Private Lives

Privat Lives Chapter Six: A Fine Romance, But we Fizz Like Sedlitz Powder.

.
Ichabod clears his throat.

"I think we should clear the air as soon as possible, Abigail. Before we go any further in our work relationship," Ichabod said.

Abbie's eyebrow lifted. She tilted her head and looked up at him.

"Yes?" Abbie asked.

"There seems to be something.... Something brewing between us, Abigail. Ever since we met again this morning," Ichabod continued.

A stray black curl fell in front of her eyes. Abbie brushed it away defiantly and glared at him. She threaded her arms across her chest.

"I won t apologize for kissing you, Ichabod. Or for my feelings for you. Even though they may be one-sided," Abbie said.

Ichabod lowered his eyes and stopped to cough into his hand. He looked down at the ice package now beginning to melt in his hand. He cursed at it and tossed it in the middle of his desk. It landed with a loud thud and began to pool on his desk. Ichabod turned back to her. He took a breath. His heart was beating so fast against his chest. He swallowed hard.

"And what are your feelings for me, Abigail?" Ichabod stared at her. He licked his lips nervously.

Abbie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She lifted her chin and tightened her arms against her chest. She looked up at Ichabod.

"I I I.. aam attracted to you. I have since I was thirteen. I guess it has never left me all these years," Abbie sighed.

He chuckled.

"I sensed it when I used to visit on holidays with your brother. You would blush every time I tried to talk to you and never look me in the eyes. You would giggle a lot and then eventually run away to your room for the rest of the evening."

Abbie winced and shook her head.

"Oh, God. You remember all that? I was such a stupid kid. No wonder Daniel said that you will always think of me as a baby,"Abbie groaned and rolled her eyes.

Silence. Ichabod frowned at Abbie.

"That's ok. I understand if it is only one-sided. That you will never feel the same way about me. So I guess you didn't kiss me back. It was reflex when you nibbled back,"Abbie stated. She was fishing for him to answer.

"Reflex? It wasn't a reflex," Ichabod whispered.

Abbie's eyes widened. Her full mouth opened.

"What?" She frowned at him.

"I wanted to kiss you Abbie, only Daniel." Ichabod lifted his butt up from the edge of his desk and walked up to her.

"Daniel what? Was in the same room?" Abbie answered. She looked up at him as he came near. She raked her teeth across her top lip.

"Yes."

"Oh, and if he wasn't?" Abbie answered. She licked her lips. She was breathless and gasping. Her heart beat fast in her chest.

"I would have kissed you Abbie among other things that do not make me sound like a gentleman." His eyebrow lifted. They were now face to face very close in the middle of his office. Abbie released her arms and let them hang on either side of her.

"Does that mean that this thing between us?" Abbie asked. "This... attraction. You feel the same?" She raised her hands and waved them between her and Ichabod. She looked into his eyes.

"Yes. I am attracted to you too, Abbie. Even more than I thought, at first. But there are obstacles between us work wise and personal." His voice gentle and soft.