She watched Jack fumble with his keys, blankly staring at them before deciding on one. It was his house key, a fact Nina was about to point out to him but Jack soon figured it out when it wouldn't fit in his apartment door lock. With a blink and a brief shake of his head, he looked at the keys again.
"Do you want me to --"
"I can do it myself, Nina," Jack snapped, sounding like a stubborn four-year-old who wanted to tie his own shoes. After a moment he added, "Sorry."
Nina had stopped by the bar and found Jack there, a few beers shy of drunk. They had talked for a few minutes and eventually she convinced Jack to let her drive him home.
The door open, she followed him in but not too far. Like moving thrugh a maze of trip wire, every step had to be careful and deliberate. She couldn't push Jack, she had to let him think he was calling the shots.
Besides, it was more fun if he made the first move. Then she would know she had him.
He tossed his keys on the countertop and opened the fridge. From her spot just outside the kitchenette, Nina could see it was practically empty save a few cans of soda and some take-out containers. Jack sighed, closed the door and leaned against the fridge, looking at the ground.
Cautious but curious, she moved closer, now standing just across from him. Silence between them, she looked around the apartment. Jack still hadn't unpacked, his boxes filled up the living room. Two, stacked on top of each other, seemed to be serving as a table for his phone and briefcase. No furniture and the beige walls were still bare.
"I like what you've done with the place."
As intended, Jack glanced up and gave her a wry grin that didn't meet his eyes. When she saw him tonight, she knew she'd been handed a perfect oppurtunity. All the time spent being a loyal partner and sounding board was just laying the groundwork for this moment.
She moved closer, still giving him space, and leaned against the fridge, mirroring him. "Are you going to be all right?"
"I'll be fine." It was the perfunctory response and Nina felt she was losing ground as he bristled and looked away. Trying to plan her next move, he glanced back at her and in a tone softer then before said, "Thanks. For everything."
"Anytime." A small smile on her lips, she moved closer, not touching but almost, and rubbed his arm in reasurring gesture. The touch lingered when she caught the look in his eyes. Nina only had time to inhale before Jack leaned forward to kiss her.
Just as suddenly as it began, Jack pulled away, apologetic. "Nina. God. I'm sorry, I don't --"
Sensing he was about to retreat, she touched his wrist to stall him. "Jack, it's all right."
He looked unsure and she decided to take a calculated risk, Nina closed the gap between them, her body nearly touching his. Softly, she repeated, "It's all right."
Nina managed not to smile with triumph when he kissed her again. Tasting the alcohol on his breath when his tongue met hers, she gave a surprised gasp when he pinned her against the wall.
She was in.