Honor: a novella (5 page)

“Did you do all this?” I motioned to the cabinets.
 

“I did. The kitchen was in the worst shape out of everything in the house.”
 

I followed him into a hallway that led to a sitting room. This room looked to be untouched and had tools throughout. “I do most of my work out of here, so I haven’t begun working in this room yet.” He started down the hallway with me close behind. The next room was a bathroom that looked to be bigger than my kitchen. There was marble tile and a huge claw foot tub.

“I can see why you wanted to show me this place, it’s beautiful.”
 

He reached for my hand and led me to a doorway that had a plastic covering over it. “This is what I wanted to show you. I haven’t made as much progress as I would have liked just yet, but I thought you would like it,” he said as he pulled back the plastic so I could walk through.
 

There were shelves from ceiling to floor all around the room. Each shelf had intricate designs etched at the top and bottom. In the middle of the room was a grand window that looked out over the river. “You’re building a library!” I exclaimed. “This is a perfect room for it too,” I assured him. “You are very talented Osric.” I began to grow aware that maybe I was too excited because he was staring at me intently.

“You really like it?” he asked.
 

“Yes, this room is incredible.”
 

He was still staring at me. I began to feel uncomfortable for the first time since I had met him. I moved to look out the window as he gently reached for my arm. He turned me to face him and placed his hands on both sides of my face. My stomach fluttered with nervousness and I felt weak in the knees as he lightly rubbed my bottom lip with his thumb. His lips softly brushed up against mine and then I lost all control. My arms reached up around his neck and I pulled him toward me. His muscular arms wrapped around me and our kiss intensified. As quickly as it had started, it ended. He pulled away. The look on his face seemed torn.
 

I felt like I had done something wrong. “I am sorry. I don’t usually…” I exclaimed.
 

He ran his large hands through his hair and turned to look out the window. “I shouldn’t have done that Honor. I get wrapped up with you and forget…” he stopped talking.

I wondered what he was going to say. I reached for his shoulder and he stepped away. “You forget what?” I asked.

“It’s nothing, I am sorry. I don’t know what it is about you, but I am drawn to you. I have never felt this way before. I can’t even put it into words.” He sat down on the floor and leaned back against a shelf.
 

I couldn’t believe what this gorgeous man was telling me. I sat down across from him and reached for his hand like he had done several times with me. “I feel the same way about you, if it makes you feel any better? Or worse?” I trailed off.
 

He looked over at me with sadness in his eyes. I felt like there was something more, but he said nothing. He took his hand out of mine and reached for me; pulling me into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head against his chest. We sat there on the floor together, each of us lost in our own thoughts, though there was no other place I wanted to be.

Chapter 8

After that night things changed between Osric and I. When we weren’t working, we were together. He had become the person I told everything to, and the person I always wanted to be with. He was the guy I couldn’t shut up about.

Lilly had many opinions about our relationship. She would ask questions often, always wanting to know one particular question, which had to do with sex. I would inform her that I was not a tramp like herself, and in return she would act insulted.

I was on my lunch break the day of my birthday when Lilly came up to me. “You want to go out for your birthday tonight? I will pay.” She sat down next to me and was stirring her coffee.

“Let me see if Osric has any plans,” I told her.

“You guys are like an old married couple. You could come alone Honor. It wouldn’t hurt to have one night away from your boo,” she said giggling.
 

I laughed too after she said it. “All right. Even if he doesn’t come along, I will go.”
 

“Good! We are going to have so much fun. Where would you like to go?” she asked.

“What about that new sports bar you were talking about? We could go there. Hot wings and beer, what more could a girl ask for on her birthday?” I laughed.
 

“They actually do have good wings birthday girl,” she teased.
 

I tried to call Osric to tell him, but he didn’t answer.
 

Celia let me off early, saying it was her birthday gift to me. I thanked her and was on my way. I tried to call Osric again and still didn’t get an answer. It worried me.
 

As I was getting out of the shower, Lilly texted me saying she was running late and to meet her there. After I was dressed and ready to go I was going to try to call Osric again, but my phone rang.
 
“Hello,” I answered.
 

“Happy birthday!” my parents yelled in unison.
 

“Thank you, I was wondering if you guys even remembered it was my birthday.” I heard laughing.
 

“How could we forget our only child’s birthday? Did you get your birthday card in the mail today?” my mom asked.
 

“Yes, I did, and you don’t have to give me money mother.”
 

I could hear my dad take the phone over. “I want you to bring this fellow home with you on Thanksgiving Honor. I want to meet him,” he said.
 

“Okay dad, I will ask him, but he does have a family too.” I looked at the clock and knew I should get going. “I love you guys but I am going to dinner with Lilly so I need to go.”

“Tell Lilly we said hello, and be careful tonight. We love you!”
 

We said our final goodbyes and I hung up. I straightened my green dress, grabbed my purse, and headed for the door.

I pulled next to Lilly’s car in the parking lot and went inside. I couldn’t see her anywhere, so I decided to ask the hostess. She told me Lilly was on the patio waiting for me. When I walked out the patio doors I was startled by everyone yelling:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
 

Lilly walked over. “Are you surprised? I didn’t think I could get you to come out tonight. This was all Osric’s idea,” she said.
 

He stood behind her smiling at me.
 

“I am totally surprised! Thanks guys.” I hugged him as he hugged me back. “You wouldn’t answer my calls today,” I said poking him in the chest.
 

“I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. Do you forgive me?” he asked.
 

I was about to answer him, but his lips met mine before the words could come out of my mouth. I had to control myself knowing people were watching us.
 

Brenda, clearing her throat, interrupted us. “Happy birthday Honor, I got you a little something.” She handed me an envelope. I was opening it as she said, “It’s a gift card to a nail salon.”
 

I smiled and hugged her. “Thank you!”
 

Celia came up next and wished me a happy birthday again.
   

Ryan walked up with Lilly and brought me the largest glass of beer I have ever seen. “Happy birthday! Now drink up!”
 

I tried to take it slow, being that everyone I worked with at the library was at my party. I made my way around our large table, thanking everyone for coming.
 

“Thank you for doing all this,” I told Osric.
 

“I wanted you to have a good birthday.”
 

After everyone had a fair amount of hot wings, people began to leave. I had just about finished my beer when Lilly put another one down in front of me. “Finish that and we’ll hit the dance floor,” she said.
 

I looked at the large glass. “I may not even be able to walk after that one.” I laughed.
 

Soon Lilly and Ryan were the only ones left with Osric and I. “We will meet you guys in there,” Ryan motioned as he led Lilly inside.
 

I rested my head on Osric’s shoulder and yawned. I was pretty tipsy and was sure I couldn’t drink anymore for the night. “I am going to drive you home,” he told me. “We don’t have to leave now, I just don’t think you should drive,” he added. We sat there together with my head on his shoulder holding hands.

A band had taken the small stage inside the smoke-filled sports bar. They started playing a slow song that drifted its way outside to where we were sitting. Osric rose from his chair, grabbed my hand, and pulled me close to him. We danced where we stood.
 

“Thank you,” he said.
 

I stared up at him. “Why are you thanking me?” I asked.

“Thank you for helping me that day at the library. I haven’t been this happy in a very long time.”
 

I leaned into his chest resting my head there. “I know what you mean,” I said. I was beginning to feel dizzy from all the alcohol and had to sit down.

“Honor, are you going to be all right?”
 

I smiled up at him. “I think I should probably go now.”
 

He helped me up and we made are way through the crowded bar. I didn’t even bother to look for Lilly and Ryan. Osric helped me inside his car, and that was the last thing I remember.

Chapter 9

I woke to the smell of coffee and, at first, wondered where I was, until I realized I was in Osric’s bed. The sun streamed through the large bedroom windows. I stretched out and saw I still wore my green dress, that was now a wrinkled mess. I saw a fresh cup of coffee set on the bedside table, the steam rose from the turquoise mug. I sat up and looked out the window as I reached for the coffee.
 

Osric was working on something out by his garage, shirtless. Since I had met him his hair had grown longer, now almost reaching the tops of his shoulders. Once again, just like on queue, he turned and looked up at the window. I waved, and he smiled back.
 

I suddenly became aware that I looked like a mess. I could see my reflection and my hair was like something from a horror movie. I searched the room for my purse and went to his bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I washed my face and brushed out my hair. I was thankful I always carried floss and the little disposable toothbrushes. Lilly always joked about how I was the only person who carried that stuff around all the time, even though she always needed to borrow both quite frequently.

Once I was halfway presentable, I walked back into the bedroom. I saw out the window that Osric had thrown his shirt on and was making his way for the back door. I went down to meet him. I was totally attracted to Osric regardless, but when he was all hot and sweaty from working, I had a hard time concentrating on anything else. He stood in the kitchen drinking from a bottle of water.
 

“I am sorry about last night,” I said blushing.
 

He walked closer to me. “Good morning,” he said as he kissed the corner of my mouth.
 

He kissed me again and started trailing his kisses down my neck toward my earlobe. I embarrassed myself when a moan escaped from my throat. He reacted in a way he never had as he picked me up and wrapped my legs around his waist. He placed me down on the kitchen counter. His mouth searched mine longingly. I grasped his blond hair and then my hands went down to his shirt as I attempted to pull it over his head. He helped me by throwing it to the floor. His hands came back to my dress, pulling it over my head in one fluid-like motion. My legs were still wrapped around him as we sat there exploring each other.
 

I had never been this nude in front of a man and tried not to think about it as I longed for him. Even sitting on the counter, I had to reach for him, he towered over me. He suddenly stopped and rested his forehead on mine. He was breathing heavily. I was panting, and didn’t care about being embarrassed anymore.
 

“Honor, we can’t do this,” he said in a raspy voice.
 

I was upset and wasn’t going to hide it this time. I reached over and grabbed my dress from the counter beside me. “Is it me?” I asked honestly now. I was freely about to give myself over to him and he refused. I felt tears coming and didn’t want to cry in front of him.
 

“Honor, I care and respect you too much to do this right now,” he said looking into my eyes.
 

I hopped off the counter covering myself with my dress as I made my way to the bathroom. I tried to control my tears. I shut the door, leaned up against it, and began to cry.
 

I heard him at the door. “Honor, I care for you more than you know. I don’t want to ruin what we have right now,” he said.
 

I sat there wiping the tears from my eyes. Was I overreacting? I put my dress on and rinsed my face off. I opened the door and there he stood, he had put his shirt back on. He looked troubled, but said nothing as I reached for him. He held me and we stood there for a while in silence. I knew without a doubt I was madly in love with this man.