Surviving Valentine (3 page)

“No thank you, I don’t drink coffee, but I will take some of Aunt Tara’s tea.  I know where it is.” He stood and helped me up. He pulled me up a little hard and I slammed into him. His touch sent a shock to my core. I shivered. My hands were on his chest. He felt so hard, so muscular. I looked up and he was looking down at me. We were both caught in each other’s stare.  He coughed then broke the connection. “Sorry, I’ll go get some hot water going for you.” He let go and headed down the stairs.

I let a breath out I didn’t even know I had held in. Catching my breath I thought about what all Aunt Tara said about her beloved nephew. She used to tell me stories about him, how smart, funny, handsome and good at everything he was. She said he was a jack of all trades. He could build anything, and fix anything, and yet be gentle.  He was a navy seal; I mean he did say he was in the navy, but nothing about being a navy seal. I mean those guys are the best of the best of the best sir! Oh no the movie quotes are coming out.  I just quoted men in black in my head!  The scene where Will Smith is taking a test with the other men and STOP IT SCAR! You need to be focused!  Now get your butt down there and face him!

I head down the stairs and see him reaching above his head to the top shelf to grab the tea cups.  While he wasn’t quite aware I was there I took a moment to really take him in.

Long muscled arms reaching high, pulling his shirt up enough that I got a glimpse of a really tight set of abs and V. Oh the V, one of my favorite parts of a man. You know the part where his abs and hip bones create a V that head straight down to my other favorite part of man. Yum.  He must have felt my presence because he looked over, and smirked. SHIT! He caught me checking him out. I walked over to the cabinets in front of him and grabbed the jasmine, orange tea. He was right behind me; I swear I heard him smell me. I could be wrong though. I turned around and he was making sure the water was heating up. I guess it was my imagination.  We don’t say a word to each other until we are both settled at the kitchen table. The smell of jasmine and orange calms me, as the coffee seems to be doing the same for him. It’s getting kind of quiet now so I start conversation. “I’m sorry about your aunt. She was one of my best friends. A very amazing woman.” He looked a little sad. “Yeah, she was great. Its weird being in this house surrounded by her you know?” I looked around and I knew exactly what he meant. It’s like she is just out on vacation and she will be back next week. “Yeah its weird, I feel like she will be coming home from her routine sky diving trip any day now. But I know it’s not true.” He looked around, he had a questioning look on his face “I thought she had a dog. Do you know what happened to it?”

“Roxy? Yeah Aunt Tara left her to me. She’s over at my house. I live in the house right next door.” That seemed to answer some questions, even some maybe he didn’t ask. “That was very nice of you to take care of her. I haven’t seen her since she was a puppy. I bet she is huge now!” I laughed thinking about how huge that dog was, and then I flushed thinking about the dream she interrupted me from this morning. “Yeah she is pretty big, 85lbs. now.” I said shyly. “Nice, I love big dogs. German shepherds especially, they are so smart and can do anything, that’s why they are used in the police force and military.”  Bringing up military made me think of his career. “So, you’re a navy seal. You must be very proud of yourself to get that honor. I bet you have travelled all over the world.” He looked off, not really looking at anything particular. “It has its benefits, and you own your own studio?”

“Yes, I opened Scars to help people gain confidence in themselves. By learning self defense, you hold your head high; because you know you can handle yourself. I do kickboxing as well. It’s a great work out and works with the self defense.” He seemed amused a bit. “Your moves are very good, I know I am a navy seal but you really could hold your own against most everyone. Not sure you could beat me though.”  He winked! A challenge huh? “You should volunteer for one of my classes. We will see if I could take you.” His right eyebrow lifted in challenge. “I just might do that.”

I heard a bark outside the door. Roxy must be done chasing little crabs and is now wondering where I am. “Well that is my alarm. Roxy is wondering where I am.”  I stood up and started to head for the door. I heard him following behind me. “I would like to see this beast of a dog.” I opened the door and Roxy bypassed me and went straight to barking at Darien. “Holy dog Batman!” he shouted.  “Hey that’s my line!”  I blurted out. He laughed, oops I didn’t mean to say that out loud.  “Roxy sit.” He spoke with authority in his voice. It even made me want to sit.  Roxy sat, and looked up at him waiting her next orders. He bent down and rubbed her head and patted her back. It was nice to see him so gentle. He looked like such a dangerous man.  Dangerous and gentle, just thinking about those things put together in one man, makes my insides quiver. I bet he is very adventurous and takes control in bed, but also the type of man that would make sure you always got your pleasure out of it before him. I shivered. “Are you cold?” He asked, although with the hunger in his eyes I think he had an inkling about what I was thinking. My lips parted, I was stuck staring at him. He stood and came closer; he reached out and tucked a curl that was hanging in my face behind my ear. I gasped. Oh no I am already falling under this man’s spell. He came closer; Oh god was he going to kiss me? What would I do? Would I kiss him back? Push him away?  I just stood there waiting to see what was going to happen. He stopped just about an inch from my mouth. I could feel his breath on me. It shot a lightning bolt of pleasure down between my legs. My body felt warm, feverish. He whispered “Scarlet, what are we getting into?” I gasped. I have got to get out of here! I looked into his eyes and panicked.  “Bye Darien.” With that said I turned and walked back to my house, Roxy followed me. I swear I heard her sigh, like she was saying geez Scarlet you almost had him. 

Chapter 4

Darien

I watched Scarlet run away to her house. What just happened here?  One minute I was petting Roxy then the next I was about to go all caveman on that woman. I would have kissed her, picked her up and carried her to the couch. Oh god, the way my name sounded on her lips, it was just like before at the bar! I just want to hear her say my name over and over while I wrap her legs around me. Ah great! I’m going to go take a cold shower. I make my way upstairs, and use the second bathroom. It is still a little weird being Aunt Tara’s house, it smells like her.  Well thinking about my dead aunt was definitely a way to get my hard on gone. I still take a cold shower more or less as preventative care. I stepped out of the shower, and dried myself. I walked over to the window. I still can’t believe the goddess I met last night is the very same one that took up the main role in my dream last night, lives next door.

I look over towards the house.  I groaned. “Fuck!” She is doing yoga on the beach. You think it was a little cold for it in February but there she is, bending over, and then going into plank position, then she slowly lowers herself to the ground then arches her back up. I groan again.  She is wearing a sports bra that seems to be having difficulties holding in those DD’s.       Those scrap of material she wears as shorts does nothing to hide her spectacular ass.  She is toned in all the right places, but still has those soft feminine curves. Damn, I have turned into a fourteen year old again, where all you have to do is look at a chick and you get a hard on. I am a navy seal for Christ’s sake! Control yourself man!

  With a deep breath I walk away from my very own wet dream outside the window. I grab a pair of gym shorts and a shirt.  I plan on cleaning up the house and moving things around. I can’t stay here if it looks like Aunt Tara is going to walk in the house at any minute.  Starting with the bedroom, I bring out some new sheet and comforters I bought yesterday. I fold her quilt comforter and put it in the hall closet. As I organize and change things up in the house I try not to let my thought go towards my sexy new neighbor. 5 hours of cleaning and making the house more habitable for me, and I still can’t get Scarlet out of my head. I need to get out of my head for a little bit; so I decided to go for a run. There is nothing like pounding the pavement, and sweating all your thoughts out.

An hour and 6 miles later, I get close to the house when I hear music blaring from Scarlet’s house.  Sounds like… I’ve got to see this.  I quietly sneak up to her house and peek in the window.  I started laughing so hard I had to grab the railing to stop myself from falling over. Scarlet was inside cleaning. Not just cleaning like normal people. She was listening to This Is How We Do It by Montel Jordan, and was dancing/singing around while cleaning.  “Ever since I was a lower class G, but now I’m a Big G. Hundred dollar bills ya’ll” She sang.  I haven’t heard that song in forever.  “Whatever it is the party is underway.  So tip up your cup and throw your hands up and let me hear the party say. I’m kinda buzzed and it’s all because, THIS IS HOW WE DO IT!”  She continued to sing out.

The more I watched her, the more fascinated I became. She seems like such a free spirit, someone you could have both fun and serious conversations with. Someone who would keep you entertained.  Some men have issues when it comes to being with women, but not me.  My parents are still happily married; I have been with a lot of women and enjoyed their company. I just haven’t met anyone who has made me want to dive into forever.  I have such a pull towards Scarlet, like I really want to get to know her. Her likes, dislikes, quirks, her favorites, and favorite songs of the 90’s now. Well why not have a little fun with her now.

She was organizing the bookshelf next to her sectional.  I knocked on the door. No answer. I knocked again. Still no answer.  I banged loudly on the door and that got her attention. She screamed then turned towards the noise in full on ready to kick ass mode. She was cute, and about the only female I feel like we could spar all day and she would continue to surprise me with her moves.

It took her a moment then she realized it was me.  She turned down her music then walked over and opened the door, but not quite wide enough to allow him inside.  “What’s up?”

“Heard you were having a party over here, it sounded like fun.” I winked at her.  She blushed.  “I like music when I clean, it makes it more fun.”  I looked around “Mind if I come in, Aunt Tara doesn’t have cable or any movies past the 1950’s at her house.  I like peace and quiet but it’s a little too quiet.”  She nodded; I guess she knows the feeling. “Sure come on in I was thinking about ordering a pizza and watching a movie, sound good?”  This is the perfect opportunity to figure this woman out.  “Sounds awesome! Mind if I use your bathroom though?”  She pointed down the hall. “Yeah go ahead.” I walked down the hall. Pictures of her and her family were strewn about the walls. I find the bathroom and clean up a bit.

After feeling refreshed I head back out. I stop to look at a few of her pictures. There was a bunch with her and I am guessing her parents. She looks almost identical to her mother, except her eyes, those are from her dad. They look happy. I walked back into the room, I found her in the kitchen as she grabbed the phone. “I like Little Italy’s pizza, is that ok?” she asked “Yep” I said as I look around her place. Very colorful. She had orange looking curtains hanging from her windows.  Turquoise curtains hung from her sliding glass door that led out to her backyard.  Her space was organized but comfy. Her brown Sectional had multi colored pillows, and a big ass red blanket that looked comfy as hell.

I continue to gaze around her house while she orders our food. After looking at her wall décor and getting glance at her book collection. I came to the conclusion that she is a bit of a geek.  Maybe it was the light saber hanging on the wall, or maybe it was the Harry Potter memorabilia that gave her away. But I could be wrong. Now that I think about it, wasn’t she wearing a harry potter shirt this morning? It was hard to get past the whole no bra thing, but straining my brain to remember ever detail I remembered she was. I haven’t even been here for 10 minutes and I already have a deeper insight into the life that is Scarlet. Gotta say it’s amusing and cute.  She saunters over, I like the way her hips sway. Just saying…  “It will be here in about 20 minutes. So what type of movies do you like?” She asked.  Being a navy seal I really didn’t have much time for movies.  “I like pretty much everything, although if you put in a chick flick I might just puke.”  She laughed.  “I think I know just the movie. I haven’t seen it yet and I’m guessing you don’t get too much time for movies.”  Yep, she guessed right. Smart one that girl. She laughed as she made her way to her huge DVD collection. “Damn, I think you have more movies than any of my guy friends, impressive.”  She blushed again. This was getting to be a fun game, making Scarlet blush.  “Yeah, I really love movies.” She said shyly.  She puts the movie in then crawls onto the couch.  She sits on one end and me on the other.   Ah, the Avengers, I’ve wanted to see this movie. I turned to her “You are a goddess! Not many chicks are into this stuff.”

“Yeah, I don’t know if you looked around at all but I am kind of a geek.”  I laughed a bit “Yeah I saw the light saber.” Out of nowhere Roxy comes over and sits right in between Scarlet and I then stares right at me as if to say
I’m watching you bud.. Hurt my girl, I’ll hurt you.
  “Hey foxy Roxy, you must be done with your treat.” Scarlet said as she scratched behind the dog’s ears.  She looked at me then looked away quickly. After a few minutes she gets up “I’m gonna get something to drink, would you like anything.” 

“Yeah I’ll take water.” She left and came back with 2 bottles of water. She just about made it to the couch when she tripped on a dog toy and was heading towards the ground. I reached out and grabbed her so she wouldn’t hurt herself. I suddenly became very aware that I was holding her in my arms. She was so close I could smell that coconut shampoo she uses. Her eyes went wide and her gaze went to my lips then back up.  My thoughts went wild. I barely knew this woman and she already was making her way somewhere where no woman had been before. My heart. The need to take her grew; I searched her face for any objections. I looked her in the eye and almost closed the gap between us. She gasped. Then the door bell rang. FUCKING HELL! She shivered and shook herself out, as if to wake up from a spell. “Pizza’s here!” She steadied herself then went to the door.