□ EIGHTEEN □
Michael's POV:

My fingers tapped the laptop keyboard, constantly backspacing what I had just written. Nothing was good enough.

Finally; after sighing and cursing the tiredness that had crept over me; I slammed the laptop screen close, pushing it away from me.

I turned my head to look out the windows that covered the whole wall. The city was lit up and the moon shone directly onto my carpeted floor. Normally the view would make me feel calm and serene but worry nawed at me.

Hope wasn't answering any of my calls and I was probably coming on too strong. I checked my phone, hoping to just see a text from her telling me she was okay.

Nothing.

I pushed away from my desk, leaving my office and switching the lights off as I walked towards the lounge room. The fireplace was still burning brightly and I walked past the heat to grab myself a bottle of bailey's and a glass.

I sat in front of the fire, watching it lick away at the logs inside. I felt my phone buzz and I reached for it quickly, thinking it was Hope but it was just another work email coming through.

I turned away from the fire light and studied the lounge room. I had never realised how lonely my apartment looked before Hope showed up. Everything was so monochrome and modern. Nothing seemed original and for some reason, that bothered me.

Silence filled up the house, other than me lifting the glass up off the floor to take a gulp or the crackling fire, nothing could be heard. Not a sound.
After having Hope here for even just a few days, it seemed a little less lonely.

My eyes drifted over to the piano, my fingers suddenly itching to play. Biting my lip, I struggled to stand before walking over to the piano and placing my glass on the top.
I lifted the lid and ran my fingers across the keys.

Closing my eyes, I pressed C. My fingers started to dance across the keys, creating the beautiful melodic sound of Moonlight Sonata. I had almost forgotten the joy of playing piano and my mouth started to smile as I reached the crescendo.

It was easier to forget everything when you delved into the music. I let my passion, heartache and loneliness pour into my talent.

I cut off playing suddenly when I heard the front door open. I turned around quickly to see Hope walk in and turn around to close the door.
Relief flooded me.

She moved to the hook near the door and placed the key there. She turned around, spotting me. I watched her as she nervously pulled her jacket closer, hiding her from the world.
"Hey" she said awkwardly.

"Hey" I replied, not sure how I felt.

Her eyes went to the bottle of alcohol on the ground next to the fire and she walked over to it and picked it up. "Was that you playing?" She asked, making small talk.

I nodded stiffly.

"You're really good" she said, walking towards me.

She placed the bottle of bailey's on the piano, sitting it right next to my glass. "I want to apologise for the way I acted on the phone" she began.

I shook my head. "That isn't necessary, I could see why you old be angry with me, it's perfectly okay to be jealous" I replied, the corner of my mouth twitching.

Hope rolled her eyes, boring her lip. Sometimes, I wish she wouldn't do that. It made me want to do wicked things with her.
"I wasn't jealous, I was confused and I run away from things I don't understand" she said, looking down.

Her hair fell free, creating a curtain between us. Slowly, I raised my hand and stroked her hair, before pushing it back behind her ear, trailing the tip of my pointer finger down the side of her jaw.

She looked up, her eyes wide. "M-michael" she stuttered.

I pulled my hand back, hurt rising inside me. I moved away from the piano, away from her and towards the staircase. "Well I'm glad you made it home safely" I said, refusing to let myself feel anything.

I had just put my foot on the first step when her voice stopped me. "Michael, I think I don't want to work with you anymore" she said, quietly but loud enough for me to actually hear.

I froze before turning my head to look at her. "What?"

She took a deep breath, her eyes cast down and almost tearful. "I want to quit" she said before biting her bottom lip.

"Why"

She froze, opening her mouth to explain but nothing coming out. "Why?" I asked firmer.

She looked away. "This thing between us, it's affecting my work" she said, finally looking at me.

I walked towards her and she put up her hands. "No stop! You won't change my mind" she said as I reached her.

I simply just grasped her wrists lightly and pulled her towards me, claiming her lips as she stumbled towards me. Everything felt so right when my lips were joined to hers.

In that moment, I wanted to show her I didn't want her to leave, ever. Her body felt warm and solid against mine, the curve of her hips resting just at the edge of my grasp. I pulled away for little air, letting her breathe.
Like my music, I had poured everything into that kiss.

Her eyes were alight in devilish desire, her lips pouted in the perfect 'o' as she caught her breath.
I didn't give her long before I was kissing her again and moving one hand from her wrists to the small of her back.

Pulling back, I tugged on her hand. She followed me as I led her up the stairs. No words were spoken, just breathless pants and we barely made it to my room before I was kissing her again.

I had her pressed up against my wall and moaning; underneath my touch. Our tongues clashed over and over, and with each new kiss I felt something more for her.

It was like something switched in her, she pushed me back and I tripped, falling onto my bed.
She moved towards me with grace, more grace than a black panther.

Her eyes locked on mine, her lips swollen. Her hand pressed against my chest, forcing me to lay down. She sat atop my lower waistline, her fingers brushing against my cheek softly.
"I wasn't jealous" she whispered.

My lips curved up into a smile. "But I realised that she was so beautiful and you could have her or any woman in the world" Hope said, her eyes drifting across my face distantly.

"I don't want her or anybody else" I replied.

She pressed her finger against my lips, keeping me quiet. "But I was so grateful when I saw her, because here you were with the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and somehow you had seen something in me.." trailed off.

I kissed the edge of her finger. "I want you Hope" I said, final.

A/N

Oops. Nearly fell asleep writing this one. Work is just grinding me down to the bone.

Probably many spelling mistakes..
What did you think of the chapter?

Michael and Hope finally getting some real, not rushed action.
Don't forget to vote and comment!
Love, T xoxoxoxoxox