[Hearts of Palomino 01.0] Love Is Eternal Read online

  “Did you see his eyes? He loved the car!” she said, as she backed out.

  “I saw his eyes and it was more than the car,” I said, then burst out into a fit of laughter.

  ***

  A half-hour later we pulled off a small dirt road and a few miles down it came to a small parking area. Getting out of the car, we walked ahead a few steps. You could see for miles, the mountain peaks running forever. Below us was an angled drop off which made me feel nauseated. I was glad there was a wooden beam fence.

  “Wow, it’s beautiful here,” I said.

  “It is,” she said. “Come on with me,” She took my hand and we walked along a smooth dirt path and made our way to a rock that rested to the side that was about three feet high and five feet wide.

  As we sat on it, the tall trees around us provided shade from the sun, and we looked across the expansive valley. Rows and rows of conifers decorated the landscape.

  “I'm really glad you’re back,” I said, turning toward her.

  “Me too. But it’s good to be home.”

  “I missed you a lot. And yeah…” I blushed. She looked at me and I saw the longing in her eyes that reflected my own.

  “I want to share something with you,” she said, her voice a little serious.

  “Sure, of course, you can tell me anything.” I meant it too. She could reveal anything to me, and I would do whatever I could and not judge her in any way.

  She smiled, running her hand through her hair. “It’s why I'm telling you. I feel like I’ve known you my whole life.”

  I nodded, feeling the same way but remaining quiet.

  “So, I haven't been in a relationship for quite a few years. Before that…well, her name was Debbie and we had talked about getting married.” She looked out across the valley. “Sorry, give me a minute. This is hard.”

  “Take your time,” I said. For a minute we sat there looking out, not saying a word. Nature around us, not a single noise from person nor machine could be heard.

  “She left me. I mean it ended fast the relationship, you know? And it hurt so bad. It took me a year to get over it. And I guess what I'm saying is I really like you, Julie, and I want to start something new, something fresh, but I'm…scared.” She turned toward me, her eyes red as tears welled up in them. My heart broke for her. Though my previous relationship wasn't great, it was obviously nowhere the level hers was.

  “Thank you for sharing that with me,” I said. “I couldn't imagine the pain you went through. I really like you too,”

  She sniffled and rubbed her eye.

  “It’s all right to be scared,” I said. “And you know what? We can take it slow. There’s no rush. One step at a time and I’ll be here the whole way. I don't want to go anywhere else.”

  “I don't either. I want to be with you. Promise me you won’t leave me?” she said, her eyes watering, her face looking panicked.

  I took her hands in mine. “I promise I will never leave you,” I said, looking into her eyes, my heart longing.

  She started crying, and wrapping my arms around her, I held her. I rubbed her back, and a few minutes later she pulled away, wiping at her eyes, as I did mine.

  “Thanks, and sorry for the day going like this,” she said.

  I smiled at her. “No, it’s absolutely perfect. And I got a girlfriend out of it.” I smiled at her.

  Veronica laughed, and then after another hug, we sat there holding hands for the next hour, just enjoying being in each other’s company.

  ***

  We drove back later on, grabbing a quick bite to eat on the way and then pulled into my apartment parking lot. Turning the car off, Veronica turned to me.

  “So, I have to go into work tomorrow just for a few hours and then I have at least a week off. If you’re not busy…”

  “I have three weeks off, so, yeah, definitely.” I took her hand. “And you better go, you look exhausted.”

  “Yeah, I am. I need to pass out, but let me at least walk you to your door.”

  “OK.” I got out of the car, and taking her hand in mine, we walked up to my door. I turned to her and looked into her eyes. Though she was taller than me even without the heels, I loved how she stood over me.

  “So, see you tomorrow then?” she said, her arms coming around my back, her hands holding onto my lower back.

  “Yeah,” I said as her soft lips came to mine. Our lips danced together, and then my tongue went into her mouth, finding hers. For the next few minutes, we kissed, holding each other outside the door. Time stood still for us, as though it recognized and respected a new relationship what was being formed.

  “All right,” she said as we broke the kiss, “I’ll call you tomorrow.” She sounded as breathless as I felt.

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  I watched as she walked away, her heels clicking on the pavement. Smiling and feeling better than I had in a long time, I went in and decided to call it an early night as well.

  Chapter Eleven

  The following week we went roller skating one day, spent another watching movies and a third at the swimming pool. Every moment with her was perfect, the bond between each other growing. We were in the pool again, nearer the shallow end, and Veronica had her hands around me.

  “You have the cutest butt,” she said, the squeezed it.

  “Well, yours is quite the hand and eyeful,” I said, and then grabbed hers. We both laughed before swimming out to the deeper end.

  “Oh, this is awesome,” she said as she floated on her back. “I don't want to go back to work Monday.” It was Saturday afternoon and I couldn't believe how fast the last eight days had gone.

  “Yeah, me neither. I might just come in and see you instead.”

  “I would love that,” she said, then splashed me.

  “What was that for?” I said, wiping the water from my eye.

  “I don't know, I was just in the mood,” she said, then bit her lip. She drove me crazy when she did that. It turned me on and I wanted to just drag her to my room. But instead, we sat there and talked for another ten minutes.

  “You know, you’re not just my girlfriend,” I said. “You’re my best friend.”

  “I feel the same.”

  “Oh, hey!” I yelled out, waving my hand.

  “What?” Veronica said, turning her head. “Who you talking to?” She looked back at me right as I made a big splash of water cover her face.

  “Oh, what the…why?” she said laughing.

  “I don't know. I was just in the mood!” I said, swimming away.

  ***

  I let Veronica go in and use my shower first, then when she was done, I went in and rinsed off. We talked about grabbing something to eat. I had cooked the last four days, and something easy on a Saturday night sounded just right.

  Wrapping the towel around me, I headed into my bedroom. Veronica stood there, a towel wrapped around her body and the phone to her ear.

  She smiled at me, raising a finger up.

  “All right, Doug, see you Monday. Yep, you too…OK bye,” she said hanging the phone up. “Sorry about that.” She smiled. “That was the store manager.” I felt my breath becoming short as I let my eyes roam over her body.

  “What?” she said, shifting a little where she stood by the bed.

  I didn't answer. Instead I walked over to her, and our lips met. The kiss we shared was hard, passion running between us.

  “Is this too fast?” I asked.

  “No,” she whispered.

  I pulled at my own towel, letting it drop as her eyes ran down my body. Reaching for hers, it fell as I soaked in her body as well. Her full breasts were perfect, standing proudly topped off with two light pink nipples that were swollen, begging to be touched with my lips.

  Her waist was narrow, her hips full leading to a very smooth area between her legs that I would shower with kisses as well.

  Going to the bed together and laying out, I kissed her lips, then the bottom of her chin.

&nbs
p; “Julie…” she moaned as my lips trailed over the smooth skin of her throat, my tongue trailing behind in its wake.

  My hand found her breast, and kissing over it, I let my tongue flicker against her hard nipple, her body writhing beneath me.

  Her hands came to me, touching, nails slowly raking over me as I took her hard nub between my lips. Gently sucking it between my lips, she moaned as my hand ran down her flat stomach, then stopped between her legs.

  “You are beautiful,” I whispered, giving her a light kiss.

  “I'm so hot for you,” she said, her voice weak with desire.

  I kissed her again as I gently traced across her labia with my finger. Looking into her eyes, I let my finger slide into her gently as I moved back up her body, a moan escaping her lips that I sealed with a kiss.

  Our tongues came together as my finger gently moved inside her, her hips pushing against me, her eyes searching mine as we explored each other.

  I bit her bottom lip, then trailed my lips down her body, leaving a path of small butterfly kisses, my finger still working in and out of her as my mouth explored the landscape of her body. I inhaled, her womanly scent arousing, and removing my finger, I leaned in and planted a gentle kiss. She moaned, bringing a smile to my face as I planted another one.

  “Yess,” she cooed, her hands gently moving through my hair. I planted another kiss, then used my tongue to tease, her body moving in pace with my own. As my tempo increased, so did her writhing, until she cried out, the mattress shaking as she orgasmed.

  Later, as we lay in bed together, we held each other, smiles on both of our faces.

  “That was beautiful,” Veronica said, giving me a kiss.

  My stomach grumbled. “Sorry!” I said, and we both laughed.

  “All right, let’s get dressed and grab some food,” I said, getting off the bed and going to my dresser.

  “Deal. I could use some grub.”

  We quickly dressed, both of us wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I grabbed my phone and took a selfie of us both.

  “Now, one more,” Veronica said, “with a silly face this time.”

  We both stuck out our tongues and crossed our eyes.

  “Perfect!” I said, then we both laughed when we looked at it.

  “OK, I’m sending it to you…there,” I said, and she opened her phone. A moment later, she showed me the screen.

  “Screensaver,” she said, and we laughed as we walked into the living room. My phone went off and it was a text from Travis.

  “Alice is on video chat. You can say hi if you want,” it said.

  “Hey, mind if we go over to Travis’s for a moment? Alice is on video conference. We can say a quick hello.”

  “Of course,” she said. “I’ve been wanting to see the woman he’s always talking about.”

  “Like I said, she is sweet, and well, you’ll see.”

  Locking up the door, we went across to his door. Tapping on it, he yelled out, “Come in!”

  When we opened the door, Travis said, “Hey stranger!” He gave Veronica a hug as I sat down and started talking to Alice. A minute later Veronica walked up, her hand rubbing my shoulder.

  “So, Alice, I want you to meet my girlfriend, Veronica,” I said, my face beaming as Veronica leaned over so she was within the screenshot.

  “Hey, Alice! Wow! You’re gorgeous!”

  “I was about to say the same!” Alice said, and they both laughed. They talked for a few minutes, with me joining in. She looked to the side for a moment, then back to us.

  “OK, Travis, love you! I’ll call you soon…and see you soon! Home for Christmas!” she said, then squealed.

  “Love you too!” Travis said, and then a moment later the screen went dark.

  Veronica stretched, then stifled a yawn. “Travis, she is absolutely stunning. That girl should be a model.”

  “Yeah, she can be anything she wants. Beauty, brains, she’s got it all,” he said.

  I stood up and went to Veronica, taking her hand in mine.

  “Now, look at you two,” he said, grinning. “You’re made for each other.”

  “You think so?” I said, looking at him.

  “Oh, yeah. Those smiles, I see a future in it.”

  Looking up at Veronica, I realized he was right. There was a future in it.

  ***

  The next few weeks flew by. Veronica returned to work and I eventually went back to school. Once or twice a week she would come by and stay the night. She hadn't invited me over to her place just yet, but I thought it was best not to ask and let her invite me when she was ready. When we couldn't see each other, when we were both busy, we would just talk on the phone. But each time we saw each other, I felt something inside me grow stronger. A seed planted long before was taking root. And it was crazy, I had never felt this way before. Sometimes it was pure giddiness and other times it was just a yearning for her. Though we were a couple, it wasn't enough. I wanted to be able to peer into her soul and take away any pain she might have. And have her do the same for me.

  And just thinking about being in her embrace made the feelings grow stronger.

  It was now the middle of September and I waited outside with Travis for Veronica to pick us up. We were going roller skating and Veronica suggested he come along.

  “Hey, do me a favor,” I said looking up at him. It had grown a bit cold the last few days and I was thankful I wore a long-sleeved shirt.

  “Yeah, what’s that?” he said.

  “I don't skate very well, so don't make fun of me.”

  “I wouldn't do that,” he said, a grin on his face as Veronica pulled up, the engine revving.

  An hour later our skates were on, and we all headed out to the rink. Veronica held my arm as I stepped onto the rink from the carpet, my legs wobbly.

  “You got it?” she said.

  “Yeah, no problem.” Although I might have lied just a little.

  The music was playing and the multicolored lights above us were flashing green, blue, red, and purple across the floor.

  “You know, purple really suits you,” I said to Veronica as Travis skated ahead of us.

  “Thanks. It’s my favorite color.”

  I knew it was and that her favorite number was nine. And that a particular horror comedy with zombies that came out in 1985 was her favorite movie. There wasn't a thing I felt I didn't know, and if there was something I didn’t know, I wanted to learn about it.

  “Wow! Look at him go!” she said as Travis raced around the corner.

  I didn't see him at first, then saw his hat as he broke through a crowd of people, his speed insane.

  “He’s going to crash!” I said as he headed toward a couple and then at the last second, broke to the right and seemed to gain even more speed.

  “Hey, I'll be right back!” Veronica said.

  “Don't leave me!” I said, then laughed as she took off. She and Travis grabbed each other’s hand and took off together, going around the rink at breakneck speed. I looked over my shoulder and saw their arms outstretched, hands locked as they came right at me.

  “Whoa!” I yelled, bringing my arms up to cover my face as they raised theirs at the last moment and flew past me.

  I skated around and a few minutes later they came up to me, one on each side.

  “You OK?” Veronica said, putting her arm around me.

  “No, you scared me.” I pretended to be upset.

  “Aww, I’m sorry, honey,” she said, then kissed me. “Is that better?”

  “Almost.”

  She kissed me again, her tongue teasing mine. “Well?”

  “Much better,” I said, a smile on my face.

  We spent the next twenty minutes on the floor, then decided to head back up and take a quick break.

  “You ladies want some drinks?” Travis said.

  “Yeah, and some nachos,” I said, flashing him a smile.

  “You got it,” he said, then skated off.

  Veronica took my hands in hers
, our arms outstretched as we sat across from each other in a booth by a half-wall that separated the eating area from the rink.

  “You know, this has been fun. We have to hang out with Travis more,” Veronica said.

  I laughed. “Getting sick of me already?”

  She laughed. “Yeah, right! But come on, he is funny and a joy to be around, isn't he?”

  I looked over at the concession stand. He was coming back, a tray with drinks and food on it in his hands.

  “He is, like a brother I always wanted,” I said.

  “Yeah, defiantly.”

  “All right, three colas and three nachos, jalapenos,” he said, passing out the food and drinks and then taking a seat next to me.

  “Are you moving in on my woman?” Veronica said, her eyes narrowing in at him.

  Travis leaned in, matching her stare.

  “Yes ma’am, I most certainly am,” he said, and we all laughed.

  We ended up back on the floor thirty minutes later as a slow song started to play.

  “May I have this dance?” Veronica said with a bow.

  I smiled. “I guess, but don’t tell my girlfriend. She will get jealous.” I said

  “Honey, when I'm done with you, you won’t remember her,” she said, pulling me in at the same time, skating backwards.

  “Wait, you can’t see where you’re going!” I said as she laughed, then pulled me around.

  “Now you guide us,” she said. I turned my head to the side, then looked back to her. “The wall!”

  Veronica smiled, swinging me around and pulling me close to her. Her hands came to my hips as she looked down into my eyes.

  “You have to trust me,” she said. “I won’t let you get hurt.”

  “I do trust you,” I whispered and then we kissed.

  The song ended, and deciding to call it a night, we headed back and put our shoes back on. Grabbing our skates, the three of us headed up to the cashier, an older woman who seemed to be smitten with Travis.

  “Thanks for coming by, cowboy,” she said, her voice purring, then smiled at him.

  “You’re welcome,” Travis replied with a tip of his hat, oblivious to her flirting. “It was fun,”

  “Are you a real cowboy?” she said, leaning onto the counter so her shirt fell open and giving him an eyeful, which he didn't catch.