Through Time She Came

Ch.23 Feral

April 30, 1928

"Can I kiss you?"

"Why're you asking?" She laughed.

He leaned in, "'Just don't wanna get sucker punched." That smile. Kiss. "Mm. I like when you help."

"Shut up." Kiss. He ran his thumb across her jawline. "Tommy."

"What?" Still necking.

"I wish," Kiss. "Vic would stay out of town." Kiss. "I hate," kiss. "being with him."

Smirk, "I hate him being with you." Deep kiss. "I like this better than moping."

"Meaning?" Kiss.

He stopped. "Mr. Lost Boy. You see, I've never had a problem with dames who had sweethearts. You were the first to turn me down. It threw me off, I wasn't used to it." That laugh, "I shoulda just kept at you. Slugs and punches." That smile and a kiss.

"Ah, geez." She went slack.

"What?" Chuckle. "I'm sorry, I forget you don't like me to talk about it." Chuckle. Kiss. "Oh, come on, no more boohooing. Wipe that pout off your kisser."

"I'm sorry." Her hand on his cheek, "I just-,"

He chuckled, "Shut uuup. You're spoiling the mood." Kiss.

"Mm. It's getting late, Tommy. I'd better get inside."

Sigh. "Ah alright." Kiss. "G'night, Annie." She stepped out of the car. She gave him one last lingering kiss through the window. "'Night."

"'Night."

She watched him leave.

"That was some goodbye, Cookie."

Her heart jumped. Turned around.

Torelli.

"I don't think Vic would like this very much."

She brushed past him. "Making up stories, Torelli?"

He followed her into the hotel. Blew smoke. "Vic trusts me."

"Where is Vic by the way? You're here, I assume he's back already too."

"He's waiting for you upstairs, Cookie." His grin unsettling. "I don't think he'll be as happy as he'd hoped for in seeing you."

"He won't believe you. I don't."

"You're very good at acting like nothing happened. I'd believe you if I hadn't seen it for myself. You be necking with some Mack. Who was he?" They got in the elevator.

"You're quite mistaken." She was relieved that he hadn't seen Tommy. "8th floor please."

"I'll keep quiet about your little tryst if..."

"Mr. Torelli, even if you have to make up stories to blackmail me into your meathooks, it ain't happening!"

"Level 8." the operator announced.

Torelli followed. Grabbed her arm. Forced her against the hall wall.

"Let me go!"

He jerked her back against the wall.

It all happened in five seconds: she moved. He grabbed her by the jaw. She spat. Shoved him off.

She took off. Fast pace.

"Not a smart move, Cookie." he muttered.

"Vic baby!" Anet burst into her room.

"Baby doll!"