Man of Mystery

by L. B. Wilde

  Nathan releases her hand, “See you in a few, don’t leave yet, OK?” she would stand planted here forever if you asked! “I'll be here, I promise.” looking dreamily up at his gorgeous face. At the same time Crystal excuses herself to head to the bathrooms, it's just the 4 of us now.

  Mikey practically bursts out immediately, “Damn Brandy, you really scored! He is a dream boat, major eye candy, I'm thinking of stealing him away from you!” Pete slaps him on the back “You’re on a diet, remember!” Mikey winks at Pete “I may be on a diet but I can still read the menu! Besides he only has eyes for Brandy.

  “So what were you too talking about outside?” Tiffany asks looking a little anxious to know. “Well, he asked me out for coffee tomorrow and gave me his number” I blush.

  “Great, you’re going to call him right! If you don't take him up on his offer I will!” She says teasingly. “Or I will” Pete sneaks in giving a smirk at Mikey. He pouts out his lip and nudges Pete. They are so cute when they tease each other, we all burst out laughing. This has been such a great night.

  It was her turn to start drilling Tiffany about the conversation with Denny when both the handsome men return to the table. Nathan walks up to her taking her hand. “I'm sorry Brandy, but I need to take off because of business, until tomorrow morning?” He lifts her hand to his full delicious lips gently kissing the back. What a gentleman, surely she is bright red nodding her head. “Sure, I'll call you in the morning?!” Hope that didn't sound too excited since her feet are floating on a cloud right now. He politely says his goodbyes to everyone else and walks away; starring at his gorgeous butt along with Mikey and Pete. Tiffany has been engaged in conversation with Denny. They seem to be making plans themselves so giving them their space we start to people watch.

  Denny says his goodbye and gives Tiffany a sweet kiss on the cheek. He hands her his card after whispering who knows what into her ear. She smiles warmly. Wow, we both scored tonight! Can this night get any better?

  We finish our drinks and decide it’s getting late and we now have some plans in the morning. We say our goodbyes to Mikey and Pete with warm hugs as we enter our apartment. Tiffany says, “Girlfriend, your beauty really shined through tonight, I'm giving you till morning to tell me everything! Get some sleep and I'll be up bright and early to hear all about it!” Brandy rolls her eyes with a bright grin heading to bed. Her dreams start out with Nathans warm smile with bright eyes looking at her with want and desire. Oh boy, she is not going to ever get his vision out of her head.

  Nathan took care of his intrusive phone call from home, which shorten his time with Brandy. He doesn’t know what it is but he felt something when he touched her even before that, come to think of it. He seems to recollect, then it comes to him, she was the girl he saw at the bank today. He is glad he did introduce himself and actually even happier that she is going to call him for coffee. She is like a breath of fresh air that he has been looking for. Now he will just have to wait and see if she calls.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning Brandy is practically bouncing out of bed with sweet wonderful if not a little dirty dreams about Nathan last night. He is all her mind can think about since she is supposed to call him this morning for coffee. Problem is what time is too early not wanting to be over zealous like a desperate girl searching for love or lust.

  True to her word Tiffany is up as well. She has a glowing smile on as well since she met Denny last night. She is telling her all about their conversation and how much she adores his accent. His sister is cute but definitely has blonde moments. We laugh about that, but inside Crystal really has the ‘hots’ for Nathan even though he doesn't seem to have the same feeling for her. Can't blame her, he is a perfect specimen of a man.

  Telling her that he is the Mystery Man from the bank she gaps. “Really, how crazy is that to have happened, on the same day.” Going over how he just makes me feel different, a good different, but still not used to feeling like this around men. Being so darn shy, these feeling are so new to her but Tif listens to me babble on and smiles until I come up for air.

  “Well, Brandy, those feeling are what others have called some serious hormones telling you to go for it! You always seem to suppress the wonderful gift every woman is given when she is attracted to a man. That belly aching fire inside you is probably ready to explode! At least you held out for the best looking man.” She states so. Grinning back at Tif’s observation, “Well, I'm supposed to call him this morning for coffee, I don't know what to say to him or when I should call?”

  “Hmm, it's still early, why don't you head into the shower freshen up and I'll decide what you are wearing today. Also, I'm making sure you don't just throw your hair up in a pony tail, so go on now.” as she shoos her away.

  Just hoping not to make an ass out of herself or do anything stupid today. She has never really been out on a date before and it really sucks. Not a being virgin or anything, but she wasn't really dating the boy she lost her virginity too. They were friends and co-workers at the winery her family owns and runs. They had known each other for years and been just friends. It was an awkward situation for both of them. They used to joke about the fact that they were both inexperienced and then one night after work while drinking a bottle of wine together with slight buzzes they did it in the back room of the winery. It was not very romantic with neither of them having any experience so it was very clumsy. Afterward they promised to keep being friends but he got another job at a different winery and it broke the connection. Probably better off, they were better off as friends and the drunken encounter left them feeling uncomfortable. That is a serious memory that needs to burn from her mind!

  Brandy towel dries, slips into some comfortable sweats and heads into the living area to see what Tiffany has in store for her. Go figure, our Mikey is here for some morning coffee. “Where is Pete this morning?” she asks.

  “Oh, he had to work for a little bit and I hear you have a coffee date! We need to make sure you still look like a million dollars or I'm going to steal your date away from you.” he says brightly.

  “You are such a tease Mikey, I told you he was straight and you would never leave Pete, he is way too good to you!” exclaiming with a smirk

  “That may be true, but if you can't dazzle mystery man Nathan then I might have a shot!”

  “In your dreams sweetie, now what have you two been scheming while I was taking a shower?”

  Of course Tiffany has been going through her clothes and decides that we really need to shop after her date. Her wardrobe is awful having nothing decent to wear. She did find another pair of casual pants that is worn for work that is in decent shape and she gives Brandy a beautiful pink cashmere sweater that she has. She has shoes that go perfectly with it and lucky for Brandy they wear the same shoe size. Before deciding on her hairstyle for the day she hands me the cell phone. It is almost 10 and said time to call and she will go from there.

  Tiffany walks out of her bedroom with a grin, OK you can handle this, Brandy thinks. Butterflies are nicely dancing in her stomach as she pulls out his card to call him , dialing ever so slowly so she doesn't screw up the number hitting send. It rings 3 times before getting a polite “Hello” on the other end. Stay calm

  “Hi Nathan, it’s Brandy, umm do you still want to go for coffee this morning?” Glad she isn’t seeing his face; it almost feels like she is asking him out on a date.

  “Hey, I'm glad you didn't forget! Yes I would, just finishing my workout; I’ll be ready in about 15min. Did you want me to pick you up?”

  “No I can meet you at the Stars coffee shop at Elmwood and Heron. What time do you think you can be there?”

  “I'll see you in 25 minutes, I look forward to seeing you again, also, I do remember seeing you at the bank, see you soon.” He hangs up and she’s floored, he does remember her from the bank! Not that we actually met but he helped me pick up the coins and he knows it! Slightly embarrassed about that event so much her cheeks turn red, stepping out o
f the bedroom with Tiffany and Mikey looking at her with inquisitive eyes.

  “He remembers seeing me at the bank” she blurts out plopping down on the chair next to Mikey.

  “Oh. She has got it bad.” Mikey exclaims clasping his hands on his face.

  “Oh yea she does, good for you Brandy!'” Tiffany is excited for her.

  “Wow, am I that bad? Does that mean I'll embarrass myself or something?!” She is still cringing at the thought.

  “No sweetie, but your glowing, so when are you meeting him?” Mikey asks.

  “In 25 minutes at Stars coffee shop.”

  “Well, really Brandy you could have given us more time to get you ready, OK Mikey game on!” Tif grabs her arm leading Brandy into the bathroom to do her hair, Mikey who loves makeup starts to do it for her since now as they consider short on time. They finish in 15 minutes flat, feeling like a model getting ready for the runway on how quickly and efficiently they prepare her to go out.

  “Today you are now worth 2 million!” says Mikey,” and by the way, I'm hitting the stores with you two to make sure we get everything you need for future dates.”

  “Your company is always welcome Mikey” telling him affectionately. “OK, am I ready?” she turns taking a deep breath looking into the mirror. Her eye makeup looks fantastic, along with her lips looking full and kissable. The blush just accents her cheeks enough to keep them a pretty accent. Mikey's good! Her hair is out but lavishly controlled thanks to Tiffany. Feeling and look picture perfect for the first time in a very long time.

  Giving Mikey and Tiffany a warm hug she heads out the door. Mikey is prying Tiffany about Denny as she leaves hearing them both laugh and giggle closing the door behind her. Alone, her head in the clouds wondering what Nathan will think, jumping into “lud”. Be good today, need you to have my back thinking inwardly. As always she purrs to life, that's her baby.

  Finding a parking spot in front of the coffee shop, it must be her lucky day. Nathan is already there and a busty blonde waitress is very attentive on taking his order. He picks up his head when he sees her nods it to the side with a grin indicating a please come have a seat as he pats the chair next to him. The waitress observing scowls and squints her eyes in her direction. Obviously, she was trying to put the moves on him with her entry ruining that. Walking up head held high sitting down at the seat he indicated. She elaborates on his order and curtly turns to her to see what she wants. Placing my order for a latte' double crème, one sugar. She excuses herself to Nathan stating she will be back in a minute with his order. Used to not getting attention at anyplace for that matter, but never had a girl act jealous of her. What a weird feeling but trying to act casual.

  Nathan turns his full attention on her, ignoring the waitress completely, “So, how are you feeling this morning? You look fantastic Brandy.” He gives her a warm affectionate smile.

  His compliment warms her but she isn’t used to being told that she is beautiful. “I feel great! How about you, did you have a good workout?” She squeaks out trying to hide her flushing cheeks at being called beautiful looking down at her lap peeking up at him.

  “My work out was great but why are you still blushing? Did I say something wrong?” he looks puzzled at her reaction.

  This is different, so exciting, so stimulating for the first time ever. Brandy’s cheeks start turning red just like they’re glowing.

  “Well, I’m not used to receiving compliments, but thank you.” She stumbles out looking away slightly trying to control her embarrassment.

  “Really, why is that?” he asks

  She can't even think of any gorgeous man who has ever been so nice to her. This is different, so exciting, so stimulating for the first time ever. Can this mean being yourself should feel so right and natural! This exquisite man likes her for being her!

  “You know Nathan that is the nicest thing I have ever heard from anyone new to me in a long time. I'm sorry for being so aloof but I have been seriously teased all my life because of my name you tend to shy away from compliments. You tend to believe it’s just a ploy to sting you again. I’m sorry.” She says so sincerely.

  He sighs in relief, feeling like the tension of who we are has left us and we are just regular people going out for a cup of coffee. Letting her shield down halfway it seems like he has done the same thing.

  “You know Brandy Whine, it feels good to just relax for once and not deal with everything else that is going on. You have beautiful and unique name, you should be proud of it.” he states matter of fact. “Would you like to take a walk with our coffees on such a beautiful day, if you don't mind? I feel like you just gave me a breath of fresh air and I would like to enjoy that with you.” He smiles so sincerely. That would be nice to just take a walk and feel free of my past anxieties with him by my side.

  We get our coffee and head down Elmwood. He starts asking about what I do, which to me isn’t much besides school ,work and the occasional getting out with Tiffany, Mikey and Pete. Explaining that she wants to get full time at the bank so it can help pay for her educational goals, so the bank has the best prospect in her life. Also, about her being waitress at Arnolds and they have the best Buffalo wings around. He will have to stop by sometime and check them out. Leading into finding out why he is here from so far away which he kindly explains that he is an entrepreneur of sorts and dabbles in investments along with his internet business. He doesn’t delve into too much, but that’s OK, we are just starting to get to know each other. One of his investments happens to involve his friend Denny who just started up the bar. That really explains why Denny needed to go over things with him when we were out last night.

  When the subject comes up about what she does for fun, having to think about it because normally those opportunities to just have fun just don’t happen that often. The thought comes to her about when Tiffany’s brother Alex has free time to take us out on the river in his 25’ boat. We really love seeing life from the river, it’s so different trying to recognize places and dock up to different spots to get a snack or drink. Telling him how much we really enjoy that. His eyes Oh those beautiful eyes light up.

  He gives her an adorable boyish smile asking “Can we head back to the car?”

  “OK why?” trying to gauge his intentions.

  We head back to the coffee shop when she asks if they should take her car or his, he asks where she is parked. She points to her “lud” with a proud smile.

  “Really Brandy, you drive that! Are you sure it’s safe?” He is shocked slightly offending her baby.

  “She’s my baby and she purrs to me every morning when I start her up. She may be old but she is solid!” Frumping back at him acting offend with a scowl.

  He busts out laughing with hands up palms facing forward. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend your baby, but she looks like she has had better days, OK?”

  “Apology accepted by myself and “lud” smiling back at him.

  He just starts laughing,” You actually named the car lud, now that is a funny name!” We both start laughing, never really thought of it being a strange name, but he’s right it is.

  We finally collect ourselves and he suggests his car since it won’t be offended at him for laughing at it.

  Giggling with slight tears “OK but where are we going? “

  “To the marina, I have been there only once and I’m hoping you know it better so you can give me a better tour. Is that alright with you?” He is actually glowing with anticipation, he seems so excited and so am I in more ways than one!

  “Sure, lead the way to your car, if you don’t mind.“ sweetly with a girlish grin. This is so much fun; being so relaxed around any man, it feels absolutely wonderful! He just seems to put her at ease, he’s gorgeous, smart and really, really adorable. What amazes her is that he is with her and not some super model. OK, for now live for the moment!

  We walk around the block and stop. She can’t believe her eyes which are now staring at a sporty Jaguar, which having no idea on
the model since never in her dreams could she buy a car like this but knowing Jags are expensive, her mouth drops open. “You drive this?! Is business that good for you?” blurting out.

  “Well, yes but it’s a rental for when I’m in town. She is pretty though.” He grins looking to see her reaction. Shaking her head thinking OK it’s a rental; not needing to know the details yet, but it looks really fun to drive!

  “OK, I promise not to scratch it” giggling with anticipation “I don’t think whoever you rented it from would appreciate that. It’s really cool as long as you didn’t rent it to impress me!” she smirks at him.

  He laughs “That’s what I like about you Brandy, you are down to earth! You don’t expect anything and no it’s not rented to impress you. I rented it because I can and it’s a fun car to drive. Come on lets have some fun!” The smile on his face is like nothing I have ever experienced. It is so playful and childish like he is really enjoying this for the first time. She is feeling the same way relishing in the excitement of the moment.

  Popping into the car glancing at this fun loving gorgeous man, buckling up my seat belt “Safety first!” taking in his smile of enthusiasm. “Let’s take a ride!”

  “OK, you asked for it! I’m taking the long way” he teases as we head towards the thruway. He throws caution to wind accelerating when he can to pass everyone. Thank you for no cops today! We actually take the roundabout way by going around the city heading back towards the Marina. That was so exciting her heart is racing. She must be smiling from ear to ear as he is too. We laugh out loud when we both look at each other with the same childish expression.

  Finally we pull into the Marina, grinning at how foolishly fun that was and take in deep a breath. Her stomach is rumbling how embarrassing and he starts laughing again.