"I have a surprise for you!" he whispered into the phone.
"You do?" I whispered back. "You know how much I love surprises!"
"Meet me in the parking lot in 20 minutes!" he replied.
"OKAY!" I said with a smile on my face.
Max Westfield and I always talk in hushed tones, especially at work. After all, our relationship is forbidden. In the public eye, we simply work at the same place and exchange pleasantries. We interact on matters of business in a professional manner. Nobody could know the private relationship we share behind closed doors.
So I sit at my desk and anxiously watch the clock for 20 minutes to tick by. What kind of surprise could it be this time, I'm wondering. The last time he did this, it was spring time and he brought me a mason jar with a big yellow ribbon tied around it, with fresh lilac's stuffing the opening that he'd just snipped from the lilac tree. Now that its winter, I'm pretty sure he's not bringing me fresh meadow flowers or a homemade snowman or something.
It's been 15 minutes, I'm anxious and can't think of anything else so I grab my coat and head outside. I wear a smile from ear to ear, my mind racing trying to figure out what the surprise could be. I hurry over to his truck, knowing no matter how fast I get there, I still have to wait for him to arrive. Well, it seems he couldn't wait either because he was already on the far side of his truck waiting for me.
The moment I reach him, I wrap my arms around his neck and plant my lips on his! As eagerly as I kiss him, he replies with a matched enthusiasm. I love it when mornings start out this way. His arms are wrapped around me, holding me close and our kissing could so easily turn into something more. My pulse is racing as he kisses me through smiling lips.
"Now for that surprise!" he says. Honestly, I would have been content with the surprise he just gave me. Meeting in the parking lot like that for a special "good morning kiss" was rare but always welcomed and treasured. He opened the door to his truck and gave me a box. He told me to take the box to my car and said I wasn't allowed to open it until lunch time. If I peeked too soon, it would ruin the surprise. Not being one to ruin anything, I followed his directions. I walked to my car as he walked back in the building, giving us each an ample amount of time so we're not seen walking in together.
Now back at my desk, time crawls by. I'm able to accomplish a few things but my mind is never far from that box and what may be inside. I have to remind myself that staring at the clock will not make its hands move any faster. Anticipation is building! In order to get through the rest of the morning, I remind myself that it's just a plain brown box, and knowing Max it may contain the new release from my favorite author. He knows how reading my books helps me forget I'm lonely when we can't be together.
The clock strikes 11:00am. Only another hour and a half until lunch time and as much as I try to ignore it for the moment, my curiosity grows. I think this must be his intent, because I really can't figure out what kind of surprise would be ruined depending on the time of day the box was opened. Yet, at 11:15 he turns off the light in his office and I hear him say good bye to others as he walks for the exit.
"Have a good weekend, I'll see you Monday." He says as he walks down the hall. He never says good bye to me that way, lest it raises suspicion but he will pass my office and send me a quick wink and a smile as he heads out the door. Now I'm filled with disappointment. He didn't even tell me he was leaving early today. I miss him when he's not at work, even if we're both so busy I barely see him, because I know he's never very far away. At least when I know he's leaving early, I can prepare myself ahead of time.
It's now close to 12:30, the time I go for lunch. It's so close to the time where I open the box and find out what's inside, ending my frenzied thoughts. Over the past few hours, I've thought of many things it could be. Nothing was ever really viable nor expected, but when your mind is out of control, it thinks things it normally wouldn't think.
I don't usually take my lunch out to my car, but today is an exception. He must have some plan based on timing, else I would have been able to open the box sooner. Once I reach my car, I toss my sandwich on the dash and reach for the box, intent on discovering its contents. I took off the cover to the box and found another smaller box inside, but also was a note. The note was telling me to retrieve my things and shut down to prepare to leave for the day. He has already arranged my afternoon off but didn't say how. Once I was back in the car with all my things, I could open the next box.
I don't think I've ever rushed through a mission so quickly before in my life. My curiosity and anticipation was winning over every other emotion I've ever known. I get back to my desk, set my "out of office" reply, replace my voicemail, pack up my things and rush out the door. The excitement is building as my mind explores hundreds of different possibilities.
Finally, I get back to my car! I load my things into the back seat, climb into the driver's seat and start the engine. I open the 2nd box and find a sheer negligee, a soft pastel purple that is light and wispy, long enough to reach the top of my thighs but sheer enough to see everything anyway. Along with the negligee was another note and a key! The note told me where I was to meet him, in a cabin by the lake at a remote resort not too far away. The key would get me in the door. Once I reached the cabin, I was supposed to change into the negligee and wait for his arrival.
Once I reached the cabin and let myself in, I realized he had already been there. The cabin was toasty warm with a fire already crackling, candles were burning, soft music was playing from his iPad, and the cabin had vases of fresh lilacs scattered around. (I wonder where he found lilacs this time of year). I set my things down, removed my coat, and brought that box into the bathroom to change. On the vanity, I found another note and a blindfold. Instructions were short and to the point. Change clothes, apply the blindfold, and wait for his return on the center of the bed.
This is a new twist, something we've never done before, but I'm intrigued. I follow directions, freshen up my makeup, brush my hair and hurry over to the bed. I get comfortable wondering how long I'll have to wait for him, prop myself up on the pillows, put on the blindfold and wait. I know it was probably less than 5 minutes but it seemed like forever. I heard a door open but it didn't sound like the door to the cabin, it sounded like a closet door.
He sees me lying there, wearing the negligee, propped up on pillows with a blindfold on. I hear him take in a deep breath and moan slightly. Feeling good about myself that I can cause this reaction, I smile in the direction of his footsteps. I feel the pressure on the mattress as he joins me, my arms open instantly and rise above my head searching for an embrace. Rather than wrapping his arms around me, his hands grab mine, fingers intertwining as his lips find mine for a deep passionate kiss. This moment is so hot and exciting, I hold my breath and moan at the same time, wanting more.
"Do you trust me" he whispered?
"Yes, of course I do!" was my reply, as I wondered where this question was leading. He'd never asked me that before. He let go of my right hand, trailing his fingertips over my nipples thru the fabric, brushing his lips against mine for another soft lingering kiss. His left hand was still holding mine and he moved my arm further above my head, reaching for the far corner of the headboard. VELCRO! I heard the rip of velco opening and felt him wrap a wrist strap around my wrist. Then he quickly extended my right arm and wrapped that wrist as well, not even giving me a chance to protest (not that I would anyway but he didn't know that).