Mind the Gap

Chapter 4

“Here you go.” The taxi driver stops in front of my apartment building on Oxford Street and his voice breaks me out of the haze I’m sitting in. Partly because of the pain meds the doctor gave me at the hospital, the other because my rescuer is sitting next to me.

The door to the driver’s side of the taxi opens and Marcus slides out, taking my purse, broken e-reader and the bag containing all sorts of goodies from the hospital. Sliding over, I’ve barely put my foot on the sidewalk before Marcus is right in front of me.

“Let me help you.” Gently taking my right arm into his hand, he helps me out of the car like I’m a fragile piece of glass, in jeopardy of breaking at any moment. If I wasn’t so annoyed at him hovering over me, I might find his helpfulness swoon-worthy.

After getting me out of the taxi and graciously paying the driver, Marcus led me through the front door of the building and into the lobby. Jefferson, one of the afternoon doorman was walking back towards the door from the reception desk when he spotted us and rushed over.

“Oh Miss Lia. Whatever happened?” Jefferson truly looked concerned. He was in his late fifties and reminded me of a very jolly old man. A very gay, jolly old man.

“A little run-in with a soccer ball at Kensington Garden.”

He looked at me a bit strangely, as if he’d never heard of such a thing, and turned his attention to Marcus. “Sir?”

“Football. She had a little run-in with a football.” “Ah!” The light bulb flickered with acknowledgment. “Do you need any assistance? Could I ring upstairs for you?”

“I’m fine, Jefferson. But thanks for asking. I’m going to say goodbye to my friend here and head upstairs.” I didn’t want to be rude, because Jefferson was a nice man, but I’d had a fairly shitty afternoon and I was done.

Jefferson said his goodbye and headed towards the door. His duty to open the door and greet residents and guest of the building more important than me.

Marcus was smiling down at me and then gestured for me to continue on towards the elevators. “You know, you don’t have to go with me. I appreciate all you’ve done this afternoon, but I think I can make it upstairs to my apartment without hurting myself.”

“I’m sure you’re quite capable, Amelia.” Marcus said with a hint of humor. “But if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to make sure you get upstairs.”

“Whatever,” I sighed as I walked towards the elevators.

Once inside the quickly arriving elevator, I pushed the button for the 14th floor and leaned back against the wall. Marcus stood opposite me. He didn’t say a word, just stood staring at me. Like he was trying to figure out a puzzle or something. It was a little disconcerting having a man this gorgeous, even in soccer cleats, gym shorts and a sweaty t-shirt, stare you down.

Once the automated voice announced my floor, I moved in front of the door. Marcus did the same but chuckled as he stood next to me. When the doors opened, I turned to the left and quickly down the hall to my apartment door. I don’t know if I thought I could quickly loose him in the space of the 500 feet from the elevator to the front door, but something in me had me running to get away from this man who was too good looking and seemed to cause my body to react in weird ways.

But I didn’t calculate into my escape the fact that Marcus was holding all my possessions, including my purse which had my keys. Admitting defeat, I leaned forward and put my forehead against the door. When I saw those damn soccer cleats, I knew this infuriating man had an irritating smirk on his face because he knew I’d been had.

“Please just hand me my purse,” I said into door.

“Of course,” the deep, sexy, crisp British voice said as my purse appeared in my line of vision with the floor.

With a fortifying breath, I straightened and dug around the inside of my purse until I blindly found my keys. It took two attempts to get the key into the lock, making me feel like more of an incompetent ass. Although I shouldn’t, since my current situation really wasn’t any of my fault. But none the less, the feeling was there. Finally, with the key in, I turned the lock and the handle, granting myself and apparently Marcus, into the apartment.

Tossing my keys in the bowl that sat atop the entryway table, I drag myself into the apartment. I didn’t invite Marcus in, but I didn’t tell him to stand in the hall or to f**k off. I just didn’t care. I walked over to the TV room and flopped down on the couch. Very unladylike, especially given the fact that I had a skirt on…no matter how long it was. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back against the pillows.

“Are you in pain? I know it’s too soon for another dosage, but….”

“Stop,” I say interrupting him. “I’m fine.”

“Knackered?”

I popped my eyes open and looked at him as he sat down on the coffee table in front of me. “Knackered? What is that? Tired?”

Marcus chuckled and leaned forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. It drew my attention to his bare legs. Legs that were covered with hair, but not in a gross Planet of the Apes kind of way. It was masculine. Sexy.

“I would love to know what you are thinking about right now.”

Oh s**t! Closing my eyes, I wondered how long it would take for the couch to transform into the pits of hell and swallow my dumb ass.

Pulling my big girl panties on, I bravely looked at Marcus. He’s smiles at me, with an almost roguish smirk. His eyes sparkle with amusement, but I can also see a bit of concern there and something else. The something else intrigues me.

“I’m going to plead the fifth on what I was thinking. But in all serious, thank you for helping me today.”

“I feel a little bit responsible for you being like this.” Grabbing a pillow from the other end of the couch, he places it on my lap and moves my casted hand on top of it. “I wanted to make sure you were alright.”

I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face if I wanted to. “Again, thank you.”

“Will someone be round later to help you? Roommate? Boyfriend? Husband?”

“If that’s not digging, I don’t know what it. Yes, someone will be by later. My brother and sister-in-law.”

“And the boyfriend or husband?”

“That would be a no.”

“Good then.” A huge smile broke across his face and it was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. “I’m off.” Picking up my smashed e-reader, he shakes his head then heads towards the door. He stops as he gets to the entryway and looks back down at me. “I’m replacing this.” And then he was gone.