CHAPTER 2

The story continues as Chief William Anderson begins to embark on what could be a serious relationship with his colleague, Dr. Veronica Chambers. Some unforeseen events take place before the date actually occurs, but the Chief is a resourceful guy and can handle himself in any given situation. Sometimes things aren't always as bad as they seem and can take a turn for the better. Love can happen when you least expect it. Besides, why should Mark and Princess have all the fun? Rating changed for content. I couldn't help myself.

I can't believe this is happening to me! Of all the dumb luck…Anderson cursed silently to himself as he checked under the hood of his black sports car. He was trying to determine the cause of the engine suddenly shutting off while heading towards Bay City with his lovely female companion for the night. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, he grumbled as he rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt and loosened his neck tie. I know I just had this car serviced. What a way to start the night! He had just picked up Dr. Veronica Chambers, his ISO colleague and date for the evening. Anderson believed he had everything planned right down to the letter. It was a gorgeous night. They had been traveling along the coastal route enjoying the night's scenic view of the beach, watching the shimmer of moonlight dance along the ocean's currents. The car had been riding smoothly until they rounded the mountain's curve and had then began to jerk and sputter before it came to an abrupt halt. He had made a mental checklist of things he needed to take care of before his date so it was frustrating for something like this to occur when he had the foresight to have the car maintenanced and then this happens. This is what I get for investing in a foreign piece of crap! He muttered and kicked at the car's bumper. Anderson thought back from the time he arrived at Dr. Chamber's front door…

Veronica seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the evening ahead, greeting him with a warm and inviting smile at her front door. Anderson's first thought was that she looked absolutely stunning. Her complexion was smooth and flawless, with its warm olive hue. Her eyes were slanted, feline-like and hazel colored with flecks of gold situated beneath thick, long lashes. Veronica's lips were full and lush, tempting even the most virtuous man to taste them. Her hair was dark and wavy, falling sensuously against the slope of her jaw line barely brushing her shoulders. She wasn't just tall, but statuesque and curvy; reminiscent of one of those late 60's pin-up icons. The unforgettable red halter dress she wore that clung to her figure was testament of that; the front of the ensemble plummeting to the valley of her breasts and clinging to the soft swells. The dress could've been spray painted on for all he knew. Anderson had to swallow the lump that had risen to the back of his throat while his eyes traveled from the captivating face of this beautiful woman down to those long, shapely legs of hers before settling on the healthy expanse of cleavage that made him want to sit up and beg like a canine. The only complimentary word he could mutter was "Whoa!" as he handed Veronica the small bouquet of roses he'd gotten her and he silently cursed himself after realizing he'd just uttered a phrase from his teenage son, Keye's, vocabulary. He rebounded quickly however and said, "You look incredible tonight." Veronica didn't seem to mind and a faint blush stained her cheeks as she took the flowers offered to her. Anderson was almost certain he saw a tiny dimple near the corner of those luscious lips of hers; something he'd been trying to ascertain since the moment he was first introduced to her at the I.S.O. a few months ago by his close friend and associate, Dr. Samuel Baxter. Since then, Anderson felt secretly indebted to the old guy.

The Chief of Galaxy Security had easily succumbed to the female bio-physicist's charms during their time spent together. Initially he tried to come off as disinterested but Veronica had managed to wear down his defenses. She was not only kind and extremely intelligent but quick witted exhibiting a wonderful sense of humor. Her laughter was infectious and Anderson was often surprised to catch himself enjoying the moment, laughing back in return. He began to look forward to seeing the raven haired beauty whenever his presence was required at the I.S.O. compound, constantly looking over his shoulder and above the heads of others just to catch sight of her. His other male colleagues had begun to take notice of Dr. Chambers as well. Anderson could see the proverbial wolves on the prowl and immediately his territorial instincts came out. He knew he had no claim on her, he'd only known her for several weeks, but for some reason he believed this woman could be the something, or someone that was missing in his life. His attraction to her was not only physical, and that was comforting to him. Though looking at her tonight he felt a little 'wolfy' himself.

Anderson stopped momentarily and peered over to his left to look at her, catching a glimpse of the good doctor staring back at him with those large hazel colored eyes of hers while one hand covered her mouth, apparently finding humor in the predicament they were in. Veronica waved at Anderson through the windshield and he returned the gesture with a nod and a tight smile before returning his attention back under the hood of the car, adjusting his glasses for the third time. At least he had the light of the full moon to go by, and he had managed to get the car underneath the road's only streetlight.Anderson pulled out his handkerchief to check the car's dipstick and discovered the oil was at the appropriate level. He rose up slightly and hit his head underneath the car's hood, while simultaneously Veronica winced at the mild injury inflicted upon her date. "Shit!" he muttered quietly to himself and moved from underneath the hood to stand to his full height, rubbing the sore spot on the back of his head. Real smooth Will. Now she probably thinks you're auditioning for 'Jackass-The Sequel.' You've managed to make a complete fool of yourself in only 20 minutes!

Veronica got out of the car and rushed to Anderson's side placing a hand to his shoulder while he made an honest attempt to keep profane thoughts to himself. She reached up to run her fingers through his hair, massaging the injured area with soft fingertips and for a brief second Anderson allowed his mind to drift, closing his eyes at the intimate contact.

"William are you alright?" Veronica asked in that deliciously throaty voice of hers. "It looked as if though that hurt," she indicated by eyeing the car's hood but still managed to rummage the pads of her fingertips through his thick mane of hair.

Reluctantly Anderson returned to Earth and opened his eyes to the sound of her voice. "Wha..? Oh…um I'm sorry Veronica. I'm fine really." Absentmindedly, he took the handkerchief he'd used moments before to check the car's oil level to wipe at the perspiration on his brow, leaving a dark smudge on his forehead.

Veronica placed her hands over her mouth but couldn't withhold her laughter, and immediately began to do so outright. Anderson looked at her questioningly. She responded by taking the cloth out of his hand and showing the grease that existed on the once white handkerchief.

"What the…?" he began. Anderson's brows arched suspiciously and he reached up to wipe at his forehead, feeling the tiny oil slick there. He sighed heavily and shook his head before returning his attention to the woman whose continued laughter goaded him into looking at her.

Veronica's chuckles were very infectious and Anderson soon found himself joining in on the gag. "Apparently I'm the butt of the joke for the evening." He folded his arms in front of his broad chest and looked with mock sternness into Veronica's mischievous face. "If I didn't know better I'd say you were enjoying this." His voice, already deep-timbered, had lowered an octave.

Veronica moved closer to stand in front of Anderson's tall frame. She reached up to remove his glasses, folded the spectacles, and tucked them into the front of her dress settling near the swell of her breast. She then looked at the handkerchief, found an area that was still clean and reached up to wipe at Anderson's forehead. He methodically watched every move this woman made and felt awkward just standing still, his hands at his sides.

"I have to admit that I've enjoyed myself immensely at your expense William." She was so close that Anderson felt her warm breath against his lips. He watched as she bit her bottom lip while continuing to wipe at the smudge of oil on his forehead. "You just looked so darned adorable and clueless, I couldn't help myself." She had placed one hand against his chest to balance herself.

Anderson could now smell her perfume, a subtle fragrance of summer citrus and wildflowers, drifting into his nostrils. Feeling slightly off center, he moved suddenly to place his hands behind his back, but the movement caught Veronica off guard and she tilted forward. Anderson had caught her, placing his hands on her hips to steady her, pulling her close to him.

Both of her hands were now resting on his chest and she coyly looked up into Anderson's face. Her playful eyes locking with his rich, brown ones she murmured, "It seems as if though you caught me. Have you always been so quick to react when something falls your way?"

Anderson cocked his head slightly. "Depends on what the something is. I wouldn't want it to slip through my hands," he answered quietly as his hands began to smooth her bare back. Another benefit, he discovered, of her wearing this magnificent red dress. Woman, I could eat you like an apple, he thought wickedly.

Veronica continued to stare up into his handsome face and inched closer into the circle of his arms. She decided to take advantage of the situation, studying his features through fascinating new eyes. He really was a gorgeous specimen. Tall, well over 6 feet, muscular, and lean. His wavy brown hair with a touch of grey at the temples was now tousled slightly, having been sifted through by the breeze off of the ocean. His mocha colored eyes were rich and deep, almost penetrating in their soulfulness. His lips were full underneath his mustache, appearing soft up close, kissable. And being under the hood of that car of his did not diminish that delicious scent of his. I'm almost certain that's peppermint, sandalwood, and…Veronica took another whiff and purred. Mmm, maybe it's just him. At the I.S.O. Anderson radiated such a hard-edged personality, always aloof and distant; ever the serious Galaxy Security Chief. It was his subdued manner that attracted Veronica to Anderson in the first place. He was highly dedicated to the Federation's cause to prevent Spectra from taking over planet Earth and its allies. As the weeks went by she was pleasantly surprised to discover that beneath the staunchness lurked a very different man in private. A man who loved a good joke and had his own tilted sense of humor. One who still opened doors for her and pulled out her chair for her because he chose to, not because she expected him to. One who seeked to truly know about her and ask her opinion on things. Anderson treated her like a lady and his equal. And when he smiled at her from across a crowded room, radiating such heat that she literally basked in it for hours afterwards. She wasn't really that surprised when he asked her out. The sexual recognition had been there and she'd been curious to see which direction their relationship was going in. Without thinking, Veronica sighed wistfully and stroked at one corner of Anderson's mustache.

He stood in place, mesmerized by her actions. Several minutes had passed as the two continued to gaze at each other with heightened interest but it had to come to an end. "Umm…are you done?" Anderson asked, indicating if she were finished with her perusal of him.

"Huh?" Veronica jerked as if though awakened from a dream and smiled as if though she were hiding a secret. "Hardly," she answered simply, but her tone suggested something else. She fingered his hair to right of his forehead. "But for now your face is clean." Veronica stepped back slightly and Anderson reluctantly released her. He tore his gaze from her face, and his eyes settled on his glasses situated between her cleavage.

He looked up and discovered he'd been caught; Veronica's smile knowing and come hither. Anderson cheeks were tainted slightly and he coughed, nodding his head in her direction. "I believe those are mine," and he pointed at her bosom.

Veronica did a double take. "Excuse me?" she queried as her eyes narrowed. It was Anderson's turn to bite his bottom lip as he stepped closer rubbing the back of his neck.

"My glasses Veronica. You have my glasses in your…" and his eyes shifted upward. God if I look at them again I might as well fall at her feet.

Veronica looked down at herself and noted Anderson's eyeglasses. "Oh, I'm sorry." She fingered the glasses and handed them to him with a twist of her lips. He replaced them promptly over the bridge of his nose. "You know you look just as good without them as you do with them," she continued as he adjusted them.

Anderson stared at her briefly and smiled at the compliment. "Thank you. Unfortunately I need them to see. I suffer from astigmatism." He walked towards the car. "And I can see that we aren't going anywhere in this car tonight." He slammed the hood of the car down and sighed heavily. "Damn it! I'm so sorry Veronica. I swear to you I just had this car serviced. I don't know what could've caused it shut down the way it did." Anderson turned to sit on the hood of the car and combed his fingers through his hair before folding his arms in front of him. He frowned and began to pat at his chest, suddenly remembering he had placed his cell phone in his shirt pocket. Anderson whipped out the small device and flipped it open. "No matter. I'll just call for roadside assistance. We might still be able to make our reservation." He had barely pressed the speed dial button before Veronica relinquished the device from his hand. Anderson gaped at her questioningly as she put his cell phone behind her back. "What are you doing?"

Veronica twisted her waist from side to side while clutching the cell phone behind her. "I'm testing your level of spontaneity. Just once, William, I'd like to imagine you out of your element. Without being able to call for back up." She walked steadily towards him as he placed his hands against his thighs. "How would you handle tonight if you didn't have this cell phone?"

Anderson clicked his tongue and nodded before answering, "Well normally I wouldn't do such a thing but since I'm being tested at this moment, I'd say walk." He gestured his head in the direction of the small glow of light radiating in the sky. "Probably toward those lights west of us. I'm almost certain I could find help." He held his hand out to her. "Can I have my phone back now?" he asked almost smugly.

Veronica was standing between his long legs now, directly in front of him. "On one condition. About a half mile from here is a little restaurant that I know of situated along the shore. Nothing fancy but the food is good. If you're game, we could go there and see where this date takes us."

"I made reservations at an exquisite French restaurant complete with gourmet food and you'd rather eat at some roadside restaurant?" Anderson sighed. "Well you're an inexpensive date I'll give you that." Veronica laughed and that dimple he'd been aching to see appeared near the corner of her mouth. The site mesmerized him and he felt compelled to touch her, reaching for her by placing his hands on her waist. "You know, I like you Veronica. Very much. Would you mind it if I kissed you?"

Veronica eyed Anderson suggestively and murmured before lowering her head to his, "So much for my next question." They moved slowly towards each other cautiously, as if waiting to see how the other would respond. Anderson urged Veronica closer, his hands splayed on her hips as he watched her lips descend within inches of his own. He closed his eyes as he captured her bottom lip first, then her top lip before easing his warm tongue between the seam of her lips. He savored the sweet taste of her before his tongue curled deliciously around her own and Veronica thought she would die from the pleasure of it. The cell phone in her hand had been forgotten and she dropped it on the ground as her hands migrated to Anderson's cheeks, cradling his face in her hands as her mouth moved against his, deepening the kiss, familiarizing herself with him. His mustache was amazingly soft and Veronica discovered she liked the feel of it brushing sensuously above her lips. A moan escaped from deep within Anderson's throat and his hands traveled up toward the base of Veronica's bare back, his firm hands warming her soft skin that was exposed to the cool night air. The sudden blast of a car horn from a group of boisterous kids driving by interrupted the heated exchange causing them to reluctantly tear apart from each other, but neither letting go of the other. Their lips were only a whisper apart, barely touching as they watched each other with hooded eyes.

It was Anderson who spoke first. "So was that spontaneous enough for you?" His hands continued to rub at her bare back as he watched her.

Veronica stroked at the hair at the back of his neck situated right above his collar. "I'll give you brownie points for the kiss." She nodded her head while nuzzling his nose. "Pretty hot for a Galaxy Security Chief. But I thought a kiss signified the end of the date."

"I make my own rules and I prefer to think of this as a new beginning for both us. What better way to start out than a kiss between friends."

"Just friends? That was some kiss. How would you kiss a lover?" A hint of mischief sparkled from her hazel eyes.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Anderson responded cleverly. "That was just a prelude to what could happen if this relationship went any further. Are you interested?" He knew the answer before she said it.

"On one condition." She murmured against his lips. "That you feed me. I'm starved." Well he thought he knew the answer.

"I'm hungry too," Anderson grumbled nipping at Veronica's bottom lip. But not for food. He moved her away from him before catching sight of his cell phone and leaned forward to retrieve it from the ground. He brushed the dust off as he spoke to her. "So we're walking huh? Not exactly what I had in mind but if it pleases the lady then so be it." He stood up from his seat on the car's hood and walked to the driver's side.

"Now that's what I like to hear. A man who willingly surrenders." She smirked while he threw a scrutinizing glance her way, checking his car before grabbing his jacket off of the driver's seat and closing the door.

"I'm not always this easy to get along with," Anderson warned and placed his jacket over her smooth shoulders. The night air near the ocean had begun to cool and he sensed that she needed coverage without asking. Veronica smiled to herself as he adjusted the jacket to his liking. He'll take good care of you. I can't wait to find out more about you William.

Anderson watched the curve of her mouth. "You're smiling and I've known you long enough to know you're up to something." He turned and looped his arm to allow her arm to link with his elbow before pushing his hands into his pants pockets. "What are you thinking?" He asked as they began to walk toward the restaurant that Veronica suggested.

"That the night has just begun William," she responded leaning her head against his shoulder. "The night has just begun."

Thanks for reading. There's more to come…