by R. E. Laurel
“Over breasts of silicone and liposuction, added ass padding?”
“They were beautiful.”
“Fake, false, not the real deal. Do you realize that as they get old, what else will be fake? Either what is silicone now will be standing up as they sag everywhere else. Botox city if they’re not doing that already. It’s really disgusting when you think about it all.”
“Christ, Vic. Enjoy them now.”
Victor remained silent, knowing what Stan was speaking about. Too many chased him because he was the wealthy eligible bachelor. Even mothers were contacting him to take out their daughters all saying, we just know you’ll be a perfect couple. A shiver crept up his back at the thought of pushy moms demanding that he dates their daughter.
“Sorry man. Not my cup of tea any longer.”
Stan leaned back to study his best friend. He knew Maren for five years now and never really paid her any attention. Sure she was cute in a quirky way. So why did she catch Victor’s attention? He could have any beauty out there.
“What’s so different about her?”
“The only thing that I can figure out is she is so different than others. She’s old fashion in her thinking. How often have I gone home with a woman on a first date? Then they think I have to be with them all the time.”
“So, what is wrong with that?”
“It’s just difficult to explain, Stan. Until you meet someone who blows you away you will have no idea what the hell I am talking about.”
Stan’s eyebrows briefly rose upwards at the description of his feelings. “Well, I just find this all hard to comprehend regarding how you have done a complete turnaround, especially in such a short time. With the bevy of beauties that you always surrounded yourself with to just one woman. I still can’t understand it.”
“I want to get to know her as the person, not as the body.”
“Wait. Are you telling me that you two uh, haven’t had sex yet?” Stan wondered, his finger swiveling back and forth in front of Victor.
“No.”
Stan sat back shocked. His mouth formed an O. “No shit.”
“No shit. It’s refreshing believe me.”
“Jesus, you just keep on shocking me. Do you know that?”
“What can I say?” Victor laughed, taking a drink of his beer.
***
Maren dressed down in torn at the knees scruffy jeans, baggy heavy sweater, and snow boots. After tugging on a blue beanie knit cap and coat she went to the Youth Center to see how the children were doing and get in some more decorating. Thankfully they were almost finished. She entered to the sounds of laughter and music along with balls bouncing. Carrying her coat, she walked down the corridor to watch as they played a game of horse with basketballs. Taking a seat on the bleacher, she released a laugh at their antics.
“Oh, Joey. Surely you can get that ball higher!” She called out.
“I’m trying!” He stood, his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth as he concentrated between eyeing the net and the ball until he finally let if fly only to bounce off of the rim.
“That’s better!” Maren laughed as he gave the ball to Sam.
Sam bounced the ball, held it to his face to eye it to the net, bounced it again to repeat the ritual four more times. Finally, he let it go and hit the hoop. “Aw man!” he yelled as Joey laughed.
Maren joined the laughter, enjoying this reprieve of watching their antics. “Do you guys have school work to do by any chance?” She asked getting dirty looks from them. “I guess so.”
“Yeah, you don’t have to remind us,” Sam shouted then, “Hey it’s Victor! Hi, Victor!”
Maren’s eyes widened as she turned in her seat to see him walking through the door towards her. His eyes locked onto hers and his face held a seriously intense expression. She felt the shiver tingle up her spine as he made a straight line towards her. With a huge smile, she jumped up as he reached her to wrap her in his arms. She felt at home in his embrace and prayed she could stay here permanently. Her arms slid beneath his to wrap around his shoulders to hold him closer.
Moving apart she wrapped her arm around his. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming?”
“I wanted to surprise you. I’m glad that I looked at the parking lot as I drove past. I saw your car here.”
They looked towards the gymnasium floor at his name being called out. He smiled and waved to the children as they continued to play their game. She led him to the bleachers where they sat down next to each other.
“I had a few trying days.” He began wanting so badly to be able to tell her his real identity but he decided against it
“What happened?” She watched him as she slid her arm around his to rest her hand on his forearm.
“Paperwork mess up. It was a huge mistake that we caught within the first few hours but every store I have was hit with it.” He briefly explained.
Her brows furrowed with confusion at his words. Surely she misheard him. Every store I have. The sound of a bouncing basketball interrupted her thoughts.
“Hey, guys. Are you up for a game of one on one?” Sam cockily issued the challenge.
Victor and Maren moved their heads to look at him as he stood, bouncing a ball with every word with a daring, come on look on his face.
Joey soon joined him. “You guys chicken?” He taunted.
CHAPTER 18
Their laughter flowed as they entered her home. Victor followed Maren, carrying a large box of pizza in one hand and two bags of groceries in his arm as Maren carried a small bouquet that he bought for her at a nearby grocery store. They were still talking about the basketball game they had with Sam and Joey.
“You can really bounce a ball,” Victor complimented, setting the box on the counter top as she set laid the flowers on the island in the center of her kitchen.
“I had to learn fast when they began issuing that challenge to me a few years ago. They were fast then but now they have gotten quicker.” She answered, carrying their coats to hang on the hall tree in the back entry.
“I would have loved to saw when you began playing the game,” he laughed.
She returned with a huge smile. “Haha. What about you? Did you see their faces when you got the basket beyond half court? I mean, you could have mopped the floor up with their chins!”
“That was most definitely hilarious.”
“Where did you learn those moves?”
“On my many vacations. We play a lot of sports on the beaches and near the beaches.”
Maren retrieved plates for their supper as he reached over her head to pluck two mugs from the next shelf up.
“Well, I think it was so nice of you to let them win.”
“Let them? They did win!”
She turned to look at him. “I know better than to believe that. I love how you actually showed compassion to two small boys. This will be a such a fantastic memory for them.”
“Oh yeah. We kicked the big dude’s ass in basketball.” He laughed as Maren gave his stomach a soft punch. “Hey!”
“What about this little girl that kicked the big dude’s ass?”
“I am not afraid of you and you need to get your story straight. I kicked your ass.”
“You better be afraid of me.”
Victor laughed, “You’re cute.”
“Now we’re back to cute. Well, you’re remarkable. Did you know that?” She stated, standing on tiptoes to press a kiss on his chin. Instantly she felt his arms slide around her waist to hold her there, then the touch of his lips on hers in a slow, long kiss.
“What brought that on?” he questioned.
“I missed you.”
“Damn, I missed you too.” He groaned, encasing her in his arms again to just hold her next to him, resting his chin on the top of her head. He stared at the array of her antique crocks on a shelf across the kitchen, his thoughts whirling. He felt so alive with her and wanted to keep her near him. “God, you feel so good,” he whispered smili
ng as he felt her arms slide around his waist and lay her head on his chest.
“We better get to the pizza before it gets cold,” Maren softly suggested, tipping her face upwards to look into his face, so serious at the moment. He nodded, releasing his hold on her as they retrieved their food and went to the dining room to sit.
Victor noticed a clicker on the fireplace mantle and stood to retrieve it. Turning to the large table he turned it on to light one of the three candles in the crystal candle holder. Then sat down. Looking at her he caught the softness in her eyes as she watched him. “Romantic, don’t you think?”
Smiling, she nodded as they ate. She silently watched him, thinking how good it did feel to just being held in his arms. She never felt so relaxed, so safe and secure as she had at that moment.
“What’s on your mind?” he asked as he couldn’t miss how she looked at him.
“The Christmas Story is still on.” She laughed as he rolled his eyes. “You will see the movie in its entirety.”
“I sure don’t doubt that especially with your love of that one.” She wrinkled her nose at him in a smirk. “You’re cute. I enjoy hanging out with you.”
“So I’ve been told. Vic, what did you do before hanging out with me?”
“I hung out with Stan. We’ve done a lot together, trips mainly.”
“What did you do on those trips?”
“Depends on where we would be. If to the beach I hang in the sun, catch waves, play volleyball on the beach. Check out the ladies.” He ended. “We took skiing trips too.”
She sat back, amazed with all he has done. “Wow, you must be really active.”
He nodded. “Yes, I am. I love outdoor sports and do a lot of them. What about you?”
“I enjoy anything outside too. Skiing, jet skiing, water skiing. Tennis is fun.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever played that one. Hang gliding?”
Her eyes grew luminous. “No.”
“You will.” He chuckled at the paleness of her face.
“Not in this lifetime,” she remarked as he laughed.
They finished their meal with mild talk and reminiscing about the time spent with the kids at the Youth Center and laughed some more. They walked through the wide doorway where pocket doors were hidden between the walls to the parlor to sit on the couch. Maren turned on the television and she shot him a smug look.
“Are you the lucky one? It’s just beginning.”
Victor sat in the corner of the couch grasping her hand to urge her next to him. She dropped against him, snuggling her back to his chest as his arm slipped around her waist. Her slight weight partially laid on him, her hand gently lying on his thigh. She already giggled as the movie began.
“Oh Lord,” he groaned, grinning when her hand lightly slapped his leg. But soon, the antics of Ralphie made him laugh as he felt the pain of the little boy wanting one thing in his life and it appeared it was never going to happen.
“I knew you’d like it,” Maren stated as his index finger gently outlined her cheek and chin.
“I admit it. It’s a funny movie. Whoa, what a lamp!” He quickly declared when the box was opened and the leggy lamp was removed. “I’m going to get my laptop and check on any messages and check into some of that stress.”
“You’re going to miss the movie!”
“I’ll be right back.”
Maren released a gasp when he returned carrying two suitcases and had his carry on strapped over his shoulder, and he was covered with snow.
“What on earth?”
“Your house must be insulated really well since we never heard that howling wind. Seems the storm has hit. A good foot already fell.”
“Are you serious?”
“No, I just rolled in a snow bank to make it appear that way,” he teased.
“It wasn’t supposed to hit until tomorrow night. It must have come early.”
“I’m guessing that it did,” he grumbled dropping his luggage on the hall floor.
Maren moved to look out a front window. She was amazed to only be able to see past the steps since the wind blew the snow in a straight line.
“Can we get your car in the garage?”
“Are you kidding? I could barely make out the light in the window to find my way back. Looks like you have me here for a few days. I definitely have some calls to make,” he said, retrieving his phone and pushing a number as he moved away. “Hey, Stan.”
“You don’t need to say a thing. I just looked outside. It’s nasty looking.”
“In regards to our conversation a few days ago. Looks like it has started and they’re calling for a lot of snow. So, make plans to close the store for a few days.”
“Sure, will close the store. I’ll get that started with the phone calls to the heads of the departments.”
“Perfect.”
“What about the old man?”
“He won’t give a shit. He’s in Jamacia or somewhere. Besides it’s my call now, not his. Stay safe.”
“You too.”
“Everything okay?” Maren wondered, giving him a curious look. His words again indicated he was more than a mere manager.
“Yep, just closing down the store for a few days. Safety first.”
They returned to the couch but this time, Maren reclined facing him, her hands lightly played with the front of his sweater before gliding to his neck and caress the side of his face. Their eyes connected as she urged him to lean toward her. Lifting her chin, her lips sought and found his. She lightly teased, brushing hers back and forth on his before permitting him to take over, possessing hers in a long kiss. Her lips moved from his to lightly kiss a trail on his neck pausing to nibble, lick and kiss just below his ear. Her actions caused a low groan to slip from his mouth.
She had been paying extra attention to him all afternoon and found herself falling deeper. Not being with him for a couple of days made her realize she missed seeing and hearing him and she comprehended that she wanted to know him, intimately. After talking with Belinda and her ridiculous notion that perhaps he was a virgin too just made her laugh. One of his last words he said to her jumped out at her. When you want me, not think you do. When you ache from wanting my touch then you’ll know.
She knew.
Moving away she quietly stood and turned to walk out of the room.
With brows furrowed, he watched as she stood, also noticing a sway of her hips, like a gentle flutter of a curtain during a soft breeze.
“Where are you going, gorgeous?”
Pausing, she turned to the arched doorway. “Oh, didn’t I say?”
He shook his head.
“I want you. I want you to make love to me, so I thought I’d go and put on something more comfortable.” Spinning away, she fought to keep from bursting out with laughter at the sheer look of amazement on his face, his eyes widened, and mouth opened, and the pie almost slid from his tilted plate. She hurried up the steps, bending down to look into the room to see what he did next.
He still hadn’t moved. Victor remained frozen to his seat wondering if he heard her correctly. The words she breathlessly uttered repeated in his mind, I want you to make love to me.
Nodding, he definitely knew that is what he heard. Shifting his gaze to the doorway where she disappeared, he wondered if she were standing on the other side waiting or laughing at him. There is only one way to find out.
Clearing his throat, he stood. Nervously wiping his hands down his thighs, he followed in the direction she went. Slowly stepping into the corridor, he was surprised to find she wasn’t there.
“She’s serious,” he muttered, now looking up the wide, mahogany wooden stairway. With raised eyebrows, he slowly took the steps to search for her bedroom.
Following the hissing sound of a shower, he slowly entered a bedroom where he guessed as hers and taken by surprise at how preserved this room remained too. Much of it appeared original except for gas lighting changed to electric but still hung in gas lamps. He stripped
down to his boxers and crawled beneath the covers of the queen-sized bed with thick four posters. He lay on his side, resting his head in his hand and waited for the water to turn off and the door to open.
Maren entered the walk-in closet through the door that connected the bath with it. She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror and smiled at her reflection. Turning towards the shelving, she flipped through her pajamas and frowned.
“Shit, I never realized that I didn’t have anything very feminine to put on,” she muttered.
With a grimace of disgust, she pulled out a two-piece set of pink flannel pajamas with tiny black polka dots on them. Slipping into the bottoms, the legs reaching to her ankles and then the button down top, she scrutinized her reflection with even more disgust. Biting her lower lip, she undid the top two buttons and opted to undo the bottom three to only have two done. With her index finger, gave the gap a downward pull to show a bit more skin. Sighing she turned to the door to open and peer around it. Her eyes widened at the sight that met her eyes.
Victor’s bare torso showed above the blankets and had been patiently waiting and as soon as her beautiful face peeked around the door he flipped back the blanket and gave the space next to him a light pat, silently encouraging her to join him. He watched as she slowly emerged from the closet and laughed out loud but damn it, she also looked so tempting. Especially with the slightest glimpse of the firm round breasts peeking from the deep neckline and of her stomach where her top gaped open minus the buttons.
“What the hell are you wearing?”
She looked down at her attire of top and pants. She held out the hem of her pink flannel floral top, “My pajamas.”
“No,” he argued, stopping at the all-knowing nod of her head.
“It gets cold maybe sometimes,” she returned, crossing her arms.
“I can get those off just as easy,” he countered, again patting the mattress next to him.
Maren remained in the doorway, looking at him lying in her bed with such an inviting expression. When he flipped back the blanket he managed to bare just enough to make her wonder just how naked he was. How could she not totally fall for the devilish grin and the sparkling glint in his blue eyes? Nervous fear was nowhere inside of her but instead the craving to love this man, to make love to this man and permit him to do what he so desired. The movement of his hand again patting the mattress caught her attention. Her lips curved into an enigmatic grin. She eagerly went to him, to his extended arm. She slid to the center of the bed instantly feeling his arm embrace her, urging her body against his.
