"Why would you?" Emma said as she picked up books and flipped glossy pages.
"I see you're into the goose collection, Em. Nice choice."
"I love those little tables. Can we sit down?" Without hesitation, she was digging the place.
"I don't think I'd fit." I frowned. "Look at those statues ... oh, are those stuffed figures? This place is incredible. I wish I was a kid again."
"I'm sure they'll let you back in, Jewel," Pete smirked, "but standing room only ..." He motioned to the red and blue pint-sized easy chairs sprinkled around the enormous room.
"Ha ha, Pete. Let's dress you like a teddy bear and stick you over in that corner. Better yet – we'll plop you on that throne over there and you can be forest Santa – maybe read to the kids. Then again, you'd probably scare them with that big goofy head of yours."
"That's a nice idea, Peter," Casey appeared serious, "I'll have to keep it in mind for one of our holiday events. Forest Santa ... very creative, Jewel." He hooked my arm, explaining, "Today's a big day," then led us to a cramped corner. "Sales are important. All of the books on these tables have been donated by kind folks. Proceeds go to St. Jude's."
"Aw, that's nice. Oh ... look, Emma. These are adorable." I shoved two heart-shaped paperbacks into her hands.
I wondered if the hospital where Indigo worked stocked books with pastel plastic covers that squeaked. I gathered an armful and headed to the register, leaving with a shopping bag full of the cutest variety of storybooks for ages two to five, most of them about animals.
"You plan on reading all of those tonight?" Pete asked with mock innocence as we congregated at the entrance, or exit, whichever one wanted to consider the wide double doors.
"They're not for me, noodge."
Casey chuckled. "Thanks for supporting our cause, Jewel."
"It's not much. Wish I could do more."
"Every dime counts."
"Hear that Em?" I pointed to young adult paperbacks stacked on a table nesting by the door. "Every dime counts, so spring."
"I bought a few and put them back," she said behind a hand, then looked smug.
That was so Em. Always under the radar.
Casey seemed so sweet, chatty and quite the intellect, with a personality much like Pete's, not to mention the charm and physique. But today Pete was quiet and reserved, on his best behavior ... maybe holding back so as not to trigger Em and me. I laughed to myself, then my heart warmed. Pete was in love. Casey was worthy of him. I was thrilled.
"Why don't you come back to the apartment? We'll bring in Chinese food." I said to the three faces surrounding me, then directed my attention to Casey. "And you can see some baby pictures of Pete. I've got some stashed."
Everyone laughed except Pete, who didn't seem to find me humorous. Casey instantly accepted, but Pete chimed in, "Maybe another time."
I couldn't help but throw a punch at his arm, then mine around his neck. He was glowing. Even on tiptoes, I didn't come close to his ear. "I like Casey. He's perfect. Don't be a jerk. Don't be a stranger – and bring Casey with you." My lips caught the bottom of his chin. "I miss you, Pete."
"We'll stop by soon." The look in Pete's eyes told me we'd always be friends, but life as we knew it had changed. It was almost as though he'd grown up without me, and I was seeing him off on his beautiful voyage.
After I released him, Emma hugged him, then we closed in on Casey, who appeared pleased with the outcome of our first encounter.
"It was so nice meeting you," I said, planting a smooch on his cheek. "Don't be a stranger."
"Visit often," Emma sang out.
"And bring Pete with you," I called over a shoulder as we edged away.
Before we crossed the street, I heard Pete call out, "See you soon ..." I turned and waved.
I sighed. "I feel like I'm losing my best friend."
Emma jabbed an elbow into my ribs. "Thanks."
I elbowed her back. "You know what I mean. Where do you wanna eat?"
Em and I brought home takeout and watched a thriller while we ate.
"I can see why Pete fell in love with Casey," I said between bites of Kung Pao chicken.
Em's mouth was filled with a combination of vegetable fried rice and tofu in brown sauce, but she nodded, managing a throaty, "Mmm hmm."
MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH PHONE SEX
My cell chimed, and I read the text.
Busy?
It was Indigo. My heart thumped.
Me: Just got in You?
Indigo: Kind of – BRB
In less than a second my ringtone exploded with my favorite JLo tune and Indigo's number.
"Oh my God. He's calling." My eyes bulged as I stared at Em. My cheeks felt warm, my fingers tingly.
"Are you going to answer it?" Emma turned down the TV volume, which didn't matter, because I flew into my room and slammed the door.
"Hey." I tried to steady my breathing.
"Hey. What are you up to?" His smooth voice filled my ear.
"Just had dinner. Watching a movie. Did some Sunday stuff. How about you?"
"I just got in." He sounded kinda beat.
"Long day?"
"The usual. Dinner with the folks. Carted some boxes downstairs for my mom." He stifled a yawn. "How was your day?"
"Good. I met Pete's significant other."
"Awesome."
"Yeah it was. We went to a book fair."
"Sounds like an easy way to spend a Sunday."
"Yeah, we had a lot of fun."
After a moment of silence his voice ripened, dropping from business to pleasure. "I had a nice time last night."
"I did too." I took a much needed breath.
"I could be texting you right now."
"Yah ..."
"But I wanted to hear your voice."
Butterflies sprang, along with the memory of how he'd made me feel when he kissed me. I wanted him in my room, in my arms, right now, Kung Pao breath and all. "I thought about you today ... and about last night."
"Did you ... and what did you think about me and last night?"
He was coming on strong, catching me off guard. I wondered if it was intentional, or was he losing himself as I was. "I think you're a really good dancer."
"I try." He chuckled. "No match for you, Jewel."
The way he said my name sounded different than the night before. More urgent. His voice on the phone was clear, close; it felt as though he was in the room with me. Oh my God. It was like he was sharing my private space. I ran a hand through my messy hair. "Anyone who can keep up with me has to be good." I sat on the edge of my bed, one leg bent beneath me, plucking my toes.
"Oh, and you're that good?" His teasing voice hit a sexy chord.
"Wouldn't you like to find out ..." And why was I doing this? I twisted a lock of hair around my finger.
"Keep it up and you'll hear a knock at your door." How much deeper could his voice get?
His intensity shot chills down my spine. The thought of him sauntering into the apartment, into my room ... Stop it, Jewel!
"That would be nice ..."
"You think?" He sounded mischievous; as much of a flirt as I was ...
"I do." I used a nine-hundred voice.
"So, what are you doing right now?"
"Talking to you." I played dumb.
"I mean what are you doing, like stretched out on the sofa? Curled up on your bed?"
"Are you gonna ask me what I'm wearing next?" I stifled a giggle.
He laughed, then asked me what I had on. Of course I had to lie. If he saw me with a splotch of sticky sauce on my shirt, makeup smudged, baggy sweats. I cringed.
"Let me guess." His words were slow ... deliberate.
How far was he planning on going? Phone sex? Oh my God.
"Location first. Gotta set the scene. I'm thinking you're in your bedroom. It has pink walls, and tailored curtains. And your bedspread is white satin ... " I heard him draw a breath. "Am I close?"
"Peach walls, c
ream colored blinds, but yes, white satin spread." My heartbeat increased. I imagined his eyes were blue at the moment, lids heavy with desire. This was taking it slow? What a contradiction.
"What's your favorite color, Jewel?"
His questions were odd. Were we having phone sex or talking fashion design and interior decorating? "Um ... I'd have to say purple."
I heard a faint click of his tongue, then his rich voice, "No. I don't think so. Red. With the color of your hair, and your eyes, it has to be red." As if deliberating, there was a moment of silence, then he took a breath ... and the plunge. "You're wearing a fiery red babydoll top. It's so silky, so sheer, I can see the outline of your delicious body. Trace every inch of you with the tips of my fingers. The straps are loose ... slipping down your shoulders, almost baring your breasts, which I might decide to uncover right now ... and suck ... one at a time ... nice and slow."
Ignoring the mouthwatering breast comments, I whispered, "Red ... babydoll ... yes ... close ..." I covered the phone with my hand so he wouldn't hear the breath I took, or my noisy swallow.
"It's trimmed with lace, and so short ... I can see your thong, Jewelia, and almost everything beneath it." His next breath sounded like it caught. "If I were there ... on the bed with you, what would you be doing?"
Where was my voice?
"Are you still with me?" He sounded so throaty, I imagined he'd been screaming my name.
"I ... I'm here."
"You're still with me ... good. Do you want to know what I'd be doing?"
Shell shocked, I could barely inhale, no less mumble a response.
"Let me think. Would I be slipping off your top, or diving beneath your thong ..."
"I ... you'd ..." What were my lips doing? Knotting?
"I'll lay you down, stretch out beside you, watch the look on your face when my fingers work their way up your arms ... down your neck ... pull you into me ..."
He was killing me. Could he hear the sharp breath I drew? "Keep this up and I'll be showing up on your doorstep."
"You don't know where I live." His voice was devilishly husky.
"I have a phone book." I knew I sounded faint.
"I'm unlisted."
"I'll have Em call Bill and ask him."
"That's cheating."
I could hear every breath he sucked in ... exhaled.
"What are you wearing?" I whispered.
"Pajama bottoms."
"Bare chested?"
"Yep ... you?"
I couldn't take much more. By the time the call ended I'd be shopping for a vibrator.
"I could be." My fingers traced the length of my neck. "If you were here, maybe I would be." I strangled my phone. "I just got out of the shower. I'm stretched out on my bed wearing nothing but a towel. You tap on my door, and with a sexy voice I tell you to come in."
"Sounds interesting. Keep going."
"You stand at the foot of my bed, staring down at me. My hair's spilling across a pillow, and the towel doesn't even cover my thighs. You like the way I look. I can see it in your eyes. Then you sit down beside me, run your fingers up my leg ..."
"Where do I stop?" His voice was muffled, as though his mouth suddenly slackened.
"You don't. You say you've never felt anything so smooth. So inviting. Then you part the towel, let it fall, stroke my ... belly."
"Then I part your legs you mean ... and you're squirming as my fingers begin to rub ..." His voice ran through the phone line like red-hot lava.
"Yes, and you're panting. Dying to feel my hips tucked up against you ... but there are so many other things you want to do to me first."
"Like what?" His breath grew labored.
"You want to touch me. Your hands are all over me."
"I'm running my hands ... then my tongue, all over your gorgeous body."
I lost it. Totally lost it. "Jimmy, I'm aching." My voice was hoarse.
"Baby ..." He sounded just as hungry. "I wish I could be with you right now."
"I'm so hot, babe. Tell me more. What would you do to me next?" I sank into my mattress, my legs dangling over the side, staring through the blades of the ceiling fan ... staring through eyes that suddenly saw nothing but his face ... his hands.
"Snag the cuffs from your nightstand drawer. Pin your arms over your head, cuff your wrists to the headboard. Part your legs wider ... slide my fingers in ... and watch your face."
"Kiss me. You'd have to be kissing me."
"I'd kiss you like you've never been kissed before. Deep ..." He groaned. "Long, slow strokes of my tongue, tasting your lips, slipping in and out of your mouth, down your neck. I'd run my wet tongue across your breasts ... around your nipples."
"My nipples would be so hard ..." I ran my fingertips over the front of my shirt. "They are, Jimmy. My nipples are so hard. Would you suck on them? Bite them?" My palms were so moist, my phone almost slipped from my grip.
"No. I wouldn't touch them. I'd make you suffer. Beg me."
"Please ..."
"I'd slip my tongue between your luscious breasts, drag it across your chest ... licking the soft, sensitive skin around each nipple, but I wouldn't touch them with my tongue, or my fingers. Not just yet. I'd blow my warm breath all over your body ... followed by a feather ..."
"I'd struggle to free my hands, beg you to release me so I could tear your clothes off." A breath caught in my throat. "Take off the cuffs, baby. Please ..."
"If I remove the cuffs ... what will you do to me?"
"We're both naked now. Your body is beautiful. Your skin is so smooth, muscular. I run my hands up and down your chest, straddle you. Slip my tongue through your lips, plunging deep inside your mouth. Like I want you ... deep inside me."
The tone of his voice changed from seductive night caller to passionate Indigo. "You're driving me crazy, like you did last night. I can't stop thinking about kissing you, Jewel. I want to kiss you right now."
I felt the onset of the most intense orgasm which was about to break loose and send rippling shockwaves through my entire body.
"Oh my God, Jimmy. I think I might come."
"Then come. I'm right there with you. My hands are yours."
"Are you hard ... ready to come?"
"You wouldn't believe how hard I am. I can't believe how hard I am. But I won't come until I'm inside you, Jewelia, deep inside you ... if that's where you want me to be."
"Oh my God ... Yes ... Yes ... Yes ..."
I had no control over my words ... my actions. My own voice echoed in some faraway place, my senses clouded with need ... and in my mind, I was actually having sex with Indigo ... and I was so ready to let my body flow with a delicious orgasm triggered by my own hands.
"Put your phone on speaker and stretch out on your bed. Take off your pants ... Do what I say. It'll feel so good, baby."
About to obey his throaty command, Emma's tap on my door stopped my panting words, my anxious hands, cleared my fuzzy thoughts. "Jewel, you okay?" She kept her voice low. "You've been locked in your room for over half an hour."
She blew our game to pieces. Although I'd covered the phone with my hand, Indigo must have heard my harsh whisper, "I'm fine, Emma. Go away." I was almost in tears.
"Company?" he asked. By then his breath was even.
"Just Em."
"Phew." His breath through the phone was so harsh, I could almost feel the beads of moisture hit my ear. "I don't know what came over me." I wasn't sure if his voice held more amazement or remorse. Was he upset because he'd just come on like a raving sex maniac with a girl he hardly knew? Or because he was becoming involved ... and wanted to back out. "I'm really sorry, Jewel." He sounded wounded.
I gasped. "Why are you sorry?"
"I lost control ... I shouldn't have."
"It's fine, Indigo. I enjoyed it." Jimmy ... I loved it ...
My panties were drenched. I wondered if the erection he'd had to have sprouted was as painful as my aching lower half. Phone sex was fun, but I wouldn't make a ha
bit of it. I wanted the real thing, and since I couldn't have it, I'd abstain.
Indigo's tone sounded off, so I worried. What had made me float on a cloud, had turned into a catastrophe. I felt embarrassed, blushing as much from shame as passion. Did he feel the same?
"It's not fine. I shouldn't have called ... it was a mistake." He dropped from hot-blooded to wistful. "Do you want to see me again?"
Why was he sabotaging us?
"Of course I want to see you again." I'd never felt so awkward.
"When?" he whispered.
I sighed. "I ... um ... I don't know." How could I know anything? He'd just blown me clear out of my mind.
"I guess I'll let you go, Jewel."
I couldn't believe him. He was behaving like two different people.
"Early morning. Gonna hop in the shower. Hit the sack."
Sure, finish yourself off without me. Thank you very much.
"Are you okay?" He sounded as uncomfortable as I felt.
"I am. But are you?"
"I'll be fine ..." Tense silence, then once again, passion controlled his voice. "I'd like to see you again."
My voice still quivered. "When are you free?"
"How about dinner on Friday evening?"
"Sure." Watching myself in the mirror, I nodded. My heart refused to slow. My cheeks were red and blotched. I looked like I did after a vigorous workout. And what had just occurred was only an exchange of words. Sexy words. I wondered if we'd lose control when were together. I corrected myself: I knew we'd lose control when we were together. Would it be anything like this? Holy shit, if so, there would be an explosion.
"It will have to be late. I'm scheduled until nine. Is that good for you?"
Anything's good for me, as long as it includes you ...
I'd starve to death if I waited until nine o'clock, but I'd die before I admitted it.
"Nine is perfect. Gives me time to relax, do some studying, shower ..." Thinking about you the entire time I'm smoothing lather over my body that still aches for you. "Where?"
"I'll text you from the hospital."
We were making progress. He'd be thinking about me while he was on duty. A chill shot through me.
"Good night, Jewelia."
"Nite, Indigo."
What just happened? My head swam. I knew I'd be tossing and turning all night trying to figure it out.
Head Over Wheels (Spicy Young Romance) Page 13
