“Now you should really know better than to say something like that to me.”  He said in a soft tone.

She wanted to get closer and run away all at once. The mixed signals her body was sending her was driving her batty. And it was all his fault.

“Look…I don’t even know your name.”

“David,” He paused then moved closer. “David Ferguson.”

At the name Michelle stiffened. As soon as he said it she flashed to the older gentleman and woman who the party had been for. The man and his wife who was the donor that Erica had went to meet. It was a coincidence that their catering company had been hired by the Ferguson’s. When they had talked to Erica they realized she was going as a guest to the party they were catering. Michelle thought of Erica and the man she had left with.

“Ummm…is the guy you were with related to you.”

“Yes. My brother.” He frowned. “Why?”

“And you’re related to the same Ferguson’s who were the hosts of the party we catered?”

“Yes. They are my parents.”

The way he said it made her wonder but she decided to wait on getting to the bottom of that.

“That means you’re like rich. Really rich.”

“How’d you know that?” He looked suspicious.

“Deduction since your Mom is a big donor to my friend’s center. Erica the one your brother left with.” Michelle lifted a finger then remembered she had the dough. “Give me a sec.” She went around him.

Dumping the dough in the trash can along the way she went to the door they had exited.

“So your parents are plotting to marry you off?”

“How’d you know that?”

“People tend to forget the help when they are around.” She shrugged. “I heard your Mom talking with your Dad when they were here planning the party.”

“That doesn’t sound like my Mom.”

“What?”

“She doesn’t miss anything.” He replied behind her.

“You probably know her better than I do.” She shrugged again. “But since we are strangers there would be no reason for her to discuss her plans to marry off how did she put it.” She put her hand on the doorknob and looked back at him. “Ah yes…wayward children who thought they could outsmart their parents. At least that is what she said to her husband. He laughed and said something like they were her kids. But then she disagreed and said no they were his kids.”

“Now that sounds like my parents.” He shook his head. “So they are planning. Tell me all you know.”

“I don’t like being ordered.” She retorted. “So no. Now I have something more important I need to do.”

She opened the door and stepped through. Michelle took in the man standing a little away from the door. Erica was striding away.

“Hey.”

The man glanced back at her. “Yes.”

“She doesn’t like rich entitled men.” Michelle studied him. “And you look so much like that right now. Tell her that you don’t ever plan on getting married. And show her that you’re not just all about yourself.”

“But what if I want to get married in future.” The man said. “And how do you know I’m not all just about myself?” He seemed amused.

“Look…”

“Brandon.” He said as he came closer.

“Brandon.” Michelle muttered. “Yeah Erica is so gonna kill me for this.” She lifted her voice. “Lie that you don’t ever want to get married. Lie your butt off. And after meeting your Mom and Dad well I’m thinking since they are good folks and if they raised you right then so are you. Now go get her.”

The man jogged over to her. Michelle took a step back and stilled as she meet a solid frame behind her.

Brandon stopped before her and grinned. “I suck at lying so won’t even try. But the rest I can do. Thanks.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

The man behind her growled. Michelle stifled a shiver and pushed at Brandon. “Go get her.” She then grabbed his tie and pulled him close. “You hurt her and I will gut you then leave you for Hallie to finish the job. She’s not as nice as me.”  She smiled widely.

“Yes, ma’am.” He winked then looked over her shoulder. “She’s a handful.”

She went for his tie again. He stepped back and chuckled before turning and heading after Erica. Michelle watched him go. When he was out of sight she went to step forward. David slid his hand along her belly and pulled her back against his frame.

“You’re gonna lose a hand.”

“He’s right you will be a handful.” He whispered against the side of her face.

She stifled a moan at the deep resonance of his voice. “I’m offended by that. I’m way more than that.”

“I know.” David spoke again and then nuzzled the side of her face. “I wonder about how you contradicted yourself.”

“Wait…what?”

“When you said my parents didn’t notice the help and talked while you were in the room. Yet told Brandon they were good folks. How can that be if they overlooked someone because of their status? Something which I know my parents would not do. They don’t give a crap about those sort of things.”

“Oh…didn’t mean it that way. They knew that like any person that they hire we are known for our discretion.  Basically won’t share what was said. It’s how any vendor worth they salt does it. If you are known to blab other people’s business, then well you won’t have a business for long.”

“Now that makes more sense.” He turned her to face him. “Sort of.  My parents wouldn’t talk about such things unless they had a reason too.” He narrowed his eyes then looked horrified. “They want me to marry you.”

“You don’t need to look so grossed out about it.” She scowled. “And I already said I wouldn’t marry you if you paid me.”

His eyes narrowed again.

“None of that. I’m not setting up some wall you need to conquer to prove you can. I’m just stating a fact.” Michelle shrugged. “Besides I wouldn’t be their choice as daughter in law material.”

“Why?”

Michelle smiled sheepishly. “I sort of told your dad he was a jerk for not letting his wife have what she wanted for the pastries. To stop being such a control freak and loosen the shorts.”

David blinked then stared.

“And a few other little things. Then my business partner stepped in and I left so she could smooth the ruffled feathers. I thought we would have lost the job after that. But they called me in later and well your dad apologized and admitted he needed to loosen his shorts and let things flow.”

David gapped then choked.

“Are you ok?”

He nodded and turned away. David walked to the table where she had been and braced his hands on the counter. She followed concerned.

“What’s wrong?”

He put his head down and slumped his shoulders.

“D—“

“Chel what did you do to Erica?” Hallie said as she came in. “She called ranting you sicced a man on her. And if you did where is min…” She stopped then said. “What do we have here?”

Michelle focused on her business partner. She gestured to David.

“David is the Ferguson’s son and the other man is too.”

“Crap. Do I need to sweet talk them again?” Hallie rubbed her fingers down her nose. “First you and the shorts thing.”

David made a strangled noise. Michelle looked at him suspiciously.

“Now Erica. Between the two of you you’re gonna make me gray.” Hallie smoothed back her dark brown hair with blonde highlights ponytail that fell to just below her hip. “Thank god for hair dye. Anyway what’s wrong with him?” She looked at David’s back.

“No idea.” Michelle studied his back and filled Hallie in on what happened at the party when they met to what happened today. “And after I said that he just started acting weird.”

“So when you mentioned what you told his Dad he started to act like this.” Hallie came and stood beside her. 

“Yes.”

“Say it again.”

“What?” Michelle was confused.

“The shorts thing and what else you said.”

She repeated what she said then added. “Also told him I could help him remove the stick from his—“

David made a noise then turned to them leaning against the counter. He threw his head back and laughed. The deep joyous sound filled the area. It made his face light up and he was even sexier.

“Oh my…” Hallie said. “If you don’t want him I’ll take him.”

“Mine.” Michelle whispered then thought of his parents. “Then again his parents want to marry him off and from what he said they wouldn’t talk around others without a reason.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Hallie was still staring at a laughing David.

“Remember they are matchmaking. I’m thinking they think you are a good fit for him. You put on that whole cultured, demure thing better than I do.” Michelle glanced at Hallie the same time she looked at her.

They both snorted.

“Yeah they don’t know me at all.” Hallie chuckled. “Demure is so not me. Cultured I can maybe go with. You have it too but just blunt with it. I’m the more subtle blunt.” She returned her attention David. “So they want me as their future daughter in law.” Hallie smiled wide. “Although he’s my type I know he won’t go for that. See you later, Chel.”

“Wait…wha…” She stared as Hallie left the same way she had come. “Damn woman moves too fast sometimes. Anyway that’s who they wanted for your future wife.” She turned then stilled.

Again he had closed the distance and she hadn’t heard him.

“No.” He lifted his hand then ran a finger along her cheek. “I’ll pick you up tonight at seven o’clock for our date.”

“What date? I didn’t agree to a date?”

“You gave me your card. So that is an agreement. And you promised to make me smile.”

“You’re smiling now.” She pointed out.

“I know.” His grin widened. “I’m still thinking of what you told my Dad. I can only imagine his expression.”

She snickered. “It was very flabbergasted.”

“I imagine it was. My mom probably was laughing.”

“You know she was.” Michelle rolled her eyes. “Don’t think I don’t know what you are doing.”

“What?” He gave her a harmless look.

“Trying to make me forget about our date.”

“See you just admitted we have a date.” He smirked.

“I…” She sighed. “Slick man.”

“I prefer sexy.” He winked then turned and walked away.

“You don’t know where I live.”

“Text it to me.” He said and went to the door then outside.

“I do…” She remembered how she had left him her number.

She went to where she had left him earlier and seeing the card there she picked it up and read it. The name of his family’s corporation was on it along with contact details.  She turned over the card and saw the note.

Sassy – Seeing you again was unexpected and so not in my plan but I will adjust. Looking forward to you making me smile. Make sure you bring some of your pastries for dessert after our date. As you know I am partial to apple, cinnamon and caramel.  And I have a sweet tooth so make it good. See you tonight. – David.

Tapping the card against her fingertips she smiled. The man was already memorable and confident she would go out with him. Who was she kidding she was. She picked up her cell then glanced at his number before she texted him her address. Afterward she slid his card in the pocket of her jeans. She went to the pantry to get some ingredients for a pastry that would knock his socks off. 

 

 

Hours later Michelle smoothed her black shirt and glanced at her shorts then the black knee socks with the bright yellow kitchen implements on it. Her black sneakers completed the look. The doorbell rang and she went to answer the door. She took a breath then opened it and promptly lost it when she saw him. He was casual again in a light blue shirt open at the collar and black jeans with boots.

“Loving the knee socks.” He said and he kissed her on the cheek.

“Thanks.” She smoothed her fingers along the pearl buttons of his shirt.  “You look good in causal as you do business.”

“Sexy.” He smiled.

“Sassy.” She said drily. “Have no idea where you go that from.”

“Don’t know what I was thinking.” He laughed. “How about sweet?”

“Not sure of that either.” She wrinkled her nose.

David kissed her nose then said. “Sassy it is.”

“Fine. Then I can call you sexy.”

“Anytime.” He winked.

“You’re the one who is trouble.”

“I know.”

“No need to be so smug.”

“Why? It’s me to a tee.” He shrugged a graceful movement of his shoulders.

Michelle didn’t know what to say to that. Instead she got her purse and the pastry box. David eyes lit up when he saw it.

“You really love sweets.”

“Yes.” David chuckled. “My family and friends tease me I should marry a pastry chef to always keep me supplied.” He sobered and stared at her.

“Don’t look at me buddy.” She shook her head.

“Why not?”

“I thought it wasn’t in your plan to get married.” Michelle held the box between them.  

“It isn’t.” He took it then led her out.  “But plans can change.”

She stiffened.

“Not now.” He placed his hand on her back right above her waist. “But curious on your resistance to never getting married.”
“I never said I wouldn’t get married.” She replied. “Just not now. For a long time. I too have plans and a career that I don’t want to change.”

“Why would your career change because you get married?”

She shrugged. “Don’t know if it would but thinking a husband might not like the long hours I put in. I just go by what I see some of my friends have gone through and went through.”

“Then some of your friends’ partners were and are idiots. “ David stated firmly. “In this day and age a partner is someone you love no matter their differences. This includes and not limited to if they have a busy career. Some days I work from morning until after midnight. If you were my wife would you leave me because I worked late from time to time?”

“Of course not.” She paused then said. “Wait…remember we both don’t plan on getting married anytime soon.”

“Of course.” He paused again.  “But it’s good to note we have the same view on certain things.”

“Ok.” She had no clue why it mattered.

“Let’s go on our first of what will be many dates.”

“You sound sure of that.” She turned and closed the door.

Then they headed down the stairs to his truck. At the door he opened the back and slid the box on the back seat then closed it before he held the passenger door open for her. He helped her in and she sat. He closed the door then went around the hood to the driver’s side. David got in then started the truck. He glanced at her and she smiled.

“Are we going on this date? Where are we going?”

“One of the best views I know.” He said but not giving an actual destination.

He focused on the lane leading from her home then pulled out. Michelle leaned back and waited to see where they were going. As the scenery passed and they left the area close to her place then to the part of town that was more ranching she figured where they were headed. They drove another hour and as the beautiful views passed she enjoyed it. When he bypassed the entrance for the ranch Michelle wondered if they were not going to his family ranch where they were going. He went another ten minutes then turned into a partially hidden road. As he drove under the archway she was curious.

Although she had been to the ranch a few times while they were planning the logistics for the party she hadn’t done much exploring. She knew it was one of the largest ranches in this part of Texas. As he drove down the road she watched the foliage which they gave way to a beautiful vista of flowers and greenery. Soon they pulled up in front of a house that was a mini version of the main house. The main house was huge and even though smaller this one was larger than she was used too. He pulled into the front of the house and parked. David exited and came to her door. She got out and waited as he retrieved the box of sweets from the back seat. He put his hand at the small of her back.

“Welcome to my home. Let me give you a quick tour then get our picnic so we can go before we lose too much more light. Want you to see the view at sunset. ” David led her to the house.

He gave her a quick tour then grabbed the picnic basket that was already waiting by the door for them. He tucked the pastry box inside then they went outside. David took them back to the truck.

“Next time we can go riding. Wait didn’t think to ask if you knew how to ride?”

“Sure that sounds good for next time. And I do know how to ride.”

They got back in the truck and David got them on their way. He headed past the house then onto a trail. The trees hung low almost cocooning the place. She could see up ahead was light. They closed in on it then he drove them into a clearing and stopped. Michelle gasped at the beautiful view before them.

“See this is the best view in Texas.” David chuckled. “Then again my siblings might say the view from their places are.”

“Their places?”  She couldn’t take her eyes off the area in front of them.

“We each have our own homes scattered around the ranch. Keep close to home but still have our own place.”

She looked at him. He was staring at her and not the view. David leaned in and she met him. He kissed her softly. Michelle moaned at the touch of his lips on hers. He deepened the kiss and pulled her close against him. She rested on his muscular frame sliding her hand up and down his side. He made a rough sound deep inside his throat.  She shifted to get closer but he gentled the kiss then withdrew. David eyes were hooded with desire. Michelle licked her lips.

“You don’t want to miss the sunset.” He said softly.

He moved her back and slid closer to her side then pulled her against him again. She snuggled in and enjoyed the feel of him against her. The bright sun started to lower and the varying colors of orange and yellow painted the sky. Contentment filled her and Michelle stilled.

Don’t get too used to this.

 

 

I can get used to this. David held the woman by his side and wondered what he could do to keep her there. Remember you’re years away from marriage. They didn’t need to get married for him to keep her by his side. That one meeting had affected him. He had resisted for weeks going to see her. It was that stubbornness their parents had passed on. Yet he had given in and hadn’t even realized he had until he pulled up at her place of business.

Now they were on their first date and he already knew he wanted to see much more of her. As the sun faded and twilight set in he pulled back and reached for the picnic. He opened the basket and handed her the food. They talked as they ate. As she spoke with such passion with whatever they discussed he wanted that all the time. When he took a bite of the pastry she made for them he moaned.

“That sound is what got me.” She smiled and kissed the corner of his mouth. “You enjoy that so much.”

“I do.” He smiled.

She laughed and told him what she did to make it. Although he didn’t understand half what she said he just loved hearing her talk about her work. Hours later as he drove up to her house a comfortable silence had fallen between them. Pulling in front of her house he parked then got out and went to her side. He opened the door and helped her out before closing it then leading her to her door. At the door he took her key and opened it for her before stepping back. Michelle passed him but stopped and pulled him down to her then kissing him deeply. She pulled back then smiled as she went inside then faced him.

“Looking forward to our next date.”

“Me too.” He replied. “Good night.”

“Night, Sexy.”

He smiled. He loved hearing her call him that. “Night Sassy.”

She wrinkled her nose. David resisted the urge to kiss it knowing he wouldn’t be able to stop just with that. He winked and walked back to his truck. He got in and looked at her through the windshield. She lifted her hand and he did too. Michelle went inside closing the door. He pulled out and headed toward home. As he did his thoughts drifted to Michelle and wondered how she’d befuddled him next.

Yeah that woman is trouble. And I’m going to love every moment of getting to know her.