Flesh and Feathers by Danielle Hylton, April Fifer Page B

a shot of dark liquor, consuming it in one gulp, and when he was finished, he slammed the glass down on the counter. His head started to turn as if he could feel me staring at him, and as soon as I was about to see the outline of his face, Gage broke my concentration. “Az”, he said, pulling back to see my face. “Are you okay? You don’t seem like you’re here.”
    I shook my head and forced a smile. “Sorry, I think the wine must have gotten to me. I’m fine, really.” I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.
    “It’s just…” My words trailed off as I looked back to locate the man, but he was gone.
    “I’ve had a long day. Do you mind if we leave?” I asked.
    “Of course not,” he said. Gage walked to our table and tossed enough money down to cover our tab then escorted me out.
    Feeling a little tipsy, I leaned against Gage as we walked the blocks back to our apartment complex. He had his arm wrapped around my back with a tight grip on my shoulder, while I rested my head on his.
    Finally, at my apartment, I leaned my back against the door with the heel of my shoe propped against it. Facing Gage, I watched his face turn serious while staring at me.   He placed his fingers in the belt of my dress and pulled me closer, planting both of my feet on the ground. I was surprised when I didn’t feel nervous–only eager. His hands were still fixed in my belt as he walked closer to me, pressing me back against the door.
    He grinned and spoke in a low voice. “You’re killing me in that dress.”  
    I don’t know what it was–if it was the way he spoke to me, the feeling that something was missing in my life, or the fact I didn’t want to be alone tonight, but that’s all he had to say. I placed my hand on the back of his neck and pressed my lips against his. Even though he tried to hide it, he felt the anticipation of our kiss just as much as I did. His lips trailed over mine, again and again. I couldn’t pull him close enough–I wanted every inch of him. Feeling the heat rush though my body, he could feel my arousal and kissed me harder. I ran my hands through his hair, and then jerked the top two buttons of his shirt loose. He grabbed my thigh, and ran his hand under it. He lifted my leg and wrapped it around his, causing my skirt to hike up. This made me want him even more. I began feeling for the doorknob, trying to turn it. When I found it, he pulled away. I could feel my lips swelled and burning. Where I had pulled the top two buttons loose, his shirt was opened and exposing his chest.
    Speaking only inches from his face, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
    “We should wait.”
    My eyes followed his back and forth. “Wait for what?”
    “I don’t want you like this,” he said.
    Embarrassed, shocked, and frustrated, I pushed him back at arm’s length. He caught my hand and held it to his chest.
    He smiled confidently and leaned back in. “You’ve misunderstood me, Love.” I couldn’t speak. My feelings were torn, and now he was adding confusion to the mix. “I do want you… in every way possible… but not like this. I don’t want it to be a night inspired by wine and atmosphere. I want it to be real.”
    Kissing me one last time, he said, “I’ll wait until you’re inside.”
    I looked away clearly frustrated, but at the same time knowing he was right. I nodded and went in, closing the door behind me and not looking back.
    ***
    The next morning, I awoke to an assembly of flowers outside of my door–Gage of course. I made three trips from the door to the counter, placing them all atop. Attached was a tiny card that said: downstairs lobby, nine AM, Gage. It was already eight forty, which left me no time to decide what to do. And of course this is the time the irritating voice in my head speaks up. You have nothing better to do anyway. “Fine,” I said gritting my teeth.
    Jumping in the shower and letting the water sooth my body, I replayed last night’s scene in my