Anticipation [RP thread for fey_fire]

[sandandwater]

It’s half past eight and Pippa’s going through the motions of opening Last Call for business. It’s a routine she can perform mostly by rote: sweep the floors, take the chairs down from the tables, wipe off the bar and the table tops, deal with petty cash for the register…let the band in the back door when they arrive. The band. Breaker Street. Rory.

Ro

.

She closes her eyes and forces herself to take a deep, calming breath. Normally, she loves Wednesdays. Loves being the only one here as they set up the stage with their instruments, tune up. She usually helps Morrie run the sound check. Chats with the band and gazes longingly at Ro whenever he’s not looking at her. But tonight—

The red haired woman has a feeling that tonight’s going to be

much

different. She hasn’t seen Ro since their phone call revelations and she’s counting on (hoping, really) him keeping his word about kissing her. She’s even gone so far as to dress a bit nicer this evening. A simple baby doll smock with capped sleeves and jeans. Her usual funky collection of jewelry. Heeled shoes that give her considerably more height, taking into account Rory’s tall, lanky frame.

She hears the solid cadence against the metal fire exit doors. That’d be Kreske, the drummer tatting out some ridiculous rhythm instead of just knocking.

Here goes nothing

…Pippa smooths a hand over her riot of curls and hurries across the bar to let them in. She tucks her blistered and bandaged hand behind her back as she uses her free arm to brace the door open. “Hey, guys…”

Comments

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

She doesn't understand the foreign syllables whispered against her ear any more than she's able to comprehend the reasons why his touch feels so good as his fingers encircle her wrist. Still, she gives into his desire to kiss and hold her close once more, leaning into him and sighing her pleasure as his tongue meets hers.

He's so warm and comforting, Pippa could stay where she is indefinitely and it's the appeal of thoughts along those lines that finally cause her to pull away from him. Slowly and with tangible regret. "I have to finish..."

She waves her right hand at the shelves behind her and she studies Rory with apologetic eyes. "I need to stock the bar before I open the front the door. Kelly and Beth never remember to and then the bartenders get cranky--"

Shaking her head, she laughs at herself. Why is she telling him this? He knows. He knows. And she hopes he also realizes she'd rather still be in his arms instead of having to collect herself and spend the next hours doing her job while he does his.

[fey-fire.livejournal.com]

Stepping back with equal reluctance, Rory rests his hands on Pippa's shoulders and his forehead against hers. "I understand, sweet. Cranky bartenders are never a good thing. And I need to get back to the band."

Lifting his head, he smiles down at those blue, blue eyes. "I'll catch you later, right? And we should get together sometime when we can really talk ... just the two of us."

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

She nods, worries her bottom lip between her teeth as she resists the urge to suggest they talk after things are wrapped up for the night. She's certain the last thing he wants to do after a night of singing for a crowd is actually talk regardless of the subject matter.

"Sure." She hesitates until he's nearly to the door, "Ro? If...if you'd like to, you can come over tomorrow. I'll make dinner?"

[fey-fire.livejournal.com]

His smile widens as he turns back toward her. "I'd like that. I'd like that very much." Rory finds himself drawn back toward the lovely redhead in spite of his recent resolve to leave the storeroom. "I could bring my six-string ... play you one or two of the songs I've been working on. And I haven't met that puppy of yours yet."

He stops a few steps away, knowing the itch to touch will only increase if he gets closer. "What time should I come over?"

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

She grins at his acceptance and the idea of him playing just for her. "Whenever you like." She shrugs, she wouldn't mind spending the entire day with him. "I'm usually up and acting like a human being by noon, so um...three? Four?"

She reaches across the small distance between them to touch the back of his hand. "Really, whatever's good for you. I'm flexible." And thens he blushes again as she realizes how that might sound.

God, please ignore any double entendre...I didn't mean it.

[fey-fire.livejournal.com]

God, but Pippa looks even lovelier when the roses come up in her cheeks like that. He refrains from telling her so, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable, but he can't resist taking her by the shoulders and dipping his head for one more kiss, quick though it is.

He caresses her forehead with his lips before pulling away. "Three o'clock. I'll be there, sweet." With the promise of time to themselves, Rory finally manages to walk away, tossing another grin over his shoulder just before he leaves to let Pippa get back to her work.

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

She blushes again, still really, at his parting words.

Sweet.

He keeps calling her that as if it's a pet name and not an adjective. Once she's alone in the storeroom again, it takes Pippa a bit to compose herself and actually remember why she entered the room in the first place.

Cocktail napkins.

Right

.

She manages to spend the rest of the night keeping busy and (mostly) containing her excitement about the plans she has with Ro for the following day. She even manages to quell the butterflies in her stomach long enough to talk to the band during their set break and afterwards, once the bar has been closed down for the night. So what if she's not the only one grinning at Rory now and then?

~~~~~~~~

Sunday afternoon finds Pippa frantically running around her apartment (http://pics.livejournal.com/sand_andwater/pic/0003dey5), picking up scattered dog toys, discarded clothing and other miscellaneous items she's let get out of place over the past week. It's nearly three and Ro should be here any time now. And the puppy is giving her one of

those

looks again.

"Mr. Beaker, we just went for a walk. You can't be serious, puppyface." She pulls her hair back from her face and sighs as she flops on the couch, the dog quickly scrambling up beside her. "We're having company. Very important company. Ro. We like him, a lot."

She scratches behind the dog's ears and is rewarded with a happy bark. "That's right, so be good. Don't growl at him, don't chew on his shoes and please don't make any messes while he's here. We want him to come back."

[fey-fire.livejournal.com]

As promised, Rory's there at three, anticipation and anxiety making an unsettling blend deep in his gut. So much they need to talk about, so many things she doesn't know, and he has no guarantee she'll still feel the same way about him once they have spoken. But not telling her ... would be worse. So much worse.

When the time comes to jump, you jump, and whether you go quietly or scream all the way down makes no practical difference. The quote may have originally been about sky diving, but it applies equally well to many other areas of life, including romance. Time to speak truth and let what happens happen.

And the truth is, he feels something drawing him to Pippa Kerr, something well beyond her pretty face, soft voice and sweet ways. He may not be ready to put a name to it quite yet, but he knows he'll regret it if he doesn't at least try with her.

Shifting his grip on his guitar case, Rory raises one hand and knocks.

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

Hearing the knock at the door, Pippa gently pushes the pup out of her lap and finds herself trying to calm a sudden rush of nerves.

It's only Ro

, she tells herself,

no need to panic

. And yet...it's him. Here. For dinner and conversation.

She sighs and smooths a hand over her blouse, her skirt. Conversation that may be a bit problematic. Will he judge her, consider her dishonest and not worth his time if she tells him that she's hid far more than her artistic pursuits? Knowing she can't not tell him if she wants to share more than that one kiss with him, she resigns herself to letting the ball drop into his court. If he wants to play, wonderful. If not...what can she do?

Pippa shakes herself, moves to the door and pulls it open, using a bare foot to keep an overly eager puppy from darting into the hall. "Ro, hi! Come in...please. Before little mister here makes his escape again."

She's smiling as she looks up at him, glad to see that he's kept his promise to bring his guitar with him. "If he's too obnoxious, I'll put him in my bedroom..."

[fey-fire.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Pippa." Rory smiles and brushes a quick kiss across her cheek before chuckling down at the floppy-eared pup currently play-bowing at his feet, rear-end wagging with excitement at the new visitor. "Don't worry. I'm sure he'll be fine."

He does take care to set his guitar up on a side table, having had more than one case nibbled on by other animals over the years. Kneeling down, Rory gives Mr. Beaker a thorough ear and back scratch before standing to once more face the lovely redhead who's been occupying most of his thoughts since last night.

Ah yes, last night ... Rory steps close and slides his arms around her, unable to resist having her close any longer. "Thank you for the invitation, sweet," he murmurs before dipping his head for a slow, gentle kiss.

[sand-andwater.livejournal.com]

"Mmm...you're...welcome." She manages between soft kisses, smiling against his mouth. He feels good, makes her feel very good when he holds her this way and Pippa nearly lets everything else on her mind simply fall away. Who needs conversation when Rory has his arms around her and his warm breath is caressing her upturned face?

Pippa finally takes a step back and unhooks his arms from around her middle once the puppy starts barking. Quiet exasperation mingles with her soft laughter as she glances at the Doberman. he speaks to the pup as if he's another person, a small child really, not thinking anything of it as she stoops down to give him a pat. "Oh, don't start that now, please. No one wants to hear your very loud protests."

Looking up at Rory, her expression is apologetic of sorts, "He's not used to sharing my attention."

Once Mr. Beaker quiets, Pippa stands again and moves towards the kitchen, intent on washing her hands. "Can I get you anything, Ro? Something to drink? And please...make yourself comfortable."