Chapter 5

"Here, let me help you with that," he said picking up the package she had dropped, boarding the bus with her, then handing back the package once Veronica had found a seat.

"Thank y..." she began but her eyes met his as he sat down beside her and instantly both felt an attraction which was much more than physical.

"I'm Matt. Matt Williams," he said extending his hand.

"Veronica Ames," said the lovely mulatto laying her hand in his.

The moment was magical for them both, Matt continuing to hold her hand in his, Veronica making no effort to withdraw hers. For several moments the two pairs of eyes remained locked, both Veronica and Matt seemingly unaware of their surroundings.

At last, Matt smiled and released her hand. He was amazed. No woman, not even Brittany had ever had such an instant effect on him.

Veronica felt the same way. No one, not even Rob, as sweet and wonderful as he was, could evoke such feelings as she was experiencing at this moment... and with a man she had just met.

"I know I'm staring and I apologize, but you're, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"Wow, thank you. I've got to start dropping my packages more often," she laughed.

"It looks pretty heavy to me. Maybe you might need some help getting it home," he kidded, fishing for an invitation.

"Oh, it's not heav..." she started, then realized how very attracted to him she was, that she wanted to spend time with this man, wanted to get to know him. There was something very special about him, something about him which drew her to him, something she could not explain. She knew that Rob would probably be proposing to her soon, yet for some unknown reason she found herself smiling and saying, "How can I refuse such a gallant offer."

They exchanged small talk on the several block bus ride, both becoming more infatuated with the other as the ride progressed. At one point when Matt told her his age, twenty-one, Veronica winced slightly realizing she was old enough to be his mother, but he didn't even flinch when she told him she was thirty-five. It now no longer seemed to matter to either of them. They discussed the fact that both were seeing others, but somehow it seemed irrelevant to the relationship they felt growing stronger with each passing moment.

"My stop," she said, almost missing it because of her enchantment with this young man whom she found so unexplainably appealing.

Matt felt the same way. He found himself drawn to her, to her warmth, her humor, her caring heart. It also didn't hurt that she was drop dead gorgeous. As she walked up the steps to her apartment building, he enjoyed watching her swaying hips and shapely legs, amazed at how in the few minutes of the bus ride his agreement with Betty had been completely forgotten. Matt had always scoffed at the idea of love at first sight, but he was now quite ready to alter his skepticism.

"Just put the package on the table and make yourself comfortable. I'll put on the coffee and be right back," smiled Veronica.

"I'd rather just have your company," he said, bringing her up short as he neared her.

" Matt, I..." she started, but before she could react, his arms were around her. She felt she had to tell him of her involvement with Rob but his arms were so strong, his body seeming to draw her like a magnet. Her head was spinning as her own arms went around his neck and his lips neared. "Matt, I'm..." she gasped as his lips found her neck. "Matt, we shouldn't... we're both involved with someone." She had said it, but it was as if she had said nothing at all. He pulled her even closer and his lips found hers. For a split second she thought of doing the appropriate thing, pulling away, saying good night, but just as quickly her lips parted in surrender and she felt his tongue in her eager mouth.