Going Going Gone

by Cerian Hebert

  Closing her eyes, Nell let her mind drift away from the present, and remembered life when she was a kid and this was the safest place in the world to be. Everything beyond the property line was hostile and alien. Her mother urged her to get out more, play with other kids in the quiet neighborhood, but Nell had dug her heels in and refused. Instead, she retreated from everyone in the little playhouse she’d fixed up for herself behind the old barn.

  She opened her eyes and looked over to the woods that were slowly swallowing up the old structure, and wondered if her playhouse still stood. She used to keep all sorts of treasures back there. It was the place she went to write in her diary and she couldn’t recall ever taking the stuff out when she left for college.

  Nell started toward the barn. No one would miss her for a few minutes if she decided to take another trip down the rocky road that was her personal Memory Lane.

  She would’ve done well to have a machete to cut a swath through the undergrowth and many years’ worth of dried autumn leaves, but she used her arms and hands to push back the tangle of branches. Once there’d been a little path, one she’d worn down herself, but that was long gone.

  A rustling sound behind her brought her up short. It was the only indication she was no longer alone. Nell whipped around, her bare arm swiping against the rough wood of the barn.

  “Ouch!” She pressed her hand over the abrasion, but it was soon forgotten when she lifted her eyes to meet Eli’s dark brown gaze.

  “You all right?” He stepped over a piece of twisted rusty metal, in a slow approach. “Let me see it.”

  Nell didn’t move her hand. “No, it’s okay. You startled me.”

  Eli stared at her with the same intensity she’d been feeling all day. The same desire she longed for when she was a teen. She couldn’t break the connection. It didn’t exactly make her feel uncomfortable, but the moment definitely fell into the ‘this is just a little too weird’ category.

  “What are you doing back here, anyway?” Eli finally asked. His voice was low and rough.

  Nell broke their eye contact first, dropping her hand from her arm to glance at the abrasion. Her skin was pink and several slivers of varying sizes bristled out. Dang. She and Gwen were going to be spending some quality time with the tweezers in the bathroom.

  “I can clean that up for you. I’m a trained professional, you know.” More leaves crunched on the ground as he closed in on her, but she willed herself not to look up until he reached out and lifted her arm to get a better look.

  Nell’s heart battered at her chest mercilessly. He was so close she could have sworn he’d hear it, but his attention was intent on her arm, his fingers skimming across her flesh.

  Her breathing sped up, a little too erratic. She lifted her eyes to his profile, noting the dark stubble on his jaw and his rumpled hair. So this is what he must look like when he first rolls out of bed. At least he’d put his shirt back on. A bare chest would’ve done her in.

  As she forced herself to breathe, she commanded her head not to think about Eli that way. She needed to regain control of this whole situation.

  “I have a first aid kit in my truck. So, what are you doing wandering in the woods?” Eli repeated the question as he let go of her arm and leaned up against the rugged gray wall of the barn.

  “Gwen thought there was some old trellis by that old shed,” Nell lied smoothly. She couldn’t tell him why she was really back there. That would have blown her cover sky-high. How could she explain there was a little shed where she’d spent long hours crying over her childhood? That she’d written her heart out into a diary that probably included his name in it and that she wanted to go and sit there with the ghost of the girl she’d once been. No, he’d never know about that.

  She forced herself to smile and slanted a look into his chocolate brown eyes. “And why are you following me, Mr. Knight?”

  It was as good a time as any to flirt with him, see him squirm a little. After all, he’d presented her with an opportunity. From where they stood no one could see them. Leaning toward him, she raised one brow. She didn’t touch him, but came within inches of his body. He wouldn’t be able to move without coming up against her, and as his eyes met hers she knew that he’d picked up the challenge.

  “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. A city girl like you doesn’t know the dangers of the country.”

  There was the faint scent of coffee on his breath, and she felt its warmth brush against her cheek.

  “You mean like snakes or spiders?” She let her voice drop to just above a whisper, inching closer to him so that her chest barely skimmed against his.

  “Something like that.” He still didn’t touch her, kept his arms at his side.

  She did the same, curious to see how long they could go on like this, clinging to the last shred of willpower. “I’m a big girl, Eli. New York has its own share of creepy crawlies. Though it’s nice to see you care for a stranger.”

  “You paid a thousand dollars for me. I think I should provide a little more than just painting a house.”

  And then he gave in, as Nell had hoped. His arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close before his mouth descended on hers.

  At first it was just a taste, his lips taking and releasing hers, barely touching them before reclaiming them, more fiercely. For a moment Nell let her hands remain at her side, until she could get her thoughts into some semblance of order. But as she felt his arms tighten around her, felt the tip of his tongue tickle her bottom lip, her hands found their way up the hard length of his arms and over his shoulders until she held him tightly around the neck. She became a full participant in the kiss, pressed her mouth against his, and invited him to delve deeper.

  The way his body pulsed against her was enough to send her blood coursing insanely to her heart. It beat so hard it nearly blocked out the sound of Gwen’s voice from the back yard.

  Despite his tight hold, Nell pulled her mouth from his. "Hold on," she whispered as his lips claimed hers again. "Eli, wait."

  "Say you’ll have dinner with me tonight," he murmured against her mouth.

  Gwen called again, her voice closer this time.

  Nell pushed against Eli’s chest, but he wouldn’t budge.

  "She’s going to find us here." She protested when Eli kissed her again, playfully nipping her jaw. She wanted to be outraged at his behavior, his forward manner and the way he assumed she’d fall over backward for him.

  "Then say yes."

  She hesitated a moment longer. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Gwen walk across the lawn, glancing around. It would only be a moment before she’d spot them. The last thing Nell wanted, after her conversation in the kitchen, was for Gwen to catch her making out like some kind of high school kid.

  But Eli was so persuasive, his hands moving over her back until they held her waist. She wanted nothing more than to feel him pressed up against her. Damn it, she wanted him to keep kissing her.

  "Yes, fine, I’ll go to dinner with you," she hissed, pushing away from his grasp. "Just stay out of sight for a few seconds. Let me get out there." She thrust him back against the side of the barn and, without thought, leaned up and pressed one last kiss on his mouth, then picked her way through the underbrush and returned to the backyard before Gwen could discover what she'd been doing.

  Chapter 3

  “And where do you think you’re going?”

  Nell nearly dropped the dress in her hands. She hadn’t seen Gwen in the doorway.

  “I’m going out tonight,” she replied and held up the little twilight blue, knee-length dress. She loved the color, but not so much the length. She made a mental sketch in her mind of a dress in another style, using the same light rayon material.

  “Going out? You’re actually going out with Eli?” Gwen sat on the bed and fingered the other dress Nell had carefully laid out, this one ankle-length in varying shades of orange, from a deep pumpkin to a pale coral.

  “You find that so hard
to believe?” Nell tossed back with a snicker.

  “God, of course not. I’d be surprised if he didn’t ask you out. Now where are you going and when are you going to be home?”

  “I thought Mom was in Florida.”

  “Yes, but I’m a mom now, so I have to get my practice. So answer the question.”

  Nell studied herself in the mirror but chuckled. “I don’t know, and whenever we’re ready.”

  The look that crossed over Gwen’s face was priceless. Her eyes widened and she bit her bottom lip so it nearly disappeared inside her mouth. She let out a little squeal that made Nell think of preteen girls talking about a cute boy.

  “Knock it off, Gwen. It’s not like that at all. We already had this conversation earlier.”

  After her little meeting with Eli behind the barn, she and Gwen had another talk that started with apologies from both sides and quickly moved to Gwen pondering that maybe a relationship between Nell and Eli wouldn’t be as horrible as she’d first thought.

  “What?” Gwen wouldn’t stop grinning. “I think he’d be good for you.”

  Nell studied her sister in the mirror and couldn’t help but return the grin. “So you think the ‘Good and Decent’ Eli could settle down the ‘Misguided and Cynical’ Nell and love and happiness would forever reign? Don’t get your hopes up, hon.”

  “Then why are you going out with him tonight?” Gwen pushed herself awkwardly off the bed and wandered to the closet, examining each of the outfits hanging from the rack.

  “So you and Mark can have a night alone.”

  “You are such a liar, Nell.” Gwen pulled out a black sleeveless wrap-around shirt. She held it up against her. “Hey, I love these clothes. Did you design them all?” Gwen returned the shirt and examined the tags on a long, cherry red skirt.

  “Most of them.” Nell snorted in displeasure and tossed the dress onto the bed. “Damn, I don’t like either dress. I want to say, ‘hey look at me now, but don’t touch because I’m not easy.’”

  “Then wear this.” Gwen pulled out a deep forest green sleeveless dress with an empress bust. It was elegant but simple.

  “Hmm.” Nell held the dress up and examined herself in the mirror. “Can you kick over those green sandals?”

  Gwen handed them over, then hung the discarded dresses up in the closet. “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Have a nice non-date, and I’ll keep a light on for you.”

  Not bothering with a reply, Nell stuck out her tongue at Gwen’s reflection.

  She had no idea what Eli had in mind, though the kiss that afternoon shouldn’t have left her with any question on the matter. He was interested, attracted to her, and wanted to know her better. Or try to get her into bed.

  So why was the latter reason less frightening than the former? She was grown woman, she’d had lovers, before and after her ex. She preferred to keep things casual, and what could be more casual than a fling with Eli Knight? After all, he didn’t know who she really was. She’d be gone in a few weeks and she wouldn’t have to ‘fess up to the truth.

  As long as I never have to bump into him again.

  Eli adjusted his tie, looking in the mirror and hoping it was straight. It had been years since he wore a tie on a date, much less a suit jacket. Shelly had liked to go out to fancy restaurants, but he didn’t.

  The buttons felt tight around his throat and the jacket constricted his movements. But somehow Nell didn’t seem the kind of woman he should be taking to the local pub. Instead he’d made reservations at a nice Italian restaurant over the Massachusetts border.

  With one last comb of his fingers through his short brown hair, Eli grabbed his keys. He was halfway to his truck when he noticed there was a distinct energy to his step, and damned if he wasn’t whistling. He stopped immediately and rolled his eyes.

  Eli parked next to a sporty little Ford Mustang with New York plates, a sexy car for a sexy woman. As soon as he exited his truck and headed toward the house, Nell came through the front door and turned her smile on him. For the second time in one day, she managed to take his breath away.

  She was radiant.

  Nell’s hair fell in a thick cascade over her shoulders. The forest-green dress hugged her breasts without leaving much to the imagination. Tiny buttons ran down the front, from the low-cut neckline to the hem of the full skirt that swung around shapely ankles as she strode with confidence toward him. His fingers itched to release each button so he could take in the body that teased him.

  “You look very handsome,” she said, her smile widening until he could see a dimple at the right corner of her mouth. He longed to kiss it, and since that was more acceptable than undressing her where she stood, he leaned in and touched his lips to the side of her mouth.

  “And you are gorgeous,” he murmured against her soft skin.

  “Mmm.” Nell made a contented sound and moved closer to him, until her breasts brushed against his jacket. The soft touch was enough to send the blood coursing to his groin in expectation.

  “Why don’t we get going?” Reluctantly he pulled away and opened the truck door for her, helping her into the cab. As he did, he inhaled her delicate fragrance.

  Then and there, he knew it was going to be a hell of a night.

  The drive to Fellini’s was only about ten minutes, enough time for Nell to discuss the plans for the next day. Eli wanted to talk about her, however. Where she grew up, where she lived, and what she did for a living. Everything. But ten minutes wasn’t much time to learn all about Nell. He forced himself to wait until they arrived at the restaurant and were seated at a perfect little table for two in the back, overlooking a garden and koi pond.

  A white candle in a crystal-hooded holder twinkled, spreading a rainbow of light over the neat white tablecloth. It reflected off Nell’s hand, which rested on the table. Eli fixated on the glow of the petite opal ring on the pinky finger of her left hand, but his eyes also picked up the faint pale line where a wedding band should’ve been.

  “You were married?”

  Nell drew her hand back and rubbed it self-consciously. Her lips twisted in a look of disgust. “Once upon a time,” she replied, reaching for her water glass.

  “Couldn’t have been too long ago. I can still see your tan line.”

  Nell laughed and examined her ring finger. “Well, maybe it seems like ages. Javier and I split up a year and a half ago. But truth be told, we weren’t really together a long time before that. Guess I need to get some sun on this hand. What about you? Gwen said you were married once, too.”

  Eli raised his brows and leaned back in his chair. “Nothing like jumping to the big stuff, hmm?”

  “You brought it up first, sweetie,” Nell said with a smile flitting across her face. Her eyes locked onto his and for a moment neither said a word. Her head was tipped slightly to the side and the smile didn’t fade from her face.

  Eli wasn’t sure what turned him on more: her eyes with their cool confidence, or the way her fingers traced a line in the condensation on the side of the glass, sending beads of water down to spread against the cloth.

  “Should we get all the warts and scars out of the way first?”

  “What a lovely way to put it,” Nell replied, but he won a wider smile from her that lit her face, to her eyes that twinkled as prettily as the candle behind crystal.

  “If the term fits.”

  “Okay, since this is your idea, then you first,” she replied and took another sip of her water.

  Eli would’ve responded faster, but his attention was caught by the way the water she drank glistened on her deep pink lips.

  Focus, man. He managed to resist the desire to toss aside the table so he could pull her to him and kiss her senseless. What were they talking about?

  Oh, yeah. Ex-spouses.

  Their waiter arrived before he could launch into this topic, and dropped off menus, told them about the dinner specials and recommended a wine, which Eli ordered. Once the young man departed, Nell opened her menu but
didn’t bother reading. Instead, she stared over its edge at Eli, brows raised in expectation.

  “You don’t want to order first?”

  Nell laughed. “Is it really that painful to talk about? I’ve decided what I’m having. I’m a sucker for fettuccini alfredo.”

  Eli glanced quickly at the large menu, and with a wave of his hand, signaled the waiter back to their table.

  “Fettuccini alfredo with shrimp.” Nell closed the menu and placed it on the table.

  “I’d like to start with the Cozze Bianco O Rouge and Calamari Fritto, followed by Cappesante e Gamberitti.”

  “I’m impressed,” she commented as soon as they were alone again.

  Eli shrugged. “I worked at an Italian restaurant in Concord eons ago. Some things you never forget. Besides, you wanted to talk about our dark pasts.”

  “Ah, yes. Do tell.” Nell’s eyes grew rounder and she propped her elbow on the tabletop, resting her chin against her palm.

  “I was married, a few years out of high school to the girl I’d dated since I was around thirteen years old. Thought she was the one, all the way through school. She was supportive of my goals and was only too happy to stroke my ego.”

  “What every man wants,” Nell mused.

  “Well, that is true. But when we graduated from high school and—now, don’t laugh—I decided I didn’t want to pitch for the Boston Red Sox and wanted to go to the fire academy like my dad, well, let’s just say some of the bloom faded from our relationship. She still married me, and we managed to hold on to what we had for a few years. But I couldn’t give her everything she wanted. We got a decent house out on the lake, but it wasn’t the ‘right’ lake and the house didn’t come with the pool or Mercedes that she’d envisioned back in school.”

  “And love didn’t count for anything?”

  Eli picked up his wine glass and examined the dark red contents against the candlelight as he swirled the liquid around. “Love? I think love stopped mattering as soon as I volunteered for the town fire department and started my own business from our garage. Shelly realized I had no plans to move her or the kids to somewhere fancier. She had her sights on Boston, or New York.”