Club Endless Fantasy

“I’m happy to help.” Ian stood up from his seat. “I told you not to put the tree up anyway until I came for my next visit.”

“We can still put up our own tree.” Ian’s grandfather laughed. “We just don’t put any ornaments higher than our shoulders.”

“Elly would you like to help us with that?” Ian’s grandmother looked towards me. “We have a whole box that we weren’t able to get to.”

“Um.” I looked down at the floor. “Yeah, I suppose I could put a few ornaments on the tree.”

I guess it would be rude to say no…

Ian placed the angel on the top of the tree, and I hung some ornaments in the empty area beneath it, which was almost completely bare. Ian’s grandparents had done a very good job of decorating the rest of the tree on their own. Ian helped me place the last few ornaments, and then we added another string of lights to cover that area. I took a step back and stared at the tree once we were done.

Almost everything that was hanging on the tree was very unique except for a few traditional red and gold ball ornaments. I could tell that several of the more unique ornaments were handcrafted by children. They looked like the ones I used to have to make in elementary school—there was a time when mine were proudly displayed on a tree as well. I had no idea who got custody of my arts and crafts in the divorce, but they hadn’t been hung on a tree since the last one my parents put up together.

“Thank you.” Ian’s grandmother walked up and put her head on his shoulder. “It finally looks like Christmas.”

I remember when I used to get that feeling—but that was a really long time ago…

Ian and I visited with his grandparents for almost two hours before the news went off—that seemed to be a sign that it was time for them to go to bed. I got a hug from his grandmother when I arrived, but I got a hug from both of them when we said goodnight. Ian’s grandfather wouldn’t let us leave without one more joke—a pun about pigs that do karate being called pork chops. I did laugh, even if it was cornier than the ones Ian normally told me.

“So that’s who you steal all your jokes from.” I gave Ian a side-eyed glance when we started walking towards the car.

“He’s got seventy years of material.” Ian shrugged. “There’s no reason for me to come up with my own when I’ve got an arsenal like that in my back pocket.”

“Your grandparents are sweet.” I smiled and nodded. “It was really nice to meet them.”

“And?” Ian stopped at the end of the hallway. “Did it change your perspective a little bit?”

“I don’t know if I would go that far.” I looked up at him. “I know it’s possible for two people to have a relationship that can stand the test of time, but that doesn’t mean they all will…”

What if this one could? What if I’m just being stubborn when the most amazing guy in the world is practically begging me to give him a chance…

“But what if it does?” He took my hand. “Some risks are worth taking.”

Maybe they are…

“You have to take them first…” Our eyes met, and I felt my pulse start to race.

“I’m going to take one right now.” He pulled me close, and his lips immediately crushed mine.

My heart told me it was foolish to hold onto the past when the future was still unwritten. Ian’s kiss gave me a glimpse of what it could be like—in an instant, my concerns withered, and our lips seared together. Emotions that I had forced myself to ignore began to surge through my body, and I melted into his firm embrace. It felt so good to be in his arms—to feel wanted—to feel my desires melding with his. Ian was a risk that I was going to take because the other side of dread and apprehension was filled with possibilities; I would never experience in the lonely world I created. His kiss pushed my fears to the back of my mind, and the only thing I could focus on was the moment we were in.

“Will you take this risk with me?” Ian’s took a deep breath as our lips parted.

“Yes.” I gasped for air—nodded—and kissed him again.

Ian’s tongue ravaged my mouth, and then it intertwined with mine. It was hot, passionate, and beautiful at the same time. One of his hands moved down to my ass and squeezed it through my dress while his other one moved up my back. My desires began to demand more than a kiss—I wanted to feel his hands on my skin—I wanted to feel to the fury that could turn the fire burning between us into a raging inferno. I could taste the same hunger on his breath—the same need radiating from his touch. When our lips parted for the second time, I didn’t want him to take me home—unless he was going to stay the night.

“It’s getting late.” Ian looked down and exhaled sharply. “We should probably call it a night…”

No, that’s not what I want…

“Are you sure?” I felt the need burning in my eyes—he had to see it. “Is that what you really want?”

“No.” He let his hands fall away. “But I think we should take this slow—it’s new for both of us.”

“You’re probably right.” I looked down and nodded.

He is—even if I’m ready to jump in with both feet.