Page 33 of Second Round

“Not true. I’m completelysincere.”

“Really? It’s like you know every cheesy seduction lineevermade.”

“They aren’t cheesy lines if I mean them,”Isaid.

“Stop.Juststop.”

She parked in an underground guest spot, which meant she could leave her van here all night. When we got in the parking elevator, I leaned across her to push the button. Our bodies brushed against each other, and she twitched nervously. Again she reminded me of prey—a little rabbit in front of a wolf. I backed off, not wanting to scareheraway.

Once inside my place, Jackie hung up her coat and put it in the closet. She was more comfortable inside, probably because she had spent so time herealready.

“I can’t get over how tidy you are,” Jackie said. “The place looks neater than when Ifinishedit.”

I liked being organized and knowing where things were. “I put things back where they belong. What would you like todrink?”

She followed me into the kitchen. “A beerplease.”

I pulled two bottles out of the fridge and uncapped them. “Would you like aglass?”

“No,it’sokay.”

She took a big swig from the bottle, and wiped off her mouth with the back of her hand. “I know, so ladylike,right?”

“You’re full of intriguing contrasts—feminine,yetreal.”

“Yeah, and for my next act, I’ll be burping up beer.” Then she blushed again. “Sorry, I’m more used to talking to ten-year-old boys thanactualmen.”

We both laughed and went into the living room. We sat down on the couch but Jackie maintained a polite distancefromme.

Clearly, I’d have to put her at ease. “So, you’re veryartistic.”

She smiled. “Actually, I did the paintings in yourapartment.”

“Really? That’s amazing. They’re veryprofessional.”

“What can you see in them?” she asked. “Because they’re all aboutcolour.”

I motioned to the ones in the living room. “Well, these ones are mainly about the shapes and stripes. It’s not like I live in a black and white world, I can see colour. I just can’t seeallthe colours. Like the one in the bedroom is harderforme.”

“The flower one? What do you seeinthat?”

“It’s hard to explain,” I said. “I can’t distinguish everythingcorrectly.”

“Show me,” she said. I took her by the hand and we went to the bedroom. Things were progressingquicklyhere.

We stood in front of the painting. I stood behind her, with my hands on her shoulders. A shiver ran downherback.

“Flowers are harder for me because I can’t see the difference between the leaves and petals, unless the shapes are different. I can’t discern the greens.” I pointed. “These two parts are the same colourtome.”

“Oh really? You can’t see any of the reds and pinks either? What a shame.” She was all sympathy, so I didn’t bother explaining that it really wasn’t a big deal to me. She continued, “I worried so much about placing the painting just right so you could enjoy it each morning. I lay down on your bed to figure out what you would see when you first openedyoureyes.”

Jackie all spread out on my bed was an enticing image. I swallowed. “You were lying here? What agoodidea.”

I ran my hands up and down her upper arms. Pulling her back against, me, I whispered into her ear, “Did I tell you how much I like this place? You seemed to anticipate myeveryneed.”

She leaned her head back, and I kissed a tiny pulsing spot on her neck. Jackie sighed, and I turned her around to face me. Feeling her soft body pressed against mine—her breasts, her belly, her thighs—made me more excited every second. She was sweet and beautiful, and I was filled with a sense of need. This feltright.

I kissed her moist, open mouth and ran my hands up and down her back, pulling her closer to me. “Maybe there’s one more need you could satisfy,” I whispered betweenkisses.

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