The interior of the cab suddenly seemed small for the two of them. "Thank you so much Stephen, I had a wonderful time."
"Me too," he gently cupped her chin in his hand and turned her face toward his. "Promise me you won't disappear again."
Rebecca was sure he could see her heart pumping out of her sweater. What was wrong with her? She felt like a teenager longing for her first kiss. Wishing he would wrap those muscular arms of his around her and hold her tight to his chest.
But then she would have to invite him in. They are just friends. The flowers, the hand holding, HeÕs just being sweet--just the way he is.
She raised her eyes into the deep pools of his. Suddenly she realized he wasn't just being sweet. She could see his desire for her, feel it in his breath, against her cheek. The first brush against her lips was so soft, she wasn't sure it had happened at all. She reached up with a fingertip to touch the softness around his mouth, but he stopped her by clutching her fingers and pulling her hand to his chest.
His lips melted into hers. Softly determined they sent a shiver down her spine. She felt the beat of his heart against the hand he held close and his fingers released her chin to tangle themselves in the hair behind her neck.
She didn't dare breath. Her resolve dissolved into the small sections of her body that touched his. Thoughts whirled in her mind like the wisps of his tongue against hers. Finally she gave up thinking. She could only feel. Feel his hand behind her head pulling her closer. Feel him drop her fingers and wrap his other arm around her so her breasts flattened against his chest. Feel his warm breath rush in bursts into her mouth.
The cab stopped. He pushed the Plexiglas window aside, "Go around the block the long way, please."
His left arm was still around her shoulder when he sat back into the seat. Rebecca sat in stunned silence. She couldn't remember ever feeling like this. She tried to calm her racing pulse by thinking about something to say.
He started first, "I hope I didn't offend you. I know it is too soon." He raised her chin to bring her eyes to his, "I will try to control myself, but I have to tell you I find you irresistible."
She smiled weakly, "I'll take that as a compliment."
He laughed and hugged her close.
It felt so comfortable to rest her head on his shoulder, so right. When the cab pulled up in front of her building again, he gently pulled up and away from her. Reaching into his breast pocket he pulled out his business card, "Here is every number I have, please call me anytime."
He slipped her hand into his arm for the short walk to the double doors, boldly following her into the lobby. Once inside he pulled her close, holding her tight against his lean torso, "I'll look forward to seeing you soon, Rebecca." He gently kissed her forehead and then rested his chin against it.
She didn't want him to leave, but she was terrified to ask him to stay. Moments passed; finally she began, "Would you like to . . ."
"No, no," his voice sounded husky, "I don't think that would be a good idea. I think I need a walk." He turned was out the double doors before Rebecca could say good night.