The moon was a bright orange that night and Valentina hadn't see anything so beautiful in all her life. She was glad to be outside. It was too hot earlier and her Yorkie, Lucas, desperately needed a walk. The stench of his urine on the puppy pad was starting to fill the whole house.
Valentina was new to New York City. She admired her Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. She didn't know why it was called that, but she knew it had little to do with the smoldering city heat.
"Come on, Lucas. Be a good boy and go potty for mommy."
She heard a deep laugh come from behind her. She swiftly turned to see a man leaning against the wall behind her smoking a cigarette. He wore fitted jeans and lace up boots, he chest was covered in a tank top, but she could tell that he had a great body.
The man licked his lips watching as Valentina scanned him. He didn't have on a ring, so he wasn't married. He was slim, but fit and he had fashion sense. It wasn't the tank top, but the boots that drew her attention. By the time she got to his face and could see his eyes looking into her, it was too late to turn away. She hadn't realized how long she was staring at him.
"What's your name?" the stranger asked, flashing an award winning smile.
"Valentina," she replied. Her throat had gotten dry and her voice squeaked her response.
"Valentina. That's a beautiful name. I'm Magnus."
He reached his hand out to shake her. Valentina was hesitant, but she returned the gesture. She was surprised at how soft and smooth his hands were. And nit realizing it, she held on longer than she intended to.
"I'm so sorry," she said pulling her hand away from his. Magnus just smiled. He was amused by her timidness. It wasn't something he saw everyday. Valentina looked down to see that Lucas had done his do. She reached down with a plastic bag and picked up the pellets.
"It was nice to meet you, Magnus," she said turning toward him. Magnus was significantly closer to her. She hadn't realized he moved... Or maybe it was her imagination.
"No, it wasn't," Magnus said.