I wait, swirling the liquid in my glass and sipping it slowly. I used to like a gin and tonic, but whiskey has become my favorite drink.
I feel eyes on my back, a prickling sensation as if all my atoms can sense his arrival and are drawn to his orbit like moons to a planet. But I don’t turn.
I wait, and the seconds that tick past are deliciously heady; my heart’s beating fast, mouth dry, fingers tensed with anticipation. I lick my lips, tasting gloss and traces of smoky alcohol, knowing that’s what he’ll taste when he kisses me.
He stands closely behind me, and I feel his strength and warmth through the fabric of my little black dress. I smell his delicious scent. I stare at my drink, almost vibrating with excitement.
“Whiskey?” he says quietly. “I love a woman who knows good liquor.”
“I know a good thing when I see it,” I say, taking a gulp.
“Do you now?” His voice is playful, appreciative. “And do you see a good thing?”
I turn my head and look at him for the first time.
His green eyes are sparkling at me, filled with eagerness and joy. His hair is shorter, messier. He looks younger, maybe because he’s happy. I hope that’s it, because I am. So damn happy.
“I do,” I say.
“Mmm.” He’s looking at my lips. God, I want him to kiss me. But not before we’ve played the game. “So, what do you do when you see a good thing, baby?”
“Depends on my mood,” I say nonchalantly.
“And what’s your mood tonight?” He leans closer, his shoulder now touching mine, face so close I can see the laughter lines that fan from his eye and the long lashes that make him so pretty.
“My mood is dangerous,” I say, smiling slyly.
“Is that so? I love danger.” His lids go heavy with desire.
“Sounds like we might be made for each other.”
He smiles. “Could be.”
I finally reach out to touch his face, grazing the soft skin on his cheekbone with the tips of my fingers. His eyes close. I know he loves it when I touch him tenderly.
“So, can I get you another drink?” he whispers.
“You can.” I trace the fleshy center of his bottom lip, and his tongue touches my finger, a sensation I feel between my legs.
“And what shall we drink to, Nicole?”
“To something worth remembering, Aaron,” I smile.
He gently cups my face with his big warm hands and leans in to kiss me. His lips are whisper-soft at first, then hungry. It has been three weeks, so I understand how he feels. I’ve been craving him like an addict. It’s not going to be like this much longer, though. He’s here to help me move to Atlanta. There’s so much to do, but I’m not worried. Aaron has a way of making everything in life better, even packing boxes and cleaning.
Since I found out about my heart condition, he’s spent half his time looking after me like I’m fragile. When he treats me that way, I tell him that I’m okay. My cardiologist has no concerns and I’m being monitored regularly. I feel great, amazing, euphoric.
Life is for living. Fear held me back and wasted my time and energy. I’m not prepared to waste another minute.
He spends the other half of his time telling me I’m amazing and that I can achieve anything. I’ve never known a man so encouraging of my dreams. He has me chasing things I never even knew that I wanted.
“So, after I’ve bought you a drink, do I get to take you home and fuck you?” he asks devilishly. Tonight, he’s not so worried about me being fragile.
“I’m just not that kind of girl!” I laugh, feeling so much joy bubbling up inside of me that my heart feels fit to burst.
“Ah, Mrs. Harrington,” he says with such tenderness that I have to swallow against the lump in my throat. “Come with me, and I promise that I’ll make it worth your while.”
I know that he will, in every way possible. We had an unusual start and way more baggage than anyone should have at the beginning of a relationship. We came together to mask our hurt but found a love that has obliterated it all. Aaron was my stranger and now he’s my husband. It seems strange to remember him as the man who seduced me in a bar, but then we play our game and relive our beginnings, and everything in our life falls into place.
My husband makes me happier than I ever thought it possible to feel. I’ve found the kind of love that I craved, a love that holds me tight but helps me to spread my wings.
I’m going to be starting a new job next week, and I couldn’t be more excited. Aaron’s showed me that change doesn’t have to be scary, and maybe I’ve shown him the same.