Then one shouted at him, it told him. ‘Grow a pair and message the girl.’ If she replied then they would have another meal somewhere and possibly another night of sex, if not then at least he would know and he would still have the memories of a great night in Paris with a beautiful blonde.
He picked up his phone again, still no messages. Time to take a risk. He opened the contacts and scrolled down to her name. ‘Hi, I really enjoyed our coffee and want to do it again. I know this sounds a bit crazy but how would you like to come to a Christmas Market in Germany?’ He deleted the message and put the phone down on his chest. It was way too soon to go on holiday together. He groaned, the teenage boy nerves flooded him again, he felt like the first time he called a girl he liked. Fuck it, they’d met in France so what difference did it make. He typed the message again and hit send before he had chance to talk himself out if it. He looked at the phone and wished he could recall the message. He couldn’t. He needed a shower Anything to stop him checking his phone every thirty seconds.
# # #
Freshly showered and shaved Dan stepped out of the bathroom. The quick shower had taken longer than expected but as his father used to say. ‘If a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.’ When his father first said that to him as a child, Dan had thought it meant to avoid doing the things he didn’t want to do properly which meant his room had gone untidied until it had been explained again. The room wasn’t always tidied but he did take a pride in the important things from then on.
He picked up his phone and sighed as his damp fingers meant he had to type the passcode manually, it opened and he had a rush of nerves when he saw she had replied.
‘Hey you. I didn’t expect to hear back so soon. I’ve always wanted to do a German Market (: x.’ He smiled when he read her message. She had given him a smiley and a kiss, he didn’t know why but he even found the way she did her smiley backwards cute.
‘Really? Well I’m here until Christmas so you can come out whenever.’ He messaged back and put the phone down on the side table.
It buzzed almost instantly. ‘(: that would be great x. I’ll check work’
‘Great. You need to fly to Stuttgart. I can pick you up.’ He replied. This time he held the phone in his hand hoping she would reply as fast again.
The screen started to dim but then brightened as it vibrated in his hand. ‘(: yeah id like that xx’
He smiled to himself again, this time he had got two kisses and another cute smiley. ‘Good. I’ll sort it. How are you?’
Another fast reply. ‘Really good thanks just off to the gym (: xx’
‘That sounds good, enjoy the exercise. Wearing something suitably skimpy?’ They had slipped back into the old friends’ routine immediately and was shocked to feel a warmth spreading through his abdomen.
‘Just shorts and a vest top. Now stop being a pervert (: xxxxx’
He smiled again because he knew she was smiling on the other end, she had given him five kisses now and he could almost see her giggling. ‘Can’t help it. See you soon sexy’
CHAPTER FOUR
Tabbed browsing was a Godsend. Jaz couldn’t remember how he had managed before, he obviously had but now things were so much easier. As usual he was using the private browsing option which would do nothing if someone with any skill wanted to check on him but keeping his history clean just felt right. Until a few years ago he thought this made him secure until one of his friends showed him how vulnerable he was to snoopers. Since then he always connected through a Virtual Private Network regardless of what he was looking at. For a while he didn’t understand why most websites defaulted to Spanish but then he realised that his VPN routed his traffic through a number of servers that made it look like he was somewhere else rather than a village in Hampshire. It was secure but sometimes slower, especially for downloads. After some upgrades his machine ran plenty fast enough to handle the nine tabs he had open in one window. It took up half of his screen, the other half was filled with a girl doing her best to pretend she was a virgin. The fact she took four fingers faster than a fat kid with a Kit Kat seemed beside the point to casting. She had tiny tits and a soon to be cum covered innocent face so all the porn boxes were ticked.
There was of course, a huge online community of men who shared his sexual orientation but getting involved in a so-called ring was too risky. All it took was some fool to take their machine to PC World and then the thread would be pulled and pretty quickly a lot of innocent jumpers would be pulled apart. It was better to stick to legal porn and of course his own private collection, the older work had been on polaroid and DV tape but the newer stuff was digital. It was on his to do list to digitise the old school media but there was something satisfying about laying his polaroids across his desk or watching the slightly grainy images on screen. It felt honest, besides not all girls were suitable for full HD. Shit, some of his earlier girls barely suited black and white but then everyone had to start somewhere and the fatties hiding from bullies were always the easiest to fuck.
He checked his tabs. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram had two accounts each. Gmail had one while his favourite chat rooms took up the remaining two. Social media took the longest to build up a presence and legitimise so he always ran two accounts for each. If one got burned he just messaged his friends to say he was having to start a new account because of a crazy ex, while he did that he still had the other account running. Then he just burned the dead account and set up the new, this way he always had one established account while the new, fresh one was building. Nothing looked more suspicious than directing a girl to a brand-new Facebook page.
He’d learned lessons the hard way but thankfully plenty of civic minded folk and internet safety groups posted guides for spotting predators. To anyone with any kind of brain they acted as a guide on how to look legitimate and safe. Periodically he’d access his other dummy accounts as a girl to post about what a great time they had together or to thank him for helping them through a difficult time. Nothing put a struggling teenage girl at ease faster than reading a public thank you from another struggling teenage girl. The days of a man in a mac flashing his cock at kids playing in the park were well over. Now most teens had no idea what a predator looked like and most parents were oblivious to the fact that their precious daughter was locked in her room flashing her tiny tits on Skype.
Getting them naked on cam or to send pictures was really the golden ticket. Once he had that he had two options open to him. Either way they were his now. He just had to decide how long he played them on the line and which net he’d use to land them. The nice guy option was to keep being nice and get them comfortable being naked with him, pay them lots of compliments and slowly encourage them to meet. The not so nice option was to drop the hammer and ask them how their school friends would like to see the pictures of them playing with their pussy. You catch more flies with honey so he preferred the first option but sometimes girls needed a lesson in how the world really worked.
CHAPTER FIVE
Dan woke in the same position he went to sleep in, wrapped around Emma like a baby monkey clinging to its parent. Flying to Germany hadn’t changed how they slept together. He’d always moved around a lot in his sleep but with Emma he seemed still, locked onto her from dusk to dawn. He needed a shave, the way he had to pull her hair from his stubble like Velcro confirmed it. He rolled onto his back leaving his left arm under her head, he could reach his phone to check the time. The blinds blocked out every ray of natural light so his iPhone lit the room like a flare. It was just before ten, breakfast had finished and he was hungry. The bakery would have something and she loved coffee first thing in the morning. She grumbled a curse as he slipped his arm from under her neck. Emma was the nicest girl he’d met but for the first thirty minutes of a day she could be demonic. He walked to the bathroom and ran the tap so the water would cool before cleaning his teeth. Dan watched himself in the mirror as the toothbrush vibrated in his mouth, he looked every bit like a man with n
o sleep and felt little better.
It was cold when Dan stepped out of the hotel, not cold enough for snow but he could see the remains of a frost on the cars that hadn’t moved from the car park. It was only a short walk to the bakery and he felt warm in his dark blue pea coat but he was glad he remembered his scarf. It was red, he only ever wore red scarves. He liked the way they stood out against the dark winter days and most of his wardrobe was conservative, scarves and ties were his only expression.
# # #
He liked wandering around Schwäbisch Gmünd, when he first started working here he spent most evenings learning the narrow medieval streets. His basic German language skills had improved overtime and people in the local bars and restaurants had come to recognise him. They knew him in the bakery and the welcome he received was warm and genuine. Dan knew they probably thought of him as the crazy English guy with a never-ending appetite for bread, cheese and coffee. He didn’t know how to explain how it kept him going late into the night and was still good to eat in the morning but he guessed they didn’t mind as long as he kept paying.
Dan opened the door and stepped back into the room, he was slapped by a humidity he hadn’t experienced since a school trip to a butterfly farm. Emma stood wrapped in a big white towel smiling as he tried to empty his arms of food and drink so he could undress before he melted.
‘Jesus. Did you enjoy your steam bath?’ Dan said pretending to wipe sweat from his forehead.
‘I did yes thank you.’ Emma said ignoring his sarcasm. ‘What you got there?’
‘I’ve got you a coffee, large with sugar and some breads and cheeses but the bread might have gone soggy.’
She picked up the coffee and smiled as she held it to her nose and breathed in the scent. ‘Shame about the bread. Why’s it gone soggy though?’
‘The steam in here, it’s like a bloody sauna.’ Dan said smiling.
‘Oh, shut it you. It’s not that bad and it’s good for my skin.’ Emma said taking a sip of her coffee. ‘This is nice, where’s it from?’
‘Same place as the other stuff, a little bakery around the corner.’
‘Oh well its lovely. What’s the plan for today?’ Emma asked.
‘There isn’t one really. We can go around the market if you like and then maybe a meal after that. Then whatever you want?’
‘Sounds good. What time’s the market open? Emma asked taking another sip of coffee.
‘It’s open all day but it kind of changes. Now it’s more breakfast stuff and the stalls, then later on the stalls will close and its more alcohol and grown up.’
‘Sounds lovely. Do I need to get ready now?’
‘Well I’m fine with you as you are but you’ll be cold and the Germans won’t know what to make of it.’
‘Ha ha very funny. You know what I mean.’ Emma said doing her best to look unimpressed with his humour.
Dan laughed. ‘There’s no rush to be honest. We can chill here and then go around the shops before they close and then eat a little earlier if you like?’
‘Yeah ok, sounds good. I’ll just get dressed then.’ Emma said.
‘No need. You’re a little overdressed now.’ Dan said raising his eyebrows.
Emma paused for a moment. ‘Cheeky bugger.’ She said stepping into the bathroom.
Dan held the door open for Emma to step inside. The restaurant was clad in the same dark pine panels that had been installed in the early eighties. The occasional white fibreglass Greek statue told the customers what to expect as the small Olympus sign outside was easy to miss. The owner greeted them with a smile, acknowledging Dan as a regular customer and after confirming it was a table for two led them to a booth in the corner. He handed them the menus, printed sheets slipped into plastic wallets clipped together into a folder.
‘Is the food here good?’ Emma asked looking around the dated room.
‘Yeah. Really good but you get loads. What do you want to drink or don’t you like it here?’
‘No, its fine it’s just old looking.’ Emma said.
‘Do you want to go?’ Dan asked.
‘No, no its fine.’ Emma said.
‘We can if you want?’
‘No, its fine, honestly.’ Emma said.
‘Ok then, well what do you want to drink?’
‘I don’t know, what are you having?’
‘A Radler, they’re nice.’ Dan said looking at Emma over the menu.
‘Radler, what’s that?’
‘It’s like a shandy but really nice. I don’t know how but it’s different to a normal one. If you want to order something else you can and then you could try mine.’
‘Nah, I trust you. I’ll have the same please.’ Emma said.
‘Ok, do you know what you want to eat?’
‘I’ve got no idea. What’re you having?’ Emma asked.
‘Probably Gyros but you can’t always have the same as me.’ Dan said smiling.
Emma rolled her eyes. ‘I don’t always have what you have, it’s just that you usually have something nice.’
‘Oh right. That’s it is it?’ Dan said raising his eyebrows and nodding slowly.
‘Yes now shut up you.’ Emma said frowning and pursing her lips. ‘Anyway, what’s a Gyros?’
‘It’s like kebab meat but better. It’s good.’
‘Urgh no. I don’t like kebabs.’ Emma wrinkled her face in disgust.
‘It’s not a kebab, it’s like kebab meat.’
‘Nope. Not for me.’
‘Ok. Well have a flick through, I think there’s an English version at the back.’
‘That would be helpful, you could have told me earlier.’ Emma said shaking her head.
‘I know but I didn’t want to.’ Dan said smiling.
The waiter walked back to the table and Dan spoke in German, he ordered two large Radlers and asked for a few minutes before ordering food.
‘I didn’t know you spoke German. I’m impressed.’ Emma said.
‘Ja. I’m here a lot so I can speak the basics, I can’t do it at work though, too complicated.’
‘Still cool though. What’s the Bifteki like?’ Emma asked.
‘It’s nice, kind of like a chicken Kiev but lamb and with cheese in it not the butter.’
‘That sounds lovely, I’m having it.’ Emma said.
‘Ok, you sure?’ Dan asked surprised by her certainty.
‘Yep. I’m having it.’ Emma said closing the menu and putting it on the table.
Dan looked up to attract the waiter but he was already walking towards them with the drinks. He placed the long beer glasses on the table in front of them each with an inch of head on top. Dan again spoke in German and ordered their meals. The waiter smiled as Dan handed him the menus and walked back to the bar.
Emma took a sip of her drink and licked her lips. ‘This is lovely. What’s it called again?’
‘Radler. It’s good isn’t it?’
‘It’s amazing. Can you get it in the UK?’ Emma asked.
‘I’m not sure, maybe something close but it won’t be the same as here.’
‘Shame. I love it.’ She said taking another drink.
‘You’re gorgeous you know.’
‘What?’ Emma asked.
‘You’re gorgeous.’ Dan said.
‘For liking Radler?’
‘Well yes and no. I don’t know what it is but you’re just gorgeous when you enjoy stuff. It’s cute and I know that sounds crazy but it’s true.’
‘Ok.’ Emma began to blush. ‘I don’t know what to say.’
‘You don’t need to say anything. Just sit there and look cute.’ Dan said as he reached out to cover Emma’s hand in his.
‘Ok well thank you but stop it before I blush.’
‘You already are.’ Dan said smiling.
‘I know now shush you. It’s nice in here isn’t it?’ Emma said.
‘Yeah. I like it a lot. Found it by accident and I’ve kept coming back.’
‘I can’t wait
to see what the foods like.’ Emma said glad she had steered the conversation away from blush topics.
Dan smiled. He didn’t know why but the girl he hardly knew felt like his oldest friend. He felt like he’d known her for years rather than weeks.
‘What’s wrong?’ Emma asked.
‘Nothing why?’
‘Well you’re just staring at me. Have I got something on me?’
‘No sorry, I was just thinking.’ Dan stopped. ‘Here’s the food.’
The waiter put the plates in front of them on the table and Emma sat back looking shocked.
‘What’s up?’ Dan asked.
‘Nothing, it’s just huge.’ Emma said.
‘I told you so, they don’t do any light bites here.’
# # #
‘I’m stuffed but it was lovely. Thank you.’ Emma said stepping out onto the cobbled street. ‘Where next?’
‘Go back to the market. All the lights will be on. If that’s ok?’
‘Yeah sounds perfect. I’m a bit tipsy though, that little drink went right to my head.’
Dan took hold of her hand as they walked down the narrow street. ‘The ouzo?’
‘Yeah, it was lovely all glittery and stuff but its strong.’ Emma said snuggling into Dan as they walked.
‘I know and free.’ Dan said.
‘I know that’s crazy. You don’t get anything for free at home.’ Emma paused. ‘How far is it?’
‘Just around the corner, remember?’
‘I don’t know, I’ve had ouzo since then.’ Emma stopped when they turned the corner and entered the square. ‘Oh wow.’
The pretty marketplace of the day transformed into a Disney scene at night. The darkness twinkled with multi coloured lights hung from ropes strung between the medieval buildings. The snow twinkled in the light before settling on the shoulders and hats of the shoppers who shuffled between stalls wrapped tight in their winter clothes.
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