Layla

When he asked me to dinner, I couldn’t get the yes out fast enough. I didn’t want this day to end, but I knew it would and so would our connection. This had been the most amazing time of my life. It may seem sad to many, but it was more than coffee and the museum. I felt my heart racing and the only thing that brought it down was his thumb constantly rubbing across my hand.

We took a cab back to the hotel. I wasn’t dressed to dine in there and told him so. “You look perfect.” Under my winter wear, I had on a white sweater and jeans, but he seemed to think I was presentable. We entered the restaurant and it wasn’t too busy yet, and I noticed there were several people dressed in very casual clothes, making me feel comfortable.

He held the chair and waited for me to sit before pushing it in. I continued to stare at his face. He was so handsome and every time his eyes met mine, I felt my body shiver with desire and my heart beat out of my chest.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked me.

What was I supposed to say? That I wanted to give him my v-card? Because I did, so unbelievably bad. He had to be my idea of the perfect man and the way he made me feel was insane.

“That you’re dangerous to my health.”

“Hmm? Do you care to explain that?” His brows furrowed, trying to solve my vague yet inflammatory reply.

“No,” I answered, vehemently shaking my head at him.

He nodded slightly, letting it go. “Fine then. What will you tell me?”

What could I that wouldn’t be too personal? I wanted him more than I should and that was already scaring me. “I’m a liberal arts major because I have no idea what I want to be,” I nonchalantly answered, displaying a level of indifference to it.

“Many college students don’t.”

“Did you?” I asked, hoping to redirect the questions to be about him.

“I was already in my business before I went to college. I didn’t get to go straight out of high school,” he said, ducking his head in a bit of embarrassment.

“Really? Why?” I grabbed his hand that was inches from mine on the table, which brought his head up. His eyes widened because I had initiated the contact.

“I couldn’t afford it. I had to work right after school ended. But things seemed to have worked themselves out,” he finished suggestively with his fingers tightening around mine for a gentle squeeze while his eyes stayed focused on mine. 

I blushed hard this time, feeling the pleasure of his strong hands on me while he essentially told me more with his eyes. “I suppose so.”

“Are you going to get shy on me every time I hint about us.”

“You don’t hint.” He was straightforward. I was surprised he wasn’t beating his chest. Then again, he did have his hand preoccupied.

“No, I don’t, but I’m not going to lie to you. I want you and I’m going to get you to transfer to a Chicago school.”

“And you think I will for you?” He was a bit too self-assured and despite the fact that I’d thought about the transfer earlier today, I didn’t want him to be so smug about it.

“I don’t think, I hope.”

That was the end of our conversation until the waiter took our order and the menus. “What do you do for fun, Layla?”

“Swim. The school has a great pool and I go there almost every day.” He looked as though he had something to say, but didn’t. I wondered what he was thinking.

“You know, Layla? You scare me.” He continued to stare at me as if I was a puzzle.

“Really? I feel like the least threatening person in the world.”

“I’m scared that I’ll run you off. You’re holding so much back from me and I just want to know everything I can.”

“I’m nervous. I’ve never been on a date with someone so older than me.” That came out terrible. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way. But dating someone who is into video games as much as he is into you, doesn’t make you feel like you’d do something stupid in front of them. You’re different.”

“That does make sense, but I promise, I’m all ears.”

“Tell me something about you. Have you ever been married? What do you do with your free time?” I asked, changing the subject. I wanted to know if he always had his face clean shaven or did he sport the scruff.

“Don't have much free time. I tend to work a lot of hours. I have never been married before. Never even had the interest to be, well at least until now.” My face turned a deeper shade of red. “I made you blush again. It's starting to become my favorite thing.” He took a drink of his wine, giving me a moment to return my skin color back to normal. “Whatever free time I get, I like to read.”

“What kind of books do you like?”

“Mainly crime novels. I find them interesting,” he said, with the corner of his lip twisting up. Why does he have to be so handsome when he smiles? I lose myself in those beautiful green eyes.

“Now that I've told you some about me give me a little bit more about you.”

“In truth, I don't do much but try to study, swim, and read. I grew up with my brother being my main caregiver. I lost my parents when I was really young. I'm going to do everything I can to show him his sacrifice was worth it, so I don’t do anything girls my age do.”

“You are lucky to have each other. What would he say if you told him about me?” He grabbed my hand again, rubbing his thumb over my wrist. I felt like I was being seduced and didn’t mind one bit, no matter how soon it was. 

“Probably be really pissed off. He thinks of me as a baby,” I admitted. Nate loved me and he wouldn’t ever want to see me broken. I feared upsetting him.

“In that case, we'll just keep it to ourselves for now.” Instinctively, I knew he wasn’t the kind to hold back, but he was doing this to please me. My brother finding out would be too much for me to handle.

“That's smart.”

We left the restaurant shortly after finishing our meal. “I need to go back to my dorm,” I said. “Thank you for a wonderful day.”

“It’s been almost perfect for me. It would be better if it didn’t have to end. I want to see you tomorrow,” he said.

“I'd like that,” I replied with a smile that he returned. I was feeling overwhelmed.

We exchanged numbers as he and his man, Jason, drove me back to my dorm. John walked me to the front door. I wasn't going to let him come upstairs because we didn't really know each other well. Plus, I didn't want him in my small cramped room with my horny roommate.

“Can I kiss you?” he asked. It was funny how something so gentlemanly sent my emotion spinning. I nodded my head gently. A grin came over his face as he cupped my cheeks with his strong hands, his thumb brushed across my lips and I was putty. I tilted my head up and closed my eyes as he claimed my mouth. It was a simple kiss, but the sensation felt better than any before it. A sigh escaped his lips as he pulled back to look at me. He seemed to be as stunned as I was. His hand moved to my waist and the other slid to the nape of my neck, then he lowered his head, kissing me as he pulled me close. I moaned against his mouth, parting my lips and welcoming him in. Our tongues tasted each other slowly. His hold on me got tighter, letting me feel his hardness on my stomach. I stepped back, ending our kiss before I asked him up, and looked at his handsome face. “Thank you again, John.”

“Thank you, Layla. Tomorrow, I’ll be back for you after my meeting. It ends around one, so I should be here by two at the latest.”

“I look forward to it.” He kissed my hand then took a step back, letting me know he wanted me to go inside. I wasn’t through the doors before my phone buzzed. I smiled, looking down at the text. I miss you already.

I shook my head and turned back to see him still standing there, smiling at me.

I didn’t respond because I didn’t know what to say, so I waved and walked out of sight. There was a group of classmates strolling to the elevator, so I let them get on and waited for the next. I wanted to be alone with my thoughts for as long as possible. This whole thing was new to me. I knew that if he played me I would be crushed, but I don’t know if I could push him away before that happened. Would he even let me? John came at me with his brakes removed. Nothing was stopping him from getting what he wanted.

The elevator pinged and I got on, hoping that tomorrow I wouldn’t feel so happy to see him. That this overwhelming need to throw my arms around him and beg him not to leave would just go away.

Three hours later, I kept checking my phone to see if he called. Over and over I grabbed the thing.

“Fuck, Laura, go to sleep,” my roommate grumbled. She didn’t like my name so she changed it every time she spoke to me. I didn’t give a shit because I couldn’t stand the bitch anyway and wouldn’t see her again after this semester.

My phone pinged as I held it in my hand, making me drop it on the floor. I picked it up and sure enough, I had a lovely spider web like crack along the left side.

John had sent me another message. Meeting canceled. I’ll pick you up around nine.

I didn’t reply because then he’d text me again. I needed to fall asleep. It took another twenty minutes before I was out like a light, excited for tomorrow.