Private Lives

Private Lives Chapter Nine: I've nothing much to offer.

Abbie Mills knocked twice and waited outside Dean Crane's office door. She looked down at the red pump she held in one hand, the heel of the pump in the other. It had just snapped off when she ran down the hall.

"Yes come in." A stern loud voice commanded inside the office.

Abbie placed her hand on the door knob and breathed in and then out. She sniffed at the acrid smell in the hallway that came from the blown up chemistry lab. It wafted through the vents and opened windows down the long hall.

Abbie took another breath and twisted the knob. She opened the door to find Dean Crane standing in the middle of his office. He turned around to face Abbie. His arms crossed against his chest, a frown on his lips. He flipped his auburn hair as he glared at Abbie. She closed the door behind her. His eyes lifted to look behind Abbie.

"Where's Jenny?" I do believe I called both of you to my office, not just you, Abigail." Ichabod met her eyes again and uncrossed his arms. He let his large hands hang on his hips.

"She's coming," Abbie answered. "I just thought I should come first to try to explain." She grimaced.

"To buffer you mean?" he asked. His eyebrow arched softly over one eye.

"Well, yes," Abbie answered. She smirked and walked into the office.

"Why are you limping?" Ichabod asked, his voice stern. His eyes lowered to look at her naked foot.

"My heel broke when I ran down the hall," Abbie sighed. She raised both hands to show Ichabod the red pump and broken heal as evidence. Ichabod's eyebrow raised. His eyes then lowered to stare at her small slim bare foot. He turned his eyes away and licked his lips. Ichabod's face turned a beet red tinge, as he gestured to Abbie to take the empty chair in front of him.

"Sit," he demanded. A long finger pointed to the large leather chair in front of his desk.

"Please, ju....."

"Sit."

"It was an acc....

"Sit...down... Professor Mills!" He shouted. Ichabod raised his eyes to meet Abbie's. His blue eyes fixed on hers. Abbie thought he looked tired. The fine lines at the corners of his eyes made him look older than his thirty three years. He had shadows under his eyes.

Abbie swallowed hard. She nodded and lowered her head. Abbie took the seat in front of him.

"I swear it was an accident. I didn't mean to blow up the chemistry lab," Abbie said. She bend down to raise her trouser leg just over her ankle to slip her shoe back on. Abbie then raised her eyes to find Dean Crane stare down thoughtfully at her thin ankle down to her foot. She could feel the heat of his stare, hot and intense slowly caress her slim foot. Abbie's eyebrow raised over one eye. A small smile played at the corner of her lips. Abbie lowered her trouser pants leg and crossed her ankles.

Ichabod blinked twice and closed his eyes. He tried to control his growing anger.

"Will you please, enlighten me Professor Mills, on how the chemistry lab come to be blown up and the reason why you were there?" Ichabod shouted.

"Helping,"Abbie whispered.

What? Speak up!" Ichabod yelled. He slammed his large hand on his desk. Abbie jumped in her chair at the sound. She looked up to see Ichabod hovered close over her. She could see his black eye was almost healed. The deep blue was fading into a light blue tint. Abbie inhaled his cologne. It smelled clean and fresh like an ocean breeze. It contrasted with the strong, acrid smell of smoke she now wore. She wished she was able to wash up a little or at least take a shower before being summoned to Dean Crane's office.