A Taste of You

12: The First Kiss You Remember

Monday literally drags. I'm trying to keep busy to pass the time. I'd be lying to say I'm not curious about where my relationship with Ethan goes from here. I remind myself I need to be cautious with him, but if it was difficult to resist him before, it's really going to be a battle now.

I spend a good part of the morning experimenting with some new spices, finding a combination that may work for a new sauce. I'm scrubbing the bottom shelf of my fridge when my phone buzzes with a text.

Text from Mateo: Hey beautiful. Want to catch a movie with me tonight?

Text from me: No can do. I'm going to the baseball game.

Text from Mateo: Cool. Who you going with?

Ugh, here we go.

Text from me: A friend.

Text from Mateo: Is it that same guy? I think he wants to be more than friends, Alise.

Yep, I think so too.

Text from me: Maybe. Oh, I came up with a new spice combo I'm going to make a sauce with. I'll try it tomorrow and see how you and Ronnie like it.

He doesn't respond. I know I should be up front with him about Ethan, but I don't even know how to describe what Ethan and I are yet. I'm eager and nervous to see how he treats me tonight after last night's mind-blowing phone call.

I finish a deep clean of the kitchen and decide it isn't too early to start getting ready. I give myself the full date-night treatment, shaving my legs and even painting my nails which I never do as a chef. I carefully construct my outfit, including my undergarments just in case. I look good as I text Ethan to say I'm on my way and head out the door.

I contemplate grabbing a sweater, but figure I can come up with other ways to stay warm with Ethan. I check my phone before putting the car in drive.

Text from Ethan: I'll meet you in the parking lot. I can't wait to see your sexy ass.

When I arrive at the same gate as last week, I chat with the parking attendant and he lets me pull in. Ethan is leaning casually against a pillar, dressed in a Mariners jersey and form-fitting jeans. He has a baseball hat pulled low on his brow. He is dripping with sex appeal without even trying.

He opens my door and takes me in from head to toe. I feel myself blush under his gaze. He leans in and whispers. "You are irresistible."

His lips brush my ear and I shiver. "The feeling is very mutual. High school me's baseball-boy fantasies are coming true."

"I'd like to hear more about these fantasies, but we need to do a couple things before the game starts." He says in a low voice.

I can't help but make a suggestion. "Tell me they involve finding a secluded office."

"Possibly. Leave this here." He plucks my Fedora off my head, opening my backseat and tossing it in. I grab my pig-tail braids.

"Hey, I had a whole look!" I protest.

"You need a ball cap. Baseball boys want girls who wear their gear, especially at a game. That's stop one. Come on." He grabs my hand and leads me to the teamshop, telling me to pick any hat I want. I pick one, he has the attendant remove the tags, and he shapes the bill between his large hands.

I find myself staring at his fingers and thinking about last night's conversation. I sigh as I feel myself getting aroused.

"What?" He asks, smirking at me from under his hat.

"Oh nothing, ehm, just admiring your hands." I admit.

"Oh really?" He plunks the hat on my head, breaking the intensity of the moment. I readjust it and take a quick look in the mirror.