"It's the unknown that draws people." ― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Piper looked up from her computer as the long legged, ivory skinned woman slid into the booth across from her. Tilting her head sideways with a curious look on her face, Piper just stared, taking the woman in. She had dark brown hair pulled back away from her face and black school teacher glasses.

"Alex." The woman announced, a small smirk reaching in her rich green eyes.

"Piper."

Alex stretched her hand across the booth table. Piper simply ogled. "Hi. May I join you?" Piper slowly closed her laptop lid and reached over to shake Alex's hand.

"It seems as though you already have," she retorted. "I suppose you can stay." The curiosity was getting to Piper but she was determined not to show it. Nor to really speak. She wanted to know what this woman was about.

"Why thank you. I've been watching you quite some time. Like hard, hoping you'd notice and at least glance in my direction. You some have mad concentration skills kid. I finally gave up and just came over here." Alex kicked back as much as the booth bench would allow and crossed her legs. "What does a gal have to do to get your attention?"

"Come sit in my booth, I suppose. So Alex, what's your end game here?"

"End game? Nothing really. I haven't been able to keep my eyes off you since I walked in. You captivate me. And that's rare. Since I couldn't get your attention the indirect way, I decided to take the direct approach."

"And now that you have my attention, Alex, what are you going to do with it?"

"Well Piper, that depends on you." Alex's smiled turned sultry.

Piper could feel the blush rising on her face and ducked her head to hide the red. She'd never had a woman come on so strong. Then again, she'd never had a woman come on to her at all. Piper didn't know where the blush came from but she was intrigued to see where it might go.

"So. Alex."

Alex did not immediately respond. The silence was not uncomfortable as the two women looked at each other. Alex's eyes shifted back and forth as she scanned Piper's face trying to judge her thoughts and her reaction to the invasion of her space. "What were you working on that demanded so much of your attention?"

Piper's eyebrows raised. "Do you really want to know or are you simply making conversation?"

"I don't make idle conversation. How am I going to get to know you if I don't ask questions?" Alex's voice had a deep tone, raspy.

Piper shook her head briefly to clear her mind. "It's a response to a request for proposal. I work for an education software company and the state is looking for a solution similar to one our company provides. It's due next week. There are too many distractions at my apartment. So here I sit, slaving away at the electronic typewriter, trying to make sense of all of this legal mumbo jumbo. I think I've hit a block though because I haven't been able to conquer the couple of sections I've been working on the last hour. It's driving me crazy."

"Hmmm." Alex paused, her smile turning almost to a smirk. "So it DID work."

"What worked?"

"I came in, oh, about an hour ago. And here I thought you were ignoring my stares." Both women laughed as Piper reached over and playfully slapped Alex's arm.

"Thanks Alex. Thanks a lot. So now that you have my attention...what are you going to do about my proposal?"

Alex's eyebrows raised. "Proposing already? And here I thought we just met." She reached across the table and took Piper's hand. "I guess I'll have to think about that."

Piper froze. Alex had caught her off guard, which was the obvious plan. Piper entwined her fingers with Alex's. Alex's skin felt so soft. She had never held a woman's hand before and wondered if her skin felt as soft to Alex. Her thumb caressed Alex's then moved to each fingertip. Piper seemed mesmerized by the touch, by the sensations, by the feel. Alex was silent, eyes locked on Piper's. She watched Piper stare at their hands.

Finally Alex reached across the table with her other hand and gently placed her fingers under Piper's chin, lifting it up. Piper looked at her. "What are you thinking Pipes?" Alex's brows furrowed.

Piper's eyebrows shot up at Alex's use of the nickname. "I don't know Alex. I don't know." Piper slowly drew her hand back and leaned back in the booth. She took in a deep breath and let out a deep sigh. Piper definitely didn't know what she was thinking but she knew additional work on her proposal would be doomed that day.

Alex grinned at Piper. "It's nice to know I have your attention now. I was beginning to think I had lost my touch."

Piper smiled back. "Your touch, eh? So do you often try to pick up random women in coffee shops?"

Alex's eyes went wide in mock surprise. "Try? Ahhh she doubts my abilities." They both laughed. "Seriously though. Thanks for letting me interrupt your work."

"Oh I had been working well past my prime time. I'm glad you came over. You are...amusing."

"Amusing? Of all of the words you could choose, and you choose amusing. I'm trying to decide if I should be insulted." Alex sat back in the booth and began to stare at her fingers, ticking words off. "Captivating, intriguing, stunning, interesting? Maybe. But amusing?" Alex looked back up at Piper. "Come on Pipes. Surely I rate better than amusing?"

Piper smiled sweetly. "We'll see."

"Will we now?" Alex raised her eyebrows once again.

"Perhaps." Piper had decided that this might be an adventure she would like to be on. Coy would be how she travelled.

Alex nodded. "Now I'm amused."

"So Alex. Since you interrupted my mojo and invaded my space, I think it's only fair you take me to dinner."

"You do, do you?" Alex chortled. "This is turning out easier than I thought."

"Dinner Alex. It's just dinner." Piper slipped her computer into her bag.

"It's better than lunch and it sure as fuck beats sitting in a coffee shop not drinking coffee! How does Italian sound? I know just the place."

"It sounds perfect."

Both women slid out of the booth. Alex placed a light hand on Piper's back and gently guided her towards the door. Chill bumps raised on Piper's arms at Alex's touch. She didn't know where these feelings we coming from but she decided to just go with it.