Draw Me A Picture (18 page)

“The curse of the male body,”
he thought, reluctantly releasing her soft mouth.
“Just one kiss and I’m a goner.”
He gazed at Michelle’s lovely face like one transfixed. Her eyes fluttered open. Encountering William’s gaze, Michelle blushed deeper than any rose; her fingers went to her lips with an awed expression that told William her experience with men was relatively slim. Just that knowledge brought him a large amount of
comfort. There was no doubt in his mind that Michelle Gregory just the sort of girl to be the lady of his castle.
 

“What was that for?” Michelle whispered; her breathless voice sent thrills through William’s brain and he had to concentrate in order to answer.

“To let you know my intentions,” William answered, smiling warmly. A smile crept over Michelle’s mouth.

“You’re intention was to kiss me?” she asked, sounding amused.

Chuckling, William shook his head.

“I don’t want to merely ‘date’ you, Michelle,” he explained, still keeping close to her; he really liked how her hair smelled. “I detest the very idea of modern dating.” He did not release Michelle’s gaze. She returned it fearlessly.

“So, what are your intentions?” she asked. William saw that Michelle looked a little uncertain; the idea occurred to him that she may not know he felt so deeply for her.

“To fall in love with you,” he replied. Sincerity wove itself around each word and Michelle believed him.

“Well, it’s nice to have all doubt removed,” she said, a sweet smile overtaking her features. Her eyes sparkled like gems. “I have the same intentions, William.” Her companion's eyes grew soft at her words. William leaned down and captured her lips again; this time he did not stop his hand from curving around her face.

Alfred stepped into the room and immediately halted his stride. The top of two heads were just visible over the top of the couch. Master William and his guest were obviously very happily engaged. Silently, Alfred disappeared back into the kitchen, to go through the dining room to his own rooms. He thought they were well matched.

“Young love,” he sighed, smiling to himself.

William did not want to end the kiss but felt his control slipping fast. If he didn’t send Michelle home soon, she’d become a permanent resident sooner than he’d planned. Drawing back from her face, William smiled at her demurely closed eyes and flushed face. When her eyes opened, her look of mild surprise gave William a gigantic ego boost. It really was flattering to have a girl react so to a mere kiss. He lovingly caressed her hair before leaned back on his ‘side’ of the couch.

“Ah...” he began, rubbing the back of his neck. “I hate to sound rude, but... perhaps we should call it a night.” Michelle was regarding him with mild wonder.

“Are you… blushing?” she asked. William grimaced.

“A little,” he admitted, standing up; he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It’s not uncommon. You’ve been doing it all night.” Michelle proved his point by doing so again.

“Yes, but… why would you,?” she asked, vastly curious. “Did I embarrass you?” She was relieved when William grinned.

“No,” he said; he gave Michelle an intense look that warmed her right down to her toes. “I just was thinking that if I didn’t stop kissing you, I’d soon be making love to you right here on the couch.” His voice lowered as he spoke. Michelle’s eyes grew wide.

“Oh,” she said, taking a deep breath. “Perhaps, you’re... um... right. It’s late anyway.” She stood up, a little shakily.

William walked Michelle to the door and helped her into her coat, all without a word. It was as if he was physically suffering. He wanted her to stay, badly; letting her go was extremely difficult. A glutton for punishment, he accompanied her to the lobby and hailed a cab for her. Despite the girl’s protests, he handed the driver a few folded bills before opening the taxi’s door.

Michelle tarried by the curb for several moments. Heartened by her reluctance to leave him, William kissed her on the cheek; he wasn’t about to torture himself with her lips again.

“Thank you for dinner,” Michelle said, softly; her breath showed white in the chill. An empty feeling welled up in her mind, one she could not quite explain.

“You are most welcome, Michelle,” William said, holding her hand tightly. “Anytime... I mean that. Oh, here, I almost forgot.” Bringing out a card from his pocket he handed it to his lady. “This is my cell number and office number, address and everything.” Michelle took the card with relieved look; William was moved by her expression. “I hope you’ll use it,” he added, smiling.

“I will,” Michelle replied. “Thank you.” William kissed her hand and forced himself to let her go.

Turning, the young woman ducked into the waiting cab. She smiled at William through the glass, just as the taxi sped off. Burying his hands in his pockets, William trudged back through the lobby. He opted to take the stairs, just to get his mind off the very appealing idea of hopping a cab over to her place.

The cold air helped, a little. William determined he’d shower in glacial temperatures once he made it back to his apartment. In spite of the various uncertainties that deluged him all evening, William knew that Michelle wanted something very serious with him. As he climbed yet another flight of steps, he turned over in his mind the words she had spoken earlier: “It’s nice to have all doubt removed.”

“Yes, it is,” he said, smiling to himself.

By the time he got back up to his flat, there was a message waiting on his cell phone. It was Michelle.

“I just called to see if it worked,” came the sound of her voice; William smiled at this. “I hope you’ll have me over again; you forgot to show me your shop.” William mentally kicked himself upon hearing this, but Michelle’s message went on. “It’s OK… I just wanted to let you know I didn’t forget and I really want to see it sometime, if you don’t mind. Gosh, I’m rambling... um, goodnight William.”

Shutting his phone William ran his hand through his hair, letting out a short sigh.

“Goodnight, love,” he said, wishing she was there.

CHAPTER FIVE

A chill wind ushered in Thursday morning. Despite the dreary cold William was ready at five AM. He’d spent much of the previous evening talking to Michelle on the phone as they packed; she'd made him laugh often with her quiet and frank manner of expressing herself. He could almost feel her blushes through the phone when he confessed how much he’d missed her.

“You just saw me three days ago,” was her reply.

“Must you rub it in?” he returned. Sitting outside Michelle’s hotel in his roadster, William waited for her to appear. Alfred sat in the passenger seat, mumbling now and then about ‘the ungodly hour’ and the ‘frigid cold’. William was unable to hide his grin. Watching the atrium doors, he drummed his fingers happily on the wheel, whistling some unnamed tune.

A smartly dressed young woman in white and blue swept through the doors carrying a single, brown traveling bag; her uplifted expression made William smile.

“Oh thanks heavens, just one bag,” Alfred said, letting out a sigh of relief.

“You brought two, old boy,” William reminded him, his smile widening. Alfred sniffed.

“I’m an old man; I need a lot of layers,” he articulated, gravely. William hopped out of the car, a spring in his step. Michelle stood a little awkwardly by the door, looking around until she spied William; her smile lit up her face. She let him enfold her in a warm embrace and take her bag.

“I am glad you came,” William told her, smiling. Michelle smiled back her answer, liking the twinkle in his eye. Opening his door for her, William folded his seat forward so she could climb in.

“I hope you don’t mind taking the back, my dear,” Alfred said, apologetically. “I’m afraid if I sat there, they’d need a crowbar to remove me. William acted like he hadn’t heard that; he got in and shut the door.

“Not at all, sir. This is such a cozy car,” Michelle said; she  wiggled around slightly in order to put on the seat belt.

“It’s a roadster, actually,” William corrected, grinning at her over his shoulder. “And thank you for not calling it ‘cute’.” Michelle giggle, softly at his words..

“How are you this morning, Alfred... if I may call you that,” she asked of the elderly gentleman in the
front passenger seat; the white haired valet looked well-swathed against the cold.
 

“Miss Michelle--if I may call you that--I am very well,” Alfred answered, with a smile. He touched the brim of his bowler hat at her.

“Cold and grumpy, you mean,” William put in, directing the roadster away from the curb. That got a ‘harrumph’ from Alfred. Michelle smiled; she felt idiotically happy sitting in the car with them, like a little ten-year-old going to Disneyland.

The roads out of the city were unusually clear; those going into the city were jammed, even at 5:15 in the morning. Looking at the lines of cars, Michelle felt deep sympathy for the folks who sat in traffic for hours a day, went to work, then back in traffic again.

“It’s almost better to walk to work,” she mused aloud as they zipped by the static cars opposite.

“You’re not far off the mark there, Michelle,” William put in. “I rarely use the car.”

“Sometimes I take the subway,” Michelle said. “And though it does reek a little, it is such an interesting experience with all the unique faces crammed into such a tiny space, barely tolerating one another's existence.” William laughed.

“A true artist alone can call the subway ‘unique’,” he said, smiling. Michelle studied the ceiling for a moment.

“The faces only have one thing in common,” she said. “No smiles.”

Alfred surprised her by speaking up.

“Yes, well… in my experience, Miss Michelle, the general populace of New York City either has no reason to smile, or if they do... they wish to keep it to themselves, as not to incite jealousy.” Michelle laughed at this. William liked the sound of her laugh; it was feminine and clear, but not too loud.

“That would be sad if it wasn’t so ridiculous,” Michelle said, smiling. “Humans have to express and feel some form of happiness; it’s part of our DNA.”

“Indeed,” Alfred put in. “Otherwise we dwindle down to self-absorbed lumps that feed off our own misery, to the ultimate detriment of society.” William lifted his eyebrows a little at Michelle in the rear view mirror; she smiled back.

“I agree. Can you imagine a world without laughter? ” Michelle asked. “Or Picnics? No eyes sparkling with fun?”

“Heaven forbid,” Alfred said, gravely. “New Yorkers may appear to thrive on stress, but humans must have moments of brevity here and there, lest we go mad.”

Nodding, Michelle sat back. The leather seat of William’s car was comfortable, in spite of the cramped space. It was very cozy and obviously expensive. Polished wood and glowing leather greeted her eyes anywhere she looked, with shiny brass knobs and fixtures.

“This car kind of suits you,” she said, to William. “It’s all polished and proper.”

“Why, thank you, Michelle,” William returned, grinning. “At least you didn’t say ‘compact’ or ‘stuffy’.” Michelle made a face, which William caught in the rear-view mirror; he chuckled.

“Who could call you compact?” Michelle demurred. “You must be at least six feet tall.” William let out a short laugh.

“A little more, actually,” he said. He looked over his shoulder at Michelle and winked. Getting a blush back, he turned to concentrate on his driving once more.

They fled the city. As the Burroughs and suburbs passed by, the road seemed to grow brighter and increasingly more scenic. Flocks of birds soared in the sky, flying away to warmer places; groves of trees pocketed the roadside, dressed in bright red and orange leaves. Fewer cars graced the road with them as the day progressed. Soon, the three travelers found themselves driving along a two-lane country road, winding through endless meadows and orchards. Michelle felt almost entranced by the scenery; just being out with William and the amiable Alfred left her feeling cheerful. Her host drove with quiet steadiness; muted classical music played in the background. Alfred preferred to read but gave up as the road became more winding.

Michelle stole glances at William often, debating on whether or not she should say something. The lack of conversation was pleasant in itself, but she wondered if she was being impolitely hermit-like by saying nothing at all. Encountering William’s eyes in the rear-view mirror every so often, Michelle blushed at the subsequent winks he sent her way. Smiling, she continued to enjoy the view out the window.

Around noon the roadster rolled into a quaint little town which boasted a small, country-style café; it looked humble but well-kept and harbored several patrons within. William parked in front and helped Michelle out. Alfred unfolded himself from his seat, wincing as his back popped audibly.

“Are you alright, old boy?” William asked, grinning. Alfred shot him a narrow glance.

“I shall be after a short rest, thank you,” he quipped. Michelle patted the elderly man’s shoulder.

“It looks very comfortable inside,” she suggested. Alfred gave her a smile.

“It does. Let’s hope they have loose-leaf tea.”

The diner was quaint and nearly full of locals; they chose a corner booth and a waitress appeared immediately. William ordered the eggs Benedict, explaining he’d skipped breakfast. Michelle saw someone eating a pastrami sandwich on rye that looked delicious and ordered the same. Alfred questioned the waitress intently on how the café’s tea process and was obliged to follow her into the kitchen to inspect it, himself. When the man was out of earshot, Michelle turned an incredulous glance toward William.

“I had no idea tea was such a big deal,” she said. William chuckled at her bewildered expression.

“Everyone has a particular bend, Michelle; a 'passion for process', if you will. Alfred’s is the proper selection and brewing of tea. He’s a master at it.” Michelle remained quiet for a moment before answering.

“I suppose mine is the careful selection of friends and the possible avoidance thereof,” she said, with a broad smile. William gave her a glance of mock-incredulity.