The Wedding Issue

Chapter Thirty Six - Date Night Phase: Two

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and pulled her a little closer to me. No matter how close she was, she was still not close enough. I took a long sniff of her hair and couldn't believe the thrill her scent left behind. I couldn't get enough of the vanilla and cinnamon scent that was so violently intoxicating. It made me want to pull her on my lap and tease the insides of her thigh with the monster she so gracefully brought to life.

I had to keep reminding myself that I had to be nothing less of a gentleman on our date tonight. I didn't want to show Genevieve just how much of an animal I was, at least not yet. I didn't want to make her feel that our relationship is purely sexual either, because it wasn't. Just as much as I enjoyed discovering all there is to know about Genevieve, I want her to feel safe to do the same.

On the other hand, I could practically pat myself on the back with appreciation at just how well I was pulling off today's date. It never occurred to me that this has been my first date in six long years. I had almost forgotten what it was like when everything was brand new and exciting. We were right there, in the beginning, when everything we do was fun and sensual. I looked at Genevieve and wondered how long will it last, or will it ever end to begin with?

'How do you like our date so far?', I whispered in her ear.

The air made her hair fly by. I could feel the Goosebumps rising on her skin. She squirmed in her place, and I was in love with her reaction. Somehow knowing that I had such powers over her made her even more appealing to me. She wanted me back. She needed me. The thought of that alone made me feel like floating on cloud nine.

'I love it', she said and bit her lower lip.

I looked at the place where she bit her lip hungrily, and it was hard to steady my breathing. This is ridiculous! I could easily kiss her without it leading anywhere. A kiss doesn't necessarily mean let's get naked right here, right now. I could kiss her to let her know just how much I love her, even though we haven't shared those particular words with each other yet. I could kiss her to reassure her that there was no other woman in the world who could ever make me feel the way she does, not that she needed reassurance.

I just wanted to kiss her. Why was that so suddenly hard to do?

It wasn't, I eventually convinced myself. I was overthinking and ruining a perfectly good moment to kiss her. Just as I was about the close the remaining distance between us, the car screeched to a halt.

'We're here', Benji said as he opened the door to the backseat.

Genevieve managed to bite my lower lip before she exited the car, making me lose all senses for a couple of seconds. That maneuver alone made me want to beg her to get back in the car so I could show her who's boss. I reluctantly got out of the car to start implementing Phase Two of this dream date.

'Central Park?', she asked, sounding a little disappointed.

'No, not just the park. We're headed to the zoo. Benji here told me how you always wanted to go as a little girl but never got the chance 'cause your parents were too busy. I figured you could never be too old to visit the zoo', I said as I took her hand and lead the way.

Her eyes twinkled with surprise and her face went pink. She was trying to contain her excitement, but she also felt flattered by the gesture. I mentally patted myself on the back for being such an amazing date so far.

'You are full of surprises, aren't you Mr. Rhodes?', she said as she held my hand a little tighter.

'Oh, you have no idea', I grinned.

We started by getting coffee from the café at the entrance – I had mine black and she went for a cinnamon spiced latte. She explained all about her cinnamon addiction and I was beginning to understand her a little better. Her logic was almost flawless, but she still felt a little embarrassed as she explained to me why cinnamon was the perfect spice for her. I couldn't hide the amusement on my face and I could tell she felt a bit more relaxed when I didn't make fun of her. I didn't want to either, in fact I found her addiction endearing.