“HI. I’M HERE TO meet with Nick Turro,” I state with a swarm of butterflies fluttering wildly against my insides. My excitement to see Nick again has been wreaking havoc on my empty stomach. My classes ran late this morning, from a student’s lengthy questioning of this semester’s syllabus, essentially eliminating my time for lunch. And after meeting with my professor about an upcoming project, at the end of the day, the time to eat had passed and I had to get ready to leave.
I went through almost every item in my wardrobe before finally settling on this simple, black, fitted dress. Its knee-length pencil skirt forms around my hips accentuating my natural curves. It’s understated, yet sexy. And judging by the appreciative look Nick is giving me from where he’s seated, I’ve made the right decision.
The faint glow of pendant lights illuminates the tops of the restaurant’s pristinely prepared tables, setting a romantic mood for its patrons. The soft white bulbs provide just enough light to allow me a complimentary view of Nick’s smouldering gaze, accentuating every strong line defining his masculine face.
My hand mindlessly twirls a tiny strand of hair at the base of my neck—a nervous habit I picked up a few years ago. It’s not as satisfying as it used to be, since I lopped off most of my hair, but it still maintains first place in my body’s tells for my nervousness.
The pretty hostess flashes me an appraising look before grudgingly leading me to where my date is sitting patiently. She’s tall, with a model’s body, and sleek, long raven-coloured hair. By the catty expression she’s giving me, she’s obviously used to monopolizing the attention of the majority of the male population, and her claws are undoubtedly pointed in the direction of the tall, dark and handsome man waiting for me.
He ignores the hostess’s attempts to lure his gaze with eyes locked on mine. When we near the table, he stands to pull out my chair, turning away from our brazen hostess. After I’m seated, he bends down to whisper next to my ear.
“You look absolutely amazing.”
The heat of his breath warms my already pinked cheeks. Errant strands of my hair wisp forward from the light breeze. His musky scent wraps around me and the skin on my exposed neck tingles with electricity from his closeness.
A satisfied smile curves my lips as Nick focuses his attention solely on me. He never lets his stare stray to watch the shameless hostess bitterly striding away—adding a large number of points to his date-ability factor—a scoring system Charlotte and I came up with in high school:
Broad shoulders - 10 points.
Attractive - 20 points.
Great smile - 30 points.
Funny - 40 points.
Great kisser - 50 points.
Monogamous - 75 points.
Not an asshat - 100 points.
“Thank you. You look great, too.”
He really does. His medium-length, black hair is feathered back from his face, giving me a clear view of his beautiful, green eyes. The shadows drawn by the low lighting enhance his strong jaw, high cheekbones, and the fullness of his lips.
Those kissable lips.
My eyes are now focused on his mouth when he clears his throat. The side of his mouth lifts, knowingly, and my traitorous cheeks flush again. They’ve betrayed me both times I’ve seen him, and I’m not sure that I trust them to not give me away the next time.
We take a little time to get to know each other better over dinner—asking questions between bites. He’s studying to become a lawyer. He only has a few more months before he’s able to take the bar exam. He’s an only child, though he’s not very close with his parents. He hasn’t seen them since he started university. They provide him with a cheque every month, and that’s where their parenting ends.
He seems to be an open book waiting for me to read more into his life. His willingness to discuss something as personal as his family’s dysfunction makes me feel surprisingly at ease and willing to do the same. My family definitely lacks the cinematic drama his household seems to have, but mine shares a sadness, all the same.
Following the death of my parents three years ago, my life took on a darkness that was unexpected. It was so sudden—instant—that I still find it hard to overcome the raw feeling left inside by their absence.
When I think about the drunk driver that selfishly took them from me, an easy hatred builds in the pit of my stomach. But knowing he has to live with the guilt of their death—every day—makes it an easier pill to take. Remorse is a powerful emotion and he’s expressed his overwhelming anguish for the mistake he made. Now he stands with three years of sobriety as his repentance, and my forgiveness is growing with each passing day.
After we stuff ourselves with delicious desserts, we take a taxi to a nearby theatre. We settle on an action movie with a romantic side story, to compromise on our different preferences of genres. We also agree to forego any snacks as our stomachs are already filled to their limits.
His large hand engulfs my smaller one as he guides me to the proper theatre room. We don’t let go until we shift to make room for a large group of young teenagers who boisterously enter a few minutes later.
“Great. I hope they aren’t too loud,” he mumbles toward me. “I hate it when people talk through a movie.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. These seats are good, too. I’m happy with where we’re sitting.”
I slide my arm through his and intertwine our fingers. As I lean my head on his shoulder, I hear him contently exhale. He turns to press a kiss against the top of my head. “I like where I’m sitting, too.”
As the lights dim and the previews start, his thumb lightly strokes the back of my hand. The motion is soothing and intimate. It’s a gesture of affection and it makes my insides take flight.
Throughout the movie, we continue making contact with light touches and the occasional chaste kiss—because two hours is too long to go without at least some PDA. And when a girl has someone as handsome as Nick sitting next to her, sometimes she just can’t help herself.
After the movie, we exit the theatre and stand, side by side, on the sidewalk to wait for an Uber. It’s a beautiful, warm Californian evening and the lights of the city illuminate the clear, darkened sky. It’s been the perfect night for the perfect date, and I hate to have to see it end.
Nick glances at me, seeming to hesitate before he speaks. “I’m glad you decided to come out with me tonight.”
“Me too,” I honestly reply. I’m amazed at how easily we fell into comfortable conversation tonight. We filled any silence that would have normally been awkward with someone else. I also took note of how perfectly I fit beneath his strong arms as I snuggled into his side in the theatre. I really enjoyed myself and I hope this is the first date of many.
“I had fun tonight, and I know I might be pushing my luck, but do you want to go for a walk on the beach? I’m not ready to say goodbye just yet,” he inquires cautiously, peering sideways at me, through his insanely black lashes.
“I think that sounds fun,” I agree, trying to conceal my relief behind a subdued smile. He’s just as reluctant to see our date end, and this knowledge has the pesky butterflies returning with a vengeance.
As the car we requested pulls up in front of the building, Nick steps forward to open the door respectfully, and gestures for me to enter first. I offer my thanks, then sit down on the padded seat, while shifting over to make room for him. When his large body squeezes in next to me, the heat from it warms my side. He reaches over to clasp our hands. And for the first time tonight, silence fills the space between us as we anticipate the next part of our evening.
The drive is short, and before long, Nick is providing a generous tip along with our fare, and we’re eagerly walking toward the inviting beach. The glow of the moon illuminates our path. Its beautiful light sparkles like diamonds across the white granules saturated by the ebbing waves. The sand is cool beneath our feet as the night swallows the day’s intense heat.
There are a few other people still lingering along the water’s edge. They have the same idea of enjoying the serenity of our surroundings. Nick and I leisurely stroll behind them until we find a private spot to stand, farther down the beach. It’s just out of the reach of the waves. The low tide leaves the sand compacted into a dampened path for us to follow, though we’re content where we are, with no one to infringe on our solitude.
The tranquil sounds of the shoreline draw my eyes closed as I take in the calming cadence of the current. The mild roar of the moving water surrounds us and I feel my breaths slow. My parents would always bring my brother, sister and I here as children. It became our haven—a place where our family could spend time away from the frivolous things of our every day lives, and just enjoy our time together.
A familiar pang of sadness creeps in while my toes play in the sand. It’s an ache in the pit of my stomach that’s refused to go away completely, since the accident. Recently, the hollow feeling has begun to ease. But each day I manage to get through, I’m taken further away from unbearable sadness and closer to saddened acceptance.
I quickly mask the emotion drawing me away with a blank stare. When I feel a warmth penetrating the side of my face, I turn to find two green eyes peering back at me. They glow with curiosity as Nick watches me intently. My cheeks warm under the scrutiny and I find myself lowering my eyes self-consciously from the intense attention.
“You are so beautiful.” The words effortlessly leave his mouth and trace my senses with their honesty.
His hand reaches out and splays across the back of my neck gently pulling me toward him. My eyes flit back up to meet his and my tongue instinctively licks across my lips when I see him lean in. His warm mouth presses gently into mine—its intent clearly spoken through very deft movements. His fingers begin to play with the short hair at the base of my neck, relaxing me into his touch.
The kiss ends way too soon and I’m dizzied by the fall from total bliss. I miss his lips instantly, but I’m temporarily appeased with one of his disarming smiles when he releases me. His hand glides down my arm to my fingers, intertwining them with his own, and silently guides me to follow him.
With my right hand holding his, and my left arm folded around the same arm, I lean my head onto his shoulder as I snuggle into him. We lazily walk along the dampened sand. The cool waves crash nearby before they roll over our feet, then get drawn back with the tide. The gentle rumble of the push and pull is relaxing as we peacefully enjoy each other’s company.
After about an hour of exploring the beach, we call our driver to take us back to the theatre parking lot, where I asked Ryan to pick me up. Nick shifts to get out, and steps around the car to open my door for me. He reaches for my hand and places a chaste kiss on the top, before guiding me out to stand next to him. It’s amazing how one little kiss can make me feel simultaneously light as a feather and weighted in the knees. His eyes lift above my head where he, undoubtedly, sees Ryan waiting.
“You know, I don’t mind riding with you to make sure you get home safe,” Nick states, looking a little insulted by Ryan’s presence.
“I know. And I’m sorry, but we just met…and Ryan’s a little protective… especially after what happened to Hannah…” I ramble, not knowing how to explain that Ryan’s scared he could be a serial killer and made me promise to let him at least pick me up. This way, my room number stays a mystery, at least until I get to know him better. Ryan doesn’t need to know that I spent the last hour on the beach with him—alone—blissfully unaware of everything but his lips.
“That makes sense.” His mouth says one thing, but his eyes tell me he’s a little affronted…maybe a little jealous. “You guys seem really close,” he states like he’s fishing for more of an explanation of mine and Ryan’s relationship.
“We are. But in a brother and sister kind of way.”
I try to settle his unease. I don’t want to start a potential relationship with any misconceptions—especially one that makes him feel like I’m holding a part of me for someone else. “He’s been a good friend to me for quite a few years, but that’s the extent of it. He’s like a big brother to me, and I’ve never felt romantically toward him,” I reassure him.
He wraps his arms around my waist, gently pulling me toward him.
“That’s really good to hear because Allie…” He pauses to lick over his bottom lip. “I really like you and…” He leans down to press his lips against mine, making my toes curl with each stroke. He backs off to only a breath away—the fullness of his lips still providing the slightest of contact. “I’d really like to see you again.”
My eyes remain closed in reverence, when I reply, “Me, too.”
I feel the slightest quirk of his mouth when he finds me again. This time his tongue dips out to taste me. I get lost in the moment until I hear someone clearing their throat.
“You ready to go?” I hear his voice before I feel him behind me. I touch my swollen lips from the very thorough parting Nick provided me with, and blush knowing Ryan saw every heated moment of it.
Nick wipes across his lips with his thumb to remove my transferred lip balm with a smirk. Ryan eyes him with an unreadable expression masking his face, before he extends his hand and says, “I’m Ryan…a friend of Allie’s. And you must be Nick, from the party.”
Nick returns the gesture and replies, “Yeah, I recognize you. I’m sorry to hear about your friend.”
“Thanks,” Ryan adds appreciatively. “Luckily someone was able to save her.”
“Yeah, it’s terrible she was attacked,” he adds thoughtfully. “Do the police have any leads?”
“I haven’t heard anything yet, but I’m hoping they will soon.”
“At least something good came out of that night. I was lucky enough to stumble across this beauty.” Nick decides to lighten our conversation while kissing my hand again.
“Yeah, Allie is a great girl. I’m sure you understand why I try to keep her safe. It’s nothing against you, man. I just take care of my family.” The warning is very clear in his tone.
“I completely understand. Now that I’ve met her, I’ll make sure to do the same.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Ryan returns with a smug grin. “I’ll take her from here.”
Nick addresses Ryan before turning to me, “You can have her for now, but Allie…? Do you want to go out with me next Friday? I’ll pick you up at seven?”
“It’s a date,” I enthusiastically agree.
“Great, you can text me your room number. I’ll see you then.” Nick bends over for another mind-blowing kiss. Each time, the heat level increases exponentially, and I have to remind myself that Ryan has front row seats to our exchange. Nick releases me, after ensuring I won’t forget him, and I reluctantly say goodbye.
When Ryan and I settle into the bucket seats of his sports car, he lightly presses me for details. “Based on the blissed-out expression on your face right now, I think you had a pretty good night, huh?”
“Yeah, Ryan, I really did. Nick seems like such a nice guy. He’s caring, considerate, and treats me like I’m the only woman he sees. I think I found someone I really click with.”
“I’m happy for you, Al. I really am…”
“But?”
“But…you just met the guy and it looked like his tongue was so far down your throat he could taste what you had for dinner.”
“Gross imagery. Thanks for that,” I respond sarcastically—frustrated my happy thoughts are being tainted with Ryan’s disgusting depiction.
“Hey, I call it as I see it,” he shrugs unapologetically. “Just promise me you’ll keep your blinders off while you get to know him, ‘kay?”
“I will, Ryan. You don’t have to worry about me. I know what I’m doing.”