O
U
I smiled softly, nodding my head.
“Of course, Flower.”
Tracing my hands along the counter, I found my record player neatly nestled in the corner. I dusted the edge with my thumb, lips twitching into something crooked as I dropped the needle. The vinyl cracked, sighed, and then the first note spilled through the room.
Turning, I followed her scent and the softness of her breaths until I was standing before her, holding out my hand.
“Can’t a blind man dance?”
Her fingers traced up my palm until her hand interlaced with mine.
“Though, if you let me take off this blindfold, I can assure you, I will be the perfect dancing partner.”
One tap on the back of my hand.
My claws traced down her back until they reached the small of her waist as I guided her in circles around the kitchen. Her scent blossomed and it was all I could do to not live off it.
A small laugh escaped her as I dipped her, feeling the way her body yielded to my touch. We danced in silence for a few minutes, and I made sure to burn this moment into my memory, so I may have it for eternity.
“You know, Flower,” my voice dropped, something not unlike reverence in my tone, “you somehow make silence bearable. You make a demon think that he has a chance at redemption.”
With a softness I did not deserve, her lips brushed mine as I guided her back up.
“Stay,” I begged against her kiss, “whatever it is you need, I can provide it.”
Her breaths feathered my lips as the record crackled in silence and the song finished.
One tap.
One tap as she pulled away, taking all the warmth with her.
I closed my fists reflexively at my sides as her footsteps began to fade from the kitchen.
I did not ask her to stay or to wait. I did nothing as she retreated from me.
Once the door clicked shut, I loosened the blindfold, letting it fall to the floor.
“I can’t keep you like this.”
And like the final puzzle piece falling into place, I knew.
I had to tell her the truth.
Today.
Harper
It wasn’t fair.
It wasn’t fair that Chad cheated.
It wasn’t fair that the first chance I got to claw myself out of rock-bottom, I got matched with my boss.
And it wasreallynot fair that my heart wouldn’t stop racing every time he got close. Like it was trying to break out of my chest just to reach him.
