I met him a few years ago when I attended my cousin's wedding. We were seated at the same table.... table six to be exact. I remember those aquamarine eyes, angelic face, everescent smile, and how that groomsman suit did nothing to hide his long lean muscular frame.
I wasn't planning on bringing anyone back with me. I was just recovering from a complicated situation,and was not looking forward to getting entangled. I just wanted to be there for my baby cousin.
She did mention something about a friend of hers. I wondered if this was him. He definitely was a sight for sore eyes. His natural charisma was actually killing me. No... it wasn't ... it was my loneliness. I hoped I didn't look too desperate. What if this wasn't her friend, but some random person either she or her now husband knows? Either way, there we were.
I couldn't lie, the fact that he had taken enough interest in me to ask my name, what I did for a living, and other get to know you questions was intriguing.
Just as our conversation progressed, he had gotten called up to make a speech for the bride. " .... Before I end this toast, I want to thank Anna for encouraging me to find a someone special...' I never felt so overwhelmed in my entire life.
After numerous drinks and endlessly dancing, we stumbled outside the reception hall. As mentioned earlier, I had no real desire to bring anyone back with me; But there was just something about him, the night or some strange combination of both. I could never explain the connection I felt. This intense buzzing that flowed through me just by his presence. While still attempting to keep my desperation in check, he broke the silence.
" Do you live around here?" Just as he asked, I felt the light feathery brush of his fingers against my already sensitive skin. This was so unfair...I was supposed to leave in a few days time. " Well, I came a few days ago just to attend Anna's wedding."
"Oh...I see. I was hoping to get to know you a little better." For a moment I thought I had heard a break in that soft voice; And in that same time, the only thing that reached my soul was his disappointment.
I started to question what was going on in my stupid brain. What was I doing? Neither one of us needed this, but why did his sadness hit me so hard?
" You know, I will still be here for a few days, Taylor." To see that smile....it filled me with this warmth I haven't felt in so long. That smile and those eyes already had me. I didn't know what to think, except that I want to know him...I wanted to know everything about him. That frightened me. I couldn't do this again... I didn't want to expose any of my weakness.
"Jessie, are you okay?" Was I okay? No...I was ready to go against everything I thought I was...tapping into every emotion I had been trying to control... I hadn't felt this love starved in so long. He had no idea what he was doing..or did he?
I just nodded. I was so scared...and so crazy about him. I didn't want to think about anything. I was tired of thinking. I was tired of a lot of things; this was why I had no desire to bring anyone back with me. I didn't want deal with vulnerabilities.
But again, there we were. There was no one else....just us. How does one explain the feeling of experiencing extreme fear, excitement, and sheer bliss all at once? It was that really cliche image of a wild amusement ride that never seemed to end. The question was did I really want this to end? Did I want to go back to safe and lifeless?
As I contemplated all these questions...there was another break in our silence. " Can you tell me where you are staying, or at least some information?" Could I tell him? Was he crazy, was I, or were we both out of our collective minds? I truly believed the third option seemed to be the right one. After all, he had asked...And I was crazy enough to tell him.
"Right now, I am staying at the Motel 6 not too far from here." Why did I tell him this? " Jessie, how do you feel about this... let's go get some coffee, and see where the night takes us? Those gemstones shone with so much anticipation, and that huge dazzling smile just overtook me. Even though he was outwardly easygoing, there was something else I could not quite figure out...a vibe that ran much deeper and more intense. Something about his closeness set off a need I hadn't experienced in years.
" Okay Taylor, what do you have in mind?" My inquiry was met with a beautiful set of candy colored lips meeting mine. So warm..they felt so... please don't let this stop.... please....
"How about we go back to my place? It's a bit closer, and coffee is always fresh." His soft breathy whisper against my ear was too much for me. I had become weak. "Sure." was the only thing I could push out of my lips. what was I thinking?
What was I thinking indeed? I can't even say I was thinking. This whole experience just became one big blur to me... the wedding, the dancing, this gorgeous vision in front of me, the night chill that pushes lovers closer, soft touches and gentle kisses...am I even thinking at all?
As we turned the corner, I had noticed this little closed cafe with an attached apartment. I already remembered he said he owned a small cafe but I didn't know he owned the building it was housed in. Then I remembered he was also a real estate broker. The cafe was passed on to him. You would've thought the first place we would have ended up was his apartment...well you would be wrong. He had actually opened up the cafe and made good on his word.
Yes both the coffee and the company were amazing ( definitely fresh).
