Melody Anne - Scorched

Pulling slightly away from her, he faced her, just inches from her mouth.

She could feel her knees about to buckle and kept them locked through sheer will. Her mouth was dry with fear and longing. She attempted to regain her composure while trying to glare furiously.

“Let me go.”

“As you wish,” he spoke tenderly, releasing her hands and stepping back.

She lifted her arm to slap his face, but he caught it mid-air.

He smiled and leaned forward, kissing her on the forehead.

“You just let me know when you’re ready for that kiss.”

With that he turned and walked confidently from the hallway and out the door. He strode from the diner, not once looking back.

She stood for a brief moment watching him go, hating his arrogance, loving his confidence, confused by both. Swallowing hard, trying to force moisture into her mouth, she slowly slid down the wall collapsing in a pile on the floor. The sobs came from her in great gasps, uncontrolled as she lay curled up in with her legs to her chest. She was unable to stop the rush of emotion and could feel her heart breaking all over again. Breaking for the loss of her father, the loss of her love, the loss of the lock she’d placed on it. She couldn’t stop the tears or stem the tide of passion that swept through her, hidden for so long.

“No…no. I said no. Not ever again. I…said…no.”

Chapter Two

She woke the next morning in her flat over the diner, her head pounding from the cheap vodka she’d used the night before to drown her pain. She moved her head slowly and…what was that wonderful smell? They had to be trying a new recipe in the kitchen, and it must be amazing to make it all the way into her bedroom.

She heard a pot clang in the kitchen, her kitchen, in her flat. She sat straight up in bed and immediately moaned grabbing her head to keep it from exploding right off her shoulders. Once the room stopped spinning, she stood and made her way to her closet. Pulling her robe off the hanger she quickly shoved her arms through the sleeves. Wrapping the front around her and tying the sash, she moved slowly toward the door, one hand holding her throbbing head.

She was pretty sure whoever it was in her kitchen wasn’t there to hurt her, unless modern thieves and cutthroats cooked you breakfast before they robbed you blind. She slowly and quietly pulled her trusty bat from beneath her bed just in case. Peeking around the corner and finding no one in the hallway, Alexa walked slowly into the kitchen. She gasped in surprise.

Standing in her kitchen, wearing her apron and completely enjoying himself, was Ham and…er…Cayman. Cayman?

“What are you doing in my kitchen? In my house ? How did you get in here?” She could feel her anger rising faster than it should.

“Good morning, sunshine!” he said, way too cheerfully. “Your friend Tahleah…”

“I should have known,” she muttered. “I can’t wait to get my hands on her.”

“…let me in and I even brought all my own groceries.” He smiled proudly.

“Get out.” She said firmly, her head pounding.

“You don’t look like you feel so good,” he said, “you need some coffee. Sit down and I’ll get you some.”

“I SAID GET OUT,” she yelled as loudly as her head would allow. Even at the lower decibels it was enough to make her drop the bat and cradle her head in pain.

Cayman was instantly at her side, holding her up.

“You better sit dow- whoa! What have you been drinking?” he said, waving his hand in front of his face.

Suddenly she realized what she must look like and that only served to feed the fire raging in her head. She was angry, but clearly needed his help to the small kitchen table.

He set her gingerly in the chair and sat down across from her, looking worried.

“Are you okay?” He got up and poured her a cup of hot steaming heaven. At least that’s what it smelled like when he placed it in front of her. She could have sat there all day just smelling it.

“Who are you?” She looked up from the coffee and into those now familiar green eyes. “And where did you learn to cook food that smells like that?”

“Shall we see if it tastes as good as it smells, M’lady?” he said standing and heading to the stove.

Alexa’s eyes honed in on his backside as he sauntered into the kitchen. Nice jeans, nice gluts, nice... “No, I really mean it. Who are you?” She still cradled her head in her hands, trying to keep it from falling off her neck.

He finished dishing up breakfast and walked back to the table with a plate for both of them. Setting them down, he slid into his seat. Leaning forward with elbows on the table, he looked at her for a moment.

“I’m a friend, Alexa. I was passing through Startup and stopped for some breakfast and there you were. Hadn’t planned on returning to your diner, but then I saw you and I was hooked. You really dress up this town, you piqued my interest. So, here I am.”

His eyes were penetrating hers, clear to the back of her head. He made her want to forget every promise she’d ever made to herself. She wanted him to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom--. She shook her head, forcing her thoughts back to the present.

“I don’t need friends, Cayman. I have my diner and my friends there, and I don’t need anything else.” She tried very hard to sound convincing.

“You’re wrong, Alexa. I’m sticking around for a while, so you may as well deal with it. I’m going to keep asking you out until you accept. Maybe after one date we’ll decide we’re not interested in each other after all. But I’m not leaving until I know that for sure, and right now, I don’t know for sure.”

“Well, I can answer that little question for you right now.” She said her voice a pinch more sarcastic than she’d planned. “We’re not compatible, we’re not ever going out and there’s no need for you to ‘stick around’, especially on my account. You’re free to leave. I give you my permission, as if you need it.”

The hurt on his face made her stomach clench. He looked down at his food, the smile fading slowly from his face, laid his napkin beside the plate and stood up. He looked around the room, walked to the door where his coat was hanging on the knob, picked it up, looked at her and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

Alexa hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath since her little speech and with the closing of the door she let all the air out of her lungs. She wanted to run after him and tell him to come back, that she was sorry to be so rude. The look on his face killed her, and she had the gnawing fear she would never see him again. What had she done? Was it the right thing?

“It was the right thing for me,” she said firmly to herself. She slowly picked up the plates of untouched food and carried them to the sink, scraping the uneaten food into the disposal. As she turned it on and watched it disappear down the drain, she said again, “it was the right thing for me.”

“You did WHAT?” Tahleah was clearly stunned.

“Listen, Tahleah,” she said with warning in her voice, “don’t ever do that again. Don’t EVER let a complete stranger into my house, or anyone for that matter without my permission. Do you hear me? That had better never happen again.”

“He may be gone for good now,” said Tahleah, ignoring her. She was clearly exasperated.

“I can only hope so,” Alexa looked down the counter to the spot where Cayman usually sat. It was breakfast, and his chair at the counter sat empty.

“Oh for crying out loud, Alexa! What were you thinking! How could you let a fish like that get away? I saw how you looked at him. I thought if I let him in there you might just acknowledge those feelings and give it a go. I can’t believe you chased him away.”