An Actual First Date

Cara = Dear

I own no characters or cannon of Criminal Minds. Many thanks and blessings to those who created them.

XXXXXXXXXX

The next week brings a wide array of texts between them, both inquisitive and flirty.

From Dave to Penelope:

Do you have any food allergies?

What kind of movies do you like?

I can't believe I met such a beautiful woman last weekend.

I can't wait to kiss you again…

From Penelope to Dave:

What was the last concert you attended?

Do you like to read, as well as write?

I have to say I'm looking forward to another kiss myself…

There's one early-morning coffee date that ends with David placing a lingering kiss on Penelope's cheek as they stand on the sidewalk outside the cafe afterwards. He holds her hand, keeping her close to him. He hands her a small bouquet of flowers she somehow didn't notice - elegant but simple-enough that she's able to pass them as something she treated herself to at the office. Again, she can't keep the smile off her face.

Once the next Saturday night rolls around, Penelope finds herself outside David's rather large, impressive home. She's struggled with the idea of coming to his house since he asked her at coffee. But, she also trusts her gut - and more importantly - when she checks her gut, finds that she trusts him. So she accepted his invitation and she was here to have dinner with this man she barely knows… knowing nothing other than he's terribly handsome, well-educated and a fantastic kisser. Everything happens for a reason, she always says.

She suddenly feels like the bottle of red wine she brought is decidedly not fancy-enough, but, oh well, if there's a next time, she'll know. She fought off any insecurities that were creeping up on her by remembering this really handsome man asked her out on a date. She's getting zero creep-factor from him and he obviously has done well for himself. 'Settle down, Penelope…'

Once she reaches the porch, she needn't even knock as David is there to open the door for her. His smile is warm and inviting. His eyes shone… she had a feeling hers answered in kind. His arms were relaxed and posed to embrace her. She offered the wine, he thanked her and put an arm around her. "I'm so glad you're here," he whispered in her ear and kissed her temple. Any worry that existed moments ago was washed away.

He ushered her in, took her wrap and escorted her down the hall, to the back of the house. "Now, Cara, would you like to have a seat at the dining room table? Or would you like to keep me company in the kitchen while I put the finishing touches on dinner?"

Penelope laughed a quick, robust laugh. "That is the easiest choice I've made all day! I would love keep you company in the kitchen." He led the way, offered her a stool at the bar and poured her a glass of wine. He plated and finished garnishing their food. She took the opportunity to watch him move fluidly around his kitchen, like it was a second skin. Try as she might, she couldn't contain her fascination.

Once they sat down, all Penelope kept thinking, and saying to David, was 'dinner is amazing!'. She dared to notice her compliments almost made him blush, but she had the feeling he knew exactly how good a cook he really was.

Conversation flowed freely and there were innocent yet intentional touches throughout the meal and as she insisted on helping him clean up. To Dave, it felt like it was important to Penelope to help with clean up so he enjoyed the extra time with her in the kitchen. Dave's cleaning woman will be pleasantly surprised tomorrow.

"David, I really can't tell you what a beautiful home you have what a wonderful meal that was!" She chuckled as she put another dish up to dry. "I really don't think I've had something so delicious made for me since I last saw my abuela."

"I do hope the evening is not quite over," Dave leaned in close to her side. "We do have another bottle of wine to open. Join me for a nightcap?"

As seemed to happen with him already, Penelope could not say no. She didn't want to say no. She dried her hands on an offered towel and followed David to a living room where there was a leather couch and a fire lit in the fireplace.

"Could this be lovelier?" Penelope asked rhetorically.

"There is a firepit outside I like to use when we can bundle up, but I thought this would suffice for our first official date," he smiled. They sat. Dave opened his arm and Penelope snuggled closer to him. It seemed like the most natural, filling and perfect thing in the whole world.

"Really, everything has been perfect," she mused. They talked a little about their respective weeks. They talked about his repertoire of Italian cuisine and how he looked forward to expanding his vegetarian options. She talked about the traditional Hispanic flavors of her childhood and how she learned to cook from her Papa and Abuela, until they both passed. They shared side hugs, sitting together, and hands on knees, sometimes squeezes, and just wonderful, easy closeness.

After several she tried to quench, an un-mistakable yawn made it's way out of her. She sighed. "I really do need to get going, David," she said with equal parts regret and promise. While she could see falling into bed with this man, she was also in the mood for more than a one night stand. This man was handsome and clearly knew how to treat a woman. She drew a line in the sand that she could control herself, despite the wetness beginning to form between her legs.

Dave sensed there might be a tiny bit of conflict within Penelope about leaving versus staying the night with him. But he had certainly had plenty of marriages and conquests to know when a woman was worth waiting for. "Of course, Kitten," Dave took their wine glasses and placed them on the coffee table.

"…Kitten?!" Penelope laughed out loud. "Where did that come from?"

Dave lowered and closed his eyes. "Ah, okay fine, you got me," he kicked himself. His corniness had slipped out. "When you were cuddled so close to me, all fabulously warm…" he groaned to admit this. "I was thinking cuddling with you was like cuddling with a cat. But!" He hoped to pause any objection. "But then I thought no, you were more like a kitten because you're so cute."

His voice was so soft at the end, as if he didn't want to admit his train of thought. "Well," she responded in kind. "I do believe I can live with that." She closed the distance between them and kissed him softly.

He rose and offered her a hand up off the sofa. "Let's get you your wrap from the front room," he smiled, keeping her close. As they reached the foyer, he helped her arrange it around her shoulders. "You're sure you're okay to drive? I can bring you back to your place or order you a car."

"It was a few glasses of wine, over several hours and a delicious meal ago," she ran a hand alongside his cheek. "Thank you for such a fantastic evening, David. I really had a wonderful time." With that she reached up, placed another quiet but persistent kiss on his lips and embraced him. She stayed there, his hands around her waist and hers steady on his shoulders. The warmth radiated off of him and she really didn't want to let go. But, she took a deep breath and took a step backwards, looking up at him with shining eyes.

Dave walked Penelope to her car and after her assurances she would let him know when she was home safe, bid her farewell, watching her drive off. He went back inside, finished his glass of wine and waited for her text.

'Home safe. Thanks again for a lovely evening.'

XXXXXXXXXX

Sunday night arrived and Dave wanted to reach out to Penelope again. He weighed the pluses and minuses of texting so soon. Who knows what the 'dating rules' were these days - he had no way of keeping up. But he would admit he was smitten with Miss Penelope and while he would take it slow, he wanted to keep getting to know her.

He finally decided, you know? It's always nice to know someone's thinking about you. That's the theory he'd go with tonight and see where it landed him. 9:00, not too early, not too late, he sent off a test bubble:

'How was the rest of your weekend?' That was innocuous-enough, right?

'It was mostly spent thinking about how wonderful the first-half was…'

Alright. Good news there. They spent a little bit of time trading the news of their days. She slept in then went to her favorite Farmer's Market with her friend Jennifer. He called after his mother in the morning and took a long walk with Mudgie in the afternoon. They talked about what a beautiful day of sunshine it had been, the precious kind that would give way too soon to blustering winds in Virginia.

Before too long, Penelope was excusing herself by noting she needed to be up and at work early in the morning. Dave braved one more feat before they disconnected for the evening.

'Penelope, I hope you'll grace me with your presence for dinner again soon…' And while he could tell she started to write back, he slipped in: 'Maybe next Saturday night?'

Her response took a little longer than he anticipated - or rather, hoped - it would. But it finally came:

'I would love to. :)' And she continued: 'I think I mentioned this the night we met, but sometimes my work can get a little… chaotic. I.e. it doesn't always respect weekends. …and if I can be there, I will.'

Well that seemed perfectly reasonable, if not a little mysterious. But she was in IT. Dave was sure there were upgrades or outages or things that needed to happen during non-traditional business hours.

'Sounds great. We'll be in touch.'

That was satisfying to Dave. He went to bed, dreaming of blonde curls and soft curves.