“Thank you for the flowers.”
“You’re welcome,” he said, not taking his eyes off the television.
“You didn’t have to get them,” I said, trying to make conversation.
Tony was watching a program about inventions talking about how boats were first made.
Looking at the clock on the VCR it was thirty minutes before we would leave for Portland. Even though I had just come from there, beaming on the inside because, I was going back with Tony.
“Excuse me. I have to get ready.”
“You’re nice as you are,” he said.
“I’ll be right back, okay.”
Looking in the mirror, I smiled because Tony liked me just the way I was. Instead of changing into the outfit I had bought for the occasion, I stayed in the clothes I had worn all day, my blue long sleeve top and blue jeans.
During the drive to Portland, Tony looked at the scenery.
“Do you like music?” I asked.
“Modern music isn’t my favorite; I prefer a variety of the oldies.”
Turning on the radio I fumbled through the channels until I came across a station playing oldies.
“What kind of music do you prefer?” he asked.
Turning the radio down, I said, “Variety.”
The crowd was small when we arrived at the theater and the only choices in movies were; Suns over the Horizon and Blues Moon. Neither was my choice, but I was here with Tony.
The movie started off with space ships shooting blue beams at each other. Tony’s face lit up and I knew his attention would be on the movie. I, on the other hand, was not interested. Mainly I sat there bored.
During intermission Tony excused himself. The nagging statement crept into my mind again, ‘some things are better left alone.’ Debating whether I should ask him about it, I decided against it because Tony came back from intermission in time for the movie to start where it left off. “I thought you’d like these,” he said handing me refreshments.
My forefinger touched Tony’s and I gasped, “Ah.” Looking from Tony to his hand I couldn’t believe it was hard, like stone. Tony wrapped up in the movie wasn’t paying attention to me and I desperately wanted another feel to make sure I felt it right. Sitting my drink down in the holder, slowly I moved my hand to the arm rest watching Tony out of the corner of my eye. Trying not to look conspicuous, I let my hand fall toward Tony’s and before my hand could land on his, he moved it out of the way. “Oh, sorry,” was all I said.
Tony crossed his arms keeping both hands hidden for the rest of the movie.
The movie ended and we headed back to Mayville.
“Did you enjoy the movie?” he asked.
“It was different,” was all I said.
I tried to drive slowly because I wanted this night to last trying hard to keep my speed under the limit. During the day, I could have easily been stuck behind a tractor wishing one was in front of me.
The city limit sign for Mayville was up ahead. Turning to Tony, I noticed his hand resting on his leg and wanted to touch it again. Hoping the view was occupying his mind I laid my free arm on the console between us. Slowly, I inched my hand toward him, but he was paying attention. He moved his hand to rest on his hip.
“What kind of movies do you like?” he asked.
“Romantic and scary movies, but scary movies are my favorite. The scarier they are the better I like them.”
“Maybe, next time, we could go and see one,” he said, looking out the window.
I smiled, because Tony was planning on having a second date with me.
Dropping Tony off at his house, I went home and straight to bed. Two trips to Portland in one day wore me out, but Tony and I had a good time.
Bright and early in the morning, I woke up to my phone ringing. Hurrying to the kitchen, I tripped over my own two feet. “Hello,” I said, into the receiver.
“Hey Jess, it’s Sharon.”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. I want to bowl tonight and called to see if you would like to go?” she asked.
“Sure, I’d love to.”
“I’ll meet you at the bowling alley around eight.”
“See you,” I said, and hung up the phone.
Getting my coffee started, I sat down at the table and waited for it to brew. Outside the rain was coming down in sheets and the wind picked up. Caught in the rain, a deer nestled against the pine trees. I had known Tony for a week and so far, he was a nice guy whom I wanted to get to know, but I wrestled with ‘some things are better left alone. My coffee pot gurgled letting me know it was finished. Getting up to get a cup, I didn’t hear the knock at my door. Sitting back down at the table, I heard “Jessica, its Tony. May I come in?”
Hurrying to the front door, Tony was soaking wet on my porch. His shirt pressed against his chest showed bulging muscles and his arms were perfect with muscles shaped like a body builders. Lost in his appearance, I pulled my eyes up to his face and said, “Please, come in, I’ll get you a towel,” and headed to the hall bathroom.
Retuning with the towel, Tony hadn’t come inside. Opening the screen door, I handed him the towel. “Please come in.”
“I’m too wet,” he said, from under the towel.
“I’ll be right back,” I told him. Getting my robe from my bedroom, I went back to the front door. Tony dried himself the best he could. “I’ll dry your clothes for you.” Handing him the robe, I showed him to the hall bathroom. He came out with wet clothes in his hand, handed them to me and off to the dryer I went. Tony was sitting on the sofa when I returned.
My robe undoubtedly too small for him was causing him to hold it closed with his hands. Moving his leg, I caught a glimpse of his thigh, perfect for a man. Tony closed the robe and grinned when he caught me looking. “Thanks for the robe,” he said.
“You’re welcome,” I said, swallowing hard as my throat was raspy and dry. I sat in the armchair across from him. “You’re clothes will be dry in a little bit.”
“I stopped by to see if you would have dinner with me tonight?” he asked. “My house.”
Maybe, he was going to tell me what he meant about ‘something’s are better left alone.’ But, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be with him again.
“What is your favorite dish?” he asked.
Hearing the rain, I thought beef stew would defiantly be a good meal for a wet and cool day. “Beef Stew,” I said.
Tony smiled. “Will you have dinner with me?” he asked, again.
I couldn’t say no, so I told him I would and asked, “Should I bring anything?” The more I learned about Tony the more I was seeing his softer side, not that he showed a mean side, but a side I was falling in love with.
“I’ll have it all taken care of,” he said, with a smile.
“What time shall I be over?”
Tony smiled and asked, “How does five o’clock sound?”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, with my heart beating faster.
The dryer buzzed to let me know Tony’s clothes were dry. Excusing myself I went to the laundry room to get his clothes. Coming back with his clothes, he stood in the entrance to the hall holding the robe shut with his left hand. Handing him his clothes, he went in the bathroom.
The rain was a light drizzle now, so Tony decided to go home. “I have a dinner to prepare,” he said. “See you at five.”
“I’ll be there,” I said, as calmly as I could with my heart pounding.
Standing in the doorway I watched Tony head back to his house Dinner, I thought and smiled. When he was on his porch, I ran to my bedroom closet to find something to wear, rummaging through my clothes, it hit me, I was going to his house for dinner, but I wanted to look nice, really nice, alright I couldn’t lie. I wanted to look smoking hot. My sweatpants and t-shirt just wouldn’t do.
Moving my clothes around on the rack, my deep blue low cut dress I hadn’t worn, with the tag hanging on the sleeve, caught my eye. The type of dress I knew would c
atch Tony’s eye. Taking the dress from my closet, I held it against me in the mirror on my door. Perfect, I thought. Laying the dress on my bed, I searched for my blue pumps finding the box in the back of the closet, and then went to take a shower.
Looking at the clock, four fifty-five, it was time to walk to Tony’s.
He’d been waiting for me, inside the door when I walked up on the porch. He smiled, looked me over and opened the door. “You look lovely this evening.” His eyes never left my dress and I knew I had chosen the right one.
“Thank you,” I said, entering the house.
Stepping inside, the lights were dim with two lit candles on the dining room table and a bouquet of yellow roses in between. Tony walked ahead of me, pulling the chair closest to the wall out. “Jessica,” he said with his hand stretched toward the seat.
I walked over to the table, took my seat when he leaned toward me and whispered, “You’re ravishingly stunning this evening.” The fragrance of his breath, so sweet with a hint of roses mixed with lavender, sent my heart into overdrive and feeling mesmerized at the same time. I shook my head to come back down to earth. Tony disappeared into the kitchen and soon brought out a covered dish setting it along the edge of the table close to him before disappearing into the kitchen and returning with a salad sitting it in front of me. He then sat across from me placing his elbows on the table with his chin resting on his hands.
With no dish in front of him I asked, “I’m eating alone?”
“Not entirely,” he said. “I’m here with you,” half-grinning with his lip curling playfully.
The glow from the candle shone just enough to notice his smile was perfect. He had chosen a snug fitting blue shirt, matching my dress, clinging to him exposing his masculine body in the shadow of the candle. Taking a bite of salad, I kept my eyes on him and he never moved a muscle. When I finished my salad, he took my dish to the kitchen coming back with another dish sitting it in front of me. “Are you enjoying your meal?” he asked.
Once again his sweet breath surrounded me causing my heart to burst into uneven beating. I looked up to see him smiling and immediately embarrassed hoping he didn’t hear my heart. I couldn’t answer his question.
Tony lifted the lid and the aroma of the stew filled the room. “Hum, my favorite,” I commented. “I didn’t know you could cook?”
“There’s a lot you don’t know, Jessica.”
“I can learn,” I quickly stated without thinking.
Tony raised his eyebrow. “Do you want to learn?” he asked.
Small steps came into mind before I answered. “I’d like to,” I said. I couldn’t bring myself to ask about his statement since the evening was going so well.
With my answer, Tony smiled wide.
“Tony all I know as of now is, you can cook an amazing stew.”
“Thank you, Jessica.
“I am curious why didn’t you eat? Aren’t you hungry?”
“I cooked for you, Jessica.” Tony got up. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
“Okay.”
He disappeared into the kitchen. It didn’t take long for him to return with a bottle of wine and two glasses, he said, “Shall we retreat to the living room.”
Sitting in the armchair, I watched Tony pour the wine into the glasses. Handing me a glass, I took a small sip and found the wine delightful.
“Thank you for having dinner with me tonight,” he said.
“You’re welcome. I enjoyed it.”
“So—Jessica, you have my curiosity, what is it that you want to know about me.”
He had just put me on the spot and I’d hoped to be the one putting him there, but here we were basically confiding in each other, well I was, and I blurted out the first thing I thought of, “Would everything be a good answer?”
I didn’t want this evening to end, but I had plans to go bowling with Sharon tonight. “I had a nice evening Tony. Thank you for dinner, but I need to go,” I said.
“So soon, I was hoping we could talk more.”
“I made plans earlier with a friend. We can talk tomorrow.”
“Until tomorrow,” he said.
Tony walked me to the door. I turned to tell him goodbye almost bumping into him, but Tony quickly moved out of the way. “Until tomorrow,” I said, and left.
Walking home, I smiled from ear to ear because I was so happy. Inside my door I hollered, “Yes” to the best weekend I ever had. With my smile wide, I went to get ready to meet Sharon at the bowling alley.
Driving to the bowling alley, I glanced over at Tony’s to see him standing in the doorway of his house. I waved as I passed by. He smiled.
Sharon hadn’t arrived yet. Kelli behind the counter looked up when I walked in. Setting a pair of shoes on the counter she asked, “Hey Jess, are you bowling tonight?”
“Yes—Sharon and I are.”
“How is MaryAnn?” she asked, looking at the computer screen.
“She’s doing okay.”
“I’ll go by and see her when I get the chance,” Kelli said, pushing the mouse button. “Lane six is open. I’ll set you up there.”
Sharon walked in and came to the counter.
“Hey Jess, sorry I’m late.”
“I just got here myself,” I said. “Kelli has a lane ready for us.”
“Great,” Sharon said enthusiastically. “Kelli, I’ll need some shoes.”
Kelli went to the shoe rack and brought back a pair of shoes for Sharon. “Lane six and have fun.”
Sharon and I went over to lane six. I sat my bowling bag on the floor. Sharon went looking for a ball. Putting on my shoes, I felt I was being watched and I was really starting to get annoyed. Looking around, I didn’t see anyone so I shrugged it off and placed my ball on the rack.
Sharon and I bowled horrible. We laughed and made fun of ourselves for bowling so bad. After the first game, we went to the concession area instead of sitting at the table, we sat at the bar.
“I’m glad you asked me to come. I’m having a lot of fun,” I said.
“We aren’t the best bowlers, are we,” she said, laughing.
“Nope, but at least we’re trying.”
“My job is sending me out of town next week. I have to present my idea of plastic hairnets to the executives of the company and I’m the worst when it comes to talking in front of a crowd,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“You’ll do fine. Pretend they are sitting in swimming suits with nose plugs.”
Sharon and I both laughed. We finished bowling and went back to our houses.
Getting home, I was exhausted. Setting my bowling bag down in the living room, I headed straight to bed without blinking an eye. The minute my head hit the pillow, I was out.
Monday, my last day off before I headed back to work. The day showed promise of a clear blue sky. Wanting Tony to see the park, I walked to his house, but before I knocked on the door, he opened it.
“Hi Jess, would you like to come in?” He said, with a half -smile putting a flask in his back pocket.
“Hi Tony, I’m not imposing am I?” looking at the flask.
“No, I was going to sit on the porch. Would you like to have a seat?” he asked, motioning to the armchair.
Walking over to the armchair, I glanced around the room. The living room was tidy with a lot of pictures covering the walls. One picture stood out more than the others. Looking it over I asked, “Is that you in the picture?”
“That’s me, my mother and father.”
”How old were you?”
“I believe I was five.”
“You’re father looks so…pale.
Tony shrugged. “That’s my father for you.
Looking between Tony and the picture I noticed a resemblance between him and his mother. She was a very beautiful woman and his father, well….pale. I had never seen anyone as pale as him. “Does your father get out in the sun much?”
“He’s an indoor kind of guy.”
“Oh! I’d like to kno
w if you’d go to the park with me today.”
“I would love too,” he said, getting up from his recliner. “Let me grab a jacket. Be right back.”
Tony walked down the hall and I walked over to the kitchen. Tony defiantly was a tidy housekeeper. Hearing him coming down the hall, I went to the sliding glass door. A shed was at the back of the property.
“Are we ready to go?” Tony asked.
I turned to see him standing by the front door.
We walked back to my house.
“I need to get a sweater and my keys. Be right back,” I said, before going in the house.
“I’ll wait by the car,” he said, going over to the passenger side.
Grabbing my sweater from my closet and my keys from the hook in the kitchen, I headed to the car. Tony moved away from the car as I was approaching the passenger side. He waited for me to unlock the door and head to the driver’s side, before he got in.
“Thank you again for dinner,” I said, glancing toward him.
“You’re welcome. Maybe we can do it again some time,” he said.
“I would like that.”
Driving to the park took about five minutes.
Getting out of the car, I noticed Tony glance toward the animal cages and didn’t seem to be in a hurry to get out of the car. Stopping at the passenger side of the car, Tony looked up at me. “Are you getting out?” I asked.
Tony grabbed the handle and opened the door. Slowly getting out of the car, he looked around. “What’s over on the other side of the bridge?” he asked.
“It’s a duck pond. Would you like to see it?”
Tony and I walked toward the bridge along the winding trail and the peacock cages were on the way. There was a peacock outside warming in the sun, but before Tony was in front of the cage the peacock shirked and ran back into the building. It acted like the little kitten, when Tony was on my porch.
A bench sat between two trees in front of the pond. The ducks were swimming along the bank until we approached the bridge. They quacked and took off to the other side of the pond. If Tony knew the ducks reaction, he didn’t show any signs.
“Nice day isn’t it,” he said, looking around.
Dhampir Secrets Page 4