Thanks for all you comments. Here is the Galex date. Really not sure about this chapter. Found it hard to get them in character...hope it doesn't disappoint.
Chapter 11
The drive to the restaurant took about 20 minutes and the journey was spent in silence, both feeling a little awkward; neither really knowing what to say. The Quattro came to a halt in a car park of a little country pub and Gene was out of the car and opening Alex's door for her, before she'd even registered what was happening.
"You can be quite the gentleman when you want to be, can't you?" she asked, a teasing hint to her voice.
"I try," he told her, holding the door.
"To be honest, I never really had you down as the 'hearts and flowers' type of man."
"I ain't really," he admitted, "but I thought I should make an effort."
"And I appreciate it, but it really isn't necessary," assured Alex. "You don't need to impress me or seduce me. You've already done that." She paused letting the meaning behind her words sink in. "Besides, I much prefer you as your usual bullish self." Gene chuckled, suddenly feeling more at ease.
"Right then yer posh tart, waggle that a*se into the restaurant; I'm starved!" Alex gave a hearty laugh and linked her arm with Gene to walk into the restaurant.
Conversation flowed freely while they sat in the secluded corner, eating their starters and main course. They talked about various things; work, Molly and how she was settling, and Thatcher's government amongst others. Alex even indulged Gene in some talk about football as the World Cup was fast approaching. She was amazed by his enthusiasm for an England win; he was so determined that this would be their year. She didn't have the heart to tell him that they wouldn't even make it to the knock out stages.
Once they had ordered their desserts, Alex met Genes' eyes and felt the atmosphere between them suddenly become more serious; it was time to have 'the talk',
"So then Bolls," Gene began nervously, "I believe there was some mention of discussing us."
"There was, yes. Is there an us?"
"I 'ope so, or I may 'ave made a bit of a **** o' meself today," Alex smiled shyly,
"What I mean is: what do you want? Is it just a physical thing; a fling? Or..." she trailed of unable to vocalise her thoughts.
"Or?" Gene prompted, needing to hear Alex say it.
"Or...something more?"
"Look Bolls, I ain't good with feelings an' expressin' meself but I think...I 'ope this," he waved his hand between them, "is more than just a quick shag." He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, "I ain't got a good track record wi' relationships and God only knows what a posh bird like you would see in an old wreck like me, but..." Alex shushed him by placing a hand atop his.
"Gene, we've both got our faults, but...I honestly think we could make it work. If you want to that is?" she asked, her uncertainty returning. Gene gently squeezed her hand, swallowing slightly before replying.
"I do," he told her, reaching out and lifting her chin up with his fingers. He leant across the table to within millimetres of her face. Hazel met grey-y/blue and he searched her eyes and whispered to her, "I want this. I want us." He slanted his mouth over hers gently. He swallowed her little gasp of surprise and took advantage of her open mouth. His tongue swept inside, slow and lazy, tasting her; savouring the jolts of sensation passing between them. Her lips were so full and soft. She shivered and tentatively rolled her tongue around his and he groaned heavily into her mouth and deepened the kiss.
Alex's head was spinning. Gene was kissing her again. He was so good at this; frighteningly good at this! His kiss was soft but insistent. Her ears were buzzing with the rush of blood in her head. Kissing him made her feel ... complete. This was so right. Nothing had ever felt this right. His hand had reached under the table and was hot on her thigh and the rest of the room was quickly going out of focus. They were in a restaurant for crying out loud; they had to stop this! She broke the kiss and leaned her forehead on his. They both smiled as they caught their breath,
"Wow," was all Alex could get out.
"Better not do that again; not 'ere anyway. Don't think a charge for indecent behaviour would so much for our careers," Gene commented. Alex nodded, looking down at the table, taking a moment to compose herself as their desserts were delivered. "What about Molly?" Gene suddenly asked, a forkful of Manchester Tart poised at his mouth.
"What about her?" asked Alex, puzzled.
"'Ow d'yer think she'll feel about this...about us?"
"Don't worry Gene. Molly likes you, and has made it clear on several occasions that she would be more than happy for us to be in a relationship," Alex assured, remembering all the comments Molly had made about them.
"Really?"
"Really! She can be quite perceptive when she wants to be," she told him with a smile. "What about CID? Should we tell them?"
"Might be a good idea jus' to keep it to ourselves for now. Y'know what that place is like; I don't want 'em gossipin' an' sayin' stuff...especially about you."
"I can handle them, Gene," she told him. "But on the whole, I think I agree; we should be discreet for the time being," she concurred, finishing the last spoonful of tiramisu. "About Molly…"
"She'll keep schtum, won't she?" asked Gene.
"She will, but that wasn't what I was going to say. I've...I've always been cautious about getting involved with anyone, because of Molls. Molly will always be my first priority and, in the past men have had a problem with that."
"I don't," he quickly assured.
"I know, but I don't want her getting hurt Gene. If this doesn't work out-"
"Why won't it work out? Yer said before that yer thought it could."
"I do, but nothing's set in stone is it? Who knows what will happen?"
"Well that's cheerful, but I think know what you mean. Look Bolls, I would never intentionally hurt you or Molls. Yer gotta know that."
"I do. I just...I'm not making much sense, am I?"
"Nowt new there Bolls. I'm used to it," he told her, taking her hand across the table and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
There we go! Was it awful? Apologies if it was.
