Escape To Him

Walk in the Woods

Charlotte took her time whilst tidying the kitchen, hoping that Michael might decide to head to bed early and she wouldn't have to face him again tonight. She was just finishing up when she heard him call her from the lounge. She obediently went to him and he gestured for her to join him on the couch. She sat down reluctantly, more than anything to avoid another argument. She sat on the edge of the sofa but Michael reached over and pulled her to his chest, his hand caressing her hair.

"I'm sorry for how I behaved at dinner" he said "but you have to see the situation from my point of view, it's like you completely ignored everything I said, it feels as if you don't care about me at all sometimes". Charlotte could feel him waiting for me to respond, and she wanted to. She wanted to defend herself but was to nervous it would just drag the argument back up again so she stayed silent. "Let's just put it behind us now, I got this film ready for us it's an action adventure, sound good?" Michael asked. Charlotte nodded, lying stiffly in his arms. He put the film on and slowly her body and mind relaxed.

The rest of the evening played out like many of the evenings they had spent together, as if nothing had happened, and indeed the next few days also continued in the same uneventful pattern. Charlotte was now mostly healed from her injuries, only a few yellow bruises remained and the pain in her ribs had mostly subsided. Charlotte had been worried about leaving the house after Michael's outburst but with more time passed, and a little makeup now well hiding the remnants of her bruises, she finally felt confident stepping out the front door. Plus she had been going completely stir crazy. She was used to being at home a lot as she worked from home part time as a graphic designer, but she couldn't remember the last time she had be confined to the house so long, without even a quick pop to the shops. The summer sun beat down on her skin, she took a deep joyful breath of the fresh air and continued down the drive on to the street.

"Hey" spoke a voice from behind her. She had a sick sense of deja vu as she turned to see Ryan kneeling in his front garden, hands covered in dirt. He was shirtless, revealing his sun kissed skin and hard muscles. He really was gorgeous, she was so startled to see him the last time they spoke she had hardly noticed.
"You didn't jump that time" said Ryan smiling as he got to his feet, stretching out his long limbs.
Charlotte embarrassingly realised she'd been so beguiled that she hadn't yet said anything in response.
"Sorry to disappoint, you clearly like seeing girls jump out of their skin, why else would you sneak up behind them."
Ryan chuckled, "I wouldn't say I was sneaking up on you, may be you just need to be more aware of your surroundings, how are you feeling by the way, I spoke to your boyfriend the other night he said you were unwell."
"Oh yeah I'm fine now thanks, it was just a cold" Charlotte replied.
"Well good," Ryan smiled "so where are you headed?"
"I'm just going for a walk really, planning to head over to the woodland past the library".
"I don't want to be intrusive but would you mind if I joined you?" Ryan asked politely.
Charlotte opened her mouth slightly but realised she didn't know what to say. If Michael had gotten so angry at her saying a quick hello, he was bound to be furious if he found out they'd gone for a walk.
"I promise this is no funny business," he said holding his hands up "I just don't know anyone in town and would love an excuse to take a break from the endless list of make a house a home tasks" he smiled.
"It's just my boyfriend Michael can get a little jealous" she replied with a sad smile.
"Who said he has to know anything about it" he said with a mischievous smile, ten seemed to pause to reconsider, "no I'm sorry I don't mean put any pressure on you, as just nice to see a friendly face" he got back on to his knees to continue gardening.
Charlotte bit her lip "Wait..." he looked back up at her, "you should come, it would be nice to have the company" she said, signing off with a smile.
"Great" he beamed, jumping back to his feet, "just wait there one second I'm gonna put a shirt on". Ryan raced back inside.
That's a shame, Charlotte thought to herself.