(This is dedicated to my husband who encouraged and "pushed" me to try writing.)
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It's a lonely world when you grow up in a broken home. When your parents can't get along and you are pulled from one home to another during visitation, it's hard to understand what you're supposed to take to heart and learn. How in the world she grew up with a sound mind is more than even she could understand. She tried hard not to have any resentment toward either parent but she didn't receive the attention and, more than anything, the love she required to grow up sane.
Jade was as pretty as the stone β clear, porcelain skin with green eyes and bright red hair and a nicely, proportioned body β even though she always thought that she was too heavy. Because of her mother, especially, making rude comments about her weight, Jade had been programmed to think that she was less than model material.
Because Jade thought that she was not "good enough," she never tried out for things like cheerleader or student council offices. She just fell into the role of "follower" instead of "leader" which satisfied her for a while. She longed for the spotlight β even for just a few minutes.
She joined the University choir and the director was so pleased with her voice that he set her up for voice lessons at no charge. Jade worked hard at the one thing that she was convinced that she was good at. She was so successful that she was granted many solo spots in the choir's programs. Her choir director encouraged and even "pushed" her to stretch herself and try for more difficult music.
Michael Stone, her director, was a handsome man with some gray tinting the hair around his temples. Jade couldn't help but have a crush on him. Despite his premature graying, he really wasn't that much older than Jade. Because of their having to work so closely together, it really wasn't surprising that they bonded so strongly emotionally. Michael tried to be only professional with Jade but he couldn't resist touching her every time he got the chance. He loved to touch her hand and then when he put his hand on her shoulder, he felt her shiver and knew that she felt the same way about him.
One day after a tiring session, Michael offered Jade a glass of iced tea so they just sat and talked out on his patio. Jade couldn't keep from looking into his deep, blue eyes. She always felt as if she were drowning in those pools of blue and could barely breathe for a few minutes. Their chit chat was just that β nothing deep or profound. When she realized that it was time for her to go and study, she gathered her things and he walked her to the door.
"Do you really have to go right now?" Michael asked.
"Well, I have this math test in a day or two and I've always been the kind of person who has to work hard for my good grades. They just don't come easily for me."
"If you want to stay a little longer, I'll help you with your math. You know math and music are kind of related."
"Do you mean it?" Jade asked.
"Of course and I'll even fix us something to eat."
"All right. I don't have anyone that I need to answer to and my roommate is never in anyway."
Michael told Jade to get her books and they'd sit at his desk and see what they needed to study. Jade was ecstatic and could hardly keep her hand from shaking while she was writing because of the closeness of Michael's body. They were soon through with her homework and then they relaxed as he fixed a light supper.
As they ate, anyone could tell that there was definitely chemistry working overtime between these two. Afterward, he showed her to the den and as they sat on his comfortable sofa in front of the roaring fire, it wasn't long before Jade's tired eyes closed in sleep. She fell over on Michael's shoulder and in her sleep, snuggled up to him as he put his arm around her - and then he fell asleep, too.
At about 2 in the morning, Jade began to get a crick in her neck and wanted to change positions. When her eyes opened, she was mortified (and thrilled) to see that she was lying in Michael's arms on the sofa. She couldn't believe it! She had dreamed of this for months but she wanted to pinch herself to see if she were indeed dreaming.
Jade had to change positions because of her neck and when she moved, Michael's eyes fluttered open and he smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. When she looked up into his deep, blue eyes, she melted and snuggled down into his arms. He pulled her closer and kissed her eyes and her face and then her lips. Jade had never had a kiss that was so soft and tender. All the boys that she had dated seemed so rough compared to this gentle man and she was lost in his kiss.
The room seemed filled with colored lights spinning all around the two of them and the outside world just disappeared. Jade had never felt like this in her life. Her body was tingling all over as she wrapped her arms around Michael's neck. When the kiss ended, he looked into her face and her eyes were closed, her lips were still open and her breathing was labored. He had wanted to do that ever since the first time he saw her.
Michael spoke first, "Oh, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done that."
"No, please, don't apologize, and ruin the moment," Jade said as she opened her eyes. "I've never felt that way before and I'd like to do it againβ¦β¦ please."
"Well, if you're sureβ¦β¦β¦β¦..I could get into a lot of trouble if anyone found out that a teacher was kissing his student."
"I'm not going to tell if you don't," Jade said with a twinkle in her eye.
Michael leaned in to Jade and their lips met again - but this time it was deeper and instead of colors, there were stars in Jade's head. She kept her lips pressed to his but crawled up into his lap facing him. She ran her fingers through his hair, straddled his body and Michael's hands rubbed down her back to her butt and held her close to his body. Jade's body shivered from Michael's touch and she just had to giggle.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"There's nothing wrong. I've always wanted this with you but never believed that I could have a chance with you."
"And, My Lovely, I have wanted you since the first time I laid eyes on you. Why did you think that you couldn't have a chance with me? I have done everything but grab you and throw you on my piano!"
"I have been told so many times that I'm fat and that I'm practically useless β¦..so I guess I have begun to believe it."
"Well, I definitely don't think that you're fat or useless and you fit perfectly in my arms. I'd rather have someone soft who will not cut me with her bony hipbones when we make love."
"We're going to make love?"
"Well, that's what I've wanted for months now β¦β¦ but if you don't want to, we'll wait until you're ready."
"Oh, Mr. Stone, just saying the words is getting me excited!"
"Please call me Michaelβ¦β¦β¦.Mr. Stone sounds so formal and we're certainly past that now."
"Errr, Michael, I have to tell youβ¦β¦β¦β¦I've never made love before. I have saved myself for the 'right man' and I think that you are the right man β¦β¦ but I want it to be special."