otherworlderotic
As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows on the streets, you and Laura make your way to the next destination on your date. The warm, golden hues of the evening sky seem to reflect the joy and excitement you both feel for the night ahead. You have just left the art museum, and the memory of laughter and the shared appreciation for the masterpieces within the gallery still fresh in your minds.
Turning the corner, Laura catches sight of the place where you're taking her for dinner. The neon sign flickers invitingly, drawing her attention to the small, cozy pizza parlor nestled between larger, more upscale establishments. She can't help but let out an amused laugh, her eyes widening in surprise as she glances at you.
"Is this where you were planning to take me for dinner?" she asks, her tone a mix of disbelief and amusement. Your outfits are decidedly more suited for a fine dining experience; Laura's elegant black dress and your sharp attire already stand out against the casual atmosphere of the pizza place, and you haven’t even gone in yet.
You grin sheepishly, rubbing the back of your neck. "I remember you mentioning that you'd love to have pizza on one of our dates, so I thought, why not?" you explain, your eyes twinkling with humor. "Besides, it's not every day you get to enjoy pizza all dripped out, right?"
Laura shakes her head, her laughter ringing through the air as she playfully swats your arm. "You're such a dork, but I have to admit, it's cute," she concedes, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and delight. "Alright then, let's do this. We might be a bit overdressed, but who cares? It's our date, after all.”
Laura looks at you wryly. “This is like, the opposite of the other ways we’ve been bold, huh?"
You smile. “I aim to please - gotta keep up the boldness theme, right?”
She smiles at you, nodding. Her determined, “I-can-do-anything” face returns, one you’ve seen her wear before, albeit with significantly less clothing.
As you enter the somewhat dingy pizza parlor, the delicious aroma of freshly baked pizza fills your senses, and you find yourselves a secluded booth near the back. The dim lighting and warm atmosphere make the space feel more intimate, and you can't help but exchange excited, coy glances as you peruse the menu.
"I have to say," Laura begins, her eyes flicking up from the menu to meet your gaze, "this might be one of the most memorable dates I've ever been on. From the art museum to a pizza parlor, you definitely know how to keep things interesting."
"You chuckle, looking at her warmly. "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," you reply, a hint of pride in your voice. "There's more to life than just fancy dinner. Sometimes you just need a slice."
Laura smiles, reaching across the table to take your hand. "You're absolutely right," she agrees, her eyes softening with affection. She sets her features, lowering her brow and making intense eye contact. "You're so wise."
You hold her overly serious gaze for a total of two seconds before you both burst out laughing.
As the laughter dies down, you smile at Laura. "Well, I hope you don't mind having pizza tonight, because it's all I can afford at the moment!" Laura laughs again at your comment, looking across the table at you.
"As long as I'm with you, I'd be happy eating pizza every night." She blushes, looking down, a little nervous at how forward her line was. You just smile.
As you go through the ordering and pizza acquiring motions, the laughter and conversation flow easily, previous awkwardness evaporating. You’re comfortable with this gorgeous woman, a realization that hits you suddenly, and comes as a surprise.
As the evening progresses, you realize something with a start, "You know, it just hit me that this is our first official dinner date. It's kind of funny, isn't it? It feels like we've been doing this for a long time already."
Laura smiles warmly and nods in agreement. "It really does. I feel so comfortable with you, like you’ve been my boyfriend forever. And also not at all. So weird." Laura’s smile takes on a more self satisfied, internal cast, betraying some deep personal joy. “I like calling you my boyfriend…” Just then, she spots an old, beat-up set of Trivial Pursuit cards sitting on the table, partially hidden behind the parmesan shaker. Her eyes light up.
"Hey, I haven't seen one of those since I was a kid! Let's play!" She exclaims.
You grin, a playful glint in your eye, charmed by her transparent playfulness. “How about we up the ante - if we can’t answer a question, it’s ‘truth or dare.’ You in?”
Laura’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she smiles coyly. “I like the way you think. You’re on!”
You draw the first card, reading it out loud: "Which 1980s pop hit features the lyrics 'I'm never gonna dance again, guilty feet have got no rhythm'?”
Laura squints. “I have no idea. What is it?” “'Careless Whisper' by George Michael, released in 1984. Alright, truth or dare?” you ask Laura with a chuckle.
“What the heck is that. Ok…” She pretends to ponder this deeply before responding, “Truth.”
“Hmm, okay. What was your first impression of me?”
Laura blushes, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, to be honest, I thought you seemed charming and intriguing. I like when you drive, you’re very confident behind the wheel. It makes a good impression on a girl. I was curious to get to know you better.”
You feel your cheeks warm at her admission, pleasantly surprised by her answer. “Really? Well I’m glad my first impression didn’t scare you off,” you joke.
She shakes her head, still blushing. “Not at all. Now, my turn!” She draws a card and squints at the tiny text, her nose crinkling in confusion. “Okay, I have no idea what this even means. ‘What 1961 film, directed by Federico Fellini, follows the story of a famous film director struggling to find inspiration for his next movie?’ I’ll just get it over with: Truth or dare?”
“Hey! You have to give me a chance!”
“Oh yeah? Do you know the answer?”
“... I pick truth.”
Laura laughs at you, a warm comfortable sound. She reads from the card. “‘The 1961 film is 8½ - Otto e Mezzo in Italian - which is considered one of Fellini's greatest works and a classic of Italian cinema.’ - got it. Maybe we’ll watch it some time. Or not."
"Ok, your question is: tell me the first embarrassing teenage moment that pops into your head. Make it juicy.”
You groan, a story coming immediately to mind. You feeling your cheeks flush at the mere thought of revealing it. But a dare’s a dare. “Okay, fine. When I was maybe 15 or so, my mom walked in on me...during a private moment, if you know what I mean.” You pause, clearing your throat awkwardly. “Let’s just say I learned to lock my door after that.”
Laura bursts into a fit of laughter, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh my god, no way! That’s terrible but so funny. I can only imagine the horror!”
You chuckle, still embarrassed but enjoying her reaction. “Yes, well, at least my mom and I have an unspoken agreement to never speak of it again.”
“Poor thing,” Laura says, stifling her laughter. She reaches across the table to pat your hand in mock sympathy. The warmth of her touch sends a tingle through you.
“Alright, alright, your turn,” you say, eager to move past your awkward revelation. You pull a card. “Which artist created the painting ‘The Persistence of Memory’, which features melting clocks and is considered one of the most famous works of Surrealism?”
Laura responds instantly. “Easy. Dali, 1931.”
You gawk. “Date wasn’t even in the question, but you’re right. Ugh, I wanted revenge. Ok, your turn.”
Laura pulls the card, and it’s more 80’s. “In what year did the music video channel MTV launch?” You groan.
“No clue. Ok, truth!”
Laura’s eyes alight with mischief. “Truth...did you plan on getting me naked when you suggested we go on the hike? The answer was 1981, by the way.”
You hesitate, rubbing the back of your neck. There’s no way to answer this without some awkwardness. “Well, to be honest, I thought you were gorgeous from the moment I saw your selfies. But I didn’t want it to be a weird thing, or make you feel pressured in any way. The swim was just meant to be fun.”
Laura blushes, though she looks pleased by your admission. “It’s okay, I didn’t feel that way at all. I felt very comfortable with you, and the skinny dipping was my idea too, remember?”
You nod, relieved that she doesn’t seem to have taken your attraction the wrong way. “Absolutely, I didn’t want to make it weird. But I mean, look at you.” You gesture in her direction, and she smiles and looks away. You smile back at her. “I’m glad we were on the same page. I genuinely didn’t want there to be a, you know, implication.” You hope your words assure her of your good intentions.
Laura smiles warmly. “I know. You’re a perfect gentleman.” Her eyes flick down for a moment before meeting your gaze again. “And for the record, the feeling was mutual. I thought you were charming from your first message.”
Now it’s your turn to blush, pleasantly surprised to hear Laura was also attracted to you from the start. You smile, giving her hand a gentle squeeze from across the table. The moment lingers for a second.
You pull another card, and this time it’s Laura that’s stumped. “What was the name of the character played by Tom Selleck in the TV series Magnum, P.I.?” She sighs, shaking her head. “I have no idea. Truth.” She bites her lip, eyes flicking up to meet your gaze. There’s a new hint of flirtation in her look that stirs your interest.
Feeling emboldened by her look, you decide to push the envelope a bit, completely forgetting to even tell her the answer to the question. “Any fetishes you’d care to share?” you ask with a teasing grin.
Laura gasps in mock offense, swatting your arm. “Why I never! A gentleman doesn’t ask such things.” She pauses, her lips curving into a coy smile. “At least, not on the first date. I don’t think I have any fetishes...that I’ve discovered yet anyway.” She shrugs, gazing at you through lowered lashes.
Your pulse quickens at the suggestive implication in her words and tone. “My apologies, how uncouth of me,” you say, playing along. “I’ll have to be on my best behavior then, until you determine if you have any fetishes that need...exploring.”
Laura laughs, a warm, throaty sound that stirs a heat within you. “You’re terrible, do you know that?” Her eyes dance with amusement and desire, belying her words.
“Only when I’m with you it seems,” you reply, your voice low. The flirtation is building like a steady flame between you, and you wonder where this will lead.
Laura smiles, shaking her head as if in disbelief at your exchange. But she makes no move to pull back from the heat building between you. “Maybe you just bring out the terrible in me then,” she says coyly.
“I certainly hope so,” you reply, your pulse racing at where this playful banter might lead. Laura's cheeks flush, and she suddenly seems to realize how heated your exchange has become. "But actually, I mean, I don’t think I have any. Um, maybe we should...keep playing," she says, reaching quickly for another card.
You draw a card and squint at an obscure question about botany that leaves you stumped. "Dare, I guess?" you say, curious what Laura will ask you to do now that she's pulled back from the building flirtation.
Laura taps her chin, thinking. Then her eyes light up mischievously. "I dare you to call your parents and tell them you have a new girlfriend."
"What?" you exclaim, caught off guard by this suggestion. "Seriously?"
Laura nods, giggling. "Come on, I want to hear their reaction! Please?" She gives you her best pleading look. It’s irresistible.
You hesitate, running a hand through your hair. This is sure to be painfully awkward and embarrassing. But you did choose dare...Sighing in resignation, you pull out your phone and dial your parents' number, putting the call on speaker. Your dad answers cheerfully.
"Hey son, how's it going?"
You clear your throat, glancing at Laura who is covering her grin with her hand. "Uh hi Dad. I just wanted to call and let you and Mom know that I'm seeing someone. Umm...I have a new girlfriend."
There's a surprised pause, then your dad exclaims, "Well that's great news! Isn't that great dear?" you hear him call to your mom. She sounds equally excited in the background.
"A girlfriend? That's wonderful! Oh, we'd love to meet her. What's her name? Is she pretty?" your mom chimes in eagerly.
You hesitate, racking your brain as Laura stifles more laughter across the table. "Uh, it's Laura," you say, deciding honesty is the best policy. Laura's eyes widen in surprise but she smiles, giving you a thumbs up.
"Laura! What a lovely name," your mom says. "We're so happy for you! You'll have to bring her by for dinner soon. But really, is she pretty?"
"... yes mom, she's very pretty. Thanks, I'll...keep that in mind," you say hastily. "Anyway, just wanted to share the news. Talk to you later!" You quickly end the call, blowing out a breath of relief as Laura erupts into laughter.
"Oh my god, that was priceless!" she says through her giggles. "The look on your face...I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!"
You chuckle, shaking your head. Time to pick a card. No art history questions.
Predictably, Laura can’t answer the question about an obscure Persian queen. She looks up at you, a playful smile on her lips. "Your turn for revenge now, I’m helpless. Dare." she says suggestively.
Your pulse quickens as you ponder how to up the ante. Feeling bold, you lean forward and say in a low voice, "I dare you to go to the bathroom, take some naughty pictures, and send them to me."
Laura's eyes widen, a blush staining her cheeks. But she smiles coyly and winks. "Scandalous! But a dare is a dare." She slides out of the booth and saunters off toward the bathroom, glancing over her shoulder to catch your reaction.
As soon as she's out of sight, you start to question whether that dare was a good idea. You tap your fingers on the table anxiously, wondering if she'll actually follow through or come back and tease you for such a risque suggestion.
Before you have time to fully second-guess yourself, your phone buzzes with a text notification. You grab it quickly, seeing a photo message from Laura. Your heart leaps into your throat as you open the message, not entirely sure what to expect.
You swallow hard, suddenly feeling warm all over. A second photo arrives, ramping up the suggestive nature of the first. Your mind swims with a mix of desire and disbelief that Laura really went through with your dare.
The photos keep coming…
Laura returns to the table, cheeks still flushed from her daring trip to the bathroom. But she smiles coyly, pretending as if nothing out of the ordinary happened.
As the check arrives, you catch Laura's gaze across the table. "I have to say, that was the most interesting date I've ever been on," you say with a chuckle.
Laura laughs, nodding in agreement. "Me too. I like playing games with you." She blushes, eyes dancing with mischief.
An easy silence falls between you, but it feels comfortable rather than awkward. There's a new layer of connection and intimacy that developed over the course of the evening's adventures.
When at last you rise from the table, you offer Laura your hand. She takes it, giving your fingers a gentle, affectionate squeeze. You slowly make your way out of the little pizza parlor into the cool night, in no hurry for the evening to end.
As you walk aimlessly down the sidewalk, Laura moves closer until she slips her arm through yours, leaning her head briefly on your shoulder. Your heart swells at the simple gesture.
"We should do this again," she says softly. "I'd like to go on more dates with you, if that's alright. The adventures are nice too, but I like the dates.
"You smile down at her, heartened by her words. "I'd like that too. Do you want a normal end to the night, or another adventure?" you tease.
Laura grins, sliding into the passenger seat of your car. "Normalcy is overrated. Why don't you come back to my dorm instead?" she says in a low voice.
You pause, pulse quickening at the invitation in her words. "Are you sure?"
She nods, gazing at you through lowered lashes. "The night's still young. I'm not ready for it to end yet."
Your heart leaps at the thought of extending your time together, even if her suggestion surprises you. "If you insist," you say, starting the car. A new thrill of anticipation courses through you at where the night may lead.
The drive to Laura's dorm passes in a blur, your mind swirling with memories from the adventures you've already shared as well as curiosity about what awaits behind closed doors. When you park outside her building, an awkward shyness falls between you for the first time that evening.
Laura turns to you, a coy smile on her lips. "Aren't you coming up?" she asks, arching one brow.
Your pulse pounds as you follow Laura up to her room, anticipation building with every step. An ending, or perhaps the start of something - is a mystery to soon unravel behind closed doors.
