Outside the box

Chapter 5

“ And how's work"David asked

“ It was fine, but stressful" I said tiredly

“ Well it was like every other day is fine and exhausting" he said smiling,when he noticed my eyes on his lips.

“ The pizza came. David opened the cardboard box while Emily put another piece of wood on fire and plugged some moody music into the stereo. David cleared away when we where done eating.

“ That's the way I like to do dishes" he told her.

“ Just throw it into the garbage" he rearranged the cushions and she curled up against him, her head on his shoulder.

“ I'm taking my brother's children to Maritime museum this weekend" he told heron one. of the spaces between the music “ You should come along"

“ I've already had plans to visit Maria mum, sorry maybe next time" I said curdling closer to him.

“ The music quickened, losing its slow moodiness. David's hand slid along the silky fabric of her caftan. When she turned her head ,his lips took her's with gentle possessiveness. The music had stirred her blood and her boby, drawing a response from her like passion.

Then her eyes opened and the dark man in her mind dissolved into the youthful charm of David. She was relieved when the door bell rang. Her kiss had been like a promise, making it difficult to plead tiredness or headache. It was Paula my landlady, forgetting that Tuesdays was David's night. Emily would invite her in, offer coffee. Paula was astute enough to take the hint and stick around until David left. if Paula hadn't come, Emily would have send him away in any case. The music and the fire had conspired to call up Blake's ghost to hunt her. She doesn't close her eyes for fear her lover would be replaced by Blake's dark threat.

“ Ignore it " murmured David when the door rang again before Emily had herself untangled from his hands

“ It might be Paula, and my car is outside, which shows I'm here" she walked across the carpet in her barefoot, feeling the coolness as shaped off the carpet

“ If you don't answer, she will the sence to leave"

“ Oh come on, don't be like that " I said reaching for the door

“ Come on in " she said while opening the door, before she saw him .

He was smiling that smile, steeping towards her even as she startled to close the door again.

“ You did invite me in"

“ No, not you" his arm was resting against the door preventing her from closing it.

“ Please leave Blake, I have company and I don't ...."

“ Surely you can introduce me to your friends? His eyes had narrowed, taking in the fullness of her lips, the disarray of her hair, her barefoot “ You may as well let me in , I'm not going away until you do ".

“ This is my home you have no right ..."

“ Let me in , Emily" he grasped her shoulder with his hands and moved her firmly aside.

“ Stop manhandling me, get out " He ignored her, pushed past her and walked into the living..room. He was taking in every detail with his blue hazel eyes that glittered dangerously... The fire, the pile of soft cushions that supported David, David's tie was gone, his shirt half un-bottned .

David spluttered “ I don't know who you are, but I think you should better..."

“ Blake Harding"

Emily watch Blake approaching David she was frozen, know he was going to do something, knowing she couldn't stop him.

He stopped two steps away from David. He was smiling.

“ This is David Roswell" she glared at Blake

“ Blake isn't staying" she told David “ he's just leaving"

“ I'm not in that much of a hurry Emily" if she hadn't seen his eyes,she could almost have believed he was as nonchalant as he sounded.

“ I like the sound of your music. Perhaps I'll just stay to listen for Abit .."

“ You will not, I don't you here Blake".

“ I think you'd better be leaving Harding" David was standing behind her, working hard at sounding threatening he wasn't good at it . Blake laughed

“ Look here" whoever you are .."

“ Get out Blake!" Emily demanded, knowing David's anger would only make Blake worse.

He didn't seem to hear her. “ David Roswell" he speculated, his eyes dismissing this rival, moving to Emily as if he were taking possession of her. He did it deliberately, not hiding the journey of his gaze .. from her tousled hair, down to the modest opening of her caftan at her neck I further to the curve of her breasts beneath the fabric.

Anyone watching would believe that Blake eyes told a story of possession. As if they had been lovers. As if he had only to reach out a hand to make her his.

“ I think, Roswell, that it makes more sense if you're the one to Leave, not me?"

“ Blake, you have got one hell of a nerve! so help me, if you don't get out of here, I'm calling the police! I'll charge you for breaking and entering, I'll"

“ Darling, once you get over being angry, you won't do any of that and you know it, Now tell your friend to run along, you and I have things to say to each other .... alone"

“ Emily, just who is this man?"