He could help himself. He leaned closer to her and stroked the side of her face, reaching behind her head to try to rub her tension away. She was startled and the car weaved for about a tenth of second. Then she relaxed into it and her face softened, and it was not possible but she looked even more attractive, sexier.
"Oh, that feels great. I may fall asleep while driving."
"Don't do that. I prefer to see this place of yours rather than the emergency room."
"My driving doesn't worry you, does it?" Jessica asked.
"Not at all. If you were not a safe driver I would worry. But you seem to drive the way you do everything, with grace."
Her cheeks reddened.
She turned and looked at him for a moment and looked back.
"You know I am not perfect."
He looked at her objectively. No she wasn't perfect. Her lips were probably a little bit fuller than runway model material, and she certainly wasn't tall enough, but with those sweet features, she was certainly a hell of a lot of stunning.
"That's all right. I am perfect enough for both of us."
She laughed again.
"I know you aren't perfect Jessica. Neither am I. I don't know what is going on in your head. But I do know that I would like to find out."
"We're here." She said as she turned into the drive of a country mansion. She hit a button on a remote and the big wrought iron gates opened.
She drove in, waving at the guard and drove to a park just outside the garage. She was right it was only about half an hour.
After they got out of the car, she kicked off her shoes and stepped onto the manicured lawn.
"This property sits on just shy of about 160 acres. There is a spot I found in the last outing that is just perfect. It is an overlook that faces away from the city. You can only see the horizon and the hills. And the greens are breathtaking. Follow me, it's only about a 10 minute hike."
"Are you sure its okay to use this place and walk on the lawn. I don't want you to get in trouble."
"No, we'll be fine."
It really was a beautiful site. A warm spring day. The greens and the hills. This truly was a special place. He said as much.
"I know. I wanted someplace that I felt at ease when I spoke to you."
They arrived to the most clichéd spot in history. And it was awe-inspiring. It was the quintessential shaded spot under a tree, overlooking the hills of a little valley with wildflowers. You would have to be criminally insane to not feel comfortable here.
They sat, not caring about grass stains or dirt.
"This place is great." Luke said trying to break the pall that had befallen them.
"Luke, I hope you aren't angry with the way the date ended yesterday."
"No, I'm not angry I'm just confused."
"I want you to know that I had the best time last night. It was perfect."
"Really? Well I am glad to know that I wasn't the only one. Is that a bad thing? Is this a breakup conversation where you say that you prefer to just be friends? We have to be dating for that to happen you know."
"That's not funny" she replied with a pretty pout that made her bottom lip ever more enticing.
"I have never felt this strongly about someone so soon. It is frankly... scaring me." Her voice was as soft as the gentle breeze swaying the wildflowers back and forth.
She continued, "I have had relationships in the past. And I've been hurt before. I know you have too, but I've been really skittish ever since."
"Who would hurt you? Did you love them?" Luke asked.
"I thought I did. They said the right things, but after time, it didn't add up. My feelings weren't as strong as I thought they should be and they seemed to be playing a part. It thought me to take it slow and take time to figure people out."
"Okay. I am fine with that." Luke replied.
"But I am not sure that I am." She admitted.
"What do you mean?"
"I am having trouble taking it slow with you. What I felt on that date was stronger than anything I can remember feeling. Ever. And I am scared about getting hurt. Because I think I would be devastated if I found out you are playing a part."
"Well honey, I can assure you I am not playing a part. I am finally comfortable enough in my own skin that playing a part would be distasteful. I'm too happy with me to be anything but genuine. And for the record, I don't know how I'll deal if you pull an Ellen on me. As opposed to giving up brunettes, I may give up women, and become a eunuch or something."
"Oh, don't do that. Can you tell me about Ellen. What happened?"
He would normally never talk about it. But with Jessica, for her, there wouldn't be any secrets.