by Doporto, CM
“You have me so…” She nipped at his lip, ready to devour him. Fighting her inner desires was harder than she thought.
“No. I mean, your body is really burning hot. Are you sure you don’t have a fever?” Ryan pulled back slightly, giving her a quick look over.
“What? No. I just want you so bad.” Sweat trickled down the sides of her forehead. She was hot, burning hot. Her insides felt like they were on fire. She ignored the heat, eager to show him how much she wanted him.
“I want you too, baby.” His voice was hot and heavy.
He released her from the wall and held on to her tightly. She cupped her hands around his face and traced her tongue along his luscious lips. He sealed his mouth to hers, kissing her with intense passion. Her fingers ravaged through his hair, unable to get enough of him. He began making his way to the couch with her in his arms when her foot hit the wine decanter. The bottle hit the floor, splashing red wine all over the mahogany wood floor.
“Oh crap.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry.” He relaxed his arms and she lowered to her feet.
“Forget about it.” She guided his mouth back to hers. Never had she been the aggressive one but for some reason she couldn’t control herself. She had to have him.
He kissed her and then pulled back. “I’m sorry, Natalie. I didn’t mean for us to get this far…. I better go.” He straightened his shirt and started to button it.
“No. Please don’t go.” She reached her hand out but he didn’t respond. She covered her face with her hands. She felt terrible for leading him on. The attraction she had for him was beyond containable. Why couldn’t she control herself? She lowered her hands. “I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”
“No, it’s my fault. I started it. I should have never licked your finger. I… I can’t control myself when I’m around you.” He ran his fingers through his matted hair and paced back and forth.
Her heart ached. Why did wanting him hurt so bad? “I can’t help myself either Ryan. I have no self-control when I’m around you. I can’t wait to talk to you, to see you. I long for you to kiss me, touch me. I’m… ” She swallowed hard. Was this what she thought it was?
He stopped and looked at her. “I know. I feel it too.” He pulled her into his arms and held her close. So close that she felt his heart beating against her chest.
He stared deep in to her eyes. So deep that she swore his soul touched hers. “I’m falling in love with you, Natalie Vega.”
She smiled, tears rolling down her cheeks. “So am I, Ryan Garrett.”
Chapter 7: The Transformation
Ryan heard pounding in the faint distance and pulled a pillow over his head. When he heard the knock again he opened his eyes. He jumped up out of bed when he realized the knock came from his front door.
“Okay, I’m comin’,” he shouted, pulling a shirt over his head and tripping over the covers hanging off the edge of his bed.
He looked out the peep hole and saw Sal, standing outside. He opened the door. “Hey man, what’s up?” He ran his hands through his matted hair.
“Hey dude, I’ve been texting and calling you since last night. I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“Sorry, I guess my phone died.”
“Can I come in?” Sal took a step forward.
“Yeah.” Ryan opened the door further. “What time is it?” He walked to the kitchen, squinting to see the clock on the microwave.
“It’s noon. Were you still asleep?” Sal shut the door behind him.
Ryan picked up his phone from the bar and plugged it in to the charger. He yawned and shook his head. “Yeah. I guess my body needed sleep from the busy week.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t from last night with Natalie?” Sal took a seat on the couch and leaned forward with his arms hanging over his knees.
“What?” Ryan winced and rubbed his eyes with his hands.
Sal let out a slight smirk and shook his head. “Oh come on, man. You don’t have to lie to me. You didn’t answer your phone all night and you’re just waking up. So much for keeping to your word.”
Ryan walked to the living room and leaned over on the back of a chair. How could he convince Sal that he spoke the truth? “Man, I’m not lying. My phone died. I got home around eleven last night. And yes, I kept my promise.”
“So, if I go and check your room, I won’t find her in there?” Sal narrowed his eyes at him.
Ryan stood up, surprised that Sal didn’t believe him. “No man. Natalie didn’t come home with me.” He pointed toward his bedroom. “Go and check if you like.”
“So, you didn’t spend the night with her and she didn’t come home with you. Nothing happened.” Sal furrowed his brow, apparently not convinced.
“Well, I wouldn’t say nothing happened. In fact, things got really heated and… I almost gave in. This is harder than I thought dude. I don’t know how my parents or your parents did it.”
“I know, it’s not easy.” Sal shook his head.
“I can’t explain it. When it comes to Natalie, I can’t seem to control myself.” Ryan leaned back over the chair and buried his fingers in his hair. Why was this so difficult? He held out this long and never did it with Jen. Why was it harder when it came to Natalie?
“It’s hard with any girl. You know that, but I’m proud of you. You kept to your word and walked away.”
He did feel proud about keeping to his word, but every encounter with Natalie proved to be harder. His attraction for her pulled from deep inside of him. It stirred every emotion and ignited a need that teetered on the edge of uncontrollable recklessness. His love for her spread like a wildfire, consuming him entirely.
Ryan lowered his hands from his face and looked up at Sal. “Thanks for being my accountability partner.”
Sal got up and patted him on the shoulder. “That’s what cousins are for.”
Ryan let out a slight smile, thankful for having Sal not only as his cousin but as a great friend too. They grew up together and were practically brothers. They were there for each other, through good times and bad. Sal supported him when he had his football injury, encouraging him not to give up. He also helped him move on with his life after Jen broke up with him. When Ryan decided he needed a fresh start, Sal urged him to transfer to UT with him. If not for Sal, Ryan didn’t know where he would be today.
For a second, Ryan felt bad that he hadn’t been supporting his cousin in return. Back in high school, they both pledged to wait until marriage to have sex, following in the footsteps of both their parents. Ryan kept to his promise but Sal slipped when he became serious with his high school girlfriend. After they broke up, Sal decided he would refrain until he married. He wanted to try again and do what was right.
“What about you and Lise? She seems a little wild and adventurous if you ask me.”
Sal rolled his eyes. “That’s an understatement. She’s a wild one alright. It’s been a struggle for me too. Since I already know what it feels like, it makes me want to do it again. She’s no virgin either and turning her down is harder for me than it probably is for you turning down Natalie.”
“I don’t know man, it’s been unbearable. I’ve never struggled like this before. Not even with Jen. There is something about Natalie and it’s not all about the sex. It’s the way she smiles, her wittiness, her scent, her baby blue eyes and the way she hides behind her glasses when she’s nervous. I can’t stop thinking about her. ”
“Oh no.” Sal’s head dropped down toward the floor.
“What?” Ryan arched his neck back.
Sal shook his head. “Dude, listen to yourself. It’s all over for you, man.”
Ryan knew exactly what he meant. Although he didn’t mind admitting this to his cousin, he didn’t want his vulnerability to show. When it came to Sal, he usually figured things out on his own before Ryan told him. He was very intuitive and thought things through, kind of like Natalie.
“Don’t worry dude. She’s good for you.” Sal took a handful of
shelled peanuts from a bowl on the bar. He cracked one of them and dusted off the fragments from the nut between his thumb and index finger. He popped it in his mouth.
It made Ryan happy to know Sal approved of Natalie. Sal always warned him about Jen, but he never took his advice seriously. “I tell you, she’s like nobody I ever met before. She might be the one. But time will tell.”
Sal cracked another peanut. “I can only hope that I’ll be as lucky as you.”
“So Lise’s isn’t the one?”
“I don’t know. If I can tame the wildness in her, she might be. I really like being with her. She’s so full of life, funny and outgoing, the complete opposite of me.”
Ryan walked over to Sal and put his hand on his shoulder. “Then you have a job to do because it sounds like you really like her. When you’re with her, I see a part of you that I’ve never seen before.”
Sal shrugged his shoulders. “I guess. Yeah, she does make me feel alive. Speaking of, I’m on my way to pick her up. Do you and Natalie want to hang out with us?” He tossed the last peanut in his mouth.
Ryan gave Sal one more pat and lowered his hand. “I can’t. I have a ton of homework to get caught up on. Besides, I told my boss I would go in this afternoon if she needed my help. I need to check my messages and take a shower.”
“I’m sure glad I’m in technology and not in marketing. Kronberg is working you guys too much, especially for an internship.” Sal walked into the kitchen and dusted his hands off over the trashcan.
“Tell me about it. It’s fun and I like it though.”
“Better you than me. I guess I better go. Lise is waiting on me.”
“Alright, give me a ring later.”
Sal opened the door. “I will. See ya.”
Ryan closed the door behind his cousin and then went over to his phone and turned it on. Sure enough, he had a text from his boss asking him to come and work for a few hours. He also had a text from Natalie, asking him to go to lunch and hang out with her, Lise and Sal.
He texted his boss and told her that he would be in by two and then dialed Natalie’s number.
“Hi, I’ve been thinking about you all morning.” Natalie’s voice sounded soothing.
“Hello, beautiful. Sorry, I slept in. I must have been tired.”
“That’s okay. I didn’t get up until ten. I must have been tired too.”
“So are you still at the condo or back at the dorm?”
“I’m back at the dorm, here with Lise. Do you want to hang out today?”
Ryan’s shoulders sank and his energy drained from him. He wanted to be with her more than anything but he had to be responsible and do what he needed to do. “I can’t. My boss asked me to come in for a few hours and I also have a ton of homework and reading to catch up on.”
Natalie let out a sigh. “It’s okay. I understand. I have homework to catch up on too. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow.”
“Yeah, of course. I’m dying to see ya. In fact, I’m imagining holding you in my arms and kissing your tender lips.”
“Ryan, Lise is right here,” Natalie whispered.
“Okay, I know you can’t say anything back.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. Tomorrow, Lise and I are going shopping for our costumes. Do you want to come with us? Sal’s supposed to come too.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. I’ll give you a call later when I get back from work.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
“Hey Natalie.”
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Ryan.”
***
“Lise, come on. You look great. The limo is probably outside waiting for us.” Natalie turned off the light in the room.
“Hey, turn that back on.”
Natalie flipped the switch back on. “I don’t want to be late.”
“Alright, I’m done.” Lise blinked a few times in the mirror. She walked up to Natalie and fluttered her eyes at her. “What do you think?”
The tiny rhinestone crystals sparkled against her eyelids and the smoky eye shadow. “They are hideous.”
“Ugh. Thanks.” Lise put her hands on her hips.
“I’m kidding. They are really cool. Your eyes are going to really pop from behind that mask.”
Lise held up her feathered gold and black mask to her face and glanced in the mirror. “I think you’re right.”
She lowered the mask and turned around, making sure the fringe on her black see-through hoop swung freely.
“Let me help you with that.” Natalie reached forward and fixed it. “I have to admit, you have an eye for bold fashion.”
She winced slightly. “Do you think it’s too much?” She twirled, allowing Natalie to get the full picture of her short black and gold corset style body suit.
“No. As long as your boss is okay with it.”
“My boss totally loved it. She’s so cool. She may work us like dogs but she sure knows how to reward us. Can you believe she bought this for me?”
“That was nice of her, not to mention the limo ride. Did you know she also paid for Ryan’s tux rental? Which reminds me; I better let him know we are about to leave.” She typed him a text.
“No, I didn’t know that. Too bad the company didn’t offer to pay for all the interns’ outfits for the party. I guess those of us in marketing were lucky.”
“Yes, but you all deserve it. I can’t believe how many hours you and Ryan put in this week.”
“Tell me about it.” Lise rolled her eyes.
Natalie fluffed out her petticoat from underneath the heavy tapestry dress. “I don’t know about this outfit.”
“What? I love the gold ribbon that outlines the emerald green paisleys. I’ve always wanted to wear a full corset dress. I love the nineteenth century era. Can you imagine the balls they use to attend wearing dresses like that?”
“I don’t know if I could get used to all of this. It’s a little much for me. I can barely breathe in this thing.” Natalie took a deep breath and adjusted the restrictive bodice.
“I think you look gorgeous in it. It totally accentuates your boobs. Ryan is going to drool when he sees you.”
Natalie pulled up on the dress, trying to cover her breasts.
“Don’t. Flaunt what God has given you.” Lise pushed Natalie’s hands down.
Natalie stopped fidgeting and exhaled. “Can you hurry? I haven’t seen him all week and he’s waiting for me.”
“Yes ma’am.” Lise saluted her. Lise’s cell phone rang. “That must be the driver.” She turned around to get her phone. “Hello? Yes...okay, we’ll be right down.” Lise hung up the phone. “The limo’s here. Let’s go.”
Natalie and Lise checked themselves in the mirror one last time, grabbed their purses and headed out the door.
***
The sleek black Mercedes pulled up to the nineteenth century grand mansion located a few blocks from the university.
“You know, we could have walked. Then again, I’d be all sweaty by the time we got here wearing this thing.” Natalie pushed down on the skirt of her dress that nearly covered her face.
“We’d be all sweaty even if we had on shorts. It’s still a hundred degrees outside and it’s seven-thirty in the evening for crying out loud. You have to admit, arriving by limo makes you feel important.” Lise checked her lips one more time with her compact mirror.
“I guess.” Natalie peered out of the dark tinted window. “Wow Lise, I’m impressed. Feels like we are in LA for an awards night.”
“Now you know why I’ve been so stressed out. My boss relied on all the interns to pull this off.”
“You guys did an awesome job.”
The passenger side door opened and Natalie and Lise stepped out onto a red carpet that stretched to the curbside. Large LED spotlights crossed each other leading up to the entrance of the mansion. They walked down the plush strip while staged paparazzi snapped shots of them.
“Doesn’t this make
you feel like a movie star?” Lise urged Natalie to stop and pose for a picture.
“Kind of.” Unlike Lise, Natalie didn’t care for pictures and showing off. Nevertheless she smiled for the camera.
“We might as well enjoy it. I mean, how many times do you get to dress up like this and look gorgeous?” Lise continued to pose by herself for some additional pictures.
She politely waved off a few guys asking to take her picture while she waited for Lise.
“Are those ice or glass?” Natalie stopped to examine the tall DNA double helix structures located on each side of the walk, right before the grand doors.
“Glass, I believe. If you think the entrance is stunning, wait until you see the ballroom.” Lise pulled Natalie through the double doors.
They walked through the stately entrance past the dining room and library to the grand ballroom. Muscular men painted from head to toe in an antique gold color, posed at the entrance holding candelabrums in their hands.
“Are those guys real?” Natalie whispered.
“Yes, can you believe it? Aren’t their bodies to die for?”
Natalie tried not to stare at their bulging muscles and rippled stomachs. It didn’t take long for her attention to be diverted once she stepped inside the ballroom. The massive room was decorated to replicate the Masquerade Ball from Phantom of the Opera. Fabric in gold lamè and maroon hung throughout the room, giving it a dark mysterious appearance.
“My gosh. Whose idea was it for all of this?” Natalie did a three-sixty, taking in all of her surroundings.
Lise raised her brows. “Our boss, Lynn. Isn’t she creative?”
“I’m speechless.”
“Wait until you see the food. Come on.”
Natalie followed Lise over to the lavish buffet tables that featured a DNA double helix ice sculpture with a huge waterfall behind it.
“This food looks divine.”
“Lise?”
They both turned around at the same time to see a small-framed Asian lady holding her mask to the side of her face.
“Hi Lynn. Everything looks great. Do you need help with anything?”
“Yes, I do. Meet me by the stage in fifteen minutes.” Lynn checked her cell phone and huffed.
