Authors: Danielle Sibarium
“Of what?”
“The klutz act.”
“Act?” Elizabeth asked full of indignation.
“It worked far too well for me to believe this was your first time.”
I insulted her. I could see it in her eyes, I didn't mean to, guess I was just so used to turning girls off when they wanted to talk and get to know me, it came naturally.
“You cocky, arrogant….”
Feisty little thing. I liked that. I gave her a sly sideways smile. “I’m not complaining, Liz. I mean it worked. We're here right?” I raised my eyebrows hoping she'd realize I was playing.
“My name is Elizabeth. For the record, coming here was your idea, and I need to get going.” She stood.
I reached for her hand, curious if she'd let me touch her again. I didn't make contact this time. She snatched her hand out of my reach before I could.
“Just to clarify,” she spoke, her eyes alight, “I didn’t see you and I didn’t want to go anywhere with you.”
She was full of spirit and fire. A fire that burned bright through her brown eyes. She couldn't leave like this. Not yet. Not until she agreed to see me again. I stood quickly blocking her path.
“I’m sorry. I’m acting like a jerk,” I said placing my hands gently on her shoulders.
I thought I felt her shudder at my touch but I couldn’t be sure. Either way I knew she wanted to pull away but didn’t.
“Jerk doesn’t even begin to . . .”
“I guess it’s because I’m covered in yolk.”
“It was funny the first time.
Now, not so much.”
I inched up closer to her, half a step maybe. Close enough
to cause her to look up at me.
“Elizabeth.” I saw her soften at the mention of her name. “Could we start over?”
She stared silently into my eyes. I couldn't tell which way she was going to go. She looked torn, confused. I wished I had a clue how to get her to teeter over to the side where she'd say yes. I just had to be convincing. I could do that.
“Go out with me tomorrow.”
I watched her swallow hard and give it a moment’s consideration.
“I don’t live around here. I’m just visiting.”
“Really?” An excuse. Luckily enough she used an easy one to counter. I crossed one arm across my chest while stroking my chin with the other, “Where do you live?”
“New Jersey.”
“What a coincidence. So do I.”
“Oh?” She didn't expect that.
“Where in Jersey?”
“Edison,” she answered.
I chuckled and bent my head down a little closer to hers as I whispered. “We were destined to meet,” I brushed her cheek gently with my index finger, bringing color to it. “I live in Metuchen. Right in the center of Edison."
I waited for her to toss out another excuse. I hoped whatever she'd throw at me would be as easy to counter as the first one.
"C'mon, let me apologize properly for my inexcusable behavior and rotten mood."
"Okay, fine. But if there's even a trace of this arrogant attitude, I'm out of ther
e."
"Deal.”
Chapter 3
Elizabeth
I saw the light on my home phone blink when I walked through the door. Voicemail. Most likely my parents were freaking out that I hadn't yet called to tell them I made it home safe and sound. Stuck somewhere in the Middle Ages they wouldn't bother calling my cell phone, not while they knew I was driving. They worried I might get into an accident if I took my eyes off the road to answer. Apparently they didn't get the whole premise of bluetooth.
Before I could even call in for my messages, my cell phone chimed. I assumed it was my parents since it was late, and really who else would be calling? If I'm not picking up my home phone, m
ight as well try something new.
"
Hello," I answered with a yawn.
"Why haven't you called?" my sister Violet's voice scolded. "Mom and dad are having a cow. They're ready to start calling
hospitals, and every police station from Bay Ridge to New Jersey"
"Calm down. I haven't had a chance. I just got in."
"You hit traffic this late? Was there an accident?"
"Sort of.
I kind of bumped into someone."
"
Omigod, are you okay? Is there a lot of damage?"
"Only to his suit."
"What? Beth, what's with you?"
After yelling out to my parents that I was fine, my sister turned her attention back to me. "Start explaining."
I went on to tell her about accidentally bumping into Carter, the cup of coffee after, and the pending date for tomorrow.
"Was he hot?" she asked with enthusiasm.
"Violet!"
"Come on, Beth. That's what you need, a good fuck to get your head back in the game."
"Some of us are after more than just sex."
"Whatever. At least one of us has a life."
"You call your nightly screw session with Spike having a life?"
"That's right. At least I don't spend the majority of my Friday nights wa
tching Hallmark movies on T.V."
"Violet, your boyfriend's name is Spike. That's what you call a dog, not someone you're dating."
"You do know why they call him Spike don't you?"
"Because he thinks that's a cooler name than Jimmy?"
"I'll just say he didn't come up with Spike by himself. It's because he's long and hard."
"
Lalalala," I tried to shut her up. "Please, I don't want to hear any more."
"Afraid to admit your little sister's seeing more action than you?"
"No. I just don't want to go to sleep with the image of you and your punk boyfriend doing the nasty."
"How about having sweet dreams about get
ting it on with your new hunk?"
"I'm not going to think about having sex with him. I'm not even sure I want to see him again. He's rude and narcissistic."
"And hot?"
I thought about how his wavy dark hair framed his steely grey eyes, those deep dimples that made me swoon, and the feel of his rock hard chest. My stomach fluttered when I looked at him, even with a quick glance. I couldn't deny him his looks. "Okay, fine. Yes, he's hot."
I didn't need to see the smile cross her lips to know it was there.
"Are you going to see him again?"
"I don't know. I don't think it's a good idea."
"Come on, Beth. Go for it. Throw caution to the wind. What's the worst that can happen?"
She had a point. Maybe I should go for it with Carter. I'd been too afraid to take a chance on anyone. But something about Carter made me uneasy. Something in the bottom of my stomach told me to keep my distance from him. Not that I thought he was dangerous, but one big time heartbreak was more than enough for me.
Chapter 4
Carter
I couldn't sleep. I was restless. Each time I tried to clear my mind, it went back to Elizabeth and those big brown eyes. They were so large and full of life. She was a conundrum; skeptical and cynical, yet at the same time she was shy and abashed. She blushed at my touch and when she looked into my eyes a moment too long, that's where her interest and desire peeked through.
But she couldn't be that innocent could she? She wasn't so taken with me that I could steamroll her. When I pushed, she was ready to get up and walk away. That wasn't the type of girl I usually found myself with. Not in the last five y
ears.
I'd steer clear of someone like Elizabeth by miles. Somehow the broken ones and I just gravitated toward each other. We'd pull at each other like magnets, until we had no choice but to come together. We'd collide, frolic for a night or two, and then
go our separate ways.
After spending some time with Elizabeth, I found myself wanting more time with her. Thinking about her while in bed was doing nothing to help me sleep. Thinking of touching her, and kissing her . . .
There's always tomorrow I told myself. The only problem was I didn't know for sure she'd show up. I could only hope she was just as curious about me as I was about her. I'd call her in the morning and make sure I promised to make things interesting.
Chapter 5
Elizabeth
I shook my head as I got out of the car. What was wrong with me? What was I doing? He was arrogant for sure, bordering on obnoxious. Why did I ever agree to see him again? But when he called me this morning I was surprised and flustered. I didn't think he'd actually call,
and I couldn't wait to see him.
My eyes met his and my heart raced. How could just looking at him cause such a reaction? I didn't even like him.
Much.
Carter stood leaning nonchalantly against his car with his hands crossed over his chest. He looked even better in his tan chinos and light blue button down shirt than the night before, relaxed and casual. His dark hair looked both wild and perfectly placed at the same time; the kind of hair you want to run your fingers through and hold on tight to. He smiled leaving me hoverin
g two inches above the ground.
In an effort to hide my jitters, I smoothed my long brown skirt and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my sweater. I hoped the surge of warmth I felt came from the weather and not my attraction to him. I couldn't be that into him yet, could I? As I watched him approach I hoped I could hide the nervous pinballs r
icocheting around in my belly.
Standing in front of me, Carter flashed a sexy smile showing off his dimples. He took a long moment raking his grey eyes over me, over every inch, checking me out like a predator studies his prey. Just before I thought I'd die from asphyxiation, unable to breathe, he leaned in
for a quick kiss on the cheek.
“You look fantastic.”
I inhaled, focused on catching my breath, and managed to pick up the fresh clean scent of soap and baby powder, like he just got out of the shower. Picturing him lathered up under the spray of water, I felt color fill my cheeks.
Too self-conscious for comfort, I tore my eyes from him and scanned the stores in the strip mall. Not one restaurant, coffee shop or bar. I wondered why on ear
th he would want to meet here.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Straight ahead,” he outstretched his hand toward a golf pro shop and began walking.
“Going to buy a set of golf clubs?
Really? This is your idea of a date?” He was even more self-absorbed than I thought. All the good looking ones were. Too bad. At least his personality would negate the effects his looks had on me.
Ignoring my question he continued, “Do you play?”
“Golf?”
“No, polo,” he tease
d pulling the door open for me.
I shook my head not even trying to hide my disappointment. What did I care if I upset him? I was less than thrilled his grand plan was to take me to a golf store.
“It’s a great game.”
“I think chasing a ball over acres of land pretty much defines boring.”
He gave me a knowing smirk, as if he held a very important clue to a mystery. “Let’s see if you still feel that way at the end of the night.”
“What are we going to do
? Hang out on a putting green?”
Carter laughed.
"Sort of."
What an egotistical jerk. I wondered if I could pull out a good excuse to leave. I didn't think he'd take it well if I admitted I'd rather have toothpicks stuck under my eye lids than hang out in a golf store.
“Hey, Carter!” A young man in his early twenties sporting khakis and a pullover came out from behind the desk and clapped Carter on the back. I couldn't make out if he was a friend or just a worker. “You’re all set,” He nudged his head toward the back of the store, “It’s all there.”
“Great.”
Trevor came over to me, introduced himself, and shook my hand. “You are one lucky lady.”
“Oh yeah, not everyone gets to check ou
t golf clubs on a first date.”
"Pretty and a sense of humor," Trevor laughed. “Enjoy.”
Chapter 6
Carter
Blue skies overlooked fields of green while birds chirped in the background. I peeked over at Elizabeth looking around wide mouthed, taking it all in as a projector and ceiling to floor screen brought it to life. For someone who didn't play, seeing the virtual golf course worked better then telling her about it. At least it did for me.
Black canvas covered the hidden computers while separating each of the three bays and its players from the one next to it. Of course we were, and would be, the only ones there. Indoor/outdoor carpeting of different shades of green served as a substitute for the perfectly manicured grass of a tee box, fairway and putting green. For what I had planned, it would work fine.
As I led Elizabeth past the two other bays before turning into the third and final bay, I saw the look on her face. I surprised her. Good. I breathed a sigh of relief. For reasons I didn't understand, I wanted tonight to be special. I wanted to wow her. Judging from her reaction, I did just that.