About-face (closed for BeachBum25)

[JustEl]

Holding the bottle of wine out like a bouquet of flowers as Alexis opened her front door. She smiled and asked him in, taking the bottle from his hand, "A Chardonnay, one of my favorites, Why Thank You!"

The house smelled wonderful, the tomato soup's aroma lofted all the way into living room. The creamy thick rich smell made your mouth water, knowing it's taste would be savored even before it made it to Alexis' dinning room's table.

Alexis had set the aged mahogany round claw footed table. It's solid white mix-matched dishes, sliver and glassware sparkled under the dim glow of the white chunky homemade bees wax candles. A small old white water pitcher held some of the flowers out of her garden adding charm to it's setting. Resting under it all, a Chinese style olive green silk runner trimmed in gold and black.


As they passed the table, Alexis took the wine glasses with then to the kitchen, handing them to Keith she looked for her corkscrew in one of the drawers, "You know I got this Cheddar the other day that would go wonderful with your choice of wine."

Handing over the opener to Keith to take care of the wine, she took out the cheese for it to warm to room temperature. Working on the Butterhead lettuce for a simple earthy salad, they talked of their Mondays in more detail, making the time pass faster, but in a good way. Alexis sliced the Cheddar, placing crisp water crackers on the cutting board, she asked if Keith to bring it out to the table for her. It was nice having Keith in her kitchen. It was fun as they talked, joked and worked together fixing dinner.

"Well, looks like soup's on..... Would you please, be a dear and take the salad to the table? I'll be right there...." Alexis said taking out a soup terrine from the butler's pantry.

Placing the bubbling steamy tomato soup on the table, Alexis took her seat next to Keith, placed her napkin on her lap, smiled and asked him for his salad plate. Their small talk only stopping between bites, Alexis grew more surprised at just how much she liked Keith. He made her feel confortable. Almost like they were old friends. She had never really been so forward when it came to men, but with him, she just couldn't seem to help herself. She wanted to get to know him better, she only hoped he did too, and wasn't just being nice in the way neighbors are.........................................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith handed her the wine and followed her into the kitchen. When they got there he took the bottle back from her and the corkscrew also. He opened the bottle and poured it into the glasses that Alexis and brought in from the dining room table.

"The soup smells incredible Alexis. Just the aroma is making me hungry." He watched her slice the cheese and place the crackers on the cutting board. He held the bottle of wine under his arm, the two glasses in one hand and grabbed the cutting board and took them all into the table. Hetable placed them on the table and then went back in and got the salad that she asked him to get. He carried it to the table and then sat next to Alexis.

He enjoyed chatting with her. It was nice to have someone to talk to after work.... just to unwind. "This is delicious. It tastes even greater than it smells. You will have to give me the recipe... or invite me over every time you make it. I promise I will sneak in from the back porch to make sure nobody knows I am coming over."

 

[JustEl]

Alexis laughed, "Maybe I'll just give you a key to the backdoor. and...... please just call me, Alex, no one calls me Alexis but my parents."

Alexis smiled as she took another bite of cheese followed by a sip of wine. Her eyes cutting wickedly at Keith waiting on his reply. She didn't know what it was about him, but he intrigued her to no end. It was like he had this little magnet that just pulled her in. As the candlelight flickered, she was aching to kiss him. His lips looked so tempting as they touched his wine glass when he took a drink.

"So..................... Alex paused, not knowing what to say as she tried to get kissing him out of her mind, "I hope my friends didn't embarrass you on the train this morning."................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

"Be careful what you offer... I just might take you up on that offer of the key." He winked at her and watched for her reaction. He was enjoying their banter. He loved being with Alexis and he was not going to let her off easy.

"Ok Alex, and no, they didn't embarass me. I take it as a compliment. And I am pretty sure that you got the last laugh this morning." He took a sip of wine. Enjoying the time together. The food was delicious, and the company was what he had been planning for for years.

He enjoyed watching her face and being able to see the gears turning in her head. He knew she was trying to figure him out. He knew that he had dropped enough clues to put matt in her head. How deep into her head did he want to get? Or for now, did he just want to get into her body and explore it?

 

[JustEl]

Alex stood, clearing some of the dishes before she headed towards the kitchen, "Care for some coffee or bandy?"

Turning around to get Keith's answer, her body ran into his, not knowing he was only a step behind her with more of the dirty dishes. As the rose colored soup ran over their clothes, Alex's cheeks blushed. Her hand wiping off the dripping soup from Keith's shirt.

"I'm so sorry, Keith, I didn't know you were behind me." her voice trying not to laugh, "Here come in the kitchen and let's get you cleaned off.

Setting the dishes on the counter, Alex wet a dish towel, "Un-tuck your shirt, please for me." her voice now giggled, "I can't believe I did that!!!!"......................................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith stood to help Alexis clear the dishes from the table when the next thing he knew he was covered in tomato soup.... they both were. He looked at it and laughed. he didn't want her to think he was mad about it. "Relax Alex, it is only soup. It will come out in the laundry."

He did as she said and followed her into the kitchen. He untucked his shirt as she instructed and laughed a little as he got a better look at how much soup was all over him.

He saw her with the wet dish towel and said, "I think you are going to need more than that. In fact, I think I am just going to help you finish the dishes and I will take it home and throw it in the washer. Don't worry about it. It will come out."

 

[JustEl]

"But it's all sticky!" Alex giggled, "......fine then at least wear one of my flannel shirts, I'll be right back."

Alex ran upstairs and got one of the men's shirts she had hanging in her closet and rushed back down to the kitchen. When she walked through the door, her eyes fell onto a shirtless Keith. He looked so sexy standing there leaning on the counter. His chest a well defined six-pack. All she could hope for was her tongue not to hang out of her mouth and her eyes to pop.

"I think this one will fit." Alex managed to spit out as she walked closer to Keith................................

 

[BeachBum25]

"Don't worry about it Alex. I am only going next door. No, I am not a fan of flannel." Before he could get all of the words out, she was gone. Up the steps she flew. Some things never changed. She was still thick-headed and stubborn.

She came down the steps with the flannel shirt. By the time she got back he had removed the stained shirt and had rinsed it in the sink. He turned and faced her as she came into the kitchen and handed him the shirt.

"I am glad I don't have to go far in this. It doesn't match my outfit" he joked.

 

[JustEl]

"Well, I could of brought you one of my Hello Kitty t-shirts you know!!!" Alex laughed as she took out a bottle of club soda from the pantry, "Here this will get the stain out of your shirt."

Alex scrubbed the shirt till all the tomato soup was gone, "So, you never answered me if you'd like a cup of coffee or glass of bandy?"

Keith looked great in the flannel shirt, even if he didn't care for flannel. Alex couldn't help but stare as he had left it unbuttoned, as if to tease her. They seemed to have a spark going between them all night. Little smiles or winks teased as they ate, and now Keith's smile was reeling her in......................................

 

[BeachBum25]

"I think I would look pretty damned good in one of your hello Kitty t-shirts." Keith smiled at her. "It is just that the flannel is so rough on my soft skin." Smiling at Alexis.

"I would like a cup of coffee please. If it isn't too much trouble." He watched Alexis move around the kitchen. She was like a whirlwind. She made him coffee and handed it to him. "Thank you Alex. You do not need to wait on me. Just because you spilled soup all over my favorite shirt you don't have to worry about getting things for me."

He grabbed her wrist.... "Really Alex, settle down and stop worrying about it."

 

[JustEl]

As his strong hand grasp Alex's tiny wrist, she could feel the electricity exchange between their bodies. Her breath taken from her like a balloon being set free to buzz and hiss flapping through the air before falling to the ground. She felt her heart skip a beat as she took a step back bumping into the small breakfast table that centered her kitchen. Her big brown eyes flooded with want as they raised to meet his.

Keith took a step forward and placed his cup on the table, his eyes never veering from Alex. Her buttocks pushed into the table as she leaned into it, his grip on her wrist still just as firm. His words "settle down" dizzily circling in her head. But how could she? It was all she could do not to have herself on her toes, tippy toeing up to kiss him. The cold old checkered black and white floor tile bit at her bare feet, prompting her to move closer to him. Their bodies mere inches apart as the jolts of electricity ran faster through her body.

Could he tell? Could he feel? Could he see how much she wanted to just kiss him? Alex hadn't yearned to be kissed by a man like this in what seemed forever. For that matter, Alex hadn't yearned period for a man in a long time. But now, she was doing her best to remain on top of her emotions.

Clearing her dry throat, "I'm just a total klutz tonight!" was all she could say as she intensely looked into Keith's eyes..........................................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

He felt Alexis back against the table and then move back closer to him. Their bodies so close. He dreamt about this for years. He wanted Alexis badly, but he did not want to move to fast. He didn't want to ruin any chance of what he wanted...... a long relationship with Alexis.

Their eyes met and it was all he could do to kiss her hard and push her back on the table and take her right there. He wanted to do it. The thought of that combined with their close proximity had him aroused. He positioned himself in an effort to not allow her to know just how aroused he was.

"Don't worry about it Alex" he said laughing. "After all, I look pretty damned good in flannel." He released her wrist, but continued to look into her eyes.

 

[JustEl]

As Keith's grip released from Alex's wrist, his eyes cut deeply into hers. Alex gazing back at him felt like she was looking at a ghost. Her mind flooded with Matt. Keith's eyes looked at her just like Matt's used to look at her. Her spine chilled and little goose-bumps ran up to the hairs on the back of her neck.

"Next thing you know is you'll have a closet full of it....." Alex nervously laughed sliding by him to fix herself a cup of coffee.

Sitting her cup of coffee on the small table, she went to the fridge and pulled out a Boston Cream Cake. Slicing two pieces, "Now don't get to excited, I didn't bake it." she said as she sat them on the table, "I got it at the local bakery on the way home."

As they sat, their talk continued at a friendly just getting to know you pace. But Alex was still drawn to Keith's eyes. She couldn't shake the feeling they gave her as he looked so deep into hers........................

 

[BeachBum25]

"A closet full of flannel.... nah, I doubt it," he laughed. He didn't move as she brushed past him and went to pour coffee for herself. He watched as she sat it on the table and went to the refrigerator.... his eyes glancing down to watch the wiggle of her ass.

She placed the two pieces of cake on the table and they sat down at the table. He couldn't help but look into her eyes.... they attracted his attention like strong magnets. He thought back to the time so long ago..... her eyes were so magnetic back then... they still had that attraction.

They made small talk as they sat there. He just enjoyed being close to her. He wanted more, and that would come, soon... hopefully. Just being this close to Alexis proved to himself that ll of the planning he had been doing, for so long, was worth it.

 

[JustEl]

The night seemed to fly by as Alex looked at the clock on the stove, "Can you believe it's already 11 o'clock? Where did the time go?" she said as she smiled at Keith, and kicking herself for bringing up the time.

What was she saying, she didn't want him to realize how late it was. She didn't care if she would have to rush to get ready for work with only a few hours of sleep. She didn't care the tomato soup still shown all over her shirt and she needed a bath. She didn't want him walking out her door. And now, her stupidity of not thinking gave him the impression she wanted him to leave.

Quickly she covered her comment about the time, "Would you care for another slice of cake and to warm up that coffee cup of yours, Keith?" she said still smiling at him, hoping she had diverted him........................

 

[BeachBum25]

She mentioned the time and Keith looked at his watch. "Wow, I didn't realize it was that late. The alarm will be going off before we know it. I am sorry to keep you up this late Alex."

He listened to her try to back-track on her statement, but he was not going to let her off the hook. "No, I have stayed too long. The cake, the coffee, and the company were awesome. It was a great evening, but we both must get up early and I am just going to head home. Thanks for a great dinner and great conversation this evening."

Keith extended his hand and took Alexis' hand in his. It was a friendly shake. It was one that would keep her thinking about what his intentions truly were.... keep her wondering if he just wanted to be friendly neighbors....

 

[JustEl]

Walking Keith to the door, her mind couldn't get over the hand shake. She knew what she felt when he grabbed her wrist and it wasn't a hand shake. No way did that spark of electricity come from a hand shake.

Holding the door open for Keith, he once again turned and shook her hand," Thanks again for the lovely evening." He said heading down the path.

"Anytime, neighbor!" Alex said laughing trying her best not to show her mind was on that hand shake of his.

Alex mumbled to herself as she put away the night's food and made the morning's coffee, "Hand shake, what was all that about? I saw how he looked at me...... I felt the jolt from him...... Have I gotten that rusty I can't read a man's intent anymore?"

Turning off the lights and heading upstairs, that hand shake couldn't be shook out of her thoughts. As she showered the tomato soup off her body, that hand shake still burning a hole in her mind. And as she drifted off to sleep, it still wouldn't extinguish from her thoughts.

The alarm rang loud, she slowly got out of bed, tired from the long day and night she had. She rushed as she knew she would to get ready for work, and headed to the train station. She was further behind than she thought as she ran to catch the train, boarding only minutes before it left, she took the first bench seat she saw. Not noticing anyone around her, she let out a held breath and slide down in the seat...............

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith went home and went straight to his room. He undressed and jumped in the shower. Although Alexis' soup was delicious, he did not want to smwll i tall night long. He washed and rinsed his body quickly and then stepped out of the shower. After drying off, he climbed into bed, and fell fast asleep. He was so relaxed..... his plan was working perfectly.

He awoke early the next morning and showered again. After getting dressed, he made coffee and peeled a hard-boiled egg. Not much of a breakfast, but it was what he normally had in the morning. Then he headed out the door for work. He looked toward Alexis' house. If she was leaving at the same time he would offer her a ride to the station, but there ws no sign of her.

He arrived at the station and hd just enough time to park his car before the train came. He looked around the car he was in, but did not see her. He would enjoy riding into NYC with her... instead his ride would have to be full of thoughts of her.

 

[JustEl]

The view passing out the window on the ride in was like the thoughts in Alex's head, just a blur. A jumble of unclear, indistinct, hazy images. The day gray and cloudy with that fall chill and those little spatters of rain sprinkles on the window matched perfectly with the way she felt. Alex's head leaned on the glass as she sipped the now cold coffee. Her fingers squeezed the styrofoam cup as she stared at it. Her foot tapping every so often on the seat in front of her, her thoughts replaying last night.

"A handshake......... Just a hand shake......... Maybe he just sees you as the neighbor next door......" Alex's little voice mumbled.

The morning ride came to a stop faster than it seemed possible. Alex grabbed her big bag and got off the train. Looking for a trash can to throw the half full cup of coffee away, there he was. Keith had rode only a car behind her. Alex turned her head the other way not letting him know she had saw him and quickly dropped the cup into the can. Walking in a crowd of business suited 9 to 5'ers, she stepped out onto the bustling street............................

 

[BeachBum25]

Keith rode the train into the city, and saw none of the passing scenery. His head was full of thought of Alexis. He had been able to get so close to her. What was he going to do now. He almost hated the fact that he was decieving her.

He got off the train and looked around. What? Was that Alexis? He looked again, and could not tell. It couldn't have been. She just walked away. Alexis wouldn't have done that.... would she? Maybe he hadn't played his cards right. Nah, it couldn't have been her.

Keith headed to the office. It was a busy, but uneventful day. The day went quickly, because he didn't stop running around with client issues, but all of them were easy to take care of.

At 6:15 pm he headed off to the subway and to Penn Station. He got there just in time to get the train. He looked around hopefully..... but nothing. He sat down and took out the WSJ... hopefully it would occupy his mind on the train ride home.

 

[JustEl]

Alex's day was just a gray as the weather. She couldn't shake Keith from her thoughts. How could this guy she only knew a short time get under her skin so fast. God how she wanted him, why didn't he seem to want her, she thought.

As she went about her job, even the kids picked up she was not all there this day. She watched the clock tick slowly and wished the day would hurry to the end so she could take the train home.


Alex was glad when she got the call on her cell to say she wasn't needed at her last appointment of the day and headed straight to the train....... and home. She didn't even remember the ride much less getting on the train as it pulled to her stop.


Once home, she dressed in her biking clothes, took her bike and went to the only place she wanted to be.

The river, to her spot on the bank............................................................

 

[BeachBum25]

When he got off the train he looked around...... nothing. He really wanted to spend time with Alexis, but he didn't see her. He headed home.... maybe he would run into her there.

As he got home he saw Alexis heading off on her bicycle. Damn.... he missed her. Perhaps, he could get on his bike and go after her. No. he needed to change and by that time she would be long gone.

He went into the house. Dropped his briefcase on the floor and headed upstairs. He undressed and pulled on a pair of shorts and a long-sleeved t-shirt. He headed back downstairs, and then thought about that place that Alexis had taken him.... the spot by the river bank. Maybe she was there. He decided it was worth the bike ride.... after all he did not get to run yesterday or today. At worst it was some exercise

 

[JustEl]

The sun still hid behind the clouds as Alex rode down the path to the river. The air crisp and not the slightest of a breeze blew. Just stillness as she rode. Dropping her bike to the ground, she took a seat on the cut grass and held her knees.

"Why didn't he kiss me, she thought, "Even my worst dates give a goodnight kiss. Was I to forward with him? Did I throw myself on him and not see he wasn't interested in me?"

Picking up a pebble she tossed it into the river. Her mind stuck on replay, Keith her only thought from that first hello to last night's handshake.............................

 

[BeachBum25]

He hoped he remembered how to get there. He got on his bike and headed out. It was a beautiful night and he enjoyed the ride. He rode ... looking for familiar landmarks. For a while he thought he was lost.

Then he recognized a path and headed down it. He saw Alexis' bike and stopped. He placed his bike down quietly and looked toward teh bank of the river for her. He saw Alexis sitting with her arms around her knees.

He walked quietly toward her. Not wanting to scare her..... not wanting to alert her. He moved up behind her, leaned down and kissed her neck..... she juped and screamed.........

 

[JustEl]

Shocked, she quickly turned to see who was behind her. Her heart about to explode. Screaming at Keith, "You scared the crap out of me!" hitting his leg with everything she had in her, "I didn't hear you come up! Damn!!!!"

Her heart beating a mile a minute, as she tried to catch her breath. Her hand stung from the hard slap as she rubbed it with her other hand.

"What are you doing out here, besides taking ten years off my life?" Alex asked her voice still trying to catch it's breath..............................................