Reflecting on the hours that had elapsed, Anton was glad he took the plunge and asked Stella out for a delectable meal followed by an entertaining show.  It was nice to allow someone else to do all the cooking, cleaning, and entertaining for a change.  He hadn’t been out on a date with a woman since Evangeline.  And he certainly didn’t factor Magdalene into that equation.  With her, he viewed that as just pure, animal sex.  Not that there was anything wrong with that.  Perhaps it was on account of their shared profession, but there was no spark, at least in his opinion.<br/><br/>And Stella?  Definite potential there.  Though if he was being honest with himself, Anton felt more than a little rusty when it came to the dating game.  He was so out of practice, what with having been married and all.  Already knowing his departed wife would have approved of Stella, it was also a no-brainer that she probably would have gone upstairs and politely dropped off a list of requested music to be serenaded by.  And knowing Evangeline, she’d probably offer to pay for it, too.  Whenever Stella would play a classical piece, he envisioned his wife calling out the composer and title.  The show-off.<br/><br/>Shutting the Audi’s engine off brought him back to the here-and-now.  After the car’s alarm signified it was armed with its distinct chirp, Anton laughed at her rant about high heels.  “I do like ‘em,” he confirmed about the footwear.  “I’m just glad I don’t have to wear ‘em.”<br/><br/>A mass of fur greeted them upon entrance to Anton’s apartment.  Naturally, the beloved-by-all window seat had been claimed yet again as kitty territory.  “Y’know, I don’t think they’ve moved much since I left them there earlier today,” he stated with a snigger.  It made total sense to him with what Stella said about leaving Tesla for the morning, and he nodded toward her in agreement.<br/><br/>While she expressed her gratitude for the evening, he smiled and replied, “You’re very welcome, Stella.  I had a good time, too, and I’m glad we did this.”  Stroking his smooth chin, he then said, “Next time,<i>you</i>get to pick what we do.  So put your thinking cap on.  I’m eager to hear what you come up with.”  He smiled his easy smile.<br/><br/>Smiling at the comatose cats, Stella turned to make good her escape.  Not so fast, he thought, as he reached for her wrist and gently spun her to face him.  Anton leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her right cheek, with a slight inhalation of her skin for good measure.  Targeting her lips was outta the question.  For now anyway.  Rusty cobwebs and everything.<br/><br/>Engaged in eye lock with Stella, Anton offered, “Oh, and before you come for the<i>USS Tesla </i>in the morning?  Don’t eat.  I’ll make us breakfast.”  Winking at her, he already knew he’d be spinning some<i>Morphine </i>following her departure.