The day drug on endlessly as the clock seemingly refused to move. C.W. sat at the bench and ran through a mental checklist of everything. His roommate was planning on hooking him up with one of her friends for a proverbial "One night stand". He had only met her once before and he had been absolutely cooked on that night. From what he did remember though, she was incredible. Megan was one of those once in a lifetime girls. She was five foot four, had long brown hair with soft, graceful spiral curls and deep brown eyes that a man could drown in.
"Davis!" C.W. snapped his head towards his supervisor. He had completely lost track of time.
"What the hell you starin' off into space for? Get tools done, let's go."
C.W. got up and started the end of shift tool inventory, anxious to get on the road toward home.
The drive home seemed just as long as the shift that preceded it. He was still rummaging through that mental checklist he had earlier. He needed a shower. He looked into the passenger seat of his Expedition at the small jar of peanut butter. For some reason his roommate had asked him to bring one home, but he had no idea why. He decided to not bring it up until somebody asked for it. He pulled into the driveway, shut his truck off and took a deep breath. Show time.
C.W. walked through the front door of the house that he and his two roommates were renting and found the scene that he had both hoped for and dreaded for the past 12 hours. Megan was sitting on the love seat. She smiled up at him and said a sweet hello as he stepped around the couches on the way to the bathroom. He had no idea what to say, or what to do. He wasn't a complete stranger to one night stands, but he didn't altogether like them. It wasn't just that he wasn't comfortable with casual sex, but even though they had only met once, something about Megan stirred him to the core. He cared about her. That fact alone sent cold shivers running down his spine. If he went through with this and she never talked to him again, he would be absolutely crushed. Too late now, there was no way he was turning away from her tonight. Even if it killed him, he was here to give her whatever he wanted.
As he stepped around the couches on the way to the bathroom, he said a quick hello to the three ladies sitting around on the couches and kept his eyes on the goal. The bathroom. A small, white cubicle of porcelain and hot water that could serve as his sanctuary for at least the next fifteen minutes. He turned the shower on, stepped out of his clothes and immersed himself in the steam and hot water. He stood there for moments letting the water run over his head. What the hell was he getting himself into? Soon enough he would find out. The life that had repeatedly kicked him in the teeth over the last two years was about to pay him back with interest. He quickly washed himself, dried off and put on his flannel sleeping pants and a t-shirt. As he reached for the doorknob it was as if he was reaching out to fate itself.
As he stepped into the living room, his roommate and her friend stepped into the garage for a smoke. C.W. sat down on the opposite end of the couch as Megan and commenced what he can only describe as a courtship in fast forward. He knew why she was there; she knew why he was there. That being said though, there was something inside him that just had to make the effort. As time moved along, much more quickly now than when he was at work, he leaned closer to her and she mirrored his moves on the other side of the couch. Few words were exchanged in the process as the two of them maneuvered closer and closer. C.W. decided to try something. Something cheesy. Cheesy enough that it just might be perfect for this situation. He stretched his arms up over his head and extended them to his sides, letting his right arm settle around Megan's shoulder. To his utter amazement he felt her weight shift and she nestled herself into his body. Her left arm reached around her torso and he smiled as he felt their fingers begin the dance that would ultimately end in the clasping of their hands, and the joining of their hearts. As he lay there on the couch, holding the hand of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, he thought to himself that the other two girls had been smoking for a good long time.
The two of them lay there for what seemed like an eternity, or maybe it was only a moment. He really couldn't decide which was more the truth. What he did know, was that the night was growing long and he had to do something fast. While he wanted this more than anything, he had been putting it off all night. What came next was probably one of the most awkward proposals he had ever given.
"I've got a bed." He said.
"Wanna use it."
He looked at her trying to conceal his absolute terror. What he had just said was about as smooth as a porcupine with his hackles up. He waited for her answer. The next moment seemed to last three weeks. The sound that escaped from those sexy ruby lips was more the consistency of fine silk.