Chapter Three Continued

Once the polish was dry, they gathered their things and went off for lunch. It was a sunny day with above average temperatures in New York. The winter hat and sunglasses Sabrin was wearing were not out of place on a day like this. Lyssa and Sabrin were able to walk down the street, hand in hand.

Lunch was at a little bistro, where they took a booth in the corner that faced away from everyone.

Bloomingdale’s was a bit of a walk, but just being with Sabrin and getting to know more about him as he talked was such a treat that Lyssa did not mind. He told stories of antics he and the other actors from his former show would pull on the set of ‘Time and Space’ and some that they had pulled during the movie shoots. Sabrin was still friends with most of the cast, but was closest to Paul.

"I could invite him along one time when you and I get together if you'd like to meet him," Sabrin offered, seeing her awe at hearing such details about the lives of actors she had admired for so long.

Lyssa tried not to look too excited about the idea. "The way you hold me so tight at night, there would be room for him in the bed," she teased.

"Okay, but he can't do your toenails," Sabrin shook his finger at her, but then grinned and laughed.

"Do you think he would want to meet me? It could put him in an awkward position. I'm not sure how I would react if a close friend called and asked if I wanted to meet his mistress."

Sabrin squeezed her hand. "Paul understands what is happening with us. He's gone through a similar situation himself. It would be okay."

"I'll take your word for it," she said, but wondered about his comment that Paul had been through something like this himself. It took her a while to gather the courage, but she finally asked. "Can I ask you what happened with Paul?"

Sabrin looked surprised. "It was in the tabloids," he told her.

"I don't read the tabloids. You may not believe me considering but I really don't care what the stars do in their private lives."

Sabrin laughed, "You may be the only woman in the US who doesn't." He pulled her closer and began the story of how Paul’s wife had been in hospice care for terminal cancer and, during that time, Paul was in a play to help take his mind off of the pain. Feeling alone, he had gotten to know one of the actresses, a woman named Deborah, who had a minor role in the play, and they became friends. Paul’s wife had slipped into a coma and Paul knew she would never come out of it. He found himself crying on the shoulder of this actress and soon he was doing more than crying. The tabloids got pictures of the two of them kissing just days after his wife finally died. 

"So how did it end up?" Lyssa asked.

"Paul married Deborah. I was his best man," Sabrin told her.

They walked through Bloomingdale’s looking through various areas of the store. At times Sabrin would steer Lyssa into certain departments to see how she would react. In the ladies wear area they went past a few racks of dresses that Lyssa stopped to look at. She saw one dress she seemed interested in until she looked at the price tag. With a disgusted laugh, she put the dress back. When they came to the lingerie department, it was Lyssa's turn to steer Sabrin.

"Help me pick something special," she suggested, with a wicked grin.

They had looked through almost the entire area searching for just the right item when Lyssa's eyes widened.

"How about this?" she asked as she held up a sexy mesh chemise for Sabrin to look at.

"Oh, that's perfect."

She smiled and headed over to make her purchase. When he saw the price ring in, he turned to Lyssa. "Are you sure you don't want me to buy this for you? It’s rather expensive."

"We had a deal. I'll pay for my own things, thank you. Besides, some things are worth the money," she smiled and handed the clerk her credit card.

His eyes widened, but she was turned away and did not see. It was a good sign; he thought to himself and took the package from her hand once it was paid for. She gave him a quizzical expression when he did.

"What? My arm’s not broken, I can carry anything we buy today just fine."

"I don't think I'll be buying anything else today,” she said grinning. Sabrin took hold of her arm and turned her to face him.

"What do you mean? Did you break the bank with that purchase?" He sounded concerned.

"No, I mean I just don't need anything," she shrugged. 

"Bloomingdale’s is not about needs, it’s about wants," he informed her, touching her cute little nose with his fingertip.

"Then I'm in the wrong store. I've made my obligatory purchase, you should be happy, and the state should be satisfied, can we go now?" she asked, tweaking his chin with humorous affection.

"Not quite yet. There are a few areas we haven’t looked at yet."

They walked through the jewelry area. Sabrin asked what she thought of a number of different items that were in the cases.

"Sabrin, why do you keep asking me if I like something?"

"I'm just curious," he responded.

"The jewelry is all very beautiful but it's a bit much for me."

"Too expensive?" he asked.

"That too, but I mean it’s not within my comfort level for wearing. You have to enjoy jewelry, not be terrified you're going to lose it," she explained.  "So are you brave enough for the ice skating?" Lyssa asked him.

“Are you accusing me of cowardice, woman?” Sabrin asked, incredulously. Lyssa grinned and chuckled.

“If the skate fits.”

“I assure you, honey, I can brave it with the best of them.” Sabrin pulled her closer, but he noticed she did not look quite right. “What’s wrong?” he asked her.

Lyssa blushed and looked away. “It’s nothing. Well, it’s just that everyone calls me ‘Honey’ and I’ve never been wild about it. I like my name, but I almost never hear it.”

Sabrin lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. “You want me to call you by name.” She nodded. “That’s fine but I should tell you, I wasn’t calling you by your nickname.” He lifted an eyebrow, meaningfully. Lyssa laughed, embarrassed.

They made their way to Rockefeller Center walking hand in hand. Since their route went past their hotel they ducked in quickly and asked the concierge to have Lyssa's purchase taken to their suite for them. Fortunately, the rink at Rockefeller Center was not very crowded. They rented some skates and checked their boots.

"Have you skated much?” she asked Sabrin.

"A little, but I'm not exactly what you would call good," he laughed.

"I've had some experience on skates. I'll help you if you need it."

"I'll need it," he assured her, still uncertain if he could make it to a stand.

Sabrin watched her as he put on his skates. His brown coat was not exactly handsome, but it covered him and disguised him at the same time. Lyssa had a black wool coat on and underneath she wore jeans and a sweater that was very flattering of her perfect figure. Even with every inch of her covered, except for her beautiful face, Sabrin found Lyssa ravishing. Actually, ravishing was a good idea. One he would have to explore once they got back to the hotel.

"Are you going to sit there forever?" she asked, bringing him out of his introspection.

"Coming," he called and carefully got to his feet. She smirked at him and offered a hand.

"Not yet, but the day is young." Sabrin rolled his eyes at her and wobbled forward as she pulled him along.

Sabrin was doing quite well on skates for someone with his experience so they both found it quite amusing when it was Lyssa who ended up on her butt first.

"I thought you were supposed to be good at this?" he laughed. He extended his hand to help her up.

"I am. It's the skates. I need my hockey skates. I can't skate with figure skates," she protested.

"Or are you sure you just can't skate," he teased.

"Aren't you the funny one."

“Hockey skates?” he questioned as she reached up for his hand. “Why do you usually wear hockey skates?”

“I used to play ice hockey with the neighborhood boys. I was quite the tomboy,” she answered as she took his hand but, instead of getting up, she pulled him down next to her. They got back to their feet and continued to enjoy their skate until the rink started to get a little more crowded.

"You want to eat in tonight or go out?” Sabrin asked her as they walked hand in hand in the direction of the hotel.

"What do you want to do?" Lyssa asked, gazing over at him.

"You're not going to start that again, are you?" he asked, rolling his eyes at her. She gave him a guilty grin.

"Fine, let’s walk around for a while and then we can pick up something to go and eat back at the hotel. Deal?"

He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Can dinner include strawberries and whipped cream?"

"We've done that already," she reminded him. Sabrin laughed.

"I like reruns," he defended.

"Don't get your hopes up though. Strawberries are out of season so we might not be able to find any," she told him with a shrug.

They passed many restaurants, checking out the menus displayed by their doors, trying to find just the right place to stop. They finally found a little Caribbean restaurant that seemed perfect. The outside of the restaurant was quite plain so they were very surprised when they stepped inside. The decor was a romantic island setting. They inquired whether they would be able to get take-out but were only a little disappointed that the restaurant did not provide that service.

"Would you like to stay here to eat or find some place else?" Sabrin asked.

Lyssa was transfixed by the surroundings. "Let's stay. I like the feel here. It's like we’re not in New York any more but at our private getaway."

Once they had checked their coats and were taken to their corner table, Sabrin’s arms were around her. He nuzzled and kissed her temple, whispering silly things that others call "sweet nothings" but they sure did not seem like nothing to Lyssa.

Sabrin ordered a Jerk steak and she ordered shark steaks with mango chutney. They both ordered drinks since they would only be walking a short distance to the hotel. The food was outstanding. They both had three drinks and were feeling quite fine when they began their walk back to the hotel.

"That was wonderful. I felt like I was in the Caribbean again. Only thing is, now it seems colder out here,” she laughed.

"So you like the Caribbean. Which island do you like best?" he asked.

"I've only been to the Bahamas once but it was beautiful. What about you?" she asked.

"I've been to a few of the islands for vacations. It’s very relaxing. Was that your dream vacation?" he asked.

"No, it was on my list of great vacation spots I could afford. There are a few places I would like to visit during my life time."

"Such as..." Sabrin was curious about the destinations she was dreaming of.

"Such as Europe, Australia, Tahiti. There are so many."

"Maybe we'll go to those places one day," he smiled as he put his arm around her.

"What, go there only to spend all our time in a hotel room screwing like bunnies?" she teased.

"You have a problem with that?" he teased back.

"Well, no. But it would be an awful waste of money to pay for trips to a place we have no intention of really enjoying outside of the room. We should put any trips off until after we're over the ‘so hot for each other’ stage of this relationship,” she suggested. 

Sabrin stopped, took hold of her chin and looked into her eyes. "I'm hoping that day does not come for a long, long time, so bite your tongue, woman. Better yet, let me do it for you," he said and pulled her into a very hot kiss, as though proving his point.

"You make your point well but I think I need more persuading," she said, pulling him back for another kiss.