Chapter two
With all that had just taken place at Klaus's house Rose felt flustered and confused, as she had intended to go to Iris's for tea but instead ran up the eastern steps and found herself next to the general store. Letting out a loud sigh, she slumped her shoulders. She didn't want to go back down the steps toward Iris's house, as Klaus's was right above Iris's, and she didn't want him to see her again that day. She felt embarrassed by what had just happened. She hadn't intended to lead him on. Or had I intended to without even realizing it?
She decided she would go around the long way to Iris's, through the center of town and then down the long steps; going to the west side of town through the stairs that were on the left. She knew that if she went that way Klaus wouldn't be able to see her. She sighed again, knowing that this trip was going to take at least ten minutes and she was already running late. She knew Iris would be crossed at her for being late, but at least this gave her time to think. And I sure as hell have a lot to think about, she thought while making her way toward her destination.
By now she knew she was infatuated with Klaus. It wasn't his etiquette or gentlemanly persona, that was not the type of person she was into. She knew he was undoubtedly handsome, as anyone with eyes could see. She enjoyed his unkept ebony hair and how it clashed with his attire, and his golden-green eyes that pierced right through her soul. He wasn't like the boys in the city, who had been immature and grotesque. He also wasn't like the other boys in town, either. He was a man whereas they were all boys. She was sick of dating boys. As she became better friends with him she noticed him sometimes dropping his gentleman like persona, laughing and joking as they took walks together. That was when she enjoyed him the most.
She recalled one time in the middle of the summer when she had run into him at the river. It had been a particularly hot day, and Rose had taken off her hat and stockings; leaving just her farm dress and boots. Klaus and her had already become friends at that point, so they had walked toward one another to exchange greetings.
"How is the beautiful Rose doing on this dreadfully hot day?" He had grinned at her, making her blush, as she had never heard him call her beautiful before. She could tell he was in a good mood that day. Since it was so hot out Klaus had dressed down, his jacket removed with just his waist-coat and ivory shirt on. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he wasn't even wearing his golden cravat. She was most surprised to see he had unbuttoned his shirt, only a little though, but enough to see his collar bones and a little bit of his chest. She had stared for a moment, admiring his new look. As a bead of sweat dripped down his face, she couldn't help but to think he looked rather sexy that way.
"Wilting, I'm afraid," she had dramatically sighed, smiling crookedly. "If I do say so myself, you look rather dapper today."
Looking down at his attire, he had frowned. "Yes... Unfortunately I have foregone professionalism today for comfort." Looking back in her eyes, he returned her crooked smile. "But, have my ears deceived me? Did I hear you say I look rather dapper in this attire?"
Blushing slightly, she had adverted her eyes from his and nearly whispered, "I... prefer this look. It may not be the proper gentleman attire, but I enjoy seeing this side of you." She had smirked, flirtatiously saying, "It's quite endearing."
He had stared at her for a moment, admiring her flush. "Well, maybe I'll wear this more often," Klaus huskily whispered, lifting her chin to meet her pale eyes, "but just for you." He had given her a small wink, then immediately took several steps back and said, "You must be so hot in that dress! Why don't you wear something more comfortable as well?"
"I took off my stockings, and my hat!" she had exclaimed.
"You still must be rather hot with all those layers in your dress, don't you have anything lighter?"
"Oh, I do, but it's awfully low cut and short. I'm sure no one wants to see me in that."
"Maybe I do," he had said, cocking an eyebrow. "It sounds rather sexy."
That had caused Rose's face to turn bright crimson. While Klaus, realizing what he had said, hastily apologized, "Oh, Rose, I am so very sorry! I didn't mean to say such a thing. I really must work on that. Please, forgive me?"
He still doesn't know me very well, does he? she had thought, grinning to herself. "I'll wear it for you one day, if you promise to only wear that outfit for me." She had grinned ear to ear, hysterically laughing.
Apparently Klaus had been done with flirting, for he seriously stated, "Deal." His cheeks had been aflame. That had been a couple of weeks ago now, and he hadn't said anything like that again. Until today. Rose couldn't help but think that today was different. The way he had looked at her with such a desire in his eyes that it had frightened her a little. Then how he was so close to her, his lips almost touching hers as he said his cryptic warning. Was he thinking of himself as the wolf? It was one of the most erotic moments of her life.
She soon found herself at the western part of Oak Tree town, where a handful of people lived. Iris, a novelist and also one of Rose's closest friends; who lived with her brother, Mistel, who owned a small antique shop under their apartment. Then there was a girl named Agate she hadn't met yet, and Jonas's family: his wife Margot and son Lutz. Then Marian, the towns doctor. Lastly there was Klaus, whose house was all the way up at the right near the eastern stairs to town. Iris's house was also on the right, below Klaus's and slightly more towards the edge. She knew that if she sneaked around the edge of the eastern border and jumped over Iris's hedges Klaus wouldn't be able to see her from his window.
Walking down the western steps, she took a quick peek at Klaus's house. The lights were off and his windows were shut. He must have been out. Relieved she didn't have to practice her ninja moves, she quickly ran towards Iris's house; she must have been at least fifteen minutes late.
[…]
Panting, Rose threw open the door. She put her hands on her knees, gasping for air. She looked up at Mistel standing at his counter, who gave her a huge grin.
"You better run upstairs!" the blond said teasingly. "Iris is quite crossed with you, you tardy girl."
"Th-thanks, Mis-Mistel," she tried saying sarcastically, but instead it came out in gasps. As she ran up the stairs she heard Mistel hysterically laughing.
Iris was sitting on her couch in her dining area, glaring at her cup of tea in her hands. Upon hearing the last stair being climbed, she looked up, turning her glare toward where Rose would shortly appear.
"You're late, little missy."
"I know, I know! I'm so sorry, it's just...something strange happened."
Iris considered her for a moment, nodding her head. She sweetly said, "What happened, darling? Please, come sit down." She gestured toward one of the dining area's couches. Rose sat down with a small 'plop', sighing loudly.
"So, tell me dear. What has you so down?"
"Well, today I went to see Klaus...and he acted very strangely."
"Oh?" Iris said, nodding her head. "Go on."
"Can I trust you won't tell anyone?"
"Oh, I hadn't realized it was this kind of conversation!" Iris laughed. "I was about to offer you some tea, but I see now this conversation calls for wine." She stood up, walking over to her kitchen, quickly coming back with a full bottle of wine and two glasses.
"Iris, really, I don't drink," Rose pleaded, "and I'm not even twenty-one yet!"
"Oh, in a few weeks you will! For this conversation you are going to need a couple." She sat down, pouring them both a glass.
Rose slowly put it to her lips, and to her surprise it tasted sweet. She disliked the taste of alcohol, and disliked even more the things they made her do once she has had too many. She had a couple of things she regretted doing while under the influence.
"It's sweet!" Rose exclaimed.
"I started you off with something light, but don't let the sweetness fool you. It can be quite powerful," Iris said, slowly taking a drink from her own glass. "Now gulp half that glass down and tell me what happened."
A little liquid courage never hurt, Rose thought as she downed the whole glass, holding out her hand for a refill. Iris raised her eyebrows but obliged, filling it to the rim.
"Well, you see, I went to go visit him and he was busy, so I waited a couple of minutes for him. When he came back he had asked why I was there..." She paused, taking a sip of her wine. "And I told him it was because I just wanted to see him."
"Rose! Why would you say that?" Iris asked. "Or do you have a crush on him, perhaps?"
Rose felt heat rush to her face. "Iris, let me finish!"
"Fine, fine. Go on... I can't promise I won't chirp in with some commentary if this story keeps going the way it is, though."
Rose squinted her eyes at her and felt her mouth twitch slightly. She was already starting to feel a buzz.
"I had asked him why, and he told me that saying such things could give some men...ideas."
"He said that to you? I can't believe proper Klaus would say something so...so sexual to you!" By now Iris's tongue had become a little loose, as she was now also on her second glass.
"Oh, but wait, Iris. It gets stranger." Iris leaned in close, evidently excited to hear the rest of the story.
"He then leaned in close to me, warning me not to say such things so blithely to every man I meet," she whispered, then paused. "Then he leaned in even closer, with his lips only inches apart from mine, looking deeply into my eyes as he said 'or someday a big bad wolf might catch you, and gobble you right up'!"
Iris's mouth was slightly agape, and she looked as if she wanted to say something. Her eyes were shining, though, as she appeared to be too invested in hearing the rest to comment.
"After that he jumped back and laughed at me, thinking I didn't understand what he meant. He apologized, and I accused him of teasing me. At the moment I actually didn't know what he meant
"He told me he couldn't help himself, and had a little fun with his warning. That his tongue was far too loose than proper.
"He said he was worried for me, that if I had been with someone less honorable..." she trailed off, not knowing what he had been thinking of saying. She had a feeling she knew what he meant, though.
"He then said to me that with this much pure innocent they may lose desire to do mischief in the first place. It was then that I had understood his meaning.
"The next part is what I'm flustered about, Iris." Iris had been intensely listening to the retelling, often taking sips from her glass. "He pretty much told me to not say such things for fear of stringing people along... I'm so embarrassed! I don't know if I can face him again."
"Is that all, dear?" Iris asked
"Well, then I apologized hastily and ran away, what else was I to do?"
"Kiss him," Iris stated with a gleam in her eye. Rose knew Iris was a hopeless romantic, as almost all of her novels were romance centered.
"Kiss him? I don't even know how he feels about me!"
Iris put her glass down, refilling hers once more; then Rose's which was now empty, too.
"I think he may be in love with you," Iris slurred slightly. "He talks about you non-stop. Rose, this, Rose that. He's infatuated, I have been friends with him long enough now to be able to tell.
"He's changed since you've arrived, you know. Before he was always so serious, only letting himself slip once he's had some wine. But now... He's different. He smiles more, he laughs more. And the way his eyes light up when he sees you..." She trailed off, looking up at the ceiling.
"But Iris! I'm just so embarrassed!"
"Well, first off, how do you feel about him?"
Rose thought for a moment, her head spinning from the wine. "Well, he's very handsome, and very kind. A complete gentleman to a fault, but there's just something so rebellious in him that makes me feel like he's hiding something."
"Oh, you think so, too? I've always suspected, but you know how fickle he can be." Iris rolled her eyes. By now she was on her third glass. "Well, what else? Do you like him or not?"
"I...I'm pretty damn sure I do. He's just so very interesting. I want to see what's underneath all his layers."
"Oh, I'm sure he looks fantastic underneath all those clothes," Iris giggled, then winked.
"Pervert! Not like that..." Rose felt her mouth twitch into a grin. "Well, maybe a little like that."
The girls laughed together while Iris reached into her couch cushion, pulling out a little green box. Opening it, she pulled out a cigarette and lit it with a nearby candle.
"Iris! I didn't know you smoked!" Rose shouted slightly.
"Only when I drink, I swear." She put a hand over her heart. "Want one?"
"I stopped doing that years ago, Iris."
"Awh, come on! For old time's sake. Plus, we're drinking." She waved the cigarette in Rose's face.
Rose yanked it from her, putting it to her lips, leaning down to also light it with the candle. Taking a long drag, she exhaled, sighing pleasurably. It had been many years since her last one, and being drunk made it feel even better.
"So, tell me more," Iris said, taking a long drag and dramatically exhaling.
"About what?"
"About Klaus, of course! Tell me what attracts you to him."
"Well, he is rather tall and thin, and I love his hair. It really cracks me up, with his attire so neatly in place while his hair is adorably disheveled. Ah, and his eyes! It feels like he's looking right through me."
"Dear, I don't think he's looking through you, but imagining what you look like nude."
Rose felt a small blush creep up her face as she exclaimed, "No! You don't really think so, do you?"
"I've seen many men look at women that way, myself included, and I've been around long enough to know that look when I see it. Although, I've never seen him look that way toward any other women."
"But...I thought you said you thought he was in love with me? Or does he just lust for me?"
"Rose, dear, he is a man, after all." She took another drag. "I might not be certain that he loves you, but I am certain that he desires you."
"Me...?" Rose whispered, almost to herself.
"Don't doubt yourself for a second, dear. You are gorgeous and feisty, I think that man might need a little more spark in his life."
They spoke a little more, finished their cigarettes, and said their goodbyes. Rose was far too drunk for it being two in the afternoon. Heading home she decided she would take a short nap.
