After about an hour of waiting, I was now only twenty people away from it being my turn. I could actually see him. My God he was so beautiful. I hoped I wouldn’t freeze when I got up there. I normally didn’t have a problem talking to pretty people, but I guess none of them had been Jason Branton.

As the line moved closer, I started to get a little nervous. I knew it was a simple meet and greet, but I had always wanted to meet him. Ooo, this was so exciting! The line was slowing down, but that just gave me more time to stare at Jason. The girl standing behind me asked a question about the show. I turned around to answer her, and when I faced forward I saw Jason looking right at me. Our eyes actually met, but then I chickened out and looked away. When I looked at him again, he was talking to the next person in line. Maybe I had imagined the whole thing.

“Next please.”

Ah, there was only one more person between me and what I considered perfection. Just a few short minutes later, it became my turn. I had died and gone to heaven. Jason grabbed one of his photos and started to write on it.

“Well hello there, and what’s your name?”

“It’s uh ---- I forgot.” I giggled from embarrassment.

“Take your time, it’ll come to you,” Jason said while smiling.

Seeing that smile brought me back to reality. “Oh sorry, it’s James, James Taylor.”

“Are you serious?! I’m sure you get this a lot, but have you seen fire; have you seen rain?” He tried to hold back from laughing.

“Yes, that was very funny sir. No, I’ve NEVER heard that before.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. Here you go. I hope this makes up for it, at least a little.”

As I took the photo, he extended his hand and I shook it. There are no words. “Well, it’s a start. If you truly want to apologize, you will ask me out to dinner,” I said with a sly grin.

“I see. I might just take you up on that.” He returned a sly grin of his own.

Was Jason Branton flirting with me? It must have been part of the promotion. After our witty repartee I said goodbye and left the line.

Since I was already in the mall, I decided to do some shopping. I didn’t really need much of anything. I would probably get a couple of shirts, maybe a pair of jeans or something.

I was in the Calvin Klein section when I thought I heard someone call my name. I turned around but didn’t see anyone looking at me. Maybe I imagined it. I didn’t even see anyone I would recognize.

“James…..”

There it was again. I turned around and saw Jason Branton coming down the aisle.

“James!”

What was going on? Jason Branton was calling out to me.

“Whew, I’ve been looking for you all through-out the store. I thought I had missed you.” Miss me?! What was he talking about?

“Did I forget something at your table Mr. Branton? You didn’t have to come all the way yourself.”

He laughed, “No you didn’t forget anything, but I did. I wanted to get your phone number. And it’s Jason, please.”

I was completely taken aback. Was a pretty and famous actor actually asking me out on a date? Well, I guess it wasn’t a date but still…. He was asking for my number. This only happened in books and movies.

“So is that a yes or a no?”

“I uh, um….. You totally caught me off guard. Are you asking me out on a date?”

Jason cocked his head to the side. “Well, you already asked me out, remember? I’m just trying to get your number so we can plan it. Am I over-stepping my bounds? You’re not interested are you?”

“Are you kidding me?!! Of course I’m interested.” This was way too much. My prayers had finally been answered. The man I had yearned for had asked me out. Though he said it was me who did the asking. I didn’t care. It was all surreal.

“Well, we were flirting pretty heavily back there. I thought you picked up on that.”

“Oh no, I realized what was happening, I just didn’t believe it. I mean, you’re an actor; a famous one at that. How often are civilians asked out by Hollywood stars?”

“More often than you would think,” Jason said. “The only thing is I’m not out.”

I smiled and said, “So what, I’m not asking for a ring. It’s not like I’m gonna call a press conference.”

“Good point. So, I leave tomorrow afternoon; did you want to go out tonight?”

“Sure, I’m free. Let me give you my home number.”

“Nice; I’ll call you when I’m done with this signing thing.”

“That’s cool.” I couldn’t believe this was happening. And he kept staring at me. I was a little unsettled. But people always used to stare at me. I guess they had never seen my coloring before.

“Well, I should probably get back. I told my publicist that I was going to the restroom,” he said with a mischievous grin.

“I don’t want to keep you then.”

He reached over and grabbed my hands. “You can keep me all night.”

“You had me until you said that cheesy line.”

“Sorry, but I had to say it. Anyway, I’ll talk to you later today; deal?”

“Deal.”

“It was nice to meet you James.” Jason turned around and walked back the way he had come. He glanced over his shoulder and waved to me. I waved back. And then he was gone.

My God he was beautiful. I mean, Jason was gorgeous on the small screen, but in person…… He was just so much more in person. He was also taller and broader in person. On his show, he seemed to be very slender, almost skinny. That wasn’t the case in real life. Granted, he might have had to appear a certain way to portray the right look. He obviously worked out a lot. He had a lot more muscles. And that ass…..You could bounce a quarter off of that thing.

After I finally escaped my reverie, I bought my clothes, left the mall, and made my way back to the apartment. No one was home when I got there, so I turned on the television and started to play some Final Fantasy. At about six, I got a phone call.

“Hey James; it’s Jason Branton, how are you?”

I didn’t trust my legs to support me during this conversation. They would give out at any time, mostly from shock. I went into the living room to sit down. “I’m great. I was just watching some television. How are you doing?”

“I’m better now that the signing is over and I get to talk to you.”

Jesus. “Do you use these kinds of lines on everybody, or am I the lucky one?”

“You’re the lucky one. I’m sorry. I’m out of practice. I haven’t had to pick anyone up in a very long time.”

“Ah, I see. Well, I’m already interested, so you don’t have to try so hard.”

“I thought someone might have scooped you up since I spoke to you last. I had to bring my A-game if that was the case.”

I laughed really hard at that. I laughed for a good minute before Jason started speaking again.

“What is it? What’s so funny?”

“What’s funny is that you think I would let anyone scoop me up after you, my favorite actor in the world, asked me out. Plus, people aren’t exactly lining up to date me.”

“Why wouldn’t they be? I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but you’re hot!”

“Thank you so much. And no, I didn’t know that. You are the first person to ever ask me out, and you’re a famous actor.”

“I’m not that famous. I still had to do this lame-ass tour.”

“I don’t know about all of that. I mean, your show is being picked up for a fourth season so you must be doing something right.”

“I guess you really are a fan, but that aside. Let’s get back to the previous topic. You really have never been asked out? You must do all the asking then. I can totally see that. You have this no nonsense, but totally confident vibe going for you. I bet every guy is intimidated. You also have this model look going for you too. Your features are very exotic. When I saw you in line I seriously did a double take.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“No, not at all. Even my publicist, who is a total lesbian, thought you were quite fetching. Her words, not mine.”

“And why do you think that I ask people out? And where are you getting this confident thing from? I have no confidence when it comes to guys. Maybe that’s why I haven’t had more than one date with any guy I’ve been out with. My last date was terrible. I don’t know why I told you that. I should not have said that.” There was silence on Jason’s end for a couple of minutes. “Are you still there Jason?”

“Yeah, sorry; I was just thinking of something. Well, if your last date was bad, I’ll have to make ours epic.”

That word again. Why did I keep hearing and saying that word? “No pressure.”

“No, no pressure at all. I’m headed to my hotel right now. Give me your address and I’ll pick you up at around 8:30. Is that cool?”

“I could always come to you.”

“Nope, that is not going to happen. I asked you out, officially, so I’m picking you up. We’re doing this the proper way.”

I laughed. “Alright if you insist.”

“I do. I’ll see you soon, so go and get ready.”

“Yes sir, whatever you say sir!” I said with a salute, even though no one was there.

“You’re a cheeky one, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely! Bye Jason.”

“Bye James. I think your luck is about to change.”

“It already has.”

After I hung up the phone, I went into my room to get ready. I made sure that I got really clean. I had no way of knowing how far the date would go. I didn’t really like having sex on the first date, but I didn’t rule it out either. I would rather wait until date three or four. I wanted to get to know a potential mate before I got to know them, so to speak.

I decided to wear the new outfit I bought after meeting Jason. It seemed appropriate. I went into the hall-way that led to my bathroom after I finished dressing to check myself out. I was looking really good. At least I hoped that I looked good. No more doubt. I couldn’t have any more doubt if I wanted things to be better. I mean, he did ask me out. Well, I asked first, but he asked seriously. That meant he liked what he saw, so I shouldn’t doubt myself.

As I left my room, Brian and Charlotte walked in. “Hey guys, what’s up?”

Charlotte looked me up and down and walked behind to get a better look. “Do you have a date, because you are looking great?”

“Wow, you’re a poet and you didn’t know it. But yeah man, you are looking fly.”

“Yes, I do have a date. I met him at the mall during the signing.”

“Oh yeah,” Charlotte says. “How was the signing? Is Jason Branton hotter in person?”

“He’s way hotter in person. The thing is he was flirting with me when I came up to him.”

“Seriously dude, that’s great!” And Brian gave me a high five.

“If you think that’s great, wait until you find out who the date-------.”

“Hold that thought James. Brian and I have to get out of here. We have a show to get to, and we’re late.”

“It’s alright; I will tell you all about it when I get back.”

We said our respective goodbyes and then Brian and Charlotte left. Not having anything to do, I turned on the TV. At eight-thirty, there was a knock on the door. My heart skipped a beat and then entered my throat. Until that moment I hadn’t been nervous. At that moment however, I was as nervous as a whore in church. As I said before, I’ve been on loads of dates, but this felt different somehow. I didn’t know what the feeling was exactly, but for some reason I knew this was the start of something real.

I got up and walked to the door, peering through the peep-hole. There he was. He looked so cute standing there. I opened the door and Jason looked me up and down. “Wow, you look amazing James!”

“Thank you. You don’t look half bad yourself.”

“Aw shucks,” he said while taking a bow. “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes I am.”

Jason extended his arm and I took it. He was such a cornball; I loved it. We walked over to his rental and he opened the passenger door for me. After shutting the door he ran around to his. Obviously the car was a rental, but he chose wisely. It was a cherry red Camry with leather interior. When he started the car, he looked over and smiled. I smiled back.

As we drove to the restaurant, he told me a little bit about himself. He was from Iowa City, just outside of Cedar Rapids. After high school, he went to Notre Dame for communications. He started acting while he was there and got a minor in it. When he finished school, he went back home for a year to take care of his dying mother. Making sure his father and younger siblings were taken care of, he then made the move to New York City to try his hand at Broadway. Jason actually made it in an Off-Broadway production of some show, but then an agent saw him, and not even a week later, he was on a soap opera. He started doing commercials and made guest appearances on big named TV shows. It was after all of that that he got the starring role on the show “Kansas.” The rest was history.

“Not once did you mention a relationship. Have you been single this entire time?”

“No, I’ve had relationships. I even had the whole high school sweetheart thing. She was something else.”

“She?”

“Yes, she. You are the first guy I’ve ever gone out with. I consider myself bisexual. I’ve had sex with a couple of guys but never a relationship. That I reserved for girls only.”

“What…are you serious?!”

“Yes I am, but enough about me. I want to know about you.”

“There’s no way you’re done telling your story.”

“Of course not, but I don’t know anything about you. Please, we still have a little ways to go before we get to the restaurant.”

I looked out the window and saw that we were on the 836 highway headed towards South Beach. “Yeah, where are you taking me? Is the restaurant on South Beach?”

“Lincoln road actually.”

He seemed to know his way around. He’d probably been there a couple of times before. I decided to oblige him. So, I told Jason my life story in a nutshell. You all don’t know it yet, so I will tell you as well. I was born to two loving parents named Catherine and Emmanuel. I have a younger brother named Justin, who was at the time attending Baylor University. You already knew that I was born in Boston, but I grew up just south of Houston from the age of five to eighteen. I mentioned to Jason what it was like growing up in Southeast Texas, trying to glaze over the bullying I had to endure.

Before I could get into my college years, we arrived on Lincoln road. We parked in one of the lots behind the street. It was very convenient when you just wanted to get in and out. But, the lots were usually completely full. Not that night. Luck was definitely on our side.

Like the gentleman that he was, Jason wouldn’t let me open my door. He had to open it for me. So chivalrous. “So cheesy,” I said trying to hold back from laughing.

“You like it.”

He took my arm again and led me out to the boardwalk. We stopped in front of the Italian restaurant called “Balan’s”. It’s supposed to be really good, though I’d never been myself. Jean, Matthew and I had been trying different restaurants around the city. We tried to hit a new one every week. So far, we’d hit about 20 of them, and still counting.

We went inside and waited for the hostess to return. A few minutes later, she was back and Jason went up to her.

“Yes sir, may I help…..Oh my God your----!"

“That’s right, I am. I have a reservation for 9:15. Is the table ready?”

“Oh yes Mr. Branton; right this way.”

She led us over to this nice corner booth. Jason had this smirk on his face because the hostess would not stop staring at him.

“If you need anything, just let me know. My name is Trisha.”

“Thank you Trisha.” And then she walked away.

“I guess she knows who you are. Do you get that a lot?”

“Sometimes, but it is nice to know people are watching the show.”

“Of course they’re watching it. I’m not your only fan. So, how did you pick this place? Have you been here before?” I asked as casual as I could.

“I came here last year for vacation. I saw this place and decided to stop in for lunch. It was quite good. It also has gotten really nice ratings in Zagat’s. Hopefully you will like it too.”

And like it I did. The food was amazing! I liked Italian food anyway, but this was like nothing I’d ever had. Not only was the food amazing, so was the conversation. I thought I could actually fall for Jason. We don’t really have much in common, but he got all of my jokes, he seemed really smart and he found me attractive. I thought that worked for a good beginning.

Throughout the whole meal, some of the patrons kept glancing over; particularly at Jason. It seemed that more than the hostess recognized him. At around 10:30, Jason asked for the check.

“Tired of my company already?”

He laughed. “Not at all. I just wanted to go elsewhere for dessert.” When the check arrived, I reached for it and he grabbed my hand. “I told you, this is a real date. Since I asked you out, I am paying the check.”

“Fine, have it your way.”

“I often do,” he said with a sly grin.

“Don’t you have to worry about paparazzi? I mean, me not being a girl should be a problem for your public image.”

“Hey now, this is my date with you. Let my publicist worry about the logistics.”

We left in search of a good dessert place. We ended up at an ice cream shop farther down the boardwalk. I had the rum raisin ice cream as a shake and he got mint chocolate chip on a cone.

“Mm, this is good. Do you want a bite James?”

I kept drinking my delicious shake and then shook my head.

“It’s really good, are you sure?”

“I’m sure, but thanks. I’m allergic anyway.”

“Allergic to what,” he asked?

“I’m allergic to chocolate. I can’t have any of it. I break out in hives.”

“That’s terrible. I’ve never known anyone allergic to chocolate before. I myself love chocolate.”

I laughed. “You may love it, but I don’t so get it away from me.” He reached over at that moment and pulled me in for a hug. “Hey, watch it. Someone might see us and you’re going to get that toxic stuff all over me.”

“Then I’ll just lick it off. And stop worrying about me. I told you my publicist will take care of it.” He stuck a finger in the ice cream and started to wave it in front of me.

“Whatever dude.”

Jason stopped hugging me and grabbed my hand. A jolt of electricity shot up my arm. His hands were large and rough, but comfortable to hold. We walked like that for the entire length of the strip.

After we finished our respective ice creams, we headed back to his car. Our conversation was light and funny the ride back. When he wasn’t staring at the road, he was staring at me. It was a little unnerving and very sweet at the same time.

Later on, I noticed that we were on Brickell avenue. That dick-head Connor lived on that street. “Do you remember how to get back to my place?” Jason slowed down and pulled into a hotel right next to Connor’s building. “Where are we going?”

“I didn’t want the night to end just yet.”

“Is this where you’re staying?”

“Yeah, it is,” he said as he got out to open my door….again. “I wanted to get to know you better.”

“Ah, I see; in the biblical sense. I try not to do that on the first date.”

Jason had a puzzled look on his face and then he laughed once he realized what I just said. “No, nothing like that. I just wanted to talk some more. You’re a really interesting person. I won’t see you for a long time, and I wanted to soak it all in. Is that okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine. But what do you mean you won’t see me for a long time?”

“As you know I don’t live here and if this works out, it would be a long distance thing.”

“You’re already planning our future how sweet.” I laughed. I didn’t really want the night to end, so any time we had together would be nice.

As the valet drove the car away, Jason and I headed into the lobby and went to the elevators. While we were waiting, he looked at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. There was that tingling sensation again. What this guy did to me…. I looked at him sheepishly and he looked back at me with this, well, I’m going to fuck the shit out of you, stare. Jason grabbed and caressed the back of my neck and pulled me closer in. As he moved in, the elevator door opened and this married couple came out. They both looked at us as Jason moved away. The wife had a knowing look on her face, and as they walked by, she smiled at me. I had to smile back. As the two of us entered the elevator, I overheard her say, “They look so cute together. Why don’t you look at me that way anymore?” And the husband said, “Because we’re married dear, now hurry up.”

We didn’t say much on the ride up to his floor. We didn’t even speak in the hall-way. I was beginning to think the moment had passed. He wasn’t even looking at me anymore. Maybe I should have made a move, but I didn’t want to scare him away. A thought crossed my mind at that point. Perhaps another opportunity would present itself when we were talking in his room. All I could do was be patient. That’s a laugh; like I knew how to be patient. I was really good at that.

Once in the room, Jason took of his coat and hung it in the closet. I walked farther into the room, and he grabbed my arm and turned me around. Once again, he grabbed the back of my neck and started to caress it. He leaned down and our lips finally met. He gently massaged my lips with his tongue and then I opened my mouth so our tongues could meet. Hello tongue, how are you doing tonight?

As I was fondling his strong back, Jason was reaching lower on my body until his hands found my ass. As he squeezed it, he pulled me closer in and I was able to feel just how happy he was. It was like an extra leg. After some more heavy petting, he led me to the bed and we laid down to make-out in earnest. Half an hour later, we finally came up for some air. Our clothes were completely disheveled and I tried to straighten myself up. My pants were feeling rather tight at the moment. Jason did the same thing, but after his adjustment, there was a noticeable wet spot. I pointed at it, and he grabbed a pillow to cover himself. “Is this what you meant by getting to know me better?”

“Not exactly,” he said while getting up. “I’m just going to change really quickly.”

I smiled as he walked to the bathroom. I looked over at a clock that was on his night stand. Wow, it was already past midnight. Oh well; it’s not like I worked the next day.

Jason came back in the room wearing a t-shirt with sweats. He still had the pillow covering himself. “I’ve already felt it Jason; there’s no need to hide it any longer.”

“I just don’t want you to see me like this.”

“Like what, a human being?”

“No, like a horny teenager,” he said clearly embarrassed.

I shook my head and patted a spot next to me on the bed. “It’s all right, really. Come on; sit down.” He walked over and sat down next to me. “See, was that so hard?  No pun intended.”

“Very funny. I normally don’t react this way, to anyone. I certainly don’t do this with someone I’ve just met.”

“So, you never get aroused by anyone….ever?”

“I phrased that poorly. What I meant was being around you makes me hard; plain and simple. From the first moment I saw you, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. When I got back from the signing, I had to jerk-off so I wouldn’t be hard throughout dinner.”

My jaw hit the floor. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I burst out laughing. I was rolling around the bed holding my stomach because it hurt so much. I couldn’t stop though. How could he say that to me? Why did he do that for me? I just couldn’t believe he said that. All for me. I thought that it was definitely time to pick out our wedding song.

“It’s not funny James. I’m totally embarrassed.” He looked really hurt. I felt bad for laughing at him, but it was a lot to take.

“I’m sorry-----but, it’s---a little—funny.” I continued laughing. And as my hysteria finally died down, he removed the pillow. I guessed my laughter sobered him up, or down, depending on how you looked at it. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just that you are human, so these things are going to happen. Sometimes out of your control. I’m assuming, now this is just a hunch, that you’re attracted to me. Well guess what, I’m attracted to you as well.”

“Then why are you not hard right now?”

(Probably because I’m a slut,) I thought. What I said was, “I have been with a number of guys in my short life. My guess is that I’m a little desensitized. Also, I think I’m probably your second or third guy. Am I right?”

“How could you possibly know that?”

I reached for his hand and he grabbed mine. “It’s because I was the same way. Before my second experience, I would see a cute guy and instantly become hard. It wouldn’t go down for a long while. However, after fifty--.”

“Fifty?!?”

“Um, yeah, fifty…..the problem went away.”

“Seriously, fifty?”

“Y-yeah, but there’s more actually.” Jason looked confused and turned away, but he was still holding my hand, so that was a good sign. “Do we really need to play the numbers game?”

“I just want to know how experienced my future boyfriend is.”

I moved in closer. “Future boyfriend, huh? That sounds promising.”

“Nope, don’t change the subject. How many guys have you been with?”

I took my hand out of his and crossed my arms. “How many girls have you been with?”

“Hey mister, I’m asking the questions here.”

“I knew it. They were all girls.”

Jason blushed. “I never said that. I only told you about one girl. There were not a lot of girls.”

“But I’m sure there was more than one. You insisted on playing this out, so answer the question and I will answer it as well.”

He got up from the bed and walked to the wall by the bathroom. He didn’t say anything for a few minutes. “I would say about fifty or sixty girls.”

“Are you serious, that’s all? You were so vocal about my fifty or so as if I were the whore of Babylon.”

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t think that you would be so….active.”

“A clever way of putting it. There is still that old saying…something about a book and its cover.”

“Alright, I told you mine, now tell me yours.”

Sighing heavily I said, “One-hundred and forty seven.”

His jaw hit the floor. “How many did you say? 147? Geez.”

“Now you’re making me feel bad.”

“I mean, that’s a lot of people. Where did you even find the time?”

“Weekends mostly. I went to bathhouses and did lots of orgies. Did I mention that between my first experience and my second, two and a half years had passed?”

“Um, no, you didn’t. That is a long time to go without sex.”

I nodded my head. “Yes, it is. I had to make up for lost time, but I’ve slowed down. The last time I had sex was a month ago.”

“Well, that changes everything,” he said with that cute grin of his.

“Shut up.” He was such a jerk. It was awesome!

Well, with the tension died down, we began to talk normally. And of course, we made out again. At about three in the morning, we both went to sleep.

Next Chapter: Feeling Good