then. Have you ever even tried one?”
“I can’t say that I have, ma’am.”
“Well, that is just not something that I can’t live with. You are going to share this with me and because I think your kinda cute, I’ll let you have the last bite. Then you can eat the frosting off the stick too.”
I can feel the blush rushing to my face! I should never try to be cute!
“Adorable,” he says under his breath with a little chuckle.
I take a couple of bites and then hand him the rest. He lifts that cocky little eyebrow again and then puts what’s left of the foodgasm on a stick into his mouth. As he pulls the stick out of his mouth and chews, I’m momentarily distracted by his perfect pink lips and am reminded how they felt on me just hours ago.
“Not bad at all,” he says. “Not sure I could eat a dozen of them but they are pretty good. Not as good as chocolate ice cream though,” he says with a wink.
“How can you even compare the two? They come from two different playing fields all together,” I say astonished while he escorts me to the jeep.
“I can compare them because I know it gets you wound up and I love it when you get all feisty. It’s kinda hot.”
He jumps in the jeep and starts the car. He goes about two blocks, parks, turns the car off and then jumps out and opens my door with his dimples on full display.
“Did we seriously just drive two blocks?”
“Yes, we did. I am giving you the full southern gentleman experience and no gentleman would make y
ou walk in those heels,” he says as he offers me his hand.
Entering the small but beautiful Carbonara Trattoria Italian restaurant the delicious smells fill my head. I realize I haven’t eaten since our snack style lunch on the trail today and I’m starving. Thank goodness he made reservations and our table is ready. Jonathan motions for me to step in front of him and follow the hostess to our table. As I move past him there it is; that smell that is all Jonathan. I’m suddenly hungry for something besides this delicious smelling Italian food.
When we reach the table Jonathan pulls my chair out for me and helps me scoot my chair in. Just like he said, always the gentleman. The hostess hands us our menus and tells us about tonight’s specials, but I don’t hear a word. Jonathan’s eyes are staring into mine as she speaks and when she finishes, he says, “Thank you,” but his eyes never leave mine.
“You are so beautiful. You know that, right?”
“You aren’t so bad yourself, Georgia.”
“It’s going to be really hard to sit across this table from you when all I want is to be next to you. But I’m the one that requested a romantic table for two so here we are.”
“I think you’ll manage just fine. You’re a big tough Marine and I am pretty sure you’ve faced tougher adversity than a romantic dinner for two.” I reach out to pat his hand in a fun but patronizing way but he doesn’t let me get away with that. He takes my hand in his and starts to rub his thumb back and forth on the back of my hand. I had no idea how badly I craved his touch until I had it back.
“Thanks for coming to dinner with me tonight, Emily,” he says with true sincerity. “Now what sounds good?” Picking up his menu and releases my hand. I feel like a puppy with separation anxiety at the loss of his touch. “How does Mozzarella Caprese sound to start with?”
