"You have an over-protective older brother as well," I stated, recovering a conversational mood shortly after our food arrived.
Step 4: Deduce and collect additional information.
"Close but not exactly. A cousin almost four years older who lived with us," she began explaining, seeming at ease discussing the topic with me. "My aunt was a crack addict with no idea who Aaron's father was, so my parents took him in and raised him. Early on, she played a bit of tug-of-war over him, sometimes coming and taking him, saying she was clean, but my parents took her to court and got custody when he was seven, and I don't really remember the times when my aunt had Aaron. I just know that after she lost custody, she disappeared, and no one in the family has any idea where she went or even if she's still alive." Victoria spoke the last part far quieter and took a drink before saying anything more. "Aaron isn't my biological brother, but we're more like siblings than cousins. I've always thought of him as my brother though, and you've definitely got the over-protective part right."
"Good to know I haven't completely lost my ability to think around you." I felt my face grow hot, my pulse racing, and was terribly embarrassed to have said such a thing. I didn't even know where it came from and could only stare at my plate, unable to face her. "Forgive me. I'm behaving rather silly."
"Adorable, not silly." If my face were any hotter, surely I would suffer spontaneous human combustion. At the very least, it would be quite a fascinating way to die. "Sherlock, do you even realize how much more you are than just a brilliant mind? You're definitely not a sociopath, whether you want to hide behind that pretense or not." Raising my head to meet her beautiful golden brown eyes, flecks of green shining in the low light, she captivated every measure of my attention. "I can see what a loyal friend you are to John, how much you adore and respect him. And you're charming, a wonderful dancer, a gentleman, thoughtful and romantic when you want to be."
Her smile widened, tongue running along her lower lip, and my breath caught. "You're also ridiculously handsome. I mean, not that I base relationships solely on physical attraction or anything, but at least in that aspect, you've got all the boxes checked on my list: hair, eyes, lips, basically your entire face, height, build. When we were dancing, I could feel how you were just the right mix of strength and elegance, not too muscular, not too skinny. There's a quality of poise and confidence in the way you carry yourself when you walk or dance or anything that has quintessential elements of the regency era, making you seem as if you stepped right out of a Jane Austen novel, a living, breathing Mr. Darcy."
I sat silent for what may have been exceedingly long, but Victoria was quite patient with me and seemingly understanding of my inexperience with relationships. "Thank you?"
"You're welcome."
It wasn't that a woman had never shown signs of attraction toward me before, given I was well aware of Molly's longstanding interest, quite obvious given her current fiancé bore the most uncanny resemblance to me. As well, it was no great secret Irene Adler held a certain sentiment for me that I never quite understood, a matter that held my interest and fascination for some time due to its puzzling nature.
Yet no one prior to Victoria expressed themselves so clearly, explained some reasoning behind such thoughts and feelings, what factors equated to an intelligent and beautiful woman having dinner with me, wanting to be with me for any prolonged period of time, and quite eagerly agreeing to being my partner in this adventure into the unknown territory of romantic relationships.
"I've never read Jane Austen, but now I suppose I should, if only to examine this Mr. Darcy for myself."
Pushing her empty plate away, Victoria crossed her arms in front of her, tilting her chin up slightly, a tiny twitch playing at the corner of her mouth. "'Darcy was clever. He was at the same time haughty, reserved, and fastidious, and his manners, though well-bred, were not inviting.'" Her impression of a British accent left much to be desired, but her smirk and playful wink were delightful nonetheless. "I was never a huge fan of romance novels, but Jane Austen, oh, she was a whole other story. Pride and Prejudice is a longtime favorite of mine, so I know a few quotes, and that particular one about Darcy always stuck with me. He could be an unbearable ass, yet there was a certain magnetism about his character, and in the end, well, I won't spoil it for you."
"No, please don't. I'll buy it first chance I get and read it then we can share our thoughts on it."
"Alright. It's a date then."
Finishing the last of my wine, I studied her carefully, her eyes, her smile, how completely at ease she was with me, lowering my guard, drawing me out with every passing minute spend together. "Indeed. … Do you fancy pudding tonight?" She shook her head, and I gestured to Angelo for the bill.
After paying and thanking Angelo for his assistance, I stood out front on the pavement with Victoria, waiting for a cab, and I slid my fingers down her arm, taking her hand in mine. It seemed the natural thing to do, and I quite liked the oddly warm tingling sensation the small skin-to-skin contact elicited.
"Sherlock, why don't we walk a bit?" she asked, turning to face me, placing her free hand on my chest, stepping so close, her body brushed against mine, and I made a low, indecipherable noise in reaction, staring down at her, rooted in place. Her lips were so full and pink, and I knew they were soft. They had felt soft on my cheek in her flat when she'd kissed me. "Sherlock?"
"Hm?"
I remained focused on her lips.
My inexperience was painfully true. Calling me 'The Virgin' was akin to how we call the Atlantic Ocean 'the pond'. It works as a reference, but mentally minimizes the proportional significance.
Victoria's hand no longer rested on my chest, her fingers clenched my lapel, and I met her eyes. "Sherlock?"
Her voice was low and breathy before I dropped my gaze to her lips once again, slipping a hand behind her neck, pulling her closer as I leaned in, no longer wanting to wonder what it would be like to kiss a woman, but needing to know. Closing my eyes, I pressed my lips to Victoria's, reveling in the soft warmth, the small thrill in that brief intimate connection. Though it only lasted a few seconds, I leaned back and took a deep breath, a broad smile on my face, unable to take my eyes off Victoria.
"Yes. Let's walk a while." I turned, holding her hand, strolling in the direction of Victoria's flat.
I wasn't quite ready for our date to be over anytime soon, yet at the same time, I couldn't wait to get home and tell John everything.
My smile faltered.
John no longer lived there, I reminded myself. I'd have to text to share my good news.
Of course, John was the catalyst for everything truly good that happened in my life, and I knew it.