I watch as he takes the winning shot. He's good. And definately cute. Tall, atheletic. Light brown hair and a sprinkle of barely visibly freckles across the bridge of his nose. Freckles that I should not be able to see from this distance, but I can. Yeah, he'll do. He must sense me watching him because he turns around and as his eyes meet mine, I know that I already have him hooked. He gives his best smile. Charming and sexy. One of those natural kind of smiles that the most gorgeous movie stars always have. You know, the ones that make all of the girls go crazy? Yeah, you know what I am talking about. So far, I have only seen it twice in my lifetime. Now of course, and once before. A really long time ago. But that's another story.

As his friends congratulate him on his victory, his eyes drift back to me and he smiles again. This time I return it with my own smile and a flirtatious wave that obviously gives him all the confidence he needs to break away from all of the testosterone induced pigs he calls friends, and make his way over to me. I wonder for just a second why he seems so shy. Surely he must be aware that he has the kind of raw animal magnetism that makes girls go weak in the knees. Surely he must think that I am no exception. And just maybe I'm not. That remains to be seen.

By the time he reaches me, I have long since decided that my tactic today will be to play the shy, coy schoolgirl. I bet that's his type anyway.

"Hi, my name's Stephen."

Stephen? Somehow I figured him for a Jeremy. Or Jason. What can I say, I have a thing for names that start with J. And I am usually so good at this kind of thing. I tell him so. He just laughs. It's a delicate, boyish laugh that seems even sexier in contrast to his fairly deep, smooth voice. "And what is your name?" he asks me, his voice breaking through my thoughts. "Marina". He nods in appreciation as he repeats my name under his breath. "I like it. M... it's a good letter. Not as good as J, but nice. " I giggle as he brings up my thing for the letter J. "You look worn out. Why don't you let me take you out for a drink," I say before I have the chance to remember my vow to act coy. But he doesn't seem to notice and as his smile grows, I know I have my answer. "My car is just around the corner. Just give me a sec," he says, wiping sweat from his brow and I just smile as he goes to get it. Looks like the day won't be a total waste after all.

After we spent and hour eating and I listen to all of his boring childhood stories, I take his hand and put on the charm.

"I had alot of fun..." damnit, what was his name again?

"Stephen", he offers up, looking at me a little strangely.

"Right. Right, sorry. Anyway, I had alot of fun. But could you do me a favor? See, I sorta have this boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend," I clarify. "And he called me earlier. Said something about stopping by my house tonight. He isn't violent or anything, but I would really rather not deal with him. So do you think you could...I don't know, follow me home in your car or something? Just in case he shows up."

Stephen looks a little worried but tries not to show it. But I can tell. "And...and you are sure he isn't violent?"

I smile as sweetly as possible and stick my lower lip out for extra effect. "He wouldn't hurt a fly." Boy is he in for a surprise.

I see him hesistate but he considers the possibilities of what I am asking and smiles. "Of course I'll follow you. I can hang around for awhile in case he shows up. If you want," he responds.

I smile shyly. "That sounds nice," I whisper, walking towards my car. "Now make sure that you watch carefully. Some of the roads towards my place are pretty tricky and if you get lost..." I leave the sentence open for interpretation as I give him a wary look. "But you won't," I add, brushing it off with a smile.

"Why don't I just ride with you," hesuggests,obviously not wanting to lose this opportunity by doing something stupid and getting lost. "I can stay on your couch," or something, "tonight and you can drop me back off in the morning." He realizes how that must sound but maintains his nice-guy smile hoping I see it as completely innocent. "Just in case he shows up, you really shouldn't be alone," He adds softly, furthering his impression of being concerned.

I pretend to consider this. Finally, I smile and pop open the passenger door. "Fair warning; I am a pretty reckless driver so I hope you don't have a weak stomach," I say brightly, flashing my icy blue eyes and sexiest smile as I finally decide to drop my innocent, schoolgirl act and take him for one last wild ride. I'm not totally heartless you know.

He hides his excitement and continues to play it cool. "I can take it," He boasts, flashing me a challenging grin. As he climbs into my car I see him quickly power off his cell phone. He must have a girlfriend, I observe with a smile. Isn't that cute?

Poor boy. He really has no idea what he is in for. I lower the convertible top and slip in a Metalica cassette, turning the music up as loud as it will go. I turn my head to smile at Stephen once more before I press my foot all of the way down on the gas pedal.

After about forty-five minutes of the most intense driving I have ever done, I quickly peel into the driveway of my two-story, victorian house.

All of the lights are off and I spare a brief moment worrying about Vic before I throw open my door and bounce out, more full of energy now that I am in my own terrain and I can feel Vic's power tugging at me just like it always does.

I pull open my versace bag and grab a brush, pulling it through my wind-blown blonde hair until it is under enough control for me to actually see Stephen's terrified face before he disguises it with mock arrogance and genuine excitement.

What is it about insanely wild chicks that gets guys all hot & bothered? I roll my eyes under my newly placed shades and grab his hand, pulling him out of the car with a force that I am sure is totally surprising to him.

He probably isn't used to chicks roughing him up with such ease. "Get inside," I command with inpatience that he probably mistakingly interprets as excitement. Silly boy!