Читать книгу FUN Can Be Murder - Jacqueline Fleming - Страница 8

Kathryn eases her car into her reserved space and starts to get nervous in anticipation of what may happen. Silently taking a deep breath, she offers, “Would you like to lock your wallet or anything inside the car?”

“That’s a great idea, thanks.”

Having grabbed their items and locking the car, she reaches her right hand into his left to lead the way. As they step into the lobby of her building, she motions to a chair near the elevators saying, “You’re familiar with this chair” with a light giggle, “I’m going to run up and change into something a bit dryer if you don’t mind. I promise not to be long.”

“Very funny, yes, I’m quite familiar with that chair, thank you very much. That chair and I will be quite comfortable while you are gone, take your time.” he said with a smile taking a seat.

She looks at him with a small smile dancing on her lips as she steps into the elevator and presses the button for her floor.

Lost in her thoughts and feeling like she needs to hurry so that he didn’t run away once he came to his senses and realizes that he shouldn’t be with her tonight or ever, the doors open and she flies out of the elevator running straight into Stan Goldman for the second time today. Apologizing and trying to remain calm Kathryn tries for levity, “Stan, what a pleasure it is to run into you twice in the same day! Our paths are destined to continue crossing it appears!” She said with a light laugh.

“What the hell happened to you, Kathryn, you’re a mess?!”

“Oh, it’s nothing at all, Stan, just a little mishap at dinner and driving with the windows down. Thanks for your concern though, have a good night.” she calls over her shoulder heading towards her door.

“Good night.” he calls, relieved that it’s only ten o’clock at night and she is already in for the evening. As he enters the elevator he muses, I guess the door hasn’t been completely shut. Whistling lightly exiting the elevator, the gentleman sitting nearby goes unnoticed.

As the door closes behind her, Kathryn begins stripping on her way to her bedroom. She runs to her bathroom and as she washes her hands she notices her reflection in the mirror. Stan’s right, she thinks to herself, I am a mess! Laughing she takes out the seemingly hundreds of bobby pins holding her hair. Once her hair is free, she puts her hands into her hair, flings her head upside down and massages her scalp. Flinging it back as she straightens, letting her curls, springing back to life at having been let loose, fall where they may. Then she takes a long look in the mirror and bangs the palms of her hands onto the counter, screaming, “YES, YES, YES!!” Excited about what may be in store for her tonight, she brushes her teeth, throws on some flowing white pants that fall just below her knees, a white camisole, and a lightweight powder blue cardigan. She slips her feet into the same flat gold sandals that she wore to the beach earlier, turns off the lights, exits her apartment and then quickly runs back in, opens the fridge, pulls out a chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot and runs out the door.

The elevator chimes and he catches his breath at the sight of her. God she pulls on my every cell like the moon on the ocean tide, he thought to himself. He stands as she hands him the cold bottle, he smiles and reads the label, “1998 Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Vintage Champagne, excellent.”

Smiling she replies, “I thought a cold bottle would be much better. I really don’t care for warm champagne!” she said making a face causing him to laugh. “The concierge will put the other in the refrigerator for us for another occasion” (“…for another occasion” resonates in his mind…) then she stops and says something to the person on duty, handing them the bottle of Cristal. She turns and casually tucks her hand into the fold of his elbow as they walk outside.

It is absolutely gorgeous outside. Nights in the dry desert region tend to be cool and balmy and being there on the beach with her it is as if they are alone in their very own paradise.

They walk together for a few minutes until they are away from the lights of her building and decide to sit inside one of the cabanas. The cabana is blue with completely enclosed back and sides, which goes up and over in an arch over the inhabitants. Passersby would have to bend over and try to look to see if anyone were inside, making it very private. Inside some of the cabanas there were chaise lounges, others just sat on the sand. Keiran and Kathryn chose one without the chaise lounges and Keiran put the blanket down. Removing their shoes, they take their places sitting side-by-side looking out over the shimmering sea. Keiran opens the champagne and pours them each a glass, handing one to her he says, “I cannot think of a better place to be or anyone but you that I would like to be here with.”

Smiling sweetly, Kathryn responds, “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything in the world” and she meant every word.

After taking a sip, he looks at her and simply cannot resist any longer. He looks to his right as he put his glass down in the sand, squishing it back and forth to make sure it doesn’t fall over and reaches up with his right hand lightly stroking her left cheek with the side of his index finger down her cheek, under her chin and back up and then reaches around her neck he pulls her to him. She let herself be drawn closer lightly closing her eyes at his touch, he kisses her left cheek, his warm air breathing from his nose dancing like sensual fingers across her eyelashes sending tremors down her spine once again, and then so tenderly, he kisses her lips, and exercising restraint, she kisses him just as tenderly, very softly and very sensually. No tongue, although he wanted to dive into her warm insides with every ounce of his being, he knew that he should take it very, very slowly. Besides, he truly had a deep desire to get to know everything there is to know about her. He has never felt this way about anyone but he pushes those thoughts from his mind, wanting to focus on the here and now. After several minutes of just gently caressing each other with their lips, he lifts his head away and says, “Now, Kathryn, tell me about your life. Start at the beginning and leave nothing out.” He said smiling.

Laughing she says, “You are going to be sorry you asked such a question, especially when I have to wake you up after you’ve fallen asleep from boredom!”