This Could Have Been Our Song!: A coulda woulda shoulda ballad (37 page)

“Hi, handsome specimen.” I hand him his drink.

“Hi, yourself,” Greg answers and sit down next time. “Sorry I took a shower after rehearsal.” He eagerly starts to drink his
Frappuccino. “Delicious…just like you,
beolkku
.” He’s kissing my neck.

“You shouldn’t have. I’m just walking you home.” I get off the bench and stretch. Today is a perfect day for a walk dow
ntown. “I almost forgot what happens each time I’m outside with you.”

“What
does
happen?” Greg asks, putting his arm around my hips and lightly pushing me.

“Umm…let’s see,” I say, staring back, and another woman is smiling at him. “The entire city, straight and gay combined, are ogling you.”

“Oh…that,” he laughs. “I could say the same about you, Lulu.”

“So how are rehearsals going?” I ask. I’m taking his hand while walking west on King Street. His condo is just off T
ecumseth Street.

“Well, it does help that we’re in our forth month. But our stage here is smaller so I’ve had to make a few adjustments,” he says, finishing his drink. Greg was already famous worldwide for his choreographies and own performances. But with a show of this magnitude, he raised his own stake.

“I’m so proud of you, Greg,” I tell him.

“I’m proud of you too. Getting out there on your own wasn’t an easy decision but you made it and I’m sure only good thing will come out of it,” he says before we cross the street. The happy hour crowd is not out just yet but the King West resta
urants are getting ready.

“It’s not a hundred dancers and three-hour shows but we’re getting there…or not,” I joke.

“You got my sister’s vote. She and Michael really hit it off last week. I think they’re going on their fifth date tonight,” he asks. He turns and looks at me. “Should this bother me?”

“You liked him, remember; you sent me there,” I tease. I have no idea what brothers should feel. I only have my sisters and we tend to encourage the naked policy.

“Yes, but not her!”

“He’s a good guy, Greg. I’m sure he likes her at least as much as she so obviously likes him,” I giggle. Kathie in love is always adorable. I wish her the best. “Axelle’s pregnant; she told us yesterday. So next summer I’m going to be an aunt for the third time,” I tell him with a big smile. We’re turning south on T
ecumseth Street and the walk is almost over. I’ll take the streetcar back to the subway station.

“Congratulation!
That’s great news! Which reminds me…” He takes an envelope out of his hoodie pocket. “I have your tickets for the premiere.”

“We could have paid for them, you know,” I tell him and check the tickets; six to be exact. Annie will be able to come with us as well. “Those are great seats. Thank you, Greg.” I kiss him on the cheek.

“You will pay; I expect you there at least once a week,” he says, touching his cheek.

“Your show is here until late January!” I’m completely shocked. I’ll be there, front row.

“You’ll be there…” he says. We’re getting to his building.

“Singing and dancing my ass off!”
I say in his lobby. I haven’t been here this year yet. Have I been so out of it this year? “It was a great walk. I’ve missed doing that with you,” I tell him and I sincerely do.

“I just plain missed you, my
yeppeun
[17]
Lulu.” He’s caressing my cheek and making me blush.

Making me blush? “Please! You’re the handsome, perfect specimen,” I tell him.

“That sounds like I’m irresistible,” he says softly and it’s making me feel warm inside.

Making me feel warm inside? “Duh…since the academy, no woman has ever been able to resist you,” I say.

“There has been at least one woman immune all this time,” he murmurs before kissing me. I know this type of kiss; I gave one for the first time on Noor’s wedding day. But this is the first time that anyone’s given one to me.

“Greg…” I manage to mumble when he finally releases my lips. I didn’t ask you to stop!

“Not that immune after all, Lulu,” he says against my mouth.

No one could be immune after a kiss like that given by a man who looks like Greg. When he starts kissing me again, I kiss him back. I’m not leading him on; I really want to explore this. I’m not leading him on…

The naked policy rules… I rest my head on Greg’s beautiful, smooth, naked chest and run my finger along his lean naked abs. “
hullyunghabnida!
[18]
“ I mumble.

“Indeed,” he mumbles back, kissing my hair. He pulls me closer, almost on top of him.
“Much better.” He checks his drawer and lighting a cigarette.

“Smoking?
Really? So not good for a dancer.” I’m taking a drag. I’m still waiting for the awkwardness to kick in. Here we are, sitting on his king-size bed, completely naked, our clothes and bed sheets spread across the room. Oh well! When in Rome…

“Smoking is bad for everyone, Lulu, but post-coital smoking is a must.” he takes his cigarette back. My mistake; we’re in the middle of a seventies French movie. “And in black and white,” he adds and gives me the cigarette. “Forget Technicolor! French movie parody, right?” he says, caressing my thigh.

“How did you know?” I put the cigarette down.

“I’ve known you for ten years, Lulu. I know how your bea
utiful mind works,” he smirks, untying my hair. “You’re so lovely,” he says and straightens it out. It’s getting so long; even curly, it covers part of my breasts. “From the first time I saw you in that hallway –”

“Nope; the
dance class not the hallway,” I lazily tell him.

“The hallway.”
He’s rolling me over on my back. “You were with Noor and in your grey glasses phase. You had a high ponytail, a pair of shorts and a Willy –”

“Wonka tank top!
You were there?” I put my arms around his neck. “It was a good month before we officially met.”

“I begged our teacher to pair us up. I stood there for half an hour staring at you when you didn’t even realize that I was there,” he says as he’s coming down for a kiss. I arc myself t
oward him. “I just fell in love with you that day and I haven’t stopped falling even since.”

I kiss him. I’ve been waiting to hear those words for months and now they’re here. Does it really matter who say them to me? “Oh…Greg,” I let out between kisses. Right now, no it doesn’t.

“I will never miss your birthday again,
ever
!” he says with a chuckle, slowly stroking and placing my legs around his hips. “These are the smoothest legs I have ever touched.” He’s trailing his soft, thin but sexy lips across my neck before taking my face in his hands and staring back at me. “
Saranghae
[19]
, saranghae, saranghae,
and I’ve been waiting for a very long time to say it to you, Lucia.”

I love you… I can’t top that, not yet anyway. “
Saranghabnida
[20]
,” I say back. It’s the best I can say right now without lying to him or myself because I do love him too and I really wish it was the same way he does. Best friends’ love will have to do for now. “
Saranghabnida
,
saranghabnida
,
saranghabnida
, Gregory McMullen,” I say again and I’m bringing him even closer to me.

“I’ll take this one for now,
Jagiya
[21]
, and I should really take you…again,” he teases before slowly, very slowly to the point of begging slowly, entering me. “You’re my heaven on earth,” he groans.

I’m literally melting, my defenses, my fears, my body, my will… “And you’re wonderful… Please, please start moving before I completely lose it,” I moan.

“I don’t wanna,” his mouth says but his body won’t hold the pose for that long. “Where are we now?”

I can’t think; I’m feeling too much… “Stupid, romantic mo
vie of the week but with the most handsome man with the sexiest butt…
But
if you don’t start moving
it
, you will be a castrato in the sequel!” I blurt out.

Finally, he’s listening and starts thrusting, slow strokes each better and deeper than the last one. We both finish at the same time and it’s not even dinnertime yet…
Still no awkwardness. Third round, anyone?

“Greg, are you home?” we hear through the door. Kathie is home. I shoot him a questioning look and of course, he laughs.

“I’m here,” he says out loud, kissing my shoulders. “What? Round three, right?” he whispers back to me.

“Okay! How was rehearsal?” she asks.

“Perfect!” He’s stroking my breasts without a care in world, “Luscious perfection,” he whispers. I try to push him off but he doesn’t let me and playfully blocks me on the bed. “What time is your date?” he shouts.

“I’m meeting Michael in a couple of hours,” she says.

“Okay, have fun!” he tells her through the walls then kisses me. Sweet, soft, tasty, loving kisses… I must have moaned louder than I intended to because...

“Hi, Luce!” she calls.

Hey, Kathie,” I say, burying my head in Greg’s chest. There is the awkwardness.

Greg pours me my second refill. “Thanks,
Jagiya
,” I say and I almost empty it. That wine is delicious! “You look good enough to eat,” I tell him across the table. He’s wearing a shirt matching his hazel eyes, and tight-fitted, black pants. “Good enough to eat,” I add.

“Okay, I’m cutting you off, Lulu,” he says, trying to take my glass away but catching my hand instead. “You look fantastic.” He’s kissing the palm of my hand.
“But no more drinking for you.”

“But it’s your birthday’s dinner. Can a girl just lust in peace?” I pout. We deliberately arrived at the restaurant early so we could chill out before the rest of the guests arrived. Among the guests are his parents, Kathie, Michael, the Andersons and the Burtons…
his parents
. “You better like the dress on me; you gave it to me as a present to you.” I like the dress. I would have bought it if I knew where he found it; it’s a long, dark-red, strapless, empire dress with a slit in the front. “I think having a birthday a week before Christmas is totally cheating,” I say, leaning forward and giving a private view of my cleavage. “But thank you for my early Christmas present.” I finish my drink.

“I’ll be personally
unwrapping it later,” he says, coming closer. “Should I be worried about the drinking?” He stares at my empty glass.

“Says the McMullen Irish boy,” I tell him.

“Lulu, you’ve met my parents before, hundreds of times.”

“I know.”

“You saw them last month at the
Passion and Dance
premiere,” he says, coming closer.

“I know.”

“My dad has a crush on you and Axelle,” he adds then sit next to me.

“I know!”

“Michael is the one meeting them for the first time.”

“I know,” I whisper.

“It’s me, Lulu. I know you. You’re not at your most comfortable with other people’s parents.” He gives me small kiss.

“You do know me, Greg.” I give him a real big loving kiss. “We have to stay right?” I ask, completely out of breath.

“Yes, please; I didn’t do so much grooming for nothing,” Noor says over our heads.

“Hi, Noor,” Greg says, getting up to kiss her. Her latest hai
rstyle is the most extreme she has had in…forever? Bleach-blonde, short –
très
short, Tabatha Coffey short and even shorter. With our big, grey eyes, she looks like a vampire, a sexy vampire but still a vampire, especially with that bright-red lipstick. “I’m still trying to get used to your new hair. It’s…different,” he says before turning to Andrew. “Hey, man!”

“There is no confusing them anymore, that’s for sure. Hey Greg! How’s the show going? I keep hearing good news.” He’s sitting across from Noor, who is now next to me.

“Wow, invisible me! Hi, Andrew. I’m the one who doesn’t drink blood,” I joke but get up to give him a peck across the table. After that he and Greg continue their deep conversation and I turn to Noor. “Hi, scary thing! Why are we being ignored?”

“You have to lay off on my hairdo, bitch!” she gives me a quick air kiss. “Welcome to the life of being with a dan
cer/choreographer,” she teases and hails our waitress. “It’s about them most of the time.” She orders a double bloody Mary and I, under Greg’s careful gaze, a glass of water.

“What have you been up to?” I ask her. The other guests h
aven’t arrived yet but should be here shortly. They’re fighting for a downtown parking spot unlike Noor and her husband who just took a cab.

“If you called me once in a while you’d know,” she says. Who’s the bitch now? She does look lovely in her silver, tube, mini dress. She just doesn’t look like Axelle and me anymore.

“I’ve been busy, Noor, and I
have
been calling you, just not as much as I used to,” I tell her. Things are almost back to normal between us. We talked after Papa’s death anniversary service last month. So many things have happened to the both of us this year, it can’t really be like it was before but we could always build anew from that.