Philosophy, Wine and Dine.

Maggie sat slumped in her chair. One elbow resting on the table in front of her and a cheek resting in her hand. She occasionally feigned interest in her date’s ramblings but it was difficult to listen to someone as self-involved as Dane. He seemed to fancy himself quite the philosopher too. Maggie had always thought philosophy to be laughable but the absolute drivel Dane were spouting was just plain insufferable.

She looked at her glass of nearly empty Merlot and then over at Dane’s glass. Also nearly empty, La! A good sign that she might have made it through the whole date without falling asleep. Her eyes were growing quite heavy after all. She wondered how he had ever held her own or any other women’s interest for longer than one meal. As if to read her mind, Dane grabbed his glass, threw back the remaining wine and winced as he swallowed. He then sucked in a breath and said,

‘Right, shall we clear the plates and move this elsewhere?’,

with a sly grin and wink, affording Maggie a glimpse of his lovely pearly white smile. The first thing she had noticed about him when they had met 3 weeks earlier. The same smile that he had used to convince her to accept his offer when he had asked her on a date that afternoon. She didn’t know the date he had in mind would be a slightly overcooked meal in his tiny studio apartment, listening to his incessant babbling all night long.

Although she had to admit, the view was staggeringly beautiful as it overlooked the edge of the city and the Yarra river. It all come upon her as especially intimate for a first date.

They both stood up and began moving towards the kitchen with their plates in hand. Dane placed his in the sink with a clatter then turned to Maggie, snaking an arm around her waist. He leant down and pressed his lips softly to hers. The smell of his cologne surrounded her. It was almost intoxicating. Against her better judgment she reached her arm around his neck and tangled her fingers in his soft golden hair, pushing her lips more firmly to his. This appeared to be all the encouragement he needed as he pulled her in closer, lifting her feet slightly from the tiled floor below. Maggie hadn’t noticed until now, how much taller Dane was than she. Absent-mindedly losing grip on the plate she held it crashed to the floor, splintering into pieces. Dane didn’t even look up but instead pulled her even closer with both arms this time. Her now free hand had found its way underneath his shirt sleeve and around his deliciously large bicep. As if her body now had a mind of its own, she sighed, melting as he kissed her neck with some heat. She now knew exactly how he held anyone’s interest in him.

Still, what was she thinking, this man was as dull as dishwater. They had nothing in common. He hadn’t even noticed each time she had nearly drifted off to sleep during dinner, unable to truly enjoy the one-sided conversation they were having. No amount of physical chemistry could change that and Maggie certainly didn’t want to lead him on. Yet every touch set her skin on fire with delight and her conscience seemed to grow quieter and quieter with every kiss, lost in a fog that now enshrouded her senses. Perhaps this was enough. At least it was for the night. There was no way she could pull herself from his grip even if she wanted to now. And she definitely didn’t want to.