"Janet, I'm on my way."

Silence. Then static. Silence Again.

So she hung up.

The phone started ringing again and Charm felt annoyed.

Janet must be freaking out.

The party had already started and Charm was late.

When it rang again, Charm answered, "Janet, don't get upset. I'm on my way."

She could barely hear a panting heavily, male voice.

"Charm?... Finally, it's Charm."

"Uncle Alphonso?" she questioned hesitantly.

"Listen to me Charm," he urged. "Don't leave the-"

"I can't hear you Uncle you are breaking up. So much static in the background."

"Don't go," terror was in her Uncle's voice.

A loud buzzing sound came through the phone and the line got disconnected. 

She searched the call history on her cell.

The number was private so she couldn't return the call. 

Charm felt uneasy.

Then suddenly she heard a noise from behind her and she spun round.

It was a huge alley rat that got too close for comfort.

She let out a scream.

Losing her footing and almost falling on the paved sidewalk in her heels.

Automatically her hands flew out to break her fall but she never made contact with the ground.

Something or should she say someone held onto her hand with a tight grip that helped to steady her.

Under the streetlight she could make out a lone figure.

In a black jacket with matching black jeans and boots.

Her rescuer was a tall, broad shouldered body with a muscular frame.

He held Charm as if he was afraid to let her go for fear she would fall again.

This stranger was definitely her type.

She could feel the washboard stomach under his black tee.

That also covered a generously wide chest that bulged in all the right places.

Her savior was tall, being well over six feet.

That made Charm grateful for the heels that made her eye level with his hard chest.

Even though he wore all black he didn't look like he fit the biker gang fantasy but he was still extremely handsome. 

The stranger had black hair that seemed professionally cut and seemed to suit him.

He didn't have a beard and was very well groomed.

This made him appear to be similar in age to her.

His eyes were fascinating, golden.

They seemed to burn as if his gaze was trying to sear itself into her very mind.

Such a daunting gaze made her look away first lest she felt trapped in swirling emotion framed by thick, long lashes. 

She had never encountered such a fine specimen.

Never before had she wanted to take the opposite sex home so badly.

So much so, that she couldn't take her eyes off of him. 

Why did he let go of her hand so soon?

Now she felt as if part of her was missing.

She was left feeling cold and adrift.

Just a mere touch from his hand raced her heartbeat and warmed Charm all the way down to her toes.

He watched her every movement.

With a pure joy and sense of amazement.

As if he wanted to make sure that she was not a figment of his imagination.

The heat rushed to her cheeks, being stared at so intensely made Charm nervous.

She tugged down the sleeves of her chic little black dress to regain her composure.

Charm was fully aware that to passerbys they must have looked like quite the fetching couple. 

"Is everything alright?"

His voice sounded delightful to her ears.

That voice was comforting after the bizarre phone call earlier and encounter with the rat just now.

His gaze felt like it was undoing the buttons on her dress.

Charm found it hard to turn away from his intense scrutiny. 

Why did he feel so familiar?

Like the energy within her body connected on another cosmic level with his own.

Hadn't he asked her a question earlier?

Charm's mind was befuddled.

Why could she not give him a simple answer.

Rather than staring at him like she lost her senses.

"Thanks to you I'm fine now," Charm hoped she sounded more confident than she really felt. 

His lips curved slightly as though amused by her shyness.

Charm's heart skipped a beat as a fierce blush heated her face.

In his eyes her look of innocence was refreshing and wonderful. 

"What is your name?" he asked.

For some strange reason she didn't seem to mind that he was invading her personal space.

When she didn't answer immediately he coaxed in that soft voice of his, "you can tell me."

"You can call me Charm," she answered coolly. 

Her phone rang again. It was Janet.

Looking at the display brought her back to reality.

"Oh no! I'm going to be late."

"I see," he said apologetically. "You have somewhere to be. I won't take up any more of your time then."

Charm smiled, "Thanks for helping me."

She didn't wait for an answer.

Charm was already moving to catch the subway.

Or she would have to wait another thirty minutes for the next one to arrive.

Unfortunately, she never made it to the subway station that night.