by Rita Hestand
He had a leather couch and a big screen TV.
"Want a cold drink?" He asked.
"Yeah sure…" she followed him into his kitchen.
He moved as though he was irritated.
When he turned around to hand her a drink, she was right behind him. He stared into her eyes. She grabbed the drink and moved away. He was tempting and she knew she didn't want to give him the wrong idea. She knew she needed to get to know him better. But it was hard, because she really enjoyed being with him. Dex exuded a sense of security she couldn't explain. When he was around, she felt safe.
But a few minutes later he was sitting on the couch with her and he turned to look at her. "Want to go to church with me tonight?"
"Church, really?" she asked. It was the last thing she expected him to ask, but a pleasant surprise.
"Sure, if I miss morning services, I go at night. Wanna come?" Dex offered with a smile.
"That would be nice." Melanie sighed.
"Yeah," He stretched his arm over the back of the sofa and nodded. "Don't want you to think I'm trying to jump your bones. But…" He turned her cheek with the back of his hand, then brushed her it with his hand soft and lingering. "I like you Mel."
The touch was intimate and took her breath away for a moment. She tried not to take that so seriously, "I like you too." She chuckled.
His eyes glittered into hers now. "No…I mean I really like you Mel…I mean, I've invited girls to go to church with me, but no one has ever accepted the invitation before. Only you."
Breathless, she stared into his sincere eyes. "We need to slow down a little Dex…" She whispered. "The way you kiss me, takes my breath away. I get carried away. I'm not used to a man who can do that to me."
"I know," he whispered back. "But there's definitely a spark of attraction I hadn't expected. I mean I did, but I didn't. To tell the truth I had no expectations at first, except maybe a good solid friendship. But you don't kiss like a friend, and I would know that, right off," He grinned.
"I know…I feel it too. Never been one to jump into a relationship though. But…I like you too Dex. I can't deny that."
"Yeah, you're right. I got carried away because you said yes to church. You have a way of making a lasting impression."
"I'd love to go to church with you, Dex…"
"Good." He flipped the TV on. It was a welcome distraction.
That is until she realized it was creating even more tension in the room. The movie was a romance, and the actors were making love. She couldn't stop her own reactions when he reached slowly to take her hand in his and folded it against his.
Their eyes met for a moment and she blushed.
"I'm not going to pretend with you, there's a real attraction growing. But, tell me if you don't feel the same…Any time I get too fresh, tell me to back off. I mean that. The last thing I want to do is scare you off, Mel."
She didn't look at him, couldn't. "I feel it too…but it scares me a little…we don’t…"
"Know each other well. I know. Don't fight what comes natural." He whispered.
"I-I…"
She couldn't finish, because he pulled her close and kissed her again and she forgot what she was saying. Her arms flew around his neck and the kiss that had started as soft and caressing became quickly heated, but not threatening in any way. Dex made kissing an art.
When he raised his head, he looked deep into her eyes, "I'll do my best not to rush you, but I gotta tell you, I enjoy the kisses…"
She smiled slowly, her bones had melted during that kiss and she knew it was too late, she was falling for Dex.
"I better go…" She whispered.
He nodded, "Sure…"
She walked to the door, then turned and smiled over her shoulder at him. "I enjoy them too, Dex…see you later, what time is church?"
"I'll pick you up at six." He grinned.
Chapter Eight
That evening Melanie picked a soft pink dress and low heels to wear. It was a modest dress but the color looked great on her.
Dex came by just a tad early and saw her in the dress and whistled. "Nice, I like it." He grinned. "It brings out such a soft color in your eyes." He leaned to kiss her lightly on the lips.
She could smell the enticing scent of his cologne, and she wanted to be near him, but she had pushed him away a bit earlier and she couldn't just run up to him and hug him. Could she? Oh, how she wanted to, but she didn't want to move too quickly. She had to dampen her enthusiasm for now. If it was truly meant to be, it would happen, without prior thoughts.
"I don't have many dresses," she grinned instead.
"Maybe you should invest in a few more. You look great." He gave her a slow approving glance.
She smiled and after locking up she turned to look at him. He was wearing black slacks and a jacket. He looked very handsome and she told him so.
From his grin, she figured he enjoyed the compliment.
His church was small and Dex seemed to know everyone. Perhaps that's why everyone was looking at her.
"Why are they staring?" She whispered.
"Small church, you are new, and very interesting. I've never brought a lady here with me, so they are surprised, and wondering where it might all lead, if you know what I mean." He winked.
She chuckled softly, "Oh my."
"Don't worry, they'll get used to you." He glanced around and saw they really were staring. "The key is whether you come back a second time with me."
She chuckled.
After the sermon and lots of singing, she was introduced to practically the entire church and everyone encouraged her to come back. One rather attractive lady came up to her, giving Dex the eye first, then looking straight into her eyes she accessed her. "Is this your girlfriend Dex?"
The accent was on the word, girlfriend, Melanie noticed.
"Not exactly. She's my neighbor, Ellen, this is Mel, Melanie." He corrected.
"Dex has never brought a woman with him. You must be special." The woman held her hand out to shake, but the insincerity in her voice had Melanie taking a closer look.
She was very attractive, perhaps a tad older than Dex and obviously, a bit miffed by Melanie's attendance.
"Dexter doesn't bring young ladies with him," One older woman told her as Ellen walked away, shooting Dexter a slight nod.
"Well, I'm sort of new to the area." Melanie explained.
"Where do you work hon?" Another lady asked.
"I'm starting at Mercy General tomorrow, as a matter of fact," She answered.
"You're a nurse then?" The woman asked.
"Will be, yes."
"How exciting for you. Well, Dex, bring her back, she's charming." Mrs. Howell insisted. "I like her."
"I'll do that." He grinned.
As they left Dex glanced at her, "You were a hit."
"Was I? All but with that one woman, Ellen?"
Dex shrugged, "I dated Ellen when I first came here, and now she mothers me when I’m around other pretty women."
"She likes you a lot."
"You think?" His comeback was somewhat arrogant and unexpected, but he was a charmer, she admitted. Maybe she should be a bit more wary of his charms.
"Very much so. How long did you date her?"
"About a month. She's too controlling for me." He grinned. "Very possessive. Not to worry, I never even kissed her."
Wanting to put her at ease he took her elbow and guided her out of the church and toward the car. "When Mrs. Howell approves, the whole church approves. Now, hungry?"
"A little…"
"Good, let's check out a seafood place I know about."
"Ever been?"
"Nope, but I've heard good things about it." He told her.
"I'm game then."
"That's what I like about you, your easy to please." He grinned.
"You know, as long as I've lived here, I haven't done much eating out, except for fast food. And I haven't been to church in a long while. I mean I went at home, and
even attended a few near the college at first, but going alone isn't much fun. Your friends there are very nice. And I like the fact that it's a small church."
"And nosey." He grinned.
"And nosey," she laughed.
"Good to hear you laugh." He sighed.
She glanced at him, "I laugh a lot."
"Not so, I've gotten a couple of chuckles out of you, but not a get-down kind of laugh, until today. I'm glad. It means you are relaxing a bit."
The restaurant was nearly empty, but a few straggled in and they had an intimate table by candlelight. Melanie knew just by the menu and the surroundings that this was no cheap restaurant. When she saw the prices she nearly gasped.
"What will you have?" He asked curiously when she buried her head in the menu to study it.
"It's rather expensive here," she answered, glancing over the edge of the menu.
Again, that strange expression puzzled her.
"Don't worry, I’m paying for it."
"I can't let you do that." She protested putting the menu away.
"Of course, you can. I invited you. This is our first official date. So, I'm paying." He insisted. "Besides, you haven't even gotten a first pay-check yet. And I have a strict policy, when I take a girl to church I always buy her dinner."
"Are you loaded with money?" She chuckled.
"No just very thrifty with what I have, and I want to treat you." He smiled.
"That's very sweet…"
"I'm a sweet guy." He affirmed, again a tiny bit of arrogance.
She looked into his eyes. "You really are," she stared now.
Their eyes met over the candle light and she could see her compliment went straight to his heart.
They talked small talk, discussed the hospital, and then suddenly he reached for her hand, his hands were firm, but soft too, especially when his thumb seemed to absently stroke the top of her hand. "It's funny, I haven't known you long, but I feel as though I've known you forever. I mean from the first day, it's been nice. You are just so comfortable to be with."
"Comfortable. I seem to make most the men I date comfortable. So why don't they turn out differently?" She folded her fingers into his. Feeling the sweat between them made her relax, as Dex seemed to be feeling the same things she was.
The attraction was growing and she knew it, despite her intention to take it slowly. Candle light dinners, kisses that would make any girl swoon, it swept her away to another world.
"Maybe they weren't the right guy." He said softly.
Her glance flew up to meet his gaze. "We have kind of hit it off, haven't we?"
"If I'm going too fast, just tell me to slow down," He told her, staring into her eyes. "But please don't tell me to."
"Honestly, I hadn't planned on this." She stared into his eyes. "I seriously figured I'd work for a while before I let anyone back into my life." She admitted. "At least, that was my plan."
"Did this Brad fella hurt you that much?"
"No," She blurted eagerly, "he didn't. But being on my own I tend to be more cautious."
"So, you're letting me in?" He smiled and squeezed her hand. "And you're not sure why or if you even should, right."
"Let's see where it goes," she suggested.
"I'm not pressuring you. I want you to know that. But I'm glad we found each other." He told her. "And even if it is a rocky road, I'm willing to put some effort into our relationship. Plain and simple, I like you Mel....a lot. Much more than a friend."
He let go of her hand as the waitress brought their food.
It was so good, Melanie had never tasted such a wonderful meal and she ate everything on her plate. He glanced at the plate. "You were hungry, weren't you?" He chuckled.
She waved her hand in a gesture, "Oh, I was taught to always clean my plate, and at such an expensive restaurant I wouldn't dare leave anything behind."
He chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling into hers.
"So, you were a dutiful daughter?"
"Up until I told my folks I wanted to go into nursing school and move up this way to do so."
"They didn't like it?"
"No, they wanted me to stay there, marry some local and bring up a house full of children. But, I'd always thought of nursing as my calling since I saved my pet dog from dying once."
"Really, what happened to the dog?"
"He was run over. The vet said he'd need constant care, so I took care of him. The vet told me I'd make a great nurse. I believed it. I enjoyed watching him heal, making my pet happy."
Again, his eyes glittered into hers, "Sometime I look at you and listen to you and think, you're just too good to be true."
She blushed.
Changing the subject helped, but her thoughts were on him, not nursing just now. She knew she should slow down, but deep down she wanted to experience all of this. Even if it didn't work out, she'd have something special to remember.
Being with Dex was like some thrilling roller coaster ride. He was intense and yet fun to be with. She liked Dex in every way. How could she put the brakes on a relationship that she enjoyed so much? With Brad, he controlled, with Jesse he assumed how she felt all the time, but with Dex, he was simply charming and she didn't feel any pressures with him, and she was becoming addicted to his kisses too. But she didn't want him thinking she was falling for him too fast either. He might get the wrong idea. So, she relaxed with him, and that was a feeling she'd never known as long as she had dated. She quit analyzing the kisses and enjoyed them.
And then as they went to their car, she got that feeling again, the hair on the back of her neck stood up. And she shivered even though it wasn't cold outside.
"Hey, are you cold?" He asked incredulously.
"No…." She replied glancing about.
As though he completely understood he glanced around them. "Again?"
She nodded silently as she scooted inside the car, but stayed very close to him as he did the same.
"I'm probably being silly." She told him as she snuggled against his arm.
He glanced down at her and raised her head and saw tears in her eyes, "No you aren't. You were enjoying yourself until we came out of that restaurant."
She stared into his eyes, "But nothing has happened to make me think there is anyone out there watching me. I simply feel it Dex. I can't prove anything. Maybe I’m imagining things."
"With most girls, I'd say yes, but not with you. You have a delightful personality, except for this strange unaccountable feeling that swamps you. You can't imagine something that affects you that much. It's real. I'm sure of that. Just wish we could get to the bottom of it."
He sat back, glanced around, then put his arm around her. When his lips touched, hers she didn't object. In fact, she had wanted him to kiss her all night. She didn't hesitate to kiss him back either. She'd never enjoyed kissing as much as with Dex.
Despite her resolve not to get involved with anyone too soon, she forgot that and enjoyed his kisses. The car began to steam up as they were so wrapped up in each other. His teeth nibbled her bottom lip until she opened her mouth and let him in. His tongue was like silk, stroking hers and she was lost. He was so gentle, and that gentleness swept her away.
When he came up for air, he stared at her long and hard. His eyes held a heated desire she had seldom seen. Her breath hitched as they dropped to her throbbing lips. "It's hard to put the brakes on with you."
His gaze was so intense, her cheeks bloomed a bright pink, as he pulled her closer.
Her heart pounded like a runaway train.
He smoothed her hair from her face as his hand cupped her cheeks. His thumb absently stroked her.
Currents of anticipation ran through her as their eyes locked onto each other.
"You're so damned beautiful when I kiss you. Your lips melt like butter, and taste better than hot fudge on ice cream."
She started to say something but she was mesmerized by his words.
Slowly his head bent again and took her bottom
lip, massaging it with his own. She let out a little moan, and his arms tightened around her.
His mouth massaged hers into submission. She was lost, but it was a good lost. His arms pulled her closer so that they were mere imprints of each other, swallowed by an unnamed desire.
She lost need of breath, only the constant throb of his lips on hers kept her alive now. She needed him in so many ways. Instinctively she knew she'd never known such raw desire in her life. Was it possible, could she have fallen in love with Dex, in such a short time.
When he released her lips to explore her neck and ear, she felt a ripple of goosebumps when he blew softly at her ear. "My God," he whispered between gasping breaths, "I want you more than life itself…"
His words intoxicated.
His lips went down her neck, pushing her pink dress away from her shoulder. She was too absorbed in his actions to stop him now. She wanted this. Needed it.
Then he stopped and she reeled with such clarity of how close they came to making love.
She moved just a tad away from him, letting the sensations he created ebb. "I'm sorry, we are going too quickly."
"I know, and I'm sorry."
Her eyelashes raised and her eyes shone into his, "I've never been this carried away before…" she uttered breathlessly, trying to tame her runaway heart.
"I better get you home, you've got a big day tomorrow. I refuse to grope you like some sex pervert here in the street. I'm sorry, I got carried away. I find it pretty easy to do with you." He told her, not looking at her now.
"What just happened?" She barely uttered the words in a breathless whisper. "I've never been that carried away before…"
He shook his head, "Honey, when I figure it out, I'll let you know…" He started the car.
She moved away again, straightening her clothes and trying to look half dignified.
"All I know is, I lost control of the situation. I darn near made love to you, Mel."
She took a shattering breath. But with head held high she almost smiled again, "And I almost let you."
He stared…then a grin broke over his face.
Oddly enough, Dex was wanting to slow down too, and that hurt her ego just a tad, because the way things were going, she needed his support. But she couldn't rely on him to save her from whatever it was that bothered her so much. She couldn't even identify what it was. Yet!