Chapter One - They Meet

 

"When I saw you, I fell in love. And you smiled because you knew."

~Arrigo Boito~

 

W hen Laurel saw him, her heart beat so hard it felt like it might come through her chest. Long, wavy, brown hair, strong cheekbones, straight Roman nose and pouty lips that made her wicked mind want to kiss them. Her eyes refused to blink as if they might miss something. She struggled to catch her breath. Long and lean, his athletic frame was dressed casually in designer jeans, a long sleeved cobalt blue shirt, and blue topsiders, he possessed the appearance of a wingless angel. Or at least what she imagined an angel might look like.

It was early morning in Java Joint, and for some reason, she couldn't pull her eyes from his searing good looks and devilish smile. She felt guilty being so attracted to him. She should have picked up her latte, her book and made a beeline for the exit, never to lay eyes on him again. However, she not only didn't, she couldn't. The man mesmerized her.

Standing in line, waiting to place his order, he scanned the room. She flinched when his piercing gaze locked with hers. Cozy warmth from a tinge of embarrassment enveloped her. Drat, he caught me ogling him. Obviously, the lusty manner in which those mesmerizing silver-blue eyes appraised her threw her off kilter.?

This is wrong. It was a chore to look away. She picked up her drink and sipped the last of it. Back to her book, she read the words, but their meaning failed to penetrate her mind. The man demolished her concentration.

A furtive glance in his direction revealed his continued interest. My Goodness he's pointing at me. And then he caught her staring at him. Immediately, she averted her gaze, returning to her book and resolving not to look up again. Heat engulfed her, perspiration, formed on her brow and other unmentionable places. This was too embarrassing. She picked up the coaster and began to fan herself. She thought to stand up, but her legs wouldn't respond. Her breathing increased as if the vision of him had reduced the available oxygen. What's wrong with me?

She couldn't believe the turmoil that raged through her. The urge to look up, to see what he was doing was overpowering, but she wouldn't. I can't let him see me watching him. I must be strong. I belong to Him.

"Hi."

Like a reflex, she looked up seeking the source of the voice. It was him and he smiled. "Hope you don't mind. I noticed you were almost out, so I bought you another café latte." His pure, melodic, masculine voice made her heart jump a beat while her pulse rate increased from his closeness.

He set the drink down in front of her.

"A Bible. Are you religious?"

Through her dry throat, she tried to speak, yet was speechless. She nodded.

"Well, I'm not." He plopped down in the chair next to her. The nerve of him!

He tilted his head and cast an endearing lopsided smile. "Perhaps, I should stick around and show you the error of your ways."

That focused her. Her nervousness vanished. "Are you not a believer?"

"No, ma'am. I'm afraid not. My parents are, but to their chagrin, I refused to buy into their Christian mumbo jumbo."

Laurel was both offended and fascinated. She didn't remember ever meeting an admitted atheist. "Mumbo jumbo, indeed. Perhaps, I should stick around to show you the error of your ways."

He threw back his head and laughed.

She laughed too.

"I think I'd like that." He offered his hand. "My name's Julian Peters."

He obviously expected her name in return. Did she want to show him salvation through God? She is supposed to save those who need saving, but this one-an avowed non-theist-would be a challenge. She took his hand. It was warm. Or, due to nervousness, was hers cold in comparison?

"Laurel Adams, but I should warn you. I believe in God with all my heart."

With his hand still warming hers, he answered, "You are much too pretty to be wrapped up in God." His gaze shifted to her breasts, across her modest, loose fitting, gray sweater and continued downward to her black skirt, "And your clothes should complement, rather than hide your lovely figure."

Heat surged through her at the mention of her body. Her sexuality was something she'd always had trouble dealing with.

"Now, Laurel, I'm sure your beliefs are strong. All I ask is that you keep an open mind. Can you do that?"

"Of course, but what about you?"

He laughed. "That may be more problematic. I've spent most of my teen and adult life rethinking the mental pabulum I was force-fed from childhood."

She tensed at the satirical reference to her core belief.

He must have noticed, because he then said, "However, if you can tell or show me something compelling, I will accept it. Shall we go?"

She frowned, then glanced around. "Wha...where do you want to take me?"

A mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. Most likely, trying to hold back a smile, he said, "I won't go into where I want to take you."

She warmed and blushed at his suggestive innuendo.

He stood and pulled her to her feet. "Grab your latte and don't forget your Bible." He winked. "You're going to need it."

She wanted to go. Really, she did. He was so interesting, dismissing God so cavalierly and God knew how attracted she was to him. Could it be a test from God, himself? To bring someone she finds as desirable as Julian into her life? But what if he's dangerous?

She pulled her hand away. "Hold on. I don't know you. I met you ten minutes ago. I need to know where you wan...plan on taking me."

He smiled so broadly, dimples formed in his cheeks. "Of course you do. I could be a rapist or worse a serial killer."

He laughed at his attempt at a joke, which she didn't find the least bit humorous. He pulled out his wallet. "I plan to take you where I work."

He removed and handed her a card. She read it. Assistant Antiquities Acquisition Director, Natural History Museum.

"Triple A, that's me."

This time she smiled. Laurel was just a little impressed. "You work at the Natural History Museum?"

He gave a single nod.

In her excitement, her hands involuntarily moved. "I love that place."

"Shall we go then?"

She answered demurely, "Maybe, but what does the museum have to do with disproving God?"

"Nothing, but it debunks one of the tenets of the Bible-Creation."

"The strict interpretation, yes, but I happen to agree with the less literal view. I'll tell you what. I haven't been there in awhile and I would love a tour from an expert. I'll meet you in the front lobby."

"Don't you want to go with me?"

Now, it was her turn to wink. "You could be an ax murderer."

* * * *

Julian could have danced. The breath of fresh air named Laurel was going to meet him. God she was hot, with her shoulder-length dark hair and large brown eyes. Gorgeous and smart, she didn't seem to realize how special she was. He had to laugh. He hadn't planned to sit with her, but the growing problem in his pants forced his presumptive action. Thankfully, it worked out.

The moment he first saw Laurel, he was interested. Trying to be inconspicuous, he'd watched her at first in the mirror behind the counter while she watched him. Fantastic, he'd thought, I have to meet this delectable tidbit. When the line had moved forward and she fell out of view, he chanced the occasional surreptitious glance. The few times they'd locked eyes, his stomach lurched, but he resisted looking away. The shy thing she was, she immediately averted her gaze and blushed.