Tish knocked on the door to Spence’s apartment, her heart beating a little faster than it should. She shook her head, frustrated with her anxiety.
Relax. He wants you back.
She took a deep breath as the door opened and his smile instantly drained her tension. “Hey there, welcome to my humble abode. C’mon in.”
She entered the apartment, expecting the usual Spartan bachelor decor, instead finding it tastefully decorated. Burgundy leather sofa, antiques, a Monet print on the wall, a beautifully set dining room table with candles already lit. “Wow. Nice place.”
He shut the door. “Thanks. You can blame Ariel. She’s the one with the good taste. If I’d decorated the place there would be nothing but a recliner, a giant flat screen, a popcorn popper and a beer cooler.”
“So you admit the place needed a woman’s touch.”
He moved closer and took her shoulders. “The apartment isn’t the only thing that needs a woman’s touch.”
She blushed. “I can see what’s on your mind.”
“I was really afraid I’d never get to see those eyes and kiss you again.”
“Well, worry not counselor. As you said at lunch, we’re here aren’t we?” She sniffed the air. “And I smell something good. Ariel take care of that too?”
“Nope, I actually know how to cook. I’m not a typical bachelor in that sense.”
“Good to know.”
“Want some wine?”
“Now you’re the smart one asking stupid questions. Hit me, barkeep.”
Dinner had been terrific, and the two (or was it three?) glasses of wine had lowered her inhibitions. She’d leaned against him and melted into his shoulder during the movie, his arm wrapped around her the whole time.
She was finally relaxed. The time machine thing was working.
As usual, Spence had been the perfect gentleman.
The credits rolled as the movie ended. Spence grabbed the remote and turned off the TV. “Did you like it?”
“Yeah. You?”
“I thought it was well done.” He pointed at her empty glass. “You want more wine?”
She looked up at him, keeping her head on his shoulder. “I think I’ve reached my limit.”
“What happens if you go over it?”
“Don’t know. I’ve never gone that far. I’m a pretty conservative girl.”
“Big part of your attraction.”
“Well, you seem to be a conservative guy. That’s a big part of your attraction as well.”
“That said, do I need to get you back to your hotel, or can you stay awhile?”
“It’s only eleven and it’s not a school night. And Benny said I could stay up late.” He laughed as she sat up straight, then swung one leg over him, straddling him on his lap. She pulled out her hair clip, shaking out her shoulder length hair, then took off her glasses and locked eyes with him.
“Whoa.”
She smiled as she ran her hand across his cheek. “Am I always going to get that reaction from you when I take off my glasses?”
“Yeah, but I think this time it has a little to do with the fact the wine may have left the conservative girl on my lap in the dust.”
She felt his hands rest lightly on her waist. “No, I’m not over the limit. I should have clarified that the conservative girl exhibits that persona in public. In private, well—”
“So you’re kinda like a comic book hero with two identities. Same deal as Superman.”
“Huh?”
“You both take off your glasses before the special powers kick in.”
She slid closer to him, their lips inches apart. “First of all, a female superhero is a superheroine.”
“Ah, you’re right. Forgive me.”
“That said, I hope my other identity meets with your approval.”
“Let’s just say that like a typical superheroine, you seem to have special powers over me.”
“Actually, you might have that backwards, Mister.” She tilted his chin up and gave him a long soft kiss. “But I’ll never admit it.”
Tish looped her hand around Spence’s elbow, resting it on his forearm as he walked her back to the hotel. The night air was chilly and she hunched up her shoulders. He noticed, took off his sport jacket and put it on her. “Thank you.”
“You looked cold, Tish.”
“Well, it is autumn. Listen, I really enjoyed tonight, Spence. And I really needed it.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“I’m so impressed with you.”
“You liked the pasta that much, huh?”
“I wasn’t talking about your cooking, which is amazing. I meant how you handled the whole situation of the past several days. You’re so laid back, so understanding. It’s like nothing upsets you.”
“It’s not that big of a deal, Tish.”
“Yeah, it is. Most guys would have told me to get lost. Or badgered me to come back. You didn’t do either and gave me time to figure things out.”
“You can thank Benny for that.”
“Yeah, we’re lucky to have him. He set me straight as well. But back to what I was saying…you’re so…different.”
“How so?”
“You’re such an old fashioned gentleman. You’re sweet to me. You’re even nice to my cat. You stand up for waitresses in distress. I practically attack you on the couch and you don’t ask me to spend the night.”
He stopped walking and turned to face her wearing a worried look. “I’m sorry if I offended you—”
“No, you’ve got it backwards. I’m impressed that you didn’t.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Tish, I’m really attracted to you physically and there’s nothing I’d like better than to wake up next to you, but we haven’t known each other that long and sex is a big step for me. Besides, even if I did ask I know you’re not ready to spend the night with me either.”
“See, that’s what I mean about you being so different. It’s like you can read my mind.”
He tapped his forehead. “Maybe I picked up some stuff from the magic show.”
“Whatever it is, don’t lose it.” They started walking again. “Although if I’d had another glass of wine and you’d asked me to stay…”
They both laughed as they reached the hotel. “Well, here we are. Home sweet home.”
She rolled her eyes. “More like room boring room. I am so sick of this place already. I can’t ever feel comfortable here.”
“How are the repairs going at your house?”
“They assure me I will be back home before Christmas. Luckily A.J.’s cousin is the contractor or I wouldn’t believe that for a minute. They’ve got the roof done so weather is no longer a factor. But if I’m not home by the holidays, I’ll be really depressed being stuck in a hotel. I love Christmas. Kinda go wild decorating the house. The holiday sorta turns me into a little girl.”
“I look forward to seeing what you do. Well, keep singing I’ll be Home for Christmas and you probably will be.”
“Maybe so. Funny, Socks has adjusted to the office a lot better than I have to the hotel.”
“Well, she does have an extra outlet for treats.” He led her into the hotel. “C’mon, I’ll walk you to your room. Even superheroines need someone to watch over them.”
“I think that’s your superpower, Spence. Honestly, I have never felt so safe on a date in my life.”
“I’m not sure how to take that.”
“Sorry, that didn’t come out quite right. I meant that when we’re out in public you’ll be the perfect gentleman and protect me. But in private, let’s put it this way…you might not be so safe with me.”
“Something tells me you like being in charge.”
“Just figured that out, huh?”
“Nah, kinda got the clue when you pinned me to the couch for about an hour.”
“You didn’t seem like you were trying to get away.”
“I may be a gentleman, but I’m not stupid. You don’t argue with a hot woman on your lap.”
She blushed a bit. “I’m not hot.”
He shook his head and smiled. “Again, she’s brilliant in the courtroom, clueless about the obvious. I’m getting you a mirror for Christmas.”