"What's good here?" I ask Erin, as I eyeball the restaurant. It's old and dingy.

Erin decided this as venue for the next date when we parted ways after our lake visit. I spent yesterday binge watching Iranian movies.

"Fish."

"Of course. What was I thinking, a bear needs it's fish." I mumble.

He swats at me, chuckling. I grab his hand and pull his glasses from his eyes, I really can't read his face with it on. Moreover by his own admission, he hates it.

"I should wear it until they take the order." He says half heartedly.

"It's an old lady, I don't think she's any better than you." I say.

He gasps. "Sam! That's rude."

"I'm sorry. But it's true. Why are we here? This place is sticky and stinks. Is this how you treat your dates?" I wonder how they still kept their license, this place needs to be shut down.

Erin smiles, it starts at the centre of his mouth and stretches only on the right side, up to his ear. This is a new kind of smile, I've never seen it before.

"What?" I ask.

His grip tightens in my hand, "be patient, Sam."

The old lady doesn't bat an eye when she reaches our table. Neither at our joined hands nor at Erin's blank eyes.

"I'll bring it right away darlings." She smiles kindly and leaves after Erin orders.

"Shit, should I apologise to her? She's very nice." The one time I make a rude comment, it has to be about a kind person.

Good work, Sam.

Erin shakes his head, "You're a terrible person. No compassion, empathy or understanding."

I feel a pit in my stomach, I am. I don't have any of it. Then I realize what he said. I throw the small plastic pepper jar at his chest. "That's all mean the same. Were you trying to make me feel worse than I already do? you fucker!"

He roars with laughter. The lady comes with a tray filled with our order.

She smiles politely and places the bowls and plates in front of us. "That's fast." I say in compliment and to atone my previous sin.

"We finish cooking before eleven, I just pour it into bowls and put it in plates." She says.

"Huh?" I ask at her retreating form.

"Seared fish and scallops soup are the only dishes available here." Erin says in way of explanation.

"Oh. Do you need any help?" The cutlery looks normal–cheap plastic, but I don't know if he's fine with using them or needs guidance.

"Yes, feed me?" He hangs his tongue out like a puppy.

I plunge my fork in. He's a cheeky bastard.

He pushes the fork away and takes his spoon without any mishap.

One mouthful of soup in, I understand what that new smile meant. Smugness.

The soup is divine. I couldn't pinpoint any one ingredient. It's all blended and rich with a fabulous mushroom cream.

"How is it?" He asks.

"Perfect. Do you think she'll hire me?" My whole opinion of the restaurant changes with that one sip.

He tilts his head. "No, she'd know that you're kissing her ass for her recipe."

"Too bad, what about you? Will she believe you?" I ask, only half joking.

"Hey, I'm not selling my town's secrets to an outsider."

"I'll pay you good." I say in a conspiracy tone.

"I'm rich." he whispers back, neatly slicing the fish and putting a forkful in his mouth.

"I won't pay money, you silly."

"Then what?" He asks, chewing. I stop myself from scolding him to finish chewing before talking. He wouldn't care if I did the same, so why should I?

"I'll blow you, for every ingredient on the recipe." I say instead.

He hiccups and it's my turn to laugh.

As we clean our plates, I try to come up with a reason to prolong the date. The party is on fourteenth. Yet Erin hasn't mentioned it once. I need more time with him.

When we step out of the restaurant, I ask, "Shall we go for a coffee?", desperate for an excuse.

"No, I'm full. There's a port museum, interested?" He asks.

"No, thanks." I entwine our fingers, internally cursing the gloves and the weather.

Erin tilts his head, thinking, "There is this library.."

"What? We already exhausted your town's attractions?" I gasp.

He chuckles, "it seems so. I'll think of something for next date."

"When is that?" I ask.

"Tomorrow, if I don't have any sudden meetings."

"Hmm.. I've a very attractive place, you'd love it." I say in a husky tone.

He pushes me, "Are you always thinking about it?"

"You don't? It's a sign of healthy body, you know?" We are at the junction where I'd take left for my hotel and he'd continue straight to wherever his home is.

"What'll you do, if I come with you now?" He smiles.

I humor him. "I'll put you in a chair, and get undressed then arrange myself in the bed. There is a ton of blankets. I'll hide all kinds of things under it."

His eyebrows scrunch. "What things?"

I close the distance between us and whisper. "Hair dryer, shampoo bottle, lint roller, water bottle, hair brush, those things that vaguely resemble the shape of you know what. Then I'll invite you to bed."

He nods and licks his lips. His grip on my fingers tightens. "I'll climb on the bed and weed out those make believe things. When I find your legs, I'll be careful. I'll slide my hands slowly up until I get to their meeting point."

His voice is low and inviting, I get lost in it.

"Then?" I ask, when he pauses longer than necessary.

"I'll wrench out the iron rod you put there to trick me."

I stare at him astounded. "You would not."

He laughs thunderously, I take his glasses away and watch him unblinking. His hair sways with the wind, his blank eyes crinkle in joy. The laughter transforms him into the most exotic looking man.

He is lovely.

I pull his head down, and wait a second to see if he has understood my intention. But I'm too far gone to confirm with words. I kiss him. He gasps, remnants of his laugh escapes then he molds his body to mine. I probe and prod for entrance until he relents. It's a kiss long in coming. He knows it and allows me to savor it.

Then he takes control, sucking my life with his kiss. It's a tornado that wrecks my mouth and pulls everything out of me. I've no life left, he has captured it all. My bones are gone mushy, I can't stand. He holds me together and feeds back a little life with a small kiss on the edge of my lips.

The cold seeps in. We're still standing at the junction. I tilt his face up to look at him.

He's pink, his lips red. "How was it?" He asks, breathless.

"Wow." I say, staggering a bit.

His right hand travels down my front and touches my crotch. "Keep the rod safely away from me." He whispers, his smug smile full on display.

I hide my face in his jacket folds and laugh. I'm gonna bed him. Not for his mother, for myself. For Erin. For us.