Chapter Eighteen

Scribbling down some notes on the pad at her elbow, Stephanie was so engrossed in the magical, fantasy world of faeries and trolls that she started and dropped her pencil at the knock on the door jamb.  Looking up she saw a body standing in the doorway with a vase of flowers for a head.  An enormous vase of flowers.

“Can I help you?”

The flower-headed body stepped forward.  “Are you Stephanie Stinson?”

She smirked; the vase had a voice that sounded distinctly like Darcy.  “Yes, that’s me.”

Another step, the vase was lowered to her desk and Darcy’s ebony headed, creamy skinned face appeared.  With her red lipstick today she reminded Stephanie of Snow White. “Someone’s got an admirer.  These were just delivered and since I was coming this way anyway,” she shrugged “hope you don’t mind.”  She plucked the card out and handed it to Stephanie.  “Who’s the guy?”

No she thought, she didn’t mind.  It was nice to have found such a good friend here.  She opened the envelope and tugged out the card.  They were from Richie.

        See you tonight.

                           ~R

She couldn’t hide a smile.  It had been a week since their talk on the beach and in the days between there had been phone calls, texts, e-mails and a movie.  Tonight, though, he was coming to her place.  She was going to cook dinner for him.

Darcy watched her new friend’s smile soften and go a little dreamy as she looked at the card and the huge arrangement of fall flowers.  Whoever he was, he must be doing okay to send flowers that big.  “So, when did you meet Mr. Mysterious and does he have any cute, single friends?”

Stephanie drew her attention up to her friend’s face.  “We met several weeks ago.  We sort of just kept running into each other and it snowballed from there.  And I don’t know if any of his friends are single.  Not the three I know of anyway.  “I thought you were all about that guy, Derek, in the mail room?”

She made a face, “meh, he’s okay I guess.  There’s just no spark there, you know?”

Stephanie nodded her head, feigning understanding.  There’d been more than just mere sparks with her and Mark and now with Richie, if she could just let herself go, she was sure the fireworks there would put the Fourth of July to shame.  “What about Jim?  You two seem to get along great.  Anything there?”

Darcy sighed and her cheeks took on a hint of pink.  “I’d like there to be.  But he only sees me as a friend, damn it.” She leaned in to the flowers and inhaled deeply.  “So what’s mystery man’s name?”

Stephanie tapped the card against her chin.  Should she tell Darcy who she was seeing? Would her new friend freak out?  Maybe she should just keep it simple for now.  “Richard, and he’s a really nice guy.”  She tucked the card back into the flowers.  “He’s coming over for dinner tonight.”  She glanced at the clock.  “Crap, go away now Darcy.  I need to finish reviewing this manuscript and get out of here early today.”  If she didn’t get out at least close to on time, Richie would end up at her house before she did.  Friday afternoon traffic in LA was a nightmare.

“Okay, okay,” Darcy held up her hands.  “I’m going, but just one more question.”

Stephanie rolled her eyes.  “What?”

“Is he good in bed?”

Stephanie felt her whole face flush and she pointed toward the door.  “Out, now.”

Darcy studied her friend’s red face.  “You have slept with him, haven’t you?”

She just continued to point at the door.  “Go.”

“Oh my God, you haven’t.  It’s been how many weeks?  What are you waiting for?”  Darcy shook her head in disbelief.

Stephanie sat down hard in her chair.  “I really don’t want to talk about this right now Darcy.  Please?”

Darcy came around the desk and rested her hip on the edge of the desk facing Stephanie. “Look, I won’t pretend to know what you went through or how difficult it was to pick yourself up and move on after that, but you need to get back out there again.  You are too young and too pretty to live the rest of your life alone.”  She stood and smoothed her skirt.  “And take it from me, being alone is no fun on a Friday night.”

Stephanie watched her friend leave.  “I don’t know, being alone on a Friday night isn’t so awful” she said to the vase of flowers.  She thought about all the lonely Friday nights she had spent in the last year and a half.  “Then again, maybe she’s right” she murmured as she picked up the forgotten manuscript and dove back in to the land of the fey.

When she looked up again, it was growing dark outside and quiet in the office.  She looked at her watched and groaned.  It was nearly six.  She’d never get home before Richie got there.  “Shit.”  Snapping her phone up from her desk, she tapped out a quick text, gathered her things and hustled out to her car.

~

Standing in front of the mirror, Richie smoothed his t-shirt down and ran his fingers through his hair.  He’d been looking forward to tonight ever since he’d dropped Stephanie off from the movie a couple nights ago.  He was slowly beginning to discover just how weird and wonderful she was.  The woman didn’t drink soda, never had.  Or eat much popcorn at the movies.  She told him she preferred sweet snacks and then proceeded to dig a tootsie pop from the depths of her purse.

Was it possible to be envious of a piece of candy?  Watching her suck on that lollipop had been torture of the most painful kind.  He was trying to be a gentleman and not push the sex issue with her, but she hadn’t been playing fair with the lollipop.  He’d been fantasizing about her mouth ever since.

He blew out a disgusted breath and stared at himself in the bathroom mirror.  “Get yourself together man.  She’s not like the other women you’ve been with.”  One last finger comb of his hair and he strode back into his bedroom and picked up the gift bag from the bed.  Just as he was sliding his phone in his pocket it vibrated.

He smiled as the little icon indicating a text message appeared on the screen.  It was her.

[6:10 pm]  Just leaving work, will be home ASAP.  Bring your suit… hot tub is up and running.

His smile widened.  Maybe she was starting to come around after all.  Grabbing a pair of swim trunks from his dresser he headed downstairs and out to his car.

~

Turning onto her street, Stephanie blew out a stressed sigh.  Finally.  The traffic had been worse than normal that night.  And of course there had been an accident.  Pulling into her driveway she frowned at the black Ferrari already parked there.  So much for getting hore before he did. She checked the dash clock.  It was nearly 7:30.  Shaking her head she grabbed up her purse and attaché and climbed out of the car.  Her car door slamming was echoed by another.  Moving around the front of the car she met him at the walk.

“Sorry I’m late. Traffic was a real bitch tonight.”

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.  “No problem sweetheart. “  He followed her up the walk, admiring the sway of her hips in the slim fitting black slacks.

She stowed her purse and hung up their coats then headed to the kitchen.  “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to have a glass of wine.  It’s been a bottle and a half kind of day.” She didn’t wait for answer, but proceeded to pull her favorite Reisling from the fridge along with a plate of cheese and fruit.

Standing by the breakfast bar he unwrapped the plate while she poured herself a glass of crisp golden liquid.  He watched as she rolled her shoulders.  “Rough day?”

She took a healthy sip and closed her eyes.  “God that’s good.”  Setting the glass down, she rubbed her temples.  “Work was busy, normal.  I got engrossed in this really good manuscript.  That’s why I was late.  But, it was the ride home that damn near did me in.” Opening her eyes she focused on him.  Damn he looked good in her kitchen.  “Thank you for the flowers.  They’re beautiful.”

“You’re welcome.”  He looked around, over her shoulder, leaned back to look at the table.  “Where are they?”

“I left them at work so I could enjoy them next week.”  She opened the cabinet behind her and pulled out a glass.  “Can I get you something to drink?”

He smirked.  “Got any diet coke?”  After their little discussion at the movies the other night, he was sure she would tell him no.

“Actually,” she moved to the refrigerator.  “I bought some yesterday.”  She smirked back at him.  “Just for you.”

When she set the can down next to the glass in front of him he tugged on her wrist, pulling her around the counter to stand in front of him.  “Thank you.”  He dipped his head and his lips found hers in a quick, firm kiss.

Before she could stop herself her hand slid up his warm, hard chest, coming to rest against his neck; her thumb caressing his jaw.  Her mouth slid across his, nipping lightly at his full lower lip.

He growled low and he angled his head to deepen the kiss.  The hand that held hers drew her closer, pressing her hand to his chest while his free hand slid around her waist, holding her against him.  He kissed her with all the pent up desire he had been holding in check for the last few weeks.

His heat and the hardness pressing against her belly had her easing back from him.  Her eyes were blurred as they met his.  Her hand fell from his face and his grasp and she took a slight step back, trying to catch her breath and find a coherent thought.  “I should-” she stopped.  I should what?

Richie reached for her hand; palm to palm he tangled their fingers together and kissed her again.  “You should what sweetheart?”

Sucking on her lower lip she looked up at him.  “What?”  God, where had her brain gone?

He chuckled.  “You started to say ‘you should’ but didn’t finish your thought.  You should what?”

She shook her head slightly.  “I think I was going to say I should go change my clothes, but now I’m not sure.  I can’t seem to think right now.”

Bringing their clasped hands to his mouth, he pressed his lips to the back of hers.  “Go change.  We have all night sweetheart.”

Listening to the click of her heels on the hardwood floor as they retreated down the hall, he couldn’t help but think that maybe tonight would finally be the night.

Chapter Seventeen

The parking area Richie pulled into was deserted and he parked in a spot closest to the beach.  Leaving their shoes in the car, Richie grabbed the blanket from the trunk and they stepped through the opening in the concrete barriers onto the cool sand.  The moon had broken through the clouds and lit their path.

They walked in a companionable silence for a bit, just listening to the waves crashing against the shore.  Unconsciously, his hand reached for hers and he tangled their fingers together as they moved down the beach.

The heat that slid up her arm when their fingers met had her hesitating for the briefest moment before curling her fingers around his.  Stop being an idiot.  He was just holding her hand.

Her hesitation didn’t go unnoticed.  Stopping in a silvery pool of moonlight, Richie turned to face her, holding their entwined hands up so she could see them.  “Does this bother you?”

Flustered by his reaction, Stephanie stumbled over her words as she searched for a way to answer him.  “Yes-” she watched him frown and felt his fingers slacken in their grip.  She tried to back pedal.  “No… it’s just… I’m not-” she blew out a breath “damn it.”  

Letting his hand go, she paced away from him, trying to gather her thoughts.  She looked to the sky, searching the stars for answers.  Why was this so hard?  Turning back she took a breath and tried again. “It’s not that it bothers me, it’s just...”.   She dropped her gaze to the sand. God how did she explain this to him without hurting his feelings and sounding like a complete moron?

Shaking out the blanket he still carried, he reached for her hands, “come on sweetheart, sit down and let’s talk about this.”  He wasn’t ready to give up on her yet.  He wanted to help her work through her resistance and get her to a place where she could be comfortable with him.

Settling beside him, she drew her knees up, wrapping her arms around her legs and resting her chin on her knees.  The breeze blew her hair across her face as she looked out over the water.  “I’m sorry.”

With gentle fingers he tucked her hair back so he could see her face.  “Don’t be sorry.  Tell me what’s going on so we can get past this.”

Turning her head she stared at him for a long minute.  He was being so understanding; any other guy she was sure would have ran screaming the other way by now.  Shifting her gaze back out across the water her mouth opened and the words just came tumbling out.  “Mark and I met when we were just 16.  We worked at the same fast food restaurant.  I thought he was cute with those deep blue eyes of his, despite the hideous uniforms we had to wear.”  She smiled at the memory.  “It took him three months to work up the nerve to ask me out.”

Richie watched the emotions flit across her face as she told him her personal love story. She’d had what he had always wanted and had hoped he found with Heather.  As she told him of their ups and downs, their hopes and dreams, his heart ached for her and for all that she had lost.  To love and be loved so completely, he wanted to know that kind of love.

Her words slowed as she neared the end of her tale.  Her breath hitched as she told him of those last days.  When she turned her head, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.  “I loved him with everything I had Rich, and it damned near killed me to say goodbye.”  She picked up his hand, the need for just that bit of contact outweighing the feeling that she was somehow doing something terribly wrong.  “He was the only guy I ever touched and let touch me.  He was the only one who ever made me feel wanted, desired.”

She looked up, her eyes finding his.  “Then I moved to California, thinking I could get past the grief and loss with a new job and different scenery.  I wasn’t looking for a new guy, never even considered that a possibility.  Then, by some odd stroke of luck, I met you.  A man I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d ever get to meet, let alone have to have a conversation like this with.  You’ve made me feel wanted and desired again and, in all honesty, it scares me.  As much as my head knows Mark is gone and that even just holding hands with you is okay, my heart is taking longer to accept that fact.”

She turned her head to look back across the water and a single tear escaped down her cheek.  “Why is it so hard to let go?”

Pulling his hand back, he took a chance and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.  He contemplated the waves as he tried to find the right words.  “It wasn’t easy for me to start over after Heather and I divorced.  You think you found that one person, the one that’s your be all, end all and then the next thing you know, she’s asking for a divorce and I’m moving out and trying to figure out just where things went to shit.  Then I hooked up with Denise.”

Stephanie shifted closer to him, her hip touching his as he told her his story.  He tightened his arm around her to keep her close.

“The first time we f-” he paused, deciding he didn’t want to be quite that crude.  “The first time we slept together, I have to tell you, it was a little weird.  She was all new territory for me.  It does take some time to get comfortable with someone new.”  He looked down at her, “you were with Mark for 25 years, he’s only been gone for a short time.  I know it’s going to take a while for you to get comfortable with me, but I hope I can at least hold your hand and steal a kiss without you looking like you’re scared to death of me.”

They sat together, neither saying a word, just watching the waves creep closer as the tide moved in.  When the cold starting seeping through the blanket and she started to shiver Richie stood and held out his hand, “come on sweetheart, it’s getting too cold for my old bones to sit here any longer.”

Putting her hand in his she let him help her up.  Before she could reach down for the blanket he caught her chin with his fingers and tipped her head up.  His lips were on hers before she could blink.

He heard her quick intake of breath and knew he’d caught her off guard.  That had been his intent.  If he could get her not to think about what was happening she wouldn’t have a chance to freeze up on him.

With his mouth on hers she couldn’t think; she could only react.  Her arms moved of their own accord, winding around his waist.  Her mouth moved with his, opening when his tongue sought entrance, letting him fill her with his flavor.  When she felt his hand slip from her chin, his long fingers curling into the hair at her nape, she pulled her mouth from his.  Her eyes were blurry as she tried to focus on his. 

“I think you should take me home now.”

Chapter Sixteen

Just before the turn-off for Zuma beach, Richie made a right hand turn into a small hillside complex.  Wending their way through the trees, the restaurant appeared on the right, tucked in among the maples and oaks.

Richie parked and as he helped her out of the car she caught a hint of salt in the air.  They were just south of the beach and the light breeze carried the scent of sand and seawater. Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, savoring the clean evening air.  Back in New York she had lived near the shores of Lake Ontario, but the air had never smelled this good.

A light tug on her fingers had her opening her eyes.  She found Richie watching her, amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth.  “What?”

He pulled her gently away from the car, walking them toward the door.  He couldn’t remember the last time any of the women he knew had stopped to smell the roses as it were, or even the last time he himself had done it.   He smiled at her, utterly charmed by the pleasure she took in such a simple act.   “I can’t tell you the last time I saw someone stop to smell the ocean.”

She smiled sadly and her cheeks took on a hint of pink, “I’ve learned to appreciate everything, and” she took one last deep breath, “there’s nothing quite like breathing in the fresh sea air.”

“No” he agreed.  “There isn’t.”  He held the door open for her.  “It smells even better in Hawaii.”

“I bet.”  Hawaii was one place she had always wanted to go.  Mark had promised her they would get there one day, but that was one promise he would never be able to fulfill. Shaking off the thought she followed Richie and the hostess to their table.

Even though it was past the dinner hour, the restaurant was still doing a brisk business. Most of the tables were full and the bar was crowded.  From their table in the corner, looking over Richie’s shoulder, she had a view of the beautifully kept grounds.  If she glanced to her left, she could see the chefs behind the sushi bar rolling and wrapping and putting on an entertaining show.

This was something she and Mark had never shared.  She’d had her first taste of sushi with her girlfriends on a weekend trip to New York City.  She smiled to herself at the memory. She and Samantha had shared a cab from the airport, meeting up with Hath at the hotel. They went for lunch and Sam had ordered sushi.  When offered a taste, Stephanie shrugged and accepted the bite of California roll.  She had been a fan ever since, but could never quite get Mark to agree with her.

Richie studied her as her gaze shifted past his shoulder and out into the night.  Her dark hair fell in long, soft curls past her slim shoulders; her skin took on a honey glow from the flickering candle that burned in its Chinese lantern holder between them.  Her lips, painted a soft shell pink, looked soft and inviting.  Unconsciously, he wet his own lips, knowing hers were as sweet as they looked and longing for another taste.

Refocusing her eyes and pushing back the memories, she found Richie watching her.  “What?”

He reached across the table, his fingertips brushing hers.  “You were a million miles away sweetheart.  Where’d you go?”

She smiled softly, “I was just thinking about the first time I ever had sushi.”

He scanned her face, wondering if it was a memory with Mark.  But he found no sadness there, just a fondness for the memory.  “It must have been a good time.”

She nodded.  “It was.  One of the best.”  She told him of that trip, and one other that she had taken with her girlfriends.  Her smile widened, “you know, in the last few years I traveled a lot because of you.”

Before he could say anything their waitress appeared and set a platter down on the table between them.  The girl looked at Richie, “Toshi say he take care of you tonight.”

Richie leaned back and looked over to the bar, the chef waved and Richie nodded his head. “Tell him thank you.”

The girl disappeared and Richie turned back to Stephanie.  “I think this is the vegetable and shrimp tempura.”  He picked up his chopsticks, “There is just one rule tonight.”

She quirked an eyebrow.  “And what might that be?”

He grinned and tapped his chopsticks together.  “You have to use your chopsticks.  No forks allowed.”

Their conversation ebbed and flowed as they sampled the delicately fried shellfish and crisp vegetables.  After her fourth or fifth piece Stephanie set her chopsticks down with a groan.  “If I eat any more of this, I won’t have room for anything else.”  She sat back in her chair, sipping her tea and rubbing her stomach with one hand.  “I’m full already.”

Richie popped one last shrimp in his mouth and set his chopsticks across his plate.  “That’s the only problem with this place.  The food is too good and the portions are too generous.”  His eyes roamed from her face down to where her hand was resting on her stomach and back to her face.  “Am I going to have to roll you out of here when we’re done?”

She nodded and laughed, “Probably.  I haven’t eaten this much all at once in a long time.”  She hadn’t eaten like this since before Mark and Ben died.  Her appetite had taken an abrupt turn and still hadn’t returned to what it once was.

Something flickered across her face, a fleeting unpleasant thought?  He wasn’t sure but it was gone before he could make anything more of it.

The waitress came and cleared away the platter, replacing it with another that held a wide array of sushi and sashimi, each piece an individual work of art.

Stephanie picked up her chopsticks, “your friend does realize there are only two of us at the table, right?”  She’d be lucky to get two or three pieces in her before she was stuffed to the gills.

He chuckled and picked up his chopsticks, “just eat what you can and don’t worry about it.  I have no problem taking a doggie bag home.”

~

They were both groaning by the time they walked out of the restaurant and climbed into the car.  Stephanie pulled the seatbelt across the front of her and clicked it into place.  “I am so full.”  She nudged Richie’s arm where it rested on the console with her elbow.  “Why’d you make me eat so much?”

He looked over at her, astonished.  “Make you?  I don’t recall tying your hands behind your back and forcing you to eat anything.”

She laughed.  “Lighten up, I was kidding.”

He closed his eyes and shook his head.  She had really loosened up since he had picked her up earlier.  “Wanna take a walk, work off some of that fish we ate?”  He wasn’t ready to take her back home yet.

She glanced at the clock on the dashboard.  It was still fairly early so she shrugged.  “Sure.  Where?”

He put the car in gear and headed back to the turn off for Zuma beach.

Chapter Fifteen

Richie closed the door and heaved out the breath he had been holding since Nikki had walked in that same door an hour before.  That had gone better than he could have hoped. She totally understood where he was coming from and she told him she was thinking about putting an end to that part of their relationship anyway.  She had met someone interesting she had said and wanted to see what would come of it.

He almost sagged with the relief he felt at her admission.  They had talked a bit more and she assured him that working together wouldn’t be a problem.  He had been worried that she would find it awkward or uncomfortable.  She assured him that they could go on just being friends, designing clothes and making music as if their intimate moments had never happened.  She hugged him at the door and told him she hoped he found what he was looking for, that he shouldn’t settle and that he deserved to be happy.  He just kissed her on the cheek and watched her drive off.

He did not, however, mention that he actually had met someone.  Not because he wanted to hide the fact that he did, but it was so early in its stages, he still wasn’t sure where it was going to end up.  He knew where he wanted it to go, but he just needed to convince Stephanie that that’s where she wanted to be too and that she didn’t have to feel guilty about it.

He paused in front of the sliding glass door to stare out at the back yard.  He knew that’s how she was feeling last weekend when he took her home.  He could read it in her face.  He wanted her to be ready for him, but he also knew that forcing the issue wasn’t the right way to go with her.  She had to come to that decision on her own, but was damn sure going to turn on the charm and make it as hard as possible for her to resist him.   

He glanced at his watch, it was early still.  He could call her.  He had promised he would and he hadn’t all week.  He dug his phone out of his pocket.  Maybe he could convince her to go to dinner with him tonight.  Nothing too fancy, just somewhere causal and quiet; somewhere they could talk.  Dialing through his contacts he pressed a couple of buttons and waited.

~

Trying to find some peace from the guilt and sadness that had plagued her all week, Stephanie dug out her yoga mat and favorite DVD.  She had started taking yoga after the accident. It gave her something else to focus on and she needed that now.  She was in the midst of her routine when her phone rang.  Reaching down she pressed the speaker button so she could continue her work out while she talked.  “Hello?”

“Hi sweetheart.”

His voice made her pulse jump and she nearly lost her balance.  She had been so sure she wasn’t going to hear from him again.  And it still unnerved her a little to be talking to Richie Sambora.  Taking a deep breath she re-centered herself and pasted on a smile.  “Hey you. How are you?”

“I’m good.”  He listened, the music and voice in the background piquing his interest.  “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

She lowered herself to the lotus position and paused the DVD.  “No, I was just finishing up a little yoga.  What’s up?”

Doing his best not to think about her contorting herself into any of a number of positions he closed his eyes and took a breath.  “Tell me you’re not busy tonight.”

Okay she thought, she’d play along.  “I’m not busy tonight.”

“Good.”

She could hear the smile in his voice and could just about see his dimple winking at her through the phone.  “Why is that good?”

He chuckled.  “I’m getting there darlin’.  Do you like sushi?”  He all but crossed his fingers in the hopes that she would say yes.

“Yes, actually, I do.  I’m pretty sure that was a prerequisite for me moving here.  The State of California wouldn’t have let me in or something if I didn’t.”

He laughed.  “California definitely would have missed out if they had turned you away sweetheart.”   He heard her slight gasp before continuing.  “I’ve got a reservation at Zooma Sushi at 8.  Care to join me?”

Her smile softened and her cheeks pinked at his compliment.  Then she heard Catte’s voice in her head.  Let him take you out.  She nodded slightly as she spoke.  “I’d like that.  Should I meet you there?”

“No darlin’” he said.  “I’ll be by to pick you up at 7.  Is that all right?”

She glanced at the clock.  “I’ll be ready.  See you then.”

Hanging up the phone she shut the television off and rolled up her yoga mat before heading upstairs.  Turning on the shower she peeled off her work out clothes and stepped under the hot spray.  She wasn’t going to think about Mark tonight she told herself.  She was going to have a nice dinner with an even nicer man.  It was just dinner after all, no reason to feel guilty about that.  She needed to eat anyway and why do it alone if she didn’t have to?

Stepping out of the shower she rubbed herself with a fluffy towel and smoothed on her lotion before drying her hair.  Stepping back into her room she stood in her closet, trying to figure out what to wear.  Frowning as she looked at her clothes she tightened her towel and headed back downstairs.  Maybe if she could bring up the restaurant website she could get an idea if it was casual or dressy.

Opening up her laptop she found the restaurant.  It looked like a nice, casual, quiet place and the menu looked amazing.  She clicked around for a while longer and then checked her e-mail.  That was a mistake.  There were more than a few from her friends and they all wanted to know why she hadn’t told them about Richie.

“Okay, just one e-mail then I have to get dressed” she told herself.

To:  The Girls
From:  Q
Re:  Richie…

Hey girls, I’m sorry I haven’t been more forthcoming with details, but this, whatever this is, is still all new for me.  Be patient.  I promise I will share when there is something to share.  Right now though, I have to go get dressed. He will be here in half an hour!!

Catte, I took your advice.  I’m letting him take me out.  We’re going to dinner tonight.

Love you all…

Q

Closing the lid on her laptop she raced back up the stairs.  Dressing quickly she managed to fix her hair, get her make up on and was headed back down the stairs with her shoes in hand as the doorbell rang.  Taking a deep, calming breath she pulled her front door open. “Hi Richie.”

He smiled at her and stepped inside.  “Hi yourself” he said, kissing her cheek as he moved past her.  He had to hide a smirk when he heard the thud of one of her shoes hitting the floor.

Feeling her face heat, she dropped her other shoe and stepped into them.  “I just need to grab my jacket and then we can go.”

“No rush, sweetheart.”

In the small hallway she brushed against him as she moved by get to the closet.  Her pulse jumped as her body came in contact with his and the spicy scent of his cologne tickled her senses.  God he smelled good she thought as she pulled her coat from the closet; nothing at all like Mark.   She closed her eyes against the thought.  No, she wasn’t going to do this tonight.  Feeling a tug on the coat in her hand she opened her eyes and found Richie watching her. 

“You all right?”  She had been too quiet and he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.

She nodded and turned so he could help her on with her coat.  “I’m fine.”  She turned back to face him as she buttoned and tied her jacket.  “All set.”

Not missing the conflicting emotion in her pretty eyes, he followed her out of the house and down the walk to the car.  At the door he paused and took her hand in his.  “You can talk to me Steph.”  He searched her eyes again.  “About anything.”

Her nod was nearly imperceptible.  “I know.”  Just not now Rich, she thought.

A long finger stroked her jaw and then he was opening her door.  She reached for his hand as she settled in the low seat of the fancy sports car.  Tipping her head up, she met his gaze.  “Thanks.”

He smiled and shut the door, rounding the front of the car.  Climbing in he carefully backed the car out of the driveway, heading toward Malibu.