Blind Date

Rick parked his Kia Soul in the restaurant's lot and headed for the front entrance. Antonio's Italian Ristorante greeted him with flashing lights from a red-brick building. A smiling couple was coming out the door just as he entered.

He glanced around at familiar posh furnishings and ornate decorations. Various pictures lined the walls depicting multiple waterways of the Venice canals. He'd dined there many times, so he knew some of the staff by name.

Walking up to the host, he said, "Giovanni, how are you?"

A tall man with a slight paunch and swarthy skin turned towards him. "Riccardo, my friend. Life is beautiful. You will sit at your usual table?"

Rick shook his head. "Not tonight. I'm meeting a lady with flaming red hair and deep blue eyes. At least, according to her dating app picture."

Giovanni produced a sly smile as he gave a knowing look. "You look for love, yes?"

Rick chuckled. "Something like that."

"Say no more. I know just the bella donna you speak of. Allow me."

Giovanni took the lead as the two men wove around tables. They went to an empty corner booth near the back of the dining area.

"Here you are, my friend."

The host motioned for Rick to have a seat. "Wait, I don't understand. Where is the lady I'm meeting?" he wondered, frowning.

"Here I am!" a singsong voice called out.

Rick glanced in her direction and suppressed the urge to whistle. Meredith was a vision of loveliness. Curly red locks framed her face like a halo. Her baby blue eyes sparkled in the light. And a sultry black dress showcased her sexy, curvy body.

"Wow! You look more beautiful in person than in your pics," Rick told her. He gestured toward the booth.

"Thank you. You're quite the hunk yourself," she returned with a smile.

Once they were seated, Giovanni headed back to his host perch. As they made small talk, their server appeared to take their orders. Rick chose chicken alfredo, while Meredith opted for beef manicotti. They agreed on a bottle of Prosecco to split between them.

While they dined, they chatted about their careers and goals. "So, you're a real estate agent," Meredith remarked. "If I didn't already own a nice house all to myself, I might buy one from you."

"Well, if you ever want to sell and buy something else, just let me know. Now, what type of work do you do?"

"I actually come from a wealthy family and I don't have to work...I choose to work. I have an online business that I run from my home office. I sell intimate wear, you know, sexy lingerie. I even model some of it for potential buyers."

Rick felt a little surprised that she would be this open on a first date. Was she trying to tell him something? If so, he might bite the hook.

"Ah, I see. Maybe I'll just have to purchase a few items if you'll model them for me sometime."

Meredith's eyes glinted with mischief. "Maybe later tonight that can be arranged. But anyway, what are your goals five years from now?"

Strange question from a stranger, he thought. "Umm, let me think. I plan to be the top agent at my company and make the most money. How about you?"

Meredith regarded him with a serious expression. "I'll be married with two children. I just need to find the right man who's ready to settle down. I'm already 35 and my biological clock is ticking. So, I can't wait much longer. I'm eager to have some baby-making fun. Or if not, I'd just settle for a lover who's at my beck and call."

Boy, this lady is a real piece of work! Rick marveled. He wasn't sure things were going to work out with this date. She'd already given him too much information. Enough to scare any normal guy off.

On the other hand, she intrigued him. He'd never met a woman who spoke so frankly before. If she was hinting at a one-night-stand, he felt just tipsy enough to oblige her. It had been awhile anyway and she was easy on the eyes, after all.

After they'd finished their meal, Meredith ordered a cannoli for dessert. Rick selected tiramisu. As they enjoyed the sweet treats, she began to moan softly.

Licking her lips, she said, "I love cannolis. They're so creamy."

Rick felt his loins tighten at her words. Whatever game she was playing, he'd play along and see where it led. He took a bite of his spongy cake. "Yeah, this tiramisu just melts in my mouth."

"That's it! I can't take anymore!" Meredith declared. "Let's cut to the chase. Follow me home and you can have your way with me."

Rick's jaws dropped open. Damn, this woman didn't shy away from speaking her mind, did she? A part of him knew something didn't feel right about this. Maybe he should run in the opposite direction. But his hormones were raging right now. And all he cared about was satisfying the need within him.
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Once they arrived at her house, she ushered him inside and gave him a quick tour. They each had a glass of Pinot Noir. Then they got the fireplace going and spread a blanket out on the den floor.

Suddenly they flew into one another's arms, kissing urgently as they stripped off their clothes. Once Rick laid her down, he poured out his desire all over her body. Meredith moaned softly and returned his passionate exploration.

Two hours later, they were both exhausted from their extracurricular activities. Meredith poured them another glass of wine each.

"Drink, my sweet darling," she coaxed.

When their glasses were empty, she pulled his head to her chest. "Now, go to sleep."

Rick did as she asked, but even through his fuzzy brain, something felt off. He wondered just what he'd gotten himself into.
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When he awoke later, his head ached. What had she put into his drink? He tried to sit up but something prevented his efforts. He couldn't move his arms or legs. What the hell?

Rick glanced around and saw that he was strapped naked to a gurney. He struggled to get free yet he was bound too securely. He glanced around the room. Meredith wasn't there, so he yelled for her.

As she entered the room, she carried a chainsaw. "Hello, my love," she greeted cheerfully.

"What are you doing with that thing? Why do you have me strapped down here?"

Meredith smiled. "It's all a part of my plan. You get to help me fulfill my dream."

Rick felt a shiver snake up his spine. "What plan are you talking about? What dream?"

"To create the perfect man. You see, I've pieced together body parts from different men. Now I only need two lower legs and you will provide them."

Rick looked at her pleadingly, filled with terror. "Why me? Please, don't do this."

She sighed. "You're just like every other man. You want to screw me once and then throw me away. Well, I've got a remedy for that."

"No, you're crazy. You'll never get away with this."

"Oh, but I already have. Take a look at my science project." She spun the gurney around and showed him a large liquid-filled capsule containing a man. Only he was sewn together from mismatching parts of various men and his two calves were missing.

"Dear God! You must be insane, like a mad scientist," Rick muttered. He trembled inside from head to toe.

"Isn't my creation beautiful?" she boasted. "Once I take your legs and add them, the picture will be complete. Then I'll finally have a man who loves me and who'll never leave me."

She started walking towards him, brandishing the chainsaw. Rick screamed as she came closer. "Someone help me! God, help me!"

"It'll only hurt for a little while. Once you slip into unconscious, you won't feel a thing, because you'll never wake up again."

Meredith placed the chainsaw against the skin below one of Rick's knees. "Stop! Don't do it! No, no!" he cried.

"First this leg and then the other leg," she said. "Just relax now. It'll be easier that way." She fired up the chainsaw and just when he began to feel the pain, he faded into blackness.
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Rick awoke suddenly and bolted upright in bed. He looked around desperately, his breath coming in gasps. But he was safe at home in his own bedroom. He wasn't in some lunatic woman's scientific lair.

It had only been a dream after all. None of it really took place. It's only a nightmare, he kept repeating to himself. No wonder that woman seemed unusual compared to other women. His mind had just conjured her up out of nowhere.

"What a crazy dream!" he said aloud. "That's the last damn time I stay up late to polish off a whole bottle of Prosecco all by myself. And I'll never go out on a blind date as long as I live."

Satisfied that all was well now, he laid back, curling up underneath the covers. This time, only pleasant and happy visions filled his slumber.