All I wanted was a chocolate
fix. It was late. So late that I didn't have any choice but to go to Wal-Mart
and buy whatever they had left. Yes, I*had it* that bad.
Keys. Fought off a dog
who thought she should go for a three AM ride. Got in car, and then it seemed
as if every stoplight in the area was against me. Bright lights. Good. WM
was open. Be my normal luck if they had decided to close for some reason.
I shook my head as I
remembered the last time I needed a fix. I had reached the checkout just
as they shut it down for daily changeover. Luckily, the woman at the checkout
had been understanding. The twenty I had handed her before I devoured the
chocolate hadn't hurt. Her particular fix had been M&Ms so she had understood
how I felt.
I went through the regular
candy section but didn't see anything that I felt would cure my craving. I
wandered the store to see if they had anything on sale. They did. Nothing
really outstanding but I did notice a large Nestle's Crunch that was sitting
by itself. Yeah! I reached for it and my hand closed on flesh.
Huh? Flesh? Where's my
Crunch Bar?
The brain kicked into
overdrive. Finger type flesh. Slender, warm... About that time I realized
they were attached to someone who was incredibly patient.
I couldn't help my long-suffering
sigh as I let go. "Sorry. I guess I'll have to settle for something else."
A quiet giggle followed
by "I thought *I* was the only one who had it that bad," brought my head
around.
The first thing I noticed
was that I didn't have to look down to see her eyes. Since I stand just a
bit under six feet, that made her unusual enough for me to take a second
look. Already filed away were the facts she was another choco-nut in need
of a fix and that she had a giggle that sent shivers down my spine. I wondered
if I could get her to giggle again.
I gaped. Blue eyes were
framed by bright red hair. No makeup. I thought she was one of the most beautiful
women I'd ever seen.
I shook my head and tried
to get it working again. "Since I can't find anything here, I guess I'll
go look for some hot chocolate and then cook an early breakfast."
She laughed and then
studied me thoughtfully. "I'm Corine." She looked me over. When her eyes
met mine again there was a twinkle in them. "I have some imported mix at
my place. Unfortunately, there's no real food in the apartment. I'm not
a cook."
"Timothy." That part
of my reply was automatic.
She stood there as if
she was waiting for something more. She quirked her lips. "Well?"
I replayed her earlier
words in my still befuddled mind. Oh. Really? Smooth and fast, this one.
"I hope you don't mind if we go through the pharmacy area on the way out.
I need to pick something up."
Now it was her turn to
look puzzled.
I grinned as I offered
her my arm. "Condoms. Any preferences?"
Amazing. She's even more
beautiful when she blushes.
She remembered she was
holding the candy. She brought it up, placed it against my lips, and smiled
knowingly. "Only one type of condom I really enjoy."
I waited.
"Installed."
We linked arms and headed
for the condom rack. I grabbed a box at random and we headed for the cashier.
The young woman at the checkout couldn't understand what made us laugh so
hard after I commented, "Nestle's and condoms. Unbeatable combination."