Return to me

Part 10: One step too close

Pulling up in front of Stevie's condo, she turned her head to look out the window, the rain coming down even stronger now.

"I have an umbrella in my trunk," inquired Morris.

"Don't be ridiculous, you'll get soaked."

"Better me than you," opening the car door to be engulfed with rain, Stevie shaking her head as he closed it, almost slipping on the pavement to get to the trunk of his vehicle. He grabbed it then made way for the passenger side door, allowing Stevie to step out underneath the large black umbrella.

"Thank you but we really could have waited this out," as she hugged her purse to her chest, fiddling with the zipper to grab the key, it falling on to the sidewalk as she cursed. Morris picked it up for her but in the process, he accidentally dipped the umbrella down with him, Stevie now soaked as she shrieked. 

They both jogged their way up to the front of the building, now underneath the canopy, laughing.

"I am such a dunce!" claimed Stevie.

"You? I'm the one that bent over with the umbrella!"

Stevie shook her head, unlocking the building with her key as she felt guilty for not allowing him access to shelter. "Would you like to dry off? I can call Karen and we can put your suit in the dryer."

Morris chuckled, "I would like to dry off but there's no trouble in calling Karen. I know how to work a dryer."

She flushed, embarrassed, it'd been years upon years since she actually did her own clothes. What was she thinking?

Granting him access up to her condo, he met Lily, her investigating him thoroughly then greeting her mistress. "Hi, baby, how are you?" Stevie cooed in a high pitch, placing her dripping wet purse down on to the nearby table. "Ugh, this is disgusting!" slipping off her boots, removing her shawl; at least that kept her dress semi dry but her leggings were history! "Stay here, I'll get you a towel," exclaimed Stevie, making way towards her bedroom to remove her wet clothes, pulling a long oversized tee on with another pair of leggings. She returned with a towel but almost couldn't believe the sight in front of her; Morris stood shirtless as trickles of rain water ran down his chest. Her heart was beating fast and she began to shake, blinking a few times then handing him the towel.

"Thank you," he expressed, dabbing his arms and chest. It was the most awkward situation the two of them had been in so far, besides the time he caressed her breast. Which at this moment, she wouldn't mind another caress.

Stop it, Stevie, you are acting as if you've never seen a man with out a shirt before!  running through her head, Morris clearly in need of dry clothes.

"Morris, I don't have anything for you to wear..." doing her best not to stare at his built chest muscles.

"You handed me a towel, didn't you?" holding it up as she moved her eyes side to side.

"I'm aware, Morris," nodding then making her way towards the fireplace.

"Do you need to call Karen for that?" being a smart ass as she turned with a hand on her hip.

"As a matter of fact," leaning over to turn the latch, a fire burning instantly.

"Wow, look at that!" impressed with the technical bit, knowing she must have paid a small fortune.

"It's a little easier than chopping down firewood, wouldn't you say?" cocking her head at him.

Wrapping the towel around his waist, he began to remove his pants, Stevie gulping as she turned away, sitting down on her favorite chair. She tapped her long fingernails on the armrests, heart pounding in her chest, really unhappy with herself for the  inappropriate thoughts she'd recently just had for Morris.