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And I would walk five hundred miles, and I would walk five hundred more, just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door. Da da da da...”
As the music played, Chemelyn twirled around on the hard wood floors of her apartment in her stocking feet. She wielded a feather duster deftly, skimming every surface with it while her body kept time with the beat.
*@*
Howie stepped from his rental car, being careful to lock it before he ascended the stairway leading to Chemelyn’s loft. He slipped the keys into his pocket and smoothed the front of his slacks before raising a hand to knock on her door. There was no answer, but Howie could hear faint strains of the old Proclaimers song leaking beneath the door. He rapped on it’s wood, louder this time. There was still no answer; he called her name.
“Chemelyn?” he paused. “Chemelyn?” Howie reached for the knob and gave it a twist. The door opened surprisingly easyily.
Before him unfolded a sight that he would not soon forget, but would remember for a long time to come with unparrelled fondness. Chemelyn stood in the middle of her loft, her back to him, swaying her hips and shimmying to the music blasting from her stereo system. She jumped and skipped, all the while flourishing a multi-colored feather duster. She was clad in a pair of cut-offs and an old t-shirt, belting out the lyrics, taking no notice of his presence. Howie felt a grin tug at his lips. He crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned against the doorframe. Her light brown hair askew, Chemelyn whirled about to face him. She was lost in the music until she realized that she had an audience. Dropping the duster as though it were a hot coal, she gasped. Chemelyn’s jaw opened then closed with a ‘snap’.
“Hi.” Howie greeted, eyes twinkling.
“Dwaine.” she responded flatly.
“What?” he teased, “No, ‘Dwaine, I’m so glad to see you again, I’m happy you decided to drop in’?” Chemelyn only groaned and plopped down on the couch, burying her face in her hand to hide her flushed cheeks.
“You have horrible timing.” she muttered. He chuckled and crossed the room to sit beside her.
“Hey now. I like uninhibited women.” he said, attempting to ease her embarrassment, though his eyes still sparkled with amusement.
“Uninhibited. Nice word choice.”
“Thank you. You know, if you’d kept it up, I would have joined you.”
Chemelyn raised her face to look at him. “I was cleaning the house.” she explained unnessacarily.
“So I see.”
“I was almost done. Dusting, that is.”
“Uh huh.” he grinned.
“Ugh!” she groaned, yet unable to stifle the laughter that bubbled up inside her throat. “Why are you here, anyway?” she demanded.
“I thought it was obvious. To see you.”
“Why? Couldn’t you have called? Given me some time to freshen up?”
“Yes, I suppose I could have called, but that would have prevented me from doing what I came here to do.”
“And what was that?” she asked, eyes narrowed slightly.
“This.” he said, and leaned forward kissing her lightly on her lips. “But now I know that Sunday is housecleaning day, so I’ll refrain from popping up unannounced!” he chuckled.
“Come here you.” she murmured, batting his arm playfully, and pulling him back toward her. She claimed his mouth again, engaging his in a kiss that was much less chaste than it’s predecessors. Their embrace deepened quickly, sending shocks of electrifying heat up and down Chemelyn’s spine. She was vaguely aware of his hands as they caressed her back, and her arms winding themselves around his neck. Finally, their kiss broke, and Dwaine brought his forehead to rest against hers.
“Wow.” she whispered.
“Yeah, wow.” he echoed. Absently, Chemelyn continued to stroke her forefinger along the sensitive skin of his neck, tracing the line of his jaw tenderly. Dwaine tensed slightly and pulled away.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“Don’t do that.” he chastised softly.
“Do what?”
“That thing...my neck....” he cleared his throat. “Just not right now, okay?” Chemelyn opened her mouth to speak, but Dwaine placed his finger to her lips. “Shh. Let’s finish cleaning your apartment.”
“You want to clean my house with me?” she exclaimed in disbelief.
“You bet.” he smiled. “When we’re done, I’m going to cook us dinner and we’ll watch a movie. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful, actually.”
“You sound surprised.”
“Dwaine.....Over the past few days I’ve gotten the impression that you’re a night on the town kind of guy. To be honest with you, I’m more of a homebody. I enjoy clubbing and dinner out every once in a while, but nothing compares to a quiet, romantic night in.”
Howie felt a warmth grow over his heart; without realizing it, she had endeared herself to him all over again with her little speech.
“Chemelyn,” he began tenderly. “It’s my turn to be honest with you. Dinner and cuddling in front of a comforting fire, passing the night in companionable conversation, ranks top on my list. The past few days, I wanted to be special. But I want you to know and understand, that no matter what environment, I’m content as long as I’m with you. You make me happy.” he shrugged self consciously. “That much I’ve found out over the past few days.”
Chemelyn leaned close and brushed her lips over his. “Thank you.” she whispered.
“Come on. Let’s get going. The sooner we clean, the sooner I can woo you.”
“Woo me?” she asked with a giggle.
“I’ll clean the kitchen, you finish dusting. Oh! And if you feel the need to dance...just pretend I’m not even here.” he added with a wink.
An hour later, Howie snuck a glance at Chemelyn as she climbed up the stairs to her bedroom. She was gorgeous, even in her mused state.
The *click* of the dryer as it finished it’s cycle interrupted his thoughts. Howie tossed the rag he had been using into the sink, and strode over to the closet which hid the washer and dryer. He opened the dryer door and scooped it’s contents out into a basket. Howie balanced the garments in his arms as he ascended the stairs, finally reaching the top.
“Where should I put these?” he called. Chemelyn poked her head out of the walk-in closet.
“On the bed is fine.”
Howie deposited the load as specified and was about to turn away when something bold and bright caught his eye.
“Ooooh.” he drew the word out. “These are nice.”
“What are-Oh God.” Chemelyn moaned. Howie eyed her appreciatively as he twirled a pair of dainty red silk underwear on his finger.
“Sexy, very sexy.” he grinned mischievously. Chemelyn stalked over to him, and frowned in mock anger.
“Hand it over, and no one gets hurt.” she demanded. With a laugh, Howie complied.
“I like blue myself.”
“Out!” she exclaimed, eyes twinkling, as she pointed toward the door.
“Or black.”
“Now!” she added, trying unsuccessfully to keep a straight face. Howie took mercy on her, and began to trot back down the stairs, his chuckles echoing up to the bedroom.
*@*
Chemelyn finished stacking the canvases against the wall beside the balcony. She was just beginning to sort her paints when she felt Dwaine’s presence behind her. His arms snaked around her waist, and pulled her body back against his.
“Did you do all of these?” he asked, referring to the watercolors surrounding them. Chemelyn nodded. He removed his hold on her and moved to the stack of paintings against the wall. Chemelyn laid her hand on his arm and shook her head.
“No.” she said quietly. “Please.”
“What’s wrong?” he wondered, slightly confused.
“I...I haven’t shown them to anyone except Malone, and even he hasn’t seen all of them.”
“Is there a reason?”
“There’s just so much of ‘me’ in each piece. I guess I’m hesitant to share that with people.” she replied honestly. Howie reached out and lifted her chin with his fingertip.
“Chem,” he began, using her nickname for the first time. “If your work is even half as beautiful as you are, then I’m sure they’ll be masterpieces. Don’t you understand yet? I want to know you, the REAL you. Even the facets of yourself that no one else sees, because you don’t let them. Chem, I.....”
“You...?” she prompted, the sudden intensity between them frightening, yet compelling her.
“I think maybe we should get started on dinner together so we can have ample time to get to know one another better. When you’re ready to share your paintings with me, I’m here.”
Minutes later, Howie watched Chemelyn where she sat on the island counter in her kitchen. She let her legs dangle over the edge, swinging them against the cabinet doors beneath her. He hid a smile, and gave the pasta sauce one last stir.
“Okay, Madam Taste Tester, are you ready to give me your professional opinion?”
“Ready and willing.” she responded happily, thinking as she did that Dwaine looked adorable in an apron. He dipped a spoon in the mixture, and held it out before her.
“Careful, it’s hot.” he warned, and Chemelyn nodded. She blew on the concoction while Howie held the spoon. He gazed at her pursed lips and experienced a strong desire to feel her mouth on his. Instead, he brought the spoon to her lips, which she accepted. Chemelyn’s eyes closed in pleasure.
“Mmm. Dwaine, this is delicious! Where did you learn to cook like this?” she exclaimed, amazed.
“My mother, of course.”
“Oh, I see. Polite, kind, handsome, considerate, AND a great chef? I could get used to this!” she teased.
“Please do.” Howie thought. Outwardly, he brushed her compliments off lightly. “Yeah, well, I try.”
“While you perfect your culinary skills, I’m going to change out of these clothes and freshen up a bit, alright?”
“Hurry back.”
*****
Howie stood back and surveyed his handiwork with a sense of pride. He had moved the dining room table just inside the balcony off of the living room, so that it overlooked the orange sun setting behind Puget Sound; leaving the balcony doors open so that fresh cool air could circulate around them, providing relief from the heat of the day. During their cleaning frenzy, Howie had located a matching yellow table cloth and linen napkins. Chemelyn’s white china was laid out, and a cluster of pink and white carnations with baby’s breath stood in the center of the table. The silver place settings glistened in the early evening sun, and several small candles already cast their glow over everything. It was perfect, except for one thing. Howie glanced at the clock anxiously, and moved to the stereo system, slipping in a CD. The soothing strains of Bryan McKnight filled the loft. Howie had showed up at Chemelyn’s wearing a pair of jeans and a purple dress shirt. Somehow, through it all, he had managed to remain immaculate.
Just then, he heard Chemelyn’s foot steps on the stairs.
*@*
Chemelyn stepped down onto the main floor, and took a moment to simply stare. Dwaine stood beside the table, a slightly sheepish yet anxious expression on his face. He had taken the time to create a magical environment for them in the fifteen minutes she had been gone. Her breath was caught in her throat; she was speechless. Dwaine strode toward her slowly. He didn’t say a thing but then, no words were needed. He gazed intently into her eyes, and took her hand, leading her to the table. After seating her, he poured them each a glass of champagne before settling himself into a chair.
“This is so beautiful. Thank you so much, Dwaine. You’re....I can’t find the words.” she admitted softly. He reached for her hand across the table and began stroking her skin with his thumb.
“I love being with you.” he said quietly. “That’s all. You’re a very precious person, Chemelyn.” This said, Dwaine got up from his chair, and brought over their salads.
The meal passed in a tranquil fashion, both enjoying the other’s company. The conversation was light but meaningful, and when they were finished with their food, Chemelyn stood along with Dwaine to clear the table. Carrying their dishes into the kitchen, Dwaine turned on the faucet to rinse them before loading everything into the dishwasher. Chemelyn came up from behind, and wrapped her arms around his waist. She took her time tieing an apron around his hips, finally reclaiming her lingering hands. Dwaine turned to face her, his arms held out from his sides to avoid getting any soapy water on her. She leaned up and captured his lips with her own for a moment. He was soft and warm, soothing and sweet. When she pulled back, she found she simply couldn’t stay away, and was about to kiss him again, when he reached for her. Disregarding the water, Dwaine pulled Chemelyn into his arms. She fit snugly in his embrace. Their mouths melded into one, and the world around them melted away until neither was aware of anything but the other.
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