Chapter 2
Alicia helped Colleen put away the last of the dishes and said, "I'll be outside."
"OK. I'll be right out. Thanks for helping."
"No problem."
Alicia had been watching Graham throw ball after ball to Merrill as she washed the dishes with Colleen. It left her in awe each time Merrill sent one of the balls flying like a missile into the cornfields. She went out the back door, and sat on top of the picnic bench.
Merrill looked over at her and said, "Alicia, come here! I'll show you how to hit the ball!"
She hopped off of the table and approached Merrill.
"OK. Show me."
He moved behind her and placed the bat in her petite hands.
"Bend your elbows like.this.
He ran his hands along her arms and bent her elbows.
"Now," he said in a seductive whisper to her ear, "bend just a little at your waist."
He held onto her waist and pushed her weight down. His hands accidentally slipped under her shirt and onto her lower stomach.
"You have really soft skin," he said to her quietly.
Graham cleared his throat.
"Merrill, does it really take that long to teach someone how to hit a baseball?"
"Hey, do I need to remind you who plays for a living?"
Merrill focused his attention back on Alicia.
"Anyway, now pull back and hit as hard as you can. Watch the ball from the time it leaves Graham's hand until the millionth of a second that it hits the bat."
"OK. Throw me one, Graham!"
Merrill stepped back and watched his pupil carefully. Graham threw the ball to Alicia, who hit it the hardest she had ever hit a ball in her entire life. She watched proudly as it sailed through the corn.
"Merrill! Did you see that?!"
"That was awesome!"
The three of them took turns pitching and hitting for another hour or so, eventually joined by Colleen and the kids. By that time, it was past the kids' bedtime, so everyone went inside except for Alicia. She went to the garage house, where she was now residing. She took a shower and after she dried her hair, there was a knock at her door.
"Come in! It's unlocked!"
Merrill stepped inside and said, "Hey there."
"Hey! I had so much fun today! I haven't played ball in years.that was great."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"It was only because I had an awesome teacher."
He sat at the edge of her bed and asked, "So why don't you have a boyfriend?"
"I'm picky. I always told myself that I wanted to marry a man like Graham- but I gave up on that a while ago."
"Yeah. Graham's a needle in a haystack."
"Hey, you think it's cool if I just wear this?"
"Yeah-besides, you're beautiful in anything you wear."
Alicia smiled and said, "You're too sweet to be true. All you want is sex, Merrill."
He scoffed and said, "If I wanted sex, it would've already been taken care of by now."
"Excuse me?"
"Alicia, if I had only wanted sex from you, I would've put my plan to action about a minute or so ago?"
"Really? Do tell your secret, Casanova. How would you have worked your magic on me?"
"Let's see-I would have asked you when the last time you had a really good kiss was. You would've answered that you hadn't had one in a while. Then I would've casually approached you, ran my hand along the side of your face, told you how beautiful you were, and then would've proceeded to give you the most amazing tongue kiss you'd ever had. Then-one thing would've led to another- "
Alicia was so turned on by the sexual tone in Merrill's voice, she had to catch her breath.
"You must get a lot of girls that way, huh?"
"I've only done it twice, I think. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not all about the sex."
"I may be a half-blonde, but I'm not dumb. All you sports players think and screw alike."
Merrill replied, "Once you get to know me, I think your mind will change."
After hearing his proposition technique, Alicia desperately wanted Merrill to give her the amazing kiss he had told her about. She immediately put her own plan into action. She walked over to her dresser and lightly spritzed perfume on her neck.
"Hey," she said, "can you smell this?"
Merrill came close to her and took a deep breath.
"Yeah-is that Happy?"
"Yep."
"That's my favorite perfume on a girl."
Their faces were inches apart.
"I'm not going to kiss you," he said.
"Who said I wanted you to kiss me?"
"I see it in those beautiful eyes of yours. Don't worry-I'm sure your wish will come true by the end of the night. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah. Your car or mine?"
"I don't have a car-I inherited Colleen's when she went to college and it's been out of commission for years. Besides, I didn't need one in New York."
"Then it's settled. And it's a beautiful night out-I'll put the top down."
"You have a convertible?"
"Yeah-you've been in one, right?"
"No! I'm a convertible virgin."
"Well, there's a first time for everything- come on."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Here's to-my lovely sister Colleen. If she hadn't have met your brother, we probably would never have met."
"I agree. Cheers."
"Cheers."
Alicia and Merrill hit their glasses together and did their second set of Kamikaze shots. Her face squirmed and he laughed at her.
"Can't handle your liquor there, Spencer?"
"I have a low tolerance for alcohol-always have."
"Not me. I can drink till tomorrow morning and not even get a buzz. Want another shot?"
"In a minute. First, I want to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Why would a guy like you-an incredible athlete who will probably go pro in less than a year, handsome, intelligent, and sexy-want to take a Pennsylvania princess like me out for drinks? I'm sure that there are beautiful blondes with huge boobs who you'd rather be with."
"Because that's the exact opposite of the kind of woman I'm attracted to."
"So what kind of woman attracts you? What's your type?"
"I can't exactly describe her, but I tell you what--"
He lost his thought when his eyes locked with hers.
"What?" she asked.
"You are the closest thing to exactly what I'm looking for."
"How can you say that? You've only really known me for a day."
"I get feelings about people-and I have great feelings about you. And I feel content when I'm around you."
"I'm not sleeping with you tonight, Merrill. You can stop the sweet talk."
"Can I give you one compliment without you jumping to conclusions?"
"Sorry."
"Don't be."
Merrill stared at Alicia, with a smirk that hinted innuendo.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Alicia.
"Because," he said, moving closer to her, "I want to kiss you."
Her heart began racing uncontrollably.
"Then go ahead."
Merrill leaned in and gave Alicia a long and hard peck. Then they let go and looked at each other
He asked, "Can I-you know?"
"What?"
"Give you a better kiss than that?"
"That's what I was anticipating."
Immediately, their lips met again and they both opened their mouths. Their tongues intertwined and made swirling motions as Merrill placed his hand on the side of Alicia's neck.
"Merrill? Is that you?"
Alicia and Merrill stopped kissing and looked up. A petite yet curvaceous blonde stood in front of them.
"Kylie-hi."
"I thought you said you were with your sister-in-law!"
"Well, um, this is my sister-in-law. Kylie, this is Alicia. Alicia, Kylie."
"You were just kissing your sister-in-law? That's twisted, Merrill."
"Her sister is married to my brother."
"I see. So I guess you've obviously forgot about the good times we've had, huh?"
"Kylie, can we talk about this later?"
Kylie looked at Alicia and said, "Don't fall for what he says. He'll screw you over like he did to me-have a good night, Merrill."
Furious, she left the bar. Merrill and Alicia sat in silence.
"I could go for that other shot now," Alicia said.
"I'll go get it."
As Merrill got up, Alicia yelled, "Can you get me a cran and vodka too?"
"Sure thing."
He came back a few minutes later and Alicia glared at him.
"Alicia, you didn't believe her, do you?"
"To a certain extent, I do. You probably did have great times with her and all that lovely bullshit. She's hot."
"Not as hot as you."
"Me? Hot? Puh-lease."
"When you came from the back door this afternoon, in that tiny little 'Perfect' shirt and those shorts, I almost-well, let's just say it provided for some indecent fantasies."
Alicia laughed out loud and said, "That calls for another toast. To indecent fantasies."
"Cheers."
They chased down another shot and then Alicia picked up her other drink. She downed it in less than five seconds.
Merrill looked at her in astonishment and said, "My God. You swallowed that whole."
"That was for your favorite whore and mine, Kylie. I'm gonna go get another one."
"Don't you think you've had enough there?"
"I'm just getting started."
Alicia came back a moment or so later with two small glasses in hand.
"What's that?" asked Merrill.
She gulped one of them down and let out a huge sigh.
"Liquid Cocaine," she gasped.
"You're going to be smashed."
"Hold on a second."
She took the other one and drank it down as well.
"Now I will be."
Within ten minutes, Alicia was completely inebriated.
"Merrill-can you get me another drink-pretty please? Please?"
"No more, Alicia."
"I'll have sex with you."
"No. Believe me, I'd love to have sex with you, but not under these circumstances. In fact, let's leave."
"But it's only 12:65!"
"12:65? OK, we're really going home, Alicia."
"Merrill, you suck."
"You'll thank me in the morning."
He went to help her up, but she shoved him away.
"I can stand up on my own, thank you very much."
She tried to stand up, but she stumbled. Merrill put her arm around him and assisted her.
"Merrill! I can walk alone!"
"Sshh-don't cause a scene. That's the last thing you or especially I need."
"You're the one causing a scene! I--"
Merrill covered Alicia's mouth, picked her up, and quickly carried her out of the bar and to his car.
"Merrill-you are so, so, so, sexy. Do you realize that?"
"No, but thanks for pointing that out."
He put her in the backseat and she protested.
"I want to sit up front!"
"No, you need to relax."
"But I thought we could make out while you were driving? It's a turn on."
"What are you talking about?"
"Has a girl ever given road head? You know, head while you're driving?"
"OK, Alicia, try not to speak."
He started the car and began the half hour drive back to Philly.
'The longest half hour of my life,' he thought to himself.
For ten minutes or so, Alicia mumbled to herself and then became nauseated.
"Merrill-oh God. Pull the car over. I'm gonna be sick."
He swerved to the side of the road as Alicia bent over the side of the car and vomited. He reached back and held her hair back for her. She finally sat back down in the seat and leaned against the headrest.
"Why did I drink so much?" she murmured painfully.
"I tried to stop you. You OK now?"
"I think so."
Alicia dozed off for the rest of the ride home, and then they finally arrived in Bucks County. Merrill pulled up to the driveway by the garage house, got out, and carried Alicia up the stairs. He went inside and laid her on the bed.
"I'm gonna get you some water, and then you need to sleep, OK?"
She sat up and grabbed Merrill's hand.
"Merrill, come on."
"Come on what?"
"Remember how I was asking you about road head earlier?"
"Unfortunately."
"I'll do it-right here, right now."
Merrill would've like nothing more than that in the world, but he wasn't about to take advantage of Alicia in her fragile state.
"Not now, Alicia. You need to rest."
"You're such a sore loser, Merrill. I'm never going to one of your games again."
"Don't break my heart. Here, drink."
He handed her a glass of water and she slowly sipped it. Then he pulled back the covers on her bed and tucked her in.
"I'll stay here until you fall asleep."
"You don't know what you're missing out on, Merrill Hess."
"I believe you, sweetheart-but you brought this upon yourself. Imagine the wild, earth-rocking sex we could've been having right now-but you HAD to have shot after shot."
"I-I-whatever, Merrill."
Not even five minutes later, she was fast asleep. Merrill brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her cheek. Then he buried into a nearby loveseat and closed his eyes.
'What a night,' he thought to himself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Alicia helped Colleen put away the last of the dishes and said, "I'll be outside."
"OK. I'll be right out. Thanks for helping."
"No problem."
Alicia had been watching Graham throw ball after ball to Merrill as she washed the dishes with Colleen. It left her in awe each time Merrill sent one of the balls flying like a missile into the cornfields. She went out the back door, and sat on top of the picnic bench.
Merrill looked over at her and said, "Alicia, come here! I'll show you how to hit the ball!"
She hopped off of the table and approached Merrill.
"OK. Show me."
He moved behind her and placed the bat in her petite hands.
"Bend your elbows like.this.
He ran his hands along her arms and bent her elbows.
"Now," he said in a seductive whisper to her ear, "bend just a little at your waist."
He held onto her waist and pushed her weight down. His hands accidentally slipped under her shirt and onto her lower stomach.
"You have really soft skin," he said to her quietly.
Graham cleared his throat.
"Merrill, does it really take that long to teach someone how to hit a baseball?"
"Hey, do I need to remind you who plays for a living?"
Merrill focused his attention back on Alicia.
"Anyway, now pull back and hit as hard as you can. Watch the ball from the time it leaves Graham's hand until the millionth of a second that it hits the bat."
"OK. Throw me one, Graham!"
Merrill stepped back and watched his pupil carefully. Graham threw the ball to Alicia, who hit it the hardest she had ever hit a ball in her entire life. She watched proudly as it sailed through the corn.
"Merrill! Did you see that?!"
"That was awesome!"
The three of them took turns pitching and hitting for another hour or so, eventually joined by Colleen and the kids. By that time, it was past the kids' bedtime, so everyone went inside except for Alicia. She went to the garage house, where she was now residing. She took a shower and after she dried her hair, there was a knock at her door.
"Come in! It's unlocked!"
Merrill stepped inside and said, "Hey there."
"Hey! I had so much fun today! I haven't played ball in years.that was great."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"It was only because I had an awesome teacher."
He sat at the edge of her bed and asked, "So why don't you have a boyfriend?"
"I'm picky. I always told myself that I wanted to marry a man like Graham- but I gave up on that a while ago."
"Yeah. Graham's a needle in a haystack."
"Hey, you think it's cool if I just wear this?"
"Yeah-besides, you're beautiful in anything you wear."
Alicia smiled and said, "You're too sweet to be true. All you want is sex, Merrill."
He scoffed and said, "If I wanted sex, it would've already been taken care of by now."
"Excuse me?"
"Alicia, if I had only wanted sex from you, I would've put my plan to action about a minute or so ago?"
"Really? Do tell your secret, Casanova. How would you have worked your magic on me?"
"Let's see-I would have asked you when the last time you had a really good kiss was. You would've answered that you hadn't had one in a while. Then I would've casually approached you, ran my hand along the side of your face, told you how beautiful you were, and then would've proceeded to give you the most amazing tongue kiss you'd ever had. Then-one thing would've led to another- "
Alicia was so turned on by the sexual tone in Merrill's voice, she had to catch her breath.
"You must get a lot of girls that way, huh?"
"I've only done it twice, I think. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not all about the sex."
"I may be a half-blonde, but I'm not dumb. All you sports players think and screw alike."
Merrill replied, "Once you get to know me, I think your mind will change."
After hearing his proposition technique, Alicia desperately wanted Merrill to give her the amazing kiss he had told her about. She immediately put her own plan into action. She walked over to her dresser and lightly spritzed perfume on her neck.
"Hey," she said, "can you smell this?"
Merrill came close to her and took a deep breath.
"Yeah-is that Happy?"
"Yep."
"That's my favorite perfume on a girl."
Their faces were inches apart.
"I'm not going to kiss you," he said.
"Who said I wanted you to kiss me?"
"I see it in those beautiful eyes of yours. Don't worry-I'm sure your wish will come true by the end of the night. Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah. Your car or mine?"
"I don't have a car-I inherited Colleen's when she went to college and it's been out of commission for years. Besides, I didn't need one in New York."
"Then it's settled. And it's a beautiful night out-I'll put the top down."
"You have a convertible?"
"Yeah-you've been in one, right?"
"No! I'm a convertible virgin."
"Well, there's a first time for everything- come on."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Here's to-my lovely sister Colleen. If she hadn't have met your brother, we probably would never have met."
"I agree. Cheers."
"Cheers."
Alicia and Merrill hit their glasses together and did their second set of Kamikaze shots. Her face squirmed and he laughed at her.
"Can't handle your liquor there, Spencer?"
"I have a low tolerance for alcohol-always have."
"Not me. I can drink till tomorrow morning and not even get a buzz. Want another shot?"
"In a minute. First, I want to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Why would a guy like you-an incredible athlete who will probably go pro in less than a year, handsome, intelligent, and sexy-want to take a Pennsylvania princess like me out for drinks? I'm sure that there are beautiful blondes with huge boobs who you'd rather be with."
"Because that's the exact opposite of the kind of woman I'm attracted to."
"So what kind of woman attracts you? What's your type?"
"I can't exactly describe her, but I tell you what--"
He lost his thought when his eyes locked with hers.
"What?" she asked.
"You are the closest thing to exactly what I'm looking for."
"How can you say that? You've only really known me for a day."
"I get feelings about people-and I have great feelings about you. And I feel content when I'm around you."
"I'm not sleeping with you tonight, Merrill. You can stop the sweet talk."
"Can I give you one compliment without you jumping to conclusions?"
"Sorry."
"Don't be."
Merrill stared at Alicia, with a smirk that hinted innuendo.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Alicia.
"Because," he said, moving closer to her, "I want to kiss you."
Her heart began racing uncontrollably.
"Then go ahead."
Merrill leaned in and gave Alicia a long and hard peck. Then they let go and looked at each other
He asked, "Can I-you know?"
"What?"
"Give you a better kiss than that?"
"That's what I was anticipating."
Immediately, their lips met again and they both opened their mouths. Their tongues intertwined and made swirling motions as Merrill placed his hand on the side of Alicia's neck.
"Merrill? Is that you?"
Alicia and Merrill stopped kissing and looked up. A petite yet curvaceous blonde stood in front of them.
"Kylie-hi."
"I thought you said you were with your sister-in-law!"
"Well, um, this is my sister-in-law. Kylie, this is Alicia. Alicia, Kylie."
"You were just kissing your sister-in-law? That's twisted, Merrill."
"Her sister is married to my brother."
"I see. So I guess you've obviously forgot about the good times we've had, huh?"
"Kylie, can we talk about this later?"
Kylie looked at Alicia and said, "Don't fall for what he says. He'll screw you over like he did to me-have a good night, Merrill."
Furious, she left the bar. Merrill and Alicia sat in silence.
"I could go for that other shot now," Alicia said.
"I'll go get it."
As Merrill got up, Alicia yelled, "Can you get me a cran and vodka too?"
"Sure thing."
He came back a few minutes later and Alicia glared at him.
"Alicia, you didn't believe her, do you?"
"To a certain extent, I do. You probably did have great times with her and all that lovely bullshit. She's hot."
"Not as hot as you."
"Me? Hot? Puh-lease."
"When you came from the back door this afternoon, in that tiny little 'Perfect' shirt and those shorts, I almost-well, let's just say it provided for some indecent fantasies."
Alicia laughed out loud and said, "That calls for another toast. To indecent fantasies."
"Cheers."
They chased down another shot and then Alicia picked up her other drink. She downed it in less than five seconds.
Merrill looked at her in astonishment and said, "My God. You swallowed that whole."
"That was for your favorite whore and mine, Kylie. I'm gonna go get another one."
"Don't you think you've had enough there?"
"I'm just getting started."
Alicia came back a moment or so later with two small glasses in hand.
"What's that?" asked Merrill.
She gulped one of them down and let out a huge sigh.
"Liquid Cocaine," she gasped.
"You're going to be smashed."
"Hold on a second."
She took the other one and drank it down as well.
"Now I will be."
Within ten minutes, Alicia was completely inebriated.
"Merrill-can you get me another drink-pretty please? Please?"
"No more, Alicia."
"I'll have sex with you."
"No. Believe me, I'd love to have sex with you, but not under these circumstances. In fact, let's leave."
"But it's only 12:65!"
"12:65? OK, we're really going home, Alicia."
"Merrill, you suck."
"You'll thank me in the morning."
He went to help her up, but she shoved him away.
"I can stand up on my own, thank you very much."
She tried to stand up, but she stumbled. Merrill put her arm around him and assisted her.
"Merrill! I can walk alone!"
"Sshh-don't cause a scene. That's the last thing you or especially I need."
"You're the one causing a scene! I--"
Merrill covered Alicia's mouth, picked her up, and quickly carried her out of the bar and to his car.
"Merrill-you are so, so, so, sexy. Do you realize that?"
"No, but thanks for pointing that out."
He put her in the backseat and she protested.
"I want to sit up front!"
"No, you need to relax."
"But I thought we could make out while you were driving? It's a turn on."
"What are you talking about?"
"Has a girl ever given road head? You know, head while you're driving?"
"OK, Alicia, try not to speak."
He started the car and began the half hour drive back to Philly.
'The longest half hour of my life,' he thought to himself.
For ten minutes or so, Alicia mumbled to herself and then became nauseated.
"Merrill-oh God. Pull the car over. I'm gonna be sick."
He swerved to the side of the road as Alicia bent over the side of the car and vomited. He reached back and held her hair back for her. She finally sat back down in the seat and leaned against the headrest.
"Why did I drink so much?" she murmured painfully.
"I tried to stop you. You OK now?"
"I think so."
Alicia dozed off for the rest of the ride home, and then they finally arrived in Bucks County. Merrill pulled up to the driveway by the garage house, got out, and carried Alicia up the stairs. He went inside and laid her on the bed.
"I'm gonna get you some water, and then you need to sleep, OK?"
She sat up and grabbed Merrill's hand.
"Merrill, come on."
"Come on what?"
"Remember how I was asking you about road head earlier?"
"Unfortunately."
"I'll do it-right here, right now."
Merrill would've like nothing more than that in the world, but he wasn't about to take advantage of Alicia in her fragile state.
"Not now, Alicia. You need to rest."
"You're such a sore loser, Merrill. I'm never going to one of your games again."
"Don't break my heart. Here, drink."
He handed her a glass of water and she slowly sipped it. Then he pulled back the covers on her bed and tucked her in.
"I'll stay here until you fall asleep."
"You don't know what you're missing out on, Merrill Hess."
"I believe you, sweetheart-but you brought this upon yourself. Imagine the wild, earth-rocking sex we could've been having right now-but you HAD to have shot after shot."
"I-I-whatever, Merrill."
Not even five minutes later, she was fast asleep. Merrill brushed the hair out of her eyes and kissed her cheek. Then he buried into a nearby loveseat and closed his eyes.
'What a night,' he thought to himself.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *