The tension is rising. You'll have to fill in the blanks with your own imagination in places as I don't think I'd be able to do 'it' justice or top what has already been written by other OG FF writers. I'm more about the story, which I hope you'll agree is moving along nicely.
Charles is in trouble
Molly misses the train
Charles checks his watch and realises that if he stops at Qaseem's for a coffee this morning, he's going to be late for his eight o'clock meeting. It's never a quick stop at the café and he'd rather miss it than rush in and out and appear rude.
He feels a bit guilty as he hasn't been in much over the past few weeks but has been spending quite a lot of time with his mother helping her sort out her affairs. He's also been really busy at work and travelling a fair amount.
He's genuinely interested to hear how Qaseem's new office delivery service is going and intrigued to find out more about Qaseem's newest recruit. Qaseem does seem rather taken by this new girl, not in a romantic way but says her humour and spirit reminds him of his daughter.
He has to admit to being slightly surprised when Qaseem told him that he'd given a job to one of his former high-flying customers. He hopes this girl isn't taking advantage of Qaseem's good nature. He's sure he will get to meet her soon, but that will all have to wait for another day.
Molly catches the train
Charles checks his watch for the tenth time, knocks back some wine and tell himself to relax. He thinks he knows Molly well enough now to trust that she will turn-up, but that she will almost certainly be a few minutes late no doubt with some bullshit but non-the-less entertaining excuse or story. He smiles and reminds himself that it has only been two weeks since he finally plucked up the courage to go around and see her after nine agonising days of wondering how she was doing.
Elvis might be an annoying prat at times, but he'd been quite insistent that Charles would regret not taking a chance on this woman and he was right. He's still not entirely sure how Elvis got the address in the first place, he'd just tapped his nose and muttered something about not revealing his Special Forces secrets, but he suspects it might have something to do with Molly's friend Jackie. To be honest he's not sure he wants to know as he's learnt over the years it is better to not get involved in Elvis' personal life, which has a habit of getting complicated. He shudders recalling all those years ago when he had to deliver the news to Elvis' fiancé that she was being jilted at the altar. Yes, definitely better to not get in-fucking-volved.
-x-
When they'd left Jackie's house that first day they'd walked in silence for a bit before Molly had said, "I'm not sure I should be 'ere Charles. You've been really kind and funny, and I think yer really bleedin' attractive, but I'm not in a good place. It's not fair on you."
He'd been completely taken aback by her honesty, but delighted that she found him attractive and that is sounded like she might have feelings for him too. He knew he was going to need to take things slowly with her, "Molly, listen. Sometimes we are plonked into people's lives when they just need to be cheered up and reassured and it turns out that for some reason it's your job. We don't know why. In your case, it's my job."
At this point she had put her arm through his and he'd felt electrified and emboldened by her touch, "My intentions are completely honourable. I have no desire to overstep the mark. I'm happy to wait out. Seriously."
She'd started giggling at this point and had squeezed his arm as he'd continued, "But, I'll be honest, the fact that I find you moderately attractive, just makes the job easier on my part."
She'd stopped walking and given him a mock stern look, "Only moderately attractive?"
He loved their easy banter, "A-ha! I knew you were listening. Well you know, lose the sad eyes, the droopy mouth…"
At this point she had given him a playful punch, "Oi, I could get you an upgrade."
He'd laughed loudly, "So, having firmly established the ground rules, what are you doing Friday night?"
She'd thought for a few seconds, "Probably killin' meself."
He'd laughed even louder and had shaken his head, "Lovely, what time does that finish? Would you like to have dinner with me?"
-x-
They've now been out together three times and although nothing physical has happened, he knows he's falling for Molly in a big way. He's been completely and utterly enchanted by her since he first spoke to her on the tube and that night in the restaurant. The more time he spends with her, the more his feelings for her are growing. He's never been with a woman who challenges him and makes him laugh so much. He's also hopelessly attracted to her physically and in all honesty, is finding it increasingly hard to wait out and keep his hands off her.
-x-
He checks his watch again and realises he is nervously tapping the table. He's come up with what he thinks is a great idea and can't wait to talk to her about it, but is also a tad concerned that she might think he's interfering in her life.
She bustles into the restaurant, turning heads as she does. She looks absolutely stunning this evening, not that she doesn't always look amazing to him, but tonight it seems as though she has made a special effort. The simple, but elegant, green figure hugging dress complements her eyes perfectly and is matched with a pair of killer stiletto heels. She's wearing her hair down and the glossy waves frame her beautiful face. He takes a deep breath and tries to push away the overwhelming feelings of lust taking over his body. God, he feels like a bloody teenager, not a 38 year-old ex-British Army Captain and successful businessman.
Pulling himself together, he stands up and walks towards her, giving her a quick kiss on her cheek, whispering into her ear, "You look beautiful Molly."
As quick as a flash she's deflecting his compliment, "You don't look too shabby yerself."
He leads her to their table, pulls out her seat and pours her some wine. Unusually, she's quiet and he's worried that he's stuffed things up already. He's not sure how to break the silence, and is relieved when the waiter brings over a couple of menus.
She grabs a menu and starts studying it carefully. "Charles. Are you ready to order? I'm bleedin' hank marvin'."
Shit, he has ruined it. She wants to eat and run. It's different between them this evening. Up to now they've been very relaxed around each other and their dates have been casual. Maybe this restaurant is too much, it's too formal.
He's still trying to work out how to retrieve the situation when they're once again joined by the waiter. They order their food and she excuses herself to go to the Ladies. She's been gone for a few minutes and he's beginning to get worried that perhaps she has done a runner. Feeling slightly foolish he decides to go and check on her. He's standing in the corridor outside the toilets trying to figure out what to do next when she comes out. Before he can even register what is happening, she has launched herself at him, with surprising force, pushing him against the wall and is kissing him passionately. He's responding with equal passion and then as quickly as it started, she's pulling away and heading back to the table. He takes a moment to compose himself and follows her.
She's smiling shyly at him, "I kissed you."
He's grinning at her, "Yes, I spotted that, too. You weren't going to do that."
She looks slightly sheepish, "Um, would you mind just puttin' it down to a momentary lapse of ….. concentration?
He's staring at her, desperately trying and failing to read her, "Is that what it was?"
She's smiling at him again, "Nah. I've been desperate to kiss you since….." She doesn't finish her sentence, leaving him wondering how long she has wanted to kiss him.
Once again, he's disarmed by her honesty. He feels compelled to explain his feelings, "I don't want to be a confusion in your life, Molly. I don't truly. But something's happened to me since I've met you…. Something that I wasn't expecting, and I don't really….. ". Shit, for someone who is usually so good with words, he's aware that he's garbling. "Well, well, I wasn't expecting this. Shit, repetition of expecting. I must buy a thesaurus. Anyway, I….."
She leans over and whispers in his ear, "Shut the fuck up Charles" and kisses him again. This time it is gentle and silencing.
They are interrupted by the waiter bringing over their starters and settle back into easy, safe conversation, sneaking glances at each other as they eat and chat.
-x-
They've finished their main courses when he remembers his great idea. He's not so sure whether to bring it up now or not, but encouraged by how well they are getting on again, decides to risk it, "Molly, I've been thinking."
She looks mischievously at him, "Oh dear Charles, that does sound dangerous."
"So, you know Elvis is opening his first restaurant in four weeks… well, he's completely disorganised. I was wondering if you might be able to help him with his PR?"
If she's phased by the idea she doesn't show it, "Well, I could come and take a look. I can't promise much, but I'd be 'appy to 'elp in any way I can. I think I might gonna owe him….."
"Well he could be your first client."
She looks a bit confused, "What d'ya mean, first client?"
"Of your PR company."
She scoffs at this idea, "Oh yeah, I'm just gonna set up my own PR company!"
He's expecting this reaction and has planned what he's going to say, "Yes, well, why not? You've got the experience, the know-how, the contacts. Do you want to spend the rest of your life working for other people? Hey, what's the worst that could possibly happen?"
She snorts and rolls her eyes, "I could fail miserably and look like a complete tosser."
"Exactly, so what is there to worry about?" He extends his arm across the table and picks up her hand and gives it a gentle kiss. He laces his fingers with hers and is stroking her knuckles, looking intently into her eyes, "Molly, I want you to be brilliant."
-x-
It's later and they've left the restaurant and are walking arm in arm along Chelsea Embankment. She stops in view of Albert Bridge, "I love this bridge. Me great-grandfather 'elped build it. I often stand on it when I wanna…."
He puts his arms around her and pulls her in close, jokingly whispering, "When you wanna build a bridge?"
She looks at him seriously, slipping her arms around him, changing the mood, "I've had a really nice time tonight, Charles."
He pauses, cupping her face in his hands and tilting her head upwards, "Ditto". Shit, he thinks, where the bloody hell did 'ditto' come from. She's not going to let him off this one.
She pulls back and looks at him incredulously, "Ditto? Bleeding ditto?! I was expectin' somethin' a bit more romantic than ditto."
"Sorry." He pulls her back towards him and simultaneously this time, they kiss. Gently at first, mouths and tongues exploring each other, becoming more urgent and passionate as they forget where they are.
Eventually he pulls away, breathless and struggling for composure, "My houseboat is close. I live alone, there's no flatmate."
She throws her head back and laughs. He's looking at her questioningly, "What's funny? There is nothing remotely bloody funny about that."
She's teasing him now, "It's just the way you said it, like you were desperate to lure me back."
"Well, did it work?"
-x-
He wakes before her the following morning, early waking being a legacy of his Army days. He doesn't get up but instead is watching her sleep, enjoying the sensation of having her naked and cuddled tightly into him. It feels so right having her here in his bed, by his side.
She starts to stir and he can't resist placing a few light kisses on the top of her head and stroking her hair, "Morning."
She tightens her hold of him, molding her body even closer to his and murmurs a sleeping, "Mornin' yerself."
He's hardening in response to her contact, "Christ Molly. What are you doing to me?"
She doesn't answer, but takes control of the situation and he is lost to her.
-x-
Much later, they're eating breakfast, "Well Molly, last night and this morning was a pretty major lapse in concentration."
She smiles at him coyly, "What can I say?... I'm sorry?"
He doesn't think she looks the least bit sorry, "I hope you're not sorry. It was… you were… fucking awesome."
She's giggling now, "Ditto Charles, bleedin' ditto."