Grant was rushing around, trying to get ready as quick as he could. He was determined not to be late for their date tonight. He'd booked this restaurant months in advance, knowing it was her favourite and it'd be packed out. Valentines is always like that, but he wasn't such a cynic like all of his friends.
He thought Valentines Day was just another excuse to be romantic and treat your loved one how they deserve. Jessica meant the world to him and even though they'd only been going out about six months, he knew she was a keeper.
Jessica was a 19-year-old stunner that he met at the Library. He was working there at the time on a cold, blustery day and she asked for a particular book they didn't have in stock; he can't remember which, some biology textbook. She caught his eye and there was frisson between them. He couldn't find her again whilst he continued working, but as he was leaving for the night she was packing up her things. He went over to help her and as they got talking, Grant invited her for a coffee. You know the rest of the story from there. Grant always jokes that he was immediately attracted to her spellbinding figure but knows full well that it was the dark sultry intelligence that smoked behind her hazel eyes. Her mid length brunette hair was always immaculate and more than often held up by some intricate contraption that Grant couldn't work out or two simple chopsticks, which also confounded Grant as to how they stayed there.
Grant said constantly that he was batting above his average, but he got his fair share of female attention; standing 6'2 in socked feet and with a slender figure, he always thought he was in good shape. Never an overly keen sportsman in school, Grant found other ways to keep fit like regular exercise and eating well. He was proud of his body and baring a few superfluous freckles on his broad shoulders, wouldn't change anything.
The taxi honked noisily, making him stub his toe on a chest of drawers and swear loudly. He hurriedly brushed his teeth and gurgled some mouthwash and grabbed his coat, slamming the door as he left. The cab sped through the dark city streets to Jessica's apartment in the streaming rain. They pulled up and there she was, standing on the doorstep, her make-up looking exquisite and wearing a big coat pulled up around her tightly. She ran through the rain down the stairs to the road quickly and almost dived into the cab beside Grant. The rest of the journey seemed to disappear as they talked and exchanged the usual pleasantries; they were both surprised when they arrived at the restaurant in what seemed like no time at all.
The maรฎtre d' took their coats and led them to their table, right next to the window to look out onto the park. The wet but brightly lit park looked like something straight from Monet's canvas, the rain streaked window giving it all a romantic impressionist verve. Grant felt like tonight was going to be perfect.
The atmosphere in the restaurant was buzzing, everyone talking comfortably and holding hands. There was a beautiful selection of flowers around the room, each table having a single red rose placed in the middle. The soft piano music was audible but not overbearing. Perfect.
They both ordered from the small, carefully selected menu: he had a seared loin of yellow fin tuna with fennel and quail's egg, she selected duck breast with Savoy cabbage and mustard mash.
When the food arrived, the beauty of the presentation and aromas that meandered effortlessly to their palates took them both aback. They swiftly tucked into the meals, silence descending to their table as they ate. They each tried the others dish, though neither could decide which was better.
Grant had fallen in love with Jessica a long while ago, and to all common knowledge the feeling was more than mutual, however their relationship so far was intimate but not sexual. She said that she wasn't ready yet. Grant loved spending time with her anyway and knew that he could wait if it was necessary for her. On cold dark nights, he thought about calling an end to it, but he knew that he loved her so much that he could never do that. He knew she was worth the wait. He was a virgin as well, and like all boys wanted to get rid of it more than anything, but knew that waiting for the right girl would be worth it.
When both plates were empty, they were talking bout how long they'd been together and all the fun things they had done. All the different parties and clubs and gigs. All the different people they'd met and fun days out. The embarrassing stories arising from meeting the others parents. They could barely notice the rest of the world, let alone the rest of the room. Everyone in the restaurant was doing the exact same: hand holding over the table, plates pushed to one side, all talking in soft hushed voices.
As time wore on, as much as no one wanted the night to finish, people began to leave. Grant and Jessica just kept talking and talking until they were one of the last ones there. As they realised the time was past eleven, they decided to call it a night. Asking for the bill and for the bar staff to call a taxi for them, Grant gave the maรฎtre d' a generous tip and thanked him for a perfect evening.
As they slid into the taxi together, Jessica turned to Grant and kissed him deeply and passionately, taking him aback slightly. He barely had time to tell the taxi driver where to go before she was on him again. Her lips crushed his as she kissed Grant with a force he'd never seen from her before. Her wandering hands went to the back of his neck and grabbed at his side. Her fingers stroked through his hair and made his spine tingle. He pulled her closer to him and kissed her back just as passionately. She leaned back, biting his lip as she leaned, just enough so it hurt a little. The driver could barely keep his eyes on the road and had to swerve a couple of times just to prevent crashing.
As they pulled up to Jessica's flat, she leaned in close, placing her mouth next to his ear. She kissed and licked his earlobe a little, making him squirm and then said very softly, "I want to make love to you."
He turned in disbelief.
"Now?"
"No" she said throatily, nibbling on his ear "Next week."
And with that she got out've the car and rushed to her door without looking back.
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