"I don't think I can concentrate a moment longer," I growled, pushing myself away from the table and standing up. I wished I could go for a run, but being blind made that an impossibility now. Restlessly I paced back and forth, trying to clear my thoughts. I could almost feel Dianna's eyes following my movements.
Maybe a short walk will help I told myself and I reached for my jacket. the fall weather was getting cooler by the day, and I could literally hear the leaves being shed by the massive trees around my house and around the campus. If I concentrated enough I could hear them drifting through the air and settle with a faint scrape on the sidewalk.
Dianna matched my pace as we headed towards the center of the town. I could smell wood smoke from a few houses. gradually a new, yet familiar scent mixed with the smell of burning wood.
"Hi Chris," I said and turned my head slightly and pausing in my walk.
"How did you know I was here?" Chris asked clearly puzzled.
"I could smell your cologne." I smirked at his silence.
"Is it to much?" he asked, and he brushed my arm just above the elbow to let me know where he was.
"Actually it smells very nice. Sandalwood?" I asked.
Chris laughed, "Yeah."
I grinned in his direction, "But it's not just Sandalwood," I went on, "several men wear sandalwood. There is something else there that makes your scent you." I paused to consider what it was. I could feel my brow furrowing in thought. I couldn't quite grasp it.
Blushing, I turned towards Chris, "would you mind terribly if I gave you a hug?"
The surprised silence lasted a moment or two before I felt myself drawn forward into a gentle embrace. I tucked my head into the curve of his neck and my arms went around his chest.
Inhaling deeply, the most prominent scent was that of sandalwood, just as I knew it would be. I could also smell leather, that had to be his jacket, and something spicy like an echo of cinnamon. I could also smell lavender, but only a suggestion of it, as if his clothes were washed in it, and the faintest trace of sweat as if he had worked out earlier in the day.
I took in his scent one more time before loosening my embrace and stepping back. I could feel my face heating up. I knew he was staring at me expectantly.
"Well?" he asked. I could hear a grin in his voice.
I blushed again. "Sandalwood, leather, cinnamon, lavender, and," I hesitated.
"And," he prompted. I felt his fingers brush a lock of hair out of my face.
"And a little bit of sweat," I mumbled quickly.
"I'm sorry," Chris laughed out loud, "I missed that."
"Nothing," I muttered and clicked my tongue at Dianna, signaling her that I was ready to walk. I could feel my face practically glowing with embarrassment. I can't believe I did that I thought to myself.
"Wait," Chris called and I could hear him hurrying to catch up to me. "Wait, Sarah. Don't go." I felt a slight pressure on my arm again, letting me know he was right there.
"I'm sorry Chris," I said and I slowed my pace.
"For what?" Chris asked.
Actually I wasn't sure what I was sorry about, only that I was embarrassed.
"Look," Chris said, and gently pulled me to a stop, "if I promise not to laugh will you tell me what else you could smell? I'm rather curious."
I bit my lip, debating on weather it would offend him or not. Finally I felt myself sigh in resignation, "I could smell sweat," I said. "But only a faint trace, as if you had worked out earlier today or yesterday," I added quickly.
"Hm," Chris hummed thoughtfully, "you know you are right," he said. "I worked out late last night."
"I didn't mean it in a bad way," I said, trying to get him to understand, "I like the way you smell."
"And I like the way you smell too," Chris said, and I could hear him grinning again.
I smiled in his direction and clicked to Dianna and the three of us moved on.
