Chapter 10: Thinking about Aldrich.
As time passed, she saw him again one day during the December holiday season. She happened to be at Monica’s house swimming and as she emerged from the water, she found him standing at the patio door, his eyes fixated on her. The smile on his face told her she was a pleasing sight. Elated, she returned the smile.
Monica was helping her mum bake in preparation for the festive season and when Anabella offered to help, Mrs. Richter had chased her out of the house.
She stared at the gorgeous hunk looking relaxed in a pair of khaki pants and black t-shirt, his body toned to perfection. She made her way to the edge of the pool, and had to hang on to the tiles, because the look she saw in his eyes burned her. She smiled, and on shaky legs got out and made her way to where he stood, a huge grin adorning his face. She kissed him on the lips―which was too forward―but she couldn’t resist. He continued to look at her, his eyes dark pools. She had missed him; her days and dreams constantly invaded by him, and now to find him standing there was just too good an opportunity to miss.
“Hi, Aldrich.”
“Hi, sweetheart.” His voice soft, caressing her, making her smile.
She reached for her towel, which hung on a chair, and then walked to a deck chair and lay down. He followed, sitting down next to her.
“Are you well?”
“School is finally over.”
“It is. When do the results come out?”
“On the fifth of January, but I know I have done well.”
“That is good news. And the practices?”
“Demanding, but good. I really look forward to varsity. They say the coach is very good.”
He smiled as he brushed his fingers against her arm, the feeling sending shivers down her spine. They chatted and she told him more about the practices and a competition she would participate in at the end of the week; just a friendly race at the club.
The air hummed with electric currents and her heart raced. He leaned in closer and semi-whispered, “I have missed you.” This was followed by a kiss, which made all the others feel like child’s play. They couldn’t get enough of each other, her body responding under his touch, his warm hand caressing it gently.
“I’ve missed you, too,” she finally said as his eyes moved over her black bikini appraisingly, smiling at her blush. She felt his warm hand on her ribs, a thumb stroking her skin. She was aware of every touch, so much so her skin was covered in goose bumps. Breathless, she said, “Badly, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“You have done something to me, something I’ve never felt before. You occupy my thoughts every day. I am acting like a lovesick teenager.”
“I know how you feel, and I am a love sick teenager.”
He chuckled at her innocence.
She smiled, pulling him back into her embrace and this time she kissed him, with greater longing. Damn, he’s a good kisser. Images of swirling bodies flicked through her mind, encouraging her actions as the intensity grew with a burning desire.
Monica cleared her throat, and grinning asked what they would like for lunch.
Aldrich, without lifting his eyes, said, “Strawberries and cream, please.” Soft enough that only Anabella could hear, which made them both laugh before he let her go.
It became their private banter, his love for the sweet dessert flavored with Anabella’s sweet taste. Aldrich was intoxicated and found himself often eating the dessert just to conjure her image in his mind.
Anabella couldn’t believe how reckless she’d become with this man she hardly knew. She watched him from under her eyelashes, with something close to adoration. She couldn’t believe how at ease with him she was after what had just taken place. She looked at her friend and blushed upon her curious expression.
Sheepishly, Monica looked at them, not really understanding, when Aldrich said, “Just whatever you usually have for lunch would be great, thank you.” His voice was completely under control.
When Monica left, she winked at Anabella over her shoulder; code for wanting to know the whole story once he left.
They sat down to lunch, talking about all kinds of things with Monica, making jokes, teasing each other about silly stuff, their hands always close, his eyes continuously roaming over her appreciatively.
She had never blushed as much as that afternoon. His eyes constantly intense and filled to the brim with emotions. She never thought she could evoke that kind of feeling in a man, and if she and to be honest, coming from him she welcomed it.
Monica left them after her mother called her back, and he pulled her chair closer again and kissed her. Heat emanated from his mouth and his hands, and she loved the feel of it. Her own body responded immediately; he made her forget everything around her, like nothing else mattered. It was a struggle to get away from him, but a phone call interrupted them, which he answered, and soon after, he left. They hadn’t seen each other again.
Every night since that afternoon, she’d sat with her cell in her hand, continuously punching in his number then cancelling it. She knew she wasn’t ready for Aldrich. The attraction she felt toward him was real and she could relive every second of their time together. Her body responded with equal intensity.
She would love to go to him, but she owed him at least a well-balanced person. She found herself comparing what they had with her parents’ relationship. Images and thoughts of intertwined bodies inflicted her mind with doubt and confusion, cluttering it. Her body ached for his touch.
As it was December, her parents were away often, so she barely saw them. During the Christmas week, they’d gone on a cruise, leaving a note on the kitchen table. The holiday was quiet, giving her much time to think about Aldrich and what he meant to her.