I had always watched you quietly, from a distance. Never really introducing myself, but just nodding a polite hello when we passed each other in the hallway of our apartment complex. You lived across the hall and two doors down. So close, yet so far at the same time. Your honey tinted brown hair, styled just above your shoulders, framed your face in a way that made my fingers tingle at the thought of running my hands through those delicate strands. Your smile, which I had been lucky enough only to catch and treasure a few times, sent the blood in my body racing. What I wouldn't give to kiss those delectable lips, I thought many times. You were the focus of my daydreams, the center of my restless night's sleep, and the object of my sexual fantasies. Only, I didn't know if you were attracted to women, and wondered how I would ever be sure.
The opportunity to find out finally came one day, when I was returning from work and found you struggling to unlock your apartment door, your arms full of grocery bags. The hallway was deserted except for the two of us, so I rushed over to help, startling you a bit as I broke you from your concentration, "Here, let me help you with that..." I said, reaching out to pull a couple bags from your arms.
As you let go of them, our fingers brushed briefly, but long enough to send a shock up my arm. I must have unconsciously sucked my breath in sharply, because you looked up at me quickly, your expression quizzical. Your golden eyes were breathtaking, and I just couldn't pull myself from your gaze. I held your intent stare until you finally broke contact to look down at your keys, deftly unlocking the door and pushing it open. "Thanks for your help. Could you just bring the bags to the table for me?"
Your voice was like honey, mesmerizing me for a moment. I had to force my suddenly frozen legs to start walking, following you into your apartment. I must confess, I was intently studying your luscious backside...the sway of your hips, the curve of your ass in your formfitting jeans, as you walked to your kitchen table. So distracted was I by my thoughts that I stopped just short of running directly into you as you reached the table. My body was a scant few inches from yours, but I would swear I felt a surge of heat come from you that brief moment I was so teasingly close. Not wanting to frighten you, I stepped back and around, putting the bags on the table...giving myself a chance to collect my bearings before having to look at you again.
"Thanks again for your help."
'It wasn't a problem, " I replied, my voice quavering ever so slightly.
"You live across the hall from me, right?"
My eyes locked with yours again as I nodded. What was that flicker I just saw?
"What's your name?"
"Sage," I answered, searching your eyes for remnants of that flash.
"Sage..." you said softly and slowly, letting my name roll over your tongue, as if you were tasting a wine for the first time. The hair on the back of my neck stood on end at the sound. "That's an interesting name... I like it," you continued as you stuck out your hand. "I'm Kelsey. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
My hand grasped yours in a firm grip and a sensation not unlike fire seared up my arm and into my shoulder. I attempted to nonchalantly remove my hand from yours without you noticing, when that quizzical expression reappeared on that beautiful face, "Is something wrong?"
I stuck my hand behind my back, my arm still tingling. "Uh, no...nothing is wrong...I just..." I stammered.
You took a step closer to me. My heart had to be thudding loud enough for you to hear, but I couldn't control it. What was I thinking? This woman has to think I am an unstable freak with no social skills. I need to get out of here before I embarrass myself further....
"...Sage...Sage...are you sure you're all right?" You were waving your hand in front of my face, you had placed your other hand on my shoulder. I must have zoned out. As my vision refocused on you, I noticed the look of concern on your face...also mingled with an expression not as easily discernable.