After talking a long, hot bath, Annabelle spent the rest of the day paying bills for her house and the bookstore. She then changed into a yellow sundress and pulled her red hair back into a ponytail.
“You look beautiful.” Micky smiled when she opened the door. He was holding two paper bags full of groceries.
“Thanks.” She blushed a little holding the door open for him. “What’s all this?”
“Dinner.” He walked into the kitchen and started unloading the bags. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Starved.” She leaned against the counter. “What can I do to help?”
“Grab a couple of glasses.” He pulled a bottle of wine out of one of the bags.
“Mick, this is too much. I know how tight money is for you guys.” She took two wineglasses out of the cabinet.
“Don’t worry about it.” He opened the bottle and poured. “I had a little money saved and I can’t think of any better way to spend it than on you.”
“You’re very sweet.” She smiled and held up her glass. “Salute.”
“Cheers.” He clinked their glasses together.
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Micky and Annabelle dined on spaghetti with meatballs, garlic bread and salad. They ate on the patio with the ocean as their background music.
“This was wonderful, Micky.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“I told you I could cook.” He grinned proudly.
“Yeah, well, let’s see how good you are doing dishes.” She started clearing the table. “I’ll wash, you dry.”
“You got yourself a deal, Belle.”
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After the dishes were done, they went back outside on the patio. Micky sat down on the lounge chair and gently pulled Annabelle down to sit between his legs. “Is this alright?” He asked when he felt her body stiffen.
“Yes, its fine.” She willed herself to relax and laid her head back against his chest. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.” He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.
“How many woman have you been with?”
“Been with?” He asked.
“You know, had sex with.” She said shyly.
“You want to know how many women I’ve slept with?”
“Yes.” She pushed his arms out of her way and scooted to the end of the chair wrapping her arms around herself. “Look, you don’t have to tell me if…”
“Three.” He answered simply.
“Oh.” She stood up and walked to the edge of the patio with her back to him.
Micky stood and walked up behind her. “Is that a problem?”
“No, no of course not.” She fumbled. “Why should that be a problem?”
“You tell me, Belle.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “You’re the one standing here hugging yourself.”
“I don’t want to talk about this.” She shrugged out from under his hands.
“You brought it up!” He threw his hands up in frustration.
“I know.” She sighed. “And now I’m sorry I did.”
“Talk to me, Belle.” He reached out to touch her again but pulled back. “You’re the one who said we should be honest with each other.”
“And you don’t think we should be?” She whirled around to face him.
“Of course I do!” He exclaimed. “That’s why I answered your question.”
“It’s just that…” She looked up at him and fell silent.
“Whatever it is, Belle, you can tell me.” He gently cupped her face. “You can tell me anything.”
“I’m a virgin!” She blurted out pushing him away. “There, I said it. Are you happy now?”
“Why were you afraid to tell me?” He smiled. “I think it’s wonderful.”
“I didn’t know how you would feel about dating someone with no experience.” She turned back around to face the ocean. “My father and grandmother were very strict. I didn’t date much.” She sighed. “The first time you kissed me, that night on my front porch, that was my first real kiss. No one has ever kissed me like that before.”
He took her firmly by the shoulders and turned her around to face him. “Annabelle, I’m not going out with you just to get you into bed.”
“You’re not?” She looked up into his eyes.
“No.” His voice was soft and soothing as he softly cupped her face between his hands. “I’m not saying that I don’t want to because I know that making love with you would be incredible. But I’m in no rush, and I don’t want to rush you. Right now, its just nice being with you.”
“Its nice being with you too.” She smiled. “Do you think you could kiss me again?”
“I think that could be arrange.” He smiled and gently brushed his lips against hers as he pulled the band from her hair letting it all tumble down and tangling his fingers in it. Her hands moved up his chest and wrapped around his neck as he deepened the kiss. He pulled away slowly, letting his lips linger on her. “I should go home.”
“Okay.” She whispered. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.” He wrapped his arms tightly around her kissing her again. “I’ll come to the bookstore.”
“That would be great.” She kissed him back.
He started to pull away again. “I really should go.” Instead, he pulled her closer, ravishing her mouth.
“I thought you were going.” She giggled, her head spinning from his kisses.
“I am.” He murmured against her mouth. “I’m half way to the door.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” She ran her fingers through his dark, curly hair.
“Okay.” He laughed taking one solid step away from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and headed towards the door.
“Hey, Mick.” She called after him and waited from him to turn around. “I’m glad we talked and worked everything out.”
He walked back over to her. “Me too, baby.” He kissed her so softly. “Good night, Belle.”
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