16. Oh Charlie - Man with a Plan
Chapter sixteen
Oh Charlie - Man with a Plan
C harlie, the new Northern Pines Roller Rink owner, asked her to stay on for the Sunday sessions. “People like the selections you play, Edie. They’re more current than most songs Martha plays. I’d be ever grateful if you’d stay on and I’d be happy to offer you the same deal Joel did,” he said.
She felt a lump in her throat knowing Joel’s deal would be impossible to beat but she was sure he didn’t mean the extracurricular activities she and Joel had enjoyed. “Sure Charlie, I’d be happy to continue here with you. You’re an amazing skater and I’m sure you can teach my girls new things.”
Charlie was passionate about the business and determined to bring it up to the next level. He started placing ads in the local paper; he was adding special events to bring more people to the innovative business. He added more upgraded lighting, introduced a snack bar serving burgers, hotdogs, and popcorn, and had the gigantic marble floor completely stripped and resurfaced like glass. She was impressed by his commitment and noticed the crowds were getting bigger. She started playing on Thursday nights for Couples Night which was a hit.
Charlie was different from any man she’d known before. “They’re all unique in their own way,” Edie said, “and I love to try to figure out what goes through their brains.” He was five years older than her and he had his style of skating that was so creative and sexy. The way he did his crossovers, timing, dance steps, and backward skating was perfection. He interacted with the patrons in such a casual friendly way making everyone feel welcome no matter their skill level. He held a special free session on Saturday afternoons to teach young kids the basics of skating. It was always packed and most of the parents stayed for the evening all skate. Clever. A good marketing move.
Edie and Charlie met several times to create a playlist that introduced more variety for the skaters. He would announce a waltz, a foxtrot, a rhumba, a samba, and others. She arranged her music into categories so she could easily find what he was calling out. It was great because she didn’t have to decide what to play next. It was a genius move. Charlie was all business in every sense of the word.
Charlie’s daytime job was loading semis. He was thick and muscular, about 5’10” tall, and carried some extra weight and muscle that was very attractive. His thighs were hard and shaped like a trained athlete. She loved to watch his legs when he skated. He always looked and smelled so clean and fresh like he had just showered in a warm spring rain. A captivating smile with straight white teeth drew her to his mouth. His hair was the color of ripened flax with a well-groomed beard that perfectly matched. His thick hair was straight as was his beard. There was a sheen that made her wonder if it was as soft as it looked. She wanted to run her fingers through that beard but she decided she wouldn’t be the one to make the first move…if there was a move to be made. There was no clue that he was interested in her for anything other than being a musician on his payroll but she was physically attracted to him.
One Thursday night as he was closing the rink, he came up to the organ stand and held a business card out to her. “Edie, my personal number is on the back of the card. If you ever need me for anything , just call me,” he said as he winked and clicked his tongue. His move shocked her; he hadn’t given any indication that he was interested except for her role in his business but he certainly said it clearly and to the point.
“That’s so sweet of you, Charlie. Thank you but I can’t imagine what I would need.” She had to throw the line out there to see if he would bite. He did.
“You never know,” he nearly whispered. “Some night when you’re lying in that big bed all alone and you don’t want to be alone, I’m only ten minutes away.” He never broke eye contact with her. Those brilliant green eyes sparkled like peridot gemstones. “Don’t forget, okay? No strings.”
Charlie was all business… she couldn’t forget. It had been months since Joel left and she missed the embrace of a man; she needed that rush that comes with a new and exciting love connection. Have I mentioned lately how much Edie loves men? Keep that in mind. The following Thursday as he was closing the rink he helped her cover the organ and shut it down. “You haven’t called. I’m disappointed but I understand. I would never push you but we could be good together. You’ll never know until you give it a try.” Now he threw the line out to her to see if she would bite.
He meant it as a tease but it was a push to her and she admitted she didn’t mind. His offer was stuck inside her head like fruit to a melon. That night after getting the girls settled in, she got ready for bed and climbed into her fresh cool sheets. She tossed around like a fish out of water and couldn’t get his offer out of her mind. She finally reached for the phone. It was 12:15 AM. He answered on the first ring.
In a sing-song voice, she softly sang, “Oh Charlie.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” he said. No hello or goodbye. And just like that, it began.
She answered the door in her pink lacey nightie and took his hand as they walked together to her big bed which was no longer lonely. The first thing she did was wriggle both of her hands into that beard. She had never felt anything like it. It was so thick she had to work her fingers into it. It was soft like the finest fox. She pulled his face toward hers and offered her mouth to him hoping his kisses were as sexy as he seemed at this moment.
Good kisses are important and that kiss and beard opened a whole new world to her. He introduced her to experiences her body had never explored before. Those lips and that soft beard elevated her sexual delight to a new height. He wasn’t a talker; he was all business. His muscular chiseled body was amazing and she couldn’t keep her hands off those thick thighs that reminded her of an Olympic gymnast. The only sounds were those of two people enjoying giving their bodies to each other over and over and over again. He silently left at 4:00 AM as she snuggled in completely sated and looking forward to next time.
They made no demands on each other; there were no expectations except hoping they would have another time together. All she had to do was pick up the phone and sing, “Oh Charlie.” The conversation was minimal; it was nothing more than a warm physical relationship that they both benefitted from. He was as creative in her bed as he was about his business and each time over the next few months was as enjoyable as the first. Their fun continued until she made plans to travel to Seattle with two sisters to visit their older sister who lived there. An entirely unexpected situation entered Edie’s life and changed everything. And just like that, Charlie was no longer an option she could enjoy. Damnit!