"You’re forgiven," he grinned. "And I probably deserved what Tara did. You didn’t though."
"I don’t care anymore," I grinned at him. "Let her spread all the rumors she wants."
"At least this one was true," he laughed. "Listen, Benson. Are you hungry?"
"Yeah."
"Let’s hit the Mariner for an early supper. Then we can hit an early movie."
I just gaped at him. "Chuck Braden, did you just ask me out on an honest-to-goodness date?"
"Sure did. You got a problem with that?"
"Well, complete and utter shock. I don’t go on dates, Chuck."
"Is that a no?" he said.
"Are you kidding me? Of course I’ll go out on a date with you." I rolled my eyes. "Jesus. What are you going to think of next? Going out and not having sex?"
"There will be no sex," he pronounced. "We’ve had sex. If I have my way, we’ll have sex again. But tonight is for courting."
" COURTING?" I blurted out, incredulously. "Did you forget exactly who you’re with, Braden?"
"Not for a second," he grinned at me.
"You’re fucking with my mind again," I said.
"Of course I am," he said, still grinning. "But not the way you think." His expression got serious. "I don’t want Maggie the Fuck Bunny tonight. I want that other Maggie, the one you keep trying to hide."
"What if I want to be Maggie the Fuck Bunny?" I asked.
"Well, I’ll be honest and tell you right up front that I’d be incapable of resisting. But anticipation is half the fun, Sugarlips."
Damn him, making me blush! "OK, Braden. Have it your way. Let’s go get our clothes."
We got dressed-he even snapped my bra for me-and headed for his car. Walking towards the parking lot, he actually held my hand, of all things!
"I think the last person who held my hand was my father. When I was about ten," I giggled.
"Was that a hint to let go?"
"Not even a little bit," I admitted. He just grinned and led me to his car. Then opened the passenger’s side door for me. Jesus, now I’m getting chivalry!
We drove to The Mariner in companionable silence. We got out, he took my hand again, and we went in. Ordered our food, he paid, then we grabbed a table.
"We’re actually out in public together," he teased.
"Good," I teased back. "And we’re not fucking in public. People are going to think I’ve lost my mind."
"You?" he asked. "Think of it this way. I know, and you do too, that if I said ‘let’s fuck’ right now we’d be out of this restaurant in a heartbeat." I grinned and nodded. "So, I am turning down a fuck with the all-time Westport High fuck champion. Jesus. Last time I checked, I was a guy."
I broke up laughing. "Yeah, but I think your devious little games are more fulfilling to you than sex."
"Well, not quite," he laughed. "Besides which, I’m not being devious."
Just then, they called our number. Chuck went up and got the food. He came back with it and we ate a bit, not saying anything.
Then he said, "You see, this is the deal. Because of my reputation, I’m isolated. I have few friends and this is my first date in a long time. You, on the other hand, have a good number of friends. You might not have ‘dates’ per se, but you can have male companionship any time you want it, and can pick from half the school to get it." I nodded, while he gobbled a french fry. "So," he continued, swallowing, "what I’m trying to figure out is exactly why you’re as lonely as I am."
I dropped my fucking fork. CLANK. And stared at him in horror.
"Because you are. I’ve seen it in your eyes. I’ve seen it when I took your hand. Shit, I saw it when I told you that I gave you a freebie this morning. You’re lonely, Maggie Benson."
"God damn you Braden," I hissed in a whisper, "get out of my fucking head!"
"No," he said in all seriousness. "I’m not going to do that."
" Why are you doing this to me?" I said, real shaky.
"What? Trying to figure you out?"
"Yeah. Why do you want to do that?"
"Because I think I want more from you." I just looked at him. Just fucking stared at him.
"God, Braden, why me?" I said in a squeaky whisper.
"Because of what I said earlier. You’re intoxicating." He took a breath. "Benson, you made two mistakes. The first was picking me to get you off on Monday in bio. The second was allowing yourself to cuddle and talk after we were done yesterday. Both things gave me a glimpse. I want more than a glimpse."
"So, what to you want me to do?"
"Not leave. See what happens. That’s all."
"I can do that," I said. "Braden, I am lonely. You’re the only person that’s ever twigged onto that."
"I figured," he said.
"I’ve not found anyone to cure that, yet."
"Figured that as well."
I looked at him. "I don’t know if you’re the person to do it. I didn’t say you’re not. I said I don’t know."
"Fair enough. I don’t know if I am, either. I also don’t know if you are the one to cure mine. I’d like to find out."
"Fair enough," I said. "Braden, if there’s someone out there for me, sex has to be an important part of the equation. It’s too vital to me."
"I know that," he grinned.
"So. Tell me again why we’re going to the movies and not somewhere to fuck after we’re done eating."
"Look, Maggie," he said, "We’ve made love. I’ve eaten you out three times. You gave me a blowjob. Any complaints?"
"Hell, no," I grinned.
"Good, me neither," he laughed. "I think we’re very compatible sexually. I don’t think that’s a problem. I don’t think there’s any decisions to be made there. That’s why I don’t want to right now."
"That makes sense. Just remember one thing. Keeping me horny isn’t any way to get on my good side," I grinned. He grinned back. "I’m in The Program, it’s Wednesday, I figured I’d have gotten laid ten times by now. I’ve gotten one."
"So, go get more. Just not with me, not right now."
"Wait a minute. You think you like me. You want to explore that with me. And you want me to fuck somebody else?"
"If you feel the need," he said calmly. "You have needs, I know that."
"What about your needs?" I asked him.
"They’re being fulfilled right now. I’m out on a date with a girl I want to get to know better." I just smirked at him. "If you’re talking about other types of needs, well, yesterday was my first in almost a year. And that one was so good I should be able to at least get a couple days off of it."
I cracked up laughing. "Good. At least I’ve made an impression."
"You’ve made several," he said.
After we ate, we headed to his car. When we got there, I said, "Look, Chuck. Don’t take this the wrong way but I’m really not in the mood for a movie."
"Ah. Did you want to go home then?"
"No, not at all," I admitted.
"No sex," he said, wagging his finger at me.
"OK, no sex," I laughed.
"You want to just cruise?"
"Actually, yeah. That’d be great."
"We need cruising music, then," he grinned. "There’s a CD folder under your seat." I reached under and got it, and handed it to him. He withdrew a CD and put it in his CD player. It started playing.
"Frank Sinatra?" I asked.
"I love Sinatra. Not your speed?"
"He’s my Daddy’s favorite," I grinned. "Actually, I like him, sometimes. I’m more into stuff like The Donnas, if you want to know the truth."
"Maggie The Punk," he teased. "I like the Donnas, too. But, you know, every occasion has its own music. I’m cruising around on a hot night with a beautiful girl beside me. That almost screams for Ol’ Blue Eyes."
"Or the Beach Boys," I teased.
"No, you’re not blonde. And I know that for a fact, Sugarlips."
I blushed and grinned at the same time. "I was once. Eight grade. I looked ridiculous."