Chapter 3

Looking me over, he smiles at the word belly. I don’t know if I am offended or slightly turned on with this remark and cheeky humor.

“I doubt he even knows I am gone. I am not really his type. He wants someone thin, slim and dumb.” I take the cloth of ice and put is aside. He stays close to me still, and sits next to me on the desk, a tight fit with my ample bottom there already.

“Sounds like Prince Charming.” He makes a frog face, and lets a comfortable pause happen.

“I saw you in the kitchen…” I turn to meet his eyes, lips inches from mine. He is leaning into me; his hand sashayed with mine behind me.

“I know. I saw you standing there.” Alan breathes out, and breathes me in.

Alan places he hand against my cheek, the not bruised one. When we connect, it’s just a moment. Soft and firm his lips brush mine. I look at him and his eyes are still closed.

“Wow.” He opens his eyes again, pupils dilated.

I blush and take his hand. Embarrassment seems to overtake me, even if the shark out there is a jerk; no one deserves to be dumped on a blind date.

“Alan, your sweet. I would love to chat, but I am sure you have work. I am so very hungry too. I hope dinner is served.” I stand up from the desk, taking a few papers with me as they clung to my thighs. When they fall to the ground I bend to pick them up, ignoring my frustration at them. When I look back Alan is staring at me, his mouth is closed and his eyes are glossy. Reminds me of a cat when it has seen some prey, innocent and yet dangerous.

He stands up, closer to me then a person should.

“Shifts over, and I hate to tell you… but your Prince Charming left. I came into work for a few hours, covering for a friend whose girlfriend is in the hospital. But when I went to your table he handed me your purse and said he had some important business to attend to.” He looks down at me, and then over to the chair with my purse slung over the backrest.

Silently I thank whatever powers there might be, and smile at Alan.

“I don’t suppose you might want to get something to eat?” He offers his arm, and escorts me from the office and out to the parking lot. The stars are already out, and I can’t help but stare at them, and his laughter once again breaks the silence. He points out a few constellations, and then I point out the planets.

“Now, what would the sleeping beauty like to dine upon this evening?” his devilish grin and smile are as intoxicating as the sweet alcohol I had, but without the burn.

“Anything, really… I am starving.” I plead as I rub my tummy in mimicking fashion.

“Better not let the lady waste away to nothing then.” He smiles, and then apologizes.

“That was not a swipe at you personally. I want to be honest with you…” he looks to the left and then down as he kicks at some imaginary stones as I feel red creeping into my face.

Great here it comes… getting told off again tonight- only to my face.

“You are one of the most beautiful creatures I have ever seen.” And he takes my hand.

I stand silently as our cold fingers intertwine.

“You’re a chubby chaser!” my laughter spills out almost as much as my chest.

“Guilty!” his smile and mine match each other. And he takes me by my middle and dances with me, under the moon light. His hands press me into him, and he sings Blue Moon in a very goofy voice. When he stops, and dips me slowly he once again caresses my face.

“You are so beautiful. I can’t believe my luck,” says this angel to me in the pale moonlight.

We take and exchange numbers in case I lose him in traffic; I follow him in his car. We go to a late night grocery store. He says he wants to cook for me, and at 9 p.m. the store is almost empty. We see all the colors and he enjoys my face when I sniff the apples and run my fingers over the jars of spices.

He gets some shrimp, and red bell peppers. When we pay he makes sure I giggle when he uses his British accent to the cashier, a woman who tried to hit on him but he was busy talking about biscuits to me. The wine he picks up is a nice red, and he smiles when I pick out a 6 pack of Killians.

“I know you are my type now… I got a red, but we are supposed to drink white with shellfish.”

“Unless its salmon.” I say bluntly.

“Glad you aren’t going to argue being my girl.” And with a wink he drives slowly back to his apartment. I follow him in my car, and instantly remind myself to be a lady.