So, Who's this Tiger?

I wanted to introduce Tiger to my many (ha!) readers.  Here’s the story on how we met:

After my boyfriend (Hose Head) and I broke up, I was a bit in the dumps.  My girlfriends wanted to get me out to have a good time.

“Cheetahtort, seriously – we need to take you out!  You need a good time.  Let’s take Carly up on her invitation to her cabin in Siren!” Maddie, my best friend, said to me when I was feeling down.  “A night down there is always therapeutic!  Good times, beer and men.  We have to go and you need to let loose!” 

“Alright, Alright – let’s do it.  Let’s go and have some fun.” 

Jada (the birthday girl in my last post) was so happy that we finally decided to go. 

Maddie, Bethany, Bethany’s husband, Ethan, Jada and I take the hour and a half drive to Siren to Carly and Carly’s boyfriend, Neal’s cabin.  Once we arrive, they greeted us with a beer.  This is going to be a good time I thought. 

We get settled with our swimsuits on and beer in hand.  We all lay down on our chaise lounges to collect as much sun and fun as we can.  Jada wanted to gather more than that.  She wanted men.  She also wanted to introduce me to one – trying to help me forget about Hose Head. 

Jada was always a good time.  She’s tall, brunette and extremely beautiful; both inside and out.  But it was the “out” that the guys were more interested in. 

We sat enjoying ourselves for a while when Jada decided she was bored.  No men.  She got up and said “We need men here, let me gather some.”  It was almost like a caveman saying I will have fire!  We laughed and knew that she could gather.  She walked slowly to the end of the dock in her barely there red bikini.  She looked amazing.  All she had to do was put up her hands and say “boys!”

I watched her in amazement.  She was so confident, so accustomed to men coming when she called.  We sat there, stared and laughed.  But laughed even more when a boat actually showed up with young men; two young men.  

The one driving the boat was a good looking man.  And the other was just as handsome but maybe a bit more disheveled.  I think he was more cute than handsome.  O.K., very cute - but oh so young.  He was wearing shorts, shin-high socks and tennis shoes.  Yes, socks.  I laughed.  Who wears no shirt and socks – but a young man that just doesn’t care. 

I walk to the end of the dock to see what she’s up to.  The boy that was driving the boat said “Jump in, let’s go for a ride!” 

“Come on, Cheetahtort – let’s go have some fun!” Jada said to me. 

I looked at her like she was crazy!  I wasn’t going to get on this small boat with men (boys) that were so young that I wasn’t sure if they were legal. 

“Cheetahtort, come on - I want to go and I don’t feel comfortable enough to go alone - please come with me!”  She whispered so they wouldn’t hear. 

I looked at her pleading eyes then over to the young men with their devilish smiles.  I thought, what can these little boys do to us?  This could be fun.  I got on the boat knowing full well that I was the adult/ responsible chaperone.   

They introduced themselves to us.  The one driving the boat and the one that Jada had her eye on was named Alex.  The one with the socks introduced himself as Jack Thomas (AKA Tiger).  They offered us a couple beers and we were on our way looking back at our friends on the shore laughing.  I think they were laughing at me being in a boat with men (boys) that were half my age and Jada because that girl can get anything she wants.

The weather was absolutely beautiful – it was so perfect it’s the reason why we all endure the winters here in the upper Midwest.  But I was sticking out like a sore thumb on this boat - three beautiful people and their mother. 

The beers were starting to give me the liquid courage that I needed to talk to strangers when I’m feeling uncomfortable.  Jada was in the back talking to Tiger and I was up front talking to Alex.  I think the only reason was because Jada has the same insecurities many women do and was afraid to actually talk to the one she wanted to talk to.  She kept eyeing the two of us and I knew darn well that she wished she were talking to Alex instead.   This surprised me; I thought Jada wasn’t afraid of anything.   I saw her with Tiger trying to be nice but paying attention to what we were saying more. 

“So where are you lovely ladies from?” Alex asks me but I know he really wants to be asking Jada as I see him eyeing her as well. 

“Up north, we are just visiting a friend at her cabin.  How about you Alex?”  I say trying my best to talk to someone that obviously wishes he was talking to someone else. 

“I live down here – so hey – does she have a boyfriend?”  He says not wanting to do this stupid let’s pretend I want to get to know you conversation. 

Ahhh finally – a conversation I can have with this young boy – no messing around.  He knows I’m not interested in him and I know that he’s interested in Jada.

“No – she doesn’t and I can tell that she would rather be talking to you right now.  How would you like for me to go about this?”  I ask wanting to help out my friend and this love-struck young man.

“I’m not sure – she’s so beautiful, I’m nervous!”

“There’s no reason to be nervous around Jada– she’s such a fun-loving girl and so much fun to talk to.  Let me get her up here.”

“Jada!” I say smiling back at her!  “Get your ass up here!”

She does, cutting Tiger off in mid-sentence.  I felt for the poor guy.  He was obviously interested in her.  Who wouldn’t be?

I move in Tiger’s direction to give room for Jada to sit next to Alex.  Both of them had huge smiles on their faces.  The smiles that say I want to get in your pants.

I take a long look at Tiger and can’t help but smile.  Tiger is about 5’4, blonde hair with brown colored puppy dog eyes.  Eyes that I know can get him out of so much trouble when he uses them and I can tell he’s used this tactic many, many times.  Even though he’s short, he’s got an extremely beautiful body.  I find out that he is in construction so that explains his bronzed sculpted back and beautiful biceps.  I don’t realize what a tight ass he has until he stands up to ask Alex to stop the boat because he needs to urinate.  I shake myself – am I really thinking about this young man and wanting to see him naked? 

I just have to ask.  “Tiger, how old are you?” 

“22, why – how old are you?” 

“I’m old enough to be your mother.”

“Quit it – you are not.”  He says with a crooked grin.  “I’m guessing 27, 29?” 

I can’t control my laughter – knowing he’s just using his young naive charm on me. 

“35 – turning 36 in a couple days.” 

He looks at me like he’s judging a beauty contest.  Looking up and down my body then smiling.  “Well, if that’s true – you look good.  You are a very beautiful woman.” 

Why does this make me feel good?  Why do little words like that, when I know men have used them so many times, work?  Am I really that stupid to believe what a guy says when he thinks he’s going to get lucky?  But then I’m brought back into reality.

“Dude! “ Tiger says because that is what young boys call their buddies.  “Stop the boat – I need to take a leak.”

Out in the middle of the lake, Alex stops the boat and says “Alright buddy – go relieve yourself.”  We laugh because we are watching him walk to the end of the boat and trying to do a rooster tail off the back end.  When I say try – I mean try, because he gets stage fright and can’t.

“It’s alright Tiger – we’re not looking.”  I say trying to encourage him so we can get moving once again.  We really should be getting back to our friends.

But, the poor guy just can’t go.  We are still laughing at him and yelling at him to hurry up. 

Now, I need to go myself and there is no way in hell that I’m going to jump in with these young boys to pee. 

Literally 15 minutes later Tiger is finally successful.  We welcome him back and Alex says “Finally, let’s get going.” 

Alex tries to start the boat to bring us back home.

“Click, . . . . Click . . . “  The boat doesn’t want to start.

I put my hands through my hair and am thinking are you kidding me???  This can’t be happening!  We are stuck in the middle of the lake with a motor that won’t start.  Now Jada and I both need to pee.  Alex is so embarrassed that his boat won’t start in front of Jada, the most beautiful woman that he actually might have a chance with. 

The two boys frantically start working on whatever they are working on to try to get that boat started, while Jada and I are hysterical with laughter, which by the way, is not helping our needing to pee situation. 

I look up at the two boys and they are sweating profusely hating their boat at the moment.  I’m pretty sure I hear Alex say to Tiger “Shit, is this really happening to us?  They are going to hate us for this!”  Tiger is a little calmer.  I don’t think too many things can bother this laid back boy. 

“Seriously, dude – relax – we’re fine – we’ll get this started.  Don’t worry – the girls are just fine – look at them – they are having fun – with us!”

“Whatever dude – they want off this boat so fast – they will never want to see us again.”

While the two of them are frantically trying to fix the boat – Jada and I are thinking –what are we doing with these young boys?   They better fix this boat fast because we need to pee!

The engine starts to roar and we take a collective sigh.  My sigh is that I finally get to go back to the cabin and pee.  Alex’s sigh is thank God!   I didn’t want to look like a fool in front of this cool girl with an old boat.  Tiger’s sigh is – I knew I could show my friend up and fix this problem – I knew I was smarter than him. And Jada’s sigh was – we are out of beer and we need to get back because I’m thirsty and also need to pee!

We get back to the dock and our friends meet us with concerned faces. 

“Where the hell did you go?” Carly yells from the beach walking to the dock.  I think more concerned than she wants to give off.

“We are so sorry for keeping your girls for so long.” Tiger says feeling stupid not wanting to tell them the truth as to why it took us so long to get back to shore.

“Well, we have dinner on.  You boys joining us for dinner?” Carly yells.

I look at her stunned.  What on earth is she thinking inviting these young boys to eat with us?  But I turn to Tiger and the look on his face tells me he doesn’t want this afternoon to end and BBQ?  I’m all over that!

“Oh, come on, let’s go eat.” I say and the boys are more than agreeable.

We gather the hamburgers, potatoes, chips and corn on the cob onto our plates. Nothing is being said during the time we are feeding.  If you look around the room you would think these people haven’t been fed for at least two weeks.

I see Maddie and she has an expression that I’m not 100% understanding.  It looks like what the hell? But it also looks like really, have some fun girl!  I went with that expression.

While the room is quiet except the sound of our chomping on great BBQ, Alex asks if we are going into town tonight; hoping he can spend more time with Jada.

“Hell yes!  We’re going to the Thirsty Beaver!  Are you going to be there?” Jada answered.

“Yeah, I think we might be heading there tonight.” Alex says, doing his best to sound cool and holding back his excitement.

Tiger is sitting next to me and says in a low voice. “I hope I see you there tonight.  Look for me.  I’ll be wearing my cowboy hat.”

I smile at him.  Did he really say in his low sexy voice that I should look for a 5’4” young man wearing a cowboy hat? 

I nod my head trying not to laugh and say “I’m sure I won’t miss you.”

Can this boy be any cuter and sweeter?  I’m imagining him in his future.  There’s a young, cute blonde girl, about his height with a summer dress on, no shoes and a kid on her hip.  I see Tiger with his arm around her with his cowboy hat on, big belt buckle and a proud smile across his face.    

“Cowboy hat?”  I say not being able to hide my smile.

“You bet – I love my cowboy hat – women love it too.” 

I can imagine him with his cowboy hat on trying and succeeding at picking up women.  He may be short in stature, but not in sexiness or brawn.

The boys leave after dinner with the promise that we will see them at the Thirsty Beaver. 

Once we are all cleaned up and ready, we head out, looking forward to what the Thirsty Beaver has in store for us. 

I had no idea what was in store.

The bar is crowded with young party goers that have only two things on their minds.  Partying and getting laid. 

That’s when I see Jada with a big smile on her face.  She’s seen Alex.  She turns to me and says “Alex is here!” and at that exact moment, a hand brushes against her waist.  She turns and puts her arms around him because her inhibitions have been chased away with the beer chasers she’s done throughout the evening.  I back away, wanting to give them their moment but Alex reaches out to me, grabs my arm and says “Tiger is here and he’s looking for you.”

Just at that moment – I see a cowboy hat across the bar.  I shake my head, smiling.  Of course he looks hot with that cowboy hat.  I take a closer look.  He had on tight jeans with a huge belt buckle, a shirt with no sleeves and cowboy boots.  Somehow he can make this look HOT.  I can’t take my eyes off him.

He walks confidently across the dance floor to me.  He grabs my hand.  “Dance with me.” 

Wow.

For a moment, I forget that he’s only 5’4”. 

He doesn’t see the height difference.  To him, it just doesn’t matter. 

It matters to me or at least I thought so. 

We walk onto the dance floor and I peak over my shoulder wondering who is going to make fun of this picture.  I don’t have to wonder for long as I see my friend Bethany with her camera pointed right at the two of us, laughing and the rest of them making sure Bethany doesn’t miss a great photo opportunity.

Tiger spins me around and we dance.  He’s a good dancer.  He takes the lead and I follow.  I soon don’t care about height difference and notice nobody really cares either.    

“Would you like to go outside with me for a cigarette?”  Tiger whispers in my ear and takes my hand and leads me outside. 

We find Carly outside and she smiles at the two of us.  We talk and laugh at how Tiger is holding my hand and not letting go. 

“I don’t have to let go, do I?”  He says to the two of us. 

“He’s so cute Cheetahtort!  Have fun!”  Carly says as she heads back into the bar.

“I know but this is so silly!  He’s just a young man that thinks he’s going to get lucky!”

“Look at him!” Carly says.  “He’s so enamored by you!” 

I realize we are talking about him like he’s not there.  He doesn’t care.  He’s just standing there smoking his smoke, holding my hand and looking up at me (yes looking up to me).  He has such a sweet smile that says I just want to be with you.  What’s wrong with that?

We finish our cigarettes and go back in.  He still has my hand and won’t let go.    

We dance again and again.  I’m having the best time with this guy.  I can just imagine the size of my own smile.

Once the song ended, we grab another beer and walk into a secluded section of the bar filled with picnic tables.  We sit and talk. 

“I’m a lucky man.” says Tiger. 

He comes in for a kiss.  Yeah, I think I’m going to let this young man kiss me.  Why not?  This weekend is all about having a good time!  Who cares that he’s young and only 5’4. 

He kisses me and I’m glad I’m sitting because my knees start to shake.  Wow, for a young little guy he sure knows how to kiss!

He scoots up closer to me, takes my legs, pulls me closer and moves them above his legs so I’m almost sitting in his lap.  I love it when a man knows how he wants things.  He puts his right hand at the small of my back and the other hand behind my head and kisses me deeply.  This kid really knows what he’s doing!  I’m loving this and don’t want it to stop!

But . . . the lead singer of the band that’s playing in the bar walks into the room. 

“Tiger!  Is that you?” 

He breaks away from my kiss and glances over my shoulder to her. 

“Yep.” 

Then returns to me for another deep kiss, not caring who was talking to him.  I welcome it because I don’t care who this girl is and because he’s such a good kisser.

“Honey, be careful with Tiger!  He’s notorious for his kissing.” The lead singer said and laughed. 

I pull back from Tiger’s lips and look at her with a smile and say “I can see and feel why!”

He chuckles and returns for more, ignoring the interruption.  I accept happily.

I start to feel light headed.  His kisses are so soft at times and hard and passionate at others.  I could do this all night long. 

Buzzkill!  My friends walk into the room.

“There you are you little slut!” my friends yell at me while laughing.

I break away from his kiss to see my friends.  I blush.  I was busted kissing the hot, short, young, sexy cowboy.    

“We’ve got to go Chetahtort! You with us?”  One of my friends says.  I’m not sure who because I was feeling all tingly inside and was focusing on that feeling.

I go in for another tingly kiss. 

“Cheetahtort!!!  Come on!  We’ve got to go!  Tiger, let her lips go.  She’s coming with us!” says one of them.  Again, I was confused on whom.

“Tiger – you want to come back with us?” Jada says while holding Alex’s hand.

I look at her in shock!  No!  He can’t come home with us!  YES!  I want more of these kisses!  No, if he comes back with us, he’s going to think more will happen.  Yes – I can do more!  No!  You don’t even know him!  Kissing and only kissing.  No he can’t come over!

Tiger looks at me, smiles his crooked grin and yells back “You bet!” 

I turn to him not knowing how to say this . . .

“Umm Tiger – No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.  Nothing is going to happen.”

“That’s fine with me, I just want to spend more time with you.” He says looking at me with his puppy-dog eyes.

But I know that with those eyes, and those lips, he could have me saying “YES” later with my legs in the air if I let him come back with us.  I can’t have that.

“No, I’m so sorry Tiger – I have to go home alone.”

We start to walk back to the cars.  I say goodnight to Tiger.  He doesn’t say anything in return.  Just stares at me.    

“I can’t believe you are leaving me.  You get me all excited then leave?”

“Don’t, we had a good time tonight.  Don’t make me regret having fun with you.” I plead with him.  I was hating myself and wishing I were more adventurous but know it’s better if I say goodbye.

My friends and I get in the car.  I notice that Alex is with us as well. 

Tiger sees this too and gets really upset. 

“I’m sorry – I just can’t!” 

“Whatever Cheetahtort!  I can’t believe you’re leaving me!”  He yells as we pull away.

That’s not the last time I see Tiger.  He becomes a recurring character, giving me nothing but recurring feelings.  You’ll see.