After a long plane ride, all Sandy wanted to do was go back to his house and crawl into bed. He was exhausted, mentally and physically. He knew since most of the Berkeley student body would be home, there would be no pressure to do anything. He would have the whole house to himself to self-reflect. He was trying to wrap his head around what happened with his mom, trying to make sense out of it. He really wished he didn't fly off the handle like that. He was usually so calm and level headed.
He exited the plane and headed toward the baggage claim. He was barely paying attention to where he was going, his mind flooded with thoughts of how he just ran away. He should have stayed and battled, if need be, until she understood his position. He still was mad about she thought of him. He was stewing over the fact that she thought it was a girl he was staying for. There was never a girl important enough to him that would alter life-changing decisions.
What bothered him more was that she just assumed the type of girl it would be. That he would change his life for a woman that would treat him like garbage. A girl that sole purpose would be just to go slumming beneath her. Sandy had more brains in his head than that. Most of the women he was with recognized his intellect. Why couldn't she?
He couldn't blame her though. Before he met Kirsten, he thought all rich girls thought they were above him. He had this image that girls like her were self-centered and completely spoiled. Kirsten had proven him wrong. He could see past that, not that many people probably looked that hard. She exemplified what his mother assumed, so how could he get upset? His mother made the same assumptions he had made at one time.
He didn't even know why he told her she was right. That couldn't have been further from the truth. Sandy had not been serious about anyone since Rebecca. He knew better than to put his entire heart and soul into something and not get that special something in return. He was making himself crazy thinking about this too much. He needed to get some rest and enjoy a quiet weekend.
Kirsten slept most of the plane ride back. She knew better than to let her father invade her mind. She knew she would never win with him. No one ever did. She just had to live her own life and have him just stand on the sidelines. He couldn't physically force her to do anything. She had survived pretty well on her own, and she didn't need someone like Jimmy to depend on. This really had nothing to do with Jimmy. He just got caught in the crossfire. She knew he felt bad about her reaction earlier. She knew he received her message loud and clear about them being just friends. Most of all, she knew she had hurt him.
Her father was willing to sacrifice her happiness in order to get what he wants and that was where she had to drawn a line. She couldn't let him cross over into an area in her life where personal life was concerned.
She didn't understand why there had to be some other guy in her life to not want Jimmy. Why did her father have to think that? Why did he feel that she needed to have someone else lined up to guide her to make that decision. That couldn't be further from the truth.
The description her father rattled off scared her a little bit. It scared her that her father might actually know what she was looking for. Sure, maybe she wasn't looking for someone poor, but a dreamer and wanting to save the world? What was wrong with that? She couldn't blame him though. She used to think there was something off about people like that. That they were misguided and crazy. She hated to admit it, but after getting to know Sandy, she realized a person like that is like a breath of fresh air. She couldn't help but be drawn to not having your whole life planned out, and living in the moment.
She didn't have to claim any luggage since she flown on a private jet. As she made her way to the taxi stand, she figured she could think about how she wanted to prove a million things to her father and it wouldn't make one single difference in the world. She was looking forward to a quiet dorm room, since most of the dorm would be home for the long weekend.
Sandy grabbed his luggage off the carousel and headed for the taxi stand. As he made his way outside, he took in the sight before him. He saw the back of a petite blonde, with a great ass, struggling with her luggage, heading over to the taxi stand as well. He thought that this was too easy. He would casually walk up, be a gentleman, help her and maybe share a cab. He smiled thinking his night was just about to get better. He finally caught up to her.
"Hey, hey, let me help you with that." He had his head down, eyes focused on grabbing the bag. Kirsten turned around and when she saw who it was, she immediately froze. Sandy felt the girl tense up and picked up his head to look at her. Their eyes locked and they were both speechless, thinking the exact same thing. What the hell was the other doing here?
Kirsten recovered when she thought about their last encounter. "Sandy. Hi. You don't have to...". She pointed to the bag. "I can manage." She knew she should say more than that. She wanted desperately to say more than that. She just didn't even know where to begin. Plus, someone who rambled as much as Sandy, he was still quiet as a mouse. He was just staring at her.
He couldn't imagine what she was doing here at this time of night on a holiday weekend. It made no sense. She looked incredible, that much he was aware of. He finally found his voice, "Kirsten, I may have formed new opinions on the type of person you are, but if I told you once, I have told you a thousand times, deep down I am a gentleman." He started to grab the handle of her bag before she placed her own on top of his.
"You have to let me explain so you can go back to your old opinions. You owe me at least that." As she thought about that, she smiled as said, "I am not sure if that is a good thing or not, but ..."
Sandy interrupted her, not wanting to deal with all of this. All he wanted to do was try and forget all the drama in his life. He didn't need this right now. "Are you taking a cab or is there a limo picking you up?" He said it sarcastically, but Kirsten didn't find it funny. She followed him out to the taxi area and tried once again.
"Are you seriously not going to give me the chance to explain? Do you honestly think I am going to sit here and let you assume all the wrong things about me as usual? That's not fair and you know it."
Sandy kept his back toward her, raised his hand and successfully hailed a cab. The cabbie got out and took care of Kirsten's luggage and he opened the door for her. "Kirsten, I really don't want to get into now. It might not be fair, but your attitude exhausts me." He waved his arm, nonverbally communicating to get in the car.
"I'm not getting in until you listen to me."
"Kirsten, I am tired. All I have thought about on the six hour plane ride, was getting into my bed and forgetting this whole weekend ever happened. If you don't get in the car in five seconds, I am going to take it. Then you will be left here with no luggage and no car."
"And you call yourself a gentleman?" She smirked knowing she backed him into a corner.
"One, two..."
"Jimmy is not my boyfriend. I know what it must have looked like to you and..."
"Three, four..."
"I am not that type of person. I would never..."
"Five." Sandy looked up at the sky basically begging some form of god to make her stop. "Kirsten, I am giving you one more chance, get in the car."
"No."
"Fine." He took his own bag, which was significantly smaller than hers, and put it in the back seat.
"What are you doing?"
"I am going home." He opened the door, got in and was about the slam the door, when she grabbed the handle. She slid her lean body in next to his.
"We can split it and you can at least have decency to listen to me. I am not even asking you to say anything. Just listen, okay?" She gave the cab driver the address to her destination while she waited for some sort of response, but when she was greeted with silence, she continued. "Jimmy and I used to date and I would be lying if I told you that was the end of the story. It unfortunately is not. My father just expects..."
His chuckle served as an interruption to her heartfelt explanation. "Going to blame your rich daddy on this one?" He regretted his words when he saw the look in her eyes. Apparently her father was not someone she liked to joke about. " Sorry. You really do bring out the worst in me." He looked down just waiting for her to continue.
"My father just expects that I will marry Jimmy one day...live his life. You have to believe me when I say that Jimmy and I are just friends. Nothing happened on Wednesday night. Jimmy and I are not like you and me." She felt as stupid as stupid could feel. She hated admitting anything to Sandy especially when he has not said anything. She needed to cover that up. "I would not lie to you about something like that."
Too late. Sandy jumped all over this wave. "Oh yeah? And exactly what are you and me like?" He loved watching her squirm. She was sexy when she was in control, demanding and mad, but she was gorgeous when someone challenged her and beautiful when she was in deep thought.
"I didn't think we needed to define it. Besides there's really is nothing to define."
"Is there no attraction with Jimmy? Because if I had to define us, in one word, it would definitely, at it's simplest, be attraction." He smiled as the car pulled onto campus. He was never shy when his feelings were laid out on the table. He wore his heart on his sleeve and that was the most handsome quality about him. Sure, it could be his confidence, or those ocean blue eyes, but it was definitely his courage of expressiveness.
"No. Not anymore." She smiled and looked down not daring to look at him in the eye. He, on the other hand, couldn't keep his eyes off her. He turned his attention to the ghostly populated campus.
"Looks like you and I are the only two students back from break this early, huh?"
She thought about how lonely the next two days were going to be. "Yeah. It will be good though. I have to catch up on a lot of work anyway."
He immediately noticed the wall slowly being built back up and figured he would be bold. "As much as I would love to make fun of you and your ridiculous motivation to study on a weekend, I will let it go because it looks like you have had a few days like mine. Obviously I will be around if you want to grab dinner or something tomorrow night. We can drown our sorrows, have some bad wine and cheap pizza."
The car pulled in front of Kirsten's dorm and she started to get out. "Wow, you make it sound so appealing."
He got out and helped her with her bag, as they walked to the front of the door. "So?"
"I'll think about it." She said it, knowing she was the one backing him into the famous corner. Before she headed in, she needed to know if understood the whole situation with Jimmy. "You never said if you believed me or not." He looked at her confused and she knew she had to spell it out. "I am not the type of person that keeps secrets and lies to my friends. Do you believe that?"
He turned his back to her and headed back to the cab. I got her now, he thought. She needed an answer. "Sandy?"
"I'm thinking about it." He got in the car and sped off. He couldn't be happier about how that just ended, plus the ball was in her court. She would have to make the next move and he loved it.
Saturday NightKirsten spent the entire day battling over whether to take Sandy up on his offer. What was the harm? She just felt so ridiculous calling him and she didn't want to be the subject of his teasing. These thoughts went through her mind while she caught up on schoolwork, laundry and even some cleaning. The bottom line was she was bored and she found Sandy so damn intriguing. She looked in the campus directory and found his number. Now all she had to do was pick up the phone.
There was no way Sandy was going to call her. As much as he wanted to, his stubborness blocked that path. He had to hold strong and see if she would get up the nerve. He knew she was probably debating because it wasn't proper or the old fashioned way to do things. He wanted to break her of those myths.
He promised himself that if she did call, he wouldn't make a big deal of it and decided against all forms of teasing.
Around seven o'clock his phone rang. He figured it had to be either her or a telemarketer. No one else was around and the phone had not rang all day. "Hello?"
There was silence on the line, followed by a very small voice. 'Sandy?"
"Speaking." He knew it was her, but couldn't bring himself to not tease her a little bit. Just not directly to her face.
"Hey. It's Kirsten."
His heart melted thinking of how he could listen to her forever. "Hey Kirsten. I assume since you are calling that you got all your studying done."
"Very funny. How do you know I just didn't blow everything off for the sake of having a few beers?"
"Because I like to think I know your type."
"My type?" She had to question him. She was interesting in hearing his description of her type.
"Well, you are type A. You can't help it, you have to be productive. You could never just sit around all day doing absolutely nothing." He knew he nailed it.
"Okay, maybe. There is nothing wrong with that, ya know? That must mean that you are type B. A nice way of describing laziness." She knew he had to have a lazy side. He was too laid back.
"As a matter of fact I am type B. I am laid back, but I am not lazy." He was a little insulted. He worked very hard at his studies and working his butt off to get into law school.
She recognized his silence and she knew she said the wrong thing. "Sorry. You bring out the worst in me." She repeated his words from the night before.
"Good thing for you, I am type B. I get over things easily."
She smiled, grateful for his understanding. There was another awkward silence and she didn't know what to do. She never had to initiate anything with a guy before. She didn't know what to say. She seemed so desperate.
He sensed her uncomfortableness and figured he would put her mind at ease. "I assume since you called you were interested in taking me up on my offer."
"Is that what my silence says to you?" She could always play this banter game, just not start it.
"No, your silence says you are extremely uncomfortable. I figure you are not going explain so... what do you say? There is a great pizza place by my house. Come hang out, no pressure." Then it hit him. Maybe she was calling to say she made other plans or got a better offer and she was just being polite. "Unless you got a better offer? I can't imagine what that would be, since I am pretty much your only option for any type of human interaction."
'Well, statistics are working in your favor. How about an hour? Is that cool?"
"Yeah." He would never admit it to her, but he figured if she got that damn wall of hers down and she relaxed a bit, he was in for a fun night.
Kirsten was excited about seeing Sandy. She knew at the very least, they would share a few good laughs. He was really funny and had managed a way to always make her smile. She thought about what to wear. She was not sure where tonight would end up so she wanted to be prepared for all scenarios. She made sure she wore a sexy pair of underwear and matching bra. She wanted to look her best underneath, but comfortable from the outside. She figured a pair of jeans and comfy sandals would work. Of course, she dressed it up with a silky, low cut top.
Sandy thought about what to wear. He didn't want to look like he was trying to hard, but he was well aware of what she was used to. He wondered if he could ever get past that. He chose a pair of jeans as usual and a t-shirt. He figured he would be himself. He took a shower, wanting not to smell too much like a boy as she put it. He laughed as he thought about that day on campus.
As Sandy waited for her, he figured he would roll a joint. He didn't know if she would want to smoke or not but decided to be prepared. He laid out the bag of weed and the papers and started. After about two minutes there was a knock at the door. He abandoned what he was doing, forgetting how drugs might offend some people even though it was just pot, and answered the door.
"I have to admit, I wasn't sure you were going to remember how to get here. I thought I should have given you directions or something."
Kirsten stepped inside, taking in her surroundings. His place looked a lot different from when she was there with sixty other people. "I'm resourceful." She smiled her best smiles because when she was around him, it was contagious.
Sandy looked at the table and immediately felt like an idiot. She was going to think he was a complete burnout, but as always she surprised him. She took a seat on the couch, close to the table.
"Plan on smoking before dinner?" She looked up at him amused. He looked like a small child who was caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
"I was just preparing in case you were interested. I wasn't sure but you are more than welcome."
"I'm interested. Still think I don't know how to have a good time. I can be type B."
"Okay. Not going to lie here, you totally shocked me with that one."
"I have that affect on men."
He laughed at how seductive she could be. She was the sexiest girl he was ever around. It was her intelligence that got him every time. "Why don't you get yourself something to drink while I roll this? There is beer in the fridge and if you dare a few bottles of wine on the counter to choose from."
"If I dare?"
"Yeah, I am sure they're not very good...not what you are used to...but help yourself."
Kirsten was going to let that go. If there was one thing she knew about, it was wine. She had spent her teenage years stealing expensive bottles from her parents, thinking that is what all wine tasted like. When she came to Berkeley, she was mistaken. "I can adjust to any type of alcohol." She figured she would make light of his last comment.
As they shared a joint, two glasses of wine and two beers later, they realized they were very hungry. They just didn't want to move because they were both so stoned.
"You look really nice tonight." He said it without looking at her. It was probably the most truthful comment he ever made. She looked incredible, but he would have never admitted that to her without the weed
"Thanks." She didn't know what else to say. She felt weird hearing it from Sandy knowing his inhibitions were letting loose. She blushed and tried everything in her power to stop it.
"I can't believe a girl like you still blushes when compliments are thrown her way."
"Sorry." Now she was even more uncomfortable. How did he know her so well? How did he pick on the fact that her beauty was something she never liked drawing attention to? She was told her whole life how pretty she was, but she never believed it. All of Newport would say anything to impress Caleb Nichol. Jimmy hardly every complimented her. He claimed he loved her, but was never expressive about her beauty. Out of everyone in this world, he would know best. Maybe that is why she never accepts compliments well. Kirsten continued to look at the floor not knowing what to say or believe.
Sandy took his index finger and placed it underneath her chin, forcing her eyes to meet his. "Kirsten, don't be sorry. Your modesty only makes you more beautiful." He stared at her thinking to himself how he wanted to be physically close to her. He wanted to kiss her, touch her, press his body up against her's. He was growing hard just thinking about it. No woman ever had that affect on him. That is why he was so good in bed. No woman ever made him lose control so instantaneously. It must be the weed, he thought.
Kirsten smiled back at him thinking of how kind he really was. Could Sandy Cohen really be that sensitive? She dismissed that thought knowing he had a way with women and she was no better than any of them. She was falling for his lines now too. "I bet you say that to all the girls. They just fall for it."
"Not true." His voice was low and she had to strain to hear him. He pulled his finger away from her face, forgetting that he was still touching her. He moved his body away from her, needing to cool himself down. As he started to get up he said, "But I will give you this, you are not like most girls."
"Well that I know, but makes you say that?"
"Well most girls I have been with were never the type I could picture being my friend. As bad as that sounds, they use me as much as I use them."
Kirsten looked at him shocked that he was well aware of what everyone else thought.
"Let's not get into that now. I am starving. You?" He wanted to change the subject. Food was the only thing that was going to bring him down from his high and stop him from saying vulnerable things.
She knew he was feeling uncomfortable and let it go for now. "Yes, I am starved. Let's go."
They made their way to the restaurant with no physical contact at all. They were both too nervous around each other. Kirsten didn't know why he made her feel this way. She knew there were supposed to be no feelings involved in this relationship, but she couldn't help it. He had this affect on her and she couldn't deny that every time he threw a compliment her way, she just melted. It wasn't so much the fact that he was actually throwing compliments out. She knew he had to do that with all the girls he was with. He was just smooth. It was his nature. The fact was that the compliments he threw seemed so genuine and so sincere. She thought she was a pretty good judge of character and had to assume that he was not pulling the wool over her eyes.
The restaurant was small and dimly lit, but very casual. They sat in a booth right in the middle, not very private, but definitely the right atmosphere for them. After they ordered and decided on a bottle of wine, Sandy finally brought up the obvious.
"So, are you going to tell me what you are doing back in Berkeley so early?"
"I can ask you the same thing."
"But I asked you first."
"I knew you were going to say that." She paused thinking if she should even get into it. She decided to to give a little to see how much he wanted to know. "If I told you the truth, you would just be calling me a spoiled brat, blaming everything on my rich father." She smiled knowing that is what he would think.
"Try me. Let me form my own ideas and thoughts."
"Okay, but then you have to share as well." Kirsten thought it was a fair enough deal, but Sandy was now nervous. He didn't want to talk bad about his mother to Kirsten. He truly loved his family, but he knew it was only fair.
"Okay."
"You are going to be so sorry you asked this. Jimmy drove me home and as we arrived together that must have put thoughts into my father's head. I wish I could explain to you the very being of my father that would make you understand the man he is. He has been getting everything he wants since as long as I was old enough to notice. He is demanding, domineering, ruthless and manipulative. The worst part is that he expects me to live my life according to his standards and I just wasn't seeing eye to eye with him on that one." She paused realizing how she must sound, how rushed that came out. She looked into his eyes and smiled saying, "Told you, you would be sorry you asked!"
He wasn't sorry he asked. The whole story just had a major hole in it. "So, what exactly happened because you started this whole rant with Jimmy, so I assume it has to end with him as well."
She hated that Sandy thought so badly of Jimmy. "Well, you're right, but it really has nothing to do with Jimmy. It is just my dad. First his insults started with my education which pisses me off to no end. He is just so disappointed I didn't go to Harvard or Yale. Then, over dinner in front of Jimmy's whole family..."
Sandy interrupted her, "Wait, you had Thanksgiving dinner with Jimmy and his family?"
She didn't think before she spoke, but she could see how that would seem weird to him. She rolled her eyes as she said, "It's tradition. Jimmy's dad takes care of my father's finances and they have become friends over the years. Our mothers are newpsies. I know it must look weird since Jimmy and I used to date, but it's not. Well, it wasn't until my father pretty much laid out his plans for mine and Jimmy's future without even considering what I wanted or Jimmy wanted for that matter. He was just as humiliated."
"I doubt that Kirsten. He still has a thing for you. I think humiliated is the wrong word. Embarrassed, maybe but not humiliated."
"How do you know that? You don't really know anything about him or us for that matter." She kept her voice low indicating that she wasn't mad, just curious.
"Because I can tell these things and I know how guys think. He wouldn't have driven all the way up here to pick you up if he didn't expect something in return. I am just saying that is how guys think. So, I assume you and your dad fought and you left."
"Yeah." She said sadly. "I called him out on what he was trying to do. He didn't even try to hide it. He accused me of not wanting to be with Jimmy because I found someone else. Like there had to be another guy for me not to want to be with Jimmy. God forbid, I thought he just wasn't right for me."
Sandy smiled at her thinking how sexy she always looked when she got mad. She poured another glass of wine for herself in the hopes that it would calm her down.
"So, is that how you feel? Like he is not the one?"
"Sandy, we have to stop talking about this, otherwise we are going to have to order several more bottles of wine."
He laughed at her and thought this was the first time he laughed at something she said that wasn't a direct insult to him. She liked this side of her. The side that could get angry at something other than him.
"Like I said, I am finished talking about it, but I will say two more things." She could feel the affects of the wine and Sandy smiled knowing that very fact. "I don't think Jimmy is the one for me even though on paper we look perfect together. It just doesn't feel like what I want it to feel like. The other thing is my father wants to control every aspect of my life, not just Jimmy. Jimmy was just the cause of my departure this time. I hate that he treats me like a child. It is something that I will never get over." She gave a big smile now.
"What are you smiling at?" Sometimes, he really didn't get her.
"I am done now. It's your turn. Would you like me to fill up your glass?"
"No, I think I'm okay. Unfortunately, my story does not carry the angst that yours carries. It actually saddens me to think about what happened."
"Oh I'm sorry. I just figured your story paralleled mine and we could just dish dirt about our families." She felt bad now. Why did she think everyone had her problems. maybe it was her wish.
"It's okay. A deal's a deal, right? My mom just hates the fact that I left home to come out here to study. Then on top of it, I dropped the bomb that I would be staying out here for law school. She was royally pissed. It amazes me that something that could make me so happy, could make her so miserable. I just wish she could be genuinely happy for me."
"I'm sorry Sandy. I didn't know it was this serious."
"Well, it parallels your story a little bit because she insisted that it was a girl I was staying here for. I couldn't believe that she would think I am that careless about the decisions I make about my future."
"Maybe you have never been in love before?"
"What? Where did that come from?" Confusion was an understatement at this point.
"Well, I know how women think and to her, it seems like the only logical explanation. For you, right now, that is not the case, but she doesn't know that. It probably bothers her that you are not part of her daily life. So she makes assumptions that makes sense to her and most definitely not to you."
Sandy was surprised this girl could come up with such an easy explanation of what has been bothering him for the past two days.
"Maybe you're right. I don't know." He looked so sad and Kirsten felt that she needed to say something.
"I'm sorry Sandy. I didn't mean for you to get upset."
"I'm not upset. How can I be? We still have about three quarters of a bottle of wine to go."
"You're right." She poured him another glass, but he had to say one last thing.
"Let's talk about something else, but let me finish off by saying that you are wrong."
"And how's that?"
"I have been in love before. Just didn't stick."
"Okay. I stand corrected. Do you want to talk about that?"
"Kirsten, I don't think this restaurant has enough wine or alcohol for that matter for me to divulge into that."
"Okay." Kirsten was dying. Sandy Cohen in love? Who could have stolen his heart and what the hell happened to make him the way he is now? She had a million questions in her head, but knew now was not the time to question him about it.
They finished that bottle of wine and had one more after that. They were well on their way to becoming drunk, but not trashed. They talked about favorite movies, favorite bars, favorite vacation spots, favorite cities, worst dates, most embarrassing moments, worst kisses, worst tv shows, great books, favorite authors and pretty much everything under the sun.
Kirsten learned things about Sandy that probably most people didn't know. He loved singing and claimed to have a fabulous voice although he wouldn't dare sing in a restaurant. He actually loved New York and thought it was the greatest city in the world. He claimed he would one day show her the real New York and not just the touristy stuff. He learned that the girl he must have been in love with was named Rebecca and although not much information was disclosed, Kirsten knew she must have done a number on him.
Sandy knew Kirsten Nichol ran deeper than what appeared on the surface. He learned that she hates vacationing in tour groups. She likes exploring new places on her own. He learned that she had been all over Europe by the time she turned twelve, but felt the need to go back and just wander on her own, not being escorted everywhere by a guide. She loved cheap Australian wine over any expensive Italian bottle. The reason she loved Berkeley wasn't because it was a few hours away from home, but because it was worlds away from her life of expectations. He learned that Jimmy was her first love, but from her description, Jimmy did not know how to appreciate the woman she has become.
As they polished off that last bottle of wine, Sandy realized that the restaurant was getting ready to close. "I had a really nice time Sandy. It was great talking to you and getting to know you a bit, although I disagree completely in your taste in music."
"Me too, and unlike you I can respect your opinions." He smiled, thinking to himself how he didn't want the night to end. He didn't know where to go from here though. He didn't want to ask her to come back to his house. That would seem to forward and would look like his intentions were somewhere else. He was trying so hard all night to keep his mind out of the gutter, but he was a man and Kirsten was what he truly desired. "Do you want to go somewhere else?"
Kirsten was so glad he suggested continuing the evening. She didn't want it to end, but she was at a loss for what to suggest. She really was having fun, but her mind kept drifting back to the previous physical contact. His rock solid body against hers, the protective arms around her waist, the bulge in his pants were just a few things passing through her brain. She was trying to stay focused though. He has not made any move in that direction and after what happened the first night they got together, she had no intention of repeating that. "We can walk through the park. Have you ever been there at night? It's really nice if you haven't seen the lake at night."
"Okay, I was hoping you were not going to suggest a bar. I feel like I have had enough alcohol as it is. The park it is."
After arguing over paying the bill, which Sandy eventually did and Kirsten left the tip, they walked in silence to the park. They were both lost in their own thoughts and the silence was comfortable. Sandy thought about taking her hand in his, but decided against it. He had to keep his hands to himself otherwise he wasn't going to be able to control himself.
"What are you thinking about right now?" Kirsten asked Sandy and took him off guard. "Don't think, just answer."
"Honestly?"
"Yeah. You have to answer quickly, not to give yourself time to think up a lie." Kirsten smiled loving how she could make him squirm.
"Okay. I was just thinking how attractive you are, and how I really like the person I discovered tonight." He couldn't make eye contact with her. He was afraid she would see right through him and immediately know that he was falling for her.
The continued in silence for a little bit more before Sandy played her game. "What are you thinking about right now?" He was hoping she would respond immediately.
"Right now, I am trying to decide if you are just using a line on me and I am falling for it, or if you actually mean what you say." She didn't want to look at him because she was afraid she would see the hurt in his eyes because of her brutal honesty.
He stopped walking and grabbed her arm stopping her as well. "Kirsten, it's not a line. You are the one girl I apparently can't fool. But in the spirit of true honesty, let me say this."
"Before you do, is this you talking or the multiple bottles of wine?"
"If it was the wine, you and I would not be talking right now." He wiggled his eyebrows and she couldn't help but laugh at him. "I like the person you are, and in light of our unwritten agreement of unattached sex, I think I am past the point of that happening. I don't think I can keep my emotions out of it anymore. You are truly amazing and love hanging out with you. I had a really good time tonight. I am just afraid of where this is going especially since I pretty much have sworn off serious relationships."
"I would be lying if I said my emotions are still in tact. Not that you need to be told this, but you are a really attractive guy and maybe it would be best to just stay friends. To be honest, I am not sure if I was ever in the position to partake in unemotional sex anyway."
"So friends, huh?"
"Yeah. Were we really ever anything more?" She wanted to him to say they were more than that, but there was nothing backing that up.
"I don't know. I guess we can't help it that we are just two really good looking people." He smiled as he said it not really believing that he was the good looking one.
They continued walking until they reached the lake. The park was dark, but the moonlight reflected off the water giving them some sense of visibility.
"Wow, this is beautiful. Have you ever gone swimming in here?"
"No way." The only body of water she ever swam in was surrounded by spanish ceramic tile and was purified with chlorine.
"Why not? It looks awesome. In fact, I think I am going to go for a swim right now."
"Oh you must be drunk."
Sandy started to remove his shoes and socks. "Not drunk, just adventurous." He pulled his t-shirt over his head and revealed his toned chest and abs. "You should join me. It is the perfect opportunity. There is no one around and I bet the water is still warm."
She just stared at his body as she said, "You don't even have a towel."
"I am just going to put my dry clothes back on. Come on Kirsten, be a little daring."
It then hit her. His dry clothes? How was his clothes going to stay dry? Unless he was going skinny-dipping. "You're nuts!"
"Maybe, but at least I can say I did this one day. How many Berkeley students can say that?"
Kirsten couldn't help but think about it. Then she heard the sound of his zipper and it snapped her right back to reality. How can she get naked in front of him. "I don't think so."
Sandy was down to his boxers when Kirsten realized she was staring right at him down there. "She then saw his thumbs playing with the elastic band and she quickly turned around, too embarrassed to look, even though he didn't seem to mind. The next thing she heard was a big splash of water echoing in the quiet night. "Kirsten, you have to come in here. It's beautiful."
"Sandy, you're naked. I can't come in there." She thought it was a perfect argument.
"Just because I am naked and you will have to be, you should still come in. I promise, no physical contact and no funny business."
He gave her this look that she couldn't resist. His eyes spoke volumes saying it was okay, just to trust him. "Fine. You put up a good argument."
"That's what is going to make me a great lawyer!" He smirked completely stoked she was going to let loose a little bit. Sandy decided he would swim away from her so she would feel more comfortable getting undressed.
As she took off her sandals and her top, she kept her eyes on Sandy. She didn't want to strip in front of him. She felt very self conscious all of a sudden. Sandy stopped swimming and tunred around to see if she was in the water yet. What he saw was a beautiful girl in her bra and jeans, no sight sexier than that. He felt himself growing hard, thanking god he was submerged in water.
"Sandy, if you want me to actually do this, which I am still unsure about, you are going to have to turn around."
"Do you have any idea what you are asking of me?"
She just smiled, but he obliged. He dunked under water and when he emerged, he was swimming further away form her.
Kirsten stripped off her clothes and threw them pile with Sandy's. She kept her eyes on him the whole entire time making sure he didn't sneak a peak.
Sandy was dying inside. He thought he was going to die a slow painful death if he didn't look, but he knew her. He knew that she would kill him if she caught him staring. He waited until he heard her go into the water and then he turned around. He started swimming toward her as she toward him.
"See, I am adventurous." Kirsten had to point that out.
"Admit it. It feels good, doesn't it?"
"It does feel liberating, although I am staying far away from you." He laughed as he stared at her bare shoulders dying for her to come out of the water just a little bit further.
"Well I am staying put. I promised no funny business. Plus, I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the faith you put into me. I never thought in a million years you would have gotten in, but you are still full of surprises."
She wanted to just swim up over to him, wrap her arms around him and feel his manhood against her. She knew that was not a reality. The more she thought about his, the better the idea of true friends sounded. Why did he have to be so hot? Why couldn't she be friends with just an average looking guy where the temptation wouldn't be so difficult?
They stayed in the water for a while before Kirsten deemed that she was getting cold and wrinkled. "Well, how are we going to get out?" Kirsten knew getting in was going to be easier than getting out.
"Kirsten, stop worrying. My intentions are good. I will get out first, get myself dressed, and then can have your turn. I will wait far enough away willing myself not to look, and you can get out and get dressed. Ok?"
"Yeah. Okay. Why do you make things seem so simple?"
As he swam away he said, "Because they are."
He got dressed and told Kirsten he would wait for her at a bench nearby. It was far enough where the darkness would give her privacy. As she made her way over to him she shivered, feeling the effects of being in the water for so long.
They started walking back toward Sandy's house, not discussing where the night was taking them. Kirsten shivered again and Sandy threw his arm around her shoulders, his hand rubbing up and down on her arm trying to warm her up. Kirsten was grateful for the gesture, knowing it was out of concern and not sexual tension.
As they made their way back to Sandy's house, Sandy made his way through the door, but Kirsten was glued to her spot on his porch. "What's the matter?" Sandy asked, afraid to know the answer.
"Nothing, I was just thinking I should get going. It's getting late and I still have to make my way back to campus."
"Kirsten, you are not walking at night. I won't let you. I was going to get us some wine, if you want, and maybe a sweatshirt since you are still shivering and we could sit out here on the porch. But if you want, I can call you a cab now."
"No, I can stay a bit more. And the sweatshirt would be great."
As she waited for Sandy to come back out, she took a seat on the steps of the porch. She took a deep breath trying to relieve some of the sexual tension she was feeling. She didn't do any good. She still wanted him, knowing it wasn't right, knowing it would only end up bad. Her thoughts were interrupted as he walked back out to greet her with a warm sweatshirt.
They sat, reveling in each other's company speaking now of Paul and Emily. They both agreed that their relationship would end up to be one of the great ones. They were both committed to what was going on between them. Sandy took a deep breath, knowing that was not going to do nothing to calm down his inner man. Even with all her make-up washed off and her hair tangled from being in the water, she was still beautiful. Did this girl ever not look gorgeous?
"What are you thinking about right now?" Kirsten caught him off guard again and Sandy was hating this game. He was too slow at it.
"I was just wondering if you always look beautiful."
She put her head down embarrassed, not knowing what to say or do.
He took his finger and lifted up her chin. Her eyes met his, both pairs full of desire. "Just say thank you."
"Thank you. I don't know what else to say." Kirsten Nichol was never at a loss for words.
"I have plenty to say. I want to kiss you so bad right now, it might just kill me. I am ..."
That was all Sandy said before he felt Kirsten's soft lips against his. He immediately wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. Although her body was full pressed against his, Kirsten felt the need to be closer to him. She leaned into him further, lifting her ass off the step, straddling both her legs around. Kirsten ran her hands through his hair which was still damp from the water. She felt his hands still holding her close, running up and down her back, waiting for him to take it further. She was done making the first move. She kissed him first, the ball was in his court.
Sandy felt his groin growing as soon as she straddled him. He couldn't help it. He was completely out of control when it came to her. He wanted to hold her close, wanting to feel her through his jeans. The friction all the clothes were causing was such a turn on. He moved his hands to her ass breaking the kiss for the first time. "God, you have such a great ass." It came out in a whisper because he was so out of breath. In one motion, he got up and carried her up the rest of the steps, his hands not leaving her ass. Her back slammed against the front door of the house and she let out a moan. He pulled away immediately.
"Sorry. You alright?" Sandy always seemed so concerned like he would break her.
"Mmhmm..." She couldn't even formulate words, but a million thoughts were swirling through her mind. He gently put her down as he reached for the knob of the door, forcing her to walk backwards. He turned her around so he could shut the door, their lips never parting. Their kisses became rushed due to the desire burning up between them. Her back was against the door and their tongues were gliding in and out of each other's mouth. Kirsten was ready to remove any and all clothing, but again thoughts of them being together invaded her mind.
As if Sandy was having this silent conversation with her, he started speaking in between all the passion.
"Kirsten, what are we doing?"
His lips moved toward her ear and sucked at her lobe. Kirsten moaned out loud. She couldn't help it. That was her spot. "Is this your idea of being friends?" Kirsten barely got that out. She said it as if she was in pain. She could feel underwear getting wet, soaking through her jeans.
His lips moved down toward her neck as Sandy continued. "We shouldn't be doing this, but I am having trouble here..."
He moved his hand to her breasts. He was done. He couldn't stop it anymore. He loved feeling her nipples harden through her blouse, feeling the sexy lace her bra must be trimmed with.
"Stopping?" She asked. "Yeah, me too. You are so incredibly sexy."
Sandy knew if she started talking dirty not only was not going to be able to stop, but it was going to be over before anything started. He already felt like he was going to explode in his pants, like he was fourteen years old and his penis was being touched by a girl for the first time.
"God, why does this feel so good?" He asked to no one in particular. He knew she didn't have the answers. He continued to play with her breasts and she grabbed him through his jeans. Again, she recognized how big he must be, but as soon as she put her hands there, he pushed them away."
Kirsten pulled back immediately and he recognized that look on her face. It was the same look she had on her face when he dismissed her from his room. He took her hand in his.
"Please, don't do that. I am going to explode. You have got my insides turned upside down. I need a minute to re-coop. I don't even want to know what you are thinking right now."
Kirsten's facial features relaxed as she understood his intentions. He leaned in a kissed her softly, his hands once again moving to her ass. His hands rounded the front of her, rubbing over her pubic bone before sliding lower and rubbing the spot that was experiencing all of the friction earlier. She moaned out load again, losing control and breaking the kiss.
"Sandy..." Kirsten's eyes were closed and she was trying to piece together a normal sounding sentence. "We can't do this." They were still holding each other close. "We just spent the entire evening agreeing that this was a bad idea, but..."
"But here we are. I know we have to stop." He let go of her before she slipped out from underneath his embrace and made her way over to the couch.
"Yes, we definitely have to stop." She sat down and stared at the weed that was still spread all over the table. Thinking that would be a good distraction, she held up the half smoked joint, "Smoke?"
"Yeah, smoke." He put a hand through his hair exhaling, trying to think of the Raiders or the 49ers. Anything sports related to help the swelling in his pants go down.
He sat down next to her, but not too close knowing the trouble that would cause. "Sorry." It was an earnest apology, but Kirsten didn't understand where it was coming from.
"Stop it. You have nothing to be sorry for. We both agreed this whole thing was a bad idea and it was half my fault." She paused thinking about what they just went through. "Although you started it."
He laughed at her knowing comments like that were the reason they were better off as friends. "How the hell are you and I going to be friends? Just friends and nothing more?" He took the joint from her and took one puff.
She exhaled the smoke she was holding in, looked him straight in the eyes and told him exactly what she was thinking. "I have no idea."
The next thing Kirsten knew was that she was getting blinded by sunlight. She opened her eyes realizing she must have fallen asleep. She felt Sandy's arms around her and they were in the spoon position on his couch. She looked down at herself grateful that she was fully dressed. She put two and two together and figured they must have passed out after smoking. She slipped out of Sandy's arms and did what she hated more than anything. She did the walk of shame back to her dorm room.
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