Scarlet Springs (Ari Levinson) AU - 18+

7

Margot

One Week Later

I'm busy cleaning a few of the motel rooms that are going to be designated to guests that will be arriving in the next few days. For the last week, and since our outing to the grocery store (I didn't accompany Ari this week but saw him leave), I have kept to my room - only really venturing out for some air, but keeping close to it in case I need to run back in and hide.

I shouldn't really be so on alert - it's quiet out here, almost deserted, and yet somehow I can still feel Davy's eyes and ears that he associates with all over the place are somewhat breathing down my neck. No doubt he'll be looking for me still, leaving no stone unturned until he has me back where he wants me. He has friends in high places, and in most states. Some are even cops as I've already said. And that's what scares me. That the people who should protect me will do the opposite for a bit of pussy and dollar bills.

I need to keep travelling, but for now I'm safe. At least this week I'm feeling safer. Somehow Ari's presence is helping with that. If we cross paths we make eyes at one another, sometimes making small talk and other times the stares telling us all that we need to disclose to one another.

And his eyes on mine? Sometimes I wonder whether I'm right in thinking his look is almost feral. With what he briefly told me about himself last week, my curiosity is still sparking. He must get lonely out here, even if he does welcome some solitude after his divorce. His friend who he mentioned barely comes here either so all he has are guests - and even that's not guaranteed

I finish cleaning the bathroom and walk out into the main room that I've already made up and cleaned - then seeing Ari leaning against the doorway smoking. "Take a break, you've been at it all morning". He exhales the smoke from between his lips and holds out the cigarette packet, offering me one.

"Then you should see me go all night". I smirk, but it's not exactly a lie.

He grins and lights the cigarette I've just taken from the packet as we stand outside the room. "I'll hold you to that", taking another drag. "That the last room?"

"Yep, just need to put some towels in the bathroom and then it's good to go".

He peers into the room and nods his approval. "I'm impressed. Guess I should give you employee of the month early".

I laugh at this. "I'm your only employee", and point it out as he nods.

"Ah, yes...well just that alone earns you employee of the month - congratulations".

I flick some ash onto the ground. "And what's my reward? Other than my pay? Do I get like a medal or something?"

He eyes me. "I can do better than a fucking medal", stubbing out the remainder of his cigarette under his boot. "Anyway, how about dinner with me tonight? I can't promise five star chef, but I can promise that it won't be burnt - and also wine".

I smile at this. "You really don't have to cook me dinner".

"True, I don't - but I want to".

I almost bite through the damn cigarette as he looks at me. Keep your guard up Margot...you can't afford any fuck ups, even if he is hot.

"Ok". I say, telling myself that it's just dinner and not a life sentence. Plus if he was some kind of serial killer then he'd have probably killed me by now. He certainly doesn't give off any of those vibes.

Scarlet Springs is your safe place.

"Come by around seven? That ok?" He asks, "door to the reception will be open, then just go around the front desk and knock on the door behind it".

I nod and finish my cigarette, stubbing it out and then looking back at the room. "I'll get those towels and finish up - you sure there's no more to be done?"

"Not today. First couple are checking in tomorrow afternoon". He confirms.

"I'll do a double check in the morning, just let me know what room". I say as I turn and make my way to the room. Then looking back at him, smiling lightly. "See you later on".

He watches me, hands casually in his jeans pockets and nods. "See you tonight".

**

I don't have that many clothes to my name - not that I had any before as my job barely involved having any on. But the more I stare into the closet, the more I come to realise just how much I have left behind that was mine.

And it makes me angry.

I know I'm being hunted down like a dog, and the only thing I can do is hide. I'm going to have to spend the rest of my life looking over my shoulder for fear of someone associated with Davy, finding me.

If I make it that far...

I decide to keep things casual with the usual shorts and top, doing my hair and topping up my make up before I lock my door and head to the reception. The door behind the desk is ajar and I walk in with a small knock. "Ari?"

He pokes his head out of a side room and ushers me in. "Let me just lock the reception door". He says, "make yourself comfortable". I walk into the living area and see that it's simple enough. He doesn't seem like a guy who have framed pictures of his family everywhere. There's a bookcase though, a couple of shelves already full.

"It's not much, but I like it" I hear him now say from the doorway and turn with a small smile. "Sometimes that's the best thing - having very little".

"Very true". A smile crosses his lips. "Wine?"

I nod and sit down on the couch, Ari returning to the room moments later with two glasses and the bottle in his hand.

"Food should be ready soon, another ten minutes or so". He tells me, filling the glasses up,

"It's fine". I say. "Thanks again. I've never really had anyone do this before, or even take me out".

Ari's brows knit together. "No?"

"Nope".

"No ex boyfriend or anything did this?" He now asks and I look away, biting my lip.

Davy's idea of a date was spending the night at the club counting his money, then return back to the apartment to count it some more before he passed out. Sometimes we'd make it to the sex part, but I was secretly glad when we didn't. Not that it stopped him from getting what he wanted when he woke up,

"No...never".

He blows some air out from his cheeks and looks at me. "Well then, at least I have no worries about my cooking comparing to others".

I chuckle at this. "You could give me burnt toast and I'd still be grateful".

"Oh good, coz that's exactly what's on the menu for tonight" He winks in jest and I shake my head - then taking a long and savoured sip of wine. It burns the back of my throat in a good way and I become a little braver.

Lightweight.

"What about dessert?" The question comes out of my mouth with ease, and to conceal my blushes I quickly take another sip.

He looks thoughtful. "Guess we'll have to wait and see just what tricks I've got up my sleeve for that..."

"If it's not chocolate cake then I don't want it". I toy with him, the complete slut that I am reawakening.

He's not a fucking punter Margot, and you're not that girl. You got out, you escaped.

But I haven't really. I can never escape who I am or was.

Ari's next words bring me crashing back down to earth. "That the way to your heart then? Chocolate cake?"

My eyes flicker up to meet his and we stare (quite intensely) at one another for a few moments before I remember I need to answer.

"I don't know, perhaps you'll have to find that out for yourself".