Finding My "Real" Man

The more you know

I head up the stairs and head in the direction of Ryans' room. Standing at the door I holler for her. I would rather not walk in on her naked... "Kat.... Kathleen!" After a minute of now answer I open the door. As I make my way into the room I try again "Gwendolyn Kathleen! Where the hell are you?" That got a response as she throws the bathroom door open "Bitch don't call me that! I'm here. Now what's your problem?" I sigh " you didn't answer me! I need to talk to you!"

I move the rest of the way through his room and into the bathroom. Kat is still doing her makeup so I hop on the counter looking down at my hands. She stops what she is doing and looks at me "What's up girl? You look stressed.." I sigh looking at her "Kat something is wrong with me..." She goes back to doing her makeup but looks at me through the mirror. "Why do you think something is wrong with you?"

I turn to face her a little better. "I have known him less than 24 hours and... and I'm already imagining taking my close off and wrapping myself around him. That's something I have never done or even thought about doing until right now!" She laughs quietly "damn girl you got it bad." I growl.. "AHHH. I know but I would never usually even go for someone like him!"

She stands up setting her makeup on the counter. "baby girl, that's your problem. You have been looking in all the wrong places. You need a real man. A man like Damon Stone!" I don't know maybe she is right. Damon seems like a good guy but can I see myself with him? "Ah... maybe... hurry up though people are already starting to show up."

Kat nods putting on one more layer of mascara "all done! lets go babe." I look her over. She is wearing similar shorts to mine but of course hers are shorter, and a loose cropped tank top that looks like a sideways flag.

We make our way back downstairs and out to the deck. There are probably about 20 people standing around the yard or sitting by the fire. Making our way to the bar I look the guys over quickly. Ryan is wearing a black Party In the U.S.A. shirt and tan cargo shorts. Damon has a camo hat with an American flag patch on it and a flag sweatshirt and jeans. They look good.

Damon spots us and pours a glass of my lemonade. Kat leans into me whispering "looks like your not the only one who has it bad." I swat her away as we reach the bar Damon hands me the cup. "Here ya go gorgeous." Blushing I give him a wink "thank you, sir." Damon shake his head thinking she is gonna be the death of me. I notice him reach down and adjust himself a little. "what did I tell you about calling me that" he says in a quiet growl. I play innocent "um... sorry I cant seem to remember" He shakes his head muttering under his breath.

Kat and Ryan run off somewhere to enjoy the party leaving poor Damon by himself so I decide to join him.

I walk around the bar to the grill where he is cooking. "Watcha cookin, good lookin?" He chuckles loudly "So I'm good lookin huh?" I shrug "as if you didn't know. I'm sure you have girls throwing themselves at you every night." I get this jealous feeling building inside me just saying that. He clears his throat "and I'm sure you have guys doing the same." I laugh "That would require actually going out." He gives me a strange look, one I cant quite read. "you don't go out?" I shake my head "no... I mean yeah sometimes but I'm more of a home body. I would much rather chill at home or at a friends place, by a fire, or watching a movie in my comfy clothes. If I am out its usually because Kat is dragging me, sometimes kicking and screaming." I laugh awkwardly. He chuckles again and it sends shivers down my body but also somehow warms me at the same time. "I see. And to answer your original question..." he smirks "burgers and dogs."

I smile up at him "sounds yummy. to bad its not ribs though." He nods "Agreed but it would cost a fortune to feed this many people ribs."

I nod "that's true. Still slightly sad though."

He glances at me before looking back to the grill. "Well... How would you feel about me making you some tomorrow? I have some ribs in the fridge I was gonna make them last night but got called to the bar so I didn't get to."

I stare at him blankly for a moment before shaking my head and asking "wait. You want me to come back tomorrow... and your gonna cook for me?"

He nods his head, looking at me "yeah. I mean its nothing fancy. I'll just cook the ribs and then whatever leftovers there are from tonight. Honestly most people that come to these don't eat much. But yeah, I'll cook for you gorgeous. And who said you had to come back... you could just stay."

I'm not sure how to respond to that so I change the subject. "So... um.. you said you got called to the bar. Do you work there?"

"I guess you could say that. I mean its my place." He says shrugging.

"You mean like you own it?" He smiles "Yep."

I pull myself up on the counter next to him. I really wanna know more about him. "So not to sound rude but you said your 28... How do you afford all of this? I mean the bar, the house and land, all the stuff out here? Not to mention all the parties... Sorry you don't have to tell me. Its none of my business I was just curious..." I trail off now feeling like I over stepped.

He gives me a small smile. "No its ok. You did say you wanted to know me better." He laughs lightly. "My dad was the last of the Stone line other than me. And my mom took off when I was little. My dad passed a few years back and left me a pretty large inheritance. I didn't even know he had that kinda money. I didn't want to be stupid with it so I bought this place first and have been adding the stuff back here and doing some updates. Then the bar and a motorcycle shop downtown. I don't have much to do with the bar other than payroll and the occasional issues that come with a place like that. I work about 4 days a week at the shop though."

I honestly cant believe how much he just shared with me. "I am really sorry to hear about your dad. But if you have all that why do you even work?"

He gives me a small smile "Thank you and your right I don't really need to. But I don't really use the rest of the money from my dad. I live off what I make from my businesses. I figure what's left from my dad will go towards my kids collage if I have a family and whatever is left after that they will get when I'm gone. Besides I like to work. I mean sure there are days I don't work but it keeps me busy. I do take a week or two off, here and there though.

I give him a big, genuine smile. "I really like that about you. It not something you have to do but you want to. It shows you have your priorities straight. At least for the most part from what I can tell." He nods "yeah I like to think I do anyway. Well looks like foods done gorgeous."

I nod hopping down off the counter. "Alright I'm gonna go find Kat. we will be back in a few for food. I'm starving. Oh! Can I have that one though!?" I point at a jalapeno cheddar burger on the edge of the grill that's a little more done than the others. It looks so good! He smiles "Anything you want babe." I give him a questioning look. "Babe? Are you trying to stake you claim or something?"

He gives me a cocky grin "Maybe... Would that be so bad?" I blush turning around quickly "I'm gonna go find Kat!" I say rushing off. He hollers out after me "You didn't answer my question gorgeous!'

I ignore him and keep walking. Where the hell is that woman? I really need her. I am freaking out!