The Man I Never Met

There was a loud knocking at my door. When I didn't respond, it swung open. "Eva, wake up! We need to leave for the airport in forty-five minutes." I had forgotten I was dropping my mom off at the airport for an event in Arizona.

Thank god she shut the door again just as quickly. I pulled my covers back to find myself still naked. The events from last night put me into a coma. Sleeping the entire morning away.

I quickly put on clothes and grabbed my phone. An unread message sat waiting for me. I could feel my heart beating, or was it a little lower? I should have been excited when I saw Jason's name across the text, but I was disappointed. You'd think this boy was made for me. He was tall and had great hair; I can't emphasize enough how amazing his smile was. Looks aside, he made me laugh, couldn't have been sweeter, at least at the moment.

Worst of all, I was supposed to be going on a date with Prince Charming tonight. Don't worry, I was mad at myself for you.

I responded excitedly to his good morning text and reminded myself that it wasn't my head or heart talking.

The rest of the morning was a blur. Rushing out the door. Listening to my mother explain the rules to me, like it wasn't the hundredth time she had gone on a trip. Pushing her out the car door in the kindest way, of course. None of it mattered to me right now.

Should I text him? Maybe I just focus on my date. Jason will definitely help me forget about this whole thing. Won't he?...

The drive home was a cycle of these thoughts, and I could not figure out why. Are we all broken, or is it just me?

Jason continued to be cute. He talked to me throughout the day, telling me how excited he was, and picked out the perfect place to eat. I had made it past lunch, and you know what? I was getting excited about the date. I was. I had also phantom-texted the Mystery Man ten times already. Little did I know, a send followed the last one as I got into the shower.

Me: I had "wonderful" thoughts about you last night. More than once.

Little did I know, as he texted me back, I was having more of those thoughts about him in the shower.

Mystery: That's cute little Eva. Describe a wonderful thought to me. If I enjoy it, I'll do the same for you.

It wasn't the texts that awoke me from the current fantasy but a doorbell ring. I shut the water off and froze. Hearing it ring twice more. I dried off quickly and wrapped a robe around myself. Walking to the front door, I could see someone standing there.

Holding my breath like they might hear me. I slowly crept closer to get a better look.

It was just a delivery driver. I opened the door, not thinking about the fact that I was in nothing but a robe still sopping wet. The look on his face was a good reminder.

"Hey, I just need you to sign for this." He held a garment bag in one hand and a phone open to sign in the other. My name was on the receipt, and my confusion clicked. Had he actually bought me a dress for tonight?

I took the bag and started closing the door. "Oh, hold on. There's another package that goes with this." The man handed me a small box and walked away.

Should I be excited or terrified? Is this even my date anymore?

I hung the bag up and returned to the bathroom to grab my phone, but it wasn't there. Searching around the house, I couldn't find it until I returned to my room. It lay on my bed, waiting for me.

When did I? Before I could think about it too much, another vibration.

Mystery: Try it on before you text me.

Would I know the difference between butterflies and spiders in my stomach?

I didn't hesitate long enough to find out. I unzipped the bag to find a lovely all-white mini sundress. A sheer, laced flower pattern covered the shoulders and ran around the bottom. It fit me like a glove. I slid it up my naked body. It hugged tightly to my top half and flowed nicely over the bottom, maybe an inch or so shorter than I felt comfortable with. He knew my measurements better than I did.

I might have even skipped over to open the box. Inside was a beautiful ribbon matching the dress and a card. When I picked it up, a picture of the back of a girl's head with a similar ribbon tied in it fell out.

Pretty Little Eva,

He won't be able to resist you all dressed up. Please be sure to do the hair just right. And be a good girl, don't forget the panties.

Signed, Mr. Geppetto

I looked back down in the box. It was a fancy white lacy thong--something a bride would hide under her dress. Roses were perfectly set into the design, covering just enough while leaving plenty to view.

What type of game was this, and why did I continue to play?

I left the panties there, turning to my mirror. He wasn't wrong. I looked good, really good. But if I wore this, it wouldn't be for Jason, yet he would still love it.

I slid it back off and went to the bathroom to finish getting ready. Not sure which "I" was staring back in the sink mirror. It would be so easy to block the number, go on my date, and live happily ever after. Even if he wouldn't leave me alone, I could tell Jason. He's the kind of guy that would keep a girl safe.

Let's find something else. My closet was full of things. If we counted, there were twenty-two dresses that I could wear tonight. All of them were horrible. But not the one on the floor.

One last time, the dress caressed my body going up. Immediately admiring this version of me, I began to pull my hair back and tie the ribbon up into a bow. My tooth held onto my bottom lip. It can't be bad if it makes everyone happy.

Me: It's perfect!

And the deal with the devil was signed.

Mystery: Oh, I know it is Eva. Let me see my pretty girl.

The desensitization was setting in. A click and a send, like talking to Lizzy, not a man who was near asking me to put the lotion in the basket.

Mystery: He's going to have a hard time focusing tonight. Are you wearing everything for me?

Me: I am.

Of course, that was a lie. I hadn't got myself to try the underwear on. And with that, I heard another buzz. It sounded like my phone, but that was in my hand. Also, the vibration never stopped. I looked around and noticed that it was coming from the box.

Holding the panties up, I found a little bud in them, perfectly placed to sit against mine. There is no way I could wear those.

How far does the remote work?

I ran over to my window, but nothing. Then, out to the front, looking through each one, a pair of scissors in my hand. Again, no one in sight.

I returned to my room to find both my phone and underwear vibrating.

Mystery: How do you like them? Tell me about one of your wonderful thoughts, my little doll.

Well, at least he couldn't see me, or I'm sure he'd call me out. But the thoughts were back, and they were pushing to the front of the line.

There's nothing wrong with wearing them now. I had wanted a vibrator, and they were, cute.

I found the perfect position--and my god, do I mean perfect. I laid back on the bed and couldn't even think about typing. I guess that's not true, I accidentally sent:

Me: onf

But it didn't matter, the phone rang. It was the Mystery Man...

I didn't answer, of course I didn't. Seeing the name alone sent a wave of anxiety over me.

Again, his name is on my screen. He can't jump out of it, right? Just answer. You may recognize his voice. Yet eight vibrations later, I was still staring at the phone.

One new voicemail.

"My little Eva. Your shy nature is quite refreshing. You don't understand how seductive your innocence is. I'm going to call back in a minute. I would prefer you to answer for me. You don't have to speak, and I will not either. We will just listen to each other through this intimate moment. If you choose to not answer, I will understand, but know there will be consequences for those types of actions at some point."

His voice was definitely older and confident, without a stutter or pause. Why wasn't I like that? If I wanted something, I needed to go for it.

I don't know if it was the sudden adrenaline or the buzzing between my legs, but when my phone rang that time, I hit answer. At that moment, we were as connected as we had ever been.

I could hear his breathing next to my ear, a subtle moan that spoke so loud. Was he touching himself?

"Oh shi..." The buzz jumped in intensity. My legs clamped together, trying to hold back the relentless shaking. I must have sounded psychotic, not breathing but panting into the phone.

We had agreed not to speak, but I begged, "Slow...slow it down, please." Any fear I had about the call had left my mind. How could I think about anything other than tremors forcing themselves on me?

I kept struggling; my body felt weak, and my head was getting light. The phone was near my face, but I couldn't hold onto it for another second. But he didn't need it close to hear me. My moans and become gasps, then whimpers and screams. My body, convulsing. Another notch up, and I was gone.

Heat exploded like fireworks through my stomach, chest, and neck, rattling through my skull. I might have blacked out. Even then, it wouldn't stop buzzing. It took the last of my energy to pull them down, my hands met with a sopping wet sensation. Still vibrating against my lower thighs, but far enough to give me relief.

The way I laid left my ear pressed to the phone, helpless. His moans still going, more intense as well. Not a word from him. But I knew grunts when I heard them. I could feel each pump happening in the room with me. A disgustingly large groan, broken by heavy periods of silence in my ear. My stomach contracted with each break, nine in total. My body shrunk, the weight of him pressing me down into my bed.

Hard breathing. He was finished with me. Then, the call ended.

I might have fallen asleep, but the phone buzzed harshly against my face, shocking me back into reality. Not the Mystery Man, but Jason.

Jason: See you in an hour. I can't wait!