Saturday night ... and a good friend and I had planned for some time to have dinner catered in from a local Italian restaurant, have some wine, and go through photos of our recent trip to Tuscany. The table was set, and I was looking forward to a dinner at home without having to prepare it or do the dishes. Fifteen minutes before the caterer arrived, my friend called and cancelled. We decided to reschedule for the following weekend.
Uncorking a bottle of merlot, I poured myself a glass. I swished it around and watched the sugars drip down the insides of the glass, then took a sip. I found the phone number of the caterer, but just as I went to dial and cancel, the doorbell rang. I opened the door, and there stood a delicious 40-something man, with a bag of groceries under one arm. He smiled at me and politely said he was here to prepare dinner. I apologized that my friend cancelled on us.
He looked me in the eye, and said, "You will not be sorry."
I held his gaze for a moment. It was an interesting comment -- something about the way he said it both intrigued me and turned me on. I noticed his hands had beautiful veins. The table was set, lots of candles were burning, wine was open... why not have a dinner for myself? Running my fingers through my long, straight blonde hair, I sipped my wine, and stepped aside.
The Chef followed me into the kitchen. Setting the groceries on the counter, he said he would be back, and left to get more from his car. I snooped in the grocery bag. Cream, butter, chocolate, ice cream, sugar, fresh fruit... was this to be a fondue? Where was the main course? Just then he stepped back into the kitchen. He set another bag of groceries and the cookware on the stove, then rolled up his sleeves and began washing his hands. I put on some old Van Morrison music, and sat down at the kitchen bar.
He dried his big hands, and began unpacking the groceries.