Contract Lover

Chapter 3

Dawn smiled across the bar at the man who was the focus of all her fantasies. He’d been coming to the diner for two weeks now, and she had never met anyone who was as much fun to talk to as him. He was a man of few words, but whenever he spoke he always had something worthwhile to say. She loved the sound of his voice. Tonight, he seemed preoccupied and withdrawn, like he had something on his mind.

“What’s the matter, John?” asked Dawn, leaning on the bar next to him. “You seem kind of unhappy.”

He looked up from his coffee cup, his eyes capturing her like always. “Oh, it’s nothing. I need a break from work, that’s all. I haven’t had a vacation in over a year.”

Dawn sighed and rested her head on her hand. “Boy, do I know what you mean. It’s especially bad when you’re on night shift, isn’t it? Not only do you have nothing but work, but it’s always boring. I could use a break too.”

John was silent a moment, then a slow smile spread over his face, making her pulse jump a bit. “Dawn, that gives me an idea. Why don’t we tell out respective bosses to stick it this weekend and go to a movie, or have dinner together?” He leaned closer. “I’d really like to spend time with you outside of this little diner.”

Dawn was speechless for a moment. She considered pinching herself to see if this was a dream. The man she’d been dreaming of for two weeks had just asked her out. She just stared at him, unable to believe her good fortune. She was quiet for so long that John’s face grew concerned. “Dawn?”

Her reverie snapped and she gasped. “O-oh, I’d love to!” She took a deep breath and tried to present a less eager appearance. “I mean, that sounds like a wonderful idea. I haven’t had a date in so long. . .” Nice going, Dawn. Make yourself seem like a desperate little schoolgirl. She took another breath. “John, I would be delighted.”

His smile was just the least bit teasing now. “I’m honored. Where would you like to go?”

She was in control now. The fact that this hot, sexy, well-muscled, handsome giant wanted to take her out wasn’t making her giddy and breathless at the thought of what those strong hands would do to her and . . . ok, maybe she wasn’t in control. But she wouldn’t let it show.

“Oh, I don’t know. Wherever you want is fine, I mean, I’m not picky or anything.” She was babbling again, but he just smiled and then rubbed his chin in thought. Man, she thought, he’s cute when he does that.

“How about the Pavilion?” he said. “It would be nice to go to a really swanky place for our first date.”

“Oh,” said Dawn, her face falling a bit. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“Why not?” asked John. “Too fancy?”

“Oh, it’s not that,” she said, mentally resigning herself to embarrassment. “It’s just that I used to work there, and they fired me. I don’t know if the owner will even serve me now.”

John’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment she thought she saw the shocking coldness in them she’d glimpsed the first night she met him. “He will. I’ll make sure of it.”

Dawn sighed and shrugged. “All right, if you’re sure.”

John stood. “I’m sure. How does Saturday at 7:00 sound? I’ll make reservations.”

Dawn smiled. “It sounds great. You want to meet at the restaurant?”

“Actually,” he said, “I was hoping I could pick you up.”

“Oh,” she said, surprised. “All right.” She gave him her address. “Thank you.”

He waved her thanks away. “It’s no trouble.” John grinned wickedly. “Actually, it’s my pleasure, seeing as how it means more time spent with you.” Dawn blushed furiously. He took her hand, making the blush deepen. “I’ll see you Saturday, Dawn.” John kissed her hand lightly and walked out, leaving her standing there breathless.

As the door closed, Dawn leapt into the air and whooped. There were no customers to see, but she wouldn’t have cared if there were. She had a date! Not only that, she had a date with the hottest man she’d ever met. This was too good to be true. Dawn leaned back against the bar and began to plan what she’d wear. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.

* * *
The street was quiet in the predawn as John walked toward his car. He’d parked a couple blocks away and walked to the diner, enjoying the night air. As he turned down an alley toward the street he was parked on, two boys in leather materialized out of the shadows.

“Hey, big man,” said one, “Let’s have your wallet and that jacket.” He lifted a machete into the light, its edge gleaming in the light of a streetlamp. John’s eyes went cold as he faced them.

“Hey, man, we’re not fucking around here!” shouted the other punk, snapping open a pair of switchblades. “Give us your shit or we’ll cut you!”

John’s smile was terrifying to behold. “I doubt that,” he said, and exploded into motion. His booted foot snapped out, catching the switchblade punk in the balls. He dropped to the pavement, puking. The other punk roared and swung his machete in an overhead arc. John ducked aside from the swing and caught the boy’s wrist. He jerked the kid’s arm out straight and then drove his palm into the kid’s elbow, breaking it and bending it the wrong way. The kid screamed in agony and dropped his knife. Switchblades was just getting to his feet, pale and sweating. He flipped a knife up to throw. John ducked the hurled blade and came back with a brutal right to the kid’s gut. The boy dropped to his knees again and John caught his head between his huge hands. He twisted sharply and there was a sickening crack. The punk dropped to the ground, dead. The other, yelling in terror, desperately reached for his machete. John kicked him savagely in the face and he stiffened and rolled over, staring at the sky out of sightless eyes, his nose driven into his brain.

John took a couple of breaths to calm down and then lifted the two bodies and tossed them in a dumpster. He went to his car and drove away, his mind already back on the date with Dawn.

END CHAPTER THREE.

Thanks to those of you who reviewed, you’ve inspired me to continue when I was going to stop. Sex next chapter, so Read, Review, and stay tuned!