Blind Date Blues

Rochelle wanted to be sure Madeline understood that agreeing to this date would be a favor. No one liked going on blind dates. No one. Maddie said she understood, even agreed—then pushed anyway.

Why was she such a pushover?

Disgusted with herself, Rochelle folded down her visor to check her lipstick, relieved to see there wasn’t a smudge on her teeth. She fussed one last time with her hair in the inadequate little mirror and gave up. Her curls were going to do their own thing regardless of how hard she’d tried to tame them at home.

Walking into the restaurant, she looked around at all the people with no idea what Bruce looked like. Maddie hadn’t shown her a picture. Every man in the waiting area appeared to be attached to a group or a woman. No single men hovered watching the door. Was he late? Unsure, she approached the host’s podium and checked.

The young man looked her up and down and smiled. “Can I help you?”

She leaned in and timidly whispered, “I’m supposed to be meeting someone? I’m not sure if he’s here yet, Bruce—”

“You must be Rochelle.”

She laughed in surprise. “Yes.”

“I’ll take you to him.”

She followed the host into the dining room, scanning right and left as they went. She gulped when a man rose from a small table just ahead. Smoothing down his tie, he locked eyes with her and gave a tentative smile. The host stopped in the aisle and gestured her forward on her own, discreetly removing himself and allowing her date to do the honors of drawing out her chair himself.

Bruce got her settled and returned to his chair, facing her across the table. He had a nice face, open and honest. She wouldn’t call him handsome in the classical sense, but he was certainly appealing. It was in his eyes, in his smile, and it put her at ease.

 “Rochelle, it’s nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind, Maddie told me you love white wine so I took the liberty and ordered a bottle.”

“That’s sweet. I don’t mind at all. Thank you.” She reached for the glass in front of her but didn’t lift it. She simply needed to do something with her hands or she’d start to fidget. “Maddie said you’ve been in Germany for the last three years?”

“That’s where you want to be if you’re an engineer. It was a good experience. Beautiful country.”

“I’ll bet.”

His brows crept up and he smiled. “And you’re a nurse as well?”

“Lab tech.”

“Interesting?”

She chuckled. “It has its moments.”

Their server stopped over for their dinner order, interrupting their small talk for a moment. Once she’d left however, they lapsed into silence, both unsure how to pick up the conversational thread again, or better yet, move away from it entirely.

He jolted with an idea and leaned in to ask, “Have you ever eaten here before?”

She took a quick look around before shaking her head. “No. This is my first time. You?”

“No.”

“Oh.” Rochelle drooped in her chair. Needing to do something, she tried the wine. It was outstanding. “This is really good. What are we drinking?”

“A German Riesling. One of my favorites.”

“You’ll have to write down some recommendations for me.”

“I could do that.” He toyed with his glass while he studied her. “How was my sister able to rope you into a blind date? I would have thought your social calendar would be booked solid.”

She tried not to snort in amusement at the compliment. “I go out on a lot of first dates. I just happened to be free tonight.”

“Lucky me. Why only first dates?”

Rochelle shrugged. “Bad taste in men?”

He chuckled. “Now I’m afraid to ask what you think of me so far.”

She loved how he smiled when he teased her. “So far so good. You came highly recommended.”

“I’ll have to send my sister some flowers as a thank you.” He raised his glass and winked at her.

Rochelle joined him in a silent toast.

Conversation eased as they sipped and gazed, laughed and joked. They were both so focused on each other they were startled when a trio of musician’s began to play nearby. Neither had noticed the men taking the floor. There were three: one had a set of bongos in front of him, another a sitar across his lap, and the last was a guitarist. He remained on his feet.

The couple turned to give the performers a moment of their time. It didn’t last. Their heads swiveled back, their jaws lank as they stared at each other. It was the strangest, and quite possibly the worst rendition of a classic love song ever heard. The man singing his heart out while strumming his guitar had Rochelle close to tears as she struggled not to burst out laughing.

“Oh god, he’s ululating,” Bruce muttered under his breath, his shoulders shaking as he hid his grin behind his hand.

“My stomach muscles are cramping. I can’t hold this in.”

“Try.”

“I’m trying, I’m trying.” She had to dab a little tear in the corner of her eye.

“Here, have more wine. It might help.” Bruce topped off their glasses from the bottle on the table. “Oh Christ. He just made eye contact. Hang in there, he’s coming our way.”

Rochelle squeaked with the giggles, trying to keep it together as the man serenaded them on his way over. He stopped at their table and personalized the performance, no doubt assuming he was ratcheting up the romance. His singing was painful to the ears, his voice limp and frequently straying off-key.

Not even bothering to hide his grin anymore, Bruce raised his glass to Rochelle. “To the most beautiful woman in the room.”

Rochelle doubled over, trembling with laughter. She fanned her heated face as people seated around them clapped their hands. Her entire arm shook when she picked up her glass of wine. She could barely swallow a sip. A full swallow was much too risky. Her poor date could end up wearing it.

The singer gave her a glowing smile and Bruce a nod of congratulations before moving along to the next table of two.

Bruce’s eyes were twinkling. “You did good.”

“That was painful on so many levels.”

“But a good icebreaker.”

She had to agree with him there. “The best. I think I owe Maddie some flowers too.”

“Does that mean I get a second date?”

Rochelle nodded and giggled some more. “Just not here.”

He raised his hand and made a solemn pledge. “You have my word.”

“And you have my number.”

Back to School - the conclusion

“Dan.” Jeannie laughed and laughed. “You’re crazy.”

“You want to see crazy?” He strode into their room and set her down on the unmade bed.

She cocked her eyebrow at him. “How crazy?”

He straightened up and whipped his t-shirt over his head, flinging it to the floor. There was devilry in his eyes when he smiled at her. “I’m going to make love to you with our bedroom door wide open.”

Chuckling behind her hand, she had to admit, “That is pretty daring.” She returned his playful grin and pulled her shirt off over her head. He was already unhooking her bra before she could even get her hair smoothed out again.

“You’re gorgeous.” The raw admiration in his eyes put truth to his words. His voice was low, seductive, and a little rough. “The sexiest mom I've ever seen in my life.” He snuck a slow promising kiss, then another before easing back with a wink. “Tell me something. Do you know what a MILF is?”

She frowned. “I’m not sure.”

His grin turned downright wicked. “I’ll show you.”

Drawing her bra down her arms, he gave it a careless toss. He tugged her shoes off next—without untying them first—then went for her pants. Then he pressed her gently, yet firmly, onto her back.

Jeannie watched as he carefully slid her panties down her legs. “Something tells me I can probably figure this one out on my own.”

Dan gave her a roguish look and kissed the inside of her calf. “Don’t get ahead of me.”

“Sorry. Proceed.”

“A minute.” He set her leg down then shucked off his sweats. He wasn’t wearing underwear.

She laughed with amusement. “You’re full of surprises today.”

“Where was I?” He didn't wait for an answer but stretched above her naked form to simply hold her close for a delicious moment. “Bare skin on bare skin is a good thing.”

“Mmm, I have to agree with you there.” Jeannie nuzzled into his neck and kissed a trail along her husband’s shoulder.

He reached out and turned her mouth to his. Their lips opened, sealed. Tongues tasted and tantalized with intimate strokes that left them both breathless. There was something familiar yet foreign in this kiss. Given the time, patience, and privacy they didn't usually have, they were able to remember what it was like to experiment and explore each other. He held her face, she gripped his head, and they simply savored the act of kissing again.

Dan sighed and eased back, his fingers tracing over her face with tenderness and awe. “I’m so in love with you.”

“I really love you.” She smiled back and brushed his silky smooth lips with the pad of her index finger. He gave her finger a light kiss. Hugging him hard, she reminded him. “Weren't you going to tell me what MILF means?”

“Wrong. I’m going to show you.” He rose to his knees. “M.” Leaning over, he kissed her right breast then swirled the tip of his tongue around the tight nipple. “Stands for Moms.”

Her hand combing through his soft hair stilled. “Moms?”

“Moms.” He confirmed then shifted to her left breast. “I.” The left got a kiss and an equally interesting tonguing. “I is for I’d.”

“Moms I’d—“

“Shhh.”

He dipped his head and kissed a lazy trail down her sternum and stomach, pausing over her navel. “L.” With that she watched him drop and give her belly button a loud blow like he used to give the kids when they were smaller.

Jeannie laughed so hard she shook and jiggled. She gave him a playful little swat on the head. “What are you doing?”

“L is for Like.”

“I see.”

“Shhh.”

“Okay, okay.”

Chuckling, he slid down a little farther, parting her legs as he sank to the floor on his knees. “Consider the T silent.” He gave her sex a couple of licks and she bucked and gasped.

“I see. Moms I’d Like to—“

At the warning lift of his eyebrows, she fell silent. Dan rose and tugged her by the legs to the edge of the bed.

Just the feel of him, silky yet solid, poised against her damp center made Jeannie tremble with anticipation. Meeting her man’s eyes, she strained to connect with him. “Finish it,” she growled.

“F.” He pressed into her, sliding home.

They both groaned and clasped hands. Jeannie wrapped her legs behind his thighs and held him where he was. Appreciating the moment, the sensation of being joined with her soul mate, lover, partner, and best friend was the headiest of pleasures.

He brought their entwined fingers to his lips and she relaxed her legs so he could move freely. Rising to meet him, pulling herself onto his body, she lost all consciousness of the cool morning and the chill of the bedroom. There was nothing else except the man moving in harmony with her, their breathing growing more labored as they strained as one.

Jeannie felt a rush of heat, a flush of blood under her skin and her body seemed to brace for a deluge her rigid muscles couldn't hold back. The sensation of being swept away on a raging current of ecstasy overwhelmed her and she cried out. Her husband jerked helplessly against her as he was pulled along by the same force that carried her away first.

Comfortably snuggled in his arms a few minutes later, she finally asked, “What do we do for an encore?”

Dan gave her a comforting squeeze. “I've still got two hours to kill. Make me an offer.”

The gauntlet thrown, she wasn't about to shy away from his challenge. “Stay right here. I have an idea.”

Leaping out of bed, she pulled his discarded shirt over her head and raced out through the wide open doorway. It did feel rather naughty to keep it open for a change—and unlocked. Oh, what fun they could have in an empty house. The possibilities were intriguing. They wouldn't have to stifle themselves. Today, there was no position they couldn't enjoy without worrying about the noise they made waking the kids.

Dan propped himself up when she got back—the tangled sheet across his waist and upper thighs the only bedding left on the mattress. “What have you got there?”

“A chocolate pudding cup and a spoon.”

“Are you going to feed me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Tossing both onto the bed, she tugged his shirt off then made her way across the mattress on her knees, coming to a stop at his hip. “Lie back.”

He twisted to reach for a pillow, folding it in half before reclining on it. His eyes locked on her. “I see.”

“Do you?” She gave him a promising smile and pulled the sheet away, exposing him.

“I think so.”

Just the thought of what she was about to do brought him proudly back to life. “Hold still,” she ordered.

“Holding.” He clasped his hands behind his head and simply waited.

She peeled the plastic seal back on the chocolate pudding cup and stuck the spoon into the rich center. Licking the bottom of the spoon first, she offered the rounded spoonful to him. He sucked it clean, his eyes locked with hers.

She went for another dip then slowly, carefully used the back of the spoon to frost his erection with the sweet creamy pudding. Without a word, he took the cup out of her hand and set it aside as she moved in for a taste. Then he took hold of her hair, freeing both hands so she could focus on what she was doing.

“Mmm, this is good.” She swirled her tongue around his shaft, patiently removing all the pudding she’d applied. “But I think I like you bare best.” With that, her mouth closed over him.

He flexed his hips, gently thrusting to the rhythm of her drawing and sucking on him. It didn’t take long before he tensed. She felt a familiar vibration under her tongue.

“Babe.” That was his warning. Usually she’d withdraw and finish him off by hand but this morning, she took him deeper in her mouth and pressed and massaged his shaft with her tongue.

His hands gripped her hair a little harder and she felt a mild tingling on her scalp as he seized, his hips pumping of their own volition.

When she stretched out against him, snuggling into his side, he caressed her cheek, a dazed look on his face. “That was unexpected and very appreciated.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Now I need another shower. I’m a little sticky here. Join me.”

They washed each other. Bare skin slipped and slid, soapy digits went exploring, and mouths sampled wherever they roamed.

“Bend over, hands on the wall, and spread ‘em,” Dan ordered.

The water beat down on Jeannie’s back as she complied. He kneeled behind her, his hands on her hips, and did a face plant between her legs. Nothing of hers was off his menu. She groaned with pleasure as his fingers, thumbs, nose, and tongue all worked in perfect harmony to drive her up on her toes and over the precipice of another intense climax. She was still shuddering when he slid into her from behind and drove her up one more ridge. They took that free-fall together then collapsed to the tiled floor, their limbs entwined, hearts racing, and lungs heaving.

He reached around her and shut off the water. “Can you move?”

“Give me a minute.” She buried her face into his shoulder and they held each other, waiting for their energy to slowly return.

When they went back to the bedroom, Jeannie threw on her robe and made the bed while her husband dressed for work.

“Which tie?” he asked, turning from the open bureau drawer.

“Today? The red checked. Here.” She held out her hand and he walked over so she could tie it for him. “I remember doing this. I never have time anymore.” She smiled at the tender tug of nostalgia as she adjusted the knot at his throat then lovingly smoothed his shirt. “You look good.”

He leaned down and brushed her mouth with his. “You’re sexy as hell.”

She laughed and playfully shoved him in the chest. “Don’t start that again. You have to get going.”

Walking slowly down the staircase arm in arm, he gave her waist an affectionate squeeze. “We should do this again.”

“Definitely.”

“How about at the start of every quarter? I’ll take the mornings off and treat you right.”

“Now you’re talking.” She picked up his briefcase near the door and placed it in his hands. He was smiling at her when she looked up. She couldn't help herself. Grabbing that perfect tie of his, she tugged him down for a last kiss over the top of his briefcase. Then she stepped away and opened the door. “I’ll see you tonight.”

That devilish smile of his was back. “Honey, I’m already looking forward to it.”





-- by Tara Mills

Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Back to School

Back to School - A short story by Tara Mills

   Jeannie turned from the stove, one hand still holding the skillet, the other the spatula, and sighed at what her daughter was wearing. "Mica, honey, I thought we chose an outfit last night."
   "I wanna wear this."
   "But baby, those green leggings don't go with your purple dress. No. Go back and put the other outfit on. And hurry up. Scrambled eggs are just about ready."
   Mica grumbled and dragged her feet out of the kitchen, her ponytail askew.
   Facing the stove again, Jeannie noticed the heat under her pan and swiftly turned off the burner. Giving the eggs one final flip, she let the residual heat finish the cooking for her. Breakfast was ready.
   "Honey!" She looked up at the ceiling overhead and bellowed again for her husband. "DAN! I could use some help down here."
   The unmistakable sound of rolling skateboard wheels made her spin around with a frown.
   Danny was only carrying his board. Sighing with relief, she shook her head at him. "You can't take that to school."
   The kid was not a morning person in general. On the first day of school? He looked downright surly. "Other kids do."
   "I'm not going to argue. You know very well we got a note about school policy a month ago. The skateboard stays home. Put it in your room and while you're up there, check on your sister. Help her get dressed if you have to, but get her down here or you're both going to miss the bus."
   "Who cares? I hate the first day of school," he muttered, kicking the tiles on his way out. The toe of his sneaker made a high-pitched squeak that set her teeth on edge.
   "Oh yeah?" Jeannie retorted under her breath. "Well I love it." She popped two more slices of bread in the toaster and buttered what she'd already set on the plate.
   Huffing out her irritation through her nostrils like a bull, she picked up her steaming mug of coffee and brought it over to the cabinet above the fridge and took down the bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream. This morning seemed to call for it.
   "Dan!"  Damn it. Where was he?
   Savoring the rich taste of spiked coffee on her tongue, she snorted at what sounded like the entire Green Bay Packer's team coming down the stairs.
   Jeannie set her mug aside and carried the big frying pan over to the table and went around to each plate, doling out portions according to appetite.
   Dan skidded in on his stocking feet and tugged her over so he could kiss her on the cheek. "Sorry, didn't hear you. I was in the shower."
   "It would be great if you'd write the check for the kids' lunch money."
   "No problem. Is there coffee?"
   "In the pot." Jeannie assessed her daughter's wardrobe change with approval. "You look very nice."
   Mica slid onto her chair. "Can I wear my purple dress tomorrow?"
   "As long as you don't put your green leggings under it, yes."
  "Okay." The little girl seemed satisfied with the compromise and picked up her fork.
  "Is this all the toast?" Danny asked, the expression on his face not winning him any fans this morning.
  "No, there's more coming and stop touching every single slice. Share some of that with your sister."
  Her husband chuckled and took the empty pan out of Jeannie's hand.  "Sit down and eat, babe."

  Ushering the kids out the front door twenty minutes later, Jeannie cocked her eyebrow at the lingering kiss her husband gave her.
  She eyed his sweats and t-shirt. "You're going to be late if you don't hustle and get dressed."
  "I'm on it." He tipped up her chin, a devilish look in his eye. "See you later."
  Her look of confusion made him smile as she did a double take over her shoulder then hurried to catch up with the kids on the sidewalk.
   Mica glanced up at her mother with a sullen expression.
   Oh great now she was going to have two crabby kids in the morning? "What's wrong, sweetie?"
   "I want to stay home with you."
   "You can't. We all have jobs to do and yours is to go to school."
   "But you don't have a job."
   Jeannie's mouth fell open and she stared down at her daughter. "What? Of course I have a job. Taking care of the house. Taking care of you two and your dad is a lot of work. If you don't believe me, just wait. I'll be working on my resume when I get home and I'm going to need all of you to pitch in more when I get a second job."
   Danny and Mica both shrieked in horror at that news. "What?"
  "You're going to have to start picking up after yourselves without being told and no more slacking on chores. It won't be so bad. Just part of growing up."
   They could have given Oscar the Grouch a run for his money after that news. No matter how hard she tried to get them to smile for their first-day-of-school photo, neither was in a cooperative mood. Sliding her camera back into her jacket pocket, Jeannie gave a final wave to the bus as it drove away.
They'd be okay. Every kid went through this. Now it was their turn.
  Taking her time on the way home, she enjoyed the stroll. The air was cool this morning, brisk even. Autumn was coming. She could smell it.
   Pulling her house key out of her pocket, she took hold of the knob and went stumbling right through the front door as it whipped open before she could let herself in. Dan caught her before she fell in the entry, her momentum sending them both in a fast spin.
  "Dan?" She stared at him in shock. "You're still here? My god, you're not even dressed yet."
  He pressed the first two fingers of his left hand over her lips and gave her a mysterious smile. "I know."
  "But what about--"
  "I took the morning off."
  "You did? When?"
  "Last week."
  "Why?"
  He chuckled. "Well, not to answer a barrage of questions." He gazed down on her with a contented smile.  "I simply wanted to spend a little quiet time with you, no kids."
   His confession melted Jeannie's heart. "No kidding."
   "No kidding." Dan brushed his lips against hers then started leading her in a slow dance right there.
   Chuckling now, Jeannie stretched for the door and sent it swinging closed. She lay her cheek on his chest and hummed with pleasure, her hands stroking his waist and the small of his back.
   There was humor in his voice when he kissed the top of her head and said, "Don't stop there."
   Laughing, Jeannie slid her hands down a bit farther and kneaded his tight rump. She growled with pleasure and gave him a deeper squeeze. "Oh god, I love your ass."
   "Show me how much." With that, Dan scooped her up and bounded up the stairs, his wife bouncing against his chest, laughing and holding onto him for dear life.

Next installment next Saturday. Join me.



 "Image courtesy of Photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net"