A/N

Another chapter up, yey.
Please help me promote the story, will be very grateful!!!!!

At seven o'clock Joanna heard a knock on her door as she was finishing getting ready.
"Who is it?" Natasha called out.
"It's Michael," he responded.
"So you are the Michael she has been talking about," Tash said as she let him into the apartment.
"Mr Michael!" Ethan shouted as he left his cartoons and ran towards him.
"Hi there buddy, what are you up to."
"Come watch bubble guppies with me," he said pulling him with all his might into the living room.
Michael gladly obliged the request and sat down waiting for Joanna.

Stepping into the living room she stared at him surprised to see him watching cartoons with Ethan right beside him. He had on a pair of black leather shoes, black slacks and a button up shirt that showed off his broad line-backer shoulders, which was tucked in his slacks showing off his narrow waist. Both sleeves rolled up showing off his powerful arms, as well as his cast.
"Beautiful," was the first thing he said as he stood up taking in her appearance. She has on a tight sleeveless red dress that showed off her shapely figure perfectly with black heels and a black clutch bag. "You look absolutely gorgeous," he said as he gave her a single rose.
"Thank you," she said as she inhaled the fragrance of the flower with her eyes closed. 
"You look pretty mama," little Ethan said giving hi mom a hug.
"Now be a good boy for aunt Tash sweety."
Ethan responded with a nod of his head as he went to his aunt.

"Shall we?"
"We shall, my dear," he said as he led her out.
"Bring her back before eleven!" Tash shouted making Jo laugh.

The doorman hailed a cab for them and Michael quickly told the driver were to take them.
"I'm sorry I was not around to help you move in."
"Oh don't worry yourself. I only had to get my clothes, nothing major," she said as they pulled up to Eclipse.
Michael had picked this place also knowing no one major would recognize him and having been there once or twice for business meetings he knew they never disappointed when it came to their food selection. They made their way up the balcony to their private table and he pulled out her chair and took his seat beside her overlooking the entire restaurant facing the small stage. Their waiter a handsome young man walked up to them asking for their orders.

"Good evening, sir, madam," he said gawking at Joanna making her uncomfortable.
Michael noticed her discomfort and cleared his throat loud enough for the waiter to hear, and gave him a glare that spoke volumes.
Moving closer to Michael they both looked over the wine list the waiter had handed over to Michael. His senses becoming overwhelmed by her scent.
"The 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve looks the most appealing," she whispered so only he could hear.
Without removing his gaze from her he told the waiter their wine selection as he took her hand in his.

"And for your meal?"
"I will start off with a Greek salad with a light dressing then have the file mignon with some potato wedges."
"A superb choice madam, the file mignon is exceptional this evening," he said giving Joanna a wide smile. "And for you sir?"
"I will also have the Greek salad followed by the New York strip," he said huskily.
"Excellent. Your orders will be ready in 15 minutes.

"Please excuse me for a minute querida."

Going to the kitchen he found the young waiter. The kitchen became deathly silent as he walked in with two of his men, whilst one called the manager.
Pinning the young man against a wall, his hands tight on his collar he said, "Listen and listen to me clearly. They next time I see you gawking and making my wife uncomfortable, will be the last time you see or ever work in here?" he said in a deadly voice.
"Ye...yes sir. I...I'm.. I'm sorry sir."
"Now be a good sport and make sure our order is perfect or else," he said nodding in the direction of two of his man who were always with him but inconspicuous.
Turning to the perplexed manager he said, "Keep your employees in check or this will be the end of this establishment."
"Sorry sir. I will have a word with all my staff," the manager mumbled.
He straightened himself up and turned to his man giving them a slight nod.

Another waiter brought their wine and after pouring it left them. The Jazz band started strumming away a piece by Kennedy G, as they had a light conversation.
"Do you mind me asking, but are you mourning someone?"
"What? No. Why do you ask?"
Running her eyes up and down looking at his attire he understood her question.
"Well I was in a hurry and just picked the closest shirt I could find. I couldn't keep a certain lady waiting," he said with a sweet smile.

The waiter came with their food and made sure to not look in Joanna's way as he served them, beads of sweat matted his forehead as he told them to enjoy their meal nervously.
"Hmm, I wonder if he is feeling alright."
"Who knows," Michael said as he attempted to cut up his meat.
"Here, give me your plate," she said holding out her hands for his plate.
He quietly complied and watched her cut up his food into small pieces and handed him back his plate.
"Thank you querida, so tell me more about yourself. Any siblings?"
"No unfortunately I am an only child. And yourself," she asked blushing at his use of the endearment.
She knew a few languages, after her mother insisted she learn them when she was young, she chose to not reveal this little fact.
"Only child as well. Both parents still alive and kicking, and pestering me about grandkids," he chuckled.
"I feel your pain, though mine want me to settle down now, I mean what's the rush, can't I just enjoy my freedom for a little while longer," she laughed.

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Michaels POV

I couldn't keep my eyes off her as she laughed, her black eyes sparkling. As we continued talking, I found out she had a good sense of humor, had graduated top of her class with a masters in architecture. She had adopted Ethan after he had been left at her doorstep as a baby, he was now three years old and I was surprised to hear this for he was well amture for such an age. She was just full of surprises. This made me wonder why she was only working as a secretary. Learning that her father was white and from England and her mother black and from Zimbabwe was not a surprise as it explained her caramel complexion.

Joanna's POV

The way he spoke just gave me butterflies in my stomach. It was like his voice was caressing my skin and I just couldn't get over his accent. I had learnt that his mother was Spanish hence his accent as he often visited his grandparents in Spain whilst his father was American.

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They enjoyed their dinner, and left soon after their dinner. He insisted on leaving her once she settled safely indoors.

Jo saw Tash off and went to check up on her son, who was asleep in her room, after he had refused to sleep in his own.

"I had a lovely time with you, querida," Michael said as he stood by her door after making sure everything was alright.
"I really enjoyed my time with you as well Michael."
"You keep calling me querida, what does it mean?"
"That's some homework for you, mi amor."
"Oh," she said blushing as he came closer to her.

Leaning towards her Joanna closed her eyes in anticipation of his lips touching hers. She felt his breath fanning her face and felt his lips lightly graze her cheek.

"Good night, querida, sweet dreams," he whispered.
"Good night Michael," she said softly.

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An hour after saying goodnight Joanna got a call from none other than Natasha.
"Now spill the goods."
"Well, it was a the best evening I have ever had, sealed with a ki...."
"Oh my gosh, finally. And you guys made out, finally a man who knows how to handle you."
"Slow down Tash, it was just a peck on the cheek nothing else, and who said I need to be handled by a man."
"Jo you are my friend I know you better than you know yourself. The same air you carry in the office is the same you carry with you everywhere it's high time you got some proper oxygen into your system not this suffocating air you are always around."
"Well if you say so, anyway I had a great time, thanks for helping me get a decent date for once. But I feel guilty for lying to him, he is just a sweet guy and here I am telling him lies."
"Don't worry sweety, if this relationship goes any further I am sure he will be able to forgive you. Plus he seems to okay with Ethan in the picture."
"Alright, goodnight. See you tomorrow."
"Good night sweety."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Benjamin, I tell you, I am going to marry that girl."
"Was your date really that good."
"Good? It was fantastic, superb, magnífico. She looked bonita (beautiful) I tell you. I think I am falling in love with her and her little boy."
"Slow down man, you have just known these people for what, a week only. Get to know who she is first before she you start proclaiming love."
"Whatever man, she is the one. I just know this. She even cut up my food before I even started eating my meal, she cares for me. That's something I haven't seen from any of the other ladies I have dated."
"You know I have your back right, but just take things slow with this one if you really like her, you don't want to mess up, do you?"
"I will not mess this up. I am going to make her mine. Anyway good night, tomorrow is a big day."
"Good night Mike."

Translations

querida - my darling