My Dream Man (10 page)

Friday night I swung by Mom’s house. I was really looking forward to seeing her and telling her all about Greg. Well, not
all
about him. But she’d been keen to know more and I was ready to share.

She opened the door when she saw me coming. “Hey honey. Come on in,” she said, after giving me a hug. My mom was a hugger. She held back on telling me things, but never held back on affection.

“You look slimmer. Have you been dieting?” I asked.

“Not dieting, just cutting down on carbs. And I’m finally using the treadmill.”

In the past it had been an expensive sweater hanger. Now it was dusted off with a set of gym shoes sitting next to it. “Cool. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself. What about Dad? I thought you two were going to join a health club?”

“We were,” she sighed, “but they have a free one at his work. Management was pushing the employees to use it so he said why spend money when it’s free and we have the treadmill here for me?”

“Well at least you’re both working out,” I said. “Where do you want to eat tonight?”

“How about that new Asian place?”

“Okay.”

We drove to the restaurant and the hostess seated us. After looking at the menu I took a chance on a pear mojito and my mom chose a glass of wine.

“I saw Greg again,” I said. I was so thrilled I was giddy.

“And?”

“And I think I’m in love. No. I know I am.”

“Sweetie. That’s wonderful. I’ve never heard you say that before. Well, besides that time when you were in the fourth grade.” She smiled, but then began to look a little teary-eyed. “Tell me all about him.”

“I think I’ve told you he’s a scientist, right? A nanotechnologist. He’s involved in a team that builds robots so small they can be in the human bloodstream. They’re working on some that carry medicine that specifically attack cancer cells instead of hitting all the cells. He’s kind of a genius.” I grinned, realizing I could go on forever about him.

The waiter brought our cocktails, and after I’d taken an ample-sized gulp, I continued. “I told you I met him through work, right?”

Mom nodded.

“So you know his dad is one of my patients. Anyway, he’s twenty-eight, but lives at home to help out since his mom died.”

“Oh, that’s sad. What’d she die from?”

“Brain aneurysm. Guess it was right after Greg graduated high school. She was a high school science teacher, which explains why Greg is so smarty pants. His dad had a furniture upholstery business, but he recently sold it and retired.”

Mom looked like she was going to say something, but I was on a roll. “He’s soooo good-looking Mom. It’s off the charts.”

She smiled. “Do you have a picture of him?”

“No, I don’t.” I frowned, trying to remember if I’d seen any on the web. I didn’t recall seeing one in any of the articles he’d been quoted in. “Don’t worry,” I said. “If things keep going well you’ll see him soon enough.”

Our food arrived, and after we began eating I realized all I’d done is talk about myself. “So how are things with you and Dad?” I asked. “You seemed kind of annoyed before.”

She chewed her food, then took a sip of wine. “You know honey, when you’ve been married a long time there are bound to be ups and downs. It’s not always as exciting as in the beginning.”

I nodded and lifted another forkful of spicy noodles to my mouth. “Maybe you and Dad should take a vacation. Remember the psychic said you were going on a trip?”

“She said I would go on a trip with you and Tabby.”

“Maybe you should go with Dad instead. Go somewhere romantic.”

She shrugged, “I’ll bring it up.” I could tell by the way she said it she thought it was a waste of time.

I pushed my plate away. I could never finish the portions these restaurants served. They were enough for two people. “Speaking of Tabby, she’s been on the quiet side lately since she left early for school. How’s she doing?”

“Good. She’s setting up the apartment and is getting to know the neighborhood before classes begin,” Mom said. She spoke normally but wore a cagey expression. I knew that face. It meant something was up.

“It’s weird. She hasn’t returned my calls lately, and her texts are generic, like she doesn’t want to talk to me.”

Mom squirmed in her seat. She looked wary. “I didn’t want to tell you this because Tabby asked me not to, but…” She let out a deep sigh. “But Jack is back in the picture.”

“What?! How the hell is that possible?”

“I guess he has a friend who lives near the school, and after graduation he moved in with him and got a job at a pizza parlor.”

I felt my blood pressure spike. What the heck was my sister thinking? Jackass was an imbecile and they were incompatible on so many levels. She had so much going for her. I hoped he wasn’t going to screw it all up.

I shook my head in disgust. “I’ll try to give her a call this weekend. I’ve got a date with Greg tomorrow, so I’ll touch base with her on Sunday and see if I can talk some sense into her.”

“Would you dear? That would be wonderful. But make sure you get the story from her first. Remember, she asked me not to tell you. I don’t want her to get mad at me.”

Great, I thought. Two impossible tasks in one phone call. That should be fun.

After I got home I couldn’t stop thinking of Tabby. Why would she get involved with Jack after what he’d done? For the life of me I couldn’t figure out what she saw in him. She was beautiful, smart, and going places. He was none of those things.

I paced my apartment, then I finally broke down. “Hey Tab,” I said on her voicemail. “It’s Sam. Give me a call as soon as you can. I want to talk to you about Jack.”

I’d ditched the plan on trying to be stealthy. I figured screw it. We needed to chat as soon as possible.

My phone rang a few minutes later. “Hey Tab. Before you ask, Mom slipped up and told me.”

“Oh.” She didn’t sound surprised. It had happened throughout our lives so often it was to be expected. We’d tell Mom things in secret and soon after we’d know each other’s business. At least that’s how it was when it came to my sister and me. It should have pushed us apart, but instead, hearing the truth about how we felt just made us closer.

“I don’t want to tell you what to do Tab. I’m just looking out for you. I want you to be happy,” I said.

“I know you do. I want the same thing. It’s not like I invited him here. He just showed up. He’s trying to figure things out and could use a friend. We’re not dating, so don’t stress it Sam. I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d get upset.”

She knew me well. “Well if he’s looking for a friend he couldn’t ask for a better one.” I suspected there was more to this story, but if she wasn’t ready to tell me I wouldn’t push her on it.

“Thanks Sam. And don’t worry. I’m not going to let him manipulate me. My focus is on school. Soon I’ll have a lot of studying to do. Miss you,” she said.

I relaxed. “I miss you too Tab.”

“So what’s new with you? Any news on that dream guy?”

My spirits lifted a little at the mention of him. “Yeah. Great news. I saw him earlier in the week and we have a date tomorrow night.”

“Awesome. That rocks!” she said. “Let me know how it goes.”

“I will. Thanks Tab, and sorry to be a psycho. And don’t get mad at Mom. I dragged it out of her.”

“I won’t,” she said. “Talk to you later.”

I hung up and began feeling a bit better. Tabitha was the best sister a person could ask for. I wanted only the best for her.

After staring at the lingerie I’d recently bought, I chose the red lace push up bra with matching thong for tonight’s date. I’d also gone to the salon to have my hair styled in an updo like I’d seen in a magazine. I was going for a sophisticated look.

I’d spent a ton of time getting ready and was pleased with the result. Now all I had to do was wait for Greg to show. While I was waiting I realized we hadn’t made any specific plans. I had just asked him if he wanted to come over. I was well aware that a night with no plans meant a night of temptation. I decided that wasn’t such a bad thing.

I thought of the dream and compared the few real life encounters we had. I realized they had been way hotter while I was awake, magnified many times over in intensity, which surprised me. I had no idea it could be even better.

The doorbell rang. I rushed to answer it and was taken aback. Greg stood there holding a bouquet of pink tulips. He looked so adorable it was difficult not to drag him to my bedroom that instant.

“For you,” he said in a sweet voice. “I wanted to deviate from the norm since everyone gives roses.”

I reached for the bouquet. “Thank you. I like tulips more than roses. How’d you know?”

“I’m psychic. I know your every thought,” he teased. Then he purposely brushed past me so we’d touch.

That simple act sent a rush of heat through me.

I noticed him observing the apartment interior, probably analyzing it, organizing the objects like the food on his plate. “I had hoped to see your place last time, but someone shut the door in my face.”

I grinned, then reached for a vase and filled it with water. “Not everyone gets invited to the inner sanctum.” I placed the flowers in the vase and set it on the center of the kitchen table. Then I walked back to where he stood and eyed him in a seductive manner. “That’s reserved for someone special.”

He came over and gave me a peck on the lips. “I like being in that category.”

He was in his own category. He had no idea.

“So what do you want to do tonight?” he asked, looking hopeful.

I gave him a look that conveyed what I wanted to do. “We could go out to eat or we could grab some food and bring it back here. What would you prefer?” I asked.

He looked at me like that was a trick question. “I’d like to pick something up and bring it back here?” He made a face like he hoped he got the right answer.

“Okay,” I said, leaving the choice up to him. He fished his keys out of his pocket and we headed out.

Greg didn’t know what he was in the mood for, so I suggested the Asian place my mom and I went to the night before. I got the impression he would’ve said yes to anything as long as we eventually ended up back at my place.

Once we’d returned to the apartment I asked, “Did you want beer, wine, soda?”

“What are you having?”

“I think I’ll have wine tonight.”

Greg smiled. “I’ll have some too.”

I opened a bottle, poured us each a glass and put the food on real plates. Then I joined Greg at the kitchen table. The sun was setting and rays flooded in through the sheer curtains, painting the room in soft gold light.

“You look so beautiful the way the sunlight’s hitting you,” Greg said.

On impulse, I reached up and unpinned my hair, letting the expensive updo spill down my shoulders, then I ran my fingers through it as he watched.

“Thank you,” I said in a soft voice, not taking my eyes from his.

Greg sat mesmerized. No man had ever stared at me that way. If I could have put on any more of a show I would have just to keep seeing that expression, but I was out of moves.

We continued staring at each other, the sexual tension in the room palpable. I reached for my wine glass and lifted it. He found his and did the same. “To my dad,” Greg said. I raised an eyebrow, wondering why he’d bring him up right now. “If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have met you.”

I smiled, then tapped my goblet to his. “To Michael Varo.”

We drank and ate, and afterward I felt relaxed but not tipsy, so I decided to cool it on the wine. I wanted to remember every detail of this evening.

I rose from the table. “Do you want to see the rest of the place?”

He nodded, then got up and followed me down the hall. “You’ve seen the living room and the kitchen,” I said. “Here’s the bathroom and off to the right is my room.”

Greg peeked inside the bedroom. “Am I allowed to go in there?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll have to check with my parents,” I said.

He smiled. “I’m going to use the restroom. When I come back let me know what they said.”

While he was gone I sat on the edge of the bed and took some deep breaths. I wasn’t nervous; I just wanted to get in the zone. I closed my eyes for a minute, and when I opened them next Greg was standing in front of me, staring down.

“I love it when you look at me like that,” I said.

“Like what? Am I doing something sexy and unaware of it?”

I giggled. “Yeah.” Then I leaned back on my elbows and pushed out my chest. “You’re observing me like a specimen. You do that a lot. It turns me on.”

Greg sat down next to me and blatantly ogled my breasts. Then he put his hand on my bare knee. “May I study what’s under this dress? In the name of science, of course.”

His touch made me melt, and his sexy nerdy talk was an unexpected bonus. I sat back up, mouth slightly parted, aching for his kiss. “Uh huh,” I said.

No sooner than I’d said that his lips were pressed against mine. His kisses weren’t as gentle as last time. These were stronger, hungrier. I found myself gasping with pleasure.

Greg’s hand slid up my leg and I instinctively opened them wider. He leaned me against the bed and began kissing my neck until I was panting. Then he slipped his finger inside me and I cried out in ecstasy. Frustrated, I tugged at my clothes, and eventually wiggled my dress over my head.

Greg paused to look at my bra and panties. He made a groan of appreciation, then began fumbling with his free hand to unclasp the back of my bra. His other hand stayed between my legs, making sure the pleasure didn’t stop. I heard a snap, then he tossed the bra aside. Within seconds my breast was being cupped and sucked ferociously.

I was so crazed all I could do was enjoy the combined sensations. I wanted to kiss him too, but he was in control and I could do nothing but submit to his advances. Between satisfied pants I was able to utter a coherent request. “Want…your clothes…off… ”

Just like that his lips disengaged and he sat up, using his free hand to pull his sweater over his head. His compellingly messy hair got even messier in the process, which only made him look cuter. I rose to my knees and leaned in to kiss his lips while I let my hands roam over his chest. I was going to focus on him, but then he slid a second finger inside me and it felt so good I gasped.

His mouth found my breast while his free hand groped the other. It was too much, and I began writhing my hips against his fingers. I closed my eyes and felt the waves of rapture wash over me. It was so powerful I moaned from the depths of my being.

Once it passed and my breathing slowed, I collapsed on the bed. “Oh my God,” I murmured.

It finally happened. In real life. And it was amazing.

Greg leaned over me and kissed my lips. “That experiment worked better than expected,” he whispered playfully in my ear.

I was glowing with delight and I couldn’t stop smiling. I climbed up onto my elbows, thinking we were going to make love, but he said, “You can just lie back down. I’m not done gathering data yet.” Then he used his hands to gently spread my legs and began kissing the inside of my thigh. He slowly worked his way up until his tongue was caressing me and getting me tingly.

I had just settled down from the first orgasm, but was feeling like it could happen again. I didn’t know what he was doing exactly, but compared to Brian, he was an advanced technician. Within minutes I was shuddering from another orgasm. And to my disbelief it felt even better. Earth-shaking.

Greg poked his head up and smiled at me. “I’d say this is going really well.”

“Uh huh.”

Greg rubbed his cheek against my thighs as my breathing calmed, then he surprised me by slipping his fingers back inside me. He began gliding his tongue while he thrust his fingers at the same time.

My body trembled and the waves came over me for a third time. This orgasm lingered longer, curling my fingertips and my toes. I couldn’t believe this was for real.

Greg climbed up next to me and smiled, quite satisfied with himself. “Now you’re ready,” he said. “Get on top. I want to watch you.”

I didn’t know where I’d find the energy, but I climbed on his lap and moaned as he filled me up. I gazed down at his beautiful face, then closed my eyes and rocked back and forth, losing myself in the process. His hands found my hips and he used them to make the thrusts harder. This heightened the pleasure, and the orgasm that followed was so deep it seemed to shake my very soul.

I screamed his name and felt his body arch with his own orgasm. The sensations and sounds swirled into one perfect moment that was better than anything I could have imagined. And when it was over I collapsed on top of him, spent.

He rolled over so I was beside him and then he kissed me on the cheek. “I love you Samantha,” he said in a low, throaty voice.

My eyes flitted open as my heart danced in my chest. I could feel my whole being glowing. “I love you too Greg,” I whispered back. “You really are my dream man.”