chapter 5

Robin stepped nervously out into the living room at 6 pm sharp smoothing down a stubborn wrinkle on the bodice of the sleek navy blue bodycon dress she donned for the evening. She’d been told the dress flattered her figure by the salesgirl when she bought it and it certainly did. The snug fit emphasized her slim core and gently flaring hips. Her long-toned legs accentuated by a modest but fashionable heel which served to elevate her pert bottom. It was harder to realize in her more relaxed casual wear, but she was indeed a full bodied woman.
“Robin, you look incredible.” Harrison said gawking a bit as he seemed to drink her in his jaw slightly slack.
Robin blushed, “You clean up pretty well yourself.” She said smiling as she looked him over and he really did. It seemed he had chosen to wear some of the new clothes he had picked up in town as the slacks appeared to fit comfortably at the waist and fashionably slim through the leg and while the tucked in dress shirt still hugged his budding belly it looked smart and fit well through his wide powerful shoulders. His hair had grown out slightly over the course of the month and the swatch of early grey along with it gave him a very mature and dignified appearance. Had his clean-shaven freckled face not given him such a youthful appearance he would fit squarely in the category of men described aptly as Daddy.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet as the slight unease of a first romantic foray sunk into both, either one casting awkward sideways glances at one another too nervous the be the first to begin any kind of conversation. Once they were seated and the wine was served the conversation flowed freely. The restaurant was a ritzy steakhouse, likely one of the ones Harrison had visited with a client as the guests seated around them seemed to be the well established sort dressed in fine name branded clothing the women decorated with glittering diamond jewelry and the men flashing expensive time pieces and highly polished leather shoes.
It was Robin’s turn to gawk when their time came to order. Harrison was perfectly adept and confident as he ordered two appetizers as well as his entrée before deferring to Robin who quietly ordered her entrée. When the waiter walked away Harrison’s earlier confidence seemed to wane a bit as if he just realized he was with someone he should be self conscious around rather than the ‘fat cats’ as he had described them that he had been used to dining in these sorts of places with. “I must seem insane.” He said meekly taking a hesitant drink from his glass of wine, “the crab cakes and stuffed mushrooms here are delicious, I should have asked before ordering for us though. I don’t even know if you have any allergies or anything.”
Robin rested her hand over his as it was clear his insecurity and anxiety had bubbled back up to the surface. While she loved to have seen him so confident and in charge she also valued how easily vulnerability came to him. He was an open book and one that was easy to read. It was a refreshing kind of earnestness that she didn’t see often in many men she had dated. “Hey, relax.” She said quietly looking up at him with a smile. “I don’t have any allergies you should be worried about and” she hesitated for a second as the heat of a blush radiated through her, “It was nice to see you be so confident. You really don’t have to worry around me. I’m not Janie.”
Harrison grimaced, his face falling slightly at the mention of his controlling fitness obsessed ex and Robin kicked herself internally. “Harrison, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t hav-“
He shook his head and smiled his easy crooked smile lightly running his thumb over her lingering hand on his. “It’s okay, you’re right. I need to lighten up and just enjoy this time with you. I want this to go well.” He said his effortless sincerity shining through sending shivers through Robin as the look in his eyes demonstrated his seriousness their gaze fixed only on her as if she was the most important person or thing in the world to him in that split moment.
Harrison’s thumb lingered over Robin’s hand and she made no effort to move under the waiter returned with the appetizers and to refill their glasses with rich red wine. Robin had a bite here and there of the appetizer’s he hadn’t exaggerated they were delicious but it their serving size was any indicator their entrees would be hearty as well and she did not want to get overfull on starters. Harrison on the other hand was another story eating with gusto as the conversation resumed the food and the company seemingly drowning out any of the insecurity he had been feeling a few moments ago by the time the entrees came he had made easy work of the decadent crab cakes and had left behind only a few stray creamy stuffed mushrooms as well as a couple pieces of warm bread slathered generously in lightly salted butter they claimed to churn themselves on site. She didn’t mention a thing but certainly took notice of how healthy his appetite seemed to be as he tucked into his meal as if unaffected by the rich starters he had eaten. He grew quiet as the main meal arrived visibly enjoying every bite as if it might be his last. Clearly he had more than just a sweet tooth she thought to herself already full after a few bites of her pistachio encrusted lamb chops.
Harrison seemed to take notice and lowered his fork trying to discreetly wipe the corner of his mouth. “Is your meal not what you expected?” he asked as if ready to apologize for any disappointment she might harbor.
Robin shook her head and smiled, “Oh God, no, its delicious I’m just full.” She carved off a substantial piece and loaded in onto her fork making sure to get a bit of every thing on it. “Here, try a bite.” She said raising the fork towards him. She expected him to take it from her hand but instead he leaned forward bringing his lips to her fork and parting them slightly. She moved it forward towards his inviting lips feeling herself grow hot with desire as he sat back chewing thoughtfully.
“I’ll have to order the lamb next time.” He said finally after a long moment of consideration locking eyes with her seemingly with the same desire she had although she doubted it was for the same reasons.
“Feel free to help yourself.” She said huskily as she slid her plate towards him, “I wouldn’t want it to go to waste.” She said repeating her sentiment from earlier that same day when she’d given him the donut. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him the rest of the meal as he seemingly accepted the invitation to her meal and took alternating bites from both plates until he slowed down substantively sitting back heavily as he chewed through a final bite of lamb. She was slightly disappointed that their waiter seemingly forgot to mention dessert but certainly not too disappointed as he had certainly given her a show without even intending to as he had nearly cleared away both of their entrees. She couldn’t peel her eyes away from him when he finally stood with a poorly stifled groan. His small budding belly had taken on a distended and glutted out appearance clearly pushing through the fabric of his new shirt already threatening to strain the buttons.
It the car he was sheepish once again as he lowered himself into the drivers seat and tried to discreetly loosen his belt sighing in relief as his less confined belly pushed further out unhindered any longer. He tried and failed to stifle a belch and hotly apologized as an embarrassed blush flooded his cheeks. “God, I’ve made a pig of myself. I’m so sorry.”
Robin shook her head surprising herself as she reached out and gently rested her hand against his solid abdomen. “All this tells me is that you’re a man who knows how to enjoy food. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a man with a healthy appetite.” She said gently patting his belly as if to drive home her position on the matter emboldened by the three glasses of wine she’d had.
He seemed to quietly accept her words as they drove back to the apartment. When they arrived walking through the door together the tension between them was once again palpable both clearly less hindered by the wine although she more than him and both seemingly experiencing the same desire for one another. “Are you going to kiss me?” Robin finally asked as they stood near one another in the entry way in a near whisper.
He nodded, “I’d like to.” He said nearly closing the space between them with a decisive step.
“Then do.” She challenged.
He craned his neck to find her lips with his, his large powerful hands finding their place on the small of her back and her hip pulling her closer into him as he did pulling away after a moment looking down at her with longing eyes. “Will you show me your bedroom?” he asked his lips still only just parted from hers before locking with them again as Robin nodded, gently guiding her back towards her bedroom both discarding shoes and clothes as they made their way his large hands fumbling slightly with the zipper of her dress while her delicate counterparts made quick work of his belt and trousers button.