"May I help you?"
I approached the owner of the blue jean clad legs that were currently blocking aisle 20 of Target. His cowboy hat was on the floor beside him, his head was buried between the shelves filled with boxes of Miss Clairol, and he was obviously searching for something.
I didn't mean to startle him, but he jumped as I spoke, smacking his head on the shelf above him. I winced at the stream of muffled curses that flowed from his ... lips. His gorgeous lips. And his eyes ... I could easily get lost in their emerald depths... He had emerged to face me and I was speechless. Watching him rub the bump on his head I wanted nothing more than to take him in my arms, hold him close and murmur comforting platitudes in his ear. I must have sighed aloud, because the next thing I knew, *he* was speaking to *me*.
"Miss? Hello?"
I blushed as he snapped his fingers in front of my face to get my attention.
Blushing again, I cleared my throat. "Can I help you find something?"
It was his turn to sigh. "I'm looking for a color that will match mine, but I don't seem to see the right shade." He turned back to peruse the boxes, and I began to wonder why on earth he needed hair dye. He wasn't old enough to have gray hair ... but then he turned to face me again and I saw it. I winced.
"See what I mean? It's awful, isn't it?"
"But how -"
"A friend. No, make that *ex-friend*, talked me into this last week. He swore it would wash right out, but ...."
"And now you're stuck with bright red highlights." I grinned.
"*Auburn*. I swear, the bottle said *soft auburn*. It really sucks."
I couldn't help it, I giggled.
"Sure. Laugh at a perfect stranger when he's down." He tried to sound stern, but I could see his eyes crinkle and the corners of his mouth turn up slightly. Rising to his full height, he picked up the Stetson from the floor and plopped it on his head, hiding the garish highlights. "So, can you help me? Please???"
"I'd love to," in more ways than one, I thought to myself, "but the color you need is out of stock." I could see him beginning to panic and added, "But the truck is due here in the morning. I could hold it for you ..."
"Would you? That would be great!" He actually gushed with gratitude. "I can call you in the morning. I'll ask for ... what *is* your name?" He glanced at my chest, searching for the Target Team Member name tag I'd inadvertantly left at home.
"Karla .... with a *k*." Oh great. How junior high did *that* sound?
"Well, nice to meet you *Karla with a k*." He grinned, holding out his hand to shake mine. "Kevin... also with a *k*."
Drop dead gorgeous with a sense of humor too?! I'd died and gone to heaven.
"I come in at 10, just call the main number and ask for me."
"You got it, Karla. Talk to you then!"
And he was off, striding out of the store and into the sunset ...
Geez, girl, get hold of yourself. If I didn't knock it off and get back to work, I'd soon be laspsing into Miss Kitty and Matt Dillon fantasies.
The rest of the day dragged by, dragging the endless evening along for the ride. Finally it was quitting time and I made my way home, settling for a cheeseburger in the car and dreaming of a long hot bath and bed.
**********************
"Karla, I can't thank you enough. I really appreciate this."
"Stop it, Kevin, it's all part of my job." *Liar* the little voice in my head screamed. "Now, do you need anything else?"
He leveled an intense look at me and I nearly melted. I could almost hear his thoughts and they had no place being thought in the middle of a family store like Target.
"I don't think so," he finally answered. "As long as I follow the directions I should be fine." He peered at the back of the box, concentrating on the fine print.
"Well, ok then. Do you have gloves?"
"Gloves? Ummm, no, I don't think so." He frowned in concentration.
I crossed my arms in front of my chest and gave him a stern look. "You've never done this before have you?"
"No, I told you - my friend did this to me." Swiping a hand through his hair, he pushed it back away from his face. And then he smiled at me.
Damn that sexy grin of his.
"You wouldn't wanta help me out here, would you?" he asked innocently.
"Maybe," I bantered.
"Here's the deal. I cook you a fabulous dinner and then you can help me get rid of this flaming red embarassment. Sound good?"
"Sure. What time and where?"
*********
I'd be a fool not to take him up on his offer, and so it was that at 7:30 that evening I found myself standing barefoot in Kevin's kitchen, chopping veggies for a salad as he turned the steaks out back on the grill.
I was humming a nondescript melody as I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist and warm breath ruffle my hair. I shivered at the unexpected contact.
"Cold?" he whispered.
"No." Just the opposite. "Salad's ready." I evaded his grasp and carried the bowl out to the deck.
Dinner was a quiet affair, broken only by the occasional question and answer session regarding my personal life. You know, the usual: where are you from? how long have you lived here? do you want to spend the rest of your life working at Target????
We caught up on each others' lives and I finally heard his version of the hair coloring incident. I was lauging so hard I could barely help stack the dishwasher.
"C'mon." Pulling be behind him, he headed up the stairs.
"Ummm ... Kev???"
"Time to fix my hair, Karla. Make a new man out of me." His voice deepened and I began to sweat.
He had everything we'd need all laid out on the vanity in the master bathroom. And oh, my, *what* a bathroom. Very yummy. I almost giggled again, but I knew it was nerves taking over and caught myself just in time.
I proceeded to mix up just the right concoction. I pulled on my gloves and looked up just in time to see him pull his tank top over his head and toss it in the corner.
"Where do you want me?" he asked.
On the floor. Now. "Umm, over here on the stool. I think it's low enough that I can see what I'm doing."
"This ok?"
"Umm ... yeah." I was definitely having trouble breathing. "Umm ... tip your head just a bit ... ok, that's good." I carefully combed the chemicals through his hair, trying my best to seek out all of the red. Moving to the right, I tripped over his foot. I would have landed on my butt, but he caught me around the waist and pulled me between his knees. Geez, his nose was pressed between my breasts and breathing was no longer a viable function of my body.
"Thanks," I squeaked.
"Any time," he murmured in that low, sexy voice of his.
"Fifteen minutes. Then we can wash it out." I needed to put some space between us, so I reached for the kitchen timer we'd brought upstairs. Setting it for the proper amount of time, I began to look around. "Kevin, this is amazing."
"Thank you. I don't get to spend a whole lot of time here, so I like to have all of my favorite things nearby."
His bedroom was darkly masculine and reflected him perfectly. The dark wood was accented by emerald green linens that I was sure must match his eyes. The massive bed was the center of attention and my mind began to imagine all sorts of delicious scenarios.
"We could try it out later if you want," he whispered in my ear.
I was very close to answering him when I realized he was smiling at me. I blushed yet again just as the timer rang.
"C'mon, let's get you cleaned up."
What a fiasco. He was tall, too tall to bend comfortably over the sink, and I think I got more water on the floor than I did his hair.
"Hold still!" I laughed as he squirmed every which way but the right one, more water than before soaking the front of his jeans. "I give up. Kevin, I can't even tell if I got it all rinsed out. Into the shower with you. I'm going downstairs to pour us a drink. C'mon down when you're ready."
"I'm ready now." He caught my hand as I turned to go, and I could see the want in his eyes.
I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find my voice.
"You might have missed a spot. Stay and help me."
I was powerless to move. Turning on the shower, he carefully adjusted the temperature as I stood transfixed.
"Karla?" He took my face in his hands, looking deeply into my eyes. "Please?"
I nodded my head and he smiled the sweetest smile. His hands moved down my arms to grasp the hem of my t-shirt, and he pulled it over my head. I had worn no bra, and his eyes darkened as he looked at my breasts. Tenderly he touched me, his fingers tracing their shape before cupping them in his palms. I swayed against him as he held me, his thumbs brushing over my erect nipples.
I whimpered as he dropped to his knees and licked me. Oh my sweet lord, he touched his tongue to one pebbled tip and I was lost. I threaded my fingers through his damp hair and held him even closer.
"You like that?" he asked, pulling gently with his teeth, then soothing the ache with his tongue.
"Mmm ... more," I croaked, and he complied and I was in heaven.
"Sweet. You're so sweet," he whispered against my skin.
Steam from the shower was casting a dreamlike haze over the room as he rose to his feet and pressed his mouth to mine. His lips moved softly over mine as his tongue teased the edge of my lips seeking entry. His hands moved over my back to my bottom and he pulled my pelvis against his, his erection evident beneath the denim. I gasped as he made contact with my heated center and he pushed his tongue in my mouth, stroking my own and driving me wild.
He tasted so damn good and I had to have more. My hands reached for the snap at his waist, accidentally brushing his fly. He jumped against my hand, and I did it again. On purpose. I pressed a hand to the bulge beneath the zipper and I could feel him swell even more. I had to see him.
Popping the snap, I carefully pulled the zipper open and pressed my hand inside the fabric. And met hot, hard flesh. No boxers?!
I pulled back from his kiss, looking him in the eyes. He grinned at me and shrugged his shoulders.
"Wicked, Kevin, absolutely wicked." My hand reached in further, stroking him, teasing him.
Pushing his jeans over his hips, he stepped out of them and kicked them out of the way. He pushed himself into my hand and I grasped his erection firmly as it stood proudly at attention. Reaching between his legs I cupped his balls in my other hand and felt them tighten as he neared release.
I would have brought him to orgasm, but he pushed me away, shaking his head.
"Too soon. Take those off, Karla, I don't think I can do it."
I hastily stepped out of my leggings and they joined his pile of clothing in the corner. Following him onto the shower, we stepped under the heated spray. It was divine. The heat and tingle of the water only heightened our arousal.
I poured shampoo into my hand and reached for his hair. He bent forward and I ran my fingers through his hair, the bubbles cascading over his chest. I worked my fingertips over his scalp, and damn it was erotic.
"Time to rinse." I spun him around, pushing his head under the spray. As the suds ran down his lean body, I reached for a bar of soap. Lathering my hands I reached around him. I spread my soapy fingers across his chest, stroking his smooth skin. I moved around to his back, kneading the muscles of his shoulders and upper arms. Pressing my body against his back my hands reached around him and he tensed.
"Karla ..."
"Hmm?" My soapy hand reached its destination. I found his erection and my slick hand stroked him, up and down, steadily, firmly. He groaned, leaning back against me and trembling. I knew it wouldn't be long and I wanted this; I wanted to make him lose control for me. It was not to be.
Spinning around, he caught me in his arms as I lost my balance. "Not without you. I'm not going alone."
He pressed my back against the wall and licked my ear. I shuddered as he whispered in my ear, all the naughty things he wanted to do to me, and then his fingers were between my legs slipping in the heated moisture that had nothing whatsoever to do with the shower.
"God, Karla-" His fingers parted the fleshy folds and gently circled my pleasure point. He slipped two fingers inside me as his thumb worked its magic. I was quickly losing the battle.
"Kev-" I whimpered as he stroked me and I could feel my climax begin. "Kevin? Please ..."
"C'mon, baby, just a little more. Hold on."
I was there. I began to spasm around his fingers and he lifted me just enough to pin me against the wall. My orgasm broke and he entered me, the sensation incredible. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he thrust into me time and again, faster and faster.
I could feel him tremble and knew it was time. "Do it, Kevin, come for me."
And he did. Pushing into me one last time, he came, pulsing within me, his seed spilling over our thighs to mix with the suds at our feet. He held me as long as he could, until finally he softened and slipped out of my body.
The water began to cool, and I felt him trying to hold back laughter.
"Kevin, you know, normally, laughter immediately after mind-blowing sex is not a good thing."
"Sorry, baby, I just had the most twisted thought."
"Do I even want to know?" Probably not, I mused.
"I just realized what a great Blue Light Special you'd be."
"Kevin! That's awful! Besides, it's the wrong store."
"Well, ok. Then what about the little yellow smiley-face guy that whistles ..."
"You're incorrigible. Here." I handed him a towel as I sauntered off to the bedroom. "Follow me. I understand there's a *special* tonight on aisle 9."
Dropping the towel, he joined me in bed.
5-12-01