Come Undone (The Cityscape 1)

“Don’t,” I stopped him. “There’s no point.”

“You just said you weren’t sure if I would care. Do you really think that? Of course I care. I would do whatever it takes - but instead I left you alone with him . . . It wouldn’t have gotten so far if . . .” Something – guilt, maybe, crept into his voice.

“Stop,” I said, covering my ears. I felt an overwhelming need to protect us both. “He wasn’t going to hurt me, he just,” I paused. “Just wanted to scare me a little,” I lied. I heard his breathing quicken and continued before he could interject. “I can’t do this right now. How - how do you know . . . ,” I racked my still-groggy memory. “Cooper?”

“An old friend.”

“A good friend to have,” I said.

“Indeed. He’ll take care of this for us.”

“Do you think that guy, Mark, really has connections on the force?” I asked.

“No, he was bluffing. Cooper said they were just waiting for him to break parole.” I wanted to ask him about what he’d said earlier. About whether or not he was finished with me. But I didn’t know how I could stand his answer either way, so I didn’t. I sighed sleepily and shut my eyes again. Neither of us spoke for some time, and I drifted.

~

When I opened my eyes, the room was grey. David, still facing me from across the bed, slept peacefully atop the comforter in a white t-shirt and heather grey sweatpants. His hair was tousled, and he almost looked relaxed, except that his arms were crossed over his chest. He was so far away that he was almost falling off the bed. I wondered what it would be like to reach out and touch him, to pull him close and snuggle into his chest. Something welled in me that was less urgent than before, but was deeper. I couldn’t help myself from thinking of what he might do to me were the circumstances different. That he might lean over and finish the kiss he’d started in my office, this time letting his hands wander over the thin t-shirt. That he might reach between my thighs and feel my want, my need . . . . My breathing quickened.

Just then he shifted and opened his eyes so that we were looking at each other.

“Do you know where you are?” I joked.

He smiled. “How do you feel?”

“Good,” I said and meant it. “I slept better than I have in a long time.”

He nodded and stretched his long limbs before leaning over me to see the clock.

“What time is it?”

“Six thirty-five.”

“Mmm, I have to go,” I said, not moving.

“Call in sick. You can stay here today if you want.”

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea. Anyway, the party is tonight.” I grimaced as I sat up gingerly, feeling tender as though it were the morning after a good workout. I looked around the room, trying to locate my clothes. He inhaled sharply, and I caught his cringe.

“What?”

“You’re all black-and-blue,” he said, sitting up next to me. He scooted closer and studied my cheek, taking my chin in his hand again. Is it awful to admit that I’m starting to enjoy this? “The cut looks all right but your cheek is pretty badly bruised.” He shook his head. “Poor girl,” he said as he swept the hair from my face. For a moment, we looked at each other, his hand lingering by my face, and I imagined that I didn’t have to leave. The memory of our kiss swept over me again, more vivid with his vicinity, and I felt my lips purse slightly in response. I pushed the dangerous thought from my mind but a sound escaped my lips first.

“Right,” he said, lifting himself off the bed.

“Can I get ready here? It would save me a trip.”

“Of course,” he agreed happily. He seemed more than happy to provide me with anything I needed. Lucky, the girl who ends up with him, I thought.

I pulled the covers off and climbed out of bed to find myself floating in his long t-shirt that just met the tops of my thighs.

“Shit,” I said, embarrassed and covering myself. Since I was used to sleeping almost nude, I must have kicked off the oversized shorts in the night.

“Jesus, Olivia,” he said raking his eyes over me. “I’m trying to behave, but you’re killing me here.” We laughed together, and he turned to leave the room, shielding his eyes. “Your clothes are around here somewhere. Get dressed, you goddamned temptress.” I giggled as he shut the door behind him.

After a quick rinse, I changed into the previous day’s outfit. I was grateful to find a few make-up essentials in my purse and attempted to make myself presentable. As I never left the house without my travel hairbrush, I was able to twist my hair into an acceptable bun. I lingered over the bruise, dabbing the area with foundation in hopes of concealing it, but eventually gave up to meet him in the kitchen. He still wore a faded marathon t-shirt and the grey sweatpants that hung dangerously low, allowing me a glimpse of skin as he pulled two glasses from the cupboard.

“You have a beautiful place,” I said, looking around for the last time.

“Can I get you anything to eat? Or some OJ?” he asked.

“No, I’ve really got to get going,” I sighed.

“You should eat. I’m not a great cook but I can whip something up.”

I shook my head and we stared at each other stubbornly. Not wanting to be rude, I relented when I spotted a bowl of fresh fruit behind him. “How about a banana?”

He swung around and grabbed one, offering it to me. “What else?”

I narrowed my eyes and smiled at him. “Bye,” I said.

“Not so fast. I’ll take you to your office.”

“Oh God, David, can you imagine how that would look if anyone were to see us?”

“I don’t give a damn, Olivia. Nothing happened.”

I stared at him. “That’s easy for you to say. You have nothing to lose.”

“It’s early, nobody will be around.”

“You’re kind-of persistent, aren’t you?” I mocked.

He grunted. “When I want something, yes.”

“What do you want, David?”

“To see you to your office.”

I considered this because it would be nice to have the company. “It’s not far. I’ll go alone,” I decided. “You’ve been wonderful. Thank you.”

He shifted on his feet, visibly struggling with himself.

“You can walk me to the door,” I offered as consolation.

“And down to the street.” His tone was decided, although I could tell he was holding back. I wondered if he was this controlling with all his overnight visitors.

As we descended in the elevator, I tried to find the words to express my gratitude. He obviously likes fruit, I thought. Maybe I’ll send him a basket of it. I almost laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of the idea.

This time we stopped at the ground level and were deposited into a brightly lit, bustling lobby. I passed my eyes quickly over the spacious area before I realized my surroundings.

“You live in a hotel?”

“The top floors are residences.”

“Don’t all these people disturb you?”

He gave a short laugh. “That’s not usually the first thing people ask when they find out I live in a hotel. But the answer is no. Last night we used a private entrance and elevator. So unless I come through the front, I don’t normally see anyone other than my neighbors. And Gorman, of course.”

“Wait a sec,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “Isn’t this the Gryphon Hotel? We’re having our Meet & Greet here tonight.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Why didn’t you mention it?”

He shrugged. “Why would I?”

“So if you don’t show, I’m going to come up and drag you downstairs.”

“I can almost assure you that that plan would backfire,” he said. “Next time I get you alone in my apartment, I won’t let you off so easy,” he said levelly, staring ahead.

My eyes hit the marble floor as I blushed furiously. What was with him? Did he want me or not? Was he joking? Did he usually kid around with

married women this way? Sheesh.

“Good grief, are you red,” he said, and I peeked up to see his lips spread in a devastating smile. “And go easy on that poor banana.” I loosened my grip and cleared my throat.

Once we were in front of the building, we stood face to face in the new morning, me with my hands balled around the banana, while his were shoved into the pockets of his sweatpants.