After Eternity

Chapter 14

I.

When Pam and Diana entered the office in the morning, loud laughter was herd coming from the kitchen. Diana didn't have to get there to know James was in that kitchen, the musk scent that she recognized now as being his was lingering in the air and his laughter was unmistakable. She could sense him from far, ever since she got to that city.

"Seems like a fun morning." Pam commented yanking her from her chaotic thoughts.

"Seems so." She smiled agreeing.

A lot of joy could be heard coming from there and she smiled as she heard James speaking franticly. The sound his voice gave her shivers. He had a way of speaking that soothed her. The tone of his voice was even addictive, she thought as she heard him. He seemed in good humor and the little she knew him, by his tone, she could tell he was mocking someone or something. He was a pure teaser but that was part of his personality and he was funny most of the times.

He didn't have to look at the door to know Diana was near. As he talked, the lavender scent reached his nose, she was close. His heart raced a bit. He hated that sensation. It disquieted him so much. Not being able to control was devastating to him and unhealthy. Still, and enjoying the fun talk, he looked back at Andrea who was talking about the famous TV show again and that guy Paul Spector that was in fact a cold murder. But when the time was due he couldn't but look at the door, he looked at it and he saw Diana and Pam getting in.

"Hey... good morning." They greeted almost at the same time. Both their voices echoing each other.

"Good morning." He responded smiling but Diana turned to speak to Andrea.

James raked Diana from head to toe as she talked to Andrea. She had light blue jeans and a black sleeveless blouse, falling randomly of the waist of her jeans and yellow Converse All Star. Who on earth wears yellow Converse? He thought. Who on earth looks this good on yellow Converse? He completed his thought. Diana saw him looking at her by the corner of her eyes, but she pretended she didn't.

"What was all the laugh about?" She asked turning to the cupboard to pick a cup. Then she put it on the coffee machine and turned around to face her colleagues.

"Oh... that friend of yours" James said with a smirk. Diana smiled at him. He looked a bit more relaxed and it seemed like he had rested too. His blond hair was a bit tangled and a smirk on his lips that gave all away the fun he was having with that conversation.

"What about him?" She asked again playing the innocent.

"James doesn't believe that we actually root for him not to get caught!" Andrea explained. Diana turned her head to look at him again. He had his arms crossed around his chest, leaning against the counter and his legs were crossed too but he looked relaxed, not a hint of tension showing that morning. His black tank top let her acknowledge the muscles around his shoulders and his full sleeves tattoos were completely showing. His jeans were slightly ragged on one knee and were light grey that day and biker boots on his feet. She noticed all that in seconds as her eyes travelled him from head to toe. He looked incredible.

"Why not?" She curled an eyebrow at him.

"So...let me get this straight..." James threw his hands in the air. "It's alright to tie up women and do whatever he wants to with them? Is that what it takes to turn a woman on these days?" He played.

Everyone started to laugh with his remark. He was visibly more relaxed. Diana liked how he laughed loud at his own joke. His laughter was contagious, the more he laughed, the more they laughed.

"I think you are mistaking the plots though." She interrupted him. "That's another movie."

"Oh... Diana..." Pam and Andrea started laughing even louder remembering the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, which also starred her childhood friend.