From That Moment (7 page)

The shorter guy came over, “Hey I’m Trent. This is my friend Dave. You ladies want a drink?”

Dave sat next to Anu. His eyes scanned Anu from top to bottom.

“Sure, surprise us,” said Anu. 

Trent took the seat next to Lia. His body was stiff and his hands were clenched. 

“You come here a lot?”

“No, not really. You guys? Are you also medical students?”

“We’re law students at BU. Our friends invited us here tonight.”

“Cool.”

Lia tried to avoid looking at Trent’s bald spot, but she couldn’t ignore the reflection of the dance floor lights. She forced herself to look around the bar. Some more students were trickling in, and the dance floor was starting to pick up. 

Trent looked over at Lia. “He took a deep breath and paused. “Want to dance?"

It might be fun. With the right person. Not Trent.
 

“No, thanks, but I'm not feeling so great.”

His eyes turned away.

Lia thought about Colin and she wished he were there. She missed his clean-smelling scent. She smiled to herself, thinking of him preparing all those solutions for her. What had driven him do such a sweet thing?

“I need to go pretty soon,” she said, “I'm beat.”

Trent looked at her and shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

With that he got up and went over to another cluster of women, probably to find someone else to dance with. 

In a quiet corner of the bar, Anu was deep in conversation with Dave. Her hands were animated and Dave was laughing at something she was saying. Lia approached them with slow, measured movements. 

“Hey Anu, I'm going to head out now. I'm not feeling so great. I’m kind of tired and I'm ready to call it a night.”

Anu’s expression clouded over, but after a few seconds, she reached over and squeezed Lia’s hand. “I know. I totally get it, you're going through a lot.” 

Lia hugged Anu and walked over to a quiet spot next to the restrooms. She reached into her purse and after some wrestling with receipts and other junk, pulled out the paper with Colin’s number on it. 

I can do this. 

The phone rang and rang and nobody picked up. Lia started to second-guess herself.
Maybe he was just messing with me. Maybe he he doesn't really want me to call him.
Maybe he remembered the incident and he changed his mind. She hung up she decided to walk home by herself.

Lia stepped out of the bar into the cool Fall evening and looked around at the scene. It was bustling with college students out partying that night. Couples strolled down the streets holding hands.
I’m all alone. 

CHAPTER EIGHT

As she was figuring out which T-stop to get on to get home, Lia's phone rang. A blocked number?

“Hello?”

“Hey, it's Colin. I'm so sorry I didn't get your call...I was in the in the shower when you called. Did you need something?”

“Well, um... you told me that if I if I needed and it someone to walk me home I could call you. That's why I was calling…” Lia wanted to slap herself.
I sound so nervous and clueless. Ugh.

“I’d be happy to get you. Where are you?”

“I am at the Bar Azul in Cambridge. Do you know where it is?”

“Oh yeah, I know where that is. I can be there in like ten minutes, it’s not far from where I live.  I'll see you in a minute.”

Lia felt the jittery butterflies in her stomach again.
He’s coming.
She didn't want to get too hopeful.
I still don’t know what he really thinks of me.
 

A light tap on her shoulder brought her back to the present. 

“Hey there,” said Colin, “I hope you weren't waiting…too long.”

Colin was out of breath.
Did he sprint over here?
Lia inhaled the familiar smell of his shampoo. He was wearing soft flannel pants and a light blue shirt. His hair was was tousled, probably from a quick rub with a towel.
I just want to snuggle up with him.
 

“Hey, thanks for coming.” 

“You want me to walk you home already, or do you want to maybe come over to my place for little bit? We can hang out a little and talk...if you feel like talking…” He looked down, waiting for Lia’s response. 

“That would be nice. It's been kind of a rough day…family stuff. It would be nice to just hang out.”

“If you want, we can pop in a movie and have some popcorn and just relax.”

Colin walked close to her. “Careful,” he said, as they prepared to cross a busy street. She stepped out and his arm came down like a barrier in front of her. “Wait.” He looked left and right a few more times, then held Lia’s arm until they reached the other side. His eyes darted everywhere, surveying the scene. Two blocks later, he stopped at an old brownstone, and led her up the stairs to the second-floor unit. 

Colin opened the door and Lia walked into his apartment.  To her left, was a well-stocked kitchen with a small table. Colin escorted her to the living room on the other side. “Have a seat,” he said, gesturing towards a comfortable couch strewn with cozy-looking blankets. Lia looked around at the walls, covered with paintings and photographs. 

“Nice place,” she said.

“Thanks, I try to make it homey. It’s my solace from from the stresses of the world.”

Colin said, “I'm glad you're here...” His eyes were soft and tender, and his lips were gently curling into a smile. 

“Yeah, me too.” 

“Want some popcorn?” 

“Sure, that would be awesome. Thank you.” Lia watched him as he walked towards the kitchen. His gait was easy and relaxed. 

Colin came back a few minutes later with a bowl piled high with buttered popcorn. He sat on the couch, and reached over for some popcorn. “Mmm.” 

“So how was the party?” he asked, licking his buttery fingers.  

“It was okay. I just talked to this guy for a while.”

Colin’s eyes widened. His face grew sullen. Lia continued, “But he wasn’t my type.”

Colin looked at her intently. “Who is your type then?”

Is this a trick question?
“Uh, um.” 

His face softened. “It’s okay, don’t mean to put you on the spot.”

“Anyway, my friend Anu had a good time, at least. She thought it would be a good idea for me to go, you know, to distract myself from stuff that’s on my mind. And yeah, so it was okay.”
I’m just rambling now.

“So how are you holding up about your Aunt? I'm how so sorry about that.”

“I'm doing okay, but you know, I'm just really worried. Of course she doesn’t want me to worry, she wants me to be all positive... but I'm not like that. I worry a lot….”

“Yeah, but if your Aunt believes that she can get through this, you need to support her. You can't be doubting. That won’t help her.”

“Yeah. You're totally right. I need to need to be strong for her.”

Lia took a deep breath. “I’m so scared, though, she’s like my mom now. My real mom doesn’t even speak to me….I mean, ever since my dad died our relationship just fell apart…” Lia bit her lips and fought back the tears.
Be strong. 

“I understand.” There was pain in Colin’s deep brown eyes; he looked like a lost little boy. He reached over and stroked her hair gently. Lia’s body filled with warmth as he gently touched her. The pain in his eyes eased as they sat there, together in silence.

Colin cleared his throat.

“I'm so sorry about the other day...When we um, kissed, you know.” 

His cheeks were bright red and he looked down. “I’m sorry it was interrupted. I was really…um… into it.” 

Lia could see sweat forming along Colin’s hair line. 

“It’s okay.” Lia put her hand on Colin’s clenched hands. When she touched him, he softened. His eyes met hers again. 

Lia said, “I did too. It was really comforting, and then more than that... But I was really upset when you ended it so abruptly.”

Colin frowned and his mouth turned down at the ends. Lia saw the darkness return to his eyes. 

“I broke your trust.”

Lia fought back tears again. Colin was being so honest and vulnerable with her. She didn’t let others see her cry, but something about him made her feel safe. 

“I felt so protected with you.” She touched his hand gently. The tingling that went through her body was like a jolt of electricity. 

“I want you to have that feeling again.” Colin’s eyes were intense as he looked at Lia. This time he didn’t look down. 

She gasped quietly, not knowing what to say.

He moved himself right beside her and softly stroked her cheek with his thumb and index finger. Lia closed her eyes, surrendering to his touch. She felt his breaths on her face as he came closer and brought his lips to hers. He lingered there, barely touching her lips. His warm and sweet breaths were soothing to Lia. “Mmmm.” 

Colin pulled his lips away and moved so that the tip of his nose barely touched her forehead and his lips were grazing her nose. Lia’s hands encircled his strong neck.

“I need to have you, Lia,” Colin said. His breaths were faster, and more urgent. She pulled his mouth into hers, and their lips collided. Colin sucked on Lia’s lower lip, and pulled her tongue into his mouth. “Ahhh.” Lia felt the pleasure radiate from deep inside her groin. 

“Wait.” The voice of reason in Lia spoke up. Colin pulled away. His cheeks were flushed. “I’m not sure.”

“Of what?” His voice was sympathetic.

“I don’t know if you’re expecting anything from me. I’m not really experienced, and I don’t know—”

Colin held Lia’s hand and looked straight into her eyes. “We can just sit here like this. I’m happy doing just this.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

His reassurance was like a warm hug that made Lia feel safe and protected. The tingling became even more intense.
I need him.
Lia sat down on his lap, her legs straddling his. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” she whispered.

“Just follow your feelings.” Colin’s hands were on her back, pulling her chest into his body. 

His kisses were needy and hungry, and she could feel the growing hardness under his flannel pants. 

“Can I take it off?” Colin’s hands were tugging at Lia’s shirt.

Lia nodded mid-kiss. His big hands pulled her shirt over her head. When they separated, she that his eyes were black with desire. “Oh, wow.” His lips parted as he stared intently at her chest. Lia felt her heartbeat quickening. Her breasts ached to be touched.

Lia felt him undo the clasp of her bra with one hand.

“That’s what I really wanted to see.”

“I’m feeling self-conscious...” she whispered.

Colin responded by sucking hard on her nipple. 

“Colin that feels so good, keep going…” She forgot about feeling self conscious. Lia forgot everything that wasn’t Colin. 

Colin reached down and started to undo her pants. Lia put her hand on his hands. “I’m nervous.”

He looked up, hot with desire. “We can go as slow as you want.”

Lia knew he was restraining himself for her sake. She moved her hands away. “Do it.”

Colin unzipped her. Feeling his hands rub her down there made her feel damp. “Ohhh.”

“Is that okay?” he whispered.

“Uh huh,” she cried out. The pleasure was flooding her, and she didn’t know if she could contain herself. Colin finished yanking off her pants. He looked ready to pounce on her. 

“Can you take mine off too?”

Lia reached for his pants,  feeling his strong muscular bottom. “Mmm.” She moved her hands to the front, and  she felt his hardness through his soft pants.

“Oh my god,” she gasped. When she touched it, he moaned. “Don’t stop.” Lia rubbed him through his pants and stopped. “I want to feel you.” Colin helped her remove his pants. Blue boxer briefs strained with his excitement. 

“Oh my God.”

“Can I take your panties off?” Lia nodded and Colin inserted his thumb between her skin and her panties and pulled them off slowly. 

“Oh, oh.” He stared at her newly-waxed bikini area. His hands moved to touch her. 

“Wait.” Lia was burning inside and she had to have him. She yanked off his boxers and gulped.
Okay. I think I can do this.
Sensing her fear, Colin kissed her gently on the lips. His hands supported her head. Lia felt warm and safe.

“I’m ready.”

“Put this on.” He handed her a condom. Lia had never done this before, but she fumbled and slipped it on.

“Is that okay?”

“Yes.” He struggled to speak.

“I'll put it in.” Lia adjusted herself, bringing herself close to Colin, who looked desperate. 

“Please, I can't wait any longer.”

Lia felt awkward as he entered her, but an explosion of pleasure surprised her.

“Oh that’s so good,” she breathed into his ear.

“Oh my god, oh my God. It’s never felt so good, so good, so good,” he cried.

He started to thrust gently back-and-forth, back-and-forth. She started to feel the pressure mounting. “I don’t think I can take much anymore...Too much, too much.”

At that moment he reached for the soft and sensitive spot between her legs. Lia felt like her insides were going to explode with pleasure. 

“Oh, oh.” She felt Colin shudder inside her, just as she finally passed the threshold of build-up. The waves of intense pleasure shook her and she held on to Colin, in their world for two. 

Colin dozed off to sleep, his arms wrapped around Lia.
What an intense night.
She was too wound up to fall asleep. Little doubts started creeping in, and Lia felt the uncontrollable urge to move. She slipped out of Colin’s embrace without waking him, and quietly put her clothes on. As the apartment door was shutting, she caught another glimpse of Colin lying in his bed. Her heart quivered, and she almost stepped back inside.

CHAPTER NINE

The sunlight peeked in through the curtains in Colin’s room.  He rubbed his eyes and opened them slowly.
Lia?
He rolled over, expecting to see her curled up on the other side of the bed. The bed was empty, a pillow in her place. Where had she gone? Colin sat up and looked around his room. No sign of Lia.