Passion in James County XII
The Widow
By D.C. Roi
Chapter ten
Brian surprised Fran by showing up at her office just before the end of the business day. He was pleased to see the smile on her face and the way her eyes brightened when she saw him. "I hope you don't mind that I'm a bit early," he said.
Fran smiled. "Hi, Brian," she said. "I'm not at all upset. I finished early, too. I was just about to call you."
"You know, my dear!" Brian said, "You look fabulous in that outfit!"
Fran felt herself blushing. Her dress was loose-fitting and made of natural cotton. It had short sleeves and elastic at the neck and waist. She had a red cotton sash tied around her waist and a string of brown clay beads around her neck. The loose dress accentuated, rather than hid, her voluptuous figure. "Thank you, Brian," she said.
"Ready to go?" Brian asked.
Fran nodded. "Let me get my coat," she said. She got up and took her coat off the wooden coat tree just inside her door. Brian helped her slip it on, then they left.
Brian took her to a very nice restaurant. It wasn't overly fancy, but it was homey and comfortable. The proprietor, a short man, ruddy faced man, who spoke with an unusual accent, was apparently a friend of Brian's. He greeted them at the door and made a huge fuss over Fran after Brian made introductions. The owner's name was Ricardo.
"You are a very attractive lady, Miss Fran," Ricardo said. "I have been telling my friend, Brian, he needed to find a woman to help him get over his sadness." He smiled and shook his head. "Although I never dreamed he would find one such as you."
Fran felt her face getting very warm and knew she was blushing like crazy. "Ah...thank you," she replied. "You are too kind."
The owner took them to a table in a cozy corner. "Here you will have some privacy," he said, grinning. He handed them menus and lefty
"How was your day?" Brian asked.
Fran smiled across the table at him. "I had a hard time concentrating on my work. I kept thinking about you...and last night," she replied.
Brian smiled. "Do I have that much of an effect on you?" he asked.
Fran nodded. "Yes," she said softly. "You do."
"If that's the case I guess I don't need to worry about my sex appeal then, do I?" Brian said. "You are a tremendous boost to my self-image."
"Knock it off," Fran laughed. "You're doing as much for my self-image."
Her companion grinned and said, "I like the way you're packaged tonight."
"If you keep being this nice to me, maybe I'll let you unwrap the package later," Fran retorted.
"That's an interesting offer," Brian said. "A very interesting offer."
The meal came and they ate.
"Brian, this is incredible!" Fran exclaimed when she swallowed the first bite of her Salmon Ricardo, a house specialty he had recommended.
"It is, isn't it?" he replied. "I discovered this place years ago. It's one of the best kept secrets in town and I hope it stays that way."
"Secret or not, I don't know when I've ever had a better meal," Fran said.
They talked while they finished their meal. They were just about done when the owner emerged from the kitchen and bustled over to them. "Aha, my friends," he said. "Your meal was edible, I hope."
"It was fabulous," Fran said. "Tell your chef I think I'm in love with him."
Ricardo turned bright red.
Brian laughed. "Ricardo always cooks meals I order personally," he told a puzzled Fran.
"Is that true, Ricardo?" Fran asked.
The red-faced man gulped and nodded.
"Well," Fran said. She stood up and planted a kiss on the man's cheek.
"Ah, Miss Fran, you...you will give me a heart attack if you keep that up," the owner muttered. He turned and started for the kitchen and almost tripped over a chair in the process. Then he stopped and turned around. "I almost forgot," he said, hitting his head with the palm of his hand. "Ah, Miss Fran, you make me not able to think. Your dessert, it will be out in just a minute."
"Dessert!" Fran exclaimed. "I'm afraid if I eat anything else, I'll burst."
"Wait," Brian said. "You won't be sorry."
Dessert was a special concoction of some kind of heavenly yellow cake, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream that tasted different than any whipped cream Fran had ever eaten before. It had shredded almond chips sprinkled on it, too. She ate every bit. "My God!" she said when she finished. "I won't be able to eat for a week after this."
They had a cup of coffee and an aperitif, then they said their "good-bye's" to Ricardo and went out to Brian's car. He drove to his house and into the garage.
"I assume you want me to come in for a nightcap?" Fran asked while the garage door closed behind them.
Brian grinned at her and nodded. "That's not all. I was hoping I'd get to unwrap a present, too" he teased.
"Good," Fran said. "I was hoping that's what you were hoping."
When they were in the house, Fran took off her coat, gave it to Brian, and he hung it in the hall closet.
Brian walked across the vestibule toward Fran. "Come here," he said softly, his voice husky.
Fran walked toward him, then she was gathered into his strong arms and pulled against his bulky body. His lips covered hers. Warmth spread through both of them as their tongues emerged and lashed. The kiss finally ended and, breathless, they studied each other.
"I...I've been waiting to feel that all day," Fran gasped.
"Me, too," Brian replied. He was breathing hard.
"It was worth the wait," Fran said, then she pulled his face to hers again.
The second kiss was just as wonderful as the first. When it ended, Brian scooped Fran up in his arms as if she were weightless, carried her up to the bedroom, and laid her on his bed gently. Even though she'd experienced his gentleness before, Fran was again amazed by how tenderly he handled her.
Brian sat on the bed next to her, reached for the sash, and tugged on it. "Time to unwrap my package," he croaked.
"Yes!" Fran replied. "Oh, yes, it certainly is!"
Brian undressed her slowly. He paused to caress her each time he took another item of clothing off. Fran laid there, her excitement growing, as he slowly made her naked and aroused her. After what seemed like an eternity, she was lying nude on his bed.
Brian sat there and let his eyes travel over her. "My God!" he whispered, gazing at her ardently.