Nightly Visits

Sam was weary. The last couple of days had been rough. The semester was over and he was still decompressing. He spent most of the last couple days alone as much as possible. One of his main reasons for taking a job in a library was that it was peaceful.

He sat at his desk and raked a hand back through his sandy hair as he read through another Cherie Priest novel. He had a thing for Steampunk. It was hard to tell if that was ironic or befitting a man working on his master's degree in history. Something about the revisionist past and the people who would have to adapt to it just clicked for him.

The library would be closing in another hour. He'd go home, eat, maybe watch a movie or two, then pass out and wake up around noon. Just like the last two days. It was a relief to be done with class, but the heat wave over the last couple days was slowing down the recovery process and turning the days into long, hot slogs where night time was the only reprieve from the heat. Sam really wished something interesting would happen to break up the monotony.

As if on cue, he heard a voice behind him. "Excuse me?"

Nandita Lila Vimal (Happy Playful Purity)

Lila's really excited! Her slight form fairly danced with excitement as she entered the library. She received a notice that the latest book by A. A. Aguirre is ready for her to pick up. As an avid reader, Lila went through books fast when she had the luxury of time to read. Looking at the list of books she wanted to get, Lila searched the library until she had her hands on the books and carried the pile to the front desk.

"Excuse me?" she asked without looking up she put her precariously piled books on the counter. "My name is Nandita Lila Vimal and I'm here to pick up a book that is being held for me. I'd like to get these too."

A grin of excitement widened her ripe cherry lips in a winsome smile. She wore a white peasant blouse with flower patterns along the wide neckline. It fell off one shoulder and showed off her dusky tanned skin. Lila removed her green backpack and pulled out her student ID and library card. "Here you go." she said as she put the cards down in front of the man.

She looked at her book list and checked to make sure she got everything. "The Warded Man, Kama Sutra, Blood Song, Nude Photography, Art in the Digital World and Gardening for Dummies." she said out loud to herself.

Sam had to blink twice. It was almost surreal. Out of nowhere is a gorgeous girl with suggestive reading material. "Uh... yes. One second." Sam turned back and checked the reservation shelves. He found one that matched the name quickly. "Here we go."

He turned back to the girl and smiled as he scanned the card and then her books. "Don't think I've seen you around you before. I'd remember you if I had." That was certainly the truth. When was the last time he'd dated? A year? Maybe he'd have to get back in the game this summer. It probably wasn't helping him any that he was lonely and celibate as well as over-worked.

Lila beamed with pleasure when she saw the book in the man's hands. "Yes, that's it! That's the one I've been waiting for a year now! I'm a fan of Ann Aguirre's work. Bronze Gods is a Steampunk novel written under a pen name. I hope it's as good as her Jax series." she gushed cheerfully.

She realized that she just babbled--again. "Oh. Hi! Sorry, I babble when I get excited. I haven't had time to come by the library in the past month because of finals for the semester. Now that I have some time, I'm getting caught up on my reading."

Lila dropped the books she picked up when she tried to juggle holding them and putting her hand out to shake. "Oh! Sorry! Call me Lila." She said as she bent to pick up the Kama Sutra and Nude Photography books. A blush tinged her cheeks when she realized the man was watching her closely.

She tapped the Kama Sutra and said, "Uh... reading for personal growth and fascination with cultural history." She pointed to the other book. "A love of beautiful photography and a cheap way to get good models to practice drawing. I'm an artist."

Sam sat in silence for a moment and shrugged. "I won't tell if you won't." He never claimed to be a great wit, though he did try now and again figuring he'd eventually get better at it. One of his professors had told him he needed to do more networking, so he'd been trying to be a little more sociable as of late.

He helped her gather up her books and smiled again. "You've got good taste by the way. I'm working through Cherie Priest right now."

"I'm always looking for new books to read. What does Cherie Priest write? What's your favorite? Uhm, ha!" She leaned towards the librarian. "What's your name?" Her striking, light blue eyes twinkled with humor. Lila didn't realize that her movement made her blouse fall forward and gave a clear view down to her pert small breasts that were barely covered by a thin white bra.

"It's only fair that you tell me your name. You know mine." Lila put her backpack on the counter and tried to stuff all the books into it. It didn't quite work. She pulled out her sketchbooks and purse and tried to stuff it all back in again.

Sam's large blue eyes were dilated from the slew of questions and from being distracted by the sudden and lovely view. He brushed his sandy hair back from his eyes again. He helped Lila repack her bags.

"In order: steampunk, Boneshaker, and Sam. Sam Crane." His mind was screaming at him to make a move. And considering he had little to lose, he decided to go for it. "In fact, can I have your number?" More elegant ways to say, doubtlessly. But maybe the direct approach would work better this time. Best possible outcome, a date to break up the monotony. Worst possible outcome, nothing changes. If nothing else he might at least end up with someone to talk about books with.

"Thanks for your help, Sam." Lila said with a smile. She pulled one of the scratch papers over and wrote down her name and cellphone number. She held the piece of paper towards him. She put on her best stern voice and failed utterly. "I'm trusting you with my number. And I hope you use it to call me for a date."

"Keep an eye on my backpack will you? I'll be right back." Lila went in search of another book and brought it to the front desk. "I'd like to get this one too. Do you need my card again?" She tapped the cover of Boneshaker. "I'm always up for a new book."

Lila had this urge to brush back Sam's hair when it fell over his eye again. It looked at home hanging over his eye. It made her happy to see that she was able to get him to smile. He has a nice smile and she thought that it would be cool to see it more often. A comfortable silence fell between them and she felt no need to fill it but she didn't know him well enough to just stand there.

"Uhm, it was nice to meet you. I should go. Good night!" she called as she left the library.

The walk home was a familiar stroll through campus and into her quaint neighborhood. She liked the area because it was close campus and there was a nice bit of woods to walk through. Lila rented a house on a secluded cul de sac. The out of the way location and shield of woods made the house she lived in perfect for her needs.

Once home, she piled the books on the coffee table and started to read Boneshaker as she pulled together a light dinner. She was drawn into the story and lost track of time. When she checked the time, it was already near midnight. Lila put down the book and undressed out of her clothes. She put the clothes in the laundry basket and went to gather her flower basket and sheers.

Stepping into her back yard, Lila took in several deep breathes as she soaked in the bright moonlight. The light of the heavens fell on Lila's firm young body: graceful neck, sharp shoulders, delicate collarbones, pert rounded breasts, slim curving hips, a curling nest of dark hair, and lithe legs. Her shining black hair fell like a living cloak down her back and teased her curving buttocks.

Lila's secret. She picked this house to rent because she loved being natural in and around her home. She wasn't brave enough to do it in front of the whole world but she did enjoy having this freedom in her own terms, safely on her property, and shaded by the night.

She gloried in the warm night and let her senses sink into the wealth of scents, sounds and more that only one can sense in silence. With a happy smile, Lila started her night time gardening.

Sam was relieved when it came time to go home. He shouldered his, got on his bike, and rode home to the little townhouse he was living in at a caul de sac near the woods. Walks through the trees usually helped him relax, but that was during the day when he could see where he was going. This time around, he retreated upstairs to his study. He mechanically checked his email, nibbled on a sandwich, and just generally let the rest of his remaining energy wind down.

Around midnight he stood and stretched. He'd read in bed for a while and turn in. He had another closing shift at the library tomorrow, but at least it would be low traffic. He looked out the window and did a double take. Out in the soft light of the moon and ambient glow from the windows was the girl he had met today, Lila. A moment later, he realized she was naked. His eyes widened as thoughts leaped back and forth between the realization that she was the mysterious neighbor he'd gone a whole year without ever seeing once and the fact that he was now a voyeur staring at her in the buff as she tended her flowers.

His cock began to swell and push painfully against his slacks. He never looked away though. Lila had a great body and in that lighting she looked ethereally beautiful. He just stood there and continued to stare dumbstruck.

Lila spent the day reading the Boneshaker and only completed a few errands that couldn't be put off. She read as she walked in the garden, as she cooked a few light meals and while she took a long hot bubble bath. When she finished the story, the evil series hook had her in it's grasp! She enjoyed the first novel and really wanted to read the next one as soon as possible. A glance at the clock showed her that it wasn't too late. She had enough time to get to the library before it closed.

A flirty breeze rippled through her long unbound black hair and ruffled the pale yellow sundress Lila wore. She loved flowing clothes that kissed the body and slid softly against the skin as she moved. Most of her clothes have a wide scooping neckline that left a shoulder, neck and collarbones bare. She didn't like confining clothes and often went without a bra unless it was a thin one.

She entered the library with a happy swivel of her hips. Playing with the feel of the skirt moving against her. Lila noticed that Sam was helping someone and went to find Clementine, the sequel of the Boneshaker. Happily, she found a copy and made her way to the front counter.

"Hi, Sam. I'm back to get Clementine. I think I may be a sucker for this zombie storyline." Lila grinned. "And..." her voice lowered mysteriously. "You didn't call me. I think I may be disappointed if it wasn't for the book you recommended."

Sam's mind was buzzing from last night. It was hard to focus, though he managed to temporarily get things in hand and relieve some of the pressure. The revelation that he'd been living so close to this gorgeous, fun woman this whole time and never noticed... and he found out by being a voyeur of all things. He actually felt a little dirty. He wasn't sure if it was a bed feeling or a good one.

At the library, he kept reading and tried to stay focused on work. He'd eventually get this sorted out. Unfortunately, the time table on "eventually" was cut short when Lila came in. The instant he heard her voice, the images from last night came crashing back into his head and his face slowly turned a bright red. He could feel his cheeks and ears burning, which his fair skin would only make more obvious. She chided him about not calling her, which didn't help. "Uh..." He kicked himself for that.

Sam cleared his throat and tried his damnedest to maintain eye contact. "They say never to call a girl the same day. Don't want to look like one of those types." Said the man who was spying on her last night. He suddenly wished he'd dressed lighter. He was wearing dark slacks and a button-down shirt with a black waistcoat. He thought it made him look classy, but right now it just made him uncomfortably warm.

He took the book from Lila's hand, scanned her card and the novel and handed both back to her. "Here you go." His hands shook slightly as he handed her the book. He'd have to do or say something soon. He was turning into a nervous wreck.

Lila felt a small twinge of remorse when she realized that her light teasing made Same uncomfortable. She saw his hand tremble as he handed her the book. Instead of taking the book, Lila placed her hand on his and her thumb stroked the back of his in a soothing circle.

She smiled gently. "You don't have to worry about looking like a bad guy, Sam. I don't have that impression at all. You know, once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. I have an wildly vivid imagination and the images from the story kinda haunted me. It's a good thing I'm a night owl already!" She leaned forward a bit and whispered, "I couldn't go to sleep until the sky lightened. I know, I'm a wuss!"

Lila hoped she wasn't being too obvious as she took in Sam's lean build and admired the way he wore his clothes. She wondered if he would be up to modeling for her sometime. Would he be able to stay still for long stretches? Then an image of what he may look like naked flashed in her mind and her cheeks flushed with guilty pleasure. She coughed to clear her throat.

"Uhm. Do you want to hang out? Maybe after work?" she grew self conscious and dropped her gaze down to the counter.

She thought it was just the flirting that had him so flushed. Part of him demanded that he tell her the truth, but the rest of him kept saying that was a monumentally bad idea, especially here and now. On the other hand, when was the last time a woman showed this much interest in him?

"Uh... tell you what. I have to close tonight, but there's a place I like to go that's open late." Sam operated better as a night owl, typically refusing to give up the ghost until well past 2 AM. Especially during the summer. On the rare occasions when he liked to go out with friends, it had to be somewhere that was open at ungodly hours.

"Meet me out front around 10 and I'll take you there."

"That sounds like fun. I'd love to go and check it out with you."

A thrum of excitement trilled down Lila's spine and she didn't try to stop the happy smile from growing on her face. She never was any good at hiding how she felt. Unsurprisingly, she was also bad at lying. The only way she knew to hide her thoughts is to be quiet. She checked the time and noticed that it was close to closing.

"Do you mind if I wait here? I can get started on Clementine." She glanced up before looking back down at the book. "I mean, if that's okay."

Sam nodded and gestured to the cafe off to the side. He took the momentary relief as a chance to calm himself and get his pounding heart under control. Lila was going to figure out that the two of them were neighbors sooner or later. Better sooner. He would tell her. But not somewhere that other people were. He wanted to reduce the awkwardness. But wait... if they were alone some place in the middle of the night, would she take that the wrong way when he then told her that he'd seen her naked? He was starting to overthink it. And if he did that, he'd probably end up chickening out all together and perpetuate his persistent datelessness. Why did dating have to be so complicated?

When it finally came time to leave, Sam asked a couple co-workers if they could cover for him on the last tasks of the night so he could meet Lila. He had never asked a favor before and in fact had covered for other librarians in the past, so they were willing to help him out. He went straight to Lila and smiled, though a bit nervously. He fought to keep his blood from flooding his face or his crotch. "You ready to go? It's only a couple blocks from here, so I thought we'd walk."

Absorbed in the book, Lila jumped when she heard Sam's voice. She quickly stood up, smoothing down her dress and packed away the book in her anime shoulder bag. "Sure! I'm ready when you are."

She noticed the light blush on his cheeks. She wondered if he could see her blush on her darker toned skin. Restlessly, she nervously played with her hair by combing it with her fingers. She followed him out of the library and walked quietly for a while. Lila was enjoying the (surprisingly comfortable) silence, the cool night air and amused by how their strides seem to fall into a natural pattern with one another. Both of them walking side by side, without one going faster than the other.

"I love the night. I love the quiet. How I can be with countless people and yet perfectly alone." she confessed in a whisper to match the quiet of the night.

Sam glanced over at Lila as she spoke. Her words reminded him a bit of one of his favorite songs, but that was for another time. He instead just rolled up his sleeves, trying for a slightly more casual look. It still covered up his tattoos, but only because his job meant he couldn't get one on his forearm.

After a couple of blocks walking together they came to a brick building with Chinese lanterns hanging in front and a neon sign saying, "Traveler's Theater" on the front of the awning above the entry. A theater marquee on the sides of the awning spelled out, "Tonight: Thief of Baghdad."

"It's a restaurant and art house theater," Sam explained. "They screen a lot of old movies, mostly adventures, fantasies, serials, that sort of thing. They're having a Georges Melies festival in July."

They arrived at a tall brick building with worn edges. The sign proclaimed it to be Traveler's Theater and the show playing as Thief of Baghdad. It was an older building with worn, red brick exterior. There was a vibrant, cheerful atmosphere that seemed to say, "Come on in, have a bite and watch some classics!"

Lila flashed Sam a smile. "Oh! I've heard of this place and I keep saying I'll come but forgetting to make time for it." She read the show times. "Look! The next showing is at 11:30pm. I'm game if you are."

Her stomach growled right on schedule and she blushed crimson! Hard enough to show despite her darker skin coloring. "I think I may be hungry too... Shall we go?" Lila laughed at herself and looked up at Sam expectantly.

Sam took a bold step for him and took Lila's hand. The cover charge for the movies was five dollars, which Sam paid for with a ten without a word. He simply smiled at Lila. It was her first time here and it seemed like the affable thing to do. Keeping hold of her hand, he took her to their table. The chairs were arranged to give diners access to the movie screen on the far wall. The bar was off to the right and had TV screens facing the seats that would have a hard time seeing the movie.

Each table was a round bistro table and had a condiments stand with an electric light resembling a Moroccan lamp. There were only a handful of patrons about in the restaurant. Two younger students, one wearing a team jersey, were at the bar. I trio of goths sat two tables down from Sam and Lila. A middle-aged couple wearing band T-shirts and sitting in the corner nursing beers and laughing. It was a refuge for people who sought adventure because they thought life could use more of it.

Sam took a pair of menus and handed one to Lila. The selection was mostly light fare, bar snacks, some sandwiches and a few breakfast items for the real night owls. There was however a little exotic variety to it. Dates stuffed with almonds, Thai noodles, banh mi, curried vegetables, hummus... They picked a theme and they certainly stuck to it. The beer and wine list similarly featured a surprising number of imports.

The cozy, friendly atmosphere made Lila feel right at home. The odd mixture of various western and eastern themes made her lip quirk up in a humor filled smile. Her eyes twinkled with childlike eagerness as she opened the menu to see what's available.

"Oh! This is great! It has a mix of American, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese food. Yum! I love all kinds of food... I'm pretty hungry and my eyes are probably bigger than my stomach. I think I'll have... some Thai wings and calamari. Uhm... would you like to share an entree?"

Lila pushed her long, heavy hair over her shoulder and revealed her yellow sundress that was back lite. A clear shadow of her body showed up against the thin material, giving glimpses of her unbound full breast. Just a hint.

"My favorite Thai noodles choice is Drunken Noodles but I'm up for anything. Do you want to share an entree? What about drinks?" Lila asked enthusiastically.

Sam heard her, but wasn't processing all of it. The view her dress gave teased reminders out of last night. Damnit, he'd have to tell her.

"Uh... Before we order, I really should tell you something." This was not an ideal place. On the street outside the library would have been better. But if he had to hold it in much longer he was going to crack. "I found out last night that we're neighbors." He gave that a moment to sink in.

"I, uh... I saw you... gardening... And I really should have told you sooner, but I felt kind of dirty and I understand if you're not happy that I saw you like that and I... I'm rambling." He put his head in his hand and sighed. 'No wonder I'm single,' he silently said to himself.

"I didn't want to come across as a creep," he said flatly. He looked up with a bit of hope and anticipation mixed in his eyes at Lila. "So... if nothing else I got that off my chest."

A gauntlet of emotions crossed over Lila's expressive face. Her eyes darkening and brightening with each rapid thought processed: shock, embarrassment, a shot of heat, wondering if he liked what he saw, nerves, want, laughter, confusion and curiosity. She wondered if she was flashing bright red like a neon sign...

"Uhm..uh..Ha!" She shook her head, the movement jiggled her breasts and swirled strands of her hair around. She gave an embarrassed chuckle, her hands pulling on the menu and said softly, "I guess you know my biggest secret... I... I like to feel the world on my skin and wrap the night about me." She looked down, blushing hard. "You must think I'm a freak. I--I can go if you want."

Sam sat upright in surprise. "What? No! God no!" He took one of her hands in both of his. "I'm not judging. I'm just... I'm not very good at this sort of thing." He sighed again and just decided to get it all out. "Look, I really would love to get to know you. You're beautiful and fun and just really interesting. And I don't want to screw up... whatever you want to call this right now." He rubbed her hand softly. He had actually learned hand massage techniques a while back from a friend to deal with his own writing cramps. Now it had other benefits. He felt the tension in her hand as he softly smoothed it out. He must have embarrassed the hell out of her. Still, the fact that she felt just as fallible as he did gave him a little more courage.

"I'm not gonna lie, I did like what I saw. But I am sorry I made this awkward. Forgive me?" He punctuated the hand massage and his question with a kiss on her knuckles.

Ripples of understanding lapped into Lila's mind. He wants her to stay! He thinks she's beautiful. He wants to get to know her! He's kind. His hand's soothing touch relaxed her anxiety of being found out. Eased her embarrassment. He likes her body! Oh! A slight shiver spread through her hand from his kiss. Lila's body visibly relaxed and a glimmer of uncertain, hushed excitement returned in her eyes.

Lila took in a steady breath, her heart beating wildly from shock and surprise. She curled her hand beneath his, rubbed the side of his hand with her thumb and nodded in agreement. "I...I want to get to know you too. You make me feel..." She mentally searched for a word. "At ease, comfortable and safe to just be me. Like you accept me for exactly who I am."

She took her hand back, scooted the chair closer to Sam, returned her hand to his clasp and picked up the menu. "Is this a date then? I hope it is... and I'm starving! What would you like to order?"

Her eyes caught on Sam's jawline, neck and shoulders and she absently said out loud, "I wonder what you look like naked? I want to touch the lines of your body and draw them." She blushed.

Before Sam had a chance to answer her questions, she was asking to draw him naked. His face flushed, but he laughed all the same. "Maybe that's on the table. I'll leave you in suspense with this: I have three tattoos. All of them are covered by my clothes right now."

With that, he picked his menu back up and scanned through the contents just as the server came by. "We'll have some hummus with vegetables. Skipped lunch today, so I'll have a banh mi too. And a wheat beer." He turned to Lila with a smile. "You wanted the Thai wings right?"

The server got their orders and came back with the drinks just as the movie started rolling. While watching, Sam took Lila's hand, gently stroking her soft skin as they watched the film in a comfortable silence.