Page 26 of The Second Ending
He asked Ashleigh about the upcoming concert and let her talk as they ate. In the subdued lighting, her delicate complexion took on a luscious warmth, and her hair flowed like dark caramel, even in its workaday ponytail. He wished he’d thoughtto bring out some candles, just to see the flame flicker in her beautiful green eyes. The air was redolent with the scent of exotic spices, cinnamon and cardamom and cumin, and the sound of her voice, low and rich, teased his senses more than music ever could have done.
He knew the food was delicious, but he hardly knew what he ate. Every ounce of him was caught up in watching her, listening to her, being with her. The graceful angle of her wrist as she brought her fork up to her lips, her long fingers that caressed the piece of naan she’d broken off—these captivated him. How often, in those magical years they’d spent together, had he watched her like this? He remembered how those nights often ended, and he shifted to get himself back under control.
Now she spoke, and his eyes were drawn to the delicate curve of her neck, the line of her nose, and the soft petals of her lips, glistening slightly as they parted and closed and parted again, absorbing his soul. What words was she saying? He was so absorbed in the luxury of the sight of her that his ears were scarcely able to function. His brain certainly couldn’t. He forced his attention to her conversation and picked up something about soloists and arias.
Yes, that’s right. She was singing the solo part for rehearsals. Good. He’d managed to get something into his lust-filled brain. But it wasn’t just lust. It was her, all of her. God, how he wanted the last eight years to disappear, for things to go back to how they’d been.
Marcus opened his mouth, not knowing what words would come out. Would he offer to give her the world? Beg her to come back to him? Ask her to pass him a paper towel? He slammed it closed again before he said something stupid and irredeemable. He was nearly forty years old, damnit. Too old to be gawking like this.
“Is everything okay?” Ashleigh’s words stopped him and yanked him back to reality. “You look… unsettled.”
He shifted again. “No, sorry. Everything’s fine.” That was enough, right? But his heart betrayed his reason, and he kept speaking. “Ash… God, I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you. Just being with you and talking to you, and hearing about what you’ve been doing all day.”
She stared at him with tentative eyes.
“Do you think that, perhaps, we might see each other? Just get to know each other again, maybe go for a walk, if we get a nice day, or see a show? Do you still like plays? You used to love the theatre.”
Was he begging? Hell, he was.
But she didn’t roll her eyes or glare at him with scorn. Instead, those soft rose-petal lips curved into a sweet smile. “I’d like that.”
It was all she said, but it was enough.
“It’s been a long time. We’ll take it slowly.”
She nodded, and reached out a hand. Marcus could hardly tear his gaze from it as it hovered over his own, and then, with the feather-light touch of a butterfly wing, alit to rest upon his fingers.
Flames seared through him. He stared at his hand, surprised to see it still whole and not a pile of ashes. God, what she could do to him. His brain was beyond all help, and he gaped blankly.
“I should go home.” Her words filtered through the inferno that was his brain.
“Uh…”
“Thanks, Marcus. I really enjoyed this. And thanks for your help.”
He staggered to his feet and lumbered after her to the door, as she collected her coat and put on her boots.
“You know my schedule.” More sounds that slowly coalesced into words. “Give me a call when you’ve got some time.”
Drool.
Then she leaned forward and kissed his cheek, and the world melted around him.
CHAPTER 15
PERFORMANCE
The next meetingabout the development and the playing fields was scheduled for the last Thursday in February. How different this was from that first awful meeting back in September. Then, Ashleigh had been blindsided by the sight of Marcus walking into the meeting room. Now, she could hardly wait to see him.
They had, as he suggested, been cautiously reacquainting themselves with each other. A quick coffee after work, a wander through a shopping mall on a blustery evening, sweet texts and emails just to say good morning. They’d discussed going skating, but Ashleigh couldn’t remember where her skates were, and Marcus had suggested that she look at what was on stage, in case there was something she wanted to see. Slowly, gradually, they were finding their way back to each other.
A huge barricade still remained, and they would have to work hard to dismantle it, but everything was looking up.
“You’re happy this morning,” Masako greeted her as they entered Laconia’s offices for their meeting. “You’re looking great in general these days. New type of coffee? Something more interesting? I won’t ask what’s behind it, but I hope it continues. Did you get the email from Marcus? It sounds like he’s got a set of plans for us to look over.”
Ashleigh kept her thoughts to herself, but agreed that she was interested in what the other side had to say.
They didn’t have to wait long. Marcus was already in the meeting room when they arrived, and within moments they all had their chosen beverages in front of them and the meeting got underway.
