Kevin stood in the lobby of the convention center where he was meeting Kristy for lunch. They had enjoyed the rest of the evening before with Kristy's friends, spending hours laughing and singing along at the piano bar to a wide array of Billy Joel, Elton John, Jimmy Buffett, and TV and movie theme songs. They had spent the remainder of the evening dancing their hearts out, enjoying the mix of swing and contemporary music played at Atlantic Dance. Kristy loved dancing and was excited to have a partner as skilled and talented as Kevin. Kevin rarely got to use his ballroom dance training anymore and was thankful for the opportunity to brush up on his steps. He was truly impressed with Kristy's natural grace and ability. She really was a fast learner, and quickly caught on to the more advanced steps and moves Kevin showed her. Kevin smiled as he waited for her to finish with her last interview of the day, thinking how he couldn't remember ever having a more perfect evening.
"Hello gorgeous!" Kristy said, letting herself be wrapped in Kevin's embrace. "Miss me?"
"Desperately!" he chuckled, gazing at her face, seeing how her eyes twinkled mischievously.
He took her hand and led her out to the parking lot, admiring her professional, classy appearance. She wore a long, straight navy-blue suit skirt that had a slit to the knee on the left side, providing Kevin with a tantalizing glimpse of her navy hose-clad leg. The tailored matching jacket fit beautifully, and she wore a cream and green scarf around her neck. Her thick blond hair that had been curled and loose the night before, was now pulled back in a French roll, secured with gold clip that matched her well chosen gold jewelry. Kevin smiled as he tried to picture the woman beside him in cutoffs and a tank top moving irrigation on her parents' farm.
Kristy walked beside Kevin, also admiring the view he presented. He looked like the model he was in his fitted white pants and loose green long-sleeved shirt. "So, are you free for the rest of the afternoon?" Kevin asked as he settled beside her in the truck.
"I'm all yours!" Kristy smiled suggestively.
Kevin made a small groaning sound as Kristy laughed. They were both trying to take things slow, considering the short time they'd known each other, but the overt physical attraction they felt towards one another was making it a challenge.
"I thought I'd impress you with my domestic skills," Kevin explained as he drove towards the freeway.
"Good, that means one of us can be domestic!" Kristy giggled. It wasn't that she didn't know how to cook, it was just that she had other things she'd rather do with her precious free time.
"Oh dear! Are you helpless in the kitchen?" Kevin said in mock alarm.
"Actually, when I have the inclination, I can be a fairly good 'Martha Stewart'," Kristy explained. "I'm a great hostess, and love to decorate for the holidays and all... you should see my house now!... but let's just say, I'm not 'Betty Crocker'."
"That's O.K., you can't be perfect at everything... 'though, I was beginning to wonder!" Kevin kissed the palm of her hand that he held in his. Kristy shivered slightly, her skin tingling where his lips touched it. Kevin smiled smugly, his male ego pleased that he could elicit such a response from her. "It's only fair," he thought. "Since simply being near her makes me tremble."
************************************************************************
They pulled up in front of a large attractive house located inside a gated community. "Home sweet home," Kevin smiled as he watched Kristy's reaction. Unlike many of the other houses in the neighbor hood, Kevin's was not stucco or in the Spanish style that was so popular in the south. It had a classic, comfortable feel to it, with wood siding and rich, natural colors. Kristy liked it immediately because, although larger, it reminder her of her own home in Oregon.
Kevin showed Kristy around the main floor, walking behind her with his arms draped around her shoulders. He explained the sparsely furnished rooms, "Since I'm not home much, I guess I haven't felt the need to spend a lot of money decorating. Besides, I've been thinking it needs a woman's touch," he whispered in her ear. "You did say you were good at decorating, right?"
Kristy turned in his arms, searching his eyes with her own. "Are you serious?"
"Well, I figured it would be a waste of time and money for me to go pick out furniture and art on my own, only to need to start all over if you hated it." He knew this wasn't taking it slow, but he wanted to let her know how he felt about her.
Kristy took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. Sliding her hands up Kevin's muscular chest, she leaned up, kissing him soundly on the mouth. He inhaled quickly, surprised, but pleased at her response. He let her lead the kiss, enjoying her thoroughness. He was just thinking how it might be nice being the passive one once and awhile, when she ran the tip of her tongue along his bottom lip. As she slipped her tongue in his mouth to tease and stroke his tongue, he groaned and pulled her closer, taking control of the passionate kiss. When it finally ended, both were trembling and breathless. Kristy held onto Kevin for support, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her, and she felt a rush of excitement and nervousness as she saw the desire in Kevin's thickly-lashed, partly-closed green eyes.
"Why don't you use the guest room and change," Kevin said hoarsely. He cleared his throat, "And I'll start lunch."
Kristy retrieved her carry-on which held her change of clothes and headed in the direction Kevin had instructed, "Turn left at the top of the stairs, first door on your right... and be quick! Don't think you're getting out of helping me make lunch!"
She giggled and turned at the top of the stairs. Walking into the simple guestroom, she closed the door and collapsed on the queen-sized bed.
