Sean leaned against the outside wall of some club, puffing on a cigarette and waiting for some girl his friends had decided to set him up with. It had been three years since the death of his beloved wife, and he was healing, slowly; he knew it was time to start living again. He hadn't put up much fight when his friends Jack and Molly had told him about this woman; he had listened with half an ear, and nodded when he was supposed to.
He'd been more concerned with how the dating scene had changed since he was last in the game, than what it was about this woman that his friends thought was so perfect. Since this would be his first foray into the world of dating in more years than he could count, he figured it would be a complete disaster anyway, no matter who his partner was.
Sean took one last puff from his cigarette before flicking it out into the street and pushing upright from the wall. He shot a glance at his watch and sighed; she was almost a half hour late already. As Sean debated on whether to go into the club and wait, or just hop in his truck and leave, another truck pulled into the lot and squealed to a stop inches from him.
He smirked tolerantly and moved to lean against the hood on the driver's side, waiting patiently for the reckless driver to show themselves. Nervously, Sean crossed his ankles and leaned one elbow on the truck, his fingers linking to stop them from wringing together and giving him away. Sean pasted a small smile on his lips and licked his bottom lip as the door flew open.
Under the door of the truck, Sean saw a small foot appear followed by a trim ankle, a well-toned calf incased in black stockings. His breath caught in his throat as the next foot and leg appeared, slowly lowering her body from the height of the floorboard to the paved lot. His eyes glued to her legs, Sean held his breath as she stepped out from behind the door and moved to slam the door. His eyes slowly took in her sexy-as-sin legs, his gaze meeting the hem of a short black skirt that clung like second skin to her slim hips, up to the thin ribbon of bared skin at her tiny waist revealing her pierced navel. Her perfectly full breasts were cupped lovingly by a tight halter-top that left her shoulders bare and her long neck exposed. Sean let out a slow breath, his pants quickly becoming too tight.
Sean held his breath again as his gaze moved slowly up the column of her throat to her face. He saw her blond hair floating around her shoulders, then his breath caught as he looked at her face for the first time. For all the sinful-sexiness of her gorgeous body, the woman standing before him had the face of an angel. Her perfect features looked like they belonged on statuary rather than a body built for sex. He felt at a loss as what to do or say to her; then as he looked into her deep eyes he felt the breath rush from him and the tension leave his shoulders.
Smiling, Sean held his hand out to her and introduced himself. She matched his smile, the barest glint of mischief in her eyes as she took his hand in her soft one. Her voice flowed over him and he felt a constriction in his chest though the smile never left his face. His whole face felt frozen, only his eyes capable of movement as they roamed restlessly over her features; he tried to keep from looking at the rest of her body and coming off an asshole.
What had she said her name was? Kate? Was that the name of his date? Right now, Sean didn't know. Her appearance had fried his brain and he would count himself lucky if he remembered his own. She tilted her head and boldly gave him a once over, lingering on the slight bulge beneath his pants, then met his eyes again. He watched hungrily as she licked her lips and smiled back at him. Sean belatedly came to stand upright and took a step closer to her, offering his arm, which she took without hesitation.
"Shall we go then?" Sean asked, his deep gravely voice made more so by the emotions coursing within him.
*****
Kate tried to control her breathing as she took Sean's arm and let him lead her into the club. As the heavy door opened they were met with a wall of loud Latin music and the conversations of hundreds of people all trying to talk over the other noise. Kate's hips began to sway slightly to the music and she felt the sultry beat take over her senses. She felt the nervous energy leave her and felt her body relax and move freely.
She hadn't been prepared for this meeting, for seeing exactly how sexy Sean was. She'd been given a brief description of what to expect, but she hadn't been given fair warning of how much masculine appeal he carried. He stood over six feet, broad shoulders, well toned arms. His waist narrowed to slim hips and his long legs were well defined through his pants. Both his hands and feet were large, making her thoughts turn immediately to the old wives-tale linking the size of a man's feet and/or hands to the size of his cock. Of course, she had seen the telltale bulge in his pants, which removed all doubts that he might be the exception to that myth.
Kate licked her lips and grinned cockily as they threaded through the tables and all heads, mostly female, turned to stare at them. When they reached the bar, Sean maneuvered her between two stools and stood closely behind her as they waited on the bartender. The crush of the other patrons pushed Sean closer against her backside and Kate rested back against him teasingly. She felt the rumble in his chest and smiled naughtily as she turned her head to look back at him.
"What would you like?" Sean asked, sounding desperate.
"A beer's fine." Kate said softly, knowing he wouldn't be able to hear her with all the noise.
"I'm sorry?" Sean replied and predictably moved his head closer to hers.
Kate twisted her mouth further toward him and stopped only when her lips softly brushed against his. "I said a beer is fine." She repeated.
She heard, or thought she heard, Sean swallow loudly and felt his arm rise to get the bartenders attention. When the man looked at them Sean held up two fingers and within moments two beers were placed in front of them. Throwing money on the bar, Sean grabbed the bottles with one hand and pulled her around with the other. He motioned with his head to a quiet corner and Kate nodded before she followed him as he led her into the dark corner.
He held the chair out for her and Kate sank gracefully onto the hard seat. She watched as Sean moved to the other side of the table and he too sat, then took a slow drink from her beer, trying to chase away the dryness of her throat after watching him move. He moved with such grace, such fluid motion for one so big. It was incredibly sexy and made her think of his movements in other, more intimate, settings.
"I hope you don't mind meeting me so late." She said after a few moments.
"No, it's fine." Sean immediately replied, making Kate smile again.
"So, tell me about yourself, Sean." Kate began the conversation again when it became obvious he had nothing more to say.
"Well, I'm a carpenter." Sean fidgeted in his seat, taking a long pull from his beer before he continued. "I live on the beach. I'm a widower."
