I Remember (Remembrance Series) (19 page)

He picked up the fork and dug in, retrieving a small taste of the cheesecake, then turning to me he held up the first bite for me to enjoy.

I leaned in to take the sweet morsel and knew instantly why it was his favorite. This was the creamiest confectionary I had ever tasted. I watched as he used the same fork to take the next bite, putting his lips where mine had been, wondering what it would feel like to have his lips on mine.

We continued taking turns until I had politely declined, not able to eat another bite.

Our waiter returned, asking if we were ready for the check.

Gregory nodded and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a credit card and instantly handing it to him.

“Can you please split the check in half and bring me my portion?” I asked.

Gregory was quick to object. “No, this is my treat. After all, we are on a date.” He smiled smugly and squeezed my hand.

“I thought we were just meeting up as friends tonight and friends share the expense of the meal.”

“Jordan, you and I both knew that this night would be a pivotal point in our relationship. How long could we continue with conversations over the phone? Even you admit feeling our connection.”

I needed a moment alone to think, so I excused myself to the ladies room. My thoughts were all over the place. Somehow he had managed to turn this into a date and I was furious with myself for allowing it. But in my heart, I knew Gregory was right, the chemistry between us was overwhelming.

I took a deep breath and walked out to find him waiting for me, with puppy dog eyes and the rose in hand. “Forgive me?”

“Of course.”
How could I stay mad?

He pulled me close to his side as we headed toward the exit. He nuzzled the side of my face and whispered, “This is nothing like any first date I’ve ever had. It was better! Can I see you again tomorrow?”

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him, again. “I would love to but I need to finish packing and head to Mom’s house tomorrow evening.”

“Could you use an extra set of hands to help you?”

“I couldn’t ask that of you.”

“But you aren’t, I’m offering. Freely. I just want more time with you.” His eyes searched mine for any sign of weakness.

His face was so close, my breathing began to falter, “I guess it would be all right, but on one condition.”

“Anything, name it!”

“I will buy lunch, as a small token for dinner and tomorrow’s help.”

He laughed, realizing I had him where he could not say no. “Fine, as long as it means I get to see you, again.”

He helped me into the passenger seat and before I could even turn my head back toward him, he was inches away from my face, securing my seatbelt.

“What time would you like me to come over tomorrow?”

“Whatever works for you.”

“You may want to be a little more specific; otherwise, I may be on your doorstep as soon as the sun comes up. How about you give me a call when you are ready to start?”

I was dizzy with his closeness. “Okay,” I managed to whisper.

“Jordan?” His hand found the back of my neck and started playing with my hair.

“Yes, Gregory?”

“One more thing…”

His hand pulled my face close to his and our lips met. I was lost in the feel of his lips upon mine, parting them to taste the warmth of his breath in my own.

To my disappointment, he pulled back to gauge my reaction. When I sighed, he kissed me again, this time tracing the outside of my lips with his tongue. Wanting to live in the moment, I threw my arms around his neck, holding him closer as his kisses became more intense.

When we came up for air, we both declared, “Wow!”

I glanced over at the clock. It was quickly approaching midnight. “I hate to do this, Gregory, but I really need to get back to the apartment. My mom is probably pacing the floor waiting for me to call and let her know I got home safely.”

He kept giving me little kisses in between his words. “I know. I just don’t want to let you go. Now that I’ve found you.”

“I feel the same way.” Our lips kept exploring one another’s mouths.

“What were you going to ask before we kissed?”

“That you hold me close in your dreams, tonight.”

“I will, but only if you do the same.”

“That will be no problem. I guess we should get you home so you can start dreaming.” He teased, as he kissed my lips again.

Still unmoving, I asked, “How can you come over tomorrow if you won’t let tomorrow come?”

“You’re right.” He laughed before finally moving to the driver’s side.

He started the car and reached over, interlacing his fingers with mine.

The only sound in the car came from the radio and the beating of our hearts. I finally spoke up. “By the way, this evening has been wonderful.”

“It was my honor, Jordan.” Pulling our hands up to his lips, he gently kissed the back of my hand.

The complex was quiet.

I turned to him at the door and said, “Thank you for a lovely time.”

I started to step inside when his hand caught round my waist and turned me around. Before I could say a word, his lips found mine, one hand reaching behind my neck to deepen the kiss, while the other pressed the small of my back, drawing me as close to his body as possible.

The intensity of it had every nerve ending in my body firing at rapid speed. I thought I had known what it was like to be kissed, but never had I experienced something so passionate. I felt like swooning. He finally pulled back.

When reason returned and our breathing settled, he said, “You make me feel so alive when I’m with you.”

I blushed at his words.

His knuckles caressed the side of my face, as I leaned into the warmth of his touch. “I really should go. My mom will start calling if I don’t let her know I’m home.”

“I can’t wait for tomorrow. Until then, I will see you in your dreams, my sweet Jordan.” He leaned in for one last, chaste kiss. “I’ll be waiting for your call.” Then he turned on his heels and left.

As I locked the door and set the alarm, I noticed a note on the table.

I quickly scratched out a reply,

The phone rang as soon as I turned the light on in my bedroom. “Hi, Mom. Sorry, I just got in.”

“We were getting worried. So how was this evening?”

“He’s more than I could have ever hoped for and so easy to talk to. We lost track of time. I can really be myself with him.”

Mom’s voice was filled with joyful laughter. “Sounds a lot like my first date with your father. We lost track of time talking with one another, too. I’m glad you had fun.”

“Do you know what time you will be home, tomorrow?”

“I was thinking early evening. I didn’t get as much done today because I overslept and had to get ready to meet Gregory.

“If it is okay with you, I would like to try and get a few more boxes packed, load my computer and the other things that I need right now, before heading back”

“Hmm, so you enjoyed your time with Gregory?”

“I did and would like to get to know him better. He’s actually offered to help me with some packing tomorrow.”

I started to yawn.

“Get some sleep, Jordan. Just let me know when I can expect you and stay safe.” I knew our conversation about him was far from over.

“Okay, goodnight for now. I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too. Goodnight.”

I changed into my pajamas, hoping it would relax me enough to want to sleep, but I was still too hyped up from tonight’s events. My computer was still hooked up, so I decided to log on to catch up on some unanswered emails.

As soon as the online service came up, I was hit with an instant message.

“How did I know you would be on here?”

“What are you still doing up, Gregory?”

“I was too keyed up to sleep. I thought you might be on here, too. LOL”

“It’s scary how much we are alike.”

His response came quickly,
“When we first started talking, I thought it was strange, but now I find it refreshing. And you?”

“I feel the same way.”

“Jordan?”

“Yes?”

“I have to admit, I only came on here hoping I could get a chance to tell you I already miss you!”

“Me, too.”

“Goodnight, Beautiful. XXOO”

“Goodnight, Handsome, see you soon. XXOO back at you ;-)”

I turned the computer off, set my alarm for 9:00 a.m. and crawled into bed. Sleep came quickly, and it was no surprise Daniel and Angeline were at the forefront of my dreams. I watched as they shared tea in the majestic, flower filled garden. You could feel their deep adoration for one another. After a while, their figures morphed into Gregory and me, reliving tonight’s events, finding comfort in each other’s arms.

The alarm clock startled me from the best dream, ever. I sat up in bed wondering if last night was just a dream. Then I saw the single red rose in a bud vase by my bed and I realized that reality was much better than any dream could ever be.

I jumped in the shower, full of excitement, knowing that I would soon see Gregory, again. I dressed in a nice pair of blue jeans, along with my favorite pink t-shirt that was comfortable, but flattering at the same time. I opted for no makeup to see what Gregory would think, remembering how my dad had always preferred natural.

At that moment, the phone rang. “Hi, Gregory, I was just about to give you a call, but you beat me to it.”

“Hey, beautiful, when do you want me to come over? Sorry for calling you first, but I was out and thought I’d stop by if you were ready.”

“I am ready to start, but take all the time you need.”

“Okay, I should be there in twenty minutes. See you soon, my love.”

“Sounds good, Handsome.”

I decided I would finish the kitchen today, since there wasn’t too much left to do. I opened up all the cabinets and pulled out the remainder of my items; placing them on the counters.

There was a knock on the door. I glanced at the stove and it showed only ten minutes had gone by since I spoke to Gregory. Maybe he finished his errand early.

“That was quick,” I said, opening the door.

My smile quickly turned to alarm. It was a tall man, with dark red, glowing eyes, short black hair, and a goatee. “Where’s Alley?” he demanded, in an ominous tone

“Sorry, but she’s not here.” I tried to close the door.

His muscular frame bolted forward and his hand pushed the door back toward me, slamming it into the inside wall. I backed away as he pushed into the apartment.

“What do you want? I told you Alley’s not here,” I shouted.

“I haven’t talked with her in a few days, so I thought I would come by to surprise her. But, now I’m wondering why I’m wasting my time with her, when she has a hot dish, like you, for a roommate.” His pupils began to dilate, as his gaze crept up and down my body.

“Please, leave. I will tell her you came by.” My voice shook with fear as he continued to approach me. I suddenly realized this must be the Tony, the guy Alley talked about.