She's like the wind 04

4

 

After leaving the office Lena drove home. Unlocking the house she heard her phone ringing. She stepped inside and pulled it out of her purse.

 

„Hi, I'm listening,“ she held it propped on her shoulder, walking in the bedroom. She put her notebook and purse on the bed.

 

„Hi, it's Eric. I just... You know I took the liberty to prepare something to eat for us. So... I hope you didn't have lunch yet.“

 

„No, I didn't. It's nice,“ she lifted her eyebrow, surprised hearing him.

 

„Good. So... see you soon.“

 

„See you...,“ she was about to hang up.

 

„Oh... Lena?“

 

„Yes?“

 

„Do you like motorbikes? Have you ever ridden any?“

 

„What? Motorbikes? I like them. But... no, I haven't. Why are you asking?“ she shook her head, taken aback by his questions.

 

„It's good. You'll see.“ She sensed his smile.

 

„OK. See you...“ She hung up, wondering why the hell he was asking her about motorbikes.

 

She took a quick shower, got dressed and put an empty flash disc in her purse. At one p.m. she walked out of her house.

 

Eric was waiting in front of it, standing by a motorbike. At that moment she understood his question.

 

„So you want me to take a ride with you,“ she said, watching the motorbike. „Is it yours?“

 

„Yes, meet my Harley Davidson Superlow 1200T. It's something like my pet,“ he smiled. „I hope you don't mind.“

 

„I'm not sure. I've never tried before. Is it safe?“ she looked at him.

 

„It depends on its driver. I prefer this to a car,“ he shrugged. „Don't worry, I'm not going to drive too fast,“ he opened one of the cases fixed on both sides of the back wheel. „Here you can put your things.“ When she did it he put a helm on and handed her the other.

 

She put it on her head, watching him get on the bike. She felt her heart in her throat as he started it, reaching out his hand to her. „Get on. No fear,“ he reassured her and his voice sounded different from beneath his helm. She got on, feeling strange. „Wrap your arms around me,“ he instructed her, „and held tight, OK?“

 

She nodded. She realized he couldn't see her. „OK,“ she said aloud so he could hear her. It felt so strange to wrap her arms around his middle, it was kind of... intimate. She could feel him breathe. She squeezed him tight as the bike started moving. She had no experience with motorbikes but as they rode she started to like it.

 

He didn't stop in front of his house, heading into the garage. She felt like sort of drunk as she got off the motorbike and took her helm off.

 

„Did you like it?“ he asked, pulling her things out of the case.

 

„Yes, I did. It was... unusual but... hell yeah, it was exciting,“ she laughed shortly.

 

„Glad to hear it. It's even better without the helm. When I want just to enjoy the ride here in surroundings, not on the road, I don't take my helm. I love the wind in my hair,“ he chuckled.

 

He led her through the garage door inside the house. They found themselves in the kitchen. It was large, the table was set for two. He took off his leather jacket, hanging it on a coatstand in the hall. Then he pulled the roasting pan out of the oven and turned on the stove.

 

„Give me just a few minutes. It will be ready soon,“ he looked at her over his shoulder.

 

„It's OK. Take your time,“ she stepped closer to take a look at what he was doing. „What did you make?“

 

„It's pork with mushrooms baked on cream with mashed potatoes. I hope you'll like it,“ he glanced at her, putting the meal on two plates.

 

„It smells really good,“ she nodded. „How come you can cook?“

 

„I love this meal,“ he checked a pot with potatoes on the stove and turned to her. „I like cooking. I keep my hands busy and my mind is busy, too. I mean I can think about my next book,“ he chuckled.

 

„I see. Thinking goes well when you're doing something,“ she half smiled.

 

*

 

„It was really delicious,“ Lena gushed as they finished eating. „Is it your own recipe?“

 

„Thank you. Yes, it is,“ he nodded, collecting the dishes. She helped him to put them in the dishwasher. „So... are you ready to work a bit?“ he turned it on.

 

„Of course I am. That's why I am here,“ she took her things and followed him upstairs and to his study.

 

„The book is already done. One chapter left to write,“ he took a seat next to her on the couch.

 

„I thought it would be a big file so I took a flash disc with me. Can you make a copy for me?“ she handed him the flash disc.

 

„Sure, no problem,“ he took the flash disc and moved to his desk to put it into his PC. He started copying his book on it. „We could go for a walk if you are not in a hurry,“ he offered.

 

„Sounds good,“ she nodded. She was aware that he didn't want her to leave right away but she didn't say anything.

 

Descending downstairs they crossed the hall and walked out of the house through the back door. Lena looked around, standing on a terrace. There was a large garden in front of her. She followed him down the three steps and further on the flagged path leading between flowerbeds. There was a swimming pool on the right.

 

„It's beautiful here,“ she stopped, stooping down to smell one of the roses blooming there.

 

„It is. I love it here,“ he watched her as she gently stroked the head of the flower. „Unfortunately I'm not able to take care of the garden so I have a gardener. I know how to mow the grass and that's it,“ he chuckled, shrugging.

 

„You can't know everything,“ she smiled, raising her eyes to him as she straightened up. „You can write, cook, ride the motorbike, mow the grass...“

 

„You're right. I'd like to show you something,“ he gestured for her to follow and led her over the grass further into the garden.

 

She saw a wooden gazebo among the trees. There was a table and an upholstered bench with two chairs.

 

„I often write here,“ he settled on the bench. „It's a soothing sight from here.“

 

She turned around to look at where he was looking. She saw the grass in front of the trees and the surface of the lake behind the trees. It was an amazing sight. „It's calming and... just awesome,“ she whispered. „You have a beautiful place to live, Eric,“ she looked at him. „I'm not sure why I'm whispering,“ she laughed lightly.

 

„Perhaps because one feels a humbleness seeing something like this,“ he came to stand next to her.

 

„Exactly,“ she responded. She watched him with a corner of her eye as he stared straight ahead. The light breeze was playing with his hair, his face serious. She saw something in his eyes as he turned his head to her, perhaps a hint of sadness.

 

He perceived her presence with all his senses, realizing how good he felt being with her, not alone. He sensed her eyes on him so he looked at her. He gave her a small smile, resisting the urge to touch her cheek. He closed his eyes for a second to shake it off. She's too young for me. I should stop thinking about her like this.

 

„It's great to have a swimming pool right here, especially in hot days,“ she remarked as they walked back on the terrace.

 

„Yes, it is. My ex-wife insisted on the swimming pool in the garden,“ he said, sadness in his voice. „But... yes... it's good to have it here,“ he tried to hide his bitterness.

 

Does he live here all alone? It has to be hard living in such a beautiful and large place... alone. It had to be a sadness that I saw in his eyes before. She felt the urge to stroke his cheek as they were standing in the gazebo before. Suddenly she realized she felt something for him as they made their way to the study. I can't show him. I don't want him to think I feel just sympathy. Does he realize how charming he is?

 

He checked the copy, scrolling the text down on the screen. „It's alright,“ he took the flash disc out of PC and handed it to her.

 

„Now I can start working on it,“ she put it in her purse. „Call me when you finish the rest, OK?“

 

„Sure. I'll let you know,“ he watched her as she collected her things and moved to the door. He desperately didn't want her to leave but he had no reason to keep her here anymore. He followed her to the garage, looking forward to the ride to her place. He liked feeling her arms wrapped around him.

 

*

 

On Friday afternoon Eric finished the last chapter. Sitting in the gazebo he recalled the moment when she was there with him. He grabbed his phone to call her but then he changed his mind. He turned off his notebook, took it in his hand, his phone in the other and walked to the house. He made a copy of the chapter on a flash disc in the study and ran down to the garage. He glanced at his watch, it was almost six p.m. Enough time to take her out for dinner. I just don't want to be alone, that's all. I don't want anything else. He put the helm on his head, got on the motorbike, started it and rode out of the garage.

 

„Hi, you must be Eric, right?“ a young man with brown hair and eyes opened the door after Eric had pushed the door bell.

 

„Hi, yes, it's me,“ Eric stared at him, taken aback by his presence. I should have expected this. He lowered his eyes and pulled the flash disc out of his jacket's pocket. „I brought the last chapter to Lena,“ he handed it to him.

 

„Lena! Come here,“ the young man called over his shoulder and stepped aside. „I'm sorry. Come in, please. She's coming. I'm Tom,“ he offered him his hand to shake. „Nice to meet you, Eric. I love your books.“

 

„Nice to meet you, too, Tom. Thank you,“ Eric gave him a small smile even though his heart sank.

 

„Eric!“ Lena appeared beside Tom. „What are you doing here? Would you like having dinner with us? I just put it on the table. Tom made steaks,“ she glanced at Tom, smiling, pride in her eyes.

 

„No, thanks. I just... I'm sorry for disturbing,“ he handed her the flash disc. „I finished the last chapter so I wanted to give it to you.“ Their fingers touched as she took it from him. The touch ran through his veins with unexpected intensity. He shivered, shaking his head. „I have to go,“ he turned around and ran out of the door.

 

She was standing in the hall with the flash disc in her hand, still feeling the touch of his fingers. She was disappointed that he left, wondering why he couldn't stay. She was glad to see him and now he was gone.

 

„Lena, what are you doing there? Dinner is on the table.“ She heard Tom calling from the kitchen.

 

„I'm coming,“ she responded and sauntered to the kitchen.

 

„Are you OK?“ Tom looked at her as she sat down, thoughtful, putting the flash disc next to her plate.

 

„Yes, I am. Why did he come when he disappeared so quickly?“ she asked, shaking her head. She looked almost sad.

 

„He didn't want to disturb us,“ Tom shrugged. „Maybe he thought I was your boyfriend,“ he chuckled, putting a bite in his mouth.

 

Lena shot her eyes to him. „Perhaps you're right,“ she blushed.

 

„Do you care about him, little sister?“ he watched her, seeing emotions changing on her face. „No, you're blushing! You do.“

 

„I'm not sure, Tom,“ she ran her hand through her hair. „He's very nice. He took me to New York.“

 

„Really? Tell me about it,“ he lifted his eyebrow.

 

They were eating and Lena told him about her first encounter with Eric. After dinner they talked till midnight. Then they went to sleep because Tom would have to get up early in the morning because of his business appointment in Williamsport.

 

*

 

After breakfast Lena walked Tom to his car. He got in and looked up at her.

 

„You should call him, sis,“ he smiled. „You have head full of him.“

 

„Sure,“ she made a grimace. „You should go.“

 

He chuckled. „Take care of yourself.“

 

„You, too. Say hi to mom,“ she waved at him. When he was gone she went inside.

 

Since it was seven in the morning she took the flash disc that Eric brought her yesterday and walked in the bedroom. She turned on her notebook and started reading.