Chapter Six
“I don’t think I can eat another bite.” Jamie pushed her crème brûlée away. “I never thought I’d eat snails and I must admit, they were delicious. Everything you ordered for me was so good. I really liked the coq au vin.”
Asa had enjoyed watching her eat. He loved the way she seemed to savor every bite of her meal as she partook in each dish that had been placed in front of her. He liked that she didn’t pick at her food like a lot of his dates had in order to give the impression that they ate like birds, when in reality they probably ate much more when they weren’t on a date. Not Jamie, however. She was refreshing. Just as he suspected, she was perfect.
At the beginning of their evening together, she was hesitant to look him in the eyes but once he got her to talk about herself, she’d opened up. He made sure not to ask too many questions about her past and to keep the conversation light. Instead, he focused on her favorite books and movies. He told her a little about himself but not too much because if she knew the truth, it would scare her away. She didn’t need to know. At least, not yet anyway. Eventually, he would tell her but for now he wanted to earn her trust.
Asa finished off his wine. “Would you like me to order you a cup of coffee?”
She shook her head. “I know I’m going to sound weird, but I’m not a huge fan of coffee. It’s so bitter and it leaves a strong aftertaste in my mouth.”
“It’s not weird at all. To be perfectly honest, it not my favorite beverage either but it helps get me through my shifts at the hospital.”
She gave him a shy smile. “Asa, would you mind very terribly if I ran to the restroom?”
“Not at all. While you’re gone, I’ll settle the bill and have the maître d bring out your jacket.”
“Thanks.” She pushed away from the table and walked toward the restrooms.
Seeing her walk away in that dress, made his dick jump to attention. From the second he laid eyes on her, he thought Jamie was beautiful. But tonight, she’d blown him away. He liked her hair when it was loose. He imagined the big dark cloud of hair resting on his stark white pillows as he fucked her into submission. And, that dress. It molded her body like a glove, showing off her curves to their advantage.
He had already determined that she had a nice figure even through the unshapely uniform she wore at the hospital. But in civilian clothes, she was a stunner. He licked his lips as he imagined himself peeling off that dress. Her breasts were small, but she more than made up for it with an ass that was almost obscene on such a slender frame. By the end of the night, he had plans to spank it and watch it jiggle.
He was so deep in his fantasy that he didn’t notice someone approaching his table.
“Asa? What are you doing here?”
The owner of that high-pitched voice was unmistakable. He schooled his features to keep them neutral when he looked up to see Dr. Nguyen. “Maria. I could ask you the same question. I thought you were on call tonight.”
“I was but I switched shifts with Dr. Raymond because a very dear friend of mine is in town. I thought I saw you come into the restaurant earlier but I couldn’t be sure. So, as I was coming out of the ladies’ room, I happened to get a closer look and it turns out I was right.” She smiled at him seeming quite proud of herself.
“So, you were,” Asa smiled back at her although he hoped she wouldn’t linger.
“Who are you here with?”
“Someone special to me,” he answered truthfully. Jamie was indeed someone who was already very important in his life even if she didn’t know it yet.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were dating anyone. I could have sworn you told me that you weren’t looking for anything permanent when the two of us went out for dinner.” She flipped a lock of dark hair over her shoulder.
It was clear that Maria wasn’t used to being passed over for another woman. After all, she was a very attractive and accomplished woman. Her downfall, however, was her personality. Asa put up with her because despite how nasty she could be to whoever she felt was beneath her, she was a brilliant mind and he trusted her professional opinion. But on a personal level, he found her annoying.
The server interrupted to ask if he needed anything else. Asa asked for the check.
“You cut me off, mid-sentence. You were very rude,” Maria chastised the now red-faced waiter.
“My apologies, ma’am.” He then turned to Asa. “I’ll be back with you check, sir.”
Asa nodded.
“Really, the service around here has declined since it first opened.”
“Was that really necessary, Maria?”
“What? I was just pointing out how rude he was. He could have waited until I was finished talking before interjecting himself into this conversation.”
“If you say so.”
Asa saw Jamie walking toward the table. She slowed down when she spotted Maria. She approached them hesitantly.
Asa motioned her forward.
Maria took notice and crinkled her brow when she noticed Jamie. She turned to Asa. “That’s your date?”
“Do you have a problem with that, Maria?”
“Of course not, I’m just curious is all.” She turned to Jamie. “I’m Dr. Maria Nguyen.” She held out her hand which Jamie seemed to take reluctantly.
Maria gave Jamie a quick limp-wristed shake before pulling her hand away as if she were afraid to contract something. “Have we met before? You look familiar.”
Jamie looked to him and he simply nodded. He wasn’t ashamed to be with here with her. “I, uh, work at the hospital.”
Maria frowned. “I think, I’d remember seeing you. What department do you work in?”
“Sanitation.”
“Sani…you’re a janitor?” The word was practically spat out with barely concealed contempt.
“Yes.”
“Wait a minute. Are you the one with the strange name?”
Jamie nodded.
Maria smirked before turning back to Asa. “Really, Asa?” She snorted before walking off without a backward glance.
Jamie took her seat and lowered her head. All the progress he’d made with her this evening was gone with a snap of the finger. “I apologize for that. Maria isn’t one to bite her tongue but don’t allow her to get under your skin.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it. A lot of people look down on the work I do but I’m not ashamed. It’s not very difficult and it pays well enough that I’m able to live independently.” She shrugged.
Asa couldn’t help but smile at her resilience. “I’m glad that you see it that way.”
The waiter returned with the check and Asa dropped a couple of hundred-dollar bills on the table. “Keep the change.” He looked at his date whose head was still down. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes, please.”
Once they were in the car, Jamie spoke up. “Would you mind terribly if we skip the listening to music part of the night? To be honest, I’m not up to going to a concert.”
“Who said anything about going to a concert?”
“But you mentioned, listening to music.”
“I did but I never said we were going to a concert. What’s the matter? The night is still young. And, I know for a fact that you have off tomorrow. Don’t tell me you’re going to allow Maria to ruin a nice night out.”
She didn’t reply right away. “She’s just a reminder that you and I are a strange pair. I mean, I did have a good time with you tonight. You’re kind and nice to talk to but you should be with someone like her.”
“Don’t you think I have a say in who I want to be with? She’s a lovely woman but she’s not for me. But, you are.”
“There you go again. Saying things like that. You’re making it seem like this date is going to turn into something more than just something physical. I just wish you’d be honest with me and tell me that you just want to have sex with me. At least, then, I’d know what to expect.”
“Is that what you want me to say? That I want to have sex with you?”
“Why else am I here?”
“Why else indeed? But let’s get something straight, Jamie, I don’t have to say I’d like to have sex with you. Because that’s going to happen regardless. And as far as my intentions, I’ve already made it quite clear that you and I are going to be together for a very long time coming.”
“You sound so sure of yourself. What about what I want?”
“Trust me. You want this. This attraction isn’t one-sided. I can tell from the way you look at me when you don’t think I notice. Whenever you’re near me, I feel your presence. And I bet when I’m around, you feel mine. Like I’ve already told you, we’re two broken pieces that fit.”
“You’re reading a lot into me looking at you a few times. And, I’m sure you’re aware that you’re an attractive man. A lot of women look at you.”
“But, I’m not interested in a lot of women. Just you.”
“Why me?”
“Because, you’re you. We’re here.”
Jamie looked out the window and frowned. “Where is here?”
“My house.”
Asa drove his car past the security guard of his gated community and drove a few blocks before pulling into his driveway.”
“Y-you said that we were going to listen to music.”
“And, we will. I have an extensive record collection. There’s no sound like vinyl. I thought we’d have some wine and listen to some of my records and get to know each other better.”
She stiffened. “I’m not stupid. You’re bringing me to your house for more than just having wine and listening to music.”
“I promise, we won’t do anything you don’t want to. But as for what I have in store for you, you’re going to love every single moment of it.”