Gallery of the Dead

Seventy-Four

As Tracy and Hunter got to the WeHo Bistro in West Hollywood, just a couple of hours ago, the sun had begun tucking itself away behind the horizon line, transforming the sky above Los Angeles into a beautiful gradient sheet, but while they were inside, thick, dark clouds had repopulated the sky, covering almost every visible inch of it. As they came out, a thunder roar startled Tracy.

Hunter noticed the quick quiver of her shoulders.

‘Are you OK?’ he asked.

‘Yeah, I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting any rain tonight.’

Tracy wore a black and white, knee-length strapless dress with a charming black bow around her waist. Her hair, which she had straightened for tonight’s date, was loose, falling over her shoulders like a shining red shawl.

Hunter looked up at the sky. The clouds were indeed menacing. He took off his jacket and placed it on Tracy’s shoulders.

‘Here,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t really match your outfit, but it will keep you warm.’

Tracy smiled back at him. ‘Will you walk me home?’

‘Of course.’

As they walked, the wind picked up considerably, with the army of black clouds above them gaining strength.

Tracy was glad she had Hunter’s jacket.

They reached her apartment block in less than fifteen minutes and as they climbed the short flight of stairs to the entrance lobby, Hunter paused, his body language a little cryptic.

‘You’re not going to come up?’ Tracy asked, taking a step closer to him. Her green eyes sparkled behind her black-framed cat-eye glasses. Even in her high heels she had to tilt her head up to look into his eyes.

Hunter didn’t reply.

She stepped closer still, so close that he could smell her hair.

‘I think you should come up,’ she whispered, standing up on her toes to put her lips close to Hunter’s.

Their lips didn’t touch, but he could feel her warm breath against his skin as she breathed. Her eyes blinked and the sparkle in them became desire.

Even from up close her skin was smooth and clear.

‘I really think you should come up,’ Tracy whispered again, this time slowly moving her head forward until their lips finally touched. As they did, she parted hers ever so slightly, but that was where she stopped, waiting, applying no extra pressure, controlling her urge. She wanted Hunter to take the initiative, to show her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

As Tracy breathed out again, Hunter knew he was lost.

He closed his eyes and kissed her.