Stories Of Paper: Unwritten Love

Chapter-Five-Pete

"Jax, that's your son? What a great name. Did you name him after Sons of Anarchy?" Katie has that twinkle in her eye. She is so beautiful, sitting there with no shame eating her cake, icing in the corners of her lips. Not able to control myself, I wipe the icing with my thumb. We both still from the contact. Mere inches apart, I think she wants me to kiss her. I can't do that. My body starts to thrum, painfully I pull away. Craving more contact I move, sitting next to her now. Legs brushing against each other. Grabbing an extra blanket I brought for this occasion, I drape it over us. The temperature has dropped, the air is more crisp, reveling in the freshness. Katie leans into me, I hope she's yearning for my touch as much as I am hers.

"Yea, his name is Jaxson. He's six now, growing up so fast. Honestly, I don't know where the name came from. It's fitting though. Never seen Sons of Anarchy. What is it about?" For my sanity, leaving out my wife named Jax before he was born.

"You sir, are in for a rude awakening. How is it possible you haven't seen the best depiction of the trials of life balance while loyalty to your gang takes precedence. It's so wild with the plot twists I can't get enough." So adorable how she gets so amped up when she is passionate about something. I have a feeling I am going to find out first hand how amazing this show really is.

“Well I do have a six year old. That leaves very slim openings to watch anything remotely interesting to me. Lately I have been getting my fill of Paw Patrol. Ryder is a riveting character. All Jax says these days is how similar he is to Ryder and he is going to grow up to be just like him one day. That all he needs is for me to get him a dog and he can start his quest to shape up Whitefish. Danny tells me that Jax has a plan to create his own team with animals that will work very closely with the police department.” Katie shifts her body into mine bumping my shoulder, I pull her between my legs, angeling her so her back rests on my chest. She easily relaxes into me, her body contours into mine, a perfect fit.

She looks up at me, her eyes are soft, she wraps my arms around her. "I can see him now with twelve dogs running down the street chasing down the thief that snatched a little old lady's purse." Truly an amazing spirit. The way she seems to relate with anybody and anything is so unreal.

"Yea, never put that thought in his head, for my sanity. If he had it his way we would have our own pound and petting zoo." My comment caused a chuckle from her. She starts to rub my arm with her fingertips as she looks out to the water.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" Five years? I can barely think about the next five minutes. Sure I had aspirations for the future before Jax was born, ever since I’ve lived for him. Him alone.

About to expose my true wish for my future. Hold my breath and…"Well, in five years I hope to have found someone to spend my life with. To give my son a stable family that he deserves." She continues to draw lazy shapes on my arm. She doesn't speak, it's like she is trying to decide how to respond. Not shying away, but not enthusiastic either. We sit like this for a few minutes before I can't stand the silence any longer. I hope I didn't scare her off.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" I ask. Maybe she's not in the same headspace as me, like I struck a chord. I feel this pull with Katie, I can't let her disengage just yet.

"If I had to say at this moment I would like to make the New York times best sellers list. See Paris. I have always hoped that one day I could see one of my stories unfold with me as a main character." Phew! Close call! She does want to settle down, find her forever. There is something with that. I can see it in her body language. Stand-offish, does she not believe that it can happen for her?

"What's holding you back?" I ask, tilting her head towards me to look into her deep brown eyes that sparkle.

"Well you know, I did send the New York Times a stern letter informing them of what a great decision to add my novels to their list would be. They should be calling me any day now. So one check on my bucket list. Pairs will have to wait a couple more days until that money starts rolling in from the New York Times, I can feel it in my bones I'll be catching my flight within a couple weeks. As for being the star in my own imagination? Hmmm, that is a tough one to cross off the list. I’m a little apprehensive to just go looking to cross that off. It has to be organic, spontaneous, something you can't force the universe to provide.” She starts to shiver in my arms, I wrap in tighter to her. I don't want this night to end by any means. What a jerk I would be if I kept her out here to freeze for my own selfish desires.

“You are shaking, let's get you out of the cold.” She nods her head, lifts off me, I miss her warmth immediately. We gather the rest of the picnic, place it in the trunk and get in the car. Where I blast the heater, heading off back to her place. The ride back to her place is effortless. We talk about how beautiful the scenery is here in Montana. A bit more about Paw Patrol and Sons of Anarchy. We pull up to her apartment, I round the car to the passenger door, I help her out and escort her to her doorstep.

Standing so close to her again has my nerves in a bunch, I had the best time with her tonight. It has been a very long time since I have felt remotely truly happy and relaxed. I have to see her again. “What are you doing next Friday?” As the words slip past my lips, my stomach does somersaults.

“Pete. Are you asking me out on another date?”

“I am.” Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes. Like a mantra in my head, sending all the good vibes my way.

“You know, this time you can't use the excuse that you have to check up on my head injury. You will have to admit to yourself that you like me and want to spend time with me.” Katie says with a playful gleam in her eye.

“Well aware of that, I wouldn't have it any other way. So, what do you say?” Pretending to think about her answer, tapping her chin with her index finger, lips twisted to the side. Two can play at this game. I cross my arms over my chest, start to tap my foot on the ground, like I'm getting impatient. Couldn't be further from impatient with Katie, she is fun, really knows how to rile you up, and intensely sweet.

“I guess I’m available.” I know she's joking around but wow. Just wow.

“Great, it's a date. Pick you up at six.” She leans in as I lean in. Both not knowing what the correct protocol is for our good bye. We knock into each other, bopping and weaving. I pull back so we can have a fresh start at goodbye, taking charge, I step into her personal space, hold onto her waist, looking into her eyes. We are only an inch apart now. My body is igniting, lust consumes me, pressing my lips on hers, so soft. So supple, amplifying my desire to get lost in this woman. Never has a kiss been this good. She opens for me ever so slightly, feeling eachother, pressing on each other, I dive deeper, exploring her mouth with my tongue. Our hands wandering, breathing becomes more labored. The heat of the moment has taken us off the doorstep, into a haze that becomes an us.

I pull away from her lips to rest my forehead on hers. We stayed gazing into eachothers eyes for a few minutes. Her eyes are wild, lipstick smeared all over her face. Our breathing still labored. If I don't leave now, I'll do things that I will regret later. I want this woman with all of my being. I can still taste her on my lips.

“Good night Katie, thank you for spending time with me.” I can't let her respond. I'll go right back to those consuming lips, I have to take it slow with her. She is special, I can feel it. I walk to my car, turn back towards her, wave goodbye and drive off.

~

“Daddy, daddy!” Jaxson screams as I walk into Danny's apartment. I kneel down, scoop him up in my arms, holding him close. Danny salutes me from the kitchen. I nod and smile back at him. “Uncle Danny made me paw shaped pancakes for breakfast. See.” As he points at his plate, his sticky little fingers go to grab another bite.

“That's awesome buddy, finish your breakfast while I help Uncle Danny clean up the kitchen.” I don't think he even heard the last few words I said to him. He is glued to the TV again, syrup dripping down his palms, watching another adventure with Ryder.

Both Danny and I worked simultaneously together through the kitchen. “How did it go last night?” Danny says.

“It went great, we are going out again on Friday.” Danny gasps, holds his hand on his chest and proceeds to mock cry.

“My little man is growing up.” He says as he walks towards me, grabbing my head, proceeding to slam it into his chest, while rubbing my back. I push off him, both of us start laughing.

“Seriously though, I need the details. All the details. I’m living vicariously through you.” Danny is such a good man, his one problem? He goes after the wrong types. You know the types I’m talking about. The women that wear the skimpy negligee to a bar as a dress. Yes, he is one of those. He is funny, a charmer, knows how to have a good time, and did I mention that he is my life saver with Jax. Yea, I think I mentioned that before. But I can't say it enough.

These women may be attractive but they never seem to stick around. Especially when they find out about our situation. They go running for the hills. It hasn't been just Danny's problem, any mention of my son to a woman, they think I’m trying to fill the position of his mother rather than find a companion for myself.

“Well she loved my choice of location, she went all starry eyed over the meal that I prepared. She is beautiful, funny, and kind.” Danny holds his hand up in my face to stop me from speaking.

“You have got the bug man.” The bug?.... Ohh…

“I’m not in love. We just had a great time.”

“Keep telling yourself that. You should have just seen your face. You went all oogly, propped your hand under your chin and glanced over into nothingness as you spoke about her.” I dont think I'm in love. Am I? I do think I'm in lust, especially after that kiss. So passionate. Consuming. I couldn't get enough of her. That is dangerous.

“Do you not want to know how the date went, or not?”

“Sorry, continue.” He takes a seat next to me on the barstool. He slides me a cup of coffee.

“We talked, relaxed under the stars, and when I dropped her off at her house neither one of us knew how to end the night. We did a weird little awkward dance so to speak bumping into each other. Then I kissed her. Man, it was the best kiss I have ever had.” Ok, I might have felt the oogle this time.

“You have got it bad. I hope you can pull another one of those dates out of your ass next week.” s**t, I didnt even think about where I was going to take her. We didn't even go into detail with what she likes to do. I'm screwed.

“You are right, we were so caught up in enjoying the evening, I didnt even think to ask some questions. You know, to devise a plan of attack.”

“Plan of attack?” Danny says with a brow raised in my direction. “I’m scared for the poor girl already.”

I gauf “You need to help me. It needs to be interesting, I can't do the same date over again.” I say to him as I place my hand on his shoulder, giving him the puppy dog eyes. Yes, I did the puppy dog eyes, I’m not above it. As if he wouldn't help me anyways. He starts shaking his head in a oh hell no are you dragging me into this, kind of way. So I added a pouty lip.

“Ahh, ok fine. I’ll help but I won't be held accountable if she hates it. You take one hundred percent of the blame here.” Poking me in the chest. “What does she do for a living, what does she look like, do you have a picture?”

I lay out all the details to him, we even go as far as to look her up online. Very impressive I must say. We get down to business researching different things to do.