Fatal Attraction

Chapter Four

"Oh good." Theodore said, scaring me half to death. I let out a short scream before clasping my hands around my mouth. I was breathing heavily as I turned around noticing just how close Theodore was to me.

"Jesus, Theo!" I gasped clutching my hand to my chest. "You scared the hell out of me!"

"I'm sorry." He laughed, resting his palms on top of the front desk. I laid my hands back at my side, glancing up at him through my lashes. "I didn't mean to. I was just trying to say that you have impeccable timing."

"Oh good. Here I thought I was going to be late." I giggled nervously, leaning up against the front desk for support. I needed to sit down because this guy was something else.

"Are you okay? Do you need to sit down?" He asked. I shook my head and told him I was fine. He rolled his eyes in annoyance and said, "You don't look fine. Have you eaten today?"

"I have plans to meet a friend at a buffet at eight." I admitted shyly. He moved over enough to let me sign the sheet of paper. I was beyond nervous with him being this close. Though I couldn't help but notice that the cologne he was wearing was newly bought.

"Well come on, we can smoke on the way there. Call her and tell her there's been a change of plans, you need to eat now." I was noticing how he liked to be in control of things. He wanted to tell people what to do all of the time. He needed to do it as if it was some sort of power thing for him.

"No I'm fine, Theodore." I replied, giving him a mirthless laugh. "Thank you for caring though, it's really appreciated."

"No, I am not taking no for an answer. You need the calories and the protein in your stomach. When is the last time you ate?"

I was about to tell him that Violet and I had McDonalds this morning but I remembered that we didn't stop on our way back from the mall like we had originally planned. I could tell a small lie and hope that it was believable enough to pass through his lie detector hidden in his brain however that was wishful thinking. Then I remembered I was so hungry this morning I had Violet stop at our local drive through.

"I ate this morning." I stated firmly, smirking up at him through my lashes.

"So if I ask Violet what you ate today she will tell me fruits, vegetables and the whole nine yards?" He asked his voice full of concern and other emotions that weren't so easily placed.

"No." I smiled up at him innocently. I could feel the heat in my cheeks and I was thankful that it was dark outside, he wouldn't be able to see it. "I'm just-- I haven't been hungry lately."

"It's your nerves, that's why I wanted to smoke with you. Now we can smoke before walking you into a buffet." He retorted, walking out of the building and towards the parking lot. "I'm not taking no for an answer so either follow me to my truck or I can pick you up and carry you to the truck. Your choice."

"If I say yes will you stop nagging me?" I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms over my chest. Theodore shot me a glare before nodding, accepting his defeat.

"Okay let's go smoke." Theodore chuckled as he walked over to the front door, holding it open as he said, "You're one stubborn mare, you know that?"

"I can be, yes." We stepped out into the glow of the moonlight and the cool breeze. "How was work today?"

"Work was work." Was all he said. "How was your day? Did you do anything fun?"

"No, I did not." I sighed.

It was a silent walk to the riverwalk after that. I was surprisingly comfortable being in the presence of a stranger. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I knew I should be afraid of how he made me feel all giddy with just smile. How he could make me fumble with my words just by giving me that one look. How his laugh could make my heart flutter.