I want my friend back. He's here … in my life! This is my chance to get back the best thing that ever happened to me.
My palms were sweating by the time I heard the elevator down the hall ding and its doors open, but when I heard Danielle's voice shortly after, ushering Pugly along and trying to prevent him from pissing on my neighbour's front door, my entire body clammed up.
For starters, I wasn't a fan of dogs, especially ugly ones. And Pugly definitely deserved his nickname. So why I'd agreed to house him in my very clean and pet-free apartment while we attended the gala was beyond me. Secondly, I never invited anyone to my apartment, only my family, and on the odd occasion, my work colleague, Dan. But that tended to be for work related stuff, like when we were in the thick of a case together.
Sticking my finger under my shirt collar at the base of my throat, I loosened it just slightly. I hadn't yet put on a tie because I was hoping I'd have one to match the colour of Danielle's dress, which wouldn't be too difficult considering I pretty much owned a tie of every colour. I even had one in cochineal, one of the rarest colours in the world due to its pigment being derived from the die of squashed beetles. Buuuuuut I doubted she'd be wearing that colour. Danielle wasn't a cochineal type of girl. Her beauty was best paired with soft pastels that let her shine and be the star she was.
Why am I even thinking about this shit? Colours? Where're your colourless balls, Elliot?
The light tap of her knuckles sounded against my door. I froze. This was it. Our first proper date, although she had no idea it was that. She'd never have agreed to come had I mentioned my thoughts about it.
Tucking my shirt into the waistline of my trousers, I walked to the door and quickly smoothed my hair back before opening it.
"Hi, come i-" I'd barely been able to finish my sentence before Pugly jumped up my leg, his claws gripping my skin through the cotton. "Whoa. Hey, someone is excited to be here," I added, my face part smile part squint that was masking the pain shooting up my shins. I bent down and took his talons into my hands, as if we were about to waltz into my apartment together. "Dudley, how are you, mate?"
Purple toenail polish caught my eye, followed by shiny, silver straps of a pair of heels. I wasn't a foot-man, but the feet standing before me were by far the prettiest I'd ever seen. My eyes continued to travel up Danielle's leg, the light purple satin and lace of her dress falling to either side like curtains, revealing her golden skin. I swallowed, hard, desperate to trail my tongue along her leg. I wanted to taste her so bad.
Swallowing yet again, I forced myself to continue climbing her body with my eyes, stopping once more where her thigh disappeared behind the material. Fuck! I lowered my knee to the ground, needing some stability because my head all of a sudden felt light. She looked so damn sexy and I hadn't even travelled half way.
Tipping my head back, I continued the length of her, nearly toppling over when my eyes caught sight of her breasts, which, just like her leg, were perfectly framed by her draping dress. Jesus fucking Christ! Never had I seen a woman display that much skin and still maintain an air of class and modesty.
"Elliot!"
I tried to answer but I think I drooled, instead.
"ELLIOT!"
"What?" My eyes snapped to hers.
"You're kissing my dog. It's disturbing."
At that precise moment, I became acutely aware of the slimy, foul smelling tongue that was licking my face.
I spat, choked, and pushed him off me. "Yuk. Dudley, not cool!"
Danielle erupted into laughter. "He likes you lots, Lots."
"Well, I don't like him." I rose to my feet again while wiping my face. "Not like that anyway."
"Shame. You both make a great couple."
I wanted to pull her to me and tell her that we make a great couple, but I didn't. I just stood there, my eyes and mouth lost in translation.
"Soooo," she drawled, still giggling while nodding over my shoulder to my apartment "This is all a bit … grand!"
"Sorry." I stood back and gestured she enter. "Please, come in. Let's get Dudley settled."
As she walked past, the scent of her perfume near lulled me into a trance, and I swear I followed behind her like a love-struck Pepé Le Pew with cochineal coloured hearts for eyes.
"Can I let him off the lead?" she asked, as she slowly circled my living room while trailing her finger along my mantelpiece.
"Sure." I wasn't really interested in Pugly. Danielle's tight swaying arse was far more interesting.
"Excellent!" She bent down and unclipped his leash. "He should just sniff around at first. Scope out the joint. I don't think he'll pee on anything."