September 19, 2011

This is as far as I intend to take this story at this time. Someday, I may get bored and add something, but ideas are the easy part. It's time that's the issue, and I've got a novel to resolve. (As Good As On Paper)

You might have noticed my Pen Name Change—Please see my profile for details.

The Moth to the Flame

Chapter Four

She lay in wait for him.

The blinds, still drawn from the night before, cast the loft in dimness as he came down the stairs, freshly showered and alert for any sound or movement from his bedroom. There were none, for she was not there.

He paused on the landing, staring at the open door with unwavering fascination, not moving for a long moment, as he struggled to interpret the open door and the apparently empty room beyond.

She watched, unseen.

She knew the instant it occurred to him that she might have left, his eyes widened, and mouth turned down. The sudden fear spurred him into action, and he leaped the bottom steps, calling her name.

Her mouth opened, as though to answer, but no sound came out. The two faint creases between her eye brows deepened and she straightened as though to rise.

But he disappeared from her view, calling her name repeatedly.

She settled back, waiting, wetting her lips as though tasting his call for meaning.

Changes in voice pitch signaled his movement from his bedroom suite to the more open office. She glimpsed her quarry through the openings of the bookshelves, hunting for her, not yet aware that he'd become her prey.

It was not until he reappeared in his office doorway, perplexed, anxious, that she knew the answer. It was there in the roundness of his eyes, the flush of his cheeks, and that particular note in his voice as he hovered on the edge of something she did not wish to witness.

"Kate!" he called again, scanning the kitchen and dining area for her.

"I'm here," she answered, her voice quiet, only just carrying to his ears.

He whirled in her direction to find her seated at the piano in the dark corner, facing him, her eyes fathomless. Waiting. It seemed she'd been waiting forever, her dark eyes holding secrets, beckoning to him.

For a long moment, his eyes wandered over her, noting his favorite maroon shirt over her usual leggings. Her hair, brushed now, tumbled around her shoulders, and her eyes watchful in the dimness.

When he finally spoke there was a catch in his voice. "Hey," he feigned nonchalance. "I—I didn't see you."

She did not speak, her eyes glittering as she watched him.

"So, Josh… he left?"

There was a flicker of something in her eyes. "He left," she affirmed.

He approached her then, trying to read her expression. "You okay?"

"Yeah." The corners of her mouth twitched, as she pushed her hair back from her face. "Yeah, I'm fine." She smiled then, and he drew closer. "Never better, in fact."

There was a long moment as his sharp eyes took in every nuance of her appearance, finally letting out a heavy sigh. "I see he helped you dress."

"No."

His eyes widened and he almost smiled. "Ah." He shifted, seeming to stand a little taller.

Her eyes dropped to the wadded up nightgown in his hand. He caught her glance, gesturing toward it. "You want to tell me about this?"

Her lips twitched. "No."

He quirked a brow and waited. There was a long silence.

She finally gave him a sidelong look, as if to say, I know what you're doing, and it won't work. Then the corners of his mouth turned up, and then hers. Then they were both smiling, all unexpected, and warm and… and…

She shook her head, scooting over to make room for him on the bench. "It was a gift from Josh."

"Ah," his smile vanished as he sat, shifting awkwardly, looking anywhere but at her.

Kate scrutinized him, noticing the flash of pain he tried to hide. "We broke up."

His eyes widened and he gasped, "That's great! I mean… that's terrible." But he couldn't seem to hide his pleasure or relief at the news completely.

"Maybe something in between." She was smiling though, at him.

He studied her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No." But her features were peaceful, betraying no anger or even sadness.

She hesitated, then turned to face him, her eyes appearing huge, even without makeup. For a long moment their gazes locked before she finally spoke. "You were about to tell me something, though. Something important, just before Josh came?"

He nodded slowly, staring across the room without seeing. "Yes," he turned back to her, "Yes, I was." There was a long silence where he seemed to be thinking. At length, he lifted her hand from her lap. She allowed it, stifling a tremor at his touch. His thumb massaged circles on the back of her hand, and his smile widened. "Kate, would you have dinner with me tonight?" His voice was soft, hopeful, even whimsical.

Her eyebrows knotted. "I have dinner with you every night," she said slowly, not understanding.

"No, I mean something special. A date. I'll cook." The hand holding the nightgown twitched. "You wear this—or something nice, maybe you could find something upstairs, and… We'll pretend we're at a fancy restaurant, and that I picked you up at your place and…" his voice trailed off as he noticed the glowing smile directed at him.

"You've been waiting for this haven't you?" Her voice was husky.

He seemed unable to look away. "For longer than you know."

Her smile widened as she traced the line of his jaw with one finger. "What time are you picking me up?"

"Uh, seven. No, wait… six—five! I'll pick you up at five."

She had him now. He was hers, and she could not keep her face from revealing how she felt about that. "Five would be lovely." She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his cheek.

She rose and began to move away, but then stopped, turning back to him. "Rick?"

He hesitated, smiling. "Hmm?"

"If I'm going to spend the afternoon trying on clothes, I'm going to need another Percocet."

He grabbed her hand, and she stared at their joined hands in surprise. He rose, walking to her, and cupping her cheek in his palm. "Coming right up." He kissed her firmly before walking away, leaving her staring after him with a hungry look on her face.

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