ALLY

"I think we're the only ones left here," I noticed as I looked around the empty dining room.

"That's great. I guess we got the whole place for ourselves now," he joked.

"I'm serious. We should leave before they kick us out."

Harvey raised his hand to signal the waitress for the check. Within a minute, she came with a black leather checkbook.

Before I could even grab my wallet from my purse, he smoothly extended his card towards Ashley without opening the checkbook. She thanked him and disappeared.

"You didn't even give me a chance," I complained.

"Did you really think I would let you pay for our first date," he corrected my frustration.

I rolled my eyes at his firm logic. I was all for splitting the bill, equality, no expectations from the other party. But I did like the traditional romantic gestures. It was always a nice thought when the man offered. Its old-fashion. It showed their interest, investment, stability and independence. Although he teased me quite a bit, he still gave me that chivalrous vibe. And that was a rare characteristic I found in our generation. But then again, I hadn't been exposed much to what our generation really had to offer.

"Fine. Next time, it's on me. No argument!" I insisted, hushing him with my index finger up in the air.

He chuckled. "That's strike seven tonight."

"Excuse me?" What the fuck is he talking about? He was obviously keeping tabs on me, but tabs on what?

"You — rolling your eyes at me." He stopped, examined my distorted forehead. Did I really roll my eyes at him that many times?

"Don't get me wrong, it's fucking adorable. But, you're going to be disciplined sooner or later if you keep it up."

A silent shock escaped my parted lips.

Disciplined? Fuck. Who says that?

There was something about the way he said it. The way it came out of him. His dominant warning resulted in my subconscious will to submit to him, to be disciplined as he thought appropriately. The muscles on my thighs tightened, squeezing my legs together.

My heart raced from the firmness and martinet character that radiated from his message. My eyebrows met, conflicted on how he could get this unsolicited effect on me. I felt like my body, my sex, specifically, was betraying me. For him.

I rolled my eyes at this disappointing fact.

Without realizing it, his signature crooked smile triumphantly painted his face. The skin at the corner of his eyes wrinkled before he let out a chuckle.

I closed my eyes.

My hand palmed my face as I tried to hide my idiocy away.

Shit.

I did it again.

"Damn it," I groaned.

"Wow. You really want to be disciplined don't you?" He teased me.

"Stop," I begged behind my hands, embarrassed to show my face. "I can't help it. It's just a stupid reflex."

A warm hold circled my wrist as he tried to uncover my face. He sent an electric wave throughout my body as his hand held onto me.

"You don't ever have to hide your beautiful self from me," he affirmed. His emerald irises focused its sight on me for what felt like an eternity before I had the strength to clear my throat, breaking the captivating hold he had on me.

He released me and I felt a sudden chill on my naked wrist. Even just for a few seconds, I was already enjoying the warmth he provided.

"Shall we?" He asked as he stood up, letting me lead the way to exit the restaurant.

It was almost midnight. Harvey walked behind me as we passed the revolving door. It was sprinkling. April was living up to its reputation.

The night was finally coming to an end. I didn't know if I was happy that I could finally go home and rest, or sad that we had to say our goodbyes. But he had another intention.

Even though it wasn't the first time, he still managed to startle me when the warmth of his flesh caught my hand. Impressed by the size of it compared to my small-bone, I smiled and looked up at him. There was something different in his eyes. A glint of darkness as the shadow loomed over his head. The emerald hues of his irises were taken over by the blackness of his dilated pupils.

He led me towards the bench against the concrete wall of the restaurant. He stopped in front of it, still holding onto me. I took it as a signal and sat on the stoned bench. My naked hand felt the coolness of the night as he let me go. He rested his elbow on his thighs, his body positioned towards me, watching me.

Without a word from either of us, I stared into the night because God only knew what I would be willing to do to this man if I looked back at him. 

The rain drops echoed around us as the drizzling mist turned into a heavy rain. My body shivered from the moistened wind that slapped my bare arm. I rubbed my hands on my pants, but was soon distracted by his shuffling movement. 

Before I could turn to see what the ruckus was about, my body was suddenly embraced by the warmness of his suit. I was swimming in the waves of his subtle earthy cologne. 

I closed my eyes, quietly savored his impressive, manly aroma.

"Better?" He asked. I had to come back to reality, opened my eyes and found a proud look on his face.

"Much better. Thanks," I reassured. 

"This is nice. I've always liked the rain." I said, focusing on the massive drops of rain hitting the concrete just a few feet from us. 

I figured it was safer to look at the wet cement, than into his captivating eyes.

"It's definitely calming."

A treacherous shiver escaped me despite the warmness of his suit and I felt a sting of embarrassment. I wasn't even cold. But my body had been betraying me all night long, so I was no longer surprised.

"Come here," he offered as he stretched his well-built arm around me.

The musculine tone of his bicep was visible even through his gray henley top. I couldn't help but stare at the invitation of his sculpted pectorals. God damn, his chest was impressive.

Without waiting for my acceptance or rejection, he gently, but effectively slid my petite body like a dust of feather onto him.

A surge of heat rushed through every crevice of my body. My hair follicles expanded as I felt the slow moisture tickling my head. My ears felt like a train with a burst of steam blowing from each side. My heart. Oh my. It was beating out of control that I could've sworn he must have heard or even felt it. 

Then, as if it couldn't get any worse, the warm wetness began to tickle in between my legs and I squeezed them tightly together. Hoping to stop my arousal. I still didn't understand how he could make my body react like this, instantly. It was like he had full control of it.

He heard him smile.

"What?" I asked, looking up to him.

I was completely enveloped inside his arms. My side against his hard chest. His arms wrapped securely around me. Our faces were inches apart. I was drowning in his scent. I could feel the heat radiating from his body. I could clearly see the glistening moisture of his lips. There was still a glint of darkness in his eyes, but it was softer now. The emerald green of his irises were getting clearer.

"A nice thought crossed my mind," he said, not taking his eyes off of me.

"Hmm. Care to share?"

"It's nice how you fit perfectly in my arms," he smiled. A genuine smile.

It was nice. It felt safe. And I didn't have the will or desire to fight him about it. To fight my mind when it was cursing me to slow the fuck down. Don't fall for it.

"It does feel nice. Thank you for keeping me warm." I looked at him. Neither of us wanted to unlock our eyes from each other.

"Achoo." Fuck this treachery.

I didn't see that coming. I sniffed after almost sneezing on his face.

"Oh God. Excuse me," I said as I lowered my face. Thank fucking God I was quick enough to turn my head away.

"Bless you," he chuckled. "Should we move to the car before you get sick? Unless you're ready to end the night."

He no longer had his arm around me. I wasn't even that cold before, but now I felt like Chicago winter had surrounded my entire body. I was almost getting myself accustomed to the warmth that he provided even for a short period of time.

"Car." I said sternly, "I prefer the car." I was now cold and the tiredness was finally creeping in, but I didn't have the desire to end the night. I definitely didn't want to end the night after almost sneezing and splattering my saliva all over his face.

The sound of the car unlocking along with the two flashes from the sedan's headlight had startled me. How could his movement be so sleek and swift?

He walked over the passenger side of the Audi parked next to my car and opened the door for me as he stood underneath the heavy rain. Not wanting him to get soaked from the rain, I jerked and ran towards the opened door and hopped in the car as fast as I could. He slammed the door shut as soon as I was securely inside. I was devoured by the scent of him and the black leather interior of the car.

Wow.

This car was sexy as hell. Was this guy loaded? How could a twenty four years old college student afford this luxury? I felt a twinge of intimidation. He slid inside the driver's seat and pressed on the start button as the engine quietly roared to life.

The car was lit with LED lighting from the dashboard and the flat screen with a welcoming message. He quickly blasted the heat and turned the knob of the heated leather seats to maximum heat.

"Sorry. I'll take a minute but you'll be warm soon."

I was desperately blaming the cold for my involuntary reactions. However, that was a defenseless lie. My heart had been throbbing through the skin of my chest from the waves of emotions I was slowly drowning myself in.

Sitting in his car, surrounded by the heavy rain outside caused my heart to skip a beat or two. This felt like a scene from a movie, but this time I got the female lead.

"Keep it on," he instructed when I shifted my weight to the side, trying to take his suit off of me as we were already in the safety of his car.

"It's okay. I'm not that cold anymore. Besides, I didn't want you to strip off your clothes on our first date. You might think I'm taking advantage of you." I tried to flirt. I was so rusty that it made me cringe.

Harvey laughed out loud, "I don't mind that at all."

"I bet you don't," I bit my lower lips at the sight and sound of his laughter harmonizing with the music that echoed around us.

"Ain't no use in fighting back. I want you, be my girl. I want you, be my girl."

"I'm really enjoying this night with you, Ally," he said. His body facing towards me.

"So am I. I don't usually do this," I confessed.

He had a questioning look as he tried to figure out what I meant.

"I mean, this is the first time I've been on a date after God knows how long. And I'm actually enjoying it. Minus all the embarrassing shit I might have said or done," I explained as I turned my gaze from him to my feet.

He smiled, relieved by the satisfying explanation he received. "Well, I'm glad you took a chance on me."

I looked up into his eyes, "a chance definitely worth giving," I confessed.

Now that we were in the safety of his vehicle, the rain was slowly calming down. But the world outside was still a blur as we kept our conversation flowing, blocking the echoes of the raindrops thundering on the roof of his vehicle.

"What?" I questioned defensively towards his lengthy stare. "Stop staring. It's intimidating." 

I combed my fingers through my hair, letting it fall to the side, thankful that it was long and thick enough to cover half of my face.

"God. You truly are beautiful," he confessed.

I could no longer recall how many times he had left me speechless. I knew I shouldn't fall for it so easily, but he made it so easy for me to fall for it. It was pathetic of me.

I closed my eyes as I leaned my head back on the headrest before looking out of the side mirror. I didn't know what he was seeing, but the shadow underneath my tiresome eyes was evidently not beautiful. I felt defeated.

"You're definitely full of pick up lines tonight."

"I'm only speaking the truth."

I didn't know what came over me when my arms extended towards him. 

He was taken back as soon as my icy hand caressed the side of his face, his soft stubble tickled my skin. 

"Why do you have to be such a good looking man?" I felt possessed. How could I just easily say that out loud?

Without a word, he leaned in closer in an attempt to do more than just stare at me. 

It was inviting. 

It was tempting. 

I knew he intended to plant his lips on mine. And I wanted as much. But it was too soon. Way too soon. I wasn't ready. I shouldn't be ready. 

The universe was still at my mercy when I finally came back to reality and reflexively gained the strength to hold him back with the grip of his face in my hand.

I softly tapped his face with my chilled palm. 

"I don't kiss on the first date. So, try again next time," I teasingly rejected him. 

I could see the defeat consumed his face and I smiled at this weakness. "I should go home." I shuffled around my seat to collect my purse.

Overwhelmed by the saltiness of my rejection, he quickly apologized and defended his action. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that. I'm not trying to force you to do anything."

"I know. Trust me, you don't have to force me to do anything." I assured him.

Hope blossomed on his face as he formed his signature, crooked smile. 

Without a second thought, I quickly leaned in, taking away the chance for him to respond. 

My face was inches away from his. I could see the change of his complexion as the heat radiated from him. 

I was close enough, but barely touching him. When my lips were only a breath away from his ear, I finally whispered, "I had a wonderful time. Have a goodnight, Harvey."

To my own surprise, I placed my warm lips slowly to the lower part of his cheek and planted a soft peck. It was only a peck. It barely lasted a second. I turned my head away and quickly stepped out of the car into the wet pavement of the parking lot. 

I turned back to witness the motionless soldier sitting in the driver seat, enchanted by my action. I couldn't help but smile triumphantly.

"Wow. You're killing me..." was all he managed to express out loud.

I giggled at my success. "You'll survive, soldier. We're just getting started. Goodbye, Harvey."

I smiled at the thought of leaving him in a puzzled state of mind. As I turned the engine on, my phone vibrated from the inside of my purse. I reached for the brightly lit device and found a new notification on the screen.

Harvey (12:37 am): Drive safely, beautiful. Until later.

Me (12:37 am): You too. No texting while driving.

Harvey (12:37 am): Yes, ma'am.

I drove away from the lot filled with ecstasy flowing through every veins and arteries in my body. I was happy from our successful first date and nervously excited for what was to come ahead.