The next couple of days I stayed at my cabin and explored the area around it. On the fifth day of my isolation (or five days into my anti-social ways) I ventured out for more food. I dressed had had just turned on the ignition when I glanced in the rearview mirror. Mort was standing at the end of my driveway, clad in a tee shirt and tan slacks, his hair messy. My heart stopped. It didn't cross my mind that it was odd to see him here, seeing as how I never told him where I was living. I turned off the car and stepped out.

"Mr. Rainey!" I called, a huge grin taking over my face, "Hey!"

"Call me Mort, please," he said, putting his hands in his pockets and walking towards me.

"Then call me Jada."

"Alright…Jada," Mort said slowly. God, my fake name sounded so sexy when he said it.

"I was kinda wondering...if…you'd…I mean, you don't have to, obviously," Mort stammered, "But would you like to have dinner with me tonight? I know it's short notice and all, but…"

I stared at him, dumbfounded. Did Mort seriously just ask me out? On a date?

"Yeah, sure! What time?"

Hey, Jada didn't have a boyfriend.

I sat on the red couch, watching the clock. 7:28. I was all dressed and ready for tonight with Mort. I didn't know where we were going for dinner, so I dressed kinda casual, but a little dressy. 7:29. He'd be here any second. I turned off my cell phone and set it on the coffee table. I did not want Sidney calling halfway through the night. I didn't want to lie to him, but there was no way I'd be able to answer truthfully if he asked what I was up to. A few knocks came from the screen door, and I jumped up quickly, smoothing my capris and shirt on the way to the door. Mort stood there, dressed in gray slacks and a striped polo, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh, Mort! You shouldn't have!"

"But I wanted to," He answered, grinning.

"They're beautiful."

"Nowhere near as beautiful as you, Jada."

Okay, now was not the time to stop breathing. Why does he have to be so darn good looking?

"Thank you, Mort," I said, blushing, "for the flowers and for making my day."

He just smiled his gorgeous, heart stopping smile. After putting the flowers into water, we left. Once in his Jeep, the conversation flowed. It was a relatively short drive to the restaurant, but it was more than enough time for me to fall even harder for Mort.

At the restaurant, the waiter stared constantly at me and spilled my drink and tripped over his own feet while serving me. Mort took notice of this and glared. While Mort was talking, I found myself dreaming once again how it'd feel to be in his arms, to put my head on his chest, to listen to his heartbeat...but the waiter interrupted my pleasant thoughts.

"Excuse me, miss, but if you don't mind me saying so…you're beautiful."

I half grinned, clearly taken aback. Honestly, he was telling me this in front of Mort? Dude. It was uncomfortable enough to have that conversation alone, but in front of others…especially other hot people…

"Oh, thanks," I told him.

Mort put his hand on top of mine, which was resting on the table, interlacing our fingers.

"I know, isn't she?" Mort said, addressing the twentysomethingyearold server.

The waiter's eyes widened as he stuttered, "Sir, I-I-I'm sorry, I didn't r-realize you two were…"

"Well, it's kinda our first date. I'd appreciate it if you could take your eyes off of her," Mort said lightly.

"Yes, sir. But you realize I'm not the only one here that's taken by her?" The waiter motioned to four other dinner customers. He was right. The other men were sneaking peeks and stealing glances.

"Yeah," Mort answered, "I know. Check, please."

"Mort," I said, standing at the car door, "I'm sorry about that, I—"

"Jada, everyone can see that you're gorgeous. Don't apologize," He smiled, his face inches away from my own.

"Well…you're not bad to look at either," I said awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.

"Really?" Mort whispered, sotto voce, his eyes sparkling. I caught his scent and was thoroughly enjoying the closeness. I nodded.

"Well, that's quite the compliment, Jada."He opened the car door for me and soon was driving back to my cabin.

I didn't want this night to end just yet. I wanted to kiss him. Badly. I wanted him to wrap me in his arms and never let me go. I wanted Mort more than I ever wanted Sidney. Mort turned on the radio and turned to the right, away from my house.

"Hey, where are we going?"

"Hang on, Jada, it's a surprise!" He turned onto another gravel road and drove for another ten minutes.

"Here," He said playfully, "we are." Mort jumped out and got to my door before I even had the chance to get unbuckled.

"Madame," He teased, offering his hand all dry and English slow. I took the hint.

"Sir."

He's made physical contact with me twice tonight! Score for me!

Mort led me over to an astonishing pond. The land was incredibly green and daisies of all colors were scattered throughout the field.

"I thought that you might like this," he said, squeezing my hand. I smiled, nodded, and dragged him over to the edge of the water, plopping down in the cold grass.

Nothing could be better. I was here with Mort. The daylight was fading. leaving the sky a dark romantic blue tinged with purple and pink, with some stars winking at us. The crickets began their chirping and Mort wrapped an arm around me. I snuggled against his chest. I inhaled deeply and tried to memorize the way he smelled. I could get high off of him.

He rested his chin on the top of my head. It felt so good to be so close to him. it felt so…right. We didn't say anything for a while. Mort shifted and bent to look me in the eyes. His face was closer than it had ever been before. I could feel his breath.

Closer.

I leaned in, and his lips met mine, sugary. After one kiss, he pulled away and smiled. Then he leaned back in and kissed me again. He tasted amazing and was such a better kisser than Sidney.

Mort deepened the kiss, pressing harder and harder on my lips. He put one hand on my waist and soon mine found his hair and the nape of his neck. He pushed me down on the grass, amid the flowers, his lips never leaving mine. Now he was laying partly on top of me, pinning me down to the ground, his hands on my face. He began to soften the kisses, barely brushing his lips against mine.

Even though I knew it was wrong to let this happen, let alone keep kissing him, I hungrily pressed up against him for more and pulled him as close as I possibly could. I could hardly stand it, how good this felt. Eventually I pulled away for air and Mort lay down next to me, allowing me to snuggle in the crook of his arm. He pulled me close and with his free hand brushed the bangs out of my eyes.

"You know," he whispered seductively in my ear, "you're something else."