~*~
Amy looked at her watch. “Renee should be home soon.” She looked over at Garret as he sat close beside her on the couch. “Are you sure you want to stay for dinner? She can be pretty harsh.”
Garret looked up from where he studied the script to send Amy a reassuring smile. “If you remember, I also have a tendency toward harshness.”
“I know. That’s why I think you should go home tonight and then stay for dinner tomorrow.”
Garret’s eyes took in her expression before he spoke. “If such is what you want, Amy…”
“I want her to like you,” Amy said as she lowered her eyes to the script in her own lap. “Right now she doesn’t exactly hold a high opinion of you. If I can have a chance to talk to her…” Amy met Garret’s gaze again. “Although she’ll probably still accuse you of trying to get me in your sheets.”
Garret chuckled as he closed the script and placed it on the coffee table. “Yes, well, that approach has already failed miserably. I doubt I shall attempt it again.”
“That’s a depressing thought,” Amy complained. “You just have to wait for the right moment is all.”
Garret raised an eyebrow as he looked over at her. “And pray tell when is that?”
Amy shook her head. “Sorry, that’s your problem. I can’t take away all the mystery.” Garret laughed and Amy smiled. “I think you’re the sexiest when you laugh.”
“Yes, such a statement has been mentioned before, I believe.”
Amy’s eyes widened. “Not by me.”
Garret stood. “No.” He offered his hand. Amy took it this time, accepting his help to stand. “Yet you are the first I have believed.”
Amy’s smile twinkled in her eyes as she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Wow. That makes me feel nice.”
Garret’s eyes traveled her face. “What is it about you that holds me?” His blue gaze met her green one. “Amy, how am I to play a villain bent on your destruction when I find myself falling in love with you?”
Amy blinked, her smile fading. “What did you say?” she whispered.
Garret’s serious expression remained. “I have met my match in this role, Amy, and I am at a loss. This man has lost all hope, and yet I have found it. He has lost all sense of who he is, and yet you have opened my eyes to who I am. How can I return to the shadow of my previous life for this role when I want to live in brightness with you?”
Amy continued to blink up at him.
Garret’s face softened with a smile. “It seems my muse is silent. Ah well. Perhaps that is best.” He placed a kiss on each of her cheeks. “Good evening, sweet muse. I will return tomorrow afternoon with a better understanding of the choreography of the scene. Be prepared to work hard.”
Garret headed for the door, Amy still silent and unmoving as he unlocked and opened it. When he had nearly completely passed through, Amy blinked and hurried forward with a whispered “Garret, wait.”
Amy arrived at the door as Garret turned to face her, smiling. “Yes?”
She blinked up at him. “Did you just say…” She motioned behind her. “Over there. Did you just say… Y-You’re falling in love with me?”
Garret chuckled as he leaned against the door frame. “Wasn’t that your intent when first you tickled my attention?”
Amy’s eyes were slightly wide. “I just wanted to get to know you better.”
Garret caressed under her chin with a finger. “Yes, and there will be plenty of time for that now, won’t there?”
Amy absently nodded.
Garret watched her face a moment longer before leaning close, his lips hovering very near to hers. He closed his eyes. “Speak here the promise of a kiss, to be taken on the morrow,” he said softly.
When Garret began to pull back, Amy embraced his face with her hands and touched her lips to his. “I freely give it now, that you might have the promise through the cold night,” she whispered against them.
Garret took the promise, and the second and third that she also gave. Then he pulled very slowly back, their lips lingering as their eyes slowly opened to meet the others gaze. “Good evening, sweet muse.”
Amy caressed his face with her hands before lowering them to her side. “Good evening, poet mine.”