The Book Shop - Chapter Four
Title: The Book Shop
Author: bsgroxmysox
Rating: K
Word Count: 3000
Summary: Since the decommissioning of the Battlestar Galactica, Laura Roslin's life has changed dramatically. Now it's time for her to move to a new town and make another change. Will the support from a familiar face and a new friend help her get back on her feet?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters just borrowing them for a little fun
This story would be a complete mess if it wasn't for the amazing job that bsg_aussiegirl does as beta...I'm forever grateful sweetie!
*
“Laura, do you have any colouring pencils?”
Laura glanced up from her latest book to find a young girl with dark hair in pigtails watching her.
“Oh, Susan. I think I might have some in my office. You can check there. If I do, they’d be in the second drawer of my desk.”
The young girl jogged away toward the back of the shop, past her sister who was kneeling at the small coffee table finishing her homework.
“Are you okay there, Abbie?”
The elder Kowalski girl looked up from her work wearing an adorable frown.
“I can’t figure this out. I don’t really like math.”
“I know how hard math can be, sweetie. Do you want me to help? Remember I used to be a teacher.”
The girl nodded in agreement, turning back to the table in concentration. Susan joined them with her newly claimed colouring pencils and began drawing pictures while her sister and Laura worked together.
Laura was so absorbed with being back in teacher mode that she didn’t hear the ringing of the bell above the shop door. The sound of the coloured pencil scratching across the paper ceased and Laura looked up to find Bill Adama hovering over them.
“Hi.”
“Hi. You never told me you had more customers come by.”
Beside her, the girls giggled.
“Well, I can’t get by on the two books I’ve sold you. A girl has to make a living. Are you here to make another purchase?”
Bill smiled mischievously at her and held out the book he had been holding in his hand. “Actually, I came by to give you this.”
Laura took the proffered book from him and read the cover.
Dark Day by Edward Prima.
“Bill...” she breathed. “Thank you. I’ll get this back to you as soon as I can.”
“No, keep it. Never lend books. Consider it a gift,” he replied, smiling at her reaction.
“I can’t just...”
An idea struck her and she rose from her crouch on the floor far more ungracefully that she’d like to admit. Hurrying to the back shelf she found exactly what she was looking for. Picking the book from the shelf she passed it to Bill smirking at him.
He read the title aloud. “Blood Runs at Midnight.”
“Don’t let the title fool you, it’s a pretty good mystery. And it’s not a loan, it’s a gift.”
They stood smiling at each other, both clutching their new books until the giggles of the young girls broke through the moment.
“Oh, Bill, this is Susan and Abbie Kowalski. Their mother Emily runs the bakery next door.”
“Ah yes. I practically live off her famous fresh bread. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
He shook both girls’ hands and their giggles increased. Laura couldn’t help but join in their laughter when Susan convinced Bill to join her in colouring a picture for her mother. Abbie asked Laura to help with the last of her homework, and she sat once more on the floor, this time pressed against Bill’s side.
A short while later the shop door opened and Emily hurried into the shop.
“Thank you for collecting the girls from school. I had to run to--” She broke off as she caught sight of the unexpected visitor sitting with the girls.
“Mum! Look what me and Mr. Adama drew for you.” Susan held up the picture and her mother’s hand grasped it automatically.
“It’s very lovely, sweetie,” Emily replied, her eyes never straying from Bill and Laura. Susan beamed, not realising her mother hadn’t even looked at the picture.
“Bill stopped by to get another book. And he’s quite the artist, so he wanted to see Susan’s work of art.”
Susan grinned even brighter at Laura’s praise and Emily smiled down at her daughter. “Well, gather all your things now. We better get going, I have to start dinner. Thank you again, Laura.”
“My pleasure, Emily,” Laura answered, hugging both the girls before they hesitated and each gave Bill a hug too.
With the Kowalski family gone the shop fell silent. Laura looked at the book Bill had brought her on the table. It was such a sweet offer. And she was glad she could give something back to him. Leave a book; take a book.
“Bill, I’ve just had an idea for the shop.”
Bill quirked an eyebrow in interest.
“Leave a book; take a book. A book swap. Maybe not everyone can afford to be buying new books all the time, so I’ll have a section here. Everyone can bring old books they have at home they don’t need anymore and they can find a book someone else has left behind.”
Laura bit her lip in hesitation. “Do you think that would work?”
“I think that’s a great idea, Laura. I know I have a few lying around at home that would be a good starting off point for you.”
“That would be great. Oh, I can do posters to put up around town. Maybe you and Susan can help me,” she teased.
“I would be willing to put my artistic talents to such a good cause.”
Laura giggled again, only just managing to stay in control of them.
“I have to get down to the DIY shop before it closes today.” Bill groaned as he stood. “No more sitting on the floor for me.”
“I’ll organise for some comfortable tables and chairs for my number one customer in the future.”
Bill leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. She could feel her skin warm under the touch and knew she was now furiously blushing. Cursing her fair complexion she moved back to the counter taking her new book with her.
“Laura,” Bill stopped at the door to call her attention once more. When she glanced at him, he continued: “The town’s founding anniversary is this day next week, and they always have a big cookout on the beach. Would you like to go with me?”
Laura’s heart pounded. Part of her screamed at her to say yes but the other part was hesitating, not because she didn’t want to go with Bill, on the contrary, but she was worried about how the townspeople would react to her.
“I won’t let anyone bother you, I promise. We’ll have a nice time.”
Laura hesitated briefly once more before nodding slowly.
“Great,” Bill exclaimed. “I can come get you.”
“It’s at the beach which you live on? I can meet you there. What time does it start?”
“Five.”
“Then I’ll see you there at five.”
“Sounds perfect. See you then.”
When the door closed behind him the bell dinged almost as loudly as the erratic beating of her heart.
*
“I still can’t believe you won’t go with me. I thought you’d be there.”
“Everyone in town goes; meaning all the available babysitters are busy.”
“Maybe I should mind the girls. You deserve a break. You should go and enjoy yourself.”
Emily laughed. “What? And leave the poor Commander without his date? No way. You’re just nervous, Laura. It’s understandable, but you’re still going and you’re going to have an amazing time with your handsome man. There’ll be lots of dancing and drinking; maybe some kissing even.”
“Emily!” Laura gasped. “We hardly know each other.”
“That’s not exactly true now, is it?”
Bill seemed to know a lot about Laura and her struggles over the last few years. But Laura still didn’t know that much about Bill. When she told Emily as much, her friend rolled her eyes at her.
“That’s what tonight is for. Ask him questions about himself. Get to know him... And then kiss the holy frak out of him.”
The two women screeched in laughter, the sound echoing around Laura’s small apartment.
“Oh Emily, I’m so glad I have you to keep me laughing. Now how do I look?”
Laura spun and her friend grinned.
“He won’t be able to keep it in his pants.”
They broke into laughter once again.
*
The beach was already filling up when she arrived and she was glad to note she only received a few half-hearted glares. Although she was sure something would be said to her once the drinking started, she was determined to enjoy this night with Bill.
She spotted that very man with his back to her. He was sitting on one of the logs that were set out as seats and, if she wasn’t mistaken, his bare feet were almost buried in the sand.
“I didn’t expect to find you playing in the sand,” she teased as she sat beside him on the log.
“I thought if I looked busy people would leave me alone until my date arrived.”
She giggled and turned to stare at the sea with the sun setting beyond the horizon.
“That’s a nice colour on you.”
She pulled the wrap tighter on her, smiling at the compliment. “Thank you.”
There was a brief pause in the conversation before he spoke again. “It’s good to see you, Laura.”
She rested her hand on his arm, keeping her gaze on the setting sun. “You too, Bill.”
The remained silently enjoying each others company for a long while. Only when the smell of the food became too enticing for Laura did they leave their comfortable perches.
Bill introduced her to the woman and her husband behind the food stand. They ran the local diner and both were very pleasant and chatted to Laura as she filled her plate with a little bit of everything.
They returned to their earlier seats to eat, but this time they were joined by a few more people. There was the town’s Mayor and his wife, their son, the local butcher and his husband, and the woman who ran the dry cleaners.
Conversation flowed freely, as did the drinks. Bill followed Laura’s lead and refused anything alcoholic for which she was silently grateful for. After the struggle to break her addiction to Chamalla, Laura had been advised not to consume anything that had a high addictive quality. She didn’t want Bill to never drink again because she couldn’t, but she was glad on this occasion for the silent support.
“So, Ms Roslin, you must have some tips for dear old George here?”
The Mayor had been discussing the upcoming election in which he was running again. A new candidate had just entered the race, meaning the sitting Mayor would not be running unopposed. A first in ten years, apparently.
“Oh, I don’t know. Every campaign is different. It was so long ago anyway, I can barely remember.”
“I’m surprised you remember anything of the last few years,” the Mayor’s wife murmured under her breath. The crowd around them was slightly bigger now and there were a few giggles at the bad joke.
Bill stiffened beside her but Laura laid a hand on his arm to let him know she was okay. She didn’t want to make a fuss.
“I actually remember the first time I saw George give a public speech, it was Godsdamn awful!” Carol the dry cleaner spoke up and Laura gave her a thankful smile for changing the subject.
“I got better over time, Carol,” the Mayor replied. “Similar to yourself, Laura, I assume. Were you a nervous wreck when you started your public speaking?”
“Well I think when you’re used to speaking in front of thirty screaming eight- or ten-year-olds then you have a good understanding of what dealing with a hundred adults in a crowd is like.”
“Ah, yes. I remember seeing you speak live once. It was in the next district over at their annual school faculty assembly. They pick a discussion every year and talk about how to improve it within their district.”
She realised that the Mayor was as sly as his wife when he added: “Do you remember what they were discussing the year you were there, Laura?”
His smirk sickened her.
She met his mocking glare. “Drug abuse,” she replied, barely above a whisper.
Bill tightened his grasp on her hand as they prepared themselves for the inevitable.
“That’s right. Quite appropriate, wouldn’t you say?”
The crowd around them didn’t know how to react. Most shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other waiting for the conversation to blow over.
Laura couldn’t stand to be there any longer.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled, dropping her empty plate on the sand beside the log. She stood and pushed through the crowd, hurrying along the beach away from all the people. The tears stung her eyes as she walked fast, but she could make out Bill’s house in the distance. She picked up her pace and headed toward it.
*
Bill caught the smirking Mayor by his shirt collar and dragged him a few steps away from the crowd. Just enough so no-one could overhear them.
“Tell me, George, who did I see you with on Picon last month? Because it most certainly wasn’t that brunette wife of yours.”
The colour drained from George’s face.
“And don’t forget who helped you out when your son was caught smoking something he shouldn’t have been behind the school gym not so long ago.”
“You can’t threaten me, Adama--
“An adulterer and a drug addict under one roof. What would people say?”
“I’ll have you-”
“You ever talk to Laura Roslin like that again and it will be more than threats, George. And I won’t just be spreading rumours, you understand me?”
George scowled but nodded almost imperceptibly. Bill released his hold on the man’s shirt and without a second glance, he turned and hurried in the direction Laura had fled.
He found her sitting on the step outside his front door. She was sniffling, trying so hard to hold it in. Bill sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her towards him.
“Let it all out. Don’t hold it in, Laura.”
What precious hold she had on her emotions broke at the sound of his voice. Her sobs were quiet but they racked her body, jostling the two of them. Bill’s hands were constantly moving: one was moving along her arm and across her back, making soothing motions; the other was buried in her hair, running through the red strands as her sobs decreased to sniffles, and then to eventual silence.
“You feeling better?” he asked. “Good,” he whispered when she nodded slowly.
He ghosted a kiss onto her forehead and began to pull out of their embrace. Her hand on his arm halted his withdrawal and his eyes met hers. They were inches apart, breathes mingling in the cool night air.
Darkness had enveloped the town and even though they could still hear the crowd at the beach they were no longer in view. No one could see them.
Her eyes dropped to his lips and it was his undoing. He moved forward slowly, giving her a chance to stop him but she met him halfway. The kiss was tentative at first. Just a light press of their lips together.
But then, her hand drifted up his arm, around his shoulder and cupped his head at the back of his skull, pulling him closer. Their kisses quickly became more passionate. The hand in her hair began to massage her scalp as her nimble fingers toyed with the sparse hairs at his neck. Lips parted and at the first taste of her, Bill growled low in his throat. Laura answered with a small hum that sent shivers down his spine.
He pulled away, sharing one, two, three more light kisses before his lips slid along her neck. He suckled the warm skin he found and heard her gasp in response. Somewhere in the foggy recesses of his brain he was aware of her murmuring his name over and over but he never wanted this moment to end.
His lips moved to the other side of her neck and she tilted her head back to give him better access.
“Bill...” The name was gasped in a breathless whisper and for a brief moment he wondered what else he could get her to say in that tone before the night was out.
His head had just dipped lower to explore the gentle swell of her breasts when he sensed a change within her. Her hand on his head gently pushed him away instead of dragging him closer.
With one last lingering kiss to her lips, he drew back just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
Her eyes were closed but there was a smile playing on her lips. Her breathing was shallow and Bill could feel a manly swell of pride at the flush that covered her skin.
“That was....”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“I’m sorry I had to....I just need to go a little slower.”
“I understand. Me too, Laura. Me too.”
They stayed silent a moment longer and Laura opened her eyes. He was glad to see the happiness he felt reflected in her green orbs.
“I should go home...while I still want to.”
He chuckled lightly. “You should go home, while I still let you.”
She stood up slowly and he followed, once again admiring her outfit. Or how she looked in the outfit, to be exact.
“I’ll see you during the week?” he asked.
“Of course. The Book Swap debuts this week. I’ll be expecting to see my number one customer there.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replied, smiling sweetly and noticing with some pride the unruly mess her hair had become.
“I’m really glad I came tonight, Bill. Despite that one moment, everything else was perfect.”
“I’m really glad you came too. I look forward to the next time we do something like this.”
She smirked at him and leaned up on her toes to place a final kiss on his eagerly awaiting mouth. She moved away from him still smiling and made her way home. Bill fell against his front door, his fingers rising to trace where her lips had been only a moment ago.
With a final glance to the stars he entered his house, ready for a good nights sleep filled with dreams of a red-headed book shop owner and her kisses.
*
Next Chapter >
< Previous Chapter
Author: bsgroxmysox
Rating: K
Word Count: 3000
Summary: Since the decommissioning of the Battlestar Galactica, Laura Roslin's life has changed dramatically. Now it's time for her to move to a new town and make another change. Will the support from a familiar face and a new friend help her get back on her feet?
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters just borrowing them for a little fun
This story would be a complete mess if it wasn't for the amazing job that bsg_aussiegirl does as beta...I'm forever grateful sweetie!
*
“Laura, do you have any colouring pencils?”
Laura glanced up from her latest book to find a young girl with dark hair in pigtails watching her.
“Oh, Susan. I think I might have some in my office. You can check there. If I do, they’d be in the second drawer of my desk.”
The young girl jogged away toward the back of the shop, past her sister who was kneeling at the small coffee table finishing her homework.
“Are you okay there, Abbie?”
The elder Kowalski girl looked up from her work wearing an adorable frown.
“I can’t figure this out. I don’t really like math.”
“I know how hard math can be, sweetie. Do you want me to help? Remember I used to be a teacher.”
The girl nodded in agreement, turning back to the table in concentration. Susan joined them with her newly claimed colouring pencils and began drawing pictures while her sister and Laura worked together.
Laura was so absorbed with being back in teacher mode that she didn’t hear the ringing of the bell above the shop door. The sound of the coloured pencil scratching across the paper ceased and Laura looked up to find Bill Adama hovering over them.
“Hi.”
“Hi. You never told me you had more customers come by.”
Beside her, the girls giggled.
“Well, I can’t get by on the two books I’ve sold you. A girl has to make a living. Are you here to make another purchase?”
Bill smiled mischievously at her and held out the book he had been holding in his hand. “Actually, I came by to give you this.”
Laura took the proffered book from him and read the cover.
Dark Day by Edward Prima.
“Bill...” she breathed. “Thank you. I’ll get this back to you as soon as I can.”
“No, keep it. Never lend books. Consider it a gift,” he replied, smiling at her reaction.
“I can’t just...”
An idea struck her and she rose from her crouch on the floor far more ungracefully that she’d like to admit. Hurrying to the back shelf she found exactly what she was looking for. Picking the book from the shelf she passed it to Bill smirking at him.
He read the title aloud. “Blood Runs at Midnight.”
“Don’t let the title fool you, it’s a pretty good mystery. And it’s not a loan, it’s a gift.”
They stood smiling at each other, both clutching their new books until the giggles of the young girls broke through the moment.
“Oh, Bill, this is Susan and Abbie Kowalski. Their mother Emily runs the bakery next door.”
“Ah yes. I practically live off her famous fresh bread. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
He shook both girls’ hands and their giggles increased. Laura couldn’t help but join in their laughter when Susan convinced Bill to join her in colouring a picture for her mother. Abbie asked Laura to help with the last of her homework, and she sat once more on the floor, this time pressed against Bill’s side.
A short while later the shop door opened and Emily hurried into the shop.
“Thank you for collecting the girls from school. I had to run to--” She broke off as she caught sight of the unexpected visitor sitting with the girls.
“Mum! Look what me and Mr. Adama drew for you.” Susan held up the picture and her mother’s hand grasped it automatically.
“It’s very lovely, sweetie,” Emily replied, her eyes never straying from Bill and Laura. Susan beamed, not realising her mother hadn’t even looked at the picture.
“Bill stopped by to get another book. And he’s quite the artist, so he wanted to see Susan’s work of art.”
Susan grinned even brighter at Laura’s praise and Emily smiled down at her daughter. “Well, gather all your things now. We better get going, I have to start dinner. Thank you again, Laura.”
“My pleasure, Emily,” Laura answered, hugging both the girls before they hesitated and each gave Bill a hug too.
With the Kowalski family gone the shop fell silent. Laura looked at the book Bill had brought her on the table. It was such a sweet offer. And she was glad she could give something back to him. Leave a book; take a book.
“Bill, I’ve just had an idea for the shop.”
Bill quirked an eyebrow in interest.
“Leave a book; take a book. A book swap. Maybe not everyone can afford to be buying new books all the time, so I’ll have a section here. Everyone can bring old books they have at home they don’t need anymore and they can find a book someone else has left behind.”
Laura bit her lip in hesitation. “Do you think that would work?”
“I think that’s a great idea, Laura. I know I have a few lying around at home that would be a good starting off point for you.”
“That would be great. Oh, I can do posters to put up around town. Maybe you and Susan can help me,” she teased.
“I would be willing to put my artistic talents to such a good cause.”
Laura giggled again, only just managing to stay in control of them.
“I have to get down to the DIY shop before it closes today.” Bill groaned as he stood. “No more sitting on the floor for me.”
“I’ll organise for some comfortable tables and chairs for my number one customer in the future.”
Bill leaned forward and placed a quick kiss on her cheek. She could feel her skin warm under the touch and knew she was now furiously blushing. Cursing her fair complexion she moved back to the counter taking her new book with her.
“Laura,” Bill stopped at the door to call her attention once more. When she glanced at him, he continued: “The town’s founding anniversary is this day next week, and they always have a big cookout on the beach. Would you like to go with me?”
Laura’s heart pounded. Part of her screamed at her to say yes but the other part was hesitating, not because she didn’t want to go with Bill, on the contrary, but she was worried about how the townspeople would react to her.
“I won’t let anyone bother you, I promise. We’ll have a nice time.”
Laura hesitated briefly once more before nodding slowly.
“Great,” Bill exclaimed. “I can come get you.”
“It’s at the beach which you live on? I can meet you there. What time does it start?”
“Five.”
“Then I’ll see you there at five.”
“Sounds perfect. See you then.”
When the door closed behind him the bell dinged almost as loudly as the erratic beating of her heart.
*
“I still can’t believe you won’t go with me. I thought you’d be there.”
“Everyone in town goes; meaning all the available babysitters are busy.”
“Maybe I should mind the girls. You deserve a break. You should go and enjoy yourself.”
Emily laughed. “What? And leave the poor Commander without his date? No way. You’re just nervous, Laura. It’s understandable, but you’re still going and you’re going to have an amazing time with your handsome man. There’ll be lots of dancing and drinking; maybe some kissing even.”
“Emily!” Laura gasped. “We hardly know each other.”
“That’s not exactly true now, is it?”
Bill seemed to know a lot about Laura and her struggles over the last few years. But Laura still didn’t know that much about Bill. When she told Emily as much, her friend rolled her eyes at her.
“That’s what tonight is for. Ask him questions about himself. Get to know him... And then kiss the holy frak out of him.”
The two women screeched in laughter, the sound echoing around Laura’s small apartment.
“Oh Emily, I’m so glad I have you to keep me laughing. Now how do I look?”
Laura spun and her friend grinned.
“He won’t be able to keep it in his pants.”
They broke into laughter once again.
*
The beach was already filling up when she arrived and she was glad to note she only received a few half-hearted glares. Although she was sure something would be said to her once the drinking started, she was determined to enjoy this night with Bill.
She spotted that very man with his back to her. He was sitting on one of the logs that were set out as seats and, if she wasn’t mistaken, his bare feet were almost buried in the sand.
“I didn’t expect to find you playing in the sand,” she teased as she sat beside him on the log.
“I thought if I looked busy people would leave me alone until my date arrived.”
She giggled and turned to stare at the sea with the sun setting beyond the horizon.
“That’s a nice colour on you.”
She pulled the wrap tighter on her, smiling at the compliment. “Thank you.”
There was a brief pause in the conversation before he spoke again. “It’s good to see you, Laura.”
She rested her hand on his arm, keeping her gaze on the setting sun. “You too, Bill.”
The remained silently enjoying each others company for a long while. Only when the smell of the food became too enticing for Laura did they leave their comfortable perches.
Bill introduced her to the woman and her husband behind the food stand. They ran the local diner and both were very pleasant and chatted to Laura as she filled her plate with a little bit of everything.
They returned to their earlier seats to eat, but this time they were joined by a few more people. There was the town’s Mayor and his wife, their son, the local butcher and his husband, and the woman who ran the dry cleaners.
Conversation flowed freely, as did the drinks. Bill followed Laura’s lead and refused anything alcoholic for which she was silently grateful for. After the struggle to break her addiction to Chamalla, Laura had been advised not to consume anything that had a high addictive quality. She didn’t want Bill to never drink again because she couldn’t, but she was glad on this occasion for the silent support.
“So, Ms Roslin, you must have some tips for dear old George here?”
The Mayor had been discussing the upcoming election in which he was running again. A new candidate had just entered the race, meaning the sitting Mayor would not be running unopposed. A first in ten years, apparently.
“Oh, I don’t know. Every campaign is different. It was so long ago anyway, I can barely remember.”
“I’m surprised you remember anything of the last few years,” the Mayor’s wife murmured under her breath. The crowd around them was slightly bigger now and there were a few giggles at the bad joke.
Bill stiffened beside her but Laura laid a hand on his arm to let him know she was okay. She didn’t want to make a fuss.
“I actually remember the first time I saw George give a public speech, it was Godsdamn awful!” Carol the dry cleaner spoke up and Laura gave her a thankful smile for changing the subject.
“I got better over time, Carol,” the Mayor replied. “Similar to yourself, Laura, I assume. Were you a nervous wreck when you started your public speaking?”
“Well I think when you’re used to speaking in front of thirty screaming eight- or ten-year-olds then you have a good understanding of what dealing with a hundred adults in a crowd is like.”
“Ah, yes. I remember seeing you speak live once. It was in the next district over at their annual school faculty assembly. They pick a discussion every year and talk about how to improve it within their district.”
She realised that the Mayor was as sly as his wife when he added: “Do you remember what they were discussing the year you were there, Laura?”
His smirk sickened her.
She met his mocking glare. “Drug abuse,” she replied, barely above a whisper.
Bill tightened his grasp on her hand as they prepared themselves for the inevitable.
“That’s right. Quite appropriate, wouldn’t you say?”
The crowd around them didn’t know how to react. Most shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other waiting for the conversation to blow over.
Laura couldn’t stand to be there any longer.
“Excuse me,” she mumbled, dropping her empty plate on the sand beside the log. She stood and pushed through the crowd, hurrying along the beach away from all the people. The tears stung her eyes as she walked fast, but she could make out Bill’s house in the distance. She picked up her pace and headed toward it.
*
Bill caught the smirking Mayor by his shirt collar and dragged him a few steps away from the crowd. Just enough so no-one could overhear them.
“Tell me, George, who did I see you with on Picon last month? Because it most certainly wasn’t that brunette wife of yours.”
The colour drained from George’s face.
“And don’t forget who helped you out when your son was caught smoking something he shouldn’t have been behind the school gym not so long ago.”
“You can’t threaten me, Adama--
“An adulterer and a drug addict under one roof. What would people say?”
“I’ll have you-”
“You ever talk to Laura Roslin like that again and it will be more than threats, George. And I won’t just be spreading rumours, you understand me?”
George scowled but nodded almost imperceptibly. Bill released his hold on the man’s shirt and without a second glance, he turned and hurried in the direction Laura had fled.
He found her sitting on the step outside his front door. She was sniffling, trying so hard to hold it in. Bill sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her towards him.
“Let it all out. Don’t hold it in, Laura.”
What precious hold she had on her emotions broke at the sound of his voice. Her sobs were quiet but they racked her body, jostling the two of them. Bill’s hands were constantly moving: one was moving along her arm and across her back, making soothing motions; the other was buried in her hair, running through the red strands as her sobs decreased to sniffles, and then to eventual silence.
“You feeling better?” he asked. “Good,” he whispered when she nodded slowly.
He ghosted a kiss onto her forehead and began to pull out of their embrace. Her hand on his arm halted his withdrawal and his eyes met hers. They were inches apart, breathes mingling in the cool night air.
Darkness had enveloped the town and even though they could still hear the crowd at the beach they were no longer in view. No one could see them.
Her eyes dropped to his lips and it was his undoing. He moved forward slowly, giving her a chance to stop him but she met him halfway. The kiss was tentative at first. Just a light press of their lips together.
But then, her hand drifted up his arm, around his shoulder and cupped his head at the back of his skull, pulling him closer. Their kisses quickly became more passionate. The hand in her hair began to massage her scalp as her nimble fingers toyed with the sparse hairs at his neck. Lips parted and at the first taste of her, Bill growled low in his throat. Laura answered with a small hum that sent shivers down his spine.
He pulled away, sharing one, two, three more light kisses before his lips slid along her neck. He suckled the warm skin he found and heard her gasp in response. Somewhere in the foggy recesses of his brain he was aware of her murmuring his name over and over but he never wanted this moment to end.
His lips moved to the other side of her neck and she tilted her head back to give him better access.
“Bill...” The name was gasped in a breathless whisper and for a brief moment he wondered what else he could get her to say in that tone before the night was out.
His head had just dipped lower to explore the gentle swell of her breasts when he sensed a change within her. Her hand on his head gently pushed him away instead of dragging him closer.
With one last lingering kiss to her lips, he drew back just enough to rest his forehead against hers.
Her eyes were closed but there was a smile playing on her lips. Her breathing was shallow and Bill could feel a manly swell of pride at the flush that covered her skin.
“That was....”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
“I’m sorry I had to....I just need to go a little slower.”
“I understand. Me too, Laura. Me too.”
They stayed silent a moment longer and Laura opened her eyes. He was glad to see the happiness he felt reflected in her green orbs.
“I should go home...while I still want to.”
He chuckled lightly. “You should go home, while I still let you.”
She stood up slowly and he followed, once again admiring her outfit. Or how she looked in the outfit, to be exact.
“I’ll see you during the week?” he asked.
“Of course. The Book Swap debuts this week. I’ll be expecting to see my number one customer there.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replied, smiling sweetly and noticing with some pride the unruly mess her hair had become.
“I’m really glad I came tonight, Bill. Despite that one moment, everything else was perfect.”
“I’m really glad you came too. I look forward to the next time we do something like this.”
She smirked at him and leaned up on her toes to place a final kiss on his eagerly awaiting mouth. She moved away from him still smiling and made her way home. Bill fell against his front door, his fingers rising to trace where her lips had been only a moment ago.
With a final glance to the stars he entered his house, ready for a good nights sleep filled with dreams of a red-headed book shop owner and her kisses.
*
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