Reckless Hero

She was dressed in a sleeveless top and a plain dark blue skirt that skimmed her knees. Her feet were encased in a pair of sandals that revealed her light pink painted toenails.

Her book bag hanging off her right shoulder, she looked at me with shy eyes framed by wide lenses. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, but a few strands had broken to fall over her grey-blue eyes. She pushed them back.

“Hey,” she said, clearly oblivious to how sexy she was. “Can I come in?”

“Of course,” I said, realizing how I had been gawking at her. “Where are my manners? I’m so sorry.” I moved aside so that she could enter. As she walked passed me, her light floral scent caused an uncomfortable stirring in my pants.

Holding my breath and willing myself to keep it together, I closed the door. But that only made me realize we were completely alone…

She moved to the center of the living room, briefly looked around, and then turned back to me.

I cleared my throat and tried to act normal, turning slightly so that she wouldn’t notice the hardened state of my body. Thankfully, I was wearing a shirt that fell over the unruly organ that was overpowering my brain.

“I hope you didn’t eat yet,” I said. “I ordered dinner. It should be here in about an hour, so I was thinking we could get some studying done and then chow down.”

“Okay,” she replied.

A moment of silence stretched between us. I cleared my throat, wracking my brain for a suave line, but failing.

“Okay. Let’s get started, shall we?” I said, unable to think of anything else.

Anna nodded and followed me to the table.

Not before long, we got to work, bouncing questions and answers off each other. Even though controlling my desire for her was one of the hardest things I had ever done, I was even able to simmer down my attraction enough to concentrate and retain most of the information we went over.

Meanwhile, Anna was in her element, repeatedly pushing her glasses up her nose and pushing her hair out of her face as her brow furrowed in concentration. After what turned out to be a pretty intense first study session, dinner arrived and we took a break.

We set our books aside and set up the table. I had ordered from one of my favorite restaurants across town. The food smelled delicious—a meat and potatoes deal that tasted just as good as it looked, and came with a bottle of red wine.

“I don’t think we should,” Anna said when I began pouring us each a glass.

“Come on,” I urged. “Just one glass.”

Ultimately, she obliged, the stiffness between us slowly melted, and our conversation flowed smoothly.

“This is really good,” Anna commented once we were on our second glasses.

“I’m glad you like it,” I said.

“So…” she slowly, “this suddenly seems more like a date than a study session. I’m thinking you tricked me, Mr. James.”

I noted that she didn’t sound upset, but I suspected her relaxed attitude had a lot to do with the wine. I was pretty sure that once she sobered back up, she would resume being the girl I’d ran into on the hike—pissed off and cold.

She took another sip. A drop of liquid glistened off her lower lips before she licked it off.

I stared, wanting nothing more than to lean forward and taste those lips…

I brought my own glass to my lips. While I wasn’t drunk, I wasn’t fully sober either.

My eyes dropped to the fullness of Anna’s lips again, and I could tell she had noticed. Her nostrils flared and her eyes darkened.

“Would it bother you if this was, in fact, a date?” I asked, subtly moving closer to her.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the wine talking, but I’m completely okay with it. Although if I had known earlier, I would have worn something a little more fitting for the occasion.” She played with the lock of hair that had fallen over her shoulder.

She was flirting with me and I loved it. She was usually reserved, but once she came out of her shell, it was a sight to behold.

Still, I doubted her words. She had been so harsh on the hike, but now, I wondered whether it had been all a show for her cousin.