I was working at a roadhouse out on the highway. It wasn't a bad place really; with an open fire against the far wall, its red and white checked tablecloths and a jukebox in the corner, it had a very welcoming, relaxed atmosphere.
I'd been working there long enough to be familiar with a lot of the faces that passed through and often, when it wasn't busy, I'd sit and have a drink and a chat with some of our regulars. I flirted with a few of the men that came by, nothing serious, just some fun to pass the time.
I've always been a fan of flirting, teasing. It awakens the senses, makes you feel sexy, alive. And the anticipation of what might happen next... Well, I have to say, I find it exhilarating.
That was how I felt the first time I laid eyes on Jake.
It had been quite busy in the diner that Thursday night, but by eleven the pace had slowed dramatically.
"Need more coffee, Bernie?" I called to a trucker I knew well - he passed through two, sometimes three times a week.
"Thanks love, one more should do the trick," he replied. I poured him another and told him to call me if he needed anything else.
"Hey Timmy," I said poking my head into the kitchen. "I'm making more coffee, you want?" Timmy was one of our most popular cooks, and for a place that never closed, good food was in high demand. He was easy on the eye and always up for a laugh. Every body loved working with Timmy.
"A cup of coffee would be perfect," he grinned. "Pretty decent night, huh?"
"Yeah. Poor Jodie was run off her feet. Did you see her?" I asked laughing.
He nodded. "She came and said goodbye before she left." He raised his eyes to the clock above the door. "You get to leave in an hour, you lucky thing. Who's in? Elise or Deb?"
"Elise," I answered. "Wish she'd been in earlier instead of Jodie. Would have gone a lot smoother."
"It was fine," he said, walking towards me. "You were great." He turned me around so I faced the door. "Now go and get me my cup of coffee!"
I squealed as he playfully swatted my bottom and shoved me through the door. I burst through giggling and...
There he was.
"Hi," I said, still smiling.
"Hi, yourself." We stared openly at one another. His eyes, on my eyes.
He was easily the most attractive man I had ever seen. He had the whole Orlando Bloom thing going on: dark hair, tanned skin and the most intense brown eyes.
He shook his head, laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm staring."
I moved closer, resting my hands on the counter. "It's okay. I'm staring too." He grinned.
"So, what can I do for you?" I asked him.
Raising an eyebrow, he replied, "We are just talking about food and drink, right?"
I smiled coyly. "For now."
"Well in that case, I'll have a coffee. Black."
Waving him away, I said, "Go, sit. I'll bring it to you."
When it was ready, I placed it in front of him.
"What time do you knock off?" he asked, handing me money for the coffee.
"About midnight. Why, you planning on sticking around for a while?"
"Yeah. Got a cabin in my truck and I'd planned on crashing here anyway. Thought maybe you and I could get to know each other a little better. Maybe have a conversation even."
