Though I’m tired, my mind is racing too much for me to sleep, so I head back to the kitchen to clean up while I wonder about his previous relationships. He said he didn’t date much and confessed to never having had a bad date, but can that really be true? If his past dates weren’t bad, why did the relationships end? What about those girls hanging on him at the club? I should have asked him about them.
“You’re being paranoid. He’s been nothing but kind, and you’re trying to find something wrong with him. After I broke things off with her friend’s son, Aunt Ginny said I was just looking for excuses.”
It’s true. I know it is. It’s the same thing I’ve done since my relationship with Justin ended so abruptly. All my initial time is spent ignoring the obvious red flags in the name of kindness, and then when the warning signs don’t put me off, I look for faults so I don’t get too close.
“I came here to make some life changes, Vee,” I say. “I’m going to have to start with changing my attitude. Did you hear him? He said he’d help me with my search for my parents! Isn’t that awesome?”
A thought hits me, and my stomach sinks.
Is that why he left? Did he think I wanted to trade sexual favors for his help? Did I basically offer to prostitute myself, and the idea pissed him off? What if he won’t help me now because I threw myself at him like a horny schoolgirl?
“He wasn’t pissed off,” I say aloud. “He kissed me first, and he was hard as a rock. You can’t fake that.”
Despite my recent orgasm, I shiver at the memory of his long, hard erection pressed between my legs, and my breath quickens. I close my eyes for a moment and lick my lips. I can still taste him there.
As I’m washing the wine glasses, my phone dings.
Nate O: Thank you for the wonderful sandwich, Cherry. You kept a dying man from starvation.
I snicker.
You’re welcome. I’m sorry dinner wasn’t what you hoped for.
Nate O: I’m so sorry about the restaurant. I really wanted you to have a good time tonight.
Did he think I didn’t enjoy myself? Despite all the problems in the beginning, I thought the rest of the night had gone great. Well, aside from my emotional outburst.
I did have a good time.
Nate O: I’m glad to hear you say that. So did I. Now I’m sitting in my car, in the garage, wishing I had stayed with you.
My heart pounds as I read his words.
I wish you had, too.
I hit send too quickly and then wonder if I should have said that at all. Yes, I had wanted him to stay. First date or not, I was ready to give myself to him, and I was disappointed when he stopped.
“Don’t play games,” I whisper to myself. “Tell him how you feel.”
Nate beats me to the punch.
Nate O: I’m very, very tempted to drive back over there right now, but I’m not going to let myself do that. Can I see you again tomorrow?
I glance at the clock, and it’s after midnight.
Tomorrow or later today?
Nate O: Later today, technically. After you’ve gotten some sleep. Breakfast, maybe? I definitely owe you a meal.
I bite down on my lip, staring at the screen as I try to decide how to respond. I go with simple and direct.
I’d like that.
Nate O: I’m glad to hear it. I’ll come by around 10, if that’s all right.
I immediately set an alarm so I’ll have time to get up and shower, then answer.
That sounds great! I’ll see you then.
Nate O: Glorious! Until then, sleep well, Cherry.
Gnight Nate
I finish cleaning up, convinced I’ll never be able to fall asleep. Apparently, the night had taken enough of an emotional toll on me to counter my nervous excitement about seeing him again so soon, and I drop right off. I sleep soundly and dreamlessly until the alarm goes off.
True to his word, Nate knocks on my door precisely at ten o’clock, paper bags in hand.
“Good morning,” he says quietly. He grins at me, and I smile back.
“Good morning to you, too!”
I step back and let him in. Nate immediately places the bags on the kitchen table and turns to me. I’m not sure what I should do now. I want to kiss him, but that seems too forward, and I was already so over the top last night. Should I hug him? I can’t decide and end up just standing there as Nate looks at me for a long moment, then makes his own decision.
He takes a step forward, reaches out, and grabs the back of my head. He pulls me toward him, kissing me hard.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all morning,” he says breathlessly.
I smile, feeling my face heat up as I look away. Nate moves his hand to my chin and turns me to face him.
“Are you being shy now?” he asks. “You weren’t shy last night.”
“No, I wasn’t. I, um, I’m sorry about being so forward. I shouldn’t have…” I don’t know what else to say.
“Whoa, Cherry! You don’t have anything to apologize for. It was rather unexpected, but believe me, I wanted it. I would have stayed, but…”
It’s his turn to run out of words. I wish he would finish the sentence, but he just looks into my eyes instead. I feel my face heat up even more as Nate runs this thumb over my cheekbone. He leans in and gently presses his lips to mine once more before releasing me and turning toward the bags. He tears open the tops and pulls out
