Once Bitten, Twice Shy

To Be With You

Eddie stayed at the gas station until it was time for Beth to leave. She explained that her neighbor had called the police, who walked into her house as Joe lunged at her with a knife and almost stabbed her. He was in jail, awaiting trial for attempted murder. "Are you getting divorced?", Eddie wondered aloud. Beth laughed. "No, we were ever actually married. He loved to call me his wife, but he never wanted to make it official." Eddie's heart thumped in his chest. There was a chance.

  "Can I take you out sometime?", he asked, brushing her hair behind her ear and holding steady on her shoulder. "I don't think that's a great idea," she stuttered, "I, uh... I've heard you have a good job now and you're really getting your life together. I'm proud of you. But you deserve an exciting life that you choose. I have too much bullshit. It's not fair."

  He kissed her forehead and cleared his throat. "I am choosing you. Whether you like it or not. I think from the way you died in that cooler, you might like me. Just a little." She blushed and snickered, remembering how her body gave out as he pleased her. It was beyond perfect. It felt like their bodies were supposed to do this together.

  "Look, kid, you can take me on a date. But it'll have to be today since my son his with his dad. Or you can come over to my place and get stoned with me all day." Eddie was shaking his head, hands on his hips. "Nah, we're going to do this like a real date. I'll pick you up, say 6:30? And we're going to eat a nice meal. Maybe catch a movie."

Beth rolled her eyes, but gave in. Part of her was a little excited about the possibility of getting to actually know the guy she was irresponsibly already falling for. He had a reputation, so she had heard plenty about him, but she wanted to really know him. "Don't get any ideas. I don't put out on the first date." She wrapped her fingers in his and placed soft kissed on each of his rings.

"Of course not, m'lady", Eddie bowed to her and kissed the top of her hand that was tangled up in his. She blushed, curtsied, and pulled him back to standing. Her nose buried in his chest, she danced him around the store, letting herself relax into his arms. She was terrified of how easy it would be to ruin this kid's life. Beth never wanted to be a burden to anyone, let alone a guy who had his whole life still in front of him. The way his lips felt on hers was something she'd never felt, and she'd felt a lot of lips.

  When Newman showed up the store was spotless. Eddie had issues keeping his own space clean, but if it was for someone else, especially Beth, it was as easy as pie. "Glad you let the kid help you out, you deserve a break," Newman said as he flipped the sign on the door to OPEN. He waved to the two of them as they left in their separate vehicles. Beth was blasting All Revved Up by Meat Loaf, drumming her palms against her steering wheel and swaying her shoulders around to the smooth saxophone.

Eddie stared at her, adoring her, wanting to wrap her up and keep her safe forever. He was due in at work in two hours, and he was completely depleted from their night of making love and catching up. He followed her home and made sure she got into her house safely. He waved and honked a farewell as he drove himself back to the trailer to find something to keep him awake at work.

Speed, a bump of powder, and a pot of coffee later, Eddie was dressed for work and smoking a cigarette as he clocked in. Next to the time clock there was a bulletin board full of reminders, flyers, and job openings. The newest on the top of the mess was advertising a position as a third shift store manager. Eddie laughed at himself as he pulled his hair into the strangling net they required he wear. "Not in a million years" he chuckled, stifling his momentary consideration of the position.

He went through the motions of his day. Took inventory, met with one of the newer team members about dress code (which was basically to say "this is fucking stupid and I don't care but my boss does"), ate cheese, and chugged a half gallon of chocolate milk. When the deli manager Holly got there she shared a joint and some cold cheese pizza with him. "You look like ball sac", she teased, brushing Eddie's hair back from his eyes.

He brushed away her hand and shook his head. "Don't touch me like that anymore." He was irritated. "I'm not trying to be a dick either. And don't be weird. I know you have a girlfriend. I just, I kind of might, maybe—" he started to blushed knowing what we coming. Holly's eyes lit up. "Shut the fuck up, who?" She was all in his face asking 300 questions.

"I'm not telling you anything about her, except I can't even let myself pretend to flirt anymore after what she did to me last night." He replayed the sound of her crying out to him as he held her against his chest and led her to paradise with his hands around her perfect tits. His eyes glazed over and he stared to drool.

"Eddie Munson, badass playboy, freak in more ways than one, is mesmerized by a girl!?" Holly patted him on the shoulder. "I'm actually relieved." Eddie's face knotted up in amusement and confusion. "Relieved?" He put his hand to his chest, mocking offense. "Did you think I was going to fuck myself to death?" Holly got serious. "I mean, kind of. I'm also relieved your dick stopped working because you're in love and not because your drugs are making you impotent."

His expression became even more wide-eyed and unconvincing. "Does everyone in this shit hole know about that?" Holly reluctantly nodded. "Robin told me she was going to offer to buy you some boner pills or show you how to use a strap on if you didn't turn things around soon." Eddie laughed out loud, his hairnet popping off as he shook. "Fucking A, who's even talking about this? While I am considerably flattered, I also can't believe anyone would admit to touching the dick of the town freak."

Eddie finished his chocolate milk and tossed the jug into the back door dumpster. He and Holly went back into work, desperately trying to waft the scent of weed out of their clothes. Eddie did another bump to get through his shift, and by the time he clocked out he was feeling pretty normal.

Beth stared into the mirror, criticizing every part of herself. Her makeup was fine, she guessed, but what did Eddie see in her? Her hair was down, blown dry but still wavy as it framed her buxom chest. She was sporting a purple velvet and lace bustier that snapped into her thigh high tights, and a black tulle skirt. She was going for Madonna "Like A Virgin" meets Joan Jett.

  All Eddie could think about was making a good impression. Beth deserved a real man, and although he knew he was far from enough for her, he'd be damned if she didn't at least feel comfortable being seen in public with him. Wayne had even gone through the hassle of setting up a reservation at Enzo's in his own name so Eddie didn't have to deal with being rejected.

When he tapped on her door, hiding a bouquet of white roses behind his back, Eddie almost chickened out. The smell of weed smoke and red wine creeped from the kitchen window. "Just a second," she sang, excitement evident in her melodic voice. The door swung open to reveal Beth, red-eyed and all dolled up. Her cleavage looked like it may burst out, breath shaking her chest as she almost hyperventilated at being seen this way.

  Bug-eyed, turned on, and completely melting inside like butter, Eddie struggled to remember what language he spoke. "Good evening," she purred, passing the lit joint. Eddie took a slow, shallow hit and held it in. Beth stood on her tippy toes and opened her lips slightly, begging with her eyes. Her face was so soft and warm against his slim fingers, cool metal rings causing goosebumps to grow across her neck and shoulders. He sealed his lips against hers and exhaled, tongue teasing at her bottom lip. Beth moaned at the sudden contact, more than what she was expecting, and as she pulled back she met his gaze. They were both longing to throw off these stupid clothes and fuck until the sun came up.

  "Af-after you." Eddie reached out his hand to help Beth down the steps. He slid his free hand down to his growing erection, pulling it up into the waistband of his bands. The dress slacks he had on were no good at concealing so much wanting. Eddie opened the door for Beth and held her hand as she climbed into the van. She leaned out of the window and gave him a peck on the forehead that made Eddie's heart beat speed up.

  He caught his breath as he climbed up into his seat.  Beth's hands were folded in her lap and she was staring at the sun heading toward the horizon. "You're breathtaking," he squeaked out, reaching to place his hand on her thigh. She shifted in her seat, letting his hand slide further up until he was suddenly already feeling how wet she was. "No panties?" Eddie raised an eyebrow.