Two Different Roads

Roll With The Flow

To her surprise, Ellen's heart gave the old flutter she'd first felt the night they met when she spotted Michael in the crowd at the airport. Another tight pair of jeans, accentuating those slim hips paired with his old Triumph t-shirt, showing off the dark hair on his arms she'd once been so fascinated with. He looked almost TOO good. She definitely didn't need to be thinking what she was thinking-that was certain.
It only got worse though when he caught sight of her, gifted her with one of his heart-warming smiles and hugged her.
"Welcome to L.A. Darlin. I've got a surprise for you."
"What might that be?"
"Wait and see. Come on."
They walked outside, across a parking lot, companionally linked, arm in arm.
"Is that the surprise?" She asked when she saw a shiny new-looking black motorcycle.
"Yeah, I just got it. Thought you might like to ride home on it."
"Are you kidding? You know I'd LOVE to."
Another flutter, this one spreading deeper when she slipped her arms around him, felt his body pressed to hers. It was as if he was seducing her without even trying.
There'd been an instant attraction between them. It was not all that surprising that it would reignite somewhat, but it was still a bit disconcerting. She only hoped it would fade once she grew accustomed to his presence again. They were doing quite well being whatever they'd been to each other recently. No need to risk spoiling it.
Unfortunately the renewed feelings continued, even seemed to increase a bit the longer she spent in his company.
"Davy got his own place this week, but Peter is still here, and this is my buddy, David Price. He works on the show now," he told her once they arrived at the sprawling home he was renting. She greeted them both, hugged Peter, but it was difficult to divert her attention from Mike. Standing next to him the pleasant, familiar scent of soap and his aftershave lotion was almost intoxicating.
She did her best to pay attention when he said, "I'll show you to your room."
It was small, but comfortable and clean. She set her suitcases that Mike had had the foresight to have delivered by the door, sat on the edge of the bed watching Mike watch her.
He stood in the doorway, his boot-clad feet crossed, one hip slightly tilted in what she'd always jokingly thought of as his 'come and get it if you can handle it' pose. Some men just radiate a certain potent, unidentifiable sex appeal. Mike possessed it in abundance, and she was finding it more and more difficult to ignore it.
Perhaps this move had been a mistake. She certainly didn't need the complications of a romantic relationship right now. Of course she knew what her SISTER would say to that. She could almost hear Vicky's voice."Who said anything about a relationship? Just fuck him."
She felt herself blushing.
"Are you hungry?" He suddenly asked. "I was thinking of ordering Mexican."
"I could go for that," she answered, somehow managing to sound normal.
"Great, I'll take care of the food, and you can put away some of your things."

II
Dinner was pleasant at first, the four of them talking Non-stop as they ate, discussing music, books, movies, politics, even religion while getting slightly drunk on the strong beer they'd chosen to accompany the meal.
Mike had ordered a large sampling of dishes for them all to share, and that was when things became somewhat uncomfortable again. He had presented Ellen with a forkful of a deliciously seasoned black bean entree, and she'd been surprised by a not entirely disagreeable jolt when his fingers reached her mouth. Apparently the sexual current between them she'd been feeling all evening was still very much there.
Apart from that, she'd been so lonely, so empty since leaving John and losing the baby that having Mike hold her, feeling him close would be an immeasurable comfort. Again, her sister 's voice beckoned. She'd have said employing Nez's body to fill the void within her was a perfectly acceptable decision. But then was there even more to it than that?
She had thought herself to be in love with him during their brief time together, but It had quickly been eclipsed by the force of nature that was John Lennon. Lennon was out of the picture now, though, presumably for good. Would things change between her and Mike? Had they begun to change already?
III
It was getting late. Everyone else had already gone to bed. It was just Ellen and Mike now. Despite the continuing sexual tension between them, she was as reluctant to leave him as she had been during their phone calls.
"Play something for me " she requested.
"You've been wanting me to do that a lot lately."
"I love the sound of your voice. It relaxes me," she admitted.
"How can I say no then," he remarked, obviously pleased with the compliment.
He reached for a much-used acoustic guitar. She watched him experiment with a couple of random melodies, marveling at his lovely, long-fingered musician's hands as he played, actually felt an eruption of goosebumps when he began to sing in a lovely tone at the high end of his register that was nearly a falsetto.
The tune was one she'd never heard before, soft, sweet, the lyrics achingly appropriate for this moment.