A/N: hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in so long, it's been a hectic couple of weeks with the start of the new semester. But here it is, hope you guys like it!
Btw: My stats show me some of you have skipped the chapter 'Knots'(chapter 5)? If so, no biggie if you can still follow, but if you're a bit lost, go read it to get back on track!
Misasin: thank you for following!
CHAPTER 7:
The coffee-machine sputtered quietly. The full aroma of fresh ground beans streamed around the room slowly, like clouds rolling away in a soft breeze. She rubbed her face tiredly, letting out a heavy sigh and grimacing as it turned into a painfully heavy yawn. The blonde leaned her behind against the counter and closed her eyes, her body still radiating the pleasant sleepy warmth she knew she would miss after she had awoken completely. When the quiet rumbling stopped she glanced at the machine with half-lidded eyes and turned around slowly, sauntering closer to it with her cup in hand. As she poured the coffee the steam stroke her face and she yawned again, little morning-tears coming to the corners of her dazed eyes.
A shrill noise pierced through the air and her skull, making a loud and shocked yell escape her lips followed by a string of curses as she spilled her coffee. The woman whipped around with startled fierceness in her eyes, sending her mobile an annoyed look. While grumbling under her breath she grabbed it and closed her eyes to calm herself down. She picked up and turned back to the counter, looking for the washcloth.
"This is Laura Amiddon, how can I help you?"
Will frowned at the greeting as he gazed over the lake from his kitchen-window. It held a professional and distant tone and the immediate offer of her full name and services confused him until he figured it was something typically European.
"Laura, goodmorning. Remember when you told me you owed me a favor?" he questioned, sounding firm, yet still he hoped she'd take no offence at him suddenly calling in. He set his cleaned cup down and turned to Gary who'd been nudging at his leg.
"Goodmorning, Will. I do. What do you need?" her directness made him pause, she didn't even seem to reconsider. It made him wonder how loyal she could be to people she really cared for. He rubbed his eyes from the remainder of sleep and knelt down, petting the head of the old dalmatien.
"I'm being called away, work realted stuff. Can you watch my dogs for me? I already called John but he's heading out of town for a few days so he gave me your number." He heard the quiet rushing of water in the background at her end of the line and frowned. She wasn't about to shower or anything was she? His eyes widened at his own thoughts and pupils his dilated at the image. Will took a hurried breath and pinched the bridge of his nose to rid himself of said thoughts.
"I figured. No problem. When are you leaving? I should know where the leashes and other things are, or will you leave a note?" It unsettled him how she was so easily agreeing to this. Most people needed persuasion, especially when they had met as few times at him and Laura. Yet she didn't seem eager, she made it sound like she was taking on a side job.
"Well, I've already left a note. I'm in a hurry. If there's anything not on it, just call this number. I may not pick up, but I'll return the call." He told her, glancing at the sheet of paper on the kitchen table.
"Okay. Have a nice trip, Will." And just like that the conversation was over. His hell blue eyes wandered to the screen of his worn mobile in confusion. He pocketed it and stood, closing his coat. He waved goodbye to his dogs and closed the door behind him.
As the finally sat down behind the steering-wheel, his frown deepened. He put the car in first and drove out. The stories about Laura around town were very different. From what he had picked up she could be as warm of a figure as a mother and as cold and careless as an icepick piercing someone's skin on accident. Up until now he had known her as a calm and collected women who was easy to talk to and had a sultriness that shimmered through every once in a while. Yet now, it was as if he had talked to a distant acquaintance with who he was on friendly terms with, yet not friendly enough to casually talk to. He grimaced at that, contemplating how he would approach her in such a state, or if he even wanted to at all.
His black curls bounced nervously as he shook his head. Now wasn't the time to think about such things. He had a screening for the FBI coming up. Will needed to clear his head and stay focused.
/
Laura stood before the door with her hands on her hips, a bothered look on her face. Keys. Her thoughts mumbled grumpily. She had not had a good start of the day and this wasn't a pleasant continuation of it either. She clicked her tongue and looked around half-heartedly.
Will didn't seem like an over-preconscious type and he had left in a hurry. Her eyes fell on the doormat. He hadn't mentioned anything about getting in and she guessed he was still on the road. She didn't approve of drivers busying themselves with their cellphone behind the wheel. She crouched down and picked up the doormat. Nothing. Well, she didn't really think to find anything there either. Who on earth would need a key into Will's house except for himself? He wasn't that social, neither was he forgetful enough to keep it there as a spare one in case he lost his own key.
She huffed and ran a hand through her hair as she stepped off the porch. Her blonde hair hadn't been combed yet, but that didn't matter. She didn't plan on seeing anyone but the dogs today and even if she was, with hair as naturally straight as hers she would never come across as messy.
Her light eyes swept the front of the house in search for a cracked open window. Always found it funny that so many houses are made out of wood here. Fire hazards everywhere. She noted absentmindedly and walked up to the side of the two story building. On the second floor she noticed an open window, a pleased smile cracked onto her face. There was a small but sturdy tree not too far from it.
She slung her bag over her neck and shortened the strap, securing it snugly against her side and got out her sailing gloves. She always fell easy victim to splinters. Laura put her hand on the bark of the tree and looked for a thick and low hanging branch. When she found one she placed her foot on the trunk and heaved herself up with ease. Sailing had provided her with quite the set of arm and torso muscles.
As she climbed to the closest place to the window, she paused. Will's dogs were inside. They'd been locked up for a few hours now without their owner. They would be jumpy. The blonde licked her thin lips and pulled off her right glove. After she placed her fingers between her wet lips she gave a sharp whistle. The dogs could be heard barking and scurrying inside, recognizing the whistle to be hers. The three animals rushed into the room and looked around curiously, when Amelia caught sight of Laura she barked and trotted towards the window confused. Laura grinned calmly at them and waved.
"I'm coming inside. Stay calm. Sit." She commanded, the three dogs by now had all gathered by the window and promptly sat down, cocking their head at her unusual behavior.
The dogs watched as she put her glove back on and prepared herself for the jump. It wasn't that big of a distance to close, but one wrong move could send her tumbling down. She breathed in and out slowly and crouched on the thick branch. With a grunt she threw herself forward. A startled cry left her as her one foot landed on the windowsill and the tip of the other bumped against the wall. Hurriedly she grasped the framing and caught herself from slipping off. The dogs yapped at her shocked and worried. She shushed them with slight irritation and landed on the worn parquet of what seemed to be Will's make-shift library and bureau. She dusted herself off from possible splinters and brushed her hair away from her face.
"Alright, alright." She mumbled to the animals reassuringly as they pushed their noses against her legs. She kicked off her dirty shoes and took them with her downstairs, pulling off her scarf in the process.
When she glanced around the small hallways her eyes wandered to the kitchen which' door stood open. The dogs' nails clicked against the tiles eagerly when she found the note. As she read it her eyes shot up and around occasionally, spotting the objects mentioned until she read the word 'key'. She shook her head when she saw the key lying on the counter and stuffed the paper in her wallet. Obviously left in a hurry. Her thoughts mumbled as she spotted the dirty mug and still warm coffee-machine.
/
His shoulders hung as the door creaked closed behind him. With a frown he took in the sight of the foreign coat and shoes close to the entrance and figured that Laura might still be here. Will held back a groan, he'd rather be alone right now.
"I'll be out of your hair in a tic." He jumped at her sudden words, his hell blue eyes making contact with her metallic green ones accidentally. A breath got stuck in his throat when he saw her subtly flushed cheeks.
The blonde frowned at his reaction and straightened, disappearing back behind the corner of the kitchen.
"You left the key inside Thursday and your window open. You should be more careful." She noted as he entered the kitchen warily.
"You broke into my house?" he uttered in disbelief and eyed his dogs that were eating away in the corner.
"It was either that or leaving your dogs to starve." Her explanation sounded so simple and casual that he almost didn't give it any second thought. He shook his head tiredly and ruffled his hair.
"Which window?" he questioned with a huff, only half interested as he finally took his jacket off.
"The one of your study I think, I climbed your tree. Don't worry, I didn't break any branches." Will frowned heavily at the back of her head, then his eyes traveled to the muscles in her arms as they flexed while she folded the bag of dog food closed. Sailors have strong arms. He noted half-heartidly.
"Well, sorry for the trouble and thank you for looking after them." She nodded and put the food in a cupboard, she turned around on her heels and he almost backed away at the sudden proximity of her face. She didn't even flinch and gave him a small grin, as if she was testing him.
"I've put some Belgian beer and chocolate in your fridge. Yet I supposed you don't feel like sharing a drink right now." She muttered, taking his appearance with a light grimace. He looked terrible. His dark curls were messy and started getting a greasy shine, his shirt had stains of tomato sauce on it.
Will took a deep breath and turned away, tearing his eyes away from the small pout of her lips. He didn't feel like having company. He needed to vent, he was frustrated. The only thing he felt like doing was sleeping and fishing.
However, it was rare to catch Laura's attention. Meeting her the past few months hadn't been easy, it seemed as if she was trying to lure him to her and he simply didn't know how to react to that. His gaze went back to her shoulder that was clad in a flask-blue fabric. Her company was something he occasionally wished for, but didn't always have. He took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes exhaustedly.
"You know what. The dogs need walking, if I get back and you want to share a drink so that I can introduce you to the finer beers, just tell me then." Her offer startled him and before he could answer her she had already retrieved the leashes and whistled the dogs towards her.