Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

5

Margot 

The sound of 'The Lebanon' by The Human League plays on the radio as Ari and I head into town the next morning for his supply run. Something that I also need to do too if I'm going to be hiding out, I mean 'staying' at Scarlet Springs. I've taken great care to not be recognised though, with my hair up and a cap on along with some sunglasses. It's a hot day anyway, so I'm simply dressing for the weather to anyone else.

I discreetly look across at Ari who's got his eyes on the road, Aviators on whilst the t'shirt he's wearing shows off his biceps. He likes to workout of a morning, as this is the second I've found him doing press ups. My mind has also wandered to wondering just how toned he is under those clothes of his - amongst other things.

Davy wasn't exactly muscular, not as much as it seems Ari is. But he didn't exactly get his hands dirty. Everyone does everything for him.

I don't like the fact that I'm sat here comparing my narcissistic ex to the man who I barely know, so instead I rest my arm on the open window and allow the breeze to hit my face while we cruise along towards the town, bobbing my head to the music.

"Human League eh?" Ari finally speaks after some silence shared between us.

"I like that kinda music". I shrug. "Duran Duran, New Order - those ones".

"New wave. Same here". He nods his approval with a small smile upon his lips.

He really does look gorgeous, even with the side profile I'm getting now.

"You learn something new every day". I grin and look out the window some more.

"Don't we just". He muses, continuing to focus on the road.

The town is coming into view now. It's at least a good forty five minutes from the motel, so I can see why the guy who gave me a ride the other day didn't wanna go out of his way. "How often do you need to make these runs?" I ask.

"Pretty much every week, mostly food. But cleaning supplies and stuff I also need" He now explains. "Hotel can't clean itself".

I smirk. "Just as well you've employed someone to help you out with that".

Ari chuckles at this, "It had best be me worth my while".

I glance over from the window and to him where I see him smiling at me with some playfulness. Holy crap...

"You won't regret it, boss"

He wets his lips and then turns back to the road, the town now upon us. We make for the grocery store and he pulls up into a space in the parking lot, both of us getting out and heading inside with a cart so we can load up what we need. I am constantly on alert, but try not to show it much. Just keeping my head down as such.

"The diner that's on the way back to the motel does pretty good food, if you wanted to stop there for something? Saves you cooking up something later". Ari suggests as we walk around.

I look to him. "Oh, yeah that would be nice".

He sees me looking around and frowns, then looking around himself. "Something wrong?"

"No". I say too fast for my liking, which only shows to him more that something is. "Just...it's a new place and, well, while I've been travelling I've had some bad experiences that just make me a little jumpy".

Lies in some respect. Except it was before I ran. Not during.

"You got taken advantage of?" He asks and then shakes his head. "Sorry, I shouldn't pry, your business". Now picking up a can of something, studying it before putting it into the cart.

"Yeah, pretty much. I just...I don't like to talk about it".

He shrugs. "Hey, you don't have to. I'm not gonna make you. Same with me not making you do something you don't wanna. Like I said, your business".

This puts me at ease. "Thank you". I say. "I'm grateful to you though, I really am. Having this job will help a lot".

"And I could use the company. Beats spending days and nights alone". He replies as we turn down another aisle.

"Not married or anything then". I state the obvious.

He shakes his head. "Divorced actually - it was our fault for rushing things though".

I know the feeling.

"Sorry". I say.

Ari shakes his head. "Don't be. Besides I'd rather be spending my days alone in a motel in the middle of nowhere than with her".

"That bad?"

"Yep". He pops the 'p', putting a couple more things into the cart just as I do. "Motel was kinda my way outta it, but then again I'm starting to think it was the onset of an early mid-life crisis". A small but bitter chuckle escapes from him now.

"Well you're certainly looking well, all things considering". I grin as we now round another aisle. "You workout every day?" I then realise how stupid I sound. "Sorry, I didn't mean..."

"Keeps my mind occupied". He ignores it and then scans my body up and down with his eyes just like he has done a couple of times since I arrived. "You? You're in pretty good shape if you don't mind me saying?"

I just smile, ready to gear up for my next lie and nod once more. "I'm a dancer".

Not a lie, but also not the whole truth either. He doesn't need to know that I literally was grinding against a pole, and whipped my clothes off night after night for men with more money than sense.

And not a dollar to show for it. Just bruises, lies, and threats from a man who should have been protecting me.

"Ah, that'll be why". He smirks and grabs a couple of bottles of soda from a shelf. "Professional? Or just a hobby?"

Forced, if anything.

"A hobby". Another white lie slips from my lips again. Because that's what it was and ultimately what I was too. A hobby for my asshole ex.

We pay for the groceries and shove the bags into the back of the truck, getting in and beginning the journey back - well, to the diner first. The song that's now on the radio is so ironic that I wanna laugh. 'I Ran'.
I can't give the game away. At least, I can't trust anyone enough yet to confide in just what has happened. But I know that Ari will probably end up being that person. He opened up to me about things he didn't have to. He respected me and didn't press for more details as to why or how I've been hurt, and as I look at him now? Something inside me tells me that this man and I are going to become connected at some point.

However what scares me is just how much I want it to happen. Trust or no trust.