Unexpected Encounters: ( A BBW Erotic Romance)

by Nora Stone

  “A little. I’m just not used to your level of affection,” I told him.

  His smile remained as he said, “Sorry. My mother always told me to keep my hands to myself, but it’s hard. I find myself constantly reaching for beautiful things, be it a red rose or a redheaded nurse.”

  “Speaking of roses, I re-gifted some to a patient. I hope you don’t mind.”

  He grabbed his chest and made a face, “Oh, the horror!”

  I couldn’t help but laugh at his mock despair. He rolled his eyes and assured me, “Of course I don’t mind. Tell me about this patient.”

  I told him about Mr. Kummings and added, “I’ve never really gotten this close to a patient. I’m always the one telling my new nurses to be careful not to get too close. I know that sounds horrible but, trust me, I used to cry my eyes out when we lost someone. I grew some thick skin over the years.”

  His finger ran down my arm while he playfully said, “Yeah, better watch those scales.”

  I laughed again and grabbed for his finger. He caught my hand and gave me a playful squeeze. We continued to talk a bit about my patients and some of my nurses while we started to eat.

  Before I could feed myself a cracker with my bounty of toppings, his hand closed over mine. He guided the bite to my mouth and watched me chew. I swear, the weight of his gaze on my lips was a tangible thing that sent a zip between my legs. He seemed compelled to push the sexual tension, but I don’t think he was completely aware he was doing it.

  I wanted to lick my lips, but stopped myself. I waited until his gaze fell to the platter in front of us. Next, he fed me a grape. I couldn’t stop my tongue from darting out. The damn thing was too juicy.

  His gaze flew from smoldering to nuclear. I caught myself wondering, Is he aware of how intense that charisma is? I’m surprised women aren’t throwing themselves at him.

  I seriously didn’t think he was aware of how hot he was. When I locked gazes with him again, his pupils dilated and his irises darkened. That’s how close our faces were to each other. I pulled back quickly. The last thing I was ready for was a kiss.

  His smile faded a bit, but he recovered quickly. “Sorry. You are a very beautiful and tempting redheaded nurse, Susan.”

  He reached out again and caught himself, then pulled back his hand and poured wine instead. I relaxed a degree. At least he was aware and trying to catch this tendency.

  I tried to think of it from a nurse’s point of view, hoping to generalize and dampen my arousal. That didn’t work either. When he handed me the wine, I gulped it. Maybe that would relieve my nerves.

  I don’t normally drink wine so quickly, so I didn’t know what to expect. It relaxed me right away, but I sobered a bit as I ate more food. It was a good balance. I learned to sip my wine and then take a couple of bites. I relaxed even more as we talked about a bit of everything. I asked him about his college life and he told me that he’d been a bit of a wild-child in those days. I could definitely see him breaking hearts and partying. I knew girls who would have eaten him alive given half the chance. I was one of them.

  But, I wanted to get to know him better. The last thing I needed was a broken heart or a horrid abusive stalker wrecking my world. I didn’t know which would be worse.

  “You’ve worked at St. Vincent’s for quite a while, right?” He asked me.

  “That’s right. You said that your company sculpted our landscape?”

  “We did. Try picturing me freshly shaven and in a business suit. I believe I walked right past you with a briefcase in my hand,” he told me.

  I tilted my head and studied his face. Then, it hit me on a hint of cologne that the breeze blew my way – a memory of him climbing the stairs and me pausing when I smelled that same cologne. It was a heady aroma.

  I had glanced at his back when he’d turned to laugh at something our director had said. At the time, he’d simply looked like any other businessman, but I’d liked his cologne very much.

  Now, he sported a shadow of stubble and tattoos peeked out from under his sleeves. Flirty and attentive, he was definitely some irresistible man candy. I slowed down on everything until my wine was low enough so that I could set my glass down.

  He started to pour me some more but I shook my head. “Not yet. My head is spinning.”

  “Come here,” he growled softly.

  My body started moving and caused my mind to immediately shout what!? No…oh hell.

  He settled my back to his chest and picked up food to feed me. He also produced a gourmet bottle of the cold coffee type. I wasn’t thrilled with the flavor and turned my nose up at it.

  He nodded and grinned, “Yeah, those don’t do much for me either. I brought it just in case.”

  “I like my coffee bordering on hot, not steaming, and can’t stand it lower than lukewarm,” I said.

  “Same here. Try this.” He offered me a wedge of gourmet sesame seed cracker and asked. “So, you remember me now?”

  They were excellent. I mixed some cheese with them and happily munched before telling him, “Yes. I didn’t realize you’d even noticed me.”

  “Oh, I noticed a beautiful redhead, looking all brisk and efficient, who had something on her mind.”

  I grinned, “Yeah, I think I had proposed that they replace our coffee machine that day. The thing had been made at the dawn of the discovery of coffee. It’s replacement was a discounted gourmet coffee machine, but the thing looks space age. They were fighting me on it.” I laughed at the memory before continuing. “A rival hospital won some service award so I used that. Competition gets them every time. We even have a barista now.”

  “Damn! Good job.”

  “Yeah, we won the cafeteria service award this year.”

  “Hey…there you go! Maybe I need to stop in and try your café sometime.”

  “That would be great!” I said too quickly, and with more than a little too much enthusiasm.

  I felt his finger trail down my arm. It was more soothing than sexual, though I still felt goose bumps follow his touch. I switched the subject. “The day we crossed paths, I had just been lectured on how our insurance was going to go up. I told them safety violations were already being broken because of the faulty heating unit on Mr. Dawn of the Coffee Bean maker. I still think that won the argument.”

  A whiff of his scent enveloped me for a second. His cologne was a blend of something spicy with an orangey smell. It made me want to press my face into his jawline or neck and breathe deeply.

  I banished those thoughts and switched to whole German rye chunks with pepperjack and havarti cheese. He grabbed some of my combination and moaned when he stuck it in his mouth.

  I felt the rumble through my body. I sat up, breaking our contact and ate a bit more. The mind-swimming slightly drunk feeling was lessening.

  Anxiety was breathing down my neck. I can normally control these types of nerves. Then again, I normally don’t lounge in the park while hot eye candy flirts with me and wants to cuddle.

  I sloshed a bit more wine in my glass and sipped it to calm my nerves, but I was careful to keep eating.

  I took out another container of cheese and discovered some yogurt and dark chocolate treats.

  “May I?” He asked as he reached for one.

  I handed over the little parcel of dark chocolate covered raisins. He took out a large one and said, “Stick out your tongue.”

  We locked gazes for one heated fraction of a second before my body responded. My mind wasn’t totally on board with what my body obviously wanted, but I couldn’t stop it now. He placed the raisin on my tongue and almost melted it with those grey eyes.

  I quickly lowered my gaze and chewed the morsel. He popped one into his mouth and chewed along with me. I could feel his gaze studying my face. I wondered what he was thinking before blushing furiously at what my mind dredged up.

  Wrapped in my thoughts, I jerked when his finger touched the bottom of my chin. He tilted my head back so that I would look up at him. His thumb gr
azed my lower lip as our eyes connected. He held another raisin between two fingers. My lips parted when he lifted the morsel to my mouth. His brow arched, and he playfully pulled the raisin back. My tongue darted out, causing his eyes to widen.

  Alarm flooded my mind while I couldn’t seem to drag enough air into my lungs. It was such a slow and personal experience to have really close to him.

  He finally pressed the raisin against my lips. I opened my mouth a little wider and let it roll onto my tongue.

  “You have no idea how bad I want to kiss you right now.” His voice was a rich husky timber that seemed to ride his cologne straight down to my clit.

  Still chewing, I took a shaky lean backward, along with a deep breath. I didn’t try to speak. I knew the tone of my voice would give me away. He didn’t advance toward me. I suspected he could probably hear my heart pounding or see my pulse doing a wild dance in my neck.

  While he gave me breathing room, I took a sip of wine. The mingling of rich flavors dragged me back to reality. Feeling like I needed to sober back up again, I switched back to the rye breads.

  To fill the silence, I asked, “What other locations around here has your company designed?”

  “Look around you. We designed a few areas of this park.”

  When I did look around, he closed the distance quickly and actually kissed my neck. It was a deliciously slow slide of lips down the surface of my neck, and with just a scratch of stubble. He was actually breathing in my scent. I squeaked in surprise.

  I mean, he was invading my space and I already felt vulnerable. He leaned away just as fast and said, “Sorry, Susan. I couldn’t resist. You smell wonderful.”

  I blushed to the roots of my hair and released a breathily murmured thank you. I wanted to scream, Damn! Give a girl some warning next time!

  My nipples were actually tingling. I shifted backward before he could advance and kiss me. I could read his intent clearly on his face. At this moment, I had no doubt that my body’s response would tip the scales and we would be swinging from a tree branch or something.

  Public displays just weren’t necessary. They were something a teenager did, not a head ward nurse. That was unthinkable.

  He got the message and backed off. I wanted to fan my face and snap at him to knock it off, damn it! My fiery red temper matched my hair sometimes, I knew. I still had a darkened streak to set off my hair, one that Zoe had given me on my birthday. That was my only step-outside-the-box exception to abiding by adult rules.

  He looked amused at my expression, causing me to wonder just what I looked like in that moment. My gaze lowered to his hands. He still held the bag of raisins.

  I picked up a bag of the yogurt ones and started eating them so I wouldn’t have to talk. Our silence wasn’t awkward. There was more of a knowing air, a waiting that each of us knew was going to lead to some damn hot sex.

  We could feel this eerily erotic connection between us when we looked at each other. I knew he felt it too. I could tell by the look on his face, the knowing glint in his eyes, and the comfortable way he kept reaching out to me. As if he were proving that I was there for the taking – it was only a matter of time.

  But, I needed more time. This had me confused. What did I want here? If we were compatible in the bedroom, what did that mean? What if he wanted something more than just a fuck buddy? Did I really want a relationship?

  “Are you ready to get coffee?”

  I quickly nodded. We spent the next few minutes gathering the supplies, putting everything back in the basket, and folding the blanket. We worked together well.

  We arrived at Chumps and ordered gourmet coffee. They delivered it with a beautiful sun design on the top. It had the perfect blend of hazelnut and vanilla. Besides broody looks from him, I managed to relax since there was a table between us.

  We talked about a wide range of subjects, which helped me feel not quite so vulnerable. He reached out and took my hand. “I’d like to see you again, Susan. What do you think?”

  “I think that can be arranged.”

  He grinned and asked if I was ready to go. I nodded and stood, suddenly eager to tell Zoe about my date, and then grew nervous at the look on his face. The table was no longer between us. Both of us seemed to realize this at the same time.

  He held a hand out to me. I had no other choice but to take it. Lacing our fingers together, we walked back to his car. I have to admit that by this point, the thought of kissing him was driving my anxiety nuts.

  When we reached his vehicle, he stopped but didn’t open the door. I knew right then that he was going in for an attempt. Should I let him kiss me?

  Before a decision settled in my mind, his lips were closing in on mine. My body responded right away, head tilting to accept the brush of his lips. There was no tongue involved, but it still fueled my arousal.

  This wasn’t a simple brush of mouths either. His firm lips tugged at mine, commanding that I get involved. I just knew that he was a good kisser. A gush of my breath fanned across his face at the very thought.

  He suddenly broke the contact and breathed over my lips, “Damn, you smell good.”

  I stepped backward to resist kissing him again. My ass pressed against the car. He smelled so damned good, too, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. He reached around me to open the door. His face, his knowing look and a slight grin on his full lips, hovered really close to mine for an instant. His intensifying eyes made anxiety flutter in my stomach. I shifted to the side so he could open the door. At the same time, he stepped into me and we kissed again. This time, his tongue darted out to tap my lower lip before he nibbled it slightly.

  I had to lean against his car to keep my legs underneath me. I knew my response to him would be heated, but he took me by surprise. He broke contact again and gazed down at me with lust vibrating in his gray eyes.

  I took a deep breath and smiled. “Campbell, I don’t want to rush…”

  “I know, Susan. I’m sorry. I just…it’s been a while since I’ve been near a woman that struck me the way you do.”

  I didn’t know what to say to that compliment. I continued to smile as I slid into the seat. After he shut the door, I gulped air and tried to quickly fan my face. I knew it was beet red.

  Sexual tension was thick during the car ride back to the Rose Garden. I ignored it and asked him what he wanted to do when we saw each other again. He lifted a shoulder and said, “The way you described that space-age coffee machine at the hospital makes me want to try a cup.”

  “Stop by when you can. Just text me before you get there and I’ll try to meet you at the cafeteria,” I told him.

  “Sounds great. Maybe I’ll hand deliver Mr. Kummings a bouquet.”

  “Aww…I know he’d love that.”

  He pulled into the lot and found a vacant space to park. We got out of his car, and I stopped at the side of my vehicle. This time, he didn’t kiss me on the lips, but he pulled me into his arms for a hug. I almost shivered when stubble grazed my skin as he kissed my neck.

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  The whisper released the shiver, but he stepped away. He headed around the bumper of his vehicle and waved at me. I waved back and dragged in fresh air. Quickly turning to my own car, I opened the door and slid behind the wheel.

  I didn’t breathe easy until I was on the road. By the time I was at my apartment, I was mentally constructing what I would say to Zoe. I called her right away.

  She answered on the second ring and didn’t bother to say hello, but went straight to, “spill it all. Give me all the details.”

  “Oh my God. There are no words, Zoe.”

  “Oh, no you don’t. You will find words. Tell me now,” she insisted.

  “We certainly have chemical attraction. I’m still blushing.”

  She shrieked and then asked, “Did he kiss you?”

  “Um…yeah. I had to tell him to slow down. He’s very affectionate. And damn…looking at those hands that have sculpted artistic landsca
ping and grown beautiful roses. Mmm…”

  “Well, okay!” Amusement and a bit of disbelief over my purring tone were in Zoe’s voice.

  I laughed and told her, “We went to the Portland Rose Gardens and then had a picnic in the park. He’d done work at both places, but wasn’t really egotistic about it. His intelligence…no, everything about him... is so sexy.”

  “Damn, Susan. You guys did click. I can hear it.”

  I tried to be less exuberant about our sexual tension, but couldn’t get it off my mind. I’d never clicked like that with anyone so fast. It kind of scared me.

  “I don’t know if I’m going to see him again, Zoe.”

  “Are you crazy!? Oh, Susan, knock it off. Go out with him a few times and see what happens. You just clicked with this guy.”

  “I’ll think about it.” I told her a little more about the date and was ribbed in response. I finally said, “I gotta go clean the house a bit and then shower.”

  We hung up and I started cleaning. I had excess nervous energy that I needed to burn off, and this seemed to be the perfect way to do it. After I was satisfied with my work, I jumped in the shower. By the time I exited and dressed, it was time for dinner. I made myself a hearty salad with low-fat dressing and ate at my little bar.

  When I was finished, I washed my plate and went into my bedroom to watch a little TV. I fell asleep during the news.

  The next day, Campbell texted and told me to jump on video chat. We talked for quite a while, and I felt comfortable and relaxed the entire time. Things were beginning to move smoothly between us.

  Over the next couple of weeks, we went out three more times. True to his word, he came by the hospital for coffee. He immediately kissed my cheek and handed me a huge bouquet.

  “These are for Mr. Kummings. Um…you may want to keep the card, though.”

  I plucked the card out and read: Hey sexy, can’t wait to get another kiss. Campbell.

  I peeked at him and slid the card in my pocket. Together, we delivered the bouquet to Mr. Kummings’ room. To my surprise, he was out of the coma. I was a bit let down that he was asleep, but I wasn’t going to wake him up. I’d talk to him later.