Getting Over Edie Ch. 05

Grady was silent, his brain trying to process what she'd just said. He wasn't used to dealing with someone who was so hot and cold emotionally. Just when he'd think her feelings were guarded tighter than the Hope Diamond, she'd burst out with just a tidbit of information that sent him reeling.

What was he supposed to say to her? Their little session was fun; he'd obviously enjoyed himself, if the stickiness in his pants was any indication. But liking her? Grady wasn't sure about that.

Okay, maybe he did like her. But he damn sure wasn't ready to figure out just what "liking her" really meant.

"You are totally in your head right now."

He glanced up; she was still comfortably straddling him, those large doe eyes studying him with care. "What?"

Arden smiled shyly. "Well...it's just something I noticed about you. You constantly live inside your head. Each thought is carefully examined and planned before you say it."

It was a little scary how well she could read him. "You're really creepy when you do things like that," he said.

"Like what?"

"Reading people. The way you read me is a little scary."

"Oh." She shot him an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

"Don't be. I won't lie to you, Arden. I'm still in the process of getting back to some state of normal. But I won't deny that I do like when you're around. I'm not ready to throw myself into something serious, but I think we should continue to be around each other. Let's just see how this goes, okay?"

He waited for her answer. She was silent for a good bit before kissing him soundly. "Okay," she whispered. "I think I can handle that."

"Cool. We should do something this weekend."

She shot him a smile. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Yes, Captain Obvious. What do you say?"

"I don't know. I don't really know you like that..."

He glanced between them, taking in their intimate position. "Really?" he said, his brow raised in question. "Really? You don't know me like that?"

Arden grinned. "Kidding. Of course we can do something. I work until 7PM tomorrow, but after that, I'll be free."

"Sounds like a plan." He slapped her ass playfully. "Speaking of work, I have to be up super early for a meeting. I'm presenting the next phase of my article and blog series."

"Next phase? Are you taking things in a new direction?" she asked.

Grady studied her for a minute before responding.

"I hope so," he said with a smile.

Arden chuckled, her lips descending on his; the kiss was slow and tortuous, with just a hint of playfulness. Grady gripped her hips tightly as he felt his body responding to her lips.

"Arden," he groaned. "Fuck. I really need to get out of here before I do something reckless." Her tongue trailed to his earlobe once more, taking the meaty flesh between her teeth and tugging gently. "Mmm, like what" she whispered hotly against his ear.

His blue eyes rolled with pleasure, his whole body shivering with need. It would be so easy, so fucking easy to do this. In one quick motion, he would have his pants undone, his dick out, and those damn tiny grey shorts of hers pushed to the side. He would revel in her wetness and enjoy the sensation of his cock slipping in and out of her sweet wetness, her breath coming out in short, hot moans of pleasure against his neck, her fingers wrapped tight in his curls, those smooth thighs the color of bitter dark chocolate gripping his hips...Jesus.

Grady wanted all of that.

But not yet.

With one final kiss, he lifted her off his lap.

"I'll save that story for a later date," he said.

He watched as she pretended to pout, but Grady could have sworn he saw something else in her eyes: relief. Well that's confusing, he thought.

"Fair enough," she said. She tried to cover up the obvious wet spot on her tiny shorts, but Grady saw, and once again his resolve was tested.

"Call you tomorrow?"

"You might need my number for that."

She chuckled. "Oh yeah. That would be kind of helpful."

They exchanged numbers and Grady headed for the door. "This wasn't how I saw my night going at all. But I'm glad nonetheless."

Arden's smile was slow and shy, something he wasn't used to seeing on her. "I know. I feel the same way. Thanks for coming tonight."

They both laughed at her innuendo. "Dammit! That's not what I meant," she said, shaking her head between giggles. "Thanks for being there at my show. I really appreciate it. And thank you for tonight. And our talk."

"No problem. I enjoyed myself." They laughed again. "Jesus, is everything we say going to involve a dick joke of some sort?"

She let out one of her trademark snorts. "I hope so. It makes things interesting." Arden handed Grady his blazer. "See you tomorrow?"

He kissed her cheek. "Absolutely. I'll just change around my plans. I think Benny wanted to work out, but something tells me he'll be getting plenty of exercise tonight."

"Oh eww." Arden made a face. "Can we not?" She punched him on the arm. "Goodnight, sir."

Grady chuckled as she practically shoved him out the door. "Goodnight." Shrugging on his jacket, Grady couldn't help the wide grin on his face.

For the first time in months, a woman other than Edie made him smile. He felt on top of the world. He couldn't wait to get home and piece together his presentation. Nell was really going to like the new direction of his project.

Things were definitely on the upswing.

*******

Life is so weird. I know I sound like a pre-teen popstar, but it's true. When you really stop to think about it, our lives, who we are to the core, are just made up of these random little moments that separately don't amount to much, but put them together and it's the tapestry of a human being.

I might be babbling, but there is a point in all of this. As I've previously stated, the mantra of "everything happens for a reason" used to make me want to rage out and punch a wall. That phrase is totally overused, a cheap blanket statement that supposedly conveys the mystery of life.

But the thing is, even tired life-cliches have a basis in truth. The thing is, there IS a reason behind everything that happens; there is a lesson we learn when things occur in our lives.

"Everything happens" is just a nice, vanilla way of saying "Some bad shit is gonna go down, but be patient, dammit. You'll find out the details soon enough."

I was so lost in the beginning, my vision impaired by E-shaped rose-colored glasses. Had I been wiser, I would have known that my ass needed to get my vision checked out because the path I was headed down was not the right one for me. I know that now.

E and I...it just wasn't right. Deep down, I think I knew it. But try convincing your heart with sound logic. It just doesn't work. Logic and Love are not best friends and there's a reason for that.

It's taken some time, but I think I'm finally ready to move on. There's someone new, someone completely unexpected, but welcomed at the same time. I'm not sure where this is headed, but I would like to find out.

I just have to convince myself to take that first step.