Hey There, Delilah... (22 page)

I sigh contently as we sit down at a table in the Bronx Burger House. It’s one of my favorite places to eat whenever I get the chance to come to the Bronx. We spent the whole day at the zoo; it is now 8:00 pm, and I don’t know about Delilah, but I’m starving. Seriously, so hungry I can eat a buffalo.  We grabbed a quick lunch there, but we both just had a salad. I mean, come on, it’s a little awkward eating a burger or hot dog at the zoo…in front of all of the animals…in their home.  Makes you wonder where the meat actually comes from. Anyway, I look across the table at Delilah, who looks absolutely fabulous with her wind-blown hair and flushed cheeks from the ride over.

“Hi, I’m Kara, I’ll be taking care of you tonight,” the waitress says, interrupting my admiration of the woman across from me.

I look up to find Kara smiling flirtatiously at me. I frown. I can’t understand why women do this.  Can’t she see that I’m here with someone? Someone more beautiful than she is. I mean, Kara is a cute girl, but she’s young - probably about twenty-one or so - and she does absolutely nothing for me; unlike Delilah, who makes my heart race by just being close to her.

I sneak a glance at
Delilah, who is sitting there glaring at the waitress. Beyond that glare, though, I can see her insecurity peeking through and it pisses me off.

“Can I start you off with something
to drink?” she asks, directing her question at me.

“I haven’t decided what I want yet, but you can ask my
girlfriend
if she is ready,” I say, stressing the word “girlfriend.”

Kara blinks stupidly before looking over at Delilah, who raises an irritated eyebrow at the girl. Kara stutters for a moment before composing herself.

“Oh, yes, of course. What can I get for you?”

“A lemonade
would be great,” Delilah says, her tone a bit snarky.

Kara turns back to me. “Have you decided?”

“A Heineken.”

Kara nods and quickly leaves to get the drinks. I look over at Delilah. She’s watching me closely. What is she thinking? I can’t really tell by the expression on her face.

“So I’m your girlfriend now, am I?” Delilah says, a small smirk lifting her lips.

I grin. “I thought that was the whole point of going on a date and making rules.”

Delilah shrugs. “I thought we were just dating.”

I give her a dry look. “If we were just “dating” as you sa
y, then I would not have made you come in the reptile house, Doll.”

Delilah’s eyes widened. “Shhh! Nick!”

I chuckle.

Our conversation is put on hold when Kara comes back with our drinks. She takes our order then hurries away. I’m glad I made my point to her. I lean back in my chair and take a swig of my beer, eyes on Delilah over the bottle of beer. I just can’t seem to take my eyes off of her. I feel entranced by her every time she’s near me.

We talk about stupid things while we wait for our burgers. She is so funny and quick with her comebacks that she has me constantly laughing. I feel so much lighter and alive when I am with her. It kind of freaks me out a little bit. I’ve never had a woman make me feel this way.

Our burgers come and the talking stops. Kara sets my plate down first with a soft, but still flirty, smile on her face. She then sets down Delilah’s, giving her a tight smile instead. I can see the annoyance all over Delilah’s face
, but she keeps her mouth shut.

“If you need anything else, just let me know,” Kara says, directing it more at me, along with a bright smile.

I catch Delilah’s scowl, but the food smells too good, and she is already digging into her fries, so I decide not to address the whole Kara situation just yet. We are both too engrossed in our meals to bother with idle chitchat. Delilah moans with every bite and I can’t help but wish that I was the one making her moan at the moment. I am so glad that she is not one of those chicks who eats like a bird around guys, just picking daintily at their food. Nope, not Delilah. She digs right into her burger, getting ketchup on the corners of her mouth and everything. She is so my kind of woman. Not overly prissy and not afraid to be herself. I love that about her.
Shit, did I just say love? Nope, not me.

I finish my burger in record time then excuse myself to use the little
boy’s room. I’ve needed to piss since we got here but I didn’t want to go until I ate. I wash my hands and head back to the table. I slow when I see that Delilah is speaking to Kara, who is standing next to our table, frown firmly in place. I catch some of the conversation – Delilah giving Kara an earful about being respectful and not flirting with someone’s boyfriend right in front of them – although, she does not say it as nicely as that.

I walk up and put my hand on Delilah’s shoulder when she finally finish
es speaking. “Is everything okay, Doll?”

Delilah looks up at me, her hazel eyes angry. “Oh
, yeah, just fine,” she snips.

I glance at Kara, who gives me an uneasy smile and a nod before walking away. I sit down, never taking my eyes
off Delilah. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Peachy, just giving little Kara there a lesson on how not to fuck with me,” Delilah snarls.

I smirk. “Did she learn anything?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.

“She better have.
” Delilah snorts.

I chuckle and shake my head as I reach across the table and squeeze her hand. Delilah smiles slightly and I can see some of the tension drain out of her. After we finish our meals
, I pay. Delilah refuses to let me leave Kara a big tip, which is no skin off my nose. We hop in the Jeep and I start for her apartment. I’m disappointed that today has to come to an end because I am having such a great time still, but I can see that Delilah is tired. I glance over at her through the twilight as I’m driving and the sight makes my heart pound and my stomach flutter nervously. Her dark hair is blowing around, her eyes are straight ahead but heavy lidded with contentment, and there is a small smile playing across her pouty lips. I swallow hard. Never in my whole life has a woman looked so stunning. I reluctantly drag my eyes back to the road and just enjoy the comfortable silence between us.

I walk Delilah
to her door to make sure she gets in safely.  I wouldn’t mind another taste of her lips, either.  Our kisses are so explosive that I am sure I am going to have to jerk off tonight.  Unless she decides to invite me in, but I am not going to push my luck.

“
Thank you for a great date. I had a lot of fun,” she says first with a shy smile, swinging her body back and forth like a schoolgirl.

“You
’re welcome, Doll. I had a great time with you, too,” I respond with a huge grin on my face.  Her smile is infectious, and I find that’s all I do when she is around.

We stand there staring at each other for a few seconds. We seem to do that a lot lately. I wish I knew what she is thinking.  I’ve wanted to ask her something all afternoon, but was waiting to make sure
that this thing between us was real first.  That I still feel the same as I did before we found out each other’s true identity.   Now that I know my feelings are not fleeting, I want to make future plans with her. I break our spell and speak.

“Quick question for you…” I
start confidently.

“Shoot,” she counters.

I find myself nervous all of a sudden.  My heart rate elevates and my palms are unusually sweaty.  I shift my feet back and forth and take a moment to compose my thoughts. I am acting completely ridiculous and am embarrassed for myself. No woman has ever disarmed me so easily.  I defend murderers for fuck’s sake!
Get your shit together, Santino! Worst she can do is say no.
 

I straighten my spine and square my shoulders. 
I grab her hands and look her in the eyes.  “There’s this annual charity ball I need to attend next month…for work.  I have never taken a date before…” I begin but lose confidence.  She must sense it, though, because she gives my hands a squeeze, encouraging me to continue.

I give an ironic “hmpf” and shake my head.  “I just don’t know what’s
going on with me.  I am usually so self-assured, so secure. Women don’t throw me off kilter.  Nobody frazzles me. But you… every time we share space I feel like a kid with a crush on his teacher. The things you do to me…”

Delilah’s eyes light up in appreciation, as a shy blush creeps up her neck to her cheeks.  That reaction right there gives me the confidence to continue. 

“As I was saying… there’s a charity ball that I go to every year for work. I have never taken a date before, but I would feel privileged if you would do me the honor of being my date for the evening, m’lady,” I get out in one breath.  I pretend to snatch the feathered cap off my head and extend my arm across my waist, bowing at the hips as they did in medieval times, a gesture of respect.

She laughs heartily and gives a love tap on the shoulder. “Stand up, you goof ball!”

I stand back up straight and give her a wink. “Well? What do you say?”

“Really? Are you sure you want…” Delilah begins but stops midsentence when she sees my face drop slightly. 

I know where she is going with this, and I will not allow her to say it. “Yes, I am sure. And it will be my pleasure,” I say with resolve. “In fact, I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” I add with finality.

“Well,
okay, then,” she says with an adorable giggle, and that’s that.  Conversation closed. 

She searches her purse for her keys and pulls them out quickly. She is so organized that I am sure she has a special spot in there
designated just for her keys.  She jingles them around until she finds the exact one she wants, and then puts the winning key in the hole. She turns to me one last time to say goodbye, but I cut her off.

“
So…ah…how about a cup of coffee?” I ask with a naughty smirk.  Hey, a guy’s gotta try, right?

Delilah rolls her eyes at
me and chuckles because we all know what that’s code for. “Goodbye, Santino. See you Monday morning, bright and early,” she says.

S
he gives me a chaste peck on my lips and sends me on my way.  I don’t blame her, though.  This was our first real date after all.  The best date I have ever been on, if I do say so myself.   She really knows how to make me laugh, and she is so witty, always keeping me on my toes. But at the same time, I feel completely relaxed and at ease.  Since we got to know each other the way that we did, I feel like I can be myself around her, not worry about being judged. Then again, I don’t think Delilah has a mean bone in her body. 

I really don’t want to say goodnight.  I don’t want the date to end.
I can’t wait until I see her again. Fortunately, I’ll see her at work, so at least I know it will only be two days until we are together again. 
Ugh!  I am turning into a chick!

I take the stairs
on my way out, two at a time, trying to burn a little sexual energy.  My McLaren is still in the shop from my accident last Wednesday, and there is no way in hell I would subject Delilah to my piece of shit rental, so I rented an open-air jeep for our date.  I always wanted to drive one, and I knew if anyone would enjoy it, it would definitely be her. And, of course, I was right.  She is so easy-going and free-spirited.  Just another thing I love about her.
Did I just say love again? Shit, I mean like… just another thing I like about her.

I walk leisurely to
the jeep, keeping an eye on her bedroom window, waiting for the light to switch on.  I see her silhouette pass the window and groan at how sexy she is. It’s going to be another long, lonely night. I think I am going to hit the gym on my way home.

♫♩♫♩♫♩
♫

I shuck off my clothes and throw them on the floor, as they smell like zoo funk.  I go into my bathroom and start the shower, knowing that I have four minutes until the water heats up. Then I return to my bedroom and fling my mildly stinky body on my bed.  I know I need to shower because my hair has that outside smell from being in the open jeep. But it can wait a few minutes, at least until I have hot water.  I flop down on my back, arms stretched to the side, and sigh. That had to be the best date I have ever been on.  He was charming and romantic.  He was naughty and caring.  He made me laugh, and always keeps me on my toes.  Perfection.

I gather myself off the bed and head to the shower for a much needed cleansing.  As I am shampooing my hair, I can’t help but wonder what N
ick is doing right now.   Did he go straight home?   Is he preparing for another date with someone else?  Wait…it’s Saturday night… is he getting ready to go to Club M?  I gasp at the thought and then start choking on the water and shampoo that I swallow.  No, he agreed with my rules.  I guess this is where the trust issue comes in to play.

I finish up in the shower, dry off, and look for my phone.  I need to call Charlie.  My mind is running away with itself.   I find it in the back pocket of my dirty jeans that are strewn on the floor.  I unlock it to call her, and low and
behold, I have a text.

Nick: I had a great time.  ;)

I take a deep breath in relief.  I am so glad it wasn’t just me.  I am feeling a little flirty, so I shoot him a back a quick one.

Delilah:  Are u winking at me?

I like flirty Nick and he shoots back.

Nick:
No, I had something in my emoticon eye :)~

I let out a little laugh
to myself, enjoying the banter.

Delilah:  Ha ha, very funny, goober! 
Now your emoticon is sticking his tongue out at me

Nick: Should I be jealous?

Delilah: Nah, he’s not my type. I tend to go after men who are more than just a colon

Nick:
lol.  Am I your type?

I sit and deliberate for a minute before I answer. 
I don’t want to show my cards too early.  He still has to earn me back after the whole Nico/LaLa debacle.

Delilah:
Oh, please. You are every girl’s type, Nick

Let’s see what he has to say about that.  I am so feeding into his
ego.

Nick: I don’t want to be anyone’s type but yours

I melt at his words.  We go back and forth a few more times, but I make sure to change the subject to ones that are more neutral. Half an hour later we are still texting, but have come full circle back to sex.  This is getting sticky. It is so easy to misinterpret people through text, so I decide to call him. We have never spoken on the phone outside of basic work questions before. He picks up on the second ring.

“Miss me already?” He asks all cocky.

I laugh at his temerity.  “You know I do. What are you doing? Getting ready for a hot date? Night on the town? Quick trip to Club M?” I slip in, trying not to sound nosy.

“I am
, aren’t’ I? he asks again. He wants me to tell him that he is exactly my type. Jerk! All of those questions that I threw at him, venturing on my little phishing expedition, and he only focuses on the fact that I haven’t told him if he is my type.  Talk about persistence.

“You are what?” I ask demurely.

“Don’t play coy with me, Doll,” he retorts.  He tries to sound all mean and intimidating, but I can hear him smiling.

“Me? Never…” I say, still not answering his original question.

“You are avoiding the question, LaLa.”

The last time he called me LaLa
I was really angry because I thought he was trying to manipulate me.  But, this time, it feels so natural.

“I like it when you call me ‘LaLa,’” I
whisper, and can hear him smile again.

“Me, too,” he says softly.

“I’m gonna go now. I’m getting sleepy,” I say, trying to shut this emotional roller coaster down.

“
Okay. I think I may join you…going to sleep,” he adds with a snicker.

“Good night,
honey. Sweet dreams,” I wish for him.

“Good night,
sweetheart. Dream of me,” he says, and I know he means it.

I plug my phone into its charger, turn off the lights, crawl back into bed, and fall asleep rather quickly. And I do…dream of him.

♫
♩♫♩♫♩
♫