Knight Vision by Johanna Bock

strangely.
    “Yes.  It turns me on,“ she said, winking at him. 
    “Well, I heard teachers make the best lovers,“ he laughed.
    “What?“ she asked.
    “Of course, if you don’t get it right the first time, you have to try again,“ he recited, giving her a meaningful look.
    “It didn’t take you very long to get back to that subject,“ she smiled.
    “Strange bedfellows -- a ’words man’ and a teacher,“ he mused aloud, placing his right hand on her thigh.
    “You are a sick puppy,“ she countered playfully.
    “Oh, I am now a puppy.  Let’s see, I do recall you referring to yourself as a cat.  That conjures up an interesting picture in my head,“ he laughed, stroking her leg.  “Let’s hear you purr.“  Annie was saved from retorting back to him by the appearance of Chloe with their dinner.
    During the next hour while they ate, they turned their conversation to their families.  Annie wanted to apologize for her father again.  She wanted Jeff to understand.  He assured her he understood and would be on his guard around her father.
    After he paid the bill, they surrendered their cozy table.  As they walked back into the main room of the club, the band was playing.  As Annie had predicted, the place was packed.  No open tables around the dance floor were available.
    “This place is a zoo,“ Jeff remarked at the change in atmosphere.
    “I told you,“ she replied, walking behind him through the crowd while holding his hand. 
    “Let’s leave,“ he suggested.
    “Okay.“
    At the door of the club, Annie stopped.  Jeff tugged on their joined hands to urge her along.  Receiving restraint instead of compliance, he turned to face her.  Her face was bathed in the dome light of the door, and he saw pleasure on her face.  Tilting his head slightly, he wondered at her thoughts.  “What is it?“ he questioned.
    “Our song,“ she whispered.
    Caught unaware, Jeff listened for the music.  Hearing the song, he knew why she had stopped.  Stepping back to her, he guided her to the crowded dance floor.  Folding her in his arms, he sang softly along with the singer.  “I’m your knight is shining armor and I love you.“
    As the song ended, she could feel from their close positions, his reaction to their dancing.  He immediately placed her in front of him and with his hands on her shoulders, he guided her to the door.  She got the hint; they were leaving the building this time.
    As the cool night air hit them, she heard him let out his breath.  She was naïve, but not that much to know it was exactly what he needed as he gingerly walked her to the car.  At the passenger side door, he opened it for her and guided her into the seat. 
    Once Jeff was into the driver seat, he moaned loudly.  “You okay?“ Annie asked shyly.
    “No.  Give me a minute,“ he said as he started the car.  He backed the car out of the space and headed down the street in the direction of her house.  Annie registered the fact and her heart skipped a few beats.  At least she had a memorable dinner, she thought.
    She felt Jeff’s hand return to her thigh as they waited for a street light; she looked at it.  Feeling bold, she placed her hand on his thigh, and was awarded with the sound of his sharp intake of breath.
    When he passed her street, she began to think that there was hope for a better evening ahead.  “Jeff, where are we headed?“ she asked.
    “My house,“ he replied, saying no more.
    This was a interesting destination , she thought.
     
    ***

Chapter Eight
     
    When they arrived at his house, Annie was surprised to learn it was less than five miles from her own.  There was such a small distance between their home in this huge city.  As they pulled into the driveway, she wondered why they were there.  Jeff got out of the car, still not saying a word.  He went around the car and opened her door.  She looked into his smiling face, as he extended his hand to her.  Taking his hand, she got out