Chapter 34: No Strings Attached
Trisha had spent most of the late afternoon hours tending to her sister's garden, plucking weeds and watering the flowers. She was determined to have the flowerbeds cleared of weeds before dark.
Her blue eyes looked up in surprise when a sleek black car pulled into the driveway. Her sister's date wasn't due to pick her up for another hour or so at least. She glanced once back at the house, wondering how her sister would react when barely ready only to step back in surprise at the man that emerged forth from the car.
Gunther moved towards her, extending a hand in greeting. "You must be Trisha Dunne. Angela's sister. It's nice to meet you."
Trisha nodded, easily recognizing the man from his picture in the paper. "Hi."
He offered a polite smile in return, "Forgive me for showing up here unannounced but I would very much like to speak with Angela. Is she home?"
"You're lucky you caught her! She's heading out soon enough but if you don't mind waiting a few minutes, she should be ready soon."
"Oh..." He hesitated then nodded. "Yes, alright I can wait."
Trisha smiled and led him inside.
"Just make yourself comfortable. Angela's just getting changed but she'll be out in a minute. Can I make you a cup of tea? Some coffee?" Trisha offered, moving towards the kitchen.
"No...but thank you." he replied as he sat on the little sofa. "Again I am deeply sorry for intruding unannounced."
Trisha glanced back at him with a laugh, "It's really ok. It's not a crime to visit someone's home."
"True..." he conceded, staring down at his hands for a long moment before surveying the room. His eyes eventually falling upon the painting propped up on the canvas. "Did Angela paint that?"
Trisha nodded. "Yup. I prefer drawing animals myself but Angela's always been more of a landscape girl..."
Gunther stared at the painting, words quiet, "She said she wasn't any good...far too modest."
"Hm?"
Gunther shook his head, "Nothing. I am however not surprised your sister chose to paint a scene with water. She told me she finds being near water rather inspiring."
"Yeah. She's always talking about how one day when she's a famous writer she'll get a little house somewhere by the sea." Trisha replied with a warm smile.
Gunther smiled at that, head bowing. "We all have our dreams..."
"Gunther? Is that you?"
Gunther straightened and quickly rose from the couch at the sound of Angela's voice. His eyes widened as the redhead stepped from her bedroom, her next inquiry falling upon deaf ears as he took in the vision she presented in a form fitting dress.
He swallowed, momentarily speechless as she continued to stare at him quizzically.
"I said I wasn't expecting you..." she paused, trailing uncertainly for a moment when he simply continued to stare. "We...weren't supposed to meet tonight were we? I know I've been distracted lately with everything that's happened... Oh God, was there a problem with the final chapter I sent you?"
He remained silent, still staring, eyes riveted to her dress.
"I did...send it right?" she asked tentatively.
Gunther suddenly became very aware of the gaze of the two women in the room. He took a deep breath, stepping away, gaze finally averted. "Yes. Yes. Excellent work as always."
"Oh! Good." Angela smiled.
"Yes...yes, very good. Perfect really..." he agreed with a nod then quickly moved towards the door. "I should go." He gestured at her attire, gaze on the floor, "Clearly, you have special plans tonight. Forgive my intrusion. It was...well...it matters not."
He gave her another nod, tipped his hat at her sister and turned to leave. Pausing only when he felt Angela's hand on his arm.
"Wait..." her voice seemed so soft and concerned when she spoke. "You don't have to rush off... It's ok. Is everything all right? You seem...I don't know. Out of sorts."
He refused to meet her gaze, smile small as he offered a small nod. "Hm. Perhaps I am."
"If there's something wrong you can tell me..."
He chuckled softly shaking his head, "Nothing is wrong Angela. Don't worry. I simply...wished to make certain you were alright."
"But-"
"Goodnight."
"Gunther..." she tried to reach out for him again, fingertips grazing the sleeve of his jacket but he gently guided her away.
"I will...be in touch." he said softly with a final nod. "Enjoy your evening."
"Thank you..."
She watched him leave, still frowning long after his car had left the driveway. Something was off.
"He seemed upset." Angela finally said aloud, glancing over at her sister at last.
Trisha let out a quiet laugh, "Seemed? C'mon, you could cut the tension in here with a knife!"
Angela rocked back a step, "What do you mean?"
"Do I really need to spell it out? I think Mr. Goth approves of that dress. Or rather, the woman in it."
"No no. That's not possible." Angela shook her head for emphasis.
Trisha shrugged, "Why not? He's a man and he has eyes. It's normal to look."
Angela shook her head once again, moving back towards her bedroom to gather her purse and coat for the evening. "Because. It's just not. Gunther Goth dates gorgeous powerful women. Actresses, dignitaries, diplomats, CEOs..." she trailed then laughed. "I'm just a writer."
"Has he actually told you that's his type?" Trisha asked.
Angela frowned, "Well...not exactly no. But...it's what I imagine."
Trisha rolled her eyes but left it at that, turning to peer out the kitchen window at the sound of another car rolling into the driveway. "Your date's here."
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Dinner was wonderful. They ate at the bistro, enjoyed a leisurely decadent dessert with layer upon layer of chocolate mousse and shared a bottle of champagne.
They were lingering outside now, both reluctant to say goodbye but neither having any concrete ideas as to where to go or what to do next seeing as he was to leave for Bridgeport early the next morning.
"Thank you Tristan..."
"That's the fifth thank you tonight." He smiled. "It was my pleasure. Really. Thank you for sharing my last night here with me."
"Well...you have an early day tomorrow, I guess we should head back..."
"Right..." He nodded, taking Angela's hand with a sly smile, "We could always make out in the car."
Angela burst out laughing. Tristan had been very amorous all evening. Kissing her hand over supper, leaning in to murmur in her ear. Always making sure he let his fingertips graze her skin. It was nice to be with someone so attentive and Angela had to admit, he was a wonderful kisser. She could see why Yesna had warned her, it would be all too easy to let herself swoon under his spell of dark eyes and flattery.
Something in his touch made it nearly impossible to say no.
And so they kissed in his car. And in the driveway.
With every step she tried to take towards her home he would gather her closer into his arms, warm lips seeking her skin, fingertips gentle as they slid along her neck and jaw.
"You're so beautiful..." he murmured. She felt his lips curve into a smile against her skin, "...what will I do in Bridgeport without you~?"
Angela smiled, eyes closed as she let her hands rest atop his, gently pulling away from him after a long moment. "Mm. Something tells me you'll manage just fine. What with all the women who throw themselves at you."
Tristan sighed, arm looped around Angela's waist as he walked her to the door. "But they're not you."
Angela turned to face him, "You know I'll visit. I promised Yesna."
"Mm..." he leaned in closer, both hands sliding down to grip her hips, stepping close until he could press her against the brick lightly. "...invite me inside...?"
Angela laughed softly, letting her arms loop around his neck. "So direct~ Yesna was right..."
He let his forehead rest against hers, echoing her laugh, "One more kiss then?"
"Granted..." she murmured softly.
But one turned into two then three...
Until Tristan and Angela were a tangle, her hands in his hair, body crushed between his and the wall.
Both lost in each other until several lights flashed on.
Angela pulled away, hands dropping to her sides with a laugh, "Oh. Yeah...that's probably my sister...I really should go."
Tristan sighed, hands slowly falling away from the redhead, "Ah."
She offered another smile, giving his hand a squeeze. "Have a good trip tomorrow..."
"Thank you... good luck with your book."
She smiled, leaning close for a brief parting kiss. He smiled in return, offering a wink and a slanted smiled before turning away, pausing as he opened his car door to call back to her.
"Hey Angela! Take care of yourself...ok?"
She waved him off with a nod, "You too Tristan."
She watched him drive away, then stepped inside, tiptoeing so as not to make too much noise with her heels across the kitchen floor.
Her sister shuffled by in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes sleepily, "How was the date?"
"Good." Angela replied with a smile, giving her sister a quick hug before retreating to her bedroom.
She smiled to herself as she lay on her bed.
It really had been a good date.
Conversation and affection seemed so easy with Tristan. He made her feel comfortable. Though she had to concede that while part of that was indeed due to his confidence with women, another big part of it was the fact that he was leaving.
It made him the perfect date to forget about her worries because only having a few hours together, there was no time for drama, no time to waste with endless questions about the future. There was only the moment. The simple pleasure of another person's touch.
Without risk to her heart.
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Continue to Chapter 35.