They Say Love Is Blind (7 page)

"
Lee, what caused your blindness?”
She had been curious about this since she had discovered his blindness but didn’t know how to ask. But he seemed so open and secure with himself that she hoped he wouldn’t mind her probing.

"
Actually I was born sighted.
My mother went into labor too early and I was premature. I was in an incubator for several weeks. The harsh lights
is what
caused
my loss of sight
."

"
Oh God, that’s horrible
." Her hand unconsciously stroked his and she felt him shiver
at the contact
.
“Is there anything that can be done to correct it?”

He placed his hand over hers, gently moving his thumb over her knuckles. "
No, but it doesn’t bother me. I don't know anything
different.
My family is very
big;
four
sisters and three brothers and no room for special treatment. I fell, and got bumped and bruised until I figured out how not to fall and get bumps and bruises." He had a slight smile as he remembered the things he described. "When I was young I thought sight was...imagination. Like watching television; I thought that everyone listened to it just the way that they listened to the radio. The descriptions my family gave me were just...interpretation.

"
for me v
ision
i
s...physical; getting hugs by my mother, wrestling with my brothers, playing with my sisters, hanging out in the field with the other kids—It's not the same as it is for the rest of the world. I'm not the same. My likes and dislikes are based on my comfort zone. I don't like spare ribs because they're messy, or Chinese food because I don't know what's in it." She grinned at that. "But I like hugs from my Mom because her arms around me feels like a safety net. I could put my head anywhe
re on her body and fall asleep feeling safe and in complete comfort.

“
Not being able to see with my eyes allowed me to see differently, but just as accurately. My father's bones pop when he moves and I know whenever he's around and that everything is going to be alright. My brothers have always had my back.
Carlo
has asthma and I know when we've been playing too hard and he has to rest. Francie would let me sit on the seat of her ten speed whenever she had to run an errand into town for my Mom. And I'd throw my head back and l
et the breeze hit my face. Macey
always chewed bubble gum and popped it loud so I knew to look for the smell of sweet gum whenever I needed to find her." He chuckled. Tory was totally mesmerized by his words.
"I like raindrops—it sounds alive. I like to touch and feel what's around me. I love cold on my tongue. It's more than a sensation to me; I assign it an emotion; it's like...
a feeling of
hope." He paused. "But what holds no appeal to me, Tory, is skinny women..." His hooded eyes were intent on her face. "...with their sharp bones poking into me. Feeling someone's rib bones through their skin doesn't interest me in the least. Teeny perky breast might be alright for some. Breasts that I can hold and bury my face into is much more appealing. When legs wrap around my body, I want to be gripping thighs and ass.

"
Tory, y
our skin, your body, is soft and full and alive. You are full and buxom and that's what turns me on. This..." His hand slid down her waist "...is my comfort zone."

She was completely blown away by his words. He wasn't just a gorgeous man that could see beyond her weight. He was a gorgeous man that found her desirable because of it.

"T
o hear a guy like you...say something like that...it's just so hard to believe." She said shyly. "You're just too good to be true."

"Not everybody would think that. Tory. I'm a blind man to most women. Maybe not in the beginning. But in the end, that's all I am." He leaned forward and gave her a slight kiss on the lips. "But thank you for saying that I'm too good to be true, and believing it."

Her eyes were now hooded as she contemplated the feel of his lips on hers. "Would you...do that again?" She said in a husky whisper.

He smiled, lips only an inch from hers. "Gladly." Lee raised his hand to her face. Gentle fingers stroked her cheek as he leaned forward with parted lips. Tory's breath felt paralyzed in her chest. She couldn't breathe, she couldn't think. All she could do was to react. Her hand came up to hold his head in place, her fingers burying thems
elves in his golden brown hair.

A soft groan issued from his throat and his own hand moved upward to hold her head gently as his tongue
traced
over her lips, exploring the depths of her mouth with feather soft strokes. He pulled back slowly.

"Wow..."
his voice was husky.
Tory was still paralyzed. Her eyes just fluttered.

"Will you come home with me?" He whispered.

"Yes." She didn't even hesitate.

CHAPTER 5

"I don't live that far from here; about three blocks, but if you want I can call us a cab-"

"I think that I can manage three blocks."

"You can, but how are your feet?"

"If you were serious about that foot massage then I think there's incentive." He grinned and stood, slipping on his jacket before taking her hand.

Once they got out to the night air, he placed his hand around her waist and she did the same. She sighed in contentment as they walked arm in arm.

"How old are you?" She asked, seemingly out of the blue. He gave her a surprised look.

"I'm sorry, I'm thirty three. I should have mentioned that. Second to the youngest in my family.
”
They walked at a comfortable pace. Her feet were screaming at her but she didn't limp much. With his arms around her, it seemed that her feet barely touched the ground!

They reached a crosswalk with a red light and Lee's hand very slowly moved to cup her rear as they waited for the light to change. She'd never done anything like this before, but her hand slipped down and she palmed his tight ass.

"And all this time I thought you were a shy girl." He smiled. Damn, that smile could melt a block of ice!
"Come here..." She pulled his head boldly down to hers and her lips crushed against his. She heard the bell tone of the light indicating for them to walk. They stood there on the corner kissing instead
.
"Tory, you better be careful," h
e groaned. "I haven't kissed like this in a long time and I might be forced to skip your foot rub...for something better."

"To hell with the foot rub," s
he said boldly and pulled his ass until his pelvis was flush with her belly. She sighed in pleasure when hardness met her soft belly. Lee's hands suddenly gripped her ass, holding her in place as his pelvis rolled against her, knees dipping slightly as he thrust forward.
"
Mmm
..." Tory
whimpered
as the center of her leaped in response. The stop light indicator sounded again and this time Lee tore himself away from her. He gripped her hand and pulled her across the street at a fast walk. When he got to the curb he took it slowly and waited for her to step up. He again pulled her along, walking briskly.

"Come on baby, two more blocks."

"Ok!" She laughed as she clipped along after him. She was starting to pant. Lee groaned.
"Ohhhh, baby." He half joked. "You sound so sexy!"

Tory laughed and for once was happy to allow herself to become breathless. They reached another corner but they had the light so Lee led her across quickly without pausing.

"Lee..." she panted
,
"If it's much further-"

"No, we're here. It's the third building up." He led her to the entrance of a large building
but in
stead of guiding her up the stairs to go inside he embraced her, stroking her back, giving her an opportunity to catch her breath. She rested her head on his big chest until her breathing calmed.
After a few moments h
e looked down at her. "Ready?"

She nodded against him. "Please tell me you have an elevator."

"Yes." He kissed her nose. "It's pretty rickety
inside
so be careful."

Now her feet were in serious jeopardy of giving out on her as she took the stairs. "It's dark." She said, gripping his arm as they entered the building.

"I know. I'm the only person in the building so I usually keep the light off." He put his arm around her. "Don't worry, I'll guide you." Tory thought that this evening had been full of wonder...but being led through a darkened building by a blind man had to be the kicker.

Lee pulled up the gate of an industrial sized elevator. He helped her in and soundly closed it. At least in here was an emergency light that cast a soft glow over the harsh, unfinished building interior.
"This is kind of a work in progress. I'm the first tenant so excuse the mess. I told them that I didn't mind as long as they kept the walkway clear." The lift came to a jerky stop, but his arms held her in reassurance as he reached up with the other to lift open the gate. "The elevator is perfectly safe. The door to the loft won't open unless the gate is in place."

They stepped into the darkened room and this time Lee reached over to hit the lights.
"Oh my
G
od..." Tory's hands went to her mouth. The loft was gorgeous! He led her into the oversized room. The ceilings had to be fifteen feet! It was immaculate with tiled or stone floors that indicated the separation of rooms instead of walls. This was nothing like the cold cement floors and brick walls that she would see in the movies. This was a successful man's home. It had obviously been professionally decorated. She eyed Lee curiously.

He had money like that?

"Do you like it? They gave it to me already furnished. Cost more...but it's not like I could have done anything like this." It was decorated very minimalist, which didn't mean that it was cold and emotionless. It was very much the opposite. There were wooden carvings and art on the walls that had texture. The windows were floor to ceiling and sheathed in blinds that when drawn showed an oriental design.

A cat leaped from a perch and strutted over to investigate the visitor. The orange tabby blinked at her and then circled her legs with a slight purr.

"Hey
kitty." Tory reached down and stroked the cat's back. "What's your cat's name?"

"I haven't named her yet. I found her when I moved here. But she answers to cat...or the sound of a can of cat food opening." He moved toward the kitchen. "
I figured she could work off her room board by catching mice and keeping me company.
Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, thanks."

"Soda, iced tea, beer, wine-?"

"Water is fine."

"Really? That's all?"

"Yes
. Do you mind if I freshen up a bit?" he pointed.

"Behind that glass block wall." As she headed in the direction that he'd indicated, he called out again. "You'll find towels and washcloths in the pantry. Take your time, baby."

Baby...she grinned at the use of that word. It didn't sound cheesy coming out of his mouth, either. His accent made it sound very sexy.

The bathroom was a dream. She resisted the urge to snoop and located a washcloth and removed her makeup and freshened up. She'd done a lot of sweating between dancing and the quick walk.
She returned to the living room to see that Lee had dimmed the lights and that soft music was playing across his sound system. His electronic equipment alone probably cost more than half a year of her salary!

He heard her coming and held out his hand to her. She took it with no hesitation. He led her to the couch where her bottled water sat on the nearby cocktail table.

"Have a seat. I'll be right back." He headed in the direction that she had come and Tory opened the bottled water, drinking long and leaning back against the cushions of the large couch. She sighed in contentment. How had she gotten from watching a sexy man on the bus to sitting in his expensive loft? She resisted the urge to pinch herself.

He returned, walking into the living room without hesitation and navigating with no problems. He sat down on the couch next to her and patted his lap. At first she thought that he wanted her sitting on his lap, which she would have done without thought.

"Take off your shoes and let me rub those feet of yours. Put them up here."

Tory sat up and placed her drink back on the table. "Can you...just kiss me again?" She remembered the feel of him hard, pressing against her, and her breath strained to reach her lungs.

"
Anda cá
..."
He whispered. Come here...

Tory slid across the couch and his hand found her thigh. His lips moved to her neck and he lightly nibbled a trail down to her shoulder. She let her head fall back, feeling dizzy from his attention. She slid her hand into the curls of his hair. He nipped the mound of her breast, capturing the flesh lightly between his teeth and causing Tory to moan.