Man of Mystery (8 page)

“Don’t you like to be spoiled?” he asks a little hurt.

“Don’t take it wrong, I’m just a small town girl and this has been an absolutely wonderful day, you don’t need to shower me with expensive things to make me happy is what I’m trying to say.” Taking his hand she looks into his eyes to see if he does understand her slight discomfort.

“You know Brandy that is the nicest thing anyone has ever told me. I really appreciate your honesty and I want to let you know that I can afford this.  I want to do this for you.  If it seems to be too much, just say so.  I don’t expect anything in return except the pleasure of your company.” He just warmed her heart over.  How can this man who is so gorgeous want to spoil plain Jane Brandy?

“That’s a deal, so don’t fret when I just order a salad ok?”She playfully says back to him. In an effort to change the conversation she asks, “So Nathan where are you staying anyways, I never did ask you.”

“Well, do you remember those Townhouses at the marina? I’m renting one for while I am staying here in town, would you like to see what they look like inside?”  Her expression is amazed again, holy cow, she can use that glass of wine, and those are one of the most expensive townhouses in the area.  She has no idea how much but she can imagine.

Right on cue, the waiter returns with the bottle of wine, does the whole pop the cork smell and taste thing and she is totally stunned at the prospect of actually seeing one of those townhouses.  Nathan finishes his tasting and the waiter pours a glass and arranges the bottle in the ice bucket by the table.  He tells us all about the dinner specials and when he mentions the filet mignon, her eyes light up, that is one of her favorite dishes.  It doesn’t go unnoticed by Nathan and he politely intervenes, “I think the filet sounds delicious, don’t you think Brandy?  I’m having the filet, would you like to try it also?”  He winks at her. Ok he is breaking her down, she enjoys the moment, not sure when she can afford to have a filet again so she nods in agreement.  The waiter asks her how she likes it done with all the other fixings and then does the same for Nathan.  He politely excuses himself and goes into the kitchen to place our order.

Trying to get her thoughts together, she looks to see Nathan watching, blushing “I knew you would like something better than a salad that seems more of a lunch item than a dinner item.  I figured we had a good workout today.” smilingly wickedly with a glint in his eye.

“Ok, you got me but I would have been fine with a salad.  I have to admit filet is one of my favorite steaks. Now back to you, I have really enjoyed my day with you and I’m extremely impressed by our date today.  I have never had anyone treat me the way you have and would like to thank you.” telling him sincerely.

“You are very welcome. Like I said to you earlier Brandy, that is my favorite quality about you, you are so down to earth and a genuine person.  I have enjoyed my day with you more than I have enjoyed life in a long time.  Hopefully we will see each other again and soon after today.”  He sincerely tells her.  Wondering why he hasn’t enjoyed his life since obviously money isn’t an issue for him but she’ll let that go for now.

“So tell me, you said you were in town for business and obviously pleasure too.” She sheepishly grins “How long do I have time to spend with you?” better get it in the open now so she doesn’t let him into her heart so he can break it subconsciously telling herself.  Really wanting to hear he is staying forever at this moment but she knows he isn’t from here and can only imagine what will happen if she gets to close.

“Well, I’ll be here for a few months.  I have a lot of business deals going on and my best friend Denny of course has just opened a new place which we are still working out the kinks on.  I have a really busy schedule this week but I’ll be free this next weekend.  Would you be available to come out on another date with me?”

Her body screams, your damn right she would love to hold your hard body next to hers again
! Pretending her thoughts are not running a mile a minute through her head she says playfully “Of course, I would be delighted to go on another date with you.” with a smug smile.  “I do have to work and school this week.  I’m almost done with school I start working next Saturday at Arnolds.  I work there during the summer for extra money since I’m not a full time employee yet at the bank yet.  Until I get full time I can’t afford school and my apartment with Tiffany.  It’s a nice extra cash flow but I have to work this Saturday.  I’m sure we can figure out some time together.” Hoping he understands “A repeat of this afternoon in the stateroom would be nice!”

His smile reaches across his face “Well, I don’t want to disappoint you so I think we can figure this out! Feel free to call or text me your schedule and I will make sure we can fit in a time slot together.  Does that sound fun to you? ” Mr. mischievous is back and I like it.

Our waiter returns with our meal and we start eating.  She is relishing the delicious steak; it’s the best she has had in a long time savoring every morsel.  Nathan starts asking about her upbringing in between bites she can plainly see he has an appetite also.  We really had a work out today.  She tells him about her family who owns a vineyard on Seneca Lake and it’s a real small town atmosphere.  She has a sister who is married with 3 kids and they are great, two nieces and a nephew.  Her sister stayed at the vineyard with her husband and help out her parents.  Not being into the whole family business herself as much wanting to see what else was in the world for her to do and see.  Excited at the fact that he listens as intently as she explains herself and realizes she has been babbling again.

“I’m sorry, my life is probably so boring compared to yours, I have been going on and on about my life how about you?  What is Australia like; I have never stepped off American soil so I have no idea.” looking at him enthusiastically.

His eyes are bright and he never showed any boredom to her life but listened intently.  He starts to tell her about Australia when his phone rings again.  He looks down at the caller silencing it with a frown.  “Ok, I’m sorry for the distraction. My life well it’s been, what are the words I’m looking for?  It has been more distracting and not always straight forward.”  Puzzling but she is listening.

“Well, you know I’m from Australia and let me tell you that is a beautiful country.  I came here to this area because on a small scale sense it reminds me of the beauty of home.  I love the water obviously liking to be by the water.  It soothes me and makes me feel at home. You can already tell I’m a business man and my business is a little complicated, not that I don’t think you would understand but very different from yours.  I won’t bore you with the small details. My family is very loving and I have a brother who is doing very well in the family business.  I‘m the younger son, my parents know I’m more of the entrepreneur in the family so they are gracious in giving me the space to develop on my own with their guidance at a distance for now. My world isn’t much different from you.  You want to see what the world has to offer before you settle into something you don’t want to do for the sake of the family business.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but listening to you that is why I think we are on the same page.  Am I justified in saying that?”  Nodding her head in compliance because that is exactly how she feels, her family wanted her to do their business but not her own.  He really nailed it on the head with that statement feeling so connected right now.

“You know what Brandy, let’s lighten the mood in this place and you will have plenty of time to know my life style here since you already agreed to another date! OK, wait here for one minute ok?”  Nodding again because that’s all she can do, he is so dreamy she really likes him more than anyone she has ever dreamed of.  He is so fun to be around, charming and boyishly playful.  Her heart just skipped a beat.  He walks over to the pianist who is playing soft dinner type of music and comes back.  The pianist starts to play a melody that is something familiar but she can’t put her finger on it then it hits her, it’s the song that we danced to in the galley on the yacht half naked she starts to blush, damn she really is going to have to remember this song and find out who the artist is, knowing this tune but so completely dislodged when she is around Nathan.  He comes back to the table and takes her hand, “May I have this dance?”

Blushing and smiling because this is obviously not a place you normally dance as she complies. He takes her hand, they make their way gracefully under his guidance around the tables and dance to the slow music
gosh she is really going to have this music in her head forever
, people start to look at them as they make a dance floor in the general area and the waiters watch them with a smile.  Nathans keeps looking into her eyes as she looks into his melting away no longer caring about the scene they are making by dancing in front of people who are just here for the food.  All eyes are on them but not caring, this is their moment in time.

The song ends, he takes her hand in his and places a soft kiss on the back of her hand as he takes a bow in front of her.  The restaurant occupants as well as the staff applaud making her suddenly aware about the scene but Nathan makes a gracious hand shake over his head like he was a person from dancing with the stars and leads her into a bow of appreciation for the applause. She would never have done anything like this public display ever and it was exhilarating.  Her eyes are scanning the crowd who are sitting eating and enjoying their meal but appreciating the romance that they just witnessed.  Most of them are so thrilled to see this simple sign of affection while she can see the glimpse of jealousy in several women’s eyes wishing they had someone who would be so affectionate and bold.

We return to our seat slightly breathless. The waiter has returned and smiles brightly at us.  “You two have really made this a night to remember.  We have never seen too more people in love who would show it so much in public.  Thank you for sharing your special night with us.  Even the chief came out to watch you two and he wants to let you know dinner is on the house. Thank You for joining us this evening!” Oh my, she has never done anything like this before but it was really fun.  Nathan tells the waiter it’s not necessary to put our dinner on the house but he states the chief insists.  So, as Nathan puts it you never argue with the chief he still leaves a hefty amount of a tip to make sure all the staff gets something even down to the bus boys.

We get up to leave and as we pass by a few couples, they smile and acknowledge us with grateful smiles and polite words. 
This is kind of weird for her, she has never experienced this ever, this man is so different and she really likes this
. We get outside and he pulls me in for a sweet embrace, “So when do I get to have this much fun again my I ask?” He asks her as he plants a small kiss on her lips.

“Well, we can talk more tomorrow, this has been a wonderful day and I’ll let you know my schedule.  My free time is your free time!” she replies playfully.

We only have a short trip to her apartment and most of the time we just keep smiling at each other and relive our day that we wish would never end.  We pull up to the apartment he leans over; his kiss is so passionate and wanting as much as hers.  We break away breathless and she gazes into his eyes. “I’ll call or text you tomorrow, I have to get some kind of sleep or I’ll never function, my dreams will be with you.” telling him sweetly.

“And mine with you, thank you for a being you and giving me something to believe in.” He says softly.

He watches her walk into the apartment and she is puzzled over his last words but her head is still in a cloud. Her mystery man is Nathan and he just gave her the most precious day in her entire life.  What could possibly be wrong with that?  Her dreams tonight will only be of him and our day together.  Feeling she will relive it for the rest of her life and nothing in this world will ever be so perfect.

Nathan can’t believe he did so much today that would totally go against is parents so called standards.  He has never been so alive in all of his 25 years and loving it!  Brandy is so simple and appreciates everything.  She doesn’t expect more and is happy with just the small things he has done.  Can she truly understand who he is if he tells her?  In his head it’s not time yet but someday when he feels it
is right he will.  She has brought so much life back into him he never knew he had.

Chapter
6

What a wonderful weekend, but now she has to get back to school and work.  Life goes on.  Heading to the shower and think about the exciting dreams she had of Nathan.  His touch, his smile, and his body intertwined with hers.  We have to definitely do that again her body tells her.  She can't wait to see Tiffany to see how she is doing, she hasn't really seen or talked to her since yesterday morning and she was out when she got home.  Like always she was sweet and left her a note saying she was going to a movie with Denny and she didn't want to interrupt her day with Nathan by texting her.

Starting a pot of coffee Tif comes out smelling the fresh brew,  “Oh Brandy, what a wonderful weekend I have had and thanks for waking me with coffee. I need to screw my head back on and get to school too!” she giggles while she pours a cup of coffee.  She starts to tell her about her date with Denny and his silly sister came along with some “friend” she met at the bar.  Denny was so apologetic but he was trying to keep an eye on her.  Brandy tells her that's sweet that he looks after his baby sister.  She scowls but says yea your right it was still a fun night and Crystal is kind of goofy.  She is lucky that she has a brother to watch out for.