Lost In Autumn Page 2

  “Anthropology.” I explained my love of different cultures and travel and he smiled appreciatively and seemed to be listening attentively.

  The food arrived and as soon as I took about three bites, I felt like a new woman. I was enjoying my time with this man that had been a stranger just a few hours ago. I didn’t want it to end but I remembered I had a paper due at midnight and I was only halfway finished with it.

  “Thank you so much for escorting me to food,” a little grin curled the corners of my mouth up. “You probably saved my life, but I do have an assignment I need to get to.”

  “Not a problem, you look like you feel better.” Darren paid the tab before I could protest and we headed for the door.

  “I’m glad I got to meet you today,” Darren told me as we pulled up to my apartment. “I’ll walk you to the door,” he said as he opened his door and walked around to open my door.

  So gentlemanly…why is he so perfect…I wanted to hug him but I felt shy and like maybe that was inappropriate the first time meeting someone, but before I could overthink about it, his arms were around me, gently squeezing around my waist and his breath in my hair. I was breathless and felt like my limbs stopped supporting themselves. As I pulled away our cheeks lightly touched and the nearness of his lips made me imagine what it would be like to kiss him - devour his mouth and gently suck on his tongue. You just met him, don’t kiss him! That damn color was back in my cheeks as I mumbled my goodbye.

  “See you around campus!” I said as I pushed my door open. He smiled his sexy mysterious smile back at me as he started back to his car and drove off.

  I finished my paper in record time in spite of my distracted mind. Janet still wasn’t home and she probably wouldn’t be home until early morning, judging from the text she had sent me about “drowning her sorrows in alcohol” since the Mariners had not won the game. I decided to take a nap.

  I slept without stirring. Darren’s brown eyes danced through my dreams and I woke well rested. Sunday. Janet came into my room and asked me how I was feeling and where Darren had taken me. I downplayed the excitement I felt around him and ignored her offer to give me his number. I spent the rest of the day studying and pacing around the apartment. I tried to ignore any thoughts of him. I kind of wished I could see him again, but I knew that probably wouldn’t happen.

  Evening finally fell and I lay face up on my white crocheted bedspread and stared at the ceiling fan. I felt an aching throb of uncontrolled excitement between my legs as I thought about Darren’s eyes and the way his face felt against mine. I needed a release. I reached under the bed to grab “Teddy”.

  Teddy had been my childhood teddy bear, but for the past 3 boyfriend-less years, he had entertained me in other ways. I slipped my shorts down over the curve of my hips and placed the stuffed animal between my thighs, enjoying the softness against my skin. I wanted more contact against my sensitive clit and pushed my panties to the side so the fluffy texture rubbed directly on my lips. I angled my most sensitive spot against the brown leather that was Teddy’s nose and rocked back and forth, leaving a wet patch on the fur. I bit my lower lip as my body weight added the perfect amount of pressure to make me reach climax and as release and pleasure shot through me from my pussy to the top of my spine, I imagined Darren with me…in me…and his mouth on mine.

  I slept soundly and satisfied after my orgasm and didn’t wake up again until morning light filtered through the cornflower blue shades that covered my window. I grabbed my phone and checked the time.

  Shit. 10:15. Spanish class starts in 15 minutes.

  I pulled my favorite red t-shirt dress over my head and slipped on some gold strappy sandals. If I had it my way, I would wear dresses every day. I loved how free I felt in them and the circulation they allowed that jeans just didn’t provide.

  A notification popped up on my phone’s display for a friend request. I scanned my fingerprint to unlock the screen. “Darren Accardo Wants to Be Friends with You”.

  My heart double beat for a bit and I thought well, I want to be more than friends with you, Darren Accardo. I could feel my mental resolution of no relationships while in school slowly melting and myself becoming very open to the idea. I hit accept on his request and rushed to school.

  Mr. Martin’s voice droned and warbled as the soundtrack of my thoughts as I daydreamed in class. Usually I loved class, and especially Spanish. I wanted to learn as many languages as I could and Spanish seemed a very practical place to start. My thoughts today however, kept drifting back to thoughts of the friend request. I pulled my laptop out, since it would look more like I was actually paying attention my teacher than if I pulled out my phone.

  Before I could employ too many of my creeping skills after I pulled up Darren’s profile, the chat window popped up with his name on it.

  Nala, I have a surprise for you. I’ll pick you up at Parrington Lawn at noon.

  I was a bit annoyed that he just assumed I would clear my schedule for him, but my curiosity would annoy me even more if I didn’t go.

  I responded with a simple “okay” not wanting sound too eager, but 12 o’clock suddenly couldn’t come fast enough.

  Chapter 3

  The trek to Parrington Lawn was long enough for my nerves to start building up, but the gentle breeze of the approach of fall calmed me down just enough to not panic and back out. I strolled across the stretch of grass that was decorated in unusual sculptures and scanned the whole area looking for Darren. I didn’t see him so I sent him a message.

  I’m here. Where are you? I received a message almost instantly. Walking towards you.

  I looked up and saw his tall muscular frame walking towards me, and away from a motorcycle, a helmet in his hands. My nerves returned in full force and I realized once again that I barely knew this man, and here I was, about to be alone with him once again.

  “You ready?” He offered no explanation of our destination. He gave me a brief hug, and turned back towards his motorcycle, expecting me to follow him. Maybe my nervousness wasn’t obvious. I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a few steps towards him. He turned around, and seeing the look on my face and how slow I was walking, he laughed.

  “You look terrified! I’m not going to kill you or anything.” He reassured me, grabbing my hand. A small smile crept onto my face at his touch, and I tumbled along after him.

  I cautiously situated myself on the bike seat, trying to not flash my panties at him or anyone else. I should have worn pants after all. I held my arms limply at my side, not quite sure what to do with them. “Hang on.” Darren ordered me as he started the engine. I put my hands on his shoulders shyly. I could hear him chuckle and we lurched forward fast enough for my fear of touching him to be replaced by fear of falling off the back. I grabbed around his barrel chest and held on tight.

  I tried to ignore the vibrations of the bike that were traveling straight to the inside of my thighs, but the ridge of the seat that lined up with my clit, and the bunched up mound of my dress made that impossible. A small moan escaped my lips and every bump in the road that we crossed heightened my arousal. The noisy engine thankfully masked my breathing and whimper of pleasure. I had lost track of watching where we were going and my whole focus was on the feel of his chest under my hands and the warmth that was about to take over my body. I accidentally started to dig my fingernails into Darren’s chest as my orgasm broke through my body, and I rested my cheek against his broad back. We stopped.

  “Enjoying the ride?” I jumped at the deep rumble of his voice. My face was flushed, and I was grinning. I felt embarrassed and wondered if he knew what I had been doing. “Yes, I loved it,” I answered, a slight giggle in my breathless voice. I regained my composure and looked around. We were parked in a residential neighborhood, in front of a small grey house. Maybe to say it was a house was a bit generous, it was more like a shack.

  “Good. I’ll be back.” His tone was abrupt as he got off the bike and walked towards the building. I could hea
r him knock on the door. Three hard knocks and one soft one. The door opened but I couldn’t who answered it. Darren disappeared inside.

  I waited ten minutes for him to return. Finally, I saw the door move and Darren strode out towards me, his face impossible to read. He reseated himself on the bike without saying a word or giving any explanation. I clung to his broad back again as we whipped around the corner.

  The tires let out a tiny squeal as we halted in front of our destination. “Have you been here before?” Darren turned around to see my face. “No. What is this place?” I looked around for the sign. Asian Art Museum. I supposed that most other people wouldn’t be very excited about visiting a museum but my visit to Thailand had inspired both my love of learning about new cultures and also a particular attachment to Asian history. I was surprised that he had really listened to my interests and that he had thought about it enough to want to bring me here.

  We trotted up the steps to the building and he held the door open for me. Gentlemanly.

  Sculptures and artifacts behind glass panes lines the walls and lost track of time as I wandered each exhibit with him beside me. Whenever we entered a new room, he would rest his hand on the small of my back, the warmth of his palm seeping through my thin dress. I found myself wishing the museum had more rooms. I could tell he was enjoying my enthusiasm over everything I was reading and looking at.

  My stomach made a loud growling noise and I tried to mask the sound by taking a few steps as loudly as possible without being obvious. I looked at the gold colored watch that encircled my wrist. 3:00pm. I had forgotten to eat breakfast and in the excitement of my adventure, I had neglected to eat lunch as well. “Darren,” I turned around to look at him. “Thank you for bringing me here. I really love it.” I smiled up at him, sincere and I could see the warmth in his eyes. “Do you think we could go get something to eat?” I asked, a sheepish grin on my face. “Let me guess…you haven’t eaten today.” He looked actually annoyed with me. “You need to take better care of yourself, Nala.” It was a command. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter 4

  My hunger hit me full force and I tried to resist the urge to stuff my chicken sandwich in my mouth all at once. I didn’t want to look like a savage in front of Darren, so I took dainty feminine bites, chewing thoroughly and swallowing carefully. I finally grew tired of pretending to be a graceful eater and confessed. “If I was at home, I would be tearing into this like a wild animal.” The corner of his eyes crinkled as he smiled widely in amusement. “By all means, please, behave as if you were in your natural habitat, sexy beast.” He called me sexy. “Thank you.” I replied with my mouth full, fulfilling his request. I took a long sip of my lemonade, and looked into his eyes. “Tell me a secret.” I demanded, my mouth smiling mischievously up at him. A flicker of emotion flashed so fast on his face that I wondered if I had just imagined it. “Like what?” He answered lightly. “Anything! I’m curious about you.” I said. “Why did you want to take me to the museum?” I genuinely wanted to know. He responded by reaching across the table and cupping my jaw in the palm of his hand, his fingers framing my cheeks. “Because I wanted to get to know you, Nala.” His deep voice sending warm shivers throughout my body. “I wanted to do this the last time I saw you.” He leaned forward and gently pressed his mouth against my full lips, just enough pressure to make me feel like I was turning into a puddle, or at the very least, that there was a puddle of wetness underneath me. I started to lean into his kiss, hunger for his mouth rising up from my core. Inhaling sharply, I returned the pressure of his mouth, needy, my lips blossoming open, wanting his tongue to enter my mouth.

  What are you doing! My thoughts interrupted my lust for him. You don’t even know him yet. You’re supposed to be focusing on school right now, not boys. I pulled back abruptly, looking down and standing up as though nothing had happened. Darren still sat at the table, and I could feel his gaze on the side of my face. “Are you ok? Did you not want me to…kiss you?” I felt like I had been rude…I should explain.

  “I’m sorry…It’s not you. I’m just not really available right now.” I instantly regretted my poorly worded explanation. His face turned to stone. “I see,” he said roughly. “I didn’t realize you were involved with someone. I wouldn’t have-“

  “No, no! It isn’t that!” I interrupted him hastily. “I’m just really busy with school and work and I shouldn’t be getting involved with anyone right now.”

  He laughed. “I don’t have to take up all your time Nala. I just want to get to know you.”

  “I just don’t think I should be doing this…I need to go.” I felt overwhelmed. I wanted him badly, but I couldn’t get sucked into being distracted from my goals. I had to say no.