Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,15
seeing them again. And I’m sure Alessandra was already sick of them.
“Thank you so much for having dinner with us.” Mom hugged her before she said goodbye. “You’re such a sweet girl. You’re perfect for my son.”
“Well, thank you,” Alessandra said. “I’m a very lucky girl to have him.”
She should consider acting because she was damn good at it.
“Come over for dinner next week,” Dad said. “We’d love to have you over.”
Next week? As in seven days? That was way too soon. “We’ll see if we’re free.”
We finally said goodbye then went our separate ways. My arm was still around her waist as we walked down the sidewalk. She had a tiny waist—like super tiny. I could pick her up and throw her around if I really wanted to. “You did a good job tonight.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re worth every penny. They were totally in love with you.”
“They’re nice people.”
“To you, maybe…”
“They just care about you…but struggle to show it in a good way.”
“Make excuses for them. I don’t care.” I headed toward my apartment without thinking. “Can I walk you home?”
“You can take me back to the office.”
“Seriously?” I stopped walking. “You’re really that scared to tell me where you live? I’m not a weirdo.”
“That’s up for debate…” There was a teasing look in her eyes. “You’re working so hard to find out where I live.”
“Not because I’m a serial killer. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable around me. What happened to make you this way?”
The playfulness quickly evaporated. “Want to walk me to the office or not?”
“Honestly, I’d rather invite you back to my apartment so I can teach you to play guitar.”
“What if I don’t want to learn?” she challenged.
“How does this work exactly?” I asked. “Do I have you until midnight or until the date is over?”
“Midnight.”
“Then let’s go back to my place and hang out.”
“You want to hang out with me?” she asked in surprise.
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re sexy as hell and you’re cool. Besides, I paid you to play with me so that’s what you’re going to do.”
She cringed.
“Okay, that came out wrong. But you know what I mean.”
“Well, you did pay for my time.”
“Sweet. Now let’s go.”
***
We sat on the couch and I held the guitar in my lap. “What do you want to hear?”
“Depends.” She crossed her legs. “What can you play?”
“Anything.”
She pressed her lips tightly together. Then she smiled broadly like she had an evil idea.
“No Katy Perry.”
“Dammit. How did you know?”
“It was written all over your face. Now pick something worth playing.”
“How about Bob Dylan?”
My face melted into a smile. “Very good…” I felt the strings with my fingers and began to play. I wasn’t nervous to play in front of people. I was never nervous to do anything in front of anyone. Perhaps it was a gift. Or perhaps I just didn’t care what anyone thought of me. I sang the lyrics and watched my fingers move across the neck and hit the chords. Alessandra sat quietly beside me and just watched everything I did. A mesmerized look came over her face, and she seemed to be somewhere else, just listening to the song.
I finished playing, and when the last string died, it was quiet in the apartment. Somehow, it was quieter than before I started playing. I kept the guitar on my lap as I watched her expression.
“That was beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“You have a real talent.”
“Thanks.” I felt my cheeks tint slightly.
“You must score a lot of chicks like that.”
“I score chicks regardless.”
She rolled her eyes. “Have you ever tried being humble?”
“I’m not even sure what that word means.”
“You wouldn’t understand even if I explained it to you.”
“Would you like to hear another one?”
“Yes.”
“What should I play next?”
“Do I get to pick?” she asked.
“Yep. You’re the DJ for the night.”
“Hmm…Paul McCartney.”
“Excellent.” I started playing my favorite tune.
Alessandra listened to me silently, that dazed look on her face again.
I liked seeing her stare at me like that. Her full lips were slightly parted like she wanted to sing along, and her eyes were heavy but full of interest. Her legs were crossed, and her thighs were toned from running—I could tell. She was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, and it was a privilege to see her watch me play.
When I finished the song, she stirred slightly like she just left a trance. “You’re so clean with the strings.”
“I’ve been playing for a long time. You should let me teach you.”
“It’s a little intimidating.”
“I’m the least intimidating person