She never stood a chance. He was a lion, she a gazelle.

He bought her an Old Fashioned. “It’s like you.”

She didn’t know if he meant old-fashioned or sweet and strong.

He swept her off her feet on the dance floor. He smelled like coconut. His voice was smooth, his words charming, funny.

“I’ve waited for you for all my life,” he whispered against her ear, an uncallused thumb caressed her jaw.

Her heartbeat zigzagged. A fragment of rational thought—slow down. She felt like a vampire’s victim seduced by dark eyes.

She thought: forever. He thought: tonight.

end 6/5/2016