“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Oh, I…” Shit, this is bad! Think, brain, think! “… I, uhh, I was just wondering if you needed a ride to the hospital or something. You look kind of banged up.” A ride? Well, I guess I could pay for an Uber.
“No, I’ll be fine,” he said, and attempted to stand, but she held a hand up to his chest, and he decided to continue sitting.
“Are you sure? You could probably use some ice, or something.”
“I’m good, really.”
What am I doing wrong? Claire was confused. She thought back to the female officer that was talking to Steven a few minutes ago. Am I smiling? Shit, smile, you idiot! She must have smiled too hard because Steven’s head jerked backward in surprise. Claire toned her smile down a notch or two.
“I’m quite certain that someone should tend to you, Steven, why don’t-”
“-How do you know my name?”
Shit. “I happened to overhear… when you were talking to the officer over there…”
“What are you doing here?”
Double shit. “I, err… Ok, I suppose I should come clean. I followed you here after I saw you walk off with the little girl. I thought you were kidnapping her.”
“Oh, damn. Well, I can assure you, that’s not the case-”
“-I know, I heard everything.”
“Ok, good,” he said, rising from his seat. “Well, I’ll be going, then.”
“No, wait,” she said, as she followed him out the door.
“What is it?”
Dammit! Why is he making this so difficult? Claire looked around, hoping to think of something, anything, to keep this guy around until he asked for her number. Unfortunately, he was so modest that she didn’t know how long that might take, but she would be patient. Seeing a hot dog stand on the corner, she said, “Let me buy you lunch. Someone should do something nice for you.”
Steven looked hesitant.
Claire’s heart sank. “What, am I not pretty, or something?” she asked anxiously, looking down at her body.
“You are, yeah. Definitely very pretty. I just… I get uncomfortable when people pay attention to me.”
“You’re just shy, is that it?”
He nodded.
“Well, I insist that I buy you lunch.”
Steven’s stomach rumbled, and he put a hand over his belly. “Sure, ok.”
“What do you like?”
“I dunno. A burger would be good, I guess.”
Claire pulled out her phone and found a place to eat. They made their way to the restaurant and ordered. While they were waiting for their food, Steven began rubbing his arm and shuffling his feet.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
“People are staring at me. It’s probably because of my face.”
Claire turned to the boy at the cash register. “Can we get that to go, please?”
To Steven, she said, “I’m getting us an Uber,” she said, tapping at her phone. “We don’t have to eat here. Would you…” she trailed off. I can’t believe he’s making me do this! “Would you… like to come to my place? We could eat, and I can get you some ice for your face.” Idiot! He can eat anywhere. He can get ice anywhere.
“Your place?” he asked. “You want me to go to your house? Me?”
“Apartment, but yes. So… Do you want to?” She put her hand on his upper arm and lightly squeezed his bicep. “I’d like to hear more about the man that fights off scary thugs to defend small children.” Yes! Perfect! You’ve got this, Claire!
“Uhh, sure, yeah.”
“Great.” Claire completed the order for the Uber.
They got their food and the Uber soon arrived. The ride was uncomfortably silent, neither of them sure what to say.
Arriving at her apartment, they walked up to her door. “This is me,” she said with a bashful grin. She fumbled with her keys, dropping them twice. Blushing, she said, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s gotten into me…”
Claire managed to get them inside, and she locked the door behind her with a satisfying click of the deadbolt. There is no escape for you today, Steven. Smugly, she said, “Make yourself at home. Would you like to eat on the couch?”
“Err, I wouldn’t want to spill anything and make a stain…”
“Don’t worry about it. All that matters is that you’re comfortable.”
“I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Steven, it’s really no problem, have a seat.”
He shook his head slightly, conflicted. “That’s rather personal, and I don’t know you, so-”
“-What are you talking about? Are you kidding? Do you not understand what you did today? You reunited a lost girl with her mother. It doesn’t get more personal than that. You might not know me, but I know you, and you are a good man.”
Shrugging, Steven opened his mouth to downplay his actions, but Claire wasn’t having it, and she cut him off before he could speak.
“You need to know that you have earned a lifetime of trust from me…” she paused, gesticulating wildly as her brain was having trouble comprehending the idea, “in an hour!” Her hands slapped against her things. “You might not understand exactly how remarkable that is just yet, but we’ll get there. Until then, I hope you can acknowledge the fact that there’s very little that you could do to tarnish your reputation with me.” She paused, thinking hard about her next words. “Steven… I… I don’t invite people over very much. I want you to know that.”
“Oh? Ok… Sure…”
Claire sighed. “You’re like…”
“Like what?”
She sighed again. This is so hard! “You… All you’d need to do is say the word, and I’d be your-” friend? Lover? Boyfriend? Husband?
Shivering, she waited until her body stopped betraying her in front of the crush she never thought she’d have, then said shakily, “Anyway, please sit on my couch and be comfortable while you eat. Please?”
“Well, sure, ok.”
She smiled at him as her knees involuntarily buckled slightly. “Great! Let me get you a bag of ice and something for the pain. Do you have a preference for pain relievers?”
“I don’t. Thank you. My head is throbbing.”
Claire returned and sat close next to him on her couch. Their legs touched as she carefully placed the bag of ice against his black eye.
“Ahhh!” he hissed.
“Sorry, it should get better. Here,” she said, offering him some pills for the pain.
“Thanks.”
She held the ice against his face as he unwrapped his burger and took a bite. Claire absently ate a few fries with her free hand, content just to tend to Steven for the moment, and for as long as he liked, if she were honest with herself.
He must have noticed that she wasn’t eating her burger because he unwrapped it for her.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling at him before taking a bite.
Ok, making some progress, but still a long way to go, it seems. How do I get this guy to open up? Open up? Huh… Am I going to fuck this guy? I guess I am. Hmmm…
She stood up quickly, before she was consciously aware of what she was about to do next. “I’m going to the bathroom. Back in a minute.” Once in her room, she closed the door and rifled through her drawers for a nice bra and panties to change into, then went to the bathroom to floss, brush, mouthwash, and shave everything. Claire was shaking as she anticipated the fucking she hoped to receive. She had to do her breathing exercises to calm down enough to stop trembling so she could shave herself. Thinking that she didn’t want to be gone too long, she hastily finished up, got dressed again, and returned to the living room.
“So…” she calmly began as she sat down, “it’s been quite a day for you, hasn’t it?”
“You can say that again.”
“What were you thinking when those men confronted you?”
He sighed. Idly picking up a fry and dipping in ketchup, he said, “I don’t know, really. I just reacted. It was a stupid thing to do, honestly.”
It was Claire’s turn to sigh. “No, Steven, what you did was really amazing,” she said, while purposefully resting her free hand on his thigh. Lightly squeezing his leg, she made what she hoped were bedroom eyes at him and said, “You’re a wonderful person, Steven. Any girl would be lucky to have you.” She batted her eyelashes at him. Jeez! Laying it on a bit thick, are we?
Steven turned beet red.
“What’s the matter?”
He cleared his throat. “Nothing. I’m just not used to so much attention.”
“I’m sorry,” she said sweetly, raising her hand on his thigh until it was almost in contact with the object of her desire. “Let me know if I’m making you uncomfortable.” Claire grinned wickedly at him. Is this guy ever going to make a move? He said I was pretty, so what’s the problem?
Movement in his shorts got her attention. Yes! He’s turned on!
“I… err… you should move your hand, Claire,” Steven said bashfully.
Feigning ignorance, Claire pretended to be surprised at his growing erection. “Oh my, am I to blame for that?”
For that, he had no answer.
“Steven?” she prompted, squeezing his leg again.
“Yes, you caused that, ok?” he replied, sounding upset.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing.”
“You know, it’s ok to get erections. What exactly caused that?”
“Look, you are really very pretty, but this is embarrassing for me, and-”
“-Steven, what’s going on? You’re acting like you’ve never had sex.”
A vein began pulsing visibly in his neck.
“Have you- are you a virgin, Steven? It’s ok if you are.”
He looked so uncomfortable. Pitiful, really. “Yeah,” he said sorrowfully.
“Oh, sweetie,” Claire said affectionately, “I’m so sorry, but that’s nothing to be ashamed about. Everyone is born a virgin, you know.” She rubbed her leg up against his. “So, just out of curiosity, why do you think I’m pretty?”
“Claire, please-”
“-No, you please. Just tell me, won’t you? Is it too difficult for you?”
“I’m sorry. Sure, I’ll tell you.” Steven took a sip of his drink to wet his throat. “You have a pretty face.”
Waiting for more, Claire realized that he had reached the limit of his ability to compliment a girl. “Is that it?”
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