Him Her Them Boxed Set (10 page)

He gets up and walks over to the couch, sitting right next to me and turning to face me. His voice falls to a whisper as he leans closer to my ear.

"I see you laughing in my kitchen or hear you moaning in my bed. I can't even take a shower without picturing the water caressing your curves. Your lustrous skin I want to press my lips over, all over."

He is staring at my legs as he continues. "When I opened the front door and saw you on the other side I thought for a moment you weren't real, you weren't here."

He begins to look away to laugh under his breath before turning back to face me and speaks again, "I thought about that a lot this past week, perhaps you weren't real. Maybe I had gotten so drunk that night I hallucinated the whole thing or dreamt it. I think me sending the gifts to you also kept me sane. Is this too much? Am I sounding crazy?"

He keeps his hands to himself, propping his head on one leaning back on the couch and the other laying inches from my thigh. Despite our space I feel the heat seeping out of his skin and graze my curves.

"No, not crazy at all. I missed you too, Pierce."

It takes all my willpower to keep from leaning in and kissing his soft lips. I want to take a deep breath of his musky scent, but I control my breathing despite its rapid uptake.

"I know you want me to woo you and I have really enjoyed working for your affection. Listening to your sweet voice, it's all I can do to keep my hands off you. Please will you give me your phone number, so I may ask you on a date?"

I peer up into his eyes and witness the fire, longing, but there is doubt behind his gaze. I realize at that moment that this wooing or test that I have created isn't just about winning me over; it's also about him discovering who he is. Pierce needs to understand what I see when I look at him and right now he doesn't.

"I don't think you understand what this date means to me Pierce. I am not saying that to be dismissive or a tease; I'm saying it to let you know that I think you are worth it. No man has treated me as you have or had this effect on me. I want you to capture your prize because I desire you. But, I also know that I want the best in you, not just something you may think I would want or just enough to get me in bed."

I can't help touching him and start to smooth his cheek with my hand. He places his hand over top mine, sending a chill through my arm.

"You are smart and caring and respectful, but I get the feeling you don't see yourself as that. I want you to see it, whether it's when you look in my eyes or look in the mirror, I want you to see what I see. My heart is the challenge you need to not only appreciate me, but appreciate all that you have to offer the world, Pierce."

His breath catches as his eyes widen. Pierce moves his gaze to the floor and we are both quiet for a few moments. Perhaps I am wrong about him, he isn't the one. Maybe he's just doing this because it was great sex and that's all. I thought he felt something too that night, maybe not.

I start to get up to go help Mrs. Carver on the grill outside on the deck, when I feel a hand grab mine to stop me.

"Please don't leave Josephine."

I turn to look at him sitting there pleading with me. His eyes are warm and I notice a hint of pain behind his smooth mask. I know I touched something in him that he keeps hidden. A soft smile grows on my face and I take back the seat next to him. He holds my hand, staring and rubbing it as if it will reveal an answer to a question in his mind.

"Josephine, you need to know that I am not used to this...dating...wooing, and feeling this way towards a woman. These emotions are all new to me. I never cared about doing those things until I met you. Now, I would walk around the world if you asked me to, if only to get your phone number. But please don't ask me to do that, as it would take too long and I want to be able to hold you sooner rather than later, and besides I can never find good walking shoes.
..
"

I laugh and take his hand lifting it to my mouth, kissing the back gently with my lips. I can smell his evocative scent and the knowledge of his touch is causing my thighs to ache. His eyes are glassy and his breath catches as I lift my head to him.

"I just want you to know Pierce, that it may take a while to capture my heart but when you do what happened last week was just taste of what I have to offer."

I kiss the back of his hand again; let go and go to find Mrs. Carver to help her with dinner before I give in too easily to Pierce's hypnotic features.

I watch the glint from the light dancing off the grey and white of her eyes. Her smile makes the corners crinkle as her lashes bat up and down. Josephine's head tilts as she contemplates an idea or thought. I am enthralled by all I have to learn about her. Her reactions alone could keep me up at night in wonder.

She's looking at me now and talking, but I have been so focused on her movements I didn't hear the words that came from her mouth.

"Huh?" I ask, a little embarrassed as she is directly across the dining room table, plates bearing only the crumbs of a lemon meringue pie in front of us. Her brow furrows in a way that makes me want to hold her and give her gentle kisses on her head while my fingers map her body.

"I said that was sweet of you, Pierce to pay for a trip to Cape Cod for your mom. You are a very good son."

She is smirking at me and I am so turned on. I want to crawl across the table and devour those sweet plump lips that shine pink today, a color that agrees with her. I wonder if there is a color in existence that doesn't look good on her. Focus Pierce, she is talking to you.

"I guess. My mom is the best mother in the world. Since there was no man capable enough to make her dreams come true, I am happy to make it happen. She worked hard to give me the best life she could, now is my time to show her how much I appreciate that."

My mom's hand reaches over and covers mine, giving a healthy squeeze. I glance over to watch the tears brimming at her eyes.

"Don't do that mom; you know I don't like to see you cry."

"I know hon, it's just I love you so much. I couldn't have asked for a sweeter boy."

Now her tears are falling down her face and I feel a need to lean over to give her a hug, so I do.

"You both need to stop or I'm going to cry, and I don't cry easily."

Looking over at Josephine she has a soft smile on her face.

"So, Mrs. Carver, did you ever marry?"

I glance at my mom as she gives me a wink before turning her attention to Josephine.

"No, I didn't. Like you I was waiting for a man who knew how to treat a lady. But, none showed their worth." My mom smiles, but I know there is disappointment in her eyes without lookin
g
.

"But, I've been calling you Mrs. Carver, when you are just Miss. I am sorry for that; I just assumed you were a widower or divorcee."

"Don't worry about it, most people call me Mrs. Carver, so I am used to it. To avoid the confusion just call me Jennifer."

"Alright, Jennifer it is. Well, Jennifer that was a delicious meal. I can't even remember when I ate so well. You could get some pointers from your mom on cooking Pierce. It might prove handy one day."

Josephine gives me a sly grin and my heart starts to race. What is she doing to me? I become crazy around her, not knowing how to think half the time. Looking down I notice her blouse has shifted slightly and I see a hint of something red and lacey underneath pop out.

Shifting in my seat I look over at my mom who has a confused look on her face.

"So, Josephine did Pierce tell you he can't cook?"

"Oh no Jennifer. I just assumed based on the fact he had nothing in his apartment but old Chinese food, a bag of pretzels and some carrots. If he cooked there would be more ingredients so to speak."

She states this matter of fact to my mother as if she is talking about the weather. Mom looks more confused than ever.

"Do you two know each other?"

My mom's gaze keeps bouncing between me and Josephine.

"Oh, I'm sorry Pierce. I thought your mother knew. Yes, Jennifer we do know each other. Your son is trying to woo me and I am still deciding if I should give him my phone number."

My mouth drops open as does my mother's, yet Josephine sits there as if nothing of interest was said playfully toying with her fork.

"What? Pierce? Why didn't you tell me that you knew Jos?"

My mother is glaring at me with a slightly irritated expression. I turn to look at Josephine who just smiles politely giving no reason as to why I should be in shock. Why should I be in shock? There is nothing wrong with trying to win the affections of a beautiful woman. Yet, why do I feel the need to keep it from my mom?

"I'm sorry mom. I guess I didn't want to say anything until I went on a date with Josephine. In case she said no, I didn't want that to affect your opinion of her."

"Why would it change my opinion of her? I know she is a smart woman. If she decides not to go out with you that is her decision and one that is best for her. I love you Pierce, but I have never seen you bring a woman home to me, therefore I can only conclude you are inexperienced at dating. Jos here would be a good woman for you to learn from. You can't be 18 years old forever; it's time you grew up."

Are these women conspiring against me? This conversation is getting weird quickly; I have to get out of this room.

"Excuse me."

I get up from the table to walk back into the living room and stand in front of the big picture window staring at the street. When I imagined seeing Josephine again, this is not what I thought. Corbin said it is going to be hard, but I had no idea this is what he is referring to. It's uncomfortable, odd and so, so frustrating.

After a few minutes I feel a hand on my shoulder, I turn to see Josephine smiling up at me as if she knows something I don't.

"Walk me to my door Pierce?"

I watch her eyes glisten and I nod like a hopeless puppy dog. She melts me and I fall helpless to her commands.

"Of course my dear."

I guide her to the door and open it for her, just as my mother enters the room.

"Hey mom, I'm going to walk Josephine to her door. I'll be back soon."

She smiles and nods before walking over and whispering in my ear.

"Pierce, do whatever you can to keep this one. Trust me when I say she's worth it."

She kisses me on the cheek and then waves goodbye to Josephine through the doorway as Josephine waves back.

My mother and I never talk about women and dating. She always left me alone when it came to that. Even when I was young and it was time to talk about the birds and the bees, she enlisted her boyfriend at the time to talk to me. He was a jerk to my mom, but surprisingly knowledgeable on how to treat a lady and what to do in the bedroom.

For some reason my mom chooses now to intervene. Maybe it is because I never brought a woman home and now she has finally met one she can comment on or rather tell me what to do.

I close the door behind me and walk just to the side of Josephine. Heat radiates from her body in the sultry air and it makes me want to reach over to touch her ever so slight dewy skin.

"May I hold your hand Josephine?"

Her head turns to look up at me and a sweet smile appears as she nods.

"Yes, Pierce you may."

My fingers snake around hers and her skin feels soft while my thumb creates small circles on her palm.

"It's beautiful out tonight." She mentions as her gaze scans the neighborhood. She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes and her head falls straight back releasing a throaty moan. A memory of last week flickers to life behind my eyes and I feel my cock twitch.

Her head rises and she looks at me, "Don't you just love that smell?"

"What smell is that my dear?"

"The sweet smell of summer air, with hints of earth, honeysuckle and grass all mixed together in the humidity. It reminds me of when I was a kid and I wanted to get away from my parents. I would run into the woods behind my house and pretend I was ruler of a great land. The trees were my army and I would direct them in battle."

"You must have been a tomboy."

"Yeah, I didn't like that princess stuff. I didn't want people to take care of me; I wanted to be in charge. Perhaps it had to do with my need to take control of my life, get out of my parents' house. So, when I smell the summer air I think about the few times I was happy in my childhood."

She states it as if it is just a fact and not emotional at all, I can't help but stare at her.

"So are you close with your parents now?"

"Oh, no. I haven't seen them in years. They are finally divorced, which is a relief. Those two people should never have married. I hope they are happier apart."

My heart hurts knowing that she didn't receive the love and affection she needed as a child. I may not have had much of a father figure, but my mother more than made up for that. I never felt unloved. Something changed in me as she speaks about her life. I feel this strong need to protect her so she never has to feel pain again. Josephine is the strongest woman I have ever met, but at this moment I see a fragility flash behind her eyes. Something, I suspect she shows few people.

"I'm sorry Josephine."

"I am too Pierce, but I choose not to dwell on the past or what might have been. If I did that I would never be able to get out of bed in the morning. So, I focus on what I can do to make my life happy and healthy. That's why I am letting you walk me to my door."

She couldn't have timed it more perfectly as we arrive in front of her red wood door. She turns to face me.

"Thank your mother again for a wonderful meal. I have really enjoyed watching you two together. You both have a very special relationship, I hope you appreciate that."

"I do Josephine. I really enjoyed learning about you."

I brush some wisps of hair that flutter across her face. Hearing her sigh I fixate on her lips and step a little closer.

"I adored your presents this week especially the poem. Did you write that yourself?"

A slight sting of embarrassment sears up inside and I turn my head away.

"Yes. I like to read poetry. It fascinates me how Poe or Wilde or Keating tell an emotional story by intricately linking certain words together."

Turning my gaze back to her I notice a look of surprise on her face.

"Really, do you write much yourself?"

"No, that was my first attempt. I always felt it was out of my league. But you very much inspire me and I felt compelled to write that. In truth I wrote it Sunday to express what I was feeling at the time and never meant for you to see it. But, I couldn't think of what to give you Friday, so I gathered my nerve and sent it to you."

"Will you please kiss me Pierce?"

Those words, her voice its intensity shone out and my eyes close of their own accord. My dreams have whispered these words behind my ears and she is many things in them but never like this. Never this real, this soft and oh so rich with desire.

My eyes fly open to drink her in and I can see the burning heat mirrored back to me. I reach up cupping her face in my hands before I brush my lips lightly to hers. She gives off a whimper which sends me over the edge as my lips overtake hers. They are softer than I remember with such sweetness I think I might explode.

My tongue plays with her lips until they part greeting me with hers upon entering. As we internally dance with a sucking noise I twist my hand into her soft curls with a passionate grip. I inhale and am gifted with her beautiful flowery scent, giving my mind a flash of heat from last week. My hand descends from her head to her back, pulling her close. I need the gap between us closed, to feel as much of her as possible.

A moan escapes my throat and I can feel her lips curl up into a smile. My body pulls away in desperate need to see her beautiful grin but it has disappeared. Although I lost the prize of her smile I gain a look from Josephine as if only I exist in her eyes. I want to fade into her beautiful winter grey eyes. I tilt my head and plant soft kisses on her eyelids, forehead, those amazing cheekbones, and everywhere else I can adhere my lips to.

Her hands twist through my hair sending shivers down my body. Her touch is fluid, but firm and at times directing me where she wants to be touched. I listen to her movements so I can drown in her happiness. Moving down her neck, my fingers and lips memorize her skin. Her head leans to the side to give me greater access so I kiss her collarbone and am rewarded with the greatest token so far. A deep throaty moan escapes her lips as her head falls back.

This is her spot. I remember her reacting to this specific locality last week at my place, but I didn't fully grasp her language. I guess because I knew I was going to have sex, I didn't pay as much attention to her needs. Now I feel like a fool and am starting to realize why she is making me jump through hoops to be with her.

Kissing back up her neck, but keeping my thumb where it can gently rub her collarbone, I make my way to her lips again. This time the kisses are gentle and slow. There is a tenderness growing inside of me for her. I don't just want her in my bed anymore; I want to know her, understand her and feel what she feels.

This kiss, what is happening on this porch in front of the red door, is like no other kiss. It's as if my lips have never known a woman before and have just discovered this erotic act for the first time. I want the world to stop its rotation and all to fall silent, just so Josephine and I can keep this moment alive, forever. But as much as I crave that, I need more.