The Key by Penny Reid Read Free Book Online

~Part 1~
    The Chest
     
    “Why don’t you just open it with a screw driver or a… a… crow bar?”
    “Shut up.” Anna rolled her eyes, trying the last of the antique keys; huffing in irritation when the long, brass key couldn’t budge the lock. Fanning the keys over her palm she inspected each of them, brushing her brightly painted fingers over their tips and sighing. “It’s not here.”
    Jake regarded her for a moment, his face brightened with an amused smile. Every Saturday it was the same- regardless of where they went, how small the town, she would always be drawn to the biggest junk store, the most useless antique shop.
    He couldn’t remember a Saturday when she didn’t go home with at least one key; and from the time they would leave with her purchase to the time they would get back to her apartment, everything was golden. Excitement shone in her eyes- she would laugh a bit more; talk a bit less; link their arms; hold his hand…
    Throughout the day she would reach inside her pocket and stroke the key with her thumb, her eyes losing focus, her attention fixed elsewhere. Finally, when they pulled up to her apartment, she would bound off the back of his bike and take the steps to her building two at a time. Jogging after her, shaking his head- it was nice while it lasted.
    The keys never worked. Sitting legs crossed in front of the trunk she would try each at least twice- her lips forming a tight, disappointed line, her brows flickering downward. He always offered the same advice: just break the damn thing open- but she refused.
    Finding seven that day, she was certain it was a sign- as today was the seventh anniversary of her mother’s death… Jake frowned at the memory. “You are so stubborn.”
    Relaxing back into her couch, he rested his hands behind his head and watched her profile as she studied the keys. He was indulging himself; allowing his eyes to rake over her face and form- marvel at the graceful way she moved; even the smallest gesture- tucking her hair behind a perfect ear- was beautiful.
    But, what really drove him crazy was the way she would nibble on her lower lip; often he would find himself enraptured, watching her perfect pink tongue soothe the abused flesh… he would bet his bike that her tongue was as soft as it looked.
    “Well…” Anna hoisted herself up from the ground- dusting off her black hip huggers with fire engine red fingertips. “I guess that is that.”
    Jake followed her movements with his gaze- trying unsuccessfully not to stare. The black v-neck knit she wore clung to her curves- plunging downward and teasing him with just a whisper of her rounded cleavage. The lightweight cashmere sweater ended quarter sleeves- red stitching decorating the hems.
    She was not going to make this easy on him- but he had made up his mind. He couldn’t allow himself to continue on this way- wanting something with every fiber of his being that would never be his. Seeing her, spending time with her- he’d reached his limit. A man could only take so much. He had tried having other relationships, he tried but- it always came back to her- to them… but there was no them.
    However, that didn’t keep him from wanting.
    She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known- and she had always been so. Even as a six year old, covered with scrapes and dressed in boy’s overalls and ponytails and a chocolate milk mustache- she was beautiful; as an awkward preteen, threatening to hit him if he said “just one word” about her being forced into a velvet dress for a school recital; as the star center on their high school’s soccer team- hair clinging, wet with sweat to her forehead and neck, eyes brilliant blue, face flushed from exertion; and now- as a stylish gallery curator in the city- all chic and sophisticated with her Prada shoes and Dolce Gabana outfit… sitting on the floor Indian style.
    Straightening to her full five feet three inches- plus three with strappy sandal heals- she walked