Heading For A New Life Page 13

returning from the war, trying to understand why he was getting a medal? She would like to solve it, to know better. Much better than he knows now. From the rest of the photographs, a married couple was looking at Laura, probably parents, a big-eyed brunette who hugged his waist in a businesslike manner - most likely, this is Denise, and a golden labrador with a cheerful smile. For some reason, it was the dog that made the heart clench tightly, and then beat faster, causing tears in his eyes. Wedding photos were nowhere to be found, but it was not surprising - Laura, too, had long ago put hers in the far drawer. And photos of Chris and his wife were missing on the Internet.

  —Like? - He appeared behind her back noiselessly, making her jump in surprise.

  — I also had a Labrador as a child. She pointed to the dog. - What was your name?

  — Violet, ”Chris chuckled. “Don't ask why.

  He went into the kitchen and soon returned with a bottle of wine in his hands.

  — Are you ready?

  Denise lived in a suburb whose neat houses were lined up on either side of the road, green with perfectly mowed lawns. Life here was not cheap, but much easier than in the area where Senator Smith lived. Laura stroked her knees nervously — her palms were sweaty — and looked at Chris. For the first time, he sat side by side in the back seat, and the small Ford salon completely reduced the distance to a minimum. All the way, Laura carefully looked out the window, avoiding meeting Chris's gaze. Probably, in vain she agreed to go, yet the working relationship should not go beyond certain limits. Although who is she deceiving: she wanted to spend this evening with him. Not on trips home from the hospital, not in stingy conversations while driving, but just like ordinary people. As friends.

  Chris got out of the car first, held out his hand to help Laura get out, and for a short second squeezed her hand, whispering encouragingly:

  — They don't bite.

  Laura nodded nervously, feeling like she was in her twenties and on her way to meet her boyfriend's parents. Was she dressing too simply? Maybe they'll think she's too frivolous? Probably, it was necessary to choose a dress - who now recognizes her as a brilliant cardiac surgeon, and not a girl who jumped into bed with a stranger at the very first meeting? Chris was already standing on the porch, pressing the bell, and Laura had no choice but to get up and stand beside her, pulling on her face the friendliest of her smiles, with which she usually turned to the patient's family to calm her and assure that everything went well.

  — You are punctual as always! - exclaimed a pretty brunette, who was alive almost a head shorter than Laura. She eagerly glared at her face with an interested glance and suddenly smiled contagiously, holding out her hand: - Denise. Are you Eleanor? Glad to finally meet you.

  —Laura, if you don't mind. Answering the handshake, Laura felt the tension release. - Let's leave the formality behind the threshold.

  — Fine! Denise exclaimed enthusiastically, stepping aside. - I myself hate all these rules of etiquette.

  — Is that Chris? - came from the depths of the house, and soon a tall Viking in a funny apron with Thor appeared from the kitchen. “Mark,” he greeted Laura and looked at

  Chris. - Come on, help me with the meat.

  Laura could only watch helplessly as they disappeared into the backyard.

  — Don't be afraid, I don't bite, ”Denise grinned, following the direction of her gaze. - Come on, tell me what happened there in court today. Although I'm not a family lawyer, I might be able to help.

  Half an hour later, Laura thought she had known Denise all her life. With such ease and so naturally she brought her into conversation, sincerely worrying, indignant and frowning as Laura recounted her failed divorce.

  — Asshole! Denise summed up when she stopped. - Well, asshole, why are you looking at me like that?

  — I agree, - Laura laughed loudly, raising her glass, which she had previously rolled on the tabletop. The small kitchen felt incredibly cozy with all those baby pictures on the fridge, brightly colored towels, and cute knickknacks on the shelves. And the hostess moved so easily and naturally between the stove and the table, as if she was an integral part of it.

  — Okay, let's go set the table. And the children have become quiet, it's not good. Denise narrowed her eyes and looked out the window. At the end of the courtyard, twins could be seen fumbling in a small inflatable pool.

  The sun had already set, and yellow lanterns were lit in the branches of the maple tree that grew over the table. The children were escorted into the bedroom to protest cries, and now Denise was trying to force them to lie down. And Laura looked at Chris with all her eyes, for the first time seeing him like this: alive, open. He laughed incessantly, teasing Mark, who categorically refused to replace Denise as a nanny.

  — Believe me, there is no one better than a woman when it comes to laying children, ”Mark said in a mentoring tone, taking another bottle of beer from his cooler bag and throwing it to Chris. He deftly caught her and pissed with a cork.

  — You tell Denise that, I'm sure she will find many arguments against, - chuckled

  is he.

  — I hope you don't give me up, friend! - Mark raised his hands in mock fright, and

  Chris thought exaggeratedly, looking up at the sky.

  — Well, I don’t know, ”he finally drawled. - It depends on what you offer in return for my silence.

  They argued playfully, going over the options. Chris leaned forward slightly, leaning against his knees, and Laura involuntarily admired his shoulders as she covered their gray T-shirt, drawing the relief of the muscles. The tail of the tattoo peeped out from under the sleeve every now and then, but she absolutely could not remember what was embossed there. Chris shook his head, brushing the hair that had fallen on his forehead, and turned sharply, asking:

  — Whose side are you on?

  Laura shuddered and blushed like a girl caught watching erotic pictures and shrugged her shoulders vaguely.

  — I am for women's solidarity. Mark, it's time to change Denise, she wants to rest too.

  Mark sighed and exclaimed:

  — And you Brute!

  But before he could get up, Denise, who had been standing on

  the porch, watching them, stood behind Chris.

  — Sit already, assistant.

  The music coming from the speakers that hung under the roof suddenly changed: instead of rap, the stringy sounds of Latin sounded. Grabbing a glass from the table, Denise traced an eight with her hips and slyly looked at Chris.

  — Well, torment, shake the old days?

  — I pass! - Chris immediately threw up his hands, leaning back on the back of a wicker chair.

  — Bochata, salsa, kizomba - at one time Chris broke more than one heart, actively moving his hips, - explained Denise in response to Laura's surprised look. Laura felt her ears flare up and a smile wavered on her face. Although Denise clearly had something completely different in mind than had come to her mind.

  — Come on, - Denise held out her hands to him, - do not upset your girlfriend!

  — You have a husband, ”Chris snorted. “And I don't want him to kill me.

  — Exactly, - Mark drawled, casting a hot glance at his wife, - you'd better dance something for me. Later.

  Denise approached him, bending over to kiss him, and Laura immediately turned to Chris.

  — How many hidden talents do you have, Mr. Labert?

  — Not much, ”he grinned, bringing the bottle to his lips. It's time to admit that he was perfectly right to invite Laura with him. She seemed to have thrown off a huge load, straightened her shoulders and frankly enjoyed the evening. And Chris also realized that he was incredibly pleased that his friends, and above all, Denise, treated her so well and accepted her. It is unlikely, of course, that they will see each other at least once, but tonight will definitely be remembered for a long time.

  — Chris. - Slightly flushed, Denise was already standing on the steps of the porch and beckoning. Chris got up easily, going up to her,
and Laura again caught herself thinking that she could not help looking after her.

  — She doesn't take her eyes off you, ”Denise said as soon as they were in the kitchen. Putting the dirty dishes in the sink, she turned around, but Chris only raised his eyebrows slightly, waiting to continue.

  — Don't say that you don't see this, '' realizing that she would not wait for an answer, Denise spoke again.

  — It seemed to you, - he answered evenly, taking a sip from the bottle he brought with him.

  — My eyesight is fine for now, my dear, ”Denise snorted, diving into the refrigerator for a fresh bottle of wine. “And be sure your Laura has not forgotten what happened between you. Unless, of course, you were not so drunk then that you disappointed the girl ... - she added cheerfully. An indignant snort was the answer.

  — She has been experiencing a lot lately, relaxed and, perhaps, allowed some thoughts. But I assure you, they will remain only thoughts.

  Denise came close to Chris and, lifting her head, put her hand on his cheek, stretching out gently and affectionately:

  — What are you men, sometimes impenetrably stupid. And she left the kitchen, shaking the bottle of wine in her hand.

  Chris followed, but did not return to the table, on the contrary, leaned against the railing

  verandas and stared at the dimly lit kitchen in the window in front of him. Of course, he saw Laura looking at him, felt the vibes that were flying away from her in a flurry, and he himself could hardly resist to behave with her evenly and in a friendly manner. She didn't need him now. She needed someone to help her forget herself for the night. Having studied her enough for a month and a half, Chris realized that Laura was not inclined to rush headlong into someone else's bed, so her desire to spend that night with him was quite logical. Only making it difficult with sex, especially now, was wrong. The body was signaling with might and main that it was time to end with abstinence, the brain, slightly relaxed by alcohol, actively voted for, but Chris stubbornly clung to the remnants of his mind. She will regret it tomorrow.

  — Got bored?

  He thought so hard that he did not hear her steps. Leaning against the railing on the other side, Laura looked up at him with her cheeky gaze, which reflected the light of the lamp burning in the kitchen. Chris's gaze involuntarily dropped down to half-open lips, and immediately returned back to his eyes, in which there was a tense expectation, to which he so wanted to answer!

  — Are you asleep there? - shouted Mark. Denise hissed something loudly, and it was the sound of her voice that brought Chris to his senses. He smoothly pulled away from the railing and descended, approaching Laura.

  — Let's go to?

  The second bottle of wine came to an end, the time had long passed past midnight, when a taxi appeared at the house.

  —I was very pleased to meet you, ”Laura assured heartily, saying goodbye at the door.

  — We too, - Denise nodded, hugged her tightly and turned to Chris.

  — I'll call you tomorrow, ”she whispered, standing up on her toes and kissing him on the cheek.

  — Who would have doubted, - Chris grunted barely audibly. Mark waved his hand, the door closed, and they walked silently down the path to the car.

  As he settled into the taxi, Chris exhaled cautiously, thinking that the air was incredibly short. It became thick, heavy and with difficulty made its way into the lungs, displaced by the faint smell of bitter orange and tart - wine. Laura turned to the window, and from the side one could think that she was indifferently examining the streets that passed by, but her palm, slightly trembling, shifted an inch, sliding across the seat, then moved more, and more, until it touched Chris's burning palm. He froze, it seemed, completely forgetting how to breathe - his heart sank so sharply that his head began to spin. And then her hand covered him, gently ran her thumb over the slightly protruding knuckles, tracing them with unhurried movements.

  Chris closed his eyes for a moment, turning his palm upside down, and gently stroked his wrist, gently clinking the bracelets. A simple touch, nothing serious, just a movement towards, burning on someone else's skin. Electric shocks ran down my spine, the blood rustled desperately in my ears, rushing down to the groin. The flashlight beam slid across Laura's face, and Chris saw how hard she was breathing hard, peering into the darkness. Just walk to the door. Escort to the door and that's it. Chris repeated this over and over as his fingers, regardless of his mind, slid up and down her wrist. The car stopped at the house - the road flew by unnoticed. Leaning away from Laura, Chris hastily took out his wallet, paid the driver and held out a top ten:

  — Wait ten minutes, I see the girl.

  — Well, yes, - the driver chuckled. After watching them approach the entrance, he rolled down the passenger side window and shouted: - I wait fifteen minutes, then I will leave!

  — Thanks for inviting me, ”Laura said softly as they entered the elevator. - It was an amazing evening.

  — Glad you liked it, ”Chris replied evenly, looking straight ahead.

  — Yes, - Laura answered for some reason, going out into the corridor and taking the key out of her bag on the go. It was not possible to get into the keyhole the first time - hands trembled slightly. Chris was standing behind him, so close that his thoughts were confused, and when the door finally yielded, Laura pushed it in relief, taking a step.

  — Wait, ”Chris said quietly as he walked through the apartment and routinely turned on the lights to look around. Returning from the bedroom, he went to the door and nodded, but still could not bring himself to leave, as if Laura had suddenly become a magnet that madly attracted to her. All the words flew out of my head at once, only the looks that they could not tear away from each other remained. It is not known who stepped first, finding someone else's lips, knocking loudly teeth. Laura grabbed his face, attracting to myself, feeling his hands wandering down the back. Fireworks exploded in my head, deafening and bright. Someone else's taste, the warmth of someone else's body, into which you want to squeeze, someone else's tongue sliding inside

  — sensations mixed, senses heightened to the limit, forcing the lower abdomen to pulsate in time with the crazy heartbeat.

  Laura reached for his T-shirt, lifting it up, Chris's hands covered her wrists and suddenly pushed away from her. He took a step back, breathing heavily, intermittently, shook his head, pushed out through force:

  — We shouldn't ... we shouldn't ...

  Laura had difficulty understanding what he was trying to say. The body ached, demanding again for him - his kisses, his touch. But Chris took another step back, hitting the door.

  — If you leave now, I will never again allow myself to be touched in my life, ”she said, with difficulty recovering her breath.

  Chris jerked toward her, but the next second he stopped.Threw:

  — Sorry, - and quickly left.

  When Chris flew out of the house like a bullet and approached the taxi, the driver's surprise could be felt on his skin. Falling into the back seat, he quickly gave the address and glumly stared out the window, thinking only of one thing: what kind of mistake he had just made. And was it a mistake, or is it a balanced decision? What prevented him from staying? At the thought of what exactly at that moment he could be doing, his hand clenched into a fist. Chris gritted his teeth and glanced sideways at the driver, catching an overly understanding look in the rearview mirror.

  — Chased away? - he asked sympathetically and, without waiting for an answer, continued: - Of course, I drove away. But who will take them apart, these women? First they call to them, then they point to the door. Here, I remember, I have ...

  Chris didn't listen. I didn't listen or hear, thinking only about one thing: it seems that he screwed up after all. No one asked for oaths of allegiance from him, no one asked for obligations, and the attraction that knocked him off his feet could well be satisfied tonight. And tomorrow? How can I look into her eyes tomorrow, after having shamefully escaped like a blushing virgin who finished in hi
s pants before he had time to touch a girl's breasts?

  Sighing heavily, he clenched his fists tighter, brushing his burning forehead against the cool windowpane. No, he did the right thing. And tomorrow Laura will understand this and will not be angry. On the contrary, I will be grateful that everything turned out that way.

  — Do not worry so much about her. The chick, of course, is gorgeous, but you will find better. Do you want me to take you to one place? - The taxi driver slowed down for a long time at his house, and Chris hardly understood what he wanted from him, since he had listened to his entire monologue.

  — Thanks, I'll figure it out, - he threw dryly, holding out the bills, and stepped into the cool air. He would love to figure out how he feels now, but who would help put everything on the shelves? Inviting Laura to Denise's, Chris did not even think for a minute about how the evening might end. Until the moment it came to an end. And now ... Now to disentangle the consequences of a spontaneous decision, delve into oneself, pulling out what one desperately does not want to admit. To hell! Shaking his head, Chris entered the house and, unable to contain himself, tapped the elevator button with his palm. Adrenaline was still raging in my blood, my heart was still pounding loudly at the very thought of Laura.

  The movements are swift, abrupt - he could not get the key for a long time, and when he got it, he got angry, trying to get into the keyhole. Who could be blamed for being angry with himself? Pulling the door open, Chris stepped into the darkness and froze, breathing hard, like a driven horse. She was here. The whole apartment, as if in mockery, was saturated with a slight smell of bitter orange. Carefully, almost gently, closing the door behind him, Chris waited for a click and took a few steps forward, going to the sofa. Lips compressed into a tight, hard line, the blood in his ears rumbled even harder, if at all possible. Idiot? Probably. And you only need to be angry with yourself. For letting me in so close, for not noticing. I naively believed that he could avoid this craving, unbearable even at a distance, when he wanted to give up everything and run headlong towards her.