For dinner, I picked the Seconds Diner - a moderately-priced spot that was close enough to the office. It was the kind of place where you could take a date without embarrassing yourself or burning a hole in your pocket. It being a Tuesday night, we had our pick of the tables - we chose one by the window.

"Chilly today," Emilia said, buttoning up the tight-fitting blazer she hardly ever wore in the office. I nodded in agreement, avoiding commenting on the tiny skirt that had no doubt hitched up even further as she sat down. I wondered if those tan, toned thighs were covered in goosebumps.

We turned over the menus and began to browse.

"So, are you new in town?" I asked, while I decided how much to splurge tonight. Maybe it was best to wait for her to decide first.

"Yep, moved in not long after I got the offer." 

"How are you finding it?"

"The job or the city?"

I shrugged, "Both."

"The city is lovely, bigger than I'm used to. Lots to explore."

A waiter appeared at our table, and we hastily shared our orders - Emilia chose the baked parmesan, while I went for a simple bowl of chips. I wasn't that hungry, and it made me feel better about footing the bill.

"As for the job, well..." Emilia's gaze met mine, "I'm still making my mind up about how much I like it."

I made the effort to hold her gaze, "And did you enjoy the second day of your induction?"

"Oh, I loved it. I'm... eager to learn more."

I swallowed. With that and the way she was looking at me, the message was loud and clear: Let's do it again, and let's go further.

I was saved from having to reply to this by the waiter coming over with my chips. I pushed the bowl to the centre of the table, and we both picked at it, watching people pass by through the window.

"What about you?" Emilia said, after a moment.

"Sorry?"

"Do you like the job?"

Funny - today, with this pretty girl sat across from me at the diner, that was an easy one to answer. "I'm starting to."

She smiled at that, "Okay, Romeo. But I'm being serious."

"So am I."

She rolled her eyes, "And what about before I casually upended your life?"

"Oh, you mean did I like it back then? Hard to say, it all feels like a distant memory now," I was surprised at how easily we were going back and forth. I was somehow getting used to the presence of this majestic being. But I didn't want to test her patience too much: "Seriously though, it is hard to say. I'd pick this job over 90% of other jobs. Does that mean I like it?" I shrugged, "I guess."

A car stopped on the street nearby, bathing us in the red glow of its brake lights.

"No, you don't really like it. But I wonder, what do you really like?"

I wasn't sure if she was flirting and hoping I answered with 'you'. Her smile certainly could have been interpreted that way. Then again, that was partly just because it was a damn pretty smile. I took the straightforward approach.

"Well, I like to read." I tossed a chip in my mouth, "And not just erotica, mind you. I do read, like... actual books, too."

"Actual books? Are you saying I don't read actual books?"

"Uh... well, do you?"

"Yes. Before this I was reading Diaries of a Nymphomaniac."

"That one has a three-chapter orgy!"

A few other customers turned to look at us for that one. I clapped a hand over my mouth. Emilia giggled, leaning over the table, "And a two-chapter threesome."

It seemed the author of that particular book had worked out the perfect length of a sex scene based on the number of participants.

"But, I do read 'actual' books as well. Just... a lot less these days."

The waiter approached our table, presenting Emilia with her baked parmesan. I wasn't sure if I imagined the disdainful glance he gave me before leaving.

"A lot less? Why's that?"

"Oh, I don't know..." she poked at the parmesan with a fork, "Just been in that kind of mood lately, I guess."

I wasn't sure what to say this. I can tell seemed risky, and you and me both was kind of inaccurate - I was in that kind of mood more often than not. Had been since the first pimples appeared on my teenage face.

"Oh, right." I landed on lamely.

Emilia was thankfully too focused on her parmesan to pay me much mind. She had only ordered a small portion, and soon enough there were only crumbs left on her plate.

"I'll get the bill," I said, raising my hand to attract the attention of the waiter. He appeared, punching some numbers into the card machine.

"Separately or together?" the waiter asked. Well, more like he asked me, with a gaze that suggested there was only one correct answer.

"My treat," I smiled at Emilia, swiping my card.

She batted her eyelashes at me playfully. I think I blushed.

We left the diner and returned to the office car park with our appetites satiated and feeling (at least on my end) far more comfortable with each other. It's amazing how much more a shared dinner can do for a blossoming relationship, compared to a sloppy blowjob under a desk.

I looked around the deserted car park, "How are you getting home?"

"Just walking."

Her cheeks were rosy in the cool night air, and I was sure if I ran my hand over the appreciable amount of leg she was showing I'd feel goosebumps on her skin.

"I can drop you off."

She seemed to hesitate, looking at me curiously.

I realised how it sounded, "Just a lift, that's all." I said quickly.

A smirk appeared on her lips, "Just a lift? And I thought you owed me for that load I drained out of you earlier." she sighed, "Chivalry really is dead."

I smiled, "Chivalry is for ladies."

She arched an eyebrow, "Meaning?"

"I don't know if you're a lady, per se. You seem more like..."

She stepped closer, "What? Are you calling me a slut?"

"Would you like that?"

"Maybe. You've got a sexy voice."

That one threw me. But I tried to keep my composure as I gingerly placed my hands on her waist, "It's a dirty word, though."

"What would you rather call me?"

We were so close now that she only had to whisper. Her eyelashes were long and dark.

"I'd rather call you... mine."

Her gaze wavered for a second. Then she laughed, pushing my head to one side playfully, "Ohh, possessive, aren't we? Now please open the car, Sir. Your good girl is getting cold."

I did so, not sure if my line had landed or if she'd just found it funny. Then again, did it matter? What had I been trying to say with something like that? I hadn't known her long enough to make any confessions of love... it was an expression of desire at best.

Do you really think I'm beautiful, or do you just want to fuck me?

Ah. That little koan was starting to make sense now.

I started the car. Emilia was in the seat next to me, hands folded in her lap, skirt pulled taut. In my fantasies I had often conjured up moments like these - offering a pretty woman a lift, her offering me a drink, one thing leading to another.

Is that what's going to happen tonight?

Her apartment wasn't too far from the office, and now that most of the rush hour traffic had died down, we were there within minutes.

No... maybe not just yet.

"Well, see you tomorrow." I said, putting the handbrake up.

Emilia paused, "You're not coming in?"

"Nah, I should probably finish off the work at the office..." I said, unconvincingly. In truth, I suddenly felt compelled to prove that I wasn't just a horndog, and that I was in fact interested in her beyond the bedroom.

Emilia watched me thoughtfully, a small smile on her lips, "Really? What a gentleman you are, Lawrence." Her tone was slightly mocking, but not unkind. She placed her hand over mine, which rested on the gearstick.

And then her eyes were closed, and her lips were turned up towards me and they were pressed against mine and there was darkness and embrace and my hands pulled her closer and her teeth brushed against my lips and then we were apart again.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, and stepped out of the car. I was mildly aware of warmth in my cheeks, as I watched her hips sway - she turned to give a quick wave before disappearing behind her door.

I was sure I'd made the right decision.

She really was beautiful.