Married to Lust.

Seven.

Surprisingly, Friday came quickly and after work, I went home to get ready for my date with Alex. I wasn't sure how dressed up I was supposed to get, but I did want to impress. Torn, I dressed in a black cotton dress with short sleeves and glanced at myself in the mirror, seeing my mouth turned down in to a grimace.

The dress was something that Vic would have approved of and the thought made me shiver and I stripped the dress off and let it fall to the bathroom floor. I dug and dug all the way to back of my closet until I found what I was looking for.

I slipped in to the silk and lacy burgundy number and felt much more satisfied with my reflection. The neck was high but had a keyhole cut out just below the collar bones and was classy enough to not show too much, but just the right amount of my fair skin. It was amazing how much I admired my skin now that it wasn't marred with bruises and welts and hand prints.

I was slipping my shoes on when Alex knocked, signalling his arrival. I hurriedly slung my bag over my shoulder and opened the door.

" Wow, " He said as his eyes took me in, up and down, before finally meeting my eyes again. I couldn't help but smile. " You look great."

" Oh, this old thing?" I blushed, closing the door behind me.

" Second thought, let's stay in tonight." He said, hands going around my waist, drifting lower and lower until I gasped.

" Mr. Valentine. " I scolded, stepping away from his grasp and giggling, feeling like a school girl with a crush. " I was promised a real date."

" Okay, okay. " He nodded and grabbed my hand and led me to his truck. He opened the door for me and I climbed inside. He didn't shut the door immediately, but just stood there looking at me, before leaning in close to my ear.

" But I can't wait to rip that dress off later." He whispered, lips tickling my ear, causing me to shiver with delight. He grinned, closed the door, and joined me inside the cab.

Vic wasn't very keen on taking me on dates when he was alive. He felt there were too many men to look at me and vice versa. He always seemed to paranoid of me humiliating him in public so most of the time, he avoided it; opting for me to cook us dinner every night. Sometimes he'd take me out on our anniversaries as long as I'd promised to behave myself and not cause a scene. It didn't matter, though, something would always tick him off. He never showed his true colors in public, but I could always tell by the way he gritted his teeth or gripped his fork, that he couldn't wait to get me home to ' discipline ' me.

Sometimes all it took to set him off was me simply mispronouncing a word on the menu and his whole face would turn red, eyes practically bulging out of his head. Then I knew it would all be over when we got home again.

Alex seemed different. He was relaxed when we walked in to Italian restaurant and was at ease when the hostess placed us at a corner booth. He gave me a soft smile over the menu and went back to picking out an entree.

He seemed so at home in his own skin, dressed in a simple button up shirt and a good pair of jeans and his trusty black boots. Even though this place was fairly formal, he seemed to fit right in.

We placed our order and sat in comfortable silence for a few moments. He kept stealing glances at my breasts and I couldn't help but smile, hoping he'd hold true to his promise.

" So, how was your first week back at work?" He asked, sipping his beer.

" It wasn't so bad. " I shrugged, thinking back on it. There was an awkward tension in the air between Lily and I, but she'd made no mention of seeing me with Alex that first day and I was relieved. The patients were the same as always. Old and ornery mostly.