So he had finally come to visit. They had been friends for ages, but they never managed to connect. He stayed a steadfast friend through the ups and downs of her life as others came and went. He kept his distance as he knew she would run and dispatch him to the ash heap of exes if he got to close. He was smart enough to avoid that - although it took her ages to realize it.
The awareness came over her slowly - and suddenly after all his comments about visiting, and his suggestion they share a duplex in some mutually agreed upon city, and his gentle flirting . . . it suddenly became important to her that hey meet and she see if there was any chemistry. She lived and died by the elusive chemistry.
"I will try not to disappoint you. And would like to grant you a wish if I am able while I am there." He left her after the call to ponder that statement.
He arrived and called once he was checked in, as he had promised. He suggested dinner that night and she was mildly annoyed that he wasn't going to see her before then.
"That shit." she thought. But she agreed to dinner.
Punctual as usual, he picked her up at 7. He looked so . . . regular - and she was somewhat disappointed somehow, though she couldn't say why. "You're thinking I look regular. Don't let the cover fool you - you should see what's in the box." She looked into his eyes then, and he smiled. And they began to laugh. Together. He was handsome when he laughed - he changed somehow.
"Good to meet you finally." and he pulled her to his chest in a hug. She was startled and yet strangely soothed in his arms. It felt new and like a sweet memory all at once.
They went to dinner on the river downtown, the lights reflecting on the water. The breeze ruffled their hair and carried their talk and laughter out over the water. He marveled at her smile, knowing she shared a trait with Helen of Troy - this face could launch a thousand ships. Her laughter was better in person, her smile like the Sun - and he did His best to make her laugh and smile - she made him greedy.
He watched her throughout dinner. Watching her face change as she spoke seriously, or smiled coyly, or looked at him, or laughed, or frowned, or chided him for being foolish, or too serious, or for staring. He was entranced by the ever changing pattern of light and shadow as the candlelight played across her face. He did not want the evening to end.
They walked and talked about all things, and nothing, and merely enjoy the quit in one another's presence.
"Thank you for dinner. May I see you tomorrow?" he asked as he stood at her door.
Laughing at his seriousness, she softly replied "Yes." Surely he was coming in for a drink. "Say, 10 o'clock?" he asked, and she agreed.
Then he leaned forward and kissed her. So softly and chaste, yet as soon as she gave into it she felt the passion within him - the kiss seeming to melt them into one thing - taking the breath from her and making her dizzy as he held her so firmly in place. Breaking the kiss he rubbed her nose with his and she opened her eyes to find him looking into her eyes, that look piercing her armor like a spear. She slept that night dreaming of the look in his eyes and wondering what it meant - knowing she wanted to see it again.
They spent the next day as tourists. Museums, beer at lunch, sweating from the heat and laughing their asses off. He did not look the part, but the man was a party in progress. She had not had so much fun in ages. Yet, he never kissed her, or mentioned the night before. He would touch her for emphasis from time to time, on her hand, her arm. She found it so odd that she was so assured in his presence. She felt safe with him, and yet, she always felt he was holding himself in. She would look at him from time to time and their eyes would meet, and he would smile . . . and she would feel herself start to fall - and catch herself - and see him smiling as if he knew what she was thinking.
At the end of the day, he asked her to come to his hotel at 7 for dinner as he needed to shower and clean up. She agreed and he squeezed her hand as he left her at her door.
"Wear something that suits you." he said as he left.
She had no idea what that meant - but she wanted to play and she dressed to amaze. She felt wonderful and wanted to repeat the previous evening's magic.
He opened His door and her work was not in vain. "Spin for me." he said and she did. He smiled at the sight of her and the scent of her perfume. Dinner was no longer a concern. "Come here." He said and gathered her up in his arms and kissed her, this time without holding back and she found herself wrapping her arms around his neck and giving herself to his kiss, giving herself to him - and he took her greedily.
She turned away as the kiss broke, her heart beating fast and afraid to look into his eyes. He held onto her waist and began kissing her neck - his lips tracing fire wherever they touched. His lips now next to her ear - "Let it happen." he whispered and his hands were suddenly everywhere at once stroking her through her clothes as she realized she wanted to be naked for him - to feel his skin on hers.