Under the Stars and Stripes (Under Him)

“Point taken,” I conceded.

“So, you really like the band, huh?”

It really wasn’t a sufficient term, but I decided to let it go. There actually was no way to fully express the full depths and complexity of my reaction. Even I had a hard time figuring it all out, having finally understood the true meaning of ‘ineffable.’

“I’m seeing Varg again tonight if you want to come,” Ashe said. “His friend Theo is in town, it could be like a double-date.”

“Sure,” I said, doing my very best not to blush.

I didn’t have a lot experience with dating. Even in high school, I had been too preoccupied with course work and extracurriculars to even think about dating, even though it seemed like I would have had lots of opportunity. In terms of fundamental looks, I wasn’t bad.

I’d been gifted with figure like my mother’s, who had the classically desirable hourglass figure. There was no avoiding the attention, but I’d gotten pretty good at ignoring it.

My focus was intense today. I’d planned to take the day off but the workaholic in me wouldn’t allow it. Not until I’d done at least three hours work on the concert. Even if it was just in terms of research. I didn’t have much time to prepare for my date once the beast was sated.

It didn’t seem right to wear the Loki’s Laugh shirt again. I didn’t think Varg would mind but I didn’t want to look like a fangirl in front of the new guy.

I was a fangirl, to be sure, but I didn’t want him to know that. So, after putting on a version of my usual outfit, I tied my hair back and headed out to meet my destiny.

I couldn’t catch my breath once I looked at the man sitting with Varg and Ashe. There was no logical explanation I could think of. Nothing based in any of the sciences.

The reaction was as sudden as it was strong. All the breath I had just left my body. As though it decided it didn’t want to be there anymore and set off to look for new and interesting places to be.

“Becca, over here.”

It was too late to run, my first instinct after gaining my second wind, so I plucked up my courage and headed over to the table. The cozy trio shifted to make room in the booth. Squeezed in next to Theo, I squeezed my thighs together to try and quell the raging need that had suddenly materialized between them.

“I’m Theo,” he told me.

“I know,” I blurted out, accepting his offered hand as my heart started to pound faster.

“Do you, now?”

His accent was light and sexy.

He sounded German but without the edge.

“Dutch?” I asked him, as if thinking aloud.

“Bit early, isn’t it? We haven’t even ordered yet.”

My face burned with humiliation as his words sank in. I should have chosen my words better.

“I’m kidding. I’ll blame my rudeness on culture shock but please forgive me. It’s my first time in America, you see. Yes, I’m Dutch, from Amsterdam even.”

“Your English is very good.”

“Thank you, I’ve been working hard to get it perfect. At least as close as possible. We learn it in school but there isn’t much chance to practice unless you really look for it.”

“Because everybody speaks Dutch.”

“Clever girl.”

A new sort of heat burned through me. One that was warm and lovely that I didn’t mind at all.

The evening went wonderfully. The feelings between Theo and me were seeming to grow stronger by the minute.

“So, you’re in a Metal band too?” he asked me after a while.

“Not exactly. More of a one-man band. I also do more Dark Wave stuff than traditional Metal.”

“Dark Wave,” I asked, “never heard of it.”

“Guess you’re going to have to come to the 4th of July concert them,” Varg said.

“Or, better yet, you could help plan it, if you like. God knows we haven’t made much headway,” Theo said.

“We’ve been busy,” Varg protested.

“And we need all the help we can get,” Ashe said, agreeing with Theo.

I couldn’t say no. Or, rather, I could, I just really didn’t want to. I still had my concert to plan, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t plan a party too. Especially since classes were over.

I’d actually been looking for something to do, beside which, Ashe and been encouraging me to get out and meet new people. It wasn’t just the prospect of spending more time with Theo, but I would be lying if I said that wasn’t a major factor in my decision.

The buzz remained as I returned home. It was vibrating through my body, making me feel quite wonderful in a way I never really had.

Theo had stoked my libido in a way no guy ever had before. I’d begun to wonder if maybe there was something odd about me. Not having any interest in anyone that way.