Free Fall Read Online Free Page B

him and felt kind of goofy.
    "Can we eat here?" He nibbled on a finger. "I could use some dinner."
    "As a matter of fact, I made a reservation." She took his hand and pulled him forward to the SkyCity restaurant.
    "This is great!" he said, once they were seated. He looked through the slanted windows at the pure blue sky outside. "We’re rotating, aren’t we? It feels like I’m on the deck of a big ship."
    They ordered steamed clams as an appetizer and each agreed on the king salmon as an entrée. The waiter brought them a bottle of Chateau St Michelle Riesling which went well with the exquisitely prepared meal. By the time they left the restaurant and entered the elevator for the trip down, Nina had a mild buzz.
    Trevor picked them up on Broad Street and Nina directed him to the Seattle Ferry Terminal on the waterfront where they parked in a line of cars and waited for the ferry to Bainbridge Island.
    Once on board, they left Trevor to his own devices and went up to the upper deck. The wind was brisk but invigorating and as she huddled against Joseph she thought that there wasn’t any other place in the entire world where she would rather be at this moment. He was eager and enthusiastic company, friendly and open to conversation with everyone, and unfailingly polite and well-mannered towards her. He was engaged in all the sights and sounds and seemed to squeeze every drop of enjoyment out of every detail. Her distrust of him from the night before had vanished. All of her defenses had fallen away.
    "My stepfather has a cabin on Crystal Mountain," she said shyly. "If you can get a night away we could go there this weekend. It’s really beautiful up there. A lot of wild, untamed wilderness. Giant herds of elk walk around the little village."
    Joseph turned his eyes on her and gave her a slow smile.
    "It takes about two hours by car," Nina went on a little nervously. "A nice little road trip."
    "I’m sold," Joseph said. He studied her and she turned to look out over the water.
    She felt his eyes on her and a tingle of excitement snuck up her spine. He knew what she was inviting him for. An overnight getaway. Just the two of them. She glanced at him and saw a complacent look on his smiling face.
    "There’s three bedrooms, you know."
    Joseph threw back his head and laughed, "Yes, ma’am!" He hugged her to him exuberantly.
    "My territory, my rules," Nina said, her voice muffled against his shirt.
    "Of course. I’m completely at your mercy," Joseph replied.
     
     
    On Tuesday Joseph was able to get away from the set for a few hours in the early evening. Nina took him to the Experience Music Project. They viewed the musical instrument sculptures and the artist memorabilia and found that they had similar taste in music. He gave her a kiss at her door and nothing more. After sleeping on it, Nina had regretted her invitation to the cabin that weekend. But once again in his presence, she vacillated back and forth, unable to tell him that she wanted to call it off. He came to the club that night and sat at the bar and laughed and teased with Trish and the other waitresses. Nina sang better than she had before, knowing that he was in the audience. He stayed until closing and walked her home, once again kissing her goodbye at her door. Wednesday and Thursday Joseph was busy on the set. Friday evening they attended a play at the Seattle University Theater, and enjoyed a production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
    By Saturday Nina was enveloped in a foggy haze of lust as the possibility of sex with Joseph loomed closer. She tried to sort out her thoughts and decide what to do. She knew that if she weren’t careful she would fall hopelessly in love. She was already a little in love with him, with his face, with his voice, the way he looked at her. They had the same values and outlook on the world. They saw the big picture and didn’t let inconsequential pettiness mar their enjoyment of life. She imagined a future where all the