by Unknown
“It’s quite good,” she said, leaning closer and offering him a bite with a smile.
Simon accepted the offering, his teeth barely nipping her fingers purposely. “Delicious.”
“There, now you see what I mean. And it’s quite alright,” she commented with an off-handed smile. “Isn’t that the usual way things go?”
“Is that the way your previous relationships have gone, Chloe?” He lifted a piece of salmon and bit down thoughtfully.
“Oh good grief, no,” bright tinkling laughter filled the space around them. A few people close enough were struggling hard not to pay attention to the redhead. One finger was up thoughtfully tapping on her cheek in-between spoons of chowder. “The way I see it…people…intelligent people…know that there is a sequence to things that lead to a procession of acts and behaviors, followed by the logical conclusion.”
“You approached me at the exhibition,” Simon pointed out, relaxing and enjoying the conversation and the food. He gestured to the waitress casually, requesting more tea. “Was your mind on the logical conclusion, Chloe?”
“I needed my wing clipped into place,” she stated simply, laughing lightly. “I think if I thought about why I did something, it would have been because I wanted someone to share some food with, nothing more complex than that. And you felt…approachable.”
“Which means your theory has a slight flaw.”
“Well, only if it’s from my point of view. You altered that when you tracked me down for lunch,” she countered lightly. “You do appear much more agile than anyone I’ve known before.”
“Agile?”
“Mentally and physically, yes,” Chloe had slowly drained the chowder from the bread bowl and now delicately began pulling bits of sourdough free to chew on thoughtfully. Round blue eyes came closer as she leaned slightly over the tabletop. “I’m a jinx, Simon,” one palm rose to wave, a single finger raised as she spoke, barely noticing the almost tipped over glass of ice water. “See my point? Things tend to happen around me, like that idiot mugger last night.”
Without thinking or perhaps a level of comfort had taken him that he hadn’t shared with another person in eons, his hand came across to peel some bread from the bowl, chewing thoughtfully.
“I don’t think you’re a jinx, Chloe. It’s rather like a tennis match. Yes, I tracked you down for lunch, but you could have volleyed and refused my invitation.”
“You won’t get in trouble, will you?”
Simon took a long draft on his tea and leaned back in the chair. “Trouble for what, Chloe?”
“Well, using government equipment to track someone down. I’m sure there are regulations against that kind of thing.”
“Chloe,” Simon leaned forward, their faces inches apart. “I’m not a police officer. You dropped this last night on your swift exit,” he produced the slim business card from his breast pocket.
“You aren’t…? But I thought…” Puzzled blue eyes went from his dark eyes to the very familiar business card, a sudden jolt sending her upright sharply. “We were at a costume party!” Her palm went to her forehead with a resounding slap. “I can’t believe I’ve been that distracted, good grief. That explains why you had no gun and no handcuffs.”
“How’d you know…?”
“I checked the little pouch when I was behind you and that guy tried robbing us. I feel like an idiot…why didn’t you tell me?”
Simon shrugged one shoulder. “Just seemed to not work into the conversation. And an idiot isn’t something I’d call you, Chloe.” His hand was up when the waitress glanced their way, moving inside his jacket for his wallet.
“Huh…so you’re not a cop. I’m actually kind of glad…I felt guilty at feeling up a cop when I was behind you,” Chloe stood up and stretched, smiling brightly at the waitress. “Tell the guys it was great, as always, Tina.”
“Don’t be a stranger and I will pass on your compliments, Chloe. Take care.”
She glanced at Simon with the same smile. “Be right back,” she promised, heading toward the sign proclaiming restrooms.
“You’ve been watching me since we came in,” Simon said quietly as he handed over cash at the register.
“Chloe’s never brought anyone here before,” Tina replied simply. “You must be pretty special.”
Simon felt the laugh bubbling forth. “I’m not so sure about me, but I think she’s something special.”
“Yeah…I can see that in your eyes,” Tina straightened up slightly, a kind of signal that they were no longer alone. “Chloe…lose the suit. It’s not you.”
Chloe wrinkled her nose with a mild growl. “Yeah, I know. It goes back to Sophie this weekend. Thanks, Tina…bye.”
“I like the suit,” Simon remarked after a few quiet steps, his hand out to take hers. “Of course, I have to warn you, it does a certain something to that male part of me that is probably not meant for under-aged company.”
Chloe did nothing to stop the burst of laughter, fingers and small purse waving as they walked toward the store. “That was the most polite way I could possibly have heard that said, Simon. And I’ve been thinking about it and while the suit isn’t particularly me, it is a fun costume should I be in the mood to be a studious type.”
“Studious wasn’t the word I had in mind,” he murmured darkly.
“The suit is seductive?” Wide pale lashes barely contained the laughter. “Seriously?”
“The lady is seductive; the suit is a really nice looking wrapping paper. Like a fancy present beneath the tree at Christmas,” he stopped outside the shop. “How about dinner tonight?”
“You are very good with those words,” she breathed softly, gazing up and studying the rugged profile. Chloe shook herself from the pastime and offered a soft frown. “I can’t. I have a final climbing lesson at six, just north of Seattle. You could join me.”
“Climbing lesson?”
“It’s a beautifully built indoor climbing center. It’s amazingly exhilarating. I’m on my last lesson today.” She pulled a brightly glittering blackberry from her front pocket. “What’s your number?” Fingers moved adeptly over the small keys for a long minute before she dropped it back into her pocket. “There. You’ve just been pinged. Great little app…you now have all my information, including the address for the recreation center.”
“Clever,” Simon carried her fingers to his lips. “I’ll see you tonight, Chloe.”
“We never finished our discussion,” she called out in warning, backing toward the door and dashing inside before he could reply.
Chapter Three
Simon watched the redhead running down the street, dodging and weaving, a brilliant yellow backpack slung over one shoulder. He glanced down at his watch and shook his head. Watching her slide into class at the last possible minute would have become a worthy hobby in high school. For a very brief second, he felt something uncomfortable around him. Dark eyes shielded by the thick sun glasses, casually surveyed the area, the vehicles and the people wandering past.
For a brief second as he walked to the main entrance, a spark of light caught the corner of his vision. He turned in time to see a white van pulling away from the curb. Simon continued into the recreation center, observing the many males with their eyes on the pair of denim shorts and turquoise tank top as Chloe leaned over the counter and signed herself in for the reservation.
Chloe wasn’t sure how she knew he was there, but felt a tiny blurp of excitement when she turned from the desk to greet him. He still had his sunglasses on, eyes hidden behind the lenses but that didn’t stop her from offering a bright, breathless smile.
“You
made it!” Came the deep breath, pale lashes widening when his free palm settled on her waist and tugged her close, his fingers in the belt loop of her shorts. Full lips parted, whatever her brain wanted her to say swallowed up in the sudden pressure from his mouth covering hers.
Simon was convinced it was the longest couple seconds and yet the shortest. He had no idea what the perfume was she wore but the taste of strawberry and the sweet seared its way into more than his memory.
“I made it,” he agreed when he lifted his head slowly, his hand leaving her waist to lift the glasses and slid them into a side pocket on his shirt sleeve.
Butterflies were having a diving war in her stomach, a few tries before her voice would work without squeaking. “Over here. They’re running a little late and will let me know when the room I reserved is ready,” she took his hand and guided him to a small corner with comfortable chairs.
“That’s not what I thought you’d be wearing to climb in,” Simon settled in the chair, legs stretched out in front of him and hands up behind his head. He was very familiar with the recreation center since his firm was responsible for it’s design and building.
“Have you ever climbed? It gets sweaty,” she declared with a long sigh, head tilted slightly at the approach of the uniformed officer from the front door. “Did you park illegally?”
“Did I…?” Simon saw the shadow fall over them and watched the wide blue eyes take in the new comer. “Mark.”
“I thought I recognized your car outside,” his palm went out with a firm clasp of his brother’s hand. “What are you doing here?”
“Chloe, my younger brother, Mark. It was his uniform I borrowed for the exhibition,” Simon gestured to Chloe with a smile.
“Brother,” Chloe accepted the palm that was held out to her. “Nice to meet you,” pale lashed blinked rapidly. “You have a gun.”
“Umm…yes, ma’am,” Mark replied, a grin all to familiar to Simon’s. He knew he’d have to get the story on that one later. “It’s part of the job.”
“I’m here to watch Chloe finish up her climbing lessons. Then I have hopes of dragging her for a walk on the beach. Not many nights like this left in the year.”
“Well, just be careful out there,” he nodded to them, a wink at his brother. “I’ll give you a call later this week, Simon. Nice meeting you, Chloe.”
“You look a little alike,” Chloe said when they were alone. “Are you friends?”
Caught off guard, Simon met the suddenly shielded eyes. “Yeah, yeah, I think we are. No bothers and sisters?”
“No…..no, it was just me,” Chloe pushed back in the wide seat, her hands toying with the arms as she tried making her question sound casual. “Do your parents live around here?”
“Over in Issaquah. Dad has a vet practice there, been there for a long time.”
“And your mother?”
“She’s a librarian, senior and running a couple of the units there.”
“I love books. It’s so very easy to get lost in them.”
“She’s having issues now with the iPad and other readers. She really wants one, but…”
“Torn loyalties, I understand exactly how she feels,” Chloe sighed heavily.
“This coming from the girl in an office with every possible tech gadget out there? Books and paper are becoming a relic,” he countered, dropping the small newsprint on the table between them.
“Ignore the peasant, my papery little friend,” Chloe reassured the magazine. “He knows not what he says.”
His laughter was deep as the desk gestured to them that the room was ready. “I think he’s telling us the room is open for you, Chloe.”
Chloe accepted the palm he offered without having to think about it. There was a sweet tingle inside her at being treated with an uncommon gallantry. She lifted her pack and led him to the room for her final lesson, her smile bright in its greeting.
“Hi, Sam! This is Simon,” she didn’t wait for them to go through the ritual of greeting, but carried her bag to the side and began getting her gear in place.
“Thinking of lessons?” Sam asked casually, watching the redhead bend at the waist and attach the knee pads.
“Just watching while Chloe takes her lesson,” his gaze also on the upturned behind of the woman oblivious to the males appreciating the view.
Sam nodded, taking a headset from the wall slot and handing it to Chloe. “Leaned or vertical?”
“Vertical,” Chloe answered immediately, slipping the ear piece in place on one side and a single earpod on the other.
“Remember…slow and steady. Breathe deep and plot each move,” Sam went through a series of instructions after adjusting some controls at the back of the room, the wall sliding and adjusting accordingly to his choices.
“Can she hear us?” Simon asked, casually walking over to stand by the instructor.
“She has her music on. She’ll get a loud bell if I have to patch in to tell her something,” Sam glanced over at the new addition. “You shattered a few hopes when you came in with Chloe.”
“How long has she been taking lessons?” Simon asked casually, aware of the people passing the wide window and peering through.
“It’s an eight week course.”
“Then whoever had hopes, also had eight weeks to see a positive culmination of those hopes.”
“Oh, don’t think they haven’t tried,” Sam responded with a low chuckle. “She is one of the fastest learners I’ve ever trained. When she’s focused on something, it’s damn near impossible to redirect her attention. You see a lot of girls getting hit on here and a lot of guys, too.”
It wasn’t difficult to let his gaze drift to the slender woman climbing the fifty foot authentic looking rock wall. Tanned legs and arms stretched, slim fingers encased in tipless gloves that clung to bits of stone as she moved toward the top. She wore two tank tops, one a brilliant turquoise, the one beneath it, stark white; the jean shorts she wore came to mid thigh, the hips and behind snug as she strained to reach her next peg. She wore a snug pair of ankle boots, toes clinging to each new ledge she chose.
“And Chloe never noticed the hits,” Simon guessed, leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he watched her progress.
“Oh, I think she noticed. She told me once she felt guilty that she would be their friend, but they weren’t interested in friendship. She’s never brought anyone here before.”
“I’ve heard that before,” Simon replied. “She’s a discerning woman.” He continued watching, unaware of the time passing when he heard the sound of the huge bell at the top. He had to laugh when both hands shot up into the air as Sam guided her to the ground again.
“Congratulations, Chloe! That was a great climb, you remembered not to strain and take it slow,” Sam clasp her palm and helped her out of the harness.
“You’re a very good teacher, Sam, thanks. I had a grand time,” Chloe began removing her gear, gloves and cap slid into the backpack.
“Thanks, I’ll clear the room for you,” Sam told her. “Nice meeting you, Simon. Take care of her, huh?”
“I’ll do my best,” Simon replied, reaching to take the pack from Chloe once the gear was all inside. “How about a celebration burger?”
“Oh, I’d love that! I’m starving,” Chloe slipped her palm into his with a firm squeeze. “Thank you for coming out with me. It really is a fun hobby.”
“Thinking about climbing Everest?”
“Heck no…I’m not a nut, Simon. I like having the harness on me,” she chuckled richly. “Controlled environments…” Her voice trailed off, her head tilted slightly.
“Simon, why is someone taking pictures of us?”
Booted feet caught on the pavement, her body turning toward the white van that was sitting in a narrow alley. The barest spark of light from the street lamp above reflected a twinkle that had Chloe taking a step forward. She could see the red dot of the camera through the front windshield, her fingers pulled from his hand.
“Chloe…”
“I saw that van before. Outside the exhibition center,” she took another step, shaking her shoulder to shrug off his palm. “I thought it was just a reporter…taking photos of all the costumes…”
“Hey, Simon,” Mark Oliver came forward just as Chloe took another step toward the street. He had seen the exchange, his gaze following Chloe’s.