A Chance Encounter

by Charlie Conwell

  Charlie turns to me and smiles. “I’m glad they pushed you to come out too. It gave me a chance to get to know you. My housemate won’t believe that I actually talked to a girl. She has been hounding me for ages to talk to a girl that caught my eye. I suppose this is the first time that I have had my head turned. Your friends were so noisy, but they brought my attention to you. I saw your beautiful brown hair and then your blue eyes and I was captivated. Stacey will be thrilled when I tell her that I met you.”

  We sit and cuddle close for a few more minutes happy in each other’s company before we are cruelly interrupted by a turn in the weather and it begins to rain. Charlie looks at me, we get up, she takes my hand and we run back toward the nightclub where her car is parked. By the time we get to the car, we are soaked. We jump into the car, she turns on the ignition and the heater on full to heat up the car.

  “Oh my God, what a disaster. You’re soaked, I will have the car warm soon Emily.”

  My brown hair is sticking to my forehead and as I move it out of the way, I look at Charlie. Her white shirt is stuck to her chest and shows off her breasts so well. I was appreciating them before but now I have the urge to rip her shirt off and attach my mouth to her nipples. I feel a hunger rising in me and as I look up, I see that Charlie’s eyes have gone from the blue of the ocean to a dark stormy colour. She reaches for my top, pulls me to her and kisses me hard. The kiss is not tentative anymore, it’s demanding. Her hands move under my t-shirt and start to fondle my breasts through my bra making me moan into the kiss. With the encouragement, she moves under the bra and my nipple responds instantly as her thumb brushes over it. I can feel the arousal pump through my veins and the wetness start to pool between my legs. She can hear the change in my breathing, breaks the kiss and leans her forehead against mine. She is breathing hard too.

  “Jesus Emily, you can kiss! Maybe we should slow things down a little bit?”

  I smile as I look down and her hands are still under my top. “I quite like where your hands are right now but what do you have in mind?”

  She grins. “I like having my hands there but maybe I should take you out on an actual date before we do anything, especially when this is new to you.”

  I blush but must ask, “How did you know?”

  She just smiles and kisses me. “It doesn’t matter, I just had a feeling. I want to make it more than just getting carried away in a car. How about I take you out to a movie and dinner?”

  “I would like that very much.”

  She grins at me and kisses me softly. Her hands move out from under my top, I instantly miss her touch and groan at the loss. She moves back into her seat and pulls on her seatbelt. She reaches for my hand, presses it to her stomach and turns on the ignition. She glances at me and smiles. “Where do you live, Emily?”

  “I live in Beaumont Avenue with, Sinead, the girl you met earlier. We live together and go to the college close by.”

  Charlie drives to my home and pulls up outside. “About that date, how does Wednesday sound?”

  I grin. “It sounds wonderful. I look forward to it Charlie.”

  I pull out my phone and she takes it, inputs her number and rings her own phone so she has mine. “I will call, you should get inside and out of those wet clothes.”

  I look at her and blurt out. “I think you should come in and get out of those wet clothes too.”

  Her eyes widen, and she bites her bottom lip. “Emily, there is nothing more I would like than to come in and spend the night with you. But, I want you to be sure and you should get to know me a little more.”

  “Are you always this restrained?”

  She grins. “No. I’m very close to snapping and taking you right here right now, but that’s not how I want our first time to be.”

  I can hear the urgency in her voice, the strain and it hits me like a tornado. “I need to get out of the car. I will text and see you Wednesday night.”

  She smiles at me. “I look forward to it.”

  I lean in and kiss her once more before I get out of the car. I get to the front door and turn back to see her still waiting until I go in. I wave to her, she smiles and waves back. I go in and close the door, resting on it with the biggest smile on my face. Yes, this was one of the best nights and Charlie is every ounce of sexy. I cannot wait to see her again.

  Chapter 3

  I get home and jump into the shower to warm up after taking off the cold wet clothes. My thoughts turn to Emily and a smile comes to my face. She is very sexy, has a great smile and we really hit it off. I quickly wash, get out, dry, and change into my shorts and t-shirt that I wear to bed. I pick up my phone considering sending Emily a text, then I think about it and set the phone down. I pick it up moments later and write a text.

  Hey Emily, it’s Charlie. I had a wonderful time with you and can’t wait to see you for our date. Sleep well xx

  I put down the phone and get into bed, just as I am settling down my phone beeps. I pick it up and see a reply from Emily. I get this new sensation of seeing her name flash on my screen.

  Hi Charlie, I had a wonderful time too. I can still feel your lips on mine. I can’t wait for our date and to see you again. Sleep well babe xx

  This feeling is foreign, and it frightens me. I have put off getting involved with a girl for so many reasons, but when I saw Emily something just switched on and I needed to get to know her or at least an introduction. I never thought I would be so bold as to ask for her ID, but it was the only thing I could think of to get her to notice me.

  I put the phone down and settle in. For the first time in a long time, I fall asleep with a smile on my face.

  I wake up with Stacey calling me for breakfast. I groan, turning my head into the pillow and pulling the covers over my head to try to keep her out. No such luck when she starts banging on the door. “Come on Char, wake up. I made breakfast. Why are you sleeping so late? You are normally up before me if you are working or not.”

  I groan again and then I hear my phone signalling that there is a message. I reach out and pick it up and instantly smile.

  Morning Charlie, I hope you slept well. I fell asleep with a grin on my face and thoughts of you.

  I grin and rattle off a text to Emily before being taken out of my bliss by banging on the door. I decide that it is time to get up before Stacey comes through the door.

  I swing open the door just as she is about to bang on it again. “I’m awake Stace, I’m awake.”

  She laughs at me. “Good, I was bored, and I made breakfast, so come on before it gets cold.”

  I smirk. “You got bored? How long have you been awake?”

  She shrugs. “That is not the point, I made you breakfast, you should be grateful.”

  “Stace, you only woke up before you made breakfast, didn’t you? Hell, you are like a little puppy, you hate being up alone. Why don’t you do what normal people do and put on the radio, TV or even have your boyfriend stay over occasionally?”

  “Charlie, just be quiet and eat. I spent a week with Gary and I was looking forward to spending some time with you since we haven’t seen each other.”

  I hate when she puts on this puppy dog eyed routine it gets me every time. “Ok, Stace put those eyes away and hand me the maple syrup for my pancakes. Tell me about your time away.”

  She grins big as she hands me the maple syrup and I laugh. “I had the best time Charlie, he is a really great guy and we are getting on really well. He was so sweet while we were away, we did all the touristy things even though he hates that stuff but because I like it he did, and he even bought me a souvenir in each place. I’m falling for him Charlie, I’m falling hard.”

  I look up at her and grin. “That’s great Stace and he feels the same way?”

  She smiles the brightest smile. “Yes, I think so, I feel it Charlie, while we were away I felt like a queen and that’s how he treated me. We have been texting ever since we came back. I feel like I am floating on air and I am the happiest that I have
been in a long time.”

  “That’s so good Stace, I like Gary and he seems to be doing everything right so far but if he messes up and hurts you I will have to hurt him.”

  I watch Stace smile. “I know you would, but I don’t think you will have to. He is one of the good ones.”

  My phone beeps signalling another message. I pick it up, read it, smile reply and leave the phone down again. I go to reach for my coffee mug when Stacey stops me.

  “Ah Charlie, who was the text from?”

  I try to stop the smile from coming on my face but fail miserably. “Just someone I know.”

  I know this won’t fly with her and I try to pry her hand off my mug. “Charlie, did you meet someone?”

  I don’t meet her eyes. “Stace, can I have my coffee please?”

  “You did meet someone, oh my god you have to tell me. This is huge news, how are you keeping it in, are you not bursting to tell me?”

  I look up, see the excitement in her eyes and grin. “I was going to tell you, but I got rudely awakened and then you were saying your bit about you. I was merely waiting to tell you what I had to say.”

  Her mouth hangs open. “Charlie, come on this news is huge I haven’t seen you with a girl in ages. How did it happen? Who made the move? Where did it happen…no scratch that it had to happen last night? Is that why you were home so late?”

  I start to blush, and she starts hitting my upper arm. “Oh my god Charlie you met someone, tell me everything.”

  She releases my mug from her grasp, I take it, sit back in my chair and start to recount the events from the night before. By the end of it, I don’t know who was smiling bigger her or me. She did, however, start to deafen me with the squeal she let out before launching at me with the biggest hug.

  “I’m so happy for you Charlie, this is good, how do you feel?”

  I smile. “I feel a mixture of happy, fear, excitement and butterflies all rolled into one. I don’t know what happened to me but when I saw her I had to do something. Her blue eyes, the brown hair. She just called to me somehow and I had to answer. I’m looking forward to the date but I’m so damn nervous too. I haven’t done this in a while, Stace.”

  “Charlie relax, it’s a date. You will take her for a nice meal, get to know her, and she will get to know you and then go where the night takes you. Take the pressure off and just enjoy it.”

  I nod as I listen. “I guess you are right Stace, take the pressure off, yes I can do that, it will be fun and I’m looking forward to seeing her again already.”

  Stacey looks smug and is grinning away in her seat. “What Stace?”

  She shakes her head. “It’s nice seeing this side of you, Charlie. You look happy and I haven’t seen you smile like this in a long time. This makes me happy.”

  I get up taking the plates and mugs. As I pass her, I kiss her on the cheek and bring the items to the dishwasher. “Thanks, Stace, I’m happy too.”

  Chapter 4

  “Sinead, can you come in here, please? I need your help.”

  I’m sitting on my bed surrounded by different clothes and a towel wrapped around me. Sinead opens the door and comes in. “Jesus Emily, what the hell happened in here? You are going on a date not packing to go away for months.”

  I roll my eyes. “I don’t know what to wear and I’m nervous and the more I look the more I have no idea what to put on.”

  Sinead sits down beside me and smiles. “Emily, it’s ok to be nervous. This is your first real date. Wear something you are going to be comfortable in. Charlie will be floored no matter what you wear.”

  “Maybe so, but I just want to look good. This means a lot and I like Charlie and we have been texting since Saturday and we have talked a lot. It just feels good and she is so sweet and attentive.”

  “Ok Emily let’s have a look at what you have, and you will sparkle and make Charlie trip over her tongue when she sees you.”

  She stands up and starts to go through my clothes. She holds up a couple of outfits and then shakes her head. She settles on a green dress that hugs me in all the right places and grins. “This is the one Emily. Charlie won’t know where to look.” I quickly go and change into the dress.

  I come back into the room and Sinead wolf whistles. “Wow Emily, you are a knockout.”

  I smooth down the dress, I can feel the butterflies take flight in my stomach and I look at Sinead. “I’m nervous now, what if she cancels?”

  Sinead tuts then laughs. “Emily, you said yourself that you have been texting and talking since Saturday, has she given you any hint that she wouldn’t turn up?”

  I cock my head to the side and then shake it no, “she told me she is looking forward to it and can’t wait to see me.”

  “Well, why would you think that she is going to cancel now?”

  I sigh. “I don’t know, I’m just nervous.”

  I flop down on the bed and Sinead nudges me. “Relax Emily, Charlie will be here and you will have a great time.”

  My phone beeps signalling a text, I look at it without picking it up and Sinead tuts. “For god sake Emily, check the message.”

  I pick up the phone and I see Charlie’s name on the screen. “It’s from Charlie.”

  “What does it say?”

  “I don’t know I haven’t looked yet.”

  I open the text, Hi Emily I’m on my way see you soon xx

  I start grinning and Sinead starts to laugh. “I take it from that silly smile on your face that Charlie is on the way.”

  “Yes, she is, she is on the way.”

  I look around my room that looks as if a bomb went off in it and I start to panic. I reach for clothes to put them away. Sinead comes beside me. “Leave them, I will tidy them away for you. Just sit down and relax, will you? You’re making me nervous looking at you.”

  I hear the doorbell, I look at Sinead and she squeezes my hand. “Breathe Emily, just have fun ok.”

  “I will, ok go open the door and then I will come down.”

  I hear Sinead laughing as she goes to the door. I hear her talking to Charlie and just the sound of her voice makes me grin. I check out my dress one more time in the mirror before Sinead shouts up the stairs for me to come down.

  I make my way downstairs and as I get halfway down the stairs I see Charlie and she smiles her eyes not leaving mine. She comes to the stairs and takes my hand. “You look beautiful Emily.”

  I smile as she leans and kisses me softly on the lips. I notice the flowers and she blushes. “I brought you these, I hope you like them. “I love them, thank you.”

  Sinead takes them from me. “I’ll look after these, go and enjoy your night.”

  “Thanks, Sinead.”

  I look at Charlie who holds out her hand and I take it instantly. We go to a beautiful restaurant with a romantic ambience and we get the perfect table by the window, so we can overlook the river. I feel like a princess with the attention Charlie is giving me. I look through the menu and I have my hand on the table. I feel her stroke my hand before taking it in hers. I look over at her and she smiles. “I really like this, being here with you. I haven’t done this in a while, so I will admit I am nervous.”

  “I have never done this before, so I know I should be nervous but because it’s you I feel at ease. Granted my room looks like a tornado ripped through it when I was trying to choose what to wear.”

  She laughs at me, raises my hand to her lips and kisses the back of it. “You look beautiful Emily.”

  I blush instantly which makes her smile. “Thank you, you look really good too, very sexy.”

  We start into casual conversation, enjoy our meal and we find out about each other. The meal was wonderful, but the company was even better.

  Charlie was animated while she talked, and you could tell what her passion was. Our conversation turned to family and she smiles softly at me.

  “Emily, my dad was in the army and his dad before him. I have thought about enlisting too, it’s always been a part of m
y life. I grew up in the army housing and moved around a lot. I think this has been the longest that I have been settled in the one spot. I’ve been here for the last two years.”

  “My uncle is in the army, I know about family life with a member of the ranks. It’s something that I am very proud of. Have you investigated enlisting yet?”

  She cocks her head to the side as I ask the question. “I have considered it and there is the training camp that I would go through but that shouldn’t be an issue for me.”

  I laugh. “No, you are definitely fit and it’s something I find incredibly attractive to you. You’re so strong but you have that sensitive side that just makes you the whole package. It really is quite appealing.”

  For the first time, I see her blush. “You are very cute when you blush.”

  She shakes her head. “I don’t normally blush easily, but you have managed to do it very well. What about you, what are you studying?”

  “I’m glad I do, I just started a psychology degree in university. It was something I was always interested in. Why people behave in certain ways? I like the criminal side with the hope that after the degree that I could go into criminal psychology. That’s not set in stone though because I may find something else that triggers me during the course.”

  “Always good to keep your options open and to have one area you are interested in to give you a starting point. I’m sure whatever you choose you will be great at it.”

  The waiter comes over, clears our plates away and gives us the rundown on desserts. We choose to share one and when it arrives instead of feeding ourselves we end up feeding each other. We pay the bill, Charlie stands with her hand out and I stand taking it, automatically intertwining our fingers.

  We make our way out of the restaurant and walk through the park on our way to the cinema. We get our tickets and go to the theatre. I choose to sit in the back row and Charlie quirks an eyebrow. “You want to sit in the back row?”

  “Yes, I do, we have more leg room and if the movie isn’t great, I can get distracted by your lips.”