Loss and Longing

After picking her sister up from her friend’s house and dropping her back home, Stevie drove to Grant’s. As usual he was waiting for her at the door when she arrived. “Hi” she said reaching up to kiss him.

“Hi” he said and clasping her hand he lead her into the living room. She saw he’d poured her a drink and lit the fire.

“This is nice” she said as she sat down next to him on the couch and took at glass he handed her.

Pulling her close to his side, one arm around her shoulders, he said “mmmm.”

They were quiet for a while, enjoying the peace, before Stevie said “hey Mum asked if she could meet you.”

“Sure” he said. “When?”

“If you’re free Saturday night, you could come over for dinner?”

Grant smiled “Stevie you should know by now, the only person occupying my evenings is you. So I’m free any night.”

She smiled. “So Saturday’s okay then?”

“Yes” he said.

Looking away she said, “and then we can come back here and I could see how good you are at cooking eggs.”

“Eggs?” he asked with a frown.

“Well that’s what I have for breakfast, but if you have something else....” she said with a grin and watched as after a moment of puzzlement she saw a slow grin spread across his face.

“You’re staying?” he said.

“Barring an emergency, yes.”

Grant put his glass on the side table and taking hers did the same with it. Then pulling her into his arms he brought his mouth down hard on hers.

That night they didn’t move to the bedroom. Grant just lowered her to the rug in front of the fire and that’s where they stayed.

The Christmas Present

The next morning, having slept for only half the amount of time she had her eyes closed but not feeling any the worse for it, Sharni made her way to the nursery café. She couldn’t wait to see Mitch and had already decided to ask him back to her place afterwards. She wasn’t ready to sleep with him yet but she did want to spend time with him alone. She’d just have to set down some ground rules first so there were no misunderstandings. 

When she walked into the café she saw with amusement that he was already there. He stood as she approached and he bent to give her a quick kiss before they sat down.

“Are you going to be early every time we meet from now on?” she teased.

“Probably” he said with a grin. “How did you sleep?”

“Not well” she admitted looking away.

He laughed “well that makes two of us.”

She smiled. 

After they’d ordered Mitch asked “what are you up to for the rest of the day?”

Sharni took a breath “actually I was going to see if you wanted to come over to my place.”

He grinned “definitely.”

“I just mean to hang out” she said looking at him with a serious expression and trying not to blush.

“I wasn’t thinking you meant anything else” he said with a smile.

“That’s okay?” she said with a frown.

“Whatever you want is fine with me” he said still smiling.

She smiled too now.

The Christmas Present

When Mitch came back he moved his chair closer to her. Without looking at her he said “you’re not seeing anyone?”

“No” she said. “You?”

He smiled and met her gaze. “No.”

After an hour, where they talked and got to know each other they decided to move into the restaurant for dinner. Then just after ten they walked out into the carpark.

“Where are you parked?” he said.

“Just over here” she said leading the way to her car. After opening the door and throwing her bag inside Sharni turned to face Mitch. “Thanks for tonight.”

“My pleasure” he said. ‘I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

“Same here” she said licking her lips in an unconscious movement.

His eyes dropped down to rest on her mouth. “I like you Sharni” he said.

“I like you” she said, her breath evaporating as she looked up at him.

“I like kissing you.”

“Yes” she said, her heart hammering her ribs. She wanted him to kiss her again

He smiled and lowering his head, he did. His arms wrapped around her and for several long moments they remained locked together. His warm body felt good in her arms.

When he eased back Mitch said “is it too early to ask you to come home with me?”

Sharni didn’t know what to say until she saw the glint in his eye and realised he was teasing. She looked away with a laugh, “maybe just a little.”

He laughed and kissing her temple he said “I’ll see you in the morning.”

Smiling she reached up and gave him a quick kiss before turning and getting in her car. Mitch stood where he was until she had pulled away and Sharni couldn’t stop smiling. She could still feel his lips on hers. Driving home she knew she wasn’t going to get much sleep that night.

Going Home

Part 113

Josh was terrified as he watched Grace drop to the ground. She was too far away for him to grab her and pull her back. He had to get the guy out of there before he could help her. But how, he obviously wasn’t worried about shooting people. So glaring down the alleyway Josh yelled “you’ve got nowhere to go, so put your gun down and come out.”

“p… off”

Josh was in no mood to be patient he needed to get Grace out of there fast but he needed to keep it together to do that so doing his best to stay calm he tried again more firmly “put your gun down and come out.”

“No way, I’ve killed her I’ve got nothing to lose now.”

Swallowing hard on the thought Josh said “look maybe she’s not dead.” He was struggling to get the words out but knowing Grace was relying on him he hardened his emotions and continued “if you come out we can get her help and you won’t go down for murder. But if you let her die, there’s no turning back from there.” However his words were greeted by silence and Josh didn’t know what to try next.

Then suddenly the gunman called out “okay I’m coming out.”

Sighing with relief Josh yelled “slide your gun out first, push it as far as away from you as you can, then move away from the bin and lay down flat on the ground with your arms outstretched and your palms up.”

As Josh saw the man appear he edged down the alley. Moving towards the gun Josh kicked it out of the way and pulling the man’s hands behind his back he cuffed him. He was not gentle and he growled at him “don’t move.”

Then he crossed the alley to Grace and as he walked he told Leon their location and asked in no uncertain terms for an ambulance and some backup.

The Christmas Present

“Have you finished all your shopping now?” Mitchasked Sharni

“Yes I’m all done.”

“Being new to this I’m just hoping I haven’t forgotten someone.”

“Just get a card tomorrow and have some money ready. If you have forgotten someone you’ll be covered.”

“Good idea” he said looking at her with admiration “and speaking of tomorrow. If you’re finished shopping would it be too soon to get together again?”

Sharni’s heart rate stepped up and with a smile she agreed. “No, it wouldn’t be too soon. I’d like that.”

“How about breakfast then?” he asked.

“Sounds good” she said. “Where?”

“Do you know the nursery next to the strawberry farm?”

“The one in the next suburb? Yes, I know it well” Sharni said.

“How about we meet at the café there?  At nine?”

 “Okay.”

“Good, now can I get you another drink?”

“I can get it” Sharni said reaching into her bag for her wallet.

“You can get the next one” he said holding up a hand to stop her. “I owe you at least one drink for standing you up the other day.”

“It’s fine” she said with a smile. “You couldn’t help it.”

“I still felt bad” he said.

Sharni searched his eyes for a second and then in an impulsive gesture she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

His eyes darkened. “Thank you” he said. “Mind if I return the favour?”

She swallowed and shaking her head, watched as his face came closer. He didn’t kiss her cheek however. His lips came down squarely on hers and for a moment they just stayed like that. But on a sigh Sharni’s lips parted and now his kissed her properly. For several seconds their mouths were locked together.

Mitch sat back and smiled. “Nice” he said.

Feeling a little self-conscious she looked away, but she was smiling.

“Yes?” he said.

Sharni lifted her head and looked at him. “Yes” she said.

His smile widened. “I’ll go and get those drinks. Don’t go anywhere.”

Still smiling Sharni shook her head.