"THIS IS SUCH A LOVELY neighbourhood. When did you move in here?" Olivia asks, looking at her reflection in the lift mirror. "Oh my, look at these Halloween eyes! I'm as good as ready to go trick-or-treating..."
"Little over a year ago." When the whole bloody nightmare happened. "And you look splendid, trust me." I force the bad memories away and move my hand in long, gentle strokes up and down her back.
"You're a terrible liar. But I'll pretend to believe you." She elbows me playfully.
We're standing side by side, my hand still resting on the small of her back. I'm fighting the urge to grab her in a less subtle way and finally pull her so she's facing me.
My eyes, wild with a need I can hardly control, meet hers in the mirror. I wonder if she's noticing the state I'm in.
Probably she isn't.
Hopefully, she isn't.
She nudges me with her elbow again, smiling. "Hey, neighbour, may I borrow some salt?"
I take a moment to process the question. "What?"
Like a valve relieving its pressure, she blows some air out of her mouth, and a couple of strands fly up. "Twenty-six bones, thirty-three joints and nineteen muscles need urgent help!"
My reflected image looks down at hers confused, my frown demanding clarification.
"My feet. Just trying to prevent a not-so-splendid high-heel hangover. So, if you don't mind, we'll have that drink in your bathroom."
I grin inwardly, first picturing all the different things I could do with her in that room. But then it dawns on me that the easy-going, down-to-earth girl I've known my entire life is still here, acting as if there's never been a gap in our lives.
"Hmm... a drink in my tub. That would be an excellent idea! Why didn't I think of that before?"
She notes the sly innuendo and fakes her best scolding look. "Brian Anderson, shame on you!"
Unable to disguise the mischievous smile on my face, I give her ribs a quick tickle, teasing her. "Red, white or beer, sweetie?"
"You've got some port?"
Third floor. The lift finally announces the arrival with a signal and a soft bump.
*
"Ooh, this just feels soo good!" she breathes out in a sort of orgasmic moan and I almost lose my balance.
After having set some background music, I enter the bathroom, two glasses in one hand, a bottle of vintage port in the other.
Olivia is sitting on the edge of the bathtub, the skirt of her dress pulled up to the knees revealing her slender legs, both feet dipped into eight inches of salty water.
I can't help but snicker to myself. Not quite what I had in mind, but entertaining, nonetheless.
After pouring the wine, I clink my glass with hers. "Cheers!"
Smiling, she raises her glass and takes a slow sip.
I take off my tie and roll up my sleeves before I sit on the ceramic floor.
"Living alone here?" she asks with eyes closed while continuing to lengthen her back and perform some feet stretching and twisting movements with her feet.
I hum in confirmation.
"Girlfriend?"
"Nope." I swirl my glass before taking a sip from the dark, full-bodied liquid.
YOU ARE READING
Where the Stars Fall
RomanceHow far would you go to protect the ones you love? A successful architect with a promising career in London, Brian's world spins out of control when the man he always saw as a second father betrays him in the most unexpected way. Left without closur...
