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The cool night barely registered with Howie as he exited her apartment building and strode over to the waiting cab. Settling into the back, he was given plenty of time to ponder the night’s events on the way back to his hotel.
Chemelyn had turned out to be the manifestation of his heart’s desire. She was more beautiful than Howie had ever imagined she could be. And so enchanting......truth be told, she frightened him a great deal. Howie passed a hand over his eyes with a sigh. How could he ever hope to win her love?
*****
Exhaling the breath that she had seemingly held all evening, Chemelyn flopped backward onto her bed and starred up at the ceiling. Everything had gone wonderfully well. From their dinner at the bistro to their walk along the pier. Perfection.
And Dwaine.......he was so attentive to her every need. He held her heart so firmly in his hand that Chemelyn could still smell the scent of his cologne. It was then that she realized Dwaine’s coat was still tucked around her shoulders. A smile emerged on her lips at the memory of his touch. That night, sleep did not come easily to Chemelyn.
*****
A distant ringing sounded; it’s volume increasing. Chemelyn rolled onto her stomach, pulling her pillow over her head. The offending noise persisted. Chemelyn glared out from under the covers, squinting into the sunlight flooding through the glass balcony doors. Finally, her gaze fell upon the phone placed on her bedside table. “Mmphlo?” she muttered.
“Good morning.” a warm male voice answered.
“Dwaine?” she wondered aloud, thinking as she did that he had a spine tingling voice.
“Yes. It’s me. I woke you didn’t I? I’m sorry.”
Chemelyn glanced at the clock beside her. “Don’t be. I should have been up two hours ago! Malone must be worried sick and busy out of his mind!”
Dwaine chuckled. “Something tells me he’s surviving just fine.”
“Let’s hope so, he may strangle my neck.” she laughed
“A beautiful neck like yours? We can’t have that happening!” he said, his voice turned soft and teasing. Chemelyn felt her heart flutter at his tone, not able to find her voice. After a moment, she cleared her throat,
“Are you this charming with all the ladies?”
“Only you.” he replied. Chemelyn could picture his serious but twinkling eyes as they had bored into hers the night before. “Now, hadn’t you better get dressed and come down here?”
“Down where?”
“The cafe. People are starting to pour in and Charity called in sick this morning.”
“What?! So it’s just Malone?”
“And me.”
“You?”
“Yes. See you in a half an hour?” Dwaine asked, amused.
“Yeah. Half an hour. See you.....” Chemelyn replied, dazed. She felt bereft as the dial tone flooded the line between them, extinguishing his gorgeous voice. Dwaine......at the cafe?
*****
Chemelyn pushed open the door to the cafe, half expecting disaster. Instead, she was greeted with the sight of peacefully crowded tables, and Dwaine behind the counter, serving up soft drinks.
“Hey there. About time.” Malone’s friendly voice greeted her from behind.
“Hey yourself.” Chemelyn smiled. “How long has he been here?” she asked, indicating Dwaine with a nod of her head.
“Since opening.” Malone gave her a knowing grin, “He showed up with a single red rose looking for you. You should have seen his face, Chem, when he found out you weren’t here!”
“So, how did he end up giving you a hand?”
“We-e-ell, he sat down at his usual table-” Malone began. Chemelyn gave a feminine snort.
“He’s only been in for two days and already he’s got a ‘regular table’?” she exclaimed.
“As I was saying, he sat at HIS table,” Malone shot her a pointed look. “and after a while, finally approached me again. We started talking when the phone rang. I excused myself to answer it, and when I came back, Dwaine had seated several customers, given them menus, and even taken an order. It was the beginning of a beautiful working relationship.” Malone finished with a flourish. “He’s a keeper.”
Chemelyn couldn’t stifle the laughter that bubbled up inside of her. Dwaine heard her distinctive sound, and looked up with a smile on his face. Their eyes met, and Chemelyn felt her feet propel her toward him as he flashed a boyish grin. “Well, if it isn’t my handsome stranger.” she greeted warmly.
“Hi.” he returned, a hint of shyness in his manner. Impulsively, she leaned over and planted a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth. Chemelyn felt the corners of her lips turn up as she gazed into his eyes.
“Looking at me like that will get you kissed again.” Dwaine warned. “I can’t guarantee that it would be chaste, either.” he added, his voice husky.
“Any other time, I’d take that chance.” she murmured. Their world shattered suddenly as Malone interrupted.
“Sorry kids, but tables three and four still need to attending, and table nine is waiting on their drinks.
“Yes, sir!” Chemelyn saluted, and accepted the apron that Malone extended. She plucked a rubber band from beside the register and tied her hair back. Then, she turned toward the counter to picking up her pad and pen, tightening her ponytail. A red rose appeared in front of her.
“Before I forget.” Dwaine whispered in her ear. Chemelyn gave an involuntary shiver as his warm breath tickled her neck, and he placed his hand on her waist. Barely breathing, she took the rose from him, her fingers brushing his.
“Thank you.” she said quietly; turning so that she found herself pressed gently against his body. Not taking his eyes from hers, Dwaine withdrew something from his pocket. It was a pair of tickets.
“To the theater.” he informed her . “Say yes?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” he grinned then glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to go.” he told her, reluctantly backing away, and releasing her from where she had been pinned against the counter. “Pick you up at nine?” Chemelyn nodded and watched as he walked out the door, taking her heart with him.
*****
Howie strode into his hotel room just in time to hear the phone ring. He dashed to pick it up and answered breathlessly.
“Hey, it’s about time D.! We’ve tried callin’ you twice before.”
“Sorry about that, AJ. I was waylayed.”
“I’ll bet. Well, the gang’s all here for the meeting.” AJ replied wryly.
“Great. Hi everyone!” Howie greeted his band mates and managers over the phone lines.
“So...about this world tour.....” someone on the other end began.
*@*An Hour Later*@*
“It’s settled then....rehearsals for the tour will begin in two and a half weeks, here in Orlando.” AJ confirmed. A chorus of “yes” and “Yeah” rang out. Howie reluctantly voiced his agreement. Though he hated to admit it, this plan was in the best interest of the group, but it would take him away from Chemelyn all that much sooner. A deadline of two and a half weeks was not much to make a woman fall in love with you.
*****
For the second night in a row, Chemelyn stood in front of the floor length mirror in her bedroom examining her appearance. She was dressed in a purple velveteen, sleeveless dress which reached to the floor. A diamond pendant hung from her neck; matching small diamond studs in her earlobes. Chemelyn clutched a black evening bag, only slightly more relaxed than the night before. Raising a hand, she smoothed invisible flyaway hairs. Malone had created a masterpiece with her hair; curling the entirety of it, then sweeping her locks up and away from her face in the front with a pair of pearl combs.
“Breath, dear. Don’t forget to breathe.” Malone warned.
“I know, I know....breathe. Oh God, I’m so nervous Malone!”
“You look ravishing, Chem.”
“So you say, but.....Malone, I haven’t been to a formal occasion in SO long! The cafe has always-”
“Screw the cafe.” he broke in bluntly. “Weren’t you the one who told me just six months ago that you needed a little romance in your life? Well, now you’ve got it, so enjoy it!” he placed his hands on her shoulders and forced her to look at him. “Chem, honey, are you worried about BEING with Dwaine?”
“No! Yes! A little. I guess this is where my lack of expiriance comes into play.” a sheepish and slightly ashamed look passed over Chemelyn’s face then. “I want to. I REALLY want to.” she admitted softly, and bit her lip. “Dwaine’s the first one I’ve felt that way about in so very long. I’m almost worried I forgot how.”
Malone laughed, relieved that she wasn’t afraid, only nervous and a bit guilty. “Chem, it’s like riding a horse.....but more fun.” he winked. Chemelyn giggled, feeling the tension release from her heart. She leaned forward and wrapped Malone in a hug.
“Thanks. You’re my best friend.” she whispered.
“I try.” he replied. “Now, I’ve better get going before Dwaine shows up. Have fun and remember to watch your dress when you go up the stairs. You don’t want to get your heel caught, now do you?”
“Yes, mother.”
“Call me! I want all the gory details!”
*****
Howie snuck a look at the stunning woman on his arm. She was truly magnificent tonight, a vision in violet. He hadn’t missed the admiring stares of the other men, though he was quite certain that Chemelyn had. Her eyes were wide with delight when she saw the interior of the Seattle Theater. A smile hadn’t left her lips yet that evening, which made the fact that he couldn’t be kissing them every second seem unbearable. Howie took a deep breath and told himself to get a hold of his desire.
“It’s so beautiful here!” Chemelyn exclaimed softly. In response, Howie gave her hand in the crook of his arm a gentle squeeze.
“I was hoping you’d like it.” he admitted. “It’s overwhelming though, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I’m glad someone besides myself sees it as such! ” Chemelyn confessed with a tiny expression of surprise.
“I highly doubt we’re alone on that mark.”
They progressed to their box seats, which Chemelyn entered with some amazement.
“How did you get such wonderful seats?” she wondered.
“I believe it was luck. Or, perhaps being a businessman helps.” he added, his eyes twinkling.
“Oh, I see. A man with connections.” she teased in return.
Just then, the house lights dimmed and the play began.
*****
“-and then when the woman fell out of the balcony....
“And Renardo reached the top just as she went over! That was the best part of the performance!” Dwaine finished. The pair convulsed into uproarious laughter as Chemelyn unlocked the door to her loft.
“Care to come in for a while?” she invited.
“Thank you. I’d love to.” he responded with a grin that never failed to make her knees go weak.
Chemelyn ushered him inside, where he helped her from her wrap. Dwaine stood and let his eyes roam over her apartment. It suited her, and was just as he’d pictured it.
“You have a lovely home.” he complimented.
“Thank you.” Chemelyn tossed over her shoulder as she walked toward the kitchen. “Have a seat, make yourself comfortable. Would you care for some wine?” At his aquiesence, Chemelyn returned shortly with two goblets and a bottle of red wine. Dwaine had taken a seat on the couch, and reached to pour the wine as soon as she settled next to him.
“You’re always such a gentleman.” she stated. He smiled sideways at her.
“I was always given the impression that women find chivalry attractive in a man.”
“They do. We do. It’s just unusual to actually find a man with such impeccable manners as yours. From a woman’s stand point, it’s wonderful, believe me.”
“Good, because I’ll admit it...” he said softly, motioning her closer as though he were about to share a secret. She played along, and came near enough that Dwaine’s mouth was next to her ear. “I have an ulterior motive.” Chemelyn’s heart began to beat faster at his words. “There’s a certain woman that I’ve been seeing for the past two days. She’s so intelligent, witty, and beautiful that I am determined to make her fall for me as hard as I have for her. So you see.....it’s absolutely nessacary for me to be as charming as possible. Chivalry is the greatest ancestor of charm.”
A tender smile grew on Chemelyn’s face as she listened to his every word. When he finished, she didn’t hesitate in her reply. “I happen to know this certain girl you’ve been seeing, and believe me when I say that she is -as we speak- falling for you. Hard.”
Dwaine pulled away slightly so he could look into her eyes. “Good. I want it that way, and I hope she does too.” No answer was needed as they gazed into one another’s eyes; neither blinked. “May I kiss you?” his voice was hoarse. In reply, Chemelyn pressed her lips softly against his. Moist and cool, the sensations washing over their bodies were different from anything either one had ever felt before. Their mouths melded into one for a moment before Dwaine broke the kiss. Chemelyn opened her eyes, nervous that she had done something wrong. When she looked into Dwaine’s eyes, she knew such was not the case. He simply wanted to save and savor every moment. With him, a kiss was not to be taken lightly. Her mouth upturned in a little smile and she raised her goblet to her lips. There would be no gory details that night, but that was the way she wanted it.
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