Chapter 5: Too Hot to Handle

Kinley

After the last drop of the second bottle of wine was gone, the leftover spaghetti boxed, and bill paid, Natalie and Kinley headed outside to wait on their cabs. Both were feeling pretty good, giggling and hugging good-bye.

Natalie's car pulled up first.

"So, this Seth guy. You really think he's legit, huh?" she asked as she placed her box in the backseat and one leg inside the door.

"Yeah, I really do. I feel it. I told you, I can't explain it. There's just something about him."

"Okay. I will take your word for it. Just be careful. I mean you just had your heart broken. I would hate to see it happen again. Just take it slow. You barely know him."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I will I promise. I just have to see where this goes."

"Of course, you do. I love you bunches. Text you when I get home." Natalie slid the rest of the way into the backseat and blew Kinley a kiss as the cab sped off.

Kinley stood there breathing in the night air as she waited for her car to arrive. Everything smelled sweeter. The colors of the sun fading behind the buildings were brighter. Everything seemed to be changing. She just wanted to embrace it all. How could one guy have had this much of an effect on her?

Her car pulled up and she climbed inside. She told the driver where to take her and he pulled away from the restaurant. She rolled her window down so she could feel the wind on her face. As they drove passed the now beautifully lit buildings coming into their night lives, she couldn't help but be lost in thoughts over Seth.

That night she fell asleep early. She had some errand running to do in the morning before work, so she knew she wanted to get some rest. Kinley's sleep was restless though. Every time she would fall asleep, she would start dreaming. The dreams were chaotic and dark. She could see a man, tall and beastly. He would just stand there and stare at her, though she couldn't even see his eyes. Then he would change into an animal and run. She couldn't remember what animal he transformed into once she was awake, but she couldn't shake the visual of the dark figure standing over her either.

The sun filtered through the curtains landing on her face causing her to stir before the alarm. She got up and showered and threw on a pair of tan capris and a cream-colored sweater. She threw her hair up and dashed out the door to the waiting cab.

The driver ran her to the grocery store. She only needed a few things. She was standing in the freezer section trying to decide which frozen pizza to have for dinner, when suddenly a feeling rushed over her body. It was like lava pouring over her skin. She swore it could have melted everything in that freezer.

She turned around and Seth was standing there, hand on hip, tapping his foot swiftly.

"Ma'am, can you hurry? I need to get in there too." He started laughing. She shut the freezer door and walked over to him. She gave him a quick hug. The smell. It was so good.

"You are very funny. What are you doing here?"

"My manager at work asked if I could stop and grab some romaine and tomatoes. I mean, that is in my job description as a waiter." He rolled his eyes. She laughed.

"Oh yeah? Earning some brownie points with the boss, huh?"

"Something like that. Actually, I'm just a really good guy."

"I have noticed," she said. Kinley felt her face flush red. He reached over and touched the top of her hand with his index finger. He slid it up to her wrist and then stopped. Her heart was going hard and the warmth she felt all over her body was almost making her nauseous. She grabbed her cart to steady her shaking limbs.

"You okay?" he asked, once again placing his hand on hers.

"Yeah, I think I am just getting sick or something." She wiped the sweat from her forehead. That must look super attractive.

"Oh no, that's not good. I hope not. I was wanting to take you out to dinner sometime soon."

"I would really like that. A lot," she said as she reached back into the freezer and grabbed a random pepperoni pizza and threw it in her cart. He made her so nervous, but so serene at the same time.

"Me too. Well, I will let you get done shopping and head home to rest since you aren't feeling well. I have a feeling though that you will be better in no time."

He winked at her. She wasn't sure what it meant but it made her giggle a little as she started to walk away.

"Thanks. I hope to see you again soon."

"You most definitely will. I promise." He shot that killer smile and disappeared into the bread aisle.

She sighed. She really did hope she wasn't getting sick.

Kinley paid for her groceries and headed out to wait for the car to come back. Moments later she had filled the trunk with the groceries and was headed home. By the time she was in front of her building, she was feeling fine, just as he said she would in no time.

Standing in her kitchen, Kinley had all the food put away and decided it was a perfect time to take a nice bubble bath. She poured herself some wine as the tub filled.

After it was full, she slipped off her clothes and stood in front of the mirror. It was then that her thoughts about Seth took a turn. She not only wanted to go on dates with him, she just plain out wanted him. Her body ached every time she even looked at him. She wanted to fall into his arms every time he touched her hand with his. Her imagination started to run wild as she slid into the warm water and let it take her to an erotic place where she could only hope her dreams and reality would one day meet.