“I’m here now,” he said.
“You are,” said.
She felt his presence near her, and the heat emanating off his body. She felt magnetic attraction to him, as if gravity was pulling her towards him. It was as though it took effort to hold herself where she was, instead of melting into him.
Frank’s voice cut into the moment, causing her to jump. “We got everything we needed,” Frank called out, stepping into the living room. He coughed awkwardly as Martin stepped away from .
reached for her wine.
She picked it up, just for something to do. With one arm, she leaned against the bookshelf, trying to act casual.
For some reason, she didn’t want Frank to know that he’d just interrupted one of the most intense moments of attraction that she’d ever experienced in her life.
Martin backed away a few steps. She felt his leaving as if she could feel his energy being ripped apart from her sphere of energy, leaving a gap in the fabric of her being. She didn’t want him to go.
“Are you sure that’s all you need?” asked.
“Yep, that’s it. Got measurements of the main beam going through your apartment. On to the next unit. Right Ken? We’re all set?”
The burly construction worker nodded “Right-o,” he said. “We’re good to go.”
“You ready, Mr. Cable?” Frank asked.
The room was silent. Martin looked at . She longed for him to stay, but didn’t know how to introduce it.
“Yes,” Martin said slowly. “Yes, I suppose I’m all ready to go, too. Unless there’s something else that Mrs. Reynolds wishes to discuss with me?”
opened her mouth, wanting to speak. Say something! she thought desperately.
“There are a few issues that I have with this whole plan,” she said, trying to buy time. “And I feel like you should at least hear me out on them.”
“Okay,” Martin said. “I guess that’s fair.”
Frank sighed. “. I know you’re upset about this. But don’t take it out on Mr. Cable. If you’re going to be pissed at anyone, you might as well be pissed at me.”
“It’s all right,” Martin said, holding his hand up to Frank, volunteering himself. “I’ll stay and listen to her complaints. That’s why I’m here.”
“Well…” Frank said. “Then Ken and I will keep moving through the units. You can catch up with us later?”
“Yes,” said Martin. “Don’t wait for me. Ken, you’re taking accurate notes, I presume?”
“Yes boss,” Ken said with a nod.
When Frank and Ken stepped out of the apartment, giggled.
She felt as though she and Martin were two children, who had just gotten away with something.
Martin crossed the room. She felt the magnetism grow again, until it was almost unbearable.
“Now then, where were we?” he asked, resuming his position in front of her.
smiled. It was good to have him so close again.
“I think we were arranging a tour of some kind,” she said. “Of the neighborhood?”
She looked up and met Martin’s eye.
To her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her.
His kiss took her breath away. His lips were firm, full, and powerful. His kiss was sudden, and deep. She melted into him as she’d wanted to all along. It felt so right to give in to her urge to lean into his sphere of gravity, and kiss him back.
As they broke apart, she spoke again.
“Or… we could stay in,” she said, catching her breath. “And skip the tour. Like I said, there’s not much out there.”
“It’s better right here,” agreed Martin with a soft smile.
felt her heart pounding in her chest. The attraction that had been trickling through her since meeting Martin Cable was now flooding her, the sense of excitement careening through her veins. “Would you like a glass of wine?” she asked.
“I’d love one,” Martin said, his eyes twinkling with a shared sense of excitement.