by Logan Chance
I only barked at the mailman once when he dropped the box to my Kindle I ordered. He deserved it.
I smiled and wondered what she looked like. Many ideas sprang to mind, but, for now, I was having fun.
Dancing and eating is a great combo, especially when done simultaneously. I fly a private jet for a family. I’m in the Caribbean right now, as a matter of fact. I guess for fun I enjoy flying, watching basketball, and barking at the mailman.
What color hair do you have? I see in the photo on your profile you have yellow. Is that your natural hair color?
I shouted as the Cavaliers scored another free throw. Fuckers. My hand kept reaching for my phone as I kept checking every two seconds for a response from Belinda. A knock at the door had me springing from the bed, and as I answered I heard my phone ping with the sounds I’d been waiting for.
Handing the man a few bills for a tip, I took the silver domed platter from him and set it on the table before checking my phone. Disappointment surged when I saw it wasn't from Belinda, but from Lexi trying to get more information on my dating agenda.
I sat down, opened the dish, and topped my burger. It was mouth-watering as I sank my teeth into the buttery toasted bun. The toppings mingled with the char-grilled meat to create perfection in my mouth. My phone pinged and my chewing stopped. Setting the burger down, I raced over to grab it.
Private jet? You’re right. That is kickass.
No, yellow is not my natural hair color. Again, the photo was taken months ago during a bad wannabe Taylor Swift era. It didn’t work out. I have brown hair and blue eyes. For work, since I know what you do, I run a kickass bakery with my best friend. I’m sure you’re wondering what makes it kickass. Well, my friend, maybe one day I will let you try my cookies.
When do you return to Florida?
I smiled and dropped the phone to continue with my burger. When I was halfway done, my phone rang.
“Yo, let’s go out,” Connor said.
“Give me an hour.” I hung up, not needing any more details. This was a bit of a routine of ours. We’d come to this island and hit the local bar scene while we were here. Same thing, over and over, and I would once again be left to diss Selene’s advances while Connor tried his hardest to get into her panties.
I glanced at the phone in my hand and decided to leave Belinda one more message before I left.
Brunettes are kickass.
Taylor Swift isn’t all she’s cracked up to be, and I’m glad you’ve outgrown that stage.
I can’t wait to eat your cookie. I love cookies.
I return to Florida in two days.
What do you want to do when I get back in town? Want to meet up?
I took a deep breath before hitting send. What if she didn’t want to meet up? What if she was like her picture showed—a complete dog. But, something about her seemed fun. I enjoyed talking to her and wanted to at least give it a shot. Hey, if it didn’t work out, maybe I would at least score a free cookie.
Chapter Three
Flying back to Florida, I tried to remain calm. I messaged with Belinda almost the entire time while on the island of St. Thomas, and our conversations turned from fun and flirty to personal real quick. I enjoyed getting to know her.
For the first time in a long time, I was excited.
Somewhere along the way, I lost myself in the hustle and bustle of flying. My life had become sedentary, and I didn’t date. Maybe Lexi and Marley were right. I did need someone.
When I stepped into my high-rise apartment, I tossed my keys onto the glass table by the front door. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I glanced down and smiled when I saw another message from Belinda.
Don’t you just hate when you lock your keys in your car?
I’m stuck waiting on my friend and wondering if it could get any hotter today.
Hope you’re having a good day, and welcome back to Florida. If I don’t melt, I think we should meet up on Friday.
I grinned as I read the message again. Friday was doable. It was really fucking doable. I typed my reply.
Friday sounds great. Let’s meet at the Clevelander. Around seven?
The leash is optional.
I smiled, pressed send, and went into my bedroom to get ready for another night out with Connor.
***
“So, you need a date for Steffie’s wedding? Why don’t you just look around? Plenty of hot girls here.” Connor laughed as he glanced around Club Ariana.
Even over the music, his words rang loud and clear—I was stressing too much about this wedding.
“I met someone on that dating site,” I said, leaning in to be heard over the music.
“Oh yeah? What’s she look like? Big tits?”
I took a long pull of my Heineken as I stared at Connor holding his hands to his chest to mimic a nice set of boobs.
“I haven’t actually met her yet, but I will on Friday.”
He drew his brows together. “You’ve seen her photo though, right? Come on give me the deets.”
“No, I haven’t seen her photo either.”
Connor perched his elbow on the wood table, leaning closer before hitting me over the head with his left hand. “Are you a fucking moron? What if this girl is a complete hag?”
I sipped my beer through my grin and set the bottle back down. “I don’t know man. She seems cool.”
“You pussy lacking mother fucker. That’s your problem right there, you need to stick your dick into something, and quick. Check it out.” He pointed to a blonde seated at the bar, and my eyes locked with hers from across the room.
She was stunning in a short red dress held up by two thin straps. My heart hammered in my chest. Connor waved his hand in front of my face as I smiled to her. “Go talk to her.”
Forcing my eyes away from her, I shook my head as I held tight to my bottle of Heineken. Connor set his beer down and stepped away from the table. He grinned. “Wish me luck.”
I laughed and raised my beer to my lips. He made his way over to her, and I laughed even harder as she shook her head and he walked back.
“She’s cold. Don’t even bother.”
I was even more intrigued.
She stood from her seat, and I couldn't look away as her sweet, round ass swayed off to the dance floor.
Her shapely hips rocked as she closed her eyes and let the rhythm overtake her. She was a sight to see—both arms above her head, her dress inching up her long pale legs a bit. Her tits bounced slightly as she danced. Nice. They were real. A few men stared along with me, mesmerized, as she continued moving.
“Dude, give up. She’s uppity.” Connor tried to get my attention but my eyes remained glued to her.
After a few minutes of watching her, I resumed chatting to Connor about the previous Heat game.
“I’ll be right back. Need to drain the main vein,” I said as I stood.
Connor shook his head. “If that’s your main vein than I feel sorry for the rest of you.”
I laughed. “I’ll be right back.”
I headed away from the table and skirted past the dance floor in search of the restrooms. When I turned the corner, I ran smack into someone.
“Shit, I’m sorry.” My eyes widened when I saw the blonde from the dance floor.
“Watch where you’re going,” she snapped.
“Let me buy you a drink and make it up to you,” I said, nodding toward the bar.
Her blue eyes were striking, and I smiled as she tugged on the bottom of her dress to reposition it.
“No, I’m ok. I’ll see you around.”
“Are you sure? Come on, let me at least buy you a drink.”
“No, I’m fine. I need to get going,” she said, taking two steps away.
“Can I at least get your name?”
She stopped and glanced over her shoulder and her sweet, pink lips curved upwards. “Kayla.”
As I headed home that night, I thought about Kayla for a second too long. She was unlike anyone I’d ever s
een before. Her cute button nose, sparkly light-blue eyes, and her curvaceous body kept my mind occupied as I drove my truck.
When I stepped through my front door my phone lit up with a message from Belinda, and I clicked it open.
Clevelander works for me. I’ll be in a green dress and sitting at the bar. Hope your day has been better than mine.
Maybe you can send a few arrows my way, just for fun.
I opened the app and clicked on the arrow button and sent her a few. She was right, it was fun. The cartoon display of Cupid pulled back his bow and shot the arrows. They would land right on the person’s profile pic, in turn hitting them.
I clicked a few more, just for good measure, and then wrote her back.
I’m sorry you had a shitty day. Hope you got everything taken care of with the car. Want to talk about it? Or in this case, type?
I flipped on the TV and changed my clothes. Sinking onto the soft leather of my sofa, I waited for the ping from my phone. Maybe she didn’t want to discuss her bad night with me, but I hoped she would. Just when I started to doze off, my phone pinged beside me.
It’s ok. I’m much better now. Ever have a day where your whole life is thrown into perspective? You think you’re heading down one path, but life throws a curveball and turns you in another direction.
What got you into flying?
I knew exactly where she was coming from. My life was set on a certain course, until Steffie crushed my heart. Even now, I couldn’t pick up the pieces to better myself. I got up and grabbed a beer from the fridge, cracking it open. As I sank back down onto the couch, I opened the Cupid app to write her back.
Yes, I know the feeling all too well. Sometimes things happen for a reason, or so I’ve been told. I’m still undecided about it all, though.
I was in the military, and, well, planes are kickass. After I left the Navy, I got this job and haven’t ever thought about doing anything else.
I love flying. It’s freeing in a way.
Imagine you’re driving in your car, and the roads are empty. You just drive. Now, multiply that by ten thousand. That’s how flying feels to me.
I hit send and closed my eyes imagining how bad her day was.
The phone pinged another message.
I like that.
All of it.
Sometimes I think my life isn’t destined for much. Don’t get me wrong, I love baking, but I hoped for more.
Are you happy? I know that’s a loaded question, but are you happy?
I thought long and hard about her question and didn’t know how to answer. Almost fifteen minutes went by before I hit the reply button.
No.
I shut my phone off and headed into my bedroom to get some sleep. Tomorrow. I’d meet her tomorrow.
Chapter Four
Belinda never answered back after my reply, and in only a few hours I’d meet her.
A few drops of hair gel and a black button down shirt, and I was almost ready to head to the Clevelander.
Right before I walked out the door, my phone rang.
I glanced at the caller id. “Hey, Lexi,” I said, pocketing my wallet.
“Good luck on your date tonight. Don’t be an asswipe.”
“Thanks, I’ll try my hardest,” I said, rolling my eyes. Always like Lexi to throw in a backhanded comment.
“Remember, you have three weeks until this wedding. Get ‘er done.”
“Classy, Lexi. Thanks.” I hung up with her in mid sentence about the importance of wrapping a condom around my dick if the night escalated.
When I arrived at the Clevelander, my eyes bounced around the packed restaurant noticing how every woman decided to wear some type of green dress tonight. This was going to be harder than I thought.
I weaved in and out of people trying to make my way to the bar. A brunette, wearing a shimmery green dress, sat alone. When she turned to face me, her sapphire blue eyes sparkled.
I moved closer, unsure. “Belinda?”
She ran her fingertip around the rim of her glass, tilted her head and smiled. “Yes. Erik?”
I stuck out my hand, enclosing her tiny hand in mine. “Nice to finally meet you. Want to get a table?”
She nodded and slid from the bar stool. I followed closely behind her and we found a table not too far from the bar.
“This place is nice,” she said, taking a seat.
“It is.” Her eyes held mine and I raked my eyes over her face.
She was cute. In a wholesome, girl next door kind of way. I sat down across from her.
“How long have you been in Florida?” I asked.
“All of my life.” She brought her pink drink to her lips and took a sip. “I love it here. What about you?” Her blue eyes sparkled in the soft light of the club.
“Same. I left while I was in the military, but I love it here.”
“Oh me too.” She leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “I mean, beach, sun, and a lot of shopping. What more could you want?”
I laughed. “Well, I’ll agree on the first two.”
The cocktail server stopped at our table, and I grabbed a beer.
“Not a big shopper, huh?”
I shook my head. “Not really. Is any man?”
She laughed and it was a sweet tinkling sound. “If it makes you feel any better, I’m not one of those fashionista girls.”
I raised my hand to my chest. “Thank God. I was about to get up and walk right out the door.”
She grinned and swatted at my arm. “Oh please, you wouldn’t do that to me.”
“We both hate shopping, so we’ll be the worst dressed people when we hang out.”
“I’m happy in my sweats any day of the week,” she said, smiling.
“Why didn’t you wear them tonight?” She was fun. I was having a great time as I took a long pull from my beer.
“I think you’d walk right out the door if I did.”
“Well, who’s to say I still won’t?” I grinned, letting her know I was only kidding.
“Who’s to say I won’t walk out the door first.” She laughed as she eyed the front entrance.
“Touche.” I set my beer on the wooden table. “What do you feel like doing? Want to dance?”
She sat for a moment, chewing on the corner of her bottom lip, contemplating. “Actually, there’s a great diner around the corner, and I’m starving. I could go for a nice, juicy burger right about now.”
“I’m in. Just let me grab the check,” I said, standing from the table.
We spent the remainder of the night laughing over everything and nothing. It was easy. At the end of the night, when we stood next to each other in the glow of the moonlight, a problem arose. I had no urge to kiss her. None. No stirring in my chest to make my move. It was odd.
But, I wanted to see her again. Later, when I was home, she messaged.
I had a lot of fun tonight.
I have tickets to the Heat game tomorrow night. Want to go?
I think your blue eyes are dazzling.
Hell yes to tickets. I answered her back and we made plans to meet up for the game.
***
The next evening, I waited for Belinda in front of the American Airlines Arena for the game. She was spending the day shopping with her best friend and declined my offer to pick her up. Once she arrived, we traveled up the steps to the complex.
“Nice jersey,” I said.
“Thanks, we were shopping at Bayside so I had to have it. I like yours, too.” She smiled and grabbed my hand and showed off the tickets to the front door guy.
We found our seats and chatted about our days while we waited for the game to start. She was easy to talk to, just like in our messages.
During the game, she was a riot. Almost reminding me of the way Lexi acts when she comes to these games.
“Fucking asshole,” she yelled at the referee. She sat back down as I laughed along with her.
The Celtics were kicking our ass, and after a whole lot of shou
ting from everyone in the stands, our team lost.
“Damn, they didn’t even score a hundred points,” she said, walking toward the exit.
“I know, no fucking hot dog for us.”
She turned around, laughing. “I know. That’s the best part about coming to these damn games. The free hot dog if they score a hundred points.”
“I’ll talk to Spoelstra about it,” I said, placing my hand on her back and guiding her through the disappointed crowd leaving.
She smiled. “Yeah, you do that.”
We pushed our way out of the glass doors and into the windy evening. “What now?” I asked.
“Well, I have to be up in the morning. Cupcakes aren’t going to bake themselves.”
“Oh right, Betty Crocker needs her beauty rest. Let’s get you home.”
I wrapped my arm around her as we walked to my truck parked in a nearby lot.
“Did you have fun shopping today?”
“Oh did I ever,” she said, sarcasm heavy in her response.
“What did you buy? Anything cool?”
“Panties,” she deadpanned. I dropped my arm from around her shoulders.
Hearing the word panties in her voice felt strange. Why? She was a great girl. I liked her, and I should want to see the panties she bought. Ask what kind. Imagine what she looked like in them. Wonder if her pussy was bare. None of those things were happening, so I laughed it off. “Oh ok.”
She winked. “If you’re good, maybe I’ll let you see them.”
I nodded. Swallowing, I opened the door for her and she hopped into my truck.
Next destination: Belinda’s home to see her panties.
***
We were both silent as she led me up the driveway to her cute, cottage style home.
