Page 18 of Under The Cherry Blossoms
Snorting, he replies, “You’re not a terrible girlfriend. Just a control freak. Luckily you have many redeeming qualities that make up for it.” He plants a soft kiss on my lips that makes me all tingly. When he takes my bottom lip between his teeth and gently bites down, tugging and then licking away the sting, the tingles intensify and I pull away before I lose control and start to dry hump him right here in thiscab.
“Okay, since the surprise aspect isn’t working for you, I guess I’ll have to let you know what I have planned.Happy?”
“Yes, very. Thank you,” I reply with sincerity and turn my body excitedly, almost bouncing in my seat, ready to hear his plans for theday.
“Well, I wanted to plan a day that would be special to you, and I figured since you’re so book obsessed we could do a literary tour of New York and check out some of the city’s best landmarks. What do youthink?”
The note of uncertainty in his voice squeezes at my heart and this moment right here is my undoing. Any lingering doubts about my feelings dissipate at the sound of that tiny waver in his voice, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am going to love this man for the rest of my life, no matter what happens betweenus.
“I think I love you,” is my easyreply.
The day that follows is an incredible whirlwind of activity and laughter. We start the day by heading to the Bronx and exploring Edgar Allen Poe’s cottage, which I can’t believe I have never visited before. The sight of the tiny cottage leaves me speechless and I have goosebumps as we tour it with our wonderful guide, Glen. There are only a couple of other people wandering around the cottage while we are there which adds to the atmosphere, and I feel like I could spend the entire day here, devouring all the knowledge that Glen has to impart. I am in absolute awe of everything I see and learn, but whenever I look Ben’s way his eyes are glued firmly on me, following my every movement and appreciating my enthusiasm the same way I am appreciating thisexperience.
All too soon, the tour is over and after exploring the cottage on our own multiple times, Ben pulls me outside and we head for thesubway.
The rest of the day is spent exploring Left Bank Books, where I spend hours trawling through rare books and first editions with the kind of reverence one would expect from a devout bibliophile, followed by the New York Public Library where we examine the current collections on display, and engage in some healthydebates.
Basically, I spend the day trying to control my book whoreboner.
Leaving the library, Ben leads me down the steps and guides me to the street where we take the Line 28 bus to our final destination, CentralPark.
We spend the last hours of daylight in the park, taking in the Shakespeare garden before heading for the literary walk, which we stroll along leisurely, enjoying the beauty of the canopy the elmscreate.
“Today has been amazing, Ben, thank you so much.” Holding onto his hand, I pull his arm to me and lean into him, brushing a kiss across hisshoulder.
“One more surprise, Squeak,” he replies softly and gives me a smile that melts both my heart and mypanties.
I’m about to reply when my attention is drawn to the giant carousel in front of us and my heart swells in love andgratitude.
“You remembered,” I whisper as I recall the conversation we had months ago when I shared with him my happiest memory. The moment that happened right here on the carousel in front of us, with my mom and dad. They had been so happy that day, carefree and so unlike their usual selves. The vision I had of them sitting in one of the carriages with me in between them, while they laughed and joked was something I will never forget, and a memory I clung to every time the sadness had overwhelmedme.
“I remember everything you say, Squeak.” Leaning his forehead against mine, he kisses my nose. With a big smile lighting up his face he grabs my hand and drags me toward the ride. “You ready to ride, cowgirl?” he throws over his shoulder and I groan at his attempt athumor.
“Ugh, will your jokes ever getbetter?”
“Probably not.” His laughter hits my ears as a smile blooms across myface.
Later,as we sit on the subway headed home, I relax against Ben. Exhausted but sated, I am so grateful to the man beside me. I’ve never had someone want to take care of me the way he does. The feeling of adoration is all encompassing and I wonder now how I ever lived without him in my life. This thought momentarily jolts me out of my blissed stupor as my mind wanders into dangerous territory.How will I survive if this ends and I’m left abandonedagain?
Looking up at Ben, I watch as he scrolls through his phone replying to emails, and I shut down that train of thought immediately. This is real, I tell myself. This is forever, and I’m not going to create trouble where there isnone.
Glancing up, Ben smiles atme.
“You good?” heasks.
“Yep,” I reply. “Ben?”
“Yeah,baby?”
“You are so getting laid tonight.” I silence his laughter with mymouth.
Ifeelthe sun shining down on me as I walk along 14th Street, humming the tune toHeliumunder my breath and trying to control the excitement thrumming through myveins.
Ben has proven over the last six months that he is the king of surprises. Whether it’s popping into my work unannounced, randomly sending me flowers or planning something special like our day on the weekend. He is forever doing things that make me feel cherished andloved.
So, today I am determined to earn some brownie points, and as I make my way through the doors to UTCB Software Solutions, I am carrying a box of Guinness, Whiskey and Irish Cream cupcakes from Ben’s favorite bakery. I’m hoping to drag him from work early so we can enjoy a night of pizza and Netflix. Hopefully followed by me fordessert.
The elevator doors open and I step out, following the path I took on my previous, and only, visit to Ben’s office, I am taken through an open-plan floor space filled with about a dozen cubicles. The low hum of noise that is unique to an office workplace is somewhat soothing and I can easily see Ben, confident and comfortable in this environment. The thought makes my chest puff with a sense of pride that I have a small claim on thisman.
