6
First Date
Carrie added the finishing touches to her face and then smiled with excitement. She’d been to see Harrison on two occasions since their first meeting to finalise the purchase of her salon and yet there had been no further sightings of Nathan. He had finally called after two weeks of anxious waiting. Closure on the sale would be finalised the following week and then preparations could begin on the fittings ready for trade. Carrie was filled with anticipation and anxiety over the project.
Tonight Nathan was taking her to dinner and her anticipation grew as each minute passed. Never before on a date had she ever been so overcome with apprehension. When he called, they’d spoken at length and she was worried she would have nothing new to bring to their date. Talking on the phone had been much easier than face to face. She was afraid she would become tongue-tied all over again.
As usual, Lucas was holed up in his room but at least she knew where he was and that he was safe. She’d moved on as best she could but she still worried when he came home late, she still thought the worst until he walked through the door. The night of his birthday she’d being going crazy with concern. If he’d phoned it would have been fine and she wouldn’t have worried, well not as much anyway. He hadn’t informed her where he’d been and she didn’t ask. Since that one late evening home, he only went to the gym and the library after that. She didn’t have to or want to worry about him tonight.
She walked towards his room, to find the door shut, which was usual now, and knocked on the door. She walked straight in as she also didn’t wait for an answer anymore.
“I’m going out,” she told him.
“Okay.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Yes, Carrie, I’m fine.” Fine. This was exactly the reason why she worried about him, he was always just fine. Not tonight, she wouldn’t tonight.
“There’s some leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry.”
“Have fun.”
The doorbell rang as she left his room and she took her time answering, couldn’t appear eager, no matter how much she was. Nathan was unlike any man she’d ever met before. Fun, kind and gorgeous, he was the epitome of her perfect man, thus far.
He looked fantastic, his dark pants, pale blue shirt and tie in mixtures of blue complemented his eyes perfectly. In his hands were flowers and he wore that smile, the one that stole the words from her mouth on their first meeting. The amused grin, as though there was something funny that only he was privy too.
The effect was the same, she was dumbstruck.
Nathan checked his reflection one final time as he headed out the door. His mother had been hovering, asking endless questions, however Nathan was keeping information about Carrie close to his chest for now. She was special, he knew this already, and her vivaciousness and beauty had drawn him in. Although she was shy, for lack of better word, on their first meeting, he’d soon discovered her vibrant personality on the phone.
He smiled as he remembered that day in his father’s office. He noticed her much before she did him. What struck him first was her wonderful red hair, the colour of garnets, and as she jiggled her legs, her curls bounced around. Her legs were long and lean and he thought at the time, she was probably tall. Using the interruption of her appointment as a reason to speak with her, he recalled now when her large hazel, almost golden like amber, eyes met his. Seeing them and her up close took his breath away. He’d somehow managed to maintain his composure. Much to his delight, she hadn’t.
He’d asked his father about her and all he could give her, which Nathan certainly understood being a law student, was her name. He could have asked her for her number himself as he left, but he secretly wanted to know if the electricity he’d experienced was returned. When his father gave him her number, he was thrilled but somehow he'd controlled the urge to call her immediately. He didn’t want to scare her off with his overzealous nature.
Now he was waiting at her front door, nervous. He smiled as he reminisced about her awkwardness at their meeting.
How he managed to breathe when she opened the door was beyond comprehension. Her hair was piled on her head, red tendrils escaping and flowing. Her eyes sparkling gold and her lips a shiny red. Her dress was black and flowing and she was absolutely beautiful.
“Hi, these are for you.” He passed the flowers to her, surprised at his ability to speak.
“Thanks, they’re beautiful.” She smiled which made the gesture worthwhile. “Come in while I put them in water. Would you like a drink?”
“Sure.”
She returned carrying the flowers in a vase and a glass of red wine, which happened to be his preference. She handed it to him before disappearing and returning with her own.
“Hope that’s okay, it was that or water and seeing it’s a date, I thought wine ...”
She stopped. He smirked. She was rambling again.
“It’s great, thanks.”
They sat awkwardly yet somehow comfortably together on the couch. Her legs were jiggling again and he realised she was as nervous as he was. Instinctively he rested a hand on her knee to relax her. Her golden eyes met his. Is it too soon to kiss her?
Nathan placed his glass on the table, left his hand resting on her knee and lifted his free hand to play with an escaped curl. Her breath caught and he couldn’t resist, he kissed her gently, and then gazed into her eyes, seeking her permission. A fire had gone into them and they were brighter, lighter somehow.
“Would you like to go?” He asked not really wanting to.
“Sure, I’m a little hungry.”
They sat for a few moments until he took her hand and brought her with him as he stood.
“I made reservations for a restaurant not far from here, would you like to walk?”
“Sure.”
Nathan didn’t let go of her hand as they walked and was disappointed when they arrived and were seated. He missed the smooth feel of her hand in his and looked forward to holding it again.
Once they ordered drinks, Nathan wondered how to begin the conversation, break the chemistry for a short while so they could enjoy each other’s company and dinner, plenty of time to reignite the fire later.
“Carrie,” he decided to try a subject he thought to be safe. “Tell me about your family.”
At first her face appeared sad, almost pained and he regretted asking for a moment until she answered. Then his heart gave out for her.
“It’s just Lucas, my brother and I. Our parents were ... they died.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should never have asked.”
“It’s okay, you didn’t know. That’s why I needed a lawyer. To sort out their affairs and your dad has been wonderful ever since.”
“Yeah, he’s a good man, we’re lucky.” He said with a smile.
“Please tell me more about your family.”
“Are you sure, I mean ...”
“Yes, it’s okay. I’m dealing with it best I can. Lucas is another story and definitely for another time.” She smiled and Nathan’s heart melted.
“I have two younger brothers, Mitchell has just finished school and much to my parents ... annoyance has no idea what he wants to do. Mitch is outgoing and laid back and doesn’t take life all that seriously. Jared on the other hand is the opposite. He already knows exactly what he wants in life and he’ll get it too. Mitch constantly teases Jared because he’s so serious all the time. Jared’s kind and compassionate nature balances him out. Even though I’m the eldest, I’m kind of a go between with them when they fight. I guess I’m a lot like Dad, which is why I want to be a lawyer. I’m diplomatic. I aim to be a prosecutor, which is a little different from the law dad practices. Sorry, I’m dominating conversation here.”
“I don’t mind.”
She had him dazzled and he couldn’t wait for dinner to be over, he wanted to get her alone. Kiss her properly this time. He was stunned by the instant attraction to her and how comfortable he felt in her presence. Was this what the love at first sight cliché actually referred to?
He took her hand again as they strolled home and she invited him in for a drink. They were seated on the couch together again, however, this time she wasn’t jiggling with nerves and he was disappointed he didn’t have a reason to touch her leg.
More lovely curls had escaped and he wanted to tear away the remainder of the bindings and watch it tumble around her face. Instead he touched her cheek.
“This is going to sound really corny,” he began. “But you ... are amazing. I’ve never felt such ... I can’t even explain it.”
“My parents were murdered.”
For a moment he stared into her eyes which were full of grief and sadness. Without thought he removed the bindings from her hair and caressed it softly as she told him the whole ghastly story.
“I want to help ease your pain,” he said quietly. “I want to be here for you.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
He didn’t need to be asked twice.
His sleeping form lay beside Carrie, aghast and exhilaration surged through her veins all at once. Here was this beautiful man in her bed, kind, considerate and so gorgeous, she couldn’t have been happier. But she was also appalled at her lack of patience and the simple fact that she’d jumped into bed with him on their first date. What would he think of her? Would she see him again?
The fears dissipated a little as she remembered their evening together and believed it was inevitable that they’d end up exactly where they were. Their connection and attraction was undeniably strong and neither could refuse. She merely hoped in the cold light of day that he wouldn’t disappear into a puff of smoke. He was too good to be true. She shook her head, it sounded like a fairy tale.
He stirred and in a reflex action, she covered herself with the sheet. His eyes opened and he gazed at her, a mixture of desire and something else she couldn’t identify could be found within the light blue pools.
“Good morning,” he said sleepily. He lifted his hand to touch her face then pulled back the sheet. “That’s better. You don’t have to hide from me.” He smiled and dazzled her again.
“I ... don’t ... I hope you don’t think badly of me.”
“What? Are you kidding? You’re incredible. I want to love, protect and ... I want it all.”
“You hardly know me.”
“I know enough, Carrie. The moment I saw that fiery hair of yours I had to talk to you. When Dad gave me your number I was ... stoked. I never believed in love at first sight until I met you. I know it’s corny.”
“No, it’s wonderful. Thank you for coming into my life when I needed it. It’s has been so hard and Lucas, he took it really badly.”
“Well it can’t have been pleasant, seeing them like that.”
“Enough of that.” She said before leaning over to kiss him and all was forgotten for those splendid moments.