Like a Bird (7 page)

“You know what? I think I’m going to have to send out a cupcake prize to one lucky Prowler. All you have to do is message me the name of my new teddy bear and you’ll be entered to win a box of cupcakes from Scrumptious, OK? That’s it, super simple. Just check the archives for last night’s video. I’ll pick a winner tonight at the art opening.” Kitty paused. “I’ll announce the winner from the show. You are going to the show, right? My dear friend Creep is freakishly talented and his show opens tonight at Spin Gallery. I’ll be there with a video crew. It runs for the next three weeks, so if you miss the opening you can pop by later and check it out. If you’re out of town, you can watch the opening and my interview live, as always.”

Kitty curled a tuft of pink hair around her fingers and scanned through the line of comments underneath the video.

More date details!

What the hell happened with Mr. Mystery?!

“Oh yes, of course. Date details! I wouldn’t leave you hanging. That would be so cruel. And I love you, each and every one of you. I really do! Without you, this show would be nothing, just me talking into the void.” Kitty blew a kiss onto her two fingers and flashed a peace sign at her audience.

“OK. Here’s the G-rated version. I took a cab to the hotel. It was gorgeous and glamorous. Even the elevators were sexy. The doorman was very cute. I went up to the ninth floor and then . . . I came out the next morning. The end. I can’t say any more about it. There wasn’t a lot of talking; he’s a man of few words. He communicates in other ways, if you know what I mean.” She winked and gave the webcam a coy smile.

What?! That’s it?!

Tell us what he’s like. We need more girl!

“Well, if I told you more he wouldn’t be a man of mystery, now would he? And I don’t know much about him. But I like that. He’s different.” She twirled her hair, staring off into space, then released a heavy sigh.

“Well my darlings, the big city needs a fresh coat of pink paint so I’ve got a lot of work to do. That’s it for now. Hugs and kisses all around.” Kitty leaned in, hunched her shoulders, and beamed into the camera. “This episode of the
Kat’s Meow
was brought to you by Scrumptious cupcakes and strange men.” Kitty dipped another finger in the cupcake icing and licked it off. “See you tonight,” she said with a mouthful of icing. Kitty waved good-bye just before she turned off the camera.

- -

In his dark bedroom, Gareth lay on his back staring up at the ceiling above his bed. He closed his eye and tried deep breathing, his hands resting on his abdomen. Wisdom was passed out on the floor next to him. Every few minutes he checked the time on his phone, and as his impatience grew he began drumming his fingers on his chest. Just as he started to get up, the door cracked opened and light from the hallway peeked into the room. Wisdom jumped up and huffed at the door. Sky slipped through the small opening, closing the door behind her.

“I was just going to come get you,” Gareth said.

Sky crept toward the bed, her hand extended to feel her way through the darkness. She gasped when she bumped Wisdom’s nose, but the wolf merely sniffed her hand and moved out of the way. Finally, her leg hit the edge of the bed and she tumbled forward, her hand landing on Gareth’s chest. He reached out to catch her and guide her to the bed. Sky sat sideways, next to Gareth.

“The book is good. It was hard to put down,” she said, speaking more toward the side table than the man next to her.

“I’m glad you like it,” Gareth said, his voice wavering. He cleared his throat.

“Books make good company,” Sky said, feeling emboldened by his tone.

A small trail of moonlight accentuated Gareth’s silhouette against the light colored wall. He reached inside the loose sleeve of her T-shirt and ran the tips of his fingers down her arm. When he reached the end of her stump, he started over again from her shoulder, stroking her in an endless loop.

“Aren’t you going to ask me about my arm? Everybody wonders about it, but you haven’t asked.”

Gareth shook his head. “No, but you can tell me about it, if you want to.”

“I was in a car accident when I was fifteen.”

Gareth used his other hand to brush her hair out of her face, revealing a four-inch scar up the side of her cheek.

“The scars on my face are from the accident, too” she said as Gareth continued running his fingers along her skin, inching his way along her neck. “I was going to ask if my scars bother you. But that seems like a stupid question,” she added.

“Your scars are insignificant. You look beautiful,” Gareth whispered.

Sky felt herself blush in the darkness and had to look away from him. “But, how can you tell in the dark?” she asked, seeking assurance.

Gareth chuckled. “There are cameras all over the house.”

“Oh.” She brought her fingertips to her mouth. Gareth slid his hand under her T-shirt and rubbed the small of her tense back.

“I’m not sure what you want me to do,” Sky said.

“You can do whatever you want.”

Sky paused and thought for a moment. “What if I want to read?”

Gareth pulled his hand out from under her shirt.

“Then go read.” He slid his other hand under her hip to lift her up off the bed. “Go get your book and read it here.” He patted the large, empty space next to him, his gesture more audible than visible.

Sky, now standing, twisted her hair around her fingers. “OK!” Wisdom lifted her head to watch her walk out the door.

Sky returned with her book and crept to the edge of the bed. Gareth helped her climb over him and made her comfortable with pillows. He pulled out a small book light from his bedside table, fit it onto the back cover, and turned it on for her.

Sky watched Gareth slide back under the covers and turn to lie with his broad back to her. She completed a few more chapters before she fell asleep with the book in her hand and the light on.

- -

Birds chattered outside the window as they gathered in the small clearing for an early morning buffet. Gareth gazed at Sky’s small figure asleep next to him. He watched her breathe, a thin strand of hair in front of her nose waving like a little flag with each breath. He leaned in until his lips brushed her forehead, and he gave her a light kiss. He stretched briefly then made his way to the en suite bathroom.

After changing in the dark, he quietly exited the room so he wouldn’t disturb Sky. Two flights down, on the lower level behind the staircase, there was a large home gym with a bank of windows overlooking the valley of greenery and a winding creek. Several pieces of gym equipment sat on the thin rubber floor. A large speed bag hung by a chain from a thick wooden beam overhead. Gareth built up his pace on the treadmill to a brisk jog as the sun was just starting to rise and streams of warm light reached through the trees, illuminating the room.

When he was finally damp with sweat and his legs were weak, he grabbed his gloves off the weight rack. He took a swig from his water bottle and placed it on the bench nearby. With his hands on his hips he stared at the bag to size up his imaginary opponent. He released a deep breath and leapt forward, driving his right fist into the bag. He started slow, taking sure strikes at the bag with alternating fists. After his warm-up, he increased his tempo and pummeled the bag with great speed. His wet hair spun out to the side with each twist of his waist, but Gareth kept on until he was weak and sloppy. He dropped onto the bench, his elbows resting on his legs and his hair clinging to his face. He looked out at the trees as he caught his breath.

- -

Sky awoke surrounded by feather pillows. She writhed in the bed and stretched on her back from her fingertips to her toes. She rolled over and found the other side of the bed empty. The room was still dim as the dark curtains held back the morning sunlight. Her book sat on the table next to her, the book light extinguished.

She pushed the covers aside, slid out of the bed, and walked to the tall windows where the sunshine begged to be let in. Sky squinted as the bright rays hit her face. In the distance, beyond the treetops, a small object in the sky was growing larger and louder. She watched a helicopter near the house, hover over a pad in the middle of the green clearing, and lower to the ground. A husky woman in a tailored, plum-colored suit stepped out of the helicopter and gathered an armful of shopping bags. She spoke to the pilot and then walked toward the front door.

Gareth came out from the house to greet her, his hair blown back by the wind, exposing a patchwork of rippled flesh on one side of his face. He flipped up the hood on his sweatshirt as he approached his guest and kissed her quickly on one cheek before taking her bags and seeing her into the house.

Sky watched the two figures until they were out of sight. Leaving the curtain open, she went into the bathroom to pee and splash cool water on her face. She swished tap water around in her mouth and spit it out. When she looked up to examine herself in the mirror, she was surprised to notice instead two framed paintings on either side of the sink, vibrant colors colliding and fading to pastels on rough paper.

Finding that strange, she poked around the room, opening vanity drawers. The first was filled with boring bathroom supplies, everything a dentist would recommend. A bottle of mouthwash looked appealing, and she sipped directly from it. After spitting out the minty green liquid, she explored the second drawer and found a hairbrush, an electric razor, and a dusty box of condoms. The third drawer, the largest of the three, was empty. Sky closed the drawer, and just as she stood up, saw Gareth in the bathroom doorway, leaning on the frame with his arms crossed, his single gray eye staring hard at her.

“I was just . . . looking for a mirror,” she stammered.

The hood of his sweatshirt cast a dark shadow on his face, so she couldn’t read his expression.

Gareth only heaved an annoyed sigh. “I have a meeting downstairs,” he said with his back to her on his way out. “I need you to stay in your room.”

Sky’s arm shielded her body and rubbed her short arm, a familiar posture Gareth caught a glimpse of as he left the bedroom. When she could hear his footsteps on the stairs, she glanced back at the art on the wall. She took out the hairbrush and tried to yank the knots out of her long hair without a reflection to guide her.

Chapter 7

Downstairs in the living room, Denise and Gareth settled into the long, white leather sofa. Rose appeared with a tray of teacups and a series of wrapped appetizers arranged in neat little rows.

“It’s great to see you Gareth,” Denise said, turning toward him and smiling. Her shoulder-length hair was pinned up at the sides, not a single golden strand out of place. She reached toward the tray on the table, took hold of the teapot, and poured each of them a cup. “You look very well, although I see you haven’t been shopping in a while,” she said with a coy expression as she looked him up and down.

Gareth laughed. “Denise, you do all my shopping.”

“True, but you should have called me earlier. That poor girl has nothing to wear, not even a bra.”

“I know. Her coming here . . . It was unexpected. I wasn’t prepared.”

“Well don’t worry, she’ll have everything she needs for a few months anyway. Is she here? She’s quite a soft-spoken, delicate little thing, isn’t she? On the phone the poor dear sounded like a wounded bird.”

“She’s quiet. She fits in well here.”

“I won’t ask where you found her, that’s your business, but I do hope you’re taking good care of her. A woman has certain needs, Gareth. Few people can live in isolation like this.”

Gareth nodded and blew on his tea before taking a sip, and Denise placed a shiny gift bag between them.

“What’s this?” he asked.

“A birthday gift from your sister.”

Gareth put his cup down and peered inside the bag. When he pulled out the tissue paper, his face shifted from a frown to a grin and then he laughed. “A new soldering gun! How did she know mine was busted?”

Denise only offered a knowing expression. “Oh, before I forget, I wanted to make sure this is what you asked for.” Denise reached into her bag and handed Gareth a small box, just larger than the palm of her hand.

Gareth took the box and opened the lid to peer inside. He nodded his approval, closed the box, and put it in the pocket of his sweatshirt. “Thank you,” he said.

“Did Katherine receive the cupcakes?” Denise asked.

“Who?”

“Katherine Andersson, the girl you wanted me to find.”

“Oh, you mean Kitty?”

“Yes, her. I guess you know her by her nickname.”

“Yeah, she did. She sent a message to thank me. How did you find her so quickly?”

Denise grinned. “Oh, she was a cinch to find. She’s all over the Internet. Kind of hard to miss, actually.”

“Oh?” Gareth said, tilting his head to one side, his brow furrowed.

“She’s somewhat of a celebrity. Has her own little following. Interesting girl, very cute and perky. If you didn’t find her online, how on earth did you meet her?” Denise sipped her tea.

Gareth huffed. “Long story. Louis dragged me out to meet some potential investors and we got a little sidetracked.”

“Hmm. Well, you must have laid on some charm I didn’t know you had because she is quite smitten. She mentions you in a few of her little videos.”

“Really?”

“Trust me. I’m just as confused as you are,” Denise said as she reached for a small sandwich from the tray.

- -

Rain bounced like tiny rubber balls off the concrete sidewalk. Kitty ran for the yellow cab in her bare feet, her shoes in one hand, and the other attempting to cover her head with a magazine. Despite her efforts, her wet silk dress clung to her skin and she dove into the backseat, right after a man in pointed leather shoes hopped out.

“The Traveler’s Choice Hotel please,” she said to the driver, out of breath. He nodded and wove his way around the slick streets as his wipers struggled to keep up with the demand of the rain. Shortly, the cab pulled up in front of the hotel, and after tossing the driver a few bills, Kitty darted for the protection of the awning over the front door.

Once inside the lobby, she slid each foot into a pink platform with a long, needle-thin heel. She sauntered past the front desk to the waiting elevator and pushed the button for the ninth floor. When she pulled her phone out of her purse, water slid off the leather bag and formed a puddle on the elevator floor. Oblivious, Kitty typed out a short message.

I’m here!

As she approached the door at the end of the hall, she tried to straighten her dress by peeling it away from her skin and shaking out a few droplets of water. She ran her hands along her hair to smooth it and pulled it over one shoulder just as the door in front of her opened to reveal Gareth’s dark figure. Soaked and shivering, she smiled sweetly and walked past him into the room.

“I’m a little wet,” she said by way of apology, figuring he wouldn’t mind anyway.

Gareth nodded from the shadows behind the door. “I see that,” he said, his voice deep and raspy. He coughed once and cleared his throat.

“You speak.” Kitty approached him, dropping her purse on the floor. “You sound a little hoarse. You poor dear, have you got a cold?”

“No.”

Kitty lifted her chin and stepped toward Gareth until her breasts grazed his shirt. “It’s nice to hear your voice. I like it.” She played with his shirt, tugging on it gently.

“You seem to like everything.”

“I like a lot of things, but not everything.”

“What don’t you like?”

“Well, I don’t like being in this wet dress.” Kitty looked up at him while she ran her palm down his chest toward his belt.

Gareth blocked her hand and brushed it away. He took her wet hair in one hand and pulled it back over her shoulder. His fingers ventured to her neck and traced a slow line over her breast. Kitty closed her eyes and teetered a little in her heels. With one hand sliding around to her back to steady her, his right hand reached for the top pearl button on the front of her dress. Rolling it in his fingers, he easily undid the little button and made his way down, one pearl after the other, until her dress hung open. He slid his fingers under the damp silk shoulders to peel the fabric down over her arms and expose her white lace bra.

“Why are you here?” he asked.

Kitty tilted her head and rested her hands on his chest. “Because. You excite me.” She moved back to his belt, slipping it open.

“One of us is going to end up very disappointed,” he said.

“Relax, I always aim for win-win relationships.”

Gareth paused. “If you’re looking for a sugar daddy, you’ve picked the wrong guy.”

Kitty laughed, flipped his button open and unzipped his jeans. “If I wanted a sugar daddy you’d have given me my own credit card by now. I’ve been down that road, darling, and there’s no happy ending. Now stop being so difficult and finish what you’ve started.” Kitty pulled off the rest of her dress, shifting her hips from side to side as she wiggled out of the wet silk rag.

Gareth smiled and chased her toward the bed, landing on top of her as she laughed. Kitty clutched the back of Gareth’s hair as he rubbed his hands over her breasts and belly, kissing her neck and face. Kitty reached down and pushed his pants lower until he ripped them off and tossed them behind him.

He pushed his hard cock against her soft behind and massaged himself on her writhing hips. She reached back to grab his ass and pull him closer. When her thighs were damp Gareth guided himself in and moved at a slow, deliberate pace while he explored her breasts and the smooth silky skin that covered every inch of her.

A series of sirens came and went outside the window just as Gareth finished, and he lay limp behind Kitty.

“I’m not finished,” she said.

“What?”

“I need a hand.” She guided Gareth’s hand down and held it in place with her own.

“I’m tired,” he said, still trying to catch his breath.

“Well then you need to learn to pace yourself,” Kitty said firmly as she forced his fingers into place. Gareth growled and shoved his fingers inside her until she gasped.

“Ow!” Kitty clenched her teeth and retaliated by grabbing Gareth’s hair tightly in her white fists. As opponents in this game of pleasure, they each inflicted pain upon the other until Kitty was satisfied and lay on the bed, panting.

Gareth went into the bathroom while Kitty made herself more comfortable with pillows and crawled under the blankets. She grabbed a wad of tissue from the bedside table to clean herself up and when she was finished the tissue was bloody. She carefully displayed the tissue and settled under the covers.

She waited in the dim room for Gareth, trying not to glance at the clock. There was no sound from the bathroom. Just as she propped herself up on one arm, the bathroom door opened.

Gareth glanced at Kitty, then at the side table. “What is that?”

“Blood,” Kitty replied.

“Are you . . .?”

“No.”

“Did I do that?”

“Yes.”

Gareth frowned. “I’m sorry,” he said softly and cleared his throat.

“It’s OK. I like it rough.” Kitty waved him over.

“I don’t think you really know what rough is.”

“Come here.” Kitty took his hand to pull him toward her. She pulled back the covers so he could slide in next to her.

“I need to warn you. I can be . . . aggressive. I don’t think you understand what you’re getting into.”

Kitty laughed. “You’re not that bad,” she said as she played with his hair.

He settled in next to her, cupped her head in his palm and drew her into his chest. Kitty rested her head against him and he slid his arm around her while planting a kiss on top of her head. He lay staring at the curtains as she fell asleep.

- -

Kitty woke to an empty space next to her, again. She wiped her eyes and noticed a covered tray on a cart sitting next to the bed. The room smelled like breakfast. She found a neatly folded robe resting over the back of a chair. She put it on and went to inspect the tray. Lifting the lid, she found two plates, one filled with a good, greasy breakfast and the other empty. Otherwise, the tiny room held no evidence of Gareth. Kitty found the bathroom empty as well, except for a sheet covering the bathroom mirror. As she left the bathroom, she noticed another door, the same cream color as the walls next to the bedside table. It was open just a crack, enough for her to hear the clicking of a keyboard as she approached. She pushed the door ajar and in the adjoining room saw Gareth’s back huddled over his laptop.

“Good morning,” he said, without turning around, his voice a little rough.

Kitty approached him. “Hi there.” She pulled him by the shoulder to turn the chair around so she could sit too. Gareth closed his computer and Kitty curled up in his lap.

“You ate without me,” she said.

“I thought you were never going to wake up. I was hungry”

“What time is it?”

“About quarter to ten.”

Kitty sat up. “Oh shit, I have to be at work in fifteen minutes.” She spun out of his lap, bolting for the bathroom. She ran back out to retrieve her dress that lay in a damp heap on the floor. “Dammit!”

Gareth had come out of the office and watched with fascination as she sprinted around the room.

“My dress is still damp, I have to go home. I have no concealer, no mascara, and I’m going to be late for work,” she said, pouting.

“I thought you did that video stuff for a living,” Gareth said.

“Oh gawd,” Kitty laughed, “that doesn’t pay the bills. All fame and no fortune!” She struggled to pull on her dress. “I work at a shoe store on Terrace Avenue. I have to open the store, so I’ve gotta be there on time!” Kitty said, starting to panic.

Gareth leaned on the doorframe and rubbed his chin in thought. Kitty dashed to the bathroom and ripped the sheet off of the mirror so she could brush her hair. As she was putting on lipstick from her purse, Gareth made a call.

“Hey it’s me. I need you to get a dress and send it to a store on Terrace Avenue ASAP,” Gareth said. “Um, I don’t know what size. Here, you talk to her.” Gareth walked to the bathroom and handed Kitty the phone. “Tell my assistant what size you are and where to send the dress. Let her know if there’s anything else you need.”

Kitty looked at Gareth with her pink mouth hanging open. She took the phone from him. “Hello? Uh-huh, well usually I’m a six but if it’s stretchy, it’ll fit. . . . Five foot four . . . Curvy . . . Lush Lash mascara in dark chocolate and maybe some powder in bisque. Oh, and a hair elastic . . . Maybe a hair band, too. God, I look like shit,” she said, examining her face in the mirror.

“Oh, it’s Luxxura Boutique on Terrace. You know where it is? Oh thank you so much! You’re amazing! Bye.” Kitty hung up the phone and handed it to Gareth before she ran back to the bed and slipped on her shoes. She trotted to the door with purse in hand. Gareth opened the door for her and just before she zipped by, she turned to him. He held the door with his foot and embraced Kitty as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, her feet dangling a few inches from the ground.

With her face aglow, Kitty hurried down the hall. At the elevator, she turned back to wave and Gareth, peeking from the doorway, flashed a short wave before he ducked back inside the room.