T h i r s t

f i v e

"Wow."

"I know." I nodded, popping in the last bite of my overtly sweet dinner. "All because I wouldn't sleep with him."

I was mad, but it didn't hurt anymore. I didn't feel like I was being targeted and have my torture dished out. It felt nice telling someone.

"Want me to come down and give him a scare?"

"No, it'll only make things worse. And I'm pretty sure that's illegal."

He smiled through a mouthful.

"You know, for someone who says they don't like waffles, you finished that second refill quite fast."

"Waffles weren't this good 20 years ago."

I shook my head, glancing down at his hand. It was still red. "Does that feel better?"

"Yeah, don't worry about it." He shrugged, and stuffed his face again.

Before I had made it explicitly clear to Debbie that Ryan wasn't Kirby, she had pressed the hot plate's base to his hand because it was on top of mine and caused quite a nasty burn.

And then I told him everything. I wanted to know more about him, and brought it up several times but he wouldn't share.

"Closing time, hon." Debbie whispered to me and dropped off the bill in my plate.

"I've got that."

"Shut up. You're still eating." I chuckled, pulling a $20 bill out of my pocket.

"Almost done." He swallowed hard, which frankly looked quite painful and reached for his wallet, but Debbie had taken the plate away already.

"Why do you men always throw a fit about paying for food?"

He held a finger up, signifying one minute as he worked the waffles down.

"Because we're lucky enough to get a date and this is one way of saying thank you."

That wasn't what I was expecting. He's definitely an old soul.

"One way?" I asked, sliding off the seat and he did the same, a recondite smile on his face.

"That's right." He answered, getting the door for me again.

"Bye, Debbie!" I called, hoping she heard it wherever she was, somewhere back in the kitchen, probably. I thought a heard a 'Bye, honey!' in reply.

"She turned out to be nice once you introduced me."

"Sorry I didn't do it earlier."

"Don't worry about it." He sighed. "Maybe you should bring that jerk off here. Debbie can take him."

I chuckled. "Maybe I will."

"So . . . " He sighed when we approached the car. "What's next, Doc?"

Play it cool. "You unlock the car, I grab my bag, try to work off all the carbs on the way home."

"Or I could give you a ride. That's what movie me would do."

I chuckled, nodding and got in.

"It's only about a mile from here." I said, guiding him. We pulled out of the space and headed straight, entering the residentials.

"Right here." I pointed to an apartment building on the right, and he snuck into an empty space down the road.

I grabbed my bag as he locked the car and walked me to the entrance. We stood there for a while, sharing awkward glances. I could've said good night and left. The thing is, I didn't want to.

"So uh . . ." He scratched the back of his neck. "What now?"

"You tell me."

"I guess . . . movie me would try to kiss you."

I chuckled. "Let's be honest. Movie you would be trying to get into my pants right about now." I think he smiled. "And movie me would probably be letting you."

"Yeah, I agree." He shifted. "Too bad it's not a movie."

"Too bad." I repeated, staring up at him and glancing at his lips. He did the same, and I licked them, leaning forward.

I could not have been more clear of my intentions.

"You're a pretty terrible cop, you know that?"

"What?" He smiled out of element.

"Going by reading people, I mean."

"Why?"

"Because I want you to kiss me and I cannot be making it more--" He took my face in both his hands and kissed me.

I was too startled to move at first. I didn't really think he'd do it.

Then, stuff slowly started to register.

His scruff on my chin felt like a million strands lighting me up. His breath was warm and fast on my cheek, but his hands knew what they were doing. They slid down to my waist and pulled me close and I stood on my tip toes, wrapping my arms around his neck. He smelled like smoke, bringing back old memories. His lips tasted sweet, and his biceps hard. I couldn't help a moan when his hands made their way under my sweatshirt and stroked the bare skin of my waist. They were surprisingly smooth, and urgent as they felt around, eventually making their way south.

He broke it off way too quickly. "And then I drive away and leave you wanting more?" He whispered, holding my face again.

"Mm hm." I breathed heavily. "Or, I invite you up and you can try to get into my pants and I let you?"

"Sounds good."

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