Temptation

Chapter Ten

 When Alice returned to the apartment after class, she saw Pierre and Cory cooking their dinner. As they greeted her, Pierre noticed that her mood seemed uplifted. Not that he was complaining, but it seemed strange given how she felt during the break. When he glanced over at Cory, he didn't sense any realization.

"So, Alice, how was your day? Your classes?" Pierre asked.

"It was good." Alice beamed.

She walked into her room and closed the door. Pierre looked back at Cory and furrowed his brow.

"Do you know something you're not telling me?"

Cory chuckled nervously and shook his head.

"What makes you say that? So? Alice had a good day today. She deserves it after all that crap with her professor." He replied.

"Well, you and Alice have conspired together in the past so...just thought I'd ask." Pierre smirked.

The following day, Pierre observed Alice a little more closely. When she returned again from college, he waited in the living room listening to her walking around in her room, opening drawers and her closet. Just as he went to knock on her door, she swung it open and her eyes widened seeing Pierre in the doorway. He looked up and down her body and saw her wearing a cashmere, red dress with black stockings and black, high-heel boots.

"Where are you going?" Pierre smiled.

"I have a date." Alice replied.

"A date?"

"Mhmm."

"With who?"

"No one special." She shrugged.

"Please! Given that you haven't dated anyone in almost four years, this guy has got to be special. Who is it?" Pierre scoffed.

"Just some guy from college. He's cute." Alice replied.

"And what about your crush?" He raised his brow.

"Just a crush. Come on, did you honestly think I'd ever follow through with it?" She cocked her head to the side.

Pierre inhaled deeply and nodded his head as he took a step away from the door. Alice walked past him and went over to the small shelf by the front door. She took off her coat from the hook and turned back to face Pierre, seeing that he was still watching her.

"Have a good time tonight, Alice. Be safe and don't come home too late." Pierre told her.

"Hey, you never know what might happen. Maybe I get lucky." She laughed.

"Alice..."

"I know. I'm just joking. I'll try and be home by eleven."

She quickly checked that she had all her belongings in her purse. As she looked at her phone, she saw it had just turned seven and she hurried out of the apartment.

"Bye!"

Alice rushed down the stairs, putting on her coat and smiled brightly seeing Tom's car parked by the sidewalk. She walked over the passenger's side and got in. There, she was welcomed by Tom who looked different. It wasn't that he did appear happier than he had in some time, but his beard had been shaved and his hair cut. Alice's eyes widened as she took in his new appearance.

"You look good." She commented.

"Thank you." He said switching the gear to drive.

"What made you change it?"

"I had that same look for years because Diane liked it. Now, I'm doing what I like. A different look for a new man, I suppose." Tom explained.

Alice reached over and ran her hand over his cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin and the soft stubble. Tom then took her hand in his and Alice grinned as she kept her eyes on him, watching him as he drove. The drive in the beginning was quiet. Alice just focused on Tom running his thumb over her hand, wanting to remember the feeling.