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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 14:39:46 GMT -5
What else was there to make of it, she wondered. It represented what he wanted to be... it seemed simple to her. Tattoos were life stories, like photographs, only more interpretive and more intimate.
"Pretty hidden. I can really only show you one of them without getting undressed." Her tatoos, much like his, were personal, and she didn't want just anyone to see them... only if she wanted them to. "But I did promise you that you would see them."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 14:50:33 GMT -5
He smiled. "You know, I've only ever seen one other woman with tattoos. And she was a large biker woman with tattos all over her arms and neck."
He shook his head at the memory, and even shuddered slightly. "I suspect she had more, but I wasn't about to investigate further. I have to admit... she made even me nervous."
He kissed her once more, then nodded towards the bedroom. "So should we move it into the bedroom, or are you OK out here?"
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 14:58:26 GMT -5
Nathalia chuckled at his memory, imagining such a women in her own mind, and she had to admit, there was something beautiful even in that image. "Well, I'm no biker chick, and I'm hardly intimidating, so I think we'll be all right."
She sighed, shifting her position just slightly on the couch, not really wanting to get up if she could help it, and honestly, either place sounded fine to her.
"It you're apartment... you're choice."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 15:09:30 GMT -5
Roland was the first to admit that he could be a difficult person to understand. Hell, he actually was kind of proud of the fact. He could be a man of many contradictions. So even though he swore off relationships and occasionally picked up women in bars, he was also deeply old-fashioned. To him, it felt a little cheap to do it right on the couch.
He knew she would probably leave right after, and honestly, he would be a little sorry to see her go, simply because she was interesting and pleasant to talk to.
"Why don't we go in there?" he said softly. "There's more room."
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 15:20:29 GMT -5
Nathalia nodded, "All right." She stayed still, waiting a moment for him to move so that she could get to her feet. She had been enjoying their conversation, and the questions they were asking each other... that wasn't to say she wouldn't enjoy what was to follow, but the majority of the conversation was over, really, at this point.
When she was on her feet, she nodded towards his bedroom. "Please, lead the way."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 15:33:24 GMT -5
Roland stood up and smiled as he took her hand, leading her into the bedroom.
The color scheme in the room was similar to the living room, with reddish brown on the walls and a deep burgundy on the carpet. His bed was neatly made and featured a bedspread in a muted, subtle plaid with a mixture of red and white colors.
When they reached the bed, he put his arms around her and kissed her, guiding her down onto the bed slowly.
(We'll have to break this soon.)
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 15:46:45 GMT -5
Nathalia allowed herself to get lost in that kiss, letting him lead her easily to the bed, and as they got to know each other in new ways, she let herself get lost in him completely. She tried to remember sensations and that look in his eyes so that she could recreate it later. Even if she never saw Roland again, she would remember him.
It was the after that was always awkward, when the moment was still holding on, but you never knew how far to stretch it, or what was the right thing to say, if you said anything at all.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 16:05:40 GMT -5
A while later, as the spell began to fade, he leaned up on his elbow and looked at her with that croked grin. "So, was this better than your book?" he teased lightly. He reached up and traced her lips with the tip of his finger.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 16:16:16 GMT -5
She smiled, then laughed lightly, and shrugged. "Eh," she teased him. She really didn't think he'd be the type to get easily offended by the joke, but just in case, her smile softened and she nodded. "It was better than my book... and it's a really good book, too."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 16:42:06 GMT -5
He chuckled lightly. "Well, at least it's a good book," he teased. He let out a breath, then looked down. "I really did have a great time tonight," he said. "I'm usually not so open. I actually enjoyed talking with you just as much as I enjoyed... everything else."
So much so that he was reluctant to let it end so soon. But what else was there to say?
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 16:50:34 GMT -5
"Me too," Nathalia said, and she decided to leave it at that. Neither one of them wanted to make anything out of this, she knew that, and understood it. But she did have a good time with him. He was kind and gentle and interesting and funny... and how often did you find all of those qualities in one guy?
She sighed inwardly, careful not to let him hear it, and pulled herself into a sitting position, a sheet wrapped around her. "I should probably go."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 17:05:20 GMT -5
His smile faded. He knew it was coming, and he hadn't expected her to stay the night. But he did enjoy her company.
He sat up as well, allowing the sheet to slip down and expose his bare chest. "If you want to," he said. "But I'm not kicking you out."
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 17:15:55 GMT -5
She smiled softly at that. "No, you're not. But you're not asking me to stay, either."
She leaned towards him, putting her hand on his cheek and pressing their lips together again. She let him break it, and said a soft "Thank you, Roland. For the wine and the company, and for everything."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 17:25:16 GMT -5
His eyes were a little sad as he pulled away. There was another reason why he didn't do this often, one that he would never admit to anyone, least of all himself. The romantic soul that was buried deep inside him was always sad to see something like this end, even though it was meant to be temporary. And since he was usually drawn to women who were more liberated and intelligent, and not empty-headed girls, he sometimes did long for more than what was expected. But he still didn't want the commitment, that hadn't changed.
"You're welcome," he said softly. "And thank you as well. I haven't had such a pleasant evening in a very long time."
He stood up and pulled on a pair of pants. "At least let me show you to the door. You said you were staying in the building?"
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 8, 2009 17:33:45 GMT -5
Nathalia nodded. "I'm actually just a floor below you," she told him, dropping the hint of where she lived, in case he was ever interested. "And if you ever come back to Stu's, there'll be a free Double O Seven for you."
She got out of bed, the sheet still around her, and started gathering her clothes, putting them on. She didn't rush. Yes, she was leaving, but she didn't want him to think that he was eager to do so.
"Okay," she said, needlessly, when she was dressed, and she turned around to look at him.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 8, 2009 19:35:59 GMT -5
He smiled at the hint. If their apartments were that close, there was a very good chance they'd run into each other again. He hoped it wouldn't be awkward, and that they could be friends.
"A free Double O Seven?" he said, chuckling. "Well, that's an offer I can't refuse."
He would definitely have to stop by Stu's again, just to say hi. And to get another one of her drinks. Perhaps next time he would bring a friend--Hayden, perhaps--so she wouldn't get the wrong impression. But Nathalia was a smart woman, and he was pretty sure she knew the score. It was why she was leaving now, after all.
"I'll show you out," he said, his tone regretful. He strode easily to the bedroom door.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 9, 2009 11:43:43 GMT -5
Nathalia would make sure it wasn't awkward. She understood how these things worked, and if she knew that he was actually planning on coming back to Stu's, she would have been genuinely shocked.
"Thank you," Nathalia said as he showed her to the door. She turned to face him before either of them could open it, and kissed him again, one hand on his cheek. "I will remember you, Roland. Thank you."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Jan 9, 2009 14:48:40 GMT -5
It was definitely a goodbye kiss, soft and bittersweet. He didn't let it linger, and he was the one to pull away first. "I won't forget you, either," he said, his voice gentle. "Thank you."
He reached out and touched her hair lightly, the crooked smile on his face. "Maybe I'll see you around." Then he opened the door and they both stepped out into the hallway.
It was unusual for him, in such a situation, to be so attentive after. But he was genuinely fond of her, and he couldn't say that about most of the other girls he had been with. This was a little more than an empty encounter. He was going to have to watch himself, and be a little more distant, or his mother would prove to be right: Maybe the right woman really was out there for him.
He dismissed the notion as quickly as it had come.
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Post by Riley Neves on Jan 9, 2009 17:46:47 GMT -5
It was pure coincidence that Riley was coming home just as Nathalia was leaving.
She had put in extra hours at the office, pouring over every source of information they had, everything they had learned. She was putting together theories that she wanted to explore and other possible suspects. In fact, Augustus Rookwood was the next person on her list she wanted to interrogate, for his ties with Weaver that seemed to be under wraps.
Tired, and stressed, she pulled out her key to unlock her door as Nathalia and... Roland? stepped out. It was more than a little obvious what they had been doing, and it bothered her. A lot. She was working, and he was picking up girls? And he didn't even have the decency to let her stay the night?
She leaned against her door, an eyebrow raised, waiting for the girl to leave before she said anything.
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Post by Nathalia Webb on Jan 9, 2009 17:48:26 GMT -5
Nathalia smiled softly. "Yeah, maybe," she replied, then her smile widened and she nodded. "Goodbye, Roland."
What else was there to say? She turned towards the elevators, the opposite way of Riley's door.
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