the time thief (part three)
Pairing: Robert Pattinson/Kristen Stewart
Rating: PG-13
Length:1,010 words
Summary: An aspiring writer, Rob comes to New York City after graduating university and stumbles upon a used bookstore and the beautiful girl that works there, Kristen.
8:13 a.m.
Casual or dressy for tonight?
-K
8: 16 a.m.
Err….casually dressy?
-R
8:20 a.m.
Hmm…think I have something like that. See you at 7.
-K
&&&
Hey, Rob, right? He tried not to stare at Shayla’s barely-concealed black eyes. Kristen will be right out.
So he waited, nervously tapping his hands against his pants. A door opened and he heard Shayla’s remark-Ohmygosh, you look GORGEOUS-before he even saw her.
Kristen stepped out of the bathroom and Rob felt the whole world fall away. She was in a form-fitting, sea blue dress that flared out at her long legs. Her blonde hair was soft and straight around her shoulders. Her makeup was simple, but she had dabbed the tiniest spot of blue glittery eyeshadow at the end of her lash lines. She walked toward him, stumbling slightly on her heels and gave him an embarrassed smile.
Rob couldn’t even think, she was so angelic.
You look…amazing, he said finally, unable to tear his eyes away from the fabric draped over her hips.
Her cheeks turned pink. Thanks….So, where are we going?
Ever gone salsa dancing?
She raised her eyebrows in shock. No.
He grinned. Neither have I. Let’s go, he said, reaching out his hand.
She stood rooted to the ground. You’re crazy.
We’ll learn together. What’s the worst that could happen?
I could fall and break my face.
Well…that would be a shame…but I won’t let that happen. Come on, don’t you trust me?
She wet her lips and all Rob wanted to do was kiss her little, pink mouth forever. Yes.
Then let’s go.
&&&
Okay, so…I think I’ve got it. Rob had watched the other couples in the club dance and he was 68% confident that he could do it. He went to put one hand on Kristen’s tiny waist but he stopped himself. May I? She nodded. His fingers touched the soft fabric and her hipbone beneath it. Kristen let out a steadying exhale. Are you alright?
Yeah, she replied, letting Rob enclose her hand in his. Just nervous. I have a tendency to fall down.
I’ll catch you, he grinned as he started to lead.
She might have been clumsy but she was a really quick study. Soon, they had advanced past making a square, onto turning each other.
Her green eyes were sparkling and her mouth was wide with laughter as he spun her around and around. Her skirt fanned out around her, grazing his legs. He wrapped his arm across her back and bent her over it, her hair almost touching the ground. She came back up with a little groan, falling slightly against him. His fingers went into her golden hair and he pressed his lips to hers.
When she pulled away, he tried to speak. Kristen, I-
Let’s get out of here, she said breathlessly in his ear. He took her hand, interlacing their fingers, and led her outside without another word.
The cab pulled up to her apartment a half hour later and Rob opened the door, holding out his hand for her. Did they teach a chivalry class at Royal Holloway? she asked as he pulled her to standing. Because you’re certainly acting like Prince Charming.
I just…respect you, is all.
Oh…I respect you too. She put her key in the lock then faced him again. You wanna come upstairs?
His heart leapt out of his chest. Really?
She kissed him, long and sweet, and then dragged her thumb across his bottom lip. Really.
&&&
This place is just incredible, he told her, staring in awe at the spacious apartment with it’s red brick walls, hardwood floors, and thick framed windows. What he really meant was You’re incredible but your flat is nice too.
Thank you, she smiled, bringing over two glasses of red wine.
I have to ask though, does The Time Thief pay for this?
She blushed, worrying her pink lip. Um, no…that would be my parents. They help out a lot.
Wow, he said, looking around again and thinking of his miniscule flat in London that he shared with his best mates during the summer The flat he’d be going back to in five days. The thought made him sick to his stomach. Pretty generous parents.
Yeah, they’re great, she replied awkwardly. She moved around the water-ringed marked coffee table and pressed a button on the stereo. The apartment filled with soft music. Do you like Iron & Wine? she asked, running a hand through her hair.
He nodded, taking a sip of wine.
She put her glass down and held out her hand. Dance with me?
Without hesitating, he placed his glass on the coffee table and got up to stand in front of her. One of his hands enveloped hers, the other slid around her waist to rest on her bare back. She turned her head and rested it against his chest, hearing his heartbeat pound in her ear.
They swayed slowly back and forth to the crooning melody. Have I found you, flightless bird?
How long are you in New York for? she asked.
I don’t want to talk about it.
Tell me.
He dipped his head so that his nose rested against her crown. She smelled like the ocean. I’ve got five more days.
Oh.
I never thought that I would meet someone like you while I was here.
What do you mean, ‘someone like me’?
He swallowed against the lump in his throat. Someone that I didn’t want to leave.
She tilted her head up to look into his eyes.
Kristen-
She cut him off, rising up on her toes and pressing her lips to his. Oh God, this is heaven, Rob thought. She is heaven. He brought the hand that was between her shoulders back around to cup her face.
When she broke away, he felt like he was falling through the air, like he was Icarus and his wings had just burnt up.
We’ll figure it out, she whispered. I don’t want you to leave either.