Nathalie violently tossed herself from the bed with a loud thump. The cold wood floor briefly groaned and creaked with the light smacking of her feet. Her eyes scanned the room as she quickly circled the bed. Somewhere in it were her dress and shoes.

Beside a large ivory dresser, her shoes laid neatly placed. She snatched them and continued canvassing the area for her dress. After checking in the bathroom, she kneeled down to look under the bed. The shoes in her hand loudly clattered against the polished floor. A gentle voice startled her.

"Would you like some help?"

Awkwardly raising herself, she slowly turned around while fidgeting with her hands. Averting her gaze momentarily, she became more aware of her bareness. She reached for the blanket to cover herself before looking at him.

Grant stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. He wore a half-buttoned white dress shirt with a black tie that hung loosely over his shoulders. A quizzical smile played upon his lips as he scrunched his eyebrows and tilted his head.

"It's actually in the closet," he walked past her and opened the door to his walk-in closet. When he walked out, he removed the dress from a hanger and held it out. "Didn't want to leave it laying on the floor."

"Thanks."

"No problem," he beamed at her.

"Did we ..." Nathalie nervously asked.

"Meet me in the kitchen once you get dressed. We'll talk about it over breakfast." He turned and walked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

When Nathalie walked out, she noticed a placemat and utensils set on a big expensive kitchen countertop. Grant glanced at her briefly, "have a seat. I wasn't sure what you'd like for breakfast, so I made an omelette and toast, but there's some fruit in the fridge if you'd prefer?"

She was slightly taken aback. "Omelette's good."

"To drink? Water, juice or coffee?" He said as he placed the plate in front of her.

"Coffee."

"So ... what happened last night?" She grabbed the fork and dug into the omelette.

"How much do you remember?"

"I remember after Makayla left. Talking about our families, but not when we left."

There was a moment of silence as her fork clinked against the plate. He sighed. "Guess you were drunker than I thought." Walking around the counter, he leaned over and rested his chin on his palm.

Contemplating, he lightly drummed his fingers on his cheek. "That's too bad. I mean, it was spectacular. Never done or seen anything like it before." Shaking his head, he stared up at the ceiling with a rascally expression. Something indiscernible crept into his azure eyes as they changed into a stormy shade of periwinkle. They shone even brighter when he looked at her.

"So, we did do the deed!" Her eyes bulged in surprise.

Grant smirked and stifled his laughter. "I can refresh your memory if you want?"

"Yes, pleeese!"

The bartenders gathered and spoke amongst each other. One rapidly walked to the end of the bar and began wiping the counter, while another cupped his hands over his mouth and bellowed: "last call!"

Nathalie gasped. "Already?"

"Guess so." He gestured to close his tab. "I'll order an Uber. Make it a two-stop journey. The driver can drop you off first, then me."

Surging with an uncharacteristic sensual boldness, she leaned in to whisper in his ear, accidentally brushing her cheek on his. Her breath caressed his earlobe and caused his shoulders to stiffen in reaction. The sweet smelling perfume and her natural scent dominated his senses.

"We can just go to your place."

He momentarily pulled away to look at her, their faces were mere inches away from each other. Laced with passion, her brown eyes unyieldingly stared into his. It took every ounce of self-control to not immediately give in to the want steadily building within him. Warily observing her, he wondered if she was drunk and if he should tell her it was best to leave it for another day.

"Unless ... you don't want to?" She asked perplexed.

Clenching his jaw, a lump formed in his throat as he desperately tried to swallow his saliva. Are you kidding me? I'm losing my mind here! He avoided her gaze. "You sure?"

Nathalie slowly nodded.

When they arrived to his apartment, she immediately halted at the entrance and gawked at the enormous space. Even the kitchen looked expansive. The entrance and kitchen were tiled, but it was separated after the counter area by a highly polished mahogany wood flooring. Everything looked brand new and expensive. Beyond the living room was a sliding door that led to a wraparound balcony overlooking the city.

"Would you like some water?" He asked while rolling up his sleeves.

"Sure."

As she reached for the glass, her hand lightly grazed his fingers, sending a chill to course through his arm. She slowly moved closer. Their body heat intermingled into a smoldering blaze. Without tearing his eyes away from her, he absentmindedly placed the glass on the countertop. He gently cupped her chin, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. Raggedly breathing, her eyes closed involuntarily.

Tilting his head, he softly rubbed his lips against hers before kissing her deeply. Her body collided against his. Ignited by intense desire, their mouths moved with urgency as he led her into his bedroom. Peppering kisses along her chin and neck, his hands drifted down her dress. Impatiently, he removed it and paused to regard her curvaceous figure. She placed a hand on his chest and pushed him onto the bed. Straddling him, she leaned down to kiss him passionately and placed her lips on his neck ...

********************

***[960]

You dirty-minded lot. That final paragraph was a bit difficult. There's not going to be much of that throughout the book. This was just a particular instance of 'not in the right state of mind, lust at first sight'. Or perhaps it really is love at first sight? Though that can only be evident with their future interactions.

Let's hope the wilting Puritans don't say 'that last paragraph! Gasp! Kissing, removing a dress, and that word straaaaddle. That's some very dangerous stuff there, that is!' Next chapter will conclude this day. It will move—a little—posthaste through their interactions in the proceeding chapters, which will inevitably create drama and complications.