Her Silence

Chapter Sixteen

"Less is only more where more is no good." Frank Lloyd Wright

My eyes are closed to stop myself from freaking out or doing something stupid. Fingers were running through my hair, caressing both my face and neck and pulling me closer: all at once. His warmth and his smell floods me, as do his sweet words. James was kissing me, and it held so much meaning that it nearly knocked the air out of me. All of the weeks of timid glances, subtle touches and dense conversations have all built up to this moment, and I'm not sure how to act. Its power is overwhelming; terrifying even.

"Breath Rosie." James sniggers, and I bow my head to release the air I'd been holding in and look back to a set of very dark eyes. He is currently glowing, and I'm sure I was looking very much the same. He was looking with such adamance that I'm sure he is in search for something, which only fills me with intense trepidation. So, I do want I think is right and close the gap that had grown between us once more. He was so sure to be gentle and passionate, to subtly hand to me the option of something more, and I think it's been something I've wanted for a while. More. Though I've never had less of something, I've never had more. James would be my first everything and it only seemed right.

"Your feelings?" He asked as he pulled back.

"My feelings for what?"

"Politics. What do you think Rosie? Your feelings for me. What do you feel when you're with me?"

"I feel alive." And with a blaze in his eyes he kisses me some more, until I pushed him away. "You make my days count. I want you James, and I can only hope you want me back. I don't have much to offer and I only seem to cause trouble for myself and everyone around me, but I beg you'll have me." He smiled purely, as though I'd just asked him whether two and two makes four.

"Of course I want you and of course I'll take you. Trouble and all. Be mine?" I nod and stand up straight, grinning so hard I most probably looked like a lunatic. "What?" He says with a look of uncertainty.

"I, Rosanna Dore, shall be yours." James rolls his eyes playfully, and then his face grows into a look of shock.

"Your name is actually Rosanna? Seriously?" Shit.

"Stop. I hate it, don't say another word."

"Rosie, it's beautiful. How could you possibly detest it?" I raise one eyebrow as harshly as I could, daring him to say another word. He raises his hands in a defensive stance. "Okay, okay, I get it. I won't mention it again, Miss Dore." He winks.

"What's your full name? To me you're just James, and up until I then I was just Rosie. You know everything about my questionable background, but I barely know a thing about you. We have basically been strangers this whole time."

"Well just Rosie, just James over here is formally known as James Murphy. Is that all you want to know?"

"No! Tell me more. Family? Favourite colour? The best book you've ever read?"

"Right, okay." He says slowly, "I have an older brother called Peter, my mum is called Sarah and my dad is Andrew. Rosie I'm not as vehement about the world as you are, and I most certainly don't read." I blink steadily.

"You what?"

"Truthfully, I don't think I've ever finished a book."

"There are too many people like you. You're not interested in entering a different world?" He shrugs.

"Not particularly. I don't have the time to read."

"That is a pathetic excuse. Everyone has time for something. You will read one book at least. I'll choose one that I think you'll like, and, most importantly, finish." He doesn't look convinced.

"Whatever you say Rosanna." I thump him, something I frequently do when he annoys me. "I can't even comprehend why you don't like it Rosie. What about you then?" I ignore his statement but begin to formulate an answer to his question.

"My favourite colour is orange, but it has to be dusky, not bold. My favourite piece of written work is A Streetcar Named Desire."

"I'm guessing it's not a book if you said it like that?" I nod, impressed.

"Quite so. It's a play."

"Would I like it?" I laugh and shake my head.

"Not at all. I do have a book in mind for you though. I'll go back to my flat some day this week and get it for you." James's eyes suddenly become alert, and I know what he is thinking. "Yes James, you can come with me."

"It's not a case or whether I can or not, I am coming with you." I understand and proceed to bombard him with questions about his life that I think will be beneficial in learning who he is as a soul with a personality, rather than just a person in a hollow shell. I learn that he is thirty-two and Peter is thirty-eight, but he considers him as his own twin due to their similarities and forced close childhood that resulted in them being near enough the best of friends. He only rose to such a high position in the police force because his dad had the ability of persuasion to get him there, but he enjoys it all the same. We talk about past significant others, James telling me that three years ago he ended a five-year relationship and he learns that it has only ever been me, myself, and I my whole life. He doesn't look that surprised, but questions how no one has 'stumbled across my beauty' before him. His words, not mine.

After nearly two hours of deep conversing and the sharing of secrets, James asks me whether I'm content with all I now know about him, to which I tell him I do.

"Well, I now pronounce us something more than strangers." As far as more goes, I couldn't ask for anything... more.

*****

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! It's shorter than usual, but you can never go wrong with a bit of character building!

SHIP RAMES/ JOSIE HAS FINALLY SET SAIL.

What type of book do you reckon James would like? What book would you give him? I know so many people like him who do not like nor care to read!

Don't forget to vote! Comment on your favourite parts and add Her Silence to your library if you want to find out more and read on!