Fifteen Layers of Steele

Chapter 12

A text from Christian came in to let me know that he had arrived. Twelve o'clock right on the dot. He really is punctual. Last night he had asked for my address so that he could come straight to pick me up from my house. At first I was hesitant to let him know where I live, but in the end I gave in. Good to save money on gas after all. As I picked up my things to get ready to go out, Kate was viciously smiling.

"Hm, hm, hm. Good luck on your date today my pretty lady!" Kate's eyebrows did a wiggle as she talked.

"For the last time, it's not a date! This is strictly professional," I demanded.

"Oh really? So going out to the harbor to walk along the water while talking and eating ice cream is just a normal and professional thing to do with your client, huh?" Her voice was very skeptical.

"Well, um, I mean, it's-it's...it's for trust purposes! Yeah! So that I feel more comfortable with letting him touch me for the exposure therapy!" Unfortunately I couldn't find it in me to make my tone sound more convincing.

"Uh-huh. Sounds like an excuse to me."

"What!? An excuse!? Oh man Kate, always being so judgmental. Gee, would you look at that good old time again. Can't keep Christian waiting! Gotta run!" Quickly, I jet out of the door, closing it behind me as she shakes her head with an assured grin.

Christian was sitting in his car that was parked on the curb directly in front of my apartment. Seeing me come out of the door, he got out to greet me.

"Good afternoon Ana," he says as he walks over to the passenger side and holds the door open for me. Today was leather jacket and sunglasses day. The sun was shining extra bright, and warm air could be felt for the first time in months. It was absolutely perfect weather for a date at the waterfront, almost as if he had planned it or something. Sunglasses make sense because of the sun...but with a leather jacket? He's definitely trying to go for the cool boy look, and unfortunately, it's working.

I walk down the stairs toward him, flustered by how suave he looks holding the door out for me in that outfit. "What are you doing?" I question him with an urgent whisper. "I thought you didn't want anybody to spot us together in this car?"

"I figured being able to be a gentleman for a beautiful lady such as yourself is worth the risk," he uttered as he removed his sunglasses in a slow and sexy way. "Watch your head," he motions me to get inside.

I stop right in front of the door at the mentioning of the word beautiful. "Beautiful lady? Oh no, no, no. No need to flatter me," I wave my hand in the air while slightly laughing at the ridiculousness of the compliment. "Kindly opening up the door for a crazy potato like me is already more than enough."

"Don't be so humble Anastasia. You're gorgeous and you need to own that fact," he smiles with a radiating stare as he leans against the edge of the open door, so tall that he towers over it.

Hiding my once again blushing face from him, I dip into the car while saying "Oh, ha-ha, I thought I just told you not to flatter me."

Softly, he shuts the door halfway with a chuckle as I finish getting in. Right before closing it completely, he stops and pulls something out from behind his back. "A flower for the beautiful not so 'potato' accompanying me today," he says as he hands over a single red rose with a short bow.

Baffled, I take it from him in confusion. "For...me? What for?"

"There was a cute little old man selling some flowers in a stand on the way here and I couldn't resist picking one up. I figured it'd be a good thank you for coming out with me today."