by Claire Angel
They were more than my family. The bond we shared went beyond the quarterback trying to break apart our close-knit friendship. No boy was going to separate us when we were stronger together than apart.
“It’s past lunchtime. Melody, I saw a sign a few miles back indicating there was a diner boasting one of the best hamburgers in the county. I know you’re watching your figure, but I can eat anything I want without gaining an ounce.” Ginger had taught the two of us how to eat healthy without losing the indulgence of sweets in our lives.
It was all about moderation and finding those super foods to burn off those excess calories. Exercise had become a strict regiment. That was courtesy of Angel and her desire to stay in tiptop shape. She was a tomboy, but her figure was hard to ignore when she was busting out of her tight fitting clothing.
“There’s no reason to remind us. We have the tools going ahead to keep living a healthy lifestyle. We all have the book you had self-published. The recipes are easy to make for anybody that has a modicum of sense when it comes to what they’re doing in the kitchen.” We were all basically the same height, but our weight did fluctuate from time to time during the holidays.
“Ginger gave us a gift we can never repay. I had weight issues all of my life until she taught me how to use the foods in the right way. It was liberating to enjoy meals without worrying that I was going to wake up like the Michelin man. I look back at the photographs before high school and I don’t recognize myself. I have loads more confidence, but I have never been able to take the initiative when it comes to approaching a man.” This trip would allow me to reinvent myself.
I could be an entirely different person without being judged for it.
“I couldn’t help myself. I wanted everybody to be healthy and looking their best. I may not follow my own advice from time to time, but I don’t remain off the wagon for very long. Physically, I don’t worry about gaining weight, but the toxins I put in my body is something that does worry me.” Ginger had seen her mother decline in health from obesity and diabetes.
She did not follow in her footsteps and was blessed with a very fast metabolism.
The diner was up ahead and it promised to have an eclectic mix of people. I was always fascinated by every walk of life. I could live vicariously through their words. Stories were meant to be told and appreciated by the audience. I wanted to know the path people took to get to where they were today. It was a guilty obsession and drove my friends crazy every time that I befriended a stranger.
There was a parking spot right in front of the door. The light was blinking with the letter E blacked out. It had this quaint old-fashioned feel of stepping back in time to the sixties. The poodle skirts of the waitresses made me smile. There were old-fashioned miniature jukeboxes on the tables. It might have been a greasy spoon, but the atmosphere was a blast from the past.
I stopped dead in my tracks. At the table in the back, there was a delicious piece of eye candy. His dark locks fell over his eyes, but I could see his chiseled body through his denim shirt. I was witnessing my wet dream come true. He would’ve made any woman of discriminating taste pant after him like a starving dog.
My tight black leather skirt and red panties were sticking to my skin. I was pulling at my sun-bleached halter top to relieve me of the heat he was generating from being in close proximity. The first couple of buttons were undone and I could see his well-defined pectorals. This guy would’ve been hard-pressed not to have his dance card full on the weekends. There would’ve been no shortage of women vying for his attention.
He was eating what looked like meatloaf and had liberally poured enough ketchup to drown it. There was a cool and refreshing beer within reaching distance of his hand.
“Are you through daydreaming about sex? I don’t blame you. He would make a wonderful distraction for a few hours. I could seriously leave a few marks on his body that wouldn’t fade for quite some time.” Ginger was a heat-seeking missile and could easily pinpoint an available looking stud from across the room.
“I’m calling dibs on this one. I know that’s a little out of character, but I feel empowered to throw caution to the wind. He doesn’t know me. I can cast aside the shy girl looking for acceptance. Do you think that he has in his possession something worthy of contention? The rest of him is a delicious appetizer before the main course.” We sat at a booth and I was situated in a way that I could watch him without being too obvious.
“I’m glad you said something. I could be convinced to be your wingman on this one occasion. I’ve always been about making my friends happy. He has the earmarks of someone that could easily put a smile on your face that you wouldn’t be able to wipe off for days. He’s got my motor running and I’m not the only one. Look around and you’ll see others have the same idea that you do.” I was too distracted by his masculine beauty to notice the leering glances of interest from those females including the waitresses.
“I have this plan of accidentally bumping into him. I could be more brazen and flash him by pulling down my halter top.” I wanted to, but my mind was telling me that it wasn’t a good idea to make that kind of introduction.
“I double dare you. I would love to see you take a chance. You wear your heart on your sleeve. You’ll always get into trouble falling in love too quickly. This can be one of those passing ships in the night. You don’t have to have any expectations. Be the lion and not the prey.” I took a deep breath and put both hands on the top of my halter.
“He’s not going to notice. I can’t believe I’m doing something so wildly unexpected.” I pulled it down not expecting Ginger to play a major role in getting him to blink something more pleasant into focus.
It was a classless and impulsive thing to do.
A loud whistle from Ginger made him look up from his plate in time to see my bold move. His eyes were not looking above my neck. The telltale sign of his arousal came when he licked his lips and smiled. His attention made my nipples become hard enough to cut through glass.
My chest was flushed with embarrassment along with my cheeks. He was fully engrossed with the rest of the diner unaware of what he was looking at. I wasn’t prepared for him to shuffle out of his seat with his jeans showing the outline of what he was sporting.
Chapter 2
Jesse
I was on an extended holiday away from my family in Greece. I was self-exiled looking for a clean slate where my mistakes didn’t follow me like a black cloud over my head. America promised to welcome immigrants to the land of the free and the home of the brave. I wanted to carve out my piece of the American dream.
I wasn’t expecting to cross these great states with my thumb out. There was very little money in my pockets and there was no way I could leave a digital footprint by using credit cards. Odd jobs were my way of keeping food in my belly.
Sleeping under the stars with my backpack as a pillow had me embracing nature. I had seen the interest of the female gender staring at me with more than a passing interest. I was drawn to a shy confidence. The brazen and bold throwing themselves at me wasn’t a challenge.
The booth in the back of the diner was my way of hiding in plain sight. My dark hair was styled a different way to cover the windows to the soul. Working out had become a guilty pleasure and the results from using my hands had given me a reason to seek out suitable companionship.
When she flashed me with her all American body on display, I was in stunned appreciation for the cherry tips that looked delicious. She was definitely a fine example of American pie. I had to retract my tongue from lying on the floor. She turned away embarrassed by her actions and gave me a stirring down below not to be ignored.
I got up and made my way over leaving the required nomination for my bill on the table.
I put my hands on their table and they were staring without saying a word. I held the last quarter in my possession and chose a song on the jukebox.
“Can I have this dance?” She looked around confused as if I was talking to somebod
y else.
I used a bit of dominance to make her yelp with surprise when I dragged her out of the booth. I had no problem acting the fool to make a good first impression. I could see out of the corner of my eye other women getting the basic idea that men who didn’t take a chance weren’t worth their time.
“Do you always grab strange women and dance with them?”
“Do you always flash strange men in diners? I thought one good turn deserved another.” The music was slow giving me a reason to hold her close with her breasts poking her nipples into my chest.
There wasn’t an inch between us and the heat of the moment had us under its spell. Her breath was short.
“We are making a scene.”
“Do you really care about what other people think? When you get the chance to dance you should never turn down the opportunity. Life is full of little surprises.” There was a glow about her and I wanted to find all those little things to make her squeal in orgasmic delight.
“I have learned the hard way sometimes it’s better to force yourself to do things you wouldn’t normally do.” Her lips were crimson baiting me to come closer.
I grazed her cheek with my fingertips and combed back her hair with my hand. There was a collective sigh with one older woman succumbing by almost passing out. I wasn’t about hesitating and it was time to break down the gate of her resistance.
“My name is Jesse. I think it’s quite obvious that I’m not from around here. The Greek blood running through my veins can make me impulsive. I look at you and I wonder what it would take to get you out of your clothes.” She was blushing and it was a sweet departure from those girls picking their moments to seduce.
“You don’t waste any time.”
“We only get this one life. I don’t know about you, but I want to experience everything before I leave this mortal coil. There is a reason why we met on this highway of life. You felt it in the air and couldn’t deny yourself. I find you a breath of fresh air.” I spun her around the makeshift dance floor in the diner and dipped her low enough to take her breath away.
“You really don’t have any shame. I feel that I would be a vast disappointment compared to the other girls you have been with.” She was trying to talk herself out of doing something to make her blood pump.
“Every woman is different. I’m not attracted to overconfidence. I like your naiveté and innocence. You haven’t really lived, but you are making up for lost time. I can respect the need to reinvent yourself.” I was leading and she was following picking up the steps to a dirty dance with no name.
“You got all of that from looking into my eyes and my body language?”
“A woman like you is a rare bottle of wine uncorked and waiting for somebody to come along to enjoy the taste and intoxication you leave behind.” People were watching and I could only hope this was giving them ideas to spend an afternoon under the cover of darkness.
“You do know all the right things to say. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t meet a couple of months ago. My friends and I are just passing through, but you are more than welcome to join us. I doubt that I will have to twist their arms.” She was giving me an invitation and I was inclined to take her up on her offer.
“I don’t want to impose. It would be a pleasure to get to know you.” The underlying meaning of my words made her legs buckle and I had to hold her around the waist.
The song came to an end and the deafening applause made me turn and playfully bow in response. The lady in question was fanning herself. The heat outside had nothing over the explicit show of seduction on the diner floor. She told me her name was Melody. I was determined to make her sing a different high pitched tune.
“Ladies, I would like to formally introduce Jesse. I’m sure there’s not going to be one complaint about him joining us.” I would have taken a run at any one of them, but Melody was the only one that I had eyes for.
There was something gentle and sweet to be corrupted. I had the loving that she was going to like. My moves on the dance floor undoubtedly gave her ideas about what I would be like in bed. I was drinking the decadent champagne of her words. Her body language was crying out for the kind of satisfaction that only I could give her.
“I’m sure that we can make room for him. Every woman in this place is going to be jealous when we walk out the door.” Introductions were made and Angel wasn’t very subtle about what she thought of him.
“I’m going to give you fair warning. Hurt her and you’re going to have to answer to me. You are an impressive specimen, but I’m not convinced of your sincerity. Watch your step. I will be watching.” Angel was scary, but I wasn’t going to let her curb my sexual appetite for the woman I coveted.
“I appreciate how you protect your friends. She’s lucky to have you in her corner. I think we both know her mind is made up. Breaking her heart is not on my list of things to do.” The obstacle of her friends was not insurmountable.
“I don’t know what the two of you are whispering about. I’m not going to pry. Jesse, sit down and tell us more about yourself. I’m sure there’s a story of how you came to be an America. I can’t speak for my friends, but I would very much like to hear it. They sometimes get tired of me talking to complete strangers. I think this time they will make an exception.” Melody had a kind heart and this need to be a fly on the wall.
I had already eaten, but it was fun to take her fork and feed her like a pampered princess. She looked a little shaken, but I think she enjoyed the attention. It was a good way to pave the way for something more intimate to happen between us. Little things to make them smile were what women really wanted from their man. I had no problem making the effort to see her smile.
“I’m sure that you’ll find my story boring. I came here looking for my piece of the American dream. It’s a good thing I don’t mind singing and working for my supper. I’ve been told that I have the voice to melt the panties off a woman.” They all shifted nervously not accustomed to a man talking with blatant disregard. I had no filter.
“Guys could take lessons from you. Women want a strong man, but they also need to see there is nothing to fear. It’s a balancing act and not very many can accomplish it.” Melody had said a mouthful.
“I have found American women a little prudish. Europeans are far more open with their bodies. Walking around nude on the beach is common. I like the freedom of having no clothes on. There’s no hiding anything when you are skin to skin. It allows you to express yourself physically.” I waited at the counter with my black backpack over my shoulder.
I could feel every female undressing me with their eyes. It was tempting to strip down to my birthday suit to give them the opportunity to commit my body to memory. It would be my gift to them, but I didn’t want to get arrested for indecent exposure. I decided to give them the next best thing.
I slowly unbuttoned my shirt exposing to them my bronze body and Greek perfection. The rippling of my muscles glistening with excitement had the locals at a loss for words.
“I can see that you’re going to be a bad influence on us. I hope you don’t mind sitting in the front seat with me. You have barely scratched the surface of your story. You weren’t very clear about the reason why you came to America. I’m not buying this vague notion of trying to find your piece of the American dream.” Melody was easy on the eyes, but her words conveyed suspicion.
Was I that transparent? I had a feeling I was in trouble. It would’ve been easy to walk away. I couldn’t bring myself to do it even though she made me feel like I couldn’t keep secrets.
“It’s a long and complicated story. We don’t know each other well enough for me to be open and honest. There are always ways to rectify that. We both know what I’m talking about. I hope you don’t have some insane idea of finding a motel room for the night. We should share resources. I can show you how to fish, but I don’t want to presume that you don’t know how to.” Sitting beside her with that skirt showing her long and luscious legs made a certain part of
me unfurl in appreciation.
She wasn’t an open book, but I had pages in my own story that needed to remain under lock and key. Sometimes it was what wasn’t said that made a bigger impression. They didn’t notice, but I was constantly looking in the mirror thinking that my past was going to come around the corner to bite me in the ass. They weren’t going to let me go easily.
Chapter 3
Melody
I was desperately sending signals hoping that he was somehow going to pick them up. His hand was lying by his side, but I wanted him to touch me in the worst way possible.
It was about 3 hours into the drive and the conversation was a light banter of sexual innuendo. He hadn’t revealed much about his personal story. He was purposely deflecting using the unspoken chemistry between us to make me lose my train of thought.
“Your friends are quiet. It looks like they have had a long day. I could drive for a little while if you want to get some rest. By your own admission, we are not on any set route. I feel bad that I haven’t done my part. It’s not like I can afford to share the expense of gas and lodgings.” I didn’t want him to drive my special girl, but I could seriously consider having him touch the right buttons to make my body a prisoner of his wild libido.
My good friends had passed out in each other’s arms. This private moment had me anxious to take his hand and place it between my legs for a little cultural exchange. I didn’t want him to have the wrong idea about American girls. I was not the majority. Most had no problem wearing clothing that made them feel sexy and available.
“I like your idea of roughing it. Getting back to nature is where Angel excels. Ginger is more accustomed to mints on her pillows and hot and cold running room service. This is a democracy. We outnumber her by 3 to 1.” He had done nothing to indicate he was interested in the other girls.
