Authors: LaVenia R. Boswell
Melody looked up just after Mister Blue Eyes and another young man came strolling into class. His baby blue’s sought her out and when their eyes met, her heart melted. His broad smile was ice melting gorgeous.
The professor took their admittance cards, glanced at them and started to toss the cards onto his podium when he looked at them again.
“Well, ladies and gentlemen, it appears that we have an ambassador from a foreign land among us. Would you all greet Mr. Jonathan Jontu and Mr. Mark Zanlea?”
Many nodded and several “Hi's” rang out. Jonathan and his friend took seats across the isle from Melody.
“Melody, get hold of yourself, girl! Quit looking in his direction. He'll think you're some easy pick-up,” Marsha leaned over and whispered to her, while taking frequent peeks at the young men herself.
As soon as class ended Melody picked up her books and notes, although she had no idea what the lecture had been about today, her mind having been elsewhere. Heading for the door Jonathan touched her elbow. She knew it had to be him, even before she turned to look, because a tingling sensation was creeping over her body. Turning she stared into the most handsome set of broad shoulders she'd ever seen.
Where's my voice?
Melody thought. All she could do was smile up into those deep sky blue eyes with no idea where her voice was. She didn't even see Marsha glare at her as the classmate forcibly shoved past her to head toward the door with the rest of the class.
“Hi, my name's Jonathan,” he stated in his deep, sultry voice that felt like velvet sliding over her body, as he stared into her eyes, with his own heart quivering. “Would you happen to have time for a bit of lunch? (Knowing full well she didn't have another class today and it was also her day off from work.) I have three weeks of notes to get caught up on,” he managed to say without stammering. “I certainly would appreciate a short synopsis of what I've missed so far,” he quickly added. Then smiled at her again.
“Huh? Oh, yeah, well, uh . . . sure. I mean, uh, I'd be happy to help you get caught up with the class. My uh, notes aren't the best in the world but I'd be more than pleased to help you.”
Girl, you're acting like a thirteen year old. Quit staring! Hasn't he got the most sensual accent you've ever heard? And that scent! His cologne is absolutely sending goose bumps all over me.
Forcibly she pulled her eyes away from his and saw that the instructor was standing at the door with his keys jangling waiting for them to leave so he could lock up.
“I'm sorry,” she said when she saw the Professor.
Looking up at Jonathan she continued, “Lunch sounds fine, anywhere in particular?” He took the books and papers from her and with a hand on her arm guided her out the door.
While watching the classroom being locked Melody realized that she hadn't introduced herself. “By the way, my name's Melody, Melody Ann Milton.”
“That's a very beautiful name, it matches you perfectly.” He couldn't stop smiling. Even her voice was like listening to a beautiful song.
I must create a song about her - something light, airy and lovely,
he thought.
Mark noted the “Bonding-Look” that was passing between Jonathan and Melody and decided he better get the show on the road. He signaled to get the car ready, then turned his attention back to Jonathan. Clearing his throat he ventured, “Well, Jon, we may be starving this young lady, how about this luncheon date?”
“Oh, I'm so sorry, here we are standing in the hot sun when we should be on our way. I did promise you a lunch, didn't I?”
“But you must name the place,” she said as they began walking toward the parking lot. She suddenly looked down at her jean skirt, white lace blouse with frilly loose push-up sleeves and off-white sandals and quickly added, “But not anything fancy.”
Jonathan looked at his own image, faded jeans, bright jewel tone blue linen shirt, leather open weave sockless shoes and nodded in agreement. He had picked out his clothes carefully, trying to adhere to what he perceived to be Melody's taste. He hadn't given a lot of thought to dress clothes. He quickly made a mental note to ask Mark to help him shop for formal wear.
Better yet, maybe I could get Melody to help me. Yeah, that would be great!
“
Melody, we are rather new to your country, maybe you would be gracious enough to help me with another problem?” The black limo pulled up just then. Opening the door for Melody himself he continued, “We are at odds as to what style clothing to wear. One day, when you have time that is, could you help us shop?” (He knew she
loved
to shop) He quickly added, “My government would gladly pay you for such help, as our fashion consultant.”
“Fashion consultant?” she asked in complete but pleasant surprise, and feeling quite pleased for the opportunity to spend additional time with him, maybe. “Oh, I'd be more than happy to help - free of charge. What country are you from, I noticed you have a very pleasant accent but I can’t place it?” She had settled into the marshmallow soft cream-colored leather upholstery, noticing his friend had gotten into the front seat with the driver.
“We're from a small country. An island off the coast of
Australia
. Independent. I'm an ambassador of sorts, I guess. I really looked forward to visiting the
United States
to experience the culture,” Jonathan answered quietly with a charming smile.
He noticed her looking questionably at Mark. “Mark is my friend as well as my bodyguard. I'm sorry, I never introduced him to you, did I?”
Nervously she answered, “No you didn't. I wondered why he was sitting up front, and why you had a limousine at your disposal.” She felt a little uneasy, after all she didn't know anything about Jonathan except that he was gorgeous and had asked her to lunch.
He picked up one of the phones on the back of the seat, turned and asked her if she liked seafood. After she nodded that she did he mumbled an order into the phone.
Leaning back in the seat he turned to smile at her. “How about a nice meal at the beach? I have, uh, I mean, I know a very good chef and his meals will make your mouth water just to look at them.” His face was beaming, his black slicked back hair gathered at his nape in a ponytail and bronzed skin just made his white teeth and blue eyes sparkle.
“The beach is quite a few miles from here. Maybe you should pick somewhere closer,” she suggested. When he looked chest-fallen she added, “I love the beach, I just don't want to put you to so much trouble.”
“It's no trouble at all,” he admitted relieved. “You're the first woman I've had the pleasure to dine with since we arrived. I hope it won't be the last . . . the last time we dine together.” He knew he was blushing.
Blast
it! Why must I behave like a pre-adolescent training boy around her?
She saw him blush and she fought the smile that was threatening to spread across her face.
So,
she thought,
he feels just as odd around me as I do around him.
She took a deep breath and began to relax. At least he wasn't a threat, and he actually was embarrassed around her. Why? He certainly didn't look like the kind of man who would be embarrassed around anyone. He had a certain flare for commanding attention without any effort on his part. Yet, at the same time, he made her want to hold him like a teddy bear.
He saw her relax then stretch out her long lovely legs. He covertly admired their shape. She asked if she could remove her shoes. “Of course,” he answered with a flip of his hand.
“I hate wearing shoes,” she grinned as she slid them off.
He realized even her feet were pretty with her tiny coral colored toenails. He noted she was wearing nude tone silk stockings. One thing he loved about Earth was the feel of silk. It was strange that a fabric could actually feel sensuous but the feel of silk always did that to him. They didn't have silk on H'trae. He wanted to touch her hose, but dared not.
Slowly he scanned her body, pretending to look at the driver. His eyes stopped at her top. There was a little cleavage showing through the side view of her blouse above the satin and lace bra. He suddenly found himself very aroused. Coughing, he picked up one of her books and set it in his lap, then he grabbed up some of her notes and pretended to look at them.
She turned in the seat and placed one knee up on the cushion with it barely touching his hip. He turned to face her while making certain he didn't disconnect from her knee contact and trying to look casual at the same time.
She leaned over to remove a piece of lent from the hem of her skirt, doing so her blouse slid forward and with the gape at the neckline he managed to see down to the full roundness of her feminine assets. A slight involuntary moan escaped his lips. She looked up and saw what he was looking at before he could tear his eyes away. She stiffened and sat up straightening her blouse.
You idiot,
she thought,
why did you have to lean over? I bet he thinks you did that on purpose. Why did you pick this blouse to wear anyway? You know why! You thought it looked pretty and sexy on you and had prayed that he would be on campus today.
Now she blushed.
He was smiling to himself at her reaction when he asked, “Do you have family here?”
“Yes, I have an older brother and my mother. They both live here in town. Do you have a big family?”
He smiled and relaxed. “Both my parents and sister are back home. Golda is my sister's name, she's married to a fine man.” She saw sadness creep over his face as he continued, “She only recently found out that she can't have children . . . it has taken its toll on her and her husband.”
“That's terrible, I'm so sorry. They must have been looking forward to a family.” Not knowing what to say she blurted out, “Has anyone spoken to them about adoption?”
“No, it's not feasible for them at this time. My parents were really disappointed. They've looked forward to having grandchildren for many years now.”
She thought a moment, then cautiously said, “Well, what about you, won't you be giving them grandchildren in a few years or . . . is the problem inherited?
“No, it's not a problem with us males, just females. I haven't looked for a wife. But . . . I guess I'm getting older and should start. Don't you think?” he asked, then watched her face change colors.
“Not unless you're ready for that sort of thing,” Melody said refusing to look directly at him.
His talk about finding a wife made her feel uneasy so she picked up some of her notes and started going over what he had missed in class already. After several questions she realized that he already had a better grasp of the subject than she had, so why was he taking the class?
“You already know this material, why are you taking it again?” Melody asked boldly.
Looking startled for a moment he hesitated, then said, “I'm working on my Doctorate in University Education and I decided the best way to write my thesis on ‘Instruction versus Perception’ was to observe how various professors conduct their classes. I'll check the correctness of their exams against grade scores. Then I'll compare them to the comments the student's made in class and impromptu discussions I'll have with each as the semester continues.”