Page 7 of Under The Cherry Blossoms
Friday
BEN:Be ready at 11am, okay? And wear something comfortable that you can move aroundin.
SKYE:Okay.
BEN:Also,
SKYE:Yeah?
BEN:Wear black lacepanties.
It’sSaturday morning and I am scrambling to get ready for my date with Ben while my nerves beat a terrified drum in my chest. This past week we have messaged constantly, with our missives getting progressively more intimate, so I thought I knew what to expect today. Dinner and then a few hours being made dirty by this man whose mouth can make me wet with just a few simple words. But when he told me to be ready at 11am it threw me for a loop and I’m now feeling totally unprepared. Not to mention, a tad disappointed that I might not be getting to partake in the bedroom rodeo (ah Cassidy would be so proud)tonight.
The buzzer sounds, surprising me, and I let out a little squeak. Pressing the intercom, I tell Ben I’ll be right down. As I gather all my gear I catch sight of the beautiful bouquet of pink roses and cherry blossoms that he sent me on Wednesday, sitting atop my small dining table. The exquisite mix of pink and white flowers are absolutely gorgeous and the sight of them immediately calms my nerves. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and take a few moments to center myself before moving toward thedoor.
Racing down the stairs, I burst through the door and am met by Ben, in all his glorious deliciousness, standing on the sidewalk. Looking casual in a pair of black basketball shorts and a gray sleeveless t-shirt with a pair of black sneakers on his feet, I’m tempted to call uncle and just beg him to take me upstairs so we can live out some of the fantasies we’ve talked about thisweek.
“You okay there, babe?” Ben questions, drawing my attention while my face flames in embarrassment at getting caught perving on thisman.
I hastily reply with a quick, “Yep.”
Leaning over and placing a gentle but firm kiss on my lips, Ben tells me that I look beautiful. Glancing down dismissively at my yoga pants and pink tank, I’m about to give a smartass reply when I glance up and see the heat in his eyes.Okay, maybe I might still get luckytoday.
“So, where are we headed?” I ask. “You’re being very enigmatic abouttoday.”
“You’ll see, pipsqueak, let’s walk.” And with that, he takes off up the block, and I have to run to keep up withhim.
“Pipsqueak?” I question as a memory lingers on the periphery of my consciousness, just out of reach. “Yeah that’s not going to work for me,” I say as I catch up tohim.
“Have you seen you, Skye? You’re fucking tiny. Plus, you make this little sound whenever my mouth gets anywhere near you. It kind of starts out as a squeak then turns into a gasp. Fucking sexy ashell.”
Okay, so maybe pipsqueak will work forme.
As we walk toward destination unknown, we chat about random stuff, and I can’t help but notice how easy this is. There have been no games from this man at all. Since day one he’s been straightforward and upfront with me. I’ve never had to guess what he’s thinking or if he’s interested. I honestly didn’t think men like this existed. My experience consisted of lying assholes who tried to manipulate me to get their own way. If Iwasgoing to fall for someone, it would be a guy like Ben. Now, I just need to find a way to resist him. Though, I have a feeling that will be easier said thandone.
Twenty minutes later, we stop in front of a building that I don’t recognize, which is odd since it’s on my route to work; I must walk past it every day. It’s a nondescript shop front with a sign proclaiming VERTICAL REALITY CLIMBING, and I feel my jaw drop inhorror.
“This is what you meant when you were asking if I was adventurous and afraid of heights?” Iquery.
“Yep. See, I wasn’t being dirty at all. Maybe I’m not the only pervert here,” he replies with a cheekygrin.
I’m quiet as I try to process what he’s expecting me to do, but apparently Ben takes this as acquiescence and, taking hold of my hand, pulls meinside.
As we enter, my fears are not allayed in any way. Immediately to our right is a huge room with three massive walls painted in a myriad of colors and containing what seems like thousands of tiny little things protruding from them. There’s no way they are big enough for a hand to hold or a foot to stand on, and yet I fear that is indeed theirpurpose.
“I thought you were prepared to give anything a go?” Ben questions, and as he tries to contain his laughter I wonder if it’s too soon in this relationship to punch him in theface.
Little does he know, I happen to have a stubborn streak as wide as the Grand Canyon, and he’s just kicked it intogear.
“Let’s go, baby cakes. Try to keep up with me, okay?” I throw over my shoulder as I make my way to the frontdesk.
A short while later we have completed the necessary paperwork and are standing in front of the beginner’s wall (beginner's wall my ass, I think) in harnesses, while a very enthusiastic Kane (“but you can call me K-dog”) walks us through the safety instructions and gives us an extensive list of do’s and don’ts. My stomach is churning with nerves and for the first time in a month, they have nothing to do with the man standing beside me. But damned if I’ll let him see how anxious Iam.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Squeak?” I look up and see only sincerity in Ben’s eyes. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I kind of wanted to impress you, so I googled interesting date ideas and this seemed like a fun one. But now that I’m standing here, it seems like a verybadidea.” I watch him as he makes this confession and my heart steps up a beat at the vulnerability he’s allowing me to witness. He actually cared enough about this date to research itandhe’s now prepared to admit it may have been a mistake, just so I’m not forced to do something I don’t want to. No way will I step all over his plans and make him feel like they are anything less thanperfect.
“Are you kidding me? This is freaking awesome! Let’s do this shit!” I gaze up at the wall and pray for the strength to pull thisoff.
“Oh my god, that was incredible! We have to do that again!” I am gushing as we leave the building an hour later. Sweaty and sore, nothing can thwart the high I’m feeling from the adrenaline coursing through my veins at this moment. I am completely exhilarated and ready to throw Ben down right here on the sidewalk and ride him like the grateful cowgirl I am. Instead, I throw myself into his arms and he catches me in a hug, squeezing metight.
