Chapter 7: An Unwanted Encounter

On Monday morning, Caterina woke up first as she had to get ready for work. She once again spent a short time enjoying the sight of the peacefully sleeping Maxxie before kissing him on the forehead and getting out of bed. He was not far behind her. This morning, instead of going into the bathroom separately, they shared the shower. This gave them a few minutes more of intimate contact. As they dried each other, Maxxie once again complemented Caterina on her slender figure.

"Your body is so perfect." said Maxxie, "I wouldn't want to change anything about it."

"You've got a perfect body as well, Maxxie." said Caterina, "Muscular, but graceful."

"It's a dancer's body." said Maxxie.

As soon as they had showered and dressed, Caterina prepared a light breakfast for the couple and let Maxxie take his time over it as she prepared to go to her office in the city.

Once they were ready to leave, Maxxie and Caterina walked hand in hand to Hampstead Northern Line station. When they reached the ticket hall, they embraced and enjoyed their first 'farewell' kiss of the morning.

"I don't want to say goodbye just yet." said Caterina, "Would you like to come to the city with me?"

"I'd love to." said Maxxie, "I don't want this dream to end either."

"I hope it isn't a dream." said Caterina.

They embraced and kissed again, oblivious to all the Monday morning commuters milling around them, before descending in the lift to the platform. For a change, Caterina welcomed the fact that the train was crowded as she could be really close to Maxxie. She held him close for most of the journey to Bank station. After they emerged from the Underground, they walked hand in hand to Caterina's office. When they got there they enjoyed another 'final' kiss.

"It is 'goodbye' for a while this time." said Caterina, sadly, "Where shall we meet on Tuesday evening?"

"How about here?" said Maxxie, "We could go out for a meal or a show – or both."

"After Saturday night," said Caterina, "I'd like to cook a meal for you. It won't be quite as 'cordon bleu' as your creation, but I know you'll like it."

"OK!" said Maxxie, "But don't feel obliged to do that."

"It'll be a pleasure." said Caterina, "Anyway, I'm going to do it because I really enjoy being with you."

"Where shall we meet, then?" asked Maxxie.

"We can still meet here." said Caterina, "Then we can have a quiet drink to chill out in the city before going home. My workmates usually go straight home on Tuesdays, so we shouldn't be disturbed."

"That sounds good." said Maxxie.

"Anyway," said Caterina, "Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend. I'd better go in to my office or I'll be late, so this will really have to be goodbye."

Maxxie and Caterina embraced each other and enjoyed yet another long kiss before actually saying "goodbye" to each other for the time being. Caterina entered her office while Maxxie returned home and readied himself for his evening performance.

For Caterina, the next two days passed slowly as she anticipated meeting Maxxie again. However her work colleagues did note that she was very much more cheerful than usual. She smiled frequently and her eyes sparkled. They concluded that something very nice must have happened to her over the weekend. When asked what, she merely smiled and kept her reasons to herself.

Maxxie was also feeling a lot happier than he had on Thursday evening. As a result, he danced with more energy and precision. He was also smiling more than usual. When the other members of his theatre company asked him why he was so cheerful, he kept quiet about his meeting with Caterina. He just left them to guess.

At last Tuesday evening came and Maxxie made his way into the city, arriving at Bank Underground station at about ten to five. As the weather was cooler, he was wearing a stylish leather jacket. At five o'clock, he was waiting on the pavement outside Caterina's office. He was momentarily distracted and was looking across the street when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"You came for me then." said Caterina.

Maxxie turned round, smiled, embraced Caterina and kissed her.

"Of course!" said Maxxie, "How could I forget you after last weekend. Where are you going to take me for your 'wind down' drink?"

"We're going to the place I often go to with my office mates after work on Fridays." said Caterina, "If you like good whisky, this place has quite a comprehensive selection."

Caterina led Maxxie into an alley a short distance from her office. On one side of it was a dimly lit but inviting looking bar. They entered, hand in hand.

"Wow, Katie!" said a voice from within, "So this is why you've been so cheerful this week."

Caterina blushed. She was not expecting to meet any of her colleagues on a Tuesday evening.

"Oh hello Julie." said Caterina, recovering her composure, "I thought you went straight home on Tuesdays."

"I usually do." said Julie, "But tonight, the Central Line's not running well, so I decided to come in here to kill a little time until things quieten down a bit."

"I suppose I'd have had to let you know sooner or later." said Caterina, "This is Maxxie. Maxxie; this is Julie, one of the girls I share my office with. Her friend is Christine."

"Pleased to meet you." said Maxxie, shaking hands with both girls.

"How did you get to meet him?" asked Christine, her eyes open wide as she looked at Maxxie.

"It's quite an interesting story." said Caterina, "I'll tell you tomorrow. No doubt the others will want to know all about him. Anyway, nice to bump into you two. Maxxie, what would you like."

While Caterina had been talking to Julie and Christine, Maxxie had been scanning the labels on the single malt whisky bottles behind the bar. Caterina and Maxxie moved up towards the bar.

"I'll have a single shot of Lagavulin." said Maxxie.

"Sure you don't want a double?" asked Caterina.

"I guess you'll be giving me wine with the dinner." said Maxxie, "So I'd like to stay reasonably sober. Anyway, let's see how it goes."

"A single shot it is then." said Caterina.

She ordered the drinks, having a Bacardi and coke for herself. Maxxie invited her to smell his whisky.

"What do you think of that?" asked Maxxie.

"Amazing!" said Caterina, "If it tastes as good as it smells, I might even like it."

She took a sip.

"Wow!" exclaimed Caterina, "That's much nicer than the stuff you were drinking last Friday. I might even like to try some."

Maxxie and Caterina settled down in a quiet corner of the bar to enjoy their drinks and discuss their unexpected encounter with a couple of Caterina's workmates as well as the forthcoming evening.

"I take it you hadn't told them about me." said Maxxie.

"I was hoping to keep quiet about it until we're an established couple." said Caterina, "Although I don't think I'd have been able to keep the secret for very much longer. The girls are getting far too inquisitive. I'm not very good at hiding my feelings."

"I feel we're already an established couple." said Maxxie, "Anyway, the other members of my theatre company have noticed that I'm happier than usual. They're also beginning to ask questions."

"We'll be open about it with our workmates." said Caterina, "Christine and Julie start early tomorrow, so everyone will know about you before I walk in to the office." Caterina winked at Maxxie, gave a sly grin and continued, "Let's give them something to talk about."

"I'll go with that." said Maxxie, also grinning and looking towards Caterina's two colleagues.

Having made sure Christine and Julie were looking towards them, Caterina and Maxxie looked into each others' eyes, smiling. She put her arm across his shoulders, turned towards him, embraced him and kissed him. He responded by kissing her and spending the next few minutes caressing her hair and her shoulders.

"That feels so nice." said Caterina, smiling, "Are you enjoying this."

"Of course!" said Maxxie, "I'm in a comfortable bar, enjoying my favourite whisky with a very special person. I can't remember feeling happier than I am now."

Maxxie noted that Caterina's glass was now empty.

"Would you like another one?" asked Maxxie.

Caterina looked at her watch.

"OK! We've got time." said Caterina, "In any case, it'll give those two a bit more to gossip about. I'll have what you're drinking."

Maxxie got up, ordered a shot of Lagavulin for himself and another one for Caterina. When he returned to Caterina with the drinks, he kissed her on the cheek as he sat down. She sipped her whisky.

"That's really nice." said Caterina, "I didn't think I liked whisky, but this is so smooth and it's such an interesting flavour."

"That's good." said Maxxie.

Maxxie and Caterina spent the next half-hour enjoying their whisky and continued giving the impression to Caterina's two colleagues that they were a close couple, very much in love with each other. Just after six o'clock they got up and headed for the door with Maxxie's arm round Caterina's waist.

"Goodnight Julie. Goodnight Christine." said Caterina, brightly, waving to the two girls and smiling, "See you two tomorrow."

The couple made their way to Bank Underground station and took the Northern line to Hampstead. They walked slowly hand-in-hand to Caterina's flat.

"What have you in store for me this evening?" asked Maxxie.

"It won't be as exotic as our dinner last Saturday, but I think you'll like it." said Caterina, "I'm doing my own take on beef stew and we'll open a bottle of Merlot. Everything's ready. I did most of the preparation last night. All I have to do tonight is make a couple of starters, heat up the stew and serve."

"I hope that means we'll have plenty of time together." said Maxxie, "I feel I neglected you a bit on Saturday."

"Of course we'll have time together." said Caterina, "And I didn't feel neglected. You were the perfect host."

They walked past the bar where they had met the previous Friday night and reached Caterina's front door. She let him in and made sure he was comfortable on the sofa with a cup of coffee and some music while she worked in the kitchen. Twenty minutes later, she returned to the lounge with the news that the meal was nearly ready.

"Do you need any help?" asked Maxxie.

"Not really, but I'd love it if you could help me set the table." said Caterina.

Maxxie got up off the sofa and kissed Caterina on the cheek as they headed for the dining area. She produced a twin candlestick and a couple of tall red candles while he laid the tablecloth and arranged the cutlery. She produced the bottle of wine, a corkscrew and a couple of glasses. Maxxie set the candles in the candlestick, lit them and dimmed the main lights while Caterina went to the kitchen and emerged with two beautifully presented portions of smoked salmon salad with vinaigrette dressing.

"Wow! Full marks for presentation." said Maxxie, "This looks really good."

"Thank you." said Caterina, as she sat down, "Let's start."

"Tastes really good as well." said Maxxie, "The dressing is just right."

"Thank you again." Said Caterina, "I had a feeling you'd like it."

When the couple had finished the starter, Maxxie removed the cork from the bottle of wine and poured a little into Caterina's glass. She sampled it.

"That's good!" said Caterina, "I'd better go and get the main course."

While Caterina was in the kitchen, Maxxie filled the two wine glasses. She reappeared with the two bowls of beef stew and placed them on the table. Caterina sat down, picked up her wine glass and invited Maxxie to touch glasses with her.

"To us!" she said.

Maxxie repeated the toast, "To us!" and took a sip of wine before starting on the stew. It was obvious from his expression that he was impressed. Caterina felt inwardly happy that Maxxie found her cooking to his liking.

"This is perfect!" said Maxxie, "This is a complete meal. It tastes absolutely delicious. The meat is so tender and the potatoes are amazing. How did you do it?"

"That's my secret." said Caterina, with a sly grin, "I did say it was my own take on beef stew."

"You're a genius in the kitchen." said Maxxie, "When you said beef stew, I was expecting something fairly plain, but this is something else."

"I'm glad I've returned the surprise." said Caterina.

"You've certainly done that." responded Maxxie, smiling.

Once they had finished the main course, accompanied by the red wine, Caterina cleared the plates and disappeared into the kitchen. She reappeared shortly afterwards with two individual portions of chocolate sponge with a rich chocolate sauce.

"There's one thing I should mention." said Caterina, as she served the dessert, "I'm a bit of a chocoholic."

"There's nothing wrong with that." said Maxxie, tasting the sauce, "This is almost ambrosial."

"What!?" said Caterina.

"To the ancient Greeks, ambrosia was the food of the gods." explained Maxxie, "The sponge itself is marvellous as well. It's even better than my mum's"

"Wow! Thank you!" exclaimed Caterina, "That is praise!"

It was obvious to Caterina that Maxxie had enjoyed her dinner at least as much as she had enjoyed Maxxie's the previous Saturday night.

"We'll have to do this kind of thing more often." said Maxxie as he finished the dessert, "Did you enjoy cooking it?"

"Of course." said Caterina, "I was cooking for someone special. Would you like some coffee to finish. It'll be filter coffee. My coffee maker isn't as sophisticated as yours."

"That's OK." said Maxxie.

"I'll put the coffee maker on and finish loading the dishwasher while it's warming up." said Caterina.

She disappeared into the kitchen with the remaining dishes and reappeared about ten minutes later with two mugs of coffee and a small jug of cream. She placed the coffees on the low table in front of the sofa, invited Maxxie to sit down, put on some quiet music and sat next to him. Maxxie put his arm across her shoulders and snuggled a bit closer to her. He kissed her cheek.

"Thank you for a really lovely meal." said Maxxie, "I'm not too close to you am I?"

"Of course not." said Caterina, "It's nice being cuddled by someone special."

While the dishwasher was performing, Maxxie and Caterina started by discussing how they were going to tell their colleagues about their relationship.

"When I get to the office tomorrow, everybody will know about us, thanks to those two in the bar." said Caterina, "So, as I said earlier, I'll be completely open about how we met."

"I think you'll have to be honest." said Maxxie, "Are you going to tell them I used to think I was gay."

"Probably not." said Caterina, "We get on so well with each other that I don't think that's relevant any more. Still, they are going to wonder how such a good looking guy as you was still available. The girls in my office, particularly Julie and Christine are so inquisitive. It's impossible to keep secrets for long. Are you going to tell your dance company about me?"

"I suppose I'll have to." said Maxxie, "I felt so happy on Monday that I couldn't hide it either. As a result, they were asking me a lot of questions. They didn't get any answers, so I expect they're going to start again tomorrow evening."

"We'll both be completely honest about it." said Caterina, "Don't you agree? After all, we are now a couple."

"I'm glad you feel that way." said Maxxie, "Because I do as well."

Maxxie leaned in, embraced Caterina and kissed her. Caterina and Maxxie spent the next hour or so daydreaming about their possible future. During the course of their discussion, Caterina managed to get her hand round Maxxie's waist inside his t-shirt. She pulled him even closer, put her other arm round him and, once again, kissed him. The dishwasher finished its cycle and Maxxie helped Caterina empty it and put the various items away. As at Maxxie's home on Saturday night, this process took far longer than it should as the couple frequently expressed their feelings for each other. During one of these exchanges, Caterina relieved Maxxie of his t-shirt. He responded by unfastening and gently removing her blouse. They embraced and kissed, passionately caressing each others' newly exposed skin. After all the items were put away, Caterina prepared two mugs of hot chocolate. The couple sat on the sofa. As they drank their nightcap, Caterina gently explored Maxxie's bare shoulders and back with her fingertips while he explored her waist and her thighs with his.

"That's so nice." said Maxxie, "You really know how to make me feel wanted."

"I just love the feel of your skin." said Caterina, "You feel beautiful as well as being gorgeous, Maxxie."

Once they had finished their nightcap, Maxxie took the cups back to the kitchen and retrieved his shirt. The couple went into the bedroom and, as before, stripped each other naked and enjoyed total intimacy with each other before sleep overtook them.