Strictly In The Bedroom 2

Chapter 5 Decent Enough

M A L L O R Y

“What does Mal stand for?” He asked me as we continued walking together on the hiking trail.

“I did not know we were on that level already.” I answered sarcastically, as I was trying to push away the hotness that I was feeling and that look on his handsome face when he was that close to me while we were still walking together on the hiking trail as I glanced at the map.

He chuckled under his throat before responding, “Well, I guess that is the natural progression of things, isn’t it? After all the times you are popping out into the same places I was, I think it would be decent enough to know.”

I could not help but laugh a bit louder, “Are you accusing me that I have been following you?”

“Are you guilty as charged, my dear?” He was playfully smirking at me.

“Mal is fine.” I insisted, as I found it weird that he was casually calling me dear.

“Are you guilty as charged, my Mal?” He suggested playfully with that dangerous and mischievous grin on his handsome face.

I squinted my eyes at him, trying to suppress my smile from being seen on my face, as he was smirking even more dangerously while I commented sarcastically, “I did not know you wanted to get to that level already.”

He laughed softly under his throat, “Just trying to be a step ahead.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “Do guys your age act this way when you are trying to flirt?”

“Flirt?” He looked smug as he grinned, “I was not even flirting yet.”

“Oh really?” I responded dramatically.

He smiled wider now, “Yes, you think I would even flirt with an auntie?”

My mouth opened at his words and even before I could say anything, “I was kidding!” He laughed handsomely.

“An auntie? You have the audacity to call me an auntie.” I sarcastically told him, rolling my eyes playfully in mock-offense. I knew he was only teasing, but I refused to let him get away with it.

“Well… Truth hurts?” He shrugged his shoulders, smirking playfully at me.

“Hey, watch who you are calling an auntie,” I continued with a sly grin. “Just because I am older than you, does not mean I am old. Besides, you think this auntie would even flirt back with a little boy like you?” I grinned at him.

“Sure, you are not old. You are ancient.” He responded back, smirking and laughing.

My mouth opened in absolute shock, “Ancient?” as I playfully smacked him on his arm while he was laughing a bit louder. I continued to let him know, “Did you mean ageless and beautiful?”

He laughed a bit louder, smiling widely. “I meant ancient as in I was referring to one of those ancient ruins that are slowly rotting away, but I guess some people find that kind of beauty attractive.”

I gasped, not believing what he actually said right now, as he was laughing at my reaction. I responded, “You are such a bully! I am not rotting away. I am like fine wine, only improving with age.”

He chuckled softly, “Okay, okay. You are only like fine wine in the sense that older wine gets more bitter.”

“I am not going to allow you to destroy my self-confidence.” I answered him proudly.

He smiled widely, “I am not. I love your confidence.”

His playful banter caused me to feel one of shocked amusement and mild offense. On the one hand, his playful tease of calling me ancient and comparing me to old ruins just made me chuckle, to be honest. On the other hand, I felt a little insulted by the fact that he was equating my beauty with something that was gradually deteriorating. I took it all in good fun and enjoyed the playful banter between us, though I would not let his words of teasing and annoyance affect my own self-confidence.

“You are not going to get free flirtation just because you like my confidence.” I mocked him.

He smirked as he responded right away, “And who said anything about flirting? I could never date a cougar.”

I scoffed, “If I am such a cougar, then what does that make you? A kitten?” I remarked while smirking at him.

He laughed as I was struck by his laughter and found it very handsome. His deep, hearty laughter caught me off-guard once again, and it filled me with a feeling of happiness and warmth. He was such a charming and attractive man, and his laugh only added to his appeal. I could not help but admire him and found myself getting lost in his light blue eyes as I watched him gleefully laugh at me and what I had said about him being a kitten. The more he teased, the more I was drawn in by his handsome laughter and playful demeanor.

“A kitten? You actually thought of me as cute. That is actually a compliment. You know?” He smiled at me as we continued with the hike.

I was envious of the youthfulness he possessed. Meeting him and spending time with him on this hiking route was like a breath of fresh air; I wish I had been this carefree when I was younger. Seeing a man with such youthful vitality and excitement was a welcome change. Lately, I had been feeling so exhausted and worn out from working so hard at my job, saving money for a marriage under the mistaken impression that I was getting married to Thomas, dealing with the betrayal of my own closest friend since college, and ending my relationship with Thomas after squandering nine years of my life on a man who was only going to cheat on me.

It felt so good to be alone with this stranger— a complete stranger, someone I knew nothing about. My life had been too serious and difficult for far too long; his buoyancy and optimism restored some of the fun and humor in it. He served as a reminder to me of the value of finding happiness and laughter in the little things in life rather than becoming overly consumed by the stresses and strains of daily life.

The age of 35 was not the end of life after losing someone I loved the most, and the other person who mattered to me and I trusted so much. Life moves on, and we have to go with the flow as well, or we would be left behind, and I have to accept every hardship, grief, betrayal, mistake, and undertaking because they will all help me grow as an independent person and learn from my errors so that I do not repeat them.

“But be honest, what does Mal really stand for?” He asked again with that cheerful expression on his face.

“Why would I tell you? I have not even knew your name,”

“I have not? Well, how rude of me.” He extended his hand, as if he was being courteous or probably just to annoy me, “My name is Liz.”

“Liz?” I chirped, finding it too girly for him.

In physical touch, my hand seemed to have looked like it was dwarfed by his rough and big hand. The warmth of his palm was comforting and invigorating, and his touch actually caused my insides to twist and turn especially with the way he was staring at me. My body felt flushed as I shook his hand, while he gripped on mine a bit tight, but not top tightly, and shockingly I felt this sudden sense of connection. The more I held his hand, the more I was drawn in by his rough, protective presence. His hand was as rough and manly as him, but in a comforting and protective way. His grip was strong and secure, making me feel how truly manly he was despite being young, whatever his real age was.

I pulled my hand away from him, as he answered, “Yeah, Liz.”

“Does that stand for anything?” I asked curiously.

“Does Mal stand for something?” He asked me in return, smirking at me playfully.

I chuckled lightly, “You are not going to give up on that, huh?”

“Nope.” He answered, popping the letter P on it.

“Then nice to meet you Liz.” I smiled, trying to ignore the topic that he was asking for my full first name.

“Come on, it is just a first name.” He insisted.

Since I knew I was not going to see him again after Lisbon, and I would be back in my own reality and my own life back in the U.S., I would probably avoid giving him my first name in order to maintain some degree of mystery and detachment. I was cautious about disclosing too much personal information too soon. Furthermore, I wanted to maintain my choices open and avoided getting too involved too quickly. In the end, I wanted to spend more time getting to know him before deciding to tell him something more about myself. For instance, what if he was actually a hacker for his job or for fun? Or someone who, in spite of their good looks, came from a rough background?

“I am more comfortable telling a stranger like you my nickname.” I told him.

“That is why we have to give each other our names so we would not be strangers.”

“Hm, you can still call me Mal.” I insisted.

“You are trying to be a mysterious woman now?”

“Mhm. There is that. Also, I want to form this level of separation.” I answered, smilingly.

“Is that how you want me to get even more interested in you?”

I smirked, “Is it working?” I sarcastically answered him.

“Most definitely.” He answered me with that serious expression on his face which was giving these twists inside my stomach once again, “I already have a growing curiosity for you.” His next words caught my attention right away.

I stared at him, looking up as he was towering over me with his height, as we had both halted from waking, “Are you flirting with me, little boy?”

My gaze was fixed on his light blue eyes, which were making me feel lightheaded the more I gazed at him, despite the sounds of nature around us and the sun shining on everything, my focus was on him. His hand was stroking my jawline as he was leaning in towards my face once again. “Maybe?” He smirked.

I glanced away shyly, “Hmmm?” He hummed, which caused me to look back at him. “Are you feeling uneasy?”

I looked back at him, “No.”

“Such a bad liar.” He chuckled softly under his throat. “Is it my age that makes you feel uneasy?” He asked, smirking at me as he was now caressing my chin, which made me feel a sense of electricity since I had been with Thomas for so long. This felt exciting for a 35-year-old woman like me to experience it with a very younger man.

“Who said I was feeling uneasy?” I answered, trying to make sure that I was calm and not letting him affect me.

He smirked handsomely, leaning a bit closer to me while making me feel a bit… hot. “It shows.”

Damn it, I know. I thought to myself.