by Jessica Cruz
We drove in silence for a little bit. Finally, Wes spoke up, “What can I do to make tonight a good one?” I looked over to him, slightly confused. He chuckled awkwardly. “I want to be able to say we had a good redo of a first date. I don’t want it to end like the last one. C’mon, what do you want?”
“Are you serious?” I asked. He nodded. “Anything I want?” He nodded again. “Fine, pull over, and let me drive.”
Miraculously, Wes listened. I was surprised by how speedy his car was which was good because I had a lead foot. I drove until I reached my grandparent’s house about twenty minutes away. I was amazed I had gotten this far without Wes asking where we were going. He really was down for anything.
“This is my grandparent’s house,” I pulled up into the cobblestone driveway and parked his car behind the cabin-like house. They lived in the woods in a private neighborhood. It was extremely secluded here. “They’re in Aruba, so no one’s home.”
I climbed out of the SUV, and Wes followed. Finally, he asked, “What are we doing here?”
“I used to come here all the time. You said I could do whatever I wanted,” I started removing my clothing, carefully putting my dress and heels on the seat of the Range Rover, so I was in nothing but my flesh colored bra and underwear. “I want to go swimming.”
Wes examined my body. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen before. When I was at Lux, I was in nothing but my booty shorts when I collapsed on stage. He had seen almost every naked inch of me then, but I guess tonight, he was seeing it in a different light because his eyes were glued to my chest like it was a gift from the heavens.
“Okay,” Wes answered carefully. He removed his shoes and clothing until he was in nothing but his blue boxer briefs. He looked delicious. He was well toned. You could tell he worked out a lot.
I ran carefully across the stone to a deck on my toes and jumped into a cannon ball. I splashed into the private lake on my grandparent’s property. The water was relatively and surprisingly warm. I opened my eyes and swam to the surface. As I waded in the water, I looked back to the dock. Wes was sitting on the edge. His toes skimmed the surface.
“Jump in!” I screamed.
“Is it cold?” He called back.
“Stop being a baby and just jump in!”
Wes stood up and dived into the water. When he surfaced, he was just inches in front of me. Thank God we had been blessed with a full moon tonight. It reflected on the water in a magical way, lighting up his chiseled features. I thought back to that moment on the terrace earlier tonight and blushed.
“Kiss me,” I instructed.
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him. He kissed me hard. My body trembled in his grasp. He pulled me closer to the dock, so we could stand. There, I was only about waist deep. My bra was completely see-through by now. My nipples puckered with excitement.
I stood up onto my toes and kissed him harder, rubbing myself against him. I was becoming greedy. I needed him. I wanted him. Every part of my body was finely in tune with the male specimen standing in front of me. Nothing else mattered.
In one swift movement, he picked me up, so I could straddle his waist. I groaned with pleasure as his hard cock pressed against my underwear. I wanted him inside me. I felt crazy with desire.
“Fuck me,” I said in between kisses.
Wes started grinding against my clit. I felt myself about to erupt with frustration. Endless nights without sex haunted me. That could all be put to an end right now, but he was too busy teasing me. I was hot. I was horny. I just wanted this one thing.
Suddenly, he stopped, leaving me to catch my breath. He kissed me several more times, but they were slow and careful. Finally, he breathed, “Not tonight.”
I pushed myself off of him to stand on my own. I stared him down in disbelief. Did I just get rejected? He could have me right here and now, but he was rejecting me. I screamed through a bruised ego, “What the fuck do you mean ‘not tonight?’”
“I mean not tonight,” he ran his hand through my wet hair. I batted it away. Fuck, why did he have to stand here looking so perfect right now? “We just started hanging out…and I don’t have a condom with me.”
“I’m on birth control,” I said forcefully. I knew he was being rational, but I also knew something else was pressuring him about wearing a condom. There was something in his eyes that told me so. “You think I have something because I’m a dancer.” He stared me down, quiet. “Am I right?”
“I didn’t say that,” he answered. “We just met. I’d wear a condom with anyone who I just met.”
“I’m clean,” I cocked my head to the side, “but you’re being especially cautious because I’m a dancer. I can see it in your eyes. Can’t you just admit that?”
“We’re still getting to know each other,” he said, running his large hands across my skin. I pushed them off of me. His face contorted, and he stammered over his words. “P-Please, don’t take this the wrong way.”
“You think I have something. If I truly wasn’t right, you’d deny it, but you can’t,” there was a pause. I nodded slowly, confirming my suspicion, still stinging with embarrassment and rejection. I uttered, “Just take me back to your place. I want to get my car and go home.”
“Adriana, please don’t be upset. I’m not trying to hurt you,” he touched my hair, running it down my cheek and under my chin. He forced me to look into those beautiful forest eyes. “Be happy.”
“Can you please just take me back to your place?”
It was a long second before he agreed. We grabbed our things, got dressed and headed back to his home. I guess we were destined to not have a perfect first date.
Chapter 8
“Are you coming in tonight?” Charlie huffed. He didn’t even wait for my answer. “Can you just tell me when you’re coming back?”
“I’m coming back tomorrow morning. I’ll be able to work a few hours tomorrow night,” I said with irritation thick in my voice. “Now, I have to go. I’m being rude.”
I hung up my cell phone and tucked it back into my purse. I took a couple of deep breaths and exited the bedroom into the large living room. My dad was hovering over a newspaper on the couch, probably reading about sports. He was a huge fan of Philly sports, and he felt deprived of it all in Virginia.
My dad removed the paper, gazing at me with his big blue eyes and dimpled cheeks. He was the only man to have my heart. My dad was remarkably charming; although, he was a little creepy now with how much he looked like George Clooney after he shaved off all of his facial hair. I guess that was the blessing of being a free, single man in Virginia. Still, it kept catching me off guard. I still wasn’t used to it.
He beamed, “Hey, Sweetie, are you ready to go on the tour?”
“Yes, Dad, I’m finally ready if you’re ready to show me,” I laughed. “You’ve been avoiding it for days.”
“Well, it wasn’t ready yet,” he stood up and straightened his obnoxiously red jacket, “but I’m ready now.”
My dad moved to Virginia full time recently. Before that, he had spent a good year or so commuting back and forth between here and his Haddonfield home. A couple summers ago he and a friend purchased a struggling hotel in Virginia Beach. They had spent some time renovating it and creating master suites for themselves on the penthouse floor. They were living the dream life down here. No wonder my dad was willing to pick everything up and move.
My dad started his tour of the hotel in the lobby. With him, he carried a binder complete with before and after photos. He showed me where all the reconstruction took place and how the addition of marble and gild gave the room a sleek, grander look. He was so adorable in his explanation that I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. When my dad retired as a surgeon, he seemed a little lost, a bit incomplete. Now that all his energy was consumed by the reconstruction of this hotel, he had life back in him. I couldn’t be happier.
We walked outside to the pool, and I was truly in awe. It looked like a p
aradise out here. Before, the hotel was really struggling. It looked dirty. I would have never stayed here, but room after room, space after space, my dad continued to impress me with the outcome of his decisions.
“So what do you think of it all?” My dad asked after showing me the last model of the room choices.
“I love everything. You really have it great down here,” we walked hand in hand down the hallway with my head leaned against his arm. Being with him, he always had a way of making me feel like a four year old again. Secretly, I thought it was the best feeling in the world. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Well, I have to show you the best part,” he beamed. He took a card key from his pocket and took the elevator up to the penthouse floor. We were back at the door of his suite again. I looked up at him, confused. “Now just wait.”
He kept walking until we hit another door. He swiped the card key, and we entered a second suite, just as beautiful as his. The entire rear wall had been replaced with glass. It faced the ocean, staring out at the spectacular waves and miles of beach.
He handed the key to me and smiled. I cocked my head to the side and stared at the card in confusion, “Why are you giving me this?”
“I want you to visit more often,” he said slowly. “I don’t want you to think that just because I have a new home in Virginia doesn’t mean you don’t have a new home in Virginia, too.” He gestured to the exquisite living space. “This is your home. It’s complete with the best of everything, perfect views, your favorite amenities, and your dad right next door.”
I almost started crying. I wrapped him into my arms and couldn’t bring myself to let go, “Thank you Dad, but you know I have no problem staying in that extra room in your suite. I like being close to you.”
“For now, that’s okay, but you can always bring your friends,” he said. “I want you to know that you have it as an option whenever you need it. One day, I hope you’ll bring your own family here to see me. I don’t want a lack of space to deter you from taking mini vacations to see your dad.”
“I don’t care if I’m forty with ten kids and have to stay in a closet, nothing will prevent me from coming to see you on a regular basis,” I kissed his cheek. He was really my rock, the only man that kept me stable.
“Having you in Virginia these past few days has been wonderful,” he said. “I’ve missed you so much. That was the hardest part about leaving Haddonfield. I knew I wouldn’t be a short car ride from my little girl anymore.” I felt like I was going to cry. He was right. That’s what I silently hated about him moving, too. “I reserved a space for Nick down the hall. I just don’t think he’ll ever use it.”
“He’s been distant,” I said curling a strand of hair around my index finger. “He barely talks to me. I don’t even remember the last time he called. I was hoping he was still speaking with you.”
“Distant is a good word, Adriana,” my dad exhaled. He shook his head at the seemingly aloof memory of his son, Nicholas. “He’s a spiteful, angry, young man. I wish he could come to terms with his demons. I thought I was always a good father to the both of you. I couldn’t shelter you from all the pains, but I did my best.”
“You were an amazing father, still are,” I breathed. “Nick is just being a butt right now. I was thinking about visiting him in December. Maybe if I force him to spend time with a family member, he’ll be receptive.”
“You can’t force Nicholas Ward to do anything he doesn’t want to do. He’ll never admit it, but he got that hardheadedness from your mother,” he led me out of the suite, shutting the door behind him. We went back into his and sat down on his amazingly comfortable couches. I sunk into them and hugged a massive pillow. “You should see him though. If I didn’t have such a crazy schedule, I’d take a flight up there myself. I feel bad enough as it is. I loved you surprising me the other day. I really and truly did. I just feel terrible I’ve been leaving you to fend for yourself most of the time.”
“Yes a gourmet kitchen and full service spa in my father’s hotel is fending for myself,” I rolled my eyes. “Dad, I knew what I was getting into when I drove down here. I just wanted to get away from everyone and everything for a little bit. I missed you. I’m not used to you being almost 300 miles away.”
“How’s your mother doing?” He asked without looking at me. She was a taboo subject. My dad hated how she treated us when they separated, but he’d never admit it out loud. He never wanted to influence Nick or me negatively when it came to our mom. He resented her. Maybe that’s how Nick first picked up on his emotions for his mother. Still, he was always very supportive with whatever type of relationship we chose to have with her.
“I’ve been seeing her more lately,” I admitted this to him almost like I was at Confession. I didn’t want to hurt him by having a relationship with her. He didn’t say anything; he just listened. “I’ve been trying to see her once every few weeks. She’s really trying to change. Albeit, it’s a slow and sometimes painful change but it’s a change nonetheless. Mom, asked about you last week when we were at lunch.”
“Oh,” his response was light, giving away nothing. “What did she ask?”
“She just asked how you were doing,” I shrugged. “She was still in shock that you left Haddonfield. She thought you’d be there forever.”
“Haddonfield was suddenly feeling crowded,” he responded coldly. “It was getting old. I spent my whole life there. I will always love that town. It’s where I raised my kids. It’s where I grew up, but I needed Virginia. I needed to finally face a major change in scenery. If she really wants to know, I’m doing well.” He answered shortly. “I’m really happy here. Keep that in mind, Adriana. Old Dominion University isn’t far from here. It’s a decent school if you ever want to transfer.”
Suddenly, the purpose of the suite was truly making sense. Yes, in the future, I’m sure my father would love to see me ship my entire family here for vacation, but he had an immediate purpose for it, too. He wanted me to move in now, change my life the way he had. He wanted me to run away from it all to be with him, hand in hand like when we were in the hallway.
“Dad,” I said slowly, considering my words. “I can’t move here right now. Granted, I love everything about this place.” That was true. “But I need to learn how to make it on my own, and I’m determined to do that.” I was tired of the free handouts in life. My mom offered to have Dennis pay for my rent, and I stuck to my guns about paying for it myself. How was taking my father’s offer to move into this fantastic hotel any better?
“Adriana, now you know I don’t expect you to pick up and move five hours away by next week,” he chuckled because he knew he was lying. If I wanted, I could move in right now. “I want you to take your time. You go to a fine school, and I’d never want to be the reason why you leave it. I just want you to know you will always have a home here, whether that’s tomorrow or ten years from now, whether the length of time will be for several years or just several days. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, Dad,” my heart warmed. I felt so blessed to have him in my life. After all the crazies that were in it, I really needed him. “I really appreciate it, too. Maybe, I’ll come back in a month to discuss grad school options with an admissions rep at ODU. I’ll keep my options open.”
“Thank you,” he planted a kiss on my cheek and stood up. “Okay, now you know I love spending time with you, but I have a meeting to get to. I’ll be pretty booked for the rest of the day, but I promise to make time for a farewell dinner. I know you have to get back tomorrow, so you’ll be well rested for your classes on Monday.”
I nodded silently, feeling a new sensation of guilt. I still hadn’t had the courage to tell him I never signed up for classes. Thank God he had just deposited the tuition money into my bank account and didn’t have access to see the funds. That would give me away, and the subject of school would be a conversation for a different time. Today, I just wanted my dad to stay proud of me. He left the room still believing that lie.
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Being offered that suite was rather tempting. Virginia had been kind to me. I liked being right on the beach even though it was getting chilly. I liked being with my dad again. It was a nice change of pace from my normal life of stripping and city streets. The truth, however, was that I wanted to get back to that life. I couldn’t relax for too long. I needed the crazy pace and long hours. Plus, all this down time was hard on me. I had been ignoring Wes’s calls and texts, and silence gave me time to think about everything. I thought distance would help, but it was just maddening. How did this boy so efficiently get me hooked in such a short period of time? I was sure a few days in Virginia would have made me move on and forget his name, but I was wrong.
The truth was for some stupid, inconceivable reason I actually cared what Wes thought about me. That’s why I ran off. When he saw me at Lux, he conned me into believing that he saw nothing but good in me. He looked at me in awe despite the signs telling him that there was nothing amazing about me. Unfortunately, that had all be a rouse. When he had the opportunity to have sex with me, the look of disgust was painted on his face. I don’t know why he chose to make me feel that way the first time, but it was all fake. I felt so dumb for actually thinking he thought of me as anything more than a stripper. I was just so incredibly embarrassed. This was an all time low for me. Most guys wanted to just have sex with me. Wes was too appalled to even consider that.
I went into my purse and pulled out my phone. When I turned on the screen, all I had was a text message from Gloria. She was letting me know she passed a test she had been freaking out over. There was nothing from Wes though. Hell, there hadn’t been anything from Wes for almost two days now. I started wondering if maybe he was giving up on me. Could I blame him? There wasn’t much of anything to fight for.
After a minute, I clicked on his name in my phone and started gnawing on the nail of my index finger with each passing ring. Finally, on what I presumed to be the last one, he answered, “Hey Adriana, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you since the dinner.”
