About Time

by Danielle Torella

  He points to the swing, “Mind if I join you?”

  “It’s your swing.”

  He sits down and takes a sip from his glass and I take another from mine. We sit here in silence for a few moments. Some find silence uncomfortable, me? I find it reassuring. You don’t have to try to keep someone near you if you can just sit together and habitat the same space, without random babbles.

  “How was your night?” He finally asks.

  With my head still on the back of the swing I turn it and look at him. “Work was fine. Some of the girls from the team came in after their practice. Which I thought was odd that you weren’t there for it…”

  “Yeah, I was supposed to, but my Dad needed my help tonight.”

  I nod.

  “They are a fun bunch,” I state, smiling at the thought of all of them.

  He laughs and takes another sip. My eyes glued to his mouth. “They sure are.”

  Silence again, so I close my eyes again.

  “What was that?” He asks. I turn my head again and give him a questioning glance. “Did you just moan?”

  “Uh, no, I don’t think so…” Did I? Oh, crap I hope not!

  He smiles, “I think you did.” I shyly look down and my eyes go to his body. He is wearing dark navy blue cargo shorts and a white T-shirt. His hand moves and presses down on the zipper part of his pants. I quickly glance up at him, “Sorry,” He says. “A little constricting at the moment.”

  I laugh and shake my head.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing…” I lie.

  He puts an arm on the back of the swing and doesn’t take his eyes off of me. He nudges my foot with his. I kick off my sneakers and my socks, letting them fall to the porch. “What was so funny?” He asks again.

  I turn on the swing so I am facing him completely and bring my feet up, “Honestly? I have never met a guy who was so forward.”

  “I’m forward?” He asks.

  I lightly kick him with my foot, “Yes you are. You come right out and tell me what you are thinking and feeling, even the things that most people hide you share. Like that little motion you did there to your pants.”

  He smirks, “What this?” He does it again and I feel a tingle in my zipper area this time. My mouth goes dry and I can only nod my head. “Are you shocked that you turn me on?”

  I nod.

  “Why?” He asks. God, he is so pushy.

  “Because I have never been made to feel that way. I was just a piece of meat I think.”

  “Well, you are by far, way more than that for me. Your personality, the way you speak, the way you suck on your lip and the way you don’t even notice how sexy you really are. And that…right there, that rosy shade of pink that overtakes your sun kissed cheeks when you get embarrassed, that is really fucking sexy and drives me mad.”

  “Oh…”

  Leaning in close, so close I can smell the tea on his breath and the smell of his shampoo, oh lordy the smell of his shampoo … He locks his eyes with mine and his eyes widen, “Oh, is right Margot Epstein.”

  My breath deepens and I don’t know what to do with myself at this very moment. I know what I want to do, but I’m sure I will only disappoint him. So I need to take charge and lead this into another direction. Snapping my gaze away from the green and gold constellations of his eyes, “So, why cooking?” I ask briskly and take a sip from my home made iced tea.

  He smiles and knows what I am doing I’m sure, but he placates me. He shifts back into his own personal bubble, “Well, when I was younger my uncles wanted me to play football or hockey, anything contact. My parents on the other hand believed that I could choose to do whatever pleased me. So, my uncles and some cousins tried to push me into it. One summer I gave in and signed up for football. I was in seventh grade and a runt I must add. So I got the crap knocked out of me at every practice and hardly stepped foot on the field. Once the season was done, my uncles wanted me to find another sport, obviously I didn’t want to and luckily my parents, especially my father stood up for me. This caused a lot of shit in the family. They told him he was raising another little girl and that I shouldn’t be in the kitchen as much as I was. That I needed to play sports and be roughed up.” He playfully punches me on the arm and holds his hands up like a boxer would.

  “So what? You were forced to play anyways?”

  “I’m getting there,” He taps my nose with his finger. “So my uncles told their sons that they couldn’t hang out with me anymore, unless they could get me to toughen up. So they started hounding me and trying to get me to be like one of the guys you know? Well I didn’t find rolling around with a bunch of sweaty dudes or cat-calling women to be a great human trait, but one of my cousins told me that I could just strengthen up on my own, in the gym and just by looking tough, people would leave me alone. So he helped to get me bulked up for high school and once I looked tough, people started to respect me. Girls started to notice me, but as soon as I told them about how I liked to cook…That was it for me. Apparently the female kind doesn’t like a guy in the kitchen…”

  “So, you got buff and still did the cooking thing anyways?”

  “Sure did and I couldn’t be happier.”

  “They aren’t too bright then are they? The girls I mean. Hell a guy in the kitchen making me food, is pretty hot…” I trail off and look away.

  He takes in a deep rugged breath, “If only more women were like you…Although, I don’t mind it just being you right now. Are you hungry?”

  I look back at him, “I just came home from working at a diner, who only makes greasy food. I’m starving.” I giggle. It’s amazing how light he makes me feel. I forget all of my problems with him. “I can’t eat that stuff half the time.” He stands up and offers that gentleman hand of his, I take it and he leads me into the house, which already smells amazing. I take in a deep breath and all the amazing aromas with it. But it still doesn’t smell half as good as him, close. But not close enough. “You just got home from cooking and you’re cooking already?”

  Leading me into the kitchen he goes to the oven and I’ll admit, I check out his back side when he bends to open the hot appliance. “No, I brought some leftover home that I thought you might enjoy. I popped them in the oven to keep them warm. Do you like eggplant parmesan?”

  “Oh, yes very much.”

  He retrieves the piping hot dish and walks past me to the table. Effortlessly he gets the oven-mitt under the glass dish, so it doesn’t hurt the table. “Have a seat, I’ll grab the plates and stuff. Wine?” He asks.

  “Red?” I ask.

  “Of course.” He brings the bottle, dishes and silverware with him. Sitting he smacks his head, “Shit glasses…”

  “I’ll get them. Where are they?” I ask, trying to do anything helpful.

  “Second cabinet from the stove, top shelf.” He guides me.

  I open the cabinet and he wasn’t kidding about the top shelf. I look over at him and throw my hands on my hips, “Seriously? I mean I am tall-ish and all, but really?”

  He tosses his head back and finally stands to help me. I think he knew what he was doing all along. He steps to the side of me and reaches up to grab two wine glasses, I close my eyes and drop my head and inhale again. I really need to stop smelling him. He closes the cabinet and stays there. I open my eyes and he is leaning right to the side of me, a glass in each hand. Just watching me. “You alright?”

  I bring my thumbnail to my mouth and nibble nervously, “Yeah, sorry.”

  “About what?”

  “Nothing really.”

  He presses against me slightly, waiting for my embarrassing confession. “Why are you sorry Margot?” His playfulness gone now. He sets the glasses down on the counter behind me. He reaches around so both hands are on the counters edge, on both sides of my body. At first he is leaning over and couple feet away. Then he has his front to mine. I can feel my body getting heavier, specifically my breasts. My nipples are at attention, which isn’t good,
considering I am not wearing a padded bra tonight. He looks down my body and back up to my eyes. “I want to hear you stop apologizing.” I suck in my lip.

  He presses harder into me and I can feel his hardness through his jeans and my work shorts. I must smell like diner food, like burgers and onion rings. How is this a turn on? I have to say sorry once more, “I’m sorry,” I pull my hair to my noise and sniff it. “I smell like work, I should probably shower…”

  “No.” He says, just no. His head moves in closer to mine and his nose trails up my neck and I can not only hear him breathe me in, but I can feel it. When he reaches my ear he whispers, “No more sorry. No more. There is nothing you need to be sorry about.”

  I close my eyes and wish that was true.

  His hands find my hips and I should stop him, but I can’t and I don’t want to. He pulls back enough to look me in the eye, “Is this okay?”

  I nod.

  He presses into me with his hips, “How about this?”

  I nod once more.

  His mouth hovers mine, just barely touching it, “Is this fine?”

  I take in a sharp breath and can’t hold on any longer, my knees start to weaken, but before I know it I am being hoisted up onto the counter and he is between my knees and his hands are on the back of my neck and in my hair. His mouth is fervent on mine and I can’t take anymore. I kiss him hard back. I need to feel his hot tongue searching my mouth as I search his. His lips are soft and just plump enough for me to nibble on and I do and when I do, I pull his bottom lip out between my teeth and when I release it I flick it with my tongue. He moans and that just ignites whatever this is inside of me. I use my hands to reach for his hips and I find his back side and I pull him into me closer. His hands exploring my necks, shoulders and back. When they reach my hips I can feel him tugging at the white fabric, begging me to allow him to remove the garment. I hesitate at first, but as soon as I nod that it’s okay it’s up and over my head in an instant. He tosses it away and his fingers trail their way to the button on my shorts and when I suck in my lip he unsnaps them in a flash. I use my hands to lift my bottom off the counter to allow him to remove them. I’m sitting on this man’s kitchen counter in nothing but my bra and panties.

  I have never been one to initiate anything, let alone undress a man, but I just need to feel him in all his glory. I have had dreams about it. I have seen him in shorts and no shirt on the beach, but that seems so PG right now. So, I do the unthinkable. I start lifting his shirt up and he bends to help me pull it off his head. I reach for the front of him and feel his tight toned abdomen. I count all six abs and reach up over his tattooed chest and grip his shoulders.

  He goes from my mouth to my jaw, neck and collarbone. He lightly touches the straps to my bra and he looks back up at me, asking again. I pause and finally nod. He smirks and deftly slides the strap off my shoulder. I tilt my head to the side to allow him greater access to my neck and shoulders. My hands find their own way to the waistband of his jeans, he groans into my ear and I feel a clench not just in my belly this time. I fumble with the button, but find some courage with the zipper.

  With one hand around my back he unclasps my thin bra. I exhale at the release and really feel the heaviness of my breasts. He steps away. Oh no. No.

  I am left sitting on the counter and he is looking at me. Just staring. Scrutinizing. This is the part where Josh would offer a boob job, like he typically did. He didn’t care for my B cup breasts.

  “Whatever you are thinking stop.” He demands. I hadn’t realized that I had folded my arms over my chest. “You are beautiful, I dare to say the sexiest woman I have ever laid my eyes on. Uncover yourself immediately.”

  I slowly remove my arms and I place them on my lap. I look him over just as he is with me. He is barefoot, unbuttoned and shirtless. My mouth is practically watering. He comes in closer again and his hands start on my hips. “I want to feel you Margot. If it’s too much I want you to tell me. Understand?”

  “I do,” I gust out. I want him to feel me, more than anything I have wanted from a man in my life. For once I want it. I am craving it.

  “Good.” He trails a light touch up my waist, my back, then back down to my stomach. When his hand come up and cup my breasts I feel like I am going to set on fire. I grip the counter for support and he is watching my eyes. His are ablaze.

  “Oh my God.” I breathe out in a whisper.

  “Is this alright?” He asks as he starts to knead my breasts.

  “Yes,” I hiss out.

  Then he moves his hands ever so slightly and his thumbs graze my nipples and I nearly shoot up off the counter, “Whoa, sit tight Honey Bee I’m far from being done with you yet.”

  We are startled with a pounding on the front door. Derrek lifts his head for a moment and assures me, “Whoever it is will leave.” I barely hear him through my pounding heartbeat.

  The pounding stops for a few moments then goes on. Derrek, annoyed now and I quite frankly am too at this point. I am finally feeling good with a man and oh my, what a man he is. And after the evening I have had, this is exactly what I needed. Just no one can find out. He pulls back, “Stay right here, no one can see you from the door.” I bite my lip and nod. I feel exposed, but turned on.

  He struggles to pull away and as he turns into the living room where the door is I hear him groaning. Before he opens the door I hear him, “It’s fucking late, and this better be good…” I hear him open the door. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I hear him raise his voice.

  I don’t hear anyone speak, which makes me nervous. I hop down from the counter and to look for my top and shorts. I see them across the area on the table. If I go for them then whoever is out there will see me, practically naked. All I can do is move further into the corner of the kitchen, so I can hide. “She isn’t here.” I hear Derrek say. Someone is looking for me?

  “Bull shit her car is right outside asshole!” Josh. No, no.

  “Look, your drunk I’m assuming by the obvious stench on your breath and I don’t know how you found out where I live, but…”

  The next thing I know I see Josh coming at me. He is fuming and I am in his direct path. I cover my chest up with my arms as well as I can. Derrek is coming up fast behind him, but not fast enough. I am back handed by Josh. I misjudged his strength. I fall back and hit my back on the counter and fall to the floor. Derrek is yelling something, I don’t know what then he is pulling Josh off of me. My back is searing with pain, so bad I feel like I might throw up.

  Josh breaks free from Derrek and comes back at me. I cover my face and curl up into a ball afraid he is going to hit me again. He is bending down pointing at me and his cheek is swelling. His knuckles are red and one is cracked open. Derrek, how bad is he hurt? I look past Josh and I see him slowly curling up to his knees to stand. Josh looks back at him too, “Well, well, well, looks like I was right all along. You really are a whore. Nice bruise by the way, at least I never left a mark,” He sees my black and blue mark which is fading on my leg from practice. I don’t try to correct him. I just try to shield myself from him. “So, did you tell your new boyfriend here about getting knocked up by foster daddy?”

  Everything in this moment stops. I don’t hear my pulse. I don’t hear my breathing. I see Derrek standing straight up now from behind Josh. His expression has gone from anger and rage to just nothing. The same nothingness I have felt for so many years flash across his features.

  “What?” He asks Josh, but his eyes stay on me.

  Josh slowly turns and he has a wicked grin on his face. “I will take that as a no. So she didn’t tell you.”

  Derrek looks down at me and back at Josh.

  I need to leave. I need to get out of here. Everything I had held in for all those years are exposed. I stand up as fast as I can and that’s not very fast. I step by Derrek who looks confused and sick, which I don’t blame him. I grab my clothes with one hand as I wrap my other arm around my chest. I rush to the bedroom to grab my bag
and throw on a sweatshirt.

  I hear Derrek yelling at Josh, what he is saying is unclear, but as soon as I hear the door slam I grab my bag and keys and dart out the back door. Jumping in Blue Belle I wait till I see Josh spin his tires and go one way down the road and I head in the other.

  Who the fuck is knocking on my door at this hour? I am having a hard enough time believing that I am actually kissing and feeling Margot, my sweet, oh so sweet Honey Bee. I didn’t think this would happen, okay maybe I did, but not so soon and not her so willing. I know she has had a more than hard upbringing and I want to make sure I do this right, to show her what love really is and what it feels like to be touched and cherished by someone who… Do I?

  Here she is on my kitchen counter in nothing but a pair of light purple panties, which make her smooth slightly pale skin, looking too good to touch. I don’t deserve her or to be able to do this to her, but she isn’t stopping me. Her breasts are fucking perfect, not like the fake ones I have been seeing. They’re just the right size, they fit perfectly in my hands. Anything more would only be a waste. Her long sun kissed hair falls in front of her chest and for a moment she appears to be a mermaid. Ariel has nothing on her.

  The knocking doesn’t go away, so I am forced to pull away from her. I tell her stay right where she is. I am assuming it is one of my moronic friends who don’t take a hint from me not answering my door at this time of night. I turn the knob and I am greeted with a short guy in a button up shirt and actual the fuck khakis. Who the fuck wears khakis? No one I know.

  I tell him that he is drunk and that I didn’t know how he found out where I live. I am going out of my mind knowing that I had just left the sexiest woman on my counter for whatever reason he thinks he has to be here. I ask again with more gusto to my voice. The guy looks me up and down and grins at me. Tired of this already I go to close the door when he shoves it back open and glides right inside. “What the fuck?” I growl at the guy.

  Then he asks where Margot is, I tell him that she’s not here, knowing fully well that he had seen her car. He calls me out on it and starts for the kitchen. Shit! She is in there practically naked and I know I tossed her clothes away from her. He doesn’t get to see her like that anymore. He never fucking deserved it! What he did to her and put her through, fucking her supposed best friend? Who the hell does that?