Page 13 of Seductive Heat

"Already forgotten. Let's get ready for breakfast."

We go downstairs and have a go at the buffet. Helene brings an overflowing plate of food back to the table, and I can't hold my laugh in. She's so cute but how does she keep herself so slim if she eats like this all the time?

"Did you run a marathon when I wasn't looking?"

"I have a normal, healthy appetite for a girl my age. The doctor said so."

"You must be the envy of all your girlfriends."

"And some boyfriends, too. Ha."

I cross my arms and watch her dig into her plate. It's a whole experience, watching my goddess eat. She's really in love with food, and I'm starting to like that about her. Will I love her the same if she balloons in weight? Of course. She's a joy to me.

A text comes in from the mechanic.

"Mechanic says he'll have the car ready by 11. He'll drop it by here for our convenience."

"That's nice of him," she says between mouthfuls.

I don't let her know that I paid the guy extra to do that for us. I had hoped the car would be ready later in the day so I'd have an excuse to spend more time with Helene, but things don't always work out the way I want them to.

"What are we going to do for the next two hours while we wait for this guy?"

"We could go for a walk. Help you digest the five meals you ate so you don't gain weight."

"Right,” she smirks. “I see you're going to be one of those boyfriends."

"All I heard is that you consider me your boyfriend."

"Not yet, hot stuff. You need to do more wooing."

We take a walk around the park, holding hands and pointing at the exhibits. I spend half of the time fantasizing about being not only Helene's boyfriend but her lover, her confidante, and her husband. She's the whole package for me and I couldn't be prouder to have her walking at my side for the rest of our lives. I know it's all going a bit too fast, but after stalking her for three months, there's no doubt I know this woman.

"When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?" She asks.

"A fireman, a policeman, something where I carried weapons and had authority."

"So what happened?"

"Actually, I still volunteer at the fire department. Once every three months, I spend a week with them."

"Is that why you're so in shape? I thought it was for the ladies."

"That, too. My business partners aren't very happy that I do it. They consider it risking my life, but I want to help any way I can."

"Would you stop if your wife asked you to?"

"I don't know. Helping feels like the right thing to do."

"Will you take me to the station? Introduce me to the guys?"

"No way. They'll try and steal you away from me."

"No loyalty these days. Such a shame."

We get back to the hotel just in time to meet the mechanic. I thank him for his work and Helene goes to retrieve all her packages while I do the checkout. It seems like such a couple thing to do. We're perfectly matched, and I'm convinced that I'll ask her to marry me soon. Once the packages are all loaded up in the trunk, we start the drive back to Miami.

The day is sunny and bright and we talk about silly things, like what we would name our pets if we had any, or what vegetables we'd plant in our garden. I need to take her to my apartment so she can see where I live, but it's too soon and she might feel pressured about staying the night. I decide I can take some pics and send them to her later.

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