Melodramatic Me
Before she leaves for the day, Minka and I do a final perimeter check. I know she's looking to tease me more about Brad, but I ignore her every attempt. I only want to lock down the place before the sun sets. Minka likes my idea of traps but agrees with Rafael that they're likely illegal.
Before she leaves, Minka leans down and whispers, "If you get another shot, take it. We'll clean up the mess."
"I will," I say and then force myself to warm up a little more. "Thanks for the info about Brad and movies."
Minka pulls me into a hug. "You're so adorable. A regular Princess Peach."
"Who?"
Letting me go, she sighs. "Google it."
I watch her drive away before doing another walk around the perimeter. The more I care about Brad, the more paranoid I am about his safety.
Despite my lust for the sexy giant, or likely because of it, I avoid him from the moment I return. Dodging him is tough even in a big house. Only when I know he's in the living room do I get a drink from the kitchen.
As I crack open one of the soda cans I bought, Ruth watches me, making no effort to pretend otherwise. I don't mind her gaze on me. She likely intends to intimidate, but the woman isn't scary. When she reveals herself to be a homicidal maniac, I'll consider fearing her. Until then, she's free to stare to her heart's content.
"Are your parents alive?" Ruth asks, stirring a pitcher of tea.
"No."
"How did they die?"
"They were murdered."
"Is that why you got into this line of work?"
"Yes."
"How old were you when they died?"
I give Ruth a quick glance, realizing she's only partly interrogating me. The mother part of her is actually curious about the orphaned woman before her.
"My father was killed before I was born," I say without adding how my mother fired the weapon. "My mother died when I was seventeen."
"Any siblings or other family?"
"No."
My mind lingers on the worn face of the only person who ever probably loved me. Sela rarely smiled, but often her eyes were filled with warmth. Thinking of her makes my chest hurt, so I excuse myself from the conversation and leave the room.
Brad sits on the couch, watching TV. After all the effort to avoid him, now I join him immediately. He doesn't even look at me, but I notice a smile on his face.
"Are you watching a movie?"
"No, it's a TV show Ghost Hunters."
"What's that?"
"They go to reported haunted locations and try to get proof."
"Do they get the proof?"
"Depends on what you believe. Some of the things they show could simply be the mind playing tricks. Like they'll tell you the ghost is saying a word on a recording, so your mind hears the word."
"Why watch it?"
"It's creepy."
"Wouldn't you want to avoid supernatural shows after what happened?"
Brad turns slightly on the couch, facing me now. "I did avoid anything creepy for a long time, but my psychiatrist suggested I face my fears. He worried I was becoming controlled by my phobias. So I started watching horror movies and TV shows. Now I'm hooked. Facing my fears is a good thing."
Brad's right-hand lifts up and reaches slowly towards me.
"Like right now," he says in a quiet voice, "I fear you'll bite my hand off for trying to touch you, but I'm going to try anyway."
My instinct demands I smack away his hand. My heart insists I lean into his touch. Brad smiles when I press my cheek against the palm of his warm hand.
Quickly, my heart races so fast that I'm lightheaded. Skin flushing with unbearable heat, I'm afraid to reveal my arousal. I use a trick my mother taught me to hide pain and bite the inside of my mouth. When Brad studies my reaction with his perfect blue eyes, I feel beautiful under his gaze.
The TV gets loud when the ghost hunters become frightened of their shadows. I flinch away from Brad and focus on the show.
"Are these people always so melodramatic? Is that what the squealing is about?"
Brad laughs. "Oh, yeah, they squeal a lot. It's pretty funny."
I readjust on the couch and sit with my legs crossed. Positioned closer now, Brad studies me. He's clearly thinking about kissing me, but I'm not ready for such intimacy. No doubt, if he kisses me at this point, I will climb into his lap and ask for more.My desire is too strong to control.
Everything is wrong for either of us to make a move. Ruth and Nell are in the next room. The dogs stare obsessively at Brad. The sun isn't fully set, and I haven't done a final check of the perimeter. Maybe when everything is taken care of, I will kiss him on the couch and finish in his bed.
For now, I decide to enjoy the ridiculous show. I laugh at their squeals and allow myself to think they're actually hearing ghosts. Enjoying Brad's company, I'm nearly able to forget he's gorgeous, and how I want him naked on top of me.
10
Saskia