The Crime of Seduction Read online

  i kno it. c u there

  ok. goodnight

  sleep tight ;-)

  Alex sat still, staring at her computer screen, her heart racing. She couldn’t believe she had a date with Heath V. for coffee the very next day—and then she realized it was actually today, since it was now nearly 1:30 a.m. She closed the laptop, picked up the empty glass and wine bottle, set them on the kitchen counter, and got ready for bed. She knew she needed a good night’s rest, but she had a difficult time falling asleep—the short chat session with Heath had given her a jolt of adrenaline and her mind raced, thinking about her date with him and the possibility of it being a good one. She was long overdue for a fun date with a hot guy.

  She felt wired just thinking about it. It was as if there was a current running through her body, making her hyperaware of the sheets against her legs and her T-shirt against her breasts. She rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling, letting her fingers trail up and down her thighs, across her belly, and over her chest to her nipples. She pictured Heath above her, running his hands across her body. She imagined his touch would be soft and slow at first, then maybe more insistent as he leaned over to kiss her. She licked her lips and thought I have a good feeling about this date as she finally drifted off to sleep.

  * * *

  3

  Chapter Three

  Alex woke the next morning with a headache from drinking the entire bottle of wine alone the night before, but the excitement she felt about her upcoming date with Heath was the best pain-reliever she could ask for. She hadn’t had a good online date yet and had already grown tired of the prospects on Compatibility.com. Most of the men interested in a woman in her early thirties, like her, were much older. Sure, they were well established in their careers and many seemed well-off financially, showcasing their fancy cars and motorcycles, but they all came with baggage. They had ex-wives, children, and bitter hearts. Alex remembered the last dinner date she had had—and the one that taught her to always, always just meet for a drink first.

  He had contacted her online, and they had exchanged a few innocent messages through the site. He was single—divorced—with a teenaged daughter, was an executive at a small tech company in the next city over—Bayside—and he seemed polite, witty, and educated in his texts. He asked her to dinner the right way—with a date, time, and location in mind—and she had said yes. She had looked forward to the dinner. It was a restaurant she had heard great things about, in fact the last president had dined there on one of his campaign stops in Bayside. She thought it had even earned a Michelin star, which clearly placed it out of her price range. She was eager to try the food and looked forward to a pleasant evening.

  The date had begun well enough. She was only a few minutes late, he was not ugly, and they were comfortable enough with one another that it wasn’t awkward. He was well dressed, well groomed, and polite. She liked the decisive way he ordered the wine after asking her if she preferred white or red, and if she minded if he ordered for her. He seemed to know about wine and didn’t order the cheapest bottle on the list.

  It was about halfway through their “getting to know you” conversation that his phone started blowing up with texts. At first he ignored them; then he took the phone out of his pocket, turned the sound off, and set the phone on the table. However, it continued to vibrate with every text and call and nearly worked its way off the table before Alex had said, “Why don’t you go ahead and take that, it may be an emergency.”

  The good news was that he had the manners to say thank you, excuse himself from the table, and take the call outside. The bad news was that when he came back to the table he slammed the phone down as he slammed into his seat and slammed back his glass of wine. He proceeded to whistle—actually whistle! —at the bartender and order a “Bullitt—and make it a double.” He looked so angry with his face red and his jaw clenched tight that Alex thought of an angry bull—red eyed and crazed, with steam coming out of its nostrils.

  When the whiskey came he slammed that down too, took a deep breath in, exhaled, cracked his neck, and looked at Alex and smiled. “Now, where were we before I was interrupted by that bitch?”

  Alex smiled back. “Your ex?” she asked before taking a big gulp of wine herself.

  “No, my spoiled bitch of a daughter,” he said.

  Alex couldn’t muster the nerve to just get up and leave after his binge and bitch show—she didn’t really feel like pissing him off any further and, besides, she was hungry and the food was on its way. She just couldn’t bring herself to walk out on a perfectly cooked filet mignon with a red wine reduction sauce, no matter how sour the company.

  After enjoying the meal while surreptitiously monitoring her date’s continued and enthusiastic alcohol consumption, she treated herself to a $30 glass of post-dinner port and planned her escape. By the time the check came he could barely hold the pen and scribbled his name half on the receipt and half on the table. Jesus, no wonder your wife left you she thought as she grabbed her bag and excused herself to go to the ladies’ room. On her way down the hall she stopped their server and passed her a twenty-dollar bill. “I’m leaving, but this is for you—make sure he gets in a cab. Do NOT let that man get behind the wheel of a car.” She walked right past the bathroom and slipped out the back door of the restaurant and into the cool night air. It was then and there she vowed to never again agree to dinner without first meeting face to face for a coffee. “Always have an out” became her dating mantra.

  * * *

  Alex got to the coffee shop early for her date with Heath. She had given herself plenty of time so she wouldn’t be late. After debating what to wear, she had decided not to change into anything special after work. She wanted to look nice, which she always did at work, but she wanted to be able to change up her outfit and make it a little more flirty and sexy for her date. She had chosen a snug-fitting black dress with a kick pleat in the back. She wore a black blazer, pearls, and black kitten heels with it at work, but once the work day was over she lost the blazer and pulled out a black cashmere wrap; took off the pearls and replaced the pearl earrings with some fake diamond studs; added a thin red belt; and traded out the sensible black heels for some lipstick-red pumps. She had also taken off the granny panties she wore for work and put on some black lace boy shorts ’cause you just never know. Some lipstick and a dab of perfume behind each ear and between her breasts, and she was good to go.

  When she arrived at Perk she didn’t want to just sit at a table expectantly waiting for her date so she ordered a latte. “Better make it a decaf,” she told the barista. “I am meeting someone for a first date and I am already nervous.” The barista smiled. “Well, you look great. Good luck!”

  Once Alex had the coffee in front of her she felt a little calmer. She sat at a table with a view of the front door and as much of the street as she could manage—she wanted to be able to see him walking up before he could see her. She took her phone out of her purse to turn off the ringer and to check the time. It was already five minutes after six. Oh great she thought, her heart sinking. He better not be flaking out on me. She took a deep breath. God, I hate chickenshit men who string women along like— “You must be Alex,” a deep voice said, as she felt a large hand on her shoulder.

  She looked up at the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He smiled and said, “I’m Heath. I’m sorry I’m late. I wanted to call you because I knew I was running late and I didn’t want you to think I was standing you up, but I realized I didn’t have your number.”

  She stuck out her hand. “Hi, yes, I am Alex,” she said, standing up. Heath chuckled, his eyes twinkling as he took her hand—but instead of shaking it he pulled her closer to him. “Wow, you are tall. I like that,” he said, looking directly in her eyes. Now that she was seeing him in person Alex realized that his eyes weren’t really “bedroom eyes.” Nope, those are “come fuck me” eyes...and I am in big trouble.

  “I enjoyed your profile,” he said, not breaking his sta
re.

  “You did?” she asked. “What about it did you like the most?”

  “Well, certainly your smile,” he said, pulling out her chair and gesturing for her to sit down. He pulled out his own chair and paused. “I see you already have a drink—mind if I grab one, too?”

  “Of course not.”

  “May I get you anything else? A cookie?” he asked. Alex shook her head “no.” She realized she hadn’t stopped smiling at him since he walked in. How did he get in without me seeing him? Must have come in the back door. Do they have a back door here?

  “Don’t go anywhere.” He winked at her.

  Normally Alex was not a big fan of the wink, but coming from Heath it seemed natural. That was almost cute, she thought. He is so hot I might let him get away with it.

  Alex was pleased Heath wanted a coffee because it gave her a chance to check him out while he ordered—and from behind, no less. That is one nice ass, Alex thought. Alex loved a good ass—something to watch, to admire, something solid to grab onto when the time was right. She shivered uncontrollably, just thinking of the possibility of her hands on his ass, rubbing the roundness, the firmness... She shook her head. Focus, Alex. Calm yourself down.

  Heath was definitely more handsome in person than on his profile—if that was even possible. He was vital and flirty and had an incredible level of magnetism she found inescapable. From the second she felt his hand on her shoulder and heard him say her name, she was physically drawn to him in a way she had never experienced before. Heath’s eyes were sexy and playful, his lips were...well, kissable was the first thought that came to mind. They were full and red and looked soft. His smile was engaging and put her at ease instantly. His face was just a little bit scruffy, and, combined with his just-ruffled-enough haircut, he was totally irresistible.

  Alex watched as the barista took his money and noticed she, too, was blushing slightly—apparently Alex wasn’t the only one he had that effect on. Heath laughed with the barista and Alex felt a twinge of jealousy. Um, hello, he is my date. As Heath waited for his cafe latte he leaned against the counter and turned toward Alex, smiling at her. As he did, her twinge of jealousy faded away—she was his date, not the flirty barista—and she’d have his attention...maybe even all night, if she wanted.

  Heath took his drink from the barista and walked slowly back to their table, trying not to spill coffee on his Allan Edmonds suede loafers—or his neatly pressed dark jeans. Alex appreciated a man who was mindful of his wardrobe. She was used to working in a setting where men knew how to dress and took pride in it. While it hadn’t been important to her when she was younger, after working in the prosecutor’s office and around men who knew the power of dressing well, she found she respected men who took pride in their appearance. This was not to say she didn’t appreciate a man in loose pajamas and a T-shirt on a lazy morning, but there was clearly a time and a place for everything, she thought.

  As Heath set his drink down he took off his sport coat and draped it over the back of his chair. He sat down with his legs slightly spread, and Alex couldn’t help but notice the bulge in his jeans. She felt her face flush at the sight of it and smiled to herself as she tried to play it off by looking intently out the cafe window.

  “So, Alex...” His voice trailed off as she turned back to face him.

  “Barton,” she said. She lifted her drink to her lips and smiled. She took a sip, watching him over the rim.

  “Alex Barton. Nice sound to it. And very nice to meet you, Alex Barton.”

  “Likewise, Heath....”

  “Valentine. Heath Valentine.”

  “Oh wow, really?”

  “Yeah, I know,” he said, laughing. Alex loved his laugh instantly. It was deep and warm and genuine. It made her feel good.

  “It gets worse, my birthday is February 14th.”

  Alex laughed out loud. “Did your parents plan that? I mean, that’s a lot to live up to.”

  “I know, right? But it’s OK, I manage alright.” He stopped laughing and looked at Alex. Instantly she felt a tingling warmth spread out from the center of her body. Damn, how does he do that? He smiled again as if he knew what kind of an effect he was having on her. Alex swallowed and stared back at him—this time it was Heath who looked away. He picked up his drink and took a gulp.

  “Oh shit! That’s hot!” he cried, setting the cup down suddenly and spilling coffee over the side.

  “Yeah, they make it like that here,” she said.

  “Yes, yes, they do, Alex.”

  Alex found she was both slightly uncomfortable and slightly turned on by the double entendres and intense looks they were sharing. It had been a while since she had sparred with a date like this. She was enjoying it. She took another sip of coffee, and made it a point to not take her eyes off of Heath’s. She set her cup down and said, “So tell me about yourself, Mr. V. Your profile on Compatibility.com was light on the details.”

  “Yeah, I like to keep it simple. That way you actually have to get to know someone when you meet—instead of already having read the Cliff Notes of their lives online.”

  Alex wondered if her profile was long enough to fall into the “Cliff Notes” category. “OK...” she said, her voice trailing off.

  “Go ahead, Alex, ask me anything. I’m an open book.”

  “Alright, then. Tell me, why are you on Compatibility?” she asked. “I mean, you are obviously an attractive man—an employed, educated, AND attractive man, no less. You’re kind of a hot commodity, you know. I doubt you would have any trouble finding a date off-line.”

  He smiled. “I guess I could say the same about you.”

  “No, I’m not letting you off that easy, Mr. Valentine—no matter how charming you are.”

  He laughed. “Alright. Just testing your stick-to-it-ivness, Miss Barton. Actually, my profile is up, but I wouldn’t say I am active on Compatibility,” he explained. “Although I have met some great people, and been on some great dates from it.” He paused. “My run seems to be only improving.”

  They smiled at each other again. Alex felt embarrassed by the flattery and attention, though she was enjoying the game of cat and mouse. It had been a while since she wanted to play with someone who clearly wanted to play with her, too.

  “What do you do for work, Alex?” he asked.

  “I’m a paralegal. What about you?”

  “Me? I’m in sales.”

  “And I bet you are very successful, Heath,” Alex said, smiling.

  “I do well, Alex. I enjoy my work—you know, figuring out what it is my customer needs and then making sure they get it. I really get a rush when it all works out. I get to travel a lot and I enjoy that, too. I like a good adventure.”

  Alex couldn’t take her eyes off of Heath—his lips, his eyes, his smile. She was thoroughly enjoying listening to him talk about his work. He was clearly energized by it, and she found that kind of passion exciting. She didn’t care what kind of widget he sold: if he had asked her to buy some, she would have.

  “This coffee has made me hot...at least, I think it’s the coffee,” he said, undoing the buttons at his wrist and rolling up his sleeves. Alex looked at his strong, sinewy forearms. They were lined with veins and seeing them made her mind wander. Alex loved veins on men. Her ex, Josh, had many faults but one of the things she had enjoyed about him most was that he was a cyclist and very lean. After a ride, or on the rare occasion he felt amorous, his veins would pop up and show on his hands, forearms, and legs. He had veins on his thighs that she had loved to trace with her tongue. She wondered if Heath had veins on his thighs.

  “Hey, I don’t know about you, but I’m working up an appetite,” Heath said, bringing Alex back to the present, clothed moment.

  “Mmmm, yes,” she replied. “I have too.”

  Heath paused, as if wondering if he had correctly understood Alex’s subliminal response. “Would you like to go grab a bite?”

  Having developed an appetite for Heath and not wanting the e
vening to end so soon, Alex quickly said yes.

  “Do you like seafood?” he asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket and looking at it.

  “It’s not my favorite, honestly.”

  “Well, it’s your lucky night, Alex,” he said, glancing up at her. “I happen to know a spot where you will fall in love with seafood. And it’s here in your town. Are you up for it?”

  Alex couldn’t resist. “If you’re up, I’m willing.”

  Heath licked his lips and said, “Well, I guess this date is just getting started, then.”

  * * *

  4

  Chapter Four

  Alex excused her self to go to the restroom and call Mari. “Hey, girlie,” Mari answered. “How’s the date?”

  “Hot!” Alex said. “And about to get hotter.”

  “Oh, really?” Mari chuckled. “Do tell! He’s as cute in person as he was online?”

  “Girl,” Alex said, “cute doesn’t even enter the equation. He is gorgeous and has this crazy effect on me. I can barely pay attention to what he is saying—other than all the double entendres flying between us.”

  “Well, I can tell you are excited—both ways.”

  Alex laughed, “Yeah, you could say that. He just asked me to go to dinner, so I’ll check in again later.”

  “OK Alex, you do that. I’ll leave my phone on, so keep in touch.”

  “OK, Mom, I will.” Alex laughed at Mari’s protective nature but she appreciated her concern. It was always good to have someone to count on.

  “Hey, someone has to watch out for you, Fool. Text me later.”

  “Ten-four, Mari.” Alex hung up the phone, fixed her lipstick, and chewed on a breath mint. Looking in the mirror, she adjusted her bra and smoothed out her dress. She looked good, she thought. Good thing I put the lace panties on.