Seaglass

by Bridges, Chris

  “Do you think he knows?” She whispered.

  “Unfortunately, I think most of the town knows.”

  xXx

  A half a day later, the kitchen was mostly a bare room with exposed walls. She, Knox and Jerry stepped back to assess their handy work.

  “Well, now the real work starts.” Maddie spoke while leaning heavily on her sledgehammer.

  “It’s good you got these walls opened up. You have a few issues.” Jerry pointed out areas where the wood had rotted away from moisture damage.

  “I expected a few surprises in a house this old.”

  “I imagine the bathrooms are in similar condition.” Knox added.

  “Yeah.” She responded, feeling slightly overwhelmed.

  “I can get a few guys in here to help out, Madeline.” Jerry spoke. “I think you’re going to need some muscle.

  “Okay. Thanks Jerry. I don’t want the bathrooms fully gutted though. Let me write up my plans for you and then you and your crew can get started next week.”

  “Sounds good. I’m gonna go have a peek and see what we’re talking about.”

  “Sure. There’s a full bath upstairs and another down the hallway here.”

  She and Knox watched him walk away and then turned to face each other, both with silly grins on their faces.

  “Are you going to be okay while I’m gone? I feel like I’m leaving you in the lurch.” He said, wishing like hell he hadn’t committed to working a restoration up in Boulder. He’d been excited to take a look at a few pieces that had come to the University through an anonymous benefactor, but that was before he’d started things with Maddie. Now, he was more than a little reluctant.

  She laughed. “I’ll admit I might be in over by head—a little, but I’m in heaven, Knox. This is exactly what I want to be doing.”

  “I can’t wait to see it when I get back.” He smiled and ran his hand down her taut arm.

  She smiled, but her heart squeezed a little at the thought of him leaving for four weeks. He didn’t seem bothered by it, though, so she needed to shore up her heart. After all, they’d only slept together once. This wasn’t technically a ‘relationship’, was it?

  She pulled back from his touch to quickly pull her hair back into the ponytail from which it had escaped. She turned and surveyed the kitchen.

  “Plumbing and electric. That’s the first order of business.” She mentally began making a list of materials she’d need to buy.

  “Maddie.”

  The tone of his voice gave her heart a hard knock and had her turning to meet his cool, green eyes with hers.

  “I’m coming back.” He said and reached for her arm again. “I’m coming back to you.”

  “Oh.” She whispered, feeling ridiculous and silly. “Oh.” She repeated.

  He loved watching the adorable blush creep up her neck. Knox hoped he could get the restoration underway and travel back and forth between Boulder and Touchstone. He had no desire to stay away from Maddie any longer than was absolutely necessary.

  Now, he pulled her by the arm until she stood right in front of him. He framed her face with his large hands and stared intently into her eyes. “Seaglass.” He muttered as he pulled her to him and gently touched his lips to hers.

  “What?” She asked, confused.

  “Nothing.” Knox hadn’t realized he’d said it aloud.

  “Knock it off, you two.” Jerry said as he re-entered the kitchen.

  Knox pulled back, but slowly. He turned to his old friend and smiled. “Sorry.”

  “I doubt that.” Jerry said. “Maddie, you’re in pretty good shape up there. Pipes need replacing, of course, but no water damage. I don’t think we need to remove anything but the exterior wall.”

  “That’s what I was thinking too. I really want to try and preserve those subway tiles. They’re marble.”

  “It’s your call, but you’re gonna have a hell of a time finding tiles to match if we break any.”

  “That’s why we’re going to be extra careful.” Maddie smiled.

  Chapter 6

  Two weeks into the restoration in Boulder and Knox was frustrated and miserable. The work room was crowded, the noise was distracting and his two assistants ended up being nothing more than academics that maybe had assembled an Ikea dresser…once. Mostly he told them to stay away from the cabinet before they did any more damage to it.

  Now, he pulled down his goggles and removed his ear buds. The piece was coming along, but an entire panel that had originally been covered with silver was warped from extensive water damage. There was no salvaging it.

  “It’s looking better.” Len called to him as he crossed the room.

  Knox brushed the sand dust off his body and then shook the hand of his old friend and college professor. “It’s got a long way to go.”

  “I know it.”

  “This panel needs to come out. It’s too heavily damaged.”

  Len shook his head. “I figured. Can you replace it?”

  “It’s Italian walnut.”

  “We can get that.”

  Knox blew out a frustrated breath. “I can carve the wooden portions, but this overlay…” he gestured to the complex design in silver. “It’s not going to fit back exactly right. It’s warped too.”

  “We have another specialist coming in to take a look. We need you for the base cabinet.”

  Knox shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck in a vain attempt to bring his pounding headache down a notch. “I hate to wave the white flag, Len, but I wonder if what you’ll have at the end is more a reproduction than a restoration.”

  “I think you need to get out of here for the night. You look exhausted.”

  “Yeah. I am.” Knox began cleaning up his tools. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  xXx

  Knox walked back through the lab and out the door. The sun was disappearing rapidly and when he checked his watch, he realized he’d been inside that building for more than eighteen hours. Now, he turned to walk the short distance to Len’s house and grab a long, hot shower and a cold beer.

  His thoughts turned immediately to Maddie. They’d talked a few times on the phone, but their conversations had been stilted and a little awkward. He’d hated it. They’d been on the verge of something and his leaving could not have come at a worse time. He wanted to go home.

  Unfortunately, he’d given his word to Len that he’d stay until the base cabinet was prepped for the artists that would come to handle the gold and silver detail work. He knew he had at least another week ahead of him.

  The darkness was coming on fast and he hurried his steps. His vision problems were worse at night and he usually made it a point to stay inside once the sun went down. Now, he was only a block away from the large Victorian home that Len and his wife owned and had converted into three apartments. Currently, they lived on the third floor. A visiting professor from India was residing on the second floor, and Len had let him use the first floor during his stay.

  With a feeling of relief, the bright blue and white house came into view. He adjusted his backpack as he walked the remaining few steps and up the stairs.

  “Hey stranger.”

  Knox just about jumped out of his skin.

  “Maddie?”

  He turned toward where the dark, shapeless figure was rising from one of the rocking chairs on the porch and coming toward him.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “I didn’t see you…what are you doing here?” He asked, bewildered.

  “I…you said…” she stuttered. “You sent me a plane ticket.”

  “I’m so sorry.” He moved forward and wrapped her in his arms. “I completely lost track of time.”

  She pulled back. “If…if this is a bad time, I can go. I don’t want to get in the way.”

  “No. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m really so
rry. I’ve been locked in a dungeon all week.” He smiled. “Come here.”

  He pulled her in again and kissed her passionately. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He repeated.

  “Okay.” She said softly and let her head fall to his shoulder. He smelled like sawdust. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.

  Knox pulled her with him as he let himself into the main foyer of the Victorian and then stopped as he unlocked the door to his apartment.

  “I have to warn you. Len’s wife decorated it and it’s very…Victorian.” He said as he pushed the door open and let her step through.

  Madeline walked in and wondered if they’d accidentally entered a doll museum. Porcelain faced dolls lined every conceivable surface. The furniture was mostly Victorian reproduction and looked stiff and uncomfortable. The atmosphere was stuffy and crowded. She turned and found Knox leaning on the doorjamb with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.

  “Told you.” He said as he put his backpack and keys down on a lace covered table by the door.

  “How can you live here? It’s so not you.”

  He smiled, enjoying the fact that not only was she spot on, but that she knew exactly what was him…and what wasn’t.

  “It’s only temporary. Frankly, I’m just trying not to break anything while I’m here.”

  She watched as he walked in and kept a hand along the wall. She followed him into the small kitchenette which was slightly more modern, but just as stuffy and crowded.

  “Beer?” He asked as he pulled two out of a reproduction Frigidaire Ice Box.

  “Sure.” She said as she reached out and took it out of his hand. “She does know that a 1920’s fridge doesn’t belong in an authentic Victorian home any more than a current model, right?”

  He laughed as he closed the door and leaned back against it. “I don’t know.”

  Maddie looked at him and saw the dark circles under his eyes. She put her beer down on the counter and walked to him; running her hands along his taut abdomen. “You look tired.”

  “I am tired.” He said as he closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her hands against his bare skin.

  “Then let’s go to bed.” She whispered against his neck.

  “Let me just take a shower first.” He kissed her long and slow and had her nerves dancing like they were on the edge of a razor wire.

  “I’ve been on a plane, in an airport and a taxi. I think a shower sounds perfect.” She smiled against his mouth and felt him groan in response.

  Knox led her to the bathroom and turned on the shower. “I’ll give you a few minutes to get undressed and in.” He said as he smiled and left the room.

  Maddie quickly stripped out of her clothing and folded them neatly on top of the hamper in the corner. Then she stepped inside the surprisingly large shower and laughed out loud at the enormous array of miniature soaps filling the soapdish. She looked around and spotted Knox’s bottle of shampoo relegated to the corner of the tile floor of the shower.

  “What’s so funny in here?” He asked as he opened the glass door and stepped inside.

  She’d been about to answer when the feel of his body behind hers silenced her.

  “Oh Maddie.” His voice rumbled against her shoulder blades and she realized he’d dropped his head to rest against her upper back while letting his hands roam along her waist and down to her hips.

  She turned slowly in his arms and let her hands roam up his sides and across his abdomen. “I missed you.” She whispered as she brought her mouth to his and kissed him slowly.

  He pulled away and studied her. Her dark, wet hair was in sharp contrast to those light blue eyes. He felt himself suck in a breath as he let his gaze drop to her breasts. He couldn’t resist letting his hand cup one and hold its weight in his hand. “So beautiful.” He murmured, as he lowered his mouth to her breast.

  She tilted her head back in ecstasy as he did things with his tongue that set her nerves ablaze. She finally pulled his head up and kissed him passionately as his strong arms wrapped around her waist.

  “I want you.” She whispered against his mouth and felt him jerk in response.

  “Bed. Let’s go to bed.” He said as he swiftly shut off the water and handed her a towel. She laughed as she dried off.

  “We didn’t even get to the soap or shampoo.”

  “Later.” He watched as she wrapped the towel around herself and then waited. “Come here.” He touched her arm and pulled her through the bathroom door and then into the small bedroom beside it. Thankfully, this room was blessedly plain. The ivory padded headboard and gray sheets were crisp and fresh. Knox quickly grabbed a corner of the well-made bed and flipped it downward. He turned and gestured for her to climb in.

  Soon, he was next to her, touching her and kissing her. His skin, still wet from the shower, slid against hers as their bodies melding into one. Unlike their first night together, their coming together was fast and fierce. They took each other quickly to the peak of orgasm and then crashed over it. Madeline found herself in a wordless state; thoughts and feelings jumbled together until she could do nothing more than hold onto him. His body moved against hers in perfect harmony and rhythm until they were both spent. She’d never felt like this with anyone—ever. Total abandon. Total surrender.

  They both lay quietly, facing each other. She couldn’t seem to stop staring at him. His blond hair fell across his forehead and partially covered his eyes. She brushed it back and let her hand linger on his cheek. She felt him smile under her palm and smiled in return.

  “I’m glad you’re here.” He said sleepily.

  She watched him blink a few times, and then his eyes remained closed. Soon, his deep even breathing confirmed that he was indeed, asleep.

  Maddie slid out of bed and returned to the shower to complete the process they’d begun earlier. Now, she had time to clear her head and think. She’d wanted to come up here and visit him desperately, but she didn’t’ want to seem like a lovesick teenager. She’s resigned herself to waiting it out when he’d emailed her a plane ticket. She remembered the absolute glee she’d felt when she’d opened her email and read the simple message. “Come visit. I miss you.”

  Now, she wandered aimlessly in the cluttered and crowded apartment in Knox’s shirt, using only the moonlight as her guide.

  She could barely make her way from room to room without knocking into some antique or another. She thought about Knox and his eyesight. How was he managing in here? After his confession to her after the ‘doughnut incident,’ as she dubbed it in her mind, he hadn’t spoken about his eyes at all. She’d watched him carefully after that, especially at the job site, but he didn’t seem at all hindered by it.

  But he hadn’t seen her sitting on the porch waiting for him, she recalled. She’d flown in and taken a cab to his house, but he wasn’t home. Repeated calls to his cell had gone unanswered. In truth, she was starting to worry that she’d gotten the day or address wrong and was thinking about calling a taxi to come pick her up when she’d spotted him.

  He’d been walking down the street slowly. Right away, she noticed the fatigue in his shoulders. The usual spring of his step was missing and his face was set in a grim mask. She’d worried that this all had been a mistake. She held her breath as he turned down the path that would lead to the door. He didn’t look around, but moved directly to the door. He was about to enter when she finally worked up the courage to speak his name.

  The change in him had been instant and she knew she was right to come. But still, he hadn’t seen her. She’d been sitting only about five feet to the right of the door. The sun was setting, but there was still plenty of summer light filling the sky.

  “There you are.”

  She jumped at his voice and spun around to see him standing in the doorway wearing only black flannel pants. “You scared me.” She laughed a little.

  “Sorry.” He smiled and she could see t
he gleam of his white teeth in the moonlight. “Come here.”

  She walked to him and wrapped her arms around his bare chest.

  “You showered?”

  “I couldn’t sleep. You conked right out though.” She stood on her toes and quickly kissed his lips.

  “I was beat. I’m sorry. I don’t want to sleep through your visit.”

  “We have all day tomorrow. I think we should get some sleep.”

  “Are you okay?” He pushed her back gently and stared down at her.

  “I’m okay.” She smiled and watched the wrinkle between his eyes disappear.

  “Then let’s sleep.” He held her with his arm around her shoulder and ushered back into bed. Again, he was asleep in minutes. Madeline tried to sleep, but found herself tossing and turning for much of the night. Sometimes things could be too perfect, couldn’t they? She rolled over and watched Knox sleep. He was totally relaxed with his lips slightly parted. She could see his eyes moving rapidly beneath his eyelids and briefly she wondered if he was dreaming about her.

  It was only as dawn was breaking that she finally drifted off into an uneasy slumber.

  xXx

  “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever getting up.” He joked.

  Maddie walked into the tiny kitchen and saw Knox was already showered and dressed in dark jeans and a t-shirt and currently sitting at the ridiculously decorated kitchen table sipping coffee and reading something on his iPad.

  “What time is it?” She mumbled as she moved directly to the coffee pot and searched for a mug.

  “Here.” He was at her side in a second pulling a large mug down from the top shelf. “I found these hidden up here. All the others are tiny teacups.”

  “This place is weird.” She mumbled as she stifled a yawn and added a diabetes-inducing amount of sugar to her coffee. She slumped into the chair opposite Knox and watched him as he looked at his iPad.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Just going over some stuff for the museum. I don’t have too much work left on my end before the silversmith takes over.”

  “Silversmith?” She shook her head in an attempt to clear her foggy brain.