*Ava gasped for breath. He was on top of her and her wrists were tied above her head.
"Say it." He calmly demanded.
She said nothing.
He put the rag back over her face and poured more water on top of it.
She felt like a goldfish out of water.
"Say it." He commanded.
She won't give him the satisfaction.*
-I Am Not A Pumpkin. But Your Girlfriend's A Peach-
Ava awoke to her Snaggletooth chewing on her hair and a chill heavy in her chest. She lay there frozen in horror as the memories of last night came into consciousness. Oh my god. How embarrassing. She pulled the covers above her head, enveloping Mr. Fluffybottom with her. She reached up and removed him from his buffet, pulling him close and cuddling him for comfort. He purred and she held him until he fought for his freedom.
"Ouch! Snaggly! It time for your claws to be trimmed!" He scampered away and licked his fur in defiance and relief.
Ava forced herself out of bed to put on the coffee. When she sat down with breakfast, she noticed pink glitter strewn about, reminding her of the resolution list she made last night. It wasn't where she left it. She looked around and concluded Snaggly must have done something with it.
"Snaggle! Snaggle why must you do these things?!" She cooed.
Mr. Snaggletooth Fluffybottom Esq lll sat there licking his paw nonchalantly.
Ava shivered. The Mew Year was around the corner and vacation would be over in a week. She made breakfast and checked her phone; finding a text from Emma.
-Morning. How you feeling? You remember last night?
-Regretfully yes. Mr. Rack must think I'm an alcoholic loser. I can never show my face at work ever again.
There was a knock at her door.
Speak of the devil.
Ava put her back against the door. Her mind went blank. She looked at Mr. Fluffybottom, who looked at her briefly and went back to cleaning his head. She stared at him as if she would be able to read his mind if she stared hard enough, and he could tell her what to do. He took this as a sign of aggression, stopped licking, and returned her stare, unblinking.
There was another knock at the door. What reason could he possibly have to be here? Could she ignore him till he left? Her car is outside...she tiptoed away from the door and and spoke loudly: "I'll be there in a minute!" She scurried into her bedroom and quickly changed into something more presentable and less comfortable. Looking in the mirror she smoothed out her hair and wished she had makeup on.
Ava forced herself to approach the door. Taking a deep breath, she opened it. She was greeted by the smell of desire. Piercing eyes and warm smile, wrapped in fresh luxury.
"Mr. Rack! Oh my goodness! What are you doing here?"
His eyes bore through her soul, questioning her very existence.
"Do you have a moment, Ava?
He glided past her with ease, not waiting for a response.
"I apologize for my inhospitality, Mr. Rack. Please come in. Would you like some coffee?"
"Please." He watched her like a jaguar.
"I apologize for my apartment..."
"No worries. It's...vintage..." He chuckled.
The radiator banged and the floor creaked. He removed his jacket, revealing a belt unlike anything Ava had ever seen. She brought the coffee and they sat down. Ava was so surprised to see him at her door she didn't see him holding her coat. He handed it to her and laughed. "You weren't feeling much of anything last night for the cold to bother you were you?"
Ava's cheeks flushed and she thanked him. "H-how did you know it was mine?"
"Because Ava, it smelt of desire."
What?! Ava looked into his eyes in disbelief. He smiled.
Snaggletooth rubbed against her leg, and she used his presence as an excuse for a distraction, picking him up and holding him close to her face. Mr. Rack looked towards him, he hissed, fought for his freedom, and scampered away.
"You didn't have to come here to return it...I'm sure it was out of your way."
"Yes I did. You may get cold."
"But, your girlfriend..."
Ava wasn't cold. But he was.
"Don't read into it. I'm just a good guy." He smirked and sipped his coffee.
"Uh, that's a nice belt you have there." If Ava could kick herself she would have.
"It's Hermes. I have a thing for belts of all kinds. I only wear the luxury designs but the generic ones can serve purposes too."
"If not to wear then what?"
"If i have to explain it to you, you wouldn't want to know." He sipped his coffee.
"But I do want to know!" She sipped her coffee.
"Then maybe one day you'll find out."
He was so confusing. Ava was so over it. But she wasn't over his eyes. And the butterflies in her stomach were just starting to come to life.
When he left, he took a small part of her soul with him.