Read A Dozen Dates for Free Online Page A

well they are seafood...” she said as Michael held out another for her, this time still in the shell, “Thank you.”
    “Just suck it straight from the shell.”
    Gemma copied what she had seen Michael do earlier, and a look of ecstasy came over her face, “Mmm, they are even yummier like that.”
    Michael cleared his throat and thought to himself, “Yes you are...” He couldn’t work her out... She didn’t seem to be stupid – quite the opposite; but some of the things she said and did... She seemed to have no clue as to the stir she caused – her naivety seeming strangely out of proportion to the rest of her, and it was more than a little intriguing... and most delightful.
    They were both enjoying the main course when Michael embarked on a most captivating topic of conversation, “Gem, Nathan and I were talking, and we decided we would like to offer you a job – landscaping...”
    Instantly Gemma’s ears pricked up and she looked directly at Michael, eager to hear more, “Oh?”
    “We really have no idea what to do with the yard at the house, and thought you might like to get the experience, anyway... We’d negotiate a reasonable budget for what we want to achieve and pay you a modest salary – you know... mate’s rates type of deal,” Michael smiled at her and noticed her extraordinarily sunny smile beaming back at him. “But it’s a little more than you earn cleaning, and it’s what you want to do.” Michael paused, again taking in her capturing radiance, “Is that a yes?”
    “Yes...” Gemma confirmed, “It is definitely a yes!”
    After dinner and dessert Michael paid the bill and they left the restaurant. “Take your shoes off... Let’s go for a walk along the beach...” Gemma removed her high heels and Michael put them in the vehicle along with his own. He smiled at his date and touched her hip to guide her in front of him down the short trail and onto the beach, and then he caught up and walked beside her.
    The waterside was beautiful... The fresh fragrance of the sea breeze entwined with frangipanis in bloom lapped at their faces, both invigorating them and keeping them comfortably cool. The vista of the water ebbing and the waves crashing was accentuated by the light of the moon and the city alike outlining its edges and giving them a colourful iridescence. And then there was the hypnotic rumble of the waves blending with the hum of the distant traffic only episodically broken up by a ship’s horn as it signalled out at sea. The sand was cold and squished through her toes, and Gemma felt like nature itself – the confusion of who she was stripped away and there was only her in her innate form. Just her – Gemma, the woman... As she relaxed her lips parted and she breathed in the gentle awesomeness of the scenery. She was so calm that when Michael took her hand she didn’t even flinch; instead, she just closed her own hand around it. She relaxed and closed her eyes and enjoyed the entire ambience about her; and breathed life.
    Suddenly Gemma was disturbed by a meddling, but not unpleasant scent. Her nose twitched and she opened her eyes. What was that? Michael was the only thing next to her... She turned her head towards him and discretely sniffed. It was him... and oh... It was making her a little woozy. Gemma felt her stomach muscles tense as she tried to expel the intoxicating scent from her mind. She knew animals responded to pheromones, but she never had... Greg hadn’t smelled that good! “Uh..!”
    “Pardon..?” Michael exclaimed.
    “Huh?”
    “You said something?”
    “No... I didn’t.”
    “You like the beach, don’t you?” Michael observed.
    Gemma smiled, “I like the outdoors. Beach, trees, plants, water, sun...” she listed and then she raised her free hand, “Moon...”
    “That’s why you chose to do landscaping?”
    “Yeah...”
    “Gemma, can I ask you something... personal?” Michael requested.
    “Okay...” Gemma agreed but with