The magic card allowed access to the penthouse floor. As they rode the elevator together, he glanced down at her and smiled. She shifted her focus to the floor, but when she looked up again, she showed him her wide sparkling smile— the one that twisted his stomach into a knot and affected lower regions too.
At last they reached the penthouse and the elevator doors opened onto his expansive entry. He watched for her reaction to the unsoiled condition of his combined living and dining areas.
"Welcome to my abode." Charlie said.
Her eyes popped and her smile turned into an open-mouthed, awed expression as she took in the expensively festoon, but completely impractical penthouse.
She bypassed the kitchen and her high heels clicked across the marble floors to the windows.
She still clutched her apple crisp. "Wow!"
He had pulled the curtains closed in all but the one spot that led to his balcony. Even so, the city lights showed through the gossamer, airy curtains and lit up the night like stars. She must have liked what she saw. She appeared positively fascinated.
Charlie set the lasagna dish on his built-in kitchen grill and followed her to the windows.
"Pretty, isn't it?"
Not nearly as pretty as the enchantress right in front of me.
"I will say. I did not know that our building was higher than those on the other side of the street. I can see the river. You really scored a gorgeous view here." She said.
He chuckled at her use of the word score. With any luck, he had score with the cute Rhode Island before too long.
"Let me take that dish so you can look around. See the rest of the place." He headed toward the kitchen and set the dish on the concave granite peninsula.
She obeyed hesitantly. "Thanks. You trust me to wander around by myself?"
"Sure, I don't think you could hide much of anything under that slinky dress." Charlie had added, jokingly.
Her mouth plunged open and she burst into giggles. Even with her tan complexion, her face reddened.
What did I say that for? Now I have humiliated her and she will probably wear sweats and large hoodies from now on. How could he salvage the situation? Apologize? Laugh with her? No.
He just listened to his gut, strode over to her, pulled her into his embrace, and kissed her. He wanted there to be no misunderstanding. He did not wait for permission. He took possession of her lips and delivered his message resolutely.
Her body molded to his and she wrapped her arms around his neck and shoulders. He did not want to stop kissing her, but neither did he want to appear over-anxious.
He pulled back slowly, and still holding her he said, "You're irresistible, you know."
She lowered her head and let out a nervous chuckle, but she did not pull away and maintained a friendly smile. Apparently going with his gut had been the right thing to do. He leaned in for another kiss and this time her lips parted, slightly.
He rolled his tongue in her mouth and their tongues touched. She tasted like apples and cinnamon. She smelled good too —kind of like spicy vanilla. A small moan exited her soft lips. I know what you mean, babe.
Their tongues stirred as if caressing each other.
Charlie knew he was not a bad kisser, but this was the first time he'd felt like his lips were an incomplete puzzle that had found its missing piece. They fit together perfectly.
He didn't know how long they had been standing there kissing when he reluctantly let her go. She touched her full bottom lip as if it tingled.
He inhaled deeply and let out a long breath. "Man."
"You can say that again."
Shirley wandered through Charlie's apartment, barely taking in the details, while he opened and poured the wine. She hadn't expected to be kissed so soon but had hoped things would head in that direction by the end of the night—still, she wasn't about to complain.
A twinge of nervousness niggled at her, but how could she find out if this handsome man, who had plenty of money and could probably attract any woman he wanted, wanted her for a whack or more than that?
Shirley knew what she wanted. Love, a home, and a family. Sure, a good time at first so she had have some wild memories to keep her entertained while sitting around in a nursing home, but love, finally and ultimately. Possibly more than a man like Charlie Baker was willing to consider.
Shirley's realistic nature acknowledged that love didn't always happen without heartbreak, but her optimistic side hoped to avoid it nonetheless. Her lips still tingled. His line about her being irresistible might have been clipped, but that kiss certainly was not..
She suddenly realized she had avoided an exercise room and had been standing in his bedroom for quite a while. Her attention focused on the king-sized pedestal bed covered in blue linens, a white duvet, and loads of white and blue pillows.
Why would a single guy need such a huge bed? Obviously, he wasn't planning to sleep alone.
But there was enough room in this one for three and the surface sat so low that no one would get hurt if, in all the rolling around, someone slid off onto the white carpet… Oh! Damn, wasn't that every man's imagination? And if he could have anything he wanted… Eek.
"Like it?" he said from the entrance.
She started. "Oh, uh… What?"
He held out a glass of red wine to her. "Do you like my place?"
"Yeah! Of course. Who would not?"
"I wouldn't. I think it's cold and sterile." Charlie replied.
"Really? Huh, come to think of it, it kind of reminds me of the hospital." She took a sip of her wine and it trickled down surprisingly smooth.
She usually thought of reds as bitter, but this sweet brand might help her survive the evening. The idea of kinky aerobics had her shivering inside, yet she was not chilly.