Redemption * On Hold *

Chapter 3

" That's really no way to talk to a lady . " said the flawless velvety voice .

I turned around to see the guy that had saved my puppy and he was the most handsome man I'd ever seen . I'd never seen anyone look like that before . There was something about him that intrigued me .

" Look , honey , why don't you climb in the backseat . " they said , ignoring the guy .

I shook my head . 

" Hell no ! " I said , taking a step closer to the other guy .

" Suit yourself . " he winked and threw his cigarette at my feet , before beeping his horn really loudly , driving off..

I stuck up my middle finger at them and then turned around , clearing my throat at the guy , looking down a little embarressed as he handed me Pooka .

" Thanks . " I said , looking down .

" No problem . " he said politely .

We both stood there for a moment in silence looking at eachother and then he extended his hand to me .

"Alek Aristov . And you are ? " he asked politely .

" Annie . Annie Barrett. " I said , shaking his hand . 

He gave me a small smile .

" And where would a beautiful girl like you be heading off to ?" he asked curiously .

I smiled in return. 

" I was heading down to the water. " I said , scratching the back of my head .

He looked amused .

" That narrows it down . " he muttered sarcastically .

I didn't know why , but  was drawn for him and I felt like I wanted to be with him.

" Uh , yeah. Lot of water around here . " I said , rolling my eyes .

" I wouldn't know . " he said .

" Not from here ? Well.... you could always come with me . " I offered , raising an eyebrow .

He smiled .

" I couldn't intrude . " he said .

I shrugged .

" No intrusion unless you think of it as ruining my date with my dog . " I said , sarcastically .

He laughed and nodded.

" Sure . "

I smiled.

" Great . We can take my car . Come on . " I said , leading him and my dog over to my car .

We got in my old mustang and I hit the radio , causing " Disturbia " to come on . I pulled out of my driveway and got onto the road leading through town and down to a friend of the family's house on the water . We kept our canoe there and even though Will had a big boat , I liked the peacefulness of our canoe better.  Will also worked crazy hours so he was hardly ever home . 

" What are we doing here ? " Alek said with a smile tugging on the corner of his lips .

I rolled my eyes .

" Canoeing . " I said , leading him and Pooka to the end of the peer where I grabbed the canoe easily and slid it into the water .

I jumped in carlessly and easily .

" Come on , boo . " I said , using Pooka's nickname .

He yipped and jumped in easily , taking a seat at my feet .Alek looked surprised but chuckled and got in .

" I like the quiet better then the roar of the motor . " I said , grabbing the ore as I started to row us away from the peer  , yet still staying pretty shallow . 

" Me too. So , how often do you come here ? " he asked, trying to make conversation .

I laughed . 

" Well , it's summer , so I come here alot . I do have to warn you , there are killer crabs in these waters . "

He looked confused .

" Like ... real crabs ? " he asked , laughing.

I nodded .

" You've obviously never been to Maryland before . " I said , shaking my head .

I then smirked and reached my hand into the water, feeling around on the bottom of the shallow floor until I found something hard and stiff . I grabbed it and pulled up a crab , holding it up for Alek to see as proof .His jaw dropped , but he quickly regained compure and cleared his throat . I tossed the crab back in the water and crossed my arms , leaning back in the canoe looking at him with an amused smile on my face . 

" You know , I've never really had a tour like this before . "he said .

I laughed .

" Really ? I do this sort of thing all the time . " I said .

He chuckled .

" Come on. " I said , sliding off my tank top so that I was in my  bikkinni top and bottoms .

I'd been planning on going canoeing since I woke up , but I fell asleep so I really didn't have time to change my swim suit .Alek looked at me like I was crazy .

" You just showed me a killer crab . " he  said , chuckling .

I shook my  head . 

" They won't bother you if you're careful . Come on . Don't be chicken . They LOVE chicken . " I said winking .

He rolled his eyes and slid off his shirt and his pants so that he was in his boxers and got into the water with me , leaving Pooka yipping in the canoe . I was surprised just how toned and muscular he was , but I tried not to stare . This is the first day of the rest of my life .