I allow myself a few seconds to elaborate the message.

“This a fucking loser. I mean, are you seriously worried about this stupid guy?”

She smiles. “Can be a girl too.”

“Well, can be anything. Can be a damn alien, but that doesn’t change the fact he, or she, is a loser, and you shouldn’t be worrying about it. Ya know..?”

I’m not underestimating the potential danger, but I don’t want her to live in fear. Usually, these are losers that can only affirm their personalities by hiding behind an anonymous avatar. Therefore, I don’t want to contribute to alarming her even more than she already is.

“Yeah, well, I told you… I burst like that because it’s not been easy to leave my hometown and change my life completely. I have had many things happen to me earlier in life, and now I’m alone, and what I do here is definitely not my dream job.” She squeals doing finger quotes. “And this fucker keeps bothering me about this thing! I always blocked the accounts, but he keeps creating new ones. I wasn’t scared. I’m not, really. It’s just so frustrating.” She says convincingly.

I stare at her for a moment delicately brushing the back of my hand on her smooth cheek.

“I’ll write that idiot a note if you don’t mind. Now let’s go eat.”

She lets out a delightful gasp. Her eyes glow. “Ok, sounds good to me? Let’s see if you can get me rid of this damn loser.” She says handing me the phone.

I grin. “Let’s see what I can do.”

‘Alright motherfucker.  Let me get this straight for ya.  You keep bothering this girl and you’ll have to deal with me.  And trust me, you don’t wanna do that.  I’m not giving ya any other warning.  Get fucking lost loser!’

“There ya go,” I give the phone back to her.

She ponders on what I just wrote, biting the tip of her thumb. “You think that’s gonna make him stop?”

“He better.”

She giggles. “Why, what are you gonna do?  We have no idea who he is!”

“I’ll find out,” I reply, hoping that loser will really stop bothering her.

She slowly shakes her head and smirks as we keep walking.

***

“Good evening Miss Lords.” The night concierge gives us a bright smile tipping his hat’s visor. “Mr. Byron?” He then adds.  

I barely nod and I keep walking toward the elevators.

“Hey Lawrence, how are ya?”  “Isn’t it cold tonight?” She friendly asks. 

“I’m alright thanks, Miss Lords.”

She smiles. “Do you need anything? A cup of hot coffee maybe?”

“Oh, thank you so much Miss lords, but I’m fine, really. I got my travel mug here, and a few snacks.”  He smiles with his puffy red face.

“Oh, you are all set then,” she giggles. “Good night Lawrence!” She squeals before keeping up with me.

“You are really kind,” I blurt after the elevator’s doors close.

“Well from where I come from everyone knows everyone and it just feels natural to me. I know New Yorkers are tough and don’t give a damn, right?” She chuckles. “But I’m not from here, and I’m proud of being the way I am. I think if people cared a little more, and helped one another, this world could be much better, but I don’t want to get into the philosophical shit, I’m hungry!”  She sneaks her hand inside the bag. 

“Hey wait!”  I laugh.

She drags her hand back and then she chortles and purrs. “Please! Just one piece!”

She got me. “Ok, just one.”

She bits her thumb and smirks looking up at me. “I just wanted to see if you let me…” She giggles. “And you did! Thank you, Zac. I won!”

I slowly shake my head and I chuckle, then the elevator dings and the doors slide open. “Ready?”

She tries to make a tough face. “I was born ready!” She mutters deepening her voice. Then she burst out laughing.

I sneer shaking my head slowly. Then I open my apartment’s door. “Make yourself at home.”

She smiles and bows. “Thank you, Sir.” 

“Can I leave my shoes here?” She asks removing her sneakers in the hallway.

I close the door and I nod letting out a grin as I take off my boots. A part of me craves her more than anything. I want to make her mine. I want to claim her in every possible way. But I have no rush. I know she wants me as much as I do.

“Wow!” She exclaims looking at the large floor–to–ceiling window. “That view is breathtaking!”

I shrug. “Not bad, yeah.”

“I like the sofa!” She squeals trotting forward. “It’s so comfy, I love it!” She jumps and lays on her belly.

“Alright, I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you goin’?” She mumbles.

“You wanna eat this delicious food without any wine?”

She giggles. “Oh, of course not!”

She’s damn hot. I’m tempted to jump on her and kiss her avidly everywhere, letting our bodies ardently connect. My heart rate increases but I clench my jaw and I let out a grin.

“You’ll love this one,” I tell her before heading toward the little room where I keep my wine cellar.

“I’m sure I will,” she mumbles.

My lips are dry, and my breathing has quickened. I take a deep breath and slowly exhale the air from my lungs. I don’t want her to think I just want to get laid. It’s weird. I’ve never let my feelings take over since the promise I’ve made to myself. I don’t know what this is yet, but I know what I feel for Grace is different.

I scan the wine shelves carefully, opting for a bottle of ten years aged pinot noir and I stroll back into the living room.

“Hey, you got this at the restaurant?”  I groan proudly holding up the bottle, but I suddenly realize Grace’s fallen asleep.

I freeze to avoid disturbing her and I admire how beautiful she is. Her breathing is rhythmical, and her lips are slightly curved up, giving her a serene expression. I chuckle shaking my head slowly and I place the bottle on the coffee table careful not to make too much noise. Then I grab the soft warm blanket on the side of the long couch and I unfold it, delicately covering her from her feet up to her shoulders. She moves in her sleep and babbles something I don’t understand, and her breathing gets back to being steady and slow. I turn the lights off, leaving just a small one in case she doesn’t like complete darkness, and I sit in the armchair before the sofa. As I watch her sleeping I feel tingles in my chest.  I suddenly wonder when was the last time I had fun with a girl.

For the first time in years, I let myself go. Today I laughed with her and I spontaneously enjoyed the time spent together. She must have been really tired, I think, letting out a sweet smile.

 “Good night,” I whisper before delicately kissing Grace’s smooth cheek.