The Book Keeper (20 page)

Weakness was setting in. 

Stop it Georgia....don’t let me love you.  We can’t be together..
......I closed my eyes briefly, but opened them as the elevator doors opened at ground level.

I stepped away from Georgia slightly, looked down for her hand, and then took it in mine as we left the elevator and the foyer of the building. 

I hailed a cab, opened the door and slid in the back beside Georgia, giving the destination to the driver.

Georgia sidled next to me, her leg against mine, her hand on my leg. 
No Georgia....don’t do this to me.....don’t do this to me
.

But I did want it.  I wanted her in my life for good.  Saying goodbye to her tonight was going to be torturous.

‘You look amazing tonight Cohen,’ she said to me in a low voice.

‘Thank-you Georgia, I thought I should dress to my new title as The Book Keeper,’ I added in jest
, to take me away from her dangerous effect on me. I looked into her smiling eyes.  She was happy.  Was it because of me, or because she had finished reading the book to me and thus parted with the bloody book.  Maybe it was a burden on her as well?

Her hand felt so warm and soft in mine as we entered the Restaurant. I could hold her hand forever.  The waiter led us to our reserved table. It was beautifully decorated with fresh light pink flowers and a couple of candles glowing with warmth.  It was perfect for Georgia.

I watched Georgia’s beautiful face as she read the menu. How could I be so lucky that our paths would meet?

‘Let’s share one dessert Georgia, and eat it first
, before the rest of the meal,’ I suggested.  She looked up at me, her eyes shocked.  But then she giggled quietly and nodded.

‘How about the
Warm Chocolate Puddle Cakes?’ she suggested. I was surprised that she didn’t choose the Decadent Ginger Cake with Crème Anglaise.  But if her heart desired the chocolate dessert, then that is what we would have.

‘Excellent choice Georgia,’ I agreed in a low voice, smiling crookedly at her.

The waiter appeared.  He eyed Georgia with desire before he looked at me. I saw him chuckle to himself as I ordered the dessert as the first dish to be served. He bowed to me with an amused look on his face before he left, and cocked his head to one side and bowed it to Georgia as he left us. 

Suddenly I felt tongue tied.  How can she scramble my brain like that?
  I got up from the table and walked around to her, offering my hand to her.

‘Dance with me Georgia,’ I asked in a husky voice, looking deeply into her blue eyes, waiting for her to take my hand.
I breathed in deeply as her warm hand touched mine with the lightness of a feather.  I enclosed my fingers around hers, and drank in her beauty in as she stood before me, my heart racing again at  the thought of holding her close to me.

The butterflies jittered around haphazardly in my stomach as we approached the dance floor.  I slowly turned to face her, and then pulled her close to me as we assumed the waltz pose.  There was gentle slow music playing in the background, but I couldn’t hear it.
All I could hear was my thumping heart, and feel Georgia’s body molding into mine, her sweet rose perfume intoxicating me. 

She was mine Mr Waiter. She was mine.

She rested her head against the side of my neck. I wanted to groan in delight at her nearness, but didn’t. I lowered my head and kissed her bare shoulder, twice. She moved her hand up behind my neck again
, sending tingles throughout every cell in my body.  I was blissfully trapped by her presence, and I didn’t want to escape, ever. 

But then the music stopped, and our closeness
was torn apart, ripping my heart strings the tiniest fraction.  I looked down into Georgia’s warm eyes, and then over to our table.  The Warm Chocolate Puddle Cakes had just been placed there, and were waiting for us. Georgia’s fingers lightly trailed down my forearm and then into my hand. She entwined her fingers through mine. 
Oh Georgia......please don’t.....

Once we were seated, I picked up my wine glass
, swished the red wine around to release the different flavours and held it to my nose to inhale the scent, and then raised it.

‘To the Book Keepers,’ I announced. Georgia clinked her glass against mine, and then we both
savoured the fruity flavour. I handed Georgia the dessert spoon so that she could have first dibs on the Warm Chocolate Puddle Cake. She removed a piece of the cake, but then offered to me, placing the spoon into my mouth.  It was a very intimate gesture, based on trust.

“Mmmmm.....heavenly,’ I commented as Georgia smiled at me, then placed a portion of the dessert into her own mouth
, smiling at me as she devoured her spoonful.

We continued this routine in silence, looking into each other’s eyes until the last crumb of the Warm Chocolate Puddle Cake was gone.

‘Thank-you,’ I whispered to her.

‘For what?’ she asked.

‘For coming out with me tonight,’ I answered, my voice low.

‘It was the least I could do, after you listened to the book through to the end,’ she said. Ouch!  A kick in the guts.  She was only going out with me – returning a good deed for a good deed.

I nodded my head at her, and tried to hide the hurt on my face.  I need to change the subject....

‘Tell me what to do with the book now that I am the Keeper,’ I requested, as our main meals appeared on the table.  But I had lost my appetite, with my hope.  I shouldn’t have hoped to be with her anyway – I don’t do girls, or books!  Being here with her tonight was futile.
I was punishing myself.

She took a sip of her wine.  I could see that she was choosing her words carefully.  What is it with this bloody book?

She put her cutlery down on her plate and her face became very serious.

‘Cohen.....It is the rule that you must write your full name and birth date into the front of the book, on the third page.
It uses the ancient concept of Naming as a prophetic word spoken over an individual's life, shaping both identity and character. Once you do this, it will all become clear – that is all that I am allowed to tell you.’  She stared into my eyes, fear inching its way inside her large black pupils. I dared not ask her another question about the bloody book.  I heeded the warning, and took a deep breath.

‘Georgia, so what now for you after closure on the book?’

‘Relief.  The book is kinda freaky to tell you the truth.  You will know what I mean soon enough. But strangely, I feel sort of lost without the book.  Like it was part of me.’  She shook her head as if ridding her mind of an unwelcome thought, and frowned.

‘I guess I will just continue on with my life as per usual, hoping that my Prince will come and I will live happily ever after,’ she added, her voice impassive.  I was shocked by her words.  Any man would be honoured to have her in his life.

‘It will happen Georgia, I know it will.  Your Prince Charming will come and sweep you off your feet, and carry you off into the sunset.  You deserve the best,’ I encouraged her with all of my heart.

She looked at me, her eyes sad.

‘Thank-you Cohen.  And what about you – now that our story time has finished?’ She picked her voice up, sounding more cheery.

‘Same old same ol’,’ I said. ‘My life was much more interesting when you walked into it.’   She smiled at me and then reached over and touched my hand.

I wanted to dance with her again.  But I had lost my confidence.  She had come to return a good deed, not because she wanted to…

‘Movie time – let’s go,’ I announced, stood up, grabbed her hand and led her outside into the static atmosphere.  The clouds still hung low, threatening, building up.  They would have to release their fury soon.  A chill ran down my spine.

Chapter  14

She entwined her fingers through mine as we sat in the safe darkness of the movie.
Oh Georgia.....please don’t.  I can’t have you.  You are not mine......

Her hair tickled my cheek as she rested her head upon my shoulder, the green apple scent refreshing, reminding me of summer. I closed my eyes for a moment, relishing the closeness that we had, but would not last.
I wished that the movie would never end.

But it did. Time to disconnect from each other. Unwillingly on my part, but a necessity on my part.
I stood and then offered my hand to Georgia to take.  It would be nice if she would hold my hand as we said our goodbyes to each other.  The final touch.  The final goodbye.......

Her fingertips stayed in contact with mine until we were out on the street.  The lightning flashed followed by a loud peal of thunder, and the rain p
oured down.  Georgia stood closely next to me, protected by the street roofing.  There was no way that we could walk home. Her large blue eyes looked into mine.  She was anxious.

‘Taxi,’ I said, bisyllabic.  She breathed in deeply and nodded.

I stepped into the violent downpour of rain and hailed a taxi.  I opened the door for Georgia to scuttle in, then I followed suit, as wet as a fish. As the taxi drove off to Georgia’s apartment, I heard her giggle.

‘You find me amusing in some ugly way?’ I asked her.  She covered her smile with her hand, and then looked out the window. I brushed my hand through my wet hair and took a deep breath.

‘My mission was successful,’ I whispered into her ear as I leaned in towards her.

‘And so was mine,’ she answered softly, and then turned her head towards me and looked seriously into my eyes.  I breathed in sharply, her look was seductive.   No Georgia......no........

‘Mine was to keep you as dry as possible,’ I added, my voice low.

‘So was mine,’ she whispered, smiling.

‘Touché!’ I commented.

We were nearly at Georgia’s apartment.  The rain was still torrential.  I unbuttoned my shirt as the taxi pulled up, and then climbed out into the storm.  As
Georgia climber out after me, I took off my shirt and held it over her as we ran to the building entrance.

We stopped under the cover, breathing heavily, and laughing together, until Georgia touched me......on my bare chest. Our eyes met, and held each other’s.

‘Come to my apartment to dry off before you head home Cohen,’ Georgia suggested, her voice serious.  I put my hand over hers, but did not answer straight away.  I looked out at the storm.  It was getting worse it anything.

‘Okay,’ I replied, wondering if prolonging my time with the beautiful Georgia Harrison would be a mistake.

She released the security door and pulled me in behind her, shirtless and all. I left a trail of water droplets throughout the foyer as we made our way to the elevator and waited in silence, and then in uncomfortable silence as we rode the elevator unaccompanied to the seventh floor.

Georgia walked briskly ahead to her apartment, but I lagged behind, questioning my decision to accept her invitation.
I should have chosen to be kind to myself and go home. Then I would have avoided any emotional detachment pain that was certainly coming my way.  I crossed my arms over my chest as the coldness started to set in, and then as I entered Georgia’s apartment, the warmth welcomed me. I could hear flames dancing in a fireplace. 

She turned and faced me
, walking backwards, her eyes making a piercing connection to mine.  She held out her hand for me to take. It was as if she was a magnet, and I could not resist her pull.  My fingers touched hers and began tingling all over. I took in a sharp short breath.

Georgia led me to her living room, and there was the fireplace
, glowing and inviting, calling me near. I put my wet shirt over a wooden chair to dry.  It would be dry in no time with the heat of the fireplace.

Georgia took my hand again and then knelt on the floor in front of the warm fire, pulling me down in front of her. She did not speak.  Her eyes continued to look deeply into mine, until she moved her face towards me.  When our lips gently touched
, she closed her eyes and moaned quietly. I pulled away from her. Her full lips were delicious and soft. She was dangerous.  I could feel her giving herself to me. 

Her hand lightly moved around the back of my head and into my hair, and then she kissed me again.  This time firmly, building up to a hunger.  Oh how I wanted to give into her desires
. A warmth emanated from the pit of my stomach spreading over my entire body.  I pulled her closer to me and deepened the kiss again, her moan of pleasure driving me crazy.  Her hands started to explore my shoulders, my back, my chest, my stomach, and then travelled down to my belt.  Georgia started to unbuckle the belt and then unfastened my trousers.  I so wanted this.

But
I pulled away from her.  She was panting, looking at me.

‘Georgia....I....I can’t do this with you,’ I said to her, my voice
husky.

Georgia put both of her hands on my chest.  They were wonderfully warm, electrifying every cell that lay beneath her touch.

‘Can’t or won’t?’ she asked, her voice thick, her expression pained. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.  She was so frustratingly hard to resist.