My Rugby Stud (complete)

3 - Lunch Date

I woke with a slight headache but not too bad considering the amount I drank the night before. I’m working today with Sophie in an hour, I really need to pull my finger out and get ready. I head to the bathroom for a quick shower, I don’t have time to blow dry my hair so I just towel dry it and put it in a side pleat pulling on my red and black floral maxi dress and my flat strap sandals, I quickly put on some mascara,  eye liner and clear lip gloss as Sophie shouts at me to hurry up. I grab my bag and phone making sure I have everything in it.

As I head downstairs she hands me a travel cup with coffee, this girl is a life saver.  “Thanks” I say as I slip on my shades, the sun is beating it down at 830am it’s going to be a roaster today.  On the short journey to the shop I tell Sophie about my night, meeting Stuart and what he said about his meeting at the bank. When we get to the shop she is in fits of laughter at Martin. “serves him right, cheap skate" she chuckles as we get into work.

The first client comes in at 1030am, she is wanting a dress designed for her, so I sit with her after showing her some samples we have in the store. She knows what she wants for design but after explaining that the material she wants to use won’t match very well, she agrees to change some of the details. Once she leaves I get to work out the back to finish the dress design so I can send her a copy. I use a design app on my laptop and once its finished I’ll send it via email with costs included and once a deposit is paid I’ll start ordering the material for it. Her wedding is in six months, so we have plenty time really.

I quickly check my phone and see I haven’t had any messages from Stuart. I knew he wouldn’t message, he was just being polite, either that or he realised I wasn’t his type.  While I’m waiting for the next client to come in for a fitting I quickly phone my dad back.  He apologised for the way he acted last night, and we chat about me buying the house and he doesn’t touch the subject of Martin again. Just as I’m finishing up my call, Sophie says my next client is here.

Once I get the lady in the fitting room, Sophie pops her head I to say she’s away to get something to eat and offers to buy me something but being honest I’m starting to get the worst hangover so I definitely can’t eat just now. It doesn’t take long to get the dress pinned and fitting great not many alterations needed. As the client has left and Sophie isn’t back yet so, I clean up the shop, tidying the dresses and fixing the window displays. Change over some of the designs in the display cases and add my new designs to the folders in the store catalogue.

“I got you a latte" Sophie sings as she comes in the door of the back room with a large cup for me.

“Thank you thank you. You are an angel” I tell her giving her a quick hug just as the shop for dings as it opens. We aren’t expecting any more clients, but we have loads of alterations to get done for next week, so we decided to work a little later than normal.

Sophie goes out front to see to the potential client and I head to the bathroom. Just as I’m coming out Sophie is standing with massive grin on her face.  She points her head in the direction of the waiting area still grinning like a Cheshire cat.  “what is up with you?” I whisper so the client doesn’t hear me. “just look" she says almost jumping up and down.  I pop my head around the door to see Stuart walking around with his hand in his jean pocket. “s**t. s**t. What is he doing here?” I ask her.  “He's waiting to see you" she says as she gently pushes me through the door handing me my latte cup. I can’t help but send he a glare as I turn back to tell her to go away.

“Hey, you looking for bride or bridesmaid gowns" I ask as he turns to see me.

“not sure they are my style" he says with a chuckle.

“What you doing here?” I ask him once we get over my attempt of banter.

“I said I would text but I was held up at the gym around the corner taking in a delivery so decided to stop by instead" he says as he shrugs taking a seat and lifting up the catalogue  “did you design all of these?” he asks as he flips the pages  I nod as he looks up. “these are amazing Alice. You are very talented." He says making me blush.

“Thank you"  he goes on to ask more about the shop. I explain to him that me and Sophie basically run the shop, the owner only comes in every so often as she has any stores in another city.  “So, I know I said a lunch date but it’s a bit late for lunch, so how about dinner” he asks as he checks his watch and I realise it is well after 2pm. “dinner would be good if you don’t have any other plans” he’s so charming and even better looking without alcohol in my system.  Like pantie dropping sexy.

“My only plan was to take you out. So, I’ll pick you up at 7pm?” he asks as he raises his eyebrow,

“Sure. 7pm is good" I say as I stand to show him out, he takes my hand in his as we walk to the door. “I’ll see you at 7 then, gorgeous" he says as he kisses my cheek making me blush. He winks at me and walks out and heads to a sleek black Mercedes parked out front. I head to the back to see Sophie grinning and giggling like a teenager.

“OH MY GOD HE’S SO CHARMING ” she screams at me while jumping up and down. After she’s calmed down we actually get some work done. A few hours later we head home, we walk into the house like a pair of giggling teenagers. Matt sits in the lounge looking at us strangely.

“Have you pair been drinking already?” he asks as laughs at our behaviour.

“No, just happy for Alice. She has a date tonight with a fit gym owner" Sophie goes on to tell Matt all about Stuart, how we met and that he came by the shop earlier.

“Stuart Black?” Matt asks. I nod in agreement.  “Stuart is a sound guy. Really down to earth. I will approve of your date choice, Alice" I chuckled. He’s turned into a big brother since mine is on the other side of the world. We sit and chat for a while, then Sophie soon ushers me away to get ready.

I leave Sophie and Matt in the lounge as I struggle to focus on getting ready. To say I’m nervous is an understatement, I mean I’ve not been on a first date in over four years and even then with Martin the date wasn’t great, he took me to a charity event that my dad had organised through the bank.  I need to stop comparing them, but I just can’t help it though. Stuart and Martin are completely different people not just in looks either. Stuart is taller by a good few inches, has more muscle and is funnier and just downright sexier. He made me laugh on the first night we met. Martin on the other hand, has not got muscle, he’s not even that toned and has no sense of humour at all. Thinking about it now, I have no idea what I saw in him.

I’m soon showered hair dried and straightened, my hair is a bit long and naturally wavy but I’m not a fan, makeup done to perfection. Now my outfit, he didn’t say where we were going so I shout for Sophie to give me ideas, just as the door goes 15 minutes early, he’s early to a date. Matt answers and he shouts up to say Stuart is here, but he’ll entertain him until I’m ready. Sophie runs downstairs to see what he is wearing to give me an idea if super smart or smart casual.  She runs back into my room panting and out of breath, she quickly goes to my wardrobe and pulls out my tight black skinny jeans my bright green wedged heels and my green and black strapless top paired with my cropped pale blue denim jacket, she hands me my black clutch as well, I quickly get changed as she fills my clutch with my perfume, keys, phone, wallet and my lip gloss. She gives me the once over and nods her head in approval.

On the way down the stairs you can hear Matt and Stuart laughing and joking from the lounge, well at least he gets on with Matt.  We head into the lounge, I’m totally crapping myself at this point.  As I walk in Matt gives me a nod of approval at my outfit looking me up and down, still nodding his head. Stuart stands and walks over to my side.

“You look stunning" he says as he pecks my cheek  

“Thanks, you look good as well" I say blushing.   Sophie soon ushers us out after Matt tries to give the big brother talk about staying safe and him warning Stuart to look after me.  I chuckle as we head out to the same Mercedes he was in earlier. He opens the passenger door for me, taking my hand to help me in, such a gentleman. I thank him as he closes the door and jogs around to the driver side.

The car smells amazing a mixture of his aftershave and new car smell. The interior of the car is spotless, cream leather seats and dashboard to match. As I take in the car I don’t notice Stuart staring at me.

“You really are stunning Alice.” He says making me blush again. “so easy to make you blush, I like it" he says as he reaches over and runs his thumb over my rosy cheeks. Bloody hell, he’s so hot.  “right, let’s get some food. I’m starving" he says soon buckling up and pulling away from outside Sophie’s.

The drive to the restaurant was great, we talked and laughed, it feels like I’ve known him for years not 24 hours. In the short drive its crazy what you find out about each other we have similar tastes in music and movies, and we have a mutual hate for football. Turns out Stuart plays for the local rugby team, which is amazing because I love rugby, especially hot rugby players, like him.

As we are being shown our seats at a nice steak house just outside of town, Stuart orders me a Southern Comfort and coke and an orange and lemonade for himself.  As we chat while choosing our food, our drinks soon arrives, and we place our order for steak and chips with salad. Talking to Stuart is great, he’s funny and amazingly handsome. The way his muscle flex when he moves is such a turn on I have squirm in my seat a little. What is he doing to me?

After an amazing meal just a main course because I’m stuffed, we are waiting for the waiter to return with Stuarts bank card as I hear a familiar laugh from around the corner. My face instantly drops, Stuart must have sensed something wrong, as he quickly meets the waiter half to our table to collect his card. As he reaches for my hand, that’s when I hear my name being said from behind me. My body goes rigid as Stuart pulls me up and wraps his arm around my waist.

“Alice, please wait" Martin shouts as we head straight to the door. Stuart looks down at me, yes even in my massive heels he’s still way taller than me, I mean he’s 6 foot 3 and I’m just 5 foot 4. I shake my head, picking up my pace as we leave the restaurant. Outside I can finally breathe again, I didn’t realise I was shaking until Stuart pulls me into his chest as he leads me to his car, he quickly opens the door and helps me in. Just as Martin rushes to catch up with us.

“Alice" he shouts after me. Just as Stuart closes the door, I shake my head at Martin warning him not to talk to me. It’s been a little over two month and I thought I was over it, Stuart quickly jumps in his seat, starting the engine and the car roars away from the car park.

“I’m sorry.” I say to break the slight silence in the car. “I didn’t think he would affect me like that” I turn to look at him, he reaches over and places a hand on top of mine in my lap

“It’s absolutely fine babe. Our night is not over so let’s put a smile on the gorgeous face of yours, yeah?” he says as he squeezes my hand a little tighter and bringing it onto his lap. He keeps a hold of my hand while he drives, every so often he looks over and smiles at me. A pantie dropping smile, that you just can’t help but not return. This guy is unbelievably sexy, handsome and I just don’t understand why he is on a date with me, he is way out of my league.

We pull up at the local pier just as the sun starts to set, the view is amazing.  He asks if I want to go for a walk, agreeing we climb out the car and start to head along the path along the beach front. We walk hand in hand laughing and joking quickly forgetting about what happened at the restaurant.  We stop after a while and sit on a bench just as the sun is going down.

“It’s beautiful here, I’ve only ever been here during the day" I tell him as he moves closer to wrap an arm around my shoulder. As I get a waft of his aftershave again, it sends tingles down my spine making me shiver slightly.  “are you cold?” he asks, I shake my head but I snuggle a little closer. He feels amazing against my body, easy Alice, calm down.

We sit in silence for a while just listening to the waves and the birds in the distance.

“Can I ask you a question?” I say to Stuart as he hums for me to continue.  “why are you single?” he tenses slightly as soon as the question slips out of my mouth and I instantly regret it. Stupid Alice why ask that?

“Since you have told me about your failed long term relationship, it’s only fair I tell you about mine. I married a girl when I was 24 years old, we dated from high school and all the way through college, after we married she changed. She was going out with the girls more often than she used to. One weekend just before my birthday she said she was going away for a night with the girls to some charity night a town over. I never suspected anything so headed out that night with guys from the rugby club. We went clubbing and I caught her snogging my one of my mates from high school. I approached her and she told me in the middle of the club that she had been having an affair with him for over a year, even before we were married. I filed for divorce the next day and moved out of our shared apartment, I haven’t seen her since.”

“f**k. That’s unbelievable. Well, her loss my gain" I say with a shrug if my shoulders.

“Absolutely. The divorce was only finalised a few months back and I was so busy getting my gyms organised and training for rugby I never really had much time to date anyone and being honest I wasn’t really interested in anyone until I saw you last night" he tells me and I blush again. Trying to hide it from him but that doesn’t work.  “you blush really easily don’t you" he chuckles as he kisses my hair.

It starts to get a bit chilly with the sea air, so we head back to the car. He puts the engine on to help warm my feet, open toe shoes are fine for indoors but not sitting at the beach side, they turned slightly blue with the cold.   Our chat soon going back to our past relationships, which are just too similar. I know they say don’t talk about your exes on a date with your potential future partner but it’s so easy to talk to Stuart about it. He understands the pain and hurt that I’ve gone through. In a way I’m lucky I have not had to get a divorce and there was no kids involved.

“We should get you back before Matt starts hounding me for having you out too late.” He chuckles as he pulls out of the car park.  The drive back we organise to meet up during the week, agreeing to check our schedules on Monday and get a date sorted as soon as possible.  He tells me he might pop by tomorrow after his rugby match if he’s not too sore or injured. After he told me that all I’ve been able to picture is him in his tights shorts, those thigh muscle flexing as he runs, a slight smirk playing on my lips. I hadn’t noticed he already pulled up to Sophie’s place

“Why you smirking?” he leans over the centre console.

“No reason" I tell him shaking my head. He knows I’m lying because of the blush on my cheeks

“Liar. But I won’t push you to tell me.” He says as he plays with my hair. “I really enjoyed tonight. I can’t wait to see you again.?” He asks as he places his hand on my cheek.

“I have had the best night ever. The best first date ever. I don’t think I can wait either.” He reaches over and places a soft kiss on my lips, moving his mouth over mine making me moan as he slips his tongue through my parted lips.  The kiss so tender and sweet, I didn’t want to break the kiss first, but he did it as he sighs leaning his forehead against mine caressing my cheek with the pad of his thumb.

“You really are gorgeous, you know that?” he tells me as he leans back to take me in and I blush again, my cheeks rosy pink and I can feel the heat from them myself.  “your blush just makes it even harder to say goodnight" I really don’t know if you can blush on top of a blush, but I feel my face heating up, ridiculously hot.

I slap his chest playfully “stop it. It’s not funny" as he giggles pecking nose before he exits the car coming around to open my door, helping me out and taking me by the hand to the front door. I take out my keys to unlock the door, but Stuart snatches them from my hand, he pulls me to his chest leaning in for another kiss. This kiss different from the last, it’s like he’s hungry to taste me, he devours my lips with his, wrapping his arms around me tighter. If he weren’t holding onto me I know my knees would have given in. He is an amazing kisser, perfect lips and oh god his tongue.

“Come to my game tomorrow, please. I can’t wait until during the week to see you again” he asks as he steadies me on my feet.  I nod in reply, not quite ready to let go yet. “I’ll text you the details, bring Matt and Sophie too, ok?” he says as he unlocked the door for me. “goodnight" I say, as he kisses me one last time before I close the door and lock it.

I quickly take of my shoes and run up to my room, I look out the window just as he’s climbing in, he must have sensed me as he looks up and waves, I give a small wave back and he drives off.  I turn and collapse on my bed with a giddy look on my face as I let out a long sigh, feeling happy after an amazing date.