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5.
"Yes, that was I." I said, needlessly, " Orange's are always fooling me. I like to have one with breakfast instead of juice. But if you get a dry one it's so disappointing and it really is hard to tell by just looking at them. They are kind of like books that way. You can't judge them by their cover."
I realized I was babbling and shut up. The beautiful smile turned sardonic.
"Yes. I know exactly how you feel." he said, "Being fooled by a piece of fruit will ruin anyone's day."
He turned back to the dartboard and after a pause, flew one into the bull's eye. I stood there feeling really silly now. I supposed that having sounded like an anal-retentive fool that I had been dismissed.
"Well, I was leaving when I thought I recognized you. Just wanted to say hello." I said, clumsily trying to extricate myself.
"Maybe I'll see you around." I finished lamely, backing away. Feeling like an idiot, I turned to leave.
"Sit down." he said it softly but it sounded like a command.
His back was still to me and he was aiming another dart. This stuck me as being rather rude but I sat down anyway. I guess I was just happy to think he hadn't dismissed me as a complete fool. Another bull's eye. Maybe darts were serious business with him. Then he left the darts in the board and sat down across from me.
The beautiful smile was back, and if anything he'd turned it up a few watts.
"You are pretty good with those." I said, indicating the board.
He shrugged the compliment away and continued smiling at me in silence. It was like he was forcing me to carry the conversation. I was tired of making one inane observation after the other. I gave up and just looked back at him.
"Alan Cameron." he said, at last.
"Miara Martin." I replied, extending my hand.
Instead of shaking hands, he encircled my wrist and held it. He beckoned for my other hand as well and when I gave it, he held that wrist also. He was looking down at our hands. I wondered if this was where he would pretend to read my palms or something.
"So," he said, quietly, "Tell me about yourself."
"Like what? There's not much to tell. I teach history at the university. Want an encapsulated version of today's lecture?"
"No. Start back when you were a little girl in Massachusetts."
It startled me and I would have drawn back but my wrists were still imprisoned. It was odd because he was exerting no pressure and yet I felt as if I was wearing manacles.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"Your accent." he said easily.
No one else had ever told me I had an accent. I certainly didn't use a broad 'a' or anything.
"There's not much to tell there either. A typical childhood in your typical small town." I said, lightly.
"Oh, I don't think you are at all typical, Miara."
His voice had that sexy undertone again and I felt myself blushing at this simple compliment. Having my wrists held all this time was making me feel uncomfortable too but for some reason I made no effort to free myself.
"What about you, Alan? Tell me something."
"How old were you when you had your first kiss?" he asked, ignoring my question.
"I was ten, I think. After my first school dance." I answered, impatiently, "Really, Alan, it's my turn. I'm curious about you now."
"I'm an Aries. Now it's my turn again. How old were you when you gave up your virginity?"
This was too much for me and I jerked my hands back. I pulled back too hard, for though it felt like he was pressing my wrists tightly, he had been barely holding me. It made me feel as though I had over reacted.
"Do you always ask women you've just met personal questions?"
"Never mind. I already know the answer. It happened during your senior year at college. Probably with some guy you were sure was serious as you were."
The man made me feel as if I was an open book that he could leaf through at will. He was right, damn it. I had been sure that Michael would propose. We had gone together for two years. I stopped there...I never thought about Michael anymore and didn't want to now.
"This is boring me, Alan. I'm not into mind games. I guess I'm going to take off. Nice meeting you."
Stupid me stuck my hand out again and he played the same trick with my wrist.
"You are so wrong about yourself, Miara. You are totally into mind games. In fact, I'll bet physical activity bores you to death. You probably never played any sports growing up either. If your mind didn't burn up all of your calories you'd probably get fat."
"It's to bad that a good looking guy like yourself hasn't learned that arrogance is not very attractive."
I had hoped to put him in his place. It didn't work, he continued, as if I had said nothing.
"You do like sex though," he said, "and you'd like to talk about it but you don't know how. When was the last time you got laid, Miara?"
This time I carefully disengaged my hand. I picked up my bag and made it obvious that I was leaving. He smiled disarmingly but made no move to keep me. I was relieved and disappointed at once. My feelings were confused, to say the least. I didn't like being so attracted to a man who seemed to delight in discomfiting me. The hell with it, I thought. I was turning away when he spoke again,
"Let's go out Friday night. I'll promise to be charming and completely humble."
"That would be worth experiencing but I have a date."
"Break it. You'll have more fun with me."
"I can't… but thanks anyway. Maybe we will run into each other again."
"Eight o'clock Friday night. I'll meet you here." he said.
I started to tell him he'd be wasting his time but just shook my head. I glanced back at the door and found his dazzling smile still on me.
I drove home wondering if I should take the chance and meet him Friday. I couldn't do it if I wanted to. Jenny would throw a fit.
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