Summer Fling 8

©Smuttyandfun - 2024 All rights reserved.

MY 200

TH

STORY!

This one is for the 2024 Summer Lovin' Contest. As always, your votes and comments are much appreciated.

Just so you know, this is a bit of slow burn. I hope you enjoy it.

Everyone in this story is over the age of eighteen and more than happy with everything that's going on.

KATIE

Gerrard Duprat wasn't a bad looking guy, if you were into slightly portly balding blow bags.

After listening to him drone on for almost two solid hours, I wondered again how I'd managed to let myself get roped into having to sit through dinner with such an overbearing twit.

But considering he was one of our top clients, and he had asked my boss if the two of us could meet over dinner to discuss his account, I didn't really have much choice but to agree. At least if I wanted to work my way up in the company.

My boss Joan, trying to console me, had chuckled and said, "Come on, Kate, take one for the team. I've had lunch with him a few times, and it was fine."

Fine, my ass.

I kept sneaking peeks at my watch, thinking that he'd have to come up for air sooner or later. But since he was talking about his favorite subject - himself - I don't think he planned to give his mouth a rest even long enough to do justice to the ridiculously expensive Chateaubriand he'd ordered for us.

When he winked and lifted his wine glass, I wondered what he planned to brag about next.

"This was an excellent year for this Cabernet Sauvignon, don't you think? And of course, being a true wine connoisseur, I would know. Did I happen to mention, after I finished high school, that I spent a summer working at a French vineyard learning everything there is to know about the art of producing a quality wine?"

The man was so pretentious he made my skin crawl. I knew one thing, this had better be a one and done. No way could I ever sit through another evening like this.

I had to fight not to shudder when he leaned in, looked deep into my eyes, stroked the back of my hand with his stubby little fingers and murmured, "You know your eyes are the exact color of the Star of India sapphire?"

"Uh... no. I had no idea."

He smirked, looking pleased with himself. "Well, I'm also a certified gemologist, so you can take my word for it. You've got the most striking blue eyes I've ever seen. And they're a perfect foil to that silky, blonde hair and flawless complexion. Of course, I studied gemology, amongst other things in college..."

As he droned on about his college days, and all his accomplishments, I happened to glance over at the table beside us. That's when I noticed that the very handsome-looking man facing me, was giving me a knowing smile.

Curious, I listened in for a moment, and I realized that his date sounded every bit as boring and pretentious as good old Gerrard.

Except, she had the most simpering high-pitched voice, like nails on a blackboard. "My little sweetie, Miss Priss, will only eat one brand of luxury cat food. And I can't tell you how shocked I was when I discovered that it had been discontinued. I've tried other brands, but she won't even taste them. Now I've not only got to find her a new bed, since she's outgrown her old one, but I've also got to find her some new food that she'll eat. It's just so stressful, I don't know what I'll do."

When we noticed we were both rolling our eyes skyward at the stuff we were having to listen to, we almost broke out laughing.

As our dates prattled on, we kept exchanging glances and teasing little smiles. And suddenly, thanks to the hottie at the next table, the evening didn't seem so bad anymore.

I was even able to tune out most of what Gerrard was nattering on about, as he claimed he'd almost made it onto our Olympic team in something to do with horses. I'm guessing, probably cleaning up after them.

I thought the man at the other table lucked out, when his date got up, slipped her purse under her arm, and announced, "I just have to visit the powder room. I won't be long." Until I watched his eyebrows shoot up to his hairline, when she patted her bag, smiled and told him, "And when I get back, I'll show you a few pictures of my kitty. She's such a little princess, she just loves wearing hats."

As he watched his date leave, the way he was shaking his head, I wondered if he was thinking of calling over his server, so he could pay the bill and leave before she got back.

But when he lifted his gaze and met mine, the way he smiled into my eyes let me know that he wasn't going anywhere, at least not yet.

Just then, Gerrard's cell phone buzzed. When he pulled it out of his suit pocket and took a look at the screen, he nodded, looking pleased. "It's my stockbroker. So, I'd better take this outside. But I won't be long, I promise."

"That's fine. Take your time," I said, doing my best to keep a smile pasted on my face, though it was starting to feel pinched.

Once he was out of earshot, the man at the other table chuckled. "Sounds like we've both landed dates from hell tonight."

"He's actually just a client. And this isn't really a date."

"And Celeste is my neighbor's sister. He was supposed to be taking her out tonight, but something came up at work and he had to cancel. He asked if I'd mind having dinner with her, since she's visiting from out of town, and would have had to eat alone."

It seemed like we were in the same boat, trying to find a way to call an end to the evening.

Then we both grinned, and I could almost see the wheels going around in his head as we racked our brains, silently plotting. Surely, if we put our heads together, we'd be able to come up with a way to get out of this thing we'd been both been roped into.

"How about if we act like we're old friends who haven't seen each other in a while. And I offer to take you for a coffee after, to catch up," he suggested.

"You know, that might work. Gerrard drove me here. But if we say we're planning on going for coffee, I'll just tell him that he doesn't have to worry about getting me home. And hopefully that will be the end of it."

"I'm Jamie, by the way," he said, with a very sexy grin as he extended his hand.

"And I'm Kate," I said, surprised at the little tingle that went through me, the moment we touched.

I noticed he had a definite twinkle in his eye as he gazed into mine and remarked, "I'm no gemologist, but I've got to agree, you've got very pretty eyes, Kate."

"And I think yours are a very striking shade of green."

Suddenly, he lowered his voice and warned, "Head's up, here they come." I straightened in my seat and looked straight ahead, hoping Jamie was a good enough actor to pull it off.

"Well, things are looking up," Gerrard said, beaming, after talking to his stock broker.

Then I watched repulsed, as he scarfed down a few more heaping forkfuls of his dinner, shoved his plate away, and wiped the gravy dripping off his face with his white linen napkin.

"Glad to hear it," I said, cringing, as I watched him gulp it all down with a big swig of wine.

"Did I get it all," Gerrard asked, pointing at his face.

"You've got a little glob of something under your right eye," I said, pointing out the bit he'd missed.

"I know, I'm a messy eater," he said, chuckling to himself, as he swiped it off with his finger, then stuck it in his mouth and licked it clean!

Not even sure what to say after that, I just nodded, hoping it was almost over, so I could go home and try to forget it ever happened.

As soon as his date had taken her seat, Jamie looked over at me, and sounded genuinely surprised when he said, "Kate, is that you? Wow! I haven't seen you in ages."

"Oh my gosh, Jamie! What a small world. Yeah, it's been a few years, hasn't it?"

Gerrard was looking put out as we kept chatting, till Jamie finally suggested, "Look, why don't we go for a coffee after this, and catch up?"

"Oh, I'd love to," I said, and I really meant it, too, since he seemed like he'd be fun.

Celeste, looking none too amused, turned in her seat to glare me down. Her thick dark eyebrows nearly joined in the center, she looked so angry.

While Gerrard was anxiously clearing his throat, to get our attention. "Actually, I was just about to order coffee and dessert," he said, giving Jamie the side eye.

"Oh, that's okay. Dinner was great, but I don't think I could eat another bite. But thank you for inviting me out, Gerrard," I said with the biggest smile I could muster.

Though he didn't look too pleased, he nodded and signaled for the bill. While Jamie and I fought really hard to keep from laughing, now that we'd pulled it off, and found a way to end our dates.

"Well, I'm just glad I drove myself here," Celeste sniffed, staring down her nose at me.

"No worries. I'll walk you out to your car," Jamie said, even offering her a smile as he gestured for the waiter to bring their bill, since they'd also finished their dinner.

Celeste nodded primly. "Thank you. I'd appreciate that."

Though I was planning to take a taxi home, I waited just inside the hotel entryway to say goodbye, while Jamie walked Celeste out to her car.

It was so hot and sticky out, I was glad I was waiting in the airconditioned comfort of the lobby. Of course, July was always hot and humid, which was why I was only wearing a short, black, cotton dress and heels.

No surprise, after visiting the gent's room, Gerrard decided to take one more shot at it before he left. Coming up beside me, he stroked my arm. "I had a really nice time tonight, Kate. And I was thinking maybe we could do this again. Even next weekend, if you're free."

"Sorry, but I think my boyfriend might object."

He looked surprised. "I didn't know you were seeing anyone."

"We've been dating since college," I lied, hoping he'd believe me. "But since I told him that this was just a business dinner, he was okay with it."

Gerrard finally nodded and gave in, when he realized tonight was it, and we were never going out again. "Well, I had good time all the same. And you have a nice evening, Kate."

I breathed the biggest sigh of relief as I watched him walk out and head for his car.

Jamie looked just as relieved when he walked in, shortly after. "Looks like they bought it, what do you think?"

I nodded, just glad that it was over. "Yeah, I think they did. And thanks so much for helping me get out of that."

We both laughed when he said, "I'd say it worked out for both of us, because I don't think I could stand to hear another word about, Miss Priss. Never mind looking through pictures of her in her hats."

Since I could see him better under the lights by the entryway, I studied his face more closely, and it dawned on me that I might actually know him. "You know, I think we have met before. I don't know where, but you look kind of familiar."

"I don't think we've worked together, or I would have remembered," he said, taking a closer look at me.

"No. It wasn't at work, or school." All of sudden, it hit me, and I pointed at him and laughed. "I know who you are. You were one of my brother Matt's friends from high school. Though your hair was a lot longer back then, and you always had a bit of a beard. And the guys just called you 'J', so I never knew your name was Jamie. You were so tall and thin I remember my mother was always trying to feed you."

"Holy smokes!" He laughed, took hold of my hands, and looked me over. "And you're little Katie, all grown up. Wow! This is wild."

"Only my family calls me Katie now. But mostly because I can't get them to stop."

He laughed at that, though he still looked pretty surprised, the way he was shaking his head, like he could hardly believe it was me. "What are the odds of us meeting here tonight? When I moved away for college, and went off to work in California, we all lost touch. So, how's Matt doing? Still going out with Sarah?"

"Not anymore. They're married. They've got a gorgeous little boy, Jason, who just turned two. And Sarah just found out she's expecting again."

"They were really good together, so I'm not surprised they wound up getting hitched."

"So, you never married, Jamie?"

He shrugged. "I just never met the right woman."

While we were chatting, I noticed someone bringing around a dessert trolly. And I could tell from the way his eyes lit up, that Jamie noticed, too.

Before the server headed back in the kitchen, Jamie pointed behind us and suggested, "Hey, why don't we go back in and have a coffee and catch up. I noticed some kind of chocolate thing on that cart that looked pretty tasty."

I laughed. "You don't have to twist my arm. I've got a thing for chocolate that's kind of embarrassing. And I was kind of hoping to have a bite of something sweet and decadent before I left, after having to listen to Gerrard all night."

Jamie sent another tingle down my spine when he touched his hand to the small of my back and steered us toward an empty table, just as the trolly arrived.

Once we had our coffee and a tall slab of chocolate sin sitting in front of us, Jamie pulled a business card out of his wallet and put it on the table by my plate. "Next time you're talking to Matt, tell him I'd love to hear from him."

Without bothering to look, I picked it up and tucked it in my purse. "You, Pete and Kurt were such good friends, I'm sure he'd love to see you guys again."

He looked like he was thinking back as he dug into his cake. "Yeah, we had some great times together."

As he stirred a splash of cream into his second cup of coffee he asked, "So, how are your folks doing, Katie?"

"Unfortunately, dad passed away about five years ago. He suffered with heart problems for years. But mom's doing pretty good, and she's still in the old house."

"Aw, I'm really sorry to hear about your dad. He was like a father figure to all the guys. I remember him carrying my bike into his garage on a bitterly cold night and fixing a flat, so I could make my way home. I knew he had to be freezing his buns off, but he didn't seem to mind. I always thought you guys were lucky to have parents like that."

I sighed, thinking back. "I think we were."

"So, how's your dad doing, Jamie?" I asked, as I scooped up a little chocolate cake and some of the vanilla ice cream we were sharing.

"He uh... kind of fell apart after my mother died, and he hit the bottle pretty hard. When he lost his job, we had to sell the house. My mother's parents took me in and made sure I went to college. But once I left to go to school, he disappeared. He ended up dying in a homeless shelter. Apparently, his body just gave out on him after years of living on the street."

"My mother volunteers at a soup kitchen, and they told her that living on the street can shorten a person's life expectancy by almost twenty years," I said, thinking how sad it must have been for him to lose his father like that.

"I know my dad was only forty-five when he died, but he looked a lot older."

Knowing he was an only child, and hating to hear he was on his own, I reached over and squeezed his hand. "I'm so sorry."

"After I finished college, I'd always hoped we'd see each other again. But he was gone before we had a chance to reconnect."

Jamie stroked his thumb over my hand, sending little tingles up my arm. Normally, I wasn't the type to get tingly, especially from just a touch, but there was just something about him.

"And how about you? You got a man in your life, Katie?"

"No one lately. I'm in marketing, and I've got so much going on with work, I haven't really been looking. And I'm not really into online dating."

Jamie pointed at our nearly empty plates. "Well, I'm thinking we should eat this up. Then see if there's anything else we can demolish, before they kick us out, so they can shut this place down and go home."

I smirked. "I did notice there was some kind of a fudgy brownie thing, and some pretty sweet looking cocoa dusted truffles on that trolly."

"You're bad," he said, shaking his head at me, even as he waved over the server with the desserts.

"Well, chocolate's my only weakness. I don't do drugs, smoke or drink much. And I try to hit the gym most nights after work. So, I don't think indulging a little now and then is going to kill me."

"Yeah, I think we're in the same club. So, did your mom keep the cottage at the beach?" he asked, rolling his eyes, once he had a taste of the uber rich chocolate brownie. "I can still remember how much fun we used to have every summer hanging out up there."

"Yep. She kept it. And we still head up most weekends in the summer. Though my mom doesn't always go, since she loves taking care of her grandbaby. Which means that Matt and Sarah can have a little alone time." He chuckled when I leaned in and whispered, "Which is why I think she's expecting again."

When it came time to pay, the two of us got into a bit of a laughing fit, and so did our server. I kept trying to grab the bill, while Jamie kept snatching it away. And when I put down my credit card, he switched it for his.

"Hey, I'm just happy we got to catch up, had some chocolate, and we managed to get out of our dates from hell. And we didn't even lie, because we really do know each other," he said, reaching across the table for my hand.

"Yep, and for a long time, too," I agreed, smiling into his sexy green eyes.

Although I offered to take a taxi, Jamie insisted it would be quicker and safer if he drove me home.

It was after eleven by the time we pulled up in front of my condo. Since I assumed we both had work in the morning, I decided just to give him a quick peck on the cheek, so he could head home.

But he made me laugh when he leaned in, kissed the corner of my lips and whispered, "You had a little chocolate there, and I didn't want to waste it." Then he sat back, smiling across the car at me. "Gee, it was really good seeing you again, Katie."

When I rolled my eyes, and reminded him, "It's Kate now, remember?" he just laughed. Since I guess he was practically family, he decided I'd always be Katie to him. And to be honest, I really didn't mind. Before I left, I leaned in, touched my hand to his chest and gave him one last peck on the cheek. "It was great seeing you again, too. And thanks for everything, Jamie. Take care."

While I brushed my teeth and got ready for bed, I could still hardly believe how the two of us had bumped into each other. And I thought it was kind of funny that he'd made up the story about us knowing each other, when we really did.

I already knew that my brother Matt was going to be thrilled to hear from him, because he often talked about his old friends and how close they used to be.

Once I got in bed, one thing stuck in my head -- the kiss he'd brushed against the corner of my lips. Which had me wondering if he was being flirty, or if he was only after the chocolate?

JAMIE

I kept reminding myself as I was driving home that no matter how cute or sexy she was, Katie was still my buddy's kid sister, even if she was all grown up. Which meant that I had no business thinking of her as anything else. Even if she did look like sex on legs in that little black dress, and those heels, when she'd flashed me that gorgeous smile.

While I was brushing my teeth getting ready for bed, I looked at myself in the mirror and wondered what the heck I thought I was doing when I kissed her. Though it wasn't much of a kiss, I still knew I shouldn't have crossed that line.

But by the time I got to bed, I was kind of wondering what she'd think if I asked her out - just as friends of course. Maybe go for a coffee, or see a movie, like friends do.

When I woke up in the morning, first thing that popped in my head was her pretty face. Though I knew I should let it go, and just be glad we'd enjoyed a few hours together, crazy thing was, I just couldn't get her out of my head.