Author's Note, Thanks again to kenjisato for editing and suggestions.
_____________
Rachel Johnson parked her car then headed to the low bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It was a favorite spot to watch the sunset. And this day, a Friday, she expected a good one.
As she zipped up her jacket against the late March breeze, she saw a young man scrambling about the rocks taking photos. 'A good day to take photos,' she thought to herself. And as she watched him, she noted he was rather good looking. The clouds had gathered, obscuring the setting sun, but creating a crimson sky.
The young man seemed oblivious to her and focused on the clouds as he moved closer to her. When he was in shouting distance, Rachel called out, "Gorgeous sunset!"
The man turned to her in acknowledgement before returning his attention to the scene. But a moment later, he turned around for a longer look at her. He started moving closer, occasionally looking at the sunset.
"Lost the light," he said, turning and looking her over. He had a hard time gauging gauging her age. Forty? Maybe mid-forties, he wondered. But more, it was the air about her--she seemed to radiate a beauty that was hard to pin down. In any case, he was already captivated.
"Really? Looks beautiful to me," she replied.
"Yes, beautiful," the man retorted, never taking his eyes off her.
Rachel smiled, wondering if he meant that as a double entendre. She took the opportunity to look him over. Scandinavian looks! Tall enough, with piercing blue eyes that could cut to her heart. Add a beard, and she could imagine him as a Viking.
"I come here for sunset whenever I can. Always lovely," she said, collecting herself.
"Yes! I just discovered the spot myself. A lot of photo opportunities."
"Are you a professional?"
"No!" he laughed. "Just an enthusiast. And college keeps me busy enough. Oh, I'm Alex."
"Rachel! Pleased to meet you."
Rachel offered her hand, which he shook with care while maintaining eye contact. She deduced he was a student at the nearby university.
"A student," she continued, hoping to keep the conversation going. "Have a major?"
"Physics. And a minor in history."
"Interesting combination," Rachel commented.
"Physics as a career path, history because it's not one."
Rachel chuckled at the truth of it.
The sky was dimming, and Alex suggested he'd taken too much of her time. His courteousness seemed too nice. Or maybe he was trying to get away. Rachel, feeling a bit brazen, made a suggestion.
"Uh, I was going to get some dinner. There's a little Italian place down the road. If you don't have plans, perhaps you can join me, and tell me about physics... and history."
A smile grew on his face. "Yes, I know it. Never been there."
Rachel pulled out her phone and confirmed a table was available. They walked to her BMW, where he opened the door for her.
'If he's trying to impress, he is doing a great job,' Rachel thought to herself. She then watched him get into an old, beat-up Toyota. 'Ah, the poor student. How I remember,' she thought.
Rachel pulled into the restaurant parking lot, and as she got out of her car, she found Alex holding the door.
"Quite the gentleman, aren't you?" Rachel exclaimed, with an arched eyebrow.
"My mother taught me manners."
"Tell your mother she did well," she replied, unconsciously taking his arm.
Inside, they were shown a table for two, and out of the way. A bit too romantic, Rachel thought, with a smile. He helped her off with her jacket, reinforcing her sense that he knew how to treat a woman.
It gave Alex a chance to look her over. The tight-knit top showed off her slim form. She obviously kept in shape. But the material failed to hide the hard nipples capping her small, yet nicely shaped breasts.
'He's still in college!' she told herself. 'My God, he must be twenty, no, twenty-five years younger!'
She ordered a glass of wine, and he followed suit, with the server asking to see his ID.
'Twenty-one, at least!' she smiled to herself.
He explained he was finishing his junior year and his various interests. She found him, to her surprise, to be a lively conversationalist. And when he discovered she had a passion for English history, particularly the War of the Roses, he seemed to be hanging on her every word. But the conversation turned to their personal lives.
"Now, why is such a nice young man like you without a date on a Friday night?"
"Seems I have a date," he replied, with a smirk.
"You know what I mean."
"Let's just say I'm between girlfriends. And you?" he continued.
She explained she had been divorced for three years. And that her ex had traded her in for a younger model.
"But..." she continued, " he had money. And the divorce cost him dearly. So as compensation, I'm financially independent."
"Wealthy AND beautiful! You must be beating guys off with a stick."
'Beautiful!' She liked the sound of that coming from him.
"Ha! Don't fool yourself. I don't want another alpha male. Or someone too interested in my wealth. But let's just say, I haven't been celibate since my divorce."
They chatted some more, until the check arrived, which she snatched up. "I invited you. Besides, admit it, you're a starving student."
"Not starving," he protested.
"Figuratively. Save your money. Perhaps, you can buy another time."
The look in his eyes made her wonder if he took her joke too seriously. Or was it a joke? And what was he thinking? That look, the wine, and her own feelings were beginning to affect her.
They walked out into the cool night air, and as Alex saw her to her car, asked, "Tomorrow? Busy?"
"What did you have in mind?" Rachel smiled, warming up to the idea.
"Oh... The park, or a museum. Maybe a walk on the beach."
The idea of a walk on the beach with a man like him fancied Rachel, and she agreed. And after a place and time was set, Alex helped her into her car and watched her drive off.
As she drove home, the idea of such a young man being available made Rachel wonder if the stars were aligning. She never played a cougar, but he was too tempting.
Saturday was a warm sunny day and Rachel made the most of it. She put on shorts and a tight tank-top that showed off her form perfectly. That afternoon, Rachel pulled into the parking lot near the entrance to the beach, and found Alex already waiting for her. He was in shorts and a T-shirt, showing off his trim form. If there was a male-body type she liked, it was his -- a checkbox ticked off. And she could see he was getting an eyeful of her.
They walked north along a less used part of the beach populated with just a few sunbathers and surfers. They talked and learned some more about each other. And his love of classical music was another box ticked off. Some parts of the beach were a bit rocky, and when they had to hop over a small boulder, Alex offered his hand, which, after, she didn't release.
So, hand-in-hand, they strolled on, with Rachel taking a peek at his face, and finding a smile of satisfaction on it. And Rachel was also feeling quite satisfied, while fighting off thoughts about the possibilities.
After a couple hours of walking, they headed back, settling on a rock not far from the parking lot to watch the sun settle low over the ocean. It was getting colder, and Rachel regretted not bringing a jacket.
"Cold?" he asked. Then he sat close to her on her opposite side. "I can as least be a wind break."
Rachel was happy to accept and nestled a little closer to him. If she could have read his mind, she would have found he was enjoying it just as much, and that he was also wondering where this was headed.
As soon as the sun had set, Rachel declared her desire to get out of the wind. And as they walked back, Rachel made an offer. "I enjoy a good restaurant, but don't often have someone to join me. If your ego can handle it, let me treat you to a good dinner."