The Unexpected

Violet's piercing green eyes were trained on the glass of Merlot which delicately sat in her right hand. As she sat in the restaurant waiting, she moved her wrist gently, causing the liquid to slosh and swirl in the glass.

With each slosh of rich dark red liquid, Violet's patience began to waver. She was no longer sure why she had let her friend Megan talk her into such an event. Being the age of 29, she had been on her fair amount of dates but never had she let someone talk her into a blind date. Maybe she was starting to get desperate, she had spent the last nine years building her career. Now she was an established business woman, she realised she had no one to share her success with. Simply, she was lonely. A low huff left her as she brought the intoxicating liquid to her lips, hoping the second glass she was sipping would help reduce her nerves. Glancing down to her left wrist, her insides twisted as she noticed the time.

'Nine pm.' She thought with a bitter tone. It had now officially reached half an hour of waiting, glancing up she swept her gaze across the dimmed-lit, high-end Italian restaurant. Nothing seemed to have changed, there were still couples and groups of people sitting enjoying their meals, oblivious to her inner turmoil. Though the looks of pity which were flying her way from the staff made her angry. Sighing again she let the anger bubble in her as she realised she indeed had been stood up. She was about to fling her hand up to catch the waiters attention when a deep familiar voice filled her ears.

"Violet?" His voice held confusion as he looked towards the woman, unlike the times he normally saw her, her hair was long and worn in loose curls down her back. She wore a long sleeved black dress which accentuated her curves. Her face was covered in a natural amount of makeup but it was her piercing green eyes which were framed by a smokey brown colour that drew him in most. He had never noticed it before, but she was beautiful.

"Mr. Reid?" Violet's eyes were wide with confusion and shock as she looked towards her boss. The man who stood in front of her looked as devilishly handsome as he did everyday. Unlike normal he didn't wear his grey tailored Armani suit. Instead, his body was covered in tailored black dress pants and a light blue long sleeve dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Violet couldn't help but take his body in, his tall lean frame was muscular, his skin tanned and his usual firm expression was soft and relaxed.

"Please call me Wes, we are not in the office. It is lovely to see you Violet, what are you doing sitting by yourself?" He questioned while his eyes examined her table. It was obvious to him that she was alone and by her expression she was not happy. Violets eye's darted from her boss and back to her glass out of nerves. Did she truely want to admit she had been stood up? Swallowing the lump in her throat she glanced back to him, noticing he now stood closer and was raking his fingers through his dark brown locks. It caused his hair to fall out of its usual slicked back hair do and relax against his forehead.

"Alright Wes...My friend set me up on a date and seems I have been stood up. So I best be going." Her voice was filled with annoyance as she gripped her Merlot harder and brought it to her tainted pink lips and let the smooth liquid pour down her throat. He stepped closer again pulling out the empty chair and gave her a smile. It was the kind of smile that made her heart beat quicker and her nerves peak.

"Sounds like his loss Violet. Please stay, you still have half a bottle. That Merlot is far too good to waste, plus the food is spectacular. This is my favourite place so I would know." He said with a laugh, it was an action Violet was sure she had never seen in the last two years since he had taken over the business. Watching him sit down, she felt her brows pull together knowing that having dinner with her boss was far from appropriate.

"Don't you think this is a bit inappropriate?" She questioned looking at him with a curious glance, her head feeling light and her heart beating heavily as she waited his answer. The feeling that rushed over her body was one she would blame on the alcohol, never being one to be so nervous normally.

"It is just dinner Violet and I want to ensure your night improves. You got all dressed up after all." He said making himself comfortable as he settled into the chair.

"Fine." She muttered reaching out pouring herself another glass hoping it would take away from the nerves which swirled in her stomach violently. As Violet focused on her task at hand, his words filled the air again. His normal assertive tone was light and playful. A tone she was not use to hearing and kept catching her off guard.

"Do you mind if I have a glass?" He said with a chuckle, looking towards the bottle which was already half empty. Violet looked down embarrassed, her cheeks feeling warm and she was sure were a deep shade of red. She reached her body forward, no words left her lips, as she poured him a glass and tried to gain her confidence to speak.

"So you like to come to restaurants by yourself?" She questioned raising an eyebrow as she looked down at the neglected menu next to her wine glass. Glancing back up at him, her eyes were assessing him. She was not use to his carefree nature and relaxed posture. It made her feel on edge. She wanted to relax, to show her true nature but she was bothered by the man sitting in front of her. What was his game? If she had a knack for anything it would be overthinking a situation, it was probably a key contributor to why none of her relationships have worked.

"If I had the right company I wouldn't, but usually it is much more enjoyable by myself. It is my break, my relax time." He said truthfully, his stormy grey eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched the woman shift uncomfortably.

"I see. Well please don't let me ruin your time of peace. It is getting late after all." Violet said sincerely, shifting her body in the chair desperately trying to find an escape from the embarrassment of the night.

"Don't be silly Violet, you haven't eaten and after all it is a Friday night. Let your hair down." He said with a laugh before picking up the menu, taking a quick glance and putting it down. "I don't know why I look when I get the same every time. How about some garlic bread to start?" He said leaning forward, his eyes captivating her as he spoke. Butterflies flew in her stomach causing her to give him a small weak smile. Violet was hoping it was the delicious red that caused her body to act in such a way but she knew all the side glances she threw towards her boss each day, it was not. She was attracted to him and having him pay attention to her was nerve wrecking, yet exciting. Allowing herself to indulge she gave him a smile and nodded.

"Sounds great."

*

Violet was in a daze, a large smile plastered on her face as she walked beside Wes. A loud bubbly laugh escaped her lips, something that had been happening all night. Once she had overcome her nerves, the conversation had naturally flowed. It was something that shocked her yet excited her. She never thought she would feel such a connection with anyone on a first date and especially not her boss. Yet unlike earlier in the night, that no longer scared her. She was a professional when needed to be and her personal life was her own business. Now what scared her was whether she would see him outside of work again.

The warm summer air wrapped around her, an occasional cool breeze kissing her face and cooling her hot skin. Turning the corner, disappointment filled her as she noticed they had reached her apartment. The laughter died and they walked up the driveway to the townhouse in silence. Violet couldn't help but feel the butterflies return as she stopped at her door step and slowly turned towards Wes.

"Thanks for improving my night." She said honestly. A smile formed on his face as he stepped closer. His eyes were looking into her sparkling green ones, the warmth that swirled with them was something he hadn't noticed before and wanted to see more off.

"Thanks for spending the remaining of your night with me." He said taking another step towards her, causing more nerves to swirl in Violet's stomach out of anticipation. She didn't say anything as his hands gently grazed her hips and gently pushed her towards him. Violet felt her body melting against him, her eyes looking up into his before falling to his lips. Their bodies moved closer, their faces only inches away before his head dipped and pressed his lips against her own plump ones. The sweet taste of wine and chocolate mingled between their lips as they embraced in a heated moment. They pulled away, both eyes wide but their hearts filled with happiness.

"I think Hayden and Megan were onto something." His words were low as he spoke. Violet let the words wash over her, it took her a moment to realise that he was referring to her best friend and her husband.

"You were my blind date." She said shocked, her voice loud and full with hurt.

"Yes and I am so sorry for being late, I was stuck at work. When I realised it was you, I was scared you would turn me away and I wanted a chance." Annoyance filled Violet but it quickly washed away when he pulled her closer and placed a small kiss on her lips again. "Im sorry. Will you see me again?" He questioned, hope filling his eyes.

A small smirk formed on her face as she looked up at him.

"I will think about it." She said with a cheeky kiss to his cheek before turning away ready to escape.

Though it was obvious to them both that tonight was going to be the first of many.