a contrast to the wild, windswept girl I had seen on the beach for so many days. I found that both looks appealed to me.
“I hope you don’t mind walking. I thought we would just go up the street for coffee. The Daily Grind is pretty good. Is that okay with you?”
“Sounds great,” and we started to cross the street so that we could walk the scenic route up the Boardwalk.
“Do you want to get us a table?” Aria nodded her head and went toward a spot by the window.
“Two coffees; one black, and another with three sugars—extra cream.” Aria heard my order and smiled at me.
When I had paid and brought the coffees to the table, she smiled and said, “You remembered.”
“Well, of course I did. It’s dessert , remember? Isn’t this a treat?” And with that answer, I was rewarded with another one of her smiles.
Aria was a vision that I’d never grow tired of, and I found it hard to keep my eyes from roaming over every inch of her body. She had placed her hand in mine as we walked, and I felt an instantaneous protectiveness for her come over me. The intimate gestures, ever so slight, were appealing to my inner caveman. Most of the women I knew were bold and aggressive. She was none of that. Looking into her face gave me a raw pleasure. She made me feel my masculine, alpha male nature on the most basic level. When I said something that would make her blush, it only served to make me desire to know her more personally and intimately. I don’t remember seeing anyone blush in a long time. It was refreshing. Her eyes were constantly changing color; captivating me with their never-ending display. They were doing so right now. The appropriate, old fashioned word for Aria would be “delightful”… TT
Declan was a bit more reserved in the verbal department than me. I felt I needed to start this conversation to avoid any awkwardness. Physically, I felt the same magnetism to him that I had when I was in his house. I could feel heat and color creeping up my neck and cheeks, and looking at him was making me very, very warm.
“What type of work do you do?”
“I’m a model,” he replied. He waited for a few moments as if he was waiting for a response from me. When he was satisfied with my non-response, he continued. “New York’s my home base. I’ve been modeling since my early twenties. A friend mentioned trying out when there was an open call, so I went. I wasn’t their average guy. Usually they looked for boys that looked like scarecrows by starving themselves, which isn’t me as you can see. I also had tats, and that was a no-no when I went for the call. What I had going for me was that I was different . That’s exactly what they were looking for at the time. They needed something ‘fresh’ , they said. I worked out at the gym a lot, and someone got the idea that a muscular, healthy looking model might just sell some products. It was slow at first, but my agent won them over. I’ve done a lot of print work; most of the major designers, some fragrance ad work, luxury watches and cars, underwear, and runway shows. I’m starting to slow down now. Not for lack of job offers, although I am getting a bit old for the industry. I’m slowing down on my own because I have some ideas to start up a studio, but nothing concrete, really. I came to the beach to clear my head, strategize, focus on a direction, and put together a business plan.
Declan took a drink of his coffee and deferred to me. “What about you, beautiful?” he asked.
He reached across the table and took my hand in his, an act that I thoroughly enjoyed. I now knew why he looked so familiar. I had seen him in magazines and on displays in department stores. He was very good looking; “drop dead gorgeous” as they say. He oozed and dripped sexuality. His voice was deep and commanding, and it lulled you into wanting to reveal your innermost secrets to him. Having my hand in his was a secure and soothing feeling. He was