She turned and to her utter surprise saw the handsome Christopher Evans standing more like leaning on one of bars of the shelter. Gone was the jacket, his shirt cuffs were folded to showcase tanned, muscled forearms.

He looked nearly edible.

Rachel gawked at him; she was envious of the water droplets as they fell on his chest and arms, slowly, steadily but with a dire vengeance; almost caressing his body.

She moaned.

“I guess, I do meet your approval; ma’am?” Christopher raised his eyebrow.

Tearing her eyes away from the way the droplets greedily seeped into his shirt she exclaimed, “I am sorry”.

“Don’t be. I know I am pretty irresistible?” he asked, he seemed to relish her body’s disgraceful response to his presence.

Christopher unexpectedly took a step forward in her direction as Rachel stepped back, her back pressed against the cool wall of the shelter. She glanced back at the wall, then at him.

Unfazed by her defensive actions, he stood close to her. She could feel the heat radiating off his body.  She wanted to lean forward and touch him, touch that chiseled chest; now as she could see those hard planes flushed dangerously against his wet shirt, she knew her resistance would soon break.

Rachel felt her peaks harden bruising against her flimsy shirt as she crossed her legs calling her body into submission. His eyes travelled along her body and stopped at her twin peaks watching in fascination as Rachel blushed profusely.

“What is wrong with you? He is Trina’s remember.” She touted herself.

Christopher lifted his hands, as Rachel narrowed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath.

“Wh-what are you doing? She whispered.

His hands found a way towards her hair as she frowned, curiosity lining her face. “Just taking this sweet leaf out of your hair, ma’am,” he whispered back, leaning towards her, his hot breath tingling her earlobe.

She shuddered in delight. 

He took the leaf, brought it closer to his lips and soon kissed it before letting it blow away with the wind.  Rachel was enamored by the action, she furrowed her brows.

“Lucky leaf! Couldn’t leave the leaf that touched you untouched. Now could I?” He gazed into her eyes. Rachel looked down as her cheeks bloomed red.

“Beautiful,” he exclaimed as he moved back creating a space between them.

That action jerked her out of the spell. Rachel lifted her eyes, “Now, if you will excuse me.”

He didn’t budge. She continued to look at him as if asking him permission to let her leave.

Or not leave ever- her conscience screamed at her.

He brought his hand and gestured for her to take it. Rachel was confused as she was drawn in by his magnetic persona. Up closer with water dripping from his black hair; he looked like her very own, personal knight in shining armor.

“Excuse me?” Rachel raised her beautiful eyebrows and gazed questioningly at his hand. She may be attracted to that man. Hell, she was going crazy with desire for him but that did not mean she would throw herself in anyone’s arms, even if the said man, was him.

“The bus is not plying tonight. Didn’t you hear that over at the news? There is supposedly some strike. I am merely giving you a lift. I mean, can’t leave an angel like you alone and in this weather. ”

Rachel shrugged. She would have to just give a ring to her father only if she could walk two blocks away. She had to be a good distance away from the café to board his luxurious car.

“No. It’s alright. Thank you but I will manage.”

“Ma’am, I am not a complete stranger. I saw you working in that cute little café. As a recent regular customer, it would be my privilege to drop you home and besides I am certainly not leaving a gorgeous girl alone,” Christopher chimed.

Rachel caught her breath; he called her gorgeous. Must be his usual pick up line, her logical conscience argued. And the euphoria on being called something so sweet burned down.

“Say yes- I have to get you out of my system; Just some gibberish talk and no more free rides from me,” Christopher thought.

“Hmmmm,” Rachel tried to stall. God, he was so yummy but Trina’s. If he is interested in Trina then what is he doing here?

Chris lifted his hand and ran it through his mop of still wet hair, “Let me ask you a question was there news this morning that the police is looking for an escapee who matched this handsome face? If yes, then you’re free to leave- mind you, all alone if not then you’re coming with me.”

Rachel smiled. She knew he was ‘the’ Christopher Evans. She mused, what was he doing here offering her (a mere waitress) a lift while he could get on with a supermodel?

Should she give him a chance? But she did not know him- at all. Except the fact that he was sinfully attractive and was standing here in the rain and offering her a lift home, saving her from walking few blocks and refusing to leave her alone.

Rachel- no; her mind screamed at her. While her lips formed the word, “Okay,” she tilted her head.

“Yes,” Chris did the unexpected, he jumped and fist pumped the air.

A laugh ensued from Rachel. He was definitely adorable especially as he stood near her, turning on his boyish charms, waiting for her to take his bait.

But, little did he know. Rachel wasn’t new in this game. She might not have dated men but she was definitely aware of the tricks and subtle hints.

She pushed her hair behind her ear and took a step towards him as he moved and guided her towards his red Rolls Royce.

Like him; his car was fast, shiny and oh so sleek.

“It’s beautiful,” said Rachel, showing her delight after all that was her favorite car and her own model was perched rather delicately in her dad’s mansion.

Of Course, it must be. He was sure; a little beautiful girl like her had to be money minded. Not that he blamed or judged her but he had seen too many girls as sweet and seemingly innocent wanting only one thing from him; his money. Chris was un-moved.

Chris loved his Loco mobile. He had been to a five-hundred-mile race against the best cars from San Francisco to San Diego in the US in this very car. A race, Chris remembered with a grim smile, that he had won. His trophy was displayed very proudly on the mantle of his living lounge and the night with the beautiful brunette afterwards had been very satisfying.

He walked past her, opening the passenger door,”Ma’am,” he gestured her inside, made sure she was comfortable, helped her secure her seat belt in place before gently closing the door.

A man, no less a man with manners. A thorough bred gentleman.

Rachel liked that. A shame, Rachel did not believe in one night stands. This man could turn his charms on a goddess and here, she was a mere mortal woman. She stood no chance against his devilish ways.

Chris leaned past the big steering wheel to turn the ignition switch. His actions stretching his shirt.

Hot damn.

The closeness was causing Rachel to feel things that were not at all appropriate especially when she was in his car all alone and so very vulnerable.

She sighed, nervousness taking its place. Thank God, she lived barely five miles away; at least the sweet torture would not have to be ensued for a long time not that she was complaining.

She tightly pressed her legs together and begged her body to not betray her virile emotions.  Chris turned towards her and gave her a small smile.  The man was too irresistible as it is, the smile just made him devastatingly mouth-watering.

Rachel shivered as desire hit her in a maddening wave.

“Are you feeling cold?” he looked at her as he started the car and turned on the heat.

He looked like a Greek God, a man who was sure of his actions. A man who knew he had given a waitress a lift.

“Ma’am, may I know your name?” he gazed at her adoringly, a light smile adoring his lips.

“Why? Forgot yours?” Rachel bit her lip.

“Yes, seeing your gorgeous face made me forget everything that I used to claim to be mine,” he said almost in a husky whisper.

Goosebumps erupted on her arms as they both shared a laugh.

“It’s Cassandra, Cassandra Morgan,” Rachel was playing her cards well. Worst come worst scenario he wouldn’t know who she is until her big debut that was still due in three months.

“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady, I am Christopher Evans; but you can call me Chris,” he chimed.

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Chris,” Rachel replied politely. His name sounded so good on her lips. She figured Christopher thought of her to be a dumb little pretty waitress and had not recognized him.

Well, two could play the game. It would be a nice change from being the ever conscious stuck up Rachel as she internally smirked.

“So, where am I taking you,” Chris asked her.

“Hmmm. How about heaven?”

“Definitely a girl like you seemed to have descended from there but I am really thankful to God for sharing you with us,” he laughed and shook his head.

Yes, dumb as a button. Christopher laughed gleefully. Then, why was his heart not listening to his brain.

“Don’t find her cute. No, not cute. Stop getting attracted. She is not your type,” he scolded himself.

“Please drop me at the Fifty sixth, Cromsbay Street,” Rachel quipped. She took out her mobile from her purse and quickly messaged her dad’s chauffeur to pick her up from the afore-mentioned place.

“Sure, Cassandra,” Chris mused as he drove his car smoothly and steadily trying very hard to get her out of his head. The address seemed to be justified that is where the middle class habitation lived, he thought.

The silence between them was soothing; nothing was needed to be said. He liked this understanding. Chris wished he could have these moments with her again soon.

Where did that thought come from? Didn’t he just clarify that she didn’t swing the way he wanted his girls to.

The brunette after the race didn’t appeal him, intellectually that is but he did take up on her offer. Something in Cassandra told him she wasn’t like the other girls. There was an air of sophistication surrounding her that definitely did not come with being a waitress.

What was her story? Now, Chris was intrigued.

He wanted to know more.

He had to know more.

He watched her as she sat there looking at the passing vehicles via the side window; so serene, so angelic, so very beautiful.

He stopped his car at the designated place and jumped out to open the door for her. As she passed through the door, Chris purposely brushed his hand against Rachel’s. She felt as if an electric shock had passed through her, before closing the door.

She had to leave. She couldn’t let herself lose in his charisma again.

He stopped her and gazed at her. “Cassandra?”

She swirled in his direction but shied from looking into his eyes.

“I know this is terribly presumptuous of me, but you're a beautiful lady, and I was wondering if you might throw caution to the winds and have dinner with me tomorrow evening?”

Her first impulse was to reject him, but some forbidden door had opened and she fought a battle of principle against desire. “I’m not allowed to date my cafe customers. Besides, how do I know I can trust a complete stranger?”

He laughed and leaned toward her. “Number one, I can stop being your café customer right at this moment. And, number two, if you can’t trust a handsome guy who did drop you home safe then who can you trust?” He reached out and took her hand in his.

A terrifying wave of anxiety swept over her as she fought a losing battle. Her last barrier crumpled and, along with it, her final grip on control. All self-restraint had evaporated.

“All right,” she heard herself say, as if she was listening to a total stranger. “I get off work at five o’clock and thank you very much for the lift”

“Good,” he said, a little too enthusiastically, he thought. “I’ll meet you at the front entrance. Pleasure is all mine.”

He kissed her hand lightly, the gesture making her heart go wild as he tipped his head and went to his car and drove away.

Rachel just stood there as she spotted her dad’s car with a smile on her face, her heart fluttering in excitement, she would have to have a talk with Trina tomorrow about this unexpected turn of events.

With a light skip in her step, she turned towards her car.