Temptation

Run-Ins and Goodbyes

Cassie doesn't typically go out for lunch when she only has thirty minutes to do so, but she was in such a hurry this morning that she didn't have time to make her lunch. She found herself in a small café just around the corner from the school to grab a quick bite to eat. Unfortunately, she didn't have time to make herself breakfast either so she was especially hungry.

She got up to the front of the line and ordered herself a sandwich and a cookie with a cup of coffee. She paid and grabbed her food, then quickly made her way out the door. She only had fifteen minutes to get back to the school and eat, which she knew wouldn't be nearly enough time.

Just as she was rounding the corner, she hit something so hard that it made her coffee spill against her chest and also made her fall down on her butt with an "oof!". Before she could even attempt to get herself up, her arm was being held by a large hand and a deep British voice was saying, "Oh my God, I am so sorry!"

She was quickly brought up to her feet and looked up to see the man from the bar last week. Benedict. "Miss, I am so sorry! God, I'm such a tit when comes to looking at my phone and...hey. I recognize you." Cassie quickly looked away from this devilishly handsome man and said, "I don't think you do."

He smiled warmly at her and said, "No, I know I do. We met at the bar last week. Cassie, right?" She pretended to suddenly remember him and forget his name. "Oh, yeah! And you're..." He chuckled and shyly said, "Benedict. Ben, if you prefer." She nodded, then said, "Well, Ben, I should get going."

She started walking past him, but she could sense him following her. "Wait! What about your shirt? Your coffee? Let me buy you a new one, it's the least I can do!" She looked behind her to see him catching up. "Um, I'm fine and no thank you," she told him while picking up her pace.

Of course he caught up because his legs were so long. "But you're soaked," he pointed out. "I think I have a handkerchief in my bag here." He started digging through his work bag, but Cassie told him, "No, it's fine, thank you."

He huffed out a laugh and said, "Really, Cassie, I want to repay you somehow. How about...how about dinner? Tonight, six o'clock?" They were quickly approaching the school when she said, "No, but again, thank you." She didn't understand why this guy was coming after her like this. Pity, she thought. He just feels bad that he spilt my coffee. Nothing more. He doesn't like me or anything, we barely know each other.

"Cassie, please," he practically begged. "You've turned me down seven times and we've only met twice." Cassie didn't stop walking as she asked, "Seven?" He nodded and said, "Yes, seven. Three times at the bar and four just now. What's wrong with dinner? Or is that too much? A drink? I'll buy you a drink, we'll meet at a bar."

She stopped in front of the door at the school and turned to this man. "Look, Ben," she said, "you seem like a really nice guy, but you don't want anything to do with me, okay? I'm trouble." She started to turn away when he said, "I like trouble! Actually, I prefer beautiful trouble and you seem to be just that."

Did he just call me beautiful? She asked herself. She turned back to him and saw that his eyes were practically pleading for her to say yes. But, alas, that's not who she is. Not anymore, at least. "Ben," she sighed, "I appreciate it. I do, but as I said...you don't want anything to do with me. You don't know me and once you do, you'll run for the hills."

"So you're saying you're not good enough for me?" He asked incredulously. "You don't know me, either. I could be a serial killer for all you know." He saw the odd look on her face, then quickly said, "Okay, not the greatest example, but we've met twice and something about you just attracts me to you. I would really love to find out what that might be, whether it be your beauty or who I've predicted you to be."