Private Lives

Private Lives Chapter Four: All the better to hear you and taste you with

Abbie nodded at Ichabod and Daniel.

"No, No Come in, Professor Mills," Ichabod said.

"Yeah, Come in sis," Daniel answered."We were just talking about you."

Ichabod frowned and glared at Daniel. Ichabod cleared his throat.

"Only about you and your Luke Morales," Ichabod said. "I'm to understand Congratulations are in order?"

Abbie stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. She looked down at her hand and shook her head. Abbie

wiggled her long fingers.

"Oh, no not really. Luke gave me a promise ring which is a promise to be engaged. It doesn't mean we are betrothed.

And he is not my Luke," Abbie said. Her voice stern. She frowned and looked up to meet Ichabod's eyes. They stared at

each other. Ichabod's full lips turned up into a teasing smirk.

"Is it really?" Ichabod chuckled. "Thought the ring meant he was."

"No, he is not my Luke and I am not his Abbie. We don't belong to each other," Abbie answered.

Dean Crane's face suddenly became serious. Abbie watched as his worried brow furrowed relaxed and a huge smile come to his lips. He shrugged his broad shoulders and met Daniel's smile.

"But I thought Luke was," Ichabod said. "At least that is what they called it in our day Daniel, right. I know you younger generation, these days think differently about relationships."

Dean Crane's eyes slid back to her. His lips widened into a Cheshire grin. His eyebrow raised.

Abbie pursed her lips. Was he teasing her?

"What do they call it now, Ichabod? Friends with benefits, Sis?" Daniel's broad shoulders shook as he chuckled. He winked at Abbie.

"Oh shut up the both of you!" Abbie murmured. She stepped further into the room and plopped herself on the couch next to Daniel. Abbie crossed her legs. She caught Ichabod's eyes sweep over her black trousers and then look away. Abbie sighed as Ichabod talked to Daniel.

Dean Crane's comment when she walked in echoed in Abbie's head. Abbie couldn't help being 5'. She has been petite all her life. Abbie never cared. She couldn't do anything about her size. Makeup and wearing jeans she could help. Abbie bit her bottom lip. She usually put some blush, lipstick, mascara and eyeliner on every morning. Except for this morning.

She woke up late. Falling back asleep after the alarm. Abbie only had time to put on eyeliner, mascara and throw on a pair of trousers. She didn't have time to put on the rest of her makeup. She raked her teeth across her full bottom lip several times as a substitute. It reddened them and made them look swollen.

Ichabod's eyes slid back and looked fixedly at her biting her lips. Abbie heard him murmur "Christ" Before he closed his eyes and looked away. Abbie stopped and cursed. She felt like she was thirteen all over again. Worried about what he thought of her. Grow up Abbie. She quickly licked her lips to soothe the tenderness she felt now from the continuous biting.

Ichabod met her eyes again and sighed.

"Nevertheless, Abigail, I am happy for you and......" Ichabod said. He met her eyes again. His brow wrinkled. His lips in a tight line in question.

"Luke. His name is Luke Morales," Abbie answered. She flashed him a dirty look.

"Oh, yes. Right. Luke," Ichabod said. He nodded and waved his hand at Abbie dismissively.