I've got issues. I know I do. I realize this even more as I wait for my phone to ring and when it doesn't I want to crawl into a hole and die. Okay, that was too dramatic, but you get it. This is the state I was in when I met Peter Welsh. Peter was older than me. It was obvious. I guessed he was around 45. He was around six feet tall and had a muscular build. His brown hair was short and his green eyes twinkled.
I was nearing 30, but still just barely, in my 20s. I looked young for my age. I was just on the smaller side of average and had a full ass. I wore my hair natural in dark kinky waves that fell to my shoulders. I crossed my arms self consciously. I was dirty from work. Ashley had convinced me to come over to her house after work. I had protested but she swore Dan, her husband, was cooking dinner and she had already told him I was coming. Ashley and I worked at a nonprofit where we specialized in environmental work. Today we had gone out in the field to help plant trees in the forest. Cheesy I know, but important.
I cut my eyes at Ashley. She had tried to set me up. She always had some little plan. She knew I wanted a relationship. I appreciated the effort, but I could've used a heads up and a shower.
"Lissa, this is my buddy Pete. We work together at the firm. Pete this is Ashley's coworker Lissa."
"Alissa." I corrected Dan.
Dan laughed and shrugged. Pete stuck his hand out and smiled down at me.
"Nice to meet you Alissa." He made sure his eyes caught mine. I blushed.
If only I had known how often Pete would make me blush...
"You're beautiful," he said the words reverentially. : Like I was precious.
His scrutiny made me uncomfortable and I crossed my arms over my stomach. I laughed uncomfortably and moved to sit beside him.
Pete and I had gone on a few dates and we realized that we had chemistry that unknown thing two people sometimes have. On our fourth date he had asked about growing up with a single mother and I had told him all about my mom. And the man who was my father. He had listened and then told me I had issues about that.
"Thanks," I scoffed.
"It's not bad. I'm just saying. Maybe that's why you like me. I'm older."
"Pete," I moved to get up and he sat me back down.
"I could help you with it. Give you what you've looked for for so long."
I felt uncomfortable suddenly. Was this guy for real? I felt like I could begin to trust him, but now. Wait, was he right? I had failed at every relationship I had tried. Maybe I did have some issue with men.
He ran his hand along my face touching my soft hair. His eyes grew warm and he leaned toward me.
"I really like you Ali," he had taken to calling me that when I told him that was what I had gone by from infanthood until age 18.
"I like you too." I smiled at him. It was true I did like Peter. He was funny and sweet and fun to look at.
"Let me care about you. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you." He leaned in and kissed me softly. I sat very still for a moment. Then I gave myself to him.
That is how I arrived naked in front of Peter in his bedroom. I had promised to see him again the following night. He asked me to stay over and I agreed. When I arrived at his door the following night he met me in a pair of loose fitting pajama pants. His upper body was fit and looked strong. My eyes crept to his shoulders and biceps; I had a little bit of a fetish. His arms were strong and defined, but not too defined.