Tear Her Roots
'.'
She smiles and laughs and lies and lies
And she hides the truth behind her words.
But I see the longing in her eyes,
And her yearning I have heard.
.'.
"Going without a goodnight, Fräulein?"
Klavier had expected her to turn around and shout at him, maybe even hit him, for invading her personal space and for shutting her door. He'd expected it... but he'd also hoped that she wouldn't and when she answered his prayers, his heart soared.
Because it only made him more certain than ever that she was in love with him.
Klavier had been thinking non-stop since Deston had nearly kicked him out. He was no fool – he'd noticed the way Deston kept looking at Ema and his heart had sunk at the possibility that Deston might try to talk Ema out of their break-up. Nevertheless, he'd allowed his friend to usher him out because that's what friends did but it hadn't stopped his lawyer's mind from putting all the pieces together. As soon as he'd slid into his car, he'd thought long and hard about the events that had transpired over the past 36 hours; the night before, she'd kissed Deston in full view of the party but Klavier had seen the look on their faces and they weren't happy expressions – instead, they were angry and surprised. She'd been quiet on the journey back and once they'd reached home she'd broken down. Then, without warning, she'd ran away to her room. The next thing Klavier knew, he'd woken up to her hand on his face and she had touched him, kissed his cheek and hugged him. During the night and in the morning, he'd seen a change in her eyes and he'd barely managed to tell himself that he was imagining things.
But he most certainly wasn't imagining the break up. And he definitely wasn't imagining the frozen Ema before him.
His eyes ran down her glossy hair and his fingers itched to run through it, to wrap the tendrils around his hand and press his lips to them. His arms were tingling to snake around her waist and pull her against his body so he could kiss her slender neck.
I can't. Not yet.
He wanted to know if the talk she and Deston had, had resulted in a reconciliation. If yes, then he would lift his hand from the door and turn away. If it hadn't...
"What are you doing?" Ema said, her back still turned.
"It is rude to leave without saying gute nacht, Fräulein," Klavier said as he stared into the back of her head. He had an inkling why she wasn't turning around. He hadn't imagined she would be awake and it was hot so he'd taken liberties, deciding to remain topless but now... he remembered the look on her face when she'd seen his chest and he grinned. It was definitely working in his favour.
"Goodnight. Now let go of my door."
A devilish thought occurred to him. "It is also rude to talk with your back turned to someone," he said, trying to keep the smile out of his voice. "Will you not honour me with a look in the eyes as you speak?"
"No!" Ema snapped. However, he'd apparently annoyed her sufficiently enough that she had to turn around to look at him anyway. He was amused when he saw her almost gasp as her eyes landed on his chest. She took a step back and when her back pressed up against the door, Klavier wanted to move in and close the distance but he forced himself to remain where he was. His skin started to tingle when her gaze continued to linger on his chest.
He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. "Up here, Ema."
She slapped his hand away and he smirked inwardly at the blush that was creeping across her flawless skin. "What the hell do you want Gavin?"
He retracted the hand keeping the door shut, now that she was doing the job for him, and crossed his arms. "I just wanted to know if you and Deston are reconciled."
She looked so surprised that the anger vanished from her face instantly and Klavier fought the urge to reach forward and run a finger across her lips. He loved this look on her – it magnified her features and made them all the more beautiful to him...
"Why on earth would you think that?" Ema asked.
His body deflated with relief as hope flooded through him. He realised now how heartbroken he would have been if she had said yes. Indeed, he'd been almost ready to sprint away if it was the case.
But it wasn't.
He flashed a grin at her. "Will you join me for a while?" Of course he fully expected her to scowl once more and refuse vehemently. He was surprised, therefore, when she nodded. Klavier paused, wondering if he'd imagined her agreement. When she raised an eyebrow at him, he smiled again, bowing a little and gestured towards the room he'd been in. "After you, my lady."
He followed after her, his eyes sweeping her from the loose t-shirt she wore to the shorts clad around slender legs. Much as he wanted to appreciate her form, he looked up and shook his head a little. He couldn't talk to her with the way his body was tightening and he needed a clear head for tonight. Tonight was important.
"What are you watching?" she said, settling into one end of the sofa. Klavier want to sit down right beside her but he moved to the other side, glancing at the TV.
"I was watching the news. They are going insane reporting what happened at the flat. They are unaware that you were living there and so they are assuming that the attack was an attempt on my life."
"Heh," Ema said, her eyes glued to the TV which was showing images of the flat in its ruined state. "I bet your fan girls are sobbing themselves crazy."
"Oh I think they will be all right," Klavier said, playing with his fringe. Just then, he appeared on the screen, to give a statement.
Ema snorted. "So this is why you were watching the news!" She laughed disbelievingly. "Your ego is legendary. Don't you get enough of yourself in the mirror every day!"
Klavier looked at her in surprise and he laughed, thoroughly amused at her presumption. "I do not watch the news to see myself, Ema."
"Really now?" She said in a bored tone, as if she didn't believe him. "Why do you watch it?"
Klavier looked at her, tickled by her opinion of him. "I am a prosecutor, Ema. If I did not watch the news and stay up-to-date on current affairs, I would make a very poor addition to the law enforcement."
"Hmph."
"Do you not watch the news?" Klavier asked, intrigued.
"No," Ema said bluntly and his eyebrows shot up in surprise. "I'm a detective. I see enough at work. I don't want to come home and switch on the TV just to find myself sucked back into all the horror stories I have to deal with during the day."
Klavier nodded. "I can understand that," he said, turning back to the TV which had switched over to a detective but he wasn't paying attention. "What do you do when you are at home?"
She shrugged, her eyes still on the screen. "I read, eat, watch a movie or listen to music."
"Oh?" Klavier said, seeing an opening. "What kind of music do you listen to?"
She glanced at him sideways. "Don't get over-excited, Gavin. I don't listen to your CD on replay or anything."
Klavier smirked. He didn't believe that for a second but he was glad she had said what she did because it gave him the perfect opportunity to start testing her. "That would explain why you are always scowling at me."
She turned towards him with a frown. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Klavier turned to face her fully, smiling when he saw her eyes flicker toward his chest and look away quickly. "Music is more than just a couple of instruments and voices thrown at you."
"Is that so," Ema said dryly.
"It is about sending a message," Klavier explained, watching her closely. "Not just through words but through the melody. A successful artist is only so by the number of people he touches. The question every artist should ask himself is, can a piece of my music flow through you?" Ema turned her face to him and the expression on her face told him that his words were affecting her. "Fans do not love an artist for no reason. It is a matter of whether or not my music can make your feet move and your heart skip a beat. Because if it can..." He could see her eyes darting in between his and her lips were parted and he knew he had her under the spell of his voice. "...then a piece of me is running through you."
Ema continued to look at him and Klavier was entranced by the way her eyes seemed to have clouded over and her breathing was visibly becoming uneven, lips parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.
Klavier cleared his throat and shrugged nonchalantly. "As you do not listen to my music, it is quite obvious now why you do not understand me." He turned back to the news which was now reporting something else but his attention was still on her – he could see her looking at him out of the corner of his eye and elation was building inside him slowly. Something told him she did listen to his music... and shedid move to it. He'd made a very sensual comment and her reaction had not disappointed him.
After a moment she spoke; "I think I understand you fine," Ema said, looking away and Klavier glanced at her sideways.
"I do not think so, Fräulein."
"I do," she said. "You're an egomanic prosecutor who moonlights as a rock-star in a band he named after himself." She glared at him. "Why do you think you're so special? Why wasn't it named after Deston, or that other whats-his-name I saw in your office – "
"Raoul," Klavier offered.
"Whatever. He's enough of a fop," (Klavier's mouth twitched), "so why wasn't it named after him?"
"And what did you have in mind?" Klavier said with a smile.
"It's not my job to think up names for a stupid band!" Ema said, annoyed. "My point is your ego needs deflating!"
"Fräulein," Klavier said, muting the sound on the TV. "The Gavinners are not named so just because I am the lead singer. It is a play on the German word gewinner. It means winner. The fact that my surname happened to be Gavin is a happy coincidence."
He could see he had surprised her. She was staring at him, scowl gone once more and he relished the fact that he was able to bring this endearing expression forth from her triple-locked chest of emotions.
"Well, what's that all about?" Ema said, suddenly and he fought the urge to laugh at the stubborn tone of her voice. "Winner? That's not being being arrogant?"
"Is it, Ema?" Klavier asked, lowering his voice again as he caught her gaze and held it once more. "We started out determined to succeed. It is a statement that we do not give up, we are determined and we fight for something significant. It is a message that justice cannot be thwarted. Is it really arrogant to try and broadcast that?"
He could see that he had stumped her again. She was staring at him open-mouthed again and the sight of her lips motivated him all the more to show her just how determined a Gavinner could be.
"If I want something..." his voice was practically a whisper now as he gazed at her intently, "...if I am driven to attaining it..." he tilted his head and his lips lifted at the corner, "...is it wrong of me to go after it with everything I have?"
Her lips pressed together and his eyes were drawn to them, entranced by the way the plump skin moved as they met.
"I..."
"Is it?"
She stared at him, dumbfounded for several moments. And then her gob-smacked expression was gone. "Damn lawyers," she snapped, turning away from him.
Klavier was a little stunned at the way she seemed to recover but instantly it was replaced by mirth and he was laughing, clapping the seat next to him, his head lowered, his chin touching his chest.
"What's so funny, fop?" Ema demanded.
Klavier shook his head, marvelled by her will-power. She really was admirable . "You are something else, Ema Skye." I know I'll have to try harder with you but I can do that.
"It's not funny. God knows what time it is and you're practising your cross-examining skills on me. What's that all about?"
"I was under the impression we were having a discussion," Klavier said, amused by her scowl which had returned with vengeance. "I will be quiet, if you wish..."
"Yes please," Ema said, reaching for the remote in between them but he snatched it up and held it out of her reach.
"... but onlyif you will listen to one of my songs now – with me."
"...What?"
"Well, you said you do not listen to any of my songs." Klavier's eyes were twinkling – he knew full well she hadn't said anything of the sort but he knew she would not contradict him for fear of admitting otherwise. "I wish for you to try it."
"At this time?"
"Ja," he said, nodding. "Just one song. You even get to choose."
"Why?" Ema's eyes were narrowed.
"Because I wish for you to give it a chance. You have misunderstood me in many ways. After what we have discussed..." he smiled. "I would like it if you listened to my music with an open mind. Try to understand me." When she continued to stare at him sceptically, he pleaded her. "Please, Fräulein."
She sighed. "Alright, fine," she yielded and he grinned at her widely. "Just one song though."
One song is all it will take, Ema, Klavier thought as he switched off the TV and walked over to the enormous sound system.
"You look better now," Klavier remarked as he flicked through the CDs.
"Yeah," she answered. "I was just sore. That medicine has really helped." Good, Klavier thought with a smile. "Now I only have a headache. If it wasn't for Deston, I probably wouldn't have a head to – "
"Ema," Klavier said sharply, turning to face her, and the case he had in his hand cracked under the strain of his tense fingers. "Please."
She was surprised. "What?"
He instantly regretted his outburst. It wasn't her fault his body almost exploded at the idea of...
"I am sorry, Ema," he apologised, turning back to the CDs. "I do not wish to think about the alternative."
There was a pause as he rummaged through the piles, looking for one of their albums.
"I'm sorry, Klavier."
"Do not apologise, Ema," he muttered, finally finding it and slipping it into the system. He turned to look at her apologetically. "I am just glad you are safe."
He stared at her and she stared back at him. Klavier lost sense of his environment as he approached her and the music breezed in around them. Her eyes never wavered from his as he held out a hand to her. He could see her hesitating but he waited patiently.
Come on, Ema. Let it go.
And still she was looking into his eyes questioningly.
What is she thinking?
She looked down at his fingers again.
Take my hand, Ema.
Slowly, her hand lifted from her lap and moved through the air and then stopped. Klavier waited patiently, watching the emotions that crossed her face; uncertainty, embarrassment and... longing. Just as the latter registered in his mind, her fingers made contact with his and his shock was drowned out by the roar of victory in his chest. With a smile, he tugged gently and she was on her feet almost instantly. Static was heating his torso and he never looked away from her eyes as he pulled her into the space at the centre of the room. Her hands lingered centimetres away from his arms and Klavier smiled at her. He took a step forward and her fingers were suddenly resting on his arm and his chest was pressed against hers. The softness and heat of her body seeped through her shirt and a shiver ran down his spine. He didn't know if the shiver he felt course through her was real.
"Are you all right, Ema?" he murmured, staring into her face.
She was looking up at him, bewildered, and her cheeks were flushed. Her breath was fanning his face and it took everything he had to keep from simply throwing caution to the wind and kissing her. He waited for an answer and when she continued to offer nothing but silence, he felt elated.
"...and even the sky bows down before you..." The lyrics made him smile with irony.
As he took the first steps and led her in a gentle dance, his heart began to race. She was still looking at him and he could see the uncertain set of her mouth and the subtle longing in her eyes. Yes... he wasn't imagining it now. It was there.
No. It's here. In my arms.
He waited for her to realise he'd tricked her, that the song he'd put in wasn't one of their normal songs. It was a CD of the tracks that never made it to the final cut. He waited for the scowl to return...
But it didn't.
Instead, her fingers tightened around his hand and on his shoulder. He smiled at her now and confidently began to lead her through the haze of the words that were wrapping themselves around the couple, threading them together and lifting them emotionally to a plane neither had been because neither had touched the other like this before, held each other willingly, at the same time. Klavier could almost feel her heart pounding as hard as his was, racing to see which one would begin to hum first. He spun her, his hand falling onto her back and he brought her closer. He looked into her emerald jewels, waiting for the protest but when none came, he became bolder.
"...the moonlight plays upon your skin..."
"You lied to me," she murmured and he raised an eyebrow.
"How is that, Fräulein?" he asked.
"...I'm the echoing voice of your heart..."
"You said you would put a Gavinners song on," she said, and he was astonished to see a smile flowering on her face.
"I did not," Klavier said. "I said I would put one of my songs on."
"...all I have to do is hold you and there's a racing within my heart..."
"You cheated," Ema said, her eyes twinkling, and he was enchanted by her. "You said we were just going to listen."
His hand pressed harder into her back and her body melded into his as they continued to move and he lowered his head a little so that his forehead was almost touching hers. "I did not, Fräulein. You assume too much." He winked at her. "What do you think of the song?"
She didn't answer straight away and he assumed it was because she was listening to the lyrics.
"...I'm hiding in the veils of your vision..."
"Why can't you sing more songs like this?" Ema asked.
"We are a rock group," Klavier said, inclining his head. "It would not go well. Not according to our manager. In any case, these songs are more precious because they are not heard by everyone."
"...I weave the web of your dreams..."
They danced and danced and with each step they took, Klavier could see something growing behind the veils of her carefully guarded fortress. He'd never imagined she would agree to dance, never dreamed she would be looking at him the way she was now and he knew...
He knew she cared for him.
He knew she wanted him.
And he was going to make sure they both got what they wanted.
"You do not ask the same questions as everyone else," Klavier said quietly.
"...I want to break free of these bonds and show..."
"What questions?"
"...In your love, I want to live like this..."
"Like what my inspiration is," Klavier whispered.
"...and I've never loved anyone like you..."
"What's your inspiration?" Ema's eyes were flickering back and forth between his own. Her chest was rising and falling against his, faster, uneven.
"...and baby, you're crazy..."
"Will you take a guess, mein liebe?"
"...that you can't see..."
Ema shook her head infinitesimally and Klavier raised a hand to her cheek, brushing away the hair from her face. "You."
"...baby, you're the one..."
And she stopped and he stopped with her. He saw the shock that registered in those pools of emerald green and his heart burned with every second nothing but air passed through her lips. She blinked and her head moved a little, side to side as if she was trying to understand something. Klavier felt her hands slip away and he watched anxiously as she took a few steps backwards until she was no longer touching him and he felt cold in a way that had nothing to do with the temperature.
"Ema..."
"Wha..." She blinked and looked down at the floor. "Why..."
"You must know," Klavier said taking a step toward her and his heart sank when she moved away. "You must have seen it."
"I... I don't..."
Klavier looked at her, pleading her with every fibre of his being. Please tell me you love me, Ema. Please tell me how you really feel... Please...
"Ema," Klavier said, moving forward and taking her hand and stopping her from turning her back on him. "Please... I know you feel something for me. I have seen it. If you are scared about this because of who I am, I promise, I will not hurt you!"
She looked into his face and he saw the anguish that marred her beautiful features and the longing was in her eyes again, stronger than ever.
"I see it in your face," he whispered, gathering her in his arms and pressing against her. "I know you feel the same." He waited for a response but when she gave none, his fingers caressed her cheek before sliding into her hair. He leaned in to kiss her, his breath mingling with hers and he saw her eyes flutter close. His body tingled with anticipation and his heart had began to hum the tune of love, spurring him on, warning him that to stop now would mean he would die...
"...and this kiss that lingers takes my soul..."
And when his lips touched hers, his heart was consumed by the inferno of his desire. His control slipped and his arms curled around her, pulled her deeper into his embrace but while his actions were urgent, his kiss remained gentle. He brushed his mouth against hers, kissing her softly, trying to convince her to unlock herself. Slowly, her lips parted to accept his tongue and her arms encircled his neck. His blood boiled and rushed through him painfully and he was kissing her with all of his being, pushing his body against hers, his hands drawing circles on her back.
"...and in the fire of love, my body is burning..."
Klavier had never known such intensity. He was certain he would die from wanting her, he would die if he couldn't merge his being with hers. It was unstable and powerful. And he was afraid but he didn't care – nothing could stop him now. Nothing could stop him...
"No!"
And suddenly, he was stumbling, his arms empty and he frowned, trying to regain his balance. What...? And when he saw Ema standing several feet away from him, he understood.
"Ema?"
"No, don't come near me!" she cried and he stopped in his tracks, his frown deepening.
"Ema what is it?" he said, concerned for her. She looked terrified and the expression was heart-wrenching.
"I... I can't do this."
He froze just for a moment before he realised what was worrying her. "Ema, if you are worried about Deston, I will – "
"No," Ema said, shaking her head, looking at him, horrified. "It's not him. It's... I..." Klavier watched, puzzled, as she turned away from him. "I don't feel that way about you, Klavier. It's just... It was..."
Klavier stood, frozen, uncomprehending of her words. He was staring at her, willing her to turn around and explain that he'd heard wrong... But when he realised she wasn't going to do it, his face hardened and his anger rose. He strode towards her and he grabbed her wrist, spinning her around until she was facing him.
"Say that while you look into my eyes, Ema," Klavier whispered. He looked from one teary eye to the other, waiting for a response and when he got none, he smiled, his heart warming a little. "Not so easy to lie when you are eye to eye, is it?"
"I can't – "
"No!" he interrupted. "Tell me you are afraid, tell me you do not trust me, tell me you are guarding your heart but do not tell me you do not care for me!" he hissed. "I have seen the truth in your eyes! Do not lie to me, Ema."
"I don't – "
"Do not lie to me!" He pulled her closer, silencing her. "Do not lie to me, Ema," he repeated, brushing his fingers across her lips and down her neck. The feel of her satin skin was starting wildfires on his skin and his anger dimmed. "Please," he whispered, his defences giving way to his need for her to admit how she felt, to hear those words. He pressed his lips against her cheek. "Ema..." he breathed.
Please tell me you love me.
"Klavier," she whispered at last and he looked at her, hope flaring through him but when he saw the tear that journeyed down her cheek, he could almost imagine it washing away the kiss he'd planted there and he knew. "Please..."
And in that word, he heard her desperation. His mouth hardened again and his arms fell away from her as he took a step back. Whatever it was that was holding her back, it was stronger than what she felt for him.
But he was not going to give up.
"Fine," he said and the coldness of his voice made him hate himself but he couldn't help it. "You wish to do this the hard way?" He looked at her darkly. "I can do that."
"I..."
"I understand," Klavier said. "You do not wish to pursue a relationship but understand this, Fräulein," his fists were clenched now and it was taking all of his willpower to control his temper, "I have seen the look in your eyes. I have tasted it on your lips. I know what is in your heart. And I will not give it up simply because you lack the courage to face up to it."
Ema was frozen on the spot, holding her arms as if she was cold, tears rolling down her cheeks and Klavier's heart turned over but he was not feeling compassionate enough to forget that she had started this. He grabbed her arms and pulled her close once more.
"I will not let you get away so easily, Ema," he whispered, his lips inches from hers. "I will do everything in my power to make you mine. No matter how long it takes, I will push you. I will pull you. I will descend to your roots and tear them and when you fall, it will be in my arms." He paused, letting the words sink in. "Do not hope that this will all be gone in the morning when I have calmed down." His eyes flashed warningly. "These are not the words of an angry man. This is the promise of a lover. And my love will never die."
And then he let go of her and turned away, knowing that a second longer of her proximity would mean he would be unable to control himself and he would kiss her again.
But he would not.
The next time they kissed – and there would be a next time – it would be because she had come to him.She would be the one to initiate the kiss.
He heard her feet patter across the floor and he stood frozen in his spot until he heard the distant banging of her door. Knowing he was alone, Klavier's fist flew threw the air and collided with the wall. If he hadn't been fuelled by something stronger than anger, he was sure that along with the dent in the wall, he would be sporting a few broken fingers – again. As it was, the adrenaline that rushed through him now was significantly stronger than rage and it made him harder than marble.
"...rip my soul in two and all you'll find is your name..."
For even the softest would be turned to stone by a bleeding heart.