Chapter 23 Berry Flavored Carbonated Water

I stared at Pierce as he calmly watched me. The slow realization that he was being serious slowly started to dawn. As I did, a shyness crept over me that was different from my usual reticence. As a grown man it seemed silly but what I really felt, if I were being honest, was bashful.

My cheeks pinkened and I suddenly realized that my mouth had slightly fallen open in my surprise. I quickly snapped it shut and dropped my eyes from his.

To borrow some time to gather my wits I grabbed a napkin and wiped at my mouth. That was when I made another realization. My hands were trembling slightly.

I quickly swiped at my mouth and lowered my hands to my lap, squeezing the soft paper cloth in my fingers to disguise the embarrassing giveaway.

All the while Pierce watched me. I felt sure he had seen everything. The trembling, the mouth gaping, the pink staining of my skin. Everything. Fighting past my natural reserve I looked back up and once again returned his unwavering stare.

He looked slightly amused but I couldn't get mad at him. I didn't really blame him at all. I'm sure my fumbling gawkiness had been silly to watch.

Frustrated with myself, I strove to find a reply but I wasn't sure what the right one would be. I didn't know if his offer had been serious or a joke.

If it had been a joke, then I could easily laugh it off though I wouldn't have found that sort of joke funny. But if he had been serious... I found myself stumbling over what answer I would give.

"Is it because you work for me that you're hesitating?" Pierce finally asked, making me jump a bit in startled surprise.

The silence that had followed his initial comment to be my plus one had been so noiseless that the sound of his voice when he spoke now felt like a bellow rather than the even tone it had been.

I shook my head no. I swallowed and licked my lips, trying to moisten my throat and mouth so that I could finally find my voice.

"That doesn't bother me at all," I finally said.

"That's good," Pierce said with a pleased expression. "And I was serious, by the way," he added, looking at me with a solemn expression. "I'll be your plus one. All you have to do is ask."

I nodded again in several short jerky movements and blinked what felt like several more. I licked my lips again, their texture feeling dry. I reached for my water and took a sip. The cool liquid hydrated my parched mouth and moistened my dry throat as I swallowed.

"I'd actually prefer not to wait till you have a next time, though as I have no idea when that will be. So, would you like to go out with me on Friday?"

His timing was impeccable. The cool clear water spewed forward as I choked mid-swallow in stunned shock. I covered my mouth as I wheezed and coughed but the damage had been done. Pierce was covered in berry flavored carbonated water.

I would have laughed in uncontrollable hysteria at the sight of his floored expression, only I couldn't. My body was still being rocked in a coughing fit, as I struggled to catch my breath.

My eyes watered as my throat spasmed; the burning carbonation not only having gone down but then again back up my throat burning somewhat. I feared some had come out of my nose as well and I crammed the napkin to my face, trying to dry it while preventing anything else from flying out.

I dreaded Pierce's reaction and I closed my eyes as the last lingering remnant of my coughing fit continued to plague me. My eyes flew open when I suddenly felt the warm weight of Pierce's body settle next to mine, and his large hand firmly, yet gently started to pat my upper back.

"Okay?" he asked.

I could feel him looking down at me and I wanted to bury my face in my hands. I felt completely ridiculous. Hiding away seemed like the best option.

"Jackson!" Pierce called, his warm hand now rubbing my back, while his other hand grabbed hold of my upper arm and tried to pull me up so that he could see my face.

I could feel him leaning in towards me trying to get a better look at me. Feeling absurdly like a child I finally relented and raised my head, looking at him.

Droplets of water still peppered his face. I squeezed my eyes shut for a second, before opening them again and making eye contact with him. Surprisingly he looked amused. Strangely enough, the amusement helped.

I rolled my eyes at him and he grinned back. We both started chuckling at the same time, though mine was scattered with small coughs as my throat still felt as if a pin was stuck inside. His however, was pleasingly smooth.

I grabbed another napkin and began dabbing at the smiling face in front of me to blot up the water as he had yet to dry himself.

He had come to me first.

Instead of drying off what I had in essence spit on to his face, he had worried about me first. If a heart could smile then mine was. I couldn't explain how it felt better than that.

Pierce sat quietly as I patted the soft cloth along his cheek and then his chin. A small rivulet of clear liquid was running down his nose and a bead dangled from the tip. I lifted the napkin and tapped it lightly, soaking the water up immediately.

I could feel his eyes on me as I worked. Our faces were very close and other than one quick peek I avoided all eye contact. Though it only helped a little.

Being so physically close made my body very aware of his. The heat that radiated off of him, the smooth bronzed texture of his skin, the strength that no suit could disguise, I noticed it all. The entire package that was Pierce Lucciano; my body couldn't ignore any of it.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled as I grabbed another napkin and began blotting at the shoulder of his shirt.

A part of me wished he hadn't taken his suit jacket off when he sat down to eat and yet a small secret part of me was glad, he had. It was a secret side of myself I had never encountered before. It was one that enjoyed the close proximity of the very male body in front of me. Touching, even if only to soak up the excess moisture, was a treat I didn't even know I wanted.

And Pierce let me. He sat very still as I dabbed at the splotches of water that moistened the white cloth. I knew he watched me as I worked. I felt that should have bothered me. I know it would have before. But for some reason, right now, it didn't.

The entire encounter seemed surreal. It was a very intimate moment that I couldn't step back away from even if my life depended on it. In a few minutes the last spot would be attended to and I knew reality would return but I couldn't find it in myself to care.

My hand directed the napkin to the last wet splotch. If it lingered, Pierce didn't seem to mind. I pressed the napkin into the material and indirectly into the sinewy muscle that was Pierce's chest. It shouldn't have been sexy. But it was.

Pierce's hand suddenly covered mine and the sensual bubble I had been caught up in suddenly burst. I started and would have removed my hand, but Pierce continued to cup his over it, pressing it into his body.

I swallowed and looked up at him. His eyes were intense as they struggled to read what was in mine. I had no idea what he would see as he looked. My mind was a befuddled mess. A host of emotions were juggling around in my head as various feelings rushed through my body.

I wanted to say something but I didn't know where to start. I wanted him to speak first to let me know everything was okay. I was in murky waters that I had never swam in before. A little guidance would be nice.

Pierce suddenly coughed and released my hand. He stood to his feet in a rushed movement that caught me off guard. I snatched my hand to my lap. The warmth of his palm over the back of my hand still lingered warmly.

Pierce stood with his back to me and I watched as he ran his hand around the back of his neck. He moved forward at a slow pace, circled the table between us and finally sat down. I simply watched him while I worked on my breathing to calm the rushing blood through my veins.

I had been so caught up in touching him I hadn't realized how it was affecting me physically until the connection had been broken. The quickening of my pulse, the unevenness of my breathing, the tingly sensation that I had discovered when I first met Pierce were running wild through my body.

It felt kind of amazing!

It was also a little embarrassing.

Out of my element, I could only repeat myself.

"I'm s... sorry."

Pierce groaned as if in pain and my eyes widened as I stared across the expanse of space that separated us.

"Just don't stutter, Jackson," Pierce finally managed to answer. "If you don't stutter right now then everything will be fine."

Confused, I stared back at him. I didn't know how to respond to that. I also wasn't sure if I could speak without stuttering so I hesitated to say anything.

Pierce suddenly chuckled and shook his head, finally seeming to relax somewhat.

"I'll definitely make sure to wear a raincoat next time I ask you out," he murmured teasingly.

His eyes danced with humor and as embarrassed as I was, I couldn't help but respond with a small laugh of my own. It did help to break the tension though and I felt more relaxed, too.

"You caught me off guard," I mumbled.

"I noticed," he replied dryly and I laughed outright at the bland expression on his face.

As I giggled his eyes twinkled, seeming to find pleasure in my reaction. I knew I started blushing but I didn't look away. Something had shifted between us. Maybe it was more accurate to say it had shifted in me.

He seemed normal today. Though he would never be an average guy like me, Pierce had seemed more touchable, literally so, considering how my hands had found their way to him. It was as if by doing so, the barriers in my mind crumbled a bit. I felt more assured of myself with him. More equal and compatible than I had felt before. Real possibilities took root in my mind.

"Jackson?" Pierce called.

I blinked and realized I had been staring off into space with my thoughts. I wondered if any of what I had been thinking had showed.

"Sorry," I said again, feeling as if I had done nothing but apologize for the last fifteen minutes.

Pierce just shook his head at me and smiled. He leaned forward in his seat, his hands dangling between his spread thighs and spoke, "At the risk of further incident, I want to get back to what I originally asked. You never replied. You kind of left me hanging here, you know? Will you go out with me Friday?"

My thoughts of moments ago still lingered in my mind. They allowed me to respond without thought for the first time in my life.

I was attracted to Pierce. Pierce made me feel a way I never had before. I owed it to myself to see where it could go. I nodded my head, yes.

"I think I'd like that," I murmured, feeling a little shy but mostly happy.

Pierce returned my smile with a hugely pleased one of his own.

"What do you fancy doing?" Pierce quizzed. "Anything in particular you would like to do?"

I shrugged in response.

"I've never really dated," I admitted.

"Never?"

Embarrassed by the incredulous tone of his voice I shook my head no, before ducking it down and then looking back up.

"No. I've never met anyone that made me interested enough."

Pierce's smile grew. It dazzled me with its candid delight.

"I think that is the best compliment I've ever been given," he murmured, looking at me in genuine pleasure.

I smiled back. I couldn't not. His grin was infectious. Everything about Pierce was infectious. Whatever it was about him was now in my bloodstream. I could no longer deny it.

I didn't think I wanted to anymore.