Free 47 Destinies: Finding Grace by Marlies Schmudlach Perez Page A

answers.  All I know is that if we don’t keep moving forward in life, we slowly begin to fade away.  Don’t you agree?”  Todd asked, attempting to provide Grace with some type of response to her difficult question.
    “I am starting to see the truth in that statement,” Grace said as she turned her face to meet his.  The rough short beard on Todd’s face was simply driving Grace wild.  She wanted to reach up and touch it.  Before she knew it, her hand was on his face slowly caressing the rough hairs on his face.  The friction drove her wild.  She moved her head even closer to his in order to breathe in this man.  She gently rested her head upon his shoulder and put her arms around him.  It felt incredible to touch and be touched again.  Grace was in heaven.
    When Grace touched his face, Todd resisted every urge to pull her face towards his and kiss her passionately.  He settled on wrapping his arms around her thin frame and pulling her closer.  He kept some distance between them, as the bulge in his pants would betray his resolve to take things slow.  Some things in life were simply uncontrollable.
    Unwilling to break the embrace, Grace remained quiet for as long as possible.  Was it wrong to want to be held close by a man?  It brought her such comfort.
    In order to stay in control, Todd slowly backed away.  “We better get going.  We have a big day ahead,” he said reluctantly.
    Grace was ready to feel Todd’s lips upon hers, she thought to herself.  Goodness, did she really just think that?  Grace wasn’t sure what had overcome her.  She was usually composed and in control.  Being around Todd took her off balance and this reality frightened and thrilled her at the same time.
    “Yes, let me grab my coat,” Grace said as she practically glided away.
    Todd waited by the passenger side of his car.  He needed to be away from the tempting scene of her house.  He laughed to himself as he waited for her.  He was acting silly.  He took his white Lexus to the car wash Friday evening for a complete detailing.  Todd wanted to impress Grace with even the smallest detail.  He purposefully left his beat up truck at home in the garage, as he didn’t want to turn her off.
    Grace was a little surprised yet pleasantly pleased when she saw Todd standing next to the open door of the passenger side of a Lexus.  Grace thanked him and then slipped into the car, with a busy mind.  She figured as the Director of the Boys and Girls Club that Todd would drive something a little less fancy.  Was she really that shallow?  She was used to being around people with wealth, so she wasn’t sure how important a man’s financial situation meant to her.  Goodness, she was getting ahead of herself!  Why couldn’t she just enjoy a simple date with a friend of Cora’s? 
    As she turned to look over at Todd, she knew why.  The man was incredibly hot.  His tan pants were a shade lighter than his bronzed skin.  The brown of his shirt accented the natural blond highlights that the summer sun gifted him.  His brown eyes were focused on the road ahead until he looked her way and smiled.
    “Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?” Todd asked as he squeezed her hand.
    Yet another reason this was no simple friendly date: the man was also charming.
    “Thank you,” Grace replied, titling her head.  “You look very handsome.”
    “Thanks!  It has been awhile since I have dressed to impress a woman,” Todd said without hesitation.  It was so easy to talk to Grace.  He didn’t feel the need to hide his thoughts or emotions.  She appeared accepting and open.
    “I find it easy to talk with you, Todd,” Grace said before Todd could get the words out.
    “I was just thinking the exact same thing,” Todd said, smiling once again.
    Grace looked around the car and found a few books in the back seat.
    “What are you reading?” Grace asked with curiosity as she picked up one of the books.  She noted several