Something Tangible

Sharing Stories

Author's Note: OK folks, two more chapters of banter and flirting and your patience will be rewarded. The next not one but TWO chapters will earn this story its "M" rating. And they're all written so you won't be left waiting. I hope I didn't get too into the weeds with this dinner date, but I wanted to build up the anticipation and also show the quirks of their personalities, interactions and future conflicts. Thanks so much for following along and for all the feedback. I love every bit of it so please keep it coming! It's always so nice to know that you're not just sending your story out into no-man's land :) And btw, the SocialSharer thing is a reference to a certain social media giant who shall remain nameless in case there's any copyright infringement ;) Enjoy!

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"So what was your most memorable experience during one of these five-star stays?" And can I top it?

Katarina cocked her head to the side, chewing her lip. Steven avidly watched.

"There was one time we stayed at the Washington Eclipse, that stately historic property by the White House. They put us up in the presidential suite, which is usually reserved for heads of state. Over 5,000 square feet of space, something like $10,000 a night and it was decked out in this imperial red-and-gold décor scheme reminiscent of Versailles — kind of like this place!"

He smiled. "I'm choosing to take that as a compliment Ms. Constantine."

"It is Mr. Andrews," she assured him, returning his smile. Fuck is she flirting with me!

Stop trying to flirt Katarina. You wind up looking like you need to use the bathroom or something.

Her lips tightened. "Anyway, after we jumped up and down on the king-size bed and made use of the Jacuzzi, we didn't know what to do with all that space. So we took the tablecloth off the ginormous dining room table, stood at opposite ends and played paper football. Then I slid across the hardwood floors in the living room à la 'Risky Business,' only I wasn't as smooth as Tom Cruise so I busted my ass. I had to hobble into the five-star dining room later that night because I had a huge bruise on my hip."

Steven laughed alongside Katarina picturing her klutziness, though he could've done without the visual of her and another man in a Jacuzzi. Only this girl would play paper football on a table where international treaties are probably signed.

"What about you?" she asked, her cheeks rosy from giggling.

He looked at her quizzically. "What? Have I done the Tom Cruise slide? Sorry can't say that I have."

"No silly, although who hasn't done that slide? But I digress. You've traveled the world and stayed in all kinds of places. What was your most memorable moment? Or at least something fun you did? Besides trade stocks."

Steven literally scratched his head.

"Fun? Ummm, sex, I guess," he replied matter-of-factly. Katarina snorted out her wine again, triggering another bout of hysteria.

"What? You asked!" Steven exclaimed, playfully nudging her shoulder.

"Ahhh men," she sighed, taking in a big gulp of air. "One-track minds. One-track minds."

"I know, I'm a cliché. The millionaire playboy," he leaned in, eyes sparkling with mirth.

"You're inexplicable."

He did a double take. "You have such a remarkable way of phrasing things Katarina."

"I sure as hell better. I'm a writer," she reproached him.