Chapter 9

Laura was curled into her bed. She couldn't sleep, memories kept playing through her head every time she closed her eyes. Jumbled memories of Malcolm, those early days, how much she'd loved him. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and let the memories take her.

It had been a week since she'd shared a cigarette with the man with the blue eyes. Each day she'd gone down at the same time, hoping to see him. Each day she'd been disappointed. She'd given up hope when a friend invited her to meet for drinks after work.

She'd said yes thinking it didn't make sense to stay home thinking about someone that she'd met for less than ten minutes. She walked into the pub looking around for her friend. Not seeing anyone familiar she decided to get a table while there were still a few available. She ordered a drink, grabbed a table and sat to wait.

A gentle hand touched her shoulder. She smiled thinking she must have missed her friend when a familiar voice whispered in her ear, "Do you know how many pubs I've been to in the last week looking for you?"

She smiled up at him, "You know where I work and you know my name, you could have just called me."

He eased into the chair beside her, "Where's the challenge in that? Besides I can now tell you which pubs in a ten block radius have the best whisky selections."

Taking a cautious sip of her drink she asked, "And that is important how?"

"It's always good to know where you can get a good drink. Especially in my line of work."

"And what, exactly, is your line of work?"

"Public relations and communication."

"I'm not really sure what that means."

He took a sip of his drink. The mischievous look on his face enchanted her, "Neither does anyone else but they pay me a lot of money to do it."

They stared at one another, blue eyes locked on blue eyes. Laura bit down on her lower lip uncomfortable yet mesmerized under his gaze, "How does this pub rank?"

"Dead last." He lifted his glass, "This is rotgut. I have to say I am a bit disappointed to find you here."

She laughed, "Would it make you feel better to know I didn't choose this pub? The friend I'm meeting chose it."

The look he gave her at the mention of a friend sent warmth coursing through her body. It had been far too long since she'd felt this way about someone, "Where is this mystery friend of yours?"

"Running late, as per usual."

He leaned in so his mouth was just next to her ear, "If I made plans with you, I would never be late."

Laura was just about to respond when she saw her friend. She waved then stood. Her friend looked questioningly at Malcolm, "Who's your friend Laura?"

Laura struggled not to roll her eyes. She should have known he would be the center of attention, "Ellen, this is…" That's when Laura realized that she had no idea who he was. This man who had consumed her thoughts, fed her fantasies and thoroughly enchanted her was a complete stranger.

He stood and offered his hand, "Ellen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Malcolm Tucker."

Ellen smiled up at him as she took his hand, "It's very nice to meet you Malcolm."

Laura watched Ellen fawn over Malcolm. It was to be expected. Let there be a man within a 20 foot radius and Ellen would fawn. She was just about to say something when Malcolm interrupted, "How about I get you ladies a drink? Laura, another gin and tonic?" She looked at him curious as to how he knew and nodded, "Ellen, dear, what can I get you?"

She giggled and blushed. Laura interceded, "White wine, whatever chardonnay they have."

Malcolm smiled down at Laura, "I'll be right back."

As he walked away he let his hand trail across her shoulders. She shivered as fire and ice ran through her body. She reached to touch where his hand had been, certain there would be a mark. Ellen's voice distracted her from her thoughts, "Who is that?"

"You just met him."

Ellen looked back at Laura annoyed that she was being so touchy, "I meant who is he to you? Is he available?"

"He's no one really. I met him a week ago. We just happened to bump into each while I was waiting for you."

Ellen smiled as she looked back at him, "So you don't mind if I go after him? He's really quite dishy."

Laura stared at her friend. It was like this every time a man was involved, "Feel free." As soon as the words left her mouth she felt a sense of loss that she couldn't explain.

"Shhh, here he comes, pretend like I said something amusing. Men like funny women."

Laura glared at Ellen, questioning why she was still friends with her. A not very gentle kick under the table and she forced a laugh. Ellen's bubbling laugh filled their space, "Isn't that just the funniest thing?"

Laura nodded, "Hysterical."

Malcolm placed the wine glass in front of Ellen, "Here you go Ellen."

She smiled coyly at him, "Thanks Malcolm, it was very kind of you."

"It was nothing. Laura, here is your drink."

He handed it to her rather than place it on the table. She looked up at him to take the drink. His finger traced across hers as she took the drink, "Thank you Malcolm."

"It was my pleasure, Laura."

She smiled, looking away, noting the difference in how he responded to her. Once again his hand slid across her back as he walked around to his seat.

Once he was seated Ellen pounced, "Malcolm are you a doctor too?"

He leaned back in his seat putting distance between him and Ellen, "No, afraid I wasn't quite smart enough."

"I'm sure that's not true. Do you work at the hospital, is it how you met Laura?"

He took a sip of his drink wincing at the bitterness of the whisky, "No."

"You only answered one of my questions. How did you meet Laura?"

"Actually, no answered both of your question. I don't work at the hospital and it is not how I met Laura."

"So how did you meet Laura?"

He smiled at Ellen but his eyes were on Laura, "You might say a mutual vice brought us together."

Ellen stared at him for a moment not really sure how to take his answer. Finally she shook her head and started a staccato round of questions.

Laura watched amused as Ellen continued to pepper Malcolm with questions. Ellen seemed unaware Malcolm was not interested in her conversation. Each question he answered with a simple yes or no not giving her any room to maneuver. Each monosyllabic answer served to push Ellen towards a more personal question.

"So Malcolm, I don't see a ring does that mean you're single?"

At this question he leaned forward, "No, I am, most assuredly, not single."

Ellen sat back in her chair, defeated. Laura turned her head sharply to Malcolm. He wasn't single. Then why was here? She'd been certain he was flirting with her.

Ellen looked at her empty glass. The last ten minutes had been a waste. This man wasn't single so it made no sense to continue talking with him, "I'm going to get another drink. Do either of you want anything?"

Ellen didn't notice her two companions were locked in a moment of their own. She vaguely noted their shaking heads before she walked off to the bar.

"You're not single? Then why did you go to…"

His touch on her cheek stopped her question, "Laura, I am completely single. I'm just not interested in your friend. Telling her I'm unavailable seemed to be the quickest and kindest way to get her to stop questioning me."

Her breath caught, his thumb was softly stroking her cheek. All she could think about was him stroking her in other places. She could feel the blush rising across her chest. She saw him leaning into her and was certain he was going to kiss her. Her eyes closed, lips parted, she was panting in anticipation.

"You're beautiful when you blush. Actually, you're beautiful period. You're sexy when you blush."

Laura exhaled loudly as she felt him pull away. Her eyes moved frantically around the room. Could anyone else see what this man did to her? She wanted to pull him to her, kiss him, tear his clothes off. She shook her head. How could she be having these thoughts? This was only the second time she'd ever seen him. She hadn't known his name half an hour ago.

His hand on hers snapped her out of her thoughts, "I have to go Laura. Have dinner with me tomorrow? Please?" She felt herself nodding before she could think. He squeezed her hand and she felt something in her hand. She looked down at the card and felt his breath on her ear, "The address and details are on the back; my number is on the front. Call me anytime, night or day. I'll always take your call."

She squeezed the card in her hand as she watched him walk away. Malcolm Tucker was definitely trouble.

The door opening pulled her from the memory. She looked up expecting to see either Robbie or Jean. James kicking the door shut while carrying a tea tray was that last thing she expected.