"A Trip to Florida" (Closed for Shadi and PP01)

[PhoenixPrime01]

It was a wonderful moonlit in St. Petersburg, Florida. A breeze was blowing off Tampa Bay across the deck of the Municipal Pier.

I was standing on the south side of the deck of Cha Cha Coconuts Restaurant and Lounge enjoying a drink and listening to the band as I engaged in one of my favorite pass times, people watching.

From my position at the edge of the shadows I had a clear view of St. Petersburg's waterfront south of the Pier, the Yacht Club's boat basin and can watch the light aircraft taking off and landing at Albert Whitted Municipal Airport.

The band was just starting a medly of 60's and 70's song when the waiter brought me my refill and some couples got up to dance in front of the band or back here on the 'rear deck'.

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

I still couldn't belive I was here and had to keep pinching myself to make sure it wasn't a dream. My firm was sending me to the US for 6 months as part of a merger they were working on, 6 months in Florida what more could a girl ask for and just what I needed, time away from that jerk Andrew.

After checking in at the hotel I phoned to let Julia know I had arrived, she would be my guide for the next week until I had learnt my way around and she had arranged for us to eat out at a local hot spot called the Cha Cha Coconut.

Meeting her in the lobby I was pleased that my choice of clothes would be suitable, I'd been a bit nervous about going braless but with the straps on this dress I had no choice and my strapless bra was no where to be seen. We got to the resturant and joined a couple of other people that'd I'd be working with over the next few months.

The view out on the bay was pretty amazing, in fact the whole place was, the food was good, the wine flowed readily and the men well, they were something else. I pointed this out and we all laughed, though if they could see some of the men back home they would understand why, these guys were all so damn gorgeous, tall, dark, tanned. This was going to be a lot of fun.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

I watched a bevy of young women come onto the deck from the bar area and take a table at the railing on the south side of the eating area and order a light meal and wine.

The possibility of 'companionship' for at least the night and who knows what would happen after that and seeing four females and no male escorts naturally attracted my attention.

The band took a break and the hum of conversations took over. The waiter, ever vilgilant, brought me my second refill and I stood sipping it watching the women.

One in particular caught my eye as she was wearing a spagetti strapped dress and so was probably a visitor, as the breeze off the bay was a bit chilly for that attire for those used to the climate.

I watched as she laughed and the free movement of her breasts under the thin silky looking material of her dress told me she was either braless or wearing just a strapless demi bra that just supported without confining.

As I took a sip of my drink and the 'billowy' sleeves of my dark red shirt fluttered as the breeze picked up a bit and the band retuned from their short break.

 

[Shadi]

We sat and chatted about all sorts of rubbish and the wine continued to flow freely, after my comment about all the good looking men here we all sat around pointing out the ones we liked, which was pretty much all of them.

The poor waiter didn't really stand a chance and I nearly died when Julia 'accidently' dropped her fork and asked him to pick it up for her, which he did bending over so slowly.....

Scanning the deck for my next 'victim' I spotted a guy stood by the bar, he seemed to be alone and looked very nice. Poking Anna I pointed him out her, "What about him, he's a bit tasty!"

The others all started to look when I noticed him glance our way "Don't stare, he's looking!" but by then it was too late and we all fell into fits of giggles. Anna nudged me in the ribs, "He's looking at you Kim,quick, he is." I tried to glance in his direction as nonchalantly as possible and as I turned I caught his eye, turning away again quickly I felt myself getting embaressed.

Julia piped up from across the table "I think he likes you Kim, want me to ask him out?" I stared at her "Don't you dare Julia!"

The waiter came over to see if we were okay and we laughed as Julia renewed her flirting with him but the feeling that I was being watched kept nagging at me until I looked over at the bar again.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

OOC: Actually outside at the back or East side railing overlooking the Pier downstairs and Tampa Bay, sorry for the confusion. Bad description on my part Shadi.

IC:

'Yes, if she was willing and adventurous this she would be a perfect companion for tonight.' he thought to himself as he contnued to watch the table, but her in particular.

Finally she looked back at me again and once more our eyes met, as they had done briefly before.

I don't go to the ladies, they come to me. If they don't then we won't be compatible later on.

As we looked at each other I slowly raised my free hand and croooked my finger beckoning her to come over to me. Now it was time to wait and see what would happen.

 

[Shadi]

He was looking right at me and I looked away quickly feeling a blush rise on my cheeks, I couldn't believe it, he was beckoning me over to him.

Well what could happen to me here in public, there were three other people that knew I was here and as long as I was sensible it'd be fine. Drawing my nerve I said to the girls I was nipping to the ladies and left them with the waiter.

Weaving my way through the tables I walked over to him and the closer I got the better he looked, when I reached him I sudddenly felt a bit daft, what was I supposed to say now?

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

As you approach he stands up fully from his slouched posture on the railing. You guess he's about 6' and a bit tall, but can tell his weight because of the loose shirt, although his tight jeans show he's not a heavy person.

"I'm so glad you came to me. I wanted to welcome you to St. Petersburg and thank you. By the way my name's Jack, Jack Black," he says in a moderately deep voice and just loud enough to be heard over the band's playing.

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

"Hi, I'm Kim Gibson, pleased to meet you." I held out my hand and he took it in his warm, grasp shaking it firmly before letting go, his fingers slowly brushing my palm as he did.

"Sorry what was it you were thanking me for?" I didn't get his comment, a welcome was one thing but a thank you? or was this some pick up, I prayed he wasn't going to give me some corny line, that would ruin my first impression of him and the first impression was good.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"Why thank you for leaving your friends and coming over to me of course," he says chuckling. "As a, well reward I guess, would you like a drink Kim?
"If so may I suggest a "Sloe Comfortable Screw Against the Wall?" and again that chuckle as his blue eyes look down into yours.

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

I silently breathed a sigh of relief, so far so good, he was polite and charming which is always a bonus.

His choice of drink made me smile, this looked like it could be a lot of fun, "Mmmm that sounds nice and I always like to try new things, though a 'Slow Seduction' is a particular favourite of mine, have you ever tried it?"

His eyes were the clearest blue, like two pools twinkling in the night and I caught myself licking my lips as I looked at him.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"Personally I stick with my favorite bourbon and ginger ale if I'm drinking liquor.
"Have you ever had an ice cream called a Dreamsicle or Creamsicle? It's orange sherbert and vanilla ice cream combined. That's what a Sloe Comfortable Screw Against the Wall tastes like, but if you'd prefer a Slow Seduction I'll order one of those for you instead."

Once your choice is made and it's ordered, "How do you like Florida compared to England? A bit warmer for this time of year I'd imagine."

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

My drink arrived and I slipped it slowly, he was right it did taste good.

"How do I like Florida? so far I like what I've seen and the weather is great. I've not really had a chance to look around properly yet as I only got in today and I get the feeling that jet lag will catch up with me pretty soon but I intend to explore everything thoroughly when I get the chance."

I could feel his eyes on me while I talked and I liked the attention he gave me, listening to what I was saying not just letting me talk. I was about to ask him a question when I heard a voice behind me.

"There you are, we thought you'd got lost, we were about to send out a search party." Anna had been sent to look for me and for some strange reason I felt annoyed at the interuption.

"I'm fine, I was just talking to Jack." I looked in his direction and grinned sheepishly. "Tell you what Anna, you go on back to the others and I'll join you in a minute." She disappeared back to the table and I could see her talking to everyone and pointing in our direction.

Jack seemed mildly amused by the situation and I was torn between staying a bit longer and joining the others, after a brief internal battle the sensible side of me won, much to the chargrin of my libido which was busily pointing out how good looking he was.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to have to get back to them, they're my welcoming committee. Umm, I have about a week or so before I start work, would you be interested in maybe getting together again some time?"

I waited a little nervously for his reply, kicking myself for just asking him out like that, I'd put him in a bit of an awkward position I mean for all I knew he could be married or something.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"We could do that, orrr you could go over and sit with them for a time and explain that I've offered to take you hither and yon to show you a bit of St. Pete from a near native's perspective.
"I've lived here on and off so long I qualify for that near native status you see," he said chuckling.
"Be warned though. I find you damned attractive and may decide to keep you."

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

I giggled at his comment, a bit embaressed by the way he just came out with it but pleased that he liked me none the less.

"Okay you're on, give me a minute and I'll let them know what I'm doing, I'll be right back."

Quickly I made my way back to the table and explained that Jack was going to give me a tour of the area, they joked about the speed of my conquest but when they realised that I was serious about going out with him Julia voiced her concerns.

"I'm not sure I like the idea of you just going off with this guy, you don't even know him." she thought for a moment, "Have the company given you a mobile yet?" I nodded and she gave me her number "Promise me that you'll phone me at midnight, I don't care where you are and what you're doing phone me."

I rolled my eyes at the other girls in mock resignation, "What's the worst that could happen and anyway he's a really nice guy, he's been polite and charming and he only wants to show me around."

Julia snorted "Hannibal Lecter was polite and charming and look what he did!"

"How about this then, at the first sign of Chianti I'll run screaming for the hills." We had a laugh but I knew that Julia was only thinking about me so I put her number in my phone and made it a speed dial and promised to call her.

Saying my goodbyes and arranging to meet Anna for breakfast to tell her all the 'gory' details I collected my things and went over to join Jack.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

When you return, the remainder of your drink in hand, he puts his arm around you very possessively and leads you across the back deck to the Northside so you're looking at the Vinoy Hotel across it's yacht basin.

He gives you a brief history from it's construction in the building boom of the 1920's up through today and then, chuckling, asks which one at the table gave you her phone number to call as your 'safety net call' and what time so he can be sure you won't be late.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

*BUMP*

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Nudge*

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

As I reach him he puts his arm around me and shows me the view across the way. Feeling a bit uncomfortable I decide to go with it and after a while I relax. He pays a lot of attention to the details of architecture and so on, I'm not a great fan but the buildings do look nice and I can't help but be impressed by the view.

As I start to settle into his company, he throws me by asking about my safety net call. "What can I say, the girls worry and they made me promise not to tell you, I know it's daft but you can't blame them." I shrug slightly feeling a bit silly but I did promise.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"Before we left here I was going to ask if you had a friend's phone number to call to assure them that you are alright.
"After all Kim, you're not only a stranger in St. Petersburg, but in America and if you didn't feel a bit, perhaps unsure or uncomfortable about going with a total stranger I'd be surprised.
"However, having a friend to call would certainly add to your comfort level and I trust this will too," he says as he takes out his wallet and extracts a card from it then hands it to you.

It reads "Jack Black, Security Consultant. By Appointment only. Call (727)555-SAFE."

"On our way out and about drop that off with your safety net girlfriend and it's listed in the phone book under Security Consultants.
"Does that help you feel more at ease Kim?"

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

"It's not that I feel uncomfortable as such, just this whole place is a bit new." I take the card from his fingers, "Things are a lot different here to at home and it's going to take me a while to get used to them."

Turning the card over in my fingers I realise that truth be told I'm being a bit stupid, this isn't something I would do at home so why should here be any different. Julia was right, I don't even know this guy and I got the feeling that at the moment I may start to look desperate, which I most certainly am not!

"Jack, I don't want to sound like a wet blanket but it is getting late and much as I would love a tour could we make it another night, I've had a long day and after another hour I don't think I'll be much company...unless you like people falling asleep on you."

I smiled hoping to take the harshness out of my words, I did like him but I was knackered and I doubted I'd be the life and soul of the party in a short while. I would much rather meet him tomorrow when I've had a chance to rest up and I hoped he would understand.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"As you wish. Only you know how tired you are," he smiles.

"Dinner tomorrow night then?"

 

[Shadi]

He didn't seem overly upset at the fact I wasn't going to last the night and offered dinner the next night, what could I say...

"I would love to, how about you join me and the girls for a drink, if nothing else you might calm them down and I think the waiter has had just about enough."

I didn't want Jack to go just yet but on the other hand I was far too tired to think about anything but my bed.

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"That's fine Kim and perhaps it'll not only set their and your minds at ease, but who knows perhaps one of them would even like a security evaluation of their home.
"Never can tell where business may spring up, right?" he asks chuckling as he, arm still around you, leads you back toward where they're sitting.

"Now you save your energy for tomorrow evening. Can't have you exhausted before I even pick you up, right?" he chuckles, "and if you change your mind about tonight just let me know Kim." His arm hugs a bit tighter for a second or two then relaxes again.

 

[Shadi]

Kim Gibson

We joined the others back at the table and I made the introductions. In minutes Jack had the whole table charmed and I could tell that even Julia liked him, we talked about what it was like here and Jack again showed a flair for history and architecture talking about the changes in the area over the last fifty or so years.

After another drink tiredness got the better of me and I excused myself. "I'm sorry guys, I'm going to head back to the hotel, if I stay any longer I'll be asleep where I sit.

I smiled at Jack, "Are we on for dinner tomorrow night?"

 

[PhoenixPrime01]

Jack Black:

"I certainly hope so. I'm already deciding on where to take you for dinner Kim," he smiles. "Do you need a ride to where you're staying? I think I may call it a night myself and do a bit of work so I'll have it all done before tomorrow evening."