Same old moves, for a new romance
I could use the same old lines, but I'll sing
Shine on, just shine on
James Blunt – Shine on
"For your information", he'd crowed, "I'm very good".
She'd lifted her head from where it rested on his chest, just enough to see his face. His cheeks had been flushed and his hair ruffled. The room had been lit only by the city lights creeping through the blinds but they'd illuminated him seamlessly; the leanness of his body, the tan line low on his waist, the creases around his eyes when he smiled.
"Honestly Jess, I'm a good date! Dinner, dancing…" he'd pushed, a little more seriously.
She'd untangled herself from his embrace, leaning back on the headboard and regarding him intently. "You want us to go on a 'date'?" she'd asked dubiously, "A heels, dinner, awkward moment at the end of the night type 'date'?"
Shifting to lean back next to her he'd nodded, less confidently than before, "Uh huh".
Then there had been silence; he hadn't been sure for how long, just that she'd watched him as she processed the suggestion. "Come on Jess, you'll sleep with me but you won't have dinner with me?!" He'd been about to give up; to shake his head in defeat and roll out of bed when she'd stretched over to kiss him.
"I do like dancing" she'd grinned, "I'd like to go out with you Don…on a date".
o-o-o
Leaning against the bar he looked at his watch, grinning and his shaking his head a little. He was yet to wholly work out 'girl time' and why women always seemed to feel the need to run late for dates. He usually took first dates to one of two faithful restaurants but had doubted either was quite right for dinner with Jess. After musing the situation at length, he'd turned to his most reliable source of advice; his eldest sister-in-law Kate. Graham had met Kate just before their Mother died and married her soon after, as well as growing to be a close friend, she'd become both a strong maternal and sororal influence in his life.
Taking a long drag of beer, he watched her move through the crowd; grey drape jersey dress hugging her in all the right places, dark hair curled loosely around her shoulders, delicate silver drop ear-rings brushing her slender neck.
While his lips and tongue had explored every part of her body, he'd never seen her dressed in anything other than her work wardrobe. As she sashayed towards him he'd decided, unaware that his mouth was dropping in wonder, she was definitely worth the wait; effortlessly beautiful and sexy, stunning and hot.
Placing one hand on his chest she used a fingertip to close his gaping mouth, clearly highly amused by his expression, before stretching to brush her lips to his cheek, "Hello Don".
She swung their hands playfully as they walked, "So Donald, where are we having dinner?"
"So Jessica" he stopped in front of her, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear and kissing her gently, "Just a little place I know".
The building they halted at was set back from the street; a narrow Victorian brick structure, only two stories high with a pair of arched entrances dominating the ground level. "It's a firehouse!" she stated, incredulously. Laughing mischievously, he quipped "I always said you were one hell of a detective Jess". Pausing to sweetly graze the tip of nose with his fingertip, he tugged her inside, watching her expression change from confusion to delight.
The appliance bay was now gallery space, currently exhibiting an eclectic mix of neon light sculpture. She beamed as he handed her a glass of champagne, gripping his hand tightly as he lead her past a wall of neon lit glass sconces and group of quirky light sticks. "Wow Don!" she exclaimed softly, "This is amazing!" She drew out 'amazing', elongating the middle vowel.
He watched her gaze at the colors sweep through a long twisted neon tube, unable to stop his hand from reaching out to twirl one of the soft curls in her hair between his fingers. Slipping his arms around her waist, he pulled her flush against his chest, breathing in the heady fragrance of her perfume and own unique scent. Peering over her shoulder, he traced his thumb along the deep V neckline of her dress, allowing a finger to dip beneath the fabric to caress the swell of her breast. "Hey", she elbowed him teasingly, "I don't do that sort of thing on the first date". Groaning he dropped his hand back to her waist, placing a lingering kiss in the dip of her collar bone, "Come on, let's go eat".
The first floor former bunk room was the highlight of the firehouse; exposed brickwork, high ceilings with dramatic lighting and the original fire pole in the corner. Jazzy music played softly and an intimate table-for-two sat under one of the vast windows. She gasped, "Oh Don", snaking her arms around his neck and kissing him deeply. As he led her to the table he was sure she let out an uncharacteristic girlish squeak of excitement and silently thanked his sister-in-law.
o-o-o
Earlier that week he'd sat at Graham and Kate's kitchen table, contently coloring with his youngest niece, four year old Jenna, and watching his sister-in-law expertly flip cookies from their baking sheet.
In between Jenna's chatter and the round up of family events, Kate worked through her usual list of questions; how was work, was he eating properly, was he staying out of mischief and did he have any girls on the go.
"I'm meant to be taking a girl for dinner later in the week actually"
"The Big Blue?" she asked knowingly, his usual first date restaurant. As he shook his head, she grinned, "Oh, Fiore! The big guns!"
Laughing a little thoughtfully he shook his head again, "That's the thing Kate; she's not really a Big Blue/Fiore girl. I need somewhere …different".
She'd known Don for over fifteen years and could count the number of times he'd asked for dating advice on one hand. He often bragged or lamented about girls, but rarely sought advice and was never as coy as he was about his about his forthcoming dinner date. Even after a family worth of questions over dinner about his secret date, he remained tight lipped.
As he returned to the kitchen after carrying out one his favorite avuncular duties, putting his nieces to bed, he found Graham loading crockery into the dishwasher and Kate working at her laptop.
Kate had had a glittering legal career on Wall Street but following the birth of their eldest daughter Sophie, had settled comfortably into a career as a stay home Mom. When money grew tight, she'd accepted a part time position with an events company taking care of contracts. Ten years later she'd discovered a new vocation, becoming a director of the firm and managing a strong portfolio of event locations.
She patted the seat next to hers and pointed to the laptop screen, "I've found the perfect place for you Don. It and my favorite caterer can be yours, in exchange for a night's babysitting".
O-o-o
He grinned in contentment as he watched her savor the last spoonful of dessert, when she caught his eye she blushed, shyly returning his smile. The conversation over dinner had been easy, just as it always was; a mixture of current events, hopes and dreams, precinct gossip and tales from their past. As the caterer replaced dessert with coffee and brandy, the lights dimmed and music changed. Fingering the tattoo around her wrist, he leant over to kiss her; capturing her lips with his, enjoying the taste of raspberry, chocolate and brandy on her tongue. Standing, he held his hand out to her, "Dance with me Jess?"
He rarely danced, usually seeing it as an arduous activity for weddings and special occasions but with Jess it was different. Dancing with Jess was an excuse to hold her in his arms, to watch the curve of her body, to croon whispered words of reverence. As he moved her around the floor, she leant into him, sighing happily and resting her head on his shoulder. "You know Don, you're right. You're actually a pretty good date".