Trying You.

Her skin burns, stammering. "I....what!? You mean like...two friendly chaps getting to know each other over some beer...right?"

"No, like an actual date of a romantic caliber. Maybe it leads to more." When he notices her heavy blushing, he leans in closer with a smile that hints at a more diabolical side of him. She can tell that he is enjoying her spiraling and the chase she is giving him must have entice him further, "But I will always respect your boundaries, I only ask for a few dinner dates and any extra if you feel up for it."

"I...don't get it. Why?" Why me of all people? She blinks her golden eyes at him, not acknowledging the waitress as she drops off their food. It is an identical entree, fitting for farmers to stay full all day. He even ate as much as her, and he beams when she pays attention to the food. A gruff woman like herself barely gets much attention from the opposite sex. More than often, they assume that she is a lesbian base on the fact alone that she didn’t take care of her appearance like the other women. Not that she hadn’t had sex before, just been a very long time since then...Cobwebs are forming where they shouldn't…

Anyways, this is just odd at so many levels. Asking him upfront seems to be the only logical solution to get answers from him.

"Hm. I can tell you now...but-" He just isn’t going to give her an answer. Instead, he takes a few bites from the eggs first then he pauses to finish his sentence. "That'll be no fun. You're just going to have to date me to find out. I promise to make this fun for both of us."

That's not what I'm worried about. She watches him casually eat his plate, not having the stomach to touch hers yet. He smiles coyly from all the staring she is doing, and she is forced to pick at her food. If he realizes that she is even a bit intrigued by his presence, he'd win this game. Her pride can’t have that, "If you want to keep your reputation safe, dating me won't help you."

Leas continues his feast, working his way through the sausages and bacon. All his munching made her eventually hungry enough to start eating the hash browns. Before long, neither of them stops their feasting. Their plates had to be cleaned before he adds anything else to their conversation.

"I may have a profession sensitive to reputation, but the rumors about you are simply not true. I'll do all I can to disprove them if it comes down to it." He cleans his shaven chin with a napkin, eyes flitting from the flashlight to her about three times. His irises glitters with amusement, "You can have the flashlight."

"I dont ne-" She shut herself up with a sharp inhale of breath. It isn't required for her to be so abrasive. She gave his proposal a good shot. If going to these dates will answer some of her questions about the sweet smell, maybe it is time to allow it. Not without some of her own terms. "Okay. I'll bite. Three dates and we will see where we stand on this...odd contract. If nothing comes of it, we will move on without looking back."

Leas drops the napkin to the side, his long fingers reaching for her hand that is clenching the fork a bit too tensely. His soft fingertips sent the wrong type of shiver through her, a craving for more of his touch. What is wrong with me?

"Three dates to have you fall for me?" He winks at her with those puppy dog eyes of his, handsome features so hard for her to be mad at. His teasing reddens her cheeks and ears. "I am going to have to step up my game then."

She would wag her own furry tail as a wolf if she could. Her practical side thought of removing her hand from his. But instead, she feigns ignorance of her obvious attraction, "It would be wise to not waste your energy and time on me." My heart doesn't sway easy...human.

Why do his eyes glitter so mischievously after saying so? Does he find me amusing?

"Crazy. You look really cute while you keep a front, my Idonea." He pulls his hand away now that he made physical contact, he had gathered an upper hand without her knowledge. "This breakfast doesn't count as a date just so we're clear. I can pick you up at your place at say 5:30?"

Her hand felt empty without his touch but snaps her attention when certain keywords register in her mind. "Wait...today?"

"Yes. Unless you have other things to do?" He collects the utensils and plates in one neat pile, to make it easier for the waitress. When she came around the bend, he hands her cash while saying to keep the change. The waitress hums excitedly, cleaning up their dishes.

"No..." Angered by her quick answer to his question, she now had no choice but to spend some more time with him today. Is this what I really wanted?

She lived long enough to understand herself better than anyone else, including some of her more obscure feelings. If her body's reaction is to proceed with this contract, then she didn’t want to cause too much restriction to herself. However, she can use a better alternative to handle this.

Especially when it hurt her pride getting played so easily. But why does that matter? It won't hurt to see where this goes, and she isn't that much of a prude not to allow herself some fun in the meantime.

"Great to hear." He stands near her to just offer his hand in a chivalrous manner. "I'll take you home now."

One heavy eye roll later and she accepts his hand again. It is always warm to the touch, soft against her more calloused hand. Yet she notices a bit of his callouses concentrated along his fingertips, a trait most musicians have. She pulls away her hand afterwards, mentally chastising herself for being so open in touching him. She must play a little harder to win if she wants to conquer this game.

And even more when she follows him to his car. Even more, when she directs him straight to her house, there is no attempt to hide her whereabouts. A folly she will blame herself. He made no comments about her living arrangements, only blinking when an older Czech woman barges right out of the building yelling at Idonea from the porch as the she-wolf slips out of the car.

"Cubka! I found dog sheddings at your doorstep!?"

Idonea completely forgot about this woman. Her head dips low enough to talk to Leas through his driver-side window. "I have to go. See you later."

He opens his mouth to what appears to be him about to offer his help. After a couple of glances between Idonea and her raging landlord he must have settle with another plan. "Just...call me if things go sour."

"No need. She's always like this." Idonea turns her back to him then, now facing her rather perturbed landlord. "Let's talk inside, Mrs. Rombart."

That is the end of her interactions with the handsome radio station host for now. With the sound of tires rotating above the asphalt and the powerful engine of a MR2, his delicious scent grows distant with the roar of his car. She wishes to have gone with him this time around. This thought later agitates her into silence as the old landlord chews her out for the hundredth time. Mrs. Rombart will never leave her alone unless she allows the landlord to inspect her room. When she finds nothing, Mrs. Rombart gave her the millionth warning of the week. No dogs.