Avriel Kaplan: Well dressed, well groomed, beautifully handsome, quiet and brooding and exactly the kind of man Ariel Declan doesn't need to know. But, that is not for her to decide.
Alexander Kirk: wickedly handsome, well known and well liked, egot...
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Ariel cast off her stupor and wonder and shooed him out of the bathroom, closing the door behind her. When she came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, he was sitting with his foot on his knee, looking regal and sexy as ever while he sat in the royal blue and Ivory, mahogany-trimmed wing-backed chair that was situated perfectly under a dimmed lamp in the corner of the room he had given her for the night. He was lost in thought. His brilliant green eyes were unfocused and bright, staring at an unseen spot on the floor, far enough in front of him that his head was tilted up a touch rather than down. His fingers gently stroked his beard as he stared and thought. She didn't want to disturb him. He looked so serious and very, very attractive. Her butterflies did their best to escape.
She could have walked over to him and touched him, but she felt that was probably a very bad idea. Since they were alone and away from all the noise and distraction, she took the opportunity to study his features. She stood and stared at the way the light highlighted his features and the shadows it cast on his face. She noted the coloring in his hair. Surprisingly, it wasn't black at all. In the light, the dark brown was much clearer. It wasn't a consistent color either. Some of the strands were lighter than the others and it seemed a few of them had a reddish tint to them. His beard was much the same, dark very dark with lighter strands tossed into the mix, there was some reddish tinting there as well.
His skin was a warm creamy color, micro freckles were splashed sparingly across his cheeks. There was a small flat colorless mole just to the left of the bridge of his nose accenting his face even further. His ears were cute, not too small, not too large, perfect. Her eyes roamed from the innocuous things that made him attractive to the things that made him an attractive male. His lips were pink and full. They looked delicious. She felt those butterflies pulling her towards him, all sorts of thoughts and emotions all led to him. She wanted to touch him, hold him, comfort him, and find out what was going on in that beautiful mind of his. She wondered if he'd ever let her explore it. She wondered if she let him explore hers. She had never done such a thing before. She wondered if he was going to leave her room.
She was inexplicably drawn to Avriel. Everything about him seemed perfect and she wanted it all. She didn't know her feet were moving her to him. Didn't know what was going on within her own body and mind. Her body was responding the call of his. She felt heat and desire rise. She wondered what would happen if she touched him. Would he touch her back or refuse her? No man ever said no. Was Avriel different? Her feet carried her to him. She stood in front of him. His eyes came into sharp focus at the touch of her hand on his.
"I'm sorry." He spoke before she had a chance to assess what was happening. She was momentarily dazed and confused. He was gently shaking her shoulders and searching her eyes when that confusion started to clear. Even though she could feel him there his mind was closed. How did she get from the bathroom to where she stood? She couldn't seem to recall the details of her own movements. Why was he looking at her like that? What did that look mean? "I'm sorry." He repeated. Slowly she regained herself.
"For what?" She shook her head to clear it a little more and focus on the green agate orbs before her. His brow was furrowed. Fear rested in those eyes. What was he afraid of? Something had just happened. What just happened?
"It will never happen again. I promise. Not like that. Please, forgive me." He was backing towards the door to her room. She was more confused than ever. She wanted to argue, to beg him to stay and explain, but he was retreating as fast as he reasonably could. She didn't want him to go. Then she would be alone again, and she didn't want to be alone. A short squat and beautiful elderly woman appeared at the door. She wore a classic maid outfit that was flattering on her and somehow very proper at the same moment. It didn't reveal anything that it shouldn't. The black pencil skirt stopped several inches beyond her knees. She wore hose over her legs and comfortable and sensible black flats. Her uniform, it was an actual uniform and not a costume, was pristine and perfect.
"You called Mr. Kaplan?" No, he didn't. She didn't hear or feel him say a thing.
"Yes. Ariel this is Mrs. Primrose. She will see to your needs. If you will excuse me please, there is something I must attend to." He slipped silently out the door and closed it gently behind him leaving the two women to themselves. Ariel felt the need to curtsy as he left and bowed to Mrs. Primrose where most people would have waived him goodbye and not greeted the maid at all.
Mrs. Primrose started seeing to her needs immediately. "Are you hungry, Deary?"
"Actually, I am. Thank you." She prepared to follow the housekeeper out the door of her room.
"Oh, you need not come with me. I'll prepare a late-night snack for you. Make yourself comfortable."
"Do you know when he'll be back."
"No, Deary. I do not. I will return with food and drink for you. Would you like some tea to calm your nerves perhaps?"
She nodded and looked around. She was nervous and curious. She was certain that his staff was loyal to him in ways that she could never imagine and regardless of the truth she knew, the truth wouldn't be given, but she had to know.
"Excuse me, er, Mrs. Primrose, isn't that a flower, does Mr. Kaplan, was it, have many guests?" She wasn't sure what this woman thought of her, but suddenly it mattered.
"No, He does not." Mrs. Primrose smile gently as she departed the room, closing the door firmly behind her.
She returned to the room with a small silver cart on wheels. She knocked and awaited a response before entering. Ariel had changed into a pair of loose sweats and pulled her hair up into a messy bun atop her head. She was sitting at the small desk set in one of the corners of the room scribbling in her journal. When Mrs. Primrose entered the room, Ariel caught the sense of disapproval from her as her eyes quickly ran over her sloppy dress.
"Thank you." She politely said as she took the tray and set it next to her. The women stared at each other for a long quiet moment. "I'm not you know?"
"Sure, you're not. Will there be anything else?"
"No." Ariel's tone became flat with disappointment and annoyance.
"Leave the tray outside your door. Felix will collect it in the morning. Good night Miss." She turned and stiffly walked away. The door shut solidly as she departed. Great, the housekeeper thought she was a prostitute.
Alone, Ariel explored the food that was brought to her and the small teapot and cute little cup. It all looked good, but she had suddenly lost her appetite. She ate anyway, knowing that she needed to. She finished all that she wanted and took the tray to set it outside her door. She nearly dropped it when she discovered Austin sitting outside the door reading a book.
"Austin." She happily cried. It felt good to see a friendly face. He returned her smile and nodded.
"Miss Ariel." He smashed her title and her first name together as he spoke. Chances were, he did not know her last.
"Are you guarding my door?"
"Yes," came his curt reply. His eyes were pleading her to not continue the conversation there. He was working.
"Oh?" The realization and meaning of his expression dawned on her. "You're working. I'll leave you to it. One question though."
"Yes?"
"When will Avriel return?"
"I do not know." She thanked him and shut the door quietly. She looked around the dark warm room, she stretched as she yawned and decided to go to bed.
