9 Chapter 9: FIRST DATE

The next day, Tory intentionally missed her normal bus. She wore a dress that complimented her curves and slipped on comfortable heels. Even though her feet protested due to all of the walking she'd done this week, she figured it would okay since her bus stop wasn't far from any of her destinations. Besides, bigger girls looked great in heels; especially if they knew how to do a model walk, and she'd practiced perfecting that long ago.

When she saw the bus rounding the corner, she stood up from her seat on the bench, her heart pitter-pattering in anticipation of seeing Lee again. Her cheeks grew warm as she remembered the fantasies that she'd had about him the night before. He was sitting in his regular seat and Tory hurried to grip the pole since she'd figured out the bus driver's game.

"Hi, Lee." She said shyly.

"Good morning." He smiled. "Let me put your money in and you can sit down here by me." His hand was held out and she dropped the coins into his waiting palm. His movement was sensual and slow as he rose from his seat, absently clutching the pole as he slipped her coins into the feeder. In the process he managed to brush her backside as she stepped around him in order to sit down.

She perched herself into the empty seat next to his and when he sat down, his hand reached out and lightly brushed her shoulder, than he sat down and looked at her. "You weren't limping today. Do your feet feel better?"

"Much."

"Good, I don't want to be forced to remove your shoes and give you a good rub down tonight." Every muscle in Tory's lower body tightened. She watched Lee's playful expression. He was such a flirt! Did he even know how much his words affected her? By the look on his face, he did.

"That would be my pleasure." She said seriously, giving him back his own line.

He suddenly chuckled. "I'm looking forward to tonight."

She smiled, enjoying the game of seduction and double entendre. "Me, too, Lee." She was suddenly serious. "It was all I could think about last night..."

He licked his full lips and she had to force herself to remember that she didn't need to be at work fully turned on with no outlet! Lee tilted his head slightly.

"I think that we're going to have fun tonight. I did some research on the net and found that the band that's playing tonight is Reggaeton and they have a lot of Ska influences."

"Reggae...Tone? I know Reggae, but never heard of Reggaeton."

"Really? Wow, girl, I'm going to have to show you something." He said with pleasure. "Reggaeton is

like...dancehall music. It would be more like a hip hop reggae. You've heard of Shaba Ranks, right?"

"Yeah." She nodded.

"That's Reggaeton. Mix Beenie man with Lil Wayne."

"Ooo, that's going to be nice."

He licked his lips again and then grabbed his duffel bag and stood. "This is my stop. I hope you're up for some dancing tonight, because I can dance all night long!" He was halfway down the stairs before he called over his shoulder. "See you tonight, Bela."

"Bye Lee!" Her brow was raised doubtfully...dance all night? Damn! Maybe she could take a pain pill since her feet were already sore. Still, the idea of dancing the night away with a sexy Latin guy was appealing despite the corns developing on her feet!

Work went super slow. At lunch she tried to select something to eat that wouldn't talk to her later during her date, which meant no onions, fish, or bean burrito. She settled on a ham sandwich and a cup of chicken noodle soup just to make sure that her stomach wouldn't be doing any embarrassing growling.

When Tory finally stepped off the bus across the street from Club Kat, her eyes immediately searched for Lee and there he stood near the entrance. No cane in sight, he stood patiently waiting for her arrival. It sent a thrill through her--that, as well as the fact that he looked really sexy. He was wearing black slacks, a casual t-shirt and a black jacket. She hurried across the street and when she was just a few feet from him, he smiled broadly and greeted her first.

"Tory. Hello."

"And how did you know it was me before I even said hi?"

He offered her his arm. "Remember, that I can see pretty well with my other senses. Are you ready for some Reggaeton? It's taking all of my will power not to stand out here and dance...but then people would throw me money."

She put her arm through his. "They wouldn't even know that you can't see."

"No. You can be my cane again. And I got our tickets online when I checked the itinerary."

"You use the computer?" He mentioned that earlier but she hadn't had time to ask him about it.

"Yes, all of the time. Actually, the computer is essential for my job." She led him into the entrance of the club and through a small crowding of people as he spoke. "I use a system called JAWS that reads the material for me. But most computers have an automatic text to voice program built in."

"Ohhh, gotcha."

"I have a little British woman that reads to me on a daily basis," he joked.

"Your computer has a British accent?"

"Or any accent I want it to have."

"Did you name her? I bet you have a name for her."

He chuckled. "I do actually. Her name is Nancy. Nancy has quite the sexy voice when she's reading a Dr. Suess book for me to transcribe." Tory couldn't help but to laugh. Lee had a great sense of humor. He looked at her. "Of course, it's not as sexy as that laugh of yours."

She blushed and didn't know what to say. "Thank you," she finally replied.

"De nada." They reached a window with a coat check and a girl with a blue Mohawk and five facial piercings greeted them.

"Welcome to Club Kat. For two?"