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The One - Part 3
The rush of tepid water over my skin erases the fog of my sleepless night and the ache in my body. I can’t believe how vibrant and aware I feel, or how afraid. What happens when reality hits? When the haze of desire and alcohol is gone. It has seemed so perfect and right, but that is an easy thing when the intrusion of daily life seems far away. Once I finish my shower and dress, I deal with the tangle of my hair.
Kevin is still sleeping. He looks so sweet and so young. I could stare at that amazing face for hours. I kneel at the side of the bed, and he smiles as I stroke his hair. "Snap out of it, Amanda! Stop mooning over him, he’s just a man. But oh, what a man! The poster boy for Mr. Right."
I make a cup of hot chocolate and mull over what to make for breakfast. I hear the slap of bare feet on the tile floor and turn to see Kevin standing in the doorway, stark naked. "Are you hungry? I was just about to start on breakfast. French toast ok?"
He comes up to slip his arms around me. "Any thing will be good. I’m starving," he says as he kisses my neck.
"Kev, I really enjoy the view, but I’m not going to be able to cook with a naked man in my kitchen." He chuckles and moves to the stove. "Well, I’ll cook breakfast then." Kevin proceeds to take the apron off the pantry door and tie it around his waist. He points at a stool with a wooden spoon. "Sit. I’ve got everything under control"
I take a seat and watch him search through the cupboards for the necessary ingredients. I can’t stop smiling as I think of how Sara would react if she knew her Kiss the Cook apron was being worn by her naked next door neighbor. The sight of his naked backside is tantalizing.
I find myself drifting off in thought. I know he’s leaving in just over two weeks for several months for the tour. He’ll be off in a world filled with concerts, tv appearances, screaming little girls who idolize him and the older ones trying to bed him. I’ve only known him for a few days, I know I have no right to expect anything.
I can’t sort through the jumble of thoughts in my head. I had unprotected sex with this man. This man I barely know. Barely know, but know so well. He makes me positively giddy. This is scaring the hell out of me.
"Don’t look so miserable. You haven’t even tried my French toast!" I suddenly realized that Kevin has set a steaming plate piled with French toast in front of me. "Sorry, just lost in thought. Do you honestly think I’ll eat all this Kevin?" I point at the plate, which is holding at least eight fat slices.
"I forget that everyone doesn’t eat as much as I do. And let me tell you, Sweetheart, spending the night with you really worked up my appetite." He leaned in and kissed my cheek.
"Kevin, speaking of last night…" I steal a look at him before continuing. "I’m not the kind who sleeps with a guy on the first date, the kind who sleeps around at all. Its not who I am."
Kevin picked up my hand and began to stroke my knuckles. "Last night wasn’t sleeping around to me. I’m glad it happened, and I certainly don’t judge you badly in any way because we made love."
I hear his words, but they are being drowned out by the chaos in my head. The soft methodical stroke of his thumb across the back of my hand is the only thing that is keeping me grounded and from losing all control. "Kev, I went completely against what I believe in! I had unprotected sex with a man I barely know! I don’t know what I should say, how I should act."
"Stop thinking so hard! Last night and this morning was wonderful. I don’t regret a moment of it, I wish you wouldn’t." Kevin suddenly looked away and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, there is one regret. I’m sorry I got so carried away and didn’t stop to think about condoms. I don’t know if it will make you feel better, but I have been tested. I’m clean." An awkward silence settles over us.
"Eat your breakfast before it gets cold. I know you’re hungry, I can hear your belly growling. We can talk more about this later." I find myself enjoying the French toast and I even begin to relax in our quiet companionship. As I get up to clean off my plate, there is a knock on the kitchen door. A quick glance shows it’s Brian and his laughter is audible through the door. "Shit! I’ve got rehersal in an hour! Can you let Brian in?" Kevin vaulted for the stairs.
"Come on in Brian, Kevin will be right down." Brian is still giggling the hyena laugh. "Yeah, I figured that when I saw his ugly ass flying up the stairs. Was that an apron he had on?" I can only imagine the stories Brian will tell about this. Kevin’s voice comes down the stairs. "Amanda, can you come up here for a sec?" His cheeks are pink with a hint of embarrassment and he can barely control the smirk. "My clothes are down by the pool!"
Back in the kitchen, Brian has helped himself to the extra French toast. "Y’alls clothes are still all over the patio." I make a face at him and head out to gather up the clothes and the dishes left behind from last night.
In less than twenty minutes, Kevin has showered, dressed and headed out the door. "I promise we’ll talk later, Baby." I get a quick kiss, and he’s gone. Time to pull myself together and get back to my writing.
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