Page 23 of Cloud Storm

I want to protest.

I had hoped that we would hang out alone, talking about what we wanted.

What was going to be a date for two, has just become a group outing.

You know what the worst part of all of this is?

I’m not sure how I feel about it.

Stupid fucking feelings.

I wish it were easier to deal with them.

From: Arthur

To: California Girl

Date: September 27, 2019 09:05

Subject: RE: More time

If you want more time to think about it, you have it. Your wish is my command.

However, I ask you to also consider my feelings. I want to see you, I really do. It’s not a whim, my girl from California, it’s a desire that springs from deep inside.

I want to see you. I want to touch you. And I want to feel you.

I want to talk to you about very deep things, so that you know my past and the plans I have for the future. I also want to listen to you while you tell me yours, so that I can be your partner, your lover and your friend.

I want to be your everything.

Speaking of plans, a very heavy week at work awaits me and I don’t know how often I can write to you. We have a general audit, which will take many hours.

I am being a liar again, I don’t really want to write to you, what I really want is that when I return home you’ll be there, waiting for me.

If you would let me offer you what little I have, I would put my world at your feet.

Do you see what you do to me? I have turned an email into a litany.

Let me be with you.

A x

(The voice calling you from the desert)

Chapter 7

As Roselynn leaves the apartment, I stare at the door closing, knowing once she’s gone I’ll be with Lancelot again. Alone. “Are you ready?” he asks, touching the small of my back with his hand.

Feeling the warmth of his skin through the thin fabric of my strappy top awakens all my senses.

Every single one has been on high alert and yearns for him not to leave me.

I nod in response, unable to make any sound, because my voice has stuck in my throat.

I take my bag from the hanger next to the door and we leave, heading to the parking lot.

Lancelot activates the blipper and a smoke gray luxury sedan lights up. I’ve seen this car before, right here, but I didn’t know it belonged to him. It’s a new model, I can say that, it’s not super luxury, however, the brand rings a bell. And it does not sell economic models.

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