Thanks for reading my very first story! Things heat up in the next chapter. Go easy on me, please.
Tipping her dark head back, Cassandra's lips parted in a perfect O as she added another layer of mascara.
Funny how it's true that you can't apply it without opening your mouth.
Looking back at her reflection, all pale skin, dark eye makeup and black wavy tresses, she noted the unintentional goth vibe. She had an online date at 8pm at a well-known dive bar in the heart of the city, so she figured it wouldn't look too out of place.
Thinking better of herself, she swiped on some red lipstick to break the morbid look. Cassandra had a small mouth, but full lips. All the better for sucking cock, according to her ex.
Glancing at her phone to check the time, she saw a message from a different app, ReSell. It was an app that she'd been using to sell off extra junk. "Fuck," she cursed softly, realizing she had doublebooked herself.
There was an interested buyer for a fancy coffee maker that Cassandra had in touch with. It was a Christmas gift that didn't quite make it out of the box. They had settled on 7pm tonight, which was less than 15 minutes away. The buyer was dutifully following up to make sure they were still on.
Not wanting to pass up the chance to make quick cash and figuring it wouldn't take more than a couple minutes, she gave the address for the Starbucks across the street from her apartment complex.
Groaning, Cassandra went back to her closet and changed out of the date night dress and into the first dress she spotted. It clung to her voluptuous form, but didn't show any cleavage, nor was it too short. A perfectly casual dress. After slipping on sneakers, she ran over to the kitchen, double checked that everything was in the box of the unused coffee maker, and slid it into a bag. Grabbing her phone and the coffeemaker, she ran out the door, with only a few minutes to spare.
Hoping the buyer wasn't running late, Cassandra texted as she walked to the cross walk.
6:56 - PassTheCass: Almost there. Black hair, burgundy dress, red lipstick. Huge box in my hands. :-)
6:56 - TopgunJ: Cool. Sitting in my truck. It's a silver Chevy.
6:57 - PassTheCass: Sorry, not comfortable going to your truck. Meet out front?
By this point, Cassandra was across the street and approaching the Starbucks. She spotted a tall figure ducking out of a silver truck. From a distance, he looked like his photo. Granted, all male photos on any app of any variety were of serious unsmiling men. TopgunJ had over 30 5-star reviews, so she felt safe meeting so close to home.
Cassandra strode up to the outdoor table he was standing beside, flashed a friendly smile, and introduced herself, "Hey there! I'm the girl with the coffee machine."
The man took off his sunglasses, smiling back with a confused expression, "Okay, great. Do you mind if I peek through it?"
"Oh, of course. Help yourself," she responded, still smiling as she set the box down on the table. It was a little unusual how unsettled he seemed, albeit nice. Cassandra studied his features as he combed through the box. He looked like he had just come from the gym, broad shoulders tucked into a white t-shirt, and basketball shorts with sneakers to complete the outfit. His hair was thick and loose, parted to the side in a boyish fashion.
"Is there a manual? I can build anything, but struggle with these smaller gadgets sometimes," he joked at his own expense. Big brown eyes met her gaze when he looked up from the box.
"I'm pretty sure it's in here." Cassandra leaned forward as he moved back a little, giving her space. She found it in no time at all, freshly painted red nails fishing out a guide, "There we go," she exclaimed with another smile, passing it to him. Large hands encircled hers to take the pamphlet.
"Perfect." He reached into his pocket and offered cash.
"I always worry that one of these days someone is going to mistake me as a drug dealer," she commented as she accepted the money, folding it into her palm. "But, the baristas know me inside, so I figure they can vouch." She wasn't sure why she was sharing this extra information.
"Ah, so you aren't selling this because you don't like coffee?" He quipped.
"No, I just don't have a need for something this fancy. My college coffee maker is knocking on ten years now, but it still works just fine for me."
The stranger tipped his head, eyes intently studying her, "I realize this might be forward, but can I buy you a cup of coffee?"
"Oh, no. I can't. I'm sorry." Cassandra waved her hands in apology, attempting to turn him down gently, "I actually need to leave. I literally have a date in less than an hour."
"My bad. You're already seeing someone," he replied, his face still pleasant as he grabbed the handles of the paper bag the coffee maker was in.
"Oh, no. It's just an online date," she fumbled through words, suddenly feeling acutely embarrassed as the man chuckled again. He had a couple years on her, but had a youthful quality to his tanned features. Dimples added to the charm. "I... I better go. Have a great night. Enjoy your coffee." Cassandra was nothing but nice as she turned away, hearing his voice at her back.
"Miss, if you change your mind. I'll be inside grabbing a decaf."
Cassandra didn't turn back, conscious he was watching her walk away as she put a little extra swing her in her hips. At 5'2, her frame was a compact hourglass. Nothing but curves for days.
Bridging the short distance to her building, she paused at the apartment gate door, realizing she didn't have keys on her. She had left them behind when she ran out the door.
Cassandra went to try the intercom, before remembering it had been out all week. There was no way to get in unless a neighbor was coming or going. Fortunately, Cassandra still had her phone. She glanced at the time: 7:15pm.
Mentally she cursed and immediately popped off a text off to the apartment manager. The next text went to her date, apologizing profusely as she explained the situation of being locked out and waiting to hear back from the apartment manager.
Cassandra leaned back on the railing that lead up to the apartment complex, waiting for texts from either parties. Looking up, she caught sight of the handsome stranger across the street exiting Starbucks and walking to his truck. Not wanting to be caught staring, she pretended to be on her phone.
An alert came through from ReSell with a 5 star rating from TopGunJ and a comment.
BUYER FEEDBACK - If you wanted to see me again, you didn't have to loiter across the street hoping to catch my eye.
Laughter immediately spilled out of those red lips as she tilted her head back. Cassandra held the phone in one hand and covered her face with the other, a mixture of both amusement and embarrassment flushing her cheeks. She was afraid to even look up. The whole situation was just too much for her as she hid her face with a hand.
Finally, she peeked across the street, surprised to see the truck, but not the stranger. The truck tint was dark, preventing her from making out if he was in the driver seat.
She heard a voice from behind and startled.
"Sooo, why don't we try this again?" An amused masculine voice resonated as he approached. Cassandra turned to face an outstretched palm. "I'm Javier."
Blushing, she took his slightly calloused hand, shaking it, "I'm Cassandra. And this doesn't look like what it seems." His hand lingered on hers as they broke the shake.