Virtually Perfect

“Well, then, I suppose we have to talk about this, set something up?”

“I guess for starters, what is your real name, Nilla?”

“Let’s not share too much here—we can find out names and those kinds of details when we meet. Tell me what you’ll wear, so I can recognize you. We can meet at a restaurant or something. Plus, I may bring a friend, if you don’t mind.”

Jack felt a stab of disappointment, but realized she was going by the book, and he was glad for it. It was smarter not to share names just yet or share any physical details about herself. Anyone could easily locate you that way, or simply go about prying into your life.

“Sounds good. I’m thirty-four, about six foot, one-ninety, and I’ll wear jeans, a brown leather jacket and a Red Sox cap. That’s pretty much what I wear everywhere. Friends are fine. Maybe I’ll bring one, too. Your turn.”

Raine stared at the screen and felt her mouth go dry, her imagination filling in the rest of the details. So far, this was sounding very, very good. And he hadn’t balked at meeting in a public place, or with friends—that was a good sign. Then she laughed.

“Okay, well. I just turned thirty-two last month. I don’t know what I’ll be wearing, but I’ll put a rose in my hair, so you’ll know me that way.”

“When? Make it soon.”

Raine smiled at the sexual intensity he could communicate in so few words, and began to feel a deep sense of anticipation soak into her, right to the bone.

“Yes, soon. But I don’t even know where you live. Red Sox cap? Are you in the northeast?”

“Yep, live north of Boston. On the coast, just below Gloucester.”

Raine practically fell over in shock. They were neighbors! She’d figured he was in the same time zone because they were always online at the same times, but she hadn’t thought he would be that close. That could end up being either a very good—or a very bad—thing. For now she would go with it being good.

“Hey, looks like we’re neighbors. I live in Salem, a bit of a drive, but not too far.”

“Less than an hour’s drive. I commute to work every day, so that is no problem at all. I can leave now, be there by ten.”

Raine felt her heart pound and almost told him to come.

“Tempting as that is, I think we should wait. But this makes it more convenient, at least. I’m glad. I thought you might be far away.”

“It wouldn’t matter. I would come anyway.”

Raine shivered and took the leap.

“How about this Saturday night, seven, at the bar in La Luna, on Pickering Wharf. It’s a nice place but not too formal. Great food, if nothing else works out.”

“Okay. Let’s make it six—we’ll have a drink before dinner.”

Raine watched the words travel across the screen and could hardly believe it. They were going to meet, to really meet. In person. For real.

I stare into your luscious brown eyes. “Okay. So, in three days we’ll know.”

I pull you close to me. “It seems like forever. Are you sure you don’t want me to drive up tonight?”

I run my fingers through your hair. “No, I am sorely tempted, but this is probably a better idea. And remember, it is just dinner—we can opt out at any time.”

Jack knew it was the right thing, though he was so hot for her he could barely imagine not touching her, or making some of what they had shared a reality. But she was providing an out for him, too. Just in case. And when he got there, if things were good, who knew what could happen? He had a feeling about this; he was willing to just go with it.

“Agreed. Just dinner—unless you beg me to go back to your place and engage in illicit activities.”

“You never know. Maybe it will be you doing the begging.”

Jack smiled. Desire raced through his blood and flowed through his fingers out into the words.

“I’d beg for you, Nilla, you can count on it. I’d like to drop to my knees in front of you, kiss your feet, taste the skin on the back of your knee, and then work my way up, slowly, taste you, run my tongue over you until you come with my mouth on you, until we are both begging. And that’s only the beginning.”

“Um, I am not sure this is a good idea….”

Raine swallowed, and tried to focus as her breath became shallow. The hunger she had been feeling for weeks was suddenly a little frightening. This wasn’t a game anymore; it was real. He was real. They were going to sit across a table from one another and have dinner and talk, and all that while they would both be remembering the secrets that had passed between them. She closed her eyes and tried to settle herself.

“Why not?”

“I don’t think we should really discuss this, considering…”

“Nilla, tell me how you feel, how your body feels right now….”

Raine tried to think, and quell the heat pounding through her bloodstream. She wanted to back off, and knew she should, but sheer desire weakened her. She knew what she wanted, and reached down for the courage to ask him for it.

“Rider, your number. Give me your number.”

“What?”

“Your phone number, Rider, tell me. I’ll call you. I need to…hear you.”

Jack was shocked speechless as he contemplated her request. No, not a request, a demand. The idea of actually talking to her stole his breath, and he didn’t bother thinking about it, but just responded.

“Oh, yeah, sweetheart, yes. Here.”

Jack typed in his cell phone number.

“I’ll call you in a little while. I just want to shower and change out of my work clothes.”

Work clothes? He smiled knowingly, pure masculine satisfaction pooling in his heart. She had come directly to find him. He acknowledged her message, and signed off.

His house was suddenly incredibly still and quiet, and he could hear his own heart pounding. The wind howled outside the windows, and minutes slowed down as if he was drugged, the feeling of waiting for the phone to ring weighing down on him. God, she had taken him by surprise.

She was changing. She was taking a shower. He closed his eyes and imagined the hot water running over her naked, soft skin. Then she would put on…what? His imagination nearly drove him mad. By the time the phone rang, he had imagined her in everything from black dominatrix leather to pink lace—and then in nothing at all. His mind went still. He pressed the talk button, and was relieved to discover his voice actually worked.

“Nilla.”

Raine thought for sure she would pass out just hearing him say her name—well, her screen name, but the same difference. Low and smooth, it slid over her like hot lava, and she tried to sound calm in response.

“Hey, Rider.”

Her voice was like whiskey, hot and golden. He closed his eyes and let it ease over him for a moment before speaking again.

“It’s much like I imagined it would be.”