“Aren’t you afraid someone will try to steal it?” She asked horrified. She couldn’t imagine having something that valuable in such an open space. Cars were stolen all the time and this car was the most expensive car she had ever seen.
“No, because it has a spell on it, anyone who tries to steal it will be cursed forever.”
She laughed, and he smiled this time.
“Just curious, how much is that gem worth? It’s the size of my fist!”
“That was appraised at the price of a million dollars, but I’ll never sell it. It’s a family heirloom. I think my father would actually kill me if I did.”
“Are you descendants of an ancient king or something?” It sounded stupid as she said it, but if he thought it was stupid, he didn’t make any indication.
“If you believe my father, we are. He claims he can trace our ancestry back, but I have my doubts. I’m sure we’re more like descendants of the man who stole the king’s jewels. Maybe he even killed the king for them.” He laughed. “If you think this little bobble is impressive, you should see the collection of jewels we have at the house. Collecting jewels is one of those old-fashioned traditions I told you about. We love beautiful things, and there is nothing more beautiful than rare gems. Even to this day, Father and Mother scour the world for auctions where they can acquire new gems. They also collect gold, though panning is beneath them. I, myself, have done it a time or two and find it very relaxing. I’m good at it too. I also go mining for gems.”
“Alistair, you fascinate me.” She smiled. “I admit I haven’t been able to get you off my mind. Though I wasn’t going to come, Mickey, my partner, she pushed me over here. She’s a good friend, and tomorrow she’ll bug me till I tell her what happened today.” She smiled he laughed.
“And just what are you going to tell her?”
“I’m not sure yet.” She blushed and he smiled. It was a seductive smile that made her swallow. What was she getting herself into? She ran her hands through her hair and pulled her ponytail out. Her pink and blue hair tumbled down. She looked over and watched asAlistair took down his hair. Even in the dim light she could see how hot he was. His hair was like midnight, and it looked wet and shiny in the lamplight. The luscious locks tumbled down to his shoulders. He ran his hands through it. Did he know she was watching him? He seemed to be taking his time, as if he was prolonging their time together.
“So, as much as I’m enjoying your company, we can only prolong this for so long.”
“Right.” He ran his hands through his hair and laughed. Then he turned the key in the ignition. The engine purred or roared as it came to life. He put the shift in drive and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Can I play some music?”
“Be my guest. Radio works; there’s also a six-disc changer and the CDs are in the middle console.” She tuned the radio to her favorite rock station. Then she opened the middle console to check out the CDs. “Oh, I love this band.” He smiled as a new song started. He turned it up.
“Me too. I can see by your CD collection we share a love for the same music.”
“Do we? Well that’s cool. Have you seen these guysin concert?”
“Only twice.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve seen them once or twice too. So, do you run in a lot of marathons?”
“Oh yeah, I do at least two or three times a year.”
“Wow, and you drink those protein shakes and get in shape at home for all of them?”
“I told you, I don’t like the gym, I like your gym. It’s more, homey. Is that a word?”
“That’s a word, and that was my goal. Make it personal and comfortable. People can’t relax and exercise if they’re not comfortable; they won’t push themselves.”
“I get that.”
“How long have you been running marathons?”
“I ran my first one when I was five.”
“Wow!” He showed genuine interest in her, and that made her relax. He was hot and rich, but he was easy to talk to. “Why did you run a marathon at five?”
“Because of my mom. She has muscular dystrophy.”
“Right, you said something about that the other day.”
“You remember?”
“I remember everything you said that day, and what you were wearing, how you twirled that orchid, right, orchid?” She nodded. “Between your fingers.” He smiled. “I now have that arrangement in my room. I took it. My mother was just going to toss it, but I couldn’t let that happen.”
