The Guy Next Door

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Running a nervous hand through my neat ponytail I assured myself for the tenth time that I looked fine. Dressed in a casual white tank top with a row of ruffles outlining my bust, a plum purple skirt that flowed just above my knees leaving my -hardly earned- toned legs exposed and a pair of ballet flats to finish the simple look. Keeping my make up light I felt I had achieved the appropriate look for the friendly date.

"It's just like having dinner with Tess." I whispered to myself. Except Tess isn't a toned, tanned man with a smile that could conjure wicked images in any females mind and eyes the perfect confusing shade of grey and blue that would have a nun stripping down to her birthday suit in a nano-second. Thoughts like that had me more worried about tonight, the more I spent time with Wes the more I became aware of his masculine presence. Not that I haven't noticed before, the man constantly strode out into the hallway half nude but too disgusted with his latest one night stand stepping out of his apartment, I never took much of a second glance at him. That was a waste muscle, toned bronze muscle.

Shaking the images clear of Wes's body I mentally slapped myself for my weakness. You are a grown woman Khloe, and for fuck's sake you are going to act like one! I scolded myself for the brief drool moment. Inhaling a lung full of air I turned the door knob and stepped out in to the hallway, locking my door before I could chicken out and make a nose dive for my bed.

"Stay in control and you'll be fine." I whispered under my breath, rasping my knuckles against his door I could hear my blood pumping in my ears when his deep voice called out.

"On time as expected, kitty kat." he said moving aside for me to enter, hesitantly I took a step into the foreign apartment with my trembling hands clasped in front of me. The sound of the door shutting behind me was a reminder that I couldn't back out like I so desperately want to.

"So." I said turning on my heels to face him, my eyes roamed over his figure. He wore dark washed jeans matched with a ocean blue flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, leaving his toned forearms on display, his dark hair was in it's usual nest style that gave him a rugged, bad boy look that every parent doesn't want their daughter with. "Where are we going?" I asked

"Here." he answered a hint of uncertainty in his tone

I nodded in response, turning on my heels I searched for the table as the spicy scent of paprika tickled my nose. Mixed aromas flowed together in a delicious, alluring scent that had me inhaling the irresistible aroma. "Where is the table?"

"I thought we could try something-different." he replied the hesitance in his voice not going unnoticed

Peering over my shoulder I arched a brow, puzzled at the so called 'different' dinner. Typical and predictable are more of my style, an expected dinner, at an expected table is what I prepared for, not 'different'. Tightening my fingers against each other I ignored the sting of my nails digging into the soft flesh of the top of my hands, I felt the first prickles of nervousness settling in the pit of my stomach. Relax it's just one difference Khloe, your still in control.

"I tried setting up on the roof but a group of teens are rehearsing up there right bow so I went for the next best thing." he said with a lopsided smile, completely ignoring my quizzical expression he walked right past me toward the balcony. He pulled the twin doors open allowing the warm setting sun to enter the spacious room and shadow it with the last rays of the bright sun, a random light breeze blew the same spicy aroma I caught a whiff of before forward like a feather tickling your nose the saucy scent caught my attention. A large burgundy blanket covered the white tiled floor of the balcony, resting on the blanket were two covered plates that I can only assume were are dinner, abother plate with a plastic cover was pushed aside from tge dinner, a chilled bottle of wine rested in a bowl of ice with a small tea cup in the center of it all with one -yes, one single red rose perched against the too tiny cup.