Nice ass. Your mind prompts your body to remember what lust feels like, and you grin as you move past the man on your way to the Cream of Wheat.
You see it again, teasing you, as he bends over to pull a roll of paper towels from the bottom shelf. You absentmindedly think it's good that he believes in a bargain. Continuing your journey, you meander down the aisles and toss things in your buggy at random. Shopping this late seems to prompt your purchase of the inane, and when you look into your basket, you realize you've picked up three boxes of instant cereal, a jar of pickles, a can of Hershey's syrup, and a dish strainer.
Sighing, you focus on your list and get back to the task at hand so you can head home to your little house on the beach and while away the night hours writing. So involved in your list, you don't see the buggy until it's too late and you've already hit him.
"Ooops." You smile and shrug.
He grins, and you try not to notice how beautiful his smile is against the darkness of his skin. Dark ringlets frame his face, and warm, chocolate eyes crinkle in the corner. "That's okay."
You pull back a little and to the side so he can get by. He moves closer and stops, leaning on the handle of his basket.
"The aisles never seem big enough."
You laugh in agreement. "No, and if you get stuck with a cart whose wheels don't work..."
This time, you both laugh. He holds out his hand, and you look at it for a moment before you shake it, just knowing this moment will change your life.
"I'm Howard."
"I'm Mina."
He strokes his chin with the hand that touched yours, and you wonder how the stubble would feel against your belly. "Wasn't that?"
You nod. "Yeah, Lucy's friend in Dracula." You pronounce it with a passable Slavic accent, staying away from the hokeyness of the movies.
"Didn't she end up a vampire?" He leans on his cart again, his eyes intent on your face.
"Yeah, she did."
"Are you a vampire?" The grin on his face is enough to make your insides quiver.
"It is the witching hour. Are you sure you want an answer?" You rub your bottom lip with a finger as you tilt your head to look at him. You notice that his eyes follow your finger, and you have to fight to hide the grin.
"Depends."
"On what?"
"Would kill me or turn me?"
You chuckle softly, and it sounds erotic, even to your ears. "I think I would definitely have to turn you. One night wouldn't be enough to enjoy the experience."
One part of your brain is aghast at your boldness, the other part is cheering you on. Nodding your head, you push your cart forward. "Have a wonderful evening, Howard."
He nods, and you can feel him watching you as you turn the aisle.
**~~**
He ends up behind you at the check-out stand, watching your purchases roll along the conveyor belt. When the total is given, you write out your check and hand it to the young man, who smiles at you.
"Have a good night, Ms. Winthrope."
"Night, Jeremy." You smile at him and turn to look at the man behind you. "And a very good night to you, Howard."
He nods at you, the smile on his lips telling you he understands the meaning behind the words. As you walk away, you can hear him talking to the cashier, their laughter ringing through air.
Once home, you put away your groceries and pet your black cat, Panther, before heading to your office. Turning on the monitor, you open up a new file and start typing, letting the soothing rhythm pull you away into the mysteries of tidal patterns and ocean currents.
An hour later, the phone rings and disrupts the flow of your thoughts. Sighing, you pick up the receiver.
"Hello?"
"Do you often prowl the aisles of Wal*Mart looking for your victims?"
You chuckle as you lean back in your chair, swiveling from side to side. "Yes, I do. There's just something about the place that brings out the wildness in me."
He chuckles, the sound rough and sexy in your ear. "So one night wouldn't be enough, hunh?"
"What do you think?" You breathe the words across the receiver and can almost hear him gulp.
"No." His voice is a little high, and he takes a breath to calm himself."No, I don't think it would be enough. I don't think a lifetime would be enough."
"I think you might be right, Howard."
He takes another deep breath. "When can I see you again?"
You smile, even though he can't see it. "In your sweetest dreams. In your wildest fantasies. In the deepest recesses of your heart."
He groans softly. "Now?"
"Now." You hang up the phone and move to the door, knowing he's on the other side.
And when he steps into your arms, you know that a lifetime is only the beginning.
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