Life Changes Chapter 3

Every one turned to go out on the patio, Aldrich and Anabella find them self at the back of the group waiting patiently for them to go through the patio doors, he moved forward, pressing against her. His body heat surrounding her and Anabella could pick up his cologne, spicy with a hint of a sea breeze. She inhales with pleasure fully aware of the man directly behind her.

Aldrich him self find it hard to think of something else for some reason he was attracted to the young girl. It was just not his style to be interested to a mere child but she intrigued him, her innocence a thing of beauty. But there was also something else, a sadness that she carefully hides from every one but it draws him to her.

He wanted to shield her for some reason, his hands reaching to touch her and hold her safe.

The last time he felt this kind of protectiveness was when he was married all those years ago. Never again he felt it with any other woman.

She was a young girl trapped in a woman’s body with no idea of where she belongs.

Instead, in a low voice he bends over and asks.

“How old are you?”

“Eighteen” self assured but careful

She looked around and saw his lips very close to her and she wandered how they will taste. The mere thought flashed through her mind, images of more lips throwing kisses her way invaded her and she closed her eyes willing the images to be removed.

When she looked up his eyes had a question and she knew that she was staring.

A blush formed over her cheeks, shame and guilt towards the thoughts she conjure about him. He is not like your parents she remind her self.

He gave her a toothy smile but asked her normal questions, her age not an issue at the moment. She relaxed, didn’t realize she was nerves but he was attractive.

‘In what events will you compete?”

“Two hundred meter Back stroke, butterfly and relay”

“I will definitely make some time to watch sweet heart” he said softly touching her arm as they move forward

‘Thank you’ for the endearment word and she smiled turning back to step outside.

Yes, he will definitely make some time; her slender body appealed to him and the dress fitted her well. He watched as she walks in front of him with a sway in her hips, pressing his hand softly at the small of her back.

Once outside he took her to an open chair where she sat down, bending shapely legs under her and seated directly in front of him. He liked to watch her even if she is not aware of him.

Anabella was aware; the butterflies on her tummy told her he was watching her every move. Even when Mr. Richter and Tim spoke to him, she still could feel his gaze on her sipping away on a drink. His posture relax and at ease. He knew the family well she thought as she watched him listen to Mr. Richter with great intend.

Some times she returned to Monica and her other friends to talked to them just to look back at him. Finding his eyes on her and smile playing on the lips. She was not uncomfortable under his stare she rather enjoys his blunt way of looking at her.

She wished she was a bit more outgoing to speak to him, but she would not know what to say. She knew he was a lawyer at a successful firm, other than that nothing. She wants to change that, but her innocence preventing her to go and than there is the age difference.

He was so out of her league, no way he would find her interesting. She can not understand why she felt uneasy about it. There are many couples whose age difference is not a problem, her parents are one. Mother and father differ fifteen years and they have a ‘happy’ marriage. If you can call what they have a marriage, it worked for them.

So far he is keeping his distance and on the one hand she appreciates it but on the other hand she would love to know him better.

‘What can I offer a man like that?’ She thought he look intelligent, sharp of all the years in law and almost intimidating as she watched him, he must be a worthy opponent, his confidence a great appeal to her.

Monica discerned the mood between the two and she was excited about it. The first time she met Aldrich she knew that he will be the perfect partner for her friend and it is only now that she could managed to get them together, and the way that Anabella is looking at him she knows that she was right. She knew she would have to intervene and set things up knowing her friend she will not make the first move.

Aldrich is not indifferent either and may be he will do something, Tim did warn her that the age difference can be a problem, but just look at the two; they will make a great couple.

***

Aldrich was also lost in his own thoughts. He was thinking of their age difference and that it could cause an obstacle. Eighteen was still very young, at thirty he was ready to settle down; he was looking at her chatting with her friends. They have nothing in common and her whole life was still in front of her but yet he find himself intrigued especially the sad look he saw for that fleeting moment. Then of course, there is the whole innocence factor, she is untouched by any man.

The way she blushed at his remarks, her loss for words, if he want to know her more it must come from him.

The question was do he need that in his life?

When he looked at her once again, his eyes taking in the full splendor of the young woman the decision was very clear in him he will make the effort. There is something about her that keeps his interest.

However he will have to be patient although her innocence is appealing to him it can be a problem also. She is not like the normal girls of her age; she is grown up, her eyes gives a sense of maturity that he did not expect from a girl her age. She has this look that says she has seen it all before and it made him curious.

Her actions say she is new to the love from a man. May be it is the lawyer instinct but he could pick up a story here.

***

Monica made sure everyone had a good time. She was always the heart of any party and as a good host her timing was impeccable.

‘It was time to bring the two love birds together’

She turned to Tim and motioned that he must put some music on. Then immediately a song ‘Butterfly kisses’ filled the night sky from the speakers in the corner. Monica made her way to Aldrich asking for a dance. She knew him well and really liked him as a friend she just knew that she had to arrange a party for these two to meet.

He smiled when she stood in front of him asking him for a dance and stood up straight accepting her invitation. She led him to the floor, and he followed to take her in his arms at a comfortable length and enjoy the song. Once when they were next to Anabella’s chair Monica reached out to her friend’s hand.

Startled at the sudden touch Anabella looked at her then at him and was pulled up placing her into Aldrich’s hand smiling.

Aldrich immediately picked up what Monica was doing and took over with a smile. He really didn’t need help from an eighteen year old in this department but appreciated the jester. He pulled Anabella closer to him his hand lightly touching her lower back the other engulfing her right hand and they danced away.

They were both good dancers and their feet moved in synchronization with the music, melting together. At first, she was surprised but didn’t mind at the closeness. Willingly she came closer as they danced her lips close to his neck where she could see his heart beat in the small of his neck and he smelled so good.

She wondered how it would feel to kiss him their, heat rushed through her whole body. As if he could hear her thoughts, he was pulling her in closer to him. She fitted perfect in his arms next to him. Her hand on his shoulder holding him gently.

As the second song continued, they did not let go. If some one would have asked what was the name of the song they would not recall it. Anabella tried hard not to think too much just enjoyed the closeness and the feeling of safety he created. His heat was intoxicating and she could not help but to brush with her fingers the part of his skin just above the collar of his shirt.

He looked down at her smiling, the emeralds glowing and he leaned in their cheeks touching and she sighed softly laying her head on his shoulder. It was amazing how comfortable they felt with each other, no words necessary to break the silence.

His hands were warm and gentle, the one in her lower back caressing her softly. The same soft gentle touch as she has. During the last song, he encircled her so that both his arms were around her.

Through hazy eyes, she looked at her arm around his neck noticing the time on her watch. It was already nine fifteen; she had to leave her body sending out different messages than her mind tells her. Finally, she whispered in his ear to let her go, she need to leave.

“I must go” she said softly he turns and looks at her, the blues was darker and soft as if she could melt in them. She would love to explore this more but this cannot be, not now.

He pulled her in even closer and in a husky voice, he said: “I would love to know you better’ reluctantly he released her.

She was not sure she heard him correctly but the mere thought of him wanting to know her caused her heart to skip a beat.

The few minutes they shared together was overwhelming to him, he never thought this can happen to him. With wonder she looked at him.

‘You are silly Anabella, what do you have to offer him, nothing especially the love part, I don’t know what love is and why would he want to know me?’

“I understand you have a big day tomorrow and you need your rest” and he smiled

When he released her, void filled her heart and body a void never experienced before, she knew there was something missing in her life and now she have found it, she didn’t want to let go. She stepped closer to him kissed him in the crook of his neck and walked away.

She went over to Monica and her parents, thanking them for a great evening, greeted all the other guests and walked out the door.

Aldrich was still standing at the same spot where she left him still feeling her lips on his neck, shocked at her tender display when Tim walked over

“She impressed you my friend” gave a chuckle patting him on the shoulder and walk away saying.

‘Monica was right, you will like her’ as if that brought him back to reality he quickly took a card of his pocket scribbled on it and ran to her car reaching her as she was about to get in.

She felt a piece of paper pressed into her hand, looked up at him. The message was clear he wanted to see her again.

Once at home inside her bedroom she unfolded the piece of paper still in her hand. It was his business card

Aldrich Hagin

Attorney

Tel num: 555 444 0000

She turned it over and it read:

“Until we meet again’